#she discovers that hey. fair games are fun actually. it becomes a Competition | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

owlscrawlings · 5 years

Text

Hyphen

Prompt: “I’m sorry-- I'm really sorry-- to interrupt but, see, you're saying it without the hyphen and it really bothers me...”

“The spiders. I’m summoning the spiders. I’m Spider-Man and you’re making me mad. I’m summoning the spiders. They will come to my call. Hundreds of them. Thousands, and all of them at my command.”

A/N: My new favorite hobby is taking lines Peter (funny or otherwise) has said in the comics and then doing this with them. I’ll post the comic panels here when I can.

Warnings: There is a swear in here somewhere (I think) There’s bickering, but it’s all in good fun.

Summary: Maybe you shouldn't play board games together anymore. No more Monopoly at least.

Word Count: 1347

Masterlist

Game nights at Peter's apartment had been a weekly occurrence since you'd become friends, and the event hadn't ceased once you started dating.

It started with the two of you and Ned, before adding Michelle into the fray, and it had always been a fun time. You'd each take turns voting on the games you played, nothing was off the table unless it was impossible for four people to play it.

Unfortunately, before and after you had started dating, there was one occurrence that happened almost every week without fail.

“That’s not fair!”

“What do you mean it’s not fair? It’s literally in the rules of the game that I can do that, It’s completely fair.”

"Just because it's in the rules doesn't mean you should do it, Peter!"

“I can’t believe you two are really arguing right now as if you weren’t the ones who decided on this game.” Michelle’s voice cut through the tension in the room. “It’s really not that serious you guys.”

“‘Not the serious.” Peter shot back at her, not even hiding the disbelief in his voice. “Of course it’s that serious, she just accused me of cheating!”

“That’s because you did cheat-”

“Guys!” Ned cut you off before any other accusations could be thrown out. “It’s just Monopoly.”

“It’s not just Monopoly Ned! He-” You pointed at Peter, “-knew that I only need that purple one in order to complete my monopoly and he stole it right out from under me.”

“It’s the whole point of the game! We can’t both win, it’s called Monopoly, not a… Duopoly!”

“Oligopoly?” Ned questioned.

“Ned now is not the time for your adorable little interjections.”

“Here we go again.” Michelle groaned, staring you and Peter down from across the table. “Every time we play a competitive game like this the two of you go from a happy couple to being on the verge of a divorce.”

It was unfortunately true. The arguments didn't happen every week, but they did happen every time you played any sort of competitive gave without teams. Never anything serious or lengthy, just petty things that you'd bring up after one of you took a turn and did something that the other found inconvenient (arguments that would subsequently be continued in a few rounds because neither if you could let it go).

“Well maybe if Peter wasn’t sure a dirty cheat I wouldn’t have to call him out for being such a jerk-wad.”

“Oh, so now I’m a thief and a jerk-wad?”

“Yes! Yes, you are! Just because you’re Spiderman and have superpowers doesn’t mean you get to-” Peter swiftly cut off your string of profanity but pressing his hand over your mouth.

“I’m sorry- really sorry to interrupt your attack on my character, but you’re saying it wrong.” He removed his hand from your mouth just a fast as he had placed it there, effectively leaving you a little confused as to how you were supposed to respond to what he just said.

“I- Saying what wrong?”

“Spider-Man. You’re saying it wrong.”

“Peter-” Ignoring the warning obvious in your tone, he continued.

“I can tell your saying it without the hyphen and, well, that goes against the rules-” You could hear the sarcasm oozing from his voice as he continued. “-of how it’s spelled and said and that really bothers me.”

“You made those rules up!”

“No, I didn’t. I’m Spider-Man and I get to make the rules on how my name is said and spoken.”

“Peter I swear, One of these days we're all gonna be playing a game and we’re gonna get mad at each other but instead of you doing this-” You gestured vaguely over his entire body. “-whole thing where you take the attention of how you’re in the wrong by making a bunch of unrelated jokes, I’m gonna kill you.”

Before either of you could make any more empty threats at each other, you turned away from him, hoping to get away with ignoring him or a while, and then you noticed Michelle and Ned conspiring with one another.

“What are you two doing?”

“Well, since you and Peter were so busy with your little lovers spat; Ned and I decided that it would only be fair if the two of us took our turns.” She waved the property card she had in her hands.

"Hey, I need that one!" Peter exclaimed, leaning forward as if he was going to snatch the red property card out of her hands, but he must've thought better of it because pulled back and watched as Michelle continued to wave it in his face. "That's not fair you guys."

"Oh, so you think that it's unfair now that it's not directly benefiting you, is that how it is."

"Hey guys, come on." Ned piped in, shuffling through a stack of colorful Bill's that you were 99% sure he hadn't had before you started this argument. "It's just a game."

"Come on Ned, not you too." He just shrugged nonchalantly, seemingly brushing off the comment in its entirety.

“Can you believe this Peter?” You huffed, turning to Peter to raise a complaint, which is when you notice the was he was just staring intently at Michelle in Ned as if he was suddenly going to gain laser vision. “Peter?”

“The spiders.” He said it so casually, the same way you’d say ‘Hi’ to someone in the hallways; as if there was nothing ominous about what he just said.

“The what?” Michelle’s facial expression wasn’t as smug as it had been a while ago, lingering somewhere between her usual blank expression and confusion.

“The spiders.” He repeated the phrase again, just as casually. “I’m summoning the spiders.”

“Peter, no offense, but you can’t summon spiders.” Ned pointed out after a moment of hesitation as if he’d suddenly run the numbers and he discovered a small percent chance that he really was able to summon spiders.

“Can’t I?” There was something in his voice that made you believe that he might have been telling the truth, and on the off chance that he wasn’t lying you moved a little further away from him on the couch. “I’m Spider-Man and you’re making me mad. So, I’m summoning the spiders.”

“Peter,” As you began talking you made the conscious decision to move a little futher away, because if he wasn’t lying theres no way that you were gonna get any closer to him. “Aren’t you being a tad overdramatic?”

“They will come to my call-”

“I mean we could just start the game over, it’s fine.” In spite of what you saw as a great segway to a different topic, he just kept going.

“-hundreds of them. Thousands, and all of them at my command.”

You shared a look with Ned and Michelle, who both seemed to feel the same discomfort at the idea that Peter might actually be summoning an army of spiders to attack you all.

"Let's play a different game. Yeah? Yeah." You stood abruptly, picking up the box from the floor and hastily picking up the game pieces from your forgone game of Monopoly.

"That's a great idea. We'll help, won't we Ned." Michelle began hastily collecting all of the cards from the table.

"Of course, I'm so excited to play a game." Ned shuffled through the money in his hands, separating them into their proper stacks.

"Good game guys, we actually made it a whole hour before we had to stop playing Monopoly this time." Peter grinned smugly, leaning into the couch. "We should play Mafia next."

"We can't play Mafia, there aren't enough of us for it to last more than like, 3 rounds." Michelle pointed out.

"That's a fair point."

"Hey Peter, maybe next time you wanna play a different game cause you're upset, you just shove the board at the table instead of making up superpowers." You called out over your shoulder as you went to look for a different game to play.

"Who said I was lying?"

You all cleaned up a little faster.

#my writing #peter parker x reader #spiderman #or #spider-man #whichever you like #peter parker #peter parker x you #its you #marvel x reader

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eah-exchange · 4 years

Text

Midnight

To: @grumpy-tea-enthusiast

From: @andtheyalllived Summary: Following the events of the Dragon Games, Briar invites Apple along on a blind date.

Rating: T

Characters: Apple White, Darling Charming, Faybelle Thorn, Briar Beauty, and Raven QueenShips: Apple White/Darling Charming, Faybelle Thorn/Briar Beauty

Author’s notes: Merry Christmas. I hope you enjoy!

Once upon a time, there was a princess.

It was CPR.

No matter which Fairytale Expert Apple talked to, they all said the same thing. Her mother, Milton Grimm, even the Evil Queen. When Apple fell into a coma after eating the Evil Queen’s apple, Darling had merely resuscitated her through cardiopulmonary resuscitation -- CPR. It has to be, they all explained. Because Apple White was a princess -- the future Snow White -- and Darling Charming was a damsel, not a knight in shining armor.

(If it had been Daring Charming who woke her by placing his lips against hers that would be an entirely different matter. But nobody mentioned that.)

Princesses simply did not get rescued by damsels. They got rescued by knights. And that was the end of the story.

“That’s bullshit,” Raven said, leaning against the wall of lockers. Apple’s mouth dropped. Princesses never swore, but Raven Queen was not a princess, and -- over the year that they had been roommates -- Apple had discovered that she actually swore a fair amount.

“Excuse me.” Apple pulled her books out of her bag, organizing them by the Dewey decimal system as she placed them into her locker.

“Nonsense. Crap. Faker than a fairy godmother’s personality,” Raven expanded. “Who says that TLK can’t happen between two princesses?”

“Literally everyone. My parents, for starters.” Because it was true. Literally, everyone Apple knew -- save Raven, Briar, and, surprisingly, Daring -- believed that True Love’s Kiss could only happen between a prince and a princess. But, Apple dismissed their opinions. Raven was the daughter of a villain, Briar was dating her arch-nemesis, and Daring was fiercely protective of his sister. They didn’t count.

Everyone else did.

“Oh, my Fairy Godmother, Apple,” Raven groaned, “You’re going to have to disappoint your parents eventually. Do you think my mother wanted me to forge my own destiny? No. She wanted me to be evil. Why do you have to be so difficult?”

“I’m not being difficult.” Even Apple didn’t believe the words as they left her rosy lips. She remembered the kiss. She remembered the flutter of Darling’s lips against her’s -- how absolutely unsure of it all she had seemed.

(There were nights when she dreamed of that kiss. It had been her first one ever. But she didn’t think about that. Not when she was awake, at least.)

“Have you ever considered that Darling might just be your Happily Ever After?”

“No.”

A lie, but Raven didn’t need to know that.

“Why not?”

“Because she’s a damsel and I’m a princess.”

“But if she weren’t -- if she were a knight in shining armor -- would you have any problems?”

The answer, of course, was no. Apple had never felt particularly attracted to the opposite sex. They were too loud, too smelly, and too different. If she were being honest with herself, her first female-crush was Raven herself. Not that Raven knew that. As far as everyone was concerned, up until the CPR incident, Apple had been one-hundred percent straight and destined to marry Daring Charming.

(Darling had been out and proud about her bisexuality since eighth grade. Sometimes, Apple hated her for it.)

“Of course.”

Another lie.

Tall, blonde, and beautiful, with incredibly well-defined muscles, Darling Charming was a walking dream. With her knowledge of etiquette, fantastic fashion sense, and skill with a sword, Darling was Apple’s dream princess.

But she couldn’t tell Raven that.

Because princesses ended up with knights in shining armor, not damsels.

Raven groaned. “You’re impossible.”

No, Apple thought. This is impossible. If she were Raven Queen, she’d be able to simply throw caution to the wind and race after the woman of her dreams, but she’s Apple White, and that means following her destiny.

CPR, Apple reminded herself. It was CPR.

She needed a distraction -- something to take her mind off of just how off-script her life had become in the past few months. She was Apple White, and that meant that she always knew what to do.

“Apple!”

Apple jumped at the appearance of Briar Beauty. Ever since Briar started dating Faybelle, she’d been happy -- happier than Apple had ever seen her. It didn’t make sense to her, especially considering that they spent half their relationship fighting and the other half making out. Briar had tried to explain it to Apple several times, but she didn’t understand them -- just like she didn’t understand Ashlynn and Hunter.

“Hey, Briar.”

“Hey yourself.” Briar grinned. “So, Faybelle and I have plans tonight, so I can’t make the book club.”

Apple’s book club was composed of herself, Briar, and Darling. But, since Apple wasn’t talking to Darling ever since the CPR incident, it now only consisted of herself and Briar.

“So, you’re saying that book club is canceled?”

“It wouldn’t be canceled if you’d talk to Darling,” Raven pointed out.

Apple glared at her friend. “You’re not helping.” Raven stuck her tongue out in response.

Briar gasped. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we have a double date?”

Apple blinked. “A double date?”

“Yes.” Briar nodded vigorously. “I’ll have Faybelle invite a knight in shining armor. It’ll be great.”

Apple hesitated. “I don’t know.”

“Come on. You need to stop worrying so much. Stop being so serious. It’ll be fun. Two princesses, a fairy, and a knight in shining armor. What could possibly go wrong?”

Apple could think of a dozen things that could go horribly wrong, but this was a distraction. She needed one of those. Apple released a sigh. “Fine.”

Briar squealed. Raven rolled her eyes, muttering something about Darling Charming and soulmates. Apple pretended not to hear her.

As far as restaurants went Way Too Wonderland was probably the fanciest in Book End. As usual, Apple arrived first. The maitre d’ ushered her to the table with an approving glance at her dress. It was deep red, slightly darker than Apple’s signature color -- closer to something Cerise Hood would wear, but Apple loved the dress. A black ribbon wrapped around her waist. Her back was exposed, covered only by sheer, colored fabric and a thin dusting of golden sparkles. The skirt was full, swishing in a satisfying way every time Apple moved. It was beautiful.

Briar and Faybelle appeared three minutes before their agreed-upon time, their hands intertwined. Apple frowned. She would not be envious of her friend. She was supposed to be happy for Briar, even if she was dating her enemy.

“I’m sorry,” Briar said. At that moment, Apple assumed she was apologizing for being late. At seven o’clock, Apple wasn’t so sure.

Darling Charming appeared at their table, dressed in a silver suit that was tailored to her lithe form. Her blue eyes flicked from Apple to Briar to Faybelle. A frown marred her tan face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize-”

“Sit, Charming,” Faybelle interrupted.

And because Faybelle was still terrifying and evil, Darling did, taking the remaining available seat right beside Apple. She offered Apple an apologetic smile. Leaning over, she whispered, “I’m sorry about this. If I’d known what Faybelle was planning, I never would have come. I know how uncomfortable I make you.”

You don’t make me uncomfortable, Apple wanted to say. Every time I see you I want to kiss you again. But she didn’t say that. Instead, she just shrugged. “It’s okay.”

CPR. It had been CPR.

Briar, for her part, was glaring at her girlfriend. Faybelle smirked. “Let’s order,” she said.

And they did.

Dinner wasn’t nearly as horrible as Apple imagined it would be. In fact, it was nice. Darling had spent her free time exploring Wonderland with the Wonderlandians, so she was familiar with all the foods. Briar and Faybelle laughed along to her jokes, and, for a second, Apple was able to forget that she was in love with the woman beside her.

That’s what it was -- love. Regardless of it being CPR and not TLK, Apple was still in love with Darling. And she had been for some time. They’d grown up together -- spent summers sliding down the banisters of each other’s castles -- running and hiding from her brothers -- giggling while racing horses. There was a time when Apple White had known Darling Charming better than she’d known herself. And then Darling had come out of the closet.

She was there when Darling’s parents yelled at her because of her desires. She was there when Darling burst into tears. She was there, and, at the time, she didn’t understand it. She didn’t understand how the Charmings could see Darling as anything other than perfect -- how they could let Daring get away with anything, but punish Darling for who she loved.

Now, she understood it perfectly.

Her father would be supportive if she told him, but her mother -- her mother would stop caring. She already spent as little time with Apple as possible, blaming her for having her father’s golden hair instead of her mother’s black, but if Apple were to tell her the truth, she’d stop talking to her. Could she sacrifice her mother’s approval for love? Apple didn’t want to answer the question.

All thoughts and worries flew from her mind as Darling’s foot brushed against hers underneath the table. Apple held her breath. Darling didn’t seem to notice. Darling’s checkered oxfords tapped against Apple’s heeled boots. And. She. Didn’t. Even. Notice.

A frown marred Apple’s face. This was unfair. How could Darling be completely and totally oblivious to the effect she had on her?

“Is everything alright, Apple?” Briar asked.

Apple nodded, quickly replacing her frown with a tight smile. “Everything’s perfectly fine.” She took a sip of her water, paying close attention to Faybelle’s rant about her latest cheer competition. She didn’t notice the smirk that crossed Darling’s features.

Apple didn’t have a car, which meant that rain or snow, she walked everywhere she went. The strange thing was that she actually, genuinely enjoyed it. All of her princess friends called her crazy. Briar did when the meal was finished and they parted ways, rolling her eyes and dragging Faybelle to her car. Darling offered to walk home with her.

“You don’t have to,” Apple insisted.

“I want to.”

And so, they left Way Too Wonderland behind, strolling in silence down the snow-covered streets of Book End. Apple liked the winter. Most princesses preferred spring, but there was something peaceful about being surrounded by snow -- something magical. But that magic was stifled by the awkwardness that lingered in the air between Darling and herself. After a minute, Darling sighed.

“I wish I’d never kissed you,” she admitted, breaking the silence.

Apple tensed. Of all of the things she was expecting Darling to say, that way not one of them. Bitterness seeped into her bones. Of course Darling wished she never kissed her. Nobody really wanted to be romantically attached to Apple White at the end of the day. She was never anyone’s first choice -- not her mother’s and certainly not Darling’s.

“It was CPR,” Apple corrected.

Darling snorted. “Is that what you’re telling yourself?”

“It’s what everyone says it was. Even the narrators, according to Maddie.” And it was. Maddie had rambled something about there being a book version of their life that explained the incident as CPR. Apple didn’t understand what she was talking about. She didn’t really care.

“Then why didn’t it work when Daring performed ‘CPR’ on you?”

Apple stopped in her tracks. “What?”

Darling stopped beside her. She arched an eyebrow. The light from the streetlamps shone against her blonde hair. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold. She looked beautiful. Apple thought it was completely unfair.

“When you fell into the enchanted sleep, everyone thought that Daring could wake you up, since he was supposed to be your knight in shining armor. He kissed you.”

Apple’s jaw dropped. “Daring kissed me?” She couldn’t even begin to consider how disgusting that was. Daring might as well have been her brother. She’s always had a hard time viewing him in a romantic light, even when they were together.

“Yeah.” Darling nodded. “I thought you knew.”

“I didn’t.” Apple shook her head. “That’s gross.”

A small smile appeared on Darling’s face. “You’re probably one of the only girls at school who’d think that kissing my brother’s gross.”

“That’s because it is gross. Disgusting. Do you have any idea how many girls he’s made out with? I could have gotten mono.”

Darling laughed at that -- a beautiful, head-thrown-back laugh. Apple’s heart stuttered in her chest. A smile came to her face. She could be happy like this, she realized. Just making Darling laugh for the rest of her life. She could be happy.

A second later, Darling stopped laughing, the smile vanishing from her face. “But not as disgusting as kissing me,” she said, turning away.

Apple’s heart dropped. Darling thought she hated her. Darling thought Apple hated her because she was too afraid to tell her the truth. CPR. Darling was right. It was an excuse -- a lie she was telling herself. Because if the kiss was just CPR then she didn’t have to face the truth -- the reality that her mother would be disappointed because of her TLK.

From the beginning, her parents had pushed her to have romantic feelings for Daring. They wanted Apple to be a Charming Queen. Oh, the irony. Darling was standing before Apple, disappointment clearly written across her face. She thought that Apple was disgusted by her. And she wasn’t. She could never be disgusted by Darling.

Raven’s words from that morning rose to her mind. You’re going to have to disappoint your parents eventually. And she would. So, why not start now?

Apple grabbed Darling’s arm before she could leave. “I’m not disgusted by the kiss,” Apple admitted because they were alone and it was quiet. Godmother, this was terrifying. “I liked it.”

A smile tugged at Darling’s lips. “You did.”

“I did.” Apple nodded. “I’ve been taught my entire life that I’d be rescued by a knight in shining armor. You’re destined to be a damsel in distress. And my mom said that it was CPR, citing some long-lost resource from our ancestors, and I believed her because she’ll be so disappointed in me.” Apple released a shaky breath. “Darling, I think I’ve had feelings for you since eighth grade.”

Darling smirked. “You have feelings for me?”

Apple’s cheeks flushed. “Shut up.” She glanced away, looking anywhere but Darling -- the streetlight, the clocktower, the snow on the ground.

“Apple.” Darling fingers brushed against Apple’s chin, directing her gaze to her face. Apple watched her pink lips form the words, “I’ve always been a knight in shining armor.”

Apple’s heart swelled in her chest. Grabbing the lapels of Darling’s coat, she pulled the taller woman down, capturing her lips with her own. Apple White had only been kissed once before, and that had been short, tentative. This was anything but. This was a truly epic kiss.

Behind them, the clock chimed midnight.

“Why’d you invite Darling to dinner?” Briar asked her girlfriend.

They were sitting beside each other on her bed watching the most recent installment of The Great Book End Bakeoff on her laptop. These were Briar’s favorite moments -- sitting alone with the one person on the planet who truly understood her. Neither of them looked particularly attractive in flannel pajamas, their faces clean of makeup, but it didn’t matter to Briar. She was happy.

Faybelle glanced away from the screen. She shrugged. “I guess I got tired of you ranting about them. Decided to do something about it.”

“Are you sure you didn’t do it because you couldn’t ignore their pining looks?” Briar arched an eyebrow.

Faybelle scoffed. “That would insinuate that I care about anyone other than myself.” She hesitated for a second before adding, “And you.”

“Awe, babe. You care about me.”

“Of course I care about you,” Faybelle huffed. “Who else in this loser school would I date. I am not a fan of princes or knights in shining armor, and Duchess is unfortunately straight. Really, you were the only viable option.”

“Thanks,” Briar said dryly. A moment later, she added, “I care about you too.” She didn’t miss the way Faybelle’s cheeks reddened before she dived under the covers. Briar couldn’t help but smile.

Silently, she hoped that Apple and Darling would find as much happiness as she had. Little did she know that they did.

And so, two princesses, a fairy, and a knight in shining armor, all lived happily ever after.

#grumpy-tea-enthusiast #andtheyalllived #gifts 2k19

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thirstyfortom · 6 years

Text

The Day Off

JaeheexMC

Teen and Up Audience

Fluff

Celebration one-shot for Baehee’s bday <3

She wouldn’t usually ask for it. Jaehee would have more guts to ask for a raise – not that she needed it – than to make such request. She rehearsed in front of Elizabeth for almost an hour, as if the cat was her owner himself standing there in front of her, listening to her solicitation, knowing it was fair. She has been working hard for the company, not missing a single day of work over the past two years, it’s not that it’s because of her birthday, it’s because something much more important happens to go on in the same day as her birthday.

Zen got an amazing role at a new production in the New Year’s Eve, the tickets will be sold at a limited time on December 28. Considering Zen is becoming more and more popular each day, the chances of her ending up without a ticket are high if she’s at work. So all she wants for the day is Jumin to give her the day off.

And he did. Reluctantly? Yes. With a subtle passive aggressive tone, remarking everyday of work is important? Yes. But when she woke up that morning, remembering that there was no need to get ready for work, she couldn’t care less about what Jumin would be really thinking about this.

Seriously, not even the huge line of girls waiting for the ticket office to e open discouraged her. Even that seemed better than running after some senseless cat project. Yes, the line wasn’t great, but what would e waiting her at the end of it was perfect!

Jaehee feels quite anxious. Did she take the right amount of money? It would be impossible to come back to the bank right now without risking on missing her spot… she opens her wallet to check it. Her ID falls from the wallet, next to the foot of the girl in front of her.

The girl looks at it, grabbing and handing her with a soft smile. Jaehee nods and say “thanks”, when she looks ahead, the girl already has her back on her again.

“Why don’t they send these tickets online, for God’s sake?”

“I don’t think the company producing this actually has that much money to make a deal with ticket selling websites…” she heard the girl answering to another one next to her.

“You think so? It’s a pretty big production, considering they hired Zen and all…”

“Well, Zen is talented and big in social media, but he’s not that famous.”

“Yet.” Jaehee whispers, surprised when the girl says the same word and looks behind her. Did she hear her?

“Ugh… maybe we would have more chances to get the tickets if they were sold online… look at this! I don’t even see where the line starts!”

“Don’t worry, we got here early, we’ll definitely get one! I’m so excited to see Zen live! The girl squeals a little.

“Oh yeah… you never saw him live, right?”

“Nope, I just started following his career a few months ago… can’t believe my first time seeing him so close will be at such an exclusive play…”

How cute… the girl is a newcomer… Jaehee remembers when she discovered Zen’s work and felt mesmerized almost instantly by his presence on stage and beauty. She… understands this girl’s excitement.

Almost one hour until the line started moving. She killed the time going through some things she would have to take care of once she got back to work, then she checked the previous logs in the RFA’s chat room. She wanted to keep track of what was going on, even if there wasn’t much, but deep down there was that small need of seeing if Jumin was online, if he was talking about her…

How weird. She doesn’t like this job, she knows she doesn’t, but at the same time, imagining that she’s not pleasing her boss and filling her duties bother her. Sometimes, she would like to… not care at all. Just for once. Wouldn’t it be liberating?

She sighs softly, how does she always end up thinking about things like that? These are so pointless… she should just focus on that ticket and enjoy what’s left of her day off. Tomorrow everything is back to normal, and those useless thoughts will have to leave room for analyzing documents, checking Mr. Han’s appointments, taking care of that cat… practical thoughts, thoughts that make her money. So just for now… better focus on this line and on that precious ticket.

“Sorry, ladies. Sold out.” The cashier in the ticket places a little plaque to confirm what he just said.

All the people behind her groan and sigh, she is even hearing some sobs behind her, but soon they let it go and start walking away. She should do the same…

So frustrating! She was this close to get one ticket! It was only that newbie fan in front of her, and then it would be her turn!

“N-no! That can’t be!” she watches the girl in front of her looking at her friend, both of them looking very frustrated, even if that other girl got her ticket. “I… I’ve been waiting here for hours!”

“Sorry, miss. Try to get here earlier next time.”

“But I… I… got here early…” it looks like she’s pouting. How childish… and why is she even here watching this? If there is no ticket for this girl, there won’t be for her either…

“Tell you what, miss. Let’s work a deal… the workers here have the right to one ticket… I’ll gie you mine… if you give me something in return…” she doesn’t even have to see the guy’s face to know he’s grinning mischievously. Disgusting…

“I… that’s…”

“I don’t think this would be fair.” She says loud and clear, making the girl turn to look at her. “If it’s sold out, then it’s sold out. You can’t make such an outrageous offer like this.”

“Why not? She wants something from me, I want something from her. That’s offering and demanding, baby.”

“Don’t call me ‘baby’, please.” She hisses, noticing the girl widening her eyes and staring at her.

“Oh… what is that about? Are you jealous? We can work a deal too, you know?”

“Hey, she got here first!” the girl’s friend interferes, pointing at her. “If you’re going to make the deal with someone, it has to be with her.”

“I never said I’m making this deal.” You speak. Oh good… so she thinks this is preposterous too. Good to know she has some sense.

“So you’re not interested in this? What a shame…” the guys fidgets the ticket in his hand. “What about you, then?” he turns to Jaehee.

“I must refuse. I didn’t take a day off from work to this, honestly…”

“I… I think there’s another way of solving this.” The girl says, looking at her, then at her friend and smiling.

“Girl… really?” she gives the same wicked smile.

“Yep! I call… A ZEN OFF!” she points at Jaehee. Wha… what?

“A what now?” she and the cashier ask at the same time.

“Five rounds, we answer questions about him. The one with more right answers get the ticket!”

“I… I’m not doing this…”

“Why not? Come on, it’s better than his idea.” She has a point…

“Just let it go and show your boobs to him, MC. She’s probably afraid of losing…” Jaehee looks at the girl’s friend teasing smile.

“I know everything about Zen. Even if I didn’t, I definitely know more than someone who just knows him for a few months.” Both the girls back away in surprise.

“Were you listening to our conversation? How rude…”

“If you talked lower, I wouldn’t have heard it.”

“Okay… this is interesting…” the guys says, leaning his chin on his hand and looking at the three of them.

“Fine. Are you willing to prove it?” the girl asks, cocking an eyebrow. “It will be very embarrassing when you lose to such a poser like me.”

“I never said you were a poser. Well, doesn’t matter, because I’m not losing to you.”

“We’ll see about that… HIT ME!” she shouts at her friend.

“Uhm… okay. So… how old was Zen when he debuted in musical theatre?”

“16.”

“Correct! Okay, strange lady. Zen played a musical that was based on a game. Who did he play and what’s the name of the game?”

“He played Jisoo in Tenderlion.”

“Correct! This was just a warm-up round, time to bring the big guns. MC… True or False: Zen will appear on an anti-tabagism ad.”

“False. He smokes. He wouldn’t tell people to do something that he doesn’t follow himself.” Oh… she just sounded like she knows Zen personally. But you proaly don’t, and that’s Jaehee’s upper hand on this.

“Correct! You… what’s Zen’s favorite beer?”

“He drinks Kass on week days, but treats himself with Mykenen on weekends.”

“Correct! MC… how old was Zen when he removed the mole on his back?”

“Trick question. Zen never had moles.”

The girl said there would only be five rounds, but as the… “game” progresses and neither of them answer anything wrong, the questions keep coming and getting more difficult and… weirder. However… Jaehee would be lying if she said she wasn’t having fun. This girl here is tough competition. And what a clever way to try to find a solution that didn’t involve doing anything direct to that gross man…

“Okay, this started fun, but it’s getting boring, ladies.” The guy whines.

“Oh… just one more question! Only a true fan would know this one… “ the girl’s friend say “So… Zen commented once that his favorite birthday gift was this shiny silver box filled with candy. What was his favorite toffee candy’s flavor?”

Wait, that’s a tricky question… Zen did get that, but it was part of a prank since his birthday is on April Fool’s…

“Vanilla.” The girl states. Jaehee frowns. No… this…

“Incorrect!” her friend shouts, looking more frustrated than the loser herself. “It was a trick question! Zen doesn’t like candy, he got it as an April Fool’s joke!”

“Oh… yeah, that’s right…” she smiles wryly. “Well, seemed like I lost… hand her the prize, dude.”

“None of this would be necessary if you just blew me, you know?”

“Yeah, I do.” She says sarcastically. “Well, congratulations.” She offers her hand for Jaehee to shake.

“Th-thanks…” she takes her hand, such a confident and firm handshake, such a warm hand… “You… did very well too.”

“Yeah, but I still have a lot to learn… well, have fun and give Zen the appreciation he deserves. Happy New Year!”

“To you as well…” she nods and smiles.

And as she watches her and and her friend go, she holds the ticket in her hands, wondering if there was no way she could make it up to her. Could she talk to Zen and see if he could get her one extra ticket, perhaps? She does have the upper hand of knowing him personally… well, she could, but she didn’t get any contact info from the girl, just her name… oh well… you’ll probably meet again at one of Zen’s performances. That’s what she hopes for, at least.

***

“You’ve lost on purpose, MC!” your friend gives you a small slap in your shoulder “You’re the one who sent Zen the candy as a joke!”

“Did I? Oh… I must have forgotten.” You shrug, making your friend narrow her eyes at you.

“Don’t tell me you felt pity because she was on a day off! Maybe she was just lying, you fool!”

“Hum… I do think she needs it more than I do, have you seen the circles under the poor girl’s eyes?”

“I barely paid attention to her. You’re just… ahhh, you’re just too nice sometimes!”

Well, unlike your friend, you did pay attention to her, mainly because you thought she was kinda cute, even looking so tired… but what made you answer the question wrong was the fact you caught a glance at her ID when she dropped. Her name is Jaehee, and her birthday is today. Giving the lady something nice on her birthday isn’t “too nice”, it was just… right for you.

#mystic messenger fics #mystic messenger #jaehee kang #jumin han #elizabeth the 3rd #mystic messenger zen #hyun ryu #mc x jaehee #jaehee's birthday special #gayhee for jaehee #not just today but everyday

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littlerose13writes · 6 years

Text

The Lily Special by LittleRose13

Day 6, The 12 Days of Shipmas - Did someone spike the eggnog?🍾

In which Lily is given a lifetime kitchen ban and Albus vows to never become an actor.

Words:2,657

Pairings: Albus/Scorpius, Teddy/Victoire, Harry/Ginny

24th December, 2026

Everyone in the family knew that Lily Potter loved board games. They also knew that Lily Potter was the most viciously competitive member of her generation. These two facts were why everyone avoided playing games with her on the off chance she lost and threw a tantrum or a hex their way.

But Christmas Eve was the exception. It was the one night of the year Lily could convince her family to play with her, and they didn’t hold back. Now Lily was no longer a child, her brothers thought she could handle losing from time to time, and they did their best to make that happen. Some rather underhanded tactics had taken place in previous years to prevent Lily from winning.

As the kids got older - and James started playing professional Quidditch and really discovered his competitive side - the gameplay became even dirtier. With the addition of alcohol in more recent years, Potter Christmas Eve Game Night was really quite something to behold.

Of course Teddy had always been part of Game Night too, and then Victoire when he married her. This year was the first year their baby twin girls were also in attendance. Albus started to bring Scorpius along from their first Christmas out of Hogwarts and living together and Scorpius enjoyed the whole thing immensely. James, ever the bachelor, was unlikely to bring anybody with him. Lily was gushing to anybody who would listen about her new boyfriend who she’d met at university, but he was a muggle and it was a very new relationship so she hadn’t brought anyone either.

“Who wants The Lily Special? I make them at uni all the time.” Lily asked her family loudly, brandishing a cocktail glass. Everybody said no, apart from Scorpius who politely asked what was in it before Albus listed the five different types of alcohol included and Scorpius shuddered.

“I can’t drink much tonight. The twins have never slept away from home before,” Teddy explained, appearing in the living room with his wife after having put their twins down to sleep in the spare room.

They were three games in, Lily was in second to last place (Harry was last because he always let Lily beat him) and she was really not enjoying herself. She was bored of being picked on by her brothers in every single game and the smug look on Albus’ face was starting to get to her.

“Next we’re playing Mandrake Mime!” Lily insisted and Albus rolled his eyes at the mention of the game which only Lily actually knew how to play.

“That game is the worst.”

“Last place always gets to choose,” Lily turned to her father, who was nursing a firewhiskey and making eyes at his wife sat beside him. “Daddy, do you choose Mandrake Mime?”

Harry looked up, confused. “What? Oh, yes definitely.”

Lily gave Albus a triumphant look. “You’re incorrigible,” he muttered as she set the game up.

“Cheer up Al, this one’s always hilarious.” Scorpius poked Albus in the side. “What was it you had to do last time?”

“I don’t remember,” he muttered.

“He had to mime eating a hot dog and didn’t understand why we were all laughing so hard at him,” Teddy put in helpfully.

“That’s you lot and your dirty minds, not my intention.” Albus held his hands up.

Lily scoffed. “Probably for the best, otherwise I’d feel sorry for Scorpius if that’s actually how you-”

“Who wants more eggnog?” Ginny quickly interrupted and offered it round. Albus was rolling his eyes at Lily and Scorpius had turned bright red. With a triumphant look, Lily shook her head and gestured to her own glass which was already full with some concoction probably containing copious amounts of vodka, knowing Lily.

Despite Al’s protests, they played Mandrake Mimeand to Lily’s delight, the withstanding ‘don’t let Lily win’ rule was sidelined in favour of ‘pick on Al’ instead. The game required each player to choose someone to act out a phrase on a card, and there was also a board and a complicated system of earning tokens, which only Lily understood.

Nobody was paying a great deal of attention to any of the rules and instead they were enjoying winding Albus up.

“Oh, it’s my turn to draw a card.” Scorpius innocently took a card from the pile and held it face down. “Let’s see, who do I choose?” He pretended to consider everybody before handing the card to a scowling Albus with a flourish. Albus was in such a bad mood by this point that Scorpius was probably the only person who could have gotten away with giving him another card.

“I’m moving out, you no longer have a housemate,” Albus said to Scorpius as he begrudgingly took the card and read it to himself. “Or a boyfriend.”

“It’s okay Scorp, you can move in with us, can’t he Dad?” Lily patted Scorpius on the shoulder.

“Any day Scorpius. You’re much tidier than Albus.” Harry grinned at Albus who was rolling his eyes but was taking the teasing well.

“Can I get this over with?” he held the card up.

“Short, scrawny potions nerd,” James yelled as soon as Albus stood up.

“Wow, Jamesy. Got it in one.” Albus threw the card down in front of his brother and fell back onto the sofa next to his boyfriend. “Can we play something different now? I’m bored of being a performing monkey.”

“This says realising you’ve forgotten your wand,” James read the card incredulously.

“Yes!” Lily drowned out everyone else. “That means I won that game!”

There was a collective groan.

Somehow the next game didn’t ever happen as the family descended into conversation and everyone was too busy drinking and talking to bother setting up another game, even Lily. Albus and Scorpius were curled up together in an armchair, not far from the sofa which Victoire was sat on with Ginny and Harry. Over on the other sofa, Lily was leaning against James and tapping at her muggle mobile phone, chatting to Teddy as she did.

Teddy’s wand, which was lying on the mantelpiece, emitted glowing sparks and the sound of a baby crying came from it. Victoire put her drink down immediately.

“If one of them wakes up, it doesn’t take long for the other one to join her,” she muttered to Ginny, rising to leave.

“I’ll do it, you stay here, Princess.” Teddy was on his feet already and he kissed the top of her head, stroking her hair lovingly. “I love you so much.”

Vic raised her eyebrows as she watched him leave.

“That was… sweet. A little over the top, but sweet.” Ginny was confused by her almost-son’s behaviour.

“He’s drunk,” said Victoire shrewdly, narrowing her eyes into the distance where Teddy had just left. “That, right there, that was drunk Teds.”

“I thought he wasn’t drinking much ‘cause of the babies?”

“So did I.” Victoire looked thoughtful. “He’s barely drank at all since we found out I was pregnant, it’s supposed to be a solidarity thing. I told him he didn’t have to but, well, you know what Teddy’s like.”

“His taking-care-of-people thing,” Ginny said proudly. “What happened tonight then? It’s not like Teddy to just abandon ship like that.

Victoire considered her question for a second and then turned in her seat. “Albus!”

He looked up from his boyfriend and grinned at her, his green eyes giving away instantly that it wasn’t only Teddy who was drunk.

“What did you give my husband to drink?” She eyed his full glass of something that looked like one of Lily’s Special Cocktails.

Albus gestured vaguely to the door that Teddy had just left through. “Your husband went that way.”

“Not really what I asked. You’re no help when you’re drunk, Al.”

He shrugged and took a sip of his drink happily. Scorpius had been listening to their exchange and luckily was able to shed light on Vic’s question where Albus had failed.

“He’s just been drinking this delicious eggnog all night. It’s not strong at all.” Scorpius was holding a glass of said eggnog precariously as he spoke and Victoire looked at him suspiciously.

“Give me that a second.” She reached for his glass and he obliged. One quick sip confirmed that Harry’s eggnog recipe certainly was strong.

“Merlin, Uncle Harry! How much rum did you put in this?” She turned to her uncle who was all kinds of confused.

“James made it this year.”

Everyone turned to look at where James was sitting and talking to Lily.

“What?” he said, looking up when he sensed so many people looking at him.

“How much alcohol did you put in this?” Ginny asked, looking confused but also like she was trying to hold back laughter.

“Did someone spike the eggnog?” James looked shocked and appalled, and grabbed Scorpius’ glass from Victoire’s hand to taste it. “Tastes fine to me. I followed Dad’s recipe exactly. Lily helped me, you saw, didn’t you Lil? I used the recipe.”

Lily didn’t respond and was looking rather shifty.

“Lily Luna Potter!” Ginny reprimanded her daughter as if she were seven, rather than eighteen. “You didn’t?”

“Come on, you have to admit it made everything more fun. Look at Scorpius.”

“Oh, hi everyone,” Scorpius said, looking pleased when he noticed so many eyes on him. He’d conjured himself a party hat which he’d been unable to convince anyone else to wear with him.

“You got Teddy drunk, Lil.” Ginny looked as if she was slightly amused by her daughter’s actions.

“He got drunk from that? When did he become such a lightweight?” Lily looked incredulous. “He’s not Scorpius.”

“Hey!” Scorpius said, offended, but then he shrugged his shoulders. “Actually, fair point.”

“You’re a cheap date,” Albus threw an arm around his shoulders and stole his party hat.

“Your idea of a lightweight isn’t on the same page as anyone else’s if your stories from freshers week are anything to go by, Lil.” Ginny rolled her eyes.

“Teds hardly ever drinks anymore, Lily,” Victoire explained calmly; she wasn’t upset by the situation because drunk Teddy just meant he was more tactile and a bit soppier than usual.

“Since he had babiesand turned boring,” Lily muttered, stirring her own drink with a straw. Victoire laughed at her words and got up to go to the kitchen and refill her drink, taking Harry’s glass with her too.

Teddy appeared in the kitchen, their daughter held firmly in his arms, one of her hands in his as he exaggeratedly danced around with her and she squealed in delight. “That’s your mummy, the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Victoire rolled her eyes and took the baby from him. “Is Clemmie still asleep?”

Teddy didn’t seem to hear her, he was still holding their daughter’s little hand and making exaggerated faces at her. “I love your mummy so much, and I love you so much.”

Victoire looked around the kitchen and lowered her voice so nobody else could hear her use his pet name. “Blue Bear, I know you’re drunk right now. Lily spiked the eggnog. I don’t mind one bit, you can stop all this.”

He smiled at her gratefully, as Pippa let go of his hand. “Thought you’d be cross with me,” he muttered, stroking the baby’s blonde hair. “S’all Al’s fault.”

“It’s actually all Lily’s fault,” Victoire replied, leading Teddy back into the living room with their baby. They were met by both Ginny and Scorpius descending on them to coo over the baby.

Ginny took her from Victoire and Scorpius held onto her little hand, waving it around and making faces at her. Baby Pippa was smiling widely at him and her smile grew even bigger when she spotted Teddy again over Scorpius’ shoulder. She reached out for him and Ginny obliged, handing the baby over to her dad where she curled into him and rested her head on his shoulder.

“She’s normally such a good sleeper,” Victoire sighed, watching her daughter.

Scorpius ended up sat on the floor with his back up against the sofa, his knees bent up and Pippa sat across his stomach happily.

“Look at her little feet, and her little toes, and her little pyjamas. Look how little she is.” Scorpius was practically in tears over how cute the lower half of baby Pippa was. He was talking to Albus, who was spread out on the sofa behind him, giving non-committal noises of comprehension every few seconds and gazing at the baby too. “She’s just so little, wow, so small. She’s like a human, but really tiny.”

“Have you done your term in the neo-natal ward yet, Scorpius?” Victoire asked him, watching her daughter giggle. Victoire was a junior Healer and she’d chosen to specialise in mental health magic; Scorpius was in his third year of Healer school and about to choose his own specialism.

“That’s my last one! I’ve got the whole paediatrics department still to go. I’ve been in Spell Damage this past term, and before that Potion Poisoning.” Scorpius turned to speak to her then immediately shifted his gaze back to the baby and started cooing over her again.

“I think you’ll enjoy it,” she laughed as Scorpius babbled away to her daughter.

“You should have seen him when he was on the Labour and Delivery ward.” Albus grinned, sitting up on the sofa behind his boyfriend. “Albus, this baby was only this big. He was so small, only this big I tell you.”

“I don’t sound like that!”

“You do a bit, love.” Albus stroked Scorpius’ shoulders and Scorpius, noticing he’d sat up, picked baby Pip up to sit beside Albus on the sofa. The baby reached curiously towards Albus and he leaned forward to take her from Scorpius. Pippa was more interested in grabbing a fistful of Al’s hair, and his neck was stuck tilted at an odd angle as she happily pulled at it.

“Your daughter’s broken my neck, Ted,” Albus laughed, his head still leant over to one side. Teddy didn’t hear him because he was curled up against his wife who was stroking his hair fondly and keeping an eye on their daughter from across the room.

Scorpius freed Al’s hair from Pippa’s grip and she looked at him reproachfully. “She’s cross with you now,” Albus observed.

“I’m sorry, Pippy. I’m quite attached to your Uncle Albus’ hair,” Scorpius told her very seriously and she giggled at him, squirming down further and settling herself across Albus’ chest.

Albus kissed the top of her head. “I think I want one, one day. A long time from now.” He spoke loud enough so that only his boyfriend could hear.

“Me too.” Scorpius rested his head on Albus’ shoulder and gazed down at the baby too. “You know I can’t give you one of these. Or did you mean with somebody else?” he said quietly.

Albus looked up at him and furrowed his brow. “Of course I meant with you.”

“Which takes me back to my original point. I can’t give you a baby, I lack certain essential components.”

Albus laughed lightly as Pippa crawled across the two of them, landing on top of Scorpius. “We’ll work something out. Imagine having one of these around all the time.”

Pippa sat up and stared at Scorpius, as if realising for the first time that he was neither of her parents. Her bottom lip trembled and she let out a piercing scream, attempting to throw herself from his lap. Scorpius’ reactions, while slower than usual, still kicked in to catch her in time, but that only made her cry more. He hastily lifted her up to deliver her back to Victoire, where she settled almost instantly.

“I think I prefer it just the two of us for now,” Scorpius sighed, throwing an arm around his intoxicated boyfriend. Albus nodded in agreement.

#12 days of shipmas #Harry Potter fanfiction #scorbus #tedtoire #hinny #Scorpius x Albus #teddy x Victoire #Harry x Ginny #12daysofshipmas #thelilyspecial #mywriting #littlerose13

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calorieworkouts · 5 years

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The dance of life

This 'athletic musician' shares his approach to staying healthy in mind, body and spirit

Derek Hough is recognized by several for his popular attribute functions on the struck TELEVISION programs World of Dance and Dancing With the Stars. He credits his lifelong sense of inquisitiveness and hunger to discover new points with leading him to his career success as well as to an energetic, healthy and balanced as well as fulfilling life.

Discovering a passion

From a young age, Hough was always finding out. Born in Sandy, Utah, in the Salt Lake City location, he is one of five kids-- including his sibling, Julianne, who learnt dance with him as well as with whom he still teams up and explores. He bears in mind that his family was always actively developing. "We were always in lessons maturing, either karate courses, or swimming lessons, or art course, or dancing courses certainly, as well as drum lessons as well." shares Hough. "So I was constantly finding out, as well as for me it instilled a feeling of curiosity as well as cravings to find out, which has actually rollovered."

" My pals would have new playthings as well as devices of all kinds as well as I wanted them," states Hough. "My mother would certainly say, 'we'll make it' and also we would certainly use plywood and also draw things out then saw it out-- truly making stuff. It brought out my creative side."

That imaginative passion brought about his initial intro to the arts-- playing drums in a Coastline Boys tribute band when he was just 8 years of ages. The band messed around the neighborhood as well as at the Utah Region Fair. "Being a drummer I found out rhythm, which rhythm became my structure," he says.

That foundation aided Hough choose up dance reasonably quickly, and also it didn't take long for him to discover he liked it. This realization brought back early memories of dance with his household. His grandparents were all dancers, and also his moms and dads satisfied while on a ballroom dance team in university, so it was the continuation of a family members tradition. "Individuals ask me 'When did you begin dance?' as well as it ends up I would certainly been dancing as long as I could bear in mind. I consider home video clips where I was 2 years old as well as we were having dancing events in our living-room as a household."

A sense of community

Ironically, though, Hough confesses that he was "type of dragged" into formally studying dancing. "I didn't actually desire to go at initially. Yet I had this coach, he was a truly trendy guy, and after that it opened up a neighborhood for me, a sense of belonging." He (and also, later, Julianne) wound up relocating to London at age 12 to study with expert trainers, as well as there he tossed himself into a strenuous program of practicing and visiting, making every effort to boost his skills and win competitions. "We were circumnavigating, going to New york city, mosting likely to Hawaii-- as well as being a youngster from Utah I resembled, 'Wow, this is incredible!' That was definitely a revelation, that I really enjoyed it. I turned something I really did not want to do into recognizing and finding an interest."

One thing Hough specifically loves is exactly how the understanding of dancing has altered due to the fact that of the appeal of television programs like Dancing With the Stars and World of Dance, and also just how they have actually opened up dancing for even more people. "They have revealed the athleticism as well as effort, and have educated people, especially men, about it. You know, One Decade ago I could have stated, 'Hey, did you see that Paso Doble?' and individuals would certainly have been like 'What? Exactly what is that?' Currently they're like, wow, I enjoyed that gaucho, or that flamenco action. It has been great for dancing."

He also sees more individuals understanding just how physically requiring dance could be. A term Hough commonly utilizes to clarify his craft is that professional dancers are "creative professional athletes." He claims, "When I'm dancing, I don't just dance, I'm really training as well, in addition to dance. To do particular steps, to be fast with those twitch muscular tissues, and the stamina, that security, that core, that rhythm, the isolations-- I indicate there's so much that goes into it, from the main muscle teams to the ones you have actually never ever become aware of. It's a full-body thing. "

Not just that, however Hough states customers value the narration element and also feeling within dancing. "Several of my fondest memories of creating routines on Dancing With the Stars are of people connecting and also going, you know, that really influenced me to call my mommy, or I have actually experienced this, this sense of broken heart, and it was actually cathartic to view that. I really did not feel like I was alone, I seemed like I experienced it with you," he states. "So it's an actually attractive thing, as well as for me it has actually been an absolute enjoyment, it's been a delight to see the evolution of the appeal as well as the standing as well as gratitude of dancing over the previous years."

The ‘prize' of service

" A large change in me directly is that for years I was a rival. It was always regarding being the very best, regarding winning-- that was my fuel. And after that one time I was in my home, taking a look at all these prizes, and I was like, wow, that's really great-- then I assumed, but why do I still really feel not met?" It ends up that functioning with others, coaching and also training, was the new fuel Hough needed. "It was a huge change for me, and also it actually boiled down to service. For me, it's the fulfillment aspect of it-- the sharing of ideas, or helping as well as bringing someone up, bringing their confidence up, or seeing that light take place in their eyes where they go, 'Wow, I can do that!'" Hough understood that, rather than winning more trophies or being the most effective, those were now the minutes that actually loaded him up.

" That emphasis, that transition for me has really opened a great deal of great things in my life, and also it's far more satisfying. On Globe of Dance, these professional dancers, these professional athletes, I really desire to aim to motivate and motivate them and not simply evaluate them but in order to help them on their trip."

Gratitude is likewise a secret, claims Hough. "We hear it a great deal, but it holds true-- you can't actually be in a fearful or upset state if you remain in gratitude, they can't live concurrently. For me, the second I start having expectations, expecting exactly how the globe ought to act, or anticipating exactly how my household or friends should be, or whatever it could be, to simply transform the assumptions for admiration. If I all of a sudden simply begin valuing, even if something is terrible, well, just how can I appreciate this? In that moment, it alters the entire video game.

" Just the other day we were shooting and also I was sitting there like, this is such a terrific job, this is so outstanding, this is so much fun seeing these amazing professional dancers. I have been in that setting several times because I was 12 years of ages, being judged on the dance floor, as well as you're functioning so hard, as well as so my gratitude and my concern for them out on that particular floor is overruning. And to view them, their skills, as well as their heart, as well as their reaction to will they make it via-- I simply like that."

" Simply start moving! Don't be hard on yourself or judge on your own. Activity is in our DNA, all of us."

Derek's tips for staying fit

Hough credits his family members, specifically his mommy, with grounding him healthy and also nutrition. "I recognized as I grew older just how successful she was when it involved healthy routines, as well as natural and health foods and points like that. She showed us from a young age concerning particular foods to consume and just what to keep away from," he says.

He hears his body as well as focuses on just what makes him react, whether it's just what provides him energy or exactly what makes him really feel slow-moving or inflamed.

Fresh food helps him stay concentrated and also sharp, not only literally but also psychologically. "It's so crucial, particularly when you need to attempt to produce something as well as choreograph. There's absolutely nothing worse compared to attempting to create something when your brain is not completely triggered."

One trick he makes use of is to utilize the power of organization. He on a regular basis drinks what he calls "swamp water," which is a super-greens formula he mixes with water. "I associated enjoyment to it, and in fact conditioned myself to like it. It was practically like I was drinking energy, I was consuming alcohol light, I was consuming emphasis ... that's the association I put with it, and also it gave me a lot power and so much clearness, and my skin removed up."

Greens in general are Hough's essential. "Any kind of meal I have, I have to have a large quantity of eco-friendlies. That's the theme throughout whatever I have. So if I'm having salmon, or a little chicken, or perhaps a little red meat, whatever it may be, there's constantly an abundance of environment-friendlies offered. Asparagus, broccoli-- all the great stuff."

To maintain himself favorable as well as determined, he seeks wisdom every day with reading or hearing a motivating speaker or podcast. "There's so much info, with social media sites as well as just media in general. You obtain this ding, this alert, this occurred as well as before you understand it, your mind is pirated. It's like we're filled with information however depriving for knowledge. So it's basically picking and choosing the important things I want to have actually entered my mind as well as absorb."

If he does discover himself with thoughts and also sensations he does not such as, he says, "The initial point to do is move. It's altering my physiology, altering my body, changing the method I'm holding myself. Transforming my body modifications my outlook."

Hough says the way to advance in anything is to challenge yourself to do hard things. "It's like exercising," he says, "like lifting a weight. Simply like you need to press against something hard to create muscle mass, you need resistance to produce growth. We require those obstacles, so welcome them-- they're a present in order to help you grow."

Dance! Hough claims that frequently individuals obtain frightened off by the word "dancing" since they've established limitations on themselves regarding what they can not do. "Simply begin relocating!" he says. "Do not be hard on yourself or judge yourself. Movement remains in our DNA, all of us. If you consider a child, even before they could stroll they're bobbing their heads, returning as well as forth. When you obtain outside your comfort zone, you constantly appear inspired and also sensation terrific. Dancing is a fantastic form of exercise as well as it's also great for your spirit."

Tweet @derekhough and also @hlmsmag and his #SamsClubMag story.

#exercise #health #weight

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obsidianarchives · 4 years

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AJay Jordan

AJay Jordan, has always been a person who likes to tell a story. She’s always sought to communicate with people in a creative way, having studied vocal performance for 14 years before moving onto film production and screenwriting which brought her back to creative writing. She loves writing magical revenge plots featuring “fantastical dope black girls and boys.” In an effort to make stories centering the experiences of marginalized people, she created The Bookshelf, an online database of 500+ books by underrepresented authors.

Black Girls Create: What do you create?

I am very self conscious about the stuff that I create, and I’m never sure if it’s enough, whether it’s good enough, or enough work, or enough quality. So I feel like I create, and beyond that I stop my brain from going into imposter syndrome mode. I can say I create websites and I create stories, but if I were to get deeper—I don’t know. It’s really hard. I can see everyone else and I can see everyone else’s purpose with their actions and what they create and what they’re trying to do but it’s hard seeing myself.

I hope that I create more space for marginalized people, more specifically brown and Black people, and more specifically Black people, and more specifically Black people with dark complexions because that is what my family reflects and that’s what my children will reflect. And I guess those are the stories I would have wanted to see as a little brown girl, brown Black girl, Black Black girl. When I was creating The Bookshelf I knew right away I wasn’t going to make it just for the age category that I write for. I also wanted to make finding those books accessible for parents finding stories that look like them.

About The Bookshelf

As a writer for the past couple of years I’ve gotten to know this writing community…and through it I found it was hard to find books by people of color. Usually Goodreads is my go to place to look for books, but even then our percentages are so abysmal. I would rather there be a place where I can find a book or even discover new books that are own voices because there are so many tricky people out there who don’t share ethnicity or marginalization with these people. Nothing against them. [I'm] not saying that they can’t do their due diligence, but they’re writing from a place where they’re not experienced and that’s inauthenticity. I’m sitting here with a book that’s not on the shelf and I’m reading your story that has to do with my culture and you’re profiting from this.

Long story short, I wanted there to be a way to find books easier. I was actually going to hold onto The Bookshelf because that was my filler name for the time being. I was going to change it to something but then Barnes & Noble dropped that bullshit changing all those classic white titles and putting brown faces on the covers and I was like, “Dang, I can’t even hold onto my database anymore and perfect it and make it better before I go live. I just have to do it now because I have to combat this issue with Barnes & Noble," because that is such a slippery slope and a bait and switch. I wasn’t here for it.

BGC: Why do you create?

I think very linearly and I imagine a line being drawn across the paper and you draw the line up, and you draw a line down, and squiggle it or you swirl it—that’s the trajectory of that one person. I feel like if maybe I had a second book as a child, not just the one [with Black representation], that trajectory that I had maybe would have been a little bit off; it may have changed the direction of what I would be today and so I feel like that’s why I do The Bookshelf, too. Because you don’t know what you don’t know and you never know where inspiration or where something will spark some level of interest in a child.

Black people don’t have all of the same experience. For me, I am a Black American and in turn an African American, but I don’t know my lineage enough to be able to connect to my culture. So, when I say things like, “Write stories about Black people even though Black people don’t all share the same experience,” it’s for all of those people like me who don’t know their own history. I’m seeing a little bit more stories feature African fantasies, which is still abysmal in the grand scheme of things, that Black stories are like 3% of publishing as a whole or whatever that percentage was. Although I love [African fantasy] stories, I want to write stories for those who don’t have those connections who would still be able to relate.

BGC: Who is your audience?

Definitely, I want to gear my stories towards Black teens, but I feel like you’re not going to find my book in the Scholastic Book Fair. Maybe some time in the future I'll write a middle-grade and you’ll find that at the book fair (you can get your little book and get your little bookmark to go with it).

I still want to gear toward a Black audience but at the same time I got so much inspiration from watching anime. When I watch it there’s a level of freedom. I want that freedom, but with Black characters. So I’m hoping that my audience would be those who like anime but also those who like to game (because I like to game sometimes and I get some inspiration from that, too). I want people to dress up and go to Comic Con in their costumes of my characters.

BGC: Who or what inspired you to do what you do?

"I want to create experiences but I want to have fun while creating those experiences as well." -- AJay Jordan

This is a fair question but the gag is I don’t know if I am inspired by anyone. It’s more like a self motivation for me because I want to create something fun for people to experience. I want to create experiences but I want to have fun while creating those experiences as well. You know how in high school people would be like, “Oh this is the person I look up to. I want to be just like them.” That was not me.

I’ve always been the person to go left when everyone wanted to go right. It’s almost like I was challenging myself to be my own inspiration. I am a competitive person in all things. I will kill you in Uno, Monopoly is my game. I can look up to people but it doesn’t give me the fire to create. It’s the competition with myself or seeing others do something terribly that makes me think, “Hey! I can do that!”

I want to be better everyday. Every time I do something I try to surpass what I created because I don’t have someone to look up to and gauge myself [by]. I just work hard and hope it works out for the best.

BGC: Why is it important as a Black person to create?

My first answer is representation, because that percentage in publishing is so low that it’s almost like we shouldn’t even exist. Animals will take a higher percentage than a person of color — I think in total, too. On the flip side, those in publishing that share the same marginalization of us querying authors is abysmal, as well. Which is why it’s so hard when agents say things like, “Oh I couldn’t connect.” You couldn’t connect because you don’t share these experiences. Your own biases are getting in the way of stories that are authentic.

Representation will allow those that come after us to feel like they have the ability to do what we do. A Black little boy isn’t going to know he can become a bio-engineer unless he sees one. It’s almost like feeling like it’s OK to be here, you deserve to be here, too.

BGC: Why is it important that folks, but especially marginalized people, have access to these stories?

I think that [The Bookshelf] is a great resource for writers who want to comp their own books because sometimes literary agents ask for two titles to see where your book would sit on an actual bookshelf. I’ve even had editors tell me that they use it as comps for the stories that they’re reading for.

I’ve had teachers and librarians tell me it helps them build their lists, that they would also maybe have their students come to the website and find new books. I always tell them to do their research before you have them jump on the site because I have books from picture books all the way to adult.

I’m hoping that it will create baby writers. So those who didn’t think that they would be a writer will see these stories and will be excited to write more. It’s like a virtual hand reaching back to pull up children of color or Black children to write these crazy fantastic stories and become authors.

But also to up the percentage of reading. Reading has definitely changed my life. I was not a reader when I was a kid. I had that one picture book [that had Black representation]. My godmother even tried to pay me per chapter to read this book. I did not finish the book. It was only because I did not have the right story in my hand. It wasn’t until there was finally a book that I was like, “Wow that was actually a good book.” It was that moment that I found a book I actually liked that it changed the trajectory of my career. I don’t think I would be a writer today, I don’t think The Bookshelf would exist, I don’t think I would be as passionate about representation and trying to make these books accessible to people. None of this would exist if it wasn’t for that one book. This is serious. My life could have been completely different if not for reading that book. If that happened to me, it can happen to someone else. And if it can happen to someone else, it can happen earlier in their timeline for their life and trajectory and change their life for good. I feel like books are good things and we have to uplift them especially Black and brown and marginalized voices.

BGC: How do you balance creating with the rest of your life?

I feel like I’m good but I feel like I’m not. I feel like I’m good because I think very linearly and I will be doing multiple projects at once and I’m like Go-Go Gadget, let’s-get-this-shit-done. Let’s do it and have fun.

At the same time when I work, sometimes I forget to eat, sometimes I forget to drink water, sometimes I forget to stretch, maybe go out into the sun and get some vitamin D. I don’t exercise because I’m so into my creative work. I’m always doing something and when I’m glued to my screen and I’m just going. I don’t feel like my health deteriorates, but I forget to take care of myself. I have to work on that because I’m not going to stop doing something until I finish X, Y, and Z and that can backfire. I have to learn to stop and be OK with stopping. But I feel like I have to keep going so I can have results.

BGC: Any advice for people who don’t see themselves reflected in the stories around them?

One thing I didn’t get to do growing up was shadow people. I didn’t get to see this job or this art, I didn’t get a chance to see what something was about. I was very much in the dark. I essentially felt along the walls and found a light switch. If you want to skip that, try to shadow someone or even interview someone who does what you want to do. Try to get as close as you can in regards to things you have similar with the person. Whether you’re a little Black girl and you want to speak with a Black woman who is an architect. If you just do the research and find them and reach out and interview them because there’s potential in you having interest in whatever that is then I feel like you will find your path to creating much easier.

Then, after talking with these people who are doing what you want to do, make sure to keep in contact with them…because if you keep those relationships you never know if it can help you down the line. If it’s a genuine interest in these different things, you never know.

BGC: Any future projects?

I am expanding The Bookshelf. I don’t know if I’m going to keep it under the same name, but it’s definitely moving in the direction of having its own website. And with that, I hope to add some other special things on that website too aside from just books. I am in the literary community and I know that writers struggle in the trenches and just struggle with writing period because writing is hard. So, I hope to add some tidbits on The Bookshelf for that and for those who just started writing and think they may want to write.

I’m drawing more. I can’t say that I’m the best artist but I feel happy with my work art right now, so I’m hoping to start doing some commissions with that but I’m probably going to limit my time on that because in order of importance The Bookshelf and my writing career take precedence.

I’m working very hard to find a literary agent that sees me and would be ecstatic to champion my book and champion my future stories. I’ve tried many different careers in my life and the only thing that has really stuck has been writing.

You can follow AJay on Twitter @AJay_Author and check out The Bookshelf here!

#Books #Black Creators #writer

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