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purplegn0mes · 8 months

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Ok so in an attempt to overcome my stupid creative block I wrote a little one shot about my OCs Niles and Lucia

For context; it takes place in a human AU that I was going to write (the story’s called Times Like These and I posted the first chapter on Wattpad if you’d like to read that first, but you don’t have to to understand what’s happening in this) and so I’ll just post it here since I can’t really show it off anywhere else Lmao

Musical Remedy

A small huff exhaled from Niles’s mouth as he marched his way down the flight of stairs so familiar that he felt no need to hover his hand over the railing like he would anywhere else. At the moment the house was silent, one would assume it was empty aside from him if they were to enter through the front door. But no, every occupant of the house was within its walls, in separate rooms, with no desire to leave their respective spots until supper time.

It was a quiet afternoon, cloudy skies making the interior exceptionally dark for this time of day, gentle droplets of cold rain dripping down the windows of the living room. Niles paid no mind to the faint whispers of thunder in the distance as his sore feet carried him past the abundance of couches and coffee tables in the spacious living room. Crossing his way into the narrow corridor hidden behind the wall and fireplace, he made his way into the smaller, more old-fashion styled den in the corner of the house that was almost always vacant. There really was no purpose to this room other than just being an extra space for Juliet to clean. Although the bay window that provided a view of the backyard was a pleasant feature.

Inside the small den was furnishing you’d expect from someone born in a generation older than Niles’s parents. Floral sofa with a crocheted blanket sitting atop its frame, and equally tacky throw pillows propped up on either side of the cushions. Various mundane portraits of landscapes hung on the crepe-colored walls. A closet that was used for storage, possibly containing broken vacuum cleaners or dusty board games that haven’t been touched in a decade. A lamp provided with a shade painted with Cupid angels dancing about in mid-air. Yeah, it was obvious that when Gnomeo and Juliet moved into his grandfather’s house that they didn’t bother changing much with this room. However, recently it had been used more by Niles, due to the mahogany piano that stood against the wall parallel to the sofa.

Niles had always loved music. As a kid he always found himself humming along to the background music of his video games or movies he watched a dozen times. He would (rarely) dance around his room singing melodies he had heard over the radio in his parents’ car. But only a few months ago did he realize he could actually make music.

And he loved it. He loved every second he spent at the piano. Loved every note that he played, loved the way it sounded in his ears and the fact that he was creating such beautiful sounds. He loved singing along to the beat. He loved listening to a song and immediately repeating it on the instrument as if he’s played it a hundred times, yet he only just learned the notes by simply listening to them.

Niles had a talent, and a good ear too. His family had noticed this. His father was the first to come to the revelation when he came home from work early one day to discover the boy singing “Your Song” to himself at the piano. And to say he was in awe at what he witnessed would be an understatement. Gnomeo was enamored with the way his son played and sung so gracefully in a way that took professionals years to accomplish. He immediately suggested Niles pursue it as a regular hobby, a career even. He let the rest of the family and their close friends in on the little hidden talent of his, and from then on Niles was known as the musician of the family.

Everyday after school, once he finished his work for classes (that he would often have done before the final bell even rung), he would sit at the piano and practice, playing whatever he felt like. He would often challenge himself by playing a fast-paced or upbeat song that normal beginners wouldn’t be able to keep up with. Today, as he placed himself on the bench and hovered his fingers over the keys, he decided to take a break from the pop/rock ‘n roll music he’d normally attempt and opted for a calming, slow rhythm of harmony.

Not five minutes into his practice was he abruptly interrupted by the sound of a door opening and slamming shut, and hard footsteps coming down from the hall outside the door. He turned around to find an annoyed blonde entering the den, throwing her backpack to the floor and plopping down on the sofa with her head in her hands.

“Where’ve you been?” Niles dared to ask, despite easily picking up on his sister’s irritation. But he was curious. He thought she was home already.

Lucia let out an exasperated groan as her palms ran down her face, stretching out the skin of her cheeks, rolling her eyes so much that for a second Niles couldn’t even see her pupils. “I was at lacrosse practice and had the most stupidest conversation of my life with the coach. Oh, and guess who almost got in a wreck on the way home because some asshole decided to cut me off!”

Niles just nodded, quietly taking in the information given. He had some questions, such as why the conversation with her coach was ‘stupid’ and if she was okay from the near-miss of a collision. But he’s known Lucia his entire life, and he knew better than to pry when she wasn’t in a good mood. It was best to just sit silently and listen, to let her do the talking.

“And on top of that, my stupid fucking medication didn’t work again so I was up all night.” The girl huffed and slouched back against the sofa, arms crossed firmly over her chest. “Mum says I need a refill but I think she’s just wasting money on these damn things. The only way I’ll ever get a good nights sleep is if someone puts a rag full of chloroform over my face!”

Niles resisted the urge to laugh at such a statement. He knew she was only exaggerating, but it wouldn’t surprise him if Lucia actually went to that extreme measure. Though it did concern him that that wasn’t a possibility to rule out. “I’m sorry.” Was his sympathetic response after letting his sister breathe for a moment. He truly felt for her. He was there to witness her battle with insomnia since they were 12-years-old. Lucia was a naturally energetic person but that shouldn’t hold her hostage from a decent amount of rest every night.

Lucia let out the heaviest of sighs, shaking her head as her eyes averted to the floor where her backpack laid. “Yeah, well, nothin’ I can do about it now.” She dismissed rather quietly, and in a defeated slouch she reached down for the bag in her sight and pulled out a notebook and folder. Niles instantly realized she had silently decided to get some homework done, and felt the need to warn her that he was in the middle of practicing; hinting that she should take her studies elsewhere. But Lucia shrugged in indifference, insisting that she didn’t mind the background noise. His lips curled inwardly in reluctance. He was still getting used to playing in front of other people. Even if it was just his sister, he wasn’t all that comfortable with his musical productions being presented to her judgmental ears.

But for some unknown reason she had no intention of leaving the den, so with a sigh, Niles turned around and picked up where he left off. He decided to try a different piece, something peaceful but not classical. Something well-known to him and possibly other people around his age. “Ylang Ylang” was his immediate choice, and so, softly as ever, keys emitted the gentle notes of the familiar melody. He was able to ease back into his routine quite easily, tuning out Lucia’s presence almost entirely. Aside from the rustle of paper moving or the harsh movement of her hand brushing eraser shavings away, she was as quiet as a mouse and had she entered the house this silently he wouldn’t have even known she was there.

Maybe it was the serene melody playing just three feet away from her. Maybe it was the gentle sounds of raindrops at the bay window and thunder creeping up in the sky. Maybe it was the warm, soft lighting of the lamp on the table beside her. Or maybe it was all of these combined that were putting Lucia at ease. Every ounce of frustration and stress that had been plaguing her mind for the last half hour started to dissipate, and a weight was momentarily lifted from her chest. For a moment, she could actually breathe. She could inhale, and exhale. And inhale. And exhale. And repeat this pattern over and over. It was a rare time in her life where she actually felt…calm.

Her eyelids grew heavier by the minute. Her brain was being pulled away from alertness, her train of thought making a detour away from the homework and towards a peaceful place in her mind she never knew existed. This was a task that not even her insomnia prescriptions could accomplish. Eventually Lucia gave into temptation and placed her school stuff aside on the table. She couldn’t continue working if she wanted to (which, of course, she didn’t). Quietly as ever, the blonde girl slowly laid herself down on the sofa she never considered comfy that was now a sanctuary for her heavy head.

Hours could’ve passed and Niles would have never known. He was so lost in his own world of music and harmony that the world could’ve imploded and he would be the only person to not notice or even care. This always happened whenever he was at the piano for a long period of time. He took his craft very seriously and at every chance he got, he would patiently play until he was in “the zone”.

Perhaps he should consider this as his career. The thought had crossed his mind several times, but self-doubt and anxiety always held him back from taking the leap of faith of actually pursuing such a goal.

Oh well, that was a problem for later. Right now Niles decided to finish up and get himself a pre-dinner snack from the kitchen. After letting the last note fade into silence, he pulled the cover down to shelter the keys and stood up away from the instrument. Just as he was about to make his way out, something peculiar in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He stopped and turned, spotting Lucia lying on her side, head rested atop one of the throw pillows, eyes screwed shut and mouth parted open slightly to release tiny snores and exhales.

When did she fall asleep? For how long? Niles did a brief glance towards the antique clock on the wall. Huh, it hadn’t even been fifteen minutes yet.

The corners of his lips curved up into a small grin. Rather or not it was specifically his playing that put her to sleep, he was just glad to see his sister finally getting the rest she needed. His first thought was to leave now to avoid accidentally disrupting her slumber, but something held him back for a minute. The brotherly urge to care her was hard to fight and could not be ignored. Lucia deserved a proper recharge, something more cozy.

With a quiet sigh, the boy went over to grab the crocheted blanket, and ever so carefully draped it over Lucia’s figure, sheltering her from her shoulders down to her socked feet. She was absolutely going to tease him about this later, he was well-aware. But it would be worth it as long as she was content and at peace. Her body moved, and at first Niles winced, thinking he had woken her up, but was relieved to see she simply shifted to a more comfortable position, hand instinctively holding the edge of the blanket to hold it closer to her face. For a moment he swore he saw a smile on her face. But maybe that was just hopeful imagination.

Turning off the lamp, Niles then left the room, shutting the door behind him, only leaving it open by a crack merely to avoid making any noise. With a sealed grin, he strolled to the kitchen to fetch himself the snack he’d been craving.

From then on, Niles would put his talent to good use. His music would be the medicine Lucia had been needing for years.

#pls read this I need validation #gnomeo and juliet #my ocs #ocs #original characters #niles bluebury #lucia bluebury #bluebury triplets #gnomeo and juliet ocs #gnomeo and juliet au #human au #one shot #wholesome #sibling fluff #lady luxo writes

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ourdallasvideofestthings · 3 years

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Bart Chat 12/28/20

Greetings all, Commentary This year we turn the page of the calendar with more excitement and joy than any year in my lifetime. Who knew last January and February that leaving your room and hanging out with people would be such a rare delight? In all this time of being insular and inside, the cinematic arts pushed through and the Internet has been a lifesaver. We all consumed more media than ever, which sometimes elevated our mood or our feeling of loneliness. Other times, it just filled the time between now and some other undefined moment. As with all media, and for that matter all art, only so much of it is great. It’s an annual tradition (or burden) to come up with Top 10 Lists for writers, thinkers, critics, programmers, and busybodies. Some of us really hate this. I’m reminded of J. Hoberman who, while writing for the Village Voice, put in Game 6 of the World Series on one of his top ten lists. Often top 10 lists are about critics trying to outdo each other, to be hip and cool, and to pick an obscure film. In this spirit, I will give you a few top lists, starting with the top 10 documentaries. (You can hear why on the latest episode of the Fog of Truth.) In no particular order: Boys State Capital in the Twenty-First Century Disclosure Feels Good Man Jasper Mall John Lewis: Good Trouble The Last Dance Mayor A Thousand Cuts Totally Under Control (and a special nod for Alex Gibney for making so many topical docs this year) Best in general: The Assistant Portrait of a Lady on Fire Bacurau Capital in the 21st Century Da 5 Bloods John Lewis: Good Trouble Boys State Mank Jasper Mall I’m Thinking of Ending Things Best VideoFest Events: Six Short Films about our Marriage-opening night of Alt-Fiction Miracle Fishing and Proof-opening and closing nights of the DocuFest at the Drive-in At the Crossroads Again, 40 Years of Race Issues on Television, opening episode of Frame of Mind John Cleese Kovacs’ Award (This was last year in December, which is cheating, but hey, it was great!!!) Pegasus Fest and 24-hour Video Race The North Texas Universities Film Festival The following Cinematic Conversation- Da 5 Bloods, Disclosure The First Rainbow Coalition, The Trial of the Chicago 7, RoboCop, and Spelling the Dream. For those of you thinking that Warner Brothers releasing Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max on drop date was the end of cinema, I think they did it because it’s a bad movie and it wouldn’t make that much money in theaters once the word got out. Cinematic Conversations This week we have a special film for you. Pixar’s Soul. To watch this, you will need to have Disney+, and here is how to get it for free. Think about it. Have you ever seen a Pixar film? From the early shorts like Andre and Walley B. and Luxo Jr., the films had great scripts and stories that transcended the idea of how an animated film could make you feel. The stories are both accessible to kids and deeply resonate with adults. With Coco, they created a full Latino Universe with again, a great story and one that was deeply felt. With Soul they do it again, take my word for it. We will be joined by Ya’ke Smith, filmmaker and educator, and Don Dixon a local animator. It will be a great discussion, so log in at 7:30 on Wednesday. (Yes, we are back on Wednesday, but will move to Thursday when school starts.) Recommendations Number one on the list is the Wong Kar Wai retrospective at The Texas Theatre, online. There are seven films to see. The full pass is $70.00, but you can watch the hits for $12 each. A few other things worth seeing, Little Big Man, The Lady from Shanghai, O Brother Where Art Thou, Days of Heaven, and The Man Who Fell to Earth. That should inspire you. Stay alive for another week. We need ya.

#Cinema #Wong Kar Wai #top 10

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zootopiathingz · 18 days

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A Promise in the Dead of Night

“I’m scared…”

Her voice is but a whisper, that Alastor barely registers her words at first. When he does, he feels himself tightening his arms around her, his mind already preparing to shield her from danger that he’s not made aware of.

Something’s been off about Charlie’s behavior and he hasn’t been able to determine the reason. From the moment she stepped in his room, he’s known she hasn’t been in her usual perky mood. It’s not unlike her to pay him a visit in the dead of night. Hell, it’s practically become routine for them. If he doesn’t end up falling asleep with her in her own bed, he can expect to find her hours later in his room, quietly requesting that she stay. And he never refuses. How could he possibly turn down such a request from the radiant, smiling princess of Hell?

But tonight, that gorgeous smile of hers that normally greets him when she enters a room was absent from her face. Her piercing eyes that could read all the secrets of his soul were puffy from tears she must have dried before coming to see him. She hasn’t uttered a word until now. She simply opened the door and walked over to join him on the sofa he sits on and crawled her way into his arms. He hasn’t questioned her, but he finds it odd that she had been so quiet. Not even a laugh, or even a breath. Has she been holding her breath the whole time?

Alastor brings his hand up to the back of her head that lays against his chest, raking his long claws through the soft strands of her golden hair. “Of what, dear?” He asks, his voice only slightly louder than hers.

She doesn’t answer. Not with words, at least. Instead she just further nuzzles her head against him, burying her face into the fabric of his coat like she’s trying to hide from something. Alastor swears he hears a faint whimper escape her—a sound that not only catches him off-guard, but fills him with rage. Several thoughts run through his mind like a herd of deer. What could have happened to her that would send her into such a fragile state? Who hurt her…?

Before jumping to conclusions, he decides to continue with his gentle approach. He shifts slightly, taking her chin between his fingers to lift her head away from his chest, her gaze instinctively meeting his. He’s met with the most heartbreaking look of vulnerability she’s ever displayed. He doesn’t like it one bit.

“What’s troubling you, my darling?” He questions her again, his thumb tenderly caressing the soft, milky skin of her face.

Charlie sniffles and briefly shifts her gaze downward as she struggles to answer in a way that makes sense. “I.. I don’t know.” She sighs shakily. She knows it’s a pathetic response, but she doesn’t know how to explain the hell-storm wreaking havoc in her mind.

Alastor stays quiet, only giving her a look that urges her to go on. And when she looks at him again, she does, however reluctantly.

“Oh Al.. I don’t know why, but I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and no matter what I do, it won’t leave me alone.” Charlie lets out a small hiccup of a breath, leaning her head forward slightly, longing to lay on his chest again. “I keep having these horrible dreams. They play out differently, but they all end the same way…something bad happens, or someone attacks us, and one way or another, you get taken away from me. I don’t know what happens to you after. I always wake up before I can find out, but I’m afraid that it means you were…”

She pauses, not wanting to actually finish the thought aloud. She knows she doesn’t need to, anyway. Alastor can easily fill in the blank.

His signature smile, sealed by his lips at the moment, tightens at the corners. Charlie doesn’t see it, but his blinking eyes go wide for just a moment. It may be just a coincidence, it had to be. But what are the odds that they were both struggling with bad dreams about losing the other to some unknown force of darkness? Alastor hasn’t let it affect him like Charlie clearly has, because to him it shouldn’t have meant anything.

But to know that his princess was facing the exact same troubling phenomenon…that was a cause for alarm.

He doesn’t tell her of this. No, he refuses to worry her any more than she already has been. It’s his job to ease her worries, not increase them. It’s a burden he’ll bear for them both. What’s one more, anyway?

He pulls her in close to him as she snuggles into his arms. “Oh Charlie, you must not fret over something like night terrors.” He assures in a calming tone, trailing his hand up and down the length of her back. “They’re just dreams, after all. They cannot hurt us.”

“That’s the thing. What if they’re not just dreams?” Charlie argues, her body growing slightly tense at this thought she only just now realizes she has. “What if..it’s a warning?”

Alastor doesn’t even want to entertain the idea. He doesn’t want to imagine that that’s the reason behind their shared unconscious terrors. No, he won’t give into the fear. It will only consume them, and then they will be doomed to face it.

“You shouldn’t think like that, dear.” He says, leaning his head down, resting his chin atop of her head. “It will do you no good. You mustn’t let your fear control you.”

Charlie closes her eyes, her voice reverting back to its pitiful hushed tone. “I can’t stop it.”

There’s a brief moment of stillness between them. Neither dares to move from the warmth of the other’s touch. The air grows quiet, with only the cackling flames of the fireplace providing any source of sound. That is, until Alastor slowly lifts his head and pulls her back to face her again. The look in his eyes takes her aback. His grin is as wide as always, but there’s a subtle glimmer of sadness in his gaze that she’s never quite seen before. She’s not sure if she should feel touched that he’s grown so comfortable to express such vulnerability in front of her, or horrified of the meaning behind it…

“Then tell me what I can do to make it go away.” He raises his finger up to brush her bangs away from her forehead, before resting his hand against the side of her face, cupping her face in his palm. “Whatever it is, it will be done. Just name it.”

Charlie frowns softly, staring at him quietly for the longest minute. She’s not sure there’s anything he can do to make this all disappear. Alastor may be a powerful overlord, wielding immense power that has left even her impressed. But sadly, he can’t just snap his fingers and rid her of her fears like he wishes. Miracles like that weren’t possible down here in Hell.

There’s one thing he can do, though. As simple as it may be, it’s what she needs him to do.

Charlie leans her face into his palm, bringing her own hand up to hold his wrist as she looks deep into his eyes. “Just..promise me that no matter what happens, if anything happens, that nothing will tear us apart from each other.” She says, her voice trembling more and more with each word. “Whether these are just stupid dreams or not, I cannot lose you, Alastor. So please.. promise me now.”

Alastor gives her an incredulous look, raising his brow a little, just before he leans in, inching his face closer to hers.

“Charlie..my princess,” He speaks firmly, his voice lacking any static or filter that it normally carries, “I swear on my damned life, I will never let anything take you away from me. Not Heaven. Not Hell. Nothing is ever going to keep us apart. Do you understand?”

She nods slowly, and as she blinks the tears she’s been fighting back threaten to burst like a broken dam. Alastor kisses her, the tender touch of his lips bringing her a warm sense of comfort. He then pulls her back into his reassuring embrace, and at last the woman crumbles down. She cries into his shoulder, clinging onto him like she may lose him for good if she even thinks of letting go. He doesn’t say anything, knowing he’s said all he can to bring her solace and all he can do now is simply be here with her.

But they both know his words held nothing but truth to them. Charlie’s been the one good thing to ever happen to him in a long, long time. And he would sooner die again than ever let something rip that away from his grasp. He will hold onto her and use everything in his power to fight for her, and he will do it all with a smile on his face.

It’s alright, my love. Is his immediate thought when he hears that dreadful sound of her sobbing. He hugs her as close as he possibly can, letting his eyes fall shut as his face presses onto the mess of hair on her head. The shadow that resembles his shape looms over the pair, hovering its claws protectively over the woman in Alastor’s arms.

Anyone who tries to take you from me will be faced with a fate worse than death…

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