#also bonus Atlas in this photo ^_^

[bistaxx]

😵‍💫

[unproduciblesmackdown]

furthermore going like okay not Sure of timeline things But. concerning bonus material Atlas's Actual Shirts deal

a) that bonus material is bonus material but this sure seems to fall into the [could be canon] &/or [basically is, but unseen within the main material b/c there's not really a place for it there] realms

b) both acknowledging the Marriage(tm) with a critical deconstructing lens huh. the girls & the gays. fucked up that someone might for example have an ongoing Gayce Moment (presumably aro as well, hardly irrelevantly) where their transactional associations must hinge on math, murder, etc

c) appreciating like okay mordecai would've lost everything but the clothes he was already wearing when he had to impromptu hightail it out of nyc, so that's when atlas must've given him his own clothes; this is Definitely Years Later (edit: definitely Months! Perhaps years! plausibly like a year or two! and apply that throughout the rest of this post)

d) when i) mordecai can surely have afforded to replace all the lended clothes & ii) his fumbling to argue the Practical Reasoning behind currently(!) wearing atlas's clothes still means it's Not for practical reasons. years later. while dodging & glaring at & competitive with & needling at atlas's wife. Oh You Know

e) and what a choice on atlas's part to give mordecai his own clothes. sure, that could've been the quickest way to give him Anything to wear (not now bloodstained, for instance) but buying new clothes would be like some possible Next Day shit, or, i dunno, asking around for Other people's secondhand clothes, both of which account for: this being several years prior to when this conversation could've happened, mordecai was how old when he met atlas? 16-18? 21 while we have it that:

this, after the fray at the lodge (noticing for the first time mordecai still has marks on his face from that here. it's been seventeen years Still noticing brand new things. like wick in volume one looking at a group photo in the café ft. the only characters known to us being mordecai, atlas, & viktor. what are you interested in about that hmm???) wherein, with the band on the stage, mitzi with a ukulele, & the dialogue suggesting as much amidst the context that atlas didn't really start being allied with marigold until after the lodge fray proper slaughter, atlas seems to be in the earliest stages of Meeting His Wife here. with his Ferocious Little Shadow. who i also note is looking Entirely Away even as prior i've simply interpreted this as Keeping An Eye Out &/or general disinterest in Anything going on at the speakeasies. competitive to near-homicidal relationship with atlas's ever-present wife....which, remembering what i was getting at in the first place. if atlas's shirts are noticeable big on mordecai at that point, surely all the more so originally. and he kept them! and kept wearing them! for Emotional Reasons Only Actually. goodness gracious.

f) where's the walking on sunshine mitzi & mordecai shopping montage? which did apparently happen, unless instead mordecai then rushed to get new bespoke shirts himself to avoid others Perceiving him judgmentally and the walking on sunshine montage specifically. she gives him a makeover (from buttonups to buttonups. whaddaya gonna do) she asks him for begrudgingly familial makeup touchups....she shares intimate exclusive secrets with him concerning my firm [they were both in on atlas's death, and so would atlas have to have been too] stance....Girl,

g) "atlas and i discussed that" what???? who???? when & why???? mitzi kicking her legs like so tell me about your Ferocious Little Gay Little Two Steps Ahead Shadow. did atlas volunteer mordecai's Entire Backstory as he knew it? did he provide it upon Request? did mitzi ask "why's ya boy wearing shirts that don't quite fit" and atlas goes "oh yeah that's because they're my shirts. i have noticed this without saying anything. for years" like imagine. what's going on around here

h) i forgot how i planned to work in this image of "i love this shot of & Look for mordecai." disheveled freshly wounded undershirt towel suspenders now as fashion accessories over pants Annoyed Sideeye & it Does help that elsa, real fave tertiary character, is here serving as well with the waist pants & putting her hair up & they're both always serving anyways. You Better Not Be Cunty Mordecai when i get over there to fish the shotgun pellets out of your body, Said No One!!!

anyways recap atlas giving mordecai his own shirts (at all genuine or All about trying to spam the [benefactor] key so mordecai sticks around & shoots people for him?) mordecai accepting and continuing to wear them for years until thwarted by atlas's wife whom he is Competitor with and now in one of those classic duos of "do we hate each other? well maybe, but also no of course not. we also share an understanding we can't have with anyone else. which is a secret about the same guy who neither of us wanted to die but were both involved in his death" mitzi Knowing things about mordecai, oh i know all about you wearing my husband's shirts years later, mordecai is at atlas's funeral nobody else we know but mitzi & asa are there obviously mitzi would have to know about this too like. transcendent. fluorescent. head in hands. happy pride

[skinandscales-if]

(Future AU)

How would the ROs (and ???) react to coming home to the MC asleep on the couch while the MC and RO's baby is also fast asleep on their torso? I found that some of the older IF blogs have this ask from years ago lol, so I thought why not send this. I hope you're not uncomfortable! Have a good day.

awhahaha no no this is super cute ❤️ you have a good day too friend

Atlas: Sighs wistfully and sits with them, utterly distracted by the love he feels that beats so hard in his chest he thinks it may burst. He doesn’t want the moment to end- so he just stares at them both and cuddles up close without touching either of them, not wanting to shock them awake with his cold body. No. Tonight he’ll simply fall asleep with them.

Puck: They instantly take a photo for loving memories blackmail later and hesitate a moment, not wanting to ruin the calm imposed over the house. After thinking it over and just enjoying the peace for a moment, they softly drape a blanket over the two, kissing MC’s forehead as they draw back and let them rest. There will be soft smiles and softer pancakes the next morning to awake them both in the morning, but for now, peace.

Skye: She has to clamp a hand over her mouth in order not to squeal at the sight and quickly calms herself down in the other room so she doesn’t wake them. Once she’s calmed, she quietly builds a comforting pillow barricade around the two, covering them in blankets and other soft objects surprisingly daintily. As she finishes, she makes some room for herself and settles in quietly, staring at them both until she falls asleep around four hours later.

Reese: He can’t move for another few minutes, taken off guard by how peaceful the two look and how lucky he is to have them both in his life. And they’re staying. They’re staying. He has a place to come back to now. He steps back outside to cool down but once he’s back inside, he quietly cuddles up to them both, accidentally waking MC up before kissing them on the forehead and lulling them both back into the tugs of sleep. He forgot the blanket but it doesn’t matter- he’ll be a heater for all three of them for the night.

Bonus ???: Silently watches them both for another hour, quietly taking in the moment as she waits. For the other shoe to drop. For something to go wrong, it always does. So why doesn’t it this time? MC wakes up in the morning with a blanket over their shoulders and the baby tucked close. ??? is watching the door.

[atlas-the-bastard]

12. Do you like it when authors answer your comments on Ao3? If yes, what kind of answer do you like the most? If no, why not?

&

20. You are hosting an art exhibition for your mutuals and followers. Make a tag for it and tag a few pieces (drawings, poetry, photos, whatever else) with it, tag this ask as well so your mutuals and followers can go and enjoy the exhibition! Bonus points if you choose some kind of theme

sjfhskd thankyou!!! also thankyou for telling me to turn asks on my dumb ass genuinely did not think abt that😭🫶

12. uhm tbh I dont check my ao3 notifications n stuff at all really bc I havent properly set it up on desktop or anything so idk if authors have replied to my comments but if they DID I would love it regardless of what they were saying unless it was mean :( I usually comment stuff like quoting lines or specific stuff I really liked so I think I'd really love it if the author like. idk told me a bit about how they came up with it/their thought process cos I just love people talking about stuff they made and also love!!

20. OOH THIS IS FUN!! okay uhh the first theme I could think of was simply "green" bc I'm a basic bitch who is insane about my favourite colour😌. tag shall be #atlas's green gallery

anyway thanks for the asks this was so fun :DDD

[lastchancevillagegreen]

Chicago Edition! Freestyling!

Thursday, 24 August 2023:

Microcastle/ Weird Era Cont. Deerhunter (Kranky) (released in 2008)

When I cat-sat last year I did my usual trade at Reckless and I ended up with two Deerhunter rarities. I also picked up a third Deerhunter album at Laurie's. After seven albums (and any number of CD-R's download only releases, not to mention the offshoots of Atlas Sound or Lotus Plaza) you can barely call them a new band yet they are one of my favorite bands having been birthed in the Aughts.

Once upon a time I would read Pitchfork in search of new music and when they reviewed this album I took a chance on this album. I won't say it was my favorite but it was interesting enough and unusual enough that I happily took a chance on the follow up which turned out to be one of the great albums of 2010, Halcyon Digest.

When Microcastle first came out on vinyl in 2008, it had a different cover and the bonus album, Weird Era Cont was nothing more than a bonus CD sans credits or song titles. The CD release of the album in 2008 had the album cover you see above and the bonus CD of Weird Era Cont contained song titles and credits. It wasn't until the following year, 2009, that Kranky reissued the album on LP as it appears to this day which is what you see here.

Above are the oft derided album cover (which I actually like) followed by the gatefold and then the back of the album. Below are all four labels of the double album.

Lastly is a close up of the hype sticker. The quote comes from Spin and while it is a memorable quote, it is still close to meaningless, but then I cannot stand Spin magazine and never, ever could. I've recently had a chance to investigate back issues of Spin and having read any number of record reviews in those issues, they might be the single worst reviewers I've ever read. And I've read an endless array of record reviews in a long lifetime.

Oops! I forgot to include a photo of the original album cover of Microcastle which you see below (which I stole from discogs).

[eazy-group]

The Best Yoga Pants For Women To Wear On And Off The Mat

New Post has been published on https://eazyfitness.net/the-best-yoga-pants-for-women-to-wear-on-and-off-the-mat/

The Best Yoga Pants For Women To Wear On And Off The Mat

One might think yoga pants are all the same and the design doesn’t really matter. They just need to be stretchy, right? Actually, there are many factors to consider when it comes to the best yoga pants for women, from various compression levels and cotton vs anti-microbial or moisture-wicking fabrics, to mid- vs high-rise designs that suit different bodies and yoga types.

The best yoga pants for women support your body so you can flow through every pose.

ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS

Whether you’re into hot yoga or prefer a low and slow flow, there’s truly a design out there for everyone’s yogic needs. Here, we researched the best yoga pants for women to help you stay strong and confident from your first downward dog all the way to your last breath of Savasana. Namaste.

Sizes: 0 to 20 | Colors: 23 total including neutrals like True Navy and brights like Sonic Pink | Materials: Body: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra elastane; Lining: 90% nylon, 10% Lycra elastane | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 25 inches

Lululemon’s Align High-Rise Pant is the ultimate yoga legging that offers something for everyone. The buttery-soft, four-way stretch fabric is breathable and sweat-wicking, the high rise waist stays put for all your yoga poses, and the numbered sizing system offers a more streamlined fit. A hidden waistband pocket fits small essentials like keys or a credit card, making them perfect for everyday wear beyond yoga, too.

Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 11 total including Navy, Heather Gray, Olive | Materials: 84% recycled polyester, 16% spandex | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 25 inches

Quince’s apparel is often high-value due to their unique direct-to-consumer production processes and these responsibly-made yoga pants follow suit. The Ultra-Soft Performance Legging fabric is quick-drying and anti-microbial with a four-way stretch, and it’s also made from recycled 2-liter water bottles, diverting landfill- and ocean-bound plastic from the waste stream. As an added bonus, Quince has free shipping and a 365-day return policy.

Sizes: XXS to 6XL | Colors: Black, Ivory, Midnight, Moss, Plum, Earth, Atlas | Materials: 79% recycled plastic bottles (RPET), 21% spandex | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 23.75, 28.5 inches

With more than 17,000 reviews, the Compressive High-Rise Legging from Girlfriend Collective is truly squat-proof: It’s made from a sturdy fabric that’s thick enough to not show through, and suitable for yoga and even high-impact workouts like running and HIIT. The extra high-rise fit and compression fabric leave you tucked in, while the built-in stretch allows for full movement. Like many Girlfriend Collective products, these leggings are part of a closed loop system—they’re made from recycled water bottles and are recyclable with ReGirlfriend.

Sizes: XXS to 3X | Colors: 6 total, including Dark Sardinia Blue and Grey Heather| Materials: Nylon, Lycra | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 23, 25, 28 inches

A bestseller from Athleta, the Ultra High Rise Elation 7/8 Tight is made from Powervita, a second skin-soft fabric with a hugging support compression. The high waistband has three layers to streamline and not roll over during your vinyasa, and a clean look without side seams. Plus these leggings are breathable, wick sweat away from the body and are quick-drying. They’re also rated UPF50+ for sun protection, a feature that many yoga pants don’t offer.

Sizes: XXS to 4X | Colors: 15 total, including Black-Charcoal and Silver Mist | Materials: 87% polyester, 13% elastane | Pockets: No | Inseam: 25 inche

With reportedly over 3 million pairs sold, Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye Caught In The Midi High Waisted Legging is praised for being one of the softest options around. The performance fabric is sustainably made in the US and has a buttery-soft touch, plus it’s moisture-wicking with added UV protection to keep you dry and comfortable on and off the mat. This pair has also been wear-tested on actual bodies and comes in an inclusive size range.

Sizes: XXS to XXXL | Colors: 3 total, including Rosie and Black| Materials: 85% polyester, 15% spandex | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 25.5 inches

The FreeForm 7/8 Contour Legging from Outdoor Voices is designed with thoughtful details for extra comfort: Their FreeForm fabric has a peach-like softness and offers a stretchy and slightly compressive fit, making them the perfect legging for low-sweat activities like yoga and pilates. A high-rise waist hugs close to the body, while a back waistband pocket stores your essentials before and after class.

Sizes: 0 to 20| Colors: 13 total, including True Navy and Chambray | Materials: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra elastane| Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 32.5 inches

Lululemon’s Groove Super-High-Rise Flared Pant has an ultra high waist, hugging your body then stylishly flaring out from knee to hem. The legging is both slimming and elongating at a fuller length than most yoga pants, designed to nearly touch the ground ( if you’re short, you might need to get these hemmed). The signature Nulu fabric boasts both stretch and moisture-wicking capabilities, so you can get sweaty and active in this pair.

Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 4 total, including Carmine and Dark Iron, Black | Materials: 76% Recycled Nylon, 24% Lycra elastane | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 25 inches

PrAna took their signature Luxara recycled nylon blend stretch jersey fabric and gave it a chic twist with the Layna 7/8 legging. The high-waisted design offers full coverage, while the triangular Coolmax gusset and flatlock construction adds reinforcement and comfort for all your moves. These quick-drying leggings also have built-in UPF 50+ for protection indoors and out.

Sizes: XXS to XXL | Colors: 6 total, including Stormy and Black | Materials: 72% polyester, 28% elastane | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 24.5 inches

Vuori’s Daily Pocket Legging is a high-functioning pant for those who like to keep their phone and other essentials handy on the go. The side pockets are smartly built into side seams on both legs and offer ample storage, and the high rise cut won’t slip. Also great: The 7/8 length allows for full movement without extra fabric getting in the way and the stretch knit fabric has a smoothing effect while being sweat-wicking and uber comfy.

Best Of The Rest

Alo Yoga

Alo High-Waist Airbrush Legging

Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 13 total, including Black and Anthracite | Materials: Performance jersey | Pockets: No | Inseam: 28 inches

Alo’s High-Waist Airbrush Leggings are designed to lift, sculpt and flatter while still being wearable all day. They have a light compression fit with a front-smoothing panel and no side seams, so they’re more slimming than your average yoga pant. Their four-way stretch allows you to move freely and the moisture-wicking signature Airbrush fabric keeps you comfortable before, during and after a workout.

Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 4 total, including Black and Gray Forged | Materials: 77% polyester, 23% spandex with 89% polyester, 11% spandex contrast | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 27 inches

Thicker than traditional yoga pants and thinner than your typical sweats, the Zella Live In Pocket Joggers feature a lightweight, sustainable poly blend with a slim profile. There’s ample storage with two front slant pockets and a hidden front zip pocket. An elastic waist plus a drawstring allows for a tighter fit if you need it, while the ankle-skimming knit cuff and 8-inch leg opening makes these stylish for workouts, errands, and everything in between.

Sizes: XS to 3X | Colors: More than 25 total, including Black and Space Dye Gray | Materials: 77% polyester, 23% spandex | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: Not listed

IUGA designed these leggings with an active yogi in mind. Their High Waist Yoga Pants features a high-rise waistband for tummy-tucking control, a stretchy, squat-proof fabric that offers both support and compression, and interlocking seams to minimize rubbing. Add in two generous side pockets big enough to hold your phone, and you’re all set for yoga class and the rest of your day.

Sizes: XS to 2XL| Colors: 8 total, including Black and Dynamic Berry | Materials: Body: 80% polyester, 20% spandex | Pockets: No | Inseam: Not listed

Nike’s Yoga High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings are popular for leaving you feeling supported, confident and comfortable. The stretchy Dri-FIT fabric is not only sweat-wicking, it’s also super soft against the skin with a body-hugging fit. The high-rise waist stays in place for poses and a V-shaped detail at the back waist defines your curves. As a bonus, Nike uses at least 75% recycled polyester fibers in these leggings, which offsets carbon emissions and diverts plastic from landfills and waterways.

Sizes: 0 to 20 | Colors: 11 total, including Blaze Black and Grey Sage | Materials: 77% nylon, 23% Lycra elastane | Pockets: Yes | Inseam: 25 inches

Lululemon’s Everlux fabric is especially designed for hot and humid workout environments with sweat-wicking, breathable, and fast-drying functionality. The Wunder Train High-Rise Tight With Pockets feels cool on the inside with a soft-brush feel on the outside. Lycra is added for four-way stretch and shape retention, plus a waistband drawcord is an extra reinforcement for keeping the leggings in place. Two handy side drop-in pockets round out the design, allowing for plenty of room to stow your workout essentials.

What To Consider When Buying Yoga Pants

The Kind Of Yoga You’ll Be Doing

Not all yoga pants are created equally. As you saw above, some have high waists, some have low waists, some have pockets while others don’t, and while most are fitted leggings, some yoga pants are actually joggers.

True, many yoga pants can be used across the board. After all, if the yoga pants are comfortable and stretchy, you could use them for yin yoga, Iyengar, restorative, vinyasa, or other types of yoga and for meditation. However, if you’re going to be doing power yoga, core yoga, fitness yoga, hot yoga, or Bikram yoga, you may be more comfortable in yoga pants that are better suited to very intense movement.

For instance, you’ll probably prioritize lightweight fabrics over soft but thick pants that will be too heavy for your workout. For these more intense forms of yoga, moisture-wicking fabrics are also key to keeping you cool.

Your Body Type

No two women share the exact same shape so there’s no single foolproof pair of yoga pants that will perfectly fit every single woman. If you have an especially long torso or legs, you may want to prioritize a style that is offered in several rises and inseam lengths.

Similarly, if you want more support in the midsection, a high-waisted yoga pant may be more comfortable, particularly during very active poses, where low- and mid-waisted yoga pants often roll down under your belly. Plus-size yogis will also appreciate how some brands, like Lululemon, offer a wide range of styles, colors and fits in inclusive size ranges.

How Frequently You Practice

Some of these yoga pants are on the pricier side and if you have a regular practice, it might be worth it to you to splurge on high-end yoga pants that can do it all. However, if you’re just getting into yoga, or if you only practice once or twice a month and usually wear the leggings as lounge pants (no judgement, we all do this!), then you can probably save yourself a few bucks and opt for a less-expensive pair.

What You’ll Use Yoga Pants For

Well, you’ll probably be using them for yoga, right? Of course, but you also may be wearing them for other activities. For instance, having multi-purpose pants makes dressing quick and easy so you may wear the same pants several days per week while working from home, hiking, kayaking, or just walking around town.

Super soft yoga pants might be perfect for meditation, restorative yoga, and lounging around but yoga pants designed for more active yoga might also be used for hiking or dance classes. Fitness-focused options like the Lululemon Align Yoga Pant also double as hiking tights since they are comfortable, wick away moisture to keep you cool, have pockets to stash keys and phones and they come in a high-rise variety that doesn’t roll down.

How Do I Keep My Yoga Pants From Smelling?

The simple answer to de-stinking your yoga pants is to wash them but there are a few things you can do to avoid the funk in the first place. First, always air out your yoga pants to get rid of all excess moisture as soon as possible since that can cause odors. If you tend to stuff your damp yoga pants in your gym bag after your workout, be sure to take them out as soon as you get home. You don’t necessarily have to wash them right away but at least take them out of the bag and hang them over a chair or doorknob so the air can dry them out.

You can also seek out yoga pants made with synthetic fabrics that help inhibit the growth of microbes (and stink). Keep in mind that even if your yoga pants are made with anti-odor technology, they will still accumulate some skin and sweat residue from normal use so you’ll want to wash them more frequently than jeans or lounge pants.

What’s The Best Way To Care For Yoga Pants?

Just like any other apparel, you’ll want to check the manufacturer’s label for specific care instructions. Don’t assume your yoga pants can handle hot water and high heat in the dryer as either could cause them to stretch or shrink. In general, you can extend the life of your yoga pants (and most clothes, for that matter) by washing them in cold water with mild detergent and hanging them to air dry.

How Long Should Yoga Pants Last?

Like most items out there, you get what you pay for. When it comes to yoga pants, pricier options not only tend to be more comfortable and have more features like moisture-wicking, anti-odor technology, but they also tend to be made of stronger, more durable fabrics.

If you go with a cheaper pair of pants, you may save money in the short term but you’ll probably spend more money in the long run because the seams will wear out faster. The pants could also develop holes in areas that tend to rub a lot, such as around the thighs or butt. If you’re able to invest in higher quality pants, you’ll probably appreciate their durability, as will the environment, which doesn’t need anymore low-quality garments tossed into landfills.

Finally, the lifespan of your yoga pants will also depend on how much you wear them. A rigorous daily practice wears out pants out a lot faster than a sporadic class every few weeks. If you invest in a high-quality pair of yoga pants and wear them several times per week, they should probably last at least a year or two. If you wear them less, they’ll last longer.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

As writers and researchers, the Forbes Vetted team has tested and published many women’s fitness and fashion articles on everything from the best sports bras to the best plus-sized dresses. We’re also consumers so we have high standards about how we shop and what we buy and we like to think our readers benefit from our pickiness and obsessive tendencies. To ensure broad and diverse content, we also speak with experts with decades of experience in the field.

Based on our knowledge of the fashion space, which includes testing out many trusted brands and top products, we pinpointed the best yoga pants for women, depending on a variety of different needs in terms of sizes, materials and styles. This story is regularly updated for accuracy and was last edited in June 2023.

More Stories To Shop:

[sierrasanator]

I posted 846 times in 2022

That's 814 more posts than 2021!

20 posts created (2%)

826 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@meldorameliflua

@always-and-anyways

@randomkiwibirds

@zutarawillburnyourshipdown

@sipping--snowflakes

I tagged 842 of my posts in 2022

#these are a queue of my favorite things - 365 posts

#queue - 342 posts

#art - 77 posts

#about me - 45 posts

#atla - 41 posts

#funny - 38 posts

#tumblr - 28 posts

#stranger things - 25 posts

#p&p - 24 posts

#truth - 23 posts

Longest Tag: 85 characters

#and also i check how hot it’s going to be so i plan on staying indoors all day or not

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

.

4 notes - Posted December 6, 2022

#4

Day one of flooding you with gloomy and/or automny/wintery photos aka Sierra's advent calendar. Since I have seven days to make up for, here's the first four photos and this afternoon you'll have three more!

Firstly, the same view from my terrace with the fog retreating:

(The fog is nice, but for biking purposes I prefer the second one, when you can actually see the road) And some brown-leafed trees I saw this weekend walking to the city center and from my work office:

See the full post

4 notes - Posted December 7, 2022

#3

.

4 notes - Posted April 21, 2022

#2

Day 8 of Sierra's Advent calendar!

Today my bike didn't feel like working so I had to take the bus. That meant going to the city center which I wouldn't normally do in a weekday. But the positive side is that, while waiting, I went for a walk to warm up a little bit (2C and windy today) and so I took a photo of the Prefecture with some brown leafs (which as we already know is one of our themes)

Oo that weather sounds wonderful. I’m sorry about your bike though! I really should get mine fixed so I can ride around more. Also, that building is gorgeous! What is it for? I’ve never heard of a Prefecture before.

5 notes - Posted December 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Day 1 part 2 as promised!

So continuing with the brown leafs theme. Walking to the bus I found a leaf mountain that I would positively have kicked if I wasn't too near to my university where one of my students would have seen me. But the temptation was very strong.

The second photo I took when I was actually near my place and I could safely kick some leaves but it wasn't as satisfying, volume wise. Bonus: I've had those shoes since 2015 and they're quite beaten up, but I love them so much that I still wear them when it isn't raining and only when it's not raining because they may or may not have a few holes.

See the full post

13 notes - Posted December 8, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[aiweirdness]

Planet Earth From Above

Melbourne, Australia: home of kangaroos, botanical gardens, and a surreal monolith, jutting impossibly tall and narrow above its unassuming neighbors.

[images from a video by reddit user fulltimespy, in a successful completion of the Monolith Challenge]

This is the virtual Melbourne of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, where players are flocking to see the weird building and, naturally, land on its roof, before the game is patched and the monolith disappears.

How did this happen? Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 uses AI to fill in building details from a combination of satellite images and crowdsourced data from Open Street Maps. And at one point, someone who was entering building height data for Melbourne made a typo, accidentally changing a building height of 2 stories to 212. Monoliths are gradually being discovered in other places as well.

Even barring typos, the task of reconstructing every building in the world from height data and satellite photos is really tough. A roof’s details might give clues about whether a structure is a historic villa or an office block, but it’s easy to make mistakes if, for example, you don’t know what the Washington Monument is.

[screenshot posted by Reddit user NightReaper3210]

Because a nondescript office building is a reasonable default guess given a square building pad and a many-story height, the AI will tend to populate the planet with them unless specifically told otherwise. The Statue of Liberty, the Taj Mahal, and the Eiffel Tower are all lavishly hand-modeled in 3D. But The Motherland Calls statue of Volgograd is a condo high-rise, Buckingham Palace is an apartment complex, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a vertical concrete silo, and the Pyramid of the Sun is a nondescript warehouse with a hilarious tiny dome on its roof.

[screenshot, posted on reddit by l4adventure]

The AI is also making its best guesses when it comes to traffic patterns. It knew that this Boston street intersected a building somehow but didn’t know that the road passed through the building via tunnel. So it had the traffic drive up the side of the building.

Other terrain glitches force the traffic to do even weirder things. If the road is suddenly tilted vertically along the wall of a newly created canyon in northwest Iowa, the traffic will still drive on the road, just… sideways.

Water levels in particular seem prone to being incorrect, sometimes drastically so. The Pingualuit Impact Crater of northern Canada was apparently inverted by one of these glitches.

[image by reddit user NovaSilisko]

Bergen, Norway, has been transformed by this bug into canyonlike terrain, its buildings forced to adapt to the suddenly steep ground, their roofs rising like mushrooms for dozens of stories. It’s otherworldly, unrecognizable.

[screenshot by Mikael Privatby]

Greenland, on the other hand, is terrifying. The available terrain and satellite data is less precise, so pixels are sometimes visible as square-edged neighborhood-sized patches of gravel. The far north is marked by 20,000 foot ice walls, improbable ice spikes, and strange shimmering rifts. The geographic North Pole itself is unreachable; players report that any attempt to descend below 2,000 feet results in the player being rocketed skyward by a strange repulsion force.

[20,000 foot ice wall image: reddit user unrelentingdespair]

[screenshot near the north pole: reddit user Feydakin_G]

Some Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 players are thrilled with the unusual terrain, while others are disappointed when the photorealism is broken, and/or when their city’s distinctive architecture and most beloved landmarks are replaced by nondescript concrete jungle. The AI itself isn’t going to be able to reconstruct the world’s weirdness from satellite photos, so already people are crowdsourcing hand-modeled landmarks. You can install an add-on to convert Stonehenge, for example, from a miniature flattened Spinal Tap version to a full-sized 3D model.

As the developers tweak their algorithms and fix other things by hand, slowly the weirdness will be ironed out, the rivers and lakes set back in their beds, the statues restored to their detailed glory. Many will be disappointed when it happens - I’ll particularly miss the Melbourne Monolith. It would be nice to have a weirdness slider that goes from normal to Ragnarok, amplifying terrain chaos, perhaps adding the occasional floating mountain range or lava lake.

Subscribers get bonus content: I prompted GPT-3 to write an Atlas Obscura entry for the Melbourne Monolith. It added entries for a few other Melbourne landmarks, like the Artificial Gardens of Loria and The Very Pickled Centurion (did you know that the Lost Bar, like the Australian rules football lounge, is 10,000 light years away from the city it's located in?)

[aqueducts of Denali, screenshot by daveonthenet]

My book on AI, You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why it’s Making the World a Weirder Place, is available wherever books are sold: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Indiebound - Tattered Cover - Powell’s - Boulder Bookstore

[aangsglider]

“Aang became serious in LoK and lost his original personality.”

I’ve seen this comment a few times and I think it’s flat out one of the dumbest things anyone could say. Putting aside the fact Aang got about 45 seconds of screen time in LoK, if we’re judging his overall personality based off of a scene were he was about to meet and engage with a notorious and dangerous criminal, then attend a court session, and then take down a very feared and very powerful blood bender, then yeah that would be blatantly ridiculous.

I mean, what was he supposed to do? Have a laugh while chasing Yakone? Start doing the air marble trick during the hearings in court? Yeah, that wouldn’t make much sense.

I think people tend to forget Aang has always had a serious side to him. He just isn’t serious 24/7, because he has better sides to offer. Aang only gets serious when he needs to get serious. Every side to Aang makes Aang- Aang. All his character traits need to be accepted to love him because they make up his character. His character is allowed to be upset, hurt, angry or serious. So Aang being serious as an adult, especially when he needs to be serious, doesn’t mean he lost his original personality because that was and is apart of him.

But believe it or not, Aang did grow up. He didn’t remain twelve forever. And with growing up, comes maturity too. But people think Aang matured to the point he was nothing but cold and serious and that he lost his goofy, fun-loving side to him. The people who think this, first off, don’t know Aang. But in canon this take goes to waste.

1- Katara’s Letter to Tenzin in the book ‘Legacy’:

“I think what I loved the most about being part of your father’s journey was that even as he gained wisdom and took on more responsibilities, he never lost his youthful joy and his love for games and jokes. I’ve never known anyone else who could be so serious about the important things in life while at the same time embracing silliness so completely.”

We have Katara, Aangs wife, someone who probably knows him better than he knows himself, literally stating how he never lost his youthful joy and his love for games and jokes. And it’s something she loved seeing. She also mentions that he was only serious about the important things in life. As would be expected because most of us all are. But after that she goes on again to say how he embraces silliness so completely. All that alone says enough in itself.

2- What Lin said:

“I can’t believe your sweet-tempered father was reincarnated into that girl.”

Sweet-tempered means having a gentle and equable disposition and being pleasant/not easily tempered or irritated. That is quite near enough the opposite of being serious. And coming from Lin herself, who was close with Aang and got along with him, that says a lot.

art credit: SeiraSky.

3- The Fish Merchants Photograph:

We can gather a lot from this photograph alone- Aang never changed. Again, he matured as everyone does. He even matured in atla, but never lost his true self. Aang was the very one who brought light and fun into the gaangs lives. That kind of eminent trait doesn’t just disappear, and if you know Aang, that was something he always stuck to.

Can you just imagine the fish merchant asking to take a picture of him, and this man, judging who is about in his early/mid 40’s, who could’ve just stood there and smiled for the photo, but instead starts doing his classic airbending trick with the biggest, brightest smile on his face. Even there, with the weight of the world on his shoulders, this man still knows how to be a kid at heart, and that was something he never lost.

Bonus:

That’s just not the face of a serious man.

[just-another-blog-of-fluff]

Can't Keep a Secret

Word count: 4300

Warnings: tickling, fluff, reader with an inability to keep secrets, reader with a crush on a certain god of mischief

I'm so excited for 100 followers!! I didn't expect so many people to actually be interested in my writing when I started posting 🥰

This one is based on @atlas-of-the-universe's request here for a fic where Loki tickles the reader to get information of some kind 😉 I hope this is what you were looking for!

This one also has a little more crushing/romantic fluff than some of my other fics at the end, so if you're not into that just skip that part. As always, completely SFW!

* * *

No one ever seemed to do anything nice for Loki. So, when Thor approached you to ask if you’d help him and the others plan a surprise birthday party for his brother, you wholeheartedly agreed to assist. As the Avengers’ best party planner, you jumped at the chance to start brainstorming ideas to make this party the best Loki had ever experienced – including on Asgard. And, if it meant he’d pay a little extra attention to you, well… that was an added bonus.

The only problem was – you were terrible at keeping secrets.

It wasn’t as if you went around spilling the details when someone asked you not to tell the others about something. You knew enough not to just blurt out the fact that you were planning a party. Unfortunately, though, you had a tendency to let your feelings show in your facial expressions. Trying to keep secrets made you anxious, knowing you’d been the one to accidentally say just a little bit too much in the past and ruined other surprises.

The fact that you were the worst secret keeper was no… secret, for lack of a better word. Your teammates frequently exploited this fact when they wanted to know what you were hiding from them. Tony, especially, loved to talk circles around you until he could get you to trip up and give some detail away. On the other hand, they also tried not to let you in on too many details when they were planning a surprise for one of the other team members.

This time, you were determined not to give anything away. You were thrilled that the team was finally going to do something special for Loki, and you were NOT going to ruin it by spilling the beans to the trickster. Thor was probably one of the more trusting members of the Avengers, and he assured you when he asked you to help with the party that he had faith you wouldn’t screw up (quite literally in those words).

You started researching online to get some ideas. This party had to live up to the standards of an Asgardian prince, so you couldn’t just order a few pizzas and beer and call it a party. Plus, Tony had offered to pay for the whole thing (you suspected he felt guilty for having accidentally blasted Loki through a wall in the training room with his new Ironman suit the week prior) so your funds were basically limitless.

Inevitably, though, you were bound to run into situations where you had to spend time with the raven-haired god without allowing yourself to let any details slip.

The moment Loki first started to suspect you were hiding something was when he walked in on a conversation you were having with Thor in the kitchen. You had been asking him about the Asgardian mead his brother loved so much and wanted to know if he could manage to get some here on Midgard for the party.

“What is it about the Asgardian mead that you like so much better than standard alcohol?” you inquired curiously.

“Ha! That is a very funny question, Lady Y/N,” Thor laughed heartily. “As if any Midgardian liquor could so much as hold a candle to the spirits we drink on Asgard.”

“Hey! I enjoy my tequila! Margaritas are arguably a delicious alcoholic beverage,” you bantered.

“You truly believe this ‘margarita’ as you call it could compare to the smooth, sophisticated taste of an Asgardian mead?” Thor countered.

“I must agree with my brother on this one – I have seen this ‘margarita’ drink you speak of, and it is highly unlikely to be superior to Asgardian spirits.”

You gasped involuntarily when you heard Loki’s voice in the doorway, spinning around to face him with a look of bewilderment on your face. He cocked his head to the side, raising an eyebrow as he scrutinized your expression.

“Oh, hey Loki! Didn’t see you there,” you greeted, trying to lean casually against the counter you were standing beside.

“Yes… it appears you didn’t. You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” Loki folded his arms across his chest, eyeing you intently. “What was it that brought you to the subject of Asgardian liquor?”

“Oh, that? Well…”

“I was just informing Lady Y/N that I have been feeling a bit nostalgic thinking about the celebrations we had on Asgard, when we would drink heartily with Lady Sif and the Warriors Three,” Thor cut in, quickly interrupting you mid-sentence. “Brother, you must recall the time you had a bit too much while drinking with us and…”

“I believe that’s quite enough nostalgia for one evening, dear brother,” Loki cut in, appearing almost frantic as he glanced quickly at you before turning back to glare at the elder Asgardian. “Stark asked me to inform you he requires your assistance in the laboratory. You’ll need to continue this conversation another time.”

“Ah, yes, alright then. Another time,” Thor agreed, winking at you before he exited the kitchen. Loki followed close behind, but not before giving you one last calculating glance before he crossed through the doorway and out of sight. You let out a breath of relief, hoping he hadn’t thought much of the conversation.

You noticed, though, that Loki started conveniently popping up around you more often after that incident. Maybe he didn’t want Thor to have the opportunity to tell you about whatever embarrassing story had occurred when they were younger, you thought. Regardless, it meant that you had to be extremely cautious about doing any planning for the party in any of the common areas.

The second time you nearly let something slip was during a hushed conversation in the training room with Peter after one of your sparring matches. He had pulled you aside after training to ask your opinion about whether he should ask his friend MJ to attend the party with him. He’d had a crush on the girl for quite some time, and now that she knew his secret identity he thought it might be time to introduce her to his Avengers family.

“I’m nervous she might not want to come, but I think it would be a great chance for her to meet everyone when the focus would be on someone else,” he explained. You hiked your backpack up onto your shoulder with your training gear and made your way toward the door to the training room with Peter by your side.

“Why wouldn’t she want to come? From what you’ve told me, she seems to be more of a social butterfly than you are, even,” you asked.

“Yeah… you’re right, I’m probably overthinking this, aren’t I?” he chuckled. “I just don’t want to screw things up!”

“What are you screwing up this time, spiderling?”

You stopped short as you heard Loki’s voice from behind you, making your heart leap into your throat. You turned around, trying not to look startled.

“Oh, Peter wants his friend MJ to attend… a training session with us!” you fibbed, trying to think quickly. “You know, so he can show her his Spider-Man moves!”

“Yeah! That’s right,” Peter agreed, nodding vigorously. “I’m going to go call her right now, thanks Y/N!” Peter scurried off down the hallway, leaving you standing with a somewhat skeptical looking god of mischief.

“Why was Peter asking you about inviting a friend to his training? Would he not have asked Stark?” Loki inquired. You shrugged in a non-committal way.

“Who knows? Anyway, uh, it was nice talking to you, but I’ve got to get going… big assignment to finish up tonight, can’t really stop and chat. See you later!” you blurted, not waiting for a response as you hurried toward your room. Phew, that was close, you thought to yourself, hoping he hadn’t been standing behind you for too long.

Later that week, you found yourself alone in the common room while watching television. You pulled out your laptop during one of the commercials and started searching the internet for caterers, hoping to find something fancy enough to appeal to an Asgardian god. You had thought that everyone else was out for the day, so you weren’t overly concerned about anyone seeing what you were doing.

“What mindless reality television show are you watching today?” The smooth, baritone voice caused you to jerk your head up from your laptop screen and instinctively slam it shut. He hadn’t even been standing behind you to see what you were searching – it was purely on reflex that you closed the computer. Loki raised his eyebrows at you. “I see you aren’t really watching anything, are you? What is it you were viewing on your computer?”

“Nothing! I mean, nothing exciting, really. Just some old photos that I was trying to sort through,” you stammered, standing up with the laptop clutched to your chest. “You can have the TV if you want, though. I have to go… work on that assignment some more. I was just taking a break. It’s almost done!” Loki opened his mouth as if to say something, but you didn’t wait around to let him ask any more questions that might make you give away something you shouldn’t. You spent the rest of the evening in your room, avoiding the trickster at all costs.

The next morning, after getting ready for the day, you grabbed some breakfast before heading back to your room to continue to do some additional party planning research where Loki wouldn’t walk in on you unexpectedly. You shoved the last bite of one of Thor’s pop-tarts that you’d stolen into your mouth as you approached your door, opening it and walking toward your desk where your laptop sat. You always left the door slightly ajar when you were in your room, and so you were quite surprised when you heard the door thump shut behind you, the lock clicking into place.

“You’ve been hiding something from me.”

You stopped dead in your tracks, your heart pounding in your chest. You turned around slowly, staring wide-eyed at the god of mischief now standing in your bedroom between you and your only exit. His hands were clasped behind his back, his blue-green eyes gleaming ominously as he stared you down.

“Oh, hey Loki! What brings you to my room?” you asked, trying to sound casual.

“Let’s end this little charade, hmm?” He took a few slow paces forward into the room, closing the distance between the two of you. “It’s become clear to me over the last week that you have knowledge of some information that you do not want me to become aware of. I’d like you to tell me what it is.” His tone was calm; low, but dangerous. You swallowed hard.

“Loki, I-I’m not sure what you mean. I don’t have any secrets.” You took a step back from the advancing Asgardian, your back meeting the cold, hard wood of your desk behind you.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The choice is up to you,” he threatened, stepping even closer so he was only a foot away from where you stood trapped against your desk. “Tell me what it is you’re hiding, or I will… coerce you into talking.”

“Coerce me? Heh, what’s that supposed to mean?” you asked nervously, your hands gripping the desk behind you.

“I have my ways. I am the god of mischief, after all.” Loki stood in front of you unmoving, a barrier holding you hostage against your desk.

“Even if I did have something to hide, you wouldn’t hurt me. Your brother would kill you,” you warned.

“I never suggested I would hurt you, darling. I would never do such a thing.” He took the slightest step closer. “You seem tense. Am I making you nervous?”

“Very.”

“Good.” A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. “Have you decided, then? Will we be doing this the easy way or the hard way?”

“I told you, I have nothing to hide,” you insisted.

“Very well then. We’ll do this the hard way.” Quickly, you darted around Loki toward the door, trying to make your escape. He was faster, though, catching you with an arm around your waist and dragging you back so your back was against his chest. “Tell me, darling…” he growled in your ear, making you shiver, “… are you… ticklish?”

“Wha-“ you opened your mouth to protest but stopped speaking as you felt gentle scratching on your side. You shook your head quickly, suppressing the giggles that were threatening to rise out of your throat. If you stood still long enough, maybe he would give up.

“Do you think you’re fooling me by not allowing yourself to laugh? I felt you tense up immediately the moment I touched you.” He tightened his grip, wrapping both arms around your waist and digging his fingers into your sides. You snorted at the sudden sensation, doubling over to try to fight your way out of his grasp. “As I suspected. You are extraordinarily ticklish.”

“S-shut up, Loki!” you demanded, your muscles relaxing as his fingers stilled against your sides. He released you, allowing you to turn and face him but still standing in between you and the door.

“Now then – are you going to tell me what it is you’re hiding? Or do I need to tickle you until you are begging for mercy?”

You felt your face flush with heat. You’d been tickled before, certainly, but only for a few seconds at a time, and never as a means to pry information from you. Truthfully, though, you were enjoying this playful side of Loki. You were also determined not to tell him about the party – it would be so much more fun if it were a surprise, and he deserved to have fun. You braced yourself, folding your arms defiantly across your chest.

“There’s nothing to tell.”

Before you could react, Loki had tackled you, and you found yourself flat on the floor with your wrists pinned over your head. Your heart hammered against your ribcage as the dark-haired Asgardian loomed over you, his smirk growing wider.

“I see you’ve made your choice, then. But I should warn you – I don’t do mercy.” The fingertips of his free hand connected with your belly, lightly tracing the soft skin through your shirt. You turned your head so you wouldn’t have to look at him, his knowing stare making it more difficult to prevent yourself from laughing. Slowly, he applied more pressure until he was clawing at your belly with all five fingers, varying between the center and sides and analyzing your expression to evaluate your response.

“I-I’m telling y-you, t-there’s nothing to t-tell,” you insisted, jolting a little each time his fingers found a particularly sensitive spot.

“Unfortunately, I don’t believe you.” He shifted his attack to your side, his fingers spidering gradually up your ribcage. Your nerves were alight with ticklish shocks, helpless giggles now bubbling out of your chest.

“W-whyhyhy don’t you believe mehehe?” you asked, your tone starting to sound more desperate.

“You’re not exactly subtle. It’s rather obvious when you’re trying to keep a secret.” Loki was now scratching in between your upper ribs, and your giggles were evolving into desperate laughter. “I see this is becoming more challenging for you. I wonder – should I try to identify all of your weak spots? Surely one of them will get you talking.”

“NOHOHO LOKI!” you pleaded, thrashing to try to free your wrists from his grasp.

“You’ll need to provide me some information, then. What was it you were really discussing with my brother the other night?”

“HE TOHOHOLD YOU!!” You shrieked as Loki’s fingers found purchase under one of your arms, your feet pounding against the floor in desperation.

“Honestly, Y/N, I didn’t believe a word either of you said.” His fingertips grazed the underside of your upper arm, tracing from your elbow down to your underarm and back up again. You hadn’t realized how ticklish the soft skin of your arm could be, but his maddeningly light touch had you writhing to try to evade his fingers.

“STAHAHAP THAT!” you begged, yanking at your restrained wrists to try to lower your arms. Even before you were in this weakened state, the god of mischief was stronger than you.

“Then talk.”

“NEVER!”

“Aha!” he exclaimed suddenly, lifting his fingers away from your arm. You sucked in air desperately, letting out the residual giggles as he allowed you a moment to recover. “You ARE hiding something! You’ve given yourself away.”

“I… but… no I didn’t!” you pouted. He chuckled, a genuine grin spreading across his face at your adorable, disappointed frown.

“It’s too late now. You may as well tell me your secret.”

“I won’t tell! I’ll never tell!” you barked, a sudden surge of bravery rushing through you.

“I’m afraid I must continue, then,” he stated, feigning pity. “Why don’t you tell me where else you are ticklish instead?”

“What? No! I won’t tell you that either!”

“Fine. It’s much more amusing for me to locate your weak spots myself anyway.” Loki released your wrists and in the same motion reached behind him to squeeze above your knees with both hands. You yelped at the unexpected touch, trying with difficulty to sit up now that your arms were free. You reached toward Loki’s sides to try to retaliate but he was too perceptive, grabbing a wrist in each hand using his cat-like reflexes. “You don’t want to do that, darling,” he warned.

“Oh, but I think I do,” you argued, trying your hardest to break free of his grip. He wrestled with you for a moment, successfully forcing you onto your stomach so you could no longer sit up and try to counterattack.

“Now then – where were we?” he huffed as he sat himself down on the back of your legs, pinning you in place. You lifted your upper body up onto your elbows and turned to look at him, keeping a close eye on his hands. “Ah, that’s right. You were about to tell me what you were discussing with the spiderling the other day.”

“No I was-“ your retort died in your mouth as Loki’s fingertips touched down on the backs of your knees. “L-Loki, hold on, don’t you even think about it.”

“Why? Too sensitive?” he teased, tracing one finger along the tendon in the back of your knee. You let out a squeal, only egging him on as he began to flutter his fingers against the thin skin there.

“LOKI I WILL KIHIHILL YOHOHOU!”

“You hardly sound threatening when you’re giggling like a child,” he taunted, tracing along the skin on the inner sides of your knees. You reached back desperately with one hand while holding yourself up with the other elbow, trying to grab hold of his tickling fingers. He snickered at your feeble attempts, reaching up quickly to slide his fingers under your arm so your elbow would buckle beneath your torso before returning his attention to your knees. “This could all stop if you’d just tell me what your secret is.”

At this point, you’d come to the embarrassing realization that you were actually having fun, despite your abdominal muscles aching from laughing so hard. You were also still determined to keep the party a secret, if not for you then for Loki’s own good. You picked yourself back up onto your elbows so you could turn and look back at him defiantly.

“No!” you declared.

“No? I see I must not be trying hard enough, then. Let’s try somewhere else, shall we?” Loki shifted his weight so he could pin your legs down with his shin, his gaze turning down toward your socked feet.

“Don’t… you… dare!” you warned, noticing where his line of sight was directed. He placed his fingertips teasingly against the soles of your feet, maintaining eye contact with you, eyes glowing with mischief.

“I’ll give you one final chance. Spill,” he ordered. You merely smirked back at him.

“Make me.”

Without another word, Loki sprang back into action, his torturous fingertips skimming along the soles of your feet. Frantic giggles spilled from your lips as you tried jerking your feet away from his touch without success.

“I’d wager you’re regretting what you said now, aren’t you?” he goaded, scratching under your toes with one finger on each foot. Your giggles pitched up as you curled your toes to prevent him from reaching the sensitive skin. “Are you prepared to talk now?”

“NEHEHEVER!!” you screeched, still determined to win. Eventually he’d get tired of this and give up, right?

“Then I’m afraid you leave me no choice.” You practically screamed in ticklish agony as his fingers once again connected with your ribs, darting rapidly up and down your sides and under your arms, scribbling into the small of your back, fluttering against the sides of your neck and behind your ears, never staying in one place long enough to grow accustomed to the sensation. Your laughter fell silent as you tapped your hand hard on the floor, signaling you were giving up. Seeing your signal, Loki’s fingers stilled against you, still pressed gently into your sides as a warning that he could start right back up again at any moment. “Talk.”

“I will… alright… just… just give me a sec,” you huffed, your chest heaving with exertion. Your mind was racing, trying to come up with a plausible lie that would satisfy the god of lies. Your heart sank as you realized you couldn’t possibly come up with something in the next ten seconds that would fool him. It had to be the truth. “I’ll tell you, but you have to swear to me you won’t tell your brother that I told you.”

“That depends on what it is you’re about to tell me,” Loki bantered.

“No, I’m serious!” Loki shifted so his weight was no longer pressed on your legs, and you turned over into a seated position on the floor. “Promise me you won’t tell.”

“Fine. I promise. Now tell me.” You took a deep breath.

“We’re planning a party. For you. It was supposed to be a surprise.”

Loki was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. His blue-green eyes searched yours as if trying to find any hint of a lie in your face. His face softened a bit as he began to realize you were actually telling the truth.

“What for?” he asked, his tone flat.

“For your birthday.”

“We don’t celebrate birthdays on Asgard, we have far too many of them to be excited for them.”

“Ugh, Loki, don’t you get it? Thor wanted to do something nice for you! I wanted to do something nice for you!” You held his gaze, trying to prove to him you still weren’t lying.

“You wanted to do something for me?” His voice was low, but there was something different about his tone; something you hadn’t heard before. Hope? Excitement? You averted your gaze down to the floor, poking at the fibers in the carpet with your finger.

“Yeah, I did. You deserve something nice. You’ve come a long way since New York. And you’re… a good friend.” You felt heat rush to your face. You’d nearly revealed another secret, one you had no intention of telling him today. Or ever. Unfortunately, Loki was perceptive.

“That sounded like another lie, Y/N,” he stated ominously. You risked a glance up at him, seeing a smirk slowly spreading across his face.

“What?! No, it’s not!” you argued, the warmth in your face spreading to your ears.

“Haven’t you learned not to lie to me by now?” Loki suddenly grabbed hold of your waist, dragging you closer to him. “Or do I need to repeat the lesson?” His fingers latched onto your ribcage, squeezing and kneading with maddening precision. Still exhausted from the previous attack, you immediately caved.

“ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! I like you, ok??” Loki stopped tickling you, not yet releasing you from his grasp. You covered your flushed face with your hands. “Happy now?”

Loki pried your hands gently away from your face, tilting your chin up with his finger. His eyes were softer than you’d ever seen them before as he gazed at you, a small smile on his face. With a surge of confidence, you closed the gap between your faces, pressing your lips to his. He kissed you back, gently but passionately all at once. When he finally pulled away, he grinned at you.

“Yes, I am happy,” he said simply. You smiled shyly back at him.

“Good.” You hardened your expression a bit, although admittedly it was hard to wipe the smile off your face. “You still have to act surprised. I can’t have people thinking I can’t keep a secret.” Loki laughed at that, his voice rumbling in his chest.

“But you can’t, darling.” He gave you one last poke in the side, eliciting a whine from you. “I’ll do my best to act surprised. I am the god of lies, after all. I should be able to put on a convincing display.”

“Good.” You allowed him to help you to your feet before shooing him out the door. “Now, get out of my room. I still have planning to do.”

“Alright, alright,” he chuckled, stopping in the doorway to look at you. “I’ll go, but only if you’ll have dinner with me tonight.”

“Only if you don’t tickle me,” you countered.

“Sorry, love, but I can’t make any promises,” he replied, winking. You sighed, smiling at him.

“I guess I’ll take my chances then.”

[lunaastoir]

cute things i think the genshin characters would do

characters included: diluc, kaeya, venti, and albedo 

****minor lore spoilers for diluc!****

an: i’m thinking of making this into a series bc this was such an adorable concept to write so lmk if you’re interested 👀 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

diluc 

sorry kind of starting off with something a little sad 

i think diluc would have a habit of rubbing his vision 

ok seems kinda dumb at first but let me elaborate: 

after the death of his father, diluc was quite obviously devastated 

he basically withdrew into himself after letting all the grief, pain, and rage flood his senses

i think during this time of grieving, he would’ve developed this habit of running the pads of his fingers across his vision to calm himself down 

(v similar to katara from atla) 

since his father had always been proud of diluc’s vision, the thought of touching something that reminded him of his father has always been able to bring him some sort of relief no matter how short lived

it serves as a constant memory of his dad and i think being able to have that kind of connection - no matter how small would hold a significance to him 

stressed? you’ll see his fingers dance across his vision as the crease between his eyebrows gradually loosens 

ok here’s a bonus habit (bc the previous one was sad) 

whenever he’s bartending at angel’s share, he always flips the bottles in this cool bartending way before pouring the drinks 

like the whole shabang - flips in the air, shakes it in a way that the drink foams just right 

people are usually v surprised when they see this bc woah mans has got some sKILLS 

but also bc he’s known for being pretty serious and reserved so seeing a “trick” is kind of breaking the stoic image they have of him 

after he’s done pouring the drinks he’s also really precise about closing the bottles 

he makes sure that the caps are on tightly and that nothing is leaking (which ig is another reason why he does flips with them so he can make sure that the bottles are tightly closed) 

yes he’s rich but he also wants to make sure the drinks don’t go bad bc 1) kind of a loss if they do and 2) his customers deserve the best 

sweet man pls protect him <3 

kaeya

when he’s sitting down at his desk, he brings his legs up so he can sit on his chair criss- cross applesauce 

since he’s in his office and the only other person who’s in there with him is jean, he feels like he can drop the suave, charming cavalry captain facade he puts on when he’s in public and just dial it down slightly to who he really is in that moment 

jean doesn’t say a word the entire time even tho she quite obviously notices 

don’t get me wrong, he’s still the smooth talking kaeya but just,,, more relaxed and comfortable?? if that makes sense 

so since he’s a lot more comfortable in his office, he usually folds his legs into his chair bc damn they hurt from walking around all day

this is kinda dumb but i also think he has a lot of ink stains on his hands from writing so whenever he sees a fresh one he just likes to stamp it onto a piece of paper 

usually that piece of paper ends up being an unimportant report that goes to jean 

dw he also has a bunch of pretty small towels in his bottom drawer that he uses to wipe his hands on bc the public can’t see the pretty cavalry captain w ink stains!! the world would end!! 

oH kind of a side note but i also think he would keep a small folded up picture of something klee drew him in his pocket 

he thinks it’s very sweet and he periodically takes it out just to look at it soft for this man 

last one for kaeya but since he wears boots that have the little lip on the bottom (not really a heel but enough to make some noise) he makes sure to always try his best to walk quietly around the streets of mondstadt at night 

if anyone catches him doing it he’ll wave it off and say something like “oh me? i’m just practicing my stealth - it comes in handy when you have to sneak up on enemies you know?” but in reality that’s just bs 

he really just doesn’t wanna risk waking people up <3 

venti

this adorable man is obviously notorious for drinking 

he loves alcohol!! i mean he’s the anemo archon of the city of wine and freedom so is anyone really surprised 💀

anyways venti always jokes abt not having any mora (he really doesn’t he’s not wrong) but he always makes sure to pay his tab at angel’s share 

the only reason diluc lets him drink sm is because at the end of the day, venti always comes through w the mora 

he really is a talented bard so everything he makes in singing and composing music for other people to listen to always goes straight to angel’s share (debatable if that’s for the best or not but i’ll leave that one to you) 

so yeah <3 basically venti pays back his tabs even tho he’s an archon since he doesn’t want people to experience a loss bc of him 

it’s the archon nature coming out but also the venti nature bc he’s a sweet boy 

anyways getting onto the actual habit 🕺

he has a tendency to skip/hop regardless of wherever he’s going 

he uses his anemo elemental skill a lot while doing this just he can feel a light breeze whenever he skips around 

i also think he carries around extra bard strings in his hat bc he thinks it’s a cool party trick to take them out and be like tada i have extra strings no need to worry!!! 

people are usually not that amused but he does it anyway 

also yeah uh those strings sometimes fall out when he’s skipping 💀 

he’ll be hopping and suddenly bOOM they fall out, he loses them, a kitten by the name of prince takes them, and he has to ask for help to find his strings (i believe this is exactly how venti lost his strings to prince during the windblume festival and no i will not take any criticism and if venti says something different he is lying 🔪)

also has a habit of putting his hair into a bun sometimes!!! 

he loves his pigtails but he finds that he gets bored of them occasionally and his hair needs a break from its wavy tresses so he just plops it into a bun instead 

so so cute 10/10 hairstyle he can do my hair 

anyways love this man thanks for coming home <3 

albedo

i had a feeling i would kind of have a hard time w albedo since he is a little hard to read so i hope this is ok LMFAO 

he has paint stains. everywhere. no you cannot change my mind. 

they are subtle tho i will give him that 

you can’t notice that anything is amiss until you really pay attention and then you’ll start to see the pretty pastels and greens of the sunset he was painting up on dragonspine softly smeared across his clothes 

very rarely you’ll see a cute swipe of paint across his cheek or neck and it’s honestly adorable 

he was probably pushing his hair out of his face while he was painting and some excess paint on his finger landed on his cheek :,) 

he doesn’t really care tbh he thinks it’s just a part of him and it really isn’t that noticeable so he just leaves it 

also!!! since he is a big alchemist and he’s constantly working on labs and experiments i think he would accidentally misplace a lot of his written work 

he seems very organized but w someone as intellectual as him w his brain running miles a minute, i’m sure he has definitely forgotten where he’s put stuff away 

so!! in order to help him remember, he has little notes across his lab detailing where everything is 

if he was working on something and he immediately has to put it on hold bc something came up (klee came in demanding attention or sucrose needs help) then he’ll quickly jot down a note and stick it to his desk so he’ll remember when he comes back just in case he forgets 

sucrose as a result has noticed A LOT of notes across the lab and it’s simultaneously funny and endearing 

“started experiment with sweet flowers to try and turn them into a youth elixir: papers --> on the desk right next to klee’s photo” 

final point: he lets klee braid his hair sometimes if she wants to 

she doesn’t really know how given how young she is so she ends up messing up but albedo always walks her patiently through the steps again 

always makes time for klee no matter what bc he really does care a lot abt her :,) 

i love him sm pls 

[queenangst]

I MEAN SHE PROBABLY WOULD LIKE SOBA. I’d love to try to make it and just wave it next to her tank lol. See if she’s interested. (And she could be an honorary todo if a tiny, cowardly koi betta slipped into their koi pond lmao)

Now to veer wildly off the topic of fish, but here are the technical art books I have! I don’t use them much cause I keep forgetting I have them, and for the text heavy ones I haven’t fully read them. But!! By look very promising! So here goes:

Perspective made easy (Ernest r Norling): breaks down dealing with perspective to simple shapes and includes exercises and some incorrect samples. Haven’t fully read, but seems very helpful

Art tips collection (miyuli): includes many breakdowns and tips of common mistakes in the human body. Super helpful. It was a Kickstarter book, so I’m not sure if it’s available still :/

Color and light (James gurney): very technical, I’ve had it for years and I still haven’t read it ^^’ but it’s full of explanations and examples for different kinds of lighting, including some stuff I’ve never heard of! Also has a lot of dinotopia art, which is always a bonus

An atlas of anatomy for artists (fitz Schierer): I SWEAR I WOUKDNT HAVE TO KEEP USING PINTEREST IF I REMEMBERED I HAD THIS BOOK! Or at least I wouldn’t have to as often. It’s got a crap ton of muscle and skeletal diagrams of all parts of the body, as well as (b&w) photos of poses and references. It’s not an end all be all, but it’s pretty helpful if you keep forgetting basic musculature like me.

The art of animal drawing (Ken Hultgren): THIS BOOK IS A GOD SEND. It’s got all kinds of animals plus all kinds of poses that you can NEVER find references for. Plus it’s got stylization examples and advice, as well as some animation references, like walk cycles. I’ve referenced this one a lot, but your mileage may vary depending on how much you draw animals lol

Drawling wildlife (jc amberlyn): assumes the audience knows the basics. It’s not as good as the above one, but it’s got a wide variety of animals to look at as well as some pretty good advice. It’s worth the money.

imagining punkin with her own little bowl of soba... crying

this is a great list! i think everyone knows james gurney, lol, but i haven't heard of some of these so i'll definitely take a look

i draw animals like never LMAO except for cats

but yeah i agree technical books are great to reference, but sometimes hard to read. something i like doing is making them like lessons, so you can do assignments and practice different techniques and stuff.

[juniperhillpatient]

hey guys check out these really cool atla tvd au fusion edits I made after drinking an entire bottle of wine on a tuesday night instead of actually writing for Six Feet Under OR doing any of the slightly alarming amount of homework I have :’) I was gonna put them under the cut for cursed content but then I thought “why would anyone who DOESN’T want cursed content be following me?” 

[image id: an edited picture of a promotional shot for the vampire diaries with elena gilbert laying in the grass & stefan & damon salvatore laying on either side of her. it has been edited so that katara from avatar’s face is there instead of elena’s, zuko from avatar’s face is there instead of stefan’s, and azula from avatara’s face is there instead of damon’s. end id]

bonus: 

Sokka as elena since Katara & Sokka sorta split Elena’s role: 

[image id: a picture of elena gilbert from the vampire diaries in her purple long sleeve shirt and jeans with her iconic locket. over her face is an edited image of sokka from avatar’s face. end id]

bonus bonus: 

Ozai as Katherine is perhaps my finest creation: 

[image id: a shot of katherine pierce from the vampire diaries in her 1864 green gown. ozai from avatar’s face is there instead of hers. end id]

also get ready for more of these my sibling is learning photo shop & I’m really good at bullying them into doing stuff for me

[letmebeawesome]

Kait’s Mates Badly Describe The Mechs - The Blind Tests

I decided to do the whole ‘Send the Mechanisms to your friend and see how they characterize them’ thing with four people, mostly for my own entertainment, and honestly? 

I think my friends might be mad. But I decided to write them all up anyway because I can’t find the blooming screenshots and I’m not sure the Tumblr app will even hold up to that many pictures. 

So this is part one. Three people (Victim B, C & D) with no idea what the Mechanisms even is. Part two is decidedly more chaotic. For reference, B is Charlie, who did an abridged version with just a group photo, C is my bf Roo (Aka @bisexiest-bioexorcist hey babe) and D is James. C & D did it in full with prompts. I also haven’t told them the answers so if any of you see this - Enjoy.

Under the cut for the sake of all your dashes

"They look like they’d face the apocalypse really confidently then die immediately” ~ Victim D.

Jonny

Victim B: Chaos.

Victim C: this persons name is either RJ or Roman Jantesque iii. he has a robot eye which they use to zoom in on cats from really far away. they play the electric harmonica and everyone knows it.

Victim D: Name - Matthew. Plays bass. Mech - Internal organ like heart or something. Thinks he’s more mature than he is.

Toy Soldier

Victim B: Is that a child or are they just small? Chaos.

Victim C: percival OR olivia. flute. mechanical internal something, possibly lungs.

Victim D: Name - Charles. Plays kazoo ironically and bass actually. Mech - Left hand. A first time cosplayer at a convention who’s very excited.

Nastya

Victim B: Deffo the only one who isn’t straight.

Victim C: she is holding the violin for emmaline [see Raphaella below]. she plays the harpiscord. her name is mortzia, like marzia and morticia in one name. she isn’t mecha but is an engineer that fixes/helps people when their mech aspects fuck up or break.

Victim D: Name - Jaque. Guitar. Mech - Right leg. reformed junkie

Victim C: she badass.

Ashes

Victim C: Their name is rox. Mechanical left arm. The guitar is a red herring. They have a witchtok.

Victim C: Wait. Roxanna d’marque is their full name.

Victim D: Name - Raven. Bass. Mech - Part of skeleton. On medication.

Gunpowder Tim

Victim B: Kinda pretty

Victim C: It’s not a phase mom, my name is Vesuvio, the darkness bringer. Stop calling me Jamie thats not my name. let me play my bass in piece.

Victim D: Name - Jared/Gerard. Multi instrumentalist. Mech - Heart, again. my future husband

Drumbot Brian

Victim C: giggly boy. i shall call him jasper. he plays the banjo and/or fiddle. if he doesn’t play the banjo then his name is banjo. if he plays the banjo then his name is jasper.

Victim C: [upon being told that he does, in fact, play the banjo] He looks like it. he carries that air about him like a cloud of sugar from a box of nerds.

Victim D: Name - David. Vocalist. Mech - Part of brain. deeply depressed.

Ivy

Victim B: Looks like a singer to me

Victim C: english teacher in a past life. their name is like lazar or atlas or cinder or another noun. they play drums and have mecha neck/shoulder mods.

Victim D: Name - Charlie, short for Charlotte. Mixed percussion. Mech - Part of brain and ear. Nervous writer.

Raphaella

Victim B: Drummer?

Victim C: The cottagecore of steampunk. their name is emmaline. they look like janet from the good place. the wings are cool. they play a fuckin wicked violin at the ‘free bird’ level.

Victim D: Name - Scarlet. Also bass. Mech - Part of skeleton. lgbt.

Marius

Victim C: raphael. accordian. will laugh at own jokes. knee downwards is mech.

Victim D: Name - Adam. Vocalist. Mech - One or both of his eyes. Soft boi.

BONUS ROUND

I also asked everyone who they thought was dating the starship just for the heck of it. Victim A (@wxndxrlxnds, whose crimes we will discuss later) and Victim B said that it was Marius. Victim D said Brian. Victim C wanted more options - For a big ship either Jonny or Ashes, but for a small ship, Brian or Toy Soldier. Thus proving, it’s always the ones you least expect who are fucking the ship.

[thirtysixsavefiles]

What this is: that Rhysothy Dancing With the Stars AU that I started and never finished but still think fondly of sometimes.

Quick Summary: Timothy is a dance professional on DWTS who gets assigned Rhys as his “star.” Rhys is famous-ish for selling a social media startup and just generally being a media presence. Rumor has it Rhys is angling for a shot at being the lead on The Bachelor next season, but that’s unconfirmed and as far as Tim’s concerned, not his business.

Are you actually writing this? Not anymore, sorry, but it’s more or less a complete outline with some snippets of what I did write underneath the cut!

Preseason: Tim

“At worst, you’ll have to put up with an excessive amount of flirting. Word is he’s aiming for a Bachelor run in the next year or so.”

“Which is why you snapped him up,” Tim murmurs, eyeing the practiced camera smile, the slicked-back hair in the photos.

Athena shrugs. “Reality television is what it is. For once we get a star on their way up instead of down, he gets a springboard to other in-network programming. Everybody wins.”

She pats his head and turns to leave. “Do what you can with him, ok? And it wouldn’t hurt you to flirt back a little - audiences love a couple with chemistry.”

Timothy, dance professional, gets word from Athena, the new studio exec that his partner for this season is going to be Rhys Oliver. Rhys has founded - and subsequently sold - a social media startup and is enjoying the media limelight. Tim figures it could be worse.

Week 1: Cha Cha

“I want to die,” Rhys groans, all long limbs and drama, flat on the floor of the studio. Tim is less than impressed.

Tim nudges him with his foot. “You are contractually obligated not to die,” he says. “At least, not until we’ve gotten at least one dance out of you.”

At their first practice, Rhys is by turns whiny and flirty and he’s clearly aware of where the cameras are in the room, but he’s got potential. Tim can work with this.

It had all seemed so simple: ten weeks of dancing (if he was lucky, if he stayed on that long), with a professional instructor to make him look good. Rhys knows how to work a camera, and a crowd; this was supposed to be an easy step further into the spotlight. He just hadn’t thought that dancing, of all things, would be so difficult. He’s in shape, more or less. He does yoga. He did theater, a bit, in college - an audience doesn’t scare him.

But after that first session he had ached in muscles he didn’t even know he had, and Timothy hadn’t gone any easier on him the second day. Or the third. Or the rest of the week. And now Rhys is listening to his own recorded voice boom out above him, telling the packed auditorium and the viewers at home how excited he is to be here, to be working with Timothy.

He is excited. Timothy Lawrence is a fan favorite; Rhys is lucky to be paired with him.

He’s just never had an audience this big, and he feels a bit like he might throw up.

For his part, Rhys is finding this more challenging - and more exhilarating - than he had thought possible. But Timothy makes it - not easy, but rewarding. Handling the contestants is part of his job, Rhys knows, but he doesn’t seem like he’s faking it when he says they have a shot at going all the way.

Week 2: Foxtrot

Despite himself Tim can feel the faintest warmth in his cheeks and his mouth pulling up. This is taking the bait, he knows it is, but it’s fun to play along, and Athena’s right: audiences love a couple with chemistry.

He’s just bolstering Rhys’ chances, that’s all.

Tim leans in and tilts his head, putting his mouth right next to Rhys’ ear. “This is a family show, Rhys,” he murmurs, low and intimate and too low for the cameras to pick up. Tim knows exactly what this will look like, and the way Rhys shivers is just a bonus.

Rhys continues to be a terrible flirt in practice; Tim plays along, but only because it makes good television. Really.

Rhys watches the training package again, which he already knows Tim would prefer he didn’t - Tim says it’s a distraction, that he needs to keep his head on straight for the performance. But the contestants don’t get to see the packages before they air, and Rhys has always liked how he looks on camera.

But - it is distracting, to see them pressed together in the studio with Tim’s head bent close to his ear, and although Rhys knows that Tim was trying to get Rhys back on track - that’s not what it looks like here, even to him.

Certainly not to the crowd, which gasps with delight when Tim pulls back and Rhys smooths his hand over Tim’s shoulder up on the big screen while his voice earnestly tells the crowd what a dedicated instructor Tim is. Looks like the network is playing up the chemistry angle as well - and as Rhys glances over at Tim, he has to admit that he certainly lucked out in that department.

The performance part is getting easier, but the judging is getting harder. Rhys appreciates everything Tim is doing for him - he’s making Rhys look damn good on camera, both in the studio and on the floor, but the judges aren’t buying it. Tim assures him they’ll work on it.

Week 3: Rumba

“Yes, country,” Tim says as he moves them in small circle to the pounding beat. “We’re gonna move fast to double-time the beat. The judges love that. But they already got on you for holding back last week -” Rhys tenses and Tim rubs his back soothingly. “I know, I know. I’m just being honest with you - if that happens again it could send you home. And I don’t -”

Tim stops. I don’t want to see you go so soon suddenly, strangely, seems like too much.

“I don’t want to give up on the Mirrorball that easily, you know?” Tim lifts and Rhys gasps as his feet leave the ground. Tim swings him in a little circle, grinning at the faint flush on Rhys’ cheeks when Tim puts him down.

“I know we can do better,” Tim says, and Rhys blinks vaguely at him. “We just need to get you something to connect to. So we’re gonna try this. No choreography, not yet - just listen and follow my lead.”

Tim slows things down in the practice sessions, giving Rhys a chance to really listen to what Tim’s body is telling him. (Not like that, Tim tells himself. Repeatedly.)

Rhys tips his head back and closes his eyes, fingers flexing. A bit of professional flirting is one thing - Rhys needs to show that he’s got a television personality if he’s going to have a shot at The Bachelor. But the easy familiarity of Timothy’s hands on his hips had curled something comfortable and warm in Rhys’ stomach, and it’s that feeling he reaches for now.

Then the real thing settles warm and solid on his back, and it’s time to go.

Their first two dances had been highlighted by precise movement; Tim had said this one was more fluid, and to let the music and Tim’s body tell him how to move. Rhys has been hearing the music in his sleep for the last few days, and it hasn’t said anything special to him; Tim’s body, on the other hand -

Rhys focuses on just himself and Timothy until after the music stops, and he can already tell before he turns to the judge’s table that this was much better than his previous two dances.

Week 4: Argentine Tango

“I can’t wait for the next one,” Rhys says, settling on the floor across from Tim at his gesture. Tim give a pointed look at Rhys’ feet and Rhys makes a face but he extends his legs and starts stretching, making sure he’s limbered up for the session. The last thing they need is an injury. “We’re going to do it again, right?”

“Do what again? Dance? What do you think we’re here for?” Tim nods at the other leg and Rhys switches sides. He’s really getting pretty flexible; his stretch has more arch to it than it did three weeks ago, and he’s getting more extension out of his legs.

“No.” It’s muffled into his knee but Tim can almost hear Rhys rolling his eyes. Then Rhys lifts his head, eyes glinting. “I mean, yes. I mean the part where you put your hands all over me.”

Tim raises his eyebrows. “Family show, remember?”

Rhys laughs, locking eyes with Tim as he leans forward again, and there definitely wasn’t this much arch to his spine even last week - not that Tim’s looking, except that he is. It’s Tim’s job to notice these things. Professionally.

Tim is fine. He’s totally handling this well.

“What was that about a family show, again?” Rhys says as he lifts the - the thing and studies it. He’s not sure which way is up - both options appear to be equally horrifying in their own way.

“Hm.” Tim takes the mess of straps and buckles from him and stretches it out into a third arrangement Rhys had not considered. “Maybe you’re right.” He sets it aside and puts his hands on his hips, looking Rhys up and down. “We’ll just open your shirt instead.”

Rhys blows out a sigh of relief - and then pauses, watching Tim’s satisfied smile.

“Was this a ploy to get me to agree to take my shirt off?” He demands. “Present that,” he waves a hand, “as the first option, so this sounds like a better one?”

Tim’s smile doesn’t budge an inch. “Would I do that to you?” He winks, and turns to the other items of clothing on the table before Rhys can insist that yes, he would. Tim turns back around with a stack of crisp black clothing in his hands. “Here. Try these on for size.”

Rhys is also handling things extremely well.

[After this point it’s more notes and less actual prose, but it’s still a fairly solid outline imo.]

Week 5: Paso Doble (I)

Training: Tim

[Tim thinks Rhys is ready for the Paso, but gets hurt during practice.]

Show Night: Rhys

[Rhys is clearly distracted, worried about hurting Tim/Tim getting hurt.

Critique: can’t hold back with the Paso - have to push self and partner

They get by on fan favoritism.]

Week 6: Contemporary

“This is custom work,” Rhys says, pulling his arm back. He flexes his fingers absently. “The surgery to hook it up to my nervous system, the testing, the calibrations; the process was - painful,” he says matter of factly. “And expensive. Not everyone can afford that.”

“Getting Atlas off the ground was - hard. Even with the [social network name] sale,” Rhys says evenly. “Social media platforms - those are sexy. Everybody loves a good startup story. Biomedical research? With no clear return on investment?” Rhys shakes his head. “Much harder to sell to investors.”

“It was hard, walking away from Silicon Valley,” Rhys says thoughtfully. “It was also the best thing I’ve ever done.”

“Is that why you’re going for a Bachelor run?” It’s a leap, but Tim feel like he’s right about this. That’s the way Rhys’ mind works.

Rhys starts, glancing at the cameras. Tim waves a hand. “They’ll edit that out.”

Rhys looks down and laughs softly. “Yeah, I guess it is. I know it’s unorthodox, but - between this show and that one, I could really put the Atlas foundation on the map, you know? And myself, of course,” he says, running a hand through his hair and preening. He looks ridiculous, hair sticking up with sweat and hair gel; he bats his eyelashes at Tim and Tim laughs against the sudden tightness in his chest.

Tim asks about Rhys’ Most Memorable Year; Rhys’ answer is less practiced but also, Tim thinks, more honest than he’s been before. Confirmation of Bachelor ambitions is something Timothy mostly already knew. There’s no reason to be jealous here. No reason at all.

Rhys’ voice echoes in the auditorium, telling Tim about the Atlas Foundation,  and he has to give the editors credit - they make what could have easily been “poor little startup boy struggles with a second startup” into an altruistic gesture - which, it is, Rhys reminds himself.

He just hadn’t intended to tell Tim any of it.

He’d had a couple stories lined up - a bad breakup, a poignant moment from his childhood - but when Tim had asked, this had come spilling out instead.

He’d managed to stop himself before he’d gotten to the worst of it - the sudden disappearance of the people he’d thought were friends once he walked away from what had been such a moneymaker, the long nights where he wondered if he’d made the right decision. It had certainly been memorable - but it was a little more personal than he’d planned on sharing with the whole country.

Coming back the next day and learning the choreography Tim had put together, though - in one night, no less - he wonders if maybe Tim hadn’t read between the lines. Rhys will be the first to admit that he knows even less about contemporary dance than he does about ballroom, and frankly he’s in awe of what Tim had put together in the less than a day. Five weeks of spending hours in practice together nearly every day have left Rhys thoroughly impressed with Tim’s skill as a teacher, but he hadn’t fully appreciated the artistry of what Tim does until he’d been coached through something that didn’t exist except in Tim’s mind. It had been incredibly - intimate, is the word Rhys keeps coming back to, like learning Timothy from the inside out.

The Contemporary/Most Memorable Year dance is easily one of Rhys’ best; it also leaves him the most wrung out.

Week 7: Waltz

Training: Tim

[Tim knows how this show goes. seven weeks in close quarters, practicing six hours a day, in an us-against-the-world situation - Tim knows what that does to peoples’ emotions.

This isn’t that.]

Show Night: Rhys

[Most classic dance. Tim looks very handsome in coats and tails; Rhys wonders what he would look like in regular suits - wonders what Tim looks like outside of dance, what he does in his time off. They’ve talked a lot about Rhys but not very much about tim.]

Week 8: Jive

Training: Tim

[Business travel trip to SF. Tim’s never seen Rhys in his element before - gives him the idea for the Paso.

ABC clears out the gym at the hotel they’re staying at for them to practice.]

Show Night: Rhys

[Rhys is exhausted but exhilarated. Tim had at least slept on the plane; Rhys lied and said he had. Tim frowned at him.

Rhys stumbles at end of dance and Tim makes him sit on his knee during critique]

Week 9: Paso Doble (II)

Training: Rhys

[Redemption dance. Tim puts Rhys in the lead. Tim no longer has any doubt they’re going to the finale.]

Show Night: Rhys

[Fierce eye contact.

Tim kisses Rhys on temple at the end of dance

Athena offers him the Bachelor spot. Rhys is ecstatic until he spots Tim across the room.]

Week 10: Finale

Training: Tim

[Tim had always known this was coming.

Looks at music composition, figures what does he have to lose.

(Besides the best dance partner he’s had on this show, besides the person he can’t wait to see, besides the person he falls asleep and wakes up thinking about.)

Dance studio covered in pictures of them dancing]

Show Night: Rhys

[The crowd is, ostensibly, louder than any they’ve danced in front of before, but it sounds muted, far away. A bubble of silence seems to surround him and Tim, and Rhys can hear Tim clearly when he says, “ready?”

Rhys isn’t. He’s not ready for this to be over.

Rhys kisses Tim on live tv after winning. Goodbye bachelor contract.]

Tagging @callmearcturus because you asked about it

[jinxedcrow]

send me 💍 + how can i not give me fairgame snow rip me apart

Wedding Starters // Selectively Accepting

In the Chickadee verse…

where they get married: They probably first get married in Atlas, during the fight with Salem, because they’re afraid it’s the only chance they’ll get. Later, Qrow would want to have the ceremony in Patch, though he’d insist it’s a small one. It’s probably not too far from Tai’s house. Everything below (unless stated otherwise) will be referring to the Patch wedding.

when they get married ( ie what time of day, what month and season etc. ):  In Patch, they would get married in the morning, then celebrate through the afternoon and into the night. He’d probably want to get married in late spring.

what traditions they include: Qrow would want to bring in some traditions from the tribe (I could write a whole post about how he relates to tribe traditions). Worked out with @nightmarebcrn​/@dcstinythief​, Qrow would want to include the tradition of being tied to the would-be partner for a day and a night before the wedding, as well as the weaving of a sort of braid that symbolizes their union. He would also like to write personalized vows that are particularly meaningful because he’s sappy like that, but he wouldn’t force Clover to do the same if he didn’t want to. Qrow just wants to get up there and gush over Clover a little bit, probably make fun of him a little too.

what their wedding cake looks like: Qrow has no preference over what the cake looks like. It’s probably homemade, big enough for whoever they invited to partake. Qrow isn’t a big fan of sweets so he doesn’t really care one way or the other.

….who smashes cake into whose face: Lets face it, either Raven does it to both of them OR Qrow trips and falls into the cake. Alternatively Qrow almost trips into the cake, Clover catches his arm, its laughs all around. Then the leg snaps off the table and it just dumps into the grass. Just their luck.

who proposed to who first: Clover proposes on the battlefield.

who walks down the aisle and who waits at the altar ( or neither ): I don’t think either do, I think they both meet at the altar.

what their wedding dresses / suits / other look like: Qrow’s is simple, crisp, black and grey suit with a red tie– and this is the only time you will ever see him without his ratty cape. He also adds a green scarf tied around his left bicep. I imagine Clover is in something white and green with pops of blue, and the red bandana tied on his arm.

what their wedding colour scheme is and what sort of decor they have: They probably don’t have much of a color scheme because the get married outside (weather permitting, you better use your semblance on the clouds Clover) and don’t decorate much. They have chairs set up in the grass along with flowers (in probably pinks, purples, etc) and a few black feathers gathered at the altar.

what flowers are in the bouquet ( if applicable. bonus: what do the flowers mean? ): Red ranunculus (radiant charm), Purple anemone flowers (both bad luck/ill omens, AND protection against bad luck 👀), and Ferns (confidence and shelter),

what their vows are ( eg poetry, traditional, improvised etc. ): Qrow agonized over his vows in the days leading up to the wedding. He’s never been a wordsmith, he’s no poet, but he so deeply wanted to express how he felt and how grateful and gladdened he is to have found Clover. The morning of he wrote out everything on note cards only to find that his suit pocket had a hole in it when he went to grab them. Instead he ended up improvising them. He started with humor (’how did I reel this one in’ and other such jokes that would make even Yang groan) but eventually got into the sappy stuff.  He’d mention that he wants to stand at Clover’s side, that they would be each other’s shelter. That he’s not good at feeling good, but Clover makes him want to learn. How during good times and bad, through the fear and uncertainty, he would be there for Clover. No matter how many card games he lost, he’d stick around to play another round.

if anyone’s late to the wedding: They were very nearly late to their own wedding, but they managed to make it.

who’s in the bridal parties / groomsmen / other: Qrow has Mercury ( @nightmarebcrn​ again) as his best man, with Raven, Tai, Yang, and Ruby also in his party. Clover probably has the Ace Ops in attendance

what their bridal party / groomsmen / other are wearing: Whatever they want, Qrow and Clover aren’t insisting on people matching or even following a specific color scheme.

who gives speeches at the reception ( bonus: what do they say? recount a sweet memory or two between them? tell an embarrassing story? ): Mercury gives the first speech, followed by Robyn’s. Mercury’s speech is soft and nice, meanwhile Robyn drags Clover within an inch of his life (all in good fun, surely). Qrow thinks he’s safe, until he realizes that Raven and Tai have prepared words and he’s about to get the same treatment.

who catches the bouquet( s ): Hmmm…. I really wanna say Tai or Raven and they renew their vows

what their wedding photos are like: They take one serious one with everyone lined up like a sports team picture. There’s one of Clover hooking Qrow with Kingfisher and reeling him in, one of Qrow lifting Clover up with the sun behind them and they’re just lost in each others eyes. The rest are all silly candid shots that take place during the party, not just of them but everyone in attendance.

what sort of food they have at the reception: Probably potluck style, whatever people wanted to bring, they wouldn’t get it catered.

who cries first during the ceremony: Oh man, that’s a good question… Honestly? Probably Tai is the very first to cry. Clover wells up too, Qrow nearly holds it together but his voice breaks during his vows and he’d probably have to wipe his eyes during Clover’s vows.

how wild their reception gets ( who dances the best, who gets drunk first, etc.): I imagine they have a sober reception for obvious reasons. Qrow insisted it would be ok if people wanted to drink, that he would be alright, but nobody (including Qrow) really wanted to test that theory. Also nobody wanted to make him feel left out at his own wedding. That said, it’s still a fun reception. I imagine they’re on a lake so there’s swimming to be done and feasts to be had, its a real party even if everyone there is sober.

what their rings are like: I don’t know if they exchange rings exactly, unless Clover wants to, but Qrow would get another ring for him. Something like this probably with a green stone inlay. If he wanted a ring, Qrow would probably get him something like this

what sort of favours they have ( heart shaped sparklers, mini champagne bottles, personalised candy etc. ): Maybe personalized tins of tea leaves or something? Custom playing cards?

where they go for their honeymoon: Oh man, Qrow has traveled all over Remnant already. He’d probably ask where Clover wants to go, someplace he’s always wanted to go, and take him there.

something memorable that happens during the party / ceremony: Uhh, maybe Qrow gets thrown into the lake while still wearing his suit? Clover either rips of his sleeves of gets his sleeves torn off at some point during the reception.

who officiates the ceremony: Well, Robyn officiates the first wedding during the fight (she’s a council woman, right? she can totally do that). Their ceremony in Patch is probably officiated by Raven, if Clover is ok with that.

what song their first dance is to: fuck this is the only question i really don’t know

who gives who away as they walk down the aisle: If there’s any giving away at all, Tai probably gives Qrow away (if Raven is busy officiating), Robyn or one of the ace ops probably gives Clover away.