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infinitegalahad · 4 years

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HOW TO SAY I LOVE YOU (WITHOUT SAYING I LOVE YOU)

Summary: Everybody in Easy Company can see that Shifty is like a love-sick puppy with a cute truck driver. He loves her, but he's too shy to confess. Popeye, his best friend, can no longer stand to see it. Floyd Talbert is the man of the hour and knows how to get Shifty, who can barely say I love you", to say those three words without actually saying the words. The way to solve this pining? A classic carnival date.

Word-Count: 7.4k

Notes: Howdy y'all! Once again, I am back from the dead! School has been a little crazy lately. I'm still working on requests and opening up some prompts, but I have two essays that are due in a month and aka-my life is a mess but...writing. I hope you guys will forgive me for dying and take this tooth rotting fluff of Shifty and cheeky tab! Shifty basically has a phd in being adorable. It's pure fluff, not a single ounce of angst! Once again, fem reader. Also unbeta read, we die like idiots. Enjoy!

Taglist: @tvserie-s-world @easy-company-tradition @liebgotttme @50svibes (add yourself to my taglist)

“Oh, it’s hopeless!” Popeye sighed, his face landing into his hands. It had gone on for too long. At that point, it was sickening to watch Shifty. As much as Popeye loved him, he couldn’t stand to watch him attempt flirting, or whatever he was doing with his crush. Something had to be done, and the infamous playboy Floyd Talbert was the perfect person for the job.

Floyd had a smirk sprawled across his face as he looked behind Popeye, seeing the interaction blossom between Shifty and his crush. Shifty towered over them, shining his pearly whites and saying something inaudible, earning a sweet chuckle. His sun tanned cheeks turned tomato red as he rubbed his nape.

“I love Shifty, but that poor boy doesn’t even know he’s in love with her.” Floyd remarked. Being a serial dater, he knew how to charm people, with his dashing looks and personality. Floyd studied the Virginian, struggling to hide his obvious affections. His bright smiles, rosy cheeks, spotting them within the crowds-the boy was enamored with her.

Not only was Shifty in love, but so was y/n. Shifty and y/n were both quiet, and shy people. They were adored by the company as being the nicest people alive. You were a truck driver assigned to the company in Aldbourne. Being the only girl donned in pants, the men of easy company were both intimidated and intrigued with you. When you weren’t driving trucks, you were either subjected to Floyd’s advances or the mortar trio attempting to flex their muscles. Y/n eventually eased her way into the company, becoming “Easy’s girl”. Even though you felt welcomed, you didn’t really have a friend you could rely on.

That was until you met Shifty Powers. You met him by accidentally running into him with a box full of mountains. He, being the kind soul he was, offered to help you reorder the thousands of bullets. In exchange, you offered him a ride to a location he was running late to. He introduced himself by Darrell, insisting that you called him by his real name with a smile on his face. He was an undeniable gorogues with sun tanned skin, a smile to die for, and chocolate hair that was golden in the sun. Not only was he attractive on the outside, but within. You were convinced that Shifty could do no wrong whatsoever. Heck, you also believed that he was legally not allowed to curse.

Ever since that encounter, you and Shifty had begun to hang out more. The two of you would talk for hours on end, explore the town of Albourne, escape the bars and find a little bookshop or peaceful space to talk. It was soothing to sit next to Shifty and simply hear him breathe, talk, or smile. It always makes your bleak world a tad bit better. But you were convinced that Shifty wasn’t interested in you, he was too innocent. So you decided that the farthest you would be is friends. And yet, it didn’t sit well with you.

Floyd had noticed that y/n was in love herself. Whenever she was around Shifty, she’d become a mess as well, being clumsy and blushing red. She’d twist a strand of hair in her fingers every time Shifty looked at her, batted her long eyelashes, and looked in the distance to find Shifty, intent on his target, letting out a dreamt sigh.

Floyd was in love with y/n. After all, it was rare to find a female in a company full of men. However, Floyd was Shifty’s best friend, and he wanted what was best for both of them. Popeye could see this too and he was sick of seeing two people who didn’t even know what they were in love with each other.

Floyd, Chuck, and Popeye watched Shifty and you say something to each other. It was pouring outside. Attempting to find your rain jacket, it was nowhere in sight. Shifty, seeing your frustration, took off his jacket and gently put it on your shoulders. You turned around and tried taking it off, but Shifty insisted that you stay warm.

“My pa’ always made sure my ma’ would stay warm. It’s the best I can do,” He reassured.

“Oh Shifty, thank you. This is too kind. How can I repay you?” You offered, wrapping the jacket around your body.

He shook his head, smiling, “I don’t need a single thing from you, miss y/n.”

“Boy, the world truly doesn’t deserve someone like you.” You stated, standing on your tippy toes. “Let’s get out of here so I can sneak you a Hershey bar, or two. How does that sound?”

Shifty froze and looked side to side. It felt like the devil was tempting him. But he could never see y/n as a devil. She was a beautiful angel in his eyes.

“Well,” Shifty put a finger to his lips, “That does sound mighty fine, Miss y/n.”

You took his hand and dragged him to the door, your laughter echoing in the door. Shifty held the door open and let you exit first before closing the door, making your way to the supply room to eat chocolate.

Once Shifty was out of sight, Popeye turned back to Floyd. “I’ve tried to ask him, trust me. He won't say a dang word on it.” He explained, “He thinks miss y/n wouldn’t like a fellow like him. But I’m pretty sure she loves him.”

“You kidding?” Chuck added on, “She spoils him with free food, contraband, whatever. Anything he wants, he gets. She doesn’t do that to any of us.”

“Well, miss Y/n did give me hershey bar last week,” Floyd proudly smirked.

Chuck looked unashamed, “Yeah, because you were trying to convince her to go to the amusement park with her this weekend.”

The Boy from Kokomo playfully rolled his eyes, “Shifty’s not her only favorite.” For a second, he froze, a thought finally coming in his mind. “Wait...the amusement park…”

“She already said no to that one, and all the other dates,” Chuck said.

“I know that,” Floyd replied, rubbing his chin, “I got an idea. For Shifty and Miss y/n.”

Chuck and Popeye looked at eachother, and then Floyd. They could already see the idea forming, but it would take a lot of work.

“I’ve known Shifty all my life. He’s too shy to ask a girl out,” Popeye acknowledged, “He’s too scared of being rejected.”

“I know that.” Floyd pointed his finger as he stood up and fixed his belt, “I’ve got a plan.”

“For once?”

“Yes-be quiet,” Floyd teased, “All those two need is a little push.”

-----------

Shifty looked up and down at the brightly colored paper and at y/n, who was loading up the back of a supply truck. His mouth hung open as his eyebrows rose in diseablief.

Floyd, Chuck, and Popeye stood all in front of him, waiting for an answer. Shifty shook his head and shoved the paper back in Floyd’s hands.

“Oh, I can’t do that. No way.” Shifty denied, his cheeks growing red.

Popeye let out a defeated sigh as Floyd clicked his mouth, walking up to Shifty. “Yes way! Have you not seen the way y/n looks at you?”

Shifty looked in the distance and then back at Floyd, “What? No! She looks at me like I look at you-like a friend. Besides, you’ve seen miss y/n,” Shifty’s gaze turned back to you as the butterflies fluttered in his stomach, “She made it clear ‘dat she ‘dun needa’ man, and I wanna respect ‘dat wish. ‘Sides, she wouldn’t be into a guy like me.”

Popeye shook his head, “God darn it Shift! You gotta realize dat your-”

“In love. L-O-V-E.” Floyd teased, budding shoulders with Shifty. “Based on the dames I’ve been with in Kokomo, I know how women work. She looks at you like a lovesick puppy. The two of you are meant for eachother.”

Shifty looked at Floyd, blinking his eyes like a child looking at a math equation. He still wasn’t understanding. “But...oh, leapin’ lizards! Miss y/n would be into a guy like you. You get all ‘da pretty ladies...how do you dewit?”

Upon hearing Shifty’s pleas for help, Floyd let out a chuckle and slapped Shifty’s shoulder, who looked like a lost lovesick puppy.

“Shifty, Shift, my dearest friend,” Floyd reassured, giving him a double pat, “That’s why I’m here. You’re getting the best advice from your best man.”

Chuck rolled his eyes, “Fan-fucking-tastic Shifty, you boosted his ego. This is going to be great.”

Floyd looked at an unassumed Chuck, giving him a pout. “Oh come now, Chuck! Look at him, he’s in love.”

“But you like Miss y/n! I don’t wanna steal her. I mean, I want someone who can treat her right,” Shifty said, resting his hands on his cheeks.

“Shifty, as your friend, I’m pretty sure everybody in easy company wants Miss y/n to accompany them at the bar for a dance or two.” Floyd explained, trying to encourage Shifty. “I know how much you love her, and I think it’s fair to give you a shot. The only way you’ll get what you want is by working for it.”

He saw Joe Toye walk by you. And even Joe Toye, one of the scariest people in the company, gave miss y/n a subtle nod. She smiled back and gave him a wave, a bandanna in your hair and dirt smudged on your cheek.

Just your mere presence made Shifty melt like an ice cream cone on a hot summer’s day. No matter what you were in, your uniform or covered in pig guts, you always found a way to be absolutely gorgeous. When Shifty had first bumped into you, he was convinced you were a fallen angel. You were too beautiful and bright in the rainy, gloomy Albourne. Yet there you were, always by his side with a smile on your face and story to tell.

Shifty let out a dreamy smile, a crooked smile on his face. “I wanna say I love her…” Shifty added on.``...without sayin’ I love her.”

The boy from Kokomo cracked his knuckles, “Well, don’t I just got the plan for you too. How does nice and slow sound?”

----------

“What are you doin? Stop pushin’ me! I can’t dewit!” Shifty whispered in a hush as Floyd and Popeye pushed him towards the truck where you were loading supplies for easy company.

“Boy, quit being afraid of anything. Take that leap of faith!” Floyd called out before pushing Shifty near the truck before he and Popeye hid for cover.

Shifty turned around to find them before he heard a familiar voice call his name.

“Shifty?”

The Virginian sharpshooter turned his shoulder and hid his hands behind his back, smiling with a piece of his golden chestnut hair falling on his forehead. “Miss y/n! Pleasure to see ‘yah. I hope I wasn’t interruptin’ anythin’ too important.”

“Shifty, you’re too sweet. I was just finishing the last load of K-bars…” You explained, lifting a large box and shoving it into the back of her full truck, unable to see. Finally, done after a long day. Wiping the sweat off of your forehead, you walked towards Shifty only to be greeted by a variety of poppies.

“ ‘ere, got ‘em for you. You said you like the color red…” Shifty blushed, looking to the side. Floyd and Popeye hid behind the side of the truck, giving him a thumbs up.

You took the flowers and examined them, a smile growing on your face. “Oh, these are so sweet! Thank you..” You put the flowers in the pocket of your overalls to retrieve a few hershey bars from the back of the truck, “I’ll getcha’ somethin-”

“Wait, miss y/n!” Shifty announced, following after you as he grabbed your soft hand, pulling you back. You tripped on your own feet, almost falling to the ground before Shifty catched you, his hand on the small of your back. The two of you stared at each other, cheeks both burning with desire.

Shifty coughed and lifted you up, neating your ruffled shirt and cap with your hair messily tucked into. “S-sorry, I…would like to ask you somethin’. Not chocolate, ma’am.”

You raised your eyebrows, insisting that he go forward with his response, his hand still in yours. He didn’t even notice, but you did. You could recognize his soft, tan skin from anywhere.

“Would you go to the amusement park with me? As my date?” Shifty blurted out like word vomit, “I mean, only if you want. If you don’t wanna go with somebody like me, then I understand.”

“Yes, of course I would!” You also blurted out, your face red like a tomato. You took your cap off and hid your face, embarrassed by yourself. Inhaling, you let out an exhale before pulling yourself together. “Shifty, I would love to go with you. I wasn’t even planning on going at all until you asked me.”

Shifty’s eyes sprinkled with happiness, like a child on Christmas morning. “Really? You wanna?” He squeezed your hand, realizing that he was still holding it.

You looked up at him with a warm smile, placing your dirty hand on top of his. “Yes, I would love to.”

Shifty looked speechless. The rumors were true; his smile was infectious. Perfect and bright like the sun of a warm summer day.

“Sufferin’ succotash!” He cried, “Miss y/n? Can I ask you one last thing?”

“Yes, Shifty?”

“Can I give you a hug?”

It was definitely not what you were expecting. But then again, you weren’t hesitant. Shifty could do no wrong-he simply seemed over the moon about asking you out. You were as well, but seeing Shifty’s excitement made you smile and accept it. He was too cute for his own food.

“Yes, you can.” You opened your arms only to have long hands pull you up and spin you around. It was a quick welcome as you spun around, heartfelt laughter escaping from you and Shifty. Shifty could do no wrong, whether that be at shooting or giving the best bear hugs. They were bear-like, but affectionate and protective. He trapped his arms around your waist as you held the back of his necks, your fingers tangled in his soft hair which shined in the sun. Shifty looked amazing no matter what, always glowing.

Babe threw the clown nose off of his face along with the roses Guarnere had picked out for him. Eugene was walking by, mortified to see Babe dressed (apparently) as a clown and a disappointed Guarnere. Not an unusual sight.

“Heffron,” Eugene walked towards a sad Babe, scanning his figure. “What are you doing…”

“I’m heartbroken! Look at them!” Babe mourned, pointing at you and Shifty in an embrace, happily giggling. “I was gonna ask miss y/n out and give her these roses. I dressed up like a clown since I thought we could both be clowns together.”

Eugene simply blinked, perplexed by Babe’s logic. All he could think of was the word Yikes. He would’ve most likely scared away y/n instead of winning her heart over. “Pardon?” He looked at Guarnere for answers, who simply shrugged at him.

“Don’t look at me like that. I tried, the kid wouldn’t listen. He’s a lovesick puppy with that damn dame.” Guarnere explained, crossing his arms as he looked at the happy couple.

The Cajun medic, along with Babe the sad clown and Guarnere, observed you and Shifty. A small smile crooked at his lips. He normally wasn’t one for gossip or dating, but he was happy for the two of you. Even someone as quiet as him didn’t deny the obvious chemistry between the two of you. It was like the two you were destined to be together. Humble, adored, and both beautiful in your own, respective rights.

“Yeah…” Eugene slowly bopped his head, “There sure like lovesick puppies…”

-----------

The Carnival brought light into the gloomy Alborunte with it’s bright rides, laughing children, and joyful ambience. Shifty could recall his childhood with Popeye. Every year, they’d have a carnival during the dog days of August. He loved the shooting games, winning thousands of plushies and eating candy with Popeye until he was sick. He was sure his Ma still had the plushies tucked away in the attic.

But instead of feeling overjoyed, he felt like he was walking on eggshells.

He waited at the entrance with Floyd, Popeye, and Chuck. Chuck kept looking down at his watch, keeping lookout for y/n as Floyd gave Shifty a final pep talk. They were all dressed in fresh uniforms with showers and fine cologne. It was a refreshing change, even if it was for one night.

“Remember, play it cool. You’re sweating’ like a damn dog!” Floyd said, fixing a stubborn curl into his cap.

“Oh, I don’t think I can do this. I mean, miss y/n deserves a real man. I mean she’s so…” Shifty rambled on before Popeye swatted him on the shoulder, gardening his attention to y/n in the crowd. You were far away but to Shifty, you were still recognizable. The girls in the crowd wore plain and monotone colored dresses but you wore a beautiful floral button up with sheer sleeves and ruffles, your makeup done. It was the first time Shifty had ever seen you without your flap cap and dirt on your face, and he wanted a better look.

“Beautiful…”

Floyd smirked and patted Shifty’s shoulders, letting out a dreamy sigh, “God damn it Shifty, you’re lucky I’m being nice to you. Hottie on the dot. Go get ‘em, tiger.”

Giving him a push on encouragement, Shifty’s friends eventually faded into the crowd. Gulping, he began to walk forward towards y/n, who stood in the crowd, waiting in the exact location Shifty told her to wait in. Catching him the corner of his eye, she smiled with her red lips and walked over.

“Shifty!” Y/n exclaimed with glee, looking at his clean uniform and quivering an eyebrow. “Thank goddess I found you…and you look handsome in your uniform.”

“Says the pretty lady talkin’,'' Shifty commented back as he looked down at your tinier form. Now that you were up close, he could admire every little detail from your rosy cheeks, red lipstick, manicured hands, and glimmer in your eyes from the fairy lights. “I mean, you always look very nice but tonight you look stunning’.”

“Oh quit being’ nice to me, Shifty.” You playfully swatted his shoulder, “Every guy’s in the company’s said that to me. Not half of them even acknowledged me before I got dressed up.”

Shifty, like a confused puppy, tilted his head. How could someone such as y/n, who he considered to be the prettiest lady he had ever seen.

“Whaddya mean? You always have been very pretty, ma’am.” Shifty acknowledged, his hands fiddling behind his back. He could feel his palms sweating, seeing the moon reflect onto your glowing skin. “You always look beautiful. It’s just tonight that you look even more beautiful than you usually do.”

You shook your head as you looked down, fiddling with the sides of your dress. Nobody had said those words to you in years. They were truly heartfelt and not some cheap way of getting into your pants. “I may not see it, but thank you Shifty.”

“Well, my ma’ has always told me that I’m one bad liar. I like to say it how it is,” Shifty insisted with a finger in your face, “and I’m saying that you are one hecka’ ova’ pretty gal.”

You smiled at Shifty, amazed by how cute he was. He didn’t even have to try, it was all natural. “Oh Shifty….” You looked down at your shoes, seeing your feet brush against his boots. Clearing your throat, you looked up to talk. ‘I…”

Before you could say a word, you could see Floyd Talbetr in the back. He noticed you talking to Shifty and upon seeing you, had a devilish smirk sprawn over his handsome face. You clicked your tongue, shaking your head. “Oh goodness, doesn’t he see I’m on a date?”

Shifty turned around and bit his lip. He gently grabbed your hand. It felt natural in the moment too, his larger work in your pretty manicured hand. “That son of a gun! I’m sorry ‘bout him, miss y/n. ‘Ere, let’s go. I’m sure he’ll find another lady, but not as pretty as you. I mean she would be very pretty, but not the miss y/n typa’ pretty.”

The two of you walked side by side, hands together. You looked at Shifty, raising an eyebrow. “Are you gonna keep callin’ me pretty the whole night?’

Shifty nodded his head like an enthusiastic child, “Like I said, if it’s true, is true.”

---------

Once the two of you escaped the infamous playboy, you and Shifty walked around the amusement park. The two of you had eventually let go of your hands since something had caught your eye, causing you to mindlessly wander. Shifty followed you like a puppy dog, whatever you wanted to do he wanted. Besides, anything with you was time well spent. Carnivals were something he always enjoyed with their bright lights and shiny attractions, especially with a pretty girl he was in love with. He forgot he was in a raging war whenever he looked at you; with your soft smile and calming words. Just for one night, Shifty could escape into his fantasy world with you, which to his surprise was the reality he was currently standing in.

You were full of life in the park, dragging Shifty to every ride, whether it be scary or for toddlers. The two of you first stopped at the Haunted House, which Shifty was terrified to go into. You were scared, but it was the rush of adrenaline driving you. Shifty wanted to impress you, so he held your hand hand for “safe precaution” and walked in front of you. It was adorable to see him jump back at the slightest scares and mumble under his breath an alternative curse word, such as “leapin’ lizards” or “great scott!”

As the two of you exited the haunted house, lost in conversation, the two of you had been jumpscared. Shifty jumped and grabbed your waist, pulling you in for protection. You felt his stomach on your back and his firm grasp on your waist. You looked up and Shifty, who immediately realized what he was doing. The two of you broke into laughter, a few snorts in the middle. Shifty slowly let go of your waist, wanting to hold on longer.

“Sorry miss y/n.” He apologized, bowing his head. “Jus’ got a lil’ scared in the moment. I don’t mean to be a coward.”

“A coward? Nonsense,” You smiled in reassurance and grabbed his hand, “Your no coward to me. Now come on! There’s more rides to go!”

Shifty was distracted by your beauty as you dragged him along. Once again, the two of you trekked around the park. He was lost in your gaze. How did a guy like him end up with a lady such as yourself? It was hard to deny the butterflies in his stomach. He had never dated in the past. Yes, he had crushes, but they never acknowledged his feelings. He’d do anything for his crushes whether to be holding their books, walking them back home, anything for them, yet he never had his feelings returned. He always felt like he was the second choice. But with you, it was different. You were truly his best friend, and he wanted you to know it, but he still had no idea how to say it.

The two of you decided to take a break and ordered a sugary milkshake to boost your energy for another hour of rides. The two of you sat at a small table in the back, watching the happy couples and children in the distance. The waiter had brought over a milkshake, interrupting your peaceful little silence. Shifty wasn’t even looking at the crowds, he was simply staring at you. His long legs brushed against yours until they finessed each other, making his cheeks go red.

He looked down and saw one milkshake with two heart shaped straws. You raised an eyebrow and fiddled with the straw.

“Odd,” You remarked, examining the milkshake, “ I thought we ordered two…”

Shifty raised his head to see Floyd Talbert in the back, a smirk as he winked, two girls leaning on his shoulders giggling. Was he following them this whole time? Wasn’t he too busy with those girls on his shoulders?”

Shifty tilted his head back down and muttered a curse under his breath, “That son ova’ mother trucker…”

“Shift?” You questioned. He looked up at you, to see that you were already taking a drink. “You okay?”

Shifty rubbed the back of his nape, “Yes ma’am. Ma’ apologies.” He looked at the milkshake and your manicured hands holding the cup down. “Hey! Leave a lil’ for both of us.”

You cutelty giggled, “I haven’t had one of these in a while! I can’t help it. After all,”

“Strawberry, it’s the best flavor,” Shifty had said, and you had followed along in his words. The two of your eyes met, both leaned in close to the milkshake. To cut out the awkarenedess, both of you let out chuckles. A small snort emerged from your mouth, in which you soon covered in.

“Sorry,” You mumbled, hand over your mouth. Your chuckles became faint, another snort escaping your mouth, “It’s not very ladylike.”

Shifty looked puzzled, “Whatcha’ mean? What’s not ladylike?”

“My laugh,” You answered, “I always snort. It’s horrible. Whenever I’d laugh, these girls in my school would make fun of it. I can’t really control it, sorry.”

“Why would they laugh at you?” Shifty looked saddened at your insecurity. You were perfect in his eyes. You truly couldn't do anything wrong. “I think your laugh is very pretty, miss y/n.”

“As sweet as you are, you don’t have to lie.”

Shifty scooted up towards you, his hand sliding onto yours. He had a small smile in his face, his thumb caressing the inner part of your hand. “Well, I am bein’ honest. I ain’t a good liar, you know ‘dat. I’m sure ‘dose girls were jealous of you. ‘sides…” Shifty looked down and back at you with his hazel orbs, “I like your laugh a lot, miss y/n. ‘S pretty, ‘jus like you.”

Oh god, It was happening. Whether it was his cuteness, his Virgianian accent, he was luring you in. You looked up at him as your cheeks grew rosy. The two of you sat there, hand on hand, sipping on a milkshake with the lights glowing in the back. You always had the tiniest crush on Shifty, but it had finally hit you like a bus that it wasn’t some tiny schoolgirl crush-but it was truly love.

You had told yourself over and over that the only reason he liked you was because he was nice to you. You were a cheery person, but deep inside, you had been hurt in the past. Always feeling you were the second choice, you shut yourself out from love. Especially in war. Sure, you were friendly towards the men, but you told yourself you wouldn’t grow close to them. If they died, it would be better. As cruel as it sounded, it was kinder to them are you. It was for the better, right?

That fateful day you bumped into Shifty Powers changed your aspect. You were officially stupid with love, sitting there at a bright carnival, hand in hand as you sipped on a milkshake. He was too kind for you and the world you lived in.

“You’re not gonna stop being nice to me, are you?”

“No ma’am.”

----------

After the milkshake incident, you had noticed you clung onto Shifty more. You were a little taken aback when he asked to hug you. Not that you didn’t enjoy it, you truly did, and it was something that infected your thoughts. Your cheeks would go red and you’d cover the lower part of your mouth. Whenever Shifty walked into the room, it felt like the sun was shining in the dreary Albourne. Just looking at him made your IQ drop to single digits.

And Floyd had caught onto it before you had even noticed.

Instead of holding Shifty’s hand, the two of you walked arm and arm, chatting the night away. The two of you exchanged stories of your childhood, home, and how you ended up where you were. He truly was an angel with a bright smile. He wasn’t like other guys you had met who bragged about themselves. Whenever you would compliment him, he’d deny it with his cheeks all red from embarrassment.

“You’re the best shot I’ve ever seen!” You announced, in disbelief. You had seen him practice a few times, and he would hit every target with grace. “You make it look easy.”

“I’m not a good shot,” Shifty doubted, “But Pa was a good shot. The best shot I’ve ever seen. I think you’d like Pa a lot.”

As the two of you walked in the crowd, you noticed a shooting booth in the corner of your eye. It was a classic paladone duck shooting game. You smirked and pulled his arm to the side, “Well, prove it then.”

Shifty let out a sigh and stood straight, saluting like you like you were Sobel, but much less intimidating. “Yes ma’am.”

You saw him stand there, his fingers curled around the trigger and the butt resting against his shoulder. He took a breath and exhaled, and let the bullets blue. Every duck fell to the ground within a matter of seconds. A minute later, Shifty returned with a large stuffed animal and a smile on his face. He handed it to you. It was a tiny, stuffed bear with button airs.

“For you.” He commented, “I wish they had bigger ones. But I can get you more, if you want.”

You looked at the plusive. You felt juvenile, but it was Shifty. Besides, the two of you weren’t in the army in the moment; you were two lovesick puppies, running around a carnival without a care in the world.

“No, this is...perfect.” You held it close to your chest, “I’ll name him Popeye, a good luck charm.”

Shifty had taken you to every booth he could find, effortlessly shot the gates, and won you more stuffed animals. Whenever he’d give you one, you’d smile like a child on christmas. He loved to see you happy, so he kept doing it more and more. In his mind, it repeated like a broken record, “for y/n”. Wherever you went, Shifty went. Whatever you wanted, Shifty wanted. He was truly a lovesick puppy.

After Shifty’s a thousandth win, both of you walked side by side, arms full of plushies. Each of them were named after members of your company. A racoon named Luz, a black cat named Roe, a cub bear named Liebgott, a fox named Babe, a rabbit named Dick, and so many more. You held up a medium sized shark and nudged Shifty’s shoulder.

“Alright, this one?”

Shifty put some thought into it, “Webster. Doesn’t he like sharks?”

You let out a dry chuckle, “Yeah, he won’t shut up about it.”

The two of you giggled until hitting the next booth and running into a familiar playboy and his newest addition bound to be one night stands. Floyd noticed you and Shifty arrived. He crossed his arms and walked over, faking a cough.

“Look at what we have here,” Floyd scanned you and Shifty, the both of you with wide eyes and stuffed animals overflowing in your hands, “Y’know Shift, I’m proud of you. The whole company hates you for it, you lucky son of a gun.”

Shifty softened his eyebrows, “Wait, they hate me? What did I do wrong?”

Seeing Floyd’s cruel teasing, you interrupted the two. “Floyd, don’t be so cruel,” You put a reassuring hand on Shifty’s shoulder, “Don’t listen to him, he’s just being himself.”

Floyd did a fake pout, “Oh, come on hon. All due respects, but Shifty hit the jackpot before me. After all, he doesn’t miss.”

Shifty and you both went as red as tomatoes, looking sideways. Floyd’s armcandy giggled at his comment and playfully slapped him in the chest. He reassured his sweetheart and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her away.

After Floyd had disappeared to do god knows what, Shifty still looked perplexed and concerned. His thoughts were once again racing. Not about the company disliking him, but Floyd’s comment. Even though he and Floyd were best friends, the two of them were different. He was a playboy in the spotlight, and Shifty was in the back, always tagging along. Growing up, Shifty considered himself to have a loving family. He saw the way his pa treated his ma; giving her his coat, bringing her presents, and treating her like she was a queen. Shifty had never been with a lady before, and he considered you his first real one. Twenty years of age and this was his first rendezvous with a girl, he couldn’t believe it. And he wanted to make sure you were loved and not some jackpot, trying to be won like a competition.

“Miss y/n?” Shifty asked, gaining your attention. He cleared this throat, “I just wanted to tell you that I don’t think of you in ‘dat way.”

“In the Floyd way? That’s alotta’ guys, Shifty.”

“Well, I don’t want you to think I’m doin’ this because of him. Since you’re a very pretty lady, a lot of guys wanted to ask you, and be there arm candy. I just wanted to letcha know now that you're not some kinda prize to be won. I hope to god I ain’t makin’ you feel ‘that way.” Shifty exhaled, letting all his words come out like word vomit. They came out so quickie that he didn’t even know what he was saying.

“Shifty, I know you. You’re a sweetheart,” You kindly affirmed, “Any dame would be lucky to get a guy like you. This has been such a wonderful night, so thank you for that.” The two of you were close to each other, your hands hovering against his chest. His uniform looked perfect on him, you didn’t want to mess it up. Your fingers sucked in as they laid at your side, resisting the temptations that were filling your mind. “But, I do have one request.”

“Anything for you, ma’am.” He vowed, letting you take the floor.

“Teach me how to shoot.”

Shifty look behind you at the booth, a shooting gallery, and then back at you. It was an odd request for sure, especially considering the tender moment the two of you shared. “Like here, right now?” He coaxed. Out of the people, him? He was flattered. No lady had ever asked him something such as that.

You nodded, shrugging your shoulders, insisting, “You are the best shot in the world, after all.”

“Alrighty, if you insist.” Shifty grabbed the small of your back as the two of you walked to the booth. Once you were given the prop gun, you placed the butt on your shoulder and closed an eye, the other looking out of the iron sight. Shifty got right behind you, his chest against your back. He leaned on your shoulder and moved your hand to the trigger and bottom while getting a sniff of your perfume. He never missed, but being around you was definitely a distraction.

“Don’t aim for what you're shooting’, aim’ for where you shootin’,” He instructed, your eyes focused on the moving targets. Shifty hadn’t realized he had put a hand on your waits to turn you over slightly. It wasn’t like you minded his gentle touch.

The moving target came up, and with Shifty’s hand upon yours, you pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the middle of the target, slamming to the ground. However, the two of you didn’t stop. Every target that came, you shot and didn’t miss once. While you were focused on the red targets falling to the ground, you could also feel Shifty’s breath on you and his firm grasp on your hips. His fingers were on top of yours and the trigger. Whenever you were to get a target, he’d mutter “ ‘atta girl…” or “aim a lil’ higher, darlin’.” It made you lose focus, making you thankful that Shifty was right by your side. You lowered the gun, his hands still resting on your hips. When the clerk had announced you had won, you shook it off and walked over to claim your one hundredth stuffed animal. Shifty had a pout as you walked away. He truly enjoyed being close to you.

“Hey,” You called, a smile on your face, “Thank you. I’d like to do that again.”

“Shooting’ again?”

“Of course. I’d like to learn how to do it.”

“Oh miss y/n, I’d love to help, but I ain’t a good shot.”

“Stop denying it,” You affirmed, holding his hands in yours, bringing them to your chest. You looked up at him, the fairy lights glimmering in your eyes, “That you’re a bad shot and not a gentleman and that I deserve to be with someone who can treat me right. You are an amazing shot. This night has been amazing. You are someone who can treat me right. I…” Freezing on your words, the butterflies in your stomach crippled you. You knew what you wanted to say, but how could you word it into a coherent sentence. His hands scrunched in your chest as you still held them close, like a child with a stuffed animal.

“Well, stop denying’ you're not pretty'. Because I think you're the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen,” Shifty confessed as he moved closer to your tinier form, “Not only on the outside, but inside. You're kind, always putting others before yourself. You also sneak the company Hershey bars, even though they don’t need them. You're so interesting to talk to, you can just...light up a whole room when you walk inside of it,” Shifty’s cheeks were burning like a fire as he pulled you close to his body, both of your breaths heavy. “I...oh gosh darn it…”

You looked over to the side and turned back to Shifty, “Ferries Wheel.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go. It’s the last ride of the night before they shut the park.” You exclaimed. Maybe the two of you needed a private place to talk. I love you, it was three simple words. You couldn’t say it and he couldn’t say it. Maybe it would work, maybe it would be a disaster. You had nothing to lose at

this point.

Shifty and you both walked over, seeing that there was no line for the ride. It was late at night. You only had an hour left on your night pass, and you wanted to make sure you used the most of it. What if always lingered in your mind. You knew not to get close to the men in the company, it was for the better. But now, with Shifty holding your hand, it was undeniable.

The two of you boarded onto the small cart, still hand in hand. No words were spoken between you two. You looked at the bright lights, which were getting smaller as you moved upwards. You could feel Shifty’s gaze burn into you. Although the two of you

“Miss y/n?” He broke the silence.

“Yes, Shifty?” You said, turning to look into his Hazel eyes. He smiled and shook his head, using one of his hands to cup the hand he was holding.

“I don’t know how to say this but, I want to be honest with you since we only got a little bit of time to do so. I remember when I first met you and I was speechless, and I still am. I’ve had feelings for you for a long time now but tonight...made me realize them more. It made me realize what a foot I am for not knowing’ sooner. But now, I know. I gotta say it. Miss Y/n, I love you.” Shifty declared, “more than anything in the world. If you don’t like me, ‘dat’s okay. But I can’t hide it anymore. I wanna help you learn how to shoot, I wanna go on more dates with you, I wanna be around you every single day.”

It had finally hit you. You looked at Shifty and chuckled, “You said it. I love you too. I couldn’t find the words for it...but now, I have. I love you, Darrell. ”

You moved to Shifty’s side of the cart and leaned on his shoulder, nuzzling into it as Shifty wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close to his body.

“Have you always loved me?” Shifty questioned, his fingers trailing against your bare arms.

You nodded your head, playing with his fingers. “Since day one. You?”

“Since I first looked at you,” Shifty confessed, “Floyd and Popeye always teased me ‘bout it. I didn’t have the courage to say it before, but they…”

“Helped you. I guess you're not the only one here,” You sighed, just knowing that Floyd had something to do with this. Of course, it made sense for the playboy to make a matchmaker. “I told Luz by accident and you know Luz. Floyd had overheard our conversation and had to include himself. He helped me get a dress and prepare for this all. So yeah, I guess we both liked each other...but we didn’t know it.”

“Well, know we do it. We both love each other,” Shifty said into your hair.

“Yeah…” You looked at the night sky, the stars and moon sparkling. “I like that a lot.”

The cart had stopped on top of the ride. In that moment, you felt on top of the world. Shifty had you in his arms, the temperature wa sprague, the sky was beautiful. It was all coming together now-but there was one missing detail.

Shifty’s arm pulled you in closer before he asked gently, “May I kiss you, miss y/n?”

That was it, the one missing detail. A kiss to wrap up the perfect moment. You turned your body towards him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders. “Yes, you can Shifty. You can do it as many times as you like.”

“Yes Ma’am,” He chuckled like a child. Wrapping his arms on your waist, your lips collided with each other. Your heart began to pound as you felt a desire run from your heart, to my chest, and down toward my inner thighs.

Shifty touched your neck, and the hair as it was moved away nearly gave me the chills. His hands went from the sides of your head and down to your neck, out to your shoulders and down to your hands. He grabbed your hands gently yet firm. You felt safe, he spoke no words. Your heart is about to beat out of your chest as you shut your eyes and took a deep breath out.

Shift kissed my shoulder, and ran his lips on my skin towards my ear, but didn't quite make it that far. It doesn't hurt, it only makes me want more.

Shifty turns you around, and we are facing each other. He stares into my eyes and smiles. Shifty’s two hands grab your left hand as he places your open palm on his heart, and he holds it there. His eyes exude love, protection, security, safety, patience, and respect. You smile and he lets go of your hands, with one hand he runs his fingers through your hair and gently guides your face closer to his, eventually leaning me in to rest my head on his chest.

His other arm wraps around me, and you hope he never lets go.

And in that moment, the world was still. It was you and Shifty, on top of the world.

#shifty powers #shifty powers x reader #shifty powers imagine #band of brothers #band of brothers x reader #band of brothers imagine #we all need a little shifty in the world

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storyteller0417 · 3 years

Text

Who Are You

A/N Just getting back into writing so please be kind. Loki has inspired me to pick up the pen again.

Rora let out a yawn as she stood in front of her coffee maker willing it to go faster. She looked at the clock letting out a groan, 5:15. Rora had to be at the barn for an early morning riding lesson to prepare for an upcoming show. She gave up hope that her coffee would be done before she got dressed and shuffled to her bedroom. Rora slid the closet door open pulling out a pair of wine colored breaches and her favorite grey sun shirt. She figured she might as well look her best if she was going to have to be up so early. Rora got dressed then sat on her bed to put on her socks and riding boots.

On her way back to the kitchen, Rora stopped in the bathroom to brush her teeth quickly and pull her blonde wavy hair into a low ponytail. She stared at her makeup bag for a moment trying to decide if that amount of effort was worth it today. She let out a sigh before pulling out just the basics. She rubbed on a tinted moisturizer and added some eyeliner and mascara to her eyes.

Rora gave a little nod as if approving of her appearance for the day before returning to the kitchen to make her coffee. She gave a little sip to ensure the taste was perfect before grabbing her backpack and heading out the door. She paused to lock the deadbolt before walking to the elevator to go down to the parking garage.

The doors of the elevator opened and Rora stepped out holding her keys. She walked over to her grey Honda Accord, doors unlocking as she approached. Once settled in, Rora put on her favorite playlist. City life didn’t exactly mix well with Equestrian life so she had a roughly forty-five minute commute to her facility.

.x.X.x.

Thor stepped into the Bifrost. “Where are you headed?” Heimdallr asked, his voice calm and eyes staring straight ahead as he remained ever vigilant of any unwelcome guests trying to access Asgard. “Hello Heimdallr, I am meeting with the Avengers on Midgard to continue searching for Loki. I have received word that they believe he is hiding somewhere in that world,” Thor explained, his deep voice echoing around the dome of the Bifrost.

“As you wish,” Heimdallr stated as he turned his sword to activate the Bifrost, “I will allow no one in or out until your return.” The Bifrost began to rotate and lighting sparked around the two and Midgard became the target. In a flash Thor was gone.

.x.X.x.

Rora was cruising on the highway after her lesson windows down and her music loud, the skyline of the city visible. Suddenly there was a beam of light that seemingly appeared from the clouds and shot all the way to somewhere in the city. Rora slowed her car some bot believing what she was seeing. But as soon as it was there it was gone. She pushed her sunglasses up and rubbed her eyes. “I’m clearly so tired I’m seeing things,” she muttered before stepping on the gas to accelerate enough to flow with traffic.

Rora had planned to wander the city and do a bit of exploring as she had moved there only a couple months prior. Her work and lesson schedule didn’t lend much in the way of free time so she was eager to go out. Rora pulled into her parking garage pulling into her assigned spot. She rode the elevator up to her apartment stepping out to be greeted by a neighbor who she had yet to meet. She wasn’t surprised, such a large building she had no hope to ever know everyone. She walked down the hall to her door and stepped inside.

Rora quickly changed into a flowy green sundress with an open back that fell a couple inches above her knees and a pair of plain brown sandals. The temperature was supposed to be warm today. She stepped into the bathroom and pulled her hair tie out. She redid her hair to a ponytail that sat higher on her head. She grabbed her wallet out of her bag and stepped out of her apartment locking the door behind her. Rora stepped on the elevator this time headed for the lobby. She stepped off the elevator and walked toward the exit.

Rora turned to the right once outside. She had seen a coffee shop down the street on her walks to and from work that had appeared to have an appealing menu. She looked at the different shops along the way during the five minute walk making note of which ones she wanted to stop at on the way home. Rora pulled open the door of the coffee shop and was greeted by a welcoming atmosphere. The tones of the wall were bright and cheerful but not overbearing. Most every windowsill had a plant or two all healthy and some baring bright flowers. The bar itself had almost a rustic feel made of aged wood that had been covered in polish to preserve its appearance. There was a large case on the counter that had more baked goods than Rora knew the name of.

None of this though caught her attention. In the corner of the café away from any of the other patrons was a man with shoulder length black hair and pale skin. His complexion was almost other worldly he was so handsome. He had a coffee of sort in front of him and a book in hand. He was what could be called over dressed for a setting like this. He was wearing a black suit with what appeared to be an emerald green vest underneath. Rora was so startled by his appearance she didn’t realize she was staring.

.x.X.x.

Loki took his coffee from the counter and found a table in a back corner of the café so he could keep a watchful eye on the door should anyone enter that he had successfully hidden from the last few months. He reached into his jacket which successfully hid the green flash of his magic. He pulled out a book and opened it leaning back in his seat some as he began to read.

Loki’s thoughts were interrupted when a recognizable energy entered the café. He peeked over the top of his book expecting to see an Asgardian but instead found what appeared to be a human woman. However, the energy she gave off said otherwise. He looked back down at the page he was reading but felt eyes on him. He shifted his gaze upward and found the blonde woman staring at him. When their eyes met she immediately looked toward the menu hanging behind the coffee bar. Even from afar, Loki could see her cheeks flush. Just who was she?

Loki’s thoughts were interrupted when the door flew open and Thor stepped in followed by Tony and Steve.

.x.X.x.

Rora quickly tried to make herself invisible when the mystery man’s gaze locked hers but she was having trouble focus on the menu when her face was on fire. Her thoughts were interrupted when a group of three men walked in the café. She turned and saw another man who also appeared other worldly, his long blonde hair far too perfect to be real. The second man was Tony Stark, she had seen him on TV many times. She also didn’t recognize the third man. He was as tall as the first, clean shaven handsome.

They appeared to be looking for something, or maybe someone as they scanned the café. Rora looked over to the mystery man but he had disappeared. How had he left without being seen? She turned her attention back to the employee and ordered an iced latte to go. While she waited the trio left and the café returned to its previous quiet buzz as patrons chatted or typed away on laptops.

Once her coffee was done she turned to leave and noticed his book still on the table. She walked over her curiosity peaked. Rora grabbed it reading the title. It was in a language she had never seen before. She went back and forth with herself about taking the book she imagined he would come back in search of it. Rora decided to tuck the book under her arm and exited the café.

Once outside, Rora looked up at the sky. There were a few small puffy clouds drifting across the sky and the sun was shiny brightly. She was reminded of the bright flash from earlier. She was wondering if that had in fact been real and not her exhaustion playing tricks on her. But what could possibly have caused it. As she walked she sipped on her latte pleasantly surprised at the flavor. She would be sure to return to the café more often.

Rora stopped at a little store the entrance sitting under an overhang. From what she could tell on the outside it was a book store. ‘Maybe the owner will know more about this book,’ Rora thought pulling the door open and stepping inside. The bookstore was quiet, it appeared no other customers were around. The store was much larger than it appeared from the outside. Shelves seemed to spread in every direct, every genre imaginable seemed to be available.

Rora moved farther into the store spotting the counter with an older woman standing behind it who greeted her ‘Hello, how are we doing today?”

Rora offered a smile and responded, “I’m doing great, how are you?” The woman responded that she was well before looking down at the book tucked under Rora’s arm. “What have you got there? It doesn’t appear to be anything you found on my shelves.”

“I’m hoping to find out what exactly this book is,” she explained as she placed it on the counter to be inspected. The woman picked it up, inspecting the cover and flipping through the pages. The woman pursed her lips, pulling her glasses down from on top of her head. After a few more moments she clucked her tongue. “I’m sorry dear, I just can’t place this language. It’s nothing I’ve seen in the 30 years I’ve ran this shop.”

Rora smiled and shook her head, “Don’t worry about it. Maybe I’ll be able to find his owner and he can tell me what it is.” She chuckled knowing that the chances of running into that man again were slim to none. “I’m just going to look around for a few minutes,” she added as she tucked the book back under her arm and turned to disappear between the many rows of book shelves. She found herself in a back corner looking at books on dressage. Some of the books she owned already but she was hoping to find something new.

Rora pulled out a book and was flipping through the pages when she felt the mystery man’s book being tugged from under her arm. She turned in shock as she hadn’t heard anyone approach her let alone stand directly behind her. It was him. The man from the café.

“Thank you for keeping my book safe,” Loki stated tucking it inside his coat and it seemingly disappeared. Rora’s face immediately flushed. She was so startled by his silence and the fact that he snatched the book out of her arm that she was struggling to find her words.

“Uh yeah sure. It seemed too important to leave lying on a café table,” she managed to say as her eyes shifted out the nearby window in an attempt to calm her racing heart. A tiny smirk tugged at the corners on his mouth, “Yes well there were some unexpected and also unpleasant patrons that showed up at that café just after you did.”

Rora’s gaze shifted back to his as she remembered the three men. “What were they looking for you for? Did you do something illegal?” She took a step back, his closeness was making her feel flustered. Loki noticed her step and kept his face emotionless but couldn’t help but chuckle internally. “Yes well some may call it illegal, I call it causing mischief,” he said as he turned on his heal to leave, “Thank you again for keeping my book safe.”

Loki began to walk away from her but she followed. “What’s the name of that book?” she asked walking quick enough to stay at his side. Given their height difference his stride was significantly larger than hers. “It’s a history book from my… home land,” he explained looking down at her curious why she wanted to know.

“Well where is that? I’ve never seen that language,” Rora was surprised when he pushed the store door open for her and motioned that she go ahead of him. Loki let out a sigh. She was quite persistent. He was thankful his car was waiting on the curb. “Some place very far away my dear. But I’m afraid I must go,” he stated before opening the door of the car and sliding in. Before Rora was able to question further the black Audi roared to life. Loki pulled away from the curb disappearing into the flow of traffic.

Rora found herself standing on the curb feeling like she had just experienced whiplash. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and run into Tony Stark. He and those two men seem to know something,” she muttered before turning to head home. Today had been so mentally overwhelming she decided it was better to explore the city another day.

#loki fanfiction marvel mcu oc

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ryqoshay · 3 years

Text

Tri-Arame: Happy Nyan Day

Primary Pairing Trio: YuuAyuSetsu Secondary Groupings: AiRina, ShizuKasu, EmmaKariKana Words: ~2.6k Rating: G Time Frame: Sometime during the 2nd trimester of their 2nd year? Later? Story Arc: Stand Alone

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Author’s Note: I couldn’t help myself. The song is too cute. And I may have hit triple digits at some point for plays...

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“Alright, next order of business,” Setsuna said from her position by the whiteboard “Yuu-san has written several songs for our new subgroups, so we need to decide who gets each one.” She seemed to be barely able to contain her excitement, but must have been tapping deep into Nana to keep up a professional appearance as she and Kasumi lead the meeting.

Subgroups… Ayumu couldn’t quite get used to the term. The Nijigasaki School Idol Club was a group of solo idols; rivals but friends, as they had come to call themselves. Only since their joint performance at the School Idol Festival had they started doing more things as a group. Then Setsuna and Kasumi insisted that they form subgroups, as it was apparently a popular thing with idol groups. But they still were not technically a group…

Then again, she seemed to be the only one who had an issue with the concept. Everyone else had been excited so Ayumu had decided not to voice her dissent.

After much discussion, as well as calling in votes from their fellow students, the subgroups were assigned and Ayumu ended up in one with Setsuna and Shizuku. And for some reason, they had been assigned a couple of peppy, almost embarrassingly happy songs to start, ones that didn’t really match any of their styles as individual idols.

Of course, Setsuna had been thrilled to use it all as an excuse to explore a facet of school idols not normally in her repertoire. Shizuku had decided it would be a way to expand her acting skills. And Ayumu found herself just going along with them. However, she couldn’t deny that she was having fun. A lot of fun, actually.

Ayumu was distracted from her thoughts as a stack of music sheets was passed to her from Shizuku sitting beside her. She flipped through the pages and started skimming to get an idea of what Yuu had written for them.

“Ne, Karin-chan.” Emma said from across the table as she pointed to something on one of the sheets in her hand.

Next to her, Karin leaned over a little to get a better view before nodding approval. She then held up a page and motioned to Ai who was in her usual spot on the couch next to Rina. Ai found the indicated sheet in her own stack and also nodded. Seemed like DiverDiva may have figured out which song they wanted to claim.

“Yuu-san.” Setsuna suddenly uttered.

“Mm?” The twin-tailed girl next to Ayumu responded.

“Is this one based on that anime we started watching?”

Yuu chuckled. “I figured you’d be the one to notice that first.”

Oh, Ayumu knew that expression. Mt. Yuki was about to erupt in explosive excitement.

“That’s amazing!” Setsuna exclaimed. “It works so well! It could be the opening sequence for the second season, easily!”

“A song based on an anime?” Kasumi questioned. “What’s it about?”

“Ohmygoditssogood!” Setsuna gushed as she grabbed the younger girl’s hands before launching into a rapid fire, overly detailed description.

Ayumu empathized a little with the expression Kasumi displayed. She looked like she just had a chalkboard eraser dropped on her head, despite by all rights knowing of the trap’s existence based on prior experience. However, over the last few months, Ayumu had come to find Setsuna’s passion for anime, even her soft spot for certain cliches, to be rather endearing. As such, she just smiled as she watched her fellow second-year geek out.

“Andtheyallcompeteforthemastersaffectionandthereisanadventurousbutclumsyoneandatsundereoneandaseriousoneandatimidoneshesthecutestbyfarshessopureandsheliterallyisascaredycat” Setsuna’s verbal torrent continued “Honestlytheyreallcutecatgirlsingeneralaresocute!”

Wait. Catgirls? That’s the series that had inspired Yuu to write a song? The one where the protagonist rescues a bunch of cats that end up magically transforming into girls? That horribly written harem, chock full of overused tropes, fanservice and plot holes? What the heck was Yuu thinking?

Sure, the protagonist was pretty cute with her twin tailed hairstyle, and she was a heck of a saint for putting up with the antics of all the catgirls living with her. But that wasn’t enough to make up for all of the other shortcomings of the series as far as Ayumu was concerned. So why that one? Why was that the series that inspired a song?

“Hmm…” Kanata hummed from the other side of the table. “Seems like A・ZU・NA has their song decided.”

Oh gods, no…

“I have no objections.” Shizuku spoke up. “The song does seem to fit well with the others we’ve already performed. However, given the primary subject, are we to then act as cats?”

Shizuku-chan, not you as well…

“Or course!” Setsuna proclaimed, releasing Kasumi as her attention shifted.

How embarrassing…

“Hrm…” Shizuku pondered. “I may have to practice that.”

“Well to help with that,” Setsuna began speed walking toward the club’s storage lockers “we should get some cat ears!”

“We have cat ears?” Ayumu asked aloud before realizing she had done so.

“Of course!” Kasumi was the one to chime in this time. “Every school idol should wear cat ears at some point. Setsuna-senpai is right that catgirls are cute. The fans love that kind of thing and they make someone like me even cuter!”

“Rinari and Ai-san have already dressed as cats for that one animal themed photoshoot we had.” Ai reminded.

Oh, that’s right. Ayumu had ended up being a rabbit and had to endure Yuu’s teasing the entire time.

“We still have the ears you two wore.” Setsuna’s voice came from within the open locker. “And here are the rest.” She stepped back, revealing a box filled with various costume accessories.

“Setsuna-chan’s already getting into it.” Yuu chuckled.

Sure enough, the raven-haired girl was already wearing a grey set of cat ears with darker grey stripes and red inner lining. With an ear-to-ear smile, she practically skipped back to the table to set down the box.

Shizuku leaned in to inspect the selection. “How about this one?” She retrieved a set with a calico pattern.

“Those suit you well, Shizuku-san.” Setsuna approved. “Now for you, Ayumu-san.”

“Eh, me too?” Ayumu startled.

“Yes.” Setsuna nodded before turning her attention to the box. “Let’s see…”

“How about this one?” Yuu reached out and grabbed a pair of pink cat ears.

“Yuu-chan, wai…” Before Ayumu could finish, Yuu had already slipped the headband on her.

“Perfect.” Yuu declared. “And they’re at least as cute as the bunny ears, though I may still like Ayu-pyon a bit more than Ayumyan.”

Ayumyan…? Heat gathered in Ayumu’s cheeks.

“So, now that we’re all wearing cat ears, what else should we do?” Shizuku inquired.

“We act like cats.” Setsuna stated decisively.

“Yes, but how?”

“We act like they do in the anime. Hrm… Perhaps like this!” She dropped to her knees next to Yuu. “Goshujinsamya!” She cried, curling her fingers and hands to mimic paws and placing them on Yuu’s legs. She looked up excitedly as though she was about to jump into the other girl’s lap.

“Wha? You’re making me the master, Setsunyan?” Yuu laughed.

“Well you do look a little like the protagonist.”

“I do? Hrm… maybe.” Yuu shrugged before reaching down to pat Setsuna’s head.

Ayumu felt a sharp pang of the all too familiar jealousy she had been working hard to get past. But seriously, she knew Setsuna was capable of being embarrassed. How was she able to just shut off her shame like that and behave in just the right way to make Ayumu feel like this?

Movement by the whiteboard caught Ayumu’s eye. Oh no, Kasumi was walking toward them. Ayumu followed the first-year’s gaze down to Yuu’s free hand. Ayumu was significantly closer, but if she didn’t make her move now, Kasumi would beat her to it.

But everyone else was here. Watching.

Setsuna let out a sound that could pass as a cat’s mewl, closed her eyes and pushed up into Yuu’s hand.

Geez…

“G… Go… Goshujinsamya…” She squeaked out, sliding off her seat to mirror Setsuna.

“Dwaaa…” Yuu cooed. “Don’t worry Ayumyan, I won’t forget about you.” She patted Ayumu’s head as well.

Ayumu had to suppress making a sound like Setsuna had a moment ago, though she now understood the cause.

“Sen~pai~” Kasumi wailed, predictably. “Don’t forget about Kasumin… I mean Kasumyan!”

“Sorry, Kasumyan, but my hands are full.” Yuu apologized. “Maybe a raincheck? And while I’m at it, to complete the subgroup, I suppose I could get Shizunyan in as well.”

Really? Were they all going to get their names nyanified now?

“Thank you for the offer, Yuu-senpai,” Shizuku said “but I shall pass.”

“Ah ha!” Ai laughed. “So that was Yuyu’s plan all along! Surround herself with catgirls.”

Yuu shrugged. “It’s a school idol club and we already had the props. It was bound to happen eventually anyway.”

Yuu surrounded by catgirls? Ayumu didn’t particularly like that idea. However… she glanced over at the girl opposite her. Perhaps… if it was just them… maybe it would be alright? Maybe. Just maybe.

“Kyaa!” Kasumi shrieked. “Sh-Sh-Shizuko, when did you get…?!”

Ayumu looked up to see that the theater student had made her way behind the boastful idol and placed a pair of cream-colored ears on her.

“There, there.” Shizuku said gently, patting her fellow first-year’s head. “That’s a good girl, Kasumyan.”

“I… I’d still prefer Senpai to give me head pats…” Kasumi grumbled.

Shizuku’s shoulders slumped, she dropped her hand and donned a hurt expression. “So, I’m not good enough to substitute?”

Kasumi turned, made eye contact with Shizuku and winced. “That’s not what I meant! I’m sorry Shizuko! You’re head pats are great! Please, uhm… please continue.”

Immediately, Shizuku brightened. “Shizunyan.” She corrected cheerfully and resumed patting the other girl’s head.

“Wait, were you just acting?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.” Ayumu detected a small change in Shizuku’s smile. “You’ll have to figure that out on your own.” Had she actually been acting?

“Hmmm… nya~n…” Kanata drawled sleepily.

Emma giggled in response which pulled Ayumu’s attention to that side of the table. The redheaded third-year had found a light brown set of cat ears with cute purple lining, placed them on Katana and started petting her like Yuu was doing to her and Setsua and Shizuku was to Kasumi. She had also found a red pair with green lining for herself.

“Here, Karinyan.” Emma smiled and held out a blue set.

“No thanks, Emma,” Karin started to refuse “I’m goo… eh?” Pink started to dust her cheeks as the accessory was moved closer. “Fine…” She sighed and relented.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Karin reached up and placed a hand on top of Emma’s head. The redhead responded with a content hum and pushed up a little into the affectionate gesture.

“Ainyan’s not going to be left out of this!” Ai proclaimed, practically jogging to the table. “Ne, Rinya, don’t these look a little like Hanpen’s?” She held up a set.

“Mm.” Rina confirmed. “They are very cute. I like them.”

“Perfect.” Ai grabbed what looked like a yellow set for herself and made her way back to the couch.

So, did that mean everyone in the club was now wearing cat ears? Ayumu wondered. No, everyone except… She looked up.

“What’s up, Ayumyan?” Yuu asked with a gentle smile as their eyes met and she paused her pats.

Geez, there was no way Ayumu was going to get used to that nickname. With heat gathering in her cheeks, she averted her gaze. Yuu seemed to be all too willing to dismiss the disruption as she hummed happily and resumed her affections.

As a peaceful quite settled in the clubroom, Ayumu turned her attention once again to Setsuna. So often she had thought of the excitable girl as likened to a puppy. However, as she was now, Setsuna looked very much like a cat about to curl up in Yuu’s lap, start purring and fall asleep.

Adorable.

What might it be like to be the one petting her? Ayumu considered. What if Yuu-chan and I swapped places? Would they both look up at me like that? Would they call me… Goshu… Geez, she couldn’t even complete the thought. Still, as embarrassing as it might be, it was more than a little appealing. Perhaps next…

Wait, didn’t they still have practice?

----------

Setsuna felt heat rise in her cheeks as memories from earlier in the day suddenly sprung forth in her mind. She shook her head, though was unable to avoid the oncoming thoughts. With a sigh, she sat back in her chair for a couple minutes of break from her studies.

Geez, she had really let herself get carried away. Sure, new songs from Yuu were always worth excitement and one based on a beloved anime series worth that much more, but…

Had she really needed to do that with Yuu? Setsuna mentally checked through other possible candidates. The first-years were out as calling someone younger master seemed strange. She didn’t feel quite as close to the third-years, though any of them probably would have been fine with it.

That just left her fellow second-years. Ai would have probably teased her about such a display, which would have been a bit embarrassing but otherwise alright. However, how would Rina have reacted? Of course, by that logic, targeting Yuu had resulted in upsetting Kasumi. So that only left Ayumu.

Ayumu-san…

While Yuu’s affection had been great, really great, wonderful in fact, Setsuna couldn’t help wondering how it might have felt if Ayumu had taken Yuu’s place. She then immediately realized she already had a fairly close approximation by way of how often Ayumu styled her hair.

And on that topic, was it Setsuna’s imagination or had Ayumu been the only one to work with her hair as of late? Though many of the prepping duties before their Lives were divided among anyone able to assist, ever since Ayumu had taught her how to make her adorable signature braided buns, it seemed she had been the one to style Setsuna’s hair.

Setsuna racked her memory. Had Yuu really never helped with that? Ai? Emma? Anyone else? She couldn’t recall. Strange. But, was it intentional? Surely Ayumu wasn’t the type to quietly manipulate a situation to ensure a desired outcome, right? No, it had to be a coincidence. In either case, Setsuna was unable to come up with a reason to object to the situation.

Setsuna blinked. That had been an odd tangent.

A different thought occurred to her. Had she overstepped her bounds earlier? Had she put herself in a position that could be interpreted as trying to come between Ayumu and Yuu?

Setsuna ran a replay of their walk from school to the station after practice. Neither seemed to behave differently toward her or attempt to exclude her from conversation or anything like that. It had all seemed quite normal, as far as she could tell.

The three had talked about plans for choreography and costuming for the new song. Of course, Yuu had used several opportunities to tease Ayumu who responded with her predictable flustered adorableness while Setsuna enjoyed the show. Just another enjoyable walk with them, same as yesterday and hopefully tomorrow, and as many other days as possible until the end of their school year. And maybe next year as well.

So no, it would seem Setsuna had not overstepped her bounds and was still on good terms with her two closest friends. That was a relief. If anything, perhaps she had actually strengthened her bonds with them? That would be nice. Really nice.

Setsuna smiled to herself as she suddenly had the urge to rewatch the catgirl anime. She glanced at the clock and determined she had spent enough time studying and it was late enough that her parents were unlikely to walk in on her. She slid her laptop in front of herself, navigated to the streaming site and started watching. Tomorrow, she would have to be sure to talk with Yuu and Ayumu about it again.

----------

Author’s Notes Continued in Followup Post

#YuuAyuSetsu #Takasaki Yuu #Yuki Setsuna #Uehara Ayumu #Tri-Arame #Love Live Nijigasaki #fanfic

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yavannah · 4 years

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Part 4, The Journey

The days passed surprisingly quickly and things were taken care of. In addition, he had planned to send Alejandro to relatives for the duration of the trip, but this had said he preferred to be homesitting, which Cale accepted. He wanted to trust his son not to destroy the house while they were away and of course it would always be good if someone kept an eye on the house for possible burglars as they were quite a nuisance.

Eventually they were ready, the goods packed, and after a long queuing and waiting, they sat on a plane, en route to Manaus, from where the journey would continue on a river boat. Cale experienced a slight bit of Deja Vu, as memories of the past came to his mind clearly, including those he preferred to forget.

After many hours and another long queuing, they finally got out of the airport and into the hotel for one night.

The next morning they got up early, ate breakfast, paid for their hotel nights, and headed for the ferry terminal where the actual trip was supposed to begin. In fact, everyone was very tired as they had not slept very well.

There was quite a hustle and bustle at the riverboat when the trio got there. The goods were packed and here and there flashed very new technology, quite different from during their first trip. The technology had indeed changed from those days.

Danny was happy with some of the changes, as it meant he no longer had to carry heavy equipment when shooting could be done with a small, but good-quality, lightweight digital camera. In addition, editing would be easier because of the digital camera era. No need to fumble with tapes and think about takeovers all the time.

Cale had memorized the contents of the memory stick carefully and the memory stick itself was included just in case, although he had wisely copied the files elsewhere in case they were needed. Now he looked at the people moving on the riverboat and pier next to it, trying to look with his gaze at the people who also needed to be on the way. There had been pictures of them on a memory stick. He hadn’t seen any yet, so presumably these people only helped with loading, as there seemed to be a lot of stuff, some of that grocery, of course.

Eventually, he saw a cold-eyed man standing outside the guide bar, leaning against the railing, watching the people underneath below.

“He must be Carl”, Cale muttered, and after taking his way to the cabin assigned to him, he headed for the ladder, climbed up and greeted the man.

Sure enough, cold was the word he used to describe this long, slender man with cold colorless eyes, bumps, albeit narrow faces, and road-colored short but neatly cut hair.

“You must be Carl Smith,” Cale said, holding out his hand to greet the man.

“You’re right,” the man said with a smile, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes, and grabbed Cale’s outstretched hand, “and I assume you’re Dr. Cale,” he added lightly.

“Yes, you’re right,” Cale admitted, squeezing the man’s hand lightly but surely. They exchanged a few more words, after which Cale faded back down to the others. He had just gotten to Terri when suddenly a very familiar person stepped out of one of the cabins.

“Alejandro!” Terri howled and looked at the young man very sharply.

“Oh, hey mom,” Alejandro said a little embarrassed.

"What are you doing here? You had to be the janitor, ”Cale asked.

"Uh, uh, I'm working here," Alejandro muttered, and does not see his parents.

“At work?” Cale asked, confused.

“Yeah,” Alejandro replied, “well, when we’ve been tight and I thought I’d make my own money for college,” he explained, “and I asked a friend of mine to watch over the house”, he said, before Terri and Cale had time to point it out.

Alejandro had heard his parents' conversations so many times, but had never told them anything about it. He had decided to do something himself, now that he was old enough to do it. The university could graduate a little later.

“But, you shouldn’t have,” Cale said, and couldn’t be angry with his son. That's what this meant.

“Yes I needed to,” Alejandro said, looking at the parent stubbornly.

“Ah, you seem to have found my assistant,” said the satisfied Carl walking next to them.

“This your assistant is my son,” Cale remarked coolly.

“Oh, right,” Carl said, looking at both calmly, as if accepting the matter.

“Yes,” Cale said briefly, but decided to let it be.

Eventually, everything needed was finally obtained on the river vessel and it was able to escape from the harbor. The direction was the same as on the previous trip and since it was already familiar to Calle, Terri and Danny, the trip went smoothly this time without any problems.

They even got close to the place where the riverboat was stuck, but because they knew how to be careful, they avoided it that time.

The tree was still fallen where it had collapsed from the weight of the snake and Westridge. Slightly other vegetation had grown on top of it, and the thinnest parts had come off a long time ago and the rest of the trunk had become a vague color.

The waterfall still flowed, as it had flowed even then. Evenly like a beating heart, with light refracting from drops into rainbows of different sizes. It was still just as beautiful, Cale thought and sighed quietly.

They continued their journey, now passing a sawmill completely covered with wild vegetation, of which there was little left but the lucrative parts of the building. The pier had suffered during all these years, and there was little left of it except a few planks and sun-bleached ribs on top of them.

“Anaconda,” Terri said quietly, still remembering what the giant snake had looked like. How it had looked at its victims with yellow eyes and felt the air with its tongue. She even remembered how its scaly leather had felt when it was wrapped around her and Danny. She didn't want to experience it again. Do some big anaconds still exist, for they had had to kill those two giant anacondas they have seen as self-defense.

"That big?" Carl asked in disbelief.

“Yes,” Terri replied, “about big and you really don’t want to face one, I can say that from my experience,” she added.

“Oh,” Carl shouted and fell silent.

In the power of silence, they continued their journey and finally, after a few days, ended up at the place where they had last encountered that lost tribe.

The riverboat was anchored ashore and they decided to spend the night there and explore the surrounding areas only in bright weather. The evening and night were calm, only the animals seemed to be on the move, as well as the annoying mosquitoes that would roam around the travelers, hoping for a warm blood meal.

They didn’t care about those teasers, but as night fell into the night, they moved into their cabins, to rest. Cale was not yet asleep, but leaned against the railing in front of the cab. He watched quietly, the landscape resting under the night starry sky. Or well rest was not the right word as the rainforest was full of night animal sounds. Very suddenly he saw movement on the beach and directed the light from his flashlight there. Something slender and dark just slipped into the caches of the jungle, out of the reach of the flashlight beam.

“What was that?” Cale muttered quietly, but decided not to figure it out, as running in the dark jungle was not a good idea. It became clear the last time when Denise and Gary had gone to an jungle at an anchorage with the intention of doing something quite different than recording the sounds of the night jungle.

Cale smiled a little at that memory, even though it had had ingredients for something much worse, but that time luck had been on the way and personal injuries had been avoided. The only one who suffered was the wild boar, which ended up on the menu.

In the end, Cale just thought he had seen the visions and concluded that it was time for him to go to rest too. So he stepped down the stairs and headed for his cabin, which he shared with Terri. The night went smoothly and the expedition woke up early the next morning. A fine mist swirled near the beach and smelled of a damp jungle. Daytime animals began to wake up and make noise in the twigs.

****

Huge thanks again to cc-makers. And sorry about that snake skeleton, I know that picture is not good at all, but I didn’t have any better, so that it will be.

And still thanks to my favourite actor. :)

#anaconda #anaconda fanfic #fanfic #my story #the sims 4 #ts4 #and still sorry if there is any typos in the text

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positivetransmessages · 5 years

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Beauty Brands Want to Sell Queer Expression, But It Shouldn’t Be for Sale

Writer Riley R.L. on the risks that come with cosmetics brands capitalizing on queer narratives.

Riley R.L

In this op-ed, nonbinary writer Riley R.L. shares the impact of makeup on their identity, and the risks that come with cosmetic brands capitalizing on queer narratives.

October 21, 2019

“They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Lady Gaga declares in the launch video for her new makeup line. “But at Haus Laboratories, we say beauty’s how you see yourself.” The video features Gaga surrounded by a racially diverse, gender nonconforming group of models showing off glittery eye makeup and bold lip colors. Its message is about freedom, specifically the freedom to express your identity however you want to. “We want you to love yourself,” Gaga concludes, and she’s got just the thing to help us do it: For $49, you can get a trio of lip products in a variety of color combos, which the brand’s website calls “tools of self-expression and reinvention.”

The Haus Laboratories launch is just one of many examples of how the cosmetics industry has been using identity narratives to market their ads with LGBTQ consumers in mind. Through pride campaigns and inclusive marketing, brands like Morphe, Milk Makeup, and M.A.C are trying to push the cultural conversation around makeup forward by bringing queer, trans, and gender nonconforming faces to the forefront, apparently as a way to help normalize the varying expressions of our community.

This mirrors a larger shift in the beauty space. LGBTQ creators like Gigi Gorgeous, Jeffree Star, and Nikita Dragun have gained huge audiences online and created successful product collaborations, while major beauty publications like Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Allure have covered the rise of queer beauty influencers and gender-neutral cosmetics brands. It’s clear that the world of cosmetics is trying to move away from the conventional standards it was previously associated with to promote an aesthetic of freedom, however ambiguously defined that may be.

For many LGBTQIA people, makeup can play a valuable, if not complicated, role in exploring gender, something that rings true in my own story. The first time I wore eye shadow out of the house, I still largely identified with the gender I had been assigned at birth; I spent most of that night worrying about what wearing makeup while presenting as male might open me up to. I feared ridicule, harassment, even violence — things that, fortunately, had not been an average part of my day-to-day life. Wearing makeup that first time was the most aware I’d ever been of the grip that gendered expectations had on the way I lived, and that realization made me feel weak and unfulfilled; all my life, I could suddenly see, I’d been under the control of beliefs about gender that I didn’t agree with, and that I had internalized without ever choosing to.

Thankfully, nothing out of the ordinary happened that night. As a kind of resistance to those feelings of weakness, I made an effort to start wearing makeup more often, and became increasingly comfortable with choosing to present and express myself in a way that was more unconventional. Ultimately, makeup was one of many things that helped me come to terms with the fact that I felt more at home outside of traditional gender roles than I did within them, and that my identity fit better under the umbrella of nonbinary than it did under male.

For me, that revelation came with a reduced emphasis on how I presented. Nowadays, I rarely wear much makeup (neither do most of my trans and nonbinary friends). But as queer identity seems to become more and more intertwined with the cosmetics industry, I find myself shying away from sharing the role that wearing makeup—a purely aesthetic part of a deeply internal process—played in that time of self-discovery. When I watch someone sell makeup under the auspices of queer self-love, regardless of how well intentioned they might be, I can’t help but feel as if a story like mine is being packaged and sold to young queer people desperate to find confidence in their own identity.

“Sometimes beauty doesn’t come naturally from within,” Gaga muses on the Haus Laboratories website. “But I’m so grateful that makeup inspired a bravery in me I didn’t know I had.” The narrative is clearer than ever: If conventional aesthetic “beauty” is no longer a marketing team’s focus, then something like “bravery” must be; rather than encouraging consumers to fit in, it’s now about using makeup to help reveal “who you are.” These brands are leveraging LGBTQIA narratives to maintain relevance in a competitive market, thanks to the very real and very complicated relationship that trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people like me have with cosmetics.

An example like Sephora’s “Identify As We” campaign, full of ethereal imagery and moving ideas about freedom and identity, is certainly a progressive alternative to the kinds of advertising I was exposed to growing up. It’s easy to recall the history of hypermasculine marketing for products like Axe, whose goal was to play on conventional gender roles to make sales. Today, some brands would like us to believe that they can do better, and that by focusing on the expansive understanding of gender the LGBTQ community provides, companies can push progress forward rather than reinforce tired stereotypes.

Recently, Jonathan Van Ness, one of Queer Eye’s fab five, revealed that he’s nonbinary to Out. “[Gender is] this social construct that I don’t really feel like I fit into the way I used to,” Van Ness shared. Couched in this personal revelation was Van Ness’s sponsorship with nail polish brand Essie, something he hopes will help inspire young people: “I always used to think, Oh, I’m like a gay man, but I think any way I can let little boys and little girls know that they can express themselves, and they can, like, be... making iconic partnerships with brands like Essie no matter how they present is really important and exciting.”

Van Ness and Essie, like many of the brands mentioned, seem to operate under the assumption that visibility alone can bring much needed change in how our culture regards gender nonconformance. And maybe they’re right; but as a nonbinary person, I can’t help but question: Would my self-perception really have been different had I seen someone like Van Ness wearing nail polish on a billboard while growing up? Would I have come to understand my identity sooner had I seen a gender nonconforming person on a cosmetics display?

Many queer people grow up with a longing to be seen and validated by popular culture in the way our straight and cisgender peers are. When we come to adulthood, I worry that lingering desire may leave us with an inability to protect younger generations from the potential risks that putting value in “visibility” can conceal. If we place our trust in advertising to advance our cause rather than sharing our stories on our own terms, we’re passing them over to those whose primary goal is to profit from them. These sanitized, corporate narratives run the risk of leading young queer people to believe that embodying their identity is as simple as buying the right lipstick or wearing the right nail polish, instead of expressing themselves in whatever way feels true to them.

By creating a narrative of self-actualization based on a product, it’s easy to erase the pain that can come too. For many queer and trans people, embodying your gender is not always fun, freeing, and transformative; it can also make you a target of discrimination and violence. Every time I choose to walk out the door with makeup on, I’m choosing to do so in spite of the world I’m walking into. At its best makeup was often a grounding ritual that helped me come to terms with my own experience of gender. At its worst the reactions it caused — condescending compliments, strange looks, yells of “faggot” from passing cars — could make it feel like a way of inscribing the dissonance between my body and identity on my skin. Those experiences, like those endured by many in my community, are the ones you aren’t so likely to hear about in a beauty ad or the next big pride campaign, because they don’t fit the right narrative. We can’t ignore that these brands are more invested in their own survival than they are in ours, and we owe it to ourselves — and to those who’ll come after us — to be careful with how we allow others to use our stories.

- - -

Source: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/beauty-brands-queer-expression-makeup

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365daysofsasuhina · 5 years

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[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Two Hundred Thirteen: Rake ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto, Hatake Kakashi ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ] [ AO3 Link ]

He’s getting awfully tired of all these stupid D-ranks. Kakashi keeps giving excuses about ‘building up experience’ and ‘learning how the mission system works’. But to Sasuke, at least, it’s obvious: they’re genin. New ones. Of course they’re going to get stuck with all the lousy missions. Maybe it’s just something he’s supposed to accept, but Sasuke isn’t your typical genin. He doesn’t have a career in mind, or a rank he wants to reach. There’s only one thing that occupies his thoughts from the moment he wakes up until the finally concedes to sleep every night.

Avenging his clan.

And while this pace might be what your usual genin is meant to go through...for him, it’s nothing but torture. He should be training every spare moment, sparring with powerful people to help improve his technique and power! If he’s ever going to kill Itachi - if he’s ever going to reach the same level as the one who killed the entire Uchiha clan - then he must...must pour everything he has into improving his mind, his body, his arsenal of skills and jutsu.

Catching cats, doing yard work, and running errands is not accomplishing any of that. And it grinds his patience down to the quick.

“All right you three, any guesses what we’ll be doing today?”

Three little genin look up as Kakashi finally arrives. Naruto, as always, blows up into a rant over the Hatake’s tardiness. Hinata, looking a bit pensive as she fiddles nervous fingers, just...remains silent beside Sasuke. He, in turn, simply stares with a deadpan expression. True, Kakashi constantly being late pisses him off, too...but he also knows there’s nothing they can do to change it. They’re stuck with him just as much as he’s stuck with them.

And like they’re stuck with these stupid missions.

Ignoring Naruto’s jumps to try to grab their mission paperwork, Kakashi holds it aloft and offers, “With Autumn now in full swing, we’ve got several requests from a more leafy part of the village to do some raking! We’ll be taking what we pick up to the compost piles so nothing goes to waste.”

“...we’re gonna rake leaves?” Sasuke asks, perking a brow.

“Precisely.”

“And this is a shinobi’s work...why?”

“Well, I don’t know if a few rookie genin are exactly shinobi yet, but you’ll get there! Until then...it’s bottom of the barrel missions. Surely you get that by now,” Kakashi muses.

“But how do we stop having bad missions? When do we actually get to prove we have what it takes to do something...better?”

“When I decide you’re ready! And right now...I’d say you’re still leaf-raking level.”

At the insult, Sasuke bristles, but pauses as Hinata steps up.

“Maybe, um...maybe you’d have a better idea of our...o-of our skills if we would train more with you? Missions are important, of course...but we haven’t had all that much time to work on, um...shinobi drills a-and scenarios. Besides our first exercise...we haven’t had a chance to really work on our t-teamwork. And...and that’s important before we take any larger-scale missions...right?”

Kakashi perks a brow. “Well...you have a point.” He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “...all right. Tomorrow, we’ll have a more...proper training exercise. But for today, we have our assignment. You can conquer the leaves, and think about how fun training will be tomorrow!”

Scowling at their sensei’s dismissive tone, Sasuke nonetheless loses his edge. Hinata makes a good point. Even if Sasuke has pretty good rudimentary skills...that won’t hold up in a mission if the rest of his team is lagging behind, and they aren’t in-tune with each other to better coordinate. Kakashi’s been too busy running them ragged on pointless chores to actually train them much, lately.

...good on her for getting that ball rolling.

The team makes its way to the residential district. Yards with trees of all kinds are speckled with leaves of yellow, orange, and red. In a way, it’s...sort of pretty. It almost reminds him of -

“All right, our assignment is this neighborhood here,” Kakashi cuts in, gesturing. “They all pooled together to ask for our help, so we’ll be doing all of their yards.”

“All of them?!” Naruto hollers. “Are you serious?!”

“Exceedingly serious. We have to have them all done by the end of the day, so...hop to it!”

“What about you?” Sasuke asks. “You’re part of the team, right?”

“I’ll be supervising,” is the rebuke, the Uchiha’s scowl clearly ignored.

Meeting with the organizer of their mission, the team is given rakes and bags to collect the leaves in. Glancing around, they seem to weigh their options.

“So...how should we, um...do this?” Hinata asks. “Should we...each take a yard by ourselves, or...maybe all work together one at a time?”

“I guess it’ll be about the same pace no matter what we do,” Sasuke mutters flatly. “For now, let’s try each taking one. If someone lags behind, we’ll group back up.”

“Man, this sucks,” Naruto gripes. “If only one of us knew some fūton, right? We could just, like...scoop all the leaves up at once, into a big pile!”

“We’d still need to put them in bags, dobe.”

“Well yeah, but! It would still be less raking, right? Right?”

“True,” Hinata offers, smiling shyly and humoring him. “It would be n-nice. But I don’t, um...I don’t have any affiliation with wind style, sadly…”

“Neither do I - look, let’s just...get started, all right? The sooner we do, the sooner we get done.”

With that decided, the trio break up, all moving to one side of the street and tending to a yard each. Bringing the leaves into a neat pile, Sasuke glances to it thoughtfully. Part of him has the urge to just...use a little katon and burn them. No need for a bag then, right? But then, well...he doesn’t really have a way to put the fire out, or make sure it doesn’t spread beyond where he wants it. And he doubts the people living here want to look out their window and see something on fire. So, instead, he gathers them up into some bags, leaving them near the sidewalk and looking to the rest.

Hinata is nearly finished with hers, but...Naruto is having a little trouble.

“Hey, knock it off ya little brats! I’ve got a job to do!”

Perking a brow, Sasuke watches as a few Academy-age kids run around the lawn Naruto’s raking. Every time he gets anything piled up, they jump into it with squeals of merriment, and...the whole mound explodes back along the grass.

For a moment, he just...watches as a memory stirs. He used to do something similar when his mother would rake the yard every Autumn. She’d allow it for a time, but then insist he help her finish as repayment. He used to have so much fun watching the bright colors swirl and fly. And sometimes, Itachi would -

Flinching, he bows his head into a hand. No...that was a long time ago, now. Memories like those are traitorous. Anything tainted with his brother...he can’t…!

“Sasuke-kun?”

Looking up, he sees Hinata step up beside him, expression tinged with worry. Her own bags sit nearby. “Are...are you all right?”

“...fine. Just...a bit of a headache.” He nods to Naruto. “Think we should lend him a hand?

“I...think that might be best. He’s not going to get anywhere with those k-kids in the way,” she agrees sheepishly.

Crossing to the yard in question, Hinata works on distracting the little ones as Naruto and Sasuke rake as quickly as they can. By some miracle, they get the job done, the kids making sounds of disappointment.

“Sorry guys...b-but this is our job, ne? There will be more leaves for you to jump in next year!”

Thankfully, no other households have any children at home, and they manage to finish the entire street by late afternoon. Kakashi, lounging in one of the trees guilty for the mess, glances down as Naruto announces they’ve finished. “Well well, would you look at that? Now all we have to do is cart out the bags, and you’ll be done for the day!”

Naruto, stubborn as ever, takes as many as he can carry...and then some, tossing several atop his bent back. Sasuke just sighs, Hinata giggling as the blond struggles not to drop any.

“If you lose one and it spills, you’re picking it up by yourself,” the Uchiha warns.

“Yeah, yeah!”

Once all is said and done, Kakashi dismisses them for the day, vanishing in a cloud of vapor. Complaining of an empty stomach, Naruto announces his plans to go to Ichiraku’s. “You guys wanna come?”

“S...sure!” Hinata agrees. “Sasuke-kun?”

“Yeah...guess I might as well.”

Naruto marching out at the front, the dark-haired pair follow behind at an easy pace. “Well...that wasn’t so bad,” Hinata muses.

“I guess not...still not really necessary for a shinobi to handle.”

“True…”

“At least you got us some proper training scheduled for tomorrow. Good job on that.”

Hinata’s head ducks shyly, going a bit pink at the praise. “I...I know everyone’s been frustrated, so...I thought - I-I thought some training might be a good break. From the missions, I mean.”

“At least that should take some skill...well, for the few hours Kakashi actually shows up,” Sasuke scowls.

“Well...better than nothing, right?”

“...right.”

.oOo.

More team seven!Hinata, woo! I dunno if I'll really make this much of a thing, but...it IS a concept I'd like to explore a bit. And it's a nice way to have them interact as genin, since...well, they don't do that much in canon. But uh...yeah, not much else to say! It's late, as always...so I'ma go crash. Thanks for reading!

#sasuhina #uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #uzumaki naruto #hatake kakashi #a light amongst shadows [ canon verse ]#365daysofsasuhina

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lovelyjasmari · 5 years

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Kingdom Hearts OC Week 2019 ~ Day 3

@khoc-week

Kalai’s has many people she’s close to but her closest friends are Kairi and Ienzo, having known them ever since she was a child. She is also very close to her youngest sister Adelen. As far as lovers go, Kalai has two. She’s in a very happy poly relationship with Lauriam and Elrena! They all met while still in the Organization and while Marluxia immediately goes out of his way to become close to her, Larxene is more reluctant. But by the time they arrive at Castle Oblivion, they are all clear partners in crime and their bond only increases during their time with the Thirteen Seekers of Darkness. I’ve kind of taken to calling them the “Treacherous Trio” in my mind. XD

Enemy wise, Kalai’s main enemy is Master Xehanort, obviously, but that is more of a default because of the situations she finds herself in. On a more personal level though, her enemies are Xemnas, and Young Xehanort. She despises Xemnas because of his deceit of herself and the other members of the first Organization and she blames him for when Marluxia and Larxene perish in Castle Oblivion. Young Xehanort she hates because he was the one who forced her back into the Organization after re-completion. And nearly the second after she reawakens, he goes out of his way to antagonize and “break” her as a way of amusing himself before the final battle since he's apparently very bored. Their rivalry is extremely fierce.

For today’s prompt, I’m going to share a bit from Kalai’s second installment that deals with her time in the Organization and her first meeting with Marluxia. At this point, she has already met Larxene and their first meeting is less than ideal. Though intrigued by The Graceful Assassin, she has decided to keep her distance. Let’s just say...that doesn’t go exactly to plan.

~~~

The long white hallways, decorated throughout with the Nobody emblem, seemed to stretch on forever; much larger than that of another castle that she had once resided in her other life. She had been thinking often lately about her past life, in the first few days of her new existence everything had been more or less a blur to her.

But now after nearly a week of residing in this strange new place with a strange new name, small fragments of her memories had begun to return to her. Images of the magnificent castle and the glittering fountains of her home that seemed to come out of a fairy tale, the five kind men who were her caretakers, and also…

Alixka stopped at a set of large glass doors that from outside she could see led to an immense greenhouse. This was a was a new discovery of the castle for her and she could not help her desire to explore. As she slowly pushed open the doors she was immediately taken in by the familiar scent of a greenhouse bursting with life; she remembered, yes, she had loved the flowers that grew in the gardens around her previous home. And her next home before coming to this strange place, Traverse Town, had a vast garden as well where she learned more about her botanical skills as well as her skills with magic. The memories caused a strange burning sensation to flicker in her chest that she could not understand. She wasn’t supposed to have a heart, what was this feeling?

She forced herself to move forward in order to distract herself, she recognized many of the plants as ingredients used to make things like potions and elixirs but others were new to her. In particular there were several rose bushes in every color imaginable as well as a large tree of cherry blossoms in full bloom. Toward the end, a glass roof looked out to give a view of the eternal night sky with a clear view of the golden heart shaped moon that would, hopefully, one day be the salvation of her and those around her. The only other room in the castle that had such a clear view of Kingdom Hearts was the Addled Impasse and Alixka knew by now that she was never to go there without explicit permission from Siax. But gazing up at it gave her a strange sense of solace that she felt she could keep.

That is, so long as no one knew she was here.

Just as the thought passed her mind she heard the glass doors open and soft footsteps coming her way, she panicked.There was no time to make a stealthy escape, and she was not yet used to summoning the Dark Corridors to move from one place to the other.

“Who’s there?”

Alixka quickly hid behind the trunk of the large cherry blossom tree, crouching down and covered by some conveniently placed bushes. Now what did Zexion say to me about the corridors? She thought frantically. The footsteps were becoming louder.

“I know someone else is here. Reveal yourself to me!”

Right! He told me not to think about it. That they would come to my call as naturally as blinking an eye.

It didn’t seem like the most informative advice at that moment though as she shut her eyes constantly but every time she opened them, there she was in the same place as before.

“Very well, have it your way then.”

She heard the door open and close again.

Cautiously, she peeked from behind the tree to see that no one was there. A few tense seconds passed and she realized also that the footsteps had stopped.

"I’ve stayed long enough." She smiled to herself in great relief. "Maybe now I can focus on leaving but not under duress."

Eyes closed once more, she stood up and turned to leave, extending her hand to summon a corridor that would return her to her room. But as she did so she felt something grab hold of her hand tightly, her eyes snapped open to find a live vine wrapped around her wrist and in a second another vine slipped around the other, keeping her from escaping.

“Wha...huh? What the…”

Alixka gasped as she looked up at the graceful pink haired man, gazing at her struggling form with a devilish look in his blue eyes and a smirk on his pale pink lips.

“Well well, I’m certain I’ve never seen a flower like you before.”

“Uh...I...I’m sorry...I…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence because the next thing she knew he was standing right next to her, she tried to turn away from him but he took her chin into his hand to face her. Those wicked blue eyes flashed with amusement.

“Our newest member. The Maiden of Tempests. You’re quite a lovely one aren’t you?”

He was so close to her that she could feel his warm breath ghost over her skin softly. She swallowed hard, unsure whether she disliked the contact or not.

“I take it you were enjoying my garden?”

Her violet eyes involuntarily locked with his and she could feel the heat rise in her face, Alixka did not know much about Marluxia, except that he seemed to be always hanging around the sharp tongued Larxene and she had made no effort to hide her disdain of her despite no longer being the only girl in the Organization.

If that wasn’t enough for Alixka to know to keep her distance, she had seen him from time to time in the training room sparring with other members and she had formed the idea that he could easily be one of the more powerful members of the Organization. He wielded his pink and green scythe with such a lethal style that she could see why he was considered “The Graceful Assassin”.

But now with Marluxia so close to her, she could not help but feel intrigued in spite of her nervousness. He didn’t sound angry or annoyed so much as playfully curious. She bit her lip, refusing to let her guard down.

“Forgive me for trespassing. Saix instructed me to learn my way around the castle and…”

Marluxia removed his hand from her chin and took a lock of her long dark hair into his hand, letting the strands slide through his fingers as easily as water. He smirked again.

“You couldn’t help but be taken in by so many beautiful flowers could you?”

Alixka hesitated, she hadn’t realized at first that the vines had disappeared and her hands were free. She remained silent, she could escape at any moment if she wanted. Slowly she took a small and cautious step back from her pink haired captor, biting her lip again when she felt Marluxia place his hands on her shoulders.

“You think I’m admonishing you, but I’m not.” He tilted his head and gave her a slightly kinder look. “I’m just curious is all, what drew you to this place?”

“You...you’re right.” She replied softly. “All the plants here are beautiful, and this place has such a fine view of Kingdom Hearts…but…” Turning her face away. “...I swear I won’t come back if you don’t want me too.”

There was a long pause before another smirk covered his face.

“Oh no, it’s fine with me if you wish to come here from time to time. It’s nice to have another within our ranks that has the same appreciation for botany as myself.”

A small smile crept up on Alixka’s face, along with another strange warmth in her stomach she was not used to. She nodded and backed away to leave.

“Leaving so soon, Rosebud?” Marluxia folded his arms and glanced at her curiously. Once again she felt the heat rise in her face.

“Th...there is so much more of the castle I haven’t seen yet. I...best be on my way.” She said quickly as she FINALLY managed so summon a Dark Corridor, disappearing in the fading black and purple one moment and finding herself in her room in another. Zexion was right, somehow she wasn’t even thinking of it, now if only she could learn to control it.

She sat on her bed, wondering to herself why she found herself drawn to Marluxia all of a sudden despite logic telling herself she should avoid him. She couldn’t understand it, but hopefully it probably wouldn't matter much soon; tomorrow she would be assigned her first mission and she had a feeling that she would likely be paired with Zexion or maybe even Lexaeus considering those were the two members she had managed to quickly form a bond with. Alixka was certain that she likely would not see Marluxia again for some time, particularly with Larxene seemingly always attached to him.

~~~

Early the following morning Alixka went, on instruction, to The Grey Area where she would be assigned to her first mission. Saix was not there when she arrived so she took a seat on one of the couches. Three or four other members were sitting silently but she noticed at once the pink haired Nobody glancing at her from across the room with a small smirk on his face. Almost as though he knew something she didn’t. She turned away as she saw Saix enter the room. Alixka rose from her seat respectfully.

“Alixka.” Saix said, “You will be paired with Marluxia for your first mission today.”

#since tumblr wants to flag my posts for no reason #kh oc week #kingdom hearts oc week #kalai oc #alixka oc #ot3: you are my destiny (laurenalai)

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readbyir · 5 years

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An essay on a refreshing take of Twelfth Night

“If music be the food of love, play on.” Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most performed plays, and in my opinion, one of my favorites. Viola’s journey of identity has been an object of my fascination since I stumbled upon her “I left no ring with her” monologue in high school. I have now seen Twelfth Night two times; the first time was at a community theatre and the second time was at a professional theatre. The professional production that I saw was at The Old Globe in November 2019. Directed by Jesse Perez, Twelfth Night used all of the MFA Acting students currently enrolled in the Shiley Graduate Theatre Program between the University of San Diego and The Old Globe. Having worked with most of them during their summer repertory season, I was thrilled to see them take on another reimagination of Shakespeare. This production took place in the intimate space of the Shirley and Harvey White Theatre. This theatre-in-the-round space allowed for Perez and his designers to suspend the audience’s disbelief with their fun ideas of design and staging. Perez conceptualized this telling of the story to be done through a band of actors in their own rehearsal hall with scripts, fighting mats, and rehearsal furniture strewn across the floor. Perez swapped genders, incorporated music and dance, and used farcical moments to fully explore Shakespeare’s humor and relationships in this text. Overall, Perez’s meta concept encouraged the unification of a strong ensemble that wants the audience to experiment with the love and gender fluidity that has always existed in Shakespeare’s plays.

While we usually see “As above, so below” metaphors expressed through two-levelled sets, Robin Roberts designed a single level set with two ramps that lead offstage. Perez’s concept insisted that the playing space was actually where an acting troupe comes to rehearse when they are not performing. Two signs labeled “TO STAGE” hung above the ramps and onstage drawers were stuffed with props and costumes. Malvolio, Sebastian, and subordinate characters had many opportunities to enter from the house for their entrances to the story. Perez crafted his departure point with the entire ensemble portraying themselves as actors. It was when Claire Simba stood on top of a table and proclaimed her first lines through a large microphone that her fellow actors agreed to put on a production of Twelfth Night. Instantaneously, hip-hop music and colorful lights flashed onstage as the ensemble danced and began their rehearsal process of Twelfth Night.

Perez explored two different journeys of love between Antonio and Sebastian and Orsino and Viola. Perez fully embraced Antonio’s assertion of his adoration and love for Sebastian in the script. Jonathan Wilson, who portrayed Antonio, followed Ramon Burris, who portrayed Sebastian, down onto the stage to make sure his beloved friend had a safe journey. Perez explored the act of Burris closing the distance between himself and Wilson. Antonio’s vulnerability about his emotions towards Sebastian was met with Sebastian’s vulnerability about losing a sister. Burris and Wilson stood inches apart until Burris had to bid his farewell due to his mournful state. Claire Simba portrayed Orsino, an Illyrian nobleman. Gender-bending is not new when it comes to Shakespeare. For two black women to play the romantic leads, however, is not commonly practiced in live performances unless it is prescribed in a play that centralizes itself on the black experience. Perez directed the audience’s focus onto a female Orsino that falls in love with a female Viola. Simba did not talk in a forced lower-register or dress in breeches; she was still a woman in the larger-than-life role of Orsino.This viewed Shakespeare’s primary relationship through a LGBTQ+ lens.

Music and dance was a large part of this production as well. As already stated, the ensemble broke out into a dance in the beginning of the play. The music was of the modern hip-hop genre, creating a contemporary feel to Perez’s concept. The choreography was fast-paced, fun, grounded, and complicated. A couple of the actors seemed to struggle with keeping up with the choreography, but still showed how much of a blast they had with it. Perez used Feste to continue this light-hearted musical feeling after the production’s colorful departure point. Summer Broyhill portrayed Feste with her acoustic guitar and goofy mannerisms. Using her experience as Amiens in As You Like It, Broyhill composed her own music for the show. In her moments of playing guitar and entertaining others, Broyhill, as Feste, was also experimenting with how others would react to her acoustic folk music. When Christopher Cruz (Sir Toby) and Mason Conrad (Sir Andrew) offered their approval of her music, Broyhill was elated and gracious. Her spirit of musicality built and spread towards two other partners onstage, turning a simple moment of entertainment into a full-blown acapella trio serenading Sir Toby. Broyhill also composed this acapella piece.

Perez’s use of farce in Malvolio’s letter scene bent the audience’s expectation of what it means to hide in plain sight. Using palm leaves, Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Fabian danced and dashed across all corners of the stage to stay hidden from Malvolio. The rule that Perez and his actors structured assured that anytime an actor holds up a leaf, they are hidden from Malvolio. They bend this rule by adding a couple more ensemble members to relevé and perform traditional ballet leaps while holding their leaves as Malvolio read his letter aloud.

I found that Perez’s exploration of LGBTQ+ relationships and gender-roles to be extremely effective within his concept. Standing in a “fuck or fight” proximity from each other, Antonio and Sebastian added a complex layer of their potentially homosexual relationship. We know Sebastian ends up with Olivia at the end, but the implication of him meeting Antonio in the middle with his emotions demands the audience to perk up and hang onto this given circumstance throughout the rest of their limited times together onstage. In the text, we do not get a lot of information on Sebastian’s whereabouts. Perez made Sebastian’s moments onstage matter to the audience by showing how his inner-turmoil from losing a sister can project onto other relationships, romantic or otherwise. Even if Perez did not choose to argue for Sebastian to be bisexual, he still built tension between two men that represented more than just a dichotomous power balance; it begged for a reconsideration of masculinity. The power dynamic between the two men did not feel as if a servant was being dismissed by a superior figure. It was a tender and truthful moment where Sebastian let his walls down to another man. I saw two men being completely honest about the things that weigh most on their heart. In the spirit of Perez’s experimental concept; I got to ask myself what I thought Sebastian would do if he were not mourning for Viola. Solely because of how Perez set up their relationship, I would accept the argument that Sebastian should end up with Antonio if he had not paired up with Olivia at the end. Additionally, I was able to reflect on how little we see masculinity portrayed like this onstage.

Orsino and Viola’s relationship intersected the exposure of LGBTQ+ and black relationships onstage. Orsino’s identity was not played out as a breeches role. Simba is a woman who was expressed as a woman onstage. Because Orsino was originally a male, the audience was able to recognize the elements and mannerisms that made Simba passable as Orsino. As discussed in Sebastian and Antonio’s relationship, the audience’s focus was also drawn to the idea of what makes a character masculine or feminine. Simba was confident, smooth, and humorous just like the character Shakespeare wrote. She demanded respect and power through her struts and table-climbing. She still had a masculine air to her because of her raspy and lower voice. Bibi Mama’s portrayal of Viola was special because of how she portrayed femininity. Mama is a fitness trainer, which showed onstage. She was strong, coordinated, and grounded. Her alto register paired well with Simba’s raspy voice. She did not make much change between her identity as Viola versus fake-Sebastian because of the minimalistic costume design. If I was not paying close enough attention to the language, I would have missed the fact that Mama was switching between female and male onstage. To throw on a blazer was not the strongest indication to an audience member that Mama has changed her identity, especially with her muscular build. To broaden the perspective of Perez’s choice of casting, I believe a color conscious choice was made to reach across San Diego’s predominantly white theatre patron base. Perez made a speech at the opening night party stating that it was time that people agree that Orsino can, in fact, be a black woman. Putting this idea onto a stage that is dressed to look like a rehearsal hall truly serves Perez’s purpose in challenging the conventions an audience projects onto Shakespeare and other works of theatre. He framed it as actors onstage that are simply workshopping new ideas and testing out what works and what doesn’t work. I have heard stories of Old Globe patrons expressing how much they miss “traditional Shakespeare” while mistakenly assigning its likeness to an older production that was actually conceptualized as the Napoleonic Era. It seems that Perez knows the Old Globe’s audience very well and did not waste his opportunity to make this show matter on a global scale. At the time of writing this essay, The Public Theatre just wrapped their production of Measure for Measure with an all black and female cast. Black women taking the lead in Shakespeare is a choice that theatres want their audiences to see and get used to. Perez does not turn away from issue in the slightest and brings the Old Globe into the larger conversation.

Perez’s use of music and farce elevated Shakespeare’s text. His concept broke through the fourth wall in the act of Broyhill performing as Feste. Just like Feste aimed to entertain and please through music, Broyhill might have hoped that her fellow actors and audience members enjoyed her folk guitar compositions. It added to Feste’s likability as a performing artist rather than a “clown.” Perez’s outrageously funny comedic moments, such as the letter scene, suspended the audience’s disbelief on how to accept staged conventions. Marco Antonio Vega’s portrayal of Malvolio achieved empathy from the audience because of how much we were laughing at the deception that was devised against him.

Perez made the story of Twelfth Night bigger than what we may have originally perceived to be. He gave his actors a platform to truly play and explore the humanity of their characters by gifting them a world where anything can happen: the rehearsal room. What if Sebastian loved Antonio back? What if Orsino was a woman? How many rules can we make for the audience and then break them? What is and is not allowed to be done with Shakespeare? These are the questions actors and directors ask in the rehearsal room and determine themselves. Perez included his audience to answer that question. He gave us an authentic presentation of what theatre is by keeping this world in its “exploration stage.” This let the community bear witness to what makes our theatre artists today so devoted to their art. As an MFA class, the actors portrayed the future of theatre for all to see.

#usd #theatre #shakespeare #play #broadway #review #commentary

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ask-gijinka-creationtrio · 5 years

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clarification on that bit on gender and contemplations on other stuff

If anyone actually bothers to read this lmao

Dialga: This question was pretty much inevitable.

Palkia: I’m honestly fine with being referred to as an “it”.

Giratina: Why the hell should we worry about “it” being “dehumanizing” when we’re not human to begin with?

Something that I knew would eventually get brought up is the genders of my interpretation of the trio. The simple answer is encapsulated in the prev post: they’re dragon gods. Gender is a societal construct; sex is for reproduction. Legendary entities that represent the fundamental laws of the universe don’t really have a need for either society or reproduction. So as with the games, they’re all officially non-binary/genderless.

That said, my designs gravitate towards one or the other. One reason is that i’m not creative, bold, inspired, or talented enough to really translate that genderless attribute into humanoid form. Another is that someone pointed out to me a while ago that Palkia has a low waist-hip ratio, stiletto clawed feet, and some designs will feature a more prominent chest. That and the gendered color-coding Pokemon started doing with blue males and red/pink females, like with the menu screens starting from Gen III, the Eon Duo, Jellicent in Gen V, and Team Skull Grunts in Gen VII.

That said, I’m not a huge fan of these reasons, as you could also make the counterargument that Palkia looks somewhat phallic. So I kinda wanna get into an Extended Rant™ on why I choose to depict my OCs the way, even though no one probably cares lmao

It starts out with the Kanji/Hanzi for “Universe”: 宇宙, Uchū in Japanese and Yǔzhòu in Chinese. You might recall it if you’ve read Pokemon Adventures.

You might also remember if you visited that one dude on Route 228 in Diamond and Pearl who gets yeeted out of his house by Cyrus’s contrite grandfather by the time Platinum rolls around. Okay, realistically, barely anyone probably does (that guy wasn’t that memorable), but he basically says the same thing as Cyrus in the panels above: 宇宙, coined by the ancient Taoists, esoterically means something like “the totality of extension” + “the totality of duration”. In other words, the ancient Japanese/Chinese word for “universe” is lit. “space” + “time”. This is actually a somewhat obscure, unnecessary detail that even many native speakers seem to be unaware of. It also ties in heavily with the Yin-Yang 陰陽 of Taoism.

I know Taoism is more a Gen V theme, but it’s a concept implicit throughout the franchise, hence games generally come in twos, sharing complementary/opposing or dualistic/dichotomic themes. Even trios tend to have the third member as the odd one out or mediator. There’s much more to the Yin-Yang than just Truth/Ideals and I sorta wish Game Freak would explore it more to really unite the franchise as a whole around the interconnected theme of both diversity and harmony.

The Yin-Yang isn’t strictly about Truth/Ideals as much as it is about the fundamentally dualistic nature of existence and the oneness implicit in the inseparability of coexisting complementary concepts. Thus, truth and ideals are two sides of the same coin, as are time and space as relativity revealed. The Yin-Yang is vague enough to basically be an umbrella representation term for any complementary duality. It should be noted that the feminine Yin and masculine Yang don’t refer to stereotypical/conventional notions of femininity or masculinity, but rather requires an abstract interpretation.

The Yin-Yang is composed of an active component, and a passive/reflective/receptive one. More easily understood in that one aspect creates the body and the other gives it life. One which shapes/nurtures/mothers being and one which animates/directs/fathers it. Abstract interpretations of the feminine Mother and masculine Father follow suit. As do dualistic concepts like particle and wave, existence and essence, ovum and sperm, object/entity and idea/concept, magnitude and direction, defense and offense, nature/tradition and technology/advancement (Gen I & Gen II), space and time (Gen IV), truth and ideals (Gen V), night/moon and day/sun (Gen VII), and shields and swords i guess (Gen VIII).

I excluded Gen III because among the classical elements, earth and water are both traditionally considered reflective/feminine, with fire and air being active/masculine, but i suppose if you factor in Primal Reversion in Gen VI, it works. With the Aura Trio, I read something unrelated but interesting about how apparently Ohmori Shigeru hinted at parallels between the Weather Trio and Aura Trio. Can’t find the source though. Blue - Seas were the first (Alpha) source of Life; Red - fiery, desolate Lands signify the Death of all in the end (Omega); Green - Order/Balance mediates between two forces of nature that can be malevolent/chaotic left unchecked, with the trio master possessing abilities that cancel out the other two.

Going off the rails a bit more, speaking of color-parallels, there’s probably going to be one of the subtractive colors between Gen VIII and the (highly probable) Gen IV remakes this generation, with Cyan - Dialga, Azelf, Lucas’ accents, Za-cian; Magenta - Palkia, Mesprit, Dawn’s accents, Za-mazenta; Yellow - Giratina, Uxie, Barry’s accents, whoever the third member of the Gen VIII mascot/box art legendary trio is going to be. I wonder how they’re going to incorporate the parallels tho

Anyway I digress. The ancient Daoists associated feminine Yin with 宇/Space and masculine Yang with 宙/Time by virtue of insisting the feminine aspect precedes, but even disregarding that, Space fits in with the Yin criteria of that which represents the body and Time fits in with the Yang criteria of that which initiates life.

So while they’re genderless, Dialga represents the concept of masculinity and Palkia femininity in their most pure, abstract, and universal form according to the Dao. While this doesn’t make Dialga a dudebro and Palkia whatever the hell the feminine equivalent is, in my mind, Palkia has a strong maternal instinct and Dialga is very much a dad. Giratina is weird chaotic goth aunt/uncle who gives u ur first taste of alcohol just to spite grandpa and reads fanfiction with candles and a glass of wine like it’s a fucking literary hour.

That’s my logic and explanation behind it anyhow. The distinction goes something like Palkia will concern itself more with the state or properties of something (who, what, where) whereas Dialga will concern itself more with the role or activity of it (when, why, how). As time and space are, however, they’re deeply intertwined and cannot be separated.

I might move this bit to a separate post somewhere down the line since this has already dragged on long enough, but I’ll share some thoughts on Giratina here and tie it in with the overarching topic of assigning gender roles lol. According to Game Freak, Giratina represents antimatter, but there are some inconsistencies. I know this shit has to be taken with a grain of salt because of Pokemon logic/science and whatever, but I gave it some thought regardless. My personal headcanon is that Altered Giratina represents dark matter/energy and Origin Giratina represents antimatter. Whatever tf Gira represents in Pokemon lore is based on a combination of the two, with the Reverse/Distortion World probably alluding to the idea of an anti-universe. Antimatter and dark matter are not really the same thing, but they’re both trippy cosmic constructs that sound somewhat similar, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ . I wanted to make a distinction because while antimatter doesn’t distort spacetime any more than normal matter, it’s speculated that dark matter (actually dark energy) does, and is responsible for the rapid expansion of the universe.

This would also go along nicely with Gira complementing the the Spacetime twins while also complementing Arceus. It would also fit as justification for Giratina having to switch from Origin to Altered Forme upon entering the universe presided over by Dialga and Palkia, not because of the shift in spacetime stability, but rather due to the violent, annihilating reaction that occurs when matter and antimatter come into contact with one another. It’s by no means a perfect resolution hc, but it is one that I’ve gotten attached to.

Anyhoo, I designed Giratina to appear more androgynous (or at least attempted to). However, going by that masculine active/feminine reflective duality highlighted in the Yin-Yang, Origin Gira, with antimatter a reflection of normal matter, appears a bit more feminine-androgynous, whereas Altered Gira, with dark matter an active driving force for the expansion of the universe, appears a bit more masculine-androgynous (though iirc it hasn’t shown up yet and i’m not too great with consistency regardless). That was my idea behind it in any case. Origin Gira wears a binder under that big dastardly overcoat. i guess it’s technically genderfluid.

Digressing a bit, but another artistic choice was the skin tone of the trio. 0 points for subtlety on my part, but the color is Cosmic Latte, the average color of the universe. Like that bit on gender, I wanted to base it on some aspect of reality. I juggled between that and pure black with stars for freckles, but in the end i’m a lazy piece of shit who cuts corners for a living, so i settled on Primordial Clam Chowder because it was easier lmao. that’s why they pasty af

Anyways, if you have any design ideas or you wanna see a member of the trio in another form, feel free to submit your ideas or a magic anon or whatever!

TL;DR tbh this wasn’t even a structured rant it was just me going off the rails and sharing random useless deetz. this isn’t even a tl;dr. what the fuck

#might try to finish that cover image #well it's not like i edited much to begin with #pokemon #hc #gijinka #dialga #palkia #giratina #text #ask blog #analysis #long rant #pokemon analysis #sinnoh #gen iv

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teatimewithtess · 5 years

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Entry 11: Saturday, July 27, 12:05 am

Recently among the various different activities that we have participated in the ELA classes at the summer school, we were assigned a unique project. The first stage was to listen to the small group of instrumental music students play 4 various pieces, record them, and save it for later. There was a brass quartet, woodwind quartet, piano trio, and a jazz ensemble. After listening to the music, we were given a variety of art pieces made by the visual art students. Each piece displayed zero correlation among one another. Given the music and art pieces, we as English students were assigned to gain inspiration from at least one of each of the art and music pieces in order to write an essay, short story, or poem. After completing the writing portion, we then gave the written pieces to the students in the theatre department. They were divided into groups about 4-6 in size, and they had to choose one of the pieces and interpret it them self. Then, as a result of the interpretive collaboration we watched the theatre students perform the written work. As a result, we revealed the line of interpretation and how different it can become in the end.

Knowingly, my piece did not get chosen so I have decided to upload it here to gain feedback from anyone willing to do so!

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There will be multiple meta-strophic events in your lifetime. For once, words will flow out of you that sound alienated, ridiculous, and their origin is completely unknown. However, you let them invade your thoughts, feelings, ideas. You embrace them as soon as they are greeted at the door of your consciousness because for once something new has become of you.

We had never heard of the word “color” before. There was no definition for it in Mirriam-Websters’ dictionary. It was non-existent.

We were monotone, body, and soul. There was nothing that could illuminate our conscience because we did not believe it was possible. All we knew was ourselves- one shade of ebony with ivory shadows. Nothing more.

I was not completely sure about anything we had done thus far. He and I came to exist one day, with no memory of anything before us...

Where I was placed on the discomforting ground, breathing heavily with a deafening heartbeat sporadically forcing itself against my chest, as if it were trying to escape. What was it trying to escape from? I glanced around my surroundings, trying to ingest everything I was feeling. There were towering woods with piercing branches randomly protruding from its center, each leaf having a mind of its own and choosing whether or not to take a leap of faith. The distinct scars that envelope each trunk provide me with a story of its origin. I dropped my head from its tense state and let my eyes gaze upon myself, trying to find the scars of my own, but all I can see is an area of solid obsidian with a few sharp contrasts of pearl; because, where was my origin? Do the trees know that they have proof of existence? Beauty was a feeling to me, not something that I could see. It comes and goes, like the breath of wind that sweeps across my face and neck. I cannot describe it in words nor can I imagine what its’ appearance maybe, if it has one.

After dwelling upon the frightening light of my shadows that entangle me, I look vacantly around me. Besides the welcoming trees that line the ground for eternity, I realize that they are the same as me- or at least they appear so. Their shadows are the same as mine; but, why is it uncomfortable to notice the shadows? The purity of the areas they plague contrast what exists; they are followers, imitators. The trees cannot escape them, the plants cannot, and neither can I. They unforgivably slice into my whole anatomy leaving dastardly porcelain scars on me forever. Do I feel from this? Yes of course. It horrifies me. Why would there be something that tries to imitate who I am? The thief of who I am is myself. Breathing this air is difficult.

I notice how stable I am standing here. Even though the wind is softly blowing to where the grass begins to waltz with it, I feel secure. Each blade of grass gracefully embraces the vacancy between each of my toes, like a spilled inkwell on a reassuring, playful blanket. The feeling is an overwhelming sense of joy. The corner of my lips slowly starts to turn up as I feel the excitement of this feeling all around me; I do not want it to end. Each juniper touch blesses my thoughts with the joy of existing and being alive even though I do not know how I cam to be. My toes dig deeper and wiggle through each unique piece until I eventually reach the origin of their growth. The area is coarse as each toe hits consecutively onto this ostracizing powder-like substance. There is no inclusion of this umber form because of the isolation it brings upon itself; perhaps, it might be dreaded isolation because each speck of Earth unites to form one, yet becomes entirely disconnected. I can sense the disconnection between the hickory layers between me and the reassuring moss growth above me. Each layer contradicts one another in pure, distinct bliss that can only be felt. It felt as if I was the catalyst for these two to meet; unfortunately, I will never know since I am unaware of my midnight self that stains each step I take with the daunting alabaster carefully following behind me.

I decide to take a few steps forward to cautiously explore more. There seems to be an edge to this gracious pasture, so I cautiously approach the unknown space surrounding it. As I reach the end I notice something: something massive. A pool of insight rested upon the euphoria field stained in an olive manner. I climb down the daunting slope, where polluted pebbles try to push me into isolation, throwing themselves at me as if I was a traitor of a friend. I manage to escape the torment and I stumble into the shore of the oasis. Lines of rocks surround the edge of the shore and even are sporadically placed throughout the pool and the rest of the area. I pick up one beside me, heaviness overcomes the strength of my hand and I suddenly let go. But I pick it up again and again, craving to balance this piece of nature so I can become satisfied. After holding it long enough, I toss it into the area before me; the splash resonates in my mind, as well as the seclusion around me, and I notice ripples panning out from its’ origin of landing. This rock, a rather heavy one I attempted to balance at first, left an everlasting effect throughout this pond. As it knowingly sinks to the bottom, I cannot help but imagine how life would be if everything were as effective as what I just witnessed, how answers are in our hands. Gentleness trickles throughout each small wave of percipience. My thoughts become centered as I gaze upon each sparkle from each small movement, and I begin to comprehend my ideas and feelings in a sophisticated way; in fact, the waves of the azure stream through each crevice as if they were the actual synapses transmitting everything I knew from one end to the other. This feeling of enlightenment consumes all I see and believe. I let my hand drag through the sudden chill of this glimmering intellect, allowing the hairs on my arm to raise aimlessly. The liquid that appears as a succulent berry slowly engulfs my entire hand, slowly gifting me with an entirely different understanding of what my hand was before. As I sat there, hand gliding around, I become accustomed to this feeling and becomes welcoming. The sudden biting of initial impact makes me question it, but then I persist through and suddenly everything becomes warm as if the illumination was becoming the internal me.

I quietly stand and look above me. The sky looks quite similar to this small pond before me. There are slight indents as if one took a piece of pure lace and shredded it into a multitude of pieces, all unique shapes, and sizes. When I gaze upon each piece too long, my sight becomes slowly blurry. I cannot escape this evil! It follows me, lives in me, and exists in everything around me! I drastically throw my head from this viewpoint of light and peer into the ebony curtain as I close my eyes, reminding myself of the fact that I am the reason I can feel, experience, endure. My self is the base for the existence of these ideas that appear before me. My reassurance appears in the form of the objects all these imitators cease to leave behind. I cannot escape it but must accept it.

I notice a sudden pain in my right hand as the air embraces the inner area of my skin. A mysterious drop of scarlet appears against the onyx form of the palm of my hand. I wonder if this happened because of the rock I attempted to balance. The flow of drops continues to occur and the feeling burns my hand; however, I cannot stop watching. Where did this come from? Why is it doing this? The cut itself was enveloped in this sangria ombre of a bright antithesis of me. I figured this, whatever it was, made me but why was it so different from who I was on the outside? The mystery was taking a toll on my thoughts, but I kept revolving around the same idea after I cleaned the wound.

I hear a rustle behind me. Slowly, I turn around and notice another person that is the same as me- well, his appearance was the same except his hair was shorter, but I also assumed that the inside of him looked the same as me. As I look into his twilight eyes, I realize him and I are the only ones. I ask, “Do you know what this means?”, looking down at my ink-stained hand, then at the oasis behind me, the random pieces of harsh light in the sky, then at the crimson infliction on my hand. He steadily brings his eyes to meet mine. “Color.”

Dream Journal Entry 255. March 22, 3182

- Tesu :)

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pengiesama · 6 years

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Passion Illuminating the Worlds - Chapter 1 (Fic, TOZ/KH AU)

Title: Passion Illuminating the Worlds (Chapter 1) Series: Tales of Zestiria/Kingdom Hearts Pairing: Sorey/Mikleo

Summary:

A trio of keyblade wielders investigate the darkness spreading across the worlds and the disappearance of the Masters. Along the way, ruins are explored, ice cream is eaten, people get transformed into animals (vertebrate and in-), and Mikleo and Sorey hopefully manage to have a chat about their feelings.

Link: AO3

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“Hmm. Gramps was right that I’d probably find you here.”

Sorey paused mid-lick to his colorful ice cream bar, then turned around to smile sheepishly.

“Guess that’s why he’s the Master, huh? And I’m not.”

Not a Master, not allowed to even try the exam, and certainly not allowed to leave their tiny home world. Not allowed to follow Mikleo, even though they’d been inseparable ever since that night Sorey had shown up. He’d been found wandering in a daze in Elysia’s wildflower fields, staring at the meteor shower overhead. Sorey couldn’t remember a thing about his life before then – his memory began with those stars, and Mikleo reaching out his hand.

Mikleo had been the one to find him, had been the one to stay by his side. They’d trained together, and had spent so many nights watching the night sky and excitedly tracing their fingers across an old star map they’d nicked from Gramps’ library, chattering about what this world here must be like, or this one, or this one…

The idea of sitting alone on their spot on the hill, staring at the sky, wondering where Mikleo might be, whether he was having fun without him, whether he was safe…it was unbearable. And so, the night before Mikleo’s mastery exam, gripped by an unshakeable determination, Sorey ran away on his own. He would prove to Gramps that he was worthy of the keyblade that he wielded, and was worthy of taking the mastery exam by Mikleo’s side.

There was just the matter of…how he would manage that proving, exactly. He’d idly wandered through the pathways on his (extremely awesome) glider, and found himself drawn to this particular world – full of joy and color, and friendly people, and, most excitingly, full of ice cream and kart-racing. It seemed like a good place to rest and gather his thoughts, and enact a plan of action. Sorey supposed he wasn’t really surprised Mikleo had found him so quickly. He was sure that he’d be able to sense Mikleo’s heart no matter where he went, too.

Mikleo sighed and clanked over to where Sorey sat, watching the sun set. He hadn’t taken his armor off yet, which probably meant he’d just landed. His twin capes fluttered in the breeze as he slid his helmet off and settled himself beside Sorey; his movements as easy and graceful in that foreboding armor as they were in his normal clothing. He was always so quick to eel away from Sorey during their sparring matches; to slip from Sorey’s grasp just enough to hit him square in the face with an ice spell. Never quite quick enough to avoid Sorey’s tickle counterattack, though. Probably that armor would protect him from that now, unfortunately. Sorey poked him in the side to test this theory, and Mikleo jumped from reflex alone; scowling at him.

“You know why Gramps didn’t want you leaving, Sorey. Especially all alone.”

“‘He just wants to keep you safe’, is that it?” Sorey asked, a bit sour. He took another bite of his ice cream to try and sweeten his mood. Mikleo was here with him again, after all. “But he has no problem with you flying off and having adventures across the universe, apparently.”

“I insisted on going through the mastery training. Gramps doesn’t want me in danger, either. But I can manage on my own more than you can, because I don’t have a giant target painted on my chest.”

Mikleo allowed his armor to dissipate, leaving him in his ordinary clothing – and leaving him free to draw Sorey into a tight hug.

“I wanted to be a master so I can protect that light of yours. Can you at least let me have that much, and stop making me have to chase you across the universe?”

“It’d be a lot easier to protect me if I’m right there at your side to protect,” Sorey noted.

Mikleo sighed, and drew back to rest his forehead on Sorey’s. His expression was long-suffering, and more than a little annoyed, but Sorey could see the smile tugging on his lips.

“Do I even have a choice in the matter?” Mikleo asked wearily.

“Nah,” Sorey said.

The sun was setting, and soon, Sorey would have to take that nice mouse lady up on her offer of a place to stay for the evening. But there was still time to sit and chat, and he’d heard there would be fireworks later on. And now, he had such sublime company to experience it all with.

“You’ve got to try the ice cream in this world. There’s this one that looks like a duck, and tastes like raspberries…”

Elysia was a tiny place. Tiny and secluded, and thoroughly sealed off from the outer worlds. (Which made Sorey’s appearance in the wildflower fields all those years ago all the more surprising.)

It made this world a bit of a culture shock.

Oh, Mikleo had received an education that was proper for a budding keyblade master; an education right alongside Sorey, who wouldn’t take no for an answer, even with Gramps’ refusal to consider him as a mastery candidate. They had read countless books, listened to Gramps’ lectures, listened raptly to stories from the Elysian villagers – some refugees from destroyed lands, some former keyblade masters themselves, and all of them with stories of the worlds beyond the stars. But the theory of worlds distant, strange, and mysterious was…very different from the real thing.

The roar of engines from the racing tracks was still going strong, even as the sun dipped below the horizon. Colorful lights glittered on the buildings, and streetlamps flickered to life, one by one, as they walked the cobblestone streets. The sweet smells from the roadside stalls made Mikleo’s stomach growl – Sorey had run off so early that morning, and he’d run after him straight away; with nothing but his keyblade and the clothes on his back. No time to grab any of the supplies he’d been so dutifully preparing for his upcoming assignments as a master – Mikleo fretted over how he was to care for and protect Sorey like this. Then fretted further at the thought of not having found Sorey as quickly as he did. Then fretted some more, just because.

(Really, it would have been more peculiar if Mikleo hadn’t found him straightaway. Sorey’s heart was a blazing light even in the deepest darkness; a star in the night, the sun in Mikleo’s sky. Mikleo was a faithful satellite, and he would sooner dash himself to pieces than let anyone steal Sorey away.)

Mikleo swallowed hard, trying his best to not act like some sort of tourist; to not stare slack-jawed at the towering buildings, at the throngs of people, at the lights and colors and sights and sounds. Sorey’s hand in his own grounded him; it guided him through the streets, sure and confident. As if Sorey hadn’t been here for only a few hours, himself – as if he wasn’t probably overwhelmed, himself.

“Where are you dragging us?” Mikleo finally demanded as they reached a large, open area with a pavilion. “It’s getting dark. We need to find shelter, and make a plan on how we can gather supplies. Or were you not paying attention in survival training? And then there’s the matter of money—”

Sorey grinned over his shoulder at him. “It’s okay! I’ve got it all taken care of. She told me to meet her here after seven.”

She? Mikleo fretted more. He’d left Sorey alone for less than a day and he was already fully willing to go wandering off with strangers. Strangers promising him money. What would have happened if Mikleo hadn’t gotten here in time? Stranger Danger had also been a large part of their survival training, not that Sorey had ever managed to fully understand the concept. A heart without darkness just couldn’t, and it was so utterly frustrating. Sorey was so gullible, and too trusting, and—

“There you are, dear. And right on time.”

Mikleo looked around, then down. A mouse woman stood before them, dressed in a voluminous pink gown. The crown atop her head told Mikleo everything he needed to know about her station – well, that and the guard retinue of magically-animated brooms that flanked her. His mind raced, trying to remember a suitable greeting, trying to remember his etiquette lessons. He managed to gave a stiff, awkward bow at the waist. Elysia didn’t have a system of government – unless late-night chats with Gramps by the fireplace counted – but Mikleo had read enough to understand the concept of kingdoms and rulers, and to understand the importance of being gracious and respectful. The keyblade was a powerful tool, but a proper master knew the importance of allies. And right now, the two of them needed all the help they could get.

“G-greetings. My name is Mikleo. Sorey and I are travelers, and...”

“Oh yes, Sorey’s told me all about you! And you are just as lovely as he said!” The mouse woman tittered a laugh. “But where are my manners? I’m Minnie. I’m pleased to meet you, Mikleo.”

Mikleo’s cheeks burned red. “…t-thank you.”

“Now then. It’s late, and I’m sure the two of you could use some supper and a place to sleep for the night.” Minnie made a graceful motion with her hand, and the guard brooms began to march in place. “Sorey told me that you’re quite the ice cream expert, so I do hope our kitchens meet your standards…”

The kitchen met Mikleo’s standards, and would have even if he hadn’t been exhausted and starving. Sorey had thoroughly stuffed himself as well, and Mikleo only managed a half-hearted scolding on not trying to talk while eating, and chewing with his mouth shut. Sorey was just so excited. He was positively glowing, and that beautiful smile of his was so bright. Even brighter still when Minnie showed them the castle library on the way to their guest rooms – Mikleo completely failed to hide his own excitement at the sight of so many books. Minnie had just chuckled and left them to it; providing them with a bell to ring when they were ready to be shown to bed.

With the last ounce of responsibility left to him before the library fully took its hold, Mikleo swore that he’d get Sorey to bed at a reasonable hour. That hour had come and gone, and they were still curled up together in a single armchair, pouring over books, and debating back and forth – as if they were back in their tiny shared home in Elysia, instead of in a vast strange palace, worlds and lightyears away from home.

Mikleo let his eyes droop briefly. The crackle of the fireplace was warm. Sorey’s chest was warmer still, and so comfortable against his cheek.

They’d always dreamed of exploring the worlds together; together, both as masters, both as equals. But they lived in dangerous times. Worlds were collapsing, and darkness was slowly spreading.

He, himself, was from a world that no longer existed.

He’d been sent to train under Gramps by his family, to uphold the tradition of his line. Then one day, the letters from his mother and uncle just…stopped. He still woke up in tears, sometimes; after dream-nightmares of that awful memory of Gramps sitting him down and explaining that he could never go home again.

Gramps had sealed off Elysia, then – Elysia was such a tiny world, and could so easily be overwhelmed by darkness. But one night, when Mikleo was weeping over his lost home, the light of a meteor shower caught his eye through his tears.

One meteor was even brighter than the rest – Mikleo traced its path with his finger across his window. It seemed to wander across the night sky, lost, aimless, and lonely. Mikleo understood the feeling. Still tracing his finger against the glass of the windowpane, he pointed to the wildflower fields just outside the gates of town. The meteor twirled thoughtfully, then descended; a falling star for Mikleo to wish on.

He closed his eyes, and did so.

The rest, as they say, was history.

Mikleo awoke to the feeling of a small hand on his arm. He blinked in the low light, and saw Minnie’s form swim into focus in the low light cast by the smoldering fireplace.

“It’s late, you two,” she quietly scolded. Sorey was still fast asleep – he always slept so deeply. “Let me show you to a proper bed. You’ll get a crick in your necks sleeping like that.”

She was, of course, referring to the way they were crammed in the chair together; Mikleo half-sitting on Sorey, Sorey half-out of the chair entirely. It was the only way to enjoy a good book, but left something to be desired when it came to sleep. Mikleo nodded, then carefully set about to disentangle himself from Sorey without waking him – he’d summon a barrier bubble to carry him with as Minnie showed them to their room, or perhaps summon his armor to do it. No, no, the bubble would be best; he’d been practicing a marionette spell to animate his armor remotely, but he hadn’t perfected it, and he didn’t want to drop Sorey. Sorey would probably still sleep through it, but it would just be so embarrassing to fumble in front of a stranger.

Minnie sighed dreamily at the sight of Mikleo gently moving Sorey’s limbs, of pulling him upright enough to more easily lift without jostling him too much.

“You two make just the most darling pair,” she declared, finally. “It makes me miss my own sweetheart that much more.”

“I—wh—” Mikleo sputtered, his cheeks blazing red again. Honestly, he wished he wasn’t so easy to rattle. It was so unbefitting of a master. “N-no, you’ve…you’ve got the wrong idea, I’m sorry. We’re not…it’s…not like that, we’re just friends…”

Just friends. Nothing more. Sorey was so innocent and sheltered, and loved everyone and everything. It was Mikleo’s duty to protect Sorey’s light, and…and keeping his feelings to himself seemed like the only way he could keep that promise. Light was warm, and beautiful, and brought joy to everything it touched. It was meant to be shared, meant to be free. Terrible things happened when people wanted to keep a shining light all to themselves.

So. Just friends. Nothing more.

Minnie giggled, one gloved hand over her mouth. “Oh? I see. My mistake,” she said, sounding far too amused. “Well, I’ve got two beds all ready for you, if you’d like to follow me.”

Mikleo sulked a bit as he finished arranging Sorey, then bubbled him up with a flick of his wrist. The geometric panes of the magic glimmered in the low light, and played warm colors across Sorey’s sleeping face. His heart’s ache at the sight was familiar, and was so wonderful to feel.

“Sorey is such a dear, sweet young man,” Minnie said as they walked the halls, Sorey floating in tow behind them. “I’m sure I don’t have to ask you to keep him safe, but…”

Minnie trailed off.

Mikleo tilted his head. “But?”

Minnie sighed and shook her head. “…perhaps you could stand to be a little less hard on him. You both want to explore? See the many sights the worlds have to offer? A single dream, shared between you. He told me you’ve been friends for ages. But you seem to not want to share that dream of yours anymore.”

“It’s not—it’s not that,” Mikleo said quietly. “It’s one thing to talk about adventures as children, and another to face them in the flesh. I…just can’t bear the thought of him being in danger.”

“Speaking from experience, holding down the fort while your sweetheart plunges into danger a thousand worlds away is its own kind of unbearable. And Sorey doesn’t seem to be the kind of boy who likes sitting still.”

Minnie gestured to the bubble to prove her point. Sorey had tossed and turned in his sleep as they walked, and was completely upside-down. And still fast asleep. Mikleo smiled at the sight, then reddened again at Minnie’s laughter.

“My apologies again for comparing the two of you to my Mickey and I,” she said, sounding entirely sweet and entirely insincere. “But I hope you understand my intent.”

“…I do,” Mikleo said quietly.

He hadn’t been planning on taking Sorey back to Elysia immediately. But after they’d seen a few worlds together, just a few worlds, enough to satisfy their curiosity…and after Sorey saw firsthand what kind of danger was out there…Mikleo was hoping that Sorey would agree to go home willingly.

And if he didn’t – well. It hardly mattered now that they’d settled on this arrangement.

They arrived at the guest room, and not a moment too soon. Mikleo felt tired enough that he was sure he’d fall asleep halfway through the process of falling into bed. He floated Sorey inside and carefully deposited him on the bed as a precaution (turning him right-side-up in the process). He gave Minnie another grateful bow.

“Thank you so much for your generosity,” Mikleo said. “I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Minnie assured him. “You can stay as long as you need, and come back any time. Get some rest, and we’ll chat more in the morning.”

Mikleo toddled inside, but the light from the hallway did not disappear behind the door. He turned, and saw Minnie watching him still, her expression sorrowful.

“Tell me. Someone who chases a dream that’s completely out of their reach, something that’s wholly unattainable for them, even with all the determination and hope in their heart. They chase it all alone, until they’ve dashed themselves into pieces in the process. Would you consider that…foolish? Wasteful?”

Mikleo didn’t know what he was being asked, really. He blinked, then slowly shook his head. “No…no. They tried, after all.”

Minnie smiled sadly. “…Sleep well, you two.”

Hey.

Can you hear me?

I’ve been watching you for a while now. I’ve been wondering something.

What’s most important to you in life?

> Friends.

> Seeing the world.

> Getting strong.

I see. I suppose I understand you a little better now.

I’ll talk to you again soon.

#sormik #soremiku #suremiku #soymilk #sorey/mikleo #soreymikleo #tales of zestiria #kingdom hearts #i guess this is my personal tales of zestiria tag now #a tenderly crafted fanfiction

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sooosketchy · 5 years

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Perfume at Hammerstein Ballroom, New York

My experience and review (sorta) of Perfume 4th World Tour FUTURE POP at Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY, USA

Saturday March 30, 2019

Having gone to their previous shows in NY I knew I couldn’t miss out but this time I changed things up and purchased seated tickets on the balcony. The show started at 8PM and ended around 9:50PM.

We headed down to the Hammerstein Ballroom around 5PM and the end of the line had already reached the parking lot. The line grew quickly so it was a good idea arriving at least 2-3hrs before the show. After talking to people around us most of them had floor tickets in hopes of getting as close to the stage as possible. There are a couple restaurants across the street in case you get hungry and a CVS down the road.

I had a seated ticket on the second balcony without assigned seats so I was worried how far back I would be and really wanted to nab a first row seat. The previous concerts I went to at the Hammerstein I bought GA floor tickets and realized that I can’t see anything because of how short I am! I’m 4 feet 9 inches tall and could barely see the artist(s) faces on stage unless they were high up on a stairway/prop. I could try to get to the venue earlier and be close to the front of the stage but that never works out. So I told myself to never get floor tickets and try the balcony next time.

Right before walking into the entrance some guy passing by the line yelled out “This place has RATS!” Without hesitation a fan behind me yelled, “and PERFUME!” Those who heard him in line laughed back and cheered on. He was probably looking for a reaction, but NY is known to have rats everywhere so this wasn’t alarming news. The passerby repeated his statement and then kept it moving.

Once inside we were allowed to bring in shopping bags as long as they were checked, as well as bags, and book bags. We all had to walk through metal detectors and were asked to show digital tickets this time with the barcode. Once you walk through the detectors and grab your bag you could either get in line for merch or head to your seat. The line for merch wasn’t bad so if you do have an assigned seat or you already have a friend reserving your chair go for the merch first because after the show the lines are way too long and not as monitored or controlled. After finding a seat and having a friend hold it for me I went back down to buy merch. Finding the line was a hassle but the staff had started to devise a plan to have the line for merch wrap around a stairway going down a level. The only problem was that the stairs were located in the main floor level. Someone could easily leave the line and pass into GA but the staff was ready and had several people heavily monitoring the line. You had to show your ticket again going back into GA or the balcony, so they were ready to turn people back around if they did not have tickets on them so don’t forget your phone!

Merchandise for the Future Pop tour was lacking. Nothing caught my eye and was disappointed with the t-shirt designs. Out of all the t-shirts only the white one had tour dates for the 4th World Tour, but the font size was microscopic on the back of the shirt. The front image on the white shirt was nice with all three members in a stylish pose printed in black and white ink. I would have liked the other shirts to have dates, but I went for the simple FP logo shirt with the 7th tour dates on the back. I liked the shade of blue for the katakana t-shirt. There was also a $50 t-shirt with the word Perfume on the front and an invitation to the fan club but I passed because of the dark blue t-shirt color. Tote was not as sturdy looking as the comic explorer tote, but fit the $15 price tag. The towel had an interesting design covering most of the surface and the words Future Pop on the center-right corner. What I was looking forward to the most was the pin blind bags! They were only $5 and you had a chance of getting 1 of 67 pin types. Here’s a link with all the items you can get during the tour. https://www.perfume-web.jp/eng/news/individual.php?id=172

The stairway to go up to the balcony was to the left, but before walking up you had to show your e-ticket to the staff member. After walking what seemed like an endless stairway, I finally made it to the second balcony and I was early enough to get front row seats. Not in the middle of the balcony, more to the left side but the view was great. The seats are cramped together, but I’ve experienced worse so it wasn’t as stuffy for me. I was also front row so I had room to stretch my feet and room in front of my chair and underneath to place my bags. The seats on the first row are elevated significantly from the floor so be careful getting off and on, hold on to the chair so you don’t fall down. I saw people lose their balance stumbling off their chairs a couple times so be aware of the dip.

As time passed the seats were filling up faster. One thing to look out for is beams when picking a seat. There are seats positioned right in front of beams and block your view completely. So get there early and avoid those seats. There was a couple looking for seats right before the show began and found two empty seats behind us on the second row, but one seat was facing a beam. They took it anyways since it was close up and it looked like all the seats were taken up in the back.

Having a seat was great and the view was amazing but standing up was going to be an issue. I didn’t want to block anyone’s view behind me so I stayed seated. Of course I struggled to not jump up during Fake It but I stayed down and waved my hands back and forth instead, awkwardly. Suppressing my excitement around others who weren’t as hyped was a huge downer when sitting on the balcony. There’s space in front of the seats, a wide walkway, between the ledge and first row, but staff was sending back anyone who stood behind the railing, even children. This was going on during the beginning first two songs but people got the message and no one else on my side tried to stand behind the railing. HOWEVER, there was a women who sat right behind the railing in front of us for the entire show, she was just the right size and was able to peer over the bar. Because she was sitting I guess none of the staff bothered her or didn’t see her at all. She didn’t stand up not once and was pretty chill scrolling through her phone while PERFUME was preforming live in front of her. o__o

The 1st balcony seemed to have assigned seating but I have no idea how people even got seats down there. When I purchased tickets, only GA floor and BALC2 was available. I was probably too late when purchasing tickets. Side balcony was where it was at! Each one had about 12 seats but most of the people in it were standing up. I’ll probably aim for side balcony seats next time.

Setlist

Start-Up: Used the entire stage space to project what seemed to be a screen in thin air, counting down their previous performances leading up to their 4th World Tour and setting the mood for what was to come next, Future Pop!

Future Pop: the crowd was full of energy seeing Perfume back in NY and you could feel it during this song.

Electro World: First throwback song and a perfect follow up to Future Pop. Everybody’s hands were in the air clapping along for this one. A-chan was clapping along as well. Seeing this live was such a treat!

If You Wanna

Chourairin

FUSION: The choreo and silhouette effects were mesmerizing. Hearing this song gets me so amped up but the crowd wasn’t crazy for it. Loved it!

Tiny Baby

Butterfly: Not gonna lie, I lost it for bit hearing this song at first. Didn’t expect this song at all and loved every minute of it. I also appreciated the subs for the lyrics typed out on the back screen. Now everyone can sing along!

Secret Secret: There was no need for subs since the crowd had no problem signing back. Its was nice hearing the crowd sing in unison. This was another song I needed to control myself and not jump out of my seat. Didn’t focus much on what was going on behind on the screen but the audio was off a bit.

Not sure what to title the following track. It was a medley of a couple songs with a trap like beat and the trio rapping the lyrics to what sounded like Tokyo Girl. I didn’t move at all but just watched the chaos of glitched distorted visuals flicker on the screens trying to make sense of what was about to happen next. I liked it. More please.

TOKYO GIRL

Pick Me Up

FAKE IT: Died and was revived back to life. No jumping for me this time around. The pit looked out of control!

FLASH

Polyrhythm: Ahh, Polyrhythm. This is Perfumes anthem. Somehow this song just brings us and Perfume closer together during the performance and feels like we’re all up there on stage with them. But then we’re slowly brought back to reality. Always brings tears to my face seeing this song performed.

Encore - Magic of Love and Mugenmirai: didn’t take long for them to come back on stage. Not a fan of Mugenmirai in the encore but Magic of love left a lasting impression.

PTA Corner / MC / talk: Introductions! A-chan left for a few minutes and passed it over to Nocchi and then Kashiyuka. Nocchi calling out Kashiyuka while she was brushing her hair was funny. A-chan came back with what looked to be a cold ice pack wrapped around her neck, I hope she didn’t pull something. Pamela representing Dominican Republic did a great job translating (so lucky). Story time! Perfume points out that pizza slices in the USA are bigger than they expected and surprised that just one slice of pizza is larger than thier face! Then asking the crowd how many slices fans usually eat, 1 slice or 2 slices? I spotted someone holding up 4, 5 fingers. Perfume saw it too and couldn’t help but smile. They also shared their visit to the new Hudson Yards, questioning why there was a train leading somewhere to Hudson Yards? And while they were taking a photo at the weird stair case building, looking upwards, rain droplets were coming down and A-chan exposed the smiles in that photo were fake. The crowd was then split in groups. Right side CRISPY! Left side Pizza~! A-chan also taught us a catchy tune about brushing your teeth with dance moves using your hands to brush the lower teeth, upper teeth, back and front teeth. Less crowd interaction during the talking segments than the last shows I’ve been to. Lots of thank yous at the end. Now we wait for Perfumes comeback!

Rant

Recording was strictly prohibited and was not encouraged at all during the show. I get it, they use WiFi to control certain lights and devices on stage, but I should be allowed to use my phones camera to record while on airplane mode. That way I’m not interfering with the stages WiFi connection. This tour is all about the future and technology and the possibilities we have with them and being told not to use it doesn’t make sense.

Merchandise was not appealing to me and could use a few more variations of color and the addition of dates of the 4th World Tour in larger font. I’m grateful for what we got but I know they can do better. Maybe bringing back a gallery exhibition like the one during Cosmic Explorer tour can allow fans to purchase merch earlier and have more options in t-shirts, dvds, cds, and other items.

This one is more personal, on our way to the train station we stopped at a pizza restaurant to grab a quick bite before our train arrived. You could see who else just came from the concert. Some held their merchandise for all to see, Perfume cosplayers, or wore a Perfume concert t-shirt. Unfortunately we bumped into the wrong group of people who also came from the concert that said some pretty unnecessary and hurtful comments about someone in our group. All we did was ask if they were in line, got weird glances in response and the comments started. I don’t want to go into detail about what they said, just that it was wrong and that night proved Perfume fans are a group of some of the most diverse, creative and dedicated individuals. No one has the right to say who can like what and I hope they realize that soon cause Perfume is going to continue to inspire and attract all kinds of people from different walks of life, so deal with it.

So how was your FUTURE POP Tour experience? Did you get a blind bag, and which one did you get? Did anything strange or different happen at the show you attended?

#prfm #perfume #futurepoptour #future pop tour #world tour 4th #future pop #new your #hammerstein ballroom

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fyrapartnersearch · 5 years

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Looking for New RP Partners

Name: Morgan

Email: [email protected]

Time Zone: Central time.

Style: Third person, past tense, paragraph form. As we introduce our characters and our world, I like lengthier posts to set the story. However, as we get more comfortable with each other as RPers, the posts can become shorter. I tend to average three to four paragraphs a post. Mature themes: smut, violence, and lots of swearing will happen.

What I’m Looking For:

*A partner (any gender/sex) over the age of 21. I am a 27 year old female humanoid creature. Must be able and willing to play several characters (though not all the time) to help create the world and the scenes. No strict "doubling" unless specified for the plot. Must be creative and willing to move the plot forward; I can’t do all of the work myself.

*A long-term, in-depth, mature RP. Please don’t respond if you can’t make the commitment to post every few days (or at least once or twice a week) with well thought out posts. And if you're not interested, please, for the love of god, tell me! I won't get mad. Just say "I'm no longer interested. Thanks!" and I'll be forever grateful. Ghosting/ditching is an extreme pet peeve of mine, so please don't.

*Drama and plot. I live for it. I need it to survive. World building is my favorite thing, second only to making my characters miserable.

*Open-mindedness and open communication. I want to be able to pitch ideas, no matter how absurd or stupid, and just bounce them around. We don’t have to do every single idea mentioned, but I want the freedom to have them considered. This goes both ways. No matter how ridiculous you think the idea is, please tell me. Who knows what treasures can be found in garbage?

*Face Claims. They're not necessary, but I generally use face claims and include other visuals in my RPs.

Please introduce yourself in your initial contact with me and what plot interested you the most. Thanks!

Plots:

{Crime. Urban Fantasy.} A young Interpol/CIA/FBI/Made-up-Agency agent has finally made a name for themselves by catching a high profile Grifter/Con-Artist. But when that Grifter offers their services to start raking in the magical artifacts, the Agency is quick to jump on the deal. Now, the young Agency agent and the Grifter work together to navigate the magical underworld of white collar criminals.

{Setting}: Magic has been reintroduced into the world and it's running rampant. The world has been split between people who have magic (Mages) and people who do not (Mundane). The world is no longer run by just money, but magic as well. Magical artifacts/objects/items (Trinkets) in particular are coveted by everyone. From the lowliest charms to ward off evil to the most famous magical artifacts in history, everyone wants to get their hands on Trinkets. Vampires, Werewolves, and other nasty beasts are optional but not required.

{Fantasy. Modern OR Historical.} Underground Magic duels. Preferably in the Victorian era, but can be done in the modern era as well. Mages gather from all walks of life to duel to prove their power. Some duel for reputation. Some duel for money. Wands only. There can be a big competition coming up or maybe a crackdown on duels. Further plotting required.

{Fandom: Harry Potter, post-Golden Trio. Original Characters.} Not to say that Newt Scamander's notorious book is outdated, but it probably could use a few revisions. Our characters go on the "hunt" for the creatures mentioned in *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* in order to help the infamous old wizard update his textbook. Takes place after the Golden Trio and we'll be able to take some liberties on how the Wizarding world has grown.

{Science Fiction. Cyberpunk} A crew of scavengers get stuck on an uninhabited planet or abandoned space station. But there's more to the setting than meets the eye. We'll be playing multiple characters for this one (~4-5 each, but they'll be side characters).

{Urban Fantasy. Setting.} No real plot, but a general setting: a magical library. A place were powerful books and artifacts of magic are stored, funded and used by a private organization. Characters would be the Head Librarian and either a fellow staff member or a library patron. Shenanigans ensue.

{Fantasy OR Mundane. Modern OR Historical. Light World Building.} An heir to the throne must find a betrothed before a designated time. All of the designated bachelors/bachelorettes are gathered for a grand courting season for the heir to find their future spouse and co-ruler. Lots of room for drama and adventure.

{High Fantasy. Heavy World Building.} Something to do with dragon riders. Dragon Riders are held in the highest esteem. Based on their Dragon's color (red=fire, blue=water, etc.) they are assigned certain duties to protect the realm. However, for the first time in centuries, not one but two Mirage Dragons have hatched! What do Mirage dragons do and what jobs are in store for their riders? Lots to explore here and plot needs to be developed.

#oc rp #multiple paragraph #para #long term #email #harry potter rp #smut rp #submission

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roseisread · 6 years

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My Year in Movies: Favorite Non-2018 Feature Films (Part 1)

I watched a LOT of movies this year. At last count, I had logged 229 features and 126 shorts; and that doesn’t count rewatches--only movies that were new to me.

I set a few challenges for myself as well this year. The first one was to watch at least one non-English language/US release per week--this exposed me to so much world cinema and some really amazing filmmakers. Anyone who avoids foreign films because “I don’t like subtitles” is really missing out, and I found myself craving these narratives from voices I don’t ordinarily get exposed to in my everyday life.

Other personal challenges: Watching as many horror movies as possible in October (with horror defined pretty loosely so I could include entries from silent era and onward, as well as some comedy cult classics that have horror/thriller elements); participating in Noirvember (in addition to attending Noir City in Chicago); crossing off some major blindspots from my list (such as Bicycle Thieves, The Producers, Lethal Weapon, A Few Good Men, Grease, Home Alone 2, Brazil, and Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom); and trying to watch movies and short films from every decade that motion pictures have existed.

In 2019, I hope to do similar personal challenges with a focus on movies made by women, LGBTQ+, and people of color, in addition to filling in the gaps of my classical/canonical movie knowledge.

OK, so that’s enough preamble. Let’s get to the list! For this list, I’m excluding movies that were released in 2018--that’s coming but this is for movies released before that.

50. Linda Linda Linda (2005, directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita, country of origin: Japan)

High school girls recruit the Korean exchange student (Doona Bae, of Cloud Atlas and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) to join their rock band a few days before the school talent show. This is just a feel good film, recommended if you enjoyed the likes of Sing Street, We Are The Best!, and The Runaways. Unfortunately, it’s out of print in physical form; but last I checked someone had uploaded it to YouTube so you might want to get on that before it’s removed. You can watch the trailer here.

49. The Blue Dahlia (1946, directed by George Marshall, country of origin: US)

This film noir stars Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd, and like any good noir, it deals with dark subjects including murder, blackmail, political corruption, and PTSD. It’s been on my watchlist for a long time, and thanks to Noir City Chicago, I got to see it on the big screen at the Music Box Theatre. For small screen viewing, you can catch up with it via rental on Vudu, Amazon, iTunes... the usual suspects.

48. Siren of the Tropics (1927, directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Etievant, country of origin: France)

My dearly departed Filmstruck had a spotlight on the films of Josephine Baker, and this was among them. I fell in love instantly with the lively, beautiful Baker, here playing a woman named Papitou who deals with some super scummy dudes but manages to be herself in the face of all that nonsense. Silent films can sometimes be tougher to engage with for modern audiences, but this one flies by and contains some unexpectedly racy sequences for the time. Its racial politics don’t meet today’s cultural standards, but considering Baker’s parents were former slaves and their daughter went on to become the first woman of color to star in a major motion picture, this is still a landmark film worthy of our consideration. She broke down many barriers and contributed a great deal to both the entertainment world and the Civil Rights movement, and this serves as a nice entry point into her career. It’s available on DVD through Kino Lorber, and hopefully one day soon it’ll pop up on another streaming service that carries on the Filmstruck legacy.

47. I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore (2017, directed by Macon Blair, country of origin: US)

Here’s a film that goes to some unexpected places. I had no idea what to expect from Macon Blair, who frequently appears in the movies of Jeremy Saulnier; but in his debut feature for Netflix, he pulled out all the stops. Hilarious, violent, and intense, with memorable performances from stars Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood, this is a movie about getting in over your head and just going for it anyway. I don’t want to tell you about the plot because it’s best discovered through watching--just go to your nearest device and add it to your Netflix queue.

46. Song of the Sea (2014, directed by Tomm Moore, country of origin: Ireland)

Absolutely gorgeous animation from the team that previously brought us The Secret of Kells, and a touching story that combines family and mythology. I adored this one. Watch it on Netflix or rent on the usual streaming sources--for a preview, click here.

45. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942, directed by Michael Curtiz, country of origin: US)

I always watch Independence Day on the Fourth of July; but in 2018, I decided to mix it up and cross this patriotic musical off the watchlist. I’d seen James Cagney’s gangster movies like White Heat and The Public Enemy, but seeing him sing and dance was a whole new joyous discovery. This movie is entertaining, funny, touching, and full of iconic sequences that other films would go on to borrow from. I absolutely loved it. Pretty sure I saw this on Filmstruck originally, but since that’s no longer possible you should be able to find it at your local public library or you can rent it for a couple bucks on Amazon, YouTube, iTunes, and the like.

44. The Man Who Cheated Himself (1950, directed by Felix Feist, country of origin: US)

This tightly wound noir thriller pits brother against brother against the backdrop of 1950s San Francisco. Lee Cobb plays an aging bachelor and an accomplished police detective who falls for the wrong dame. His younger brother, played by John Dall (Gun Crazy, Rope), has just joined the police force and idolizes his older brother. Trouble strikes when the dame murders her no good husband and needs help from Cobb to cover it up. Naturally, Dall gets assigned to the case and as he begins to piece together the clues, he doesn’t like where they’re leading him. The climactic sequence is one of my favorite endings to a noir film, and I’ve seen a lot of them. Watch it for free if you have Amazon Prime; otherwise, there are a few versions uploaded to YouTube of varying quality or you could wait for it to pop up on TCM.

43. Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003, directed by Thom Andersen, country of origin: US)

This documentary edits together clips from movies of every era that were filmed or set in Los Angeles, and explains through voiceover narration the significance of each location and the history of the motion pictures in LA. That’s it--very simple concept but also fascinating. I split this up over a couple nights because it’s pretty long, but if you’re a film fan or a Los Angeles native, this is well worth your time. The voiceover is kind of hilariously flat in its delivery--kind of a Steven Wright sound actually--but that sort of adds to the charm for me. Get a taste by watching the trailer, and then you can rent it on YouTube for $1.99.

42. A Simple Plan (1998, directed by Sam Raimi, country of origin: US)

It’s been almost two years since we lost Bill Paxton; I don’t know about you but I don’t think any other actor can really fill those shoes. This year I caught up with three films that showcased his talent: A Simple Plan, One False Move, and Frailty. He plays very different characters in each one but in many ways they all start off with a similar premise: Ordinary guy dreams of becoming more. What that “more” is for each character is what sets each film and performance apart, but Paxton provided a great canvas to paint these unique characters onto. He inhabited the ordinary man better than just about anyone.

In this film, which I watched during Noirvember, Paxton plays Hank, a college-educated guy working a blue collar job in a small town, trying to make a better life for himself and his family. He’d like to get away from those small town roots, but his socially awkward brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton) relies on him. Unfortunately, Jacob is often accompanied by the hard-drinking loose canon Lou (Brent Briscoe). When the unlikely trio discover a crashed plane in the woods containing a suitcase full of cash, they each have ideas for how to handle the situation. Of course things escalate from there, and the way the movie explores human nature and family ties set this story apart. Available for online rental on the usual platforms.

41. The Iron Giant (1999, directed by Brad Bird, country of origin: US)

Given my obsession with Vin Diesel in the early 2000s, it’s pretty shocking I never saw this movie til now--sure, he and his glorious muscles don’t appear on screen, but he does provide the voice of the title character after all. When the Iron Giant made a controversial cameo in this year’s film adaptation of Ready Player One, I decided it was time I saw the source material for myself.

This gorgeously animated fable unfolds during the Cold War era, and features an ET-inspired story arc of a young boy befriending an unlikely being that the government is looking for. If you’ve never seen it, this is definitely a must-watch. Currently available on Netflix, but rentable on other platforms too.

40. The Unsuspected (1947, directed by Michael Curtiz, country of origin: US)

I adore Claude Rains, star of this film and supporting actor in Curtiz’s more famous work, Casablanca. Here, he plays the host and narrator of a popular radio show that revolves around tales of murder--basically the Law and Order: SVU of its day. We learn early on that he sometimes draws inspiration for his broadcasts from real life criminals. When people in his own life start dropping dead, the plot thickens and he finds himself at the center of the action. A very suspenseful and well-plotted film noir, which is available from the Warner Archive collection on DVD. I got to see it at Noir City Chicago, and loved every second of it.

That’s all for this entry--stay tuned for part two of this list, posting soon!

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