#(hard transition to make since I called them Blue and Yellow for 15 years and just started calling them El and Annie last year)

[reasonpeason]

El painting Annie’s face for Halloween.

I like this poor boy’s sad attempt at putting his hair in a high ponytail, baby’s got a few more months to go for it to work. XD

I had to admit defeat, I don’t really know where I wanted to take this, but it’s cute and I AM happy with the angles on El’s head +hands and Annie’s content face.

[mxvladdy]

Shake On It

This is an older original work I wrote for a writing prompt given to me on a writing discord I’m on. I really liked it!

Ironically it also pertains to the Christian mythos and such, but is in no way affiliated with Obey Me lmao 

Prompt:  traveling bible salesman, death of a family member and bouns round- a time machine.

Hope y’all like! I might add to this later on. I got a lot of fanfics and original projects I’m working on as it lol.

Down on your luck? At the end of your rope? Sister's funeral not going as planned?

We've all been there.

Perhaps I can offer you a hand? Promise it's worth it.

Thin smiles and fake condolences. It was all really one could expect under the circumstances, really. You and your sister hadn’t-well- weren’t the most well-received individuals on your family tree. But she deserved better than this, some stale flowers and a note. You had stormed from the viewing room near tears, the only two relatives who had shown looking after you. They had been less than tactful in saying that no one else was coming. Not even your parents were there. So, instead of watching over your twin’s ashes, you sat crying next to the funeral home's rusty dumpster.

How fitting.

Did no one care that familial blood had been spilt? A cold body and no leads and they just shrug it off? You sniff, lips trembling around an unlit cigarette, numb and lost as to what to do next.

“Need a light?” Reedy fingers flick out beneath your nose and pluck the stick from your slack lips.

You jerk your chin up in shock, more surprised that you hadn’t heard them approaching. “Oi!” Your eyes squint as they snap up toward the setting sun. Your uninvited visitor is perfectly shadowed by the low light. They tisk, ignoring you in favor of sniffing your cheap smoke before flicking it to the ground as if it had personally offended them.

“I swear,” they scoff, fumbling in their pockets. Their soft accent is unrecognizable to your ear. “On a day like this. You deserve better, no?” Their hand stops at their chest with a soft gasp. “Ah! Here we are, here we are!” The stranger’s silhouette produces something from an unseen pocket with a grant flourish, offering it out to you.

“A lolli?” You take it from them in a daze, twirling the bright yellow candy between your fingers. You eye them quizzically.  It seemed like an odd practice for a funeral home to do. You knew they hadn’t been at the wake. Their form was taller and lankier than the few guests or staff that had been milling about. Did they work in the back with the bodies, perhaps? Out on their 15? You eye their scuffed oxfords and old mud clinging to their khaki pants.

The stranger chuckles, an oddly deep one for their stature. “But of course! Better for you in the long run. Believe you me, lungs full of ash are quite unpleasant.” You stare blankly up at them. What? “Might I join you for a tick? You look like you could use some company.” They continue nodding their head toward the empty space beside you.

“Can’t stop you.” You sigh popping the sickly yellow lolli into your mouth. The flavor catches you off guard. Hands flying up flap uselessly at your burning cheeks. You gag, only swallowing down your initial shock. Chili and lemon? Who the hell…

“Shock to the system huh?” They laugh at your teary-eyed glare. “I find a bit of contrast clears the mind.”

“I guess.” You cough as you thump your chest hard. Wiping at your teary eyes, you get a better look at them. You were correct in your assumption that you had never seen this person till now.

They smile at you patiently, knowing exactly what you were doing. They seemed normal enough. Unkempt hair and thick glasses. Gangly knees draw close to their chest. A rumpled white button-up tent like on their frame. Sleeves pushed up to show off their knobby elbows. Their tawny skin was spattered with freckles, crossing from high cheekbone to high cheekbone. The freckles were interrupted in their smooth transition across their face by a jagged edge on the wide bridge of their nose. From a distance, the crook of their nose wouldn’t have been noticeable. But this close, you recognize the look of a break long since healed. Its off-centered placement only emphasizes their lopsided grin. Their teeth, though, are surprisingly flawless. Their canines flash predatorily off of the security lights as the sun finally sets.

“My condolences.” They cut through your musing, popping a candy in their mouth as well. “I assume you are part of the party inside?” You follow their pointed finger to the door.

“Yes.” You nod and readjust your posture, mind back on your sorrows. They hum noncommittally, finger tapping their nose deep in thought. “It’s my sister- was- my sister.” You explain. “Her landlord found her last week in her bathroom. Coroner says the wounds were self-inflicted.”

“You don’t believe it?”

“Not in a million years.” You scowl. You were gonna make it big together, if for no other reason than to thumb your noses at the family that threw you aside. Didn’t know how yet, but you thought you had all the time in the world to figure it out. “We had a plan. Leaving all our work unfinished? It isn’t like her.” They nod, letting the silence draw out between you. The cicadas filling the emptiness.

“What are you planning now?” they ask. The words tickle in your ear, temping thoughts you had long since buried. You knew what you wanted. You wanted revenge, to find and destroy whoever took her away from you. To take your family to task and prove to them that you both had been worth a damn.

“Therapy and a potted plant.” You lie easily, resting your back on the chain link fence. They laugh loudly head thrown back from the power of it. It grates at you.

“Oh, my dear~” They wipe at their eyes, chortling. “I haven’t had a laugh like that in a millennium.” They clear their throat after a bit, brushing at some imaginary dust on their arm. “No need to lie to me. Such peace is not in human nature.” You bristle, wanting to argue, but something holds your tongue. “Perhaps I might have what you seek?” They pull an old briefcase out from behind them. You gape, brows threatening to disappear into your hairline.

It all clicks, as sudden as a blown light bulb. The clothes and glasses. The aversion to smoking. The pushiness. Unbelievable. “You aren’t-no. No!” It was your turn to laugh, the sound bouncing around the back alley. “A freakin’ Bible salesman!?”   You lose it, slapping their knee while clutching your stomach and gasping in the sour air. “Oh my God! What, did you get lost on your way to a 60’s convention?”

“Yes, yes. It is quite out of vogue in these times, isn’t it? We had to take a more hands-on approach in recent years. The old lore just doesn’t hold up like it used to.” Their chuckle patting the case, thumbs popping the locks. “But I assure you my book is just what you need.” You stop laughing. A little nagging feeling in the back of your head finally starting to take over.

“Listen- with all due respect."

“Please,” they snap, their tone turning sharp and businesslike. “Lying just insults both of us here.” They hand you the case, nodding at you to open it. “Give it a look. I know you want to.” They lean close then, placing a hand on top of yours. The shadows of the overhead light elongate the digits. Candy sweet breath tickles the fine hairs on your face. “And if the book doesn’t entice you, perhaps a deal might?”

You pop the lid.

The sole occupant of the case lounges on an ornate cushion. The rich blue velvet is inlaid with silver thread and beads, the ornate geometric stitching painstakingly done by some poor sod years ago. Frankly, it looked like a lot of flash and theatrics for a rather ugly book. The leather bound cover is bereft of any discernible writing or art. Despite its apparent age, the paper within is crisp. It's bone white color contrasts harshly with the gold ink used on it.

“I can’t read this.” You look up confused by the random string of symbols and letters. The Bible salesman shrugs, picking at a cuticle.

“You sure? Try again.” Their nonchalant demeanor befuddles you.

“Yes, I’m sure. What kind of mor-'' You glance down at the book again, the leather warming in your palm despite the cool night air. The symbols are the same but it all seems so familiar to you now. Book of The Dawnstar.

“Is this a joke?” You already know the answer. The unnatural warmth and pulsing from the book bring the nerves in your stomach to a sickening curl, tipping you off. But, you don't want to say the word. Magic was a stupid fairy tale made for the big screen.

“Does it feel like a joke?” They ask, lips curling.

“What do you want?” You shut the book with a snap, placing it back in its case. You weren't liking where this was going, but were intrigued all the same.

“Well~ I thought it was self-explanatory.” They take the book back out, fingers going over the front’s cover in odd swirls and dips. Your eyes follow the trail left by their fingers. “Striking deals used to be so much easier, I swear.” They point at you, then at themselves. “I can feel the rage. It called me here. You want answers; more importantly to me, you want revenge. I can help. All you need to do is make a deal with me. You know the saying.”

“For-for real?” You can hardly believe it. This is a prank-or a fever dream. It’s the only explanation. No demon or devils, or stupid magic bullshit. Someone would find you soon, passed out from the stress back here.

“Dream or not, what would it hurt to try?”

“What would it hurt!” you laugh in disbelief. “You know in Bible school they say not to make deals with devils.”

“Pfft.” They wave off the comment. “I’m wounded! Half those fools get the language twisted anyway. Devil, Satan, and my name are not interchangeable . I’m not some low level sprite begging for souls.”

“Why come to me then?” you ask. They shrug, fingers slowing to a stop over their book. “Wouldn’t some--I don’t know--Christian soul be tastier or something?” You begin to panic. The look of exasperation you get in return stops you from losing it completely.

“Is that what they teach these days? Heh, Gabriel must be ringing his halo. But if those stupid little superstitions are whats stopping you from what we both know you desire, let me rectify that.” They rise to their feet, far more elegantly then their appearance would lead you to believe was possible. A haze covers them, the shadows around you seemingly clinging to their body as they turn. “A formal introduction then. Dawnstar, Lucifer. The light bringer, rebel, and protector of those under my eyes.” They bow, baggy clothes replaced with elegant robes of navy. All gangly awkwardness gone in the wake of sheer power. “And you are exactly the entertainment I’m looking for.”

“Entertainment?” You sputter, sinking back as far as you can into the fence behind you. You were sure if you should be insulted or not by the notion. “So you don’t want my soul?”  

Lucifer rolls two of their many eyes. “I have bigger, quite frankly purer souls, for that. But they are all rather boring to follow around till they croak. Besides, despite what sweet old pastor Dale says, I am empathetic--to a certain degree. You are right in your assumption that your twin did not take her own life. So I’m offering you a chance to meddle.”

You ponder over the words, mind racing as your spirit soars. This was impossible. “So I can-- what, like wish her back? A soul for a soul?” You rise to your feet, knees shaking as the heavy gaze of the fallen angel bares into you.

“Ugh. Figured you’d say something like that,” Lucifer groans, rolling their neck. “And the answer is no.”

“What? Why!” you snap, heart seizing. You jab a finger at their chest. The cold radiating off of them stops you from getting any closer. “You said you would help!”

They step back, smirking as you rub at your frostbitten finger. “Live and learn, I guess?” Lucifer turns, looking up into the bug-infested sky. “You humans always try that martyr shtick. ‘Oh, trade me for them, please!’. Turns into a never ending headache I’m contractually obligated to help with. Plus, it’s rather boring.”

You sputter. “Excuse me?” Lucifer looks at you, blinking coyly.

“When you’ve been around as long as I have, such clichés get grating every couple of centuries. You, my girl, just have the misfortune of being in one of those centuries. Try something more creative. Make me work for it.”

“Seriously?” You throw your hands up exasperatedly.

“As serious as your great aunt's coming heart attack.” They reply deadpan.

“Fine!” You purse your lips, not evening wanting to think about that last statement. “Help me prevent it.” You fume, all the little thoughts and wishes since the day you got the call boiling over. “I wanna look that fucker in the eyes before they can get to her. I want them to pay for even thinking they could take her from me!”

Lucifer grins, cold dead eyes warming over like coals on an open flame. “Oh yes, now that I will do. Time distortion is such a pain to undo. By the time they catch on, Michael will be up to their necks in timelines to untangle to get to you.” They unfurl a long clawed hand from beneath their robes. You see a symbol glowing, hot and white, on the skeletal palm. “Is that what you truly want?”

“Yes.” You nod, your throat clicking dryly as you approach them again. You hand inches from theirs before stopping. “Can you do that?”

Their smile is all teeth. “With ease. I look forward to watching the mess you make.”

[jazy3]

Thoughts on Grey’s Anatomy: 17X3

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

I liked this episode, but nothing beats that Premiere. I mean Wow! This episode for me felt very much like a continuation of the two part Premiere. It was confirmed that Meredith has COVID-19 (!) and we got to see how she’s doing and where her treatment is at. My best friend who I watch with pointed out that some of the treatments they mention are things that health care workers were trying in the early days of the pandemic that we now know aren’t very effective. It’s interesting to see the doctors work through this process as it would have happened for health care workers at the time.

We get to see Derek Shepherd again which is always a treat! His words confirm that the beach Meredith is on is some kind of limbo and that her reaching Derek will mean she had died and is transitioning into the afterlife. Derek tells her she can’t reach him because she’s worried about the kids and how reuniting with him means leaving their children behind. My guess is that she’s going to code in an upcoming episode and will reunite and talk to Derek once that happens and then they’ll resuscitate her and she’ll come back to the land of the living.

I loved how Derek kept saying the sand wasn’t real and then Meredith ran to him and tripped and fell and she called him on it and he laughed. Classic Derek. He loves her, but he was also kind of an asshole at times and that was so him. I loved the scene with Bailey and Meredith and that we got an Alex reference. God I miss him. I got the Meredith and Richard scene I’ve been hoping for! That I felt like was missing last season and in the premiere. It was so sweet.

I think Meredith made the right choice with her Medical Power of Attorney (POA). Richard loves her enough to do everything to save her, but is clear headed and wise enough to respect her wishes if she becomes too far gone. I loved his joke about it being pay back for what he did years earlier. I loved the conversation she had with Hayes too! When Maggie asks if he wants her to say Hi he says no and jokes that he wouldn't her to think she’s special and we later see that Hayes does that so that he can visit Meredith in person and talk to her through video outside her window.

I had a moment where I thought that Meredith might make Hayes her POA, but then he made the comment about how you don’t want it to be a family member or someone who loves you so much that they’ll do anything to keep you alive. It should be someone who can be objective and respect your wishes. Hayes cares deeply for Meredith and if it were him he’d do everything to keep her alive no matter what and I love that implication from their conversation. I love how he told her all the reasons people fear and respect her and how the disease had nothing on her. So great! I love their interactions so much.

I liked that she asked him about Abigail because we’ve seen him ask her about Derek and her past relationships and it’s been implied they’ve talked about his, but this is the first instance we see on screen. Through this interaction we learn more about his wife too. He called her Abby and when she was sick with cancer her sister was her POA and made them do everything they could to save her even though Hayes and his boys objected. Which is interesting considering on her death bed Abigail described her sister as crazy, but not a bad person and made Hayes promise to let the boys see her. I’m guessing she didn’t want to put Hayes through having to make those decisions for her.

We also get to see Hayes and Maggie interact for the first time! We see that like Amelia, Maggie is a fan. She knows about his feelings for Meredith and their relationship and is supportive. Which is more than anyone else except Derek ever got from anyone in Meredith’s life so major points there. The interactions between Maggie and Winston we’re very sweet and I love how they comforted each other and the shot where they made it look like they were on opposite sides of the wall was very cool.

Some great acting on the part of Kelly McCreary in that closet scene! I felt her heartbreak. I’m disappointed we didn’t get more Meredith and Hayes scenes and that we haven’t gotten any explicit romantic content from them so far this season. I love a slow burn as much as the next person, but after watching Meredith jump feet first into relationships with men who turned out to be her boss, married, engaged to someone who wasn’t actually dead, her student, or that she wasn’t ready for only to have those relationships completely blow up in her face I want to see her in a healthy committed relationship with an actual grown up.

Hayes is that person and while I loved their slow burn last season I really wish they would pick up the pace here. I love seeing their relationship develop, but at this point they’ve established that they are good friends who have a lot in common and are able to talk openly about their kids, dead spouses, past partners, and problems. Hayes has made it clear he’s interested in her romantically and Meredith appears to reciprocate his feelings, but it feels like those feelings are just under the surface of their interactions and I’m starting to get a bit frustrated.

There are multiple romantic plot points I could have done without over the years with regards to Meredith’s storyline. This is one that I really want to see and I wish they would hurry up. I did like the mention of how Meredith will have to quarantine at a hotel for at least two weeks after she’s discharged. I’d love for Hayes to be the person she quarantines with and see them spend some time alone together and I think there’s great potential there.  

I loved that we got to see a scene with Meredith and Ellis! She’s so cute! Bailey and Ellis are starting to talk more as characters and we’re getting more insight into who these kids are which is great! Up until recently we only really got a feel for who Zola was. I love also that they’re finding ways to do it that keep the child actors who play them safe while incorporating moments with them.

I love seeing Richard step into the Chiefs role. He’ll be great in it and can really help Grey Sloan and the other Catherine Fox hospitals through this. I liked his speech to Tom although he didn’t seem to take it to heart. It was also cool to see him give a speech to the new interns that they introduced. It’s not his usual speech because these are not usual times and I like that they reflected that. Also, Sandy from ER is one of the new interns and I love that. My best friend and I have spotted a lot of cameos in this season of Grey’s so far from other long running shows which is really cool.

Tom was floundering again this episode and I feel like they might be moving towards wrapping up his storyline because if him and Teddy aren’t getting back together, which appears to be the case, and with Amelia on maternity leave there’s no real story for him. Since it’s now been revealed that he has COVID-19 they could choose to kill him off or have him recover and return to where he was working prior to moving to Seattle. It was heartbreaking to watch Amelia and Maggie worry over Meredith. Especially Amelia knowing that losing her sister who was also Derek’s beloved wife could compromise her sobriety that she has worked so hard to achieve and maintain.  

I liked the scenes with Amelia and Link, but it’s starting to feel a little gratuitous with the sex angle I think because none of the other characters are able to do that right now. We got some nice Jo and Link interactions. It was nice to see Link back in the OR. It was also nice to see Jackson remember he has a kid and talk about Harriet! We get some updates about his co-parenting situation with April and Matthew and that he doesn’t get to see Harriet as much as he’d like because he’s picking up more COVID shifts than April is. He likes Matthew, but he’s irked when Harriet says that he cuts her sandwiches better and I mean fair.

We see that DeLuca is wearing a yellow scrub cover whereas the Attending Physicians are wearing dark blue and the new interns are wearing light blue. This appears to confirm that he’s doing his Fellowship as otherwise their scrub covers would be the same colour. He spends the episode following Teddy around which seems to imply that he might be doing a Fellowship under her. Which would explain why Meredith didn’t know about it as she and Teddy aren’t super close and Meredith is presumably on Owen’s side in the fallout of Teddy’s affair being made public. Still, we’ve never seen DeLuca take any interest in Cardio or have any scenes with Teddy prior to this so it’s unclear.

I feel like the actor who plays DeLuca must have some kind of personal connection to someone who works behind the scenes on the show because at this point his character doesn’t really serve any real purpose in terms of the plot. His character doesn’t move any of the other characters storylines forward and you could remove him from Seasons 15, 16, and 17 and it wouldn’t affect the story at all. Prior to that his character served a purpose in Maggie, Alex, Jo, and Amelia’s storylines, but that ended in Season 15.

Since then we’ve seen him creepily pursue Meredith, date her largely off screen, and then get sick with Bipolar Disorder. That’s it and none of those plots affected the larger story of the show in any major way because they made it clear through dialogue that DeLuca isn’t part of the gang and the other characters don’t like him and simply tolerate his presence. Now they’re having him follow Teddy around and help treat Meredith off screen. It’s like they’re grasping at straws. His character serves no purpose at this point so I’m confused as to why they haven’t written him off. Maybe they will in the second half of the season? 

In the Promo for next week they tease that there’s something else on that beach that’s a familiar face. Someone Meredith has lost that’s passed on and that they’re hanging out at the outpost we see on the beach. My money is on George O’Malley.

Until next time!

[filypadreams]

Fleeting Touches

( Asmodeus x GN!MC)

Synopsis: Do you know what fleeting means? It means you should apreciate every moment while you can. Even if you get lost in illusions for it.

TW: Slight angst

_______________________________

The streets were full this time of the year, even with the cold weather. It was a race for most humans to get that last minute gift for that special someone.

Their children, parents, grandparents or significant others. For some reason it's tradition to get that one person a last minute present.

And that's always a disaster...

" Calvin Klein One... with bergamot, cardamom, pineapple and jasmin. Tropical? Or maybe Dolce & Gabanna Velvet Exotic Leather. Traditional and italian... also at good prices, I need to ask if they are antiallergenic! "

I spend 15 minutes on the line but get both perfumes and walk outside onto the sunny street. It's not as busy as the mall and I really should get home before it gets to close to one pm.

Today, faces are a blur to me.

" Thanks for the tip Asmo, I was sick of the strong scents of women perfumes and the always down to earth male ones~"

I cheerfully speak to myself while touching the 'tattoo' above my left breast.

It's a one-way communication system. I'm not even sure Asmodeus hears what I tell him but I sure do hear his thoughts.

" Ohhh, bootie alert at 12! No, wait! Delicious curves at 4- oohh...that's a mix at 9 o'clock~!"

I see a man, woman, I think the last one is in mid transitioning but I'm not sure.

" He'll be a beautiful man, I'm 95% sure!"

" Maybe it's a 'they'... not that you can hear me."

Though I agree, they look...handsome. With a nice physique, curly shoulder lenght hair, smooth skin as if rivalling Asmos' ... and who can resist a dark biker leather jacket?!

No, stop. Don't let the mark influence you from your mission MC!

Setting the christmas gifts.

I start running in the direction of the bus station when I collide with a tall lady, her black shades falling to the ground from her beautiful light pink sweater.

My head hurts. It felt like hitting a brick wall...or Beel.

Are my only thoughts as I scramble to pick her glasses and my shopping bag. Good thing it was well packed.

"Oh my~ I'm so sorry, I didn't notice such a beautiful face in this crowd. I was retoutching my eyeliner, huhu! Let me help~"

The lady crouches down next to me. I notice from the corner of my eyes that she is also wearing a black turtle neck... and has peach coloured hair...

" Asmo?!"

Darkness. A cold hand covers my eyes while the other takes the shades from mine and exchanges them with my bags...it seems. He whispers is my ear.

" Now, now. Don't ruin the surprise! I'm just a beautiful 'lady'. Hahaha."

And with that he dissapears. Everything seems to dissapear, as soon it gets dark and I'm sitted in my couch, replaying today's event.

It felt so real... I called him a lady.

Well... I don't think Asmodeus minds.

I walk around the tree, putting down colorfully wrapped gifts. That I went purposely to markets and malls to have wrapped!

Diavolo better play Santa and give me some grimm if I ever get an invite to Devildom, I blew most of my allowances with these!

On the blue corner I have vynil disks and office supplies. Getting stuff for Lucifer is hard.

The yellow corner... is a mess of acessories like shades and wristwatches and some jackets. Mammon needs a new one.

The orange corner was the cheapest but most difficult to prepare. I wrapped most of my otaku related rarities, in Devildom at least, and put them in a pile. Levi better apreciate my figurines!

The green pile was also simple. It's actually small with my old literature books. All from great authors and all trying to escape religious judgement so Satan might find that amusing.

I don't have a red corner, just baked goods on the table and two glasses of milk in case Santa visits.

I put purple pillows, warm robes, matresses and scarves around the tree. Belphie won't lose comfort soon.

And now finishing the pink corner.

There's the perfumes, some cosmetics I really don't get but my 'chest instinct' said to go ahead and...

" I hope he likes this fluffy bunny backpack!"

I kinda wanted the bunny for myself... but I can't.

The day went on so fast... why am I even doing this? Might as well call Solomon and offer him these so he can perform his rituals. I'll just wake up tomorrow to a full room of wasted money and a mountain of calories. An empty heart.

I caress the bunny when i hear rustling on my door. Something is playing with my wreath? I pick a knife from the dinning table.

" W-who's there?! Show yourself fiend!"

" Aww, that hurts to hear MC-chan..."

From the darkness into the light walks the same person I crashed into this morning.

" You better drop that knife before someone gets hurt..."

" How...Asmo, how are you here?! Why?!!"

Tears come to my eyes. It's been a while. A long while since I've seen any of them. Since I've had slumber parties with Asmodeus, self care sessions...

He shakes his head cleaning the few teardrops away with the back of his index finger and walks to the tree, messing with the gifts.

" Tears don't suit you well. Oh, you even got something for Barbatos... I'm slightly jealous, I thought you only thought about me~"

He starts opening his gifts.

" Wait! It's not even Christmas Eve. We need to wait until midnight at least..."

As I try to explain, his taller stature hovers over me, playing with my hair and putting a mistletoe, secure in it's knots. Wait... how is he so tall? The height difference is too abnormal.

" I'm afraid the concept of time doesn't apply in dreams, MC."

" H-huh?! Wha... the day... went on really fast. So you..."

I look down slightly dissapointed. The floor starts cracking and falling. Darkness and constelations starting to form under my feet.

" Afraid not. Christmas is not really part of our traditions, haha. Even if we had a great celebration that one time Diavolo proposed we did it with the exchange students.

I like the angel."

He points to the tree top.

" Oh, that... I was thinking of Beel and Belphie when I made the decision. It's my oldest decoration. I was thinking on putting a star this year but... I got a literal gut feeling to keep the angel."

I smirk at Asmodeus as he puts an arm around my shoulders, leaning me a little closer to him. We both apreciate the flashing lights from the tree. Even if it was fake. The rest of the room crumbles away and Asmo let's go of me to pick his gifts and stuffing them inside his new backpack.

" I know he was thinking of the only person that shines as bright as us two together.

Hmm, but you haven't been taking good care of yourself, MC-chan! Remember to follow the morning routine I gave you so your skin is almost as perfect as mine!"

" I haven't been feeling like...doing much I guess. I had a lot of work this year."

" Humans are always full of work. I mean me too.

Since RAD is closed for the 'holidays', we are back to our other jobs. Things get dirty real fast, so many pests! Maybe we can actually come visit during New Year's."

After apreciating the representation if Lilith, he turns to berate me, before picking a bottle of perfurm and examining it, followed by spraying some on while making a spin as he explains his bodyguard/demon threat exterminator job.

He must have loved it because he transforms, with a smile on his face and his horns move like pincers.

" I always found your demon form the funniest."

" ...Dear, I'm fabulous."

" Hahahahaha! Ok, but if this isn't a Diavolo, Barbatos or Lucifer' scheme... is it Belphegor's? You mentioned dreams, and it explains the constelations."

I look around, darkness being drilled by the light of many tiny stars.

" I think I see taurus... and of course he had ro include pisces. Mammon is supposed to be the greedy one, this is OUR moment!"

He huffes and crosses his arms. I chuckle and pat his back.

" So, I'm asleep at the same time as Belphie."

" It's night time in both worlds. You could say I'm an intruder. I was taking my immersive nightly bath as I prepared to get into your dreams~ I hope I didn't actually fall asleep, my poor skin!"

" How did you convince him?"

I wonder as he touches his arm and the parts of revealed skin as if to feel if something was wrong with his real body.

" Oh, well...he actually wanted to see you to! I also promised to take more cute pictures of Lucifer for him. But I don't think he admires his beauty the same way I do-"

The world trembles. Belphie must be waking up. And angry...

" Oh, dear! I must have upset him. This illusion will end soon and you'll wake up in your bed as if nothing happened. I hope you don't forget me."

Asmo walks closer and caresses my face. Kissing my forehead.

It's warm. Fleeting but I can feel his gestures. Even in a dream.

I slap his hand when I feel it sliding down my back a little too far.

" Ouch! My nail...ok, ok. I'm sorry! Won't happen again~"

He apologises when making contact with my burning stare and proceeds to act innocently after.

" It better not. I... think it will be difficult to forget you. Specially now. Make sure the others know-! Ahh!!!"

Another quake and I "conveniently" fall in his arms. I'm able to see his pixie sized wings batting in excitement.

" This is a cliché."

I mumble as Asmo wraps his arms around me.

" I need to go. I'm sure we'll see each other soon. You know I'll always be here. Literally. And I do hear you, you know?"

He pokes his mark, above my heart and pouts.

" ...I know... see you soon Asmo."

I pick his hand and kiss it.

Then I wake up. It's still the middle of the night. My room is cold.

There on my window sill are two roses. One peach and one dark pink.

The End

______________________________

Special dedicatory to: @shortnessangel

and @asmoluvsyou .

Bunny Backpack comes from: https://kawaiibabe.com/products/creepy-bun-backpack

(Curiosities: The perfumes are gender neutral, I can still link you the page where I found them.

The colour of the roses have a specific meaning. I can post the pic I got it from if you want.)

[madokasoratsugu]

therefore you and me post-production notes (or: murphy’s law as a project that has been two years in the making)

ive had this idea for ‘therefore you and me’ and Fritz ever since i first played CindPhenon. nothing ever fell into place until i played Evermore though, so here we are!

drafting this project was pretty easy tbh (see: hubris). the parallel imagery and everything about the lyrics was right up my alley aha.

fun thing with the lyrics: TadanoCo uses ‘要る (iru)’ in the line ‘Which do you want (iru)? Or do you want neither (iranai; aka negative form of ‘iru’)?’

‘ 要る ‘ as a verb can mean ‘to be wanted’ or ‘to be needed’. 

hence, the line can also be read: ‘Which do you need? Or do you need neither?” or any other variation of the verb’s usage. 

it’s halfway through drawing the lineart that murphy’s law began. 1) i drew ~15 panels on the wrong dimensions, and had to redraw them all (lol), re-grey tone (LOL), and re-ink (LOLOL). it was not a fun three days.

then i lost momentum because of lunar new year (happy late lunar new year btw! happy year of the ox :”) )

anyway: the moment i regained momentum for the project again, i hit a roadblock in the form of overconfident, sloppy drafting (see: hubris is my downfall). 

because of the lack of clear drafting for certain panels (and changes to previous panels), i had to redraft two different sections of the PV while keeping in mind that there was the bridge still to be drafted. fun ! 

i decided to simplify the bridge. can you believe it was supposed to be another animation. i can’t. so i scrapped it.

(slight tangent. Evermore’s release honestly cleared up a lot of uncertainty regarding the direction of the PV and whether or not to include Fritz’s mother (who I still fondly call Beatrice). im really happy the PV never came to fruition before Evermore’s release, as im not sure i would have done half as good a job without Evermore’s content.)

back to the hubris of proceeding with a messy draft - there was a lot of push and pull internally for me as to how much i should keep to the original PV and how much i should just put my spin on things. i ended up doing a bit of half-and-half, i think. 

but really, it only delayed things as i ended up redrafting and having multiple drafts of certain panels haha//

the last two choruses were honestly my favourite parts to draw. the shift from Varg’s clothes and colours to Fritz, Fritz’s acceptance of Varg and the soft way Varg looks at Fritz (and no one else). there’s something cathartic about acceptance and acknowledgement. i think that’s what i aimed to really capture.

also: in between drawing all the panels, murphy’s law 2) my Evermore itchio game file ? got deleted off my computer ? 

it’s a very old, barely functional brick so im lowkey unsurprised but at the same time it was a crazy experience and setback when i needed to reference certain scenes. oh, and Steam decided to not download Evermore too. i still haven’t fixed that one. haha. ha.

i have screenshot posters to thank for uploads of certain CGs, although im still pretty sure its best not to post a ton of those publicly at one shot?

also, i had to scrap the recreation of the famous ‘did you love Varg’ scene because of this aha. looking back now, i think it worked out. 

(another tangent: using referencing as an excuse, i actually took the opportunity to replay Fritz’s route for the third time. i ended up checking nothing at all and falling in love with the masquerade scene again.) 

up till the very end, im still not sure if everyone got that the line “You are love itself.” was meant to be said by Lucette to Fritz. i colour-coded Lucette with her own unique blue for the PV, which was the same hue as the line. i hope that it got across, aha.

with that said, video production was a whole entanglement in and of itself. i think murphy’s law really took up a hammer and swung hard at this stage.

timing was actual hell. im usually not this bad at it, but this project in particular was tricky bc TadanoCo uses a lot of background beats that aren’t overt, which his PV also matches - i think? or maybe im just not good at recognising beats from lack of video/music production haha//

hence there were certain scenes i was stuck at and kept revising because i wasnt clear where the beat was meant to be, what transitions i should use, and when the transitions should be.

subtitling was actually really fun! until i rendered my first version and realised all the subtitles were completely off and blurry.

turns out my project properties were different from my video properties, hence the off-alignment. huh. didnt know those were Actual Things(tm). 

also, quick tip to all vid-making amateurs like me out there: you may have to double the dimensions of the font’s media properties if you dont want them to come out fuzzy. another thing i didnt know lol. 

anyway all this lead to: me needing to spend another evening to redo subtitles. haha. it was not a fun two back-to-back 3am nights + extra evening afterward.

in between all this was countless rendering tests to guess-and-check what’s causing numerous errors in the video btw.

and with those rendering tests came: glaring mistakes in the panel art that i only now spotted and had to fix, and refix, and refix again. then reimport into sony vegas, put it into the video, render and double check if it’s alright. rinse and repeat countless times ! haha ! PV making is fun !

i think i nearly redid a certain scene with the exact same panels once. like i said: not a fun two 3am nights.

that said: i dont know how all this technical issues (and more) popped up and were resolved over two 3am nights and one evening. im not about to question it either. 

at this point: panel art - fixed ! subtitling all redone ! render works fine, everything checks out.

i make the mistake of uploading it directly to yt instead of leaving it unlisted first.

murphy’s law 3) when im watching the vid on yt, the yellow parts in the second verse were completely unable to be seen. 

panic put it on unlisted. people are already watching it and leaving (very sweet) comments. panic delete it.

btw if you’re one of the first three commenters reading this: thank you for the quick response !! it means a lot and made me really flustered in a good way :”))

cue me re-colouring those scenes, redo-ing the section and oops, is that a panel in the masquerade scene where Fritz literally is missing his mask ??? 

i think i lost my mind entirely at this point. from then on i was fueled by spite to complete this cursed project.

at thereforeFINAL.mp4, (version five of the full PV, version maybe 10-11 of all the rendered videos, including tests) finally. finally it is done. 

i upload it.

the end !

(except, not really. because here you are at post-production notes detailing the worst luck i’ve ever had with PV making. 

i learnt a lot from this though, and honestly on hindsight i should have learnt all these from my first PV but nothing went wrong at this magnitude so i kinda just...shelved it aha//

but really, im relieved it turned out well, and that i took the time to redo scenes until i was satisfied. for a PV that’s been waiting in the background for two years now, i think this is the least it deserves. 

if the comic about Fritz and Varg (which i referenced in one of the last choruses, i wonder if anyone caught that?) was meant to be a love letter to Fritz’s route, i think this PV ought to be a tribute to the character himself. 

although - hm, this isn’t quite as good a tribute to Fritz as it is to his route, maybe? i don’t know, haha ! maybe it’s just myself wanting to make excuses to create more for him//

i was thinking of continuing on about the PV and it’s significance to Fritz and Varg, but hm. maybe not on this post. maybe some other one, some other time.

but at it’s core, at it’s simplest, most raw - i think i just wanted to explore what it means to Fritz to ‘want’ and to ‘need’ with this PV.

thank you for watching the PV, and thank you for reading this.

- blu.)

[individuationfic]

Seeking to Seize Chapter 15

AO3

“I,” Yosuke says, glaring at the floor, “am sick of these teleportation tile things.” The team has split up for this particular floor of Void Quest because of the frustrating gimmick so Rise can make a more comprehensive map. Of course he got stuck with Teddie, too, so he’s had to deal with his annoying chatter all afternoon. If he hears one more bear pun, he’s going to lose it. “How’s that map coming along, Rise?”

“You guys can come on back,” comes her reply over whatever mental link they all have in the TV world. “Chie-senpai and Yu-senpai are back, too, and Yukiko-senpai and Kanji-kun are almost done.”

Yosuke has no idea why Yu split the teams up this way, but he doesn’t feel like complaining about it. He just lets Teddie shoot back an affirmative and fishes the GoHo-M Yu gave him out of his bag. This is all they’re doing today; splitting up means they’re all tired, and Yu’s not going to let them continue now.

“Hey, Yosuke?”

He freezes in his motions. Teddie doesn’t usually sound that serious. “What’s up?”

Teddie still wears his bear suit in the TV world, so it’s a little hard to read his expression, but Yosuke knows he’s feeling insecure when he says, “Do you think Sensei likes me?”

Yosuke holds back a snort because honestly. “Yu likes everyone on the team, Ted.”

“He just started being able to understand me, though! How can he like me if we barely talk?”

Yosuke chooses to ignore the fact that “barely” was probably “bear-ly.” “You guys communicating through me or Yukiko is still communicating. You’re friends.”

And now Teddie looks like he might cry, and Yosuke really does not want to deal with that, so he chucks the GoHo-M to the ground to warp them back to the entrance. He’s having a hard enough time dealing with his own feelings, let alone dealing with those of a Shadow-bear-turned-kind-of-human.

This, he tells Jiraya, is not how I wanted to spend my summer.

And Jiraya laughs, because he’s just a jerk like that.

Rise thinks they’re almost to where Kubo is so after everyone heads home from Junes Yu returns to the store to stock up on healing items. He has to be a little conservative with his shopping; sure, Shadows drop money and items he can sell for money, but making sure everyone has good armor and weapons is a top priority, and an expensive priority at that. By the time that particular errand is done, Yu has scraps to deal with. He’d hopes to fold envelopes over the summer to save up some cash, but Void Quest has officially dashed those dreams.

He’s leaving the store with his usual haul (Mr. Salts, Mad Bulls, an inordinate amount of granola bars, etc.) when he passes the door to the Velvet Room and realizes how long it’s been since he dropped in for a visit. Margaret is one of his bonds, after all; maybe he should say hello.

The transition, as always, is more than a little jarring. It gets a little easier every time but, again, it’s been a while. He has to blink rapidly to make his vision stop swimming.

Igor is absent when he’s lucid again. Margaret is sitting in her normal place, the compendium sitting next to her, but, this time, that black and white cat is in her lap, luxuriating in her pets. ‘Hello, Yu,’ she signs.

He signs, ‘I’m sorry I haven’t visited for a while.’

‘You never have to apologize to me. My purpose is to aid you on your journey. You have no obligation to visit me for a social call.’

‘Doesn’t it get lonely with just you and Igor?’ Yu asks.

‘There is more to the Velvet Room than what you can see,’ Margaret signs, a wry smirk pulling at her lips. ‘Time and space function differently here. Though my earliest memory is of the Velvet Room, Igor was not the only one who had a hand in raising me.’ Her eyes flutter shut and she takes a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Her eyes drift back open and she continues, ‘A piano player and an opera singer provide a near-constant soundtrack for us. A human artist has made a home for himself here, painting portraits of those who visit us no longer. My siblings—’ Her fingers stutter. ‘My younger sister, Lavenza, is preparing for the arrival of her guest in a few years’ time. It is not as lonely here as it may seem.’

“Do you ever wish you could leave?’

Margaret isn’t an overly-expressive person, but Yu can tell what he’s asked has triggered some intense emotion. ‘In my experience,’ she signs, face carefully blank, ‘people who experience your world tend to not return. My family cannot take another one of us leaving.’

Yu winces and signs, ‘I’m sorry for upsetting you,’ because he doesn’t have anything else to say.

By the time Kubo’s Shadow falls, Chie is too annoyed to feel relief.

Because honestly, how unfair did Kubo want to be? Dumb baby in a dumb lego suit who attacks twice a turn/ Seriously, what the hell? And, sure, she wasn’t expecting a potential serial killer to go down easy, but this was just excessive.

Yosuke and Kanji drag Kubo to his feet after he falls and, after a curt nod of approval from Yu, Kanji knocks him out with a quick, controlled punch. Kubo didn’t awaken to a Persona after his Shadow was defeated, so he doesn’t need to know how the group operates. Yosuke and Kanji each sling one of his arms over their shoulders to carry him out.

Chie looks over at Yukiko, who smiles at her through her exhaustion. These big fights are always hard on her; she’s the group’s primary healer and, even with all the magical energy she has, it drains her fast. “Do you need help walking?” she asks, voice soft.

Yukiko’s answering nod is quick and grateful. “Please.”

Chie is at her side in an instant, wrapping one arm around Yukiko’s waist and letting one of Yukiko’s arms fall over her shoulders. Yukiko is taller than Chie, but Chie is stronger, and she actually likes how Yukiko’s weight feels leaning against her, so she doesn’t mind.

Her tired girlfriend secure, Chie turns to Yu and says, “What do we do with Kubo?”

Everyone looks at Yu, seeking guidance. After a moment, he signs something Chie can mostly understand, and Yosuke translates, “One of us needs to take him to the police station before he wakes up.” Then, Yu winces and continues. “It shouldn’t be me,” Yosuke translates. “My uncle doesn’t like it when he thinks I’m poking around the investigation.”

“I’ll do it, Senpai,” Kanji says. “I’m the one they’ll believe knocked him out.”

Rise says, “Say you found him at Junes. The security cameras can back you up.”

Yu nods in approval and starts signing again. Yosuke translates, “Good idea, Rise. Kanji will leave first and the rest of us will wait for a few minutes.”

Yukiko makes a disappointed noise near Chie’s cheek. Chie tries to ignore the shiver that runs down her spine at how close Yukiko’s lips are to her ear and tries to placate her by rubbing little circles on her side.

Plan made, they move out.

Yu is helping Nanako with her summer homework when his phone buzzes. He flashes his young cousin an apologetic smile and flips it open.

New Chat

[Kujikawa Rise]→[Narukami Yu]

[Kujikawa Rise]: Hi, Yu-senpai! ヽ(｡･ω･｡)ﾉ Chie-senpai gave me your number! I hope you don’t mind!

[Narukami Yu]: I don’t mind. I’m sorry I forgot to give you my number myself.

[Kujikawa Rise]: It’s fiiine~ I was just wondering what you were planning on wearing to the summer festival. Now that we don’t have to worry about Kubo, it’s all I can think about!

[Narukami Yu]: Just what I normally wear, I think.

[Kujikawa Rise]: Σ(･口･)

[Kujikawa Rise]: Yu-senpai, festivals are special! You can’t just wear street clothes!

[Narukami Yu]: I didn’t exactly bring my entire wardrobe to Inaba, Rise.

[Kujikawa Rise]: Well, it just so happens that I’m at Kanji-kun’s house to work on summer homework, and Mama Tatsumi says she can lend you a yukata! (　＾∇＾)

[Narukami Yu]: What?

[Narukami Yu]: Textiles are her livelihood. I can’t let her lend me her merchandise.

[Kujikawa Rise]: “I haven’t seen Kanji this happy in ages! If Narukami-kun helped him get real friends, lending him a yukata for the night is the least I can do!”

[Kujikawa Rise]: That’s what Mama Tatsumi says.

[Kujikawa Rise]: Aw! (´ω｀*) Kanji-kun’s blushing! Look, Yu-senpai!

[Kujikawa Rise] sent an image

[Narukami Yu]: If Tatsumi-san insists…

[Kujikawa Rise]: She does!

[Narukami Yu]: When does she want me to come to the shop?

Yosuke thinks he’s handling his newly discovered bisexuality pretty well until Yu shows up at the shrine in a yukata.

It looks great on him, because everything looks great on him, the jerk. The dark blue fabric contrasts nicely with his pale skin, and the yellow obi makes him noticeable, even from a distance. It’s not completely done up at the top, probably because of the heat, and Yosuke can see the uppermost part of Yu’s slender chest, already glistening a little with sweat, and, wow, Yosuke is suddenly very, very thirsty.

Chie notices his plight and, sympathetic (he saw the similar reaction she had when Yukiko arrived), passes him her bottle of green tea. In the middle of one of his greedy gulps, Yu sees them and smiles, and Yosuke choked. Fuck, he thinks, this is going to be a long night.

“Looks like your little plan worked.”

Kanji-kun is speaking in a soft, low tone, lower than Rise thought he was capable of. They’re trailing behind their senpai and Teddie as they explore the festival. She’s taking in the details: how Yosuke-senpai and Yu-senpai angle their bodies towards each other in a less-than-platonic way, how Yukiko-senpai catches Chie-senpai’s shirt with her fingers when it gets particularly crowded so they don’t get separated. It’s the little things like that Rise really loves. What can she say? She’s a romantic. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replies, just as soft.

Kanji-kun barks out a laugh. “Bullshit, you don’t. Hanamura-senpai almost popped a boner back there and you know it.”

Rise giggles. “I will neither confirm nor deny my hand in that.”

The corners of Kanji’s mouth quirk up and he turns to face ahead again. The sun is starting to set, and maybe it’s the way shadows are falling across his face, rarely so soft as it is now, but…

Kanji-kun looks beautiful.

Not beautiful like her, or like Yu-senpai or Yukiko-senpai—he’s been too reckless with his body to be traditionally beautiful anymore. But he looks at their friends and he looks kind and soft and good.

Something in her gut tightens and she thinks, Oh, no.

[ecotone99]

[RF] Thats Life

Hey guys, this is a culmination of real life experiences. The story itself is fiction, though I hope the real aspects appeal to you, and you find them entertaining and maybe humorous. Open to any feedback and appreciate your time. Planning on releasing more content each week!

Thats Life

“Fuck this, I’m going vegan.” Michael thought to himself.

Sitting down on the big brown couch, they’d purchased off craigslist, Michael waited for dinner to arrive. A rack of ribs, side of gourmet sliders, and macaroni in cheese.

“Tonights the last night.” he told himself that he’d maybe let his roommates know tomorrow.

Michael Fontaine planned to make a change.

Twenty minutes later, his best friends returned back with the takeout they’d ordered from Babes Barbecue. The 1,200+ calorie meal had costed them $70 in total with tip. Only thirty dollars cheaper than the crappy couch that had sunk their asses into every Monday Night for football over the last 5 years.

Tonight their hometown team, the Pats or New England Patriots, faced off against the Buffalo Bills. Unloading the food onto the table in front of them, they dove into their greased paper bags, hunched over, their bellies hanging over their waistbands.

Double rack of Ribs, three sliders, and a pound of Mac n Cheese with a side cup of St. Pauli's girl lager, filled to the brim. The U shaped seating arrangement allowed each of them to take their place around the knee high table while they stuff'd their faces.

Within the first three minutes of the game,Tom Brady marched the Pats down the field for the first score.

“Yo, TB! The fackin goat!” Reggie yelled with a mouth full of macaroni.

“My guy! Lets go baby! ” Franky cheered with a half eaten rib in his hands.

Michael sat between them and agreed, clapping his hands. He also knew something else about Brady. The guy didn’t eat Babes Barbecue. He didn’t barely ate meat at all, the guy is a 90% fackin vegan for christ sakes. Taking another gulp of his beer, Michael toasted to the guys, knowing it would be the last for a while.

​

(Two weeks later)

The alarm began to ring. 5:45am, or two hours before work. Michael hadn’t had a piece of meat yet. Every other morning, he'd started going on jogs around the neighborhood. In total he’d run 6 miles over the last two weeks, which was great compared to the zero exercise he'd been doing before. Pressing the snooze button, Michael went back to sleep for another 30 minutes which he concluded, he'd deserved by how sore his body felt.

When he woke up next at 6:15am, he figured he could still go on his run, but would have to make it quick. Putting on his new Nike sneakers, he walked into the kitchen where he found Franky up early, dressed for work.

“What’re you doing up so early?” Michael asked.

“Today’s a walkthrough with Phill, shouldn't be much working." Franky answered with a yawn. Standing behind the bar in their living room, Franky began pouring himself a cold cup of beer.

Franky and Reggie worked for William Caldwell, a construction company. The days were hard physical work though it definitely beat going to school to study. Both Franky and Reggie had started community college, but left soon after they got their first paycheck, realizing they could enjoy life much more putting their money towards experiences, like Sunday Ticket or NBA League Pass.

“Where you going with those new shiny shoes?” Franky asked pointing to the clean white and blue sneakers.

“Oh, just down to Dunkin to grab a coffee. Got these shoes, my damn feet have been killing me.” Michael lied.

“Could of bought you a nice steak dinner with that money. Guess getting old means taking care of yourself eh?” Franky laughed, and Michael raised his eyebrows in unattested agreement.

Michael walked out of the apartment into the cold morning. The fall weather felt perfect, cold enough to wake you up, and just right if you wanted to break a sweat. Seeing other people out and about, he felt more motivated, and got moving into a comfortable pace when about a mile away, he got an incoming call.

It was Franky.

“Yo, whats up Frank.” Michael answered, slowing down to a walk.

“Think you could pick up two vanilla caw fee’s for me and Reggie?”

“Sorry, Franky I forgot my wallet. I’m actually coming back now.”

“You sound out of breath, everything okay?”

“Yeah yeah, everything is fine, just running a little late thats all.” Michael lied.

“All right well don’t go getting yourself a heart attack.” Franky joked.

​

(3 months go by)

The alarm went off at 5:30am. The Rolling Stones "Start me up" came through Michael's phone, a song he’d added to pump him up. Jumping out of bed, he grabbed his running shoes, and was out the door, on the streets by 5:45. Snow had built up in Boston, so he had to buy traction grip so that he wouldn't slip on the ice or snow.

Michael finally was in rhythm with his life. Over the last three months he had failed, and given into old habits. After his first two strong weeks of no meat, he decided to get drunk for a buddies birthday. It all started with just a bite of a street dog, and ended with a late night delivery of Gino’s sausage pepperoni pizza. After that, Michael’s discipline fell apart. He began to cheat a little bit each and every day, until he found himself back in the groove of meat a few times a week.

About two and a half months ago, Michael set the intention to get out of this funk. He had wanted that next step in his life. His dream had always been to become a teacher, and then principal of a Middle School. Trapped by the circumstances around him, he made excuses why it was so hard for him to get his act together. Soon after his buddies birthday, Michael got back to his routine of health and running.

This time though, he'd eliminate drinking. A decision, that like eliminating meat, he decided to keep away from his best friends.

Walking back into the apartment, the time read 6:23. Michael could smell eggs, coffee, and cigarette smoke. Alice Cooper’s “Poison” was playing on the kitchen speaker. Turning around to greet him, Reggie looked and smiled with a Marlboro in his mouth.

“Good morning putz! Where you been?” Reggie looked like he’d just woken up. He wore a big Green Celtics robe, undoubtedly hungover.

“Just took a walk to get some fresh air” Michael lied, giving him a high five as he walked by.

“Yeah, yeah don't lie to me. You were jerking off in the park again, weren't you? Whats up with all the sweat?” Reggie joked, using the wooden spoon as a prop as if it were a penis.

“Yeah jerking off to your mother.” Michael responded flipping Reggie the bird.

Jumping into the shower Michael felt amazing. His endorphins were through the roof and he looked forward to the day ahead. His buddies hadn’t noticed, but he lost almost 20lbs, dropping from 200 to 180. Michael could now run a mile in under 8 minutes.

While Michael showered and got cleaned up, Franky and Reggie put on their pants and jackets, getting ready for work. The 1,500 square foot project they were set to work on today, was for a new pharmacy down the street.

The guys walked out of their apartment but not before leaving an extra plate of scrambled eggs on the counter for their buddy. A nice gesture, that would be met in the trash can as Michael left for work.

The guys got in their truck and drove to the location of the site. Supposedly, the previous establishment would be easy to spot, it still had the sign up front that read "We are Kids!". A toy store that had been there for over 30 years, had been bought out, as parents now purchased video games and skateboards straight from the internet.

Arriving at the sight, Reggie and Franky walked into the store dazed. The walls were amusing to them both, painted in yellow, green, and orange. The project manager Phil, stood behind a counter, next to an older man in a suit. Signaling them over, Phil looked stressed.

“Hey guys, I’ve got to go for the day. They’re having me do a deposition for that gym off of 42nd street. You two clean up this place, and I’ll be back this afternoon."

For the next hour, the guys demolished the stores interior, pulling out and breaking down cabinets where stuffed animals and bikes once stood. The lawsuit Phill had been spoken of was to their knowledge was out of their hands. Many of the details had been kept secret, though rumors spread that the explosion of the circuit breaker had nearly killed an electrician.

​

(Another Month Goes By)

“Hey Mikey, we’re ordering pizza. You want in?” Mikey!?”

“He’s not here.” Responded Reggie who was already on the couch with a beer.

“But it's the Pats and the Giants. Where the hell is he?” demanded Franky.

Reggie shrugged. “Who cares, just order the pizza. I’m sure he’ll have some”

Around halftime Michael walked into the house. He’d spent the day visiting colleges in Boston where he’d potentially return to get his teachers certification. Maybe even a masters one day.

“Hey, heard the game on the radio. Pats are down?” Michael asked his two roommates who were sprawled out on the coach. Between them, was an empty spot, where Michael used to sit.

“Yeah, fucking Brady threw a pick 6, could you believe that?” Reggie responded, taking another large gulp of his beer.

“We got you some pizza Mikey, Sausage and Pepperoni your favorite.”

Taking off his coat, Mikey wasn’t sure how to respond. He hadn’t had a conversation about his diet in the two months since he made the transition to vegetarianism.

“Thanks Franky, I’m not in the mood for pizza. You two can have it.”

The guys looked at each other rather annoyed. They had spent an extra $15 with tip to get the largest pizza. Eating the rest of their pizza, they waited for Mikey to return, however he just stayed in his room to finish review of his top colleges.

“Hey has Mikey lost a lot of weight, his neck looks thinner.” Reggie spoke out loud.

“Yeah, I think he’s sick or something. Not eating like he’s used to.” Franky responded, taking another bite of pizza.

Reggie contemplated saying something else, when suddenly the Patriots defense scored a touchdown. His train of thought interrupted by his love of the Pats, he ignored the idea, of his best buddies new change. He and Franky both went to sleep feeling great, as they watched their Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles.

​

(Later that week)

“Alright Reggie, you and Franky never saw or used electrical wires or anything.” Phil began. Dressed in a suit and tie, he looked more nervous than before. He had been to two depositions already.

The attorneys expected it to be a multimillion dollar case. The victim, Rafael Munoz, hadn’t had an issue with his work in 35 years as an electrical engineer. Now, badly disfigured from the explosion, Rafael may never work again.

The attorney for William Caldwell spoke to Reggie and Franky once. He knew that the two of them would not do well in court or in front of a judge. Both of them were 29 years old but could have passed for much older, and in the attorney's eyes high probability of "slipping up."

Reggie and Franky shook hands with Phil, and got back to work. They were extending the size of an old laundromat on Main Street. Finishing their daily work surprisingly quick, they headed out to the local Sports bar "Champs" to grab a beer.

Across the street, Bailes Munoz watched the men get into their truck and drive away. She had been sitting and paying for the parking meter for over 2 hours, contemplating whether to go through with this. Her husband had put them both in debt after the accident. The attorneys told her that Rafael would win, and his medical expenses paid for and more. This didn't help the fact that she no longer loved her husband. Only the day before the accident, she had caught him cheating.

Remembering what their attorney told her, she took a deep breath and turned on the ignition. Following the men, she felt like one of those detective's from Chicago PD, “Anything they say can and will be used against them in a court of law.”

​

(At Champs)

The Celtics were playing the Lakers in the rather empty bar.

“Two St. Pauli's please” Franky paid the bartender in cash.

Returning their change, Franky tipped the man kindly.

“I’ll have a tequila soda, two limes”

Bailes sat down a seat away from the men, she looked beautiful. In her late 40’s she stayed in great shape. Wearing a hot pink dress, with black & white striped heels, the guys took notice, nudging each other at the elbow.

Pulling out her American Express, she handed her card to the bartender.

“Keep it open.”

By the middle of the first quarter, the guys had finished their first beer and were on to their second. The Lakers were winning by 10 points, and Bailes cheered as they continued to pull away.

“Laker fan huh?” Reggie asked rather indirectly.

“Damn right, born and raised in Inglewood California” Bailes responded with some spice.

“Oh shit, the hood?” added Franky animatedly.

Bailes laughed at this, and confessed that she sure as hell was raised in a tough neighborhood.

“What about you boys, you from Boston?”

“Born and raised. The city of Champions” Reggie began, as he pointed to the banners that hung across the bar. “More than any other city in the United States,” he continued.

After some back and taunting, Bailes began to open up the conversation more personally. A real estate agent, she hustled selling mid level properties all over the city. The confident and spunky persona that brought her success, she now used to coerce the construction workers who she caught multiple times looking down her shirt.

“So whats a beautiful real estate agents like yourself, doing at a bar all alone?” Inquired Reggie.

“Well, I’ve got this lawsuit, but you guys wouldn’t understand.” Bailes responded, her gaze focusing on the tv in front of them

“I’m sorry to hear that, what happened.” Franky asked.

Bailes began to tell her a made up story, about how she had been wrongfully accused in a deal with a home buyer.

“Someone is saying that I lied in my appraisal, that I didn’t follow through with my work. I don’t think I’m going to lose the lawsuit, its just that I feel guilty. I’m not sure if it was actually my fault.”

Bailes reached into her purse, and clicked the red record button on the tape player her attorney had given her.

After a few more questions, and lies, Bailes eyes were red. She had finally finished her story, and used all of the pity she felt for her cheating husband. Finishing her tequila today, she waited earnestly to hear if one of these two jokers would bite.

“Would you guys like anything else to drink?” interrupted the bartender.

“I don’t know, we’ve had quite a few.” Reggie answered. They related with Bailes story, it had definitely rattled them a bit.

Getting up from her seat, Bailes went over and kissed both men on the cheek, leaving a smudge of pink lipstick on their cheeks. Her arms resting on both of their shoulders, she continued.

“I don’t expect you guys to understand, maybe I'm just crazy for worrying like this” she began to pull away again, as if she'd leave their lives forever.

“We understand more than you know.” Franky blurted out.

“Damnit Franky, we’re not supposed to talk about it.”

“Shut up Reggie, she deserves to know. We understand completely, let me tell you…”

The lakers were up now by 20 points.

​

(The next day)

“Hello Mr. Jurist, this is Balies Munoz. You haven’t returned my calls, please get back to me, I have new information to discuss with you.” Bailes, had called her attorney three times that day, and still nothing.

It was the end of the day now, she’d just shown an open house, and now had to pick up prescriptions for her cheating husband. A small private pharmacy had opened up down the street where that one toy store used to be. Charging the amount on her American Express, Bailes felt stressed.

Even though she’d gotten the guys to talk, she felt wrong for helping Rafael. He’d been having an affair with his coworker's wife. For how long, it was anyones guess. She thought back to how they hadn't interacted at the 4th of July at a party she’d thrown last summer. Carol is her name, she thought.

Carol was younger by at least 10 years. Her husband didn't seem to have his life much together, though genuinely seemed to try to do well for his family from what Rafael had told her. Maybe that was a lie.

Bailes often times had flashbacks to the day where she found them together in their guest room. She'd called out of work, feeling sick, and come home early. Their two story apartment was big, but echoed as all rooms led to the great room. Hearing them make love in the guest room where her Mom often stayed during the holidays, she felt even sicker.

Taking blame for everything wrong in the marriage to this point, she began to think back to her mother who'd always distrusted him. Particularly when they found out about his infertility, and subsequent unwillingness to adopt. Her mother had told her to leave him, he cared more about himself than anyone else.

She had planned to tell her mother as soon as she found out about the affair. To hell with "Till death do us part" she thought to herself. This was the last straw.

Then she received the voicemail from the hospital in the early morning about the accident. Life had once again put her in position to play the good wife.

Stopping by Trader Joes on her way back home, she needed food for the week. Food for herself, and her handicapped husband.

As if on autopilot she went through the aisles, picking out the food she always did. In the same quantities she had always done. Enough for two, with more to spare. Leftovers were welcomed kindly in the Munoz household. Her favorite things to munch on the next day, were the extra veggies and salads she would munch on in her tuber ware containers.

Arriving at lane number 1, Bailes began unloading her grocery cart.

“Hi how is your day going?” asked the friendly cashier.

“Good, good.”

Reaching into her purse, Bailes pulled out her wallet to find her American Express missing. Roaming around, she felt many things. Like lipstick, receipts from the hospital, proscription medication, and of course the black tape recorder. Opening up her billfold she only had $30 dollars in cash, the rest of her cards were with Rafael.

“Is everything all right Ma’m?” inquired the cashier.

“No, no, I’m sorry I think I left my American Express at the Pharmacy down the street”

“Here, I can help. How much is it?” A young man, maybe in his late twenties walked up behind her. He wore a sweatshirt and running pants, with white and blue sneakers.

“With that $30 off, it will come out to $70.85 total.”

“Here, I’ll take care of it.” handing over his Visa Rewards card, the cashier accepted and charged it.

“You don’t have to. Oh my gosh, thank you so much. I promise, I’ll pay you back.”

Walking out of the grocery store, Michael carried his two full bags full of vegetables, while Bailes pushed her cart.

“This is so embarrassing, I’m so embarrassed.” Bailes kept apologizing to the attractive young man, unsure how else to respond.

“Thats okay, I understand these things happen.” Michael smiled back, noticing the diamond on her hand which they both noticed together, though Bailes wished she hadn't.

“Well how about I get you a drink, or something. You know to thank my extraordinary grocery store super hero?” Bailes made a stupid joke, something she only does when nervous.

“My name is Michael, and actually I don’t drink. Maybe we could grab a bite, if thats okay with you or your husband?” Michael responded in a friendly manner.

Touching the ring on her finger, she she smiled and looked down. It wasn’t a date, she thought. He took paid for our food, and now I can pay for his. We’re not drinking so everything should be fine.

“Okay, yeah lets go. What do you like?”

“I’m on this plant based diet, so how about Shang Ru Lah?”

​

(Three hours later)

Bailes hadn’t planned on having more than one drink. One mojito she thought, thats all I'll have. As she spoke more to Michael, she admired him for his courage. A well fit, motivated young man, who really cared about himself. She found herself marveling at the way he carried conversations confidently and respected her.

Ordering a full vegan meal, she felt good about herself too. The last time she had felt this way was when she'd told her mother off, how she wasn't leaving Rafael regardless of the adoption argument. Reflecting on that battle since the accident, she had felt trapped in a cycle of guilt and shame which Michael seemed to change.

He had a new energy. How he openly talked about his struggles in life and his dream of one day being the principal of a middle school. He mentioned living with tough roommates and how he would be moving out of his apartment very soon to get his own place.

Only loosely he talked about his roommates and how they had held him back in some ways. He loved them both, and Bailes admired how he could compartmentalize between the two. Admittedly he confessed that life could be so much better when he had the right people in it, eliminating the things that didn't serve him.

Bailes heard these words, relating to the fateful truth of her own story. Two drinks later, Michael decided to drive her home, though she lied that she lost her keys. When he offered to pay for a hotel room, she kissed him, and so went back to his place.

Opening her eyes the following morning, she saw pictures of Tom Brady, and other Boston greats hung up on the walls of Michael's rather small room. There were stacks of books and letters from colleges he’d applied to on his desk. Feeling somewhat relieved, she looked at her hand and saw her ring was missing.

Grabbing her purse, she found the ring, and a note.

“Went for a run, will be back by 7:00am” - Michael

The clock read 6:38am. Bailes put her clothes on, and left as soon as she could. Opening up the door into the living room she smelled beer, and saw a box of pizza on the floor. Sports center was playing on the TV, and she swore she saw the body of a guys asleep on the couch.

Luckily Michael lived only a few blocks away from the restaurant. Getting to her car, she expected to see a parking ticket, as the meeter started at 6:00am, but nothing was there. Arriving home 30 minutes later, she opened up her trunk to find that all of the meat had spoiled, only the veggies remained.

Tossing the eggs, steak, chicken, and turkey into the dumpster on the way in she was surprised to feel relief, and not guilt. Maybe it was the healthy meal last night, or possibly the sex she hadn’t had in over 6 months. Greeting the lobby manager, she smiled, holding only three bags of groceies, waiting for this weightless feeling to subside, and the truth of her actions to set in.

Arriving on the 12th floor, Bailes walked down to her room 1204, and opened up the door, to their apartment. Placing the groceries down, and putting them away, she decided she'd make a healthy breakfast. Oatmeal would do just fine for her and Rafael. Thankfully she wouldn't have to go through the chore of making pouched eggs benedict as he had often requested.

“Raffy, I’m home!” Bailes called out, her voice echoing through the house.

Bailes phone buzzed, and saw the text message. It was from Michael.

“Have a great day :)”

Boiling the water, she accidentally made only a cup, or enough for one. Cutting up strawberries and cleaning blueberries she turned on some music. It was a playlist called “love in the morning” which her mother had sent her.

Thats life began playing by Frank Sinatra.

“Your’e riding high in April, shot down in May, but I know I’m gonna change that tune, when I’m back on top, back on top in June”

Pouring the boiling water into a fresh bowl of oats, she covered it with foil to cook it faster.

Rafael couldn't answer he, he likely was asleep Bailes supposed. Eating her own bowl of oatmeal, she took 30 minutes to herself before she wet downstairs to find him.

Their bedroom empty, she couldn't imagine where he had gone. The only other place would be the guest room. Walking in, she found the bodies of Carol and Rafael and Steve. and two others in the guest bedroom. Steve his coworker, and Carol his wife.

The Police officers would report that Steve his coworker and understudy had been responsible for rigging the fuse box which exploded at the gym, almost killing Rafael. Investigators proved an act of passion, when they found the video recording the night before.

Carol had come to the Munoz apartment, and Steve shortly after. Drunk from the way he stumbled through the lobby. They discovered that Steve had found on Carol's text messages in the weeks leading up to the accident, which would prove motive.

Bailes screamed when she found their bodies across the floor, a pool of blood suround each corpse. The corrinors office reported an act of extreme violence, due to the viscious stab wounds, displaying that Steve hadn't made them suffer much, and acted rather impulsively. Steve's body was found in the closet a bottle of perscription medicine laid with him, where he'd poisoned himself.

And so it goes, Reggie and Franky never had to go to court, and never heard anything come back from the lawsuit. They didn’t read the papers or pay attention to the news outside of sports. Every once and a while they’d talk about the hot latina woman they’d met in the bar and how she was into both of them, but that she was married and thats why they lucked out.

Michael moved out of the apartment in June, and started school that same August at Boston University. He never saw Bailes again, though they messaged each other so often as if to catch up. Bailes needed a real man, and Michael had only just begun his journey of becoming one.

​

(6 months later)

“Hey Bailes, how are you doing. Its been a while?”

“Great. Never better. :)”

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[mialipsky-blog]

45 Flower Meanings: Discover the Significance Behind Each Bloom

Blooms of every shape and color are gorgeous, but did you know that each has its own unique significance? Read on to discover 45 flower meanings, from roses (passionate love) to gardenias (purity).

  1.  Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria is a beautiful flower that represents fortune, devotion and friendship. Alstroemeria comes in a wide variety of shades, including white, pink, red, orange, purple and yellow. You can even find them in rare royal or grape purple. They’re often two-toned and freckled, giving them a bit more depth and interest. A single stem has an average of four blooms, along with some great sword-shaped greenery that adds color and volume.

2. Amaryllis

Amaryllis symbolizes pride, determination and radiant beauty. The word “amaryllis” comes from the Greek word “amaryssein,” which means “to sparkle.” Often associated with the holidays, amaryllis are commonly used in festive centerpieces or within a wreath. There’s no wrong way to use these hardy blooms.  Amaryllis is a wonderfully versatile flower that packs a big punch with several show-stopping blooms on each broad stem.

3. Anemones

Also known as windflowers, anemones symbolize anticipation and are thought to bring luck and protect against evil. They’re a highly sought-after wedding flower that comes in a variety of both natural and tinted shades. Colors include red, hot pink, burgundy, blue and purple. If you’re not a fan of the black centers, they’re also available with pale green centers! Pair anemones with larkspur and waxflower to attain an on-trend wildflower look!

4. Anthurium

Tropical anthurium is an exotic flower that symbolizes hospitality and also represents kindness, making these heart-shaped blooms a perfect addition to your home. These flowers have a waxy appearance and come in six vibrant colors. They pair well with other standout blooms like protea, orchids, and roses.

5. Astilbe

The astilbe flower is also known as false spirea, false goat’s beard, or feather flower and they are said to have the meaning of “I will be waiting for you’ or ‘I’ll still be waiting,” symbolizing patience and dedication to a loved one. But don’t let their delicate look fool you, they are actually pretty hardy flowers. The flowers sit on strong green stems above airy, green foliage. Each stem features a plume of feather-shaped branches that hold clusters of small flowers, resulting in a beautiful, feathery soft bloom. Astilbe is available in white, red and several shades of pink.

6. Bouvardia

Bouvardia symbolizes enthusiasm, and are named in honor of Charles Bouvard, who ran the Royal Gardens in Paris during the reign of Louis XIII. Bouvardia features beautiful clusters of flowers shaped like stars on delicate branches, and are available in yellow, pink, red, peach and white. Bouvardia is also referred to as royal katty, albatross and pink luck.

  7. Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise symbolizes joy and paradise. This tropical flower (a.k.a. the crane flower) also represents faithfulness, thoughtfulness and love. The hard, beak-like part of the flower is known as spathe, and gives the flower the appearance of a bird’s head and beak since it is perpendicular to the stem. Once bloomed, each stem features three vibrant orange petals and three blue petals.

  8. Calla Lilies

Named after the Greek word for beauty, calla lilies are a traditional symbol of marriage and are used to celebrate major transitions in life. Calla lilies altogether exemplify “magnificent beauty,” while white calla lilies especially represent purity, honesty and innocence, making them a popular choice for wedding bouquets. Other than white, calla lilies also come in shades of pink, purple, yellow, orange and more.

  9. Carnations

Carnations, like roses and some other flowers, have slightly different symbolism for the different colors. As a whole, they are said to symbolize pride and beauty. A red carnation symbolizes love, pride and admiration, while a pink carnation symbolizes the love of a woman or a mother. A white carnation symbolizes innocence and pure love. Use single stems throughout your arrangements for a pop of fun color, or bunch three to five stems together to create a ruffled focal flower that may just be mistaken for a peony!

10. Celosia

Celosia, also known as coxcomb, symbolize uncomplicated affection. They are sought after for their incredible texture and unusual style. We offer both coxcomb and feather varieties in numerous striking colors. Our coxcomb celosia has a fan-shaped bloom with velvet frills. On average, the bloom size is 3-5 inches and has a stem length of 30 inches long. The feather variety is just as unique, its multiple laterals create a feathery-like look and have a soft touch too. These coral-like flowers blend fabulously with garden roses, billy balls, protea, snapdragons and the list goes on.

11. Chrysanthemums

This cheerful flower has been said to symbolize fidelity, optimism, joy and long life. Often called mums, these fun blossoms can also convey loyal love, hope and cherished friendship. They’re known to be long-lasting, low-maintenance and very affordable. Pair white chrysanthemums with lisianthus, roses, Queen Anne’s lace, and seeded eucalyptus for a classic bouquet.

  12. Cornflowers

Cornflowers are fun and whimsical wildflowers that feature a brilliant true blue color. These flowers have a ball-like center with frilly petals surrounding the eye and can range in size from 1/2 an inch to 1 inch. Also known as boutonniere flowers or bachelor buttons, legend has it that cornflowers were worn by young men in love; if his love was returned the flower would remain bright and fresh, however, if the man’s love was not returned, the flower would fade quickly. No wonder cornflowers make popular boutonnieres!

    13. Daffodils

Daffodils are a springtime staple that signifies rebirth and new beginnings. These star-shaped blooms tend to be overlooked and under-appreciated, but they have so much potential. Daffodils are both beautiful and affordable. In addition to their bright, classic color, daffodils are also offered in a combination of both, white and yellow, and orange and white. They also come in all-white, too. No matter the shade, you’ll find daffodils in both standard, mini and double varieties.

14. Dahlias

Dahlias are said to represent dignity, elegance and good taste. They’re a wedding favorite, available in a wide variety of bold, bright and beautiful shapes and colors. Their large blooms provide the perfect amount of fullness and elegance! Historically, dahlias have symbolized the lasting bond and commitment created between two people, which makes them a wonderful representation of marriage.

15. Daisies

Daisies symbolize new beginnings and innocence. These gorgeous spring flowers are commonly used as both focal and filler flowers in wildflower and rustic designs. They’re known as a spray variety, meaning each stem has an average spray of 3 to 5 colorful blooms. When combined with a mixture of other fillers, greenery, and a few accent flowers, daisies can truly stand out!

  16. Delphinium

Delphinium represents lightheartedness and vivacity. What a beautiful flower meaning! The English word delphinium comes from the Greek word for dolphin, which is delphis. The name is fitting, thanks to the long and lean shape of flower that looks like the gentle mammal of the sea. Delphinium is also commonly known as larkspur.

  17. Freesia

A great flower for adding texture, freesia symbolizes sweetness, innocence and thoughtfulness. Freesia is known for its sweet scent. These fragrant flowers have about 3-5 funnel-shaped blooms and have an average stem length of 10 to 20 inches long. Freesia looks absolutely beautiful as a stand-alone option, and also make a stunning addition to almost any arrangement. You can find freesia in a variety of colors such as white, purple, orange, yellow and more.

18. Garden Roses

Garden roses are a classic choice for wedding flowers and they go with almost every theme. Just like standard roses, these large blooms have similar respective flower meanings. Garden roses are gorgeous, full-bodied roses, that often feature a lovely fresh scent, and are available year-round. Their lush, ruffled petal, full bloom makes them irresistible!

  19. Gardenia

Gardenia has been a classic wedding flower choice for generations. This sweet, fragrant flower symbolizes a few different things like purity, love and sophistication, making them a perfect pick for a bridal arrangement. Their paper-white petals and lush, evergreen foliage make them irresistible and versatile. If you choose to incorporate these blooms into your design, you’ll need to create a faux stem, often wired or glued.

  20. Gerbera Daisies

A part of the daisy family, gerbera daisies specifically conveys cheerfulness. How could you not be cheerful with these bold blooms? They’re widely known as a flower for all seasons and they come in both, standard and mini varieties. With more than 10 colors to pick from and a variety of different textures, you’re bound to find the perfect flower for your design.

  21. Gladiolus

A striking, long-stemmed flower filled with blooms from bottom to top, the gladiolus symbolizes generosity, sincerity, a strength of character, faithfulness and honor. Gladiolus can add height, balance and color! We offer these gorgeous flowers in an array of colors that include purple, orange, white, red, green and many shades of pink.

  22. Heather

Heather represents good luck and also admiration. In sixteenth century Scotland, soldiers used to even wear white heather in their caps to bring them not only luck but protection. To this day, Scottish brides include white heather in their wedding bouquets for good luck. Heather comes in lovely shades of white, purple, pink and green.

  23. Hellebores

Hellebores have been a staple for many florists for quite some time. Although the symbolism of the flower isn’t crystal clear, the one thing that is known for sure is its beauty and ability to add interest into any floral arrangement!

Hellebores have a beautiful, natural bend to their stems and have five round petals that come in an array of beautiful colors and patterns; ranging anywhere from white-green, mauve-y pink, and all the way to deep purple shades. On each stem, you’ll find 3-5 blooms with a special pattern like specks, swirls, or gradient. Available in the spring, these versatile blooms pair well with flowers like ranunculus, roses, anemones or any bloom that has a romantic feel.

  24. Hyacinth

Hyacinths represent playfulness and sport. Greek legend has it that a young man Hyakinthos was loved by the Gods, and when he was killed by a discus, the flower that grew from his blood was christened a hyacinth in his name.

Hyacinth come in an array of colors, including a beautiful farm mix pack. These fragrant flowers have multiple star-shaped blooms, delicately clustered toward the top of each stem. Although their stem length is not very long (on average around 10 inches long–bloom included), they can be easily incorporated into any tall arrangement with the help of a pick and floral wire.

  25. Hydrangeas

These large, full-bloom flowers are said to represent heartfelt emotions and perseverance. They can also be used to express gratitude for being understood. Naturally, hydrangeas come in shades of white, pink, green and blue (it’s one of the few flowers that have a natural, true blue color!). But thanks to the technology of floral sprays and intravenous tinting, we’re able to offer hydrangeas in just about any color!

  26. Iris

Irises are associated with wisdom and trust. Each stem features a beautiful bloom with delicate petals and a striking yellow color. Iris is known as a springtime flower, but it is available year-round. You can find iris in a variety of colors such as white, yellow, purple and a couple shades of blue.

  27. Lilac

Lilac has different flower meanings throughout different cultures and times, for example, magenta lilac is said to symbolize love and passion, where as lilac (the soft purple color) is said to symbolize a first love. Lilac is an excellent choice for adding texture and fullness to an arrangement. They come in beautiful shades of purple, white and blush. They’re offered in three varieties, which are standard, premium and designer.

  28. Lilies

Lilies are a royal flower that symbolizes purity and refined beauty. More specifically, a white lily symbolizes modesty and virginity, while an orange lily symbolizes passion and pride.

Lilies have a star-shaped shaped bloom that features an average of 3 to 5 blooms per stem. They’re available year-round and are offered in several beautiful colors. In addition to their stunning beauty, lilies offer a sweet scent. Some varieties that have a softer aroma include hybrid lilies and asiatic lilies.

29. Lily of the Valley

Like the lily, the lily of the valley represents purity, and also happiness, sweetness and humility. The popular flower has small, dainty, bell-shaped blooms and is particularly popular for spring bouquets.

    30. Lisianthus

Lisianthus has a variety of meanings, including gratitude, charm, and an everlasting bond. Its bell-shaped, ruffled blooms are available in pink, purple, white, apricot, yellow and green.

      31. Orchids

Exotic beauty, glorious femininity, refinement, thoughtfulness and mature charm are just some of the meanings associated with orchids.

Whether you’re planning a summer bash or a cozy fall celebration, these blooms are a suitable choice with their exotic and luxurious appeal. There are many unique colors and varieties to choose from, with over 20,000 species orchid in existence, so the options are almost endless.

32. Peonies

This flower symbolizes a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity. It can also be used to express bashfulness and compassion.

Peonies are known for their large ruffled blooms and sweet floral scent, which makes them all but irresistible, these stunning symbols are one of the most sought-after flowers available, and with good reason.

33. Poinsettia

The bright red poinsettia is often affiliated with the holidays, but year round, it stands for good cheer, celebration and reassurance. This flower is perfect for winter brides.

      34. Protea

This eye-catching flower is known to symbolize change and transformation. It also represents diversity and courage.

Protea has uniquely-shaped, wild-looking blossoms and a long vase life if handled properly. They can also withstand high-heat environments, making them a hardy choice for summer events. Step out of the box by pairing this statement bloom with yellow billy balls, blue thistle and succulents for a rustic look!

    35. Queen Anne’s Lace

Queen Anne’s Lace symbolizes sanctuary. The filler flower features a distinct, blood-red dot in the center, which is said to represent a drop of Queen Anne’s blood that fell from her finger onto handmade lace. The flower is also referred to as bird’s nest, wild carrot and bishop’s lace.

  36. Ranunculus

Ranunculus conveys the message that you are radiant with charm, and/or very attractive.

These fantastic buds are the perfect choice when adding depth and texture to floral arrangements. Their soft, round shape and abundance of delicate petals make them a unique addition to anything from elegant bridal bouquets to modern, pared-down centerpieces. Ranunculus are also available in a host of fun and beautiful colors, helping them pair well with almost any theme or pattern.

    37. Roses

All roses symbolize passionate love, but specific meanings are associated with each color (read up on the different rose color meanings!).

These traditional blooms are versatile, long-lasting and fragrant. They are perfect for special occasions and “just because” moments. With many varieties and colors to choose from, you really just can’t go wrong with roses!

38. Snapdragons

Snapdragons are said to represent graciousness. They make an elegant choice for adding height and texture to an arrangement and are more than capable of standing on their own in a bouquet or centerpiece. Our snapdragons are offered in twelve different colors plus a farm mix package too!

  39. Statice

Statice is another popular filler flower rife with meaning. The flower, which comes in blue, white, red, yellow, pink and purple, represents success, sympathy or remembrance, which makes it appropriate for a variety of occasions.

    40. Stock

Stock stands for beauty everlasting and a joyous happy life. It also symbolizes a lasting, loving bond. This filler flower comes in white, pink, purple and peach. The flower has a delicious clove-like scent and is also known as the gillyflower.

    41. Sunflowers

Since sunflowers follow the light of the sun, it is said that they represent warmth, adoration and dedication or dedicated love. 

We offer several varieties of sunflowers, from traditional yellow with black centers to red-enhanced, and most of the varieties are available year-round, so you’re bound to find the perfect option for your event. Sunflowers look beautiful on their own, but pair nicely with many other flowers, like feverfew daisies, roses, solidago, lisianthus and more.

      42. Sweet Peas

Like roses, sweet peas have different flower meanings depending on their color. However, they’re commonly known to symbolize appreciation and departure.

Sweet peas have a lovely fragrance and an irresistible ruffled look. These multi-florals come with about 3 to 5 blooms per stem. Sweet peas range in colors from pastel pink to bright yellow. They’re mostly used in garden-style bouquets and centerpieces. Sweet peas are gorgeous on their own but pair seamlessly with other spring flowers like peonies, garden roses and tulips.

    43. Tulips

Tulips tend to mostly be associated with sweet, pastel-hued floral arrangements around Easter time. However, tulips are capable of packing a serious punch in terms of color, texture, and volume in everything from bouquets to aisle arrangements.

Given that tulips represent the perfect love, adding them to your bridal bouquet signifies a declaration of your love and faithfulness to your partner. In addition to standard tulips — which can showcase some really cool multi-tonal centers — you can also choose from feathered fringe tulips, large french tulips, bold double tulips, and ruffly parrot tulips!

    44. Xerographica Tillandsia

The xerographica tillandsia, more commonly known as an air plant, is a plant that has few or no roots, therefore can live without soil, and can get water and nutrients from the air. Because they don’t need soil and have such a unique look, they are perfect for the dreamer!

Air plants are eco-friendly, easy to use and can be used almost anywhere in wedding and home decor! From bouquets and boutonnieres to unique place card holders and centerpieces, you could even create a lush, living art piece, perfect for a ceremony backdrop or just spicing up an empty wall.

    45. Yarrow

For years yarrow (also known as Achillea millefolium) has been used for agricultural and medicinal purposes, but they’ve been used in floral design too.

Yarrow features multiple blooms per stem that cluster together to create the look of one large flower head. It has a fresh, herby-scent and provides the perfect pop of color. With proper care, yarrow can last up to five days and they’re also heat-tolerant flowers, so you don’t have to worry about them wilting.

    See more:

Rose Color Meanings: 12 Shades and What They Symbolize

26 Filler Flowers and Types of Greenery

Baby’s Breath & Lace: 4 Different Varieties

45 Flower Meanings: Discover the Significance Behind Each Bloom published first on their blog to my feed

[mainemanus-blog]

45+ Flower Meanings: Discover the Significance Behind Each Bloom

Blooms of every shape and color are gorgeous, but did you know that each has its own unique significance? Read on to discover 45 flower meanings, from roses (passionate love) to gardenias (purity).

  1.  Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria is a beautiful flower that represents fortune, devotion and friendship. Alstroemeria comes in a wide variety of shades, including white, pink, red, orange, purple and yellow. You can even find them in rare royal or grape purple. They’re often two-toned and freckled, giving them a bit more depth and interest. A single stem has an average of four blooms, along with some great sword-shaped greenery that adds color and volume.

2. Amaryllis

Amaryllis symbolizes pride, determination and radiant beauty. The word “amaryllis” comes from the Greek word “amaryssein,” which means “to sparkle.” Often associated with the holidays, amaryllis are commonly used in festive centerpieces or within a wreath. There’s no wrong way to use these hardy blooms.  Amaryllis is a wonderfully versatile flower that packs a big punch with several show-stopping blooms on each broad stem.

3. Anemones

Also known as windflowers, anemones symbolize anticipation and are thought to bring luck and protect against evil. They’re a highly sought-after wedding flower that comes in a variety of both natural and tinted shades. Colors include red, hot pink, burgundy, blue and purple. If you’re not a fan of the black centers, they’re also available with pale green centers! Pair anemones with larkspur and waxflower to attain an on-trend wildflower look!

4. Anthurium

Tropical anthurium is an exotic flower that symbolizes hospitality and also represents kindness, making these heart-shaped blooms a perfect addition to your home. These flowers have a waxy appearance and come in six vibrant colors. They pair well with other standout blooms like protea, orchids, and roses.

5. Astilbe

The astilbe flower is also known as false spirea, false goat’s beard, or feather flower and they are said to have the meaning of “I will be waiting for you’ or ‘I’ll still be waiting,” symbolizing patience and dedication to a loved one. But don’t let their delicate look fool you, they are actually pretty hardy flowers. The flowers sit on strong green stems above airy, green foliage. Each stem features a plume of feather-shaped branches that hold clusters of small flowers, resulting in a beautiful, feathery soft bloom. Astilbe is available in white, red and several shades of pink.

6. Bouvardia

Bouvardia symbolizes enthusiasm, and are named in honor of Charles Bouvard, who ran the Royal Gardens in Paris during the reign of Louis XIII. Bouvardia features beautiful clusters of flowers shaped like stars on delicate branches, and are available in yellow, pink, red, peach and white. Bouvardia is also referred to as royal katty, albatross and pink luck.

  7. Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise symbolizes joy and paradise. This tropical flower (a.k.a. the crane flower) also represents faithfulness, thoughtfulness and love. The hard, beak-like part of the flower is known as spathe, and gives the flower the appearance of a bird’s head and beak since it is perpendicular to the stem. Once bloomed, each stem features three vibrant orange petals and three blue petals.

  8. Calla Lilies

Named after the Greek word for beauty, calla lilies are a traditional symbol of marriage and are used to celebrate major transitions in life. Calla lilies altogether exemplify “magnificent beauty,” while white calla lilies especially represent purity, honesty and innocence, making them a popular choice for wedding bouquets. Other than white, calla lilies also come in shades of pink, purple, yellow, orange and more.

  9. Carnations

Carnations, like roses and some other flowers, have slightly different symbolism for the different colors. As a whole, they are said to symbolize pride and beauty. A red carnation symbolizes love, pride and admiration, while a pink carnation symbolizes the love of a woman or a mother. A white carnation symbolizes innocence and pure love. Use single stems throughout your arrangements for a pop of fun color, or bunch three to five stems together to create a ruffled focal flower that may just be mistaken for a peony!

10. Celosia

Celosia, also known as coxcomb, symbolize uncomplicated affection. They are sought after for their incredible texture and unusual style. We offer both coxcomb and feather varieties in numerous striking colors. Our coxcomb celosia has a fan-shaped bloom with velvet frills. On average, the bloom size is 3-5 inches and has a stem length of 30 inches long. The feather variety is just as unique, its multiple laterals create a feathery-like look and have a soft touch too. These coral-like flowers blend fabulously with garden roses, billy balls, protea, snapdragons and the list goes on.

11. Chrysanthemums

This cheerful flower has been said to symbolize fidelity, optimism, joy and long life. Often called mums, these fun blossoms can also convey loyal love, hope and cherished friendship. They’re known to be long-lasting, low-maintenance and very affordable. Pair white chrysanthemums with lisianthus, roses, Queen Anne’s lace, and seeded eucalyptus for a classic bouquet.

  12. Cornflowers

Cornflowers are fun and whimsical wildflowers that feature a brilliant true blue color. These flowers have a ball-like center with frilly petals surrounding the eye and can range in size from 1/2 an inch to 1 inch. Also known as boutonniere flowers or bachelor buttons, legend has it that cornflowers were worn by young men in love; if his love was returned the flower would remain bright and fresh, however, if the man’s love was not returned, the flower would fade quickly. No wonder cornflowers make popular boutonnieres!

    13. Daffodils

Daffodils are a springtime staple that signifies rebirth and new beginnings. These star-shaped blooms tend to be overlooked and under-appreciated, but they have so much potential. Daffodils are both beautiful and affordable. In addition to their bright, classic color, daffodils are also offered in a combination of both, white and yellow, and orange and white. They also come in all-white, too. No matter the shade, you’ll find daffodils in both standard, mini and double varieties.

14. Dahlias

Dahlias are said to represent dignity, elegance and good taste. They’re a wedding favorite, available in a wide variety of bold, bright and beautiful shapes and colors. Their large blooms provide the perfect amount of fullness and elegance! Historically, dahlias have symbolized the lasting bond and commitment created between two people, which makes them a wonderful representation of marriage.

15. Daisies

Daisies symbolize new beginnings and innocence. These gorgeous spring flowers are commonly used as both focal and filler flowers in wildflower and rustic designs. They’re known as a spray variety, meaning each stem has an average spray of 3 to 5 colorful blooms. When combined with a mixture of other fillers, greenery, and a few accent flowers, daisies can truly stand out!

  16. Delphinium

Delphinium represents lightheartedness and vivacity. What a beautiful flower meaning! The English word delphinium comes from the Greek word for dolphin, which is delphis. The name is fitting, thanks to the long and lean shape of flower that looks like the gentle mammal of the sea. Delphinium is also commonly known as larkspur.

  17. Freesia

A great flower for adding texture, freesia symbolizes sweetness, innocence and thoughtfulness. Freesia is known for its sweet scent. These fragrant flowers have about 3-5 funnel-shaped blooms and have an average stem length of 10 to 20 inches long. Freesia looks absolutely beautiful as a stand-alone option, and also make a stunning addition to almost any arrangement. You can find freesia in a variety of colors such as white, purple, orange, yellow and more.

18. Garden Roses

Garden roses are a classic choice for wedding flowers and they go with almost every theme. Just like standard roses, these large blooms have similar respective flower meanings. Garden roses are gorgeous, full-bodied roses, that often feature a lovely fresh scent, and are available year-round. Their lush, ruffled petal, full bloom makes them irresistible!

  19. Gardenia

Gardenia has been a classic wedding flower choice for generations. This sweet, fragrant flower symbolizes a few different things like purity, love and sophistication, making them a perfect pick for a bridal arrangement. Their paper-white petals and lush, evergreen foliage make them irresistible and versatile. If you choose to incorporate these blooms into your design, you’ll need to create a faux stem, often wired or glued.

  20. Gerbera Daisies

A part of the daisy family, gerbera daisies specifically conveys cheerfulness. How could you not be cheerful with these bold blooms? They’re widely known as a flower for all seasons and they come in both, standard and mini varieties. With more than 10 colors to pick from and a variety of different textures, you’re bound to find the perfect flower for your design.

  21. Gladiolus

A striking, long-stemmed flower filled with blooms from bottom to top, the gladiolus symbolizes generosity, sincerity, a strength of character, faithfulness and honor. Gladiolus can add height, balance and color! We offer these gorgeous flowers in an array of colors that include purple, orange, white, red, green and many shades of pink.

  22. Heather

Heather represents good luck and also admiration. In sixteenth century Scotland, soldiers used to even wear white heather in their caps to bring them not only luck but protection. To this day, Scottish brides include white heather in their wedding bouquets for good luck. Heather comes in lovely shades of white, purple, pink and green.

  23. Hellebores

Hellebores have been a staple for many florists for quite some time. Although the symbolism of the flower isn’t crystal clear, the one thing that is known for sure is its beauty and ability to add interest into any floral arrangement!

Hellebores have a beautiful, natural bend to their stems and have five round petals that come in an array of beautiful colors and patterns; ranging anywhere from white-green, mauve-y pink, and all the way to deep purple shades. On each stem, you’ll find 3-5 blooms with a special pattern like specks, swirls, or gradient. Available in the spring, these versatile blooms pair well with flowers like ranunculus, roses, anemones or any bloom that has a romantic feel.

  24. Hyacinth

Hyacinths represent playfulness and sport. Greek legend has it that a young man Hyakinthos was loved by the Gods, and when he was killed by a discus, the flower that grew from his blood was christened a hyacinth in his name.

Hyacinth come in an array of colors, including a beautiful farm mix pack. These fragrant flowers have multiple star-shaped blooms, delicately clustered toward the top of each stem. Although their stem length is not very long (on average around 10 inches long–bloom included), they can be easily incorporated into any tall arrangement with the help of a pick and floral wire.

  25. Hydrangeas

These large, full-bloom flowers are said to represent heartfelt emotions and perseverance. They can also be used to express gratitude for being understood. Naturally, hydrangeas come in shades of white, pink, green and blue (it’s one of the few flowers that have a natural, true blue color!). But thanks to the technology of floral sprays and intravenous tinting, we’re able to offer hydrangeas in just about any color!

  26. Iris

Irises are associated with wisdom and trust. Each stem features a beautiful bloom with delicate petals and a striking yellow color. Iris is known as a springtime flower, but it is available year-round. You can find iris in a variety of colors such as white, yellow, purple and a couple shades of blue.

  27. Lilac

Lilac has different flower meanings throughout different cultures and times, for example, magenta lilac is said to symbolize love and passion, where as lilac (the soft purple color) is said to symbolize a first love. Lilac is an excellent choice for adding texture and fullness to an arrangement. They come in beautiful shades of purple, white and blush. They’re offered in three varieties, which are standard, premium and designer.

  28. Lilies

Lilies are a royal flower that symbolizes purity and refined beauty. More specifically, a white lily symbolizes modesty and virginity, while an orange lily symbolizes passion and pride.

Lilies have a star-shaped shaped bloom that features an average of 3 to 5 blooms per stem. They’re available year-round and are offered in several beautiful colors. In addition to their stunning beauty, lilies offer a sweet scent. Some varieties that have a softer aroma include hybrid lilies and asiatic lilies.

29. Lily of the Valley

Like the lily, the lily of the valley represents purity, and also happiness, sweetness and humility. The popular flower has small, dainty, bell-shaped blooms and is particularly popular for spring bouquets.

    30. Lisianthus

Lisianthus has a variety of meanings, including gratitude, charm, and an everlasting bond. Its bell-shaped, ruffled blooms are available in pink, purple, white, apricot, yellow and green.

      31. Orchids

Exotic beauty, glorious femininity, refinement, thoughtfulness and mature charm are just some of the meanings associated with orchids.

Whether you’re planning a summer bash or a cozy fall celebration, these blooms are a suitable choice with their exotic and luxurious appeal. There are many unique colors and varieties to choose from, with over 20,000 species orchid in existence, so the options are almost endless.

32. Peonies

This flower symbolizes a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity. It can also be used to express bashfulness and compassion.

Peonies are known for their large ruffled blooms and sweet floral scent, which makes them all but irresistible, these stunning symbols are one of the most sought-after flowers available, and with good reason.

33. Poinsettia

The bright red poinsettia is often affiliated with the holidays, but year round, it stands for good cheer, celebration and reassurance. This flower is perfect for winter brides.

      34. Protea

This eye-catching flower is known to symbolize change and transformation. It also represents diversity and courage.

Protea has uniquely-shaped, wild-looking blossoms and a long vase life if handled properly. They can also withstand high-heat environments, making them a hardy choice for summer events. Step out of the box by pairing this statement bloom with yellow billy balls, blue thistle and succulents for a rustic look!

    35. Queen Anne’s Lace

Queen Anne’s Lace symbolizes sanctuary. The filler flower features a distinct, blood-red dot in the center, which is said to represent a drop of Queen Anne’s blood that fell from her finger onto handmade lace. The flower is also referred to as bird’s nest, wild carrot and bishop’s lace.

  36. Ranunculus

Ranunculus conveys the message that you are radiant with charm, and/or very attractive.

These fantastic buds are the perfect choice when adding depth and texture to floral arrangements. Their soft, round shape and abundance of delicate petals make them a unique addition to anything from elegant bridal bouquets to modern, pared-down centerpieces. Ranunculus are also available in a host of fun and beautiful colors, helping them pair well with almost any theme or pattern.

    37. Roses

All roses symbolize passionate love, but specific meanings are associated with each color (read up on the different rose color meanings!).

These traditional blooms are versatile, long-lasting and fragrant. They are perfect for special occasions and “just because” moments. With many varieties and colors to choose from, you really just can’t go wrong with roses!

38. Snapdragons

Snapdragons are said to represent graciousness. They make an elegant choice for adding height and texture to an arrangement and are more than capable of standing on their own in a bouquet or centerpiece. Our snapdragons are offered in twelve different colors plus a farm mix package too!

  39. Statice

Statice is another popular filler flower rife with meaning. The flower, which comes in blue, white, red, yellow, pink and purple, represents success, sympathy or remembrance, which makes it appropriate for a variety of occasions.

    40. Stock

Stock stands for beauty everlasting and a joyous happy life. It also symbolizes a lasting, loving bond. This filler flower comes in white, pink, purple and peach. The flower has a delicious clove-like scent and is also known as the gillyflower.

    41. Sunflowers

Since sunflowers follow the light of the sun, it is said that they represent warmth, adoration and dedication or dedicated love. 

We offer several varieties of sunflowers, from traditional yellow with black centers to red-enhanced, and most of the varieties are available year-round, so you’re bound to find the perfect option for your event. Sunflowers look beautiful on their own, but pair nicely with many other flowers, like feverfew daisies, roses, solidago, lisianthus and more.

      42. Sweet Peas

Like roses, sweet peas have different flower meanings depending on their color. However, they’re commonly known to symbolize appreciation and departure.

Sweet peas have a lovely fragrance and an irresistible ruffled look. These multi-florals come with about 3 to 5 blooms per stem. Sweet peas range in colors from pastel pink to bright yellow. They’re mostly used in garden-style bouquets and centerpieces. Sweet peas are gorgeous on their own but pair seamlessly with other spring flowers like peonies, garden roses and tulips.

    43. Tulips

Tulips tend to mostly be associated with sweet, pastel-hued floral arrangements around Easter time. However, tulips are capable of packing a serious punch in terms of color, texture, and volume in everything from bouquets to aisle arrangements.

Given that tulips represent the perfect love, adding them to your bridal bouquet signifies a declaration of your love and faithfulness to your partner. In addition to standard tulips — which can showcase some really cool multi-tonal centers — you can also choose from feathered fringe tulips, large french tulips, bold double tulips, and ruffly parrot tulips!

    44. Xerographica Tillandsia

The xerographica tillandsia, more commonly known as an air plant, is a plant that has few or no roots, therefore can live without soil, and can get water and nutrients from the air. Because they don’t need soil and have such a unique look, they are perfect for the dreamer!

Air plants are eco-friendly, easy to use and can be used almost anywhere in wedding and home decor! From bouquets and boutonnieres to unique place card holders and centerpieces, you could even create a lush, living art piece, perfect for a ceremony backdrop or just spicing up an empty wall.

    45. Yarrow

For years yarrow (also known as Achillea millefolium) has been used for agricultural and medicinal purposes, but they’ve been used in floral design too.

Yarrow features multiple blooms per stem that cluster together to create the look of one large flower head. It has a fresh, herby-scent and provides the perfect pop of color. With proper care, yarrow can last up to five days and they’re also heat-tolerant flowers, so you don’t have to worry about them wilting.

    See more:

Rose Color Meanings: 12 Shades and What They Symbolize

26 Filler Flowers and Types of Greenery

Baby’s Breath & Lace: 4 Different Varieties

45+ Flower Meanings: Discover the Significance Behind Each Bloom published first on their blog, reposted for me

[musicandhearts]

Survey because why not

1:when you have cereal, do you have more milk than cereal or more cereal than milk?  Definitely more cereal, I actually hate milk with cereal.

2:do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?  Not in the slightest.  

3:what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?  Receipts from purchases I haven’t thrown away yet, or to-do lists, or shopping lists, or business cards.  

4:how do you take your coffee/tea?  Coffee:  either black or with cream.  Tea:  either plain or with honey.  

5:are you self-conscious of your smile?  Not usually, but sometimes.

6:do you keep plants?  Nope.  

7:do you name your plants?  Nope.  

8:what artistic medium do you use to express your feelings?  Uh, it used to be piano.  Now I don’t really have one, lol.  

9:do you like singing/humming to yourself?  I will sing to music when I am alone.  

10:do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach?  I roll around like crazy.

11:what's an inner joke you have with your friends?  Trumpet mouth piece.

12:what's your favorite planet?  Pluto.  (because it was a planet when I was a kid).  

13:what's something that made you smile today?  Pizza.  

14:if you were to live with your best friend in an old flat in a big city, what would it look like?  Uhm, I would probably decorate it with all my girly crap, and it would be messy.  

15:go google a weird space fact and tell us what it is!   Neutron stars can spin at a rate of 600 rotations per second.

16:what's your favorite pasta dish?  Pasta with claims and mussels in a spicy tomato sauce.  

17:what color do you really want to dye your hair?  Auburn.  

18:tell us about something dumb/funny you did that has since gone down in history between you and your friends and is always brought up.  That one time I tried to play a trumpet mouth piece.  

19:do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?  I don’t, but I always say I wanna.  

20:what's your favorite eye color?  Brown.  

21:talk about your favorite bag, the one that's been to hell and back with you and that you love to pieces.  Lol, I rotate bags too often.  But, I have a pink harrods bag I always bring with me to New York City.  :) 

22:are you a morning person?  Hell no.  

23:what's your favorite thing to do on lazy days where you have 0 obligations?  Lay in bed and listen to The Shins, then go on a drive and listen to cds, including The Shins.  And, eat take out that my body doesn’t need to have (or my wallet).  

24:is there someone out there you would trust with every single one of your secrets?  Nope.  

25:what's the weirdest place you've ever broken into?  Uh, I have only ever broken into swope practice rooms.  

26:what are the shoes you've had for forever and wear with every single outfit?  I don’t.  

27:what's your favorite bubblegum flavor?  Wintergreen.  

28:sunrise or sunset?  Sunset.  

29:what's something really cute that one of your friends does and is totally endearing?  Uhm, when any of my friends want to hug, I always get excited for that.  :D

30:think of it: have you ever been truly scared?  Yeah, I thought I could die at one point in my life...

31:what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.  Socks keep my feet warm.  I don’t like wearing them because that means it is cold out if I am wearing them.  I won’t wear them in the summer unless obligated to.  I own too many pairs of socks but go through them quickly anyway.  

32:tell us a story of something that happened to you after 3AM when you were with friends.  Well, I would be drunk and probably saying really stupid things, or telling them how much I loved them.  

33:what's your fave pastry?  Chocolate with chocolate lava inside.  Lava cake.  with raspberries or strawberries on top.  

34:tell us about the stuffed animal you kept as a kid. what is it called? what does it look like? do you still keep it?  Carrots.  Pink rabbit, TY (beanie baby) pillow pal.  I still sleep with it, and it is 18 years old.  

35:do you like stationary and pretty pens and so on? do you use them often?  Yes I do!  Not often, but I definitely have times to use them.  

36:which band's sound would fit your mood right now?  The Shins.  

37:do you like keeping your room messy or clean?  I *try* to keep it clean, but usually i have my bed full of clothes that are in between clean and dirty and other crap.  

38:tell us about your pet peeves!  When plans are forgotten.  

39:what color do you wear the most?  Blue.  Maybe pink.  

40:think of a piece of jewelry you own: what's it's story? does it have any meaning to you?  I have a silver necklace with three roses from my grandma.  I just wear it often because it usually looks better than any other necklaces.  

41:what's the last book you remember really, really loving?  Tuesdays with Morrie.  

42:do you have a favorite coffee shop? describe it!  Yes.  It is a place about a half an hour away that is kind of that indie style atmosphere.  

43:who was the last person you gazed at the stars with?  No one.  

44:when was the last time you remember feeling completely serene and at peace with everything?  Ha.  uh, never.  

45:do you trust your instincts a lot?  I try to.  

46:tell us the worst pun you can think of.  I am so punny.  :-P

47:what food do you think should be banned from the universe?  Mushrooms.  

48:what was your biggest fear as a kid? is it the same today?  As a kid I was scared of fire and everything burning down.  It is still a fear of mine, but now my other biggest fear is failing.  

49:do you like buying CDs and records? what was the last one you bought?  I do buy CDs.  The last CD I bought was “Oh, inverted world” by the shins.  

50:what's an odd thing you collect?  Uhm, I sometimes don’t like letting go of cute soap bottles or chapsticks that are empty.  

51:think of a person. what song do you associate with them?  I associate my whole life with The Shins and Jack’s Mannequin.  

52:what are your favorite memes of the year so far?  I don’t know, haven’t thought about it.  

53:have you ever watched the rocky horror picture show? heathers? beetlejuice? pulp fiction? what do you think of them?  Nope.  

54:who's the last person you saw with a true look of sadness on their face?  I don’t know actually..

55:what's the most dramatic thing you've ever done to prove a point?  Uhm, I can’t think of a good example.  

56:what are some things you find endearing in people?  People who are able to open up to help others.  

57:go listen to bohemian rhapsody. how did it make you feel? did you dramatically reenact the lyrics?  I am not doing this, I am listening to The Shins.  

58:who's the wine mom and who's the vodka aunt in your group of friends? why?  I think my friends who do drink are all wine moms actually.  I love wine, but I have the personality of the vodka aunt for sure.  

59:what's your favorite myth?  If you work hard things will go your way.  

60:do you like poetry? what are some of your faves?  I liked the poems by shel silverstein in “where the sidewalk ends”.  

61:what's the stupidest gift you've ever given? the stupidest one you've ever received?  Given?  Uhm, maybe the times i gave cash instead of putting thought into a cute gift.  Received?  uhm, just anything that clearly is like, I look at it, and it is like, wtf? 

62:do you drink juice in the morning? which kind?  No, just water, occasionally coffee.  

63:are you fussy about your books and music? do you keep them meticulously organized or kinda leave them be?  I generally keep my books organized expect for the one(s) I am currently reading.  I am very fussy about what songs I am listening to in a given moment if I can control the music.  

64:what color is the sky where you are right now?  

65:is there anyone you haven't seen in a long time who you'd love to hang out with?

66:what would your ideal flower crown look like?

67:how do gloomy days where the sky is dark and the world is misty make you feel?

68:what's winter like where you live?  Cold.  Ice.  Snow.  

69:what are your favorite board games?  Taboo.  

70:have you ever used a ouija board?  Nope.  

71:what's your favorite kind of tea?  Yogi fruit flavor teas, or anything pumpkin spice.  

72:are you a person who needs to note everything down or else you'll forget it?  I won’t forget anything, but I make lists to help me feel less stressed about everything I have to do.  

73:what are some of your worst habits?  Sleeping way too late for where I need to be in the morning.  Putting off hmwk I don’t want to do.  

74:describe a good friend of yours without using their name or gendered pronouns.  On Wednesday we Wear Pink.  

75:tell us about your pets!  I have a child named Emmett who is my guinea pig.  I love him dearly.  I need his attention more than he needs mine.  I sometimes will just stare at his cage and watch him eat.  

76:is there anything you should be doing right now but aren't?  Hell yes. 

77:pink or yellow lemonade?  Pink. 

78:are you in the minion hateclub or fanclub?  Fanclub.  

79:what's one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you? My little made me a sock monkey blanket to give me the day she became a sister.  

80:what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?  White.  No.  Because I am renting an apartment.  

81:describe one of your friend's eyes using the most abstract imagery you can think of.  Uh, what?  

82:are/were you good in school?  No.  

83:what's some of your favorite album art?  I like the cover of “everything in transit” by jack’s mannequin.  

84:are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?  no.  

85:do you read comics? what are your faves?  no.  

86:do you like concept albums? which ones?  i am not very familiar with the concept behind concept albums.  (pun intended).  

87:what are some movies you think everyone should watch at least once in their lives?  Silver Linings Playbook, Tuesdays with Morrie, Marley and Me.  

88:are there any artistic movements you particularly enjoy?  No.  

89:are you close to your parents?  There are a lot of things about my life I have a very difficult time telling them about.  

90:talk about your one of you favorite cities.  London!!  British people, British accents, wonderful.  

91:where do you plan on traveling this year?  I don’t.  

92:are you a person who drowns their pasta in cheese or a person who barely sprinkles a pinch?  Drowns or none at all, no in between.  

93:what's the hairstyle you wear the most?  I throw my hair up in a half assed bun.  

94:who was the last person you know to have a birthday?  Uhmm...I am not sure actually.  

95:what are your plans for this weekend?  Dog sitting.  

96:do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?  Procrastinate just like I do with my whole life.  

97:myer briggs type, zodiac sign, and hogwarts house?  ISTJ/ISFJ, Virgo, Hufflepuff/Slytherin.  

98:when's the last time you went hiking? did you enjoy it?  I don’t remember, but I hope I did.  

99:list some songs that resonate to your soul whenever you hear them.  “Swim”, Jack’s Mannequin.  

100:if you were presented with two buttons, one that allows you to go 5 years into the past, the other 5 years into the future, which one would you press? why?  Definitely 5 years into the future...I would never want to return to the crap I had to go through while sick five years ago.