#welcome to the black parade is art obviously

[arunneronthird]

timothy "i have better taste in music than u" drake wayne, ceo

#i dont really have an explanation other than that this is funny in my head #and that tim sometimes reminds me of a friend of mine whos an absolute music snob #hes is exactly this brutal #also american football is a great album but never fails to depress me #welcome to the black parade is art obviously #tim drake #dick grayson #jason todd #robin #red robin #nightwing #red hood #batman #dc comics #my art #ladies. gentlemen. you have eaten well.

[rpf-bat]

To Join The Black Parade

Pairing: Gerard Way x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Summary: Written for Gothtober 2020, Day 11. Prompt: “Death Parade”.

You receive an unexpected phone call, from your old friend Gerard. He asks you if you’d like to play a role, in the upcoming music video, for ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’. But, when he sees you on set, something comes over him, that neither of you ever expected. 

You sat in the studio, in front of a blank canvas. You glanced up at the diploma, hanging in on the wall, in the corner. It was proof that you had graduated from SVA, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. But, despite being certifiably good at art (on paper), you still felt like an impostor, on days like this, when you had no inspiration at all. 

Your brush hovered over the empty white space, when, suddenly, you were interrupted, by the sound of the phone ringing. As soon as you saw who was calling, your expression brightened. 

“Hi, Y/N,” greeted the familiar voice of Gerard Way. Simply hearing your old friend speak, was enough to make your spirits, instantly lift. 

“Hi, Gee,” you smiled, moving the phone closer to your ear. “How have you been?”

Even though you talked on the phone all the time, you hadn’t seen him in person, since last summer. He had briefly returned to New Jersey, to play a Warped Tour gig. You’d hung out with him afterwards, backstage. It had been so fun - and yet, so fleeting. 

“I’ve been good,” Gerard replied jovially. “I’m sorry for calling you so early, though.” 

“It’s not early,” you chuckled. “It’s like, eleven o’clock.”

“Well, here, it’s only eight,” Gerard reminded you. 

The East Coast was no longer his home base. He had moved to Los Angeles, a few years ago, when his band started to take off. This put him in the Pacific time zone, three hours behind you. 

“How’s California treating you?” you asked. “Still staying in that weird haunted house?”

“Nah, we’re done recording the album now,” Gerard updated you. “We’re actually getting ready to film the music video, that’s gonna go with the lead single.”

“Oh, cool!” you said, interested. “What’s the single’s title?”

“It’s called ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’,” Gerard revealed cryptically. 

“What’s the Black Parade?” you asked curiously. 

“I have this concept for the video - well, for the whole album, really,” Gerard explained. “This guy is like, dying of cancer, and Death comes for him, in the form of his favorite childhood memory.” 

“The memory is….a parade?” you guessed.

“That’s right!”, Gerard confirmed. “I kind of based it off, like, when my dad would take me and Mikey into the city, at Thanksgiving time, to see the Macy’s parade.” 

“Oh, of course,” you nodded. As a fellow New Jersey native, only a ferry-ride away from the Big Apple, you had grown up going to the parade every autumn, too. 

“So, this whole, like, procession of marchers, is gonna welcome The Patient into the afterlife,” Gerard went on. 

“That sounds amazing,” you said honestly. “I can’t wait to see the video, when it’s finished.”

“That’s actually what I was calling you about,” Gerard confessed slyly. “We’re gonna have a lot of extras in this video shoot. Like I said, a whole parade of people. I was wondering, if you might want to be in it?”

“You want me to be in the music video?”, you repeated, eyes wide.

“Yeah,” Gerard grinned. “I just thought, it would be really nice, to see you again, and have you be a part of this whole art project with me.”

Art project. That was one way to describe it. Gerard was a big Hollywood star now, with fans all over the globe. But, he still talked about the album his band was working on, in the same way, that he used to talk to you about the comics he wanted to write. Deep down, he was still the same storyteller that you used to see in class every day.

“Gerard, I would love to,” you accepted the offer, immediately. “I’ve missed you. It’s going to be so great, to hang out again.” 

“I can’t wait,” Gerard said happily. “Don’t even worry about the airfare, I can get the label to fly you out.” 

“Thank you,” you said giddily. You couldn’t wait to see your old friend again.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

The flight to Los Angeles was long, but uneventful, and the day of the video shoot, arrived before you knew it. You gasped, when you walked in, and saw the set. There was a huge parade float, surrounded by a desolate, gray landscape. You wondered how long it had taken the set designers to put it together. You felt nervous, as you watched the other extras milling about, most of them already in costume. 

They’re real actors, you thought anxiously. I’m just some random person. 

Your nerves eased, as soon as you heard a voice behind you. 

“Y/N, you made it!” Gerard said delightedly. You turned to face him. 

“Whoa!” you gasped. “Your hair!” 

“I know, it’s a big change,” Gerard laughed, running his hand through his short-cropped, bleach-blonde locks. Last time you had seen him, his hair had been dark, and down to his shoulders. 

“What do you think?” he asked, seemingly a little self-conscious. 

“It’s very different,” you said honestly, “But, I like it. A new look, to signify a new era!” 

“Exactly,” Gerard nodded. “See, I knew you would get it….I gotta tell the guys you’re here. They’re gonna be psyched, to see you again.” 

“I’m psyched to see Mikey, and Frankie, and Toro again, too,” you grinned. They were all old friends of yours. 

“Oh, but first, I gotta introduce you to the director,” Gerard remembered. “His name’s Samuel Bayer. He’s amazing - he’s the same guy that directed the music video for ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’, back in the day.”

“No way!” you gasped. ‘Bullet’ was your favorite Smashing Pumpkins song. 

“I know, right?” Gerard grinned. “And just last year, he did some really cool videos with Green Day, like ‘American Idiot’. I’m so happy that we were able to get him to work with us, on this video. I think it’s going to be amazing.” 

“You’re such a flatterer, Gerard,” said a dark-haired man, walking over to you. “Hi, I’m Samuel.” 

“Hi, I’m Y/N,” you introduced yourself, shaking the director’s hand. 

“I heard you’re an SVA grad, too, right?” Samuel smiled.

“Yeah, Gerard and I both graduated in ‘99,” you nodded. “You went, there, too?”

“Yeah, I was in the class of ‘87,” Samuel explained. 

“Wow...small world.” 

“For sure,” Samuel laughed. “Anyway, Y/N, are you ready to get changed into your costume?”

“What am I going to wear?” you wondered. 

“Oh, you’re going to love it,” Gerard gushed. “We had Colleen Atwood design all the costumes for us. She’s incredible.”

“She’s the same lady, who designed the costumes for Edward Scissorhands,” Samuel added informatively.

“Whoa,” you gaped. This really was an all-star film crew. Did you really belong here? 

“Here’s your outfit,” Samuel smiled, handing you in the garment bag. “Go ahead and get changed, we’ll meet you back here in five.” 

“O-okay,” you gulped, suddenly unsure, if you could pull the role off - no matter how small it was. 

“Don’t worry,” Gerard assured you. “I know you better than anyone, Y/N. I’m sure you’ll do great.” 

“Thanks,” you said softly, calmed by his words. 

“I have to go fake-sing for the camera,” Gerard chuckled. “I’ll see you soon.”

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

You took the garment bag into the bathroom, unzipping it, to reveal the costume inside. 

The jacket, you noticed, was black, with a marching band style collar - pretty similar to what Gerard was wearing, when you walked in. The only difference was that yours was sleeveless. Instead of pants, your jacket was paired with a black skirt. 

You hesitantly changed into the outfit. You flushed, when you looked at yourself in the mirror. The skirt was short - almost too short. 

You didn’t wear things like this very often. You constantly got paint on your clothes, so you never wanted to wear anything too fancy. It would just get ruined. Most of the time, you could be found in oversized sweaters, and ratty jeans. 

I can’t refuse to wear it, though, you told yourself. Even if it feels kind of uncomfortable….Gerard spent a lot of time and money to bring me out here. The least I can do, is play my role, without complaining. 

You walked back onto the set, your legs feeling cold and exposed. Gerard and the band had just wrapped a scene on the float, miming playing their instruments. 

“Cut!” Samuel called. “Okay, I think that was a good take!” 

Done with his part, Gerard strolled back over to you.

“.....Wow,” he gaped when he laid eyes on you, his eyes widening. 

“Wow, what?” you blinked, feeling self-conscious. 

“Wow, you look amazing,” Gerard said, blushing. “I...I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear something like this before.” 

“Oh, you think it suits me?” you asked hesitantly. You hadn’t expected this reaction. 

“Absolutely,” Gerard complimented. “Have you been...working out?”

“Oh, you mean, my legs?” you realized, blushing. “Yeah, I’ve been jogging a lot…” 

He stared at your uncovered thighs, making your cheeks turn hot. 

“Ah, there’s my Fear!” Samuel smiled, walking over to you. 

“Fear?” you repeated, raising an eyebrow. 

“Yes, you’ll be playing the role of Fear,” Samuel explained, “and this young lady here, will be playing Regret.”

He indicated a petite actress, whose costume was identical to yours. “Regret” gave you a friendly wave. 

“As soon as you’re done in the makeup chair, you ladies can do your scene with Lukas,” Samuel directed. 

“Who’s Lukas?” you asked. 

“Lukas Haas is playing The Patient,” Gerard explained. “He’s a great actor.”

“Oh, our main character,” you nodded. “Ok, I guess I better head over there!”

You were surprised, how Gerard’s eyes seemed to follow you, as you walked away. It was almost as if he didn’t want you to leave his side. 

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

“Ok, we’re going to start moving the parade float forward!” Samuel announced. “Processioners, I need you to start walking forward, beside it, okay?” 

You stood in line, and at his signal, you and the rest of the ‘parade’ began to march forward, towards the camera. You tried not to glance up too obviously at Gerard, who was standing on top of the float, beside you. The guys were up there with him, in matching marching band jackets. You had to admit, it was a striking look.

Lukas stumbled towards the front of the parade, wearing his hospital gown and slippers. He looked confused, and sad - a befitting expression, for a character, who was supposed to be newly deceased. 

“Ok, cut!” Samuel called out. “Gerard, you’re going to lean over the side of the float, and put the medal on Lukas, okay?”

“Ok,” Gerard nodded, dangling a military-ish cross on a chain. “Like this?” 

“Perfect,” Samuel praised. “Now, I need my Fear and Regret, to come stand on either side of Lukas, okay?”

“R-Right,” you stammered, moving to the spot on Lukas’ right that Samuel was pointing at. 

“Now, Fear and Regret are going to kiss The Patient on the cheek,” Samuel explained. 

“They’re what?” Gerard frowned, his expression turning suddenly sour. 

“It’s in the script,” Samuel reminded him. 

“Just on the cheek?” you clarified. 

“Yeah,” Regret confirmed. “You do one, and I’ll lean in, and do the other, at the same time.”

“Oh, okay,” you shrugged. “I can do that.” 

Sure, it felt a little awkward, since you’d just met Lukas twenty minutes ago. But, at least it wasn’t on the mouth, or anything. 

Samuel signaled for the camera man to start filming again, and you leaned over, in sync with Regret, and planted a peck on the actor’s face.

“Cut!” Samuel shouted. “Ladies, I’m sorry, I need you to do that again.”

“Why?!” Gerard demanded. “I thought that take was fine.”

“Because you were making a face in the background,” Samuel groaned.

“N-No I wasn’t!” Gerard denied, blushing. 

“You were,” Samuel insisted. “You’re supposed to have a neutral expression, and be looking at the camera. But, you were looking down at them instead.” 

“You were pouting, dude,” Frank teased. “Come on, let’s try it again.” 

You repeated the take, leaning over, and kissing Lukas’ cheek again. 

“Cut!” Samuel called again, looking frustrated. “Gerard, the rest of the band was looking at the camera just fine. You’re still staring downwards, with that surly expression.”

“I’m not surly,” Geraed argued. “I was making a totally normal face.”

“No, he’s right,” Mikey shook his head. “You weren’t looking, where you were supposed to look at all.” 

“Let’s give it one more try,” Gerard sighed. “I promise, I’ll get it right this time.” 

I hope so, you thought with a frown. How many times, am I going to have to put my lips on this guy’s face today?

“You know what,” Samuel shrugged, “why don’t we just take a break for lunch, and try again in thirty?”

This was fine with you - you were already bored, with the repetition. You wished you knew what was throwing Gerard off. 

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

You found Gerard by the craft services table, listlessly eating a handful of Cheetos.

“Are you okay?” you asked him softly, as you filled your own plate with snacks. 

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Gerard insisted. “Don’t worry about me.”

“What is it that you’re having trouble with?” you wondered. “I mean, all you’re doing in that scene, is standing still up there, right?”

“Yeah, it shouldn’t be this hard,” Gerard frowned. “I don’t know….something about watching you plant one on Lukas, is just getting on my nerves.” 

“Why’s that?” you asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“I….I don’t know,” Gerard blushed. “I just don’t want you touching him, for some reason.” 

“You’re the one, who called me, and asked me to play this specific role,” you reminded him. 

“I know I did,” Gerard acknowledged. “I just….I didn’t think it would bother me this much.”

“Why does it bother you?” you asked. “Like, what is it that goes through your head, when you see me do that?” 

“I guess I feel…..jealous,” Gerard admitted shyly, dropping his voice, so only you would hear. 

“.....Jealous?” you repeated, heart pounding. What was he saying?

Gerard’s whole face turned red, and he stared downwards, suddenly very interested in his shoes.

“....Gee,” you whispered, touching his arm. “Look at me...are you telling me, that you wish, I was kissing your cheek, instead?” 

You two had been friends for almost a decade now, but he had never made a move on you, or given you any indication that he desired anything more, than a platonic relationship. But….the truth was, you’d always found him incredibly handsome.

Gerard’s hazel eyes glanced up, hesitantly meeting yours. 

“As soon as I saw you walk out here, in that skirt,” Gerard confessed, his voice soft and husky, “I wanted to kiss you, on far more, than just your cheeks.” 

“....You want to kiss me on the mouth?” you realized, your face and body going suddenly so hot.

“God help me, I do,” Gerard breathed. 

“.....Do it,” you said breathlessly. Secretly, you’d wanted this, for years. 

“But, there’s people all around us!” Gerard said shyly. 

You looked up, and saw that he was right. Actors and actresses were starting to form a line around the table, eager to grab food to snack on. 

“.....Come with me,” you said impulsively, and dragged him by the arm, into the powder room, where you’d gotten changed earlier. 

“Y-Y/N, what are you doing?” Gerard stammered. “This is the girls’ room…..I’m not supposed to be in here….I don’t want to get caught….” 

“Then be real quiet, then,” you shushed him, and pulled him in for a searing kiss. 

His shyness seemed to melt away, as his lips crashed into yours. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you tighter, as the kiss deepened. 

“....Gee!” you gasped, coming up for air. You never saw this coming from him. 

“Y/N, I want to make you mine,” Gerard panted, eager to taste your lips again. “Mine, and mine alone.” 

You kissed him again. Your hands twisted into his newly short hair. You’d wanted this forever, but you never expected it to actually happen. He tasted so sweet, and his touch was so startlingly possessive. 

“Honey,” you purred, grabbing him by his jacket collar, “I’m already yours.”

#gerard way x reader #gerard way imagine #gothtober

[scary-mostaccioli]

~May I please have a matchup? I’m 19 years and I am a female. I am 5 foot tall and bisexual but I’d prefer to be matched up with a guy pasta. One of my favorite things to do is draw which adds onto be being really creative but I’m pretty messy and lazy, I also love playing video games, yes, I do really enjoy Zelda by the way, I’m really childish too, I love collecting stuffed animals and toys. Oh yeah, this is random but my favorite color is black but even I’m surprised that I’m smart (1/2)

I match you with...Dark Link!

He’s one of those people who will ask you to draw them for the sole fact that he’s your boyfriend

The phrase “draw me like one of your french girls” seems to become a common phrase coming from him

He’ll also ask you to draw art for him in general because he lacks artistic talent of his own

If it were art or death, he would t even have a chance before he met his downfall

Dark is also very messy as well as lazy, so your habits of similar fashion don’t bother him at all

He also loves Legend of Zelda, quite obviously

Sometimes he’ll appear in game just to mess with you like the good boyfriend he is

What do you know!! His favorite color is black!!

That also happens to be his aesthetic

Because of this, he’s overjoyed you enjoy the color

It makes like easier on him

If anyone can handle your temper it’s him

He’s not the best at keeping sensitive to keep you happy, but he can deal with any emotion you feel quite easily

He’s also good at reminding you to do things that he’ll to calm you down

Not so much at calming you don’t himself, however,,,

He shares a similar music taste as well

Blasting music together is a must

He also knows every lyric to welcome to the black parade

It was funny to him at the time since the song was a meme, but now he regrets it because whenever he listens to the song he can never get it out of his head

#creepypasta #creepypasta x reader #creepypasta matchups #dark link x reader #dark link

[alatismeni-theitsa]

One thing I love about your account is that you challenge all of what I thought being Greek meant. Like growing up, I always felt bad about myself because my skin was pale, and I was always told all Greeks have olive skin. I never liked my nose because I felt it didn’t look like what the media portrays Greek noses to look. Like even looking at my mom and papou’s noses, I just have a different one. I’ve always just been insecure, feeling like I could never look Greek enough.

Ya su! :D Big answer incoming, brace yourselves! 

From your question I understand you are a Greek of diaspora and your mother was a second generation Greek immigrant. I have received plenty of messages here from Greeks of diaspora who have told me “I am pale/I have blue eyes/I am blond and I don’t feel like a Greek!” Really, I should make a tag! It’s so strange how foreigners make us feel like we don’t belong in our own ethnicity! North Europeans and Americans make even us, who live in Greece feel like our heritage doesn’t belong to us! “You can’t possibly be the same!” they say. No, we are not the same. However we come from a long continuous line of people who tought the Greek heritage to their children for centuries. We speak the same language, we have many same traditions, we get inspired by the same nature. The antiquity doesn’t exist in a vacuum and it never stopped being a part of us. 

That’s why I encourage proper representation of Greeks, especially on American media, so false images stop being circulating. It’s not exactly racist what’s happening but it has resulted in many Greeks straight up being told “you don’t even look Greek, why you speak on Greek issues?” That enrages me EVERY.FUCKING.TIME.

Because to tell you the truth, Greeks couldn’t be further from the stereotype  “dark olive skin with curly black hair”! The majority, especially in the north, is pale, many times with big weird ass noses. 99% of us look white with the first guess. Of course there are some occasions where the stereotype is true (I don’t pretend there are no darker Greeks!) but those are rare. An American friend once saw a documentary about modern Athens and she was very surprised about how white we looked and asked herself “is this Germany??”

Even in the ancient art all over Greece we see pale/white people all over the place. I have been to museums all over the country and always seen them (where the colors are preserved) and I have posted some in my tag #ancient greek art as well. The Americans go “oh, those are fake because Greeks idolized white skin”. Sure, Jan, all Greeks all over the country made art with Caucasian white people because they were all in a secret white supremacy pact. Of course figures are beautified sometimes but it’s crazy to assume Greeks did everything in their power not to depict their own people accurately. I have this post (link) where I discuss that ancient Greeks weren’t that different from us today, with sources of studies showing our DNA hasn’t changed much. It’s to debunk the “ancient Greeks were darker than the modern ones”, which is used to depict our ancient gods and people very dark in modern art.

Foreigners also focus on the mixes with other people Greeks had in order to justify how we are dark. “But they are close to Africa sooo...” No. This argument doesn’t make much sense and people who use it know jack shit about our history and demographics and don’t have any common sense. It’s true though that mixes have played a part in our history and our appearance so it’s good to speak about those.

Greeks in the North (Athens and up) have mostly been mixing with Slavs and Germanic people because it’s easier for us to go to each other’s country by foot, and we just are close to each other. Plus, the history of the Balkans is very interesting and full of mixes and immigration! We also have mixed (I don’t know to what extent) with the Turks, who are Mongolic in nature and come north of Greece as well.   

People from the Peloponnise can be darker but still they look hella white (as I was told by Peloponnisian friends and as I have noticed myself). People in the south islands are more likely to have some Arab DNA but generally no one has observed that they look different than the rest of Greeks. (I haven’t seen it or heard it ever in my life. Other Greeks, correct me if I am wrong). You can’t tell which person comes from just by looking at them. 

Your struggle is understandable and I would like to give some suggestions to overcome it and be more comfortable in your own heritage. Perhaps you do some of these things anyway but there is no harm in listing them!

1) Search historically important Greeks and see their portraits. Seriously, do it! You may find yourself looking a little bit like them. You will surely have one thing common with them since they are usually pale :P Sometimes they may have non Greek names (Karlota, Suzanna, Emilia) but it was a trend for the rich families of the 19th century to give such names to children. I mean if you find a non-Greek name investigate if they are Greek or not because they actually might be. In my tag #Greek people you will find photos and portraits of Greeks from old times!

2) Read the history of Greece. All of it, not just from 300 BC to 100 AC as most foreigners do. Preferably, find works that have someone Greek as a writer or supervisor (because Greeks usually try to depict accuratelly what happened), or writers who truly feel Greece, like Richard Clogg. Read about Greek old allies and old enemies, about who we trade with, about where we immigrated, where we went to study to see what are the most likely mixes. Obviously, every kind of mix can happen but for numbers that matter you got to know the historical trends. It’s gonna be a journey that will help you feel your Greek side more and have answers ready when someone claims you don’t look Greek.   

3) Learn more Greek. The Greek language is logical but also stupid and funny, expressing the spirit of the people who made it. Learning Greek means learning how Greeks think. We have 20+ weird phrases to playfully say someone is gay, like “he flogs the dolphin”, “he shakes the pear tree” etc. We have phrases that stem from war and pirate raids and... hating the Turks, our colonizers :P We have many Mediterranean expressions like calling a mole “olive” or saying “I am in an open sea” (”πελάγωσα”) when we feel lost, or saying “he pressed my oil out” when someone tires us. I am very passionate about Greek so you can message me any time with any question about it! 

4) Learn where your family comes from. I mean the exact place/town, the geographical compartment. Learn the specific dances and traditional costume of that area from youtube videos or a Greek community in your area! See if the people in your area were great warriors, great merchants, great wine producers. See if there are any Greek heroes of the 1821 revolution coming from your place! Learn the song “Πώς το τρίβουν το πιπέρι” and the weird ass dance that comes with it, which Greek archeologists didn’t even hesitate to dance in a Mycenaic tomb!

5) Meet more Greeks! Through groups on insta or fb, through Tumblr blogs etc. Watch youtubers of Greek diaspora as “Greek in Town” or the comedian Basile! Maybe there is one Greek community near you area and you can pay a visit for festivals! 

6) Cook Greek food. If your grandparents and mum know recipes, take them as if they are gold. It’s a great way to get familiar with the local Greek ingredients and the Greek palette. Replace your soul with feta if you can xD 

7) Read Greek modern literature, even translated. Elitis, Sahtouris, Seferis, Venezis, Papadiamantis, Mirivilis, Delta, Empirikos, Zei, Kazantzakis are only a few of the literary gems Greeks have to offer. Enjoy good writing, the Greek perspective, and get to know the newer Greek society in a unique and authentic way. Here is a list with more of them (link).

8) Be proud. Be proud of a people who endured earthquakes, wars, genocide, famine, occypation, slaughters and slavery and can still stand. In every anniversary of ww1, ww2 and grecoturkic war, in our schools we sing prideful songs and hang posters with our war heroes, always standing proud. The students and the army parade in the streets, the small childrean wearing traditional costumes. Being proud is one key element of being Greek. 

Of course I don’t mean in a nationalistic/facist tone! We also celebrate the fall of the Greek junta of 1967 - which was financed by the US - and we are proud for it! And we fought German nazis. So no such ideology is welcome. Because we have so many things to be proud of (such long history!) foreigners equate our pride with nationalism. That is not the case for a healthy Greek mind who knows Greek history.

Ok, that’s all! Thank you for making it this far and reading what I had to say! I wish you a great cultural journey and I remind you that my DMs and Asks are open if you ever need anything! 

#answered #anonymous #greek speaks #greek people #theansweriamlookingfor #recommendation #greek diaspora

[batsy-bueller]

21 Questions

Tagged Me: @flushings-here Rules: Answer 21 questions and then tag people who you want to get to know better

Nickname: Meg/Meggie/Shortie 

Zodiac: Aries 

Height: Like, 5′5″ - closer to 5′6″

Last Movie I Saw: Aquaman 

Last Thing I Googled: Bomber Jacket (I needed an art reference) 

Favorite Musician: Er...Mystery Skulls I guess 

Song Stuck in My Head: Rewrite the Stars from the Greatest Showman 

Other Blogs: Just my art blog @causeimanartist

Do I Get Asks: On here? No. On my art blog? Yes

Following: 521 (a lot of unactive Hetalia blogs lmfao) 

Amount of Sleep: Between 8-10 hours, I can’t function without sleep 

Lucky Number: 16 

What I’m Wearing: Leggings, a Parks and Recreation tee-shirt, and a flannel 

Dream Job: Historian in a museum 

Dream Trip: Ireland and Germany! And Holland! Basically just Europe 

Favorite Food: I have been told that I am easy to bribe with chocolate shakes so probably that 

Play Instruments: The flute! Except I haven’t touched it in years 

Languages: English (obviously), Spanish (took many years of it, still deplorable), Sarcasm  

Favorite Songs: Meant to Be Yours - Heathers, Defying Gravity - Wicked, Michael in the Bathroom - BMC, So Much Better - Legally Blonde the Musical, I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Huston, Welcome to the Black Parade - MCR, Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon, Follow Me Follow You - Genesis 

Random Fact: I used to cosplay as APH America and one time at a convention I was part of an ask-panel. It was really last minute because their America was a no show and so they basically grabbed the first America they saw (me). I believe the video can be found on Youtube 

Describe Yourself as Aesthetic Things: oversized sweaters, worn in Converse, a cozy used book store/books arranged on a shelf, old maps, the color navy blue, sunrise/sunset against a city backdrop ???

Tagging: ??? Anyone who wants to 

#i was tagged #personal

[doomedhowell]

The Punk And The Pianist

Summary: Dan is a struggling college student whose dream is to be a pianist, but he doesn’t think it’s a “practical” job. Phil is a punk works as a bartender at a small bar. Dan decides to try playing the piano for open mic night at the bar, Phil sees him blah blah blah they fall for each other blah blah happy end.

Trigger Warnings: swearing, g-note (as suggested by my artist :D)

Word Count: 5,259

here is the art link!

A/N: I’m so excited to post my first phandomreversebang fic! I had a lot of fun writing it and I hope you guys enjoy it!

Dan had always wanted to be a professional piano player. It’s been his dream ever since he was a little kid. Well, ever since his parents had first introduced him to the piano, at least. He started piano lessons early at five years old and continued taking them until he was a teenager.

Now Dan is nineteen years old and currently in college and he’s working hard to get a major in music. His dream still is to be a professional pianist but he’s quickly starting to think that maybe this isn’t the best job if he really wants to make it in the real world. There’s so many things that he’s starting to worry about on top of struggling to get through college, and it’s just his first year.

Sure, he loves playing the piano, but how is that supposed to pay the rent? Dan’s going to be out of college in a couple of years and he’ll need to find a job where he’ll make money and be able to rent an apartment. He doesn’t even need a fancy house or anything. He just wants to survive.

It’s the weekend when Dan decides to visit his friend, Louise. She goes to the same college as him and they usually hang out together. Louise has been busy this week with school work so Dan didn’t get to see her as much so he’s taking this opportunity while he can. Louise is a great listener and gives good advice and Dan has a lot that he needs help with at the moment so maybe Louise will be able to help him.

“Hey Dan!” Louise greets cheerfully as she allows Dan into her dorm after giving him a warm hug.

“Hey,” Dan smiles after walking into her dorm. He glances around a second before looking over at her.

“What’s up?” Louise asks softly as she shuts the door. She looks over at Dan.

“I need help with something,” Dan says. They walk over and sit down on Louise’s bed. “I’m confused…”

“Okay. Talk to me. What are you confused about?” Louise asks as she leans back against her pillows.

“It’s just…” Dan sighs and shakes his head. “I’m not sure if I chose the right career path, you know? Obviously I love playing the piano but how do I know if that’s going to help me in the future with things like money, and a job? I don’t even know where to start and I’m really struggling.”

“Dan, I know you. You love playing the piano. Maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to push it aside. You haven’t even finished college yet and that’s the major you’re going for. Maybe you’re unsure because of all the work college has you doing. You haven’t had much time to play the piano really,” Louise says.

“Oh…” Dan blinks a few times. “Yeah. I didn’t even think about that.’

“You know… I know of this bar that does open mic nights and they allow piano players. It’s a small bar but it’s quite popular. Maybe you should try it? Maybe someone will recognize your talent,” Louise smiles. “You just need to get back into the groove again with your piano playing.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks, Louise. I knew you’d be able to help me,” Dan reaches over and hugs her.

“Oh, what can I say?” Louise laughs as she hugs Dan back. “I know you’ve been struggling lately. You’re my best friend and I just want to see you happy and do what you want in life, you know?”

“Thanks,” Dan says as he pulls away. “Text me the name of that bar later. I’d like to give it a shot. I mean, I’ve never performed in front of an actual crowd before but… I think it’d be okay.”

“Yes, it will be. And I’ll even go so you have a friend in the audience,” Louise grins.

Dan couldn’t believe Louise had actually convinced him to perform at an open mic night in a bar. In front of an audience. Dan has never performed in front an audience before so this was very nerve wracking. The only people he ever performed in front of is his piano teacher, his family and a few of his friends.

But one thing Dan was excited about was being able to play the piano again freely.

And maybe, Louise will be right. Maybe this will help him stop second guessing himself about the piano.

But now Dan only has until Sunday night to think of a song and practice it as much as he can because he definitely does not to want to mess up his first time playing in front of an audience.

Dan quickly decides later on that same Friday night that he wants to play Welcome To The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance for his performance. It’s one song that he already knows how to play really well on the piano and he also thinks that a lot of people, hopefully, will know the song which might help him with well first impressions with the audience. Dan is so worried about how the audience will react.

“Are you nervous about performing tonight?” Louise asks as she stands with Dan by his mirror. It was finally Sunday night and Dan would be leaving with Louise in about a half an hour. He wants to get there early just in case something happens to go wrong. “What am I saying? Of course you are.”

Dan chuckles. “Yeah, I am nervous but… also a little bit excited,” he says, fixing his hair.

“Good, you should be excited. This is your first live performance in front of an audience,” Louise smiles.

“I’m just worried. What if something happens and I totally screw up? I don’t want them to hate me,”

“Dan, it’s okay if you screw up. You’re human. Everybody makes mistakes,” Louise assures him.

“But my biggest fear is getting booed,” Dan pouts. “I just want everything to go well tonight.”

“And they will go well tonight,” Louise sighs and shakes her head. “You just have to have positive thoughts and try not to worry about what could possibly go wrong. Because, if you do think about that… then something most likely will go wrong and we don’t want that. Is that good advice?” She giggles.

Dan rolls his eyes playfully. “Yeah, I get what you’re trying to say. Positive thoughts,” he says.

“Good boy,” Louise says. She takes a step back and looks over Dan’s outfit. “Wow. Perfect outfit choice. You look nice but you’re not trying too hard. You should be good to go.”

“Can’t I practice one more time before we go?” Dan begs.

“Dan, you’ve practice like fifty times this weekend since I told you about the gig,” Louise says.

“Because I’m nervous and I don’t want to fuck anything up,” Dan whines.

“You’re not going to uh… you know, do that,” Louise says, stopping herself from swearing. “You’re a very good piano player and I just wish that you would see that. You gotta have a little faith in yourself, Daniel.”

Once Dan is finally ready to go, they leave Dan’s dorm and call an Uber to the bar where Dan will be playing at for the night. He was starting to get more nervous once they actually reached the building.

“Come on Dan,” Louise says as she gently leads Dan into the bar. “You gotta check in with the manager and let him know what time you’ll be playing so he can introduce you.”

Dan nods. “Thanks. I’ll see you later?” He says as he looks up at Louise.

“You betcha. You’ll see me in the audience when you start playing,” Louise grins at him and then she reaches over and gives Dan a reassuring and comforting hug before walking away.

Dan takes a deep breath and then he walks over to the manager of the bar.

“How can I help you?” The manager asks as he looks up at Dan.

“I’m Dan. I’m supposed to be playing at 8:30pm,” Dan says, fiddling with the hem of his shirt nervously.

“Ah, yes. You’re on the list. Follow me backstage and we’ll help you get ready,”

“Oh, thank you so much-” Dan smiles and follows the manager to where the backstage is. Dan had no idea the bar would be so fancy and organized. He can understand why it’s so popular. Louise loves it here.

“Angelica, this is Dan. He’s the piano player and he plays at 8:30. Help him get ready,”

“Don’t worry about it Scott, I’ve got it from here,” the lady who ‘Scott’ had taken Dan too backstage.

Scott looks to Angelica and smiles before giving her a nod. “Yes, of course. You already know where to find me if you need me but try not to need me,” he says before turning around and leaving the backstage area.

Angelica chuckles and looks over at Dan, looking him up and down. “Piano player, huh?”

Dan blushes and slowly nods. “Um, yeah…”

“Cool. We don’t get piano players here very often but that’s okay. The crowd loves piano players,”

“Really?” Dan asks, a little surprised. “I would think they like bands and singers. Hardcore stuff.”

“Oh, they do. Bands are crowd favorites. But, it’s always nice for a little change, right?” Angelica smiles.

Dan is surprised when he finds out that they have a piano backstage and he’s actually able to practice for about ten minutes before he goes on stage, and he only messed up once out of the two times he had played through the song which makes him feel a lot better. It was only a minor mistake. Being able to play before the show really helped him out and made him feel a lot more confident.

“Our first performer tonight is Dan Howell, and he will be playing the piano. Please give a warm welcome-”

Dan takes a deep breath before walking on stage, and luckily people are clapping and cheering.

Dan nervously walks over to the piano and sits down, trying his absolute best not to focus on the fact that there are so many eyes on him right now. “Hi, um, I’m Dan-” He says shyly. “And I’m going to be playing Welcome To The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance.” He smiles a little when he hears people cheer, so obviously his choice of song was a good choice. He knew it would be a crowd pleaser.

Dan glances up quickly and smiles when he instantly spots Louise in the back, cheering for him just like she said she would. At least he had one supporter in the audience, even if he does mess up.

Dan takes a deep and gently places his finger on the piano and finally begins playing.

The room is silent as Dan plays. Luckily he’s too into the music that he doesn’t really pay attention to the audience. He doesn’t know if they like him or not but he’s just enjoying himself.

Dan looks up once he’s finished playing the piano and he blushes when he sees people cheering. He starts standing up to take a bow but he instantly stops when people start chanting for him to do an encore.

“Encore! Encore! Encore!”

Dan looks around for help and he finally spots the manager, who gives him a nod of approval.

“Thank you,” Dan says into the microphone. “I, um… I don’t have a second song choice. Any requests?”

And so Dan ends up playing three extra songs.

The crowd loves him, or so Dan assumes with all the cheering and the encore chants happening, and Dan almost wants to cry tears of joy once he’s off stage but he manages to force the tears to stay behind.

“Dan, that was amazing!” Louise yells excitedly as she runs up to her best friend, hugging him tightly.

Dan laughs as he hugs her back. “Thanks. That felt amazing! Did the audience love it?”

“Of course. Didn’t you hear them cheering? You were playing the piano and people were still singing along to all of the songs that you were playing. Someone is definitely discovering you after tonight,” Louise grins.

“Well, I’m feeling pumped right now… and I need a drink. Stat,” Dan says.

Louise laughs. “Alright, fine. Go get yourself a drink,” she gently pushes Dan towards the bar.

Dan giggles and then he walks up to the bar, and luckily it isn’t too busy so Dan doesn’t have to wait long. He sits on one of the stools, and let’s out a sigh. He’s exhausted after that set, but he’s also happy. He definitely didn’t expect tonight to go as well as it did but he’s definitely not complaining about it.

“What can I get for ya?”

Dan looks up and stares at the menu. “Uh, I’m not sure… beer, I guess?”

“Hey, aren’t you the guy who just performed, with the piano?”

Dan blushes and slowly nods. “Yes, that’s me,” he replies shyly before looking up at the bartender.

“Wow. You are very talented. I’m not much into piano music but the songs you were chose were amazing,” the bartender smiles at Dan. “Are you a professional piano player? Because if not, you should be.”

“I’m aiming to be but I’m not sure,” Dan shrugs. “I’m conflicted if that’s what I really want to do, y’know? But, that’s why I did this gig because I thought it would help. Oh, I’m rambling again, aren’t I?”

“Wait, you’re actually conflicted? I wouldn’t be if I were as talented as you,” he scoffs and shakes his head.

“Yeah but, is being a piano player really going to help me survive in the real world?” Dan asks.

“You can’t think about that stuff dude,” the bartender says as he hands Dan a can of beer. “You just gotta… do whatever your heart wants. I guess. Who cares about the real world? Whatever that means.”

“Wow. Well, um… thank you, for the advice,” Dan blushes and takes a drink of the beer.

“My name’s Phil. Your name is… Dan? Dan Howell?”

“Yeah,” Dan smiles and nods. “I didn’t expect someone covered in tattoos to like piano music.”

“No, I don’t really. I just loved the songs that you played. I mean… My Chemical Romance? Hell yeah,”

Dan laughs. “Yeah, I thought that would be a good song to play since that’s a well known song to play on the piano. I’ve been playing that song on piano for years anyways so I knew I wouldn’t mess it up.”

“And then you went and played Muse. Do you know how much I love Muse?” Phil asks.

Dan gasps with excitement. “Muse is my favorite band!” He exclaims. “Wow. You like MCR and Muse?”

“Yeah. I’ve never met a piano player who loves pop-punk music,” Phil chuckles. “That’s interesting.”

“Oh, please. I like all types of music. I love pop music, rap. I even like classical music!” Dan exclaims as he smiles proudly. Dan has always been open to all types of different music types and that’s what he’s most proud of. It definitely comes in handy with being a piano player because he gets to try out playing different genres on the piano. Most piano players stick to classical but Dan doesn’t like that.

“So, you pretty much listen to everything? I love that,” Phil smiles back at him.

Dan’s heart flutters as he stares at Phil. He’s never seen such bright blue eyes before. And that smile.

And that’s how Dan ended up making out with an attractive bartender in the pub’s bathroom.

Dan moans as Phil roams his hands all over Dan’s body before kissing and sucking on Dan’s neck until he leaves a hickey but Dan couldn’t care less about the marks.

Phil finally pulls away and stares at Dan. “Do you wanna take this to my place?” He whispers.

A smile forms on Dan’s face and he nods quickly. “Yes,” he breathes.

Dan couldn’t be more grateful that they ended up going to Phil’s house rather than his dorm because that would have been embarrassing. He doesn’t have a roommate but he doesn’t want Phil to see his embarrassingly messy dorm. Phil doesn’t even know that he’s in college.

Going to Phil’s place for the night was the most fun Dan’s had since he started college. He’s been in college for a year now but hasn’t had any time to go out and hook up with boys. But honestly, Dan also hasn’t really been thinking about boys or relationships. He just wants to get through college with no drama.

However, it’s the morning when Dan wakes up completely alone, which he was not expecting.

Dan slowly pushes himself up and looks around. He’s still at Phil’s house. This isn’t his college dorm.

“Phil?” Dan calls. His heart is pounding against his chest. He’s nervous. Did Phil really leave him like this? He thought he and Phil could have had something but apparently he’s the only one who thought that.

Dan takes a deep breath before swinging his legs over the bed. He bends down and grabs his clothes. He quietly gets dressed and grabs his phone before heading out of Phil’s room. He looks around but still doesn’t hear or see any sign of Phil. Dan sighs sadly before walking down the stairs.

Instead of going to his room, Dan goes straight to Louise’s room. He wants to cry but he also doesn’t.

This wouldn’t be the first time Dan has cried over a boy. He hasn’t been in a relationship in over four years, and his last relationship ended badly when Dan caught his boyfriend cheating on him. He cried for days.

Dan knocks on the door repeatedly until Louise finally answers the door.

“What? What is it?” Louise looks up and blinks a few times when she sees Dan standing there. “Dan? What are you doing here? And where did you go last night? Is that a hickey on your neck?”

Dan sniffs, trying his best to keep the tears in his eyes. “I-I made a mistake. I need your h-help,” he says.

“Oh dear,” Louise gently grabs Dan and pulls him into the room. “What happened?”

“I… I met a guy and h-he was really nice about me playing the piano. We made out in the ba-bathroom and then he took me to his place and we had sex. I really liked him but I guess he didn’t the feel the same ab-about me,” Dan sobs, unable to hold in the tears any longer. “Why does this keep happening to me?”

“Dan,” Louise frowns and pulls him into a hug. She comforts him for a few moments before finally pulling away from the hug. “It’s going to be okay. You’ll find someone better than that douche.”

“But he was really nice!” Dan cries. “He liked Muse! And MCR!”

“And I’m sure there are other plenty of nice boys who like Muse and MCR and will love you,” Louise says. “I know it hurts but you just gotta move on and find someone new. Trust me, I’ve been there before.”

Dan sighs in defeat and then he looks up at Louise. “C-Can you help me cover this please?” He asks as he points to the hickey on his neck. “I don’t want it to be there anymore.”

“Of course darling. Let’s go to the bathroom,” Louise leads Dan to the bathroom.

Within minutes, Louise manages to hide the hickey on Dan’s neck and Dan couldn’t be more grateful.

“I never want to date another boy again,” Dan mumbles as he hops off the bathroom counter.

“Aw, come on. Don’t say that. There is someone out there for you Dan,” Louise says softly.

“But where?” Dan asks, stomping his feet. “I’m twenty years old! I don’t wanna be lonely forever.”

“Exactly. You’re twenty years old, Dan. You have plenty of time left to look for love,” Louise says. “Maybe you should just focus on college and the piano. You shouldn’t really worry about that stuff anyways.”

“I was just lonely, I guess. I wanted to have some fun and I thought that he was really nice. He seemed like he actually cared. You should have seen him, Lou. He had all these tattoos and he was a total punk,” Dan says before letting out a sad sigh. “Well, thanks for helping me clean up. I’m a mess right now.”

Louise chuckles. “You’re not a mess, you’re just a little heartbroken… and you have every right to be,”

“Well… I think I’m going to go back to my dorm and watch some anime to make me feel better,”

“Oh Dan,” Louse sighs and shakes her head. “You’re going to be just fine.”

Dan finally says goodbye to Louise and heads back to his dorm.

The next week, Dan pretty much just stayed cooped up in his dorm room, only going out when he absolutely needed to or whenever he went to his classes.

Dan doesn’t know why he’s so hung up on this guy that he just met and only spent one night with. They hardly talked to each other. All Dan knows about him is that he has a lot of tattoos and likes the same music as him. He just seemed really nice. Maybe Dan just a little bit of hope that there could be something between the two of them. It had been a long time since he’s dated anyone, after all.

It’s Friday when Louise finally marches into Dan’s dorm.

“Listen up. We’re going out. I want you to get dressed and clean up,” she demands, yet her voice is soft.

Dan blinks a few times as he looks up from his laptop, looking up at Louise. “What do you mean?”

“Dan, you’ve been cooped up in your dorm all bloody week! You haven’t even been answering any of my texts which is so unlike you. I’ve been worried sick about you,” Louise huffs.

“I’m sorry, Lou. I just haven’t felt like talking to anybody all week,” Dan replies with a shrug.

“Well, that’s going to change. We’re going out and you’re going to have a good time with your best friend,”

“Louise, I don’t want to. Please don’t make me go out,” Dan whines.

Louise grabs Dan’s arm and forcefully pulls him out of bed. “See? That wasn’t so hard, now was it? Okay, let’s chose an outfit. We’re going to a bar so you gotta look nice,”

“You’re taking me to a bar? After what just happened?”

“Yeah. You can meet another boy there. Like I said before, there’s plenty of fish in the sea,” Louise grins.

“But you told me to forget about boys and focus on my school stuff. You’re sending me mixed signals,”

“It’s just one time. I wanna go have fun with my best friend,” Louise says.

Dan sighs. “Fine, just another opportunity to get drunk off my ass I suppose,” he mumbles.

Louise rolls her eyes. “Come on, let’s pick out an outfit!”

After they’ve picked out an outfit for Dan, him and Louise head out despite Dan’s continuous protests.

“Louise, what the hell are we doing here?” Dan asks once the Uber pulls up to the bar, the very same bar where he had met Phil just a week ago. “I’m not going in there.”

“Dan, come in. This is one of the best bars in town,” Louise says, grabbing her purse.

“But he met be in there!” Dan hisses as he glares at Dan. “Screw this. I’m not going-” He crosses his arms against his chest angrily. “I mean it, Louise. Take me back to my dorm.”

Louise rolls her eyes and then she quickly grabs Dan’s arm, she quickly pays the Uber driver and then she pulls Dan out of the car before he can protest anymore. “No, Dan. You’re going to forget about the douche that broke your heart, and have the time of your life with your best friend, okay?

Dan sighs. “I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” he grumbles as he follows Louise.

“Oh, shush. You’re going to thank me for this later,” Louise says.

Dan is hesitant as he walks into the bar with Louise. He doesn’t want to see Phil after what happened. Most people would probably say that he’s overreacting, but Dan feels embarrassed.

Although, if he does see Phil tonight, maybe he can finally get the answers to all the questions he’s had.

“Do you want to get anything to drink, Dan?” Louise asks.

“Um,” Dan glances around before looking back over at Phil. “Not right now. How about we dance for a bit?”

“Okay, now you’re talking!” Louise grins and then grabs Dan’s arm, and excitedly dragging him to the dancefloor. Dan definitely isn’t much of a dancer, especially around others and especially at bars like this, but he’s willing to do anything at this point to help get his mind off of Phil.

Dan dances with Louise for about ten minutes before he starts getting bored, and wanders off. Besides, Louise has already found another boy to dance with so it was just the perfect opportunity to escape, and he was definitely going to leave at the very first opportunity that he got.

Dan would love to stay and have fun with Louise, but he’s just not into being at bars like Louise is.

Dan sighs as he walks up to the bar, and sits down in one of the stools.

“Are you playing tonight?”

“No,” Dan replies, figuring the person is talking about playing the piano. “I’m just here to-” He looks up and then his eyes widen when he sees Phil in front of him. “Phil?” He had just started to forget about him for the first time this whole week and then he just had to run into him now. Things were going so well too.

“Should I get you the same as last time?” Phil asks.

Dan stares at him for a second before shaking his head. “Um, y-yeah… whatever,” he mumbles.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you,” Phil begins as he starts making Dan’s drink.

“I wonder whose fault that is,” Dan’s really trying his hardest not to snap at Phil right now. Dan doesn’t even really hate Phil. He just wants to know why Phil left him like that after what they did.

“What do you mean?” Phil asks, glancing over at Dan.

“I woke up after that night and you were totally gone. Who the fuck even does that?” Dan asks angrily, crossing his arms against his chest. “You couldn’t have left a note or anything?”

“I did leave a note,” Phil sighs. “I left one on the nightstand with my number on it. I guess you didn’t see it,”

“You… what?” Dan asks, frowning. “You actually did?”

“Yes,” Phil confirms. “I still have the note at my house. You really think I’m that type of person?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know you very well,” Now Dan’s starting to feel guilty. He’s been doing nothing but thinking negative thoughts about Phil all week, and Phil isn’t even the bad guy here. If only Dan had looked a little harder than he would have seen the note that Phil had left for him. “But, why did you leave?”

“I had a couple errands to run,” Phil explains. “I felt bad for leaving you alone but it was pretty early so I thought you would still be asleep by the time I got back. But, you were already gone.”

Dan groans and buries his face in his hands. “I’m such an idiot,”

Phil chuckles and then he hands Dan his drink. “I’m not upset with you,” he says, trying to reassure Dan.

“Hey!”

Dan blinks a few times and looks over, and his eyes widen when he sees Louise walking up to him.

“Louise, don’t-”

“Is this guy that douchebag that hurt you?” Louise asks, glaring at Phil. “You listen here-”

“Louise, please don’t,” Dan quickly grabs a hold of her. “Stop. It was all just a big misunderstanding.”

“How could it be?” Louise asks as she looks over at Dan. “He hurt you, Dan. No one hurts my best friend and gets away with it. At least let me beat him up a little bit. He deserves that.”

Phil raises his eyebrows as he watches the two.

“No, he doesn’t deserve any that. Phil didn’t leave me on purpose. He already explained everything to me,” Dan explains to her. “He left a note but I didn’t see it. It’s my fault. I jumped to conclusions too fast.”

Louise blinks a few times as she looks over at Phil. “So, you didn’t mean to hurt Dan?”

“No, I would never hurt someone like that,” Phil replies, shaking his head. “And, I’m truly sorry Dan. I feel awfully that you’ve been hurting. I tried to find you after that night but I didn’t see you at the bar again. I didn’t know where to find you. I was really hoping that we would see each other again though.”

“Really?” Dan asks, a smile forming across his face.

“Of course. You’re sweet, and you’re also very talented, and I’m not just talking about playing the piano,” Phil winks at Dan, instantly causing his cheeks to turn bright pink.

“Can I give you my number?” Dan asks, pulling out his phone. “I’d love to see you again after tonight.”

“Here-” Phil reaches over and grabs Dan’s phone. He quickly types in his number, adding himself as a contact in Dan’s phone. “Text me anytime. I work mostly but I’m usually free on the weekends.”

“Okay,” Dan takes his phone back. “I’m busy during the week as well. College stuff.”

“You’re in college?” Phil asks, obviously surprised. “Wow. Good to know I didn’t fuck a teenager.”

Dan laughs loudly and shakes his head. “I promise I’m not underage,”

“Well, I’ll leave you two alone now. Sorry for yelling at you,” Louise looks at Phil and smiles innocently.

Phil chuckles. “That’s alright. I understand. You were just trying to protect your friend,”

“Best friend,” Louise corrects, and then she grins. “And you’re right. Hey, I like you.”

“Hey, back off-” Dan pouts and pushes Louise playfully. “He’s mine.”

Louise giggles and then she takes off after saying a quick goodbye to Dan.

“Yours, huh?” Phil asks, leaning against the counter, and looking up at Dan.

“I-I mean… i-it’s okay if you don’t want to be. I… I totally understand,” Dan says quickly, blushing.

Phil laughs, and then he gently grabs Dan’s shirt and pulls him down, kissing him.

Dan’s eyes widen in surprise, but he doesn’t hesitate to kiss Phil back once he realizes what’s going on.

Phil smiles into the kiss before finally pulling away. “I need to get back to work before my manager notices that I’m not actually working but I wanted to ask you first, to make up for what happened. Can I take you on a date? Tomorrow evening? We can do whatever you want, and I’ll pay,” he says.

“You don’t have to do that,” Dan says softly. “But I would love to go on a date with you tomorrow.”

“A date it is,” Phil grins. “I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Dan has to remember to thank Louise later, otherwise, he wouldn’t be going on a date with Phil tomorrow.

#phanfiction #phanfic #phan #phandomreversebang #au #fluff #gettingtogether #piano #punk!phil #100

[arteacactus]

Singing

Warnings: G notes mentioned, emos screaming in the distance Pairing: Prinxiety - Romantic or platonic Prompt: https://youtu.be/5GN5k6voEQw Songs: Duality by Set It Off, you losers all know Welcome to The Black Parade

It was well known to everyone that Roman was an exquisite singer.

As was Patton, surprisingly. And while Logan wasn't a singer, he could rap better than anyone.

Virgil was good at art, they knew. They just assumed that was his "talent". While everyone else had a vocal talent, Virgil was talented with paints and pencils.

He made gorgeous art of the other Sides, making them look realistic yet somehow with a stylistic spin on them that made Virgil's art unique.

He had multiple sketchbooks, most of them full of doodles of animals or the other Sides, that were open to be taken and looked at. Virgil didn't mind sharing his artwork with the others. Thomas was pretty surprised when he summoned Virgil one time and found him doodling on paper, and instantly the other Sides were all over him and bombarding him with questions on what he was drawing.

There was one book Virgil never let anyone touch, though.

It was a hardcover book, and it had music notes decorating the covers. The Sides just assumed it was a sketchbook themed on music and bands, but in reality, it was Virgil's songwriting book.

He could sing with a heavenly voice; it sounded like the angels singing in a beautiful choir.

Virgil wasn't better than Roman (hell, no one could sing better than Roman, especially when it came to Disney songs), but he could sing a hell of a lot better than anyone else. Though while Roman sang well in higher tones, Virgil could sing deep bass tones. Virgil sang the darker songs, that usually contained heavy bass or just a low tone of voice, and obviously, Roman was the complete opposite.

Virgil disliked this about himself, though. He disliked having two talents while the others seemed to have one.

Well, some of the others.

Logan had a secret talent for writing, but only he knew that.

He felt that he would be pushed away for having more than one talent. And while it felt great to know he shared something in common with them all, he didn't want to be pushed away because "Oh, everyone could sing, you're nothing special, Virgil."

It genuinely hurt him to think that they would push him away like that, especially after they'd gotten so close lately.

So Virgil hid his singing from them. He hid the fact that he could play guitar, piano, and violin. (What? He doesn't just sulk all day when he sits in his room 24/7. He has hobbies.)

He hid the fact that he wrote music, and songs, and poems. He hid the fact he could do anything other than draw.

And being able to express the fact that he could draw was great, too, honestly. If he was feeling particularly bad or didn't want to talk, he could draw to express his emotions and get the Sides to understand how to deal with these moods that way.

But he wanted to express himself freely, every single way he could. He wanted to be able to just sing without worrying of judgement.

But.. he was Anxiety, right? So that was.. impossible.

Every time he felt even a sliver of courage enter him, genuinely contemplating just walking right out in the commons and breaking out in song, it died within seconds due to the cold claws of anxiety clutching at his heart and his lungs, convincing him that no, you cannot do that. They will hate you. Don't ever do that.

But he wanted to. Oh, he wanted to get over this fear of his. He knew it was silly and nonsensical, but he couldn't help it. He was Anxiety, and that fact would never change. He was the very embodiment of fear and reluctance. He didn't think it was possible for him to actually get over that without severe repercussions.

But what if it was unintentional? What if.. he didn't mean to let them know he could sing? Perhaps, that's what he could do. Unintentionally let them know of this talent.

But that was impossible. He couldn't plan out a perfect scheme, and then unintentionally do it.

Or, so he thought.

He had the idea of telling them in his mind for a long time. Perhaps during a Disney movie; Moana, maybe. He'll join Roman in a duet of "Where You Are" and that's when all is revealed.

Maybe he'll just "accidentally" drop his songbook on the floor, and go to his room, and wait for them to confront him. (As much as Roman would try to deny it, he wouldn't be able to resist peeking at a book that Virgil kept secret).

Or maybe, he'll just have his headphones in and sing along to his music out loud, where the others were.

But it ended up being none of the above.

Roman, Patton, and Logan were all with Thomas, Joan, and Talyn. They were all playing games, telling bad puns, and having fun.

Virgil chose to stay behind.

Yes, he was invited. He didn't feel 'left out' because he knew he got an invitation, and at any time, he was allowed to spontaneously join them at random.

But he felt like singing.

So, standing in the commons, with his headphones in, Virgil sat on the couch, turned on the television just so he didn't feel totally alone, and started playing 'Welcome to The Black Parade'.

Virgil shut his eyes, just enjoying the first verse for a bit, before restarting the song to sing along with it, unknowing of the fact he had just been summoned to Thomas' living room; too caught up in the music to notice the tugging feeling in his stomach as he was pulled from the mind palace.

"When I was a young boy, My father took me into the city, To see a marching band."

Virgil was entirely unaware of his brand new audience, who were utterly stunned to see that, not only did Virgil look peaceful and happy, caught up in his music, but his voice was gorgeous, and he could sing? Since when was that a thing?

"He said, "Son, when you grow up Would you be the savior of the broken The beaten and the damned?""

Virgil felt eyes on him and so he opened his own, immediately yelping a bit in surprise, not realizing he actually had an audience listening to him, his cheeks reddening as he ripped off his headphones and turned off his music, chewing on the inside of his cheek anxiously.

"Wh-What did you guys want?" He stuttered, trying to will the blush away from his face.

"Virgil, that was.. astounding," Logan stated first, being the first to break out of his shocked state.

"I agree! That was so cool! I didn't know you could sing, too!" Thomas gushed, a smile coming to his face.

"I didn't know you sang so amazing, Virge! You're so amazing at it!" Patton squealed, squishing his cheeks together in awe.

"You have such a lovely voice, Virgil, I'm surprised!" Roman said last, smiling at the blushing Side. "I didn't think you could sing, to be honest."

"Yeah, well.." Virgil mumbled awkwardly, ".. Surprise?"

"Can you sing something for us, Virgil?" Patton asked excitedly, "Please? Pretty pretty please?"

"I don't know any other songs except for those "PG-13" ones you guys complain about," Virgil grumbled softly, self-consciously tugging at his jacket sleeve. He wasn't used to having all the attention; usually, Roman stole the spotlight and kept it that way.

"That's fine! Come on, sing just a little something for us, Virge!" Thomas urged, all of them sitting in an eager way, like children awaiting a show. Except for Logan, of course. Sophisticated as ever.

"Well.. fine," Virgil sighed. He supposed this is what he'd been asking for.

"I can't quite contain, or explain my evil ways, Or explain why I'm not sane; All I can say, is this is your warning.."

He hesitantly started, biting his lip a bit, but got nothing but encouraging looks from his little 'crowd'.

"I can't quite contain, or explain my evil ways, Or explain why I'm not sane; All I can say, is this is your warning; Duality-"

His breath hitched a bit due to nervousness, but he was quick to suppress it. He had to get confidence. He knew he could sing well. He wasn't gonna screw up at all. He was fine.

"I have a confession that you will not believe; That you could not perceive this freak, gonna set it off- I have a confession, of a side that I hide, It's a cloak or disguise unleashed, gonna get it off,"

Gradually, Virgil gained confidence, and his voice got steadier, expressing how confident he was beginning to feel. He got louder, not anxiously hushed.

"No, I'll never get away, 'Cause if I try to stray, It only holds me closer. No, I'll never get away, I love it anyway, I'll never stop."

His voice was steady and smooth like honey, and the Sides (and Thomas, Joan, and Talyn) noted how his tone of voice was deeper than all the others'.

"I can't quite contain, or explain my evil ways, Or explain why I'm not sane. All I can say, is this is your warning. I can't quite contain, or explain my evil ways, Or explain why I'm not sane; All I can say, is this is your warning; Duality!"

Virgil's voice began to take a different turn.

It was like there were two voices singing together in harmony. It made his singing sound even more entrancing. Was Virgil really hiding this talent from them this whole time?

"I have an impression, in the back of my mind, For the black in my tie, contains all your dirty thoughts. Make me an obsession, when you lock me inside, For the ride of your life unleashed, gonna get it off."  

Virgil felt a swell of pride. He was so.. proud of himself, so happy that he could manage to do this. He loved it, he loved this feeling. Maybe he should sing more often.

"No, can't count the list of things, I know are wrong with me, No need to justify them. No, I'll never take the blame, So I'll just stay the same, I'll never stop-"

This song really fit Virgil, Roman realized with a fond smile as he sat, entranced by Virgil's voice, like everyone else.

"I can't quite contain, or explain my evil ways, Or explain why I'm not sane. All I can say, is this is your warning. I can't quite contain, or explain my evil ways, Or explain why I'm not sane; All I can say, is this is your warning; Duality!"

As the chorus rolled around again, Virgil felt something inside burst, and his voice got even lower. He was getting into the song, which was unusual since he'd never really expected for that to happen when around the others.

"I am good, I am evil. I am solace, I am chaos. I am human, and that's all I've ever wanted to be."

As Virgil's voice dropped, the Sides collectively shivered. Virgil had such talent. Roman was swooning.

"No, can't count the list of things, I know are wrong with me, No need to justify them. No, I'll never get away, I love it anyway, I'll never stop."

Was it possible to listen to one sing for hours on end without stopping? Maybe. Virgil would probably get a sore throat, though.

"I can't quite contain, or explain my evil ways, Or explain why I'm not sane. All I can say, is this is your warning. I can't quite contain, or explain my evil ways, Or explain why I'm not sane; All I can say, is this is your warning; Duality."

As Virgil finished the song, he carefully opened his eyes, taking in their expressions, since he'd had them closed the whole time. Why? He really didn't know. Perhaps it was the fear of how they'd react. That seems the most.. logical answer.

Gah, now he was starting to sound like Logan.

"I-Ah.. I'm sorry, I got carried away, I didn't mean to sing so much, I was only gonna go up to the chorus.."

"Don't apologize; that was magnificent! I have no words for how stunning your voice is, Virgil!" Roman reassured with a large smile, and Virgil's lips twitched, trying to hide his grin.

"Would it.. be a bad time to say I can also write and compose songs, play some instruments, and make poems?"

Perhaps he was just bragging, but he really didn't get that often, and it felt good.

Besides, he wouldn't mind playing a little piano for the Sides.

Maybe breaking out the old g note was a good plan.

#i have no taglist #so #rip #if yall find this then woo #prinxiety #roman sanders #virgil sanders #sanders sides #thomas sanders #thatsthat24 #my fic #fanfiction

[mollymacindoephotography]

“We’re Māori - we wing it!”

A story about choosing the ‘exit for opportunity’, being chucked into a ceremonial deep-end, witnessing a history-making meeting with only a napkin and eyeliner for note-taking and a few surreptitious snaps on a crappy phone camera.

(NB: worth checking out the prequel: ‘How I met Nanny Mary’ blog – just scroll down the blog list or click here)

In brief though, earlier this year, at the beginning of a two-month tiki-tour through Aotearoa (New Zealand) I’d had a very memorable Poukai experience at the Tūrangawaewae Marae, where ‘Nanny Mary’ had taken me under her wing. She’s a real wahine toa (warrior woman) with a wonderfully kind nature and infectious bubbly personality (reflected in her rainbow coloured hair), who also happens to be the Treasurer of Tamaki Makaurau – one of seven Electorates for the Maori Party that roughly covers greater Auckland).

Since first meeting we kept checking in on Facebook, hoping our paths would cross at one of the various events around the North Island that Mary was partaking in, so far to no avail. Mary’s from Auckland, so I let her know well in advance when it came time to return there.  Not until a week later during the actual drive to Auckland from Hamilton, did a message pop up on my phone from Mary. An hour later, stuck at roadworks, was the time to peek:

“Hey gal if you not doing anything at 5pm and in the vicinity of Manurewa Marae... Nau mai haere mai. Nga Tumanako winners of Te Matatini 2019 are bringing The Mauri to Manurewa 6pm sharp Powhiri.

…but only managed to make sense of the words, “vicinty of” , “Manurewa”,  “5pm” …and something about a ceremony.  Auckland is a huge, sprawling city and I’d no clue where that area was, but being 4:30pm and en route to an appointment followed by dinner with a cousin I hadn’t seen in 20 years; I thought, never mind, hopefully I’ll catch up with Mary over the next few days. Fate intervened, however; literally a minute later, I see an exit sign for ‘Manurewa’ – instinct took the wheel and oopsy, I was off on an unknown adventure! 

First stop, the nearest fuel station to send regrets to all previous engagements and for a quick google-search – to try and get the lo-down of what I was walking into. Remembering the mortifying, multi-coloured-clashing-outfit disaster at the Poukai, it seemed sensible to be on the safe side and change from pink shorts and bright blue vest to any black clothing I could dig out of my suitcases. Admittedly, it ended up a black and slightly gold outfit but was the best I could muster up and was definitely a good move! 

Arrive at the marae, find and hug Mary, and soon get ushered inside the beautiful, ornately-carved and painted meeting house.  Mary shepherded me into a one of the rows of a mixed gender and multigenerational crowd, which I assumed was there to watch a parade come through.....

.....Wrong. ‘We’ were there to perform the Tōia mai haka Pōwhiri Dance!!! ‘Tōia mai Te Waka’ means ‘pull up, the canoe’ and is part of an ancient canoe-hauling chant, now often performed as a 'haka pöwhiri' to symbolically pull the 'canoe' of the visitors safely onto the marae. Pōwhiri is a Māori welcoming ceremony involving speeches, dancing, singing and finally the hongi. (The traditional Māori greeting pressing noses together), followed by kai – a feast held inside the marae.  

Panicking as the dancing and singing started, I grabbed Mary: “Are you sure it’s okay for me to be doing this?!” She retorted “We’re Maori, we wing it!”, giggled and left me to do exactly that –  copying the moves as best I could during the few practice runs before the ceremonial entourage arrived and we performed for real – recorded on camera!!

I haven’t been able to find that recording but to get an idea of the event and excitement surrounding it, here’s a video of the same ceremony happening at Ōrākei Marae. Picture me, plopped in the middle of proficient dancers, trying to style it out!! 

To put this event into context:

Te Matatini is a nation-wide Māori performing arts festival of huge significance, comparable to something like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival attracting 60,000 people to an extravaganza of Māori culture, including art, crafts, food, fashion, film and most importantly, it hosts a competition for kapa haka performers from all of Aotearoa.  Kapa haka is an art form that showcases Māori and Polynesian identity through song and dance. This year, ‘Ngā Tūmanako’, a rōpū (team) from Tāmaki (Auckland) beat extremely stiff competition and took home the top prize and title of ‘Toa Whakahuwaka’.  As well as a trophy, the winning team brings home the ‘Mauri of Te Matatini’. Mauri are sacred stones believed to maintain life force, and this one is in particular represents the hosting rights for the next national kapa haka competition.  When the 2019 winners first arrived back home in February, the idea of sharing the mauri amongst the marae of Tāmaki (Auckland) was put forward and agreed upon…skip ahead to my incredible good fortune to witness its arrival at Manurewa!

Moreover, as luck would have it, this ceremony coincided with Manurewa Marae hosting a meeting of ‘Te Kōtahi a Tāmaki’, a collective representing 33 marae in Auckland (more on this later)....Back to the main event:

The Pōwhiri was followed by approximately two hours of speech-giving (all in Te Reo Maori) – then the hongi, then some yummy belly-filling of Māori dishes, where I also had the honour, through Mary, of meeting some of the community’s most respected members.  Pictured - Sitting down over kai with Martin Cooper and Shane White.

The biggest honour of all was being invited to the post-kai meeting  (once again appreciating the totally random but perfect timing of coming here).  The hundreds-strong crowd had thinned to about 25 people; seeing how intimate and important it looked, I whispered goodbye to Mary, grabbing my coat, only to get pulled back: “no no, stay, I’ve already checked and you are welcome”.  It took a split second to weigh up being even later to meet my cousin or missing a unique opportunity (sorry again Charley!)

To my delight, the hui was held English, allowing me insight into the inner workings of the marae collective.  During both my marae experiences on this trip, the hours of speeches were all performed by men, punctuated by beautiful singing from the women.  From my newcomer’s perspective, the men seemed to dominate the proceedings of the events.   Now the tables were turned.  The chairperson for this gathering of representatives from 33 of Auckland’s maraes to discuss the key current and future issues for the very recently-formed collective -- was Tania Kingi, a confident, intelligent woman and no-nonsense spokesperson who clearly and easily commanded attention from everyone there; all the same men who had previously captivated the crowd with powerful speeches, now hung on Tania’s every word.   .   It was inspiring to witness this balance and mutual respect. Half way through the meeting, a slighty scruffy-looking man came into the hui and insisted on speaking to the room to tell of his situation living on the streets, that he’d been drinking, but wanted to tell us a brief history of his whakapapa (lineage), the names of his family and ancestors, and also the main reason he’d come in: for warmth and food, “Thank you for the feed, thank you for the coffee, thank you for the company, I respect this marae even though I don’t go to church on Sunday.”

The rest of the agenda was covered – anything from wheelchair accessibility for all maraes, to arranging solar energy workshops. The overall idea was to collaborate as a collective.  Share successes, failures, recommendations, and knowledge - to work together for progress and independence from government monetary ties.

Spokesperson Tania Kingi said that this mauri stone coming to the different maraes in Auckland signals that we should be working collectively. “One of the driving principles for us all is that the mauri can unify.  The mauri is bringing us together and connecting us to all the other marae throughout Auckland and preparing us for Te Matatini 2021.” Tania Kingi

 What did I learn from this apart from that I desperately need a better camera phone? Clearly, a lot more about Māori culture, but also reaffirming what I’d discovered since arriving in Aotearoa -  found it to be a friendly country and people in general, but in particular made to feel very welcome in Māori communities and not judged despite obviously being the odd one out.

I want to specially thank Mary Karena-komene, Tania Kingi, Rangi McLean, Shane White, Martin Cooper, Mereana Hona and everyone that I met for being so welcoming and allowing me such a memorable and informative experience.

Disclaimer: I’ve done my best with Maori references, but please excuse this pākehā for any mistakes or offense.  My education has only just started and I hope it will continue, as I do the new friendships in Aotearoa.   Ps. Please correct me if you see something.  It’s the only way to learn. Aroha nui, ka kite ano Aotearoa <3

#wanderlusting #passportready #traveldiary2019 #aotearoatour #bottomoftheworldblog #manurewamarae #Te Kōtahi a Tāmki #TeKotahiaTamaki #hakapowhiri #mauritematatini #mauristone #tematatini #travelblogger #travelblog2019 #tikitour #maoriculture

[findingfeathersseanchaidh]

Chapter 64: A Time to Die

Paris was a powder keg. That was how Guillaume understood it. The priest, who had introduced himself as Pere Etienne, had been shocked to find anyone who could have been ignorant of the goings on in the great city for all of the past three years, but seemed to accept the excuses of bare snippets of wild rumour reaching the poor, itinerant tailor just newly arrived to the sprawling mass of bubbling terror and blood-soaked revolution that was the foremost city of France. He had welcomed the wanderer to his table, housed him in the warm, soft straw of his stable, and the next morning questioned him keenly on his position of faith. The last of these had piqued Guillaume's interest, but he was saved from attempting any kind of counter-interrogation by the priest's reaction to his answers. Working on the assumption that it was best to play the penitent pilgrim, drawing on the jumbled memories of Jerusalem and his arrival in London, Guillaume had confirmed to the obviously Christian priest his not-so-obvious Christian beliefs. The black-frocked cleric had greeted him as a brother long absent after that, drawing him into the great cathedral and showing him the wonders he protected.

"These relics are precious to our faith, my son," he urged, leading Guillaume to the shining gold reliquaries hidden within the winding corridors of the cathedral. "They were taken in haste from the Holy Chapel to protect them from the rage of the revolutionaries. The sans-culottes would take these and brandish them without sacrament or ceremony in their faithless galleries, reduced to no more than a piece of art. Beautiful, but wholly human in their history. I remain here, guarding them and this great sanctuary, in despite of their attempts to steal all that the Church owns and deny us our right to practice our faith. I alone remain, and I cannot hide these treasures away by myself. I have wracked my brains, I have prayed for guidance, I have prayed for a miracle. Now, here are you. Perhaps you are the miracle I have prayed for. The citizens of Paris are slaking their thirst for revolution in the blood of the many prisoners taken and already held at the fall of the throne. Soon enough will come the time when they turn their reddened hands towards the peaceful brethren of the church. I fear it every day! Help me! You cannot stay here. To come here, a true Christian as you are, was a mistake. Take your leave from this accursed city and carry these treasures with you. To stay would be death. Should I try to leave with these relics, I would be stopped and my precious charges lost. I do not fear to die for my faith, but I would not have my death mean the loss of these."

Guillaume surveyed the glistening collection. "Are all these taken from the Holy Chapel?"

"Not all, my son," replied Etienne, shaking his head mournfully. "Alas, they are all that remains of all the relics of Paris! Many were lost to the revolutionaries before we could get to them, and many, so many, of my brother priests have joined the nobles in their walk to the guillotine these last few days for their bold refusal to hand them over, or give up their faith. It is a terrible invention! They must be taken far from here! As many as you can! To Cluny, if it still holds true, or beyond. Avignon cannot be trusted. It is almost a year now since it was brought back under French rule by riot and force. Spain, perhaps, or Rome, if you dare. There can be no safer harbour for these treasures of the Church than in Rome with our Holy Father. There is war to the north, and to the west there is only the British. I would not trust them with the sale of a cat! Go south or east, or help me devise some way of hiding these treasures here, where unfaithful, sacrilegious hands cannot parade the blessed relics of Our Lord and his Holy Mother like the innocent, desecrated spoils of war!"

"Pere Etienne," breathed Guillaume, taking in the array of reliquaries great and small, thinking back to everything he had learned about sanctuaries in Egypt and Jerusalem, and pondering what he had learned about building in Southwark, "I cannot carry all this wherever I go. Perhaps, though, I may be able to help you do something about hiding them."

XXXX

The explosion ricocheted off the canyon walls, tearing through the outer rock face and sending showers of stones down on the team. Most of the rocks were small. Some weren't. Nobody could say they hadn't expected it, of course. A ten foot tall, flashing neon sign spelling out the immortal phrase "it's a trap" wouldn't have made things any more obvious. Just knowing they were expected, however, made it easier to plan for the assault that would undoubtedly occur. Rip had taken the left flank of the curving canyon walls, she had taken the right, aware of the floating form of Firestorm high above her while Vixen's eagle eyes watched over the Captain. There had been no response from the ship, or anyone hidden within the veil of its hopefully unique cloaking technology, until an invisible wall stopped the progress of the advancing pair. Rip, his pistol held out before him, had hit it first. The glance he had thrown her had stopped her dead in her tracks, a cautious hand rising to test the air before her with the tip of a baton. From there on they had traced the edge of the cloaking field - she with her baton, he with his hand, pistol ready in the other should he need it - stepping slowly closer to one another, and to the hypothesised location of the hatch. They stopped a scant foot from each other and shared a ponderous yet voluble look. Something under Rip's hand shifted.

Then all hell broke loose.

So did half the canyon.

Support from high above isn't much help when lasers are forcing you back into a corner, cutting swathes out of the rock wall over your head, and filling the air above with a cloud of dust, rocks, and the occasional flying boulder.

Sara felt a familiar weight cannon into her side, its momentum carrying them both to the ground. They rolled to stop in a ditch, once the bed of a long since dried up stream. Her head was cradled in his hand, turned protectively in to his shoulder. His body covered hers, shielding her from the rock fall. Emotions warred within Sara. Shock was itself divided between the suddenness of the explosion and the realisation that Rip had very likely just saved her life. Relief was busy checking that they were both still breathing. Annoyance and irritation, that she had needed saving, were taking a back seat to the screaming rage born of fear that he had put himself in harm's way for her; and that was dragging up so many other feelings, feelings she could neither qualify nor quantify, that gratitude had gone and got some popcorn to watch the show.

The noise of dust settling swirled into cessation. Rip lifted his head slightly, aware that his hold on Sara was comfortable for neither of them. "Are you okay?"

"What the hell, Rip!" Sara half groaned, half growled back at him.

"You're welcome," he mumbled. Then he passed out.

XXXX

#A Stitch In Time #Legends of Tomorrow #Leonard Snart #Sara Lance #Rip Hunter #Mick Rory #Somebody dared me to turn my usual fantasy adventure genre into a romance #LoT #rip x sara #sara x rip #sara x leonard #leonard x sara #Time Canary #TimeCanary #Captain Canary #CaptainCanary #A Stich in Time #captain cold #white canary #fanfiction #fanfic #findingfeathersseanchaidh

[devilishdewitt]

Cabaret Show Cinematographié (Shpiller cabaret, Fleurs de Folie), March 2019.

~The Eternal Disclaimer~

It is hereby declared that this little nook of the world wide web shall be devoted to the praise & critique of the art of burlesque, specifically in Russia.

Let it also be known that I am first and foremost a benevolent force, and every single criticism is documented solely for the purpose of evolution, growth and inspiration, darling.

Never forget - it is fantastic that the burlesque scene in Russia has grown so much in the last few years. Brava, ladies! As a fact and a statement, it is absolutely fabulous.

However, I volunteer to wear the heavy crown of expertise, having seen many a show in many a place, and having a keen eye for detail and a heart hungry for that wow factor. I always come with an open heart, am quite easily entertained, and know how hard the craft is - I can overlook many a fault when there’s stage presence, charisma and that fire of passion. Oh, and self-irony.

All is sickly without self-irony.

Now, onwards! To fabulousness!

Alice Shpiller & Katrin Gajndr strike again - mysteriously ditching Fleurs de Folie and swiftly moving to Cabaret-Show Cinématographié

The Venue

Cinematographe is quite fabulous - a little hard to find, perhaps, but just enough to spice up the anticipation. I wish their cocktails were less watery and the lights were more efficient, but overall, the atmosphere was welcoming.

The Wait

Was pretty uneventful, but simple & pleasant. I always enjoy being greeted by ladies in stoned tights.

The Performers

Katrin Gajndr knows what she’s doing - her acts are close to impeccable.

Perfect mix of old-school glamour, charming self-irony and inspiring self-confidence.

Fun fact: if you squint and look at her, Dita Von Teese appears. At times I wanted to see less of Dita and more of Katrin, for she is truly fascinating.

Alice Shpiller was the chaotic energy beam of the evening. Was it good? Not always. Does she have the balls to do it? Obviously. Does she enjoy it? Definitely. Was she annoying? At times.

Her cabaret star costume would’ve been simply wondrous, if it wasn’t for the black tights. Dear God, lose the tights!

The ‘masculine’ outfit was lacklustre. The shape of the suit did not compliment her figure at all - quite the opposite. Her singing is truly skilled, but the karaoke bit in the second half was simply uncomfortable.

“High Voltage” was entertaining, yes, but quite crass and somewhat out of place. The singing/dancing number that concluded act I was good - but I still don’t understand, was the dancing supposed to be in sync? If it was, the goal was not achieved.

Perhaps it would be wise to switch the outfits - start off as the man with the John Waters moustache and then transform into the beauty star.

With a bit of direction she can truly shine, as she does have enough talent for ten.

Kristabel Otem s mesmerising. Both of her acts were simply incredible, she embodied everything I love in Burlesque - that hypnotising combination of storytelling, meaning, playfulness, self-irony & philosophy of movement. Brava! The Death number is one of the best acts I’ve ever seen.

In fact, every act I ever saw from her was incredible - from Melancholia/Depression at last years Moscow Burlesque Festival, to the playful Suffragette and the flawless Death act…She is a marvel.

Lisa Alisa is extraordinarily baffling. I’m still not sure what I saw - we were promised a Bunny in the second half, but all we got was an extremely mediocre high hat/suit with shorts act. The monk (?) act left a lot of questions, and not in a good way. When the audience isn’t really responding to your moves, it’s an invitation to reconsider and reinvent your behaviour, not sulk & yell. This petulant child energy is far from alluring.

She clearly enjoys every second of being on stage, but does anyone else?

Whoever styled the Stage Kittens (Miss April & Janina Barabas) had nothing but cruel intentions. As the show progressed, the outfits got worse and worse - I am still deeply traumatised by the neon leopard-print stripper outfits. Hideous! As hideous as the hair…An elegant slicked back low ponytail would do wonders, but for some reason sloppy, sad hair was chosen. What a shame.

The ladies are clearly talented dancers. But their solo dance number was incredibly problematic - it’s 2019, folks. Time to give up the “shallow-cat fight-with-undressing” narrative.

Someone did these ladies dirty. What a shame!

The finale was dreadful - that sudden transition into loud Russian karaoke nearly broke every good vibe I harnessed during the show. Shockingly bad. At least have the decency to give those who detest this vulgar culture a few minutes to escape.

THE FINALE

On social media, the company parades the difference between the styles of Gajndr & Shpiller as a benevolent factor, but in reality it doesn’t do them any favours. Perhaps a different way of showcasing it might save the situation, because at the moment it’s simply messy.

Don’t get me wrong, I know this was their first show - but once again, I can forgive every mishap when I see the vision & the passion. This show was all over the place because it lacked a consistent style, consistent philosophy, consistent atmosphere. Why not make a showcase of different styles of Burlesque? It would save this mismatched parade.

✶✶

#alisa shpiller #katrin gajndr #kristabel otem #lisa alisa #shpiller cabaret #burlesque #burlesqueinrussia #russianburlesque

[whatisthissubject-blog]

I’m Salty Because I Was Never Tumblr Famous

“There is a hair in my soup, can someone please get it out”. This was the heading of my first ever tumblr blog, accompanied by photograph of a model wearing a paper bag over her head. It was 2011; this is what tumblr was about, right? Thus began my journey through Tumblr. I explored multiple themes back in the day. I once opted for a STRICTLY red, orange, and yellow colour scheme but eventually got bored. Then came the emo phase. Oh boy you’re lying to yourself if you say you never went through a angsty teen grunge phase. My now strictly black and white blog was accompanied by an automated playlist of what consisted of Nirvana; Smells Like Teen Spirit, and My Chemical Romance’s Welcome to the Black Parade. On Tumblr, trends come and go, and obviously I followed suit. Up next came the Harry Potter phase and who am I kidding, I never even read Harry Potter but here I was reposting every Hermione and Ron OTP (one true pairing) gif under the sun. (By the way it’s totally GIF not JIF). To briefly summaries the next three years of my tumblr life, next came the One Direction invasion, followed by quite literally anything related to the country of Britain, followed by my true love for British YouTubers (Jack Harries am I right ladies?????), and finally, as my interest in tumblr slowly began to die, I resorted to the type of person I am now, a wannabe art hoe.

Now, to FINALLY answer the question on everyone’s lips (and by everyone I mean probably just Cathy), is tumblr a blog or a social network site? Well HECK, tumblr can be your own source of porn for all I care. Just like any other app, tumblr is what you make of it. Is it a blog or is it a social network site? I’m here to say, por que nos los dos? Personally, I never made any friends or connections through tumblr, but I know a plethora of other people including those I follow who have met some of their best friends through this magical site. Thinking about it now, tumblr is MADE to be social. Why else would they include a follow feature? So users can be social with each other and network. Tumblr is essentially a blog, but it incorporates features that turn it into something more social.

Realistically, it’s not my place to determine whether tumblr is a blog or a social network sight. It’s quite literally whatever the frig you want it to be. It is a canvas for users to go wild with, and I think tumblr strongly encourages that.

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

This year in Memphis is packed with tons of fun events, festivals, and other things to do! Get excited, because here’s a huge list of major events so you can plan ahead for another amazing year in the Bluff City. You can use it to fill out your calendar, remind yourself to get tickets to things, or – best of all – help your family and friends plan out when to visit. Obviously, there are thousands and thousands of events and festivals in Memphis. These are just some highlights. Photo by Alex Shansky Click on the months below to skip to that month’s list of events.  January February March April May June July August September October November December January Grizzlies and Tigers basketball seasons continue 3: WWE Friday Night Smackdown at FedExForum 8-11: Elvis’ Birthday Celebration at Graceland 9: Grizz Bash at FedExForum 10: Elvis 85th Birthday Pops Concert with Memphis Symphony Orchestra at the Cannon Center 14-19: Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Broadway Show at The Orpheum 17: Science of Beer at the Pink Palace 17 – Feb. 8: Memphis The Musical at Playhouse on the Square 17-19: DreamFest Weekend 9 at 1884 Lounge 18: Spillit Slam at Novel Memphis 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the National Civil Rights Museum 25: Chinese New Year Festival at the Rose Theater at of U. of Memphis 25: IRIS Orchestra Guest Artist: Conrad Tao at GPAC 26: Mardi Gras Ball at Minglewood 28- Feb. 1: International Blues Challenge on Beale Street 31: Tool: North American Tour at FedExForum February Grizzlies and Tigers basketball seasons continue Beale Street Music Festival lineup is usually announced during this month – I’ll post it! 1: Bluff City Polar Bear Plunge at Mud Island River Park 1: Harlem Globetrotters at FedExForum 4: Temple Israel Presents: An Evening With Jason Alexander at GPAC 5-9: The Play That Goes Wrong Broadway Show at The Orpheum 7: Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Farewell Play Tour” at FedExForum 9: Celine Dion Courage World Tour at FedExForum 11: The Beach Boys at The Orpheum 14-16: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at The Orpheum 14 – 15: Opera Memphis’ Puccini Double Bill at GPAC 14 – 23: Ballet Memphis Winter Mix at Ballet Memphis 22: Vivaldi and Piazzolla Four Seasons at The U of M’s Harris Concert Hall 22-23: Collage Dance Collective Presents: RISE at GPAC 24: Ameripolitan Music Awards at the Guest House at Graceland 26 – March 8: Disney’s Aladdin Broadway Show at The Orpheum 28 – 29: Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Weekend at Graceland 29: Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” at The Cannon Center March Grizzlies and Tigers basketball seasons continue Memphis 901 FC Season begins at AutoZone Park TBA: Cooper Young St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Cooper St. TBA: 901 Popper Throwdown at High Cotton Feb. 16 – March 8: Disney’s Aladdin Broadway Show at The Orpheum 6: Post Malone Runaway Tour at FedExForum 6: The Orchestra Unplugged: Devil at the Crossroads at the Halloran Centre 6-8: Southern Women’s Show at the Agricenter 6-22: The Book of Will at Playhouse on the Square 7: IRIS Orchestra Guest Artist: Anne-Akikio Meyers at GPAC 8-14: Memphis Black Restaurant Week 13 – 15: Elegant Southern Style Weekend: Spring Edition at Graceland 14: Grind City Coffee Expo at the Pipkin Building 14: 47th Annual Silky O’Sullivan’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Beale Street 15: 4th Annual Soulful Food Truck Festival at Clayborn Temple 15: America 50th Anniversary Tour at The Orpheum 16: Cher Here We Go Again Tour at FedExForum 16-20: Shelby County Schools Spring Break 17: Martin Lawrence “The Lit AF 2020 Tour” at FedExForum 18: Welcome To Night Vale Live at GPAC 20-22: Mid-South Con 38 at Hilton Memphis 21: Strauss, Tchaikovsky, & Shostakovich feat. Zuill Bailey at the Cannon Center 21: Germantown Symphony: 250th Anniversary Beethoven Celebration at GPAC 23 – April 5: Midtown Opera Festival  27 – 29: Memphis International Guitar Festival at The U of M 28: Let’s Brunch Memphis! Festival at Beale Street Landing 28: That Golden Girls Show: A Puppet Parody at Halloran Centre 28: Memphis Brewfest at the Liberty Bowl 28: Opera Memphis Presents Mozart’s Così fan tutte at Playhouse on the Square 28. MuslimMEMfest Festival at The Agricenter 29: The Millennium Tour (Ying Yang Twins, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy) at FedExForum April Grizzlies basketball season continues Redbirds baseball season begins (April 9) Peabody Rooftop Parties begin TBA: Memphis Farmers Market opens for the season TBA: Lucero Family Block Party at Minglewood TBA: Overton Square Crawfish Festival in Overton Square TBA: Memphis Made’s Hopped VI Fest TBA: Edge Motor Festival in The Edge District TBA: East Buntyn Art Walk TBA: Taste the Rarity at Wiseacre TBA: Down To Earth Festival/Earth Day Celebrations at Shelby Farms TBA: Mid-South Food Truck Fest at Liberty Bowl Stadium TBA: Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival at Wagner Place (downtown) TBA: Beale Street Wine Race on Beale Street TBA: Africa In April Cultural Awareness Festival at Robert Church Park 1-4: Memphis Fashion Week 2-5: Memphis Comedy Fest 3-5: Art In The Loop on Ridgeway Loop Road 3-5: Twin Peaks 30: Official Fan Celebration at Graceland 6: Sista Strut 3K Walk in Cooper Young/Liberty Bowl 6-11: Charc Week Memphis 7-12: A Bronx Tale at The Orpheum 9: Memphis Redbirds Opening Night at AutoZone Park 11: Otis Redding III at The Halloran Centre 16: Lewis Black at Graceland Soundstage 17-19: Vintage901 Food & Wine Festival (various locations) 18: Condomonium at 1203 Poplar Ave. 18-19: Ballet Memphis’ Cinderella at The Orpheum 23: Live at the Garden 20th Anniversary Series Lineup Announcement 25: Shinedown at The Orpheum 25: World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival at Tiger Lane 25: V & E Greenline Art Walk in Vollintine-Evergreen neighborhood 28: Opera Memphis Presents Mozart’s Così fan tutte (reprise) at Playhouse on the Square May Levitt Shell Concert Series usually begins Redbirds baseball season continues Memphis 901 FC season continues Grizzlies basketball season continues Peabody Rooftop Parties continue TBA: Memphis Greek Festival TBA: Zoo Brew at Memphis Zoo 1-3: Memphis In May International Salute to Ghana 1-3: Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival at Tom Lee Park 1-24: Little Shop of Horrors at Playhouse on the Square 2: Iris Orchestra Guest Artist: Nancy Zhou at GPAC 3: GPAC Youth Symphony Program at GPAC 7: 41st Blues Music Awards 9: MSO presents Rhapsody In Blue at the Cannon Center 13 – 16: World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest at Tom Lee Park 16 – 17: Cooper-Young Garden Walk 21-24: Bluff City Jazz Festival at the Shell 23: Memphis In May’s Great American River Run Downtown 28-30: Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park 29: David Crosby at Graceland Soundstage June Memphis 901 FC season continues Redbirds baseball season continues Peabody Rooftop Parties continue Levitt Shell Concert Series continues Grizzlies basketball season continues TBA: Juneteenth Urban Music Festival TBA: Craft Food and Wine Festival TBA: Mid-South International Festival TBA: Outdoors Inc Canoe and Kayak Race at Mud Island 2-6: Germantown Charity Horse Show 6: Feast on the Farm Gala at Agricenter 6: Memphis Flyer’s Margarita Fest at BOXLOT 11: The Dude Perfect 2020 Tour at FedExForum 13: Tour Dé Toast Memphis at the Pink Palace 19 – July 12: Something Rotten! at Playhouse on the Square 24: Journey and the Pretenders at FedExForum July July TBA: 3RDSPACE Memphis Art & Design Week TBA: WEVL’s Blues on the Bluff Independence Day Events (will be updated for 2020) Memphis 901 FC season continues Redbirds season continues Levitt Shell Concert Series continues Live at the Garden concert series continues Peabody Rooftop Parties continue June 19 – July 12: Something Rotten! at Playhouse on the Square 1-5: WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational at Southwind 11: Little River Band at The Orpheum 18: The Tableau of Natural Hair Expo 18: Mid-South’s Great Tomato Contest at the Agricenter 21 – 26: Come From Away Broadway musical at The Orpheum August Memphis 901 FC season continues Redbirds season continues Peabody Rooftop Parties continue Live at the Garden concert series continues Memphis Tigers Football begins TBA: Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival at Liberty Bowl TBA: Delta Fair at Agricenter 7-15: Elvis Week 2020 September Tigers Football season Memphis 901 FC season continues Redbirds season continues Live at the Garden concert series continues Levitt Shell Concert Series usually begins TBA:Delta Fair at Agricenter TBA: Millington Goat Days TBA: Zoo Rendezvous at Memphis Zoo TBA: Germantown Festival TBA: Mid-South Pride Parade & Fest 1: 901 Day celebrations around town! 10-12: Southern Heritage Classic Weekend 19: Cooper Young Festival 19: Makeda’s Block Party Downtown 24: Mid-South Fair in Southaven 24 – 27: Gonerfest 17 26: Elixir Cocktail Party at Hilton Memphis 27: Memphis Japan Fest at Memphis Botanic Garden October Memphis 901 FC season continues Tigers Football season continues Grizzlies and Tigers basketball season begins Levitt Shell Concert Series continues TBA: Mistletoe Merchants at Agricenter TBA: Memphis Food & Wine Festival TBA: Metal Repair Days at the Metal Museum TBA: Zoo Boo begins at Memphis Zoo TBA: 11th Annual Cooper Young Beer Fest TBA: MEMPHO at Shelby Farms TBA: Bartlett Festival 17: Agricenter Harvest Festival 17: Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour at FedEx Forum 21-26: Indie Memphis Film Festival 24-25: River Arts Festival 25 – 27: Pink Palace Crafts Fair November Tigers Football season continues Grizzlies and Tigers basketball seasons continue Hustle basketball season begins TBA: India Fest TBA: Memphis Flyer’s Crafts & Drafts TBA: Grilled Cheese Festival TBA: Greenway Soiree TBA: Santa Lands at the Pink Palace TBA: Starry Nights at Shelby Farms TBA: Downtown Memphis Holiday Tree Lighting TBA: Holiday Wonders at the Garden 13 – 15: Memphis Comic & Fantasy Convention December Grizzlies, Tigers, and Hustle basketball seasons continue TBA: Downtown Memphis/Beale Street Holiday Parade TBA: Stumbling Santa Pub Crawl TBA: Memphis Farmers Market Holiday Market TBA: Liberty Bowl TBA: Zoo Lights 5: St. Jude Marathon in downtown/midtown Memphis (streets closed…also stay tuned for the ILM Cheering Section info!) 31: New Year’s Eve on Beale Street Ed. Note: All information is correct at time of publication. Dates, times, and other information are subject to change at the discretion of the event organizers. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of every single event in Memphis, just an overview. Check out the calendar throughout the year and weekend lists of things to do (published every week) for more updates. Did we leave off your favorite events? Need to add a date? No worries, just submit it here, leave a comment, and I’ll add it to the blog’s calendar. Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

https://ilovememphisblog.com/2020/01/a-huge-list-of-2020-memphis-festivals-and-events/

#I Love Memphis

[st-percocet]

35 - 45

35. Do you have any MCR tattoos? Or any tattoos for their solo projects? the 2 headed cobra skeleton on my forearm is loosely inspired by frank’s logo. i’m getting an mcr lip tattoo, and matching am! x fiatfv tattoos on my ankles next month :)

36. Have you ever made any fan art? check my art tag st.jpg 

37. Favorite song off “Stomachaches”? tragician

38. Favorite song off “Hesitant Alien”? Brother 39. Favorite song of “For The Night To Control”? I Lied - I think?? 40. Favorite song Ray has released? Remember The Laughter, I think :)  41. Do you own a Bullets CD? Yes!! 42. Do You own Any of the Black parade Box Sets? No 43. Favorite tour? Idk, I haven’t really followed tour names / tour dates but pro rev obviously has a favourable mention  44. Do you own Danger Days: California.  2019 Box set Edition? Nah 45. Do you own Any of the CD singles? Yes - I’m Not Okay (Nov 2005 release) Welcome To The Black Parade x Heaven Help Us