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chinateacup · 4 years

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Commission for @asrasdarling

Thank you so much for commissioning me @asrasdarling! As requested, 3k of Halloween themed fluff with Asra and their lovely apprentice Jenna.

Fandom: The Arcana

Characters: OC, Asra, Muriel, Portia, other

Pairings: Asra/OC

No rating required

“What in the world is that?”

Jenna looked over her shoulder, wobbling on her tiptoes and struggling to hang what looked like a tatty piece of string above the shop door. “It’s a cobweb.”

Asra tilted his head, and his eyes narrowed. “You do know we have real spiders who live her? Who make real cobwebs?”

“That’s not the point,” she huffed, standing back from the wall and looking smugly up at her handiwork. “The point is the spookiness. How does it look?”

“Ooh, completely terrifying,” Asra said with smirk, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Jenna leaned her head against his, huffing. “I can tell when you’re lying.”

“I’m not lying!” He piped defensively. “Here, let me try.” Once he’d detangled himself from her, he held up his hands, fingertips glowing white with magic. A woven string tapestry on the wall suddenly unravelled itself, twisting and turning until it had become a perfectly symmetrical spider’s web, even with a woven Faust in the middle.

Jenna scowled. “Show-off.”

Asra giggled, bumping her shoulder. “You can do better, and you know it.”

“Yeah, but I wanted to decorate properly! Magic is cheating.” She pouted slightly, straightening the red-leaved wreath behind the door. “If the decorations don’t look tacky and ridiculous, I don’t want them in my home.”

“Ugh, you sound like Lucio.”

“Then Lucio has a damn good point.” Jenna opened the lid of a jack-o-lantern, letting Faust slither out and wrap herself around her arm. “Just this once.”

Asra grinned, gently patting the tiny witch’s hat perched on his familiar’s head. “You look lovely, Faust.”

“Spooky!”

“See?” Jenna put another of Faust’s hats on Asra’s head. It was comically small. “She gets it.” He tutted, but didn’t move to take it off. “Did you remember to lock up, by the way? It’s after eight.”

He opened his mouth to answer, but there was a heavy thump on the door just as he did. Three neat knocks. Faust retreated from Jenna’s arm, hiding herself under the counter. “I’m sorry, we’re closed!” Jenna called.

A hesitation, then some shuffling could be heard on the doorstep. The knocks came again, louder this time, and suddenly the shop plunged into darkness. The pair both started, and Asra instinctively grabbed her hand. Jenna swallowed, trying to conjure a light in her palm, but the air around them was thick and smothering. “What just happened?” she whispered.

“I don’t know.” Asra cleared his throat. “Who is it?”

“Oh…” said a voice behind the door. “It is urgent, my friends, quite urgent!”

“What do you need?” Jenna asked, still clinging to Asra’s hand, before remembering the last time she’d had such a late customer. The countess, deeply distressed and troubled by her dreams. “Do you need a reading?”

“Reading? Yes, yes, a reading!” The voice sounded gleeful at the suggestion.

She swallowed thickly, and instinctively turned to Asra, but it was pitch black and she couldn’t make out his face. “Let’s let them in.”

“You think?” His voice was hushed and suspicious.

“He might be in trouble. Can’t you feel his energy?” The dark shroud around them, while oppressive and frightening, felt lonely somehow. Anxious.

Asra paused for a moment, before he let go of her hand and blindly felt his way to the door. The light and noise from the street flooded in, with people already celebrating the harvest in the streets, dancing and singing and comparing scary costumes. It happened every year; it was to be expected. The figure on their doorstep, however, was not.

Jenna squinted at the large mass of black fabric, trying to work out if there was a person under there. The cloak trailed on the ground behind them, shrouding their entire body and most of their face. All Jenna could see that looked remotely human, was a pair of dark glasses, hiding their eyes behind them.

Asra glanced between her and the customer. She shrugged, motioning for them to come in, and they gasped. “Oh, thank you, thank you! I am so grateful to you!”

“It’s really no trouble,” Asra said kindly, wedging the door open with a pumpkin to keep the light in, “but I really should refer you to our opening hours? Just hanging in the window there –”

“Yes, yes, I am terribly sorry,” they gabbled. “But I was really very desperate! Please, let’s do the reading right away.”

They began shuffling towards the backroom, though they hadn’t told them where the reading room was. Jenna frowned, following, and took the Tarot deck from her pocket. By the time she had sat at the table, however, they already had cards in their hands.

“Oh,” she blinked, confused. Asra sat cross-legged in a chair beside her. “Would you… prefer to use your own deck?”

“You. Pick.” The customer shoved the deck in Asra’s direction, and few cards tumbled onto the table.

Asra chuckled, a little nervously. “Um, listen, there may have been some confusion here. I thought you wanted Jenna to read your fortune.”

“Please, pick!” Their voice strained slightly, sounding urgent.

Asra jumped. “O-Okay.” He pulled a single card from the deck, and placed it face down on the table.

The customer turned to Jenna next, who blinked down at their gloved hands with a wary frown. “Why do you want to read our fortunes? What is it you want?”

“I will tell you in a moment,” they promised, nodding quickly. “Yes, I will tell you everything. Just please, pick a card.”

A silence followed, in which the muffled sounds of music and shouting carried in from the streets. Jenna turned to Asra, face half illuminated in the dim light. He looked about as confused as she felt… but this guest, while uninvited, didn’t seem malicious.

She took a card and placed it beside Asra’s.

The customer seemed to physically deflate with relief, and flipped Asra’s first. “The Tower, reversed… uhm…” They pulled a tiny booklet seemingly from mid-air, and began ferociously scanning the pages. Jenna recognised the book as a pamphlet on Tarot that they sold to beginner magicians… usually small children.

“The Tower when reversed means that you may be experiencing a time of change and emotional upheaval,” she clarified. The guest went still, quickly looking up from their booklet. “And it serves as a warning to not resist these changes, but to allow them to happen. Resistance can be dangerous.”

The guest stared in wonder, and Asra smiled proudly, nudging her arm. “Jenna is a very skilled magician.”

She gave him a playful look in return. “Behave.”

His cheeks flushed, but the guest didn’t seem to notice, flipping his card next. “Nine of Cups, upright.” This time, their eyes went right to Jenna, not even bothering with the booklet. Asra looked at her as well, eager.

She sighed, barely concealing a smile at his fond expression. “Nine of Cups when upright encourages the individual to enjoy their life as it is right now. Your heart must be overflowing with gratitude, happiness and contentment. Enjoy it, and cherish it while it lasts. You’ve worked hard to get here.”

Asra’s gaze was on her with every word, and when they locked eyes, Jenna could have sworn his were misty.

The moment didn’t last, however, as the guest starting making disapproving noises. “No, no, that’s not right…” they were muttering, flicking through the booklet. “That’s not right at all…”

She tore her gaze away from Asra, and shrugged. “I’m sorry, that’s what the card means. Were you expecting something else?”

“You can’t help me.” They stood abruptly, frantically emptying coins onto the table from a small purse. They rolled onto the floor and clinked against the crystal ball, before the guest fled the shop without another word, shuffling away as fast as their legs could carry them. The moment they left, the lights began to glow again, and all the candles relit themselves.

Jenna shuddered as the oppressive magic left the shop, and Asra moved the pumpkin propping open the door so it swung shut. He locked it tightly. “That was weird.”

“Very weird,” Jenna agreed, peering out of the dirty window. They had completely vanished in the crowd of partygoers.

“Mm,” he hummed thoughtfully, joining her by the window. “Still, always nice to see you at work.” Jenna chuckled, and he caught her hand in his, kissing her wrist softly. “I love watching you in your element. You make me so proud, you know?”

She smiled when he kissed her temple, then her cheek, before catching his face in her hands and pressing their lips together firmly. He made a small squeak in surprise, before melting against her, deepening the kiss and chuckling against her mouth when her glasses got in the way. They parted, and he adjusted them carefully. “Sorry.”

“No worries,” Jenna murmured, face flushed pink and lips curled into a smirk. “Glad you enjoyed the show. Despite, you know… all the creepiness that came with it.”

“Despite it?” Asra smirked, removing her glasses entirely and tucking them into the neckline of her sweater. “Only made it better. Kinda had me wishing you could have done it in costume.”

“Oh, no no no,” Jenna grinned deviously, detangling Faust’s little witch hat from his curls. “I would have hated to upstage yours.”

Hours later, Jenna woke up with a start to the sound of cheering from the streets. She felt about for her glasses on the bedside table, blinking around the room once she had them on. It was dark outside, and Asra was still sleeping beside her, his back rising and falling as he snored softly against the pillow. They must be celebrating the stroke of midnight; it was officially the end of harvest.

Jenna groaned and flopped back against the pillow, about to doze off again, when there was a noise from downstairs.

She tutted, groggily shuffling to the top of the stairs that led into their bedroom. Peering between the banisters, the shop looked normal. No creepy customers in black cloaks. The place was empty. She sighed and shuffled back to bed, crawling under the sheets.

The sound came again, louder, and Jenna practically jumped out of her skin, letting out a yelp. “Asra!” She whispered urgently, tapping his warm shoulder. He muttered something, but didn’t stir. Jenna huffed. She was sure her partner could happily sleep through the apocalypse and wake up asking what was for breakfast. She shook him harder, and Faust curled around the headboard, looking down at him curiously.

“Sleepy!”

“Don’t have to tell me that,” Jenna mumbled back. “Asra, wake up!”

“Hmm?” His eyes cracked open slowly, long, white lashes blinking up at her in the dark. “Jen? What’s going on? Is it morning?”

“I think there’s someone downstairs.”

Asra faltered mid-yawn, and looked concerned. “What? Do you think that customer’s back?”

Jenna bit her lip. She couldn’t sense any change in the atmosphere, her magic didn’t feel stifled… “No. But it could be someone else.”

He hummed. “I definitely locked the door… And I can’t think of anyone who would be here at this time of night.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, searching Jenna’s face. “You definitely heard something?”

She nodded.

Asra threw the bedsheets aside and stood, hiking up his sleeping pants when they drooped a little. Jenna crept her way across the room, beginning down the stairs. She was about to beckon Asra to follow, but when she turned around, he was right behind her, peering down at the dark shop below.

They both held their breath, squinting against the darkness. Jenna could hardly hear a thing over the blood racing in her ears, the hectic rhythm of her heart. Maybe it really had just been nothing? It didn’t look like Asra could hear anything either, judging by his face.

He held up a hand, intending to light up the shop floor, and looked to Jenna, silently asking permission. She pressed her lips together tightly, and nodded.

His fingers flexed, and with a casual flick of the wrist, the shop was lit.

…No one. It was empty.

The pair sighed in relief, all tension leaving their shoulders. Jenna chuckled, breathless, and Asra did the same, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

She opened her mouth to apologise, when a grey blur darted across the room.

They both let out a shriek, retreating back to the safety of their room in a mad scramble, tripping over the stairs and their clothes and each other, before slamming the bedroom door behind them and dropping to the floor, leaning against it with their full weight.

Jenna could feel her heart slamming against her ribcage, and imagined that Asra must feel the same, if that frantic look in his eyes was anything to go off. “What was that thing?” she asked breathlessly, voice panicked.

“I don’t know, I didn’t get a good look!” Asra ran a hand through his curls, a fine shiver slowly working down his back. “Do you think that customer left it here?”

“Yeah, maybe they just forgot to take their pet beast from Hell home with them!” Jenna shuddered, wiping her hands on her clothes. She felt as though there were insects crawling all over her.

Faust appeared on Asra’s bare shoulder, curling herself around his neck. “Prank?”

He pursed his lips, still panting slightly. “It is harvest. Scary pranks are kind of a tradition.”

“Who would be out to prank us?” Jenna shuffled closer to him, linking their arms so they were huddled together. “Everyone’s at the palace partying, right? That’s what normally happens at midnight.”

Asra hummed in agreement, before looking alarmed and pressing a finger to his lips. Jenna fell silent, listening.

Downstairs, she heard the familiar creak of the front door.

Her eyebrows shot up. “Someone’s in the shop!” she whispered as quietly as she could.

“They must have picked the lock!” Asra pressed his ear against the wood of the door, and Jenna followed suit, making the frame of her glasses stick out at an odd angle.“…I can’t hear anything,” he said. “Can you hear anything?”

“Yes, Asra, I can hear you!”

“I’m whispering!”

“Whisper better!”

Before he could retort, there were footsteps on the stairs.

Almost immediately, he reacted, grabbing Jenna’s hand and pulling her with him into bed, yanking the sheet up over them. Jenna cursed under her breath, pulse roaring in her ears, and held Asra’s head against her chest, clinging to him for dear life as the door creaked open.

She stared into his eyes as they listened to the squeak of the floorboards beneath someone’s feet. They paid no attention to the bed, apparently, but Jenna heard things being moved about the room, cupboards being opened. She wasn’t too worried about burglars; there wasn’t anything of any cash value in the bedroom, and anything rare in the shop got stashed away tightly at night. But the thought of a stranger in their home…

Asra’s arms tightened around her, pressing their foreheads together and smiling bravely. It was a little wobbly, but it was brave still. Jenna smiled back, squeezing his trembling shoulders.

Then she saw a shadow over their bed through the sheet, and had to press her lips together so she didn’t shout. A muffled squeak still escaped them, and Asra huddled even closer. They lay completely still, holding their breath.

Then the floorboards creaked, the door closed, and the intruder was gone.

Asra let out a muffled sigh against Jenna’s neck, and she exhaled slowly, closing her eyes.

When she opened them, there was a dog in her face.

She screamed in surprise, and Asra followed suit, throwing the sheet off the bed and scrambling back against the head board. Someone ran up the stairs again, burst through the door and grabbed the dog triumphantly in their arms. “Gotcha!”

Jenna blinked against the dim light, finally getting her bearings. “Portia?”

“Oh, hey guys,” Portia beamed from behind the dog. It was over half her size, yet she carried it without much strain at all. “What are you doing in here?”

Asra blinked at her. “It’s our house! We live here!”

“Yeah, but it’s the festival! Even Muriel’s still out, aren’t ya, Muriel?”

She motioned to the doorway, and Jenna’s eyes followed. At some point, Muriel had appeared at the top of the stairs, looking sheepish. “…Had to catch Truckle,” he mumbled, cheeks tinged pink.

Jenna looked between them. “Truckle?”

“Mr Withers’ dog!” Portia clarified. The dog in her arms wriggled slightly at his name, tail wagging against her shoulder.

“Did you catch him?” The customer from earlier appeared from behind Muriel. Without his cloak, Jenna could see he just was a short, speckled old man who wobbled slightly when he walked. Nothing so sinister as he had seemed earlier. “Oh, Truckle! My baby, there you are!” The dog barked and wiggled from Portia’s grasp, settling down at his owner’s feet. “I cannot believe he would run off again! After all that havoc he caused this morning… I suppose the cards must have been wrong.”

Asra looked intensely confused, and Jenna felt about the same. “Huh?”

“The cards! They said nothing about you two finding Truckle. Yet I suppose, in a way, you did!”

“What?” Portia looked offended. “They didn’t find Truckle! Sure, Truckle found them, but we’re the ones who chased him all over town! He could have climbed through anyone’s window. We just got lucky Muriel had a key.”

“Sorry,” he muttered in Jenna’s direction, still lingering awkwardly in the doorway. “Did we scare you?”

Asra pointed an accusatory finger at Muriel’s chest. “You, sir, have lost your key privileges. We are no longer friends.”

Muriel looked at his finger in amusement, the hint of a smile ghosting his features. Jenna’s eyes bulged. For him, that was basically uproarious laughter.

“Okay, everybody go!” Asra stood from the bed, herding the group down the stairs. “Out of our shop, you have terrorized magiciankind quite enough for one night.” Jenna followed them all down, catching Portia’s eye when she giggled and mouthed an apology.

“Aw, come on, Asra,” she said, halfway out the door. “We didn’t mean to scare you. Get in the holiday spirit!”

“You feel free to get in whatever spirit you want to,” Asra replied calmly, ushering Truckle out last, “but Jenna and I are going to sleep.”

“Thank you so much for your help, both of you!” Mr Withers trilled, still overwhelmed with gratitude.

Jenna sighed, squeezing her eyes shut tight. “You’re welcome.”

“Goodnight, guys!” Portia called out playfully. “Don’t let the bed bugs bite…!” She added in a spooky voice, wiggling her fingers in Jenna’s face.

Muriel snorted, and Asra smiled at them dryly, before shutting the door behind them and locking it for the second time that night.

Jenna deflated with a groan, resting her forehead on the shop counter. Asra buzzed his lips, laying his head right beside her. “So…” he asked slowly. “Still set on the shop being at maximum spookiness?”

“I’m done with spookiness,” she droned, turning her head to face him, pouting. “Maybe forever. The festival’s cancelled this year.”

Asra made a sympathetic noise, and kissed the tip of her nose. “Agreed.”

#the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana asra #asra alzanar #the arcana apprentice #the arcana portia #the arcana muriel

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surveys-at-your-service · 3 years

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Survey #282

“daddy’s flown across the ocean / leaving just a memory / a snapshot in the family album / daddy, what’d you leave behind for me?”

What is your favorite type of dance? I like modern dances, especially those unusual or creepy with unique music. They’re the dances I look forward to watching in dance competitions. Do you find making scenes in public fun? Oh fuck no. Lemonade or pink lemonade? Pink is Supreme in so many ways. Where do you feel safest? At home, especially if Mom is here. Have you ever been to a gay pride parade? No, but I’d love to. Would you take your dream job if it were out of the country? No. I don’t want to move to Africa. What do you like to do when you're home alone? HAHA okay so I almost exclusively watch Unus Annus when Mom isn’t home because I will almost without a doubt cackle at least once, and… explaining why I’d be laughing would be WILD. UA is a fucking gift & I’mma miss it when it’s gone. What kind of music calms you down? My best bet is nostalgic music that I hold very close, like Ozzy. The soundtracks to SotC and SH2 are also magical when it comes to soothing me. Who did you last go to a park with? Uhhhh… probably not since I took family pictures for someone. Got some nice ones. Have you ever been robbed? Thankfully, no. Are you working, a student, both, or neither? Neither, and at nearly 25, it’s fucking humiliating. I’m thinking of appealing my disability case (you very rarely get it the first time), but of course self-doubt and anxiety just slaps me across the face again and again by asking, “Do you really need it?” That shit is agonizing. Very highly regarded people in my life agree that it’s realistic for me, at least at this moment, while I sort out my mental health. I don’t plan on being on it forever, fuck no. But right now I am, no matter what anyone says, a leech in my home. What's your favorite holiday? Christmas. I prefer Halloween’s “vibe,” of course, but I am much more excited and just thankful at Christmastime, especially now as an aunt with children who *understand* the holiday. Their joy and excitement is enough of a gift to me. It’s always really hard on Mom because she’s convinced she doesn’t do enough (she cries at least once like… every year), but my sisters and I always reassure her. It’s also a nice opportunity to see Dad and my stepmom, also with my sister’s family, and once again we get to see the kids so happy. But enough about them; what I love most about Christmas is I generally am able to put my troubles into perspective and take the time to remember I am, in the big picture, lucky to have what and who I do. And SNOW!!!!! If you can’t tell I’m stoked for Christmas. Do you prefer male or female friends? Both are great, but I’m more relaxed with female friends because of the whole “scared of men” ordeal. What's your favorite dessert? Biiiiihhhhh lemme get my hands on ice cream. Do you ever go on chatroulette or omegle? Noooo, I never did. That shit creeps me out. Besides, I’m shy. What kind of tea do you drink? None. Do you know anyone in a gang? Not to my knowledge… What color is your fridge? White. We decided to use the fridge already in this house versus our old one. Is your phone mostly on vibrate, silent, or ringtone? It’s just about always on vibrate. Do you own black sunglasses? I don’t own any sunglasses. Are you currently looking for a job? Fuck if I know. Not actively, but if something suitable magically popped up, I’d definitely pursue it. Do you watch MTV? No. Do you like to tell people who you like? Historically, I tend to keep my mouth shut about it to people who know that love interest unless explicitly asked, and even then, it depends on if I think they’ll keep their mouth shut. How often do you braid your hair? It’s too short to be braided. I very rarely had it braided beforehand. What color is your microwave? Black. Do you wash your face in the morning when you wake up? If I remember, especially if I’m groggy. Are you interested in the ocean? No more or no less than the average person. What's a big turn on for you? Keeping physical stuff outta this, I’m just such a fuckin sucker for being authentically romantic lmao. Have you ever thought about being a teacher? Heeeeeelllllll no. What's the first thing you do when you turn your computer on? Close out of the stuff that automatically pops up after it starts. Do you drink Gatorade? Ugh, ew, no. Do you hate when people replace 0's with O's? EX: 9:OO AM. Lol no, it’s honestly aesthetically pleasing in some formats. Did you hate riding the bus? Some of my best school memories are the long bus rides home w/ Jason so uh- Do you ever use XOXO in texts, letters etc..? Nah. Has anyone ever told you they liked you to your face? Yeah. Have you ever touched an elephant? No. Reading or writing? Writing. Do you have a childhood nickname? Mom called (and sometimes still does lakjdf;alkwe) me “Twinkie.” She gave sweets-oriented nicknames to all her kids. Have you ever had a Moon Pie? UGH they’re gross. I have this faint memory as a kid of a sweetheart babysitter my sisters and I had always offering us banana moon pies as a snack or dessert, idr. I’ve always hated anything banana-flavored. Has your car ever had troubles? N/A What's your birthstone? Amethyst. Would you join the navy? I want nothing to do with anything remotely related to war. What's your favorite board game? Battleship. Do you like chess? I’ve never played it nor even know the rules. If you’ve ever tried drugs or alcohol, what was your reason for first trying it? I was absolutely parched after a long, sweaty walk and was offered it to “try” by my mom without me knowing it was alcohol… the “WAIT NO STOP” from everyone was so quick lmao. It was just hard lemonade, so nothing super serious. Do you think you could ever have an abortion if you unexpectantly turned up pregnant right this second? I probably would. There is no fucking way I can emotionally handle carrying a baby right now. But I’d feel like absolute shit, even though I’m pro-choice. I just don’t want to picture myself in that situation. Is there a situation where you caved into peer pressure and regretted it? Probably. Although generally, I’m very resilient to peer pressure when it comes to something I really don’t want to do. What is your favorite video game console? Why? PS2, of course. I think the best games came from that era, many ahead of their time. Example, the original Shadow of the Colossus graphics massively pressured the limits of the software, and it still to this day blows me away. Sure, you have some lag in return, but the end result was just magnificent. I seriously, seriously, seriously hope I’m able to play the remake one day. When you lost your virginity, were you sober? I was. As of this minute, what is going through your mind? How I need a change and purpose in life so motherfucking badly. Where’s the last place you went? I was riding around with Mom, doing some errands. Are both of your blood parents still in your life? Yes. When was the last time you went apple picking? Never. Do you have a good relationship with your cousins? We don’t really… have a relationship. We don’t talk, we just kinda “exist” knowing we’re related. What was the last kids movie you saw? I watched some of Hotel Transylvania 3 with my niece and nephew. Do you know anyone who was born in Africa? When I was still in college, there was at least one guy in my class who was. Tutored me in math. Patience of a saint, haha. Have you ever been to an internet cafe? I actually have zero clue what that is. Has the year gone quickly for you so far? I’ve barely discerned 2018-2020, if I’m being honest with you. It’s just a lump of time where I’ve done jack-all. I mean yeah, school fits in there somewhere, but mentally I wasn’t in a wonderful place and haven’t been “happy” for a long time. My mental state has been the same for a few years. How many siblings does your significant other have? N/A Are you one of those people who can drink vodka straight? Oh, I hiiiighly doubt it. I loathe the taste of alcohol. Do you share a middle name with any of your friends? I legitimately have one of the most basic white bitch middle names in America, I know tons. How many pairs of jeans do you own? None. Do you know the name of the pharmacist at your local drug store? One, yes, considering Mom worked there before the cancer and is still in touch with this pharmacist. What flavor is your toothpaste? Mint. Are you sleepy right now? I think I’m permanently sleepy. Do you like crime films and tv shows? Not especially. Are you bitter about anything? Many things. What was the first online account you remember having? Neopets. My older sister helped me set it up when I was somewhere around eight. Do you use emojis? More than I used to. I’m gradually converting from emoticons to emojis, oof. What was the last type of soda you drank? Mountain Dew. Do you remember much from high school? I probably remember too much from high school, if I’m being honest. I remember far too much in far too much detail during the almost four years I dated Jason. Where would you go for the ultimate honeymoon? Probably the Bahamas, mostly for the pink beaches, aha. It would also be an incredible photography opportunity. Do you know anyone who has a strong accent that is hard to understand? My former best friend’s dad was so southern that yes, I could barely understand him whatsoever. If you had to get a tattoo tomorrow, what would you get? If you mean a fresh, new one and not a glow-up on the Mark tribute tat I’ve mentioned five thousand times, a tribute to Teddy featuring his portrait, pawprint, and the Powerwolf lyrics “and we’ll meet where the wild wolves have gone.” I’m going to be picky as a motherfucker about the design itself, though, so realistically it probably wouldn’t be tomorrow since I’d probably commission people to draw in varying styles. Ugh, I need that tattoo gun, my man. What was the last podcast you listened to? Do you listen to it regularly? That would be 4 Peens in a Pod (it’s… not a porn I swear, it’s Fischfuck and the boys lmao). I’m waaaaaaaaaaay behind on it, though. I watch so many different things now that I’m behind on like… everything I watch/listen to. Are you on a first-name basis with your boss? (or last boss if unemployed) I think I was with all of them? What was the last thing you wrote in a Word document? This survey. Because I combine short ones into Big Boys that I usually don’t finish in one go, I save my progress on it. Who do you miss and what do you miss about them? I miss a number of people and would rather not retrospect on them. What were the best and worst costumes you’ve ever worn? *shrug* Do you know anybody who is gay and married? I think so. What did you last take painkillers for? A headache. Are there any hobbies you want to get back into? Ugh. A whole fucking lot. I’ve thought quite a bit recently on how I miss video editing, but I just don’t have the motivation and dedication for that anymore. Have you ever shared a home with a friend? Yes. What’s the craziest or weirdest place you’ve ever slept? Nowhere that strange at all… Probably just like, the floor, but even then with blankets and stuff. What did you have for lunch today and who made it? I haven't had lunch yet. Are you allergic to anything? How did you find out? Pollen is pretty obvious, while serious discoloring and itching let me know I was allergic to silver. Have you ever been on a date with someone you met online? How was it? Yeah, I was visiting her for a couple weeks. It was nice. Who was the last very physically attractive person you saw? In ~real life~, probably some friend on Facebook. Do you know anyone who is deaf? We recently found out actually that my youngest niece is deaf in her left ear due to a massive buildup of fluid in it. I’m so ready to hear about her reaction to hearing normally once it’s taken care of. Has there ever been a person you regret ever being friends with? Probably at some point. “Ever” makes this question difficult. Do you think you have a good understanding on love? Yes. What do you think of your parent(s)? I love them both immensely while acknowledging their flaws. What celebrity do you think should of never become famous? I don’t care enough to think on this honestly haha. Did you ever get into the Twilight saga craze? What about the Harry Potter craze? Neither. What's your opinion about Katy Perry's song "I Kissed a Girl"? It was bold for its time, for sure. I’ve never minded it. Actually since coming out as bi I’ve known that this song has to be included in the recession dances of my wedding if my partner is female lmao. Do you believe in heaven? If so, what's it like? If not, why? I hope there’s some sort of total bliss after death if you’re deserving of such, but I don’t know. I definitely don’t know how I actually picture it. Even if there’s not, well, I’m assuming I just won’t exist anymore, so I wouldn’t be able to care anyway. Sometimes I hope that's the case. What email service do you use for your main (or only) email account? Hotmail. Did you ever believe in the Tooth Fairy? Yeah. I remember there was one time where “she” didn’t trade my tooth for munz and I was so mad lmao. Mom apparently forgot and slipped something under the pillow while I was getting ready for school. How I fell for it, who knows man, kids are wild. How do you feel about Taco Bell? I’m not a Mexican food fan, really, but I do love their cheese (with or without chicken) quite a bit. The cinnamon bite things are bomb as FUCK, too. I’m still mad tilted they took potato products off their menu tho because I used to destroy the fiesta potatoes. How often do you go on to YouTube? I’m like… always on it. Not focusing on it at all times, but something’s in the background. Back when Spongebob Squarepants was famous, were you interested in it? Well of course, man. What's your dream pet? Ugggghhhh a sunset morph ball python, probably. Buuut I’ve seen some over $2k with their rarity. More realistically, I really, really want a Brazilian Black tarantula. And an arctic morph hognose. I want a lot of pets. ;_; Who's been your favorite teacher growing up, and why? God, I have a lot, honestly. All things considered, the answer is probably Miss Tobey, who was my physical science teacher in high school. She’s an extremely close family friend now involved regularly in my family’s lives. She can be… difficult and says shit before thinking, but we love her nevertheless. What's your favorite fairy tale? Fuck outta here if you say Shrek isn’t one. Do you have a favorite pen? Uh, no… I barely ever use pens anyway. Has a child ever asked you a question you found difficult to answer? Yeah; it happens sometimes with my niece and nephew. Name five books you've read in the past year. I think I’ve read the first three Wings of Fire book within the same year, and I’m currently on the forth. Other than those, I started The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, but only got through the prologue I think before my focus shifted onto WoF. I still plan on reading it at some point, though. ^Are any of those books your favorite? No. The prequel to The Testaments, The Handmaid’s Tale, is very high up there, though. Are you a person that enjoys re-reading books? Not at all. Once I read it once, I’m done. There are VERY few books I’ve reread, and most of those were children’s books from when I was little. Do you have a favorite talk show host? Don’t watch any. Which sounds the most refreshing: a hot shower or a cold one? I prefer hot showers unless I seeeeeriously need to cool down. Have you ever made your own soap? No. Can you sleep with socks on? UGH NO. When was the last time you were pissed beyond belief and why? Ummm good question. I don’t know about *that* mad. Maybe when Ashley’s mother-in-law shared a massively homophobic article that condoned conversion therapy on Facebook that resulted in me removing her from my friends and RAGING to my mom about it. That was forever ago, though. Do you have a favorite candle brand? No. What is your opinion on taxidermy? I have… very mixed feelings. If the animal was hunted for sport, then it’s fuckin disgusting; you literally killed an animal with the intention to show off the fact you’re a goddamn murderer. On the other hand, taxidermy of naturally-deceased animals can be educational, and even… artistic sometimes? I don’t know. I can’t really pick one stance over the other. Would you ever want to own a body part in a jar? Actually, yes, particularly of fetal animals (that WERE NOT killed for the sake of displaying), but for the same reasons above, I’m not sure if I would *really* do it. They are incredibly interesting to me, more so than taxidermy probably, but yeah, I still question the morality of it. What is the worst thing you have ever done to your own hair? I don’t think I’ve ever really done a “bad” thing to my hair. What qualities of yours do you think could potentially harm a relationship? I’m very clingy and, in the beginning, very paranoid that you’re going to leave. Have any of your childhood habits carried over into adolescence/adulthood? I had AWFUL separation anxiety from my mom for a very long time as a kid, and I guess that evolved into my extreme inability to handle loss well, maybe. I’d say they’re at least somewhat related. What is the first band that comes to mind when I say 'dark'? Cradle of Filth popped up first. As far as relationships go, what are your biggest deal-breakers? Abuse, arrogance, and distrust probably top the list. Be honest: do looks really matter to you? Nah. It’s nice to be physically attracted to my partner, but it’s not a must. Have you ever done something simply because you were of age? No. Do you think it's worth it to tell someone you had feelings for them when you don't have them anymore? I mean, what’s the situation? Are you hanging out, talking about relationships casually? I’d say it’s fine then if it’s relevant to the conversation. I don’t think it’s worth going out of your way to tell someone you liked them if you don’t anymore, though. Have you ever done something you once thought you'd be too chicken to do? Y’know that ride at fairs where you go up really high on a circular thing with other people and then drop abruptly? That. I screamed like a mf lmao. I had to put a lot of effort into not yelling “SHIIIIIIIIIIIT” lmao. What's a food you love but don't get to eat very often? Stuff involving shrimp, ig. What's your favorite mythical being? Dragons! Have you ever felt a baby kick? I don’t think so, and I don’t want to, considering it’s fucking terrifying to me. I can’t even see a baby move without screaming and wanting to hurl. When is the last time you did something truly fun, and what was it? Who the fuck knows… What is the worst thing you've ever done when you were really angry? Said things I shouldn’t have. Are there any pills you take on a daily basis? If so, what? A lot. I can’t be bothered to go through all of them. At what age do you first remember feeling butterflies in your stomach around someone? I’m not sure. Do you feel that way around anyone now? I don’t think so. What is your main heritage? German or Irish, idr which is more prominent. What is a song that you hate to admit you like? “Bitches” by Hollywood Undead came to me first lmao. What inspires you to get off your bum and do something productive? More than anything, watching inspirational YouTube videos. What part of your body have you had the most problems with in your life? I suppose maybe my ears? I had tubes put in as a kid, I had an absolutely agonizing ear infection once, I had earwax adhered to my eardrum, and they've always been STUPID dry and flaky. Are you watching your weight? Like a hawk, but it doesn’t seem to matter anyway. :^) Have you ever become really good friends with someone you found online? Most of my closest friends I’ve met online. What is the coolest tattoo you've ever seen? You’re asking the wroooong person, lol. I’ve just seen way too many… Have you ever created anything artistic that you're proud of? If so, what? Lots of things; drawings, some writing, photographs, video edits… What do you like on your hotdogs, if you eat hotdogs? Just ketchup and mustard. What is a subject that makes you uncomfortable? Sex. What is a subject you can talk on and on about and not get sick of it? MEERKATS and MARK What is the worst thing someone could do to you emotionally? Tell me I’m weak. Or that my mental illnesses truly do make me unlovable. Just essentially do fucking not make me feel what Jason did. What is the worst thing you've ever done to someone emotionally? Said some extremely mean and potentially scarring shit.

#survey #quiz #questions #questionnaire

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vanphongchiasehcm · 5 years

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Meet The Community Manager: Hazel Shaw of Dublin’s The Tara Building

Community Manager Hazel Shaw wants members to remember The Tara Building as a place where they felt happy, welcomed, and were able to work on something fulfilling. With such a creative bunch of individuals working from this cool space in the heart of Dublin, TTB offers members a thriving community where friends become family. Here’s why.

How did you discover coworking?

I’ve actually been aware of the concept of shared studio space and creative hubs from a young age, as my dad is a designer and has worked like this for as long as I can remember. However the term ‘coworking’ was very new to me when I first came to The Tara Building in 2017. This place opened my eyes to the industry as we know it today.

What is your involvement with The Tara Building? When did it first open?

The Tara Building opened in April 2017, and I became Community Manager here early in 2018.

My background is in the arts, and my involvement with the building itself began way before The Tara Building opened (when it was still a vacant shell awaiting redevelopment). TTB’s founder Nichol Gray is a good friend of mine, and we worked together on a project in 2016 that connected artists with vacant space in Dublin, eventually running an exhibition and some pop-up events in this building. This coincided with a project of my own that curated events showcasing female-led talent in the arts, which actually ran its first ever event from here, too.

Now I’m here running a full calendar of events and building up a community of creatives and freelancers from the very same room – it’s funny how things work out!

How would you describe the community at The Tara Building?

We have a really diverse group of people here. I would describe the community as an open-minded and welcoming team. Most people are working alone or for small companies, but there’s a sense of wholeness in the wider group that communicates well and supports each other on a daily basis.

Do you host any events to bring the community together?

Yes! We have a three-tiered approach to this, trying to strike a balance in our events between wellness, business development, and social gatherings. For wellness, we want to create opportunities to nurture physical and mental health through free yoga classes and regular mindfulness sessions.

We offer Lunch & Learn sessions in various areas of business development, as well as skill-sharing clinics where members can discuss their challenges with the group and work together to create solutions. We also play host to bigger monthly networking events like Creative Mornings and Entrepreneur Evenings, which are open to the public and create a wider community circle radiating from TTB.

For the social aspect, we throw big events every few months, such as rooftop summer parties with DJs and drinks, Halloween costume parties, Christmas potluck dinners etc. But often the biggest social events for our members are the more informal and member-led stuff, like sea swim outings, weekly movie nights, or Friday beers in our roof garden.

What are the three key ingredients for operating a successful coworking space?

A well-designed space and a good location are definitely two key aspects. Create a space that’s aesthetically pleasing but also comfortable and functional. We love natural light and our ever-growing family of plants!

The people are also a crucial element, starting with a friendly enthusiastic team that will attract positive energy to a place and make the members feel welcome from day one.

What types of cool projects are your members currently working on?

There’s so much talent in the building, it’s hard to keep up sometimes! We’ve got people working in design, photography, illustration, marketing, tech, and much more. There’s a good insight into the members and their work on our community website page.

Here’s a few more detailed examples of member-led projects that I think are pretty exciting.

The Fifth Province

This is a project that has emerged from the collaborative spirit of TTB. Led by Bill Hollingsworth, a group of members have formed a creative collective based on a contemporary way of working and the potential that exists in the pooling of creative talents. In Bill’s own words…

“A dozen years ago large agencies were the thing. One-stop-shops businesses could go to, to get all their marketing and creative needs. But the disruption of digital and open source computing changed all that. Quickly there were all number of specialists, all able to work remotely. It has been noticeable, particularly over the last five years or so, that more and more businesses were going directly to photographers, recording studios, designers, etc. These companies had their own business and marketing plans – they just needed the right people to bring those plans to life. Specialists who work with other specialists as required, putting together truly lean and agile teams tailored for clients or for specific client projects. That’s exactly how the members in the Tara Building work,” said Hollingsworth.

After a huge amount of interest and enthusiasm, there is now a team of 14 members (and counting) working together on client projects. The Fifth Province is a pioneering example of freelancers and entrepreneurs pooling their talents and resources to get big clients and create really exciting work.

Sustainable Fashion Dublin

Founded by Taz Kelleher and Geraldine Carton, Sustainable Fashion Dublin is an awareness-raising and events collective that promotes sustainable fashion in a fun and inclusive way. In a time where the fashion industry is having such a negative effect on the world Sustainable Fashion Dublin aim to offer a positive alternative. They do this through swap shops, up-cycling workshops, charity shop crawls, and sewing classes.

Having only been created in December of 2019, Taz and Geraldine have hosted over 40 events around the country and have grown a dedicated community of over 15,000. More recently, the pair have set their sights on tackling the huge issue of food waste by running events and workshops that show people how to shop, consume, and dispose of food more sustainably.

Illustration by Barry Quinn, typography by Chris Flynn.

Barry Quinn & Chris Flynn: Anew Mural

Anew are a housing and support organization for pregnant women. In support of the work The Tara Building does for local communities, Anew was commissioned by TTB to provide a mural.

“It was important to us all that this connection and sense of community between the local Anew office and The Tara Building was reflected in the mural,” said Quinn. “We had produced a mural for The Tara Building stairwell, a piece full of floral imagery surrounding outstretched hands, that was to reflect the communal creativity of the space. We intended to use similar imagery and color scheme as a starting point to present the Anew office as an extension of this same sense of community. The floral work includes hawthorn, referencing Tara Hill, and roses as reference to Anew’s founding history.“

What was the most challenging part, thus far, of opening and operating a coworking space?

I’d say the biggest challenge is maintaining a close-knit community from an ever-changing group of people. Since opening, we have grown from 30 coworking members to 125, and within this number the people are constantly changing as members come and go. The most consistent challenge for us is to keep the interactions and collaborations going amidst this flux of members – but it’s also the most interesting part of the job!

Do you have any advice or tips for someone who is looking to open a coworking space?

I think the most important first step is to create an ethos around which you want to build your space. Ours has always focused on the creation of a supportive community whom we serve through our facilities and our actions.

Communicate with your members from day one. TTB grew from consistent loops of feedback and action, largely helped by our first round of members when we opened in April 2017. By asking your members what they need and responding to that, you create a sense of trust which will lead to loyalty and mutual respect.

Finally, I think careful planning when it comes to the design and layout is important – a little research into the needs of the local community and your members in terms of ratios for meeting rooms, desks, breakout spaces, and event spaces will go a long way.

How would you like people to remember TTB?

A place where they felt happy and welcome, made friends for life, and got to work on something fulfilling.

The post Meet The Community Manager: Hazel Shaw of Dublin’s The Tara Building appeared first on Coworking Insights.

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