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al-cin · 6 months

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Harmony of Rebellion

Snow begins to fall. Lyra a songbird, will she remain free or be caged.

Part 1

The Capitol, with its towering pillars and ornate architecture, was illuminated by a dazzling array of lights that cast a spellbinding aura over the entire area. Despite the grandeur of the scene, there was an underlying sense of oppression that permeated the air. Amidst the crowd of elegantly dressed individuals, Lyra stood on the stage, a striking figure of rebellion disguised as a captivating singer.

Her luscious, dark curls cascaded down her back as she held the microphone with a fierce determination. The spotlight enveloped her in a radiant glow, and the anticipation in the air was almost tangible. This was more than just a performance; it was a clandestine act of defiance against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.

As the orchestra began to play, the sound of violins, cellos, and trumpets filled the grand hall. Lyra, the lead vocalist, stepped onto the stage, her long dress flowing behind her. As she began to sing, her voice was like a bird's, soaring above the music. The audience, consisting of the Capitol's elite, was dressed in their finest attire, their eyes fixed on Lyra. They were completely captivated by her performance, unaware of the hidden message within the lyrics. The song spoke of resilience and defiance, a call to arms for those who were willing to fight against the oppressive regime. Despite the danger of being caught, Lyra and her fellow rebels decided to use their music as a tool to spread their message of hope and freedom.

Amid the crowd, Coriolanus Snow, an emblem of Capitol authority, found himself drawn to the mysterious singer. The allure was not merely physical; it was the haunting sincerity in Lyra's voice, a voice that echoed the longing for freedom in a society built on control.

Lyra's eyes scanned the audience, her gaze meeting Coriolanus's for a fleeting moment. In that exchange, a spark ignited — an unspoken connection that transcended the boundaries of the stage. Little did she know, her music had reached the very heart of the Capitol's tyranny. As the last note hung in the air, a hushed silence descended upon the room before erupting into thunderous applause. Lyra gracefully acknowledged the accolades, but her mind was elsewhere. She descended from the stage, her every step a quiet rebellion against the forces that sought to stifle individuality.

Coriolanus, a tall and imposing figure, was immediately drawn to the enchanting singer who had captivated the entire crowd. He pushed his way through the throng of people, his eyes fixed on her, determined to unravel the mystery behind her mesmerizing voice. Lyra, a petite and delicate-looking woman, sensed his approach and quickly composed herself, hiding her true feelings behind a practiced facade of innocence. She played the part of a master puppeteer, skillfully manipulating the dance of deception between them.

The grand hall of the Capitol was a sight to behold on the following evening. The glittering lights illuminated the hall, casting an enchanting glow that created a magical atmosphere. Lyra, the talented singer, took the stage once again, and the audience was filled with anticipation as the first notes of her rebellious melody filled the room. The air was charged with excitement, and everyone was eager to hear her sing.

Coriolanus Snow, who was discreetly positioned in the audience, felt a magnetic pull towards the stage as Lyra sang. He was captivated by her voice, which was filled with passion and emotion. As her eyes scanned the room, their gaze met once again, leaving an indelible mark on him. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, and he knew that he had to meet her.

After the performance, Coriolanus approached Lyra in the backstage shadows, where the air was thick with the lingering echoes of her song. He was nervous, but he knew that he had to speak to her. He began to speak, choosing his words carefully, "Your voice carries an unusual fervor, a passion that transcends mere entertainment. I was captivated by your performance, and I would love to hear more of your music." Lyra was surprised by his words, but she was also intrigued. She knew that there was something special about Coriolanus, and she was eager to get to know him better. Lyra, feigning innocence, tilted her head. "Why, thank you. I believe music should stir the soul, don't you?"

Coriolanus, undeterred, leaned in slightly. "Indeed, but I sense there's more to your performances than meets the eye." Lyra's smile remained, but a glint of defiance flickered in her eyes. "Perhaps the Capitol could use a bit of mystery, don't you think? Keeps things interesting." Their exchange was a dance of words, each step taken with calculated precision. Yet, beneath the surface, a tension simmered — the clash of two opposing forces. As weeks passed, Lyra's performances became bolder, the lyrics of her songs weaving tales of resistance and yearning for freedom. The Capitol's elite reveled in the melodies, oblivious to the rebellion hidden in plain sight.

One evening, after Lyra's most audacious performance yet, Coriolanus confronted her in a secluded alcove. "You're playing a dangerous game," he warned, his voice low and charged. Lyra met his gaze, her tone unwavering. "Isn't life a game, and aren't we all players? Some of us just choose to dance to a different tune." Their verbal sparring echoed through the hidden corridors, a reflection of the deeper conflict that lay beneath the surface. The harmony of rebellion swelled with each performance, and the air itself seemed to carry whispers of change.

The banquet hall was filled with the chatter of Capitol's elite, and it was bathed in opulent radiance. At the head table, Coriolanus Snow, Tigris, and Grandmama were presiding over the spectacle. Amidst the rich tapestry of dignitaries and extravagant displays, Lyra stood poised, wearing a gown that was a delicate balance of elegance and rebellion.

Coriolanus, Tigris, and Grandmama were engaged in subdued conversation, periodically glancing toward Lyra. Whispers rippled through the gathered guests, anticipation heightening as they awaited the mysterious singer's performance.

Lyra, who was acutely aware of the charged atmosphere, gracefully ascended the stage with quiet confidence. The ambient sounds of conversation gradually faded away, leaving only the soft rustling of fine fabrics in the air.

"Good evening, esteemed guests," Lyra's voice, as smooth as silk, caressed the hall. "Tonight, I present to you a composition inspired by the ebb and flow of life within the grand tapestry of Panem."

The grand room was filled with a hushed and reverent silence as the pianist's fingers touched the keys, producing a haunting prelude that set the stage for Lyra's performance. The notes of the piano seemed to float in the air, creating a sense of anticipation and wonder. Coriolanus, Tigris, and Grandmama watched with shared curiosity, their eyes fixed on Lyra as she began to play. The melody was both haunting and beautiful, evoking a sense of longing and nostalgia. As the music swelled and filled the room, it was as if time stood still, and the audience was transported to another world, lost in the enchanting spell of Lyra's performance.

"In the dance of shadows, where secrets lie untold, we find the courage to defy," Lyra began, her eyes sweeping the room with an arresting intensity. "A tale of rebellion unfolds." The melody wove a narrative of yearning, resistance, and the indomitable human spirit. Lyra's impromptu composition painted a vivid picture, and the audience, momentarily stunned, became entwined in its storytelling.

Coriolanus, despite his reservations, found himself drawn into the emotional resonance of Lyra's words. Tigris, with her discerning eyes, and Grandmama, a matriarch of Capitol society, exchanged glances. There was an unspoken acknowledgment of the unexpected potency in Lyra's performance.

As Lyra reached the climax of her song, her gaze locked onto Coriolanus. "In the heart of tyranny, where shadows intertwine, a symphony of defiance we shall design." The words lingered in the air, a declaration that resonated through the banquet hall. Lyra's impromptu creation became a conduit for the unspoken desires and frustrations of those present. Applause erupted, not merely a display of appreciation but a recognition of something deeper, something that transcended the usual Capitol entertainment. Lyra, with her mellifluous voice, had encapsulated the spirit of resistance in her performance.

Lyra gracefully curtsied, acknowledging the applause with a serene smile. The hall remained in a state of reverie, the lingering notes of the piano echoing the sentiment that had been unleashed. Coriolanus, compelled by a mixture of admiration and intrigue, approached Lyra after the performance. Tigris and Grandmama followed suit, their steps forming an unconscious alliance as they navigated the sea of admiring spectators.

"You have a remarkable gift," Coriolanus admitted, his tone revealing a blend of curiosity and admiration. Lyra, her eyes holding a depth that belied her age, responded, "Thank you, Mr. Snow. Music has a way of expressing what words alone cannot."

#coriolanus snow x reader #coriolanus snow #x reader #original character #possession

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ginevrastilinski-ocs · 6 months

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New Glee OCs!

When I will I stop making Glee ocs? For sure not today. Most of these live on vibes only but whatever

Veronica "Ronnie" Nell - part of an all-girls band (lead singer); New direction Member; baby lesbian; socially awkward but really nice; Quinn Ship Her fc is Maya Hawke!

Susan Cole - part of the band (guitarist and second voice); Cheerio and New Direction Member; Her faceclaim is Vanessa Morgan!

Harper "Honey" Hayes - part of the band (drummer); not ND Member; called Honey but ain't sweet Her faceclaim is Sophie Thatcher!

Lula Delaney - part of the band (kayboard player); not ND Member; Her faceclaim is Saoise Ronan!

Audrey Clay - part of the band (bassist); not ND Member; into witchy vibes (you should see her room lmao I love her) Her faceclaim is Barbie Ferreira!

Connie Sanchez - future star; joins Glee in season 2 with Sam (but she's a Freshman!); basically just New Directions baby; basically no plot just vibes Her faceclaim is Madison Reyes!

Linda Berry - Rachel's half sister; named after Glinda from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; totally a Diva; oblivious as hell (aka "this girl hates me/ we're total enemies" when the other is highkey in love with her) Her faceclaim is Victoria Justice!

Jennifer Glynn - "Beware The Quiet Ones" Trope Queen; doesn't know how to express feelings bc of shitty parents; angry face is her basic face (Is she angry all the time? No. Does she look like it? Absolutely); doesn't understand why the girl she likes hates her but she's sure she deserves it (no, you don't dear 🥺) Her faceclaim is Liz Gillies!

Melody Wells - Lyra's twin; Little Miss Sunshine; pure vibes Her faceclaim is Dove Cameron!

Lyra Wells - Melody's twin; Little Miss Badass; ready to kill you in any moment lol; just like her sister... pure vibes Her faceclaim is Dove Cameron!

Cosette Chamberlain - Actress; Rich Bitch Energy; her and Cooper briefly dated when they were in high school; still good friends; will eventually end up together again Her faceclaim is Tilly Keeper!

Chrissy Chamberlain - Blaine's best friend (due Cooper and Cosette); Crawford Country Day's student (at least at first); Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold until you piss her off (she can totally kick your ass so don't try it trust me) Her faceclaim is Peyton List!

Carina "Cara" Fabray - Quinn's "less popular and weird" sister; a sweetheart; lowkey acts dumb on purpose; wants to be a photographer; Rachel ship Her faceclaim is Aimee Lou Wood!

Kathleen Bao - Hopeless romantic; firmly believes bakery is a form of art; looks sweet, is sweet, still doesn't take anyone's shit; Artie ship Her faceclaim is Lana Condor!

Garreth Duke - English teacher; sigle father; also basically ND's honorary father; a bit man-child but would die for his honorary kids; Emma Pillsbury ship His faceclaim is Paul Rudd!

Ramona Solomon - Cheerio; McKinley's Queen Bee; lesbian princess who comes from a queer rich family; Quinn ship Her faceclaim is Sarah Jeffery!

Kipp Hudson - Finn's twin brother; silly loveable jock; mainly lives on vibes His faceclaim is Milo Manheim!

#greta's ocs madness era #new ocs #new faceclaim #new fc

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axdently · 1 year

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@grxmincvdescxnce // outside of band practice

she listens to the melodies of music outside of the building. it wasn’t that she wasn’t allowed inside the studio. in reality, Go is typically invited in. unless a CERTAIN band member was around, ( her face, she’d been told, distracted the drummer’s concentrated–– she was used to those ugly looks ) it was free game–– to drown in smoke, let the rhythm take over, and spiral in even more infatuation with Lyra’s voice. and yes, despite being a filthy traitor to the band ( Demon Girlfriend and Hellspire were two sides of a very complicated coin ) she was polite as always–– they hardly knew she was there. but ever since she’d gotten her wires crossed in trouble, well, Parker felt embarrassed to show her face. she blames herself, mostly. officers were ready to work with her clean record – to give her a bargain for her first offense of stealing, but she wasn’t so certain Hellspire would be as welcoming since she’d, of course, cooperated with the law of the land. she was a traitor on two accounts now, of course.

she leans against the building, vibrating to the drum beats as a sense of calm worry over her. what if Lyra was upset with her?

she always loved hearing their music, and despite the lead singers voice missing from the track, she imagines it so vividly in her heart. she mouths the words to the song – a forever fan as she thinks fondly of the front woman caressing the microphone –– she could sing along for the rest of the night... with a twisted smile on her face.

once the side door opens, however, she nearly jumps clear out of her boots. “OH! –– I’m...” her smile twists in a woozy smile. “I’m sorry I just wanted to listen in...” she shoves her hands instinctively in her pockets as the cool wind creates a sway in her stance.

“I probably shouldn’t be here, huh?”

#⸻ 𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒍-𝒊𝒔𝒎𝒔 ; THREADS.#;; GO & LYRA.

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thenewsart · 5 months

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Carlos Lyra, Composer Who Brought Finesse to Bossa Nova, Dies at 90

Carlos Lyra, a Brazilian composer, singer and guitarist whose cool, meticulous melodies helped give structure and power to bossa nova, the samba-inflected jazz style that became a worldwide phenomenon in the early 1960s, died on Dec. 16 in Rio de Janeiro. He was 90. His daughter, the singer Kay Lyra, said the cause of his death, in a hospital, was sepsis. Alongside Antônio Carlos Jobim, Mr. Lyra…

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musicarenagh · 1 year

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Daniel de Boer's "Out of Shadows": A Kaleidoscope of Soul-Rock Bliss It's rare when a record sweeps you off your feet with its easy listening charm and sweet male vocals to transport you into a world of soul rock relaxation. Daniel de Boer achieves just that with his debut album, "Out of Shadows." A kaleidoscope of grooving melodies, super-catchy hooks, and hypnotic rhythms creates a magical alchemy of soft rock and euphoria. Skilfully composed and masterfully executed, this record serves as both the aural equivalent of a warm hug and an exciting adventure through de Boer's creative universe. https://open.spotify.com/album/1Vpa1CmVRRjHNghQ3Cu79y Hailing from the Netherlands, bassist and singer Daniel de Boer realized his dream of composing and recording his own album while attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music's campus in Valencia. During his tenure, he enhanced his musicianship and encountered global talents. The result is a breathtakingly diverse and powerful debut record that pulls you in from the very first note and leaves you craving more. "Out of Shadows" boasts an impressive roster of musicians from over sixteen different countries, transforming it into a transcultural masterpiece that defies traditional genre boundaries. Unusual instruments such as the oud, diatonic accordion, oriental percussion, and lyra are delicately woven into the tapestry of the album's overall sound. This unique integration of world music elements adds depth and richness to the listening experience, easily setting it apart from other contemporary soul-rock offerings. Elevating the captivating instrumentals is the genuine and emotive feeling radiating throughout the album. From the tender yearning expressed in ballads to the infectious upbeat energy of groove-infused anthems, de Boer's velvety vocals soothe the soul, providing solace and comfort amidst our chaotic world. While listening to "Out of Shadows," a soothing calm envelops you, transforming your thoughts and worries into a positive, cheerful mood. Inspired by musical icons like Stevie Wonder and Van Morrison, de Boer balances honoring his influences with creating his unique signature sound. This fusion of soulful rock, and pop sensibilities gifts listeners with a rare treasure that offers moments of escapism, introspection, and pure fun. In conclusion, Daniel de Boer's debut album "Out of Shadows" is not only an impressive introduction to his talents but also a delightful auditory experience to be shared across generations. An intricate tapestry of multicultural influences, groove whispers, and mesmerizing vocals, this record demands to be savored and revisited time and time again. As de Boer emerges from the shadows of the music world, it's clear he's here to capture our hearts and ears with his symphonic embrace. Follow Daniel de Boer on Website, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

#Music #christheblogger #DanieldeBoer #DanieldeBoerOutofShadows #DanieldeBoeroutwithOutofShadows #DanieldeBoerreleasesOutofShadows #DanieldeBoersOutofShadowsAKaleidoscopeofSoulRockBliss #OutofShadows #OutofShadowsbyDanieldeBoer #OutofShadowsDanieldeBoer #OutofShadowsfromDanieldeBoer

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hadestownmodern · 3 years

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Happy Birthday, Persephone

...hey y’all I wrote this literally July 8th 2020 <3 And I was saving it for now, because in this au, Persephone’s birthday was always the first day of spring.

Happy First Day of Spring, y’all.

-A

“Happy Birthday, Persephone.” The words are like velvet on her ears as they roll off her husbands tongue, as she is given permission to open her eyes and take in the site before her.

“Honey I-...” She breathes in sharply through her nose as she looks at the glass windows before her. They are covered in a light brown dust, covered in finger prints, the welcome mat well worn. She cannot see the awning, or the neon sign announcing the name of the shop, but it is a familiar building. Not far from her home, her daughter’s school, or her husbands work, she has passed it a couple hundred times in her life, though it never really stood out as anything spectacular. “Where...are we?”

“Well.” He starts to remove his coat, and with a hand on the small of her back leads her backwards towards the other side of the road so that she can take in the scope of the building before her. “Sometime, oh, probably twenty five years ago, you asked me if I could have been a chef, would I have been? No, you know that. But then I asked you, too, what you would do if you could do anything. And it was a flower shop, remember? It was open a flower shop with your mom.” His other hand rests on her cheek, directing her attention up. “You wanted a flower shop so that you could be with your mom. And have time to be around for our family. Well. Time and fate have been funny to us, haven’t they? But..it isn’t too late for that, is it? Junie’s almost nine…” He lifts her chin so that her eyes can catch on the neon sign above them, in the brilliant neon pink stands her name, in a flourished cursive.

Persephone’s

“You can change the name, if you’d want to. But.. it does belong to you. It’s not far from home, and Junie could walk here after school. And I know it’s important to you to be there to help Eurydice and Orpheus, and this isn’t far from them at all..”

His nervous rambling is cut off by her lips on his, her arms thrown over his shoulders tightly. She pulls away, tears streaming down her face and taking her mascara with them. “You bought me a store?”

“We, of all people, have been reminded how short life is. So why not do what you want to do with that life, right?” It wasn’t advice he was likely to take himself, but with his hands holding his wife’s face, he knew the meaning of the words went beyond career.

She’s beaming in his arms, burying her face into his chest as she laughs, happy, joyful tears running down her face. “Thank you, love.”

“Anything for you, Seph.” Hades murmurs, leaning his head ontop of hers, before rubbing her upper arm comfortingly. “Go ahead. Go inside, tell me what you think.” He encourages before gesturing inside with a nod of his head. “I think you’ll like it.”

Persephone grins and turns to go in, pulling him closely behind her. He hands her a key, one that has been painted white with ornate, colorful flowers covering the face, that is connected to a keychain of a photo of her, her mother, and their daughter taken in a garden nearly eight years prior. She’s shaking as she unlocks the door, adrenaline making it hard to steady her hand. She’s knocked off guard when the glass door pushes open and the voices of her family greet her.

“Surprise”

Surprise comes from the voice of her mother and daughter, who are standing near a display of lillies blossoming in half a dozen colors, identical smiles on their faces. Junie bounds up to her, hugging around her middle before Persephone can take in the next group.

Surprise comes from Hermes, who is standing next to light blue hydrangeas, leaning on the wooden display that says the name of the plant in beautiful script she recognizes as her mother’s.

Surprise comes from Orpheus and Eurydice, surrounded by brilliant, blood red carnations, and their three young daughters, who all beam at her with all the admiration in the world.

Surprise, comes from her family.

“What are you all- how did these get here?” Persephone asks, hands gently combing through Junie’s tight ringlet curls as she embraces her. “These plants, where did you-”

“It’s all your husband,” Demeter admits, approaching her daughter to hug her. “Well, his idea. We’ve been working on the flowers for months but..it was all his idea. I told him it was impossible to get blooming lilies this early, and he insisted he would do it. I didn’t think he’d pull it off.” Demeter kisses Persephone’s cheek, cradling her face in her hands. “We have a lot more coming in this week..but we wanted something here for now… and I think we did a pretty good job. All from local or family owned vendors too. I hate to admit it, but i’m impressed.”

Hades shakes his head playfully as he goes off to talk with Hermes, various conversations about the best companies to use to light the place and provide water lost in the excitement of the room.

Eurydice and Orpheus are next to talk with Persephone, ushering their small herd of little girls with them. Melody and Aria are first, hugging Persephone around her legs, looking up at her with bright, innocent eyes.

“Aria’s very excited for your flowers, Seph.” Orpheus announces, leaning in to hug his pseudo mother while holding one and a half year old Lyra up right. “She can’t wait to color them.”

“I want to organize them,” Melody announces, already running off to join Junie in playing next to the Hydrangeas Hermes had guarded earlier.

“How did you all keep this from me?” Persephone asks, taking little Lyra on to her hip to kiss her little cheek. “How long have you known?”

“Since christmas.” Orpheus admits, wrapping both newly free arms around his wife’s shoulders. “We couldn’t tell you… hades and Amma never would have forgiven us for ruining this.”

“And, besides, you just think when we’re being secretive it’s another baby.” Eurydice teases, reaching out to hug Persephone tightly. “Thank you, Seph. For all you’ve done for all of us. You’ve raised us all, really. You deserve something for you. You deserve to be celebrated. We all love you.”

“Just don’t go stealing my best worker.” Hermes calls out, approaching Persephone with a full champagne glass in his hand, which he quickly deposits in hers. “You can have the singer, I want to keep the girl.” He teases his sister, looking between Orpheus and Eurydice .”Really, we should probably separate them, don’t you think?”

Hermes clears his throat, looking around the room full of their family. He drapes his arms over Persephone’s shoulders as he raises the other champagne glass in his hand. “To Persephone.”

“To Persephone”

#hadestown fanfic #hadestown au #hadestown #persephone fanfic #hades fanfic #hades and persephone #eurydice #orpheus #hadestown modern #hadestown modern au #hold on a little longer everyone bc summer's coming and that means writing time

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dustedmagazine · 3 years

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Dust Volume 7, Number 9

Les Filles de Illighadad

Another collection of short reviews closes out this week at Dusted, with selections ranging from avant garde classical to free jazz to whacko punk to an unusually gender-inclusive guitar band from Niger. Writers this time included the usual stalwarts, Bill Meyer, Ray Garraty, Jennifer Kelly, Jonathan Shaw, Bryon Hayes, Tim Clarke, Andrew Forell and Chris Liberato. Enjoy.

All Set — All Set (RogueArt)

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In 1957, serialist composer Milton Babbitt’s All Set applied his language-transforming compositional tool kit to the sonic resources of a jazz orchestra. Six decades and change down the road, such ideas haven’t exactly infiltrated the mainstream of either jazz or orchestral music, but they’ve become as handy for some music makers as hammers and nails are for carpenters. So, when saxophonic colleagues Ingrid Laubrock (who sticks to tenor here) and Stéphane Payen (playing the straight alto) needed to come up with a framework to make music together, out came Babbitt’s notion, which they did not play straight, but used as a suggestions for writing their own tunes, and for good measure named their band after the Babbitt’s piece The formative influence manifests in zig-zagging intervallic leaps, but instead of treating these of ends in themselves, the saxophonists carry on constant overlapping dialogues. The rhythm section of Chris Tordini (bass) and Tom Rainey (drums) can’t help but swing, but they do so in a shifting, discontinuous fashion that occasionally leaves it to the saxophonists to play the gaps as well as the horns they use the fill them.

Bill Meyer

Rodrigo Amado Motion Trio & Alexander Von Schlippenbach — The Field (No Business)

The Field by Rodrigo Amado Motion Trio & Alexander von Schlippenbach

Motion Trio is one of tenor saxophonist Rodrigo Amado’s more enduring combos. But it’s not one that has played often in the years preceding this concert, a consequence of the growth and success of its members; Amado, cellist Miguel Mira and drummer Gabriel Ferrandini all keep busy with other projects. So, this encounter with pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach, which took place in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2019, was not just a reenactment of the trio’s favorite tactic of improvising with a strong fourth musician, but a reunion of the trio itself. This means that the process-oriented can listen for three comrades finding reviving a common language at the same time that they confront with an outsider’s efforts to deal with it. Schlippenbach’s playing brings an unusual harmonic density to Motion Trio’s music, which seems to coax an especially dynamic and at times reflective response from the saxophonist. Ferandini, on the other hand, proposes shapes and timbres that seem to build out from Schlippenbach’s intricate constructions, while Mira keeps up a steady, almost subliminal stream of contrapuntal commentary that is simultaneously assertive and nearly subliminal. But some of the concert’s most exciting moments come when the pianist lays out for a second, and you can hear Motion Trio’s members responding to each other.

Bill Meyer

BangGang Lonnie Bands — H2K On the Way (TF Entertainment \ Anti Media)

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Lots of artists have watched small projects intended only as appetizers grow to surpass their grander efforts. BangGang Lonnie Bands’ recent work, especially his King of Detroit albums, contained a few gems but were bloated in length. There was an ironic twist, as Lonnie’s claimed the throne to the city where he no longer resides. While it remains to be seen what the rapper brings after H2K On the Way, this 15 minutes long EP is his leanest work in years, leaving a long list of LPs behind. Lonnie no longer flirts with scam rap and returns to murder music, fusing gutsiest Michigan-style punchlines with no hostage Californian approach to verse spitting. He’s the naughtiest when he’s trolling the music industry: “Copped a 100 pounds of crank \ should have bought a verse from Drake.”

Ray Garraty

Buffalo Daughter — We Are the Times (Anniversary)

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Buffalo Daughter always caught in the cracks between mainstream and experimental, layering vocal sweetness over chopped up blippy beats, not as wildly original as OOIOO, but not exactly girl pop either. This latest album comes after a long break and a slightly less lengthy COVID lockdown, and it’s got some prickly, dreamy jams, part dance, part pop, part funk, part inscrutable. “ET (Densha)” is the mad, moody single, full of low-end synth blasts and thundering drums, but leavened by high whispery vocals. It’s like Shackleton sound-tracking a Hello Kitty movie. “Global Warming Will Kill Us All” is similarly ominous, with vocoder chants and trippy pop choruses and blown out by phosphorescent blots of synth, but I like “Don’t Punk Out” the best, because it struts like an animatronic James Brown, the funk percolating through gleaming futuristic swells of sounds. If disco’s going to come back, can it be this weird and disorienting?

Jennifer Kelly

Fashion Pimps and the Glamazons — Jazz 4 Johnny (Feel It Records)

Jazz 4 Johnny by Fashion Pimps And The Glamazons

This new EP from Fashion Pimps and the Glamazons manages to fit into the tradition of whacko punk records from Cleveland (and what a tradition that is…) and to comment on the problematic nature of tradition itself. There’s a decided No Wave vibe to Jazz 4 Johnny: listen to it, and you’ll flash on Buy Contortions and on Robert Quine’s attempts to channel Miles Davis and Pharoah Sanders through his guitar. At points you’ll swear there’s a sax somewhere in the buzz and thunder that the Fashion Pimps create — but that’s just Richard Glamazon’s skronky guitar tone, which does Quine one better by not only aping the cadences of a free jazz solo but also the sound of a brassy axe. That’s fun, but we should also recall No Wave’s sharp antipathies for concepts like “tradition” or “perpetuity.” A lot of those bands wanted to neutralize their own existence and thus evade the ultimately conservative action of canonization. Other tunes on Jazz 4 Johnny are more engaged with the later Downtown noise rock scene. The guitar on “Dream Police” gestures toward early Sonic Youth—but even there, the band can’t quite help themselves. Vocalist Steve Chainsaw shouts, “Show me your DNA!” Most of those references are based in Manhattan, so what about Cleveland? The city often recedes into the background when conversations turn to rock-n-roll history, which is too bad. Fashion Pimps and the Glamazons don’t sound all that much like electric eels or Pere Ubu, but the band is tuned into a similarly feral, post-industrial ethos and an avant-garde sensibility that makes anti-art into art you can dance to. Or break things to. Or both. Which may be the best response to the wild and smart tunes on this record.

Jonathan Shaw

Les Filles de Illighadad — At Pioneer Works (Sahel Sounds)

At Pioneer Works by Les Filles de Illighadad

The entrancing At Pioneer Works documents the American touring debut of Niger-based Tuareg ensemble Les Filles de Illighadad, specifically a pair of shows at the eponymous Brooklyn venue. Travelling as a four-piece ensemble, the band created a swirling three-guitar maelstrom, as captured on this pristine-sounding recording. Founder Fatou Seidi Ghali — the first known woman Tuareg guitarist — and her cousin Alamnou Akrouni were joined by Fatimata Ahmadelher, the only other known woman Tuareg guitarist, with Ghali’s brother accompanying on rhythm guitar. Blending the traditional calabash drum and call-and-response vocals of the tende song form with the electric guitar, Ghali and company steep the communal origins of their sound with a gentle clangor. The music is simultaneously hypnotic and driving, the four performers acting as one multi-limbed, multi-throated being. For the most part, Ghali is content setting the pace and playing along with the melody. One exception is the trio of deftly executed solos during “Chakalan,” where she demonstrates her prowess with six strings. Reports from those Brooklyn shows indicate that the band completely enraptured their audience, and if At Pioneer Works represents only a fraction of how powerful Les Filles de Illighadad are live, this writer doesn’t doubt that at all.

Bryon Hayes

Henri Guédon — Karma (Outre National)

Karma by Henri Guédon

You don’t have to be a big fan of R.E.M. to feel overly familiar with “It’s The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).” In dire times, it’s such an easy go-to tune that even adherence to lockdown prescriptions won’t keep it out of your ears. So, deejays, we’ve done your research for you, and found a new tune to soundtrack defiant frugging in the face of disaster. It’s called “Fin Di Mond,” by Martinique-based singer/percussionist/sculptor Henri Guédon. It, and eight more similarly motion-motivating tunes, can be found on Karma, a predominantly celebratory set of retro-futuristic, Franco-Caribbean grooves. Mind you, this music wasn’t retro when Guédon recorded it 46 years ago; the synth lines that swoop through its massed percussion were probably the height of modernity back in the day. Heard now, this music is just the thing to put time itself on pause.

Bill Meyer

HTRK — Rhinestones (Heavy Machinery)

Rhinestones by HTRK

Rhinestones is a sneaky one from Melbourne’s HTRK, a slight but incisive release that seems minor compared to their previous albums but cuts just as deep. Running to a brutally economical 26 minutes, most of the album is built around delayed guitar, drum machine and Jonnine Standish’s ghostly, dejected voice. To a world laid low by the pandemic, Standish sounds startlingly apposite for these times, and track titles like “Sunlight Feels Like Bee Stings,” “Real Headfuck” and “Straight to Hell” signpost the vibe clearly. This is sad, skeletal music, sure to offer a degree of solace if you’re weary, wrung out or wasted — 2021 in a nutshell.

Tim Clarke

Matt Jencik — Matt & Lyra (Trouble In Mind)

Matt & Lyra by matt jencik

Matt Jencik is a member of doomy, spacey Chicago band Implodes, plus he’s released two solo guitar albums: 2017’s Weird Times and 2019’s Dream Character. For his latest, Matt & Lyra, part of Trouble In Mind’s Explorers Series, Jencik focuses on the thick, fuzzy tones of the Russian-built Lyra-8 synthesizer (hence the album title). Having said that, he does pull out his guitars to add some acoustic strumming to “Cmellow Ayellow,” and builds 16-minute closer “Clandestine Half Pipe” around electric guitar drones before the Lyra begins to dominate the frame. Jencik apparently made this music to help him sleep, and while this music is suited to nocturnal listening, with an all-enveloping warmth, there’s also the sense of something looming in the darkness. Whether this presence is reassuring or threatening probably depends on the frame of mind with which you approach this immersive 35-minute release.

Tim Clarke

Joakim — Second Nature (Tiger Sushi)

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French producer and Tiger Sushi founder Joakim’s Second Nature is a reflection on the state of the world. It combines samples of whales, elephants, toads and other wildlife with the kind of pop facing ambient techno from aughts chillout compilations. It is testament to his skill as a producer that the record doesn’t wear out its welcome despite the occasional lapse into the anodyne and the associations this kind of gentle background music evokes. When Joakim disturbs the tranquility on tracks like “Sferics & Whistlers” with its crackles of static and breakdown of discordant notes, Angel Bat Dawid’s klezmatic clarinet on “Waves Ahead” and the komische roll of “Kepler-39” that one is jolts from reverie and pays close attention, but at 16 tracks it feels like Second Nature needs more such moments.

Andrew Forell

The Killing Popes — Ego Kills (Shhpuma)

Ego Kills by The Killing Popes

Thank god this unfortunately named combo isn’t someone’s absurd scheme to crossbreed the sounds of Killing Joke and Smoking Popes. Instead, the Berlin-based project exists at the crossroads of jazz and electronics. I know what you’re thinking, and no this isn’t a modern take on acid jazz; this crew makes a jazz-on-acid sort of racket. The core Popes are drummer-percussionist Oli Steidle and multi-instrumentalist Dan Nicholls, who together conjure up a brew with a myriad of ingredients. Their genre-defying fusion of disciplines does have a center, however. Steidle’s dextrous drumming and the elastic band bass proffered by Phil Donkin serve as an anchor point for the other elements — both melodic and bizarre — to revolve around. The addition of vocals inserts the sense of narrative, creating a gravity that tugs at the sounds and prevent them from spiralling out of orbit. As zany as Ego Kills may be, it’s jazz-like enough for afficionados to appreciate. On their own, each of the instrumentalists demonstrates a mastery of their craft; together, they create an uncanny sort of magic.

Bryon Hayes

Norman W. Long — BLACK BROWN GRAY GREEN (Hausu Mountain)

BLACK BROWN GRAY GREEN by Norman W. Long

Chicago soundscapist Norman W. Long walks his southeast Chicago neighborhood, listens deeply and records the ambient sounds of nature, the echoes of railyards, wasteland and industrial sites both working and abandoned. Adding subtle electronics and treatments to his field recordings, Long conjures atmospheres that speak to space, atrophy and the delicate symbiosis between nature and humanity. On BLACK BROWN GRAY GREEN he immerses listeners in the often unnoticed aural richness at the intersection of the built, neglected and the natural. His choices about when to augment or to present his sources as are forms a narrative of associations, displacements and tensions. Long’s is also a story of reclamation and recognition, a rumination on the situation of the largely minority and migrant populations who live in the neighborhood, many of whom toil as essential workers across the city in the face of ongoing prejudice and hostility. Site specificity is integral to Long’s art but his themes are universal.

Andrew Forell

Andy Moor — Music For Safe Piece (Unsounds)

Music For Safe Piece by Andy Moor

Music For Safe Piece is the antidote for every piece of children’s music that’s ever made you want to not hear another played or sung note, ever again. Electric guitarist Andy Moor (the Ex, Dog Faced Hermans) and dancer Valentina Campora have included their sons, Elio and Milo, in onstage performance ever since they were so young, they had to be swaddled and strapped to one of their parents in order to participate. The recorded results of this shared adventure are raw, unpredictable and exhilarating. Moor’s guitar, occasionally augmented by a child’s vocalization, a foot pounding the floor or some choice tune fragments on a cassette tape, blazes a trail of reverberations, scrapes and wobbles. In performance, the boys are known to get in on the act, helping pop to make his sounds while mom handles the movement. This music isn’t particularly pacific, but it’s pretty close to the way kids actually play when no one’s stopping them. The technologically adept will find a QR code inside the CD’s gatefold, which unlocks the short film, “Safe Piece.”

Bill Meyer

RXM Reality — Advent (Orange Milk)

Advent by RXM REALITY

Long-time Hausu Mountain dweller Mike Meegan has relocated to the Orange Milk abode, taming his frenetic brand of electronic mayhem in the process. The blown-out, off-the-grid beats are still plentiful, but with Advent Meegan injects his tunes with melody. He’s also allowed himself to slow down and relax. The vast expanse of “Character Limit” literally breathes deeply as Meegan allows it to swirl around. He drinks up the pleasant melodic aromas of the track before switching gears and unloading burst after burst of explosive beats. “These Days” comes off as an electro-shoegaze hybrid, with gauzy synth pads that float effortlessly among bouncy percussion clusters. Of course, the signature RXM Reality sound — a hybrid of 1990s video game and blockbuster movie — is present and accounted for in tracks like “Allure,” “Screaming,” and “Grip of Evil.” Yet even these balls of energy are tempered with shades of consonance. Having blunted some of the jagged edges of his frantic brand of electronic music, Meegan fits in nicely among the kooky ranks of the Orange Milk imprint.

Bryon Hayes

Macie Stewart — Mouth Full of Glass (Orindal)

Mouth Full of Glass by Macie Stewart

You might already know Macie Stewart as one-half of the complicated indie rock duo Ohmme or for her regular appearances as violinist of choice in Chicago jazz and experimental music scenes, but this solo LP shows another side. These eight songs are lushly, intricately arranged with strings, orchestral instruments and brass, recorded with precision and clarity, but nonetheless personal and introspective. “Garter Snake” sheathes flaying honesty with baroque instrumental flourishes. Stewart’s voice is bare and unaffected as she confides, “I am addicted…to indecision,” but she makes riveting choices in framing the melody. Old-fashioned movie strings swell in the spaces between talking-right-to-you verses; agile guitar chords mark time. “Finally” begins in bare, Bahian guitar play, as Stewart’s voice flutters and floats an unpredictable but fetching tune. Strings swoop in at the end of the phrase, lavish and lucid. The title track unlooses massed, harmonized vocals on the spare architecture of picked guitar, a shock of extravagant sung beauty in an otherwise restrained palette. Like Wendy Eisenberg, but with different instruments, Stewart weaves post-modern complexity into the delicate fabric of pop songs. The difficulty — combined with the beauty — makes this music memorable.

Jennifer Kelly

Stingray — Feeding Time (La Vida es un Mus)

Feeding Time by Stingray

In places where heavy music is played and endlessly debated, 1982 might be most strongly associated with English street punk — see the ersatz “genre” of UK82, which enshrines the year and ties it to acid green liberty spikes and scuffed Doc Martens. Fair enough. But street punk was thoroughly informed by the dirty working-class metal being made by bands like Motörhead and Venom, and this new EP by Stingray celebrates those noisy intersections of influence. Of course, Stingray’s version of celebration likely involves several cases of Bass Ale, an eightball of something white and a fistfight or two. Or five. The English band features members of other current hard-driving acts, including Subdued, the Chisel and Chain of Flowers, but Stingray doesn’t prize currency. The songs are short, hard and nasty, landing their punches like a “Bomber” and also like a bunch of “Death Dealers.” The guys in Stingray understand the past they’re drawing on, but does music like this have a future? Fuck knows. Do any of us have a future? Does the earthball? The tunes are less interested in such flights of existential angst, and more intent on their rapacious appetites for speed, sweat and raunch. It’s Feeding Time. Get it while you can.

Jonathan Shaw

Nick Storring — Newfoundout (Mappa)

Newfoundout by Nick Storring

You’ll miss some towns if you blink. The ones that have given their names to the compositions on Newfoundout might confound both eyesight and your GPS, since they are all ghost towns in Ontario, Canada. The music that Nick Storring has made to go with these titles is correspondingly elusive. Performed entirely by the composer, using strings, percussion and whatever bric-a-brac happened to be at hand, it is by turns lush, staccato and propulsive. “The sounds are never particularly difficult, but they rarely telegraph where they’re going, so if you listen passively, sooner or later you’ll look up in dismay, wondering how things got from where they were to where they are now. “Khartum,” for example, starts out sounding a lot like “In A Silent Way,” and finishes up sounding like a respectfully paced conference of grandfather clock chimes. So, put your head back and your ears forward, and let Mr. Storring do the driving.

Bill Meyer

Ten Ka — Sonic Geometry: Structures, Patterns And Forms (Jersika)

sonic geometry: structures, patterns and forms by TEN KA

Ten Ka is experimental side project of Deniss Pashkevich, a Latvian woodwinds player. The album title’s invocation of mathematics is apt, since this music is produced by dissimilar musical values acting upon each other. Pashkevich’s sound on tenor sax is full and soft around the edges, which is probably what it takes to be a working musician in a part of the world that doesn’t have much of a jazz tradition; on flutes, and especially the Bansuri, he hints at a far Eastern vibe. He also plays Fender Rhodes and prepared acoustic piano, bringing in further elements of user-friendly jazz, but also some sharp, Cage-y edges. But most of the nine tracks on Sonic Geometry: Structures, Patterns And Forms feature modular synths, which provide a foundation of pulsing bass patterns and some intriguing disruptive, acidic sizzles. It all adds up to something simultaneously familiar and out of the ordinary.

Bill Meyer

Luis Vicente / Vasco Trilla — Made Of Dust (577 Records)

Made of Mist by Luis Vicente & Vasco Trilla

Not many improvisational settings are more exposed that the drums and trumpet duet. The two instruments are sufficiently different in timbre and frequency range that you can’t help but hear everything each player does, and also how those actions fit together. Trumpeter Luis Vicente and percussionist Vasco Trilla approach this situation with a combination of relaxed consideration and wholly earned confidence. Vicente can power-play when necessary, but for this session, he exercises restraint, using mutes to extract the most lyrical and vocal sounds he can muster. Trilla likewise seeks out the extremities of his kit, drawing continuous ribbons of widely differing characters, such as the alarm clock-like clatter and low-scrubbed drumskin heard on “Swirling Mist.” Their interactions are not just sonically novel, but trusting and deeply intimate.

Bill Meyer

Simon Waldram — So It Goes (Self-released)

So It Goes by Simon Waldram

Simon Waldram’s refrain-heavy eighth solo album, So It Goes, is a song cycle on love, loss and acceptance influenced by classic indie pop bands like The Field Mice, The Fat Tulips and The Go-Betweens. Indeed, it was the Grant McLennan-channelling “Don’t Worry,” a plaintive reassurance to a past lover, that initially caught my attention. But “I Miss The Sun” betters it, really laying on the Hammond, and squeezing in something noticeably absent from the other songs: a bridge. “When will we see the lull again/Feels like these dark days will never end,” Waldram sings, reestablishing buoyancy as it winds down repeating the title phrase. There’s promise elsewhere, like on the 1960’s-flavored psych strummer “Boats In The Sky,” before it lifts its bow in harmonic repetition a few too many times without checking its fuel gauge first, stranding itself in the firmament. “The Wild Wanderings of Wildebeests” is another one with potential, but its flawless first verse’s worth of strum and fuzz just recurs instead of building towards something of greater impact. The record hits its lowest point on the nearly nine-minute “Windswept,'' a “Primitive Painters'' rip that goes nowhere productive. When Waldram starts repeating ad infinitum “I miss you so much/ I can’t let go of this dream of ours,” you wish you could step in and save him from himself. A pleasant enough acoustic instrumental with birdsong follows in the form of “One May Afternoon,” serving as a much-needed palate cleanser and bridging the gap to the album’s closer. However, “Shimmer” is another moaner that never quite rounds into shape and instead fades out and then, unremarkably, back in. There’s an EP’s worth of good material on So It Goes, but as an album it only ends up burning itself with the flame its carrying, leaving the listener wondering, “Who hurt you, Simon?”

Chris Liberato

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thatreallyminecraftsmygender · 4 years

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Hermitcraft folk music au, because fuck it!

Joe - Irish fiddle

Wels - multi-insturmentalist, acordian, guitar fiddle and flute, mostly plays French boureé music

Ren and iskall - Spanish guitar duets, iskall on rhythm and Ren in melody

Stress - singer and dancer, mostly centered around ceilidhs and Scottish songs, which paired surprisingly well with wels' prefered style

Cleo - dancer and fiddlest - Irish

Grian - a naturally talented dancer who ended up being taught by Cleo, they often do dance duets to joes jigs

Beef - very new to music but a talented cajone player, he was introduced to drumming by Wels who noticed how complicated the rhythms where he tapped out when listening to them play

Impulse - Creten bazookey player

Tango - was taught Creten dancing by impulse after he and Zed stumbled on him playing one day and turned out to be suprisingly good at it! He seemrd to pick up the Feel of the lopsided music naturally and confessed he used to listen to a lot of Balkan music when he was growing up

Zed - vocalist and Lyra player after he heard impulse play and wanted to join in. He used to play cello but fell out of love with the instrument after taking exams in it, so picked up the bowed Lyra pretty quickly.

Feel free to add on especially if you know stuff about other types of folk music!!

I actually have a completely different draft of this post detailing how people ended up going to the folk nights and who plays what but it ended up very long and essentially a poorely written fic so ive drafted it, if people are interested in it I might post it later

Sometimes I make niche posts for me alone,l

#hermitcraft #vintage beef #zombiecleo #joehills #grian #stressmonster #zedaph #tango tek #impulsesv #hermitcraft au #folk music au #rendog #iskall85 #hdc

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justanothertiredwriter · 3 months

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Melody was folded up in one of the large arm chairs with a lore book under her nose in an attempt to continue the boys’ research into alternative and pocket dimensions; even in heaven they were more Gabriel’s forte. But of course the operative word here was “attempt”, as even an archangel’s concentration could be broken when one of her charges wouldn’t stop tossing and turning on the frakin’ couch. “You know I could just put you to sleep if you wanted.”

A deep sigh came from the pull-out as Sam rolled onto his back. “Sorry. I just…can’t sleep.”

“The offer still stands.” Mel deadpanned.

“Don’t waste your grace on me, Mel. It’s just insomnia.” Melody had to resist the urge to smack her friend and explain to him that even cut off from heaven Archangels had virtually limitless power, because frankly this wasn’t the time for arguing.

“But it’s not just that, isn’t it?” Sam glanced at his friend before turning his gaze back to the ceiling. Of course it wasn’t. “C’mon, Sammy, you know how this goes.”

“Except I don’t.”

AND NEITHER DO I CUZ THAT"S WHERE THE FUCKING WORD DOCUMENT CUTS OFF FUCK YOU 2019 ME!!!!!

#sam winchester #oc #original character #melody lyra singer #yes her name started out as a joke and just stuck #just like your mom #spn fanfic #fic excerpt #original angel character #ignore this #kinda a vent post #spn

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yougotamusicalfriend · 4 years

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This week’s set of songs:

“Maria Ninguém”: This bossa nova song was originally written by Brazilian songwriters Carlos Lyra and Carlos Coutinho in 1956, but it became famous thanks to João Gilberto’s version, that was published in his 1959 album, “Chega de Saudade”. It’s a beautiful song about this “Maria” girl, who is so unique that she doesn’t even have a surname, she’s literally called “No one Mary”. Every time I listen to this cheerful and relaxed song I get in such a nice mood!

=>Spotify version: https://open.spotify.com/search/maria%20nin

=>Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9i60MF48UM

“Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”: It was composed by Bob Dylan in 1962 and published in 1963 in “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan”, one of his first original albums, that led him to become a legend of folk and country. It’s a classic folk song, with lots of pain and sorrow about a lost love: it talks about relationships that didn’t go quite as planned, about hard goodbyes and the difficulties of ending a love story. The singer is profoundly harmed, but, as the title says, he doesn’t want to blame anyone for anything, and so he doesn’t think twice about what could have been: he accepts the truth, and moves on. This is one of my favourite Bob Dylan’s songs: it brings me lots of peace of mind (which I need, a lot), and reminds me that I shouldn’t torture myself by reliving every mistake I’ve ever made. I’m allowed to just not think twice, because it’s all right.

=>Spotify version: https://open.spotify.com/album/0o1uFxZ1VTviqvNaYkTJek

=>Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Y3KfJs6T0

“Vltava”: This is a classical symphonic, composed by the Czech writer Smetana in 1874. It’s part of a set of symphonic poems called “Má Vlast”, which means “My home”. Each of them describes a different part of Bohemia, Smetana’s region of origin in the Czech Republic. The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, and this poem describes its course in a very singular and magic way. The original version is played by a whole orchestra, but I personally prefer this amazing harp version by French musician Valérie Milot. I listen to this when I need to get “inspired” for some school work, or when I just want to relax to the rhythm of this sweet and long river. I assure you that you can almost feel the water running through your body as you listen to this marvellous interpretation. (Fun fact: the melody was delivered to the State of Israel so that they could use it as their national anthem)

=>Spotify version: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0yhj0lwL57DRF6PuMyDyZV

=>Youtube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYCW8eWqQo&list=RDMMvVTPbLhlbfI&index=4

Let me know what you thought of these songs!

#music #musicians #classical #folk #bossanova #joao gilberto #bob dylan #moldau #Smetana #set of songs #melodies #rhythmxflow #relaxing sounds #enjoy #history #culture #lovesongs #heartbreaksongs

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melodyalanaroster · 5 years

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Confession

"Nathaniel, what is so dangerous that you have to hold me at arm’s length? We’ve been dating for a while... We’ve even made love... And yet, you still won’t tell me what you’ve gotten yourself into. Please, tell me.” she begged. “I can’t Alana, I don’t want you to get involved.” “But, why? I can help you. Whatever it is, I can handle it.” “You need to rest and relax. You’ve spent so long saving the world, now I need you to save yourself. Let me handle my affairs.” “How long will it take?” “I don’t know. But, until then, you and I can’t see each other as much.” He could see her heart breaking, the tears welling up in her eyes. “N-Nathaniel... No... I just got you back... I can’t lose you!” she babbled. “It’s just until this is sorted.” he attempted to reassure her as he kissed her forehead and walked off, leaving her in the park, alone. “N-Nathaniel... N-No... N-Not a-again... Not again... Not again... Nathaniel!” she began to cry.

"That bastard!” Derek yelled as he hit a wall. “Surely he has a good explanation.” Lyra remarked. “He made our Melody cry! He fucked her and dumped her!” Derek’s fury continued to build. “What if he’s trying to protect her? Just like when she broke up with him to protect him from her enemies?” Nora pondered. “But she’s OUR Melody! She’s one of the most powerful and dangerous people on the planet! She can handle whatever he’s into!” Derek yelled. “I think it’s almost poetic.” Renee commented. “How in the hell is it poetic?!” Derek boomed. “Think about it... Nathaniel knows full well what Melody is, he knows that she can save him from what he’s into... But! His first and foremost desire is to keep her safe. I’m sure he will tell her what’s wrong when the separation causes the agony in his heart to reach a critical mass.” Renee explained. “And while we’re all waiting for that to happen... She’s up there, in her domain, crying her eyes out and losing her warmth... She’s returning to being cold.” Veronica sighed.

A few days later, a little witch paid Alana a visit. “I’m sorry Chani, I’m just not into it.” Alana sighed. Chani had been poking Alana to see what was wrong, why the life had left her eyes, but Alana wasn’t ready to tell her. So, she tried to find ways to keep her distracted but nothing ever worked. She knew she wasn’t the only one who knew something was wrong... She noticed that even Mr. Zaidi had asked her if she was okay during class, to which Alana replied “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”... She had to do something... “I think it would be good for you. Please.” She spoke softly and chose her words carefully. Alana thought for a minute, she knew Chani meant well... Hell, out of all of her friends outside the Tower, Chani had been the one trying the hardest. “Okay, let’s go.” she sighed as she began following her friend.

As they approached the Snake Room, Alana stopped. “Really? Here?” she asked. She looked at the crowd and the security detail. “It doesn’t look like it’s open to the public.” she commented. “Yeah... I feel like it’s a private party.” Chani affirmed. “Let’s crash it.” Alana smirked as they walked up to the front of the line, ignoring the group of people cussing them out as they stood before the bouncer. “Names.” The bouncer demanded. “Lady Melody of the R.D.R and this is my guest.” Alana replied. “That’s cute. But, unless you’re willing to show me proof that you’re actually Lady Melody, I’m not letting you in.” The bouncer commented. “Are you fucking kidding me? The fact that the color has left the faces of the people standing at the front of the line and the fear that has washed over them should be enough proof.” The disgust and insult in Alana’s voice was very apparent. “How stupid. Death Herself stands before you and you demand she show proof of who she is before letting her and her friend inside our party.” A voice called from inside the building. “Castiel! And just what the fuck is this?” Alana demanded. “Come in and see.” He grinned as he held out his hand. “You’d better give one hell of an explanation.” She smirked as she and Chani followed him inside. When they entered into the bar, the rest of Crowstorm looked at Alana and smiled. “Hey! Look who it is!” “Lady Melody! It’s great to see you again!” “I never thought I’d see you at one of these things!” “It’s good to see you Alana!” the band all greeted. “Alana, have you met the band before?” Chani asked. “It’s a long story.” Alana replied. “Miss Roster! What an absolute pleasure to have you at our party! I was almost afraid that you wouldn’t come!” The agent grinned as they walked up to them. “I wasn’t invited.” Alana clarified. “Yes, you were. Castiel was instructed to invite you directly, as you two are friends.” Alana looked at Castiel curiously. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Castiel looked down. “I didn’t think you’d come. You’ve been very preoccupied lately and I didn’t think this kind of thing was your scene.” “If I had known, I might have shown up of my own choosing... But, I will admit, it was Chani that brought me out tonight.” Castiel turned to Chani. “What convinced you to bring her out?” Chani smiled. “She’s not been herself lately, I thought a night out would be good for her.” Castiel turned serious and looked at Alana. “What did that idiot do?” Alana looked down. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

As the party went on, Chani told Alana that she was going home and that she should stay and hang out with Castiel more, that it would be good to take her mind off what’s been bothering her. Alana was instructed to sit down on a couch closest to the band. “This really isn’t my scene.” She thought as she looked around at the girls surrounding her. “These girls are all fake.” She thought. She could tell that these girls were all trying too hard. Faces caked on with makeup, clothes purposely chosen to be revealing, figures that proved that they all clearly needed to desperately eat a sandwich, and their body language emitted a sense of competition. “It’s as if they’re all broodmares whose sole desire is to be chosen and fucked by Castiel. Pathetic. The fact that his agent requested that I sit with them is a fucking insult.” she thought. “I knew this wasn’t your scene.” Castiel sighed as he walked up to her. “And yet, I’m still here to support my friend.” Alana answered. “Let’s get out of here.” He grinned. “I think that’s the first smart thing you’ve said all night.” She chuckled as she got up from the couch and followed him out of the building.

As they talked he led her through the park and to an apartment building, a much nicer one than the one she remembered him living in in High School. “I see you’ve upgraded.” she commented. “It’s not as much of an upgrade as what you’ve gotten, but it’s nice.” Alana chuckled. “Is that like when I showed you my R.D.R dorm and said “It’s not much, but it’s home.”?” Castiel chuckled as he took off his jacket and turned the music on. “You could say that.” He walked over to her and motioned for them to sit down on the bed. “Alana.” He lightly growled the desire in his eyes becoming apparent. “Uh.... Cas? What do you think you’re doing?” “You need a distraction... Maybe, I could be that distraction... At least... For one night.” He began running his hand along her leg. “You’re joking, right?” Alana pulled away from his touch. “It’s just a proposition.” He ran his hand through her hair as if to straighten it. “Cas... I...” “Is Nathaniel waiting for you tonight? Do you have something else planned...? Now? In the middle of the night?” The sound of Nathaniel’s name saddened her. “N-No...” He moved closer to her, so close that she caught the subtle scent of his skin. He pushed the strands of hair covering her neck away. “We could have fun...” He moved closer to her, his lips getting dangerously close to hers. His eyes staring intensely at hers. “Are you fucking kidding me? He knows I’m loyal to Nathaniel and yet he’s still pulling this shit? I don’t care if he is hot, and our friend, this is wrong and he knows it.” She thought. “No Castiel. I don’t want this.” She stated as she stood up. “Alana. You know how I feel about you. That’s why I treat you different from the other girls.” “Oh, yeah, really different. That’s why your agent insisted I sit with all of those skanks at the party. That’s why you brought me home and thought it was perfectly okay to suggest a one night stand. Even if I wasn’t loyal to Nathaniel, I’d back hand you for this on the premise of the severe lack of basic human decency.” “Nathaniel does nothing but hurt you! How can you still love him?!” “I know he doesn’t mean any harm by it. For god’s sake Castiel! He’s gone through a lot and is still walking through Hell! And up until recently, he’s had to do it mostly alone!” Fury began coursing through her as she began walking to the door. “Alana! Don’t!” He boomed as he grasped for her hand. “Don’t you dare fucking touch me!” Her glasses immediately turned dark with the blue glow showing where her pupils were supposed to be. “Alana.” He immediately looked defeated. “And I’ll have you know that the trope where the lead singer of the band gets poisoned by a pretty girl in a music video has been done before. Your latest video is a fucking cliche!” She yelled as she threw the door open and slammed it shut.

When she got back to her apartment, she noticed Nathaniel pacing in front of her door. He looked at her, his eyes filled with pain. “He came back.” she thought as a wave of relief washed over her. “I wanted to be sure not to miss you. I thought you’d never get home...” “What are you doing here?” “I wanted to see you. I ran into Derek, Lyra and Nora in the lobby. Derek wanted to kick my ass and kick me out of the building... But the girls let me come up here anyway. I figured it would be best to just wait out here rather than going inside to wait for you.” Alana smiled. “I’m glad to see you.” “Really? I don’t deserve that smile.” “No, you’re right, you don’t deserve it. But, something tells me that you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important, so, come on... I need to get comfy and I’m sure you don’t wanna spend the entire night out here.” She sighed as she opened the door and lead them inside.

She lead them to her bedroom, where she took off her shoes and stood before him. “Alright, explain yourself.” Nathaniel looked heartbroken. “I screwed up. I should never have left you. The past few weekends... What’s happened the past few weekends has been... I haven’t experienced something so intense in years... The last time was with you, before you moved away. I wish all my weekends could be like that. If I could, I’d be at your door every night. I want all of my weekends to belong to you. I want you.” “I-It’s hard, Nathaniel. Are you coming back so you can leave better? You shatter my heart every time.” “That won’t happen again.” “Oh? Really?” She cocked her head out of curiosity. “You ended things with me to protect you from your enemies as you rose to power. Now, I’ve been trying to protect you from mine while you attempt to regain normalcy. I couldn’t put you at risk.” “Please, feel free to elaborate.” “I worked for a huge cartel around here. And now they’re out to get me. They threatened to kill me and if I don’t keep working with them they... they...” he began to get choked up, the sadness ravaging it’s way across his face. “Alana, they’re capable of all kinds of things. I’m afraid they’ll come after you. That’s why I stopped everything. I didn’t want to give them the chance to use you against me. To use you period. I screwed up, all these years, I made all the wrong choices. And you reminded me what it’s like to be good, and now it’s too late. It’s much too late.” He flung himself to the floor, wrapping his arms around her. “Please let me tell you. I’m finally ready to.” “Nath...” Seeing him shaking and wrapping his arms around her, tears welled up in her eyes. “Nath... Come on... Sit on the bed...”

When they both sat down, he made sure he was facing her and she took his hand in hers. “It started after high school. I found myself having to get by on my own, financially. My mother kept sending me money, alone, against my father’s will. Then we had a really violent argument one day, about how she was managing my sister’s modeling career... From then on, I had to get by on my own. One day... I ran into the wrong people, a little like you in that alley... The guys were dealing and they spotted me. I tried to negotiate with them to get myself out of there. I promised them they could make even more money. I thought I had been clever, but ever since that day, they’ve never left me alone. Their leader used me to develop the market, to climb the ladder.” “And you haven’t gone to the authorities because you don’t want to risk going to prison.” “Exactly.” “So? Are you an actual dealer? Or just an adviser?” “At first, I was just an adviser. It was convenient for me, I got paid too... The things got out of hand... I started giving orders to some of the guys who worked for us. And without realizing it, I ended up managing the network of dealers...” Alana looked down. “I never thought you’d get mixed up with that sort of thing... If it was hemp, I’d be a little more okay with it... But this is a hard drug ring...” Nathaniel looked down. “I know... And I was eaten up with guilt, so I took action... My way.” “Meaning?” “When they make me transport the drugs, I replace it with inoffensive plant mixtures before they hit the streets and I throw the drugs out. Except that... The jerk I was working with realized it... Its... the same guy who attacked Nina last time, who came after you. And he’s blackmailing me. I thought I could fool them. I thought they were morons. But these guys are... dangerous and they know what they’re doing. When I found out what you’ve become, I wanted to come to you. I wanted your help. But then you and everyone showed me that you’re trying to get out of this life... That you need to rest and have peace. I couldn’t bring you back into it. You’ve gone through so much pain... I couldn’t add to it.” Alana sighed. “Nathaniel, I came back to this city to retrieve you. I came home with the hope that you would forgive me for what I’ve done and leave with me when I graduate. If it means decimating a cartel to free you so you can come with me, I am more than happy to do so.” His eyes grew wide. “Alana...” “You are the most important person to me, outside my family. I will do whatever it takes to protect you. Now, am I the only person who knows?” “No, Amber knows too. She’s kept it to herself. She couldn’t bear to see me go to jail. When my father almost went to prison and the cops dragged him away, handcuffed, she never really got over it... It destroyed her. I can’t put her through that a second time.” “Of course...” “I’m sorry for not having been able to talk to you about it before... But I had to try and protect you.” “By excluding me from your life?” “Exactly, it was the best way to protect you, not to disappoint you, to... not to lose you in the long term. I’m going to leave now... At least I’ve told you the truth.” He stood up and began walking towards the bedroom door. “The hell you are! I’m not letting you leave again!” She grabbed his hand and held him back. “Alana...” He stopped and turned to her. “Why would you come back? Why change your mind and finally admit everything?” “Because I realized you were the only person who made me want to get myself out of this mess. I went home, convinced I had made the right decision... Except that it wasn’t worth it anymore. To keep on doing what I do, without running into you, without being able to see you, or talk to you... You reminded me what it was like to feel carefree. To not worry about anything, for a few hours, long enough to make love.” Alana’s heart began to race as she saw Nathaniel blush. She wanted to kiss him immediately. She wanted to make love to him again... To prove to him that everything is going to be okay. She felt the same desire when she found out what his father was doing to him. But, just as it was back then, she knew this was not the best time for that. He looked deep into her eyes and continued to speak. “Without you, I don’t have the strength. And also because I hope that this time, you won’t let me leave...” She stroked his cheek lovingly and an adoring grin appeared on her face. “And I hope you won’t ever leave again.” He closed his eyes long enough to kiss her palm then looked at her with conviction. “Now, I no longer have anything to hide.” “You won’t ever leave again?” He took her in his arms, hope filling his eyes. “You’ll have me?” “Yes.” “You aren’t afraid of me or disappointed in me?” “Nope. You’re not afraid of getting involved in this relationship?” “You’re important to me Alana. I’ll do everything I can to protect us.” The grin on Alana’s face turned into a tired smile. “That’s more like it.” She took her glasses off, placed them on the bedside table and kissed Nathaniel passionately. Nathaniel held her as tightly as he could while they kissed, abandoning her lips only to place kisses on her forehead, cheeks and neck. “We’ll talk about what to do about your problem later... But, for now, let’s relax.” she smiled as she got up, grabbed her pajamas and walked to the bathroom. He smiled, got down to his underwear and crawled into the bed. Alana walked back into the room wearing a black spaghetti strap shirt and short black shorts. “I love you... You stubborn fool... Don’t you ever forget that.” She sighed as she got in the bed wrapped her arms around him and used his chest as a pillow. Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “I love you too, Alana.”

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04/06/19: HOLY CRAP this was long for me to write! Especially considering I used a ton of in episode dialogue! But! I have it done! I guess it’s a good thing it was long seeing as I didn’t post any part to Alana’s canon last week! But, yes, this does take place after “It’s About Time!” and it revolves around Episode 11 of UL. As we finally find out what’s wrong with Nathaniel’s situation, I felt like this blurb was very necessary. By the way, to anyone who needs to know what a “Broodmare” is, it is a female horse who is designated for breeding.

I worked my ass off to get the foreground from the Episode 11 illustration and edit it.

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sleeplesspensieve · 6 years

Text

Remedy For Guilt - VII

Summary: The daughter of Bellatrix and Rodopholus Lestrange is offered the opportunity to teach at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry after training as a Healer since her graduation. Her past haunts her and she relies on her old Potions teacher for help but what will happen when they get too close for comfort?

Rated: E for graphic sex scenes in THIS chapter and later ones. Over 18′s only please.

Word Count: 4729

Multichapter Fic (Expected to be around 30-35 chapters with a planned sequel which will take place during the Harry Potter Books)

Chapter Seven – The Founding Ball

The spirits of the students at Hogwarts continued their high after the Halloween Feast as the first Quidditch match of the season approached. It was a match up that brought out a lot of spirit, Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Lyra had donned her old Slytherin scarf to show support for her house and there was a mixed reaction from students as she walked through the corridors to the staff room. A few students gave her a high five whilst others stared her down. The appearance of green silver gave Lyra a look of disappointment from the Gryffindor head of house as she took a seat at the staff table.

“Supporting your old house I see,” McGonagall pointed out.

“Of course,” Lyra said with a teasing smile as she took her place at the staff table, “Slytherin through and through.”

“Well, I am pretty confident in our team,” Minerva said, “We will win the Quidditch and House Cup this year.”

“I am doubtful about that,” Severus said, closing the book his nose was in. “Slytherin have had it for the past five years running and I don’t think we’ll be giving it up so easily. I’ve been enjoying it’s display in my office.”

“We’ll see about that,” Minerva said as she walked away with a coffee in hand.

“I think you got under her skin,” Lyra said with a laugh, helping herself to some cereal.

Severus did not attempt to continue the conversation with Lyra though she didn’t realise it was on purpose until they sat next to one another in the teachers’ stand. She had attempted to engage him in conversation though he wasn’t responding. She could feel the tension between them and simply just engaged with Filius who had taken the seat next to her.

“How’s your set progressing?” he asked.

“Good, good,” she replied, “I’ve got all my songs together, I think I’ll only take about 40 minutes.”

“And you’re just performing by yourself?”

“Yeah, I’ve enchanted all the necessary instruments.”

“That’s amazing.”

Their conversation was cut short as the commentator began and the balls were released. She enjoyed the atmosphere as students cheered and booed whilst red and green zoomed around the field. Slytherin quickly gained the lead and after about an hour and a half they finished with the snitch, winning by a landslide. Severus didn’t even celebrate when the game ended and Lyra gave him a congratulatory slap on the back. She tried to shrug it off but it started to bother her.

As the weeks progressed Lyra noticed that Severus began to purposefully avoid her. Whenever she arrived at breakfast he would seem to just be leaving and he didn’t dare approach if she was already there. Severus had put his thoughts into action, choosing to distance himself from the Lestrange girl, maybe a bit too extremely. She did try to confront him one night as her potion had finished. Lyra approached the Potion’s classroom with a brave face.

“Severus,” she called out.

Severus was in the room, hesitant to answer but he recalled that he had invited her to come around if she needed help. He braced himself for the possible onslaught.

“Yes, Lestrange?” he answered coldly as he opened the door.

“I’ve run out,” she said.

With a curt nod he went and fetched the potion. It didn’t take him long, he handed it over to her and attempted to shut the door but it was held open by her forearm.

“Did I do something, Severus?” she asked.

“No,” he said, “I have things to tend to, Lestrange. I’m a Potions Master; I have orders to fill as well as managing an entire house full of trouble-makers, my apologies that I can’t be at your beck and call.”

“That’s not what I want, Sev,” she said.

Internally he winced at the name she gave him as it brought up the feelings he was trying to keep at bay. Severus was a master of composure and did not let his feelings reflect on his face. “Well, what do you want?”

“You’ve been a dick,” she said plainly, “You’ve been ignoring me since Halloween.”

“As I said,” Severus said with a bored expression, “I’m a busy man. I have things I need to tend to. Goodbye.”

Lyra surrendered, deciding that there was no point in fighting for his attention. She busied herself with her classes and her students’ needs. The one positive thing that came out of it was that she was forming a proper relationship with her cousin.

“Professor,” Tonks addressed Lyra as she approached her desk after class one day.

“Yes?”

“Are you going home for Christmas?”

“Not sure,” Lyra said, her eyes narrowed as she thought of her plans, “Depends whether or not they need me here or not, why’s that?”

“My mum’s asked to invite you over for Christmas lunch.”

“I’ll try to make it,” Lyra replied with a smile, “It’d be nice to meet your parents.”

“I’ll let her know,” Tonks grinned as she left.

The end of term was quickly approaching and as the days ticked by to the Founding ball Lyra found herself becoming more tense. At least she was still getting sleep thanks to Severus’ potion but he was still cold towards her. The other teachers were excited as they prepared decorations for the ball and were keen to see their old students perform. They all gave her words of encouragement which just really made her more apprehensive about the performance as she felt there was a greater pressure to do well. Her Aunt had written her words of encouragement, knowing that her niece was a talented singer and witch, that Lyra tried to focus on.

December 20th arrived despite Lyra’s protests and dread of the day approaching. She resented Severus for volunteering her talents and now he wasn’t even speaking to her. She attempted to channel her frustration at the situation into determination to perform well.

Lyra’s classes for the semester had finally finished and she spent the next hour preparing herself for her set. She did vocal warm ups as she styled her hair from its usual unkempt thickness to sleek loose curls that framed and softened her face. To add to the frame Lyra drew on her makeup, highlighting her features that would otherwise be blurred out by the intensity of the stage lights. Finally she pulled on a patterned silvery-white velvet dress which clung to her curves and dropped to the floor. Her waist was accentuated by a wrap belt of the same material and her sleeves were loose, reaching just below her elbows. Lyra admired herself in the mirror for a few moments and her confidence built. If she could sound as good as she looked and felt then she would have no problems. With that she made her way down to the Great Hall, ready for her performance.

There were already students lining up, dressed in their dress robes, excited for what was to come. Lyra felt her nerves prick up but she pushed them aside. She had performed in front of Hogwarts before, maybe not solo but she knew she could do it. Lyra found her way into the Great Hall through the teachers’ entrance to the High Table as she didn’t want to draw attention to herself.

“Lyra!” Filius greeted, “You look stunning, are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be she,” she laughed.

The Hall was set up ready for a ball, the house tables had disappeared and instead were replaced by smaller round tables that were towards the back of the hall whereas the rest of the area near the High Table was left open for students to dance. The High Table itself was also removed and instead acted as a stage. Lyra observed her instruments sitting there ready for her performance alongside some wizard rock instruments which she assumed belonged to the other alumni students performing, The Weird Sisters.

Lyra pulled out her pine wand and with a wave the string and brass instruments levitated into the air and seemingly tuned themselves to the piano. She started up an instrumental to play as students began to quickly fill the hall. It was as if as each person entered Lyra found herself getting more and more nauseous. Each student looked in wonder as the decorations in the hall were more festive with ice sculptures and silver walls covered in garlands and Christmas wreaths. Albus walked in, followed by the majority of the staffing team and he approached the front of the hall.

“Welcome, welcome,” Albus said with his wand pointing at his throat, amplifying each word he said over the noise of the crowd. “Welcome to Hogwarts’ Founding Ball. As I know you are all keen to get dancing I’ll allow Hogwarts’ own Lyra Lestrange to take it away.”

She directed the instruments to become jazzier although she felt as if her heart was in her stomach and she was about to throw it up, she began to sing along to the song and after a few moments her nerves were gone. Her voice enhanced the atmosphere, her warm and sweet tones contrasted vastly from the cold winter vibe of the Great Hall. Lyra began to lose herself in the music and was no longer being eaten away by the nerves that she had felt leading up to this event. She smiled as she watched as students dragged one another to the dance floor and began to dance.

Each song ran seamlessly into the other and her performance was well received by her audience. Severus watched on, pretending he was overlooking the students as Minerva danced gleefully with Albus, his eyes were glued to the witch who he had chosen to become so distant from. In all honesty, she looked stunning and he was mesmerised by her voice and the way she moved her wand to direct the instruments which supported her melody. Lyra had a natural talent and on stage she seemed so charismatic, she could enchant every witch and wizard in the room to fall in love with her by the tone of her voice and Severus was beginning to feel that tug again.

Severus pushed those feelings aside and instead his self-loathing came out. He told himself that Lyra Lestrange would never want him and that he should save himself the embarrassment of rejection. He got annoyed as he thought of Septime Vector who insisted that he supervise the students inside the ball whilst she patrol the corridors when he truly wanted to avoid Lyra and participating in the ball. Severus felt his arm being dragged as he was absorbed by his thoughts by Minerva who encouraged him to dance to Lyra’s music.

“Not enjoying yourself, Severus?” she asked as she attempted to make him move to the rhythm.

“Not particularly,” he replied with an annoyed expression.

“Usually you’re a wonderful dancer,” Minerva said with a sly wink.

“That’s usually after I’ve downed a few bottles and you and Albus drag me to the dance floor,” he said.

“Well, here we are,” she smirked. “Try to enjoy it for a bit Severus, isn’t Lyra talented?”

Lyra found that time seemed to slip through her fingers so quickly as she was enjoying her performance. Soon enough, her set was finished and her audience applauded and cheered as she bowed at the end. The next performer took their spot, starting off with a more classical and mellow sound. Lyra helped herself to a few canapés and found a few of her colleagues standing grouped together in one corner of the room. They all complimented her of course and Lyra sheepishly accepted their words as she stuffed food down her throat to excuse herself from talking. As she was engaged in conversation with Professor Burbage the Headmaster interrupted the conversation, offering Lyra a dance. She accepted with a smile and a nod, taking his hand they moved towards the dance floor. They began to dance to the slow tune and held a conversation during their movements.

“I suspect everyone has said so already but your performance was lovely, Lyra,” Albus remarked.

“Thank you,” she replied happily.

“I haven’t spoken to you much this term,” he said, “But how are you finding things?”

“Good,” she said, “I’ve been enjoying it. It’s a lot better than St. Mungo’s, I’m hoping that I can stay.”

“But alas, the curse,” Albus said with a frown. Lyra exhaled a small laugh in response and it turned Albus’ mood around. “How’s everyone been treating you?”

“Well.”

“And Severus?”

She sucked in her bottom lip, attempting to not let the frustration that had grown over the past few months to spill out. “He was good, initially. A bit hostile at times but he warmed, though I'm afraid he has been rather distant lately.”

Albus nodded and waved Severus over, “Do you mind taking over for a bit? I have some business to attend to.”

The three of them knew that Severus was not able to refuse the request so with a nod his hands replaced the Headmaster’s. The two of them didn’t know what to say, both attempted to not look one another in the eye. The awkward tension between the pair made them feel uneasy and one of them mistimed a step resulting in Lyra being trodden on.

“Ouch!”

“Learn to keep in time,” he said.

“You stepped on me,” she rebutted.

“Your foot wasn’t supposed to be there.”

She glared at him, thinking it was his fault but decided not to start an argument, at least not about that. “Why have you been such an asshole lately?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been avoiding me,” she said, “Ever since Halloween. Is it because I asked you to join me in the shower? I was only joking.”

“I believe that our interaction that night was inappropriate,” he said plainly.

“What wasn’t appropriate, Severus?”

“The drinking, you sleeping in my bed,” he muttered in a voice so only the two of them could hear.

“And you couldn’t have discussed your issues with me?” She asked, “Instead you acted like a child and ignored me.”

Severus remained silent at her statement. He knew that she was right but he wasn’t about to acknowledge that. “You did the exact thing to me when you were in my class.”

“That was warranted,” she said, “You were the reason everyone knew my real name and I hated you for that. I was 15, for fuck's sake. We've been over this.”

Severus gritted his teeth as he tried to look expressionless as he danced with the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. Too his luck the song had ended and he excused himself politely as possible. Lyra found herself at the bar and began drinking to unwind. A few students from her classes approached her, asking her for a dance and she happily agreed. The slow dancing stopped as the Weird Sisters stepped out onto the stage and the students started a mosh pit. Lyra merely supervised with a wine glass in hand, chatting to Minerva in the corner. The hours ticked by and the crowd was thinning out, Minerva had taken to watching the students as they returned to their dormitories, ensuring that they didn’t get up to trouble elsewhere.

Severus and Lyra found themselves to be the final teachers remaining in the Great Hall and found themselves to be a bit disgruntled by the fact. It was nearing midnight and the Weird Sisters finished their set and the pair of teachers began shooing out the remainder of the students. As the musicians were packing their things and the two professors found mutual ground over a bottle of wine.

“That was fun,” Lyra beamed still energetic.

“That’s because you’re young,” Severus said, throwing the wine in his glass back. “I thought it was awful. Your performance was wonderful though.”

A small smile darted across her lips as she accepted his compliment. The pair continued to drink, quickly falling into the same scenario as they did the night of Halloween. The wine loosened their tongues and they began to talk.

“How’ve your classes been?” Lyra asked.

“As dull and uninspiring as ever,” Severus said, “I suspect that most of the fifth years won’t be taking it on next year.”

“Do you enjoy potion making?” she asked.

“You know what I would’ve preferred.” He paused for a moment, taking a deep sip of the wine in his hand, “Merlin’s beard, how have you been drinking this? It’s awful.”

Lyra giggled before touching his thigh in a more than affectionate way, “Well, I do have a better bottle in my room.”

“Oh really?” Severus asked as he swirled the remainder of his drink in hand.

She hummed in amusement before retracting her hand and using it to prop up her face against her crossed legs, “But I’m afraid that two teachers drinking together when they’re not on duty in the privacy of their own quarters is inappropriate.”

Lyra watched him as he pursued his lips, knowing that she had gotten under his skin. Severus wasn’t about to admit defeat and apologise for his behaviour. He merely continued to drink the rubbish wine that was supplied and ignored his female companion. He noticed that they were officially the only two left in the Great Hall, the house-elves wouldn’t come out to pack until they had cleared out.

“Let’s go,” Severus said as he stood.

Lyra downed the rest of the bottle and took his arm, “Where are we going?”

“Back to our rooms,” he said, “You’re much too drunk to find your own way.”

“I can handle my liquor,” she said defiantly, letting go of his arm and walking to the door. In her head she was walking a lot more elegantly but Severus could see her stumbling every few steps.

He rushed to her side and took her arm, “Come on, I’ll escort you to your room.”

Lyra didn’t protest, enjoying the company Severus gave her. She was heavy on her feet, swaying slightly as they made their way up to the Serpentine Corridor. Severus was relieved that all the students were probably in bed by now and hopefully most of the teachers. That relief was short lived as they turned a corner and ran into Professor McGonagall.

“Ah, Severus, Lyra,” she said, “Everyone is in bed, except you two of course. Everything alright?”

“She’s had a bit too much to drink,” Severus explained.

“Severus here is being a gentleman for once in his life,” Lyra said, slurring slightly. “He said he’d escort me to my room, even though I am perfectly fine.”

“Nice to see you getting along again,” Professor McGonagall said, “I can take her from here.”

“It’s ok,” Severus said, “I can handle her. I know you have things to attend to.”

Minerva was hesitant, unsure of what may happen but she trusted Severus so with that she said, “Very well,” and made her way to the Headmaster’s office.

When Severus and Lyra finally arrived at her classroom he knew better than to let her climb the stairs up to her office without assistance. He finally let go of the young witch and she began to go through her drawers.

“What on earth are you doing?” Severus asked.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, triumphantly brandishing a bottle of wine, “Let’s drink.”

“I think you’ve had too much already,” Severus said as he pried the bottle out of her hands.

“I feel much too sober now for that statement to be true,” she said.

“It’s time for bed,” Severus said as he guided her into her room with his hand at the small of her back.

She frowned initially but then a more mischievous look flickered across her face. “Will you join me?”

He looked strangely at her as though she had come from another planet, “What?”

The liquid confidence took hold and she stood closely to the wizard, “Well, I can think of a lot more inappropriate things that we could do other than drinking.”

“Lyra,” he said, pushing her away, “You’re much too drunk.”

Lyra reached around to the back of her dress, unzipping the back and allowing her dress to fall to the floor. “Am I?”

Severus took a big breath in as he drank in her presence. The velvet slipped off so easily, revealing a matching cream and black lace set. How could he resist a beautiful, near naked witch who had been tempting him since she arrived? He had imagined what her body looked like under the robes and it was better than the images he had conjured in his own head. “Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said as she leaned in and kissed him.

Against his better judgement, Severus kissed back. His hands found their place on her hips as Lyra began furiously disrobing him. It felt like it was taking an eternity to unbutton the front of his vest and under that there were even more buttons to undo. She had half a mind to rip them off but she didn’t think he’d appreciate it. Instead she used it as foreplay, leaving kisses down his neck with each button she popped out. With a swift movement Severus I did her bra and fondled her breasts whilst she was undressing him. Once his top half was bare Lyra found her way to her knees and undid his pants, releasing his hardened member from its restraint.

She kissed the tip and teased, “You can’t tell me you don’t want this.”

“Shut up, Lestrange,” he said as he reached his hand down and pushed her head so she would take his cock in her mouth. He moaned as the warmth of her mouth engulfed him, her tongue swirled and teased the underside of his rod. He didn’t force her down and allowed her to move of her own accord but he left his hand buried in her hand to create the illusion of control.

Lyra would admit that it wasn’t her proudest or best blowjob; the alcohol still had its hold on her brain resulting in sloppiness but she didn’t care. Consumed by lust, Lyra continued her best efforts on working his manhood with her mouth, encouraged by the moans of pleasure that would past his lips. She looked up at the man towering over her, his face expressed his pleasure and bliss in the moment as she worked up and down his shaft. She felt her knickers get damp as she enjoyed the situation a little more than she should’ve.

Severus felt his orgasm building inside of him but he wasn’t going to allow this moment go to waste, he gently pulled her head away from his cock. “Get on your bed, all fours,” he ordered. Lyra obliged, following the instructions from the older wizard and offered up her body for him. Severus slid her underwear down, revealing her puckered asshole and juicy pussy. “Wet already?” he asked as he ran a finger down her slit. She moaned as his finger grazed her clitoris on its way down.

Lyra was too embarrassed to respond to his question, she lowered her head down onto the sheets, arching her back and pushing her ass out more. She felt a finger slide into her and she squeezed hard at its intrusion. It slowly began to move in and out, the friction was less than enough for her to get off. She craved to be filled by something more adequate.

“May I fuck you, Lestrange?” he asked.

“Please,” she begged.

The tip of his cock teased her slit, her hips sliding back, begging for him to enter her when he was pressed against her entrance. “Severus,” she said, “I thought you were going to shag me.”

“I was just making sure,” he teased before pushing his member all the way in with one quick movement. Lyra moaned loudly, encouraging Severus to continue his movements. He thrusted in and out; driving out more moans from Lyra. It had been so long since either had been intimate so neither had expected to last very long.

This wasn’t passionate sex shared between two lovers, this was sex driven by pure lust and too much alcohol. It became more about achieving an orgasm rather than making the other feel good. Lyra reached down between her legs and began to rub herself closer to the edge whilst Severus continued to move at a steady pace. The tension began to build within both of them as they neared their peak. He felt her tighten around him and he told her, “Come for me.”

And she did. The orgasm wracked through her body, setting every nerve alight. Severus felt her pussy pulse as she came and it set him off as well. He came inside her, collapsing on top of her once he had completed. Lyra was drifting off to sleep, the combination of alcohol and sex had completely drained her energy. Severus prompted her to get under the sheets before she could fully drift off.

Severus wanted to join the sleeping witch in bed but decided against his impulsive mind in this moment and got dressed. Before he left he ensured that Lyra was tucked in before making his way to the dungeons. It would be best if the Head of Slytherin would be found in his own bed the day the students were supposed to depart for the Christmas Holidays. He knew that it was an unwise decision to sleep with the Lestrange girl but who could resist a gorgeous witch presenting himself to him, it was all consensual of course. He hoped that when Lyra awoke that she wouldn’t regret what had transpired. It wasn’t something Severus allowed himself to dwell on for too long once he landed in his bed and fell asleep.

When Lyra awoke the next morning she found it strange that she was naked until she recalled what had occured the night before. Her cheeks flushed as she remembered how daring she’d been with Severus and their naked bodies moving primally on her bed. Her one night stand was nowhere to be seen and no trace had been left behind so she thought that maybe that’s all it was, a quick meaningless shag as a result of too much alcohol. She wished that she had been a bit more sober so she could at least remember more vividly how his hands felt against her skin.

As she got up to prepare herself for the day she felt her thighs ache, a fact that irritated her more as it was obvious that he had given her a thorough fuck. It had been years since she had felt the touch of a wizard. She smiled to herself as she noted that he had neatly placed her dress and her bra on her dresser though she noticed her panties were missing, no doubt a trophy he thought he had earned. How Slytherin of him.

Severus awoke early the morning after the Ball and begrudgingly rolled out of bed. The fact that he got laid the prior night had no effect on his mood but the lack of sleep certainly did. When he exited his office he was faced with a sea of students heading up to the Great Hall for breakfast, chattering excitedly about their plans for the Christmas break. He watched on for a brief moment before joining the crowd to help himself to breakfast.

“Ah, Severus,” Minerva greeted as he took a seat, “Where is your charming partner?”

“In bed I assume,” he said shortly.

“So nothing happened?” she prodded.

“Did you expect something to happen?” he asked in return.

“Well you are the youngest teachers,” she said, “And Lyra is a beautiful young women.”

“Do you think I’d be appealing to her?” he asked.

“You’re not that ugly, Severus,” a woman said from behind as she took the seat between them.

Of course Lyra Lestrange had to overhear that conversation. Minerva dropped the topic and allowed them to eat in peace. She left and once she was out of earshot Lyra spoke up, “I seem to be missing my panties from last night. You haven't seen them, have you?”

“I wouldn’t have the faintest idea,” Severus said with a smirk.

“Curious.”

#severus snape #fanfiction #harry potter #original character #hogwarts #fanfic #lyra lestrange

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