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every-lemon · 10 months

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prompto and gladio running buddies short fic

I wrote this for ramel a while back and shared it in the ffxv book club discord server; figured I'd polish it up a bit and share it while AO3 is down. it issss 808 words, gen, prompto & gladio friendship times! post-high school, pre-canon

Prompto’s alarm clock goes off at 5:15 a.m.

The trick, he’s learned, is to just start moving before you really have a chance to think about it. It’s easy when you’re so tired, anyway. No questions asked. Just roll out of bed groggily and stumble towards the bathroom before you can talk yourself out of it.

(It’s all too easy to convince someone who’s already mostly-asleep to just stay that way.)

Like every morning, Prompto washes his face, brushes his teeth while scrolling on his phone, and changes into the running clothes he left folded on the stool the night before: shorts, a tank top, and socks. He keeps yesterday’s sweatband on. He’ll swap it out when he showers later.

The kitchen’s gray and empty when he pads downstairs; the microwave clock says 5:13. His earbuds are waiting by the front door, as are his running shoes, unlaced and waiting to be done up properly. He hums to himself while he pulls the laces taught, checking to make sure the fit’s right before tying them. The spare key goes into the little mesh pocket in the waistband of his shorts; the earbuds, of course, go in his ears.

There. All set. He hits play on his running mix, the bass on a pop song playing probably-too-loud straight into his eardrums, then opens the door to go.

Cool air hits him. Overnight, it’s gone from summer heat to fall chill. He shivers, but there’s no use grabbing a hoodie — it’s not that cold, he’s just not used to it yet. He’ll just end up wanting to ditch it halfway through.

No, the real way to warm up is to run.

So off he goes, pulling the door shut behind him and making sure it’s locked, then jogging down off the steps and setting out down the sidewalk. He falls into his usual pace, brisk and upbeat to match the tempo of the song.

It’s about a mile through neighborhood sidewalks until when he reaches the nice trail: wide, lined with gravel, cutting through the green space that winds throughout Insomnia like a little garden. It’s busy, popular with runners and bikers and hikers alike, but at this hour it’s not terrible. He smiles and nods to each person he passes, whether or not they look up — easier just to do it and not think about it.

Even with the bass beat of some in-the-club-dance-remix in his ears, he hears Gladio coming up behind him before he sees him and steels himself for a hearty thump on his shoulder,, which comes the next moment.

“Hey, big guy,” he greets back, taking an earbud out and slowing down just a tick to Gladio’s preferred pace. “You’re up early today.”

“It’s nice to catch you,” Gladio says. He’s in a plain black athletic shirt and gym shorts, rather than the official Crownsguard workout attire. No jacket, either, but Prompto’s never seen Gladio shiver. “I get slow if there’s no one to keep up with.”

“Glad to help!” Prompto says, grinning. And he really, really is.

Usually, it’s Gladio peeling him off the floor of the training room, barking at him to keep going, and asking him to please do something, anything about those noodle arms. (And Prompto’s guns are coming along nicely, thankyouverymuch!! . . . but it’s slow going.) So it’s nice to feel strong and confident about this one thing. Like he’s not a complete and utter lost cause.

“Think you could get Noct to come with?” Gladio asks after a while of silently jogging along, his breaths coming in puffs. Prompto doesn’t do him the disservice of slowing down, though. Gladio’s got good stamina, even if this pace is a stretch for his bulk.

“I couldn’t get Noct to wake up this early for anything, I don’t think. Not even like, video games and junk food. Not that those are super appealing at five in the morning.”

“Bet he’d get up . . . early to fish,” Gladio says, breaking in the middle to suck down a breath.

Prompto snorts at that. “Maybe? Yeah, you know what, you’re probably right about that. Noct is pretty weird about fishing.”

The wheeze Gladio makes might be a laugh.

To his credit, he keeps pace with Prompto all the way until they reach the point where the trail splits. Prompto will head left, back home to shower and get ready for work, and Gladio will head right, to the parking lot where a a chauffeur waits to bring him back to the Amicitia manor before his work at the Citadel begins.

“Thanks for the run, Blondie,” Gladio says, slowing to a walk as they reach the end. “Glad one of us has such good endurance.”

Prompto can feel himself flush at the praise, but he just lifts a hand in a cheerful wave and keeps on running home.

#ffxv #ffxv fanfiction #my fic #prompto argentum #gladiolus amicitia #post-brotherhood pre-canon

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weaselle · 23 days

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The street is in a very nice neighborhood. Yards are manicured. Paint is fresh. The sidewalk is pristine. Elegant cars are parked in driveways and at curbs. Everything is expensive and nice.

Wy is walking down the street in a pair of jeans, a hoodie and a leather motorcycle jacket. They are androgynous in a pair of leather boots with a tall heel. Clearly they are experiencing something deeply, as their face is tense with suppressed energy. Sadness? Anger? Determination? It is hard to tell. Tears threaten to spill from their eyes, which begin to turn a complex and glowing grey, like pumice lit from within. Slowly the music starts, gaining volume. If an Italian opera about classic blues were written and produced by Tool and remixed by edIT using a heavy metal guitar sample, it might sound similar. Wy stops walking. They hunch slightly, clenching their fist, and then their body makes a motion like a full bodied scream, but they make no sound. Instead, the trees along the sidewalk near Wy droop and drop their leaves. The lawn on their other side becomes weeds. The lamp post nearest Wy rusts and dents. The pavement beneath their feet buckles and cracks.

Beat drop.

Wy begins to dance, a shuffling stomping dance. As the dance builds in energy, the decay of the immediate space around them intensifies. The dance and the decay and the music all build, until the dance is a very acrobatic breakdance ballet, and the surrounding area of entropy has reduced everything within it to dust and ash and dirt, clearly defining the area’s sharp edged shape: a perfect sphere.

beat drops out, just the melody plays.

Now the dance stops and Wy begins to walk. As the beat stutters back in Wy makes a motion or stomps or gives something a Look in time to each drum hit - and each motion causes that same entropic effect. Wy flings their arm out toward a new mercedes, and it ages, the tires bald, the surface weathers, a patina develops on the windshield. Wy glares at an expensive bike left in a driveway and the tires go flat, the seat falls in, the handlebars bend.

The beat crashes back in as Wy stalks to the rhythm.

Wy is creating bigger changes. Shaking both hands at a bougie store front like shaking water off their hands, they turn it into a liquor store. Inside, the items on the shelves are changing, from healthy snacks and pricey goods into liquor and tobacco and junk food. The proprietor and a customer are in the middle of a transaction. The customer has their wallet out and open, full of cash; he and the proprietor are talking and laughing. As the place changes, they change. Their clothes become threadbare and stained. Their health appears effected, as they suddenly show physical signs of hardship and chronic stress – the proprietor is now balding, the customer is missing teeth. As the store around them finishes changing into a liquor store, the customer looks at their now empty wallet and immediately starts robbing the proprietor.

Back out on the sidewalk, Wy is marching forcefully onward, wreaking havoc. They perform a complicated dance move at a house and it ages explosively, windows blowing out, paint pealing as if in a heat blast, roof sagging suddenly.

As Wy, clearly upset, continues this walk of withering, they begin to strip off their clothing, and change, in a vaguely lycanthropic way. They take off their jacket. Their hoodie. Their shirt. As the clothing comes off, their body changes - Wy becomes a larger winged humanoid, half angel half demon, all furious. Their body is denser, as if made of stone; wings unfurl behind them, one black and iridescent red feathered, one with feathers of bluish white and metallic gold. Feathers from their wings grow all the way along the shoulders and lay over the chest, beneath which, any gender is possible. Their pants tear away and the knee of each leg bends backward as they change below the waist – what might be goat or boar on one side, what looks like horse on the other. They remain androgynous, not in a static way, but fluidly seeming very feminine or very masculine depending on angle, lighting, or expression. Hair is in a state of flux, growing out and shortening, taking a variety of styles. Bluish cracking electricity crawls around their glowing white angel eye, black smoke wisps from their demon eye which throbs with dull red light. They stalk the street as music sounds around them. Their demonic attributes seem… more noticeable, than their angelic characteristics. More… in charge of the whole being.

Wy stalks the streets, a half demon half angel bestial principality. They scream at a passing car and it breaks down, aging 30 years in an instant, smoke pouring from under the hood. Their tears sizzle into the asphalt creating potholes and cracks. Crude graffiti sprouts on walls as they walk past. Wooden fences rot.

As Wy pulls the… quality, out of everything around them, they continue changing. The angel attributes are taking over the demonic ones. It is as if Wy is sucking the positive energy out of their surroundings and into themself, transforming into a full angel. The music is shifting, incorporating classical instrument samples and choir hits and becoming generally more up-beat.

A whole and beautiful but terrifying angel stands in the road. All around, the once glittering neighborhood has been turned into a place of poverty and neglect.

The angel Wy stands a moment in contemplation, the music breaks down to a single flute, or harp, or something. Wy seems to see something in the distance and leaps 6,000 feet into the air, rushing back down to earth in nearly the same second and landing in the middle of an inner city.

The music finishes it’s shift, nearly pop rock, a total bop – Janelle Monae, Bruno Mars, and Missy Eliot must be producing together now.

Wy the angel dances energetically along the street through the run down neighborhood. As they dance, the sidewalk mends, the potholes fill, paint jobs on buildings become new.

Three people trying to get an old broken down car running are surprised to find they are under the hood of the same car, but new as the day it was first built, running perfectly. People’s clothes become new and expensive, in the same style, but higher quality. Chain link fences become ornate wood or fancy wrought iron. Wy dances past a wall covered in a large graffiti mural and.. the wall doesn’t change at all.

Pointing at a wheel-less bike leaning against an abandoned couch, it becomes a brand new street bike next to an artisan sausage and lemonade kiosk. The bum on the street is suddenly behind the dog and drink stand in decent clothes, looking a little startled, but someone is already putting money in his hand and asking for two lemonades. Behind him, a framed food critic review with the ex-bum's picture proclaims him the owner.

The music is getting harder. Glitchy. Less harp and flute sample, more electric guitar and record scratches. Moodier.

Wy is changing too, the earlier effect in reverse, pouring all the goodness out of themself and becoming an entire demon.

Finally, Wy is all demon - still terrifying, and still beautiful. They look around hungrily, angrily, and see something in the distance. They leap Up! Down! and land somewhere that might be Beverly Hills. Close up as Wy looks around themself. The demon is very angry at what it sees. FADE.

#writing #idk a thing that's been in my head a while

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ducknotinarow · 10 months

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MM Raph Don - #

| send me “#” for cell phone headcanons about our muses

"...I dunno if I want ya poking 'round my phone?" Thinks a second "not that I got anythin' to hide heh no course- Fine whatever just for the nerd anyway."

- what your muse’s name is in mine’s phone

"Donnie" "I mean well yeah what else would I put him as in my phone? That's who he is he's Donnie? I guess could done his full name? or even just Don?" He mulls that over a second before shaking his head finding that dumb and silly "Nahh Donnie is Donnie to me always Donnie. Jus' don't sound right ta not call 'em Donnie? " He looks up trying to understand his own point trying to figure it out. "Yeah nah makes sense to me Donnie is Donnie just makes sense to call him Donnie after all." - what your muse’s picture is in mine’s phone

[ image description] Donnie in his tent, hes laying down laptop in front as he showing something. Shows by how he's pointing trying to mimic the expression for the photo Raph was taking for his phone. But the brightness of the screen thanks to the dark space makes it impossible to tell what Don is point too.

"Sometimes I like to hang out in Donnie's tent wit' him and we just sort of chill or chat a bit. I was jus' lookin' at junk on my phone at the time and Donnie was showin' me uh something? I don' really remember what it was. Might of been some anime thing or I dunno maybe he was showin' me something from some band he likes." seems a bit odd how hard he's trying to act like he dosen't know isn't though? "ANYWAY ya he uh was reacting to the image like others were doin' online an' well we don' really get to do junk 'ike that. So I just took the picture for 'em. So I jus' used it for his pic." - what your muse’s ringtone is in mine’s phone

Smooth like Butter (cooler remix) by BTS

Smooth like butter, like a criminal undercover Gon' pop like trouble breaking into your heart like that, ooh Cool shade, stunner, yeah, I owe it all to my mother "Eh I mean it's 'ike one of his favorite songs at least one I know he sometimes hums along to when he got his headphones one when we go for the store run. Least I 'hink it his favorite?" - my muse’s last text to your muse

[text] Look it's Leo

[text] image sent of a someone lecturing about following rules

[text] 😂😂😂

----

when heading out to go on a food run

[text] blah blah blah, stya hidd'n dont bee scene, be quite blah blah blah

[text] 😑 ------

[text] Hey Donnie! I found an anime thing

[text] image of a mystery bag bag clip thing

[text] want one?

[text] I grab ya six! 😈😈

#muse| hamato rapheal #madamkezzie #aflockoffeathers #[ you think first i hit first aflockoffeathers]#[ mm verse]#phone contact meme #ic reply #stayed qeued #((I still got some of these in the box todo XD and i just wanted something mm realted since by now I would have seen it uwu))#((this is most me just dumping head cannons on their interactions now ;3; sorry i got thoughts))#edit: ((I feel like some stuff I said works so well!!))

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phant0m-l0rd · 1 year

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thank you so much for the tag @somewhatavidreader !! :D

Three ships (gonna pick ships that aren't canon or heavily implied to be in order to challenge myself cuz 99% of the time I don't spontaneously ship anything that isn't canon):

1. I'll steal this one from you because it's one I really love as well- Cha Young-jin and Jung So-yun in Nobody Knows. They've got that old couple energy. They've got history.

2. Shogo Kanetaka and Hideki Murooka from the 2022 film Hell Dogs. No, I was not immune to their chemistry.

3. ... House and Wilson from House MD. There, I said it.

First ship

I legitimately could not tell you what my first ship was because like I said before, it was never my instinct to ship anyone, even when I was younger 😭 So I guess I should go with House and Wilson again cuz I first watched House when I was 15 or 16.

Last song

The "逆上堪能ケロイドミルク（plucking:Mr.NEWSMAN）" mix by Dir En Grey, which I've been listening to on repeat again for the past hour. Idk why I've been addicted to this remix for months.

Last movie

I just rewatched RRR earlier today with my mom because I loved that movie so much when I first watched it the other week (easily one of my favourite films ever) that I couldn't wait to show it to her (she loved it too).

Currently reading

Moby Dick (been on hold for a while sadly though) and a few others but that's the main one currently.

Currently watching

Currently finishing up both The Devil Judge and Chief Kim and I've been very slow with these two because on one hand Devil Judge is going down a very dark and frankly frustrating route rn even though I still enjoy it so I'm taking a break from it, and on the other Chief Kim is so enjoyable and funny I don't want it to end. Oh and I almost forgot Would You Like A Cup of Coffee?, which I still need to finish.

Once I finally finish those I've got more lined up that I want to see.

Currently craving

Junk food. Not great I know but I really want chips right now and don't have any at home.

I know the original instruction was to tag 9 people but honestly, I just want to tag everyone who follows me to do this if you want to because I don't want to forget anyone! XD

#tag game #tagged #kdramas #ships #personal

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themculibrary · 1 year

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Surprises Masterlist

Cardio (ao3) - Oceanbreeze7 N/R, 3k

Summary: A Fitness Exam...Tony Stark didn't do Fitness Exams. Tony wasn't weak, Tony lifted a 45 LBS Pipe Wrench with his left hand while he was DYING...Tony just didn't show off, that's different then being weak.

Clash Of Parties (ao3) - inkinmyheartandonthepage G, 1k

Summary: As the group gathered around the apartment door, Ned reached out and knocked. He heard movement on the other side and the door opened to reveal –

Captain America.

“Oh. Hello,” Steve Rogers greeted, blinking at the group.

Peter forgets to tell Ned that the Avenger's are coming over for his birthday.

Disinformed (ao3) - Del_Rion phil/tony, implied past pepper/tony

Summary: It’s time to come clean about Phil Coulson’s death. Out of all the Avengers, Tony’s reaction is the most surprising, and Phil must investigate it further.

have a seat, dad (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor harley/peter G, 1k

Summary: Peter tells Tony that he's going to be a grandpa.

He's What??!! (ao3) - Gtech1904 G, 6k

Summary: Peter goes on a Trip to Stark Industries a few things happen along the way.

Honey (ao3) - ABrighterDarkness steve/sam T, 1k

Summary: Steve surprises Sam with an adorable birthday present.

(I Can't Let This Go) I'm On My Way (ao3) - kototyph steve/bucky T, 4k

Summary: “Do you, uh… d’you want to go in?” he asks. Jeez, he’s nervous. He doesn’t think he’s been this nervous since 1940 and asking Mary Margaret to come dancing, standing out on her stoop with all her brothers and sisters watching and Bucky egging him on from under the stairs. She’d turned him down in front of God and country and even slammed the door in his face.

Steve really, really hopes Bucky’s not about to slam the door in his face.

it's my party (and i'll cry if i want to) (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor G, 2k

Summary: Clint absolutely hates celebrating his birthday, and all of the Avengers know this, so they don't celebrate his birthday, until Peter comes along and discovers Clint's birthday issues. He's determined to change Clint's opinions on birthdays.

peter's announcement (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor G, 775

Summary: The Avengers are in the middle of a debrief when Tony gets a phone call from a very excited Peter.

Sweet Sixteen - Sick Under the Sea (ao3) - sharpieink N/R, 3k

Summary: Tony surprises Peter with a trip to Disney World for his sweet sixteen, but his first night there doesn’t turn out to be all that magical when Peter ends up making himself sick on all the junk food he’s eating.

The Best Christmas Ever (ao3) - afteriwake pepper/tony G, 649

Summary: It's Christmas, and Pepper has a few surprises for Tony this year...

the birthday surprise (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor G, 2k

Summary: The Avengers try to throw a surprise party for Clint. It doesn't quite go as planned.

Tony's Baby Shower (ao3) - Buckybeardreams T, 1k

Summary: Rhodey flies in and Pepper surprises Tony with a baby shower.

Your Mouth Gives Me Bad Ideas (Kidnapping Day Remix) (ao3) - ishipallthings steve/tony T, 3k

Summary: The first time Steve kisses Tony, it’s in the cockpit of the Quinjet, right in the middle of Tony insisting that no, I’m fine Rogers, I don’t need to go lie down, and someone needs to fly this contraption properly.

He knows it’s a bad idea before it even happens—he kisses Tony anyway.

(Or: 5 times Steve kissed Tony even though it was a terrible idea, and 1 time it wasn't a bad idea at all)

#themculibrary #mcu #marvel #fluff #surprises #surprises masterlist #masterlists

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housefashionblog24 · 21 hours

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hardstyle remixes

Right now I'm browsing #hardstyle videos

Its too bad I am too ugly and trash for these people every day I feel sad about my ugly hands and feet and face and I'm so stupid

youtube

I will just watch some more hart to hart. There's no ads, but I've been harassed with postal mail junk mail and ads on youtube related to my past legal problems, what is the point? All the channels I subscribe to are taunting me about puking because I've struggled with eating disorders and I bought a lot of food at grocery outlet last month. A car pulled up beside me at 7-eleven and the man going in the store was wearing a 2 towns hoodie and the woman inside said she feels like she is going to puke. Good job. Everyone. What am I supposed to do besides smoke cigarettes constantly and feel horrible? It is worse than anything I ever did to anyone and its not fair. I am crying now I don't have anything else to say that isn't hurtful to myself. All people ever do is go around saying disgusting perverted lies about me and put me in danger. They're obsessed with high school rumors and even if things were true, what does anybody do besides get everything they want by hurting me? Look at this entire community and region and media network. I am horrible but all of you are worse. FYI I quit smoking marijuana, maybe I will send back a clean test for.that marijuana user study I started before Goodwill decided to interview me and said they needed a clean test so it was suspicious and I didmt want anything to do with either after the interview. I can pass a drug test but I don't want to work at Goodwill or anywhere because then I'm captive for your bullshit I can just leave the house when the realtor is here and get abused enough or just stay here and watch youtube alone and get abused what do you want from my life all you do is help everyone else and I keep helping them with whatever I do online now I'm going to smoke more cigarettes and I feel horrible. Why bother going to 7-eleven anyway, every other time I enter my phone number for the rewards program it has to sign me up as a new user like they want to deny I'm there. Why not just buy my parents house for a decent price so I can go away forever this has gone on long enough. I can't stand going to the nearest convenience store for cigarettes called city limits because there always happens to be a scene that smells like my recent internet activity there, and I remember that store being there when I went to kindergarten almost across the street 1989-1990, then my family moved to Pittsburgh and I couldn't read and I was younger so i did kindergarten again and my laptop that got ripped off in seattle peoblems had a photo of me sort of hugging my friend here who I visited in 1992 or something who used to be in the same grade then was a year older when I came back for middle school and high school, I was trying to get close for the photo but she wasn't into it, probablt because we went to see 101 Dalmatians at the theater because i wanted to but she wanted to see Bill and Ted. Of course one of my visits to the local botox place they have to find someone who would look like her as an adult to walk through while I'm waiting or maybe it was a coincidence but everything must be a coincidence right

youtube

First thing, Jonathan offers Jennifer brioche

#Youtube

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dxrknessembr8ced · 28 days

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Minutes later...

Preparing to bring back order among the streets within the island the ryuketsu police department sending their best of the best to deal with both widespread threats being darkstalkers and then the rumored G-virus outbreak going around within the island as the G-virus was forbidden to used during their failed genocidal plot to eradicate and wipe out darkstalkers clean from the earth. These police officers aren't ordinary humans as these people are the instance of infected who possessed las plaga parasites within their bodies. These creatures are given the name from both the BSAA and the militery up in the Atlantic coast the vassals or they're most commonly known as drudges.

These couple of officers stand outside of their vehicle loading in their weapons in the back seat of the vehicle as one of them by the name of Segawa Hagashi commented on the outbreak of darkstalkers and now the rumored G-virus outbreak going around.

" Fuck me sideways tuesday hasn't been kind to us in these troubling times. Y'know? This whole Erebus cult shit is a bust.. "

Ken Miyazaki, the big guy within the police force chuckled at Segawas remarks of the cult and their goal are a miserable failure and he starts to joke.

" Careful what you say girl, or else you be sacrifice to erebus the great god of darkness haha! "

" Bern told numerous times by that wacko scientist over on speed dial rather deal with Susie than his doctor insano ass. "

Jumped from the hood of the car Churo the mechanic and scavenger of all things junk jumped onto the hood of the vehicle after he heard a bit about the scientists.

" Hey! Only I get be the insano around these parts! "

" GET THE HELL OFF MY CAR YOU LITTLE GOBLIN ! "

Jumped off from the hood of the vehicle Churo chuckled taking a bite out of a large cockroach out of his pocket.

' Chhk! '

" So you heard about the outbreak of G-virus going around? "

" Yeah just a rumor but the rumors sound serious, chief told us to check it out after reports of blob flesh beef turkey monsters with big bulgy eyes running around. "

" Man all this talk about beef jerky is making me hungry kid. Let's get this work finish for some grub my treat! "

Segawa sighed and got into the vehicle and pulling out her keys, starting the ignition as she rolls her eyes.

" Can go for some food too... "

Huff.

" ... I too want a fine meal, fresh baked crickets and roaches too. "

#{ Musing: Segawa Hagashi }#{ Musing: Ken Miyazaki }#{ Musing: Churo }#{ Island Officer }#{ The Big Guy Of The Law }#{ Roadside garage Dwarf }#{ Dealing with the outbreak of Darkstalkers and the G-virus }#SoundCloud

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freavella · 3 months

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I was tagged by @groovetrys

Favorite three ships:

Don’t have at the moment

Last film watched:

I love watching doramas

“When I Fly Towards You”

Last song listened to:

“9 summers” by Even The Foe

(Rompasso Remix)

Currently reading:

Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt 🇪🇬

Currently craving:

I want junk food, but i can’t 😞

Relationship status:

Single in cube :D

Favorite color(s):

At the moment I like purple, red, black and gray

Last thing googled:

Searched Giant Void and Attractor 🌌

Current obsession:

I eat a lot strawberry everyday, my stomach in shocked :D

Tagging: @fluffy-decay @sourlemonsimblr @diactrl @veone @moonloose @laelaex @moni-sims @madfeary @cupidia @mourirmoths @katelemonteasims @blackskorpi0n @koibish

and all people, who will want to join!🍓

Thanks for tagging me <3

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whenitsdarkweilluminate · 6 months

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Tel Aviv 2019 – Grand Final

Host: Israel Slogan: “Dare to Dream” Participants: 41 Voting method: 12-point system (50/50 system - separated) Format: 2 Semi-Finals / Grand Final = the top 10 of semi 1 & 2 + the Big 5 + host

Winner: Duncan Laurence - Arcade Country: Netherlands Points: 498 (51.9% of highest score possible) Language: English

General Overview:

I regret taking long breaks because now I have to review Tel Aviv 2019 during late 2023… but I'll just focus on the music and the show, same as when I dealt with Moscow and Baku.

Anyways, I'm nostalgic for 2019. It was the first year I felt like a real adult. It was those last moments before we entered into a parallel universe. And years ending in -9 just hit different. Pop music feels fresher; while in Eurovision context: 2009 reinstated the juries and expanded the stage, 1999 removed the orchestra and language rules, 1979 was the first contest held outside western Europe, and 1969 had 4 winners. As for 2019? It's the technology. It's a great year for staging.

It's also a very competitive top 10. Sure, “Arcade” is an obvious winner in hindsight, but Italy came close. I absolutely LOVE my top 10 as well. But the bottom half of my ranking… meh. 2019 is somehow a strong year and a weak year at the same time.

The Grand Final is EXTREMELY bloated. The opening sequence involves Netta piloting a plane that supposedly carries the 26 finalists, while Jon Ola Sand acts as the air traffic controller. Then, different groups of people set-up jeeps, vans, buoys, bicycles, drones, glow sticks, and paper lanterns to act as runway guiding lights. The plane appears to land in the arena, with a split-up LED illusion. Then Netta appears on stage with dancing flight attendants, as the “Toy” instrumental plays. This starts the Flag Parade, where one flight attendant twirls the flags, creating holograms of swirly sparks that shoot upwards; while Dana International, Ilanit, and Nadav Guedj perform. I mean, “Golden Boy” does mention Tel Aviv. This is another hype opener. There's also a montage of past hosts introducing the voting.

I found the hosts funny this year. In the final, there's Erez and Bar bantering about junk food and Madonna, Assi's romantic dinner joke, Netta flirting with Bar, “Lucy used all 20 of my votes”, and Bar surprising Erez at the voting table.

The interval is LONG. First, Conchita, Måns, Eleni, and Verka play song switcharoo. Eleni's version of “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” is a moment, but Måns made “Fuego” boring somehow. At the end, they all join Gali Atari in singing “Hallelujah”. Also lol at Assi startling Verka. Then Assi awkwardly interviews Madonna, but her telling the artists they're all winners was nice. Next, Idan Raichel Project performs “Boee”. I liked this one – it's a smooth atmosphere of cultural elements that turns into great energy. Erez interviews Quavo next. Then it's the mentalist again (UGH!) This time, he gets 3 random finalists to pick a year/song/artist. They just happen to choose 1974/“Waterloo”/ABBA. After that, Netta performs “Nana Banana”, where she's dressed in banana yellow. She sits at the head of the table, then walks across it, showing she's the star. Meanwhile, there's dancers in formal attire, who later reveal more yellow outfits. This song is pretty annoying too (“OWW!”).

FINALLY, we get to the infamous Madonna performance. The intro is cool, with the cloaked chanting monks and church bells, but Madonna's vocals are iffy during “Like a Prayer” (trap remix) and I've never seen someone take so long to walk down a staircase. Then the dancers are in gas masks during the spoken word “Dark Ballet”. Then it's the excessively auto-tuned “Future” featuring Quavo. Madonna and Quavo's dancing is cringe-y here. We aren't done though! There's still a video of Gal Gadot showcasing Tel Aviv. I swear, Israel flaunted every celebrity possible. Jean Paul Gaultier made an appearance too.

The postcards begin with a graphic of the flags in rotating triangles. Then the artists explore Israel, as the same piano notes play every time. After a moment, they press a triangle play button hologram that says “PLAY”, and they dance with a group of people, with a different instrumental for every country. At the end, they throw a triangle forward. And the arena's ceiling structure shows the flag colours in triangular lights, with a piano sequence + “WAH” sound.

Did I mention the 2019 design involves triangles??? The logo itself is a star made of 3 triangles. And the stage is a triangular platform pointing forwards, with a triangular archway overhead, and a V-shaped audience ramp. That archway disappears for many of the performances though, which is a wise decision. Tel Aviv also steals the bridges from Lisbon. And the LED screen returns, which can split into vertical turning sections.

The jury voting was very close. Italy and Russia lead early on, but eventually North Macedonia wouldn't budge from #1, until Sweden overtook on the very last country. 2nd place kept flipping too. And the Netherlands was close to winning the jury. However, it was revealed post-contest that Belarus's top 10 jury points were actually their bottom 10. Meaning North Macedonia should've won the jury. What a random jury winner. Otherwise, the map uses glitter-light country shapes. Izhar Cohen was the Israeli spokesperson, meaning all 4 Israeli winners appeared tonight. And the EBU switched to revealing the televote points in jury vote order. Oh, and Hatari upset the audience with Palestinian flags.

Malta: Michela - Chameleon

Albania: Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju tokës Of course Albania is second in the running order. I also just realized this song gives me “1944” vibes.

Czech Republic: Lake Malawi - Friend of a Friend

Germany: S!sters - Sister “I'm sorry, 0 points”. I guess 2018 was an anomaly, as Germany returns to the bottom 2. “Sister” is just a bland entry. It wants to be an epic inspirational ballad, but the composition is as inoffensive as possible and refuses to be distinct. The song starts with a music box, followed by piano dings. Then the drums march until the music box returns to pause the build-up, with cymbal shimmer transitions; then foot-taps and strikes ensue. Verse 2 adds foot-taps and light guitar after a second. Then the song peaks with heavier drums and that “SISTER... OOH WAH OOH” bit... which is a very flat climax. The bridge resumes the music box again. The drums are boring, the melody is basic, and the music box is whatever. The lyrics promote non-familial sisterhood. Indeed, S!sters aren't even real sisters. The duo urges women to support each other instead of trying to knock the competition down. The narrator sighs “I'm tired” of it. She tried to inhibit her sister but couldn't. She wouldn't share her success, saw her as an enemy, and feared her power. But she empowers her sister in the chorus, and apologizes in verse 2. The staging is basic as well. It starts dark, with the pair on opposite sides of the ramp, as they change leads. And the LED shows their sad faces singing (*eye roll*) They then meet in the middle, and yell “SISTER” at each other while amateurishly bouncing. There's also an unearned fire rain finale and they excitedly embrace at the end. Their vocal sounds emotional, but in a saccharine way.

Russia: Sergey Lazarev - Scream The bad running order slot didn't hurt this.

Denmark: Leonora - Love Is Forever

San Marino: Serhat - Say Na Na Na I can't hate on people having the time of their lives.

North Macedonia: Tamara Todevska - Proud

Sweden: John Lundvik - Too Late for Love John's charisma (and the Mamas) really elevate this.

Slovenia: Zalagasper - Sebi

Cyprus: Tamta - Replay

Netherlands: Duncan Laurence - Arcade (winner review below)

Greece: Katerine Duska - Better Love

Israel: Kobi Marimi - Home This just screams “we don't want to host again”. It's a dated song with a formal performance, and Kobi's voice is excruciating (“I AM SOMEOoOoOoONE”). I just want him to STOP. He gargles the word “bruise” too. The orchestral string intro is from the 1950s. Then a gentle piano follows, as he sounds choked up. A small, anxious running beat appears next, with a bit of guitar and snowy echoes. Then the first chorus rests after a cymbal shimmer. Meanwhile, there's 3-way split-screens of Kobi and jagged screens showing the music video. The backing choir comes out during verse 2 and they stand close to him. It's an intense visual. The instrumental stays gently anxious until the bridge, where the strings grow and the melody shifts, as Kobi walks across the bridge. The slow drums enter at the climax, with fire rain and him walking across the ramp. Plus a rising bit and a pause. The song ends gently again, and with another big gargling vocal. Kobi is an over-singing, over-emoting showman. The lyrics are about personal growth. Kobi is focused on the current moment for the rest of his life. He runs “barefoot to the mountain tops” and hugs cold water (ie. facing extreme and uncomfortable challenges). And now that he found his identity, he's coming home. He used to listen to others and waited for time to pass. It was a long, suffering journey and he's done with letting that hurt affect him. It's a nice message, but the song is too theatrical and formal to make me feel anything.

Norway: Keiino - Spirit in the Sky

United Kingdom: Michael Rice - Bigger than Us A bland and forgettable entry puts the UK in last place. John Lundvik clearly kept the better song for himself. “Bigger than Us” wants to be an epic inspirational ballad, like Germany. It's more stimulating than “Sister” at least, and it has an innocent, uplifting vibe. But it's still formulaic and predictable. The song starts with a warm, hopeful piano, as the audio skips on “me and you”. The kicks and snaps come next. Then the song suddenly slam-stops, and the “anthemic” chorus brings the percussion and distorted “oh oh oh” responses. The backing lifts the last “it's bigger!” The second chorus extends into a back-and-forth “bigger (bigger)” with the backing. The bridge quiets to a pretty piano, leading to a drum breakdown, where the choir comes on stage giving “hah-oh”s. The last chorus is elevated by strings and stage sparks. And they stand around a fiery circle. The stage starts grayscale, as Michael walks forward with smoke behind him. Then the LED lights up with outer space imagery. He also shows his vocals on “ONLY HOPE”, “WE SEEEE YEAH”, and “UUUUS”. The lyrics lack depth though. The word “bigger” is said 47 times. Michael wants the subject to hear him. He says that love is attainable between them. He offers his hand and promises he won't give up. While the chorus proclaims that their love is bigger than everything. It's a bit trite. His performance is fine, the backing choir improves things, and the chorus shift kinda works. But yeah, this is bland.

Iceland: Hatari - Hatrið mun sigra

Estonia: Victor Crone - Storm Uhh was that a camera fuck up?

Belarus: Zena - Like It Zena cannot sing. The chorus is kinda annoying too.

Azerbaijan: Chingiz - Truth The verses are better than the chorus.

France: Bilal Hassani - Roi I view France's 2017/18/19 entries as a trilogy. Madame Monsieur even helped write this one. “Requiem” and “Mercy” told unique stories, but “Roi”'s message of self-love has 0 subtly. Especially the staging. It starts with a flashlight on Bilal's face, with colourful tears and words. Then, teen ballerina Lizzy Howell walks out, twirls, and shakily pushes wrists with Bilal. Then he comforts deaf dancer Lin Ching-lan. Meanwhile, the LED shows quotes, news headlines and videos of the dancers; as well as an empty throne room. Bilal also kneels during the bridge. While at the end, they all stand together making hand-crowns, as the LED shows a child video of Bilal + “We are all Kings/Queens”. The lyrics alternate English and French frequently. Bilal asserts “I will always be [me]”. She decides her own path. He lives life despite judgement. It bothers people and they tell her how to be, but she defies it; retorting “you cannot change me boo”. The term “king” is used to empower. Verse 2 questions why they hurt for nothing. We choose many things, but not who we are, it's no one's business. Bilal projects self-love, security and confidence. And the “I'M NOT RICH...” and “know-oh-oh-oh” hooks are fine, but the chorus suffers from the plain modern drum beat. The verses follow an active piano, with fist-pounding ticks partway. The post-chorus adds some strings and fluttery metal bits. Verse 2 has some drumstick echos midway. And the bridge reduces to low vibrations.

* Bilal uses both he/him and she/her pronouns, so I alternated

Italy: Mahmood - Soldi This is so addictive. The “come va, come va, come va” and “Soldi, Soldi” repetitions are catchy AF. The handclaps get the audience involved. It sounds fresh and modern. And it changes gears so cleverly. There's an Arabic guitar that keeps reappearing, mixed with assertive foot stomps. The verses follow “dun... dun-dun” piano notes, with more stomps. There's a pause on “AH UH”. The pre-chorus piano races with smooth strings, and the vocal jumps out midway with taps. Then the sludgy bass drops with double handclaps. And the Arabic guitar cuts this off effectively. The bridge has a more cluttered sound, ending in more strings. Mahmood crams a lot of words into this, but it doesn't harm the melody. The lyrics tell a personal story with a justifiably bitter tone. It's about his deceitful father, who walked out on his family, and only cares about money. Mahmood reassures his mom he's on his way home to see him. She thought it was love. The father is breaking Ramadan and smoking a hookah, and there's a Jackie Chan reference. Upon seeing him, Mahmood sings quickly since his mind is racing. He doesn't trust him. He doesn't care to explain. He decries “you only cared about the money, as if I have any”. The father won't say the right words. Mahmood rejects his offer. And the bridge inserts an Arabic phrase that his dad used to say. The staging involves Mahmood and the dancers leaning backwards during the chorus, as the LED shows a clapping silhouette. It also shows flaming banknotes, a sad boy, translated lyrics, and his face breaking. Plus beggars' hands on the floor. The dancers have some interesting choreo as well. But yeah, I just love how the different parts work together here.

Serbia: Nevena Božović - Kruna This is pretty epic by the end of it. It's grown on me! I love the part when the strings stop.

Switzerland: Luca Hänni - She Got Me

Australia: Kate Miller-Heidke - Zero Gravity

Spain: Miki - La venda This is an insanely energetic, joyous, and fun song. It sounds like a World Cup theme. It does burn out after repeated listens (I need to catch my breath!), and it is repetitive, but those “LA VENDA YA CAYÓOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” shouts are really catchy. The celebratory trumpet intro stands out too. And there's many quick “woo” pauses for breathers. Most of the song has fast, summery guitar and drums. The verses add backing “ohhhhh” to it, while the chorus adds horns and “HEY”s. The bridge retreats into rapid claps and Spanish guitar, then escalates with drum slams and horns, leading to a hollow drum breakdown. And it repeats “Lo que ere” 12 times. The song energizes the arena, but the choreo is kinda messy. They jump and raise their arms to hype up the crowd. And they run to the bridge and ramp at the end. The stage includes a 3x2 structure of 6 rooms with hand-drawn decor, and a frozen person in each. Miki turns around and visits them. The LED shows bold colours, including paint splatters and fingerprints. There's also a moving, lit-up, mummy thing. They brace against gravity during the camera tilts. Miki holds a camera at one point. The lyrics are trying too hard to be deep though. It's about removing the “blindfold” to live happy and free. Every verse line starts with “Te”. Miki remarks “They buy you because you're for sale”. You have excess to sell. You're lost because there's a way to be. He says there's other options – love and choose yourself. You're enough without forcing it.

The Winner:

The Netherlands achieves their 5th victory, and their first in 44 years. Austria still holds the record at 48 years between 1966 & 2014. However, Spain or France could break that in the near future. The Netherlands were one of my favourite countries during the '70s, '80s, and '90s, but they dropped off in the new millennium. They didn't even qualify for 8 years in a row. But then “Birds” changed everything; and “Calm After the Storm” did even better. Since then, the Netherlands winning again felt inevitable. Duncan's win is the culmination of their revival. Switching to internal selections has worked out pretty well.

“Arcade” is probably the least controversial winner of 2014-2023. There's nothing divisive about it. Although, at the time, I wasn't feeling the studio version. I was sick of hearing songs with big loud percussion. I didn't want a OneRepublic clone winning Eurovision. But after seeing Duncan's sensitive performance, I changed my mind. I can FEEL the emotion in this song clearly. Those “AHHHHHHHHH OHHHHHHHHH”s and “ALL I KNOW”s wouldn't leave my brain either. It's catchy! There's a very noticeable verse/chorus contrast too. The song opens with a piano sequence and vocal howls, creating a cold night forest atmosphere. Then the introverted verse expresses Duncan's sadness and vulnerability, with the soft melancholic piano and lower vocal. The howls return with boops and Duncan's voice rises. Then the guitar and snaps get the pre-chorus moving. While the heavy drums slam down in the chorus, with some clicks. The second verse adds low drum booms and skips the pre-chorus. The later choruses are doubled. The bridge is a delicate moment. There's a dense drum breakdown. The last chorus adds moody strings. And the song ends where it started.

The chorus is like pounding your fists against the wall in agony because you can't take it anymore. It represents Duncan's frustration. His broken heart has unfixed cracks. He lost some pieces while returning home. He's afraid of himself. His mind feels different. He begs to be carried home. While the chorus surmises that loving this person is a losing game. The relationship was destined to fail, and he knew it (“I saw the end before it begun”), but he carried on. He was addicted. The “How many pennies in the slot?” line questions how invested his ex was, since they gave up easily. The “Small-town boy in a big arcade” line implies Duncan was out of his depth. But then he calls it quits in the bridge (“Get me off this rollercoaster”). It was a turbulent relationship. The lyrics contain several game metaphors: “lost a couple of pieces”, “pennies in the slot”, “Game Over”; but not in a corny way.

The staging keeps it simple, but still visually satisfying. Emotional ballads don't need anything extra. Duncan spends the entire performance playing a piano that's positioned sideways, while the dark blue lighting establishes the mood. It begins pitch black until the first line. Then the camera slowly zooms in as he looks down at the piano. He only really looks up during the close-ups. A blue spotlight shines on him next. Then a moon orb descends in front of him and he stares at it during the bridge. Then he throws his arms behind him as a blinding white light beams in the background. The stage has a nighttime aesthetic. It fits the song perfectly and I wouldn't change anything about it.

This became a viral TikTok hit, and the first Eurovision song to chart in America since Gina G. It's currently the most streamed Eurovision song ever on Spotify at over 1 billion plays.

Verdict: “A” Tier.

My Ranking:

Grand Final: 01. Italy: Mahmood - Soldi 02. Norway: Keiino - Spirit in the Sky 03. Switzerland: Luca Hänni - She Got Me 04. Albania: Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju tokës 05. Netherlands: Duncan Laurence - Arcade 06. Slovenia: Zalagasper - Sebi 07. Australia: Kate Miller-Heidke - Zero Gravity 08. Malta: Michela - Chameleon 09. Spain: Miki - La venda 10. Sweden: John Lundvik - Too Late for Love

11. Cyprus: Tamta - Replay 12. Azerbaijan: Chingiz - Truth 13. Serbia: Nevena Božović - Kruna 14. Greece: Katerine Duska - Better Love 15. North Macedonia: Tamara Todevska - Proud 16. France: Bilal Hassani - Roi 17. San Marino: Serhat - Say Na Na Na 18. Russia: Sergey Lazarev - Scream 19. Belarus: Zena - Like It 20. Estonia: Victor Crone - Storm 21. United Kingdom: Michael Rice - Bigger than Us 22. Germany: S!sters - Sister 23. Iceland: Hatari - Hatrið mun sigra 24. Denmark: Leonora - Love Is Forever 25. Czech Republic: Lake Malawi - Friend of a Friend 26. Israel: Kobi Marimi - Home

Full Ranking: 01. Italy: Mahmood - Soldi 02. Norway: Keiino - Spirit in the Sky 03. Switzerland: Luca Hänni - She Got Me 04. Albania: Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju tokës 05. Netherlands: Duncan Laurence - Arcade 06. Slovenia: Zalagasper - Sebi 07. Australia: Kate Miller-Heidke - Zero Gravity 08. Malta: Michela - Chameleon 09. Spain: Miki - La venda 10. Sweden: John Lundvik - Too Late for Love 11. Cyprus: Tamta - Replay 12. Romania: Ester Peony - On a Sunday 13. Belgium: Eliot - Wake Up 14. Armenia: Srbuk - Walking Out 15. Azerbaijan: Chingiz - Truth 16. Serbia: Nevena Božović - Kruna 17. Greece: Katerine Duska - Better Love 18. Hungary: Joci Pápai - Az én apám 19. Lithuania: Jurij Veklenko - Run with the Lions 20. North Macedonia: Tamara Todevska - Proud 21. France: Bilal Hassani - Roi 22. Moldova: Anna Odobescu - Stay 23. Portugal: Conan Osíris - Telemóveis 24. Austria: Pænda - Limits 25. San Marino: Serhat - Say Na Na Na 26. Russia: Sergey Lazarev - Scream 27. Belarus: Zena - Like It 28. Estonia: Victor Crone - Storm 29. Latvia: Carousel - That Night 30. United Kingdom: Michael Rice - Bigger than Us 31. Poland: Tulia - Fire of Love (Pali się) 32. Finland: Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman - Look Away 33. Ireland: Sarah McTernan - 22 34. Georgia: Oto Nemsadze - Keep On Going 35. Germany: S!sters - Sister 36. Iceland: Hatari - Hatrið mun sigra 37. Denmark: Leonora - Love Is Forever 38. Czech Republic: Lake Malawi - Friend of a Friend 39. Israel: Kobi Marimi - Home 40. Croatia: Roko - The Dream 41. Montenegro: D mol - Heaven

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