#art style is also unmistakable

[autisticaradiamegido]

day 60

shapes time

#day 60 #year 4 #aradia megido #homestuck #also. i think a lot about like #the weird semi body horror of being given a replacement body that is unmistakably modeled after YOU #but also unmistakably changed in a few Very Conscious Ways #which like. i feel are implied to be Alternian Beauty Standard sort of things #a higher blood caste #sharper teeth #and thats just the stuff we can make out through the abstraction of the art style #obviously she had bigger things to focus her anger on like the heart chip bullshit but idk #i imagine looking in a mirror would be a weird and uncomfortable business at that point #i think about aradias relationship to the soulbot A Lot #theres like a genuine psychological horror aspect of that whole ordeal imo

[hlupdate]

W​​hat’s the secret to a great portrait? At 86 years old, David Hockney has a few ideas. A lifetime of looking has taught him to always start with the face. “I begin with the head first,” he says, matter-of-factly, from his home in France. “From there, I place everything else.”

That was his approach when, late last May, Harry Styles traveled to his light-filled studio in Normandy and stationed himself on a cane chair, ready to become the esteemed artist’s latest subject. Over two days, Hockney worked to capture the exact hues of red and yellow in Styles’s striped cardigan, the indigo of his jeans, the string of pearls at his neck—not to mention the unmistakable tousled fringe of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. For the artist, though, the goal was merely to capture the essence of the person in front of him. “I wasn’t really aware of his celebrity then,” Hockney says, with a shrug. “He was just another person who came to the studio.”

The pair struck up an instant rapport that was likely helped by Styles being a full-on fanboy. For his Vogue cover shoot in 2020, Styles wore a pair of hand-painted Bode cords that featured a talismanic illustration of Hockney by artist Aayushia Khowala. It’s also hard to imagine the wide-eyed wonder of a flamboyant Brit discovering the sunny thrills and spills of California—a theme, and sound, that has permeated the former One Direction singer’s solo albums—without Hockney as a precedent. “David Hockney has been reinventing the way we look at the world for decades,” says Styles. “It was a complete privilege to be painted by him.”

The unveiling of the portrait kicks off the second iteration of the National Portrait Gallery’s Hockney exhibition “Drawing From Life,” which first opened in February 2020, only to close weeks later due to the pandemic. With the addition of a new room of pictures charting Hockney’s creative impulses throughout lockdown, the show returns on November 2—a few months after a refurbishment of the entire museum—with Styles’s portrait as its crown jewel. “The whole world shut down, and the exhibition was still sitting there, in the dark,” recalls Sarah Howgate, the gallery’s senior curator of contemporary collections, who oversaw the exhibition in both phases. “So it’s nice to know it will have another life.”

The Styles painting may bring star wattage, but the unassuming genius of Hockney’s portraiture is still the main exhibition draw. What makes his images tick, you quickly learn, is their honesty: whether in the tension bubbling beneath the surface of his famed double portrait of Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, painted between 1970 and ’71, or the seated figures that populated his 2016 Royal Academy of Arts exhibition, which included the likes of his own sister, Margaret, and the late comedian Barry Humphries. Hockney’s eye for the human figure may be playful, often kaleidoscopic, sometimes fantastical—but it’s always, most importantly, frank.

Styles’s portrait will hang alongside those of writer Gregory Evans, Hockney’s printer Maurice Payne, the mayor of his local town Dozulé, his gardener, and even his chiropodist, or in Hockney’s words, “the dandy who cuts my toenails.”

One of his more recent subjects was the eminent music producer Clive Davis, who first suggested inviting Styles to swing by. “Clive told me about Harry’s new album, and JP [Hockney’s studio assistant] sent Harry a note and asked him if he’d like to come to my studio and sit for his portrait,” Hockney remembers. “He replied straight away and said, yes, he’d love to.” From there, Hockney’s process of painting Styles was instinctive. “Everybody just came to sit,” he says, breezily, before admitting: “Now I know Harry’s a celebrity, though: I’ve seen all his music videos.”

“He’s not a traditional portrait painter,” says Howgate. Hockney’s interest is not in what people do, but rather in who they are. “He’s not interested in fame. He’s interested in depicting people and their relationships.” It’s why his eye is primarily trained on his inner circle these days—but it also pays testament to his enduring curiosity that he’s still willing to open that up to a newcomer every so often. Styles seems to know how lucky he is, adding, with a tinge of disbelief: “I’m in awe of the man with enough one-liners for a lifetime.” As to what those one-liners might be? Styles and Hockney’s mutual silence on that question suggests that what happens in the studio, stays in the studio.

“David Hockney: Drawing From Life” will be at the National Portrait Gallery from November 2 to January 21, 2024.

#harry styles #articles #020823

[drconstellation]

Brazil and The Dream of Escape

I was delighted to find in the Xtras that the machine created to be used by Furfur to use to find out how many demons Shax could requisition for storming the bookshop was inspired by the movie Brazil. This is another nod to Monty Python member Terry Gilliam, who directed this film, and who almost directed the failed GO film in the 1990's.

I love this film. Always have. Yes, I was around when it came out in 1985. I'm that old. It's always been in my top 5 favourite films. And its totally relevant to Good Omens.

Brazil can be described as a dark dystopian story based on the novel 1984. It doesn't have a happy ending, but its funny, horrific, ludicrous, romantic and timelessly beautiful all at the same time. Its so iconic that when ever I see its influence in other productions its been unmistakable.

It stars Jonathan Pryce long before he was a James Bond villain or the head Sparrow in Game of Thrones, a comedic turn from Robert de Niro and a handful of other famous faces that you are bound to recognise, such Bob Hoskins, Ian Holm and Jim Broadbent.

Pryce, as Sam Lowry, lives in a world that is strictly controlled with paperwork that comes in multiple copies, where people are routinely arrested and tortured and a long running unexplained terrorist campaign sees bombs explode in the most random of places. Sam has dreams of a beautiful woman floating in the sky, and he is a sliver-armoured winged hero trying to rescue her. He eventually finds that she is real, and finds out her name through various means via his work and contacts. He tracks her down, but that is where it all starts to unravel as she is mixed up with an unfortunate case of mistaken identity.

Its easy to see the common themes and elements that run through the film with GO: the desire to run away and escape (that doesn't work,) a totalitarian authority controlling the masses, propaganda, piles of paperwork, an undercurrent of rebellion, torture and abuse, forbidden love between classes, a villain hidden in plain sight.

There is an art deco aesthetic to the film that also carries over to other films and shows it has influenced, and the busy work floor scene that stops on a dime to watch the tv show de jour while the boss isn't looking is one of the highlights of the film.

It was a reference of this that caught my eye in the Cohen Brothers modern fairy tale The Hudsucker Proxy, where they copied the busyness of the work floor for their mail room scenes, but also the art deco aesthetic. That's another film that is always in my top five films, and could go a round of comparisons with GO - its got time stoppage, an angel appearance and a near-godlike manipulator.

It also appears, surprisingly, in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The casino at Canto Bight is Brazil inspired, in the way its introduced to us, its decor and the music. I know some people hate this film because of what they did to Luke, but I love it, the whole thing is just utterly gorgeous to look at.

And if you've watched any of Loki recently, since S2 of that show finished not long ago, you would also seen some influence from Brazil in the retro look.

I love the classic art deco style. my grandparents had an art deco house that I spent many of my childhood hours in. The style itself is a clean, unadorned look, and often is meant to give a look of movement, speed or strength. A classic example of this is the Bentley, of course, which comes from the height of the art deco era in the 1930's.

Hell is the other place we see the Brazil influence in GO, where is looks like it's constantly several decades behind the times, with overhead projectors and manual typewriters and odd looking not-quite steampunk contraptions.

Brazil is available to stream on Disney at the moment, if you'd like to take a look. I highly recommend it, its one of those influential films that once you know it, you see its long reach in the most unexpected places.

#good omens 2 #good omens meta #good omens analysis #shax #furfur #terry gilliam brazil #monty python #the bentley #art deco

[yourfavhoesblog]

Your Tempting Therapist

Hannibal headcannons x m!reader

Some headcanons, how would Hannibal act in a relationship :3 (i finally proofread)

1. Complex Desire for Connection: Hannibal has a penchant for solitude due to his meticulous ways and unique tastes. However, in a love relationship, he may find himself irresistibly drawn to an individual who presents a mental and emotional challenge. He may desire someone who can mirror his intellect, intensify his passion for fine cuisine, or simply captivate his acute analytical mind.

2. Shared Appetites: Food and its preparation are a fundamental aspect of Hannibal's character. In a relationship, he may seek a companion who possesses an appreciation for the culinary arts and takes pleasure in discovering new tastes and flavors alongside him. Sharing lavish dinner parties or engaging in intimate cooking sessions could be pivotal bonding moments.

3. Emotional Intensity and Dedication: Known for his intellectual prowess, Hannibal is not one for casual romance. If he were to commit to a loving partnership, it would involve an unwavering loyalty, dedication, and emotional intensity. Those fortunate enough to be recipients of his affections would probably uncover deeper layers of vulnerability and the intense emotions fueling his every action.

4. Dark and Playful Dynamic: With his inherent darkness and complex motivation, a relationship with Hannibal would undoubtedly delve into uncharted depths. Intriguing activities such as murder, suspenseful mind games, and intellectual challenges might ignite a magnetic and rather twisted connectivity, creating an unconventional but captivating bond.

5. Inherent Aloofness: Hannibal generally carries an air of refinement and detachment. This detachment might play a role in his romantic endeavours, leading him to exhibit a certain guardedness, even within intimate relationships. Overcoming this aloofness could be pivotal for any partner seeking an intimate and deep connection with him.

6. Unmistakable Decadence: Hannibal's refined tastes and impeccable sense of style are a hallmark of his persona. He might surround himself and a beloved partner with beauty and opulence, a fusion of lavish art, architecture, and extravagant possessions. This element can create an atmosphere of indulgence and grandeur in the relationship.

7. Manipulative Charisma: Hannibal Lecter is masterfully charismatic and undeniably skilled in artful manipulation. While one must vigilantly guard against any potentially dangerous aspects of this trait, a partner may also find themselves enraptured by his ability to charm and captivate with every word and gesture.

8. Unravelling Darkness and Dual Nature: Beneath Hannibal's calm demeanour lies darkness and an intriguing dual nature. In a relationship, these profound character aspects are likely to impact the dynamic, unveiling moments of tenderness intermingled with haunting danger. A delicate balance must be struck, ensuring emotional safety without repressing his complex nature.

9. Superior Intelligence and Insight: Hannibal's formidable intellect grants him the capacity to perceive much about individuals around him. In a relationship, this intelligence would likely be employed to attentively navigate their emotions and psychology, offering profound insights into their inner workings and creating an almost telepathic connection.

#hannibal x male reader #Spotify #male reader #toxic relationship #toxic love

[mr-styles]

When Harry Styles Met David Hockney: An Exclusive First Look At A Special New Portrait

A legendary painter and a pop lodestar? Sparks were inevitable. David Hockney and Harry Styles share a very special sitting with Liam Hess

W​​hat’s the secret to a great portrait? At 86 years old, David Hockney has a few ideas. A lifetime of looking has taught him to always start with the face. “I begin with the head first,” he says, matter-of-factly, from his home in France. “From there, I place everything else.”

That was his approach when, late last May, Harry Styles travelled to his light-filled studio in Normandy and stationed himself on a cane chair, ready to become the esteemed artist’s latest subject. Over two days, Hockney worked to capture the exact hues of red and yellow in Styles’s striped cardigan, the indigo of his jeans, the string of pearls at his neck – not to mention the unmistakable tousled fringe of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. For the artist, though, the goal was merely to capture the essence of the person in front of him. “I wasn’t really aware of his celebrity then,” Hockney says, with a shrug. “He was just another person who came to the studio.”

The pair struck up an instant rapport that was likely helped by Styles being a full-on fanboy. For his US Vogue cover shoot in 2020, Styles wore a pair of hand-painted Bode cords that featured a talismanic illustration of Hockney by artist Aayushia Khowala. It’s also hard to imagine the wide-eyed wonder of a flamboyant Brit discovering the sunny thrills and spills of California – a theme, and sound, that has permeated the former One Direction singer’s solo albums – without Hockney as a precedent. “David Hockney has been reinventing the way we look at the world for decades,” says Styles. “It was a complete privilege to be painted by him.”

The unveiling of the portrait kicks off the second iteration of the National Portrait Gallery’s Hockney exhibition Drawing From Life, which first opened in February 2020, only to close weeks later due to the pandemic. With the addition of a new room of pictures charting Hockney’s creative impulses throughout lockdown, the show returns on 2 November – a few months after a refurbishment of the entire museum – with Styles’s portrait as its crown jewel. “The whole world shut down, and the exhibition was still sitting there, in the dark,” recalls Sarah Howgate, the gallery’s senior curator of contemporary collections, who oversaw the exhibition in both phases. “So it’s nice to know it will have another life.”

The Styles painting may bring star wattage, but the unassuming genius of Hockney’s portraiture is still the main exhibition draw. What makes his images tick, you quickly learn, is their honesty: whether in the tension bubbling beneath the surface of his famed double portrait of Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, painted between 1970 and ’71, or the seated figures that populated his 2016 Royal Academy of Arts exhibition, which included the likes of his own sister, Margaret, and the late comedian Barry Humphries. Hockney’s eye for the human figure may be playful, often kaleidoscopic, sometimes fantastical – but it’s always, most importantly, frank.

Styles’s portrait will hang alongside those of writer Gregory Evans, Hockney’s printer Maurice Payne, the mayor of his local town Dozulé, his gardener and even his chiropodist, or in Hockney’s words, “the dandy who cuts my toenails” .

One of his more recent subjects was the eminent music producer Clive Davis, who first suggested inviting Styles to swing by. “Clive told me about Harry’s new album, and JP [Hockney’s studio assistant] sent Harry a note and asked him if he’d like to come to my studio and sit for his portrait,” Hockney remembers. “He replied straight away and said, yes, he’d love to.” From there, Hockney’s process of painting Styles was instinctive. “Everybody just came to sit,” he says, breezily, before admitting: “Now I know Harry’s a celebrity, though: I’ve seen all his music videos.”

“He’s not a traditional portrait painter,” says Howgate. Hockney’s interest is not in what people do, but rather in who they are. “He’s not interested in fame. He’s interested in depicting people and their relationships.” It’s why his eye is primarily trained on his inner circle these days – but it also pays testament to his enduring curiosity that he’s still willing to open that up to a newcomer every so often. Styles seems to know how lucky he is, adding, with a tinge of disbelief: “I’m in awe of the man with enough one-liners for a lifetime.” As to what those one-liners might be? Styles and Hockney’s mutual silence on that question suggests that what happens in the studio, stays in the studio.

via vogue.co.uk

#harry styles #david hockney

[thestylesindependent]

W​​hat’s the secret to a great portrait? At 86 years old, David Hockney has a few ideas. A lifetime of looking has taught him to always start with the face. “I begin with the head first,” he says, matter-of-factly, from his home in France. “From there, I place everything else.”

That was his approach when, late last May, Harry Styles travelled to his light-filled studio in Normandy and stationed himself on a cane chair, ready to become the esteemed artist’s latest subject. Over two days, Hockney worked to capture the exact hues of red and yellow in Styles’s striped cardigan, the indigo of his jeans, the string of pearls at his neck – not to mention the unmistakable tousled fringe of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. For the artist, though, the goal was merely to capture the essence of the person in front of him. “I wasn’t really aware of his celebrity then,” Hockney says, with a shrug. “He was just another person who came to the studio.”

The pair struck up an instant rapport that was likely helped by Styles being a full-on fanboy. For his US Vogue cover shoot in 2020, Styles wore a pair of hand-painted Bode cords that featured a talismanic illustration of Hockney by artist Aayushia Khowala. It’s also hard to imagine the wide-eyed wonder of a flamboyant Brit discovering the sunny thrills and spills of California – a theme, and sound, that has permeated the former One Direction singer’s solo albums – without Hockney as a precedent. “David Hockney has been reinventing the way we look at the world for decades,” says Styles. “It was a complete privilege to be painted by him.”

The unveiling of the portrait kicks off the second iteration of the National Portrait Gallery’s Hockney exhibition Drawing From Life, which first opened in February 2020, only to close weeks later due to the pandemic. With the addition of a new room of pictures charting Hockney’s creative impulses throughout lockdown, the show returns on 2 November – a few months after a refurbishment of the entire museum – with Styles’s portrait as its crown jewel. “The whole world shut down, and the exhibition was still sitting there, in the dark,” recalls Sarah Howgate, the gallery’s senior curator of contemporary collections, who oversaw the exhibition in both phases. “So it’s nice to know it will have another life.”

The Styles painting may bring star wattage, but the unassuming genius of Hockney’s portraiture is still the main exhibition draw. What makes his images tick, you quickly learn, is their honesty: whether in the tension bubbling beneath the surface of his famed double portrait of Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, painted between 1970 and ’71, or the seated figures that populated his 2016 Royal Academy of Arts exhibition, which included the likes of his own sister, Margaret, and the late comedian Barry Humphries. Hockney’s eye for the human figure may be playful, often kaleidoscopic, sometimes fantastical – but it’s always, most importantly, frank.

Styles’s portrait will hang alongside those of writer Gregory Evans, Hockney’s printer Maurice Payne, the mayor of his local town Dozulé, his gardener and even his chiropodist, or in Hockney’s words, “the dandy who cuts my toenails” .

One of his more recent subjects was the eminent music producer Clive Davis, who first suggested inviting Styles to swing by. “Clive told me about Harry’s new album, and JP [Hockney’s studio assistant] sent Harry a note and asked him if he’d like to come to my studio and sit for his portrait,” Hockney remembers. “He replied straight away and said, yes, he’d love to.” From there, Hockney’s process of painting Styles was instinctive. “Everybody just came to sit,” he says, breezily, before admitting: “Now I know Harry’s a celebrity, though: I’ve seen all his music videos.”

“He’s not a traditional portrait painter,” says Howgate. Hockney’s interest is not in what people do, but rather in who they are. “He’s not interested in fame. He’s interested in depicting people and their relationships.” It’s why his eye is primarily trained on his inner circle these days – but it also pays testament to his enduring curiosity that he’s still willing to open that up to a newcomer every so often. Styles seems to know how lucky he is, adding, with a tinge of disbelief: “I’m in awe of the man with enough one-liners for a lifetime.” As to what those one-liners might be? Styles and Hockney’s mutual silence on that question suggests that what happens in the studio, stays in the studio.

David Hockney: Drawing From Life will be at the National Portrait Gallery from 2 November to 21 January 2024

#harry styles #august 2023 #david hockney

[fluentmoviequoter]

hi! i love your writing and i was wondering if i could request something with dalton having a cute moment with his significant other? maybe he’s been stressed and overworking himself on a painting so she suggests a break. maybe he sits in front of her between her legs and just let her brush and style his hair? pamper him and give him time not to worry about anything? just something sweet and domestic like that!

Hi! Thank you!! I love this idea so so much; it is one of the cutest requests I have received and I had a ton of fun writing this!!! I hope this is what you wanted and that you enjoy it. As always, let me know what you think! :)

Warnings: established relationship, Dalton is stressed at the beginning and then it's just an abundance of fluff. 1.6k+ words

Lay Here With Me

The paintbrush taps the desk repeatedly as Dalton chews his lip in thought.

“The shading is all wrong,” he mumbles, dropping his paintbrush.

Huffing, Dalton brings his elbows onto the table and lays his forehead in his hands. The desk moves as his leg bounces, his eyes tracking over the canvas but never stopping.

“’Paint the emotions of a memory.’ What does that even mean?” Dalton grumbles.

Dropping his head, Dalton clenches his fists several times before retrieving his paintbrush again. Dalton has been sitting at his desk since he returned from class several hours ago, growing more stressed with each brushstroke. The painting is due at the end of the week, and he has no idea what he wants to do or how to communicate a memory through painted emotions. Life outside his dorm and away from this painting seems nonexistent as Dalton reaches for the black paint to cover up his latest mistake.

✧✧✧✧✧

“You’ve reached Dalton, leave a message.”

You pull your phone away from your ear, frowning as you see that was the twenty-first unanswered call in the last four days. Dalton got a new assignment for his art class and seems to be putting every second of his time and attention into it. The last time you saw him was on the sidewalk outside the art building yesterday when he told you he couldn’t make it to trivia night with you and Chris because he was falling behind on the project.

To an outsider, it may look like you’re clingy and desperate to spend time with him, but the truth is that you’re worried about him and how stressed he seems. Chris also tried to contact him, even invited him to a party, but he turned her down with the same excuse he gave you.

Turning off your phone, you look around your room. Your eyes catch on the face masks and new hairbrush you bought a few days ago. Smiling, you stand to begin working on your master plan.

✧✧✧✧✧

Dalton rubs his eyes, attempting to ignore the burning sensation that signals he’s been staring at the canvas for far too long. Dalton doesn’t know what time it is, how long he’s been here, when he ate last, or anything else that matters, only that the painting still doesn’t look like he wants it to. Blinking harshly, Dalton reaches for his phone to look up the exact paint color he wants, not seeing the number of missed calls and text messages. He jumps and drops his phone when someone knocks on his door. Hoping they’ll go away, Dalton runs a finger over the dry paint and tries to imagine what the finished project will look like. He realizes he is too tired to continue working but doesn’t care.

“Dalton?” you ask, voice unmistakable.

Standing quickly, Dalton groans as his joints pop and his muscles have a distant ache. Opening the door, he smiles tiredly at you as you walk past. You set your bags down on his extra bed and turn to face him. He’s back at his desk and leaning over his painting again.

“Dalton? When’s the last time you took a break?” you ask, running a gentle hand over his shoulder blades.

“Don’t have time,” he answers quietly.

“You have to take a break; you’re going to get sick if you overwork yourself.” You speak gently, trying to help him without treating him like he can’t take care of himself. “I care about you, Dalton, and I can tell that you’re tired.”

“I can’t get it right.”

“You’ll figure it out. Stepping away for a little bit might even give you some ideas.”

“What if I don’t finish it? Professor Armagan said that we have to paint the emotions of a memory, but all of my memories are… I don’t know, they’re ugly and I can’t paint them!” Dalton snaps, not at you but at the situation.

You put your hand on his shoulder and move to stand between him and the painting. His chest rises and falls rapidly, his eyes wild until they meet yours. Smiling at him, you hope to put him at ease.

“I get it, Dalton. But trying to work on it like this is just going to make it worse. I know you know that. So, I brought you some stuff to help de-stress and take a well-earned break. Everything is in those bags if you’d rather I leave and let you rest alone.”

Dalton’s hands raise to hold your waist as he shakes his head. “Can you stay? You’re right, and I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

Dalton steps closer to you, laying his head on your shoulder as you rub your hand up and down his back. His breathing has slowed, and his shoulders slowly fall as his tension eases.

“Of course, I’ll stay. First, change out of those clothes and get comfortable. I brought food if you’re hungry, but I also have snacks if you prefer.”

Dalton nods and walks to his dresser to change as you turn away, pulling things out of bags and sorting them.

“What’d you bring?” Dalton asks as he returns to your sides, wearing sweats and his favorite hoodie.

You hold up a to-go bag from his favorite restaurant and smile as his eyes widen. He takes the food and gestures for you to join him on his bed. Dalton asks you about your day as you eat together, ignoring your protests that he could do anything else.

“I’ve been ignoring you for days because of that stupid painting. Tell me everything I missed,” Dalton insists.

When you finish eating, you throw away the trash and plug in your projector, turning on Dalton’s favorite TV show. He is still sitting on his bed, but his eyes are starting to close, and he isn’t making as many sarcastic comments as usual. He sits in the middle of his bed, with room behind him, so you grab your hairbrush and some elastic hair bands from your bag as you return.

Slipping in behind him, Dalton sighs as he leans back against your legs, content and comfortable. You brush his hair slowly, removing all of the tangles caused by his hand repeatedly raking through it due to stress. When deemed sufficiently detangled, you part his hair into several sections and begin braiding, smiling as he lets his eyes fall closed, more interested in your hands in his hair than the show playing. You feel the last of the tension melt from his shoulders as he lets his weight fall against your legs, supporting him in every way. As you secure the braids, Dalton opens his eyes again.

“Do you want to do a face mask? I bought a few new ones, and they say they’re good for easing tension and promoting relaxation because they have tea infused into them,” you ask, rubbing his shoulders as you speak.

“Sure,” he murmurs.

You lean over and grab the packages off his nightstand, ignoring his whines at your sudden movement. His head is still in your lap, giving you perfect access to apply the mask.

“Do I have to get up to wash this off?” Dalton asks.

“Nope, this is a sheet mask, so you just take it off and rub the excess product into your skin,” you answer. “I have strawberry, pineapple, aloe vera, watermelon, tea tree, lavender, ginger, and some unscented ones. Which one do you want?”

“Surprise me.”

You think for a second, then pick the one you think he will like best, opening it and pulling the mask out.

“This is cold,” you warn as you prepare to put it on.

You place the bottom at his jawline and smooth it upwards. You take special care around his eyes, ensuring nothing gets in them. Once it's secure, you start a timer and put your mask on. Dalton looks up at you and smiles.

“Don’t mess up your mask,” you demand playfully.

“Then stop looking so pretty,” Dalton counters.

You roll your eyes and rub your hands over his shoulder again, glad to feel his muscles give way under your touch, no longer carrying his stress. Moving upward, you fix his hair where a few pieces were disturbed by your movements. As the timer goes off, you remove your mask quickly before beginning Dalton’s with much more care.

Tossing it into his trash can, you begin to rub small circles on his face and neck, making sure the product soaks in well and hoping it will continue relaxing him throughout the rest of the night.

“Can I rub yours in?” Dalton asks as you finish.

You nod, and Dalton sits up, facing you as he begins copying your method of small circles. His tongue pokes out in concentration, and you smile because you feel like a canvas at the hands of your favorite artist.

“Why the smile?” Dalton asks, poking your cheek as he finishes.

“Just thinking about how much I love you,” you answer quietly.

Dalton reaches over your shoulder and turns the projector off before pushing you to lie on his pillow. He lays down beside you with his head on your chest.

“Thank you for helping me relax. I don’t know why I let myself get so stressed and overworked,” Dalton says into the darkness before kissing your neck.

“Of course. I’m always here for you, Dalton, even if you just need someone to sit with you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you. And I think your emotions need more yellow, if it’s the moment I think it is.”

Dalton never responds; your heartbeat, voice, and hand rubbing his back already put him to sleep. Dalton never sleeps more restfully than with you, and he knows exactly what color his emotions are with you.

#dalton lambert x reader #dalton lambert fluff #dalton lambert fic #dalton lambert imagine #dalton lambert #insidious #insidious the red door #insidious 5 #requests #fem!reader

[mysweetlixe]

Side Story : The Perfect Couple

Genre: Angst and Co-worker au

Words 2.7k

Masterlist

Summary: Y/N lands her dream job at a prestigious magazine company and quickly becomes enamored with her boss, Minho. Despite his marriage, there is a strong connection between them that leads to drama and deceit as they try to hide their feelings from everyone else.

Minho stood tall, his stature unmistakable as he surveyed the room. His presence seemed to fill every corner, a magnet that drew all eyes towards him. Perfectly styled black hair framed his face, held in place by some unseen force as if not even a gust of wind could dare disturb it. But it was his smile that truly captivated those around him. A slow, knowing grin that seemed to say he had a secret – one that only the select few were privy to. And everyone wanted to be among that chosen circle.

As the boss of the company, Minho's air of confidence was well-earned. He strode through the sleek, modern office building with purpose, his polished black shoes clicking rhythmically on the pristine marble floor. The walls were adorned with abstract art, each piece carefully chosen to reflect the cutting-edge innovation that drove the organization. Employees paused in their work, glancing up from their screens as their leader approached. Some offered nervous smiles, others simply a nod of acknowledgment, but all were eager to catch even the briefest moment of Minho's attention.

"Morning, Rachel," Minho said, pausing for a moment beside the desk of one of his project managers. The woman beamed at him, her cheeks flushing pink with pleasure at being addressed by name. "How's the Henderson account coming along?"

"Ah, we're making good progress, sir," she replied, her voice wavering slightly under the weight of his gaze. "We should have their proposal finalized by the end of the day."

"Excellent," Minho responded, his smile widening as he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Keep up the good work." With a final nod, he continued on his way, leaving behind a trail of murmured conversations and stolen glances.

It was these small interactions that cemented Minho's reputation as both a charismatic leader and someone who genuinely cared for his employees. He knew their names, their projects, and even the names of their pets – a skill that only endeared him more to those who worked under him.

As Minho made his way through the office, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what he had built. This company was not just a testament to his own hard work and determination, but also to the efforts of every single person who walked through its doors each day. They were a team, united by a shared passion for creating something truly exceptional. And as their leader, Minho was determined to see them succeed – no matter what challenges lay ahead.

Minho's keen eyes scanned the room, taking in the focused faces of his team as they worked diligently on their latest project. He approached one of his senior designers, who was hunched over her desk, furiously sketching out a new concept.

"Michelle," Minho said softly, leaning in to examine her work more closely. "I like where you're going with this, but consider incorporating some softer lines here," he gestured at the sketch, "to create a more inviting atmosphere."

"Of course, Mr. Kim," she replied, nodding eagerly and jotting down his suggestion. "Thank you for your guidance."

As Minho moved through the office, he continued to offer his insights, careful not to dictate but to inspire creativity and collaboration among his colleagues. It was clear that his passion for their work was contagious, as each person he spoke with seemed to gain a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

"Remember," he told them all in a firm yet encouraging tone, "we're working together to create something truly groundbreaking. Let's push ourselves and our ideas to the limit."

Just then, the double doors at the entrance swung open, and a gust of cold air swept through the room. In strode Amber, Minho's wife, her heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor. Her tailored suit clung flawlessly to her slender frame, and her dark hair was pulled back into a tight, elegant bun. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to cut through the warm atmosphere of the office like a knife.

"Amber," Minho greeted her, a practiced smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He could feel the sudden shift in the room, the way his employees stiffened at her presence.

"Minho," she replied icily, barely acknowledging him as she surveyed the room with an air of disapproval. The temperature of the room seemed to drop several degrees, and Minho couldn't help but notice the way his colleagues seemed to shrink under her cold gaze.

For a moment, Minho's thoughts betrayed him. He felt the weight of his carefully constructed facade starting to crumble, and he longed for the warmth and connection he shared with his team – a stark contrast to the chill that seemed to emanate from Amber. But he quickly brushed aside these thoughts, knowing that now was not the time for vulnerability.

"Everyone," Minho announced, drawing himself up to his full height and regaining control of the room, "please give a warm welcome to my wife, Amber." His voice held a note of authority, and he smiled reassuringly at his employees as they greeted her with polite smiles and nods.

"Thank you all for your hard work today," he continued, his eyes flickering briefly to Amber before returning to his colleagues. "I have no doubt we'll achieve something extraordinary together."

As the room buzzed with renewed energy, Minho couldn't help but feel a pang of longing deep within him. He knew that, for now, he must maintain the appearance of the perfect husband and boss. But as he watched Amber stride through the office, leaving a trail of unease in her wake, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to life than this perfectly polished facade.

Amber's voice cut through the hum of productivity like a razor-sharp icicle, her cold eyes fixed on one unfortunate employee. "Is that all you've managed to accomplish today?" she sneered, her gaze flicking dismissively over their trembling hands clutching a report. The employee's face turned scarlet as they stuttered an explanation, but Amber simply waved them off with a condescending smirk. Minho winced inwardly, wishing he could offer some comfort to his team while maintaining the facade of the perfect husband.

"Come along, dear," Amber called imperiously, striding toward the exit with her designer heels clicking against the polished floor. Minho followed, forcing a smile and exchanging apologetic glances with his colleagues as he passed.

Later that evening, Minho and Amber stood side by side at a high-profile event, dressed to the nines and exuding an air of effortless glamour. As flashes from cameras lit up their faces, Minho slid his arm around Amber's waist, pulling her close and offering his most dazzling smile to the press. Amber reciprocated with a practiced grin of her own, her piercing eyes momentarily softened by the illusion of marital bliss.

"Look at us," she whispered into Minho's ear, her breath warm against his skin. "We're the picture of perfection." He resisted the urge to pull away, reminding himself that this was just another performance in their carefully choreographed routine.

Inside, though, Minho couldn't help but feel a gnawing emptiness. Here they were, surrounded by the glitterati, putting on a show for the world to see while the cracks in their marriage remained expertly concealed. He longed for a genuine connection, a loving partnership where he could be truly seen and understood. But for now, he played his part, his heart aching with each click of the camera shutter.

As the night wore on, Minho's mind drifted back to the office and the dedicated team who looked up to him for guidance. He found solace in their shared passion for their work, a stark contrast to Amber's cruel jabs and icy demeanor. Yet he knew that at home, behind closed doors, he would have to continue his role as the doting husband, even if it meant stifling his own desires for something more.

"Smile, darling," Amber murmured, her lips brushing against his cheek as they posed for yet another photograph. Minho forced himself to comply, his thoughts tinged with regret and longing, trapped in a gilded cage of their own making.

The sun had begun to set, casting a warm glow over the city skyline as Minho and Amber attended yet another charity gala. The buzz of conversation from the well-dressed crowd filled the elegant ballroom, while glasses clinked and laughter rang out in the air. Amidst it all, Minho's arm was securely wrapped around Amber's waist, their smiles bright and unwavering as they mingled with the other attendees.

"Minho, darling, don't let go of me," Amber whispered into his ear, her breath hot against his skin. He could feel her nails digging into his forearm, a subtle reminder of her grip on him. Minho nodded, maintaining his smile as they exchanged pleasantries with a prominent business magnate.

As the conversation lulled, Minho's eyes wandered to a nearby couple who were lost in each other's gaze, their love for one another evident in their tender touches and soft smiles. His heart constricted at the sight, a twinge of envy clouding his thoughts. When he glanced back at Amber, she was focused intently on something across the room, her eyes narrowed and calculating.

"Excuse me for a moment," she said abruptly, squeezing Minho's hand before releasing it and walking away. Minho watched her go, his relief at having a brief respite quickly overshadowed by a sense of unease. It was in these moments – when they were apart, no longer under the watchful eyes of the world – that the façade began to crumble, revealing the fissures in their seemingly perfect marriage.

"Are you alright?" A colleague asked, drawing Minho's attention back to the present. He forced a smile, nodding as he pushed his private concerns to the back of his mind.

"Of course," he replied, offering a reassuring pat on the man's shoulder. "Just a bit tired, that's all."

As the night wore on, Minho couldn't help but steal glances at Amber from across the room. He observed her cold, piercing gaze as she conversed with others, the way she subtly belittled their achievements with a flick of her wrist or a dismissive laugh. It was a stark reminder of who she truly was – and by extension, the life he had chosen for himself.

When their eyes met, he saw her smile falter for the briefest of moments, a fleeting crack in their carefully constructed image. And within that split second, Minho's true feelings about his marriage were laid bare: a mix of resignation and sadness, a longing for something more meaningful than what they had become. But as quickly as it had appeared, the moment vanished, replaced once more by the mask of perfection they both wore so well.

"Time to go," Amber said tersely as she rejoined him, her fingers gripping his arm tightly. Minho nodded, offering her a forced smile before turning to bid their farewells. As they exited the ballroom, hand in hand, he couldn't help but wonder how much longer they could keep up this charade – and at what cost to his own happiness.

The sun cast a warm, golden light on Minho's face as he stood at the window of his office, gazing out at the bustling city below. His reflection in the glass showed a confident and content man, his captivating smile beaming with ease. But beneath the surface of that smile, there was an undercurrent of yearning – a desire for a connection he didn't have with Amber. As he continued to stare at the world outside, his thoughts drifted towards the emptiness he felt within.

"Minho, you're needed in the conference room," a voice interrupted, snapping him back to reality. He turned to find his assistant standing in the doorway, her expression professional yet concerned.

"Of course," he replied, the facade of happiness returning to his face as if it had never left. "Let's not keep them waiting."

As Minho strode confidently through the sleek, modern hallways of his company, he couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Here, surrounded by his dedicated team, he found solace in the challenges and accomplishments of their work. The office hummed with energy and ambition, and as he entered the conference room, he knew that this was where he could escape the troubles of his marriage – even if just for a little while.

"Alright, everyone," he began, taking his place at the head of the table. The room fell silent, all eyes on him. "We've got a lot to cover today, so let's get right to it."

Over the next several hours, Minho threw himself into his job with unrelenting determination. He guided his team through complex discussions, offered constructive feedback, and inspired them with his unwavering passion for their work. It was as if the weight of his troubled marriage seemed to evaporate, replaced by the drive to lead his company to success.

"Great work today, everyone," he praised, as the meeting came to a close. "We're making steady progress, and I have no doubt that we'll achieve our goals."

"Thank you, Minho," one of his colleagues chimed in earnestly. "Your leadership truly makes a difference."

With a nod of acknowledgment and a genuine smile, Minho left the room, feeling a sense of fulfillment that was all too rare in his personal life. As he returned to his office, a fleeting thought crossed his mind: if only he could find the same satisfaction in his marriage as he did in his work.

But as quickly as it had come, the thought vanished, replaced by the cold reality of the life he had chosen for himself. He knew that, for now, he must continue to wear the mask of contentment, even as his heart longed for something more. For there were still challenges to face, both at work and at home – and Minho would not be defeated.

Minho stood by the window of his office, his composed expression hiding the storm brewing within him. As he gazed out at the bustling city, he took a deep breath, steadying himself for the day ahead. His professional life was filled with successes and triumphs – a stark contrast to his personal life, marred by the unhappiness that seemed to cloud his marriage.

"Morning, Minho," greeted Jessica, his assistant, as she entered the room with a stack of documents. "The reports you asked for are ready."

"Thank you, Jessica," Minho replied, his voice steady and calm. He took the papers from her, flipping through them with a practiced eye. Despite the turmoil in his heart, he maintained an air of professionalism that impressed even himself.

"Is there anything else you need right now?" Jessica asked, watching him closely. She could sense that something was off, but couldn't quite figure out what it was.

"No, I'm good for now," Minho reassured her, offering a small smile. As Jessica nodded and left the room, he turned his attention back to the reports, immersing himself in the world of numbers and figures – anything to keep his mind from wandering down the dark path of his troubled marriage.

Hours later, having spent the day diligently working, Minho leaned back in his chair and sighed, feeling the weight of his responsibilities pressing down upon him. But as he glanced at the framed photo on his desk – a picture of him and Amber smiling at some event, their arms wrapped around each other – he couldn't help but wonder about the facade they both wore so well. How long could it last before the cracks finally began to show?

At that moment, his phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Amber: "I'll be home late tonight. Don't wait up." Minho's jaw tightened, his eyes lingering on the cold, impersonal words. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their marriage than met the eye – that beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect life, something darker lurked.

As Minho left the office that evening, his thoughts consumed by the uncertainty of his future with Amber, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of foreboding. For now, he would continue to compartmentalize his personal and professional lives, maintaining the facade as best he could. But deep down, he knew that the truth was bound to come out eventually – and when it did, it would change everything.

#stray kids x reader #stray kids imagine #lee know x reader #minho x reader #minho imagines #stray kids imagines #lee know imagine #lee know #minho #skz imagine #skz fluff #skz angst #skz imagines #skz x reader #skz minho

[hwaightme]

Your fan, Seonghwa (part 1)

(your fan ml)

🛸 pairing: seonghwa x nerdfluencer & physicist!reader 🛸 genre: romance, fluff, mutual pining 🛸 summary: a bulletpoint-style wordstream of what it would be like if seonghwa was stanning you 🛸 wordcount: 5.4k 🛸 warnings/tags: language, SCIENCE, astrophysics, may the force be with you, scientific formulas, lego obsession, yunho driving, hongjoong jealousy and fatigue, seonghwa just wants someone to be a nerd with, lmk if anything else 🛸 taglist: [temporarily removed because... dumblr] 🛸 a/n: Hello there my loves <3 here is part 1 for Your Fan Seonghwa! The end is nigh and I am in denial ;~; Much love and biggest hugs <3

"Hold up, are you... no.... NOT THIS!!! NOT LIKE THIS!!! GUYS WE HAVE LOST HIM!!!

A wild Wooyoung crashed Seonghwa's dorm room, and yelled bloody murder as he saw what could only be described as cursed scriptures on the older member's phone screen. It was unmistakable... they were FORMULAS... EQUATIONS... THE MOMENT WHEN MATHS SUDDENLY HAD MORE LETTERS THAN NUMBERS...

"What???? What is happening???" a confused Mingi, who was passing by the room while walking down the corridor, called out and peered in. Wooyoung was crouched on the floor, clenching his shirt as though he was having a heart attack.

"He is... HE IS WATCHING PHYSICS LECTURES." That was enough for Mingi to shriek, and be joined by San, who collapsed onto his knees right at the door, and beat it a couple of times with his fist, and screamed:

"HE HAS BEEN POSSESSED NOOOOOO..."

"I think I am about to pass out this is disgusting..." Wooyoung whispered to himself, not noticing Yunho creep into the room, assessing the damage.

"Bro you are supposed to be a role model and you do this?" Yunho asked shaking his head in disapproval.

"This is to answer the question of whether Tatooine's twin stars could be a real thing and actually have planets forming around them. It is really nicely explained and informative, and I highly recommend it." Seonghwa's voice remained level while he was observing the reactions of his fellow members - just as he had expected, and intended.

"That's what they all say... and then they go get a degree..." Yeosang interjected while walking by the room, every bit a mourning man.

"Hey STEM is also cool!" Seonghwa added making the group erupt in waves of groans and gasps.

"WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON, YOU TRAITOR?" Wooyoung shouted out, having turned borderline manic at this point.

"I really can't see why we split the sciences and liberal arts in such a hardcore way. I mean, the really awesome stuff happens when we combine them, right?"

The eldest member was just having fun taking the piss at this point, knowing that if anybody was distant to science, it was the majority of ATEEZ. With the exception of Yeosang, but he felt the natural sciences to be a moral trigger so he was not destroying the 'not quite STEM fond' agenda.

"You know what, keep on watching it you corrupt man, but out of my sight for my sake."

"First of all, you are the one who barged into my room for some fucking reason. Second of all, okay then, I'll tell you about dark matter and dark energy later."

"What?" Wooyoung, who had already picked himself up off the floor and was in process of slowly getting out of the room, suddenly froze and turned his head dramatically.

"Space is fun, you should 'open up your eyes open up your mind' a bit."

"Yeah that's why I'm asking you to give me that space and keep some space between us. I don't want to have a stress-induced stroke or something."

"Do you even have a brain to have a stroke with?" Hongjoong entered the room, making his way to his bed, done with the younger member's antics, and moderately disinterested in whatever cursed content Seonghwa was indulging in in his free time.

"I swear, the more time I spend in the studio, the more shit goes down at home and I end up finding out via Twitter or as a public announcement. Can science explain that, Hwa?" Hongjoong called out while rubbing his face with his hands in an attempt to fight sleep.

"Nah, don't know anything about psychology, sorry."

"Oooh how does that make you feel Joongie?" San tried to prod.

"Scram, you menace, show's over." Hongjoong aimed with a pillow, ready to start physical violence, but the threat seemed to carry across well enough, "San, I have yet to think of consequences for you and your bloody international conspiracies, so for you I am auto-pissed."

"Aight, I'm boutta head out." Yunho raised his hands and grabbed both San and Wooyoung by the collars, and dragged them out. Mingi was polite enough to just follow along.

"Have a NICE TIME!" Seonghwa merely smiled as a frustrated Wooyoung slammed the door to the older member's dorm and stomped off, obviously not satisfied with the lack of a scoop. He was in dire need of tea, and the one member that had not yet revealing ANYTHING at all was just going insane with his space obsession - not good enough.

Seonghwa knew that he would not be attacked. He had a foolproof strategy to hide himself. And it was the power of natural sciences and mathematics. All he had to do was switch screens and he would have one of your 'professional' videos playing. One where it was just your voice, and a digital blackboard occupying the entire screen, with you writing formula after formula.

He found it challenging to pick up on all the things you said in your more academically intense videos (at least straight away), but your passion was addictive, and Seonghwa had discovered that you were brilliant at providing analogies for concepts that were hard for him. This had resulted in him proudly being able to calculate redshift, and relative magnitudes (with these endeavours having been done in secret, on envelopes or napkins, out of everyone's sight).

This kind of study-along had become one of the ways in which Seonghwa decided he could connect with you without being grilled by the other members. The only one who had raised an eyebrow and had taken his behaviours with suspicion had been Hongjoong, but with no other evidence, the captain could not make him walk the plank.

If he wanted to unwind and treat your videos almost like relaxing ASMR, he either went to your other channel where you did 'researcher vlogs' or focused on the videos that were whole sessions dedicated to simply nerding out over your favourite things. Which just so happened to be incredibly similar to his. To Seonghwa, there was nothing better than your ability to combine your professional knowledge and total shitposting.

He loved how you would include Star Wars memes in otherwise serious videos. How you would dive into the great depths and divulge the details of something like the impact of destruction over Endor, or the flight dynamics of space craft in Star Wars, or the famous discussion of vibrations in space, and how all sound in the movie should be treated as an interpretation for the audience, rather than something that the characters could actually hear.

You had also mentioned a couple of times about Star Wars figurines and LEGO sets, which had sent his heart ablaze, but so far, had never shown even as much as a hint at a collection - which he had written to you about in the comments of one of your YouTube videos using a fake account.

He had almost squealed when he saw that you had favourited the comment, and replied to it with a quick 'perhaps soon ;)'. It really meant nothing, and anyone could have written the same thing in half a second, but it was you, and he suddenly understood in much greater depth how ATINY probably felt when he read their comments out during a live.

Seonghwa had discovered you when searching for a clip from one of the Star Wars films, a clip which you had just so happened to have analysed. He had been curious about what you had to say, so he simply clicked, not knowing that this was the start of something much greater.

First, the thought you were a YouTuber who produced Star Wars related content. Next, he thought you were an adorable nerd who liked space. Then, he thought you were an incredibly intelligent and multifaceted individual who had a broad range of interests, fascinating experiences, and a passion for science. And finally, he figured out that you were a fully fledged researcher working towards her PhD in astrophysics in a high profile institute, were hilarious, what he would consider a genius, and yet were supremely humble, down to earth (he found it interesting to describe you in that way while you were studying everything that surrounded the planet) and so genuine.

He did not consider himself a fan at all, because he simply wanted to get to know you, off camera In real life. Seonghwa had a crush on you from the get-go. And the opportunity to meet had presented himself out of the blue, and on the best day possible, when a schedule had just been canceled. In the community tab on your channel you had announced that you would be doing a small meet and greet in a specific location, and that if anyone wanted to pop by during a set period of time, you would be there.

It was set. He was going to pull 99z tactic and make a run for it. This was critical. Much to his dismay, once he checked the map, he saw that the 'venue' you had chosen, which turned out to be one of the 'dream-ity' cafes was... far. Very far. Especially for him, since it was either public transport and high exposure risk, or walking which would just send him to go meet people in the after life instead.

He had no choice. Seonghwa needed a partner in crime. But there was only one who fit the role anyways. He needed Yunho. Upon receiving a cryptic text from the eldest member, he ambled into the room, a smirk on his face.

"So? What do you need me for? Does Cinderella need to head to the ball?"

"Honestly, kind of. I need to attend this one event, but it is far." Seonghwa kept his descriptions vague, not wanting to reveal too much too soon.

"Why not grab one of the drivers?" Yunho narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.

"This is a private matter."

"Well you know I need details now. And I am not moving anywhere until I get them."

Yunho could feel where this was going. He could see that familiar glint in Seonghwa's eyes. This was peak 'I am crushing, I know it, but I don't want to tell you' behaviour. Finally, the old man found a potential special someone. This was a day to celebrate.

"I said, private." Seonghwa reiterated. Yunho did not really need to know the details, because he was already on board, but it was fun to annoy Seonghwa when he could.

"Hey, what if you are going to go be murdering people, then I would need to bring cling film and plastic bags at least. State your business."

"If you drive me there I know you will snoop anyways, so why tell?"

Damn. He was good.

"Oh that sounds spicy, okay I'm in. But wait shouldn't we let Hongjoong know that we are going out? It'll be less suspicious that way - too many members have made the mistake of not having him on their side already."

"You make a good point, JOOOOOOOONG?" Seonghwa stood up to start getting ready. If he was to make it to the fan meet closing, he needed to be heading out of the door right about now. Yunho caught on and rapidly hobbled out to grab his jacket and mask against any in-car paparazzi photos.

"Yo?" Hongjoong poked his head into the room, and took a swig of the mid-evening coffee he had in his hand.

"Yunho and I are going on a trip." Seonghwa explained, whilst inspecting himself in the mirror, styling his hair.

"In our favourite rocket ship." Yunho returned, playing with the car keys, and decided that Hongjoong needed a bigger headache today.

"Zooming through the sky." Seonghwa understood the assignment and picked up on the song cue.

"Little Einstein." Yunho leaned over and whisper screamed into Hongjoong's ear, making him shudder and lean far back.

"What in tarnation?"

"Don't worry about it Joongie we shall be back shortly."

"Uh so no one will explain why??? NOR WHERE????"

Hongjoong shouted at the already closed front door.

But little did Seonghwa and Yunho know, Hongjoong had a talent for running down the emergency stairs of the apartment building faster than the elevator moved. And he also could hide behind the car so effectively, that the pair only noticed his form chilling in the back seat when Yunho had already started the engine and was about to drive out.

"Hongjoong WHAT are you doing here, how???" Seonghwa yelled after having his soul momentarily depart from his body when he saw Hongjoong's dark silhouette in the front mirror. In the meantime, Yunho was struggling to contain a fit of giggles, and was grasping onto the steering wheel for dear life.

"I have special powers. And I want to find out who you are going to go meet and hell's ass o'clock. I don't need another midnight concert-goer or gym rat."

"Don't worry, I'm more tame than that."

Yunho smiled to himself. There already was progress - Seonghwa was revealing more and more about who in the world he wanted to go see.

After having finally arrived to the location, with Hongjoong whining that it was so far and that the other members were probably already burning the dorms down, they stopped. Seonghwa made no move towards getting out of the car, instead looking off into the darkness, observing some figures moving about.

He was trying to make sense of where you were, so that he could find the best moment to enter the scene. The other two members went quiet at the same exact time, just observing Seonghwa, who seemed to have been able to locate a target.

He spotted you waving to a couple of people who just departed from the cafe, officially leaving you as the only one left. The cafe had already closed, so you were loitering outside, and checking something on your phone. Illuminated by the streetlights, you were like a fairy tale. It was difficult for Seonghwa to convince himself that it actually was you in front of him and not some illusion. What if it was just his wishful thinking? Well, only one way to find out.

He huffed, threw on a black cap and checked his mask was not wonky, and opened the car door. Hongjoong was about to call out to him, but Yunho was quick to react and rapidly extended his arm out, nearly hitting the captain in the face but at least preventing him from making noise.

Seonghwa bolted to you as soon as he looked around and confirmed that there were no curious eyes - he was not about to lose all rationality, as much as he wanted to.

Yunho and Hongjoong were watching the scene unfold with wide eyes and jaws dropped to the floor. Only now did Hongjoong realise that this weird outing was about that ONE YOUTUBE PERSON Seonghwa kept on watching. Hongjoong should have seen it coming, considering how a couple of members had found love via social media. Of course, Seonghwa was going to be an internet creep. How else.

"YO YUNHO WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?"

"Livestreaming for chat, duh. I'm sending updates."

"THE GUYS DO NOT NEED TO KNOW??? Hey give me the phone-"

"Can you even reach that far? Hah Woo is flipping out and saying he is sad he can't say 'no bitches' to Seonghwa every morning anymore."

"Seriously though stop sending pics this is literally-"

"Once ATEEZ, always ATEEZ. We know ALL."

When Seonghwa approached you and called you by your name, you were all ears. For some reason, you had felt the need to stay behind, just a little longer. Your heart had told you so - and apparently, it was clairvoyant or very well-attuned to world vibrations. Here was a mysterious stranger, clad in black, talking to you. Part of you was a little afraid, but there was nothing a little lab-made spray that was in your pocket could not do. You put away your phone, and began to reach for the item, but at the last second decided to ask for your fan's name.

Seonghwa could not lie. It would not sit right with him. Besides, he only recently had seen what kind of shit went down when that happened - also known as San fighting a love war on too many fronts. So, after a moment of deliberation, he uncovered his face, and quietly whispered a "Park Seonghwa..."

And that made you flip, as you clapped your hands in excitement, your face lighting up with the widest grin you could muster.

"SO WAIT WHO EXACTLY IS A FAN OF WHO? WHO IS TAKING PHOTOS WITH WHO?"

Seonghwa was unable to process, basically forgetting that he was an idol and people could know him, even though seconds ago he was in full sneak mode. Hearing you say his name with so much glee did things to him.

"Uh... I am... definitely... A fan... so..." he was trying to force out, unable to break focus from the joy you were experiencing.

"Well same here! And more specifically yourself! I'll be honest, it's one of your Lego assembly lives that did it and introduced me to ATEEZ, since uh, you know, we are fellow Star Wars appreciators."

Seonghwa totally was not contemplating whether it was considered too early to marry a person who he had officially met only a couple of minutes ago.

It was not the stage presence, nor was it the talent and skill oozing from this man that had been the thing that hooked you in initially. You had grown to appreciate that later, and became a bit of a fan, but what had been the little lightbulb moment that helped you discover Seonghwa and ATEEZ, was Lego. You were a proud internet dweller, and enjoyed traversing content that was associated with your areas of interest regularly, so as soon as you saw Star Wars and Lego in a just finished livestream on a channel called ATEEZ, you had to check it out.

And that was how you came face to face with an incredibly handsome, yet somehow still cute man who was raving about what was your favourite game, toy, arguably way of life, of all time. All at once. After reading through some comments that were under the video, you figured out his name, his occupation, that "his duality was no joke", that he was "ethereal and was making people melt", that people would be happy if he rearranged them like the little building blocks, that his name was star related... and that he was an avid Star Wars fan.

Well there was no choice for you but to at least respect this man. And that respect, quickly enough, turned into you listening to "This Is ATEEZ" on loop on Spotify, and making your colleagues passively memorise some of the songs because of how many times they had graced their ears. Their videos were probably the only deviation from the usual astrophysics lectures and movie clips that you had in your recommended on YouTube, and you were pretty happy with that. They hit your 2AM 'need to work on my five projects but am derailed by sleep debt and lack of caffeine' funny bone alarmingly well.

Once your a tid-bit oblivious self finally recognised the legend that was in front of you, you became an unstoppable wave of compliments. It was only fair, and the least you could do. He had come to your meet and greet, waited for hell knows how long, all while most likely having a billion other more important things to do.

Seonghwa was blushing into infinity, but you continued. You mentioned that you often cranked up ATEEZ tunes when working in the labs, and Seonghwa was ready to become total mush then and there.

Your conversation then eventually turned back to the original point of the fan meeting - to talk science fiction and outer space, and you stated that you would be more than happy to show Seonghwa some of the more serious work that you did. Realising that you were pretty much asking him out, Seonghwa was giddy, and wasted no time in agreeing with you and asking when.

Without thinking about it much and just deciding on the spot to take the risk, you ask for his phone, saying that ,such ventures would require closer collaboration', with a smile.

In the meantime, Hongjoong was screaming in the car, having a metaphorical heart attack, while Yunho was now on video call with the rest of ATEEZ, doing something similar to a live broadcast - an attempt which the captain could hear was being guided by none other than Yeosang, who, amidst the hoots and tease after tease, was explaining (unprompted) the theory behind live on-scene reporting as though he had been called on by a teacher.

Hongjoong could not take his eyes away from the exchange between you and Seonghwa. While he could not say many details about you, his friend was like an open book to him, and every twist, every turn, every tilt that he could recognise (no thanks to the distance between the parked vehicle and the two of you), Hongjoong could see that Seonghwa was deeply into you. Far too deeply for it to be just a little passing interest.

As Seonghwa texted you and you confirmed the numbers have indeed been exchanged, you suggested to take a photo together, so you could use each other's halves for profile pics and he decided that he was yours even if you did not need him in your life. A resounding series of 'brooooo's resounded from the call as Yunho tried to focus the camera on the scene, despite Hongjoong shouting 'creep' at him.

After setting up communication, organising what you both had agreed was to be a date and parting ways, Seonghwa waddled back into the car like the happiest duckling of all time. Literally could not speak while Hongjoong was punching his shoulder repeatedly.

Yunho shook Seonghwa's hand and Wooyoung could be heard HOLLERING over the phone and begging for Yunho to show Seonghwa's face, which was glowing. He became eternal sunshine.

--

For your date (and yes he kept on chanting this in his head) Seonghwa decided to make you a rose out of Lego, and glued it together so that it could be a permanent piece that would not be damaged while being transported. Whilst in the process of making it, he had to fight off the 99z menaces, only managing to get rid of them when he went against his nature and littered the floor with spare Lego pieces like a minefield.

Hongjoong has been on edge ever since the so-called fan meet, eyeing Seonghwa whenever he would as much as touch his phone, and try peek over his shoulder if he began to smile like a lovesick fool. The captain was doing just about the same thing now, watching Seonghwa as he was making finishing touches on the rose.

"Hey, Hwa, can I at least meet her? Or like learn more about her?"

"As long as you don't stalk me and her, and meet her not in person not right now, sure."

"Bruh."

"I know you can and do creep on the interwebs."

"Dang it. The sad part is that you're right. Okay give me just like.... a rundown? Can I trust her?"

Seonghwa, proud of the gift he had just finished making, was now in the process of tidying up, carefully wiping the floor.

"If it helps, she is the kind of person to have to-do lists, me and her literally have an agenda set out, and she sent all location and time details in advance."

"Shit okay she is responsible-"

"She participated in a rocket launch."

"YOU WHAT FAM??" Hongjoong was shaken. How did this person have time for everything?

"Yeah. She is an astrophysicist, so she wasn't designing the rocket per se, but contributed in a different project phase."

"Damn, she might even be able to understand the ATEEZ lore with that brain."

"Uh huh."

"Can I come with you?"

"No." Seonghwa shut the leader down with a smile, twirling the flower between two of his fingers, as he thought about the evening ahead.

--

Judging from your reaction to the surprise present, the rose might as well have been a newly discovered star - that was how you admired it, how you handled it, and how you turned into an automated praise dispenser towards Seonghwa - he was glad that the institute where you had decided it was safest to meet had a penchant for 'conserving energy' and kept the lights relatively dim, so you could not see just how red his ears were.

You decided that the best place to begin the tour would be the mini planetarium that was housed inside the institute. Seeing as you had exclusive access even after hours, it was an opportunity one simply could not pass up. As you led Seonghwa from one exhibit to another, and managed to guide him through it thanks to being here countless times already, you notice just how immersed he was, and caught flashes of near boyish excitement as you threw in a couple of references from popular culture, be it your favourite franchise or details from movies like Interstellar or The Martian.

Moving along, you led him to one of the stronger telescopes that were on site - even though they were not much compared to those in an observatory, and were more for fun rather than for research and real observation, it was definitely enough to make Seonghwa send out a barrage of questions regarding anything he could spot. To you, it was a rare occasion to meet someone outside of your field of work who was equally as excited about all things space. And of course, it was even rarer to have that person be a crush of yours.

Then, it was time for the final destination. Your pride and joy, one that you had spent quite some time decorating. Your office. Well, technically you shared it with other post graduates but they allowed you to go ham on the interior design so you considered the office to be mainly your space.

And THAT was where Seonghwa saw some parts of your collection, and was completely blown away. There was a glass cabinet position against a wall a bit further away from the entrance, and in it, he would spot The Razor Crest, a Hoth AT-ST, R2-D2, Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder, and many, many more. He gravitated towards the display, and his mind was spinning from the sheer glee of seeing such beauty. As he was taken by the sight, you left his side for a couple of seconds, and then returned, and poked his shoulder lightly.

When Seonghwa turned his head, he nearly yelped.

"Is that... A box... for the Mos Eisley Cantina?"

"Yeah, and I was wondering if you wanted to... assemble it, together?"

"A HUNDRED TIMES YES?"

You had never seen a man drop to the floor that quickly before. In a matter of seconds, Seonghwa was sitting, as one might say, 'criss cross apple sauce', and patting the space next to him, in front of him, wherever just please let's unpack this and get to it.

So you spend the whole night just making the model on the floor of your office, in your own little world, enjoying life.

Which of course meant that he came home at... 6AM, disregarding seventeen missed calls and forty-two texts from Hongjoong, looking like the happiest man alive. Which made the captain melt as he stored away the insults and scolding session he had prepared for later use - because it was Seonghwa after all, Seonghwa could be forgiven, and Seonghwa would make him clean the room probably.

So instead, he sat by Seonghwa's side as he flicked through photo after photo after photo, showing Hongjoong progress pics of the Lego assembly, with very aesthetically pleasing photos of you sprinkled all over his camera roll. It was far too clear - Seonghwa was down bad.

They had not noticed Yeosang slink into the room, but considering that he had stayed politely quiet, accepted his presence.

"Is my man... a goner? Do I need to ask my girlfriend to make a funeral fit?" Hongjoong asked.

"Hyung it is more likely to be a wedding fit do you see how smitten this guy is?" Yeosang interjected, posing a counter.

"Yeah and that is what scares me, I am barely keeping all of you guys under control and if this guy also goes off into a different orbit then I am actually going to be in a permanents crisis."

"Hongjoong you already are in a crisis... like all the time..." Yeosang was ready to fire this fine morning.

"And I am going to go into a melt down if Seonghwa is also gonna be out of it. My guy, if you crack and start sneaking out on top of spending so much time hell knows where I will actually lose my marbles, I need at least one responsible adult with me."

"Can I invite her over then? She'll be the responsible adult." Seonghwa quipped, stopping his swiping on one of his favourite photos of you, where you were concentrated on attaching a particularly small piece.

"Dude that is kind of..."

"Really she is so awesome. If anything, I would kick everybody else out." Seonghwa joked, though immediately apologised under his breath out of fear of getting the notorious slap of justice.

"Then what's the point?" Hongjoong was confused at the older member's logic.

"Well if you don't want me out of the dorms, that's my solution."

"I don't want you to be fully out of it, that's my point."

"Out of what?"

"The sigma grindset, maybe?"

"Bruh what even. Hypocrisy at its finest. Plus you yourself said she is responsible and an absolute legend." Seonghwa was not on board with the captain's attempts at stopping him. It only made him want to continue meeting up with you even more.

"That she is. I actually googled her not too long ago. Damn, she is... SMART. Have you seen how many sciency papers she wrote? And they are in journals!?" now that came to Seonghwa as a surprise. Although he knew a lot more about you in the personal sense, and enjoyed learning about your hobbies and interests, he had never fully dived into the work you did as he had deemed it above him, thus not a point of focus.

"Wait really? I did not look into that part, since I-"

"No you really have to take a look, it's crazy. If you think that her channel is intense with info, this is next level. Those papers lost me at the title."

-

And so, Seonghwa looked. And looked some more. Tried to read. Pretended to understand or at least skim and appreciate even though it made him progressively more miserable and planted seeds of doubt and ridiculous conclusions that he was somehow 'inadequate'. And on your subsequent dates, Seonghwa became more and more preoccupied with appearing 'smarter', rather than fully being himself. He wanted to be more academic with you, feeling like that was what you deserved. As days turned into weeks, he found himself regularly looking at your work, reminding himself that he would never be able to achieve this, and regarding you as someone out of his league. He was prone to self-doubt, and here, out of the blue, all fuses were blown and all alarms triggered. The final straw was when a student, younger than both of you, who was doing a research placement at the institute, gave you a call, and Seonghwa could understand virtually NOTHING that was said aside from hello and goodbye even though he was pretty sure all had been in Korean. He wanted to shut down. He could not imagine keeping up.

Thankfully, you knew a thing or two about stars and could tell when they started to shine a little less brightly.

#k-labels #seonghwa x y/n #seonghwa x reader #park seonghwa #park seonghwa x reader #ateez seonghwa #your fan series #ateez fanfic #ateez #ateez fluff #ateez au #ateez imagines #ateez series #ateez x reader #ateez hongjoong #ateez yeosang #ateez wooyoung #ateez san #ateez yunho #ateez mingi #ateez scenarios #seonghwa

[natlacentral]

Dallas Liu & Elizabeth Yu

On Fire Nation siblings reborn: from animation to live-action

A familiar chime resonates, followed by the words, “water, earth, fire, air”—it's the unmistakable precursor to the iconic opening of Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender. When the beloved animated series was released, my brother and I, like countless others, eagerly awaited each new episode, immersing ourselves in the epic saga week after week. We witnessed the characters grow up alongside us, and well into our adulthood, we've revisited the series time and time again. Now, with Netflix's highly anticipated live-action adaptation set to premiere on February 22nd, it's a chance to revisit the beloved characters and stories we've cherished for years, brought to life in a new format.

Sitting side by side, Dallas Liu and Elizabeth Yu warmly greet me over Zoom the day after the premiere event in Los Angeles. With anticipation for the live-action adaptation reaching a fever pitch, Liu and Yu sit down with Timid to delve into their roles as the dynamic Fire Nation siblings, Zuko and Azula. Their excitement is palpable as they reflect on the journey of bringing these beloved characters to life and the profound impact the series has had on their lives and careers.

With my curiosity piqued, I inquire about their personal connections to the show. Without hesitation, Liu fondly discusses his childhood introduction to the series, recalling Zuko's training on the boat with Uncle Iroh as the moment he fell in love with the character. "The show has been a big inspiration to me, influencing my decision to pursue martial arts. So, it was a dream come true, getting to incorporate both acting and martial arts into a childhood series that I loved.”

Yu shares a different reflection and responds, “Avatar was my first introduction to this style of animation. So, it was really cool to see faces inspired by our own in an animated style and in a positive way.” Reflecting on their responses, it becomes clear that for both Liu and Yu, as well as countless fans, Avatar: The Last Airbender holds a special place in their hearts, serving as a source of inspiration and connection.

The deep impact of the show has cultivated a dedicated fan base, and as members themselves, Liu and Yu were beyond excited to play Zuko and Azula. Their eyes light up as they recall key moments, such as joining the cast, and express their gratitude for being part of such an iconic series. "Every single cast member, writer, producer, director, and even our transportation and craft teams deeply loved the series," Yu says, emphasizing the collective passion driving the project. Liu expands on this sentiment, saying, “It’s special! The fans will really appreciate that there's a new level to the story, which is really interesting to watch.”

Amidst the excitement, the duo acknowledges the weight of fan expectations and the responsibility of honoring the beloved characters. “I grew up with a lot of friends whose whole personality is this show, because they love it so much. They grew up with it. So, you definitely don't want to mess it up. You want to do it right,” Yu shares. Liu nods in agreement, recognizing the monumental task of filling the shoes of beloved characters like Zuko, voiced by Dante Basco in the animated series. Despite the pressure, Liu and Yu remain committed to capturing the essence of their characters authentically. Liu describes their approach as taking a “grounded route in our performance, rather than trying to impersonate cartoon characters.”

While watching the show, it became increasingly apparent that while the characters' progression retained a comforting familiarity, there were also instances where the actors infused their own unique essence into their performances. Some moments paid homage to the original, but others showcased the actors' individual interpretations, breathing fresh life into the characters.

In the animated series, Zuko emerges as a dynamic and complex character, navigating his identity as Prince of the Fire Nation while grappling with his personal journey towards redemption and self-discovery. When portraying Zuko in the live-action adaptation, Liu aimed to convey the character's depth and inner turmoil. He explains, “I wanted to make this a real-life person that has experienced real-life trauma. Someone that people could relate to.” 

One scene in particular that stood out to me while I was watching the show was when Zuko returned to his boat and was met with an unexpected welcome from his crew. In that scene, upon Zuko’s face, you could see his inner conflict come into play. Now, as I share with Liu that I got emotional during this scene, he, too, said that it was pretty emotional for him as well. Liu reflects, “In that scene, without dialogue, you can see how much it affects Zuko. You can feel it in your heart.”

For Yu, the slight retelling of Azula’s story in the adaptation provided her with the freedom to explore the nuances of her character. Azula, a formidable antagonist with a complex persona, embarks on her own journey of self-discovery. Yu explains, “I'm not even in the first season of the original series, so my whole character arc in the first season is new, which is cool to see because it adds so much more of a grounding point for the character later on.”

As Avatar: The Last Airbender unfolds, Azula’s complex relationship with her father, Lord Ozai, portrayed by Daniel Dae Kim, begins to unravel as she asserts her dominance in the Fire Nation. Yu’s portrayal delves deeper into Azula's psyche, offering viewers an enriched understanding of the character's evolution. Both Yu and Liu note the distinction between the original series, initially intended for a younger audience, and the live adaptation, which delves into the darker aspects of their characters' pasts and the realities of growing up in the Fire Nation. “We get to see the gravity of their situation,” Liu says. “Neither of our characters are truly evil. They experienced trauma that not everyone goes through.” This is especially true as you see both Zuko’s and Azula’s interaction with Lord Ozai.

A turning point arises when Azula confronts her father, showcasing her capability to follow in his footsteps. Yu describes how she prepared for that scene, saying, “As a fan of the show, I was living vicariously through all of it. We were waiting for that switch, when does she turn into Azula that we all know and love? What shifted inside of her. That scene shows that switch, and you also see what makes her different from Zuko.”

Throughout the first season, there are glimpses of the characters' motivations, shedding light on their intricate bond. Yu offers insight into their dynamic, stating, “They want the same thing at the end of the day, but the way they go about it is different because of who they are.” These motivations are evident, particularly in the characters' quest for their father’s approval and love. However, alongside this desire, there exists a palpable sibling rivalry. This dynamic even extends beyond the screen, as Liu jests about Yu, “She did a great job at being the conniving younger sibling, but as the series continues Azula is like, ‘Oh, this is my dumb older brother.’”

This banter continues as I pose a playful question to both of them, asking, “What type of bender would you consider each other as?” Their eyes met, and with a smile, Liu responds, “She wants me to say water, but when you’re talking about her ambition for Azula and their similarities, it’s fire. For example, her approach to Azula was eye opening because she really cared about the performances that we're giving rather than just stick to the original. I gained respect for her as an artist and it was super sick to see.” Yu laughs and chimes in, “I want to be a water bender so bad, but everyone keeps saying fire.”

For Liu, Yu chooses earth bending. “I feel like you’re an earth bender,” she says to an immediate response of “What makes you think I’m an earth bender?” Yu explains her reason, noting Liu's grounded approach to various aspects of life, coupled with his passion and perseverance, akin to the characteristics of an earth bender.

In the realm of storytelling, Avatar: The Last Airbender has captivated audiences around the world. Dedication permeates every aspect of the first season, from the committed production team to the powerful performances. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the world of bending, the live adaptation offers a fresh perspective while staying true to the essence of the beloved series. "It is fanmade," Yu passionately declares when asked about the message she hopes viewers will glean from the first season.

#natla #atla #photoshoot #article #dallas liu #elizabeth yu #timid magazine

[brian-in-finance]

The actress Caitríona Balfe, center, taking her seat at the table. Photo: Rich Gilligan

T ENTERTAINING WITH

In Belfast, a Celebration of Art, Community and Pizza

In October, on the second floor of a former spinning mill in east Belfast, the visual artist and author Oliver Jeffers, 46, hosted a candlelit dinner for a group of Irish and Northern Irish artists and friends. The Portview Trade Centre, as the building is called, stopped producing textiles in the 1970s and is now home to 54 artists’ studios and creative businesses, including Jeffers’s, and his neighbors made up a large portion of the guests and the organizers. The occasion was a personal one — the launch of his 20th book, “Begin Again” — but he also wanted to celebrate his wider creative community. Accordingly, the evening combined tributes to both Belfast, where the artist has a home in the Holywood area, and Brooklyn, where he lived until recently and still has a studio.

VIDEO 📹 The author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers invited friends to toast his new book at a dinner in a former textile mill.

Jeffers is perhaps best known for his philosophical, understated children’s books, including “The Book Eating Boy” (2006) and “The Heart and the Bottle” (2010). And true to his style, “Begin Again” is curious, warm and quietly profound. “Not for kids, but not not for kids,” Jeffers says, the book is a vibrantly illustrated exploration of the climate crisis that attempts to lay out a hopeful future for humanity. “It offers an idea of slowing down, of using what’s near us — of starting over,” says Jeffers, “with the realization that we cannot do anything until we start to act with a sense of unity, to tell ourselves new stories that are defined by what we want.”

Jeffers, center (in tan jacket), sat beside the film director Lisa Barros Da’Sa, at left. Photo: Rich Gilligan (and Caitríona Balfe, at right… BIF)

Pearson Morris, the head chef of the Belfast restaurant Noble, pan-fried wild halibut in a makeshift kitchen set up not far from the table. Photo: Rich Gilligan

While guests gathered for drinks, the sun could be seen setting over the city; on the north side of the building, hills rolled down toward the sea. The food too — a collaboration between the local bistro Noble, known for its unpretentious ingredient-led dishes, and Flout, an American-style pizzeria on the ground floor of Portview — was unmistakably rooted in Belfast. Despite a limited power supply and a lack of running water in the room, dishes were assembled and cooked in situ using three portable pizza ovens and a small stove. The table was lit with clusters of white candles and, after the sun finally went down, said Jeffers, it glowed with “the warmth of a hearth at home.”

The dinner table stood at the center of the 10,000-square-foot room. Photo: Rich Gilligan

The attendees: Jeffers celebrated with his wife and business manager, Suzanne Jeffers, and a group of Irish and Northern Irish artists, including the actress Caitríona Balfe, 44; the portrait artist Colin Davidson, 55; the electronic musician and composer David Holmes, 54; the husband-and-wife film director duo Glenn Leyburn, 54, and Lisa Barros Da’Sa, 49; and the writers Glenn Patterson, 61, and Jan Carson, 43. “Everybody at this dinner,” said Jeffers, “was interested in the power of narrative, the impact of what they do and how it makes other people feel.”

The table: Guests sat at two long tables — pushed together to create a more intimate arrangement — in the middle of the otherwise nearly empty 10,000-square-foot room. The events stylist Rachel Worthington McQueen, 30, sourced an Irish linen tablecloth in the same navy hue as the book cover’s background. Mismatched dishes in traditional Blue Willow patterns (originally bought from secondhand websites for Worthington McQueen’s wedding two years ago) held squat candles, and food was served on simple white plates brought over from Noble. Seasonal blooms — including deep burgundy dahlias and pale pink spray roses — echoed the rich palette of the book and were provided by the local, sustainable flower farm Sow Grateful. Each display was tied with bright pink twine, sourced by Suzanne Jeffers to match the exact Pantone color (number 812U) of the book’s title.

New Haven-style mussels pizza by Peter Thompson, the founder of the pizzeria Flout, was served alongside Noble’s halibut. Photo: Rich Gilligan

The food: To start, Noble’s co-founder and head chef, Pearson Morris, 34, served crab and lobster from nearby Bangor Bay dressed with homemade mayonnaise and his Bloody Mary tomatoes (heritage tomatoes steeped overnight in a mix of vodka, celery and Tabasco sauce) on Flout’s blackened focaccia. “I bake things so you think they’re burned — that’s flavor for me,” said the pizzeria’s founder, Peter Thompson, 45. Next was a take on the classic New Haven-style clam pie made with steamed Galway Bay mussels, alongside which Morris served pan-fried wild halibut with a fish head sauce. Then came Flout’s Detroit-style pepperoni pizza and a salad featuring locally grown baby gem lettuces. Dessert was Noble’s chocolate delice — jaconde sponge cake topped with salted caramel, dark chocolate parfait and a chocolate mirror glaze — accompanied by a salted caramel ice cream with Flout’s sourdough chocolate cookies tumbled through.

The drinks: Noble’s front-of-house manager and co-founder, Saul McConnell, 38, oversaw the drinks, which ranged from a vibrant Blanc de Meunier champagne for arriving guests to an amber passito-style Liastos wine from Lyrarakis, Crete, for the dessert course. The Boundary Brewing Company, Belfast’s first tap room and one of Jeffers’s neighbors in the building, provided an alternative aperitif: a full-bodied English bitter called A Certain Romance, a favorite of Jeffers’s studio team.

Jeffers illustrated the evening’s menus. Photo: Rich Gilligan

Noble’s chocolate delice, a jaconde sponge cake with salted caramel and a chocolate mirror glaze. Photo: Rich Gilligan

The conversation: Many artists talked shop, swapping notes on the production problems they encounter in their respective industries, and conversation also turned to global events. “There’s always been a comparison between the conflict in Northern Ireland and the conflict in Israel-Palestine,” said Jeffers. “We talked about the divisive rhetoric that’s going on right now.”

The music: Jeffers enlisted the Irish producer and D.J. Marion Hawkes, who runs the record store Sound Advice in Portview, to create a playlist, which ranged from classic folk to contemporary electronic tracks.

The recipe for Noble’s mayonnaise: It’s hard to beat fresh, homemade mayonnaise, says Morris, and it’s a quick, thoughtful addition to a dinner at home. But despite its few ingredients, it’s deceptively difficult to make. He recommends starting with equal parts white wine vinegar and egg yolk (approximately 2 teaspoons of vinegar to two yolks), which prevents the eggs from splitting as you very gradually beat in 250 ml of oil, then season with 5 grams of sugar and 5 grams of salt. Morris likes to use extra-virgin rapeseed oil for its neutral flavor, and an electric mixer for ease.

The New York Times Style Magazine

Remember… there’s always been a comparison between the conflict in Northern Ireland and the conflict in Israel-Palestine. We talked about the divisive rhetoric that’s going on right now. — Oliver Jeffers

Anon: Thanks… didn’t see your message until 10 minutes after posting. 🙁

#Tait rhymes with hat #Good times #Oliver Jeffers #Begin Again #2023 #The New York Times #Style Magazine #8 December 2023 #Thanks castlemaine123 #My screenrecording

[veilantares]

I BROKE MY LEGGY!

Paper doll, paper doll, sit and stare - piercing gaze and silent glare, OUCH goes the leg as I snip it off, now sit in pain and think of what you've done

Ouch! I really hurt my ankle, and It'll take six weeks to heal haha, never knew that even something like this could get you in a cast and crutches. Oddly even though I'm more busy than ever I feel like this is a bit of a wake up call to grab a proper rest and maybe enjoy myself and draw some more.

Also, I realised I basically never make the time to draw in this paperdoll style because I have a weird hangup over whether it feels "difficult" or "unique" enough to be worth sharing. I love how creepy but adorable these are, but it doesn't feel like I've progressed this style enough to feel so recognisably me that its unmistakeable.

It's not like my robots where they feel like I've punched a hole through reality and stumbled upon an alien dimension where biology has different rules - and I can replicate that style again and again almost without thinking. On the other hand, is it that big a deal? I think if it still makes me feel a certain kinda way then it's fulfilled itself as self expression even if the question of "how does this fit in my ouvre" is unaddressed.

Lastly, a shout out, check out the incredible shrineofdolls who does art like this, but with an incredible amount of expressiveness and fluidity to their characters!

#veilantares #digital art #my art #art #illustration #oc #original character #cute #spooky cute #cute art #go look at shrineofdolls they are amazing #I love how pathetic (cute) I made myself look even though in real life I look like a refridgerator

[acquired-stardust]

Anime Spotlight #2: Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (2001)

Happy Halloween! Acquired Stardust's second anime spotlight caps off our two-part Halloween spotlight special. Join Ash for a look back at her favorite Halloween movie to celebrate the season.

Growing up, September ushered in my favorite time of year. Summer heat began to give way to the chill of an upstate New York fall and before you knew it October was here, the gateway to the holiday season, which meant a constant rotation of Halloween movies on the living room television which my mom would have on at virtually all hours of the day. Little traditions like that have colored my early childhood and remained something I enjoy keeping up and coming up with new ones. Eventually, I was overjoyed to be able to share my own favorite Halloween movie with my mother one year when we sat down to watch this together, and I distinctly remember her enjoying it and especially taking a liking to the lovable catlike hacker Radical Edward, a very popular and enduring character actually based on series composer Yoko Kanno. But perhaps we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.

Sometimes getting the band back together isn't all it's cracked up to be. People change. Sometimes creative desires diverge. For many bands there are distinct before and afters. Cowboy Bebop, with director/creator Shinichiro Watanabe's process of thinking of his works in the context of music, was a hell of a series. Anime conquered the west in several steps, from the college campuses importing laserdiscs to Toonami and then Adult Swim, Cowboy Bebop holds a special place in that movement particularly as a bridge for the uninitiated - because it was heavily inspired by western media and of an extremely high quality people into anime often used it to bring those unfamiliar into the fold to great success. Cowboy Bebop has a pretty enduring legacy of not just being the favorite anime of many, but also being the first anime of many who were turned off by the more battle shonen stylings of Dragonball Z that had swept countless youth up into anime fandom in the early 2000s. It's inspired countless people in their own creative endeavors such as the late Monty Oum of Haloid, Dead Fantasy and RWBY fame, and Adult Swim classic The Boondocks also featured tributes. The recent Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade also features an unmistakable musical allusion to Yoko Kanno's work on the series in a chase scene backed by a several-movement jazz track.

Sometimes it's hard for a band to recapture exactly what made it so special in its heyday, but that's absolutely not the case for Knockin' on Heaven's Door, the movie released in 2001 in Japan. Much of what makes the original series work so well, such as an iconic soundtrack and impeccable script, not just returns for the movie but is in top form. A large cast of distinct characters, including several introduced in this movie, are all utilized very effectively. Iconic anime dubbing studio Animaze knocks it out of the park yet again with not only returning actors reprising some of the most iconic roles in all of English-language dubbing but also impresses with Dave Wittenberg as hacker Lee Samson and even the rare anime role from Jennifer Hale before she became quite as ubiquitous as she is now.

Animation and art direction are in top form as well, with plenty of attractive uses of lighting and the framing of shots. Small details such as the hair or clothes blowing in the wind or the falling of an ashtray aboard the spaceship Bebop manage to be almost as impressive as some of the mesmerizing fight scenes. There are also some extremely dynamic uses of the point of view even in slower exposition scenes. You've also got the soundtrack that sees series composer Yoko Kanno return with plenty of the iconic and bombastic jazz the series is known for along with some other auditory treats, and vocalist Mai Yamane also returns for two tracks that are among her best contributions to the series which really says a lot.

Set largely between Halloween and the day before culminating in a tense action sequence at a Halloween parade, Knockin' on Heaven's Door sees the bounty hunting crew of the spaceship Bebop attempt to catch a large bounty in the wake of a mysterious terrorist attack on a freeway. Each character splinters off in their own direction as is series standard, chasing down their own individual leads through their own processes which helps to illustrate not only why this crew contrasts so well in its very distinct members but also showcases a strength of the series in its oozing of characterization with action and dialogue alike.

The captivating push and pull of dialogue between characters that the series is known for is never stronger than in this film, which is a real testament to not only the talents of the late frequent Watanabe collaborator Keiko Nobumoto but the returning writer-voice director duo of Marc Handler and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, respectively, along with the incredible voice cast. There is a reason that Cowboy Bebop is widely believed to have one of if not the strongest English language dubs of any anime, and while other examples in that upper echelon come to mind for me I find it hard to disagree with anyone who finds it to indeed be the finest. Remarkable parity between the television series and movie is a common thread, and the movie even features a number of long running cameos, at least one of which pays off in a big way.

For anime fans of a certain age, Cowboy Bebop is held with an extreme reverence and often tops the list of favorites. While it may not be my personal favorite, it's pretty high up there. Regardless it's impossible to dispute the sheer quality in every single aspect of the series, and Knockin' on Heaven's Door exemplifies so many of the strengths of the series at an impressive feature-length runtime. It's also a tradition around our house to watch this every Halloween in celebration, inspired by all the movie marathons around my house growing up. The stunned silence I watched this film in for the very first time as a child will be something I never forget, and it goes without saying that it's my favorite Halloween movie pretty easily. Hopefully it will be an experience you don't forget any time soon either.

A gem hidden among the stones, Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door is undoubtedly stardust.

-Ash

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[someinstant]

Brutalism and High Modernism in ANDOR's Production Design

So about a week ago I wrote about how the production design of Ferrix was clearly coming from a Bauhaus school of design, and I might have threatened to write about the use of Brutalism on Coruscant, and some of you fools have encouraged me. So you have only yourselves to blame for this.

I hope you're happy with yourselves.

First, the disclaimer: while I have taught AP Art History in the past, and am a nerd about architecture, I am mostly an autodidact about this stuff. My areas of expertise are in history, anthropology, political science, and education. So please understand that I am not specifically trained in this, and when (not if) I get something incorrect, I'm always open to friendly and helpful correction.

Now. ONWARDS TO CORUSCANT!

I will admit, friends, that I am very much Not A Prequels Person, and I haven't watched any of the animated Star Wars series, so I can offer no points of comparison between ANDOR's depiction of Coruscant and other SW media. I can only work off of Luke Hull's vision of the galactic capital, and-- damn, that is no bad thing.

We'll start with an aerial view from episode 7. As the camera soars over a portion of the endless city, we see the occasional building with strong geometric shapes-- such as the one on the above right-- that look like nothing so much as the Chrysler Building in New York City. I mean, look at those stacked triangular corner pieces and the metallic cladding on some of those curves! It's such a strong, unmistakable reference. Now, if you know your architecture, you'll be like, "But SomeInstant, this rant is supposed to be about Brutalism and High Modernism, and that's clearly an Art Deco reference!" AND YOU ARE CORRECT, MY FRIEND. Good eye!

Art Deco is an international style-- one of the first!-- that developed following World War I, reaching its height of influence in the late 1920s and early 1930s. It was associated with style, glamor, craftmanship, rich materials, and a sense of technology and progress. And it shares a common ancestor with Bauhaus designs-- they're both strongly influenced by the Vienna Secession movement. But while Bauhaus was about the accessibility and utility of design for the Common Man, Art Deco was fancy. The materials weren't your common brick or tile: it's chrome and ivory and inlaid tropical woods. Mon Mothma's apartment has some serious Art Deco references in it, if you want to look-- those pretty geometric white screen things between rooms? That's what I'm talking about.

So what we have here is a building that is speaking the same stylistic language as the buildings on Ferrix, but with a VERY different accent, and to a totally different audience. I would like to think that both the building we see here on Coruscant and, say, Maarva's home on Ferrix were built around the same time-- but the language of power and privilege and the physical reality of each are totally separate.

But what happens if we move lower? What if we stop just looking at the skyline, and adjust our gaze down a little?

Now, this is Brutalism. (And also a killer shot, god damn.)

So. As an architectural and design form, Brutalism has its roots in post-World War II Britain, and is marked by a reliance on the plain, unadorned exposure of building materials such as concrete, steel beams, plate glass, exposed pipes, and bricks. In its emphasis on common materials, Brutalism is closely related to Bauhaus design. But Bauhaus uses more rounded shapes, and plaster or tilework to turn everyday materials into decoration. Brutalism foregoes that finish, however-- and it has a certain stark, clean appeal, especially when its done thoughtfully.

Brutalism is a style of design that is often associated with public constructions: mass transit, public housing, libraries, universities, government offices. If you've ever been to Washington D.C., the Metro is a great example of this-- that coffered cement curve of the ceiling? Pure Brutalism. And this is because Brutalism could be a form of design that was simple and cost effective. At its best, Brutalist designs offered simple, affordable housing, and could be constructed relatively quickly. Personally, I really dig a lot of Brutalist architecture-- it can be amazing!

But there are many, many criticisms of Brutalism as a design form: it can feel impersonal, cold, and flattening. It's very strongly associated with forced population movements: that is, the destruction of existing neighborhoods, and the mass relocation of people for convenience's sake. (That is, for the convenience of the state. We'll come back to this.) Take a look at Soviet-era apartment blocks, or the forcible relocation of the Inuit in Greenland in the 1950s-- the housing that was provided was typically Brutalist in its design. Thus, Brutalism has become historically associated with totalitarianism and the strong hand of the state, and the loss of individualism.

Another reason why some folks object to Brutalism as a form is the exposure of construction materials like concrete can mean that the surfaces can become stained and discolored, or wear unevenly in some climates. The broad, flat surfaces can become the target of graffiti-- I mean, if you have a problem with that, which I don't, because it can be amazing and the only difference between graffiti and public art is usually the zip code and price tag. Actually, a lot of very cool Brutalist buildings are beloved not because of their designs, but because of the fact that they're perfect for murals. Check out much of downtown Atlanta or Mexico DF (especially the campus of UNAM) for evidence of this.

But I haven't seen a single mural or tag on any of the shots of Coruscant thus far: it's just sterile, industrial concrete as far as the eye can see. That's state control for you.

So, anyway-- that's a Very Good Thematic Reason to use Brutalism as the main design influence on the lower echelons of Coruscant. If the Art Deco skyscrapers are coming from the same lineage as the Bauhaus design on Ferrix and speak to the Empire's surface-level ambitions, the Brutalist underpinnings of the galactic capital show its organizational power.

Which leads us to High Modernism.

High Modernism comes out of Brutalism, historically-speaking-- but as you might be able to guess, the materials used in its construction tend to be more polished than the unrefined, simple finishes of Brutalist architecture. No vast planes of concrete here: no, bring on the sheets of glass, the slabs of polished stone. There's still a strong geometric language at play, a lack of ornate decoration-- but there's a degree of sterility in High Modernism that isn't present in Brutalism.

High Modernism is associated with the Cold War era of the late 1950s and 1960s-- and is therefore a DAMN good style choice for the ISB. My god. It's a design school that is all about technology and control: control over the environment, control over civic spaces, control over labor-- you name it.

The thing I associate with High Modernism above all else is the notion of state legibility: the idea that populations and spaces are organized into a structure that the state can read and therefore control. James C. Scott has a whole book about this, called Seeing Like a State. It's not my favorite of his works-- that would be Weapons of the Weak-- but his overriding thesis about how state policies of legibility are often destructive to culture and communities are worth coming back to. I mean, think about city and civil engineering, housing laws, city grids-- or Imperial sectors.

In our world, maybe the best example of High Modernism would be the work of Le Corbusier and his followers-- I mean, consider Brasilia! It's an artificially planned city, designed to reflect the aspirations of a growing nation: Ordem e Progresso, right? High Modernism tends to disregard historical realities, cultural practices, and the way people actually use spaces-- which, again, is exactly why Luke Hull is giving us this:

It's almost like these folks at ANDOR are good at their damn jobs, or something.

(Join me next time on SomeInstant Talks About Architecture in Andor: Wait, Is Niamos Space Acapulco, or What?)

#art and architecture #andor spoilers #andor #episode 4 spoilers #episode 7 spoilers #episode 6 spoilers #brutalism #art deco #high modernism #academic nonsense #sometimes i teach art history #production design #this is now a luke hull fanpage #star wars design #star wars #coruscant

[ejpzine]

⚡️ Guest Artist Spotlight ⚡️

We're not sure what's greater: Ham's love for EJP, or our love for Ham's style! @h4mmiee's dynamic concepts and character work is unmistakable. We can't wait to see the cover art they're working on for this project!

You can also find Ham on: Twitter Instagram

#haikyuu #haikyuu zine #ejp raijin #komori motoya #washio tatsuki #suna rintarou #fanzine #anime zine #anime #contributor spotlight

[ragocars]

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