#choir apparel

[decadentworld]

Going to see the town Christmas tree light up woooo

[ednyfedfychan]

“Yorkist and early Tudor kings considered physical beauty young women's primary qualification for their appointments as maids-of-honour because their appearance was a crucial element in the impression their courts made on their contemporaries and a major topic in reports about them. A foreign visitor to the queen's chamber during Edward IV's reign commented specifically, ‘Nor have I ever seen such exceedingly beautiful maidens’. Edward Hall noted ‘the beauty of the English ladies’ who accompanied Katherine of Aragon when she entered London for her marriage to Prince Arthur in 1501. Two decades later he praised the ‘beautiful train of ladies’ who assisted Katherine to receive Charles V when he visited England. Gasparo Spinelli, a Venetian who attended festivities at Greenwich in 1527, wrote that the ‘beauty and apparel’ of the women who were attending the banquet ‘caused me to think I was contemplating the choirs of angels’ and that the eight ‘damsels’ who performed in the disguising were of ‘such rare beauty as to be supposed goddesses rather than human beings’. In a revealing gesture, when Henry VIII took Anne Boleyn to meet Francis I in 1532, he removed the visors from the English female maskers to display ‘the ladies' beauties’ to the French king. As the king told Anne Basset bluntly in 1540 after he repeated his refusal to appoint her sister Katherine as one of the queen's maids, he ‘would have them that should be fair, and as he thought meet for the room’.”

— Barbara J. Harris, English Aristocratic Women, 1450-1550: Marriage and Family, Property and Careers

[abeinginsand]

oakworthy + singing !! (i used a random word generator and the first word it gave me was "straighten" LMAO)

Thanks for the ask, siren!! :D ---- Hermie was in the choir in middle school but lost interest when the main teacher retired. The new teacher was a nice person, but whatever music they chose didn't pique Hermie (well Herman's) interests. Got really hard for Hermie to give their all when the pieces stopped being fun. Practice over lapped with theater too, so they left choir practice behind. After stopping, Hermie would sometimes linger near the choir room. Particularly on a stressful day...whether the stress was from school work or at home. Parents were worried one time when Hermie was late coming back home due to falling asleep listening to the choir while hidden away in a nearby corner.

Hermie continues lingering in highschool too. They like secretly catching up on what songs the group is learning. Always makes sure to slip away before practice ends to avoid any questions/recruitment though. There are collaborations with drama and choir, so its not a clean split. One such project included a December carol performance in the neighborhood near the school. Hermie only did it for the extra credit and singing practice originally. Finding out Normal had signed up to help as well...was interesting. Apparently the cheerleader was covering for a choir member since they had a cold. I'm imagining the two helping each other out with the songs. Probably on the same days that they work on Normal's fanfic together. Again, I feel like Hermie mostly has the singing itself down but may struggle with lyric memorization given they aren't that interested in most of the music chosen. Could be fun if Normal helps them associate certain verses with dc or other musical/play related stuff to help. Normal's struggle....volume control? Tends to have to shout for the usual mascot and cheering chants. With door to door caroling, the distance from the listener is much smaller. Also knowing he won't be able to wear the Teeny costume is a major source of anxiety. The holiday apparel they will be wearing looks pretty cool though (think the men's wear type stuff from that teen fact) and frilly. Probably some before performance shenanigans where Norm forgot his tie and Hermie has a backup. Asks Normal to 'straighten up' and puts the tie on for him while he stands still. Hermie intensely focused on getting the tie right while Normal's flustered about his crush being this close. Second idea, Normal likes coming to Hermie's performances and the actor does their best to come to the games. At first it was about that scheme to take the costume. Normal brought so much energy and passion to the field that the schemer nearly forgot their goal a few times. Enjoying Normal's performaning so much eventually leads to Hermie memorizing some of the mascot chants/songs. Best day of Normal's whole month when over-hearing Hermie's voice among the chanting crowd. Last idea, Normal visiting Hermie on a rest day and humming/singing softly to him. Hermie teasing him a bit about a sudden serenade being a bold move while smirking/smiling some until they end up falling asleep. The sleepy actor wakes up later to see Norm is by their bed-side, sleeping in a chair. Ends up convincing him to use the bed-- a cozy and relaxed moment.

[hysteriche]

Filipino Demigod Children in PJO Headcanons (Highschool Edition)

Please note that most of this is just for fun and should be taken with a grain of salt and as a joke. With that being said, enjoy this shitpost.

No, I am not over my PJO phase and with its resurgence in popularity, here's a list of what I think Filipino kids would be like in Camp Half Blood according to their godly parent (we start with the big twelve): Zeus: Fuckboys. Just. Fuckboys and them basketball cuties. Palagi silang nakavarsity jacket o kaya nakashorts/sports apparel. Pag may date sila, nakadefault outfit ng white shirt, khaki-color pants, white vans o sports shoes tapos may dala-dalang fanny pack na wala namang laman kasi yung pera nila, nasa bulsa. The Zeus kids are some real eye-candy (because Zeus) and have loud, thunderous voices na dinig sa likod pa ng classroom at sa buong court kapag naglalaro ng basketball. Isang linggo lang sila nagkakajowa bago sila makikipagbreak... tas babago nanaman.

Marami kasi silang daddy issues kaya di nila alam kung pano tratuhin ang mga babae pero mahal na mahal nila mga mama nila kasi mama's boys na spoiled brats rin. #ballers i guess.

Their defining trait as Zeus's kid is that they have really loud voices and you'll always be drawn to their presence; because aside from being kind of charismatic, they're just bubbly, party people over all. ...still fuckboys though.

Demeter: Either mga artsy kids o yung mga magagaling sa Biology. Their color aesthetic for clothing is either muted browns to light beiges and greens or bright, pastel. No in between. Sila yung tipong firm at leader type yung personality, either class pres o vice pres tapos paminsan pa-epal pero they mean well naman. Nagagalit sila tuwing may nag-s-skip ng cleaning duties o sinisira yung mga halaman na dinala nila para sa class deco.

Sa friend group nila, sila yung "mom friend" na no-nonsense at tipong nagbibigay parati ng advice para hindi na masaktan yung marupok nilang kaibigan (na palaging nafa-fall para sa Zeus kid) pero hindi rin lang sila pinapakinggan.

Alam mong anak sila ni Demeter kasi ang gagaling nila mang-alaga ng halaman at pati na rin ng tao. Punctual sila at organized to the point na nakakatakot na pagminsan. Hindi sila inaasar ng mga classmate kasi tuwing nagagalit ang mga Demeter kids, either sisigaw sila hanggang may darating na teacher o iiyak nalang sa harap hanggang lahat damay sa guidance.

Athena: Syempre mga topnotchers at kumon babies o kaya mga honor students na ginagawang personality nila yung pagiging honor student. Tahimik silang mga tao pero super dependable sa research kasi alam nila kung ano ginagawa nila (unlike your dumb ass na gumawa ng estetik na background sa Canva para sa Background of the Study jusko). Fashion sense nila ay puro collared na polo na may kasamang knitted sweater o knitted vest tsaka baggy, brown pants o schoolgirl na skirt. Sa tuwing recitation, sila nangaaway sa mga Demeter kids kung ano ba yung tamang sagot (plot twist: mali silang dalawa paminsan). Athena kids hate the Zeus kids, the Aphrodite kids, and most especially the Ares kids kasi sila parating pabigat sa group works.

Their defining trait as children of Athena is that they're very academically gifted/inclined pero pagdating sa street smarts o pagiging madiskarte, doon sila nahihirapan. Magaling sila sa recitation at sa mga individual tasks pero pagdating sa groupworks, masgusto nila maging leader kasi ayaw nilang bumagsak. "Failure is not an option" yung mindset nila and they often base their worth on productivity until their friends have to step in para gumala at kumain kasi ilang araw na silang umiinom ng kape at di natutulog para lang tapusin yung research. Athena kids like to sacrifice sleep for studying kaya pagminsan, natutulog nalang sila sa classroom.

Apollo: Do I even need to elaborate? SYEMPRE, sila yung mga choir kids, theater kids, band kids, AT mga sadboi. For the choir kids, tahimik lang naman sila. Chill lang. For the theater kids na anak ni Apollo, medyo high strung at super energetic sila. Magaling magrole-play at umarte para sa mga video assignments tsaka may paborito silang mga mainstream na plays kagaya ng Hamilton o kaya Heathers. Sa Band kids ni Apollo naman, chill rin sila but they never, ever shut up about how band practice went. And then we have the sadbois. Paborito nilang song artist o band is either December Avenue o Ben&Ben... o kaya both at the same time. Outside of the Theater and Choir kids ni Apollo, Band kids and Sadbois always carry around an instrument. The difference is that the Band kids use their instruments for, well, band. Pero yung mga sadboi, nakikita mo silang palaging may dalang gitara. Kahit hindi nila nilalaro, meron at meron silang hawak na gitara ta's pakanta-kanta ng either: a. Sa Huling Sandali by Ben&Ben

b. Pagtingin by Ben&Ben

c. Sana by I Belong in the Zoo

d. Kung 'Di in lang Ikaw by December Avenue

e. Sa Ngalan ng Pag-Ibig by December Avenue

Their defining traits as children of Apollo are their godly-parent-given talent in singing and the art of making every girl/guy who they like not like them back--especially for the sadbois/girls. Their default form of courtship is through singing or "Harana" and it usually works out for them EXCEPT the sadbois/girls who seem to be in a state of perpetual rejection by their crushes. It's not that 'di sila pogi o maganda, they're just somehow almost always attracted to the people who don't like them back and it becomes a subject of many, many, MANY uncalled for jamming sessions.

Pt2 to come soon (should I translate them properly into English...)

[jessicafurseth]

Reading List, On the Move edition.

"I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive." [Joseph Campbell]

Image: Pansies by Henri Matisse (c 1903) via @paintings_i_love

*

A silent hike along the John Muir Trail [Harmen Hoek on YouTube]

"At one point in time, say the late 2000s, the chief evidence of being a hipster was denying your status as such, it was that vital of a label. Your pro- or anti-hipster opinion constituted an entire worldview. Various trends – craft cocktails, indie rock, American Apparel, vinyl, skinny jeans — were identified with the hipster. There were three options: You were a hipster, you disliked them, or you disliked that you were one." Why did we stop saying “hipster”? [Kyle Chayka, One Thing]

The great women's art bulletin - a series that doesn't miss. [Katy Hessel, The Guardian]

"My online life is a sprawling, overwhelming mess with a price tag that increases every few years. If these archives were in my home and not in the cloud, I have to imagine that visitors would pull me aside for an intervention or refuse to come over altogether." Charlie Warzel is in cloud storage hell [The Atlantic]

"Procrastination isn’t a unique character flaw or a mysterious curse on your ability to manage time, but a way of coping with challenging emotions and negative moods induced by certain tasks — boredom, anxiety, insecurity, frustration, resentment, self-doubt and beyond." Procrastination isn't a time management problem, it's an emotion regulation problem [Charlotte Lieberman, The New York Times]

Memory is more about your future than your past [Kevin Dickinson, Big Thing]

"Overlay the years a woman is supposed to establish herself in her career and her fertility window and it’s a perfect, miserable circle. By midlife women report feeling invisible, undervalued; it is a telling cliché, that after all this, some husbands leave for a younger girl. So when is her time, exactly? For leisure, ease, liberty? There is no brand of feminism which achieved female rest. If women’s problem in the ’50s was a paralyzing malaise, now it is that they are too active, too capable, never permitted a vacation they didn’t plan." This story had my messages lit up for a whole day - there's a LOT going on here.. [Grazie Sophia Christie, The Cut]

The case against "decanting" groceries [Jaya Saxena, Eater]

What happened to the teen babysitter? [Faith Hill, The Atlantic]

“I wanted my life to resemble fan fiction.” When Lily moved in with Grace and Danny and they all had a baby. [Choire Sicha, The Cut]

"I like to think we’re starting to embrace a softer kind of strength. Maybe taking care of ourselves, whatever that looks like, can now be as celebrated as dodging death for a summit." [Beth Rodden, The New York Times]

The Mad Perfumer of Parma [Molly Young, The New York Times]

What Have Fourteen Years of Conservative Rule Done to Britain? I am so ready for this election, just the thought leaves me shaking [Sam Knight, The New Yorker]

How to be alone with your thoughts - a matter of practice! [Allie Volpe, Vox]

Big Sicilian Energy [Jo Piazza, Cosmopolitan]

Anatomy of a snack trolley - a delight from Amelia Tait [CityAM]

"We live in an age of therapy speak, in an age of seemingly every song and TikTok and book using the language of introspection and healing and self-care, because we live in an age of increased isolation, of detachment from the messiness and joy and danger of the real, physical world. A culture of excessive introspection is not a sign of collective or personal growth, but a sign of disconnection from the outside world and each other." [PE Moskowitz]

Reading the Rocks [Jenny Odell, Emergence Magazine]

[bettyyss]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: lowell choir red vintage print hoodie 🍒.

[stageaccentsnj]

Looking for the perfect show choir dress, look no further than our online store. We offer a wide range of stylish and colorful show choir apparel for men and women. Our dresses are made of the highest quality materials and are sure to impress your audience.

[stageaccents]

undefined

Looking for High School Choir | College Choir Apparel | choir apparel l Stage Accents

We offer formal dresses and custom apparel for beautiful girls. This is a perfect show choir and high school choir/college choir in unique fabrics, colors, and designed outfits for young ladies of various ages. Get these from our store.

[campbellsoupgansey]

why is choosing electives so hard aah

[simianbrothers]

Custom design is our thing! Don’t settle for some bland pre-canned design template for your shirts. Let us create something truly unique and special for your group or event. Like these shirts created for Saratoga Schools Fall Concert. 4/color screen print on #Gildan Softstyle t-shirts. #screenprint #screenprinting #printing #apparel #print #screenprinter #appareldesign #spiritwear #school #schoolconcert #choir #music #saratoga #saratogaschool #saratogahawks https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ExHUuhzP2/?igshid=fsj1g88lsy4r

[avengershumanresources]

blood 1 - Strange/Stark!Reader

Relationship: Dr. Strange/Princess!Stark!Reader

Rating: M

Warnings: Adult Themes, eventual smut (like, wayyy down the line), adult language, implied sexual violence, general violence

Synopsis: Reader is the daughter of the legendary King Anthony Stark, Uniter of Lands, The Iron Defender, and leader of the realm. When the king disappears during battle, hope is lost and he is presumed dead.

When the late king’s uncle, Obadiah, takes the throne until your brother Peter is of age, he quickly arranges a marriage for you with a wicked king in a neighboring kingdom.

With the realms politics in question, and rumors of an upcoming siege to overthrow Peter’s rule before it starts, you quickly learn who is loyal to the crown and who is not.

Masterlist 

Chapter Playlist

1 - an empty grave

Cast:

The Royal House Stark:

King Obadiah Stark (Obadiah Stane)

King Anthony Stark (presumed dead)

Queen Virginia Stark (Pepper)

The Late Queen Alexandra Stark (your mother)

Princess Stark!Reader- you

Prince Peter Stark (Peter Parker)

Princess Morgan Stark

Knights:

Sir Samuel Wilson

Sir Steven Rogers

Sir Clinton Barton

Spellcasters/Master Sorcerers/Sorceresses:

Stephen Strange

Wanda Maximoff

Master Wong

Loyal to House Stark:

Natalia Romanoff (Natasha)- Assassin

James Barnes- her partner

Prince Thor- of Asgard, United with Stark’s kingdom

Prince Loki- of Asgard

Lady Brunhilde- of Asgard

Lady Sif- of Asgard

King T’Challa- of Wakanda

Princess Shuri- of Wakanda

(---) 

In a final twist of irony, the day of the funeral was bright and warm. 

You’d stood quietly while the priest recited his words, while candles were lit, while the Queen trembled silently next to you. You held Morgan’s hand, you listened while the choir sang, the ominous sound reverberating through your chest. 

The mourners in black whispered while the royal family walked up to an empty coffin. You touched the polished wood, fist tightening at your side. Pepper bowed her head, reciting a quiet prayer. 

How stupid. All of this was stupid. Praying to an empty box, crying over nothing. 

You kept your eyes down, lest you betray your own thoughts. Now wasn’t the time for rebellion. Not when your queen step-mother was relying so heavily on tradition and ritual to get through the day. It’d be borderline cruel to start antagonizing her in this way. 

No, you’d wait. 

Peter, your half-brother in blood but full brother in heart, touched your elbow, pulling you from your thoughts, and guiding you away from the coffin. He kept his eyes forward, expression stoic while he lead the family back to their positions in the massive cathedral. 

“They’ll pay for this,” he murmured low into your ear, as if reading your mind. The words were laced with a malice you’d never heard from the normally cheerful prince. 

You didn’t reply, instead you grabbed your younger brother’s hand and gave it a tight squeeze. A silent agreement. 

The attack had been a betrayal of one of the kingdom’s oldest allies, a neighboring kingdom ruled by someone your father had once trusted with his life. 

Apparently nothing was sacred anymore. 

The funeral ended somberly, mourners murmuring amongst each other, ladies fawning over Pepper, though the queen looked none too pleased with the attention. 

You searched the crowd for a pair of familiar of blue eyes, finding their owner tucked away from the crowd in a secluded corner. He was speaking quietly to the sorceress, Wanda, his eyes flicking up to meet your gaze. With a small nod, he signaled you over.

Weaving through the mass of people, you slipped into the conversation with Wanda regarding you, frowning in sympathy.

“I’m so sorry, your highness,” she whispered, bowing her head. “Your father was a good man, and an honest king. The realm is less for this loss.”

“Thank you,” your tone was colder than you’d intended, a reflection of the bitterness taking form within. Clearing your throat, you tried again, softer and more agreeable this time. “He truly was the best of us.”

Stephen sent Wanda a quick glance and the sorceress excused herself, parting the hall in a hurry.

“You’re angry,” he noted quietly. 

“Am I?” you hummed, quirking a brow up at your friend. “I thought I was supposed to be sad?”

“You’re allowed to be angry,” he replied, folding his hands behind his back. “It just means you understand the injustice of it all.”

“Peter wants revenge,” you stated, mimicking his motion and staring out at the sea of royals and court members. 

“Understandable,” he murmured. “I imagine a number of officials feel similarly.”

“He isn’t old enough to take the throne,” you supplied. “We can’t go to war without a seated leader.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time an heir succeeded in an unorthodox manner,” he noted before turning his head to look at you. “How are you, truly?”

You opened your mouth to reply, words catching in your throat. You felt hollow. You felt like you wanted to scream until you woke up from whatever nightmare you were caught in. Your heart felt like it had been ripped from your chest and stomped on. 

“I’m not certain,” you finally confessed, hands straining against each other behind your back. “Part of me wants to ride through the night and kill that traitor. The other wants to curl on the ground and fill the empty grave myself.”

He nodded in understanding.

“Grief is a powerful thing,” he replied softly, scanning the room before turning and giving you his full attention . “Would you like hide in the observatory a while?”

You looked up to him in surprise. The room was still full of mourners, citizens, and members of the court. Your duty would be to talk to everyone as they passed, pulling the burden off of Pepper.

“Can we?” you asked, voice cracking at the thought of having to converse any further.

Stephen gave you a mischievous smirk, nudging you toward a side door of the church. You followed his lead, slipping out of sight and tucking yourselves away from the crowds inside a small alcove. 

“They’ll want to focus on Peter and the queen anyway,” he noted casually, drawing up a portal with his fingers. “No point in dwelling. I’ll tell anyone who asks that you fainted from the stress and required immediate medical attention.”

“I’m sure they’ll all believe it,” you retorted with a matching grin, taking his hand and letting him help you through the portal with all of your heavy mourning apparel. 

The observatory had been a new addition to the palace after Stephen had arrived as its master sorcerer. Before, it’d been an abandoned archer’s tower, last used by the late king’s father, Howard, as a means of defense against the previously antagonistic kingdoms. 

After King Anthony had taken the throne and negotiated trade and peace treaties with the nearby kings, the reinforcements had largely been forgotten. 

Stephen had suggested it as an ideal place to study the cosmos above, and after some urging on your part, your father agreed to let the two of you repair the small space. When the foundation had been fixed to his specifications, Stephen added another enchantment to increase the size internally.

From there, the two of you worked to fill the space with objects of learning and interest. 

The walls had been lined with stacks of books, maps of the universe, and healing runes. Tables had been set with with all sorts of alchemical experiments, glowing amulets, and charmed quills. A small greenhouse had been established on one of the many turret balconies, where you helped tend to some medicinal herbs and enchanted florals. 

It was a place of peace and knowledge in a world of chaos and ignorance and in it, Stephen had taken the time to teach you the secrets of the universe. It was one of the few places you knew you truly could belong without judgement. 

“I’m not convinced this isn’t sabotage,” he stated once you were alone, the glowing orange portal snapping shut behind him. 

“What makes you say that?” you asked, lifting a book, flipping through a few pages in an attempt to distract yourself from his blunt words. You agreed there was some kind of malice involved in the attack, but sabotage suggested someone within the kingdom had betrayed your father. For such as honest and good your father was, your heart couldn’t handle such a reality.

“Whispers in the village,” he answered tersely. “Wanda was giving me her report when you approached. She is traveling to the next village over as we speak.”

“Rumlow betrayed his alliance,” you replied bitterly, refusing to look up from your book, though you couldn’t tell what the thing was about. Plants? Chaos magic? “What more is there to discover?”

“Why did he do it?” he asked. “What motivation does he have to sever one of the strongest military alliances in history?” 

“Greed? We’ve had a surprise in economic activity since the scholar agreement with Wakanda,” you guessed with a shrug. “This isn’t a smart man we’re dealing with. I’m met him once before. He’s ambitious and motivated, but not particularly clever.”

“Peter is almost of age, your father has prepared him for his new role thoroughly,” he continued, pacing the space. “It doesn’t make sense. Everyone is well aware he will be of age to take the throne in six months time, and now this just ensures his placement.”

“Not everything does,” you reminded him. “You taught me that. Or don’t you remember?”

You paused after a moment, peeking up from the book after letting his words settle.

“Maybe he plans to use Peter’s inexperience against him?” you suggested quietly. It wasn’t a pleasant thought, but even with the training and learning, Peter was a different person than your father, perhaps not in morals but certainly in other areas like strategy and planning. 

“I intend to get to the bottom of this,” he stated, his hand tightening at his side. You’d never seen Stephen so inflamed before. “At the very least, I can try to retrieve his body. Negotiate a dignified exchange.”

The words pierced your heart far more painfully than you’d anticipated, your hand gave a jerk and you dropped the book you’d been fidgeting with while he spoke. 

The mental image of your fathers head on a pike outside of Rumlow’s keep was enough to make you nauseous. 

“I’m sorry,” Stephen’s tone shifted at your reaction. “I’m getting ahead of myself.”

“Don’t apologize,” you assured him, clearing your throat and composing yourself. “You’re just doing your job. It’s why he trusted you to the position. You’re asking the questions that need to be asked.”

He watched you pluck the book off the ground and toss it on a nearby table with a low sigh. This was a precarious position he found himself in. 

On the one hand, he’d been appointed as the Master Sorcerer of this castle and this realm. He had an obligation to serve that role and ensure the safety of the kingdom’s inhabitants. Not to mention, his obligation as a peacekeeper in his position as Sorcerer Supreme at Kamar-Taj.

On the other, you were his dearest friend and companion, and the obvious hurt you were suffering made his other duties nearly impossible to focus on. It was no wonder Kamar-Taj frowned on intimate attachments, they did provide a distraction from the ambivalent roles sorcerers and sorceresses were bound to play. 

He wanted to serve as an unbiased judge in this troubling time, but his heart wanted him to seek justice and bring peace to your troubled mind. 

His eyes drifted to the telescope at the edge of the room and an idea hit him.

Perhaps a distraction was best for the time being? A small respite to pull away from the doom and gloom of the immediate future.

“Do you remember that star cluster I showed you last week?” he asked, hooking and arm over your shoulder and guiding you toward the window. “There’s a fascinating change that’s been occurring.”

It was still relatively bright out, though with the sun was just starting to dip over the horizon, there was enough darkness to point out the phenomena he’d discovered the night before. 

“Let me adjust-,” he tinkered with the measurements before signaling for you to lean in. “Do you see it?” 

“They’re changing color,” you noted with a small gasp of excitement. “That’s a promising omen, isn’t it?” 

Your expression had brightened considerably when you looked up at him. 

“It is,” he nodded. “The specific colors suggest a period of tranquility and prosperity after a short struggle.”

“Then maybe it isn’t all terrible,” you tried voicing optimistically. It sounded strange, like you still weren’t entirely convinced, but the evidence was clear before you. 

Stephen knew the stars never lied and had taught you as much over the time you’d spent together. 

You sighed sadly, giving the stars another peek and shaking your head when you pulled away. 

“I miss him,” you murmured, looking up at Stephen miserably. 

The sorcerer frowned sympathetically, before he moved toward you and pulled you into a tight embrace.

You pressed your cheek against his chest and allowed his arms to wrap around you. 

“I know,” he replied softly, resting his chin on your head. “Just know he loved you very much, and wouldn’t want to see you so hurt on his behalf."

That seemed to break something in you, and you buried your forehead into his chest, shaking with suppressed sobs and held back tears until finally you choked out a wave of emotions all at once.

He spent an hour sitting with you while you cried into his tunic, yelling about how angry you were to how miserable all of this made you feel. He listened, offering a handkerchief and when you started to calm down, summoned a fresh pot of herbal tea.

“We will find answers,” he stated, blowing gently over the steaming cup in his hand. 

“You sound so sure,” you noted with a bitter chuckle, eyes swollen and red from your tears.

“I’ve tampered with seeing the future from time to time,” he replied cheekily. “Perhaps I’ve had a vision?”

“And what did that vision show you?” you pressed, playing along with a ghost of a smile behind your own cup. 

“We win,” Stephen replied firmly, his expression falling serious.

“Doesn’t feel like it,” you confessed quietly. 

“Victory seldom does,” he watched you take a sip of your tea. You closed your eyes and relaxed your shoulders with the calming scent.

You opened your mouth to ask him a question when a knock at the observatory door broke the small spell of peace that’d fallen over the space.

“I’ve got it,” he gestured for you to stay seated, moving toward the door and slowly peeling it open. 

It wasn’t that he was overtly concerned for your safety, but given recent events, Stephen didn’t want to be lax in covering all possibilities. The world had gone mad and he wouldn’t put an assassin with a dagger outside the realm of potential visitors.

“Is the princess here?” Loki, Prince of Asgard, asked with a tone laced with annoyance upon Stephen’s appearance. 

“Loki?” you must have heard his voice and stood, setting your cup aside. “Stephen, let him in. It’s okay.”

With a glare at the prince, Stephen stepped aside and allowed the emerald clad royal through. 

He didn’t like outsiders in the observatory. Especially when you were around. 

It made him especially uneasy inviting another magic user inside, where they could potentially measure its wards and security for later aggression. 

“Peter mentioned you might be here,” Loki glanced around the room, arms folded behind his back. “I apologize if I’m intruding.”

That last part was directed toward Stephen with the smallest smirk. 

“No, it’s okay, we were just having tea,” you replied quickly, gesturing to the steaming pot on the table. “Could I make you a cup-?”

“No-,” he cut her off and cleared his throat apologetically. “I’ve come to say farewell. My father is ordering the borders to Asgard closed until Rumlow’s nation offers an explanation to this… tragedy.”

“I see,” your expression fell at the news. 

Certainly Asgard closing its borders was a worrisome sign. They were the kingdom’s greatest allies and largest trading partners. The effects of such a move would be felt for quite some time, both in security and in the local economy. 

“I’ll write,” he promised with a curt bow. “Don’t fall behind in your studies. I’ll be testing you the next time we meet.”

You smiled before he took your hand for a brief kiss on the knuckles. Rolling your eyes, you pulled away and threw your arms around his shoulder in a hug. 

“What a sad parting,” you laughed at his bewildered reaction. “And you’re going to kiss my knuckles like we haven’t known one another for years? On the day of my father’s funeral? Unacceptable.”

He barked out a small laugh, reciprocating the embrace with an arm before pulling away. 

“Stay safe,” he urged her before looking up at Stephen with a steely gaze. “Do well to keep her protected, Sorcerer.” 

“Always,” Stephen answered tersely, a little offended at the prince’s casual disregard for his abilities. He’d always kept you safe, and had absolutely no intention of letting that guard slip now. 

“Travel safely,” you called after him and he gave a final wave before pausing in the doorway when Stephen moved to close the door.

“Keep her close,” Loki warned quietly, the smirk disappearing completely. “There are whispers in the village of treachery and assassination. Do not let anyone have the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.”

“My associates are building wards around the castle and her quarters as we speak,” Stephen replied in agreement, a quick glance in your direction to ensure you weren’t listening. 

“The tea was a nice touch,” Loki noted with a hum. Stephen nodded curtly. 

The tea had a protection enchantment included in the mixture of herbs. Something small, but effective if you found yourself in danger without him, Wong, or Wanda nearby.

“Be well,” Stephen closed the door once Loki was out of sight, turning and finding you digging through his trunk of cloaks at the back of the room. “What are you doing?”

“I want to see Natalia and James,” you answered, pulling out a large blue cloak and holding it to your shoulders. 

“Absolutely not,” he crossed his arms. “Your father was just killed, possibly murdered. You’re not going to the village unprotected.”

“That’s why you’re coming,” you threw a crimson cloak in his direction, fastening the blue one over your shoulders. 

“Did you miss the part where I said murdered?” he asked in disbelief. 

“Then it’s a good think I’m friends with assassins,” you chimed back, pulling the hood of the cloak over your head. “They might be able to tell us something.”

“I’m sure Wanda and Wong have already talked to them,” he shot back, folding the cloak over is arm. “You should stay at the castle, at least for tonight.”

“You already know I’m going to go regardless,” you replied. 

“Because you’re a headstrong idiot,” he sighed, reluctantly pulling the cloak over is shoulders. “Who clearly has a death wish. What if your family comes looking for you?”

“They won’t,” you answered with a confident grin. “Mother is going to be with Morgan and Peter is going to lock himself away in the armory or training fields until the knights give up and make him retire to his chambers.”

“You’re so confident in your knowledge of the castle,” Stephen snorted, tying the cloak around him. 

“It’s what happens when you’re the eldest daughter of a king,” you replied, patting him on the shoulder. “You see everyone, but no one sees you.” 

“Poetic.”

“Also, you owe me an ale for enchanting my tea,” you quirked a brow toward him when he stammered back a response. “Didn’t think I would notice?”

“I’m losing my touch,” he sighed, waving a hand and summoning a bag of coin.

“No, you’re just turning into a fussy mother hen,” you grinned, the smile looking far more relieving than the grief he know you wore on the inside. “It’s endearing.”

Wha danger was a short outing for the evening? It was arguably safer in a crowd than alone in her chambers, especially while Wong was still working on the wards.

Besides, the assassins you’d found friendship in would do well to keep threats away as well.

And while Stephen pondered this thought, you were already part-way out of the room and headed toward one of the hidden passages in the hall. 

(---)

2 - a night at the pub

TAG LIST (MESSAGE ME IF YOU WANT TO BE ADDED)

@ayamenimthiriel​ @drstrangely-strange @ladynothing​ @im-a-bi-disaster-help​

[multistan-kpopwritings]

You Are My Sunshine

➟ pairing(s): YoungJae x Reader

➟ genre(s): Fluff

➟ word count: 978

➟ warnings: nothing

Lullabies: You Are My Sunshine | Baby Mine | Beautiful Boy | You Make Me Happy

You met the group a little over a year ago when you took the new job as Jackson's new assistant. It was difficult to keep him on task but you managed. Between Team Wang and GOT 7, you didn't know if you were coming or going half the time.

One night after a late meeting, you dropped Jackson back off at the shared apartment. He invited you in for a little while to take a look at a few new designs he had for some new apparel. You rolled your shoulders and tried to release some tension when the soft strumming of a guitar caught your attention. You followed the sound and found YoungJae playing guitar.

You stood at the entrance of the room and listened intently. When he finished the riff you softly applauded him. Unfortunately, it did startle him. He jumped a little and almost dropped his guitar.

"Oh," he blushed, "I didn't know you were there." You smiled at him and knelt next to where he sat.

"I didn't know you played," you said pointing to the guitar. "I played when I was younger. My mom was a choir teacher, and she taught me." You smiled sweetly at him.

"Choir teacher," he asked, tilting his head to you, "Do you sing too?"

"I might remember how. Do you mind," you chuckled and held your hands out toward him? He placed the guitar in your hands and admired you as you played a few chords. You hummed along to the tune you played. It was strange that something so simple, made you feel so relaxed. You didn't know if it was the simple act of doing something from your childhood or just spending time with someone so sweet.

"Wow, you're really good," YoungJae said to you. You smiled at him again and handed him the guitar. His eyes focused on the entrance, where Jackson now stood.

"What's going on in here," Jackson asked. He motioned between you and YoungJae. "When you're done flirting, I've got the drafts." He laughed and left you two alone.

"I have to go," you rolled your eyes, "my work is never done." You rubbed YoungJae's knee before standing to leave. "This was nice, thank you," you smiled from the door.

Since then, once a week you found yourself with YoungJae, tucked into a corner together playing guitar and singing. The two of you grew closer until it was undeniable there was something there.

What started as little stolen moments, became the highlight of your week. You would find ways to touch him longer, and he would sit closer. If it was late in the evening, he would order your favorite takeout or insist you stay the night so you didn't have to drive home.

When he finally made the first move and kissed you, he was just as shocked as you were. To this day he still doesn't know what got into him; yet, here you were a year later, laying in his bed with his head on your lap and guitar in his hands.

"Y/N," he said sweetly, "will you sing to me?" You looked down at him and saw him bat his eyes at you. You brushed his hair back and laughed.

"Of course sunshine," you said, "whatever you want." He started to play a familiar tune and you laughed. You continued to comb through his hair as you sang softly.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are gray

You'll never know dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

He continued to strum as you sang to him. This was his favorite place in the world.

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms

But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

So I hung my head and I cried.

You would sing to him if he had a stressful day or couldn't sleep. The guys loved to give YoungJae about it, but he couldn't have cared less. You made him happier than he could ever put into words.

I'll always love you and make you happy,

If you will only say the same.

But if you leave me and love another,

You'll regret it all someday.

YoungJae set the guitar beside him as he turned over and rested on his elbows, his face inches from yours. He kissed your cheek and giggled.

"You know that will never happen," he said, kissing your cheek again. You looked at him and quirked your eyebrow. "You always sing that if I leave you, I'll regret it." He pointed to the table next to the bed. "Can you grab that book in the top drawer for me?" You leaned over and searched the drawer. That stupid book was nowhere to be found.

"I don't see a book," you called to YoungJae. You turned to see him kneeling next to the bed. "What are you doing down there? Did you fall?" You giggled and crawled to the side of the bed he was on.

"I did fall," he said, "I fell hard." He reached for your hand and kissed your knuckles. "The first time you sat with me and I heard you sing, I fell in love with you." Your eyes started to tear up and you tried to fight the urge to cry. "I'm never going to let you go," he said softly as he held out a small velvet box, "and I'm hoping you'll never leave me." He met your eyes and you could see the tears in his eyes. "This is where you say something," he whispered.

"Yes," you squeaked, "Yes, a million times yes." You practically lunge at him and tackle him to the floor. He threw his head back and laughed as you peppered his face with kisses.

[patt-off]

random memory time:

back when i was in 4th grade my choir teacher changed the lyrics in deck the halls from “gay apparel” to “bright apparel” for whatever reason

and being the salty queer 10 year olds me and my “friends” were, when the caroling time came: we sang “gay apparel”, and a bit louder than everyone else

so ya, take that miss lauderdale >:)

and i am naming names because i am still a bit salty about that

[ladyhearthkeeper]

Please tell us more about how you were raised like a Victorian lady. I would like to be accomplished too.

Hello :)Thank you for your ask. I will try to answer it the best way I can.

Well, the main thing is that in my education more emphasis was given to building my manners, broadening my mind and my taste for art, music and literature, religious obligation rather than a career.

This is a quote from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen that expresses what I mean by accomplished like a victorian lady :

“No one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with.  A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, all the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.”

“All this she must possess,” added Darcy, “and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”

So these would be more of the superficial (yet important elements) of what makes a lady accomplished.

To that, one needs to add a foundation. A proper victorian lady was raised as a believing woman. This provided her with a space to work on her soul but also provide kindness to her community and those in need.

Even though I use dear Jane Austen to explain this, I think Margaret Hale from Elizabeth Gaskell’s North & South is a better example. Examples help us find what we want to work towards.

Now that we have a framework, here is more about me…

I was encouraged to read all kind of books, in any genre. Back when I was a teen YA wasn’t really a thing so I read proper books. YA are nice but they are not enough to broaden a young mind. I mostly read classics but I didn’t stop at that. Books were my best teachers. Later, when I realized that I wanted to become more ladylike I even read guides written in the 19th century for young ladies. You can found them at the Project Gutenberg. Books like this one.

It helps that I studied literature, with a particular interest in 19th century novels. Victorian ladies were well read and had a lot of knowledge. So I think it’s important to choose a good subject to study, not as a mean to earn money but to broaden your scope. It doesn’t have to be frilly, it can be science, technology etc. The goal is to learn more.

I joined the choir (I regret not knowing an instrument but I would like to remedy that one day), took painting classes since I was a kid, and learned how to embroider, sew, and crochet. I still eagerly learn new skills. Activities such as these also helped me to have a sense of what is beautiful. Of course, I was also taken to the museum and to concerts, and taught about nature. Learning to attune your sense to beauty is important.

The more you learn how to do, the more you become accomplished. To take the time to learn something new, gives you patience but also substance. Especially if you dedicate yourself to the mastery of a skill or a subject. 

Contrary to what one may think, these ladies did not lack depth nor intelligence. It wasn’t only about knowing how to hold a smile.

I’m lucky to be from a culturally diverse background. It gave me the opportunity to learn many languages but also about how to identify different types of social cues in different cultures. All this to make sure I keep my behavior attuned to those of around me and not make them uncomfortable. If you know about someone else’s culture or background you know how to make them feel at ease.

So yes, knowing how to hold herself in society is also part of what makes a lady accomplished.

I was taught by my mother how to behave with others, especially men. It’s about having a sense of propriety. How to receive people and to honor invitations. How to hold a conversation. But I learned more from observing rather than actually being taught.

I was also taught how to make condolences visits, how to support bereaved people, how to be supportive with people who need help, how to be part of a community. Of course, charity work, volunteering have played a big part in my life too and have given me the opportunity to go beyond my own self. Keeping a good inner life is what gives a graceful quality to our outer behavior. It’s more important to work at being a good person than learning a new skill.

All these things I’ve listed in the previous paragraphs can be explained more thoroughly if you wish. But I wanted to mention them because being a victorian lady is more than being good at playing the pianoforte. Lady Catherine de Bourgh would approve.

Most of these things are drawn from my own religion but they reflect the values of 19th century Britain. So maybe your own ethics can help in the matter.

I’m not a social person, I am more of a wild creature of the woods. But I have been so used to being aware of my behavior towards other people that in spite of my mood, I can keep a serene agreeable countenance. Not always unfortunately but most of the time. So much that one day, after leaving party I told my friend that I didn’t feel social at all and I was glad I was going home and she was surprised because I talked with everyone and remained interested in what they were saying. 

It’s not about being fake (please don’t do that) but of not imposing your mood on others. That doesn’t mean saying yes to everything and forcing yourself to be social all the time, but it’s knowing how to hold your own when you don’t feel like it. It’s about saying ‘ok I don’t feel that great but I’ll deal with this after I’ve honored this social situation and once I’m alone or with intimate friends or family.’

I think deportment is also very important. I was vaguely taught about it (I attended some ballet classes as a kid but I didn’t continue)  I think the practice of yoga has helped me better understand how to use my body gracefully. It’s about understanding how to hold yourself, it flows outwards from your own sense of worth and dignity.

Here’s a good illustration from Elizabeth Gaskell’s North & South :

« And as he looked with this intention, he was struck anew with her great beauty. He had never seen her in such dress before and yet now it appeared as if such elegance of attire was so befitting her noble figure and lofty serenity of countenance, that she ought to go always thus appareled. She was talking to Fanny; about what, he could not hear; but he saw his sister's restless way of continually arranging some part of her gown, her wandering eyes, now glancing here, now there, but without any purpose in her observation; and he contrasted them uneasily with the large soft eyes that looked forth steadily at one object, as if from out their light beamed some gentle influence of repose: the curving lines of the red lips, just parted in the interest of listening to what her companion said—the head a little bent forwards, so as to make a long sweeping line from the summit, where the light caught on the glossy raven hair, to the smooth ivory tip of the shoulder; the round white arms, and taper hands, laid lightly across each other, but perfectly motionless in their pretty attitude. »

This is what I mean about deportment. It’s not about the surface but poise, an inner serenity and openness to the world. 

But, without telling you the whole story, I have to just add that the character described here, Margaret Hale, is not only defined as a lady by her behavior at this party but also by her behavior in times of loss, with people in need of help or even people behaving in an uncouth manner. She is also characterized as a lady in her kindness and generosity towards others. These are key to being a proper victorian lady. For this, volunteering for a good cause can benefit your character immensely.

How to be gentle is also an important thing.

Most ladies had servants but they still knew how to run a house and keep a home. These skills are also important but more tedious to describe.

Those are only a few points that I’m exploring but there are many other things that can be said in the subject. And I don’t think there is just one way to go about it. But reading helps, it can help you identify what you want to emulate and what to avoid. I could give you a list of books that can inspire you if you want. :)

Now, having said all of that, I don’t think I’m an expert on the subject. And I’m far from being a perfect lady. There’s a lot of room for improvement. But when I read those novels I feel like these women were raised the same way I was and I feel understood. I don’t think it’s necessarily how everyone should be. There are other skills that I struggle to learn and that would help me better navigate in this world. Skills that were not necessarily taught to victorian ladies...

I simply wasn’t raised to be a career woman (there’s nothing good or bad about it, it’s just how it is) but I was raised to be an accomplished lady. 

I hope this wasn’t too long, and I hope I answered your question. If not, you can ask again. Thank you for asking I enjoyed replying to this.

I’m sorry for any spelling mistakes or forgotten words. I’ve notice I’m more prone to these recently.

[jojoseames]

SkekTober day 21! Stand in awe of the beauty of skekEkt, the Ornamentalist!

It is an incontrovertible fact that to be a Lord of the Crystal is to be the embodiment of its power, its radiance, its majesty...to be grace and power and beauty eternal, an experience of awe for any creature who might stand in their presence. Of course...some skeksis--not skekEkt, who is gorgeous and perfect--might have a little trouble, sometimes, with looking the part. But never fear, never fear! Here comes the Ornamentalist, who has dedicated his life to the pursuit and perfection of beauty in all its forms!

Lovely skekEkt is the genius designer behind the skeksis' apparel. He sees it as not only his responsibility, but his pleasure to clothe each one of his companions in styles to suit and flatter their unique charms...and downplay those insufferable little sags and wrinkles that remind them all that they're not as young and pretty as they used to be...although skekEkt is still the youngest-looking and the prettiest one by far!! Innovative and enthusiastic, skekEkt designs garments and jewelry, invents his own cosmetics, decorates the castle, and--along with his...friend? skekNa the slave-master--selects which podlings will play and sing in the orchestra and choir.

While other skeksis bicker at court for political influence, skekEkt's own ambitions are of the more purely artistic nature.  As long as his fellow lords pay him enough attention to keep his ego adequately flattered, and so long as his cheerfully hedonistic lifestyle is maintained, optimistic, effervescent skekEkt remains untroubled by any dark clouds...or dark veins of energy ravaging the planet's environment.

India ink on my finest watercolor paper. This illustration incorporates elements of Henry Keen's illustrations for Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray".

[beardscanty]

Designing Your Custom Team Shirts

The best custom clothing firms will have worked with a number of sports experts and teams. If they are top rated firm, they should show their client portfolio on their site. Alternatively, you may be capable to browse review sites through internet to get a feel for how well their previous designs have been received. Once you have found a customize team shirts producer and you are happy to go ahead, it is time to pick your garment. Whether you opt for t-shirt, polo shirts, custom Jerseys, sweatshirts, hoodies is up to you - but ensure the garments are produced to high standard using a durable material like cotton.

If you are buying a full kit for a big group of people - whether a school choir or a netball team - you may want to consider other clothing items as well as custom sports shirts. For example, many producers also supply bags, customized ties, hoodies, jackets and more, especially if they know they are going to be traveling combine. There will be other thing to consider when picking your garment. For example, would you favor short or long sleeve? Do you want your hoodies to be unzipped or zipped? It is vital to be clear on these details before submitting your design to reject delays in the creation of your garments.

You can also incorporate different colours into your design, so there is no need to stick to one team shade - you can have many. Not only can you hand pick the colour of the body of your shirt, you should also be capable to customise buttons, piping, sleeves, collars and more. If you are ordering shirts for a sports team, you will likely be thinking about having the players numbers or names showed. You will be capable to add images, text, or logo in a number of ways depending on the look you hope to get. Speak to your picked customize sport apparel producer to find out what services they can provide.

Click here to Learn more about customize team shirts