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monstersandmaw · 5 years

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Here's July's story. Back to a defined gender for this one, so I hope that's alright. The poll for the episodic story is now closed I think, but the naga came in second (when I last looked!) and a traditional fantasy setting was the runner up, so I present you with 6232 words of badass female pirate reader and one gentlemanly naga boy for your delectation :). No real content warnings for this one, I don't think.

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Preview:

“Cheer up, sweetheart,” the lizardfolk sailing master grinned, slapping you on the back hard enough to make you stagger. “Only another few days til we make port.”

“I’m not glum because we’ve been at sea for weeks, Jaran,” you said, easing the tension out of your neck with a side to side motion and leaning on the gunwale of the small, agile schooner. “I don’t mind that.”

“Then what’s bothering you?” he asked, shifting to lean his back against the side of the ship beside you and crossing his arms.

With his lime green colouring and startlingly yellow eyes, Jaran cut an impressive figure. You’d always found yourself leaning towards non-humans when it came to attraction, and the reptilian folk fared better than most in your estimation. Jaran had more than caught your eye, but he had a sweetheart back at port that he was unwaveringly loyal to, so you made no efforts to flirt with him. That didn’t mean you couldn’t admire him, discreetly, of course. The canny bastard probably new it, but he never mentioned it.

You sighed and looked up at him with a wry and sidelong look. “You’ve got someone waiting for you, and half the crew will probably head off and spend the evening with their favourite ‘companions’ ashore… but…” you shrugged. “I don’t have anyone, and I don’t want to pay for a night of intimacy, you know? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, but it’s just not me.”

Jaran reached over and patted you fondly on the shoulder. “I know,” he said. “I worry about you, you know? You’re always on your own…”

A sad smile tugged at your lips and you looked down at the scrubbed timbers beneath your boots. Your hands were rough and coarse from years at sea, and you were hardly the most traditionally ‘feminine’ creature, with strong shoulders, lean muscles, leathery skin, and wiry hair that had to be constantly constrained or it sprang out everywhere in a wild halo around your face. As one of only two humans, both female, on the ship, you couldn’t help but feel the sharp sting of inadequacy whenever you disembarked and Anna got catcalled and you got ignored or sometimes even jeered at. None of the others stood for that, which was a comfort, but it still happened.

You shrugged and pushed yourself back off the gunwale and turned to stare the length of the deck. Fingal, a sea eagle aarakocra, chose that moment to soar down from the crow’s nest - which you’d all affectionately renamed ‘the eyrie’ since he spent so much time up there - and landed not far from the pair of you.

“Alright?” he asked, cocking his head to one side and staring at you both with unusual, ice blue eyes. “Oh, and land ho, by the way…” he added with a joyous ruffle of his feathers.

“What? Already? Where?!” you gasped, whipping round and squinting at the horizon where you saw nothing but the endless, pale blue sea and the haze of the horizon. After the storms of the previous week, this fair wind and gentle sailing was a boon.

He chuckled hoarsely and shuffled, dancing slightly from one taloned foot to the other. Extending his wing and pointing with flexed flight feathers, he said, “One point off the port bow, but you probably won’t be able to see it for at least another hour,” he said. “I’m off to inform our lovely captain.”

That evening, just before the change of the watch, the captain summoned you all on deck, a letter grasped in her hand. Half triton and half gargoyle, your captain had acquired the nickname ‘Sea Devil’, and she took it to heart. Six feet tall, with green-grey skin, a tail like a bullwhip, and leathery, bat-like wings, she surveyed her crew with a wry smile on her inhuman face. “Listen up, listen up!” she yelled, striding back and forth on lean, avian legs which ended in long, onyx claws. Her fanned, triton’s ears, almost like fins, twitched, and her mane of thick, pale hair swung freely in the breeze between her slender, backwards-curving horns. “I’ve got good news for you!”

“Land ho, Cap’n?” one of the crew yelled.

“No, you upstart little fucker,” she laughed. “I wouldn’t gather you all here like a flock of clucking chickens just to tell you that! No, we’ve got a very special invitation!” she said, waving the rolled up paper in her clawed hand and adding a playfully patronising emphasis on the word ‘special’.

A hush descended on everyone and you all leaned in a little closer to hear her above the constant creak of sails and stays and deck timbers. She was always fair and kind to her crew, but this was something new.

“Now that I’ve got everyone’s attention,” she said, hopping easily up onto a tall barrel with a little help from a flap of her wings. “The Governor of our dear little haven,” she said, “Is holding a ball in honour of some landlubbers’ midsummer festival or whatnot, and since the gods have chosen to smile upon me and my crew, and since we have dutifully paid our dues to the Governor to keep those pesky naval warships off our tails, he has seen fit to invite every last bilge-rat on this ship to his fancy dance! Oh, and you lot get to come too,” she added with a wink, and a cheer went up.

Captain Solveij let you all have your moment of excited chatter before giving an ear-bleedingly shrill whistle and calling your attention back to her.

“You’re gonna need to dress nice,” she growled. “Not expensive, but at least nice, and we’ve made enough with our last few captures that we can all afford that. If you don’t have something nice to cover your filthy hides, I’ll send you to a tailor once we make port.”

Jaran dug you in the ribs. “You got anything?”

You cocked an eyebrow at him. “Do I look like I’ve got anything other than these tatty old trousers and a few shirts?”

His lizardy smile stretched wide and he grinned. “Better go ask the captain for that tailor’s address then…” he said.

The tailor that Solveij sent you to was in a back street of Black Sands Bay, a rambling old town that had long been a notorious stopping point for pirates from the world over, but which was untouchable by any royal navy because it was privately owned by the Governor. A huge, black-coated minotaur with one horn supposedly made of solid gold, and a reputation for ruthlessness, Governor Aatlak ruled his corner of the seas as the world’s wealthiest prisoner; if he were to sail off the islands, those same naval warships that circled his archipelago of islands like vultures would descend on him. So he had established himself as a broker of goods, money, and information, and settled down.

Black Sands Bay, so named for the unique colour of the beach from which the town had grown up into the hillside, was his capital. All around you, the port bustled and thrummed with life. Before you had even left the dock where your schooner had berthed in the deep waters of the harbour, you glanced down into the water and glimpsed perhaps the strangest looking merfolk that you had ever seen. Jellyfish-clear skin fringed a tail, top and bottom, that was twelve feet long, with opalescent scales gleaming in the clear water. Their face was humanoid in shape, but they had enormous, milky, bulging eyes and a bobbing lure that hovered in front of a mouth full of spiked teeth. Floating beside them was a small raft with extraordinary looking shells and objects which could only have come from the deep.

You didn’t linger long, but you enjoyed some of the sights and sounds of the marketplace before turning to bid Jaran and the others farewell, and heading up into the heart of the old city with a definite weight in your chest. The captain wouldn’t care if you wore trousers or a dress to the dance, but honestly, dressing up like this made you feel as out of place as a mermaid on land. You wished it didn’t. You wished that you could feel something different; comfortable. Still, you were attending in the formal capacity as a member of Captain Solveij’s crew, and she was expecting you to be there.

The tailor’s shop, when you eventually found it after nearly an hour of wandering in the hot, tropical sun, had an attractive, dark, bay window at the front, showcasing outfits and accessories for a number of species, and as you pushed the glass-panelled door open, a brass bell trilled above you.

“Jusssst a moment!” a warm, tenor voice called from the rear of the shop. “I’ll be with you in jussst a moment!”

“No worries…” It wasn’t exactly as if you were keen to get started. Besides, you were more than a little sweaty. Perfect.

You had just put your hands on the inviting arms of a nicely upholstered chair and had been about to sink gratefully down into it, when a figure popped up in the doorway at the back of the room and made you jump. Leaping back up onto your salt-crusted boots, you watched, intrigued, as a naga slithered out to greet you.

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spinosaurusdex · 6 years

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Willow and Grackle VI

Part 5 Read on AO3

Willow finds himself anticipating Grackle’s nighttime visits over the next weeks. He realizes he really enjoys spending time with the assassin, even if it’s just sitting in silence together while Willow studies. It’s comfortable.

As summer drones on and the Midsummer Festival approaches, Poppy and Sage make arrangements to go to the night market during some days off they’ve been given for the holiday. “You should come with!” Sage prompts Willow over dinner. “Bring your mystery sweetheart!”

Willow almost chokes on his goat. “Mystery sweetheart?”

Sage’s eyebrows lift. “You didn’t think you were hiding it, did you?” she asks. “The gifts, always sneaking snacks into your room at night…”

“You don’t let us come study in your room at night anymore,” Poppy adds.

“And you keep getting this really happy look on your face!” Sage continues. “Just out of the blue! My mother was the exact same when she was courting her second wife.”

Willow flushes, staring down at his plate. “I mean… He’s not my sweetheart,” he says. Sage and Poppy look skeptical. “And I’m not sure he’d want to come. But I’ll see about inviting him.”

On Grackle’s visit the next night (he brings Willow a green polished gemstone that matches his eyes (Willow is delighted)), he decides to suggest the market for the following evening. “It’s kind of a couples thing, this time of year?” he says, watching Grackle carefully. “Poppy found a partner for it but Sage is just going with some friends from town. So we can just go as friends.”

Grackle is unreadable for a few moments, though Willow thinks he can see his mouth working under the scarf, like he wants to say something. After too long a wait for Willow’s comfort, he nods, eyes crinkling.

Relief washes over Willow. “You can still wear a scarf, too!” he says, feeling himself beaming up at Grackle. “I know you don’t like showing your face--I’ll just say you’re shy.” He felt giddy to be spending time out in public with his friend like this. He could finally get him a gift to thank him for all the presents he’s collected.

---

That morning, when he goes home, Grackle practically begs Jackdaw to take over his surveillance work for that night. Jackdaw, who he knows has been covering for him whenever he’s been late reporting in recently, sighs and agrees. Grackle goes to bed, but he can hardly sleep.

---

Willow is antsy all the next day. Between trying to pick out a good outfit and wondering how his fellow trainees will react to Grackle, his nerves are so on edge that Sage gives him some of her calming tonic. “Just a small amount should be fine for you,” she says, pouring very carefully from her vial into his water. “Any more and you’ll probably sleep til next morning.”

“Thanks, Sage,” Willow says, giving the cup a quick swirl before downing the whole thing in one. “I owe you for this if it helps.” She pats him on the head with a grin and returns to her own preparations.

He eventually settles on a breezy skirt and loose-sleeved top, deciding maybe Grackle wouldn’t care if he decides to be comfortable over stylish, and busies himself with studying from his animal medicine text until Grackle arrives.

Willow is decidedly startled when the assassin climbs into his window before the sun even sets. He looks over at him, grinning from ear to ear. “Well, you’re earlier than I thought you’d be!” he says, hopping to his feet and going over to him. Grackle’s eyes crinkle as he nods and looks down at Willow. “Do you want to come meet Sage and Poppy now?”

Grackle hesitates, looks nervously at the door, and shakes his head. “Need some time first?” Grackle nods, and Willow smiles gently. “No problem. We can sit for a bit while you get ready for it.” He sits back down on his bed and after a moment of hesitation, Grackle joins him.

Willow takes a moment to check out Grackle’s outfit. He’s still wearing all black, which is unsurprising, and his scarf is wrapped around to cover his shoulders, but it looks like he won’t overheat at least. He notes he still wears his same leather gloves. “You look good,” he offers after a moment.

Grackle looks over with a start, redness creeping up his cheeks. After giving Willow a once-over, he tilts his head towards him and nods. Willow feels himself flushing as well. “Thank you.”

There’s a knock on his door, and Grackle, seemingly on pure instinct, jumps to his feet, hand darting to his waist. Willow makes frantic calming motions with his hands and hurries to the door, opening it to peek out.

Sage and Poppy are there, waiting for him. “We’re going to the market soon,” Poppy says. “Did you want to join us for dinner first?”

“I was gonna get something there,” Willow says. He hesitates, then turns back to look at Grackle. “Hey, do you wanna meet Sage and Poppy?”

Grackle stiffens, taking a step back. He takes a deep breath, and nods. Willow smiles back at him and opens the door wider so his fellow trainees can greet him. “This is… Gray,” he introduces. Sage’s eyes light up and she moves to go shake his hand, but Willow blocks her. “Sorry, he’s kind of shy,” he says. “Doesn’t like talking, either.” “Gray” nods, rubbing his shoulder self-consciously.

“Did he climb in the window?” Poppy asks. “That explains why we’ve never seen him.” Sage looks like she wants to comment on why someone who’s just Willow’s friend climbs in his window at night, but she keeps her mouth shut, to Willow’s relief. “Nice to meet you anyway, Gray,” Poppy says, smiling.

Willow leaves Poppy and Sage to have dinner before going to the market and leads Grackle out of the dorms. “Sorry about the name,” he whispers once they’re out on the street. “I kind of panicked. Is it alright?” Grackle shrugs, and Willow figures he doesn’t care. “Alright, so, it’s going to be crowded there. If you feel uncomfortable we can sit somewhere quiet or leave, just… squeeze my hand if you need to.” He reaches out and grasps Grackle’s hand, giving it a warm squeeze to demonstrate. Grackle nods, staring down at Willow’s hand for maybe just a second longer than necessary until Willow releases him.

Willow leads the way to the marketplace, careful to not stray too far from Grackle. The assassin seems stiff and uncomfortable walking the town so openly, so he makes sure to check on him every so often, looking for tension or any sign of upset on what he can see of his face.

When they reach the market, it’s already bustling as the sun sets. The street lamps are lit, casting a warm glow around the crowded street and illuminating the bright summer banners. Willow feels Grackle put a hand on his shoulder and reaches up to pat it reassuringly. “You hungry?” he asks. “There’s usually a good batter-fry stall here.”

As it turns out, Grackle is hungry. They purchase a large bag of batter-fried fish and split that with two glasses of sweetened lemonade, both of which seem completely new to the assassin. They sit somewhere secluded so Grackle can turn away and lift his scarf without anyone seeing, making pleased noises as he devours the fish.

After their meal, Willow takes Grackle through the stalls. Grackle keeps his hand on his shoulder as much as possible, seemingly calmed by the close contact, and points out anything that catches his eye. Willow sees him eyeing a green scarf patterned with leaves and buys it for him; they take a break so Grackle can trade his black scarf for the new one. At a loss for a big enough pocket, he hands Willow the old scarf to hold onto, and it is stored away in his satchel.

Poppy and his date for the evening, a handsome young man named Ruby, catch up to the pair later on in the expedition. “Willow, Gray, hey!” Poppy says, smiling as they come up to them. “You having a good time?” They both nod.

“Gray got me this,” Willow says, smiling and holding up a delicate woodcarved bird with yellow topaz eyes. “Isn’t it lovely?”

“Oh, stars, yes!” Poppy says, beaming at the little trinket. “Ruby got this for me.” They produce a small watercolor painting of a flower field from their own satchel. “I’m gonna hang it up when I get back home.” They eye Grackle’s new scarf. “You got him that scarf, then?”

Willow nods, looking back at Grackle; he looks a bit uncomfortable with the attention and his hand is squeezing his shoulder a bit tightly. “We should get going,” he says. “I don’t want to hold you two up.”

Poppy stashes the painting back and nods. “Sure. I’ll see you back at the dorm, Willow.” With a wave, they take Ruby’s hand and they disappear into the crowd again.

Willow leads Grackle to a quieter part of the street for a short break. “You doing alright?” he asks, putting a hand on his again. “We can leave if you want. I don’t mind.”

Grackle hesitates a moment, then nods, looking a bit worn. Willow pats the hand. “We’ll take a side road back to the dorm. Is that alright?”

They extract themselves from the crowded market and find a quieter, darker road. “If you don’t have anywhere to be tonight, would you want to stay in my room for a while?” Willow asks after a few minutes of walking in comfortable silence. “I have some books if you get bored and want to read or something.” Grackle nods. “I think I can get you some of Anise’s baklava, too.” He hadn’t introduced that to Grackle yet.

The walk home is peaceful, and they return to the dorm without incident. Willow cuts out a square of baklava and gets a cup of water too, if it ends up being too sweet for Grackle. “It’s really sticky,” he warns, putting the plate on his desk with the cup. “You might want to take off your gloves--” Grackle shakes his head adamantly. “Then just be careful cleaning them off later.”

He brings in a spare chair from the common room and sits next to Grackle at his desk. He carefully places the newest trinket next to the others collected there, and Willow’s amused to see they’re mostly birds. Grackle deems the baklava delicious (as far as Willow can tell, anyway) and they settle in for some quiet time together. Willow pulls out one of his books from the desk. “This one’s about a pirate queen and how she wins the heart of a land queen,” he says. “I’ve read it before, it’s really good.” Grackle tilts his head curiously and goes to take the book, then remembers his gloves are covered in honey and balks.

“I could read it to you?” Willow offers. Grackle’s eyebrows shoot up, but he nods, scooting his chair a little closer.

Willow gets a few pages in when he feels Grackle lean over, resting his head on his shoulder. He fumbles over his words briefly, but doesn’t disturb him. After a few chapters, his eyes have started feeling heavy, and he can’t stop himself from yawning.

“I should probably go to bed,” he says, marking the page and closing the book. Grackle slowly lifts his head with a soft sigh. “Thanks for coming to the market with me, Grackle. I had a really good time.” He smiles up at him. “If you like this book, you can take it home with you next time, as long as your gloves aren’t sticky.”

“Thank you,” Grackle murmurs, getting to his feet. “I…had a good time. Too.”

The sound of a full sentence out of Grackle is surprising enough that Willow almost knocks over his chair when he stands. “I’ll see you around, I guess?” he asks, smiling in the flickering lamplight. Grackle nods. He starts to lift his hand, then seems to remember the honey again and sighs. “Goodnight, Grackle.”

“Goodnight, Willow.” He hops out of the window and disappears into the darkness.

The next morning, Willow is cleaning out his satchel of everything else he’d bought, and he realizes Grackle’s black scarf was left behind. He lifts it out of the bag gently, feeling the fabric run between his fingers. “Maybe he won’t miss this,” he says to no one, taking in the lingering, familiar smell of leather. He folds it carefully and puts it on the top shelf of his closet.

#willow and grackle #long post

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i-am-a-blue-dragon · 7 years

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If I'm doing all the music asks, so are you. I CHALLENGE THEE.

It has been a calendar year since you sent me this. SORRY. You know I’ve been busy. @groovyaviator also asked me Daft Punk, Fall Out Boy, and Led Zeppelin. Let’s do this.

- Alabama Shakes: Favorite female lead? Aurora.

- Arctic Monkeys: Favorite male lead? Chris Martin.

- Ben Howard: An album that reminds you of your favorite season? Aurora’s All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend, because it reminds me of when of that moment in late October when you realize winter is on its way. But I’m also a fan of our weather right now, so for that I would assign Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto. And I’ve also come to favor the weather around my birthday midsummer, and for that I’d assign The Golden Age by Woodkid.

- Bon Iver: An album you could listen to on repeat for years? Coldplay’s X&Y. Regina Spektor’s Far, as well as What We Saw from the Cheap Seats. alt-J’s entire discography. The How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack by John Powell. The soundtrack to Jane Eyre by Dario Marianelli. The Golden Age by Woodkid.

- Bastille: A song that brings back bad memories? Already Over by Red. Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood. The Ballad of John Hurt by alt-J, but the memory is more bittersweet than bad. Yes by Coldplay, tied closely with Two Birds by Regina Spektor.

- The Beatles: An artist you think is overrated? Ed Sheeran.

- Coldplay: A band you used to love but never listen to anymore? Coldplay, right now! I still love them very much but I’ve been listening to a lot of other stuff. Also, Linkin Park, Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, Evanescence… I went through a phase.

- Daft Punk: Favorite instrumental (no vocals) song? The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman. It also is my favorite song, but specifically the composer’s cut version.

- Dawes: A genre of music you absolutely cannot stand? I really have a hard time with country. I’m sorry, Becca.

- Electric Light Orchestra: Favorite song to help you cheer up? I have a 75 song playlist of these, my dude. Rasputin by Boney M. reminds me of a ridiculous time in high school and never fails to make me smile, but most of the time my go-to is Everything’s Not Lost by Coldplay.

- Elliot Smith: Favorite song to listen to when you’re sad? I tend not to listen to a lot of music when I’m sad… but maybe the cover of Where Is My Mind by Bandit.

- Evanesence: Ever done drugs and listened to music? Lol no.

- Fun.: Put your music on shuffle and list the first three. Whatever happens, I blame Spotify: 1) Dust by Hans Zimmer (Interstellar soundtrack), 2) The Kill Ring by John Powell (How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack), 3) Daddy Issues by The Neighbourhood. I only can recall listening to the middle one because I have a habit of saving albums to listen to later.

- Fall Out Boy: First album you fell in love with? Vocal: Linkin Park’s Meteora. Instrumental: John Williams’s soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

- Green Day: A song that makes you feel rebellious? Boss Ass Bitch by PTAF!

- George Ezra: A song that reminds you of a past lover? I don’t really have any of those, but you can refer to the bad memory response because it’s basically the same list.

- Genesis: A band that your parents always played when you were little? The Rolling Stones, because if it’s parents plural my dad is the automatic DJ and he plays classic rock exclusively.

- Hozier: Favorite brand new artist? How new is new? Brand new to me right now are Tom Odell and Glass Animals but both have been at it since 2012.

- Iron & Wine?: What song would you want to be played at your wedding?“ Sleeping At Last did a cover of The Proclaimer’s I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) that I absolutely fucking love. But I would rather do an upbeat surprise choreographed dance number for my first dance because I don’t know how I feel about sharing an intimate moment with my new spouse in front of all those people.

- Imagine Dragons: What song would you want played at your funeral? At the beginning? Talk by Coldplay. At the end, The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman.

- Jack Johnson: A song you heard in a movie and fell in love with? Hans Zimmer’s song Time off of the Inception soundtrack.

- Joy Division: Your least favorite album by your favorite band? Ghost Stories by Coldplay because it’s sad and boring. Probably also their newest album but I’ve refused to sit through all of it so I don’t know.

- The Killers: Name your top three songs of all time. So many repeating answers tonight! The Heart Asks Pleasure First by Michael Nyman; Talk by Coldplay; Aurora’s cover of Nature Boy.

- Linkin Park: Suggest a band you think I might like. @beccathevampyreslayer I think you’d really enjoy How to be a Human Being by Glass Animals because it’s equal parts dark and upbeat. @groovyaviator, listen to The Golden Age by Woodkid. Becca can tell you that I’ve loved that album for years because the artist is also a director and intentionally writes his music to make listeners feel like the hero of a film.

- Led Zeppelin: Favorite album art? HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE. The Golden Age by Woodkid. Literally any art featured on an album or EP for Sleeping At Last. The Resistance by Muse. Any artwork featured in EPs or albums by Fleet Foxes. Light & Gold by Eric Whitacre (if one is looking to buy a print for me I’d go with this one). Parachutes by Coldplay. The Lateness Of The Hour by Alex Clare. Anything used by Foster The People.

- Muse: Craziest music video you’ve ever seen? Nothing will ever beat the Turn Down For What music video.

- Mumford & Sons: Favorite cover version of a song you love? Any iteration of Nature Boy by Nat King Cole but especially Aurora’s version. The same can probably also be said for The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, but nothing beats the original.

- The National: A song you sing in the shower? (I Won’t Say) I’m in Love from Hercules!

- Nathaniel Rateliff: A song that never fails to make you emotional? Laughing With by Regina Spektor has like a 50% chance of making me cry, as does Coming Back Around off the How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack.

- One Direction: Backstreet Boys or NSYNC? I liked both! I think when I was younger I favored NSYNC, but boy bands aren’t really my mode of choice for experiencing ‘90s nostalgia.

- Pink Floyd: You can go back in time to see any band you want. Who would it be? Coldplay when they were touring for X&Y. Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite as its debut.

- Queen: You can meet any band member, living or dead, and hang out with them for 24 hours. Who would it be? Eric Whitacre, who I have met before but definitely didn’t hang out with. He’s a hero of mine because he kind of walked into his hometown university, picked up music super late, and went on to redefine classical music. He was driven by passion, and his lack of early training really shows in the innovation in his work - the man draws PICTURES of his music before even trying to write down notes. And he collaborates with all manner of interesting people, pulling source material from really unconventional places. I’ve been contemplating a major change in life paths for the last year or so and it’s always very heartening to see someone do the same, and especially by sheer force of will.

- Radiohead: Favorite concert you’ve ever been to (or a band you want to see live). I saw Aurora live in November and she changed my life. Marina and the Diamonds was incredible and so was her opening act, Christine and the Queens, who I also love. Regina Spektor was so good live too. And seeing Ke$ha last fall was just a lot of fun. I regret not going to see Coldplay a lot sooner because I’d love to see them in general but I don’t like most of their newest music and I’d really rather hear stuff from Mylo Xyloto and earlier.

- Rihanna: A musician you respect, even if you might not like their music? I don’t really listen to Demi Lovato but I have mad respect for everything she advocates for.

- Roo Panes: Favorite acoustic version of a song? Aurora’s acoustic version of Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1). It’s haunting.

- Simon & Garfunkel: Favorite album movie? (Ex. Yellow Submarine, The Wall, Help!, The Graduate) Kill me later but I don’t think I have ever seen one in its entirety. I think I watched Help! with Becca, though.

- Skrillex: What’s the strangest song you have on your iPod right now? Rasputin by Boney M. and Chaccaron Maccaron by El Mundo.

- Tame Impala: A band none of your friends listen to? Aurora, Christine and the Queens, Tom Odell. Becca introduced me to the last one but she doesn’t listen to his discography actively.

- Taylor Swift: Name that one artist that literally makes you so angry you’re willing to throw the damn radio right out the window to make it stop. I’ll never be over the travesty of Robin Thicke. One of my favorite members of being a community advisor was our end of the year celebratory dinner, when the DJ started this song and the whole room stopped dancing and stared and him and I called over, “Please just change the song.” Rape culture is bad, kids.

- U2: A song or album that somehow got onto your iPod but you have no idea where it came from??? Weird. Probably some random movie soundtrack.

- The Vaccines: What are your favorite lyrics? Quote them for me. Do they mean something special to you? “Are you lost or incomplete? Do you feel like a puzzle, you can’t your missing piece?” “Are you what you want to be?” “Is this the life you’ve been waiting for?” “Good is better than perfect, scrub ‘til your fingers are bleeding. And I’m crying for things that I tell others to do without crying.” “I want to love you but I don’t know how.” “Are you getting stronger or is time shifting weight?” “Potentially lovely, perpetually human, suspended and open…” “You can’t pin me down!” You might sense a theme here. I think I do.

- Vampire Weekend: A band or artist you follow on Twitter? No Twitter for me, but if I did it’d be Eric Whitacre because his fans send him good music memes and he shares the best of them.

- Vance Joy: An artist where you can never tell what the hell they’re singing? Chevelle and George Ezra.

- Weezer: Favorite old school band? Simon & Garfunkel.

- The xx: A genre/band you’ve been getting into that you never thought you would enjoy? Synthpop.

#long post #hannah replies #about me #music #this was a fun way to procrastinate #my posts

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