#(The latter two are The Old Ceremony songs.)

[matan4il]

Update post:

Today marks 123 days since Hamas launched the war in Gaza with its massacre of Israeli civilians.

There were two terrorist attacks today in Israel, both stopped before anyone was injured. The first entails Palestinians from the West Bank shooting at a home in kibbutz Meirav in the Gilboa mountains (where the Israelite king Shaul and his sons died 3,000 years ago), the house was damaged, but no person was hurt. This kibbutz was attacked several times along 2023. The second was in the city of Shchem (you might know it as Nablus, the Arab mispronunciation of the Greek word 'Neapolis,' because Arabic doesn't have the sound 'p'), I'm attaching the pic of the gun and knife which were found on the terrorist after he was neutralized. I found reports about them on two Israeli websites (Ha'aretz and Now14), but both are in Hebrew. The latter also mentions a rock throwing terror attack earlier today, against the car of a woman named Rachel Yaniv. Her brothers, Halel and Yagel Yaniv, were murdered by Palestinian terrorists almost a year ago.

We got the info today on an Iranian attempt on the lives of Jewish leaders in Stockholm, that was stopped in 2021. These terrorists, believed to be linked to the IRGC, infiltrated Sweden under the guise of Afghan refugees, and were deported (rather than put on trial) in 2022. This is a small reminder that the Islamist axis led by Iran, and which includes the terrorist organizations it funds (including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis), as well as countries that chose to align themselves with Iran against the west, such as Qatar, is not anti-Zionist, it IS antisemitic.

In an Israeli TV interview conducted in Arabic, an Israeli journalist asked the right hand man of Palestinian Authority's president Mahmoud Abbas, whether he's willing to denounce the Oct 7 massacre. He didn't. Instead, he insisted that the occupation is the source of all this violence (even though terrorist attacks against Jews in Israel by Arabs predate both the war in 1967, which used to be defined as the start of "the occupation," and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948), and that as long as the occupation continues, so will such acts [as the Oct 7 massacre].

As part of the campaign against the antisemitism and bias at the BBC, an employee who called the Jews Nazis, and denied the Holocaust, has finally been fired.

Israel's most popular sketch comedy show decided to tackle UNRWA with this funny short vid:

In the segment where the UNRWA teacher shows how he teaches biology, history and English using Hitler's Mein Kampf, on the left side of the wall behind the "teacher" you can see the lyrics of a song titled Fedayeen (a term used for Egypt-funded Palestinian terrorists who attacked Israelis in the 1950's), and the pics of two Hamas leaders who are heading the war in Gaza now, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif ('deif' is a nickname, his real name is Mohammed al-Masri, a last name that literally means "the Egyptian," so guess where his family is originally from).

Jewish singer Montana Tucker proved she's the bravest artist from among countless performers who attended the biggest American entertainment award shows recently, as she wore an enlarged version of the yellow ribbon to bring the Israeli hostages back home to the Grammys. She didn't just speak up for her people, she made sure everyone would hear her. She's been regularly speaking up for Israelis and Jews since Oct 7.

The ceremony also included a nice gesture to the over 400 people in Israel who were either murdered at or kidnapped from the Nova music festival on Oct 7. Taylor Swift broke yet another music industry record, so this is a good time to remind everyone that there are several Hamas leaders who are each individually richer than her. It pays more to kill Jews, than to be one of the most successful musicians ever (her net worth is estimated at about 1 billion dollars).

This is 19 years old Idan Alexander.

His mom Yael recounted how cool he was in every given situation, and how proud his family was of him, when he told them that he intends to leave New Jersey and make Alyiah. Moving to Israel of course meant he'd have to serve in the army, too. On Oct 7, Yael got to talk to him, and hear that he has seen some horrible things already. She knew something was off, because unlike his usual behavior, he sounded stressed. Idan was kidnapped by Hamas, and it took 6 days before the family even learned whether he's alive or dead. He's been in captivity for 4 months now.

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

#israel #antisemitism #israeli #israel news #israel under attack #israel under fire #terrorism #anti terrorism #hamas #antisemitic #antisemites #jews #jew #judaism #jumblr #frumblr #jewish #israelunderattack #Youtube

[catofadifferentcolor]

Terrible Fic Ideas #15: Game of Thrones, but make it soul mates

My muse being the fickle thing it is, it's already abandoned #14 and latched onto a new fic idea - mainly: what if Tywin Lannister had to choose?

Or, more specifically, what if some series of events - say, Jaime Lannister getting a female!Jon Snow soulmate - placed each of Tywin's golden twins on opposite sides of The War of Five Kings, forcing Tywin to have to choose between his daughter and Robert Baratheon and his son and House Stark?

Just imagine it:

First, imagine an AU that plays by Bequeathed from Pale Estates soulmate rules. Which is to say: soulmates are rare, undeniable, holy, and as much romance as divine retribution. It's an honor to be marked, but there's always the undercurrent of our marriage is healing a blood feud as there is in so many noble medieval weddings. Children of these marriages are always legitimate, as the soulmates can bed no other.

Second, imagine that someone with some sense was in the room when Robert Baratheon tried to keep Jaime Lannister on as a Kingsguard. However you look at it, even knowing the full story of events, it would have made more sense politically and for his own personal safety for Robert to have released Jaime from his Kingsguard vows after the Sack.

So we have a Jaime that is reinstated as his father's heir c. 283 AC but still desperately in love with Cersei. Tywin is to some degree aware of this and strives not only to see them kept apart, but to get Jaime married to secure his line. Though he succeeds in the former, he fails in the latter. Tywin arranges three marriages for Jaime over the years, but Jaime manages to be absent for the first two ceremonies and, though dragged to the third, refuses to say the vows.

By 297 AC, Tywin is at his wit's end with Jaime - who is more commonly known as Jaime the Bridegroom a la Edderion Stark than the Kingslayer these days - when his son gets a soul mark.

Tywin has the bard's playing songs about how romantic it is that some part of Jaime knew to wait for the other half of his soul mark before he even learns the woman his heir is fated to marry is the bastard daughter of Eddard Stark, whom we shall call Jeyne Snow.

There's no way for Jaime to avoid a marriage to his soulmate, and after 14 years of only seeing each other occasionally from across crowded rooms some of his obsession with Cersei is rubbing off. It doesn't help that she's clearly been taking one of their uncles or cousins to bed to have three golden-haired children that look so little like her husband... so Jaime goes through with this marriage. It's part resignation, part spite, and part maybe Cersei isn't my other half after all.

Jeyne, for her part, is mostly pleased to be legitimized even if it's only to be sent away to the Westerlands to marry an indifferent husband. It's not ideal, but it's honestly the best she could have hoped for in her situation and she's nothing if not practical. Perhaps even ruthlessly so, as a female bastard who practices the old ways has neither the Wall nor the Faith to escape to.

Ironically, Jeyne ends up spending the first year of her marriage liking Tywin better than her husband, because for all the man is calculating and ruthless, he has that same vein of practicality. Tywin sees it too and ends up training Jeyne to rule after him, because gods know Jaime will only see everything he's built turn to ruins if left to his own devices.

But Jeyne and Jaime do soften to each other, if only because they're in this together and there has to be some compatibility for the gods to have marked them as soulmates. It's not easy, and they figure out the sex long before the friendship part of things, and so by the time Robert dies they have a young son, Loreon, to continue their line.

The exact details of what happen in the capital don't matter so much - maybe they happen exactly as in the books, maybe Ned being Jaime's wife's father keeps Joffrey from executing him, maybe Ned being Jaime's wife's father makes Cersei encourage the execution that much more - but either way we end up with the same basic situation: the North rises against Joffery.

But what is Tywin to do? He's schemed his whole life to get a child of his blood on the throne, but even he can see just how bad a king Joffrey would be even with the most detailed management. If that was his only option, Tywin would be forced to stick with it - but it's not. His heir's wife is Ned Stark's most beloved daughter, Robb Stark's most beloved sister, and the military strength of the North is never to be discounted. (Maybe he's already starting to suspect that Jeyne is Rhaegar's daughter; maybe he's considering claiming she's Rhaegar's daughter to keep his blood on the throne.)

And... that's it really. I really want to see Tywin forced to decide between Cersei and Jaime, between the mad grandson already on the throne and the infant grandson he could place next to it.

I suppose there would be a lot of plot in the background involving Jaime and Jeyne learning to get along, and Jeyne adjusting to the Westerlands, and Tywin coming to like Jeyne despite himself (and maybe, through Jeyne's inexplicable fondness for Tyrion, value his youngest son just a little). But at the moment I'm focused on Tywin being forced to decide between what he's always wanted, but achieved the worst possible way and what he's always wanted, but better for the realm and with the possibility of ending badly.

Bonuses include: 1) At least one character mentioning the first time they see Jeyne dressed in Lannister red that she almost looks Targaryen and wondering if her mother was a dragonseed. 2) Jeyne learning to be at least a little bit sneaky and in the process saving all, or most, of House Stark. 3) Tyrion serving as marriage councilor for both Jaime and Jeyne without either party being aware, and being driven to drink even more than usual.

As always, feel free to adopt this poor plot bunny, just let me know if you do anything with it.

Other Jon Snow Headcanons: Aegon the Unyielding | Aemon the Adventurous | Lady Arryn | Lady Baratheon | Lady Lannister | Lady Stark | Prince Consort | Prince of Summerhall | Queen Mother

More Terrible Fic Ideas

#got #asoiaf #game of thrones #a song of ice and fire #plot bunny #fic ideas #female jon snow #jaime lannister #jon snow is a targaryen

[warp-factor-69]

Papa III is the False Prophet of Revelation: a Theory

hear me out guys

To preface, I would like to just say that I am, in fact, very new to Ghost. It’s entirely possible that what I have to say is old news. If that’s the case, let me know and I will retreat into my corner of shame and remain there for eternity. If not, let me know if there’s anything you think I missed! I haven’t done any particularly exhaustive research here, but I got severely baked the other day and haven’t been able to stop thinking about this.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Meliora and Era 3 in general, and I’ve come to some interesting conclusions. There are a lot of layers here, so bear with me while I try to unpack everything in a concise way. This theory involves not only lyric analysis, but also a discussion of details from more visual things like music videos. I guess it also involves a discussion of the Bible, too.

Basically, Terzo is the False Prophet from the Book of Revelation, and he consciously foreshadows his own demise throughout Era 3. This has important implications for what’s to come.

Take notes, this will be on the exam.

First, let’s talk about Meliora. From Latin, this translates to “the pursuit of something better.” This, in and of itself, fits Terzo’s character perfectly. He takes the band to new heights in Era 3, earning them accolades like the Grammy. However, he also strays from the mission the Clergy has charged him with. This is evident in the album covers for Popestar and Ceremony and Devotion, which feature him (and his dick in the latter case) front and center. Although the covers for Opus Eponymous and Infestissumam show men in Papal attire, neither of them are immediately recognizable as Primo or Secondo. This, combined with Terzo frequently forgoing his robes and mitre on stage, implies that spreading the word of Satan is no longer his main priority. This is more or less confirmed in “The Summoning V: The Square and Hammer,” when Sister Imperator yells at the band for dicking around. 

In essence, Terzo gets too big for his britches, so the Clergy (i.e. Sister Imperator) decides to take him out.

This theme of arrogance, of getting too close to the sun and being struck down for it, appears a lot in Meliora. What follows is a discussion of what I personally think are the most important instances of this. (Note: for this entire analysis, I will be using the deluxe version of this album, which includes the Popestar EP.)

“From the Pinnacle to the Pit” - Very clearly about falling from grace. There’s a lot of imagery related to pride, such as the crown, the scepter, and the gown mentioned in the first verse. It also references Judeo-Christian mythology, as pride was what got Lucifer cast out of Heaven. This story is heavily referenced, particularly by “you are cast out from the heavens to the ground / blackened feathers falling down.” Where I especially think this relates to Terzo is “you will wear your independence like a crown.” In trying to break away from the hold the Ministry has on him and be his own act, he is shot down.

“Absolution” - Also about pride, but in the sense of material wealth. Our dear friend Tobias Forge has been quoted saying the song is “a lament of the modern woman or man, who spend their lives thinking that their possessions have that ‘something else’ that allows them to be above any responsibility.” In the case of Terzo, I don’t think it’s physical possessions, rather his status as a rockstar. In pursuing fame, perhaps he is attempting to shirk off his duty to the Clergy/The Dark One. The first two verses of the song also describe someone who is constantly trying to be on top (someone in “the pursuit of something better,” we could say). I also think it’s interesting to note how this song kickstarted the Meliora project. :)

“Bible” - An absolute banger, although an interesting choice for a cover. I say this because it references Biblical subject matter without talking about Satan at all. For as much as I admire and respect Mr. Forge, I do not trust him. I know in my heart of hearts that this song was chosen for a reason (to fuck with people like me who think into things too deeply). Looking at the second verse, the lyrics describe how humanity expanded and developed, to the point where they could no longer hear the voice of God. As a result, God sent in the flood and destroyed them all (although we can assume Noah and co. survived). Here, again, we have themes of arrogance, humanity overstepping its boundaries, disconnecting with the spiritual, and paying the price for it. By now, this should make all of us think of Papa III.

So, although not the #1 theme in this album, we can see a distinct pattern here. To boot, this is a pattern that very closely mirrors what happens to our boy Terzo. He aspires to be something greater than he is, and as he keeps climbing, he eventually crosses the line. This culminates during the final performance at Liseberg, where he is literally dragged down off of a platform and taken away.

“But, Allison,” I hear you saying. “That doesn’t necessarily mean Terzo is a prophet.”

To which I respond:

“Spirit” is a sexy little number about absinthe. It’s great. I love it. It’s also very important to my theory.

Looking at the lyrics, this song praises the alleged hallucinogenic properties of the drink. Under the influence, the narrator (Terzo) has visions of demons and Hell. What really suggests to me that he’s having/has had some sort of prophetic experience is the outro: “let none of this earth inherit / this vision of my spirit.” This, interestingly, is a reference to “Imitation” by Edgar Allen Poe, a poem in which the narrator reflects upon his childhood dreams and aspirations, “visions” of the future.

The placement of this song at the beginning of the tracklist is also quite conspicuous to me. It basically establishes off the bat that Terzo can see things others cannot. This is him (not so) subtly telling us that he knows his fate, wether that be through the assistance of absinthe or something else entirely.

If we choose to believe that Terzo has prophetic abilities of some kind, several details from Era 3 content gain a new significance.

#1 - The Fit

As people have previously pointed out, the casual suit worn by Papa III is inspired by Gustav III, the king of Sweden from 1771 to 1792.

In addition to the similar style of dress, and the fact that both men are the third of their name, both were also assassinated. What a crazy coincidence!!!!

#2 - Rectangular Pounding Implement

The most well known allusion to a future event is in the “Square Hammer” music video. There is brief shot of a gravestone on which a cardinal is perched, a clear reference to introduction of Cardinal Copia.

The plot of the video itself also reinforces Terzo being a prophet. In the silent movie, he plays the “mysterious specter” who guides the protagonist to the Square Hammer. After taking the item in hand, Terzo tells him the following:

Destiny, you say? Sounds an awful lot like there’s a prophecy involved.

I think that both of these things, the costume and the music video, were conscious choices Terzo made. Although it’s unclear how much creative liberty the Papas really have, the Third doesn’t seem to care about what the Clergy thinks or wants. If nothing else, we can at the very least say that the suit was likely his own choice. It’s an odd that he chose to reference Swedish history, considering as he is (presumably) an Italian man, so I think we have to assume the choice was deliberate.

Surely, the gift of prophecy gives one an incredible strategic advantage. If Terzo knew, then, that the Clergy was going to assassinate him and his brothers, why didn’t he thwart their plans?

We’ll get to that, homies and loved ones. Right now, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room.

Did Prequelle predict COVID?

Unless Forge comes out and claims it did (which I doubt he would, as it would be terribly disrespectful to... everyone), we have to assume that the answer is no. Although the Ghost brand incorporates live elements into their storytelling, making the experience more immersive, it is important that we all take a step back and remember that the lore is a work of fiction. In the process of plot development, certain decisions have to be made by the author(s) that impact the final narrative. All of these details we’ve talked about, from the lyrics to the bird in the music video, were pre-planned by Forge et al. We were meant to notice these things, as they’re part of the official canon. I know I said earlier that I don’t trust Tobias, but I’m ten thousand percent certain he didn’t plan for COVID to happen. By that logic, this would make the Prequelle/COVID thing a mere coincidence and therefore not technically part of the canon.

I’m exhausted and I think I’m losing my mind at this point, so I can’t come up with an effective segue. I have finals coming up, and I have not studied for them. A 41 year old Swedish man lives in my brain rent free. My life is in shambles.

Buckle up everybody, it’s time to talk about the Bible!

In the Book of Revelation, the End Times are brought on by the “Unholy Trinity.” The direct opposite of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, this trio consists of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. The role of the False Prophet is to lead the people into the worship of Satan, basically setting the stage for the rule of the Antichrist. I’ve seen some interpretations of Revelation where the False Prophet and the Antichrist are one in the same, but the invocation in “Con Clavi Con Dio,” suggests the presence of a trinity (”Sathanas / we are one / out of three / Trinity”), so I’m sticking with this.

As the False Prophet, Terzo does one Hell of a good job (pun intended) gathering the followers of Satan. As previously mentioned, he takes Ghost to new heights, where the band is recognized on a more mainstream level (i.e. the Grammy’s). The popularity of the band grew at an unprecedented rate during his reign.

His role as the False Prophet makes a lot of sense when we consider one of the main themes of Meliora, the absence of God. The premise of the album, as Forge has said, is basically the Clergy/Ministry coming in and filling this spiritual void. This is why we have songs like “Cirice,” “He Is,” and “Majesty,” the latter two being hymns for Satan. As Terzo says in “Mummy Dust,” he was “carried on a wolf’s back / to corrupt humanity.”

On a semi-related note, while looking at a summary of Revelation, I learned that the False Prophet supposedly executes those who refuse to worship Satan. The method of execution? Beheading. Just another interesting connection, I guess.

As the False Prophet, Terzo knew that he had a specific role to play. His job was to expand the following of Satan in preparation for the coming of the Antichrist. He knew his demise was inevitable, but he wanted to make it clear that he was more than just a pawn, hence all the hinting at him being a prophet. He is nothing if not consistent, doing things on his own terms until the bitter end.

Now, let us return to the Unholy Trinity. We have Satan and the False Prophet. The stage has been set for the final leg of the End Times. So, what about the Antichrist?

Surprise, bitch!

They said it couldn’t be done. They said it was impossible to turn this theory into a two-fer. THEY WERE WRONG.

If we buy into Terzo being the False Prophet, it makes sense narratively that Copia is the Antichrist. As people have pointed out, there seems to be a “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” thing going on, with Prequelle obviously representing pestilence, and Impera representing war. The End Times, it seems, have officially begun.

Forge seems to be hinting that Copia’s days are numbered, however. The current consensus is that the Clergy, likely with the assistance of the Ghouls, is going to take him out at the end of the summer tour. If Copia dies, that kind of puts a damper on the whole Antichrist thing, right?

As it turns out, this comes up in Revelation. According to the Scripture, the Antichrist will supposedly be mortally wounded about halfway through the Tribulation (i.e. the End Times), but will miraculously be healed by Satan.

Remember the whole Four Horsemen thing? We have 2/4 albums, so we’re about halfway through the cycle. Interesting.

I don’t think the Clergy knows that Copia is the Antichrist. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be planning to kill him. I don’t think even he knows (unless he’s just playing along). Everyone seems to think that he’s going to die at the end of the tour, so what an amazing plot twist it would be if he actually survived, perhaps taking on a new form?

I do think that Terzo knew, and as a final “fuck you,” decided to keep the truth of Copia’s identity to himself. Returning to the last line of “Spirit,” there is a general feeling of resentment when he declares that no one will know what he has seen. Big power move on his part.

That’s about it, I think. Am I reading too deeply into this? Probably. Do I care? Not right now, but I probably will when I take my finals. Sometimes I get possessed by a thought and have to tell everyone about it or I will explode. If I end up being wrong, and this monster of a post was all for naught, I will simply walk into the ocean.

TLDR:

#the band ghost #ghost bc #ghost #papa emeritus lll #papa emeritus iv #ghost theory #guys PLEASE don't let this flop #i'm losing my mind over this #i wish i had the same amount of motivation to do my schoolwork but oh well #also be nice to me or i will cry #long post #ghost lore #Tobias turn on your location I just want to talk

[thelensofyashunews]

Central Cee Returns with His First New Single of 2024: the Introspective "I Will"

Central Cee has released his first single of the year, the quasi-ballad, “I Will.” Following his attendance as the only UK Rapper at this year’s Super Bowl, the track sees the 25-year-old West London-hailing musician showcasing the breadth of his talent, as he sings and raps in synchronicity, creating an undeniably addictive chorus that is sure to linger long after listening. The romantic-leaning lyricism sees Cench reflecting on a love interest in the club: “You didn’t put on YSL just to go bed all by yourself.” 

The accompanying video was filmed in Brighton and tells the story of a beautiful, lonely girl, looking for love, with Cench narrating her life. Interspersed with performance moments from Cench himself, the video is a powerful and cinematic offering that perfectly compliments the introspective and reflective mood of the single. “If nobody will, I will.” The new offering follows on from last year’s raw, unfiltered rap release, “Entrapreneur”, which took an authentic look back into Cench’s journey to the top, and his hectic schedule of the past two years. 

Both solo moments land in the wake of the enormous success of Central Cee’s collaborative project Split Decision with Dave, and stand-out single “Sprinter,” the latter of which was crowned as the most played song of 2023 on Spotify in the UK. The single also became the longest-running number-one rap song in the UK, holding the position for 10 weeks. Cench also rounded off an incredible year with two huge features; ��Too Much” with The Kid LAROI and Jung Kook, and “Nice To Meet You” with longtime friend PinkPantheress. 

Just last week, Central Cee won two further MOBO Awards, for Best Male and Song Of The Year for “Sprinter," giving him a total of six MOBO Awards. He is also nominated for four Brit Awards at this year’s 2024 ceremony in March: ‘Artist of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’ for both “Sprinter” and “Let Go”, and ‘Best HipHop/Rap/Grime Act’. 

Last year, Central Cee became the first UK Rapper to hit 2 billion streams on Spotify alone. With an inimitable trajectory, Central Cee has over 6 billion worldwide global streams and is truly unstoppable. 

#central cee #i will #uk drill #uk drill rapper #uk rapper #uk artist #drill rapper #drill rap #drill artist #london #music #youtube #soundcloud #artist #musician #rapper #spotify #culture #rap #art #cench #cench mob #Youtube #Spotify

[imperatorium]

can u explain ghost for me? i kno its a band but there's a sister? multiple ghost men? i dont understand but i want to

Oh, bless, anon! I'd be more than happy to. :)

I did actually make a pretty comprehensive post for another friend a couple years ago, which you can read here: https://imperatorium.tumblr.com/post/614954763444011008/hello-friend-i-do-not-understand-your-other

But besides that, to summarize - Ghost is a band with an accompanying fictional storyline. In real life, the band is comprised entirely of one whole person, Tobias Forge, supported by his touring band. In real life, the band's American manager was not accepting of the fact that Tobias's intention were just to be an "anonymous" band, masked and costumed. The manager decided they needed a story, so Tobias was like, "Fuck it, we ball," and gave us a story.

Within the fictional world of Ghost, the band is the Satanic Church's musical side project - kind of like the worship band at an over-the-top Christian megachurch. Like any other popular Christian rock band - but, you know, for Satan. The band had its first go in the 1960s, but then really came into full being in 2010 and has since done nothing but rise to its full power as you would know them know - the band with the really popular song on TikTok.

There are several important characters within the story/band, who I will now highlight in order of appearance IRL (rather than chronologically in fiction).

PAPA EMERITUS I: Sometimes called "Primo" (Italian for "first") by the fandom. Led Ghost at the time of their debut album, Opus Eponymous. Because he was originally intended to just be a costume and a mask, there's not much canon depth to his story. Was allegedly in his 70s during his reign as antipope and lead singer, but this still does not make sense to me. Mostly a serious old bat, did a lot of "proof of concept" songs that sound very much like what you would expect from a Theatrically Satanic Metal Band.

PAPA EMERITUS II - Papa I's replacement in 2013. Sometimes referred to as "Secundo" ("second" in Italian) by the fandom. His album is called Infestissumam and the cover is a parody of the Amadeus poster, so I respect him for that if nothing else. Notably in his 50s when he took over from Papa I and much more personality, which can be seen in the "Papaganda" videos. He speaks the most Italian and looks like he doesn't not want us to call him Signore Mondiale out of paint. Very much a jaded hedonist who was all too aware of the temporary position he was in as both Antipope and leader of the band.

SISTER IMPERATOR: Not a member of the band, but easily the most important person who exists (in my opinion). To paraphrase my roleplay journal info for her, she is the "mama superior" of the Satanic Church's organization of nuns called the Sisters of Sin, the devoted left-hand of the Antipope (spoilers - not either of the ones you've been introduced to), and "momager" of the Ghost project. First seen in the Summoning videos that came out around the end of Papa II's reign, she is tired of everyone's bullshit and wants Satanic world domination yesterday.

PAPA EMERITUS III: The entire fandom's heartthrob, sometimes called "Terzo" ("third" in Italian). A stinky baby. Very self-important. I love him. Anyway. His reveal in 2015 was the first time we learned that there was a familial bloodline we've been following this whole time. III is Papa II's "younger" brother (by only three months) and, thus, the world's oldest twink. Under his reign, the band won a Grammy for "Cirice" and he was also the first to technically have two albums, Meliora and Ceremony & Devotion - granted the latter of which is a live album. Also the first boy to have to be forcibly removed from his position because he did not want to leave.

PAPA EMERITUS ZERO, aka PAPA NIHIL: The patriarch of the Emeritus bloodline. The Actual Antipope of the Satanic Church and also the love of my life. He's adorable. Fucking look at him. He plays the fucking saxophone. We met him at Papa III's dethroning and soon thereafter learned that There Is Something Going On Between Him & Sister Imperator. (They're in love. Don't let anyone tell you it's not mutual.) He is stubborn and crotchety and old as balls...and also out of heirs by the time we see him and Sister first touch base regarding the band.

CARDINAL COPIA: Papa Nihil's personal assistant, second-most awarded employee of the month, the other apple of Sister Imperator's eye. A fifty-year-old minor. Keeps rats and rides tricycles. He's a good boy and I want to pick him up and carry him everywhere with me. He was the first lead singer of Ghost to take up as head of the band but not be granted the title of Antipope and released Prequelle. (It was a very Star Wars prequel situation - Nihil as the Jedi Council making Copia, as Anakin, a member of the Council but not raising him to the position of Jedi Knight.) Their relationship is contentious in part because Copia is not part of the bloodline.

Er, rather, he's """not""" part of the bloodline.

But actually!

So, remember when I said there was Something Going On Between Sister & Nihil? Yep, there's a backstory. And they are in love. The "Dance Macabre" video details Nihil's ascension to the Antipapacy with Sister's assistance. There's some debate about this video because Nihil implies in one of the story chapters that his family has a very long history as Antipopes within the Church but in this, we see him wander in a bit confused about what's happening until Sister guides him through the ritual. Draw your own conclusions - I know I have! (Mine start with the "Cirice" video, in case you need to take a peek at that again...)

We also learn that actually, Ghost as a musical project originally had its first go in the 1960s, led by Nihil himself! He released the two best songs the band will ever have (including "Mary On A Cross"), but...stardom was...a little too much for him (got a little too hung up on the stupid things like kissing groupies in front of his pregnant girlfriend) and the experiment was prematurely ended.

Did I mention that Sister Imperator is totally pregnant in 1969?

Well, it's a good thing that I did because she sure never has!

With WHOMST, you ask? Well, we don't officially know. But she sure did kill Papa I, II, and III (notably not her sons, despite her obvious relationship with Nihil) once Copia was officially made head of the band so no one would get in his way... (Tobias is not out here writing songs about his OCs, but that being said, I recommend taking a listen to "Witch Image" for my thoughts on this subject.)

PAPA EMERITUS IV: Our reigning Antipope! But, surprise - it's just Copia! Our little rat finally took the coveted position in March of 2020 shortly after Nihil expired on stage. I have still not recovered from the mixed emotions I feel about this situation - immensely proud of my baby boy, forever mourning the loss of my stupid husband. You know how it goes.

As Papa IV, Copia released Impera earlier this year, about two years after his ascension. It's about the rise and fall of empires and everyone seems to be taking this to be a portentous autobiography since the nature of the band is that there will always be some other Antipope waiting in the wings to take over, but I refuse to accept this reality because Copia is the Antichrist and my son and I love him and I'll burn this whole chapel of ritual down if anything bad happens to him ever.

...I think this is coherent, but if it isn't...then, I recommend reading the previous explanation I linked earlier and/or asking for any clarification needed! (I also recommend forgiving me, since sometimes I am very all over the place when I get excited to talk about what I like.)

And you know, actually, as it so happens, on the off chance that anyone does like when I get real hype about what really matters (to me) in Ghost (Sister & Nihil), I may have some good news about that for you all soon...

#the band ghost #thank you for letting me big yell about them again anon!

[my-chaos-radio]

Release: October 2, 1995

Lyrics:

Life is a paradise...whoa oh yeah

[Chorus:]

Lucky love belongs in teenage heaven

I know, I know

'Cause I've been there with you tonight

I believe life could be paradise once again...

And the love we thought we lost is sleeping within

Close your eyes it's something for you

I'm a prisoner of hope

I know

We are young and we are old

We're fallin' like leaves, like leaves...

And your heart's so full of soul

It makes me believe

Once again, it's something for you...

Songwriter:

A bridge over time

Was what you need to see the light, to see the light

Oh yeah

Lucky love, lucky love

Lucky love belongs in teenage heaven...

Joker / Billy Steinberg

SongFacts:

"Lucky Love" is a 1995 song recorded by Swedish group Ace of Base. It is taken from their second album, 'The Bridge' (1995). The song became their fifth worldwide single, and was the first single from the album to be released in Europe; the acoustic version of the song was the second single in the United States and Canada. "Lucky Love" also became the group's first number-one hit in Sweden and it also peaked at number-one in Finland. The single peaked within the top 10 in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Hungary, Israel, Spain, and Zimbabwe. The song's lyrics describes the feeling of being a teenager in love and never forgetting that feeling.

The song was performed for the first time on 4 August 1995 during the 1995 World Championships in Athletics opening ceremony in Gothenburg. It received its radio premiere on 25 September, ahead of its commercial release on 2 October.

"Lucky Love" was very successful on the charts on several continents, becoming one of the group's biggest hits to date. In Europe, it reached number-one in Finland and Sweden, and peaked within the top 10 also in Belgium, Denmark (number two), France, Hungary (number four) and Spain, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where the single made it to number six. Additionally, "Lucky Love" was a top 20 hit in Austria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. In the latter, it peaked at number 20 in its first week at the UK Singles Chart on November 5, 1995. It stayed at that position for two weeks. Outside Europe, the single peaked at number six in Canada, number nine in Zimbabwe, number 12 in New Zealand, number 29 on the US Cash Box Top 100, number 30 in Australia and on the US Billboard Hot 100. On the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, "Lucky Love" hit number-one on March 23, 1996.

#Youtube #Spotify #Ace Of Base #Lucky love #music #music video #hit of the day #video of the day #youtube video #chaos radi o #good music #90s #90s music #90s charts #1995 #electronic #pop #euro house #lyrics #songfacts #60

[gldenhrs]

𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐀  "  𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐄  "  𝐒𝐀𝐀𝐃 .

full name:  luciana emerson saad  nicknames:  goes prominately by everyone as luce , only her parents call her by her full name(:  birthdate / zodiac sign :  somewhere in august during leo season . sexual orientation:  heterosexual  place of birth: montreal , canada  nationality:  canadian / american  ethnicity:  mexican / lebanese pets :  two year old malthese called goldie  languages spoken:  english , spanish , conversational lebanese love language :  song writing aka words / actions . residences: los angeles , california  ( main residence )  ,  montreal , canada  (  brought a home for her parents where she frequently visits  )  ,  saint lucia , caribbean  ( vacation home  ) + traits :  magnetic , confident , hardworking , sensual  &   passionate . - traits:  stubborn ,  abrasive , selfish , sarcastic   &  dramatic .

occupation:  singer / songwriter / actress / businesswoman  career claim:  selena gomez  (  career can be found  HERE  ) 

.*   ◞  ╰   quick history   .

born and raised by a middle class fam back in canada , she had a p much great childhood , surrounded by love , support and a healthy relationships which in truth , are a rarity in hollywood but she’s definitely an exception . 

inspired by her mother , an amateur actress , luce tried out for a role on a children’s tv series  barney & friends  , & as a result , appeared regularly on the program from 2002 - 2004 . 

after making her big - screen debut in the family movie  spy kids 3 : game over ( 2003 ) , she auditioned for the disney channel , which eventually led her to have numerous guest appearances on tv  (  suit of life , hannah montana ... )  until she was cast in  wizards of waverly place . the show , for which she also sang the theme song , became an instant hit among the preteens  &  earned her global fame . 

while continuing to star in her hit tv show , she also acted in various tv movies  &  later on blockbusters too . 

she ventured into music as the front woman of  luce & the scene  , an electronic - influenced pop band that produced several dance hits . the group released albums  kiss & tell ( 2009 ) , a year without rain ( 2010 )  &  when the sun goes down ( 2011 ) . 

she soon went solo , forging a solo career with her first studio album called  stars dance ( 2013 ) . subsequent solo albums included revival ( 2015 )  &  rare  ( 2020 ) . the latter of which yielded the hit ballad “ lose you to love me “ . 

luce’s also known for her philanthropic work , much of it accomplished through UNICEF , which in 2009 appointed her a goodwill ambassador .

in 2020 , she also launched her own makeup brand called  rare beauty  which arguably is one of the most successful celebrity makeup brands there is today . 

also in 2022 , she launched her own cooking show called  luce + chef  , thinking it could be fun learn  &  improve her own skills along with her fans . 

.*   ◞  ╰   personality  &  dating life  .

she’s v much still hardworking and humble , her parents still v much present at almost every show and music award ceremony . she knows where she comes from and isn’t afraid to show it (: 

she’s also v much magnetic af that makes people incredibly drawn to her , not to mention the sensual vibes she’s throwing due to her mexican / lebanese roots . 

 incredibly loyal to her friends and family , has a small but decent group of friends in hollywood that she usually hangs with but her ultimate bff isn’t famous yet is a childhood friend from canada that now follows her around everywhere she goes as her “ assistant “  (  think lily from hannah montana hehe ) 

as far as her dating life goes , luce is a big romantic and wears her heart on her sleeve which explains why she dated a  LOT  of men in hollywood , most of whom eventually broke her heart , making her write killer banger songs about them and then moving onto the next romance  (  v tswift of her tbh )

ok that’s it folks !!! i kept this short and sweet ((: also here’s a bit of inspo for the wcs i want bc u bet ur cute ass she wrote songs about her experiences hehehe .... : 

NEW LOVE  ;;  someone who keeps toying with heart , and despite the fact she knows better she cannot help herself ?? she keeps on coming back , even though she knows better , knows she should drop them , but alas ... she cannot .  this can be both a romantic connection or friendship ! 

BE THE ONE  ;;  someone she hurt ??  a friend or a lover , maybe she ran because feelings got too heavy too fast or maybe her busy scendule ultimately caused her to leave them behind ?? either way , this ode is for them , saying she’s wrong , and how she wishes to have them back and for them to give her another chance .  

THINKING ABOUT YOU  ;;  a short lasting fling nobody she had .  sneaking around , 3am calls , late night hotel rooms ....it’s something she can’t stop thinking about . he probably showed her the best time of her life and for whatever reason they decided to call it quits . 

HOTTER THAN HELL  ;;  fwb . maybe it’s still going maybe it’s not either way she made a song about it hehehe . 

BLOW YOUR MIND  ;;  someone she hates , someone that hates her , a friend a foe or a lover or maybe both ??  either way , they fight like cats and dogs bc they’re polar opposites and probably hate everything about each other ... especially the fact they’re insanely attracted to each other .  

LOST IN YOUR LIGHT   ;;  a friend she likes . a lil will they won’t they that i love bc !!!  ahhh .  anyway this song is about how she feels about them :)) they probably don’t have a clue the song’s about them or maybe they assume u choose ! 

NEW RULES   ;;  the classic toxic ex trope .  someone she still has a hard time shaking off bc she still cares about them so whenever they keep on knocking at her door in the middle of the night , despite her “ new rules “  to keep him away , she can’t help herself .  

IDGAF  ;;  an ex lover who broke her heart , so she wrote a song about him hehehehe .  

DON’T START NOW  ;;  yet another ex - lover song that turned out to be a massive bop hehehe .  

PHYSICAL  ;;  something that started out as purely physical ... a fwb of a sort , but it’s ELECTRIC , unexplainable , and despite them not being exclusive , it’s almost an unwritten thing that they care and how they have each other’s backs .  

LEVITATING  ;;  maybe someone she met on a vacation somewhere , they had one of the most amazing flings but it’s never been anything serious , but it still made an impression on her despite how short it was , so she wrote him a song too :) 

#hillzhqsintro #keeping this short and sweet yall :))

[cyarskaren52]

https://web.archive.org/web/20200127184533/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/arts/music/grammy-awards.html

Billie Eilish Sweeps Top Awards at the Grammys

The 18-year-old won five Grammys, including record of the year and best new artist, at a ceremony in which Kobe Bryant, who died on Sunday, was mourned.

Published Jan. 26, 2020Updated Jan. 27, 2020, 10:24 a.m. ET

https://web.archive.org/web/20200127184533im_/https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/01/26/arts/26grammys-livebriefing-billie/26grammys-livebriefing-billie-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp

A big night for an 18-year-old auteur.

LOS ANGELES — The 62nd annual Grammy Awardsanointed a new star in Billie Eilish, even as the mood Sunday night was darkened by the death earlier that day of the basketball great Kobe Bryant, who spent much of his N.B.A. career playing at the Staples Center, the arena where the show was held.

Eilish, an 18-year-old auteur with a moody and idiosyncratic aesthetic, won five awards, including the four most prestigious and competitive prizes — album, record and song of the year, and best new artist. She was the first artist to sweep the top awards since Christopher Cross in 1981, besting competition from Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Ariana Grande and others. 

“Bad Guy,” a No. 1 hit, took record and song of the year — the latter prize recognizes songwriting — while “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” won album of the year as well as best pop vocal album. She is the youngest artist to win album of the year.

When accepting the award for best new artist, Eilish recognized the fans — even other artists’ fans, who, she said, would surely be dogging her for years. 

“I love all fandoms,” she said. “You guys make this worth it.” 

Finneas O’Connell, her brother, accepting with her for song of the year, noted that they record together in a bedroom in their family home. “This is to all the kids that are making music in their bedroom today,” he said, holding the trophy. “You’re going to get one of these.”

Finneas, as he is known, also won producer of the year and an engineering award.

Lizzo declares, ‘Tonight is for Kobe.’

Lizzo and Alicia Keys set a mournful and celebratory tone right from the start of the show, with both addressing Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash. 

“Tonight is for Kobe,” Lizzo announced as the show began, and went straight into a bold, full-throated medley of her songs “Cuz I Love You” and “Truth Hurts,” backed up by a mini orchestra and surrounded by ballerinas with otherworldly lights in their tutus.

Keys, the host for the night, then walked solemnly to the stage and said softy, “Here we are together, on music’s biggest night, celebrating the artists that do it best, but to be honest with you we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now.”

“We’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built,” Keys went on to say. Keys then invited members of the group Boyz II Men to the stage and sang part of their elegiac song “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” with them. 

Lizzo, a charismatic and outspoken performer who had worked in obscurity for almost a decade before her breakout last year, won three awards, but all in lesser categories. “Truth Hurts,” her breakthrough track, won best pop solo performance, while “Jerome” won traditional R&B performance and the deluxe version of her album “Cuz I Love You” took urban contemporary album.

Lil Nas X, a gleeful master of internet memes, won two for his “country-trap” hybrid “Old Town Road”: best pop duo/group performance and best music video.

Well before Bryant’s death, a degree of anxiety had hung over the Grammys, following the removal just days ago of the head of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the awards — a clash that brought out accusations of vote-rigging and sexual harassment, and criticisms that the academy had been moving too slowly to reach its stated goals of becoming more diverse and inclusive. 

Keys seemed to obliquely allude to those issues — and more — in a speech and piano medley near the start of the show. “It’s been a hell of a week, damn,” she said, as she twinkled chords at the keyboard. “This is a serious one. Real talk — there’s a lot going on.” 

She added, “It’s time for newness. We refuse the negative energy, we refuse the old systems.” She also took aim at President Trump, saying he should be replaced by the Bronx singer-rapper Cardi B.

There were other nods to Grammy controversies. After Tyler, the Creator won best rap album for “Igor,” an ambitious and genre-defying album, he said he was grateful for the honor but that the categorizing of his music as rap still felt like a “backhanded compliment.” 

“Whenever we — and I mean guys that look like me — do anything that’s genre-bending or anything, they always put it in a rap or urban category,” Tyler said backstage. “When I hear that I’m like, ‘Why can’t we just be in pop?’” 

Hours before the show, the news of Bryant’s death led to gasps in the press room. The Grammys take place at the Staples Center, where championship banners Bryant helped the Los Angeles Lakers win hang from the building’s rafters, along with his jerseys. 

“In Staples Arena, where Kobe created so many memories for all of us, preparing to pay tribute to another brilliant man we lost too soon, Nipsey Hussle,” John Legend wrote on Twitter. “Life can be so brutal and senseless sometimes.”

Flags outside the arena were lowered to half-staff as preparations for the event continued, and lights shined on Bryant’s jerseys inside. Harvey Mason Jr., the chairman and interim chief of the Recording Academy, called for a moment of silence.

“Since we are in his house, I would ask you to join me in a moment of silence,” Mason said, The Associated Press reported.

Tanya Tucker wins for the first time in her career. 

All but nine of the Grammys’ 84 awards were given out before the television broadcast, in a separate “premiere” ceremony that, as usual, was plagued by celebrity absences — but also featured non-stars celebrating how a Grammy win can be a career-defining moment. 

Beyoncé’s concert special “Homecoming” won best music film, while Michelle Obama won best spoken word album for the audio version of her book “Becoming.” Neither was present to accept. 

Gary Clark Jr., a guitarist adored by critics and rock and blues purists, won three awards. His album “This Land” took best contemporary blues album, while the title track from that release won best rock song and best rock performance. 

The early ceremony featured some landmarks. Tanya Tucker, the 61-year-old country singer, won the first Grammys of her career, taking best country album for “While I’m Livin’,” her first release in a decade, and best country song for “Bring My Flowers Now.” 

Gloria Gaynor, the disco diva who won in 1980 for her anthem “I Will Survive,” took home her first award since then — best roots gospel album, for “Testimony.” Tracy Young became the first woman to win the best remixed recording category for a version of Madonna’s “I Rise.” 

“We’ve shattered the glass ceiling together,” Young said when accepting the award. “I proudly accept this on behalf of all female producers who have been overlooked.” 

Nipsey Hussle, the rapper who died last March at 33, won his first Grammy for “Racks in the Middle,” which took best rap performance. Family members spoke, including his grandmother, who said: “I wanted to thank all of you for showing all the love that I have felt for him all of his life and will always live in my heart. So thank you, thank you, thank you.” Hussle was celebrated during the telecast in a performance segment, and “Higher” by DJ Khaled, Hussle and John Legend won best rap/sung performance. 

Beyond the Grammy glitz, a battle is raging behind the scenes.

This year’s event, featuring a fresh crop of stars competing for the top awards., was supposed to represent “a new era for the Recording Academy,” one that would be more attuned to pop’s current pulse after years of bruising criticism over the Grammys’ poor record in recognizing women and artists of color in the major categories.

That “new era” statement was made just two months ago, when nominations were announced, by Deborah Dugan, the academy’s new chief executive. She had been telegraphed as the bold new leader the Grammys needed, and came armed with an unsparing critique of the academy’s record on diversity by Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff, the Time’s Up leader Tina Tchen.

But just 10 days ago, Dugan was removed from her position, stunning the industry and plunging the normally cheery pre-Grammys week into mudslinging and chaos that has threatened to overshadow the event itself.

Dugan claimed in a 44-page complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that she had been retaliated against for uncovering misconduct including sexual harassment, vote rigging and rampant conflicts of interest. The academy, in turn, said that an assistant had complained about a toxic and bullying work environment, and that Dugan had demanded a $22 million payoff to leave quietly, a charge Dugan has denied.

Accepting an award at Clive Davis’s glamorous annual pre-Grammys party, the hip-hop mogul Diddy avoided mentioning Dugan by name but criticized the academy for its failure to recognize hip-hop artists of color in the top categories. Over the last decade, for example, just one nonwhite artist — Bruno Mars — has won album of the year.

“Truth be told, hip-hop has never been respected by the Grammys; black music has never been respected by the Grammys to the point that it should be,” Diddy said. “For years, we have allowed institutions that have never had our best interests at heart to judge us. And that stops right now.”

He added: “You’ve got 365 days’ notice to get this [expletive] together.”

Big names perform, including Tyler, the Creator — but not Taylor Swift.

The industry was riveted on Friday with reports that Taylor Swift would not appear on the show. Was Swift — always an outspoken backer of women — dropping out in protest, or was she simply unprepared or uninterested? Everyone, including fans and the most powerful people in music, was left to guess. 

Tyler, the Creator’s two-song segment began with Boyz II Men and the R&B singer Charlie Wilson harmonizing to Tyler’s song “Earfquake,” done as an old-fashioned doo-wop set piece, complete with the singers surrounding a burning barrel. For “New Magic Wand,” Tyler shifted into a surrealistic scene in which a troupe of dancers — all dressed like him, in asymmetric suits and platinum pageboy wigs — walked to the stage and moshed violently as Tyler screamed with distortion, a set of picturesque homes burning down behind him. 

As Bryant’s fans mourned him and his 13-year-old daugher Gianna, who also died in the helicopter crash, the father-daughter relationship found poignant expression in Camila Cabello’s song “First Man.” First singing it while home videos showed her as a young girl with her father, Alejandro, Cabello then walked to him in the front row, serenading him as he dabbed away tears.

Eilish, whose debut album is filled with creeping noises, booming electronics and dentist’s drills, performed her song “When the Party’s Over” in the most Grammy format of all — a delicate piano ballad, played with her brother. 

The Spanish singer Rosalía performed her songs “Juro Que” and “Malamente” with a mixture of flamenco touches — acoustic guitar and claps — and booming beats and hip-hop dance moves.

Ariana Grande, who did not perform last year after a public clash with the show’s producer, Ken Ehrlich, put on an elaborate segment. She went from a straight concert performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things” with a small orchestra, to a staged version of her hit “7 Rings” — which is based on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic — with a boudoir-striptease theme. At the end, she smiled with relief, as if she had finally gotten the chance to do it. 

The show had plenty of reverent tributes. Hussle was feted in a segment with Legend, DJ Khaled, Roddy Ricch, Meek Mill, YG and the gospel star Kirk Franklin. From New Orleans, Trombone Shorty and members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band closed the annual “in memoriam” segment.

In classic Grammy fashion, the show also dripped with nostalgia, much of it with little explanation to a viewer from outside the music business. Aerosmith played “Walk This Way” with Run-DMC. (Aerosmith had headlined a Grammy charity event two nights before.) Prince was celebrated by Usher, Sheila E. and FKA Twigs in a Vegas-like spectacle. (CBS is taping a Prince special on Tuesday.) 

And near the end came a recreation of the ensemble song “I Sing the Body Electric” from the 1980 movie “Fame.” Ehrlich, the producer, began his association with the show that year, and this year is to be his farewell. 

Sent from my iPhone

[newstfionline]

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Fentanyl Tainted Pills Bought on Social Media Cause Youth Drug Deaths to Soar (NYT) Shortly after Kade Webb, 20, collapsed and died in a bathroom at a Safeway Market in Roseville, Calif., in December, the police opened his phone and went straight to his social media apps. There, they found exactly what they feared. Mr. Webb, a laid-back snowboarder and skateboarder who, with the imminent birth of his first child, had become despondent over his pandemic-dimmed finances, bought Percocet, a prescription opioid, through a dealer on Snapchat. It turned out to be spiked with a lethal amount of fentanyl. Mr. Webb’s death was one of nearly 108,000 drug fatalities in the United States last year, a record, according to preliminary numbers released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Law enforcement authorities say an alarming portion of them unfolded the same way as his: from counterfeit pills tainted with fentanyl that teenagers and young adults bought over social media. “Social media is almost exclusively the way they get the pills,” said Morgan Gire, district attorney for Placer County, Calif., where 40 people died from fentanyl poisoning last year. “About 90 percent of the pills that you’re buying from a dealer on social media now are fentanyl,” Mr. Gire said. The phenomenon has led to disturbing new statistics: Overdoses are now the leading cause of preventable death among people ages 18 to 45, ahead of suicide, traffic accidents and gun violence, according to federal data.

Babysitting (WSJ) According to Care.com, the hourly cost of hiring a babysitter has increased from an average of $14.72 in 2020 to $18.05 per hour as of April 2022. The buyer’s market has turned into a seller’s market in the babysitting space, with some sitters commanding prices of $25 to $30 per hour, if not even more. This comes as the market for teen workers surges to a level not seen in years, as businesses are offering solid wages and even a modicum of flexibility to teenage workers.

The Slip Has Sailed (Washington Post) In a speech at his presidential center in Dallas on Wednesday, George W. Bush said that it was the “decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq.” He meant to refer to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as “unjustified and brutal,” but his (Freudian) slip gave critics of the U.S. invasion of Iraq a new opportunity to pounce. Just after his slipup, Bush added “Iraq, too, anyway,” under his breath as his audience laughed. “I’m not laughing, and I am guessing nor are the families of the thousands of American troops and the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who died in that war,” said Mehdi Hasan, a host on MSNBC. According to the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University, at least 200,000 civilians died during the invasion of Iraq, though that number is on the low end of possibilities as death tolls are notoriously hard to calculate.

Brazil’s Lula gets married at 76 (AP) Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the front-runner heading into Brazil’s presidential election in October, was married Wednesday in a ceremony that had a political touch. The 76-year-old leftist politician, who was president in 2003-2010 and leads incumbent far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in all opinion polls, wed sociologist Rosangela Silva, 55, before 150 guests who sang his old and new campaign songs more than once. It was the third marriage for Lula, as he is known to Brazilians. His two previous wives—Maria de Lourdes da Silva and Marisa Leticia—died. “I decided to get married again because I believe Brazil can be fixed,” Lula said during the Roman Catholic ceremony, according to a statement. “A man who is 76 years old and is in love like I am, willing to get married, can only want good things for this country.” Lula has sought to characterize the presidential race as a fight between love and hatred, linking the latter in his speeches to Bolsonaro’s campaign.

In Ukraine, surviving when your home is blasted (AP) The explosions started in the middle of the night, shaking the house to its foundations. Roof timbers splintered and windows shattered, sending shards of glass hurtling above three sleeping children into the opposite wall. It was around 2 a.m. and Iryna Martsyniuk had stayed up late watching a video on her computer while her children slept. She didn’t know what was hitting her house—mortars, rockets or missiles. All she knew was that, in the dead of night, everything was exploding. The roof splintered and collapsed but the ceiling above their heads held fast. The family’s home is now likely beyond repair and they are staying with relatives in the village. She’s thinking of going to the nearby city of Kryvyi Rih to rent an apartment while she figures out what to do next. Elsewhere in the village, resident Anatolii Virko picked up pieces of shrapnel scattered around fields and homes and surveyed the damage to an abandoned house whose property he uses for his beehives. He pulled back plastic sheeting to reveal an old Russian piano standing in the front yard. Placing the pieces of shrapnel carefully on the top of the piano, he began to play. “Yes, it’s a war,” he said. “But music is eternal.”

Moscow Moves to Russify Seized Ukraine Land, Signaling Annexation (NYT) Fresh from its triumph over the last armed Ukrainian resistance in the devastated city of Mariupol, Russia appeared to be laying the groundwork Thursday for annexing swaths of southeast Ukraine, described by a high-ranking Kremlin official as having a “worthy place in our Russian family.” The official, Marat Khusnullin, Russia’s deputy prime minister for infrastructure, toured the region this week and outlined plans to take full control of vital infrastructure, including Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, as Russia fortified its defensive positions there and exerted its authority over the local population. “I came here to provide maximum opportunities for integration,” Mr. Khusnullin was quoted by Russian news media as saying. In a further sign that Moscow was preparing to push for the Russification of the region—the way it has in Crimea since seizing it from Ukraine in 2014—Russian officials have already moved to introduce the ruble currency, install proxy politicians in local governments, impose new school curriculums, reroute internet servers through Russia and cut the population off from Ukrainian broadcasts. Mr. Khusnullin said Russia even intended to charge Ukraine for electricity generated by the Ukrainian nuclear plant that Russian forces commandeered in the early weeks of the invasion—a plan that Ukraine described as extortion.

War fuels surging prices in Europe (AP) Edoardo Ronzoni inspects a construction site near Milan that he shut down in March as costs for materials skyrocketed. He can’t complete a half-built roundabout at an intersection known for fender-benders because asphalt, cast-iron pipes and concrete are too expensive—prices exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Public works projects in Italy are grinding to a halt just as the European Union is injecting 108 billion euros ($114 billion) in pandemic recovery money meant to launch a construction frenzy. Ronzoni laments that his company has already lost its three busiest months and expects the worst is ahead: “We fear we won’t be able to work this year. We are closing all of our sites.” The war has accelerated inflation across Europe and the world, with prices for energy, materials and food surging at rates not seen for decades. It’s causing sticker shock at the grocery store, gas pumps, electricity bills and construction sites. Soaring oil and gas prices are the key driver of inflation in Europe, which is heavily reliant on Russian energy to generate electricity and power industry.

Sri Lanka closes schools, limits work amid fuel shortage (AP) Sri Lankan authorities closed schools and asked public officials not to come to work in a desperate move to prepare for an acute fuel shortage that is expected to last days amid the nation’s worst economic crisis in decades. State- and government-approved private schools also closed Friday amid the worsening fuel shortage, with thousands of people waiting in queues at fuel stations across the country for days at a time. Sri Lanka is now almost without gasoline and faces an acute shortage of other fuels as well. The government has been struggling to find money to pay for the importation of fuel, gas and other essentials in recent months as the Indian Ocean island nation is on the brink of bankruptcy. Authorities have announced countrywide power cuts of up to four hours a day because they can’t supply enough fuel to power generating stations.

As Biden visits Asia, China launches South China Sea drills (AP) China is holding military exercises in the disputed South China Sea coinciding with U.S. President Joe Biden’s visits to South Korea and Japan that are largely focused on countering the perceived threat from Beijing. The Maritime Safety Administration office in the southern island province of Hainan said the drills began Thursday and will continue through Monday. It said other aircraft and vessels will be prohibited from entering the area but gave no further details. China claims the South China Sea virtually in its entirety and the crucial waterway has become a potential flashpoint for conflict in Asia. The U.S. does not take a foreign position on the sovereignty issue but insists on the right to operate freely in the sea and frequently sails warships close to militarized Chinese-held islands in the area in what are termed “freedom of navigation operations.”

Shanghai faces mental health crisis as covid lockdown drags on (Washington Post) Inadequate care for the mental health of Shanghai’s 25 million people is one of the major hidden costs of the government’s nearly two-month lockdown of the financial hub in the name of ending the community spread of the coronavirus. Despite having more psychiatrists and psychologists than any other Chinese city, its medical profession has strained to respond to a wave of stress, anxiety and depression, much of which has gone untreated. As many as 2 in 5 residents have reported symptoms of depression, according to a recent survey conducted by Data-Humanism, a popular blog. In China, the debate about the psychological burdens that began in Wuhan has returned dramatically in recent weeks when, two years into the pandemic, families in one of the wealthiest cities in the country found themselves suddenly confined at home, unable to buy food, secure medication or get a straight answer about how long the policy would last.

Jordan king places ‘erratic’ half-brother under house arrest (AP) Jordan’s king has gone public with a royal rift with his half-brother and formalized the former crown prince’s house arrest, calling him “erratic” in an unprecedented harshly worded letter published Thursday. King Abdullah II said in the letter that he had approved measures to detain Prince Hamzah in his palace and restrict his communications and movements, citing his half brother’s “erratic behavior and aspirations.” Abdullah and Hamzah are sons of King Hussein, who ruled Jordan for nearly a half-century before his death in 1999. Last month, the outspoken Hamzah formally relinquished his princely title and protested on Twitter, writing that his convictions could not be reconciled with the “current approaches, policies and methods of our institutions” in an oblique criticism of the king.

Vogue vs. Vogue (Foreign Policy) Condé Nast, the publishing giant behind Vogue magazine, has apologized to a pub in Cornwall, England, just days after threatening to sue it for bearing a similar name to the fashion publication. The pub—called Star Inn at Vogue—wrote a letter rejecting the publisher’s demand, explaining that the pub is in a village called Vogue that is much older than the magazine, while noting that the singer Madonna presumably had not sought the company’s permission when choosing the title of her hit song. “When I opened the letter I thought some bugger in the village was having me on,” Mark Graham, the pub landlord, told Cornwall Live. Graham has not given up on poking fun at the publication; according to the BBC, his potential plans include publishing a local parish magazine called Vogue Magazine, and a rearrangement of Madonna’s Vogue, “to be performed by ‘some of the village’s larger, hairier men in skimpy clothing’ at the ale festival later this year.” To apologize, Condé Nast sent the pub a framed letter of apology. “From one Vogue to another—please accept our apologies,” the letter said.

#headlines #news

[averbaldumpingground]

All I ever wanted was you, like the time we got groceries by Astor. You, with a basket with chicken and yoghurt dumped in it, and I trailed behind you and wanted.

There wasn't a clean way to end things. There couldn't have been. I wouldn't follow you to Texas, not with a half-broken heart and all of it, so unrequited. You'd only jokingly asked.

But I'm not sure you understood me. It was the evenings sitting on your radiator, with the radio on, watching movies on my couch, the errands, the time after church, those were the moments I wanted.

I loved you like a book that I'd reread. The kind of thoughts I'd only realized much later were different.

#June 12 2021 #Garbage. #I'm thinking of a Charlotte Cornfield song a bit. #She's fantastic btw. #The Shape of Your Name is just such a fucking perfect album. #Man. #I saw her a few years back at Rockwood Music Hall where she was opening for Royal Wood. #(Who is also fantastic and I've seen a bunch of times at Club Passim and the Living Room and Rockwood.) #(Which should date me a bit. Because I keep saying it but I fucking miss the Living Room.) #(Best shows there were the third or so time I got to see Royal Wood live and I got him to play the Oompa Loompa song.) #(And the one time I got to see Django Haskins when he was playing a solo show.) #(And the audience kept requesting things from his pre-The Old Ceremony days. And I got him to play 'Beautiful'.) #(He seemed very humbled to take us back through his song catalogue. It was a really great intimate show.) #(Folding Stars has some great stuff on it. I still have a physical copy of it somewhere I think.) #(I got it when I was in high school. I think I discovered him because a webcomic I liked mentioned his old band International Orange.) #(His version of 'Prince Charming' is just kind of heartbreaking.) #(Any I'm not sure why I requested 'Beautiful' that night. The song I've listened to most on that album is definitely 'Geronimo'.) #(And my favorite songs of his are probably 'State Road Valentine' and 'Blood and Oil' and 'Holiday in Elsinore'.) #(The latter two are The Old Ceremony songs.) #(But I don't know. I guess I was feeling kind of raw that night and figured if he was entertaining left field requests let's go for it.) #(I miss the Living Room.) #(I've seen Royal Wood a bunch at Rockwood. Including the times he played with Charlotte Cornfield and Diana Chittester.) #(And yes I bought both the ladies' albums because they're great.) #(I was supposed to see Charlotte Cornfield at littlefield last year. But that obviously got canceled because PLAGUE.) #(So the last concert I actually went to was Sloan at the Bowery.) #(And like can I just say? Chris Murphy is such a total sweetheart.) #(I mean I knew this already because I had met him briefly many many years ago when I saw Sloan at T.T. the Bear's.) #(But nicest most genuine musician/famous person I've ever met? Without a doubt Chris Murphy from Sloan.) #(I'm sure I probably raved about this last year some time around that concert happening.) #(I just miss live music a lot right now. There's some stuff coming up I want to see but don't particularly want to go alone to.)

[tastesoftamriel]

How do you think things like theater and entertainment differs between the provinces/races of Tamriel? I imagine bawdy comedies are popular in Cyrodiil while Summerset prefer historical epics

I’ll be totally honest: I don’t have loads of time for entertainment, and when I’m catering for a banquet I’m too busy behind the scenes to be able to stop and enjoy shows! However, from what I have been able to gather, these are some of the weird and wonderful performances I’ve been lucky enough to watch across Tamriel.

Altmer

The very best entertainers from Summerset are from the House of Reveries, a time-honoured guild of mysterious masked performers who can do anything from acting to dance, music, and magic tricks. Every year, the House puts on a revue featuring the best of their talent, drawing crowds from near and far. I attended one of the revues as a guest a couple of years ago, and had an excellent time! From a historical opera about the Oblivion Crisis to fire-twirlers and a whole orchestra, the House of Reveries is without doubt the most prolific and capable of Tamriel’s entertainers. If you’re able to make it to their home in Summerset, catching any performance is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Argonians

Argonians love music and dance, whether it’s at a tavern or a bonding ceremony! Most famous of their instruments is the vossa-satl, a keyboard instrument that’s powered by the croaks of frogs (really)! While it sounds absurd if you’ve never encountered one, there’s something beautiful about the tuned croaking that really evokes the ambiance of the deep swamps of Murkmire. Vossa-satls can be played on their own, accompanied with singing and drums, or even are even played on special occasions as quartets. An awful lot of fun to dance to as well!

Bosmer

The Bosmer are known for their entrancing shadow-puppet plays, which people come from far and wide to see. Narrated by a Tale-Spinner, these plays feature puppets made from stiff hide, whose shadows are projected against an opaque leather screen. It’s accompanied by music played on bone flutes and pipes, drums, and throat-singing that has an almost meditative quality. These puppet shows tell traditional stories Valenwood such as of Falinesti, Y’ffre, the Green Lady and Silvenar, and much more. I don’t really know what they’re on about most of the time due to the peculiar use of language and riddles used by Bosmer tale-spinners, but it’s an absolutely riveting way to spend your evening if you’re in Valenwood.

Bretons

Breton theatre is an interactive experience, so put on your dancing shoes and ready those rotten apples! Over-the-top musical comedies and dramas are a favourite of the Province, typically featuring anywhere from a handful to a couple dozen actors and a small band. The audience is encouraged to play along and it’s not uncommon to find yourself hoisted on stage to throw a pumpkin at the villain of the show! Comedic puppet shows like Punch-and-Julian are popular with young and old alike, and use cloth puppets or marionettes which are more detailed than Bosmeri shadow puppets. And of course, nobody loves The Lusty Argonian Maid’s adventures quite as much as the Bretons, so be sure to catch a performance (sometimes a themed costume party, for the saucier citizens) while you’re in High Rock!

Dunmer

Traditional Morrowind entertainment has a strong focus on magic, particularly illusion magic to scintillate the crowd (especially in areas where the Telvanni hold influence). The Dunmer are keen lovers of puppet shows, somewhat like Bosmer shadow puppets, but instead prefer the use of large, doll-like marionettes that are carved to look wonderfully realistic to show the characters and creatures of a bygone age. My favourite was an epic about St. Jiub and his quest to rid Morrowind of cliff racers, and it was accompanied by some frankly terrifying and realistic illusions of cliff racers which soared above the crowd and caused quite a panic! The Brave Little Scrib may thus be the safest bet for beginners to Dunmeri theatre, or those with a weak constitution.

Imperials

When it comes to entertainment, nobody in Tamriel puts on a show quite like the Imperials. The Arena is known for its bloody fights and betting, but has also been used for everything from huge circus performances and opera to the famous mock naval battles. The latter are a spectacular annual event where the arena floor is flooded and real ships are brought in to fight, complete with “pirates”, cannons, sword-fighting, and much more! Definitely not suitable entertainment for children, but if you love the ostentatious and over-the-top, be sure to visit the Imperial Arena (or any of the other smaller arenas that dot the Province) for some truly stunning shows.

Khajiit

In addition to their amazing skill at stringed instruments, the Khajiit are known for their dance and acrobatic skills. Traditional dancers in Elsweyr train for years at academies and temples alike, with a training regime that rivals their peers in the martial arts. This training also includes some jaw-dropping acrobatics and contortion, making Khajiiti circuses extremely popular as they travel around, usually as part of a Baandari troupe. Unlike the circuses staged in Cyrodiil, these troupes are usually made of a handful to a dozen performers, each with their own unique talents and abilities. A typical performance usually starts with dancers to warm up the crowd, followed by heart-stopping acts like trapeze, tightrope, and walking over hot coals! If you want to be wowed, be sure to grab a ticket the next time a Khajiiti circus troupe is in town; you won’t be disappointed!

Nords

You’re probably very aware of the famous Bard’s College of Solitude, one of the most prestigious institutions to study music in all of Tamriel. However, bards do far more than play the lute and sing songs. They are well-versed in recounting tales, especially historical ones (albeit with some embellishment). You’ll be on the edge of your seat listening to amazing original and time-honoured kennings and songs, preferably around the fire with a tankard of mead. While far less ostentatious than most other entertainment you’ll find in Tamriel, there’s nothing quite as cosy as a bardic evening at the tavern.

Orcs

The Orcs aren’t generally fans of theatre, but they sure do enjoy entertainment in the form of sports like Vosh ball and wrestling! Sporting events draw huge crowds of all races, meaning that you’ll find everything from hot snacks to live music in the arena. Vosh ball is a traditional Orcish sport which has been played for centuries, and is prone to getting violent, so grab a helmet (preferably one with a visor) before you sit down, and enjoy the show! Not feeling like watching? In certain cases, you can even give these sports a go in amateur rounds, but you will be asked to sign a disclaimer form…missing teeth, other injuries, and the occasional death aren’t uncommon. You’ve been warned!

Redguards

The Redguards are renowned for their poetry, song, and epic storytelling, often performed by wandering poet-explorers who live off the generosity of strangers. Unlike the traveling bards of Skyrim, you’ll usually need to visit these reclusive storytellers yourself, or host one when they’re in town! It’s well worth the trouble, as these wandering souls usually love performing with anyone else who’s game. One of my most memorable nights out was in Sentinel, where bored locals who came to listen to a visiting poet happened to bring all their talents with them. When the story about the Akaviri invasion ramped up, a few musicians struck up a tune, and for some reason a sword-swallower joined in! Entertainment in Hammerfell is a joyous community affair, and no two performances are ever alike.

#Asks #TES #The Elder Scrolls #World building #worldbuilding #Theatre #Entertainment #long post #text post #Lore #ESO

[letmeplaytheblues]

Dance Me to the End of Love | Robert Thomas

A/N: This is not at all what I've been working on, but instead something that popped into my head and wouldn't leave when The Civil Wars' cover of this song popped up on shuffle. Also, I'm just sappy about weddings apparently. Enjoy.

I tried to make it as gender-neutral as possible, but if I failed at that let me know.

Word Count: 1k

The Schenn’s wedding was gorgeous, there was no other word to describe it. Kelsey looked radiant, Brayden cried no less than four times, and the entire team was glad to be around each other without the pressure of hockey. Everyone had cried through the ceremony and laughed through the reception. With everyone trying to outdo the last with stories of Schenner’s mishaps, whether drunk or sober.

It had reached the point in the night that the only people left in the reception were hockey players and their partners. You had kicked your shoes off hours ago and had Robby’s jacket over your shoulders to ward off the chill that came in when the sunset. He was wrapped up in conversation with Rouzy about video games but still perked up and looked over when you rested your head on his shoulder,

“Hi baby, you cold?” He asked, letting you snuggle under his arm. You shook your head as you watched Vince and Sammy try to convince people to come dance.

“Anything you want to do, or are you okay sitting here?” He asked, pulling you as close as the two chairs would allow.

“I’m good sitting here. Although, I wouldn’t mind dancing,” you laugh, gathering yourself to get up, the puppy dog eyes in full effect.

“There isn’t a slow song playing,” he responds, fully allowing himself to be pulled up and ignoring Rouzy’s comments about him being whipped under his breath. You made it onto the floor, avoiding Vince and Sammy’s attempt at what looked like a waltz, before feeling Robby’s hands sit on your waist.

Oh show me slowly what I only know the limits of

And dance me to the end of love

Dancing with Robby was nothing new, it was a common activity during late nights, coming home from games and dancing in the low light of the kitchen with no music playing while he tries to decide what to snack on. Or just pulling you out of your studies when he’s decided that it’s been too long since you interacted with him, despite being in the same room while he plays video games with the boys. The soundtrack of the game becoming the score to dance with. It somehow felt different at a wedding of a teammate, more intimate, and less like two twenty-somethings who sometimes danced in the kitchen of an apartment.

The first meeting had been nothing special, he was wasted after the cup win, and you were wasted after finishing finals. Two wasted people normally equal one very awkward morning after, but this one ended in more love than anyone could have imagined. That first summer was spent with Instagram comments, sporadic texts, and the occasional Snapchat being the only form of communication before he came back and properly asked you on a date. Your parents fully not understanding how quickly you had fallen for this boy.

“Be careful, don’t get hurt by this boy,” your mom scolded over the phone one night, after saying professional athletes always had a couple of people they were seeing.

“I don’t care if he has a cup ring, if he keeps blowing you off, he’s done for,” your dad said when you came to dinner one night. Not realizing the Blues were in Montreal, a good reason Robby couldn’t come with you to your family home.

You showed him the parts of St Louis he wouldn’t have seen during the season: The goats that chewed everything at Grant’s Farm, the joys of both the Tower Grove Farmers Market and Food Truck Fridays in the park. The laser light shows at the Planetarium that were set to classic rock. The little hole-in-the-wall sushi place that looked like it should not serve edible sushi. To him, every place you took him, they gave him another little piece of your heart that he promised himself he’d hold on to as long as you’d let him.

He in turn showed you where he grew up in Aurora, and where he and Matthew Tkachuk caused mayhem in London while playing for the knights. He gave you his heart in bigger pieces, but you promised yourself the same thing. You’d protect them and hold them as long as you were allowed to call him yours.

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on

And dance me very tenderly and dance me very long

Looking around the floor, you saw Kelsey and Brayden, Molly and Tyler, Yana and Vladi, Sammy and Vince, the latter doing their best to cause chaos. Falling in step with the music you hadn’t noticed changed into something softer and slower, you thought about the future. And what it might look like; would Robby want a big wedding? Or would it end up being your two families and the Tkachuks at a courthouse? You knew your preferences on the matter, but put the thought into a box to be opened again at a later date and time. After all, a wedding is a terrible place to decide to get married. Robby drew your attention back to him by taking a hand from its place around his neck and gently twirling you around.

“Where’d you go, you left for a second,” he asks quietly, as not to break the bubble that seemed to have fallen over the dance floor.

“Just thinking about the future,” you replied looking up at him. His face softened from one of worry to one of love.

“I hope I’m involved in that future,” before leaning in to give you a chaste kiss, “now spin me dammit.”

You knew at that very moment, that yeah, you’d picked a good one and it didn’t really matter what the future held, or how many cup rings he’d end up retiring with. It was going to be the two of you forever.

He knew that you were the one the moment he asked you out properly. He also knew that you didn’t know about the ring box in the back of the closet inside an old skate box.

And dance me to the end of love

Won't you dance me to the end of love

#nhl imagine #nhl x reader #st louis blues imagine #hockey imagine #nhl fic #hockey fic #robert thomas fic #hockey x reader #(the sushi place is real. and I love it so much)

[dinosaurtsukki]

[ too scared to say ]

pairing: tsukishima kei x f!reader

word count: 1.6k words

contains: slight angst, tsukishima with insecure!s/o cause he’s usually the insecure one in fics, another wedding-themed fic

a/n: had this idea for a while and i’m glad i’ve finally written it. it’s usually tsukki’s who’s insecure and guarded in xreader fics so i wanted to try it out with the reader being insecure this time

i love you.

you're caught off-guard when you hear the words from tsukishima's mouth. you never thought you'd ever hear him actually say them. as much you wished for it to happen, especially after you spent three years of high school doodling his name in the margins of your notebook, it feels too good to be true.

tsukishima looks sincere about it though. you're both seated on the couch in your apartment and even though it's pouring outside and the electricity had died, you can still make out his face in the dim lighting. you can tell it took him a great deal of effort to say that: his eyes are focused on the cushion on his lap as he picks at a stray thread, the sound of his breathing is more audible now as he inhales deeply.

this is the time where you say it back but the words catch themselves in your throat. after all, weren't you the one who got yourself into trouble for being too naive all the time? after leaving high school and all hopes of tsukishima ever liking you back behind, you tried your hand at relationships. you thought every single one of them would be your last, only to find that you had deluded yourself yet again.

meeting tsukishima again, years after high school, felt like a weird universal coincidence that you didn't know if you should thank for yet. even more so when he admitted to his feelings for you back then.

"so, what do we do about it now?" you asked.

"i'd... like to give this a shot," tsukishima said, rubbing the back of his head. you were reluctant, but agreed anyway.

you've said 'i love you' before, more than a few times. and yet, you couldn't say it now.

"aren't you... jumping to conclusions a bit?" you asked, nervously letting out a laugh.

"what do you mean?" tsukishima frowns slightly.

"just, saying that you might not be sure about that yet so... slow down a bit before saying things like that," you shrugged.

"what? you think i don't know my own feelings?" tsukishima scoffs. there's a look of hurt on his face and you can't exactly blame him for it.

"i'm sorry, tsukki," you apologize, resting your hand in the middle of the couch between you except he doesn't reach for it.

"it's fine," he shakes his head, focusing now on the wall in front of him. "i know you're not really the person you once were and, i don't mind that at all cause neither am i. sometimes, it really feels like you have a wall up."

you find yourself flinching slightly at that last part. maybe this is the part when things go south, like they always do. except, you feel sad that it had to happen with tsukishima too.

but he doesn't act like how you expect him to. "if you need time, it's fine with me," is all he says. tsukishima doesn't sound exasperated, nor frustrated at all. but he does stand up and head for the door.

'you can stay,' you think, 'please stay.'

but all you can bring yourself to say is: "take an umbrella. it's pouring outside."

...

that was about a week ago and tsukishima has barely heard from you then. he didn't know what else to do aside from give you space, and also silently regret things. maybe he was too hasty in saying that he loved you.

but, that was what he truly felt, and it wasn't easy for him to say but he did it anyway. 'you're not always losing anything when you open yourself up to someone,' akiteru had told him. and now, tsukishima was riding a bus on the way to his older brother's wedding.

he had just hung his tux on the curtain rod above the window and settled into his seat though when he caught a familiar flash of blue. of course, tsukishima would recognize your favorite dress and sat up in his seat to see you walking down the center aisle. he watched as you looked around for a seat before landing on the last empty one in the bus, which happened to be right next to tsukishima's.

"hey."

"hey," tsukishima swallowed as you approached.

"is this seat taken?" you asked.

"no, go ahead," tsukishima shook his head, his eyes distracted by the familiar dry-cleaners bag that you held in your hands. "let me help you with that," he offered, taking the hanger from your hands and hanging it up beside his tux.

“saeko nee-san invited me to the wedding,” you explained as soon as you sat down beside tsukishima. “congratulations to your brother, by the way.”

“thanks. we all, kind of saw it coming,” tsukishima chuckled. now that you were here, he realized just how much he missed you. 

“i’m sorry for not calling or anything, by the way,” you apologized. “i can’t say that this is all new to me but, it’s just... well... i’ve been in other relationships before and sometimes, it feels like things repeat themselves too much.”

tsukishima nodded, remembering the night when you two met again after so many years. he was working the counter at the bar and noticed you sitting there, obviously dressed up for a date, obviously stood up in that said date too. you were very much different from the young girl who used to invite him and yamaguchi to watch the latest romance movie theaters, the one who sang songs at the top of your lungs in your bedroom, loud enough for those downstairs to here. but that didn’t mean he liked you any less. 

“hey,” he laid a hand on top of yours. “why don’t we just enjoy today? you still love going to weddings, right?”

you smiled gratefully and chuckled. “yeah, that hasn’t changed.”

...

you fully expected to run into tsukishima at his own brother’s wedding and had thought twice about going before talking sense into yourself. and now, you were glad to have gone. 

the wedding was absolutely charming and more than a few of your old high school friends came. you and tsukishima were seated with yamaguchi and yachi at the same table and chatted about old times and what the volleyball duo was up to. saeko looked stunning in her dress and akiteru cried more than a few times during the ceremony. tsukishima looked proud of his brother, and more than a little tired of his new brother-in-law.

“they look really good together,” you sighed, smiling at akiteru and saeko who were breakdancing in the middle of the dance floor, the latter doing much better than the former. 

“yeah,” tsukishima chuckled. “they barely met each other in high school but i could tell nii-chan was star-struck when they met at the shiratorizawa match.”

“and now look at them,” you giggled. “kind of the opposite of us, in a way.”

“yeah, because you were definitely head over heels for me,” tsukishima snickered. you smacked his arm with the back of your hand.

“and you were too dense to realize it,” you countered. 

“not exactly. just thought it was too good to be true,” tsukishima smiled wryly. 

“we should have been accidentally locked into a room together to force us to admit our feelings.” 

“you and your romance movie cliches.”

you chuckled at that. “just saying. would have made things way easier for everyone.” you sighed again and remembered the confession letter you had penned to tsukishima before deciding to stash it away in your desk. then, you turned to tsukishima who was watching his brother and sister-in-law dance. 

maybe you were going to enjoy yourself tonight.

“hey, tsukishima?”

“yeah?”

“wanna dance with me?”

...

with the dancing and frequent visits to the wine bar, you ended up enjoying the wedding immensely. but as much as you didn’t want to, it was finally time to go home. you and tsukishima didn’t even bother changing out of your formal clothes before catching the last bus back home. your hair had escaped from its pins and you were definite that there was mascara smudged under your eye. tsukishima’s tie hung loosely around his neck and he had already unbuttoned the upper part of his shirt.

all of the dancing tired him out way more than you, but it was a pleasant surprise for him to comply with your request. you also had the wine to thank for tsukishima deciding to break dance for about a minute when his older brother asked him to. 

as soon as he was seated, tsukishima was out like a light with his head leaned back against the seat and his mouth slightly hanging open. looking at him, you realized that he was someone you didn’t want to let go. dating him was scarier because of that and you didn’t want tsukishima to be one of those people you were eventually going to say goodbye to.

but how could he be that person if you don’t ask him to stay in the first place?

once again, you remembered the confession letter that you had wrote to him all those years ago. there was a tremble in your hand when you wrote down the last line of that letter, so much that it screwed up the writing and you decided not to send the letter anyway. you glanced at tsukishima’s misty reflection in the fogged up glass of the bus before using your finger to write down that line.

i love you

the words looked like they were suspended in the air and fragile enough to be blown away by the wind. with a swipe of your hand, you could easily erase the message.

and that’s when tsukishima wakes up. 

his sleepy eyes travel from you to the message written on the window and his eyes widen when he realizes what you’ve written down. with a smile, he leans over, and writes a word right under your message.

i love you too

▸ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ◂

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#haikyuu!! #hq x reader #tsukishima kei #tsukishima kei x reader #tsukishima x reader #tsukishima #haikyuu!! angst #hq!! angst #haikyuu!! fluff #hq!! fluff #haikyuu!! drabble #hq!! drabble #haikyuu!! one-shot #hq!! one-shot #haikyuu!! writing #hq!! writing

[draconica]

Husband fluff? I gotchu, fam. How’s about their whole wedding? 👀

Nick was pacing back and forth, back and forth, rubbing his hands together nervously. It had all been done - his grey tuxedo was on and he was dressed impeccably with a white rose in his lapel. His hair was slicked back perfectly, he was clean shaven and wearing that aftershave that Ellis really liked on him. Once or twice during his pacing, he would catch sight of himself in the mirror and be tempted to touch himself up in his nervous state. But no - he looked perfect, as Ellis would've told him if he were here. But he wouldn't see Ellis until they walked down that aisle together.

Last night had been hard; Ellis had stayed at Keith's while Nick spent the night at Rochelle's. The gambler really wanted to see his little lover just so he could calm his nerves, but Hell, they had to do things 'by tradition'. It's what Ellis wanted. Whatever his lover wanted, he would get. Nick had always been adamant on that front.

A knock at the door jarred him from his thoughts and suddenly there was Coach poking his head inside. "They're ready for you, young'un." He grinned and stepped inside, wearing a smart dark blue suit of his own. The elder man put a firm hand on Nick's shoulder, trying to keep him grounded. "You good?"

Nick gave a long exhale and then turned back to the mirror, eyeing his reflection one last time as a single man. The conman nodded. "Let's go."

Ellis meanwhile was in another room of the hotel, his toes curling a little inside of his shiny black shoes. "Ro, is it normal to be nervous as all shit?" the mechanic whimpered whilst his long-time friend, a woman he considered the big sister he'd never had, straightened up his wonky neck tie.

"You'll be fine, sweetie," Rochelle gave a small smile and placed a comforting hand on his face, patting it lovingly. "This is your wedding. Nothing could make old Suit love you any less."

“I know, I know,” Ellis sighed, placing his hand over hers. “Jus' don't wanna make a fool of myself if I screw up my vows or somethin'.”

Francis, who was across the room leaning against the wall, let out a chuckle. “Honestly, I've got my money on Colonel Sanders messing up somehow. You don't even need to worry, pipsqueak.”

Ellis threw Francis a small smile, knowing that the biker was only trying to cheer him up.

At that moment, Keith knocked on the door and shouted out to his best friend. “El! It's time to get hitched, let's go!”

“Aw, Lord,” paled the mechanic, his fingers curling together in nervousness. “O-okay, alright.”

"Ready?" The dark-skinned woman asked him, her chestnut eyes glinting with eagerness.

Ellis smiled at her determination and nodded, taking in slow and deep breaths. "Ready as I'll ever be, Ro." With that, they walked out into the corridor and began to head down to the event hall in the hotel.

Their guests were already in place, sat in their seats and murmuring between themselves as the time fast approached. Keith slipped into the room and went to find Dave and his other friends near the front. Nick peered inside from the door at the far end of the aisle as he and Coach waited for the second groom to arrive.

“I'd better go take my place,” Coach said, glancing down the room at the space where he would be standing in order to perform the ceremony. “When you hear the music, that's your cue, all right?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure.” Nick let out a half-breath and looked back, anticipating Ellis to walk around the corner any minute. The football coach simply chuckled at him and then entered the main hall, being sure to close the door behind him and leaving Nick to his own thoughts.

The gambler had been a complete jumble of nerves from the moment he left Ellis's side the previous day. It wasn't just the wedding, it was getting married again. Despite the fact that becoming Ellis's husband was something he'd wanted for years before this point, he couldn't quieten the harsh voice of this past that told him that he would ruin this all over again. Okay, sure, his last marriage hadn't been based on love per se, but that only made it worse; Nick was about to step into the unknown and that scared him more that facing off against a million zombie hordes.

But when he turned and saw his fiancé, the voice was easily silenced.

Ellis was wearing a light grey suit that brought out his eyes, a yellow rose pinned to his lapel. His hair was loose as usual but something about the way the soft hotel lights bounced of the dusty blond curls made it almost resemble a halo. Nick instantly felt a wave of relief wash over him that accompanied a quake in his knees. He managed to stay standing, just about, and willed himself to move toward him.

“Ellis,” he smiled widely, barely acknowledging Francis and Rochelle who had entered behind his partner. Ellis stepped forward also until he could meet Nick in the middle, reaching out to hold him the second he got close enough. He crushed the man in a hug and for a moment could not tell if it was Nick who was shaking or himself.

“Nick,” he whispered back as the scent of Nick's favorite aftershave was suddenly filling his head like Opium and allowed him to relax against the warm weight in his arms. Francis and Rochelle slipped past and went to take their seats right at the front of the procession, leaving the happy couple to a moment of quiet together before the ceremony began.

“Sweetheart, you look amazing,” Nick murmured against Ellis's shoulder. When he pulled back, not moving too far from his fiancé, he cupped Ellis's cheek and brushed a gentle thumb just under his eye. “I mean, you always do, but...”

“Shucks, Nick, so do you.” Ellis felt the heat from Nick's palm and knew he was blushing something furious. “Baby, I gotta tell ya, I'm a nervous wreck right about now. I dunno if it's because you ain't been with me or because I know what we're about to do, or…”

Nick would usually prefer to shut Ellis up with a kiss, but that wasn't an option at the moment. He always knew what Ellis wanted, and one of those things would be for their next kiss to be the kiss – their first as a married couple. For now, he had to rely on just shushing him gently.

“It's gonna be fine, El. Nothing to be nervous about.” Nick was in that same boat, however he knew he needed to be calm for Ellis's sake. At that moment, just as Nick was trying to level out his breathing, a soothing and slow violin began to play from the main room. The gambler swallowed. “That's our cue.”

Ellis swallowed and turned to the door obediently, all the while not letting go of his fiancé’s hand. He wanted to say something else, but all he could do was bite his lip and try not to babble on like he tended to do when excited. Nick stepped forward, and Ellis followed at his side, as they opened the doors and stepped beyond the threshold together.

Their guest were standing by their seats, all eyes turned towards them with bright smiles to accompany them. They hadn't made all that many new friends since the apocalypse, so the guest list wasn't exactly huge, but everyone who was here were the only people that mattered.

The one side included Dave, Keith and the latter's two brothers, all of whom had big toothy grins at watching their best buddy walk down the aisle. There was also Louis and Zoey, who they'd come to be great friends with – Nick had even worked with Louis for a while in Atlantic City when the Infected was still a subsiding threat.

On the other side, Rochelle, clad in a black and pink dress, was stood beside her boyfriend Francis. The biker was looking at them proudly while keeping one hand delicately on Ro's arm. Near them, one row back, was a very special guest: Nick's mom, Angela.

Ellis had reached out to her without Nick's knowledge not long after they had first moved in together and had surprised him by flying her over. It had been a staggering moment for Nick who, up until that moment, had assumed his mother absolutely did not want to see him. After a reconciliation, in which Nick had been proved thankfully wrong, he had made an effort to bring her back into his life. She hadn't even known about his first marriage (he was relieved about that), so it was an incredibly proud moment for her to watch her son get married. Nick caught her eye as he passed and felt a lump in his throat.

And, finally, there was Coach. He was waiting for them at the end of the aisle with a large grin and carrying a closed book. When Nick and Ellis had learned that Coach had been previously ordained in order to officiate his sister's wedding a few years ago, asking him to marry them had a no brainer. Nick in particular was not keen on having a stuffy old minister who would rattle on about Bible passes perform the ceremony.

Once the two grooms had walked their way hand-in-hand to the end of the aisle, the woman playing the violin at the side closed off the gentle song and the hall fell into silence for a second before the room shuffled and took their seats again. Coach cleared his throat and opened his book.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bear witness to the union of Ellis and Nicolas. These two guys are very important to me, as I'm sure they are to all of you, and we count ourselves truly blessed to be here to share their special day with them.”

As Coach carried on reading his sermon, Nick squeezed Ellis's hand, feeling the younger man squeeze back. He glanced over and noticed those baby blue eyes were on him, already shining with anticipatory tears. 'You got this,' he tried to tell him with his smile alone, and he could've sworn he saw Ellis gave a slight nod back to him.

“If anyone here has a reason to object to the forming of this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Nick felt pinpricks on the back of his neck. Ellis's fingers tightened around his partner's. Luckily, there was no such objection from behind them, and Nick had to smile at Coach's face in that moment – he looked about ready to unleash thunder on anyone who dared. With that out of the way, Coach continued.

“Nicolas and Ellis will now vow themselves by body and soul to each other and have chosen to do so in their own words. It is by these vows that they will continue their lives together. Please, face each other, now.” The two grooms turned, taking each other's hands. “Nicolas, if you would.”

The ex-conman took a deep breath, looking Ellis in the eyes as he began to recite the words written by his heart.

"Ellis… wow, I can't believe we're here. Ever since I was small, my life was nothing but uncertainty and running away, never looking back. When we met… I was at my lowest point. But you were a light that I could follow to escape the darkness. You were everything I needed and wanted. Not only did you teach me how to love and trust people again, you taught me how to love myself. And for that, I want to pledge the rest of my life to you – there's no one else in the world I would trust with something so important to me."

Ellis had to hang his head for a moment and Nick could tell he was starting to lose his battle with his tears. A number of the guest already had, judging by the sniffling he could vaguely hear behind them.

Coach had to clear his throat again, something Nick found highly amusing, and then turned to Ellis. “Ellis? Off ya go.”

As the mechanic's head rose once more, there was a single tear running down his cheek. He reached up to wipe it away, swallowed, and chuckled into a smile.

“Nick. For the longest time in my life, I thought I had everythin' figured out. Then, after it was all turned upside down in the blink of an eye, you were there to make it right again. You… you guided me and kept me safe, you showed what it meant to be brave and strong but most importantly, you made me feel like everything was gonna be okay. No matter what came our way, we would face it t'gether. Right now… with the rest of our lives stretchin' out ahead of us, I cannot wait to take it all on by your side. My badass zombie-killin' husband.”

Just hearing Ellis say that final word was like unleashing the floodgates in Nick, who had been doing a pretty good job so far at keeping the tears at bay. He suddenly felt them pool in his eyes, all ready to spill. He could've sworn he could hear Francis sniffing over his shoulder, which made him chuckle.

The rings were then exchanged. Nick's was a silver band that he had carefully chosen so that it would stand out against his usual gold ones if he decided to wear them. Ellis's ring was a vibrant gold to match his hair, something that Nick was pleased about at the time they'd picked them out. Once both bands had been snugly fit onto the fourth fingers of both grooms, they joined hands as per Coach's instruction.

“Ellis and Nicolas have exchanged the vows that will carry them on into the next stage of their lives and have also promised sacred wedding bands to each other as a physical proof of their union. Now, I gotta ask you both one last thing.” He turned to Ellis. “Ellis, do you take Nicolas to be your lawful wedded husband? Do you swear to love him and support him through sickness and health, so long as you both shall live?”

Ellis gazed into the calming green of his lover's eyes, in doing so more tears rolled down his face. “I do.”

Coach was grinning, but still tried to remain professional in his role. “And do you, Nicolas, take Ellis to be your lawful wedded husband? Do you swear to love and support him for richer or poorer, 'till death do you part?”

Nick had to smile at a thought that came to him just then; how he had gone from telling Ellis how he really felt being the hardest thing he'd ever had to do, to being the easiest when he spoke those two important words. “I do.”

Beside them, their eldest friend shut the book – he didn't need to read for this part.

“Then… it's with a great honor and pride that in the presence of all those who love you, by the powers vested in me by the state of Georgia, I now pronounce you both as lawful beloved husbands. Now kiss each other b'fore I start cryin'.”

Smiling widely, the grooms kissed at last to loud applause (mostly from Ellis's over-excited Savannah buddies) and Nick could vaguely taste the salty tears on the edge of his husband’s lips. But had they been El's tears, or his own?

As the music started once more in order to begin the recession, Nick and Ellis turned to their guests just as Coach announced behind them. “Mister Nicolas Devlin and Mister Ellis Miller!”

Rochelle was dabbing under her eyes with a tissue all the while absolutely beaming at them. Ellis could swear he saw Francis with a tissue curled up in his hand while he was clapping. On the other side, all his friends were still cheering him on, Louis giving him a cheery thumbs up as he passed by. Nick meanwhile briefly left Ellis's side to hug his mom who was nothing short of a wreck with how delighted she was. Ellis was looking forward to spending more time with her, and especially Nick spending more time with her.

The guests all filed out behind the happy couple as they moved into a larger event hall adjacent to the first. This one was lined with tables adorned with place mats, fancily-folded napkins and large flower center pieces. Nick and Ellis had a brief moment to themselves before greeting their guests and Nick took Ellis in his arms for a few sweet kisses.

“I love you.” He couldn't stop smiling. “God damn, you ruined me back there.”

“I ruined you?” Ellis retorted and shook his head, unable to resist more kisses.

It was time for the guests to join them, and the grooms stood by the door to chat to each of them before they found their seats. Rochelle gave them both hugs and smacked them on the shoulders for ruining her make-up, then Coach reiterated again how proud he'd been to officiate for the pair of them before getting hugs of his own.

Soon enough, once Nick and Ellis had taken their seats at the head table and everyone had been poured a glass of champagne, it was time for dinner to be served. Ellis was tempted to keep the main meal light so that he could have more of the wedding cake – it sat on a table at the side, a three-tiered chocolate dessert, and Ellis had been thinking about it ever since they'd picked it out of the catalogue at the baking company.

“We'll cut it soon enough,” Nick whispered to him, placing a hand over his when he caught Ellis staring.

Ellis blushed and picked up his champagne for a quick sip. “Would ya believe I married you jus' so I could eat it?”

Shaking his head, Nick leant in for one more kiss of many and grinned. “Not a chance.”

Once the main course had been served and eaten amongst the jovial conversation of everyone in the room, Zoey began to clink a fork against her champagne glass. Other gentle chimes began to join and caused a flush to creep around the older groom's neck. Eventually, Nick relented, nodding slowly, and grabbed his own champagne flute before standing up.

"Yeah, uh... a speech..." he said, scratching his face. "Uh... well, first of all, thanks to everyone for coming today to share this special day with us. It really means a lot to see so many of you here and thanks for the well-wishes and gifts, we sure appreciate them. And, uh... Ellis, why don't you finish up." He picked Ellis up by his forearm, grinning as the room chuckled around him.

Ellis leant against Nick briefly and gave a sideways smirk at him. “Yeah, what Nick said! Its been such an amazin' day so far. We wouldn't be nothin' without each and ev'ry one of y'all. So thanks!”

Coach lifted his glass beside them. “To Nick and Ellis,” he toasted, cuing everyone in the room to join the chorus and then started a small applause.

Ellis nudged Nick with his elbow. “Now, I think it's cake time?” He looked up hopefully at his handsome husband being met with a roll of his green eyes.

“Alright, sport. Let's go.”

The young mechanic practically bounded from his place and tugged his husband's hand towards the cake table, the guests also standing and moving closer to watch the moment for themselves. They took the knife in hand and carefully cut into the bottom cake to another round of applause. As Nick continued to cut out slices and hand them out on plates to the guests, Ellis got his husband's attention while he ate his own slice. Nick had just turned to him when suddenly Ellis smeared a glob of chocolate icing on the end of his nose.

Rochelle gasped and started to laugh at the look on Nick's face, a mock of both annoyed and amused, and then Nick decided to retaliate by leaning in to kiss him and purposely rubbing his nose against El's. That was all that came from the teasing – no sense in wasting good cake. Especially with Coach in the room.

With dinner eaten, it was time to party. The room in which the ceremony had been performed had now been cleared and converted, the resulting dance floor ready to see people into the rest of the evening.

The chattering guests gathered around the hardwood floor in anticipation for the happy couple's first dance. Nick could feel a little nervous at the expectant stares, but Ellis's hand in his grounded him as they both stepped forward. Having his lover by his side was always enough to quell any nerves.

Ellis placed his hands on Nick's shoulders close to his neck, and Nick's rested upon Ellis's waist. From the DJ's podium at the one end of the room, the man started the song he'd been told to play for the first dance.

The Midnight Riders. Ellis's choice, of course.

“How did I guess?” Nick chuckled. Ellis just gave a half-shrug.

“It's one of their slower songs,” explained the mechanic as he hummed along to the intro of 'Save Me Some Sugar'. Their feet began to move across the floor in short steps, not so much dancing as shifting in place together while turning slowly. Everyone's eyes were on the pair of them, but they didn't care to notice when their gazes were locked to each other and nowhere else. “We've done it, darlin'. After all that waitin'...”

“Yeah,” Nick murmured to him. “My husband. God, that feels so good to say, doesn't it?”

“I know what'cha mean. Still don't feel real.” Ellis sighed. “Prob'bly won't sink in for a while, neither. Maybe after we get back from the honeymoon. Hey… ya still ain't said where we're goin'.”

“Sweetheart, I told you,” smiled the gambler, having already addressed this line of questioning a hundred times before. “You'll find out at the airport.”

Ellis pouted, his fingers curling a little more around Nick's neck to twine into the loose hairs at the back of his head. “You ain't s'posed to keep secrets from your husband,” he said matter-of-factly.

Nick kissed him; that new name he could give Ellis was doing all kinds of good things for him. “I fucking love you, El.”

“Love ya more.” Ellis repeated Nick's kiss with one of his own, and before they knew it, the song was starting to die away and their first dance was over. The crowd around them cheered and Nick obliged them with another sweet kiss to his husband's soft lips.

Then the party truly began with some cheesy pop music. Rochelle all but dragged Francis onto the floor with her and laughed as he tried to find his feet. Ellis moved and danced with Zoey, Keith and Dave danced with each other (although it was more like failed break-dancing) and Nick went to dance with his mom, pretending to know how to ballroom dance.

The party lasted well into the night with plenty of dancing, drinks and good cheer for the happy couple. Ellis could tell it was getting later without needing to look at a clock because their guests would one-by-one catch him on their way out to give their final wishes and goodbyes. Once the night had turned into the wee hours of the morning, Nick and Ellis decided to retire for the night themselves. They made sure to thank the hotel staff before retrieving the key to the honeymoon suite, very generously gifted to them by Rochelle and Francis as a wedding present.

By the time they reached the top floor, there was only one thing on their mutual minds. Nick had an arm around Ellis's waist, fingers teasing the lip of his belt whilst his other hand unlocked the hotel room door.

“Should I carry you in?” Nick teased him once he'd managed to push the door open.

Ellis just smirked up at him, and maybe it was the buzz of the evening that powered his next choice of words. “Nah, man. I got this.”

Ellis bent over, grabbed Nick around his legs and hauled him over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. There was only a moment or two of annoyed noises behind him before Nick began to laugh. “Ellis! Put me down!”

The mechanic was strong enough to make his way over to the plush couch on the other side of the living space with his tall husband over his shoulder before he fell forwards, Nick falling open armed across the cushions. Ellis was half on the couch and half on top of Nick and he couldn't quite tell where he ended and his husband began.

“You idiot,” Nick laughed breathlessly as he tried to sit up.

Ellis grinned at him and backed up to give the man room. “You married this idiot,” he challenged.

“Yeah, what was I thinking?” teased Nick as he met the hick in the middle for another kiss. This was was sweet at first, though soon turned a little more heated with thoughts of what came next. “Y'know, El, this marriage won't be official until we consummate it.”

“Well, what're we waitin' for?” The mechanic rose to his feet, extending his arms in order to pull the other man up with him. “I've always wanted to sleep with a married man.”

Nick laughed once more as he fell into his husband's embrace and kissed his forehead, knowing that the warm swelling he could feel in his heart whenever he looked at Ellis would be a consistent effect for a long, long time.

#nellis #nick/ellis #draconicauthor #draccymods

[celestialevie]

Weddings and what could’ve been’s // F.W. x F! Reader

Hi! This is my first ever posted fic, I hope you’ll like it!

PAIRING: Fred Weasley x F! Reader

Genre: Angst 

Summary: You’ve been friends with Fred since forever. But what happens when the one you love is not feeling the same and now he’s getting married to the girl he loves. Based off of this song :))

Word count: 2.5k

It was supposed to be a good day. Waking up, getting ready for another day of writing her novel about picturing a certain red head as love interest of her novel. But it all flushed down when she saw a small envelope just sitting there on the table, almost as if it was mocking her. It's been sitting there ever since it arrived yesterday afternoon, not expecting to receive an invitation to the wedding of one person she didn't want to participate in. Fredrick Gideon Weasley. Her best friend since their second year of Hogwarts. It was almost ironic how a simple wedding invitation can break a heart that's already been on the verge of breaking, tears were rolling down her face, not a single sound could've been heard besides her sobs. Her best friend/roommate ran out of her room as soon as she heard her. Not expecting to see her best friend on the floor crying over a single paper, she realises what happened, the one thing she dreaded even though it was only a matter of time before it happened. The way Fred was talking about that girl, she knew that her best friend was in a wait of a permanent broken heart. But now a day later, she decided to throw the invitation in the rubbish, deciding no matter how much she cared about her best friend she knew she wouldn't be able to handle watching him promising himself to someone else for forever. Taking out a bottle of her favourite rose, she pours some of it in a glass and heads back to her room, deciding to forget about her heartbreak by throwing herself into her fictional world where she was the one Fred loved. 

 Soon, she'll realise that not even wine and her own fictional world would help cure her broken heart. Not when the one she's so in love with decided so pay her a visit, not hearing anything from her in over a week. He wondered if she got the invitation to the wedding, the day he couldn't wait for it to finally happen. The thing is, he's not going to be able to do it, if his soulmate in a form of his best friend isn't there by his side, making sure he doesn't panic like he often happens to do in stressful situations. 

Upon hearing knocking on her door, she slowly gets up from her desk, heading to open the door, not expecting to see the person she wanted to see the least, standing in front of her. 

Every day they were closer to the day that changes everything for forever. One of them was dreading that day, while the other one couldn't want for it to come any sooner. Soon it was the day of rehearsal dinner or also known as the day before it all goes shit show for her. Everything was ready, her outfit ready for tomorrow. Deciding she wasn't strong enough to make it through the wedding alone, she begged her best friend to go with her, helping her survive with alcohol. The wedding was in the backyard of The Burrow, but it wasn't anything special or near as big as it was Bill's, both Fred and Lillian agreeing it was best to have a smaller intimate wedding with their closest ones there. Apparating a minute away from The Burrow, she walks towards the door, knocking softly before entering the house. Everyone was on their feet, final preparations for tomorrow are being made. Ginny was the first one to notice her, running towards the girl. Brining her in the hug, she laughs. '' Hi Ginny '' they pull away from the hug, Ginny looking at the girl. '' You look gorgeous y/n. I'm still angry at my brother for not marrying you. '' y/n rolls her eyes playfully. '' Stop it, you know we would never work as a couple, plus Lillian is a lovely girl, I'm sure she'll be a good sister-in-law. '' they talked as they walked upstairs heading towards Ginny's room.  What no one knew is that the night of the Yule ball, Fred was ready to confess his dying crush on his best friend, that's why he brought her to the astronomy tower. He had it all planned out  until they were interrupted, and it was all ruined. Fred often wondered if they hadn't been interrupted would've it been her who he was marrying. Would it work out or would it fail and therefore ruin their friendship. George was the only one along with Lee who knew about it. That's why the night before the wedding he found himself sitting in front of the small lake they had behind their house, wondering if Lillian is truly the one he wants to marry. Y/n found him after a few minutes, joining him. '' I knew I'd find you here. '' he said nothing, just kept looking in front of him. '' What's bothering you, Freddie? '' she gently took his hand into hers, brushing her thumb gently across his hand. '' I'm just worried if I'm making a mistake or rushing this. Before tonight, I couldn't been happier waiting for this day to finally come, but now that it's here all my mind seems to do is make me wonder if I'm marrying the wrong girl. Maybe I should just marry you, we've been friends for forever, it wouldn't change much. '' he lets out a small laugh. Letting go off his hand, I grab his face with my hands on both sides of his face. '' Fred I need you to look at me. Do you love Lillian? '' he nods his head. '' I don't think I've ever loved anyone the way I love her. '' a small smile appears in the corner of his mouth. '' Do you see yourself being with her for the rest of your life? Is she the one you want to see growing old with you? '' y/n questions him. Fred waits for a few seconds before answering, with a big smile on his face. '' Yeah, I do. God, why was I even doubting this. This is why I need you by my side, you always know how to get me out of my head. Thank you, love. '' he pulls her into a strong hug. '' Hey, if you need a getaway car tomorrow, me and George will have one prepared and then we can get married. '' she joked, even though there was some half truth in it. '' it's late, I have to go get that beauty sleep for tomorrow so do you. Goodnight Freddie. '' she plants a small kiss on his cheek before apparating herself back to her flat, before crashing down in the middle of living room, bursting into tears of heartbreak. The pieces that weren't shatter from before, had shattered now. There were no pieces left of her heart. The rest of the night she spent in the arms of her best friend, crying herself to sleep. 

 It was funny really. The story of how they met, how they became inseparable and how she eventually fell in love with him. The latter didn't come to much of a surprise. How could someone not fall in love with him, when he's the most amazing person she's ever come across. It was their second year in Hogwarts, and she was heading towards the library, deciding to prepare herself for the upcoming Potions exam. Merlin knows how much she dreaded those. It wasn't her fault, most people on her mom's side of family never really knew how to do potions. As she was walking there, someone grabbed her by her arm and started dragging her away with them in a direction of the nearest broom closet. In a second she realised it was one of the Weasley twins. Not even needing to ask why he was in such a hurry, already knowing they caused another trouble. Quickly running inside the broom closet, one of the twins put a hand on her mouth, signalling for her to be quiet. Rolling her eyes, she did as told until we heard Filch and Mrs. Norris passing by. Another minute passed on until he removed his hand from her mouth. '' I'm Fred. '' he introduced himself. '' Y/n '' she shook his hand. '' Care to explain why you dragged me into this dusty broom closet with yourself? '' Fred laughed. '' Had to move you out of the way from Filch or else you'd be in the trouble along with me. '' nodding her head, she left the closet. And that was the beginning of their weird friendship. From participating in the pranks, to making excuses why they're not in the certain classes you shared with them to Fred asking her to go to the Yule Ball with him, leading us to the night they had almost kissed. Somewhere in between she slowly fell for her best friend without intending to. It all felt like a dream. Dancing with her best friend so closely, to sneaking off to the astronomy tower because that night, the stars were shining so bright. Slow dancing in the moonlight, it all felt almost to perfect. Both of them slowly leaning towards each other until they heard a crashing noise, interrupting their intimate moment. It made her realise that it was for the best for them to be just friends, their friendship being worth more than a relationship not knowing how it'll end. Almost as if it was a silent agreement between them, neither of the two brought it up ever again. She would never want to ruin his day, so yes she had agreed to be his second best man, no matter how much it'll hurt to be there so up close seeing it all unfold almost like in a film scene. 

Next morning when she woke up, she felt so exhausted while getting ready. She barely had any energy in her body and she was pretty sure she also had no tears left. Putting on her beautiful dress, she did her makeup and hair. She was ready to stand there next to her best friend, and watch him marry the love of his life, no matter how much the fact that it's not her hurted. It was a beautiful ceremony, he looked so beautiful in his dark blue suit, it really made his hair and eyes stand out a bit more, and don't her started on how beautiful the bride was. Her gown looked straight out of a fairytale. A few tears espaced during the ceremony but when George asked her why is she crying, she brushed it off as happy tears, even though she knew she didn't fool George with that lie. During the reception she mostly stayed at her table, trying to drown her sorrow in the wine and other alcoholic drinks. She watched as her roommate/best friend danced with George along with watching Fred and Lillian dance together like it was only two of them. Molly and Ginny often came and talked to me, but it wasn't long until I couldn't handle it anymore and just drowned the rest of my drink before saying goodbye to everyone, making an excuse saying she unfortunately had to go home and finish her book, her publisher gave her a deadline until tomorrow. The last person left to say goodbye to was Fred. Tapping him on the shoulder, she gives him a smile as he turns around. '' Congratulations Freddie boy once again. But I have to leave now unfortunately, I have a book to finish. '' Before she could even say anything he took her hands and put them around his neck, pulling her closer to him. '' Just this one dance and then I'm setting you free, okay? '' He begged her. Nodding her head, they start slow dancing. '' I'm really proud of you Freddie, you finally found the one you always talked about. Hopefully one day I'm gonna find my prince charming one day. '' she rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. '' I'm sorry I wasn't the one for you. '' he said, making the tears slowly start pooling in my eyes. '' That's not for you to apologise, we're too good friends for us to work in a relationship. Us not kissing that night of the yule ball was for the best. If we kissed who knows if you'd meet Lillian, your true love. Don''t you worry about me. '' and with that she pulled away from him, placing a small kiss on his cheek before apparating home. Letting him stand there alone, her words sinking in, making him wonder again if he had made a mistake by not letting her know of his feeling that night. But soon his thoughts were brushed away as he felt the lips of his wife on his.

'' Hello love '' he greets her after she moved aside, letting him in. Pulling her into a hug, he goes into the living room, while she still stands there shocked at her door. Quickly getting rid of her thoughts, she heads over to where he was. '' Hi Freddie, what are you doing here? I didn't expect you to visit. '' she sits down next to him. '' Well it's been over a week since I've last heard from you, so I decided to pay you a visit. She nods her head. '' Yeah, sorry about that. I started working on my novel again and that's all I've focusing on recently. Didn't mean to neglect your need for constant attention. '' she jokes, even though she knew he had his fiancée know to give him attention. Fred rolls his eyes. '' Yeah yeah whatever. Listen I have a question/favour to ask you. '' she furrows her eyebrows. '' Okay, I'm listening. '' taking a deep breath, he begins. '' So as you probably know I proposed to Liliana. Speaking of that, have you received my invitation to the wedding? '' it's been over a month since they got engaged, and yet she still couldn't bare the thought of losing Fred forever. '' Yes I have, it's very beautiful Freddie, I am very happy for the two of you. '' she gives him her best fake smile, not wanting to upset her best friend. '' Thank you, love. My question is, would you like to be my second best man? Along with George of course. I don't think that I would be able to do it without you by my side. Please say yes or at least think about it. It would really mean everything to me. '' This was definitely something she hadn't expect. There goes your plan on not going to the wedding, making an excuse of why she can't make it and get drunk in her room while watching her favourite romcoms. '' Of course Freddie, anything for you. '' those words came out before you even had a chance to think about them. 

#fred weasley #fred weasley x reader #weasley twins #harrypotter #george weasley #hpau #angst #fred weasley fluff #fred and george weasley #fred weasley smut #hogwarts #george weasley fanfiction #fred wealsey fic #fred weasley angst

[ducktracy]

184. the woods are full of cuckoos (1937)

release date: december 4th, 1937

series: merrie melodies

director: frank tashlin

starring: mel blanc (owlcott, walter finchell, milton squirrel, wendell howl, fox, raven mcquandry), tedd pierce (ben birdie, tizzie fish, andy bovine), sara berner (polly gillette, canary livingstone)

this cartoon gets the honorable award of possibly being the most dated warner bros. shorts in its vast repertoire of cartoons. not to worry! this will be a fun cartoon to unpack—i love delving into the shorts that involve extensive research. learning something new is something that‘s very rewarding to me, and i hope it is to you, too!

a giant ode to the short lived radio program community sing (lasting from 1936-1937), the short chronicles a woodland radio show hosted by a variety of caricatured animals putting on various acts.

iris in to the ringing of a bell. a pudgy, bespectacled owl rings it as he stands illuminated by the moonlight, preaching to all of the woodland critters, ready to start the show. he introduces himself as “owlcott”, a take on commentator alexander woollcott. he “blandly announces” (his words, not mine) the introduction of the master of ceremonies, ben birdie--a bird caricature of radio personality ben bernie, “the old maestro”.

birdie’s caricature is not new to audience’s eyes. the caricature, along with a handful of others, is reused from friz freleng’s the coocoo nut grove from 1936, a short that is very similar in vein to this one. tedd pierce provides birdie’s suave, velvety vocals as he introduces the program, only to be interrupted by the nasally cries of mel blanc. out pops walter finchell, a caricature of bernie’s faux-enemy walter winchell, both of whom carrying a notorious (and fake) feud in the radio-verse. it was common for winchell to interrupt the smooth-talking bernie, either throwing pranks or remarks his way, to which bernie dismissed every time. indeed, a signature tashlin upshot angle reveals finchell dropping an egg on top of birdie, who blocks it nonchalantly with a handy umbrella.

art loomer’s backgrounds for the cartoon are absolutely gorgeous. they’re vibrant in color, very lush and painterly, but remain playful and sophisticated at the same time. they certainly serve as a highlight to the short. and, as always, carl stalling’s scores are a blast to hear--his sardonic, wah-wah rendition of “cause my baby says it’s so” is a jolly juxtaposition to the prior score of “love is on the air tonight”, the latter being the song’s cartoon debut. it would be reused in cartoons such as the daffy doc, whereas “cause my baby says its so” was heard previously in rover’s rival.

birdie introduces a clever squirrel caricature of milton berle, whose routine gets interrupted by a little parrot named polly. polly is a take on eileen barton’s character, little jolly gillette, who was portrayed as the daughter of the show’s sponsor. polly and milton go through their act together, polly bluntly (yet innocently) announcing “my daddy says ya gotta let me sing ‘cause he’s a sponsor!” you can listen to real recordings of their banter here!

volney white’s animation of milton and polly is lively and jovial, constantly moving. milton energetically introduces us to our next star, pointing in the wrong direction and fixing it last second as he gestures towards a bird caricature of country singer wendell hall.

even if viewers don’t recognize the bird’s counterpart, they will most certainly recognize his voice--mel uses his foghorn leghorn voice for wendell “howl”. of course, foghorn wouldn’t debut for another 9 years, but that’s another story. the animation of the raucous bird is fun to watch as he extends his neck and wraps it around in coils around the microphone stand. random? yes, but fun nevertheless.

perhaps even more commendable is the staggering crowd shot that succeeds wendell’s scenes. the crowd is mirrored horizontally, but that doesn’t lessen the blow from how claustrophobic it is. wendell asks the audience to get out their songbooks and turn to page “22... no, page 44. uh, no, uh, page 28. uh, 42, uh, 36, uh, 45...” 

wendell is transformed from an entertainer to an auctioneer, spitting out numbers at rapid pace as his crowd frantically tears through their songbooks. finally, he concedes. “oh, never mind. we won’t use the books.” off screen, the crowd roars in unison: “OH YES WE WILL!” with that, wendell is generously showered with a barrage of books, buried in the pile of rejected papers. the timing of the scene is comedically sharp and energetic, one of the more entertaining acts of the cartoon.

now, for the real song number, lead by goat and bear caricatures of billy jones and ernie hare (would a rabbit caricature be too on the nose?) respectively, animated by volney white. they march out onto the stage--er, tree trunk--and open the curtains to reveal a sing-along to the eponymous song. thus, the camera pans into the lyrics as everybody bursts into the all-too-earworm-causing song number. 

as the crowd, ben birdie and walter finchell all lend their voices to the song, a fox caricature of fred allen sings “swanee river”, clashing with the unity of everybody else. in a nod to friz freleng’s toy town hall where the same routine was executed, a little bunny excitedly coos “ohhhh, mr. allen! you’re singing the wrong sooooong!” the fox bursts into everybody’s favorite Mel Blanc Yell as he repeats a frequent ‘30s catchphrase: “WHY DON’T SOMEBODY TELL ME THESE THINGS!?”

featured in the song is a seemingly interminable cast of celebrity caricatures, all introduced as the camera pans across the screen, each lending their voice to part of the song. some puns require more effort than others (dick powell as “dick fowl” rolls off the tongue better than al jolson as “al goatson”). caricatures include: 

eddie cantor as eddie gander, sophie tucker as sophie turkey, w.c. fields as w.c. fieldmouse, dick powell as dick fowl, fats waller as fats swallow, deanna durbin as deanna terrapin, irvin s. cobb as irvin s. frog, fred macmurray as fred mcfurry, bing crosby as bing crowsby, al jolson as al goatson, ruby keeler as ruby squealer, lanny ross as lanny hoss, grace moore as grace moose, and finally lily pons as lily swans.

speaking of grace and lily, they’re both highlighted as they fight to out-perform each other, seeing who can sing the highest note. tashlin pulls of a rather intriguing camera move: as the pan settles on the two of them, the background changes. it’s a subtle maneuver, but smart thinking nonetheless--especially since the camera extends into a vertical pan. as both women fight to sing the highest note, their necks extend, both of them scaling high into the night sky, harmonizing on one final shrill note. they both crumple back into the stands, exhausted by their efforts. some fun exaggerated animation for sure--one wonders how much further this would have been pushed had this been tashlin’s second stint at WB rather than his first. his speed often rivaled, if not out-performed, tex avery’s.

birdie and finchell have a brief interstitial together before making way for a raven caricature of haven macquarrie (raven mcquandry). his sequence is almost jarringly short, but full of fun drawings and poses--the pose of him standing curtly with his arms crossed is awfully reminiscent of izzy ellis’ work under tashlin and later bob clampett in the mid ‘40s. mcquandry asks “do YOU wanna be an actor?”, parotting the name of his real life counterpart’s show so do you want to be an actor? the audience shouts “NO!” in unison, causing mcquandry to do a take and shrug dubiously. though the scene is only a few short seconds, the animation brings forth some much needed vitality.

next is a penguin caricature of joe penner, singing a hilariously out-of-tune rendition of “my green fedora”. the animation is reused from the cartoon of the same name (notice how he doesn’t have penguin feet!), which was also used in toy town hall. not a complaint, but more an observation--this is by far the most humorous performance of the song yet, sung by blanc rather than tommy bond.

another fun scene with some vivacious animation is a sequence featuring a mule caricature of martha raye (dubbed moutha bray), singing a cover of “how could you?”, which has been featured as an underscore in cartoons such as porky’s badtime story and its later remake, tick tock tuckered. raye’s large mouth served as prime material for caricatures, as we see here. the animation is snappy, fun, and vivid--she finishes her song by “swallowing” the camera, an old trick that beckons memories of the harman and ising cartoons of animation past. 

an interesting trend in the ‘30s WB cartoons is the trend of playing with the iris, whether it was the closing iris out or an iris in between transitions. tex avery would consistently play with the final iris out on his cartoons, whereas directors such as friz freleng and bob clampett would use one as a transition between scenes. here, tashlin uses the “swallow the camera” technique as a segue for an iris in, tedd pierce’s falsetto squeaking “hello folksies!” as we’re introduced to a fish caricature of tizzie lish, a character played by bill comstock on al pearce and his gang.

though tizzie has long faded into obscurity (as has the entire community sing radio show), it’s still quite easy to appreciate pierce’s vocals and mannerisms as he portrays the character. it’s always a joy to hear him doing voices for cartoons--he’s never been my favorite writer on the crew, but he was an excellent talent as a voice actor. his squeaky deliveries, matter of fact deliveries “mix them up... are you mixing? my friends say i’m a good mixer. are you? or aren’t you?” as tizzie haphazardly dumps food items and their respective utensils into a bowl and prepares the meal are nothing short of hilarious. the timing is very well executed and can be appreciated regardless of background knowledge.

after humming a pitchy rendition of “the lady in red” while waiting for her concoction to bake in the waffle iron, tizzie removes the homemade waffle and discards it, instructing the audience “now take the ‘wiffle’ out and eat the iron. you must have iron in your system. or should you?” thus concludes tizzie’s act, certainly heightened in hilarity by pierce’s vocals and timing.

for the final act, ben birdie introduces a possum caricature of louella parsons, the host of the radio program hollywood hotel, which served as a way to advertise upcoming movies by featuring guest stars enacting some of the scenes. here, we have caricatures of jack benny (as jack bunny, the first of his many reoccurrences), mary livingstone (canary livingstone), and andy devine (andy bovine).

tedd pierce voices andy bovine, whose voice burlusqued not only in this cartoon, but to a greater extent in friz freleng’s my little buckeroo not even a year later. devine, a western star, was notorious for his scratchy, shrill voice which was rife for comedic opportunity. indeed, this scene here with pierce’s vocals is nothing short of hilarious: 

the trio chronicle the prodigal’s return, in which bunny and canary coo over their baby son. out of the bassinet pops incongruously large bovine, who shrieks “HOWDY MAAAA! HI PAAAA!”, the sheer volume of his voice enough to blow both of his parents away and out of the scene. and, with that, the scene ends, red curtains colorized from porky’s romance marking the sequence’s end. short, sweet, to the point, and hilarious.

ending right where the cartoon began, the owl caricature of alexander woollcott bids us farewell, the iris closing in on the bell he rings as he exclaims that all is well.

like so many other cartoons i’ve reviewed, this is one that i slowly warmed up to upon rewatching it and typing out the review for myself. i didn’t entirely dislike the cartoon upon my first watch, but it’s undeniably dated and deserves its title as possibly the most dated cartoon. without further research, some of the jokes and caricatures (if not all of them) are difficult to appreciate. the animation has bursts of energy throughout the short, the highlights being the scenes featuring raven mcquarry and moutha bray, but otherwise remains relatively simple and conservative. tashlin does incorporate a few intriguing camera angles throughout the cartoon, but many other entries of his are far more cinematic.

however, despite all of that, this cartoon is not without its bonuses: art loomer’s backgrounds are stunningly gorgeous and rich, and as someone who loves the lush, painterly backgrounds of the 1930s, this is heaven to me. and, as i mentioned previously, tedd pierce’s scenes are great--the tizzie fish and andy bovine sequences are undeniable comedic highlights.

so, if you’re willing to dedicate time to put in the research for this cartoon, you’ll find it’s quite fascinating! i’m certain this was a much bigger gut-buster in 1937 than it is in 2020, but even then, this is a good cartoon for people such as myself who love to learn more information and seek out facts. as a result, i’d recommend it to people who fall into that category. if you’re just someone who wants a good laugh and a leisurely watch, there are more interesting cartoons that lie ahead. you won’t miss much by skipping it.

with that said, here’s the link!

#lt #the woods are full of cuckoos #looney tunes #tashlin #reviews #long post