#A Stud Filled December

[miraculous-stud]

Welcome to A Stud Filled December!!

I got a lot of different prompts planned, so I hope you guys enjoy!

December 1: Kai and Pixal hang Christmas lights

December 2: Under the Mistletoe

December 3: First Christmas after the merge

December 4: Gingerbread house competition

December 5: Ninja bet on who can get Lloyd the best gift

December 6: The ninja are elves! What do they get up to?

December 7: Christmas Movie Night

December 8: Naughty VS. Nice meme chart

December 9: Snowball fight!

December 10: Christmas Cards

December 11: Decorating the tree

December 12: Cole is bad at cooking Christmas dinner

December 13: Wrapping gifts

December 14: Zane, Jay, and Lilliane make Christmas cookies with Ed and Edna

December 15: Indigo and Nya decorate around the monastery

December 16: Secret Santa

December 17: Nutcracker Au

December 18: Do you want to build a Snowman?

December 19: Cole dresses as Santa for the kids in Ninjago City

December 20: Christmas Carol Au

December 21: Caroling around Ninjago City

December 22: Cutting Paper Snowflakes

December 23: Hanging Stockings

December 24: Christmas Eve

December 25: Christmas Day(pt 2 to day 5)

December 26: Cozy by the Fire

December 27: drinking hot cocoa in a Zane made igloo

December 28: Sledding

December 29: Raiding the toy section

December 30: Snowed in!

December 31: New Years Eve

[thisapplepielife]

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles December challenge.

Beautiful Boys

Prompt Day 23: Wayne Adopts Steve | Word Count: 1000 | Rating: T | CW: Lingering Injuries/Trauma | Tags: Post S4, Eddie Munson Lives, Good Uncle Wayne Munson, Wayne & Steve, Wayne POV

Wayne is in Hawkins Hardware, looking at the fence pickets. He definitely didn't expect them to have this many choices. He figured he'd come in and buy what he needed, from the only option available. In and out. Wallet a little lighter, but no choices to be made. 

But, no. There are options. Decisions. And he isn't sure which style Eddie would prefer. He just wants Eddie to have a place he feels safe outdoors, again.

Wayne reaches out to touch the samples, again, when he hears clattering and an "oh my god, I'm so sorry" that sounds an awful lot like Steve Harrington.

Wayne pokes his head around the corner of the aisle, and Steve is gathering up a bunch of swag hooks off the floor, swiping them back into his handbasket.

"What're you doin' with those, kid?" Wayne asks, crouching down to help him.

"Eddie's plants," Steve says, standing back up, pushing his hair back and up, out of his eyes. These boys and their hair they can't keep contained. Wayne smiles. He remembers how his (now long-gone) hair was in the sixties. Different styles, sure, but just as impractical, at times.

"Eddie's plants," Wayne repeats with a smile, then asks, "You're gonna hang them from the ceiling?" 

Steve nods, and Wayne grins, "That's a good idea, kid. He'll love that."

Eddie has gathered up a lot of houseplants recently, tending to them, taking care of them, babying them. The first ones were sent to the hospital by his friends, and Eddie latched onto them. And now, Steve drags a new one home every week or two as a gift. Eddie is still recovering, might always be recovering, but his plants make him smile and give him something to do.

Wayne doesn't quite understand it, not with the black thumb he has, but it's like everything else about Eddie. Wayne doesn't have to understand it, to support him. If Eddie wants plants, they can have a whole houseful of them.

Eddie survived something he still hasn't fully explained to Wayne, might never, so if he wants to fill the house with greenery, so be it. 

If he wants to fill the house with Steve Harrington, too, that's also just fine by Wayne.

Steve smiles shyly, "If you don't care that I put holes in the ceiling, that is."

Wayne doesn't care. "I'll help. I've got a stud finder, so we won't have them falling and cracking us on the noggin."

Steve laughs, and nods, "Thanks. What are you doing here?"

Wayne waves him over, getting Steve to follow him.

"Trying to pick fencing for the backyard. If Eddie's gonna keep dragging home strays, we'll need a place to put them," Wayne says, and Steve blushes, just a little. 

"I could make a tent work," Steve teases, and Wayne squeezes his shoulder. Steve is always, and will always, be welcome in the house.

"Good to know, but I was thinking more along the lines of dogs, cats, raccoons. You know how he is," Wayne drawls, and Steve smiles. It's wishful thinking, because they both know the real reason for the fence. Eddie doesn't want to leave the house these days.

"I just assumed I'd get dog-ears," Wayne says, pointing at the slightly-rounded piece of wood on display. "But there are choices."

Steve studies them all, finally saying "I think Eddie would like the pointed ones the most. Looks dangerous," Steve says.

Wayne nods. He was thinking the same thing.

"They're narrower, be more work to set," Wayne mutters.

Steve turns to look at him, "I'll help you, you know that."

Wayne nods. He knows Steve will. He's a good kid, who spends most of his time hanging out in their new little house, doting on Eddie in one way or another. Wayne isn't blind. He knows what this is, what these boys feel for each other, even if Eddie hasn't told him yet.

He will. Wayne just has to be patient.

"Sounds good, kid," Wayne says, and Steve grins, big and bright. Like he wasn't sure his help would be accepted. 

"I don't know much about building a fence, but I can learn. I can follow instructions," Steve assures, and Wayne pats him on the back.

"Let's double-check my math here," Wayne says, pulling a small notepad out of his pocket, rerunning his figures. 

Once he's got a good number, Wayne directs them towards the stain options. Steve picks one with a red tint, and Wayne nods. Looks good to him.

When they get to the counter, he takes Steve's basket and adds it to his.

"You don't have to do that," Steve says.

Wayne knows he doesn't, but it's for Eddie and it's just a few dollars worth of hooks and bolts. He's definitely gonna get his money back in fence-building help.

"I know, I want to," Wayne says, opening his wallet.

Outside, Steve helps the guys from the lumber department load up the trailer full of the pickets. 

"See you at home?" Wayne questions, and Steve nods and smiles.

"Yeah, at home," he answers, walking towards his car, with his small sack of hardware.

And they spend days hanging the over-abundance of plants in front of every window in the house, so many that it seems like they're living in a greenhouse, and then they work on the fence. Putting it up, picket by picket, together.

Sometimes, Eddie comes and sits on the patio and watches, but it still takes a lot out of him, even now, months later. Wayne's worried he might never fully recover. 

But, Steve works hard to entertain Eddie. Steve's funny, and he treats Eddie real good. That's all that will ever matter to Wayne. Eddie's his boy, and by extension, Steve's his boy now, too.

Eddie and Steve fight over the radio, a welcome sound, and Steve's won. 

So, John Lennon's singing about a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy. 

Wayne knows that feeling well.

He's got two of those beautiful boys, now. 

close your eyes, have no fear, the monster's gone, he's on the run and your daddy's here, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy John Lennon, Beautiful Boy

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @steddieholidaydrabbles and follow along with the fun!

If you want to see more of my entries into this month-long challenge, you can check them out in my Steddie Holiday Drabbles tag, right here!

[just-some-trans-nobody]

December Christmas Monster Stories

Dec 20.) Octomer x Reader

Warnings: attempted murder, reader almost dying, unable to breath,tentacles, no boundaries from monster, touching (sfw) without asking, if I missed any please tell me.

Minors don't interact.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Cold

Everything felt cold as your broken body laid on the jagged rocks. 

Faint words were spoken on the cliff you had been pushed of off but the winds were too strong for your ears to hear them. 

You wondered why they did it, you knew the village didn't like you but you didn't think they disliked you enough to commit murder. 

Everything was numb as your vision blurred but you could feel the strange sensation of suckers wriggling up your broken legs. It must have been an octopus using you as leverage to climb up the rocks. At least in your dying moments you could help out at least one living creature before you go. Slipping away you didn't hear the screams from above or feel yourself be lifted up gently as if you were made from fragile clay. 

Slowly you opened your eyes as a groan left your lips. Everything hurt so badly and you could hardly move. It took some time for your eyes to adjust but when they finally did you let out a gasp seeing yourself surrounded by flowers you knew for certain didn't grow around your icey village. Trying to sit up a jolt of pain ran through your body. Your eyes widening, the pain was so intense you couldn't breath or perhaps you were in pain because you couldn't breath. Even laying back in the same position as before didn't bring your breathing back. A feeling of dread filled you as you gasped for air like a fish out of water. 

As quick as lightning tentacles were wrapped around you rubbing your chest in a strange way. It almost mimicked breathing? Whom ever the tentacles belonged to knew what they were doing as soon air was flowing back into your lungs, all be it with difficulty but you could breath at the least. The tentacles continued this movement as you flowed them wanting to know just who had been helping you.

He was large with bumpy looking copper skin. His eyes yellow and goat like with long rectangle pupil's. There were a lot more tentacles to him than just the onces assisting you to breath. You wanted to scream, you'd never seen something like him before but you couldn't. Maybe it was because he had saved you, maybe it was because you could see no hate in his eyes only worry and concern, or simply it was beacuae you didn't have enough air in your lungs to do so. Opening your mouth you went to speak but found yourself unable. Puzzled you tried again but only letting out a squeak that deeply pained your throat. 

He leaned forward shaking his head at you. “Your not healed enough.” His voice had a strange clicking to it. “It will come back once your stronger.” You weren't sure how you were still alive after a fall like that but if he was able to get you breathing by giving you what seemed to be a massage it was safe to say he probably knew lots about healing or perhaps he had magic? 

The healing process was long and painful but not as much as it would have been without him. You had to learn quickly that personal space wasn't somthing he comprehend. For the sake of getting better you put up with his constant touching of your body. His touches often grew more curious after his check ups on you. Wandering tentacles would tap your legs, the suction cups on the underside of them making little popping sounds as they suctioned and unauctioned from your soft flesh. He didn't have legs of his own so he oftern touched yours studding them. Your toes were very intresting to him. It wasn't hard for him to learn about your reaction to being tickled. You wouldn't stop squirming when he was touching the bottom of your feets. He had scolded you for movimg so much before you were ready for that. By that point you were healed enough and could explain to him what his actions had caused. This only interested him more but he touched more carefuly now trying to avoid the tickle spots… for now. 

You learned more about durning this time. While he studied you, you studied him. Looking past his frighteningly odd appearance he was kind and gentle. Despite his large size he was always careful to not crush the flowers around the little caves island. The place was strange, to you there was no exit but the giant hole in the roof of the cave as large as the island itself. There must have been some sort of secret tunel under the water as Zeke as you called him would go under and come back hours later with tentacles full of things. Most of the time it was things for you, such as fruits or clothes that were in no way your size, it was different styles every time. You were starting to wonder if he was stealing all these items.

When he would bring something for himself it was always something shiny or made an interesting sound. His favorites to bring back were little whistles and wind chimes. He would cooe every time the wind blew on the chimes making them let out their sounds. When he walked past them he always dragged a tentacle against them to make the sound himself. 

One day when after your lungs had properly healed and you could talk again Zeke wiggled his way over to you and held out a whistle with expexting eyes. “You want me to use it?” You asked, he nodded his head vigorously in response. “I see people use them. I don't know how to.” He explained to you as he settled down next to you. His tentacles of course reached out prodding against your flesh touching and holding it as he watched with his alien eyes. “They don't really sound that pretty. Flutes sound much better but alright.” It was hard to say no when he looked like a begging puppy. Bringing the cold metal to your lips then blew. 

His reaction to it to say the least was unsettling. His whole body shivered as if he was in an earthquake and he let out a high pitched shrill. Immediately you pulled the whistle back and looked at him with a shocked look only to get a confused one back. “Why stop?” Zeke questioned poking your cheek with a tentacle. “But you were… I thought…?” You stammered confused, the realization came slowly. “Were you trying to mimic the sound?” You asked more calmly. Zeke nodded his head as if it was obvious. Bringing the whistle back to your lips you blew again, more certain about it this time, much more loudly. Zeke loved it and shrilled again doing his attempt to make the sound. It was nothing like a whistle but at the same time some how seemed so fitting for a whistle. 

Bringing the whistle away from your lips once more Zeke watched with a disappointed look apon his face. He never hid his emotions, not that he ever tried. Moving your lips into a pursed O shape you blew letting out a whistle. Immediately Zeke was trilling with delight. Knowing no boundaries like always he touched your face poking your lips as he stared at them in wonder. “You can make that nose?” He questioned touching and moving your lips. “Yeah.” It was muffled, it's hard to talk with someone playing with your lips. “Humans can make a lot of different sounds.” You explained grabbing his hands pulling them away from your face. Looking at him you clicked your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Zeke acted as if it was the best thing he had ever heard. He was cooing and letting out clicks of his own. Smiling you started to whistle a tune this time showing off. Zeke was of course very delighted by this listening to every sound you made. 

You kept whistling every tune you could think of for who knows how long. Once your throat and mouth started to hurt you stopped. Zeke seemed content enough with the amount of whistling you had done for him. “Such pretty sounds.” He cooed leaning in closer. “Such pretty sounds from such a pretty mate.” Your eyes widened hearing his words. Had you misheard him? Surely his term of mate wasn't what you had been thinking of. “You will be my mate.” Zeke said nuzzling his face against your neck. He did mean that kind of mate…

[dramioneasks]

HP FESTS: HP Halloween Fest (Twitter)

HP Halloween Fest 2023:

The Punch That Made a Mark by Tardis_Magic93 - T, one-shot - When their eyes met Draco gasped in surprise and backed up a step, moving a little away from the window. He knew he should have broken eye contact, but it was impossible for him because he could not believe what he was seeing. Everything else was still blurred by the mist, but he could see her hazel eyes perfectly, more clearly than anything he had ever looked at... Even through all that fog.

Friday the 13th by pinkhairandbooks - G, one-shot - Hermione Granger did not believe in Divination, stars, coffee grounds, horoscopes, crystal balls, or any other kind of such bullshit. She was a purely rational being who focused on solid data, numbers, or concrete facts and who only considered hard evidence and not baseless nonsense… But there was a ‘but’. And the ‘but’ was that as much as Hermione Granger was an extremely rational witch, there was a part of her - mainly Muggle - that she could not suppress in any way: the part that believed in superstitions.

Carving New Traditions by magicalsydney (magicandmanuscripts) - G, one-shot - During the fourth annual Granger-Malfoy carve-off, Hermione has a special announcement.

Baby, it’s Halloween and we can do anything by Goldenbucky - M, one-shot - Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy throw a Halloween Party at their flat. Alcohol, Halloween body part themed food, and a couple crazy friends. It’s Halloween. Anything can happen.

The Lover Makes A Deal With The Devil by ohthedrarry - E, one-shot - During the Eighth Year Halloween Party, Luna decides to dazzle the guests with a tarot reading. One card per person, predicting the outcome of their evening. When Hermione joins Luna at the small wooden table, she’s given The Lovers card – that evening, she would have to make choices. On a whim, Hermione asks for a second and receives Judgment. All of this happens while her eyes are locked on Draco Malfoy, The Devil.

pumpkin-flavoured disasters by riddikulus_puff - T, one-shot - Hermione Granger had been destined to ruin her boyfriend's, Draco Malfoy, and anyone else's taste buds throughout this year's Halloween celebrations. She had claimed that everything must be pumpkin-flavoured, whether those flavours worked together or not, Hermione didn't care, she was forcing everything she made and purchased to be pumpkin flavoured. The only problem was that pumpkin wasn't the nicest of flavours. She could have chosen any other flavour to dedicate this month to, but nope, Hermione had chosen fucking pumpkin. Hermione claimed that it was the rule of the season and Draco was slowly regretting his choice of allowing his best friend, Theodore Nott, and Hermione to celebrate the whole month of October filled with Halloween, Muggle and Wizarding based, themed activities, similar to how every single December was spent celebrating with Christmas and Yule, Muggle and Wizarding based, themed activities.

Lost In You by ms_millie_nott - T, one-shot - Hermione takes Draco on an autumn muggle bucket list adventure, but his patience begins to wear thin when they get lost in a corn maze and the sun begins to set…

Tell Me About It, Stud by nissasxnotes - M, one-shot - Hermione and Draco are getting ready for their first costume party as a couple.

when pastas are creepy by Ellie_Aster - G, one-shot - no summary

Crimson Lust by SlytherinsHeir93 - M, one-shot - She knew what she married into, the Malfoy Magi-Mafia Legacy. What they didn’t know is that she owned her place within its ranks. The Queen always takes care of her queen.

who are you, really? by its_nott_me - E, one-shot - The hunt for horcruxes turns into a hunt for...something else. There is more to fear in the Forest of Dean than wild animals, Snatchers, and the constant threat of starvation. Something doesn’t feel right, and Hermione can’t quite put her finger on it. Is Hermione ever really safe? Even with Draco Malfoy watching her back?

This fest is ongoing.

[hanzajesthanza]

appreciation for sapkowski's geralt

i wrote a long post for r/wiedzmin sooo i'm also going to post it here (feel free to comment on both platforms if you use reddit):

in the midst of everything that's going on with h*nry c*vill and li*m h*msworth, i want to foster some love for the original geralt of rivia, who first emerged in publication in december 1986, way before any netflix show used the name or any actor called himself “geralt.”

because to me, there's only one original, real geralt, and that is the geralt of the books. no one is geralt, except geralt himself.

so, reblog and comment (or leave in the tags) any favorite scenes, moments, qualities, or character development from geralt, or about his relations with other characters in the series, that you appreciate from the book series. and please keep it sapkowski's canon-only, if you can (the books, the short stories, even the non-canon something ends, something begins).

i’ll start:

what i love about geralt is that he holds complexity as an inversion of the trope of the hero. he feels very real to me — he just wants to be left alone, to do his job, but he also gets lonely and he’s overall a sensitive and emotional character underneath the black leather and silver-studded surface. while he’s practical-minded (like in bounds of reason and a shard of ice being annoyed that eyck takes money for hunting monsters because it hurts his business, or demanding that he gets the right amount of agreed-upon pay for the zeugl contract), he also is compelled to do what is “right” (like in the lesser evil, the last wish, or something more intervening with renfri in the marketplace, saving yennefer from the djinn, deciding to go back to cintra to get ciri after all)

i love how he’s always so conflicted, hesitant, and troubled. he often overthinks things, and makes decisions that often don’t benefit him personally, but are either selfless or good-natured. i don’t think he’s a grouch or unfriendly — i think he responds quite reasonably to the world and situations around him (like in baptism of fire, he’s pretty whiney and upset for the majority of the book, but his daughter is literally missing and his broken arm and leg are barely healed, of course he’s distraught.)

he’s complex and yet he’s also simple, as dandelion writes, “straightforward as a halberd shaft.” he doesn’t scheme or plan, which is refreshing in a world of shady sorcerers and spies. he’s straightforward with his feelings and intentions. he loves his family and friends, and that's his real motivation throughout the series.

my favorite scenes for and with him are probably (in chronological order):

the voice of reason iv, where he speaks with iola about his past, his origins at kaer morhen, and his life as a witcher, how he was initially filled with certainty that the world needed him.

the voice of reason v, where he speaks with dandelion about his troubles as a witcher and finding work.

the last wish, when he falls in love with yennefer at the end and thinks about how beautiful she is, how he knew she would become everything. how he regrets scrutinizing her and hurting her with his eyes, vowing to never think like that about her again. how he saves her life with no ulterior motive — the fact that yennefer hears the wish and says that he’s condemned himself to her… they both have such low self-esteem, they’re both traumatized and troubled in their own ways, from their own trainings, but he, as one vulnerable person, reached out to another, equally vulnerable person, implying ‘let’s not tear each other down, let’s try to heal together.’

eternal flame, when he tears his brand new, twenty-two crown jacket, trying to mend it in vain by the fountain. and when he can’t kill dudu, and when he softly laughs at the end, agreeing to go with dandelion & dudu, dainty, and “chapelle” to the passiflora.

sword of destiny. i love how selfless he becomes once ciri enters the picture, and he didn’t even initially know who she was. he doesn’t bemoan his fate as a witcher, burdening a child with his troubles. he acts so kindly and appropriately towards her, entertaining her, protecting her…

something more. all of something more, but especially when he finds ciri, dropping to his knees and holding her so tightly 🥺 promising they’ll be together forever.

blood of elves ch. 1, when he wakes ciri from her nightmare and covers her with the sheepskin, reassuring her.

blood of elves ch. 3, when he instructs ciri to give up her sword, they fight a disagreement, and he makes an impossible leap to catch her.

blood of elves ch. 5, when he swears to philippa that if any harm comes to ciri, he’ll… and then immediately passes out from loss of blood.

time of contempt ch 3, when yennefer wouldn’t let him wear his “pretentious” headband, and he’s messing with his hair and whining about it.

time of contempt ch. 5, when his voice breaks telling dandelion that ciri needs him, that she cannot be left alone.

baptism of fire ch. 1 and 4 & tower of the swallow ch. 3 and 5, every time his knee badly pains him.

baptism of fire ch. 5, when he has fish soup with his newly formed company and grumbles about how they're "a team of heroes, a fellowship of idiots, united by a common goal which none of them understand."

baptism of fire ch. 7, when he speaks with milva, and then speaks with regis, refusing to go through ysgith upon learning that milva is pregnant and after talking to her she decided to keep the pregnancy. he says that he thought he was ready to go to ciri at any cost, but this is too high a cost. he’s not willing to risk milva and put her in danger for himself, her child for his child. like, his company became another family to him, forged in the fire of war.

baptism of fire ch. 7, when he and cahir hold the jaruga bridge together!

tower of the swallow ch. 5, when he mistakes angoulême for ciri, goes hot and cold at the same time, tries to calm himself with axii, and it doesn’t work! and then cooperates, “only for her sake.” because even if she’s not ciri, he recognizes she’s a young girl who needs to be rescued and brought into a family, very much like ciri.

tower of the swallow ch. 5, when he speaks with fulko artevelde and cleverly denounces and dissects authoritarianism as a governmental philosophy. it’s such a good dialogue!

tower of the swallow ch. 6, when he apologizes to cahir for losing his temper and his mind in the mine, and also for accusing him of being a traitor.

tower of the swallow ch. 7, when he finds out that his company is in danger and immediately demands to leave and ride to them.

lady of the lake ch. 2, when he calls regis his friend in the caves underneath mount gorgon.

lady of the lake ch. 3, when he and dandelion part ways and he “gasps audibly” upon hearing dandelion wants to stay in beauclair.

lady of the lake ch. 9… when he and yennefer finally find ciri again, and he greets her “ciri,” he answered, with a lump in his throat, “i’m glad to see you again.” him not feeling anger, grief, or hatred… just fatigue and with a great need to be done with it all. when he looks towards the corridor that ciri came out of, “as if expecting someone else to come from there. ciri shook her head. he understood,” like, he didn’t forget about his hanza, he didn’t forget about cahir and angoulême, even though he probably already sensed they had died… he still was hoping that they would survive. him not interrupting yennefer and ciri’s hug until a long time had passed, recognizing and respecting their mother-daughter bond, not being jealous of yennefer but encouraging their love. and as they descend down the marble staircase, he instructs ciri, still a father to her after all this time and after all these trials, with yennefer behind them, him telling her that everything is just a symbol, and commenting on her swordplay, saying “calmly,” “stick close to me,” and that if ciri ever tries to deflect a crossbow bolt with her sword like that again, she’ll get a spanking 😭

lady of the lake ch. 12… you know why. ψ but to be more specific:"very well," said the witcher, walking towards the exit. "but this is the last time! dammit, it really is the last time!" and "stop," he wanted to cry," where are you going? it’s enough that i always piss into the wind."

season of storms epilogue, when “he” speaks with nimue on her way to aretuza. he says that even more than a hundred years after his death, that geralt of rivia would be happy, if people remembered him, if they remembered the name of his horse. yes, he would be happy… if only he could know it. then they discuss how witchers will always be needed, for evil always will lurk in the darkness. and he reassures her to follow her destiny, which she does, and because of this, ciri follows her destiny at stygga castle!

his very specific aesthetics: his white hair, his weird eyes or as angoulême rhymes, "oczy dziwoczy!", his "hideous smile" and "hideous squint," his angular features, large nose, his (tower of the swallow ch. 7) torn ear and lost medallion, his sword over his right shoulder (and silver sword kept on roach), his black leather gloves and jacket "bristling with silver spikes," and his silly leather headband!

a complex character, a tragic hero, and really, just a normal man trying to survive, do the right thing, and protect his loved ones in a world of war and contempt.

[deijiyong]

Navigation: Next Part | Story Masterlist | Masterlist

2015 December 20th - Surprise !! (1/2)

You’re walking down a street lined with restaurants

Lights cover almost every inch 

Small lit-up trees and wreaths with ornaments hang for all the doors

It’s barely turned dark, but with all the lights it almost feels like daylight still

Your hands are pushed firmly into the pockets of a wool coat, warmed more by the hand warmers that you put in them before making this trip

Taeyong is next to you, hair combed back and showing off the pink tips of his ears and the eccentric ornamentation of studs traveling up and down the sides

He also wears a heavy coat, his lips pushing out wave after wave of fog as he breathes and his eyes scan the eateries you pass together

It had been his brilliant idea to get Pork Belly for dinner, of all things

Swore up and down he knew a great place

You were starting to doubt him

Are you sure we’re in the right place?

Can you ever just trust me? 

Have I ever led you astray?

Plenty of times

Name one

Remember when you said you would take me to a Van Gogh exhibit and you got us so lost we almost ended up in Busan?

Or how about the time you begged to follow me to IKEA and almost got run over by a bus?

There was also -

Okay, I get it

But this place I know for sure

Taeyong did eventually find the place

The lady that owns the store welcomed him with open arms and shoved you both into a table next to the space heater since she knew he got cold easily

He grins over the grill between the both of you

I told you I knew where it was

You gloat a lot for someone who usually fails

Mean

And here I was going to pay for our food

Despite his threat, you know he will pay

Since he started dragging you off campus, Taeyong has always paid

He wouldn’t hear of you paying for anything and it worried you

Friends should do 50-50, right?

You’re going to love this place

You watch him pull apart his chopsticks as the lady starts placing meat and rice on the table between the two of you

He rubs them together, eyes glazing over as he sees the meat

Taeyong takes the initiative to place the meat on the grill

How long should I cook it?

Have you had pork belly before?

Just cook it like you normally would (you shrug)

This is my first time having it

Can do :)

You watch him quietly as he grills the pork belly

The smell alone has your mouth watering and tummy growling

He had planned this outing perfectly

He had gotten to you before you could run away to the campus cafeteria

He motions for you to start grabbing meat, pulling his own slices

The lady hands you a small pitcher of beer before grinning at Taeyong “On the house”

Thanks Mrs. Lee!

He pours himself a glass then looks to you, holding the pitcher over your glass

You want some?

Sure (shrugs)

He fills your glass as he watches you eat some pork belly

Smiling brightly as you push more into your mouth then some rice

Is it good? (he sets the pitcher down)

Yup yup!

And you doubted me 

You roll your eyes but smile

Telling Taeyong he had done a good job would only make his head bigger

So you focus on eating, sipping your beer and singing along to the music playing in the restaurant

He allows the silence, bobbing along while you sing

On the way back to campus, he’s dancing through the streets and leaning on you when he gets too close; as if his judgement is off

You push him off each time, laughing when he whines

You’ve just pushed him off you again when you finally make it back to campus

Lights are on all the trees with huge ornaments hanging from the naked branches

[lakelewisia]

🍞Now Baking🍰

New Bakes Gävlebocken Loaves: fruit-studded, enriched dough shaped into the classic horned goat shape, best eaten toasted*

*By toasted, we mean the goat loaves spontaneously combust on a schedule of their own devising, which is alarming but ultimately delicious

Sandwich: Roast Beast (thin slices of juicy, slow-roasted mysterious beast found in forest side-slipped dimensions, on your choice of bread, spread with equally mysterious herb sauce, definitely not poached from the lands of vengeful nobles in another timestream)

Experimental Cookie of the Month December Theme: Ice

Frozen Pond: mini cookie tarts filled with glossy, still-liquid icing that reveals animated underwater dioramas of rocks, fish, sunken ships, and more, along with paddling water birds and floating plants, what started as a batch of tart shells that spread unevenly when baked has become an edible meditation tool, just remember to stop watching the calming scenes before they're too stale to eat

One vote token provided with each cookie purchased. Vote for or against this variety in the boxes by the register. Winning varieties will get added to our roster for a year.

[thedragonofbadasstemple]

A little late but was tagged by @klutenpetter to do a thing! It supposed to be 9 each of like games, TV, movies, etc that you enjoyed for the first time in 2023, but like him I'm just gonna do nine piece of media overall. I'll do my layout of pictures, showcasing each one via the character(s) that were my favorite from each piece of media, and in the order in which I saw them (approximately).

Buddy Daddies, Jan 2023. Super cute original anime. Really enjoyed the QPR thing the MCs had going on. You don't get a lot of found family media like that.

Golden Kamuy, March 2023. I was sick with the flu and binge read the entire series in like a week. LOVED IN. Filled with beefy studs and its a fun ride from start to end!

Psycho Pass, May 2023. I got into cyberpunk recently and gave this a whirl. Really enjoyed the first season, not so much everything that came after tho LOL.

Komi-San, June 2023. I'll be real, I never would have picked this for myself to watch, be me and boys have been watching stuff together and this was a pick from one of them. My first impression was this was just another dumb waifu bait show, but honestly its super cute and super funny. I enjoyed it a lot and can't wait for season 3!

Yakuza Kiwami, June 2023. I started Yakuza Zero, got halfway through and then stopped in 2022, and finally finshed Zero and got through Kiwami last year. I enjoyed it way more than Zero. I really enjoy Kiryu as a character and hope to start the next game soon!

Undead Girl Murder Farce, July 2023. A seasonal anime I picked up and enjoyed greatly. I think its a fun use of public domain characters and the OCs were delightful. I hope we get another season! It was a real sleeper hit for the season I think.

Columbo, August 2023. Yeah, I watched my first episode of Columbo because of a mystery kick UGMF put me on. The first episode I watched naturally was the first episode. I watched another episode on Christmas. I really enjoy this character, I wish I had more free time for this.

Slay the Princess, November 2023. An indie game I've had my eye on for a while because of ManlyBadassHero. The full thing came out and I really enjoyed it! I highly recommend it if you like spooky and romantic things.

Good Will Hunting, December 2023. Its a classic movie, and its been meme'd to death, and yet I've never watched it before now (Its not [my] fault). On my flight to Spain the plane had tablets built in for every seat where we could watch movies and stuff so I took that opportunity to watch a bunch of films I had never seen before (others were Top Gun, John Wick, and Elemental (which I saw in 2024 but otherwise I enjoyed it the most, a morbid curiosity/hate-watch that I loved unironically). I also got halfway through Mission: Impossible but ran out of time.) I'd recommend giving this a go if you haven't seen it. Its a classic for a reason and might give you dark academia peeps a good time LOL.

For this I'm tagging @solanum-iycopersicum, @netnettart, @shinladyanarki, and @the-jar-of-dirt.

[ethanreedbooks]

Rebel Moon Rises: A Cosmic Saga Unveiled at Gamescom!

🌌🚀 Prepare to embark on an intergalactic journey as visionary filmmaker Zack Snyder unveils the next chapter of his epic space odyssey, Rebel Moon! Today, at the electrifying Gamescom event, the mastermind behind cinematic spectacles such as '300' and 'Justice League: The Snyder Cut' dropped a bombshell that's set to send shockwaves across the cosmos and ignite the passions of science fiction aficionados and Rebel Moon rebels alike.

🌕🌟 What's the buzz, you ask? As we reveal the thrilling details of this sci-fi saga's evolution, brace yourselves. As you've already heard, Rebel Moon is not your average blockbuster—it's a two-part Netflix extravaganza that promises to redefine the genre. And today, Zack Snyder has graced us with the captivating titles of both chapters and a highly anticipated release date!

🔥✨ First up, mark your calendars for December 22, 2023, because that's when Part One, 'Rebel Moon: A Child of Fire,' will debut on the streaming giant. But that's just the beginning of this cosmic adventure! Part Two, 'Rebel Moon: The Scargiver,' will hit your screens on April 19, 2024, ensuring that the Rebel Moon universe continues to captivate and enthrall audiences.

🌌🌍 Set in a distant colony on the farthest reaches of the galaxy, Rebel Moon chronicles the harrowing tale of a peaceful settlement besieged by the ruthless forces of the tyrannical Regent Balisarius, portrayed by the enigmatic Fra Fee. In this darkest hour, a mysterious figure named Kora, shown by the incredible Sofia Boutella, emerges as the colony's last beacon of hope.

💫✊ Tasked with assembling a ragtag team of warriors drawn from diverse backgrounds—outsiders, insurgents, peasants, and war orphans from disparate worlds—all united by their burning desire for redemption and revenge, Kora must lead this unlikely band to make a stand against the oppressive forces of the Mother World. Amidst the looming shadow of an entire Realm, the galaxy's fate hangs in the balance, forging a new alliance of heroes and setting the stage for an epic showdown of cosmic proportions.

🌟🌠 The stellar cast of Rebel Moon reads like a who's who of Hollywood's elite, including the likes of Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Anthony Hopkins, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Stuart Martin, Cary Elwes, Corey Stoll, Michiel Huisman, Alfonso Herrera, Ed Skrein, Cleopatra Coleman, Rhian Rees, Jena Malone, E. Duffy, Charlotte Maggi, Sky Yang, and Staz Nair. With a screenplay co-crafted by Zack Snyder, Shay Hatten, and Kurt Johnstad, the stage is set for an unforgettable journey into the universe's farthest reaches.

🚀🌠 But that's not all! In a groundbreaking move, Zack Snyder has revealed that each installment of Rebel Moon will come in two versions—a family-friendly cut for all audiences and a more mature, adult-oriented version for those ready to plunge deeper into this cinematic cosmos.

🌌🌟 Rebel Moon represents Snyder's magnum opus, a labor of love gestating since his college days. Initially conceived as a Star Wars project, fate led it down a different path, and for that, we are eternally grateful. As producer Deborah Snyder explains, "We never wanted it to be [a Star Wars film]."

🪐🔮 This is more than just a movie; it's an entire universe unfolding before our eyes. Zack Snyder is crafting his own mythology; we are merely fortunate witnesses to this grand spectacle. Rebel Moon promises to be an explosive, action-packed journey filled with stunning cinematography, taking Snyder's signature style from classics like '300' and 'Sucker Punch' to uncharted territories—in the vast expanse of space!

🛸🌌 In this epic saga, Kora assembles a formidable team of fighters from diverse worlds, all united against the oppressive Imperium, portrayed by a star-studded cast including Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Staz Nair, and the legendary Anthony Hopkins. Expect breathtaking visuals, a riveting storyline, and a heavy dose of Snyder's unparalleled vision—all set against the backdrop of a cosmic battleground that's as thrilling as surreal.

🌌🪐 Rebel Moon is more than just a movie; it promises epic proportions. And if that's not enough to whet your appetite for this interstellar adventure, Zack Snyder also hinted at a colossal RPG set in the same universe and an exciting collaboration with mobile developer Super Evil Megacorp for a Rebel Moon game.

🌠🚀 So, fellow space travelers, gear up for a journey of a lifetime. Rebel Moon is on the horizon, destined to leave an indelible mark on the galaxy of science fiction. As we await its arrival, let's raise our rebel flags high and embrace the rebellion. The countdown to December 22nd begins now! May the cosmos be with us all! 🚀🌌🌠

[jules-has-notes]

The Sing-Off, s.4 ep.5 — Movie Night

Even before movies had spoken dialogue, they had musical accompaniment. Music can convey or enhance the emotions of a scene, and make a film more impactful. (And when one of your show's production partners is under the same umbrella as several film studios, you can license some of their music pretty easily.)

.

Group opener

What's not to love about a catchy song full of big, dramatic moments from a movie about dancing? It's a fabulous way to kick off the "movie night" episode. The arrangers and choreographers clearly had fun with this number, and the singers turned it into a giant party.

Details:

title: (I've Had) The Time of My Life

original performers: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (featured in Dirty Dancing)

written by: John DeNicola, Donald Markowitz, & Franke Previte

arranged by: The Sing-Off arrangers

air date: 18 December 2013

My favorite bits:

the ballroom-inspired choreography

pairing up members of different groups whose voices blend well

the delightful incongruity of goth-punk Tony doing perfect pas de bourrées

Sarah Vela's gorgeous tone on ♫ "Never felt this waaay" ♫

the choreographers sparing some of the vocal percussionists by letting them enter in the last group so they don't have to dance as much (Keeping two different beats with your mouth and your body is hard.)

I figured out how to make a cropped gif for that cute moment between Geoff and Jules.

Trivia:

In order to achieve the cool silhouette effect at the beginning, Tim Foust had to stand (and sing) in a very uncomfortable position.

Once again, one of the Vocal Rush chaperones recorded a rehearsal for the kids from the audience. It's a little fuzzy, but Earl's bright orange shirt, Eli's red pants, Tony's studded black cap, and Honey's red hair make them all pretty easy to spot. Layne is in all gray at the far left. Geoff's one of the blurry dudes near the front on the right, but I'm not sure which one because it seems like the blocking changed a bit before filming.

.

Theme reveal

.

Order of performances

Home Free — "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison (featured in Pretty Woman)

Vocal Rush — "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins (from Against All Odds)

AcoUstiKats — "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger (featured in Risky Business)

The Filharmonic — "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith (featured in Armageddon)

VoicePlay — "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds (featured in The Breakfast Club)

Ten — "Skyfall" by Adele (from Skyfall)

Ultimate sing-offs

AcoUstiKats vs. VoicePlay — "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor (from Rocky III)

Vocal Rush vs. Ten — "Fame" by Irene Cara (from Fame)

Home Free vs. The Filharmonic — "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins (from Caddyshack)

.

VoicePlay performance

[Here is a longer version that includes the intro package and judges' comments.]

A theme like "movie night" is tailor-made for the theater kids of a cappella. Give them characters and a story, and they'll give you fantastic entertainment. The only stumbling block for this song was that the reality show format hindered them from following their own instincts. Jewel pushed them to be even more "emotional" than the previous episode, which steered them away from giving a performance more true to themselves.

Details:

title: Don't You (Forget About Me)

original performers: Simple Minds (featured in The Breakfast Club)

written by: Keith Forsey & Steve Schiff

arranged by: VoicePlay

air date: 18 December 2013

My favorite bits:

the costumes — a great balance between representing the characters from the movie and their own personalities

Layne subtly snapping them in rather than counting out loud

the gradual layering to fill out the sound

the downward harmony run on the first ♫ "Rain" ♫

everything dropping out when Eli kicks off the polyphony, then building back up one by one

the insistence in their voices during the final section

Trivia:

The judges' biggest critque was that VoicePlay didn't include enough of the song's iconic ♫ "La-la-la-la" ♫ hook. Geoff revealed on Twitter that their first draft of the arrangement did include more of that part, but the producers made them change it.

Shawn Stockman also touched on the fact that they'd been pushed from the beginning into arrangements that framed them more as Honey and her backup singers rather than a group of equals with diverse talents. (Not the only group with that issue.)

.

Ultimate sing-off vs. AcoUstiKats

[Here is a longer version that includes the intro package and judges' comments.]

Since all six groups were paired off for battles this episode, they at least got to avoid the fraught selection process. Being able to rehearse against the same groups all week also allowed everyone to really hone their arrangements and interactions, resulting in performances that were more collaborative and fun to watch.

Details:

title: Ultimate Sing-Off – Eye of the Tiger

original performers: Survivor (featured in Rocky III)

written by: Frankie Sullivan & Jim Peterik

arranged by: VoicePlay & The AcoUstiKats

air date: 18 December 2013

My favorite bits:

Honey and Ron playing rock-paper-scissors for who gets to go first

Earl knocking Eli and Geoff's "teeth" out, and Tony's shocked reaction 😲

the ridiculously disproportionate tug of war 💪

Earl's dancing pecs leading straight into a Latin dance beat

the AcoUstiKats making their 12-man "wall of sound" into a physical barrier

Eli fending off the encroaching threats with a Matrix-style dragon kick (and some help from Earl)

the melodramatic tableaux when the final "brawl" breaks out

ending it all on a glorious major chord

Trivia:

It didn't end up in the final episode (for reasons that will become obvious), but this performance got a standing ovation from the audience and the judges.

The groups apparently gave themselves the portmanteau of "CatsPlay", which is just adorable. 😺

.

Judges' choice

Eliminated: VoicePlay & AcoUstiKats

Despite the show framing the "ulitmate sing-off" segments as battles with a winner and a loser, the judges bafflingly chose to cut both halves of the showdown between VoicePlay and the AcoUstiKats. It seems that the groups working together to create a more cohesive performance resulted in the judges pitting the three supergroups against each other instead.

.

This episode was filmed on Geoff's birthday… which means they got kicked off on his birthday. 😒 At least that meant they got to go home and rest for a few days before coming back for the finale?

[miraculous-stud]

Day 7: movie night

"I made hot chocolate!" Indigo announced with a smile, holding up the tray of mugs as she passed them out to the group, Arin shifting excitedly.

"It's our first Christmas with the ninja Sora!" He cheered, shaking the pink haired girl before taking hot chocolate, "Thanks Indie!"

Sora chuckled quietly, taking her own cup with a warm smile, "Sit and watch the movie, we can make Lloyd get up and get snacks."

Wyldfire broke into a fit of giggles as Llpyd groaned and got up to get the popcorn that was in the microwave. Indigo shook her head in amusement, passing out the rest of the hot chocolate to the people sitting around the TV under blankets.

"This is nice, one of our most long standing traditions finally starting up again since we all found each other..it's nice, I have missed you all." Zane smiled, pulling Jay and Lilliane into a side hug as they laughed a bit.

"We missed you too Zane." Lilliane smiled, scooting over to make room for Pixal as she finally arrived from fixing up the bounty once again.

"You all missed each other. Don't make it a competition." Jay grumbled, taking Zane's arm off of him in mild discomfort. He obviously still hadn't regained all of his memories yet. Not that any of the others cared much anymore, they had gotten him back to the monastery for Christmas thanks to Lilliane.

"Okay I have the popcorn." Lloyd shouted, jogging back into the room and sitting beside Indigo who passed him his hot chocolate and started the movie. Pixal tossed one of her ninja stars at the light switch so no one had to get up again until the end of the movie. Because this was family time, and nothing would get in the way of that ever again.

[leonscape]

 Ikemen Prince- OC List.

A character chart for reference, kids ver. (For my ikepri au series)

Lawrence Michel- The Stoic Daydreamer       The first born, Prince of Rhodolite. Everyone fears the son of the Brutal Beast, but they also praise him for his intelligence and quick learning. People are too afraid to get close, and will instead assume the worst of him. It gives him a mysterious aura, and rumors about him constantly circulate. Lawrence has dedicated his life to his studies with the goal of being crowned as the next king. Despite all of his hard work, Lawrence personally doesn’t want to be king. He’d rather be working on writing his next romance novel instead of ruling the kingdom.       “If my father wishes me to be king, then I shall be king.”      “As a member of the royal family, it is my duty to shoulder such burdens.”      “I don’t want to exist in this world anymore. I just want to exist in a daydream.”      Basic Info:      Eye color: blue      Hair color: blond      Height: 180 cm      Birthday: December 14th      Affiliated with foreign politics, “Lawrence’s Faction.”      Likes: Writing, reading, tea, being alone      Dislikes: vegetables, when Cal talks a lot, Ana dragging him out of his room/library.

Callan Lelouch- The Wily Troublemaker      The second born, Prince of Rhodolite. His father absolutely adores him, but Callan finds his father to be annoying when he dotes on him. He enjoys talking with all kinds of people, learning things through their experiences. He especially loves stories that have been passed down orally for generations. From a young age, Cal has always been fascinated with his father’s traps. He keeps a journal of every trap, writing down every detail, from the materials needed, to how it works, and how it should be used. He also refers to it as “The Lelouch Trap Series”. He’s quite confident in himself and his abilities, but he has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.       “Fine, I’ll do it if you tell me a good story.”      “If you’re going to do something, do it wholeheartedly. Therefore, I shall prank everyone wholeheartedly!”     “Tomorrow is a new day, one that will be filled with lots of entertainment!” Basic Info:      Eye color: gold      Hair color: dark purple       Height: 182 cm      Birthday: March 9th      Affiliated with foreign politics, “Lawrence’s Faction.”      Likes: vegetables, talking to Lawrence, puns, pranks      Dislikes: his father embarrassing him, reading, Sariel’s lectures.

Anastasia Dompteur- The Empathetic Optimist       The third born, Princess of Rhodolite. Having been closely raised by her father, she is very much like him. Sharing his ideals and his charisma, she has a natural born talent for leadership. Ana also enjoys gardening. She’ll grow just about anything, although she has a preference for growing flowers. She’s extended her studies outside of her personal greenhouse and into the agriculture industry. She’s very sensitive and is quick to laugh or cry; her emotions are easy to read but she’s also quite perceptive of others’ emotions as well.      “Smiles and laughter are the best medicine! If you forget, then I’ll be there to remind you!”      “Let’s look forward to tomorrow.”      “You’re doing well. Please be kind to yourself.”: Basic Info:      Eye color: gold      Hair color: dark brown      Height: 163 cm      Birthday: August 3rd      Affiliated with domestic politics, “Domestic Affairs Faction.”       Likes: plants, eating desserts, making friends      Dislikes: reading, conflict, bugs

Oliver Randolph- The Ingenuous Altruist      The fourth born, Prince of Rhodolite. Initially, he didn’t want to have anything to do with his royal status. He’s always had trouble with his studies, which eventually caused him to give up on it. He decided he wanted to live his life as a commoner. But after seeing many injustices the people face, Oliver went back to the palace. He took up his responsibility as a prince once again and aims to make positive changes for the people. He looks up to his Uncle Leon (and Uncle Jin).       “You want me to do what now? Sure, I’ll do it, but it’ll cost you two loaves of bread.”      “Ah… why do we have to study this again?”      “You’ve worked hard today. How about we take a break?” Basic Info:      Eye color: green      Hair color: dirty blond; beige      Height: 187 cm      Birthday: February 26th      Affiliated with domestic politics, “Domestic Affairs Faction.”      Likes: rocks, antiques, bread, exercising, helping people      Dislikes: cats, rain

Cordelia Grandet- The Easygoing Charmer        The fifth born, Princess of Rhodolite. Delia is not too keen on her duty as a member of the royal family. She only goes through the motions as a formality. She spends most of her time sewing, making clothes and costumes. Delia has an appreciation for theater and other performing arts. She assists behind the scenes of plays and other productions. When she’s not busy with her work, she’s socializing. Very approachable, very knowledgeable, and very flirty. Both men and women are attracted to her charming nature as she’s easy to get along with. However, she’s known to distance herself from romantic relationships. Either showing a friendly disinterest or blatantly rejecting the offers, she never lets anyone get too close.      “What am I doing? Why, I’m living my life the way I want.”      “You’re too cute. I can’t help myself when you smile like that.”      “It’s a sin for us to love who we want to love.”  Basic Info:      Eye color: black      Hair color: red      Height: 161 cm      Birthday: February 14th      Affiliated with domestic politics, “Domestic Affairs Faction,”      Likes: women, fashion/art, music, candy      Dislikes: her name, lying, Cal and his pranks, 

Isabella Klein- The Insightful Scholar       The Sixth born, Princess of Rhodolite. Isabella is very diligent (a dream come true for Sariel). She’s always studying- reading anything educational or interesting. Isabella is more of a follower than a leader, however she very incisive. Although she is lacking in social skills, her astuteness helps her navigate social situations. Even so, Isabella is more suited for researching. Over the years, she developed an interest in medicinal plants. She and Anastasia have dedicated a section of the garden to growing traditional medicinal herbs. She would ask her Uncle Clavis more about complex medicines, but she’s too afraid to do so.       “Even though I’m still inexperienced, how can I help you?”      “The second time this week? Really, you must be more careful! Let’s get you all patched up.”      “It’s all right to fail, just pick yourself back up and learn from your mistakes.” Basic Info:      Eye color: pink      Hair color: silver      Height: 155 cm      Birthday: November 25th      Affiliated with foreign politics, “Lawrence’s Faction.”      Likes: jigsaw puzzles, studying, medicinal plants, astronomy       Dislikes: certain textures of food and fabric, loud noises, random holes in the ground

Ellis Kloss- The Ambitious Perfectionist      The seventh born, Prince of Rhodolite. Ellis holds himself to a high standard. Since he claims he wasn’t born a “natural genius” like Lawrence, Ellis studies longer hours than any of the others. He even asks to be assigned more work to better sharpen his intelligence. Ellis might pretend to hate Lawrence, but he is someone Ellis secretly looks up to. When the day comes, Ellis hopes to be selected as king so he might help repair the relationship between Rhodolite and Obsidian.       “Do your best and your hard work shall be rewarded!”      “I’m all right. I’ve gotten pretty good at climbing out of these holes that he digs.”      “Mark my words! I will see these ambitions through without fail!” Basic Info:      Eye color: blue      Hair color: blond      Height: 175.26 cm      Birthday: April 1st (10:08 am)      Affiliated with foreign politics, “Lawrence”s Faction.”      Likes: baking, bread, decorating, perfumes/colognes       Dislikes: pranks, pranks, pranks, holes in the ground, getting flour dumped on him, people ruffling his hair 

Zera Klein- The Perceptive Individualist       The Eighth born, Princess of Rhodolite. Seeing herself as “useless” among her other cousins, she doesn’t like to be involved with official matters or royal duty. As she got older, she wasn’t able to get away with not doing her work. Zera had no interest in joining a faction her cousins had began to form, but after being convinced by Anastasia, she reluctantly decided to join their newest Domestic Affairs Faction. Zera is close to no one in particular. Having been raised by her aunts, uncles, and palace staff, she’s not too attached to specific people. Instead, she prefers to keep to herself, waiting for the day when things with her father go back to normal.      “Why does it matter if I study this or not? The others can handle these things.”      “You don’t have to cheer me up, that’ll just be a waste of time.”      “I just needed you. I needed you to love me.” Basic Info:      Eye color: Red      Hair color: Grey      Height: 157 cm      Birthday: July 17th      Affiliated with domestic politics, “Domestic Affairs Faction.”      Likes: art (drawing/painting), long walks by herself, the beach/ocean      Dislikes: politics, official royal business

My favorite OC’s are the oldest three. Which character(s) do you like? Note: they are stull under development and they will keep changing. 

[chibeast]

Since Toby Keith is dead now (RIP bozo), I thought it might be fun to talk about my mom's decade long obsession with the man in the 2000s.

My mom got into country (and TK) in a sudden way - one day, it was all she would listen to. I do think that CMT had something to do with it. I imagine she saw the video for "How Do You Like Me Now" and was smitten.

Nobody in my family does things by halves, so once she had the bug, she was off. CDs, concerts, forums and their subsequent meet-ups - she lived and breathed Toby. Mom had custom tshirts, she had a Toby-themed license plate, hell, she had two (!) life-size cardboard cut outs of him. I remember riding in her PT Cruiser ("The Tobymobile") while she tailed a Coors delivery truck for an hour back to the distributor just to acquire one of those cut outs. This was something she did on a whim, and with a terrifying intensity.

A lot of my teen memories are studded with Toby. Cut out #1 was a guest star in a few French class video projects. His French was less than stellar. Many a December morning I was jolted awake by Toby's horrible Christmas album blasting downstairs. There's a song on there about how you need to start putting out (for Toby? Santa?) or else you won't get any presents.

Oh, and he had a restaurant too. My sister and I went to one once, I think just for a laugh. It was huge, and empty. The waitresses (there were only waitresses) were dressed in short shorts. Oklahoma-themed Hooters is a good descriptor. The food was bad. My sister ordered the T.K. Loader, a vegetarian option. It was a baked potato filled with steamed frozen veggies and balsamic dressing.

[web3isajoke]

stand up comedy events | Web3 is a Joke

Laugh your heart out at the most hilarious stand-up comedy events featured on https://web3isajoke.io/events/. Immerse yourself in a world of laughter with top-notch comedians, guaranteeing an unforgettable night filled with joy and entertainment.

Web3 is a Joke Founder and Producer, Mona Shaikh, is a veteran comedian and producer who wanted to bridge the gap between comedy and Web3. The objective is to laugh, learn and link. Founded in December 2022 with its debut event at Famecast in Los Angeles with Crypto WendyO, Altcoin Daily (Austin & Aaron Arnold), Shira Lazar, Phil Ranta and hilarious comedy by Erica Rhodes & Francisco Ramos. Web3 is a Joke took Bitcoin Miami Conference 2023 by storm with a sold out and star studded event with a hilarious dais with Bitboy Crypto, Altcoin Daily (Austin & Aaron), Roast master Mona Shaikh along with MMA star Cris Cyborg and comedians from Miami and Los Angeles.click here to secure your seat for event

[celtalks]

A Joyous Union: Arbaaz Khan Ties the Knot with Makeup Artist Shura Khan in a Heartwarming Ceremony

Arbaaz Khan, renowned Bollywood personality, embarked on a new chapter of his life as he exchanged vows with makeup artist Shura Khan in a private wedding ceremony on December 24. The intimate affair, held at Arpita Khan's Mumbai residence, was graced by close family and friends, including Arbaaz's brothers Salman Khan and Sohail Khan, and his son, Arhaan Khan.

Salman Khan and Sohail Khan Amongst Attendees at the Intimate Wedding Celebration on December 24

A delightful video capturing the couple cutting a magnificent four-tier wedding cake has emerged, showcasing the love and joy that enveloped the celebration. Arbaaz and Shura, with Arhaan by their side, shared this sweet moment, symbolizing the union of their families. Notably, the video captured Salman Khan and Sohail Khan looking on with admiration, adding a touch of star-studded charm to the festivities. The newlyweds had earlier solemnized their union in a nikah ceremony, emphasizing the closeness and warmth of family bonds. Esteemed personalities, including actress Raveena Tandon, extended their heartfelt congratulations to the couple Arbaaz Khan took to social media on December 24 to share glimpses of the wedding, offering fans a peek into the joyous occasion. The couple's story reportedly began on the set of Arbaaz's upcoming film, 'Patna Shukla,' where Shura Khan, a talented makeup artist, and the Bollywood star crossed paths.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Arbaaz Khan (@arbaazkhanofficial) This marks Arbaaz Khan's second marriage, and the ceremony was a blend of tradition and love, creating memories that will undoubtedly be cherished for years to come. As the Bollywood fraternity rejoices in the union of Arbaaz and Shura, the couple embarks on a journey filled with love, laughter, and the promise of a beautiful life together. Read the full article

[elenablog]

The Healing Properties of Blue Topaz and Turquoise Gemstones

Introduction:

As December rolls around, the world transforms into a winter wonderland, and the spirit of celebration fills the air. With the holiday season and the promise of a new year, it's the perfect time to give and receive meaningful gifts. December babies are especially fortunate because they have not one, but two beautiful birthstones to choose from: topaz and turquoise. In this blog, we'll explore the enchanting world of December birthstone jewelry, from the captivating allure of topaz to the serene beauty of turquoise, all presented by the exquisite offerings at Admirable Jewels.

December Birthstone Jewelry:

December is a month of diverse celebrations, from Christmas and Hanukkah to New Year's Eve. What better way to commemorate these special occasions than with December birthstone jewelry? The birthstones for December are topaz and turquoise, each with its unique qualities, colors, and meanings.

Topaz is a fiery gemstone that symbolizes love, passion, and energy. Its brilliant shades of blue, yellow, and pink make it a versatile choice for jewelry. Whether set in elegant rings, dazzling necklaces, or stunning earrings, topaz jewelry from Admirable Jewels exudes sophistication and glamour. Topaz's vibrant hues reflect the warmth and joy of the holiday season, making it the perfect choice for a December birthday gift.

Turquoise, on the other hand, is known for its calming and serene properties. The soothing blue-green color of turquoise jewelry from Admirable Jewels is reminiscent of winter's tranquil landscapes, making it a wonderful choice for those who prefer a more understated yet meaningful piece. Turquoise jewelry is not only perfect for December birthdays but also as a thoughtful holiday gift to spread peace and harmony.

Topaz Jewelry:

Topaz, one of December's enchanting birthstones, has a fascinating history and a range of mesmerizing colors. Admirable Jewels offers an exquisite collection of topaz jewelry that caters to various tastes and styles.

a. Blue Topaz:

Blue topaz is perhaps the most popular choice for December birthstone jewelry. Its stunning blue hues are reminiscent of clear winter skies, making it a delightful symbol of tranquility and peace. At Admirable Jewels, you can find a wide array of blue topaz jewelry, from classic solitaire rings to intricate pendant necklaces. The delicate combination of blue topaz with white gold or silver settings adds a touch of elegance to any outfit.

b. Yellow Topaz:

Yellow topaz, with its vibrant and sunny color, represents joy and happiness. It's an ideal choice for those who want to infuse a bit of sunshine into their December celebrations. Admirable Jewels offers a selection of yellow topaz earrings, bracelets, and pendants that can brighten up any winter day. The warm and inviting tones of yellow topaz are sure to put a smile on your face.

c. Pink Topaz:

For a touch of romance, pink topaz is the perfect choice. Its delicate pink shades symbolize love and affection, making it an excellent gift for a special someone born in December. Admirable Jewels offers a range of pink topaz jewelry, including dainty pink topaz rings and charming pink topaz stud earrings. These pieces are a great way to express your feelings and create cherished memories during the holiday season.

Turquoise Jewelry:

Turquoise is the other captivating birthstone for December, and its distinctive blue-green color evokes the beauty of winter landscapes. Admirable Jewels offers an enchanting collection of turquoise jewelry that captures the essence of the season.

a. Turquoise Rings:

Turquoise rings from Admirable Jewels are a statement of elegance and serenity. Whether set in sterling silver, gold, or white gold, these rings are a beautiful expression of your unique style. The cool blue-green hues of turquoise are a wonderful match for the frosty December weather, adding a touch of nature's beauty to your ensemble.

b. Turquoise Necklaces:

Turquoise necklaces are versatile pieces that can be worn with both casual and formal outfits. The calming influence of turquoise is perfect for staying centered during the busy holiday season. Admirable Jewels offers a range of turquoise pendant necklaces that showcase the stone's natural beauty. These pieces are an ideal gift to show someone you care.

c. Turquoise Earrings:

Elevate your look with turquoise earrings from Admirable Jewels. Whether you prefer studs, dangles, or hoops, turquoise earrings add a pop of color and a sense of tranquility to your appearance. The rich history and culture associated with turquoise make it a unique and meaningful choice for jewelry enthusiasts.

Birthstone Jewelry at Admirable Jewels:

Admirable Jewels is your go-to destination for high-quality December birthstone jewelry. Whether you're looking for topaz or turquoise jewelry, you'll find a wide range of designs, styles, and settings to suit your preferences. From elegant blue topaz rings to serene turquoise necklaces, each piece is carefully crafted to reflect the unique qualities of these beautiful birthstones.

Conclusion:

December is a magical month filled with celebrations, and what better way to mark the occasion than with December birthstone jewelry from Admirable Jewels? Whether you prefer the fiery allure of topaz or the calming beauty of turquoise, there's a piece waiting for you to discover. Embrace the spirit of the season with a stunning December birthstone jewelry gift, or treat yourself to a symbol of joy, love, and serenity. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate in style with the enchanting jewelry collection at Admirable Jewels.