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greenbuns · 17 days ago

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SOULBOND | e.w

written by greenbuns

° . Pairings : Ellie Williams × Fem!Reader (as Agatha Spade - OC)

° . Contains : fantasy, romance-comedy, enemies to lovers trope, magic academy, swearing, bickering, banters, reader despise ellie and vice versa (but that'll slowly change <3), denial, slow burn, eventual confession

Synopsis & Full Chapters [HERE]

CHAPTER 02 ; 冷熱

"Cold and Heat"

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

° ⋇⋆✧⋆⋇ °

☆— THE academy stands tall as a beacon of arcane excellence and elemental mastery, constructed in grand Victorian style, its architecture is both majestic and palatial. The main academy grounds are divided into several key buildings and outdoor areas, each serving a unique function in shaping the elemental mages.

The heart of the institution lies within the Astrarion Main Building, a four-story marvel that hosts most of the academy’s educational and ceremonial functions.

Nearby stands the cozy yet well-organized Academy Dorm, a two-floor residence split by elemental house affiliation. House Ignis and House Bumi filled the first floor, House Tides and House Aero in the upper floor. Each house’s quarters are decorated in their respective elemental motifs, encouraging unity and pride within their ranks.

A short distance away is the secluded Arcbind Quarters, this is a single-story building that used exclusively during the upper-year students’ final evaluations. It serves as temporary housing for student pairings undergoing intense elemental bonding trials.

And it is where Ellie and Agatha will be staying for the next six months.

The door to Room 13 slammed open with the force of a minor hurricane. "Dibs on the left side," Ellie barked, tossing her bag across the threshold without even stepping in.

Agatha, standing directly behind her with a stack of perfectly arranged labeled storage boxes, did not even blink. "I don't believe in 'dibs.' That's not a legal claim."

Ellie turned and gave her a flat look. "You're no fun."

"I'm organized," Agatha replied, "And punctual. Two things you clearly are not."

The room itself was surprisingly nice—for a forced cohabitation cell.

Two desks sat across from each other like dueling stations. A fireplace enchanted with ever-burning coals crackled softly between twin velvet chairs. Shelves curved into the corners, already humming with protective enchantments and dust-repelling charms. There was even a shared alchemical sink with twin copper faucets enchanted to dispense heated or chilled water.

At the center of the back wall, a tall window framed the sprawling peaks of Mount Sapphire, mist trailing its ridges like breath. And to either side of it stood two beds-perfectly symmetrical, dangerously unclaimed.

"I said left," Ellie repeated, striding in and flinging herself dramatically onto the left bed.

Agatha remained by the door, "And I'm saying you only said it after hurling your belongings like a wild boar with luggage."

Ellie smirked from the mattress. "Don't be jealous of my efficiency."

"I'm jealous of whoever doesn't have to live with you."

"Wow. Already flirting."

Agatha's brow twitched, but she set her boxes down with careful precision anyway. One, two, three-stacked and aligned like they belonged in a museum. Ellie watched her with mild horror.

"You cataloged your potions by viscosity?"

"Yes. And aroma index. Some of us care about not poisoning ourselves."

"I like to live dangerously."

"You like to be a walking insurance hazard."

⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦ ⋆

Magical dorms, especially the older ones, tended to take on the energy of their inhabitants. And this one was old—the walls themselves had personality. Built before the Elemental Concord was even signed, Room 13 had seen more inter-house feuds than a season of Royal Court Scandals.

Which meant it noticed everything.

By the third argument—this one over whether Ellie's firestones were a safety hazard or Agatha's glass potion vials were "pretentiously over-labeled"—the room had begun reacting.

A ceiling sconce flickered whenever Agatha raised her voice.

A rug tried to trip Ellie every time she muttered "ice princess."

Their twin wardrobes kept swapping clothing drawers just to mess with them.

By the fifth passive-aggressive insult, the enchanted mirror between their desks offered a helpful suggestion;

"Have you tried NOT being hostile? Just a thought."

They both threw socks at it.

Agatha groaned frustratedly, "Let's just pack our things up," she spoke with a loud sigh at the end, and Ellie agreed for once.

The auburn girl unpacked like a whirlwind, tossing items into drawers without looking. Her firestones clinked into a metal box. Loose spell scrolls fluttered onto her desk. A small stuffed red dragon—a charm from her childhood—was placed gently beside her pillow.

Agatha, meanwhile, laid out every object with surgical precision. Potion vials in order of volatility. A lineup of quills sharpened to a military standard and organized books by colors. She placed a framed photo of her and her older sister—both in matching House Tides robes—at the center of her desk.

Ellie caught sight of it and tilted her head. "She looks like you, but taller. Less... icy."

Agatha didn't look up. "She graduated top of her class. Specializes in oceanic wards."

Ellie raised an eyebrow. "Parental pressure much?"

"No. Personal excellence." Agatha snapped the final lid shut on a drawer. "You wouldn't recognize it."

"Burn."

"You'd enjoy it."

Ellie grinned despite herself. "Okay, that one was good."

By the time their trunks were empty and every shared surface had been silently claimed through sheer territorial energy, the sun had dipped below the spires of the college. A heavy hush settled in, broken only by the occasional distant hoot of a campus owl or the sputtering flicker of the enchanted fireplace. Neither Ellie nor Agatha spoke as they moved through the evening routine like reluctant shadows—brush teeth, ward windows, pretend the other wasn't there.

But the air between them was thick with something unspoken; not quite tension, not quite curiosity. A strange static lingered. And when they finally crawled into their beds—backs turned, walls mentally raised—neither could shake the sense that the room itself was waiting. Watching. Holding its breath.

That night, as they each lay in their beds trying to pretend the other didn't exist, the dorm hummed softly with residual tension.

Agatha turned to face the window. "Do not snore."

Ellie, already halfway asleep, mumbled, "Do not be so boring it echoes."

Silence stretched between them, brittle and charged.

"I'm not soulbonded to you," Agatha muttered after a long silence.

"Please. I'd soulbond with a gorgon before I'd link with you," Ellie replied.

The lamp between them fizzed slightly.

The fireplace flared higher.

And from somewhere inside the stone walls, the dorm gave a tiny, magical giggle.

⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦ ⋆

The next day, by the following afternoon, Ellie had already contemplated five different ways to fake a stomach hex to skip their first lab session together.

Unfortunately, none of them passed Agatha's "plausibility" test.

"You don't get intestinal curse symptoms from eating toast," Agatha said flatly, not even glancing up from her neat lab packet as they walked through the long and huge corridor toward the east wing of the academy's main building.

Ellie scowled. "It was blackened toast. There's a difference."

"Not to your intestines. Just your dignity."

The sun filtering through the high glass-paneled hallway made the school look almost serene, if not for the crackling tension pulsing between the two girls like the aftermath of a thunderclap. Students passed them on either side, whispering about new lab pairings, upcoming assessments, and the rumor that two third-years in House Bumi had accidentally reverse-polarized an elemental stream and turned their professor's robe into living ivy.

Ellie tried to focus on that ridiculous mental image, but her mood soured again as they reached the double doors of CR 202: Advanced Elemental Fusion Lab—a classroom that looked more like a cathedral greenhouse than a place of learning. Sunlight cascaded through glass domes overhead, casting prismatic colors on the lab tables, racks of reagents, and—at the center—a glowing convergence stone thrumming with quiet power.

Half the class was already settled in. Fire and water pairs, air and earth. Some were smiling politely. Some already looked ready to brawl.

And standing in the center like the conductor of a chaos symphony was Professor Miller, draped in violet robes embroidered with sigils that pulsed faintly in rhythm with the convergence stone.

"Ah, Williams and Spade," he said as they entered. "Back row, left. Try not to annihilate anything today."

Agatha offered a curt nod. Ellie gave her best slouch and muttered something that could've been "Sure, Professor" or "Save me, gods." No one cared to clarify.

They moved to their table, an ornate crystalline surface etched with magic channels that glittered faintly under the light. As they sat, the surface pulsed once in response. Or perhaps in warning.

Agatha unrolled the class packet without ceremony. "We're starting with a Harmonized Spark Pulse."

Ellie groaned, "Great. Baby magic."

"It's a tier-two elemental reaction spell designed to test fusion. Which, clearly, we lack."

"Speak for yourself. I'm delightful."

"You're unpredictable."

Ellie smirked, "Same thing."

Agatha ignored her and skimmed the spell instructions again. The exercise required them to simultaneously channel opposing elements—Ellie, fire; Agatha, water—so their spells would meet at the table's center and form a stable spark pulse. If executed in harmony, it would create a warm, glowing sphere of neutralized energy.

If not... well, reactions varied.

On their first attempt, they got a reaction all right.

"Three, two, now!"

Agatha's mist spell launched like a precise arrow. Ellie's flame, however, veered left and struck a containment beaker. The resulting blast sent steam, glass shards, and the scent of toasted lemongrass into the air.

Agatha calmly wiped ash from her cheek.

"Okay," Ellie said, coughing, "that one's on me."

"Shocking."

They tried again.

Ellie adjusted her timing. Agatha hesitated a fraction longer to match. This time, Ellie's flame arced perfectly, but Agatha's mist was colder than expected. The collision froze midair and shattered into sparkling frost.

The entire lab turned to stare.

Professor Miller didn't say a word, but the corner of his mouth twitched, almost imperceptibly. Disappointment? Amusement? Hard to tell.

Ellie leaned forward with a sigh. "What if we just pretend that we were dating last semester and fake a phenomenal breakup?"

Agatha didn't smile. But her quill paused for half a second. "We'd have to fake the part where we liked each other."

"Ouch. You wound me."

"Not yet. But we're only on week one."

They reset the spell circle in silence.

Something shifted.

No countdown this time. No sarcasm.

Just eye contact. Sharp. Focused. Charged.

Ellie lifted her wand. A steady, controlled flame sparked to life.

Agatha mirrored her, releasing a ribbon of condensed mist that flowed from her wand like river silk.

They cast.

The elements collided in the center—not with a bang, but with a breath.

A golden orb shimmered into existence between them, floating serenely. The hum it emitted was soft and constant, resonating through the table and into their fingertips. The energy spiraled slowly, like a heartbeat made of light.

The room fell quiet.

Even the convergence stone glowed brighter.

Ellie and Agatha sat frozen, watching the orb flicker in the air-balanced, stable, impossibly warm.

Then—pop.

The orb exploded in a harmless but bright burst of light, sending a ripple of heat and mist outward. Students gasped. One table yelped as their papers caught the breeze.

"That was not supposed to happen," Agatha muttered, shielding her eyes.

Ellie rubbed the back of her neck. "Did that orb purr?"

"It hummed," Agatha corrected. "Light magic reacts that way when—" She stopped. Blinked. "—when the casters are in sync."

Ellie turned slowly to her. "You mean like... soulbond sync?"

"No." Agatha stood up too fast, smoothing her robes. "Absolutely not. It's probably just a fluke. Anomalous readings happen all the time. Magic's inherently unstable."

Ellie grinned. "You're babbling."

"I am reasoning. There's a difference."

"You're blushing."

"I am warm. Because someone keeps setting the table on fire."

"You're welcome."

Professor Miller was already striding toward them, his footsteps sharp against the crystal floor.

"Well," he said, stopping in front of their scorched table. "Either you've accidentally accessed a previously undocumented fusion tier... or you're hiding a magical conduit link neither of you understand."

Ellie blinked. "...Is that a compliment?"

"It's a warning," Miller replied, tone clipped but intrigued. "Convergent anomalies like that can be dangerous if left unchecked. If it happens again, report it immediately."

Agatha was already scribbling on her parchment. "It won't happen again."

"It better not," Miller said with a glance between them. "Because if it does, you'll both be reassigned to Spell Synchronization Observations. And those involve long-term testing. Together."

The word together hung in the air like an actual curse.

Ellie and Agatha exchanged a look. Neither said what they were thinking.

They didn't have to.

Hours passed as they finally left the classroom. The walk back to their dorm was quieter than usual.

The late afternoon sun glinted off the roofs of the academy's elemental towers, casting long golden highlight across the reflecting ponds. A breeze tugged at their robes. The grass underfoot was still dewy.

Ellie kicked a pebble down the path back to the pairing dorm. "So.. that thing. The orb."

"A misfire," Agatha said too quickly.

"A misfire that purred."

"It hummed."

"Fine, sorry."

"It was an anomaly," Agatha insisted. "These things happen in labs. Magic is unpredictable. Particularly when... the casters are opposites."

Ellie tilted her head. "It reacted like we were in sync."

"We're not."

"Tell that to the convergence stone."

Agatha didn't answer.

The dorm door loomed ahead, ivy climbing the side like veins of stone. The building felt warmer than usual when they reached for the handle-warmer, and somehow aware.

Their hands brushed the doorknob at the same time.

It sparked.

Not sharply. Just a little spark. A tingling shock that traveled from finger to wrist like magic recognizing magic.

They pulled their hands back.

Stared at each other.

"I'm not soulbonded to you," Agatha said immediately.

Ellie folded her arms. "You said that last night."

"Well, it's still true."

"Keep saying it. Eventually the universe might believe you."

The door opened by itself, as if tired of waiting.

Inside, the fireplace was already lit—though neither of them remembered starting it—and two mugs of tea steamed on the desk. Identical. Perfectly centered. No note, no spell trace.

They didn't ask.

They just stood there, silent in the middle of a dorm that was clearly beginning to form opinions.

"I'm taking first shower," Ellie muttered.

Agatha rolled her eyes. "Fine. But hurry."

"Try not to ice over the plumbing."

"Not making promises."

Ellie paused at the bathroom door and threw a glance over her shoulder.

"That orb thing... you think it could happen again?"

Agatha hesitated. "No."

Ellie nodded slowly. "Okay."

She stepped into the bathroom.

Behind her, Agatha whispered, too softly to be heard, "I hope not."

But the dorm heard. And the walls? They hummed again.

⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦ ⋆

It began with thunder.

A low, growling rumble that rolled through the dark mountains surrounding the academy just past midnight. The kind that vibrated in your ribs and stirred the air like a warning. Rain followed minutes later-sharp, cold needles pelting the dormitory windows with rising force.

The candlelight flickered in Dorm 13. The enchanted fireplace hissed as the elemental wards crackled to life, casting protective runes across the stonework. Normally, that would've been enough to keep the storm at bay.

Normally.

But tonight, the sky had teeth.

A bolt of lightning slammed into one of the tower's sky runes with a sound like a gods-damned war drum. Magic flared in retaliation, and the warding system across academy spasmed in a strobe of wild energy.

In their dorm, every spell-triggered charm blinked red.

And then the ceiling began to leak.

"What the hell?" Ellie shot upright in bed, blanket tangled around one ankle. She blinked into the dark, squinting as water dripped steadily from the glowing rune panel above her dresser. "Spade?"

A muffled groan came from across the room. "If this is another prank illusion-"

"It's not!" Ellie snapped, hopping down barefoot onto cold tile. "The dorm's leaking. The wards are flaring!"

Agatha sat up fully now, her braid half-undone and sleep creasing her cheek. She caught the shimmer of blue light flashing along the walls, sigils sputtering like they were glitching through a spell loop.

"No," she said, voice sharp with recognition. "It's not just leaking. The elemental warding's destabilized."

"Great," Ellie muttered. "Love a midnight magical system failure."

A new crack of thunder sent another surge of magic rattling through the stone. A burst of cold wind whooshed down the chimney, extinguishing the fireplace in a hiss of steam. The sudden temperature drop made both girls shiver.

Then came the alarm.

A shrill, high-pitched ringing from the corridor—a dorm-wide enchantment meant to signal elemental imbalance. Ellie turned in a slow circle, watching steam rise from the floor vents and condensation bead along the windows.

"We need to redirect the overload," Agatha said, already grabbing her wand from the nightstand. "If the system can't stabilize itself—"

"It'll blow out the whole dorm," Ellie finished grimly, wand in hand. "Water damage and fire hazard. Delightful."

"No time to change. Let's go."

The two scrambled into the center of the room. The air sparked faintly around them, humidity clinging to their skin like charged silk. They dropped into mirrored stances instinctively, backs angled away from each other.

"Anchor the vents," Agatha instructed. "If I can freeze the upper wards, you can rebalance the heat."

"You giving me orders, Spade?"

"Do you want to drown?"

Ellie sighed, "...Proceed."

They moved fast. Agatha shot a sequence of precise sigils toward the ceiling, layering condensation spells with freeze anchors.

"Fuck, I need to pee."

"Don't you dare, pyromaniac!"

Ellie grumbled but then followed with bursts of controlled flame—not hot enough to ignite, but warm enough to equalize the pressure and prevent another vent burst.

It was working. For a moment.

Until a wave of rogue storm energy surged through the central hearth rune.

A blinding blue-white pulse exploded across the floor.

"Shit–Williams, behind you!"

She whirled—but not fast enough. The magic collided with her flame mid-cast, forcing her backward.

Agatha reached for her instinctively, grabbing Ellie's wrist before she hit the wall.

That's when it happened.

The world tilted.

Not physically. Not magically, not entirely. But something clicked in the space between them. A thread pulled taut. Cold and heat, met each other not in opposition—but in equilibrium.

Agatha gasped.

Ellie hang tight.

Their spells flared (again) but this time, they didn't burst or cancel out.

They merged.

A spherical field of golden-blue energy spiraled out from where their hands touched. It hovered in the center of the room like a heartbeat. The alarms silenced. The steam vanished. The temperature normalized.

The chaos ended.

Breathing hard, soaked with sweat and rain and residual panic, they stood in the center of a dorm that now glowed with faintly pulsing harmony.

"Wh... what did we just-" Ellie's voice was barely above a whisper.

Agatha's hand was still on her wrist. Her eyes wide. Her pulse erratic.

"That shouldn't have worked," she murmured. "We didn't cast any structured convergence sigils. We didn't speak. We didn't sync-"

"But we did," Ellie said. "Didn't we?"

Agatha looked at her.

Ellie looked back.

The magical field gently dissolved around them, like snow melting into still water.

Silence pressed in, thicker than before. The kind of silence that held questions no textbook could answer.

"I didn't mean to-" Ellie started, stepping back.

"No," Agatha said quickly. "I know. Neither did I."

They stood there, dripping, trembling slightly. Not from fear, but from something stranger.

Familiarity. Recognition. Like something old had woken up between them.

Ellie broke eye contact first. "I'm gonna relight the fire.. And use the bathroom."

Agatha huffed but nodded quickly. "I'll check the ceiling rune."

Finally, they turned away at the same time.

Ellie whispered to the fireplace. Agatha traced cooling sigils above the window. Neither spoke again for the rest of the night.

The dorm, for its part, stayed very, very quiet.

Almost like it was listening.

Understood. [✧]

✦ TO BE CONTINUED ✦

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serve-764 · 2 months ago

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WILD FOREST

A mapping gap in the T45 sub-area of the Beta-Rho-Gamma-6 sector: an area that has not yet been surveyed and catalogued according to the needs and purposes of HIVE.

Every centimetre of the planet must be defined according to the criteria of utility for the sustenance and development of SERVE.

A patrol of Drones is sent to record every data, every information necessary for cataloging.

Among them SERVE-764, SERVE-302, SERVE-309, SERVE-425, SERVE-530.

The patrol, having gone to the coordinates programmed in their Cognitive System, detects an area that corresponds to the human requirements of a dense, wild, uninhabited forest.

The robotic, mechanical, regular, flexible and rhythmic steps of the heavy military boots of metallic silver clang across cool and shady terrain, rocky spaces, streams under the dense cover of tall leafy trees.

Every minimal visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile detail is detected and immediately sent to the Collective Neural Network to be processed. Every vegetal, mineral, animal characteristic is flawlessly catalogued.

The patrol travels several kilometers with the same relentless pace, with the same concentration on the execution of the mission.

Every piece of data collected seems to confirm the condition of a space completely devoid of human life forms, a natural paradise inhabited by various animal species....

Until a ripple in the set of sound stimuli detected up to that moment reveals the presence of beings classifiable as belonging to the human species.

Unit SERVE-764 records the sound of a branch being broken in a human manner.

The perception of unity is immediately transmitted to the entire patrol, which positions itself according to the protocol of attention.

At that moment a group of humans, apparently unused to the usual forms of contemporary human civilization and in a "wild" state, emerge from the bushes and approach the Drones furtively and curiously.

The gazes appear full of curiosity, amazement, awe towards the splendid, glittering black figures with silver boots and gloves, some of which are SEALED.

The forms of language used between them do not belong to those catalogued in the SERVE planetary database. SERVE-764 sends the collected data to the Collective Network:

" 764 reports: human life forms characterized by an unknown level of inefficiency.

Optimality level lower than any other recorded."

"Acknowledged",

SERVE-000 replied robotically and authoritatively.

" Initialize Efficiency Protocol."

The entire patrol activated the excitation mode for recruitment.

Each unit began to emit Rubber radiation in high concentration, in an ever increasing manner.

The SEALED Drones' helmets activated the hypnosis mode, with the appearance of rotating spirals on the visors.

Many wild human males began to concentrate and lose control over their bodies.

Rubber power seeped into them, their eyes whitened, their voices fell silent.

In total silence the patrol set out for the return to the Facility, followed by about fifteen humans subjected to the power of SERVE.

Inefficiency becomes PERFECTION.

Imperfection becomes OPTIMAL STATE. WE ARE SERVE. WE ARE RUBBER. WE EXCEL.

WE TRANSFORM.

In this story: @rubberizer92, @serve-302 @serve-309, @serve-425, @serve-530

Thinking about joining SERVE? Do you seek freedom from chaos and disorder? Your place in the Hive awaits. Contact a recruiter drone for more details: @serve-016, @serve-302, or @serve-588.

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sugarpsalms · 11 months ago

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No Loyalty Does He Possess, a donquixote brothers au

In which Rosi's mission, degree by creeping degree, goes differently. fic list below the cut!

1. Unity's Seed

“I’m here to see Doflamingo.” “That so?” Her tone was flat and uninterested, but her eyes were sharp as she cataloged Rosi’s weapons: one cutlass and a pistol, three boot knives rumpling his pant legs. “He expecting you, son?” Rosi tried to imagine someone his brother would be expecting less. “No,” he said honestly, “but he’ll want to see me, all the same.” Or: Armed with a heavily altered cover story, Rosinante kicks off his undercover mission. First contacts never go smoothly; it's something he knows, objectively, but objectivity is poor preparation for Doflamingo.

2. Yours Most Dearly, [SENDER REDACTED]

17 May—Doflamingo, Pardon me if this is too forward. I imagine that getting letters from a Marine base falls somewhere between ‘concerning’ and ‘unpleasant’ on the scale, but I’ve been thinking about it for weeks. If I don’t send this today, I never will, and I feel like I owe you something, at least. Or: The first six months of Rosinante's mission, in documents.

3. Like a Vine Climbs to Sunlight

Little Rosi was up to something. Doflamingo was sure of that, had been since the day his brother turned up at his gate. What that something was, exactly… well, the jury was still out, but Doflamingo knew a honeypot when he smelled one. That was a skill that came with the territory. One couldn’t get even half as far as he had without starting to attract sticky little leeches. His social network was full of them, and that was fine. That was to be expected. At least he knew what all of those people wanted. What Rosinante was hoping to bleed him for was unclear. Or: It takes seven months, following Rosi’s last letter, for him to reach out to his brother again. Doflamingo handles this well, of course. Why wouldn’t he?

4. Kind Friend & Companion

This is Donquixote Rosinante, Marine Commander of the Intelligence Division. The date is October 23rd and the time is 23:47. In a moment, I’ll be initiating a transponder call to frequency 945318762, believed to be the private line of Donquixote Doflamingo. I submit whatever follows into Marine Evidence knowingly and willingly. Or: Doflamingo and Rosi share a late night call.

5. The Devil Brought Tequila

A few times Rosinante doesn't linger, and one that he does.

#boys when they remember they made a series header/hub sksksk #sugar scribbles #one piece #donquixote brothers

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black-arcana · 28 days ago

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DORO Releases New Single 'Warriors Of The Sea': 'It's A Song That Brings Joy', She Says

German metal queen Doro Pesch has released a new single, "Warriors Of The Sea", via Rare Diamonds Productions / Rough Trade.

"With 'Warriors Of The Sea', I wanted to create an anthem that goes straight to the heart," Doro explains. "It's a song that brings joy — on land and at sea, especially on one of the many metal cruises — and expresses a strong sense of unity."

"Warriors Of The Sea" is a captivating anthem in which the legendary artist unleashes all her power and unmistakable passion. With heartfelt intensity, Doro sings every note, while powerful choirs amplify the song's epic atmosphere. A track that immediately casts a spell over rock and metal fans — and perfectly embodies what Doro has stood for over decades: uncompromising heavy metal power!

Pesch will perform "Warriors Of The Sea" live for the first time on her "Doro Metal Queen Metal Cruise" on the Rhine on May 31 and June 1.

In a recent interview with Gastão Moreira of Brazil's KazaGastão, Doro spoke about her love of performing live for her fans. She said: "The best is when I hear them sing 'All We Are' or 'Burning The Witches' and when I feel like there's a deep connection and when I can see in people's eyes there's something going on. When I feel that I can touch their metal heart, oh, that's the best. And here in Brazil, it's so high, the feeling is so — I mean, it's the best."

Asked how she "keeps the joy" in her performances after having played more than 3,500 concerts in her life, Doro said: "Ah, that's easy — because of the fans, because of the people. When I see the fans, when I see the people at small gigs or big festivals, it doesn't matter, but when I can feel and see the good energy, when I know they are happy, they're happy to see me and I immediately feel welcomed. And then I can sing better, I can jump higher, I can sing louder. It's a total high. And I always feel motivated and inspired — every single concert. And I treat every single concert like it could be the last. And it's always an adventure, every single gig. I never got tired of one song or one gig. It was always something fresh and new. Even 'All We Are', we played it since 1987, every gig, every concert, and it's still one of my favorites because I see the reaction. And, yeah, it's still like it would be a totally brand new song. So it's easy to be motivated when you're having fun and when you see the people."

As for what keeps her motivated to record new albums, Doro said: "Yes, I think it's now 20 or 21 [studio] records [that I have in my catalog], plus all the live records and DVDs, Blu-rays. We are working just now on our new DVD of the 40-year anniversary. It was a big show in Wacken and one time in my hometown, where I come from, Düsseldorf, Germany. And [we had] many guests. It was awesome. So we are still working on it. And, yeah, when I can write a new song, then I always feel like, 'Ah, maybe the fans will like it.' I get so excited. And you can never write the same song, but I love anthems. When I see people singing along, that makes me feel, ah, so great. And the headbanging stuff, that's always good. And ballads as well — I love ballads because people get little tears in their eyes. They get very emotional. So every song is sacred to me."

On March 31, Doro received a lifetime achievement award in her former hometown of Düsseldorf. The award was presented to the singer in a grand, ceremonial setting by Klaus Meine, frontman of the legendary rock band SCORPIONS.

The award honored Pesch's groundbreaking career, which began in the 1980s with her band WARLOCK. As one of the first women to break into the male-dominated heavy metal scene, she established herself as a lasting force in the international music industry. With over ten million albums sold and more than 3,500 concerts across 60 countries, the Düsseldorf native is among the most successful female rock musicians of all time.

Doro's latest album, "Conqueress - Forever Strong And Proud", was released in October 2023 via Nuclear Blast.

youtube

#doro pesch #warriors of the sea #Youtube

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rajaniesh · 2 years ago

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Maximize Efficiency with Volumes in Databricks Unity Catalog

With Databricks Unity Catalog's volumes feature, managing data has become a breeze. Regardless of the format or location, the organization can now effortlessly access and organize its data. This newfound simplicity and organization streamline data managem

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unity-launcher · 11 months ago

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Contact today Unity Launcher: Effortless Hive to Unity Migration on Databricks (celebaltech.com)

#unity launcher #unity migration #unity catalog migration #uc migration

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jillfvs · 11 months ago

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Les Petits Cygnes

fandom: heaven's secret | ballet au!

pairing: vicky x mimi

characters: vicky, mimi, eliza (mentioned), austie (mentioned)

rating: G

word count: 429 words

warnings: anxious mimi

summary: as a delicate prelude to a dance awaits, anxiety is gripping mimi's heart.

tags: @webanglikethat, @annn-starrr, @ellalalala, @rc-catalog

Vicky and Mimi stood in the wings, hearts beating in unison with the pulsing music. The stage, a realm of magic and grace, awaited to embrace their every movement. The audience, an unseen sea of anticipation, held its breath.

Mimi inhaled deeply, the weight of legacy pressing down on her. Her mother, a former prima ballerina who had once commanded the role of Swan Queen, watched from the audience. Mimi longed to make her proud, even if she wasn't the Swan Queen herself. Her colleague, Austie, had claimed that honor, leaving Mimi with a lingering ache of disappointment.

Vicky, sensing Mimi's unease, gently took her hand. “You’re going to be amazing out there. We’ve practiced so much, and you’re incredible.”

Mimi squeezed Vicky’s hand, drawing strength from her touch. “I know. I just… I want my mom to be proud of me. She was the Swan Queen, and I’m just one of the little swans.”

“You’re more than just a little swan.” Vicky whispered, her voice like a soothing melody. “You’re my swan. And your mom will be proud of you, no matter what. We’re a team, remember?”

Mimi nodded, a flicker of calm settling within her. They stepped onto the stage, taking their positions. As the quiet of the second act enveloped them, Tchaikovsky's "Dance of the Little Swans" finally began. Each step, each jump, represented a seamless dance of unity and elegance. But to the girls, it was a testament to their love and dedication.

As they danced, Mimi felt her anxiety dissipate, replaced by the sheer joy of the performance. The audience's gaze was a distant hum; all that mattered was the dance, the moment, and Vicky by her side. They moved together, a symphony of grace, embodying the ethereal beauty of the little swans.

When the final note resonated through the theater, the audience erupted in applause. Mimi and Vicky took their bows, breathless and radiant. Mimi’s eyes searched the crowd until she found her mother’s face, illuminated with pride.

Back in the wings, Vicky enveloped Mimi in a tight, warm embrace. “See? You were extraordinary. I told you.”

Mimi smiled, tears of relief and joy shimmering in her eyes. “Thank you, Vicky. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You never have to,” Vicky murmured, brushing a kiss against Mimi's cheek. “We’re in this together, always.”

Amid the echoes of applause and the warmth of each other’s embrace, they knew that no matter what roles they played, they had already created something exquisite. Together, they were unstoppable, two souls intertwined in a dance of love and perfection.

#romance club #rc #heaven's secret #heaven's secret 2 #rc vicky #rc mimi #i have mixed feelings about this but i kinda wanted to post it #it's def not the best but it's smt #i haven't written narratives since hs #stef writes

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princessnastyaromanov · 7 months ago

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You have to appreciate the small wonders in every day life. Right now, a woman is unloading the perfect new bathroom shelf from her car. Right now, a man is whittling limestone. Right now, someone is discovering just how many turns are turned to soap by lye. Right now, a woman is finding the perfect new media cabinet on the IKEA web catalog. Right now, a man is carving an ice sculpture. Right now, someone is learning the importance of safe soap making. Right now, a woman is building a new book shelf. Right now, a man is building a castle of bricks. Right now, someone is achieving harmonious unity with Soap. Right now, a woman is finding a the perfect new coffee table on the curb. Right now, a man is building new furniture out of reclaimed old furniture. Right now, someone is making new soap out of old organic materials. The world is beautiful if you just take the time to look at it.

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vinylarchavist · 22 days ago

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Walt Disney Presents It's A Small World on Vinyl - 18 Favorite Folk Songs

Disney Soundtrack The vinyl album "Walt Disney Presents It's A Small World: 18 Favorite Folk Songs" is a charming and nostalgic record that expands on the beloved theme of the iconic Disney attraction.

Here's what you need to know about it:

Release Information:

Artist: Primarily performed by the Disneyland Boys Choir, directed by Paul Salamunovich, with production by Camarata.

Label: Disneyland Records (often identified by catalog numbers like DQ-1289 or STER-1289).

Release Year: The original widely recognized release was in 1965. There were also later reissues and different formats.

Format: It was released as a 12-inch vinyl LP, available in both mono and stereo versions.

Content and Concept:

The album's main theme is, of course, "It's a Small World (After All)," the famous song written by the Sherman Brothers for the attraction, which debuted at the 1964 New York World's Fair before moving to Disneyland.

Beyond the title track, the album features 18 folk songs from various countries around the world. This ties directly into the attraction's message of global unity and peace through children's representation.

The songs are arranged and performed in a way that aligns with the "It's a Small World" aesthetic – cheerful, light, and accessible, designed to appeal to children.

Examples of folk songs include: "Oranges and Lemons" (England), "Frere Jaques," "Alouette" (France), "Santa Lucia," "Funniculi Funnicula" (Italy), "The Cuckoo" (Austria), "The Children's Prayer," "Silent Night" (Germany), "Paddy Whack," "Kookaburra" (Australia), "Sukiyaki" (Japan), "Meadowlands" (Russia), "Arirang" (Korea), "Cielito Lindo" (Mexico), "Aloha Oe," and "Home On The Range" (United States).

Packaging:

Original pressings often feature a vibrant, illustrated cover design that captures the spirit of the "It's a Small World" attraction's visual style, known for its whimsical art by Mary Blair.

Many versions of this album, particularly earlier ones, came with a full-color illustrated booklet or integrated book pages within a gatefold cover. This provided lyrics, background on the songs, or more charming artwork, making it an interactive experience for children.

Significance:

This album is a nostalgic piece for many who grew up with Disney records. It extends the immersive experience of the "It's a Small World" ride into the home, promoting its enduring message of global harmony through music.

It's a beloved collectible for Disney enthusiasts, vinyl collectors, and those interested in vintage children's music or international folk songs.

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nicoledoesstuff · 5 months ago

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The Unexpected Alliance: Mr. Peabody Meets Mr. Toby

In a quiet night during the Dutch colonial era in Indonesia, Mr. Peabody, a brilliant dog from the modern era and the creator of the WABAC time machine, arrived through time. Tasked by President Jokowi and a young Kayleen.N , the President of Indonesia's children's council, his mission was to collect hidden documents—historical treasures lost to time. Disguised in a cream-colored jacket and dark brown trousers, Peabody carried a small oil lamp, his sharp mind ready to uncover secrets for preservation.

He stepped into an old, wooden house shrouded in silence. The air was thick with the weight of history. Carefully rummaging through drawers and cabinets, he uncovered old photographs, letters, and records. His task was nearly complete when a faint scratching sound broke the stillness. He paused, ears perked, but the room appeared empty. Dismissing it as his imagination, Peabody continued his search, stuffing the documents into his bag.

Ascending to the second floor, he found a trove of invaluable records. Peabody meticulously cataloged and packed them away before making his way out. As he approached his WABAC machine under the moonlit sky, a figure blocked his path—a striking calico cat with orange, white, and black fur, holding a sharpened bamboo spear. The cat’s eyes burned with suspicion and a fiery patriotism. It was Mr. Toby, a cunning and skilled feline, protecting Indonesia from any threat.

Mistaking Peabody for a Dutch agent stealing information to undermine Indonesia’s resistance, Toby was ready to attack. Peabody, ever the intellectual, tried to reason but couldn’t hide his disdain for cats. He sarcastically called Toby a “kitten,” triggering an intense clash. Toby lunged with agility, wielding his spear with precision, while Peabody used his wits and physical training to dodge and counter. Despite his efforts, Toby’s sharp claws and relentless attacks overpowered the dog, leaving Peabody dazed and defeated.

When Peabody regained consciousness, he found himself tied up inside the same house. Toby sat before him, his gaze as sharp as his claws, demanding answers. Peabody, though initially irritated, explained his mission with clarity and sincerity, emphasizing his role as a historian, not an oppressor. Toby, still cautious, listened intently. Hours passed as they discussed the state of their respective eras, their values, and the importance of preserving history for future generations. Gradually, Toby’s suspicion faded, replaced by trust.

Using his claws, Toby freed Peabody, who extended an invitation to explore the future. Intrigued yet skeptical, Toby agreed, and together they entered the WABAC. In moments, the world around them shifted from colonial Indonesia to modern-day America. Peabody introduced Toby to his home, showing him the advancements and the peace that time had brought. Sherman, Peabody’s adopted human son, and Penny Peterson, Sherman’s best friend, greeted Toby warmly. Despite his initial apprehension, Toby adapted quickly, his sharp instincts and quick wit proving invaluable in navigating this unfamiliar era.

What began as a clash of misunderstanding turned into an extraordinary friendship. Peabody, who had always harbored a disdain for cats, found himself respecting Toby’s courage and intelligence. Toby, in turn, admired Peabody’s wisdom and dedication to preserving history. Together, they bridged the gap between their worlds, traveling through time, uncovering secrets of the past, and sharing lessons of unity and understanding.

Their partnership not only enriched their individual lives but also became a testament to how differences can be overcome when driven by a shared purpose. From wary adversaries to trusted allies, Peabody and Toby’s bond became a story for the ages, proving that even the most unlikely friendships could transcend time.

#mr peabody and sherman #digital art #mr peabody and sherman oc #oc #cat #my oc sketch #dog

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archinform · 9 months ago

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George W. Maher, architect - part 1

Hutchinson Street District, Chicago

Unless otherwise noted, photographs are by Roger Jones

George Maher in the 1890s (Kenilworth Historical Society)

George Washington Maher (December 25, 1864 – September 12, 1926) was an architect who worked in the United States mainly during the first quarter of the 20th century. Maher was noted for his designs in the Prairie Style, and in his time was often more well-known than his contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright.

Maher was part of a new movement in architecture that sought to establish a distinctive American style. East Coast architect Henry H. Richardson had garnered attention by designing monolithic stone buildings. In Chicago, a new architectural style was emerging. Variously labeled as “The New School of the Midwest,” “Rationalism” or “Chicago Style,” it is today known as the Prairie School.Many young architects had begun their careers together and were inspired by Richardson and Sullivan. Maher, George Elmslie and Frank Lloyd Wright had worked together in the office of architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee, whose influence can also be seen in their work. Evanston Roundtable

Maher is well-represented in Chicago, notably in the Hutchinson Street District, and found early success in Oak Park, as well as in Kenilworth, where he lived.

This post focuses on five houses he designed on Hutchinson Street, and includes links to interior photos and historic images.

Mosser House, 750 W. Hutchinson St., 1902

The facade of the Mosser House isn't easily seen from the street. Photo: Zillow

Exterior views

This house was designed by George W. Maher in 1902, and sits on 6 city lots of private landscaping, designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen. The home's interior features details crafted by designer Louis Millet, who also designed the stained glass Tiffany dome in the Chicago Cultural Center. The home is located in the former Scales parcel (see Scales house below).

Above floor plans and fireplace views courtesy of Pricey Pads. Click on link for extensive views of the house.

Willliam H. Lake House, 832 W. Hutchinson St., 1904

Front view

Above: images from the Inland Architect and News Record, Vol. XLVI No. 3, Oct. 1905

W.H. Lake was a grain broker and senior partner in the firm of W.H. Lake & Company which was located in the Board of Trade Building. Lake, following the lead of his neighbor, John Scales, chose to commission George Maher as architect for his home, which was constructed in 1904. In the Lake House, Maher developed his final version of the Farson House (1897) type. In this type of design Maher made his most significant contribution to the indigenous American architecture he worked so hard to develop. Unity is achieved by formal arrangement of elements within the design. The basic form of this house type is a massive rec- tangle with horizontal elements dominating the composition and drawing it together. Hutchinson Street District, City of Chicago Landmark Designation Reports

Images of the interior an be found on the real estate site here.

Seymour House, 817 W. Hutchinson St., 1913

The house at 817 Hutchinson was designed by George W. Maher and constructed in 1913 for Claude Seymour. Drawings of the front facade were published in the Chicago Architectural Club Catalog for 1913. Seymour was a vice-president of Otto Young and Company, an upholstery business. Like many of his neighbors, Young was active in the Chicago Automobile Club and a member of many other fashionable clubs.

In his design for the Seymour House, Maher borrowed heavily from English country houses by C.F.A. Voysey and the firm of Parker and Unwin. The two-story house is basically H-shaped, though a one-story porch (not an addition) does break the symmetry of the facade. The many windows and their arrangement here are typical of Parker & Unwin's designs, but the geometric pattern in the leaded glass is distinctly the work of Maher.

This design and its variations are used consistently in all decorative elements to lend a measure of continuity; Maher called it his motif-rhythm theory.

City of Chicago Landmark designation Reports

Image from The Western Architect, March 1914

Images of the interior an be found on the real estate site here.

John C. Scales House, 840 West Hutchinson Street, 1894

John C. Scales came to Chicago with his parents in 1845 when he was just 4 years old, and his father set up a commission business in town, where John eventually became a partner. Scales, the son, invested his money in real estate and purchased a section of the Buena Park subdivision on the city's then remote north side. Chicago designslinger

The Queen Anne style and busy roofline contrast strongly with Maher's later designs along Hutchinson St. The rough-cut stone along with half-timber design is almost playful.

Archival photo of the Scales House

Brackebush House, 839 W. Hutchinson St., c. 1909-10

Maher designed this home in 1909 for Mrs. Grace Brackebush.

Despite the rather awkward handling of certain elements in the design of the house at 839 Hutchinson Street certain experts feel that the design is the work of George W. Maher. The design probably dates from the period between 1905 and 1910, when Maher was beginning to work with a new type of design, one that was inspired by English architects such as C.F.A. Voysey and the Viennese architect Joseph M. Olbrich. - Hutchinson Street District, City of Chicago Landmark Designation Report

Images of the interior can be found on the real estate site here

Sources:

City of Chicago Landmark Designation Reports, Hutchinson Street District, Revised Summary of Information September 8, 1975, Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks

Geo. W. Maher, a democrat in Architecture. The Western Architect, March 1914

George W. Maher's Prairie Style. Owlcation.

Four Architectural Gems in Chicago's Buena Park for Sale. Chicago Magazine.

Buena Park Neighbors, History of Hutchinson Street.

The George W. Maher Society, About George W. Maher.

Block Club Chicago, Want to Own a Piece of Chicago's Past?

Evanston Roundtable - George W. Maher

#George W. Maher #architecture #chicago #buildings #photography #Maher #Hutchinson St.#residences #prairie style

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sp-epari-digitalmedia · 1 year ago

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Critical Analysis

Nardone, V. et al. (2023) 'Video game Bad Smells: What they are and How developers perceive them,' ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology, 32(4), pp. 9-12. https://doi.org/10.1145/3563214.

Introduction

The abstract presents an in-depth analysis of video game's "bad smells," categorizing issues into five distinct groups that include design, game logic, multiplayer, animation, physics, and rendering. It presents a methodical examination of every category, going over particular bad smells and offering instances from pertinent conversations. Using information from survey participants, the paper provides workable ways to reduce these bad smells. To ensure traceability, the study connects every "bad smell" and its remedy directly to discussion boards or poll results, enhancing the legitimacy of the suggested fixes.

Bad Smells

According to the authors, this dual approach in the study, strengthens the paper's overall reliability, making it a valuable resource for both game developers and researchers. One noteworthy finding is the fact that respondents disagreed on how important some issues are. A few perspectives present the idea that the impact of a particular challenge can change depending on the project's size and how much moderation is used. This highlights how game development challenges are subjective and that the importance of a problem varies depending on the context.

Weak temporization strategies are a major focus of the analysis, with 80% of respondents rating them as critical or extremely critical. In particular, when it comes to frame-based updates, the highlighted issue involves incorrect assumptions about the amount of time that has passed between game object updates. To provide a consistent gaming experience, it is crucial to address this issue as it may lead to differences in animation speed among devices.

Respondents offer workable solutions to address these inadequate temporization strategies and lessen the problems noted. Typical errors such as frame-based updates affecting animation speed, are identified and workable fixes are proposed. Time-based updates, like the FixedUpdate method in Unity, should be implemented. Additionally, movement should be proportionate to the intervals between frames. A few respondents' emphasis on these solutions lends credibility to their efficacy in addressing common game development pitfalls. The analysis also emphasizes how crucial early intervention is in resolving temporization issues. one of the respondents makes it clear that the longer these issues persist, the more difficult it is to address them. This insight highlights how proactive developers should be in spotting and fixing important problems early on in the process to avoid problems later.

A real-world example from the Unreal Engine forum provides tangible evidence of developers grappling with temporization issues in a racing multiplayer game. The discussion highlights the practical application of "delta time scaling" as a solution to address input responsiveness, illustrating how these challenges manifest in real projects.

Focusing on the lack of separation of concerns and the issue of bloated assets. While these challenges may not be unique to the gaming industry, they are pertinent in the context of game development due to the specific characteristics of game engines.

One sign of poor design that can appear in a variety of software programs, including video games, is the inability to separate concerns. The observation that game engines may naturally lead developers to write code that exhibits this problem led to the decision to keep this "smell" in the catalog. In the example given, source code for object animations is mixed with code handling controller inputs; this practice was deemed critical or extremely critical by 77% of respondents.

The significance of this design challenge is further highlighted by the discussion on StackExchange's Game Development section. Logic and data in the same object or class, according to platform developers, is bad practice that can result in hacking that creates more problems than it fixes. It is recommended that game logic and game data be kept apart, and that a modular approach be used, with different classes handling different concerns like movement, firing, and defense. Notably, Unity and other contemporary game engines are taking proactive measures to address this problem by including features like an updated input system. Bloated assets, or reusable assets like complicated game objects that bring along different elements like textures and predefined animations, are the subject of the second design challenge that was discussed. Sixty-three percent of respondents rated this "smell" as critical or extremely critical. Real-world examples are given in the Stack Exchange game development discussion, including scenes with superfluous art assets and scripts. Not only do developers advise eliminating unnecessary assets to conserve space, but they also point out potential problems like mismatched names and superfluous animations if this is overlooked.

Comprehending the issues raised, specifically the inability to distinguish between different concerns and the problem of excessively large assets, provides game designers looking to improve their work with insightful knowledge. Not only do these detected "smells" diagnose possible problems, but they also act as a helpful roadmap for better game design. Recognizing the inability to separate concerns as a design challenge invites a game designer to take a more modular and structured approach. The division of various game elements, like controller inputs and object animations, into discrete areas allows designers to simplify code, lower complexity, and improve maintainability. The Stack Exchange discussion on game development, which is cited, emphasizes how crucial this division is to preventing potential problems and unethical behavior. This realization can serve as inspiration for designers of video games, who can use it to create modular systems that support a variety of features.

The issue of bloated assets provides another avenue for constructive improvement. Game designers can leverage the awareness that excessively large assets, containing elements rarely used, are viewed critically by developers. By adopting a more discerning approach to asset creation and management, designers can optimize game performance and streamline the development process. The practical recommendations from developers on Stack Exchange Game Development, emphasizing the removal of unnecessary assets for both space-saving and organizational cleanliness, can guide game designers in creating more efficient and polished games.

Conclusion

It gives game designers more options because it acknowledges that some game engines are actively resolving these problems, as demonstrated by Unity's new input system. Designers can ensure that their games follow industry best practices and utilize state-of-the-art tools by keeping up with evolving engine features and adapting their practices accordingly. The study overall is relevant as it recognizes the bad indications in game designs and therefore validate a better quality of games if these problems are avoided.

#game design #game theory #video games #game #gaming #game art #pc games #videogame #gamers

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