#I'm very tired so I mostly use translator to write it in English

[adiffident]

I am once again reading fics from recommendation lists and honestly no shade to the writers but if your writing about other cultures don't you do your research?? because it's very painful reading ships were one person is supposed to be german-ish or multilingual and you just have to put it down because it's painfully inaccurate

public transportation in Germany is generally pretty shitty, nothing's on time and trains also just sometimes don't arrive

Honestly if your character is a professor from a german university town he will not praise the efficiency of the U-Bahn in comparison to the New York subway because his city doesn't have a U-Bahn??

Some people think germany is digital heaven but that is not the case. It's very far behind in internet speed and digital equipment in schools and unis

Your professor cannot complain about blackboards 😭, especially if he teaches poetry. No, white boards are not more common. Like I'm a comp sci major and we have white boards in our building but all other lecture halls have blackboards and if I have my classes in the humanities or math department there's just blackboards??

Of course the equipment of the schools and unis is also dependent on state funding, donations and location but come on

People speak English, good English. Pretty much every non-British/American/Canadian/Australian etc. person speaks English, so keep up

Sometimes I try to force myself to keep reading because of the time period but no, making someone practically infantile while speaking English is fucking weird

Also just writing accents into the words is fucking weird and the way in which they're written doesn't make sense

(I also read a fic where the "Russian" accent just was german?? Google translate is free?? And also as a slavic person: what the fuck? There is a difference between da/ja and @ the people thinking slavic languages and german are equally harsh gibberish my relatives think my accent is "harsh" because I have a german one)

Also @ people incorporating german snippets into fics don't use the formal "you". I guess Americans don't learn different languages but formal pronouns are actually pretty common in most languages

Dirty talk in german is not sexy. It just isn't

Writing a modern AU with a German jew is very funny(but also very much not) because there are so few few jews in Germany today.. ever heard of the holocaust? Yeah european jews faced genocide and not just the German ones. I guess as an American it's pretty common to meet jews but that literally has a reason(!!!)

German people are also as a majority atheists or just christian-ish. Making someone fanatically catholic is weird (but more accurate if they're from Bavaria). Generally evangelism is more common

If you make someone speak another language *like so* using English idioms doesn't make sense (I always translate in my head and it doesn't work)

And accidentally "switching languages" like in fics doesn't happen or just if you are in an environment where you have to constantly switch between and translate multiple languages and are very tired but you realize mostly immediately

Knowing all vocabulary isn't realistic. Your vocabulary is dependent on the context for which you use those languages, so you can translate some stuff immediately but I mostly know the meaning of vocabulary separately but can't translate on the spot

...

Yeah I just can't read most fics ... :/

[alexgrin]

Okay guys, the voting on Tumblr is over, so let's draw the results!

Majority are in favor of developing the idea with Au! Which makes me very happy. I'll start with the main thing.

People, as you can see, I am a person who recently came to this fandom. I recently started learning how to use a graphics tablet. But I mostly write fanfiction. And on Ao3 I post translations of my works from Russian into English. Most likely, I will write a work and at the same time pamper you with art or sketches. Сomic that I am posting is simple test, it can be accepted as part of the AU...

If there are people who want to support the idea with the AU, I will be glad to repost. I don't ask for donations, as I'm an ordinary creative person who wants to share ideas! I am grateful to those people who began to be interested in my art.

I will answer all your questions in ask a little later, since I just got home and am really tired. I hope that the disease will not defeat me and that I will recover in a week. Please be patient, I will answer all your questions!

[fuutaprotectionsquad]

I'm here humbly requesting everyone's thoughts on Amane's strictures that she mentions in Purge March. If anyones seen a post analyzing those lines PLEASE TELL ME because im not going thru every purge march analysis im not that desperate (actually maybe i am).

The lines that are like:

'Tis ordained, thou shall follow thine destiny

'Tis ordained, thou shall discard vulgarity

'Tis ordained, thou shall deliver unto those thou believest in

'Tis ordained, thou shall stay thine course, then perish

Bc im interested in the old english-like translation of these lines cuz theres probably not like logic behind which old english was picked. It looks to be a mix of multiple and only a few words are in old(? middle?? shakespearean??) english. but ive been thinking about it. Mostly bc I want to copy the style for the cult strictures im writing. for the cult i made. fictionally. i promise im not making a real cult.

But anyway what I'm also interested in is the actual strictures themselves.

"Thou shall follow thine destiny" and "thou shall stay thine course, then perish" are very similar and im curious to know what the exact difference is. Im assuming the latter is where the "no medicine" rule falls into, but it could really be either. The only distinction i could make is that the former one is like "don't try to change fate" and the latter is "don't try to stop your death via things like medicine" but. that would only work if they had a means of determining fate (fortune telling and such) which they don't, since this isn't like a fantasy universe. But idk.

"Thou shall disgard vulgarity" is probably just don't curse and don't use god's name in vain and all that. Then "Thou shall deliver unto those thou believest in" is like. Hold others to the standard of your ideals ig? Hence why Amane's so mad at Shidou for healing the others even though she's not involved.

Anyway I just thought these were interesting. I wrote this at 2 am last night then didn't finish it so idk. im tired. Tell me ur thoughts :)

[kresnikcest]

uhhh hello. i was recommended xillia 2 as a cool (background) sibling relationship and pointed to your blog specifically, and i've been scrolling through your posts but i have absolutely no idea what's going on lmaoo ;-; uh. please, please don't feel pressured to if you're too busy or tired or just don't want to, but could you possibly direct me to some starting resources 👉👈

.......... i thought it was kaira but it was actually @asphaltaxismundi who recced me and x2 omg thanks <3 (i have also heard good things about FMA 2003, it's on my list for whenever i fall out of love with X2, but i third it!)

i'm warning you now though x2 is not a media you consume from start to finish because. yeah they're almost entirely built up in Japanese-only side material. if you play the game you'll be pretty disappointed, but the manga's English translation is incomplete... hhhhhhh

so i'm just gonna write you an abridged recap of them and if you're still interested i'll collect all the links to the translated stuff... be warned, this is LONG. i have so many feelings about them.

Ludger is 20, Julius is 28, Ludger's memory of things is that Julius raised him. They live together in an apartment in the big city with their cat, Rollo.

Ludger admires the hell out of Julius and wants to be just like him and join the company that Julius works for so he can follow in Julius' footsteps. His personality varies across adaptations/player choices, he can be quiet and polite or outspoken and kind of snarky but canonically he does always hold Julius in high esteem, even if he's mad at him for being secretive. And Julius is SO secretive.

Julius is supportive of Ludger and cares a lot for him, and especially adores Ludger's cooking. He's super popular with girls because he's high-key famous, but he's like. brocon of all time. Literally just adores the crap out of Ludger. He's like the archetypal sweet caring protective big brother character tbh.

(manga scans are by blasteriifx and the translation is by flagfighter unless otherwise noted)

(He seems quite stern when you first meet him in this setting, but he's actually like. the SOFTEST--)

I don't want to explain too much about Xillia 2 lore because I assume you just want the fun sibling stuff, but basically, their family is part of a clan of people called the Kresnik clan who can inherit special powers (called the Chromatus) that are necessary for completing what is called "Origin's Trial", and if they fail all humans will die.

The company that Julius works for, Spirius Corporation, is run by a branch of the Kresnik clan, and specifically by Bisley Bakur, Ludger and Julius' father (though Ludger's doesn't know he's their father).

Bisley is making the most concentrated effort to complete the Trial, but the Chromatus is rare (and using it will eventually kill the person) and he's very pragmatic about saving humanity and will do anything and use anyone to do so, including his family, and Julius discovers this eventually just before he meets Ludger which causes him to cut ties with his father and hate him.

(Not necessarily Bisley's fault though, Julius was born when he was 15 years old and the woman who would eventually become his wife, Cornelia, was 22 and his family tutor, so it's pretty much implied Bisley's family were equally pragmatic about things.)

So after Julius' mother dies working on the Trial (Julius eventually comes to believe Bisley sacrificed her, and canon sort of agrees with him), Bisley sleeps with Cornelia's sister Claudia (Ludger's mother), who runs away when she finds out her son will have a Chromatus, leaving behind Julius who she'd mostly been raising in his parents' absence.

One thing I haven't really touched upon is that Julius is fucked up as a kid, especially once Claudia is out of the picture. Having a Chromatus and working on the Trial involves going into alternate universes, and destroying those universes (usually by killing a specific person who's most different to the "real" world), so people who inherit the Chromatus are basically committing a lot of murder… Julius has been doing it since he was 11, and since the company line is "those worlds aren't real", he eventually gets into the mentality of "if the world is going to be destroyed, you can do whatever you want" so he and another teenager start competing to see who can kill the most people in the AU worlds.

Anyway, 13 year old Julius accidentally finds where Claudia and 5 year old Ludger are in hiding, and Claudia freaks out and thinks he's there to take Ludger back to Bisley. It's not even clear if she recognises Julius is her nephew, but she tries to kill him and Julius kills her in self-defence.

(My machine translation this time. Also his hair's the wrong colour, idk why none of the official art ever remembers that Ludger's black hair is dyed as a teenager. he's supposed to have all silver-white hair as a child)

(By the way, Ludger and Julius are half-brothers and cousins. This isn't relevant to anything except it makes their family tree look a little bit fucked up, which I personally find hilarious.)

Ludger gets amnesia from the trauma and no longer remembers his mother or her death. Canon gets questionable around here, but it's pretty universally agreed upon that Julius adopts Ludger so he can take advantage of using Ludger's Chromatus pocketwatch (which will make Julius more powerful).

He doesn't really care for Ludger himself, so they're pretty distant for two years even though Ludger just thinks his big brother is the coolest, but eventually...

You, my half-brother through our father, and my cousin. You who had lost your mother, the only family you had. I spoke to you warmly through the pain, I got close to you, and I took you home with me. I faked our blood ties to take your watch as my own, just so I could make myself stronger. I wasn’t worried at all about the fate of my very young relative. All I wanted was power. It was selfish of me. And still… You had burned your hands, clumsily preparing dinner. You waited for me to come home, looked straight at me and told me “welcome home” with a smile. It changed that awful me.

7 year old Ludger, wanting to make a small show of gratitude and make his brother happy, made a clumsy attempt at cooking. He discovered his brother’s favourite food, and presented him with a tomato dish. Julius had always been cold, but his lips quivered and he smiled, looking as though he was about to cry. Seeing that smiling face, Ludger finally understood that he was needed.

Or as I like to summarise it...

Julius: oh shit this kid loves me

And then he learned morals for him. And how could he not. Look at this sweet child

(flagfighter's translation)

SO. For the next thirteen years they grow pretty close and chill with each other and are wholesome and sweet and it's adorable because Ludger doesn't even have that much of a social life outside of Julius? Like it's mostly unintentional because Ludger needs to befriend the prequel game cast when he's 20, but after he graduates high school he stops talking to the two (2) shortlived high school friends he had and is more worried about...

(my machine translation)

Meanwhile you remember Julius is constantly lying for years and years about all the murder he's doing and that he killed Ludger's mother and Ludger knows NOTHING, he's just spending what free time Julius has off-work being cute and arguing Rollo's diet ;-;

“Only because you keep feeding him canned food when it’s not time for a meal. Don’t you think he’s gotten fat?” Julius picked Rollo up and nuzzled their noses together. “He’s saying you’re fat, but you look perfectly healthy to me, don’t you, Rollo?” “Meow!” “Stop that, if a cat’s fat it’s because of the owner. Do you know how dangerous it is to a cat’s health if they’re overweight, Julius?” Ludger’s lecture continued on, but Julius found his scolding pleasant. He took a sip of coffee and murmured that it tasted good, then diligently listened to his brother’s lecturing.

So Julius has been hiding Ludger's existence from official records to protect him from their father. When Ludger tries to apply to join Spirius, Julius sabotages him and rigs his exam so he'll fail. Ludger is bummed out but accepts that he couldn't make it and eventually gets a different job as a train station cook. Unfortunately on his first day the place gets attacked by terrorists and Ludger ends up meeting Bisley, Bisley sort of gloats to Julius that he knows Ludger exists now, and Julius just decides right then and there to murder him.

The manga adds additional context from Ludger's POV and i adore it for that ;-;

But yes, Julius is canonically ready to just murder the fuck out of their dad right in front of Ludger if it keeps Ludger away from the Trial. Which is already quite delightful... Then Ludger gets unknowingly dropped into an alternate universe where that version of Julius is trying to kill both Bisley and Ludger because Ludger met Bisley and admired him and chose him over Julius...

Anyway, after that, Julius is framed for trying to assassinate the CEO and goes on the run, while Ludger is eventually blackmailed into joining Spirius and using his Chromatus. Julius refuses to explain anything to Ludger and keeps trying to keep him out of things, which Ludger finds frustrating, and Ludger does find out that Julius sabotaged him earlier, but the manga makes it pretty clear that in the end they're both just worried about each other.

(revised machine translation proofread by yume-x-hanabi)

I won't recap the rest of the story, but I'll do a quick note that there's a lullaby Julius hums to Ludger called the Hymn of Proof.

(old not great machine translation but i can't be bothered to open photoshop and fix it)

Which btw in the game Julius describes as "a song about longing to see someone". This scene, btw, is immediately followed by Julius trying to kidnap Elle (the little girl Ludger befriends who is unbeknownst to both of them, Ludger's daughter from an AU world), because he can use her powers. I kind of love it when Julius switches between seeming so fond and sweet and then getting very serious.

But, ultimately Julius just wants Ludger to be happy. When he sees Ludger is desperate to save Elle, he understands that sentiment because he feels the same devotion to Ludger. The manga plays it out a little differently though...

Anyway Julius pretty much disappears from the plot after this point, and eventually returns for the endgame. I mentioned earlier that the Chromatus will kill its users eventually, and Julius is actually secretly dying, and once he dies he will create an AU world and disappear from the "real" world.

And near the end of the game, it's revealed that a specific human sacrifice is needed to reach the Land of Canaan (plot important place to complete the Trial) and stop Bisley and save Elle (who went with Bisley to protect Ludger), and the only options left are Julius or Ludger. Julius, of course, offers his own life, because he's already dying, and encourages Ludger to come and kill him.

Even for the sake of saving the world...

And well. Here I will leave you with the two ways this goes down.

Ludger refuses to kill Julius (bonus: unused dialogue)

Ludger agrees to kill Julius

Both are pretty tragic, but they sort of feed into each other. If Julius dies, the world he creates is a world where everything is peaceful and everyone, even Bisley, is alive, but if you pay attention to the NPC dialogue (not shown in the video) it becomes... very obvious that Ludger is not friends with any of the characters he is in the Prime Dimension, and that this is a world where Elle will never exist, not as Ludger's daughter or in any other form.

Which ties directly into the ending where Julius lives, and he admits a world where Ludger chose him over everything else is 'maybe' the world he wanted too.

And it FUCKS ME UP SO MUCH that Julius never ever EVER makes that known? Yes it's known he adores Ludger yes he tries to take Elle from Ludger (ultimately for pragmatic reasons, he needs Elle's specific powers, but I wouldn't say he's not not jealous that she's proof Ludger will leave him) but given he immediately changes his mind when Ludger is so attached to her he's willing to risk his life for her, Julius is NOT openly possessive over Ludger and that makes me lose my mind. Like deep deep down he does want Ludger all to himself but, consciously? What's more important to him is Ludger's happiness.

Meanwhile Ludger... loves his friends, certainly loves Elle, and it's easy to forget because Julius is so rarely relevant in the main story, but Julius is also so important to him. He didn't even want to leave Julius as an adult. Even if he agrees to kill him, it's devastating...

There is also a story parallel I didn't touch upon, which is Elle's father, the alternate version of Ludger. He also murdered his friends to protect his daughter from Bisley (who wanted to use Elle to save their world), but he also murdered his version of Julius, and years later he can say that in the end Julius only cared about protecting Ludger. It's uncertain because Victor isn't a very reliable narrator, but you can pretty clearly see where the parallels are that, Ludger can do pretty horrible things to protect the people he loves, and Julius can supersede Ludger's happiness in favour of keeping him alive.

(Mind you, X2 literally ripped me away from the depths of my SPN obsession and has now surpassed the length of time that my SPN rennaissance lasted, so I did initially go into X2 thinking Julius was perhaps controlling and Ludger wanted his own space, except... no... and it's devastating...)

But then we get the little fun bits of Bad Ending Ludger's thoughts and the guidebook summary and the staff commentary and the music that plays being called "the bond more important than anything else"...

I am so normal about them. They love each other so much.

I know you were specifically asking about sibling stuff but, yeah Xillia 2 all around is so good for non-romantic "I'm gonna murder people to save the person I love" feelings. Which is why if you looked at my recent posts it's not actually about the brothers 😂

anyway if you actually got to reading all this rambling you could maybe... reach out to me again... and i'll yell some more about them with actual sources and better explanations...

[ifonotlnow]

REVIEW THAT NOBODY CARES ABOUT: LIVE FROMT HE HAUNTED CANDLE SHOP EDITION

sorry

Hydroelectric Viking: 6/10

Yeah, you already know how I feel about instrumentals. Side note, this song would go hard as a beat saber level.

The Saga of You, Confused Destroyer of Planets: 8/10

While this song used to be my favorite on the album, it recently became overshadowed by others. Also, I heard this one cover called The Saga of Ballsack Joe, Confused Destroyer of Bitches by The Ballsacks that is mostly the original lyrics with dirty words stuffed in and the original instrumental playing distorted in the background. When I heard it, I thought it was immature and got all pissed off and couldn't stop ranting in my head about it every time I heard the original song. Moral of the story, I'm a stupid buzzkill and should learn to lighten up a little.

Mr. Wolfgang: 6.75/10

This song was one of the few songs I liked upon first listen to the album, along with TSoY,CDoP and Boat. However, it shortly became overplayed in my head. This song DOES have a slight touch of edginess, but it knows what it's doing and doesn't take itself more seriously than it should. Also, BANG BANG, HE JUST SHOT HIS BOSS. BANG BANG HE JUST SHOT HIS BOSS'S BOSS!

Boat: 8/10

Before I actually liked this album, this song was my favorite from it. While I do like it less than I used to, it's definitely in my album top 3. One of my favorite lyrics in the album is "AEIOU sometimes Y, Why not!" It's a dumb piece of wordplay just kinds stuffed in the song, but it doesn't take itself too seriously, and works in my opinion.

Destructo!: 8/10

NO WAY THEY SAID THE THING! THEY SAID THE THING! THAT'S THE NAME OF THE ALBUM!!!!!

good song

Fiberglass Monkey: 7/10

Don't really have anything to say. Good song. I liked when there was the fiberglass monkey. Classic example of the hero's journey. Kid is haunted by fiberglass monkey. Kid gets bat. Kit hits fiberglass monkey with said bat. Fiberglass monkey dies. What's not to love?

Fly Straight or Drop the Oar and Wreck: 7/10

I like most of the song. I really like the background vocals when he says "plate right now." Also, It's really satisfying when he finally "Fly straight or drop the oar and wreck." The violin at the end of the song is a little drawn out, though.

Oz Explodes 7.5/10

Took me embarrassingly long to realize the song's lyrics were taken directly from the wizard of oz. Iconic kazoo cover, every time I remember I have a kazoo I immediately pull it out and play this song. Also, this song is how I remembered the Pythagorean Theorem when I was taking my standardized test. So thanks, Neil! If you can't tell, I'm not writing this review while extremely tired at 10 P.M. (unlike yesterday's)

Booja Jabooja: 7/10

Don't really LOVE this one, but It's a good song. Also, WHEN DID NEIL TRANSLATE THE CHORUS?? ISNT THE WHOLE THING THAT IT'S GIBBERISH THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE? anyways yeah 7/10

Dance Like an Idiot: 8/10

Very catchy song, with it's own dance too! This sone is the cupid's shuffle for weird losers (me!) Also, I love the synth solo in the middle.

Chu Chu Rocket: 7.5/10

Okay embarrasing story, it took me like two months to realize that

A. This song is a cover and

B. and more embarrassingly, this song is in Japanese

okay, so the first time I heard this song it played right after Booja Jabooja so naturally, I assumed it was another made up language that just so happened to sound a lot like Japanese and English. Actually never mind, there's no defending myself. That was stupid of me.

Switzerland: 9/10

Good song, one of my album favorites. The story does lead me to wonder, though, did the protagonist ever make it to Switzerland? Why couldn't this story have any closure like Fiberglass Monkey did? Oh why, Neil 20 years ago, did you do this???

Party on the Moon: 8/10

8/10 good. Who the hell is Mr. Kenji Akita?

Without My Tonsils: 7/10

this song was my ringtone for, like, a really long time. I like this song, but it radiates with edginess. THAT ENDING WAS GREAT. IT WAS A PERFECTLY FINE, NOT AT ALL DISSAPOINTING ENDING UNTIL HE STARTED REPEATING THE LYRICS "DISSAPOINTING ENDING", THEREFORE MAKING THE ENDING DISSAPOINTING. SCREW YOU NEIL (I don't actually care that much)

Birdhouse In Your Soul: 7.5/10

I don't think that before hearing this version, I had ever listened to the TMBG version. Strangely enough, the song felt very familiar, and when I did eventually listen to the original version it felt very familiar. Side note, if anybody reading this is a TMBG fan, how do you feel about this cover (especially if you listen to they might be giants but haven't listened to the cover yet, listen and tell me how you feel!)

Anyways, good song, both referring to the original and Neil's version

Mold en Mono: 9/10

Love this song, easily my favorite. If you listen close enough, you'll hear the cuica sounds that Neil used before it was even cool (cough cough Baldi's Basics cough cough). Anyway, I love the layering of the lyrics in the outro, and it's very funny to me the origin of the song's title (search it up, I don't feel like typing). Classic Live From The Haunted Candle Shop song.

Movie Night: 6.5/10

It's not a bad song, but it's too slow for my liking. I remember the first couple times I listened to it I would wait for it to get faster and more exciting, and it never happened. Back then, I'd have probably given it a 4/10 but it's since grown on me

OVERALL: 7.5/10

FAVORITE/ LEAST FAVORIE SONGS

Mold en Mono, Hydroelectric viking (dishonorary mention to Movie Night)

I feel like this review was better written than the last one, but not interesting/funny enough for that to make up for it. This one's just boring and bad.

[straponstrapoff]

eight shows to get to know me. allegedly.

was tagged by @krippe90 but most I can offer are like, less than eight shows lol

Sex and the City - yes, it did not maybe age well, if you wanna go into that, but it was crucial to my teenagehood upbringing. I still think, even if it was commenting mostly on richer women with the writing being overdramatic, it did touch upon some real topics that I still chuckle about to this day lol. Samantha's "Oh - coulda, woulda, shoulda!" is still a great comforting quote to me. (NOT a fan how they changed the writing of the original ending though :Y) First experience watching fictional women just panicking and being as snarky and sexual as they may in media and ehh, still digging it in the depth of my heart. I still think the writing is fun, and it's a time capsule I really like.

Hen Zemi/Hentai Seminar - a lesser known anime I do a rewatch about yearly. It does use quite a bit of shock value, but it has a sense of humour about it that I really like, and swiftly gives those "pervert rejects" empathy. The original manga was never translated to English in full (which I wish it was!), and I kinda dig it's still not very well known.

Fleabag - I have watched it once, but it's still so very well executed from my memory. Especially the end. SPOILERS: Just letting someone go with their own fears, because you can't keep the person as is, and knowing that you letting them go - because it's the right thing to do, even if it hurts - leaves a sad smirk on your face. And a bit of crying on your part. That's growth. God, does that happen. People just sometimes agree to leave. I like that it ended where it ended.

Prince of Coffee - I Am Not Immune to K-Dramas (sometimes). This one is genderfucky, but most of all, very comfy, and warm. I don't think it overstays it's welcome - it had its' moments when it dragged a bit, but the whole cast really just looked like they had a ton of fun. It's a mushy romance I'd be glad to revisit.

Other ones I'm still watching, or didn't finish :P Honorable mentions to: True Blood, and Hart of Dixie. If anime: Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, maybe either Ginga or Wolf's Rain, Spy x Family (but that is still ongoing) most I can offer for today! not tagging anyone i'm tired. maybe @h0 or @aholefilledwithtwigs?

[wtflife01]

Ok so I translated Kelly's interview that was just posted here. It took me way too long to be honest, but please excuse any grammar errors, I've worked more than 9 hours today and I'm tired lol. Please read because this whole interview is so contradicting with all of her actions of the past year or so.

-

Kelly Piquet is known to be Max Verstappen's girlfriend, but mostly she is a mother and model. Her Dutch roots appear in her down-to-earthness: 'For me, being in balance is the key to everything.'

Recently Kelly Piquet signed a modelcontract with Micha Models/Talent Motherhood, a renowned bureau which also represents succesful models like Maartje Verhoeven and Bregje Heinen.

Kelly says writing down her signature was 'a proud moment'.

'During the first conversation with Micha Models, I knew I was in a good place, I agreed with their vision. Micha sees someones potential better than anyone else.' This is why signing the contract was a big deal for Kelly. 'It's the start of getting to know each other and discovering ways that please both parties. We call this learning to dance together, and I can't wait to see what's next.'

I definitly prefer to be in the background - Kelly Piquet

Eventhough Kelly has Dutch roots, English is her main language. Half her family lives in The Netherlands and she used to spent a lot of time there. 'I have fantastic memories of The Netherlands and I'm always super excited to go back. To be honest, I don't speak the language very well, but I'm able to follow a conversation and of course I know all the naughty words, haha!'

Kelly's interest in modelling was - Kelly's father is Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet  - sparked because of her mother, Sylvia Tamsma, who was a succesful model in the 80's.

'As a child I was very impressed by my mothers fotoshoots in magazines. Every time she showed me a picture, I would think: that is so cool, I hope to get the same chance one day.'

Kelly Piquet graduated from New York Marymount Manhatten College in 2011, she holds a bachelor in International Relations & Affairs. She lives in Monaco, together with Max Verstappen and her daughter from a past relationship, where she works as a health & wellness coach. Having an own career, interests and passions are very important to her: 'that defines you as a person. I constantly try to grow and I'm always up to learning new things. Curiousity is what keeps life interesting.' Her priority lies with taking care of her daughter. 'You always have to think about, and work on yourself to be happy. Only then can I show happiness to my daughter en give that to her. Supporting Max and working on my own projects gives me extra power.'

One of Kelly's passions is sports. And yes, she says, she usually works out together with Max and his trainer. 'I enjoy working out and staying fit. I don't have a perticular goal I want to achieve, except being healthy.' Obviously she sometimes needs to put herself in the mood to work out. She has a piece of advice you should never forget: 'Always push trough. You will feel amazing after. This is import to me, besides the fact that working out helpes me clear my head.'

Kelly is relaxed about her appearance. She is at her most beautiful when she's natural, she barely had any make-up on for the MIRROR MIRROR shoot. 'For me being in balance is the key to everything. Altough I enjoy styling myself and doing my hair and make-up myself, I also have no issues with going out without wearing make-up in a simple t-shirt and jeans. I feel pretty then aswell. Your personality and charisma are what make you beautiful. Then, you're able to rock whatever you're wearing.'

Standing out to be standing out, like by being Max Verstappen's girlfriend, is not in her nature. When Max gloriously won in Zandvoort and received a trophy afterwards, Kelly watched the cermony from a modest distance. Altough the camera was able to zoom in on her, she prefers to be in the background. 'I'm an introvert-extrovert person, you know. I love meeting knew people and I would describe myself as confident. But sometimes certain events can be overwhelming and I definitely prefer to stay back, especially when it's not about me.'

Being a person of interest and being well-known for social media brings responsibility, says Kelly. 'Every day you find yourself in a position to inspire people. But people don't see what happens behind the scenes, what can lead to misunderstandings, which is upsetting.'

The shoot with Kelly took place in the South of France, at a waterfall surrounded by rocks and crystal clear water. 'A magical location', says Kelly. 'It's very adventurous to get there. My team and I had to walk a difficult route to get there. I instantly fell in love with the place. Because of this location I immediately was in a good vibe as a model, I felt powerful and feminine. The place is so special that I shared a sneak peak trough Instagram with friends and followers (1 million followers). Loads of them told me that they wanted to go there themselves. I find it fantastic to share such moments.'

Kelly emphasizes that doing model-work is an important step in her career. 'To take things to the next level, you need a team that not only believes in you, but also takes care of every aspect of your work and image.' She says about the role of Micha Models. 'You need someone who can guide you trough this industry. Micha Models has an incredible track record of that.'

As thank you 🙏🏻

[caeloservare]

ABOUT ME !

name : -

nickname / s : Herami. That's like my default nickname. The other I tend to use is Kira and ngl former guild master of one silly game used diminutive Kircia and I like it so much? It's so cute! (pronounced as... Keer-chya? probably. I'm bad at typing Polish pronounciation in English. Also now I'm curious how people pronounce Herami)

height : 150 cm or 4'11"

nationality : Polish

favorite fruit : hmmmm watermelons? I also have much love for specific kind of blueberry

favorite season : summer! I love all of them, but summer wins

favorite scents : Pelargonium graveolens I got a new one and it bloomed!

favorite color / s : lime green? that fresh, warm and almost yellow, so full of life green

favorite animals : don't make me pick one ;; dogs? birbs? cats? fishies? bats? everything that lives with a few exceptions?

tea , coffee , hot cocoa : TEA!

average hours of sleep : 7,5 h You'd think my brain would work better but seems it just tires easily xD

when my blog was created : oh boy- 10th May 2020

no. of followers : 232 .....what- ...okay, I'm not blocking deactivated people nor personals so that sure makes the number go much higher but-.... what

random fact : I have a favourite tree and no one ever asks about favourite trees :c Flowers this, flowers that, where's the love for trees? It's weeping willow

favourite food : my mom's chicken soup, pea soup and pancakes (crepes with... filling. Don't make me try to translate it)

favourite t.v. show : right now? Arcane. But I'm also watching The Glory and boy oh boy it's brutal but it rocks. Also I have undying love for Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist and ATLA

favourite movie : Lord of the Rings. I love many more but this trilogy is special

favourite vine : 🎶suck a dick, suck a dick, suck a mother fucking dick~

sexuality : :'D

pronouns : she

favourite book series : The Discworld. I should go the library and hunt down something I haven't read yet from it

favourite video game / s : Assassin's Creed II. I'm very sentimental about it. All Bioware's RPGs.

favourite subject : I'd say physics. It's beautifully logical, but maths in it kills me

guys or girls : Pizza!

last time i cried : last week

hair color : "dark cold blonde". I had to ask hairdresser xD No, it's not yellow blonde, but they're too light to count as brown and I'm pleased about it. They're getting darker tho ;; and gray too

what i should be doing : writing my silly little fanfic instead of just thinking about it. Also grab a sweater, my arms are cold

favourite fandoms : Goncharov ...I don't think I have one. Each fandom has it's bright and dark sides and after some time I luckily remember mostly the good things.

tagged by: @alaikhadal thank you, dear <3

tagging: @weissqween @mythunderlegion @storiedhistories @candlewick-corporation @kuokuana + @YOU! :D

[xiaq]

With kids who consistently have problems with other classes/teachers I wonder what could be causing the difference- because you’re right about the kids being good, kids usually are good, so there’s probably something external causing the difference.

Could be as simple as meeting the expectations teachers have, but I feel like based on what I’ve seen you put in a lot of effort to reach kids where they’re at without judgment so I was wondering if you have any tips on student interaction/classroom policies/grading rules that have created a positive environment in your classroom?

I'm really tired so this might not be very coherent, sorry.

I haven't been in a high school environment long enough to have a strong opinion on the difference, but from what I've seen, most teachers at my school are just...tired. They aren't adequately paid or supported by the administration. Something I'm already very frustrated about. Examples: I've had to buy all my own supplies for my class, and I still haven't received my first paycheck. I also only just got access to my class rosters/online grade book/curriculum/printing capabilities this week, and I still don't have an ID or (non-borrowed) keys to the building/my classroom. I also have several students who don't speak fluent English and two who speak No English At All (literally just came to the US this year) and there's no support for those kids or for me. So I'm having to translate all the materials I give them myself and then translate their responses to grade them and that's not really helping them learn English or how to communicate in English and they're mostly lost during the actual teaching portion of the class, but it's the best I can do since I have over 100 kids I'm trying to teach each day. I also have several kids who need accommodations for learning disabilities and I similarly can't tailor lessons to their needs the way I'd like to. It's super frustrating to feel that you're trying your best but no one seems to want to help you. I imagine that gets old really fast and makes you pretty jaded. I mean, if you don't care so much, it doesn't hurt so much that no one else seems to care.

And the students--90% of students at my school qualify for free lunch and the majority are ESL students whose parents can't help them with most of their homework because they don't speak or write in English. These kids already had disadvantages they were dealing with that were just compounded by Covid. Most of my students haven't interacted with other people their age face-to-face since 7th grade. AND they're dealing with typical teenage hormones on top of the whole being emotionally and socially stunted due to a global pandemic, thing. They need heaps of extra help and kindness right now that most teachers just can't provide because the teachers are also at the end of their rope. I'm just shiny and new enough that I haven't yet hit that point. As for tips--I try to just treat kids like less-educated adults who are Going Through It and need a lot of compassion. I try to make them all feel seen and appreciated and try to set myself up as a trustworthy authority who won't judge them. I'll come down hard on them if they're being disrespectful to me, other students, or even themselves, but I don't hold their bad days against them. And I don't ever force them to participate or belittle them in any way. I have a "you always get second chances" policy because how the hell are they supposed to learn otherwise? So if at any time a student is unhappy with their grade, whether it's a 0 or a 99, they can redo the assignment and I'll re-grade it.

I have my blackboard wall that students are allowed to draw on any time they aren't working, or need a break during work time. I also have led light strips that change color and they're free to play with the lights (something that they inexplicably love?) when they're done working. I have my visible "Sin Bin" for folks using phones during class, which they seem to respond much better to than the whole "I'm going to take your phone and put it in my desk drawer where you can't see it" that most of the other teachers do. And I let them use their phones if they finish their work early. They also all have permanent invitations to eat lunch in my classroom if they want to avoid the cafeteria, which about 15-20 of them do at this point (I'm worried we'll run out of room, soon!). So I've set up me and my space as a safe place for queer kids and oddballs and pretty freshman girls trying to avoid predatory older boys because they know I won't let anyone in my room be unkind to them.

Mostly, though, I just try to say at least one positive thing to every student every day, and during lecturing, discussion, and individual work time, I spend time moving between all the desks speaking directly to each student to try and make them feel included and valued. Some will sleep through class anyway, but the majority seem to respond well to that.

I don't know if any of this is helpful--but I'd love to hear other folks' tactics as well!

[yuseirra]

hi yu-chan!! i'm a huge fan of your comics, and i especially love how you write in both korean and english. as a korean living outside of korea, it's helped me improve my korean a lot!! >.< do you have any other tips for me to improve more? and how did you learn english/korean? thank you for answering, and have a nice day!!! (also sorry for writing this in english-- i'm using someone else's computer right now and i don't want to set up the korean keyboard because they don't speak korean haha...)

Hello~ ah, no problem! I mostly use english here anyway and I believe using english here may help my other followers to understand this better, too! Sorry for the delay with the reply also! You might think it's strange, but I tend to keep from replying until I feel I can focus properly on it and have the sufficient energy.. especially when it's about something nice. Lately I've been really feeling that being at least decent-halfway kind requires energy, and I'd like to be that way;

in short, it's almost never on people when I reply a bit slow, it's just me being tired and having to take a rest.

Onto the ask, I'm glad you've been enjoying my comics! Hearing that someone does brings a smile to my face and it's also sweet to know that me writing in both languages has been helping you! Personally, the reason I write in both languages is because I feel my works are seen by both KR/english-speaking followers. Over here on tumblr I assume it's mostly english, but on other places I post (twitter and yt) I think a considerable proportion of my viewers may be korean. Although I think in english sometimes, a lot of the quotes and stories I think of comes in Korean. That’s why I'd like to leave things to how they are originally while also adding on the english writings. I want my followers to read my stories for sure, and translating back and forth also does help me! It doesn't always translate 1 on 1 (things like idioms for example) but that's one of the fun things about language!

I'm not an expert on language, but I feel like the best way to improve on using one would be to try and use it in your daily life! For me, coming on tumblr and other social media's been nudging me to communicate in english more which is great.. I just can't seem to find an opportunity to speak english offline in the current lifestyle I'm living in but coming here and finding a lot of things in english keeps me intact.

Korean is my mother tongue, and I learned english at a young age! At schools ofc and I lived overseas for a few years so I studied in english when I was there. I just picked it up as I grew. The english skills I have now isn't because I'm particularly talented or have put a lot of effort compared to others, I was just very lucky I had that kind of opportunity as a child.. so I feel like I can't give out good "studying tips" in terms of learning a new language. In fact, I tried learning Japanese a few years ago and despite the fact that it SHOULD be easier for koreans to get the structure and everything.. I struggled so much. The only thing I got out of that is being able to read hiragana and well, that does come in handy when I read some jp comic panels online sometimes but that's about it..

I have a feeling your situation may be pretty similar to mine though? Living overseas and being prone to speaking two languages? :) In that case, keep using korean if you could and read many korean books! There are a lot of cases where a kid studies overseas and forget how to use their native tongue but I feel that's a waste.. you can be great at both, and you have the head-start which is amazing!

I read books, I had kr friends as well as friends from other countries, I don't know what else I did but I spoke mostly in korean at home too and that was about enough.. if you want to be ambitious, I feel a great thing to try would be reading literature!! 'v')9 Literature requires the writer to use a language not just accurately but beautifully, and so many phrases and words from one contain cultural context. If you can appreciate literature in a certain language, you're good!

Hope this helps you, and I'll keep using both languages ;v;//! I was afraid things may look TOO wordy but glad it's been helping someone! Hope you have a nice day and if you're korean, happy midautmn festival too~ it's today and I've been resting thanks to the occasion!!

[shiro-0197]

aw shiro, my love, don't worry about it!! i only hope you're okay and safe :d please only reply when you're free, and don't feel bad about it!! >:(

my day yesterday was okay, i've just been relaxing, and studying occasionally. went out to explore a nearby town too, it's so pretty there. and much colder (since it's a highlands) of course!! Today was great too. I bought doughnuts (they're amazing?? I love doughnuts), and I had instant ramen, but it was SO spicy I nearly died. (Three bottles of water later, because someone finished all the milk in the household *cough* me *cough*) and I'm still just reeling. Sucks having such low spice tolerance HAHA. I'm listening to some old school hip-hop rn, while typing this out :D how were your two days?

here are some i'll be using to teach english :d and that would honestly be much appreciated, he's getting on my last nerve rn. (I included the first few, what do you think?)

thats such a priceless feeling i so totally agree. you're so precious 🥺🥺 i'm sure they're prouder thank you imagine. you're so dedicated!! i'm sure all that extra research you've done will definitely pay off. it's good that you know what the job is roughly like, so you'll be really prepared when you finally do start it. you know that one scene, in the 2nd season of the great pretender? when the chinese mafia boss emphasizes the importance of a translator in literally everything? (like that book award example) i may be getting the thing muddled up, but i found that so cool. like yeah, a book or speech could be absolutely beautiful, but if everyone can't enjoy it due to it being a different language, it would be such a shame. i just find translators really important. sorry, i'm really dorky haha 🥺🥺

awww but i think your personality type is wonderful. a lot of my favourite characters are intj (they're all so precious istg grrrr) yes!! i was in a tooru brainrot yesterday too 😭😭😭 (saw a bunch of couples on my walk, and I was like "if only Tooru was real grrrr") and yes?? there'd be so much to learn from each and every one of them. dedication from hinata, savage lines from tsukki, kindness from yams/yachi, how to be a dork 101 from atsumu. aaaah 😭😭i'm sorry they're all so wonderful.

No pftttt I totally feel you. I saw some people without masks today and I was like "bro wtf" and just really loudly said "I sure hope everyone starts following the rules so the cases don't increase" because I'm a lil bitch like that xD

awww okay!! I'll definitely keep that in mind. Mayo makes everything better, tbh >.< aww that's understandable! I don't have specific preferences but hearing the phrase "soggy cheese" makes me want to cry somewhere :( I don't like nuts in chocolate. I'm very passionate about that? XD ikr??

I'm surprised too, I usually never pass on murder, but I guess you're just special like that 👉👈 sir I'd get married to you as many times as you'd like 😼 oops sorry for being cheesy, but—you like cheese ;)

U

I won't ask why, don't worry. Since I kinda feel the same about Malaysia tbh. It's a love hate relationship, I think HAHA but yeah 😣😣 i don't look up to US at all, and it sucks because people generally do. And I'm just like ;-; why (no offense to Americans tho lol)

is that even legal omg they're so chaotic?? XD how cute tho. Angel does stuff like that all the time too, but I'd never know that when I first met her (she has the most perfect exterior, and then when you get to know her; she's the biggest dork) Schools opening on the 20th, I can't wait to see her then :] (I can, however, wait for the exams which are scheduled for the 25th ugh)

peanut butter is indeed yellow, not up for discussion hehe :) here's my favourite hues!! I love gentle, soft hues like these (pastels) , for yellow; I don't have a favourite. they're all wonderful

ahhh no that's so precious of you!! :)) I'm smiling rn.

yeah skdhskdjsk I'M JUST SO GRRR. Whenever someone goes "hey Ari can you ______" and we both respond?? The tension?? In the air?? Bro skdjskks. 😔🤚 You share a name with one of the most precious characters too tho!!;

This is Shiro from Voltron hehe. I love him so much, just like I love you (tho I'm sure we both know I love you more <3)

I share a name with a book character. His name is Aristotle Mendoza, but his crush-turned-boyfriend calls him "Ari" (which has been my nickname since I was 12). Reading it for the first time was the BEST feeling ever. It's also my favourite book, "Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe".

—Ari :D (no pfttt I love the tag so much. I have my own tag, that's like the best thing ever 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺)

Heyyy I'm so sorry for answering so late!! I know you said not to apologize but..... well hmm no excuse I just feel like apologizing, but either way thank you for your patience!!♡ This is the third time I'm rewriting this, and this time I'm doing this in my notes because fuck it😔

Im glad to hear that!! Highlands are always so pretty. Wish we had those here, but it's only steppe here:( Boring~ ooh, donuts!!! They're really good. I havent much, but I tried them like 3 times and they're so good. I really hope I will get to eat more<3 also WHAT'S THOSE NOODLES' NAME I WANNA KNOW- Are you feeling okay now, though? XD

My days were nice!!! Felt as if I had been hiding three bodies, but I've been feeling better lately. We had online school yesterday so I'm excused from the errands for the half of the day, thankfully. But your messages make me very happy. Though I dont always feel like writing a response (or I get stressed because it doenst save) so very sorry for that😔

Ohh those look so pretty!! I'd totally join to just look at them. The colors are so nice🥺 it looks like one of our olympiad prep slides, though better. I dont have the screenshots sadly😩 Either way I really love the little details like the squiggly thingies or the Ж .... they seem unnecessary but the energy changes a lot without them hehe

I really hope they will be🥺 that'd mean a lot to me. And I'm also really hopeful itll work out. I really don't wanna disappoint my family, which is literally just one person. The less people there are, the more it hurts, you know?

Yeah, that scene meant so much to me!! I dknt remember much, but I was very happy they said something like that, because I've been told being a translator wont work out for me. Now look at me, I'm about to tell them to fuck themselves<3 I was also so surprised to see Laurent know that many languages ..... I aspire to be like him😩 And honestly, I havent though so deep of that but you opened my eyes and now I'm about to float off into the next universe😭 dont apologize though, its very cute!!!♥︎♥︎

Heheh, I guess you're right.. every single anime INTJ is a silent sexy mastermind and I love them . ... YEAH every single time I see a passing couple i cry because I dont have anyone 😡💔 and sometimes when I see people doing something amusing (which includes people failing cuz I'm evil) I just imagine one of the characters doing that and I smile all the way xD Honestly, I'd sell my father on black market for a single day with one of them:( though that may sound like a really low price because his cigarette filled lungs wouldnt cost a lot... I sound like my 7th grade self again I'm so sorry

BAHQHHANEJWJD I HOPE THEY WERE EMBARRASED. I HOPE THEY FELT AWKWARD AND OTHER PEOPLE DID TOO, they deserve it. Like, learn your lesson bitch, it's been a year!

Yeah!!! I love mayo, not to the point where I would gulp it down from the package, but it does make dishes taste good. Same, soggy cheese on itself sounds like a dish served in the ninth circle of hell. You should try nuts in honey!! Like, just straight up dip them in honey. Sounds weird, and it doesnt always taste NEJFJKSKF (depends on the honey)but I think it's worth trying xD Walnuts are the best with honey I think

That was so funny ... TOO FUNNY, I LAUGHED FOR LIKE . 3MINUTES STRAIGHT and I do not laugh when I'm tired. You really are special 😭😭😭😭 cheesy ... HAHRNFJJSF

I'm so sorry for being a bully like that but it's so funny how you left a single U there . Its so mysterious, was it in purpose? Or were you lost in the excitement if messaging me?

I was one of those people, honestly 😭 but mostly because I wasnt aware of its political condition, I guess. Maybe theres more than just politics that's bad about US, but honestly, it has more opportunities than this hellfire. Though now I'm more into Norway and Japan. Really wanna travel there :(

Heheh, yeah, we never really show off to strangers at first. I dont know what exactly I mean by we, but you get my point ♡ Good luck though!! I hope it goes well for you<3

Oh they looks so pretty!! They're really wonderful. Like bubblegum and cotton candy and literally anything sweet... it's so cute !!! And I totally agree, there isnt a bad yellow.

HAHAH, honestly, that reminds me of how there were 4 people with the same name in my class, and whenever the teacher did the attendance thing, they would all stand up. Teachers usually dont say the last names, so we always gotta ask which person they mean if theres more than one person with that name, so yeah.. That happened on accident at first, but then they just did it for trolling xD

OH MY GOD HES SO PRETTY? HES SO PRECIOUS?? HUHHH??? I gotta thank Kuro for this wonderful opportunity of sharing a name with someone like .... him🥺

Oh that's so cool!! Also, he has a boyfriend ... I really need to start reading xD it's so cute though! It sounds like such a good book, I'm glad you share a name with him, hehe!!

I also share my real name with one of the characters in a kids' show, and its SO ugly, I'm in pain. Every time my friends see one of those on TV they go

Which is a pain in the ass, it's so embarrassing...........

Awh, okay!! I'm glad you love it, cuz I do too. Because it's your name.... cuz I love u. That was so lame PLEASEJWJDJSJF I HOPE YOUR DAY WAS GREAT !!! LOVE YOU

[whats-the-story-tc]

18th-22nd of May

"The One with Attack and Defense"

Remember this post of mine? Yeah. Nice start to the week. I shit you not, when I saw those sentences, all of them about love, dating and heartbreak, all of them with her name, that name I find myself saying time and again, I freaked out. I didn't know how to react. The wounds were still healing from the last time she'd unintentionally hurt me, and I knew we were going to check this homework in online class the next day. But how was I going to utter her name with a straight face?

Straight face was not something that I could use to describe that week's English class. Soon as V turned up, Cynical Twat started playing music, and she waited patiently until she couldn't anymore. Even then, her voice was smiling when she said "[Cynical Twat], you know I can mute you, right?" Music over. V complains about being tired. Class starts.

As we all know here at @/whats-the-story-tc, V isn't afraid to speak about... saucy themes in poetry. Well, that Tuesday she was particularly brave and I was losing my mind over it. Our different energies that day only clashed once, in connection to a poem written on Mr. Poetry Man's honeymoon, where he's already burying himself and discussing his wife's future remarriage. "Interesting timing," I said, "what with it being his honeymoon." It was a short-lived analytical discussion, mostly things that were super evident anyway but we still felt the need to say them. "Nice of him." "...odd." We said at the same time. You can probably guess which one of us was the more outspoken.

Little did I know this would be the last time we speak voice-to-voice.

Two hours later, I had my online German class. Luckily, the teacher didn't have me read any of the sentences with V's name — half of them we didn't even check. Still, it was the hardest role I've ever had to perform as an actress: the role of someone, who that name means nothing to. I checked myself on the camera constantly, glared at myself to keep a straight face so I don't react. And let me tell you, when the sentence "I am in love with [her name]." was said out loud, first in German, then in my native tongue... I managed to control my face so I didn't burst into a smile, but inside, I astral projected to an entirely different plane of existence.

Come Wednesday. Nothing much. Even more [Her name]-Sätze in my German homework, and V being rather very bold. She had us find poems about family, and when she pointed out the easy ones everyone would write off the top of their heads, which we couldn't list this time, she just wrote a ;) after her sentence. Hah. Someone's feeling rather very cocky, isn't she?

Blood froze in my veins on Thursday when I saw I had a private message via Google Classroom waiting from her. Then I got a smaller whiplash when I read it.

She corrected the tests mentioned here. And she knew. She found out we were cheating. All 28 of us received the same, scolding message privately, word-to-word. The only funny thing about the whole thing is that she pointed out how most people wrote something else and completely missed the topic of the essay — the essay I didn't show them how to do.

I knew she knew. V is a smart woman, she had to know I was the culprit behind the answers being spread. I was scared she'd think less of me, though somewhere within, I knew she isn't the kind of person who would. But all my fear turned into anger when I saw these in our group chat for answers, sent by our lovely Blond Boy in the Back, whom I'm sure the regulars have missed:

BBitB: Lazy whore

BBitB: She copies the same thing

I lost my mind. I couldn't very well snap at him without being suspicious, but I knew I had to answer that. Because nobody talks about her like that in my presence.

S: Or maybe it just applies to everyone.

BBitB: Why couldn't we write the same thing then xd

S: Those two things aren't exactly the same.

Allow me to translate you a quote from the best book I've ever read, because I feel like it applies perfectly here:

"but [she] loves [him], that impossible [man] (...), and what she could never be capable of doing for the sake of her own hurt dignity, she did in [his] defense."

(names censored, so my countrymen on here don't recognise it easily)

The above words are the best ones I could use to describe what I did next, something I never thought I'd have the courage or confidence to do. I stood up to my classmates. I didn't mention V much, even though it was because of her, I generalised, and demanded that they be original for the sake of their own futures. I could no longer ask nicely.

That night, and the next day was incredibly melancholy. I was preparing, planning, writing a speech in my head. I felt like V wasn't going to forget this just like that, that she was going to speak about this next Tuesday. And because I feel responsible for my class, at least partly, I felt like I had to talk to V about this privately. That I had to tell her everything that happened. For a brief while, I even thought about taking the blame, but she wouldn't believe that.

We created a new chat, with only half the class, the trustworthy ones, who don't just expect answers but return the favour. When someone asked who else we should add, Comparison Boy, staying on brand, just wrote:

CB: I'm looking at the group chat, don't think we left anyone out, this [V's full name] looks trustwor.... oh wait, sorry, she's already here.

S: Idiot 🤣🤣

Soon after, I told them about my plans of speaking to her, when we got scared that our homeroom teacher might know, that V might've told her, and we discussed how much we should tell her.

S: Only the people I trust will know [the full truth], and that means exactly one adult.

CB: Your mirror image?

This bitch... :D

And how well did it all go? What did I tell her? Well, that's a story for next time. ;)

~ S ♡

[Every story I share here, no matter how specific I get with my wording, depicts actual events from my own life.]

[alchemisland]

Moors Mutt - II

Prefer Wattpad?

Rising early, if rising it was and not merely stirring from a wakened restive state, I left the tavern in secret and walked a barren stretch. At pale dawn birds like Aztec idols flighted at my stirring. Cold light stained the pasture either side. Sleepshod, the road to Cairn Cottage found me quiet company. Even the tinkers were not yet to the road in their triskeled wagons.

The air was heavy with lavender. A pebbled stretch stirred a reverie of my late father and a codex of heroic tales he had purchased for me, whose chronicles of high adventure stirred me like nothing prior. At six years old, tales of old Arabia appealed most. Kingdoms wrought of sunstones stark against a tangerine haze, swirling tarot star ever-visible, scorpions armoured like chargers; the sheer cloying madness of it all. I visited them in dreams, jumped from the paths of unruly camels, watced the impenetrable waves humbly part in the wake of royal palanquins.

Their heroes were unlike our knights. More often sulky boys preferring quill to falchion. Brooding teenagehood made me relish the stranger entries, tales without lessons existing solely to unnerve, speaking on the bleak lives of Tartarian wizards.

Into adulthood, I came to enjoy Greek tales best of all. The tragedy of Ajax in his lover's plate leaking on the golden sand. Waves, caressing the moored fleet in passing, bursting against the shale where his pyre burned. Always when I hear crunching pebbles, I think of soldiers marching on the strand near Troy.

Before long, a trap could be heard from the middle distance, the first in a network of wagons due to arrive at Cairn Cottage to transport the priceless contents of Lady Sizemore’s library back to Sperrin, where they would be carefully parcelled and carried by train to the Royal Academy Library. I waited astride the ditch until the crude plume atop the horses head appeared like the mantle of some deposed pagan lord. Ixion's disc four times divided had been fixed to bear this chariot. Its heavy trundle ground debris to powder. I hailed the driver, a wind being, every strand of hair or cloth lank enough to lift stood disarrayed. A peak stole his brow but a smile waved me aboard.

The driver never spoke. There was a sense of grim penitence about all I had met thus far. Their lines of deep regret boldened every jowl and furrowed brow. Each bore the weight of his forebears in full. A place without time and silent, where happiness and sadness could last all of forever. So silent were they, matched only by monks in their solemnity, I christened this ham the abbodrice of Sperrin.

Inside chaos reigned. Lady Sizemore's estate was measured first in paper above coin. Hundreds, thousands, of jaundiced sheets all in disorder busied every surface. Before a single penny changed hands, a great many hours I spent hauling boxes, within which were more boxes where spiders large as potatoes spun temporary wonders above the invoices.

I wonder what effect prolonged tedium has. Such thoughts are entertained in avoidance of work as should never be given lucid credence. An entire day dedicated solely to translating letters in incomprehensible cursive, it felt ridiculous. My mind, perhaps reflecting its surroundings, felt dulled, unfocused. So long I stared, when I pried my eyes I found feint margins plastered across reality.

The previous night's visitations I had pondered, ultimately chalking to anxiety. Nothing substantially portentous. Unfortunately, another day I required before I indulged  cryptozooligcal fancies.

Darkness in ravenfeather arrived premature. I ran to the track where the last impatient husbandman sat in stasis. 'Bound for Sperrin?' I called, already halfway inside.

I arrived at Lar's fiercely humoured. Tired, thirsty and caked in mud golemlike, my gladness at journey's end was quickly consumed by the fury of indignity, having endured the return trip atop a sewagesucker's swine van. Lar tended bar. I wondered had he stirred in my absence. Anticipating a thirst, two mugs were set.

I dropped my satchel and enjoyed relief akin to weightlessness by contrast. We drained tankards like soon-to-war Saxons, spoke of weather, I asked had anyone noteworthy visited, mostly from politeness. When asked had the room served, I replied it had done so more than adequately. Again, politeness.

Not wishing to appear overeager, I spared him details of my dream. If the tale was relayed to me, I should say how convenient the very man hoping to find the beast would experience a vision. Besides, in the unlikely event we found a mangy badger after I'd described a prehistoric horror.. perish the thought.

'Do we depart tomorrow?' Lar grunted as he pretended to dust.

'Short delay as it happens. I'd have said from the door, only for the ale calling. Alas, labour remains. My charges lust for satisfaction. They are at Rome's gates! Distant cousins write in droves. By air, land and sea their letters come, squeezing through grates, shimmying down chimneys. Forget the beast, if they find me I'm dead.' I said, picking at a heel of bread.

'We sank tankards enough last night. I've seen plenty pale on the dizzy morning after the night before. If this delay is to spite me, let me allay concerns, I'm the man for this job. We're the men for this job.' Lar shot a glance at Fergus. A pale lance cleft his brow through the slitted shutters.

I looked to my empty cup then longingly at his selection. Lar fingered a bottle, but reached further back and took another instead.

'My god, man. Boil a pot and toss it down your trousers. No such notions occurred to me. We're expedition mates! I didn't make a dent in the work, really.' I raised a silencing finger to hear the ale splash. 'There you have it. Mystery solved. If the mystery of the beast is this easy, we're laughing.' I inhaled its aroma. 'Listen, chap. There's something else I wanted to talk about before we go. I mean to publish an expedition diary. A chronicle of our adventures. Part scientific tome, part roaring adventure book. Your pub will be the busiest spot in the weald after this. Would you object to such?'

Lar's measured tone returned. Careful as a tiptoeing sinner, he asked 'You good?'

I smiled. 'Only Ben Adhem saw the book, ask him.'

Lar stove the ashen helm crowning his cigarette, plunging the embers into the cold bronze bowl. 'At writing.'

'You should say! I tease, I tease. To answer your question, yes. Humbly, in my hand the pen is like the master mason's chisel, from whence grand cathedrals spring forth from their less divine constituent parts.' Lar was fumbling for his tobacco already and I thought what small use that vice would be in peril.

'I'm convinced.' Lar spoke quickly, stumbling over the words to get them out. I took no offence at his zeal to change the subject. 'Do you have a manuscript at hand?' he asked.

'Not with me, unfortunately.' He stifled a sigh of relief. 'Upon returning home one story heavier, I'll ensure you receive signed copies of every one. I'll sing them My favourite tub of Lar. Yours literately, Beastman. That way you'll know it's me.'

Lar's ale, a home brew, was a swift agent, promising to travel from your mouth to the toilet's in twenty minutes. I joked he might patent it for a medicine. Call it the Midas touch. Everything it touched turns to gold: toilet seat, floor, shoes if you weren't careful.

I spied Fergus. His thumb led a blunt edge across the ribbed bark of a sprig, from which he had carved two lidded eyes and a pursed mouth.

Lar lit a cigarette from the flared end of another, then discarded it on the ashen pyre.

Lar had to raise the hatch for me, which spoiled any hope of a dramatic exit. 'Departure two days hence, on the strict proviso no unpleasant libel suit comes once my story hits print. Rest assured, I'll include nothing untoward, but I reserve the right to artistic licence. Print the myth.'

'Libel is a city crime.' Anticipating my desire, Lar walked while he spoke. I mirrored and slipped through the open portcullis to sleep, perchance to scream.

*

Lying in bed, I wondered what to include in my chronicle; exciting details only, or every charged exchange? Nobody asked how the shipwright felt constructing thousands of ships without prior notice. They only wanted Achilles. The reader will concede, I have included much of the mundane.

Well-oiled, I slept easily. Set like a star I saw things from the blind past, dark present and murky future, useless without chronology, stifling their prophetic nature. The beast came again, shaking the ground where it trod.

*

Lar, blackbird that he was, rose early. He emerged from the fugue state that best pleased his constitution and stretched, his wingspan filling the alcove. He found me in my linen cell, bewhaled as Jonah.

'Terrible day.' He drew the shutters. Groggily, I pulled the sheets down over my face to the sight of Lar's stocky silhouette in the dirty light. Tapping a cigarette loose on the sill, he plonked one cheek on the ledge and struck a match. 'Anything you want from town? I'm going to get supplies. I should be away most of the day. There won't be a return trip before we go. Speak now or forever hold your peace.'

'Ambulo in pace.' I tapped my journal, 'I have everything.'

'Do you have a mac?' he asked. The rain beat down harder.

'No, we're English, some Irish. Although I heard tell that a distant branch traded their roses for thistle stalks.' I smirked.

Lar shuddered, ill-humoured before midday despite protestations he needed no proper rest. 'I mean a waterproof.'

'Oh give me credit. That's humour.'

'We in the smiling countryside call it idiocy. There's a time for revels. Unless you've been up all night, dawn isn't it.' he said somewhat angrily.

'I don't have one and I'd like a loan if that's what you're asking, thank you. I didn't sleep well now you mention it' I tossed my feet onto the cold ground and felt for a sock.

Lar watched the rain spilling in romantic sheets. 'You'll need an ark to get back. It's like a bog when it rains. No one will be able to get you. Not me, not the constabulary, nor anyone else. If the weather worsens, make sure you get back in time. Otherwise, everything will be closed until further boatice.'

'Boatice?' I said.

'Now that is humour. Rain, boats, further notice. Get it?' Lar left, more spritely than when he entered.