#canvas power apps

[moonsidesong]

i think its kinda funny that ibis paint is regarded as the Broke Artist App or whatever (as opposed to more mainstream programs like csp or procreate) because its free and because of how popular it is with phone + finger artists while im jusg sitting here having used ibis for a cool eight years on purpose.

like i have an ipad and an apple pencil and all theyre very nice and i absolutely could move to a more powerful program i have the resources to do so but my change averse brain has decided they like it here a lot and im not leaving

[jcmarchi]

6 most popular AI tools for modern product teams

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/6-most-popular-ai-tools-for-modern-product-teams/

6 most popular AI tools for modern product teams

In the AI space, your team needs a fast-paced system to stay competitive. To create a fast development system, you need some tools. Being in the dev world, you are aware of the top tools, but in this blog post, we will showcase some cool and unique tools in the market that will boost your current workflow. 

Let’s dive right into it. 

1. Iterate AI: AI-powered product analytics implementation

Most of the teams are using tools like Mixpanel, Amplitude, WebEngage, Monoengage, etc. to track user behavior and gather important insights. Iterate AI offers an AI agent that automates the implementation of product analytics, helping the teams to power up their current analytics tracking system. 

Key features: 

Instant tracking plan generation: Iterate AI’s AI agent takes the guesswork out of deciding which events and attributes to track. Simply specify the features and metrics you want to analyze (in natural language), and the AI will generate a comprehensive list of events to monitor.

Automated code instrumentation: Implementing event tracking can be a tedious and error-prone process, but Iterate AI’s AI agent simplifies it. The agent automatically inserts the necessary code snippets into your codebase and creates a pull request for your engineers to review.

Data flow monitoring: Keeping track of which events are being sent to each analytics tool can be challenging, especially as your product evolves. Iterate AI’s platform monitors the flow of events and alerts you if anything deviates from your tracking plan.

2. Cursor: AI-powered code editor

Cursor is an AI-first code editor built on top of VSCode. It is changing how developers are writing code; it uses AI (obviously) and is a better alternative to GitHub’s Copilot.

Key features: 

AI code completion: Cursor’s AI model understands the context of your code and will provide you with suggestions; it is not just auto-complete; it’s more than that. It also can automatically complete entire functions based on the surrounding code. 

Copilot++: This advanced feature can take code generation to another level. This will do more powerful edits across different lines of code and will automate the routine coding patterns. More clean and efficient code. 

Codebase Chat: With this, just chat with your current codebase and interact with natural language to better understand and debug your programs and applications. 

It’s like having your coding teacher available 24/7, right in your editor.

This tool is your go-to solution for simplifying software development workflows. Jira helps the team to plan, track, and manage projects in a very effective way. 

Key features: 

Customizable workflows: Tailor workflows to meet different team needs, enhancing flexibility in project management.

Integration with development tools: Seamlessly integrates with tools like GitHub and Bitbucket for enhanced collaboration.

Robust reporting and analytics: Offers numerous reports (e.g., burndown charts) that provide insights into project progress and team performance.

Agile boards: Supports Scrum and Kanban boards that help visualize work in progress and manage tasks efficiently.

Mobile application: Allows teams to stay connected and engaged through native mobile apps compatible with Android and iOS.

4. Slack: Team collaboration platform

It is a cloud-based messaging platform that changes the way you communicate with your team, clients, etc. through organized channels and some crazy integration with top tools and services. 

Key features:

Real-time messaging: Facilitates instant communication through channels or direct messages, improving team collaboration.

File sharing: Enables easy sharing of documents, images, and other files among team members within conversations.

Searchable message history: Provides a searchable archive of conversations for easy reference to past discussions or decisions.

Integrations with third-party apps: Supports integration with over 2,600 applications like Google Drive and Trello for streamlined workflows.

Huddles: Allows quick audio or video discussions within channels for informal collaboration sessions.

5. Docker: Containerization technology

Docker changes the way applications are deployed, it uses containerization technology that packages your application along with other dependencies into portable containers. 

Key features:

Consistent environments: Ensures uniformity across development, testing, and production environments by using containers that share the same operating system kernel.

Easy scaling of applications: Facilitates quick scaling by allowing multiple instances of containers to be spun up or down as needed based on demand.

Integration with DevOps tools: Works seamlessly with other similar/related tools like Kubernetes. 

6. Figma: Collaborative design for the modern era

It is turning the design process up by helping teams to collaborate in real-time on a shared canvas. No need to get tangled in emails for dealing with design version conflicts.

Key features:

Cloud-based platform: Accessible via web browsers without needing downloads or installations, allowing easy access from any device.

Real-time collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same design file simultaneously, seeing each other’s changes instantly to enhance teamwork.

Prototyping tools: Offers powerful features for creating interactive prototypes that simulate user flows for testing purposes.

Design systems management: Supports reusable components and styles that promote consistency across projects while streamlining the design process.

Developer handoff features: Simplifies the transition from design to development by generating design specs directly within the platform for better communication between designers and developers.

Conclusion:

Having the right tools can make a real difference in how efficiently your team works. Tools like Iterate AI and Cursor are changing the way teams approach product analytics and coding, making processes smoother and faster. On the project management side, Jira helps keep everything organized, while Slack brings teams closer together with easy, real-time communication and integration with other apps your team already uses.

On a more technical front, Docker ensures that your applications run consistently across different environments, making scaling much easier. For design teams, Figma takes collaboration to a new level, allowing real-time editing and feedback, which cuts down on the back-and-forth. By adding these tools to your toolkit, you’re setting your team up to work smarter, faster, and more effectively—giving you a competitive edge.

Like what you see? Then check out tonnes more.

From exclusive content by industry experts and an ever-increasing bank of real world use cases, to 80+ deep-dive summit presentations, our membership plans are packed with awesome AI resources.

Subscribe now

[xitsensunmoon]

HOW TO GLAZE YOUR WORK WITHOUT A GOOD PC(or on mobile)/TIPS TO MAKE IT LESS VISIBLE

Glaze your work online on:

Cara app. It requires you to sign up but it is actually a good place for your portfolio. Glazing takes 3 minutes per image and doesn't require anything but an internet connection compared to 20-30 minutes if your pc doesn't have a good graphic card. There IS a daily limit of 9 pictures tho. Glazed art will be sent to you after it's done, by email. It took me 30 minutes to glaze 9 images on a default setting. Cara app is also a space SPECIFICALLY for human artists and the team does everything in their power to ensure it stays that way.

WebGlaze. This one is a little bit more complicated, as you will need to get approval from the Glaze team themselves, to ensure you're not another AI tech bro(which, go fuck yourself if you are). You can do it through their twitter, through the same Cara app(the easiest way) or send them an email(takes the longest). For more details read on their website.

Unfortunately there are no ways that I know of to use Nightshade YET, as it's quite new. Cara.app definitely works on implementing it into their posting system tho!

Now for the tips to make it less visible(the examples contain only nightshade's rendering, sorry for that!):

Heavy textures. My biggest tip by far. Noise, textured brushes or just an overlay layer, everything works well. Preferably, choose the ones that are "crispy" and aren't blurred. It won't really help to hide rough edges of glaze/nightshade if you blur it. You can use more traditional textures too, like watercolor, canvas, paper etc. Play with it.

Colour variety. Some brushes and settings allow you to change the colour you use just slightly with every stroke you make(colour jitter I believe?). If you dislike the process of it while drawing, you can clip a new layer to your colour art and just add it on top. Saves from the "rainbow-y" texture that glaze/nightshade overlays.

Gradients(in combination with textures work very well). Glaze/nightshade is more visible on low contrast/very light/very dark artworks. Try implementing a simple routine of adding more contrast to your art, even to the doodles. Just adding a neutral-coloured bg with a darker textured gradient already is going to look better than just plain, sterile digital colour.

And finally, if you dislike how glaze did the job, just try to glaze/shade it again. Sometimes it's more visible, sometimes it's more subtle, it's just luck. Try again, compare, and choose the one you like the most. REMEMBER TO GLAZE/SHADE AFTER YOU MADE ALL THE CHANGES, NOT BEFORE!!

If you have any more info feel free to add to this post!!

[ntaflos]

Power Platform als verbundener Dienst für Visual Studio ist allgemein verfügbar

Power Platform, Visual Studio 2022, Custom Connectors, Microsoft Power Apps, API, ASP.NET Core Web API, Power Platform CLI, Canvas-App, Power Fx, mobiles Erlebnis, Legacy-APIs, Marcel Ferreira

Ich bin auf den Autor Marcel Ferreira aufmerksam geworden. Mit meinem Beitrag möchte ich auf seine spannende Ankündigung aufmerksam machen, die für Entwickler von großem Interesse sein dürfte. Während der Microsoft Build 2023 wurde die Möglichkeit angekündigt, benutzerdefinierte Connectors innerhalb von Visual Studio zu erstellen, um schnell eine Front-End für Ihre API mit Microsoft Power Apps…

[srinathpega]

Power Apps Wrap AD App Registration for Android

Introduction The wrap feature in Power Apps lets you create native mobile versions of your canvas apps as custom-branded Android and iOS mobile apps. You can distribute such wrapped native mobile apps to the end users through Microsoft Intune, Microsoft app center, Google Play or Apple Business Manager, or other native distribution methods. Makers can use wrap wizard to create secure,…

[ramp-it-up]

Muse: One

Muse Preview | Muse Masterlist|| Muse: Two

Summary: You and Ari meet on Raya. Chaos ensues.

Pairing: Art Curator! Ari Levinson x Plus sized model! Reader

Word count: 4.5 K

A/N: Muse will be a series of one shots featuring Muse and Ari, and this one will probably be the longest one. We’re gonna hear from them at least every week. 😏 Big thanks to @princessphilly who basically inspired the premise and then endured me being feral in her inbox. And yes, this is the same Ari that's in Show Off, so this AU is tangential to the Peach and Knock You Down verses. I was honestly working on another fic and this one possessed me. Here I go again. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Warnings: 18+ Only, Minors DNI. SMUT! Read at your own risk; curate your own experience. Ari Levinson: art collector/curator/ fuckboi, Reader: model/ player, dating app life, drinking, casual sex, Dominant Ari, assertive reader, sex almost straight out the gate, size kink (c &b), breeding kink, but protected sex, pussy/clit slapping, praise and degradation, one night stand with zero feelings caught (lies!)

I don’t have a taglist. Please follow @rampitupandread and turn on notifications to learn when I post!

I Do NOT Consent to my work being reposted, translated or presented on any other blog or site other than by myself.

--------

You weren’t even supposed to be on Raya that night.

You’d just finished a long shoot in a downtown loft where the air was thick with hairspray, and the photographer kept yelling absurdities like: “Give me strong, but soft! Like a powerful whisper!” 

Your feet ached. Your back screamed. The only thing keeping you sane was the cold cabernet sauvignon sweating in your hand.

You weren’t looking for anything. You just wanted to see some pretty faces and feel like a hot girl with options.

Swipe.

Swipe.

No.

No.

Hell no.

Well damn. Ari Levinson.

You’d heard about him. Your model friends had stories about how smooth he was, the size of his dick, and how he ghosted right after getting what he wanted. Classic.

But you got it. On a cellular level. Because you weren’t looking for entanglements either.

You just wanted the D.

His first photo was black and white, him standing in a sunlit Parisian gallery, framed by massive abstract canvases. His hair was tousled like he either just woken up from a nap on a vintage couch or spent the morning negotiating a private sale.

He wasn’t looking at the camera, of course not.

He was looking at the art. 

Ari also looked like art, smart blue eyes and soft lips partially hidden by a beard that you thought would feel good between your thighs. You could tell that he was tall, broad shouldered, and built to last. He was dressed casually, and that’s how you knew he was rich rich.

He didn’t have to show it off.

His bio was enigmatic:

“Chasing beauty, collecting moments. Sometimes it’s oil on canvas. Sometimes it’s the silence between two songs.”

What the fuck does that even mean?

You read it twice.

You meant to swipe left.

But fate, or the wine, intervened.

It’s a Match.

You stared at it for a minute, then typed before you could change your mind.

“Picasso said 'art is a lie that makes us realize truth.” You buying lies or selling them?” Drinks?

He responded within seconds.

He suggested a bar in SoHo with intimate booths, dim lighting, and top tier mixology. 

You almost said no. You didn’t do dates. 

You did vibes, connections, and the occasional night of excellent chaos. 

But something about his response made you curious.

—--

Raya was never really Ari’s scene.

Too curated. Profiles with perfectly lit selfies, vague aspirations, and bios that tried too hard to sound both deep and detached. 

He didn’t swipe often.

But the truth was, Ari Levinson was lonely.

Not in the sad, broken kind of way, more like he was perpetually surrounded by beautiful people who only admired his collection, complimented his taste, but never asked why he kept certain pieces or why he stared too long at sculptures that looked like loss.

His encounter the other night with the newlywed Rogers made him yearn for that kind of fire, that kind of connection. But he didn’t know if that could be duplicated.

Ari was just about to close the app when your profile popped up. 

He recognized you right away. 

Not because you were just beautiful, you definitely were, but because you commanded the image. There was a magnetism in the way you moved, a joy and defiance that didn’t care for permission.

On your profile was a picture of you in oversized sunglasses and a silk robe, holding a book. And another one of you at some red-carpet event, plus-sized and absolutely radiant, laughing like you were amused at the world. 

You were absolutely stunning.

Your bio:

Model. Curvy chaos. Not here for a long time, just a good time.

Ari smiled. Finally, someone not performing a softcore version of forever.

You weren’t like the others, not looking to be wifed up with someone rich and powerful like him. That made you dangerous.

He swiped right instinctively, just to see. Just to admire. 

He didn’t expect a match.

But when the screen lit up, It’s a Match!, his chest actually tightened. 

And then came your message.

You look like you curate galleries by day and cry to phoebe bridgers by night. Drinks?

He choked on his espresso.

It was hilarious.

And too perfect.

He should’ve ignored it. Should’ve played it cool.

Instead, he typed back faster than he ever had in his life.

“I’m intrigued. 8PM. Little Branch in SoHo. Can’t wait to see you.”

Short, sharp, and confident, not overplaying his hand. 

And it was the word intrigued, not “interested,” not “curious.” And he’d said, “Can’t wait to see you.” 

That got you. Because that meant he was already a little undone.

—---

Ari was already there when you walked in. Black button-up, gold chain, leaning on the bar casually, but you could tell he saw you the second you stepped through the door. He stood, smiled, and you rocked back on your heels as if hit by a bolt of lightning. 

The man was massive. Pictures didn’t do him justice and you didn’t know of the button up was tailored, all you knew is you felt the power beneath it. You also had to stop yourself from turning your head sideways to check out the package in his jeans.

You paused, steadying yourself, and continued your approach..

“Wow,” he said when you approached and introduced yourself. 

You laughed, because no matter how many people ogled you for a living, the involuntary kind of compliments always made you flustered. You swallowed, then turned to the barback.

“Negroni. Empress Gin.”

Ari raised an eyebrow, impressed.

“Oh. A big girl drink.”

You laughed. He kind of loved it already.

“Well, as you can see, I’m a big girl.”

Ari’s eyes slid down your body and you weren’t mad as he did a double take at your jeans. 

“I see. And I like.”

The way he licked his lips made you warm. You raised your eyebrow, imagining him munching away.

“My booth is back here.”

You looked at his large hand pointing the way to the back of the small bar to an even more intimate area. Yeah. You could ride that. 

You walked ahead of him and you knew that he was watching your ass. You didn't mind. That was the point.

His booth was tucked into a corner, shadowed and intimate; it was the kind of space designed for secrets and seduction. You slid in first, and he followed, sitting close.

He signaled for another round, fingers grazing yours on the drink menu as if by accident, and when the server left, he turned back to you with that beautiful smile.

“So. Model, huh?” 

You smiled back at him.

“That’s the rumor. Print and editorial mostly. A few campaigns. But I prefer runways in Europe over the states. I travel a lot.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

You shrugged. 

“Sometimes. But I like bringing the fantasy to life.” 

You took a sip of your drink and his eyes were on your mouth.

“And you? Art dealer, right? Collector?”

“Curator,” he corrected gently. “Sometimes broker. Sometimes buyer. Mostly, I help people spend obscene amounts of money on things they don’t understand.”

You raised an eyebrow. 

“So a charming con artist with a gallery?”

He grinned. 

“Exactly. But I only sell what I believe in.”

“Nice. I sell unattainability and the occasional skincare product. We both deal in illusions.”

“Yours just have better lighting.”

You laughed and tilted your head. Something happened in Ari’s chest. He should have run.

“So, what, you sit around all day judging brushstrokes and seducing heiresses?”

“Mostly. And trying not to text back women I shouldn’t.”

“Am I one of them?”

“Too soon to tell. But you’re a strong contender.”

You let that linger in the air for a second.

“So,” you said slowly, setting your drink down with a clink, “is this where you try and charm the pants off me?”

“I was trying to decide,” he murmured, as he took a drink, eyes locked on yours, “if I wanted to fuck you at your place or mine.”

You blinked, just once, but your smile widened.

“Oh, we’re skipping pretense, then?” you questioned. “Good. I hate when men waste my time. When was the last time you were tested?"

Ari raised his brow. You cut right to the chase.

"I get tested once a quarter, last time was two weeks ago. Clean."

"Hmmmm. I tested a month ago. And I'm clean too. But I'm gonna still need you to wear protection."

Ari smiled and lowered his eyes. His hand moved slightly under the table to rest near your thigh, but not quite touching you. A tease.

"Of course. Something tells me you don’t let anything, or anyone through,” he replied.

You studied him, wondering if you were reading worship and destruction into his look or if it was actually there.

“You’re starting to sound like someone who catches feelings.”

“Feelings?” he echoed with a grin. “No, I just like being around wild, beautiful creatures. And I enjoy the ones that bite back even more.”

You leaned in closer to him. 

“You think I’m wild. And you think I bite?” 

“I hope you are. And I hope you do.”

Your leg brushed his under the table. His eyes flicked down, then back up to your face, darker now.

“I have the same hopes for you, Mr. Levinson.”

Ari’s jaw flexed, nostrils flaring. 

“I think we’re going to get along just fine.”

His fingers moved to your thigh and traced a slow line up your crotch beneath the table. 

You leaned in closer.

“You still sure about just one night?” he asked, eyes on your lips again.

You put your hand on his thigh at that moment, moving it up to feel his thickening cock. You were excited at the potential there.

“One night. That’s the deal. I don’t do second acts. So you better make it count.”

Ari grinned and your stomach flipped.

“Well, then. I need to make it unforgettable.”

—----

You were straddling him on your couch when Ari realized he was in trouble.

He should’ve known the second you walked into the bar, hips swaying and those curves...damn. But here, now, with your thighs around him and your body pressed so close he couldn’t tell where he ended and you began, he was so gone.

Ari wasn’t the type to rush. 

He was all about artful restraint and being aloof. But you shattered that. 

You kissed like you knew just how to destroy him with your lips, teeth, and tongue. Ari hadn’t experienced the feeling since he was a teenager, but damn, he was throbbing underneath you.

And when you unbuttoned his shirt, fingers dragging over his chest, rubbing his nipples under your palms, he swore under his breath.

“Fuck. You’re unreal,” he murmured.

And you just smirked, leaned in, whispering, “I know.”

God, the way you moved. Every roll of your hips was a tease, every drag of your nails down his skin was a stripe he wanted to earn. He gripped your jean-clad thighs thighs hard enough to ground himself, because he was floating somewhere between desperation and awe.

You rode him slowly at first. You wanted him to feel all of it, every breath, every tremor. And he did. 

Your pussy was buzzing with anticipation and you were impatient, but you wanted to savor this one.

You arched as his hips rolled up between your legs, anchoring your hands on his broad shoulders as he branded the shape of himself between your legs. And when he did it again, you moaned and tried to create your own rhythm, but he held you in place.

Ari had to stop you because he only had one shot tonight and he wasn’t going to throw it away and let you cum in your pants. When your orgasm hit, it would be with the slick walls of your pussy clamped around his cock.

So you did the only thing you could, which was to grind down harder on him, causing him to let out a shaky breath, finally moving you against him to get some friction.

"Fuck... let me feel you, darlin'."

Ari made a new rhythm, one he managed with his eyes locked on yours, hands roaming from your waist to your back, then tangled in your hair as you leaned in and bit his bottom lip, making him groan.

“You gonna fall in love with me, Ari?” you teased against his mouth.

“I think I already am,” he said, before he could stop himself.

You didn’t answer, thinking it was part of the game. You just smiled, leaned back, hands on his chest, and started moving faster, driving him out of his mind. 

Every sound you made wrapped around his ribs and squeezed. He didn’t know what felt better, the pressure building low in his stomach, or the way you moaned his name like it tasted sweet in your mouth. The feel of your wet, hot pussy through your jeans was just a bonus.

He'd slept with beautiful women. Charming women. Women who made love like it were their last day on earth. 

But you? You were different.

And the way you looked, curls akimbo, lips parted, eyes locked on his like you were seeing to the bottom of him, that image seared into him. 

He stood, picking you up effortlessly, grabbing you under your ass.

“I’m assuming that your bed is up here?”

You just nodded, breathless at his power as he carried you up the stairs to the loft where your king sized bed was.

He reached the top and dropped you on the bed. You bounced a little as he reached for you and unbuttoned your jeans, dragging them down your legs along with your panties.

Shit, he wasn’t wasting any time.

He stopped and proceeded to strip off his own clothes.

“Take off the rest of your clothes,” he commanded and you scrambled to comply, removing your top and your bra and watching him undress at the same time. You almost groaned at the sight of his cock.

You hadn’t always been a cock hungry slut, but you were a little obsessed. Ari was big and long, not the longest you’d had, but definitely the thickest. It was beautiful: veiny and flushed, with a large swollen head that leaked precum down his shaft. You knew it was going to be amazing when he stretched you out.

Then you noticed his balls. They looked full and heavy. You couldn’t help but lick your lips as you imagined how much cum he’d have for you. Ari smirked down at your wide eyes on him as he pushed your shoulders until you were lying on your back.

He hooked your thighs with his hands and dragged you until your ass was at the edge of the bed and you squealed with surprise as he lifted your feet up to his shoulders. This was quite the change from your usual three positions with your one night stands: missionary, cowgirl, or doggy style.

When he rubbed the his thick tip along your soaked slit, you closed your eyes and moaned. He tapped the entrance to your pussy with his cock, holding your hip to ensure that you didn't make him slip inside you.

Yeah. Ari wasn’t like other guys.

You felt the weight of him as he dragged his cock through your slippery, swollen pussy, smearing your slick all over him and you looked down, mesmerized by the sight. This was going to be good.

Ari looked down angrily.

"Fucking soaked for me," those blue eyes snapped up to yours, freezing you in place. "You always this wet?"

He licked those red lips and if you had a heart you would have been in trouble. You’d never been this wet with anyone before. You just shook your head no, not trusting yourself to answer, lest you have him thinking, correctly, that he was the shit.

But he read you anyway. That smile was both beautiful and annoying.

"For me? You shouldn't have... might get me addicted."

You scowled at him, but then you bit your lip as he started to draw circles on your clit with his penis. You were dickmatized again, eyes riveted to the spot as you moaned.

He tapped his cock against your clit to get your attention.

“Look at me.”

You looked at him through your lashes.

“Do you have any condoms?”

Oh no. Did you? You couldn’t think because of the pre-orgasmic haze you were in. Ari licked his finger and then brought it down to caress your clit while he waited for your answer.

That didn’t help the clarity of your thinking.

“Ch-check the top drawer.”

You gestured toward your nightstand, hoping it was the right direction. 

He left you, opened legged and bereft as he went on his mission, and you breathed a sigh of relief when he said, “Found them.”

Thank god. You were about to beg him to ride you bareback if he hadn’t found any. He sheathed himself and then moved back into his previous position.

He rubbed himself over your slit again, and you moaned.

“Right about here, between these beautiful thick thighs, wouldn’t you agree?”

He was driving you crazy. Your cunt was humming on a five at the bar, but he had ramped her up to an 11. You’d never been this desperate for a cock before.

“Just fuck me, please!”

He chuckled and lined the head of his cock against your entrance, but didn’t push home. He teased you for a second, before dragging it up and down one last time, just to see the look your face.

Beautiful.

“You sure about this?”

His voice was pure sin. You opened your eyes fully and glared at him.

Gorgeous.

“Yes, Ari. I need you.”

That must have been enough because he immediately plunged in, inch by glorious fat inch, straight to your core. 

“Oh fuck!”

Ari’s meaty cock stretched you out, and your head fell back in ecstasy as your hips instinctively arched to take him in deeper. You were panting from pure pleasure as you tried to adjust to his thickness.

“You like that? Like my thick cock in this little pussy?”

“Yes, God, yes!”

You couldn’t stop yourself from bucking against him to try to get him to move. He was still as a statue and his jaw was clenched from restraint.

“Tell you what, if you beg me to fill your pussy with cum, I’ll fuck you so hard your head spins. Deal?”

“Um…” you couldn’t form your thoughts to beg, or to realize that there would be no cum filling because of the condom.

“Why don’t you think about it and let me know,” Ari said casually as if he were talking to a customer browsing his gallery.

But he started thrusting slowly into your cunt as the electric current in his dick made you crave the roughness he’d suggested.  You tried to pull yourself together, but it didn’t work.

Ari was transfixed by your breasts. They looked delicious.

“Play with your nipples,” Ari growled.

You cupped your breasts with your hands and pulled at the stiff peaks. He continued his leisurely pace, except now everything was worse. Or better.

Every time you pulled your nipples, you felt a corresponding pull between your legs. And then there was the way he was looking at what you were doing, eyes half lidded and mouth open as you touched yourself. Fuck that was so erotic.

The pressure was building, but you knew you wouldn’t cum until he fucked you harder.

Ari stopped and pulled out.

“Nooooooo!” you cried, and he chuckled at you, as if he was amused.

“I really wanna make you cum, but I think I’m distracting you too much.”

You couldn’t think, but you didn’t want him to stop. A sharp smack against your swollen pussy lips made you yelp and a blast of delight surged through you. 

Holy fuck what was this guy doing to you?

When he slapped your pussy harder, you realized how completely fucked you were.

You would do whatever he wanted.

“Okay okay. Let me think…. Shit, Uh…” you were completely in a daze.

“Are you ready to beg me to fill you with my cum?” Ari reminded you of the question at hand.

He brought a finger back to your clit and rubbed devastating circles around it.

Jesus fuck, it was like he didn’t really want you to be able to talk. Catching a moment of clarity, you rushed it out.

“Please, Ari, fuck me hard and fill me with your cum. Pretty please. I just need your cum. Promise I’ll be the best fucktoy you’ve ever had, please?”

He gave you an evil grin and caressed your clit harder. You whimpered.

“Please, Ari. Need your cum.”

He stopped rubbing and you felt his tip nudging into you, and you were almost purring from the pleasure. He pressed in until he bottomed out, waves of bliss washing over you. You started trembling preemptively.

“Good girl,” he announced as he pulled out gently, only to slam back in hard.

“Oooooo, fuck, oh my god!” you gasped out as he fucked you ruthlessly. 

The sound of your moans mixed with the squeaking of your bed, and you continued to play with your tits which only increased your pleasure.

You went from one peak to another as you quickly spiraled toward your orgasm, Ari’s grunts each time he sank into you helping to speed you along.

“Such a….good… little… breedable…. Fucktoy…..”  

He slammed into you, groaning with every word. All it took was one brush of his finger to push you over the edge.

You screamed, “Oh, god, yes!” as you came all over his cock and writhed against him as he roared that he was cuming. New waves of rapture surged between your legs, traveling throughout your entire body.

He drilled into you for a moment longer, and the intense aftershocks were almost too much to bear. When he finally pulled out, the room swirled around you and you let out a tiny giggle. 

Ari did promise to fuck you hard enough to make it spin.

He went to the bathroom and disposed of the condom and then returned and pulled you up the bed to make you his little spoon.

You reveled in the smell of sweat and sex, almost getting high on the scent. You laughed softly like you couldn’t believe what just happened. But he knew. He knew exactly what happened.

He was ruined.

But you were a one-night promise, a walking fantasy with no intentions of calling back. And still, as you lay in bed with him, catching your breath, his hands on your body, Ari knew he didn’t want this to end. 

Not anytime soon.

“You don’t have to stay if you have something in the morning…”

You meant that to sound more definitive, like you were inviting him to leave, but Ari had wrecked you so much that you didn’t have the energy to be cold. That was the reason you turned, burrowed into his chest and let your eyelids get heavy.

Ari chuckled. 

“Don’t worry, Muse. I’ll get out of your hair soon. Just catching my breath.”

“... the fuck is Muse?...” you questioned on your way to sleep, the rhythm of his fingers on your thighs the nails in your coffin of sleep.

“You are. You’re my Muse.”

You didn’t quite feel the kiss on your forehead. But you smiled.

—----

In the morning, the light in your apartment was rude.

It filtered through the curtains like it had a personal vendetta, hitting your face just as you tried to pretend the night didn’t happen the way it did. Your limbs were sore in that satisfied way, like you’d run a marathon, but only with your hips. 

You stretched. Yawned. Felt the warmth behind you.

Shit.

Ari was still there.

He was on his side, one arm slung over your waist like it belonged there. His broad chest was on your back, and his nose buried in your neck, breathing you in.

You shifted. He didn’t move. Just tightened his hold with that annoying, possessive kind of tenderness.

“Morning,” he mumbled into your skin, his gravelly morning voice threatening to do you in.

“Mhmm,” you answered, noncommittally. You carefully peeled his arm off. 

“You can go, you know.”

That got his attention. He lifted his head, messy hair falling over his eyes, beard pressed with pillow lines. 

He looked like sex personified.

“Damn. No coffee? No kiss on the cheek? Not even a fake number on a Post-it?”

“Don’t make this weird, Ari.”

You’re out of bed now, grabbing your robe from the chair, ignoring the way his eyes tracked your every move. You knew the drill. One-night stands didn’t turn into brunch plans.

He propped himself up and leaned against your headboard like it was custom-built for him.

“Wasn’t trying to. Just… didn’t think you’d be in such a rush to forget me.”

“I’m not,” you lied, tying your hair up with a scarf, trying to be as unattractive as possible. 

You had no idea that to him you looked like the most beautiful painting he'd ever seen.

“I just like to keep things clean. No open tabs.”

“Hmm.” 

He studied you for a long moment, then stretched like a cat, unapologetically naked and smug. 

“You always kick people out like this? Or am I just special?”

You sighed. He wasn't making it easy. He was too comfortable in your space. Too charming. Too in your face.

“I didn’t peg you for the lingering type.”

“I’m not. But something about your bed makes me reconsider my brand.” 

He grinned. 

“And you snore a little. It’s cute.”

You whirled around. 

“I do not snore.”

He laughed. Like it was a private joke between you. It softened you for a second. Just a second. You cleared your throat and motioned down toward the door.

“Seriously. You should go.”

He nodded slowly, slid out of your bed and grabbed his clothes, treating you to the sight of him getting leisurely getting dressed. When he caught you watching, he grinned, and you scoffed, going down the stairs so you wouldn’t be tempted stare any more.

Ari walked past you, stopped at the doorway and turned.

“If this is your way of making sure I don’t catch feelings... it might be too late.”

That caught you off guard. He shrugged.

“It’s fine. I’m not asking for a toothbrush or a drawer. But if you ever want to fuck again… or talk about art… or do both at the same time…You know where to find me, Muse.”

He winked. The mutherfucker actually winked, then walked out like he didn’t just ruin your perfectly controlled system. 

You stood there, silent, heart hammering a little harder than you would have liked. And only when the door clicked shut did you whisper: 

“...Goddamn it.”

——-

Muse: Two

So… whaddya think? 🤔

[diamonddaze01]

you want thoughts. i'll give you one

young chief of berk, tamer of the alpha yoon jeonghan

TEST DRIVE

⚔︎ PAIRING yoon jeonghan x dragon tamer! reader | ⚔︎ WC: 1.1K ⚔︎ A/N: oh i see how it is. i ask you about your hyperfixation so now you dangle mine in front of me.... anyways enjoy this absolute train wreck i wrote in my iphone notes app in the office bathroom.

The early morning sky over Berk was a dark canvas, streaked with the faintest hint of sunrise. The wind was biting, cutting through the training grounds like the sharp edge of a sword. The air smelled of sea salt and firewood, a reminder that this was a land of constant, rugged survival.

Jeonghan stood at the center of it all, his posture relaxed yet undeniably commanding, with Luma—his Night Fury—by his side, their silhouettes sharp against the rising dawn. The others were gathered around him, each of them perched on their dragons. His gaze swept over them like a predator eyeing its prey, his expression unreadable, but every muscle in his body screamed power.

“Alright, listen up,” Jeonghan’s voice rang out, cutting through the murmur of his group. “We’ve been through the basics, and now we’re in the real deal. No half-assed flying today. You’re going to show me that you can handle anything I throw at you. And you, especially”—his eyes fixed on Seungcheol, who was already fiddling with his helmet—“don’t get cocky just because you’ve been flying Gravel since you were twelve.”

Seungcheol scowled. “I know what I’m doing, Jeonghan. You don’t have to—”

“No excuses.” Jeonghan cut him off with a sharp gesture, his tone lethal. “We’ve got no time for excuses today. You’re either prepared, or you’re not. You’ll know the difference by the end of this training.”

The others exchanged uneasy glances, and Jeonghan’s gaze flicked over to Jisoo, who was lounging on Lilac, that annoyingly calm smirk still plastered on his face. “Lilac won’t save you if you’re not focused. She’s quick, but that means nothing if you don’t know how to use it. Don’t let the speed fool you.”

Jisoo only shrugged, unconcerned, but Jeonghan’s eyes didn’t waver. There was no room for weakness in his training. No room for doubt.

Seungkwan was bouncing on Spice, already giving his dragon a pep talk. Jeonghan could practically see the energy leaking off of him, but the glint of excitement in his eyes was soon met with a sharp stare from Jeonghan.

“Spice won’t work on adrenaline alone, Seungkwan,” he said, voice dangerously calm. “Focus. If she pulls a stunt like last time, I will make you clean up the mess.”

Seungkwan gulped, nodding quickly.

“Hansol,” Jeonghan said, his voice now smooth and sharp like a blade. “Echo’s agility is impressive, but you’ll have to focus on precision. Don’t make me remind you again that every move matters. It’s not about showing off; it’s about control.”

Hansol simply nodded, his usually carefree demeanor now serious as he adjusted his grip on Echo’s reins.

“Focus, people,” Jeonghan barked, his voice suddenly harder, pulling everyone’s attention. “This isn’t about flying for fun. Today, you’re going to prove that your dragons can fight as well as they can fly. It’s about precision, control, and—”

He stopped then, his gaze flicking over the group before it landed on you.

His eyes softened, but only slightly, and for a moment, everything else faded. The sharpness in his gaze turned into something more… intimate. But Jeonghan wasn’t the type to let his guard down—certainly not in front of everyone. He just gave you that look, the one that was as loaded with meaning as a cannon.

“And you,” he said, stepping toward you, voice suddenly quieter, like he was speaking just to you and no one else. “You better not slack off just because you think you can handle anything.”

You met his gaze, leaning forward slightly. “I don’t need any special treatment, Jeonghan. Just show me what I’m up against.”

Jeonghan chuckled, the sound rich and teasing, before turning his back to the rest of the group. “Alright, everyone—start flying. Show me what you’ve got. We’ll see if your dragons are ready for the real test.”

The group mounted their dragons, and in an instant, the sky erupted into movement—Seungcheol and Gravel charging ahead, Seungkwan chasing after Spice, who had already darted into the clouds, Jisoo floating lazily on Lilac’s back, and Hansol, practically invisible on Echo, slipping between the trees.

Jeonghan stayed grounded, his eyes never leaving you. “Let’s see what you can do,” he said, his voice softer, almost intimate, as he stepped closer to you. “Prove to me you can handle this.”

With that, you mounted your dragon, taking off in a smooth arc into the sky. Jeonghan followed shortly after, his Night Fury gliding with him, cutting through the clouds with ease. You surged ahead, diving, weaving through the training obstacles that littered the area below. You and your dragon were perfectly in sync, and Jeonghan couldn’t help but admire the way you maneuvered.

The training was intense. You could hear the faint sounds of Seungkwan’s exaggerated cursing as Spice nearly flung him into a tree, the frantic grunts from Seungcheol as he struggled to keep up with Gravel, and the odd quiet hums from Jisoo and Hansol, who were already in their element.

But you? You were focused, calm, and above it all, powerful. The way you guided your dragon through the course was effortless, natural. Jeonghan smirked as he watched you, his usual cocky attitude slipping into something a little more impressed.

As you completed the last obstacle, you shot a glance back at him, eyes glinting with challenge. “Was that good enough for you, Chief?”

Jeonghan didn’t answer immediately, instead letting Luma dive under you with a sudden burst of speed, cutting the air with a roar. The wind whipped violently around you both, and in that moment, you felt the thrill of being so high above Berk, surrounded by the storm of chaos and control that Jeonghan radiated.

Finally, Jeonghan’s voice cut through the wind. “You did well.” He smirked. “But not perfectly.”

You rolled your eyes, but there was something in his gaze that made the teasing feel affectionate. “Oh? Is that how you’re going to play it, Jeonghan?” you shot back, but there was a sly grin tugging at your lips.

He chuckled. “Only because you know you can do better.” He shot you a wink, his tone dripping with flirtation. “But then again, who could resist giving my favorite a little extra attention?”

You could feel your heart race, but you held your ground, hovering above the clouds. “I told you, you can’t only treat me differently. You’ll get a reputation.”

Jeonghan leaned back on Luma, his smirk never fading. “But you are my favorite, love. Can’t help it if everyone else is just… secondary.”

“Jeonghan, that’s—” you started, but he was already shifting, his voice lowering as he leaned in closer.

“I know,” he murmured. “But you’re the only one who matters.”

[hunkpossession0]

Jake woke up in Alex's body, the reality of his situation sinking in with a delightful thrill. He stood in front of the full-length mirror in Alex's training room, his eyes wide with wonder. The morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on his new form. He couldn't help but run his hands over the sculpted muscles of his chest and arms, feeling the firmness and strength that was now his to command.

The black t-shirt, simple yet perfectly fitted, clung to his new muscular frame like a second skin. Every movement was accentuated by the fabric, which stretched and contracted with each flex, highlighting the impressive definition of Alex's physique. Jake loved the feel of the shirt against his skin, the way it made him feel powerful and in control. He'd catch glimpses of himself in reflective surfaces throughout the day, each time feeling a surge of pride.

His new face was a canvas of rugged beauty. A strong jawline framed by a short, stylish beard gave him a look of rugged charm. His eyes, now a deeper shade, sparkled with mischief and confidence. Jake would often touch his face, feeling the contours, the slight stubble, and the firmness of his new features. The short, neatly trimmed hair felt different, more vibrant, and he found himself running his fingers through it, enjoying the sensation.

The colorful fight shorts were another source of joy. They were vibrant, with intricate designs that seemed to tell a story of battles and victories. The shorts fit snugly, showcasing the muscular legs and the athletic build of his new body. Jake would often stand in a fighting stance, admiring how the shorts moved with him, feeling like a warrior ready for any challenge.

As he sat down at Alex's computer, his fingers danced over the keyboard with a newfound dexterity. He opened the browser and typed "Grindr" into the search bar, a playful smirk forming on his lips. The download progress bar seemed to move too slowly for his excitement. "This is going to be an adventure," he thought, his heart racing with anticipation. He imagined the conversations, the connections, all enhanced by this new, confident persona he now inhabited.

Jake flexed in the mirror one last time before heading out, watching the muscles dance under the tight shirt. His face lit up with a broad, confident smile, his new voice resonating with a deep, assured tone as he spoke to himself, "Let's make the most of this." With that, he grabbed his phone, opened the newly installed Grindr app, and stepped out into the world, eager to explore his new life with this invigorating sense of self-assurance and physical prowess.

[littlemssam]

New Mods & Mod Updates

As always delete old Mods Files and the localthumbcache, when updating my Mods!

---

New small Mod & new Bug Fix

Small Lactose Intolerant Overhaul This small Mod edits the Plant Milk so it is useable for more Recipes, and it changes how Sims with the Lactose Intolerant Trait react to Food a bit.

Vampire Run Fix This Mod fixes Vampires not using the Vampiric Run, and played Vampires changing their preferred Walkstyle, when switching Households.

---

Mod Updates

Foster Family Various Tweaks:

Increased the Duration potential Adoptives are visiting from 4 to 8 hrs.

Added Greeting Status to potential Adoptives, so you won't have to invite them in. They will more likely come in and interact with Foster Kids/Pets now.

Added a Send Home Interaction to potential Adoptives, since they now stay longer. This way you can send them Home with one Click.

Adopted Foster Kids will get the Son/Daughter Relationship added now and should show up in the Family Tree.

Mod Setting Option via Phone is only available, when a Sim has registered for the Foster Family Network.

Added new Cheat Menu (Shift Click) to Sims (Sims who registered for the Foster Family Network), where you can trigger the Foster Family Network Notifications to get Foster Kids/Pets.

Added new Cheat Menu (Shift Click) to all Kids/Pets ingame, where you can add already existing Kids/Pets in the World to become your Foster Kid/Pet.

Fixed an Issue with Foster Family Network Notifications for Cats, when you did not enable all Ages for them.

Vampire Powers | “Be able to eat Human Food”, “Enable own Mirror Reflection”, “Stop Hissing” and more Addon NPC Disable Special Walkstyle removes hidden Walkstyle Traits only from never played NPCs.

No Auto Food Grab after Cooking Fixed a small Issue with the Icon on the custom Get Leftover Interaction not showing up, when Choose Leftover is not installed.

Sul Sul Weather App Added Support for Ciudad Enamorada. Reworked Icons a bit. Script File is obsolete now. Pls remove.

Send Sims to Bed Added Support for Sleeping Bags

Social Activities (Visit Friends, Family and more) Fixed an Issue, where the Interactions got cancelled, when your Sim was on a Business Lot they own.

Random Small Mod Updates

Auto Brush Teeth Reworked Mod to make it compatible with EA's Bathroom/Kitchen Settings for Sinks. The Addon File "DisabledBrushTeethSinksWillAllowWashDishesOnly.ts4script" is obsolete because of that now, pls remove that File. I did keep my own "Allow/Disallow Brush Teeth" Options though, which you can still set via Cheat Debug Menu (Shift Click) in case the EA Settings don't work well for you. When you don't use EA's Settings or my Mod Settings, Sims will be allowed to use all Sinks however they like. The Addon "AfterEatingToo.ts4script" is changed to be compatible with the XML Injector now, and is changed into a Package File. Remove the Script File pls.

Auto Use Picnic Table when Eating Added Support for two new Picnic Tables from Lovestruck and Growing Together. Added an extra Addon File for "Umbrella Tables" from Base Game and various Packs.

Claim All The Things Added "Frying Pan", "Collectible Other/Treasure Map", "Canvas", and "SackLunch" to be supported

Prefer Leftover Added Addon for Bread to be blocked from autonomously Eating/Grabbing a Plate.

Release all Ghosts & Get Urn for Added the Interactions to Mailboxes (Shift Click), so you don't need to get Urns via Debug etc first.

Craft More Nectar Bottles and more When Crafting 5 Bottles, the Dynamic Skill loot for Nectar Making is multiplied by 1,5.

---

Translations

Advanced Birth Certificate - Update of Dutch by Willowtree My Pets - Update of Dutch by Willowtree Online Learning System - Added Finnish by MaijaEllen

---

My Site with all possible Download Links: lms-mods.com

Support Questions via Discord only please!

[alexlwrites]

You ask and you shall receive!

Here's part 2 of "Yoongi never had a crush until you" from my notes app. I'm always open to more requests <3

(Check out part one here)

(Buy me a coffee on ko-fi!)

....

Tonight was the night. Yoongi could feel it, from the tip of his long luscious hair to his weirdly long toe. There was something in the air - whispers of certainty and peace that could either be a sign that Jungkook had left the premises or that tonight was the night that Yoongi was finally going to gather all the courage within his tired body and ask you out!

Furthermore! - he shook his fist in front of his mirror, eyes slightly crazed with a decidive stance - you'd say yes!

From there, everything would fall into place, stars aligning and errors corrected. His shoes would fit better, the wifi faster, the coffee tastier. Everything improved by your presence in his life.

He just couldn't stand all this nervous, jittery energy anymore! It was all so unlike his cool, calm, collected persona and he didn't know how to deal with his sudden difficulties to form full coherent sentences when you showed up. He had to put a stop to it and act on his new and, to be honest, slightly concerning feelings.

You see, he was a man with a written plan! In the depths of his pockets, under seven layers of coffee shop receipts from 5 months ago and guitar picks he thought he had lost, there was a small piece of paper with his plan detailed step by step: first he would calm the fuck down (crucial). Then, check for sweaty hands, unknown food stains on his outfit and bad breath (Just in case!!!!). Then, present his five slide power point showcasing his feelings and finally - finally! - ask you out.

In case you'd say no, he had an extra slide with more appealing arguments (i'm rich, it said). Otherwise, he'd move to south america and live his life as Carlos, the potato farmer.

Of course, as Yoongi's life was never as simple as a power point presentation, all his plans were forgotten when you showed up in his studio dressed up in a way he'd never seen, skin tight dress clinging to your body in the way he wanted to, rendering him speechless and brain dead.

"Yoongi! Sorry for the late hour, I just had to drop these documents before I left and I rushed here because I have plans for the evening..."

Ask her out, his heart said, beating so loud he was surprised you didn't hear it. Ask her out, make her yours, rip this sinful devil sent dress into pieces. Fuck the power point, fuck your canva vision board, ask her out, ask her out, ask her out, ask her...

"Out" he spluttered at last and he swore his heart shattered at the hurt in your eyes.

"Oh, im sorry" you said, dropping the stack of papers on his coffee table, lips pouting and eyes saddened in a way that made yoongi want to choke on his own fucking wrist "I'll leave you be, mr. Min"

"No-nO! I DIDN'T MEAN..." but it was too late and youd already left.

BUGGER.

BUGGER IT ALL TO HELL!

(Part three)

[worthyprnce]

✶— merlin · [falco columbarius]:

a small species of falcon

✶— gawain · [celtic]

name with celtic origin, meaning battle hawk, white falcon, little falcon or white hawk

✶— falcon

in medieval times, falcons symbolized power, status, nobility, love, daring and mystery. in late medieval courtly literature, falcons were associated with daring, mysterious and catastrophic love.

✶—tulip [tulipa]

"I declare my love for you"

✶— honeysuckle [lonicera]

devotion, affection

✶— cornflower [centaurea cyanus]

"hope in love"

✶— ivy [hedera]

fidelity, attachment

[I don't know exactly what I wanted with this. I did this mostly for myself, just because I couldn't stop thinking about this little parallel between merlin's and gwaine's names. I made gwaine's falcon with white and lighter colours because I wanted to represent the other meaning of his name, white falcon, but I made sure to let the top of his head gray/blueish because that's what a male merlin falcon looks like. also, gwaine's not albino, at least it wasn't my intention, but it's okay if you want to interpret it that way. I noticed I used colours that would make him look like he's albino only when I finished this lol but all I wanted to do was differentiate the two falcons and make that reference to gawain's name meaning.

anyway this took me a good amount of 19 hours and it crashed my app and phone. I lost my original canva but thankfully I had saved the art in my phone in time. it was a fun experience, I've never drawn feathers like this, so it was a bit challenging but I like the results :]

[glowup-princess]

ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴠɪꜱɪᴏɴ ʙᴏᴀʀᴅ

Creating a vision board is a powerful way to visualize your goals and inspire yourself to achieve them. 

 1. Clarify Your Goals

 Reflect on what you want in various aspects of your life: 

Career

Relationships

Health 

Personal growth 

Travel

Hobbies

Be specific about your goals.

For example, instead of "get healthy," aim for "run a 5K" or "eat more vegetables daily."

 2. Gather Supplies

Board: You can use a corkboard, poster board, foam board, or even a digital canvas to create online.

Materials: Scissors, glue, tape, pins, or software tools for digital boards.

Images & Words: Magazines, newspapers, printouts, or personal photos work well for a digital board. Use apps like Canva or Pinterest.

Decorative Items: Stickers, markers, ribbons, or any creative embellishments.

 3. Find Inspiration

Look for images, quotes, or symbols that represent your goals. (ofc in Pinterest <3)

Think beyond material things: include emotions, values, or habits you want to cultivate (e.g., happiness, mindfulness).

 4. Organize Your Board

Arrange items by category or priority.

Use sections for different life areas, like:

Top-left: Career

Top-right: Relationships

Bottom-left: Health

Bottom-right: Travel or personal development

Keep the central space for your core vision or main goal.

 5. Assemble the Vision Board

Affix your images and words to the board.

Add creative touches, like doodles or captions, to make it personal.

 6. Display Your Vision Board

Place it somewhere visible, like your bedroom, or office, or as a wallpaper on your phone or computer.

The goal is to keep your vision in mind regularly.

 7. Engage With It Regularly

Spend a few minutes daily or weekly visualizing your goals while looking at your board.

Adjust and update the board as your goals evolve or you achieve milestones.

 8. Take Action

Use your vision board as motivation, but remember that action is key to turning your vision into reality.

Break down big goals into smaller, actionable steps.

Happy new year everyone!! <3

Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated <3

[twig-tea]

East Palace, West Palace in ep5 of Blue Canvas of Youthful Days

I have been punched in the solar plexus by Blue Canvas of Youthful Days episode 5. So much happens in that episode that is overwhelming, from Qi Lu setting up a Netflix-and-chill date with the clear intention of making a move, to his putting on the famous film East Palace, West Palace (1996), to Qi Lu hiding Qin Xiao in the closet, to Qi Lu's panic at his father realizing he's been lied to, to the devastatingly practiced way Teacher Liu steps to Qi Lu being abused and handles his father, to the way Qi Lu shuts down, to the way QIn Xiao keeps sending mixed signals and Qi Lu calls him on it directly. And nobody else in this episode let me rest either; Tan Fan trying to ask Teacher Liu to wait for him and Liu brushing him off AGAIN, and Turtle trying to call out

@lurkingshan was already more coherent than I can be right now about what happened in the episode in her post.

So instead I want to focus on some queer cinema history that this episode evoked by using East Palace, West Palace as the film that Qi Lu shows to QIn Xiao.

For those who don't know, EPWP is considered to be the first realistic depiction of a gay man in film by a mainland Chinese production. It is to my knowledge the first time a gay man says "I love you" to another man on screen. It was made before being gay was decriminalized in China (1997), and it was filmed by an independent production company and smuggled out of China to France in order to be finished and distributed. It ended up at the Cannes festival in 1997, but the director's passport was seized and he was placed under house arrest to prevent him from attending. Despite pressure to pull the film, it still aired that year. In 1998, the Film Law was passed to prevent anyone from making films outside of the studio system (and therefore censorship review), effectively preventing anything like EPWP from being made in the future.

The film is about a gay man who cruises in the notorious bathrooms in the parks on either side of Tiananmen Square getting harassed by police officers (a situation extremely familiar to the historical queer experience in Canada [where I'm from] as well) and playing what I'd describe as a psychological game with one of them; A Lan kisses the cop, runs, and then gets caught a second time, and uses the second police confession as an excuse to tell his life's story in the public record, all while pushing the police officer a little further into deviance. As far as I'm aware, this film has been banned in China since being made and never shown (please correct me if I'm wrong about that!).

This is hitting me hard because of the much more recent history of Blue Canvas of Youthful Days itself. As most of you know, but I'll capture here for posterity, episodes 1-4 of this show aired on iQIYI (a China-based app) on August 6, and within 24 hours they were pulled from the app with no information about the future episodes being shown. When I watched episode 5 today, after waiting for it for 3 months, I was immediately hit with a wave of anger that this gorgeous, emotionally moving and powerful episode had been held back from public consumption for months, for the same reasons that the film being shown within the episode had been withheld from viewing in its own country.

Censorship is such an ugly thing, it's hard to articulate but the emotions around it are so strong because we know, when they pull or refuse to show media that depicts our lives, it's because they don't want our lives to be real; they don't want us to exist. It's a very real threat. And to have this episode--which is all about an abused boy who is in very real danger but so bravely insisting that he shoot his shot and take his best chance at love and happiness anyway, using the iconic confession scene from one of the most famous banned films in Chinese queer cinema history to do it--to have this episode be the one that was prevented from airing......I am overwhelmed.

In the scenes they watch in episode 5, A Lan tries to prevent the officer from uncuffing him, and then the officer lets him go, but A Lan doesn't go far and comes back. He declares his love to the officer's face, and demands that his love be acknowledged and not dismissed. And the officer does not know what to do with it and reacts with violence, which is partially what A Lan has been angling at all along. The show really played with this by having all three of the couples in the show stymied by having their overtures dismissed this episode, but we almost didn't get to see it.

I'm so grateful this got distribution now, and on multiple platforms. Blue Canvas of Youthful Days is airing Saturdays and Sundays on GagaOOLala and Youtube (note, as per @thisonelikesaliens's excellent language posts, the subs on Gaga are much better), and on Mondays on Viki. I know there is an avalanche of content right now, but this show is so good and worked so hard to make it to us, please give it some love!