#even if a bit of a challnege

[walkingstackofbooks]

Treat- Gashiar "Protective Garak"

It took me quite a while to remember if I'd ever written something matching that description hehe XD (I really don't write that much Garashir, and what I do write is canon-typical-subtext with more than a dash of Garak's-a-dick-even-when-he's-trying lmao.)

But actually, yeah - a whole chapter of Vision Awry was Garak being protective over Julian - even if Julian was very much resenting it! - and that definitely was something I was very proud of. So, my apologies if you've already read it, but here's an extract from that!

<Link to ask game here!>

--

“I trust your experiment was successful?” 

Bashir scowled at him. “You really can’t let anything go, can you?” he said, frustration evident in his voice.

“I am certain you've made that observation before,” replied Garak, raising his eyebrows at the doctor. 

Bashir pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing deeply, before locking eyes with Garak. “Fine,” he said, “I’ll tell you. But I’m trusting you, Garak - you can’t tell Girani, or anyone else. Somehow, they don’t understand how important this is. But you’ll understand, won’t you?”

Garak could almost taste the doctor’s desperation. “I’m sure your explanation will be enlightening,” he said carefully; not a lie, but not a promise, either. 

Apparently it was enough for Bashir. He sat up straighter in his chair, still holding Garak’s gaze with a determined intensity - as though eye contact was a task that required great focus. 

“I think you know that this is the third time I’ve re-lived this day, and that in each of the three previous versions, Chief O’Brien died.” He paused for confirmation; Garak nodded. “Well, the first time it happened by accident - but on the second and third days I was able to synthesise a serum that allowed the time-travelling effect to take place once again. We still haven’t worked out exactly what’s happening, but to put it simply, it seems that absorbing delta series radioisotopes into my bloodstream allows me to experience a temporal shift while I sleep.”

“And that’s what you were formulating on my counter,” said Garak, mind racing to work out why Girani was supposedly so opposed to it. “Excuse my ignorance, Doctor, but that does sound rather dangerous - almost as if you’re giving yourself radiation poisoning.”

Bashir shrugged. “In effect, I am, yes,” he said, “but only very mildly, and it seems to disappear when the day resets. Trust me - I’ve given myself a very thorough medical workout, and there are no physical side-effects. It’s perfectly safe.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Garak replied. “I assume any mental side-effects are equally well-accounted for?”

“Girani’s wrong about me being suicidal, if that’s what you’re asking,” Bashir said bluntly. 

Garak pretended to take a sip of his now-too-cold tea, watching the doctor carefully over the rim of the mug. Bashir continued to meet Garak’s eyes coolly, daring the tailor to argue back. 

“I bow to your expertise, Doctor.” 

Bashir’s eyes widened slightly before his lips settled into a smile, pleased at Garak’s response, just as Garak had known he would be. With his next question already on his tongue, Garak leant forward. 

“If I may ask, what precautions are you taking so that you don’t become so in the future?” 

Immediately, the doctor opened his mouth, but then closed it, sitting back and appearing to properly consider the question. This was satisfying; Garak had hoped that Bashir would find it difficult to just brush his words away. Although he did believe that Bashir genuinely did not think he was a danger to himself, he could not yet be certain that the doctor’s self-assessment was more accurate than Girani’s.

“I’m not going to just… give up,” said Bashir slowly, eyes flickering from side to side as he collected his thoughts. “That’s the crux of the matter, isn’t it? If I can’t save Miles, then I’m going to keep going until I do save him, no matter how I feel. And if he doesn’t die, then it’s all over anyway, and everything will be fine, again.”

“And how are you feeling, Doctor?”

“What?” Bashir looked confused, as though he actually couldn’t imagine why Garak would have asked him that.

“You said that you’re going to keep going, no matter how you feel. How are you feeling today, my dear?” 

It wasn’t sentiment asking the question, Garak assured himself. It was a natural continuation of the trap that Bashir was talking himself into, and the doctor would never answer if he didn’t believe that Garak cared. 

“You asked me something similar in the infirmary, too. Since when did we discuss our feelings?” the young man asked playfully, trying to cover up his vulnerability with a gentle laugh.

“My dear doctor, your feelings are always on display to me . Every discussion we have is positively awash with your emotions. You do not try to hide them.”

That was not entirely true - Julian simply wasn’t good at hiding how he felt. There had been many times over the years where the doctor had suddenly grown quieter, more reserved, some sort of shame stealing the passion or hurt from his voice; but it was not usually so difficult to discern what Bashir’s true feelings were. 

“Earlier, you said I was a puzzle,” Bashir said.

“Earlier, you were.”

“Then why are you asking, Garak?” the doctor replied with a soft, weary sigh. “If you’ve managed to figure me out, why not just tell me how I’m feeling?”

Sitting back, Garak clasped his hands together in front of him, considering if he should take up that invitation, and how far he could go before Bashir decided he’d had enough. 

“Well, if that’s what you’d like…” he said.

Bashir scoffed. “Everyone else seems to be, so I guess I might as well hear you, too.”

Garaks’ lips curled up into a wide smile. “You’re angry, doctor, and frustrated. You resent being put on this fifty-two-hour watch - and actually, I do believe you’re embarrassed by it, too. You’re scared it might interfere with your ability to save Chief O’Brien, and you’re distressed by the memories of watching him die. And you’re trying to ignore the possibility that it might be impossible to ever save him--”

“That’s not true!” Bashir interrupted. 

“Isn’t it, Doctor?” asked Garak blandly. “You’ve accepted that all this time travel might be…futile?”

“Of course I haven’t!” he exclaimed. “You wouldn’t either, if it was someone that you lo-- that you cared about. There’s got to be a way that Miles can survive today - and however long it takes me, I’m going to find it, you can count on that.”

“Hmm,” Garak said. “I am afraid to say that I remain unconvinced. I cannot claim to know how the universe works, but if Chief O’Brien is supposed to die today, then I suppose the day will end with Chief O’Brien dying. You cannot cheat fate, Doctor, no matter how hard you try.”

“I won’t accept that, Garak,” Bashir shot back. “You can’t know that you’re right.”

“And nor, my dear Doctor, can you,” said Garak, increasing the harshness of his voice. “How many days will it take you to stop chasing this pointless quest? Twenty? Fifty? One hundred?”

“I don’t know!” Bashir stood up sharply. “But you can jolly well bet that it won’t be today.”

“Your loyalty is commendable,” said Garak, also rising out of his chair. “But it should not be your priority. Your optimism cannot last forever, Doctor: what happens when it runs out? When will you push yourself beyond your limits, and will anyone be able to catch you when you do?”

Bashir crossed his arms. “You’d do anything for Cardassia,” he retorted, “whether or not it was good for you, loyalty to the state comes before anything else, doesn’t it? Well in the Federation, we’re loyal to our friends - they come first. I suppose I shouldn’t have expected you to understand that.”

Sometimes, Garak felt as though he was merely a spectator in his own body, hearing his voice speak words that he hadn’t yet thought of. His need to win this argument, prove himself right overcame everything else, and muscle memory took over, caution giving way to borderline cruelty.

 “They’re hardly the same, Doctor, but I would not expect you to understand that, either. You have clearly failed to grasp the most basic concept in Cardassian literature.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“I speak of the repetitive epic, Doctor. There is nothing that ever really changes. Oh, small details might, you may be able to buy some extra minutes, even hours for our Chief of Operations. But in the end, you will fail, just as you’ve failed before, and you will be far better off if you accept that now. Chief O’Brien is doomed, and you will be too if you continue down this foolhardy path.”

“This isn’t a Cardassian novel, Garak, this is my life!” Bashir snarled, stepping angrily towards the tailor. “How could I live with myself if I didn’t try? If I give up on Miles, I might as well give up on myself!” 

Bashir was breathing heavily; for a few seconds, Garak watched the rough rise and fall of his chest as the doctor started to recompose himself. The momentary distraction was enough for Garak to swallow his retort, and before he could say something that he would really regret, he walked over to the replicator. 

“More tea?” he asked, causing a huff of breathless laughter from the other man. 

“Is that all you’ve got to say?” Bashir replied incredulously. “More tea? ”

“I think we’ve both made our positions clear,” Garak said. “And now, I am going to make some more tea. Would you like some?”

[band--psycho]

Vander x Reader - Baby It's Cold Outside

Sorry I didn't post anything yesterday!

This stroy was requested by the lovely @barbersjoy for my Christmas Writing Challnege!

I hope you all enjoy this!💛

Warning-Smut (18+)

Prompt - Baby it's cold outside

“I should probably be getting home,” Y/n began; earning the joy in Vanders' eyes to diminish slightly as some loud protests from Powder, Vi, Milo and Claggor. 

She didn’t want to go, but it was late and Y/n didn’t want to outstay her visit, she’d only come to drop off some presents for them all and then she was going to leave, that had been at least three hours ago. 

She also knew that the blizzard outside wasn’t getting any better, even in the warmth of Vanders home there was still a noticeable chill. 

“I’ll see you again tomorrow,” Y/n soothed as the four children bombarded her with hugs. 

As she said her goodbyes to the children, Vander went upstairs to unlock the front door, shivering slightly when he opened it. 

“Baby it’s cold outside,” he stated softly as Y/n walked over to him. And it was, it was freezing. However the heat that was forming on her cheeks almost took away the harshness of the chill. 

Her house wasn’t too far away but walking anywhere in this weather was going to be nothing of a very cold nightmare. 

“Y’know you don’t have to go?” Vander stated as he lifted his hand to her cheek, making her heart swell as her eyes met his. 

“I don’t want to overstay my welcome,”

Her response earned a small chuckle from Vanders lips, “You’re part of this family, darl’, you could never do that,” he replied, moving his hand from her cheek to her waist, giving it a soft squeeze. There'd always been something between Y/n and Vander, an unspoken love. In fact, it was only recently that the two of them actually admitted their feelings to one another. 

So even though they’d known each other for years, all of these little actions and the sweet nicknames he’d given her still felt surreal. 

“So will you stay?” Vander asked, quietly, trying to hide how much he wanted her to stay the night, he didn’t want to pressure her to stay if she didn’t want to. 

“Of course I will,” she answered back, a shy smile forming on her lips as he pulled her softly into his embrace.

A few seconds later, cheers from the four children echoed from the stairs, making both Y/n and Vander chuckle as they headed back downstairs. 

~~~~~

It was safe to say that they were both feeling a bit more than a little tired seeing as none of the children wanted to go to sleep. Powder wanted to stay up and create some more inventions 

About an hour (and multiple stories read by both Y/n and Vander) later  all four of the children fell asleep. 

But now both Y/n and Vander were snuggled up in his bed. Vander had given Y/n one of his spare T-shirts to wear during the night; he was a lot bigger than her, especially in height, so his T-shirt  was practically a nightie on Y/n; not that she was complaining a single bit. She loved it.

Vander had also made sure to put an ample amount of blankets on the bed as well as the duvet so that she wouldn’t be cold during the night. 

But what was giving Y/n the most warmth was not the blankets nor the duvet, it was Vander. The man was practically a human furnace; and being wrapped in his arms and lying on his chest kept her nice and safe from the chill in the room. 

“You okay there baby,” Vander muttered, as he placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. 

“Mhm,” Y/n sleepily replied; as she nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck; leaving soft kisses along Vanders neck as she did so. 

A very quiet, almost inaudible, low moan slipped past Vanders lips as her lips continued their gentle attack on his neck. 

“Darl,'' he warned softly, his hands slowly beginning to roam over the side of Y/n's body, but she didn’t acknowledge Vanders warning. Instead the next time she placed her lips against his neck, she didn’t leave a kiss like she had previously; no this time she lightly sucked on the skin, causing another low moan to leave Vander lips. 

A triumphant smirk tugged at Y/n's lips as she looked down at Vanders neck to see multiple little red marks; though she did not get much time to admire her work before Vander had flipped her onto her back.

“My turn,” he whispered huskily, shoving the blankets and duvets that once surrounded them both, before grabbing the top of the T-shirt and pulling it down slightly to expose the top of her chest, before copying exactly what she had done to him. 

Earning exactly the same response. 

“Fuck,” Y/n sighed, her hips bucking into the air.

“Easy, baby,” Vander soothed, placing a hand on her hips, his strength holding them down almost effortlessly.

“I promise I’ll take good care of ya,” he continued, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear, earning no response from Y/n other than a desperate moan. 

Vander didn’t want this moment to be over. He wanted to savor every single second of it. 

All those years of wanting; and now here they were. 

Together. 

Doing things they’d both only ever dreamt of. 

He wanted to take his time with her. He wanted to tease her relentlessly, until all she could do was beg for him to touch her. And when he did; it would be almost as torturous as the teasing. Starting off slowly, before increasing speed only to slow right back down again when he knew she was close and do it all over again.

And she wanted him to do all of it

Tagging:

@xacatalepsyx @yn-ymn-yln @bookworm1767 @book-dragon03 @conretewings @the-lone-librarian @cass-brightwood @withmyteeth @bestbitchsstuff @fortune-fool02 @arielpanda1 @wildestdreamcatcher @simping-ella @mothratic @stickyrice5096 @levis-butterfingers @justabigass-simp @munsinner

[writingonesdreams]

Sortinghatchats - The Bold Type

Check out @sortinghatchats and @wisteria-lodge for explanation of the system. Spoilers ahead.

I get the impression Bold Type is a very lion centric show. Its characters are constantly looking for causes, for ways to make the world a better place, to find agendas and make a point through whatever means at their disposal.

Kat seems like the easiest to sort. She is bold, unapologetic, she runs against the door and any obstacle with a lion determination, and has to be alerted to her methods being inconsiderate or even painful for others. When she thinks something is right, she is going to speak up and rage against it, no matter the personal cost to herself. She gets fired from her beloved job because she wants to make a superior pay for supporting hate groups. She goes on a rampage promoting man nipples when Instagram forbids her from making pictures of women breasts. Becoming an activist in the later seasons also reflects this. A lion primary with a cause and with lion secondary ways in how she treats problems, barges through people, and responds to her emotions. Kat can't help but say exactly what she means and feels. Rather telling Adena she is attracted to other girls than keeping it secret to spare her feelings, telling Sutton exactly what she thinks about her safe high paying job that's boring as heck, beating a guy up who insults Adena during their date. A screaming improvising lion to boot. Though she does adopt some snake ways along the way, getting creative and using different angles to get out of tricky situation, like when she finds a way to fulfill her contract to Whole Spa by promoting their products on instagram while calling them out on being racist in the same video.

Jane is a bit harder to sort, since it's her methods that are the most obvious about her character. Jane makes lists of pros and cons. She makes meticulous research for her reporter job and she loves it. Relying on facts, checking over that everything fits, observing situations. Writing for her is a assemble of tools, ways to approach a topic right. She is a clear bird secondary. While all three girls are characteristics for putting their friendship above all else - from romantic interests to jobs - Jane is as much as an cause fighter as Kat. She looks for stories to help people, especially women. She writes her Failing Feminist vertical to help vulnerable women, to tell their stories, to bring down abusive bosses, to raise awareness. Obsessing over politics and higher meanings for her articles from the early season 1, when she starts to get comfortable and confident enough in her position and talent as a writer, she enjoys taking on the challenge of difficult topics. It fires her up. Loyalty and appreciation to Jacqueline, she sees as a mother figure nor to the magazine Scarlet itself that rised her up, stop her from going after more lucrative job for herself in Incite, not realizing how important team and work environment are. When she gets invested in a story, she won't let go just cause it's uncomfortable for her sources or even to people she loves, like Jacqueline. Her relationship with Ryan is based on attraction and similarities as writers, and she doesn't mind starting with sex only, but she breaks up with him the first time, because him hooking up with others girls (which was their mutual deal) doesn't match what she wants from a relationship, wanting loyalty and love for herself. They break up again in season 4, not because Ryan cheated on her, but because he couldn't fess up, when honesty and telling hard truths is Jane's motto and credo in life and she wants a person that values it the same. A lion bird from what I can see.

Sutton might be the hardest to sort. She doesn't have a cause to follow per se, she follows her dream job in fashion, which however counts for lions. It's a hard bumpy journey to decide to pursue it though, working her ass off to keep it and be promoted, to do what she does and loves best and then to find her way in it. Sutton almost doesn't let herself think about it, needing money, trying to be practical. But she is so sad about it. She stifles her own feelings and desires in order to survive in the society she can't rely on because of her drunk mom and hard childhood. When she does come into herself at the beginning of the first season, she thrives. She glows, sparkles, finds her confidence. While being plagued by insecurities if she is enough the whole series, she truly and beautifully shines when doing what she loves in fashion, when she goes after her goals. Sutton is independent, and breaks up with the love of her life, Richard, several times because he poses a risk to her career and reputation. She won't let him pay for her and help her just cause he is 15 years older wealthy suitor, which gets on his nerves. And she chooses to be always honest about her feelings no matter how uncomfortable they are to hear to him, like when she tells him she won't move with him to San Francisco, because of her promotion and she doesn't want kids, because she loves her life dedicated to her job as it is. Sutton isn't people driven, so neither snake or badger, so her cause could be considered her dream and love for fashion, a lion primary. But her secondary looks like a badger to me. Sutton is a charming. She can befriend anyone, put models at ease, call out bad behaviour with diplomatic nuance. To get Oliver's trust she works harder than anyone, looking for ways to help and please. Integrity and showing up are her get go ways to approach problems and challneges.

The lion primary all three share would explain how they get along so well. As mentioned before, no matter their causes or dreams, these friends put everything on the line for each other. They understand and support each other, because they just get where each is coming from, they are proud at each other's fights for the purpose, for improvement, and they call each other out on judgemental or emotional choices. Their bond even shows how strong friendships can be for lions - just cause they aren't loyalists doesn't mean they can't be dedicated and loving to each other, while going after their own things. It reminds me of what @nectargrapes said about lion love yesterday in her posts.

That's my reading, feel free to suggest or discuss any improvements to the sortings if I'm reading them wrong.

Kat - lion lion

Jane - lion bird

Sutton - lion badger

[doki-doki-imagines]

Just caught up on one piece. So two things, first, what did you think of the big mom arc? Second, a bit of a challnege, an imagine where Charlotte Amande, Galette, Myukuru, and Smoothie have arranged weddings and fall in love with their spouse. Looking forward to a response

Amande Charlotte:

-After the loyality she demistrated to her mom she hoped for a better treatment, but she won't oppose the her decisions.

-It took a lot of time for her to fall in love for her spouse, plus she has never done anything to create a relationship with them.

-Therefore it's all thanks to them if she fall deeply in love with them.

-But her partner will have to wait a lot before Amande will demostrate her feelings for them. She loves to see them with a broken heart.

Galette Charlotte:

-"Ugh, I really have to marry them."

-Pretty disgusted by them, mostly because she doesn't want to marry someone.

-It won't take much before feeling something for her spouse honestly. A few compliments and she will fall for them.

-However Galette will never demostrate a lot of affection for her partner, she prefers to keep those feelings for herself.

Myukuru Charlotte:

-She is marrying a stranger only for her family.

-There is a lot of distrust towards her spouse.

-Myukuru will try to avoid them as much as possible.

-She will start to love them only after their first child; if you ask her she still doesn't know how it happened.

Smoothie Charlotte:

-Panic.

-The only thing that reassure her is the fact that is hard to find someone more dominant than her, therefore she will be able to do anything she wants even as married.

-At the start of this forced relationship she will make smoothie out of them just to enjoy their suffering expression.

-It was pretty hard at first, but a kind partner will make her soft faster than expected.

I hope you liked them. Thanks for requesting!

[gabyfernandezz]

The Chosen One Stereotypes

Carry On, by Rainbow Rowell, tells the story of a young magician who is chosen to save an alternate world that he and his friends are a part of. Chosen one novels like Carry On have become very prevalent in young adult literature. The Hunger Games, Harry Potter (which Carry On in a way is poking fun at), Divergent, Eve and so on, can all be considered chosen one novels. These chosen one novels typically follow a stereotypical story line. For instance, the chosen one/ protagonist is typically involved in some form of a love triangle and is automatically deemed mentally and emotionally fit to take on the task of saving their world. Carry On challenges these stereotypes.

Regarding the love triangle stereotype, the one in “Carry On” takes a turn. It takes place between Simon (the protagonist/ chosen one), Agatha, and Baz. Agatha and Simon date, but when they break up she begins to date Simon’s frenemy, Baz. Baz and Simon end up falling in love and Agatha begins to realize that she does not want to wait around for a boy that is saving the world. This is different than other chosen one stories for a few reasons. First of all, the majority of young adult novels, especially popular chosen one novels like The Hunger Games, do not feature gay characters, especially not as main characters. Moreover, female characters like Agatha who ultimately realize that they do not need a man are typically not featured either.

Moving on, “Carry On” presents more realistic coping mechanisms for chosen one characters. In Harry Potter, for example, Harry presents as a rather stoic and overly mature character. In other words, he is ready to take on the task of saving the wizard world. Contrastingly, Simon and his friends do not act in this unrealistic manner. They are kids being pressured to save the world… they are bound to act a bit frantic and immature. This franticness is presented by the fact that these characters fight with each other, they lie to each other, and they even need therapy by the end of the novel because this is a trauma that they were forced to endure. “Carry On” does not try to depict young kids as mysteriously equipped to handle terrifying situations; it depicts how kids are dealing with trauma that is imposed on them.

While “Carry On” challneges other chosen one sterotypes, these stood out to me the most. Ultimately, Carry On is young adult novel that, unlike other chosen one novels, features marginalized characters with realistic reactions to trauma.

[pixiegrl]

okay wow sorry it took me so long but im back to talk about stardust because i love it and think about it so much. first ur 100% right luke is in fact the star he fits so well even though it not perfect i can totally see it working out! ashton would be such a great tristan i could totally see him going thru the same kind of growth that tristan went through maybe not in the exact same way but definitely the overall idea of him like coming into who he is as a person and all that good stuff:) (1/?)

omg michael as shakespeare!!! i love it he would be Such a good pirate i love the idea of calum as a star too and with michael thats so cute i love it when au's take inspiration from a movie or something but dont have the exact same plot so im really excited to the plot that you createdthose side characters also seem to fit pretty well i dont write myself but i feel like picking side characters might get sorta hard depending on what youre writing also love a 1d cameo (2/?)

the different ending also seems like a good idea stardust has a good ending that works for it but idk how well it would work for a fic because the characters are different also like i said earlier i love when a fic just takes inspiration also also i will take any excuse to have more 5sos interaction especially on a pirate ship in the sky i love the individual ships but ot4 is where its at (3/?)

i am so excited for this! no matter how long! i will gladly talk about it with you and i know you have m and helen but if you need someone else to run things by or gush with...i am here and ready and willing (4/4)

I put this all in one message so I could answer them all at once! So Luke just has star energy but i wanted him and Ashton to kinda start off on the same foot so i sorta changed their first meeting a bit bc like. i wanted them to have a better dynamic. Ashton defintely has his own growth, although id say its more him growing into understanding that like youre allowed to have dreams and hope and love and that luke is not some pipe dream he gets to keep luke. 

Michael and Calum are like a werid character foil to luke and ashton like they’re married and together and they’re what Lashton could be if they give themselves a chance so they pop up to help push the plot and the guys forward while it’s still sorta a focus on Luke and ashton. also they’re married so they get to be super cute and happy and in love and they sorta serve to kinda push lashton into realizing they can be together. My whole thing with changing the ending was that Tristan’s ending doesn’t fit Ashton its not who he is and its not who luke is but letting them be pirates too? with malum? felt right for the plotline. and getting to stretch out the middle of the story so theres more lasthon and malum and ot4 is a challnege sometimes but its been fun. i get to have them be cute and learn to dance and im like a scene away from having Michael go in depth about how he and calum met and got married. 

ive liked changing the story and getting to make it my own bc it feels less like i pulled it all directly from the movie and more like i made my own story.

I’m so glad you’re excited about it! Im like 50% of the way done so hopeuflly it’ll be done soon! I love talking about stardust please always come into my ask box to talk about it! Or if you have a specific scene you wanna see I can probably write it in!

[tdrcycle09]

Rags To Riches Ball Part II: Best Personal Drag

In the final category, the girls have one last chance to prove to us that they are the winner of Tumblr’s Drag Race Cycle 9, decked out in their best personal drag and lipsynching to a mix or song they’ve chosen themselves!

Analyse Thropic

Lila:  HOLY SASHA VELOUR’S PROJECTOR. I love that you outright became a gold star in this category, and the reveal is honestly well crafted for how much sewing experience you have in this competition. Honestly - this is another really strong concept and It’s absolutely brilliant. I do have doubts - your makeup is a bit ehhh in tandem to pigmentation in your crease and the lack of contour is kind of throwing me off - however, holy shit. HOLYY SHIT. Your references to past challenges on your dress in motifs are really cute, and the fact that you look like you are a queen on your own accord in this BPD is just astonishing. Your lipsync is honestly on par with some of the best of them in the finale - I adore the ones that aren’t afraid to have a visual to it rather than a plain old background or generic setting, and by god, it was just expertly handled. You should have at least had more white backgrounds like Sasha Velour does because it sometimes lost you in the backgrounds. Without that, your work in this lipsync is absolutely stunning, and really your lipsynching skill has developed a hell of a lot - a lot of people forget it’s something queens need to be skilled in, however, you’ve pushed it to the max this category!

Letha: Analyse, I love how you really embraced being a bald queen for your BPD. I know that sounds like a read, but it really and truly does show your utter commitment to this cycle and to your drag, and to come out, gilded for filth, no wig, with a damn crown already on your head, well that takes guts. The outfit itself is cute, and shows so much thought to hearken back to your past work during your time here. The reveal is also great. Watch the top of the pink version though, as you had some bra poking out. Makeup is cool, you do lose some definition by being so metallic, but the stones are fab (If I were you I would have done just the rhinestones and not the pearls, as they make more sense with the look). Now, on to the lipsync. Art. It was so good, the concept was so strong and though it is something we have seen from other queens (including TDR queens), it's a great workaround to the "no editing" rule and you really made it your own. There are a few places where you kind of lose you/the words because you're standing in the dark, but I can forgive that as there is so much going on on the screen in the first place. You have every confidence in you/your work, and it showed with that performance. Fantastic work, Analyse, well done. 

Toni:I LOVE LOVE LVOE LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS LOOK. I love things that a sentimental and it was is just so perfect that you did a little dress with appliques that paid homage to your challneges only to 2in1 to a redo of your audition look. I love that you wanted to do a crown like violets where its in the head, but I do think that could have been done a bit smoother. Your makeup is so cool and so outside of the box for you and I am so glad that you keep pushing yourself even here at the end. I love this lipsync, I think it was so inspiring and well done, with a great mixture of medias and lipsyncs. I think my only issue with it was at some points it was hard to see your lips and would have done with a few more test runs. 

Gluttoni:  Not only one but TWO WHOLE LOOKS! You went off girly. Number Uno A gurl…..you know I’m partial to bald bitch so I love the choice to be bald in this literal golden hour of yours. Then you figured out the golden paint and I’m so proud! You look like an award. I love that you stuck to your brand of you A motif and it very well suited for this so. Both looks really scream you and honestly I couldn’t be more proud so good work. Your lipsync was by far the best and you fucking know it. Great song choices and an overall great look.

Avana Noir

Lila: ICHI KAWAII DESU! Avana, I knew you’d pull out your Harajuku style and flavour right at the end in full force, and as it’s been nice to see glimpses of that in your works, in it’s full head to toe-ness, this is one of the best outfits you’ve done by far. This screams Avana Noir and the colour palette is so cute and - ugh, it’s so fun. Really, only issue is that I wanted to see two ponytails on top of your pink wig - it would’ve sold the Madoka Magicka a little bit more in my opinion. Your lipsync was really adorable and exciting to watch. You did drop some of your words, but forgivable since most of your song choices were full K/J-Pop anthems. You were backlit a lot during your performance, maybe take into consideration when you film, whether or not you have a ring light or some form of light that helps add a little bit more to your frontal lighting. One major thing I’ll give you props for is the Chloe Howl-stylistic camera work in this - down to the consistent movement to your points where you do more group choreo - really commend you for doing that, it shows you’re moving out of the box with how you present your drag style. Great job in this category, you did super well!

Letha: Avana-desu!!!!! This look really does scream you, and it's super cute. Not a lot of shape 'round the middle, but it's not bad. The bow is cute, and the hair works (be careful of the boy hair poking out, a wig cap would help conceal the color), but I would suggest even a little petite pink nail for the look, especially if you are posing with your hands. The makeup is great, a bottom lash might have helped amp up the cute/lolita factor more. As for the lipsync, it cut off at the end which threw me a bit, but what is there is great. I like the mix of the hip/hop with the kawaii, it screams you, and I love the group choreo (though I wish there had been some more coordination of looks, even plain pink T shirts with jeans would have worked). There are some dropped words, as well, with a mix as short as this one you really should be nailing ALL of them. All in all though, it's still a really good submission, good job!

Toni: YES THIS IS WHO AVANA IS. I love this so much, its so well made and so flattering on you. I think the colors are really nice, you could have used more variations on pink but that may just be a personal preference. I think you also could have had the little poncho be 2 inches longer and it would have been perfect!!! The makeup is so much better!! I’m so proud of how your makeup has grown over this cycle. Your wig was nice but there were points when I saw your boy hair.  The lip-sync was very on brand for you and I think it was your best one this cycle I really enjoyed it. I do wish that it was longer because the group choreo, the way it was film? Art ART. I also would have liked a softer ending. more 

Gluttoni: AVANA. This is the best you’ve ever looked in my humble opinion. You look beyond adorable and I’m glad this is your best drag because you came full circle from your Japanese donut hole look. I LOVE PINK and you gave me that and more. I hope we see more looks like this from you in the future. Honestly keep on this track because you look super stunning and precious.  I loved your final lip-sync. The beginning song needs to be mine and you fucking slayed with the K-Pop or J-Pop dance break. My only issue with anything that it was so short.

Lexi Lamour

Lila:  Your best personal drag, to me - well, I’ll be outright. It’s not your best look for me. You’ve done so many head turning looks this cycle that it almost makes me a bit sad that you didn’t save the one catsuit you wore last week for you music challenge for this category this week. But, anyways - this is still a stellar look. The hair is so big and fun and with this look it’s really cohesive. I don’t have much to critique honestly, it’s such a Lexi staple. Your lipsync was cute, it was very Lexi and I love a mix. You have such a great performing energy and at last we get to see it again. Great job in this category!

Letha:  Lexi, this look is giving me "Oh, she's about to turn some shit". It's very club drag, and while I'm not sure it's YOUR personal best, it's still a great look and one you can perform the house down in. And honestly the only crit I can find for it is that maybe a black boot would work better to contrast? The hair is fantastic, it has great volume and is perfect for whipping around. The makeup is also really good, especially the eyes/lips, but the cheeks could use a bit more blush, as you look kind of washed out. The lipsync was also really good, the mix had some very classic drag staples, and you performed them well. A few words were dropped though, and I could tell you were constrained by the space you were in and wanted to buck/twirl a bit more than the area allowed for. That being said though, this was some STRONG work, and you really served it!

Toni: Lexi!! This lipsync was so fucking cute and I really enjoyed it because I think you are the dancing queen this cycle. I do wish you had more space to really stunt on us all because every time I think you are gonna reach the edge and jump off and slay me it backs up a bit and I’m left wanting more in the worse way. I think this look is really cute on you and I really love it but I do think it’s a bit lacking from what we’ve seen from you. I think it just comes off as “just a body suit” when you’ve done body suits before its been LOOKS like your pokemon or the black one from last week. I think your makeup is flawless and I really love it, as well as this hair. 

Gluttoni: Lexi. I must say this isn’t what I quite expected and while I’m not mad at it, I can’t say this says I’m here to take it all. No doubt you look quite gorgeous. I love the choice of color and silhouette because it’s different but for some reason I’m just a bit underwhelmed. This does not mean you aren’t a killer queen with amazing taste because the score board only proves that fact. The lip-sync was good. You have a stellar amount of stage presence and out of all the girls the most chops when it comes to performing live which I’m sure you have a long, long future of blazing stages. All the best to you my love, please keep shining bright.

Sugar Monroe

Lila:  Your BPD is P--P---Pretty damn cute! I think it reads as you, very Sugar, I get a candy vibe from it and I’m loving the change in your makeup to make it very punk-grunge which we all know you like to dabble in! I *do* get a little nervous with that empire waist again, but the variation you’ve put on it saves it. You make everything you wear outfit-wise, which I commend you for. The only thing I would watch out for is the black on a black background, just because you’re blending in with it - if you used a different background it would’ve worked a lot better in my opinion. Your lipsync was cute, but I mean we’ve all saw you do super well in lipsyncs, as well as you winning one of your own lipsyncs yourself. This was a little more controlled than usual, there was very little choreo that really sold your intentions during Bubblegum Bitch, and then your second song picked up the pace a little. I was more intrigued in the second half than the first half, but either way, I digress. It was super fun to watch!

Letha: Sugar Monroe!!! On one hand, this look really does scream "Sugarrrrr", but on the other, I wish it had been pushed farther. The contrast of the blue/pink with the black was great (though idk about it on the black background, sometimes it made it look like there was a hole in your body), but I wanted the edginess of the makeup (which is great, by the way) to extend into the rest of the look. It's just a bit too clean right now. I see some burns on the skirt, but I wanted TEARS, holes, even some dirt or grime. A bit more Mad Max. Also, I do love me a gathered skirt, but pleats up top could be covered with a band across the top, it just makes it look more finished. Your lipsync mix was very cute, and the songs make a lot of sense with your character (the transitions could use a little smoothing out though). You drop some words, but you're still an amazing performer and have great presence. Good job on this category for sure!

Toni: I love watching you lipsync and this was a joy as always. I think this is very on par for you and I really enjoyed it. I think you were giving 90% on this lipsync and I wanted to see 110%. The mix was well done as well. The look was really cute, very on par for you with the skater skirt. I think when we talked you were gonna make it really grunge and mad max, but then pulled it back to burned and tore up and it doesn’t look like you really pushed that, which is disappointing because that would have been the t for me. I think your makeup and hair look beautiful and it’s so nice to see that. love it–A��h

[anonymoustalks]

One that really always bothered me is that a lot of people assume that if you have some kind of physical deformity, it means you are mentally challneged

(6-21-20)) You both like politics.

Stranger: Hi

You: hiya

Stranger: Age?

You: 26

Stranger: 27

Stranger: Got a topic?

You: I was reading about humiliation

You: and hazing

Stranger: In frats?

You: mhm just in general

You: I was just on the feminism tag

Stranger: Ah

You: we didn't really talk about the it, but the other person mentioned: "Who are we canceling today?"

Stranger: Is that something that actually gets discussed?

You: which I assume is a sarcastic remark

Stranger: I always thought just one person like makes a post, and then everyone else just kinda goes with it

You: yup

Stranger: So, any interesting insight on humiliation and hazing?

You: not really, I'm just trying to understand it

You: I was on reddit today

You: and for my city subreddit

You: someone posted a screenshot of someone saying something on facebook

You: and owner of an auto repair shop

You: basically saying to boycot this guy because he's a white supremacist

You: anyhow I don't have a lot of interesting insights

You: anything that you care about in particular?

Stranger: What do you think about the declining birthrate in developed nations?

You: I don't really have a strong opinion about it

You: I think it's fine

You: although I think some people worry about the economy

Stranger: Do you think it plateaus around 1 child per woman?

Stranger: Or keeps going further down?

You: idk, I'm not super familiar with the statistics or literature

You: is there a stance you have on it?

Stranger: I think it will probably go down significantly further than 1

You: mhm and why is that?

You: and do you think that's a bad thing?

Stranger: Because I don't think the trends that are causing it are going to be abated at all. Its partly economic and party due to cultural shift.

Stranger: I'm not sure

You: I've heard people argue that it's worrisome from an economic standpoint

Stranger: If it continues, we better hope automation is coming along as strongly as people hope

Stranger: people*

You: but at the same time, I'm pro-environment, so I don't think it's all a bad thing if humanity decreases its footprint

You: I mean I don't support genocide or birth control policies

Stranger: Eh, I think technological innovation is more important for our environmental footprint

You: but I'm not complaining if there's less people on the planet

You: or well, I don't think there's anything intrisincally good about having a high world population

Stranger: Intrinsically no

Stranger: Instrumentally, there are advantages

Stranger: Also, it might be a natural consequence of other things that are intrinsically good

You: hm what do you mean?

Stranger: I'd hold that its intrinsically good if people are able to live out there aspirations, and their aspiration might include having kids

You: ahh okay

You: I believe in reproductive freedom

Stranger: I tend to think most people probably will be happier in the long run if they have kids

You: like if people want to have few kids, or more kids, it should be up to them

You: that said it makes sense that we're not at the replacement birthrate

You: like for me, 2 kids is ideal

Stranger: I think that ideal is a bit narrow

You: but you need a lot of people having 3 kids in order to balance the ppl who aren't having kids or 1 kid

You: but I mean, just imo, 3+ kids is a lot

Stranger: You are considering it from a standpoint of sustainable growth if we hold that having 2 kid families is as optimal for development of children as anything else

You: ohh, I just meant it personally

You: like from my own family standpoint

Stranger: Personally, I'm undecided

Stranger: I might not choose to have kids at all. But, if I do choose to do it, I'd prefer a large family

You: are you male or female?

You: just curious

Stranger: Male

Stranger: Yourself?

You: mhm I'm female

You: I think there's an age consideration too

Stranger: I think larger families have better dynamics if the money is there to support them

You: like I think ppl are getting married later

You: and having kids later

You: like I think 3 kids is maybe more reasonable if you start having kids in your 20's

Stranger: Yes, I think this is especially impactful with women

You: but if you start in your 30's there's just not as much time

You: in either case, I'd like to aim for 2

Stranger: Depends on the gender

You: well yeah, I was talking about for women

Stranger: If I do decide to get married and have kids, I'll likely marry a woman considerably younger than myself

You: mhm I think it's somewhat kind of random who ppl end up encountering

You: well unless you do like formal dating/matchmaking I guess

Stranger: I think that depends on the person. I have friends who are more picky and friends who just take the first thing that comes along

You: I just think it takes time to find someone haha ^^

You: your 20's pass by in a flash lol

Stranger: It really depends on your situation

You: for you, how long do you think it is good to date before marrying?

Stranger: At least 1 yeear

Stranger: year*

Stranger: Probably between 1-2 years

Stranger: I think if you aren't settled on it by the end of 2 years, then its probably not the right one

You: really?

You: I feel like I know a lot of couples who have been dating a long time

You: but haven't married

Stranger: I'm also someone who dates like that too though

Stranger: I give girls expiration dates in my mind. If I get to that date and don't feel like making it more serious, then I dump them.

You: huhh that's interesting

You: I've been in my current relationship for 8 years lol

Stranger: I've never been in one longer than 7 months

Stranger: How old are you again?

You: 26

Stranger: So, this is your only adult relationship

You: yup

You: first and only

Stranger: I'm kinda that complete opposite of you

Stranger: the*

You: yeah I'm aware that I'm kind of unusual

Stranger: I've didn't date all in my teens and early 20s

Stranger: at all*

You: mhm

Stranger: I got my first date, much less first girlfriend, at 23

Stranger: I've dated regularly since then though

You: so what are some reasons why a bunch of them didn't work out?

Stranger: But, never longer than a few months

Stranger: Oh, mostly just that I don't want to settle down

You: oh

Stranger: I'm open to the possibility that I'll fall in love to the extent that I decide I want to settle down with the person even though it doesn't fit my preferred timeframe

You: are you a very objective date-r?

Stranger: But, if that doesn't happen, then I'd rather not date a girl for too long

Stranger: What do you mean?

Stranger: Like, do I have a spread sheet of traits they have to match?

You: yup

Stranger: I have my preferences and dealbreakers like anyone

Stranger: But, I don't think mine are that precise or crazy

You: yeah

You: I guess I'm just unfamiliar with the dating world

You: I have one friend who did online dating (like the paid kind)

You: and it's just eye opening to see what it's like I guess

Stranger: Like, I don't date outside of a certain age range

You: mhm

Stranger: I don't date single moms

You: ohh why not?

Stranger: Because I have no desire to be a step father

You: mhm you sound like you care a lot about having kids

Stranger: Well, 2 things

Stranger: 1. I said if I had them I'd want a lot. I might just decide not have them at all. I'm ok with that

Stranger: 2. My own kids. Not somebody elses. I'd only raise a kid who wasn't my own if it was like a niece or nephew or godchild that was left to me after their parents passed

You: mhm and you wouldn't adopt, clearly

Stranger: Yeah, for me, having kids in large part is about making them, not just having a child to raise

You: hmm

You: I think I like the idea of kids in general

Stranger: So, you don't care if they aren't you own biologically?

You: although I think my parents have expectations

You: I mean I do, but at the same time, I think what I look forward to most is just having them grow up you know?

You: like I don't look forward to childbith lol

Stranger: I mean, if fate forced me to take responsibility for a kid, I'd treat like my own even if they weren't biologically

You: mhm

Stranger: I have a lot of respect for step-father/mothers and adoptive parents

Stranger: Its just not a burden I want to seek out

You: that makes sense

Stranger: I'd be fine not having kids and just living a free life

You: oh for me, if I was infertile or something, i would consider adoptin

Stranger: But, if I do have them, I'll take that burden in return for getting to have my own biological offspring

Stranger: If I found out I was infertile, I would just live the rest of my life for my own enjoyment

You: mhm I have a friend whose dream is to have kids and she's infertile

You: so it's like her goal to adopt

Stranger: It would be sad, but in a way, I think finding out I'm infertile would lift a lot of burden off me

You: even though she's not in a relationship

Stranger: I get that

Stranger: I'm physically handicapped, so I know what's it like to want something and have it taken from you

You: ohh is it okay if I ask how so?

Stranger: Marfans syndrome

Stranger: I have a lot of joint and skeletal issues

You: ahh

Stranger: Though, I'm not in a wheelchair or anything

You: is that the hyperflexibility one?

Stranger: Yeah

You: do you have a lot of joint pain or something?

Stranger: Except I had surgery on both my knees and my spine, so the flexibility isn't really there

You: ohh

Stranger: It causes your connective tisseus to be weak and loose

Stranger: Which is why it can make you more flexible

Stranger: But, your connective tissue also help shape your skeleton and organs while your growing as a kid

Stranger: So, it causes all kinds of deformity and malfunction

You: right

You: are you overall okay?

Stranger: Ok is relative. It still causes issues for me, but I've learned to live with it

You: mhm okay

Stranger: That is why I didn't date till 23

You: what is something that you wish other people knew about marfans that they don't?

Stranger: Its tough when you look weird

Stranger: I mean, I guess just what it is

Stranger: Its a very rare condition and most people have never heard of it

You: mhm

Stranger: I didn't start dating until I graduated college and started making money

You: right

Stranger: Before that point, I guess I was viewed as having nothing to offer

Stranger: Since I couldn't offer looks and social acceptance like other guys

Stranger: But, graduating from a good university and being financially independent puts you ahead of a lot of guys these days

You: Did you experience a lot of bias/prejudice?

Stranger: Oh, sure

You: In what ways?

Stranger: Harrassment, exclusion, physical and verbal abuse, condescension, humiliation, you name it

You: If it's okay, what you mind sharing some examples?

Stranger: Suspicion

You: *would you mind

Stranger: One that really always bothered me is that a lot of people assume that if you have some kind of physical deformity, it means you are mentally challneged

Stranger: And they will hold onto this belief even when presented evidence that clearly makes it impossible

You: ahh :c

Stranger: Like, people at my university said they thought I was mentally handicapped when they first met me.

Stranger: I went to a top 20 university

Stranger: There are no special ed classes there

You: oh my goodness

Stranger: And when I pointed out that out, they just said "Well, you could be like rain man"

You: rain man?

Stranger: Then I would say "you've heard me speak, you should be able to tell I'm not like rain man"

Stranger: Dustin Hoffman movie where he plays a man with severe autism, but he's a savant with numbers

You: ahh

Stranger: People just can't shake their ingrained associations like that

Stranger: Unless you confront them

You: yeah, I wonder what's the best way to debunk those assumptions

Stranger: That is why its annoying. The thing I had to do to prevent that from happening was to be aggressively intellectual when meeting people

You: right

Stranger: Which in turn makes a lot of people intimidated by you or think you are an asshole

You: aw :c

Stranger: And its almost impossible to explain to people

Stranger: Because they will just get defensive and claim that you were assuming things or that you are too sensitive

Stranger: Because for them this is a thing that only came up in dealing with me (most people hardly ever deal with someone in my situation, so I'm often the only one they know like that)

You: right

Stranger: Whereas for me this is somthing that comes up like half time I interact with people

You: mhm totally

Stranger: That's a really annoying one, but there is a lot more just garden variety stuff

Stranger: Like having people call me names. Think they can get away with physically assaulting me.

You: what?

Stranger: In high school the same group of like preppy well to do kids had monopolized every academic based after school club

Stranger: Like debate, model UN, school paper, quiz bowl, ect

Stranger: And they literally just refused to talk to me and would do things like throw away my sign up forms for events

You: that's so mean

Stranger: Good luck trying to explain that to a college recruiter when they ask why you don't have that many extra-curriculars

You: yeah...

You: I always wondering how it would come across

You: trying to explain bullying to a college recruiter

You: is it just something that never makes it onto applications?

Stranger: I actually know, because I tried

You: like it just disappears?

Stranger: He said "I hope you didn't put any of this in your application. Georgetown doesn't like people who play the victim"

You: mhm :c

You: in my high school

You: there was the girl with T1 diabetes

You: and I think a lot ppl saw her as lazy and as a complainer

Stranger: Yeah, people don't know

Stranger: When you are in chronic pain or fatigue and there is nothing you can do, it makes everything 10x harder

You: right

Stranger: And other people think they can understand it because they've been in pain or been tired before

Stranger: But its not the same when its chronic

You: yeah

You: I didn't understand any of that in high school

Stranger: Honestly, I hated high school

Stranger: And college

You: mhm was college just as bad?

Stranger: My life only improved when I was in a position to make money and apply my actual competency in way that was rewarded

Stranger: College was just extremely lonely

Stranger: I didn't make any friends at all until my very last year

You: yeah

Stranger: Even then, I think it probably had something to do with it becoming clearer that I had some kind of status in my future

You: was it a self-esteem thing as well?

Stranger: It all happened after I came back from a really prestigious summer internship

You: mhm

Stranger: Maybe, but I doubt it

Stranger: I've never been shy

Stranger: I've always been very confrontation in dealing with other people

You: right

Stranger: confrontational*

Stranger: That was my strategy rather than shying away

Stranger: Like most people in my situation do

You: mhmm

You: I'm not very confrontational

Stranger: I think most people aren't

Stranger: It would be nice to not feel like I have to be

You: yeah

Stranger: I've envied people who can just show up, relax, and get acceptance

You: mhm

You: does this relate to your outlook on politics as well?

You: since well, this is the politics tag?

Stranger: Perhaps

Stranger: Maybe I'd be more libetarian otherwise

Stranger: libertarian*

You: how do you identify?

Stranger: Just broadly liberal

You: mhm

You: is georgetown liberal?

Stranger: Basically, I'm close to being a libertarian except on welfare issues

Stranger: Yeah

Stranger: It has a catholic streak, but mostly catholic progressives

You: mhm

You: have you always been super into politics?

Stranger: Yeah

Stranger: That started with 9-11

Stranger: I'm half Pakistani and I grew up in the South, so my existence became politicized early

You: really? weren't you in elementary school

You: ohhhhhh

You: okay yeah

Stranger: That is probably where a lot of my libertarian streak comes from

You: like you were shoved into politics? or your family made a concious choice to partake in it?

Stranger: Like, all of a sudden I was the enemy identified by the government and everyone was mindlessly falling in line behind rhetoric that denied my legitimacy

Stranger: So, naturally I started trying to make sense of it all

You: right :c

You: yeah I don't know what to say

Stranger: It is what it is

Stranger: But, I do have to go

You: okay thanks for sharing

Stranger: Its been nice talking with you

You: mhm you too

You: have a great day

Stranger has disconnected.