19th October, 2023

to build a home - the cinematic orchestra, patrick watson

Sailor stands at the edge of the familiar California shoreline, the ocean stretching out before her like an endless expanse of blue. The salty air clings to her skin and the seagulls cry out in the distance. Closing her eyes, she lets the cold water wash over her feet, grounding her in the present moment. The beach has always been a place of solace for her and has always brought her a sense of peace. A sanctuary, a place where she could escape from the troubles of the world and just be in the moment. But today, as she stands on the memorising coastline, she can't help but feel a sense of unease. It has only been three months since Sailor last visited the beach with her family. Back then, they came to escape the turmoil of their past, to find a moment of respite from the chaos and grief of her mother's death. But now, she is back at the beach to escape her present. The words of the letter Johnathan's men left the haunting night of Noah's death still plague her brain.

"You were right dear, infiltrating my warehouse was far too easy. I haven't let you in on a lot of my plans or reasoning but I'll give you a little snippet now. Once you left my warehouse I had my men follow you. You made it all too easy for me to find you. Your big mistake was leaving precious Isabella behind. She should be dead now and if my men haven't succeeded believe me I will myself. I intend to kill each of you heirs and take Lobos for myself."

As Sailor stands on the beach that once held so many happy memories, she can't help but feel the weight of her grief pressing down on her. The sun is rising in a blaze of pink and gold, casting a warm glow over the sand and sea. But to Sailor, the beauty of the scene only serves as a painful reminder of everything she has lost. Her heart aches as she gazes out at the vast expanse of the ocean, its waves crashing against the shore like a relentless drumbeat. The salty air fills her lungs, mingling with the salt of her tears as she tries to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

She remembers the laughter of her father, the way he used to tell unfunny jokes which she'd laugh at anyway just because it made him smile. She remembers her mother's gentle touch, soothing away her fears and worries with just a simple hug. And she remembers Noah, her best friend and confidante, his cocky attitude always managing to bring a smile to her face. But all of them are gone now, stolen from her by the cruel hands of Johnathan. The pain of their loss is a heavy burden she carries with her every day, weighing her down like an anchor dragging her beneath the surface of the ocean. She clenches her fists, feeling the sand slipping through her fingers like the time she can never get back. The weight of her grief threatens to drag her down, to drown her in sorrow and despair.

Sky's footsteps crunch softly on the sand as he makes his way to where Sailor stands gazing out at the expansive ocean. The salty breeze tousling their hair as they stand in silence, soaking in the tranquil beauty of the dawn. The waves crash against the shore in a rhythmic melody, creating a sense of peace and serenity that washes over them.

"I wish we had a beach like this in London," he remarks, breaking the silence that envelops them.

He glances over at Sailor and notices the silent tears that are streaming down her face. Sky's heart aches at the sight of her pain, knowing that words alone cannot ease the burden she carries. Without a word, he pulls out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pocket. Gently, he turns towards Sailor, wiping the tears from her cheeks. He places a cigarette between her lips and lits it before lighting his own. The soft glow illuminates their faces in the early morning light.

"We need to get ready soon, little flame," Sky says softly, his voice quiet against the backdrop of the crashing waves.

"He's gone," Sailor's voice is barely a whisper, heavy with grief.

"I know, little flame. I'm sorry," Sky murmurs, his eyes reflecting a profound sadness.

"Soon everyone will be gone. He'll take us out one by one," Sailor's words are laden with fear and despair.

Sky cups her cheek, wiping away the tears that continue to fall. "Hey, I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me for life."

"We missed your birthday, Sk," Sailor's voice trembles with guilt and sorrow.

"Don't worry, little flame. There are more important things happening in your life than me turning twenty-eight," Sky reassures her, enfolding her in a comforting hug.

The sun burns brightly in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sombre gathering of people below.  The slight breeze carries with it a melancholic whisper as if the very angels have gathered to mourn alongside them. The birds, usually chirping merrily, now sing a haunting melody, their sorrowful tune blending with the quiet sobs of the mourners.  It is time to say goodbye to Noah, to release him from the confines of earthly pain and let his spirit soar free and untethered. Noah's family stand at the forefront of the gathering. His father, a cold and distant figure, betrays no emotion as he stands stoically, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Beside him, Natalie, her eyes squeezed shut, her face a mask of grief, unable to look at her brother's coffin. It is as if her very soul is shattered, each shard echoing with the pain of losing a piece of herself.

Tears creep down Sailor's cheeks as she looks upon Noah's coffin, Lobos by her side, their heads bowed in silent respect. Noah, with his once boundless energy and infectious laughter, now lies at peace in his wooden vessel, his earthly vessel a mere shell of the vibrant soul that had captivated Sailor's heart. She remembers the first time their eyes had locked across the classroom, how his smile had lit up the room like a beacon of hope, how his laughter had lifted her spirits higher than any storm cloud could darken. It feels like a lifetime ago, yet the memory is etched in her mind with pristine clarity. His presence will forever be felt in the whispers of the wind, the songs of the birds, and the beating of her own heart. Forever be part of her story, written in the stars for all of eternity.

Natalie, with trembling hands, clings to the delicate stem of the white, lily of the valley as she stands at the edge of her brother's final resting place. The wooden box carrying her twin brother, Noah, is being lowered into the ground, a heartbreaking moment she never thought she would have to face. For twenty-six years, they were two halves of a whole, inseparable in every sense of the word. As the box descends, she feels the weight of the world crashing down on her, and she collapses to her knees, unable to hold back the flood of tears that pour from her eyes. Her sobs fill the air, a raw expression of the deep loss she is experiencing. Natalie and Noah had navigated life as a duo, their bond unbreakable, their love unconditional. They complemented each other in a way that only twins could understand. Watching the coffin disappear into the earth, she feels as if a part of her soul is being buried along with him. The emptiness left in his absence is unbearable, the loneliness suffocating. How could she face a world that no longer held her other half?

Her father, Kai, stands beside her, his presence like a dark shadow. His grip on her shoulder is harsh, his words even harsher. "Pull yourself together," he hisses, his voice laced with anger and disappointment.

But Lobos, loyal and true, steps forward to shield her from his venomous words. Sailor stands tall in front of Natalie, a silent barrier between her and the cruelty of her father. "Let her mourn, Kai," Her voice is firm, a silent command that brooks no argument.

Kai's eyes flash with fury, his gaze boring into her. "You. If it wasn't for you," he spits the words out like poison, "I wouldn't be putting, my heir in the ground. Couldn't keep your legs close, could you?"

Rain moves to step forward, his own anger threatens to boil over, but Damien holds him back with a steady hand. "With all due respect, sir," Damien's voice is calm but carries a firm undertone, "I know it's your son's funeral, but I won't allow you to speak to her that way."

tv - billie eilish

In the heart of the grand Hunter mansion, there lies a magnificent ballroom that whispers tales of wealth and beauty. As you step through the double doors, you are immediately enveloped in a world of luxury and extravagance. The polished marble floors glisten under the soft glow of the chandeliers, casting a mesmerizing dance of light and shadows across the room. The walls are adorned with intricate gold-leaf detailing, telling the story of a bygone era. The ballroom is a sight to behold, with tables adorned with crystal glassware, sparkling under the soft glow of the candles that line the room. Stunning floral arrangements sit at the centre of each table, a riot of colour and fragrance that fills the air.

In the grand ballroom of the Hunter mansion, amidst the swirling scents of expensive whisky and cigar smoke, a sombre celebration unfolds. Friends and family have gathered to commemorate the life of Noah Hunter, a man whose heart had always yearned for warmth amidst the cold of his upbringing. He had grown up in this mansion, a child of privilege surrounded by wealth and luxury. But for him, it had never felt like home. The vast halls of the mansion were a home that felt more like a gilded cage than a place of solace.

With his mother's untimely passing, he and his twin sister Natalie were left to navigate the icy corridors of the estate under the distant gaze of their wealthy but aloof father. His father, a wealthy and powerful man, was often absent, consumed with his business dealings and social obligations. He was a stern and distant figure, his heart seemingly as cold as the marble floors of their grand home. Noah and Natalie were left to wander the halls of the mansion on their own, each day feeling more isolated and disconnected from the world outside. They had each other, of course, but their bond was not enough to fill the void left by the absence of a loving and present parent.

In Noah's dreams, the mansion transformed into a haven of light and laughter, where the heavy drapes were replaced by billowing curtains that danced in the breeze of an open window. He envisioned a place where the air was filled with the comforting aroma of home-cooked meals, and the sound of joyful voices echoed through every room. Noah found solace in his dreams of a different kind of home. He imagined a place where the doors were always open, welcoming in friends and family with open arms.

He dreamed of a home where love and kindness flowed freely, where every room was filled with laughter and light. He yearned for a place where he belonged, where he was truly seen and understood by those around him. Despite the luxury and wealth that surrounded him, Noah's heart ached for something more. He knew that true happiness could not be found in material possessions or extravagant surroundings. He longed for connection, for a sense of belonging that had eluded him for so long within the walls of the mansion.

As the guests whisper among themselves, a subtle tension hangs in the air. Despite the recent truce brokered between the two gangs, Fury and Lobos, there is still a clear divide that separates the members from each side. Damien sits alone at a small table in the corner of the room, his eyes fixed on the swirling patterns of the marble floor beneath his feet. His gaze drifts from the intricate patterns on the floor to the elegantly dressed figures mingling in the ballroom. As he watches the guests, he notices the way they eye each other warily, the polite smiles masking deeper animosity.

Damien feels the weight of guilt and betrayal pressing down on his shoulders, threatening to suffocate him. He had grown up with the Lobos, they had been the only family he had ever known. Lucio and Andrea had taken him in when he was just a young boy and had raised him as his own. Scarlet had saved him before he was even old enough to remember. She treated him with the same love, she blessed her own children. But Scarlet's sudden death had shattered everything he had known. The grief had consumed him, tearing him apart from the inside out. Unable to bear the pain any longer, Damien had made the impossible choice to leave the Lobos behind and join Fury. With Fury, he had found a sense of purpose, a new family who welcomed him with open arms. But the ghosts of his past still haunt him, whispering of the love and loyalty he had abandoned.

spit in my face - thxsomch

Kai approaches Damien with a sly smile, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Damien my boy, this can all be yours once I'm gone if you wish," he offers, gesturing to the grandeur of the hall that Noah despised.

"I'm out, Kai. I'm going home. Unlike you, I value my family," Damien declares firmly, his gaze unwavering.

Kai's expression darkens as he chuckles dismissively. "Suit yourself. I'll find a suitable man to take over," he mutters, his tone laced with a hint of threat.

But before Damien can respond, a voice cuts through the tension. "You already have a suitable woman," Sailor interjects, her gaze locked with Kai's.

"I know you think you can handle this business, but this is a man's world. Natalie will never run my empire," Kai retorts, his voice tinged with arrogance.

"She doesn't need your empire. She's coming back with us," Rain declares.

Aquarius nods in approval, a look of hatred at Kai. "She's one of us now," she affirms.

"Easy now. You don't want to unsettle the truce, do you?" Kai warns.

But Rain simply smirks, his confidence unwavering. "I'm not worried about that. You offered the truce because you need us. We can do business with any gang in LA but you need us to do business in London."He retorts.

Kai's jaw tightens in frustration. "Watch it," he growls, his patience wearing thin.

As the tension mounts, Lucio's suave voice intervenes, breaking the standoff. "Now, now, Kai, you know he's right. I will now need to steal my son and future daughter-in-law," he chimes in.

With casual elegance, Lucio leads Sailor and Rain out to the sprawling garden, where the air is filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers.

Sailor's eyes widen in disbelief as she turns to Lucio. "Lucio, I love you and excuse my disrespect but what the fuck you mean? Future daughter-in-law?" She exclaims.

Rain's signature smirk plays on his lips as he teases. "I mean tell me where's the lie?"

"Moo moo, I am never wrong," Lucio proclaims.

"I'm sure you didn't drag us out here to speak about my future wedding so what's up?" Sailor presses.

"So you admit there will be a wedding then, angel?" Rain teases, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Against my will maybe," Sailor shoots back.

Lucio chuckles, a twinkle in his eyes. "Children, play nice now."

"What did you bring us out here for?" Rain inquiries.

stay - patrick watson, sea oleena

Lucio's expression turns serious as he reveals the reason for summoning them. "This morning Aurora called, she's found Johnathan's home."

Sailor's eyes harden at the mention of the name, her jaw tensing with barely contained anger. "When are we hitting it?" she asks, her voice edged with determination.

Lucio's next words catch them off guard. "You're not. Both you and Rain are staying behind. You're both his main targets, it's too dangerous for you. He'll stop at nothing to wipe out Lobos leaders."

"That includes you." Sailor retorts, a flicker of concern mingling with her defiance.

"I won't send my people out to die without being by their sides," Lucio affirms.

"And I won't send my father to die without being by your side." Rain counters.

"Rain, please. I can't bury my son." Lucio pleads, his voice cracking ever so slightly, betraying the weight of his responsibilities as a leader and a father.

"Rainie, it's okay. Johnathan will take out whoever's in his way to get to us. This way we can keep everyone safer." Sailor interjects, her voice surprisingly gentle as she reaches out to touch Rain's arm.

Lucio nods, the weight on his shoulders shifting slightly as he holds Sailor's gaze. "Thank you, moo. I'll leave you two be." With a heavy heart, he excuses himself.

"You're okay with letting everyone else go out to risk their lives while we sit at home?" Rain questions, his voice carries a hint of accusation, his gaze searching Sailor's eyes for a glimpse of understanding.

"Fuck no." Sailor declares, her eyes flashing with determination. "We'll be there, they just need to think we're compliant."

Rain's lips curl into a sly grin, unable to contain his admiration for the fierce spirit of the girl before him. "My deceptive little angel," he teases, pulling Sailor to him.

"You make me sick," Sailor retorts with a mock scowl, but the warmth in her eyes betray the deep bond that ties them together.