#Creative Movement Project

[pypedreams]

+ Dance sketch: doubt in red +

[snailmailcollective]

A Place To Share

hello tumblr! this blog, snailmailcollective, is a place to share, inspire, connect, and create art as an act of resistance. many of us in the world are scared right now. turning that fear into creation and action is how we resist.

on this blog, the admin will share art, writing, and resources that are aiding them in their resistance against fascism, surveillance, corruption, and plutocracy. not only do we fight against injustice, but we fight for community, intersectionality, human rights, the people's voice, and justice. please message us and submit any works you have that you feel align with our values - we will review and share if approved.

if you too are fed up with the current united states presidential administration, and you feel the need to connect with others who are finding ways to resist, you have found the right place. enjoy your time here :)

if you would like to support some queer artists in their efforts to create art that spreads a message of resistance, check out our depop and purchase some of our pieces!

http://depop.com/snailmailcollective

[thats-a-lot-of-cortisol]

Aspect of Order: Primordial & Present-Day

One of the first deities, part of what is known as the Primordial Triad. It created the planes alongside the Aspects of Chaos and the In-Between and held dominion over the Material Plane. It embodied order in the way nature has order: the life cycle, gravity, the tides, the surety that the seasons will change, the patterns that appear in flora and fauna alike, the symmetry of pinecones and butterflies. It was associated with the night as a time of quiet preparation where the world rests, and when one can see the remains of creation in the darkened sky. It is said that the two moons of the Material Plane are its eyes, watching over its creations.

All three members of the Primordial Triad are referred to with "it", so ancient and unfathomable that applying a mortal, transient concept of gender to them seemed almost blasphemous.

Almost.

The modern-day conception of Order is quite different. Though she still reigns over the night and natural laws, her followers have placed her at the forefront of the creation process, reducing the In-Between's role and rejecting Chaos altogether. Though most present-day cultures think of her in this way, many of them do not emphasize her: she is an invisible Over-God, keeping the other deities and forces in line and maintaining cosmic balance from behind the scenes. In places where she is worshipped heavily, however, she is placed at the forefront of the pantheon. In those cases, worship of deities with overlapping domains is either illegal (ex local gods of justice) or considered secondary to her (ex the god of the Wilds). The worship of smaller, local deities is usually discouraged or suppressed over-all in these areas in order to encourage a more structured, uniform religious practice. While both aspects of Order championed paladins, Primordial Order also championed druids and rangers while Modern Order champions clerics.

Ancient theologians debated whether or not Order and Chaos were two aspects of the same being (ironically, there was no question that the In-Between was its own separate force). However, following the iconoclasm that effectively forced Chaos out of the pantheon and created the modern conception of Order, such lines of thought were considered heretical, and then blasphemous.

The iconoclasm did have an unintended consequence, however. Crying motifs appeared in some art of Primordial Order around that time, particularly in the areas that resisted the iconoclasts more intensely. Some scholars believe that it may have been a direct reaction to the event: Order mourning the loss of its counterpart. Others have argued, however, that the lack of such motifs (or equivalents) in depictions of the In-Between prove this wrong. After all, why would it not also be grieving?

[seapoleproject]

2022 Drop - Linocut print of my design 'Kaiju Dragon vs. the Space Needle' (11" x 14")

[red-dyed-sarumane]

things are so much more fun when u stop trying to be good. fuck around. draw that line in the wrong place on purpose. mess up ur note order & see what it sounds like. write an absolute bullshit sentence that has no place being where it is. theres a strict precision that grows when ur trying to be "good" & it'll suffocate u if u let it. that little voice that keeps telling u what ur doing isnt enough u need to do it differently or no one will like it. its not worth making urself suffer for. go do things "wrong" & maybe u'll find out its better & more fun for u that way.

[compassionmattersmost]

Imagine: children and elders alike participating in something simple, joyful, and meaningful.

Dear Alieu — Sundiata Keita, Rather than seeing the Blessing Stones of Brikama as just a way to earn money, perhaps you might see them as a way of spreading hope and kindness throughout the land. Imagine: children and elders alike participating in something simple, joyful, and meaningful. A kindness project—not just a business—but a way of planting light in your home, your family, and your…

[darkstarcore]

“I’m the greatest programmer ever” to “stupidest coding bug known to man” pipeline

[tr1ppym4n3]

[k00325480]

patterns and shapes prints

I initially had the idea to create sprite-like versions through prints and then move them around to animate them to create some texture for the characters and the objects they would have interacted.

The other idea was to create a wave-like water ripple pattern to then print and with each print looking slightly different create a shift if one were to take a picture of each print and place it in a stop motion. Creating a staticky animation of sorts. The same I wanted to achieve for the tiles of the pool I wanted for the animation. But as my images were all slightly off the video turned a bit wonky.

I also made some prints of jellyfish bodies and tentacles as well as some round shapes that were meant to be bubbles which I could then use as a canvas to insert certain scenes. The prints did not end as well as I wanted though as it seemed to not spread the paint towards the end of the pull no matter how hard I tried which was a bit of a shame but accepted. Luckily most of it was still plenty and certainly good enough for future use

[fey-changeling]

Strictly ballroom is about dancing what resonates with your soul, not what you're told to and that hit so hard this time. Thinking about how teachers reacted to my choreography, to my friend's project that i loved dancing in, they didn't like it any of it, they wanted us to make abstract works rather than narrative, they hated the music choice, they hated the very concept. thinking about the works i danced that were choreographed* by teachers and how they never sparked the joy of dancing in me.

[pypedreams]

+ dance: sketch in the hill country +

This is from a random project I started a few years ago but never finished or edited. Rewatching and deciding if I should spend time completing it and thought I’d share this little clip.

[animalphotorefs]

New Species Added: Basselope!

It's time to finally to announce a secret I've been keeping for weeks: the addition of an incredibly elusive animal to the repository collection!

Meet the basselope: a rare species that was thought to be extinct until a last surviving individual was rediscovered in 1986. Thanks to some incredible breeding successes in the subsequent years, the basselope population rebounded successfully. Now found in all continents but Antartica, modern basselopes have proven to be a highly adaptable species, and populations in different regions display a wide range of phenotypic variability.

Meet.... the basselope!

Basselope, while not domesticated, regularly choose to den in human homes. The North American population has a particular fondness for couches.

The "jungle" phenotype has lost their antlers over time, likely due to ease of movement through dense plants and vines. They are known for their habit of swinging their ears through the air as they move: while the origin of this behavior is unknown, it's theorized this adaptation may be both a form of enhanced thermoregulation and a way of communicating with conspecifics.

One isolated population of basselope has begun to shed their antlers seasonally, and they have begun a new annual tradition of posing against a backdrop of their previous year's accomplishments.

One of the most elusive morphs is the "arctic" basselope. Despite sharing a range with other basselope populations - which is not all that far north - they're known for developing a strikingly colored and oddly jingly winter coat. The genes responsible for this seasonal color expression are as of yet unknown.

More super-rare, never-before-seen basselope photos can be found here!

Artists creating derivative or transformative works (without AI) have blanket permission from the basselopes to use these and all photos of them in the repository as references, including for works that will/may be sold.

The Animal Photo Reference Repository is an independent, permanently open-access project and funded entirely by donations, which allows me the creative freedom to have way, way too much fun on April 1st.

A big thank you to Chef, Olive, Olive the second, Frannie, Annie, Sunny, Rupert, and Turbo for their patience with the antlers; and equal gratitude to their humans @somethingrother, @painted-bees, @wildfaeworld, @stinkybrowndogs, Jenny, Anne, and Sara for playing along!

[thealchemistbae]

Fama Persona Chart: Rising Sign & Its' Degrees🤩

The Rising Sign in your Fama Persona Chart is SO important because it reveals the first impression of your fame energy. It's how the public perceives you, what kind of iconic image you radiate, and what draws people into your world of fame.

Disclaimer: This post is for entertainment purposes only.

thealchemistbae © do not copy, redistribute, or edit my content.

If you enjoyed this post, you can leave me a tip via PayPal at goddessguapa@gmail.com or via Venmo @goddessguapa. Thank you.

SIGNS:

🎆: Aries Rising -> Fame hits you fast and loud. You're known for going after what you want with zero hesitation. You're recognized for your courage and originality. People remember your confidence, style, and how you always seem one step ahead.

🎆: Taurus Rising -> You exude luxurious, grounded energy. Your fame comes from your beauty, voice, or consistency. You might be known for a signature look, a calming presence, or material success. Fame finds you slowly but sticks. You age like fine wine and may be a beauty or fashion icon.

🎆: Gemini Rising -> Famous for your voice, ideas, or versatility. You're the social butterfly, trend chaser, and smart mouth. Witty, multi-talented, and always booked. You may become well known for your interviews, public speaking, or playing multiple roles across different industries.

🎆: Cancer Rising -> You're adored for your softness, intuition, or emotional depth. People see you as relatable and nurturing. Your fame may start young or be tied to your vulnerability. You're known for emotional connection and maternal/family themes.

🎆: Leo Rising -> This is star quality incarnate. Big hair, big presence, big energy. You shine naturally and crave the spotlight, and people love to give it to you. You're instantly seen as a celebrity even before you're famous. People treat you like royalty.

🎆: Virgo Rising -> Famous for your brain. precision, and aesthetic. You give polished and practical. You may be known for attention to detail, beauty, and discipline. Quietly powerful, consistently respected.

🎆: Libra Rising -> This is the classic beauty/fame rising. You're known for grace, charm, and balance. People admire your looks and diplomatic vibes. You're famous for your appearance, relationships, or branding. You may be the face of a generation.

🎆: Scorpio Rising -> You're mysterious, magnetic, and unforgettable. You draw fame with your intensity. You gain fame from powerful transformations, a signature look, or emotional depth. People are obsessed with figuring you out.

🎆: Sagittarius Rising -> You're the wild card. Your fame is global, big, and full of personality. You're known for being free-spirited, adventurous, and unfiltered. Fame might come from travel, education, or just being you loudly.

🎆: Capricorn Rising -> You're a boss from day one. People recognize you as serious, iconic, and timeless. Your fame builds with age and respect. You're a legend in the making; classic, clean, and career driven.

🎆: Aquarius Rising -> You're famous for being different, futuristic, and innovative. You're iconic for breaking the mold. Fame may come through activism, uniqueness, or standing for something powerful.

🎆: Pisces Rising -> You exude ethereal, dreamlike energy. Fame often feels destined. You're known for your mystery, art, and emotion. People project fantasies onto you, and your presence feels otherworldly.

DEGREES:

✨: 0° -> Fresh, bold energy; fame often hits fast and strong. You're seen as a pioneer, known for starting new trends or movements.

✨: 1° -> Magnetic and noticeable; your public image has an undeniable pull. Fame comes through leadership or being first in your scene.

✨: 2° -> Creative and dramatic; your presence demands attention, and you're often known for your flair or performance style.

✨: 3° -> Ambitious and energetic; you're viewed as a hustler or go getter. Fame arises through visible hard work and determination.

✨: 4° -> Charming and diplomatic; people love your approachable vibe, which helps your fame grow steadily and warmly.

✨: 5° -> Social and communicative; you gain fame through your artistic talents, children, networking, or media presence. Leo degree - short term fame or fame as a kid/ surrounding children.

✨: 6° -> Balanced and stylish, you're known for grace and good taste, building fame through refinement and aesthetics.

✨: 7° -> Dynamic and expressive; your fame is linked to your ability to entertain and connect emotionally.

✨: 8° -> Bold and authoritative; you project power and command attention, often seen as a natural leader.

✨: 9° -> Optimistic and friendly; your public image is sunny and inviting, drawing people in effortlessly.

✨: 10° -> Polished and professional; you gain respect and fame in traditional or prestigious arenas.

✨: 11° -> Creative and inspiring; your fame is tied to original ideas or artistic vision.

✨: 12° -> Focused and intense; you're known for determination and depth; your fame often tied to serious or meaningful work.

✨: 13° -> Expressive and magnetic; your personality captivates crowds, giving you a strong public appeal.

✨: 14° -> Responsible and reliable; your fame builds slowly but surely, thanks to consistency.

✨: 15° -> Passionate and vibrant; you stand out in crowds for your energy and enthusiasm.

✨: 16° -> Mysterious and intriguing; your fame often has an enigmatic quality, drawing a devoted following.

✨: 17° -> Creative and intellectual; people admire your originality and wit, making your fame both thoughtful and engaging. Leo degree - long term fame.

✨: 18° -> Powerful and confident; your public persona commands respect and attention naturally.

✨: 19° -> Friendly and approachable; you're well liked and known for your warmth.

✨: 20° -> Authoritative and commanding; you project strong leadership, and your fame often relates to positions of power.

✨: 21° -> Optimistic and charismatic; your sunny disposition wins hearts and builds lasting fame.

✨: 22° -> Wise and experienced; you're respected as a mentor or elder figure, with a solid reputation.

✨: 23° -> Energetic and innovative; your fame is connected to new ideas and forward thinking.

✨: 24° -> Confident and regal; you carry yourself like royalty, and your fame is grand and noticeable.

✨: 25° -> Charming and balanced; your fame comes from your ability to connect with many different people.

✨: 26° -> Creative and passionate; your public image is colorful and inspiring.

✨: 27° -> Mysterious and intense; your fame often has depth, attracting a loyal niche audience.

✨: 28° -> Magnetic and legendary; people remember you for your unique presence and lasting impact. Household name.

✨: 29° -> Sophisticated and refined; your fame is timeless, marked by elegance and distinction.

What is your FPC rising sign and degree ? Mine is Taurus rising at 28 degrees. I am a beauty/fashion influencer on Instagram.

thealchemistbae © do not copy, redistribute, or edit my content.

If you enjoyed this post, you can leave me a tip via PayPal at goddessguapa@gmail.com or via Venmo @goddessguapa. Thank you.

✨

[seapoleproject]

The official link to the project!

[cressidagrey]

Aquatic Adventures

Pairing: Oscar Piastri x Felicity Leong-Piastri (Original Character)

Summary: Oscar is gone for a Double Header. Felicity builds a sanctuary. 

Notes: Big thanks to @llirawolf , who listens to me ramble 😂 I should have been writing something useful, that brings the plot forwards, but instead you get Felicity and one of. her "projects". It was very fun to write though. I am living vicariously through a character that has pretty much unlimited funds and is more productive than I could ever dream to be.

It started with Bee’s tears.

The kind that didn’t come with wailing or tantrums. No, those were easy. Manageable. A juice box, a cuddle, a nap.

But this was different.

This was the quiet, trembling-lip kind. The kind that crept up after hours of pretending she was fine. The kind that meant something had sunk deep — words or looks or loneliness that a three-year-old didn’t quite know how to explain.

Felicity sat cross-legged on the kitchen floor, Bee curled into her chest like she was trying to fold herself into her mother’s ribs, breath hitching in little bursts. She smelled like sunscreen and finger paint and exhaustion.

“They didn’t want to play with me,” Bee whispered.

Felicity closed her eyes. “Baby…”

“They said my lunch was weird. And I wasn’t funny. And one boy said I was bossy. But I wasn’t even talking to him.”

Felicity kissed the top of her daughter’s head and didn’t say anything for a long time. Just rocked her, slow and rhythmic, like it would fix the cracks.

She  felt that slow, cold fury spread through her chest. The quiet kind. The dangerous kind. The kind that made her want to set fire to the entire concept of “socialization” if it meant protecting her daughter

Oscar was on a double header. Back to Back races. Italy, then Monaco. He’d FaceTime in a few hours, would listen and be gentle and say all the right things. 

He always did.

But right now, there was just Felicity. And Bee. And the ache in her ribs where her daughter’s grief lived.

By the time she got Bee to bed — two stories, one lullaby, and a full-body cuddle that ended with Bee curled into the duvet like a sea otter — Felicity was pacing barefoot through the kitchen.

The house was silent. The kind of silence you only got in the countryside, where the world pulled back and left you alone with your thoughts.

That had been part of the appeal.

When she and Oscar first bought the farmhouse, it had been for the space. The privacy. The outbuildings — old structures lined up like forgotten train cars behind the main house, tucked among the trees. Oscar had called them “rustic.” Felicity had called them potential.

One became hers — a workspace-slash-garage-slash-creative bunker where she could weld, sand, build, and paint without anyone breathing down her neck.

The second was the gym-slash-ballet studio-slash-sim room, because apparently their household only functioned on wildly specific, multi-use spaces. Felicity had added the barre herself. A space for her to stretch, to remember what it was like to move for herself.

A third had been left alone. It had once housed horses, long before the property had been theirs. Now it was just empty, echoing structure of exposed beams, weathered wood, and potential.

Felicity already knew what she was going to do.

The pool wasn’t a new idea — just one she’d shelved while life took priority. But now… now it felt like something necessary. Not indulgent, not aesthetic, not Pinterest-fluff luxury. No, it felt like armor. A gift. A promise.

Warm water. Floating. Movement without pressure. Gentle light. No sharp echoes. No mean boys. No group dynamics to navigate.

Just Bee. Just peace.

Felicity would build it herself if she had to.

She’d already started the mosaic months ago, half by accident. Ceramic tiles, soft sea-glass colors, arranged in what would become a leaping dolphin. It was supposed to be for a backsplash or an outdoor table. But now she knew exactly where it belonged.

She padded into the spare room that doubled as storage and gently rolled out the canvas — the dolphin, tail sweeping upward, water droplets in pale aquamarine and cobalt. She touched one of the tiles absently, her fingers steady.

Bee would love this.

She always loved dolphins. Said they were the smartest. The kindest.

That night, Felicity opened the plans she’d drawn up nearly a year ago. A fantasy project. Something she hadn’t told anyone about. Not even Oscar.

It wasn’t going to be a sleek, marble-lined infinity pool. Not some Instagram-glossy wellness sanctuary.

It was going to be Bee’s.

Quiet. Safe. Warm all year round. A sanctuary with soft lighting and temperature-controlled floors. A place where she could float and splash and forget the world existed. A pool built like a hug.

It hadn’t been real until now. But that night, with Bee’s breath soft and even in the room beside her, Felicity started making calls.

Permits. Contractors. Heating systems. A specialist in skylights.

She didn’t tell Oscar.

Not yet.

Because this wasn’t about practicality, or budget, or even architectural ambition.

It was about Bee.

It was about building something so full of love that it drowned out the noise of the world.

***

Felicity Piastri did not throw tantrums.

She’d been raised not to. 

She had been born a Leong. 

She had been raised to wield silence like a scalpel, money like a weapon, and intellect like a blueprint.

 Felicity did not raise her voice. She did not beg. She planned.

She might have stepped away from the world she was born into — from the emerald heirlooms, the art collction, the social calendars managed by secretaries — but that world had trained her.

And when she needed it, she still spoke its language fluently.

The pool was going to be built in ten days.

Not estimated. Not quoted.

Done.

She had the property. She had the design. She had the permits already prepped — half because she liked being prepared, half because, deep down, she’d known something like this might happen.

She started with one contractor.

He told her twelve weeks minimum.

She said, “No,” and called his boss.

The boss said the same thing.

So she called someone else. Then someone else. And then she made a few international calls — to a construction firm her aunt’s interior designer once used back in the day for a rooftop terrace in Dubai.

By 8 a.m. the next morning, there were three project managers in her driveway, holding reusable coffee cups and measuring tapes.

She wielded her iPad like a weapon. Spreadsheets color-coded. Timeline stacked. Materials sourced from three different suppliers. Overnight shipping arranged. When one contractor so much as suggested that “it might be more realistic to give it a few weeks,” Felicity smiled sweetly and said:

“Would you like me to call someone else?”

Felicity didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t threaten. She negotiated.

She offered more money up front. 

She offered bonuses for every milestone completed ahead of time. She cross-referenced three local contractors to cover shifts in 24-hour rotations. She arranged permits to be processed at double speed — because it turns out, local councils moved very quickly when the right legal phrasing and legacy donations were involved.

She even hired a private catering service to feed the crew. 

By the second day, the old concrete had been ripped up. On day three, the beams were reinforced. On day four, the heating system was being installed and a special-order shipment of light blue tiles had landed from Italy.

Oscar texted once from Monaco asking how things were going at home.

She sent back a photo of Bee asleep in her lap and didn’t mention the fact that there were currently four men digging a trench for the overflow piping system just outside the window.

Her phone never left her side.

She paced the hallways in socks and one of Oscar’s hoodies, laptop under one arm, toddler on her hip, telling one man where to reposition the skylight and another which grout colors were acceptable and which were absolutely not. 

She FaceTimed a mosaicist in Vienna to double-check adhesive drying times and personally called a logistics company in Dublin to charter a truck for the filtration system.

On day seven, she brought in fresh pastries for the entire crew and reminded the night shift foreman about the performance bonus.

On day eight, she caught one worker trying to substitute the dolphin mosaic placement.

She handed him a cappuccino and then gently, systematically, explained why that dolphin was going exactly where she wanted it — because her daughter had once drawn a picture where the dolphin was jumping just there.

The man never argued again.

By day ten, the pool was done.

And not just finished. Perfect.

Temperature-controlled. Skylit. Lined with handmade mosaic tiles. Soundproofed. A shelf for toys. A warm rinse-off shower with custom water pressure controls. A soft corner bench where Felicity could read while Bee splashed.

An oasis.

A fortress.

A love letter carved in glass, water, and tile.

***

It was quiet.

Not silent — there was a hum from the heating system, the soft ripple of water against the tile, the occasional creak of timber beams overhead — but the kind of quiet that felt sacred. Like the world had taken a step back to let them breathe.

Bee stood on the edge of the shallow shelf, wrapped in a tiny robe with a dolphin embroidered over the heart. Her hair was pulled into a lopsided ponytail, still sleep-soft, and she was clutching her purple goggles like they were a magic talisman.

She blinked up at her mother.

“This is ours?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Felicity crouched beside her, brushing a curl from her daughter’s cheek. “All ours.”

Bee took another step closer to the pool, bare toes curling against the warm tile. She was still in awe, still trying to process it, eyes wide as saucers as she took in the soft blue tiles, the underwater lights casting golden ripples across the ceiling, the dolphin mosaic swimming in joyful motion across the far wall.

“He’s jumping,” she said, pointing to the dolphin. “Like in my drawing.”

Felicity smiled. “Exactly like your drawing.”

Bee looked down at the water. Then up at Felicity. Then back again.

“Can I go in?”

Felicity didn’t answer. She just held out her arms.

Bee squealed — a real, unburdened sound — and wriggled out of her robe, revealing a bright swimsuit with little yellow fish all over it. She clambered onto the first step, then the second, and then launched herself into her mother’s waiting arms like she’d never had a bad day in her life.

The water welcomed them. Warm, clean, still.

Felicity caught her easily, arms strong, body steady as she sank into the shallow end with Bee held against her chest. Her daughter’s giggles echoed gently off the walls — not loud, not wild, just happy.

The good kind. The healing kind.

“You made this,” Bee whispered after a long moment, eyes full of wonder. “For me.”

Felicity kissed her wet hair. “For us.”

Bee kicked gently, floating with Felicity’s hands under her back. The skylight above filtered in soft afternoon light, catching in the beads of water on her cheeks.

“I don’t think it’ll ever feel bad in here,” Bee said after a while.

Felicity blinked back something sharp behind her eyes. “That’s the point, sweetheart.”

Bee didn’t say anything after that. Just floated.

And Felicity, for the first time in days, let herself breathe.

She held her daughter close. She watched the light dance over the water. She ran one hand through the still-warm surface and felt the ripple carry all the way to the walls — like a promise.

They stayed there until the light changed.

Until Bee’s hair was damp and curling and her eyelids fluttered and she murmured “mama, carry” in a drowsy voice that made Felicity’s chest ache with love.

***

Oscar Piastri was used to coming home to chaos.

Not bad chaos — just the kind that came with Felicity and Bee. Small socks everywhere. A kitchen that looked like it had hosted a baking competition. Doodles taped to the fridge. A Sim rig covered in stickers. A house that was clearly lived in — loved in.

It was his favorite thing in the world.

But this time, the house was… quiet.

He rolled his suitcase down the hall and dropped his backpack by the bench in the entryway. “Fliss?”

No answer. Just the soft hum of the air vents and the smell of lavender and something faintly like salt. His brows furrowed.

He checked the kitchen — no one. The living room — empty, except for a plush dolphin wearing sunglasses.

Then he noticed it: the sliding doors at the back of the house, the ones that led toward the old stables.

One of them was slightly ajar.

Oscar stepped outside, following the faint sound of splashing water. The air was warm, windless. The gravel underfoot shifted as he walked across the path between the outbuildings.

He hadn’t been in the third one in months.

Last he checked, it was still full of unused storage crates and the old treadmill Felicity swore she’d list for pickup.

But the door was open.

He stepped inside.

Stopped.

And blinked.

The stable was gone.

In its place was a pool.

A full, glowing, indoor mosaic-lined oasis with warm lighting, soft acoustics, and — holy shit — was that a skylight!? The air was warm and damp in that gentle, spa-like way, and the walls looked like something out of an architecture magazine.

In the water, half-floating and curled together like sea otters, were his wife and daughter.

Felicity looked up first. She was sitting in the shallow end, hair braided over one shoulder, wearing one of his old t-shirts knotted at the waist and a black bikini bottom. Bee was curled into her lap, her damp curls sticking to her forehead.

Oscar blinked again. “I’ve been gone for two weeks.”

Felicity smiled. “Hi, love.”

Bee perked up immediately. “Papa!” she chirped, scrambling up and doggy-paddling to the edge like a very determined duck.

He dropped to his knees as she launched herself into his arms, wet and squealing and happy.

“We have a pool,” he said, slightly stunned.

Bee beamed. “Mama built it!”

Oscar looked past her, over her shoulder, toward Felicity — who had stood up, water lapping at her calves, and was walking over with that serene, slightly guilty expression she always wore when she’d pulled something massive off and hadn’t warned him first.

“You built a pool,” he said again, a little dazed, like repeating it might make it make more sense.

Felicity reached the edge and leaned her arms on the side, the water rippling around her. Her braid dripped onto the tiles. Her expression was unreadable — half sheepish, half composed, like she knew exactly what she’d done and was only 50% sorry.

“I had the plans ready,” she said. “And the permits. And the contractor contacts. It was going to happen eventually.”

“But you did it in… what, ten days?” Oscar looked around again, like the room might vanish. “There’s a skylight, Fliss.”

Bee, still wrapped around him like a koala, nodded helpfully. “And there’s dolphins!”

“There are dolphins,” Oscar repeated, mouth dry.

He caught sight of the mosaic — the dolphin mid-jump across the far wall, surrounded by sea-glass tiles that shimmered like actual sunlight on water.

Oscar blinked again. “Jesus Christ.”

Felicity’s smile curved slightly. “That’s not his name, love.”

Oscar just stared at her. At her damp hair, her flushed cheeks, the tiny tired lines at the corners of her eyes that only ever showed up when she’d done something monumental and wasn’t sure if she’d get away with it.

He looked at Bee, who was now patting his cheeks with both hands and saying, ��It’s warm and it smells like clouds,” which made absolutely no scientific sense and somehow still felt like an accurate description.

He swallowed.

“You built a sanctuary,” he said quietly. “While I was gone.”

Felicity didn’t say anything for a moment. Just rested her chin on her arms, her eyes soft.

“She was having a hard week,” she murmured. “And I couldn’t fix the world. But I could do this.”

Oscar pressed his lips to Bee’s hair, held her closer, and closed his eyes for a second.

Then he looked back at his wife.

And said — with all the love and awe and overwhelmed, dizzy affection in the world:

“I love you so much.”

Felicity blinked. Her mouth twitched. “Even though I didn't warn you?”

“Fliss,” he said, laughing, “you built a pool. In secret. With heating and acoustics and mood lighting. For our three-year-old.”

She tilted her head. “That’s not a no.”

“It’s a hell yes,” he said. Then looked around again and added, “I mean, I thought the bathroom reno during a triple header was bold, but this…”

Bee tugged his sleeve. “Daddy? Can you come swim?”

Oscar kissed her forehead. “Absolutely, sweetheart. Just give me one second.”

He set her down gently, watched her paddle happily back to the steps, then turned to Felicity and offered a hand. She took it, confused — and he pulled her up, wet and blinking and surprised, straight into his arms.

He kissed her like they were back at Haileybury. Like she’d just walked into the common room in his hoodie and undone him with one look.

“I can’t believe you,” he said against her lips.

She smiled. “You always say that when I surprise you.”

“This isn’t a surprise. This is a Bond villain level plot twist.”

Felicity shrugged. “You married me.”

He shook his head, completely smitten. “Best decision I ever made.”

Behind them, Bee was making dolphin sounds and trying to do somersaults.

Oscar grinned, forehead resting against Felicity’s. “Next time you secretly build a swimming facility in ten days, just… I don’t know. Text me first?”

She laughed softly. “Deal.”

“Also—” He kissed her again, warm and slow. “I love you. Have I mentioned that?”

Felicity’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Not recently.”

“Right,” Oscar said. “I love you.”

Then he toed off his socks, pulled off his shirt, and cannonballed into the pool like a six-year-old.

Bee screamed with delight.

Felicity covered her face with both hands — but she was laughing.

And Oscar, floating on his back in the water she built with her bare hands and brain and fury-love, thought:

This is what home feels like.

 Her. Bee. And everything they build together.

[helslastangel]

How you relieve stress according to Mars

1H Mars - Exercise, dance, running, body building; any physical movement, joining challenges or competitions, sex

2H Mars - Putting in overtime, DIY projects, honing talents/skills, esp. creative ones (e.g. photography, music/singing, art)

3H Mars - Socializing with friends and family, short trips or visiting new places, esp. if good for conversation, texting and phone calls, joining meetups to make new friends

4H Mars - Volunteering, esp. at nursing homes or childcare centers, spending time with parents, siblings, children, etc.; taking care of your home and family

5H Mars - Going on trips, trying new hobbies (solo or with friends), playing video games, going to board game cafes, escape rooms, arcades, etc., sex (esp. casual)

6H Mars - Getting through your to-do list, cleaning, organizing, finishing projects that you've put off for a while, catching up on abandoned hobbies

7H Mars - Spending quality time with your partner; going on planned dates (if single); starting a business or project with a friend or loved one

8H Mars - Finding your why, devoting more time to dive deep into a topic or hobby you're passionate about, fully allowing yourself to follow your heart for a change

9H Mars - Travelling, esp. long-term or long-distance, exploring new concepts and philosophies, taking courses or becoming a career student; finding/becoming a muse

10H Mars - Setting goals, focusing on your next milestone, thinking about the bigger picture, planning for the future, sharing your ideas and vision with others

11H Mars - Joining causes and missions that you believe in, volunteering to help in your community, making friends, going to underground festivals, meetups, etc.

12H Mars - Meditation, prioritizing self-care, taking time to nurture your connection with your inner self and a higher power (if you believe in one)

‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.

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