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needs-to-stop-looking-at-yigas · 3 years

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Camping double date with Miphlink and the Yiga Husbands??

This is a TERRIBLE idea. Why? Because Kohga loves to live like a king, so camping is something he HATES. Unfortunately, Sooga got to pick the double date idea, and he LOVES camping. So, let's go!

"We could've gone sunbathing on a beach. Could've even gone to the shores of Zora's domain. But no. You just. Had to pick the FUCKING woods!"

Sooga chuckled as he checked the sturdiness of the tent. Mipha and Link often went on double dates with them(to show their support), and the four of them took turns on where to go. It was Sooga's turn, and he picked a camping date. Not JUST a camping date, but a camping date up on Satori fucking mountain. It meant they had to fucking HIKE. And Kohga was hating EVERY moment of it. It must’ve been obvious, given the fact that Mipha was staying with him as Link and Sooga lead the pack. Sooga was grinning as he walked backwards, clearly not trying to sound giddy.

“Master Kohga, this is a nice change of pace, is it not? The smell of trees, the plentiful resources? It’s lovely. I mean, not as lovely as you, but still lovely.”

“You’re using flirts to keep me from going home.”

“Is it working?”

“...kinda. But don’t push it.”

Sooga nodded. Him and Link were having just a ball during this little trek, and it was JUST because of that, that Kohga wasn’t making him pick him up. Mipha chuckled, lightly nudging Kohga.

“Do be patient. Love is full of that. I’m sure he appreciates being out here.”

“He better, I’m taking all his future turns.”

The climb was slow, exhausting, and Kohga was SO goddamn happy when Sooga and Link started to unpack their things, ready to set up camp. It was near the top of the cliff, and a number of trees decorated the rocky land. Kohga sat down on a log, groaning. Kohga wasn’t in bad shape, but hiking was just AWFUL compared to working out at home. Dirt, animals, all of it just sucked to him. He’d MUCH rather be working out at home (Kohga could name other ways he could work a sweat with Sooga).

“Why THIS spot? There’s BARELY any stable ground, and these trees barely leave us rooms for the tent.”

Sooga nodded as he finally undid all of his prep work.

“It’s true, but this spot is special, I swear. Now, if you’ll excuse us. Link, you first?”

Link nodded, and started to clear the trees and bushes. Not all of them, but enough to give them actual stable land to pitch tents in. Kohga watched as Link and Sooga chopped the trees, tossing them in the corner for firewood. Mipha chuckled as she sat next to Kohga.

“Hey. At least we can watch the boys do a little bit of labor.”

Kohga gave her a bit of a side eye. Mipha was really starting to know him.

“I mean, true, I do like watching cute guys do hard work. Think Sooga’s showing off for me?”

“Absolutely.”

They both shared a bit of a giggle, and immediately Kohga felt just a bit better. Even if a fuck ton of bugs kept hovering around. They both finally finished, pitched their tents (one for each couple, for privacy of course), and Sooga immediately started to make a fire. He was pretty good at it, getting it ready and roaring just when Kohga was starting to lose patience. Sooga patted the dirt from his hands, and walked over, grabbing Kohga’s hand and kissing the back of it.

“I left some food for you in the pack, but I’m going to catch something more...lively. I will come back in a moment.”

He turned to Link, who was already starting to unpack the food bags.

“Link, keep an eye in my stead. Precious cargo here.”

Sooga walked off to god knows where, and Mipha smiled her precious little smile.

“He loves you very much. I can tell.”

“Yeah yeah. Makin’ me trek all the way up here, all sweaty and shit. He loved me, he would’ve picked an ACTUALLY good trip.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Mipha, I love ya, but stop being right about things.”

Link even seemed to smile about that, bringing a bunch of bananas over to Kohga. At LEAST he packed him something good to eat. Link helped a bit too, going to a nearby tree to pluck some fresh durian fruit. Link gave them both fruit as he tended to the fire, and Kohga SAW that swoon on Mipha’s adorable face.

“Hey, I saw that.”

“Saw what?”

“You swooning over your man, you little minx!”

Mipha stammered, but as Link looked over, shooting her a wink, she knew she had been had, hiding her face in her hand, and trying to hide at Kohga’s side. Kohga laughed, shaking his head.

“You two! Got it SO bad! It’s precious! You two really deserve to be together.”

Mipha peered past her hands, to make sure Link wasn’t looking anymore, before looking back up at Kohga.

“Well thank you. Father appears to think so, as does Sidon. Can I uhm...tell you a secret?”

“Shoot little red.”

Mipha covered the side of her mouth with her palm, keeping her voice low.

“I made Zora armor for Link. I’m planning on giving it to him this week.”

That was Zora lingo for ‘marriage’ essentially, and Kohga nearly jumped off his seat, hands thrown about wildly.

“YOU’RE SERIOUS?!”

The sound of his scream made Link miss his shot, about to shoot a bird for dinner. Upon missing, he turned to scowl rather heavily at Kohga, who muttered an apology. When he turned away, Kohga finally found his heart back in his chest, rather than his throat.

“You’re gonna get MARRIED?”

“I’m planning on it, yes!”

“Mipha, lil’ red, I love you to bits, but you’re SO young! How could you want to get married NOW?”

Mipha turned to look at Link, gently cocking her head in a loving, adoring fashion.

"I'm certain I'll never find another for me. I adore him with all my heart. I want to marry him. Very, very much. Do you...not think it's a good idea?"

"No no! I mean, great that you wanna settle. It's great. I fully support you both. I just...the idea of getting married is weird to me, I guess. But I mean, so long as I get to be the best man."

"That's my brother."

"Okay fair. What about flower girl?"

"Riju."

"Ring bearer?"

"That's Midnight."

Kohga threw his arms in the air, in total disbelief.

"Who's Midnight?!"

"Link's horse."

"...That's actually super cute."

"Isn't it? If it helps any, you can help me pick my wedding outfit."

"Deal."

They both shook hands, satisfied with the deal. Kohga held onto her hand for a moment, clearing his throat.

"But uh...don't tell Sooga, yeah? He's wedding crazy, and if he hears you're gonna get hitched, he's NOT gonna let me hear the end of it."

"End of what?"

They both turned to see Sooga, carrying an entire honeyvore bear over his shoulder. Kohga should've been surprised by his man carrying a whole ass bear like a sack of flour, but he really wasn't.

"Nothing. See you got dinner."

"I did. I was going for a mountain goat, but this one didn't seem to know how to behave. I trust Link has been taking care of you in my stead?"

"Totally. Cut us up some fruit like a good boy and everything."

Kohga pinched Link's cheek as he came over, eager to show his arms full of freshly killed pigeons. Sooga chuckled, rustling Link's hair.

"Quite the provider you have here, Mipha. Should you two marry, I can assure you'd never go hungry."

Kohga tried not to groan. Marriage ALWAYS came up with his ass. It seemed to make Link a bit nervous too, as his face turned dark, and he went back to tending the fire. Mipha giggled into her palm.

"Thank you, Sooga. That's sweet of you to say. But I'm not looking on proposing here and now, so."

Sooga shrugged as he started to cut through the animal's hide, getting it ready for the flames.

"The future is fickle. Who truly knows?"

There was a smirk in his tone, even Mipha seemed to catch onto it. Kohga rolled his eyes. The idea of marriage was so ridiculous to him. Being tied down to one person forever? Fucking ONE piece of ass forever? Not his thing. But hey, he wasn’t Mipha. He scooted over next to Sooga as soon as he put the meats over the fire.

“Sooga, how much longer till it’s ready, you think?”

Sooga chuckled. His Master LOVED to eat, and while he was no chef, he could cook some good, fresh meat over a campfire. He cut a piece of the meat, showing Kohga just how raw it was.

“It’ll take a good minute, Master. Unless you’d like it raw, then I can serve you a piece now.”

Kohga stuck his nose up at it, and Sooga, for some reason, found his face so charming.

“Who wants to eat raw ass-”

Link snatched the piece from his hand, stuffing it in his mouth. Kohga sighed.

“Right. Link. The guy that will actually eat ANYTHING. You remember the time he just, ate some fucking rocks?”

“I recall, yes. Yet, he makes a VERY good fish pie.”

“Hey. Bad enough we HIKED here, don’t you even bring UP fish.”

Sooga gave a light shake of his head, even as Kohga smacked at his tit. He was lucky he was fine, else Kohga wouldn’t put up with his nonsense. They spent a good moment in idle chit chat (how restoration to kingdoms were, recent training practices, new dishes, the usual stuff you’d talk about with folks you more or less considered family), before Sooga handed Kohga a healthy plate of food. Fried wild greens, and spiced meat skewers (Kohga ALWAYS had Sooga bring goron spices whenever they went out. Kohga put it on EVERYTHING, especially meat). Kohga helped himself, digging into his meal hungrily. Sooga was a shit cook in a modern kitchen, but when it came to spicing and cooking meat out in the wild, Sooga was damn good enough. Juicy insides, and a nice, crispy outside. Him and Link didn’t talk as much, in favor of eating ravenously and enjoying their meals.

“Sooga, you don’t like goron spice?”

“Not especially. I always give my portion to Kohga, who loves it. But I prefer mine lightly salted. And I'm not the only one, it seems."

A raven seemed to trot over to them, eyeing Sooga curiously. It welcomed the slices of meat Sooga tossed its way, and Sooga noticed Kohga’s look of interest.

"Birds always did seem to like me, for whatever reason. Watch."

Sooga brought his hand down, and almost immediately, the bird jumped into his hand, eyeing everyone curiously. Kohga leaned over and lightly poked its head, making it squawk.

"Huh. That's why Revali thinks you're hot."

Sooga shook his head, as if something smelled.

"I wish you hadn't told me that. Makes me wish birds hated me."

"What if it was Teba?"

Sooga took a moment in hesitation, before lightly nodding.

“I like Teba.”

“EVERYONE likes Teba, can’t say I blame you here.”

Sooga gave the crow another scrap of meat, before motioning for it to leave, which it did, but not before looking back at Sooga once more. Mipha handed her plate to Link (who always ate whatever she couldn’t finish), before softly nodding.

“That’s honestly quite charming. I’m personally really good with fish, though it might be a Zora thing.”

Then the most odd thing happened. Link put his plate down (with food STILL on it), and nearly leapt towards Mipha, clearly excited. She seemed surprised for a moment, before chuckling.

“Oh, you want me to show them, don’t you?”

Link nodded again, wildly. Mipha held onto her head fin, and the spots on her skin seemed to glow, which seemed to glow brightly as the sun soon seemed to die down.

“Woah. Since when could you do that?”

“Always. It’s made to attract fish, bugs...Hylians.”

Link was just enthralled in her spots, fingers carefully brushing against her skin. She sat there, as flattered and flustered as a young princess could be, while Link just sat there, adoring her like something out of a story book. Sooga looked down at Kohga, who was enthralled with them both. With the moon gracing the sky, now was just as good of a time as any.

“Master Kohga, I think these two need a moment of privacy. Could I...show you something?”

Kohga nodded, quietly helping them sneak away. This somehow ended with Sooga leading Kohga god knows where, covering his mask with his hands.

“Sooga, why can’t I just close my eyes?”

“You peek.”

“I won’t this time! Maybe!”

“Relax, Master Kohga. We’re almost there. Now, be silent.”

Kohga stopped talking, and just trusted Sooga to guide him. He was about to take another step, when Sooga stopped him in his tracks. His voice was in a hushed, low tone.

“Open your eyes.”

Kohga did just that, and couldn’t believe his eyes. Blupees. Blupees , surrounding a lake, littered in cherry tree petals. They all sat there, hopping about, grooming their long, orange feelers. They hadn’t been noticed yet, and it was incredible. Some sipped at the lake water, some seemed to hop amongst the piles of petals. Kohga kept his voice low, in disbelief.

“You...knew they’d be here.”

“I did. This trip was the perfect opportunity to show you something as beautiful as you are. I take it you’ve never seen them up close?”

“No. Only in books. They’re...so different in person.”

Kohga took a step forward, making a branch snap. They thought it had been the end of it, when one of the blupees turned to look at him. But then, it chose not to run. Rather, it hopped right to Kohga, standing on its rear legs and eyeing him curiously. Kohga glanced at Sooga, before looking back towards the creature.

“Thought they were skittish?”

“They’re supposed to be. Unless they consider you not a threat.”

“W-hey! I’m plenty threatening! Go on, get!”

Kohga knelt down and pointed at it, only for it to bump against his hand, and snuggle into it like a stray cat. Kohga grumbled in a mixture of confusion and amazement, before another blupee walked over. Then another. Then another. They all scattered about him, clearly fascinated and eager to rub their little faces against him. It made Kohga fall on his ass, trying not to step on them. Sooga knelt down to him, ever ready to be of assistance. Though, it seemed the only thing his master was in danger of, was getting a permanent scowl. He chuckled.

“I don’t think they find you too threatening. Foolish creatures, honestly.”

“I should be making these bunnies shake in their boots dammit.”

Kohga raised a hand in accusation, before a blupees seemed to fall right into it, desperate for a good petting. Sooga took a small step forward, careful not to spook them, before he clunked his mask against Kohga’s.

“You...never cease to amaze me, Master Kohga. You’re incredible. These creatures thrive on purity. I can only imagine how much of it is in your heart.”

Kohga scoffed, playfully pushing his face away with his hand.

“It’s nothing like that, these things are just dumb. But… this is sweet. YOU’RE sweet. And as much as I hated the hiking, the bugs...this was nice. I don’t ever think I’m going to forget this, Sooga.”

“So I did good for my turn?”

“Good enough to try again, yes. God you’re so dumb and pretty.”

Sooga chuckled. He parted his mask, as well as his master’s, and was about to lean in for a kiss, when suddenly a shadow peered over them. Both of them jumped a bit, scaring a few of the blupees. Kohga stood aghast at the creature, while Sooga looked stiff.

“Is that...the Lord of the Mountain?”

“Yes. Aka, one that brings curses upon the land it walks.”

Sooga brought out his weapon, and aimed it right between its faces. The creature stared at him, before slowly walking past Sooga, and stopping right in front of Kohga. It slowly brought its head down, right into Kohga’s lap. It looked at him with it’s intense, bright eyes. Kohga looked unsure of what to do, before he slowly, carefully, brought his hand right next to his face. Kohga motioned wildly with his free hand, totally in disbelief.

“I’m petting it! I’m THIS cool! Can you SEE this?!”

The Lord seemed comforted by his hand, eyes lidded as Kohga’s hands nestled and scratched at it’s fur. It was brief, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression in Sooga’s mind. The creature pulled away after a moment, before dipping its face into the water, taking a sip. Then it took a step towards Sooga, and promptly spat water at his face. With a snort, and a stomp of it’s hoof, it turned, and started to graze within the water. Sooga turned to look at Kohga, who was trying VERY hard not to laugh.

“Pffft! It spat water at you! Holy CRAP, he does NOT like you!”

Kohga lost it at that point, pointing at Sooga and just losing himself in laughter. He only stopped once Sooga knelt down, and held his hand in his own.

“I’m. So in love with you, you couldn’t even fathom it-”

“This shit again.”

“Say the word and I’d be your husband IMMEDIATELY.”

Kohga groaned, using his other hand to smack his forehead. It wasn’t entirely Sooga’s fault that he was so lovesick though.

Not when the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen, got to pet the Lord of the Mountain.

#asks #kohga #sooga #lord of the mountain #mipha #link #listen #seriously if it has hooves it HATES sooga and loves kohga #also all birds are pretty much attracted to sooga #rito women? sucker for him #the only one who has a REMOTE chance with him tho is teba

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stormtide-leviathan · 3 years

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Kaldheim Booster Challenge

I posted this on reddit, if you’d rather check it out there, but I wanted to share it here too b̶e̶c̶a̶u̶s̶e̶ ̶i̶'̶m̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶s̶t̶a̶n̶t̶l̶y̶ ̶d̶e̶s̶p̶e̶r̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶a̶f̶f̶i̶r̶m̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶.

In the third great designer search, there was a challenge to pick a set and make a booster pack full of custom cards that fit in that set. I’ve started doing this for sets since Zendikar rising, and wanted to continue that tradition here. Why am I doing this so late after the release of Kaldheim? Cause shuttup, that’s why >:(

Here’s the link to the full imgur album. There are also individual imgur links even though there are images, cause reddit doesn’t allow images directly and I’m copy/pasting from there.

Anyway, let’s get started! (Long post ahead)

Common #1:

Divine Goat 3W

Creature- Goat

W, Sacrifice ~: You gain 3 life.

Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, return ~ from your graveyard to your hand.

Here’s a top down design, based on Thor’s goats that pulled his chariot and were sacrificed for food every night and reborn in the morning. Originally the recursion triggered based on Vehicles, but with two other vehicle cards in the booster including the other white common, one had to go and this was the best option, but I still liked the flavor so I went with another of white’s themes.

Common #2:

Dwarven Elder 2W

Creature- Dwarf Warrior

Whenever ~ crews a Vehicle, draw a card.

2/2

The fabled white card draw. Yes, I am your savior. Your messiah. Bow before my wisdom. I could technically see this design in either white or blue, but I liked white better and white cares more about vehicles anyway. I based the costing off Stealer of Secrets. This doesn’t put itself in danger, but relies much more on deck building to activate.

Common #3:

Ambusher Giant 5U

Creature- Giant Warrior

Flash

Foretell 3U (During your turn, you may pay 2 and exile this card from your hand face down. Cast it on a later turn for its foretell cost.)

4/4

Foretell works really well with instant speed, so I thought a big instant speed creature would be a good fit. Since blue has a giant tribal theme, and is one of the main colors for foretell, it was an obvious fit.

Common #4:

Heated Rebuttal 1U

Instant

Counter target spell unless its controller pays 2. They can’t spend S to pay this cost. (S is mana from a snow source.)

Here’s another snow hate card. What I really wanted to do with this was discourage running snow basics where you don’t have to, and though we have the god in the set that does this I think this is an issue that’s solved with both quality and quantity. I wasn’t sure on the power level of this for standard purposes, but I’d rather this more pushed version than be too weak and have it not do anything against snow.

Common #5:

Shapeshifter’s Trickery 1U

Enchantment- Aura

Enchant Creature

Enchanted creature gets +1/+0, is every creature type, and can’t be blocked.

Not too much to say here really. This is good for the tribal synergies in the set, and is just an innocuous little aura for limited. Not everything is gonna be pushing boundaries.

Common #6:

Draugr Fleshchewer 1B

Snow Creature- Zombie Berserker

Whenever Draugr Fleshchewer attacks, mill two cards. If a snow card was milled this way, Draugr Fleshchewer gains menace until end of turn.

2/2

This originally worked with the “exile a creature card from your graveyard” subtheme, but I had to change this to snow and I couldn’t get a good snowy design that used that mechanic. So instead, it fuels it. I also wanted to have another card that cares about the existence of snow instants/sorceries because they were introduced this set and the number of cards that only work with snow permanent cards when they don’t have to is strange.

Common #7:

Arrogant Stand 3R

Sorcery

Creatures without a boast ability can’t block this turn.

Here’s a simple little card that plays around with the flavorful space of boast. You have to be very full of yourself to stand up to the oncoming attack.

Common #8:

Winterdark Ritual 2R

Snow Instant

Add three mana of any one color.

Foretell R (During your turn, you may pay 2 and exile this card from your hand face down. Cast it on a later turn for its foretell cost.)

Is the name completely on the nose? Absolutely. And I find that hilarious. This is taking advantage of the fact that foretell is payed in multiple payments to turn that into mana storage. And it’s snow, because snow rituals are new to the set, play well, and I don’t think it makes it too powerful, though this has a lot of little factors to it that might push it over the edge. Any number of them could easily be tweaked though.

Common #9:

Blessing of Koma G

Enchantment- Aura

Enchant creature

Enchanted creature has “T: Add one mana of any color.”

2, Sacrifice ~: Draw a card.

This card is secretly also a snow card. The intention is, you can enchant snow creatures with it to get extra snow mana. However, it’s not snow itself because a) I thought that made for a cool moment of discovery and b) If it was snow, a lot of players would mistakenly think the mana is snow whether or not the creature it enchants is.

Common #10:

Boulderskin Troll 3G

Creature- Troll Warrior

When ~ dies, search your library for a Forest or Mountain card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Shuffle your library.

3/2

I really wanted this card to be red. See, the legend goes that when a troll goes out in the sun it turns into rock and I thought tutoring for a Mountain when it died would be a good way to do that. However, I just couldn’t find a good way to do that which felt red, so I had to make this green. Luckily red/green are the troll colors so it could still find a mountain. I specifically chose nonbasic so that it could synergize with the snow duals at common.

Uncommon #1:

Immerstrum Berserker 3BB

Creature- Demon Berserker

Boast- 2B: ~ gains lifelink until end of turn. (Activate this ability only once each turn and only if this creature attacked this turn.)

Boast- 1B: Each opponent discards a card. (You may activate both boasts in a single turn.)

5/3

It has two boasts. Ya know how most creatures only have one boast, if any? Well not this, it has two. That’s it. That’s the design.

Uncommon #2:

Master Shipcrafter 1R

Creature- Dwarf Artificer

1R: ~ gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

Whenever a creature you control crews a Vehicle for the first time each turn, that Vehicle gains that creature’s activated abilities until end of turn.

0/2

There’s this weird tension in the set where R/W both encourages you to play a lot of vehicles, and has a lot of boast creatures, which do not work well at all together. This card is an attempt to fix that. Originally it just worked with boast, #notallactivatedabilities, but that was an extremely narrow card so I widened the scope. There’s certainly some weird combos you can do with this, but nothing too bad in limited though.

Uncommon #3:

Ring of Kinship 2

Artifact- Equipment

Equipped creature gets +1/+1

Creature spells you cast that share a creature type with equipped creature cost 1 less to cast.

Equip 1

I’m a big fan of equipment and auras that have a universal effect that cares about a quality of the equipped creature. I dunno why, but it tickles me. Creature type is a good thing to care about on designs like this though, and I wanted both an equipment and a tribal reward in the booster, so it was a good fit.

Rare:

Kvasha, God of Magic 3UU

Legendary Creature- God

Flying

When ~ enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying for each enchantment you control and each enchantment card in your graveyard.

Sacrifice a Spirit: You may cast spells as though they have flash this turn.

Kvasha’s Birth 2GW

Enchantment- Saga

I, II: Until your next turn, whenever ~ or another enchantment enters the battlefield under your control, draw a card.

III: Mill six cards. Exile ~ then return it to the battlefield face-up.

I’m genuinely really sad they didn’t do a god with a saga as its backside, it could have been really cool. So I made one myself!! I wanted it to at least be feasible as a commander for a Saga deck, and since Kaldheim has a lot of enchantments running around I figured it could use an enchantress like this. The tricky part was, I had to make a blue card that could also feasibly be a selesnya card, since the saga turns into it. It also works well with the tribal themes and the spirit subtype in the set, though that’s more of a bonus than anything else. If you’re wondering why this card looks different, that’s for two reasons. One, I can’t make Sagas on MSE. And two, this overlapped nicely with the Inventor’s Fair contest of the week on tumblr, which I use mtg.design for since it’s easier to get links that way. (Check them out! @inventors-fair That contest is what finally pushed me to finish this booster).

Basic:

Snow-Covered Swamp

Snow Land- Swamp

T: Add B.

Look, it's a snow-covered swamp. I needed a snasic in here. I dunno what else you want from me.

So there we go!! Finally!! The booster challenge that took weeks longer than it should have. What do you think of the designs? Do you think they would fit well within Kaldheim? If not, how could I fix them? Also I probably made a formatting mistake somewhere in here so if you notice like, a wrong link or something let me know. Also, if you want me to tackle an old set feel free to request it, though since this took me weeks for some reason I can’t make any promises lol.

Here’s boosters I’ve done before:

- Zendikar Rising: Reddit

- Commander Legends: Reddit // Tumblr

#mtg #magic #magic the gathering #custommagic #custommtg #kaldheim #booster challenge #long post #original post

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doomedandstoned · 3 years

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Chattanooga’s Dope Skum Drop Gritty First Spin

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Stompin' southern stoner riffs and great big beats collide with punkish vocals in 'Tanasi' (2021). It's the debut EP from Chattanooga's DOPE SKUM. These guys know it's about to get hot as we transition from winter to spring and on into summer, too. Oh those muggy days in Tennessee! What I miss most about spending time in the Deep South are the cicada at sunset, the smell of honeysuckle during evening strolls, and those damned thunderstorms -- the kind that loom large and loud and'll put the fear of Zeus right in ya.

So new that they're not yet in the oft-referenced Encyclopaedia Metallum, Dope Skum attracted my attention earlier this month when we met on Instagram -- a platform I avoided for years, but have finally come to embrace, if for no better reason than these kinds of spontaneous encounters. They're another child born of the Great Lockdown, a two-piecer with Cody Landress-Gibson on guitar and voice and James Silber on drums. Like many of the duos we've visited recently in this humble rag, Dope Skum bring impressive heft that could easily fool the common bystander into believing they're dang near twice the size.

Cody Landress-Gibson of Dope Skum

Drawn together by their affinity for punk rock and the heaviest of metal, Dope Skum have a distinctive, if eccentric sound that kinda reminds me of Portland's LáGoon, at least in the crooning department. If you look at the history of sludge metal, bands of this kind typically start out as lo-fi punk or thrash and just get slower, meaner, deeper, and heavier over time (I'm thinking of an outfit just one state over, NC's Buzzov*en).

Dope Skum describe their sound as "nastier than an old timer's moonshine mash," which made me wince. Standing on a "rock-solid foundation of sludgy stoner metal with a notable punky inflection" the band is influenced by the likes of Weedeater, Iron Monkey, Eyehategod, and Toke. This is rude, crude, raucous terrain we're entering, people. And I'm sure the guys are just itching like an ankle full of chiggers to take the act to the stage, if they haven't gotten busted for an illegal house show by now.

James Silber of Dope Skum

'Tanasi' (2021) is their 5-track debut, and while trying to look up the meaning of the word -- temporarily mistaking it for the Japanese "Tansai" (which I thought might be a reference to some to some "lightly colored" strain of weed) -- it finally hit me that Tanasi might be referring how folks generations deep in Chattanooga pronounce Tennessee, with characteristic Southern drawl. As if the state-shaped logo on the album cover wasn't clue enough. Truth be told, Tanasi is actually the Native American/Cherokee word that Tennessee is derived from.

Dope Skum are only happy to let the unique character of their surroundings and its fascinating, tangled history leak into the songcraft too, which the guys quip, "recalls simplistic fiddle tunes of yore." They go on describe their first opus to us:

Exuding a gritty DIY ethos and an anti-establishment attitude, 'Tanasi' is deliberately rough around the edges, and doesn’t play by any particular set of rules. There is no ulterior motive, no grand artistic vision. Dope Skum simply play engaging music that appeals to their interests and their roots.

I can definitely get behind that. If you like riffs that can really rumble, honest lyrics delivered with vocals that sting like an onary hornet's nest, and rhythms that swing wide and heavy with stomping Southern swagger, you'll be saying Tanasi in no time! "We wanted to try and create something that was southern, punky, and sludgy," the band concludes. "I think we accomplished that."

Look for the EP to drop this weekend in digital format. I'm sure if you guys dig it, 'twill find its way to a suitable label for a physical release in the near future. I'm currently stuck on a loop between "Anxiety" and "Chickamauga" as my tracks of choice. Doomed & Stoned is pleased to give you a first listen to Dope Skum's Tanasi and let you find a few favs of your own.

Give ear...

Tanasi EP by Dope Skum

Dope Skum Take Us On Tour Of 'Tanasi'

How did Dope Skum become a thing and what tools did you use to create 'Tanasi' (2021)?

Dope Skum started in late-2020 with myself, Cody Landress-Gibson, on guitar and James Silber on drums. Our gear really isn't anything to write home about. On the EP, I played a Harley Benton DC Junior with a single P90 pickup running through a Rat ProCo, Orange Fur Coat Fuzz, and EarthQuaker Devices Ghost Echo at times into a Marshall MG50CFX. James plays a Yamaha drum set with PA Meinl Classics cymbals. It's pretty "working class" gear, nothing too fancy.

What's the story behind the new record?

James and I started jamming and both had a pretty solid idea of the sound we were going for. We wanted something in the same vein as Weedeater, but maintain the ability to throw in elements of different influences we have. I had already written some riffs, and we threw them together to what became the EP. We recorded, mixed, and mastered everything ourselves at my house/garage in Chattanooga.

We'd love a guided tour through the new EP. Can you give us insight into the themes explored in these five monster tracks?

Feast of Snakes: The title was inspired by a Harry Crews novel, but the song doesn't pull from the novel at all. It's essentially an anti-authoritarian song. Politicians, kings, people in power tend to be snakes in the grass. There are also some religious metaphors used, as well, throughout the song.

Anxiety: The idea behind this one lyrically and musically was to try and put that emotion/feeling into a musical context. It's why the lyrics don't start until the second time into the verse riff. You're waiting, and you know you need to act, but something is just holding you back -- you just feel kind of stuck.

Chickamauga: This one is all instrumental. I had written the main riff that is throughout the song one night and brought it to James at a practice. We really didn't know where to go with it, so for the EP we recorded it live and just let whatever came up get included on the EP. I named it "Chickamauga" after the second bloodiest battle in the Civil War that took place just south of Chattanooga. With the build-up in the song, it's kind of like a soldier waiting for the battle to take place, then the chaos, then silence either from surviving the melee or dying. It's probably one of the tracks that will stick out the most because it doesn't really fit the "genre."

The Levee: I wrote this song with the thought of losing someone you love, the death of a close partner or family member. That one person you feel like you can't live without. I also love the riffs in this song. They groove well and the ending riff is super fun to play.

Mountain Cur: The final track on the EP is essentially about a lone wolf or stray dog that roams the mountains and hills. The intention was to use it as a metaphor for loneliness. This dog is all alone and has no one. He's committing these acts of violence as cry out for help and companionship. Don't know if it comes across this way, but that was the intention! Also, at the beginning is audio from a scene in Lawless (2012), which is a film about the Bondurant brothers who were outlaws moonshiners in rural Virginia in the '20s during Prohibition.

Follow The Band

Get Their Music

#D&S Debuts #Dope Skum #Chattanooga #Tennessee #doom #sludge #metal #doom metal #D&S Reviews #D&S Interviews #HeavyBest2021 #Doomed and Stoned

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tearsofblood · 4 years

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omg so i was tagged by @bringmoreknives who is an angel??

Rules: You can usually tell a lot about a person by the type of music they listen to! Put your favorite playlist on shuffle and list the first 10 songs, then tag 10 people. No skipping!

this is from one mass playlist i have of everything i like that is simply called “ya”

1. she’s a handsome woman - panic at the disco. lol i literally listen to pretty odd every day

2. all my friends are in bar bands - the wonder years. since ive come to the states sept 2017 ive seen the wonder years about 5 times which i think is very sexy of me

3. broom people - the mountain goats. where my main url comes from!! its my favorite tmg song it makes me feel held

4. besitos - pierce the veil. i know.

5. same logic/teeth - brand new.

6. mother love - queen. fun fact when i was like 12-13 i ran a really popular queen blog before i became a bandom blog lmao

7. townie - mitski. uhhhh i fuckign love mitski i saw her live last year she was so cute ;_; also lucy dacus opened which was very sexy

8. don’t try - gerard way. haha. i’m kind of miserable too :)

9. cancer - my chemical romance. i have an emotional visceral response to this song but i first heard it on a sims 2 music video

10. social cues - cage the elephant. idk what to say this song just fucks it makes me wanna do a lil dance

omg thank u vyn because this was kind of fun and im also embarrassed i still listen to the same things i did a decade ago <3

i am tagging @transgerard @poisxnkerosene @bbodysnatchers @ds9s and uhhh anyone who wants to do it i guess !!!!!!

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holy-mountaineering · 5 years

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This spread is for @caerwys

Thanks for the donation!

Tonight you’re getting the full Qabalistic Tree of Life Spread that I do and here you are. What I’m going to do is go through and briefly explain each card, its position on the Tree, and then I’ll give you a summary/synopsis of the spread as a whole.

Think of this spread as a sort of quantum map, or even the land of a regular map, everything is happening at once, in each place. It’s important to think of yourself as moving “through” the map but you are also simultaneously everywhere at once. For the sake of this specific experiment, think of this as a map.

Where we’re starting the journey from is Kether, the monad, the first sign of creation. We’ll call this your hometown, since it is where you’re from originally. Here we have the 3 of Swords, Sorrow.

This is the first shape the suit of Air takes in 2 dimensions and it can be a bit disappointing. Your structure and order (Saturn) needs balancing (Libra) to be blunt. You must let go of your ideas of how things were going to be because now they are the way they are. Just because what you have isn’t what you thought you wanted doesn’t mean it’s not good.

Try to get your mind around what you’ve learned and and how to form it into a useful basis to move on from. Do not continue to focus on how you thought it “should be”, nothing is ever as pure or awesome as we idealize it. Sorting out your mind means actualizing some of the things you’ve been thinking about instead of not doing it because it isn’t perfect in the way we thought it would be.

In Chokmah, which is like your freeway getting you out onto the road out of your hometown is VIII Adjustment, Lamed, Libra.

These are the scales of balance in the higher order of things in your life. The scales are naturally balanced, but it is when we add things onto either side of the scale that it becomes tricky. To return to balance you have to remove things or add on things. Such is a balanced life.

The person who is the beam which the scales are balanced on is not blind justice, she wears a mask, not a blindfold. She carries the Sword of the Magus, which is to say she uses her reasoning powers to cut away imbalance.

You are the crux, balance your mind in higher regards. Add things or take away according to the balance it creates.

In Binah, which is ruled by Saturn and for the sake of this reading we will call the first stop on your roadtrip. You haven’t really arrived anywhere but you’re stopping and getting a chance to repack your car in a more efficient way. Sitting in Binah is XX The Aeon, Shin, Fire.

Think about where you are now and how you go about doing things in general. Do you remember a time before this point in your life when you acted differently and didn’t have this kind of understanding of the world? The Aeon is a new understanding and thus a new way of acting in your life.

Harpocrates giving the sign of silence has to do with the meditative process of accepting this new law of life. You must truly grasp the meaning of this change in order to act in the new “spirit of the age” if you will.

You are being born anew through fire and blood, you are emerging from the egg in the background and coming forth. What you take away from this will be with you forever but one day will also be improved on and brought to a new level.

In Chesed which is ruled by Jupiter and again for the sake of this experiment we’ll say involves your influence and benevolence in your current trip is the 4 of Wands, Completion (of an action or a task).

This is the boost you get when you finish squaring (4=square) up the way things are going to be done. This is the fiery growth spurt of spring (Aries) affecting the love, beauty, and green growth of Venus. The trump cards The Emperor and the Empress are Aries and Venus, respectively. You have the “lower” conception of this union encapsulated in this card. This is finishing an important action so you can move on to the next goal.

I’d say that you square up with what you’re doing, finish the task at hand, and that’ll boost you forward into your new cycle of action.

Across the Tree in Geburah, which is Mars Town, where you find your drive and what you’re trying to accomplish/conquer is the Princess of Cups, the earthy part of Water.

We could consider this the substance in water or water hitting substance head on. This is the idea of the canyon wall being ground down over the millennia by moving water. The nutrients and minerals in the earth are transported down river to the fertile delta. This is the natural, “following your feelings” within your daily life. Try not to fool yourself, follow your intuition, not just passing whims. Feel, don’t necessarily react immediately.

Go with what you feel and intuit, let yourself go with the flow, if you will. Allow your situation to move with your emotions and be patient with your progress.

In Tiphareth, the Sun and center of gravity holding all this in place, the heart pumping the blood through this, your heart is the 10 of Wands, Oppression.

This is the peak of action, hella stuff going down and it’s goddamn back breaking. This is trying to herd kittens. The actions that you’re taking in your life or thing things you’re doing are becoming overwhelming. The structure and order of Saturn is trying to pin down the fiery moving arrow of Sagittarius. There is a lot on your plate and the plate is heavy.

So, shit is hard and frustrating and well, oppressive, but 10s are the peak, the end! Prepare for the come down.

Down in Netzach Venus town where you have the realization about how this is going to change you as a person with a personality 7 of Swords, Futility.

This is the main thrust of the Will through the mind being thwarted by in helpful organization of ideas. Each sword with a planetary sigil are like the spikes in a parking garage, one way. It isn’t that the ideas or aspects represented by these swords are “bad” just that their placement and yours are not lined up in the best way right now.

Mentally and communication wise pull back from what you’re going at and work on how your organizing the information in your head.

In Mercury Town Hod-ville, where all the Universities are and everyone has real intellectual shit going on is the 3 of Wands, Virtue.

This is not a moralistic idea of Virtue, this is the idea of formulating a basic mode of action to build from. Virtue unto yourself and your Will, as in doing what you do because it’s what you do. Astrologically, this is Sol in Aries or springtime. This is the energy of the Sun close to Earth creating new growth from the stagnate winter. You can also read a message of centering on new growth in your life.

Create a basic plan like a farmer might for spring. You’re no sharecropper, this is your land so plant the fields only according to your Will.

On the Moon in Yesod, the receptive and reflective place that is alot about the feelings that you’re picking up from all this is the 10 of Disks, Wealth.

This card is intelligence (Mercury) in fertile possibility (Virgo). This is the peak material situation, a good situation, a situation you really want to be in.

Be swift and mindful of your material task at hand and your everyday experience, it is nearing its end and you stand to profit.

Put your smarts and your communication skills in the most fertile possibilities and cash in before things start to come down from this peak opportune time.

Down here in Malkuth-istan, the everyday life mundane, waking up pooping, and going to work world is, my close friend and I hope your’s too, ATU XV The Devil OR The Lord of the Gates of Matter, Ayin, Capricorn.

The Goat-Fish who is half in the mountains and half in the deeps of the oceans, high places and the deep. This guy gets a REALLY bad rap that is very unwarranted. All The Devil is trying to do is Incarnate or materialize by Higher methods.

The card is a giant cock with faceless little white people in the balls looking like they want out, again, possibility trying to take hold and become a physical thing. The Devil IS a trickster (“you little devil” and assorted shit sayings like that) so that worries some people. Those people are squares and probably have bad taste in music.

Manifest your potential and figure it out when it’s “real” and not just a passing thought or whim.

SO, get over how you thought things were going to work out, focus on balancing yourself and get ready because you’re about to enter a new phase of your life. Good news is all your current woes will seem like petty bullshit compared to how you’ll see everything when this all wraps up. Speaking of that..

Finish up projects, tie up loose ends, but do this with finesse. Things want to finish themselves up and your life being a constant pain in the ass is sorting itself out right now. You’ve actually reached the peak of Mount Fuckery, you just finish what you can on the summit and slide on down to sanity.

You feel like your growth is stunted because you’re approaching it like it is some hostile thing to master. You being you, best you can is all you can do and you can do that by staying true to you and figuring out what that means for you right now. You don’t need to come up with some complicated ass life plan right now, you need to create a simple-ass formula that you can follow and get the best results. You can aid that by surrounding yourself with people, information, and anything else that’s going to focus you on putting your efforts where the best results lie. Again, this doesn’t mean you’re figuring everything out right now, it means your focusing on what will produce results you want.

And down here in the everyday, it’s time to make it happen, captain. Take those ideas and all that ethereal shit that’s been right out of reach and bring it on down to ya. Making your desires manifest is as easy as just saying “Yes” when the time is right and not fearing what you want.

Ta Da!

Hit me up with any questions! Take care!

#tarot #divination #cartomancy #magick #occult #tarot card spreads #altar

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katedoesfics · 5 years

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Breath of the Resistance: Chapter 3

Dorian’s suspicious phone call with the king left Link uneasy and sleep eluded him most of the night. His mind ran wild with scenarios and accusations. What was it that Dorian - and the king, for that matter - was hiding? Two things were clear: that Dorian was in fact hiding something, and that the king was aware of the situation. Link’s first instinct was to assume Dorian was perhaps a double agent working with the Yiga Clan. But if that was the ‘information’ that Dorian was referring to, then the king knew, as well, which only confused him more. If the king knew, was he, too, hiding the fact that Dorian was a double agent? Was the king conspiring against his own country? As Hyrule’s ruler, what could he possibly gain from turning against his people?

“It’s uncanny, really.”

Link took his eyes off the road for a moment and met Zelda’s gaze. Her voice had taken him out of his thoughts. He refocused his attention onto the road. “Hm?”

“Were you even listening?” She narrowed his eyes at him.

“Not really.”

Zelda crossed her arms. “Of course not,” she started. “Like I said, you’re just like -”

“My father.” Link’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel. That was another whole matter in itself. He was feeling more and more aggravated with all the secret keeping. He was in the SFU to find the truth, not to be lied to day in and day out. And that only made him want to find the truth even more.

But there was an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach that suggested he may not like the truth.

“Are you usually this grumpy?”

Link bit his tongue in an attempt to keep back a snappy comment. She was the king’s daughter, after all, even without her typical royal attire, which usually consisted of clean cut, solid color dresses that hugged the frame of her body and flared out just slightly at her knees. From time to time, she’d even don a sundress of sorts, with pale colors and flowery patterns. She was always a bright figure at her father’s dark suited and serious side.

“Are you high?”

“What? No. Of course not.”

Zelda didn’t seem convinced, however. She inspected Link closely from the passenger seat. “You don’t seem with the program.”

She was right, of course. He needed to get his head out of the clouds. They had a job to do, and he couldn’t afford to be anywhere else. He needed to be focused and aware of his surroundings, now more than ever.

“Yeah,” he muttered. “Sorry.” He wasn’t much for conversation, especially with her, but he supposed he had to put their differences aside and make the best of the situation. He sucked in a breath and attempted to push away his concerns for the time being.

“You don’t have to try to be on professional around me,” Zelda said casually, leaning back against the seat. “We’re going to be working together a lot. Might as well get used to it.”

“You don’t sound very thrilled about that.” Link could feel her eyes studying him once more.

“Well, if we’re being honest,” she said, turning her eyes back out towards the horizon, “I don’t appreciate the fact that my father made the newest member of the force my handler.”

“Yeah,” Link muttered. “Must be a real buzzkill.”

“I thought my life was more valuable,” she continued, ignoring him. “Yet, he gives me this inexperienced boy.”

“I’ll remember that if you ever find yourself in trouble.”

Zelda’s eyes moved back to him, then down to the weapon under his arm. “And how proficient are you, exactly, with that weapon?”

“Proficient enough.”

Zelda settled back into the seat, but her stature remained stiff. “That’s reassuring,” she muttered.

“Don’t listen to what any Ritos say,” Link said. “I could out shoot them any day.”

Zelda smirked. “Ritos like Revali? He is a very skilled fighter, you know.”

“Ha.”

“Though he does seem to dislike you.”

“He dislikes anyone who challenges his authority and skill.”

“Not necessarily a bad trait for this kind of job.”

“Well,” Link started. Without realizing it, his grip relaxed on the wheel, though his fingers felt stiff. He stretched them for a moment. “When we get back, you can ask to have Revali as your handler.”

Zelda turned her gaze out the window. “I don’t know,” she said. “He’s a little too arrogant. He’d drive me crazy.”

“Welcome to my life,” Link muttered. He turned off the highway onto the road that wound through the country and up towards the mountains where they would find Goron City.

“The others speak highly of you, though,” she said. “Especially Mipha. I didn’t realize how close you two are.”

“I guess.”

“I think she likes you.”

This woman sure was blunt. Did she ever keep a thought to herself?

“Do you like her?”

“What’s with all the damn questions?” Link growled. “Stop interrogating me.”

“Just making conversation,” Zelda said. “Note to self: don’t question his love life.”

Link sucked in a slow breath in an attempt to remain calm. He was starting to like her less and less. What did he ever do in life do deserve such horrible karma?

“What about your childhood?” Zelda continued. “Where did you grow up?”

Link sighed. “The country.”

Zelda nodded. “Did you like it?”

“Better than the city.”

“What was it like?”

Link shrugged. “It was quiet,” he said. “No one interrogated me.”

Zelda ignored him. “Did you have any pets?”

“Sure.”

“Like what?”

“Dogs. Goats. Couple of horses.”

“I’ve always wanted to ride a horse.”

Link made a sound through his nose.

“When did you come to the city?”

“I don’t know. I was pretty young. I guess around the time my dad started working in the SFU.”

“What about your mother? What does she do?”

“She’s dead.”

“Oh.” Zelda shifted in her seat and turned her gaze back to the road. It was uncomfortably quiet for a long moment after that.

“My turn,” Link said. “What was it like growing up in the palace?”

Zelda kept her gaze on the horizon. “Really boring.”

“Yeah, right,” Link said. “I bet you could do whatever you wanted.”

“Not really. I had an image to uphold, and as a kid, that’s pretty shitty. I never got to go out and explore or play or anything a kid should be able to do. My mother was constantly teaching me how to act the part and telling me stories of our ancestors and this supposed power that I have.” Zelda sighed. “When she died, I was pretty much on my own. My father always seemed too busy, or only focused on my own training.”

“I didn’t sign up to be a therapist,” Link muttered.

“You asked,” Zelda snapped at him.

Link started to feel guilty. He always assumed she was some spoiled little princess, but she was really just forced into some role as he was.

“I’ve got some friends in the country,” he said in an attempt to change the topic. “Next time we get a day off, I’ll show you how to ride.”

Zelda’s gaze fell on him once more and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “I’ll hold you to that.”

*****

The drive to Goron City only took them a few hours, but conversation between Link and Zelda felt forced, and uncomfortable silence often followed soon after. They were too happy to get out and stretch their legs when they finally arrived, and Daruk was the first to greet them happily. He let his large hand come down hard on Link’s shoulder as he often did, not knowing his own strength.

“I gotta admit,” Daruk started, leading the way towards the Divine Beast. “It’s good to be home where the bars are better suited for Gorons.” He pointed a large finger towards a smaller mountain peak where the ancient Sheikah machine slept. “There she is, Vah Rudania,” he said proudly. “Everyone’s been quite curious about her, you know.”

“She?” Zelda repeated. She cocked her head to the side slightly as she followed Daruk’s gaze.

“How are you going to activate her?” Daruk asked.

Zelda pulled a device from her back pocket. It resembled a tablet of sorts. An ancient tablet, if such a thing were possible.

“This Sheikah Slate is supposed to be connected to the Divine Beasts and the Guardians,” she said. “It worked in activating the Guardians, so I suspect it will work on the Divine Beasts as well.”

“A Sheikah Slate, huh?” Daruk said. He scratched at his head. “Those Sheikah sure are… mysterious.”

“Hmph.” Mysterious was an understatement. Link found his mind on Dorian once more.

“Impa gave it to me,” Zelda said to Link. “I trust she knows what she’s talking about.”

Link was familiar with Impa, meeting her several times before. She was the leader of the Sheikah tribe and was probably as old as the Sheikah themselves. Was it possible that she knew about Dorian as well? Or was she being played just as Link was?

He wanted to tell someone about the conversation he had overheard, but he knew now that he couldn’t trust anyone, even his own comrades.

Vah Rudania loomed above them as they approached and Link was amazed - even slightly intimidated - by the size of the Divine Beast. The three of them climbed their way to the top where the control panel stood and Zelda set to work activating it with the Sheikah Slate. Within a moment, the two devices seemed to sync, and Vah Rudania came to life, moving and seemingly stretching its body beneath them.

“Well, whatta ya know,” Daruk said in awe. “To think they had this kind of technology so long ago.”

While Zelda instructed Daruk on how to operate the Divine Beast, Link found himself standing at the edge, looking out over Goron City and even beyond, out into the countryside of Hyrule. In the distance to the south stood the palace, the bustling city just below. Though he couldn’t see it from there, he knew just past the palace would be the smaller towns and villages that dotted the countryside, including the small farming town where he was born. Now, many of those small towns were slowly being replaced by larger cities in order to keep up with the growing population, and the countryside was growing smaller and smaller. Link couldn’t help but to wonder what life in Hyrule was like thousands of years ago.

“Ready?” Zelda said, standing at his side. “Everything seems to be in working order here. Daruk’s got a good handle on the controls, so I think we can make our way to Rito Village, now.”

“Sure,” Link said simply. He was in no hurry to deal with Revali, but the sooner they finished the job with the Divine Beasts, the better. After they were all activated, Link was determined to find the pieces to the puzzle with Dorian. Something about the situation just did not sit right with him and it only made him grow more and more anxious.

#breath of the resistance #botr3 #chapter 3 #loz #legend of zelda #botw #breath of the wild #fic #fanfic

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allondonboy · 5 years

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Medicine for the Soul (Ch 9)

Chapter 9 - Andante: tutti (Ch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

very much tutti.

bind responsibly folks. if you need information my tumblr is open or please contact your binding person of choice

thanks for your patience with this little fic, feedback is always welcomed

thanks as always to @jjeanmorreau

J’onn gives them a list of accompanists to work through. It’s long, with maybe twenty names, and Alex lets the list sit on top of their pile of music for a full week before having a closer look. The issue, they realise as their stomach twists, is that they have to be open with whoever they choose. They have to make themselves completely vulnerable with whoever is playing the concerto with them.

And that involves coming out.

They haven’t bothered with declaring their pronouns to the rest of their academic year. It doesn’t affect how well they work in the lab because they never hang around long enough to have a conversation. They’re polite to the staff and the staff are polite back and somehow they’ve avoided any situation in which they hear themselves referred to in the third person. It’s a complete non-issue.

One-on-one, for an hour, maybe hours on end, is a different story.

Their accompanist will be the first time they’ve opened their social circle – even if it’s for the purely perfunctory purpose of entering a competition – since Maggie, and Maggie was definitely a special case of at-least-she’s-heard-the-terminology.

Before they know it, they’ve spiralled, and they crush up the list of names in a tight fist.

Lucy doesn’t really do affection and that’s probably one of the reasons they’re such good friends. There’s no time wasted with feelings when you can blurt what you’re thinking and know the other person will roll with it.

This is the one time Alex hesitates about talking to Lucy. The memory of Lucy coming out to them as bi plays itself on loop. It helps, knowing that Lucy was nervous about that. It makes it okay to be nervous about this.

Because they’ve done the reading and the research, and they have the back of a notebook full of evidence and analysis of their thought process, and they have a conclusion, underlined twice.

Non-binary.

It makes sense.

Lucy feels like the natural person to tell first. Secrets are part of her life, partly because so many people keep secrets from her, and if there’s one person Alex knows they can trust with this next jigsaw piece of their life, it’s her.

They’re still nervous, though.

What if Lucy is one of those people who can comprehend sexuality but not gender identity?

What if gay is okay, bi is fine, but this is a step too far?

What if their pronouns are where she draws the line in this friendship of over a decade?

Logically, there’s nothing in Lucy’s character that would result in the What Ifs becoming real. Alex has listened to enough of Lucy’s rants about how justice should be for all corners of the community to know that the chance of Lucy completely accepting them is greater than 95 %.

It’s then that Lucy pops up next to their shoulder with her bag on her back, waving a spare water bottle under Alex’s nose until they take it.

“Race ya,” is all she says in greeting before she takes off up the path with the grace of a mountain goat. Alex sighs and trudges after her.

It’s pure chance that Alex is walking past the practice room when its occupant stretches. Around their wrist is a woven bracelet in rainbow colours and another in what Alex knows with heart-stopping familiarity is the non-binary flag.

Alex pauses outside the ajar door. The person reveals themselves to be a pianist when they crack their knuckles and launch into a set of whirling scales. Alex stays outside for another half hour until the pianist stands, shovels their music into their bag and abruptly stops when they see Alex watching them.

“I need an accompanist,” says Alex bluntly. “How much do you charge?”

“Depends who it is,” the pianist says. They cross their arms and look Alex up and down. “What’s it for?”

“Concerto competition.” Alex doesn’t budge from the doorway.

The pianist nods. “Instrument?”

“Violin.”

“I’m Vasquez.” They hold out their hand and Alex shakes it firmly, and they can’t stop their eyes flicking down to Vasquez’s wrist.

“Alex. Danvers.”

“My card, Danvers. Now, I have class, if you don’t mind?”

Alex makes a mental note to get something to put their growing collection of business cards in as they take it and sidestep out of the way to let Vasquez past.

They don’t choose their moment. It just sort of happens as they near the top of the hill and pause for a snack.

“I want to start using they/them pronouns,” Alex says abruptly and Lucy keeps her eyes trained carefully on their face.

“Sure,” she says, an air of nonchalance about the word though it’s loaded with an invitation to expand.

“I’m non-binary,” offers Alex by way of explanation and Lucy’s gaze still doesn’t waver.

“That’s really cool, Al.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m glad you figured out whatever was on your mind.”

“Wait – you knew?”

The corner of Lucy’s mouth twitches in a part-smirk, part-smile. “Crinkle.”

Alex repeats it under their breath with a scowl.

“Yeah, like that,” Lucy points. “I knew something was bothering you. I didn’t know it was gender-related.”

“And you’re okay with it?”

Lucy smiles properly now, eyes soft and Alex feels like they’ve just been hugged. “I’m fine with it. You know, we’ve been through some tough shit together. It’ll take more than an identity crisis to get rid of me.”

Alex exhales loudly. “Thanks.”

“Thanks yourself.” Lucy digs into her bag and chucks Alex a bag of trail mix. “Who else knows?”

“Just you.” Alex watches her out of the corner of their eye. A flicker of confusion, then pride, passes over Lucy’s face.

“Did you want to have a play through now?” Vasquez waves them into their apartment and shuts the door, leading them through to a room at the back of the house which, Alex sees now, houses a gleaming upright piano, music stacked in piles all around the room. Alex fidgets with the strap over their shoulder.

“I only really came to give you this.” They hold out the accompaniment. Vasquez takes it and sits on the piano stool, kicking their feet out as they open it up. “Markings are inside.”

“Finally, a musician who knows what they’re doing,” Vasquez mutters and spins to lift up the lid and fold the music out in front of them. They wiggle their fingers and quickly play the first couple of measures with their right hand. Making a pleased noise in the back of their throat, they turn back to Alex who has their eyes closed, and coughs quietly. Alex’s eyes fly open.

“I’ve got a couple of hours free just now. You can put your case there.” Vasquez points to their rather large windowsill. “I’ll get a stand.”

Free of having to make the decision themselves, Alex does as instructed and takes a series of deep breaths as they apply resin to their bow, trying desperately to calm the panic that did its best to overcome them every time they even thought of playing in front of someone new.

“Have you thought about telling Kara? And your parents?”

“Kara yes, Mom and Dad no.” Alex sighs.

“From what I know about Kara, I don’t think she’ll have an issue with it,” says Lucy carefully.

“Is it fair to her for me to tell her, though?”

“Is it fair to you to not?”

“But can I ask her to keep it a secret? I mean, you know what she’s like with secrets, Lucy.”

“She’s okay with important stuff. You want to tell her at some point, right?”

“Yeah.” Alex sighs again and rubs their forehead. “I don’t like keeping things from her. But I don’t want to spook her.”

“Spook her?”

“I don’t want her to think that I’m not me anymore. I am still me.”

“She’ll know that, Alex.”

“How will she? She still has nightmares about the family she’s already lost. I can’t go to her and say ‘hey, the sister you thought you knew, the one who promised to protect you and love you no matter what? Well, she’s not who you thought she was.’”

“You said it yourself. You’re the same person.”

“Yes, but she doesn’t know that.” Frustration leaks into Alex’s voice and they hunch further into themselves. “She doesn’t know that I’ll still protect her and love her. She doesn’t know that I’m not abandoning her.”

“Give Kara some credit,” says Lucy. “She’s not going to think you’re abandoning her.”

“No? Lucy, she thinks I know everything. Not – not school stuff, not smart stuff, but she thinks I know everything about how this world works. So how can I confess that I am just as baffled by it, by my own mind as any other human being?”

“Alex,” breathes Lucy. Alex knows then that she’s seen straight through them. “None of this makes you weak.”

“I know, but…” Alex struggles for a moment. “The one thing I’ve always been able to rely on is my mind, and now I’m doubting everything I’ve ever known about myself and that is fucking scary.”

“But it’s also okay. Kara will get it. Doubting yourself is part of being human.”

“Oh yeah, Kara will get that,” snorts Alex. Lucy sticks her tongue out and some of the tension seeps out of Alex’s shoulders.

“Not my fault you have an alien for a sister. Some of us have flawed humans instead, thank God.”

Alex is silent for a moment. When they speak again, they can’t stop the panic clinging to their words.

“Lucy, how do I tell her I don’t want to be called her sister?”

They don’t hear Lucy’s reply the first time she gives it. They force their eyes to refocus on Lucy whose hand is squeezing their shoulder tight.

“You don’t have to stop being her sister. Gender neutral language is there if you want to use it, but you don’t have to.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been her sister,” says Alex. They stare at Lucy, who is still watching them with more patience than they’ve ever seen her exhibit. Their heart continues to pound. “Ever since she arrived, we’ve always been the Danvers sisters. People have taken us as a package deal. The Danvers Sisters, who should come with a warning. Y’know. All that stuff. A unit. But I don’t think I’ve ever felt like a sister, exactly. It’s not a wrong description, just not the best fit. So maybe sibling is.”

Being around Vasquez is comfortable. There’s no personal information exchanged at any of their meetings. They interact for the music only, and it’s freeing.

Alex doesn’t bring up gender, and neither does Vasquez, though Alex suspects they have an inkling. Alex runs into Vasquez’s girlfriend as they’re leaving a rehearsal one evening and they shake her hand with a tight smile.

They know for sure that Vasquez knows after their first attempt at playing while binding. It’s only then that Alex realises how long their break from the violin had been. By the time they’d found both the courage and the funds to buy their first binder, their violin had to have been collecting dust for a matter of years, so they hadn’t thought twice about scheduling a two-hour practice with Vasquez on a binding day.

Alex plays for half an hour before their side twinges and their bow stutters on the strings. Vasquez waits patiently for them to stretch and they continue, fingers hammering away, barely making it to the end of the movement before they have to stretch again. They think nothing of it until they enter a fast passage and the number of breaths they’re taking isn’t getting them the amount of air they need and they stop abruptly.

Their heart is pounding and their head starting to swim a little, and Alex takes three stumbling steps to the side to put down their violin and lean against the wall, breathing as deeply as possible and feeling more claustrophobic than they’ve ever felt in their life.

“Bathroom?” they manage to squeeze out, and Vasquez points them to it without a word. They fumble with their shirt buttons and grip the hem of their binder as tightly as they can, peeling it up until they can take an unrestricted breath in. They begin to relax, binder still tangled around their shoulders, arms around their head, and give two hefty coughs.

“You have to learn to breathe with the music.”

Alex frowns as they take in these new instructions. “Why?”

“Think of this piece, any piece, as a series of musical sentences. It makes no sense if you play it without phrasing those sentences, just as it makes no sense to perform a play in a monotonous voice.”

Alex doesn’t look convinced.

Eventually, Alex pulls their binder off. They stay in the bathroom, sat on the closed lid of the toilet, running the material through their fingers as they work out an escape plan.

Vasquez comes to the rescue when they knock, and Alex realises how long they’ve been in there.

“Danvers, all okay?”

“Yeah,” they reply shortly. Embarrassment runs up their neck, red.

“Do you want to borrow a baggy hoodie?”

Alex sits up a bit. “Please.” They listen as footsteps retreat and then return, and they pop the lock on the door to crack it open. Vasquez’s hand dangles a deep blue, almost unfairly soft-looking hoodie where they think Alex’s hands are and Alex takes it, gratefully.

As they pull it on and fold their binder into a small enough wad to stuff in their back pocket, Alex concedes to themselves that Maggie’s point, made as she set up in another bar, about meeting other people in the community being useful and nice might have been a good one.

“Have you ever watched a really, really good orchestra play? Have you noticed that before they start, everyone takes a deep breath, together? String players, percussionists, the conductor, as well as the musicians who need to actually blow into their instruments. That’s because it’s part of the music.”

Alex did the research before they bought the binder. They know the risks, the safety concerns, and as much as they hate it, they take a week’s break from binding while their ribs recover and they get their confidence in their playing back. It’s okay for the days when they don’t mind their chest not being so flat. It’s okay for lab days, where they’ve long made their peace with the fact that an eight-hour lab session followed by another five in the library is several hours’ binding too many – and anyway, their lab coat covers most of what they want to hide. The other days?

They’re hell.

There’s no reason, absolutely no reason at all why they should feel like this.

But they do.

It’s unsettling.

Both in how it just appears and how it feels, the sensation of something being not quite right and yet they can’t put their finger on what.

The dysphoria sets in early one morning before they’ve even properly woken up, and for the first time, Alex seriously contemplates skipping classes to hide under their duvet. Instead, they bundle up in far too many layers for the weather with their favourite beanie and jeans and brave the unsuspecting lecture theatre.

They barely last the day. As soon as their last lecture finishes, they’re rushing back to change into their baggy shorts and two-sizes-too-big hoodie. It’s the wrong size by accident, but when they wear it and slouch a little, it’s almost as good as their binder, and brings with it a sense of relief that nearly makes Alex cry.

Rao.

It’s

dysphoria.

And

and suddenly that makes so much sense because if there is one feeling that characterises discomfort or distress at the mismatch between what Eliza says and what their heart feels then this is it, this is it,

it’s dysphoria.

But having the label for this godawful feeling that they’ve had before doesn’t help and if anything, it makes it worse because there is nothing they can do.

Nothing.

So they go for a run.

They bind.

They contemplate, just for a moment, pulling out their violin but no, no, bad, bad idea.

They bind and they wear their favourite jeans that hide their hips and their favourite beanie that makes their jaw look sharper and their favourite shirt that hugs their shoulders and their hoodie, their faithful hoodie.

Their mind is fogged up and numb. It lingers for days, and they know Lucy has noticed now because Alex is not quite as sharp with their comebacks as they usually are, they’re not as bothered about the mud on the floor or the noise Lucy makes coming in early in the morning.

Maggie notices, and Alex fights the instinct to push her away and hide.

Instead, they try to do their best to explain. Maggie tries to understand. They’re sure they botch the explanation of what’s wrong amid disgusted mumbles about silhouettes and reflections and clothes that don’t hang the way they should.

It’s just one of those things, they suppose, that’s hard to understand if you’ve never experienced it.

Nevertheless, the discomfort sits on the back of their tongue and they curl up on their bed with the latest edition of Nature – the one piece of post Eliza is never late at sending on – and retreat behind the familiar shield of science. It helps, the tiniest bit.

Gone is the unease they’d felt at the idea of grieving in the room they shared with Lucy. In its place is the terror at being anywhere outside the room where they could be seen, and it completely slips their mind that they’re meant to be meeting Maggie at the library.

“Danvers?”

No.

No no no no Maggie can’t see them like this, no. Telling her about it and seeing her react to them as this wreck are two completely different things.

“Al, you in there?”

There’s scraping of keys in the lock and Alex wonders just for a second when they gave Maggie a key (and how they had a key to give her) but then two of their three favourite people are pouring through the door and the concern isn’t just on Lucy’s face but on Maggie’s too.

Concern, and not disgust.

Alex’s initial reaction is to dart off their bed and stand awkwardly by their desk, hand in their hair as though everything is fine.

They ignore the exchanged look that means Maggie and Lucy have seen right through them.

“Hey, guys,” they say. “Good day? How’re you both doing? Everything’s good here.”

“Cut it out, Alex.” They can tell Maggie means business in that take-no-shit way of hers. She folds her arms and shifts her weight onto one leg and eyeballs them, hard. “What can I do? To help you?”

Alex shrugs and folds their own arms.

“What do you usually do?”

“None of that’s working,” Alex grits out. “I – it – usually I can work my way through this but it’s not working, and I don’t know why.”

They slowly slip back onto their bed. Lucy and Maggie settle either side of them. The three sit in silence until Maggie gives a deep sigh, squeezing Alex’s knee.

“I have a friend – from my own support group, you really should give them a try – who’s dating someone non-binary. I can see if they’d be willing to meet you, or we could meet up the four of us, or something. It’s got to be better than this, right?”

She has a point. And even though they can think of very few things worse than having to talk about feelings with a stranger - even a stranger vetted by Maggie – the prospect of someone understanding what this feels like is quite attractive.

***

It turns out to be the thing that helps most in perhaps the most surprising way, because this non-binary acquaintance is actually Vasquez.

They didn’t know Maggie and Vasquez’s girlfriend knew each other.

Vasquez didn’t know that Maggie and Alex knew each other either, apparently.

Maggie goes to introduce Alex to Vasquez and Erin and sees the nods of recognition the three of them share.

Somehow Vasquez knows them well enough to let them take the lead and Alex stumbles through an explanation because gender and music in the same space? Unchartered, unsettling territory. Maggie, thankfully, doesn’t press it, but with the furrow in her brow, Alex can see her marking it as a conversation for later.

Maggie and Erin head for the pool table while Vasquez settles opposite Alex at the booth. Alex can sense it coming – and it’s hard to not bolt, but they trust Maggie and they trust Vasquez to a point and if Maggie thinks this could help them, then, well. It’s worth a try, they reckon. In their head, they nod decisively, and they sit a little taller.

“Alright, Danvers?” says Vasquez casually and Alex nods again, leaning back and taking a sip of lukewarm beer. Vasquez leans closer, clearly not one to beat around the bush. “Erin said that Maggie said you wanted to meet more people like us.”

Alex stiffens despite themselves.

“I’m part of a group who do game nights and trips to the movies, stuff like that. It’s a group where none of us are cis.”

Impossibly, Alex stiffens more.

“You don’t have to make any proper commitment,” continues Vasquez as they study the collection of beer mats on the table, avoiding eye contact that Alex doesn’t want to make. “I can let you know when we’re meeting and you can decide on a case by case basis, if you’d like.”

Alex gives a shrug. They want it to be dismissive, but it ends up more curious.

“And listen. This kind of chat isn’t my forte either, but I know what it’s like to feel alone with…stuff like this, and I want you to know that I’m here for you as much or as little as you want me to be. It doesn’t change anything that happens musically between us. And we never have to speak about this again.”

“Sounds great,” manages Alex. Vasquez’s eyes twinkle at them in a relieved smirk.

“What do you say we go and show them how to really play pool?”

Alex gratefully follows them to where their girlfriends are setting up a new game. Alex leans into Maggie’s side and wraps an arm around her waist, leaning down to whispers a ‘thank you’ in her ear. Maggie squeezes their hand briefly and hip checks them as she hands them her cue.

***

“Why do you not talk about your music?”

It comes out of the blue as they walk hand-in-hand to Maggie’s room. Alex sighs.

“It’s not a criticism,” clarifies Maggie. “You’re intensely private about it, even with me. Even with Lucy.”

“Are you not?”

“How could I? I play in public more than anything else. I guess, I don’t have the luxury of privacy when it comes to music.”

Alex chews their lip. “Kara…and my mom. They’ve been the priority since Dad died, y’know? It never ends well if I express any sort of opinion at home and I think,” they say slowly, “that part of me still feels ashamed that I’m doing something that lets me be angry at the universe for taking Dad.”

Maggie hms beside them. “I’m sorry, Alex.”

“Oh, it’s, eh,” dismisses Alex.

“No.” Maggie spins them so she can look up seriously into Alex’s eyes. “The days of you pushing down your feelings are officially over, Alex.”

Alex doesn’t know what to do with that, so they just kiss her.

#nb!alex #sanvers #sanvers au #sanvers fic #alex danvers #medicine for the soul #my fic #i appear to have lost the ability to put in page breaks #hm #hey ho #enjoy?

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maddie-grove · 5 years

Text

Bi-Monthly Reading Round-Up: May/June

PLAYLIST

“How Do You Do” by Mouth and MacNeal (Once Ghosted, Twice Shy)

“Up the Wolves” by the Mountain Goats (Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey)

“The Daughters” by Little Big Town (Lady Rogue)

“9 to 5″ by Dolly Parton (Lady Notorious)

“Let the Little Girl Dance” by Billy Bland (What a Wallflower Wants)

“Poison Arrow” by ABC (Give Me Your Hand)

“Marie-Jeanne” by Joe Dassin (Never Mind)

“Mississippi” by the Dixie Chicks (An Unconditional Freedom)

“Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind (Bad News)

“Honky Cat” by Elton John (Simple Jess)

“A Weekend in the Country” from A Little Night Music (Some Hope)

“Picture Book” by the Kinks (Mother’s Milk)

“A Place in the Sun” by Stevie Wonder (At Last)

“She’s in Love with the Boy” by Trisha Yearwood (A Dance with Danger)

“Little Hollywood Girl” by the Everly Brothers (Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes's Hollywood)

BEST OF THE BI-MONTH

An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole (2019): Daniel Cumberland, a free black man from New England, had his faith in justice and certainty in the world shattered when he was abducted and sold into slavery. Now rescued, he does what he can as a spy for the pro-Union Loyal League, but he has a lot of rage and trauma that nobody knows what to do with, least of all himself. Then a new spy joins the organization: Janeta Sanchez, a mixed-race Cuban-Floridian lady pulled in too many directions by her white Confederate family and now in desperate straits. Once again, Alyssa Cole has produced a book that’s not only a compelling romance but a fascinating historical novel. Daniel and Janeta are both complex, involving characters with a great dynamic, plus Cole provides a great perspective on less-discussed aspects of the Civil War.

WORST OF THE BI-MONTH

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole (2019): Likotsi Adele, personal assistant to the prince of Thesolo, came to New York City a year ago for work and had what was supposed to be a casual affair with Fabiola, a gorgeous fledgling fashion designer. Just when her feelings were getting involved, though, Fabiola cut things off with no explanation. Now back in NYC on vacation, Likotsi runs into Fabiola, who proposes that they go on a date for old time’s sake. Although it’s technically the worst of the month, this novella is by no means bad; on the contrary, it’s very cute and sweet, with a pretty sexy love scene near the end. It just suffers from common romance novella pitfalls, mainly a dearth of conflict and some pacing problems.

REST OF THE BI-MONTH

Never Mind (1992), Bad News (1992), Some Hope (1994), Mother’s Milk (2005), and At Last (2011) by Edward St. Aubyn: Across five novellas, Patrick Melrose, son of an aristocratic non-practicing doctor and a charity-minded heiress, struggles with the legacy of his father’s sadistic abuse and his mother’s elaborately cultivated helplessness to intervene. The series follows him from early childhood (Never Mind) to drug-addled early adulthood (Bad News, Some Hope) to slightly more functional middle age (Mother’s Milk, At Last). I’ve never read such enjoyable fiction about the boredom and exhaustion of dealing with trauma and addiction, but St. Aubyn manages it with sharp characterization, whistling-in-the-dark humor, and a great sense of setting. I didn’t like all the novellas equally--Bad News has too many scenes about doing large amounts of heroin for my personal taste, and Some Hope sometimes loses track of its many characters--but, taken together, they’re magnificent.

Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood by Karina Longworth (2018): Using the life and career of billionaire/producer/aviator/womanizer Howard Hughes, Longworth (the podcast host of You Must Remember This) looks at Hollywood from the silent era to the waning days of the studio system. I love You Must Remember This, and this book exhibits all the strengths of the podcasts: the compelling style, the evenhanded consideration of evidence from multiple sources, and the use of film analysis to examine what was happening in the culture at the time. Longworth’s portrait of Hughes is also refreshingly non-sensational; he comes across as a juvenile reactionary with a little vision, too much money, and some pitiable mental health problems, rather than a genius or a boogeyman.

Simple Jess by Pamela Morsi (1996): Althea Winsloe, an Ozark widow in the early twentieth century, is determined to remain unmarried and look after her three-year-old son by herself, despite the disapproval of her close-knit community. Still needing help on her farm, she hires Jesse Best, regarded as “simple” because of a cognitive disability stemming from a childhood brain injury. As they work together, Althea realizes that Jesse has depths that few people bother to see. I was a little concerned when I began this romance; the hero has serious, life-altering issues with mental processing, which I thought might create a troubling power dynamic between him and the heroine. Instead, Morsi contributes something really valuable by showing how society ignores the autonomy and complexity of people with disabilities. She also does a great job of showing how a close-knit community can be both claustrophobic and supportive. Finally, I enjoyed the journey of a gay side character (the song’s for him!).

Lady Notorious by Theresa Romain (2019): When George, Lord Northbrook, discovers that his father is part of a tontine whose members have started dying at an alarmingly fast rate, he enlists the help of Cassandra Benton, an unofficial Bow Street Runner, to investigate the possible murders while pretending to be his scandalous cousin. Already friends, they grow attracted to each other during this charade, but they come from different worlds and each have a complicated family thing going on. This is a thoroughly likable romance with a fun plot; I especially enjoyed how George’s efforts to care for his emotionally distant parents mirrored Cassandra’s struggles to let go of her codependent relationship with her twin brother.

Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix (1996): Fifteen-year-old Tish Bonner doesn’t have much time for school; with an absent father, a troubled mother, and an eight-year-old brother she feels responsible for, she’s too busy trying to hold things together at home. When her father makes an unwelcome return, though, she finds an outlet in the journal assigned by a nice young English teacher who promises not to read entries marked DO NOT READ. I first read this YA novel in middle school, and it struck me as particularly unvarnished, both then and as an adult. Teens in horrible situations are common in the genre, but Tish’s matter-of-fact presentation the day-to-day of dealing with sexual harassment at work and total parental abandonment at home really brings out the utter bleakness. I love Tish, whose ultimate acceptance of her inability to handle everything alone is as brave as her desperate efforts to keep everything together.

Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott (2018): Kit Owens, a talented chemist from humble beginnings, is shocked when former classmate Diane Fleming comes to work in her lab. Although Diane was the one who inspired her to reach beyond community college, she also burdened Kit with a horrible secret...and now they’re in competition to work on a prestigious new grant. I love Megan Abbott as a writer; she has a very sensory-based way of describing things that makes everything palpable. While I didn’t love this book as much as The Fever, it has a delightfully twisted plot and female characters who are “bad” in a realistic (or, at least, a humanely portrayed) way. I did probably like Diane more than I was supposed to; like Lady Audley before her, she should maybe go to jail but she’s still awesome.

A Dance with Danger by Jeannie Lin (2015): In Tang Dynasty China, Jin-mei, daughter of a magistrate, finds herself in a compromising position with Yang, her father’s old associate and sworn enemy of a local warlord. Their mutual attraction makes the ensuing wedding a more pleasant fate than either expected, but Yang disappears mysteriously before the marriage can be consummated. Heartbroken and very suspicious, Jin-mei refuses to give him up for dead. This is a fun adventure-romance with a wonderfully spooky atmosphere, although the ending is a little rushed.

Lady Rogue by Theresa Romain (2018): After her sub-par art-dealer husband apparently committed suicide, Lady Isabel Morrow grew close to and had a fling with Officer Callum Jenks, a Bow Street Runner. Now she’s discovered that her husband sold his customers forged works, and she needs to (awkwardly) enlist Callum’s help in replacing them with the real ones. This is a solid Regency romance, mostly thanks to the fun burglary plot. Isabel and Callum’s relationship, while perfectly pleasant, is rather static; they obviously like and respect each other, but just need a little time to reconcile themselves to the not-onerous-to-them social costs of a cross-class marriage. There’s also a real bummer of a development involving a minor character at the end. I’m not averse to bummers, but it felt out of place here.

What a Wallflower Wants by Maya Rodale (2014): Stranded at a strange inn after a failed elopement attempt, secretly traumatized spinster Penelope Payton finds a friend in the striking Lord Castleton...but is he who he says he is? Absolutely not, but he’s pretty cool regardless. This is a sweet, heartfelt Regency romance with endearing leads and great messages, but it’s pretty sloppily written, and that detracted from my enjoyment somewhat.

#books #reading #theme: i'm not one of those people who goes around having fun

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amindofmanystories · 5 years

Text

The Human and her Monster

Underfell Sans X reader

Ch.2 Follow the fallen petals

Slowly, (Y/n) groaned as a sharp pain shot through the back of her head and lower back. A heavy weight on her chest shifted and something poked at her nose. Opening her eyes, she saw a disheveled looking Frisk softly poking her nose "Having fun their?" she groaned. Frisk gave a relieved expression before sliding off of her. (Y/n) Carefully sits herself up and rubs the back of her head "Where hel- I mean heck- are we?" Frisk looks up and points at the bright opening above "Oh...right. We're in the mountain..." (Y/n) looks around for the picnic basket and spotted it completely destroyed from the fall. Frisk taps on (Y/n)'s leg before making a snarling expression and claw at the air in front of them "Monsters? Don't worry, Frisk. Monsters don't exist and even if they did..." (Y/n) flexes her arms "..your bad-to-the-bone sister will take care of 'em!" Frisk giggles and grabs (Y/n)'s hand. The two scan their surroundings. An opening catches their eyes. (Y/n) was hesitant but Frisk had such a confident expression that (Y/n) couldn't help but be a bit fearless.

The two walked through the opening to only see a small golden flower on the only patch of grass in the cave. (Y/n) could swear she heard the flower sniffling. She gave Frisk a perplexed expression and Frisk only shrugged in response. They slowly walked toward the flower until they were only a foot away. Frisk let go of (Y/n)'s hand and tapped on the flower's petals. It gave a startled shriek and turned toward them "W-Who are you guys? A-Are you gonna kill m-me!?" the flower cried and covered its face with its leafs "Whoa! Hey now! We're not gonna hurt ya, man!" the flower's eyes widened in surprise "H-Humans!" it squeaks. (Y/n) eyed the flower "Ya. and you're a talking flower and possibly the result of a concussion..." The flower gave the two concerned looks "You guys shouldn't be here! I-It's WAY too dangerous out here! If other monsters see you guys, it'll be the end of you guys. You gotta get out of-" the soft sound of singing filled the room. The flower looked terrified by the singing "I-I have to go. M-my name is Flowey and please...get out while you can." With those words, the flower disappeared into the ground and left two extremely confused and concerned humans. The humming got louder and soon a tall form emerged from the darkness. It was a rather tall goat woman in a black dress with a strange red symbol on it. The creature easily towered over (Y/n). She was possibly eight feet tall and her fur was a light grey that glistened in the what little sunlight entered the hole they were in. The goats blood red eyes stared down at the two humans in both amazement and intimidation. (Y/n) didn't like the way this monster was eyeing them. She slowly hides Frisk behind her as she glared at the creature. The monster's heavy foot steps shook the ground slightly as she stepped closer to the two "My~ my~...a human! no. Humans! " she corrects herself when she sees Frisk peak out from behind (Y/n). (Y/n) backs up with each step the monster takes. The goat woman notices and stops mid-step "Do not fret, my children~ I won't harm you..." Her words sounded sickly sweet and that didn't settle well in (Y/n)'s gut. The three stared at each other in silence when suddenly the creature gave a shocked expression "Where are my manners!? My name is Toriel and I am the care taker of these ruins!" she holds a giant paw out at (Y/n). (Y/n) stared at the giant paw and hesitantly holds out her own hand to shake it 'Please don't hurt me! Please don't hurt me!' the giant paw engulfed (Y/n)'s hand and it was surprisingly soft to the touch. Toriel smiles at the human's surprised expression "You poor things must be hungry. Follow me and i'll get you something to eat" Toriel turns and begins to walk toward a hallway. Her words sounded more demanding than inviting so the two humans cautiously followed behind the tall monster.

As they made their way to Toriel's home, (Y/n) and Frisk noticed small creatures lurking in the shadows. A frog-like creature growled at the humans and jumped at them but before it could attack a giant ball of flames hit the creature and it exploded into dust. The dust covered the two siblings "o-oh god! It's in my mouth!" (Y/n) gags and spits out the dust that covered her tongue. Frisk coughed and wiped their face with their shirt sleeve. The two looked up and saw Toriel with one hand on fire "Filthy evil little creatures aren't they. Don't worry, my children. I'll protect you" Toriel's eyes had a psychotic gleam to them and that sure as hell made running away tempting but they knew that wouldn't be easy with Toriel. It wasn't long until they made it to a cozy looking cottage. Its appearance was a bit surprising to the two and Toriel seemed to have noticed it since she gave a pleased smile and opened the front door "Come now, you must be tired. How about you go wash up and i'll fix up some dinner." (Y/n) and Frisk entered the home and admired its interior. Toriel closes the front door and leads the two to a bathroom "i'll go fetch you two some clean towels and clothes. " Toriel starts the bath and turns toward the two "Be quick now. I'd love for you two to try my infamous butterscotch pie!" Toriel closes the door and leaves the two siblings. (Y/n) sighs in relief and turns toward Frisk "You okay? We better get cleaned up." the two remove their clothes and entered the warm bath. The warm water eased (Y/n)'s aching back and a small moan of pleasure left her lips "Man I prefer baths over showers anytime..." (Y/n) grabs a bottle of shampoo and began to wash each others hair. A small knock was heard and the bathroom door opened. Toriel enters with towels and a set of matching clothes "I hope these fit you two. Dinner is almost done so please be quick. I'll have your clothes washed and dried in the mean time." Toriel bends down and grabs their dirty closthes "Thank You, Miss Toriel." Toriel was a bit taken aback by (Y/n)'s kindness and just couldn't help but blush a bit "Oh my! You're much more polite than anyone I've ever met!" Toriel giggles happily and closes the bathroom door. The uneasy feeling has yet to leave (Y/n).

They quickly finish their bath and dress themselves. They both had matching stripped sweaters and a pair of jeans. The clothes were a bit small on (Y/n) but not too much to be uncomfortable. The leave the bathroom and enter the dining area to see Toriel setting down the food "Just in time! Everything is done." A devious smile creeps onto her face and that sent a violent chill up her spine "shit..." (Y/n) mumbles. A giant knife flew from Toriel's hand and landed in the wall next to (Y/n)'s head "Welp! Let's be like a flower and leaf!" (Y/n) grabs the knife and then Frisk before darting through the house. Flame after flame attempted fry the two as they looked for a way out. Frisk noticed a stairway and pulled (Y/n) down the stairs. The stairs led to a poorly lit hallway. The two ran and ran before being faced to face with a large door. (Y/n) was about to open the door but a ball of fire hit her hand "Fuck!" she yelped in pain and held her hand to her chest. A loud cackle erupted behind them "Now now~ Don't make this any harder for me~ I've always been a fan of fried food. Now do me a favor and die" (Y/n) and Frisk knew that if they were gonna escape they were gonna have to fight. Toriel charged toward the two and they split up. Frisk grabbed rocks and dodged Toriels flames. Toriel cackled at Frisk's attempt of a fight. She charged towards Frisk and knicked there legs with a powerful flame. Frisk cried out in pain and fell to the ground "Frisk!" (Y/n) ran in front of Frisk and swiped the blade at Toriel. She had managed to slice Toriel's eyes. She roared in pain and quickly covered her eyes with a paw "You little devils will pay for that!" (Y/n) and Frisk struggled to avoid every attack Toriel thrown at them. Even though she was blinded, Toriel was still hard to fight. (Y/n) held the knife and charged at Toriel. She swiftly avoided an attack and slit the back of Toriel's ankles. Toriel roared in pain and fell to the ground "How dare you disobey me! Die! Die and let me rip your puny bodies apart! Let me savor your flesh!" Her bloody eyes were wide open and her mouth was foaming with anger. She crawled toward Frisk and (Y/n). (Y/n)'s heart was beating so fast that it might've busted out of her chest if it could. (Y/n) had to end this fight once and for all. She raised the blade up high and was about to stab Toriel but voices stopped her "Don't...""We...want her..."" Leave her..to us.." out from the shadows were the creatures that hid within the ruins. They crawled toward Toriel and began to claw and bite at her flesh. (Y/n) pushes Frisk behind her "close your eyes." (Y/n) demands Frisk. The creatures swarmed Toriel's body. Her shrieks and screams filled the giant hall "Go...now." demanded a frog creature. (Y/n) nodded quickly and picked Frisk up "Thank You." she tells the creatures. The creatures look up at (Y/n) and drag Toriel's body further into the hallway "No...Thank You...for now...we are free..." with those words, the creatures disappeared into the darkness. (Y/n) sighed and held Frisk tight. Opening the heavy doors, (Y/n) and Frisk entered the next chapter of their journey.

#underfell #toriel #frisk #flowey #reader #fanfiction #undertale

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cloudbattrolls · 3 years

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[TW for: worms (nothing graphic but still), implied attempted assault mention (again nothing graphic but still)]

The fuchsia looks up at the big annoying mansion and squints. Okay, sure, she has a skyscraper for her stuff, but she rents out most of the floors anyway, and that’s for work. Her biggest estate is for her ducks anyway.

God, she sounds like such a typical highblood just thinking that. But then, that’s why she’s here at this door that has a golden dang doorbell and intricately carved engravings on the metal door of -

- of something that got just a little bit damaged. Chipped. Barely noticeable. Because someone has clearly tried to cover it up by trying to bend it back in place with what has to be at least blueblood strength.

A proud highblood with a fancy door would just call a repair drone. They don’t need to cover anything up.

Great.

She rings the doorbell three times out of due diligence to convention and waits, but when she takes out her lockcracker, she’s not surprised to find the security system’s already been compromised and it clicks open in seconds.

Chimer walks through the definitely not suspiciously dark lobby, into the entry room and her boots hit something hard.

She looks down, squinting in the low light - trolls might be nocturnal but it’s seriously dark in here and -

- oh that’s bones.

That’s...scattered bones.

That’s a whole ass skeleton.

She sniffs. Oh yup that’s definitely the scent of remains, fresh ones, and - fuck it, she’s using her phone as a flashlight - are those tiny teethmarks?

She wouldn’t call them that but what else can be they be, little sharp divots into cracked marrow and bones with barely even scraps of flesh clinging to them? What the fuck did this? A school of piranhas, maybe, but do land piranhas exist? Is that a thing?

Fuck it, that’s probably a thing and also probably a taken band name, which sucks because she wants that band name now.

Well, that explains why he didn’t answer the door.

“Is this all coffee? I’m disappointed.”

“I’ll keep if you don’t want it, mate.”

She freezes at the sound of voices and then realizes they sound familiar, even if one is harder to place.

Oh you have got to be kidding.

“Allele, get out here, and get explaining because I have two questions and they are what, and also, the fuck.”

There’s some whispers and muffled noises she can’t quite make out and she realizes the other speaker has an accent too, a higher, stranger voice that reminds her of...

It’s her tealblood friend who steps into the room first, looking slightly guilty. Her voice is a little more hoarse than usual - almost like she has a cold.

“Oh shit, was he one of yours?”

The fuchsia rolls her eyes.

“Kinda? Not really. I was hoping he would be, but those sure were the yesternights when he had like, a face he could talk with. He seemed okay; background checks came back clean-ish, which is better than I can say for eighty percent of every other blueblood in power in this city.”

The kangaroo-moth troll winces and scratches her neck - which looks like it has some weird dark patch on it - eyes flicking from side to side. Her coat, the fuchsia notes, is clean. And there wasn’t any blood on the carpet either. Or much of anything besides bones.

“Uhhh...yeah. ‘Bout that. Not so much.”

Chimer sucks in a breath.

“How bad was it.”

Allele opens her mouth but gets interrupted by -

“Let’s just say we took a peek at his hard drive and my goodness, I think anyone who possessed even the dullest, most broken moral compass, no matter where it pointed, would agree it pointed far away from him.”

Them.

Etuuya Vannyn steps into the room, sprightly as a mountain goat, eyes practically beacons in the dark with how bright they shine yellow and green and everything makes sense now.

Chimer looks at Allele.

“Girl. Please. Higher standards? Maybe? A little? A crumb, for your good pal Chimer?”

Allele starts, head swiveling like a hootbeast’s as she looks back and forth between the pair of trolls, one nearly a foot taller with crossed arms and pressed back fins and the other, well.

The other isn’t really a troll at all.

“You two - what - how”

Her friend waves a hand.

“I’ll explain later, you explain now. Not you.” She adds, pointing at the fake jade, who mimes zipping their lips with the utmost wide-eyed innocent look. “Allele. Start talking.”

“Ok, so, we think we might’ve found the resistance - “

The taller woman raises a hand.

“Hold up. This place is clean, right? Clean as we can reasonably get it?”

Allele nods.

“Guy had his own hardcore blockers and boy do we know why now, plus we set our own background noise creator and waffler too. Couple’a more organic bugs running around as a distraction just so anyone peeking finds something, cos that’s less eye-catchy than a void.”

Chimer nods; in Civitrecce it’s always less suspicious to have a few spies running around - any absence of them will just draw others like moths to flame. So anyone smart will have their own bugs in the area looking like outside eavesdroppers to discourage or fight off the others if it becomes necessary. Of course, even your own spies can be hacked, controlled by some beastspeaker if they’re bio enough - but that’s just the risk everyone takes.

“Okay, so, you think you found the resistance. The one I have tried, and failed, to track down for half my life. My life that is way longer than yours, sport.”

Allele snorts.

“Yer also a great bleedin’ political figure, you dumbarse. They know how to hide from you, wouldn’t be very good at their jobs if they didn’t, huh?”

“Wow, I never thought of that.” Retorts the seadweller. “Yeah that’s why I totally went looking for them as myself, and also never had anyone else on the case. I am the dumbest pair of fins that ever flopped on land, ya got me, show’s over.”

Allele shakes her head.

“You don’t get it. Everything you do, just by existin’, makes some kinda impact in the data stream. They can always feel you comin’ even if you try to be quiet cos you’re like a carp in a pond of minnows. Sure the other carp won’t notice you, but the minnows will even if you swim slow. Folks you set on the case got that connection too. You’re just proper fucked, not your fault really.”

Chimer grinds her teeth, fins ruffling in disappointment. It makes sense and she hates it. It’s just - if she could find them and help them, they could achieve so much. It’s risky, but if even half the rumors she’s heard about the kind of psiionics they have are true...

“Right. Fine. Spiffy. So what does the resistance have to do with this guy?”

Allele brightens up, but lowers her voice.

“Cause we think we found one of ‘em and they offered us a reward for taking him out and retrieving his data.”

“What kind of reward?”

“Info, what else. Not like they have a ton of cash to throw around. Not legit stuff anyway.”

Chimer considers this. From the very little she’s been able to pin down about the resistance - and their mode of operations has changed throughout the sweeps anyway, though always with an obvious emphasis on secrecy - that does match up.

They rarely rob their victims directly, or else no one’s been able to catch them at it, because electronic fund thefts are too easy to trace in the city - there’s a whole legislacerator branch dedicated to it.

They’ve ripped caegers away from highbloods before to expose them for corruption and let their fellows swoop in and tear them apart, or ruined businesses by crashing their stock, but their tack is usually redistributing the wealth to the city’s lowbloods en masse. Generous, also makes it basically impossible to track to its source when divided up so small.

“Wait. ‘We?’ Just how long have you two been up to murdershenanigans? I mean - dumbass question, you’re both murdershenanigans types, but like, together. As an unholy duo.”

Allele looks guilty and then defensive, her muscular, scarred arms crossing to mirror the fuchsia’s own.

“Some perigees. What’s it to you? I didn’t know you knew ‘em. Besides, they’re good at it and they know a lot, s’nice to work with an older troll and pick things up.”

The fuchsia groans.

“Allele. I mean this in the nicest possible way, but you’re off your goddang rocker. Do you actually know anything about what you’re standing next to? They’re imperial.”

“Were.” She insists. “Just like me! They told me and I looked some stuff up. M’not stupid, Chimer.”

The teal’s tone is resentful and ugh, she guesses she should be nicer but why them.

Especially with the fucking skeleton on the floor.

The rainbowdrinker is apparently so unconcerned by the conversation that they have...pulled out a swap and are playing lusus passing.

All right then.

“Fine. Cool. What did this guy do? What data did they want you to get?”

“Lists of bribes.” Allele says, much more somber now. “Trolls he bribed to ignore his shit.” She shudders. “There were a lot.”

“Bribes for -“

“Lowblood fighting rings. And worse.” Interjects the drinker, looking up. “Much worse. He trafficked in everything if someone was selling along his shipping routes. Even had deals with the Neishis.”

They must know. They must know what that name means to her, but there’s no smug satisfaction or knowing smile. Their face is deathly serious, all former levity gone.

Do they...care? Actually care?

If what they’re saying is true - and Allele believes them - then they technically did her a favor by stopping her before she could reach out to him, and it sounds like...

No, she’s got to be sane. This isn’t how things should be handled. She can’t let her own feelings get in the way; that’s what all her enemies expect from her.

“So the solution was not coming to me but eating him. Yeah, that sounds legit.”

“Didn’t even leave me anything for jerky.” Complains the teal.

Chimer gives her a look that speaks volumes and all of them are punctuated five exclamation points deep.

“Hey, it’s my thing.” Mumbles the teal defensively, looking down. “Waste not, all that shit.”

“You’ve got no good excuse for your power trip cannibalism, you weirdo. At least they don’t have a choice. But...”

The seadweller’s voice trails off as she looks at the empty sockets of the skeleton, the picked-clean vertebrae. This was a whole troll, not a small one, and now he’s just...remains.

“How, and why, did he wind up like this. Don’t you only drink blood?”

“Mmhmhm...technically. But given I am...unusual, I can also pulp flesh into liquid and drink it if I want to. It’s often not worth the effort, but I was hungry...and mad.”

Their little laugh creeps her out, and how do they do that. Just what type of drinker are they?

She knows they were designed as some kind of spy system, but she never knew the details of Rhomox’s project - hardly wanted to spend more time talking to the guy than she had to, he was insufferable, and the caverns weren’t releasing anything at the time.

“Allele. Come on. I don’t care if you wanna kill random clowns or legis or whatever but this is gonna have consequences and leave a power vacuum. He could well get replaced by someone worse.”

She shakes her head.

“Almost no one as bad as him even among highbloods. And we know cause he took...he took so many photos. I was almost sick.”

Her old friend does look ill at the very thought, and the drinker simply looks unreadable, watchful.

The seadweller sighs and puts two fingers to her forehead.

“Fine. I’ll accept he maybe deserved this but did you have to kill him in his own hive, his hive I was last seen entering and my staff knew I was going to visit, so there are records? This is gonna look really fucking bad for me.”

Allele’s mouth opens in surprise and then she shuts it, looking chastened.

“No. I made sure I was caught by a delayed camera drone, but that miss Yorkyt was not. This is just an unfortunate drinker attack you stumbled on.”

The teal spins to face her companion.

“What! You didn’t tell me that.”

“We were a little busy disabling all the guard droids, hmm? You’re welcome.”

She looks a bit thrown, but nods.

Chimer snorts.

“Yeah, drinker attack. What kind of drinker does this? Sure you’re not a really chatty zombie?”

They look at her, head tilted, and then hold up their arm, sleeve falling down so their slim wrist is exposed.

Something wriggling pokes out of the skin, one, two, several of them gleaming white and as she leans closer to look she sees they have...fangs.

Then they all go back in, and her eyebrows have climbed into hairline.

“Huh.”

So that’s what Epsilo is so afraid of. That’s what attacked Amdzah...but he only had two bite marks in his neck, the standard drinker punctures. Nothing like this.

That’s what Claire keeps around.

That’s what Allele is insane enough to ally with.

“Well that’s a thing. Hey, Allele.”

“Yeah?”

“Where did you misplace your mind, maybe we can claim it at the lost and found.”

The assassin scowls, her long angular face twisted in a frown.

“Aren’t ya supposed to be accepting and all that junk?”

“Sure, and I’m also supposed to use my thinkpan.”

“They’re right here, don’t be fuckin’ rude.”

She rolls her eyes.

“All right. Shoot. Sell me on why this is actually smart and they’re not just going to eat us too.”

Allele makes an offended noise, then coughs, but the drinker simply looks at her with amusement.

“Well, I’m full at the moment for one thing. And for another, I happen to respect you and miss Yorkyt. You don’t deserve what I did to him. Though it was rather fun.”

Morbid curiosity pushes her onward, even though the fuchsia knows she might well regret it.

“...what happened.”

“We disabled his systems and his droids, Allele knocked out the few troll staff and got them away via transportalizer. He tried to attack her and she fended him off a perfectly decent blast, but he was clearly on some sort of steroids and even a sonic wail didn’t do much to him. He got his hands round her neck and was about to tear her coat off...and that’s when I tackled him down.”

Their eyes glow brightly again and they smile, long needle teeth showing.

“I swarmed out into his body and it’s funny, how even the biggest most muscular troll will writhe when their innards are being devoured.” They say in a soft voice.

“It’s funny how they’ll scream and beg and curse, being at the mercy of someone else, when they get such a kick out of doing it to others. Of course, when I ate his tongue he couldn’t curse anymore, though his eyes were certainly enough to get the message across, and when I ate his throat...mmhmhm. And then I ate his hateful eyes, and the rest of him followed.”

Allele’s hoarseness. That dark spot has to be a bruise.

Chimer clenches her fists.

“That’s not...for fuck’s sake. We can’t just eat and kill who we want because they’re bastards. Look I get it, this guy was absolutely evil and creeping Sufferer I would’ve wanted to kill him myself but this wasn’t the way to solve it. If you’d brought me evidence I could’ve - ”

“ - had him in front of a legislacerator court, miss Latrai? I guarantee he would’ve already had bribes or blackmail on half the jury. Or would you give him to the lowbloods whose quadrants he and his trolls abused? Poetic justice, certainly, but they would be culled for it if they were found out, and everything gets found out here.”

She hisses, fins fluffed out in sheer irritation. It makes sense, it all makes shitty annoying sense.

“An’ you couldn’t have locked him up yourself,” Allele chips in, “cause you would’ve been discovered too.”

“Yeah, thanks, brah. Really what I need to hear right now.”

She fixes the - whatever they are - with a glare.

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t just kill you.”

Tuuya tilts their head again, their wavy hair bobbing.

“No reason, really. Would you like to? I have a weapon that can do it.”

She blinks.

“Are you serious.”

“Of course. Being killed by you would be a decent way to go.”

“No! What? You can’t! Why?”

Allele winces and rubs her throat after her cry, but looks at them confused and hurt.

They look back at her calmly.

“I deserve this, miss Yorkyt. I am no hypocrite. I tried to end my own undead existence long ago, but being what I am, it is impossible. My worms will always stop me. So I need someone else to do it, someone who deserves to kill me, and miss Latrai is perfect for the job. The fuchsia who tries so hard to see justice done in a fundamentally unjust world, moirail of Sevenn Tarann. She kills a monster and the world is a little better for it. That’s nice, isn’t it?”

This is weird. This is so weird. She expected them to fight her. To protest. But they really are willing? Unless it’s some kind of trick.

They pull out a long knife and hand it to her.

“It gets superheated.” They advise her. “The casing and guard will protect you from the worst of the convection. Be careful to get every last worm, or I could come back.”

They stand patiently, hands clasped.

Allele looks...upset. Somehow. Is that how Claire would feel? Do they have other people who care about them? They’re creepy, but...Margol seems to like them too.

Stupid. She should just...do it. Get it over with. Get rid of the threat not only to trolls in general but mutants and limes if the empire ever got their hands on them again. Eliminate the risk.

Aren’t ya supposed to be accepting and all that junk?

There are limits, right? No one can complain about her killing a worm swarm. It’s not like killing a mutant or a lime or anyone else the empire has decided is too weak to be allowed to live. And they’re sadistic. Killing that blueblood was a delight for them, not an unfortunate duty.

She doubts they always restrict themselves to morally bankrupt victims either. They’ve probably drank from plenty of lowbloods who can’t afford to be weakened that way.

Claire would be better off without them. So would Allele. Look what they did to Amdzah; they could snap any time.

But Amdzah only had the one wound, and even Epsilo said he turned up with it bandaged...

UGH.

“I can’t.” She growls. “I’d get too much flack for it. I don’t need more problems right now, dealing with this is enough. You two realize it’s not just him, right? You wanna do this properly, you’re gonna have to take down his whole network.”

“Duh.” Says the teal, rolling her eyes. “What did you think we were gonna do?”

She looks not a little bit relieved.

The drinker’s face is unreadable.

“So you won’t, then?”

“Nope, sorry.”

The fuchsia hands the knife back. They put it away in their sylladex.

“If you change your mind, you are welcome to.” They state.

“Cooool. Anyway, we should all make ourselves scarce. Tell me how it goes with your maybe-a-resistance contact.”

With that the politician turns and leaves, back out the damaged door into the moonlight. She sighs, running a hand through her hair.

Nothing’s ever simple, is it. Nothing’s ever easy, doing it her way. Sometimes she envies her teal friend and her uncomplicated morals.

But someone has to believe in a better way, no matter how unrealistic it is. No matter how hard it is to get there.

Whatever Cherie says, it’s not just because of how she was made, whose soul she got. She chose it. She’ll keep choosing it.

No matter what.

#when I am not sick I wanna record Tuuya’s awful little laugh #cloud writes #etuuya vannyn #Chimer Latrai #allele yorkyt #I have more important things to do but alas self-indulgent drabble time

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promisedangel · 6 years

Text

Dollywood Review

Welp, now I know one of my friends knows of my Tumblr, so I kinda have to put this up.

Tuesday: -Travel day. Drove from home to Tennesse in about ten hours with the stops. Made more than we should have, but that’s mostly because one gas station was being a pain with my card, so I cash prepaid a bit and then got out of there cuz I was pissed at the damn machine. -Was snowing when we left our home in Ohio. Once we got near Cincinnati, no more snow! NO MORE SNOW! -Lovely scenery on the way to Pigeon Forge. -Once again, my mind saves me from boredom. I wanted to put Critical Role on in the car, but with three other people, it would be a captive audience. y mind instead went to dumb and fantasy scenarios to pass the time as I shuffled the music on my phone. -HOLY SHIT Pigeon Forge is such a tourist trap! There’s so much stuff to do there! We only went for Dollywood, but we are considering going back to do more touristy things. -The hotel we stayed at, the Music Road Hotel, was GORGEOUS! We loved it. Beds were a bit weird for me; I kept tossing and turning one night, and I think it was the firmness of the bed. Dunno. -After we got settled, we heard about this alpine coaster, which is a track that uses the mountainside to have a coaster-like experience. The one we heard of first, Pigeon Forge Alpine Coaster, was unfortunately closed for seasonal repairs. BUT, it was set to reopen Friday, the day we leave. We decided to do it then. -Went down the road some more and found ANOTHER alpine coaster not too far from the first one. It was called the “Goat Coaster” at Goats on the Roof of the Smokey Mountains. Loved it, great start. -Went to a place called Calhoun’s for dinner. Pretty good place. Had my only glass of booze for the whole trip there. I liked my chicken sandwich, but I wish they put honey mustard on it. -Went back to the hotel and found out one of my friends brought his Nintendo Switch! We played Mario Kart until it was time for bed. We had Dollywood in the morning!~

Wednesday: -The first day of Dollywood! -Decent breakfast at the hotel. Too used to bacon, cuz they had none and I was sad. They had some good tea, though! -Got to everything we wanted to, so this’ll be the long one. -CUBBIES! Oh my gods. Every single ride had cubbies for stuff! Love it! -Played Pokemon Go a lot of the time at Dollywood in between rides. Got a lot of pokemon and powered up a couple I already had. Got my first Moltres there <3 -First up was Lightning Rod. Pretty fun ride. Has a lot of airtime that kinda jerks you a bit. Could do with a little more padding but it doesn’t really hurt ya. -Had some fun doing some flat rides. The Carousel, bumper cars, swings, sky rider, Dizzy Disk. Pretty fun. -Went and got some of the supposedly famous cinnamon bread. It was good, but not overly so. But that’s also not the thing I’m overly into. -Brainstormer was fun, always good to have a giant swing ride. -Saw the park had its own Bald Eagle preserve and displayed some other birds like owls, hawks, and a raven! You never know how big ravens actually are until you see one! They’re twice as big as you think they are. Beautiful birds. -Blazing Fury was kinda boring dark ride. It was interesting to have a fire figther theme, but they didn’t really do much with it. -The Tenesse Tornado was really fun! Even though it was mostly just a few loops. Short, but sweet. But the walk to the loading station was so darn long! Kinda common for these rides. -Wild Eagle! Probably one of my favorite rides in the park! Nice wing coaster with awesome airtime and the turns take you by surprise in the back! -Firechaser Express was a fun little family ride. The surprise backward part was fun! -Drop Line was a fun little drop tower that spun you on the way up! Still think the one in King’s Island was better. -Had some trouble with Thunderhead at first. It’s an older wooden coaster so younger coaster enthusiasts will think it’s bumpy. Take my advice that I learned on the second day; sit in the back, it’s tamer back there and you get sweet airtime on the turns. -We hit the water rides next cuz it was in the seventies and we didn’t want to do them the second day cuz it dropped to the fifties. We hit River Rampage first. We didn’t get as soaked as we were expecting, but most of our pants were soaked while our tops were mildly so. The ride also teased times we could have gotten soaked. -Daredevil Falls also didn’t get us too soaked. Two of us stood on the bridge to purposefully get soaked. Also, one of the operators noticed two of us wearing brony t-shirts and commented positively in a way we didn’t get at first but we laughed at regardless. -Rockin’ Roadway was one of those nice little automated car rides. Just nice. -Relaxed on the Dollywood Express. Got a little history of the area and park with a couple laughs. It was a real steam engine, too, so there was a bit of soot and some of us had to cover their mouths. Still found some soot on our clothes after we returned to the hotel. -The Mystery Mine was closed until near the end of the day cuz of mechanical issues. So we hit it last. This ride had the best theming in the park and was fun overall. Pretty lite in intensity until the end, but it can bump your head around a bit if you’re not careful. -After the park closed, we changed out of any wet clothes at the hotel and went out to dinner. The same guy who brought the Switch found this restaurant called the Old Mill and it was AWESOME. Good southern three-course meal for about $20 per person. Had some authentic southern sweet tea with it. Started with corn fritters, salad, and corn chowder. Didn’t care for the chowder but the fritters were so good! Next was our main dishes. I got the country fried ham and OH MY GODS IT WAS LIKE I WAS EATING A GIANT PIECE OF BACON IT WAS SO GOOD! We also got dessert. I got a good chocolate cake while two of our group had a blackberry cobbler that they said they would sell someone’s soul for. Seriously. If you ever go to Pidgeon Forge for any reason, eat here! -Relaxed in the room with more Switch before bed.

Thursday: -This was our relax day. We took things slower and rerode anything we wanted to and ignored what we didn’t. Wild Eagle eventually got closed for the day, but not before we rode it a couple times. -We took our time and did some shopping. Bought a necklace for my moirail and two plushies, a sheep and a fox. THE SHEEP IS SO ADORABLE and the fox is prety cute too. -Since we did Pokemon Go things, three of us did a raid which we won! But I was the only one who didn’t get the pokemon from it! I was so pissed. -We ate at the buffet in the park for an early dinner. Funny story about it. The guys wanted to reride the flat rides, but the girls of the group didn’t. We decided to split off and do our own thing and meet at the buffet. So, the guys went on the teacups and one of them spun the cup as fast as he could. We found that he got the other one kinda sick cuz of it. Our waitress at the buffet, Charla, was so concerned about him, asking if there was something she could do to help. He just walked outside the buffet a couple of times and got better. We eventually chatted with her throughout the meal. Lovely woman. -On the note of customer service, we loved the rumored ‘southern hospitality’! Everyone was so nice and things were served quickly! I swear, if someone was rude to the Dollywood staff, ESPECIALLY CHARLA, I swear I will physically manifest into the park and punch them in the face! They were nothing but nice, giving us directions when we mildly expressed some confusion among other things. -The buffet was good. Mac and cheese was a bit bland, but the mashed potatoes and the turkey were so good!! I regret not eating half of my second slice of turkey, but I wanted to save room for dessert. Then after I ate dessert, I had room, and I know I could have finished off the turkey T.T -Finished off with more rides on Lightning Rod before running to the bakery and sweet shops at the front of the park for some chocolate truffles, cookies, and cupcakes at the hotel. We were gonna get some monkey bread, but they were out of over an hour before we got to the shop. I got some truffles and a giant cookie. They were good. -We relaxed back at the hotel and began to pack up a bit to help ourselves in the morning.

Friday: -We had a nice surprise when we went down for breakfast at the hotel. This guy was down there with a cockatoo and another small bird i forget the name of! We was advertising this interactive bird zoo thing and we got to play with the birds! This guy next to us was playing with one of the birds when we had the other one. It was clear he was a bird guy. He flipped the small one onto his back and gave him belly scratches. He snuggled the cockatoo and gave her neck scratches. They were in heaven. The cockatoo liked to nibble lightly at our sweatshirts and was pretty chill. The other guy liked to explore and zip to our shoulders. He even gave one of us kisses! I was so jealous. -We went to the alpine coaster that was closed. It was a lot of fun. Better than the one at Goats on the Roof, but both of them were still fun. -We said our goodbyes to Pidgeon Forge and headed home. Got stuck in some Cinncinatti traffic, but we were fine other than that. Arrived later than I would have liked, but we also kinda stopped a lot so that’s on us.

Overall, good trip!

#dollywoood #promised reacts #rambles #long post

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hardtobcmysxlf · 3 years

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1-70

Okay first of all, how dare you...

Second of all, here you go finally anon, was hanging out with my friend last night so I wasn't on my phone much...

01: Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

I feel like I have a somewhat decent relationship with my mom, it's definitely better than how it was when I was a teenager. As for my dad, he passed away when I was 8 and I miss him so much, but we had a great relationship.

02: Who did you last say “I love you” to?

The last person I said I love you to was my grandma last week.

03: Do you regret anything?

Hmm...I can't think of anything that I super regret 🤷‍♀️

04: Are you insecure?

Yuuuup I sure am!!

05: What is your relationship status?

Single af

06: How do you want to die?

Probably in my sleep or surrounded by my family and close friends if it were something killing me slowly...

07: What did you last eat?

A breakfast grilled cheese a couple hours ago when I got home from my friend's house

08: Played any sports?

I used to play soccer and softball when I was a kid, but haven't played anything since

09: Do you bite your nails?

I don't necessarily bite them, but I do pick at them and clip at them if like they're too long for me or there's a snaggy nail or ya know...anxiety...

10: When was your last physical fight?

I've never been in a physical fight sooo never...

11: Do you like someone?

Kinda?? There's a couple people I like on here and a girl and a guy I both kind of like at my work 😂 #gottalovebeingbiamIright?

12: Have you ever stayed up 48 hours?

I feel like I have but I can't remember when

13: Do you hate anyone at the moment?

I don't "hate" anyone, but I do have some strong dislike for a couple of people I've met last year...

14: Do you miss someone?

My friend who's house I left even though we hung out all day yesterday xD I miss my dad, my great-aunt and a couple of other friends

15: Have any pets?

Pfffft I have A LOT of pets, I have chickens, 3 goats, 2 turkeys, 5 dogs (4 of them are foster fails from my family doing animal rescue) 6 cats (all rescue) a few ducks and a bunny. I'm hoping I got them all and counted correctly lol.

16: How exactly are you feeling at the moment?

Honestly? In pain because of cramps (yay being a girl) and a bit sad because I didn't want last night to end because it was so fun and nice being out of my house!

17: Ever made out in the bathroom?

HA NOPE

18: Are you scared of spiders?

Sometimes yes, but like the daddy long leg ones...nah

19: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?

Oh hel yeah! I'd go back to being a kid so my dad would be here <3

20: Where was the last place you snogged someone?

I....I've never snogged anyone 🙈

21: What are your plans for this weekend?

Well now I'm gonna just chill in my room until I gotta get ready for work this week

22: Do you want to have kids? How many?

Yes and 1 or 2 at most

23: Do you have piercings? How many?

4 in each ear and 1 nose piercing

24: What is/are/were your best subject(s)?

English and a tiiiiiiiiny bit of math

25: Do you miss anyone from your past?

An old friend of mine, even though they just stopped being friends with me a month or so ago because I'm friends with someone else again...and these two actually used to be friends years ago

26: What are you craving right now?

Something with lots of chocolate syrup

27: Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

Nope, I'm always the one getting my heart broken

28: Have you ever been cheated on?

Pfffft most likely yes

29: Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?

I don't think so, if I did then they never told me I did...

30: What’s irritating you right now?

Surprisingly nothing xD but I know something or someone will probably later!

31: Does somebody love you?

I know my family and my animals love me.

32: What is your favourite color?

Either black or blue

33: Do you have trust issues?

YES

34: Who/what was your last dream about?

Ya know, I don't even remember my last dream so I couldn't tell you

35: Who was the last person you cried in front of?

Umm...I think my sister because she showed me a fan-video on youtube and it hit me in the feels

36: Do you give out second chances too easily?

Hahahaha depending on the person yes, sometimes even more than 2 chances!!!

37: Is it easier to forgive or forget?

It depends on the situation for me.

38: Is this year the best year of your life?

I sure fucking hope it is!!!!

39: How old were you when you had your first kiss?

Umm...first kiss with a guy? I think 20? I can't remember, first kiss with a girl? I was 21

40: Have you ever walked outside completely naked?

Ew no

51: Favourite food?

French fries.

52: Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

Yes and no

53: What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?

Set an alarm on my phone and stared at the old glow-in-the-dark stars and planets on my friend's ceiling until I fell asleep 😂

54: Is cheating ever okay?

55: Are you mean?

I can be if you piss me off or talk shit about me behind my back

56: How many people have you fist fought?

None!

57: Do you believe in true love?

I feel like it honestly depends if I vibe with the person.

58: Favourite weather?

Sunny but not hella hot, or maybe some clouds.

59: Do you like the snow?

I like it for the aesthetic, not the cold lol

60: Do you wanna get married?

I do yes

61: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby?

If its someone I know and am close to like a partner or a close friend, yes! If it's some random stranger, then noooooo

62: What makes you happy?

Cosplaying, video games, coffee, animals, actually having the same interests as someone or being able to be myself with someone without feeling judged or stupid.

63: Would you change your name? Nope! I like my name :)

64: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?

YUP YUP YUP!!!

65: Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?

Tell them I'm flattered but not interested (unless I like him too idk) but I don't have any male friends

66: Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around?

Umm no, I don't really have any male friends...

67: Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to?

Does my lyft driver count? XD he told me some very interesting facts about one of the mountains here on my ride home LOL!

68: Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

One of my friends

69: Do you believe in soulmates?

I do yes

70: Is there anyone you would die for?

I'd die for my family, animals and a few friends

#anon #anonymous #there you go anon I got them done...happy? haha...

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chlockeee · 6 years

Note

1, 3, 15, n 30 for the music ones

Damb alright

1. three songs that come up when you put your phone on shuffle:

(pretty self explanatory)

Heart Eyes - COIN

Last Party - MIKA

Kooks - David Bowie

all good good songs

3. three songs you were recently obsessed with:

mmmmm that’s a toughie… let’s see….

Quicksand - David Bowie: I was into this song before I looked up the lyrics but it’s basically about him questioning everything and realizing that the answers to life’s questions will only come with death so just try to do the best u can and honestly? mewd. plus it sounds kinda sad and got thos chords that make ya Feel things ya know plus i’ve been thinking about morality and ethics and junk a lot lately so yeah

Birdhouse In Your Soul - They Might Be Giants: this is a song I’ve liked since I was a lil child and my parents would play TMBG like, constantly and I just started listening to them again and remembered how much I actually like this song

Maid of the Mist - Diet Cig: my friend introduced me to this song and it’s now a fave cause, you know, it’s a lil sad and emotional but still boppin’, which is what i’m into!!!

15. three songs you want to dance with your love to:

makin me think about love now huh!!! the fuck is up with that!!!!! what is that!!!

Drops of Jupiter - Train: this song is so sad but got damn i love it so much. plus i think itd be pretty nice to dance to

Northern Downpour - Panic! at the Disco: y’all know what tf goin on now jk but like this is a timeless sappy emo song that I love and let’s be real will probably play at my wedding

Tongue Tied - Grouplove: since those other two were sappy and sad I thought I’d throw in a happy boppin’ one that would be nice to like, dance around the kitchen with w som1 u luv

(also to add to this category is anything in ¾ time. i fuckin love waltzes)

also shit just thought of another!! gotta go with Somebody to Love by Queen because you know.

30. three songs you really want your followers to know (for reasons other than all those above)

um um um um uhhhhhh hm

Animal Mask - The Mountain Goats: this song is from the album Beat the Champ which is a concept album about professional wrestling. I don’t know anything about wrestling but the whole album is really good and this song specifically is sweet cuz it’s about his son

Forest Whitaker - Bad Books: my friend also introduced me to this song and its just a bop tbh

Dance Apocalyptic - Janelle Monáe: this song is just a fast boppin jam you can dance to and the last part gives me chills, so ideal balance really

#this took me like a million hours #asks #wonesite #chloe talks

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makingnewenemies · 6 years

Text

Group Picture Vol. 7 liner notes -

Jake Lee - Bleeding Gum Murphy’s Jake Lee makes his triumphant return to Group Picture after a two year absence and the treasure is worth the wait! Jake blesses us with his characteristic upbeat opener set to clear-headed and introspective lyrics. He even manages to throw in an almost spanish sounding acoustic guitar lead? Welcome back Jake!

Little Cousin - The classic yet elusive duo of Walter and Milk come back with this strange and smooth track about burning ponies? Not really sure what to say about this one but I love Milk’s beats even when they are simple and jazzy like this and Walter’s experimenting with some new styles so props to trying I guess.

Weston Bookhouse - Weston is back with this calming and catchy piece about reflecting on his life and love while driving a country road. His voice is clean and clear, the shaker is fast and steady, and that outro when he sings both up and down the octave is probably the catchiest bit I’ve ever heard him write. I got the chills the first, second, and third time I heard this song. Rumor has it he is going to record the next album in 2018 in Walter’s garage!

Slaughter Beach, Dog - A Group Picture staple at this point, and the songwriter behind my favorite album of the year, Jake Ewald seems to be able to pump out heartfelt songs like a pathos machine, and of course this tune is no different. The arrangements of this song are fun and interesting and I love his love for slide guitar.

Milk Flud - Who? Ya the beat seems pretty chill but honestlyI don’t understand the motorbike metaphor at all. Is this guy ok? Who is Max? Was that a lyric about a german shepherd in a muzzle? The thing I love about MNE is that they give a platform to the little guys like this Flud character.

Chain - Woah! Chain is a Portland band that I’ve seen play live before but this is my first time hearing a recording and woah! The music and production are so unique and Teal’s voice is like candy. I can’t wait to hear more from them and I really hope they stick around the mne world for a little while so their creativity can rub off on me a little.

Cool American - Cool American is probably Portland’s coolest band. Their cynical wit and fuzzy charm leaves every listener intrigued and wishing they lived in Portland to have a beer with them. I’m really glad they came back to GP cause I want to be associated with them when they blow up.

Sour Guy - Well this has to be the absolute best song ever written about a grad student grading papers. While this might seem like a simple acoustic song, it’s really impressive the way Kris Schobert can clearly express the frustration of spending a whole day grading papers of kids who did not at all learn the subject matter (physics!) that he so passionately tried to teach to them. Love you, Kris. I would love to take your class and I wouldn’t be on my phone!

Banned From Japan - Earl from Banned From Japan is a sweet and genuine valley rat who has admittedly never listened to any bands besides NOFX. And, Earl, that is ok with us! This punk gem not only slaps but makes me want to delete my social media and live a more wholesome life. Welcome to MNE and Group Picture, Banned From Japan!

Alex Maddox - Our childhood friend with the voice that screams major label shoe-in is currently gearing up to ditch his job and live in a van traveling around Europe, surfing and following spiritual gurus. Perhaps Houston Graves is the person he felt he was turning into. Perhaps I am totally wrong. But I am right in saying this song is equally easy on the ears as it is introspective and I feel blessed to have Alex in my life and on Group Picture since its early days.

Benjamin Ward - It was a hard year for certain people in our music community. There were several deaths and Benny experienced one directly on his Hemingway tour. With that in mind, this song is absolutely heart breaking and cathartic. Usually known for dark metaphors and understated lyrics, Benny comes softly with candid words and a direct message - “I’m just glad I had you in my life / And I will carry you and the things you do until I die.” Beautiful, Benny.

Isabel Zacharias - So I was at Russell’s house meeting his new roommate Isabel for the first time this fall and we sang Wilco and Mountain Goats songs together. Then she played this song and I was floored. I told her about Group Picture and said she had to be on it. Now I am so grateful I had some caffeine that morning and had the gumption to be so forward because now I get to enjoy her poetic lyrics and soulful tune whenever I want.

The Sal Show - Sal from Animal City! Finally a funny track on Group Picture this year! But if you follow the lyrics, they actually convey a pretty ridiculous distant concept - a bad kid magician? - and it does not only make sense but its funny! Kudos to Sal if he ever reads this. The dude can write a tune.

Jeremy Murphy - The guy in Riled and Chain, Jeremy wowed the world with his “cranberries in the cosmos” song last year and now he has topped himself! This song is weird and cool! I would say more but Jeremy and I made a bet over a game of pool and he lost and he actually owes me a personal song. So I will hold my tongue until I hear that tune!

Dakota Loesch - The other mastermind behind Animal City and Lemp Lungs, Dakota is becoming a staple of group picture and that makes me feel blessed. This year he brings us a poetic Americana tune that makes me feel three things 1. honestly kinda sexy (must be that beat and the deep bass?) 2. Kinda melancholy! (not sure why) and 3. Dakota can we party together???

Emo Dreamboat - Ben Ward of Hemingway collabs with Milk and damn this song is a true emo pop song! Ben’s voice sounds soothing and dark and Milk’s beat is moody and intricate. Is this a collab that is gunna last or is this a one off Group Picture track? I really hope they do the album cause Ben can float over a beat like an experienced rapper and we all know Milk is capable of endless beats.

Byronius Punk - Ian Farmer, the dark horse of Modern Baseball, has always had a knack for songwriting and a great voice but it was hidden behind his role as “humble bassist” in the band. His track this year comes under the new moniker Byronius Punk and makes me want to stare out the window on a gray and snowy east coast day and just fall asleep on my desktop until summer arrives.

Grimy Baby - Naka G, from Weston Bookhouse and a past touring member of Walter Etc., keeps the slop tradition of MNE alive with this smokey bluesy gem. Probably recording everything in his bedroom in Santa Cruz, Naka sings about a “sleepless luxury” but honestly Naka if this how you function without sleep then I think you’re doing fine homie.

Chase Hoyt - Usually known for guitar shredding in Ubu Roi or Chaz and the Minions of Chaz, Chase takes a new disco styled approach with his contribution to this year’s comp. A disco song would usually seem annoying but this song sounds like Ozzy or Alice Cooper made a lo-fi disco song and that is obviously awesome. Also, note the shredding that still takes place and put some headphones and listen to those bass lines!

Humphrey Orlando - Our whiskey drinking story teller Humphrey is a classic mne and Group Picture stable. He claims he wrote this song in 5 minutes but he manages to squeeze as much soul as anyone feels in a lifetime into this scrappy minute and a half gem.

Melancholy Quinoa - The infamous rap group featuring Alex Crawford, Kyle B Hart, Ben Ward, Your Homie D, and Milk Flud, made their debut last year with a song about hot boxing a jungle gym. Well, they are back blending the Emo Dreamboat’s smooth vox, Crawford’s crass lyrics about masturbating, Kyle singing for the first time, and Milk’s trap tendencies. Honestly, this slaps!!!

Daddy Collin - The figurehead behind Snow Roller and voted Portland’s “Easiest Guy to Fall in Love With” is back this year under a solo moniker. Does this mean a solo career is in the works? Snow Roller released “XXL”, one of my fav albums of the year, this summer and Collin seems to still be climbing to his peak. I got the chills when he sings “i hope you still consider me a friend”. I do, Collin, I do.

Peanut Butter Cups - Aaron Kovacs from Lauren Records does this lo-fi project that pretty much only exists on Group Picture and I really think he needs to make a full album! His songs are fuzzy, lovely, and sad and make me feel something. Please Peanut Butter Cups, give us the full candy bar!

Walter Etc. - This one is just Walter alone, singing about being on a boat or something. Honestly, it sounds like all his other songs and I can’t relate to his love of the open sea, but hey this tune is kinda catchy!

*thanks for reading / listening* - omniscient mne god

#group picture vol. 7 #making new enemies #group picture

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