#tea is lit fam

[awokennerd]

I am a big tea drinker (currently my favorite is a pomegranate oolong) and I get emails for a tea blog one of my favorite tea brands has. For pride month, they did a post about ways you can celebrate and one of their ideas was to have a ✨queer tea party! ✨

I told my boyfriend about this and immediately he was like, "you're gonna draw all the gay characters in destiny having a tea party now."

It's a bit too much effort when I'm going through one of my non-drawing phases, but this will probably happen at some point. Featuring: Saint, Osiris, Ikora, Chalco, Bubo, and Tripore (he's not queer, but he's totally a great ally). At least these six would tots be there (I also imagine they just get together sometimes for dinners and such cause warlock gang), but there are too many queer characters in Destiny (and too many characters who I think are queer, like Ikora, Chalco, and Eris).

#tea is lit fam #every time a destiny character talks about tea #Ikora liking chamomile and Osiris wanting to murder her for giving it to him was the funniest warlock shitpost ever #happy pride 🌈 #Tea #destiny 2 #d2 #destiny the game #destiny #🏳️‍🌈

[starlight-vixen-emiko]

WIP Wednesday 1/4/2023

Hey everyone! I know I haven't written in a while my life has been a literal mess for the past few weeks.

I am sad I didn't get to any Christmas fanfics I promised except for this...

I never written a Christmas Adrigami fanfic before but I had to get this idea out...I haven't finished it yet but I will.

I need to wish my Adrigami fam a happy late Christmas.

@sparklesofinventive Here you go! Enjoy! 😉

~~~~~~

After years of considering Christmas nothing but an annoyance she was at least happy that this holiday season was was peaceful. None of her family members were here to ruin the mood and this was her first Christmas in her adorable apartment. 

So many fluffy white snow flakes fell outside and Kagami felt she was inside one of those adorable little snow globes. She sipped peppermint tea by the spaceheaters and it made her think of the days where she sat by fireplaces during winter and just listened to the sound of fire.

The best holiday season she had in years, but she also wished this wouldn’t just be a quiet uneventful night.

Well Kagami couldn’t complain, she did everything to make this the best Christmas it can be. There were gifts she gave to adorable little kids, the night lit up with Christmas lights, the sound of jingle bells in the streets, and for nights she dreamt of adorable elves and miracles. But she couldn’t help but feel those were only facets of this holiday.

But the night was getting darker and Kagami voted on turning down the lights and watching the Christmas lights on her humble tree until she finally felt like wrapping herself in blankets and falling asleep. But she wanted to stay awake a bit longer so she poured herself enough cup of tea and peeled another orange. And then there was a strange knock on her door.

Kagami asked herself who could possibly be here at this hour. She was ready to defend herself from any attacker as she slowly opened the door but the only thing she was was a giant Christmas present by her welcome mat.

Kagami certainly was surprised, she felt she was too old to believe in a jolly old man who sends gifts at miraculous times. She was about to dismiss this as another wishfullfillment dream but she couldn’t help but pull on the red ribbon that tied the present together.

But as Kagami pulled off the red ribbon the giant box rattled and when she heard a familiar cry a young man with beautiful blonde hair popped out of the present and fell on top of Kagami. His soft lips pressed against hers and thankfully the door was open as Kagami fell on the soft carpet with Adrien on top of her. Both of them were blushing bright red from the sudden kiss.

As much as Adrien was enjoying kissing his girlfriend’s sweet lips again he quickly picked himself up and sat down on the ground. Kagami was speechless as she picked herself up and pressed her fingers against her lips.

“Sorry about that Kagami. Merry Christmas!”

Adrien was never going to live that one down.

But Kagami happily took her boyfriend in and sat him on the couch as she poured him a cup of tea and peeled him an orange.

Omigosh! It felt so good writing this! It felt so good to write Kagami having agency because she was my favorite character and I hate how they ruined her!

Thanks for reading! I will finish this later!

#wip wednesday #adrigami #my writing #my fanfiction

[sarahhillips]

Ok Class is Back In Session Cause I’m Drinking Boba Tea and Watching Liberty’s Kids

Bostonians

I just chocked on my boba

What if James and Sarahs first time boning was in a coach while the soldiers were asleep?

“You’ll see them after we’re married.” She tells him to make him anticipate the wedding day even more

BEN CAN WIGGLE HIS FUCKING EAR?

JoHn QuInCy

Henri burned his finger lmfao

Cute little family reunion that Sarah watched from a window

“What do you know about French?” BECAUSE HE IS FRENCH DUMBASS

Henris found his match with John Quincy.

So James is cool just traveling the colonies by himself for newspaper articles.

Yeah Abby is disappointed with John

James is just casually riding with men burning wheat fields

Make Henri and John Quincy look more like teenagers, it will instantly become the hottest ship of the fandom

Wow, Abigail is giving off Eliza Hamilton. Take a fucking break John.

Oh fuck they burned that village tf

Attacking an indigenous village over some misinformation is so fucked up

Alright were catching toads now

“You see with a white mans eyes” BURN

“I will fill your belly with a tale if the English”

This could have been a moment where Abigail started praising Sarah for being so brave all her life despite everything she had been through.

Wait Indigenous people went to Europe?

How in the FUCK did they tie a fucking FLY to a twig!

“I dub thee King George” RIBBIT 🐸

Well at least John asks his wife for her opinion

And she lets Henri read her letter

And then John said bye fam it was lit

Benedict Arnold

*internal screaming*

The villain of Sarahs story

SPIES

That reminds me, I just started watching Turn and I love it so far. I still haven’t gotten to any Benedict or Peggy scenes yet.

Peggys wig

“How many rats is in that nasty weave of yours”

Ah so they’re splitting up

James is fascinated af with spies probably thanks the Nathan

Omg I’ll totally have breakfast with you George

Benedict Arnold could definitely be a Disney villain.

Gaston combined with Frollo

God damn it Arnold.

Oops, bye Andre

The moment James realizes Arnold switched sides, he realized he would need to protect Sarah from him.

“I never argue with my wife” I think you do

“Why did General Arnold just ride off now?”

That gasp

Imagine the shot where you see Sarahs reaction to Arnolds betrayal and you can see angry tears

And then she goes on to write one of the most passionate articles in American history where she compares Arnold to Judas.

“He seemed so thrilled when I told him I had become a patriot. I wonder if he had already become a traitor.”

“You did it for liberty. Arnold did it for money and ambition and he didn’t care who would suffer or die for it.”

Dear I am a pest ok that was funny

#sarah phillips #libertys kids #liberty's kids #james hiller #henri lefebvre #john adams #abigail adams #john quincy adams #benedict arnold #peggy shippen

[faux-ee]

i have this story idea where nikolai served fyodor poisoned tea and fyodor was able to detect it and nikolai was like 'that's what i like about you, you're able to detect the poison' AND I'D LOVE TO SEE YOUR VERSION OF IT WJDJWKDJ

fam im sorry this took me so long but i love ur idea so much and ended up creating this dumpster fire of a one-shot; please enjoy!

Also sorry that i replaced tea with wine 😭 I just thought that since they were Russians I want to see them drink like Russian men. Like, smashing glasses and yelling huzzah and killing bears, you know. I apologize for my shameless adherence to dumb stereotypes.

content warning: choking, implied sexual content

-------

On one of those seemingly endless nights, Fyodor was, as usual, resigned to writing incessantly along to the insistent rapping of snowflakes against the windowpane. He was bored, he realized; bored of making plans that would always be realized, of set paths and decided tracks. Yet he had no choice - he had an ability that assigned him the work of god, and who was he to defy the hands fate had dealt him with?

A crack suddenly sounded from the door behind him; he turned his head slightly to inspect, and saw that the person who stumbled through was no other than Nikolai Gogol, with, most unexpectedly, a goblet dangling in his loose fist, the glass of which tainted a deep magenta by the content within. His eyes, though, were still lit with a foxy glint. Fyodor could not recollect of any other time Nikolai had resorted to drinking. The clown hated anything that messed with his brain, hated to lose sense of himself under the influence of any substance, and lived himself to be, ironically, quite the stoic. His Kolya was like this: he was a vortex of the most contradictory qualities, struggling to stay true to his strange, fascinating character, with that permanent, mocking smile crested onto his sharp features.

And so Fyodor watched his companion quietly, watching how those heterochromic eyes greedily, piously drank him in, fervent as a maniac’s rambling prayer. This was one of the rare moments Nikolai had allowed himself the loss of control; his cheeks were flushed, hair tousled, saturated eyes reminiscent of the autumn sky. He was donned with a sort of childish wretchedness, as if he had despaired of the world before he had even seen the whole of it.

Nikolai raised his cup to level with Fyodor’s lips, fingers trembling as he mindlessly muttered, Fedya, Fedya. All it took was one look for Fyodor to realize that the wine was definitely poisoned. He was at once hit with a mixture of worry and amusement; worry that Nikolai might have taken poison himself on a whim with the intent to die, and amused that his lethal partner would be so naive as to believe that Fyodor - the god incarnate, the messiah - could be easily taken out by poisoned wine.

He took the goblet from Nikolai’s grasp, and downed it in one go, creasing his brows at the potent taste. Fyodor then reached out and laid an icy palm against the side of Nikolai’s neck, taking note of the sudden cleansing of that intoxicated fog from the clown’s wide eyes. As soon as Gogol was awaken from his alcoholic stupor, his face displayed a rushed film-like progression of emotions: first consternation, then terror, and finally a look of remorse with which the glow in his pupils snuffed out. Nikolai struggled against Fyodor’s hold like a wounded deer in capture, and yet his dear friend only tightened his hold, cold fingers pressing relentlessly upon his trachea.

“Kolya, pray tell, what should I do with you?” Fyodor said with a bitter smile; with how fast and thunderously blood was rushing through his veins, for the first time, he almost felt human. Driven by a morbid sense of curiosity, he pressed in further, just to see what would happen. Nikolai’s pupils were blown wide; from inside his throat squeezed out a breathless pant.

Fyodor loosened his grip ever so slightly, staring incredulously at the scene in front of him. He would’ve clapped for Kolya, he thought; he would’ve applauded him for his audacity to welcome such a painful death, as if his troubled heart found solace in his world’s magnificent end.

Nikolai let out a dry laugh. “Even if you kill me now, I would be doomed to never achieve the freedom I crave.” His voice resounded in the all-encompassing, terrifying silence. “You made me feel such things, Fedya, feelings I could neither ignore nor escape from. I…I hate you. I have no idea what to do.” He then dropped into a woeful mutter, as if thinking out loud. “I should…dig you a grave. That is the only way.”

He then smiled a twisted smile, large droplets of tears sliding off his cheeks, so sudden and natural they felt dishonest, as if some meaningless animalistic reflex. He casted an apprehensive glance at Fyodor again, one of immense trust and adoration. Their hearts beat against each other, singing in tandem a frivolous ballad of flesh and blood.

“The words you just said about hating me, please say them again.” There came a gentle whisper against the fragile of Nikolai’s earshell. He drew a few more ragged breaths, helplessly grabbing onto the front of Fyodor’s shirt like a drowning man. “My dear Kolya.”

“I hate you,” Nikolai obeyed him, raising his voice out of sheer stubbornness, “I hate you, I hate you so!”

Fyodor raised his hand again, a passive gesture that meant no harm, and let it fall to rest upon Nikolai’s trembling lips. The chirps of his canary were gradually muffled. Tenderly, he led Nikolai into a soothing embrace, dropping light kisses against the wetness of his fluttering eyelashes. With the same tender devotion, he guided Nikolai to the side of his bed, their bodies still a tangled mess. Look up, Kolya, he said to his unsuccessful assassin, who complied with his request, docile as a lamb. Nikolai’s fearless gaze wandered the ceiling in disrepair: the half still intact was covered with dappled egg paint, depicting a star-crossed couple frolicking through hellish flames. The other half, which housed a framed skylight encaging several large shards of glass, had let through a cold, bright collection of stars into the clown’s eyes, which were slowly being robbed of their focus by an ecstasy of heaven. For a moment they were content being rebellious angels who, in a night drenched in death and lust, willingly condemned themselves to the earth.

#amazing prompts! #my writing #fyolai

[marvellouspinecone]

4, 11 and 18 for the TARDIS ask game please? ❤️

(gonna ask everyone what the round things are until we know)

4. If you were asked to design a console room, what would be a key element?

THE SEATS! Oh my god the seats! Apparently, i'm really passionate about seats in the TARDIS.

You can really feel their absence in Thirteen's TARDIS and it bugs me to no end, considering how much time they are supposed to be spending in the console room. It's just, it's supposed to be a place where everyone gathers and has a good social time together! Sit down and read a magazine with a cup of tea while the Doctor tinkers under the console! And now the Fam are forced to awkwardly stand around in every scene (which is a problem with directing i've noticed throughout the era, there's a lot of awkward moments bc the actors aren't given anything to do to make their acting more natural, like fidgeting with an object or SITTING DOWN) or sit on the stairs, which are rather removed from the console and AREN'T COMFY AT ALL.

Twelve's TARDIS was an ideal seat situation imo, it had seats, and stairs up AND down the main platform AND that upper gallery thing with bookshelves and additional seating. Lots of space to hang out! This is what the Fam should've gotten!

Now that i think about it, it makes a lot of sense for the Thirteen's era specifically, because the console room really reflects its respective Doctor, doesn't it? Thirteen's TARDIS looks lovely and warm and friendly, it makes biscuits, you wanna look around and explore. But when you actually enter and start looking, there's nowhere for you to linger. Can't even lean against a crystal column bc of all the jagged edges. It's like the space itself is ushering you along, effectively sending you to your room.

The lighting is warm and sets a cozy mood, but it's also extremely dim in most of the episodes (it was fine in like... The Ghost Monument, for the sake of a viewer getting a good look at new design. And that's it). Like, you have stuff to look at! I don't see shit! It doesn't have to be white and clinical like in classic who, Nine/Ten's and early Eleven's console rooms are a great example of cosy but well lit spaces.

Looking at the room i can't imagine anyone wanting to stay here for a chat and a cuppa, or especially choose it as a permanent hangout spot (can't read a book in the dark!). The space isn't conducive to socializing or emotional intimacy. It almost looks like it was intentionally designed so that the Doctor could be left alone tinkering (which is something no one else is interested in, apparently). Which reflects Thirteen's character perfectly. She's all smiles and rainbows, but behind the facade she is extremely closed off and secretive and emotionally constipated. She just doesn't want you to linger, she wants you around, but not long enough to become close or familiar.

Which, i think, is a part of why us thassies freaked out about that mattress in the console room. When the Doctor and Yaz were left alone, they finally started to transform this inhospitable room into a shared space of intimacy, they were spending time in there, making it comfy and cozy and suited for cohabitation! It wasn't made for this, there aren't any seats built in, but they made do, with this mismatched mattress feeling almost foreign in there, just like emotional honesty and closeness feels so foreign - but desirable - to them.

So yeah. Seats! And good lighting!

11. What's your favourite moment of someone falling into the TARDIS?

I don't really get this one tbh. I only remember two instances of someone falling into the TARDIS, and it was River both times. However, regardless of any moments i might not remember, my absolute favourite is River in Day of the Moon, where she jumps off the building and just trusts the Doctor to catch her. It just had visual appeal to me, with the TARDIS parked horizontally on the wall, and i have a lot of fun thinking about the gravity situation, since it should've shifted when River entered the TARDIS itself, right?

It impressed me so much that i even came up with an idea for a wholock crossover fic (John was the fobwatched Doctor, Moriarty was the Master who thought Sherlock was the fobwatched Doctor, and John/Doctor from the future saved Sherlock from his fatal fall using this exact trick and then erased his memories, Mary was a next incarnation of the Master who got close to John to gain Sherlock's trust... can you tell i came up with it in 2015?). I soon lost interest in Sherlock BBC but i later recycled this scene in a different fic i wrote for a friend. I just think it's the coolest concept ever!

18. What are the round things?

Ohhohoho, oh boy...

So i can only come up with boring answers, like "design element" and "occasional storage unit".

HOWEVER

My favourite version is this fic by rockymountainrattlesnake. I won't say anything beforehand. If i had to go into it blind so will you (however, tw animal death should be applied). I actually adore this author, their works include such bangers as a very serious scientific study of dick length depending on regeneration, that one time Ten contracted a disease from a fish while in 1969 and Martha had to make medicine almost all by her-fucking-self, and, my personal favourite, that one time the Doctor was done with the TARDIS' swear filter. (And a bonus one that i think you'll find funny, some more translation circuit shenanigans)

#capybara in an ask box #thank you sm for the ask! #i got derailed on all of the points but i had a lot of fun thinking about the questions! #thank you for compiling the list as well!

[sciencestyled]

Oscillating Octaves: A Sonic Soirée with Science and Art

Yo, fam! Strap in, because I’m about to drop a beat on the wildest party ever—the bash where acoustic science and visual art collide like avocados and toast at a millennial brunch fest. It’s not your grandma’s tea party; this is where learning science with art gets lit!

Picture this: an oscilloscope and a spectrum analyzer walk into a bar. No, it’s not the start of a nerdy joke; it’s our classroom, baby! These gadgets are like the DJ and VJ of our science rave, showing off what those sick beats look like when you throw them down in a lab instead of a club. When we crank up tunes, from Beethoven to Beyoncé, these tools don’t just listen; they show us the music. We’re not just rocking out; we’re watching the very anatomy of sound—visualized!

Now, let’s geek out a sec about what’s really going down when the bass drops. Every thump, every tweet, every sick harmony you can bust a move to is just a bunch of air molecules vibing hard. But with our techy plus-ones, the oscilloscope and the spectrum analyzer, it’s like having X-ray glasses at a dance party. You see, sound travels in waves, and these waves have all the ups and downs of a Kardashian love life—full of peaks and troughs.

Each musical note is like a different character in the Marvel Universe. Imagine hitting a middle C on a piano—it’s like summoning Captain America. Solid, reliable, totally heroic. Crank up the pitch to a high C, and now you’ve got Spidey swinging in—lighter, quicker, scaling skyscrapers of frequency. The oscilloscope traces these vibes in real time, showing us a live feed of sound waves faster than your Twitter feed updates.

And what about that spectrum analyzer? It’s the ultimate gossip columnist for sounds. It breaks down every note into its own juicy story, telling us who’s who in the harmonic get-together. It’s like those color commentary guys at sports events but for music. This device spills the tea on which frequencies are crashing the party and which ones are just wallflowers.

Let’s crank up a track and see these tools in action. Say we fire up some classic rock—Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven." The guitar solo kicks in, and it’s like Thor going ham with Mjolnir, each note striking with cosmic power. On the oscilloscope, it’s a visual thunderstorm—waves going wild. And the spectrum analyzer? It’s mapping out every note, showing us a rainbow of sound frequencies, each color blipping in and out like lights at a rave.

But wait, there’s more! Ever wonder why some tunes just feel different? Why does listening to Billie Eilish feel smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy? It’s all in the waveform, baby. Billie’s beats are sleek, her bass lines clean—on the oscilloscope, they’re flowing like the River Styx, smooth and uninterrupted. Meanwhile, heavy metal is more like a Game of Thrones battle scene—chaotic, intense, with waves crashing like swords.

Now, let’s flip the script and get interactive. Imagine using these visual tools to create art. That’s right—turning science into sculptures and sound into splashes of paint. We hook up paint to speakers and play different genres. Hip-hop might throw up bold, aggressive splatters, while classical music paints a precise, orderly mural. It’s like each genre has its own brush style, and the canvas reveals the personality behind the playlist.

In the grand scheme, this isn’t just about jamming out to tunes or getting an A in physics. It’s about seeing the invisible, hearing the untouchable, and learning the unthinkable. It’s about breaking down barriers between disciplines like a Kool-Aid Man meme—oh yeah! We’re not just students or artists; we’re modern alchemists, turning vibrations into visuals, and classrooms into crucibles of creativity.

So next time you plug into Spotify, remember, there’s a whole other show going on beyond those earbuds—a visual concert, where every track is a brushstroke, and every beat is a burst of color. Who knew science could be so dope?

And that, my friends, is how we ride the waveforms—surfing the sonic seas, visualizing vibes, and throwing the ultimate learning party where art meets science in a symphony of sight and sound. Oops, I mean a wild, wacky wonderland of sight and sound (symphony is so last semester).

So keep your eyes wide, your minds open, and your playlists ready—because in this lab, every discovery is a drop, and every experiment is an encore. Welcome to the jam session of the future, where education is electric, and art is acoustic. Turn up, tune in, and rock out!

#learning #science #art #science education #education #music

[banapsha]

New Year, New Words: How to Crush Your Writing Goals in 2024

Hey, fam! 🎉✨ As we're about to dive into another lap around the sun, it's time to set some lit writing goals. Whether you're dreaming of a bestselling novel or just want to tackle more projects, let's spill the tea on how to make those dreams a reality. Buckle up, because we're about to slay 2024! (Literally.)

Setting Goals: Because Adulting is Hard, Right?

Get Specific AF: Let's not be vague like that confusing relationship status. Break down your goals into bite-sized bits. "Write a book" is so 2023. Try "Finish Chapter 1 by January 15th." Much better, right?

Chop it Like it's Hot: Big projects can be overwhelming. Cut them into pieces, like you're dishing out slices of pizza. It's way more manageable and won't leave you in a writing coma.

Deadlines for Drama: Set some deadlines! Nothing gets the creative juices flowing like a little pressure. Plus, it's an excuse to use the word "deadline" and feel important.

Staying Disciplined and Focused: Adulting Level - Pro

Create a Writing Schedule: Find your writing groove and create a schedule. Are you a 2 AM poet or a 6 PM essayist? Stick to your time and rock that writing vibe.

Distraction Detox: Ditch the distractions! Turn off Netflix (just for a bit, I promise), find a cozy spot, and let the words flow. The less drama, the more words.

Get an Accountability BFF: Share your goals with a writing buddy. It's like having a workout buddy but for your brain. Accountability is key, and hey, it's more fun when you're not in it alone.

Overcoming Writer's Block:

Change Your Scene, Dude: Staring at the same wall? Change it up! Take your laptop to a coffee shop or your backyard. Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders.

Freewrite Your Feelings: Ever heard of freewriting? Set a timer and just go wild. No rules, no judgments. It's like therapy, but with more words.

Celebrating Wins:

Treat time: Small wins deserve big celebrations. Finish a chapter? Treat yourself to some chocolate or a dance party in your living room. You're basically a writing superstar.

Flexibility is Key: Life's a rollercoaster, and so is writing. Be flexible with your goals. It's okay to adjust if life throws you a curveball. You got this!

Lastly, cheers to a year of word wizardry and conquering those writing dreams! Let's make 2024 the year we slay our writing goals like the literary legends we are.

Happy writing, fam! 🚀📚

#bookaholic #writing a book #writers #writing #writers on tumblr #writeblr #writers and poets #writer #writing tips #author #on writing #new year #new year 2024 #newyearnewyou

[sillygoofybees]

"We're living our best life in the metaverse, vibin' with our VSCO fam, while flexin' our drip and spilling the tea on the latest drama. Our fits are fire, and we stan the savage vibes, lowkey throwing shade, and always ready to clap back, 'cause it's all cap, no cap, and we keep it 100. It's lit AF, and that's on periodt, fam. When we slide into the DMs, we send thirst traps, and if it gets wild, we just yeet it and go full savage mode. Don't ghost us 'cause we're woke and always ready to spill the real tea. We flex on the haters 'cause we're TikTok famous, and our boba game is hella strong. Let's get that bread and secure the bag, 'cause we're the GOATs, and we stan for each other."

#shitpost #meme #copypasta #low effort #i told chat gpt to make the most indecypherable slang sentences ever

[cozycornerbookss]

Welcome to CozyCornerBooks! 📚☕️

Hey there lit lovers, I’m Ellen Terese and I’m so delighted to have you stop by my little cozy corner of the internet! This digital cottage is filled with all things book related, so grab that warm cuppa tea and let’s get to know each other! I’ll start…

I have always believed that books have the incredible power to teleport you to new worlds, meet new characters, and indulge you in a lifetime’s worth of imagination. My blog celebrates these magical moments one page at a time.

In this cozy corner you will find my current reads, book reviews, and recommendations from some of my long time favourite pieces of literature. From romance to thriller and everything in between, there’s a little something for everyone at CozyCornerBooks.

My reading taste is as diverse as the ever changing colours of autumn leaves, and I can’t wait to share my recent favourite genres with you all.

I encourage all my fellow book lovers to collab as a community and gush over the books we all adore right now… so, please don’t be shy! Leave a comment, send me a message, or share your thoughts - I would love to get to know you guys and what books you’re loving at the hot minute!

When I’m not diving headfirst into a good book, you might find me going for a coastal walk, trying some beach yoga, chasing sunsets with my camera, catching up for a coffee with friends, and even baking some delish sweeties in the kitchen from time to time. If you’re a fan of books and baked goods (who isn’t??), then you’ve come to the right corner of the internet!

If you would like to follow more cozy corner content, follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.

All are @cozycornerbookss ✨📖🍂

Thank you for dropping by CozyCornerBooks! I am so grateful you made it and would love for you to be apart of my cozy booknook fam. Cheers to limitless literature, countless stories, endless imagination, and lots of love. 💕

Stay cozy in your corner and keep reading!

Sending all my love and I’ll see you in the next chapter,

Ellen 🍄✨🍂🧚‍♀️📖💐☕️

📚☕️🍂 (@cozycornerbookss) • Instagram photos and videos

#booklover #books #booktok #bookworm #bookstagram #bookblr

[lordsthegames]

Lords of the Fallen at Gamescom 2023: Dual-Realm Vibes and Epic Combat Action!

Lords of the Fallen, like, totally slayed in the Gamescom 2022 trailer, especially when you peep how Elden Ring and Nioh did, you know? It's all about those spooky vibes, man. This time around, it's way more hardcore and darker than the OG 2014 version. Amping up the horror factor is gonna make Lords of the Fallen pop big time compared to its genre buddies.

Lords of the Fallen at Gamescom 2023 is gonna be lit! And speaking of excitement, don't forget to check out the gaming deals and offers when you're at the event, maybe even have a chance to grab some awesome PS4 games! You gotta check out the Lords of the Fallen theater for a sneak peek of a fresh, never-seen-before game zone. The presentation is gonna drop some serious knowledge on the dual-realm vibes and give you the lowdown on all the epic melee, ranged, and magic combat action!

Lords of the Fallen gave off major Dark Souls vibes from the get-go, no cap. The spots I checked out were a maze of connected hallways, and you could pop open shortcuts to speed up those repeat runs, which was clutch. The baddies had that medieval undead swag going on – hella spooky, fam. Rockin' a sword in one hand, a shield in the other, and that trusty dodge-roll in my arsenal, I was feeling like a true OG Souls player. And while embracing that Souls-like experience, you might want to consider where to buy PS4 games to further immerse yourself in epic adventures.

Discovering the Umbral Realm and Unique Combat Dynamics

Lords of the Fallen introduced me to some basic enemy groups, which were like your typical cannon fodder, ya know? They had these super long attack windups that were great for practicing my combat timing. But as I kept going, I started noticing what sets Lords of the Fallen apart, and trust me, these differences are a big deal. So, I started my epic journey in Axiom, the land of the living, but guess what? There's a whole other realm called the Umbral Realm, where my character ends up when they bite the dust. I could take a peek into Umbral by waving around this special lantern thingy, or use it to open a small portal between the two worlds and hop into the spooky dark side.

Lords of the Fallen: Umbral is, like, a way edgier and trippier take on Axiom, but, like, you gotta know the key distinctions. So, there was this moment when I was in Axiom, right? There was this total roadblock, and that's when I busted out the Umbral Lantern. When I raised that lantern high, it like transported me into the Umbral Realm. In that vibe, the lantern spilled the tea, showing me a reality where the door was, like, totally MIA, and I could just breeze through. But when I lowered the lantern, it locked me in, and there was no turning back, fam.

Umbral Realm, Second Chances, and Checkpoints

Lords of the Fallen, like, it's not just all about having a blast and solving those brain-teasers, you know? The Umbral Realm is like your backup life, but it's pretty sketchy because if you bite the dust here, it's game over for real, like, no respawns, dude. To bounce back from the Umbral Realm, you gotta scout for a checkpoint, which can be, like, a Vestige or a chill Flower Bed where they planted a Vestige seed. These spots recharge your health and healing stuff, let you level up, and bring those baddies you whooped back into the action. It's all about that second chance.

Lords of the Fallen, like, it's not all rainbows and unicorns, you feel me? So, after some seriously slick moves and epic beatdowns, Otto bit the dust and just crashed hard. My victory high was, like, super short-lived, though. Out of nowhere, that same goblin-like dude from the opening cutscene rolls in on a dragon, like, what even? His health bar pops up, calling him "The Lightreaper," and he's all about being the "early-game boss whose only job is to make you eat dirt." I was left there, totally helpless and shaking, like, whoa.

Lords of the Fallen, you see, is all about embracing the fact that biting the dust is just part of the game, no biggie. So, I quickly respawned and got back to my epic quest. I ventured deeper into a blazing castle, and I started messing around with the sweet tricks of the Umbral Lantern, you know, just trying out some of its cool moves. One of them, the Soul Flay skill, was a game-changer. It allowed me to snatch the soul right out of my foes, freezing them in their tracks for a hot minute while I dished out some serious damage. This came in super handy when I faced off against this beefy warrior dude swinging around a massive two-handed sword. I metaphorically tore him apart, which not only gave me a chance to patch myself up but also stored up all that damage in his soul. Once his soul and body were back together, it only took one hit to unleash all that stored-up hurt. And if you're wondering, that badass move could be recharged by siphoning energy from certain spots in the Umbral realm, so it was worth using against the tough customers.

The intro cutscene was, like, lit, and then she came at me swinging. At first, I was holding my own pretty well, you know, giving it my all. But then out of nowhere, she grew these wings, brought down a hail of arrows from the heavens, and summoned two, like, holographic versions of herself. It was insane, and she wrecked me the first time around. But I didn't give up, you feel me? On round two, I was, like, in the zone, and that rush of adrenaline and endorphins kicked in. That's the stuff that makes these games so damn satisfying as you make progress.

#LordsOfTheFallen #Gamescom2022 #HorrorGaming #GameOn #Gamescom2023 #GamingLife #GamingAdventures

[williamkergroach55]

China, leader of the 21st century

🌟 China: The Unstoppable Journey! 🇨🇳🚀

Hey, Tumblr fam! Brace yourselves for a mind-blowing adventure into the heart of China's awesomeness! 🎉✨ Get ready to dive deep into "China, Leader of the 21st Century - Power and Wisdom" – an epic rollercoaster of history, culture, and sheer brilliance! 🌟📚

Alright, let's spill the tea ☕ – this book is no snooze-fest! Say goodbye to boring history classes and hello to a wild ride through ancient times. We'll unravel China's beginnings, from prehistoric coolness to the rise of those Shang and Zhou dynasties, bringing epic traditions and cultural swag! 🏯🐉 #HistoryLovers #AncientVibes

But hold up, there's more! 💥 We've got turbulence, fam! The Spring and Autumn Period and those Warring Kingdoms brought some juicy drama, but guess what? China was like, "Nah, we got this!" Thanks to some genius leaders, they sailed through the storm, keeping it real with stability and progress! 🌪️🌈 #Resilience #WiseLeaders

Fast forward to the dynasties of greatness – Qin, Han, Tang, and Ming, oh my! 👑🔥 These emperors were the OG visionaries, making history one swaggy move at a time! But like, let's learn from their wins and losses, cause #LeadershipLessons, yo! 💡🚀

Now, get ready to witness China's glow-up! 🌟💪 In the modern era, they shook things up, kicking dynastic rule to the curb and welcoming the Republic of China! 🎉🗽 Politics got real with ideologies and pressures, but hey, China flexed her muscles and embraced a bright future! 🌅✨ #NewEraVibes

Whoa, the party's not over! 🎉😎 The People's Republic of China took the stage, led by the Communist Party! They had their ups and downs, but we love them for steering the ship towards prosperity and stability, even with critics like, "Hold up, fam!" #VisionaryMoves #CommunistParty

But guess what's got the world shook? China's global ascent! 🌐🚀 The New Silk Road initiative is like a boss, paving the way for international trade and development. 🌏🛤️ Global companies are like, "China, you rock!" while geopolitics plays a wild game of chess! 🌐♟️ #GlobalInfluence #NewSilkRoad

Oh, and did we mention the vibe of Chinese culture? 🎨📚 It's woven into every fiber of life – from art and literature to philosophy and daily swag! Confucian wisdom and Taoist vibes are the secret sauce to their resilience and unity! 🏯🧘 #ChineseCulture #HarmonyInDiversity

Psst, let's not forget the diaspora fam! 🌎🌏 Across continents, China's got a global squad making waves and preserving their heritage like champs! 🌐🌟 They're like cultural wizards, connecting worlds while embracing their roots! #GlobalConnectors #CulturalExchange

Last but not least, the biggie! 💥💫 Strong and wise leadership – that's the key to China's radiant future! 🗝️💡 No room for personality cults or power-tripping – just enlightened governance for a nation that slays! 💯💪 #LeadershipGoals #FutureUnleashed

Alright, lovelies! 🌸✨ If you're ready for the most epic ride of your life, "China, Leader of the 21st Century - Power and Wisdom" is the ultimate game-changer! 📚💥 You can grab your copy on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/China-Leader-century-William-Kergroach-ebook/dp/B0CC9XDCNF?ref_=ast_author_dp, and let's embark on this lit adventure together! 🎢🚀 #ChinaJourney #EpicRead #TumblrVibes

[sgtcalhouns]

I just know felix is that dad that tries too hard to be cool and incorrectly uses slang terms he doesn’t fully understand and tamora is always facepalming in the background like “I am literally begging you to stop”

#sendin the kiddos off to the random roster race like ‘have fun fam! it’ll be a lit time and that’s the tea!’ #someone tells him WAP stands for Wishes And Prayers

[dearestdamned]

I’ve got VODKA and NEW SHOES what more can a girl want

#actually I would like a single ounce of mental stability please and thank you #but in case anyone’s worried no the shoes aren’t an impulsive purchase #I literally have not bought shoes in ten years and every single last one of mine now has holes in it #plus I got cheapy Walmart ones #mars speaks #I also splurged and got myself two Long Island ice teas and a bottle of what’s called strawberry lemonade vodka #it’s lit fam 🔥 #just girly things

[letarasstuff]

One kind of intern

(A/N): This was requested by @greenslifestuff :) It took me a week or two because I had to interact with my friends in order to get the inspiration I needed 😅 Summary: The team gets to work with a gen z teenager. Let’s see how that goes.

Warnings: Swearing and gen z humour

Wordcount: 2k

✨Masterlist✨

___________________________________

“Team, this is (Y/N) (L/N). She will be interning for the upcoming three months alongside this team. (Y/N), these are Agents Emily Prentiss, Jennifer Jareau, David Rossi, Derek Morgan and Doctor Spencer Reid and our Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia”, Hotch introduces a teenage girl to his team like this happens every day.

“Wait Hotch, we don’t get interns. What is she going to do, no offense, but getting us coffee or what?” Morgan eyes her suspiciously. She looks like any teenager grabbed from the street. A band t-shirt, a torn pair of jeans and a cup from starbucks in her hands. Nothing you would expect to even enter a federal building.

“No offence taken, Agent Morgan. I know having an ugly pickly bitch working with professionals seems weird. It’s just I have summer break and I thought it would be a good thing on my resumé if I already interned in the FBI, because I just graduated and I wanted to go to the academy this fall. But if you wanna do a vibe check with me first, that’s fine by me. Whatever floats your boat.”

The room falls silent. Then out of all sudden everyone turns to Garcia, who puts her arms up in defense. “I don’t even know half the things she said, ask her yourself.”

That’s how the BAU gets their first contact with Gen Z culture and let me tell you it is a wild ride, so buckle up your seats, drink your tea up because we aren’t going to make any stops.

“(Y/N), I need you to come with me. We are going to the M.E. getting the latest reports from our last case”, Morgan tells her while passing her desk. In the blink of an eye the teenager is ready, putting her denim jacket with various pins and bits of patches on.

“Derek, can we get starbucks on the way back? The pumpkin spiced latte is back on their menu and I am on withdrawal. Pleaaaaaasseeee”, she looks at him with a pouty face. Morgan smiles. “Ok, under one condition: We both get one, take awesome pictures and send them to the group chat and then we act like we didn’t get them anything, but we actually buy them their usual.” He got the hang of it pretty fast. “Deal, Sis.”

While they are in the car on their way to the M.E. the agent groans. “Ugh, road work ahead.” “Uh yeah, I sure hope it does!” Morgan eyes her from the side. His whole demeanor says ‘old and confused’.

“What was that, kid?” But (Y/N) begins to laugh. “Don’t you know vines? Short dumb and funny clips people made?” It’s safe to say that this afternoon he learns to speak in vines, getting on Rossi’s nerves because nothing makes sense anymore.

“Ok, I heard you wanted to become a profiler. So I thought I would show you some old cases and then you try to figure out the profile. I’ll present them to you like I do to the team, alright?” JJ and (Y/N) sit in her office, safe from curious eyes. “As right as the law, Ma’am.” 

“Good, this is a case from several years ago. It happened here in D.C. Three men were murdered execution style in the middle of the night in an alleyway. They were all from different backgrounds. The only connection between them was that they were evicted for some form of sexual harassment or assault. The UnSub also had a signature: A shot into their groin while the men were alive.”

Unfaced by the presented facts (Y/N) pops a piece of gum into her mouth. “It do be like that.”

“What?” “I mean, it’s obviously a woman. She experienced any harassment or assault herself. She also has excess to the files, I assume she works as a paralegal, since most of them are women. Female serial killers are extremely rare, but they are better organized. The only thing left to say is good for her getting revenge.” The blonde looks at the teenager with wide eyes.

“I-I guess but you know you can’t say anything like that to Hotch, do you?” She asks concerned. “JJ, I’m dead inside, not dumb. I know this.” But the agent shrugs. “Good. Though I really want to see his face.” “Mood.”

Penelope Garcia is the closest one to relate to Gen Z culture, since a great part of her time is spent on the internet. She happily learns about all the phrases and their meanings as well as the newest trends and hypes.

“Purp is sus, I tell you”, is heard from the lair into the hallway. Spencer and Derek look at each other with concern on their faces. “Do you think they are alright or do we have to-” “IT’S A SELF REPORT I SWEAR PENNY! YOU WORK WITH PROFILERS IN GANDALF’S NAME!” Spencer’s question is answered by that.

“Baby girl, crazy girl, are you doing good? Do you need help or something?” The older one asks warily. But it’s drowned in another screaming match. “I TOLD YOU PURP WAS THE IMPOSTER BUT YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM I VENTED WHEN I DIDN’T! I WANT ALL TIKTOKS I SENT YOU BACK!” “YOU DON’T DARE TO REVOKE MY TIKTOK PRIVILEGES!” “WATCH ME GARCIA!”

“Whoa girls, what about taking a break?” Morgan tries to diffuse the situation. “Yes, I think JJ got new pictures of Henry and Emily brought cookies this morning”, Spencer adds.

The girls, who mere seconds ago were ready to jump each other's throats, look at the other one. “You get the cookies and I go to JJ, deal?” (Y/N) asks. “Deal!” Without sparing the boys another glance they run out of the lair. Their devices are still lit up. A red figure shines into their faces. ‘AMONG US’ is written underneath it. “I think we get too old for this stuff, don’t we Reid?”

Spencer always thought he was young. Of course, his mind is older, but physically he is not that old. But the intern proves him wrong. And boy is he wrong.

“Spencer, is there anything interesting to know today?” (Y/N) takes a seat on his desk, distracting the genius from his paperwork. It is a common occurrence for her to go to him to ask for a fun fact.

“Do you wanna learn something about sloths?” His knowledge (or the writer’s) on this subject is astonishingly big.

“Spill the tea, sis.” “Did you kn- What? But I don’t have tea to spill. And I don’t wanna spill anything, I-” Reid rambles in confusion.

“It’s just a saying, Spencer. There is no deeper meaning to it then ‘Tell me everything about it’. You know, it’s mostly used for gossiping, but I don’t really like to gossip. That’s why I use it in a different context. You got it?” (Y/N) explains it to him in a soft manner, knowing her generation can be complex.

“Yeah, I think I do. Thank you for telling me. I really like the phrase. It has a nice ring. What about you spill the tea about all the phrases you know and I tell you some things from my knowledge?” “I think you got yourself a teacher, genius. But now tell me about the sloths, I love them.”

A few days later Rossi catches her doing some weird moves. “Are you having a seizure or what is your problem, youngster?” Even though he tries not to show it, David took a great liking to (Y/N), thinking of her like a granddaughter. Still, most of her actions confuse the hell out of him.

“I’m practising a dance for tiktok. My friends and I worked on a choreo we wanted to film later. Come here, I can show you.” And that’s what she does in the conference room. The teenager walks him through every move of the choreo, explaining the meaning to it and how it correlates with the song.

“And then you move your arm like that. Exactly like that! You did a great job, David! Are you sure you don’t want to come with me later? We can make you your own account and name it ‘Grandpa-on-tiktok’. You can promote your books over there and it’s a way to float with the trend!”

Seeing her this excited Rossi can’t do anything but agree to the idea. Also, he secretly liked doing the dance thing. It made him feel young again.

“(Y/N), you said you graduated this summer. But your file said you are 16?” Emily asks her one boring day filled with paperwork and countless cups of coffee. “It is what it is”, she mindlessly answers, too focused on filling out the work in front of her.

“I mean yes but how?”

“Emily, smart people exist. I know, coming from me hits different, but here we are.” Finally (Y/N) puts her pen away looking at the raven haired woman.

“What are you talking about? I can’t really follow you.” The more the intern says the more confused gets Emily.

She sighs. “I don’t want to leave you on read here. I kind of am smart somehow. Apparently I was smart enough to skip a grade or two. But it’s no biggie. Many peeps do this, so I don’t sweat it.”

“Even though I feel like you are selling yourself short here, I know you are an incredibly intelligent person. Someday you will be an awesome profiler and any team will be lucky to have you. I really hope we will be the lucky team. But I’m still not sure if this is what I should say in this context.”

“Emily, you are goals. This fam is squad goals. I really hope to be a part of this someday”, (Y/N) admits. “I’m sure Hotch will do his best to get you on the team, you became a great part of it. I can’t imagine a future without you.”

Sadly Prentiss has to get used to a time without the team’s beloved intern. On her last day (Y/N) knocks at Hotch’s door.

“Hey, I wanted to say thank you. The time with you and all the others was amazing and I learned so many useful things for not only the academy but also for my daily life. I really had a glow-up here”, she says after coming in.

Hotch motions towards the chairs in front of his desk. “Take a seat, (Y/N). I got something for you. See it as a compensation for not getting paid for your internship. You really did great work and a better job than some agents, who are doing theirs for many years already but don’t know half the stuff you do. You are a valuable member to the team.”

“Wait, you speak in presence tense. I leave you all this afternoon, you know that, do you?” But the Unit Chief only gestures to a white envelope on his desk. Quickly the teenager takes it and reads it.

“Are you serious Hotchner? Because I will cry you a river if you joke”, she threatens him.

“I’m dead serious, (Y/N). Even though half of your talks are difficult to understand, the other half is twice as useful and important. Additionally to that, you are like a fresh breath of air that the team needed. That’s why a place here will be available for you as soon as you graduate from the academy. I trust you that you will pass with flying colors, I had to promise that to Strauss.”

“Of course, Hotch. I swear on my Animal Crossing Island that I will do my best and more. Thank you so much”, she leaps into his arms.

The others watch the interaction from the bullpen, pretending to not get teary eyed. Their favorite Gen Z Kid will come back to them after all.

Taglist:

Spencer Reid

@calm-and-doctor

#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid x teen!reader #penelope garcia x reader #penelope garcia x teen!reader #derek morgan x reader #derek morgan x teen!reader #david rossi x reader #david rossi x teen!reader #aaron hotch x reader #aaron hotch x teen!reader #emily prentiss x reader #emily prentiss x teen!reader #Criminal Minds #criminal minds fanfiction #x reader #reader insert #x teen!reader #jennifer jareau x reader #jennifer jareau x teen!reader

[retrogradedreaming]

UHHHH maybe,, you could write a little thing for reki making the sk8 fam tea? and kaoru thinking hes gonna have to pretend he likes it but then "oh wait reki can actually make tea what-"

just bc this has been living in my head for awhile sdkljfs

(capt-snoozles)

It turns out I am completely incapable of writing ANYTHING short, so have a full one shot type thing, I guess. I hope it's okay that I kinda borrowed headcanons from you and @that-was-anticlimactic for Reki with TS at a couple of small moments in the fic?

----

It used to be Kaoru alone who visited Kojiro’s restaurant when it was closed on Mondays. But since the start of winter break, Sia la Luce had become much livelier now that Reki, Langa, and Miya weren’t in school all day, and Shadow came when his days off lined up right. If Kaoru were being honest, it took some time to get used to the space no longer being only his and Kojiro’s, but he’d grown to like how their group came together like this.

The afternoons were the quietest part of these days. Kojiro took these opportunities to try out new recipes on them, leaving everyone contentedly full and pleasantly sleepy. Today, Langa had actually fallen asleep in the booth, and Reki sat beside Kaoru at the counter, playing with a tiny skateboard and making soft sounds like a small motor. Shadow and Miya sat at a table across the room, arguing over whether clown or cat makeup looked cooler while Kojiro finished cleaning. Kaoru let himself sink into the lull, Reki’s noises and that of the skateboard wheels on the counter an almost comforting presence beside him. And yet, one thing was missing, keeping him from truly relaxing.

“Seems like a good afternoon for tea,” Kojiro said, as if reading his mind as he appeared out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. “You want me to make some?”

“Absolutely not,” Kaoru scoffed. “People who microwave their tea should be arrested.”

“There’s no way you can tell the difference,” Kojiro said, defensive. “Hot water is hot water.”

“Only an uncultured pig would believe that,” Kaoru snapped. He was about to stand, to tell Kojiro he’d make the tea himself like he always inevitably had to, when Reki all but leaped from his seat, skateboard abandoned for the moment.

“I’ll make it!” he offered, and the way his face lit up meant that Kaoru took too long to say not to bother. By the time he’d found his words, Reki had already bounded around the counter and into the kitchen, and Kojiro didn’t even try to stop him. Before Kaoru could tell Kojiro to stop him, Reki called out to Kojiro, asking about the industrial stove, and soon, Kojiro was not only allowing Reki to make the tea, but encouraging him.

Kaoru supposed this was a step up from Kojiro’s microwave technique, but if Kaoru were likely to trust anyone other than himself to make a decent cup of tea, it wouldn’t be Reki. The idea that he’d wanted his tea made well and was unlikely to receive it as such set him on edge. As he listened to the water boil and the conversation continued around him, he found himself wrapping a strand of his hair around his finger and tugging, letting it go, and repeating the process until his scalp hurt. He didn’t even notice that Langa had woken up until he appeared beside Kaoru and spoke.

“What’s Reki doing?” he asked.

“Making tea,” Kaoru said, doing his best not to appear so anxious about something so small.

Langa peered over the edge of the counter to where Kojiro and Reki were talking in the kitchen, and then turned back to Kaoru. “I like how he makes it. I never liked it before I met him.”

Kaoru hummed a halfhearted response. He doubted that Langa’s standards were very high, given that he’d grown up in Canada. He’d likely had tea often enough, given that his mother was Japanese, but Kaoru knew from experience that plenty of people even here in Okinawa had no idea how to brew a proper cup. It was about timing, knowing how hot to make the water, how long to steep the leaves, and so many people rushed the process—or worse, forgot about it and steeped too long—that Kaoru preferred to make his own.

He couldn’t help but envision Reki handing him a bitter cup, or one that tasted like little more than hot leaf juice. He grimaced at the idea of having to drink it and pretend he liked it, suffering all the while. He would have to wait until he was home later to make something better for himself.

He was still trying to think of a polite way to decline the tea he’d obviously wanted when Reki came out bearing a tray of steaming cups and began making the rounds through the restaurant. Reki handed the first one to Langa, who accepted it, smiling softly up at Reki. Langa sipped the tea immediately, only to flinch and draw it away after the first sip.

Not promising, Kaoru thought. If he’d boiled the water, it was ruined, even if it was something as simple as green tea. And yet, Langa only took another sip while Reki looked on approvingly.

“It’s good,” Langa finally proclaimed, and Reki glowed as if he’d received praise from the emperor himself. Reki moved on, handing Kaoru his cup.

“Thank you,” Kaoru said, accepting it with both hands. Fortunately, Reki moved on to Shadow and Miya without waiting for Kaoru to try it, which meant that he didn’t know Kaoru only held onto it without making a move to taste it. If nothing else, he could enjoy the warmth that crawled from his fingertips all the way to his elbows.

Neither Miya nor Shadow hesitated in drinking theirs, though Kaoru couldn’t imagine they cared much how it tasted, as long as it was hot. And yet, as he watched, the two of them looked just as pleased as Langa when they tried it.

“Oh wow, the slime makes good tea,” Miya pronounced, hugging the cup close to him like a space heater.

“Damn, this is pretty good,” Shadow said, drinking deeply and draining half the cup. “How’d you even learn to make it like this?”

Reki shrugged, taking up his own cup, the last on the tray. He set the tray down on the counter and took the empty seat beside Langa. “I dunno, I guess I just picked it up over the years. It’s kinda like making skateboards, y’know? You have to figure out how all the parts fit together, and if you do it wrong, the tea doesn’t taste right.”

Kaoru looked up at him from the murky depths of his tea, brows raised. When it came to making tea, the analogy was rather profound, and Kaoru couldn’t argue it. Reki was right—tea was about the sum of its parts, the pieces fitting together perfectly. And as with building skateboards, the person making it had to know exactly how to combine each piece to create the whole.

“That doesn’t make any sense, but whatever,” Shadow said, taking another sip. “All I care about is that it doesn’t suck.”

“How come you’ve never made us tea before?” Miya asked, eyes trained on the Switch he’d pulled from his pocket now that he’d abandoned his conversation with Shadow.

“I don’t really have the patience for it,” Reki said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s kinda like, if I don’t wanna put in the time to do it right, why bother?”

While everyone was wrapped up in conversation, Kaoru finally chanced a discreet sip. If it was as bad as he’d expected, he could school his expression appropriately while they were all distracted. Perhaps he could even get away without having to lie about how good it was. And yet, when the tea touched his tongue, he paused.

It wasn’t too hot.

It wasn’t too weak or too strong.

It wasn’t too bitter and the leaves didn’t taste as though they’d been burnt.

It was, as far as Kaoru was concerned, some of the best tea he’d had outside his own home. For a moment, he couldn’t find the words to say so. He sipped it again, just to make sure he hadn’t deluded himself based on everyone else’s praise. Sure enough, it was almost more delicious the second time.

“You surprised?” Kojiro murmured at his ear, his own cup dangling from his fingertips. Kaoru jumped, nearly spilling his tea. When he turned to face him, Kojiro’s lips quirked in a smug grin, and he raised one brow meaningfully. Kaoru shot him a hard glower in return, a silent command to keep his mouth shut before Kaoru turned back to Reki.

“It’s delicious,” Kaoru said, and it wasn’t forced in the least. “I’m impressed.”

Reki, who had already immersed himself in talking to Langa, gaped at Kaoru, one of his hoodie strings falling from between his teeth. Then, he flashed a wide grin. “Glad you like it!”

“Have you ever practiced tea ceremony?” Kaoru asked, reluctantly setting his tea down on the counter.

“Nah, my parents let me try it once when I was younger, but I kept messing up the steps,” Reki said. “It’s not really fun when people get mad at you for doing it wrong.”

“I studied it for some time,” Kaoru said, remembering how the order felt comforting, how the amount of concentration it required gave his anxious mind something to focus on, how the simple yet refined aesthetic felt like clearing his head. In recent years, he didn’t have time for it with his calligraphy business, but a part of him missed it. “It’s quite a bit different from drinking tea like this, but if you wanted to, perhaps we could do a...modified version of it. Something less formal with everyone here.”

Reki’s eyes brightened, and he looked to Langa, who only seemed to share his enthusiasm. “It sounds fun, yeah! A lot better than getting yelled at by a bunch of old people because ‘tradition.’”

“I’d say so,” Kaoru said, and they devolved into talking about their favorite teas and the best ways to brew them. Kaoru couldn’t remember the last time he’d talked to someone who actually understood that tea was an art even more than it was a drink. But Reki did, and when the rest of the group finally left, leaving Kaoru and Kojiro alone in the restaurant to clean up, Kojiro nudged him with an elbow.

“You didn’t think Reki could make tea like that, did you?” he said, the words teasing but too close to Kaoru’s own thoughts for comfort.

“Shut up or I’ll leave you here to wash dishes alone,” Kaoru quipped, even as he accepted the next cup to dry. “I will admit, I was pleasantly surprised.”

“I knew you would be,” Kojiro said as he dried his hands and stretched.

“Anything is better than microwaved tea,” Kaoru said. And although it was true, he couldn’t help but look forward to the next Monday, and the last before the kids started school again.

#anyway hope you like it! #i had a lot of fun with this one #i also think kojiro's flaw as a chef is microwaving tea #even though that's not exactly a chef thing really #i tried putting some renga in here #so hopefully everyone is in character because apparently i only know matchablossom #also sorry miya and shadow have like two lines #i tried including everyone but it was SUPPOSED to be short #reki kyan #kaoru sakurayashiki #langa hasegawa #kojiro nanjo #hiromi higa #miya chinen #sk8 the infinity #sk8 fanfic #writing prompts #capt-snoozles

[pianjeong]

stemverse aka the expanded earth sci zuko au

brought to u by ur local earth sci major; ty to the crime fam for supporting me in making this post and @itszukkatime for coming up w like half of these​

zuko is an earth science major

- bitchfather ozai (business dude) is one of those ppl who devalue the humanities and made zuko do a stem major. zuko hates this but ozai kinda...pays for school so he has no choice. this goes on UNTIL he discovers earth science and his visual learner brain goes !!!!

- bitchfather disapproves bc he’s a climate change denier but cannot say anything bc it is stem

- zuko also double majors in literature bc fuck u dad and he has very strong disaster theatre gay energy: he does not sleep and sees no problem with this; also subsists on ramen and asian snacks even tho he can cook perfectly well

sokka is an engineering/lit double major

- he meets zuko in intro to american lit (why did i do that i hate american lit) and bond over the things they carried (the vietnam war novel) and shared family trauma aka hakoda being/having been deployed and zuko having the worst home life/no friends

- originally they both lived in single rooms but then one dorm flooded and a bunch of the assignments had to get shuffled around so eventually they become roommates

katara is a computer science major

- she will physically fight anyone who says women shouldn’t be in cs/stem. zuko joins her even tho she’s told him a hundred times that she’s fine; he just wants to beat ppl up

- she also joins zuko and aang (environ sci major/environmental activist) in committing minor acts of ecoterrorism

suki is a political science major and is in a sorority

- ty lee (psych major) hangs out with a really toxic sorority bc all her sisters were in it but Hates It There...but once she meets suki she ends up joining her sorority and havin a great time. she also plays the sousaphone in marching band bc just imagine the image

- azula is a business major and captain of the division 1 volleyball team

- mai plays the piccolo yall just need to know this.

piandao is zuko’s mineralogy professor and also advisor for his major

- he also teaches swordfighting at his studio a little off campus which zuko and sokka both go to (and don’t KNOW that they both go to and piandao sets them up by giving them both spare keys and after hours permission)

- he’s the local iconic gay professor (based heavily on MY iconic gay professor) he owns a shirt that says “queer scientist” and is dating jeong jeong, who is a chaotic dirt gremlin who somehow got tenure (he’s a field geologist who was forced to teach a class by the department)

-- toph is also a chaotic dirt gremlin who decided that jeong jeong would be her advisor and did not look back. their combined energy can and probably will bring a building to the ground

iroh owns the local boba tea shop

- literally everyone goes there to hang out and do schoolwork

- zuko works there bc he needs money and loves his uncle the only thing he doesn’t like is that ppl who know him (not the gaang obvi but just random folks) see him there

#stemverse #it's a TAG now yall #fic is in progress dkskskdjs #atla #text #* #zukka #pianjeong