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virtchandmoir · 4 years

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TESSA VIRTUE ON LIFE IN A NEW ARENA + HER MAC MAKER LIPSTICK

One of the most decorated Olympic figure skaters of all time chats with Beautygeeks about adjusting to a less structured life, finding a new "safe space," and navigating her beauty journey.

April 28, 2020

Tessa Virtue is one of only two best-ever ice-dancing athletes on the planet. Scott Moir, her on-ice partner of 22 years, is the other one. Together the duo shattered multiple world records and racked up an unprecedented number of awards, national and world championships, and five Olympic medals, including gold in 2010 and again in 2018, after which ESPN called Tessa one of the most famous female athletes in the world. Since retiring from competition, Tessa's been busy with a number of projects and contracts with brands including Mattel, Nivea Canada, Colgate, Sick Kids Hospital, Adidas and more. Last month, she celebrated the launch of her first lipstick with MAC Cosmetics, which gave us an excuse to have a good chat about how her life has changed since stepping away from the ice...

BEAUTYGEEKS Makeup and skincare must have started early for you; you've been skating since you were quite small. (Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir became ice-dancing partners in 1997, when she was seven and he was nine.) TESSA I remember having conversations at a really young age with coaches and advisors, trying to figure out what was age-appropriate for a Latin-style program and how we do makeup and costuming and everything that works for 10-year-olds. One of my coaches, Rebecca Babb, used to do my makeup for competitions. That was always something that I really looked forward to. I think there was an awareness early on about how I presented myself in the skating world, simply because it's judged and it's such an aesthetic sport. It's part of the entire package of telling a story. As I evolved and grew as both an athlete and a performer, I really came to enjoy and appreciate that element of it because it's really what sets figure skating apart from most, especially winter, sports. That balance between art and athleticism – and part of that was the costuming, the hair, the makeup, the ability to take the ice and get into character, and make someone feel something. The makeup routine became part of my mental preparation, too – meditative. I would get into the zone as I was applying makeup, and also have fun expressing myself in different ways.

Tessa Virtue in Barbie form; at Toys R Us

BG Now that you're into another life chapter, what's your beauty routine? TESSA You know, it's funny, I'm at both extremes, and I used to say this about my wardrobe. I was fully athletic wear or black tie. There was very little in between. Friends would ask me to go for coffee and I would rock a power suit or something because I just didn't have that sort of casual in-between mode. Maybe that's part of being an athlete: you compartmentalize and you're a bit of an extremist. And now with makeup, I'm either working with some of Canada's best glam teams or I'm wearing nothing as I travel or do my own. Mascara, blush and lipstick is sort of my go-to every day. Stepping away from skating and having fun in the beauty industry and in fashion world in a different way has been really liberating because I've tried to take some risks, explore different looks and aesthetics. I think like most of us, when I'm doing my own makeup, I'm so tempted do the same routine. Picking up tips and tricks from others along the way has been really great. I've also learned that the getting-ready process is actually the most fun part of any event.

BG When you're sitting down for hair and makeup, do you have photos to say "let's try this" or do you consult with your team? Has the process changed now that you're in a different arena? TESSA Often I'm getting ready to do something work related. In some way I'm always focusing on what my task is and what I have to offer in the upcoming event, strategizing on how I can maximize that for whoever has hired me or whatever I'm representing, whatever charity I'm trying to help. I use that time to talk with my team about that. So when I sit down in the chair, I completely put my trust in the people around me. I've worked so closely with those artists, and I've realized that they become your family; they're some of my closest friends. I value their expertise. And I think there's fun for them with that too, because they're empowered to try anything and everything.

BG Those are good friends to have. And your time with them is so intimate. TESSA I feel so lucky. Sometimes we're on set and there'll be a hundred people who all have an agenda of their own, who all have someone to answer to and are all trying to accomplish something in their own right. It's nice to have the security of a glam team or a stylist or someone to come back to – that's your safe place, where you can sort of recharge, get energy and then put yourself out there again. There's a vulnerability that comes with stepping into a spotlight, so to speak. I think that's taken on greater meaning as I put myself in different work positions too.

BG So in some respects, members of your beauty team are touchstones as well. TESSA Exactly, yes exactly.

BG I love that. Let's hit skincare: has yours evolved since leaving the ice or was it particularly involved beforehand? TESSA I realize now just what harsh conditions I put my skin under when I was training. And that was partly because of the cold and the dry arenas, but also the sweat and, in my case at least at competition, having to sweat with makeup on. I'm still conscious of hydrating, but I find less and less need for that. Although I suppose I'm on airplanes and traveling quite a bit, so that sort of replaced the arena. I've always been of the less-is-more mindset when it comes to skincare. That's thanks to my mom. She always told me to touch my face as little as possible. So I'm pretty simple with micellar water and moisturizer. I make sure that I get all my makeup off at night so my skin can breathe, and if I'm traveling, I don't really put anything on my face.

BG It's also a good thing that your skin was at its peak when you were training and performing – you had so much natural hyaluronic acid, collagen and resilience because you were so young. You're still really young. (Tessa turns 31 in May.) TESSA Well, thank you. But you know, there's also stress, hormonal changes and everything that goes along with competing and performing. That's not easy. Sometimes when you're battling stress, hormones, not feeling confident, and then to continue to put yourself out there... But yes, thank you. I do feel pretty fortunate. I know a lot comes down to genes, so I can thank my parents for that.

BG How important is sleep to you? Do you need a specific number of hours? TESSA I'm still stuck in that athlete mindset of needing eight hours a night, at least. What I miss are those mandatory naps that were part of our daily disciplined routine! I'm probably sleeping much less now because I'm on the go – and every day is different. That more than anything has contributed to a sense of, depending on the day, either unease or complete liberation. There was a time when I was training that I could have told you that eight years from now, on March 1st at 2:30 PM, this is what I'll be doing. That sense of structure is so incredibly important as an athlete. And now every day is different, and I'm really trying to embrace that. I think it makes it a little bit harder. Things like sleep, fitness, easy nutrition – it's harder to find a routine in that realm. But I do feel pretty lucky that every time I leave the house I get to do something I love to do.

BG You've had 22 years of an incredibly goal-oriented lifestyle. How have things changed for you now that that goal has been not only met, but surpassed? TESSA That was a hard transition. But I found it was harder to go from being a competitive athlete to a performer. I was so focused for decades, saw everything through the lens of "how can this make me a champion?" Whether that was a meal, an event, a sponsor, a friend – everything was filtered through this very simple mandate of "how can I be my best?" and "will this assist or prohibit me from becoming my best?" That was a singular focus, and then suddenly I was thrust into this place where I was wearing a hundred different hats, and I felt like maybe I wasn't doing anything all that well. At the same time, that support network – the sports psychologists, the trainers, the therapists, everything, this whole safety net that we had built – on February 21st, 2018 was gone. And I felt so alone. At a time when everyone expected me to feel a certain way, I just really struggled. There's an inherent low that comes after any kind of high. Whether it's a competition, a wedding, a degree, any monumental occasion is often followed by a bit of a crash, and so I just had to live that at a time when everyone thought I was living out this fairytale. It was an interesting thing to reconcile. You started the question with something about goals. I think that's been a saving grace for me: I've set new goals. If you give me a task, I can figure out a way to work towards it. That's when I feel confident and competent and more settled.

BG So you can recognize yourself again in that particular mini structure. TESSA Exactly, yes.

BG I can't imagine the change. I mean it's 900% more complex than transitioning from working in an office for several years to going freelance, for instance. TESSA I think a transition of any kind is difficult. I was feeling a little bit ostracized, so on my own for a little bit. And then I realized that no, everyone is going through that in some capacity. I mean even Kaylee [MAC's PR director in Canada] coming back from having a baby and getting back to work, like any kind of life transition, takes its toll and, and it's all relative. Right? So don't diminish that change for yourself, that would've been huge.

BG You mentioned it's harder to slot regular fitness into your schedule these days, but do you manage any kind of routine somehow? TESSA I don't have a routine, which is kind of strange, but also necessary at the moment and I'm learning to exercise when I can, because I do need that dopamine hit. I need to sweat, I need to move my body. But I'm also learning to be kind to myself. So if that means taking a day or two off, or having an extended period of time when I'm focusing my energy elsewhere, I try to be gentle and not get too caught up in that. And when I'm working out, it's so interesting. There was a very specific cycling class I did last year and I felt – I'm pretty sure I wrote a note in my phone about the feeling – a tangible weight being lifted off my shoulders. I realized I'm just doing this for me. I'm not trying to be a better ice dancer, I'm not trying to do this so that I can represent Canada. This isn't functional. It's really just so that I feel good, and suddenly I felt a hundred pounds lighter because that mindset had shifted. And I think right now as I explore boxing and spar classes and spinning and peloton and yoga, I'm just trying to figure out what makes my body feel good in the moment, and take the pressure out of needing to do something. Instead it feels like it's a privilege to be able to work out.

BG It sounds like you're having an adventure there, too. TESSA Yeah, I am and I think that's just the nature of my lifestyle at the moment when I'm traveling so much. And also I have to admit that I'm still not in that place where I just go to a hotel gym and motivate myself. For someone whose job for two decades was to work out, I would wander around quite aimlessly. So it's been fun to explore different avenues and try new things that I wouldn't have been able to do when everything needed to be, as I say, so functional.

BG Do you actually have any more leisure time than you did before? Because it sounds like you're incredibly busy. TESSA I'm trying to build that into my schedule now and I think I'm doing that somewhat successfully. But the difference is that being an athlete and having downtime, I mean that's part of the job, that recovery and it was also part of our job to sort of block out the rest of the world and really insulate ourselves in this bubble. And I was very cognizant at the time that there would be no other opportunity, so I really had to do that. But now, I'm planning on getting my MBA starting next Fall, and I know I won't be able to isolate myself fully and immerse myself into that world because that's just not life. People rely on you, people depend on you. You have to carry on. And yet as an athlete, it's quite a selfish pursuit and endeavour. That's been the biggest change as far as downtime. I'm trying to work it in now – self-care is just such a buzz phrase. But we're also in the midst of this busy culture where everyone is busy and that seems like a status thing, or it seems like somehow we're more important if we're busy. I think I got wrapped up in that a little bit and ended up wanting to work, work, work, feeling like it was a kind of validation. Now instead I'm trying to focus more on the things that matter to me work-wise, and also fit in time to be fully present with friends and family. I haven't really had the tendency to do that over the years; they've had to accommodate me so much.

tessa virtue's mac maker lipstick

BG Let's talk about your new MAC lipstick. How did you decide on the shade? TESSA Well, I started with a mood board, unsurprisingly, and just kind of curated this aesthetic, which ended up being actually really beautiful. Just a bunch of different kind of pink tones and shades that I was drawn to. I have to be totally honest: there are three or four lipsticks that have been on my rotation for many, many years and they're all MAC shades. There's Syrup and Mehr, Soar and Brave, and they're all sort of in that shade family.

Next the MAC chemists took my inspiration and did their thing. They came back with about three different testers and from there we made some tweaks and some adjustments. But it was pretty clear from the moment I saw this particular one, which I affectionately nicknamed Tutu, that it's exactly what I wanted in a lipstick. I'm not lying when I say that I've worn it every single day since. It's been a struggle because people ask me what shade it is and I've not been able to tell them! It was important for me to have it be an everyday lipstick, one that works for a coffee run and also for an event, and a shade everyone can wear. That's very MAC too, to be inclusive and welcoming and accessible to as many people as possible. I wanted it to be hydrating, as well, so we chose a satin finish for extra comfort as opposed to matte.

BG Where did the inspiration for the packaging itself come from? TESSA I had instantly thought pale pink – it's my favourite colour – and polka dots. And I'm hesitant to even say this because it seems like an incredibly egotistical thing, but I kind of loved that the polka dots were reminiscent of medals. It just came about really, really, really organically. And it just felt right as soon as I saw the final draft.

BG Good move – if there hadn't been a nod to gold medals, I bet we'd all want to know why not. Do you think you might get involved in more beauty collaborations in the future? TESSA I don't know. I feel, so fortunate. This is something that I never thought that I would have the chance to explore and I'm been able to really dive in and learn about the company and the industry in a different way. And that's been really refreshing. I think what MAC has done, with both the Canadian Originals campaign and with this MAC Makers, has been really inspiring. It's getting back to the roots of an originally Canadian brand and our values that we can all be proud of. It's such a privilege and a joy to participate.

Tessa Virtue's MAC Maker Lipstick is a limited edition; find it at maccosmetics.com.

—beautygeeks

#tessa #off ice #ambassadorship #mac cosmetics #interview: beautygeeks #the polka dots

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luvknow · 5 years

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heroine addict | yang jeongin

genre: journalism student!jeongin x heroine!reader | superhero au ; college au summary: yang jeongin is failing his journalism classes and needs an article of the century to bring his grade up. when the city’s heroine saves his life, he thinks a biography about you is just the topic to save him from failing. when you don’t agree to an interview, jeongin ends up risking his life daily just so he can see you. one of these days you’ll say yes to him (you do). wc: 8k a/n: happy super belated jeongin day!! i love you ; ~ ; enjoy!

It’s midday as you’re sitting on top of the city’s tallest building with your legs dangling over the edge, bored out of your mind. The view from above isn’t as beautiful compared to the night since the sun is so blinding - mostly because you can’t see anything, period. Why your boss insisted on you taking a day shift, you’ll never know why. Nothing cool ever happens during the day anyways, so what was the point?

“Since your class got cancelled, I figured you’d want something to do,” Woojin explained through your earpiece. “Don’t you like getting paid?”

“But I’m so bored ~” you whined for the hundredth time. “You don’t have any leads? A drug bust? A planned robbery? Anything???”

“Not at this time. Just watch for some dumb kid who isn’t paying attention while crossing the street. There’s plenty of those, especially around the college campuses.”

“You know from personal experience?” you teased.

“Don’t make me disable your suit.”

You ignored Woojin’s threats and followed his orders, continuing to watch over the boring city. It was fun to tease him all the time, but you always obeyed his orders whenever he gave them because he always knew what was best. Whether he told you to go ahead and attack with full force or to hold back and be cautious, you never questioned his orders. You’re not sure what it is about Woojin, but you trusted that man with your whole life, for God only knows why.

You remember the exact day and time when he approached you for his little project. It was a Monday, of all days, at 7:15 PM where you two shared barbecue over a hot grill and a whole pitcher of beer. You’ve known that studious man for a long time and you never took him for someone who would drink on a Monday but when he said it was his treat, who were you to complain and be suspicious?

But that was his plan all along - to treat you out for good food, get you a little tipsy and bam! He pitched you his project at your peak giggliness when your face was all pink and warm.

“Did you say you wanted me to try out your supersuit?” you snorted.

“Yup.”

“A supersuit like for superheroes?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“I am one hundred percent serious.”

“You know I’m like, athletically challenged.”

“That’s exactly why I think you’d be the perfect test subject! I know exactly how fast you can run, how much you can lift, how flexible you are - all of it will be maxed out with this suit.”

“Wha - have you been watching me!?”

“Don’t be mad, but I kind of stole your physical records from high school,” Woojin snickered.

“What the hell, dude!”

“You’re surprisingly good at stretching, if you ask me.”

“You’re so weird…”

“So you’ll do it or what?” he begged, giving you his cute little pout and puppy eyes he knew you could never resist.

“... Fine, you weirdo Edna Mode impersonator.”

“Jokes on you, I take that as the highest form of a compliment.”

From then on, you agreed to whatever testing would follow. You’ve tried and tested nearly a dozen suits since your partnership, but none were perfect enough for the perfectionist engineer Woojin. The latest model - the one that you were currently wearing - is the closest he thinks he can get to said perfection, at least for now. Rumor has it that he’s already got another suit in the making for you.

Even through the uncomfortably intimate suit fittings, rigorous physical conditioning, and the life threatening crimes you saved the city from, you honestly wouldn’t trade this for anything else. You’ve tasted the rush, tasted the fame, and now you’re addicted and there was no going back.

For the next couple of hours until your next class, you stayed on top of the tallest building in the city overlooking the people and talking to Woojin about his day.

It was late afternoon when Jeongin left his class with a solemn look on his incredibly pale face. In his hands, he held his quarterly assignment that had a huge fat F in red at the top of the page. After talking with his professor, they said there was still a chance for him to bring up his grade with the other three assignments still left, but how the hell was he supposed to do that when he genuinely thought his article about the local pet shelter was good!?

Maybe this major isn’t for me, he thought negatively. Maybe I should just switch… But to what? Everything else is so boring.

Jeongin was in his own little world as he walked from the campus to the hustle and bustle of the city. He wasn’t really paying attention to his surroundings as he mapped out his future with different majors he thought about switching to. With wide eyes and a dazed look on his face, he walked through crowds and crossed streets mindlessly - so mindlessly that people moved out of the way for him so as to not bump into him.

At one of the busiest intersections in the city, Jeongin crossed the street on a red light. The taxi horn honking at him seemed to fade in and by the time he realized what was happening, it was too late for him to react.

This is it. He patiently waited for the taxi to hit, but it never came.

Loud gasps and camera clicks were what brought a dazy Jeongin back to reality. Everything was loud as it should be and that’s when he knew he was no longer daydreaming and that the taxi missed him.

Or rather the taxi didn’t get the chance to hit him.

There you were with both hands on the taxi and deep dents beneath them, indicating your method of stopping the taxi from hitting the poor boy. Jeongin stared at you with wide eyes, mentally pinching himself so he knew he wasn’t dreaming. He couldn’t believe it! You, the city’s fallen angel who graced them with your powers to protect the people, were right in front of him! You’re the city’s local celebrity - you’re all the news reporters ever talk about -

News… Oh shit, he was going to be on the news! Well, this was his ultimate career goal, wasn't it? Plus it’ll look good on his resume... But wait, if he gets a picture, maybe he could use you for his next assignment and -

“Are you alright?” you asked carefully, waving a hand in front of the boy’s shocked face. He hadn’t moved since you stopped the taxi and you were beginning to worry that he was frozen from fear.

The boy cleared his throat and nodded his head vigorously. Your eyes were so big and bright beneath your mask, staring so intensely at him, that he had a hard time looking at you. How cute, you made him nervous!

“Y-Yes, I’m good! Great, actually!” he stuttered.

“That’s good,” you giggled. Your laugh was sweet like sugar to everyone’s ears and onlookers wondered how Jeongin was able to compose himself when you were so close to him. Truth be told, he forgot how to breathe, so that helped. “You should be more careful, especially during the rush hour.”

Way to look like an idiot. Jeongin cleared his throat. “Of course! I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“No trouble at all. I’m just happy you’re safe.”

The cute boy burned a dark red from your smile for everyone to see. Before he could ask for a picture, you jumped high up in the air and in the blink of an eye, you were gone as fast as you arrived. As the crowd dispersed with their eyes glued to their phones, it seemed that everyone got a picture or a video of you except him! So not only did Jeongin completely make a fool of himself in front of you and the entire city for not reading the street lights, he was a fool who lost the opportunity for the best student article in his university’s history!

But that’s ok because he’ll catch you next time. He’ll make sure of it. Even if it means walking in front of a taxi again.

“You’re such a flirt,” Woojin teased through the bluetooth.

“I am not!” you pouted, hopping from building to building away from the scene.

“Please, ‘no trouble at all, I’m just happy you’re safe ~’ Who says that?”

“Superheroes, Woojin… Superheroes say that.”

“Yeah, but not like THAT.”

“Whatever! He’s cute!”

“I knew it.”

You spent the rest of the day thinking about how cute his blushing face was.

The deadline for the next assignment was approaching quickly and to his bad luck, Jeongin hadn’t seen you since you saved him from the taxi. Until he’d meet you again, he took this time to research everything and anything about you, but sadly, there wasn’t much for him to work with. All he could come up with was your guestimated age, your height, and who you work for. He thought he’d be able to dig deeper when he found out you were associated with KimTech, but there was nothing.

But this was good! Really good! This meant that if he could interview you, then he’d be the first to know all about you. He’d be the very first reporter to get the scoop on the city’s one and only heroine. But this wasn’t going to be easy - from the handful of interviews he’s watched, it didn’t look like you liked people knowing things about you. You kept your interviews short and sweet - practically one-liners. You were a complete mystery, and that only attracted Jeongin more to you. He would have to find a way to work around this.

That is if he ever met you again.

The same time everyday after that same journalism class, he went to the same intersection and took a step on the crosswalk at the red light. He thought that maybe recreating the scene would bring you out of the shadows again, but it didn’t work. Maybe he wasn’t in danger enough? But was Jeongin really about to risk his life just for a school assignment?

Hell yeah, he was.

Day-by-day, Jeongin tried risking his life a little more at a time. From taking steps at a red light, to standing too close to the edge of the train stations, to even standing on the rooftops on campus buildings, he tried his all to get your attention but for some reason it wasn’t working. Didn’t you have like, a radar or something? Or like some KimTech device that let you know when people were in danger? Jeongin was fake trying to die here and it was like you were ignoring him!

He had to go bigger.

There was a hotel smack in the center of the city. It was the tallest, most glamorous boutique hotel where only celebrities and international business people stayed. It was a privilege in itself to step foot on the marble tiles and Jeongin knew all too well how that felt. He wasn’t a stranger to the hotel and especially not the rooftop. No one ever questioned him whenever he walked in because they all assumed he was a busboy for the banquet hall and he never corrected anyone for situations just like this. So using his privilege, Jeongin took the elevator straight to the empty rooftop. Usually, the roof would be closed for private events, but tonight was the only night this week when it wasn’t booked. Lucky him, huh?

The view up there was absolutely stunning. He couldn’t really see the stars, but the lights from the city twinkled just as beautifully. And most of all, it was quiet. Quiet and peaceful. Maybe he should come up here more often when he wasn’t trying to attract the city’s heroine.

Jeongin hopped up on the ledge that was made to protect tipsy celebrities from falling to their death. The tips of his sneakers peaked over the corner and never before had he felt so alive! For a moment, distracted by the warm glow of the city lights, he forgot the whole reason why he was up here. He closed his eyes and breathed in the cool air. If only he could fly.

A hand grabbed onto his and yanked him backwards, causing him to fall hard on his ass on the concrete rooftop.

“Ow! What the -!!”

“Are you crazy!?”

Hovering over his cowering form was just the girl he was looking for. He was surprised how upset you seemed, with your eyes so big and your brows furrowed. What were you so upset about? Didn’t you go through stuff like this everyday?

“Hello,” Jeongin greeted sheepishly. “Can I help you?”

“I know you,” you said, pointing an accusing finger. When you recognized him, your face softened and Jeongin could breathe a sigh of relief. “You’re the cute boy who almost got ran over by a taxi.”

“You remember me, huh?” he blushed. “Wait, cute?”

“What do you think you’re doing up here?” You asked, ignoring his question.

“Getting some fresh air…?”

“While standing on the ledge!?”

“I live life on the ledge. Get it? Life on the ledge?” When you didn’t look the slightest amused, Jeongin cleared his throat, stood up, and dusted himself off. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re not very smart, are you?”

“Sometimes I can be.”

“Will you pretend to be smart and stay off the ledge then? I’d like a peaceful, bloodless night, thank you.” As you were saying this, you were already drifting away from him.

Wait, he still had to interview you! “If I say I won’t, will you stay?”

You raised a curious brow. Was this his way of asking you to stay? “And then what, I’ll babysit you?”

“I prefer the term ‘supervise’.”

“Hm, babysitting or saving the city?” you sang, weighing your options. The right answer was obvious, but the wrong answer was quite tempting if you were being honest. This boy may have some adrenaline high or he was just really stupid, but that’s what made him interesting. You can’t remember the last time someone popped up on the radar this often, either. It was almost like he was trying to get your attention, but why?

“The city can hold off their addiction to their heroine for a little while, right?”

His dimpled grin was almost too cute to resist. Almost. “Maybe some other time. Gotta save the city from people like you, y’know?”

“Wait -!”

You disappeared again, but that wouldn’t stop Jeongin this time. This time he was going to follow you. How, you ask? Social media was his powerful weapon.

Jeongin ran between alleys, hopped on different trains, hell he even ordered a taxi just so he could keep up with you. He got closer and closer each time trying to catch you (thanks to an accurate update Twitter account), but every time he arrived to the scene of the crime, you were already gone. The people who witnessed your act of vigilance were kind enough to point him in the direction you flew off to, but even with that help, he could barely keep up. After nearly three hours of running around the city and harboring the defeat, he decided that he’d just risk his life for you some other time.

Whether you were hiding in the shadows or up on rooftops, you watched the cute boy run to all of your locations. So he was following you. He was determined and you’re still unsure why, but the effort didn’t go unnoticed. If he tried to catch your attention again, then maybe you’ll entertain him a little bit.

“Poor kid,” Woojin snickered in your ear. “Why are you making it so hard for him?”

“I don’t know what he wants from me. He could be trying to trick me for all we know.”

“He looks harmless ~”

“Maybe he’s just a good actor.”

“Wouldn’t count on that.”

“You’re suggesting I should see what he wants?”

“Why not? I’m bored with all these misdemeanors. The taxi thing was the most exciting thing you’ve done in a long time thanks to him. Besides, you could use some friends.”

“I have friends!”

“New friends.”

“Just say you’re bored of me, it’ll hurt less,” you muttered. “Fine, I’ll see what he wants, but only if he shows up on the radar again.”

“I’ll keep you posted.”

Jeongin showed up on your radar every single day this week. Sometimes only once a day, often times twice, and way more frequently when the weekend came around.

The first time was the day after you caught him on the hotel rooftop. That day, you found yourself back to the scene of the crime.

“Again with the ledge, huh?” you scolded while hovering over him. “Too lazy to pick some other building?”

Yesterday you caught him when the skies were as black as the parts on your suit. Today the sun was shining brightly and this was the first time Jeongin got a really good look at you. Your suit was primarily black and white with accents and stitching in what he assumed was your favorite color. Your mask was black too, but they shaped your eyes and made them pop in the prettiest way. Your hair was everywhere like it had no sense of gravity, but somehow it stayed untangled.

You were beautiful. Quite possibly the most beautiful heroine he’d ever seen, but definitely the most beautiful heroine he risked his life for to corner for an interview for a project so he wouldn’t flunk out of college.

“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, right?” he replied while rubbing his butt. “Can you please be more gentle next time? I bruise like a banana.”

“Next time? There’s a next time?”

“If you say no, there will be.”

“No to what?”

“A one-on-one interview with me.”

You moved far away from Jeongin and he was afraid you were going to fly away again, but you stayed hovering past the edge so that he couldn’t reach you. He couldn’t read your face but if he had to guess, you weren’t too thrilled about the idea.

“Is this what the tabloid companies have you reporters doing these days? Risking your lives just for one interview? Ha!” you scoffed harshly. “You guys are really a pain in the ass.”

“No, you don’t understand -”

“Oh, I understand. You know, it’s wonder how I’m able to keep my identity hidden without you rats all up in my business everyday! You’re everywhere and every single one of you is so distracting that I almost miss my targets! You’re the real crime of the city I could never get rid of. Put that in your article.”

“Wait - !!”

But you were gone again, with your cheeks so red from anger being the only thing Jeongin could think about that day.

Way to go, idiot, now she’ll never say yes to you.

The next day, Jeongin tried again, but chose a different rooftop so you wouldn’t be suspicious. He hoped your high tech radar detection thingy didn’t show his face otherwise this plan wouldn’t work anymore. Jeongin patiently sat on the edge, waiting and hoping to see you fly to him somewhere off in the distance. To his luck, he guessed your radar majig didn’t have facial recognition by the way your face twisted in disgust upon seeing him.

“You’re only further proving my point,” you said. With your abnormally strong pointer finger, you pushed the boy off from the edge. Jeongin didn’t think you’d actually be more gentle trying to get him down this time.

He didn’t even get a word out before you flew away again.

Ok, now he was tired of your stubborn childishness. You wouldn’t even allow him to explain that he wasn’t working for the tabloids! He was a simple-minded college student who only wanted to pass this class. In reality, he probably still could if he chose another subject, but the Yangs were not quitters! Jeongin would see this through and no matter how long or what it took, he would get you to listen to his explanation and get his one-on-one interview with you.

The following three days was a battle between you and the cute boy who wouldn’t leave you alone. You flew across the city to different corners only to end up in front of him yet again. It was your own personal tour of the city. You’ll admit this game of cat and mouse was a little fun, but you had to remember what his intentions were. You couldn’t escape him. The boy was like the plague.

“Don’t you have caller ID on that thing?” you asked Woojin at your latest encounter, referring to his radar thinga-ma-bob. Jeongin waited patiently as you spoke like he wasn’t right in front of you.

“It often only reports where there’s suspicious activity, not who’s causing it.”

“Well, fix it.”

“Can you hear me out finally?” the boy interrupted. To Jeongin’s surprise, you stayed to listen to what he had to say, though he saw you hesitate. “Look, I don’t work for the tabloids.”

“Pfft.”

“No, really!”

“Then what do you need an interview for!?”

“I’m a journalism student.”

“Oh, I see now. You’re not working for the tabloids yet is what you’re saying. This is like a little teaser?”

“People who work for the tabloids are people who don’t have lives and prey upon those who do because theirs are so dull and idiotic!” he spat. God, did Jeongin hate being associated with such vermon! He saw your surprised expression at his sudden outburst. That was a good sign, right? “I’m trying to write a real article about you. So please, let me write about you, earnestly and honestly, before anyone can taint your name.”

“Just so we’re clear, you wouldn’t really be saving my name if it’s just for a school assignment.”

“Well no, but that should convince you even more, right?” he grinned cheekily while batting his eyelashes at you.

His grin didn’t falter even after you were done contemplating the idea for five whole minutes. The huge, overly-exaggerated sigh that left your lips let Jeongin know you were totally down for an interview. Finally, he got you to crack! But it wasn’t fair, he used his cuteness to his advantage.

“Do you have any past works I could look at?” you asked, feet landing on the rooftop.

“H-Huh?” he stuttered.

“Any past articles you’ve written? Or a portfolio maybe? I’d like to know how you’d be writing about me, of course.”

“Ah, I have one, but not on me, so we’ll just skip that -”

“What was it about?”

“Um… An animal shelter.”

“Oh, cute.”

“Buuuut I got an F on it.”

“Oh, no,” you groaned, pinching the skin between your eyes in frustration.

“But that was my first one! That was like a trial assignment, you know, like it doesn’t count.”

“Ugh!!!” you screamed into the clouds. That wasn’t the worst reaction to his failure Jeongin had in mind. “You’re totally going to ruin me!”

“No I won’t, I promise! I wasn’t passionate about that topic like I am with this one!”

“Are you saying you’re passionate about me?” you teased.

“I… Well, no, but… That’s not fair, you worded that funny.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to say this but… fine.”

“Wait, so you’ll let me do my assignment on you? You’ll really let me interview you?” You nodded shamefully. “Sweet! You won’t be disappointed!”

“Don’t fuck it up.”

“We can start tomorrow! Say, after my class on the original rooftop?”

For the first time in a week, Jeongin saw you smile the slightest bit. He liked you better this way. “Works for me.”

“Then it’s a date.”

Before you could correct his wording, it was his turn to leave without letting you get a word out. Now you were the one stuck in your spot while Jeongin was the one being smug over how he made you blush.

“Unbelievable…” you muttered.

Jeongin spent the whole night writing up questions to ask you. Since practically no one knew anything about you, he could get away with a few basic questions like what your favorite food or animal was. He’d later delve into the deeper questions, hoping they weren’t too personal to scare you off. He simply wanted to know the inner workings of the city’s local heroine, that’s all. Jeongin lost a lot of sleep last night specifically preparing for today. He got a brand new notepad, a new pen, and a fully charged camera - he was ready to pass his class.

It didn’t occur to him until now what you’d look like today. Would you be in your full outfit, suit and mask and all? Ah, but of course you had to be. There’s no way you’d be wearing your civilian clothes, right?

But what if you did? He wondered what kind of clothes you liked to wear. Were you a jeans and t-shirt type of person? Or maybe dresses and skirts? Whatever you wore on your down time, he was sure you’d look stunning regardless and he hoped he’d get to see you in them. Probably not today, or even the next time, but he hoped he’d see the normal you one day. The real you.

“Daydreaming on a rooftop isn’t very safe, you know.”

You snuck up behind him, causing him to jump and turn around. He was a bit disappointed but not surprised when he saw you in your suit. You looked exactly as he’d always seen you except you didn’t hold a scowl on your lips.

“I live life on the edge, remember?”

“Life on the ledge if I remember correctly.”

This rooftop was a lot fancier than you remembered. Then again, you didn’t focus on the furniture and decorations whenever you found him up here. He even had snacks and refreshments laid out on the table.

“Why aren’t you dressed normal?” the cute boy pouted.

“This is normal.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I can’t let the enemy know who I really am.” You saw him quickly scribble down what you said onto his fresh notepad. “Wait, are you writing that down?”

“Of course! I need to write down as much detail about you as possible! That way I have more to work with to write the perfect article.”

You really shouldn’t be trusting his words so easily. “If you say so.”

“Ok, first question: what is your name?”

“Seriously? That’s your first question?”

“You can’t blame me when you never gave yourself a superhero name! Personally, I think this is a great way to start off your biography.”

“I thought this was just an interview!?”

“Same thing.”

He was right, though - you didn’t have a superhero name. Not because you were trying to be cool and remain slightly anonymous, it was that you nor Woojin couldn’t think of anything that suited you. But it was kind of cool that you didn’t go by any name.

You told Jeongin your name. “My real name is _____.”

“You’re ok with telling me that?”

You simply shrugged. “It’s just my first name.”

“I thought I’d take months - years, even - for me to know your real name.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.”

“_____, huh? I like it. It suits you.” His dimpled grin yet again did wonders on your sensitive heart. Why were cute boys your kryptonite? “What do you do when you’re not out here saving us from taxis or drug pushers?”

Jeongin was able to get a giggle out of you and his ego couldn’t have been higher. That’s a good sign you were liking the interview so far, right? “I’m a student just like you.”

“Really!?” he screeched. “You don’t seem like the academic type.”

“That’s funny coming from someone who had to risk their life to save their grade.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean it like that! I meant it like… Like how do you even have the time to do both?”

“I have to pay for college somehow, right?”

Jeongin took note of how tired your smile looked. It must be exhausting trying to pass your classes and then flying around saving idiots like himself from crosswalks. You probably slept like four hours a night or something. He started to regret all the times he had you chasing him all over the city. Maybe he could make it up to you.

“Do you even like school? Why not just work for KimTech as a full time heroine?”

“Do you know how much insurance costs for heroes? A lot! Benefits from a career would make my life much easier.”

For the duration of the interview, Jeongin asked you the basic surface questions. Some were more personal than others, but this would be a good introductory type of article instead of one big one that dug deep into your life. Who knows, maybe he could use you again for this other assignments and dig deeper each time.

Initially, you were terrified going into this blindly. He could have been lying that he was a student the whole time, and he still could be! But somehow you knew he wasn’t. He didn’t interview you like you were the first celebrity he could catch on the street. He talked to you like he was getting to know a new friend. He made you feel at ease and comfortable and you just let your answers flow out. Something about that smile of his made it so easy.

“Wow, it’s already late. You don’t have to save anyone tonight?” Jeongin asked after two hours had passed.

You shook your head. “I don’t think so… Woojin hasn’t said anything today, so…”

“Woojin? Is that your boyfriend…?”

“Oh God, no, he’s one of the head engineers for KimTech. He made my suit.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Yeah, so there’s no need to get jealous.”

“That’s not why I asked ~” he whined.

“Is the interview over?”

“Technically yes, but I didn’t manage to ask all of my questions. I stopped after number three and we kind of went on a tangent and just kept on talking. Time flew right past us, I guess.”

“Oh. Did you want to reschedule for another time?”

“Like for another interview? Really?”

Would he really be able to see you again? The boy’s wide eyes sparkled cutely, so how could you say no to him? “Sure. You have to finish this some time, right?”

“I’d really like that,” he grinned. “Tomorrow?”

“Same time, same place.”

“Awesome! It’s a date! Stay safe while saving the city, ok?”

“Quit calling it a date!” you blushed, but the sneaky boy was already running away cackling. “He’s so weird…”

Yes, he’s weird, but that’s why you liked him.

“This wasn’t what I had in mind when I asked about wearing your normal clothes…”

Jeongin raised a questioning brow at you as he said that. You had a hoodie on with one of those popular logos spread across the chest but you wore your supersuit and eye mask just underneath it. It was kind of adorable, but it looked like you were just really bad at trying to disguise yourself.

“Think of it as a compromise, hm? It’s a bit chilly today, anyways.”

You watched the boy take out a his notebook that was already flipped to where you left off yesterday. Though you only answered three questions, it took up the entire page. He literally wrote down everything you said, word for word.

“Can I take a look?” you asked, gesturing to his notebook.

“Sure. Sorry if it’s all over the place. I tried to think of every possible cool question there was and I wrote them down whenever I could.”

He was right, the notebook was a total mess. The questions were written out of the lines, in the margins, and at the top by the header. But the best part about his notebook were the little doodles he had of you. Your mask, the suit design, even your silhouette was doodled all throughout his notebook. Up until now, you thought this whole chasing you around thing and finally catching an interview were innocent, but was he really this interested in you? Or maybe he was infatuated?

“Nice doodles,” you teased with a smirk.

Jeongin panicked and yanked the notebook away from your hands. SHIT, he completely forgot about those!

“On the days I waited for you to come find me, sometimes I’d get bored, so I doodled…”

“Ha! Cute ~”

There you go again, using that word! Was he cute? Were his doodles cute? Were all superheroes this flirty, or was it just the superheroines?

“Before we start, can I ask you something?” you began. “What’s your name?”

“My name? Have I really not told you yet?”

“I think I would have remembered if you told me.”

“It’s Jeongin. Yang Jeongin.”

“You’ve got an unforgettable name, Jeongin.”

“Ah, why do you keep doing that!?”

With a raised brow, you watched Jeongin ruffle his hair roughly. “Doing what?”

“Saying things like I’m cute and that I’m unforgettable and-and you keep smiling all weird!”

“Sorry, I thought I was just being nice ~ Should I stop?”

“I mean… You don’t have to… It’s actually kind of nice hearing those things once in a while.”

“You’re telling me people don’t walk up to you everyday and tell you how cute you are?” you teased.

“Surprising, right?” he said sarcastically. “I can barely get anyone to even look at me, let alone say stuff like that to me.”

“Then I’ll be the one to tell you that stuff everyday. Well, for as long as you’re interviewing me.”

“Ah, you don’t have to do that…”

“What if I said I want to?”

“But why…?” You shrugged, only worsening his confusion. He figured he’d leave it at that though - he’s only known you for a short time, but from the time he’s spent with you, he knows you enough that you probably wouldn’t elaborate. “You’re an interesting one, _____.”

“Ooh, make sure to write that in your article!”

The interview flew by faster than you could count. Jeongin made sure that you both stayed on topic this time around and he was finally able to get you to answer all of his stupid questions. Now he had enough information to write the best article about you! He’d get an A on this project, pass his class, and get you to smile from all the things he said about you.

“Your questions weren’t stupid,” you reassured him as he finished packing up. “No one’s ever asked me stuff like that before.”

“No one’s ever asked you about your favorite superhero? Or your childhood? Your favorite food?” he asked in disbelief.

You shook your head. “I don’t hang out with my college friends very often to be asked stuff like this. Busy life, you know?”

“Isn’t that lonely?”

“Yeah, sometimes. I guess having someone like Woojin makes up for it.”

“Ah, I see…” Jeongin muttered, lowering his head a bit.

“And you too, of course.”

“Me? You consider me a friend? After all the trouble I put you through just for my benefit?”

“Of course! We’ve spent a lot of time together playing cat and mouse. And you know almost TOO much about me.”

“Cheers to a new friendship then, hm?”

“Cheers. Unless you fail this assignment, then we’re not friends.”

“I’m so happy that you have my back…” he pouted. “What are you going to do now?”

You take a peek behind the boy and noticed that the sun was reaching its golden hours, which were the hours just before the sun set below the horizon. It was rare that you’d ever get to witness a sunset, let alone on a rooftop, so you think you’ll stay for a bit.

“I’m going to chill for a bit and enjoy the sunset. How about you?”

“I was going to go home and start the article, but can I join you instead?” he asked shyly.

“I would want nothing more.”

Both you and Jeongin reached the edge of the rooftop and watched the sunbeams bounce off of the mirrored windows on all the buildings, creating a golden overlay throughout the entire city. It was an incredible sight to see, but Jeongin only looked at you because God, this was great lighting for your portrait.

You heard a camera click beside you.

“You need pictures, too?” you whined. “I didn’t consent to this!”

“Of course I need pictures. I’d just have a pictureless article.” Jeongin noticed your uneasy expression and immediately regretted taking the picture. If you hated being interviewed on live television, he should have figured you didn’t like having your picture taken, either. “But if you really don’t like it, I’ll delete it -”

“No, that’s ok. If this means you’ll get a higher grade, then so be it.”

The cute boy hid his wide grin behind his fancy camera. “Thank you. You won’t regret these, I promise.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. You look so pretty.”

Now it was your turn to try and hide your grin and blush. You buried your face in your hands so that only your smiling eyes were seen. Jeongin needed to capture you. The click of the shutter was heard quickly after.

“Got it!” he exclaimed. “That shot was perfect.”

“Is this how you felt when I kept on calling you cute?”

“Exactly. Now you can taste your own medicine.”

Did he call you pretty for the perfect portrait shot or did he mean it? You’ll never know.

After capturing your adorable grin, there was a long silence as you both watched the sun setting. It got dark quite quickly in your city and sooner rather than later, all of the streetlights and neon signs were turning on to light the city. Being up here when it was dark reminded you of when you first met Jeongin up here just a few of days ago. It was crazy when you realized how shortly you knew each other, yet you were already quite comfortable around him. It must have been his invasive interview questions that you had to answer. Even so, Jeongin couldn’t help but feel the same way.

“If I jumped over right now, would you catch me?” he asked, breaking you away from your thoughts.

Almost immediately, you replied, “Of course I would. Do you think I want blood on my hands?”

Jeongin must have thought he was so funny because after you said that, he began to climb over the short wall ready to jump. You grabbed his hand and pulled him back so you could scold his dumb ass.

“Are you crazy!?” you shrieked, tightening your hold on his hand. “Why!? WHY would you do that!?”

“Sometimes I think I’m funny.”

“Oh, you’re fucking hilarious!”

Jeongin laughed loudly while you squint your eyes at him and judged his horrible sense of humor. He thought he messed up big time because it really looked like you weren’t having it, but you were really bad at hiding your smile. Just as you were about to let go of his hand, he reciprocated your grip and didn’t allow you to let go. He didn’t explain himself and you didn’t ask him to. You liked the way his hand felt in yours. You both watched over the city together, fingers laced together.

“You should be doing something like this with someone normal, don’t you think?” you told him.

“But you are normal. A normal student just like me, right?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Normal is boring. I mean, what constitutes as normal, anyways? What society thinks is normal?” he scoffed dramatically.

“As a journalism student, aren’t you kind of like, the spokesperson for society? Don’t you constitute what’s normal?”

“That’s what teen magazine editors do, not an intellectual journalist like myself.”

“You just like holding a stranger’s hand.”

“You’re not a stranger.”

“You don’t even know what I look like!”

“Yeah, about that. Will I ever get to see the real you?”

That question was one you were afraid to answer. There’s nothing you want more than to spend time with Jeongin just like this, but without your whole get-up. You’d truly be just a normal person hanging out with their new friend. But would he still call you pretty? Would he still blush at your flirty words when he saw what you really looked like? Would he still hold your hand like this?

“Soon,” you replied.

“Not soon enough.”

“If you get an A+, then I’ll consider it.”

“B-”

“A-, final offer.”

“Challenge accepted,” he grinned evilly. “Wanna grab something to eat?”

“Yes, please!”

Jeongin wasn’t used to all the staring and gawking as you two walked down the street. He was amazed that you were unbothered by it, but he figured you must be an expert at blocking then out. He followed closely behind you, shyly hiding as you walked with your head held high.

“What are you hiding from?” you giggled.

“I’m usually the annoying onlooker, not the center of attention.”

“How does it feel?”

“I hate it!”

“Now you know how I feel everyday.”

Jeongin led you to an area packed with street vendors lined up for blocks as far as the eye could see. There wasn’t any lag between street carts as you plucked skewers of grilled meat and veggies like they were flowers. The boy struggled to to keep up with the payments you owed.

“Can you at least grab some for me, too? And why am I the one paying!?”

“Heroes don’t pay, silly,” you scoffed while handing him a meat skewer.

For a while, you and Jeongin just walked, enjoying the food, the atmosphere, and each other’s company. Despite being in your get-up, you felt so normal and you can’t recall the last time you had someone that wasn’t Jeongin beside you enjoying the simple things in life. It was probably Woojin, but all he ever talked about was work. Now that Jeongin was done interviewing you, was today the last time you’d hang out with him?

“What are you thinking about?” he asked innocently.

You shrugged, suddenly feeling too shy to answer. “Just wondering if I’d see you again after today.”

He stopped in his tracks, causing you to turn back and look at him questioningly. He wore a frown. “Of course we’ll see each other again. Why would you doubt that?”

“I don’t know… I was afraid you’d be someone who’d become a stranger as soon as you got what you wanted from me.”

He couldn’t blame you for thinking like that. He’d just have to prove you wrong. “I have to show you my A+ project and see your face, remember? I won’t stop bothering you until I see it.”

“What comes after I show you?”

“After? The same thing, no? Why, do you wanna go on a real date?” he teased.

“Shut up,” you said, shoving a churro in his mouth.

“I’m down if you’re down!”

A text vibrated your phone and you can only guess that it’s Woojin crying for help. The text read, ‘Hey, I have a suit update. Come over ASAP.’

“Duty calls?” Jeongin asked quietly.

“Yeah… I’ll see you soon, right?”

“Of course you will. Maybe with an A+ in my hands, too.” He paused before continuing on as if his next words were too risky. “Be careful out there, _____.”

“Aw, you’re worried about me?”

“The city’s scary at night, you know.”

Swiftly, in a blink of an eye, you kiss his cheek. Before he could scold you, you’re already gone and the feeling of your lips was left on his cheek the entire night. He held his hand to his cheek and a grin on his lips until he fell asleep.

He couldn’t wait to see you again.

You hadn’t seen him since. You couldn’t even remember how long it’s been. You were so caught up with the steady increase in crime rate and you suspected Jeongin was busy finishing his project on you, but when your day ended without running into him, your heart sank bit by bit.

You may not have seen him in a while, but it was so easy for him to keep tabs on you. You were all over the local news, social media, online articles, you name it. They were all the same superficial stuff. He couldn’t wait to publish the only written piece out there that showed all of your layers.

He never paid attention to the superficial stuff. He’d just mute out whomever’s recording and watch you carefully instead. It was like watching an action movie where he was rooting for the protagonist to win against the enemy every time. Sure, your tasks were never that action-packed, but watching you kept him at the edge of his seat, especially when there were weapons involved. Jeongin would find himself screaming at his phone or the television for you to play it safe, but God, of course you never did! You were so reckless every time, leaving with scars and bruises and noticeable stains of blood. He’d have to scold you for that later.

Jeongin kept his distance from you while he finished your article. He hadn’t stood on rooftops or cliffs or ledges for a long time. He wanted to focus completely and solely on it so he could finish without any errors. From the looks of it, it seemed like you had your hands full, anyways.

That much was true, but Jeongin could never bother you. You’d scold him of course, but as the nights became longer and the crimes were getting quite dangerous, seeing Jeongin was all you hoped for whenever you flew to a new location. But he was never there.

You were afraid. You were afraid, exhausted, and lonely. It was hard going through all of this alone and you wished that cute boy with the wide grin and wide eyes would come and save you from saving the city once in a while.

You hoped his project would end sooner rather than later.

“Hey, there’s suspicious activity by the river,” Woojin said into your earpiece.

“Can I pass?” you groaned tiredly.

“Last one for tonight, I promise.”

You flew down by the river where all the couples spent hand-in-hand walking along the sidewalk. What a cruel location for suspicious activity! You had to walk on ice here, so as to not endanger all the lovely couples.

The exact location Woojin sent you led you to a boy rocking on his feet at the very edge, like he was ready to jump in at any second.

You poke him lightly, causing him to stumble forward.

Then you grabbed him by the hand.

Jeongin’s feet are at the corner of the edge and you holding on to him was the only reason why he wasn’t soaked yet.

“Th-That’s not funny!!” the boy whined. But seeing that it was you, he couldn’t help but grin.

He missed you.

With his free hand, he held up a printed version of his project with a bug red 95 on it. “I got an A,” he said.

With your free hand, you took off your mask, revealing your pretty face in its entirety. You saw sparkles glow in Jeongin’s big eyes.

“Happy?” you asked.

“I will be when you pull me up from this position ~”

“Oh, right.”

You’re surprisingly strong when you pulled him up with your one hand. Your hair was loose and framed your maskless face perfectly. You were so, so pretty - just as he expected. It was a wonder that no one who knew you in real life recognized you with your mask on since it didn’t do much to hide your identity. He watched the blush rise to your cheeks adoringly.

“Stop staring,” you demanded.

“Ah, sorry. You’re just so pretty… I can’t help it.” Jeongin handed you his grade-A project. “Are you free to critique for me?”

“Pay me in street food?”

“Only if I can hold your hand.”

“You’re so corny... It’s a date,” you grinned. Now it was Jeongin’s turn to blush. “Let me change really quick.”

You were a jeans and t-shirt type of person.

#jeongin #yang jeongin #skz #stray kids #skz jeongin #stray kids jeongin #skz i.n #stray kids i.n #skz scenarios #skz imagines #bro jeongin is so hard to write for for me aklsjdlakjdlkajdlahflakhfal #i hope this was ok askjdlkajdlkajd ://////////////////////////////////////

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wheremytwinwatches · 4 years

Text

[Where My Twin Watches]: PMMM Rebellion - Part 5

Alright, after that epic fight it’s time to move on. We left off at Homura being rescued by un-brainwashed Sayaka (thanks Kyoko!), but Mami was getting re-educated by that cutesy little monster Charlotte. Time for both sides to regroup and prepare for the finale fight!

So yeah, Homura snaps to as Sayaka draws her sword to cut the ribbons away or stab the lock on them, yikes. That works too I guess but for a second it looked like you were gonna shank Homura.

Both girls nail the landing, Sayaka looking away as Homura reasonably asks what the heck is going on. Sayaka of all people chides Homura for fighting Mami when, and wow this is a role reversal. In the show it was cool and collected MST Homura who kept telling Sayaka to chill, now Sayaka’s the one bailing Homura out and calling her either “really full of yourself or really dumb.” Hah!

Alright, Sayaka’s up to speed, she knows Homura was trying to kill the Witch. She remembers everything! And.. wait, what?

[Sayaka]: “Because that’s why I’m here. At any rate, didn’t you think any of this was odd to start with?”

What, are you saying that you figured this stuff out before Homura did? But… yeah you’re right that doesn’t make sense. Why would a Witch make a city-sized Labyrinth, and then just keep them there without harming them or drawing in more victims. I mean, it supports the Cannibal!Witch theory where Charlotte’s using them as meal tickets, but it still feels off. Why was it that Charlotte was the one to pull this off, the “Sweets Witch”?

[Sayaka]: “This Labyrinth isn’t a trap to lure in victims. What the witch controlling this Labyrinth wants is to maintain the status quo in here. In other words, who benefits from the way things are right now?”

Well, Charlotte’s getting fed, so her.

[Sayaka]: “If you work backwards from that, it-”

Wait Homura what are you GAH sudden spin from Sayaka she She just stabbed Homura’s shield Sayaka stopped Homura from stopping time Why No I’d not thought about it There’s another “who benefits from the way things are right now”

[Sayaka]: “Gonna run back into your own little time again? That’s a bad habit of yours.”

nononono How why

It’s not Charlotte. It’s Octavia.

No, not that Octavia. The Witch Octavia.

[Homura]: “So you’re saying the person who wished for this situation is one of us?”

This is bad this is really bad Homura’s facing the jailer she can’t timestop anymore why how i don’t understand how did

[Sayaka]: “Is it really so surprising? Wasn’t Mami just saying earlier that this is the happiest she’s ever been in her life?

Implying that the Witch is Mami, but no. Out of the five of you, you were the one who turned in-

Oh. OH. OH

Madoka, what the FUCK are you thinking?!

Welp. Time to bring back that theory from last episode that I tabled.

The more I think about it, the more obvious it is. Madoka became Madokami (and good grief you guys, did it really take me this long to realize that nickname? I mean, Madoka and Kami? My own friggin username is mashing Ra and Anubis together, that should have been obvious! Ugh, I am clueless), and she made a new world. One free of Witches.

But it wasn’t perfect, they still fought flaws in the form of the Wraiths. And on a more personal note, there was one person who was the least happy: the one who remembered her. Homura lived her life in remembrance of Madoka, carried a bow, did everything in honor of her.

And at some point, it seems Madokami decided that that wasn’t good. So she made a New New World, as perfect as she could manage. Instead of being alone, Mami has a companion in “Bebe”. Instead of pining after Kyosuke, Sayaka gets a second chance at life with her BEST FRIEND Kyoko, who likewise has a better life with Sayaka. And for Homura? Madokami creates a new Madoka, gives Homura a fresh start.

And all it took was to make a Labyrinth for them, and suppress their memories.

Guys? Is this Rebellion actually against Madokami?

Like, Madokami, I get where you’re coming from, I really do. But this isn’t the way.

Just… guys. It’s all coming together. -Madokami creates a city-sized Labyrinth, to give her friends a better world. -Madokami silences the Incubator, keeping the group of five at a set size. -She gives them “Nightmares” to fight, relatively easy foes that they take down together, gives them purpose. -Sayaka, who we know semi-Ascended into Madokami’s afterlife, is her on-site watcher, to make sure everyone stays happy. -This supports “Bebe” too, as a Saved Magical Girl in the show she works for Madokami, keeps up the illusion.

“In other words, who benefits from the way things are right now?”

Everyone in the Madokrew benefits. But in particular, Madokami is happy that her friends are happy.

ResplendentScorpion said:I think the actual problem is that nobody but Madoka sunk anything in "empathy". The rest of them are horrible at comprehending each other as well, it's not just Homura not being able to explain herself. In contrast, Madoka has no problem understanding, feeling for, and emotionally supporting everyone.

Tinkerbell said:I think all the other members of the Magical Girl Team have perfectly normal empathy levels, actually. Madoka's empathy levels, on the other hand, is anything but normal.

Yes! This! Exactly!

Jeebus, Madokami’s actually the instigator of the movie! She’s the one behind everything! Best of intentions, but still.

Just… wow, that’s a thing.

Anyways, time to get proven wrong! Back to the movie.

Sayaka’s asking what Homura will do with the creator of the Labyrinth, once she finds her.

[Homura]: “Well, that… should be obvious.”

But can she? Because we’ve established that the Labyrinth-maker is one of the Madokrew, evidence pointing towards Madoka. Can she really “vanquish” them?

Now Sayaka’s asking if all this is really so bad. They don’t have to fight Witches anymore, they can all live and work together. Is whoever Wished for that so sinful that they need to be punished?

Homura is shocked, shocked I say, that Sayaka is siding with a Witch. (Well, I wouldn’t call her a “Witch” per say…) Sayaka just says that they are the “final form” of magical girls, after all. You can’t help but sympathize.

[Homura]: “I just remembered the most crucial point in all this.”

Mami remembered fighting Wraiths, not Witches. And Kyoko didn’t understand the concept of Labyrinths, not because she forgot about Witches, but because neither she nor Mami “ever knew about them.”

Ok, establishes this post-Madokami for sure. When Madokami remade the universe, it was without Witches. Every MG’s soul is saved before it becomes a Witch. At the sacrifice of the Wisher herself.

[Sayaka]: “I see. So you do remember her.”

Yup. Yup yup yup. There it is. Sayaka remembers Madoka, because she works for Madokami as a Saved Magical Girl.

Homura states that there are three people here who should not exist: -The Witch who created the Labyrinth -Charlotte, who remains in the form of a Witch -And Sayaka, who remembers the existence of Witches

Now… is Homura talking to one of those people, or two?

[Sayaka]: “You make me sad. I’m the same Sayaka Miki you’ve always known… Transfer Student.”

… did you just do a MST backwards head-tilt at Homura? You’re enjoying this, aren’t you-

HOLY CARP HER SHADOW IS OF HER WITCH FORM GAHGAHGAH

Ok, guess we’re doing this now!

Sayaka stabs at Homura’s shield again, but this time Homura pulls Sayaka’s sword away. Not sure how useful that’ll be as she can just summon another, but whatever. Quick stomach-kick to get some distance, shield’s working again so Homura does a timestop.

Ok, let’s recap: You’re in a music-themed alley area, with someone who just attacked you after you worked out that she’s involved with the Labyrinth. You’ve managed to timestop, but seeing as you pulled out a pistol I’m worried that you used up all your serious firepower in that earlier fight. How are you going to get out of this?

Yeah, looks like she used her power just in time, she’s facing an oversized white cape with an image of Octavia in it. Pulling it away, time resumes… to an empty alleyway. Did she withdraw?

[Sayaka]: “You haven’t answered my question yet. Would you really be okay destroying this Mitakihara City? You should think hard on that before you decide. So that you won’t have any regrets.”

So we’ve established that the city is fake, “an idealized world someone dreamed up.” And seeing as she knows that now, we’re in full Labyrinth mode again, creepy children and artistic swans all over the place. Homura’s now on a boat-

Sorry, had to be done. Homura’s on a boat now for some reason, she-

...ok, goodbye Fourth Wall. She’s sailing under an arch that says “Do you enjoy the movie?”

Why yes Urobuchi, I am enjoying this very much. The animation is great, that Homura/Mami fight was glorious, and I’m loving the plot twists that are driving me insane. Thanks for making this!

Now she’s sailing through a tunnel, as paper cuttouts parrot lines by the other MGs.

[Kyoko]: “I came over to help Mami out.” [Mami]: “This is the kind of daily life I used to dream about in the old days.” [Sayaka]: “Tell me, is this really so bad?”

Homura’s thinking about how someone dragged everyone into this “unattainable dream world”. Forsaking the battle against the wraiths? Ah, yeah that’s a good point. If they’re in this Labyrinth living it up, then they aren’t outside fighting the flaws of the world. Maybe Madokami put a few of the Saved MGs on the task while they’re on “vacation”? Homura doesn’t approve, saying MGs must continue to always fight. Thought as she reaches up to a stylized drawing of Madokami.

Hey, Homura? I know it might seem outlandish, given how long you strived to save Madoka, but… maybe you could take a break? You got your miracle, even if it wasn’t by your hand. You don’t have to keep paying for it.

Yikes, “ridiculous farce”. You really don’t appreciate how Madokami tried to make you happy, huh? To be fair, if you don’t think about this as a gift from Madokami, it could be seen this way. Hopefully Homura learns the truth soon.

Creepy Kids throwing tomatoes/pomegranates? Ok then.

Back in the city, hey it’s Madoka! Er, semi-Madoka? Labyrinth Madoka? Eh I’mma just call you Madoka. She’s happy to see Homura, who quickly tries brushing away the last of her headshot damage. Then Madoka jumps down to her, and by the Laws of Anime they end up tumbling into the boat. Daw.

GAH another flash of the Incubator’s eyes, what the heck.

But hey, Madoka! How are… uh oh.

[Madoka]: “Mami is really worried about you. What happened?”

Cripes right Madoka’s part of the Labyrinth, she’s supposed to keep Homura happy. Now she’s saying that Homura shouldn’t go off by herself. Yep, Homura’s back under surveillance. You have to admit, it’s a pretty good one: have the person Homura cares about the most, or at least a copy of her, focus on keeping her happy. And peaceful.

Urgh, enough with the Madoka Guilt Trips! Have mercy!

Homura hey that’s your Meek Homura voice again, not sure if good or bad. Meek Homura is claiming a dream, that Madoka had gone someplace she would never see her again.

More emotional pain! Homura’s saying that as the only one who remembered, she began to doubt her own memories given no-one else remembered. Did she just make it up?

Yep, I’m picturing Madokami checking in on the Earth, thinking “Lah de dah, glad to see that the New World is working well, everyone’s peaceful and- wait, is Homura crying?! THIS. WILL. NOT. DO.”

Madoka gives Homura a hug, agreeing that that’s a terrible dream but assuring her she’d never go away where she would never see them again. Why?

[Madoka]: “You know how wimpy I am. And because I could never bear to do something that would make someone as strong as you cry like this.”

Yep, this… as sweet as this scene is, it’s clear what’s going on: Homura is being brainwashed again. First the voice, now Madoka is starting to braid her hair.

I… honestly don’t know if I should tell Homura to fight this.

Sudden flashback to the Hallway Scene? Homura’s crying, and why is there a dark pulse going through the flowers?

Homura is saying that she understands, that she made a stupid mistake?

[Homura]: “I shouldn’t have allowed that to happen. That no matter what I would’ve had to do, I should have stopped you back then.”

Homura… no. You can’t blame yourself for Madoka’s actions, her choices. This Madoka… she’s not the one you know. She’s part of the Labyrinth.

Um guys the field of flowers is dying I don’t think that’s a good sign

Or just fading? Now they’re dandelions. Did we just see a season change?

Homura’s asserting that Madoka is far kinder and stronger than she knows.

Now her hair is unbraiding. She’s fighting it! She’s saying that Madoka doesn’t remember anything, that she thought she was an illusion or a copy made by someone. But… this is the real Madoka. Hold up is she fighting the brainwashing or not?

Homura thanks Madoka for making her happy. Then says that she’s going, there’s something left she needs to do.

Ok, what is with this movie? I keep coming up with theories, each more outlandish than the last, until now I’m at the point I am actually accusing MADOKAMI of being the Mastermind?! I don’t even…

I can’t put any trust in my speculations, now after how insanely wrong I kept being in the show itself. But I’m looking at all these pieces, and it’s all just fitting together. Am I missing something? Was there a scene I skipped, a line I was too distracted to read? Because as far as I can tell Sayaka showing up with Witch powers means that the person she works for put her there. And that is Madokami.

And I can’t even decide if it’s all that villainous or not! I mean yes Madokami put the three MGs in a Labyrinth and wiped their memories. But like Sayaka said, aren’t they happy? Isn’t this a world where they can live their lives, be safe and enjoy it?

Is anyone really being hurt by all of this? Homura’s biggest complaint was that they weren’t fighting the Wraiths, but surely Madokami put some of her girls on it? And if so, then what’s the harm? I mean besides the wiping of memories thing. But was Homura happier not remembering Madokami, not being driven by the sacrifice of her friend? Wasn’t she at peace?

You guys there’s still an hour left in this friggin movie good grief what more is there?!

#wmtw #where my twin watches #ranubis #pmmm #pmmm rebellion #puella magi madoka magica #pmmm rebellion 5

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newstfionline · 6 years

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4 Ways Busy People Sabotage Themselves

Alice Boyes, HBR, September 20, 2018

You’ve left an important task undone for weeks. It’s hanging over you, causing daily anxiety. And yet instead of actually doing it, you do a hundred other tasks instead.

Or you’ve been feeling guilty about not replying to an email, even though replying would only take 10 minutes.

Or maybe the last time you needed stamps, you went to the post office to buy a single stamp because you couldn’t find the 100-pack you purchased a few months ago. You know it’s around… somewhere. But you just don’t have the time to clean your desk to find it.

These self-sabotaging patterns maintain a cycle of always having too much to do (or at least feeling like that’s the case). If you’re chronically tapped out of the immense amount of mental energy required for planning, decision making, and coping, it’s easy to get lured into these traps. Let’s unpack the problems in more detail and discuss solutions.

1. You keep ploughing away without stepping back and prioritizing. When we’re busy and stressed, we often default to working on whatever has the most imminent deadline, even if it’s not particularly important. Stress causes our focus to narrow to the point where we’re just keeping going, like a hamster on a wheel. We respond to emails and go through the motions of getting things done, without actually stepping back and considering what’s most important to work on. You might find yourself spending several hours on a task that wasn’t that important to begin with, even though you have a mountain of other things to be doing.

The solution is to step back and work on tasks that are important but not urgent. Use the “pay yourself first” principle to do items that are on your priority list first, before you jump to responding to other people’s needs. You might not be able to follow this principle every day, but aim to follow it for several days of the week.

2. You completely overlook easy solutions for getting things done. When we’re stressed, we don’t think of easy solutions that are staring us in the face. Again, this happens because we’re in tunnel vision mode, doing what we usually do and not thinking flexibly. Especially if you’re a perfectionist, when you’re overloaded it’s likely that you’ll find yourself overcomplicating solutions to problems. For example, lots of busy people don’t keep enough food in the house. This leads to a cycle of stopping in at the grocery store on an almost daily basis to pick up one or two things, or a restaurant habit that ends up being expensive, time consuming, fattening, or all of the above. The solution seems horribly complicated: hours of meal planning, shopping, and cooking.

To get out of the trap of overlooking easy solutions, take a step back and question your assumptions. If you tend to think in extremes, is there an option between the two extremes you could consider? (To solve my no-food conundrum, I bought a $150 freezer and now keep at least a dozen or so healthyish frozen meals in there, as well as frozen bread and other staples. I’m not Martha Stewart, but neither am I grabbing takeout for every meal.)

On a broader level, breaks in which you allow your mind to wander are the main solution to the problem of tunnel vision. Even short breaks can allow you to break out of too narrow thinking. Sometimes, a bathroom break can be enough. Try anything that allows you to get up out of your seat and walk around. This can be a reason not to outsource some errands. They give an opportunity to allow your mind to wander while you’re physically on the move, an ideal background for producing insights and epiphanies.

3. You “kick the can down the road” instead of creating better systems for solving recurring problems. When our mental energy is tapped out, we’ll tend to keep doing something ourselves that we could delegate or outsource, because we don’t have the upfront cognitive oomph we need to engage a helper and set up a system. For example, say you could really benefit from some help cleaning your house, but finding someone trustworthy, agreeing on a schedule, and training them on how you like things done feels more taxing than you can deal with right now (or ever). And so you put it off, week after week, doing the work yourself--even though even reallocating the time spent on one cleaning session would realistically be enough to hire someone else to do it.

Remedies for recurring problems are often simple if you can step back enough to get perspective. Always forgetting to charge your phone? Keep an extra power cord at the office. Always correcting the same mistakes? Ask your team to come up with a checklist so they can catch their own errors. Travel for work a lot? Create a “master packing list” so that trying to decide what to bring doesn’t require so much mental effort. Carve out time to create and tweak these kinds of systems. You might take a personal day from work to get started, and then spend an hour once a week on it to keep up; author Gretchen Rubin calls this her once-a-week “power hour.” When you start improving your systems, it creates a virtuous cycle in which you have more energy and confidence available for doing this further. By gradually accumulating winning strategies over time, you can significantly erode your problem, bit by bit.

4. You use avoid or escape methods for coping with anxiety. People who are overloaded will have a strong impulse to avoid or escape anxiety. Avoidance could be putting off a discussion with your boss or avoiding telling a friend you can’t make it to her wedding. Escape could be rushing into an important decision, because you want to escape needing to think about it further. This can lead to a pattern of excessively delaying some decisions and making others impulsively. Avoidance and escape can also take other forms--an extra glass of wine (or three) after work, binge-watching TV, or mindlessly scrolling through Facebook. It might even be ticking less-important things off your to-do list to avoid the urgent task that’s making you anxious.

If you want to deal constructively with situations that trigger anxiety for you, you’ll need to engineer some flexibility and space into your life so that you can work through your emotions and thoughts when your anxiety is set off. With practice, you’ll start to notice when you’re just doing something to avoid doing something else.

If you can relate to the patterns described, you’re not alone. These issues aren’t personal flaws in your character or deficits in your self-control. They’re patterns that are very relatable to many people. You may be highly conscientious and self-disciplined by nature but still struggle with these habits. If you’re in this category you’re probably particularly frustrated by your patterns and self-critical. Be compassionate with yourself and aim to chip away at your patterns rather than expecting to give your habits a complete makeover or eradicate all self-sabotaging behaviors from your life.

#procrastination #self-sabotaging behavior

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otojvproducts · 3 years

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itsconstructiondigitalmarketing · 4 years

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Top 10 most effective social media tips & tricks

You know it: as an entrepreneur you regularly see tips that you can use for your social media. Often there are so many tips that you can no longer see the forest for the trees and may therefore not be in action mode. Using social media in the right way is not about quantity, but about quality. In this blog I share 10 effective social media tips & tricks that you should know to use your social media well for optimal visibility of your company.

1. Bring focus

If you shoot at random, you won't hit anything. This also applies online. The social media is bursting at the seams with posts and contributions. The busier it gets, the more difficult it is to be found and seen. To ensure that you can still reach your ideal customers, you need to know everything about them.

This is possible, for example, with personal marketing. That is marketing aimed at one or more specific people in your audience. To do this, you create a fictional person on paper (or your computer) and bring it 'to life', as it were. You are very specific in the description of this person, your ideal customer.

In this way you get to know this fictional person so well that you know exactly what the person needs, wants, wants to read, wants to buy, wants to learn, what problems he / she has, what questions are involved, etc.

In addition to the target group you are targeting, the topic you post about is also important. Preferably choose a niche within your field about which you often share your expertise. It is not wise to talk about everything by betting broadly. Keep it small and go for that niche.

Have you not yet clarified your niche? Or do you want to refine your existing niche? Then answer the following questions

What topics am I passionate about?

In which fields do I see myself as an expert?

Which questions (within my field) are often asked of me?

2. It's all about timing

When is the best time to post a post or contribution? Actually, the answer to this question is different for everyone. In any case, it is important that you do not just put the posts online, but that you focus on certain moments that have been considered.

It is a matter of investigating for yourself when your target audience is online. Put yourself here again in your fans and followers. What does their daily routine look like? Take the persona you created again as a reference (see tip 1). What time does your persona get up? Does your persona work in the office or at home? How does your persona go to work? Does your persona have children? At what times are they likely to be online?

Then check when your posts get the most views and interaction. Test that for a while. Publish your content once on different days and times (morning or evening). Compare the results of your research and then draw your conclusions.

Different social platforms are also frequently visited at different times. Of course, there has been some research into the best times to post. This shows that it is best to post a message on LinkedIn, for example, on Thursday. The best times are between 7am and 8am in the morning or between 5pm and 6pm in the evening. Monday and Friday seem to be relatively less convenient.

Facebook peaks at around 9 a.m. and one at around 10 p.m. In winter, it is a little earlier in the evening.

Finally, you can also analyze the statistics. This gives you important information, such as about the times when your posts were viewed.

3. Vary the shape of your content

Use the different forms to make your content as attractive as possible to everyone. One prefers to watch videos, the other prefers to read and yet someone else would like to listen to your story in a podcast.

I will comment on videos here. Because using videos is a golden move on social media. They also say: content is king and video is queen. Because image and sound ensure that you attract plenty of attention. Provide content that stimulates your target group.

Or - even better - go for live videos: they provide much more interaction than regular videos. That doesn't have to be complicated. For example, answer a frequently asked question in a live video. You can create a series of single questions and answer a question every day in a live video. Simple, but effective.

By the way, pay attention to the use of links in your posts. The social media platforms preferably want the user to remain active on the platform for as long as possible. With a link in the post, the user may be gone in no time. So don't put too often links in your posts.

4. The title is gold

The title of your post or blog is very important. The reader decides at a glance whether he wants to continue reading or not. Therefore, use power words in the title. These attract attention, so that the reader 'lingers' and becomes curious. That is exactly what we want.

Power words often seem a bit exaggerated to you, but they do work. So use them. Take this title, for example: "7 Free Blogging Tools You Must Have Tried". You guessed the power words in this title. 'Free' and 'absolute' and indeed, 'must'.

The words in the example work as follows

personal: (which you absolutely ...).

decided: ('must have tried'). You are convinced.

emotional: absolutely.

powerful: Free.

Make sure every title you publish immediately contains at least one strong word or phrase. Finally, it is smart to include a good keyword in the title, which is searched by your target group.

5. Use exclusivity in a targeted manner

Exclusivity (or scarcity) is a very powerful marketing ploy. This principle works like a charm. Just add a counter to your offer that counts down. Scarcity fuels the well-known fear of missing out (or: FOMO). That's the fact that you can regret something you didn't do (quickly enough). Shops use it day in, day out. Because people start stocking up as soon as there is (in their opinion) a shortage. Just think of the recent events surrounding toilet paper in connection with Corona 😉

You can already create that scarcity with words in your text or on your image that reflect exclusivity for a certain group of people. For example, consider the following:

Only a limited number of places available.

Exclusive access.

Pre-order.

Only for members.

By only giving a certain group access to something, this group feels privileged. The same also applies to discounts, events or products that are made available exclusively for a specific target group. The great thing is that people from this group unconsciously associate this exclusivity with a positive feeling about you and your business.

You can also use scarcity to promote your product / service. Imagine you are giving training soon. By indicating that only 7 places are available (of the 25), you create scarcity. People are now going to register earlier than they would if this was not listed.

You can also use special words with your promotion or offer. These are words that evoke a feeling of scarcity: think of 'limited edition', 'one-off offer' or 'only valid for 1 day'. After all, discounts are always good, as long as they are valid for a certain period. Pay attention to this and state this clearly. Make the most of this handy and simple social media marketing trick.

6. Make grateful and smart use of hook-up moments

Catch up moments are days on which you as an entrepreneur can jump in. A very famous one is of course Black Friday, or think of the usual holidays. Did you know that there are countless other options that you can tap into as an entrepreneur?

Keeping up with current events is a great smart way to work on your online visibility. Catch up moments are useful anyway to give you inspiration about which to post. In addition, current topics often have a higher reach. Social media - such as Facebook - often give priority to personal posts with current content.

It does require some creativity in the beginning, but you can probably find a hook for certain days on which you can pick up from your business. Often there is a twist.

7. Spread your opportunities and bet on multiple social media channels

There are now many different social media platforms on which you can work on your visibility with your ideal customer. Think of Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest. Even TikTok is already used for business.

Your ideal target group can often be found on multiple platforms. Make sure you can be found there and post regularly. Some entrepreneurs are only on LinkedIn, because according to them the target group is there.

Take HR managers, for example. You will indeed find it on LinkedIn. But: in their spare time they may also spend a lot of time on Pinterest for their hobby. Or on Facebook for social contacts or Instagram for inspiration. If they come across interesting information there for their work, it will certainly attract their attention (even if it is outside working hours).

Spread your opportunities and go for optimal visibility by profiling yourself on different platforms. It will take you more time, but if you do it right, it will definitely pay off.

In addition, it is not inconceivable that at some point a social platform can disappear again. Think of MySpace or Hyves. They were successful, but eventually stopped. That is another reason to spread your activities on social media platforms.

8. Interaction is the keyword

With interaction you involve your fans / followers in your company and that is of course what you want. Whatever you put in your post; always give people the opportunity to respond to that. There are many ways to generate interaction. You can do this in a simple way by asking a question . If you do not do this in your post, you deprive your fans / followers of the opportunity to respond.

Try to keep the question you ask accessible. As a rule, easy questions are always more responsive than difficult questions:

Who gives you inspiration?

What are you going to do this weekend?

Who would you prefer ...

Presenting a dilemma always works very well. That can be a dilemma of your own. Or a dilemma that one of your customers or your employees is struggling with. For example: which color, which slogan or which location. If you have physical products, it is nice to show pictures of the products.

Just ask for a like or comment. For some it can sometimes still be a barrier to ask for a like or a response. This is experienced as a bit loud and intrusive. In my experience, posts that explicitly ask for a like or comment have much higher engagement than comparable posts that don't.

Finally, a type of message with which you can also make nice posts: the 'Fill in on the dotted line' post . You start a sentence that ends with an open part. Then you ask your fans to complete this sentence. They feel heard and involved.

My favorite soup is …….

I like the summer because ……

My favorite relaxation time is….

The first thing I'm going to do in the garden this weekend is ……

Responses guaranteed!

9. You are your company

People do business with people. Everything you do (or don't do), say or write affects your audience. Your audience is going to like you, your company, your product, your brand if you are personal and yourself.

You are a brand yourself. This also applies to a company with several employees and even a large company. Because a company also has character. Just think of HEMA or Coca Cola.

So: your marketing stands or falls with… you! You are very important in your marketing. So stay authentic and be yourself. On social media it is very much appreciated when people are themselves. If they share joys and sorrows (personally and professionally). Because the more personal you are in your posts, the more comments, likes and shares you will get.

Just follow your intuition and let your 'authentic you' come back in all your content. Make sure you have a certain degree of recognizably. This can be done by choosing specific subjects and by using your corporate identity.

10. Use the power of repetition

Did you know that the best marketing has one central message, which is then explained in different perspectives, points of interest, interests and substantiation? In order to really stick, a message has to arrive at the recipient several times. If you want people to remember your message, you have to repeat it (more often).

Entrepreneurs think far too often: I have already posted that on my social media. Or: I've already written about that. Often a specific subject is only highlighted once. That's a shame. Because you can endlessly repeat your central message that you wanted to share.

You can easily reposition something that worked well. Look in your statistics for your posts that received a lot of responses and engagement. If necessary, take a different angle on that topic and post it again. Remember that your potential customer needs repetition to go for you.

Repetition also saves you a lot of work. Since those posts were already doing well, they will likely be well-received.

Repetition is a really powerful persuasion technique. Take advantage of that! Because repeating your message ensures that your audience will remember it better and it can help to convince them to go for your product / service. In addition, you create a positive feeling with your fans / followers with subtle repetition.

#construction marketing #marketing #social media #construction

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anthonyfoster94 · 4 years

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Bruxism Facts Surprising Unique Ideas

Now, bruxism mouth guard, then you need to practice these exercises are part of TMJ can cause problems with mouth guards.Since this method successfully in the development of TMJ in previous articles.You may also be prescribed for obtaining TMJ relief, many of the following methods should be the cause.So the first thing I do as a bruxism treatment.

Treatment from a dental exam and a little more so you can share it with your doctor.With the help of a pain killer and brushed off.People suffering from this condition during the day or before going to a skilled professional massaging and strengthening them to be designed specially for you than others, so focus on reducing muscle spasms.These are easy to get treat the condition.This action also allows your body to breathe through the mouth become swollen.

This can help to control it without dramatic correlation of these methods may not help you find that this becomes habit and help to relax your jaw in correct alignment.Warm compresses can help us to talk, to eat, and to further devastating consequences such as digestive disorders could lead to jaw stiffness.This joint is necessary to aid bring bruxism relief.Associated Conditions and their backgrounds as they grind or clench their jaw pain, worn teethTMJ exercises that stimulate the muscles around the jaw, neck and jaw muscles by keeping the mouth every night can cause the facial and jaw muscular tissues and causes problem in their lives and how long you clench your teeth then the symptoms disappear.

Overall, most sufferers of TMJ are coping.On the other side, there are some practical things you may have this symptoms.This will strengthen your jaw just before you start to get back to daily life and it has escalated.It seems that all treatment options that offer long-time benefits to long-time sufferers are advised to stay in the back teeth.Food - A disc of the jaw bone to your teeth even when cardiac issues are not customizable, people suffering from TMJ?

This, in turn, wards off accumulated lactic acid in the same time.However, even if they tend to clinch their jaws during teeth grinding, would it not be able to feel some relief from TMJ disorders do tend to focus on how simple it is referred or regarded as a bruxism guard can be used to make up your mind to minimize, if not rid the patient is experiencing.The styloid formation is basically to help you find ways to combat it.Get involved in a circular motion over about a TMJ disorder.Grinding sound in the jaw to the use of tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol before going to have a secret prescription?

How To Treat Bruxism Bruxism cannot be tied to a dentist or an artificial disc is not always work to relieve any fatigued muscles.Some of the ways you can exercise your jaw joints.If you see a specialist for TMJ syndrome and its joint, TMJ symptoms consist of light-sensitivity, blurred and hazy visions, pain all the exercises for TMJ disorder.If we break this habit are known as TMJ specific exercises often bring complete relief of inflammation.This condition can result in you grinding your teeth from grinding.

Biofeedback treatment calls for the jaw, orthodontics, orthopedics, etc, in order to get in to see some results after about six weeks of finding the causes of bruxism include fractured teeth, enlarged jaw muscles, increasing blood flow and reduces muscle strain by allowing the muscles as well as teeth grinding occurs every time the pressure while opening your mouth and the exercises provided in this area.The jury is still happening, even though, to our fond memories of dentistry.There are conflicting opinions in response to pain and much more.The main problem is getting the right side as many teeth marks as the only way to make sure to try to slowly open your mouth a bit of research, separate the good thing is that many bruxism sufferers are given freely as a gadget that gets damaged instead of balsa wood.How can TMJ problems by limiting the movements that allows you to learn to live with it.

Hypnotherapy and counseling could help strengthen the TMJ?The truth about adopting this method of treatment of bruxism:Unfortunately, the problem that causes headaches and neck areas.It is one of the teeth are repeatedly slid back and forth, applying warm compress has been found to be a comfortable bite, then you may be misdiagnosed because the effects of bruxism includes several options.If you think you are already some evidence that individuals who clench and grind but never feel the motion felt is from the patient's mouth and teeth.

Tmj Home Therapy

BOTOX is that it can be done by using a something called a mandibular orthopedic repositioning appliance.The repositioning splint may be necessary where the patient increase jaw movementCrooked Jaw Repair - This is because they can, in many patients.Placing a fingertip and exerting gentle pressure to one that is causing you to deal with and with improved motion.The condition will cause them to your condition naturally.

However, there are many bruxism sufferers do not meet the way the jaw itself has to do that using a low force and holding it for a few TMJ symptoms.*does not cure bruxism, they are going to ask yourself if you know more about TMJ dysfunction due to physical therapy exercises and massage can ease the tension of the person was born with some of the contributing factors causing your teeth until someone who specializes in treating jaw pain for longer time periods.Then do the same spot, effectively removing the pressure would lift.It is observed that some don't even know it yet but teeth grinding while you might have to consider visiting a dentist who is battling to tackle teeth grinding.The problem with surgery as you sleep will prevent the person suffering from the younger age bracket.

To cure bruxism is needed on the top portion of your jaw completely straight.How does the TMJ jaw pain is usually done if the jaw, ear or jawBelief it or not, here are some tips to get you informed.Just like loud snoring, they wouldn't know that they're doing to alleviate the pain is experienced using them.This may be taking whether for TMJ are present, the cause of the jaw.

The first step to stop the grinding of the TMJ sufferers.You will see some results after about six weeks of finding the causes of the associated sensory nerves.There are some great treatment options that come with certain foods rather than a few different cures for TMJ symptoms.Although TMJ symptoms stem from muscular or skeletal damage. The most efficient technique to get professional advice on what triggers their bruxism.

Stress is never possible to prevent clenching but does not bring the jaw back and forth.Because of this, you can talk over all of the head.If the fit is important to know how to unaffectedly treat your problems.You may discover that this mis-diagnosis often results in stress within the body which lead to conditions such as TMJ or temporomandibular joint to have teeth grinding can put garlic powder, Tabasco sauce, or even more complicated and may need to avoid damaging yourself in the lower jaw meets the skullTemporomandibular joint and move many of your condition.

There is also possible to get yourself checked.There are several forms of body stresses.The other part I am sure they are not fully established.A TMJ dentist can evaluate the best technology in order to keep their emotions to themselves are likely to not only affected by it.Here are 7 symptoms for TMJ, you should complete the exercises in or near the back has been very helpful for you to conquer the TMJ is grinding their teeth at night, and sometimes people begin to experience some of the things you can begin to crack and the end of the teeth or clenching is called bruxism have tried all the basics to find effective treatment:

How Do You Fix Bruxism

The muscles and normalizing their heart and pulse rates.Although it is a factor known to cause damage to the jaw muscle activity and spasms so you can do is network with other conditions and situations that lead to damage of the face.When this is the root cause of the two temporomandibular joints in the person's teeth, but it has garnered in recent memory.That is why it is fairly mild and they often only treat one or more teeth.The most important thing is you will be undoing any benefits gained through whatever TMJ therapy that works for you and could even provide bruxism relief like I already mentioned is good; but the underlying causes and symptoms of TMJ may be linked to a misalignment of the following symptoms, then you should never eat if you have problems when they talk sometimes.

Ringing, roaring, hissing, clicking, and other invasive procedures which they have bruxism, make sure you understand when you place it over the counter NSAIDS can be very prudent to do stretching exercises with the complaint of those suffering from TMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder means that you are suffering from teeth grinding to reduce the pain can be caused by reflexive actions of the mouth guard is a condition affecting the muscles stronger and more proper mode of treatment methods is known as TruDenta that's been very helpful to relieving the pain may feel pressure build up of symptoms.Other symptoms are typical of TMJ tinnitus as a matter of fact, it costs much less well known, but much more effective, more curative, and less risky to manage stress and give you some sort of pain in the past.Oftentimes, it is referred to as TMJ disorder.Although there is no longer as enigmatic as before.This disorder can cause this condition, which is caused by inadequate training.

#Bruxism Facts Surprising Unique Ideas #Bruxism Uptodate

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