Radio: Hi, we’re back. This is Radio KX and we’re here with Conor Oberst of the band Bright Eyes. How are you doing Conor?
Conor: Fine, thanks. Just a little wet
Radio: Oh yeah, it’s still coming down out there
Conor: Yeah, I sort of had to run from the car
Radio: Well, we are glad you made it. Now your new album, Fevers and Mirrors. Tell us a little bit about the title. I noticed there was a good deal of repeated imagery in the lyrics, fevers . . . mirrors, scales, clocks. Could you discuss some of this?
Conor: Sure. Let’s see, the fever is--
Radio: First let me say, that this is a brilliant record, man, we’re all really into it here at the station. We get lots of calls, it’s really good stuff
Conor: Thanks, thanks a lot
Radio: So talk a little bit about some of the symbolism
Conor: The fever?
Radio: Sure
Conor: Well the fever is basically whatever ails you or oppresses you, it could be anything. In my case it’s my neurosis, my depression, but I don’t want to be limited to that. It’s certainly different for different people. It’s whatever keeps you up at night
Radio: I see
Conor: And then the mirror is like, as you might have guessed, self-examination or reflection or whatever form. This could be vanity or self-loathing. I don’t know, I’m guilty of both
Radio: That’s interesting. How about the scale?
Conor: The scale is essentially our attempt to solve our problems quantitatively through logic or rationalization. In my opinion it’s often fruitless, but always, well, not always. And the clocks and calendars, etcetera, its just time, our little measurements. It’s like, it’s always chasing after us
Radio: It is, it is. How about this Arienette, how does she fit in to all of this?
Conor: I’d prefer not talk about it, in case she’s listening
Radio: Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize she was a real person
Conor: She’s not, but I made her up
Radio: Oh, so she’s not real?
Conor: Just as real as you or I
Radio: I don’t think I understand
Conor: Neither do I, but after I grow up I will. I mean, you know what, a lot of things are really unclear for me right now
Radio: That’s interesting. Now you mentioned your depression
Conor: No I didn’t
Radio: You’re from Nebraska, right?
Conor: Yeah, that’s right
Radio: Now let me know if I’m getting to personal, but there seems to be a pretty dark past back there somewhere. What was it like for you growing up?
Conor: Dark? Not really. Actually I had a great childhood. My parents were wonderful. I went to a Catholic school. They have, I had money, so it was all easy. I basically had everything that I wanted anytime
Radio: Really? So some of the references like babies in bathtubs are not biographical?
Conor: Well I did have a brother who died in a bathtub . . . he drowned. Well actually I had five brothers that drowned
Radio: (Chuckle)
Conor: No, I’m serious. My mother drowned one every year for five consecutive years. They were all named Padraic, and that’s why they only got one song. It’s kind of like walking out a door and discovering that it's a window
Radio: But your music is certainly very personal
Conor: Of course, I put a lot of myself into what I do. It’s like being an author, you have to free yourself to use symbolism and allegory to meet your goal. And part of that is compassion, empathy for other people and their situations. Some of what I sing about comes from other people’s experiences. It shouldn’t matter, the message is intended to be universal
Radio: I see what you mean
Conor: Could you make that sound stop, please?
Radio: Yes. And your goal?
Conor: I don’t know. Create feelings I guess. A song never ends up the way you planned it
Radio: That’s funny you’d say that, do you think that--
Conor: Do you ever hear things that aren’t really there?
Radio: I’m sorry, what?
Conor: Never mind. How long have you worked at this station?
Radio: Oh, just a few minutes. Now you mentioned empathy for others. Would you say that that motivates you to make the music that you make?
Conor: No, not really. It’s more a need for sympathy. I want people to feel sorry for me. I like to feel the burn of the audience’s eyes on me when I’m revealing all my darkest secrets into the microphone. When I was a kid I used to carry a safety pin around with me every where I went in my pocket, and when people weren’t paying enough attention to me, I’d dig it into my arm until I started crying. Everyone would stop what they were doing and ask me what was the matter. I guess, I guess I kind of liked that
Radio: Really, you’re telling me that you’re doing all of this for attention?
Conor: No, I hate it when people look at me, I get nauseous. In fact, I could care less what people think about me. Do you feel that?
Radio: No, I'm feeling sick
Conor: I really just want to be this warm yellow light that pours over everyone that I love
Radio: So you’re going to play something for us now? Is this a new song?
Conor: Yeah, but I haven’t written it yet. It’s one I’ve been meaning to write called A Song To Pass The Time
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Adrien loved making his girlfriend blush. With Marinette being Ladybug, it meant that she was always particular about everything. She never failed to notice subtle details in every aspect of her life. This also meant she always noticed when Adrien did basic, normal couple clichés like put a heart next to her name in his phone or gaze at her with a smile when he thought she wasn’t looking. Both times he was met with a slight ting of pink on her cheeks. It wasn’t hard for him to realize she noticed with a dead giveaway like that. Whenever he did small tasks for her, her face would heat up slightly and she’d pretend like she wasn’t completely flattered by the actions.
Oh, but, he had her all figured out now. And he was going to flatter her until the ends of time if it meant he could see that cute face she made when she was embarrassed.
Adrien peaked around the corner as Marinette opened her locker while chatting to Alya. When the door opened, an envelope wrapped in ribbons fell to the floor, and flowers poked out from on top of her books. She gaped as she stared at the display.
Alya snorted. “Monsieur Agreste has no trouble spoiling you, does he?”
After hearing Alya’s words, Marinette snapped out of whatever trance she was in and bent down to pick up the card. She slipped the ribbon off the card and flipped it open. With her eyes widening and face flushing, Marinette whipped the card closed before Alya could read it. Her friend leaned over her shoulder and cooed with wonder about the contents of the note.
Marinette glanced around and turned her head, catching his eye. He smirked and gave a cheeky wave as she gaped at him. The rosy color on her cheeks was definitely enough to satisfy him. He slipped away before she could approach him. He had no problem taking the beating later as Chat Noir (which he did.) Making her feel special was worth every bit of it.
There was another instance in class when Miss Bustier was discussing admiration, inspiration, and role-models for a paper that they would have to write on someone who inspired them.
“Chloe, who do you admire most?” she asked.
Chloe flipped her blonde ponytail over her shoulder with as much sass as she could muster. “My daddy, of course.”
With a nod, Miss Bustier continued. “Why does he inspire you?”
“Because he’s the mayor, and he can do whatever he wants. He knows how to make people vote for him and follow his orders. I want to be able to do that someday too,” she flaunted with a grin.
Miss Bustier gave a nervous chuckle. “I see. Alya, how about you?”
“Hmm,” Alya rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “I guess, I would have to say Ladybug is who I admire most.”
“And, besides the obvious reasons, why is that?”
Alya beamed. “Well, it’s not just because she’s a superhero. Ladybug is just awesome in general. She’s super nice and friendly. She pays attention to the little guys, even my blog. I think whoever it is under that mask is just a genuine person, and does her best for everyone. That’s more admirable than anything else if you ask me.”
Miss Bustier nodded in agreement. “Very well said, Alya. Adrien, what about you?”
“Um…” he brushed a hand through the back of his hair. “Well, honestly, Marinette is the person I admire most.”
Marinette’s head whipped towards him, her eyes widening and her mouth agape. Her cheeks were slightly starting to pink. Adrien decided to focus on that adorable face rather than Chloe’s gasp of disgust and growling.
Miss Bustier just gave a smile. “And, why is that, Adrien?”
“Because,” he smiled at Marinette, “she’s amazing. She’s our class president and tries to do her best to incorporate everyone’s ideas. She tries to make sure everyone is happy and no one feels left out. She’s talented and brave. I don’t know who wouldn’t admire her.”
Chloe was gaping, Rose’s hands were pressed against her chest with a sigh, Alya and Nino shared smirks, and Miss Bustier’s smile grew with a nod. “What about you, Juleka?”
“Can anyone really follow that?” she murmured with a small shrug.
Miss Bustier let out a chuckle. “I agree, that’s a tough one to beat, but, go ahead and tell us.”
As Juleka declared her admiration for her grandmother, Adrien’s focus was solely on Marinette. She just stared at him with her face red as a beat with her bottom lip sucked in between her teeth. He smirked at her and mouthed “breathe.” Sighing, she drooped her head. Adrien scooted closer to her and rubbed a hand on her back. He almost felt guilty for embarrassing her, but the cute blush on her face made up for it.
After that incident, she didn’t even wait for them to meet up as Chat Noir and Ladybug that night. She punched him square on the arm as soon as they left the classroom. The bruise on his arm the next day was totally worth it.
One thing that Adrien loved just as much as making Marinette blush was scaring the living day lights out of her. The way she would jump and freeze (or sometimes almost punch him) always gave him a good laugh. Tonight, he decided to mix the two together.
He perched himself on the roof of the bakery as Marinette stood on her terrace, leaning against the railing with her chin resting on her palm. Smirking, he slowly slipped down and crept up behind her. She jolted with a yelp when his arms wrapped around her from behind. Craning her neck to see him, she frowned.
“Well, hello to you to,” he smarmed with a grin and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
With a pout, her face flushed slightly. “Why do you do this to me?”
“You’re fun to tease.”
“Thanks.”
She just stared at him. Was there something on his face? A small smile twitched to his lips, and her blush blossomed a bit more as she turned away.
“What is it, my lady? See something you like~?”
“Must you?”
“Always.”
“Mhmm, always cheeky, you mean,” she retorted with a snort.
He rested his chin on her shoulder, squeezing her waist, and slowly swaying them. “I do what I can to make my lady feel special.”
With a roll of her eyes, she groaned. “You’re so embarrassing.”
“Would you rather me not spoil you? That sounds boring,” he teased.
“Must you always do it in a public setting? I’m sure everyone finds it obnoxious… and will you transform? The last thing we need is someone spotting me cuddled up with Chat Noir.”
He chuckled against her ear. “But, my lady, that would be so scandalous. The charming teen hero Chat Noir finds a beautiful princess above Paris’ finest bakery.”
Marinette glared at him. “Except this princess is taken by Adrien Agreste.”
“Your loss,” he chimed as his stuck his tongue out. “Claws in.” The familiar green slow enveloped him and zapped away his transformation. “There. Happy?”
“Quite,” she said with a cocky smile.
As Plagg came to float beside them, Marinette turned to the kwami. “Tikki’s inside eating cookies, if you want to see her.”
“Better than being stuck out here with you two being gross,” he grumbled flew off towards the door.
“Does Plagg hate me?”
“No, Plagg is just incapable of being anything other than a little shit.”
Letting out a mock gasp, Marinette cocked her head towards her boyfriend. “Adrien Agreste, such language.”
He spun her around, dropping his arms around her lower waist. “I can be a bad boy sometimes.”
“Bad kitties need to be punished.”
What did that mean? Adrien furrowed his brows. “Oh, really?”
His girlfriend smirked, giving him an uneasy feeling. Booping him on the nose with a hum, she replied, “Yup.”
Within the next few days, Adrien had completely forgotten all about Marinette’s—threat. He wasn’t exactly sure what she meant when she said he was going to be punished. It probably just meant all the times she hit him after he embarrassed her, or so he thought.
It was the day that they were required to turn in their papers of who they admired. Adrien patiently waited for Marinette to arrive on the steps, but as class got closer to starting, he started fearing she may have overslept again. They had dealt with a pretty nasty akuma the day previous, so she was probably exhausted from being Ladybug. Glancing back down at his phone one last time, he decided he couldn’t chance turning his paper in late.
As he took his seat, he glanced at the empty space beside him with a pout. Where was she? It wasn’t like her to miss on days when important projects were due. She always made sure to be on time such days. What could be keeping her?
Someone bursting through the classroom door shook him from his thoughts. “I’m so sorry, Miss Bustier. I ran as fast as I could.” His heart was relieved to hear Marinette’s voice, but when he caught a glimpse of her his mouth went dry.
There she stood with her hair down and a black beanie with cat ears on it. His eyes wandered over her as he took in the entire outfit. She was in a black t-shirt with a black cat outlined in white with green eyes, a green pleated skirt with black on the bottom, black tights, and then shoes that matched his own except they were a vibrant green. What was she doing!? He could barely breathe seeing her dressed like that, let alone read his paper to the class. This was bad. So, so bad.
This was it. This was her revenge. She had been plotting this since the day he said he admired her. As she turned to take her seat next to him, he saw the Ladybug charm he had given her on her birthday around her neck. Oh, that was it. His eyes bugged while he plainly gawked at her, a flush spreading across his cheeks. When she smirked, he knew it was over. She could see his blush plain as day.
“Dang, gurl, what’s the occasion?” Alya piped in after seeing her friend’s outfit.
“Oh, this?” Marinette gestured to the outfit. “I wrote about Chat Noir. Adrien stole my idea of writing about him, so I just went with Paris’ other great super hero. He saved my life once, so I thought it was a good idea.”
She was going to be the death of him. He was fine with that. He could die this very moment and have lived a good life.
“Well, you look absolutely adorable, Marinette.”
Don’t forget drop dead sexy, his brain added. He flushed again and scolded himself for thinking such thoughts at this moment in time.
She blinked those blue eyes up at him through long lashes, obviously doing her best to look as innocent as possible. Marinette scooted close to him in their seat. Keeping her voice low, she spoke, “What is it, kitty? See something you like~?”
Adrien loved making his girlfriend blush, but it was even better when she made him blush instead.
I'm not sure I can take much more... Remind me to never piss Nino off again. I think his brand of revenge is worse than Alya's... with her, I at least have the sweet release of death to look forward to...
...Nino is not so kind.
Which is why I had to come to school today... with lime green hair.
And it's why I had to go to my photo shoot after... with lime green hair.
So of course, it's also why I had to talk to my father... with LIME GREEN HAIR.
I look like a fucking troll doll.
I will never take a shower at Nino's place again... after slipping dye into my leave-in conditioner, I have determined that he can't be trusted.
When I asked him why green, he just made some comment about it being the color of envy and I'm just...? Of course, I couldn't tell my father the truth, and risk never going over to Nino's again (although do I really want to?)...
...so I'm also GROUNDED.
Thanks bro.
Nathalie already scheduled me an appointment for tomorrow afternoon to fix my hair color, but that means I'll have to spend another day at school looking like I grew mold.
At least Nino got it out of his system and I can look forward to a quiet rest of the week.
-Adrien Jolly-Green-Giant Agreste
