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cynnied-writes · 2 years

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i like me better (when i'm with you)

○ fandom: deltarune

○ main pairing: kralsei (kris x ralsei) | minor pairing: seam x jevil

○ characters: kris | ralsei | jevil | seam

○ genre/warnings: romance (mostly fluff… for now) | a bit of coming of age angst | and magical realism lol

○ chapter word count: 8,276

→ summary: Kris Dreemurr, the eccentric musician SilentKnight on TikTok, hadn't meant to trespass through Ralsei Prince's backyard and fall into his pond. But to be fair, they were utterly plastered at the time.

○ note: Back so soon? Alrighty then, prepare to get philosophical in this chapter. And for a whole bunch of backstory on Seam and Jevil that you didn't ask for!!! Let's do this thing!

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Chapter 8/22: The Mad Jester's Tea Party & The Thing About Soulmates

Kris

The following week and a bit passed with little fanfare.

Nothing of note popped up other than Muffet’s surprisingly innocuous video about Ralsei’s party. Which meant they were well overdue for a bit of madness in their life. And the universe decided to pay it all with interest on the last Thursday of September. When they were hard at work finishing up a couple of their freelance projects.

Yes, yes, hold your gasps. Kris Dreemurr, a known menace, did, in fact, have a job that didn’t involve wearing wigs and lip-syncing. Though, their work was still in the realm of music-making because, you know, practice makes perfect. And also, more importantly, rent.

The jobs they took mainly were one-time projects and a mix of producing and audio engineering. Crafting and producing tracks and mixing and mastering songs. All of that makes them sound way more professional than they were. Most days, they stayed in their pyjamas and made it their mission to find places in their apartment to sprawl as they worked. Like right now.

Mid-afternoon sun streamed through their windows as they sat in the spinny chair. Legs propped up on the cheap IKEA desk that they and Susie had shoved into the corner of their apartment. Composing MIDI chord progressions for some Hip Hop thing Lottie Johnson from NYC was cooking up.

They didn’t like to ask their clients too many questions, only enough to get the job done and done well. The only person they’d ever kept in consistent contact with was Jin-Sang. An animator who ran a cyberpunk Lofi YouTube channel in his spare time. Every so often, he needed more appropriately synthy beats for his listeners to chill/game/study to. And even then, the two of them were only internet acquaintances, not close at all. They liked it that way. If people thought they were a strange music-making cryptid, then so be it.

Tiny MIDI keyboard on their lap, headphones on their ears, they were going back over a couple of the major scale progressions when they felt their phone buzz beside them on the desk.

Usually, that wouldn’t be enough to rouse them from their composing fervour. But out of the corner of their eye, they glimpsed the name on the text notification.

It’s Ralsei.

And that’s all they needed for their interest to pique and their heart to start racing. Two things that always seemed to happen when Ralsei was involved. Paying the reactions no mind (Chalking it up to the excitement of talking with a new friend. A famous one to boot.), they dropped what they were doing and picked up their phone.

29th September 3:02 pm

Ralsei: Kris I’m having afternoon tea at Last Drop Teaseap in Pasadena. If it’s not a bother I’d like for you to take tea with me

Ralsei: For our ruse that is

Ralsei: It’s been well over a week since my birthday. My uncle mentioned that we’ll be needing another public sighting together soon

Ralsei: If not don’t worry

Ralsei: We’ll figure something else out

Hmm.

Squinting at their phone, they settled their feet on the ground. Tilting their head this way and that way as if the texts on their screen would make more sense at a different angle. Because they didn’t sit right with them. Don’t get them wrong. The thought of drinking tea with Ralsei caused a lone butterfly to burst into their stomach and flutter around. And since it’s common knowledge that they enjoyed a good cuppa (Thanks, Dad), it wouldn’t be strange for them to run into each other there.

But…

They were much more confused at the way he invited them. How the texts were worded, very monotonous and straight-to-the-point sentences, were so unlike how they’d come to know how he texted. Over the few weeks they’ve texted, they found that he liked to text, kinda like how he spoke.

He used flowery language and proper grammar and punctuation. Barring the times when he got excited. Then he’d use exclamation points and emojis liberally. He also sometimes took forever to get to a point. Heading off on tangents here and there, even if all he wanted to ask initially was how their day was going. Not they minded, not at all. It’s what made the drastic difference in tone worry them.

Did something happen to him? Had theydone something wrong? Thousands of different scenarios raced through their head, some worse than others. They were silenced by a lone thought that made a half-smile tug their lips almost all at once.

Guess they’ll have to figure it out when they get there.

29th September 3:04 pm

Kris: gimme an hour!!!

Now filled to bursting with butterflies, they leapt up from their spinny chair. Leaving their work to the wayside (They were almost finished with days to spare), they rushed to throw off their pyjamas and put proper clothes on. Tugging on the skinny jeans that looked best with their packer, a button-up shirt, one of Susie’s bomber jackets and a loosened tie. Just to be fancy.

As they called a Lyft, they brushed their teeth and combed out their wild waves of hair into something their mother wouldn’t gripe about. Not even wincing at the thirty-four bucks it would cost them to get to Pasadena during rush hour. Grabbing their wallet and keys, they slipped into their shoes not a few moments later and were out the door as the Lyft driver turned onto their street.

Honestly, they had no idea what had come over them in those intervening minutes. It was like a strange, perky entity had taken over their mind and body and only let go once they passed through Glendale in the Lyft.

In the back seat of the Lyft car, only then did it sink in how hasty of a decision they’d made. Slumping into the leather seat with their fingers digging into their temples, their nose crinkled, and their brow creased. What the absolute fuck just happened? They’d been working! They should still be working! So why aren’t they still working?!

Yes, they did sign a contract that obligated them to spend increasing amounts of time with Ralsei, but that didn’t mean that they were at his beck and call. They didn’t need to come running as soon as he snapped his claws. Ralsei didn’t even think that himself! He’d even given them an acceptable out to his invitation. Schedule a “coincidental” run-in another day and be done with it. And yet…

Wrapping their arms around themself, their hands gripping their upper arms. They tried to sink further into the pleather seat. Hoping it’d swallow them whole. They’re… they’re not even sure if the feeling that they felt even had a name, but, looking back, it felt all-encompassing. Like being hurled into the sea and feeling the tides push and pull them this way and that way. Controlled by forces beyond their power. They grimaced. A slow scowl with a curled lip that grew with each passing second.

No.

Whatever that feeling was, they didn’t like it.

Not one bit.

A gruff, accented voice broke through their gloom. “We’re here.”

Shit, right.

Thanking the driver and bidding them goodbye, they hopped out. Only to find themself not in front of—they checked their text convo with Ralsei—Last Drop Teaseap… What’s a teaseap? Whatever it was, they’re sure it’s not inside of Pasadena City Hall.

Huh?

What kind of trance had they’d been under?

The grand structure with its Renaissance-like domed tower loomed over them. As if it was, too, questioning why they were there. Staring up at the City Hall, their eyes narrowed as they tried to search their clearly deteriorating mind for the answers to their questions. But nothing came to mind. All they got was a mini heart attack from having to stumble out of the way of a young Monster rushing up the front steps and into the white stoned building.

Catching themself at the last second, they righted themself. Hands clutching their chest before they dug the heels of them into their eyes.

Okay, okay, okay.

Don’t freak out. They’ve got everything handled. This is just a minor setback. All they had to do was look up the directions to the strangely named shop on Google and go from there.

Deep breath in, deep breath out…

Alright, let’s try this again.

Readjusting their clothes, they steadied themself before setting off down N Euclid towards Union.

The walk over to Last Drop was fortunately brief. Only took about ten minutes tops. Which they spent enjoying the pleasant day and the few sparse trees lining the side of the sidewalk. Dabs of green among greys and dirty beiges of a concrete jungle. They should get out more. Hike up to Switzer Falls one day.

They were so caught up in their own thoughts that they almost missed the turn onto N. Raymond Avenue. Thankfully, they didn’t, but it wasn’t because of their own recollection. Oh, no. They only stopped because, as they reached the corner of Union and N. Raymond, a pair of Humans burst out of a shop a couple of doors down. Their bodies heaving and their hair all over the place, they’d looked like they’d been running from an axe-wielding killer. Acted like it too. Rushing to their car in front of the shop, they peeled away. Leaving Kris, seemingly the only witness, to look on after them in extreme confusion and intense curiosity.

What on Earth could have terrified them so badly? And why did they desperately need to see it for themself?

Before they knew it, their feet took them closer to the shop those Humans fled from. No, they, in fact, did not have any self-preservation instincts. Not enough to keep them from investigating, at least.

It was worth it, in the end. When they reached the shop in question, they found pale purple bricks, arched double doors and the words “Last Drop Teaseap” written across the frilly awnings over the storefront windows. Thisis where Ralsei asked them to meet him? But then what were those two Humans on about? What was this place?Head filled with a thousand other questions; there was nothing else left for them to do but venture inside.

The first thing that they noticed when they entered was the Choice™️ of carnival music as an atmosphere creator. They didn’t hate it, always one to enjoy Cosmo Sheldrake’s spooky, eccentric songs. (Anybody with a song titled “The Moss” was always going to be a favourite of theirs.) But, it wasn’t a good fit for the vibes the rest of the shop was putting off.

It felt more like a witch shop than a tea room with patchwork tablecloths, dark cabinets filled with glowing vials, hanging herbs and amulets. And with the added endearing mitch-matched chairs and tables, they could see why Ralsei liked the odd yet cozy ambiance. It was nostalgic and comforting in a way. Reminding them of when they’d visited their distant Great Aunt’s house. Everything was covered in doilies, and unsettling dolls watched their every move. Comforting, in a peculiar way.

Or it would be. If it weren’t for the absolute chaos raging within this calming space.

Chairs and couches were turned over. A candle chandelier up above was swinging to and fro. If teacups and saucers weren’t piled high at impossible angles, they flew. Yet, when they inevitably came crashing into something, they didn’t shatter. They only bounced right off the surface and continued their crazed flight or came to a sudden rest in their new home. But, if you could believe it, none of that was the strangest thing they were seeing.

No. The strangest sight was that, in the middle of all that chaos, a single figure sat at a spotless table. He had his back to them, but they knew who it was from his pearly white fur, blush pink horns, and short locks of hair that’d be a full mane one day. A tiny smile bloomed on their lips as a single butterfly returned to flit around their stomach once more. Strange, but they ignored it in favour of bracing themself for the trek over to Ralsei.

Taking their first step, they narrowly missed a soaring teacup heading for their head and again when it rebounded against a pillar. Yet still, they pressed on. Avoiding stacks of plates on the ground, stepping over toppled chairs and ducking behind a flipped table to evade a whirlwind of cutlery. Their heart leapt in their chest when they finally made it over to him. Only to crash and fall into a bottomless pit when they got a closer look at him and found him sitting as still a statue. A thousand-yard-stare on his face.

“Ralsei?” They asked, circling around the table to pick up a fallen chair and settle it in its rightful place opposite Ralsei’s. And when his eyes didn’t budge an inch when they came into view, they tried again. “Ralsei?” No response, not even a mindful hum of acknowledgement. Alright, that’s it. Slapping a hand down onto the table, they raised their voice. “Ralsei!”

As if struck by lightning, Ralsei flinched so hard he’d leapt in his seat. Clutching his paws to his panting chest, he frantically looked around the shop before his gaze landed on them leaning against the table. His eyebrows furrowed.

“Kris? What are you—” He slipped his glasses off to rub his eyes before settling back on his muzzle. Blinking once and then twice, when he looked at them again, he still looked as confused as he did before. “—What are you doing here?”

Oof. That did wonders to their self-esteem. If he didn’t want them to come, why ask in the first place? Leaning back to standing, they shoved their hands in their pockets. Their shoulders hunching in on themself. “Umm… you asked me to come?”

“I did? Are you sure?” He asked, his head tilting to the side as his eyes looked left. Was he… telling the truth? Had he seriously not remembered texting them an hour ago?

“Yeah, texted me and everything. Here.” Digging their phone out of their pocket, they swiped and tapped until they pulled up their text conversation. Flipping it around, they showed the screen to him.

“Huh. Would you look at that. I guess I did.”

Stiff as a board, they jerked a finger at the exit. “You know what, I can—”

“No! Please, I insist.” He said, bolting to his feet. Grabbing their arms, he shoved them into the seat opposite him before pushing it in. Settling back in his chair, he moved his tea, sandwiches and scones around to make space on their side of the table. “Please sit. You came all this way for me. It’d be rude for me to kick you out. Spectacularly rude, in fact.”

Despite all his insisting, after they made themself comfortable, there was a brief moment where a look of pain flashed across his face. Though, it was quickly replaced with a smile. The rehearsed one. It hurt a bit, knowing that he was still hiding from them, but they knew better than to comment on it. They’d lure him out, eventually.

“I wouldn’t go that far. So,” They began with a slight smirk, knabbing a piece of sliced strawberry from the top of the tiered platter. Then, with practiced movements, they tossed it in the air and caught it in their mouth. Usually, they’d consider pulling off that trick to be one of the most satisfying things they could do, but not today. Today, Ralsei’s playful smile at their stunt took the top spot. A grin of their own playing on their lips, they rested their crossed arms on the table and asked, “How ya been since we last talked?”

“I just got back from France this morning, so tired mostly. Paris is a whole nine hours ahead of L.A., so it took a bit to adjust to the shift. But it was completely worth it!” He answered, practically bouncing in his seat. “There’s nothing like Paris fashion week.”

Their grin turned impish. “Other than New York fashion week. And London fashion week. And—”

“Yes, yes, there are plenty of fashion weeks to go around, Kris. Thank you for reminding me. But there’s just—Duck—” As casual as anything, Ralsei grabbed their shoulder and forced them to duck. Just in time for a flying saucer to whiz through the air where their head was. All while never flinching himself. “—There’s something differentabout Paris’ week. Then again, I only go because Swatch has runaway every year, so perhaps I’m biased.”

Frozen with their eyes and mouth open wide, they stared at Ralesi as he took a sip of tea. Humming in delight as he did so. What the—they’re gonna lose their shit. You know what? They’d get to Ralsei’s feelings in a second, but they had to know what was happening.

“Ralsei?” They said with a squeak. Searching for the right question to ask, their mind too busy trying to process all the chaos, all they asked was a breathy, “Why?”

“Jevil,” He answered, absentmindedly stirring his tea with a fancy silver spoon.

“Gesundheit.”

Frowning, Ralsei countered, “That’s his name, Kristinopher.”

“Touché. But I’m still gonna need a little more than that.”

Sighing, he put down his cup of tea on its saucer with a clink. “On the last Thursday of every month, the owner, Seam, has “business” to attend to. So, they leave their shop in the hands of their, er….”

“Husband?” They supplied.

“No, I’ve never seen Seam with a ring, though there was that one photo….” He tapped his chin in thought before waving it all away. “The specific terminology doesn’t matter. He’s Seam’s partner in every sense of the word, and he takes over the shop once a month. And I’m not sure why, but this is how he likes things. As chaotic as possible. I have to admit, it takes a bit to get used to, but coming here is a Thursday tradition, so magical maniac or not, I come.”

“Hold on, hold on.” They said, dragging their hands down their face, weary as hell. “Angel, help me. Magic?”

“How wondrous. I didn’t know flying dinnerware was a regular occurrence in your hometown.” Ralsei said in such a sweet and innocent way that they knew his words were actually dripping in sarcasm.

“Oh, fuck off, smart ass. You know what I meant.” They said, smiling from ear to ear. Enjoying getting to see his bastard side once again. “I’ve never met a Monster who still had natural magic. I’ve definitely never met one strong enough to pull all this shit off.”

“Yes, well, Jevil isa special case.” He said before glancing around. Leaning in and lowering his voice to a whisper, he went on. “Have you ever heard about the breaking up of a Massachusetts Monster cult back in the sixties?”

“Yeah, yeah, The Oracles of Neochaos or something? They’d been an isolated cult going back to even before the Monster-Human War and they’d only been discovered in the last century. And because they were never forced to assimilate, like the rest of Monsters, they still had their magic. Noelle and I binged the Netflix documentary about it a while back. Wait,” Bolting upright in their seat, their eyes shot open in realization. Mouth agape, eyes wide in awe, they lowered their voice to match Ralsei’s. “Was hein it?”

Ralsei nodded. “Mm-hmm, he was only a kid when they broke up the whole cult, a preteen at most, but he was powerful. Still is.”

“Little Prince! Little Prince! Little Prince!” A lispy, Bostonian voice that sounded constantly on the edge of manic cackles came from the double doors at the back of the shop. Well, speak of the devil, that had to be him. “What is your little Knight to drink?”

“Well?” Ralsei said, raising a questioning brow.”

Not seeing a single menu in sight, they asked, “What are you drinking?”

“Vanilla almond black tea.”

“Nah, ‘m not in the right mood.” They said, nose wrinkling at the thought of all that dessert-like nutty sweetness. Maybe if they were still on their period… “Do they have Golden Flower tea here?”

Caught in the middle of taking a sip, Ralsei, oh so adorably, eagerly nodded and hummed in affirmation before swallowing. “Interesting choice, they do. Anything to eat?”

It’s not fair how adorable his guy is. How and why no Human or Monster had snatched him for themselves was beyond them. Even after he explained it up in his beach house’s tower, they couldn’t tie Ralsei to the concept of “too chaste to date” in their mind. Well, it’s everybody else’s loss, though. All it meant was that Kris got to enjoy his mannerisms for a while longer.

“I’ll just pick off your plate.” Plucking a grape off the bunch nestled next to the strawberries, they tossed and caught it. Basking in Ralsei’s soft giggles before an idea popped into their mind. “Oh, wait, they don’t have anything chocolatey, do they?”

“They’ve got a chocolate mousse cake,” Ralsei answered. And their face must’ve lit up because before they could confirm their order, he leaned to the side and shouted at the kitchen doors. “A pot of Golden Flower tea and a slice of chocolate cake, please!”

“Coming right up!” Jevil yelled back.

“Whew, now that that’s settled,” They said, rapping out a beat on the table. Unable to keep their hands still. “Why are you here and not in Paris? It’s only Thursday.”

“I had a table reading at Disney this morning.” He said, eyes cast downwards as he poured himself another cup of tea. Then, looking up from his task, he shook his head with a cynical half-smile. “Don’t get too excited now. It’s only for my, claws crossed, last Disney Channel Original musical.”

“Still sounds pretty cool to me. What’s your part in this one, do you get any solos…?” As excited as they were (Just about every famous person thing Ralsei did got them excited), it all tapered off as Ralsei’s face grew cold. And, like that, so did the entire shop feel like it dropped in temperature. Wait, was this what he’d been distant about before? Now’s their chance to get to the bottom of it! Okay, okay, they needed to play this cool. “What’s with the face? Did they make you a tertiary character?”

“No, no, I’m the lead’s best friend, and I have a couple of stand-out verses, nothing terrible. It’s just,” Ralsei paused for a moment. His claws idly flexing and unflexing as an expression they’d never seen him make appeared for a brief moment. His big, round eyes narrowed as his lips pursed before twisting into a sneer. Pure and utter contempt reared its head for a blink-and-you’d-miss-it moment before turning back into icy pleasantness. “I’m performing opposite a certain Disney star that I haven’t had the best history with. She’s a bit of a….”

A co-worker? They wanted to laugh about how they’d never thought it was possible for Ralsei to hate someone as much as this. The urge bubbling in their chest, threatening to burst out of them. But they knew better, though. If he was anything like their mother, you didn’t want to be on his wrong side when he was irritated enough already.

So instead, they took advantage of his loss of words. Waggling their eyebrows at him, they graciously filled in the rest of his sentence. “Bit of a cantankerous twat? To use a ten-dollar word.”

That sure got a reaction out of him.

Covering his mouth, he gasped. “Darkness, no! She’s a—” His simmering disdain erupted in his strawberry pink eyes. Only to be put out just as quick. “—Lovely girl. She’s a bit much sometimes and doesn’t think all that highly of me. That’s all.”

Bless Ralsei’s soul, but it was too late for damage control. This girl, whoever she was, was already on their shit list. “For both of your sakes, let’s hope I don’t run into her at any point. I didn’t catch her name.”

“Because I didn’t toss it.” He shot back, prim as can be, as he lifted his chin. “First rule of being a celebrity, Kris, if you want to confess a gripe about one of your peers, don’t name names. The walls, the trees, and even the streets have ears. In a place like L.A., where everyone knows everyone, you don’t want to burn bridges by mistake.”

“Got it. When I burn bridges, I’ll be sure to do it on purpose.” They said with a snap and a finger gun. Which, unlike their toss-and-catch trick, didn’t amuse Ralsei one bit. “Kidding. You don’t have to tell me anything. I’ll just have to be on the lookout when we go to award shows for when you start starring daggers at a well-dressed girl our age.” They hadn’t realized their mistake until a moment after Ralsei did.

Unmoving, he held his teacup to his lips as his eyes went wide. “We?”

Their heart began to race. Shit, shit, shit. Clearing their throat, they wiped their suddenly sweaty palms on the table cloth and said, “Ummm, if you even bring me, that is. Sorry, I shouldn’t’veshouldn’t’ve assumed.”

Faster than he should’ve, Ralsei put his cup down. Spilling droplets of tea on the shop’s last pristine table, yet he paid it no mind. “No, no, no!” He said, his paw shooting out to cover one of theirs. Recoiling it for a split second before doubling down and wrapping his paw around their hand. Tucking his chin as a faint flush rose in his cheeks, he looked up at them through his lashes. “Did you want to come with me to an award show?”

Their breaths hitched in their throat. “I mean, I wouldn’t say no to an invite if one ended up in my lap.”

“You missed the VMAs and the Primetime Emmys and there aren’t any shows in October. But that only means that Swatch should have enough time to style outfits for us for the AMAs in November. It’d be a good place to start, I think. And if that goes well, I could take you to the Grammys in January. How’s that sound?”

Their pot of tea, a teacup and saucer, and their slice of cake with a silver fork flew through the kitchen doors and deftly made their way over. Avoiding the rest of the flying ceramics and metal. Landing in front of them, only for the teapot to rise again and pour them a cup of tea. But none of that was more mind-blowing than what Ralsei had presented them with.

The AMAs?

The Grammys?

He’d suggested letting them tag along with him to those influential events like he’d offered to take them to the beach. As if they weren’t some of the most exclusive events in the world. And he was just… inviting them. Sure, they knew it was more for their fake dating scheme than an actualgenuine invitation, but it still blew their mind.

“Sounds like a plan.” They answered, trying to shake any lingering astonishment from their voice. Picking up their teacup, they took a sip. The warm, slightly sweet and delicate flavour washed over their tongue. Humming in satisfaction, they kept the cup raised as they winked at Ralsei. “Look at us, scheming like pros.”

He had the gall to look offended at that. “We are not scheming.”

“We’re not?”

“No, that makes us sound like criminals. We’re just… planning.”

“Come up with as many synonyms as you want, we’ll always be scheming to me. Though, I’ve never seen anybody scheme in a kilt before.”

“It’s tradition.”

“To scheme in a kilt?”

“Stop that!” He said, half-heartedly screwing his face up and swatting at them. They stuck their tongue out in retaliation, which Ralsei responded to in kind. Sharing a giggle, Ralsei’s died down before theirs. Nose twitching as he stared into his tea, his voice was suddenly very earnest. “My mother used to bring me here every Thursday once I was old enough. Dressed me up in a mini version of this and everything. It was her favourite thing to do with me, I think. My Grandmother had done it with her, and I suppose so on and so forth.”

“I,” They tried to begin, but their voice got stuck. In the time since they’d last talked about his parents, they hadn’t gotten any better at comforting him about it. “I used to insist for my dad and me to dress up in our church clothes and have tea parties with our only tea set. Drinking real tea, of course. One of the times, I remember he told me that he used to do the same thing when he was younger.” Holding their teacup up, they said, “To family traditions.”

His eyes bright and glassy, Ralsei raised his cup and clinked with theirs as he echoed them. “To family traditions.”

A tinkling bell above the shop’s door alerted them to a new arrival. When they looked up from digging into their cake, they knew without being told that this Monster was Seam. The long patchwork overcoat, the ornate golden cane they leaned on with a gnarled paw, the frazzled and bent whiskers, and the air of someone who knew the universe’s secrets… And made the conscious decision to not tell anyone else. It all screamed owner of a witchy teashop.

Unphased and unbothered by the utter madness their shop has descended into, they tapped their cane twice before strolling through their shop. Without a single word, slowly but surely, Order was brought back as they made their way through the shop. Their cane steadily thumped with every step. All the crockery stopped their wild flight patterns and sailed back into the kitchen. The chairs and tables righted themselves and got back into formation.

And when Seam finally made their way around the front counter and rested in their seat, so to did the whole shop rest. Then, finally, everything was back to the way Kris assumed it usually was.

Except for the music, it was still very carnival-ish.

Though, they suspected that Seam could’ve switched it back if they’d wanted it to, but wanted to complain to Jevil about it instead.

Why?

Because when the Monster that could only be Jevil bounded out of the kitchen in a colour-blocked suit with a frilly apron tied around his waist, Seam smirked. A twitch of their lips before they leaned on the front counter and sighed. “My best beloved, why must it sound like a travelling circus has come to town in my shop whenever I leave?”

“Because, because, because, my dearest one, you left your shop to me,” Jevil said as he leaned on Seam’s shoulders. His tail swishing mischievously. Effortlessly, the rest of his short, stout body floated into the air until it looked like he was lying down on an invisible object. “Which means I can do anything I like until you get back! And I like chaos.”

“Oh, dear. And here I thought you liked me.”

Maniacal laughter filled the shop as Jevil clutched his sides. “If ya’ want me to kiss ya’, all ya’ have to do is ask, ask, ask! You silly old cat!”

Unbothered by the rest of the world, the two of them continued to bicker back and forth in a way that screamed old married couple. Using increasingly obscure pet names for each other.

Bringing their attention back to him, Ralsei, holding his teacup close to his chest, happily sighed. “Aren’t they so adorable together?”

“They are. But, uh,” Raising a brow, they jerked their head toward the two aged Monsters. “How?”

“I have no clue how they found each other. But I do know that when they did, they clicked.” Ralsei said, distractedly clinking his claws against his cup. “They didn’t get together right away, though. Jevil went to jail a couple of times, but Seam always held out for him to get out.”

“Held out?”

“Oh, yeah, Seam was quite the catch when they were younger.” Looking at the old cat, it was hard for them to imagine it, but they didn’t think it was thatfar-fetched. Apparently, their dad, once upon a time, used to be ‘quite dishy’ in their mother’s words. Ralsei went on, “They have their own kind of magic, and that’s a desirable trait to other Monsters. Of course, it’s much weaker than Jevil’s, but it’s still more than most. I even heard that they’d even done a few odd jobs for my uncle.”

Okay, now, he’d lost them. “What would your Uncle Rouxls need a magician for?”

“No, no. Not Rouxls. My Uncle Spade.” Ralsei said as if the distinction was obvious. Maybe it was in his head. In their head, though, they couldn’t shake that they’d heard that name before. “I’m not sure what he needed them for, but it’s not like he’d tell me if I asked. But that’s neither here nor there. The point is that Seam had their pick of admirers, but they’d only wanted Jevil, who was in and out of jail. His first and longest sentence was fifteen years, and all that time, Seam ran this very shop, waiting for him.”

Yeah, they’re going to ignore that first part and focus on the rest because… they’re starting to think that Ralsei’s family had mob connections. If not, full-on ran one. And they were not equipped to know how to deal with that. So, they bypassed it to ask, “But why?”

“Why what?”

Their nose wrinkled as they picked up their fork and dug into their chocolate cake with more force than needed. Lifting the piece of cake up, they went to take a bite before deciding to get what they wanted to say out first. “It’s just, fifteen years is a long time to wait when you’ve never even kissed. That’s like getting trapped in a relationship without even being in one.”

“That’s not getting trapped, it’s trust. Trust in the other person, knowing that they’ll come back to you, and trust in yourself, knowing that your feelings are true. It’s love. Pure and simple. And as you can see, they’re very happy now.” He couldn’t help but sigh wistfully as he stared at the odd couple. “I have to say, though. While I’m a staunch Darkner, you Lightners have the right idea about soulmates.”

“You think you got a soulmate out there somewhere?” They asked before finally taking a bite of the delicious cake. Oh, Angel above! The intense chocolate flavour of the mousse melted on their tongue. For a moment, they almost missed what Ralsei was saying.

“Darkness no. Since it’s a Lightner concept and it’s The Angel who’s supposed to have paired people together, then we Darkners would be exempt. The Dark Fountain made us and thus The Angel has no jurisdiction over us. So, no soulmate for me.” A small, sad smile grew on his lips. “Though, I like to think that my parents would’ve been soulmates if they’d been born Lighteners.”

Taking a moment from basking in the tastiness of this fucking cake, they asked, “Lightners?”

“Oh, it’s the Darkner word for Angelists.”

“Hmm.” Well, their parents definitely weren’t. They could say that for sure. Unless soulmates would ever get divorced. Heh, now that’s a concept, eh? “Well, I’m glad that we’re on the same page then because I don’t—”

“Believe in soulmates.” He said, finishing their thought with a knowing chirp. How did he…? “Yes, I know. Everyone who watched Little Miss Muffet’s channel in the past week knows about your opinion on soulmates. And on me.”

Their cheeks flushed.

Oh, yeah, that.

When Wednesday rolled around after their encounter with Muffet, they had found themself pausing their work every so often to check her channel. And while it wasn’t like the usual videos they watched on Youtube, they still enjoyed it well enough. It’d been a wild ride, learning what that night had looked like for everyone else and all the drama that went on under their nose. But then again, what else were gossip channels for?

Mentally willing the heat in their cheeks to go the fuck away, they fiddled with their fork as they asked, “That interview wasn’t a problem, was it?”

Thankfully, Ralsei brushed their worries aside. Reassuring them as he said, “It seemed harmless. Perhaps it’s even a good thing.” Going quiet for a moment, he dug a fang into his bottom lip in thought. “I do want to know why you’re so vehemently against soulmates, though.”

“It’s the lack of choice for me.” They blurted out, only to realize that it summed up their dislike of the concept succinctly. Huh, how about that? There’s somebody home up there, after all. Sitting up in their seat, spurred by the epiphany, they went on, “So what if The Angel chose this person for me? Shouldn’t I get a choice in who’s perfect for me? What if I hate my soulmate?”

“Oh, but what if you love them?”

“Then that’s entrapment.”

Giggling into his paw, Ralsei said, “Well, I suppose there’s no rule about having to fall in love with your soulmate.”

Their well-brushed locks flew as they shook their head in frustration. “No, no, no! It doesn’t matter if it’s romantic or platonic, I still didn’t get to choose!”

Ralsei laughed again, though it was breathier and more forced this time. Then, tilting his head and scrunching up his nose, he said, “Don’t be silly. But, of course, you’d get to choose.”

Crossing their arms and slumping in their chair, they asked, “How? How on Earth is being cosmically paired up by an all-powerful, all-knowing entity and ending up with them because of things like fate and destiny getting to choose?”

“You make choices like that every day.” He said with a bothered shrug. But when they still weren’t impressed by his points, he rolled his eyes. With an exasperated huff, he set his teacup down with a (somehow) irritated clink before gesturing towards them. “Look, you didn’t have to come here today of your own volition, did you?”

“You invitedme.” They shot back. Most days, they could follow his winding train of thought with relative ease, but today wasn’t one of those days.

“And? So what if I invited you?”

“Ralsei, we literally have a contract stating that we have to spend time together. How could I’ve said no?”

Clasping his paws together, he sat back in his chair, all prim and pompous, and arched a brow. “I was unaware of that clause. Does it also state that you had to come running when I asked you to take tea with me today?”

Their heart skipped a beat. They could’ve sworn they felt every drop of blood vacate their face at that moment, leaving their tan skin ashen. All the while, the muscles in their legs tensed. A tiny voice in their mind told them to bolt from the shop this instant. But they held their ground. They did. Despite having never felt this exposed before. Digging their fingers into their arms, they prayed to the Angel that Ralsei didn’t wonder why their voice didn’t rise above a whisper. “No.”

The Angel must’ve heard their desperate prayer because Ralsei sped past their answer to make his point.

“Exactly! You could’ve still said shove off and went back to whatever you were doing. But you didn’t. You accepted my invitation. What if it’s like that?” He said, his pomp fading until it was more than a gentle kind of confidence. “What if soulmates are destiny’s invitations for love?”

Trying to push and shove their fears into a box, they found themself dipping further into their frustration. “Fine but riddle me this. What if I start out loving my soulmate and then over time when our relationship inevitably—”

“Inevitably?”

“—Inevitably breaks down and one of us comes to hate the other? What then?”

“Then you still have a choice. You either try to repair the relationship or you go your separate ways.”

“Then what’s the point of having a soulmate if it can all go wrong?” They said, throwing their arms up only to have them come down to grip the table’s edges as they leaned over it.

Ralsei, like always, wasn’t intimidated, not one bit. Instead, leaning over his side of the table and using a controlled tone, he said, “In theory, it’s not supposed to go all wrong, can’t even.”

“But in practice, that’s just not realistic.” They countered, leaning in a little more. So close that their noses were almost touching. With the right movement, their lips would touch. But they didn’t notice. They were too busy staring Ralsei’s equally narrowed eyes down. Ugh, the starry-eyed, stubborn bastard. How couldn’t he see what was right in front of him? “Why trap yourself with someone you’ll end up hating in the end because a nebulous cosmic force says so?”

Everything went quiet after that. The lively carnival music that was still playing, Seam and Jevil’s bickering, the faint hum of the outside world. All gone. As they held Ralsei’s fiery gaze, their heart beating was the only thing they could hear. Swift and resounding, like war drums in their ears. For a moment, it seemed like neither of them would back down from their footing. Both, forever stuck with their eyes locked. Ultimately, Ralsei was the first to pull back. Though, they both knew that didn’t necessarily make them the victor.

Closing his eyes, Ralsei shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because a chance at a long-lasting love is worth the risk of heartbreak.” Sitting back in his seat, he stirred his spoon in his teacup. “All I know is that cosmic force or not, Seam seems very satisfied with their gamble. My parents were too.”

“High risk, high reward, then.” They muttered to themself as they sat back as well. Guess their parents rolled snake eyes or something. And, thanks to a wave of resentful bitterness that arose from an aching place within their soul, a little louder, they asked, “You sure about that last part?”

Stilling his stirring, Ralsei gazed into his cup for a second, eyebrows furrowing. “Yes, I am.”

A slimy ounce of guilt crept down their spine and settled in their gut. Too far, jackass. Maybe don’t imply to your orphaned friend that his parents were unhappy in their marriage. Just because your parents… Hmm, it’s probably best not to venture down that rabbit hole in public. Instead, they hesitantly raised their teacup to him, the movement catching his attention and lifting his gaze. Looking him in the eyes with a faint smile, they said, “Well, I hope you find the Darkner equivalent of a soulmate one day.”

“And I hope you find someone worthy enough for you to choose to love evermore.” He answered, raising his teacup to them too.

They smiled. “Amen to that.”

Clinking their cups, the two of them finished up their tea, sandwiches, and cake in peace and calm. Before long, they find themselves with empty cups and plates that drift away back to the kitchen with a flick of Jevil’s wrist. And, like at the end of every date, they had a debate about who had to pay for what. Commencing straight after they’d offhandedly asked how much their tea and cake cost. Ralsei insisted on paying for everything as reimbursement for asking them out on such short notice. They pressed that they could pay for themself. Insisting that the amount couldn’t be that high of an expense.

“It’s the principal of the thing, Kris.” He said, fishing out two fifty-dollar bills and refusing to take a single cent from them. Handing the two bills over to Seam with a smile. Which had to be major overkill, but it did feel good to know that the guy he was fake dating was a phenomenal tipper.

Saying their goodbyes to Seam and Jevil, Ralsei followed them out of the shop and back into reality. Or at least that’s what it felt like. Their senses were hit by the hums of car engines passing by and airplanes overhead. The smell of exhaust and tobacco from a Human smoking a little ways away filled their nose. Such a harsh contrast to the serenity and cinnamony scents of Last Drop Teaseap. Even when it was in full chaos mode, thanks to Jevil, it felt very insulated from the distinct chaos of the outside world. Maybe that’s why Ralsei and his mother liked it so much.

From their side, tapping away on his phone, no doubt texting his personal driver, he said, “I can drive you home if you want. It’s on the way, isn’t it?”

They waved him off, digging their phone out of their pocket. “You already forked out a hundred bucks for tea.”

“Yes, and now I want to make sure you get home safe.” He said. Taking hold of the wrist of the hand holding their phone, he gave their wrist a brief squeeze. Trying and succeeding in pulling their attention toward him. “I’ll feel much better about calling you over to Pasadena for an impromptu tea party if you let me. You weren’t in the middle of something important, were you?”

“Nah, nothing too important, just some work.” They answered with a shrug. Lottie Johnson from NYC could stand to wait another day for her MIDI chords. But their answer only set Ralsei off.

“Work!? I pulled you away from your work?” He said, gasping as his grip on their wrist tightened, his soft paw pads pressing into their skin. Bringing out not only a bunch of nostalgia but also a deep-seated desire for him to never let go.

They couldn’t help but chuckle at Ralsei’s little freakout. One, because he made the cutest face when he was worried. And two, because they’d rather eat gravel than examine where those feelings were coming from and where they wanted to take them.

Shaking their head, a smirk tugging at their lips, they said, “It’s really not that big of a—”

“Nope! Now there’s no room for debate, Ritter’s driving you home.”

In all honesty, their wallet was probably even more delighted than Ralsei was when they slid into the backseat of Ritter’s car. It was still very much going on and could’ve only gotten worse than when they’d taken a Lyft at three.

It’d been over a month since they last sat in the ever stoic Ritter’s car, but it’s just as luxurious as it’d seemed half-drunk. They buckled up, giving Ritter a head nod, to which he only grunted in response. Then, sinking into the plush leather seats, they were ready for a long, cushy ride back to their apartment. But beside them, Ralsei couldn’t sit still, anxiously running his paws up and down his kilt.

“Really don’t worry about it, the project I was working on was nothing too tough. Was almost done anyways.” They said in hopes of settling any of his guilt.

Blinking out of his trance, he asked, “Project?”

“Yeah, I freelance.” They answered, suddenly very interested in the tough fabric of their seatbelt. “I guess, technically, I’m a music producer of sorts.”

“Kris! That’s amazing. What’s it like?” He asked. Their eyes shot back up to see Ralsei’s lit up in wonder. “I’ve never really known what does into that part of music creation. I usually just sing and look pretty.”

Usually, they’d hesitate to go into the technical details about their work. It could get a bit computer nerdy at points, but they found themself doing it anyway. Maybe it was how Ralsei patiently tucked his hands in his lap, exhibiting the vibes of a perfect listener. Urging them to spill more and more about their processes. About how they learned chords and progressions from their father. How they were mostly self-taught and had folders full of shitty music to prove it. They’d hardly noticed how quickly time flew until they heard Ritter’s not-so-subtle grunt sounded out. Indicating their arrival.

Hopping out of the car, a strange bout of Deja Vu hit them as they leaned on the open car door. They’d been here before, hadn’t they?

Smiling, they gave Ralsei a wink. “I know you think you messed up my workday, but I have to thank you. This was a pretty sweet way to play hooky.”

“And you were pretty sweet company.” He said, sliding over to their side of the car. They could see him hesitate. See how the gears in his head spun and spun. Though they didn’t know what for. Not until they felt more than saw him lean and gave them a quick peck on the cheek, his lips soft and fur softer. So soft, it kinda tickled. “Thanks for indulging me today. Talk soon!”

A tentative hand rose to touch their cheek as they watched as Ralsei shut the door and Ritter’s car drove off. Disappearing around a corner. From the way his eyes had spotted something behind him before he kissed their cheek, they’re sure Ralsei only did it for a hidden paparazzi. But… If this is what a kiss on the cheek felt like, what about an actual kiss?

Would they… have to… do that… at some point?

Oh, fuck.

And that's all for this chapter, folks! I hope you enjoyed it! I fell off the writing wagon for a bit because I knew that I'd have to really nail down Kris' internal conflict in these last two chapters. And it was waaaay tougher thing to figure out than Ralsei's! But, after scrolling the internet and a whole bunch of psychological articles, I think I pinned it down. I won't spoil anything here but just know that it compliments Ralsei's internal conflict in the best and worst ways.

But y'all don't have to worry about that yet! Since these last few chapters had some verbal sparring in them, the next will be all rather fluffy! A fake dating staple trope will be showing up as will another Undertale character and a certain Big Shot! 👀👀

That's all for now! Thank you so much again for reading and getting this far! Sending all of you my love!! See y'all (hopefully) soon!

Later Days!

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#kralsei #krisei #kris dreemurr #ralsei #deltarune #fanfic #kris x ralsei #i like me better (when i'm with you) tag #Ayyyyy #two in one day!!!!#after like over a month of silence but still!!!#i hope y'all like it!!!

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abbyilr1967 · 3 years

Text

Shoto Todoroki x Reader (Drabble)

Prompt: Walking in the snow

A/n: I woke up this morning with a full sheet of snow covering my neighbourhood, and because it is the first snowfall of December for me I wanted to write some cute stuff. Shoto has been aged up, he and the reader are above the age of 18. As usual, here is a link to my Masterlist.

Warnings: one sexual innuendo

Word Count: 736

You and Shoto walk through the park on your way back to your college dorm from the fancy restaurant he took you to for your one-year anniversary. It had snowed the night before, so the ground was covered in a fairly thick layer of packed snow. You smirk as a devilish thought comes to your mind.

Using your camouflage quirk to hide yourself from your unexpecting boyfriend, sneaking off to execute your plan.

“Y/n? What the hell-” he turns around looking for you, just in time for you to clock him in the face with a large snowball. You deactivate your quirk and double over in laughter at the genuine shock that plagues Shoto’s face.

“That was so perfect,” you laugh. “I got you so good babe.”

“Oh ho, you think that’s funny,” he says sarcastically. “Well, you better watch out.”

He emphasizes the end of his sentence by throwing another snowball back at you, but with your heightened reaction time you are able to dodge before it hits you.

“Is that all you got!” you shout back at him as you duck behind a tree for cover, prepping your next snowball.

He doesn’t respond, in fact, the whole park has become dead silent in anticipation of the next attack. You peak out from behind the tree, expecting to see Shoto scrambling to make more snowballs, but the park is empty.

“Sho!” you shout as you move out from behind the tree into the open. You hear the snow crunch behind you, and you quickly turn around in time to see Shoto charge at you. He picks you up by the waist and spins you around, you wrap your arms around his neck effectively causing you to drop your snowball.

“I disarmed you,” he states. “Does that mean I win?” you chuckle in response.

“I will never admit defeat!” you declare.

“Oh really,” he says. “Well I’m gonna take that as a win for me,” he chuckles, tickling your sides.

While Shoto was tickling your sides, he loses his balance, causing him to fall to his back, and you on top of him. Giggling, you place your hands on his chest lifting yourself up so you could look down at your lover, now covered in snow. A smile creeps onto your face as you brush the hair and snow away from his eyes, clearing his vision.

“Balance much,” you joke.

“Wha- how you wound me so Y/n,” he covers his heart, pretending.

“Well last I checked I was not the one with their feet on the ground,” you giggle in response.

You both stare longingly into each other’s eyes, and it’s as if time has stopped and you are the only two people in existence. Shoto places both hands on your face and brings you in for a passionate kiss. Lips moving in sync until you pull away feeling your lungs burn with the lack of oxygen. Throughout your relationship, PDA was very low, so when you pull away you see Shoto’s face has gone beat red, causing the same reaction in your own face.

“Sorry, I don’t know why I did that,” he chuckles awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“No need to apologize,” you say a little flustered, pressing a gentle kiss to the tip of his nose.

You roll off of his lap, maneuvering yourself into a standing position before extending your hands to help your boyfriend out of the snow.

“Thank you.” He keeps a hold of your hand as you both continue your walk back to your dorm.

“Hot chocolate and a movie when we get back?” you suggest.

“Absolutely, I’m frozen,” he shivers. You start to laugh at him.

“Are you telling me that someone with an ice quirk..” pauses for dramatic effect “can’t handle a little snow?” Shoto shoves your shoulder as you walk side by side, which only causes you to laugh harder.

Shoto pulls you close to his side, leans really close to your ear.

“You better watch what you say princess, or else I might have to punish you,” your face goes beet red.

“Shoto!” you push him back. “Calm down, I’m only joking,” he chuckles.

“You asshole,” you say giggling.

“You know you love me,” he teases.

“Unfortunately,” you say pressing a kiss to his cheek as you continue the trek back home, hand in hand with the love of your life.

We while writing that 😏 bit: Thinks about that one tiktok audio..... you know the one.

My Brain: I WAS DOWN FOR WHAT EVA!!!! 😏

#shoto #shoto todoroki #shoto x read #shoto x you #shoto x y/n #shoto todoroki x reader #shoto todoroki x you #shoto todoroki x y/n #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #mha #bnha #shoto fluff #shoto todoroki fluff

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beyoncesdragon · 3 years

Text

title: a handsome distraction

→Pairing: Jimin x Female!Reader (Choi Yeonjun has a lil cameo but not really, just kinda)

→Summary: You hate math because you can’t do it and Jimin hates math because he can’t do you.

→Warnings: just a few swear words, but other than that, you’re safe! It’s Fluff!! Except you have an allergic reaction whenever there is math involved, then I’d suggest you continue with precaution.

→Wordcount: 2.2k

a/n: Some Jimin fluff because I want a Park Jimin to annoy me during math class...but we cant always have what we wish for. Therefore we write it.

Masterlist | BTS Masterlist

You were having a hard time.

Harder than usually, and considering that you were currently doing math, that was alarming. Even more because it wasn’t even because of the subject you were being taught through another zoom class. It also wasn’t because your internet was lagging more than usually and now the video wasn’t always perfectly in sync with the audio. It wasn’t the fact that you hated math with a passion, and already gave up on the subject four years ago either.

The thing that was giving you a hard time was a lot more handsome than the bland equation you were trying to solve with the teacher. Or rather, you were watching her solve it whilst you just copied everything that appeared on the screen, not quite knowing why she decided to multiply this x with the other one or how in the hell she discovered a binominal in between this whole mess.

The thing that was distracting you also went by the name of Park Jimin, your boyfriend, talented singer, dancer, hardworking man and performer, song writer and fashion icon and current cause of the headache that was starting to form behind your temples.

“Jimin! Can you finally stop this?!” you hissed through your teeth, wiggling his foot off your lap before pulling the couch table a bit closer.

You were currently seated on the floor, back resting against the couch and all of your school stuff spread out around you. Your laptop was propped up on another stack of books because you had been too lazy to clear the whole table and there was a little pile, scribbled full with notes and terms and unsuccessful attempts of solving various mathematical problems. So far you had however only created new problems and instead of leaning something new, you felt like someone pressed the reboot button half way through the lesson without backing up the hardware.

Long story short: it was a mess and Jimin wasn’t helping at all.

“Jimin please! I’m trying to work here. I’m trying to pay attention for once.” Jimin just snickered, flopping down on the couch behind you.

“You’ve been on it for hours now.” Well, that was the point of classes, wasn’t it. Not that Jimin could relate anymore, since he already graduated (a thing he wouldn’t dream of letting you forget). “You’re shamelessly exaggerating again. It has not even been one and a half hour and you spent the first forty minutes sleeping anyways.” Jimin just shrugged, propping his face up on his hands, curiously peeking from behind you onto the screen. He reminded you of a curious cat and you had to hold back a smile (a calico cat, perhaps?). However, since the two of you had been ordered to keep the relationship as low key as possible, you couldn’t just let him do that. As cute as he might looked with his ruffled hair and baggy clothes.

“Get out of the frame, they will see you.” he huffed, flicking your nose before tossing around again and sitting up. “I bet I was the most interesting thing they got to see in those six hours you’re ignoring me now.” You groaned, attempting to throw a pen at him.

“I’m done in twenty five minutes Jimin. Can you please…”

“Are there any questions so far?” the voice of your teacher cut you off and you snapped back to the screen. It seemed like all eyes were on you (though you obviously couldn’t tell) and you felt the tinge of embarrassment tickling your cheeks. You shook your head and went back to taking notes.

In the meantime, Jimin took it upon himself to be as noisy as possible whilst preparing a cup of tea. He slammed the cupboard door shut with way to much force, banged the cup against the counter dangerously hard and had a dirty grin on his lips when you flinched.

“Jagi, where did you put the tealeaves again?” he then suddenly yelled, though there was no need to yell, you literally had an open kitchen and were in direct sight. You flinched again, looking up at him with a frown. “Bottom left drawer, like always. What are you even talking about.” All that could be heard was a chuckle. It took him exactly half an equation later to interrupt you again.

“Can you hold my cup please, I don’t want it to tip over.” You stared at him blankly. “Seriously Jimin?” He shrugged. “That, or watch the love of your life burn his fingers off.” You shook your head. “Or the love of my life finally gets a grip on himself and gets a proper kettle like every normal human being would. He just grinned smugly before shrugging it off. You twirled your pen in your hand, reaching for the laptop to unmute yourself and ask a question, when…

“Where is the honey again?” you huffed frustrated, sitting back. “Left, top shelf. Jesus Christ…no left…Jimin, left.” You repeated, taking your eyes from the screen completely.

“Miss Y/L/N is there something you would like to ask?” you cringed at the call and quickly unmuted yourself to reassure your teacher that everything was fine, when Jimin took it upon himself to answer for you.

“AH thank you Jagi, you’re too kind…is your math thing finally over? That one equation is taking you guys ages.” your eyes widened before you quickly mumbled an apology and muted your audio again. Over the rim of your screen you sent a Jimin a glare that made him choke up on his tea.

It however failed to prevent him from walking over and sitting next to you, clearly holding back his laughter. He reached out for your hand and pressed a quick kiss on your knuckles.

“Sorry Jagi. I miss you.” you just shook your head, eyes trained on the screen. “I figured Jimin.” That was all you said before pressing your lips back together. You could only hope the professor hadn’t picked up on what Jimin had been implying and wasn’t hurt. Goddess, this was so embarrassing and this little shit knew it.

“You know…it’s just because I don’t have many free days like this, therefore it just sucks to have you occupied the whole time if there is one…” you sighed deeply, shaking your head. “I said twenty five minutes Jimin.”

He managed to sit still for maybe five. Then he started to play with your unoccupied hand again, before he suddenly dipped down and settled his head on your thigh. “Can I?” you looked down on him eyebrows slightly risen. “Lay on my thighs? Sure, but don’t pull any stunts or you sleep on the couch tonight.” Jimin laughed quietly, innocently peeking up at you. “I would never. And if I would, I’m sure you would enjoy it anyways. You always do.” You left that uncommented and only briefly pressed your index finger against his lips. “Shush Jimin.”

After just a few minutes you had your hands in his hair already, absentmindedly playing with a few strands. He sighed happily before starting to draw little circles against your hip, humming quietly.

“You must be the most noisy rice cake there is.” Was all you pushed out before dramatically flying backwards against the couch Jimin gasped in fake outrage. The call finally ended and you felt like someone had fried your brain and your nerves in those two periods. Jimin sat up instantly, grabbing his now empty tea cup, before strolling towards the kitchen.

“Yah, no need to get personal. At least I don’t suck at math.” He retorted with a cocky expression, and this time you threw the pen for real.

“Wow, but you tell me not to get personal?” You stretched your body with a yawn before giving him a firm look. “You know what? I in this case I liked TXT’s performance better than yours.” It was completely off topic, but you needed something to bug him with. After those two painful lessons of math and Jimin you felt like you deserved that. And, it worked.

“Wait what? Which one?”

“MMA.” Jimin almost tripped over his own feet. “I beg you pardon? Better than our MMA Show? 2019? Are we on the same page?” You had troubles holding back your laughter at his obvious outrage. With a coy wink into his direction, you confirmed.

“Why so surprised? Yeonjun can rap…and also he has super pretty lips.” You shrugged, a lazy grin appearing on your lips. “You like his lips? He is too young for you!”

“You’re only four years older, dumbass.” with those words you got up and walked towards the kitchen as well. As you passed him, you placed a firm smack on the dancers butt before reaching for a cup to fetch yourself a cup of tea too.

Jimin had his arms crossed over his chest, a frown etched on his face as he watched you wordlessly, a mixture of disbelieve and outrage on his face.

“Are you sulking now?” you asked, turning around to him whilst the tea was steeping.

“Can you seriously blame me? You just admitted to like a guy that started as a rookie when I already debuted for a whole year…” you rolled your eyes. “Jimin!” but he wasn’t done just yet. “And you said I can’t rap!” you gave him a pointed look, turning to stir your tea for a second.

“I never said that, I know you can.” Jimin just shook his head.

“You said that he can rap, as in; other than you, he can rap.” He pouted like a little kid and you were having a hard time taking him serious. He just looked a tad too cute and too cuddly in that oversized shirt of his. “Oh my god Jimin…”

He turned on his heel with a dramatic flip of hair and strutted away towards the living room area. You heard him mumble to himself in annoyance as he approached your laptop, opening the device with a quick motion.

“What was your password again?” he asked, not even looking up. “It’s the date of your debut…”

“In letters or numbers?”

“Numbers.” He just nodded, a firm scowl on his face. “I’m almost surprised it isn’t TXT’s debut date.” He remarked sassily, unlocking your laptop with a pointed click of his index finger. You only shook your head, grabbed your mug and walked over to him. “Damn, you really are going there, hm?”

“What? You started it. Freaking Yeonjun out of all people…I will hit him when I see him again.” You chortled at his response, shaking your head. “Would you rather have me gushing over Yoongi?” he immediately shook his head.

“No that would be weird…wait do you mean Yoongi is cute?” a new wave of outrage shook that tiny body as he whipped around to look at you.

“Do you not think that?” he halted for a second, tilting his head. “Well obviously I do, but I am not my girlfriend.” You couldn’t only laugh at that. “Are you not? Wouldn’t have figured that out.”

“And on top of all of that, you said that they had a better MMA Performance than we had! Speaking of, ours wasn’t just a performance, we blessed you with an entire experience. How can you even compare that.” You giggled helplessly at your enraged boyfriend, opening your arms for a hug.

“Relax, baby. I was only joking.” He huffed in response, turning away dramatically. “No can do. I can’t believe I’ve been backstabbed like that. By my own girlfriend.”

He had clicked on their performance video with so much vigour it made you laugh even harder. Especially because their own performance was recommended to play right after TXT and he hesitated not even half a second before adding it to the queue.

“If you mention anything about Yeonjun’s lips, I will skip all of his parts and we go straight to our show, I’m not even kidding.” You giggled only, pressing your lips against his cheek. “Jealous Jiminie never fails to make me laugh. This group debuted in march of 2019 the same year. They weren’t even a year old and still performed like this, that’s all I’m gushing about, basically.”

And with that you pressed the play button and started the video. You actually expected Jimin to wrap his arms around you any second, but the man was still a moping mess and refused to even spare you a glance. With a sigh you decided to take matters into your own hands and leaned against him.

“Jimin.” No response.

“Baby. Look at me.” For a second it looked like he would ignore you once again. Just when you debated about calling him again or just cuddle him instead, he turned his head into your direction. You couldn’t help the small smile that immediately appeared on your face.

“You’re still the prettiest man on earth Jimin. Don’t worry, I could never look at anyone else than you. This includes your lips, by the way.” He hummed, acting as if all of this wouldn’t even affect him the slightest.

“I know.”

You burst out laughing. “You do now? So will you stop sulking?” He shrugged only, giving you a sly side-eye. “Only if you admit that you did drool when you watched our performance because up to this point, I have not heard a confession coming from your lips.” You huffed unfazed, shaking your head.

“Park Jimin, you are too cocky for your own good.”

“I’m just right sweetheart. Very unlike that equation you just solved…might want to look over that again.”

“Oh will you shut up!”

— ✩ thank u for reading ✩ —

#btswritingcafe #park jimin #jimin fanfic #bts fanfic #bts jimin #bts park jimin #park jimin x reader #park jimin x you #park jimin x y/n #park jimin fluff #jimin x you #jimin x reader #jimin x y/n #imagines #kpop imagines #bts ff #My writing #a handsome distraction

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stylesnews · 3 years

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In an unexpected twist, a 1,250 British pound ($1,560) color-block patchwork cardigan by JW Anderson has captured the imaginations of creators on TikTok, the mobile video platform that is attracting intense interest from the fashion industry.

TikTok, developed by Chinese tech giant ByteDance and launched in the U.S. in 2018, is known for hosting challenges inspired by hashtags like #PoseChallenge and #ChaChaWorkout, appealing to its youthful audience (41 percent ages 16 to 24). The company has this month launched a new platform for marketers, TikTok For Business. TikTok users started re-creating the rainbow-colored knitted garment from JW Anderson’s Spring 2020 men’s collection after it was worn by singer Harry Styles during a rehearsal for his performance on The Today Show back in February. The hashtag #HarryStylesCardigan on TikTok has since accumulated over 330,000 views, showing the viral potential of TikTok for fashion marketers.

Jonathan Anderson, founder of JW Anderson, came up with the design of the cardigan as “I liked this idea of something that felt rather authentic and almost homemade, like your grandmother could have made it,” he tells Vogue Business. “At the same time, it feels a little deconstructed and punk. Something quite humble.”

While TikTok has attracted big labels such as Burberry, Gucci, Prada, Dior and Ralph Lauren, some of which have sponsored their own challenges, this is the first time that a brand, especially an emerging one, has enjoyed this level of organic virality on TikTok, says Brian Mandler, cofounder of TikTok ad agency, The Network Effect.

“In this case, it had little to do with the brand and more with a creator taking a pop culture moment and adding their own unique spin on it to drive interest and audiences. That’s how this whole thing got started,” he says. “Liv was one of the first creators to really take hold of this content of re-creation.”

Mandler is referring to Liv Huffman, a 22-year-old from Los Angeles, with over 730,000 followers on her account @lilbittylivie. Her video, posted on June 15, has accumulated over 3 million views and more than 944,000 likes. “I actually didn’t know it was a challenge or trend before I made mine!” she says.

“Crocheting has been a hobby of mine for a few years now and I really dove into it during quarantine. As a long-time Harry fan, I thought it would be a fun way to challenge my crochet abilities,” she adds. It took her about two weeks to create the finished knit.

Brady Gunson, whose account @oops_brady has 4,600 followers, posted his version of the challenge a day after Huffman’s, where he first came across the cardigan. “I’m a big fan of Harry Styles and his fashion. I taught myself to sew as I love to create clothes based on designs I see,” explains the 22-year-old, based in Philadelphia.

“After seeing a few TikTokers knitting the sweater, I realized I could probably achieve a similar, more ’90s vibe-look by creating the same thing out of fleece. It probably took me about seven or eight hours to produce,” he explains. The video has since garnered 46,000 views and more than 12,800 likes.

“Fashion content plays into the larger themes we see resonating well with the TikTok community, and we continue to see fashion grow in popularity across the platform with creators and brands,” says CeCe Vu, fashion content partnerships lead at TikTok. “This is a great example of how TikTok creators showcased their crafty skills and expressed their fandom for Harry Styles’s iconic looks, in this case, his trendy JW Anderson patchwork sweater.”

“The last time Harry performed for The Today Show, the images from that rehearsal were seen a lot, so we wanted to have something fun for this one. This cardigan has so much character, something that you could have found in your parents closet from the ’70s, it felt perfect for Harry,” says Harry Lambert, Harry Styles’s stylist since 2014.

Lambert adds that he is a fan of JW Anderson, having worked on “a number” of the brand’s runway shows as an assistant. “What I have learnt is that Harry’s fans are really creative; I regularly see them re-creating looks inspired by his outfits and now some have learnt a craft to do this,” he continues. “This brings me so much joy [and] I have never seen it on this scale before.”

The cardigan challenge went viral because of the growing popularity of #CraftCore among Gen Z consumers, who are spending most of their time indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Delphine Buchotte, who previously held chief marketing roles at Diane von Furstenberg and L’Oréal Paris before launching digital marketing agency Phidel in New York with Philip Atkins, former vice president of Totokaelo.

“The way challenges go viral is all down to the community,” explains TikTok spokesperson Laura Jenkins. “If a user shares a video that gets high engagement, users often begin to re-create the concept of the video. This will either happen by using the same sound, replicating the format, or copying the content of the original video.”

Jenkins points out that a creator can go viral on TikTok without having a single follower. “But a creator’s chances are increased by tapping into viral trends, memes, and music [which] are discoverable by searching for hashtags or by browsing the videos created for a specific audio,” she says. An example of this, she says, is Gucci, which shared a video encouraging its 365,000 followers to copy dance moves with its own original sound. It has now been viewed over 8 million times.

What also makes TikTok a good breeding ground for viral content is that its audience is geared for this kind of content, adds Mandler. “The essence of TikTok is being a copycat platform. Users do not get bored seeing multiple versions of one trend, unlike audiences on other social platforms.” Atkins agrees: “TikTok embodies Andy Warhol’s ‘15 minutes of fame’ far more than any other platform; now, it’s 90 seconds of TikTok.”

Buchotte adds that the crochet cardigan challenge worked neatly in sync with Jonathan Anderson’s interest in craft. “It’s a core value of the JW Anderson brand, and that intersection of values was quite powerful,” she says.

Since February, the multicolored patchwork cardigan has been among the top 10 most searched for products from the JW Anderson brand, according to global fashion search platform Lyst. Online searches including key terms such as “patchwork,” “crochet,” and “knitted” also rose collectively by 78 percent between February and March 2020.

“TikTok offers the opportunity to playfully experiment with audiences and see what content resonates outside of established platforms’ algorithms,” says Atkins, but he also warns that trends change rapidly — “there isn’t a set formula.”

For brands looking to capitalize on moments like these, Mandler suggests that they jump into the narrative, just as JW Anderson did on its own TikTok account, by “making sure that creators and users know that you’re a part of it, by sharing their videos on your own TikTok, or taking it a step further and working with additional creators to add their own spin.”

TikTok is the future of retail, claims Mandler. Brands need to have their finger on the pulse of what is happening on TikTok, both surrounding their brand as well as what is bubbling on the platform. “While the video itself may not be [shoppable], Gen Z is the most inquisitive generation yet. If videos like this are of interest, kids will figure out what brand or product it is, and if they want to purchase it, they will. They’re not being directly sold to, which inspires them even more to seek out information,” he says.

“I think that the cardigan resonated because in this time of reflection during the quarantine, people have reconnected with this idea of making things. I quite like that we designed something that has taken on a new type of meaning, a new life. And I think that’s important for fashion today; to be about inclusion, not exclusion,” says Anderson.

However, he asserts that he doesn’t want to capitalize on its popularity. “You never really own a design anyway. You have to let go of it. I think it’s great people are finding joy in it,” he says. To encourage further participation in the trend, the designer will release the pattern for the cardigan this week across his social media channels “so anyone can download it and make it their own.”

#harry styles #article #nov20

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vanilladyfics · 4 years

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BNHA - 101 Dalmatians HCs

My first headcanons to celebrate hitting 101 subscribers.

Katsuki Bakugo

You nearly had a hernia when your boyfriend said he never saw 101 Dalmatians.

How?

How to you get to high school having never seen??? The greatest movie???

His parents were in fashion! And 101 Dalmatians is... sort of... about fashion.

It took some pestering, but he finally relented.

So you snuggled up on the couch next to Katsuki and hit play.

It went on past his bed time, so you had to nudge him a couple times to keep him awake.

He did talk during the movie, but at least he was talking about the movie.

“Shitty extra smoking in a fur coat. Shit's gonna burn.”

“I don't think this Cruella woman's an actual furrier.”

You blinked up at him. “A what?”

“A furrier. Someone who makes or sells furs. Pretty much anyone in the industry.”

“Huh.” That's a weird thing for him to know. You leaned back against him while he kept talking.

“They could make a lot more coats if they used adult dogs.”

“I would not trust these men to skin any animal. They've clearly been drinking.”

“Their workplace if filthy. How long until they get caught?”

He fell asleep just before Pongo and his family got home.

You could tell Katsuki wasn't that interested in it, but at least he tried.

For you.

You let the credits roll as you fetched a blanket.

You'd both be sleeping on the couch tonight.

Shoto Todoroki

Shoto had seen the movie, ages ago, he thinks.

He'd seen clips.

He knows the song about Cruella de Vil.

He knows the basic gist of it, at least.

So when the movie option came up on your red eye flight back home, you went for it.

You didn't think to bring an audio splitter on your honeymoon, so you tried to sync up your tablets so you could enjoy it on your own screens.

It didn't work.

So you relented and shared one pair of earbuds, moving the armrest out of the way so you could get closer.

You snorted, seeing how clean the soot-covered puppies got after a quick walk through the snow.

You had forgotten that part.

It was sweet, though.

Seeing how quickly Pongo and Perdita accepted the other puppies as their own.

Would you be able to do that?

Maybe not with that many children.

The money just wasn't there.

But it got you thinking.

Children with Shoto.

“Sho?”

He linked his hand with yours. “Yes?”

“I know what I want for our anniversary.”

Shoto nodded, having already guessed. “A fur coat.”

“No!” You slapped his shoulder, “A dog.”

#sfw #fluff #bnha hcs #bnha #shoto todoroki #katsuki bakugo

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greymattermaelstrom · 4 years

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Ozlander Fan Gathering 2020 - The Rik and Sophie Show

I attended Ozlander in Melbourne. What an incredible weekend so would like to share my Ozlander experience with you. Of course, it was during the very early days of covid-19 which I’ll address shortly. I’d never met any of the cast before, nor any group of like minded fans. Of course, you are usually lucky to know anyone who watch the TV show (not counting a partner) in your circle of friends let alone personally know a group of fans to chat with. It’s funny though, I’m not sure what I expected, but I thought people would have in depth discussions about OL characters/plots during coffee breaks or in line ups for autographs/photos. I didn’t experience that. I think it was a given that we were all deep into OL. Instead, I found we just chatted and got to know each other, ‘Where are you from?’ etc. As this was the first formal Outlander convention held in Australia, this was big news. I bought my ticket the day they were available (Nov 2019). It was a long way off but I knew the gathering would occur a short time after the first few episodes of Outlander S5 were broadcast, so when S5 started airing, my anticipation grew. Prices were steep admittedly, but a number of us felt it may be the first and last opportunity to meet a cast member, so we did what we could to get there (i.e. sell the healthiest child, blackmail the rich, etc).

Article from “The Scottish Banner” Feb 2020.

Unfortunately, 4 weeks out, Ed Speleers withdrew due to work commitments but local, David Berry, was announced as his replacement on the same day. Then 10 days out, Graham McTavish withdrew due to work commitments in Slovakia. No news of a replacement was announced (I learnt at the event that organising a visa etc with Covid-19 developing had made it nigh on impossible to organise a replacement in time). Ozlander organisers revisited the program and added extra value features to the various tiers. The gathering weekend was so close, yet seemed so far away in these uncertain times. Every day, I anticipated receiving an email stating it had been cancelled. I knew the organisers must have been pulling their hair out. Selfishly and as long as it was safe to do so, I was hoping it would still go ahead. The virus was not as advanced in Australia. Most of our relatively low number of cases were brought in by travellers (residents returning or tourists) from Europe/Asia before flying was cancelled. The Federal Government had restricted public gatherings to less than 500 at the time. Attendance was actually under 200. FYI, below are the global covid-19 stats as of 19 April 2020, a month later. Australia’s population is 25 million.

A few days after the Ozlander event, only crowds of less than 100 were permitted by the govt. We were so, so lucky!! Of course, that reduced further as precautions were implemented over time. We have self-isolation and a lot of business closures, cancellation of sports/entertainment etc. It is dreadful, but not a total lock down in Australia. We could walk dogs and make necessary trips to the supermarket, pharmacy, doctor or special court appearances. Anyway, just wanted to address this concern. ~ Tickets sold well (premium tickets sold out). I saw fans on sm stating the date of the event clashed or it was a bit expensive so I know more wanted to come. Yes, the cost was relatively high. Return airfares for cast, accommodation, plus I assume their appearance fee was always going to be an expensive venture, especially as our AUD had been declining sharply against the USD for some time. Australia can miss out on some things because of distance and a relatively small population, but overall, I think we have done well over the years. ~ Rik (Richard) and Sophie posted IG photos from Melbourne a couple of days before the event. Yay!! They were in the country at least, enjoying the sunsets, cuddling koalas and hypnotising wallabies lol. Sophie posted a selfie from a public toilet (bathroom) - as you do. See Sam’s comment below. Toilet paper was becoming a precious commodity....🤔

So the odds looked good and finally, Ozlander arrived.🥳 Before we took our seats, a lone piper slowly walked into the throng playing Waltzing Matilda (iconic Australian bush ballad) which segued into Outlander's theme song. Goosebumps! Applause all 'round. The piper was a big fan too.

What a thrilling start to proceedings. We took our seats and Meagan Taylor (the one who dared dream the dream), welcomed everyone. The age range of fans was predominately 40-65. We were excited and expectant. Housekeeping announcements focused on coronavirus precautions of course. Wash hands, use hand sanitiser when you can't, no handshaking and no touching the cast. This last request was a little disappointing after seeing photos from other OL cons, but it was quite understandable. I think we were just over the moon Ozlander went ahead so we were more than happy to comply and consider the health and safety of others. Then Meagan had the unenviable task of informing us David Berry had unfortunately cancelled his appearance due to health reasons. Yikes! What a shame. (David released a press statement 15 March(?) outlining his difficult decision. Sydney is Australia's Covid-19 hot spot, so David being a Sydneysider, had to consider this I guess). There are IG photos of David, Rik and Sophie together in Australia, just not sure where. So of course, it surprised everyone that David wasn't attending. Refunds of his meet and great and the re-jigging of tiers was to be announced on the fly. Then there were two, Rik and Sophie (and no pressure whatsoever!)🤪. Meagan then advised that the five panels across the weekend would be all audience Q & A which got a loud cheer. On with the show! The Rik and Sophie show! 🎉 They came on stage ready for a good time. Rik opened with 'G'day'. Great start I thought and continued his half decent Australian accent. It's a hard accent to imitate as we know. Rik's was a bit exaggerated but that was part of the fun.

‘G’day. ‘How are ya’?’

Sophie in an outfit she bought here. Same brand as Saturday’s dress that she brought with her.

Roger Mac is in da house.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I have seen Rik and Sophie in a lot of interviews, OL promos (talking to camera) and taking part on OL panels on YouTube. I can find their rapport a little strained and snarky at times. Luckily, I was very pleasantly surprised that their 2020 version was very endearing and entertaining. I think they’ve worked on this. I also think, that the spectre of Sam and Cait, through no fault of their own, does loom large at cast events. Therefore, it was great to see Rik and Sophie rise to the challenge of working the room in the absence of their cast mates. And I think they really relished this (albeit exhausting) opportunity and the small theatre made it a casual and intimate affair. They answered questions in an engaging manner and often expanded on it, citing on set examples, many I’ve never heard before, and I’ve seen a lot of OL interviews. Almost as soon as they came on stage, Rik was asked if he would play his guitar and sing for us. While flattered, I think it was too early in the piece and he said maybe he would do so during the weekend sometime. Alas, time wasn’t on our side so it didn’t eventuate. ~ Rik was asked if his hair ticks were under control (ep 501)😂. Combing his fingers through his hair, he replied in his strong Scottish brogue that most of them were gone now. Good sport. ~ He was told the OL bts photos he posts on sm (taken on set) were great and much appreciated and to keep them coming to which the audience applauded. I think he quietly enjoyed that moment. All creatives will take that, knowing their skills and hard work meant something to someone, much like our appreciation for OL and these sorts of events!

Then on to costumes, wigs and make up. It was thought that it must be nice to have your scalp/hair attended to in the makeup. ‘No, it’s not’ R&S said in unison.😂 Verra uncomfortable process apparently. The hair is flattened and held down with clips. The hairline edge of the wig is ‘glued’ to the top of your forehead and then alcohol is used to get the glue off after shooting, which dries the skin. Some hair falls out over time with this process also. We know this has happened to Sam to an extent.😬 Rik is hoping to grow his hair long enough so he doesn’t need a wig, which accounts for his current hirsute glory. ~ Sophie said they both share a make up trailer and added that Rik has a magic make up chair. Being early morning, he often goes to sleep in it and upon waking up, hey presto, it’s Roger Mac. At make up time, they do know if the other is a bit touchy, so they try not to annoy each other. Too much.😂 ~ At one stage, we were a bit shy in asking questions. Meagan said if this was in the US, there’d be a line up for the mic.😂

Ozlander Fan Gathering 2020 selfie.

~ Sophie responded to a geeky question about wearing wireless mics secreted in their costumes or hair as well using the usual overhead boom mics you see on bts videos. She was asked about her experience with ADR which she’s not a great fan of it. The audience asked, ‘What’s ADR?’ There are a few accepted terms in the industry, Additional Dialogue Replacement is one. It’s when some dialogue needs to be re-recorded late in post production if the original dialogue audio recording at the time is less than optimal for a variety of reasons (thanks Google). Sophie gave an instance when in S4, Bree told Claire she had been raped. The stream in the background got into the dialogue mics too much in this particular outdoor location, so Sophie had to re-record her dialogue (like lip syncing) saying exactly what she said at the time, whilst watching the scene on a screen in a recording studio. It’s hard to get the context and emotion of the scene back into your voice and that’s why some actors hate doing it and plead to have the original dialogue kept as much as possible. But ADR happens more than you realise and for various reasons (see Google). It is impossible to tell when you watch the show, what scenes have had ADR done, it’s blended so well. They would record the stream/ ambient sounds separately at some point and then mix it in lower against the dialogue after ADR is done. 😅

~ Sophie talked about her audition process and was sat down in an exec’s office and was told OL fans are very passionate! (we are?🤔😁). They have an idea of how book Brianna should look and Sophie confirmed she wasn’t tall enough, eyes the wrong colour, etc and that yeah, as expected, she received some not so nice things on sm. But she tried not to read too much of it and pressed on with the role of Bree. Her tone wasn’t sarcastic or indignant at all, but humble. I was impressed.

Queuing for photos with Rik or Sophie on this occasion. We weren’t allowed to touch but we all had a squirt of hand sanitiser (just to be super safe?).🤔

There were a few photo opportunities over the weekend and a bonus or two thrown in make up for the cast that couldn’t make it. A refund was offered for people with meet and greet tickets for David. However, R & S kindly offered to do a meet and greet for David’s fans instead and they happily accepted. Legends! I don’t know where they found the energy to be constantly ’on’ with so many people over the weekend. Chocolate? Youth? ~ As it was a small event, there weren’t any extra security staff that I could see. I think it was only the Museum staff and the security cameras which were hardly noticeable. ~ When getting my autographs, Rik and Sophie didn’t ask for my name, but when I read their personal messages, they had used my name (which they’d seen on my Ozlander lanyard. How cool is that? Very slick!). There were assorted costumes, the de rigueur wedding dress of Claire’s which added to the ambience. Of course, most of the audience were women but good to see a handful of men there, some even in kilts! Saw some Aussie Peakers in their MPC tees too. Cool.

To settle a pronunciation question, Sophie asked the audience after lunch, ‘Is it scone (as in, phone) or scone (as in, shone)?

An emphatic SCONE (shone) came back. Rik said “Oh, wow, a shouting(?) majority?’

Just to be sure, someone asked who lost, Rik pointed at Sophie. He didn’t gloat too much. Poor Sophie!

Of course, what would an OL event be without the cast having a drink or two to lubricate the tonsils (as we say).

Here are a few more tidbits. All the info I’m sharing has been gleaned from the panels and time spent with Rik and Sophie over the weekend as my tier allowed (which was a lot). ~ Yes, they had tried Vegemite (similar to marmite/promite), courtesy of David Berry. Sophie has some in Scotland. Onya Davo! (good on you David). Incidentally, Sam tried some when he was here in 2016 on Studio 10 (morning talk show - March 2016, his interview is on You Tube). It’s a thing. ~ Rik didn’t know if Sam’s whisky would be his cup of tea, but said it was ‘good actually’. ~ Rik was sometimes surprised by the particular take post production used for the show, but was more surprised by what was edited out of a scene (to add dynamics or guide the narrative a certain way which would apply to all productions everywhere). ~ The pyre scene with the Jesuit Priest at the Mohawk Village Ep 412 was hard to watch on TV. He said it was hard to watch them shoot that scene on set as it was so dangerous!😬 ~ Sophie very occasionally discussed the historical accuracy of things in a scene with directors ie. birthing stool or not in Ep 413 and 1960′s The Mashed Potato moves in S5 are different to how we know them now. She convinced the director’s on those 2 occasions. To me, it shows her passion for the show! ~ When asked about Bree meeting Jamie for the first time in S4, Sophie was asked about the eww factor but didn’t think about Jamie’s hand touching her face after he had relieved himself as he had only used a fruit juice bottle.🤣 ~ R & S were asked to respond to: ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!’ And with relish they replied: ‘Oi, Oi, Oi!’. Someone did their homework. Cool. It’s a parochial call and response thing some aussies do at sporting events etc. ~ R & S often went for an early morning run. Before Sunday’s program began, Meagan asked us all to be very quiet. ‘That sound’, she said, ‘is Rik having his hair blown dry backstage.’ Laughter at Rik’s expense all round. Sophie came on with her’s still damp.

Graham McTavish ‘popped’ in from Slovakia to say hi and sorry I can’t be there. Rik and Graham had a good rapport. After some banter, the audience was now supposed to ask a question and GM rolled his eyes as he heard Rik’s voice again, this time asking him what he conditioned his beard with? ‘Well”, said GM, ‘well Richard, um, I, ahh (chuckle), I condition it with...., obviously a little bit of your love ..’. Much laughter in the theatre.

Then GM commented further, (which I missed, sadly), to even more laughter.

Who knows what would have happened had GM been at the event in person?! There is so much more I could share, but you get the idea.

Sophie wasn’t feeling the best during the last panel just before the close of the event, but she pushed through like a trooper. Rik said she had eaten too much chocolate. A weakness of Sophie’s. I think fatigue was catching up with both of them. They did so much.

Meagan presented Rik and Sophie with an Akubra (pron. uh·koo·bruh) each (iconic Australian outback hat) as a memento of their time here at Ozlander. Rik had the Crocodile Dundee style whilst Sophie’s was more demure. In his best aussie lingo, Rik said: ‘I’m Richard Dundee and this is my partner, Skippy (Sophie).’ (Referencing Skippy the bush kangaroo ? - a much loved Australian TV show 1968-1970).

The Scottish Banner article promised an intimate relaxed chance to get to know stars from the Outlander TV series and I’m happy to say that this is exactly what we got. Whilst it’s a shame we didn’t get to know Ed, Graham or David better, we certainly got to know Rik and Sophie better than we had ever anticipated. As a result, I see Rik and Sophie in a new light, esp in S5, where they have more scenes together. In a small way, I’ve gotten to know a little of the person that inevitably informs their TV persona (ie facial expressions, mannerisms, speaking cadence and inflections). What a memorable time I had (can you tell?). Thanks to Rik and Sophie, the gathering organisers (who got a special mention on stage at the close) and the other fans I met there. Thanks for reading this far on a rather lengthy post.😊 I know it’s my take on the weekend, but I’ve tried not to editorialise it, but present it, as accurately as I can, hence, it may be a bit dry to read.😅 I think Ozlander is a great name and I look forward to Ozlander Fan Gathering 2021.

Ozlander graphics: Ozlander Fan Gathering (I tweaked the circle logo in the title)

Ozlander Fan Gathering 2020 selfie: Ozlander Fan Gathering

other photos: all permissions obtained

Ozlander Fan Gathering article: The Scottish Banner February 2020

Sophie Skelton post: Instagram

global covid-19 cases stats: Wikipedia

#Ozlander #Ozlander Fan Gathering 2020 #Ozlander Melbourne

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asianfighter · 3 years

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Sooo I found another Lucci fan girl on Insta and subsequently remembered an AU I started. The premise is my OC, Tahlia, is the daughter of the man who runs the largest security firm in the world. Needless to say, threats are ever present and she goes through body guards like nothing. Enter the man who clawed his way up to the top of the chain.

This is a brain chills I’ve neglected but I will have to get back to soon. Read at your own discretion. It’s not blatantly explicit but it is definitely suggestive and borderline NSFW. If you’re not 18, keep scrolling. If you’re of age and you like Lucci, well, I hope you enjoy.

MORE THAN HUMAN TEASER: THE FIRST NIGHT

Rob Lucci’s footsteps were quiet, even on the antique wooden planks. Just as he had been commanded, he showered and even changed into a fresh suit. Roman Espinosa always expected his guards to be well dressed; he could only assume his daughter had similar expectations. Lucci could hear the faint sound of music seeping through the walls, sliding beneath the crack below the double doors. He gave a light knock.

“Come in,” Tahlia said from the other side. He turned the handle and slipped through, making sure to close the door just as silently as he had entered. She was freshly showered as well. Her straight hair was still slightly damp and she was dressed in a silky little gown, all black, with a low neckline and lots of lace.

“Hello, Lucci,” she said with a smile. “Lock the door, will you?”

He did as he was told and walked towards the table and chairs in the center of the room. Tahlia fussed with her phone and turned up the music, low quality hip hop beats accompanying an instrumental melody. Occasionally, audio bits of a female singing in French were thrown into the mix.

“Have a seat,” Tahlia told him. Lucci unbuttoned his blazer, this one black, and sat on one of the couches. In front of him, there was a small serving tray with a curvy glass of red wine and a straight little glass that held whiskey on the rocks.

Instead of sitting on the couch across from him, Tilly sat on the wooden table directly in front of him and crossed her legs. She handed him the whiskey before scooping up the glass of dark red liquid.

“Did you like my performance?” Tahlia asked with a smirk. “I know you heard most of it.” She took a slow sip, eyeing Lucci the entire time as if she could unnerve him. He didn’t blink. “Seems like I’m still stuck with you for now… but Daddy’s convinced all it will take to make me happy is a brand new building or two. For how sharp he is in business, he can be a very easy man to deceive.”

Lucci gave her an emotionless gaze and took a sip of the cool whiskey.

“He’s talked a lot about you,” she said, staring at him. “Nice to finally put a name to face.” Lucci withheld a comment about how incessantly Roman talked about her.

“The first time I had ever heard your name,” Tilly told him, “I was 10 years old. Daddy flew in just for my birthday party…” She looked down at her glass of wine. “...and all he could talk about was how successful Rob Lucci’s first field mission went.”

An amused smile played across her face. “I honestly thought you’d be older, considering your history. You’re only three years older than I am… but I suppose that’s why you were such a success. A killing machine at the age of 13. Quite a feat.”

Rob Lucci watched her face and slowly sipped on his drink. “Did you know they call you ‘Massacre Weapon’? Quite a heavy moniker, if you ask me.” Tahlia’s eyes turned downward as she sipped on her own drink. “From simple soldier to my sole security guard,” Tahlia said. “It’s quite a leap.”

Tahlia smiled coyly. The man simply gave her the same, stoic look during her monologue.

“To your promotion,” she said, “and new beginnings in a new city.” Tahlia held her drink up. They clinked glasses together. “By the way, you look dashing in white. I liked that suit much better than the black.”

Lucci nodded, taking a mental note, then took another sip as Tahlia sat back and swished her drink with one hand. He knew others found his gaze was unsettling… but there was something slightly unsettling about hers, too.

“Since you insist on playing silent, I’ll do the talking,” Tahlia said. She took a sip of wine, her lips slightly tinted red. I have big plans, Lucci. Big plans. The only thing is… I need someone I can trust… and some serious muscle to help see them through. If my intuition is correct, you might be able to wear both of those hats well.”

Lucci tilted his head to the side ever so slightly, silently prompting her to tell him more. He was slightly curious to know what her “big plans” entailed.

“I’m not a slave driver; I won’t force you to work for me. But if you do decide to stay, I will have plenty of opportunities for you to paint the town red. I think we could have a very mutually beneficial relationship. All I need you to do is what you do best. You get to have a little fun and I get… well, whatever I want.”

A dangerous look flashed in his eyes at the promise of “painting the town red.”

“Until now I’ve been given regular men. Lackluster soldiers with lackluster skills… but you’re different, I can tell.” She looked him over slowly, like she was trying to find the secret that made him special. “You are the last piece to my puzzle,” Tahlia told him. ”With you by my side, I will have everything I need. Together, we could sit back and watch the world burn. So what do you say?”

Very slowly, Rob Lucci gave the smallest of smirks, one corner of his mouth twisting upwards ever so slightly. His eyes were focused on hers, and try as she might to read his expression, Tahlia couldn’t quite decrypt what was running through his mind. She leaned forward and, with one finger, beckoned him to do the same.

“I know you can speak,” she said in his ear. “And I actually want to hear you say it. Are you in… or not?”

When he spoke, his voice was deep. Dangerous. Just as she had with him, he leaned in and spoke in her ear. This was her father’s house, after all. They could never be too cautious. Though there was no one else currently listening, he spoke in a low voice so that only Tahlia could hear him say, “I’m in.”

“Good. I was hoping you’d say that…” She gently placed her glass of wine back down. Tahlia leaned back on one arm and said, “...because I have a little test for you.”

Lucci placed down his own glass, mirrored her posture and leaned back as well. He rested one hand on the back rest of the couch.

“How far are you willing to go to prove your loyalty?” Tahlia asked him. Lucci’s brows pulled further down. Even rookies knew there was only one way out of Espinosa Inc. and it didn’t involve a 401k.

“I wonder,” Tahlia mused aloud, leaning forward and intruding upon his personal space, “if your loyalties lie with my father… or if they lie with me.” She searched his eyes but found no answer there. “I suppose it’s all the same,” she said quietly, “for now.”

She grinned and gave him an uneven smile that looked especially dangerous in the low lighting.

“Let’s see how well they trained you to listen,” Tahlia said. There was a dark mischief to her. Lucci simply looked back, stone faced. What could she possibly do to him that men hadn’t already done before? He had been shot, stabbed, beaten, burned… the more annoying methods of “pain resistance training” had included drowning simulations and extended immersion. Despite the large burns on his back, he much would have chosen fire over water torture any day.

Roman constantly bragged about how his girl was such a talented artist. Would she use one of the traditional methods or come up with something a little more creative?

In answer to his question, Tahlia leaned forward and slid onto the couch, her legs straddling Lucci’s waist. He leaned backwards at the sudden contact, the soft seat of the couch pushing against him. Tahlia placed her cheek against his and whispered, “I want you to sleep with me tonight.” Lucci’s posture stiffened as Tahlia loosened his tie and began to unbutton his shirt from the top down. “They didn’t cut out your tongue, after all. I’ll make sure it goes to good use.”

She used her left hand to continue unbuttoning while her right brushed against his face. She liked feeling the smooth of his cheek and the rough of his sideburns, his tidy beard. She could smell his mouth watering cologne. He had an ever present steel gaze that quietly drove her crazy. Tahlia leaned in to kiss him, and though his lips moved in sync with hers, he still had the same, cold expression when he opened up his eyes.

“They say you can’t feel pain…” Tahlia said, more to herself than him. His eyes were deep and dark, so brown that they looked completely black. They were eyes that held countless unspoken secrets. She pulled him towards her, slid her hands beneath his polo, helped slide his shirt and blazer off. Tilly squeezed his biceps (deliciously tattooed, she noticed, with a modern, minimal design on his shoulders) and massaged his strong forearms. She could hear him take a slow, steady inhale and a long, drawn out exhale.

Tahlia’s hands trailed down his arms and she placed both of his hands on her breasts. She pressed her hips into his and made slow, grinding movements. She could feel the bulge in his pants hardening. Tahlia moaned and nipped his ear. Lucci’s dark eyes flashed a dirty gold for just a fraction of a second but it went unnoticed. Tilly’s voice was a low, seductive purr as she said, “Let’s see if you still feel pleasure.”

—

Well if you like it, let me know! I have some scenes written that I’d love to share if there’s any interest!

#one piece #fanfiction.net #fanfic #one piece fandom #one piece original character #one piece fanfiction #rob lucci #cp9 #cp0 #celestial dragons

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sam-gibbs · 3 years

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Animated

Now we are moving onto our animated starting point. Here I will be able to go ahead and look at things such as animated films,tv shows,companies and games.

Cuphead:

Cuphead is a game which was made in 2017. The game is an animated run and gun styled game.As you can see the game was inspired by the old styled animation used in the 1930′s, this includes the works of people such as Fleischer Studios and Walt Disney. The visuals and audio of the game were made the same painstakingly way they did in the 1930′s era. By using traditional hand drawn cell animation as well as watercolour backgrounds and original jazz recordings.

Informations taken from:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/268910/Cuphead/

When it comes to Cuphead it must of taken ages to develop and put together the game as everything is drawn and animated through drawings meaning it would of taken a lot more time to animate than it would to animate 3d models. Here is a video I have found which talks about the creators of the game making the game:

youtube

In the video it not until you get about 5 minutes in until they are talking about the actual development of the game. For starters they planned for the game to only be a small game.However after all the feedback they got at events such as E3 in 2015 they then went forwards and decided to take the game further and get more serious with it.Secondly they then start to talk about how they had originally joked at the beginning of making the game about doing the 1930′s style. This was mainly due to one of the creators being the only animator they had at the time. However they went forward and decided to try something else as they felt that they could not efficiently pull of the 1930′s style animation. They talk about how they had thought of having the game art being like going through elementary school, Meaning each level would be arts and crafts.For example a kindergarten level would have a turkey that was made like a painted hand print as well as having cotton balls attached to it. Then they planned about doing stop frame animation with them. However they eventually decided to go back to the 1930′s style animation. WHen it came to animations they talk about how most stuff was done classically so it was all hand drawn on paper instead of digitally drawn as well as the backgrounds being watercolor painted.Even the music is live recorded and wasn't digitally made.They talk about once the character is drawn and animated they would then scan it into the computer which is where they would then go ahead and add the colours to the characters.

Fleischer Studios:

Fleischer Studios are famous for there creation of popular characters such as Koko the clown,Betty boop and Popeye the Sailor. Unlike other studios which mainly focused on making there characters anthropomorphic animals, Fleischer studios most famous characters were actually humans. Compared to their competitor company Walt disney, Fleischer studios went for a different cartoon style. Unlike Walt Disney, there animations were more rough than defined as well as more artistic than commercial.However in a unique way there art was expressed through a culmination of arts and sciences. There approach focused more on surrealism, dark humor, adult psychological elements and sexuality. Another thing was that the environments were grittier and more urban compared to Walt Disney. They would often be set in squalid surroundings to reflect the great depression as well as the German Expressionism.

Why do they wear gloves:

One big question that came to surface is why do the cartoon characters in the Fleischer and Disney animations wear gloves.Here is a video where they ask an animation historian this same question and here are the reasons he gives for the characters wearing gloves.

youtube

One of the most basic theories as to why the characters wear gloves is in order to save time. Drawing detailed intricate hands aren't very easy and take up a lot more time. By having the characters where basic gloves which are a basic shape saves a lot of time when it comes to drawing and animating the characters.As animations went on they tried to make characters with more basic a circular shapes in order to make them easier to draw as well as more child friendly. This was called the Rubber hose and circle design where characters main features such as there head,stomach and palms of there hands would be circles.The all other parts such as arms,fingers and legs would be more of a rubber hose design which made them more spaghetti looking.Here is an example of this process:

The rubber hose and circle process made it so animators could draw arms,legs and heads without having to spend loads of time on them.Here come the piece where the gloves came into play. Now its a good idea to use the rubber hose and circle method however characters hand were black as well as the rest of their body. This meant it was very hard to distinguish where there hands were and what they were doing.It was only until 1929 for the white gloves to come into play on characters.

One other reason given for the gloves was actually written inside of Walt Disney's 1968 biography “The Disney Version” when he talks about mickey mouse having the gloves , it says:

“We didn't want him to have mouse hands,because he was supposed to be more human like.So we gave him gloves”

Unfortunately there is one more reason about why they wear gloves which isn't as nice.The film the Opry House is where Mickey mouse put on a vaudeville show.This film as well a many of the other animations that came before it were closely linked to vaudeville performances and the blackface minstrel shows of the time. A man called Nicholas Sammonds writes in “Birth of an Industry” that many early animated characters such as felix the cat, Bimbo and mickey mouse “weren't just like minstrels, they were minstrels”. Which by the way the definition of a minstrel is someone who has dressed up in black face for a performance on a show for example the Minstrel show. Characters in the Minstrel show would wear white gloves as well. However even as the Minstrel show started to disappear the gloves on the cartoon characters stayed due to it being part of there animation design.

Cuphead and the Racist Spectre of Fleischer animation:

While doing my research I managed to go ahead and find an online article which I decided to go ahead and look into:

https://unwinnable.com/2017/11/10/cuphead-and-the-racist-spectre-of-fleischer-animation/

In the article it talks about how the creators of cuphead also dredge up the bigotry and prejudice which had a strong influence on early animation.When asked in an interview about how cuphead had an unfortunate associations with the 1930′s era.

Maja Moldenhauer replies:”Its just visuals and that's about it. Anything else happening in that era we are not versed in it”

It talks about how Studio MDHR goes and ignores the context and history behind the aesthetic in which they tried so hard to recreate.I also think that people aren't happy that they sort of idolise this sort of animation style due to its racist context and history behind it and feel like the studios should of took into consideration the history behind it before choosing it as there art style. They then talk about how in many early cartoons, characters were often tricksters,layabouts and thieves. These archetypes were born from the depiction of the lazy slave minstrel shows specialised in. This is brought up due to the fact that at the start of the cuphead game you meet 2 tricksters (cuphead and mugman) who make a deal with the devil ( another trickster) over a gambling debt, an activity often linked in the 1930s cartoons to implied sinfulness and savagery.

Studio Ghibli:

Now we are moving onto studio ghibli which is an animation company for anime films such as spirited away, Howl's moving castle and my neighbour totoro.Studio ghibli is a japanese animation company which was founded in 1985. Like Fleischer studios Studio Ghibli's animation techniques are all very traditional. All there frames are hand drawn before being put together to create movement.Even Though CGI is very popular now the creator Miyazaki prefers to stay away from this and believes that hand drawing is the fundamental of animation. However he doesn't sometimes make small exceptions and allows small bits of CGI in his art in order to help animations with tricky scenes and to speed up the process.

The process:

Everything Begins With an Idea

From script to screen, the idea is developed into a story.

Then, characters and costumes are designed and created. In doing so, also creates the atmosphere and settings the film is

The story is then turned into a storyboard and is used to illustrate the key frames to produce movements.

After the scenes are drawn out, color is added and painted. Note: the backgrounds and characters are drawn separately.

The characters are placed onto the background, which creates a frame. Each frame is shot individually.

Dialogue & audio is added and then the director ensures that everything syncs together naturally.

After the film is developed, it is ready to debut!

All this information was taken from:

https://commons.marymount.edu/leetopic/creation-process/

Animation types:

Now of course when it comes to animation inside of tv, film and video games there are multiple different types of animation people can choose from. The different types are cel animation,2D animation,3D animation and Stop animation.

Cel animation:

Cel animations is the animation style we have already talked about in this post. Cel animations is when you animate on sheets of transparent plastic called cels.The cels are then placed over a background and photographed in sequence. When the photos are played back at either 12 or 24 frames they create the illusion of movement.When it comes to making a drawing on a cel. The inker will transfer a drawing done on paper onto a cel using black ink. Once dried the colourist will the use cel paint onto the artwork. All informations was gotten from:

https://conceptartempire.com/cel-animation/

2D animation:

2d animation is basically the same as cel animation. However it expands more out into the world of digital art where artists and colourists can do all there work on a computer instead of having to do it on cel sheets.

3D animation:

Now unlike 2d animation 3d animation is far more advanced. Instead of drawing out there models. 3d animation is the art of using motion to bring characters as well as vehicles to life inside tv shows,films and video games. 3d animations uses 3d models instead of 2d drawings. When it comes to animating the models you can either rig the model and do it that way or in some cases map them to a person's body and have them act out the motions they wish the character to do.Here is a nice video I found which shows how the process of it somewhat works when it comes to putting scenes together:

youtube

Stop Animation:

Stop motion animation has been around for a very long time and has been used in films such as Coraline,Wallace and gromit and Missing link. The process of stop animation is where they have real life 3d models of their characters, props and vehicles. These models are made out of clay. However although fun to make stop motion is a time staking process. To do stop motion animation the models are moved in small increments frame by frame. Every time the model is moved a picture is taken. Then the film is put together when it goes through the flames at a fast speed in order to make it look like it is moving.Here is a video which talks about how they did the stop motion animation in a film called the missing link.

youtube

The video talks us through the process of how they use rigs for scenes where characters are in the air as well as how for some scenes such as underwater scenes they do need to go ahead and use CGI for those parts of the film. It is not only till you see the sets until you realise how much space is needed to create some of these scenes as well and how much time and effort goes into making some characters in the films.

Bugsnax:

Bugsnax is an animated video games which due to the animation style looks like it is targeted towards kids.With a pegi 7 rating you would be surprised to know what the contents of the game really contain.Here is a video which talks about eh lore that someone has theorized about the game.

youtube

After watching the video all I can say is that I am quite surprised at what some of the hidden context of the game can be. I believe there are hidden messages about drugs in the game and about how addicted someone can be, as well as the fact that it changes a person's body just like how drugs can affect people.

However there is one thing that I think was creative and its the fact that this game really goes off of the phrase we are what we eat.

In summary what I have learnt through my research is that there are of course many different ways to animate in which people can choose from, however each type of animation does come with its pros and cons so depending on how long you have to create a project as well as what sort of scenes you are wanting will affect what sort of animation style will be best to use. other things I have learnt is that animation can have some disturbing history and backstory to them and sometimes aren't always what they seem.

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maniac-fandomist · 3 years

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I am still enjoying Genshin Impact

(It’s only been twoish weeks)

When I wrote my Genshin impact impressions i was still in Monstadt and pretty early in the story.

Now I've reached Liyue, finished Act 1 and i'm AR 26. I’ll throw it under a cut this time because it’s a long post.

I started before 1.1 came out so I got Barbara and having a dedicated healer is so great

The mountains of Liyue are more forgiving - they have more jagged edges and footholds than Monstadt's smooth sides

Then i discovered how damn TALL the mountains are in Jeuyun Karst. What the hell

Why is a Statue of Seven FLOATING on a rock high in the sky.

I take this back - I discovered a really high point floating in the sky by solving a puzzle and it was very cool.

I actually feel like this is a fantasy game. I met three animal-formed spirits (adepti), calmed a ghost, met a bunch of treasuring hunting ghosts in a mine, quelled a dragon and talk to gods semi-regularly.

Even slimes - the perennial fantasy rpg monster is interesting - they live off elemental energy

Sheznayans and the Liyuese have both boggled over Mondstadt's apparent godlessness and its both interesting and funny

The plants are fantastic too - the Mist flowers and the flame flowers are gatherable

So are boars. What i thought were back ground filler animals are huntable though I have yet to determine how this is... (when I shoot one, the other runs away - I presume traps are involved i know they exist)

The amber of Mt. Hulao is cool but j also feel like the wrath of the adepti will strike me if I go around smashing more amber

Finding waypoints is an adventure in itself - found two of them on bloody mountain tops. Good for gliding though

There is a lot of voice acting in this game holy shit. but sometimes the audio and the text out of sync.

Lumine talks in her voice overs??? I tried to clicking the voice before and shs didn't talk... I'd like her to talk more in game but this is good too (oh this is a new thing as of the 1.1 update patch.)

They should call the story quests character or friendship quests instead...

The cutscenes are pretty epic

Geo traveler is pretty cool but i am too use to Anemo traveler and abuse the swirl effect. (i am using Lumine a lot - A) because she’s the main character and B) apparently this is not a popular choice??? - according to guides anyway and now I am doing it out of spite)

The new archive feature is both useful and aesthetically gorgeous

The Wangshu inn has to be my favorite set piece of any game ever

I like their name for dungeons - domains sound pretty cool

The Domains aren't nearly as themed or nice as FFXIV's dungeons - they have the same basic look but i'm okay with that

Some reservations

There's no underwater diving and it makes me sad.maybe in another update?

Why don't we have any dendro characters yet (nvm mind it’s because Dendro only catches fire though i think Hydro should make dendro constructs just grow like crazy)

I wish Geo just canceled electro attacks cold.

I wish books weren't such a large text boxes though.

My only major criticism is the seeming death of explorable houses because FFXIV's later expacs and Genshin Impact don't have enterable shops or npc homes that aren’t separate zones. Genshin impact has more to explore so i forgive it more. Also - lack of useable inns.

Sometimes when i'm in picture mode, the game freezes and i have to reset

I do have a complaint - I couldn't get pass the first stage of the dvalin fight when you had to use acceleration currents to catch up because controls were unclear and moving down didn't seem to be doing anything. (It does do something - move your ps4 joystick down to get into the acceleration currents). I looked up a video where other people gave tips jn the comments. I did beat the second stage in one try though even though I took an age and all the platforms got corrupted. btw, melee character can climb on Dvalin

I need to beat Spiral Abyss, I am sick of having Amber as my only pyro. I have THREE electros (Fischl, Razor, Lisa), two anemo (Lumine, Sucrose), two hydro (Xingqui, Barbara), one cyro (Kaeya) and two geo (Noelle, Ningguang) now but one pyro. I want Bennett and Xiangling and a not-Kaeya cryo character

#blogged #rambles #mirapris.txt #long post #genshin impact

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cherryeol04 · 4 years

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Jolly Chaos

Genre: Humor, fluff, stupidity? Pairing: JacksonxOC, ChangbinxAidenxFelix Word Count: 2.9K Summary: While getting presents for Aiden’s boyfriend, Sabrina and Aiden get snowed in at the mall. At least there are some hot guys to occupy her time with. A/N: This is a crappy summary and doesn’t even begin to describe this story. lmao. I’m sorry.

“Stay indoors because a snowstorm is projected to hit the city by 4pm. You do not want to be out when it hits.”

The audio from the TV served as white noise as the two bodies in the house moved in sync within the kitchen. A balancing act of dancing around each other as they worked on their baked goods. Sabrina had only wanted to make cookies, but Aiden has insisted that they also make cupcakes because “icing them is fun”. What wasn’t fun, however, was the clean up at the end. And if there was one thing Sabrina had learned in her years of babysitting the Park son, it was that he didn’t clean up after himself. Somehow, he always managed to weasel his way out of cleaning duties. Aiden truly was an amazing kid.

“Six minutes until the cookies are done!” Sabrina called out as she dumped the mixing bowls into the sink to be cleaned later. Her gaze turned to Aiden who was hunched over his tray of cupcakes, a look of concentration creasing his brows - tongue poking out of the side of his mouth. It was actually kind of cute, the way he carefully moved his hand in a circle, creating the perfect icing swirl. He was oblivious to what she had just said, lost in his own world of decorating. It was picturesque, so Sabrina pulled out her phone and opened her camera, quickly snapping a few pictures of Aiden for “memories sake (read: blackmail)”.

Despite the camera noises and flash, the younger male remained unbothered. So Sabrina took the time to send the pictures to two different group chats. The first was with Aiden and his parents and she figured that they would appreciate some cute pictures of their son not causing trouble for once. The second group chat was one with a mixture of her friends and Aiden’s friends, which also included Aiden’s two boyfriends. In this chat, she only sent one of the pictures - the decent looking one, after all, she needed to keep at least one picture for blackmailing purposes. Glancing to the clock, Sabrina hummed and made her way back to the over to the oven to check on her cookies. A comfortable silence fell over them once more, broken only when Aiden finished his decorating and Sabrina had plated her 24 count tray of cookies.

“They look burnt.” Aiden complained and his nose scrunched up.

“You look burnt.” Sabrina retorted.

“That doesn’t make sense!” Aiden huffed with a shake of his head. “They smell good though. Good job.” A compliment in a way and it was certainly more than what Sabrina thought she was going to get. Not that Aiden was a rude or misbehaving teen. On the contrary, he was a well mannered and sweet young man. He honestly didn’t need a babysitter at his ripe old age of 17, but Aiden did have a tendency to be a bit dense and clumsy at times. If not for his last attempt of cooking unsupervised that led to the kitchen nearly burnt to the ground, his parents wouldn’t have insisted on having someone to watch him. But it couldn’t be helped and it was better to have someone with better common sense around to make sure Aiden didn’t accidentally burn or destroy something in the house. Sans his friends because they just couldn’t be trusted. Sabrina didn’t mind though, Aiden was like a little brother to her and hey, she also got free food. It was a win-win situation.

“Thanks, Aiden.” It was a soft return of gratitude to the praise she had received, followed with a gentle smile that was returned wholeheartedly and reminded Sabrina of the sun. What a precious guy.

“Hey Bri, do you think we can hit the mall?”

Sabrina raised a brow at the question, shoulders raising too. “I mean we could, but it might hurt.”

Aiden groaned at the poorly made joke, eyes rolling in exasperation. “That’s not what I meant and you know it!”

Sabrina couldn’t suppress the giggle that bubbled up in her chest, one hand raising to cover her mouth as she tried to keep from snorting. After calming herself, she cleared her throat and nodded. “Sure. Let’s clean up-”

“We can clean later.” Aiden whined, a pout on his lips. “I want to get to the mall before it closes.”

“Why?” Sabrina asked.

“I - uh - need to get gifts...for my boyfriends,” Aiden said shyly, head bowed in embarrassment as he fiddled with the hem of his shirt. It was really cute, but everything about Aiden was cute and Sabrina could understand how he managed to get two boyfriends.

“You haven’t gotten them a gift yet? Christmas is next week!”

“I know! I’ve just been so busy with exams and homework. I barely have the time to see them, let alone have time to go Christmas shopping. Doesn’t help they go to a different school.” Aiden pouted, a soft sigh leaving his lips.

“So, what you’re saying is that if I take you to the mall, I would be helping your relationship?” she asked, a smirk playing on her lips. “Little Aiden will be a good boyfriend then, making his boyfriends happy?” she teased, relishing in the whine that he let out in embarrassment. “Alright, we can go, but on one condition.”

“Name it.” Aiden agreed quickly. A little too quickly, which made Sabrina happy.

“You do all the dishes when we get back, by yourself.” Sabrina laughed as Adien’s mouth dropped and she could see he was getting ready to protest, but never uttered a word. Instead, he simply closed his mouth and nodded, resigned to his fate. The things he did for Felix and Changbin.

“Okay.”

“Perfect! Let’s go then!” Sabrina cheered and headed out of the kitchen and to the front door. Free of cleaning duty, she was more than excited to go shopping now.

~*~*~*~

The relief that came when Sabrina finally parked was more than welcomed with Aiden thanking all the Gods he knew in a rush of muttered praises, surprised that they hadn’t crashed or ran anyone over. Sabrina was actually surprised she managed to keep her road rage in check and didn’t hit anyone. Though she really had wanted to run one woman over in particular. She had just decided to walk out in front of her car, without even checking to make sure the coast was clear.

Stupid Karen.

Aiden practically sprinted to the main entrance of the mall, leaving Sabrina to fumble with her keys to get the car locked. With the click of the doors, Sabrina ran after Aiden, chasing the bratty teenager through the food court and down the leftwing - barely dodging the unsuspecting patrons milling about. “Aiden! Slow down! You’re gonna run into-” The world rushed around her, yet all she could focus on was her heavy breathing and the feeling of arms around her waist. Looking up, her eyes locked with a pair of chocolate brown orbs, brows creased with concern.

“Are you alright?”

Gathering her bearings, Sabrina straightened herself as she slowly left the man’s embrace with a nod. “I’m fine. I’m so sorry about that.” she apologized, bowing to the other. She felt absolutely terrible about running into the man. And she certainly wasn’t being a good role model for Aiden.

“It’s okay. As long as you’re not hurt.” He was being too kind, which only deepened Sabrina’s guilt. She had expected him to yell and blame her for being careless, which was true. But instead, he was worried about her. A complete stranger! She would be lying if she said that it didn’t make her heart flutter a little.

“No, it’s not. I wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing or where I was going. I’m so sorry.” She protested, once more bowing to the man, a little deeper than last time.

“It’s fine, really.” the guy laughed, his whole face a light with a bright smile. It was stunning and took Sabrina’s breath away. “Just be more careful, okay?” he asked and she gave him a tentative nod. It seemed to satisfy him and with one last smile, he walked off.

The encounter was strange, but by the time Sabrina found Aiden again, it had completely escaped her memory. The younger male was in the bookstore, browsing through the shelves stacked with cards and board games. He had three games already in his hands, eyes reading over the back of another game that was sitting on the shelf. “What did you find?” she asked, moving to stand beside him. He jumped, struggling to hold onto the games as he glared at Sabrina.

“You just gave me a heart attack! Jesus!” he whined, trying to keep his voice so he didn’t disturb any of the other shoppers, but that was a struggle for him. Aiden was not at all a quiet boy.

“Sorry.” She wasn’t at all sorry, giving a shrug before taking one of the card decks from Aiden’s hand. “Cards Against Humanity?”

“Yeah. Normally I play with Felix and Changbin online. It has a larger and better selection of card decks. But there have been times we’ve wanted to play while together, but we didn’t have 3 computers and using our phones sucked.” Aiden explained, pouting at the memories.

“So you’re going to give your boyfriends a card game?” Sabrina raised a brow as she stared at Aiden, watching him squirm under her gaze.

“Yeah, why not?”

“Why not? Because that’s such a sucky gift! You should be getting them something romantic or something.” she huffed out.

“Romantic? Like what?”

“I don’t know, google it. Romantic gifts to give your boyfriend. I mean, you could even give them headphones. Something other than a card game.” she said, taking the games from Aiden’s grasp and placing them back on the shelf. “What do they like? Give them a gift to complement their personalities or something they really have been asking for.”

Silence fell over the two as Aiden stared at the floor, brows knitted together. Sabrina was worried that maybe she had been a little too harsh and critical on Aiden for his gift choices. Honestly, who was she to even protest as she had? They weren’t her boyfriends. But she did remember all the drama and angst Aiden went through to even get to the current point he was at with his boyfriends. She really just wanted to make sure his Christmas with his boyfriends was as sweet and romantic as it could get. He deserved it.

“Aiden-”

“Bri-”

They stared at each other, waiting for the other to talk. When neither of them made a move, Aiden let out a heavy sigh. “Bri, I need help. I don’t know what to do or get them. They’re just so…” Aiden trailed off and let out a frustrated sigh, pushing a hand through his hair. “What do you get someone who is so perfect and has everything they could ever want?” he asked. The sheer desperation that was shining in his eyes had Sabrina’s heartbreaking and she wanted nothing more than to pull Aiden into a hug and protect him from the world. But maybe it was that protection that left him so clueless.

“Maybe they don’t need trivial items?” Sabrina suggested, an idea coming to her.

“What do you mean?”

“Instead of spending your money on a card game or something else they’ve probably received a dozen times, maybe you could make them something?” Sabrina suggested with a gentle smile. “You know? A handmade gift always means more than a store-bought one.”

“Make something? I’m not at all creative, what could I possibly make them?” Aiden pouted, staring off to the side, racking his brain for ideas.

“Aiden, you’re going to school for the performing arts. You make music for your classes. You’re very much creative.” she assured as she reached out and patted his head. “You don’t need to do anything grand like writing them a song or anything. Just something heartfelt.” She felt like she was talking to a child, who didn’t have the cognitive capabilities to understand what she was saying. It really saddened her, but he was managing on his own.

“Like a card? Or a letter?” Aiden asked. Sabrina nodded with a gentle smile.

“Yeah! Come on, let’s go check out the stationery section. We can get some cute paper, colored pens, and washi tape. Maybe we can find some other things we can add.” Taking his hand, Sabrina led him from the games and across the store to browse for the items they needed.

“Thanks, Bri, you’re the best.”

~*~*~*~

It didn’t feel like it was that late in the day, but by the time Sabrina and Aiden finished their shopping, the store was almost completely empty. It was odd, especially considering the fact it was only 3 pm, long before the mall was supposed to close even with the holiday hours. Nonetheless, the two made their way to the front entrance and were greeted by the largest and thickest blanket of snow, falling from the sky.

“Oh, crap.” Sabrina whispered.

“Oh, crap indeed.” A voice from behind her agreed and she turned around, staring at the group of males behind her. One of whom she recognized almost instantly as the handsome stranger she had run into earlier that afternoon. “The news said it wouldn’t hit until later.” he complained.

“Looks like the weatherman might have been drunk again.” Another male spoke up from next to Mr. Handsome. The group was composed of five guys, all very good looking and for a moment, Sabrina questioned what she did in her past life to be surrounded by such handsome men.

“Lix? Binne?” Aiden asked, brows furrowed as he stared at the group. “Jinnie?” All those names sounded familiar from the countless tales Aiden would recount when Sabrina would come over to hang out with him. And suddenly, Sabrina didn’t feel so blessed because at least three of the five good looking guys were a couple of years younger than her.

“Aiden! What a small world.” Hyunjin cheered as he walked over and pulled Aiden into a tight hug. Aiden smiled, returning the hug before pulling back shortly after to move to Felix and Changbin, giving them each a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m here Christmas shopping with my-” He stopped himself, cheeks flushing as he looked to Sabrina who was smirking.

“You’re what?” Felix prompted.

“His babysitter.” Sabrina grinned, winking at the whining boy who was trying to hide behind his two boyfriends. “I’m Sabrina or Bri for short.”

“Nice to meet you, Sabrina. It sure is a small world, we’re babysitting too. I’m Jinyoung and this is Jackson.”

“We’ve met.” Jackson chuckled and Sabrina could feel herself blushing.

“Again, I’m so sorry. I was chasing after that one.” she said as she pointed to Aiden.

“Hey! I was just excited!” Aiden pouted.

“I said it was alright. Stop apologizing.” Jackson assured her with a soft laugh, flashing her such a sweet smile that it only seemed to enhance his handsome features and Sabrina found herself wanting to see more of that smile.

Was there a formation of a crush happening? There sure was.

“Okay.” The reply was soft and she wasn’t sure if they had actually heard her or not. It didn’t matter though and she turned her attention back outside. It honestly shocked her at how quickly the storm had rolled in and covered the ground with such a thick layer of snow. They weren't even at the mall that long! Her eyes scanned the gray sky, slowly darkening further as the clouds slowly moved. It was only going to get worse, she could tell.

“Looks like we’re stuck. At least until the storm passes.” Jinyoung mused.

“Who knows how long that’ll be.” Sabrina commented and turned around. There were a few groups of other people milling about the mall entrance. All stuck just like them. Well, at least they still had power.

They spent the next five hours waiting within the mall. The food court employees that were left fired up the grills and made meals for those stuck there. Sabrina spent her time getting to know Jackson and Jinyoung, swapping stories about Aiden, Felix, and Changbin. Most were absolutely hilarious and Sabrina was very glad that she wasn’t the only one who was witness to Aiden’s stupid moments. It was around 8 pm when rescue workers were finally able to clear a path to the doors of the mall and another hour before roads were cleared enough for everyone to head home. Though Sabrina was ready to go home, she didn’t really want her time with Jackson to end. The older male (as she found out) was very funny and she wanted to get to know him even more. But Aiden was tired and getting cranky, so being the good babysitter she was, she took him home. And as they were warming up and cleaning up the kitchen, Aiden handed her a piece of paper.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Jackson’s number. He said to call him whenever.” Aiden shrugged before disappearing out of the kitchen, leaving Sabrina to clean alone. She couldn’t even bring herself to care either, eager to finish and call Jackson. Maybe this Christmas she won’t be lonely.

Tags: @cuddly-bangchan @lordseochangbin @channiesmixtape @starryseung @felixsanxchatbot @jisungsjheekies

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lastarpeggios · 4 years

Text

For some reason I was reminded again of a ‘top ... favorite anime openings’ video I made when I must’ve been about 16 years old. I put together a playlist of what what I think were 37 opening tracks by downloading youtube videos (and sometimes whole episodes) and then cutting clips from the opening for my video. I put a lot of effort into it, getting the audio in sync with the video, ... I think it took me a couple of days to get a result I was content with. The video was flagged right away, of course. I don’t think it was taken down, but I don’t think I’ll find it again.

I remembered that I put Lilium (Elfen Lied) in the 2nd spot. But for a while just now I could not remember for the life of me which song I put first.

So I went back to my old animelist, and found it again. I played it and relived some of my teenage spirit.

Looking at my anime list, I can guess what my top 10 probably looked like at the time. I think I made this around 2010? It was definitely before Attack on Titan.

Monoral - Kiri (Ergo Proxy) (If you’re not shouting along with the chorus then you’re not really living)

Kumiko Noma - Lilium (Elfen lied)

Oasis - Falling Down (Higashi no Eden)

Abnormalize - Ling Tosite Shigure (Psycho Pass) (Actually I cannot remember if this was in my list because it might have aired after I made it? It’s definitely not as old as most of the other anime in here.)

Hyde - Season’s Call (Blood +)

Bana - Shell (Witch Hunter Robin)

Kokia - Karma (Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom)

L’Arc en Ciel - Daybreak’s Bell (Gundam 00)

The Light Before we Land - The Delgados (Gunslinger Girl)

Kuniaki Haishima - Grain (Monster)

Boa - Duvet (Serial Experiments Lain)

Steve Conte - Stray (Wolf’s Rain)

Jacques Burnel - We Were Lovers (Gankutsuou)

Nightmare -The World (Death Note)

What’s up, People? - Maximum the Hormone (Death Note)

Yui - Again (Full Metal Alchemist)

Ally Kerr - The Sore Feet Song (Mushishi)

SPYAIR – Just One Life (Samurai Flamenco)

Juno Reactor - Guardian Angel (Texhnolyze) (I’m definitely cheating now because this song did not rate this high.)

Two-Mix - Just Communication (Gundam Wing)

Two-Mix - Rhythm Emotion (Gundam Wing)

Inori You Raise me Up - Lena Park (Romeo X Juliet) (Do not judge. Also, I’m 99% I ranked this much higher in my actual list.)

Yoko Kanno - Tank! (Cowboy Bebop)

Beat Crusaders - Hit in the USA (Beck)

Elisa - Euphoric Field (EF - a tale of memories)

Ono Daisuke - Key (Shinrei Tantei Yakumo)

Ritsuko Okazaki - For Fruits Basket (Fruits Basket)

SID - Ranbu no Melody (Bleach)

Miho Fujiwara - Florescence (Kanon)

One of the openings from Hell Girl, but I cannot remember which one it was.

ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D - In My World (Ao no Exorcist)

Ayaka - Last Regrets (Kanon 2006)

Okazaki Ritsuko - Morning Grace (Princess Tutu)

Uragiri No Yuuyake - Theatre Brook (Durarara!!)

Yosuke Sakanoue - Super Drive (Gravitation) (Yes this was in the list.)

Shuntaro Okino - Cloud Age Symphony (Last Exile)

Tori no Uta - Lia (Air tv) (I specifically remember this being the last song in the list)

#personal #FOR FUTURE REFERENCE #it just gets worse and worse as the list goes on #but I stand behind my top 3

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saintedfury · 4 years

Text

A Saintly Muse | IC Drabble

Summary: Devin comes to the rescue.

a/n: @ashandnovels posted a request for smut to her inbox, so I decided to try and deliver.

A Saintly Muse

Devin, any chance you’d be free to do me a massive favor?

Furia tapped the message into her phone and waited. She wasn’t the only one trying to solve the issue, but she might be the most certain that someone would respond affirmatively.

[SMS] Always.

The reply, as well as the speed with which he sent it, made her grin.

You’re a saint.

[SMS] You just figuring that out?

She texted him the address. “I’ve got someone on their way,” she announced to the room full of artists. A sigh of relief rolled through the open airy space. She realized that perhaps she should have mentioned the what of the favor she was asking.

No. But it’s definitely more than just the purple.

I hope you’re good with having a lot of people staring at you.

[SMS] And what did I just volunteer for?

I found a figure drawing class. We need a model. Ours had an emergency come up.

[SMS] Sounds relatively painless.

Sí. Though you might catch a chill. Furia grinned at her phone. But I swear I’ll warm you up after if that happens.

[SMS] You never mentioned compensation.

You know me. I take care of my friends.

[SMS] Be there in ten.

She slipped her phone in her pocket. “I’ll be back in about ten minutes. Going to wait for him downstairs.” Her announcement received a few affirmative nods and relieved looks. Several phones were put away and people went back to unpacking their supplies. Others went to setting up the dais in the center of the room.

Once outside, she pulled the collar of her coat up a bit, to help fight off a bit of the chill in the icy weather. Slush was everywhere, and every car that neared announced it presence with a mushy, wet sound. It just made her feel the cold even more. Fat, wet flakes fell and stuck to everything. Furia could even feel a few of them melting in her hair, turning to cold drops that slipped down to her scalp until she couldn’t feel them anymore. Letting her head tip back, she watched the dark swirling clouds move over head. They looked far more ominous than the chunky flurries that fluttered about the downtown street on a crisp breeze.

“Getting your fill of snow?” an amused voice called out.

Furia turned and smiled at Devin. “Something like that.” She pulled herself away from the wall and greeted him into a hug. Stretching up on her toes, she kissed him softly. “Thank you for doing this.”

“It could be interesting.”

She grinned at him, but didn’t let him go quite yet. “I’m sure I can talk them in to letting you leave the sunglasses on, too.” Her laughter widened her smile.

Devin went straight for the ribs, earning a squeak, but also freeing himself from her embrace.

“Troublemaker,” she scolded. Her hand found his. “Come on. The studio’s upstairs.”

Whatever it was about elevators, they were still a thing for her, because once the door closed, she inched back into Devin’s personal space. He didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, his arms draped around her, encouraging her to move even closer. The kisses that followed began playfully enough, but swiftly deepened. When the car chimed the arrival at their floor, they were both a little flushed and perhaps eager to shed their coats.

Furia let him enter the studio first, then grabbed onto the collar of his jacket from behind to help him out of it. She hung his coat over hers near the door.

Nearly twenty heads turned with their arrival, all of them zeroing in on Devin with measured and inspecting glances. There were some nods, a few raised eyebrows, and more than a few blushing smiles from the men and women gathered for the session.

“Devin, everybody. Everybody, this is Devin. He volunteered to fill in for Bartholomew.”

A chorus of welcomes, thanks, and other assorted sentiments followed.

“I’ll show you where you can change,” Furia offered, slipping her hand around his elbow and giving it a little tug.

“This is a bigger class than I expected,” he said over her shoulder.

“The classes are free. So, they end up drawing a bigger crowd.” She kept her voice low, as if they had suddenly stepped into a library, though she couldn’t determine why.

They could only walk single-file down the hallway, it was dark and barely wide enough to accommodate Devin’s broad shoulders. The changing room wasn’t originally meant for that purpose, as he would probably be able to tell by the fact the closet was lined with cleaning supplies on the far wall. There was a hanging rack and a cushioned chair, but the room definitely was not designed as stripping room.

Furia led him into the room, because it was the only way she’d be able to get back out without having to shimmy herself across the width of his body. Since he was nice enough to come by and sit for them, she didn’t want to make it embarrassing for him by sending him out there all hot and bothered. Though as soon as the idea popped into her head, she kind of really wanted to do just that.

She bit her bottom lip and let him enter. “There’s a robe right here,” she said, pulling the door part way closed to show him the hook on the back of the door. “Hopefully, it will be long enough.” Her gaze moved from the pale purple robe to Devin and back a few times, before stopping on him finally.

“I’ll make due,” he assured her.

A part of her wanted to offer to help him out of his clothes, but self-control got the better of her. Though she did not leave without stealing another quick kiss. It deepened more than she’d intended, when he caught her face in his hands before she could pull away. If he wanted more, she’d acquiesce contentedly.

When it did break, she patted him on the chest. “Don’t take too long. Artists get testy when they are kept waiting,” she teased, giving him a wink.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Furia wandered back down the hall, thinking that perhaps calling someone she knew might not have been the best choice, at least not for the two of them. More than likely she was going to spend the next hour thinking about everything but her lines while ogling him. She even considered moving her spot, so that she’d be behind him. Of course, that wouldn’t help either. Then she’d just spend the entire time thinking about how she’d want to nip her way down his spine.

Get a hold of yourself. The scolding voice in the back of her head, really wasn’t all that convincing. You’re an adult. Furia chuckled at herself. She knew damn well that age wasn’t a factor in whether or not she could keep her mind focused on the art while staring at a man she knew biblically. Having been there, ridden that did not preclude her from wanting to find herself in his arms again. Hell, whenever she’d drawn anyone she slept with, having them sit for her in the buff always ended the same.

This time around it was almost completely guaranteed, since she’d set it on the table with the invitation. She hadn’t cleared up the argument in her head by the time Devin peeked around the threshold of the door.

Furia held out a hand and gestured to the dais draped in warm looking blankets and pillows in a muted gray. “Make yourself comfortable,” she said with a playful smirk. When he neared his pedestal for the afternoon, she tugged at the collar of her dress to remind him he needed to leave the robe behind.

“Of course,” he replied in a delicately amused way that suggested he might not be wholly comfortable with the idea. Even so, Devin made a show of it; one that enraptured Furia and several others. His hand moved slow as he tugged the tie loose. When his robe shifted open, her tongue peeked out over her bottom lip.

It wasn’t her that gasped when he flicked the fabric over his shoulders and let it slide down his arms and to the ground with a flutter, but she understood the sentiment. Devin was a beautiful man, dressed and not. He was definitely a subject apt to be captured from every angle in a mix of mediums, which he would be today. She bit her bottom lip, appreciating the way he draped his long frame across the little stage set out for him.

All she could think of was that line from that movie: draw me like one of your French girls.

“Comfy?” she asked once he seemed to have found a spot that worked for him. “You’re going to have to be still for a while, so find a position that works for you.”

He nodded and shifted around until he was hunkered down against the pillows that seemed to be bearing him aloft like a cloud. His smile, though, was anything but angelic. “This work for everybody?”

He received a myriad of hummed and more coherent positive responses.

“Just remember to be still,” a gruff voice from the back of the room called.

“Got it,” Devin replied.

“Do you have any ear buds for music or something?” Furia asked as if she’d only just remembered how boring sitting could be. She couldn’t listen to music when she did it; she always moved with the beat no matter how hard she tried. “I’ve also got audio books,” she added.

“Let’s go with that.”

Furia set her sketch pad aside and dug through the bag at her feet. The headphones would automatically sync with her phone when she took them out of the case and handed them over. “Any particular genre?”

“Surprise me.”

Devin might regret that choice. A cheeky smile spread across her lips and she bit her bottom lip. She couldn’t resist toying with him just a little. Shaundi had found the hottest read recently and Furia thought this would be the perfect time to share it with Devin.

Once he nestled the little devices in his ears, she started the book for him on the first chapter, skipping the title or the introductory information. It would begin calm enough with delicious, rich language teasing and stretching his mind into a thoughtful location before veering it toward something more lush and surprising.

Furia sat back again and resettled herself. Pulling the book back onto her lap, she tapped the end of a charcoal pencil against her bottom teeth as her thorough study of him bordered on freely ogling. Her hazel eyes moved from the tips of his toes to the sunglasses perched atop his head; she took in every inch of him in a new way. While she’d made lengthy appreciations of his body before, she’d never noticed that bulging curve of muscle at the top of his knee or the way the accent of his abs curved toward at the bottom of his ribs like a tiny little smile-shaped dimple. His gaze was direct, focused on her she realized when her eyes met his. She couldn’t help the smile that shifted across her lips, there might have also been a trace of a blush on her cheeks at him having caught her studying him—even though that was the entire reason he was there.

He flashed her a quick wink. Furia couldn’t help but wonder if the way he had his hips shifted might just prove uncomfortable and leave him with a cramp. His attention proved as focused as everyone else in the room, though Devin stared at her and they all stared at him.

The pink on her cheeks probably deepened a few shades, if the warmth of her face was any indication. She bit her bottom lip as she finally set the tip of charcoal pencil to her paper lightly. It was intense, yet somewhat unnerving to find him looking at her every time she glanced up.

Swallowing at a nervous lump in her throat, she straightened her long legs out in front of her. Gravity played along, letting the fabric drag down toward the floor, baring them to the high mid thigh due to the extreme slit in the loose skirt.

Noticing the shift in his gaze, she decided that two could definitely play this game. There was nothing innocent or accidental in the way she shifted her legs against one another, how she crossed and uncrossed them, or the trail that the end of her pencil drew over her decolletage as she studied him time and again. All the while, he just laid there like the undeterred specimen of loveliness that he was, allowing himself to be captured in every inch of his glory by a dozen and a half strangers.

The hours flew by with minimal progress on her sketch. Furia usually didn’t have this problem, of course, it wasn’t every studio sitting that she had the subject staring at her like he’d seen her naked, or might be remembering her that way.

As the time moved toward a close, some artists packed up and left. Others lingered after gathering their materials to finish up. When the time was called by the studio manager, Devin was allowed to finally move. When he sat up, Devin discovered why Furia had offered the exchange she had. Clearly, by the way his motions slowed, his muscles were likely screaming. Furia knew the sensation; she’d sat once or twice herself and it had been murder each time.

“Doing all right, Osito?” she asked. Furia was in no rush to pack up. “A little stiff?”

“You didn’t warn me about that,” he countered.

She grinned at him. “Sorry about that. I was more worried you’d balk at lounging about in your birthday suit in front of a room full of strangers. Didn’t even think about the downside of being completely still for a few hours.”

By the time, he got to his feet and pulled his robe on they were almost alone. A few artists lingered, as did the studio manager, who was leaning in the doorway.

“I can lock up for you, Ray,” Furia offered, closing her book and setting it on the low chair she’d claimed before the plans of the day included another boss.

“Appreciate that.” He turned almost instantly and headed for the door.

“The running joke is that Ray has a second life that he runs off to after every studio,” she told Devin, explaining the reason the man so easily abandoned them there. “Some of them are convinced he’s a hit man or some kind of crime boss.” Clearly the idea amused her, if her smile were any judge.

“And here I was thinking you were just trying to get me alone in order to take advantage of me,” Devin said with a hint of a pout.

“Oops, you found me out,” she purred, strolling toward him with her hands clasped innocently behind her back.

“Did I?” His hands found her waist and pulled her close. She hummed against his lips when he kissed her. “Is there another class any time soon?” Apparently, he was good with the prospect.

Furia shook her head. “Nope. Not until tomorrow at 9 in the morning.”

He just hummed in reply as she ran her hands up his bare arms.

“So, I could keep you here all night long as my own private muse.”

“Oh, well if that’s what the art requires, how could I stand in the way?” He was so close, she could feel the shift of every word against her lips, but he just held the scantest bit of distance.

“You are so damn adorable,” she chuckled, pulling gently at the back of his neck to get his lips on hers.

His arms pulled tight around her as her fingers buried in the hair at the back of his head. Furia melted into his embrace, her body molding against the warmth of his. She could lose herself in this, his touch, his kiss, but maybe not until she locked the door. At least she realized it before someone just wandered into the studio.

Breaking the kiss, she relaxed her hold on him. “If we’re staying, I should probably lock up. Sitting for a crowd is one thing.”

A little grumble hung in his throat. He’d been lying naked thinking about having her legs wrapped around him for hours. What would another minute hurt? “Hurry back.”

She stretched up and pecked him before slipping out of his arms. “You know it.”

“Can I peek?” he called over his shoulder, noticing her sketchbook.

She stopped and spun in place. “Um. Maybe later,” she said, not sure there would be a later. She felt a bit weird denying his curiosity, but she was trying something new, something she wasn’t quite confident in. Besides, she hadn’t finished him yet, which is surely what he wanted to see. Confident he wouldn’t sneak a peek, she turned back to handle the door. At a jog, she rushed back into the studio to find that Devin had laid himself out on the dais again like an angel resting on stormy cloud.

With a grin, she admired him, then opted to even the playing field. Gathering her dress up in her hands, she pulled it over her head and dropped it on the floor near the robe he’d worn into that room. Her eyes didn’t leave his, except to place soft kisses near his ankle, then another on his shin. She nipped at the inside of his knee as she crawled toward him with a slow, measured pace dripping with intent. Devin sat up and took her face in his hands, bringing her lips back to his again for a kiss.

Furia moved to his insistence, letting him lead. She pressed against him when he pulled her down with him. Held him close when he rolled them over. His lips trailed down her neck, then traced a line that could have followed the neckline of her dress if she’d still been wearing it. It felt like the same path she’d traced multiple times that evening already, only softer and interspersed with sharp nips that left her cooing.

“Thought about doing that for the last hour. You and that damnable pencil,” he scolded. His fingers teased behind her back, making quick work of the clasp. He leaned over her and slid the straps of her bra over her arms. His fingertips grazed her skin with a hint of reverence, an artist in his own right appreciating his subject. His eyes moved over her hotly and all she could think of was feeling his mouth on her body again.

“Devin,” she sighed. There was a trace of wanton need in her tone, which she didn’t even try to disguise. Her fingers threaded through the hair just above his ears.

Perhaps because he heard the plea in her voice, or just because he couldn’t resist the allure of her bare skin, Devin blazed his own new trail along the curvy swell of her breast. His hand skimmed her ribs, cupping and squeezing her breast as he wrapped his mouth around her nipple. The pressure of that gentle suck, the flicker of his tongue, then the graze of his teeth just intensified the wantonness she’d been tending the entire session while he’d been laying there in front of her on display.

She buried her hands in his hair, more in encouragement and a desire to anchor herself in that sensation. “I’ve been thinking about getting my hands on since you walked out here,” she admitted

“That explains why you kept inching your skirt higher and higher,” he countered. The flat of his tongue pressed over her flesh.

“I was hoping you’d notice.”

He straightened against her, the heat of his body searing against her skin. His kiss demanded her full attention. “How could I not?” He brushed her hair away from her face, cradling her head and teasing his tongue into her mouth.

Furia had no answer to that question, save to keep kissing him. Her leg slipped over his hip and she shifted against him. He’d managed his self control for the last hour, and now with the studio emptied and the door locked, Devin had abandoned every single shred of it. He grabbed her ass and pressed hard against her, wrenching a low moan from her. She moved in tandem with him, until he broke the kiss.

With a bit of a rush, his mouth teased down her body. Anticipation coursed through her with every spot he kissed or tugged at with his teeth. He knelt between her legs, his hands tugging at the waistband of her panties. She lifted her hips, then raised her legs to help him strip away that final barrier between them. He caught one of her legs, and rested it against his chest. Soft wet kisses pressed against her ankle, along the length of her calf. He concentrated on her knee longer than she thought absolutely necessary, but his attentions were enticing.

She leaned back and allowed him the chance to tease her. As he crept along the length of her thigh, she let a hand sweep over her own skin. In its own way, it was another taunt targeted at him. Teasing her nipple to a taut peak earned her a sharp bite to the inner thigh, which prompted a vocal keen. It was the most delightful kind of oneupmanship. When he reached the apex of her thighs, her nails skimmed over her ribs, leaving pink trails in their wake.

Soft kisses quickened her breath and she couldn’t take her eyes off of him as he hovered there, teasing her with every breath and the promise of his proximity. A smile played across his lips, then he planted a gentle kiss right over her clit. She couldn’t help but shudder. That first gentle touch opened a flood gate of sensation. He touched her softly, languid licks and little pecks. The more vocally she responded, the more adamant and pressing his attentions became. She came with his fingers curled inside her and his lips wrapped around that engorged bundle of nerves that exploded in a flood of sensation; her hips moved of their own accord riding out a wave of pleasure against his tongue as he worked her over her peak.

A growling satisfied chuckle crept along her belly, paired with kisses. His hand did not abandon her body until she pulled his mouth back to hers wordlessly.

He settled himself between her legs, and despite the lingering softness in her limbs, she draped one leg over him and pressed her body against the length of his hard cock. Sated, yes. Desperate for more, also, yes.

“You know,” she laughed, when his lips were on her neck again. “I thought I’d at least get you home first.”

“Your mistake.” He leaned over her. “Over estimating my ability to resist you.”

Furia shook her head, she didn’t believe the claim, or maybe she just couldn’t. When she moved beneath him, he moved with her. “And it had nothing to do with the fact that almost everyone in this room was gawking at you.” He let her get him onto his back and she settled herself on his hips. With a slow shift, her body teased his arousal and with a little circle, she pressed her clit against the head of his cock. “I’m pretty sure your fan base might have grown this evening.”

“That’s not the only thing,” his hips rose playfully.

“I’m aware.” She abandoned him for a scant moment, stretching to the edge of the dais for her bag. Her own capacity for teasing, shortened considerably when he looked at her with that dark frenzy. “Guess we should address that, sí?” Sitting atop him again, she pressed more of her body against his.

For now, the condom stayed in her hand. She leaned over and kissed him hard. Her body hitched against his with a sense of desperation. She wanted him, wanted to feel him inside her, but she continued to deny them both.

His hand tightened in the hair at the base of her neck and he pulled her mouth away from his. His breathing was fast and deep when he pressed her forehead to his. “Fuck, Furia,” he growled, finding her gaze beneath the curtain of her dark waves.

“We’re getting there,” she teased with a laugh.

“I want you.”

She rolled her hips in a very deliberate motion. “I know.”

“Fuck me.”

Her lips found his again, and she gave in. Shifting enough to get her hands between them, she worked quickly to roll the condom down the length of him. She never broke the kiss, working blind. Lining him up, Furia sank down on him. The snap of his hips broke her slow, teasing motion and stole her breath. Clearly, he could only handle so much taunting, but she could not complain—Devin felt divine.

When his hips shifted downward, she moved in tandem, rising to make the inevitable meeting of their bodies all the more dramatic for both of them. Once she sat upward to show off her body for him, Devin’s hands held her thighs so tight she knew there’d be sweet bruises there in the morning to remind her of the pleasure they stole together that night. They’d be a tempting reminder of him, of how he made her feel, and what they’d shared.

She pressed her hands to his chest, which gave her the leverage to dramatically curve her body into every upward thrust of his hips. “Dios, Devin,” she growled. The way they moved pushed her closer, her hips pressing and grinding against his, chasing a fleeting tenuous sensation that would explode into uncontrollable convulsions of pleasure. Inching closer and closer, he seemed to sense it, or maybe he could just feel the tightening in her body. His hands moved over her skin in soft touches, sharp scratches, biting pinches. Then finally one hand clasped over her breast, massaging. When he teased at her aching nipples, the spark shattered with a silent scream brought the near constant wail of her moans.

The sporadic movement of her hips, the twitching of the muscles in her thighs, all belied the orgasm that shook through her. Furia collapsed against his chest, his arms encircling her immediately. His mouth found hers, and he fucked her though the irregular motions of her aftershocks. All the while, she moaned and whimpered against his lips, kissing him with frenzied abandon. Once a relaxed sense of control returned to her body, Devin rolled them over again.

Leaving a trail of kisses down her neck as he put a bit of distance between them once more. The angle he found, threatened to pull her apart again. Greedily, one of her hands scratched down his torso and found its way to her clit. Devin smirked at her, pulling one leg over his shoulder, which only made his stroke that much more pointed and seemed to direct every stroke against that searing spot inside her that throbbed. She knew she’d come again, maybe even before him.

Her eyes never broke his gaze. All flushed with a sheen of sweat glistening in the kind, soft light of the studio, he was as beautiful as ever. He felt even better. His lips pressed to her ankle, then nipped at the bony protrusion there.

“Oh, damn,” he growled when he felt it. The quiver that started around his cock, then spread through the rest of her like a Furia-sized earthquake. Their moans mingled in that open space, reverberating back to them. Her leg slipped down his arm as he leaned over her, thrusting harder and deeper with his own release, as if he could somehow fuck her right through the dais with enough determination. She clutched at his shoulders, keening incoherently.

He slowed, eventually stilling inside her. His body relaxed against hers, as their lips met again. This time the kisses were languid, decadent. She savored every lick, every taste of his mouth. Her fingers threaded through his hair as they laid there, still joined, at least for the moment. The heft of his cock inside her shifted as he softened.

There was a hint of reluctance, when his hand slipped between them and their bodies peeled apart. Both of them whimpered at the sudden, regrettable distance. Furia didn’t move at first, she just watched him sit up, then walk across the room and back. When he reached the dais again, she stood on the step, which almost evened out their height difference, and kissed him long and deep. He held her gently in his arms, touching her naked body lazily. She knew it wouldn’t take much for him to stir her up again, but she thought it might be best if that not happen here.

“Are you hungry?” she whispered against his lips.

He broke the kiss moments later to reply. “I could eat.”

The way he said it made her giggle. “Bet you could.”

His tongue flicked against her lips.

“How about I feed you, then you can have another helping of dessert?”

His arms tightened around her waist, and he lifted her off her feet. Moving her away from the dais, he set her on the ground not far from where some of her underwear had ended up. “Sounds like a plan. Your place, then?”

“Yeah. You can drive,” she said, wearing a telling smirk.

“No, not this time,” Devin chuckled. “Tonight we’ll have to see how you drive with my hand knuckles-deep.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” she taunted, slipping out of his grip to dress.

He pinched her on the rear, earning chirrup and a little hop away.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” she warned.

“Never,” Devin promised.

#IC Drabbles #A Saintly Muse #Badger Scribbles #ashandnovels #Beware Smut ahead

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