#reading the priest interviews got me thinking about it again..........
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Tristamp Wolfwood is a bit different than his counterparts, yeah? And I don’t mean that in a bad way, Orange is going somewhere with it, but it’s very different from what they’ve done with Vash and Meryl imo. With them, I feel like we got a glimpse of pre-canon. With Wolfwood... Orange is up to something, and it goddamn terrifies me. I love him dearly, he has some many moments that make me smile and go, “Yeah, that’s Wolfwood, my beloved asshole.” But it’s different. Oh so very different.
I’m just gonna point out a few examples of things I think are different enough to note here (drawing comparisons from Trimax since that was the source for Tristamp, but I’ll try not to spoil much--just don’t Google names you don’t recognize), and then go a little off the rails with a couple theories (spoilers there, click the read more at your own peril). This is DEFINITELY not everything, and maybe my takes are a bit off, idk. If there’s something you’ve picked up on, definitely feel free to add it!
Well, here goes:
My dude is a mess. Wolfwood is typically put together and some would call him smooth (he’s a mess inside always, though) in his other incarnations. Orange pointed out at Sakuracon that the characters are supposed to look younger and more immature in Tristamp, and Wolfwood specifically is supposed to look like he can’t dress himself (lmao). They said they have their reasons but just didn’t have time to explore them in canon. So, I can make assumptions, but I’ll wait to see what comes in the future.
Another one that staff talked about in a recent interview is that Wolfwood is technically a priest according to his contract, but he calls himself an undertaker. Yeah, yeah, edgelord Tristamp Wolfwood and all that, but I’ve seen people call back to how, in the manga, it’s Vash that always takes the time to bury the dead. Wolfwood even chews him out a bit for this. But it’s literally in our introduction to him in this version. He carries the weight of the dead with him enough to make it part of his title, and that’s different for him.
I could be misremembering with this one. But I distinctly remember being surprised when I read Trimax because Wolfwood going into the Eye of Michael seemed more of his own choice than it is in Tristamp (not that a literal child could consent to, you know, torture and abuse)? But either way Wolfwood loathes the Eye of Michael from the get-go here, he doesn’t stay by choice and actively tries to escape. Just like all these choices he makes in Tristamp (which is MASSIVELY different in general), he does it for someone else. He can’t try to escape again, because they have Livio.
Speaking of! Livio!!! This was another thing that caught me by surprise going from Tristamp to Trimax, their relationship is so much different here, so much softer and it hurts in a beautiful way. I feel like less is more here to avoid spoilers, but this introduction pre-Trimax-canon and any future conflict with this backstory... is very different.
Holy hell, a moment like this happening so early?! Vash and Wolfwood having ideological differences and not understanding each other takes up so much time in Trimax. But over the course of three episodes, we go from Wolfwood killing someone that Vash wanted to save (props to Tristamp for making that gutpunch even more personal, ouch--though points deducted for not having the, “Shoot,” moment there), to Vash seeing how very similar they are and getting a grasp of why Wolfwood is the way he is. Wolfwood is so much softer in Tristamp. He’s way more emotional, he cares so deeply for things outside of himself, and he doesn’t have that apathetic bitterness. Staff have said that our main characters will be a lot more recognizable post-timeskip, so some shit is gonna happen to this man, but this is a fundamental shift in the early days of their relationship.
AGAIN!!! Wolfwood is doing this whole mission, betraying Vash, to save the orphanage. He didn’t have to listen to Vash trying to save the sandsteamer. It doesn’t matter if Vash is pissy if Wolfwood blew up the ship to save the orphanage, because that’s his end goal. He has a giant laser that just blew through an entire giant worm, this ship is nothing. Wolfwood’s trying to cling to the monster that he sees himself as, trying to stay the Punisher, but he’s not. He already has enough faith in Vash to trust him with everything he cares about. This takes a lot of development time for Wolfwood to trust Vash like this in Trimax--and even in the very end, he still doesn’t trust Vash with this. (If you know, you know.)
AGAIN!!!!! Wolfwood cares!!! He does not need to question if Vash is sure, if he thinks he can make up with or convince Knives or whatever, in fact he shouldn’t. He should give Vash no reason to question getting to July. But Wolfwood, be careful, your feelings are showing. Wolfwood’s getting worried about Vash. Even though all he needs to do is keep his head down and get this dork to July.
This was never Trimax Wolfwood’s motivation. Whatever drove him left him hollow and empty, he did not care. Even when he saw things starting to go south and he wanted out, Vash ended up being right: he was too much of a coward to do anything about it. (If you know, you know.) I had wondered, after Legato tried to bulldoze everything he loved, why the hell didn’t Wolfwood just desert the mission and team up with the gang. He already has such a deep connection with them. But this would be why.
WOLFWOOD IS NO LONGER CONTRACTED BY THE EYE OF MICHAEL AT THE END OF THE SEASON??? Some people say that Wolfwood still works for them, but tbh for what reason? They’re about to end the world. And then what about this line? He wouldn’t exactly have a choice, would he? I do think we’re gonna meet Chapel (right before Livio shoots himself, you’ll hear a voice and see a silhouette (not Razlo, though he’s there too) that seems to be a “new” character), and Wolfwood might end up working under him for some fucked up reason... But if not, this changes everything. It already changes everything considering how big Wolfwood escorting Vash to Knives is. But that’s done now. And because Vash saw right through him the first time, if Wolfwood comes back to do the same thing again, it might feel cheap and a little silly.
MERYL!!! Trimax is basically the Vash and Wolfwood show, right? The girls are around, but mainly their interactions are with Vash. But he and Meryl interact so much just over the course of twelve episodes. They even have that adorable group shot. She matters enough that he came back to rescue her, and the two of them worry about Vash together in the finale. Who knows what happened post-finale, but Wolfwood’s self isolation is already shot to hell. He’s more big brother Nico than he’d had the chance to be in awhile, he has so many people to care for.
So the danger has passed, Vash’s roots are back inside of him, the orphanage should be fine. But Wolfwood comes back for them. Yeah, yeah, the stupid cigarette excuse, but this is Wolfwood, not Vash. He didn’t come back because of the cigarette debt and we all know it. (Also kinda hoping that him saying what he does about fighting Knives being crazy is foreshadowing for some ridiculous 1v1 fight between them, had to throw that in there)
Now, theories Trimax spoiler time bby (I’ll also post any corrections under the cut):
EDIT 1: I was bonkers wrong on the Tristamp timeline (it takes place from May 25th to July 21st, not including the epilogue), so I just deleted that bit from the og post. I cannot remember where I got that number in my brain.
They are doing something with this man and I hate it as much as I love it. Every other character can go off and follow similar paths but they just nuked the entirety of Wolfwood’s storyline by having him be finished getting Vash to Knives and him choosing to trust Vash so goddamn early. And in less than a week of canon time!!! ORANGE WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!
They’ve knocked everything out of the park so far, I had so many concerns about what they were doing while watching, and they squashed most of them. So I choose to have faith that Orange has a brilliant plan that will crush my emotions in mind. It will probably eviscerate us just like Trimax did. But I have two theories as to how this could go:
First: And by far the most likely: all roads lead to that goddamned couch. They changed a ton of things, but just to make it all hurt in a new and exciting way. Don’t get me wrong, this was the final straw in making Trimax one of my favorite manga ever--Wolfwood’s character arc is one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever read. I’m a bit nervous because we’ve already shifted that arc so much, but there’s a lot of room to fuck us all up in this one. I imagine the final confrontation will still be between the two brothers, but I imagine the context will be different.
Wolfwood’s already chosen to spare Livio, so that won’t be the clincher, but there are so many things that Wolfwood wants to fight for now to use against him. Something in the timeskip will probably firm up his ideals to be the opposite of Vash’s in a different way than before, but I imagine we’ll get at least a season of them being goofy and learning how to live and regain their humanity together before they’re couched. :’) And now the girls are going to be a bigger part of it to make the grief all that greater :’))) Thanks in advance, Orange :’))))))
Second: No couch??? I know, then what would be the point? He’s doomed in every universe, how will it be as powerful if they don’t do that here??? And I agree, I think this is way less likely. But Wolfwood has already accepted the power of anime Jesus friendship into his life, and that’s a huge part of what lead to his death. Not that I don’t think it’s still likely for Tristamp Wolfwood to think it’s too much to ask Vash to step away from the conflict with Knives for whatever his personal struggles are, but... man that sandsteamer incident is foreshadowing something and I’m afraid. It shifted so much in a way that is so significant, I feel like I’m not doing it justice with my words.
Speaking of possible foreshadowing: Wolfwood isn’t the product of random experimenting like he was in Trimax, he’s the product of plant experimentation. And Vash can heal plants. Again, that’s a big ol’ stretch, as I think that they made the Gung Ho Guns a product of plant experimentation to try and explain the magic powers they all have, and it’s a very smooth idea imo. But it haunts me. Also, given that Conrad has probably been kept alive through fucked up plant methods and how long Rollo remained the same, and Conrad said the only flaw in his experiments were that they had to eat and drink... does Wolfwood and Gung Ho Gun friends have an extended lifespan??? Okay, getting off topic, sorry :’D
Basically, Wolfwood has already made huge leaps and bounds in trusting Vash, even listening to Meryl, and growing a heart for humanity. To the point I was half-afraid this guy was going to die in the finale, because we’ve already seen so much of his character arc. (It would have been a poor choice and I’m happy it didn’t happen EVEN IF I’M STILL AFRAID). And he’s based off of Trimax Wolfwood quite heavily! You can see it in the core of his personality still!!! WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH HIM???
I doubt either of these ideas are going to be quite right, watch as Orange works in a secret, third thing that I can’t even imagine lmao. But this has been driving me absolutely bonkers and I had to share. This is still Wolfwood, and I have a feeling he’s only going to be more and more of the lovable asshole from here on out. But I have no idea where we’re going with it.
Holy hell, this was a long post. If you made it to the end of my insane ramblings well, uh... congrats??? I hope it was somewhat worth the read???? I’m so sorry?????? Thank you??????????
#Trigun#Trigun Stampede#Tristamp#Trimax#Trigun Maximum#Trigun Meta#I'm so tired I'm sorry about any and all typos#And also if this is stupid#It's just been GNAWING AT ME#WOLFWOOD I LOVE YOU BUT YOU SCARE ME#Long Post#My Trigun Meta
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on expository dialogue
we all hate it when someone says "as you know, bob." however, expository dialogue is both necessary and good.
while it's nice to think of fictional characters & narratives really existing without an observer, they don't. dialogue, including expository dialogue, should serve both the characters (to establish traits and advance the plot) and the reader (to guide them into the narrative and the world).
honestly i think people are too harsh on what counts as "too explanatory/clunky." i'm not going to think "i have to get on the subway, the underground transportation system built in the 1900s, when Theodore Roosevelt was President, to go to my interview." I might, however, think "i have to make it to the 6 by 1:00 if i'm going to be on time. and I really want this job, i've been unemployed for six months."
I think the key thing about expository dialogue is that when it's bad, it's because it feels like a thought a person who lives in the world wouldn't have, or something that you wouldn't tell someone else who also lives in the world. this post is, in part, sparked by an okay book i'm reading where someone is surprised to see someone dying of the "horned death."
here's the actual dialogue:
“Well, well, a witan of the Faith and this is yer first taste of the Horned Death, eh? Get used to it, young’un! You’ll see plenty more, I’m thinking.”
...
A’Va got these. The devil’s work now. Your business, I s’pose, brother witan. Not mine, fer sure. But you mark me words, reverend sorr: there’s too many twins being bore. The Way of the Flow is doomed, lest you lot tackle the sprout of evil!”
What the beggary has twins to do with anything? Or A’Va of all things?
The whole question of the existence of a demonic antithesis of Va, a being called A’Va, was moot, and in another situation he might have argued the point.
The thing here, aside from the pretty egregious eye-dialect, is that honestly it sounds like the main character should know about this - he's from a country that's relatively close; he's a priest; and, crucially, this doesn't seem to be the first outbreak of the plague, from the worker's reaction to it. And even bearing in mind the idea that this dialogue is for the readers, it's so easy to make this sound like someone who is actually aware -
"...too many twins being born!"
He winced. That Va-cursed supersition about twins being born of A'Va again. I thought we'd handled these A'Va heretics years ago.
my edit's quick & not perfect, but at least it doesn't make the main character sound like he can't put simple facts together.
The point is, you can have dialogue (or internal monologue) that gives the audience the information it needs and develops the character appropriately. It just needs to be considered a little bit.
#also NO i can't take the god being called Va#or the fucking 'Va-cherished hemisphere' seriously#on writing#long posts
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Take On The World
One shot (for now)
K.K. Downing X OC {Alexandra Chrissy}
Warning(s): None
Plot: Alexandra works in a local rock radio station. When Judas Priest comes in for an interview and gives her friend and radio jockey, Lara two tickets to the show, Lara chooses her. The only issue is she suffers from some social anxiety, queue the drama unfolding.
A/N: I’m only writing more if people want it. Please comment, like and reblog this! Thanks for reading. <3
Alexandra’s POV
I take a deep breath as I finally after a few minutes of panicked searching find a quiet spot. I should have known better, me and crowds don’t mix well yet, I never learn.
I lean my back up against the cold painted brick wall, the sound of the concert in the background. I can feel my heartbeat slowing down and my breath getting more even and normal again and I find solace in being alone.
I knew deep down I should have told Lara no, but she’s my best friend, and I have a hard time saying no to people I care about. I’ve also been trying to push myself out of my comfort zone, which if you can’t tell hasn’t been going all too well.
The only reason we’re even at this Judas Priest concert is because she got the tickets for free.
We both work for the local rock radio station, she’s the disc jockey and I work behind the scenes in the sound room making sure everything is working alright. The thing about our station is I sit behind her, with a sheet of glass between us and I listen in on the conversation, and pull up the bumpers, get the songs playing, the comermicals and pull up the callers as the show is going.
Today, since they were playing our arena Judas Priest came in to conduct an interview with Lara of course. I luckily didn’t have to interact with any of them. It’s not that I wouldn't have loved to, I love the band, but as I’ve said before I’m not good with social interactions.
I’m so bad in fact, that K.K. Downing one of the two guitars, briefly glanced at me from behind the glass and I quickly looked away hoping he wouldn’t notice me.
I’m proud that I made it as far into the concert as I did, usually I’d be out of here having a panic moment way before I did tonight. So in that way I’m proud. I made it through the concert, well most of it. Just not the encores, I maybe could have if it wasn’t for the guy behind me trying to chat me up.
I’m sure lots of people would have been flattered but social interactions aren’t my thing so I freaked out. Of course I lied to Lara, and told her I had to find the bathroom, that way she wouldn’t worry too much or try and tell me to stay.
It probably also didn’t help that we were very close to the stage, and well at one point I swear to god K.K. once again was looking at me, he even pointed. I know he was most likely just pointing at the crowd generally but he looked directly at me as he did it. I’m sure most people would love that and think it’s cool, but my anxiety got in the way once again. I'd prefer to blend into the crowd.
How ridiculous am I? Sitting backstage at a Judas Priest concert, not even to meet the band just to get out of the crowd. It’s embarrassing really. Hopefully I can sneak back out before it’s too late and everyone starts making their way back here after the show.
I figure I have a few more minutes at least, so I reach into my bag and pull out my half finished book. Reading is one of the ways I escape my problems, that and music. I pull out my Walkman, which just happens to have Turbo, the very album they're touring off of right now. I just heard Turbo lover not minutes ago live, but I need to hear it again. I turn it up full volume as I begin to read.
————————————————————————
I Jump as I feel someone tapping my shoulder, knocking me out of my book and the music. Before looking up to see who it is I quickly stop my music and remove my headphones. I’m expecting it to be Lara who’s gone off to find me, after all it would have been a long bathroom break.
So when I look up and see K.K. Downing still in his full leathers, his blonde hair dripping in sweat, I can’t help but feel that all too familiar panic set in. Only I really can’t run. I backed myself into a corner, no literally.
“Can I help you with something?” He asks me, giving me curios look.
“No! I’m sorry! I was trying to get away from the crowd and got carried away reading. I'm sorry I’m in the way. I’ll leave.” I say quickly shutting my book and standing up, the words just flooding out of me in a panic.
“No. That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to ask if you wanted a signature.” He tells me and this time I notice his smooth English accent a lot more. “You work at the radio station, right?”
“Yes.” I manage to squeak out. He remembered me from earlier? I was behind the glass. We didn't even interact. He looked at me once.
“I-I um don’t have anything for you to sign, but ah thank you.”
“At least let me give you a pick.” He says, offering out one of his guitar picks in his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m K.K. by the way.”
I would be rude not to take it, and who doesn’t want a pick from K.K. Downing? so I gently take the piece of plastic from his hand and give him the best smile I can manage.
“Thank you. I’m Alexandra.”
“Not a problem, love.” He tells me with a friendly smile on his face. “I would have given it to you in the crowd at the end but you disappeared.”
I feel a blush creep across my face, he noticed? So he was looking at me? Why would he even be looking at me? I do everything possible to blend into the crowd and not stand out.
“Oh- sorry.” I say, I almost feel bad like I should explain why I suddenly got up and just left. I mean they killed it and I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.
“I-it wasn’t because it was bad. I just got uncomfortable because someone was um…chatting me up.” I try my best to explain despite still being slightly nervous and still socially awkward as ever.
“Oh. I’m sorry you couldn’t enjoy the end.” K.K. says to me, “Do you want to meet everyone else? Consider it payment for someone ruining the show for you.”
I know I should no, I’ll probably end up making a fool of myself, but K.K. has been nothing but nice to me. It would be rude not to, not to mention it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ve come this far. I'm sure I can do it.
“Okay.” I smile at him.
“Ladies first.” he says, opening the door right next to the corner I was standing in.
Wait, I was standing next to their dressing room this whole time? No wonder he came up to the weird woman sitting in the corner. I’m also a little surprised this place isn’t swarmed by groupies, unless all the other band members already took them into the dressing room.
I walk into the backstage era and sure enough there are a couple of beautiful blonde girls. The kind that used to pick on me in high school and were cheerleaders and popular.
I suddenly feel very out of place.
I’m nothing like these girls and not nearly as beautiful. I have plain dark hair, and my go-to outfit is jeans, a t-shirt, usually with a band on it and boots or sneakers depending on the time of year. I only ever wear dresses on special occasions and I’d never wear heels.
“Here.” K.K. says handing me a lanyard with a backstage pass hanging on it. “Put this on so no one tries to kick you out.”
I nod and put the pass around my neck, I do so I notice it has a signature on it.
“You signed it.” I say, looking for confirmation from him, I somehow never noticed, though that could be due to me looking at the other girls in the room.
“You said you had nothing for me to sign so yes I did.” K.K. tells me and that’s very sweet actually, I can’t help but smile at that.
“Now let me change real fast and I’ll find their other okay?” K.K. tells me and I nod in acknowledgment, standing up against the farthest wall hoping none of these girls come up to me as K.K. disappears into the back room.
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K.K’s POV
“Where were you?” Rob asks, being his normal nosy self.
“With a girl.” I tell him, as I start removing my trousers.
“Oh, I see.” He says, raising an eyebrow at me. I know exactly what he’s thinking, she’s some groupie or beautiful blonde woman I’m going shag later. Usually he wouldn’t be wrong, yet it’s a bit different.
It was in intention originally, but that changed. Yes Alexandra is pretty, but she’s shy, deathly shy. Struggling to speak to strangers is shy. I could never take advantage of someone like that, especially someone who seems as inexperienced as her.
I’d settle for her number, or maybe a date. Not so much for me even, for her, she deserves it. Especially since she didn’t get to enjoy the end of the show.
“It’s not like that.” I inform him, as I take off my leathers and quickly pull my shirt over my head waiting for the shock from all the lads.
“What do you mean it’s not like that?” Ian pips up from beside me. “I’ve known you ages and it’s never been not about that.”
“She’s not interested in me like that.” I tell him as I pull on my boots.
“When has that ever stopped you?” Ian asks, giving me a very confused look. I choose to ignore that comment, yes I’m pretty president and I like to change a girls mind through flirting but I catch a hint when I’m not wanted.
“Who is this woman?” Rob asks, sounding genuinely curious, and intrigued.
“She worked at the radio station from earlier the one behind the glass.” I tell him, as I pack all my clothes into the wardrobe case for the next show.
“Oh I see.” Rob says.
“She’s very shy, but she missed the end of the show because someone made her uncomfortable so I told her I’d get you to come meet her.” I inform all of them, trying to get the topic off of me wanting to shag Alexandra.
“Fine, we'll meet your future wife.” Ian teases, making me roll my eyes, but I’m not taking that bait.
“Alright follow me.” I say, leading the four of them out into the longue era where Alexandra is standing up against the wall exactly where I left her once.
I smile as I catch her attention and she shyly smiles back. She has a beautiful genuine smile and I must say I like bringing it to her face.
“This is Alexandra.” I say introducing her to the band, because she'll struggle with that, and I want her to feel as comfortable as possible.
“Hello, Alexandra.” Rob greats, with a friendly smile. “Want me to sign that?” He points to the pass I gave her before that already sports my signature.
“That would be nice.” She manages to say.
“We’ll all sign it. I’m Glenn.” Glenn tells her, taking the marker and singing it next after rob finishes.
Alexandra nods in response, and Ian takes it nice and simply offers her a smile clearly catching she isn’t much for talking.
She may not be saying she’s greatful or happy, but it’s showing on her face with that beautiful genuine smile of hers gracing her lips. I can’t help but smile as well at that.
_____________________________________________
Alexandra’s POV
All I can think at this moment is how jealous Lara will be that I managed to get backstage, meet the whole band and get their signatures. I can’t help but smile, no matter how nervous I am. I mean this doesn’t happen everyday. How can I not?
I figured since I’m not much of a conversationalist, they’d all quickly move on to the other group of much prettier and chatters blonde. So I can slip out without making things awkward and go find Lara, I’m sure by this point she’s freaking out trying to find me.
Yet K.K. hasn’t left my side yet. I glance over at him, worried if I stare at him it might be rude. Why is he still here?
“Alexandra, I want to ask you something.” He says looking at me, and I turn to face him.
What could K.K. Downing possibly have to ask me? It’s a bit puzzling to me. Did I do something wrong?
“Yes?” I ask nervously.
“We’re here again tomorrow night. Would you like to come?” K.K. asks me, and an hour ago I might have said no considering how this one ended, but now I’m considering saying yes. I’m proud of myself. I’ve managed to talk to four rockstars and not have a panic attack. I think maybe I could handle it.
“I know you don’t like crowds. So I could give you a backstage pass. That way you could sit on the side stage. It’s much quieter and you’ll be alone except for my tech but he won’t bother you. I’ll even give you one so you can bring your friend.” K.K. adds and once again that offer is too kind for me to pass up.
“I’d like that.” I smile at him, “thank you.”
“Anytime. I’ll see you tomorrow okay?” He says. “I’ll come drop off the passes for you at the radio station.”
I nod.
“I should probably go now. I-I’m sure my friend is worried about me.” I tell him, “also I’ve got to brag to her a bit.” I add a bit of a joke, lifting up the pass.
K.K. laughs. “Just tell her we’ll sign hers tomorrow.”
“I will.” I say as I leave the backstage area feeling on top of the world.
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You always catch me off guard because ur the first person to actually ever bring up what I've said in past convos like you do 😭
Yeah, I can see it. I don't think he'd be bratty right away, but maybe one day he accidentally gets too close to someone, he acts a little too friendly with them,, and it pisses you off so much that you had to give him a reminder that he was yours, not someone else's. It was the first time you acted like that with him, but he didn't expect to love it as much as he did. He loved it so much to the point where he actively seeks out doing things just so that you can treat him that way again,,, yeah I can def see it. Hey, if I am, I like to think it's at least surface level. /hj
I guess it's my charm??? /j /nsrs,, as long as it's not an actual block, then I guess I can deal with the gifs :VV
I... I have to admit that I have been having ideas like that with him recently "૮₍ ˶•⤙•˶ ₎ა I feel like I've been caught red handed HAHA
Dove,, have i ever mentioned how amazing ur mind is?? It blows me away everytime.. famous!Yuuta who still got shy when people would compliment him and his works, even with how big he was,, he has heard of famous people having stalkers but he never had one himself,, or, well, that's what he thought until you came along. Stalker!reader that kidnapped him, you had memorized almost every word in all of his works, recorded every interview, took any photos with him in it as possible, and you worshiped him. Or priest!Yuuta, a man under God who hopes to help others anytime of day, when you first came to the confession booth to him, you were struggling. The more you came to him, the more closer you grew until the need to be next to one another seeped into your bones. He was a man if God, but when you whisper lovely words into his ears and kiss him so wonderfully, all he can think of is you being his God. You mentioned druid!Yuuta, but what about changeling!Yuuta?? Although he would hate to show you his face, what if you hate it? What if you never wanted to see him again?? What ever you'd like, what ever would make you stay with him, he is willing to be whoever you want him to be. Look however you want him to look, you just have to never leave him. His desperation looks pathetic, really. But when he's on his knees, begging for just one more time, how can you ever let him go??? Bird!hybrid!Yuuta who you stumbled upon one day, so pretty and so plaint among the others, you knew you had to keep him. Keep him in the prettiest cage, spoiling him to ur hearts content. When you kidnap take him home, he's oddly flattered, nobody has ever been this nice to him before... even when you tease him to the point of frustration, always caressing his back and under his wings despite knowing full well why you shouldn't do that, only to then fuck him lovingly until all the sexual frustration leaves him and all he can do is beg you to keep going,,,, my brain is rotting :((
Don't make me start wearing earmuffs, please :'// I feel like no area is target-safe now <//333 /t ...i... I tease... that I can't deny,,,
-panna cotta
babyboo, I get it, but in the real world, people call it "talking"</33 you know when you listen to what someone else is saying and produce it at a moment when they don't expect it to catch them off guard</333 and the fact that I can always re-read it in the text version only makes everything better hehehe I mean, mature panna cottas have to keep their word, and what will help you learn to keep your word more than me, who will constantly remember them? everything for my sweet bun<333 /t /j
yes!!! I just,,, I believe that one day he sees you being rude and wow, it's hot??? when you grab his face, or pinch him, or drag him with you, but Yuuta does not resist, blushing, not quite understanding what you want, but agreeing with everything you offer, being confused, but feeling that he should not bother you when the atmosphere around you is so tense,,, refuses to ask for forgiveness, although you can feel how fast his heart is beating and how he is trembling under you, intoxicated by the feeling of how passionately you manhandle him :((( ... 🤨huh... I'll write you down as not suspicious, but so far only with a pencil /t /j
to be honest, I was thinking about how you react to teasing Toge, and Yuuta, being greedy for attention, also wants you to look at him the same way you look at Toge, and at first everything is fine (you know, his attempts to annoy even cute), but then someone flirts with him and you you just click, because you keep thinking that he is doing it on purpose, and you want, well, not to "teach a lesson", but to do something, seeing his smiling face, even knowing that this is just his way of being polite</3333 after all, you're fine with him being naughty or playful, but you draw the line at flirting with others, okay? he deserves to have his brains pounded off during a rough fuck ://
I am glad that you are at least aware of your only weapon and the reason why I continue to hold you; such awareness would even be commendable if we did not talk about you, considering how you usually abuse my favoritism towards you🙄😒 /j /ht anons should be blocked only as a last resort, but I know blogs that can be blocked... /t /j /nsrs
I mean, it's not our fault that he's such an ideal material for dark content, okay? sometimes he just deserves to be locked in a cage, kidnapped and forced to be trained until he understands who he belongs to<333
such a huge brain,,,, thank you, it was a very beneficial exchange, now these ideas arE MINE— >:33333
1) famous!Yuuta whom you convince that you care about him, constantly pampering and cherishing, because you can't let him go outside, it's dangerous outside, and it's strange, — but it quickly calms him down; when you coo that he is even more beautiful than in the photos, and you promise that you will be gentle with him and do everything for him, trying to bring him interesting things and caring for him, and the fact that he is so calm bothers you,,, but it's not enough that you try to put something more serious on him than your collar,,,, in the end, he is so calm and behaves as you expected, even if he is clearly not so desperately resisting and not trying to convince you to let him go, gently stroking you when you put your head on his hips or snuggling up to you to the sounds of his favorite movie, hiding his face in your neck, causing your heart to explode from the closeness of your idol to you!!! is he real??? are you sure you will die if he continues to be so sweet!!!
2) Yuuta,,, Yuuta who tries to pray for salvation, for peace, for the Deity, — but his thoughts always come back to you, about you, as if the only thing his brain can think about is how you are now, with whom you are now, what you are doing, how you feel, do you care about yourself, do you think about the Deity, do you think about him, do you think about him as often and passionately as he thinks about you? When he eats, when he helps people, when he cares in the garden, when he prays, when he reads, when he looks into the clouds or waits for your arrival, zealously searching for a familiar face among the parishioners, and cannot restrain a feverishly blooming smile at the sight of you, hurrying to meet to offer his help. He is so gentle, so kind, so affectionate, a real priest, and they predict a great fate for him, unequivocally making it clear that "from above" they strongly recommend moving him up as quickly as possible, but he can only look for guilty kisses, blooming on his lips with intoxicating sweetness, hearing your whisper, purring prayers and asking him listen to your confession, let go of your sins, but Yuuta is sure that someone like you cannot have sins. You are so perfect — completely and in everything, and if they say that the 'Deity loves him', then he can't help but smile so widely and enthusiastically that others even want to tease him about it, not realizing that it's not about this wrong deity, but His own. Do you love him? He desperately wants to believe that You love him, that You want him, that You need him as much as he needs You, looking for You in the first and last rays of the sun, knowing that this is the only thing that matters while Your marks bloom on his body, like tiny flowers that You gave him, Your the most loyal and beloved follower,,,,, listen, but the setting of the "fantasy Middle Ages" where you are accused of blasphemy and demand your execution,,, and Yuuta literally goes crazy because he feels that his Deity wants to overthrow as a past deity once, and this makes him really believe that you are destined to lead a rotten church, while you can't help but think of him as a real divine son who came down to earth to save it and is now fighting for your life, even knowing everything about you???🤨🤨🤨 the demon!reader who constantly seduces Yuuta by seeping into his dreams, but Yuuta is sure that you are an angel and is ready to accept everything you are willing to offer, even after he sees your true appearance, completely becoming obsessive about you and demanding that you be with him forever no matter what, ready even to lead a religion if it means that you will you be with him</33333
3) a stranger of amazing beauty whom you meet in your favorite park, lonely and lost, and you can't pass by when you see his relieved and affectionate gaze, as if he absorbed all the purest tenderness of the world, looking at you with such love that for a moment you doubt how much his ignorance is real — but you can't think about for too long, as if enchanted by his beauty, which seems to you at the same time very familiar and unfamiliar (didn't you see him on the cover of a popular magazine?), and even his voice (definitely someone familiar...) is so affectionate and melodious, as if he is some kind of prince charming from a fairy tale, who unwittingly got into this world and is now trying to get back. but you weren't the type who fell in love with the first person you met, definitely not, — so you started dating a few months later, after many dates where your tastes and preferences turned out to be so similar that you couldn't help but feel a kindred spirit in him, even starting to be afraid of how perfect and adoring he was. how natural is it when a stranger you meet on the street turns out to be your ideal match and at the same time looks at you with such love, that you are sure — if it were material, you would drown in it, but even then he would put his life at risk but would save you, as if he didn't have no one more important than you, what bothers you even more when you find a magazine with him on the cover, and you can't get rid of a bad feeling, even when you think that it might be "his past hobby" — but then you break down and look for a song with an artist with a voice similar to him, vainly promising that if you don't find any, then close your eyes to this, only to realize that the voice of this performer is one in one voice of your partner. coincidence, right? just lucky, right? he's really like that, right? when he looks for your gaze, sitting on his knees in front of you, asking you to look at him, but seeing his fabulously beautiful, gentle face, you see the cover of a magazine, and hearing your name — the words of the song that you listened to until you started to throw up, only to convince yourself that these voices are completely different. listen, but when you manage to catch him changing his appearance, but forgets to change his voice? he is so desperately grabbing for you, begging you to listen to him, getting lost in explanations, crying, asking you not to leave him, promising that he will no longer deceive you, he will become anyone, he will become the one you want, he will be the most perfect for you, please don't leave him, please—
4) bird!Yuuta who turns out to be isolated from others, despite the fact that he is the first to catch your eye, as if begging you to take care of him and leave him alone, hiding from the eyes and looking like a frightened chick who is trying to teach flight by throwing out of the nest. He is thin, disheveled, gloomy and scared, shrinking into a ball and hiding in a corner, hiding head from others, but when you behave gently, he can't help but flinch before swallowing, not understanding what you want and when you stop, looking at you fearfully,,,, not at all as proud, royal and handsome as others, rather pinched and sad, but looking at you like wet eyes when you continue to caress him and talk gently, letting him get used to it, later looking for your presence so that you again compliment him and chat, giving the harpy a little affection that he greedily eats, almost demanding more with his hungry eyes,,,, and you, you just can't leave him, seeing how he becomes dependent on your love, sometimes even timidly following you, leaving the nest only to make sure that you are safe and will soon return to him — and this turns out to be a very convenient opportunity to take him with you, taking advantage of his trustfulness and relaxation next to by you, even if it hurts you no less that you can't be more willing. but he's a free bird, used to living outside, how can he agree to a cage? in the end, you have to show him why he should be with you and why, even in spite of the cage, he will be much happier than he is free. you give him the best food, beautiful things, a little freedom (not too far from you) and a lot of affection, spending all your time with him, even if at first he was timid, just not used to the new environment (even if you are sure that you heard his timid pleas not to give him to anyone), but later it's easy to get out on his own just to find you and lie down next to you, kissing you in your sleep, letting you clean his wings, stroking his soft belly, rubbing where no one is allowed before reminding him that if he needs something, he can ask you. when you gently caress his feathers while you ask him to lie down on his stomach so as not to damage them, even if you are clearly passionate not only about his wings, but he can't help but obey, whining that if you treat him like this, he can start laying eggs,,,,, listen, but when he becomes an end in itself a harpy that you've ever seen in your life after you lock him up with you, but he doesn't realize it at all, considering himself the same ugly bird, which is now too obsessive of his master and demands that you never get another hybrid and give it to anyone, and you don't want to tease him when his claws are so close to your neck;;; when he enthusiastically rides you, filling his soft belly, when you were not ready for this, since you decided to take off his chains and now he follows you around the house, even without looking out the window once again, calling you his heaven and swearing that the only place he will follow is everywhere behind you :(((
5) since this is a mermay for me, then merman!Yuuta who almost cries when you play with his slit for a long time, kissing his face and neck, stroking his tail, demanding that he does not let anyone in, not allowing his eggs to be fertilized and not fertilizing others, since you can be the only one with whom he has the right to have intimacy, — and even if the mermaids there is no concept of monogamy, Yuuta knows what it is among people, blindly agreeing, if only you would continue to finger his slit, soaking your fingers with his sticky juice, created to facilitate thrusts inside and fertilization of eggs, but you only tease him, giving him an orgasm with a feeling of emptiness inside, demanding that he repeat your words and swear that only you will be inside him, only you will be the parent of these babies,,,, when you are forced to be absent and Yuuta must not let anyone touch his swollen tail due to eggs, which seems very indecent inside society, but he always refuses the offer to relieve him of this discomfort, waiting for you to return and breed him, even if several months pass, and proposals for mating are already definitely received not only out of pity, but he can't help but be desperately obsessive about you, because he's not normal in any way at all, especially when it comes to you. when you return, as promised, and Yuuta's sluggish consciousness fixes and instantly realizes that it is you? That you're back? that the eggs inside him can finally be divorced? he pounces on you with such force that if it were a fight, you would be instantly killed, but inside it is so hot and wet that you don't really mind when he clamps you against a stone, desperately moving his tail, drooling when juice flows out of him, forcing you to stuff to the end and almost run into swollen eggs :((((
not okay as always tbh—
do you think they will help you? against my teeth? I, ah, I don't want to disappoint you, but if I chose a goal, then nothing will help the goal🤨🤨🤨 of course. who asked you to be so delicious, biteable and pretty??? It's your fault🙄😒 /t /j /nsrs I knew. I knew it. I'm, I'm going to bite yoUR THIGH— /hj
#[📂] — voice from under the bed#❖.my jewelry#✮.panna cotta <3#.spicy♡#🥮 — jujutsu kaisen#✉.yuuta okkotsu
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Kayt! I don't think this is on any of your reblogged ask lists about books but I made up my own question: what is a book you really wanted to love, and you were disappointed enough that you still think about how it could have been a better book?
Kula! This is a great question. Lots of books I went into wanting to love and that disappointed me, fewer that I can pinpoint how they could've improved. But here are a few:
(Nonfiction) The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks by Susan Casey. I really liked Casey's previous book, The Wave, nonfiction about giant ship-killing waves, so I had high hopes for this one, and the first 2/3 is really good. Despite the subtitle, the "teeth" in question are actually a nickname for islands off the coast of California, and she spends the book talking to researchers studying protected birds who nest there, the history of the islands, and the sharks that surround them. And then near the end, she decides to live off the islands (to get around a government prohibition of visitors on the islands themselves) in a sewage-spewing boat, gets caught in a storm and that goes exactly as well as you'd expect. You can sorta understand, after an entire book inside her head, but it's a terrible decision that has repercussions for others. (I still recommend the book, but also read The Wave for one that doesn't have terrible decisions at the end.)
(Graphic novel) Life of Melody by Mari Costa. A cute queer fairytale romcom, good art and bright colors, that was fun until the end when 1) it got really rushed, 2) some magical powers appeared that seemed to exist just for plot crisis reasons and never get used again, and 3) was so unsatisfying as it wrapped up in a neat little bow and just...ignored that problems or repercussions from the other two issues. It felt like the author suddenly realized they needed to wrap the story up in way, way less time/space than it needed/they allotted. Could've easily been fixed by...just being a longer story.
(Fiction) The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. This is a friend's favorite book, 90's sci-fi about proof of extraterrestrial life and the quiet Jesuit-led expedition to contact them. (The main character is a priest and there's religious discussion because of how that affects the characters, but it's not a Christian-genre book.) An interview at the end of my copy said the author was inspired by the early-90s celebration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus arriving in the New World, and wanted to write a story exploring First Contact--there's nowhere left on Earth to explore that sort of thing, so she used space.
And having that context makes it a little easier to understand (it's clear there's tragedy--the story jumps between "modern" day after the priest returns to earth, and the story of what happened, and it's clear that something bad happened), but there are so many stupid decisions. I couldn't overlook some of those stupid decisions, but the book is highly-rated and deals with colonization and cultural issues, so I can see why people like it.
But I don't even go over to my best friend's house without contact, and these people went to a fucking planet they knew was populated. They test things out by eating them. Just "eat a little and we'll see if you get sick or die." They make terrible decision after terrible decision and it just made me so angry because these are characters that should know, from living on earth in the 20th and 21st centuries, about the potential pitfalls of coming into contact with an entirely new group of people (and also introducing new plants into their world). It's like the characters are operating without that background--the only way to fix it would be for them to try, to show that they have at least some idea, which would add to the tragedy when they fail. But no.
#books#reading#ask#my Goodreads progress notes for Sparrow is 5 years silence as I slogged through the first half#and 1 day of increasing anger during the second half#Kayt.txt#original
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Warbreaker Book Review
(spoilers, obviously)
I have lately finished my fourth read of Warbreaker, and it's probably my least favorite of Sanderson's Cosmere books. I know it's a favorite of a lot of fans, and I fully expected to like it just as much as them but... I was disappointed.
To be clear, this is still a good book, I just like it less than the other Cosmere books. I'm mostly going to complain about what I didn't like because that's more fun to write about, but again, I did overall like the book. I'd give it a strong 6/10, and I have liked more upon every re-read. I think part of that is because once i had read it once, I knew what was coming, and so wasn't as easily bogged down in directionless boredom...which unfortunately is what happened to me the first time I read it.
This book has lots of strong points--the characters are wonderful, the worldbuilding is great, and the magic system is perhaps the most unique I've ever seen.
But the plot. Oh, the plot.
Nothing fucking happens for like the whole middle of the book! It was so frustrating! I really enjoyed living in its world, but every time I opened it up to hang out there, nothing was going on! All three main POVs--Lightsong, Vivenna, and Siri, spend almost the entire book at a total loss for what to do. There's no direction, no forward momentum, because all three of them don't know what they're doing.
It's like reading a mystery book where the detective, instead of going out and looking for clues, interviewing suspects, and putting the pieces together, just had chapter after chapter of him thinking to himself "Hm. Something's definitely going on here. But I don't know what and I don't know what I'm looking for. But I sure do need to solve the case."
Vivenna spends almost the whole book being led around by Denth, and we aren't even privy to the plans he tells her, so we don't have an opportunity to guess what's coming. Every Vivenna chapter is just "And here I am in (place) doing (thing) because Denth said it was a good idea. Also everyone here is a slut except me."
Lightsong is useless on purpose, which is very charming and I love him. But again, every Lightsong chapter is the same. "War might be coming. Maybe I will do something about it (does nothing about it). Also I hate being a god."
Siri is trapped in the palace, and her storyline is probably the best, because I at least got to watch her developing relationship with Susebron, which was adorable. And hey, forward momentum! But again, nothing comes of her chapters! She knows something is going on, but doesn't know what, and has no way to get information. She tries to get information, but the priests in the palace hold all the power and she never really gets around that.
It just feels like each POV character got one (1) opportunity to take an action that had an effect on the story. Vivenna went with Vasher. Siri talked to Susebron about...stuff? But nothing came of it, plot-wise. Lightsong had that one scene where he was a detective. And the rest was wheel spinning.
Think about it, if you removed all three main characters, the outcome would have been the same. Without Vivenna's meddling, Vasher's initial efforts would have been more successful and he wouldn't have needed her help to undo the damage. Without investigating, Lightsong still would have ended up in that basement to heal Susebron because he held the Lifeless codes from the very beginning. And if Siri hadn't been there, Susebron still would've been taken to that basement and healed by Lightsong. And he said from the very beginning he didn't want war with anyone, so once he got healed he would've ordered the stop of the Hallandren-Idris war regardless.
It feels like you could cut out half the book and it'd be the same. I don't think it's a coincidence that my favorite POV to read was the one that was the shortest and thus had the least bloat.
I understand that there are in-universe reasons why the characters do so little, and it doesn't have to be a bad thing, but when 100% of your main characters spend the story accomplishing almost nothing, while talking endlessly about how important it is that they accomplish things, it is extremely frustrating.
A book driven by characters instead of plot can still be good, of course, but so much focus and word count is spent on the plot and the intrigue of this book, and for nothing.
And now that I have done exactly what I am criticizing Sanderson for, i.e. reiterating the same thing over and over ad nauseum repetitively, I shall bid you farewell.
#cosmere#warbreaker#warbreaker spoilers#tag 5#book reviews#idk his editor shouldve been meaner i think.#i would've made him either cut out like half of it or rework it into a full-on mystery#also the denth reveal should have been WAY way earlier so Vivenna's arc could be more gradual
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I Just read a PM that made me ponder a few things.
The quote was from C. S. Lewis:
It is arrogance in us to call frankness, fairness, and chivalry ‘masculine’ when we see them in a woman; it is arrogance in them to describe a man’s sensitiveness or tact or tenderness as ‘feminine.’
-- C.S. Lewis - A Grief Observed
My immediate response was to counter that that didn't mean that a boy who identified as sensitive, tactful, or tender should self identify as feminine. My PM agreed and went on to talk about age maturity.
Then I got to thinking about my Senior Pastor.
Now, the Protestants I associate with aren't liturgical in any way shape or form. Our theology is thoroughly utilitarian with the end goal being the efficient salvation (being Saved) of as many people as possible with the means afforded to us. Our ecclesiology allows for a, "Good Shepherd/Shepherdess", to care for the "flock", (i.e. the congregation).
But again - why a gendered ecclesial hierarchy?
The truth is my Pastor will have had, throughout her life, many gendered roles. Daughter and mother preeminent (What role should we assign to the Theotokos?) . Some roles will be somewhat gendered because of the ways others around her will treat her - to be fair, she has said in interviews that she hasn't been treated poorly because of her gender, and I am eternally thankful for that.
But why a masculine ecclesial hierarchy?
What is it about a father that is different than a mother?
And, does it matter?
How literally must a Priest be an Icon of Christ?
Again - trying to think as a Protestant - aren't we all in his image?
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of God,
Have Mercy upon me.
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Random high maintenance jan 26 2017
(This is a tape from after I went to see the writers of the HBO show “high maintenance” because they wanted to interview a sexworker. I was there for 2 hours, and I dissociated for the interview….until I brought the pendulum out for comfort and started talking with “Stella”. I ended up telling them how I had been talking psychically with my estranged boyfriend and my dead niece. They were definitely mesmerized. )
Do you think they’re gonna ask me to play her? I think so too.
Can I do it though? Can I do it well? Do you think I’ll get more acting jobs from it?
Jakk and I are like,… So can I ask you a question? Cause I’m really confused. So jack is actually communicating with me through Stella, through the pendulum. I’m not imagining that right? That’s actually happening? And we’re actually basically having sex… Through it? When I put it in my mouth, when I put the safety pin in my mouth. That’s the key he’s putting the safety pin, some transference of energy or something. Can he see me?? Yes. And part of that is because.. he’s a magician. And is it that you and nusch have been teaching him magic?
But I can’t see him, I won’t be able to see him in the flesh until, so there’s a letter for me at Lafayette you keep saying.
Do I need to go get it?
No? We’re just basically communicating everything through pendulum at this point?(sighs)
But you realize that is crazy making? Like how long am I supposed to do that? I know you don’t think it’s crazy making because you live in an alternate reality, but I live in this one.
“If I want to talk to him, I have to talk to him through the pendulum.” Yes, got it. Until when?(She sighs). Until april 17th. How long is that? (She starts to count). 12 weeks, 12 more weeks.
That’s a long time. Boy. But you swear that this is… This is not a mirage. He basically has nothing to do with her anymore. Well I said I was gonna do cards today but I want to check with you about some other things first… Are we basically done with her harassing me about sex work stuff since I’m not doing any more sex work? Yes. Is her mother still gonna get in touch with me?
Did jakk tell her mother that Blond was harassing me and made it so I couldn’t work anymore. And is it true that… That Lori asked Jakk if he was in love with me.
And what did jack say?
He said he was. How did Lori react? Did she say why aren’t you with her? (Exhales again)
Wow.
Did he tell her he’s been trying to separate from Blond for a while?
WHOA.
What about my dad?
Oh so he’s afraid to talk to me? He’s afraid of what I’m gonna do.
Is he sleeping? Like is he sleeping regularly? Do you still see Claire dying within five years? I’m probably not gonna tell him that but I should write it in my notebook. Are they prepared to offer me money? A lot of money.
Would it be better if I just wrote a long letter? Isn’t it written in aunt jeannie’s journal that grandma told her?
Writing that after I saw you the last time I got concussion and then Stella helped me realize my first fall was the same day she died it’s time for us to do this, dad. It happened after you taught me to ride my bike on October 7, 1979. The same day she died. She’s led me to everything.
The falls are connected to what’s hidden.
She’s how I realized do you think I should send it?
So ponder.
Who was it that made me listen to 1979? Was it Stella? It was Stella. It was the first song she sent me. Huh.
So Stella is Jesus? She sneezes. And I am Mary, mother of God. And you’ve known this for a while? (Starts to laugh) The one looking for God the hardest going to the priest asking questions about God. That’s funny. You remember I’d ask you what happens to our bodies when you die. It was very hard for me as a child. Very hard.
All right I’m gonna shuffle. (She starts to shuffle her cards)
I do not want a full reading.
Random has my dad already told Chuck? That’s a yes?
Sweet love? You have a sweet love?
(Shuffling again)
Fuck.
Haven’t gotten that card in a while. Are you almost done?
I hate when you do this to me.
It looks like…..
So it’s the end of January and I’m not gonna see him til…april?
So the 6 of cups…so what are you telling me to do?
Is she gonna be pregnant in a mental institution?
So the 6 of cups…is it Jakk?
so he’s really Thinking about the past
The 6 of cups can also mean you’re too rooted in the past
If you need to talk to someone about a problem it should be someone who knows me well
Is it true that he got the chef position at ssam bar?
That’s so good!
And so that’s what the 2 Of wands is, him stepping into his personal power
And the 10 of cups reversed that’s blond and Jakk?
Yeah cause they’re done, right?
He knows he wants to be with me. And he would be with me if she wasn’t pregnant. And he’s trying to figure out what to do.
But because she’s attacking me he also feels like he has to stay in it to protect me, right because that’s one way of protecting me… So if he stays married to her, he’s protecting me.
Yeah.
The 4th cups reversed I’m guessing that’s jakk…oh man
I don’t want to look at all this! Is it gonna work out in the end?
So the general consensus that I have to be patient and I can’t see him til April
And you really see that we really connect through the pendulum…do you think they’re gonna have me be their girl for high maintenance??
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Bloggers in Malacañang?
Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
THE appointment of lawyer Trixie Angeles as press secretary has raised eyebrows, not least among members of media. As a consultant for the outgoing Presidential Communications Operations Office, Angeles had fought for the accreditation of bloggers and vloggers into the Palace press office. That didn't happen then, it may happen now.
I first met Trixie when I was a reporter covering the Heritage Conservation Society. After so many years we caught up again at the birthday of blogger Sass Rogando Sasot. She tells me the exclusion of other members of media from an interview with BBM was not deliberate: lawyer Vic Rodriguez was simply obliging standing requests from SMNI, Net 25 and GMA News for a sit-down with the president-elect. Trixie also said that there was a strong possibility that the previous social media policy of PRRD which was not implemented by current PCCO Secretary Martin Andanar will finally be executed. This means, she intends to accredit vloggers, or what they call non-MSM (mainstream media) and give them access to Malacañang coverage. Not unexpectedly, news people are not thrilled. They do not see vloggers in the same league; they see vloggers as political partisans and purveyors of disinformation.
"Disinformation" is the new heresy. Some high priests of journalism are outraged to find the sanctity of their profession suddenly challenged and held accountable by social media. Simply put, we are not used to being questioned or our biases checked. I say "we" because once upon a time, I too covered Malacañang during the time of President Fidel Ramos. It wasn't a degree in journalism or communications that got me in as an ABS-CBN reporter. I majored in urban studies and art history, and worked in urban and environmental protection in local communities. Broadcast media was an accident. And I learned the ropes while working on the field. As a young reporter, I was granted permission to cover the president in Malacañang for seven months with a confirmation letter from my news desk. But I was never inducted into the official Malacañang Press Corps. Even then in the late 1990s, there was a hierarchy.
PCOO Secretary-designate Trixie's plan to accredit vloggers reflects the new realities in media. While vloggers do not belong to huge organizations, their audiences or following, whether large or small, put them head to head with established media organizations in the universe of Facebook. Or rather, I should say, the Metaverse. In the April 16-21, 2022 survey of Pulse Asia, social media (50 percent) overtook television (48 percent) as "more helpful source of information" in choosing a president. An earlier Pulse Asia survey and study in February 2022 tracks the rise of the internet and social media as an "influential source of information in choosing a president" from 2010, 2016 and 2022. The internet and social media rose from 1percent in 2010, to 21 percent in 2022. National TV is still highest at 54 percent. Newspapers are at 0.2 percent.
Do accusations of bias, partisanship or being paid hacks become weak when the same can be said of some in mainstream media? The argument against accrediting vloggers becomes even weaker when you consider that many journalists have also habitually taken to social media to post comments that sometimes reveal their own biases. News anchors wear political colors. Reporters post about attending political rallies on weekends. I recall at least one instance, when Secretary Andanar reproached a reporter of a major daily for writing one thing and tweeting another. Did that reporter think his opinionated and very public post would escape the notice of the PCOO secretary? One can apply the rigor of journalism in a news story and yet throw all caution in a tweet.
Instead of worrying about vloggers and disinformation, professional journalists need to learn how to navigate — or avoid — the treacherous waters of news and opinion. In the US, journalists are encouraged to actively engage audiences through their own social media accounts; one British news agency explicitly prohibits staffers from posting. In Canada, the CBC turned off their comment section in social media to protect journalists from being bullied lest their mental health may suffer.
In the Philippines, we have the tradition of having the loudest, rowdiest press of all. On top of that, we are the most active people in social media. It will be futile to stop our journalists from posting their two cents. If that can't be stopped, then why stop bloggers and vloggers from joining the ranks of the Malacañang press? If journalists can inhabit both worlds, perhaps so can they?
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Why Ethical Fashion Doesn’t Need to be Boring (In the Words of a Shopping Addict): Lookbook no.14
Hi to anyone reading,
Arghhhh.
I never know how to start posts when I literally just uploaded the other week because I tend to follow the very formulaic approach of summarising what I’ve missed due to sporadic posting…I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m still posting sporadically, it just so happens I’ve had more content to get up recently-sometimes lightning strikes twice, ya know, and I have a brief, if chemically fuelled, reprieve from the permanent state of exhaustion. It’s not like there isn’t stuff to talk about- the last month has seen a horrific murder and public outcry in response. There are a lot of important conversations going on about women’s safety and misogynistic violence that I really cannot do justice to in a paragraph and feelings that have been brewing for a long time that I can’t articulate yet and will not attempt to offhandedly do so in this post. Right now I just wanna say that I stand in solidarity with all those with histories of experiencing violence at the hands of men, those who aren’t here with us anymore as a result of that violence such as Sarah Everard, and those marginalised women whose stories don’t make national news. It’s very telling the way Sarah’s vigil was responded to by the same police force that have allowed mostly male anti-mask protests to go ahead with protestors unscathed, and solidarity with the women who were treated with such an unjustifiable amount of force at the vigil too.
That being said, women’s rights are something I wanted to talk about in this post, with regards to the way it ties into ethical fashion. None of us are perfect and it’s easy living in a first world country to detach yourself from the issues stemming from fast fashion, especially when you don’t have the time or money yourself to be selective about where you buy from. Don’t get me wrong, I do treat myself to some new clothes from fast fashion companies like ASOS and Urban Outfitters a few times a year so this is NOT coming from a place of preaching, but I have drastically reduced that to buying about 90% of my new clothes either second hand from Depop or charity shops or clothing stores that are upfront about their outsourcing practices. I love putting outfits together and updating my wardrobe and I don’t want to abandon that as a medium of self-expression because it does bring me joy, but to continue to update my wardrobe with the frequency I do by buying from fast fashion retailers on such a regular basis I accepted was going against the things I care about; around 80% of textile workers on poverty wages in developing countries are girls and women (opensocietyfoundations.org), and whilst fast fashion companies in the West continue to outsource manufacturing to said countries to cut costs and there is little regulation enforcing employers to pay women the same amount as men or even adhere to a minimum wage, they will continue to be forced into these roles where they are subjected to horrific working conditions, impossible production targets and frequent abuse (according to an article published in the Guardian in June 2018, 540 incidences of abuse, often of a sexual nature, were reported by women working in factories supplying the retailers GAP and H&M when they were interviewed on the subject). There is no denying that the fast fashion industry depends on and perpetuates the subjugation of women and systematically prevents them from making steps towards gender equality in their countries, be it through greater financial independence or the freedom to pursue higher education; the popular current practice by western fast fashion companies of outsourcing manufacturing to factories unhindered by workers rights and gender equality laws by association condones the sexual and physical violence that occurs as a means of punishment for not meeting targets, the exploitative pay which affords women little independence from husbands and families dominated by patriarchal values, and the long, exhausting hours which women have little choice but to take in order to avoid their contracts being terminated and to put food on the table. No, one individual completely abandoning fast fashion isn’t going to put an end to these unethical practices but if all of us make a conscious effort to reduce our consumption at least a little and make it clear why we’re doing so, we put greater pressure on fast fashion companies to act in a more responsible way. There isn’t going to be any kind of miraculous change of heart, so to force them to change we have to hit the industry and the people at the top who benefit from such practices where it really hurts: their profit.
SO, for this post I thought I would highlight some of my favourite more ethical online clothing companies to buy from; the more popular these more socially responsible brands become, the more apparent it becomes to fast fashion companies relying on an exploitative business model that how they treat their workers is of growing importance to consumers. It’s all very well and good Missguided and PLT talking about empowering women and making “girl boss” slogan tees but we need to make it clear that we’re aware of the hollowness of the gesture, and that we want less hypocritical talk and more action to actually enhance the lives of the women that work for them, not just the ones they show in their flashy offices on TV. I’ve included my favourite Depop shops too, because if you can shop second hand, that’s even better; though I like to treat myself to new clothes now and again, I’m aware that the impact the manufacturing process in general, whether or not the company acts in an ethical way with regards to their employment practices, has on the environment is more often than not detrimental. Depop has really been my saving grace this past year-if you know what you’re looking for and have the time and patience, you can find so many gems, and at this point the balance of my wardrobe is tipped firmly in the favour of the reuse and recycle approach to shopping. In the vein of reusing fashion, I thought I’d also include a mini lookbook for a cardigan I got from one of my favourite online retailers, The Ragged Priest, just as a reminder that 1). The best way to be sustainable is to rewear and 2). That with tweaks, one piece alone can give you multiple completely different outfits. Like honestly, outfit repeating doesn’t have to be a literal repeat. Sometimes it’s worth spending a little bit extra on something that looks good with everything, and making that investment into your ability to fool people that you’ve got your shit together by wearing something cool as fuck.
Quickly before I get into it, I’m aware that some ethical companies are a bit out of the average consumer’s price range, and so I wanted to sort them into price point categories which will work as follows:
£= most of their stock is £40 & under
££= most of their stock is between £40-£100
£££= most of their stock costs upwards of £100
Now, in no particular order (and starting with online retailers before moving onto Depop shops), here’s the list!
1. THE RAGGED PRIEST
PRICE POINT: ££
Using recycled fabric to construct their pieces where possible and releasing clothing in small drops designed to sell out rather than following the typical fast fashion model of outsourcing the production of vast amounts of clothing overseas, the Ragged Priest is my absolute favourite clothing brand out there. It’s *semi* affordable and because they are all about those bold, in your face, your-grandma-will-probs-think-it’s-ugly kinda pieces, just one can do SO much for your wardrobe.
I recently bought this cardigan from their The Simple Life drop and had so many outfit ideas for it that I thought I’d put a few of them together for this post just as an example of how you can take the same piece over and over again and still make it interesting, even when you don’t feel like straying too far from your personal style preferences. While we’re at it, I also wanted to use this mini lookbook to point out how fucking great Depop is! Literally everything in these outfits is from there apart from the shoes and the jewellery, the leather blazer on the right I bought a few years ago and then the top and skirt in the outfit from the far left which are both from Ebay. The shoes with that outfit are from Koi Vegan footwear-I didn’t include them in this list because I wanted to keep it consistent and focus on ethical clothing companies rather than retailers that focus on one specific thing such as shoes or jewellery, but they are my favourite place to buy shoes from and focus closely on ethical production too so definitely recommend.
2. MINGA LONDON
PRICE POINT: ££
Towards the lower end of the ££ price point, Minga is probably the closest you’re gonna get to an ethical version of the Dolls Kill Deliah’s range. Their focus on being a socially responsible business is a huge part of their ethos and their pieces are put together in Portugal, where they're based, by a small in-house team; the majority of their fabric is sourced from local Portuguese businesses and even more amazingly, they recycle the fabric of the pieces they don’t sell in new designs. They are just a generally amazing company and I wish more people knew about them because their pieces are fucking adorable and wouldn’t be out of place (or overpriced) in your local UO.
3. ELSIE & FRED
PRICE POINT: £
A small, black owned business set up by 3 siblings from Coventry, Elsie & Fred have earned themselves a reputation as a staple provider of the festival season wardrobe. Being an independently owned business, they have strict standards that their manufacturers must adhere to and a close working relationship with the owners of the two factories who oversee production in Guangzhou, China, to ensure fair wages and a safe working environment. On the environmental side of things, Elsie and Fred are working to incorporate recycled fabric into their designs as much as possible and have this year introduced compostable mailing bags.
4. HOUSE OF SUNNY
PRICE POINT: £££
Follow enough British instagram fashion influencers and you are bound to have heard of House of Sunny in 2020-snagging what is probably my all time favourite coat from there in 2019 before all the hype is a humble brag I will allow myself on the basis that I haven’t been able to afford anything since, lol. Along with kooky, one of a kind designs, being decidedly anti-fast fashion is a huge part of their branding; HoS only drop 2 collections of limited stock a year, thoroughly screen suppliers and on their website you can find a tonne of information on how they’re working to offset their environmental impact too. If you can treat yourself to a piece from there at any point, the quality of the garments truly make the price point worth it.
5. JADED LONDON
PRICE POINT: ££
Similarly to The Ragged Priest and House of Sunny, Jaded London go the route of dropping limited collections on a less frequent basis intending to sell out (particularly popular pieces are occasionally restocked) rather than needlessly manufacturing vast quantities of garments to flog for whatever they can get and cutting corners with fair employment practices to offset any losses. By employing independent staff in the manufacturing plants with which they liaise to ensure fair, dignified working conditions and also by working closely with charities such as the Trussel Trust and Stand Up to Racism, Jaded London demonstrates a level of commitment to corporate responsibility that set them apart from a lot of similar online retailers. They are at the top of their game when it comes to daring and experimental yet wearable pieces and so it’s cool that they recognise the need to conduct their business in a considerate way too.
6. THE HIPPIE SHAKE
PRICE POINT: ££
Owned by UK based bohemian queen Naomi Hession, the Hippie Shake is not only a great small independent business to support but is also the definition of slow fashion. With a limited number of opulent 70s style pieces, I have always wanted to purchase something from here. I’ve yet to do so but I’m gonna make it my mission eventually.
7. VINTAGE HEARTS
PRICE POINT: £
An affordable, gorgeous array of quirky handpicked vintage pieces that would probably take you forever to find in a charity shop or that you’d be charged a small fortune for if you found it in a high street second hand store, Vintage Hearts is where you should go if you want a timeless statement piece that may have otherwise ended up in a landfill. The added benefit of vintage clothing is that it is, by its nature, great for the environment, but you can also look fab and groovy as fuck as you do your bit for the planet<3
8. WE ARE COW
PRICE POINT: £
Offering both original vintage pieces and reworked pieces using recycled fabrics, We Are Cow has both basic branded second hand items but also handmade streetwear style original designs all for a fair price. You can tell that it’s all high quality stuff consistent with their modern, functional aesthetic and it’s clear that the team behind the shop has a real vision in mind when they’re designing.
9. OUT OF THE ORDINARY CLOTHING
PRICE POINT: £
In the words of Corrie Davis, founder of OOTO "I start with the belief that fashion will be always be worn differently by the individual that wears it. Every collection from Out of the Ordinary is different to the last but undeniably Out of the Ordinary. I champion flamboyancy and embrace the cultures I've experienced around the world, merging the two and creating popular style trends in exciting textiles, prints and techniques to bring to you something a little Out of the Ordinary." That pretty much sums up the vibrancy, vivacity and bold elegance of the brand’s aesthetic perfectly, which is reflected by Davis’ commitment to ethical manufacturing based on relationships forged between the founders and family artisans and the sourcing of fabrics from textile markets around the world. Everything you need for a boujie summer holiday in the Mediterranean-when leaving the country is finally allowed again, lol, EVERYBODY GET YOUR FUCKING VACCINE-is here.
10. WILD THING
PRICE POINT: ranges from £-£££ depending on the brand
Probs the closest thing you’ll get to an ethical ASOS, Wild Thing brings together a host of sustainable and independent clothing brands and puts them all in one place to present to us all a collection of the sickest festival style fashion out there. Whilst it’s super cool that this already exists and a slice of humble pie for myself to remind me that I am not in fact the revolutionary marketing genius I thought I was, I’m bummed to know that my idea of said ethical ASOS style website is already out there. Fingers crossed for the next grand money making scheme that comes to mind that I can use to distribute some wealth (yeah, there probably won’t be any because very few original thoughts enter my head, clearly, tehe) xoxo
11. SHOPFLUFFY
PRICE POINT: ££
I know it’s 2021 and we all kind hate the idea of girl boss feminism and the connotations of privilege and exploitation that come with it but can we bring it back when we’re talking about women who embody what it was actually all supposed to be about? Because the owner of ShopFluffy, @lulutrixabelle embodies everything good about the term. Somebody who genuinely does (cue Ramona singer voice here) empower other women through her celebration of powerful female friendship and free spirited sense of personal style that should inspire every one of us to wear whatever the fuck we want (clashing patterns and over-accessorising be damned), Lulu handmakes all the designs on her site and very much places an emphasis on slow fashion by releasing only a few collections a year which you can clearly tell a lot of painstaking effort and talent went into. ShopFluffy is on the pricier side but the adorable crocheted coords LuLu specialises in, reminiscent of carefree childhood days and picnics in meadows picturesque enough to be the backdrop of a Jacquemus runway presentation, are a bold and beautiful expression of playful femininity worthy of departing with a bit more than you’d usually spend. After all, if you are gonna spend that money on a piece of clothing, supporting an ethical, independent woman owned business clearly built on carefully honed skill, passion and authenticity is the way to go.
12. SHOPEASYTIGER
PRICE POINT: ££
It feels correct to follow up the ShopFluffy mention with ShopEasyTiger given the friendship between the former’s owner with Tigerlilly Winfield (is that not the most wonderfully storybook character sounding name of all time?), owner of Easy Tiger. Up there with my most revered style icons, Tigerlilly’s designs are as flamboyant and glamorous and daring and dramatic as her own personal style, and again, they are ethically made! If you want to get that psychedelic rock n’roll groupie that’s actually way cooler than the band itself kinda energy too, her shop is the place to start.
13. HOTTTRAMP
PRICE POINT: ££
Founded by the incredibly hot Belle_hott_tramp on Instagram, HottTramp is a collection of both handmade pieces and carefully selected vintage finds that blur the lines between 90s Courtney Love style grunge and 70s summer of love hippy that make me want to start my own all girl rock band and hire a camper van to paint black and road trip through the American desert. Given my complete lack of hand eye coordination, I’ll most likely never have the instrumental skills to do that but I never said it was a realistic fantasy, okay?
14. LAZY OAF
PRICE POINT: ££
Is it just me that always thought Lazy Oaf was within the same kind of price range as The Ragged Priest? Because it’s a lottt more expensive than I thought. That being said, if you’re going for a playful, toned down Molly Goddard kinda look, anything bright and youthful, Lazy Oaf’s clothes 100% fit that brief. You are paying more, but part of that markup is reflected in their transparency when it comes to their ethical code, which includes ensuring that statutory minimum wage laws are adhered to in the supply chain as well as that all workers are of the legal working age for their countries and that their working hours do not exceed the legal limit. They are also steadfastly committed to donating a portion of their profits to charities dedicated to improving mental wellbeing such as Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and Young Minds, something that is hugely important to me given my own experiences and the line of work I want to go into.
15. NEVER FULLY DRESSED
PRICE POINT: ££
Similar in their aesthetic to Out of the Ordinary, Never Fully Dressed is big on colour, print, and elegance. They have both specially selected second hand pieces on offer and original designs too and the about us section of their website clearly states how passionate they are about their ethical manufacturing process, which takes place both here in the UK and in China.
16. TUNNEL VISION
PRICE POINT: ££
Offering the dreamiest, one of a kind vintage 90s pieces, Tunnel Vision could just as easily be a grunge girl band come the craft themed moodboard as it is an online retailer. If the 90s isn’t for you-I mean, I don’t wanna question anybody’s taste levels but…-they also have the option of shopping by era, which I think is a really cool feature I wish a lot of irl vintage shops would incorporate.
17. LOVE TOO TRUE
PRICE POINT: £
Everything on Love Too True is fucking gorgeousss and it is no surprise that they manufacture their garments here in London because I feel their brand totally encompasses that stereotypical 90s East End punk vibe perfectly with a shit tonne of chunky boots and show stopping plaid pieces that makes my heart ache for a riot grrrl renaissance. Yes, when it comes to feminism’s place in mainstream culture, making sure the political goals and structural changes we’re aiming for are visible to all is by far the most important, but let’s have a resurgence of the grunge girl’s armour along with that and PLEASE let’s leave athleisure in the 2010s. No more Kardashian nude leggings, I beg (I AM being lighthearted, wear whatever you want! We’re not policing women’s clothes in this neck of the woods).
18. NINE LIVES BAZAAR
PRICE POINT: £££
Eurgh. Nine Lives Bazaar. I want it ALL. Their clothes give me all the Etro, Zimmerman, Torey Burch, modernised Stevie Nicks vibes on a slightly more realistic budget, though unfortunately for me said budget just isn’t realistic enough. You would think pieces being ethically produced is just a given when it comes to clothes within this price range but that’s not necessarily the case and Nine Lives Bazaar is one of the ones you can trust to actually be considerate of their employees needs when it comes to their approach to business. To anybody who can afford to shop here, I am insanely jealous. The rest of us, for now, can just browse the website n feel the fantasy, channel a Valentina level of delusion and pretend it’s just the import taxes from Australia that’s holding us back from making a purchase.
-DEPOP SHOPS-
1. @HOUSE_OF_EROTIQUE
PRICE POINT: ££
Everything handmade and latex and form fitting to make you the baddest bitch in the room, I’ve got myself a few pieces from this shop over the past couple of years. Customer service is a bit hit or miss and there’s been times when I’ve had to wait a while for my purchases to get to me but because they’re all one of a kind and custom made to fit, it’s worth it, and when they have messed up they were kind enough to add something to my order for free.
2. @SACREDHAWK
PRICE POINT: ££
If you picture raiding the wardrobe of a biker gang, snatching the Coachella bound suitcases of the Revolve ambassadors at Palm Springs airport, and then jumbling all those clothes together, that’s probably your best bet at getting an idea of Sacred Hawk’s aesthetic. Formerly an ASOS concession, the brand is now available on Depop and is a collection of the most lavish glam grunge pieces, all vintage or reworked vintage. Some things are a bit on the pricey side but I would say they are all priced fairly considering how unique and ornate a lot of the pieces are, and I reeeeally wanna be able to say I own something from there one day.
3. @IDENTITYPARTY
PRICE POINT: £££
I struggled with how to categorise this Depop shop in terms of price point because although there are some fairly low-priced pieces, the standouts are the vintage coats which are understandably a lot more expensive-if you want to fully immerse yourself in the Almost Famous Penny Lane fantasy, you’re gonna have to fork out a little bit.
4. @RETRO_RAIL
PRICE POINT: £££
Retro_rail is of a similar vein to IdentityParty, in that the standout pieces are the vintage coats which are usually upwards of £100-if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind statement outerwear to invest in, I can’t recommend this shop enough. If you’re like me and you’re looking for something more within the £ to ££ price range, Retro Rail is still worth a browse as inspiration for the kind of styles you might wanna try and find elsewhere on Depop.
5. @5THSEASON
PRICE POINT: £
Most of the quirky vintage pieces you’ll find on offer on this Depop shop are within the £25 to £40 price range and though you’ve got coats similar to those you’ll find on Identity Party and Retro Rail and they are sill slightly more than the tops and trousers and dresses on sale etc., they are more modestly priced than the other 2 listed.
6. @DREAMERSREBELS
PRICE POINT: £££
Another v pricey one, dreamersrebels specialises in the daintiest, most whimsical 60s style co-ords I’ve ever seen. Handmade upon purchase, which in turn guarantees little textile waste, you can find the kind of pieces you’d expect to see on a 21st century incarnation of Audrey Hepburn, all the soft pastels and timeless, retro silhouettes you could possibly wish for. I mean, wishing is pretty much all I can do rn but anyone with a near minimum wage retail job knows you need something to aspire to, lol. I managed to budget enough to treat myself to a Selkie dress so I’m manifesting that same level of self-discipline to get me a dreamersrebels piece next.
7. @AWKWARDPHASE
PRICE POINT: £
Very affordable vintage pieces that range from cutesy mid-century style dresses and coats to grungy 90s jackets, perfectly styled and presented too in a way that will have you wanting to order something for yourself to replicate that modern spin on old staples and give them a second life.
8. @EVIEHALLOWS
PRICE POINT: £
Another Depop shop where the clothes are styled so well, it’ll have you thinking you can make anything from a floral 1950s housewife style cardigan to a lycra jumpsuit look very intentionally on trend.
9. @JAHOOLI
PRICE POINT: £
There’s also Jahooli, which I will just say ticks all the same boxes as the other two aforementioned stores to avoid repeating myself.
10. @LOVELYANDLOVELESS
PRICE POINT: £
In terms of price, I would put Lovely and Loveless into the same category as Jahooli, Awkward Phase and Evie Hallows, the difference being that the clothes available are more on the dainty, classically feminine side. People who have a Pinterest board dedicated to the cottagecore or light academia aesthetic (whew, the gen Z is showing), this one’s for you.
11. @CHLOESTJOHN
PRICE POINT: £
Finally, we have the ChloeStJohn Depop shop and it’s definitely a good one to end on; picture the wardrobe of Carrie Bradshaw if she’d lived in Camden instead of New York in the 90s and hung out with a slightly edgier crew than Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha and there you have it, the vibe of the pieces on offer. Does it belong to a girl who probs lives near Primrose Hill and has access to all the boujiest second hand clothes shops available which she most likely routinely raids to resell on Depop? Potentially, but hopefully not because I am very here for this whole red wine in one hand and a cigarette in another back when people were allowed to smoke inside bars aesthetic. I’m sorry that the gen Z part of me once again jumped out in such an aggressive fashion with that last sentence, but I know you know what I mean.
And that’s everything!
I did wanna close off the post with a reminder of how nuanced a discussion this is-having the time and money to be more conscious about your ethical footprint when you’re buying clothes is in itself a privilege; fashion shouldn’t be an interest reserved for only those who have the means to pay extra or spend time scouring the internet. It’s also important to be aware of the lack of size inclusivity-a lot of the “trendy” sustainable fashion brands tend to not stock anything larger than a size 14 and attempt to deflect attention away from this by categorising clothes as either XS, S, M, or L, which is in itself a bit of a pisstake considering that 12-14 is the average clothing size here for women in the UK, and so in no way large. Shopping from Depop and Ebay is hard too when so many brands fail to understand how to fit a non-straight size body which in turn necessitates trying stuff on before you buy it, something that isn’t possible when you’re shopping second hand. A lot of Depop shops fail to offer returns and even with those who do, chasing up that return can be a time-consuming and generally all round frustrating process.
Basically, when we’re having these kinds of discussions it’s important to consider everyone’s situations and avoid sitting on some kind of high horse. I feel like things have become even more complicated lately- with the recent closure of once popular high street stores such as Topshop and Miss Selfridge, it has got me thinking a lot about just how many people’s income here in the UK is dependent on fast fashion retailers too and their popularity. The job scarcity resulting from these kind of closures, which are often all that is available to a lot of people with the demands of the job market seemingly becoming more and more impossible each day even for those who have been in higher education, is clearly an issue when the kind of support you can expect from the government as someone out of work is so woefully inadequate and likely to become even more so as the conservatives push for further cuts to UC and PIP. The past year has really shown us just how shaky the ground that an intensely capitalist society stands on is and how quickly everything can go tits up when we don’t invest in a safety net for those who are struggling. People seem to have realised more than ever the extent to which those whose jobs we deem “low-skilled” are actually the backbone of society, and yet even here, whilst the situation may not be quite as desperate as it is elsewhere, we still haven’t seen pay rises that reflect that. Turns out all the clapping WAS an empty gesture, who’d have thought it (for fuck’s sake)? Fair wages really are a global issue that starts with paying people enough for them to comfortably live on and in time should lead to a shift in consciousness away from the concept of profit before everything else and towards an equal playing field for everyone, something we should take every opportunity to speak up about and demand from our “leaders”, however shit a job so many of those leaders do. It’s frustrating how the focus on making ethical purchasing choices is so often on the overconsumption of things that women historically are more actively interested in such as clothes and accessories and make up when the reality is that the wealth of every industry titan on this planet, NOT just the ones who dominate the fast fashion sphere, depends on them continuing to get away with exploiting people-we should be looking at how we can show our dissatisfaction in all areas. Maybe I’m perpetuating that with this post, since a lot of the online retailers I mentioned only sell women’s clothing, but that being said, I’m not about to do men’s work for them, lol-they should make the effort, if possible, to research into sustainable clothing alternatives too.
Anyway, that’s the end of this post! If you read to the end, thank you so much! If I’ve made any errors in my research or there are more sustainable clothing brands that I could’ve mentioned, feel free to inbox me them too, and I can add them to this post if Tumblr allows. It’s usually a little bitch when it comes to editing long posts but I’ll try my best:) Again, thanks for reading! And if you are, I hope you are safe and well!
Lauren x
#sustainability#sustainable#sustainable fashion#fashion#fashion inspo#style#style inspo#grunge#grunge aesthetic#the ragged priest#lazy oaf#depop#second hand#lookbook#vintage#thrifting#mingalondon#minga#vintage finds#vintage fashion#jaded london#house of sunny
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A long bitch of an interview with Euronymous, from Orcustus zine in early ‘92.
What is Orcustus? Orcustus was an early 90’s black metal ‘zine run by none other than Bård “Faust*” Eithun— murderous pretty-boy, and o.g Euronymous simp. I think he might have also played drums in a band called Emperor... but I’m not sure! Its full name is actually “Orcustus— The Shadow of The Golden Fire”, and no, I’m not making this up.
This particular issue here opens up with a quote from a short story called ‘The Doom That Came To Thomas Parkes*’.
Assuming the reader hasn’t read the story, Faust explains that the quote is in reference to what happened to the titular ‘Thomas Parkes’ when he tried to raise spirits. Faust then admits that he’s unsure of his own ability to ‘raise spirits’, but says he hopes that he’ll raise some fists in agreement that there’s something wrong with the underground scene. Ironically (you’ll see why this is ironic very soon), he doesn’t like that certain bands, namely Entombed, are selling so many copies of their LPs.
After a brief diatribe on just that, he goes on to explain that he was in a rush to get this mag out because of problems with the printer. Then, he tells anyone who doesn’t like the fact that this ‘zine only features black metal that they can fuck off, with three exclamation points.
Finally, we get to the end of the opening page, where Faust pulls what can only be called an early form of the Twitter exposed thread. It reads as follows, with absolutely no changes to the text:
“I would suggest you to not do any business with that sucker Evil Ludo from France. He have riped me and several others off, by not return what we ordered. I suppose he’s a medical sensation, as I didn’t know it was physical or psychical possible to live without a brain”
Why am I telling you all of this, when this is only meant to be a transcript of an interview with Euronymous, you may be asking? Because I find it funny, that’s why.
Anyhow, the Euronymous here acts and feels very differently from the Euronymous of the last interview I posted. However, I hope you’ll still enjoy it, and I hope you’re able to appreciate the tiny glimpses of humanity talking to a close friend allowed him, even though they both behave like complete asses. Even though it’s hard to sympathize with him at points.
Like last time, any (sparse) commentary will be between (parenthesis) and in bold. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
.
F: Well, how in hell shall one be able to come up with an intro worthy enough for this band? The words I wanna describe Mayhem’s music with, is not yet created, and it won’t be created either, because no one has really experienced the real darkness and pure brutality with lays behind Mayhem’s hellish sound, but I suppose you all are familiar with this band anyway. Well, in the first place, I hadn’t really thought to enclose this band in this issue, because if we look away from rereleases of old demos (“Pure Fucking Armageddon”) and live tapes, it’s a pretty long time since their last release (in ‘87 that was). I thought I rather should interview them when they released their forthcoming album “Dee Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”, but due to the circumstances, I realised the time was right for an interview now. I won’t bother you with any history shit, but I could tell a bit about what has happened last year. You all know that their vocalist Dead comited suicude in April ‘91, that was a bigg loss for the underground, and I suppose I don’t need to say that this mag is dedicated to the memory of that infernal man. Anyway, Dead was replaced by Cultòcùlus (back then called Occultus), but due to different problems within the band, he left the band in January ‘92, but let’s not say more about that, as Euronymous didn’t want me to say anything about it at all (but Euronymous, you must admit that it has sounded pretty artificial if I hadn’t mentioned it at all). So now, the band consists of Hellhammer (drums) and Euronymous (guitar (and probably bass too)). I know the singer of Tormentor (rip) from Hungary (Esihar Attila) is interested in singing on the album, and also even moving to Norway, so it seems like Mayhem got some sort of predilection to foreign vocalists, but this Hungarian guy happend to be a good one as well, so never mind that. But I don’t think this is official, so don’t tell anyone you read it here, ok? Well then, it’s an honour for me to dedicate the next following pages to one of today’s most legendary and infamous bands......... THE TRUE MAYHEM!!!!!!!
F: First of all Euronymous, I know you and Dead live/lived totally for the old black metal attitude. Is your hate now total to young and trendy bands after Dead’s suicide?
Euro: YES, we have declared WAR. Dead died because the trend people have destroyed everything from the old black metal/death metal scene, today “death” metal is something normal, accepted and FUNNY (argh) and we HATE it. It used to be spikes, nites, chains, leather and black clothes, and this was the only thing Dead lived for as he hated this world and everything which lives on it. If we had the economic possibility to do it, we should meet up at concerts and beat up ALL trend people ALL the time untill they would be too scared to go to concerts at all, now we need to suck their money instead. It’s impossible to stop the trend no matter how much we want, we have to do the best out of it and sell lots of trend shit to them. (I don’t need to tell you that that’s totally not why Dead killed himself, right?)
F: In the spring of ‘91 you started up a shop in Oslo which sells all sorts of music within metal. Is there anything you can tell us about the shop (ideas? plans?)?
Euro: Well, the original idea was to make a specialist shop for metal in general, but that’s a long time ago. Normal metal isn’t very popular anymore, all the children are listening to “death” metal now, I’d rather be selling Judas Priest than Napalm Death, but at least now we can be specialized within “death” metal and make a shop where all the trend people know that they will find all the trend music, this will help us earning money so that we can order more EVIL records to the evil people. But no matter how shitty music we have to sell, we’ll make a BLACK METAL look on the shop, we’ve had a couple of “actions” in churches lately, and the shop is going to look like a black church in the future. We’ve also thought about having total darkness inside, so that would would have to carry torches to be able to see the records.
F: Well, how is the situation all in all in the Mayhem camp right now?
Euro: Difficult as usual, but we’re closer than ever to record the Mayhem lp. Almost all the material is completed, then I and Hellhammer will record the whole thing with 3 guitars, 2 basses and so on. It will be very massive. Who’s to sing on the lp is not yet decided, we’ll wait and see what happens. We have several people who can do the job very well.
F: As Metalion of Slayer mag* said: “it seems like you at certain times lives on the edge of starvation”. Have you ever been on the thought to just give up the whole band and become a normal 9 to 5 person, or is this a completely stupid question to ask?
Euro: It has been very hard at times, but I am not a normal person anyway so it would just not be possible to do that. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why things are as they are (this answer will be long) (that’s okay for me/Ed). The reason why we don’t have any money, is because of hardcore. We have for too long been following the “underground” rules, which say that you must hate money, you must not think you are anything, you must be open-minded, you might have a lot of attitudes and so on. Extremely stupid. But the situation has been that if you don’t follow these rules which are made by hardcore pigs, you are not accepted as a death metal or black metal band! Then you MUST be signed by some big label to be able to make some money, and we’ve never wanted to do that. Then you would anyway be labelled as “commercial” by the HC pigs. This has caused that after 8 years, we are still as broke as ever, while the HC pigs themselves are controlling all labels, and they sign only the bands which fit into their own idiotic world, that means “death” metal bands with society lyrics and jogging suits, and this is what the people see when they grow up. They don’t see any EVIL bands with spikes, as we did. Well, I’m tired about being broke, just to be “underground”. I’m tired of not having money to eat for just because tons of people will call you a “rip-off” if you don’t write 20 letters each day. It’s time to say fuck off to the whole system, which is built to strangle the evil bands in the birth. We must start taking inspirations from the ancient ones, from Venom and their likes. They did their thing BIG, and they never had to think about any idiotic underground rules. They did it big and so must we, but it must never become a trend, it must become a CULT. This is why we have started on a brand new policy with the band and the record label. It’s about time that someone makes a label for black metal and other grim music, and STRIKE BACK. There is NO reason why DSP shouldn’t be as big as Peaceville or Nuclear Blast, if we can just get the business on its feet again and get good distribution. That’s the only way to compete with the HC labels. It’s about time we start taking control over our own scene. We must spread the EVIL bands and pervert people’s souls.
F: What about the Norwegian scene then? Don’t you think that something is terribly wrong when it have gone so far that we have a christian “death metal” band here (Crush Evil)? Advices on how we should kill them?
Euro: First of all— the Norwegian scene is the BEST. There are a lot of GREAT bands (yet with no album out) and of course some shitty trend bands, but nothing as in Sweden. There you have 2-3 good bands out of 100, while here we have a few shit bands who hardly have made even a demo, while all the great bands will make records in the near future. Such as Darkthrone, Burzum, Immortal, Thorns (I’m flattered/ED*), Arcturus, Enslaved and newer bands like Malfeitor and others which I have not yet heard. BUT— when it comes to bands like Crush Evil, we must take serious action. It’s bad enough to have a couple of society bands, but a CHRISTIAN band is too much. But don’t worry, we have plans. They will not continue for a very long time.
F: And now over to something more humouristic....yes.... snuff movies. Who had been the perfect actor for a snuff movie, and why the hell aren’t they legalized? Don’t you think that every video-store should have its own section with snuff-movies?
Euro: Actually I think it’s great that movies like that are forbidden. If they were legal and easily accessible, all the small trend children would be watching them, and then it would not be something extreme anymore (I’m not sure if I agree with you here Euronymous. Snuff movies are usually too raw and brutal for the people with their “peace and life” infected minds. Remember the HC rules/ED) (shut the fuck up, Faust*) It’s just the same what happened to death metal— it became something everyone could buy in every store, something normal and accessible for everyone. All the mystic and evil atmosphere is GONE. I do not think snuff-movies are funny, I think they are DARK. I’ve seen people laugh at them, but that’s probably because they will not be mentally able to take the PAIN and EVIL on over themselves. That is the best way to watch such a movie, to try to FEEL the actual pain of the victims. It becomes much more gruesome then, and that’s great. One must be alone in the darkness and suffer with the victims, if you watch it with other people, they will often talk, laugh and so on, and then you get more distanced from it, it’s not supposed to be funny (death to fun), it’s much better when it’s depressive.
F: Through the years you have been talking about releasing bands like Samael, Rotting Christ, Master’s Hammer, Tormentor, Matricide, Imperator, Massacre etc. on Deathlike Silence Prod., but now some of these bands have released lp’s on labels which only have money in their eyes and know that black metal sells. Doesn’t that frustrate you, and don’t you feel it like the time is running out for you?
Euro: It’s a bit frustrating, but it is also a result of trying to be “underground” which is a suicide policy. Anyway, the main thing is that these evil records get released at all, and not who’s releasing them. We will probably release a record with Tormentor, they’re split up, but they still want to make their Anno Domini demo on vinyl, and we’ll try to fix it within the summer. The time is not running out, because there are a lot of really evil bands around. — most of the Norwegian bands which other labels haven’t heard about. Burzum is ten times better than all the bands on Earache together, and so are Thorns and Arcturus. So there is no problem, really. As for bands like Rotting Christ and Master’s Hammer, we might do something in the future instead. I’ve never been talking with Samael about any deal, but I wish I had as their album is FUCKING GREAT.
F: Almost all bands in the underground today says that they think they got their own style and originality, but the fact is that 95% of the bands sounds totally the same. What is an original death metal band today?
Euro: There exists no death metal bands today. There are only a handful of (mostly great) bands (in case someone hadn’t got it right— black metal has nothing to do with the music itself, both Blasphemy and Mercyful Fate are black metal. It’s the LYRICS, and they must be SATANIC. If not, it is NOT black metal) and what we choose to call LIFE METAL bands. Take a band like Therion. Their music is quite ok, it’s actually one of the best Swedish bands (even though that doesn’t say much) but their lyrics STINK. They are about society and pollution, what the fuck has that got to do with DEATH? If a band cultivates and worships death, then it’s death metal, no matter what KIND of metal it is. If a band cultivates and worships Satan, it’s black metal. And by saying “cultivates death”, I don’t think about thinking it’s funny, or being into gore, I’m thinking about being able to KILL just because they HATE LIFE. it’s people who enjoy to see wars because a lot of people get killed. How many bands think that way? Not many. I can’t think of one.
F: You’re maybe not the most active band when it comes to gigs, but at least you’ve managed to tour Germany and Turkey. What can you tell us from the tour, and is there any new gigs planed?
Euro: That tour was a big mess, we’ll NEVER take the train again! We lost quite some money, but still it was great to get to East-Germany and Turkey. The memories of the tour consist mostly of the starvation and idiotic custom officers, but still I wouldn’t like to have missed the opportunity. We don’t have any concrete plans, we’ll see happens in the future. We don’t like to play for a lot of trendies in jogging suits, so we prefer to leave it be.
F: What do you think of the fact that death metal has been on MTV?
Euro: It sucks. But it isn’t death metal anyway, so....
F: I know that you will soon release the debut album of Abruptum on DSP, so, what can you tell us about it?
Euro: It’s EVIL. It’s PURE EVIL, they were torturing each other in studio DURING the recording and you can HEAR on the music how they SUFFER. It will be the most demented record EVER, and it’s NOT for normal people. This is music which NEVER can become trendy, because normal people won’t be able to understand it. And that’s great. The price for the album it’ll be the same as for the BURZUM lp, which should be somewhere else in this ‘zine*. It’s called “Obscuriratem Advoco Amplèctere Me”, and stay away from it if you don’t like pure DARKNESS.
F: Don’t you think that people in the underground should respect others ideas and views more? I mean, it’s not accepted to spread unpopular thoughts. It seems like there is some sort of guardians of morality and most people keep in mind not to say or do anything which is not accepted by the public.
Euro: I don’t think people should respect each other. I don’t want to see trend people respecting me, I want them to HATE and FEAR. If people don’t accept our ideas as their own, they can fuck off because then they belong to a musical scene which has NOTHING to do with ours. They could just as well be Madonna fans. There is an ABYSS between us and the rest. Remember— one of the HC rules is that you must be open-minded (except for themselves), so we must be careful and avoid being open-minded ourselves. The HC pigs have correctly made themselves guardians of morality, but we must kick them in the face and become guardians of anti-morality.
F: You say you want your riffs to have a dark mood and really sound evil, but what if you came up with a riff which just sounded good, but not evil. Would you use it then?
Euro: Well, if a riff sounds good to me, it mostly means that it sounds evil too. At least when I make the music myself. Haven’t really thought about this about this before.
F: Do you think you’ve been playing this sort of music today if it weren’t for those old bands like Mercyful Fate, Venom and Hellhammer?
Euro: It’s impossible to say. Venom and the other ancient ones have been fundamental influences on Mayhem, and also the direct reason of the band’s existence. We like to think that if they hadn’t started up this, we would have, but who knows? Doesn’t really matter anyway, we hail ancient Venom as the CREATORS.
F: Ok, no more questions at the moment. End the interview in what way you want......
Euro: Perhaps it should be mentioned that well re-release the MAYHEM mini-lp “Deathcrush” VERY soon. We also have t-shirts available now. People should write for prices on things. Be EVIL, not open-minded.
Ok, I suppose some of you already know that Euronymous started up a shop in Oslo in the spring of ‘91. The shop is called “HELVETE” (which is Norwegian and means “HELL”) and are specialized within underground stuff and death metal in general (though he also have some other styles of music there). As he said in the MAYHEM interview, the shop really have a black metal look, so if you ever visit Oslo, I really recommend you to visit “HELVETE” as well. I think it’s good that people take the initiative to start up with such things, because if everyone were just passive, we would all get ruined by poser-shops like Hot Records where they take 140 NKR for the Earache albums (which you in “HELVETE” can get a CD for the same price). Euronymous also sells though mail, so write and ask for a list or something: HELVETE, Schweigaardsgt. 56, 0656 Oslo. NORWAY.”
That’s all! :)
And now for the things I put in asterisks, in order of their appearances.
*If for some reason you actually don’t know who Faust is, he was the drummer on the Emperor LP and “In The Nightside Eclipse” but you might also know him from other great hits such as “threatening to kill Mortiis from prison whilst simultaneously attempting to plead murder of the secondth degree”, “I’m glad the people Euronymous ripped off won’t get their money back because he’s dead hA hA!”, “I got fourteen years for murder because I’m a socially inept virgin— oops” and “bad... bad lyrics who’s quality somehow don’t improve with the passing of time”. All jokes are done in good humour— if it seems like I dislike him, it’s not that at all. I just find him easy to make fun of.
Here is another short bio, this one less sarcastic: he was born in Trondheim, lived around Kvikne, and Lillehammer, worked at Helvete, was a close friend of Euro’s, and has his sun in Taurus.
He also beefed with Glen Benton for dissing the Party City cape (Note: of course I’m being extremely reductive) he and Euronymous seemed to share. Here are a few pictures of Faust:
Here is the infamous Party City cape:
*This was surprisingly hard to find. I think he read it in a mag or something. Here’s a link to where you can find it: https://issuu.com/davidgamble/docs/paranormal37/3 page 64-65.
*Slayer mag was another zine, this one by a bloke named Metalion, who was Euro’s best friend.
*Faust (who felt the strange need to make a distinction between himself, the editor, and himself, the interviewer) also played in Thorns (well, Stigma Diabolicum), under the hilarious moniker: Fetophagia✨
*He’s being a fucking idiot, what was I supposed to say? It should be noted that Faust actually went down for the snuff films too.....
*In case you’re interested, for whatever reason, the prices for the Burzum LP were as follows:
Norge— 130 NKR
Norden— 100 K
Finland— 60 FN
Island— 1000 IK
Europe— 15$
Outside Europe,
Overseas— 15 $
Air— 22$
East Europe— 10$
By ‘norden’ he presumably meant ‘northern Norway’, and “Island” is the Norwegian word for Iceland. Notice the way he doesn’t include Sweden! (Edit: Originally I thought he didn’t include Finland because there was a black metal war with them as well, but it seems as though that feud came a bit later or had already passed)
That’s all, for real this time!
Legal disclaimer: I am absolutely, in no way shape or form, claiming that the stupid cape you see them wearing is literally from Party City. From my limited research, I’ve gathered that the Party City chain hasn’t yet opened its doors in the beautiful and glorious country we know as Norway— Norge. However, I am saying that the cheap, dinky piece of cloth covering their backs and shoulders are of the same kind of shitty quality you’d expect from a Party City Count Dracula costume and that maybe Glen had a point about how stupid Euronymous (and Faust) must’ve looked.......
#black metal#euronymous#mayhem#emperor#euronymous interview#interview#Faust#Orcustus zine#true norwegian black metal#my transcript#Bard Faust#look at these fucking dorks
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Fic: Yes, Father (August Walker x Reader)
A/N: Hey folks. It has been a while. This piece has been sitting on my drive for over a month and I finally decided to post it. I hope you enjoy it. I based all the mass rites on my own experiences, even if it has been a while since I last went to church.
Summary: AU! After much insisting, your fiancé convinces you to go to church with him and you find yourself strangely captivated by the priest celebrating the mass, which so happens to be your fiancé childhood friend.
Pairing: August x Reader
Genre: Smut; AU
Wordcount: 2,9k
Warnings: smut (dirty talk and fingering); It’s worth noting that this is a seriously sacrilegious fic, so if you’re religious and think it might bother you or conflict with your faith, maybe it would be best not to read it.
You were never one to particularly care for going to church or anything like that. You weren’t raised in any faith and if it was up to you, your future children would be educated the same, but it was so important to your fiancé James.
He came from a feverous catholic family and he grew up going to church, Sunday morning mass, and being part of every possible event his church was involved in. He was ever an altar boy growing up and he hoped that he could continue the tradition with his own children.
And after a lot of cajoling on his part, you agreed to start attending mass on Sunday morning with him. He promised that the current priest presiding his church wasn’t one of those misogynist and full of prejudice old farts but actually a good old friend of his.
“I promise you’ll enjoy August’s sermon,” James assured as you combed the inexistent wrinkles on your plain, knee-length grey dress.
James insisted you were being too conservative with your attire choice. That it looked more like you were going to a job interview than mass, but you rather be safe than sorry. His parents would be there as well and for some reason, that made you even more nervous with this whole attending to church thing. As ridiculous as it might sound, a part of you was slightly afraid of busting into flames the second you stepped through the threshold of the building.
“Honestly, it still surprises me that out of the two of us, August was the one that ended up with the collar and not me,” your fiancé declared with a chuckle as he parked the car and you two stepped out to see a considerable group of people, mostly women from the looks of it, quietly making their way inside. “He was such a ladies’ man.”
“Doesn’t seem like much have changed,” you commented as the two of you walked up the steps, making him chuckle and nod.
James’ parents were already waiting and after a quick greeting, you were all made the way inside, miraculously finding seats in the front pews, right in front of the altar. The ample ship of the church seemed to amplify the buzzing of conversation all around, but it all came to a halt at the first chord of the piano.
The silence was heavy and it seemed to you that if someone dropped a pin, it would be heard by the very heavens. Finally, the eerie melody started and you felt your heart beating to the tempo of the music as everyone rose and the procession started.
Front and center, leading the group was a young boy, no older than 12, carrying the processional cross. The dark, shaggy hair and green eyes reminded you of James and you could picture your fiancé in your mind’s eye performing the same task as a child and it brought a smile to your lips.
You watched as the group advanced in time the melody playing, some members of the congregation carrying images of saints and other holy objects and finally, closing the group, Him.
Father August was a tall man, broad shoulders and built like a bull, the white and green clerical robes barely disguising his bulky form. His dark hair was neatly combed, one stubborn curl falling over his left eye but he seemed unaware as he walked and murmured the words of the hymn under his breath, his ocean blue gaze never wavering from the altar. He would look like the picture of a Godsent angel if it wasn’t for the dark stubble covering his face and the abominable mustache that in anyone else would look ridiculous but on him was actually attractive.
Heat rose to your cheeks as you realized your treacherous thought and your gaze fell to your polished shoes. You were really thinking of a priest as attractive? How much of a sinner could you be? Ashamed by the betrayal of your mind, you didn’t dare to look up again, not until the velvet smooth voice of Father August asked all to be seated and the ceremony started.
You let his voice washed over you as mass progressed as expected, taking your cues of when to rise or sit from James, that remained next to you oblivious to your suffering. You barely listened to the gospel reading or the adoration too focused on tracking Father August’s every move despite your best attempts of ignoring the handsome man presiding the celebration.
Finally, the congregation was seated once more to listen to his sermon. You kept your eyes on your clasped hands as August took his place at the pulpit and started speaking. You didn’t hear a word said, only the calm, husky tone of his voice that seemed to set your very soul on fire if the wet warmth between your legs was any indication.
Despite your brave attempts to keep your mind clean, you couldn’t help but daydream of that very same voice whispering all sorts of sinful pleasures in your ear. Clearing your throat, you dared to look up, finding his blue gaze fixed on you as he spoke and that was enough to set your heart racing and lock the breath inside your lungs. It felt as if Father August could see deep inside you, all the unholy thoughts you had been entertaining during his sermon.
Finally, he ended his speech and another hymn began. The congregation started rising, taking their place in line for Eucharist.
“You’re coming?” James whispered, startling you.
“I shouldn’t,” you replied quietly, your eyes darting to the priest feeding the congregation the wafer.
“Come on,” James encouraged with a smile and a wink. “No one will know.”
You rose from your seat against your better judgment. Your brain was unable to reign in the dark desire that pushed you toward the priest. As you took your place in line right behind James, your heart was pounding and your nerves wrecked as each step brought you closer to Father August, until finally, you stood in front of him, under his piercing all-knowing blue gaze.
“The body of Christ,” he spoke, voice haunting as he presented the wafer and your whole body shook as you let your lips part in welcome, eyes focused on his as he set the wafer on your tongue.
There was something so intimate and arousing at been this close to Father August, to let his thick fingers brushing against your lips as he fed you, his eyes darkening and his nostrils flaring as if he could see and smell your sin. Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds as you two stared at each other.
It took the small cough from someone behind you to break you from your spell and you scurried away, shame bitter and acidic in your stomach, drying your mouth and throat as you forced yourself to swallow the wafer and move back to your seat, feeling the weight of your guilt as you waited for the mass to be finally over.
You had hoped to be free from the priest as soon as the proceedings were over but instead Father August remained at the door, exchanging polite words with the members of the congregation, and of course, James and his parents got in line to speak to the holy man.
“Amazing work as always, my dear,” you heard James’ mom, Magda, said as she kissed Father August’s cheek. “But when will you remove that awful thing from your face?”
“I don’t know, mom,” James interjected with a smirk, hugging his old friend. “I think it suits him, gives him a star quality. Of the porn variety.” James’ mom gasped in horror, while August just chuckled.
“You’re jealous because you never managed to grow a single hair in that baby face,” the priest joked back, completely unfazed by the teasing as his gaze set on you. “And who is this?”
“Oh! You haven’t met my fiancé, yet…”
You barely heard the rest of James’ words as he ushered you forward, presenting you to Father August and as his large hand enveloped yours in a warm touch, you could feel the flitting throb between your legs once again.
No man had such an effect on you before, and you wished you could run away, put as much distance between yourself and the temptation in the form of a man.
“So, what did you think?” James asked once the two of you were in the safety of the car, on the way to his parents’ house for Sunday lunch.
“I know it might not seem like it, but it wasn’t my first time in church, James.” Your words earned you a chuckle from him.
“I know, sweetheart. I meant of August.”
“Oh!” You could feel the heat returning to your face as you shifted on your seat, looking away from him. “He seemed nice and you’re right, his sermon was ok.”
“Is ok enough for you to consider coming along every Sunday from now on?”
The look in James’ eyes was pleading, like a little puppy dog that was kicked out of the moving truck. The look of a man that was used to get his way and he knew you wouldn’t be able to resist.
“I’ll think about it,” you conceded it as he pulled the car in the driveway, right behind his parents’.
It wasn’t like you could say no point-blank. Not without a good reason for it and saying you were lusting over his ordained childhood friend wasn’t exactly an option.
“That’s all I ask.”
James smiled brightly at you, pressing a kiss to your cheek before you two stepped out of the car just as a third vehicle pulled in the driveway, and the last person you wished to see got out.
August was donning a pair of black slacks and a black, long-sleeved dress shirt, the clerical collar being the only evidence of this man’s chosen career.
“I’m glad you could make it!” James greeted his friend cheerfully and August smirked.
“I wouldn’t miss this delicious…” he paused for just a second, his eyes flickering towards you, making you gulp and look away. “Meal for anything. Sister Agnes has many talents, bless her soul, but cooking isn’t one of them.”
James snorted, leading the way inside as August walked right beside you so close his arm brushed against yours, raising goosebumps on your skin as it tingled with the brief contact.
“Why don’t I help your mother?” you announced as soon as you crossed the threshold, trying to put as much distance between yourself and the priest as you could.
James didn’t protest. Instead, he led his friend into the sitting room and as you disappeared behind the kitchen door, you could almost feel the cold blue gaze of August on your ass, if that was even possible.
You managed to relax some as you helped Magda with the meal, chopping vegetables and stirring pots as the two of you talked about the upcoming wedding, only months away. You never thought you would be this excited about it, but you loved James with all your heart, and you couldn’t wait to become his wife.
The sound of the phone cut through your chatting and Magda’s face opened into a wide smile as she reached for her phone. It could only mean one thing: Her daughter Mary, who had been in a charity mission in Angola, was on the line.
“Go on,” you encouraged with a smile as you surveyed the kitchen. “I can manage everything.” She flashed you a grateful smile before scurrying off, phone already pressed to her ear.
You hummed to yourself as you worked, tasting the potato salad and adding a little more seasoning before your attention turned to the roast on the oven. You bent over to get a better look, smirking to yourself when you sensed someone standing right behind you, close enough you could feel the heat of his body,
Of course, you thought it was James. Who else would you expect? Instead, As you straightened up and glanced behind yourself, you were startled to find August there, browsing the pots over your shoulder. Too close for comfort.
“Father,” you croaked awkwardly, unable to really move without risking touching the man and that was the last thing you wanted. Your body was already heating up just by his mere presence. Anything else would be too dangerous.
“Sorry for the intrusion, I wanted to give them some privacy to speak to Mary and I thought you could use some help.” His words were innocent enough but there was this edge in his voice… a sort of dark tone that made you doubt his intentions.
“That’s really thoughtful of you,” you managed, shimmying out of the way so you could move to the sink to start on the dishes. “But I got it covered.” The priest hummed in response and for a moment, a tense silence reigned between you two.
You were very aware of every sound, every motion of your body and his. You wished he would leave already or, against your better judgment, press closer, blanket your body with his, let those long, elegant fingers trace the skin of your thigh, inch under your skirt, and towards your throbbing cunt which was soaking your panties.
You let out a gasp, cutlery clattering loudly into the sink as your mind registered the filthy thoughts circling your brain. How could you? This was a man of God, for Christ’s sake, and a good friend of the man you loved.
“You know, James and I were always very close,” Father August spoke suddenly, making you start because once again he was standing right behind you, his hands resting on the marble of the sink in front of you. “We shared everything.” He whispered those words right in your ear.
One of his hands came to your stomach, not yet touching but close enough that you could almost feel it, the ghost of his fingers brushing the fabric of your dress, making your breath hitch and your body shake as it paused right at the edge of your skirt, hovering there so, so close…
“Please,” you whimpered, not sure if you were asking him to move away or touch you, even if your body was obviously aching for him.
Father August decided for you, dipping his fingers below the hem of your dress, tracing your thigh up until he found your center, the brush of his fingers featherlight against your drenched center.
“Dirty little slut,” he mocked, massaging your cunt and making you moan and rest against him. “I could tell all your filthy thoughts when you stood in front of me at the altar. Did you want to get on your knees and suck my cock in front of the entire church?”
“Yes, Father,” you whimpered, rocking against his light touch, desperate for more.
“In front of James?” he asked, pushing your panties aside and dipping one finger inside your hungry little slit that seemed to almost pull his digit in.
“Yes, Father.”
“Whore,” he clicked his tongue, fingering you roughly now, his middle finger buried almost to the third knuckle as the heel of his hand rubbed against your throbbing clit. The pad of his finger rubbing that sweet little spot, and all you could do was squeeze the sink and press your legs together around his wrist, keeping his hand trapped there.
“You better cum soon or James will find out exactly what kind of slut his fiancée is,” August taunted, his voice like smooth honey dripping against your ear as he rubbed his hard cock against your ass.
“Yes, Father,” you gasped, rocking between his hand and his erection, lost in the ecstasy of such filthy action. “I’m so, so close…”
“Do you want my cock, slut?” he asked, his other hand coming to your throat, squeezing just slightly and you nodded desperately as his motions sped up. “Want me to fuck that tight little pussy?”
“Yes, Father,” you gasped.
“You’re gonna come to the church on Wednesday. I don’t care what you tell James. Just be there.”
Even if you wanted, you couldn’t find in yourself to answer, your whole body going taut with pleasure as your orgasm washed over you. The sort of white-out ecstasy that blinded and deafened you to anything and everything around you with the exception of your body quivering and quaking and the gush of warmth soaking his hand, your thighs and dripping to the floor below.
“Good girl,” he murmured, pressing a soft, almost chaste kiss to your cheek.
Father August stepped away from you, hands in his pockets as you tried to recompose yourself just moments before the kitchen door opened and Magda walked in.
“Wednesday. Don’t forget,” he said, his smile, to anyone looking from the outside, was completely innocent but you caught the malice in his ice-cold eyes before he left.
“What’s on Wednesday?” Magda asked, checking the roast.
“Father August is just gonna help me with something,” you managed, brain still hazy with the aftershocks of your orgasm. “For James.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” Magda grinned. “He’s such a good man, isn’t he? Our August. A true man of God.”
You could only nod, your voice caught in your throat. If only she knew…
---
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The Implicit Demand for Proof (5)
Pairing: detective David loki x reader
Summary: you, a forensic psychologist with the FBI get called in to investigate a high priority child abduction case in Conyers, PA. what happens when you catch feelings for detective Loki?
A/N- screaming a humongous hello to everyone! I am back after an unplanned hiatus, thank you all for being so patient and I hope you haven't forgotten me nor my series. I’m planning on publishing more regularly now. thanks again for your patience, I appreciate every like, reblog, message, and every one of you supporting me. Without further adieu, we have left detective Loki and y/n waiting way too long, here's TIDFP ch 5!
*Back at the police station*
“Great. Okay, yes. Thank you.” You hung up the phone.
You turned to look at Loki, he was hunched over in his chair, typing. Strands of delicious chocolate brown hair falling around his face.
“Hey, Loki?”
“Hm?” He hummed, not looking up from his computer.
“I just got off the phone with the family that’s selling that house in Fairmont Circle, they’re coming in for an interview later today.”
“Okay, good. Um..” he trailed off reaching for a file. “These are the photos of the RV and Jones.” He said finally looking over at you.
“Okay, thanks.” You said, rolling over in your office chair to take the file.
When in his proximity you could faintly smell the cologne he had on; it was musky and woodsy, you guessed a cedar wood blend. It surprised you though, you didn’t know what kind of cologne you’d expect him to wear but it wasn’t that.
Not that you were profiling him, right? You’re simply making observations about his cologne. Yeah. It’s fine.
“I’m gonna go check this out.” Loki gestured to his computer screen. “There was another local boy who disappeared and I think it’s too similar to this case to be coincidental.”
It was a local newspaper article, ‘Conyers boy disappears’ the title read; the article itself no more than a few paragraphs.
“Okay, keep me updated.” You said and rolled the chair the short distance back to your desk. “I’ll let you know how the interview goes.”
“Alright.” Loki replied bluntly and headed out go check up on his lead.
He was a man of few words.
-
You had just finished interviewing the family that was selling the house when Loki walked past conference room to interrogation followed by detective Chemelinski. Probably something to do with Father Dunn since Chemelinski was on that case.
“Thank you for your cooperation, if you remember anything else, just give me a call.” You handed the wife your business card. “Officer Carter will show you out.” You explained as you held the door open for them.
You wandered back to your desk, hoping Loki got a better lead than you did, the family wasn’t that helpful.
Finally, Loki came back into the bullpen looking irritated. Which, as you’ve come to find out, wasn’t all that uncommon.
“Anything new with the priest?” You asked, spinning around in your desk chair to face him.
He blinked hard once. twice. Three times then, shook his head ‘no’.
“He’s sticking to his story and Chemelinski’s wasting my time.”
He put his face in his hands and let out a long exhale.
After an awkward pause, loki spoke up.
“Whatcha got l/n?”
“The family is offering their full cooperation, but they’re not much help. They’re fairly certain they’ve seen the RV before, but didn’t recognize Alex Jones. They haven’t had anyone interested in the house since it’s been on the market, so no one’s been there.” You said. “Anyways, I was hoping you had something better than that.”
Loki leaned back in his chair, spinning around to face you.
“Mrs. Milland thinks the same person that took her boy that took Anna and Joy.”
“That’s interesting.”
“yeah?”
“Well, you said that you thought the cases were too similar to be a coincidence, and Milland thinks it’s the same person. I think we should look into the possibility of this kidnapper being a serial offender.
“Really?” Loki questioned.
“Yeah, I hate to say I’ve seen a lot in my line of work.....anyways, I don’t want to cause unnecessary panic so keep this on the down low, plus we don’t have proof.”
“Right.”
“But I don’t wanna dismiss the idea. We need to look for patterns in past kidnapping cases and-“
Loki couldn’t help but tune her out as he was suddenly mesmerized by her little mannerisms. Like the cute way she gestured with her hands when she was speaking or the way she brushed the hair behind her ears.
Loki was suddenly aware of this..feeling inside his chest. It was fleeting. Gone as quick as it came.
“Loki?” You questioned, seeing him zoned out.
“Hm?” He quickly snapped back to reality.
“Can you take me to records so we can look at other cases?”
“Yeah.” He paused for a second. “Yeah this way.”
As you followed him towards the elevator, you noticed he still seemed spaced out. Which was odd for him.
“Loki...are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah I just...” He began to panic a bit on the inside. “I’m fine.”
‘Your body language says the opposite’ you thought to yourself.
The elevator door opened before you could press the issue any further.
The elevator ride to the 3rd floor took painfully long, almost an eternity of awkward silence between you and the detective. Neither one of you brave enough to break the silence.
“Wait here.” Loki stated as you both stepped off the elevator.
The records room was old and musty, with only a few windows. Kind of creepy too.
A few minutes later Loki came back with the files.
“There’s a desk in the corner over there so we don’t have to carry all these back to the bullpen. I’m going to follow up with father Dunn. Let me know what you think about the cases.”
“Ok I will, thanks.” You replied and held out your arms to take the boxes of files.
“Oh..Um, I’ll take these to the desk for you. They’re kind of heavy.” There was a short pause. “Not that I think you can’t carry them I just uh.. I’m sure you’re a very strong capable woman..I..I.. um…”
“Thank you detective.” You said with a polite smile, not wanting him to fumble over his words anymore.
You thought it was kind of cute, Loki, the hard, gritty detective stumbling over his words, worried about offending you in the slightest.
“I’ll let you know what I come up with.”
“Ok” Loki said and began to walk off.
His footsteps suddenly slowed to a stop. He turned back to face you and cleared his throat.
“Um, the vigil for the girls is tonight and I’m gonna go stake it out...you can come...if you want. I mean.. I-it may be helpful to the investigation.”
You smiled.
“Sure thing. But you’re buying the coffee.”
“Got yourself a deal.” He replied and you could have sworn you saw a hint of a smile on his face. Call if you need anything.”
“Thanks I will.” you replied.
Back In the elevator Loki’s thoughts raced through his head: Did I offend her by insinuating she wasn’t strong enough to carry some boxes? I hope she doesn’t think that. She agreed to go to the vigil so that’s good, means she’s not too mad. what kind of coffee does she drink? Iced or hot? No definitely hot coffee, it’s freezing outside. I’ll have to bring my big coat..does y/n have a coat that’s warm enough? Maybe I should offer mine..no that might be weird, don’t make it weird David....
He quickly shoved all those thoughts and feelings in the back of his mind, like had done so many times before. He had work to do.
-
tags: (tags are open send me an ask if you want to be tagged for all my stuff, or only certain stuff just let me know!) I think i got everyone im sorry if i forgot you! let me know if i did !
@chromecutie @xenomorphique @evelyn120700 @nightriver99 @iamwarrenspeace @this-that-and-every-thing-else @hsk-puma @bungeewabbit @pianomad @lesbianstarkx @hazilyimagine-blog @super-darlcloudtsudent @thehuntress26 @siren-lamented-vampire @mooleche @rovvboat @leo-writer @dandyqueen @nitemaremotionless @thewintersoldierswife
loki only tags: @spideyrights @sataninsatin @go-commander-kim @severuined @romancried tagging you just cause :)
#detective loki x reader#david loki x reader#david loki fanfic#detective loki/ reader#prisoners 2013#david loki/reader#mine#kacceywrites#writers on tumblr#detective loki fanfic#detective loki fanfiction#TIDFP#jake gyllenhaal x reader
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Coup De Main Magazine Interview: Dylan O'Brien on 'Love and Monsters'.
Dylan O'Brien really, really, really loves dogs. Fondly referring to his adorable co-star as "completely the star" of his new Oscar-nominated film, 'Love and Monsters, O'Brien's face lights up like a Christmas tree when reminiscing about the two Australian Kelpies, Hero and Dodge, who together portray his onscreen best friend, Boy (a.k.a. the best dog in the world).
At the heart of 'Love and Monsters' is this dynamic duo, with O'Brien as Joel Dawson, who in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by giant monsters decides to set off on a dangerous journey to reconnect with his high school sweetheart (played by Jessica Henwick), seven years after the Monsterpocalypse forced all of humanity into hiding underground.
An endearing tale of a wide-eyed boy and his loyal dog, we caught up with Dylan O'Brien to discuss 'Love and Monsters' which was filmed in Queensland, Australia...
COUP DE MAIN: Congrats on the Best Visual Effects Oscars nomination for 'Love and Monsters'! You're in the film, so for the purposes of this interview, I think you can own that.
DYLAN O'BRIEN: Thank you! Oh absolutely, I am nominated. I've been telling everybody: I'm an Oscar nominated actor now.
CDM: You did it!
DYLAN: Thanks! <laughs> It really is amazing.
CDM: It's funny that you filmed this movie back in March to May of 2019, but the whole situation of Joel finding himself separated from Aimee probably feels very familiar to anyone who started a relationship pre-pandemic that doesn't live with their partner.
DYLAN: Yeah, it's really weird. It's really weird how what we ended up going through when this movie was due to come out, how much it related to these themes that we're exploring in this movie. It's a very crazy coincidence.
CDM: Also, the sort of aversion to venturing out again into the outside world, that feels very relatable.
DYLAN: I know. Like when he first comes out of that hatch, he's breathing in the fresh air like it's strange. It's really strange.
CDM: I also thought of the current mask-wearing situation when Clyde says: "You can always tell in their eyes, just look at their eyes." People have had to do a lot of eye-reading this past year?
DYLAN: Right?! Oh, wow wow wow. I hadn't thought about that one.
CDM: One of my favourite things you've ever done is the 'Life Of A Hollywood Actor' video. What do you think the 2021 version of 'Life Of A Hollywood Actor' would look like?
DYLAN: <laughs> Thank you so much, first of all.
CDM: I rewatched it yesterday in preparation for this interview.
DYLAN: No way, thanks! That's really cool. Yeah, I love that character. I want to do something with him. What would the 2021 version be? I think he would definitely be taking the Oscar nom for himself, very seriously - like, the visual effects Oscar nom he would apply as being his, basically, and I think he'd try to bring that up and try to really ride that to get some work. He thinks this is gonna be a big career thing for him, and then he somehow fucks it up by being too overzealous.
CDM: Joel clings on to his memories of Aimee for seven years, replaying them in his mind so he can continue to relive them. Why is it that it's in human nature to mentally retreat into the past for comfort? And to look for a home in other people instead of building a solid home within ourselves?
DYLAN: That's really interesting... I feel like that's something instinctive, especially if you're going through a hard time or especially if something's shifted in your world negatively. I think there's uncertainty about the future and I always find in those situations a common link to wanting to find comfort in the past. I've gone through things, like times like that in my own life, and I've always found that when I've gone through a time like that, there's this level of uncertainty. I think it's human instinct and sort of this instinct to protect ourselves in a way. We're a wild species, aren't we? We're very emotional creatures. I think that's part of what makes humans so special. And instincts like that, to preserve and protect our heart and mind, and to hold on to things like that. And the way we're attached to memories like that and nostalgia. There's a reason these things are a part of our fabric. We're very emotional creatures.
CDM: Do you think that love or fear is a stronger emotion?
DYLAN: Whoah, that's pretty wild. I would say love - only because I feel like it has this sustainable power to endure over time. Whereas fears can be fleeting, and even if it comes quick, it's gone. But then also... yeah, I don't know. <laughs> We're getting deep. Real deep!
CDM: Is love an action or a feeling?
DYLAN: WHOAH. <cracks up>
CDM: I'm putting you on the spot, sorry.
DYLAN: No, no, I'm good! I love it! They're very interesting questions. I'm cracking up at you choosing me to answer these. Fuck. I mean, I think it's a feeling. I believe that, at least. I'm trying to think of ways it could be an action, obviously, but that's not love. I feel like if it's an action, it's something else. There are actions that come from love, but the love, it's a feeling. That's what I believe.
CDM: I always think about how in the TV show, 'Fleabag', The Priest says, "Being a romantic takes a hell of a lot of hope. I think what they mean is, when you find somebody that you love, it feels like hope," which I feel like Joel would also relate to.
DYLAN: Yeah! I love 'Fleabag'.
CDM: It's so good.
DYLAN: It's SO good.
CDM: Clyde says to Joel: "Good instincts are earned by making mistakes." Do you agree or disagree with Clyde's life lesson?
DYLAN: Yeah, I think there's a lot of truth to that, for sure. I think that mistakes absolutely help us grow, in many ways, in terms of instincts and stuff. Yeah, I think that's a wise and sensible perspective to have, especially in an apocalyptic wasteland.
CDM: Do you have any cooking specialities like Joel's talent for minestrone?
DYLAN: Yeah, I've got some go-to's. They're all my mom's, like the things that are nostalgic for me that I grew up with that my mom cooks, like her chicken soup. It's the first thing I do if I go on a job or somewhere where I'm going to be for a little while, just to feel like I'm at home, the first thing I'll do is I'll make a soup and then I'll have it in the fridge for the first week that I'm there. I'll make my mom's chicken soup and it's a really nice comforting sort of a feeling. And chicken cutlets. Two very chicken-y things!
CDM: There's a line I love from the TV show, 'The Good Place', in which one of the characters says: "Sometimes, when you're feeling helpless, the secret is to help someone else. Get out of your own head." I was reminded of it in the scene where Joel is forced to take action against a monster to help save not himself, but his dog. Excluding the life or death element, have you ever felt similarly that it's been easier to help someone else first in order to help yourself?
DYLAN: Yeah, sometimes to a fault. I think that that's something that's been a bit of a learning curve for me, interestingly enough, pretty recently as well in the last year or two, to sort of realise that I need to try to help myself sometimes a little more. I think I have an instinct to help the people that I love and want to be there for them, or even a stranger sometimes, over myself, which can definitely be an interesting quality, but yeah, I think that's helping yourself. Taking care of yourself is extremely important and I think that we all sort of go through our own path of learning the importance of that, and ultimately, too, if you want to be helping others and helping your loved ones, you actually need to be taking care of yourself, first and foremost. Everyone comes to their own kind of realisation over it. It takes time. It takes your 20s, sometimes more.
CDM: Do you miss your dog co-stars Hero and Dodge?
DYLAN: Yes! Yes!! I do. Yeah, I really, really do. And Zelie [Bullen] as well. Their mom and trainer.
CDM: Do you have a dog yourself?
DYLAN: I've got little dogs, yeah. I've got little babies. You?
CDM: I don't sadly, but it's my life goal to adopt a dog one day.
DYLAN: You should. Do you want one? You should get one!
CDM: I'm gonna just tell everyone: Dylan O'Brien told me to get a dog, so I'm getting a dog now.
DYLAN: <laughs> I'm just part of this major life decision for you, forever now.
CDM: Social media can be such a vanity project, but I love that you only have Twitter, and use it mostly just for helping give a platform to important human right issues and sharing your love for Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. What are your favourite Taylor Swift and Harry Styles songs?
DYLAN: Oh my goodness. Like ever? For Harry, from Harry's last album, 'Watermelon Sugar', obviously. I think my my favourite one of his though is... What's it called? I can hear it in my head. They sing it on 'American Idol' all the time.Falling'! That's a huge one for me. T Swift, I mean, it's amazing - give any of the rest of us like six months in quarantine and we look back on it and we're like, 'Shit, I should have done more,' but give Taylor six months in quarantine and she writes fifty hit songs. It's incredible. Off 'Folklore', I think 'Mirrorball' doesn't get enough credit. I'm a big 'Mirrorball' fan. I love 'My Tears Ricochet', and 'Mad Woman', 'Epiphany', 'The 1'.
CDM: Basically the whole album.
DYLAN: Yeah, I really liked that one. There's so many more, but those are my highlights.
CDM: You used to be in a band, Slow Kids At Play, right? Would you ever want to get back into music professionally again?
DYLAN: I still play all the time, and I still play with friends who play as well. Even those guys. They're all still my good friends. We actually had a reunion show in 2019 and it was really cool. We jammed in our friend's garage for our hometown friends. Music will always be a part of my life. I always try to not let it be one of those things that you lose in life. I think that's important to do. If it's not your primary thing, it's sometimes easy to. Often years pile up and then you're like, 'Oh, man, I haven't done this thing that I love in so long, like, I should build that into my routine.' So yeah, I'll always play drums and always jam with friends and play. And yeah, it'd be cool to be in a band again. Maybe someday. Or even just to play a show again, like even just to sit in for someone would be awesome.
CDM: Then maybe you can come to New Zealand on tour.
DYLAN: On tour?! I don't think I'd get to that level, but I like that you have aspirations for me.
CDM: Why is it important to you to use your platform for good?
DYLAN: I think that's influenced by the time that we're in. Also coinciding with a time that I went through in my life and just sort of getting older. And for me, it just feels right in terms of the things that I want to use it for, or try to support, or bring to life, or amplify, or bring a light to, and I guess it's influenced by my own learning and growing and trying to be more involved in this stuff and educate myself on it. It sort of just mirrors that a little bit, and I do think it's important.
CDM: Thank you for your time today. And thanks for telling me to get a dog.
DYLAN: Go do it! Send me a pic when you get them. It was such a pleasure talking to you, thanks so much.
#dylan o'brien#love and monsters#love and monsters press#love and monsters netflix press#taylor swift#harry styles
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OC Interview: Vatna
Thanks for the tag @cleverblackcat, @mageofholyandraste, @darethshirl! It sounds fun!
Introduction
This event was organized a few weeks prior to the Winter Palace ball. Ambassador Josephine Montilyet had invited a few Orlesian journalists to Skyhold to interview the newly appointed Inquisitor.
Can you introduce yourself?
Vatna Einarsdotten Selkesdotten of Two Falcon Hold. (a moment of silence) In the Frostback Mountains. (another moment of silence as the interviewers wait for her to say something else) Inquisitor of the Second Inquisition. (it seems that she won’t say anything more, so one of the journalists asks the next question)
What are your gender identity, orientation, and relationship status?
Is that what you ask every Lowlander? (grumbles) Alright. I see myself a woman. Who I invite or don’t invite to my bed is my very own matter. I am unmarried and have never been before. If you’re curious, yes, the Avvar may marry multiple times in their life if they wish so. Does this answer satisfy you?
Where and when were you born?
I was born in Two Falcon Hold, eighteen... no, nineteen winters ago. (she corrects herself as she remembers that winter came and went when she was away from home, making her one winter older than when she left)
What is your weapon of choice and fighting style?
I am a mage. Unlike most spellweavers in your Circles, we in the mountains train with all sort of weapons, just like any other warrior. I prefer fighting in close quarters. When I came of age, I chose an axe as my preferred weapon. It was commissioned from the dwarves of Orzammar. The blade is engraved with runes and the handle has lyrium core that I can easily channel my magic through. It has been... misplaced for the first few months that I spent with the Inquisition, but it was recovered. Fortunately, the gods blessed me with another weapon in the meantime - the fire-staff that belonged to the Avvar-Mother. I’ve been told this topic is a source of confusion, but I’m not sure how to explain it better. Yes, I do use both an axe and a staff now. I had a battleaxe when I arrived into the Lowlands. Then I lost it. Then I claimed the staff of Tyrdda Bright-Axe. Tyrdda was called Bright-Axe because she had a staff with a fire-focusing crystal. But the word ‘axe’ used to mean every hafted weapon. Then I got back my axe, my regular axe... Let’s go to the next question.
Are you happy?
I’ll be happy when the Lady’s Veil is fully repaired and Corypheus lies dead. Until then, I have work to do. Would you be happy if there were world-dooming critters in your house? Because there are. There are cowards in Orlais scheming together with Corypheus, maybe even people you know. (a lady in a pale blue mask exchanges looks with the others and suggests a lighter topic)
Family and friends
What should I say? Just talk about my family and friends? Well, my father is called Einar, my mother is called Selke. In my hold, we take bynames after both our parents, so I actually already revealed their names. My father was born is Two Falcon Hold, my mother moved from another hold further south. They’ve been married for twenty three years now. They were rather mad to promise such a long marriage without extensions. Eighty-eight knots, can you imagine? I mean, they could always as the Thane to cut the rope short if they grew tired of each other... But it works well for them. I hope they’ll live together until it the last knot. (the interviewers prompt her to explain what she meant by knots and ropes) Oh, I run away with that. The number of knots is the number of years the marriage is supposed to last. Before the wedding, the bride ties a number of knots into a rope, and the groom’s task is to untie them. On the wedding day, the bride starts to sing hymns to the Lady of the Skies. The groom begins to untie the knots then. However many he’ll manage to unravel before the hymns ends, that many years they shall be married together. After the promise ends, they can get married again if they wish. But my parents vowed to get married for eighty-eight years right away. Eight is a blessed amount. Eighty-eight, doubly so. I’ve been told the ritual took all day to complete. By the end of it, my mother’s throat was sore and my father’s knuckles were raw. But they got married how they wanted, and the bond has been steadfast for many years now.
I have a younger sister, Hirka. She’s only four winters younger than me but she can be a real brat sometimes. We used to be inseparable as children. Then we both grew a bit. I got my magic and had to spent a lot of time mastering my abilities. She had other things to do too. But she’s my sister no matter what.
I have some (she pauses to rememeber the right word in Common language) aunts and uncles, but most of them and their families live in other holds, so I haven’t seen them a lot. Only a few times, never in some cases. The word still travels through the Mountains, so we do hear news from them every now and then.
In the end, the whole hold is your kin.
Have you ever run away from home?
Once or twice, I skulked outside of the hold and refused to go back until well after nightfall. But I never really run away, I wouldn’t abandon my family like that.
Would you consider marriage or having children?
I don’t know.
Do you secretly hate any of your friends?
No, I do not. Those who I call my friends, I think as such. I make my dislikes known. Too easily, I’ve been told.
Which friend knows everything about you?
There is someone who knows my soul, but I’m not going to talk about it.
Asked by fans
Are you literate? Have you been to school?
Yes, I can read and write. Not everyone in the Mountains does, but more than you imagine, I think. Augurs, skalds, merchants, those who aspire to be thanes... Many are able to tell the numbers, in order to trade with dwarves, but haven’t practiced beyond that.
The augurs learn how to read so that they may study old magics. I was an apprentice to the Sky Watcher of my hold - uh, a Sky Watcher is like a... priest to the Lady of the Skies. I was supposed to become his successor. So I studied something almost every day since I was eight. One day, I would memorize the shapes of protection sigils, and then try to draw them myself. Another day, I would study the uses of all mushrooms found in caves. But we don’t have any schools like there are in the lowlands. You learn from your mentors and from the gods, and most importantly, from your own mistakes.
The eeriest prediction you made that later came true?
Eeriest? I’m not sure. I dreams of many things. Some come true, but not in the way I imagined them to.
What is something you were embarrassingly late to realise?
I had no idea those lap dogs your Orlesian ladies carry around are really dogs. I’d never guess they share blood with wolves. I thought they’re some sort of magic toy.
Do you have mental or physical problems?
Do you honestly expect me to reveal my weaknesses to you?
What is your current main goal?
As I said before, restore the Veil and kill Corypheus.
Drink or food?
Am I supposed to choose between the two? Food, I guess. I could live on soups and stews, maybe. Does goat milk count as drink or food?
Cats or dogs?
Birds.
Optimist or pessimist?
I learned these words only recently. I must say, I do not fully understand why your sages would divide people like that. Is there someone who truly sees everything in bright colours? And someone who sees everything in black? Isn’t everyone a little bit of this and a little bit of that? Perhaps I’m more on the pessimist side.
Sassy or sarcastic?
Eh, sarcastic.
HAVE YOU EVER:
Have you ever been caught sneaking out?
Yes, I once got so bored with my healing lessons that I decided to sneak out while Jokka wasn’t looking. She of course noticed me right away. I never tried to sneak out again.
Broken a bone?
I broke my left wrist while climbing. My mentor healed it quickly but he left a scar to serve as a reminder to not be so reckless.
Received flowers?
I... (she bits her tongue) Josephine tells me I had received several bouquets of flowers this last week. She had placed them in the guest hall where everyone can enjoy them.
Ghosted someone?
Ghosted? (a man in a green mask explains mirthfully) No, never. I wouldn’t leave someone hanging like that. I’d tell him straight in the face. (she replies sharply)
Pretended to laugh at a joke you didn't get?
I have yet to learn how to pretend so well as to laugh at something I don’t understand or find funny.
~
Tagging (no pressure, of course, this is just for fun): @dreadfutures, @tejaswrites, @serenpedac, @molliehaswords, @crackinglamb, @a11sha11fade, @rakshadow, @samuraisaucefrites, @noire-pandora, @1000generations
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RANT:
Why I think costume design in Frankenstein: A New Musical sucks
please, this is just my stupid opinion, you are valid if you think of the costumes differently!
Have you ever Googled Frankenstein musical and while looking at the very few photos from the play you thought to yourself: ‘’Man, these actors look nothing like the characters in the animati-’’ I’m sorry, I meant: ‘’I don’t like their costumes.’’ Which is what exactly I thought.
If I had to describe the costume design in the said musical in one one word, I would have to quote my friend @the-gay-sailor on this: ‘’They are ugly.’’
The End, that’s exactly what I think, that’s all for tonight, good night.
Now for real, why are they ugly in the first place? For reasons I won’t explain, I rather won’t use the photos. If you want the link to the musical’s website, ask me for it in the comments.
Now, let’s start:
As someone who watched Karolina Zebrowska’s videos and whom entire knowledge on historically accurate clothing comes fom her videos, I can fully say, there is very little to none things that can be considered historically accurate.
You may ask: ‘’Well, but how do you know which time period is Frankenstein set in, huh?’’ Well, that’s a bit hard. I agree with other smarter people’s theories. The most important or the last moments of Frankenstein book are set in 1790’s. I won’t go into more details, I won’t talk about why this idea is wrong or good, let’s just say it is set in 1790’s.
Now, we got a time period, what’s next? Well, good question. I don’t know either.
Oh yeah, are costumes accurate to this era? A late 18th century? No. Not at all.
Even the Korean Frankenstein musical has more accurate costumes than this and if Korean Frankenstein musical is better at something than you, it’s a bad sign.
Now what do I see as more accurate costumes? What is my example on better and more practical costume design? I know not many people like this adaptation, I know there are more faithful adaptations of Frankenstein, and I see it’s flaws but we are talking about costumes now. The best costume design, well, at least for male characters, in Frankenstein adaptation I ever got to see was in ROH Frankenstein Ballet. If I wanted to explain why I think Frankenstein ballet costumes are superior, I would have to start writing another essay. In short: accuracy, practicallity on stage and they look nice.
If historical accuracy wasn’t their aim, than what was? I read an interview with a director where he said that faithfulness is what they are aiming for. Judging by the costumes it isn’t completely true.
Were they aiming for 18th century look? No. Were they aiming for 19th century? No. Were they aiming for steampunk? No, once again. Gothic? No. Dark academia? No. Or movies? I fear that the costume designer did not discussed the costume design with the director. Or even read the book. I get a feeling that the costume designer took an ispo from the movies. Yikes.
Elizabeth’s wedding dress. Creature’s significant look. Justine’s dress. I’m not even talking about the hairstyles, waste of time. The most pleasant looking costume is probably Victor’s, which is again, not saying much, because it looks like something from 21st century.
And don’t let me start on Henry. He is a priest apparently. He wears priest’s robes and a cross around his neck. Sigh.
It’s not accurate, it’s not pleseant to look at, it does not look good on the stage, every costume piece looks like done by another person, I don’t like it.
ROH Frankenstein Ballet done it better. Or look at Hamilton for example! It may not be fully historically accurate costume design, but you get a feel, a sense which time period it is set in. I hate to admit, Korean Frankenstein musical had much more accurate and better costumes than New Musical and me saying that Korean Frankenstein is superior than New Musical at something is hurting me.
Ah, a waste of time. I don’t even know what nice to say about those costumes.
But I hope that if they are making a revival they will know better.
End of this rant.
If you like the costumes, you are valid! I just wanted to diss them because they completely destroy the purpose of the whole musical.
That’s all for today. Thank you for stopping by!
#frankenstein a new musical#frankenstein#rant#costume design#frankenstein ballet#take this as a joke#kind of
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