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#Republic Media Records
460media · 2 months
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Answer: A birth control appreciation called “Glory Be to God for the Golden Pill”
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chrollohearttags · 15 days
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𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖇: 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖜𝖊𝖑𝖛𝖊
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synopsis: many moves are being made for the talent of AMG and two fourths of the Dead Boys Society collective, Ony The God and Prince Cee, find themselves thrust even further into the spotlight after their freestyle goes viral. But their musical skills aren’t the only thing that has people talking. As it’s during this interview that the duo find themselves in an exchange of heated words with an infamous DJ..who names drop their fellow group member and brother, EJ the Don in reference to recent scandals. Will the pair clear up the rumors circulating the net or will they leave it all in his hands to set the record straight? Meanwhile, (Y/N) meets up with Mikasa prior to PalmFest to discuss another opportunity she has lined up for her. It’s here that the manager informs her that she’ll be receiving the opportunity of a lifetime to work with a brand she’s loved since childhood. But that isn’t the only thing she has to divulge to the upcoming influencer. What is Mika hiding from her client? Ahead of the festival, Jean and his infamous band prepare to make their much anticipated return to the stage but before this, he teams up with the girls of the Pole Assassins for what is set to be the collab of the century and to solicit some friendly advice to the headstrong leader. But he isn’t the only one with a grand plan up his sleeve and it seems that everyone will be pulling out the stops to give Miami and the world a night worth remembering. Who’ll take the stage and who’ll steal the show?
word count: 8.2K
content + themes: mentions of drugs, humor, light angst, mentions of fighting, minor smut/sexual themes (jeankasa crumbs), alcohol use, multiple character cameos, language
“This gon’ be our year, believe that..we made it this far and we ain’t gon’ stop.”
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Summertime. One of the liveliest and busiest times of the year for many. Most were preparing for vacation, on break from school or just enjoying the various happenings around their area..but for those that were employed and contracted under AMG, this was far from a time of leisure. With the recent announcement of the much anticipated PalmFest, it had caused a dramatic shift in the company. Not only that, word of the festival had begun to make waves around social media. Fans were sharing the banner and their enthusiasm for the lineup. Many were scrambling, tweeting about how they were needing to come up with quick cash to attend for the weekend. Tickets were set to go on sale in the next few days, so naturally, the sales and advertising team would be exceptionally busy. But they wouldn’t be the only ones busy preparing for the influx of attention that was set to be coming their way.
“Okay, okay..so everybody is talking, going crazy over the internet about this new song and lemme tell y’all..it’s worth every bit of the hype. It’s definitely a hit..song of the summer for sure. I’m rocking wit’ it, so many other people are too..but we all gotta know, how did it come about? What’s the story behind Nike Tech?” two men sat adjacent to a woman with a lighter complexion..all three with microphones pursed to their lips as they were perched and bolted to the table in front of them. Both with shaved heads, marked with dyed designs..chains dangling from their necks and grills lining the insides of their mouths when they flashed those perfect smiles. Prince Cee and Ony The God, two halves of the Dead Boys Society collective. Their styles could be best described as hypercharged trap and upbeat melodies that would hype up even the deadest of crowds. Make no mistake, the men did create more emotional pieces, detailing their rough upbringings in the heart of inner city Miami and the Dominican Republic. But they much rather preferred music that made people feel good! Too often had they seen the reality of what the streets could do to them so now that they had made it to the opposite side of the tracks..naturally, they wanted to pay homage to those they lost but they wanted people to smile more than anything. To dance and most importantly, fine women to shake their asses to it!
“Well, you know we was just messin’ ‘round one night, having fun and it came to us.
Ony, or Onyakapon was born to a Haitian father and an African American mother, who was born in Nigeria and raised in Opa Locka. He was always described as bright, intelligent and sweet with a kind heart. A star athlete to his core. He loved basketball and singing. He was brought up in the church, where he learned to fine tune that beautiful voice but quickly found the streets unwillingly. He saw gun violence..drugs and weapons being stuffed under the counters by his uncles and father. It was rough but he still persisted. He played basketball, was on the swim team and played football, all while maintaining a four point two grade point average. He was a star on the field and court, no doubt. But where did he truly shine? Behind a microphone. He and Connie attended the same high school, where they eventually went on to meet EJ..who had just enrolled to finish his junior and senior years. The three would play sports, write music and dream about the future. Regardless of their differences, all three boys had the same goal: change the world with music! A manifestation turned into reality only five years later. From sitting in the lunchroom, making beats on the table to opening for Denzel Curry and Raider Clan. The boys found their fame through Soundcloud a couple years after Eren’s viral video..
filmed at the same shoe store they all worked at..years later and they were all at the height of their game. Now, the guys were preparing for their very first global tour after finishing up their second country wide one. It was a dream come true. But with every whimsical dream follows harsh realities and lately, it had begun to rear its ugly head in the form of a rumor mill surrounding their fellow group mate, EJ himself. There was so much speculation swirling around that the seasoned rapper was dealing with everything from substance abuse to potentially announcing retirement. Granted, they were all baseless and quite frankly, dumb as fuck. However, it didn’t stop interviewers and fans alike from probing the question. And when they couldn’t get the answer straight from the source, they’d have to do the next best thing..
“Yeah, we was just looking to make sum’ that everybody could enjoy.” Chiming in shortly after was Connie Springer, or known by his stage moniker as Prince Cee. The Dominican Republic born, Dade County raised rapper who got his start initially by making songs with his older and younger brothers but ultimately, the two of them decided to give up their supposed pipe dreams for careers in the family restaurant business. As the proud middle child of two immigrant parents, who worked extremely hard to not only provide for their three sons but to essentially live the American dream. It was this same determination and hard work ethic that heavily inspired Connie’s pursuit of his passion. All throughout middle and high school, he would spend hours on end penning lyrics about the various experiences that he had growing up. From migration to witnessing drug deals right in front of him..serving as a journal of sorts. What began as free therapeutic relief soon turned into the catalyst for the inception of Prince Cee. He and Ony had long met as youth football players with the Pop Warner program. But their friendship only grew stronger over time, especially when they discovered that the two of them shared a very strong interest in becoming musicians. By their junior year, the pair had written five songs between the two of them and even recorded one track once EJ joined the fray. After that, the rest was history..needless to say, all of their success were because of one another. Without each other’s support, there was no telling where they would have wound up. But it seemed as if not everyone was in support of this feel good story. In the midst of Eren’s recent arrests, there had not only been speculation of a possible retirement but issues among the group. Many online believed that Connie and Ony would be parting ways with their fellow group mate because of the stigma and that essentially, they had grown tired of ‘living in his shadow’. However, they were here to clear the air once and for all!
“Alright, so while we’re here, gentlemen. You know we gotta talk about it..your homeboy, EJ..he’s been a bit of a hot topic lately. For reasons we not gon’ talk about but we did wanna address some other things and get your opinion on it.”
sat slightly slouched in their seats with their hands propping up their chins..the two gentlemen glared intently at the interviewer. They had a gut feeling that this question would arise at some point during this but they were not in the mood for it, if they were being frank. First and foremost, what happened to their brother was not only frustrating for him but no one’s business and his own to sort through. Certainly not on a platform like this. Hell, they might as well have been cackling with The ShadeRoom themselves! “Nah man, we told y’all before we even came up in here that we wasn’t answering no questions like that.” “Yeah, that ain’t even our situation to speak on, for real..” the gentlemen would suck their teeth before dismissing her preemptive questioning with the wave of a hand. However, it seemed that others were keen on pushing the issue!
“I mean, we just wanna set the record straight..your boy been in the game for some time now. One of the greatest of all time, but lately, he’s had some trouble. Not gon’ lie..so do y’all think that’s a good look for y’all too? Will y’all ever get tired of playing second best to EJ?”
suddenly, the whole studio was met with silence outside of the faint crackle of the microphones and a nearby producer gasping before she even knew it. They were almost certain that viewers would hear and a clip would be making its rounds on the internet by lunch time. Fans of the collective would be ripping the controversial DJ to shreds on social media. However, before any would-be fangirls or blogs could join the fray, the two gentlemen would eat him alive themselves! Ony, who was always more docile and collected in nature..the quietest in the group by far, had honestly had quite enough of this antagonistic and downright, stupid ass interview! Connie, who was all but gripping the arms of his leather chair, ready to fly off the handle was instead, halted by his friend with a palm to his chest.
“Nah, cause what the fu—“
“Hol’ on, bro..I got it.”
not a man of many words outside of his incredible music and select interviews, Ony had implored Eren’s approach early on and because of it, fans adored him that much more. Women fawned all over the very handsome, sexy, charismatic rapper with beautiful dark skin and his signature gold slugs wrapped around his teeth. It was also because of this, that he, much like EJ..was not to be fucked with! If they knew what was good for them, they’d call this session quits now. Grasping the microphone, Ony would flash a smirk, almost huffing and laughing to himself because he knew the words about to leave his mouth were not kind ones and he had been known to have quite the silver tongue. He didn’t mince words and he damn sure didn’t spare feelings, especially when it comes to those he cared about. Everybody could die behind his family..
“Lemme ask you sum’…out of all the years my boy been doing this, just like you said..how many times has he been invited on your show? Hmm? How many times have you reached out for an interview or asked him to come perform for y’all?” The question seemed to invoke both confusion and uncomfortability in the man. A dumbfounded expression on his face..akin to that of a scorned and scolded child. “Up until now, how many times has Dead Boys been on this radio station? Yall ain’t never played our shit, ain’t never invited us on and when you do, it’s for sum’ bullshit. See, this is why ion’ do these lil’ podcasts and shit, y’all talk more than bitches do. Y’all knew what it was before we even came up in here and y’all still gon’ play in our face. All this you see, we did without a deal, we did it without a label, we ain’t had to check in with no nigga in our city to get put on. We ain’t got to run up in everybody else's hood to make it. We ain’t these lil’ 360 ass niggas, we own all ours and that man EJ? Ain’t got nothing but love and all the respect in the world for him because he’s cut from the same cloth. We did this together, that’s our family..this music shit, it means everything to us and if y’all can’t respect him, then y’all don’t respect us and that means we done here..”
Without missing so much as a beat, Ony removed his headset and Connie followed..despite the pleas from the interviewers. But before the gentlemen could exit for good, Connie left them with one more statement that would solidify their stance on the matter. “And since ya’ll watching, just wait until that next album drops. We’ll see who the real great is. All them rumors and shit? Gon’ be put to rest. Let’s go.” And with that, the two of them turned on their heels without so much as even glancing back at the radio hosts. It may not have been their situation, but they handled it on his behalf and for anyone who may have been doubting them, EJ or their collective in general, were about to be in for a rude awakening. They had come too far to allow negative opinions and messy ‘journalists’ to diminish their shine. By the time this hit the internet, their words would be undoubtedly misconstrued but they were not about to let this stop them. If anything, it ignited the dormant spark lying underneath them to go harder. To prove people like that wrong and to show everybody what they were truly made of. Determined..now more than ever to step their game up. This time, it was personal!
“This gon’ be our year, believe that..we made it this far and we ain’t gon’ stop. Me, Connie, EJ, Armin..all of us. We ‘bout to put this industry on its head.”
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meanwhile, the boys weren’t the only ones preparing to make moves..whilst EJ and the rest of his collective were suiting up for PalmFest, album rollouts and such, (y/n) was about to receive some rather unexpected and great news yourself. Unbeknownst in your absence and amid your sabbatical, your manager had been working diligently to secure you a once in a lifetime deal..one that could potentially change the trajectory of your career in an instant.
“I’m sure you’re dying to know what it’s inside…go on, open it.”
currently, you were seated across from her at an outdoor table, overlooking the picturesque Miami waters. The Lapis Lounge was the place to be for anyone who was anyone in this town. Crisp white, designer linen draped marble tables with intricately arranged flowers placed in the center. Wine glasses filled with Pellegrino, shimmered underneath the sunlight; sliced lemons decorating the rim and square China plates sat before the both of you with aesthetically plated dishes that cost more than anything you’d ever dined on willingly. It never not dawned on you how surreal your life was each time you found yourself in these scenarios. Even now, as you chatted with her, intermittently shoving a spoon of panna cotta in your mouth, you couldn’t help but to dwell on the fact that this amount of money could’ve gotten you at least three fish plates and a good tray of oxtails on your side of town! Nonetheless, you’d tremble with anticipation..hands scaling the medium sized, gift wrapped box sat before you. A present, courtesy of Mikasa, who had been brandishing it when you arrived. It was pink with holographic foiling with a tag and bow on top that read: “To (y/n) (l/n). We hope you enjoy it.” You were honestly dumbfounded as to what it could be. But anticipation would not have to kill you any longer as you began to unravel the bow and open up the gift. Your expression would immediately change once you figured out what was beneath all that wrapping paper. Switching from a gaze of utter confusion to a wide gasp complete with a smile.
“Oh my God!—no way…” you were completely taken aback and could, at that very moment..burst into tears but you restrained yourself. Trying to construct and form a thought before speaking. “M-miss..Miss Ackerman, what is this?” “Exactly as it says..congratulations, sweetheart. You’re the new cover girl for Moschino. They sent that to my office this morning and said that they’d love for you to star in their next perfume ad.” You were in utter shock and disbelief. Beyond words even..for anyone that knew you, the (y/n) before the fame..you were quite the dresser. Prior to even coming up on money, you never disappointed when it came to your outfits, hair or makeup. Sporting the most eclectic and well coordinated pieces that could never work for anyone else but you. Outdressing the girls in school who needed brand names to compete but you’d outshine their fly every single time on a budget at a fraction of the price..shopping at the stores they’d deem ‘ghetto’ or lesser, styling your own hair and makeup with nothing but products from the beauty supply down the road from your house and coming to class with all eyes directed at you. Needless to say, you had never really had any use for designer duds. But if there was one fancy label that had piqued your interest, it was Moschino. Everything about it just made you fawn..from its avant- garde pieces, vibrant designs to unique aesthetics, you became obsessed. Although you were no bougie fashion snob, you often dreamed of getting to rock at least one of their pieces. Whether it be a handbag or a thrifted coat, you’d always wanted at least one. And now, years later..your manifestation has become reality! Excited wasn’t even the correct word..feigning back tears, you’d cackle and begin scouring the large PR package they had gifted you. Including their new Moschino Toy 2 Collection, along with their spring 2024 collection.
“And that’s not even the best part. Both Fenty brands actually reached out to me this morning as well with a proposal to feature you in their newest catalogs. I have the contracts for all three offers right here whenever you’re ready. If you agree, you can sign and you’ll officially be on the affiliate payroll..what do you think?”
you were at an utter loss for words. How could you even describe what it was that you were feeling? Honestly, every bit of it felt surreal. There was no way that you, of all people, were about to grace the ad pages for Moschino, Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty all in the same month. Not to mention being in two acts for the upcoming PalmFest. Getting to model and truly tap into your creative expression with photoshoots of your own making. The conceptual art, the budget of your choosing..it was a dream come true! Leaning back against your seat, you’d release a faint gasp, slowly shaking your head in utter disbelief as you attempted to feign back tears. It seemed as if you were just overcome with emotion as of late. Not so much from any hardships but the exact opposite. Oftentimes had you prayed for days like this and everything you’d ever hoped for was finally coming into fruition. It was almost as if your star had completely ascended overnight and it wasn’t lost on you that it happened shortly after signing onto Mikasa’s roster. And of course, after meeting Eren. Naturally, you’d never attribute your success to a man unless it was the one upstairs. However, you were grateful that she had thrown you two together that night!
“I..I honestly don’t know what to say. Thank you so much, Ms. Mika. I’m honored and I promise I will do the best I can to make you proud.” hoisting your glass to make a toast; met with soft giggles and a raised champagne flute in return. “Please, you’ve far exceeded that expectation. Just keep doing what you do best, stay genuine and I’ll make certain that you go far in this business.” Just as poised as ever, sipping from her champagne flute when stating so. However, that serene look in her eyes soon dissipated when you brought up the next topic of discussion. One that you had no idea was such a sore subject for your manager. “It’s crazy what a couple months can do. I mean, I was just backstage with EJ, getting a pep talk about how to navigate the crowd. ‘Swear..wouldn’t have known what to do if it wasn’t for him. He’s so much nicer than what everyone said too but I’m sure you already knew–” before you had the opportunity to complete your long winded tangent, singing the rapper’s praises, Mikasa would ingest a big gulp before clearing her throat. It took a moment for you to notice the shift in her mood and her facial expressions but you immediately became concerned. “Is everything okay?” “Y-yeah, I’m fine. Just got strangled, is all..” Prompting you to focus your attention on her wellbeing rather than your newest fling and her sworn enemy on the moment. Truth be told, she hadn’t exactly confronted her issues with Eren head on. Ever since that day in his studio, she had felt nothing but pure rage in her heart whenever the thought even so much as crossed her mind. Honestly, she had nothing to say to him or about him but she’d be lying if she said that the prospect of both their professional and business relationship being annulled..wouldn’t sting. Years of friendship, hard work, determination, advocating for one another and fighting their way to the top of the industry as a power duo, all down the drain over a stupid fight. She couldn’t blame Eren for his reaction but it didn’t make his words sting any less. Make no mistake, she still believed in him and his ability to make a comeback but it was going to take some time before she was able to see him as a manager or friend..
“You seem to really like Eren..” the comment sends a pang to the very pit of your stomach, making you quickly try to recant your earlier statements and downplay the oversharing of feelings for the seasoned rapper. However, that glimmer in your eye and visible reaction in body language was a dead giveaway. You could no longer fake your feelings for EJ the Don and if anyone saw through the facade, it was her.
“Well, ya know..he’s cool. He just helped me–
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. You don’t have to mince words with me. Trust me, that boy’s got your head so far in the clouds, I think you may float away.” It was official, she had you pegged just as well as your best friends. It was blatantly obvious that the two of you had something serious going on..whether you wanted to admit that fact to yourselves or not. Lowering your head, (Y/N) released a soft chuckle in half relief and half embarrassment. You were acting like an airheaded schoolgirl over a man you barely even knew and everyone around you had obviously peeped.
“Listen, (y/n)..I’ll be honest with you. Eren and I? We’re not exactly on good terms at the moment. Hell, even bringing up his name leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I’ll spare you the gritty details but..as it stands, he’s no longer my client and certainly not my friend. I’m only telling you this because I don’t want you to be alarmed or in the dark about any awkward tension..in the event we all happen to end up in the same circle. PalmFest is right around the corner and truthfully..I don’t know if I have it in my heart to forgive him. I don’t know if he can forgive me either..” The declaration was made through restrained tears and obvious hurt. You’d never seen your manager break her stoic and calm demeanor once since you’ve known her but now? She was completely different. More vulnerable and certainly more emotional than she’d ever gotten but she had to keep her cool. Put on that brave facade and try not to let it get to her. Also, she could see the visible shock on your face and how saddened you looked by the revelation. You hated confrontation and the idea of your potential beau and your manager being at odds was not good. You could tell they were very close and although it was certainly none of your business, you hoped they reached a resolution soon.
“I’m also telling you this because I don’t think that my or anyone else’s opinion should stand in the way of you two being happy. Regardless of how I feel about him right now..Eren was one of the very few people in my life that kept me grounded when I needed it most. He’s never really gotten excited about anything outside of music or work..but I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, I’ve never seen that man smile as much as I have since you showed up.”
This revelation was certainly news to you! Even though you didn’t want to read much into it or get carried away, you’d be lying if you said it wasn’t one hell of a confidence boost! The cold hearted ice king, EJ the Don himself..gushing over the likes of you? You were shocked! But he obviously had a thing for you. Whether that was just lust or perhaps something more..was yet to be determined. In the meantime, your manager had one last tidbit of friendly advice for you. As woman to woman.
“I don’t know what it is about you but you obviously make him very happy and I can tell that he’s done the same for you. That’s important in this business…hold on to that. I don’t know two people who are more deserving.” In that moment, behind the strict expressions and no nonsense persona, Mikasa seemed to falter just a bit in that moment. Softening right before your eyes..it was very clear that she meant every single word that left her mouth. She wanted to see Eren happy even if she had to do so from the sidelines as someone who was no longer a part of his life. And you? She had never seen someone so kind, energetic and sweet before. She’d heard first hand from Niesha how much a workaholic you were and despite you just getting started, you deserved at least a bit of a reward. Hoisting your glass once more, you’d flash her a bright beaming smile, even giggling a bit to feign off crying because it took nothing for you to become emotional..especially when sentimental statements like that were involved.
“Thank you Miss Mika..I appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it. Just promise me you’ll stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize. You’ve worked so hard. Don’t let anyone get in the way of that.”
“You have my word..”
With that, the two of you clinked your champagne flutes together and took obligatory swigs of the bubbly concoction inside. Rinsing away the intensity of the previous conversation. Now it was back to more pertinent matters!
“That’s my girl..now, back to this photoshoot. Let’s talk about the details because I have a few ideas that I think you’ll just absolutely adore..”
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page break and time skip: two days later
Hard Rock Stadium: Stage A, Miami Beach
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With the long anticipated PalmFest approaching a lot sooner rather than later, it seemed that everyone as a collective was working diligently to ensure that it would be nothing short of a stellar success. Stage crews worked overtime as they secured support beams for the stages..testing the lightning a million times over and getting everyone’s pyrotechnics in order for those who needed them. Running simulations of backdrops for each performer to make sure no one suffered from a glitch when the time finally came. Some of the biggest names in the industry would be setting foot on that very stage come three days from now. The entire weekend was one that would undoubtedly be for the books; for musical talents and attendees alike. Meanwhile, the executives had come out of their glass paned offices to observe the scene for themselves. Among the fray was none other than Erwin Smith, who had been working directly with everyone to relay orders and needs as well. He was the one heading this project so it was only natural for him to come show his face. Besides, with his reliant leadership style, everyone could rest assured that if any last minute changes or major pieces needed to be handled, he was the man to do so. At that very moment, he was seated in the front row as the lights dimmed on the overhead structure. Below them was quite possibly not only one of, but two of the festival’s most anticipated acts..Atelier Kiss and Pole Assassins! An unlikely yet dynamic pairing. The two groups had come together one time prior when the band was on their last tour. The dancing quintet had just gotten their start when lead man, Jean Kirschtein himself asked for the ladies to join them for their hometown reunion. Rivaling the sounds of Deftones and Avenged Sevenfold, the infamous group put a unique spin on rock music and changed the genre as everyone knew it. Jean, a native of Louisiana..had always harbored an affinity for blues, jazz, country and soul music. But to his core, he was a metal head. Growing up on the sounds of Metallica, Black Sabbath and Def Leppard, he wanted to combine all sides of the musical spectrum. He didn’t want to limit himself or his bandmates to one particular style. He fought to break stereotypes and bring an innovative style of rock and roll to the scene. He also had the privilege of receiving the tutelage of Vivian James and needless to say, he absorbed plenty from the Neo Soul Siren herself. His ultimate creation was, in his own words.. ‘The result of Kiss, Tina Turner and Waylon Jennings having an illegitimate love child.’ An interesting combination to put it lightly! But that insane mix worked for Atelier Kiss and years later, they’re regarded as one of the highest selling bands of the 21st century..no small feat by any stretch of the imagination. That deep, silky yet soulful vibrato of his could be recognized from earshot anywhere and Erwin had just gotten an exclusive concert just for his listening pleasure only as the groups had just wrapped up practice for their upcoming set.
“You guys..pardon my language..but that was fucking amazing.” The brash comment sending everyone on the stage into light hearted hysterics, even laughing. It was rare to even see the director ever crack a smile or break character but for anyone who was familiar with the former lead guitarist of Atelier Kiss’ predecessor, Maria’s Way..led by none other than the president and director themselves..they’d know that this was far tame for Mr. Smith. To him, he felt right at home watching the beautiful ladies twirl the pole as the rockstar crooned sultry and lewd lyrics into the mic. He had done the exact same many years prior..needless to say, he was proud of you all! Seeing as how they’d be opening the show, you guys had to make one hell of a first impression or the entire show would fall to shit. But that wasn’t even a possibility. The leaders of both groups were not only hard workers, but overachievers as well. Both Jean and (Y/N) had something serious to prove.
“Seriously, I’ve never seen anything like this and I cannot wait for you all to perform. Well done. Especially you ladies..being able to construct a routine of this caliber on such short notice? I’m blown away.” A statement that rang true..as it was only after your meeting with Mikasa two days ago, did he call you up and ask about performing with Atelier Kiss. Naturally, you accepted with bells on! Nevermind the fact that you’d also be on stage with a segment of your own, hosting a little contest alongside Prince Cee and Armin to see which lucky audience member could not only sway them but outdance you girls for their chance to win one thousand dollars cash right there. You’d be pulling double duty and exhausting yourselves in the process but all the more exposure, the better. And you were certain that your girls were up to the task!
“Ya’ hear that, girls? Sounds like we got the boss man’s stamp of approval. I’d say we’re good to call it a night.” Something that you all could get behind and appreciate, seeing as how darkness had already set fall over the sky. As excited as you all were, rest was going to be crucial in making a great performance happen. Slowly but surely, the stage hands and band members alike all helped you down from your poles and to your feet. All of them would thank your group and the sentiments were mirrored. But before you all could depart for home, Jean was hoping for an audience with you.
“Aye..(Y/N). Do you mind if we talk for a minute?
It was certainly an odd request..you’d consider yourself rather good friends with the lead singer but it wasn’t often that you had the chance to speak in private and quite honestly, there was no need! But by the indication of his tone, you could tell it may have been serious.
“Of course!” you’d wave to your girls and alert them that you’d catch up with them shortly. Meanwhile, you and Jean would venture off to the side of the stage to converse. He’d grasp your hand and help you down to the edge before handing you a water bottle. He was always just as chivalrous as he was kind..admirable qualities in a man and a friend in general. Graciously accepting, you’d thank him for the kind gestures before inquiring about his request.
“So what did you wanna talk about? Something wrong with the routine?” peering down at the ground, he’d be quick to dismiss that notion. This matter was a bit more personal and he truthfully couldn’t be sure of how you’d take it. “Nah, nothing like that..before I start running my mouth though. Are you and EJ..seeing each other?” Instantaneously, the question both caught you off guard and invoked a very physical reaction in you. You were so confused as to why he’d spring such a question up on you. It wasn’t as if either of you had made this little situationship you were involved in blatantly obvious but anyone with two functioning eyes could see that there was something going on between the two of you. Make no mistake, it wasn’t any more of his business as it was some random blog on the internet but you also didn’t strike Jean as the nosy type. He didn’t meddle in others’ affairs unless it pertained to his own and now that you were thinking about it, you could see why he harbored a vested interest of sorts…
“I mean..we talk from time to time. Nothing too serious..” but alas, he had his answer the moment you clutched that bottle as if you were trying to squeeze the life out of it and the way your eyes lit up at the sheer mention of his name. “Ahh, you don’t have to play coy with me. We’re friends..besides, it’s none of my business. But there was something I wanted to bring to your attention..” swallowing another gulp of his beverage, Jean would cease his light chuckle and return to a far more serious gaze than before. One that worried you a bit..what exactly was on his mind and how did it involve you? Granted, his fiancee had made him privy to their little spat a couple weeks back and how they were no longer on speaking terms. But it was just as Mikasa had said, their quarrel was in no way a reflection of how you should proceed with talking to him! Even so, you couldn’t help but to be intrigued by the blonde’s words. You’d rather someone tell you than to be in the dark about something important later on down the line.
“..I won’t sit here and pretend that he and I are best friends or anything. Never have been..hell, we’ve been at each other's throats since I’ve known him. Point is, I just want you to be careful. I know it’s not my place or anything..but I saw you guys together on the boat a couple weeks ago. And even though I can say for certainty that he’s not some womanizing sleazebag..dude’s selfish as hell. I mean, he never answers his phone, not even in emergencies. He doesn’t show up for meetings even when other people’s jobs are on the line..he’s just the worst!” By Jean’s frustrated rant, you can tell that Eren had done a thing or two to crawl underneath his skin. Even so, you couldn’t help but to laugh! Just as you had explained to your girls, you’d tell him, Mikasa and everyone else the exact same:
“ I appreciate the concern, Jean. But he and I are just friends, that’s all…no need to worry. I promise.”
You honestly found the sentiment sweet. That everyone was concerned about you and your wellbeing. Jean himself was overly cautious about the people in his life and rightfully so. This industry was a beast and a half and it would devour you whole if you allowed it. The last thing anyone wanted was for you to get hurt by somebody you seemingly held in high regard. Scoffing, the blonde would shake his head once more and cackle. He didn’t want you becoming angry with him over insinuations or baseless accusations. Truth be told, you and Eren didn’t know much about one another outside of the physical aspect but as it stood since your last hookup, he was hoping to change that. He was making a valiant and active effort to be more than just friends with benefits. That much was apparent by his consistent communication and the few flower arrangements he had sent to your apartment; a sweet little surprise after a long day of practice and work. You were appreciative of everyone’s concern but this was one matter you’d have to see to the end for yourself. Whether it played out in your favor or not.
“I figured you’d say as much. In all seriousness, you’ve become like family here at AMG. All of you have and we look out for one another. Everyone has seen how hard you work and we’d just hate for that to become jeopardized in any way. You just make sure that dummy doesn’t do anything to hurt you. If he does, you know who to call.” his offer sending you into a fit of giggles once more. But you had no doubt that you were in good hands. For the time being, you’d just play it cool and roll with the punches. “You know I appreciate you, boo. Thank you for looking out for me.” Swinging your arm around, you’d coil Jean’s neck and embrace him in a tight hug. You were extremely grateful for the people in your life right now and you knew that things were only about to become even better. Your angels were definitely looking out for you. The two of you would begin to stand up, reaching his hand out to assist you once more. It was amid your banter about the upcoming show that your phone began to ring and you’d prepare to part ways.
“...Hey, make sure to get some rest..all of you! You’re sure as hell gonna need it.”
“Aye, you ain’t gotta tell me twice! I’m headed home straight after this. And tell that pretty lady of yours I said hey!..”
But upon exchanging those pleasantries and goodbyes, your spoken plans were sure to become derailed and by the aforementioned topic nonetheless..you’d peer down at your phone screen to be suddenly greeted with none other than the contact name ‘EJ’. You didn’t want to seem extremely desperate for his attention or anything but you had been itching to hear from him. As it had been a day or two since your last phone call. He’d text you every morning and maintain consistent contact throughout the day..which you could appreciate because Jean was right about one thing: EJ moved on his time and his alone so he didn’t owe you a single thing and as he had revealed to you, he was in the process of cultivating his new album so you imagined that the Facetimes and texts would become scarce as the deadline drew near. As well as the fast approaching PalmFest. However, there was another reason he was reaching out. After the second or third ring, you’d swipe the arrow left and answer him.
“Hey EJ..”
“Hey gorgeous..how are you?”
The name sends immediate pangs to the pit of your stomach. You couldn’t help but to amass butterflies when you so much as heard his name so naturally, the sweet gestures made it even worse.
“I’m doing well, thanks..and I hope you are too.”
“I’m having a wonderful day now that I’ve gotten the chance to hear from you.”
“You know, you really do know how to make a girl feel special.”
“What can I say? A smart man recognizes a good thing when he sees it..I’d be crazy to mess that up, now wouldn’t I?”
Only a minute into your conversation, (Y/N) found yourself fawning over his buttery smooth words and that silky voice. Regardless, there was a reason he was calling you so late in the day and you had to know why.
“Listen, I don’t wanna take up too much of your time or anything and forgive me if I’m interruptin’ or anything. I saw your Instagram, I know you’ve been out here working hard..you know I never wanna take you away from your money..but if it was possible, I was hoping I could see you tonight. Maybe we could get together and finally have that date we were talking about..” Befuddled in your tracks, you had to take a moment to respond. Maybe it was the bare minimum and you weren’t exactly used to being courted in such a manner, but you appreciated his words. He valued your time just the same as his own..he didn’t see your profession as something lesser and certainly didn’t think you the type to be sitting around, awaiting his call. Because of this, you were thrilled to see him again and to finally have that quality time you both desired. Granted, the sex was downright impeccable between the two of you but it was obvious that you each were craving far more than physical intimacy..at the moment, it was only five thirty so you’d have ample enough time to make it back home and get yourself together. After all, it was your first official date and you wanted to be dressed accordingly! And with this festival and other projects looming over your heads, this was the perfect time to sneak in some personal breathing room..so without a moment more of hesitation..
“..I’d love that, thank you, Eren. I’m just now leaving practice but give me a couple hours and you can slide through.”
“Of course, beautiful. I’m so sorry it’s on such short notice but I’m glad you agreed to see me..I missed you.” Something about him was starkly different from the man you saw in interviews or on stage but it was so nice to be around someone so kind. He made you truly feel safe and that you’d made the right decision..
“I missed you too..I’ll see you in a bit, okay? Bye.”
“Bye..”
You just hoped that for your sake..you didn’t meet the side that Jean was seeming to warn you about. In the meantime, you had to make sure you were looking right!..
══✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿════✿══╡°˖✧✿✧˖°╞══✿
three hours later..
On the opposite side of town, you and Eren weren’t the only two lovebirds indulging in the woes of being an item.
“You know, if you keep touching me like that, I’ll never get any work done..”
“That’s the entire point, my love. C’mon, it’s late..you deserve a break.”
at the future Kirschtein residence, Jean was attempting to woo his bride to get some much needed alone time. The couple had both been working nonstop during this time for the upcoming performance, their individual careers and of course, the wedding that was said to be ‘one for the books’. As excited as they were for all the new things happening in their life, rest was equally as important and as it stood, it was definitely a rarity. But it wasn’t the only thing that had been lacking..
“You just want some ass, admit it.”
“Okay, I just want some ass. There, I said it.”
the blonde was currently stationed behind his fiancée, who was still typing away at her computer and delegating orders via email at this time of night. For Mikasa, the grind truly never subsided. She would work in her sleep if it were feasible but there was nothing wrong with enjoying yourself every once in a while. Something Jean was hoping to accomplish tonight..in more ways than one. Despite her always stoic attitude, she couldn’t help but to fold and cackle at his advances. He was brutally honest to a fault and she appreciated that. Currently, he was feeling up her sides…marking up her neck with a trail of kisses and whispering all the things she wanted to hear. Even she couldn’t resist the charms and temptation of a man like him. It was that very behavior that had bagged her in the first place!..
“Alright, sir! Cut it out..I swear, you’re such a freak. The last time we tried that, you said you couldn’t breathe.”
“Yeah, but I would’ve died the happiest man ever..”
his southern twang peeking through the conversation as he reminisced on their most recent and salacious rendezvous. Nonetheless, he just wanted quality time with his lady. “Fine, give me two more minutes and I’ll be right there.” That was as good of a concession as he was going to get so Jean took the bait and accepted. “Two minutes, woman! Two minutes..” signaling the number with his fingers as he walked out..but even so, she couldn’t help but to chime in with a joke as he departed to the bedroom.
“If that’s how long you’re gonna last, I might as well stay right here—“ “Oh, shut up! Damn brat..”
cackling as he exited the room, Mikasa covered her mouth to attempt to feign her laughter. It was little moments like this that she enjoyed the most out of every aspect of her life. “Love you, babe!” But it was just as she was preparing to call it quits for the night, would she be met with quite the surprise. The inbox and screen were all but empty until a push notification appeared in the corner along with a burner email and a blank subject line. At first, it struck her as odd but suddenly, the dots began to connect for her. After a moment of reluctance, Mikasa would double click the email and open it up. Only to be greeted with nothing more than an audio file. “Okay, this is strange..” but alas, she’d still proceed and once it began playing, there was no doubt in her mind who the sender was..as she allowed it to play, the manager began to tear up, along with a soft chuckle. It was all making sense now..and needless to say, she was backed into a corner.
“You bastard..damn you. You always did get your way, I guess this time is no different.”
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if you made it this far, thank you so much for reading! please check out some of my other stuff in the masterlist. Likes are appreciated but reblogs would mean the world and help me out a TON! Also, considering leaving a little something in the tip jar if you’re feeling extra generous! 🫶🏾
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scarlettgauthor · 23 days
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His Sacred Incantations NOW IN AUDIOBOOK FORM!
(Y'all I basically had to fistfight Adobe Premiere in an alley to get that preview made, please clap.)
Yes, Tumblr! It's happening! It has happened! The His Sacred Incantations audiobook is finally available, and you're hearing about it now! Fifteen hours of femdom fantasy adventure coming straight to your earholes! Bondage! Pegging! A really cool fight with a necromancer! At least one dragon! This story has everything, and now you can listen to it!
I am so, so delighted that Martin Martinez was willing to come back for the second book to complete Lucían and Glory's story. When I'm reviewing the audiobooks I no longer hear a narrator doing a voice, I just hear Lucían and Glory's voices, which is an incredible testament to Martin's performance. He had a fantastic time reading this (which I know for a fact because he reached out to me to say these were his favorite books he's never narrated) and that comes across in the audio. 
Some narrators might be intimidated by a book that's 25% sex scene by volume (I did the math once) but not Martin! He put his whole ass and libido into reading the kink scenes, and then Antoine Bandele of AB Book Services took his raw reading and added musical stings and special effects that really elevate the entire auditory experience. It's truly everything I could possibly have wanted from an audiobook.
Also! In celebration of the book being available, I'm putting the His Secret Illuminations audiobook on sale on my website for 50% off! Grab both at a savings, and settle in for thirty whole hours of Martin's wonderful voice and my wild story.
Where can I buy it?
Right now? Just on my website! It's been submitted to Audible and also for wider distribution through Author's Republic, but those take time to percolate through the system and my website is almost immediate! 
As with the His Secret Illuminations audiobook, I had to break it into five parts in order to get around the file size limit. Everything I sell through my website is DRM free, and I get the entire cover price instead of only 25-50%. It's the best way to directly support me, and once you have it, you own the files and no one can take them away from you.
More retailers will be coming soon, but as Patrons you get the direct link and the first announcement!
How can I help out?
Spread the word about the audio book! Y'all have the sneak peek, but I'll be sharing this on social media in the next couple of days. Like, reskeet, reblog, reshare, leave good reviews of the audio book where appropriate--all of that is a huge help to me, someone who is her own marketing department. Also, as mentioned in a previous update, I just left my day job, so writing is now my only income. Word of mouth has been my most valuable tool, so I want to thank every one of you who has ever recommended my books to a friend! You're helping keep weird art alive!
Grab the recording, and settle in for a horny weekend, Patrons!
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ohsalome · 1 month
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(story taken and machine-translated from the official twitter account of the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea)
Today's story is about a woman who was detained by the occupiers in the spring of 2022 and illegally sentenced to almost 7 years in prison. Iryna Danylovych is a nurse and citizen journalist.
She was threatened, blackmailed and forced to confess to things she did not do. Now Irina is in a Russian colony, her health is deteriorating due to the lack of quality and timely medical care.
Iryna Danylovych worked as a nurse at the Malachite rehabilitation center in Koktebel, maintained a social media page and several blog columns on the rights of healthcare workers and healthcare issues in the occupied Crimea.
The occupation forces abducted Iryna Danylovych in April 2022. She was returning from a night shift at the hospital when the occupiers searched her house and seized all her appliances, several books and documents.
There was no contact with Irina for more than a week. She was illegally detained by the FSB: she was subjected to psychological pressure, beaten, threatened with death, interrogated on a polygraph, threatened to be "taken to the forest" (ed. - meaning killed and buried in the forest) or "to Mariupol" (once again, killed), fed once a day, and not allowed to go to the restroom.
Eventually, the occupiers informed her relatives that a decision had been made to place her under "administrative arrest", allegedly because "she had transferred unclassified materials to another country". Later, they fabricated a "case" against Irina accusing her of "illegal actions with explosives."
The "proof" was the "discovery" of 200 grams of explosives in Irina's bag. And only on May 11, the lawyer managed to establish that she was in the occupation pre-trial detention center in Simferopol.
The "arrest warrant" was issued by the occupation "court" during a closed court session - without the participation of listeners, journalists, or Irina's relatives.
But the real reason for the detention is different. For covering the problems of the healthcare system, the crimes of the occupiers, as well as for protecting and promoting the rights of healthcare workers in the occupied Crimea.
Iryna was one of the first correspondents of the Crimean Process; she supported Crimean Tatar activists in the "courts"; prepared materials for the editorial office of Inzhyr Media; supported medical activists, recorded violations of rights under occupation.
According to Irina, she was kidnapped, taken to Simferopol and illegally detained in a basement, tortured and starved, and forced to sign a confession under threat of death, having been viciously planted with explosives after the "confession" had been forcibly extracted.
Complete hearing loss in the left ear, deprivation of necessary medications, suffering from headaches and earaches. This is what Iryna is going through now.
Irina was transferred to the Krasnodar Women's Correctional Colony No. 7 in Zelenokumsk. Every day, Irina's health condition deteriorated: in the occupation prisons, she gradually lost hearing in her left ear, developed otitis media, constant headaches and dizziness.
Back in July 2022, the political prisoner reported being beaten by an FSB convoy and psychological pressure exerted on her by Russian security forces. The occupiers also took away the opportunity to read, not returning the collection of poems.
To get medical help, she went on a hunger strike, but stopped it after 10 days, believing the promises of the SIZO administration, but no one has treated her and is not going to, watching the prisoner's health deteriorate.
According to her father, the colony allocates 90 minutes for the distribution of medicines twice a week: on Tuesday and Thursday. During this time, only 20-30 people out of a queue of several hundred prisoners manage to receive them.
"There are periodic fights among the patients for the opportunity to be in the front of the line and receive medicines. Iryna does not participate in this and has been deprived of access to the medicines prescribed by doctors, which we regularly send in parcels, for several months now," her father said.
Despite the illegal actions, torture and pressure, the occupiers failed to break the Ukrainian journalist, she continues to support Ukraine and believe that she will soon return home. "Only in such a strong Ukraine could such a strong you be born," said Iryna's father Bronislav.
Even behind bars, Iryna Danylovych continues to resist the occupiers and support Ukraine. The song "I am free!" performed by her is a symbol of disobedience and struggle, which the occupiers do not like, and the tattoo on her body that reads "Freedom is our religion" is her life's credo.
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genericpuff · 5 months
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To be fair, a country can have more than one head of state. Political systems aren't as consistent as we might think them to be and even absolute monarchies like Spain have a prime minister. Then you have things like elective monarchies and hereditary republics. From what I remember, the idea of an election isn't even really treated as that big of a deal... but that right there is the problem. The first and I think only time it actually gets brought up is when it's introduced for a single panel, and even then, it's only in relation to Persephone's trauma. No one really comments on it afterwards. Even in Apollo's own episode, he very briefly comments how he could do a lot as king—not president, but king! Ergo, overthrowing Zeus. So either the whole president thing was a dropped plot point or Rachel couldn't think of any other reason for Apollo to be on a giant poster.
Regarding Eros' comment, Apollo is the god of medicine and the literal god of doctors is his son. Even if Asclepius himself doesn't have a bad record, he'd have reason to be wary. It's why I don't blame Hebe for automatically believing Apollo that nothing can be done about the poison after he simply touches Zeus, given what one of his domains is.
And speaking of Hebe, again, to be fair, a lot of people don't notice their surroundings when they're grieving and her back was clearly turned anyway, so I don't think this should necessarily be a strike against her. I honestly didn't find anything off about Apollo gaslighting her either (I mean, besides the obvious; gaslighting is horrendous) and he'd also just threatened her, so I don't blame her for running away either. Plus, the episode just ends with her noticing the snow soon after, so it's not like we get her thoughts on this one way or another. I don't have fastpass, though, so does it show her actually believing she'd somehow poisoned Zeus in a future chapter, or...?
Hebe poisoning Zeus also wouldn't necessarily be outside the realm of possibility either if Apollo were to argue she did it for Hera's sake or something and then she just snapped. That said, it is still ridiculous she's the first deity he would frame, rather than someone alot more believable, like Ares. Didn't Zeus sleep with Aphrodite that one time? And we know how protective he is of Hera. Or hell, if he wanted to topple the current monarchy entirely, he could've just framed Hera herself! Maybe even Hades!
And if this were any other comic, I'd say Apollo returning to the scene of the crime and then calling the media is just him being a narcissist, because some narcissists can be really, really dumb. But the chances of it being framed that way are practically at the bottom of the Aegean Sea. Even a single panel of someone asking why Apollo called a journalist first is doubtful.
But yeah, not trying to slam you or anything and sorry if it comes off that way. I really like your analyses and I love Rekindled, I'm just trying to offer a few explanations here. I do agree with you overall, though! Rachel has alot of great ideas, but the executions of said ideas are just terrible.
Okay so, while I really appreciate the amount of effort you put into defending these points and I can totally get the points you're trying to make in many of them (and yes this is the part where I respond with my own points, as we do) I think the fact that you presented all of these "well to be fair" talking points is just highlighting and further proving LO's biggest problems in its writing, one that I've talked about before on here but I think bears repeating.
And that's the fact that we (the readers) have to make massive assumptions just to make the plot make sense.
Yes, to be fair, there are government systems that run with a dual-system of monarchy + diplomatic government, but there was never any implication of this being a thing in LO until all of a sudden Rachel dropped the "Apollo for President!" plotline in S3.
Yes, to be fair, Apollo is the god of medicine, but we've never seen him actually fulfill a single duty regarding that, Asclepius is far more qualified as an actual doctor than Apollo (*from what we've been shown), who we've only ever seen apply a bandaid to Persephone's hand five years ago.
Yes, to be fair, people in shock may not take in their surroundings fully, but it seems really silly to have Hebe positioned in front of a window that has a FULL VIEW of what's going on outside and still have her just freeze in time when she's offscreen so she doesn't see or hear anything that's going on just several feet away through a sheet of glass. Just get rid of the window and find another way to force Eros and Psyche into confrontation with Apollo.
Yes, to be fair, Hebe could have a motive, if she were written as someone with some vendetta against Zeus. But she wasn't. That version of Hebe does not exist and, as you said yourself, there are way more gods who would have reasonable motive to poison him. We've only ever seen her dote on him and love him unconditionally as her father, and we've even seen scenes of them in S1 where they have a functional father-daughter relationship (if anything I'd be more inclined to believe she'd have a vendetta against Hera for being an alcoholic mom during her childhood but I digress).
Through all of these "to be fair's" when do we actually stop and ask ourselves why we have to constantly have the benefit of the doubt and jump through all these logical hoops to make sense of the plot to begin with? Again, all this just lends to how poorly structured and written the comic is, and all of these 'to be fair''s you've presented cannot reasonably apply to LO because LO never wrote those things. They never showed Apollo being an actual god of medicine, they never showed Hebe having ill will towards her father, and they never showed Olympus running with a monarchy + presidential government system. So to fill in those blanks ourselves is to do the legwork for Rachel who's only managed to write half a plot. It's why it's so jarring for random plot points like this to happen because it's just like "wtf do you mean Apollo is running for president? He can just do that??" That's not something that should be established five years in, it makes it really hard to just give benefit of the doubt because if that was something that actually existed in this world, it should have been established ages ago when the foundation for the story was still being built. We're in the endgame now, this is NOT the time to be throwing in new random plot threads pulled out of thin air.
This is what I mean from my essay post earlier that Rachel constantly fails to provide context for things she's trying to say, while overexplaining things that are already being shown onscreen. It's completely imbalanced between what we have to know and what could have stayed on the cutting room floor, and it makes for a messy story where people have to make gracious assumptions and do all the thinking for a plot that was never fleshed out to begin with. Why should we as readers have to do all the thinking for Rachel's lack of storytelling ability, when she clearly couldn't be bothered to put any thought into the narrative or the worldbuilding or the characterizations to begin with? It's lazy low-effort writing.
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literallyjustanerd · 9 months
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Should've Switched Majors (Clone Shenanigans)
Summary: A very unfortunate grad student at the University of Coruscant is just trying to finish her thesis for her Investigative Journalism degree. Unbeknownst to her, she's picked the galaxy's worst interview subjects.
Words: 1,492
Characters: Commander Cody, Captain Rex, Domino twins, Waxer, Commander Fox, Commander Bly
University of Coruscant School of Arts Student Number: 218249662 Student Name: Lila Un’qara Course: Masters of Media and Communication – Majoring in Investigative Journalism Final Thesis: Unsung Heroes: Silenced Voices From The Republic’s Front Lines
[Recording Start]
Lila: Okay. The time is now… 0935 standard hours. We’re here in Briefing Room B of the GAR headquarters on Coruscant level 5127, where I’ve been graciously allowed time to speak with some of the Republic’s most decorated soldiers. To start, I’m sitting down with CC-2224 of the 212th Battalion. Though if I’ve been informed correctly, I believe you go by Cody?
CC-2224: Commander is fine, thank you.
L: Oh. Uh, right. My apologies, Commander.
CC-2224: Don’t mention it.
L: So… Your records indicate you’ve been in active service since the beginning of the war.
CC-2224: That’s right. I was decanted from Kamino with the first batch of Clone Commanders.
L: I’m looking at a transcript of your prior operations. There are some major battles here – Christophsis, Ryloth, Saleucami… You’re a true veteran.
CC-2224: As much a veteran as any of us can be, I suppose.
L: And as a Marshal Commander with such a prolific record, you must be highly regarded among your peers and superiors?
CC-2224: My brothers trust me as their Commander.
L: And your GAR command? Generals and Admirals? The Jedi?
CC-2224: …What about them?
L: Do they afford you the same level of trust?
CC-2224: That’s… [pause] Yes, I am trusted. My decisions and conduct are respected as any Commander’s wound be.
[Audio file is silent for 6 seconds]
CC-2224: There are those for whom it takes more for us clones to prove our competence. I don’t allow that to impact my performance. My record speaks for itself.
L: Must get frustrating, though. The pressure to demonstrate your worth. Probably leaves you without much time to let your guard down.
CC-2224: It’s our job. We do it with pride.
L: Surely you can’t keep that up all the time, though? It’s only human to want to have a little fun.
CC-2224: [clearing throat] I maintain a respectable bearing at all times, as do my men. We were trained from birth to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and I take pride in the reputation of the 212th Battalion as highly proficient, honourable, and—”
[Sound on audio file is briefing room door opening]
CT-2534 (“Waxer”): Hey, Cody…? Remember that thing you said not to do? Uhm, Boil’s in medbay and Fox says you gotta go bail Wooley out before—oh. Uh, hello.
CC-2224: [heavy sigh]
CT-2534 (“Waxer”): Is… this being recorded?
[Recording stop] [Recording start]
L: Thank you for moving our appointment up, Troopers. The Commander had to leave on some… unexpected business.
ARC-5555: Ha! Guess Waxer wasn’t bluffing after all.
ARC-1409: You owe me five credits.
L: May I refer to you as ARC Troopers, or do you prefer—
ARC-5555: Fives, please.
ARC-1409: Echo.
L: Great. So, the two of you serve under General Skywalker?
ARC-5555: Didn’t start off that way, but now we do, yeah.
ARC-1409: Captain Rex picked us personally to join the 501st as ARC troopers. We joined for him. But serving under General Skywalker is an honour, too.
L: Do you feel he respects your input as clones?
ARC-5555: You kidding? He’d be dead ten times over without us, and he knows it!
ARC-1409: Some of General Skywalker’s strategies are… hit or miss. But we owe him our lives as much as he owes us his.
ARC-5555: Nah. It’s 23-19 in our favour. I’ve counted.
ARC-1409: 23? You’re counting the Naboo thing?
ARC-5555: Far as I’m concerned, that’s the closest the General’s come to karking it.
L: Can you elaborate? What happened on Naboo?
[ARC-5555 begins to speak but is silenced by ARC-1409. Sound on audio file is ARC-1409 hitting ARC-5555 on the back of the head]
ARC-1409: Sorry. Sworn to secrecy. ARC Trooper’s honour.
L: Seems like you’re pretty close with your General. Can you tell me—
ARC-5555: So you’re a student, right? Coruscant University? What’s it like?
L: What’s… Uhm, it’s an excellent school. Good facilities, knowledgeable professors, the courses are highly-regarded. Now, if we could get back to—
ARC-1409: So –sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, I just– you can study anything you want? You just get to pick?
L: …Yes, that’s how it works.
ARC-1409: What if you don’t like what you pick?
L: You can change your course. Back on topic, we were discussing—
ARC-5555: You can change your course? You’re allowed to do that? Whenever you want?
L: Yup.
ARC-1409: Did you ever do that?
L: I’m starting to wish I had.
ARC-5555: Wish we could’ve done that. I’d have been a Naval Officer. Way better uniform.
ARC-1409: [chuckling] The navs would hate you! They’d have you decomm’ed on the first day for unruly behaviour.
ARC-5555: The navs wish they had the honour of my unruly behaviour.
L: Can we get back on topic. Please?
ARC-1409: What was the topic, again?
L: [heavy sigh]
ARC-5555: Hey… the 501st is on shore leave for the next two days. What are you doing tonight?
L: …Uh.
ARC-1409: We could…. continue the interview over a couple drinks at 79’s?
L: I… hm.
[Recording stop] [Recording start]
L: As a member of the Coruscant Guard, you’ve seen more than most other clones of the galaxy’s capital and its senate. Commander Fox, has this given you any opinions you feel are different to other clones about the war?
CC-1010: No.
L: Nothing? You don’t think being able to witness the senate debates has given you any sort of insight into the politics at play here?
CC-1010: Nope.
[Sound on audio file is CC-1010 sipping from a mug of caf for approximately 9 seconds]
L: Uhm. Well. There aren’t many people, clone or otherwise, who get such a close audience with Chancellor Palpatine. Are you and the other Coruscant Guard troopers close with him?
CC-1010: Hm. No.
L: …Thank you for your time.
[Recording stop] [Recording start]
L:  Captain Rex. I appreciate your willingness to, uh, actually speak to me. Have you given much thought to what might happen once the war is over?
CT-7567: Of course. All of us have. But you tend to stop thinking about that pretty early on in your service.
L: Oh? Why is that, do you think?
CT-7567: There’s just not much of a point to it, really. We’ve got too much on our mind every day trying to keep our heads up and keep ourselves and our brothers alive. The end of the war, it’s just not really a factor for us.
L: Right. You’ve been fighting for years now. That must take a toll.
CT-7567: I suppose, but in a sense, it’s just our way of life. We’ve never known anything besides war. How can we imagine a life after it? To a clone, the galaxy has always been, and will always be, at war. I don’t think I would know any other way to navigate the world.
L: That’s… actually very insightful.
CT-7567: You sound surprised?
L: Never mind. Does—does it frighten you, then? Not knowing what might come after?
CT-7567: Not at all. The future might be an unknown, but whatever happens, I know—
[Sound on audio file is the briefing room door opening]
CC-2224: Your boys are at it again.
CT-7567: [groan] Which ones?
CC-2224: All of them. They’re in the quad, Wooley said something about a stolen speeder.
CT-7567: So it’s your boys, then. Your boys who just got bailed out of Corrie holding this morning?
[Sound on audio file is CT-7567 standing]
L: Wait, no, we were just getting somewhere, don’t—
CC-2224: My men stepped in to control the situation.
CT-7567: Face it, your troops kriff around and blame mine when the osik hits the filtration system.
[Sound on audio file is CT-7567 and CC-2224 bumping the microphone as they move toward the door]
L: Captain? Commander? Please, if we could at least finish what we—
CC-2224: All I’m saying is, this wouldn’t be the first time the 212th have had to step in to clean up the 501st’s mess.
CT-7567: Mhmm. Is that what happened on Naboo, too?
CC-2224: That’s different and you know it.
[Sound on audio file is briefing room door closing. Following sound is approximately fifteen seconds of Lila groaning increasingly loudly]
[Recording stop] [Recording start]
L: [long sigh, followed by approximately 7 seconds of silence] It is currently… 1743 hours. I’m still in Briefing Room B, I’ve deleted more useless material than I’ve kept, and I am questioning… every choice I’ve made in my academic career. So. Commander Bly. Can you tell me a little about your relationship with your Jedi General?
CC-5052: No comment.
L: Oh, kark this.
[sound on audio file is Lila removing her lapel mic]
L: …Do you know how to get to 79’s from here?
[Recording stop]
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chamerionwrites · 3 months
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A thought I have been idly turning over is that the argument can be made - and made pretty compellingly imo - in both directions that the changes from Cassian’s sketchy offscreen backstory in R1 to that presented in Andor serve to portray him as a more/less uncomplicatedly sympathetic hero and/or victim of imperial violence.
On the one hand “traumatized refugee orphan turned hustler, saddled with a juvenile record and nursing a self-protective apathy approach to politics, radicalized by the proverbial straw(s) that broke the camel’s back after a lifetime of survival in a system that wants to kill him” clearly complicates the narrative from “I’ve been in this fight since I was six years old.” And quite frankly, hard NOT to complicate the narrative when you’ve got an entire TV series to stretch your narrative legs in vs a single film with an ensemble cast. I don’t think it’s entirely fair to suggest that a story which has vastly more space to expand on an idea necessarily has smarter things to say so much as more space in which to say them - but I do respect the commitment to complication and interrogation, nonetheless.
On the other hand the implication of R1 - made extremely albeit briefly explicit in the offscreen references to, and I quote, Outer Rim “anarchist movements” and children “tossing rocks and bottles at Republic walkers” (no further comment at this time but like…oof) - is not, imo, a less thoughtful or complicated or potentially subversive story. Some of the complexities certainly lie in different places! But I don’t even think that such questions as “Does a slightly-selfish-on-the-surface grifter ask more from the audience than a dedicated idealist?” are as straightforward as they initially appear, within the broader context of a media landscape that is frequently far more comfortable lauding revolutionary action as a variation on a revenge plot (Everyman Hero just wanted to keep his head down and live his life until Evil Empire killed his girlfriend/family/best pal/etc etc) than as a natural outgrowth of ideological conviction (which is for Scary Radicals*). I also continue to find it UNBELIEVABLY tantalizing that R1!Cassian was explicitly described as, if not a Separatist himself (hard to describe a six year old that way or know how he would describe himself as an adult!), then unquestionably part of that ideological lineage, in that Star Wars as a franchise has never been willing to give more than halfhearted lip service to the idea of Separatists as anything but cartoonishly over the top villains - or, by extension, to the idea that the Republic was the Anakin Skywalker to the Empire’s Darth Vader. Even in highly abridged form, that’s a backstory that’s begging a lot of pointed and fascinating questions (What are the political fault lines within the Rebel Alliance? What does it mean that this franchise’s treatment of the Clone Wars has frequently boiled down to glibly setting up and knocking down arguments about Third World sovereignty and resource extraction? Can you as the audience imagine a political movement that contains both incredibly corrupt bad actors and grassroots liberation movements under the same broad ideological umbrella?)
ANYWAY TL;DR I think there’s a lot that’s spiky and unstraightforward and potentially subversive about both of those backstories, and I don’t think you need to dismiss the complexities of either in order to appreciate the other.
*I am OFC not saying that Andor doesn’t engage with ideological conviction, because it does! I am merely pointing out that - outside the audience demographic of broadly left-leaning people on tumble - a loveable rogue who wants to stay out of politics and survive does not necessarily read as less likable or morally upright than a revolutionary who’s fully prepared to Die For The Cause.
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zaynjmsource · 9 months
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ZAYN has signed a new record deal with Mercury Records, Billboard can confirm. Along with the news, the singer wiped his social media yesterday and has launched a new pre-save link and teaser in preparation for his Mercury Records debut single, which is said by the label to be arriving “very soon this summer.”
Label president Tyler Arnold says of the deal, “As soon as ZAYN and I met, I knew we had to work together. I was blown away by the new music, but just as impressed by his vision, drive and spirit. We’re honored he and his team have joined us at Mercury Records. We’ve got an incredible opportunity to tell the next chapter of his story together.”
Mercury Records was relaunched in April 2022 as a U.S. imprint of Republic Records, helmed by Arnold and Ben Adelson as president and general manager, respectively. Mercury’s roster includes Post Malone, whom Arnold signed to Republic in 2015, and James Bay, signed by Adelson in 2014. Other signees at Mercury’s launch included Stephen Sanchez, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, Lord Huron, Noah Kahan, BoyWithUke, Ka$hdami, Lyn Lapid and Camylio.
Mercury Records also acts as the hub for Republic’s partnerships with Big Loud Records, home to Morgan Wallen, and Imperial Music, the independent distributor that released Bo Burnham‘s Inside (The Songs).
As a solo artist, ZAYN has released three records: Mind of Mine (2016), Icarus Falls (2018), and Nobody is Listening (2021). They peaked at No. 1, No. 61 and No. 44 on the Billboard 200 chart, respectively. He has also placed six songs in the top 50 on the Pop Airplay chart, including two in the top 10. “PILLOWTALK” peaked at No. 1, and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” reached No. 2 on the chart. The two songs also reached those same chart positions on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart as well.
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black-arcana · 9 days
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WITHIN TEMPTATION Shares Preview Of New Single 'A Fool's Parade'
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On April 5, 2024, WITHIN TEMPTATION will release their brand-new song, "A Fool's Parade", which marks a collaboration with the talented Ukrainian producer Alex Yarmak. According to a press release from WITHIN TEMPTATION's publicist, "A Fool's Parade" "highlights Russia's pretense regarding the war, and condemns its lies, ongoing crimes and brutal intentions."
A preview of "A Fool's Parade" is available below.
The song, released as a harbinger of the much-anticipated "Bleed Out 2024 Tour", is a powerful expression of what the press release calls "WITHIN TEMPTATION's commitment to continue shedding light on the ongoing existential struggle that Ukraine is facing against Russia's cruel invasion."
For the recording of the accompanying music video for "A Fool's Parade", Sharon den Adel — the frontwoman of WITHIN TEMPTATION — traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine. The music video is being directed by renowned Ukrainian video director Indy Hait.
With involvement in initiatives such as the Ukraine Aid OPS foundation, WITHIN TEMPTATION aims to keep drawing attention to Europe's much-needed support for Ukraine's defense.
In a June 2023 interview with James Wilson-Taylor of Rock Sound, Den Adel spoke about the lyrical inspiration for WITHIN TEMPTATION's "Wireless" single: "When the war started in the Ukraine, we were in the studio writing songs, And it's one of the songs that we wrote. And it is about war, of course. It's about a soldier going to war and thinking he's going to liberate people, do good stuff and be a hero and everything, but then he finds out that he's been lied to by media but also government. And then he finds that he can't go back because he's already in his army gear, for instance. You can't go forward, you can't go backward because you have your buddies next to you and you'll all die in the field. And in front of you, you have a mission impossible almost."
The Dutch singer continued: "So that's what we try to do — maybe also shine a light on certain situations within the war. It's just we're storytellers — it's like amplifying a certain kind of emotion that people could feel in this situation."
Asked how she and her bandmates decided to use Russia's invasion of Ukraine as inspiration for one of their songs, Sharon said: "Well, from my point of view, it's not just their war. I really believe what some people are saying — it's really our war as well. Because it's next to us. They already said, they're not gonna stop at Ukraine; they're gonna go further. And a couple of hours flying from my home, it's already Kyiv. So it's also our war. I think we should be aware of the fact that this is a danger for all of us. They won't stop. And hopefully — we wanna keep this a little bit alive in our own small way by writing about it and talking about it and waving a flag on stage about it."
In March 2022, WITHIN TEMPTATION was one of the artists who took part in a telethon concert in support of Ukraine. "Save Ukraine - #StopWar" united more than 20 countries and bring together more than 50 participants. The marathon was broadcast from Warsaw on the Polish TV channel TVP. In addition, broadcasters from many countries around the world, including Estonia (EBR),Lithuania (LTR),the Czech Republic (ČT2),Georgia (GPB / First),Albania (RTSH 2),Montenegro, Slovenia, Latvia (LTV),Croatia (HRT),Slovakia (RTVS),Austria (Puls 4),Cyprus, Canada (OMNI) and others, rebroadcasted the marathon on their local channels.
In an interview with Greece's Rock Overdose, Den Adel stated about her band's participation in the event: "For us, it was an honor to be asked for it. I think as a band and as people, we really value freedom of speech and freedom and democracy. I think as a band, people sometimes say, 'Don't be so political,' people say, 'Don't be so expressive and don't take a side on things.' But as a musician, I think it's important to represent who you are, not just in music but really stand for what you make and what you are saying in your lyrics in a way. And things that are happening in the world inspire us to write music, and then you also have to take a stance and what side you are. I think when it's so obvious where there's an aggressor and where there is a country being violated, invaded, you should take a stance and then it makes it much easier even to be very clear about where you stand in this whole conflict. Of course, it's something that we are keeping ourselves updated with every day because we find it very sad to see that a country that wants to be a democracy is invaded this way. So we are very honored to be asked also to play for this event, this marathon, and happy to do it."
Released last October, WITHIN TEMPTATION's latest album, "Bleed Out", signifies a bold leap forward for the band. From contemporary, hard-hitting, and djenty riffs to soaring melodies displaying their symphonic roots, WITHIN TEMPTATION has created a sonic journey that fuses diverse musical styles and thought-provoking themes. This is an album that is as epic as it is unflinchingly outspoken, and now more than ever, this is a band who isn't afraid to make a stand on issues the members care about.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, WITHIN TEMPTATION have shifted their focus from writing about personal emotions and societal subjects to tackling global injustices and reflecting the tumultuous state of the world in a way that other artists seem unable or unwilling to do.
While songs such as "Wireless" and "We Go To War" examine the authoritarian aggression on display in Ukraine and other warzones, the title track itself addresses the plight of women fighting for their rights in Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini.
The album also grapples with the complex issues around a woman's right to choose in recent single "Don't Pray For Me" and throughout, this impassioned and political focus is reflected in the intensity and heaviness of the music. Embracing a new era of musical exploration and lyrical depth, WITHIN TEMPTATION have pushed boundaries and showcased their artistic evolution, delivering a fist-in-the-air proclamation of both their moral convictions and their fearless approach to music.
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djuvlipen · 7 months
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Women beheaded and bodies dumped in rivers under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, report says
‘We have seen reported cases of femicide on the increase, the reintroduction of public lashings and executions, a steady stream of deaths and detentions of former security and armed forces personnel,’ expert says
Women are being beheaded and having their bodies dumped in rivers and streets under Taliban rule, according to a troubling new report.
A study, by Afghan Witness, found 3,329 claims of human rights infringements in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power of the country in August two years ago.
Researchers, who used open-source data, documented 1,977 claims of human rights breaches involving killings, arbitrary detentions and torture of the population since January last year.
The study notes hundreds of reports of women being violently killed by the Taliban, with the figures indicating a “gradual rise” in femicide cases.
“Since January 2022, Afghan Wintess has been recording reports of women being individually killed, often in circumstances of extreme violence and brutality,” the report states.
Researchers state they recorded 188 such cases across the country from January last year to July this year – with reports including cases of women being beheaded or shot at, as well as cases of stabbings. Bodies are said to be frequently discarded in rivers or streets, with reports sometimes stating their bodies indicate torture or suffocation, according to the Afghan Witness study.
David Osborn, of the Afghan Witness project, said: “The Taliban have reneged on many of their early promises regarding human rights, particularly for girls and women, and an amnesty for officials and security personnel who worked under the Republic.
“Since then we have seen reported cases of femicide on the increase, the reintroduction of public lashings and executions, a steady stream of deaths and detentions of former security and armed forces personnel, and the continuing repression of civil society, the media and activists.”
He noted while not all cases can be verified, the “sheer scale” of reports from “so many Afghans” sheds light on the “widespread and wide-ranging nature of human rights abuses being carried out, with impunity, by the Taliban and others”.
Mr Osborn added: “Despite the risks, some – predominantly women – have continued to protest. But these voices and wider civil society within Afghanistan, are increasingly isolated on the ground after two years of Taliban rule.”
Researchers documented 56 announcements by the Taliban Supreme Court issuing public punishments to more than 350 people – with this form of reprisal mainly linked to so-called moral crimes like adultery, sodomy and entering an illicit relationship – since the first public corporal punishment in October 2022.
The Taliban has blocked women from the workplace, education and public spaces, as well as barring them from taking part in all sports since retaking power two years ago.
Researchers verified almost 70 women-led street protests since the first demonstration in August 2021 – with protesters showing their opposition to the curtailment of girl’s and women’s access to education and the workplace.
The report documented 67 reports of civil society activists and demonstrators being arrested between January 2022 and July this year. Meanwhile, there were 98 reports of journalists, photographers and media commentators detained by the Taliban.
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olsenmyolsen · 5 months
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An Album, Apologies, and A Movie Premiere
Part 40 of On The Inside With Elizabeth Olsen
Word Count: 5.7K
masterlist
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March 20th, 2022
IndieMusicNow "Well, the rumors are true! TikTok musician and record-signed artist Hex (real life name being Y/N Y/L/N) was announced by their record label to be releasing an album later this year. The exact details are still being kept under wraps. But this is one artist we don't want to miss."
Billboard Today "Following posts on all social media platforms today, Republic Records announced that newcomer Y/N Y/L/N, whose stage name was also announced to be Hex, will be joining the lineup of album releases this year. First-timers usually don't get this lucky; someone must've heard something. We just can't wait to see what it was."
PopCrave "Looks like All Eyes On Me artist Hex is going to be releasing an album later this year."
Entertainment Celebrity "Fans of Elizabeth Olsen's rumored partner have been spreading since the musician followed an account with their own stage name in the handle. Most are convinced that it's the artist themselves. And while we agree. We're just going to sit and wait."
"Edit: 3/22/22 @ 2:16 pm In a new tweet posted below; the artist confirmed that it was indeed them!"
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"And again @ 2:23 pm."
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"And @ 2:28 pm."
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BuzzFeedMusic "Everything we know about the TikTok artist turned album maker Hex. Who are they? Where did they come from? And have they done shady things to get there? Plus! You'll never guess who they're dating!"
@lizziesfutureex      @BuzzFeedMusic not only is this shady writing but publicly blasting Lizzie and Y/N as a couple when they've never confirmed that they are together again is actually horrible
@hexthestars13      @lizziesfutureex wait... Hex is rumored to be dating Lizzie Olsen?? THE ELIZABETH OLSEN?? SASAHJKGSK
@lizziesfutureex      @hexthestars13 again only rumored but yes. you're a Hex fan did you not know??
@hexthestars13      @lizziesfutureex im new to the fandom after discovering her TikTok's and watching her performance from LA last year on YouTube. so no. i had no idea!
@lizziesfutureex    @hexthestars13 omg wait that's the show lizzie went to last year?!? The one with Ro***e!? Okay maybe I should open Spotify 👀
@hexthestars13      @lizziesfutureex 😊
@scrunchnoselizzie      @hexthestars13 @lizziesfutureex no but fr they be fuckin'. uhauled and everything.
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@MadMaxMoore @yikesitshex fuck 'em ❤️🫶
@romanoffthereal     @yikesitshex never taking another one of their quizzes again 😌
@witcheswhores     @yikesitshex i know buzzfeed of all people just ain't make our Hex sad!??!
May 2nd, 2022
Y/N POV
"I'm still having nightmares..."
I breathe out and shift my body on the brown leather couch. Cliché, I know, but Sofia, my therapist, loves it.
"Have they gotten worse?" Sofia asks me. I briefly look her way before nodding. Guilt and shame I still carry with me. "Would you like to go into more detail?" She questions as I swallow the lump in my throat. "Umm." I start. "Basically, it starts out the same..." I clear my throat and move myself into a much less relaxed position.
"Liz will be gone for the day, and I'll be at home on the phone with my mom waiting for Liz to return.. Sometimes, she'll show up in the kitchen's entryway like before. Or... Other times, she won't show up at all..." I clear my throat and run my hands up and down my knees. "The times that she does show up, it's just like how it happened, except she doesn't hold back. And nightmare Liz says things I know Liz wouldn't... but it feels real. So real."
"Have you told Liz about these nightmares?"
I nod. "I did."
"Did?" Sofia writes something down before looking up at me, waiting for me to continue. I shrug. "I can't bring myself to tell her about the more gut-wrenching and violent nightmares."
Sofia takes a second before replying.
"I could understand that. But do you think there might be another reason?"
I do, and it's stupid. I exhale and feel small at this moment. "I- apart of me-." I close my mouth and start over. "There's this voice in the back of my head. And I don't know whether to listen to it or not."
"What's it telling you?"
"That Liz doesn't trust me anymore."
I feel a flash of embarrassing warmth runs over my body. My body is telling me not to trust the words my brain is making me believe. "What do you think? Do you think Liz has lost trust in you?" I move my eyes away from Sofia and onto my glass of water sitting on the cork coaster four feet from me. It hasn't been there terribly long, just long enough that some condensation has set in on the sides of the glass.
"Y/N?" Sofia calls for me to focus up. I slowly do, bringing my eyes back to her. I shrug. "I could see her losing her trust in me." Sofia sits quietly as I open and close my mouth. "And... I know you tell me that it's not my fault, but it is. What happened to her was my fault because of my lack of actions."
Sofia shakes her head. "I'm not here to tell you what you choose to keep to yourself was bad or awful. I'm here to listen and to help you. But yes, I don't think it was your fault what happened." Sofia leans back into her chair. "So why do you think Liz does?"
"I didn't say Liz did." Sofia looks at me with a really face. "Y/N." She puts her pen down. "We've been seeing each other for half a year now. I like to think that I can read between the words that you're not saying. So let me ask you and be honest with me. Do you think Liz has lost trust in you because of what happened with her who shall-not-be-named because we made an agreement? And if so, could you give me a reason?"
I smile at her agreement and then try to think of a reason. Slowly, wondering if my mind was just being cruel or not.
Liz POV
"Sounds like you guys need to have sex."
I slam the pantry door close and turn to my sister. "Oh my God! Courtney! I am not having this conversation with you!" I shake my head and pull my water bottle close to my lips. Unscrewing the cap as I roll my eyes. "I can't believe you sometimes." I take a sip of my water before closing it. "We're supposed to be having a nice breakfast. You ask about Y/N. One thing leads to another, and you say that!"
Court puts her hands up, straightens her shirt, and laughs as she steps away from her empty plate.
"Besides, you know it's more complicated than that." I grab the plate and turn towards the sink. My mind starting to wander away as the water gets hot.
But it's true. Y/N and I haven't been exactly on the same page for a bit now.
"I know Lizzie. I'm sorry it was a bad joke."
Court walks up next to me and bumps me out of the way so she can wash her dish. "It's okay." I breathe out as I scoot away.
"Is it? Are you?" Court asks as she shuts off the water.
"Some days are better than most. Those days, we feel like we're how we were before. But.. but then there are moments where I remember and feel hurt." I rub the spot on my wrist where the bruise has faded. "And I know it wasn't purposeful, but... I don't know it just-"
"Just would've been easier if she told you from the start."
I nod to my sister.
No one aside from Max, Courtney, and Kathryn Hahn knows what happened. I didn't want to tell my mom and the twins because as much as they love Y/N, I'm afraid they wouldn't be as understanding as I want people to be like Kathryn and Courtney.
And I know Y/N told Max. Max not so subtly sent me a text recently talking about how amazing Y/N is. I think whenever Y/N called Max, the most damaging parts of her mind were telling her things that would never happen.
"I'm sorry, Lizzie." Courtney places the plate on the drying rack and dries her hands. "But like you said, you know it wasn't on purpose. Y/N just didn't want to believe it was someone that was so vile and abusive towards her." I nod with a sheepish look. "I mean.. if I were in Y/N's shoes, I probably would've done the same... maybe. I don't know." Courtney shakes her hand and tosses the drying rag onto the countertop.
"Where is she, by the way?" Courtney asks, pulling my focus away from the talk I need to have with Y/N. "Oh, Uhh.." I tilt my watch towards myself. "She should be on her way home."
Courtney looks at her Apple Watch. "Therapy?" I nod. "She's been having nightmares. She thinks I don't know." I pull my phone out and sigh. "But whenever she shoots awake, it wakes me up..."
"Do you know what they're about?"
"Me. Her. Naomi." I grimace at that final name. "Ah." Court replies. I can tell she wants to ask or say more about the situation but doesn't.
"Is she still ubering?"
I smile and quickly breathe in and out at the conversation moving along before making a kinda motion with my hand. "Sometimes. She took the Prius this morning."
"How does she not have a car yet?" I shrug. "She didn't need one in New York or her for a while, so there was no need. But we both know she needs one now. So she's been looking at some."
"Oh yeah?" Courtney smiles, getting excited. "Like what?! A jeep? A Tesla? Oh, wait! A convertible! Oh my God, Y/N would look so hot in one!" Courtney goes wide-eyed and shuts her mouth closed as I stare at her. "What I meant to say was... is that I hope it's a nice car. One she can look modest in."
I once again roll my eyes. "Uh-huh. Does Ness know about your little crush?" I make a teasing face at my little sister. She rolls her eyes back to me.
"Yes, she does." Courtney smiles before quickly masking it. "It's not a crush, by the way!! I promise! I just love your girlfriends music."
"And her looks," I mumble. "What was that?" Court asks. "Nothing." I smile as I walk the two of us outside to the garden.
"Wow. It gets more impressive every time I come over." Courtney stands there in awe as I pick up my garden gloves to get to work. "Thanks." I smile back.
"Has Y/N done anything in the garden?"
I shake my head. "She can sometimes have the opposite of a green thumb. And she's a complainer." I laugh as Court nods, finding a spot on the outdoor couch. "Must only be an Olsen thing. Ness can't water a plant to save her life." I chuckle and bend down in the dirt. "I tried teaching her a while ago, but it ended up with me banning her." I hear Courtney laugh. "Maybe I'll try again in the Summer. Maybe after the twins' birthday." I add on as I start snipping.
"I like that." Courtney vaguely says. "Like what?" I lift my head to her. "That even though you're in this place with Y/N now. You still see a future with her."
I lower my hands and think. She's right. Of course, I see a future with Y/N. We've already gone through so many hardships and times without one another. Why would I want that again? Why would I even be with her now if I don't see a long future with her? Us. Marriage. Kids. I see it only with her.
"Yeah, yo-you're right." I lift my head up and smile as the lump in my throat goes down.
I love Y/N with all my heart.
I don't want this distance between us to be present anymore. I want her.
I look at my watch again. She should be home soon. "Lizzie..." I look over at my sister as I snip at another plant. "Hmm?" Courtney puts her phone down and looks at me. "Dad's trying to get me to convince you to talk to him again." I sigh and groan. Courtney nods. "I'm not going to do that. I just wanted to let you know that he's been trying."
"He can try all he wants. You. The Twins. Jake. I don't want to talk to him." Courtney nods again. "I know... how many times this week has he tried calling you."
"Twice."
Courtney hums. "Well, even if he's tried repairing the bridges with the rest of us, we're still in your corner, Lizzie." I smile and thank her before I spend the next few minutes in quiet. Thinking about Y/N.
I know she would never do anything to hurt me, and I know how incredibly guilty she still feels for everything that happened. I feel a pang of guilt as well. I sigh, rip off my gloves, and throw them into the dirt. My mind won't let me focus on the greenery today.
Instead, my eyes focus on my left hand. Empty.
I look around the garden and look into the house. This is our home. Ours. I smile at the memories we've already made and think about the future.
I look back to my hand before looking at Courtney. "Hey, Court..." Courtney shoots her head up from her phone. "Yeah?"
"I'm not saying I want to, but how soon do you think is too soon to get eng-"
"Liz? Babe?"
The sound of Y/N's voice shuts me up as I quickly stand up and brush the dirt off my hands and pants. "Hi!" I smile and walk towards my girlfriend as Courtney stands up to steal a hug first.
"Hey, Courtney!" Y/N smiles widely and hugs my sister.
They've been in contact since Thanksgiving, and she is always happy to sit and talk to her like a friend she's known for years. It's been great to say.
Even Mary-Kate and Ash got a little jealous.
"What are you doing here?" Y/N asks as I wrap my arms around her and kiss the side of her head. When I pull away, I see a flush on her cheeks. She looks at me and smiles. It reaches her eyes for the first time in... well, anyway, I smile back and give her an I missed you look.
She sees it.
"Oh, you know, just stalking you-" Court says clearly without thinking before nervously laughing and covering her mouth. "Oh my God! That was supposed to be a bad a joke! I didn't mean-" She gets more flustered and has a scared look on her face as Y/N and I just stare at Courtney.
It's obviously a sore subject still, but we know Courtney didn't mean anything but it.
"It's alright," Y/N assures her with a flat smile. "Let's just..." Y/N stops talking as Courtney quickly looks at me with a sorry look. "Courtney was just helping me get some stuff done around the house before tonight!" I interject and brightly smile. "Yes! I can't wait!" Courtney catches on and shows her excitement for the premiere tonight of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness!
"Aren't you excited!" Courtney asks Y/N, who nods her head. "Just nervous, honestly." I rub my hand up and down her back. "About what?" I question as Y/N sheepishly looks at me. This worries me a bit.
I think Court catches onto the slowly shifting vibe and makes the decision to grab some waters for the three of us. "Y/N?" I tilt my forward. "What's up?" Y/N avoids my eyes and holds my hand. Leading me to the shade-covered outdoor couch.
She holds my hand before lifting her beautiful face to me as we sit down. I smile at her and wait patiently. Silently letting her know that I'm here.
I'm here.
Y/N nervously opens and closes her mouth before finally saying: "I love you, Liz."
"I love you too, Y/N," I reply back with the same inflections as her.
"Are we okay?" She asks, and I don't waste a second tightening her hand in mind. "We are," I reply, only to earn a shake of the head. "No, Liz, really... are we?" I swallow the feeling in my throat and nod once again. "We are. We are Y/N."
"And y-you trust me?"
Y/N asks with a shaky breath. Clearly, this is a question that's been plaguing her. "More than anything." I close my mouth and scoot more into my girlfriend's touch. "Y/N... look at me."
Y/N lifts her head to me, and I see how much sadness is being held in her eyes; before I can think of what to say, my mouth starts rambling.
"I love AND trust you more than anything..." I sigh when I think about how the two of us have been walking on eggshells with one another when we've done this song and dance before.
"I'm sorry for giving you distance when you didn't need it. Or for making you feel bad or guilty when that wasn't my intention... I don't blame you." I catch my breath and give a sad smile. "I was just so upset... I'm sorry." Y/N keeps her eyes on me as I softly speak to her before I see them dip down to my neckline. I look down and know that I just so happened to be wearing the necklace she gave me on our second first date.
"Y/N, I trust and love you, and all I want is for us to put her in the rearview. It's you and me, remember."
Y/N nods and gives me a watery smile with her bright eyes. "I remember." She sniffles. "I just never want you to be hurt because of me again, Liz."
Tears threaten to spill.
"I won't because you won't. Okay?" I can see the relief on Y/N's face as a tear falls from her chin. "Oh, baby.." I wrap my arms around her and let my girlfriend collapse into me. Her face falls as she buries it into my neck. Her tears landing on the exposed skin.
"I'm sorry..." She whispers. "There is nothing to be sorry for," I whisper back. "I just love you so much. I'm so happy to have you in my life, Liz." I kiss the side of her head and allow Y/N to let herself fall apart in my arms as I whisper sweet nothings into the top of her head.
When the tears slow, Y/N eventually lifts her head to me as we're settled into the corner of the couch.
"I love you, Elizabeth Chase Olsen." She speaks in a hushed tone as her fingers dance along my knee. "I love you too, Y/N Y/L/N." I smile at her touch and take ahold of her chin, quickly giving her a peck on the lips before asking: "Is there anything else on your mind?" Y/N barely budges as she gives me a little shrug before nodding.
"Your premiere is tonight." I nod along to her words. "Uh huh.."
I watch Y/N close and open her eyes. "Am I coming?" I stop and tilt my head, confused. "Of course, you're coming! I have your outfit picked out for you and everything! We talked about this a month ago." I look into her eyes that, hold a look of loss and confusion. "Oh..." Y/N simply states. "I don't remember us talking about it."
She furrows her eyebrows, trying to remember. I do the same because she should remember, right?
After a moment of silence, I look to the door to the backyard and see Court smiling with a thumbs up before she disappears into the house.
"OH!" Y/N breaks up the moment between us. "I remember you talking about it. It was... it was right before Kathryn's party." She starts explaining as I nod. "That's right!"
"You looked stunning." Y/N winks with her tired, cried, and dried eyes. "As did you." I kiss her head as she continues. "I think that's the moment I knew I would never write a break-up song about you."
I smile and let out a laugh through my nose. "Is that right?" Y/N nods. "Clearly left an impression, but I think while you were talking about my outfit for the premiere, I was thinking about a song for you..." I sit up, shocked that this is the first I've heard about this. "A song... for me!?" Y/N sniffles and laughs, clearly a little shy about it. "Yeah..."
"Hey! What- why- I." I can't even form a sentence as I'm trying to find the right words to use before settling on it. "Can I hear it?" Y/N takes her left hand in my right and kisses it. "Not yet... not right now." The corners of my mouth dip down slightly, but it's Y/N choice. I'm just happy to have her here and to be a part of her process, no matter how big or how small. "Sorry." She says, but I'm quick to shake my head. "I'll listen to it whenever you want me to. Can I ask what it's maybe about?"
Y/N thinks before saying: "It's about being yours. Your one. Our future..." I see Y/N's eyes dart to my left hand before moving to my face. "I know we've barely scratched the surface when we've talked about it, and I'm sorry if this is a little scary, but after the past month and day I've had, I just need you to know, Liz, that I'm with you. For better and for worse."
"It's not scary." I'm quick to tell her. "And believe me, I know this because I'm yours, and I'm with you. For better or for worse. It's you and me."
"You and me."
I smile as Y/N's lips melt into my own. She lifts herself up and crawls onto my lap, facing me. She kisses me again and again before kissing my jawline, smiling. I react by finding my lips on the side of her face. Marking my way up to her ear before Y/N giggles and backs away. "We shouldn't." She says with a look in her eye and a smile that screams WE SHOULD. "Why?" I ask with a smirk.
"I don't want to traumatize Courtney."
Shit. I forgot she was here. Instead of answering, I roll my eyes and kiss Y/N softly as she places her head next to mine.
"Liz?" She whispers into my ear. "Yes?" I whisper back as my hand moves up and down her body.
"We're not engaged now, are we?"
My hand movement stops, obviously catching Y/N's attention. She rapidly leans back into my hand and looks at me in the eyes. "Just to be clear!" Y/N's anxious voice comes through. "I don't think we are! But! Everything we just said to one another would make it seem like we did just propose! Right??"
I swallow the last remaining calmness I probably had as my body starts to grow nervous and anxious. Because Y/N is right. "You don't think we are?" I ask, not knowing why I said that! "Are we??" Y/N goes wide-eyed! "I don't want this to be how I propose to you!"
"You want to propose to me!??" My pitch and tone matches hers. Y/N lifts her hands and covers her face. "I mean, obviously! I'm dating Elizabeth Fucking Olsen. I didn't want to do it today! If that's what just happened!!"
She lifts her hands and runs them through her hair before breathing out. I can't help but look at how adorable and fucking precious Y/N is being in this shared anxiety-inducing moment.
"Okay," I say as Y/N looks at me. "Okay?? Okay, what?!?" I hold my hands and take hers.
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes," I confirm. "I would love to marry you and accept your proposal... but it shouldn't be today." Y/N's smile doesn't falter as she takes a breather before nodding. "It shouldn't be." She says back. "Is that okay?" I ask. "More than okay." Y/N laughs as she's coming down from her high.
Her heart probably going as fast as mine.
"You really want to marry me?" She says as her hands find my hips. "Someday. Yes." I hear Y/N whisper, "That's cool." Making me smile and say: "And what if I want to propose?" 
"Then just do it before me, Olsen."
"Hmm, okay, Y/L/N." I lean up to kiss Y/N, but she backs away before my lips reach hers. "I'm taking your last name, just so you know."
"As if you couldn't get any sexier."
After a while of kissing and talking, Y/N falls asleep on top of me as I lay holding her on the couch. I clasp my hands around her body, kiss the top of Y/N's head, and smile as I switch the ring on my right hand onto my left ring finger.
Someday. Not today. But someday...
Later That Day
Republic Records "Grabbing some candles and blankets for a special livestream this Friday!"
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@multiversemother @yikesitshex calling it now the album name is gonna be called Midnight!
@scrunchnoselizzie     @multiversemother didn't they say that the album was going to be self-titled?
@hexthestars13     @scrunchnoselizzie     @multiversemother omg what if it's called debut like Taylor Swift!
@lizziefolkmore @hexthestars13     @scrunchnoselizzie     @multiversemother why would it be called Taylor Swift???
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Y/N POV
I sit next to my beautiful and elegant girlfriend as we sit in the back of a black Escalade on the way to her world movie premiere here in Los Angeles!
Liz is dressed in a full black set of Alexandre Vauthier blazer and pants with Jimmy Choo platform sandals to match. And I can't get over how much my mouth waters at the sight.
Earlier, she gave me a treat of kisses before her makeup was finished so I would be on my best behavior. If my nerves weren't threatening to spill out all over the backseat, I probably wouldn't be.
Well, anyways, in contrast to her black, I'm wearing a Scarlet Red Michael Kors jumpsuit with heels to match. I thought about wearing sneakers, but I'm fairly certain Liz had Courtney hide them from me.
Speaking of Courtney in the car behind us, she is also wearing red in the form of a dress that makes her smile shine brightly.
Damn the Olsen and their genes.
I smile at Liz as she is locked into the camera on her phone. Looking at herself and the way her hair is. She was sculpted by God and yet worries about a strand of hair from time to time. "Babe, leave it. Sascha did great!" I playfully smack her hand away from her hair, making her quit. Also, so I could wrap my fingers around hers. I guess my grip was a bit too strong because Liz was immediately pulling away to take a proper hold of my face.
"Y/N? Are you okay?" I try to slowly nod yes but fail. "I'm nervous," I tell the truth and watch a sympathetic smile form on her face. "Do you want to tell me what about..?"
I swallow. "It's our first time being somewhere like this. Being a couple. In public together." Liz nods along. "It's not like when we were in Austin for Love & Death, and it's not like here when we go incognito to Target together. This... this is different."
Liz carefully thinks over her next few words to me before speaking. "We don't have to go public if you're not ready. I'm ready whenever you are."
"I know, but that's just the thing. I'm ready now. We've talked about it, Liz, and I am ready. It's just scary."
"It is scary." Liz agrees. "But there's no one I'd rather do it with. Plus..." Liz smiles and takes my hand back to wrap her fingers around mine. "Think of all the people like us... I'm thinking of Geneva right now." I smile at that. "I bet she's watching the live streams," I say with a shake of my head as my phone glows with a new text.
"Whose that?" Liz leans into me to look at a message from Bo in his new publicist role. "Looks like the record company is pushing my new identity everywhere." Liz reads the text over again and then looks at me. "So if we do interviews on the red carpet, you're going to be introduced as Hex?!"
I nod. "I mean, it was going to happen eventually, I guess.." I like the name and the idea of promo starting now, but starting on the premiere of Liz's new movie feels weird to me. "Hmm." Is all she says before turning away.
"Liz?"
"Yeah?" She turns back to me. "Is this okay with you?" I can see it in her eyes that it's not 100% alright. But her being perfectly supportive, I watch her lie and say: "Of course."
"Liz..." I whine, making her remain stoic. Damn, being a fantastic actress. "Talk to me."
"I'm fine." "Liz." She goes to argue that she's fine again, but I drop my phone and stare her down. "Ugh." She groans. "I... I just wanted the world to know Y/N first. Not Hex."
"Oh..."
"But it's a part of your and our life now, so it's fine." She turns back to look out the windows, as her words hurt me more than she realized just as we pull up to the premiere. The driver parks as a man in a tux walks towards the door, getting ready to open it.
Without warning, I reach over Liz and lock the door. "Y/N!" She exclaims as I turn her to look at me. Her eyes moving away from the man, trying to open the door but failing. "I will always be Y/N Y/L/N before Hex or before we get married, and I change my last name to Olsen so for tonight and however many moons after you call me Y/N. Not Hex. Just Y/N like I know you want to. Like you always have."
"Y/N I-"
She goes to argue, but I unlock the door and watch the man stumble backwards as the door flings open. Making a few people behind him laugh. I ignore the looks from my girlfriend as I give a wait-one-second look to everyone outside waiting before closing the door again to kiss Liz.
Because to me, she's Liz. Like to her, I'm Y/N.
"You and me." She says with a bright, pearly white smile before bringing her thumb up to wipe her lipstick off my lips. "You and me," I reply as her soft thumb leaves my red lips.
"Stay here," I whisper to her as I exit from my side of the car and come around to her side full of flashing cameras and screaming fans. I take a quick second and do my best to calm my nerves before opening the door to my girlfriend, whose smile blesses itself down onto me. I extend my hand to her to help her get down and out of the car, and when she does, she turns to me and kisses me. In front of the whole world.
Elizabeth Olsen and I just became public.
Liz POV
I'm going to be honest. I didn't plan on kissing Y/N just then, but she just looked so fucking sexy, and I could tell she was so anxious about tonight that I couldn't help myself. She's mine, after all!
Regardless, the amount of photos of us quadrupled when I did it. Meaning if it's not trending, it will. Everyone will see it. Max, Y/N's label (which should help them), Aubrey, My Dad, and a crazy ex who is awaiting a meeting at a courthouse.
Isn't it so weird how doing something considered normal by most will make you trend?
Anyways, I take a hold of Y/N and don't let her go throughout almost all of the photos I'm forced to take for my job. I laugh and help Y/N as she struggles to find her angle in a sea of cameras, but by the time it's time for my solos, she's nailing it.
Her stage name gets called, and she plays it as if she's heard it a million times before.
I watch in awe and amazement at how far she's come.
"Ms. Olsen!" A staff member surprises me as they appear by my side, letting me know that interviews are set to start and that I need to move along. I thank them but let them know that I'd be waiting for my girlfriend, and to say they did a double-take would be an understatement. But with one quirk of the eyebrow, they retreated.
Thank you, Scarlett, for that life hack.
"Hi!" Y/N is all smiles as she greets me. "Hi!" I reply back. "You ready?" I ask, knowing that the same staff member already told Y/N that we'd be doing a majority of the interviews together. "Yes... wait!" I stop and watch Y/N pull out her phone and point her camera towards me! I pose and smile at her antics before stopping when she looks down at her phone.
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"Okay, now I'm ready!"
A/N: And before you ask yes! Y/N met the actors for Billy and Tommy and took silly selfies with them :)
Oh, and Xochitl Gomez tried her best to get Y/N to spill any details about the upcoming album.
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booskwan · 3 days
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targeted boycotts are as we know the most efficient and this isn’t me calling for a boycott, but to keep people informed below the cut are lists of kpop artists with affiliations to labels mentioned on zionistsinmusic on twitter
UMG (under an american umbrella label it owns or has joint shares in highup ent [kor releases only], yg ent [bp kor releases only], the black label [somi and taeyang's kor releases only]; under capitol music group it owns or has joint shares in sm ent; under republic it owns or has joing shares in big hit [txt kor releases only], jype [twice, skz, and itzy's kor releases only], under universal music japan it has u-cube a "joint venture with" cube ent, virgin music > republic records > used as an imprint for txt jp releases; through third party distribution umg is affiliated with yuehua ent) - 4minute, apink, ateez, beast, bigbang, blackpink, boys republic (actually managed by umg), btob, bts, dean, everglow, snsd, infinite, iu, iz*one, kep1er, lim youngwoong, loona (japan), miss a (since 2012), monsta x, nct 127, p1harmony, psy (since 2012), rainbow, stray kids, shinee, somi, stayc, super junior, t-ara, the rose, triples, tri.be, twice, txt, wonder girls, xikers, and zerobaseone
note: a lot of these have (south korea) next to the name, i don’t know if that means they only have a deal for that country because other artists like stray kids and lim youngwoong don’t have that specification
REPUBLIC (owned by umg) - itzy, nayeon, nmixx, stray kids, txt, tri.be, twice, vcha
SONY (owns columbia, wakeone, dreamcatcher company; distributes modhaus, chrome ent, kq ent, starship, top media, wakeone, wm ent) - riize, ive, ateez, bts, brown eyed girls, wjsn, crayon pop, dreamcatcher, everglow, exid, monsta x's i.m (astrisked, can't find why), kep1er, lim youngwoong, stayc, tfn/t1419, the rose, triples, wings, xikers, zerobaseone
COLUMBIA (owned by sony) - ateez, ive (usa), kep1er, p1harmony, stayc, triples, treasure (usa), xikers, zerobaseone
VIRGIN (owned by umg) - nct 127, shinee (japan)
WARNER (through warner records it owns or has shares in sm [aespa kor releases only]; included in their international labels is warner music korea which is an international copyright holder and distributor for brand new music [younite, ab6ix, as one, eluphant, miss s] and keystone ent [blank2y]) - aespa (outside of sk), b1a4, bigbang, cherry bullet, choi junhee/choi seoah/juniel (taiwan and japan), cn blue, day6, ft island, got7, iu, jyj, kep1er, loossemble, loona, p1harmony, sf9, twice
ATLANTIC (owned by warner) - got7, iu, kep1er, loossemble, p1harmony, sf9
as always if any of this information is incorrect or outdated, please feel free to correct me in a reblog or an ask and i'll update the information in this post. i'll try to keep up with any new companies that are brought up on the twitter account mentioned at the beginning of this post. i'm not here to call for a boycott of every artist mentioned here because i don't feel i am in the position to do so, but i'm not discouraging you from choosing to do so. in fact i encourage you to listen to these artists unofficially at the very least.
i'm not sure the extent to which these companies get revenue from these artists, i don't know if it's just streams or if other things like merch sales and youtube views contribute but quite a few of these artists' companies are being boycotted currently or in the near future anyway, so i would suggest you not buy any merch or watch youtube videos officially from them. this post has more info on downloading music, youtube videos (with subtitles), and the boycotts i mentioned so i hope you all will check that out too. tris @bandzboy has also been posting about and sharing twitter posts about zionism in music, especially in the kpop industry so i suggest you check out her blog as well
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ZAYN Signs With Mercury Records Ahead of New Music
The singer, who was previously signed to RCA Records, has a new single coming "very soon this summer."
ZAYN has signed a new record deal with Mercury Records, Billboard can confirm. Along with the news, the singer wiped his social media yesterday and has launched a new pre-save link and teaser in preparation for his Mercury Records debut single, which is said by the label to be arriving “very soon this summer.” A former member of One Direction and a chart topper in his own right, ZAYN was previously signed to RCA Records. Sources close to the singer told Billboard that the new music ZAYN is making marks a major departure from the sound that defined his previous hits like “PILLOWTALK” and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.” Label president Tyler Arnold says of the deal, “As soon as ZAYN and I met, I knew we had to work together. I was blown away by the new music, but just as impressed by his vision, drive and spirit. We’re honored he and his team have joined us at Mercury Records. We’ve got an incredible opportunity to tell the next chapter of his story together.” Mercury Records was relaunched in April 2022 as a U.S. imprint of Republic Records, helmed by Arnold and Ben Adelson as president and general manager, respectively. Mercury’s roster includes Post Malone, whom Arnold signed to Republic in 2015, and James Bay, signed by Adelson in 2014. Other signees at Mercury’s launch included Stephen Sanchez, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, Lord Huron, Noah Kahan, BoyWithUke, Ka$hdami, Lyn Lapid and Camylio. Mercury Records also acts as the hub for Republic’s partnerships with Big Loud Records, home to Morgan Wallen, and Imperial Music, the independent distributor that released Bo Burnham‘s Inside (The Songs). As a solo artist, ZAYN has released three records: Mind of Mine (2016), Icarus Falls (2018), and Nobody is Listening (2021). They peaked at No. 1, No. 61 and No. 44 on the Billboard 200 chart, respectively. He has also placed six songs in the top 50 on the Pop Airplay chart, including two in the top 10. “PILLOWTALK” peaked at No. 1, and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” reached No. 2 on the chart. The two songs also reached those same chart positions on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart as well. You can pre-save ZAYN’s upcoming single here. VIA BILLBOARD
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kp777 · 1 year
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By Thom Hartmann
Common Dreams
March 31, 2023
The Republican Party's most dangerous grift today has been their embrace of the lie that America is not a democracy but instead is a theocratic republic that should be ruled exclusively by armed Christian white men. It's leading us straight into the jaws of fascism.
Nobody ever accused Republicans of not knowing how to make a buck or BS-ing somebody into voting for them. Lying to people for economic or political gain is the very definition of a grift.
Whenever there’s another mass- or school-shooting, Republican politicians hustle out fundraising emails about how “Democrats are coming to take your guns!” The result is a measurable and profitable spike in gun sales after every new slaughter of our families and children, followed by a fresh burst of campaign cash to GOP lawmakers.
But the GOP’s ability to exploit any opportunity that comes along — regardless of its impact on America or American citizens — goes way beyond just fundraising hustles.
When Jared Kushner was underwater and nearly bankrupt because he overpaid for 666 Fifth Avenue and needed a billion-dollar bailout to cover his mortgage, his buddies in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and the UAE) blockaded American ally (and host to the Fifth Fleet) Qatar until that country relented and laundered the money to Jared through a Canadian investment company.
Just this week, after Trump deregulated toxic trains leading to a horrible crash and the contamination of East Palestine, Ohio, Steve Bannon — already charged with multiple fraud-related crimes and then pardoned by Trump — showed up this week to hustle $300+ water filters to the people of that town.
The grift is at the core of the GOP’s existence, and has been since Nixon blew up LBJ’s peace talks with the Vietnamese in 1968 and then took cash bribes from the Milk Lobby and Jimmy Hoffa in the White House while having his mafia-connected “plumbers” wiretap the DNC’s offices at the Watergate.
— Republicans successfully fought the ability of Medicare to negotiate drug prices for decades; in turn, Big Pharma pours millions into their campaign coffers and personal pockets (legalized by 5 Republicans on the Supreme Court).
— Republicans beat back Democratic efforts to stop insurance giants from ripping off seniors and our government with George W. Bush’s Medicare Advantage privatization scam; in turn, the insurance companies rain cash on them like an Indian monsoon.
— Republicans oppose any effort to replace fossil fuels with green energy sources that don’t destroy our environment; in turn, the fossil fuel industry jacked up the price of gasoline into the stratosphere just in time for the 2022 election (and you can expect them to try it again in 2024).
— Republicans stopped enforcement of a century’s worth of anti-trust laws in 1983, wiping out America’s small businesses and turning rural city centers into ghost towns while pushing profits and prices through the ceiling; in turn massive corporate PACs fund ads supporting Republican candidates every election cycle.
— Republicans authored legislation letting billionaires own thousands of newspapers, radio stations, and TV outlets; in turn the vast majority of those papers (now half of all local papers are owned by a handful of rightwing New York hedge funds) and stations all run daily news and editorials attacking Democrats and supporting the GOP.
— Republicans Trump and Pai killed net neutrality so giant tech companies can legally spy on you and me, recording every website we visit and selling that information for billions; in turn, major social media sites amplify rightwing voices while giant search engines stopped spidering progressive news sites.
Newspeak — George Orwell’s term for the grift where politicians use fancy phrases that mean the opposite of what people think they mean — has been the GOP’s go-to strategy for a half-century.
Richard Nixon, for example, promised to crack down on drugs, but instead used that as an excuse to crack down on anti-war liberals and Black people. Instead of an economic grift, it was a political grift.
As Nixon‘s right hand man, John Ehrlichman, told reporter Dan Baum:
“You want to know what this was really all about? The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and Black people. Do you understand what I’m saying? “We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or Black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and Blacks with heroin and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. “We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. “Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did.“
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The grift is a recurrent theme through Republican presidencies in the modern era.
Ronald Reagan told us if we just destroyed America’s unions and moved our manufacturing to China and Mexico, great job opportunities would fill the nation.
He followed that up by promising if we just cut taxes on the morbidly rich, prosperity would trickle-down to the rest of us.
Reagan even assured us that raising the Social Security retirement age to 67 and taxing Social Security benefits would mean seniors could retire with greater ease.
All, of course, were grifter’s lies. Republican presidents since Reagan have continued the tradition.
George W. Bush called his program to make it easier to clear-cut America’s forests and rip roads through wilderness areas the “Healthy Forests Initiative.”
His program to legalize more pollution from coal-fired power plants and immunize them from community lawsuits (leading to tens of thousands of additional lung- and heart-disease deaths in the years since) was named the “Clean Air Act.”
Bush’s scam to “strengthen” Medicare — “Medicare Advantage” — was a thinly disguised plan to privatize that program that is today draining Medicare’s coffers while making insurance executives richer than Midas.
Donald Trump told Americans he had the coronavirus pandemic under control while he was actually making the situation far worse: America had more deaths per capita from the disease than any other developed country in the world, with The Lancet estimating a half-million Americans died needlessly because of Trump’s grift.
Jared and Ivanka cashed in on their time in the White House to the tune of billions, while Trump squeezed hundreds of millions out of foreign governments, encouraging them to illegally pay him through rentals in his properties around the world.
Other Trump grifts — most leading to grateful industries or billionaires helping him and the GOP out — included:
— Making workplaces less safe — Boosting religious schools at the expense of public schools — Cutting relief for students defrauded by student loan sharks — Shrinking the safety net by cutting $60 billion out of food stamps — Forcing workers to put in overtime without getting paid extra for it — Pouring more pollution from fossil fuels into our fragile atmosphere — Gutting the EPA’s science operation — Rescinding rules that protected workers at federal contract sites — Dialing back car air pollution emissions standards — Reducing legal immigration of skilled workers into the US from “shithole countries” — Blocking regulation of toxic chemicals — Rolling back rules on banks, setting up the crisis of 2023 — Defenestrating rules against racially segregated housing
While Nixon was simply corrupt — a crook, to use his own term — in 1978 when five Republicans on the Supreme Court signed off on the Bellotti decision authored by Lewis Powell himself, giving corporations the legal right to bribe American politicians, the GOP went all in.
Ever since then, the GOP has purely been the party of billionaires and giant corporations, although their most successful political grift has been to throw an occasional bone to racists, gun-nuts, fascists, homophobes, and woman-haters to get votes.
Democrats at that time were largely funded by the unions, so it wasn’t until the 1990s, after Reagan had destroyed about half of America’s union jobs and gutted the unions’ ability to fund campaigns, that the Democratic Party under Bill Clinton was forced to make a big turn toward taking corporate cash.
Since Barack Obama showed how online fundraising could replace corporate cash, however, about half of the nation’s Democratic politicians have aligned with the Progressive Caucus and eschewed corporate money, returning much of the Party to its FDR and Great Society base.
The GOP, in contrast, has never wavered from lapping up corporate money in exchange for tax cuts, deregulation, and corporate socialism.
Their most dangerous grift today, though, has been their embrace of the lie that America is not a democracy but instead is a theocratic republic that should be ruled exclusively by armed Christian white men. It’s leading us straight into the jaws of fascism.
Bannon’s grift in East Palestine is the smallest of the small, after his being busted for a multi-million-dollar fraud in the “Build the Wall” scheme and others, but is still emblematic of the Republican strategy at governance.
When all you have to offer the people is a hustle, then at the very least, Republicans figure, you should be able to make a buck or gain/keep political power while doing it.
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ub3ast · 5 months
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Ha Ha, Panama is in Danger
I'm not sure how much Panama has been mentioned on the news or in English speaking social media these last few days. Probably the most you have heard about us is either about the Panama Canal or the big case of Panama Papers. If you know more about us than that, thank you for taking the time to learn about us.
But this post is not going to go over either of those, but the battle that we are fighting right now against our government and an unconstitutional contract that was signed about a week ago that basically sentenced our country to be occupied/be sucked dry of our resources and to be polluted by a foreign company, First Quantum Minerals.
So open-pit mining has happened here since 1997. The contract signed then, was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Justice Court here in 2017 (of course after they had already signed a renewal with the government here. What great timing!) They continued to exploit the area that was lent to them, regardless. If I remember correctly, there was another complaint filed in the Supreme Justice Court in 2020~2021, that ruled the new contract as unconstitutional.
You might be thinking, "that was a few years ago. you said that this was about last week?" Yes! this is all about last week! But context is nice right? Like for more context:
It is speculated that the open pit mine, as it is right now, is about half the area of our capital, Panama city! (the city's about 275 square km big, so the mine is currently about 136 square km. in terms of soccer fields, think about 16 886 of them. pretty big huh?). Imagine a hole that big in a forest. oh wait. it is a hole that big in a tropical forest! Animals and plants have been displaced, if not wiped from the face of the Earth.
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(that yellow-ish spot, that's the mine. you can click on the link of the image to check for yourself in google maps how massive it is. It's the largest open-pit mine in Central America (from Guatemala to Panama))
Open-pit mines are okay-ish if they are done in a place where there's not much of a vegetation to begin with (but don't get me wrong, they are still very much bad for the environment). Remember the big hole I talked about earlier? yep, that's a big hole that was made on a patch of forest that they decided to cut down. So that's a lot of very old and very big trees gone. But that's not all! The rivers! The vicinity! The air! All of it is getting more and more polluted the more they work on that mine!
The last bit of context (for now!) we were occupied the better part of our almost 120 years as a republic. Since 1904 until December 1999, the US took the stripe of land and a bit more of what today is the Panama Canal. We don't have the best of the memories of other countries taking control of our own country. The area basically operated like a US territory: if you were Panamanian, you didn't have free access to that stripe of land.
So back to last week: in record time, our National Assembly (legislative organ) and President Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo passed and signed the law that approved and sign the contract with Minera Panamá for First Quantum Minerals to continue the exploitation of the open-pit mine, but with added benefits, (of fucking course!) like:
if they decide that in a specific terrain there's minerals that they are interested in, they can expropriate it no matter who owns it (basically, if you had a house there and they find copper or whatever other metallic, they are taking your house and the terrain. maybe they'll pay you a few dollars for the trouble if you are nice about it. how fucking fun!)
they are in charge of security in the area. So they kind of have their own police I think?
they can build their own malls, their own hospitals, their own houses, their own infrastructure- you get the gist. They can make a mining colony. That sounds straight out of sci-fi.
they can use the rivers and the water in those areas however they see fit (mmm red water for the rest of us Panamanians! fuck us right?) they don't even need to pay for electricity they use or produce out of that water, if I recall correctly.
the shiny clause that was dangled in front of our faces as to why this was the better, modernized, and much greater contract: NOW they pay us TAXES. YOU MEAN TO SAY THEY NEVER PAYED TAXES TO OPERATE HERE. WHAT THE FUCK
ALSO, NOW they have a plan to rehabilitate the area once they finish! Do you want to know when? MAYBE IN 20 YEARS--- THAT IS, IF THEY DON'T DECIDE TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT FOR ANOTHER 20. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.
These and many more reasons have people rightfully pissed. Every time Nito decides to speak about the issue he dances around the subject. He tells us to not vandalize. He tells us to not protest. That the contract is just. going. to have. to happen. That nobody is above the law (HA fucking HA, just like you Nito and your party, right?). That maybe we can talk this out? What about a popular vote? Oh wait, we can't (Tribunal Electoral, the entity that overlooks political parties and makes sure that voting is done right, said today there's no grounds for that). Right now, we (Panamanians) suspect that last night's (the date I'm writing this is October 30th) message to us was made with AI. FUCKING AI. THE VICE PRESIDENT IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.
The massive protests have been going strong for a bit more of a week now. We are being repressed by the police (nothing fucking new here!), they have shot at us with pepper pellets(?, thrown unnecessary amounts of tear gas (that is also expired! they want us dead!). An independent journalist photographer lost his eye because the police shot him with one of those pellets (and the police! the police says it wasn't them! there's videos of them doing it! how shameless can the State be??).
One thing that fills me with hope, is the fact that the protests have been massive. I'm talking main streets full to the brim of people, as far as the eye can see. Our flag in the hands of thousands that go out in the name of our piece of land. The dozens of slogans, rhymes, tamboritos, songs, dances, characters that were born from love towards our country and the nature it harbors. The millions of banners with messages of contempt towards our current situation, jokes, love poems, truths. I'm proud of being born and raised here.
Welp all this to say, if you can join Panamanians rallying around the world against this contract, please do. I know that there's a lot of very serious happenings around the world, and that maybe you don't have the energy right now to join them. That's alright. Start with sharing what's happening here. You can join us later, this is going to probably be a long fight.
*don't take me as a main source of information. I'm talking about my experience. I'm not a journalist. DO read about us, our history, and more about what's happening right now. This post is both to get the ball rolling on the side of the English speaking part of the internet and also just me expressing my feelings over everything that's going on right now here. I can provide Spanish speaking alternative media that are reporting on what's happening, but idk who's covering what's happening here withing the English speaking media. maybe CNN.
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sara-loves-skz · 7 months
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Skz should leave jype. Jype ain't helping them. Like why make a deal with Republic Records and then do nothing with them? Why ignore death threats? Why work with companies who post hate towards certain members? Why ignore members schedules on social media? Why make members apologize for things they never did?
Why do you take away Chans safe space where he can talk with us? Is it because you can't protect them?
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