#things can be good and rich and simple and also complicated and it's possible and we don't have to live in fear of messing it up

[rawliverandgoronspice]

re: sympathetic ganondorf vs evil for evil’s sake ganondorf, i think this is misrepresenting and underselling what’s actually offputting to people

“i’m evil because i’m evil” or “i’m evil because demise is evil” and the associated lust for power simply for its own sake has always been lame and low effort. there’s a reason it’s “shit tier” on the classic “villain motive tiers” thing

“i’m evil but there’s enough nuance to make the player at least somewhat sympathetic to me even if i’m still ultimately a bad guy” is a good thing that people like? i’ve never personally interacted with a zelda player who thinks windwaker ganondorf ruined the character or anything - he’s generally regarded as the gold standard of villain writing both in and out of zelda. this is roughly “high tier” on the tier chart

“actually TWIST i’m not evil at all, it’s the good guys who were evil all along, i’ve done nothing wrong and i’m completely justified in my righteous quest against the status quo, you’re the real secret true villain for being complicit in preserving it” is technically regarded as “elder god tier” on the motive tier chart but i would personally label it as “oscar bait tier”. these things *can* be compelling in conversation with the existing landscape, but often it comes across as a deliberate effort to subvert the audience’s expectations for the sake of being unpredictable (or worse, for the sake of proving you’re the smartest one in the room). in separate works where this conversation/critique is the entire point (eg. Watchmen or The Boys), that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and the audience sets their expectations accordingly. in an established, long-running franchise, however, this almost always reads as dripping with contempt for the audience, like walking into a room and going “you morons like this shit? let me, a person much smarter than you, explain what it’s Actually about, because you’re an idiot if you’ve been a fan of this series before now”

on top of that, in the context of a series like zelda, this type of story feels myopic and disrespectful to the future of the series. “welp i burned down the 20+ years of lore behind this character so i could do a deconstruction, good luck using them in any capacity in the future, sounds like a you problem”

all this is to say, i think it’s a bit disingenuous/strawman-y to suggest that people put off by this want ganondorf to have 0 depth at all. there’s a lot of room for different kinds of depth, it’s just that the trend of the last decade has been for “depth” to mean “condescending deconstruction”

Hey!

Thanks for taking the time to write this ask, I think it warrants an interesting conversation. To me, there's like, a lot of things about what you're saying, and tbh I do see where you're coming from --in part.

First thing first... No yeah unfortunately some people Are hostile to even WW Ganondorf. It's been a rising trend in the fandom since TotK was released --people being very against the concept of any additional complexity to the character, either not getting it or considering anything he says pure manipulation that doesn't even warrant a conversation, literally making fun of people who were intrigued by this and wanting more out of this particular thread. This position not only absolutely exists within the fandom --less so on tumblr, I'll agree there-- but it's not even hard to stumble upon as a pretty regular opinion that gets tossed around. I had some interesting asks thrown my way, let's say. The idea that Ganondorf is a remotely interesting character that deserves more thought than what he gets is very much Extremely not the norm, and the very fact that you, as a fan, likes him as a guy is perceived as weird and missing the point by a lot of people. Like a lot a lot of people.

So I'll just... I guess I haven't clarified my position in a while, so I will reclarify my position on our favorite evil dude: I do like him perfectly fine as a villain, I do not want him to be "redeemed" by the narrative, I think he works fantastically as an ongoing threat, I think they could make him even scarier and more offputting and that would be super fun and thrilling... and I also think he already is complex. Like, inherently. Everything Nintendo has been putting into him since his first appearance is complicated --even their attempts at flattening him back in TotK do not fully work because they can't scrub him of the extremely loaded ideas they injected into him from the get-go. Nobody forced Nintendo to do a Mega Orientalism when inventing him, nobody made them write the NPCs to have this super weird antagonistic relationship to the gerudos in OoT, nobody made them have all this lore of the one man born every hundred years, raised by twin witches --and then nobody made them press on that tension point in Wind Waker explicitely, and then, in a more subtle fashion, in TP too. Nobody forced their hand when it came to having the strange "round ear" situation, suggesting (confirmed even, in additional canon) gerudos are born unblessed. The fact of the matter is: everything to make the relationship between Hyrule and the gerudos complicated has been there since 1998. There's no need for a Switcharoo to prove that anyone is smarter than the audience: everything messy has always been baked within the worldbuilding itself. It's in the cartridges already!!

Perspective on it is what could change, though --because, except in Wind Waker, we never get even a hint of a sense that we should think, as an audience, that Hyrule's super weird relationship to the gerudos is maybe questionable. Worth thinking about at least. Which, given the optics, is wild to me that to bring this particular can of worms up is still very largely considered crazy talk within the fandom (that, or the Sheikah situation across the series, also insane in many ways). And yes, it would perhaps lead to themes that are a bit heavier than what Zelda has been overtly dealing with (though, again, Majora's Mask exists --and I do find a lot of unpacked ideas in the Wild Era, like the very unquestionned gerudo bridal pipeline, very uhhh unfortunate already if I'm being honest --even moreso because it is unquestioned). But Zelda, when well handled narratively, can do wonderful things with evocative subtext, open doors never fully crossed, a lynchian pressure on what should feel offputting. We don't even need a sad monologue about it. It doesn't even need to be handled explicitely. But I think the pressure point is just better when understood and incorporated in some form, instead of being denied so hard the world itself start to feel incomplete and unlived.

I do want to say... I get what you mean with the whole "oscar bait" thing. There has been, historically and in recent years, a tendency to be driven by an external, almost panicked sense of morality rather than by the internal drive of a story, its internal thematic logic. I also do think it can feel very corporate, very "Disney looking back at its own movies and scrubbing off everything Buzzfeed deemed problematic in 2014 while making everything glossy and lifeless and awful" and it's not that great!!! and tbh I can't say I would trust Nintendo to handle any appreciation for the fact that the story of an eternal golden kingdom cheering on beating the evil outsiders who want to corrupt everything good and pure and blonde about that perfect inherently good place, is like, extremely not neutral. It absolutely is a delicate thread to weave, and I agree that putting a definitive end to Hyrule is probably not the smartest IP move to do. But, Hyrule doesn't have to be condemned as Bad, it can be merely complicated. And ongoing, regardless. To keep on with the Disney parallel: The Lion King would feel weird if we started to peel off the internal politics of the hyenas, it's just not the right place for it, when everything about this story revolves around the Righteousness of the Divine Right to Rule. But if the Lion King was an ongoing series that had been looping on itself for a while... wouldn't it make sense to figure out how to achieve majesty by studying other angles too, eventually? Is it that strange to suggest the exercise is like, possible? That it can be handled with artistry and soul?

I feel like... Yes, to acknowledge Ganondorf's humanity --not even to coddle it, just to acknowledge it-- implies taking in everything that makes him who he is, and that might rattle some foundational ideas about why this ancestral fight is even happening in the first place. I also do not think it means that he must be Good now. He can still punch a child and cackle maniacally, he can still be unredeemable --he can still destroy himself and others out of the most unconstructive spite ever, and we can still see the purpose in defeating him while basking in the "yea....." left in his wake (Wind Waker did that!!! Wind Waker did that and then we had more Zelda games!! crazy how that happened). This is hardly undoable. It does take some narrative skill, and some commitment to taking a bit of a risk, but Ganondorf is genuinely unmanageable as a character if you insist on your refusal to acknowledge his foundations --and I think it's partially why TotK's story is such a mess. He sells a TON, but you can't have him breathe slightly too loud without risking the entire world falling apart. They did try in TotK, so very hard, and to me they still failed--as insane as he behaves, Hyrule still doesn't come out of this looking good or particularly justified, because the very central core of Ganondorf's character is to be subjugated, and then rebelling in a destructive and brutally selfish, uncompromising manner that ends up robbing him of humanity --and the discomfort of that premise will therefore always haunt the conversation. Nintendo dug themselves into that mess. I feel like a lot of the Ganondorf fans I know merely... point at that. At the mess. And I feel like the longer the games avoid this mess, the more coats of spinach green they slather ontop of his skin, and the more nonsensical characterization they pile up, and the more Ganondorf will become a parody of who he once was, and what made him compelling to begin with.

And to top it all off, as if he wasn't contentious and complicated enough to handle already, they leaned into the internet turning him into a sex symbol for some fucking reason??? Yeah I genuinely have no idea how Nintendo will manage this dude moving forward, because to me, he is, at best, an endless source of (very lucrative) headaches, and at worst a ticking time bomb. I'm not sure how long they can get away with that TotKification strategy, is what I mean.

(Also: I tried to not overdwell on all the incredibly complicated conversation re: race and orientalism, but it's borderline impossible to have this conversation without acknowledging that I have never seen a major pop culture villain receive more pushback against "woobification" than him, and I don't think it's a complete coincidence let's say :) )

[hanaybuns]

let me cook

guys i have a confession to make... and you have to hear me out...karatoto (karamatsu and totoko) is a fun pairing

NOW STAY WITH ME HERE FOR A SECOND

in the context of the show, i would only want them to stay friends, if not besties. i think the writers actually like pairing them up for certain scenes bc they can rely on kara to be slightly more normal (relative to the other matsus) when interacting with totoko. like, when you really think about it they interact a lot in the third season... i honestly think she interacted with kara the most in season 3 besides nyaa and possibly osomatsu.

(these are not the best screenshots but trust me they talk to each other in all of these scenes, except the one where kara is a horse)

but thats actually not why i like them as a pair... the real reason is because i like messiness and i like drama and i like fun and i think a secret relationship between karamatsu and totoko would have all of those things

(the even realer reason is because i'm wildly and shamelessly biased towards karamatsu. it's just that simple)

see, the reason it would be so fun is because no one would expect it. everyone in the show probably thinks that if totoko were to end up with anyone, it would be osomatsu. and that's not an unfounded belief, i think they definitely do have the deepest and most complex relationship out of the 6 as the two "leads".

them getting together would kind of represent this grand, but ultimately linear shift in the status quo. the main character gets the heroine. shocker. but it kind of is a shocker in a show like osomatsu san, and its characters aren't really ready for that kind of "ending" per se. especially not osomatsu, who thrives and desperately clings to the status quo like his life depends on it. and ofc totoko is in a similar boat, where she finds herself yearning for simpler, more fun times.

but maybe totoko just wants to have a little extra fun! maybe she just wants to take a quick detour! is that too much to ask?? can't a girl have a little fling on the side?? why does everything she does matter so much as the heroine??? it sucks!!

it's too hard to go out and find a rich hot guy to have fun with. thankfully, she has 6 men who are already head over heels for her! so she finds herself weighing the pros and cons of each sextuplet.

osomatsu is... complicated, so he's out

choromatsu is an automatic no

ichimatsu is okay... but he seems like a guy who needs more care than she's willing to give

jyushimatsu is complicated in a different, much weirder way

todomatsu... todomatsu is definitely a viable option, but she wants someone who will only have eyes for her and she doesn't like how totty always has 2 girls by his side

karamatsu... karamatsu was never really an option in her mind but like, he's pretty nice! and honestly recently he's been much more normal than he used to be (season 1). his painfullness has decreased substantially since then. he also doesn't look half bad! he and todomatsu definitely take care of their appearance the most out of the 6. they've talked a decent amount and they even had that one skit together... ignition.

(side note, weirdly enough i think the karamatsu taxi skit makes him the only matsu to ever call a woman a b*tch... which is surprising to say the least and honestly detracts from this whole thing a bunch but i just thought it was so crazy...yikes kara)

but best of all, karamatsu is (seemingly) simple. and thats what she wants right now, a simple and easy and fun time. no baggage, no grand status quo changes, no needless effort. just a little fun with a guy she already knows likes her.

so she approaches him one day and asks him to carry her bags for her while she goes shopping. normal enough right? so karamatsu ofc is like "oh yeah i think i'm free but my brothers might be busy" and totoko's like "oh that's fine, you don't have to bring them" and karamtsu just says "sounds good, see you tomorrow!"

he walks home and it doesn't really hit him until he gets there... totoko chan just invited him somewhere to do something with him... alone.

but she's done that before! she asked if he wanted to watch her at her driving school, which he did alone. heh... it seems totoko is not a karamatsu girl yet, but he thinks he can win her over after tomorrow.

ok so i have more ideas for this, but honestly i don't really think theres an audience for karatoto but lmk if you guys are interested to hear the rest.

[alpaca-clouds]

Utopia is always a Compromise

Someone asked me something in a private message, getting rather annoyed with my insistence that pretty much any and all conflict can happen in a Solarpunk world: "Well, what is an utopia to you?" And technically the answer is fairly simple: "An utopia is not perfect, but as good as things are going to be." And that is a claim I am going to stand by.

I spent yesterday pretty much the entire day writing a Solarpunk short story for an anthology. And that short story very much is about all that. About compromises. Because I somehow feel, that a lot of folks in the solarpunk sphere do not grasp two things about utopias:

Utopias are going to differ a lot depending on who you ask.

Because of this, any utopia is inherently political.

One person's utopia is going to be someone else's dystopia. Or to put it differently: Nazis imagine utopias too. In their utopias whole cultures have been eliminated, while a few rich white people rule over everyone else. To them this is what they imagine "the best possible world" to be.

Of course, Solarpunk inherently is a very left leaning genre and ideology. My Solarpunk utopia is anarcho-communist of course. In my Solarpunk utopia, there are no more nation states, and there are no more borders. Everyone who wants it is given room to live, and the other necessities to life: access to clean water, food, electricity, health care and education. The education system is a lot more self-directed by the students. And the electricity obviously is created by renewable ressources. Food is grown more locally. Indigenous people get their land back. All those things apply.

And yet, even my Solarpunk utopia has to deal with compromises. Because some things are always going to be a compromise.

Everyone who has been following me, knows that I am a prison and police abolitionist. And this means compromise. While I am 100% certain, that most crime can be prevented by giving people access to the ressources listed above, and allowing everyone a healthy life, some crime will still happen. People still will find reasons to argue. And in some cases arguments might result in violence, and in some extreme cases in death through violence. And some people will be more prone to that violence, for a variety of reasons. And I still think, they should not be "locked away", with maybe some extreme cases as exceptions. But all of that is always a compromise not everyone is going to agree with.

The story I wrote yesterday tackled two other topics in this regard, I have very complicated feelings about myself. Religion and mental health.

Most folks active in the solarpunk sphere are either agnostic or atheistic, or part of some more spiritual nature-related religions. And either group generally tends to have a big disdain for organized religion like Christianity or Islam. Which I - someone who has been abused for pretty much his entire youth through the means of Christianity - absolutely can understand. And yet, I do not think it would be right to overly regulate religion in a Solarpunk world. Even though a lot of those religions are very anti-anarchist in many regards, I also do not think it is the anarchist way to forbid someone else from believing in whatever feels right for them to believe. But that will undoubtedly bring further issues. Because where are you going to draw the line? No matter where you draw it, it is going to be a compromise. And some conflict will arise from it.

What if you have a religion that thinks queerness is bad? Or that thinks women belong in the kitchen? When is it okay to regulate a religion? Because you will not have political success going on and wanting to forbid the world largest religions. Trying to do that would be quite dystopian to me. You also cannot force them to completely change their doctrine, and even if you tried, they would probably still preach some of it behind closed doors. So what are you going to do? Which is the compromise you would take?

In the story I wrote, the main character was a queer guy who has grown up religious and struggled a lot with mental health issues because of it. Because he was queer and his family had been hateful towards that queerness because of their religion. Simply for the reason that controlling someone's personal believes was not right - but the family controlling that queer kid was not right either.

And mind you: We know that contrary to what atheists say, religion is not fully something people choose for themselves. There is some genetic component to religiosity. And if someone has grown up religious, you cannot just force that person to change their religion. That is absolutely akin to forcing a gay person to be straight. It is a violation of the person's rights and freedom, and will be very detrimental to their mental health.

But the mental health issue is another one that is a big topic for compromise in the anarchist way - and even in our modern democratic way.

Most progressive nations do not allow a person to be forcefully put into a psych ward, unless that person tried to commit suicide, or was outright physically violent towards another person. This is also the same bar that usually has to be cleared before someone has to be forced into therapy, and you basically cannot force anyone to take medication. But this is a compromise as well, that does harm as much as it does good.

Because even those mentally unwell people who might not be physically violent, still can very much be abusive towards others. Be it family members, partners, colleagues, roommates, friends, or themselves. And there can absolutely be an argument made that it would be better for everyone to set the bar lower before you can force someone into therapy, as they would probably even benefit themselves. Yet, we do not do that. Because technically it is everyone's personal freedom to decide, whether they want medical care or not - and because we have made the mistake in the past, of course, when a lot of people were forced into and kept under miserable conditions in psychological phacitilies. And we do not want any repeat of it.

But to come back to the story: The main character is abusive mostly towards himself - but this is obviously still harmful towards his partner and child. Nobody can force him to accept any help, after having made a bad experience in therapy before. But the status quo clearly also is not helping anyone.

And you will find those issues in a thousand of different ways. If you are anarchist, you are going to be against a lot of regulations, because those will always give some people power over other people, but where will you draw the line to regulate? Where will you allow some people to make decisions over other people?

Because in some regards this will always have to happen. And no matter how much you can argue: Every line is pretty much arbitrary. Which is why you will find some people argue for pretty every possible line you could draw in the sand. I can bring a thousand arguments for prison abolition - but the people who are for keeping prisons around, can bring a thousand arguments themselves. Sure, I think a lot of those arguments are bullshit. But they think the same about my arguments. And the big issue with those social topics is, that the science is not as firm as we wanted it to be. I will argue that there is some science clearly giving indications for prison abolition - but the prison abolition crowd such as myself does also assume a general scenario, that never has been tested in the modern world. We do not know if it would work. And I myself will openly say, that I have no fucking clue how to deal with issues like misogyny, where we have some data that suggests that once it has taken a certain hold even the best rehabilitation system will not erase it from someone's mind in about 30% of all cases. Sure, we might be able to get rid of it over the course of generations - but as an anarchist I also have to ask: "What do we do until then?" Because those misogynist men will kill and assault women.

I know it is easy to imagine that if only things were better, all human strive would end. But it simply is not the case. Partly, because some people will still struggle with one thing or another and develop bad ways of dealing with that struggle. And partly, because certain ideologies that lie at the root of so many issues cannot just be erased from the world from one day to the other. You cannot uninstall hate from someone's mind. You might through education get some people to be better - but not everyone. And this... Well, this will always create some issues.

[lagoonalake]

Can you do zerobaseone ideal type to

ZEROBASEONE IDEAL TYPE

!!No reading for the maknae because he is still a minor!!

HANBIN

Personality: 9 of cups, temperance, the wheel of fortune

Very chill, light-hearted energy. I don’t hink he has a specific type that he is attracted to, he just wants something that feels good, that is relaxed, comfortable, where there is a feeling of calm, serenity, balance. But his type is still evolving and changing quite a lot. It’s like he’s discovering with each new experience his love style. It’s not codependent, it’s very light, very zen and about sharing and enjoying pleasures together. He’s also rather open to different types of people, different types of experiences in love.  sagittarius, pisces, jupiter, libra, aquarius

Appearance: king of wands, the hanged man, queen of swords

Rather proud looking haughty people, with have a certain class and prestige, could be attracted to a high status. Sophistication. I would say he’s easily impressed by beauty. More lavish, a bit extravagant trendy style, a lot of accessories, colors, make up. People who have an ethereal sort of beauty, a bit otherworldy, sleepy eyes, he likes the artistic idol look, with crazy hair colors, eye contact, the AI look. Rather tall and slender, long limbs.  leo, aquarius, pisces

Turn offs: the hermit, 9 of swords, the fool

People who are shy, who don’t open up, who never talk, people who are awkward, anxious, pessimistic. Party poopers, people who are too serious, who cannot enjoy the present moment. Either too mature or too childish and naive. People outside of his immediate environment. Overly “deep” and complicated people, he prefers someone more simple and light hearted.  negative cancer, capricorn, virgo, scorpio

JIWOONG

Personality: knight of pentacles, the devil, the sun, 5 of cups

This could be a specific person. On one hand there is someone with a rather calm, practical, slow moving, stubborn energy, rather discreet and modest. On the other hand there is the fast life linked with fame. And in the middle of it all is heartbreak. So I could see him being in a relationship with this non famous person, that matched him in many ways, grounded him, who was real too, with real love, real pleasures, simple but true. But he sort of fell for the temptations that come with fame, all the people throwing themselves at him, the attention…etc.   earth signs, leo, neptune

Appearance: temperance, the hermit, queen of pentacles

Very calm aura, grounded, earthy. Could be someone a bit older or just mature. Natural beauty, simplicity. Harmonious symmetrical balanced features, good proportions. Coziness, warmth, sensuality. Someone who looks both practical and spiritual, could be like a yoga teacher or something lol. Flexible feminine body. Comfortable in their own skin. Warm, rich, a bit darker colors. Soothing voice. earth signs, libra

Turn offs: 5 of swords, 8 of cups, 2 of pentacles

Here again I feel like I’m picking up on a specific energy, specific argument even that could be about money. He is more ambitious and wants to earn more and is ready to sacrifice some things while his partners may tend to be more simple, to be ok with having enough, but he wants more.  virgo, saturn, cancer, pisces

ZHANG HAO

Personality: high priestess, 6 of cups, queen of swords

Someone who is a bit mysterious, more introverted, secretive, magnetic, possibly who appears a bit cold on the outside but this would just mean that they have strong boundaries and would only let in someone special. Someone with a lot of depth, a lot of love to give, empathetic, a very calming, soothing healing sort of presence. Very calm. Intelligent, mature and interesting. Very elegant, alluring, feminine. Something untouchable about them. But once in the relationship the love would be very deep, unconditional, familiar, safe, a meaningful relationship. scorpio, saturn, libra, virgo, cancer

Appearance: page of cups, page of pentacles, the lovers

Even though when it comes to personality he is attracted to maturity, when it comes to looks, he likes a cuter, more youthful appearance. Small, round face. Small features, shorter height, petite stature. Someone who has a softness and kindness to their looks, a purity. Someone with a dreamy, artistic, romantic and also safe, calming, natural appearance. I see flowers, stars, very dreamy almost fantasy type of look but it’s also in nature, in a very cozy place. Soft skin. Colorful clothes, purple, pink, green, blue. Creative artistic fashion. Smells good, especially flowery perfumes. pisces, taurus, cancer, mercury, virgo

Turn offs: the magician, 2 of wands, knight of swords

Manipulators, people who are too chatty, the business type of people, always concerned with money, profit, that sort of enterprising spirit. People who are disconnected from their emotions, with no artistic sense, people who are blunt, lacking in empathy, tactless, unable to understand others or care about them, selfish, aggressive, impulsive, fast paced. Overly ambitious people. aquarius, gemini, capricorn, aries

SEOK MATTHEW

Personality: knight of swords, 6 of wands, 9 of swords

He likes people who he can get a strong reaction from. People who are a bit impulsive, easily triggered, whose emotions run high, even people who can worry easily, people who enjoy attention and who are a bit proud. I think it’s because he enjoys teasing them, and he likes when someone responds to him. Someone quick to react, with a rather active mind. Active body too, someone more action oriented. Who enjoys activities and going out. Someone who can be really fun too. He likes this bickering old couple sort of dynamic. aries, leo, gemini, virgo, sagittarius

Appearance: queen of swords, 2 of swords, the tower

Someone quite intimidating, haughty, who could even look a bit mean. When it comes to outer appearance very elegant, sophisticated and stylish. But you can feel passion and even aggression boiling just under the surface. The type who can be an ice queen most of the time and throw big tantrums from time to time. Something a bit explosive about their aura. They are trying to keep it under control but you can feel they are triggered. XD Lots of jewelry and luxurious items. Rather tall or appears tall. Pouty lips, that sort of Bratz doll mouth. aries, leo, libra, scorpio, mars

Turn offs: queen of pentacles, king of swords, the devil

People who are too serious, stoic and controlled, who don’t have any spontaneity. Someone manipulative, who is trying to control him. He wants to pull the strings! XD I don’t think he is so manipulative in an unhealthy way, he is more teasing and funny, but he doesn’t like when it goes the other way around, when someone is like that with him, he wants to be the one in control. Anyone too toxic or unhealthy.  saturn, capricorn, aquarius, pluto, negative scorpio

TAERAE

Personality: 7 of pentacles, 2 of wands, the star

I feel like his idea of relationships is mostly abstract and that he doesn’t really know exactly what he wants right now. But he would prefer to take it slow, so someone patient, observant, who would approach him carefully, he would probably want to feel the spark right away, but start off as friends. Yet he wants this person to be enterprising, to make the first step, to have a certain boldness, even if they would not force the relationship. Someone fun, inspiring, strong, confident, protective, positive who would give him hope and boost his confidence, and care for him, support him all the way. He would prefer his partner to be more experienced and the decision maker.  leo, aquarius, cancer, jupiter

Appearance: page of cups, 9 of cups, the emperor

A soft more masculine sort of appearance, someone who looks very chill, welcoming, kind, but also confident and relaxed. Short hair, big smile. Nice teeth. Relaxed fashion or style. Commanding presence, maybe a more powerful physique. More androgynous in appearance. Soft facial features, full lips, big eyes, tan and soft skin. The color blue, white, turquoise, purple dreamy watery colors.  pisces, taurus, aquarius, cancer

Turn offs: 5 of cups, 10 of cups, king of pentacles

Someone who wants to go too fast, who is too clingy, needy, codependent, he is not ready for a long term stable relationship right now. Maybe he had to turn down people who were very family oriented and traditional and wanted to build something long term with him, but it’s too early for him. So he would prefer someone more light hearted and who wouldn’t want to put any label to the relationship, something more free.  taurus, cancer, pluto, saturn

RICKY

Personality: 4 of wands, 5 of wands, the fool

Cards kept falling down so probably he likes something a bit chaotic! XD Definitely someone very fiesty, fun loving, who likes to party and who laughs a lot, very lively. Someone who is competitive too, hot headed, action oriented, sporty. Energetic, who enjoys a lot of activities. Someone very spontaneous, passionate, and everyday with them feels like a new beginning, never boring. The chemistry is what matters the most, he needs to feel that spark, and he doesn’t mind a bit of drama if it keeps the passion alive.  aries, sagittarius, leo, uranus

Appearance: 6 of pentacles, 6 of wands, 2 of wands

A more practical look, nothing too fancy. He prefers simplicity. Athleisure, mountain look, short hair or hair tied up in a bun, someone who looks like they are used to do things outdoors. Fit sturdy body, tan skin. A more natural look. Confident and mature. A bit fierce looking, strong eyebrows, sharper, stronger features. Warm coppery colors, brown, orange, red. mars, sagittarius, taurus, aries

Turn offs: ace of pentacles, 2 of pentacles, 3 of cups

Someone who is too focused on the practical, always thinking about money, only wants to do things that are useful, productive. Someone who never really loses control. Someone who is greedy and opportunistic. Someone who is a people pleaser. He also wants to feel the passion right away, so someone who appears to friendly lol, he needs that hot passion right off the bat. earth signs, libra, aquarius

GYUVIN

Personality: page of pentacles, the star, the high priestess

Someone very kind, helpful, feminine, soft, caring and practical. More discreet or shy, a bit mysterious. Positive. He could like a bookworm, think Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Someone who is doing their own thing, very compassionate, good with animals, who has a lot of culture and knowledge. Someone who is a bit spiritual or religious as well, who believes that something is looking out for them. Who would give him a lot of hope. A reassuring presence but at the same time someone he’d want to protect. Someone who likes to cuddle. virgo, pisces, cancer, jupiter

Appearance: 5 of cups, 7 of pentacles, queen of swords

Someone who looks a bit distant, melancholic, somber. Who could look a bit cold or even mean on the outside but he would feel that they are a wounded soul. Someone who is more of a loner, who doesn’t talk much, closed off body language. A more traditional asian beauty type, slender, pale skin, classy, long hair, clean looks, elegant, refined. Almond shaped eyes. capricorn, virgo, scorpio,  aquarius

Turn offs: justice, page of wands, the hierophant

Someone who puts a lot of pressure on him, demands that he is perfect, is making all the decisions, is hypercritical, cold, punishing, acts like a parent, a figure of authority or a manager. He also doesn’t like someone either too adventurous, immature or unreliable or either too traditional, controlling, structured, he needs a balance of both.  negative capricorn, sagittarius, saturn, taurus, aquarius

GUNWOOK

Personality: queen of wands, 7 of swords, the high priestess

He could be a bit impressionable and naive in relationships, because he tends to be attracted to tricksters, people who hide their true self or true intentions, who appear to him as very charismatic and over the top, could love bomb him. People with narcissistic tendencies, who could try to gaslight him so they have him under their influence. People who talk a lot of BS, who lie or distort the truth, exaggerate things to make themselves appear more impressive. People who can be domineering and arrogant, who don’t take no for an answer.  negative sagittarius, leo, gemini, cancer, scorpio

Appearance: king of cups, queen of swords, 10 of pentacles

He is easily impressed by status, money or a strong, intimidating aura. Someone who could even look a bit fierce, cold, mean, but who has very magnetic intense eyes. A touch of darkness in their aesthetic. Luxurious brands, jewelry. Could prefer older partners. Someone who looks a bit extravagant or who has a signature sort of look. This could be a specific energy I’ve been picking up for him since the start of the reading.  taurus, capricorn, scorpio

Turn offs: 8 of swords, page of pentacles, 7 of cups

Insecurity, shyness, someone who hides themselves from the world, who is more simple, humble in the way they present themselves and the life they want. Someone outside of the entertainment industry or who isn’t part of the elite. A misfit. Someone insecure who lacks confidence and self sabotage. With the 7 of cups showing up at the end, I feel like this is a clear indication that he is caught up in an illusion. He can’t see what’s behind the splendor of fame, money, luxury…etc. saturn, neptune, uranus

[dialovers-translations]

DIABOLIK LOVERS ZERO Animate Tokuten Drama CD “A Vampire’s Late Night Snack Terror” [Kino ver.]

Original title: 夜更かしヴァンパイアの食テロ飯 [キノ編]

Source: Diabolik Lovers ZERO Vol. 7 Animate Tokuten CD

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Tomoaki Maeno

Translator’s note: I went into this fully expecting a repeat of Kou with Kino setting the kitchen on fire but he’s actually a decent cook??? It was also really cute how he wants to be more independent and stop relying on Yuuri to do everything for him. I swear this guy keeps on winning me over again and again ever since I played his Lost Eden route.

Kino burst into the room.

*Thud*

“...God! What does he mean ‘You can’t do it, Kino’...!? Who does he think I am, huh!?”

You ask him what’s wrong.

“It’s very simple! I was looking for a change of pace and casually offered to make a meal...but what do you think Yuuri said in response to that? ...That it’s impossible for me! I can cook though! It’s just that I usually choose not to!”

You tell them it’s not good to fight.

“We’re not fighting or anything...Well, I guess it’s true that I don’t exactly cook very often. Yuuri does it for me after all. But he didn’t have to just flat out doubt my capabilities like that! Aah...It pisses me off! Can’t I get back at him somehow? ...Right! You’re a pretty good cook, aren’t you?”

You suspect that he might want you to teach him.

“Yes, exactly! ...Teach me! How to cook!”

You seem hesitant.

“...Are you going to tell me that I can’t as well?”

You tell him that it’s too late to cook now.

“Who cares that it’s the middle of the night? Besides, I’m a Vampire, so I’m active during this time of day. ...Ah-aah...That really stings. You’ll have to do something now to make up for this emotional pain.”

Kino approaches you.

*Rustle*

“So...Where do you want me to bite you? It would seem to me that you’re dying to have me give you a taste of pain, so I’ll gladly take you up on that offer?”

You protest.

“I won’t wait. So, where do you want my fangs? Ahー Perhaps I should go for your ear? It’s a very sensite spot, so I’m sure it’ll hurt a lot?”

You continue to fight back.

“Then...You’ll teach me, right? I don’t care about the dish itself.”

You agree.

“There we go. You should have just nodded in agreement from the beginning.”

*Rustle*

“Well then, let’s go to the kitchen then. Just a heads up, pick something fancy but possible for me to make, okay?”

*TIMESKIP*

*Rustle rustle*

*Thud*

“You’ve started...lining up some strange things. These odd vegetables and...cheese? What are we going to make with these?”

You refuse to tell him for now.

“That’s something to look forward to? Okay, sure. I guess I’ll follow your instructions this once. ーー So, where should I start?”

*Rustle*

“What...is this?”

You tell him.

“Eh? This is lotus root!? I had no idea it had this sort of shape...”

*Rustle*

“Oh, you’re right! Now that you mention it, the cross-section looks like lotus root! I should slice it, right?”

You tell him he has to cut it thinly.

“Eeeh? You have so many requests. Yeah, I know. I’ll cut thin slices.”

You tell him the amount you need.

“One hundred gram!? So what does 100 gram of lotus root look like exactly!? Could you stop giving me all the difficult tasks!?”

*Cling*

“Hmph...God. I’ll just wing it...”

*Chop chop chop*

“About this much?”

You praise his knifework. 

“Guess so. I mean, obviously I know how to use a knife. So, what’s next?”

You turn on the stove.

“Ah...We’re going to bake these? ...You can hear the sound of the oil sizzling. Can I add the lotus root now?”

You give him instructions again.

“There you go asking complicated things again...Fine. I should line them up leaving as little gaps as possible...and bake them until the surface is crispy, right?”

*Pshhh*

*Rustle*

“Mmh! Looking good! It’s got a nice brown color and gives off a rich fragrance. What should I do next?”

*Rustle*

“Are these leftovers from dinner? Can I put them on?”

You nod.

“Then I’ll place these bite-sized pieces of bacon all around...and sprinkle the finely chopped pieces of tomato on top as well, okay? The rings of green pepper as well. ...Mmh! A nice array of colors! As to be expected of me! Why don’t we add in some konpeito as well while we’re at it? I really like these ones!”

*Cling cling*

“See? Aren’t they pretty? I’m very fond of the star shape as well. Let’s try mixing it in here!”

You stop him.

*Rustle*

“Eeh~? Party pooper! ...Fine then. ...So, what comes next?”

You had him a bag of grated cheese.

“Oh? This is...grated cheese, no? Eeh? But if we put this on top, it’ll ruin the nice color palate we had going on, no? ...Ah, right! The key is to put an even, thin layer! ...I’ll put it on top then, okay?”

Kino adds the cheese.

“Sprinkle it all over...”

*Rustle*

“There! It’s starting to melt, look! Uwah~! It looks really delicious already!”

You tell him that it’s not quite ready yet.

“Fine. I’ll put on the lid, okay?”

*Cling*

“Now we just wait, right? I’ve gotten kind of hungry even though I had dinner earlier. Well, I guess I don’t technically need to eat since I’m a Vampire but I can’t wait for the finished product!”

*TIMESKIP*

*Cling*

“Uwah! It looks scrumptious! Although you can tell by the scent alone that it’s going to be delicious. Is it done now?”

You nod and plate it.

*Cling*

“Hooray! It’s done! ...Quick and easy, lotus root pizza!”

You seem surprised that he could tell what it’s based on.

“It’s pretty obvious that it’s meant to be a pizza. This is the first time I’ve seen someone use lotus root for the crust though. Say...Why don’t we give it a little taste before we go show it to Yuuri? It’s really tempting me.”

You give him permission.

“Hehe~ Well then...Time to dig in~!”

Kino takes a bite.

“Mmh...Nn...Mmh~! What’s this!? Holy shit! It’s super delicious!”

You ask him if he really likes it that much.

“Yeah! It’s out of this world! The lotus root crust is really crispy! Even though it’s thin, because it’s been crisped up in the pan, it has a really rich flavor. Kind of like vegetable chips...? 

I really like the melted cheese on top as well! You should eat it while it’s still piping hot. Similar to a cheese fondue, I love how the cheese wraps around the vegetables and brings out the sweetness! 

Also, the smoky aroma from the bacon has seeped into the lotus root. The fat from the meat melts inside your mouth...”

*Crunch*

“Mmh...Delicious!”

You say that you’re glad he likes it.

“Mm~ Way to go! You hit the nail on the head by choosing this recipe! It’s easy to make and delicious. Just like what I asked for!”

*Rustle rustle*

*Thud*

“Huh? Is that...jelly?”

*Rustle*

“Uwah! There’s konpeito inside! So pretty...It looks like stars floating in the sky.”

You ask if he likes it. 

“Of course I like it! I was wondering what you were up to earlier, but you were making this, huh? You really are a great asset with how you’ll take all of my requests into account. What more could a man ask for (1)?”

You get flustered.

“What are you blushing for? I honestly wouldn’t mind marrying you right here, right now?”

You panic even more. 

“Hahaha! What are those weird movements for? Honestly, I never grow tired watching you. ...Oh well, let’s leave that topic for another day.”

*Cling*

“I’m positive Yuuri will be shocked when he sees this table!”

You agree.

“Mmh. ...Well, I know this all started after I got into an argument with Yuuri but I actually had one more reason to want to cook. I realized that I should start becoming more independent little by little...I decided to stop thinking in terms of ‘a master and his servants’, remember? I don’t want to use Yuuri as a personal butler forever, you see. That’s why I gotta at least be able to cook by myself.”

You chuckle.

“What are you grinning for? It’s creepy. Are you mocking me, perhaps?”

You shake your head.

“I wonder. ...This is your punishment for making me upset.”

*Cling*

“Here, say ‘aahn’.”

You refuse.

“I’m not taking no as an answer. Now open your mouth?”

*Rustle*

“Fufu, very obedient now, aren’t we? ...Here you go, ‘aahn’.”

*Crunch*

“Good, right? I made it myself, so be sure to savor it thoroughly, okay?”

You nod.

“Right? Come on, feed me some as well.”

*Cling*

“Aahn~”

*Crunch*

“Mm...Mmh...Yeah, delicious! If we eat too much, there will be none left but...Oh well! We’ve still got plenty of ingredients left, so we can always make a new batch! I want to share the very first dish I made together with you anyway. ...Right~?”

ーー THE END ーー 

Translation notes

(1) Kino calls her a ‘ryousai kenbo’ which literally means ‘good wife, wise mother’ and which is kind of seen as the ideal for woman in Japan and a lot of East-Asian countries. 

[twothpaste]

there's a bunch of little guidelines, unique to each character, that i use when writing dialogue. helps to give em unique voices, and keep them distinct from one another. it's also a list of headcanons in & of itself. figured it'd be fun to write 'em out and share 'em here........

lucas speaks as plainly as possible. tends not to use big words - or many words at all - if he can help it. only says what's necessary to get his thoughts across (or often much less…). his internal monologue is long-winded & rich & dripping with metaphors, but when he opens his mouth, what comes out is plain, simple, and always accommodating. though he uses informal language & comes off real casual-like, he's actually very careful with his word choice. if he's gonna speak up, he's gonna be deliberate about it. rarely imposes upon others, even if he's answering a question or making a judgment. while lucas does often talk quietly, and is prone to hesitant pauses, he almost never stutters. southern accent realness.

claus speaks boldly, usually without thinking first. may use an excessive amount of words. he meanders through sentences sometimes, cuz he's just blurting bullshit as it comes to him. has a cartoonishly brazen manner of speaking, like he's hyping himself up as the smartest funniest guy in the room, but you can kinda tell it's just a playful performance. uses mostly casual language, even when discussing serious or complicated topics. sometimes he tosses in big words to keep you on your toes and remind you he's smarter than he seems. will often try to sound calm and unfazed even when he's definitely Fazed. when he's for real emotionally compromised though, he completely flips, lapsing into the masked man's unnervingly brief, blunt, stagnant speech. southern accent realness as well.

kumatora speaks extremely casually. lots of slang. slathers the most basic statements in irony, pop culture references, and naughty language. whereas lucas won't impose upon others, kuma does exactly that, fully intending to make a big impression with everything she says. even when she's being rude as hell, she usually means it all in good fun, she's just got an abrasive edge to her manner of speaking. sometimes others are put off by it - therefore, she deems those folks unworthy of her company anyways. when she's genuinely angry or sad, she tends to cut the theatrics (though not the swearing). might occasionally lapse into metaphorical language to describe complicated feelings, especially when emotionally strained. shortens words and uses contractions as much as possible.

duster speaks really gently, with a lot of uncertain mannerisms. whenever he has to use more than a few words, he tends to hesitate and meander, like he's not quite sure he's got the right words to make himself clear. prone to hesitation, "um"s and "er"s, and occasional stutters. the way he phrases things is kinda soft & malleable, rarely stating his opinion definitively, cautiously leaving room for others to disagree or add their input. never swears - instead he opts for "gosh" and "heck" and so on. very informal, with a profound southern drawl.

boney's animal telepathy "dialogue" is simple to a goofy degree. little guy will directly state whatever is presently on his mind, oblivious to any social etiquette. sometimes his lack of filter makes for funnily rude or ill-timed interjections. he uses only plain words (though kumatora's unfortunately introduced a few swears to his vocabulary).

flint speaks a lot like lucas, plain and simple and quiet. though he doesn't have the same delicate consideration for the words he's choosing. he says what he means as bluntly as possible, in as few words as possible, and leaves it at that. (secretly he's very aware of how awkward and imposing he comes off, but he hasn't the faintest clue how to remedy it.) prone to hesitant pauses, but only when emotionally compromised. heavy southern drawl (where do y'think the twins got it from).

hinawa speaks kinda like claus, tossing out a lotta thoughts and words in a merry stream of consciousness. hugely exuberant. singsongy, even. she's a bit teasy, and very whimsical, but never offensive or impolite. fond of nicknames. her word choice tends to be informal, though she probably does have a more vibrant vocabulary than she lets on. heavy southern drawl of course, peppered with homely little hillbilly-isms.

fuel is funny to write, cuz he has a loose jokey less-than-sincere manner of speaking, which comes off lackadaisical & carefree. but you can sorta tell he's actually mopey & nervous under the surface. if not by his frequent hesitations and dodgy replies, then at least by his body language. very informal and hickish, and prone to swearin', like the workin' class guy he is.

nana's one of my favs to write, cuz she is a fountain of run-on sentences, always babbling some tangential story off the top of her head, winding this way and that, and by the time she's done talking you've learned like 5 mildly intriguing and hilariously irrelevant new things about her. remarkably formal diction, paired with a flat tone that does not quite match her long-winded rambles. rarely if ever uses exclamation points. doesn't swear. no accent.

ness' speech is probably the most basic out of anybody's. ordinary and casual, with no particular accent or flair to it. big & fancy words are completely out of his wheelhouse. he peppers his dialogue with a few dorky dad-isms every now and then (like callin' folks "sport" or "pal," or dropping a wholly unironic "see ya later, alligator"). though he's not a nervous guy, he does get a little mopey or unsure of himself sometimes, which causes him to pause and mumble a lot.

paula speaks pretty formally most of the time. she says shit like "furthermore," and "precisely," making her stand out distinctively from her fellow dorks & dweebs. is she playfully talking clever in a tounge-in-cheek kinda way, or is she Actually Just Being A Smartass? depends who you ask! paula likes to flex her robust vocabulary, and lace her dialogue with snark & sarcasm. her delivery's comedically dry. when she's reaching out to someone in earnest sympathy, though, her speech gets a lot softer, with thoughtful pauses and gentler language. when she's upset, she gets really flustered, swapping her calm & cool veneer for frantic exclamations & italics!! she does have a southern accent, but she takes care to enunciate each letter in the words she uses, so it's subtle compared to characters like lucas or duster.

jeff speaks as flatly as possible, and keeps his word count to an absolute minimum. his standbys are answering questions with a blunt one-word reply, and asking questions with a period instead of a question mark (cuz he delivers them with virtually no affect). though he knows a lot of academic language, he tends not to use it in casual conversation, afraid of alienating others or coming off like a smartass. his speech is generally bone-dry and very constrained. which makes it all the more special when someone manages to choke a sappy blabber or a furious snap out of him. oh. and he comes with a british accent, of course.

poo's another surprise favorite of mine. my take on him is really charismatic, and genuinely quite funny. he's able to swap between casual and formal mannerisms on the fly. sorta in reference to his mimic ability, he tends to match the energy of whoever he's talking to. so he can turn on a dime from talking real candidly plain & chill with ness, to snarking it up shakespearean style with paula. sharply attentive, he's both clever and empathetic, wily and kind, often sassy but never hurtful. chooses his words very thoughtfully. he has a lot of big feelings bottled up, and fancies himself a poet, so he sometimes goes on sappy wistful metaphorical tangents. he knows full well they sound indulgent, perhaps even dorky, but you'll cut him some slack, won't you? a guy's gotta breathe a little.

porky is the fucking worst and i love him so much ❤️. he treats every conversation like a war, and will deploy snide ruthless underhanded tactics to emerge victorious. he's sardonic, haughty, vitriolic. if he thinks he has the upper hand, he'll cooly sit back and try to pick you apart with biting insults & blows below the belt, trying to find your weak points. if he feels cornered, he'll start furiously barking whatever he thinks will hurt you most. he speaks with an uncanny blend of boyish casual language, pretentious big-brained scrabble words, and swearing (which thinks make him sound Very Mature). will wax poetic about human nature like he thinks he's on par with socrates, then whirl around and call you a snot-nosed dweeb for daring to question his wisdom. my very favorite thing about writing porky's dialogue (and his internal monologue) is that almost everything he says is Wrong. like. as a rule, if he claims something, he's probably got it backwards. and while he is certainly trying to convince others of his bullshit, he is even moreso trying desperately to convince himself. maybe if he repeats his miserable lies & false convictions enough, louder this time, they'll finally stick.

picky peter is practically his brother's antithesis. if every conversation is a war, he chooses to lay down his weapons and avoid the fight entirely. he white flags his way through dialogue, keeping his statements simple and brief and unobtrusive. harshness or accusations make him retreat, essentially playing dead or gray rocking 'til the threat dissipates. kindness catches him off guard, making him "er…" and "um…" and scramble sheepishly to find his words. he does have a lot of barely-repressed bitterness in his guts, and might take on a subtle hint of snark or spite under pressure. his vocabulary is not very broad. he's got a dry fake little laugh he does when he's trying to be friendly ("haha") - but when he's genuinely cracking up, he'll snort instead.

tracy is fun cuz she shares ness' plain & casual "just some guy" manner of speaking, but she's like?? kinda fuckin' mean?? she thinks she's too cool for most folks, adopted a tough exterior to one-up her childhood bullies - and especially admires paula. but she hasn't quite mastered the art of being snarky without coming off rude or edgy. so she speaks sarcastically, teases others, seems bluntly disinterested all the time, and it just makes her sound like a careless teenager (which is exactly what she is). thankfully ness sees through her attitude and knows she's full of love deep down. and paula knows she'll probably grow out of it. peter weirdly enough feels very at ease with tracy snarking at him, cuz he's used to that sorta abrasive talk, but he finds solace in the knowledge that it's harmless here, he knows she doesn't actually mean it. tracy reveals her soft side when she's nervous or troubled, prompting gentler language and lots of unsteady pauses, sounding a lot more like her brother in moments of uncertainty.

[doodle-do-wop]

asking here because i want to see you ramble on tumblr

Oralie and Kenric thoughts?

Bro they are so stupid

Smartest morons you'll ever met in your entire life but soooo so stupid.

Kenric is a walking fashion disaster but unlike Terik who is 'mad hatter crazy rich eccentric uncle' vibes Kenric just looks like shit. Not a fashionable bone in his body and Oralie would rather shot herself in the foot than stand next to him during public appearances and yet willingly chooses the chair next to him anyway like a dumbass.

They're the worst two people to work with because they'll disagree on the stupidest fucking detail that legitimately does not matter and someone please but Liora out of her misery she is begging.

Oralie's tower is pink and perfect and at first it just seems like it's begging for a stain or a crumb but Kenric can see past all of that satin and silk and know that under all the frills Oralie is a mess.

Kenric's tower is oddly cozy but none of this furniture fucking matches, it's like he saw anything on the curb and picked it up as it was. Oralie can't tell if this man does it on purpose and is just really really really committed to the bit or if he genuinely is this incompetent when it comes to making two things look okay being next to each other. It's a mystery. It despite the horrendous furniture and Kenric, the tower is just the best place to find a good window seat to curl up in with a good book and soooo many snacks! Kenric loves to snack! His pantry is stocked with almost any snack, small meal, or tiny nibble.

Oralie keeps the paper industry up and running with how many sticky notes and scrolls she buys, she has three whole jars of pens, pencils, and quills that either don't work, are begging to be put down, or are hanging on by a thread but she likes them too much to throw them away so she spends a solid 16 seconds any time she's at her desk trying to find a pen that works (you'd think she'd have it memorized which ones work and which don't but she buys multiple of the same damn pen, it drives Kenric mad)

They're gossips

They're such horrible horrible gossips

Kenric likes to bother Oralie because she's a workaholic and what the hell is she going to do? Leave her precious work? I don't think so, gossip time >:)

They both stay up late super often so sometimes Kenric goes to Oralie, sometimes Oralie goes to Kenric. Its complicated but also so very very simple. Sometimes Oralie has wrapped herself up in far to many 'what if's and 'possibilities' she's capable of knitting a stress sweater and sometimes Kenric lets himself go too far in his own mind. Sometimes they just need each other, whether they know they do or they don't.

At Galas Oralie and the rest of the women alternate who they walk in with or dance with etc. Oralie dancing or walking in with Kenric is not fu of the romantic tension you think it is because they're fucking gossiping (Again with the gossiping). Oralie is observant and quick and Kenric is a nosy nosy man. When they dance Oralie makes it a point to at least bump her shoe against Kenric's a couple of times, usually in response to a lame joke or when he teases her. When they get to the point where they're absolutely mad about each other and everyone and their wanderling Grandmother can see if their dancing is...different.

They still banter and they still bicker. They haven't lost the 'magic' but like people...things change. They grow and they become something new. And change isn't a bad thing it's just change. And neither mind this new rhyme added to their dances. Kenric can tell when Oralie is going to tap her heel against his shoe, she has this little crinkle between her brows when she's focusing and he's spent long enough noticing all her little quirks and habits to tell when she's getting ready to do it. And he lets her. He thinks it's cute that she's still so fiery, that she hasn't let her stubborn side slip just because things are different now. They both know its different But they're councillors. They can't be fully different. Oralie's duty is to her promise, the oaths and swears she made when she was sworn in. She's too self-destructive to allow herself to be happy above her job. Even if it's her personal duty to herself to be happy.

For now they just dance

Maybe in another life, in another world, another time it will be them

[manuscripts-dontburn]

The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of Royal History at Hampton Court

Author: Gareth Russel

First published: 2023

Rating: ★★★★☆

Gareth Russel is an extremely readable writer and I particularly love his biography of Katherine Howard. However, The Palace did not meet all of my expectations. I had hoped this would indeed be a story of the building, with its workings, its growth, its daily life, and its impact. Instead what I got was a swift (even if enjoyable) fast course on English royalty from the Tudors onwards. The Hampton Court in itself did not seem to be especially important to anything that happened. If I already did not have considerable knowledge about English history, I would also probably get swamped by the names and events that span over 500 years but need to be crammed into roughly 350 pages. Well written, not uninteresting, I did like it a lot but ultimately... I guess not many books can be like Pavlovsk : The Life of a Russian Palace

The Girl Who Couldn't Read

Author: John Harding

First published: 2012

Rating: ★★★★☆

Even though this is officially a sequel, it can easily be read as a standalone. In both cases, I found it engaging and OH SO satisfying.

Prize for the Fire

Author: Rilla Askew

First published: 2022

Rating: ★★★★★

A portrait of a complicated woman who fights for her own identity and strength and eventually finds it, along with inner peace, in her faith. Anne Askew was, by a definition, a religious fanatic in a time when religion was being redressed and differences of opinion on it punishable by death, and Rilla Askew (a curious accident of a name) does not make her exactly likable - which is good, because instead of a legendary martyr washed of off all sins, we get a believable and complex human character, a woman trapped by her era and her circumstance. The whole book is what I would absolutely call a quality historical fiction and the nearer the end, the more powerful it becomes.

Russian Fairy Tales

Author: Alexander Afanasyev

First published: 1855

Rating:  ★★★★☆

It took me several months to go through all of the stories. Some I enjoyed more than others, naturally, but I suppose the main great thing about this collection is the possibilities it gives to future authors who can search for inspiration in it.

Magic Lessons

Author: Alice Hoffman

First published: 2020

Rating:  ★★★★★

Practical Magic was an OK book but I loved The Rules of Magic and this one is also *Chef´s kiss*. I was ready to scream at a certain point near the end and audibly breathed my relief afterward. Alice Hoffman is a beautiful storyteller.

The Company

Author: J.M. Varese

First published: 2023

Rating: ★★★☆☆

This had a gorgeous cover, some seriously creepy vibes, and not bad writing. Unfortunately, most of the book felt like an endless repetition of previous scenes, and in the end, there is really no resolution, just a feeling of being confused. At some points, I thought this book needed much more editing since some dialogues felt unnecessary. I also felt very frustrated that whenever the two main characters interacted and you would hope they would actually have a conversation, it ended after a bunch of sentences with "Ya know?" "I know", but my sweet dude, WE don´t know. Not a terrible book by any means, but it truly could have been so much more.

Maximilian Kolbe: the Saint of Auschwitz

Author: Jean-François Vivier

First published: 2021

Rating: ★★★★☆

The life of Maximilian Kolbe was remarkable, not only for his martyrdom he chose to save another person but for his tenacity, unwavering energy, and belief in God and that everybody can become holy. The richness of it, however, makes it difficult for a volume as slim as this one to really make you feel connected to his story. I felt that it either needed to be a bit longer, or should have focused more on at least some of the episodes. That said, this makes his legacy accessible to any reader, and the art style, though simple, conveys everything it needs to. I am also happy to note there are actual photographs of the saint included at the end of the book.

The Mill on the Floss

Author: George Eliot

First published: 1860

Rating: ★★★��☆

I am a little torn. Some of the scenes were written so beautifully and played out in a manner so powerful one could not but be swept away. At other times I felt that while still written well, the pacing was off and the mundane was losing my interest. I understand that the first part was needed to establish the characters and let us truly know them, but I was also seriously considering DNF-ing the book while plowing through. My rating would be in between 3 and 4 stars, but since Goodreads does not allow that, I will be generous.

Mere Christianity

Author: C.S. Lewis

First published: 1942

Rating: ★★★★★

C.S. Lewis explains Christianity in a very sensible and natural manner, with no shoving of it down your throat. I loved all of the parables and examples he used, bar one, which obviously stemmed from his inexperience with that one issue: actual women. (Or at least he had little experience of them at the time he wrote this book). "Who would you rather talk to if this happened? Man or a woman?" "The one with the brain, Clive Staples, the one with the brain." Other than that small part of one chapter, this is a book any Christian can easily and reliably draw on for inspiration when speaking about their faith to others.

Hell Bent

Author: Leigh Bardugo

First published: 2023

Rating: ★★★★☆

I was reading this slowly, a few pages at a time, to keep my sanity and focus, while the genocide of Palestinians was raging (still is) in the world for all of us to witness. Who would have thought that a book about demons and Hell would be absolutely nothing compared to our reality? But yes, it was absorbing, it led me someplace else for a moment. It was good.

Small Spaces

Author: Katherine Arden

First published: 2018

Rating: ★★★☆☆

I wish this had been an adult horror because I guarantee you I would have shat myself.

[elodieunderglass]

It’s autumn, so the house has been gorging on mice. Normally she only finds one or two pellets a month - the compressed remains of fur, bone, and teeth, which the house can’t digest and wouldn’t want to anyway. Exactly like an owl’s leavings. The house gets hungry in autumn, positively bloodthirsty, and the harvest mice lured in from the fields become handfuls of pellets. Usually the house excretes them discreetly and logically from a drainpipe. But apparently this autumn has been so mouse-rich that the house hasn’t bothered with plumbing and has left pellets on the kitchen floor.

The morning is full of Karen ranting at the house. The bright spikes of her scolding bounce around the house. The dust motes dance in each fresh outburst. Karen doesn’t approve of the mouse remains. She greeted them with a shriek, and now she shrieks again, at intervals, in case anyone should think that she had calmed down about it.

“You’d think you weren’t housebroken,” Karen lays into the house again. “You’d think you weren’t housebroken. What is this? What am I, Am I a laugh to you?” She repeats herself a lot. Then she explains to the girl that she does it because she has mothered three children, none of whom ever listened to her, and none of whom do now. Karen, Karen will say, is used to repeating herself in an effort to get people to simply understand, and they never do. When Karen is repeating this to the girl, the girl feels a weird grimace spreading across her face, like a monkey trying to placate another monkey. The girl has so much secondhand sympathy for Karen’s children. Sometimes she wants to say, out of earshot of the house, Karen, do you think your kids would listen more if you were actually a little bit more selective about what you said? but that would feel horridly mean to Karen, a woman who has so much to put up with: the house, the girl, the mouse bones.

Karen has discovered that the house has eaten a snake. The scream bounces around the house, and the girl almost imagines it cringing sheepishly. “I draw the line!” Karen is saying, “I draw the line at snakes!”

As housekeepers go, Karen is invaluable, but uncomfortable. The girl feels like a class traitor for even feeling this. How bourgeois does that feel? It’s not good enough to require Karen’s labour; her complicity must also be purchased too?

But the thing is, the house is so hard to manage. It really is. It’s used to having staff. It’s a lovely house, but it needs enrichment, stimulation, a healthy diet, exercise; it has to be kept clean; and that’s not losing sight of the maintenance, the attention, the affection it requires. it’s rewarding - it’s a good house! - but the girl has been doing a lot of thinking about class recently, and she’s feeling like she might be onto something here, about gender and women’s work.

See, if the house required some regular application of masculine skills and talents, or if it expressed masculine needs - if it required sacrificial virgin girls, or a mowed lawn, or if it was mechanical somehow - well, actually, the girl should just be simple and honest: if the house was a project. If the house was just a standard renovation project, requiring years of daily men in yellow plastic helmets to stand around making expert noises, that would be totally fine to pay other people for. Nobody would judge the girl for hiring help. They’d say, “you can’t possibly do that by yourself. Don’t be silly! Pay a man to do it.”

But when it comes to the maintenance and grooming of a very picky and enchantingly bloodthirsty house - a house with the temperament of a purebred cat that should never have been bred - it still feels like the girl is on the wrong side of the class war, paying Karen to help with the house. It feels like the girl should be able to do it all.

You can hire dog groomers and dog walkers to help with your dog. You can hire cat whisperers and put your cat in a cattery while you go on holiday. You can hire men to dig holes in your garden, or attach electrical wires to other things, despite knowing that you are perfectly capable of attaching wires or digging holes. You can pay a man to put a new screen protector on your phone. You can hire people to look after your children. You can pay someone else to make your dinner; you can pay yet another person to bring it to you. These are considered normal and healthy. But if you pay a lady to help look after your house… why does that feel so wrong? Why is housecleaning always to be done alone, by a virtuous girl, suffering in her lone virtue?

Puritans, the girl thinks, hiding on the landing. It’ll be the Puritans. She is hiding because doesn’t want to interrupt Karen. Karen is now scolding the house about the snake bones - its bad attitude about their disposal, its full knowledge that Karen hates snakes.

The house likes being scolded; it makes the house feel seen. It likes being filled with noise. It would like the girl to find some more people, and preferably to make some more people, to fill it with, so it can crouch around them pleasantly, full and noisy. Ideally, it would love five or six young children exploring it; it has rooms made for children to explore; admiring it and strengthening it, and then growing up to be writers. Failing children, it wants Christmases or coming-out balls or other large noisy holidays. Failing that, it just wants some life and excitement. It loves Karen, actually, which reduces the guilt of paying for the services of a housekeeper. It’s no worse than paying for a therapist for one’s dog, surely.

The girl thinks, women are supposed to serve houses always. We are supposed to serve the houses for free. This is why I’m not good at it. Before being landed with this house I was going to be quite a good counter-cultural revolutionary - a real leftist, a political activist. Now the house has landed on me, and I have to look after it, because it’s alive, but I don’t know how.

The girl feels guilty. (She is still in her very early twenties, as you can probably tell.) as she has not worked out how to reconcile the oppositional forces here - her unclear feelings about class vs. the material responsibility of the house - her feelings collide like waves, cancelling each other out. All she’s left with is guilt, the liberal guilt that stops one from knowing how to move. Everything is fraught with potential war: hiring Karen, getting a new job, finding a new supplier of the crushed oyster shells that the house consumes by the kilogram, for the calcium. Like a mouse, crouched, she waits guiltily for something else to happen. She is very young.

The mouse bones would be lovely for roses, she thinks wistfully, and tomatoes. Tomatoes benefit from a good whack of calcium. Keeps away blossom end rot. Blossom end rot is depressing. There’s nothing like losing your tomatoes, after all that waiting, because they didn’t get enough calcium. The house’s pellets would enrich a soil. But the house will not tolerate a garden. In addition to competing for its attention, it would never be persuaded not to lie down on the garden, or to eat the garden. The house’s preferred landscaping is a large open meadow with a few trees robust enough to scratch its stones against. The house prefers to be far from bus routes. Karen drives in, in her horrible little Fiat. Maybe she’d be able to afford a better car if the girl could pay her better; but the girl can’t leave the house for very long at a time. The girl is limited to remote working and unsteady pay. In theory, she’s a professional tutor. That’s one of the paradoxes of these big houses - they were meant to be run as the hub of self-sustaining businesses, extracting wealth from their vast estates. The house as alpha-beast, top of the food web, sucking up all the calories of the ecosystem. Perhaps, in its Tudor or Georgian past lives, this house was an apex predator. Houses like these eat money - even the normal ones that aren’t bloodthirsty. They can either be self-sustaining, or they can be purchased by someone with external wealth - some rich bastard - so that the wealth of London can be funnelled into their gullets. This is just another thing the girl isn’t coping with. No wealth, and no way to make the house pay.

She wants to leave the house - give it away - move to a nice flat and get a real job. But half the problem is that this isn’t a house like the houses in House of Leaves or Piranesi; it isn’t menacing. The house loves her. What do you do, when you have a living house that loves you like a dog loves its person?

Sometimes she thinks that she might donate it to the National Trust - but what would they do with it? What would anyone do with it? She had a bad dream once - perhaps one shared with the house; they can be hard to separate from one’s own - about the house being killed, shot down, finally bested by a greater hunter than itself. The house bleeding out, dying, lying down finally in one fixed place. And then, the terrible process of stuffing and mounting the house, the brutal efficiency of preservation: converting it into a normal dwelling. That would be terrible, worse than living in a normal house, to have been the person who killed a dead house, who let people kill it and preserve it and display it like taxidermy. A hollowed-out corpse house. Would the National Trust do that? How does one start that conversation?

What is your normal process for handling bloodthirsty - but very friendly - houses. No, not like Piranesi - smaller than the Piranesi hut. No, regrettably, a bit larger than Baba Yaga’s hut. Not quite like Howl’s Moving Castle. Howl, you’ll recall, had magic powers and a demon and an apprentice and a cleaning lady and a route back to Wales. I’m afraid it’s just me, and Karen on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

You’re not going to kill it, are you? Just - just let it run around, and stop it eating anything more complex than sheep. Pay attention to it and love it. Love it hard. Love it so that it doesn’t become a monster. Serve it, serve it forever, because you are so so lucky to have it. People would kill for houses like this.

There has to be some way out of this, the girl thinks, fuzzily starting to fit things together, and then once again overcome by the opposing waves; the motivation she’s built up collapsing once more into guilt. Maybe I can give the house to Karen.

But that would be kind of a horrible thing to do to Karen.

How do you flee something that loves you, loves you, loves you. Loves you like the moon loves itself in the glimmer of the harvest mouse’s eye. Loves you like the pond loves the geese moving over the water. Loves you like a dog loves the person who delivers the lethal injection. Loves you like people love the saints trapped in glass. Loves you and sometimes, if you slip, if your attention wavers, if you forget to kiss it goodnight, brings you a dead deer and leaves it by your bed. Loves you so much you can never have a garden. How do you walk away from that love, that responsibility, how do you leave this house.

Chapter 2. The girl flees the house.

The house is bloodthirsty. The housekeeper is noisy. All the girl wants is a garden.

[armandosdigitalblog]

What Are Online Slot Games and Why Are They So Popular?

Let’s face it—there’s something undeniably exciting about spinning reels, flashing lights, and the possibility of hitting a big win. But what if you didn’t have to go to a physical casino to enjoy that thrill?

That’s exactly where online slot games come into play. These digital versions of classic slot machines have taken the internet by storm, and their popularity just keeps on growing. Whether you're a curious newbie or a seasoned player, there’s a good reason online slots are everywhere—and we’re about to dive into all of it.

Speaking of winning, olxtoto also includes progressive slots, which means that jackpot pool increases every time someone plays. You could be the next big winner with just one spin.

What Exactly Are Online Slot Games?

At their core, online slot games are virtual versions of the classic slot machines you’d find in land-based casinos. The concept is the same—spin the reels, line up symbols, and hope for a win. But online slots bring a whole new level of convenience and creativity to the table.

Here’s how they work:

You place a bet and hit "spin"

The digital reels spin and come to a stop

If certain symbols line up according to the game’s rules, you win a prize

Payouts depend on the game’s paytable and your wager amount

Sounds simple, right? That’s part of the magic—easy to learn, hard to master, and always full of surprises.

The Surging Popularity of Online Slot Games

You might be wondering, “Why are these things so popular?” Good question. Here’s why millions of people around the world are obsessed with spinning the virtual reels:

1. They're Incredibly Easy to Play

No complicated rules. No steep learning curve. You just click and spin.

Whether you’re completely new to online gaming or a veteran gambler, online slots don’t require deep strategy or hours of research. They're fun right out of the gate.

2. You Can Play Anytime, Anywhere

Stuck in line? On a lunch break? Sitting on the couch in your pajamas?

Online slots are available 24/7, and all you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer. That freedom alone is enough to make traditional slots feel, well… kinda outdated.

3. Tons of Variety and Themes

Forget the boring old fruit machines. Today’s online slot games come in every theme imaginable:

Ancient Egypt

Greek mythology

Hollywood movies

Space adventures

Fairy tales

Underwater kingdoms

There’s literally a game for everyone. It’s like walking into a candy store—but with reels.

4. Big Bonuses and Promotions

Who doesn’t love free stuff?

Most online casinos offer:

Welcome bonuses

Free spins

Loyalty rewards

Jackpot tournaments

These promos not only give you more chances to play, but also maximize your potential payouts.

5. They Feature Eye-Catching Graphics and Sound

Let’s not ignore the fact that many slot games look like high-end video games. With rich graphics, cinematic intros, and sound effects that make you feel like you’re on a real casino floor, they deliver a completely immersive experience.

Behind the Scenes: How Do Online Slot Games Work?

It’s not just magic—it’s math and technology.

At the heart of every online slot game is something called a Random Number Generator (RNG). This nifty bit of software ensures that every spin is completely random and independent of the last.

That means:

No rigging

No patterns

No “due for a win” nonsense

Just pure chance. It’s fair play, backed by algorithms.

What Makes a Great Online Slot Game?

Not all slots are created equal. If you’re looking to get the most out of your experience, keep an eye out for these features:

🎯 High Return to Player (RTP) Percentage

Look for slots with an RTP of 96% or higher. It means the game gives more back over time.

🎯 Engaging Bonus Rounds

Think free spins, multipliers, expanding wilds—these features make gameplay more exciting and more rewarding.

🎯 Progressive Jackpots

Some slots offer life-changing prizes that grow over time. One lucky spin could land you a fortune.

🎯 Mobile Compatibility

A great slot game should run just as smoothly on your phone as it does on your desktop.

One great platform that features these kinds of high-quality slot games is olxtoto, where players can explore a wide range of games and enjoy daily bonuses. It's a hub for slot fans looking for both entertainment and potential wins.

Are Online Slot Games Safe?

Absolutely—as long as you’re playing on a licensed and regulated platform.

Look for casinos that:

Display certification from trusted regulators (like MGA or UKGC)

Use SSL encryption to protect your data

Offer responsible gambling tools

Your safety matters. Don’t just spin anywhere—do a quick check before you play.

Is There a Strategy for Online Slots?

Here’s the honest truth—slots are mostly luck-based.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t play smart. Here are a few tips:

Set a budget and stick to it

Start with free demo versions to learn the game

Play high RTP games for better odds

Avoid chasing losses

Know when to walk away

Playing smart means playing longer—and enjoying the experience without the stress.

Final Thoughts: Why Everyone’s Hooked on Online Slots

Online slot games have exploded in popularity for a reason. They’re fun, fast-paced, easy to access, and offer a shot at some serious wins. With vibrant themes, epic bonus features, and the ability to play from anywhere, they’ve become the go-to game for millions.

Whether you’re just curious or ready to dive in, one thing’s for sure—online slots aren’t going anywhere. So next time you're feeling lucky, why not spin the reels and see where the game takes you?

[subspeciehominis]

The Quest for Truth

I once heard a great contemporary scientist say that whether we are looking into a microscope at the smallest objects we can discern, or gazing through a telescope at the vast recesses of outer space, the most interesting thing in the world remains that which is two inches or so on the near side of the lens - in other words, the human brain, including mind, imagination, memory, will, personality, and the thousand other things which we think of as separate faculties but which all, in their different ways, interlock as functions of our complex personal identity. We should expect the world and our relation to it to be at least as complex as we are. If there is a God, we should expect such a being to be at least as complex again.

I say this because people often grumble as soon as a discussion about the meaning of human life, or the possibility of God, moves away from quite simple ideas and becomes more complicated. Any world in which there are such things as music and sex, laughter and tears, mountains and mathematics, eagles and earthworms, statues and symphonies, and snowflakes and sunsets - and in which we humans find ourselves in the middle of it all - is bound to be a world in which the quest for truth, for reality, for what we can be sure of, is infinitely more complicated than simple yes-and-no questions will allow. There is appropriate complexity along with appropriate simplicity. The more we learn, the more we discover that we humans are fantastically complicated creatures. Yet, on the other hand, human life is full of moments when we know that things are also very, very simple.

Think about it. The moment of birth; the moment of death; the joy of life; the discovery of vocation; the onset of life-threatening illness; the overwhelming pain and anger that sometimes sweep us off our feet. At such times, the multiple complexities of our humanness gather themselves together and form on simple great exclamation mark, or (as it may be) one simple great question mark - a shout of joy or a cry of pain, a burst of laughter or a bursting into tears. Suddenly, the rich harmony of our genetic package seems to sing in unison, and say, for good or ill, This is it.

We honor and celebrate our complexity and our simplicity by continually doing five things. We tell stories. We act out rituals. We create beauty. We work in communities. We think out beliefs. In and through all these things run the threads of love and pain, fear and faith, worship and doubt, the quest for justice, the thirst for spirituality, and the promise and problem of human relationship. And if there's any such things as "truth," in some absolute sense, it must relate to, and make sense of, all this and more.

― N.T. Wright, "Simply Christian"

[ivfrisaa]

How To Prepare For Pregnancy: Tips for Both Partners

How To Prepare For Pregnancy is an important question that many couples ask when they start their journey to become parents. Preparing yourself for pregnancy plays a very important role for you and your partner. You have to make lifestyle changes, understand your body, and ensure you are emotionally and physically ready for this beautiful phase. In this blog, we will guide you on everything to help you prepare in the best way.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Obs & Gynae) have helped many couples to start their journey to become parents. Dr. Rita Bakshi is one of the most trusted names in women’s health and fertility care. In this blog, we are going to cover every information you need. We will make sure that you feel fully prepared for pregnancy.

The Importance of Preconception Health for Future Parents

How to prepare for pregnancy? It’s very important to get ready for pregnancy to make sure both parents are healthy. Preconception health means to take care of your health before trying to have a baby. It’s important for both women and men to focus on their health. Because it can affect how easily you can get pregnant, how healthy the pregnancy is, and the baby’s overall well-being.

Preconception care for parents is very important because it helps to detect any health issues and work on improving them. For women, this can include checking your reproductive health, eating well, exercising, and avoiding harmful habits. For men, improving sperm health through a better diet and lifestyle can also make a difference.

What is Preconception Health?

Preconception health refers to the steps that both women and men can take to be as healthy as possible before getting pregnant. It’s about making sure your body is in good shape and ready for pregnancy. This includes things like eating healthy, staying active, getting enough sleep, and avoiding any harmful habits like smoking or drinking alcohol.

For women, preconception health also includes checking for any medical conditions. It includes things like hormonal imbalances or reproductive health issues that could affect pregnancy. For men, it includes improving sperm health, which can impact fertility. By focusing on preconception health, both partners can increase their chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Why Preconception Care Matters?

How to prepare for pregnancy? Preparing for pregnancy includes taking care of your preconception care. Preconception care is important because it helps to ensure that both parents are in the best possible health before pregnancy. It can reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, improve fertility, and give the baby a healthier start in life.

Here’s why preconception care matters:

Better Fertility: It helps to improve chances of conception for both men and women.

Reduced Health Risks: It also lowers the risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.

Healthy Baby: It reduces the chances of birth defects or developmental issues.

Healthier Lifestyle: It also encourages better habits like proper diet, exercise, and avoiding harmful substances.

Early Detection of Health Issues: It helps to identify and manage any underlying health problems before pregnancy.

Steps to Improve Health Before Pregnancy

How to prepare for pregnancy? Improving your health before pregnancy is important to have a healthy and smooth journey to become parents. Taking simple but important steps can help both the partners to prepare their bodies for the changes of pregnancy. Here are some steps you can take:

Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals like folic acid, calcium, and iron. Also, include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet.

Exercise Regularly: Stay active to improve your overall health, regulate weight, and boost fertility.

Avoid Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs: These substances can harm your fertility and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.

Take Prenatal Vitamins: Take folic acid supplements before pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or underweight can affect your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.

Visit a Doctor: Schedule a preconception check-up with a doctor to ensure you’re in good health and to check for any medical conditions.

Manage Stress: Stress can affect your fertility, so it’s important to find ways to relax and stay emotionally balanced.

Get Enough Sleep: Proper rest is important for your body to function well and be ready for pregnancy.

Lifestyle Changes to Prepare for Pregnancy

How to prepare for pregnancy with lifestyle changes? It’s very important to make certain lifestyle changes before pregnancy to  improve your chances to have a healthy conception and pregnancy. Here are some lifestyle changes which you can consider:

Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking and alcohol can reduce fertility and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. So, it’s best to stop both before you’re trying to conceive.

Exercise Regularly: A healthy exercise routine, such as walking or yoga can help you to keep your body strong and balanced. It also supports hormone regulation, which is important for fertility.

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and help support overall health.

Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet: Include foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It includes leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and will help to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy.

Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is important for your body’s recovery and energy levels, which are especially important during pregnancy.

Avoid Stress: Chronic stress can negatively affect fertility and overall health. Try relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or spending time in nature.

Limit Caffeine Intake: High levels of caffeine can also affect fertility. So it’s a good idea to limit your intake if you’re planning to get pregnant.

Check Your Environment: Reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins in your environment, such as cleaning products or pesticides.

Common Tests and Screenings Before Pregnancy

It’s important to have certain tests and screenings before trying to get pregnant. It helps to ensure you and your partner are in good health. These tests can help to identify any underlying conditions that might affect fertility or pregnancy. Here are some common tests and screenings that can be helpful:

Blood Tests: It helps to check for blood type, iron levels, thyroid function, and immunity to certain infections like rubella and chickenpox.

Genetic Screening: This can help to identify any inherited conditions that could be passed on to the baby, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.

STI Testing: Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) helps to ensure that any infections are treated before pregnancy.

Fertility Check: For women, a pelvic exam and hormone level tests can assess fertility. Men may have sperm analysis to check sperm count, quality, and motility.

Pap Smear and HPV Test: A routine check to screen for cervical cancer or any abnormalities that could affect pregnancy.

Ultrasound: A pelvic ultrasound may be recommended to check the health of reproductive organs, such as the ovaries and uterus.

Blood Pressure and Glucose Tests: These help to identify risks for conditions like hypertension or diabetes that can affect pregnancy.

Final Words

How to prepare for pregnancy is an important question that many couples ask when they are ready to start their journey to become parents. In this blog, we have covered everything including the importance of preconception health, lifestyle changes, and medical tests to ways to improve your health before pregnancy. It’s important to focus on your well-being and make better decisions.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi, the best gynecologist in South Delhi with over 35 years of experience, has helped many couples to prepare with personalized care and expert advice. If you have any questions about preconception care, fertility, or pregnancy, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 95555 44421/22/23 or email us at doctor@risaaivf.com.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I start preparing for pregnancy?

It’s ideal to start preparing at least 3-6 months before trying to conceive. This allows time for lifestyle changes, medical check-ups, and any necessary treatments.

How can I improve my fertility before pregnancy?

To improve fertility, focus on a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, avoid harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco, and reduce stress.

Do I need any specific tests before pregnancy?

Yes, common tests include blood tests for general health, genetic screening, fertility assessments, and screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Is it necessary to take prenatal vitamins before pregnancy?

Yes, it’s recommended to take folic acid supplements at least 3 months before pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects, especially neural tube defects.

How long should I wait after stopping birth control before trying to conceive?

Most women can start trying to conceive immediately after stopping birth control. However, it may take a few months for your menstrual cycle to return to normal.

When should I consult a doctor if I’m planning for pregnancy?

It’s a good idea to consult a doctor at least 3-6 months before trying to conceive. Your doctor can offer guidance on lifestyle changes, supplements, and health screenings.

Source: https://risaaivf.com/

[infertilityivftreatment]

How To Prepare For Pregnancy: Tips for Both Partners

How To Prepare For Pregnancy is an important question that many couples ask when they start their journey to become parents. Preparing yourself for pregnancy plays a very important role for you and your partner. You have to make lifestyle changes, understand your body, and ensure you are emotionally and physically ready for this beautiful phase. In this blog, we will guide you on everything to help you prepare in the best way.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Obs & Gynae) have helped many couples to start their journey to become parents. Dr. Rita Bakshi is one of the most trusted names in women’s health and fertility care. In this blog, we are going to cover every information you need. We will make sure that you feel fully prepared for pregnancy.

The Importance of Preconception Health for Future Parents

How to prepare for pregnancy? It’s very important to get ready for pregnancy to make sure both parents are healthy. Preconception health means to take care of your health before trying to have a baby. It’s important for both women and men to focus on their health. Because it can affect how easily you can get pregnant, how healthy the pregnancy is, and the baby’s overall well-being.

Preconception care for parents is very important because it helps to detect any health issues and work on improving them. For women, this can include checking your reproductive health, eating well, exercising, and avoiding harmful habits. For men, improving sperm health through a better diet and lifestyle can also make a difference.

What is Preconception Health?

Preconception health refers to the steps that both women and men can take to be as healthy as possible before getting pregnant. It’s about making sure your body is in good shape and ready for pregnancy. This includes things like eating healthy, staying active, getting enough sleep, and avoiding any harmful habits like smoking or drinking alcohol.

For women, preconception health also includes checking for any medical conditions. It includes things like hormonal imbalances or reproductive health issues that could affect pregnancy. For men, it includes improving sperm health, which can impact fertility. By focusing on preconception health, both partners can increase their chances of a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Why Preconception Care Matters?

How to prepare for pregnancy? Preparing for pregnancy includes taking care of your preconception care. Preconception care is important because it helps to ensure that both parents are in the best possible health before pregnancy. It can reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, improve fertility, and give the baby a healthier start in life.

Here’s why preconception care matters:

Better Fertility: It helps to improve chances of conception for both men and women.

Reduced Health Risks: It also lowers the risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.

Healthy Baby: It reduces the chances of birth defects or developmental issues.

Healthier Lifestyle: It also encourages better habits like proper diet, exercise, and avoiding harmful substances.

Early Detection of Health Issues: It helps to identify and manage any underlying health problems before pregnancy.

Steps to Improve Health Before Pregnancy

How to prepare for pregnancy? Improving your health before pregnancy is important to have a healthy and smooth journey to become parents. Taking simple but important steps can help both the partners to prepare their bodies for the changes of pregnancy. Here are some steps you can take:

Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals like folic acid, calcium, and iron. Also, include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet.

Exercise Regularly: Stay active to improve your overall health, regulate weight, and boost fertility.

Avoid Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs: These substances can harm your fertility and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.

Take Prenatal Vitamins: Take folic acid supplements before pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or underweight can affect your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.

Visit a Doctor: Schedule a preconception check-up with a doctor to ensure you’re in good health and to check for any medical conditions.

Manage Stress: Stress can affect your fertility, so it’s important to find ways to relax and stay emotionally balanced.

Get Enough Sleep: Proper rest is important for your body to function well and be ready for pregnancy.

Lifestyle Changes to Prepare for Pregnancy

How to prepare for pregnancy with lifestyle changes? It’s very important to make certain lifestyle changes before pregnancy to  improve your chances to have a healthy conception and pregnancy. Here are some lifestyle changes which you can consider:

Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking and alcohol can reduce fertility and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. So, it’s best to stop both before you’re trying to conceive.

Exercise Regularly: A healthy exercise routine, such as walking or yoga can help you to keep your body strong and balanced. It also supports hormone regulation, which is important for fertility.

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated and help support overall health.

Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet: Include foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It includes leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and will help to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy.

Get Enough Sleep: Sleep is important for your body’s recovery and energy levels, which are especially important during pregnancy.

Avoid Stress: Chronic stress can negatively affect fertility and overall health. Try relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or spending time in nature.

Limit Caffeine Intake: High levels of caffeine can also affect fertility. So it’s a good idea to limit your intake if you’re planning to get pregnant.

Check Your Environment: Reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins in your environment, such as cleaning products or pesticides.

Common Tests and Screenings Before Pregnancy

It’s important to have certain tests and screenings before trying to get pregnant. It helps to ensure you and your partner are in good health. These tests can help to identify any underlying conditions that might affect fertility or pregnancy. Here are some common tests and screenings that can be helpful:

Blood Tests: It helps to check for blood type, iron levels, thyroid function, and immunity to certain infections like rubella and chickenpox.

Genetic Screening: This can help to identify any inherited conditions that could be passed on to the baby, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.

STI Testing: Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) helps to ensure that any infections are treated before pregnancy.

Fertility Check: For women, a pelvic exam and hormone level tests can assess fertility. Men may have sperm analysis to check sperm count, quality, and motility.

Pap Smear and HPV Test: A routine check to screen for cervical cancer or any abnormalities that could affect pregnancy.

Ultrasound: A pelvic ultrasound may be recommended to check the health of reproductive organs, such as the ovaries and uterus.

Blood Pressure and Glucose Tests: These help to identify risks for conditions like hypertension or diabetes that can affect pregnancy.

Final Words

How to prepare for pregnancy is an important question that many couples ask when they are ready to start their journey to become parents. In this blog, we have covered everything including the importance of preconception health, lifestyle changes, and medical tests to ways to improve your health before pregnancy. It’s important to focus on your well-being and make better decisions.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi, the best gynecologist in South Delhi with over 35 years of experience, has helped many couples to prepare with personalized care and expert advice. If you have any questions about preconception care, fertility, or pregnancy, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 95555 44421/22/23 or email us at doctor@risaaivf.com.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I start preparing for pregnancy?

It’s ideal to start preparing at least 3-6 months before trying to conceive. This allows time for lifestyle changes, medical check-ups, and any necessary treatments.

How can I improve my fertility before pregnancy?

To improve fertility, focus on a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, avoid harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco, and reduce stress.

Do I need any specific tests before pregnancy?

Yes, common tests include blood tests for general health, genetic screening, fertility assessments, and screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Is it necessary to take prenatal vitamins before pregnancy?

Yes, it’s recommended to take folic acid supplements at least 3 months before pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects, especially neural tube defects.

How long should I wait after stopping birth control before trying to conceive?

Most women can start trying to conceive immediately after stopping birth control. However, it may take a few months for your menstrual cycle to return to normal.

When should I consult a doctor if I’m planning for pregnancy?

It’s a good idea to consult a doctor at least 3-6 months before trying to conceive. Your doctor can offer guidance on lifestyle changes, supplements, and health screenings.

 Source: https://risaaivf.com/

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Love Flavor? Try Chermoula, Curry Powder & Pepperberry

If your meals have been feeling a little too predictable lately: same sauces, same seasonings, same four things on rotation, you’re not alone. Lots of us fall into food routines out of habit or convenience. But what if just a pinch of something new could completely transform the dinner? The truth is, you don’t have to be a professional chef or spend hours in the kitchen making food that feels exciting. Often, it’s as simple as reaching for the right spice. With a few bold, flavor-packed additions to your pantry, everyday meals can become something special. Today, we’re highlighting three powerful, globally inspired ingredients that bring serious personality to your plate: chermoula spice mix, curry powder, and pepperberry. Each one comes from a different corner of the world, but they all have one thing in common—they turn ordinary dishes into unforgettable ones. Whether you’re spicing up a midweek meal or exploring new ways to cook, these three flavors deserve a spot in your kitchen. Let’s dig in.

Chermoula Spice Mix: Bold North African Vibes

Traditionally a fresh herb marinade from North Africa, chermoula is all about bold flavor. But when you don’t have time to chop herbs and crush garlic, a well-blended chermoula spice mix brings all the magic in a pinch. Think cumin, paprika, coriander, dried herbs, and a hint of chili—perfect for rubbing on meats, seasoning roasted veggies, or stirring into grains like couscous or quinoa.Why we love it: Earthy, zesty, and herbaceous—like sunshine in a spice jar Try this: Mix with olive oil and lemon juice for a quick marinade or drizzle over grilled fish, roasted carrots, or even chickpea salads.

Curry Powder: The Everyday Flavor Bomb

Curry powder is one of those must-haves that transforms a dish in seconds. While it has roots in Indian cuisine, the version you find in most spice aisles is a British invention—a mix of turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and chili powder, among others. It's warming, aromatic, and endlessly versatile. Where to use it: Stir into soups, sprinkle on roasted potatoes, or add to a coconut milk sauce for an instant curry.

Flavor tip: Toast your curry powder briefly in a dry pan to awaken the spices before adding other ingredients. This little move unlocks a whole new level of depth.

Pepperberry: Australia’s Best-Kept Secret

Move over black pepper—pepperberry (also known as Tasmanian Mountain Pepper) is here to blow your mind. Native to Australia, this dark, vibrant berry brings a unique combo of fruity notes, floral undertones, and a slow-building peppery heat. It’s like nature’s spicy superfood.

Why it’s special: It's not just hot—it’s complex. Plus, it’s rich in antioxidants and has natural antibacterial properties.

Use it on: Game meats, roasted mushrooms, dark chocolate, or even mixed into cocktails for a spicy twist. You can use it whole, crushed, or ground depending on the texture and punch you’re going for.

Where to start?

Stocking your kitchen cabinet with a good chermoula spice mix, a high-quality curry powder, and a jar of dried or ground pepperberry opens up endless possibilities. Just a pinch can transform the ordinary into something unforgettable—without complicated recipes or hard-to-find ingredients.

If you're shopping for the first time, look for blends which don't have  fillers or preservatives. Organic or small-batch producers often give you the most authentic spices .

Conclusion

Don’t settle for bland. Let your food tell a story—of spice markets, ancient recipes, and adventurous taste. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or cooking for friends, these three ingredients are your secret flavour weapons. Try them, mix them, experiment—and fall back in love with cooking.

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Essential Tips to Cure Bad Breath

Bad breath is not laughing matter. It calls for an immediate remedy. Bad breath visit site here strips one of his social standing, irrespective of how well he looks or dresses.

Over 80 million people in America suffer from bad breath. Bad breath can be as fatal as making you miss out on a potential employment just because the interviewer smelled your breath. Various products in the market and many more advertisements guarantee fresher breath, while some are even more specific in hinting towards elimination of bad breath. Nowadays, various chewing gum manufacturers also guarantee fresh breath for a certain time. For instance, a fast selling brand of chewing gum guarantees fresher breath for 40 minutes. Therefore, the significance of bad breath cannot be overlooked. Your first step towards cure for bad breath should be your desire to adhere to the basic principles of oral hygiene.

All the good things in life are in fact simple. It is we who complicate matters. Similarly, good hygiene or oral habits lie in doing simple things. One does not require the intake of any chemical formulation to get rid of his bad breath. Brushing one's teeth after every meal is a good oral habit and in fact simple for execution. Studies suggest that more than 150 forms of bacteria reside in a human mouth. The number of bacteria in a human mouth is far greater than those found in a dog's mouth. It therefore becomes pertinent on every individual to keep his mouth cleansed. The habit of squishing water around your mouth or taking gargle intermittently is a good oral habit that would reduce the bacteria prevalent in the mouth. If the mouth is kept cleaned, one can experience long lasting, fresh breath.

Good oral habits also encourage regular brushing, flossing, the cleaning of gums, and areas of mouth. Bacteria are primarily found in the cervices of our mouth. Leftover food and particles in the mouth attract formation of bacteria. Bacteria feed on such food in the process of replicating itself. Plaque is mainly formed due to this. Curing bad breath requires the elimination of bacteria. Howsoever, one cannot completely eliminate the bacteria from the mouth; the formation of new bacteria can certainly be curtailed to a great extent.

One's eating habits are also important for the cure of bad breath. In fact, dental hygiene necessitates good eating habits. Foods such as fruits and vegetables that are rich source of fiber, promotes saliva flow and therefore restricts the possibility of bad breath. It is advisable for one to have a healthy breakfast like a bowl of oatmeal or any fruit. Binging on healthy foods at regular intervals shall promote saliva formation and also assist in better digestion. Bacteria build at the time when your mouth is kept idle. Therefore, it is recommended by experts to have chewing gum.

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How to Improve Digestive Health Naturally

Do you often feel bloated, sluggish, or just not quite yourself after meals? If yes, you’re not alone. Digestive discomfort is a common issue, but the good news is that you can naturally support your digestive health with a few lifestyle tweaks. Want to improve digestive health naturally? Try these simple tips for a happier gut. Here’s how:

1. Chew Your Food Properly

Yes, something as simple as chewing can make a huge difference. Digestion begins in your mouth. Chewing your food thoroughly not only breaks it down but also signals your stomach to prepare for digestion. Take your time and enjoy each bite—your gut will thank you for it. Improve digestive health naturally by including more fiber-rich foods in your meals.

2. Stay Hydrated

Water is essential for keeping things moving in your digestive tract. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, but try not to gulp too much during meals, as it can dilute stomach acids. A simple rule? Start your day with a glass of warm water to kickstart your metabolism.

3. Eat Fiber-Rich Foods

Fibre is the unsung hero of digestion. It helps in regular bowel movements and feeds the good bacteria in your gut. Incorporate whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds into your diet. For instance, a bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries is not only delicious but also a fibre powerhouse.

4. Include Probiotics in Your Diet

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that support a healthy gut. Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods are excellent sources. If fermented foods aren’t your thing, you can opt for a good-quality probiotic supplement.

5. Be Mindful of Food Combining

Ever felt heavy or bloated after certain meals? It might be due to poor food combinations. For example, fruits digest quickly and should ideally be eaten on an empty stomach. Pairing heavy proteins with starchy carbs can also be hard on your gut. Experiment to see what combinations work best for you.

6. Get Moving

A little exercise can go a long way in improving digestion. A short walk after meals can help stimulate digestion and prevent bloating. Even yoga poses like “Child’s Pose” or “Wind-Relieving Pose” can work wonders for your gut health.

7. Manage Stress

Your gut and brain are more connected than you think. High stress levels can wreak havoc on your digestion. Practice stress-relief techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or spending time in nature. Sometimes, even a good laugh can do the trick.

8. Watch Your Portions

Overeating puts unnecessary strain on your digestive system. Try eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large ones. This helps your stomach handle food more efficiently and prevents issues like acid reflux.

9. Limit Processed Foods

Processed foods are often loaded with unhealthy fats, sugar, and artificial ingredients that can upset your stomach. Stick to whole, natural foods as much as possible. Think fresh veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains.

10. Listen to Your Body

Finally, pay attention to how your body reacts to certain foods. Everyone’s digestive system is different. If something doesn’t sit well with you, it’s okay to avoid it. Your body knows what it needs—you just have to listen.

Final Thoughts

Improving your digestive health naturally doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s all about small, consistent changes. Start by implementing one or two of these tips and build from there. Over time, you’ll notice the difference—not just in your digestion, but in your overall energy and well-being. You can improve digestive health naturally with just a few small changes in your diet.

Remember, a happy gut equals a happy you. Cheers to better digestion and a healthier life!

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