#Art Exhibition Learn to Swim

[kkami-writes]

waiting for us — chapter thirty two. masterpieces wc. 611 + 2 SS

Hyunjin is nothing but incessant in holding your hand the entire time you guys walk through the gallery. You happily oblige. He all but drags you from painting to painting, literal stars in his eyes while he admires the art. It’s a different look compared to when he’s doing his own sketches, the way his perfectly sculpted eyebrows pinch together and his tongue pokes out.

You will never admit how often you stared at him during your shifts at love stay. Nor are you blind to the others who stare at the pretty boy. For once you’re thankful for your resting bitch face as you glare at them for making Hyunjin uncomfortable under their attention.

Your heart broke when Hyunjin told you about how before he turned 16 people would try to get at him simply for his looks. They had all wanted to wear him like he was a purse, showing him off like he was some trophy. Even after finding his soulmates, people still tried to use him. Some people were shameless.

Yes. Hyunjin is handsome, you’d have to be blind to not think so. But you want to see all the different sides of Hyunjin, learn more about his passions and his hobbies. Even the bad parts, like his caffeine addiction or the constant procrastination on projects.

He’s guiding you through the paintings and statues, leaning close to whisper his own thoughts, analyzing each and every piece. Yet you can’t pay attention to what he’s saying, the way he’s so close that you can smell the floral cologne he’s wearing and it’s making you just the slightest bit light headed. His breath is hot against the shell of your ear, eliciting a shiver running down your spine. You’re pretty sure the boy is doing it on purpose, if his smirk is anything to go by.

You’d like to wipe it off his face.

Preferably with your lips.

Still, despite not being the most artsy person ever or even really know much about fine art you enjoyed looking at all the pieces. An argument could be made that fashion was just another art form and you had enjoyed dressing up, making outfits. It had been the only way you could express yourself and as a bonus it did boost your confidence if not just a little bit.

You know virtually nothing about art though so you’re all the more happy to listen to the boy drone on and on. How can you not when he looks so adorable trying to explain 17th century aesthetics. Honestly it all goes over your head because wow, how can you pay attention to anything when his lips look so enticing? Was he wearing lip gloss? Or were his lips just this shiny?

Jeez, when did you become such a simp? You were simply losing your mind and you’d 100% blame the boys for that. Not that you were really sane in the first place. That’s a different story for another time though.

It only takes about an hour to walk through the entire exhibit, Hyunjin beaming even as you two leave.

“May I escort you home my dear princess,” You rolled your eyes playfully at the boy, slipping your hand into his.

“Of course my lovely prince, I would love nothing more,” His eyes shine a little more as you play along, absolute adoration swimming in his eyes and it makes your heart skip a beat.

And if you kiss him on the cheek before getting out of his car? Well, you’re sure the other boys will know because if you know anything, it’s that Hyunjin will absolutely rub it in their faces.

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[april]

HUMAN POKÉMON TYPING

okay so we all know about how humans in the pokémon world are technically pokémon right. okay good. with that out of the way:

humans only come in normal, psychic, and fighting variants.

members of the Psychic trainer class are psychic-type,

members of the Black Belt, Battle Girl, and Triathlete trainer classes are fighting-type,

and all other humans are normal-type.

but wait! what about the other trainer classes like Swimmer? aren't Swimmers water-type?

nope! by that logic, noctowl is a psychic-type because it can learn confusion. that's not how it works. nuh-uh, wrong.

humans with psychic abilities (either telekinetic or telepathic) are shown to be rare. if any person could move shit with their mind or read other peoples' thoughts, don't you think that would be more popular? i have to come to the conclusion that the majority of humans in the pokémon world simply do not have the aptitude for it. thus, humans are either born normal-type or psychic-type.

but wait! aren't Black Belts etc. just normal people who have built their strength naturally and studied the martial arts? yes! that's correct! so what makes them fighting-type? well, to build strength, you need to build muscles - you need to alter your body. building muscle mass transforms a normal-type person into a fighting-type person. it's a gradual change instead of a sudden one, but a human can put effort in and gain an altered appearance in return, just like a pokémon can. it stands to reason that humans can gain types in the same process too!

what's different about Swimmers then? well, maybe some Swimmers are also fighting-type because of their extra strength, but they're usually depicted as casual swimmers.

okay, so what about professional swimmers? why am i designating all Triathletes as fighting-type only?

as established, a human must exhibit some inherent aptitude or altered physiology to count as having a type other than normal. otherwise, they're just a normal human that learnt a skill. the difference comes down to how effective they are at using that skill.

only fighting-type people will get the same-type attack bonus from using fighting-type moves.

there's not really a way to train to specialise your body specifically for swimming. if you exceed the average in swimming by at least 1.5x, chances are you exceed the average in other physical activities by a similar multiplier as well. ergo, fighting-type. sorry.

there is ONE exception to this, which i've been leading you to all along. are you ready? this is why i made the post. i want to reveal a stupid but completely obvious fact to you.

...

michael phelps is the only recorded instance of a water-type human.

[rivensdefenseattorney]

Nabu Character Profile

(WIP)

Basic Information

Name: Nabu Zaman

Race: Halfling Merman

Age: 21

Gender: Male (He/Him)

Height: 6'3 (191 cm)

Unique Features

Purple engravings all over his body

Long Locs

Has Scales, Gills, and Webbed Fingers/Toes when wet

Skin glows when dark and wet

Education & Background

Education: Red Fountain Polytechnic

Year: Exchange Student

Specialty: Spellcraft & Enchantment Practical Applications

Subspecialties: Tactical Combat & Field Operations | Magical Artifact Creation & Studies

Favorite Class: History of Magical Practices

Birthplace: Kingdom of Mare, Andros

Occupation: Apprentice Wizard

Relationships

Family

Mother: Zilina (Deceased)

Father: Nazir Zaman

Step-Mother: Yazmin Zaman

Elder Half-Brother: Naveed Zaman

Friends

Timmy/Helia (Specialist Best Friends)

Stella/Tecna/Musa (Winx Best Friends)

Love Interests

Aisha

Personality Traits

Confident and Patient: Nabu exudes confidence and patience, traits honed through his solitary studies and dedicated practices.

Kind and Sincere Despite his isolation, he carries a genuine kindness and honesty, fostering genuine connections with those he meets.

Philomath: He harbors a deep love for learning, a passion driving his explorations in magic, history, artifact crafting, and academic pursuits.

Intelligent and Knowledgeable: Nabu exhibits a strong intellect, especially in wizardry and studies, which gains recognition from mentors and peers.

Reserved and Thoughtful: He appears to be introspective and contemplative, choosing his words carefully and showing consideration for others' feelings.

Supportive and Reliable: Nabu acts as a dependable friend, offering support and guidance to those close to him, like Aisha, and being there when they need him.

Dutiful and Responsible: Nabu is dedicated to his studies and responsibilities, as shown by his commitment to apprenticeship and learning from his master.

Adaptable and Open-Minded: While committed to his studies, Nabu seems open to new experiences and learning from different cultures or places, as he's willing to explore beyond his homeland.

Skills & Abilities

Prodigy Wizard

Enhanced Vision, Hearing, and Strength

Expert on Magic History and Theory

Fast Swimmer

Can Breathe Underwater

Excels in staff-centered Martial Arts

Can communicate with Sea Creatures

Hobbies & Interests

Swimming

Reading

Visiting libraries, museums, and monuments.

Collecting and creating artifacts, jewelry, and gems.

Trying new foods to document in his travel journal.

Quirks & Habits

Follows a pescetarian diet

Doesn't understand a lot of surface traditions

Ties his locs into a different style every morning

Can recognize over 1,000 spells by memory

__________________________

Winx Rewrite Master Post

[lohstandfound]

I don't know if this is ever going to leave the drafts (if anyone sees this, you can tell I've just said fuck it) but I have many thoughts on bmc but if it was in new Zealand. Or if some of the characters were Māori. Is it largely bullshit? Yeah. Do I care? No. The concept has been swimming around my head for ages I just finally need to get it out

First off. Armageddon. Michael and Jeremy are going every year. In cosplay. Pre Squip Rich would have too. Armageddon = convention.

Anyway, Chloe and Jake as being Māori. Well. Undecided on Chloe, but if she were she would have the pukana down to an art.

This is where projection comes in with Jake. Jake pretends a lot, deflects his own feelings. Let's add in a small identity crisis but making him a white-passing Māori who doesn't know where he whakapapas too. He knows he's Māori but with his parents not encouraging it as he gets older and then just leaving, he's lost the only real tie to who he is and if he doesn't know who he is then what's the point in trying to forge that connection himself when he has no idea where to start. The language that he grew up learning is foreign to him. There's a hole that he just can't fill and there are options for him to take but he won't. After all, who would believe him if he tried to stake his claim?

Speaking of Jake, he's head boy material. If he's not head boy, he's house captain. He'd hold records for athletics and swimming sports.

I don't think this was a universal NZ high school experience, but my high school had a parables competition (yay! go Catholic school! /sarcasm) which was basically each house did a short play that was lovely based on a parable and full of jokes and references. This has Christine written all over it.

(speaking of Catholic education, I do occasionally think about the concept of Jake being raised Catholic. He'd have top marks in religious studies but god he'd be even deeper in the closet)

Brooke and Michael both take art. Michael falls victim to the 'term 4 rush to complete the art portfolio because you spent the whole year procrastinating' curse and rushing to put something together. Brooke has it done in plenty of time. One year, Michael finished his portfolio right before it had to be packed up and sent away.

Brooke makes it to the excellence exhibition for her level three portfolio

Chloe is the type of girl to get all her clothes from Glassons

A while ago I made a post about Jake shopping at Factorie, which I don't think is around anymore. But I walked past it once and everything was brightly coloured and fluorescent

Chloe and Brooke have matching Pandora bracelets. I don't think that's strictly a kiwi thing but they absolutely would

Speaking of Brooke and Chloe, we have no Pinkberry. My town used to have Kiwiberry, so I guess that's the equivalent?? Or they go to Tank and get smoothies.

Christine participates in Summer Shakespeare, or the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festivals.

I don't think much would really change plot wise. Jeremy buys his Squip in the back of a Kmart. Not sure where Michael's getting his vintage fizzy from. Jake's 100% an over achiever. They're all likely to be wearing school uniforms, and Jake would 100% have a blazer (if he can't have a letterman, he gets a school blazer. It's close enough). My only thing is that school productions (in my experience and observations) happen in the middle of the year? Before Halloween. And if they're juniors in high school, then I would assume they would be like year 12. So that's really getting to the time of year where they have like a week or two left of school because exams start in November. So the climax of the play and Jake's Halloween party don't line up.

The only way I can think of it working is starting, like, the year before? Midway through the plot is when the cast would join the play. Jake's party could just be a regular house party during the term breaks. Or, y'know, I could be completely wrong regarding the timings of school productions. But exams do start in November so the characters wouldn't really be in school.

Unless the squip tries to hijack prize giving which would really be an odd choice.

(i actually took a look at when some of the local high schools do their shows and scratch all that, it could work out since they do their shows in march which would mean they probably would start preparing the year before? im not 100% sure considering that is a lot of time for a show- maybe too much. most of the theatre i did during high school was not at school. the theatre i did at school aligned more with a musical but put most of the focus on dancing rather than plot. anyway, those happened in like september)

(im putting way too much thought into the logistics for the plot of a silly little musical that takes place in new jeresy)

Jake's that kid that needs help carrying all his awards and trophies off the stage at prize giving.

If I were to assign them house colours, Jake and Michael are obviously red, Chloe is blue, Rich is green, Brooke is yellow. Not sure about Jeremy, Christine, or Jenna. Are houses a thing in us schools?

Christine becomes performing arts committee leader, Chloe becomes the social committee leader who plans the school ball (Brooke and Jenna are also on the committee).

Chloe is a netball girlie. All the girls who you could possibly think of as the mean girls all played netball

(and they all had platinum blonde hair too...)

Jake, Brooke, Rich and Chloe all have lunch bordering on the out of bounds area, where teachers don't often pass. Jeremy and Michael have a classroom. Michael gets his slushies from the school tuck shop.

Chloe did Kapa Haka as a kid. Undecided whether or not she still does in high school.

Jake gets an excellence endorsement in every subject because of course he does

[cricketcat9]

So I'm still up to the gills with the damn art exhibition, opening August 16th. Progress is being made - I got a sponsor for the catalogue, our designer got another, so we are (relatively) swimming in money. We'll have a good band playing at the opening. I learned from another artist how to hang paintings from a rail without spending hours adjusting the level, which happened last year. I wrote an introduction to the catalogue, rubbing diversity and inclusivity in the old Board faces...just a bit 😆 . BUT! Frames for my big paintings are 2 millimeters too small on one side. Borrowing a sander tomorrow ( I painted on MDF). One small painting is now painted all white, starting all over again.

The Artist Who Can't Follow Directions was asked to send, just like everyone else, a headshot for the catalogue to the designer. He sends a group picture... Met him today on the market, asked me "when is the opening again? "

The Artist Who is Overwhelmed delivered a nice and coherent short speech in front of a bunch of people. His wife was holding his hand for encouragement 🥹 👏👏👏

I need a holiday 😑

[partyblakerz]

Anders Holmvik: The Best Autism Representation You've Never Heard of

TW // ableism and abuse mentions

As an autistic woman, I’ve found myself wishing there were more autistic characters that I could relate to. I’ve also seen a lot of poor autism representation in different forms of media. Just last year, a game I used to love got tainted by a DLC storyline where an autistic-coded character is basically treated like shit and villainized the whole time, while his abusers and bullies get little to no comeuppance and don't truly apologize.

And then I started watching Workaholics for the first time and I got to know Anders Holmvik.

Seeing Ders was legitimately comforting to me. He was hilarious, he was well-written, and I saw a lot of myself in him. So I thought I'd throw a long post together explaining the headcanon and why it genuinely means the world to me!

Just a heads up: in addition to episodes of the show itself, I will also use evidence from the character Tumblr blogs. I know that supplemental materials aren't always 100% canon, and I don't necessarily agree with the portrayals of the characters on some of the posts. However, there's some solid info there that supports my headcanon. I put these details in a separate section because I thought they'd at least be worth a mention.

Evidence from Episodes

One of the most prominent autism traits that Ders exhibits is his role as the most serious and responsible out of his roommates. There are SO many episodes where this is evident, but one quote that stuck out to me is from "Trivia Pursuits", where he says that he's "on time entirely too often." As someone who regularly shows up early to classes and events, I can definitely relate. Anders is also shown to be a stickler who tries to adhere to rules whenever possible. In "Friendship Anniversary", he chastises the teens for staying at the park past closing time.

Ders has been shown to have quite a few special interests. Obviously, the most prominent one for him is swimming. He doesn't just view it as his favorite sport/activity that he did in high school or college. Noooo. He goes all in. In "Party Gawds", he shows people at the party tapes of himself swimming and infodumps while Adam and Blake are partying. "High Art" also reveals that one of his most prized posessions is a basketball signed by all the members of the USA women's swim team. It’s so prized that Karl theatening to cross Alison Schmitt's name off is what ultimately convinces him to not shave Blake's hair off.

He is also very knowledgable about 80’s movies, which is shown in "Trivia Pursuits". When he enters the 80’s trivia competition, he breezes through the questions with ease and manages to defeat the reigning trivia champions on the opposing team!

Ders has also been shown stimming on multiple occasions. The first moment I thought of was this part of "In Line", where Ders can be seen playing with his koosh ball.

He's also been shown stimming with his fingers, including in the intro where he's sorta twiddling them. At the beginning of "The Slump", Anders chews on them too!

It is also shown in several episodes that he tries to mask. There’s a line in "Speedo Racer" that accentuates this:

"You just sit in the corner. You watch them. You study them. You learn how to laugh on cue."

There are even instances where Ders is shown having meltdowns on screen. The first one happens in "Old Man Ders" when his coworkers surprise him in the break room. And as someone who often has meltdowns myself, I have a lot to say because it's a scene that captures them very accurately. Before he even walks into the room you can see how much the thought of getting older is looming in his brain, and he does drugs to take his mind off of it. I’m speaking from experience here when I say that the worries on my mind can easily become the catalyst for my meltdowns if they aren’t resolved.

When he walks into the break room, it only gets worse for him from there. His coworkers gather around, looking him in the eyes and telling him how old he’s getting while laughing in his face, and he gets visibly uncomfortable. The parts where it just cuts to Ders's pained face while ominously high pitched whistling noises start playing and the camera shakes around? That's exactly how I feel when I can barely process anything other than the stimuli that's causing me to have a meltdown. Eventually Ders gets so overwhelmed that he slams the cake on the ground and yells "I KNOW HOW OLD I AM!" before running out of the room.

The second meltdown we see Ders having occurs in "Friendship Anniversary" when the Porta potty gets tipped over with him inside. The poor guy's left there with dirty toilet water all over him, and the teens laugh at him while all he can do is scream. I've had similar meltdowns where I'm left screaming like Ders, and I really felt for him. Poor Dersy…

Evidence from the character Tumblr blogs

In addition to his biggest special interest (swimming), Ders has another special interest: Volvo cars. We already know from episodes of the series that Dersy loves and cherishes his 'Vo. He also gets visibly upset whenever it gets tampered with, such as when it got painted over in "6 Hours Till Hedonism II" and when it was decorated to look like Falkor in "Trivia Pursuits".

But if you wanna see what further elevates this to special interest territory, take a look at his Tumblr blog. He’s made a couple of posts about other Volvo cars, and even says he has a picture of a Volvo as his computer's wallpaper.

Even Adam caught onto his roommate's special interest, if this post on his own blog is any indication!

Ders also says in another post that he gets his flu shot every year on October 17. A very specific date. This strongly implies that he often sticks to routines.

On a post made around Thanksgiving, he talks about a third meltdown he had during his childhood while going to the Turkey Hunt with his family. When they arrived, Ders got so overwhelmed that he started screaming for the turkeys to run away. Having meltdowns in public and being chastised by parents is something I can (sadly) relate to. Honestly, I could say a lot more about how much of a shitstain Thor was to Ders (and my headcanons related to that), but that’ll have to be reserved for another post.

Why the headcanon matters to me

I’ve seen quite a few autistic characters in different shows, and a lot of them are either poorly written, or minor/recurring characters that don’t get nearly as much screentime as the other allistic characters. On the other hand, Ders appears on every episode of the show, is written realistically, and isn't made into a complete punching bag. Sure, he's unlucky and bad things happen to him, but he isn't made the butt of jokes specifically BECAUSE of his autism. There are also some people who pick on him like the teens in the park who laugh at him, but it's clear that they're antagonists and you're not supposed to root for them.

Ders is easily the most relatable character of the whole cast for me as well. He's introverted like I am. He loves swimming and gets engrossed in it just like I do with my special interests. He stims just like I do. He even gets overstimulated and has meltdowns sometimes just like I do. Dersy's meltdown from "Friendship Anniversary" particularly hit me hard. I hadn't seen too many scenes depicting characters having meltdowns like this, so when I finally saw this part for myself I felt so... Seen. Like I wasn't a complete freak for all the times I get overwhelmed.

But what I find the most comforting about Ders being autistic is seeing him be happy. He isn't what society would consider "successful", but he still has a good life! He has two best friends who always stick by him! He triumphs at things like the 80's trivia competition! He parties and has fun! He gets to thrive, despite all the misfortune that happens to him sometimes! As someone who has worried extensively about fitting into society's mold of what constitutes "success", I needed to see this. I was so elated to see an autistic character get a happy ending that I actually teared up when the series closed with Ders talking with his besties on the roof one last time.

Overall, Anders is easily one of my favorite (possibly) autistic characters of all time. He’s one that I strongly relate to, and one who brought me joy when I truly needed it. Dersy is one of the things I love the most about this show, and he will always hold a special place in my heart. <3

Thank you for reading! If you haven't already, please consider giving this series a watch. It's knee-slappingly funny, the characters are lovable, the plots are outrageous and chaotic (in the best possible way), and you get to see the great autism representation that is Anders Holmvik ;)

[gyllenhaalstories]

presumed innocent finale rewatch word vomit? yeah i think so <33

knowing who did it made it more obvious as i rewatched the entire season but especially with the finale. the way jaden looks so dissociated the entire time, how you can clearly tell she has not slept in ages and she's been eaten alive by this. the hugs with rusty... it's obvious. but wow i literally believed every single possibility except her. if i learned one thing from this show, it's that i am as stupid as rusty and that is deeply upsetting.

i haven't watched the movie (i want to though!) & the other productions, i haven't read the book so like... what the hell happens with rusty? i know the series is doing it differently so comparison is almost pointless. i guess maybe we might get crumbs about what happened to some of the people involved with season 2 although it's a new case and we don't know much about who comes back (i saw peter wasn't coming back as tommy, jake is likely to only be back as a producer). but what happens?

is rusty unemployed? he was suspended with pay i believe, but like, he's not going back there to work like it's a regular monday right? does he find a firm in chicago to work form, more lowkey? more paperwork, more like lawyer you call for contracts and minimal public exposure? does he change careers? does he just... live as a pariah for the rest of his life? what! does! he! do! i wonder. all we know is that he's incredibly dumb but he's law smart. he can throw a punch, he can swim and run on a treadmill. where the hell does that take him. he has no credibility, he might be excellent at his job (he said it himself that he doesn't know what it feels to lose a trial, not even his own... wow), but take the job out of the man and what is he left with? i just want to know. i'm so curious. i want all the details.

barbara had a suitcase packed. she basically had a foot out of the door before jaden explained what happened. does she stay and become even more miserable to protect her children? that stare they exchanged at the last second of the finale is so charged. do they get divorced? i hope so, perhaps after jaden moves out and kyle too if barbara can stand it that long. i hope they divorce, as fairly and smoothly as possible. it will inevitably create a great divide, i see jaden siding with her father and kyle with his mom. i think barbara's compulsion to forgive and to protect her family will be shattered and altered forever. i hope she finds someone who's artistic like her, who's loyal and who loves her the way she deserves. i hope she gets a proper art studio that never turns into a storage shed, perhaps she quits working for galleries and instead shows her art to the world. i see rusty attending the exhibition. how lovely aww <3

no but let's take a moment for barbara and rusty. they met when they were twenty, in college she studied art and he did law which is like so different. surprise pregnancy 6 months later. they still finished school. it's safe to assume kyle was born around that time. barbara going to school pregnant! rusty and barbara raising jaden and reading her bedtime stories in between important schoolwork! and after that they just... they just kept going. they had a kid at about 21, two before 25 and they had amazing careers after that. i know i know that's the life of many people i don't care let me be amazed by barbara and rusty for one moment thank you. their whole lives... all they know is each other. barbara mentioned clifton's phd in art so casually, does she have that too? two kids and a phd? and was an art gallery the future that barbara wanted? she's so talented. did she want to become an artist, was she an artist at some point but she diverged to work at a gallery for a seemingly more stable revenue? did she have to settle so rusty could aimed so high? i imagine he would have succeeded to raymond. in the next election, he would be taking his place. that's crazy!!! no wonder why they drifted apart.

the kids will be forever messed up oh my god. jaden? how is she supposed to move on from that. i wonder what the future has to offer to jaden and kyle.

raymond retires, absolutely wonderful. does he stay friends with rusty? i think he would, but i don't think lorraine would support it. and between lorraine and rusty, there is no doubt who he chooses considering who almost killed him during this trial.

so rusty has 0 mistress 0 best friend 0 wife and a broken family. he probably doesn't even have the house because i doubt he can afford it without a big fancy job as a big fancy chief deputy prosecutor and the big fancy paycheck that comes with it. he has nothing. he did not know what he was willing to lose. he's so dumb. he lost everything because he couldn't keep his pp in his pants... might be worse than actual jail for him. hmm, deserved.

WILL TOMMY'S CAT BE OKAY!!! I'M ASKING THE REAL QUESTION!

[beardeddetectivepaper]

$39,171/$62,500

My name is Layaly and I would like to raise money on behalf of Naya and her daughter Zeina and their family.

Please read the story:

Today, I reach out to you with a heart filled with hope, and I carry with me a dream that transcends the boundaries of wars.

I'm Zeina Ahmad, a young soul at the age of sixteen, raised in a happy home with my sister Salma and brother Youssef.

Since childhood everyone tells me that I've always outperformed my classmates, so since I was 6 years old, I received training in literary writing, poetry recitation, performing arts, science, and technology in quest of my passion.I enjoyed all fields, regardless of their differences, but I immersed myself in the world of programming and designing, finding there my spirit and passion.

Despite the challenges and difficult circumstances and my young age, I managed to build a good reputation in my community as a talented and self-taught programmer. As a result, I was approved as a member of the university students' technology club while I still being in high school.

I competed in various local and international mathematics, coding, and problem-solving challenges, where I placed highly, also I have participated in various local exhibitions, particularly with my AI projects, through which I tried improving my surroundings. I also participate in many volunteer activities.

My passion is coding, and my love is media and photography. Therefore, I worked as the youngest journalist and covered several events in Gaza, also I have a technology program that I prepare and present in cooperation with a local TV channel, which discusses the branches of technology and its impact on our lives.

I aspire to study data science and AI, learn more about cloud computing, and I hope to represent my country in international exhibitions and contests in coding.

I have many hobbies, such as reading, swimming, horse riding, skating, and cycling.

I've lately begun working on self-training in problem solving. However, the recent war has devastated everything, our schools, our beautiful home, where I spent every moment, the university where I aspired to study, and all the training institutes that had helped me develop myself.

Your support will be the lifeline that enables me to continue my journey and achieve my aspirations in the world of coding. Let me explain to you why the cost is so high. You need to pay some money to put your name on the list of passengers through the Rafah land crossing, which is our only hope of rebuilding our lives. The cost to be listed is approximately $5,000 per person, and I have 7 family members besides myself that need our names included. We are trying to raise $62,500 that will help us cover the entire cost of travel and get us out of this war zone as quickly as possible. The financing will be allocated for the expenses related to leaving Gaza, for myself and my family: Permits and transit fees are $40,000 Travel expenses from Gaza to Egypt are $5,000 Rent and other supplies so we can get work and manage our affairs in Egypt. $10,000 Immediate assistance to the family in Gaza: $5,000 GofundMe fees:2500$ The people I'm trying to evacuate are: The parents: Ahmed 42 - Naya 42 Daughter Zeina 16 Daughter Salma 12 Son Youssef 8 Naya's mother Amera 70 Naya's sister Randa 35 Naya's brother Jamal 33 Social media accounts: @naya.karam5 on Instagram. @zeeina.ahmad on Instagram. @zeina.ahmadd on TikTok. I thank you for your concern and support during these difficult moments for me and my people. With all my love.

[xstrike]

Top 10 Fun and Educational Kids Activities in Dubai

Dubai, a vibrant city known for its luxurious lifestyle and architectural marvels, is also a haven for children. With a plethora of fun and educational activities, it offers an enriching experience for kids of all ages. Whether you're a resident or a tourist, here are the top 10 kids activities in Dubai that blend fun with learning, ensuring a memorable time for your little ones.

Xstrike UAE

For those looking for action-packed indoor activities near me, Xstrike UAE is the perfect spot. This state-of-the-art tactical entertainment center offers an immersive experience that combines the thrill of video games with physical activity. Kids can learn about teamwork, strategy, and problem-solving while having a blast.

Highlights:

- Tactical entertainment

- Immersive gaming experience

- Promotes teamwork and strategy

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Located in The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is a must-visit for families. Kids can marvel at the 10-million-liter tank, home to thousands of aquatic animals, including sharks and rays. The underwater zoo offers educational insights into marine life, making it both an exciting and learning experience.

Highlights:

- Glass-bottom boat rides

- Interactive sessions with marine biologists

- Shark diving experiences

Kidzania

Kidzania, also situated in The Dubai Mall, is an interactive mini-city where children can role-play various professions. This unique concept allows kids to learn about different careers while having fun. From being a doctor to a firefighter, Kidzania provides a realistic and engaging environment for kids to explore and develop new skills.

Highlights:

- Over 80 role-playing activities

- Realistic city layout

- Educational and entertaining

Dubai Science Park

Dubai Science Park is an excellent destination for young minds curious about science and technology. The park offers interactive exhibits and hands-on experiments that make learning fun and engaging. It's a fantastic way to spark interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects.

Highlights:

- Interactive science exhibits

- Hands-on experiments

- Educational workshops

Green Planet

For a taste of the rainforest in the heart of Dubai, head to the Green Planet. This indoor tropical rainforest is home to over 3,000 plants and animals. Kids can learn about different species and ecosystems, making it an educational adventure. The Green Planet also offers interactive sessions with biologists, enhancing the learning experience.

Highlights:

- Indoor tropical rainforest

- Over 3,000 species

- Educational biologist-led tours

Dubai Dolphinarium

Dubai Dolphinarium offers an opportunity for kids to interact with dolphins and seals. The live shows are not only entertaining but also educational, providing insights into marine life and conservation. The Dolphinarium also offers swimming sessions with dolphins, making it a memorable experience for children.

Highlights:

- Dolphin and seal shows

- Educational marine life insights

- Swimming with dolphins

Children’s City

Located in Creek Park, Children’s City is a dedicated learning center for kids. It features interactive exhibits on various subjects such as space exploration, human body, and international cultures. The center also includes a planetarium, adding to the educational value. It's an excellent place for children to learn through play.

Highlights:

- Interactive learning exhibits

- Planetarium

- Focus on space, science, and cultures

LEGOLAND Dubai

LEGOLAND Dubai is a theme park designed specifically for families with children aged 2-12. It offers a range of rides, shows, and attractions based on the iconic LEGO bricks. The park promotes creativity and problem-solving skills, making it a fun and educational outing for kids.

Highlights:

- Over 40 LEGO-themed rides and attractions

- Water park

- Creativity and problem-solving focus

IMG Worlds of Adventure

As the world's largest indoor theme park, IMG Worlds of Adventure provides a variety of thrilling rides and attractions based on popular cartoon characters and superheroes. The park is divided into themed zones, each offering a unique experience. It’s a fantastic place for kids to enjoy and learn through interactive exhibits.

Highlights:

- Four themed zones

- Cartoon and superhero attractions

- Interactive exhibits

Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is a floral wonderland, featuring over 50 million blooming flowers arranged in stunning designs. It’s a great place for kids to learn about different types of flowers and plants. The garden also includes a butterfly garden, adding to the educational experience.

Highlights:

- Over 50 million flowers

- Butterfly garden

- Educational on flora and fauna

Conclusion

Dubai offers a wide range of activities that are both fun and educational for kids. From exploring the wonders of the underwater world at the Dubai Aquarium to role-playing various professions at Kidzania, there is something for every child’s interest. These activities not only entertain but also provide valuable learning experiences, making Dubai a top destination for family fun. So, the next time you search for kids activities in Dubai or indoor activities near me, you’ll know exactly where to go for a perfect blend of fun and education.

[gutsfics]

🔴🔵🔮 for baxter and avalon my beloveds <3

omg yayaya my best friends <3

🔴 Red- What is a trait your OC has that those around them don’t see very often? Is it seen by a rare few or completely overlooked?

Baxter is afraid of the ocean and doesn't like to/doesn't know how to swim. the ocean is because they like knowing about things, and the ocean by its nature is very largely unknown. fucking anything could be down there, we really know very little and it scares them. (they dislike space to some extent for similar reasons, although they're more okay with it bc they can't accidentally step into a dangerous part of space like you can w an undercurrent in the ocean) the swimming is because growing up in a hospital basically means not learning certain "common knowledge" abilities like swimming or bike riding, although swimming kinda goes hand in hand w the ocean to some extent. neither of these really come up ever bc they're almost never in a context where its relevant (they were lowkey SO stressed during Inez's wedding though)

i think for Avalon, it would probably be that he's a catty bitch. he's usually pretty outgoing and friendly (HWU) or quiet and polite (RCD) and all around a bit of a people pleaser that when he says something that's more God's Favorite Hater than World's Nicest Family Man Dad Friend people can be pretty surprised when he decides to let his Opinions be known. most of the time ppl think it's Thomas rubbing off on him, but no actually that's just who he is. he just prefers to take the high road most of the time, and/or look on the bright side of things, or do what he can to make sure the people around him are comfortable (sometimes to his detriment, but that really depends on what's going on in his life)

🔵 Blue- How would your OC spend a single day of interrupted peace? Where would they go or who would they be with?

Baxter would go to a zoo and beeline (lol) straight for the bug exhibits. most of their time there would be spent in the butterfly garden bc its like the stingray bay of the zoo insect exhibits, and they really like bugs :3 they'd take Reigan, Rafael, or Gwyn with them or they'd go by themself. just chill w the butterflies all day <3

Avalon doesn't really care where he goes or what he does, so long as he's with the people he loves <3 so most of the time, that means chilling at home watching movies with Thomas or, in the case of HWU!Ava, spending some good ol family quality time w Janey and Dawn & Lily (Thomas is also there lol lmao)

🔮 Crystal Ball- What kind of future does your OC want to have? What would they do to make it real?

Baxter doesn't know how to answer this question. for the longest time they thought that they'd die somewhat young due to their poor immune system & various other medical issues they experience and had come to terms with that, but sometime after the maitoxin attack (or maybe because of?) they realized that actually No, they're going to live. there's people they love who they depend on and who depend on them and there's still so much good in the world they can do so No They Are Not Dying Anytime Soon Thankyouverymuch. but despite that realization, they're not entirely sure what's in store for them in the future. they're in a good place right now and they have their ups and downs but for the most part they're just going with the flow of things (at least as much as they can while being very autistic & liking to have a rigid day to day routine)

since there's two different versions of Avalon, this question kinda has two different answers for him

HWU!Avalon wants to make sure his daughters have a good life as unencumbered by the typical entrappings of a capitalistic society as they can be and also he wants to Create Art, and what better way to do that than entering the film industry? i mean theres probably better ways to do it, but this is the way he thought was best for him and his family

RCD!Avalon wants a future away from all this. something small and quiet and maybe full of love.

he's not sure how to achieve this.

[luvcraze]

Ideas for Local Places Couples can Enjoy Together

1. Botanical Gardens:

Explore the beauty of nature together by visiting a local botanical garden. Take romantic strolls through lush gardens, admire colorful flowers, and enjoy peaceful moments surrounded by greenery.

2. Local Parks:

Spend quality time together in a nearby park. Pack a picnic and enjoy a meal outdoors, go for a leisurely walk or bike ride, or simply relax on a blanket and watch the world go by.

3. Scenic Lookouts:

Seek out scenic viewpoints or lookout points in your area where you can enjoy breathtaking views together. Whether it's a hilltop, a rooftop terrace, or a waterfront promenade, watching the sunset or city lights can be incredibly romantic.

4. Cafés and Coffee Shops:

Discover cozy cafés and coffee shops in your neighborhood where you can enjoy intimate conversations over cups of coffee or tea. Find a quiet corner, sip your favorite beverages, and savor sweet treats together.

5. Local Wineries or Breweries:

Take a tour of a nearby winery or brewery and sample local wines or craft beers. Learn about the production process, indulge in tastings, and toast to your relationship with a glass of your favorite beverage.

6. Art Galleries or Museums:

Get cultured together by visiting local art galleries or museums. Appreciate the beauty of paintings, sculptures, and exhibits, and discuss your favorite pieces with each other.

7. Farmers' Markets:

Explore farmers' markets in your area and enjoy browsing fresh produce, artisanal goods, and handmade crafts. Sample local delicacies, pick out ingredients for a romantic dinner at home, and support local vendors.

8. Outdoor Concerts or Events:

Check out outdoor concerts, festivals, or events happening in your community. Enjoy live music, performances, or cultural celebrations together under the open sky.

9. Historic Sites or Landmarks:

Learn about the history of your local area by visiting historic sites, landmarks, or heritage buildings. Take guided tours, explore architectural wonders, and immerse yourselves in the stories of the past.

10. Cooking Classes or Workshops:

Sign up for cooking classes or workshops together and learn new culinary skills. Whether it's baking bread, making pasta, or mastering sushi rolls, cooking together can be a fun and rewarding experience.

11. Hiking Trails:

Explore nearby hiking trails or nature reserves and enjoy outdoor adventures together. Take in scenic views, breathe in fresh air, and bond over shared experiences in nature.

12. Beaches or Lakes:

Spend a day at the beach or lake soaking up the sun and enjoying water activities such as swimming, paddleboarding, or kayaking. Pack a beach bag with snacks, sunscreen, and towels for a relaxing day by the water.

13. Bookstores or Libraries:

Get lost in the aisles of a local bookstore or library and discover new reads together. Browse through shelves of books, share recommendations, and find cozy nooks to read aloud to each other.

14. Food Trucks or Street Food Markets:

Seek out food trucks or street food markets in your area and embark on a culinary adventure together. Sample a variety of dishes from different vendors and enjoy a casual and delicious dining experience.

15. Local Theaters or Performing Arts Centers:

Support local arts and culture by attending performances at theaters or performing arts centers in your community. Enjoy live theater productions, concerts, or dance performances for a memorable date night.

16. Farm-to-Table Restaurants:

Dine at farm-to-table restaurants or farm-to-fork eateries that showcase locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. Experience the flavors of your region while supporting sustainable and eco-friendly dining establishments.

17. Community Gardens or Urban Farms:

Volunteer or visit community gardens or urban farms in your area and get your hands dirty together. Help plant, tend to, or harvest fruits and vegetables while learning about sustainable gardening practices.

18. DIY Workshops or Classes:

Take part in DIY workshops or classes that interest both of you, such as pottery, painting, photography, or home decor. Get creative together and unleash your artistic talents while learning new skills.

19. Historical Walking Tours:

Join historical walking tours or heritage trails led by local guides and explore the rich history of your city or town. Discover hidden gems, architectural landmarks, and fascinating stories from the past.

20. Outdoor Yoga or Fitness Classes:

Attend outdoor yoga or fitness classes held in parks or green spaces in your area. Stretch, sweat, and strengthen your bodies together while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and staying active as a couple.

These local date ideas offer couples the opportunity to bond, connect, have fun, explore, and create cherished memories without having to travel far from home. Strengthening their relationship right in their own backyard. Whether it's exploring nature, supporting local businesses, or learning new skills, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy quality time together in your local area.

[silyabeeodess]

FusionFall Headcanons: Great Ironjaws

The concept art for this monster reveals that it stretches at around 3 meters in length; however, its tail makes up around half of this size and, with its more skeletal structure, makes the Ironjaw smaller than it can appear at first glance. Nevertheless, it is a terrifying beast to face, noted to have "the strongest bite of any creature in Fuse's army."

Known to be eager killers, these monsters take every terrible story you've heard about bull sharks swimming inland and crank them up to 11. Given that sharks in freshwater areas are rare--nevermind in a largely closed-off source of water like Leaky Lake--it could even be said that these stories might be the inspiration for the Ironjaws' very existence. Fuse would learn early on that, while humans are the dominant species on Earth, they are still undeniably weak to/fearful of sharks. If he was going to create a fusion monster on any of Earth's species, it would those that others at the top of the food chain naturally avoid.

The biggest threat of the Ironjaw isn't actually how vicious it is, but how deceptive it can be. One look at it is enough to strike terror in many, but on the battlefield, most won't know they're facing an Ironjaw until it's too late. While they have a different structure, these monsters are known to mimic the Cogfish; moving their bodies in a similar way, copying the grinding sound of metal parts, and taking advantage of dark/murky areas. A number of fusion fighters have been tricked into thinking they've crossed paths with an injured Cogfish only to learn the much more frightening truth all too late, swiftly caught in the teeth of this monster.

The Great Ironjaws seem to be made from a wide variety of both wood and metal scrap pieces, from plating around the face, to saws forming as gills, to an almost trunk-like core. This mess of sharp material alone can make them dangerous to engage with, shielding any clear weakness with a hard, barbed armor. It can also throw off Earth's forces, as most people with some knowledge about shark attacks would typically aim for the gills, eyes, or nose as a means of defense. Doing so with the Grear Ironjaw would likely only result in further injury.

In their description, they are said to attack by "grabbing onto their prey and dragging them underwater." This method isn't too different from other aquatic fusion monsters. It is notable for those surrounding Leaky Lake though in that, unlike the Cogfish, the Great Ironjaws can stand being in the water for long periods of time without suffering the same damage. They were fashioned to be much sturdier, while the Cogfish were moreso just readily available thanks to the origins as decorations.

The Ironjaws also utilize the "bump and bite" method of attack exhibited by real sharks, in which they charge at their target while clamping down on them with their fangs. From there, they can easily tear a person apart by jerking their heads as a means of sawing away at their victims. However, due to their size often matching an adult human's, drowning is simply an easier and safer bet. It allows them to pick off teams one-by-one with its members unable to save each other easily. It also makes it harder for their victims to fight back while weakening them at a much faster rate.

A Great Ironjaw's biggest weaknesses are their fins and tail. As hardened as their bodies are, these are often only supported by thin beams, again referring to their more skeletal structure. Breaking these beams will inhibit the monster's movements. After that, it is best to attack the less shielded parts of their bodies covered in wood. The section where the tail connects to their abdomen is particularly vulnerable, as it is more prone to tearing and the insides are more exposed once the spine-like beam is snapped off.

Medics tending to the Resurrect 'Ems around Leaky Lake often note that, despite their limited numbers, the Great Ironjaws can leave the most scarring impact on their patients due to the brutality of their deaths. Another reason is that it's difficult for them to respond to the way they died. After falling to a fusion monster once, a soldier will replay the scene in their head. This allows them to come to grips with what happened, as well as give them a chance to think of how they could've reacted in the fight and survived. By the time they're ready to rejoin the battlefield, their strategy will have greatly improved. For monsters like the Great Ironjaw though, not only is there the existence of pre-existing fears, their attacks are often too swift, too sneaky, and too overwhelming to know how to counter.

[mishkakagehishka]

sits down in front of you. elaborate? 🤨

AWGH I SAW THIS IN THE INBOX AND FORGOT

Listen

Tbh I mainly thought about Valkyrie bc ValkyrieP and all but. I think they'll retire from the idol industry when they hit, like, idk, 30 or so. The idol industry prefers "the youth" and all. But I think they'd do it of their own will, too, when they reach a peak, they'd decide, this is it, this was Valkyrie. We had fun, we grew together, we made friends and enemies, we created art, but now it's time to close this chapter and move on. And I think by this time, they'll both have matured (tbh I blame a lot of the "oh he's fucked up" moments in enstars on the fact that the cast is. Literally made up of late teenagers, high schoolers are just like that), and Shu'd get his anger issues and perfectionism (mostly, he's still Shu, and the perfectionism stays for his art) under control, and Mika learns to be truly independent and he doesn't pedestal Shu as much as in his youth, but they never stop thinking of eachother as friends, comrades... anyway.

I think Shu probably grows a little taller, not by much, I don't think he'd change much in appearance because he'd still seek youthful beauty. He graduates, he starts creating art - paintings and sculptures alike - hosts exhibitions, is actually rather successful (the fact that he was already known as Shu of Valkyrie helped definitely, but he's also Really Good, I think his motifs would often be some sort of reflection of his trauma, of his mental state from Yumenosaki as he remembers it, maybe even some paintings with titles like, "From Mademoiselle's eyes" or how she saw the world in contrast to him ...). Mademoiselle speaks a lot less, too, but he still considers her a dear friend and part of his family, and like. You know, she's there when his stress flares up, whenever the trauma swims back up or he's feeling overwhelmed, or just lonely, I think.

Mika deserves to have a growth spurt because the Gap between him being a clumsy lil guy while at the same time being, like, 185 and relatively built would fit him well. But he's still more lean than muscly, because he continues dancing :') After some time of that, as the conversation turned this morning, I did add him organising workshops and dance lessons for the kids from poorer neighbourhoods and in orphanages, because I think he'd definitely be the type who'd want to "give back" to his community, even if it means just giving them a fun way to keep physically active. Volunteers a lot, too.

Idk the idea came to me when I was joking around with my friend, talking, "They go their separate ways when Valkyrie disbands, but then Ibara sets up a reunion party for CosPro, and Shu gets a heart attack when he sees how stacked Mika's become since the last time he saw him," but even that. They'd video call :) They're still friends, I think their bond has become such that it's unlikely to break easily. They have rough patches and fight, but it's like. The fact that they can fight and argue now instead of Shu just telling Mika what to do, is part of why I think they've got potential to be lifelong friends. When they mature a bit more HDBDBDHDJD

[pyrokineticwarrior]

The demigod children in each home:

{percy jackson series inspired}

Athena House: The campers in the Athena House are known for their sharp intellect and strategic thinking. They possess a natural curiosity and love for learning. Often seen with books or engaged in intellectual discussions, they excel in problem-solving and possess a keen sense of wisdom.

Apollo House: Campers in the Apollo House are imbued with artistic and musical abilities. They have a vibrant and creative spirit, often expressing themselves through various art forms. They excel in archery and possess a natural affinity for healing and light-based powers.

Zeus House: The campers in the Zeus House exude leadership qualities and possess an innate command over the elements. They are charismatic, ambitious, and often exhibit natural leadership skills. They excel in activities that require control over lightning and weather manipulation.

Poseidon House: Campers in the Poseidon House have a deep connection to water and exhibit strong swimming and water-controlling abilities. They possess a calm and nurturing demeanor and often have a strong affinity for animals and sea creatures. They might excel in water-based activities and are often adventurous.

Aphrodite House: The campers in the Aphrodite House are known for their beauty, charm, and social prowess. They possess an enchanting aura and excel in activities that involve persuasion, empathy, and enhancing their physical appearance. They often have a strong interest in fashion and aesthetics.

Dionysus House: Campers in the Dionysus House have a zest for life and are known for their love of celebration, revelry, and entertainment. They have a natural affinity for the arts, particularly theater and dance. They excel in activities that involve creativity, energy, and the manipulation of emotions.

Hades House (Devlin's House): Devlin, as the sole member of the Hades House, possesses a unique bond with the Underworld. While other campers might not be in this house, those with abilities related to death, shadows, or necromancy could find themselves under Devlin's guidance. If there were other members, they would have a deep understanding of mortality and exhibit qualities of resilience, introspection, and control over darkness.

[riiverstyyx-blog]

twst ace fluff oneshot?

you've got it :]!

In which Ace has a, “I have a girlfriend! You wouldn’t know them, they go to another school-!” moment,

Warnings: Fluff fluff fluff, mentions of transphobia(clownfish are all born male, i’m making y/n/you trans), 

Song: Run Away to Mars, TALK

“do you really think someone could like you enough to be with you long distance?”

okay, ouch. ace trappolia knows burns better than anyone else, and he has to admit that deuce got him with that one. but seriously, is he really that bad of a person? would he lie about being in a relationship?

actually, he would prefer you don’t answer that.

honestly, he would have told them about you the first time you met, but the situation sounds completely and utterly fake.

‘yeah, so i have this girlfriend who goes to another school and i met them at museum when azul made us rob the place. turns out that guards grandkid’s friend was dropping off lunch when i was milking the ‘littlest mermaid’ story.’

seriously, who would believe that? 

his mom, that’s who.

when ace told his mom about you, the woman was hanging onto his every word. he wasn’t surprised she couldn’t believe him, so she was the first person he allowed to meet you.

you’re a merperson, specifically from a family of ghost clown fish.

in the sea, clownfish often aren’t taken seriously in any aspect. their unruly spots catch your eyes no matter how hard they try to hide it, and it is common knowledge that they are all born male, which for some reason seems to invite ‘conversation’.

more specifically, argumentative discussions.

ace has long since learned how life has treated you. how your family has always supported you: your art exhibits, your explorative endeavors, and most importantly, your transition. and yet the rest of your community continues to find faults in everything you do, associating it with the only part of you that no one else should care for.

he can vividly remember the first time he went to visit you. he hadn’t expected to meet your fathers so soon, but when you had called him while bubbling and sobbing in hysterics, he wasn’t going to just wait to come help you.

he recalls how terrified he was when a merman with a ripped fin and a blind eye opened the door, glaring down at him as if he were protecting something precious. ace only knows now that he was.

when your father realized who he was, he was quick to usher the red-head into their home, motioning to the closed door where his husband sat, consoling their dearest clownfish through the wood.

‘you’re ace?’ he had asked with no sense of displeasure.

‘that’s me.’ ace should have shot himself in the foot for how cocky he sounded.

but that was all it took for the door to open and the fish to swim into his arms, nuzzling their face into his chest with a whine of contentment.

he likes to think that was the day that set your relationship in stone. he knew that he would be there for you whenever, and however you may need him, and that was a promise he made to himself.

it seemed like you made the same one, though.

as he’s seated in ramshackle with one arm on the back of the couch and his phone in his hand, he can still hear deuces exasperated complaining about his lies and grims cackling, but he doesn’t care. his attention is focused on the typing bubbles in your chat room, the ones that have been there for maybe five minutes, and yet no message had been sent.

he was utterly terrified, but he was lucky.

before his thoughts could race and he could poison himself with his own self-doubt, their was a knock on the door.

yuu stood, glancing at ace and deuce with a rose brow. “are either of you expecting anyone?”

ace’s eyes never left his phone, he only offers a half-hearted shrug.

“no, cater and trey are studying for an exam and riddle is helping ruggie study.” deuce said.

the prefect hums, quickly heading toward the door and opening it with furrowed brows. they are nearly positive they’ve never seen you before. and why are you dripping water onto their dorm mat?”

“hi, can i help you?”

you cleared your throat with flushed cheeks. “uh- is ace here?”

it’s as if your voice was magical, because yuu was sure that if you were teaching the classes ace would have a passing grade.

the red-heads eyes shot up, lips parting before quickly forming a grin as he drops his phone, speeding toward you. “what’re you doing here?”

“you don’t want to see me?” you challenge.

“of course i want to see you! but like, don’t you have class?”

you rolled your eyes. you know he’s aware of your schooling being in the evenings.

“you know i don’t.” you grin. “i’m here to drop some baked goods off with ashengrotto. he placed and order, but didn’t seem to realize that i’ve never been on your campus before, so i’ve been wandering for maybe thirty minutes before i got hit by the rain and a kind ghost pointed me to this creepy dorm!”

ace snorted, a lovesick smile resting on his face. “how about i take you to monstro lounge?”

you gasp. “oh my! asking me on a date without dad and papas permission? how unruly!”

“you and i both know i already have their blessing,” he laughs, intertwining your hands.

before you two could make it out the door, grim screamed - literally. “who are you?!”

you blinked once. twice. “uh. his girlfriend?”

and all hell broke loose.

“are you serious?”

“-how much did he pay you!”

“do you want me to call someone for you?”

the smile on your lips twitched momentarily before you tugged ace toward the door. “yes, i’m serious, he isn’t paying me anything, and no, i’m quite alright. papas gonna pick me up at the reef after my deliveries, he’s aware that i’m meeting ace, so he knows i’m safe.”

ace’s dopey grin remained on his face the entire way to the monstro lounge.

no matter how annoying floyd was, or how terrifying jade was, he really couldn’t find it in him to care. not once did you let go of his hand, and not once did his mind leave you.

[vivian-bell]

My cardinal rules for raising children were: no physical punishment, no discrimination between boys and girls, and no unfairness. When I was a child, my mother sometimes punished me for someone else's misdeed because she thought I looked guilty. I decided to believe my children. In the house where I live with my son and two daughters in San Francisco, there was not girl's work and no boy's work. The three of them helped me according to their ability. My son became the best cook because he started learning how the earliest. Education topped the list of priorities for us. We took classes in everything that was available. I studied shorthand and bookkeeping to increase my earning power, and art and literature to fulfill my real aspirations. The children took classes in dance, art, and biology. They attended lectures by prominent world figures, went to the symphony with donated tickets, and took music lessons on the second-hand piano and violin I had purchased. With the leanest of budgets, we could be seated in only the top rows of the theaters and opera house, but we enjoyed the performances of many talented artists nevertheless. In high school I had always been on the outside looking in. When my classmates stayed after school to rehearse plays, take part in sports, or play musical instruments, I went home to do housework and milk cows. I was determined to help my children expand their horizons taking advantage of all the things the city offered. On weekends we rented bicycles and rode through Golden Gate Park; we picnicked on the ocean beaches; we visited the zoo, we saw the exhibits at the museums. At home, when our studies were done, we played chess. When I was a child, if I was not studying, I had to be working, or if I was not working, I had to be studying. So now I played with my children – chess, tennis, swimming. I believed that life meant to be enjoyed, not suffered.

–The Parrot's Beak by Kartar Kaur Dhillon