#chines new year

[keepingitneutral]

中国新年快乐 2023 !

Wishing you and your beloved ones a healthy, prosperous and joyous year ahead.

[wereshrew-admirer]

long work day today but in my heart of hearts i'm drawing chine in a dress having a great time, because, gender i guess.

no alterations to their appearance otherwise, maybe somebody's convinced them to wash their hair, but only for the sensory experience of having some bounce to it afterwards, y'know?

i just..am ruminating on how good it feels to be so incongruous with people's expectations without any fear at all? or more, even, with the sense of power that comes from frightening cis people when you yourself are confident in your safety?

not even a hint of chine being embarrassed about it, just straight to the joy - slap a few flowers in their shitty beard and dare somebody to say something <3

[catthatfollows]

С Китайским Новым годом! прошедшем правда^^'''

Да, это та сама хуйня, которую я должна ещё с конца января.

Короче, Китаёза сидит и пьёт чаёк, а рядом с ним парит кролик, и сидит злая Тайвань.

[chinemagazine]

Happy Chinese New Year!

[givemegifs]

[4nuttyaddict]

Robe inspiration Chinoise en satin noir et tissu ajouré violet. Boucles perles acrylique et chaînes en métal. Lien facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4-nutty-addict-850962241666113

[myladysapphire]

His Sapphire Princess (IV)

After the night in the brothel Rhaenyra is married to Laenor Velayron to protect the birth of her child. who in the years to follow is the only one of Rhaenyra's children that is believed to be his, she is loved by all in the red keep, even queen Alicent adores the girl, so when Rhaenyra proposes a marriage between Aemond and Rhaenyra's daughter Visenya, Alicent happily agrees.

The children having been best friends in their youths are more than happy to be wed but when the incident at drift mark occurs things change, will it be for better or worse?

word count: 2,327

CW: violence

Fem!oc x Aemond Targeryen (can be read as x reader)

Masterlist | series masterlist | previous part | next part

disclaimer:  i do not own any of claim any of the A song of ice and  fire characters, all rights belong to GRR MARTIN, all characters are his  except for my OC

Visenya

Her brothers woke her in a panic, pulling her out of bed and dragging her through the halls of Driftmark, claiming Vhagar had been stolen.

“You can’t steal a dragon” she yawned, wiping at her eyes, confused as to what they meant.

“but she was mine to claim, someone stole my right!” Rhaena whined. of course, cloaking him, she hoped it was Aemond, though she would admit Rhaena should have been able to attempt to claim her, but if it was Aemond that truly claimed her she could find no fault in it.

“dragons aren’t inherited Rhaena, anyone could claim Vhagar, not just you” Visenya spoke, her tone harsher than she meant “I’m going back to bed” she went to turn back but luke jumped in front of her, his best puppy eyes on display

“Senya, please, what if it’s a bad guy, we need your help” Luke begged.

“fine” she sighed in defeat, she had her dagger she supposed if someone had  actually taken Vhagar she could defend them, though she saw no point of this escapade.

Vhagar roared as she landed, her new rider, a beacon of silver in the night sky, climbing down her rope.

“it’s him” spoke Jace.

it was Aemond, just as she hoped. His face was smug, his walk confident. he was like a whole new person. 

“Aemond?” she questioned softly, rubbing up to him, “you claimed her?”  

his eyes glimmered as he looked at her, a true smile gracing his lips. He wasn’t a new person, he was still her Aemond.

“Vhagar is my mother's dragon” Rhaena stated.

“your mothers dead” he replied, scowling. “and Vhagar has a new rider now.”

“Aemond” she chined, elbowing him softly. 

“she was mine to claim” Rhaena declared.

“Vhagar choose her rider, if Aemond weren’t meant to claim her then she wouldn’t have allowed him to claim her” Visneya reasoned, trying to calm the group, though it was all for nought as shouts of protest were heard from the twins.

Aemond moved forward,  placing her behind him “Then you should've claimed her!” he looked at Jace and Luke then back to Rhaena, “ Maybe your cousins can find you a pig to ride… It would suit you.”

Baela launched herself at Aemond, before being pushed off. “come at me again, and I’ll feed you to Dragon”

The next few moments were filled with yells and screams as her brothers and cousins attacked Aemond.

“stop!” Visenya demanded, moving to pull Baela off of Aemond, only to be elbowed and pushed against a rock. 

“Senya!” Aemond and Jace screamed, the attack coming to a halt. 

“it’s ok,” she tried to reassure, rubbing her head as she sat up “just stop fighting, it will not give Rhaena a dragon, nor will it take Aemonds away from him!” 

“he stole Vhagar, she was mine to claim!” Rhaena once again insisted.

“yeah, yeah we get it ok! just stop this fighting!… please” 

Baela turned to look at her, sighing as if ready to coincide before looking at Aemond. his hand rested behind Visenya's back, his face still smug.

she charged at him again, pushing him away from Visneya and to the ground. Jace followed punching him in the face before shoving them away.

she wasn’t sure what would happend next, her head pushing too hard, liquid filling her ears. the words flame and bastard sounded, her brother Jace in Aemonds hold, a rock to his head.

“no stop!” she screamed, crawling over, unable to find balance, her dagger falling from her pocket as she pulled Jace away. 

Luke grabbed her dagger and dived at Aemond, Visneya despite the fact her blurred vision, she managed to jump in front of Aemond, the dagger driving through his eye and the side of her neck.

After that, it all went black.

The hall was tense as a maester worked with Aemond and Visneya. 

No one dared to speak.

Several maesters cared for Visenya, her neck seeping in blood, her body still unconscious, and her brothers crying beside her. Luke begging for her to be alright. 

Aemond had insisted on being as close to her as possible, refusing to let go of her hand, and only doing so when it became apparent it was interfering with the maesters work. 

“How could you allow such as thing to happen?” Viserys demanded, furious “I will have answers”

“The princes and princess were supposed to be abed, my king” Ser Harold spoke

“Who had to watch” Viserys demanded

“The young prince was attacked by his cousins, your grace, and the princess by her brothers,” Ser Criston remarked

Outraged with these responses Viserys shouted “you swore oaths to protect and defend my blood”

“I’m very sorry, your grace,” Ser Harrold told him

“The king's guard has never had to defend princes from princes, your grace” Ser Criston spoke

The hall was quiet, the fury of the king growing. His granddaughter lay on the table, unconscious as blood seeped out of her neck, the Maesters still trying to locate the bleeding. 

“That is no answer!” Viserys spat

“It will heal, will it not maester?” Alicent asked she knew that the eye would be lost, but she still had hoped the seven would be merciful.

Solemnly the maester replied “the flesh will heal, but the eye is lost, your grace”

Nodding, a tear falling from her eye, she looked towards Visenya “what of the princess maester?”

Giving a small sad smile the lead maester working on Visenya stepped back to look at the king and queen, “we cannot tell yet your grace, we cannot seem to locate the bleeding and until we do, we cannot say”

Letting out an anguished cry Alicent moved to Aegon slapping him “where were you?”

Recoiling away Aegon spoke “me? Ow! What was that for?” he complained, almost ashamed. He had been getting drunk whilst his brother and niece suffered, that was enough to sober him. He worried the sight would make him burst in tears.

Alicent sneered “that was nothing compared to the abuse your brother and niece suffered while you were drowning in your cups” looking down ashamed, all Aegon could do was whisper a small as sorry.

“Where is Rhaenyra, her daughter has suffered a grave injury at the hands of her sons… where is Rhaenyra!” Alicent demanded to the room. The people equally confused as to where the princess was, remained silent.

Lord Corlys and princess Rhaenys entered the hall, demanding what had happened “what is the meaning of this”

Princess Rhaenys quickly went to her granddaughters, before catching sight of Visneay on the table, a small cry leaving her lips “what has happened?” she demanded. “What has happened to my granddaughter” the silence once more filled the room, as no one could answer.

Rhaenyra and Daemon were the last to enter the room, Daemon smug and nonchalant, Rhaenyra confused and guilty. She was quick to tun to her sons, not even bothering to look for her daughter. “what happened? Jace, Luke? Show me, show me!” taking Luke’s face in her hands she asked, “where is your sister?” both boys looked down before pointing to the table surrounded by maesters.

“Oh, my sweet girl” Rhaenyra cried taking Rhaenys place next to her daughter, as Rheanys moved to her Beala and Rheana.

“They attacked us!” Aemond spat, causing the other children to being shouting contrasting statements.

“He attacked Baela”

“He broke Luke’s nose!”

“He stole my mother’s dragon!”

“ENOUGH” Viserys demanded, his confusion only increasing at the children's ranting, 

“He was going to kill Jace!” Luke shouted

“I didn’t do anything! And you’re the one who attacked Visenya!” Aemond shot back, furious, she was defending him from their attack, they were to blame not him. He had lost his eye, his Visenya was wounded and unconscious. 

“Enough!” Viserys demanded, once again. 

Rhaenyra had made her way back to her sons, allowing the Maesters their space to work, as they finally located the bleeding.

“It should be my son telling the tale” Alicent demanded.

Luke whispered what was said to his mother “he called us bastards”

Hitting his cane on the ground Viserys demanded once again “silence” moving to look at Aemond he demanded the truth “Aemond, I will have the truth of what happened, now!”

“What else is there to hear? Your son and granddaughter maimed…Her son is responsible”

“It was a regrettable accident” Rhaenyra spoke, she didn’t want to believe what Luke had done, let alone to his sister. 

“The prince Lucerys brought a blade to an ambush. He meant to kill my son, he might yet have killed your daughter” Alicent spoke viciously, how could Rhaenyra defend her sons after what they did to her daughter, to Aemond?

“It was my sons who were attacked and forced to defend themselves… Vile insults were levied against them” Rhaenyra declared

“What insults?” Viserys asked

Hesitating, knowing it was the unspoken truth, Rhaenyra replied “the legitimacy of my son’s birth was put loudly to the question”

“What?”

Speaking up, Luke has a tremor in his voice as he casts a look at his sister, guilt filling his body “he called us bastards”

“My sons are in line to inherit the iron throne, your grace. This is the highest of treasons…. Prince Aemond must be Sharpley questioned so we might learn where he heard such slanders” Rhaenyra spoke

In disbelief at Rhaenyra’s audacity, Alicent spoke “over an insult? My son has lost an eye! What of your daughter what is your sons’ excuses for her!?” she demanded, looking over to Visenya, the Maesters had finally stopped the bleeding, but she was yet to wake. 

“You tell me boy, where did you hear this lie?” Viserys demanded, he knew the truth, he was not blind, he knew they were not Laenor’s and guilt filled him that he did not give his daughter a husband who could give her more than one child, even that he doubted, that she had to look elsewhere.

Worried, everyone knew it was Alicent who spread the rumours “this insult was training yard bluster, it was nothing”

Ignoring his wife, Viserys asked again “Aemond, I asked you a question!”

Interrupting again Alicent asked “where is Ser Laenor, I wonder? The children’s father? Perhaps he might have something to say on the matter.”

“Yes, where is Ser Laenor?”

Rhaenyra admitted, “I do not know, your grace, I could not find sleep, I had gone on a walk.”

Alicent rolled her eyes and muttered “entertaining his young squires, I would venture”

Asking again, Viserys spoke “Aemond, look at me. Your king demands answer. Who spoke these lies to you?”

Aemond shifted his gaze to his mother, “It was Aegon” he answered. He would not sell out his mother, even if they all knew it was really her.

“Me?” Aegon asked confused, he did not care nor ever mention if they were bastards. He was rather fond of Luke and Jace, they often had fun together. He could care less about their parentage.

“And you, boy? Where did you hear such calumnies?” Viserys spat “Aegon! Tell me the truth of it!”

Giving up, with a sigh Aegon spoke “We know, father. Everyone knows. Just look at them”

“This interminable infighting must cease! All of you! We are family! Now make your apologies and show goodwill to one another. Your father, your grandsire, your king demands it.” Viserys spoke.

“That is insufficient. Aemond has been damaged, permanently, Visenya who knows if she will wake. ‘Good will’ cannot make Aemond whole” Alicent spat

“I know Alicent, but I cannot restore an eye,” Viserys said with a deep sigh, he looked to Visenya. Her face was terribly pale, her neck was being wrapped and her head stitched.

“No, because it’s been taken!” 

“What would you have me do?”

“There is a debt to be paid. I shall have one of her son’s eyes in return” Alicent declared, gasps filling the hall.

“My dear wife-”

Her eyes watered, her son, their sons’ eye had been taken and he does not seem to care “he is your son, Viserys. Your blood”

“Do not allow your temper to guide your judgment” Viserys warned

“If the king will not seek justice, the queen will. Ser Criston… Bring me the eye of Lucerys Velaryon.” Alicent ordered.

Luke let out a nervous shout for his mother, moving to hide behind her. 

“he can choose which eye to keep, a privilege he did not grant my son” Alicent spoke, Ser Criston stared down at her, unsure of what to do.

Speaking to Criston Viserys demanded “you will do no such thing… Stay your hand”

“no, you are sworn to me!” she shouted at Ser Criston, as he stood unsurely “As your protector, my queen.”

“This matter is finished, do you understand?” Viserys spoke to Alicent, moving away before declaring “and let it be known, anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Princess Rhaenyra’s sons should have it removed!”

“Thank you, father” Rhaenyra spoke, Alicent enraged moved towards Viserys grabbing his dagger and charging at Rhaenyra and her sons.

Shouts filled the hall, trying to get Alicent to stop, but she continued.

“you’ve gone too far” Rhaneyra spoke, grabbing Alicents arm, preventing the dagger from diving into her son's eye.

“i? what have I done but what expected of me? Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout all to do as you, please” Alicent spat in reply. “Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? And now you take my son's eye, and to that event, you feel entitled”

“Exhausting, wasn’t it? Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness” Rhaenyra replied, seeing Alicent face drop and her grip on the blade began to loosen. “But now they see you as you truly are,” she said lowly, the dagger slipped from Alicent’s hand, down Rhaenyra's arm, blood dripping to the ground.

“This proceeding is at an end” Viserys declared.

next chapter

[discountalien-pancake]

Behold, friends! Look upon my new acquisition with envy! 5 meters of handwoven silk, a recreation of historical Vietnamese textiles made by Vietnamese artisans. The project was organized by La Quoc Bao (barolaw on instagram) and after many, many complications and a year and a half of waiting, I finally have this in my hands.

It is unlike any modern silk textile I’ve ever handled. It is most similar to Indian handwoven silks of similar weight, but the drape is more fluid and the weave has more texture. It’s not slippery like habotai or charmeuse, not crisp like taffeta or organza, nor is it pebbly and bouncy like crepe de chine. The shine is subtle and it’s lightweight but not see-through.

[wolfcroissant]

Wriothesley Headcannons (Best friends to lovers) (any gender reader) PART 3

In celebration of the upcoming winter solstice, your school is hosting a school-wide dance. A prom, you could say.. Every student is asked to bring a date of their choice and to celebrate and enjoy the shortest day of the year! (I got this idea from chinese culture because I'm half chinese. We celebrate winter solstice as a way of gathering family before chines New year!)

You being your usual gorgeous self (slayed), had a infinitesimal large amount of suitors asking you out. Of course, you were flattered. You had even had to empty out parts of your closet for the amount of gifts people had got you in hopes you'd accept their hand.

(Let's set the scene) It's the week before the dance, and you are with Wriothesley, relaxing together on his bed, bonding like usual. Your toying with a confession letter from one of your suitors. You've been trying to ignore Wriothesley's unusually intense gaze on your hands for the past few minutes.

"Y/N, who could've caught your eyes for you to reject everyone from your large pool of....suitors" drawled Wriothesley.

You leaned your tired head on Wriothesley's comfortably large shoulders (best pillow), sighing "My gut keeps telling me that I haven't found the person I want yet".

"At this point you might as well go to the dance with me" teased Wriothesley, his stupidly deep and attractive(!!!) voice quietly flowing into your ears.

(Oh dear) you could help but freeze in shock at his words, a fiery blush working its way up to your face. In this moment you met his gaze, and he looked the most handsome he has ever looked. Ice- blue eyes blazing, his strong body right beside you, his calloused yet gentle hands on your hands.

"Oh, Wriothesley, your such a trickster!" You tried to laugh off the rapid beating of your heart, but your half-assed attempt to hide your attraction hasn't gone unnoticed by Wriothesley.

"Oh? Dear Y/N, why so nervous? After all, we are just "friends" aren't we?" He chuckled.

Your mouth goes dry as your heart races. Suddenly, your brain cells started vibrating and working as hard as they can to compute an answer. You then realized it. YOU. LIKED. WRIOTHESLEY. YOUR BEST FRIEND???? (OMG CONFESSION TIME???)

"Well, I wouldn't be opposed to going to the dance with you. You're the only male suitable in this entire school" you tried to ask nonchalantly, bit that was difficult due to you being a blushing mess.

Wriothesley suddenly gets up from his bed and you can't help but notice how fucking hot he looks in a tuxedo(that's y'all school uniform ;]). "May I offer you a hand, and a heart, Y/N?" He proclaimed softly, only for you to hear.

You can't help yourself anymore "Wriothesley, I don't want you like a best friend. I want to be more with you. I want to see you everyday and have my day light up. I want to spend everyday and every moment with you." You confessed passionately.

You close your eyes in nervousness and open them up to see Wriothesley's shocked face.

"Oh, wow, I mean. I knew you liked me, I just didn't expect you to be so...bold. so unlike you....I like it~"

You got up and bowed to Wriothesley dramatically, before speaking "You may have my hand and my heart, Sir Wriothesley. I'll gladly go to the dance with you" you spoke in a cheeky tone. You could help but smile as you saw his eyes light up like a thousand suns.

PART 4? (Some mildly spicy or fluffy parts coming possibly???)

[uwmspeccoll]

A Nancy Ekholm Burkert Feathursday

We begin the first #Feathursday of the new year with these illustrations by noted Milwaukee children’s-book illustrator Nancy Ekholm Burkert from Hans Christian Andersen’s story The Nightingale, translated by Eva Le Gallienne and published by Harper & Row in 1965.

The story, originally published in 1843, concerns an emperor of China and his beloved nightingale. When the emperor first encounters the bird, he is surprised that such beautiful notes would come from such a plain bird, but falls in love with the bird and its abilities. Soon, however, the emperor is gifted a bejeweled mechanical nightingale, which displaces the real one and eventually the nightingale is banished from court. A few years later, as the emperor lies dying, the loyal nightingale comes to visit and sing for its old friend. The song is so enchanting that even death stays its hand, the emperor recovers, and the strong bond between emperor and nightingale is restored.

We are humored that Andersen begins his tale by stating the obvious: “In China, you know, the Emperor is Chinese and all his subjects are Chinese too.” Burkert’s usual distinctive, intricate, and detailed style is present here, but this time her illustrations are strongly influenced by her particular fascination with Sung period Chinese painting. The color illustrations are presented in the book as traditional Chinee scroll paintings.

Nancy Ekholm Burkert has won numerous awards for her illustrations, including the Caldecott, New York Times Notable Book, Boston Globe-Horn Book, and Wisconsin Library Association Wisconsin Notable Authors. In addition, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art featured an exhibit of Burkert's work in 2003. She is a long-time Milwaukee-area resident and her husband Robert Burkert (1930-2019), was a long-time professor of fine arts here at UW-Milwaukee (1956-1993).  

View more posts with work by Nancy Ekholm Burkert.

View more Feathursday posts.

[lapetitechatonne]

Lightning Strike

so, this was originally for dpxdc ship week back in Febuary, and i just realized i forgot to cross post it lmaoo, so here's my obligatory wlw contribution to tumblr ☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ ao3 link - here! kate's masterlist - here!

Lightning Strike - 2.5k

Since becoming Clockwork’s apprentice, Dani had seen it all. The beginnings and endings of societies, civilizations, and even whole worlds. She understood now why Clockwork had taken her on, it wasn’t because he needed the help, but rather the company.

Watching all of time pass, over and over again, was a lonely business.

But Dani was used to lonely.

Her years spent on the streets, watching people pass by but never really interacting, taught her that. Sure, she made some friends along the way, but the connections were fleeting as the pull in her core demanded she move on.

Clockwork’s tower was the first place she felt okay truly staying at, but that had to do with the infinite possibilities playing on the portals all around her. It was hard to feel suffocated when you had a new adventure every day.

It wasn’t something she thought about often, but doing her routine portal checks was tedious, and perhaps she had seen one two many happy groups of friends or couples. The human part of her deep down wanted that. Someone to talk to and joke around with who didn’t know all her punchlines—she swore hanging out with Clockwork got more frustrating every day.

Father Time truly was a big blob of dad. All the way down to finishing her jokes for it.

Maybe she should pay her cousin dearest a visit. At least he wouldn’t see her pranks coming.

Her mind was so occupied with the pranks she could pull, she didn’t even notice lightning start to break through thick ectoplasm, until the was a large crack and a hole tore open right beside her.

Dani jumped as an arm of lightning reached out, almost hitting her square in the chest. The green of the zone mixed with the golden colored lightning, swirling in a bright halo of the oddest electrical storm she’d ever seen.

Almost too quickly for her to see, the storm collapsed in on itself, settling into an uneasy silence. Then, as quickly as it collapsed, it expanded to twice the size before spitting out a yellow blob. The blob shot straight through Dani, who barely had time to go intangible, and into the ghost zone, lightning trailing behind it.

Dani didn’t wait for her thoughts to catch up, she just raced after the thing. She wasn’t exactly sure what it was, but she was pretty sure it was her problem. God, she hated being Clockwork’s personal bouncer.

It wasn’t hard to follow the blur, electricity tended to linger in the ectoplasmic filled atmosphere longer than others. When she finally caught up with it, she couldn’t help but laugh.

Floating upside down, wiggling her legs, was a redhaired girl in a yellow superhero suit—or at least Dani assumed from the Flash symbol on the girl’s chest. Her red hair was falling out of the back of her bun, swaying with her movement, and when she caught sight of Dani there was an immediate fire in her hazel eyes.

Dani liked this one. She seemed fierce.

“Are you just going to stare?” The girl crossed her arms, glaring at Dani.

Dani just giggled and reached out, poking the girls shoulder. She squeaked as her body hurdled around. Dani used a hand to stop her from going in a circle.

“Oh,” the girl blushed lightly and gave Dani face splitting smile, “thank you. You wouldn’t happen to know where I am, would you?”

“The Ghost Zone.” The girl tilted her head and furrowed her brows. It was too cute. “Well, some people call it the Infinite Realms. Or the Place Out of Time. Oh, and the Between.”

Dani tapped her chine, trying to remember any other names. It seemed like every Earth and time had a different name for it, so Dani didn’t really retain any of them.

“Hm. Do you know how I could like, get home?” The girl cringed as she looked around, and a small frown played across her lips.

“Probably,” Dani crossed her arms behind her head, leaning back, “Clockwork would know. If anyone can get you back to your time, it’s him. I can take ya, if you’d like?” Her chores could wait. This was way more interesting.

“Don’t really have any other options, so I guess so,” the girl smirked, playful and a touch mischievous. “I’m Impulse.”

The girl held out her yellow gloved hand and Dani smirked back.

“I’m Dani—with an i.” She took Impulse’s hand, and even through their gloves Dani could feel how warm she was. It was nice. “Humans can fly in the zone, so just hold onto my arm and you should be fine. Wait, you are human right?” Dani blushed as Impulse giggled.

“Meta-human, if that makes a difference?” She tilted her head and blinked her long eyelashes.

Dani could feel the cold ectoplasm rise to her cheeks giving them a green tint.

“It shouldn’t, but I guess we’ll find out,” Dani gave Impulse the cheekiest grin she could muster, and the other girl actually laughed.

Dani offered her arm to Impulse like the movies she’d watched with Jazz.

“A proper gentleman,” Impulse teased as she placed her hand in the crook of Dani’s elbow.

“Of course! I was taught to treat cute girls right.” Dani winked, and they both dissolved into laughter.

Something fluttered in her stomach as they laughed until they were out of breath. It was a euphoric lack of oxygen that stopped all critical thoughts in Dani’s head. The only thing that existed was them and this moment.

“Do you want to take the long way?” Dani asked, not knowing what she was saying until she heard herself. She couldn’t bring herself to regret it.

“Sure,” Impulse smiled, all teeth and pretty pink lips, “we’ve got time.”

Dani beamed at her and began the flight back to Clockworks. She flew slower than normal, but not by much. Irey’s brain was fast, making connections that Dani couldn’t dream of faster than she could keep up.

Still, there was something oddly content about the redhead as she flipped around in the green atmosphere. Dani showed her some of the more interesting sights, almost running them into the River Styx because Impulse wanted a closer look.

“I can’t wait to tell my brother, he’s gonna be so jealous,” Impulse gushed as Dani pulled her away from the black churning waters. “You know, this is actually the slowest I’ve ever gone. Well, my brain I mean, not me physically.”

“It makes sense,” Dani let them float up towards the far frozen, the last place on their little tour, “the Infinite Realms are technically a place outside of space and time.”

Impulse hummed in response, looking deep in thought. Dani let her think—it was a lot to learn there was an afterlife of some sort, Dani learned that on her travels. It was sometimes even harder for people to understand that it wasn’t what they pictured or believed in.

Dani witnessed a lot of breakdowns she didn’t know how to stop before realizing it. Sue her, she was technically like four.

They stayed silent until they reached the Far Frozen, which got the redhead rambling again. This time about biomes and how they related to different species across the universe. Dani thought that she would get along too well with Danny.

It was all too soon that they reached Clockwork’s tower, which rendered Impulse speechless for the first time on their journey.

“Here we are!” Dani gently held Impulse’s sides and brought her down to the platform. Dani could feel her hot breath fanning across Dani’s face and the static electricity that covered the girl's body.

“Thank you,” she smiled, her hazel eyes sparkling with different golds and greens across the deep brown surface, “not just for helping me, but for being so kind. Not everyone is this nice when you fall into their dimension.” She giggled, and Dani sensed there was history there.

She wished they could talk about it all. Funny—even in a place without time, Dani never felt like there was enough.

“It was my pleasure. And kinda my job? It’s a little unclear.” Dani shrugged, while Impulse shot her a questioning look. Her head was tilted to the side, her brows furrowed making a cute little indent on the bridge of her nose. Dani wanted to run her fingers over the area until it smoothed out.

Dani shook the thought out of her head. Now wasn’t the time.

“I’m Clockwork’s apprentice, though, I think he took me on to keep him company more than anything,” Dani pushed open the large doors to the clock tower, the screech of the hinges echoing against the dark stone. “And you’re lost in time. So, it’s kinda my job to help get you back. That’s why I chased after you in the first place.”

“Oh,” Impulse frowned a bit, almost looking disappointed.

Dani felt herself internally panic—oh god, did she make a pretty girl sad? How was she supposed to fix this?

Dani took a deep breath, trying to calm her suddenly racing thoughts. This was not something Vlad’s programming taught her, but you know what? She could figure it out. Yeah. She could do this.

“But I’m really glad I was the one that found you,” Dani said. She watched as the frown on Impulse’s face softened, and Dani knew she was on the right track. “You’re the most interesting thing to happen around here in a while. I liked showing you around.”

Impulse smiled at her and stepped forward into Dani’s personal space. The redhead reached up, and slipped off her mask, revealing more of her tan skin—and freckles that dotted the bridge of her nose.

“My real name is Irey.”

Dani could only stare at Irey, both amazed and shocked by the show of trust. And even though she might never see the redhead again, Dani wouldn’t—couldn’t—let her walk away without knowing the girl behind the ghost.

Dani held eye contact as she let her transformation go. Waves of cold power washed over her skin until she was fully human.

“My name’s still Dani,” she chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck, “but I’m part human too. Half ghost, half human. A halfa.”

“That’s sick,” Irey laughed, a small yellow spark jolting through her eyes.

Dani could have stayed there staring into Irey’s eyes for eternity. Unfortunately, Clockwork had other plans.

“Danielle,” the sound of Clockwork’s voice pinged off the walls as he descended from the top of his tower, “I see we have a guest. Aren’t you going to introduce us?” He gave her the smirk he got when he was actively trying to be a little shit.

Sometimes they were too similar for Dani’s tastes. Now was one of those moments.

“I’m Impulse,” Irey put her mask back on, staying close to Dani’s side. “I’m a little lost. We hoped you could help get me home.”

“Of course, child,” he smiled as his form shifted from an adult to an old man. He flew up the tower without another word, just expecting them to follow.

Typical.

Dani huffed, but walked up the broken staircase with Irey, helping her jump from the harder platforms.

“A bit cryptic, isn’t he?” Irey asked as she effortlessly parkoured over the platforms. It was hot.

“That’s his brand or something. We’ve given up questioning it,” Dani shrugged lazily floating up, enjoying the show. Dani’d never seen anyone seriously attempt to take the stairs, even Sam and Tucker would make her or Danny help them.

“Yeah, I know the type—ah!” Irey squeaked as a platform moved at the last moment, causing her jump to fall short.

Dani rushed into action, propelling herself forward to catch Irey. She wrapped her arms around Irey’s lean frame, static electricity and heat coming off the redhead in waves.

“Are you okay?” Dani asked searching Irey’s eyes for any sort of pain or discomfort.

“I’m good,” Irey’s voice was breathy as she relaxed into Dani. She wrapped her arms around Dani’s neck, pulling the dark haired girl close to her.

Dani let her eyes flutter closed, the scent of burned rubber and apple shampoo burning itself into her memory. Her boy tingled where it met Irey’s in a pleasant way, and the heat warmed the parts of her usually cold to the touch.

After a few moments, she felt Irey’s hold on her loosen and the warmth pull away. Dani pushed down the urge to chase the feeling.

“Thank you.” Irey smiled and the bridge of her nose tinted pink. Dani knew that she probably looked like a tomato by now.

“Anytime.”

Dani broke eye contact and floated up to the top of the clock tower. She gently let their feet hit the ground, not wanting to jolt any possible ankle injury Irey might have sustained in the fall.

“Well, you took your time,” a child Clockwork commented, a pleased smirk on his face. “Anyways, I think I’ve found your time.”

With a flourish of his staff, a portal sprung to life, swirling in front of them. In shades of green, Dani could see people dressed a lot like Irey with lightning bolts adorned all over their bodies in a field looking around.

“That’s it! That’s where I was when—well whatever happened, happened.” Irey excitedly pulled out of Dani’s arms, the electric field around her crackling.

Clockwork laughed, deep and boisterous as his form switched to adulthood. “The Infinite Realms is the place between universes. The buffer of the multiverse if you will. Instead of moving between earths, you were going just fast enough to get stuck between them.”

Dani watch different emotions cross Irey’s face faster than she could keep up.

“So, I could come back if I wanted?” She eventually settled on excitement, the air around her crackling with small yellow lightning bolts, the light catching the shine of her hair perfectly.

Dani didn’t know that someone could took so beautiful standing in the middle of a lightning storm. She was suddenly sad lightning didn’t strike the same place twice.

“With your abilities? No doubt about it.” Clockwork shared a look with Irey that Dani couldn’t decipher when her heart was pounding in her chest.

The idea of getting to see Irey again was exciting in a way that life hadn’t been for a long time.

Suddenly, in a burst of wind and yellow, Irey was standing right in front of Dani, their faces only inches apart.

“I’ll see you soon.” The way she said it, like it was a promise, made Dani grin back.

“I’ll see you soon.”

Irey leaned in and placed a small kiss on her cheek, soft and electric all at once.

As quickly as she was there, she was gone. Through the portal back to her world. Her family.

Dani smiled, a dopey stupid grin that Danny so would have made fun of her for, but she didn’t care.

Dani couldn’t wait for the next storm.

[wereshrew-admirer]

oooof it’s get weepy about chine and duvall wednesday, it seems.

[ryuwonieebae]

𝚂𝚟𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚃𝚁𝙾𝙿𝙴𝚂 & 𝙸𝙼𝙰𝙶𝙸𝙽𝙴

Hyung Line

𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬 - soulmates

I just felt like it suited scoups.

-Three words that describe your relationship with Scoups are 'meant to be'.

𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧 - enemies to lovers

Do I even need to explain? It's definitely suitable for his angelic evil character.

-Jeonghan was your enemy since high school. It all started because of the stupid pranks he pulled on you but you found yourself falling for him as you both grow up.

𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐚 - the boy next door | p2 | p3 | p4

Joshua would be the sweet neighbour and will be a gentleman that will help you with literally everything.

-You're life changed after Joshua, a sweet gentleman became your neighbour. You found yourself slowly falling for him after spending some time with him as a friend but only to find out...

𝐉𝐮𝐧 - childhood sweethearts

Jun is most likely to fell in love with his childhood bestie who he grew up with, someone who can bear his craziness and his short temper.

-You and Jun were born in Shenzhen, Chine and grew up together but he had to go to South Korea to pursue his dream of becoming a successful singer. After 4 years, you decided to go to South Korea to continue your studies there and to meet Jun who still has feelings for you.

𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢 - loud boy x quiet girl

As we guys know Hoshi is a loud introvert. I think he would prefer someone who is a bit opposite of him.

-You were the quiet girl and Hoshi was the loud boy in your friend circle. You both didn't speak that much as you both thought you both hated each other as your personality are quite different but everything changes after your bestie pranked him that she loves him.

𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐨𝐨 - academic rivals

Wonwoo is literally considered as the smartest member seventeen. He also loves books so yeah.

-You were the top student in your whole school. No one could ever beat you until that one day your professor introduced a new student.

𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐳𝐢 - bestfriends to lovers

Woozi would definitely prefer someone who knows him better than anyone else. In my opinion that person should be his bestfriend.

-Woozi wrote a song which was secretly for you but what if the secret is no longer a secret...

[badgermolebender]

I so desperately want a massive political history of The Earth Kingdom. If I could have any other thing from the world of ATLA/LOK — book, show, comic, game — it would be that. Bc I am so interested in it.

🚨 Spoilers for every thing — Yangchen and Kyoshi books, ATLA, LOK, Comics, etc. 🚨

The earliest we hear about an actual Earth Kingdom and Earth Royal family is in F.C. Yee’s Yangchen books. At this point, the Earth Kingdom has just gone through a civil war, wherein the White Lotus manipulated the Water Tribes and Fire Nation to sponsor a challenger to the throne, which is wild. The challenger was defeated and the Earth Kingdom entered a period of intense isolationism. There are a handful of port cities where foreign trade is allowed, with incredibly powerful governors who actively manipulate the system to build their wealth at the expense of the citizens. The Earth King is paranoid af, to the point that he is donning disguises and sneaking around to catch plots against him. And some of these governors are actively plotting against him and inventing new weapons of mass destruction (combustion benders) in order to usurp him.

The next we see of the Earth Kingdom is in the Kyoshi novels were it’s a devolved mess of warlordism. Various daofei groups had taken over parts of the inner provinces and the Earth Monarch was incredibly weak. There’s also the whole Wars of Secrets and Daggers scramble for the throne, which is only mentioned.

According to the Wiki, in the online comic Escape from the Spirit World, Kyoshi pressured the ineffective 46th Earth King to adopt a constitutional monarchy in order to prevent further oppression. This occurred in the aftermath of a peasant revolt that occurred after the death of Chin the Conquerer.

Avatar Legends then gives us a King Jialun, who reversed many of the progressive changes of this constitution and murdered the sages who agreed with Kyoshi in “The Night of the Silenced Sages.” The government was recorrupted, but no other successor had the same power as Jialun. So the Earth Kingdom monarchy was corrupt but weak.

Then we next see the Earth Kingdom with King Kuei (the 52nd Earth King). According to the old website, he ascended to the throne at the age of 4, which is why Long Feng — who served as regent — was able to essentially takeover.

But based on what we see in the show, the Earth Kingdom has completely splintered. The Earth King only has power in Ba Sing Se, and that power is only ceremonial. He is unaware of the 100 year war and completely inept to rule. Then it’s Azula and the fire nation takeover.

In the comics that come between ATLA and LOK, King Kuei, without the influence of Long Feng, takes an active role in the governance of the Kingdom. He is willing to go to war over the colonies in “The Rift,” but is also willing to be shown wrong. He was instrumental in the peace after the war and fully restored the monarchy as the full power of the Earth Kingdom government.

Then we get to LOK. Hou Ting is a fairly powerful, incredibly corrupt monarch. She tried to exert more control over the people, especially the outer provinces. She’s then killed by Zaheer. The power vacuum is ultimately filled by Kuvira, a non-dynastic dictator who rules by force and sponsors brain washing and the forced removal of Fire and Water nation descendants. The next dynastic ruler is Wu (whom Kuvira had usurped). He is Hou Ting’s great-nephew, and at least third in line from her. He is the only surviving member of the dynasty and seems unprepared to rule at his coronation, after three years of living in Republic City.

After the whole Kuvira thing is taken care of (Book 4 of LOK), Wu then decides to abdicate and democratize the Earth Kingdom. The post-canon comics (Ruins of Empire) show the struggles and setbacks of this, but ultimately reaffirm this path.

And I am so obsessed with this whole history. There are, according to the Wiki, at least 2 dynasties, the Hao and the Hou Ting. It resembles Chinese history, but doesn’t just follow it. There’s dynastic decline and really interesting incidents that I wish were more fully fleshed out. Not to mention as the centralized monarchy weakens, you see the rise of local powers, like the King of Omashu. I just find the whole thing so fascinating and I wish I had a comprehensive book.

[usafphantom2]

Today is the SR -71's 59th birthday as a birthday present I would like to share a part of Paul Crickmore’s (a humble yet highly, intelligent English gentleman) summary of the SR 71 from his new book Lockheed Blackbird: behind the Secret Missions the Missing Chapters (it can be found on page 498.)

The SR 71 with cameras in the chine bay and SLAR sideways-looking airborne radar our SR 71 boasted the ability to provide simultaneous optic coverage of the target area.PHOTINT and RADINT ( photograph, and radar intelligence) which the A-12 could not do.

It was the SLAR system was continuously upgraded throughout the life of the program accumulating in an operational development of Loral Advance synthetic aperture radar system a SARS. This advance, digitalized radar system with a resolution of less than 1 foot at NADAR enabled, imagery to be transmitted and real time /near real time direct to the end user.

This capability was demonstrated at Det 2, and could have been deployed operationally much earlier if the program hadn’t been starved funds by the so-called “fighter mafia” that held the balance of power in the Pentagon during the late 1980s early 1990s and that ultimately allocated Air Force funding accordingly the same generals as well as senior officials of other US intelligence agencies were the ones who argued that the aircraft was far more expensive to operate than any other aircraft in the inventory.

🌟OF COURSE IT WAS. THAT’S BECAUSE NO OTHER AIRCRAFT IN THE INVENTORY COULD DO ANYTHING LIKE WHAT THE SR 71 AND ITS SENSORS COULD DO. AS HABU PILOT, MAC McKENDREE OBSERVED “IT’S NOT AN AIRPLANE. IT’S AN AIR-BREATHING MAN SUBORBITAL SATELLITE. EVERYTHING ABOUT IT WAS UNIQUE: FUEL, HYDRAULIC FUEL, TIRES SCREWS, FASTENERS, TITANIUM CONSTRUCTION IS UNIQUE IF YOU WANT TO COMPARE THE SR TO SOMETHING THEN COMPARE IT TO THE SPACE SHUTTLE “

Air Crews selection, for the SR-71 program was always hotly contested as they were all unquestionably at the top of their game. They had to be….The demanding mission, the complexity of the aircraft and its systems…

Consequently, crewmembers entering the SR-71 program with the rank of major were usually promoted to Lt.Col among completing their tour. However, all of this changed with the arrival of General Larry Welch, as Air Force chief of staff, and his cohort as a result, the last six crews that entered the program as Majors, were all passed for promotion, the rumor was that their personal folders were never passed the promotion board and NOT surprisingly. This had the demoralizing effect on their pride, and a detrimoralizing impact on their salary and pension. There is no doubt that those involved with the Blackbirds were of the highest caliber and real team players… totally focused on ensuring that the mission whatever it may have been was a success. as Pratt and Whitney‘s Arnie Gunderson recalled” Everyone I encountered on the program was proud of the role. From the commander of the wing to the airman who mopping up the JP seven from under the wings everyone demonstrate the highest degree of respect for their teammates “

And it’s final analysis it can be argued that the SR-71 program was terminated at least five years earlier than necessary. Indeed, it had received the technology packages that already existed and were demonstrated during the period which it was briefly reactivated during Det 2 at Edwards from 1995 to October 10, 1997

Kelly Johnson would have been bang on the money when he predicted in 1964 that his platform could perform its duty to the intelligence community and national leadership until 2001 and beyond.

If history teaches us anything it is that we should never take democracy for granite and that dictators should never be appeased.

Thank you, Paul Crickmore a honorary member of the Habu family. We all appreciate what you have done to tell the story of the unique SR 71 program Linda Sheffield a proud Habubrat.

@Habubrats71 via X