#bdrptask

[truitt-story]

soft pink: a pride playlist for tiana

1. She by Dodie 2. Strawberry Blond by Mitski 3. Jackie Onassis by Sammy Rae 4. Sofia by Clairo 5. Hi. by Lauren Sanderson 6. Bad Love by The Aces 7. Caroline by Brandi Carlile 8. Cloud 9 by Beach Bunny (feat. Tegan and Sara) 9. Pynk by Janelle Monae (feat. Grimes) 10. Run to Me by Brittany Howard

Ok I already did one of these so I’m not gonna get SUPER in-depth but I wanted to talk about this a little! The idea I had for this playlist is that Tiana is very much an “I’m an independent woman I don’t have time for crushes!!!” type but the second she starts to catch feelings she’s a total romantic and I wanted to make a playlist all about those walls coming down. SO. Here’s a SHORT track by track breakdown.

1. She by Dodie

This song is just so #soft and sweet. I like the beginning with “Am I allowed to look at her like that” because that just feels so REAL to having a crush (esp as a queer woman I feel like) where you’re like oh no. Can she tell. AAAH.

2. Strawberry Blond by Mitski

Ok full disclosure I really was trying to do songs by queer artists about explicitly queer subject matter and I have absolutely no idea if Mitski identifies as queer (tbh it is probably none of my business!) but this song just FELT very fitting for this playlist and another one that feels like the beginning of a crush. 

3. Jackie Onassis by Sammy Rae

I looove this song. It’s about all the different reasons you can be attracted to someone-- their confidence, their intelligence, their fashion sense, their looks, and maybe something kind that they did for you! And I love the idea of falling for a person who makes you want to be more confident and come into your own more. Because that’s beautiful!!!

4. Sofia by Clairo

This song to me is about that in-between stage-- that “what are we” moment. And even though Tiana can be very opinionated, I think when it comes to stuff like this she’s a lot more hesitant. It’s basically why her last relationship fell apart-- she couldn’t take the leap to commit to the relationship because she had a lot of baggage she was working through.

5. Hi. by Lauren Sanderson

Another kind of #angst song about not really knowing where you stand. And this is more for a relationship where you’re with someone who you really want to help but you just don’t know how. Tiana loves hard and loves to help people, and I can see her getting into this kind of situation.

6. Bad Love by The Aces

This song is all about shaking off anyone who has anything negative to say about your queerness! I thought it was a good progression from the previous two songs about being unsure about getting into a relationship-- now you feel certain, and you don’t care what anyone thinks.

7. Caroline by Brandi Carlile

I loooove this song it’s just so cute. Silly song about being in love and QUEER ICON ELTON JOHN HELPED WRITE IT. Need I say more.

8. Cloud 9 by Beach Bunny (feat. Tegan and Sara)

Another happy relationship song. Something cool about this song is that when Tegan and Sara featured on it, they specifically went in and changed the pronouns to be gender-neutral. I just thought that was cool!

9. Pynk by Janelle Monae feat. Grimes 

This song is just a bop and it’s just celebrating wlw relationships/experiences. I don’t have much more to say except Janelle Monae is an icon.

10. Run to Me by Brittany Howard 

I just thought this was a good closer. It’s about feeling totally secure and happy with someone, and running home to them at the end of the day and the comfort that comes with that. 

#bdrptask #music #aesthetic #inspo

[gabriella-marino]

Patience is Key || Garb

@ferbmanofactionfletcher​

Gabriella was usually pretty good about keeping up with her stuff, especially these days when she had very little to keep up with. She was one of those people who always had to touch everything before she left one place to go to another. A little check list, because she had once been that girl who left her phone everywhere and had needed a system to prevent that. But, she also felt like she had been in a constant sprint ever since she had gotten back on land. 

Between summer classes, two jobs, being in the musical, and general life maintenance, she felt like the only time she had to relax was when she was passed out asleep in bed. This, plus the stress of the whole...lake event, really had her on the fritz. Which was probably why she had left her keys somewhere. She had already checked Whosits, the library, and the coffee shop. The only place left was the theater. 

The place was pretty much deserted, as it should have been that late into the evening, but she managed to find an open door to go peak around. She started on stage and when that didn’t work she went to go check around back stage. The place was massive, all nooks and crannies, and she knew she needed to get some help. The next person to pass by, she told herself, she’d ask. 

It took awhile but, eventually, someone did. A super tall guy with green hair. She dashed after him, tapping on his arm when she caught up and presented her whiteboard to him with the message, Hello, I’m deaf. I lost my keys, do you have time to help me find them? 

#title: (patience is key) #ch: (ferb fletcher) #(garb) #bdrptask #and that's on procrastination

[greatiggspectations]

christmas, christmas, christmas! || tiger cub

@professor-lungri

Tigg had asked her coworkers what Christmas-y things you were supposed to do with your family, seeing as family was still a very new thing to her, and wrote them all down.

First, was wrap presents together. Which, Tigg insisted Shere do -- with her BADASS KRAMPUS WRAPPING PAPER.

Second, and the present task, was building a gingerbread house!

“I don’t understand why you’re not supposed to eat it. Like, that sounds like half the fun to me. You can pretend to be Godzilla destroying a village.” Tigg rambled, reaching for a gingerbread man. “Noooo don’t eat me, I have a wife and family!”

#bdrptask

[davidhatter]

Welcome Back Party || Ass Hat

@notmuchofatail

When a regular didn’t come in one day without having a prior reason, like going on holiday or something, he didn’t think anything of it. People could miss a day. The start of the new year people usually tried to stay away but came back eventually. Two days, not too concerning. Three days, start to get a bit worried. A week? Might ask around. Two weeks? Go see for himself if no one else had answers. 

A few weeks to months? Well, then there had to be something wrong, didn’t there? This would have been the case of Gregory Eeyore, but Hatter knew why he wasn’t coming in. Partially, anyway. Hadn’t been hard to put together when the names of all those who were supposed to be ‘sacrificed’ was posted in the paper. 

Hatter had not expected him to be back any time soon, which was why he was more than pleasantly surprised to find the kid knocking on the door a few minutes after they had closed. He unlocked and opened it, ushering him in from the cold. 

“Hello,” he greeted, pulling the door shut as soon as Eeyore had made it over the threshold. “What’re you doing out at this hour?” The hour was 8:37pm. 

#title: (welcome back party) #ch: (gregory eeyore) #(ass hat) #bdrptask #we don't have to keep that name but i thought it was too good to pass up quite frankly

[oh-phineas]

EMMA’S 2021 QUESTIONNAIRE!

Your Name: Emma Characters: Phineas Flynn, Tiana Truitt, Aquata Triton, Henry Charming, Anna Sommers, Bruce White, Anastasia Tremaine, Tanya Tiwari

Pick one of your characters and talk about their growth (we recommend choosing an older character, but it’s up to you!) What about their story has surprised you? What are you proud of? How have they changed from their original inception to now?

I want to talk about Tiana! Since I talked a lot about her on last year’s questionnaire, and a LOT has happened to her this year, and she was my second character here. It has been crazy to reread last year’s questionnaire and see how many goals I had for her that I actually managed to achieve with her. She’s formed a stronger network with the other business owners in Swynlake (I love her dynamic with Al, Vixey, and Jun), she’s gone through a lot with her roommates, she’s had to step up as a leader for the restaurant, she even has a little bit of a crush! And I think she’s very much still in the middle of her story; there is a lot more Tiana to explore and she is still holding herself back from a lot of things because of her own complexes. 

This is going to sound like a joke but something that has surprised me about Tiana is that she is such an AQUARIUS!! Hahaha but seriously-- she is very opinionated and justice-oriented, but she also isn’t really as confrontational as I originally thought she was. I think Tiana really values her reputation and the way she’s viewed in the community and for that reason she’s actually a lot more private about the way she really feels about things. And for that reason I’m so happy that she’s been able to form these strong connections with other people so that I can explore the contrast between what she’s willing to express in public and what she will confide in people she’s close to.

I’m proud of the petty little conflicts she’s gotten into-- the back-and-forth with Jessica, the tension with Belle on the Knights stuff, not canon but her arc on Regency was so fun! And it’s been really fun to explore how Knights stuff has affected her regular life, especially in her friendship with Vixey. I definitely want to keep exploring how Tiana’s pettiness and her sort of impulsive reactions to things can cause conflict, especially since one of the big themes I love working with is how becoming part of a community is an amazing thing, but it also means you have to be okay with a level of conflict that naturally comes up when personalities clash. And that’s what Tiana’s story is all about to me: becoming part of a community.

Pick another character (or the same character if you only have one) and talk a little about where you WANT them to go. What are your plans for them going into the new year?

Aquata!! She is someone that I struggle with sometimes in terms of muse but over the past year I’ve grown to really appreciate and love who she is and what her deal is. I am so happy that I decided to have her run for Board last year, because it has really helped her grow as a character and it’s given her exactly what I wanted for her: something to be passionate about outside of swimming. I definitely want to keep pursuing political plots with her, and I’m really enjoying her petition and all the moving parts and people involved with it. I’m excited for it to go up for another vote in the new year and see how the new Board reacts/the lines that are drawn in response!

However, I actually do want to circle back on the swimming thing and explore that a little more. Because lately I’ve been thinking about how insane and weird it is that as kids we sometimes have these intense passions and hobbies that take over our entire lives and then you just grow up and graduate college and a lot of times, it’s hard to find an avenue to pursue it?? (See: that tiktok audio where it’s like “god it’s so hard to be good for your age” lol is anyone else on prodigy burnout tiktok??) Especially for athletes, whose careers rely on their bodies and physical shape, and one injury or illness can take them entirely out of something that used to be their whole life. That’s not necessarily what Aquata is dealing with, but it’s not entirely dissimilar. So I don’t know exactly how I’ll go about that, but it’s something I have in mind for her.

I’d also love some DRAMA!! Not that I don’t give Q enough drama lmfao. But with Swynlake being such a small town and Aquata being such a messy bitch I think it’s so fun to explore the tangled web we weave etc. etc. I have some things in the pipeline that I’m notttt sure I can spoil quite yet but that is hopefully only the beginning :)

Pick a thread or a plot that you’re proud of and talk about why you loved it.

I have to talk about the Shark Attack arc. Some people may already know this, but that plot was partially why I got Bruce in the first place, and I am SO SO grateful to everyone who was involved!! It was so much fun to plot something out like that, and I appreciate the RAS peeps for being down for me causing trouble with Bruce right out of the gates, and the admins/the group as a whole for being down for letting me wreak some havoc at Atlantis Lake.

I think the main thing I’m proud of is just bc like I was not feeling super confident about my plotting abilities last year and this gave me a lot of confidence?? And it also checked off one of my big goals for Henry, which was to give him a mission. I also like how this brought Gabriella and Bruce together (one of my fav friendships I just think they are so sweet tbh) and how it forced Henry to combine his two worlds by introducing Eric and Rose to one another. (And ok minor tangent everything that happened with HERIC this year oh my god... childhood friends becoming strangers, the intensity and heartbreak of losing a childhood friend, being divided from people you care about because of ideological differences... man I could go on and on about Heric forever).

TLDR it was so fun to work with everyone involved, I’m proud of myself for pulling it off, and I love that the fallout is still ongoing six months later.

In terms of your own writing, identify 1-3 strengths and talk about why you think it’s one of your strengths.

I talked about this last year but I’m going to talk about it again because it is important to me. I’m proud of my characterization and my work with character flaws in particular, and I think I do a decent job of walking the line between characters you hate to love and love to hate and everything in between. I really enjoy writing good people who lean into their worst impulses and hurt people on accident or on purpose, and I think conflicts where both characters are right AND both characters are wrong are the most interesting to me. 

I’ve also been noticing lately that when I feel really strongly about a plot or a thread, I surprise myself with how much I like my prose!! I’ve been thinking about this and imo the reason prose exists (and poetry etc) is because there are some emotions that you have to get creative to describe. When I feel like I’m writing an emotion or situation that is unique but also very grounded and real, it forces me to steer away from cliches. I don’t know if that makes it objectively GOOD but I like it. For example some of my favorite writing I’ve done lately has been that Phinnip AU thread for wrimo (and I seriously don’t even usually gravitate toward romance tbh!) and it’s because I was just so excited about the weirdness of the situation and the motivations involved that it really forced me out of my box. So I really want to keep pushing myself in that way.

I think I’m pretty good at dialogue as well. Sometimes I have to go back and edit because I think I use TOO many fillers and stuff, but I think I do a pretty good job of having ppl talk the way they would sound in real life/out loud. And I think I do a good job of adapting to different mediums, like people would talk differently out loud vs. over email vs. on Twitter vs. over text. 

In terms of your own writing, identify 1-3 areas of improvement.

I don’t know if this necessarily counts as writing, but it’s plotting, so I think it does. I really think I need to be better at communicating with people about plots/threads. I don’t know WHY I get in my head about messaging people but I do, and sometimes it impacts my writing in that I’m worried about my character having too much knowledge or doing something i’m unsure about so I just hedge when I can very easily just message the mun and say “Would my character know this”/”Is this okay.” But I think I can introduce so much more drama and intrigue if I just ask and go for the thing once I get the clear from the mun! So I just want to be better about that.

I think also in the vein of plotting I think I’ve been trying to pump the brakes a little bit more in terms of chaos/drama? We all know I love drama and sometimes I’m a little troll lmfao but I also want to make sure I’m being 1. respectful of people’s limits and 2. not derailing the story I’m trying to tell. It’s like, it’s good to have the creativity to think of all the ways something can blow up, but it’s even better to discern when it’s time to blow it all up and when it’s time to take a beat.

In terms of actual craft, I want to push myself a little more when it comes to lore and worldbuilding. I’ve dipped my toe into it with Bruce and Tanya, but I think sometimes I gloss over backstory stuff that can actually be really interesting to explore. I’m pretty open about the fact that this is not necessarily my strength and I’m kind of okay with that, but I think pushing myself as a writer is always a good thing. I’m thinking about picking up a character next year who I think will really help me challenge this. And I also want to incorporate it more into my existing characters, like Anna with her heritage and of course I’m always trying to build more into the Order world with Henry lol.

Pick one of your plots, or even just a character, and come up with a list of 3-5 “mentor texts” where you can look for inspiration or research, then write a short (2-4 sentences) why you picked those texts. (They don’t have to be books, either!)

I am going to talk about HENRY because I really have been getting such good inspo for him from a lot of different places lately (this is about to be so self-indulgent lmaooo)

First I need to talk about Succession because I lowkey started watching it thinking it would probably be good Henry inspo and it's given me so much to think about. I’m still only on the second season but I really think this show is all about what happens when you give people with the same insecurities and complexes and insane whims as any old person an insane amount of wealth and privilege and tell them they deserved it. And while Henry is nowhere near as rich and privileged as the Roy family, he has been given a lot of power in that he’s been told it’s his job to decide who gets to live and die, and he also has a lot of money and privilege he just thinks he’s entitled to. And that show. is just full of toxic interpersonal relationships that are such clear manifestations of selfishness and obsessive ambition, and I think as things heat up with the Order this is going to be a really good text to use as inspiration.

Next: Six of Crows!! I’ve reblogged some Matthias inspo on Henry before and I really do think that Matthias’s journey with untangling his relationship to his value system and the druskelles is going to be really useful in helping me write some stuff with Henry coming up. Henry has had his beliefs challenged a lot but he is still very stubborn, and if/when he ever does change his mind I want it to be slow and realistic and earned. I think Leigh Bardugo did a really good job with that in Six of Crows and that’s something I want to emulate. 

Finally, Jane Austen’s work has always been good inspo for Henry (regency AU was his time to SHINE yo) partially because he is an uptight old fashioned british boi but also because I think Austen does such a great job of untangling intent vs. impact and pointing out the subtle ways that people behave badly and hurt each other in society. I know that Darcy is such a meme at this point, but I really do think there’s something to be said about the way Austen points out that just because a man is kind and devoted (Bingley) or charming (Wickham) his prejudices, entitlement, and upbringing still will lead him to treat women in a way that they do not deserve!! And I think that’s a really important idea, because Henry in a lot of ways fits the sort of stereotype of kind/caring/devoted/respectful, but he also has a lot of misogyny and upbringing and entitlement to untangle and I just appreciate how subtle and smart Austen is about that stuff. My friend just got me Mansfield Park for my birthday so I’m looking forward to reading it and seeing if it sparks any ideas.

And now, a wishlist! Jot down a few themes or stories or genres etc that you want to maybe pursue in the upcoming year! (i.e. a good ol’ fashion forbidden romance, maybe you want to dig deep into racial identity etc) This doesn’t have to necessarily be attached to any characters or stories you have now– it’s just meant to help you see for yourself what kind of stories call to your heart.

So many things! 

I want some doomed relationships. I want to get my characters into relationships with people that are not compatible with them and I want it to end in flames!!

I want to solve a mystery or help solve one. 

I want more RIVALRIES! 

I want Annie to get cancelled on Twitter 

I want to reconnect Tiana with the knights 🥺

I want to PARTYYY

I want an unrequited crush

I want a rumor to spread through the school

Idk that’s all I can think of for nowww but there will be more on my New Years’ Resolutions I’m sure!

OPTIONAL: Why do you RP?

I love writing and I love when I can do it in a collaborative way. I don’t necessarily need an audience for my writing but I do think I do my best work when I can play off of other people and get inspired by their ideas too. And to reiterate what I said last year, it’s even more true this year that everything is way more fun when you can’t sell it or monetize it or get a grade on it. I’m just here to have fun and be creative and maybe even a little self-indulgent, and I think a hobby that allows me to do that is so important for me to have. Love u all thanks for an amazing year <3

#bdrptask #bdrpquestionnaire #<3

[thehuntress-rose]

Silent Night | Rosleigh

Rose had an arduous day of cramming for the first semester exams that were rapidly approaching. By the time she slinked into her house, she was ready for bed. She let the dogs out, then back in while she put things in order around the house. Pacifica was probably already asleep, or secretly gaming like Rose wasn’t perceptive enough to know. So Rose was quiet in her pre-bed ritual. 

Crawling into bed, she welcomed the warmth. It was a stark contrast to the cold days they’d been having. Rose curled up and quickly drifted off to a deep, exhaustion induced sleep. 

In her slumber, her subconscious awakened. It showed her in a cozy and warm Christmas themed lodge. Rose was sat with her knees up on an overstuffed armchair, sipping cocoa. Before her were each of her friends going about their holiday activities while soft music played around them. Candace was singing along softly, “Silent night... holy night, all is calm... all is bright,” while daintily adding ornaments to the tree. 

Henry and Pacifica were sat closer to the fire. They seemed to just be relaxing as well, watching Candace express her creativity. It was quiet, but comfortable. This is the kind of Christmas Rose dreamed of. No family to degrade you, or tension to cut with a knife. Just peaceful time with people who could sit in silent understanding. 

@ashleigh-inyourdreams 

#silent night #rosleigh #i am very excited for this #bdrptask

[ashleigh-inyourdreams]

RP Questionnaire 2021

Your Name: Lauryl 

Characters: Berlioz, Hades, Merida, Charlie, Ashleigh, Nemo, Jun, Olaf, Atta, Pip, Chip, Amity

Pick one of your characters and talk about their growth (we recommend choosing an older character, but it’s up to you!) What about their story has surprised you? What are you proud of? How have they changed from their original inception to now?

Today is my day for ASHLEIGH!!! I’m choosing her precisely because I never intended for her to grow. And you know what?? She hasn’t! But she has experienced a lot of change. 

But I want to celebrate her stasis, as well as those moments where she’s reached for something and always come up short or found a different mode of survival. I think she’s extremely sexy for this. At every step of the way, I’ve enjoyed toying with that line as well. The biggest example is the entire Leighly arc which is… gorgeous and perhaps the BIGGEST surprise I had with her story. I didn’t expect Ashleigh’s feelings to be as deep as they were for Lymantria and how tragic it is, for both myself and Ashleigh, for Ashleigh to give that up. She doesn’t have to, mind you. She could keep going back to Lymantria and play in her dreams, have a respite from her nature and embrace something beautiful-- creation rather than destruction. 

But of course Ashleigh was never going to pick that.

Of course, for Ashleigh, a night with Lymantria would never be enough. She’d want everything. And eventually, the nature of her magic would weed itself deeper in Lymantria’s and try to eat it all up, because she’s evil y’all, she can’t change! So really, Ashleigh bidding Ly farewell is perhaps the kindest thing she’s ever done-- the least selfish. Fuck I’m talking about this and filled with endless sadness i hate it here. 

Anyway, let’s switch gears to Henleigh bc at least that doesn’t depress me lol. Now THAT was surprising! I approached Emma about when we wanted Henry to find out, because of course dating a mara is only cool if the prince finds out about the mara at some point. I was expecting for them to break up or even to have to plan an Ashleigh vs. the Order situation. But Emma picked the most interesting way this plot could go, which is… to deepen the toxicity of this relationship in both a Literal and Metaphorical level. What I like most about it though is that I think Ashleigh really did find love for Henry in those moments of vulnerability and pain. It doesn’t look as wonderful as her love for Lymantria; it’s very twisted. But she knows she needs him now in a way she didn’t before. And that’s new and fun to toy with. How long will it last??? Let’s see! 

Pick another character (or the same character if you only have one) and talk a little about where you WANT them to go. What are your plans for them going into the new year? 

Amity! She’s my newest honey and obviously I have the biggest gay crush on her. I want to have her face the demon in Solomon’s Cave and fail lol. That shouldn’t be surprising, I’m not even treating it as a spoiler. But that will be part 1 of that plot, and then Amity will regroup and have to really think about her next moves on how to tackle the Ashmedai challenge she’s been given. It will hopefully lead to her being collaborative and maybe opening up about the challenge in the first place. I can see it leading to a mentor (heyyy Aurora or Howl…) as well as a deepening of her relationship to the sorcerer community in general.

I also rly want her to get a best friend. :( 

I also rly want more Blight stuff! I want petty fights and fun pranks and deep talks. I want all of those things for her haha and maybe we can even get the Blight Parents to come check in on their ducklings… 

Pick a thread or a plot that you’re proud of and talk about why you loved it. 

No I will not, I will talk about a lot of them! 

Pipin’s First Kiss: this was something I really really wanted to do! I just thought it was a really nice way for Pip to conquer his first kiss anxiety and also for Pin to explore his own asexuality. First kisses are obviously a huge trope, and they can be off putting for people on the aro/ace scale, so for me, having Pip’s first kiss be completely platonic was pretty subversive and fun. It also let me explore one of Pip’s insane quirks (aka, contract writing) so it was overall a GOOD TIME and made me super emo about my kid. 

The Nihon Chronicles: This plot is so silly!!!!!!!!!!! That’s what I love about it lmfao. Han and I have been talking about turning Jun into a cat basically since month 2 of Jun/Haru, because turning people into cats is my THING! And I love when characters who are not leading men r dragged into like epic fantasy quests lmfao. For me, this plot had everything-- worldbuilding, warrior cats, stupid cat puns! Beyond the silliness (which is literally 80 percent of the reason I did it i admit), it was also really important for Jun’s development. Designing Jun’s ‘true moment of happiness’ informed me a lot about who he is as a person, and also pushed Jun to admit that he cares about Haru in a deeper way than he realizes (still not quite romance… we teeter on the edge with ol Jun, the grey-aro). But yeah, I also love that ofc Jun would make a freaking deal to save an entire kingdom of cats and become a cat king in the process without even considering the alternative. Like it’s just ‘oh yeah i have to do that lol.’ He’s such a Hufflepuff it  is upsetting!! I just?? Idk it scratches all the things i love about plots! 

^^ specifically Moon Donkey related stuff here! Let’s shout out the most surprising of my relationships in my opinion, Moon Donkey! The reveal of Jun as a cat was hilarious ofc, but there were also lots of really genuine moments of trust and friendship between Jun and Gregory during that para. And AFTER??? AFTER WHEN JUN CAME BACK AND GREGORY WAS A WRECK? AND HE CALLED HIMSELF GREG’S HYUNG LIKE… I’M never getting over it, how fiercely Jun has adopted Greg and feels like its his duty to protect him. 

The Bathroom Rave Saga Apology: throwing it all the way back bc this literally happened in jan/feb of this year… look i love...phinnip. Sometimes u just love… phinnip. And ukulele apologies. And letting down ur walls for one split second. It’s crazy to look back at this para and see how far and not so far Phinnip have come lolol. Still struggling with the same things huh! Valid of them! 

Ashleigh related paras: um every time i write ashleigh it becomes my favorite para lmfao. I know she’s messed up, there are times she is so manipulative and toxic I wince and feel queasy a little, because to be honest, those parts are me writing from experience with manipulative and toxic people. So I know if people on here hate her like...legit. That’s fair! I get it. You’re right. Everything I’m about to say, it’s not an excuse. Think of me as the meme (I can fix her, I can make her better, I can make her worse etc.)  

In terms of your own writing, identify 1-3 strengths and talk about why you think it’s one of your strengths.

Tone/Voice: I love crafting characters with distinctive vocabularies and ways of speaking. Some are easier than others. I feel like I can whip a Berlioz post outta my back pocket (outta is a ber word incidentally), and Pip ofc (ofc is a pip expression) is always a Delight and sounds, in my mind, distinctive from Ber or Atta or anyone. Having a voice I can literally “hear” makes accessing a muse extremely easy and characters fun to rp! I always try to write the character before I get them then, just to make sure I get a feel, though the voice does develop. 

Humor: IDK i think i do an ok job lolol. It’s always so awkward, putting humor as one of your strengths. I’m not saying I’m the FUNNIEST writer on this rp (i feel like that’s gotta be vicky! Vicky ur so funny!) but I love having humor in my stuff and sometimes I make myself chuckle, lolol. Infusing a little humor even in serious posts can go a long way to make a post and the emotional landscape of that post more dynamic and realistic. This is especially important for Pip. 

In terms of your own writing, identify 1-3 areas of improvement.

Being concise: this is maybe silly! But sometimes I begin a reply and I’m like “oh yeah, this is short” but then I go off on a tangent or something and it ends up being longer than it needs to be. Sometimes the tangent is FUN sure, but I’d still like to work on my focus or at least on...killing my darlings. Despite the fact that RP rly is about being indulgent imo (see why do u rp section lmfao) 

More creative metaphors! IDK i feel like I could be pushing myself on imagery! Relying on character image systems help with this, but I feel like I’m getting a little repetitive, or there are some places I’ve been lazy. I wanna push myself a little harder in the new year. Improve my figurative language. 

Pick one of your plots, or even just a character, and come up with a list of 3-5 “mentor texts” where you can look for inspiration or research, then write a short (2-4 sentences) why you picked those texts. (They don’t have to be books, either!)

AMITY: 

Hunter x Hunter: haha so this one’s obvious. Killua in Hunter x Hunter is basically the son of a prominent family of assassins and he’s been trained since birth to be a killer, totally stripped of childhood and made to believe he cannot be friends with anyone. I saw so much of Amity in him (and the fandom agrees) and so Killua’s main arc is the arc i want for Amity too, shamelessly. She wants a friend more than anything and having that positive relationship will be what lifts her from that abusive home situation. On a more shallow note, Killua is a bad-ass, and I want Amity to be a bad-ass. She’s talented! She can kill you! She commands goop monsters! Obsessed with her. 

My Hero Academia: In a similar vein, Todoroki is the son of the #2 superhero and was literally born to like, fulfill his father’s fucked up life goal of surpassing the #1 superhero. His story is learning how to use his quirk (power) for himself. Similarly, when things start to go down for Amity, I’m sure she’ll have a complicated relationship with her animation and abomination magic (she really already does so). Todoroki’s growth with that can definitely be a place to mine inspiration for Amity too.

The Bell Jar: yay not a third anime lmfao. When I was listening to the Bell Jar early last year, I was like holy fuck… this is Amity. This is the place to turn to when thinking about Amity’s mental state and how she’s affected by her trauma. It’s not only the physical and emotional abuse, it’s growing up being promised that you are a special thing, and fighting every day to remain that special thing, only to realize that… you don’t know who you are without it. 

““It was my first big chance, but here I was, sitting back and letting it run through my fingers like so much water.”

Fangirl: INSANE that i’m putting this Rainbow Rowell novel on here! But obviously being a fangirl and writing fanfic is part of Amity’s identity and how she works through some stuff that happens to her, or is just an escape. So I wanna throw this one on here. Some ppl hate this book but idk I think it does a good job at what it set out to do. 

Important Amity Songs: This Is Me Trying -Taylor Swift(the first one I put on her playlist-- “They told me all of my cages were mental / So I got wasted like all my potential.” Legit, these days stories begin for me with a song. For Van, it was Beautiful Beautiful by ONF. For Amity, it was this one, and I clung to it for a year. For [redacted] it’s eight - IU ft suga in case u want a spoiler). You asked for this - Halsey Bodybag - chloe moriando Silk Chiffon - MUNA ft Phoebe Bridgers Come as You Are - Naked and Famous Triple Dog Dare - Lucy Dacus 

Similar Muses: Catra Harrowhark Zoya Draco Malfoy (so sorry)

And now, a wishlist! Jot down a few themes or stories or genres etc that you want to maybe pursue in the upcoming year! 

-More fun town-centric stuff for Jun (like the clean-up! It’s small and fun and I think I can come up with new ones and make new relationships for him! -Theatre Club stuff for Pip! -PLeasE let me duel with Amity, literally somebody… lets go -Want to design some kind of tournament arc idk how but i want it -A break up :o -In general, get back into the swing of events. -Mayor stuff….? I honestly dont know what a mayor does. I looked it up and didn’t get very far. I guess I should rewatch that season of parks and rec lmao and figure it out because I think it could be Neat to have Hades deal with that stuff. Much like how I enjoy making Jun deal with silly cat magic, I like Hades dealing with mundane town drama. -Nemo college stuff!

-Maybe some kinda angsty romance situation… good ol fashion we shouldnt be together oooor maybe we both have mutual trauma that makes it hard for us to pursue a relationship… very Kanej maybe. 

OPTIONAL: Why do you RP? My answer last year was really good tbh, and I feel like it’s still true: i’m my own number one reader and I really enjoy just...finding out what happens next! I’ve felt guilty these days about doing rp more than personal writing, but also conversely, I’m glad that I am AT LEAST rping. I write every day, I practice those muscles, and while I hope I can get back into either of my mentorships, having RP as this like… dependable source of creativity is awesome. 

#bdrptask #rp questionnaire #putting it on ashleigh bc i talked about her the most lmfao

[tallulahrobinson]

Seven Deadly Sins Aesthetic - Tallulah’s Gluttony

Another name goes up in lights, Like diamonds in the sky

Gluttony is described as the “over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items, particularly as status symbols.” Wealth items are the particular poison of note for this character. And I know there are quite a few wealthy people in Swynlake (see the Celebrity list), but I personally believe the personification of gluttony would be none other than Tallulah Robinson.

She has spent pretty much her entire life in the lap of luxury. Her mother was an actress. Her cousin became a tech CEO. She always had family money. She could have never wanted for more, because she had it all. But all of the money in the world wouldn’t be enough for the redheaded Robinson. She wanted renown. She wanted status. So on the search for something more than the money she carelessly burned away, Tallulah struck out on her own for a bit. Not really on her own, she kept the family wealth to play with. She spent years partying with big name celebrities, bigger than hers will ever be. Even now, when she is not around them to use their status to boost her own, she will throw out a “oh, my friend Taylor” or a “yeah, Megan has been so busy with her new husband” to casually boast about her star studded friends list. And after all that; the family jewels, the A list social circle… it’s still not enough. None of it was truly her own. And that is kinda where she is now. She has been an influencer and designer for years, but the limelight was rarely on her in those departments. The models who wore her art took that away. So, to make herself a name, no longer satisfied with riding the coattails, she started a business. Something that was completely hers and hers alone. No one could say that her fame and success was fed to her by a silver spoon anymore. 

#bdrptask #aesthetics #tallulah insp #i think i should get a reward for doing gluttony bc no one else has so far lmao

[edward-andalasia]

--- Edward’s Back to Uni Look

Inspiration: Since arriving in the real world, Edward has been fascinated by the various influences of the town itself, and this isn’t his first Fall in existence, he actually arrived in the world during the autumn, but this is the first one he actually has the freedom to do what he wants. Returning to Uni is a given, his friends are there, and Edward does tend to take cues for his wardrobe from both Barbie’s direction and Devyn’s stray notions, although lately the latter has factored in more as he isn’t depending on Barbie to do all his shopping for him.  He also, granted, still sticks somewhat to the aesthetic colors that he prefers from home; softer, fantasy related tones rather than harsher ones, so even the Fall for him is more about softer reds, creams, oranges and tans more than brighter tones. Edward actually has a much stronger eye for color and how to use it and put things together than he realizes, even if his preferences can be a bit all over the place.  He very much enjoys the muted colors in the autumn and that reflects in his wardrobe returning to Uni. (which...to be fair Edward never actually left campus since he lives there, but technically he’s just returning to classes now)

And this year he has a plan, sort of! Or at least a major, finally, after his interest in theater was sparked by the summer musical in town; who knows if it’ll stick or not but he’s trying to be an actual student this year and actually go to classes.

1. Distressed sweater

Because frankly Edward’s clothes already suffer during his random excursions, as he really has no impulse control when it comes to potential adventures, so starting out that was almost makes more sense. He’s recently discovered the wonderfully comfortable idea that is worn-in clothing, as that wasn’t really a thing back in his home; messy attire or things that weren’t lavishly ornate just for the sake of being so. As much as he does miss some of his royal finery at times he really can’t deny that there is something entirely pleasant about just warm, comfortable clothes. Plus his favorite colors are shades of pink/peach so salmon fuzzy soft sweaters? Perfect.

2. Bohemian Rainbow shirt.

Normally he’d go for the usual rainbow colors but it being fall, why not? The vibe is about the same either way; still cheerful! And it works great showing through those frayed spots. It actually took him some time to adjust to t-shirts, even button-ups weren’t quite the same as the style of dress he used to know as common, but whoever came up with the idea of clothing being less complicated really did the real world a favor. Plus layers, he loves layers.  Summer seems like more of a time for brighter colors, earth tones feel more like Fall, and Edward actually recognizes that, his interest in fashion has started to show more on its’ own without needing Barbie to guide him. 

3. Earrings

Edward has gathered a few piercings during his time in the real world, because it is nearly a fairytale princely habit to want to adorn himself in shiny things, his ears being his favorite spot. He owns far too many earrings of nearly every design, and is constantly distracted by new ones, it’s always just a given as a part of any look for him. He nearly always wears a gold rose stud in one ear, something that feels like a connection to home for him, and the other varies but is always some manner of dangling variety because he loves the mismatched contrast of the two styles.

4. Bohemian Rainbow Socks

Because they match his t-shirt, of course, and they’re warm and fuzzy. All things that are very dire when it comes to socks, yes, as Edward has discovered. Do people even see your socks? Not usually. But given the opportunity to wear socks that match the rest of his clothes, absolutely, Edward considers that practically a goal.  And they match, which is an accomplishment for him some days because he really isn’t very organized and similar colors is usually good enough for him when it comes to figuring out socks. He does have some strange ones though, mostly via gifts from people. 

5. Black, Orange and Salmon Dyed Scarf

It’s not that cold yet, but it does look nice and Edward does tend to overdo it a little with most things; but it’s one of his favorite scarves! So obviously he has to wear it his first day of classes, right? Said scarf was one of the first things that caught his eye when he started shopping around town himself, so it does make an appearance often in his Fall wardrobe. It’s another of those clothing articles that he attaches some degree of emotion to because it reflects that step into being more capable on his own; going into a year where he is seeing things as more possible, more lasting it’s a reminder that he’s more of a real person now than he used to be.

6. Black and White Jeans

He doesn’t really have any jeans that are just plain, most of his clothes are either ornate by design or end up being more so by intention and effort; the boy doesn’t own a pair of just regular jeans. And black isn’t a common color in his wardrobe, unless it’s with a purpose. And these were an adventure in bleaching and painting! So that makes them better; his first venture into altering his own clothing and a moderately successful one. Like many things for Edward, it can be blamed on either Youtube or Tiktok. Another art project with his roommate that Edward adores now and wears often.

7. Messenger Bag

Can’t really navigate classes without something to carry your stuff, and in his case the copy of his story that helps him keep track of how fast his curse is progressing and reminds him of home. Edward’s bag is fairly plain, not really much different than what most people carry, but also paint splattered from being too close at times to Devyn’s projects in their shared dorm room. It’s his favorite thing about the bag. It also has, at any given time, a rotating collection of keychains or other trinkets that have caught his eye at time.  He still hasn’t gotten around to asking Devyn to actually paint on it for him, but he will. 

8. Autumn Nails

Since he paints his nails often when he and Devyn talk in the afternoons, he’s gotten very good at it. He loves watching videos online to learn new techniques, quite enamored with all the creative things people do and what he can teach himself along the way. A habit that came from just idle distraction, it’s become a hobby that Edward puts a great deal of time into; his nail change colors practically every few days, or at least once a week. Fall is a great excuse for bright oranges and glitter! Actually any time of the year is in fact an excuse for glitter for Edward, but the Fall is an excuse for metallic glitter even if he can’t really accomplish some of the more impressive things some people online do as his nails are rather short.

9. Black Rose Etched Belt with Floral Buckle

By now it’s probably clear that he likes roses and floral accents, that sort of dreamy aesthetic that goes with them. They remind him of the beautiful pale pink and golden rose bushes that grew wild around his castle back home that his mother so lovingly cultivated. He has a flare for the romantic tones to things. Naturally, he has a fondness for them and they usually do show up in most of his outfits somehow. The faux leather belt engraved with rose patterns, with it’s golden carved floral buckle, is just flashy enough to fit the look, and it does match his ear stud. 

10. Black and Orange Sneakers

Personally, Edward prefers boots, as that was for the most part all that existed back home and adventuring did of course require the proper attire when it came to footwear. One can’t climb rocky cliffs and go exploring the kingdom if they don’t have something to hold up to the task. He did learn last year that running around campus, while not as grueling, is made far easier with sneakers, so he’s willing to make that trade-off, occasionally as he isn’t doing much other adventuring these days beyond trying to figure out to passes those classes. However, if he’s going to do that, they have to look nice, and match his clothes, obviously. 

#bdrptask

[ianthedisastrous]

“Honestly, the term zombie is so out of date, it’s vitally challenged, thanks.”

FULL NAME: Ze FACECLAIM: None. Literally. It’s part of the ’mysterious creature of the night’ job description. PRONOUNS: They/they BIRTHDAY: July 31st SEXUALITY: Pansexual   OCCUPATION: Professional Town Cryptid RESIDENCE: Legend says they lurk in the burnt, crispy remains of the old town hall disaster. CURRENT STATUS: Taken

Character Information:

One day Ze was just there, no real explanation as to why everyone just shrugged it off as if they had always been, or maybe they hadn’t but did anybody even remember that or question it? Not really.

Was it some bizarre magic? Some strange power that had not graced the pristine streets of Swynlake before? Or was it just that most everyone in town didn’t know what was going on half the time anyway because there was always some disaster to clean up or a public argument to keep the masses entertained?

Both, probably, yeah; both is good.

But like all reasonable town Cryptids (Honestly Ze had ambitious plans to be a full out urban legend but that was just too damn much work.) they set right to the task of lurking, nosing around and being generally mystical. Since that’s what all the most successful Cryptids do and Ze really hated to be slacking on that; matter of pride and all.

Town hall getting everyone a bit too hot and bothered? Sure, Ze was hanging around making s'mores on that one. Scary nightmare fog? Ze was camping out in a lawn chair watching that B movie level chaos. Regency madness making everyone absolutely indecipherable title-chasers? Ze was just taking bets on who came out on top. (They lost some money on that one.) Texas dragging town into the deep, messy South? They still suffer unfortunate cowboy-boot related nightmares from it. (The horror. So much plaid.)

And countless other moments of glorious nonsense; they just always seemed to be there and people never gave it much thought. Like some harbinger of doom with far less ambition and too sarcastic a sense of humor to actually harbinge anything more doom-ish than the demise of a few dozen off-skew town relationships and a handful of social media crash and burns. Ah, the simple beauty of small town life.

Sure, the locals have their speculations, Ze feeds those with a childish glee and watches it spiral, naturally, but most everybody figures they’re harmless. (No, they don’t want to chew on anyone’s brains - they know how dirty most of the minds in town actually are. Also; hurtful stereotype, rude.) They’re even helpful, really, because who is a better listener than the one person in town who makes it a habit of watching all the drama?

Their advice might be questionable, always Highly Concerned of course, but that’s a whole other matter anyway. (No wonder people are convinced they’re at least partly a chaos gremlin.) But it’s still widely assumed they mean well and really do have an annoyingly optimistic streak for people.

Clearly not a native, they have been spotted feverishly reading books explaining British slang in dark corners of Chapter Three on occasion and still call crisps chips (Such blasphemy.) over at Chippamunka, but where do they hail from? Somewhere, they claim; Over There on the other side of Not Here, and if you take a left at Not Quite Anywhere it’s fairly easy to find. Wisely, people have stopped asking.

What dire purpose do they have in mind for the never really peaceful little town? What terrible plans does this nocturnal creature have rustling around in their busy brain? Some grand design of dramatic ends? A magnitude of disaster the town has yet to face? Or maybe they actually just want to hang out with the locals and play D&D over at Al’s place, because Cryptid'ing is hard work! There’s a whole to-do list involved and, frankly, the vitally challenged don’t have the best attention span.

And so it goes; the flowers bloom, leaves change, the winter sends them hibernating (Because who decided snow should even be a thing.) and the days roll ever Onward. And Ze is around, stretching back, soaking up the noise and nonsense of their favorite little town; waiting for the next wave of wayward magic to make things interesting.

✓  Friendly, creative, curious

✖  Sarcastic, distracted, impulsive

Character Suggestions: Rainbow colored hair

Current Relationships:

Tony Rydinger: Friend/partner in complaining about all the life weirdness/practically a fellow Cryptid

Seamus MacTunnag: Friend/that funny old guy with the impossible to spell last name/no idea what he’s saying half the time but that makes it better/also possible cryptid.

Eilonwy Llyr: Friend/occasional very determined wingwoman/partner in chaotic endeavors and questionable ideas.

Flynn Rider: Guy with the floofy hair/friend on occasion depending on if they’re arguing about books.

Gregory Eeyore: Friend/possible crush but who in town can’t say that/also the best nap buddy.

Benjamin Drakken: Frienemy/very concerned about this man/but also likes to annoy him so that’s a thing.

Boba: Admires/crush/rival -will it all end in tears or Twitter-worthy drama? Or both? (probably)

Eric Anderson: Friend?/look at him, he’s like a cute little confused puppy that tries to kill things!/adores.

Tad Fiske: Trying to figure this child out/self-appointed to make sure he doesn’t wander off and get eaten by a forest monster.

Magical Abilities:

Selectively Hypnotic: Can make most people pass flat out by talking to them - not always on purpose.

Arcane Nerd Knowledge: Endless magical brain space for fascinating (at least in their opinion) knowledge of horror and occult movies/culture and lack of ability to know when to stop talking about it.

#bdrptask #yes I have rainbow hair #and talk people to sleep

[ugly-anastasia]

Anastasia Grace Tremaine’s Fall 2010 Back-to-School look!

(Counterclockwise from top left)

1. Bubble skirt

As you can see, purple/magenta was Anastasia’s favorite color in 2010. She believed in dressing up for school and following the latest trends, so this bubble skirt was exactly on trend that year.

2. Vera Bradley tote

All the cool kids in 2011 didn’t use backpacks... they carried their things in tote bags! Anastasia carried her books in this now-discontinued Vera Bradley tote.

3. Bow headband

This look is heavily inspired by Gossip Girl, and Anastasia definitely took some Blair Waldorf inspo for her accessories. And yes, her initials were totally embroidered on this headband.

4. Purple skinny jeans

Another trend that started in the 2010s was colorful skinny jeans, and of course Anastasia had to wear her signature color. Probably paired it with heels too lol.

5. Name necklace

This is more of an early 2000s thing, but I love to hc that Anastasia and Drizella each had one of these necklaces. Not that there was anyone in school who didn’t know their names ;)

6. Purple peplum top

Peplum was another huge trend at this time, and once again, Anastasia had to wear her signature color. The belt adds to the preppiness of the look.

7. Cheetah print ballet flats

Ballet flats are the perfect 2010 Anastasia school shoe. They’re within dress code, they’re trendy, they’re comfortable, they’re more dressed-up, and they’re cheetah print-- a style Annie still wears today! Shoes were very important to Annie-- and remain so to this day!

8. Fuzzy purple beret

More Gossip Girl inspo. I feel like berets were sort of preppy at this moment in time and of course Anastasia has a purple one. They’ve been in and out of style in different ways, and tbh I feel like Anastasia would still wear this in the winter. Ten years later!

9. Polka dot tights

Patterned tights were another thing that were a BIG DEAL in the early 2010s, and I think a classy/slightly retro polka dot would be the closest Anastasia would get to something like this. Paired with a bubble skirt or dress and you’ve got a look to rule the school!

10. Polka dot cardigan

While Anastasia did align mostly with the preppy look, I think fashion in 2010-2011 was very whimsical and there was definitely a cutesy vintage vibe going on. So I think a cardigan like this, especially with a ruffled neon blouse, would be very up her alley.

#a weird hobby i have is fashion history #i'm not even really that into fashion but how trends happen and how long they last and what cultural factors spur them is just fascinating #and i find early 2010s fashion so interesting especially bc that is around the time when i was first starting to figure out personal style #doing this made me realize alternative fashion from this era is way more interesting tbh wish i had a character who would work for that #but anyway this was fun and took me back in time lol #cannot believe 2010 was 10 years ago #bdrptask #inspo #about #wardrobe

[my-lost-darling]

A Splash of Paint (Wendy/Rapunzel/Lou)

Wendy was slowly learning about all the classes that Swynlake had to offer, she had not given it a second thought at first, a pottery one that sounded interesting, but then she had been disappointed she had missed out on it.

So learning about an art class, Wendy reached out enrolling herself in the class and coming as prepared as she could be. (AKA asking Danny all of his opinions and how she could come prepared.)

Stepping into the class Wendy sat down near a blonde girl she hadn’t yet met and offered a smile.

“Have you come to this class before? This will be my first time attending an art class.”

@lcstprincxss​ @lou-bonfightme​

#lou bonfightme #lcstprincxss #bdrptask

[charmed-henry]

aesthetic 4/?: al and tallulah

"You continue to be the most dazzling person I have ever known. I hope I can continue to show you the depths of my devotion and that I may one day prove myself worthy in your eyes. Would you do the honor of becoming my wife? There would be nothing in this world that would make me happier."

“Yes. Yes I will!”

@alzcomicbarn @tallulahrobinson

#DON'T LOOK AT ME #tallulah #al #bdrptask

[dr-drckken]

Tiana and Tiana’s Place

Favorite Relationships: Tiana Truitt and her restaurant  @truitt-story

She works hard for the money So hard for it, honey She works hard for the money So you better treat her right She works hard for the money So hard for it, honey She works hard for the money So you better treat her right

Twenty-eight years have come and gone And she's seen a lot of tears Of the ones who come in They really seem to need her there It's a sacrifice, working day to day For little money, just tips for pay But it's worth it all Just to hear them say that they care

She Works Hard for the Money, Donna Summer

#bdrptask #ch: (tiana truitt) #get someone who talks about you the way tiana talks about her restaurant

[truitt-story]

late summer: a district 5 playlist

songs about rolling landscapes, community, disconnection, fear, guilt, grief, and how, sometimes, those things can bring people together.

(descriptions under the cut, TW for typical THG stuff-- murder, violence, etc and I also do have some references to politics in a very vague sense)

1. Victory by the Avett Brothers

In the broom grass, I would l lie Glimmer in my eye, the sun smiled back on me From victory, I tried To match eternal light with how I live my life Of course, I was forced to retreat From victory, I accept defeat

This song felt like a good place to start. It’s atmospheric to me, describing the kind of pastoral vibe I associate with District Five, but it has a very heavy and sad undertone, which is also what I was going for. I also think that the “victory” thread of it weaves in very well with the Hunger Games plotline. I can imagine this song being from the perspective of a past Victor, someone who had to do a lot of bad things to survive, and now they’re trying to figure out how to go about their life. 

2. Omaha by Counting Crows

In the middle of the night There's an old man shreddin' around in the gatherin' rain Hey mister, if you're gonna walk on water Oh, could you drop a line my way?

Omaha, somewhere in middle America If you're right to the heart of matters It's the heart that matters more I think you better turn your ticket in And get your money back at the door

This song also has the country kind of vibe I was looking for, and to me it sounds like a folk tale. There are descriptions that sound like a farm, and there are also magical sorts of descriptions that don’t really make sense. It sounds like something you pass down. And there is a kind of hopelessness to it that fits the harsh realities of living in District Five. 

3. Echo by Mandolin Orange

Well I try to close my eyes Clear my mind Just listen to the wildflowers grow Such whispers on the breeze It don't come easy now Over all this noise Spent my youth among the pine They used to sing a tune so fine And the wind moved like an echo Carryin' their voices

I’ve been listening to a lot of Mandolin Orange live concerts while I do work (idk why this is my new thing but it is) and they always talk about how this song is actually kind of post-apocalyptic-- inspired by the idea that one day the National Parks will be gone, and we’ll just have monuments remembering them. This song is very nostalgic and wishes for days when the wild was wild. I think it kind of gets at the idea that District Five used to be a beautiful place, before it got turned into a place of endless production and exploitation. 

4. River by Leon Bridges

Tip me in your smooth waters I go in As a man with many crimes Come up for air As my sins flow down the Jordan

Oh, I wanna come near and give ya Every part of me But there is blood on my hands And my lips aren't clean

Another song that’s kind of more about the victor vibe. Dealing with guilt and regret that comes with the tough decisions you have to make-- both in the Games, and also just when you’re living a really tough life. Feeling like you’re unworthy of the love around you, because I think while hardship can bring people together, it can also feel really isolating.

5. Golden Embers by Mandolin Orange

Just like an old friend, kinder than expected That Cadillac came and gave our girl a ride Loss has no end, it binds to our connection We don't speak of it, we don't even try

If you could help me to share the trouble That you've got burning in you, then you can help me And in our time together, her memory will ever Shine like golden embers in the night

I really try not to have multiple songs by the same artist on my playlists especially when they’re this short, but see earlier note about how I keep listening to this band during work lol-- they have the vibes. Anyway this song is about grief and getting through it with other people, and even though I just said that hardship can be isolating, I think there is also a deep understanding of grief and what it does to people in District Five. Everyone has been there in one way or another. And I think they help each other through it. Tiana is going through it now, and when people come into her pub dealing with grief-- whether it’s a death or seeing someone they love get Reaped-- she’s there to listen and “share the trouble.”

6. Dorothea by Taylor Swift

It's never too late To come back to my side The stars in your eyes Shined brighter in Tupelo And if you're ever tired of being known For who you know You know, you'll always know me Dorothea (ah-ah)

I thought I’d put a lighter one on here, too. This song is very sweet and just gives me country vibes (one of the few songs I still go back to on Evermore but okay I won’t start tswift discourse on main lol). I can imagine it from the point of view of someone who was friends with someone who ended up winning the Games, hoping they’ll come back and still have a relationship. And I think it can have kind of a darker undertone, too, like maybe this person did come home but you don’t really recognize them anymore. 

7. Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkel

Tonight I'll sing my songs again I'll play the game and pretend But all my words come back to me In shades of mediocrity Like emptiness in harmony I need someone to comfort me

Homeward bound I wish I was Homeward bound Home where my thought's escapin' Home where my music's playin' Home where my love lies waitin' Silently for me Silently for me

So this song is just about being on tour lol, but I think it can work for a tribute who is homesick. Aside from, like, the imminent death that awaits, it’s hard to imagine growing up in one place all your life and then suddenly being ripped from it, stuck in the spotlight, and expected to perform. And I do think that even though District Five is a tough place, it’s home for a lot of people, and they do have communities there that they miss when they leave.

8. The Stranger at My Door by Brandi Carlile

We exorcise the demons of the things we used to know The gnashing of the teeth become the remnants of our homes We think we're moving on from materials we long To forget we ever sold our souls to own

There's a chilling absolution that we're given from our birth A powerful delusion and a plague upon the earth But nothing scares me more Than the stranger at my door Who I fail to give shelter, time, and worth

This song is INTENSE. And I think it can be interpreted a lot of different ways, but I think it ties into some of the themes I was talking about with in terms of community and connection and isolation. I think a powerful tool oppressive regimes use is division and encouraging people only to look out for themselves. And this song, to me, is about grappling with your own demons while trying to decide how much you can give to other people, and whether it’s worth it.

9. Older Chests by Damien Rice

Papa went to other lands And he found someone who understands The ticking, and the western man's need to cry He came back the other day, you know Some things in life may change And some things They stay the same

Okay, back to a mellower vibe. This song to me is about watching your community grow up around you, and the repeating chorus is “Some things in life may change/and some things, they stay the same.” It has this storytelling vibe that I’m going for and it’s very somber and reflective. 

10. This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie 

When the sun come shining, then I was strolling And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting This land was made for you and me

I thought I should try to include an actual protest folk song from the golden era of protest folk songs! This song means a lot of things and has been interpreted a lot of ways over the years by people who have studied this a lot more than me, but I think it can be a very interesting reflection on land and ownership and like capitalism and stuff. And the descriptions of the country fit with the vibe I’m going for on this playlist, all the beautiful scenery description.

11. Murder in the City by Brandi Carlile

If I get murdered in the city Don't go revenging in my name One person dead from such is plenty No need to go get locked away

When I leave your arms The things that I think of No need to get over alarmed I'm coming home

Okay yup more Brandi Carlile. And from the same album too. SORRY. I thought this was the perfect song to end on. It’s literally called Murder in the City. And to me it’s about a tribute going to the Capitol and being worried about the rebellion. Not wanting a family member to get killed while they’re gone trying to avenge them. And promising them that they’re coming home-- although I think in the Hunger Games universe that’s a more intense statement than Brandi is making, since it involves murder and stuff. But yeah! Thought it was a good place to end on. Hope you all enjoyed this journey

#bhg #bdrptask

[oh-phineas]

songs to steal a train to: a district 3 playlist (alternate title: i really, really like trains)

1. Sleep on the Floor by the Lumineers 2. King of the Road (She and Him cover) 3. Hard Travelin’ by Mandolin Orange 4. On the Road Again by Willie Nelson 5. I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash 6. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen 7. Atlantic City by The Band 8. Married in a Gold Rush by Vampire Weekend 9. Truckin’ by The Grateful Dead 10. Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan 11. California by Joni Mitchell 12. Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor

1. Sleep on the Floor by the Lumineers

If the sun don't shine on me today And if the subways flood and bridges break Will you lay yourself down and dig your grave Or will you rail against your dying day

This felt like a good place to start! It literally starts with telling someone to go pack lol. And it’s all about leaving behind expectations for you and pursuing adventure, using a sort of apocalypse motif. Felt very fitting.

2. King of the Road (She and Him Cover)

I know every engineer on every train All of the children and all of their names Every handout in every town Every lock that ain't locked when no one's around

Now THAT’S what I call a train song!!! Hell yeah!! I love the nostalgia for this song and its sort of nursery rhyme quality. It sounds like the kind of thing you play on the harmonica while you ride the rails. Good stuff.

3. Hard Travelin’ by Mandolin Orange

Well that whiskey'll never hold you like a good girl can When the nights get lonely it can be your only friend Hard traveling down the road I'm feeling bad boys, I'm feeling low I'm feeling bad boys, I'm feeling low

Can you tell I’m listening to one artist and one artist only during this AU lol. But yeah I think this song is all about how lonely life on the road can be, and ya know I thiiink our lil gang of rebels will be okay (looking at you, Selene/Sol and Kitsune/Siren 😉And we all know this is classic Simber). But it’s just a vibe and I bet some people ARE lonely in the legion!!!

4. On the Road Again by Willie Nelson

We're the best of friends Insisting that the world keep turning our way And our way Is on the road again I just can't wait to get on the road again

Alright this isn’t really PLOT relevant but you can’t have a road trip playlist without this song. Like King of the Road, it’s a real harmonica on the railroad type song. And it’s got a hopeful quality that I think is important!

5. I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash

I was totin' my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road, When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load. "If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride." And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside. He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand. And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"

This song is just silly and fun. I hope everyone sings along on the ride to Enchantra. Love the vibe of just people giving each other rides across the country to seek adventure. 

6. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

The highways jammed with broken heroes On a last chance power drive Everybody's out on the run tonight But there's no place left to hide Together, Wendy, we can live with the sadness I'll love you with all the madness in my soul Oh, someday girl, I don't know when We're gonna get to that place Where we really want to go, and we'll walk in the sun But till then, tramps like us Baby, we were born to run

This is incredibly self-indulgent and doesn’t really fit the vibe of the playlist. But COME ON!!! This song awakens something in my SOUL. Especially this last part. Love u Bruce Springsteen xoxo

7. Atlantic City by The Band

Well, I got a job and I put my money away But I got the kind of debts that no honest man can pay So I drew out what I had from the Central Trust And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus

This also is more about vibes than plot relevance. Society has rejected you. You have no money. Your relationship is kind of failing, but you really need to not be all alone. So what do you do? FLEE THE STATE! I’m not saying Enchantra = Atlantic City but... idk maybe I am

8. Married in a Gold Rush by Vampire Weekend

Something's happening in the country And the government's to blame We got married in a gold rush And the rush has never felt the same

Shared a moment in a café Shared a kiss in pouring rain We got married in a gold rush And the sight of gold will always bring me pain

I feel like this song can be for disillusioned Victors. This society raised you up and rewarded you with riches, but you’re left with all this pain and trauma. And you don’t know what to do with that, so you run away. Everything you were promised isn’t really what you hoped for. Everything that glitters... isn’t gold!

9. Truckin’ by The Grateful Dead

Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me Other times, I can barely see Lately, it occurs to me What a long, strange trip it's been

I love this song for a road trip. It’s got everything: long, rambling guitar solos and lyrics about being on the run from the law and a very long story about various towns. I think being in the Legion can feel like that, after many years. Being on the run in general. A loooong strange trip.

10. Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

How does it feel, how does it feel? To be on your own, with no direction home A complete unknown, like a rolling stone

This song to me is for all the rich kids/Capitol kids/Career district kids who defected. And might feel a little in over their heads. They feel idealistic about joining the cause, but they have no idea what real hardship is like. How DOES it feel???!

11. California by Joni Mitchell

Oh it gets so lonely When you're walking And the streets are full of strangers All the news of home you read Just gives you the blues

I just thought after Bob’s angry rant it might be nice to have a sweet chill song about homesickness. Because that’s for real. But Enchantra might also be California. The promise of a new life and a new home. And I just love Joni’s voice in this.

12. Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor

Dark and silent late last night I think I might have heard the highway calling Geese in flight and dogs that bite Other signs that might be omens say I'm going, going I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

Ending on a mellow note. Maybe you didn’t make it to Enchantra. But you’re still dreaming of a better life. That things can be different. This one’s for all the people the Legion lost. And for hope! This song makes me emo sjkfaalsfh

That’s all! Hope you enjoyed ur ride

#it counts bc D3 is transportation #my second playlist is always full of 'this song was vibes alone' #i PROMISED a train playlist HERE is the train playlist #bdrptask