#whole screen needs to be captured so I have the black background of the video player there when I open the avi in the animation software

[darnestdungeon]

Tumblr started turning gifs into webp when you try to save them, so here’s the link for the walking DD heroes from my previous post, in case you want them!

Put them under your email signature, it will sure look professional :)

I’ve got the idea to make those gifs after seeing this post, it just looked so cute! Little guys walking across your screen! What if I did the same with the gifs I ripped from Darkest Dungeon? My mind was set, I just needed to make a gif slide to the right, how hard could that be?

(…A lengthy backstage process after the read more...)

If you have an easy solution that could have ended my headache much sooner, please let me know, I'd love to learn. But yeah, it didn’t take long before I noticed I had no clue how to achieve my goal. The problem consisted in how to deal with two simultaneous but different types of movement in one gif (the walking animation + the sliding to the right animation), all while preserving the quality and transparency.

First thing that came into mind was manually moving each frame of the walking gifs a little to the right but it would take SO much time and it would be SO boring I refused to even consider it again. Even with automate actions it would take so fucking long, there have got to be a better way, I mean, it was literally just sliding a gif to the right.

I’ve tried searching for sites that could let me do it to no avail. I did find GIPHY’s gif editor though, it allowed me to edit the gifs in very pleasing ways, totally not vomit inducing (albeit not transparent, it lost some points on that front).

I’ve considered some screen capture gimmicks with an open source software called ScreenToGif but I already knew from experience that the background removal function leaves behind ugly artifacts in the borders of the gifs, same thing with OBS.

I’ve tried looking up in DragonBones, the very own software I’ve used to export the game assets, but I could not figure out a way to make the whole thing move together all while having the regular animation play on loop, if that makes sense? But then again, I didn’t look much into it because I’ve finally had an idea that would work!

I could use a video editing software to make it all happen! I even had a very good open source software installed already, kdenlive! There was an initial problem where I could not figure out how to preserve the transparency, kdenlive would always render the gifs with black backgrounds. But after some googling I’ve found out you could render a video with alpha, so all I would have to do in the end was to convert the video back into a gif!!

First, I’ve rendered a video consisting of 10 sequences in a row of the walking hero gif, so the loop was long enough so they could walk all the way across the borders of the video (the original gif only lasted 1 second). I’ve done that 18 times, one for each hero– NOT counting all the times I had to try and try again for some, ignore the rest of the paragraph, it’s all technical problems. Some kept turning out with white borders around the heroes for some unknown reason (anti, sb, crusader and arb). The problem went away after I used the original untrimmed gif for each of them but THEN I had to redo crusader’s gif from the DragonBones project up because there was too much empty space around his gif in particular and then it would look small in the end if I hadn’t redone it. Reynauld, always the problem boy.

Then I had to find out how to change kdenlive’s project resolution to fit each final gif dimensions. I guess I didn’t quite figured out how to change it in the end, but I did notice whenever you bring an image that’s not quite the size of the default project, the software would ask if you wanted to switch to that resolution. So I took note of each of their heights and then saved white rectangles measuring 2000px width x their respective heights. All I had to do now was drop the right rectangle into the project before editing said hero and we’re set!

I’ve chosen 2000px as width resolution because then the gifs would look very tiny when sized down in Tumblr’s dashboard! But afterwards I realized that choice meant I could not optimally use my convertor of choice (EZGIF.com, a free and excellent gif editing site) to turn the videos back into gifs, because there was a limit on the resolutions, the gifs with height higher than 300 would turn out all deformed, and the other option would make the quality way too shitty. Luckily by the end I found out Photoshop had an option to import videos as animation frames, and all I had to do was save them as gif directly from PS, with no resolution constraints!

Anyways, let’s wrap this up because I’m getting incredible tired just from recalling and typing it up everything that I’ve done yesterday. I’ve literally spent the entire day on this silly project.

After I had the alpha movs of their looping walk cycles, all I had to do was to drop the respective rectangle into the project (to change the project's resolution to match it to the hero’s height) and then drag the mov to the timeline and apply a transformation effect with two key frames: one at the start of the clip moving the clip so it starts from out of the left border of the screen, and the other key frame by the end of the clip, with the clip ending outside the right border. Doing it so would make the whole clip slide across the screen, appearing on the left and disappearing on the right!

I also had to figure out how to make it start with them already on the screen instead of the gif starting on an empty screen, but cutting the video would interfere with the transformation effects, so I had to render it first and edit it again later (I cut a little bit of the beginning of the video and pasted it back on the end). Luckily rendering those tiny gifs only took like 3 seconds each, because I basically had to do it thrice for each gifs.

After turning them all back into gifs in PS it was done!! I saved two versions, one original sized and one 50% smaller, just because I know there are people out there with internet connections that could not handle loading a gifset of 10 gifs at around 4MB each.

And that was it, I’ve learned a lot, I’m never doing anything like this again :)) thanks for reading it all if you did, I'm so so tired

#flashing gif #inside the post #dd gifs #masochist gif making adventures #I guess that tag is still useful!!

[daemadness]

A little gifset I just had to make because of reasons.

#die ärzte #belafarin #fub #my gifs #my posts #do not copy nor repost - reblogging of course always allowed and recomended too #still using my decades (literally decades) old animation software #I downloaded another one because this old one runs out of memory too fast but I guess I'm too loyal after all... #I know it's not perfect but couldn't crop the full video without running out of memory #so I had to add the avi there twice and then cut and paste the half of the frames cos it would still run out of RAM. #So had to crop them 4 times (because the original video is way too big #this can't even do 300 frames of this at once so I have to first use a screen capture program to capture a clip and that always thinks the #whole screen needs to be captured so I have the black background of the video player there when I open the avi in the animation software #and I need to crop the video out of that.) And I need to crop before I can resize because of reasons above and sometimes it runs out of ram #even when resizing the animation. SO cropping these 4 times means I have no way to say where are the lines of the actual video because ther #is no edges and everything is black so... no can do. Idk if it bothers anyone else or just me but might rerecord this clips with another #program idk... I'm a perfectionist and... yeah.

[steveleoparddd]

Hello! I used to enjoy your (darren shan characters react to)) posts but you've never done them on tumblr anymore. could you please do a characters react to series or something like this? thank you

hey, thank YOU for this cuz honestly i have lots of fun making the whole “cdf characters if...” :3 

I don;t know if i’ll be able to do a series bcs idk if i can be creative for so long but ill see what i can do !!! heres this for now. 

CDF CHARACTERS MAKING APOLOGY VIDEOS

Steve

Title: Sorry.

Thumbnail: Simple black bg with a serious looking Steve, clenched jaw, looking at the camera with “Sorry” written in Impact font over his head

Duration: 1 minute 30 seconds.

Intro Music: N/A

Setting: his bedroom, wearing a simple black t-shirt. did he just wake up?

Content: Starts with him looking off to the side and shaking his head slowly. When he begins he vaguely mentions what happened, gives a not-so-clear reason for what he did, and then apologizes. Is it just me or did that feel a little dishonest? Wait it’s already ending? He smiles lightly and waves as video ends. 

Ads: Yes. 6 ads. 

Outro Music: Yes, the usual upbeat outro but it’s toned down

Description: Nothing to do with the apology but it DOES have links to his socials and website where you can buy his merch. 

Darren

Title: My Apology......

Thumbnail: A teary-eyed Darren looking down, looking really sad. Oh damn, will he cry ???

Duration: 13 minutes

Intro Music: Yes, usual upbeat music with the whole animated intro.....

Setting: carpeted lounge floor, couch and french window in the background. is he in a costume? the hell is that pirate-shirt thing he’s wearing?

Content: Starts with him exhaling and looking at the camera. Shots of him that show him trying to compose himself or think of the right way to say all the things in his mind. He tells the entire thing that happened, tells his point of view (but that only makes things worse) and then promises to better himself and smiles and the video ends

By the way, he didn’t cry even once. 

Ads: None

Outro Music: N/A

Description: The entire lyrics of “Sorry, Blame it On me” by Akon

Larten

Title: I Have Something To Say.....

Thumbnail: Just a frame from the video. It’s a bit pixelly/low quality because it was shot on phone.

Duration: 2 minutes

Intro Music: No

Setting: a cave???? where is he??? why’s he dressed so fancy in the middle of nowhere?

Content: Gets right into it, as if filming an Instagram story. There’s a brief one-second pause before he begins because he’s checking if the recorder is on. Then he goes into it. Turns out this isn’t an apology video, he’s just saying he’s in the right and won’t apologize. Doesn’t mention or acknowledge the situation...he’s just ranting about being right...oh god. it ends- like all his videos- abruptly. 

Ads: None

Outro Music: N/A

Description: "Never apologize for doing what’s right. -Plato”

Kurda

Title: What Everyone Needs To Hear

Thumbnail: Blurred background, looking down....these emojis are on it 😨😢......

Duration: 10 minutes

Intro Music: N/A

Setting: his usual setup. 

Content: he begins the video with a sponsorship about some bottle or whatever. he seems upbeat and happy, as usual, even when he addresses the situation and explains what he did. “so...that’s what happened. I am sorry to those offended by such a trivial matter. Your feelings matter, of course, but you take yourselves too seriously.” It’s giving very...mixed vibes. Is he sorry or not?? 

Ads: Nope

Outro Music: N/A

Description: “Facts (and logic) do not- and must not- care about our feelings - Unknown” (he genuinely doesn;t know where the qoute is from but he’s gonna get cancelled for this too--)

Harkat

Title: Harkat

Thumbnail: Black screen

Duration: 3 hours

Intro Music: No

Setting: N/A, we can’t see him, the screen is black at first with panting in the bg as if he just ran, then the screen shows his screen capture, minecraft is opening....

Content: He just plays minecraft. Doesn’t say a word. 

Ads: None.

Outro Music: N/A

Description: a

Arra

Title: For the Crybabies

Thumbnail: Her giving the middle finger

Duration: 5 minutes 

Intro Music: N/A

Setting: the gym. she’s sweaty and it seems as though she just finished an intense workout. there are a couple people behind her doing their thing.

Content: Sits down, she’s panting. Looks at the camera and goes off. She’s really angry and throws expletives like anything, it’s just 5 minutes of her chewing on the snowflakes that are trying to cancel her for stupid reasons. 

Ads: None

Outro Music: N/A

Description: Fuck you

Vancha

Title: What you want

Thumbnail: his abs. 

Duration: 30 seconds

Intro Music: N/A

Setting: THE FOREST???? WHY’S HE NAKED???

Content: we get a side-view of his bare torso as he does some push-ups. the video isn’t an apology? he talks about irrelevant things. video ends mid-sentence.

Ads: N/A 

Outro Music: N/A

Description: Blank

Debbie

Title: I Am Sorry

Thumbnail: Hey crying really badly. It’s a frame from the video

Duration: 20 minutes

Intro Music: Yes, usual animated intro 

Setting: an empty classroom ...????????

Content: It’s edited to show a clip from the middle of the video at the beginning, in which she’s crying really badly and apologizing. Then the intro plays and the video starts. She tells the whole story, also 2 other stories that aren’t relevant to the situation but she adds them anyway. 

Ads: 3 ads.

Outro Music: Yes. 

Description: Justifying why she had to add the ads, she’s gonna donate all money made off this to charity

Evanna

Title: The Truth

Thumbnail: A picture (with really low brightness) of a solemn Evanna dressed in black on a wooden floor with a skull beside her. A crow is perched on the skull. 

Duration: 11 minutes 11 seconds 

Intro Music: N/A

Setting: where the hell is she 

Content: First few seconds are kind of weird because she just casts a spell. Then she starts, turns out THIS isn’t an apology video either!!! She’s just pulling receipts and making audience realize she doesn’t need to apologize and also forever destroying the career(s) of the accusing party by exposing them it’s crazy and the internet will forget it never 

Ads: Disputed

Outro Music: Ends with a black screen and her usual, witchy outro music

Description: Do not meddle in things you can never comprehend. 

Oh and a link to her website :3

Mr. Tiny:

Doesn’t make an apology video 

lol these are it for now...lmk if you want smthn more specific?

[millers-planet]

Changes - Inquis!Cal Kestis x Jedi!Reader: part two

Cal has always been successful at his job for the Empire, getting accurate intel from credible sources… Jedi. However, when he’s told to capture the rebel who has made a new appearance across the galaxy, will his reputation be upheld as an inquisitor or will she slip through his fingers as something else than the enemy? part one - full master list

Warnings: Spoilers and language

Notes: This background info for Cal and how he became and inquisitor, part three will be back on track most likely with y/n returning. i had a lot of fun writing this though :)

POV: Narrator during Order 66 following Cal

“Please, don’t go,” the nervous padawan nearly cried, anxiety fueling his voice. “We need to stick together, if you go, we’re doomed.”

The Jedi Master looked toward the the exit of the cave and back to the padawan with calm yet serious eyes. With an even tone a voice she spoke towards Cal, “No, I’m going to lure them away and then circle back.” Cere removed Cal’s hand from her forearm and held it for a final moment, “Stay with the younglings, Cal. May the Force be with you.”

He looked frantically at the small child next to him and back up to his Master as she ran towards the exit. His voice nearly broke as he spoke out for her, “Master, don’t leave us!” She was out of the cave by the time he finished his sentence. Oh, what do i do now? 

Before looking back to the youngling, he regained composure. “Cal, what’s going to happen?” 

He dropped down to eye-level with the child and brought her into his embrace. “It’s okay, we’re going to be okay. You trust Cere don’t you?” Cal pulled away and the child slowly nodded. “So do I, we just need to have faith and next thing you know we’ll be safe, out of here.” 

Sounds of blasters, screams, and the whooshing of a lightsaber ricocheted of the walls and were emphasized, small wimpers releasing from the youngling. Cal replied with a soft, “shh.” He kept one hand on the young alien and another on his saber, ready to ignite whenever a trooper came into the cave.

Just as he let his guard down to try and distract the child, a set of stormtroopers entered the cave and faced the two of them. Cal was about to charge towards them until more flooded in, outnumbering him 10 to one, at least.

 “Drop the lightsaber, Jedi!” Cal complied, not wanting to risk the chance of both of their lives. The trooper looked as if he was about to fire until he looked to the side and to the other behind him. “Orders have changed. They want all recovered padawan to be brought back to base.”

“No! Get away!” As he was about to use the Force to push them back, he received a sharp blow to the head and everything went black. The troopers carried the padawan out of the cave, towards the ship, and exiled the youngling.

When he woke up, he was strapped to a large black bar, two bars were hinged on the side with electrodes sticking out of it. Cal was slowly brought back into consciousness, unaware of where he was until he recognized the structure around him and two stormtroopers in front of him. “Get me out of here, please!” He cried, trying to wiggle his arms free.

“Start the device.” The stormtrooper muttered to the other who clicked a few buttons on the panel, then the electrodes fired on. The panels began to fold inward towards him, causing him to try to move away. As the sharp black poles began to dig into him, shooting the purple electricity all over his body, he screamed in pain. 

“Do you know how you ended up here?” A disembodied voice asked Cal, waking him up from being passed out after enduring so much pain. “I’ll give you a hint, the troopers didn’t just stumble across you.”

“W-what?” He tried to squint and find the figure in the shadows. “Who are you? What’s going on?”

A tablet slid across the metal floor into Cal’s line of sight, it looked like it was from a camera on a purge trooper’s helmet. “Where is he?” A baton with the same purple electricity coursing through the end of it was held against her side as she was pinned to the ground. With no answer, the trooper pressed it up to her side then pulled away, “where?”

“In the caves!” she yelped out, immediately regretting her actions as her eyes widened. 

The video ended with an empty screen. “Do you see that, padawan? She betrayed you. The whole clip is only about five minutes, five minutes to betray you.”

“You’re lying, she would never!” He launched forward in the direction of the voice.

“Cal, the Jedi are selfish. Order 66 showed this by cracking down on them, showing their true colors. The Jedi are just like us, only in it for themselves and will do anything to save themselves. If it weren’t for Cere, you could still be out there, but you’re not. Instead, she gave you and that youngling up for her freedom.”

Cal began to feel hot, angry tears stream down his face, “stop lying! That is not how Jedi are!” 

He could hear boots clanking on the metal ground, getting farther away. “You’ll understand one day, Cal.” A door opened at the end of a distant hallway, showing the figure and two stormtroopers from earlier entering as the person was leaving. “Go ahead and continue with the process, we have a long way to go.”

The troopers nodded and walked closer to the padawan, clicking a few buttons on the controls. He watched as the purple electricity lit up once more and began heading towards him.

Part Three - changes master list

#cal kestis #cal kestis x reader #inquisitor cal #cal kestis x y/n #cal x reader #star wars #jedi fallen order

[natjennie]

here's a little how-to on my method of making gifs on my macbook, but giphy capture is also available for windows:

1. download an app called giphy capture from the app store, it looks like this:

2. when you open it, it will show you a green rectangle and a record button, the green rectangle represents what portion of your screen will be recorded, and you can change the dimensions with the three lines making a triangle in the bottom right of the window. it should look like this:

3. press record with whatever you want to make a gif of inside the green rectangle, I've used scrolling through my blog as an example

4. click on the little icon that populates at the bottom bar of the app window, and it will pop out a menu and a preview of your gif. you can trim the video down with the sliders and change the settings for resolution and fps from here

5. click "save as..." and denote what kind of file you want to save it as and to where, you can do "GIF" and be done with this step.

that final gif looks like this:

if you want to edit the gif in any other ways, like maybe more defined trimming or a different resolution, or if you want to make two videos play together as one gif, you need to open keynote, which should come automatically installed as an apple app. those steps are explained below.

6. for this step, I save the giphy capture file as an mp4, but it should work if you save it as a gif too. you can open a blank presentation in keynote and delete the text boxes, then drag your video/gif into it.

7. set the slide background to "no fill" if you want to arrange multiple video files to save as one gif together, so that any space between them will be transparent. we're going to change the size of the slide to exactly fit the gif in the next step though, so you shouldn't have to worry about the background color of the slide if you're doing that.

8. by clicking on the video and going to the menu titled "arrange" you can see the size, pixel by pixel, of your video. this should be the same number that was shown on the giphy capture green rectangle, and in the options when you saved it. mine is 530 x 528 in this example.

9. now that you know the dimensions, you can click "document" in the top right corner of keynote, and then click "custom slide size" in the slide size drop-down box. enter the dimensions of your video.

10. your video should now perfectly fit in the slide, and you should see no black outline. if your video looks small, you can drag the edges of it to resize it, staying proportional, to the size of the slide. if you change the slide size before dragging your video in, it should do that part for you.

11. from there go to file > export as > animated gif and choose your settings and file download location, the usual.

that final gif looks like this:

but, if you wanted to make a gifset or something with more than 10 images, bc, yknow, tumblr doesn't like that, you could line up two gifs together onto one file using the keynote steps. if youwso, either way works. is too big, so the whole keynote part might not be worth it to you. I believe you can export powerpoint files as gifs too, and there are ways to convert google slides to gifs as well, if you're working on windows.

but, if you wanted to make a gifset or something with more than 10 images, bc, yknow, tumblr doesn't like that, you could line up two gifs together onto one file using the keynote steps. if you wanted to have two different videos play one after the other as one gif, making the second video on a new slide should make it so when you export it, slide 1 plays then slide 2. I think.

this whole process works if you are recording what you want to gif from your screen, but if you have a video file downloaded on your computer already, you can skip right to dragging it into keynote.

#let me know if anyone wants me to gif anything or has any questions #i tried to be really thorough #gif making #gifs

[meigh-day]

Obligation (Tendou x Reader) - Part 13

———————————————————–

Title: Obligation

Pairing: Mafia AU Tendou x F!Reader

Characters: Includes characters from both Shiratorizawa and Seijoh/Some OC background characters

Includes: Swearing, Guns, Knives, Violence, Blood, Torture

Status: Complete

Word Count: 1.6k

Previous Next

———————————————————–

So far Tendou had only seen the pictures but as he scrolled through a video loaded. It started off with a shaky angle but slowly your form came into view. You were still propped up in the corner of what he assumed to be a van, eyes closed and head bowed. A figure moved across the screen and then knelt before you, his back was to the screen, short blonde hair the only distinguishing characteristic that could be made out at the moment.

"C'mon doll, why don't you wake up and have some fun." He cooed out in an attempt to coax you awake before reaching a hand out. He pressed three fingers and a thumb roughly into your cheeks and pulled up so your face was now facing towards the camera. Your lips parted from the pressure on each side of your face, so he decided to take the opportunity to stick his index finger inside your mouth. He wiggled it around, dragging the pad of his finger across your tongue, a visible shiver ran through him.

"Dude, don't be a fucking pervert..." The camera holder spoke, obviously uncomfortable with the turn this had taken. The blonde man turned his face slightly, giving the other a side eyed glare before pulling his finger out and wiping the saliva he had gathered across your cheek and chin. With a sigh the man released your face and stood, the video cut as your head started to fall to the side once again.

The next few pictures showed you in a new setting, this time on the bare floor of a room. The way you were crumpled up on the ground almost made it seem like someone had just dropped you in a pile on the floor and walked away. Finally, Tendou was facing the last two videos, he wanted to stop watching, it was equal parts heartbreaking and enraging to see the state you were in. Yet, he had to see, he needed to know what happened next, he needed to see what they had done to you. Tendou was absolutely frothing with rage after seeing that disgusting goon stick his vile finger in your mouth.

The next video is short, only about 15 seconds. You are seated in a chair, your arms and legs bound to the chairs arms and legs. Your torso was held fast to the back of the chair by more restraints. At first your face is angled down and away but at the sound of your name, you stir. Your head was throbbing and your body ached, someone was calling out to you but the lights just seemed so bright so for several seconds you just glance around in confusion, blinking rapidly as you try to shield your eyes. You want to cover your eyes with your hands but you can't seem to make them move. It takes a few more seconds for you to realize you can't move, your eyes widen as you realize why. As the room comes into focus, the realization hitting you, you look up in the direction of the phone. The last thing Tendou sees before the video cuts is you, wide eyed as tears slip down your cheeks.

For several seconds all he can do is stare at the screen, the final frame of your frightened face frozen on his screen. This was all his fault. Despite not know for certain why you had left, there was no doubt it was connected to the way he had treated you over the last few days. As a result you were now in danger, you'd already taken at least one hit according to the bruises on the side of your face and then that thug had put his hands on you. There was one final video left, all he could hope for was that you were in one piece and alive at the end.

This video is longer but you are now awake, a neutral expression on your features, a similar expression to the one you had given Tendou the day before.

"Why don't you say hello to your fiancé, little cutie?"

You lift your gaze to the side, looking to the person who was speaking just out of frame. "Look I don't know who you think I am but I don't mean anything to him or anyone else." It hurt to say the words out loud. Words that others might have cried out in desperation, hoping the lie would be believed. However, you knew those words to be true and what you were about to say would have had you in tears if not for the perilous situation you currently found yourself in. "I'm just....some girl he got saddled with." You hoped using the cruel words Tendou had said, the very words that had broken your heart, would prove to these thugs you were speaking the truth but as a grin spread on the mans lips, you knew it had been futile to even try.

"Now now, no need to be so modest Y/N..."

This guy was really irritating, an odd thought to have while being captured for sure but it was true. This whole situation was terrifying but also just really annoying. How had they even known where to find you? Had they just been lurking around town on the off chance you went for a midnight stroll? You sigh, shaking your head as you glance away. "You do realize it's an arranged marriage, right?"

"And?"

You look back over at him, narrowing your eyes a bit as if you were confused. "Are you stupid or something?" The words just came out and before you had time to regret what you had said the man was suddenly in front of you.

"Stupid?" His voice was low, an edge of anger in that one word. His back was to the camera but it was easy to tell that he was a tall and well built, his short cropped hair initially seemed light brown but as he moved it almost looked pink at times. He glowered down at you. "You should learn to watch your mouth little girl." Before you had time to brace yourself he had already completed the swing. Pain flooded your senses as your mind worked to sort out what had happened. Really all he had done was slap you across the face but the force he had used had your vision spotted with white. Blood appeared a moment later on your lips a small bit trickling down your chin as you tried to focus again.

"Now, why don't we try this again." His hand grabbed onto your jaw, forcing you to look at him as he leaned down. "Beg like the bitch you are for that psychopath to come save you."

You grimace as he holds your head still, your face still burning with pain. As you slowly began to center your gaze on him, a smirk pulled at your red stained lips. "Drop dead asshole." His fingers dug into your cheek causing you to wince in his grasp. It felt like he was going to crush your jaw in his hand but after a moment he let go and took a few steps back. "This obviously isn't working. Shido, give it a shot." He turned and disappeared off camera. For a moment you were sat alone on the screen, head still throbbing as tears, you hadn't realized you'd shed, dried on your cheeks. Footsteps could be heard approaching and soon you were join by another man. He was shorter and slimmer than the previous guy, with black wavy hair that hung in his eyes. As he approached you, a sadistic grin stretched across his lips, it was hidden from the camera but your eyes widened slightly upon seeing it. He knelt to the side of your chair and all you could do was watch as he pulled the bandage off your finger. He slide the pad of his finger across the still healing skin, his touch was gentle at first but soon his thumb was being driven down causing you to yelp out.

"What the fuck...get off me!" You hissed out, trying and failing to pull your hand out of his grip. The restraints held your arm fast to the chair, severely limiting your movement. The man looked up at you with such perverse pleasure at your reaction it had you wishing you'd been able to remain silent.

"So pretty...." He whispered, returning his gaze to the wound on your finger. He pressed down into again, an involuntary hiss leaving your lips. As if what he'd been doing wasn't bad enough, he decided to amp it up. He placed one finger on either side of the injury and pulled viciously in opposite directions. His grip was crushing and no matter how you wriggled your hand you couldn't get free of his grip.

"Sto-AHH!!" As the skin finally gave away, blood welled and quickly began to weep, gathering in your palm. You threw your head back, eyes closed shut as you let out a short, frantic, shriek of agony.

"Enough." The man from before commanded from off camera, the man at your side frowned but let go of your hand and retreated out of frame. Tears spilled across your cheeks as you trembled in silence, sparing a brief glance up at the camera before looking away. You looked almost ashamed, embarrassed for letting them get to you. You hated that they had made you scream, you felt weak and humiliated for sitting here crying. The screen went black signaling that the video had come to an end.

Tendou was shaking, darkened red eyes shifting upwards. Yamagata had seen this look before, whatever had been on that phone must not have been good, he'd only been able to hear a few snippets but it sounded bad.

"Boss..."

"Round up the team. I'm gonna talk to Jin and Reon. We either take care of Seijoh now or I do it myself."

#tendou x reader #tendou #tendou satori #tendou mafia #haikyuu #haikyuu mafia

[jenniboo311]

GQ: Spider-Man Goes Undercover on Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter

GQ: Spider-Man Goes Undercover on Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter by jenniboo311

Part 2 of the Social Butterfly Spidey series General |  4115 Words  |  Chapter 1/1

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The video opens with Spider-Man sitting at a table with only his torso visible, the set background a solid sky blue. He is wearing his signature mask and a simple white t-shirt, forearms bare and defined with lean muscle. He gives the camera a jaunty two fingered salute.

"Hey I'm Spider-Man," he begins in a friendly voice as he flips open the lid of the laptop in front of him decisively, "And I'm going undercover on the internet." The video cuts to a title screen as it types out "Actually Me with Spider-Man" as Spider-Man says off screen, "It's actually me!"

The screen then clears and types out a new message for its audience, "We had Spider-Man create real accounts and go undercover online."

"Let's begin!" He says as the camera cuts back to him typing into the laptop. The video shows his screen as he is typing his username and password into YouTube. Once the site logs in he selects his display picture, a cheeky shot a fan must have captured as Spider-Man swung past upside-down. "First up, let's take ourselves to YouTube."

A brief clip plays from a seven and a half minute humorous compilation of Spider-Man saves, cutting back and forth between impressive confrontations against dangerous criminals with firearms to sweetly helping older ladies with their groceries.

"From user SkepticalOfSpidey, she says," he narrates the comment as it is displayed on screen, "'Is this guy for real? How can a superhero go from dodging bullets to carrying groceries? Like how is this even on his radar? Does he actually care or is this some kind of PR stunt?'"

The video cuts to Spider-Man who replies vehemently, "I absolutely care! And I think it's hysterical people consider me "above" certain things, or they're not worthy of being on my "radar", as though I'm some hotshot. Look, the Avengers are great with the big world ending stuff, and sometimes I'm part of that too, but the little guys need help too, day to day. I'm the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, and no matter who you are, your race, your age, your sexuality, your income, whether you're a victim of a mugging or a kitten in a tree, you all deserve help when you need it. That's my personal mission, just to help people. So as long as I'm doing that I'm not ashamed."

The video cuts to show the end of his response being typed out on screen and Spider-Man hits the "Comment" button to post his answer.

Another short clip plays of footage from the scene of a crime where Spider-Man is knocking out a hulking goon in one hit, displaying his super strength. The subsequent comment is displayed on screen as Spider-Man reads it aloud, "'oh great, just what we need: another brawny idiot that uses his fists to solve problems. What we really need is intelligence. Can we get more scientists please?'"

Spider-Man reels back in his chair a little, seemingly taken aback. "Wow! Why are you so angry-" he consults the laptop again for the username, "Chelsea?" He shifts in the chair to get comfortable before responding, "First of all, another? I'm offended on behalf of my teammates. All of the people I work with are very intelligent, so I'm not sure where she's getting that you have to be an idiot if you have muscles. Secondly, I am a scientist, actually. I specialize in biochemistry, though I also dabble in engineering, physics, and programming. I have an IQ upwards of 250, which if you want to compare to the likes of Tony Stark, is around 270, who also kicks ass by the way."

He straightens his shirt indignantly, "Though hopefully I didn't give too much away with that. My point is," he points at the camera, "you can have both brawn and brains. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise, people. Defy the societal norms."

The comment section displays on screen again and scrolls down the page until it hits another comment. "'How strong is Spider-Man?'" He lounges back in his chair and taps the fingers of his right hand on the table idly, "Well, last we checked I could bench press about ten tons. Tony and I ran some tests about eight months ago to find out, so it could have changed since then but likely not by a large amount. So I'm going to say ten tons, give or take."

Another video clip plays that shows Spider-Man swinging confidently on his web before suddenly taking a wrong turn and eating billboard. The jarring collision dislodges his grip and he falls several feet to land on a garbage bin, whose lid caves in immediately under his weight. He reads aloud, "'Ouch. I wonder how that felt.'" Spider-Man laughs quietly, not afraid to laugh at himself. "To be honest with you Joshua, it did not feel good. That billboard actually broke my nose, though the garbage bin helped break some of the fall. There's definitely worse things I could have landed on. I don't get distracted often but it still happens sometimes. Web slinging is hard, okay?!

"Wikipedia!" he says off screen, as the visual on screen shows Spider-Man logging in to the Wikipedia webpage with the username, '[email protected]'.

"Let's see here," Spider-Man says before devolving into mumbles as he reads the information supplied on the website about himself. "Wait wait wait!" He exclaims after a moment and quotes the offending fact, "'His signature weapon is his webbing, which is created biologically and dispensed from a gland in his wrists at the base of his palms.'" The text in question displays on screen and zooms in on the text, "biologically", and then, "gland in his wrists".

"First of all, gross." Spider-Man rests his forehead in his hand, propped on the table with his elbow in a perfect picture of disappointment. "Second of all," he sits up straight and addresses the camera full on, "have you all actually been thinking I've been spurting real webs out of my hands at everything for the past few years?!" After a beat he processes what he has just said and facepalms while mumbling, "Spurting, oh God I regret my word choice."

The video cuts to the text being backspaced as Spider-Man narrates offscreen, "This is incorrect, let's delete it!"

The video cuts back to Spider-Man reaching below the table, leaning slightly to the left to dig something out of his right pants pocket, sighing heavily. He pulls out two simple black bracelets which he pointedly holds up for the camera before slipping them on. "Web shooters: 101," he says before deliberately knocking his wrists together so the bracelets make contact and activate. "Now obviously Tony Stark has gotten his hands on these and they are a little different than the originals, as you can tell by the nano technology," he explains, black colored metal creeping up his forearms to encase them in a type of bracer, "but the base mechanism is still the same as what I designed from the beginning." The nano technology finishes covering his forearms, the device quite noticeable with the stark black of the metal covering the majority of his pale exposed forearms. He flicks his hands back, palms facing upwards to show the camera, as the motion triggers a small device to deploy in the center of his palms. He reaches into his pocket once more and retrieves a couple small cylindrical cartridges filled with a milky fluid which he then deftly loads into the devices at his wrists.

"In a nutshell: web shooter," he holds up his left forearm to present the whole device to the audience. "The trigger," he presents the small button resting in his palm, "and web fluid," he continues, indicating the cartridge now inserted below his wrist. He points to a spot at the base of his palm, "They got the location of the dispenser right, I guess, but it's not coming out of a gland of any kind!" He aims carefully just past the camera and shoots a quick burst by depressing the button at his palm that makes the viewer feel as though he is shooting it at them. "I developed this formula myself, in a lab, with chemicals!" He emphasizes. "It's completely synthetic, not biological by any means, and nobody had to milk me for it." He pauses, staring at the camera for a moment before looking down at the table and murmuring uncomfortably while shaking his head, "That was a strange sentence I never want to repeat." He huffs a quiet laugh.

"Quora!" Spider-Man says as the onscreen graphic shows Spider-Man logging into the website with his fake email. "What the heck is Quora? I have no idea but let's get into it.

"'How is Spider-Man such a darling? He's so sweet and wholesome and is a big, soft, cinnamon roll'," he narrates as the question displays on screen. He shifts around awkwardly and scratches the side of his head, "Aw, I dunno! But thanks Quora, you're my new favorite website.

"'How many people has Spider-Man killed?'" He narrates as the question displays on screen. "Wow guys, that's dark!" He leans forward and clasps his hands together to convey the seriousness of his response. "The answer is none. I haven't killed anyone nor do I intend to. Spider-Man is strictly nonlethal. I only use webs to detain, I don't use blades or guns of any kind. Except these guns." He lightens the mood by flexing his right arm and kissing his bicep. He holds it together for approximately two seconds before exploding in laughter. "Oh God, how do I have friends?" He mutters to himself.

"Next!" He exclaims, searching for the next question. "'Does Spider-Man wear a mask because he's disfigured?'" The question displays for the viewer to see. "Hmm, okay well the short answer is no. That's not why I wear a mask. I don't really know how to quantify my own attractiveness, that's just awkward. I think I'm perfectly average, though I've had people tell me I'm handsome. They were all terribly biased though, so take that with a grain of salt." Spider-Man's grin can be seen in the crinkling of the fabric around his mouth. "I have two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and completely normal teeth. No extra eyes or mandibles or anything. That may sound like a strange thing to say but you'd be surprised how many times I have to clarify that," He snorts. "I cover my face because dealing with so many street-level criminals puts me on the radar of a lot of people who want revenge against me and anybody I care about. So if my identity was known I'd have to constantly watch my back, and my loved ones would be in danger. Of course there are contingencies for if that happens but in the meantime I want as normal a life as possible for me and mine."

Spider-Man clicks away on the laptop until the next question displays on screen. "'Does Spider-Man give autographs and selfies?'" He narrates. "I do, but all I ask is that if you catch me out in the wild and I look busy or distracted, to please not bother me. Most times the people I save are a bit too traumatized to be thinking about getting my autograph at the moment, but if the night is slow or I'm taking a break I'm happy to give an autograph or take a photo with you if you ask. Your best bet is probably at fundraisers and charity events, if I am in attendance, since I'm not focused on crime fighting and am just interacting with people."

The next question displays on screen, "'Is Spider-Man single?'" The video cuts to Spider-Man shifting uncomfortably. "Uh, I'm not comfortable confirming that sort of thing. Like I said, people in my orbit are in danger so I don't want to bring any kind of attention to who I surround myself with, even if their names are as yet unknown. The less information going around about that the better. So all I'll say is that at the very least I am not looking for a relationship." He awkwardly clears his throat before moving on.

"'How strong are Spider-Man's webs?' Strong enough to restrain the Hulk. Seriously," he nods at the camera, "I know this for a fact. We, and by we I mean the Avengers and I, had a code green sometime last year and out of sheer desperation I let the webs fly. By the time I was done he was basically in a cocoon but hey, it worked! Hulk looked pretty cozy actually." His eye lenses squint in amusement.

"Now let's go to Facebook," he says as the video shows him logging into Facebook and selecting a new profile picture, a closeup of Spider-Man shooting the camera finger guns.

"'Who would win in a race between Spider-Man and Captain America?'" He claps his hands together once in excitement, "Me! Because I'm obviously superior to Cap in every way!" He barks out a laugh and mumbles, "He'll let me have it for that comment! No I'm joking, Cap is awesome. I'm actually not lying though. We had a race, because science, and I clocked in at about two hundred miles per hour while Steve maxed at about seventy. Nothing to sneeze at of course, but not quite up to Spidey's par!" He gives another cheesy arm flex, this time with both arms. The video cuts to Spider-Man typing out the last of his answer and finishes it with two flex emojis before submitting it.

"'Do you think Spider-Man has any hidden talents?'" He looks seriously into the camera. "Well if I told you, they wouldn't be secret talents anymore, now would they Gerald?" He cocks his head to the side in thought. "I guess I can tell you that I can dance? I took dance and gymnastics for awhile when I was a kid, which is probably why I'm so agile and acrobatic now. My enhancement made me even more agile and acrobatic, but it was already there to some degree to begin with." He gives a careless shrug.

"'Coffee or tea?' Well I try not to drink either of them to be honest. Caffeine and spiders don't mix! Sometimes I can't avoid it though, lots of late nights being Spider-Man, so in those cases I drink coffee. Funny trivia for you, but I used to love lemonade. I must have inherited some spidery traits because lemon is a deterrent and I can't tolerate it now. I mean it won't kill me, I just find it unpleasant. Don't want criminals thinking they can spray me with lemon juice or something. I'll just be annoyed and smell funky fresh while I kick your ass." His eye lenses squint as his mask crinkles around the mouth. "My beverage of choice is actually apple juice, because I'm twelve years old." He snickers and hits the submit button to post his answer, complete with a baby emoji.

"'How are you doing? Are you getting enough sleep? Do you need a hug?'" He shifts forward to prop his chin on his hand. "I'm doing good, thank you for asking. I am absolutely not getting enough sleep, but neither is anyone else I know so I'm in good company. And I absolutely need a hug. I love giving people hugs and will one hundred percent hug you if you ask me to and I'm not busy. There's lots of Spidey to go around, I love each and every one of you."

He reads the next question silently first and barks a laugh before narrating, "'What even is your life?' Dude, I have no idea. If you had told young Spidey that one day he'd be flipping all over the city fighting crime and battling aliens with a superpowered team of highly skilled famous individuals he'd probably check you for fever and then back away slowly.

"Up next, Instagram! I know all about Instagram, I use it all the time." The video shows him once again logging into the website

"'Does anyone else desperately want a reality TV show with Spidey and the other Avengers? I would kill to watch hours of Spidey being a sarcastic little shit to bank robbers and Tony Stark just being a mess.'" Spider-Man laughs. "Wellllll," he hedges, "you might not have to wait that long. I've been toying with the idea of creating a YouTube channel and posting some shenanigans on there. Now, mind you, it won't be expertly edited or anything, I really don't have the time for that, but it would be something. Keep an eye out for that soon."

The video next displays a picture on Instagram that a fan had posted of a young Spider-Man from his early days coming out of a porta-potty with a string of toilet paper streaming off the bottom of his boot. The comment reads, "'Check out this disaster. What is going on here?'" Spider-Man looks straight at the camera, unimpressed, and deadpans, "Everybody poops, Deborah."

He navigates to the next picture, which is of a kneeling Spider-Man getting mauled by an enthusiastic, fluffy golden retriever. "'Was he a good doggo?'" He reads aloud. "He was best boy. What a good doggo!" He grins big through his mask.

"Now here we go to Twitter," he says as he logs in and selects a profile picture. "This is probably the social media I use the most. I'm thinking about deleting the app off my phone for a little while though, it's starting to consume my life. It's nice being able to connect to the public with it but I'm starting to find it difficult because people get so disappointed when I have to step away. Saying no to people is hard! And I have an extremely busy life so I can't keep this up forever. I've got cats to cuddle and lives to save! Gonna have to dial it back a bit I think."

The screen displays a tweet from user EmmaRox as Spider-Man reads it aloud, "'Do you think the abs are real or does he pad his suit?'" Spider-Man snorts and slaps his chest in mirth. "Well I would think that the fact I can lift a bus is proof enough, but here you go," he says and lifts his shirt to expose his impressively sculpted abs for just a moment before dropping his shirt and shaking his head in embarrassment. "Not padded."

The video cuts to the next question as he reads, "'What do you do in your free time?'" He looks at the camera and his left eye lens shifts as though he has furrowed his eye brow. "Free time? What's that?" He snorts, "No seriously, there's not much of that to go around. If I'm not on patrol or sleeping or training, I'm trying to keep up with my personal relationships and trying not to spend all my remaining time in the lab, with or without Tony. Like I said before, I'm a scientist, so a lot of my downtime is devoted to developing better tech, and to research to advance in these areas." He dramatically sweeps his hand across the top of his head as though he is a diva flipping long hair over his shoulder as he announces, "I'm not just a pretty face, you know." The video cuts to Spidey typing out the end of his answer, finishing it off with a queen emoji.

"'What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?'" Displays the next question from user, David P. "That's a good question, David. Hmm," he strokes his chin thoughtfully, "I would have to say 'With great power, comes great responsibility'. It was advice given to me by one of the two most important people in my life, and I have carried that motto in my heart ever since. It was advice that ultimately lead to the creation of Spider-Man, actually. I have these fantastic powers, so I consider it my responsibility to do something good with them." He wrings his hands together at what looks to be an uncomfortable topic for him to speak about. After a beat he continues his answer, "The second best advice I've ever gotten, however, was 'It is better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring', which you'll also notice I take very seriously in that I am incredibly ridiculous. I mean if there's a person out there who spouts more bad puns in the face of danger than me, I haven't heard of them." He quietly snickers to himself.

"'If you had to choose three adjectives to describe yourself what would they be?'" He doesn't hesitate when he rattles off, "Genius, witty, humble." He stares at the camera seriously for a moment before he cracks and laughs. "No seriously, uh, probably awkward, smartass, and nerdy." He shrugs for lack of a better answer.

"Reddit!" He says as he logs into the page and selects a display picture of Spider-Man facepalming.

"'Do you have any pets?'" Spider-Man reads. "No. My apartment doesn't allow pets, sadly, but I love animals. And actually I do hang out with Tony a lot and I have to constantly make sure he's fed and watered because he forgets, so I feel like that's close enough." He covers his mouth with a hand to hold in his snort but a strangled one escapes anyway.

The next post shows a piece of fan artwork that is poor quality and is obviously from an inexperienced child. It depicts a heroically posed Spider-Man saving a young boy from a burning apartment complex window. The young artist in question posted the caption, "'I know it's not any good but spiderman saved me and my mom from a fire. I really want to say thank you so I drew him this picture. If anyone gets the chance to talk to spiderman can you please show him this and tell him I love him?'" Spider-Man looks at the picture on the laptop for a long moment and audibly takes several loud swallows. He looks at the camera and says hoarsely, "I love you too, bud. And I'm glad you're doing okay. It was my absolute pleasure to help you that day and I'm so glad I was there. I love your drawing and I think you're so very talented. I'm going to print this out and post it on my fridge so I can see it everyday and think of you. Study hard in school and be good for your mom!" He looks down at his lap and clears his throat, filling with emotion. After a moment he looks up and clasps his hands.

"That's it! We're done!" He says as he shuts the laptop with a snap and his eye lenses squint in a smile. "I hope you enjoyed watching and learning a little bit about me. See you around!"

The video fades to the GQ logo before ending.

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Comments: ----------------

magicalbluecookies omg that last one killed me. Spidey got all choked up Friedfishcat I live for Spidey telling us he loves us. I stan a Spiderboi not afraid of his emotions. kitty22803 Am I the only one who took a screenshot of his abs? TeamIronDad Bahahaha subtly roasting cap and iron man. I wanna be a fly on the wall of their common room, I bet they're all hilarious to watch together lovelyjourneys Does this cinnamon roll ever rest? He needs a nap! And some milk or something! saucysquatch "Everybody poops, Deborah." Dumbledork I will die if he actually makes a youtube channel, please actually make this a thing! enchanted_nightingale Nooooooo dont delete twitter! kim_cc I once got a hug from spidey!! I was crying after he saved me from almost getting hit by a car and he asked if i needed a hug. It was the best hug of my life. Isi1dur Spidey is 12 years old confirmed, someone call the press xoxheartErin Spidey, post a video of you dancing!!! Proof or it didn't happen! Slyrocker Spiderman is asked how's he's such a soft cinnamon roll, proceeds to then prove he's a soft cinnamon roll Hi NOBODY HAD TO MILK ME FOR IT UselessDiamond19 Holy crap his web shooters are so cool! chrissyglikesbooks 250?! His IQ is 250?! Einstein was 160!!!! I feel faint. amillionmiles Spidey eating that billboard is about how my week is going honestly Mira Spidey is such a smart boi! He's going to make a great husband when I marry him.

TotallyNotDeadpool Well I guess this is all we have to live for now that you're out of the MCU

#fanfiction #spiderman fanfiction #spiderman #social butterfly Spidey #social media #jenniboo311 #GQ #Reddit #Twitter #Quora #funny #humor #ao3 fanfic #Marvel #instagram #wikipedia #facebook #interview

[bexterbex]

A Soul to Mend His Own | Ch. 57

Warning, PLEASE CHECK TAGS IF YOU SEE SOMETHING YOU DON’T WANT TO READ THEN DON’T READ. Tag lists are closed

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Will tag as I go along, Will update tags, Slow Burn, Influenced by Star Trek and other Sci-Fi themes, References to We Happy Few, Tons of References and quotes to George Orwells 1984 see if you can find them all, The First Order is the new Big Brother,  but who is really surprised, Blatant Nazi Symbolism, Interrogation Themes, Eventual Smut, Eventual Romance, Really just drawn out Slow Burn, Don’t repost without permission, Torture themes, Suggestive Themes, Execution themes, Disturbing Themes, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Controlling Kylo Ren, Physical Abuse, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Kylo Ren is Not Nice, Kylo Ren Has Issues, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, Possessive Kylo Ren, A character shamelessly based on Zelda

A Kylo Ren x Modern! Reader in a soulmate au with canon divergence. —————————————SLOWBURN————————————–

He is already the Supreme leader, searching the universe to find you, his Empress. Your name on his wrist has been the only constant in his life, while you have doubts about his existence and his acceptance of you. He isn’t in the database and why did the name Kylo Ren cover Ben Solo?

MASTERLIST

Chapter 57: The Dinner Pt. 1

You couldn’t believe your eyes, she was gone as fast as she appeared. But you felt a slight sense of relief watching as the blast went through her heart. But she was gone, and you watched as the blast sizzled into the target. You felt the burning deep within your bones. Their fire burns within you again.

You practiced for a couple of hours. As Phasma just seemed content in letting you shoot your frustrations out on to the target. Once you were finished you headed back to your chambers for lunch.

Kylo returned as he promised. Joining you for lunch. He kissed you upon entering the dining room where you sat waiting for him. Lunch went on mostly silently with neither of you speaking. He kissed you before he left.

Your lessons with the general went by in a blur, you watched more diplomatic videos and it all blended together. You changed as usual in your dressing room for dinner. Dinner came and went. You changed for bed and made out with Kylo for a bit. You fell asleep like normal and your dreams were a blend from the night before, except every time you were on the desert planet there was a blaster in your hand. You attempted to shoot the woman but before the blast hit her the dream shifted again, the earth beneath you collapsed into quicksand.

You woke up to the pressure behind your ear; you felt like you were in a fog. Kylo kissed you and told you to go target practice with Phasma. You did your routine of getting ready and changing, eating breakfast. Target practice was the only time you felt a bit human once more. But then you had lunch, your lessons, dinner, getting ready for bed, kisses, falling asleep, nightmares: repeat.

This was your life for the next week, the days all blending together. You haven’t felt at all human. A monotonous machine going through the tasks. No smiles, no joy, nothing. The only time you had felt anything was when the blaster fired. Wake up, get dressed, breakfast, blaster practice, lunch, lessons, dinner, kisses, bed, and nightmares.

You woke up to a pressure behind your ear, and then kisses down your neck, “Good morning Kitten, today is a big day. We have our dinner tonight.” His hands then roamed down your sides, caressing and squeezing your body as they had been doing the last few days.

Your brain woke up at the mention of this. When was the last time you had truly had a thought? Had a week gone by without a single coherent thought? You felt a pit in your stomach.

“I’ll be back after lunch, we will get ready during your usual lesson time.” His finger grazed your cheek before he hooked it under your chin, giving you one last kiss before he left.

You sat up. Today was the day you were supposed to be presented officially as the First Lady of the First Order. And time had just slipped you by. You had been frozen, and now you didn’t know how to feel. Something in your gut told you tonight was not going to be a party like Kylo seemed to insist that it was.

Something in the back of your brain reminded you of what Hux had said. That there would be people at the dinner that would not like your status, would not like that you had come from Earth.

You then remembered why you were dreading the dinner, Pryde. He was supposed to be there. He was supposed to be there as a good gesture to the people who would look down upon you. The man who made your skin crawl. Before you could feel like you were going to throw up Adlez and Olivia-Rose were at your side hauling you up and into the bathroom.

“Now m’lady, you are supposed to get ready with the Supreme Leader after lunch but we need to get you prepped before that,” said Adlez. You were being stripped and put in the tub that was filled with fragrant oils. They worked on your hair and skin. Washing away the numbness that you had felt all week. Mending you whole again.

You started to feel human as Olivia-Rose brushed conditioner through your wet hair. Adlez buffed away at your skin before inspecting your nails, “We shall have to do something special for tonight.”

You were washed, shaved, and thoroughly moisturized by the time you had got out. This was the first time you ate breakfast in just your robe with wet hair. You stared out the window in the dining room at the simulated horizon. You turned to Adlez, who was chatting quietly with the others. “Can you change the windows to the stars outside?”

She smiled and got up to do so. You watched as the simulated background beyond your ‘outdoor’ plants changed to allow the galaxy and stars to shine their darkness through. You continued to look out the window as you finished eating.

You followed Olivia-Rose and Adlez into the dressing room. Where they moisturized your skin once more. Olivia-Rose gave you a facial and sculpted your brows as Adlez gave you a manicure and pedicure. They were sculpting you into an Empress, mending you whole again. Or at least mending the you that the outside world got to see. Your mind, heart, and soul still felt empty.

You had no idea how much time had passed before you heard a knock on the door. Adlez went to answer it.

“We need to get ready,” you heard Kylo’s voice through the doorway.

“Of course, we will have her ready for you. Do you need any assistance m’lord?”

“No, I shall be fine, just make sure she is ready.” And then you heard the door shut.

“You heard the Dark Lord, we need to get you ready,” laughed Adlez. It was the first time in the last few days that you remember hearing her laugh.

They placed you in front of the vanity. Adlez doing something intricate with your hair. The same hairstyle she had practiced days before. Olivia-Rose doing your makeup. By the end of their handiwork you looked like you had just stepped off the silver screen with Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe. You looked otherworldly.

They then walked you over to the open armoire and helped you dress. Adlez insisted on some shapewear, “You look stunning m’lady, but you don’t want to give anyone any chances of finding out what you are hiding. That is for the Supreme Leader only to know. And besides, the dress is really flowy and this will help you feel more secure.” You took her advice, they really did help the dress fit you that much more.

You still looked like yourself, but a bit better. When you looked at yourself in the full-length mirror. You saw a woman who was fit to be the First Lady of the First Order. A woman who was sure of herself and her position. If only the inside reflected what the outside portrayed.

You thanked both of them and stepped out into the hallway. You could hear movement in the living room, so that’s where you headed. Kylo was for the first time pouring himself a drink from the bar. When he saw you he paused before setting the bottle down. “You look stunning, Kitten.” He stepped out from behind the bar abandoning the drink.  

While you looked like a beautiful garden in your floral dress , he looked like a god incarnate. You were so sure before that nothing could make his chest look wider but you were wrong, oh how you were wrong.

He no longer donned his usual ribbed uniform. He was dressed in soft black leather with a cape attached to his shoulders. His forearms and the underside of his cape looked like they had captured the stars. His shirt fit him tightly and the v of its neck revealed a high collar of the same stars, with the First Order insignia resting among them. His pants and boots were leather that seemed to kiss his powerful thighs and calves. The top of his head had several braids keeping his long luscious black locks out of his face. Oh, how the gods made him handsome.

Your breath could go no deeper than your throat as you were stunned at the sight of him. He seemed to figure out what was happening as he closed the distance between you and took your face in his hand. “Do you feel the same way about me, Kitten?” Heat flooded you as you attempted to nod in response.

A hand graced your lower back, as he whispered into your ear, “Good, I was hoping you would feel that way. But we must be going, after all, you are the guest of honor.” His lips left your ear, and he shifted his body to start to lead you down the hall. You were glad he did not expect you to answer right away as your brain was failing to make even a word coherent.

He led you down the ever-winding halls, your breath still in your throat as you walked next to him. His lips were against your ear once more, “We shall have to get you a drink right away to calm your nerves.” And he was right, not only were you speechless because of him, you were nervous as all hell.

You had failed to notice initially that you were being flanked by the Knights of Ren, all six of them. Wearing their masks and armor. Guarding you both from any eyes that might be watching as you walked down the halls.

You came upon the door to the formal hall, one used for occasions like this. Your heart was pounding before Kylo’s lips came to your ear once more, “Everything will be fine Kitten. No one can harm you while I am here.”

The door opened, and you saw lots of unfamiliar faces, a few you did recognize but lots that you didn’t. And one face you hoped to never see again, but alas he was here and walking towards you. Thankfully Hux was waiting for you both as he announced, “The Supreme Leader Kylo Ren and the lovely First Lady, Lady Ren.” Everyone broke into light applause at your entrance. You watched from the corner of your eye as Kylo’s head lifted in acknowledgment. You chose to smile at the crowd.

Kylo then guided you to Hux, before Pryde could reach you both. “M’lady you look exquisite tonight,” he said bowing to you.

“Thank you, you certainly look handsome yourself.” He did, he was out of his normal black uniform and in a white jacket with black pants. His skin and hair looked rather beautiful against the white.

You then turned your head to watch Kylo, whose eyes were scanning the room like a hawk. He spoke to the general, “Is everyone here?”

“Yes, Supreme Leader they are.”

“And their status?”

“Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, but GH-531, Garel, and more importantly Kuat have expressed slight disinterest in Lady Ren.” The mention of your name grabbed your attention.

“All three of them are standing with tradition, I see?” You watched as his gaze tore to Pryde and the three men standing with him. They all matched him in age and stature.

“Yes, it seems like Senator Ormes Apolin will be the hardest to persuade. Remember his stance on significant others joining meetings and formal discussions.”

“I remember Hux, it took everything I had to not cut out his tongue when Snoke invited him for dinner the last time.”

That name, you were worried now. The man who had previously held Kylo’s position was not a kind man in any sense. You were worried if the man that they were speaking of, this Ormes Apolin if he would do something drastic tonight.

You watched as Hux bowed and stepped back, Kylo guided you around the room where you met various important officials and he did see to it that a glass of champagne was given to you and finished twice over before you finally made your way to the group of aging men.

“Ah, Supreme Leader! Lady Ren, it is a delight to see you again.” Pryde’s eyes were open doors to his deepest thoughts. You could tell by the way he was looking between you two that he had not learned his lesson.

Kylo spoke for you, “General Pryde, Senator Apolin, Senator Slenic, and Ambassador Gakon, this is Lady Ren.” You gave your best welcoming smile to each of them.

Senator Slenic spoke first, “It is an honor to be here m’lady. This whole thing must be a shock to you. Especially compared to where you came from.”

You heard the dismissal of your planet but you played it off, “In many ways it is, but I am learning. Allegiant General Hux has been a great help. But I have been informed that my planet has a lot to offer the First Order and I am grateful to show its opportunity.” You smiled sweetly back.

You could see a small smirk on the corner of Kylo’s mouth. He approved of your answer.

“Yes, I am sure your planet will be very useful. But what about you m’lady? Will you be useful to the First Order,” asked Ambassador Gakon. His tone was the least spiteful. He seemed the most hopeful of the three galactic officials.

“I hope to be, but we can never truly be the judge of ourselves now, can we? I can only learn by what others show me and by doing. It is for the rest of the galaxy to decide whether or not I am useful as the First Lady of the First Order.”

“That’s a new title, isn’t it,” asked Senator Apolin. “Even the Empire did not have such a title. You can not live up to it as it has not existed before you. And as far as I am aware, you have no prior experience.”

You could feel Kylo tense up next to you. But you answered before he could do anything. “I believe it is the Allegiant General that told me that the First Order’s ideals are based on the Empire’s success but we have learned from their mistakes.” You shook your head and spoke, “We are to strive to outlive them, to perfect what they got wrong. They failed in showing a united front with the Emperor. He had no family. How is it that families all over the galaxy were supposed to trust him? My position is to assist the Supreme Leader in any way that I can, as is all of our positions. Or would you disagree?” You waited for an answer.

“I see the Allegiant General has been teaching you well, as a bastard son, he is doing well to live up to his father’s legacy. But all of that gives no comfort as to the lack of experience you hold, it may do you best to comfort the Supreme Leader in his bed and leave the galaxy to more experienced hands.”

You watched as Kylo stiffened at the man’s words, his body rigid and tense. His jaw clenched, and nostrils flared. You quickly turned your head and met the eye of General Hux and nodded to him.

“Everyone please take your seats as dinner will be served,” Hux announced.

You did your best to pull Kylo away from the senator. Trying to avoid any possible blood spilling before dinner. You wanted to get through this thing as quickly as possible and return back to the safety of your chambers.

Kylo took his seat at the head of the table. You were seated to his right and thankfully Hux was seated to his left. You watched as one of the few faces you knew before this dinner sat next to you, Admiral Frantis Griss. You were thankful, but much to your dismay Pryde sat next to Hux, and next to him was Senator Apolin, Senator Slenic, and Ambassador Gakon.

Being seated at the table, you noticed for the first time that you were one of the few women. Most of them being wives of various officials and officers. Even though you were in a society that was supposed to be more advanced than your own, you were still outnumbered by men. Many of whom looked down upon women of your position as no more than bed warmers for their more powerful mates.

Kylo was watching you as you made this realization, you couldn’t tell if he was searching your thoughts yet but he gave a toast to the attendees. He stood, “This dinner tonight is held in honor of Lady Ren who sits here next to me. Today marks the first day that we step out of the shadows of the Empire. We have learned from the mistakes of the Empire—they were too lenient. We are better. We are making strides in the wake of their fall. Succeeding where they have failed. The first major step in doing that is by having a role like hers. A role that is compassionate to the people, one that shows our people's kindness. Something the Empire has failed to do. A role that will provide an example to our people, the way we are to live. A perfect role model for our citizens. To Lady Ren.” He raised his glass.

Everyone echoed and did the same. You flushed at the gesture of faith in you. You gave a quiet, “Thank you,” to the table as he sat back down.

You had no idea what to make of his words, his insistence on you being a role model for First Order citizens. That you were supposed to lead in a way you hadn’t expected. You remembered that Kylo and Hux were supposed to sit you down and talk with you about your role. Have you missed that talk? When you were in your haze, did you miss it? Or had it yet to happen?

You met Kylo’s eyes, and you heard him, but his mouth had yet to move,

“We will discuss your role tomorrow morning.”

Your eyes went wide, he was speaking in your mind. That scared you. You looked to Hux, who sat across from you. Who shared a look at your recent discovery, and a small reassuring head nod.

“Do not be afraid Kitten, this is only temporary. Too many ears to hear, eyes to see and tongues to speak. I will do what I must to protect you.”

The dinner had only just begun, and you were already afraid for your life. If he couldn’t freely speak to you, what danger were you in? Your heart was racing as the first course was served. You repeated the mantra in your head that dinner had only just begun.

#a soul to mend his own #kylo ren #kylo ren x reader #kylo ren imagine #kylo ren x you #kylo x reader #kylo x you #kylo imagine #star wars #star wars imagine #first order #Star wars soulmate au #sw first order imagine #star wars first order

[fanartfunart]

Heya! I really really like your style and saw the commission thing and was wondering how to, y'know, commission a tningy ^^' I haven't done it before

Glad you like my art and like it enough to consider commissioning! ^u^

My commission information page is here. I suggest looking through it. I explain how I work in that as well, at the very bottom. But, I’ll give ya a breakdown for the Never Commissioned Before. (since that version lowkey assumes at least slight familiarity)

It’s not too difficult or anything so don't stress it! If you want a general price-point before diving in or anything: for me, an average work tends to be around $35-50ish USD (usually mostly depending on color or number of characters) but some of the more complex stuff, which often includes multiple characters and background goes more up towards $200ish. If you’re tighter on cash, as I know a lot of people are, I suggest setting yourself a budget and telling me what it is! That way if you want something, but you can’t afford it, I can help make it something affordable! (ie I may suggest not using full color, or having a bust rather than a full character- etc)

For the actual process, I’ve put it under the cut. I go pretty in-depth and it got long.

Step One: Message me with what you want to commission me to do. Give a short description.

You can message me on tumblr or through my email [email protected]. I like it if you come in with a semi-solid idea of what you want. Hopefully you read through my commission page, but, I’m also happy to provide suggestions and ideas as well. I do fanart and original works! You should have a description of what you have in mind ready.

Here’s two examples on each extreme of what I can work with:

“A picture of my character, standing with their hands on their hips. They have long brown hair and eyes and wear a pirate-like costume”

“A picture of my character, standing with their hands on their hips, a little sassy in pose an expression. They have long brown hair that goes to their hips, and is parted to the left. They have brown eyes, and a small scar on their cheek. They’re a little stocky and they wear a v-cut loose black tunic, a purple vest and leather belt.”

I’d ask more questions for both of these! I’ve never had a commission where I don’t feel the need to ask for more information. If it’s an original character (or even au-versions of fanart or characters I’m not familiar with), I love hearing about who they are as a character, since that gives me a sense of what energy I’m trying to portray with the character. If you have references (doesn’t matter if it’s an amalgamation of references plucked off of google or something you drew yourself) that’s awesome! I don't require it, but, they’re always appreciated. I am totally open to helping you make decisions too! if you have the base idea, but you don’t know if you want them to have a coat or not, I can give you sketches with both options.

Step 2: Pricing.

If you don’t already mention it, I’ll ask you specifics of the things in my commission post- ie: if it’s full body or a half body, or if it’s full color or anything.

If anything on my commission post confuses you, you can always ask me for more examples or an explanation of the difference!

After determining exactly what you want me to do, I’ll usually give you an estimate for how much it would cost to complete. Sometimes, if you’re still deciding between things that determine the price, like how complex the pose is, I might do some sketches first and see which ones you like before giving you a price. I have a little leeway on pricing here, and if you think it’s too much, you’re welcome to ask me to explain why I priced it that way and if I can lower the price. That said, a lower price means lower complexity and detail.

If we’re confident in the price, I like if you pay me at this point, rather than later, as it’s easy to forget, and frankly, I’d rather not do all this work just for someone to take the image and not pay me at the end. I have some leeway, but I usually prefer if you pay me before I get to the last step before completion. If it’s a lineart work, that means after the sketch. If it’s a colored work, it means after the lineart.

Step 3: Sketches.

When I get started with sketches it usually takes me a day or 2 to get them done. I’ll give you several to choose from. I usually do about 4-6 individual sketches and label them by number (because I’m dyslexic and for the life of me never remember left vs right).

Once I send you a batch of sketches I’ll ask you for your opinion. I basically want to know: which sketch(es) fit your idea the best and if there’s anything I’m missing or need to get rid of. It’s going to be loose and messy, so if you want me to explain anything about how it looks, please feel free to ask. I can combine sketches if you like parts of one or two of them but as a whole they’re not perfect. If I’m totally off the mark, you can totally tell me so! That kinda means I didn’t do my job right in step 1, and I’ll ask more questions to understand which aspect I’m missing.

Once we have one sketch that works, I’ll ask you a few more questions about what you’d like to see on the lineart.

Step 4: Lineart

Depending on how complex it is and how busy my life is, this might take me a day or a whole week.

Using the sketch as my base I’ll use this time to make clean lines, get some details in (this is usually where expressions and clothes are defined beyond the general structure.)

I’ll send you the sketch after I’m finished and once again, ask you what you think and what might need adjustment. Your job is to nitpick here! Please, feel free to nitpick. Is the hair too short? Is the arm in a funky angle? Tell me! You’re buying it, you get to critique it. I’ll work with you to come to an agreeable look.

If you’re commissioning me for a colored work, I’ll also ask you for any clarification/changes from the original concept for the color.

Step 5: Color

This tends to take about 1-3 days.

If it’s flat color, it’ll be pretty simple, and shading or lighting will be done with kinda flat bold lines unless otherwise stated that you just want it Flat-Flat. It’s not my usual style, so most people tend to go for full color. Full color is my usual coloring style, and I use some pretty soft shading. It tends to reflect a midday-look, but if there’s a specific background I’m doing, I will match the color to it. Dynamic shading is a secondary layer of color. I usually do color and shading on one layer. Dynamic shading is where I work with really bold, dramatic lighting. 

I usually work with a background at the same time as everything else, but, sometimes I don’t because I focused on one aspect or another, so that might be an additional step.

Once again, I’ll send the work to you and ask for your opinion.

Step 6: Finishing up

Once you’re happy with it, all that’s left is A) confirming you paid me (I’ll usually remember or write it down, so if you had, I won't ask.) B) signing the artwork and C) sending it to you via email. I usually send it as a .png but you’re welcome to request other filetypes. I’ll ask you for all these things too.

You’re also welcome to request that I record the process I can take screen-capture videos or I can screen-shot each step that I’m not screen-shotting already to send to get your opinion. (you’d have to ask me to do this at the beginning though.)

After all that, I’ll usually post it on my tumblr here, and you’ll have your commission!

#commissioning #answered asks #fanart's commissions

[mischiefapprentice]

My Neighbor is a Ballerina (Daniel Henney x OC)

It was already the start of lock-downs in USA, and Daniel Henney cannot help but be bored as the eighth day of quarantine passed. Surely, he is enjoying the company of his fluffy golden retriever Roscoe, but still, he missed going out for shooting different commercials and series he signed in for. There was no one to talk to inside his small home, either. He can only talk to his parents and friends through video calls, and no one is allowed to step out of their homes unless needed.

What to do now? He asks himself as he looked outside. He already have gone for a swim with his dog, he finished his exercise routine, and it strains his eyes to look on the screen for too long. He sighs as he got out, looking for something to tinker on for the rest of the day. His well carved face frown as he sat nearby his own pool, waiting for the brightest idea to pop in his mind. He weakly smiles as he sees Roscoe waddle his way to him, begging to be carried.

"What do we do now, bud? Wow, is this what you feel whenever I am not around?" he jokes. The golden retriever lays its head on Daniel's stomach, relishing in the presence of his good father who he would miss terribly whenever he isn't around. Just then, some sweet classical music filled the area, making his brows raise in curiosity. He walks close to the fence that separated his house to the rest of the neighborhood, finding out who owned the music. He finds on the other side a young woman who is half his age, dancing to the music that played with a gentle grace that can be seen in a pen, a female swan. She had black hair like him, and skin tanned from the rays of the sun. He haven't seen her before. Afraid to interrupt her peace, he became content with watching her by the sidelines, enjoying her small performance by the sun.

It has come to an end when his doorbell rang. Sighing in reluctance to leave, he took a deep breath and headed to the gates of his house, his loyal liege Roscoe trailing from behind. His friend Matthew Gubler greeted him with a smile, even though it was covered with a black N-95 mask. "Got you some groceries!" Matthew smiles as he placed them right on Daniel's feet. "Dude, you didn't have to!" Daniel laughs as he took them in. "But still, thank you for the thought!" "Well, I'd better go now, enjoy your day! And, go get that girl!" Matthew jokes as he hopped on his car and drove away.

Daniel chuckles as he closed the gate with his foot, Roscoe jumping up and down as they went in the house. Matthew is right; he needs to know more about that woman next door.

      "Girl, really. That guy next door is checking you out."

Charleine is busy eating her tossed salad when her friend Carina Chandran gave her a call, and she raised the thing about some guy next door checking her out whilst she danced her way to fantasy world. The young raven haired girl laughs as she hears Carina prattle her worries for her, how she wanted to be there to give the man a piece of her own mind.

"Girl, no need to make a big deal about it." Charleine tells as she swallowed down the water. "But still! You know what, I'm packing up. I am going there." Carina says as Charleine hears her shuffles on her side. "Girl no need, I can handle myself." Charleine insists. "I have a background in Martial Arts, remember?" "Okay, if that's what makes you at ease. Just make sure to be careful, okay?"

Charleine laughs as she put the phone call down. She can imagine how worried her Indian friend was, since there were a lot of men who'd catcall herback before this whole world craze happened. She used to stay in New York City since her job as a dance instructor demanded it. She also joined numerous ballets like Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty, and she always gets the lead. Carina Chandran is her childhood friend and neighbor here in Los Angeles, so no wonder why she can see him checking on her.

The next day, she went out to her backyard for another dance for nature, a series she makes for her Instagram account. She will try to catch the guy who Carina was talking about during the phone call. Setting her Bluetooth speaker and camera to where she wanted it to be, she started doing her dance routine she learned for The Nutcracker's dance of the sugar plum princess.

       Daniel immediately ran to the fence where he heard the music that captured his whole being. The same girl was there, unaware of his presence as she danced her heart away to the music that played in the background, which he recognized as a part from The Nutcracker. If he only knew how to dance ballet, he could have jumped over the fence and joined her. He was enchanted with her; he cannot help but stare at her beauty that can be compared to Aphrodite, and marvel at her skills that are as graceful as Odette in Swan Lake. It was a magical enchantment that this young lady uses to men who lays their eyes on her. However, his daydreams were cut off when the young raven haired woman called his attention. "Yoohoo! Sir, are you alright there?" she asks, which makes him tumble down. Loud gasps can be heard from her as she placed a ladder on the fence where she saw him. "Are you okay?" He chuckles as he stood up, thanking the heavens above for not staining his sweatpants and hoodie. "Um, yeah. Thanks for checking." God, why is he being a nervous charmer? He asks himself. He cannot be like this, since he has swooned millions of ladies from around the world, yet this girl's got him smitten to the core. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Charleine Mercado, and you are?" she introduced herself. "I'm Daniel. So, you're new here?" He asks, trying to hide his anxious self as he starts to know more about this girl. "Not exactly. I used to stay here whenever I am on my break in the theater, and this one's a total break." She replies as she shrugged her shoulders. "You work in a theater?" He asks as he grabbed a small chair and stood on it, just to be able to talk to her a little close, observing the one-meter distance. She nods her head yes as she waited for him to settle himself, asking him if he's comfy enough with standing, which he assures her he's fine with it.

They had a long conversation, and it was already noon when they decided to just exchange social media accounts and talk there whenever they are free. Reluctant that he won't see her for the rest of the day, he sighs as he walked back to his house, waiting patiently as he can for her to talk to him soonest. Roscoe senses Daniel's remorse as the golden retriever lays its head on his lean legs.

       It was already evening when she decided to open up her social media and search for the man she once talked to earlier. She was having a gut feeling that she already saw him in some commercial or television series. Shrugging that thought away, she punched in his username, and the revelation made her eyes widen. "OH. MY. GOD." She decides to call her friend away, who quickly picked up the call.

"Girl, you won't believe who I just talked to this morning," Charleine yells on the phone, her adrenaline rush picking up the fast pace. Her friend gawked at her when she mentioned the name. "WHAT? IT WAS DANIEL HENNEY?" "Yes. We exchanged social media accounts, and it really was him." "Send me a picture of him tomorrow morning! I need enough proof that it's really him." "How about a screenshot video of a 60-second conversation via Skype? We planned to talk tonight."

It was on cue when her Skype account rang loudly in the background, showing Daniel's caller id on her laptop screen. She immediately tells Carina she'll talk to her later, and ran to her seat in front of her laptop. Breathing deeply, she clicked the green button, revealing Daniel and his dog on the other side. His bed hair still looked good on him, and she cannot help but swoon at him. "Hey, Charlie." Daniel groggily greets, groaning as Roscoe hopped on his lap, making her giggle as he cheekily grins back. "Dogs really are a handful, aren't day?" Charleine asks as she eagerly looked at the furry friend. "I'll agree with you on that." Daniel laughs as he puts down Roscoe. He shuffles in his bed as he held on the laptop, walking towards his kitchen island. "So, I suppose you already found the accounts?"

She nods as she looked down at her own Golden Retriever puppy Neve, who begs to be carried. "Yes, and no wonder why you look so familiar. Nice work in Criminal Minds and Big Hero 6, by the way."  She replies as she picks Neve and places the dog on her lap. Daniel's eyes widen as he saw Charleine's little puppy, smiling as he asked her where she got Neve, which Charleine eagerly answers. Daniel smiles as he realizes they had share a lot of common interests, the only difference was their occupations.

"Your name also rang bells in my mind, then I remembered a co-star telling me about your works in ballet. I must say, you did a wonderful job in your performances," Daniel tells her as he settled his laptop down as he started preparing his dinner for tonight. "May I know who told you about me long before this call?" Charleine asks as she grabbed a Shawarma from her side. "Do you by chance know Kirsten Vangsness?" Daniel asks as he grabbed some vegetables from his refrigerator and started chopping them down. Charleine's eyes lit up as he mentioned her friend and mother figure. "Yes I do! She became my mother figure whenever I am not with my parents back in Manila," she smiles as thoughts of Kirsten and her spending time together filled her mind.

They spent hours talking about their work and interests, not noticing the time anymore that they were surprised it's already past midnight when they stopped for a while. "Let's stay up together, I really love talking to you." Daniel pleads as Charleine settles in her bed, letting her bed engulf her in its softness and warmth. "I love to, but I need to get up for my routines later," she tells him, letting out a yawn that Daniel finds cute. "You'll get to talk to me after." "I look forward to that, Charlie. Good morning!"

What a dork, she thought as she waves good night and shut down her computer, her mind filled with thoughts about the new celebrity friend she made.

       Daniel finds himself in a place where music and dance are everywhere. Kids wearing flower crowns and tossing flower petals greet him as he entered the gates of the magical kingdom. He finds himself wearing a cream pirate shirt that showed parts of his chest and leather pants that showed his lean legs well. He feels powerful as he took every step while wearing leather boots that reached his knees. Women swoon as he passed by while looking for a certain woman who he wanted to meet. He soon finds himself at the presence of the king, and was surprised that he introduced himself as a prince from some place far from this kingdom. The king led him to the gardens, where he saw the familiar face of Charleine laughing as she danced with her maids. Her face lit up as she saw him, hearing her father tell everyone to leave them for now. As soon as the maids and the ensemble left, he slowly strode towards her, taking in how beautiful she is as a princess.

"M'lady," he greets her, taking her hand and places a kiss on the back of her hand.

"I shall leave you two to yourselves. Please guard her," the king bade as he took his leave, his footsteps resonating on the tiles. They silently enjoyed the company of each other as he told her of his adventures, from defeating rebels to every mishap he got himself into. Her laughter is already music to his ears. He feels himself falling into her trance, his eyes taking in the view of her wondrous beauty.

       His eyes squint at the feel of his dog licking the sleep off his eyes. He immediately looked around, checking if he wore the same clothes as he had in that dream of his with Charleine. It felt so real that he thought he would awake to ivory pillars and servants roaming around him. Did it really happen? He asks to himself as he got off his bed and prepared Roscoe's breakfast, his mind still stuck to that dream he had today.

It was the same dream Charleine had. She saw herself dancing with her maids in the pavilions, laughing as merriment and joy filled their surroundings. Her eyes lit as she saw Daniel in a pirate-like clothing, but can be easily identified as a prince. Charleine filled her friend Carina about this weird dream, but she was told that it is her subconscious thinking about the actor, and people tend to see their thoughts in their dreams when they think deeply about it and fell asleep.  She let's it pass for now, but she knew that there was something behind it.

They both smile at each other as Charleine got out to her backyard, while Daniel stood at the fence that separated them, eager to watch her do her morning routine. "What's with that wide smile, Henney?" Charleine asks as she stood in front of him, hands at her hips in a sassy fashion. He chuckles. "Nothing, I am just happy that I get to see a new friend here. It really gets lonely whenever I am not with other people physically." "Well, I cannot blame you for that." Charleine tells as she started playing the music, this time from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

       "Wait, so you had the same dream as mine?"

They both talked over Skype again, making sure to be reminded of the time now. She almost had problems getting up earlier, and good thing she still managed to set her body clock. Daniel told Charleine about this dream he had earlier, and it is coincidental that they both were in there. They had exact details as the other, making them wonder how come they had the same dream. "I don't know, it was just... Coincidental. Maybe my friend Carina is right, it must be a work of our subconscious and the deep thoughts." Charleine shrugs as she took a bite of her homemade shawarma wrap. "I suppose so." Daniel agrees. "How's quarantine so far?" She asks. "Well, still hanging here. Gosh, this drives me crazy as hell." He sighs, making her chuckle. "You're not alone."

That was the last time they talked.

Daniel had to fly to Korea to attend to some important matters his management has raised. He didn't get to talk to her for the last time before he headed to the airport, which made him feel miserable during his stay here. Well, he tried to play his favorite sport and get his mind on the things he have to do here before he gets back to Los Angeles. He still tried to reach out to Charleine, but she never responded. Worrying that something happened to her, he tried to call Kirsten, who fortunately picked up the call. "Daniel! So good to hear from you!" the ever cheery actress beams, making the half Korean laugh. "Yeah, I missed you all! How are you?" he queries as he mentally planned how to get Charleine in the conversation. "Feeling bored, since there was no one to talk to except my cat here," Kirsten sighs. "So, I heard that you met my ballerina friend already?" Daniel smiles when she mentioned the woman who got his whole being. "Yes, and I was about to ask you about her. She wasn't responding to any of my calls and emails." "Oh, she told me she's going to have a week off in using social media. She actually asked me to tell you about it, and she says sorry in advance if ever this happens." Kirsten chuckles, making Daniel smile weakly. He cannot wait to talk to her again.

       It was a week when Charleine took a break off the social media. She wanted to take a break off the world's madness since this year started. Her eyes widen as she opened up her chats, revealing lots of missed calls and 'how are you' texts from her new friend Daniel Henney. He sent a voice mail that says:

Hey Charlie...

I don't know when you'd be back in social media, but if you ever receive this, I am probably in Seoul already, since I had to attend to some matters here, just like what I said during our last talks. Charlie, if I ever get back there in LA, I want to... Ugh. Never mind. I just want to let you know that I already miss you and those small talks we had whenever I watch you dance. If I could rush things over, I would have done it in a heartbeat. I would do everything if it means to see you again. It's already late here, and I should get some sleep. I am in the 14 day quarantine period, and I got a negative result.

"I made him wait, Neve." she tells her golden retriever puppy, who in return looked at her with its doe eyes as it sensed her bereft. She sighs as she looked at other messages he dropped:

Hey Charlie! I am missing you so much already!

How are you?

Did you eat already?

When are you going to post another dance in your Instagram?

Are you alright?

You know you can talk to me whenever you got something bothering your mind, right?

"That's it, I'm waiting for the right time to call him." She says to herself as she typed in her reply to all those messages and voicemails he sent her during the week off the media.

Hi Dan!

Kirsten probably told you already that I took a week off the media, since I got stressed with what is happening with the world right now. My godmother also nearly got my nerves, so I decided to do so. I'm sorry if I got you worried for me 24/7, but now you can talk to me anytime again. Just note the time, one of us might miss the complete sleep we need to be energetic the next day. Hope to talk to you soon!

       His eyes immediately land on the message she just sent him, making him smile in victory as he read it multiple times. He immediately opened his Skype and gave Charleine a call, having high hopes that she'd answer it in a flash. He quickly checked himself on the mirror app on his phone, but stopped when he heard giggles from the other side of the line. "Hey, you don't need to check your self on your mirror, Vanity Boy." she quirks, making him smirk. "Liked that new nickname, Ms. Ballerina." he comments back, making the girl smirk back at him. "So, how's the week off social media?" She weakly smiles as she looked down, taking Neve in her arms. "It's relaxing, since I got to connect with myself once again after all this madness happened. How about you? You said you are in Korea, right?" "Oh yeah. I got a negative test result, and I can go to all the places where my manager told me to go to." Daniel cheekily grins at her, making her shake her head in annoyance, but a smile still plastered on her lips. "I already saw that dance you uploaded, and I must say, it's still different if I saw it live." "You little stalker," she laughs as he chuckles. Daniel finds himself falling for her even more as the days pass.

       After a few weeks of fixing up things in Korea, he immediately took a flight back to Los Angeles, eager to see Charleine again. His mother teases him on his little crush on the well-known ballerina, making him groan in feign dismay. His father, unfortunately, helps his mom with teasing him about it. But deep in his mind, he is glad that his parents are supportive with whoever he wants. He isn't pressured with what kind of girl he should date and marry, as long she is kind and understanding, he's willing to keep up with her.

It was another spring morning, and he is patiently waiting for her music to play. The small ladder he climbs on is already set, and he just needs to hear her music. Just as some random music played, he scrambles to the ladder, just in time for her to start dancing. She laughs as she saw how messed up his hair was, making her stop dancing. "Why did you run all the way?" She chuckles as she stood on her toes, messing his now messy hair as she laughs. "I just didn't want to miss my friend dancing," Daniel chuckles. "I missed you!" "I missed you too, dummy." She says. "Um about that voicemail you sent..." "Oh yes about that, I actually wanted to ask you on a date out, but there's quarantine, so..." "You know we can just hang out in the backyards, right?" "Oh. Yeah. HOW COME I FORGOT ABOUT IT?" "Stop overthinking, Tadashi Hamada." "How can I not, if I am standing in front of Juliet Capulet?"

 After a few days of Daniel planning their first date, now is the day they finally get to be together up close, since they both got their negative swab test results. He made sure that the house is well disinfected, there is no mess around, and lastly, he'd make her smile with his charms and quirks. It is only a few hours before night falls beautifully, just like in La La Land. Clad in just his button up shirt and black fitting slacks, he casually waited by his gate, hoping she'd show up. He immediately opened the gate, revealing Charleine in a simple pink dress and some sandals. She shyly waved as Daniel let her in. 

"Hey... Looking good tonight, I see?" Charleine smiles as Daniel guides her inside his home, her eyes widening at how simple and elegant it is. "You've got a nice house here." "Well, thank you. I'd reckon yours is better than this," Daniel replies as he eyed the package Charleine brought in. "Oh no, no,  no. Did you make food as well?" "I did, it would be rude on my part if I didn't bring something, right?" the girl asks, looking down on the floor. Daniel sighs as he held her hands in his. "You didn't have to, Charlie... But, it's okay, as long it's from the thought. I'd wager this is the best pasta I'll ever taste." Daniel tells her as he leads her to the pool area, the feeling of romance can be felt in the air as the candle-lit table stood nearby the very fence where they both met. She cannot help but smile as he pulled a chair for her, a dinner for two already filling the air as the aromatic scent fills her nostrils. "I'll serve your Bolognese spaghetti later after this," Daniel tell her as they started to eat under the moonlight that coincidentally shone above them along with the stars. They talked about various things, ranging from his stay in Korea to random jokes they saw in the net. It was already late in the night when they finished eating. Her eyes widen as she heard one of her favorite songs from La La Land playing in the background, and Daniel offers his hand as he pulls her into his arms for a dance.

Silence enveloped the two of them as the song ends, the two enjoying the warmth of the other as the time passes. Her eyes widen when her watch shows it's already a quarter to midnight. "Daniel, I need to get back already." she tells as she reluctantly pulls away from their little waltz. "You can sleep here. I'll take the couch, it's actually past curfew." Daniel tells her as he held her hand tightly but gently. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a nuisance to you, Daniel." Charleine asks, worrying that she might be interrupting any important matters. "I am sure, so don't chicken out. I actually can borrow one of my shirts and sweatpants for you to sleep on."

She silently watched him pick one white shirt and gray sweatpants from his closet. She cannot help but swoon at how fit this man is. He already changed into a black sleeveless shirt and a pair of white pajamas, leaving his bathroom for her use. "This one would do," Daniel tells as he placed them beside her. He cannot help but look at her wounded feet that were barely covered by the slippers a hotel gave him before. "Change into those, I'll just find the ointment for those bruises on your feet."

"Is it still aching?"

She winces in pain as he massaged some parts of her foot, rubbing in the ointment his mother once used on him when he suffered the same bruises as hers. She cannot help but yelp in pain, tears starting to spill on her eyes. Daniel immediately sat beside her, pulling her into a hug as she started to cry. "I'm sorry , I'm sorry." He whispers to her as he kissed the top of her head.

"I'm alright, Dan. It's just I cannot fight the pain," She whimpers. "I'll be here always, okay?" Daniel whispers. "I love you."

Her eyes widen as she heard those three words that can alter her life in an instant. A famous celebrity has fallen for her. "Hear me out, Charlie. I started falling for you since the day Kirsten started talking about you during Criminal Minds shooting and script readings. She is right about you being so strong, soft-hearted, smart, wise and beautiful. It's okay if you don't share the same feelings as-"

She gave him a peck on the cheek that made him stop rambling. He grins widely as he pulled her into a heartwarming hug and kissed her head many times. "You also got me from the start, Dan. It was when Kirsten told me about you whenever we meet up in New York City, and she told me that I would be able to meet you soon. So, here we are." She chuckles as he pressed his lips on her forehead, making her giggle. "Let's get you to sleep now. You might call me a knucklehead when you wake up late," he jokes as he pulls her down beside him on the softest bed Charleine has imagined.

       "Well, your boyfriend is here."

It was a year after the pandemic, and everything went back to normal. Carina and Charleine got their new assignments in Los Angeles, making it easy for the new lovers to meet up anytime they want. Daniel would pass by the American Contemporary Ballet, where she worked and performed. Carina would tease her about it, making her chuckle and playfully slap her. Some of their closest friends would drop by to see her, since some of their kids are under her class. It touched her that all of them really look at her like their second mom, and she dreams of having a family soon.

"My Prima Ballerina," Daniel mumbles as he buries his face on her hair, making her chuckle as she pulled away. "Danny, I sweat." Charleine tells as she wiped the sweat off her brow. "So what? You don't complain when I smell like Roscoe!" Daniel laughs. "Um, Charlie? Can I ask you something?"

She nods her head, but her eyes widen when she watched Daniel kneel on one knee, revealing a diamond ring on a red velvet box. Tears prick her eyes as he started rambling the most affectionate speech she has ever heard from him. Kirsten, AJ, Joe and the others are there, smiling at the most awaited moment.

Charleine Mercado. The moment I heard your name from Kirsty, I knew there was something with you that made me fall for you. Even though we haven't met long before that madness happened, I started longing for you. You were everything Kirs told me about you: you are smart, gay, loving, gentle, caring and among other things I wanted in a woman. Last year has been a blessing in disguise for me. If it weren't for it, maybe I wouldn't realize that I am just right beside this woman I have been seeking for god knows how long. That moment you told me your name, I said to myself: you are the one. Charlie, I know it has been a year since we started dating and become something more, and I want to be promoted to another position in your life. Will you do the honor of becoming my wife and marry me?

Charlie started tearing up tears of joy as she nodded her head yes, tackling Daniel in the tightest but gentle hug. He slips the ring on her right ring finger, and kissed it.

#daniel henney #danielhenneyxreader #Wattpad #ballerinareader #ballerino #criminal minds #matt simmons

[elsabarnitt]

CASE STUDY - ‘The Book That Grew’ DandAD 2020 Annual Graphite Pencil Award

1.     FRONT PAGE (slide 1)

For my case study I chose “The Book That Grew”, which won a graphite pencil in the DandAD 2020 awards.

On screen is the first image I saw that made me want to find out more, so I thought it was appropriate for it to be the first image you see. I’ll be honest, I only started looking into this project because this image looked cool, and I’ve never seen anything like it before so want to find out more. Looking in further I found high levels of collaboration, thought and a moralistic purpose to help a community become better.

2.     WHAT AM I GOING TO TALK ABOUT (slide 2)

I am going to talk about a book that was grown with the aims to improve farming practises.

Ireland heavily relies on farming as their main source of economic income.

This development of this book was a project which spanned 6-7months and was a collaboration between the Allied Irish Bank, Teagasc; Irelands agriculture and food development authority, Rothco a design agency and the artist Diana Scherer.

In this presentation I elaborate on the creation of this idea, the processes involved, the limitations and the design.

3.     WHY IT WAS MADE (slide 3)

Agriculture accounts for 30% of total emissions in Ireland which is its largest carbon emissions contributor. This can’t continue. The Irish economy is dependent on farming, with 6 billion euros of food and drink specifically reliant upon grasslands for their production. So for this level of farming to survive, it has to become sustainable.

AIB, the Allied Irish Bank has a business relationship with 35% of the farmers in Ireland and therefore this issue is of much importance to them. AIB partnered with Teagasc, who identified 10 tangible lessons and 10 pieces of practical advice to maximise sustainability and increase the profitability. The 10 steps help farmers to achieve a ‘perfect’ 10 rotations of grass grazing per year and produce 10 tonnes of grass per hectare – this is a powerful number that will greatly improve the sustainability of even the most efficient farm.

Hence, 10 being a major theme for this campaign. Which appears in their campaign video as well as the book.

This advice was compiled into a 22 page organically grown book using the very grass that Irish farmers nurture as the medium to carry these important lessons. And I believe this is a perfect example of getting the right message to the right people in the most suitable way.

4.     INTRO INTO IDEA (slide 4)

I contacted the Irish design agency, Rothco via Instagram with a few questions and the offer to have a virtual coffee. To my surprise I got a response and Rob Maguire and Fabiano Dalmacio on the Creative team at Rothco were more than happy to have a zoom call with me.

It was great to be able to hear first-hand, how an agency works with a well-established client relationship to anticipate issues and be able to be proactive about providing solutions. It was also great to explore the whole process and the problems they came across face to face.

From my research I realised they had a long-standing relationship with AIB, and so one of the questions I asked was “Did AIB come to you with a brief, or did you go to them with an idea?”

The answer I received was that: No brief had been released, but Rothco knew AIB was passionate about sustainability and they have a lot of ambitions to do greener work, and knew there was an agricultural brief on its way. They were constantly looking out for things, and said they have a WhatsApp chat where they send ideas to each other at all hours of the day and night.

Fabiano initially came across an article about a visual artist called Diana Scherer who used grass to sustainably make fabrics. His initially reaction was ‘this is really cool, and we have to do something with her’, so they contacted the creative director at AIB who suggested a book or an annual report, because if Diana can grow patterns and textures, she can grow letters and numbers. And from there they contacted Diana to see if it was actually possible, and even she wasn’t completely sure, which shows the risk everyone was willing to take.

Rob and Fabiano were also kind enough to send me photos they had taken of some testers and unused versions. Two of which are on screen now.

As you can see the number 25 hasn’t formed properly.

5.     DIANA (slide 5)

Diana Scherer, a German artist living in Amsterdam, explores the relationship of man versus natural environment. She has come up with a truly unique process, which no one else in the world knows how to do.

She has designed templates which had to be to a specific standard to allow grass roots to grow into them to form patterns. This is called ‘root-weaving’. I got told she is very protective of her work and didn’t show anyone else how to do what she does throughout the whole process.

She has a lab in Amsterdam where she curates her work, which is where the pages were all grown.

6.     LIMITATIONS (slide 6)

The Rothco Design Team went out to Amsterdam to visit Diana to learn about the limitations of her process. One of the main limitations of the technique she has created is that everything has be connected in the template.

For example, if there was a font, it all has to be connected otherwise the roots would simply not take to it. As you can see in this picture there are very small lines connecting each of the letters together.

This project was being curated during Winter, which in terms of gardening isn’t the best time. Diana informed the team that growing in Winter versus Summer would have quite different outcomes and urged them to wait, however due to the time limit Rothco were under they weren’t able to wait but had to make it work in Winter.

From the moment it was harvested the pages started to die. Due to the nature of the project the team decided against using a preservative as that went against what they were trying to achieve. Because of this they decided to have a photography project running alongside it so that you could capture what it looked like the moment It was harvested.

Another limitation was that the size of the page. This really mattered as that would be a deciding factor of how big the typography could be and therefore how legible it was. They decided on 11 x 17 inches, which is roughly the size of an A3 page.

7.     GRID SYSTEM, FONT, SYMBOLS (slide 7)

Due to the constraints I have just mentioned, the design team had to come up with a way to display all of the information in the most efficient and understandable way. They ended up condensing all the information they needed into a grid system inspired by the farmers fields using symbols to tell farmers what to do instead of words. I think its also important to say each page was set out to mimic the yearly calendar to make it easier for farmers to follow.

To the right of the screen I have displayed just a few of the symbols they used. The middle one being one of their field diagram designs.

Top left means Soil

Top right means fencing,

which I’m glad they have a key because I never would have guessed these otherwise.

When on the Zoom call with the creative team I asked what Type style they used and they couldn’t remember, however through one of the images they sent me after our call there were hints that it was ‘Helvetica’, and since comparing the book to this font I am almost certain it is.

SWITCH SLIDE (slide 8)

This is a close up of one of the pages to show you what the symbols look like in the book. Letters were also used as a symbol, for example the T and the F stand for Test and fertilise.

8.     TEMPLATES AND DIANA CHECKING THEM (slide 9)

As spoken about on the previous slides, getting the right size and making sure everything was connected was vital. Therefore, it wasn’t as easy as just choosing fonts and point sizes from a printing point of view, but you had to do it from a gardening one as the pages would grow pixel by pixel. Every time the design team would finish a template, they would send it off to Diana for her to then check it over and see if there was anything wrong with it.

An example that Fabiano gave was that they had some numbers on their templates and Diana would say ‘the size of the zero, you need to increase that otherwise it is going to close in on itself. If you wanted that circle edge you need to make it bigger’.

With this kind of collaboration and exchanging of information the outcome just kept getting better.

SWITCH SLIDE (slide 10)

Here is an image of a digital template beside the root woven version of itself.

As you can see the root woven version on the right hand side isn’t as legible as the digital version. The roots aren’t as bold and perhaps as structured as white is against a black background, however as they were working with nature, it was okay for it not to be perfect, and for the letters to not form 100% accurately.

9.     BOOK BINDING (slide 11)

The book was grown in Amsterdam and was being bound in Dublin by letter press printer and bookbinder Jamie Murphy of the Salvage press.

Each page took roughly 2 weeks to grow and then were all sent separately by courier. As this book is the first of its kind, one of the main challenges was finding the best way to bind it. Jamie was given several test runs that had failed to practice binding with. Everything was so delicate which you can see from the picture on the screen now so special techniques had to be used.

A challenge that Jamie faced was that Rothco were persistent on everything being made out of grass as keeping it as pure as possible was very important to them, so despite Jamie asking for some plastic features he had to find another way to do things.

Jamie burnt the grass in order for it to find a new life as an ink, and also used it to make more pages to act as dividers in the book to protect the delicate pages. Even the cords that hold the book together are made from bamboo

This all demonstrates that when a material such as grass is managed correctly it can work wonders.

10.  CHANGE (slide 12)

The Book That Grew toured round Ireland, and was given the title ‘The best Grassroots campaign of all time’, with the main event being the National Ploughing Championships.

I have been told the book had a very good reception there as well as the knowledge that some farmers have already implemented some of the lessons within the book.

I think that this project has huge relevance in today’s society as sustainability is becoming a top priority for a lot of businesses.

I started off this project with the impression that this was cool, however after researching further no wonder I thought this as it is the world’s first, every page, every word, and every diagram in a book to be formed by real grass roots as they grow. An aspect of this project that has really stuck with me is the fact that you had to wait for the book to make itself as opposed to being able to physically make it and therefore patience was key.

After speaking with Rob and Fabiano on the Creative team at Rothco, I saw the human aspect behind the project and saw the good that they are trying to make which is something that has really inspired me. It is bigger than just its typography which is what it won the award for.

REFLECTION

- I have found this case study project to be very helpful and very interesting. I feel as if I have learnt different ways to find out information as at the beginning of this project I found it quite hard and was coming across the same information over and over. Something that I think had hugely benefitted me was getting in contact with the design agency RothCo and I am so thankful they took time out of their day to speak with me. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.lbbonline.com/news/aib-releases-worlds-first-book-literally-grown-from-grass-roots

https://musebycl.io/makers/agency-grew-book-out-grass-support-irish-farmers

https://m.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/614/210434.html

https://marcommnews.com/aib-and-rothco-release-beautiful-new-book-literally-grown-from-grass-roots/

https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/teagasc-making-money-by-watching-the-grass-grow-1.1619570

https://www.thedrum.com/creative-works/project/rothco-aib-the-book-grew

https://www.thestable.com.au/rothco-aib-grow-a-book-entirely-from-grass-roots/

[world-of-horrors-au]

Horrors AU - Sick Justice

A different kind of traveling show has come to town, a taste of propaganda in a world of pain and genocide. A memorial to those who have been victims to the monsters they call Horrors. This isn’t honor, this is desecration. 

---

"Are you going to the memorial exhibit?" They'd asked her.

"The what?" It took a moment to understand. "Oh." And she'd set down her phone. "The Victim's Memorial? I didn't know it was here."

Her co-workers had nodded, shared private glances.

"Yes. It's our turn."

Our turn, they'd said. Memorials for the Victims traced from town to town, carrying boxes of painful memories, exposing 'truths' to the world. It was propaganda, of course. Most things were. There was no law stating you had to go to the Memorial, no government consequences for staying away. But it was patriotic to go there. People could notice if you stayed away for no apparent reason. So she went alone.

The Memorial was in the Civic Center. It took up most of the building. Briar, dressed in black, stood before the sign in front of the door, letting it sink in.

THIS IS A GRAVEYARD

A MOVING COFFIN

WITHIN ARE THE MEMORIES OF THOSE WE HAVE LOST

AND THOSE WHO HAVE STOLEN FROM US

SHOW OUR FALLEN RESPECT

TOMORROW YOU MAY JOIN THEM

Underneath, they listed the rules: quiet voices, no children under thirteen, no running, no photos. Breaking the rules could lead to a fine between $25 to $500. 

She passed the sign and entered.

Inside, a chill wrapped around her exposed forearms. They said Memorials were cold as death, because it preserved the artifacts better. A wall blocked the exhibit from sight, forcing you to turn a corner to get to it. Coating the wall were tiny photos, hundreds of them, more even, each of a known victim. Some were family photos, yearbook pictures. Others were reconstructions of John and Jane Does.

Briar scanned the wall, and shivered. None of her victims were there. No one knew what she had done yet.

Turning the corner exposed the whole of the exhibit. Human figures, fake walls, headphones on stands, drawings and things Briar couldn't even see yet. A black curtain separated the two halves of the exhibit. Wrapping her arms around herself, Briar stepped on through.

Human bodies stood against the wall. No, machines, animatronics maybe, but lifelike ones. Their skin was smooth and matte, fleshy pinks and browns on their cheeks and arms. Their sightless eyes blinked. As she stepped closer, their faces moved to smile. Above them stood a sign: HEAR THE VOICES OF THE DEAD.

She stood before a Hispanic woman. The eyes of the machine looked down at her, the face crinkling with artificial mischief. On the stand, the name was written, with more text describing her life. Beside the text was a button. Briar pressed it, and the lips began to move.

"My name was Isabella Blanco." The voice could curdle blood. "I lived in Michigan, where i was raised since my family moved when I was ten. I loved anime, pranking my friends, and playing the violin. I was killed in my mother's house. My organs were taken from my warm body, and my liver stuffed in my mouth. I was awake when they took out my eyes and put them in my mother's jewelry box. I screamed for help but my neighbors were dead, too. They left me to die, and I did, but they left my throat intact. That's why you can hear me. This is my story, this is my voice. Even though I am dead, I can still speak. Now my story lives on through you."

The voice ended. Briar relaxed her hands, uncurling them from their fists. She'd clenched them so hard, they almost bled.

Technology was amazing, wasn't it? For the sake of giving a voice to the dead, they reconstructed the throats of corpses, manipulating them until words were born. An exact replica of the person's voice when alive. But it was all wrong.

Briar went down the line, listening, averting her eyes from the machines'. A man in New Mexico, a woman in Iowa. Two children in South Carolina. More. More. And the rest of the Memorial would be worse.

Artifacts in the center. Photographs of victims. Pottery, drawings, blankets, more, made by the victims, loaned by their families. Smiling faces by each item, with a small description of their fate. People could call it ghoulish, and they'd be right, but who would ever speak up against a Memorial? It would be like speaking against the dead.

Someone else, a woman, walked the exhibit with her. Briar listened to the squeak of sneakers on the floor. She caught a glimpse in a reflection on a glass case, a dark haired woman all in black. Whatever the other was looking for, Briar almost hoped she wouldn't find it.

In front of the black curtain was another sign.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN LIES EVIL,

PAIN AND SUFFERING.

HERE ARE THE STORIES OF TORMENT

AND THE STORIES OF JUSTICE.

WHAT YOU SEE WILL HURT YOU

WHAT YOU SEE WILL GIVE YOU HOPE

DEATH IS NEVER THE END

Briar hesitated. I don't want to see this, she thought. But she'd promised the others she'd tell them what was here. Only BEN had seen the inside of a Memorial, and he'd never seen behind the curtain. They stayed away because if they went, they would destroy the entire exhibit, and the fallout from that might wipe their kind into extinction. So here she was alone. Alone to look evil in the face as she did every day and night.

Her fingers curled around the curtain. She lifted it up. Moved it to the side. 

Behind the curtain were relics of the Horrors. From the human perspective, of course. No bodies, but signs explaining the murders, the captures and executions of Horrors. The bodies in the photos were covered with white sheets. Funeral photos of coffins, wreaths, grieving families burying their dead. The screens on the walls rotated images of federal agents working together with police. A tv stand showed a quiet replay of news reports of Horrors being arrested.

There were knives here. Guns, taken apart under glass. Claws ripped from the nail bed. Ropes and chains and torture tools of all types. They lay under glass, with the names of the ones they once slaughtered.

For something that claims to offer hope, Briar thought with a swallow, they're really enjoying themselves.

Sick, sick pleasure. Under the screens on the wall were death masks of her people, their faces twisted with agony. In a cage was a heart, preserved with plastic. The sign below it said DO NOT TOUCH. Would she have even thought about it if there wasn't a sign? Of course not. Maybe they even wanted you to touch it. 

She wasn't going to.

There were touch screens on one end of the room, each with headphones. Briar lingered, her finger hovering over the screen. The screen read, THE TRIUMPH OF JUSTICE. Pressing the button brought up a list of names. Names of dead Horrors. Her stomach churned. She pressed one at random. Scanned the pages, the information about the murders, the capture, the show trial. The execution… 

They had videos of the executions. Beside the text the Horrors struggled, fighting against the ones who dragged them to the scaffold. Their screams of rage, of fear, echoed from the headphones that rested on the stand. The chains clicked as they wrapped around ankles and wrists. The machines began to pull…

She slammed the back button but it was too late. The screams locked into place in her head. They wouldn't leave. They'd never leave. She'd hear them for weeks when she slept, agony overlaying the background of her unconscious. Their fingers would flex, their faces bulging in agony.

God damn your justice, Briar thought, her body shaking. God damn your justice to hell. I'll bring your entire species to hell. 

This was not justice. This was never about justice. This was about revenge and domination. Their hope was built on mutual hate, a hate that was shared by her kind, and theirs. This hope, this Memorial, was propaganda to make the public accept cruelty towards something no human could understand. If there was ever a chance to live together in peace, humans killed it with the Three Days law. They killed it along with Jane.

It hurt. It hurt because it wasn't fair. It hurt because it was fair, tit for tat, one genocide for another. And she was just one person who couldn't do anything.

I need to get out of here, she thought, and headed for the curtain.

Halfway to the exit, a woman spoke.

"She's not here."

Briar stopped, looking over her shoulder. The woman she'd glimpsed stood before a list of names, brown eyes scanning through them. Before Briar could speak, the woman turned.

"Did you see anyone named Lauren?" The woman asked.

It took another moment for her mouth to work.

"I… I don't think so. I'm sorry," Briar said.

The woman turned back to the names. Her face was a cold line.

"I hoped maybe you'd seen something I didn't," the woman said. 

"I-"

"She's probably in another exhibit. And that's fine. I'll see her later." The woman looked back at her, and something in her gaze made Briar's stomach drop. "I guess I'll see you later, too."

Briar took a step back.

"Won't I, Briar?" The woman said.

She ran. Ran out the exit, out of the building, past the smokers and the man in the business suit, to her car. No one stopped her. The woman didn't follow. None of that comforted Briar at all. Eyes followed her until she was safe in the arms of her family once again.

#creepypasta au #creepypasta fanfic #creepypasta #creepy pasta #horrors au #creepypasta oc #creepypasta original character #creepypasta writing #creepypasta story #creepypasta blog #briar the batter

[letterboxd]

Touching the Void.

Searching for cinema that soothes? Ella Kemp suggests it could be as simple as looking for a film poster with a white background.

How many weeks has it been? When did any of us last go blindly into a cinema and take a chance on something new? Film-watching in the time of Covid-19 has changed. The immediate and never-ending news of the world is frightening. Is it still, and more than ever, okay for me to sink into movies to alleviate my mood, just for a bit? How is that even possible when the world has come to a standstill?

We are forced to adapt, and it has taken some time for my attention span and emotional capacity to adjust. But I think I might have found a solution, and I have the meticulous list-makers of Letterboxd to thank. It was Izzy’s list of comfort movies that first lit the fuse. Specifically, the second, third and fourth row; films including Billy Elliot, Clueless, School of Rock.

Fifteen stark posters, speaking one truth: We are vulnerable and nervous. What we need is a film poster with a white background to assure us the movie exists entirely to serve and soothe us.

Part of Izzy’s ‘comfort movies’ list.

List-making on Letterboxd has never been more prolific. Pandemic movies, overdue filmography catch-ups, comfort movies galore. Everyone categorizes and logs their watches differently, but Izzy’s pattern speaks to me with an epiphanic answer. I’ve always admired successful color-coding, but now I see its crucial function.

As I scroll for distraction, for something guaranteed to be good (because I cannot and will not be subject to any uncertainty I can avoid), I see the rainbow. The pale blues of Studio Ghibli, Wong Kar-wai’s passionate reds, the pastels of Netflix Original breezy romances. Like some kind of cinematic ikebana, countless Letterboxd members have mastered the art of arranging film posters. There are standouts: the staggering oeuvre that is Gordon’s chromatic roundup of favorite posters; the comprehensive color-graded history of women directors via their best posters, courtesy of Vanessa; and the penchant for beige in the year 2015, as spotted by Letterboxd co-founder Matthew Buchanan.

A selection of Gordon’s favorite movie posters.

But when I see these 300 examples, color-coded by typography and accents by Sera Ash, I recognize that white movie posters are the ones most likely, in this very strange time, to take care of me. I see it in three distinct filmmaking periods: Disney animations from the 1940s and 50s, the video marketing for cult comedies of the 1980s and 90s, and the alternative marketing materials of my favorite films of the 2010s. Each poster is straightforward and inoffensive. It captures the story, but never dares to impress or intimidate beyond basic description.

A 1975 re-release poster for ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (1937).

In 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs announced the birth of Walt Disney’s feature-length empire. While its original theatrical poster is also mostly white, it is represented on Letterboxd by a 1975 re-release poster depicting a peek through the keyhole: a curved triangle framing Snow White, the dwarves, and the two sides of the jealous queen, against a vivid green forest. In the bottom corner, a castle. To the left, the title—her name in red cursive, theirs in black. These simple images come together to present an elementary summary of the ingredients within. The white frame showcases the seminal animation craft without suggesting the viewer diverts their eye anywhere else.

This technique was common across other animated titles, collected in lists like dantebk’s Disney animated classics. Pinocchio toys with the hyperreal relationships between characters alive and wooden, human and animal—but does so on a plain canvas, so that the magic remains within reach. Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, Peter Pan—each follows suit. Whether with the mustard yellow of a circus tent, the faint sketches of grass tufts, the gold dust of an enchanted fairy godmother or the ink blue of a midnight starry sky, these colors (indicative of each defining scene-setter or mood-maker) only pepper a blank background, and so make their significance ever greater with the most sporadic touches.

A selection from dantebk’s list of Disney animated classics.

Live-action knockouts from these decades—films like The Shop Around The Corner and The Red Shoes—embrace painted recreations of their protagonists (Margaret Sullivan and James Stewart as festive lovers in the former, Moira Shearer as a tortured ballerina in the latter) and use the color red as a signifier of romance, against a plain white page, to set the mood. Slashes and splashes of red have been used to create a vibe in genre cinema for many decades—a trend deftly chronicled in this list by Rocks.

As far as we know, the underpinnings of digital photography began in the 1950s, and the first published color digital photograph dates back to 1972, when Michael Francis Tompsett shot a photo of his wife Margaret for the cover of Electronics magazine. Consumers got their hands on the gear in the late 1990s, but movie studios really started to make the most of sharp digital photography and stark white backgrounds for their striking posters from the late 1980s onwards. Because, never mind the multiplex, the video store is where you wanted your comfort fare to stand out in the 1980s and 90s.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) and Say Anything… (1989) form a handsome, trend-setting 1980s pair. While the theatrical poster for Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything… deigned to include John Cusack’s co-star, Ione Skye, by the time of the film’s video release, the focus is clearly on pre-High Fidelity Cusack, as proud underachiever Lloyd Dobler, smouldering lopsidedly under the weight of a boombox. It’s the singular image of the film to this day.

Meanwhile, Matthew Broderick as Ferris-slacking-Bueller is making the most of his title activity, arms behind his head, a proud smirk on his face. Nothing else matters except that these charismatic young stars are stepping up to leading-man status. The white background accentuates the star power of these new boys in town, embracing the limelight in one fell swoop.

Star power is everything: beautiful people doing simple things against empty backdrops, because what could be more important than the regularity of symmetrical bone structure, of familiar charm? The trend boomed in the 1990s and 2000s, in films widely embraced by casual moviegoers. The sort who list “watching Netflix” as a Sunday activity on dating profiles and use the Christmas holidays to rewatch comedies they have memorized over dozens of half-attentive viewings (absolutely zero judgement here!).

The vast majority of these films have white posters. Who is your soothing cup of charm: Tom Hanks on a bench, nothing more nothing less, from 1994’s Forrest Gump? Or Heath Ledger, effortlessly cool, leaning on the brown corduroy armchair Julia Stiles sits in for the 10 Things I Hate About You poster from 1999? (The 90s harnessed the increased appeal of having two lookers just sitting and posing against a plain background, as demonstrated in this chilling list by Ashley.)

Ashley’s list of couples posing in front of a white background.

Will Ferrell had been earning his stripes as an actor for years, but he changed the movie comedy game as Buddy the Elf in 2003. There’s plenty of visual humour in Elf, but Ferrell’s coat-stand posture bedecked in festive green velvet and those tights is… enough. A white background lets the ridicule slide, just.

How many Disney series really deserve a whole movie—and one that stands the test of time? Lizzie McGuire, resting on her tiptoes with a swinging suitcase in hand, sells The Lizzie McGuire Movie like no idyllic views of Rome ever could. It’s reaching out to an audience loyal to the character, one who will follow her to the ends of the Earth, or at least to another continent. Hilary Duff could be doing almost anything on this poster and it would achieve the same effect—so long as the white background remains plain enough to keep eagle-eyed fans on the main event at all times.

It’s surprising that the star-making system only let Meryl Streep appear in a tiny box, one of four character tiles, on the poster for The Devil Wears Prada in 2006. But the design here taps into 1940s animated sensibilities, giving prominence to a devilish red Macguffin larger than the humans. It still achieves the same function—a glossy, glamorous design with the accessible sell of a quotable, star-fuelled comedy.

Red may be the color of romance and the devil; it’s also the color of comedy. Exhibit A: the 2007 gross-out comedy Superbad, whose star power—marking the emergence of Jonah Hill and Michael Cera—is used to an opposite and impressive effect on its poster. The awkwardness of these teen boys—lanky, unkempt, insecure—is what cinches the comedy. The simplicity of the poster design, with their uncomfortable posture against, well, nothing at all, further anchors their incapability of facing the world in any confident way, shape or form.

There are countless more examples, like Marley & Me, Bridesmaids, 27 Dresses (notice how the red type is replaced by pink when the film’s plot veers toward the altar). But to understand the curious and timeless appeal of the white movie poster, what happened to it in the 2010s cements its adaptable strength.

As the art of graphic design has continued to bloom, the aesthetic argument for the colorless color-block movie poster has shifted to embrace a film’s context. Consider Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs, the enjoyable 2015 drama that provided Michael Fassbender one of the most under-celebrated roles of his career, playing the late Apple co-founder. The poster turns the canvas into a blank screen: the title is typed, the text insertion point poised, waiting for the next key press. As Jobs, Fassbender occupies the bottom right corner, in profile, thinking.

This starkness makes sense: what’s next, Steve? It offers a rare example of a poster from the past decade that fully leans into the monochrome aesthetic entirely on purpose—to serve the restrained and unequivocal need for white. (And it’s interesting to compare with the marketing narrative for an earlier film about another tech leader: observe how Jesse Eisenberg’s Mark Zuckerberg eyeballs us from The Social Network’s dark-mode poster.)

Comfort movies don’t own the white poster, of course. Jordan Peele’s Get Out toys, both in its marketing and its delivery, with the binaries of black and white. It’s deployed on-screen with sophisticated horror, and this extends to its two most graphic poster variants.

While one poster sees Daniel Kaluuya’s character, Chris, sat on a chair split vertically between black and white, the all-white poster allows only a center-frame letterbox to reveal Chris’s enormous eyes, accompanied by an all-caps type treatment. The vast expanse of white only makes the image more menacing, framing the claustrophobia so effectively. The landscape crop is a device that defines stern dramas as much as arthouse comedies, as documented by Haji Abdul Karim in their expansive list.

Haji Abdul Karim’s list of white-with-landscape-image posters.

But back in the ‘comfort’ realm, we’re seeing more and more that the marketing wants to have it both ways—the negative with the positive; the art house audience and the multiplex crowd. As genres blend, demographics collapse and audiences become more fluid, a film’s advertising needs to speak more languages.

Two ultra-comfort films from last year demonstrate this idea well. The poster for Judy sees a backlit Renée Zellweger finding her light, receiving her applause. Black is the key color, right down to the classic little black dress; the eye is drawn to the title, spelled out in red sequins. It’s showbiz, it’s drama. Though the film itself fudges a few of the more uncomfortable facts of the star’s story, it’s still honest about her addictions.

In the white-background version, which was more widely distributed, Zellweger, in a floral dress, turns away from the light. The name still sparkles, but in softened gold. There’s no less glamor, the stakes in the film are just as high, but she’s perhaps more accessible like this. The focus, as it was in the 90s, 80s, 40s, returns to the main event.

Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, too, played with dark and light. The indie queen released her previous film, Lady Bird, via design-conscious distributor A24, and Gerwig’s singular aesthetics promised that her Little Women remake would be worlds away from all the others. But when the first images for the film were released, the marketing campaign was questioned by die-hard Gerwig fans.

Both of the group posters are curiously stripped back, freezing Louisa May Alcott’s beloved March sisters in a moment. In the darker image, they gaze out a window, secure in their festive domestic bubble, but set on what’s beyond. There’s more to life, and the film, than this room. It feels more lush, painterly, certainly more dramatic.

Whereas the white poster, at first, seemed like a mistake. It took one of the first images teased from the film and just... dropped it onto a poster. The March sisters look as if solidified by clay, entirely undynamic and at odds with the fluidity and warm soul Gerwig had made herself known for in her filmmaking.

And yet, nothing matters more than these characters. Beth, Jo, Meg and Amy are holding each other, happy, each in their own favourite color, and there is nothing more to fight over. The white-poster alternative lets the 2010s viewer stay attached to the most important part of the film.

The lessons here? A white poster is a vital sign that you’re safe here. You’ve made the correct choice. Attention spans are dwindling, options are expanding, focus is difficult. The promise of a white frame tells me what matters, what is good, where I should place my time and my value. For now.

#movie poster art #poster design #film poster #film poster design #movie marketing #movie design #white posters #comfort movies #comfort films #letterboxd lists #Letterboxd #little women #judy #ferris bueller #disney #graphic design

[taekookismylifeline]

Title: Collateral (of love and bullets) Pairing: Yoongi/Hoseok Synopsis: Jung Hoseok may not be as successful as he wished to be when he was younger. Instead of being a dance instructor in his own dance studio, he worked full-time at a local supermarket – but at least he is happy, living with his boyfriend of two years, Min Yoongi, in a not-so-crappy apartment in the city. However, when he gets caught up in a robbery at his bank and his boyfriend disappears, his happiness is challenged, along with everything he thought he knew about the people he holds dear.

Chapter: 1

Chapter Two - digging out the bullet and holding it up to the light

Yoongi had left a note, but Hoseok found that he could scarcely run his eyes over it let alone process it. The exhaustion had caught up with him and was tugging at his eyelids, slumping his whole body.

Although his mind was racing, his body couldn’t keep up. He felt he should have been fraught with nerves, but instead he found himself melting into bed, turning onto his side to face where Yoongi would have been sleeping and curling his arms around himself, falling asleep within seconds.

His panic mode must have set in as when he woke up, the sun was streaming through the blinds and the time on his alarm clock told him it was a little past one. His stomach growled. Being held at gunpoint had sure made him hungry.

The kitchen was empty, as was the rest of the apartment. Yoongi must have visited his brother, something he always did without much warning. He didn’t like to talk about it but Hoseok had always assumed that Seung had fragile health.

The note only confirmed Hoseok’s theory as he read it over a meagre breakfast of leftover rice. Gone to be with S, be back soon. I love you - Y.

Hoseok he sat on the couch, the TV on as background noise. The apartment was too quiet with the sound of Yoongi warming up on the piano or humming something under his breath absentmindedly as he got changed or shaved or had a shower. Everything seemed muted without Yoongi.

He had no phone to check for messages or waste time on, and even if he wanted to contact Yoongi, he knew he wouldn’t be able to. Every time Yoongi visited his brother, he left his laptop and phone at home. Hoseok had always assumed it was because there was no connection out there, or Yoongi’s brother was in such critical condition that there was no time to be spared on electronical devices.

So Hoseok was left watching the TV. He had just booted up his laptop when a news announcement wedged itself between the break and the programme he was watching.

The bank flashed across the screen, a serious looking news-reporter displayed in the corner. Hoseok watched, immobile, as the image of police roaming around the same building that his very life was threatened.

Four hostages. A late night break-in. Over fifty-thousand stolen. No casualties. A familiar trend in robberies stemming back five years. A gang, known as the Blackouts, possibly reassembling for the first time in two years? Security on high alert around the Daegu banking district. No suspects as of late...

Hoseok turned off the TV, his ears deafened to the resounding silence of the apartment.

His laptop sat on his lap, the fan whirring captured his attention. His heart leapt into his throat, his eyes landing on the smile on Yoongi’s face. His background was a picture of Yoongi’s twenty-sixth birthday, a few seconds away from where Hoseok had accidentally dropped the cake onto Yoongi’s lap.

He had been so cute that day, even with icing smeared up and down his jeans. He had been even cuter without the jeans, when he gazed up at Hoseok with half-lidded eyes and flushed cheeks, whispering in a heavy voice that he wanted more, wanted Hoseok more than he had ever wanted anything.

When Hoseok reminded him of it the next day when the two woke up at noon, still wrapped around each other, Yoongi had blushed yet again and turned his head away. But he hadn’t denied it or claimed that he couldn’t remember.

In that moment Hoseok remembered thinking that Yoongi was the prettiest thing he had ever laid eyes on.

He missed Yoongi. He needed Yoongi, but there was no way of reaching him. He had never written down his brother’s number nor address, so Hoseok had no idea how to find him, and neither did Hoseok want to bother Yoongi if his brother was in critical condition.

Physically, Hoseok was fine, and he knew that he was beyond lucky. If the ‘Boss’ hadn’t ensured that the rookie’s gun had been lowered, he would have had suffered a quick death hours ago.

Hoseok almost bit through his tongue dwelling on the memory of a black mask, eyes void of anything but darkness and a voice cold and spitting.

He tried to shove the image away, focusing on opening his inbox and composing a message to Yoongi. Even if Yoongi hadn’t brought his phone with him, hopefully he would have access to a computer, and he would get it almost right away and reply.

Hey, Yoonie. If you got my texts and replied, I couldn’t get them, my phone’s broken. Stay with your brother, he needs you. When you come back we can order takeaway and watch that weird movie about the crow? I love you. Seokie xxxx

He waited as an hour crept by. He played around on an online game, losing every round. He watched some uninteresting videos about zany TV hosts and waited some more. Two hours.

He received a call on the landline, and he jumped at it to discover it was the police department calling him in for that follow-up interview. He didn’t want to leave the apartment, and yet he couldn’t bring himself to stay inside. He took the train to the police station just to answer with more or less the same answer.

How many of them were there? I couldn’t be certain.

Did you hear any of their conversation? Not really. I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Do you have any affiliation with any street gangs? Any reason that this particular group would spare you? No. I don’t know.

When he returned home, he discovered he was restless, his mind racing. He hadn’t gotten any more information from the police, and neither them from him. He went for a quick walk around the block which turned into a brisk jog, and then a hurried run as if he was being chased. He took another shower before a disappointing lunch of undercooked noodles. Three hours.

Evening rolled around and he switched the TV back on, pulling Yoongi’s blanket over himself and burying his nose in the material. He couldn’t make it to midnight having received no reply. He forced himself into bed, wrapping the duvet around himself.

He flitted around between the realms of sleep and being awake for too long. He felt cripplingly empty and too full at the same time. He clasped Yoongi’s pillow to his chest, catching a whiff of Yoongi’s honey shampoo and his natural sweet scent. The pillow became sodden after a while, his shoulders heaving and his body shaking with the effort of holding himself together.

Fatigued, he fell asleep, although he woke up restless during the night. He forced his eyes shut and when he next opened them, the birds were chirping, and he heard the sound of cars below. The bed was empty, save for him, just like the apartment. His inbox was devoid of new messages.

With shaking fingers, he typed out a new message, barely having the will to do so, before he sent it off. He couldn’t bring himself to wait for a reply either, so he shut his laptop and turned on the TV.

The news was uninteresting, speaking of foreign diplomats and the rising price of supermarket stock. Nothing, nothing, nothing, and then-

The victims of the bank robbery gave their statements and they matched the appearances of the members to be those of the Blackouts. Six suspects, one leader and five accomplices. Security on high alert...

Hoseok knew little about gangs, but even he had heard of the ‘Blackouts’. Ruthless criminals aspiring to make money fast. When he had lived at home, there had been an infamous shoot-out in the Philippines, and the next day his classmates had talked about the gang’s kill streak.

Their hierarchy was built upon who had the most kills, apparently, and the ‘Boss’ was supposed to have executed over one-hundred. It lined up with everything the rookie had said, about how infamously terrifying the leader of the Blackouts was supposed to be, and yet… He had spared Hoseok’s life.

He didn’t want to dwell on it. He didn’t want to risk thinking that the ‘Boss’ had any remorse for human life. Hoseok was just one casualty they couldn’t afford in their limited time span.

He hadn’t known that it had been the Blackouts to threaten his life. Did that make him a war hero of some kind? Most likely not. It wasn’t as if he had fought back. He was ready to comply to the gun, to give into death.

The Blackouts. What an awful name. It suited their image though, cold, dark and hopeless. It gave him a new feeling of fear, spiking through his system.

He wasn’t held at gunpoint by just any robbers. He had almost faced death due to a group of experienced thieves, burglars, murderers.

Hoseok turned the TV off once more, resolving not to switch it on until his mind was somewhat clearer. He supposed all he could give it was time and some sort of distraction. And he found the perfect distraction in the ringing of the doorbell.

“Jung Hoseok, you open the door right now!” A familiar voice yelled out.

Read the rest on AO3!

#tw guns #yoonseok #yoonseok fanfiction #yoonseok fic #yoonseok fic rec #sope #sope fic #sope fanfiction #sope fic rec #bts gang au #yoonseok gang au #sope gang au #bts yoongi #bts yoongi fic #bts hoseok #bts hoseok fic #bts fic #hoseok gang au #yoongi gang au #yoonseok angst #sope angst

[p-artsypants]

Longest Night (8)

The day started out sucky to begin with. Her crush ousted to the class and Adrien. Lila taking pride in exacting her revenge. But by the time patrol was over, a young man was dead, and Ladybug's identity was at risk. Lila was the least of her concerns. Good thing Adrien was taking it all like a champ.

Ao3 | FF.net

Warning: This chapter is a bit of a recap of chapter six, but in the perspective of those watching the stream. Same amount of public humiliation.

—

“Please excuse me for interrupting whatever pointless drivel you were consumed with. My name is Salo. I’m not an akuma, but you’ll soon wish I was. I have succeeded where all the others have failed.” She stepped back to show Ladybug and Chat Noir, bound and gagged.

Gabriel was the first to react, his eyes wide with horror as he blindly stumbled towards the TV. Everyone else had similar reactions and levels of horror.

“I have captured the so called heroes of Paris. In ten minutes, I will be revealing their identities on ‘make ladybug suffer dot com.’ Be sure to tune in, you won’t want to miss it.” Her mouth quirked up in a malicious smile, and the picture fuzzed out again.

“I need to get to a computer—“ Gabriel panicked.

But Max was already on it, plugging Markov into the screen. Soon, a website came up. A black background, with red text. But the majority of it was filled with various video streams. All the same room, in different angles, but the main large video showed Ladybug and Chat Noir from the side, still bound. Chat’s face had tears streaming down it.

Sabine turned up the volume. Yes, she should have been focused on finding her daughter, but at that moment a very harrowing feeling settled on the room.

Somehow, these events weren’t a consequence.

“You hear that? One minute until I reveal your name to the whole world. I’ll let you have that minute to escape. Go ahead, go.”

They were both fighting, frantic to get free. It was like watching a wild animal caught in a trap.

“Time’s up! Aw, you two do want to have fun! You stayed!”

Furious, Ladybug spit at the woman. “You won’t get away with this!”

“Oh, but I already have.” Salo tapped her on the nose. “You see, the Ladyblog really is an amazing resource! Every video of you two ever shot was on there. Theories and facts, all the information we needed was on there. I studied it carefully. All you had to do was show up for an akuma, and we took care of the rest. Though, I should probably thank that hulk, since he did the hard part for us. Seems like you’re not so lucky after all.”

Alya felt sick.

“Then let’s begin…Let’s start with Mr. Noir, shall we? Your ring, sir!” She reached for it.

“Cataclysm!” He shouted. “Oh you think you’re so smug. But you see, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.” She snapped her fingers, and the large man standing by touched Chat’s hand with a metal pole. The metal rusted and turned to dust. Chat’s hand was useless once again.

The assembled watched as she took hold of the ring. A few words were exchanged, in what sounded like begging from Chat. Then there was a flash of green light.

“Oh god…” Gabriel whispered, falling to his knees. “Adrien…”

Salo leaned on his bad shoulder, making him cry out in pain. “Well well well. A famous model and a superhero! How intriguing! Adrien Agreste…I bet your father would pay a pretty penny to have you home safe and sound, don’t you think?” She dragged her fingers over his cheek.

What was left of Gabriel’s heart broke. Seeing his son like that, in so much pain. He cried out as the woman leaned on his arm. His shoulder looked misshapen and limp.

Salo scoffed. “What a baby.” She smacked his face, then she stood and walked over to Ladybug. “Your turn, missy.”

Ladybug didn’t go down without a fight, thrashing and kicking, anything she could do to fight. But with strong headlock, she didn’t get the chance, and in a moment, there was a flash of pink.

Sabine started crying before her brain fully processed what she was seeing. “…Marinette?”

Gabriel covered his mouth with his hand. “Oh no…no no no…”

“And who the heck are you?” Salo snorted. “We lucked out with Mr. Whiskers, but who knew Ladybug was just a nobody?” She leaned in closer. “Oh wait, I recognize you…yeah, you’re a friend of the Ladyblogger, in some of her videos. Mmmm….Marinette, right? Yeah. How sad! You’d think the person most dedicated to finding out Ladybug’s identity would have seen her sitting in front of her! You must either be too pathetic in your real life, or totally unimportant to the Ladyblogger.”

Alya was frozen to the spot, much like everyone else, but she trembled in every limb. Half sorrow, half rage.

Marinette looked up at the woman. “Alright, you’ve taken our Miraculous, and now everyone knows who we are. Can we go now?”

Salo slapped her cheek and sent her sprawling on the floor. “Didn’t you hear me? You’re never getting out of here. You’ll never see daylight again. I intend to keep you here and torture you over and over. One day, you won’t even know your own name anymore, but you’ll beg me for death!”

“We have to call the police.” Tom said, “Or the army! Or—or—!” He didn’t know what to do. No one did. For so long, everyone was reliant on Ladybug and Chat Noir to save the day.

Who was supposed to save them?

Gabriel didn’t move. He couldn’t bare to miss a detail.

“Let’s see, first thing first is to get you into uniform.”

Marinette was freed from her bindings and forced to her feet. She rubbed her wrists and looked around.

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.” Said Salo. “Now strip.”

She took off her shoes, purse and jacket.

Salo crouched and picked up her purse. “Let’s see, just as I thought…18 missed calls? My my someone is worried about their baby.” Then she dropped the phone and smashed it under her heel. “Not to worry. We’ll let mommy know how much fun you’re having.”

Sabine sobbed.

She then went over to Adrien and frisked him, finding his phone. “2 missed calls. Hmm, I wonder who’s more loved?” She smashed his phone as well. The remnants of both were collected and tossed in a bucket of water, just to make sure all the circuitry was fried.

“I tried to track her, earlier…but she was transformed and her phone was gone, and—and...”

Tom hushed her gently.

Salo gestured Marinette onward.

She then took off her shirt and pants, standing alone, trembling in her underwear.

“Well?” Said Salo. “The rest of it too.”

So Marinette unhooked her bra and shimmied out of her panties, standing completely naked in front of all of Paris.

The boys in the room tried to look away from the screen, but they also didn’t want to miss any key details.

“Oh what a gentleman!” They heard the woman laugh. “But I know where you really want to look. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

Adrien whispered out, “…I’m sorry.”

“Did I say you could talk, pussy cat?…Aw, he already knows how to behave so well. This will be so fun!”

The girls winced as Marinette was drenched with a bucket of water, crying out in shock.

Adrien was forced to his feet, his arm hanging limply at his side.

“That looks dislocated,” said Kim, trying to be helpful.

“He might need some help, Ladybug. So why don’t you help him.” Salo shoved her forward, as she tripped into his chest.

Marinette stood there awkwardly for a moment, her shoulders hunched.

“Tick tock, you two.”

She slowly helped him undress, as he hissed and winced with each movement. As she got lower, there was snickering and wolf whistles from their captors.

Then they were both naked, in front of Paris.

“Wow, the suit really holds everything in, doesn’t it, Adrien?” Salo laughed, looking between his legs.

He didn’t even look like he cared about it. He just held his arm, his face scrunched up in pain.

“Here,” Salo spoke, dropping a folded cloth into Marinette’s hands. “Your uniform.”

It was just a short hospital gown, but at least it was something.

Salo gave another one to Marinette for Adrien, and she helped him dress, awkwardly having to reach around to tie the strings in the back.

When she was done, she cupped his cheek, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by the group.

Salo grabbed Marinette’s arm and yanked her back. “Alright, that’s enough. I’ve got some new jewelry for you, since I took your old ones.”

“Where did you put our miraculous? What did you do with them?”

Salo smiled, “Oh, you didn’t notice? Why, they’re right here.”

She walked off screen, and the camera didn’t move, only continued to show Marinette’s furious expression. “I don’t worry showing you this. Because there’s no way you’ll be able get them. But I’d love to see you try.”

Salo picked something up from the table next to the safe, and came towards Marinette. “Alright bug, I’d stay still unless you want to get pinched.”

She clamped on two wrist restraints, and then one to her neck, all connected with chains.

Then she did the same with Adrien, even clamping his bad arm.

“Now aren’t you two just precious? All gussied up for your first day of camp! Smile for the camera! Let your parents know how much fun you’re having!”

The camera swung in close to them, capturing their expressions of absolute humiliation and horror.

“I said, smile!” They both winced in pain, but morphed it into a pained smile.

“Alright, now let’s take you to your bunks. We have a really nice set up for our new campers. You’ll just love it!”  

Then the video went black. A message appeared, saying, “The next stream will be tomorrow morning at 6am. It would be best watch on an empty stomach.”

Alya was shaking with rage. At herself, at her classmates, at this ‘Salo’ woman, but not at Marinette or Adrien.

Never at them.

She swiveled her head around, looking for a target to unleash her fury on, and she found it in a very pale Lila. “You liar!” She screamed as she leapt. Alya tackled Lila to the floor, her fists flying without hesitation.

She only got a few licks in before Ivan and Kim grabbed her by the arms and yanked her to her feet. “We trusted you! I trusted you!”

Lila held her bleeding nose, desperate to not be made a villain. “Alya please…I know you’re upset. Everyone is…but that’s no reason to be mad at me.”

“Shut up! Shut up! You’re a liar! Just like Marinette said! I never should have believed you! Ladybug would never—My Ladybug would never take unsolicited photos! She’d never lie about this!” She was bawling her eyes out, and Kim and Ivan were the only things keeping her from collapsing on the floor. “You said you knew! You knew who Ladybug was! That you were best friends with her!”

“I thought I was!” Lila teared up, “she said she was someone else, most likely to protect me!”

“Stop lying!” Alya screamed. “Marinette hated you! And the only other person Marinette ever hated, was Hawkmoth! She doesn’t even hate Chloe! Now, because of you, she’s suffering! Adrien’s suffering! Ladybug and Chat Noir—it’s over! And it’s all your fault!”

“I had nothing to do with this!” Lila stated vehemently.

“Why should I believe you?” Alya snarled. “Why should any of us believe you?”

Lila balled up her fists. “Because—Because all I wanted was to discredit her! Like she was trying to do to me!”

Nino wrapped his arm around Alya’s shoulders, prompting Kim and Ivan to let go. He asked, “so how much of that photo story was a lie?”

Lila exhaled, her nostrils flaring. “All of it, okay? Marinette knew that I was lying, and kept trying to get everyone else to notice. But I warned her to knock it off. But she wouldn’t. She just kept on antagonizing me. All I wanted was to make friends and tell people what they wanted to hear, but she wouldn’t let me!”

Alix crossed her arms and spat, “Are you seriously trying to blame Marinette for this? Man, we all should have listened to her.”

While this argument was going on, Gabriel remained frozen in place, staring at the screen with tears in his eyes. A thousand thoughts rolled through his head, ideas, revelations, plans, too many things to parse at once.

“Sir?” Asked Nathalie, crouching by his side and touching his arm.

She grounded him slightly, as he took in the room around him. Tom was embracing his wife as she wailed. He didn’t blame her at all.

The children were fighting, pointing fingers and blaming each other.

Chaos.

His brooch burned on his chest at all the unbearably hot rage. Not just from the room, but Paris in general. The city was on fire with righteous anger, sadness, and hopelessness.

His fingers curled into fists, his resolve strengthening. He thrived in chaos. Not just as Hawkmoth, but as Gabriel as well. The man who built a fashion empire on his own. A man who didn’t allow himself to crumble in the face of grief.

He didn’t then, and he wouldn’t now.

Of course, his first priority was to save Adrien, but the consequences of what just occurred were not lost on him. After all, he had a secret identity of his own. If he wanted to save the children, he had to keep himself safe.

“That’s enough.” He spoke just loud enough to catch their attention, but not enough to shout.

“Oh Mr. Agreste, you understand don’t you? After all, I only wanted to do what was best for Adrien.”

He met Lila’s eyes, his own cold and steely. “You lied to my face. I refuse to be involved in petty high school squabbles. I have real, visceral problems to deal with, and you will gain no sympathy from me for your fabricated delusions. I suggest you leave.”

“But—“

“Now. And in case it wasn’t clear, I rescind that invitation into my home.”

Now, faced with real, true defeat, Lila had no choice but to save face and walk, sniveling with her crocodile tears all the while. No one gave her a second glance.

With that problem out of the way, Gabriel collected himself a little more. “Mr. Dupain, Mrs. Cheng.”

Tom and Sabine looked at him, faces drained of hope.

“Ladybug and Chat Noir’s identities have been compromised. We are no longer safe in this house. I suggest you stay with me until further notice, since I have extensive security measures. Miss Cesaire, and Mr. Lahiffe, that goes for you too. Since a simple glance over social media would reveal how close you are to them.”

“What do you mean, we’re no longer safe?”

“Our children are heroes, and heroes have plenty of enemies, as we can see with this woman.” He gestured to the TV. “No doubt, they would be after us for revenge soon enough. If we want to save Marinette and Adrien, we have to stay safe while we figure out how to do that.”

“Yes, of course!” Sabine collected herself, wiping her eyes. “I’m so glad you thought of that! I—I can barely process what I just saw.”

“I can assure you, I am still in shock too.” He swallowed hard, looking to the classmates. “Who’s the fastest runner here?”

Both Alix and Kim raised their hands.

“Perfect, go together.” He took a key out of his wallet, and handed it to Kim. “The passcode for the gate is ’7539’. There’s a shed in the back side of the lot. In the cupboard, there’s a roll of duct tape hanging on a nail. The spare key to the kitchen door is behind it. I want you to go inside, and into my office. Next to my computer, there’s a short table with a keyhole. This is the manual key. Switch it to on, and it will activate the self defense system, effectively barricading all windows. The sooner we get the system on, the sooner we prevent anyone coming inside.”

“What about you, Mr. Agreste?”

“I have an override code. We’ll be fine. Now go, and don’t let anyone in the house!”

“Yes sir!” They both shouted, before running out of the room.

“You two,” Gabriel pointed at Alya and Nino. “Go through Marinette’s belongings as quickly as you can. Anything that can be used as blackmail or has sentimental value needs to get packed up. Same thing for you, Mrs. Cheng, Mr. Dupain. Anything that could be used as leverage against them needs to come with us to the house. Any documents, computers, phones, family albums, any information about you.”

The students gathered got to work, helping them pack up most of their belongings. They’d have to make a few trips, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Nino set Marinette’s computer tower on the floor at the base of the stairs. “Her monitor is too big, but this should be fine.”

Alya set down the duffle bag. “I have her sketchbooks, old diaries, and plenty of clothes for her to wear when we rescue her. I also emptied her filing cabinet. I don’t know what all was in there, but I’d rather not leave her social security card out.”

Gorilla took the items downstairs.

“Alright, thank you all for your hard work,” Gabriel said to the assembled students. “But I think it’s in everyone’s best interest if you all go home. If any reporters approach you to get more information about either of them, be vague. Pretend that you don’t them for your own safety.”

The students all looked at each other, feeling hesitant.

Gabriel’s voice was demanding and firm, “The temptation to do something on your own to help will be strong, but please, leave this to us now. Understand?”

There was a murmuring of voices before they trickled out the door, one by one.

Then Alya and Nino, Tom and Sabine, Gabriel, Nathalie, and the Gorilla remained.

“You two should go home and pack up your bags. Brief your parents on what’s happening. If they need to, they can call me.” He held a hand out, asking for their phones, which he entered his number into. “Go together, and do not separate. My bodyguard will pick you up once you are ready. Understood?”

“Yes sir.”

He nodded once, and looked to Tom and Sabine. “There’s not much else we can do tonight. Let’s go.”

They loaded up what they could in the car, and then put the house on lock down. Then they were off.

Sabine sat in the middle, sandwiched between her husband and Gabriel, with an overnight bag of her most bare essentials on her lap.. “I—I can’t thank you enough, for watching out for us like this.”

“You’re worrying about enough right now, Mrs. Cheng. You don’t need to worry about yourself too.”

“Sabine. Please just call me Sabine.”

“And call me Tom. If your son is…is Chat Noir. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the future.”

Gabriel cracked a minute smile. “Tom, Sabine, I agree. Though I wish we could come to this…friendship in a different way.”

Sabine raised a hand to wipe at her cheeks, but Gabriel held out a handkerchief for her to use instead. “I just can’t believe…the last few years, my Marinette…she’s been saving the city. With Adrien. They…they just took down that drug lord the other night! That must be why she had that cut on her cheek!”

“And why this woman is involved now.” Finished Gabriel.

“So what are we going to do?” Asked Tom. “We know nothing about these people.”

“No, not yet we don’t. But they’re broadcasting plenty to the public. They will make a mistake. And as much as we think of Adrien and Marinette as children, they are superheroes. Ladybug comes up with solutions in every situation. They aren’t completely helpless.”

“But…without the Miraculous…” Sabine nearly whispered.

Gabriel was trying to be optimistic for their sake, but he really had nothing to say to that. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, forcing himself to keep from crying.

It was more than likely that he’d never see his son again. And if by some miracle he did, Adrien would never be the same.

They arrived at the mansion, a crowd of reporters in front of the gate. They parted at the sight of the car, allowing them to pull in.

“Damn it, the paparazzi never rests. I suggest you cover your faces, to hide the fact that you’re staying with me.”

The car pulled up to the gate, and Gabriel stepped out to enter the code, being followed by his bodyguard.

“M. Agreste, did you have knowledge that your son is Chat Noir?”

“Do you have any more information about Ladybug’s identity?”

“Have you been in contact with her parents?”

“What are you going to do to save your son?”

Gabriel was usually very good about ignoring the press. Or sometimes just giving vague enough answers to satisfy, but he had no patience for it today. “I didn’t know that Adrien was Chat Noir. I’m dealing with a lot right now, and I would like you all to leave. Please just leave…”

The reporters mostly backed off, standing back to give him some room. He entered the override code, opening the gate just enough for the car to go through. He drove in himself, his bodyguard keeping everyone back outside the gate.

Reporters continued to shout questions as Sabine and Tom got out of the car, keeping their faces forward and away from any cameras.

Finally inside, the voices of the reporters were muted. Gabriel glanced out the window, his eyes narrowed in anger. “We’ll have to go back for your other items later, once things calm down.”

Nathalie gestured them upstairs. “I will show you to the guest room. You can make yourselves at home.”

Gabriel watched them go, and then went to his office.

—

Hawkmoth emerged in the large room, butterflies fluttering all around at his presence. The akuma that had been rampaging around the city was now sullenly flapping around in his cane. He had called it back that minute he heard Adrien was missing, fearing that his akuma had been the cause.  

But now he was looking for a new target, with a new goal in mind.

There was so much anger and grief in Paris. So much that it was overwhelming. Nausea was building every minute he was transformed.

He couldn’t pinpoint Adrien or Marinette. Their suffering must have been in the waves, but it was like looking for a grain of sand on the beach.

“Nooroo, dark wings fall.”

“Master?” Nooroo asked, reappearing.

“It’s no use. It’s like listening for someone’s shout in a crowd of thousands. I have to have an idea of where to feel from.”

Nooroo stayed silent as Gabriel fell to his knees, scrubbing his hands through his hair. “All I wanted…was my family. To keep Adrien safe! But now I—“ His words were cut off with a sob as he leaned forward and rested his head on the ground.

Hawkmoth struck fear into the hearts of Parisians. He created akuma that could grind the city to a halt.

But this woman…she had succeeded where he had failed, and done it so effortlessly.

And he didn’t even care about the Miraculous anymore.

Now it was personal. He would wreak his own revenge in time.

He just needed a clue.

#miraculous ladybug #ml #fanfiction #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #gabriel agreste #lila rossi #alya cesaire #nino lahiffe #sabine cheng #adrienette #longest night

[shmowlwrites]

Yellow Carnations Chapter 4

ao3 chapter 3 chapter 5

Marinette had gone a month at Alma Lycee before realizing how very out of touch with Akumas she was. 

At Francis Dupont, the Akumas occurred nearby and she could escape school with reasonable excuses. At Alma, she had to get creative and be able to swallow her pride. While she was normally the first one on the scene, she was now the last one there.

Her tardiness as Ladybug was making herself nervous. Once the weekend came, Marinette made sure to visit Master Fu. There had to be something she could do, ways to notify her if an Akuma was happening.

“Ah, Marinette. I don’t expect you to be coming by,” Fu gave her an aged smile.

“I’m sorry, but I really needed to figure something out with you,” Marinette apologized.

“Oh?” Wayzz asked, flying out from behind a screen as the two walked into the workroom.

“I’ve had to move schools, you guys know that,” Marinette began once they had settled at the table, to which both Wayzz and Fu nodded. “However, I keep coming late to Akuma battles now that I’m so removed from them. Surely there’s got to be a way for me to get notified when an Akuma happens! I can’t be getting the delayed announcements from the news. People are thinking I’m lazy!” Marinette groaned, dropping her head on the table top.

“Hm…” Fu hummed. “I agree with you, but I don’t know how. Maybe something to do with your technology?” He asked.

Tikki popped open the purse, eyes wide. “Marinette! What if you made an app or website or something?”

Marinette turned her head to Tikki, eyes suddenly sparkling as ideas danced behind her irises. “Tikki, you’re a genius!”

Fu and Wayzz looked at each other and then to the Ladybug pair.

“I could make a website! People could send in Akuma sightings, I could tell people that the reason I’m so behind is that I’m no longer in the heart of Paris. That’ll put themselves to ease and also make them more inclined to help! I could put more onto the website, but I’ll have to think it through later,” Marinette buzzed.

“You’d be making a blog, basically!” Tikki grinned, to which Marinette faltered.

“A blog? But that’s Alya’s thing, I don’t want her to think I’m going against her,” Marinette frowned.

“Marinette, it’ll be fine!” Tikki assured her chosen. “We can think about this later.”

Marinette sighed before smiling. “Alright. I guess I have to learn some coding now, huh?”

It took a week and confusing Allegra and Bridgette as she asked them questions about what they’d think about Ladybug doing a blog. In the end, Marinette had formed a website called the Quantic Blog, approved by Fu. There were buttons at the top, each correlating to a Miraculous and something she associated with them. Hovering over them changed the backdrop of the website, corresponding to the color of the button and doing a short preview of what each button offered.

A red button to list all the videos Marinette was going to make as Ladybug for updates. It turned the backdrop red, and it showed an opening video of Marinette as Ladybug.

A green button for any posts about calming techniques. It turned the backdrop into a green diamond pattern, with the first post about breathing exercises.

A yellow button for a list of videos about self-defense and getting out of any situation an Akuma might put a civilian in. It turned the backdrop into a soft, pastel yellow with black honeycomb lines. It previewed a Krav Maga beginners self-defense video, with Marinette's commentary on it in a post below it.

An orange button was right next to it, meant to teach civilians how to camouflage themselves and places to hide. Marinette hoped that this button would be taken to heart, mainly because she definitely knew what buildings had the most common collapses. She didn't want any civilians hiding in collapsing buildings, she didn't know if the miraculous cure could bring anyone back to life. The button turned the backdrop into a common orange with a fox's white tail tip as the only thing visible against it.

A black button with a purple butterfly over it was where anyone could send in a picture of an Akuma sighting and where they saw it. Tikki would sort through those and let Marinette know if there really was an Akuma. She’d make a quick post about where an Akuma was seen, and once the Akuma was captured and de-evilized, Tikki would edit the post to say that it was gone. Its preview made the background a royal purple, with the post about how to submit entries and what would happen should there be an actual Akuma.

A black button with a cat paw on it was for tracking her. Tikki and Fu got to working with each other and finally Ladybug was able to connect her yo-yo to the website so that people would know where she was, once she was transformed. She hoped to be able to do the same with Chat Noir, but she hadn’t been able to contact him yet, and neither had Master Fu. Its preview actually showed a map of Paris, with the dull Ladybug and Black Cat signals enlarged over it. They'd be minimized and light up once one of them was transformed.

Once the site had been officially published with Marinette making the first video to explain everything on it, she did not miss those suspicious glances Allegra and Bridgette sent her. Allegra finally asked the question Marinette knew was burning in their minds during lunch hour.

“So, how convenient it is for you to ask what we thought about Ladybug running a blog… and not too much later, lo and behold! Ladybug is running a blog.” Allegra grinned before sending a suspicious grin to Marinette. “What’s up?”

Marinette raised her eyebrows. “What ever do you mean?” She feigned ignorance.

“How are you in cahoots with Ladybug? I gotta know,” Bridgette stage-whispered, leaning across the picnic table.

Marinette giggled. She could work with this. “I have a terrace, and both would often drop by to rest before running off again. I got to get into acquaintance with them. Ladybug recently reached out to me to ask if I’d make a blog. I said yes.” Marinette made jazz hands. “And that’s how we’re here. Sorry, I didn’t tell you guys. I didn’t know how or what to say.”

Allegra pouted before grinning. “Oh well, guess we’ll have to make you feature us!”

Bridgette acted like she was giving it some thought before giggling, Allegra soon following. Marinette chuckled to herself. Those two acted so similarly, it was almost as if they were the same person… She could only assume the two had gotten so close in their years together that they began to take on traits of each other. Though, they did have their own differences that showed once it came study time. Marinette giggled at the thought.

The blog was a hit, but Marinette knew it wasn’t one with Alya. She’d checked the Ladyblog and Alya had made a whole big post about how this was messing with her and aimed at ruining her, albeit she had no idea why. Marinette wondered if she should even attempt to explain as Ladybug. She wondered if she had accidentally cut the last tie she had to her ex-best friend.

That led to a whole new deep thought session. Did she like that she no longer had contact with Alya? She just stole Alya’s livelihood, after all. Marinette tried to ignore that thought - the Ladyblog was for analysis. The Quantic Blog was for keeping others up to date and protection and knowing where the heroes were. Marinette assured herself with that.

Upon learning the girl behind the blog was Marinette herself, Claude would call her Coding Goddess, to which Marinette would snort at, as it made her sound like she actually knew how to code. Allen suddenly started giving her tidbits of advice, as he came to Alma riding on the computer engineering boat. Marinette took them like they were water, and the blog was slowly becoming a little more functional and better looking.

Felix himself seemed impressed by the work, rather than that Marinette literally set up a blog for Ladybug. To which Marinette found refreshing, and also found out that she liked receiving praise from the stiff boy. She had to stop that train before it reached the station though, because she wouldn’t let herself go so far into admiration as she did with Adrien. So she took those praises as they were, trying her best to not to look too deep into them.

#felinette #felix vita #marinette dupain-cheng #yea a blog #allegra harper #bridgette yang #claude martin #allan cellario