#exquisite highlight OP

[aneetasingh]

Take a 4-day Golden Triangle Tour with Gets Holiday India Tour to Experience the True Nature of India.

The Golden Triangle of India, a popular tourist destination that links Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, is a patchwork of vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and rich historical legacy. If you are anxious to experience these parts of India but have limited time, Gets Holiday India Tour's 4 Days Golden Triangle Tour is a highly recommended meticulously designed trip. This journey guarantees an encounter full of comfort, wisdom, and lifelong memories in addition to revealing the essence of India's rich legacy.

The Exceptional Allure of Gets Holiday India Tour's Detailed Itineraries: Gets Holiday India Tour is well known for its well planned excursions that offer an in-depth exploration of every location. This is also true of the 4-day Golden Triangle Tour, which provides a well-rounded selection of historical landmarks, stunning buildings, and cultural events.

Personalized Services: Gets Holiday India Tour is excellent at customizing tours to fit the demands of each individual visitor since they recognize that every traveler has different interests and preferences. Every part of the journey will be tailored to the preferences of the tourist thanks to this individualized approach, which makes each experience special and intimate.

Professional experts and Cozy Transportation: When booking an India vacation with Gets Holiday Tour, guests are escorted by experienced experts who vividly interpret the history and culture of every location. Smooth transportation between cities is made possible by cozy, air-conditioned cars, which let visitors unwind and enjoy the ride.

High-quality lodging: Gets Holiday India Tour chooses lodgings that offer warmth and friendliness since it understands how important it is for visitors to unwind and recover so they can enjoy their travels to the fullest.

A Trip Through Tradition and Time Day 1: Delhi's Historical Tapestry The journey starts in Delhi, where the past and present coexist together. The journey takes you around the magnificent Qutub Minar, the serene Gandhi Smriti, and the historic Red Fort. A true sense of Delhi life may be found in the bustling markets of Chandni Chowk, while views of the city's rich cultural diversity can be found at the tranquil Lotus Temple and the majestic India Gate.

Day 2: Agra - Observing the Love Symbol The trip continues to Agra, the location of the famous Taj Mahal, a timeless representation of love. Visitors are always in awe of this architectural marvel because of its exquisite beauty and the moving love tale it symbolizes. The elaborate workmanship of Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, often known as the "Baby Taj," and the Agra Fort, with its rich history and breathtaking vistas of the Taj Mahal, are also explored, providing a greater appreciation of Mughal architectural genius.

Day 3: Jaipur's Royal Splendor The group then continues on to Jaipur, the fascinating capital of Rajasthan. The magnificent Amber Fort is a highlight because of its amazing beauty and historical significance. Offering insights into the royal and intellectual past of Jaipur are the City Palace, which holds royal heirlooms, and the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory that speaks volumes of ancient scientific achievements. With its distinctive façade, the famed Hawa Mahal provides a great photo op and a window into the historical architectural inventiveness of the building.

Day 4: Touring Jaipur and Going Back On the last day, you can spend more time exploring Jaipur's cultural attractions, which include the magnificent Jal Mahal and the lively local marketplaces renowned for their handicrafts, jewelry, and textiles. This day allows visitors to explore and enjoy themselves to the most, taking their time to fully experience Jaipur before returning.

In summary More than just a trip to three cities, the 4-day Golden Triangle Tour with Gets Holiday India Tour immerses travelers in the historical grandeur, stunning architecture, and dynamic culture of India. Along with showcasing the famous sites, this tour aims to tell the tales of the customs, legends, and ways of life that make India unique. Gets Holiday India Tour guarantees that this trip will be one that guests remember and treasure for a lifetime with its dedication to individualized care, comfort, and perceptive exploration.

4 Days Golden Triangle Tour

Overview

 Skip The Line

 Duration: 3 N/4 D

 Free cancellation

 Instant Confirmation

 Private Tour

If you are planning a the tour the first time then choose Gets Holiday Tour India, we have the best option for the 4 Days Golden Triangle Tour – Covering Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It is one of the most popular tourist circuits in India. Book 4 Days Golden Triangle Tour By Car From Delhi

Itinerary

Day 01 / Arrival Delhi

Day 02 / Delhi - Agra 200 KM / 3 hrs

Day 03 / Jaipur Sightseeing

Day 04 / Delhi - Departure

What's Included

Inclusions

Air conditioned chauffeur driven private car

Pick up and Drop

Story teller tour guide

All toll taxes, parking fee, camera fee

Lunch at a restaurant

Monument tickets

Exclusions

Gratuties

Any sort of drinks

personal expenses

[lucew-art5]

Artist Research: Anni Albers

As a female student at the radical Bauhaus art school, she was discouraged from taking up certain classes. She enrolled in the weaving workshop and made textiles her key form of expression. She inspired and was inspired by her fellow artists, among them her teacher, Paul Klee, and her husband, Josef Albers.

Her work included exquisite small-scale ‘pictorial weavings’ to large wall-hangings and the textiles she designed for mass production, as well as her later prints and drawings.

Anni Albers is widely considered to be the foremost textile designer of the 20th century. She made major innovations in the field of functional materials and at the same time she expanded the possibilities of single weavings and individual artworks. She combined loom-weaving with hand-weaving; reproducible geometric patterns and spontaneous, on-the-loom decisions; and organic and synthetic materials.

In terms of my own work, I am going to explore weaving and knitting. Making and creating any pattern without any conscious thought. Allowing my hands to create whatever pattern they want, without any pressure. In an arts and health setting, this would be more achievable but would create some interesting results.

[carblogsworld]

Rolls Royce Ghost Rental in Miami

Renting a Rolls-Royce Ghost in Miami is an extravagant experience that offers the perfect blend of luxury and style.

The city's vibrant atmosphere and stunning oceanfront views make it an ideal backdrop for showcasing this high-end automobile.

Whether you're a tourist looking to explore Miami in opulence or a local resident seeking to make a statement, a Rolls-Royce Ghost rental is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Arriving in Style:

Start your content by highlighting the arrival process. Show the Rolls-Royce Ghost parked outside a high-end hotel or on the vibrant streets of Miami. Capture the attention-grabbing presence of the vehicle, emphasizing its sleek design and iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament.

Interior Elegance:

Give viewers a glimpse of the Rolls-Royce Ghost's opulent interior. Showcase the plush leather seats, exquisite wood veneers, and meticulous craftsmanship. Mention the advanced technology, such as the infotainment system and climate control, that enhances the driving experience.

Cruising Miami Beach:

Take the Rolls-Royce Ghost for a spin along Miami Beach. Capture the car's smooth ride and emphasize how it effortlessly glides through the city streets. Show off the car's powerful engine and the feeling of absolute luxury as you cruise along Ocean Drive.

Scenic Backdrops:

Highlight the picturesque locations in Miami that serve as stunning backdrops for the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Drive along the palm-lined streets of Coral Gables, pull up at the Art Deco Historic District in South Beach, or stop for a photo-op with the breathtaking backdrop of the Wynwood Walls.

Miami Nightlife:

Demonstrate the car's allure at night by showcasing Miami's vibrant nightlife. Capture the Rolls-Royce Ghost parked in front of exclusive nightclubs, luxury restaurants, or the glittering Miami skyline. Showcase how this car turns heads and opens doors to Miami's most elite experiences.

Oceanfront Drive:

A Rolls-Royce Ghost rental in Miami wouldn't be complete without a scenic oceanfront drive. Film the car cruising along the MacArthur Causeway with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Biscayne Bay on the other, creating a dramatic visual experience.

Luxury Shopping Experience:

Highlight the car's practicality by showcasing a shopping excursion to one of Miami's upscale boutiques. Demonstrate how the trunk accommodates your purchases while maintaining the car's elegance.

Timeless Icon:

Emphasize the timeless appeal of the Rolls-Royce Ghost. Mention the car's storied history and its continued legacy as a symbol of opulence and luxury. Discuss the legendary craftsmanship and attention to detail that make it a collector's item.

Testimonials:

Include interviews or testimonials from those who have had the privilege of renting a Rolls-Royce Ghost in Miami. Let them share their experiences and how the car added an extra layer of luxury and excitement to their Miami visit.

Safety and Comfort:

Address the practical side of the Rolls-Royce Ghost by discussing its safety features, comfort, and advanced driving aids. Highlight how it's not just a symbol of luxury but also a safe and comfortable vehicle.

Incorporate stunning visuals, captivating storytelling, and perhaps some cinematic drone shots to create an enticing video or blog post that showcases the unforgettable experience of renting a Rolls-Royce Ghost in the lively and luxurious city of Miami.

[yohgar]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: ULTIMATE BALLET - THE ESSENTIAL MASTERPIECES 5-CD SET BRAND NEW SEALED.

[macaronyy-da-lame-guy]

Title: A Memorable Co-op Shift: Engaging Passengers and Exquisite Sushi Adventures

Introduction:

Working as a PSA (Passenger Service Agent) for Cathay Pacific Airlines can be an exciting and rewarding experience. From interacting with passengers to ensuring smooth operations, the role of a PSA is crucial in providing a positive travel experience. In this blog, I will share my recent co-op shift experience, highlighting a challenging situation with a passenger and a delightful sushi adventure with fellow students.

Engaging with Passengers and Overcoming Challenges:

During my co-op shift, the flight was full, and we had the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of passengers. While most interactions were pleasant, there was one particular challenge that required problem-solving skills and quick thinking. I encountered a passenger who had a connecting flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne, but he did not have a visa for Australia. This posed a significant problem as he needed to enter Australia during the layover.

As a PSA, it was crucial to remain calm and assist the passenger in finding a suitable solution. I promptly contacted the airline's supervisor and explained the situation. Together, we explored alternative options and found a solution. We arranged for the passenger to rebook his connecting flight to a later date, allowing him enough time to acquire the necessary visa. By communicating effectively with the passenger and collaborating with the airline's staff, we were able to alleviate the passenger's concerns and ensure a smooth travel experience.

A Sushi Adventure in Toronto's Finest Restaurant:

After a fulfilling co-op shift, my fellow students and I decided to treat ourselves to a well-deserved dinner. We chose to dine at the renowned sushi restaurant, Sushi Extravaganza, located in the heart of Toronto. This upscale establishment is known for its exquisite sushi creations and elegant ambiance, making it the perfect choice for a memorable evening.

As we settled into our seats, the aroma of freshly prepared sushi filled the air, tantalizing our taste buds. We began our culinary journey with the chef's special appetizer, the "Ocean Symphony." This dish consisted of delicate sashimi slices arranged artistically, featuring a medley of flavors from the sea. Each bite was a sensory delight, as we savored the freshness of the ingredients and the chef's meticulous attention to detail.

For the main course, we indulged in the "Dragon's Roll," a signature creation that combined succulent grilled eel, avocado, and cucumber, enveloped in a thin layer of sushi rice and topped with a drizzle of eel sauce. The combination of textures and flavors was a true masterpiece, leaving us in awe of the sushi chef's culinary expertise.

As the evening progressed, we explored a variety of sushi rolls, including the "Golden Tempura Roll" and the "Rainbow Roll," each showcasing unique ingredients and innovative presentations. The evening was filled with laughter, good conversation, and an appreciation for the artistry that went into each dish.

Conclusion:

My co-op shift as a PSA with Cathay Pacific Airlines provided both challenges and moments of joy. From assisting passengers in overcoming travel obstacles to indulging in a memorable sushi adventure, the day was a testament to the diverse experiences and opportunities that arise in the airline industry.

As a PSA, it is essential to approach challenges with a calm and problem-solving mindset, ensuring that passengers' needs are met to the best of our abilities. And after a long shift, treating ourselves to a fancy dining experience like the one we had at Sushi Extravaganza allows us to relax, bond with colleagues, and appreciate the finer things in life.

In the end, it's the combination of unique experiences and shared moments that make the journey as a PSA truly rewarding. It's the fulfillment of helping others and the joy of savoring the culinary

[twwpress]

Creator Spotlight: Week 10

Welcome back to the TWW Author Spotlight! For every spotlight, we’ll ask each featured author the same ten questions (as well as questions you submitted on Twitter!). Today we are so excited to be talking with @thefinestmuffin on twitter/thefinestmuffins on AO3!

1) What are your top 5 desert island fics by other authors?

Ahhhhh, I need a top 20, because there are so many AMAZING fics in this fandom! At the end of the day I went with the completed fics that I reread the most and my top, fuzzy-feeling comfort fics:

When A Woman Loves A Man (Who Loves A Woman) by BeneathAnOrangeSky I remain in absolute awe at Lucy’s craft and prose. All of her fics are just so gorgeously written (honestly I had such a hard time choosing - go read all 4 of them post-haste), and this one is simply perfection. I love the alternating points of view and the way the story stays canon-compliant while absolutely deepening the impact of canon in very believable and resonant ways. This depiction of the Minsk Candles Debacle makes me laugh out loud every single time, the diary scene has SO MUCH EXQUISITE TENSION, and the Holy Night-related scene makes me want to fling myself into the freaking sun even though I’ve read it at least a dozen times. 

turns the flicker to a flame by fairwinds09 Fairwinds09’s writing is so delicious and evocative, and I feel really captures the nuance of the Josh/Donna relationship in the most simultaneously real-feeling and sensual way possible. I absolutely salivate for a War Crimes arc AU, and this fic just truly delivers on that process so beautifully. There’s so much tenderness! I also am a devotee of the Josh Lyman Is Into Feet But Not In A Weird Way school of thought (the canon evidence for this is STRONG), and this story highlights that with so much subtlety and sweetness.

where the lovelight gleams by JessBakesCakes This one was written specifically for me, and so I feel a little selfish for including this one on this list when Jess has so many other incredible, next-level fics on offer (Almost Honest and i like shiny things (but i’d marry you with paper rings) are also both definitely up there for me!), but I just love it so, so much and the comfort it brings me is hard to overstate. There’s so much Josh/Donna boyfriend-girlfriend era deliciousness here, and Donna being unrepentantly horny for Josh in a goofy Christmas sweater (AND HOLDING A BABY, RIP ALL OF US) is so funny and sweet and soft (and also SEXY, let’s be clear) to me. I have reread this one million times (will reread one million more), and it always makes my heart feel so full. Jess’s fics have impeccable vibes and always make me smile so big and feel SO GOOD!! Plus, a Wisconsin fic always does my midwestern heart right! Elite Christmas fluff, do not miss it. 

wherever is your heart (i call home) by mikaylawrites WISCONSIN FIC MY BELOVED!! MIkayla is such a wonderful writer and this story just had me by the heartstrings from moment one. Come for the Moss-family-brings-Josh-custard-when-they-meet-him vibes, stay for the childhood bedroom scenes (including ONLY ONE BED, most prized of tropes!). Honestly it’s all just so sweet and tender and poignant, and these over the years glimpses of Josh and Donna in Wisconsin absolutely do me in (meant as the highest of compliments). Also I went to school in Wisconsin so all of the little local touches fill me with joy! 

The Professor Josh series by hufflepuffhermione Ope, am I cheating if I include these as a series? Alli’s Professor Josh fics cheer me up so much, and I just absolutely adore them. Present Day Josh/Donna makes me SO HAPPY, and Alli’s vision for it here feels so perfect to me. There’s something about the pandemic being included in the setting that just really… helps all of the sweetness land for me in a resonant way, and I can’t even tell you how much I’ve smiled and cried my way through these since they came out. These fics are so sweet, so funny, and so capture where I feel like the Moss-Lyman family would be! These might be the stories I’ve reread the most in fandom - truly my bad day recovery go-to! 

 2) Do you have a favorite character to write? Favorite ship(s) to write? Are there characters or ships you'd like to write more of? (shout out to @sam_writes_fics for asking a similar question!)

I think I write Josh the most naturally (and I love writing him), but I really adore writing CJ, which I don’t do enough of and would love to do more of. Josh/Donna are definitely my favorite ship to write, and are the closest thing I have to a TWW OTP, but I’ve also written a tiny bit of Josh/Sam and CJ/Toby and am definitely open to writing other pairings. I would love to write something more CJ-centric, and I’d love to write some CJ/Kate Harper some day!! 

 3) Tell us about your writing process (setup/location? Night or day? Snacks/beverages? Computer/phone/notebook? Music or silence? Anything else you want to share is welcome!) 

I’m chronically ill and I do most of my writing from bed on my laptop with a lap desk. Inspiration hits me whenever the heck it wants to and is wildly unpredictable (plus I have a pretty classic case of inattentive ADHD, ahaha), and my migraines limit how much I can read or write, so I have to strike when I can. I need to daydream on a concept a lot before I can actually write: vibe with friends, think while driving, mull on it in the bath, listen to a song or playlist on repeat while staring at my ceiling. I need music to generate vibes, but I can’t actually write while listening to most music. To write, I need silence or white noise. I motivate myself with caffeine or a treat. I sprint to keep myself focused but don’t really care about the word count. I try to just get scenes down as I’m inspired to write them, which means I often hit an annoying point where I have to go in and make myself write all the filler and connecting parts I struggle the most with. I’m a recovering perfectionist and I have a pretty thorough editing process, and I usually spend a lot of time messing with wording. 

There was a period of time where I tried to get more disciplined about my writing process, but I realized quickly that I need to just embrace it: I type 100wpm but I think/write slow, I need to reread it/read it aloud/think about it/rewrite chunks A LOT to be happy with it, I am allergic to writing in order, and if I have ANY limitations placed on me I tend to freeze up and get stuck. I do best when I let myself write whatever I feel inspired about and don’t worry too much about finishing things in a particular order. And all of that has to be okay, because that’s how I can 1) actually write and 2) enjoy it! 

4) What writing advice do you have for others who may be reading this? 

The most important advice, and I realize the Fight Club-esque irony of this, is to take writing advice with a grain of salt/don’t interpret it as the letter of the law. There’s no one correct way to write so you should embrace the style/process that works best for you and using adverbs (or whatever dogmatic rule you might find on tumblr or writing blogs) doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer. Lookout for dogma and only adopt what genuinely helps and feels good to you. Also, listening to podcast interviews with professional novelists I admire has helped me internalize that there are SO MANY ways to write and helped me embrace my fiddly, slow-writing, out of order, touch-and-go writing process. The one concrete piece of advice that has actively helped me the most is reading my story out loud during the editing process for flow. It helps me catch parts that are clunky or don’t flow well or don’t make sense, and I cannot recommend it enough! 

 5) From where do you usually draw your inspiration? (Other forms of media, music, tropes, etc?) (Shout out to @unpennied for a similar question!) 

A lot of ideas just come to me unbidden - I’m a big daydreamer - but I’m definitely super inspired by music and sometimes poetry, and just vibes (images, aesthetics, feelings, etc.). all i ever wanted (was a life in your shape) was partially inspired by seeing a picture of Brad with his son and Janel with her niece on the same day, and those images combined with the song prompt just kind of mutated into their whole own thing. I also love tropes and in general I have a lot of fun with I guess what I’d call  creative games like, “What would the characters be like in this AU?” or “How would this trope work with this pairing?” Also, honestly, in TWW I’ve got a real “but MAAHM, I can fix them!” mentality about Josh and Donna, like any episode with a missed romantic opportunity is liable to inspire me to write a canon-divergent or fix-it fic. 

 6) What is the fic you've written that you're most proud of and why? 

I think it’s gotta be Oversight. I’ve gotta be honest, I initially felt really daunted writing an exchange gift fic for beneathanorangesky, who is both one of my closest fandom friends and one of the TWW writers I admire the most. I’d always wanted to write a Season 3 War Crimes arc AU (there’s so much potential there, IMO!) but it also felt really hard to get right or at least like something that it could be easy to get wrong. And I was SO SCARED about including Donna’s diary entries, both because it felt really critical to get the voice right and also because I know generally fandom doesn’t love first person POV. Structurally and scope-wise, the story felt pretty ambitious to me, and that was before I knew I would be whipping out 13k of smut at the end that covered the murky and hard-to-nail terrain of Jealous Josh (oooops, LOL). At the end of the day I worked really hard and very carefully to craft this one into what I hoped it could be and I am proud of how it turned out!! 

 7) What's the fic trope/concept/AU you'd read 1000 of? What's the fic trope/concept/AU you'd write 1000 of? (shout out to @donnamossburner for asking a similar question!)

I can never get enough of fake dating and only one bed! Also Joshua “Praise Kink!” Lyman until the day I die, please. And I guess I’d write 1000 canon divergence AUs, but I’d also love to write more fake dating! 

8) Is there anything you'd like to try writing-wise that you haven't yet? 

I’d really like to write original fiction, but fanfiction is so comforting and community-filled that it’s hard for me to make myself pull resources away from it towards original work. But since my disability has made it difficult to work and all I seem to be able to do reliably lately is write smut, I have been strongly considering starting an original erotica Patreon… 👀

In terms of fic, I would love to write more CJ-centered fic! Just in general, I love epistolary stories (fic and otherwise) and would love to try one someday! 

9) What's your go-to Starbucks/coffee shop/other drink order? 

I have to confess that I was briefly a barista and also lived for over a decade in the PNW, aka I’m kind of a coffee snob. I’m a sucker for independent roasters and housemade syrups, LOL, and I have a lot of fun trying new things. My current summer fave from my local coffee shop is cold brew with maple syrup and oat milk, and in colder weather I love an oat milk latte with cardamom syrup or a dirty chai. There was a little roaster in the town I used to live that had an amazing latte with housemade almond cashew milk and sometimes I just think about it longingly. When I’m having a “treat yourself!” moment at Target in the middle of errands, I will definitely get an Iced Toasted Vanilla Shaken Oatmilk Espresso (a Starbucks order with so many adjectives that it’s impossible to place it without feeling shame) or a PSL with coconut milk or oat milk. 

 10) Do you have any current projects you'd like to promote or anything upcoming you'd like to tell us about?

@jessbakescakes and I are co-hosting Trope Soup fest, which just revealed! People can continue to claim prompts and post fics for it after the reveal date, so feel free to jump in! If I DO get it together to start an original erotica Patreon, I’ll be posting a google form in the near future and would love all of your opinions on what you’re looking for/whether or not you’d be interested! And I’m working on a combo of fics and original stories for NaNoWriMo, so hopefully I’ll have stuff to post soon! On the horizon:

The next (red dress!) chapter of between the shadow and the soul, which I swear I haven’t abandoned

A follow-up AU to all i ever wanted (was a life in your shape) where J and D get it together post-Strawberry Farm (~5k done so far)

My present day Josh/Donna (~8k and counting) which I’ve been plodding away at for over a year but have been really inspired about lately. 

 Submitted questions (some questions have been edited to avoid repetition!): 

From @sam_writes_fics: what’s a fic that’s been sitting in the back of your mind forever and you hope one day you can finally write it?

SAM when I tell you there are SO MANY of these and honestly a lot of them ARE partially written.

There’s one in particular called Horseshoes and Hand Grenades that is SO CLEAR in my mind (and I have like 8k written) and it’s about all of the times something almost happened between Josh and Donna through the lens of a small transgression getting press attention and CJ interrogating them in an AU season 6. My brain has also been absolutely commandeered by a fluffy and funny Totally Platonic Sperm Donor J/D plunny so hard (and Jess has encouraged me so enthusiastically, lol) that I somehow have a full outline and a pregnancy calendar for Donna so … I can’t make any promises, but we’ll see!

From @sam_writes_fics: favorite character to read??

Joshua No Middle Name Lyman. I both kind of am him and I also want to bone him, so I simply cannot get enough. But also, and maybe this is a cheat of a second answer, it’s hard to find but I LOVE when fics have the whole ensemble banter and it’s so on pitch that I can just hear and see it in my head!

From @sinistercherubs: you get to talk to (1) tww character irl for 5 minutes, who is the character and what would you say to them?

Oh my gosh, this is such a good question and so hard!! There’s a temptation here to meddle with shit: like tell Simon Donovan not to go into that convenience store, or tell Josh to get it the heck together at one of :spins wheel: at least ten times, but I imagine that just like time travel that bit probably gets messy. At the end of the day I am a simple disaster bisexual, so I’d probably just want to flirt with CJ. Though if I had to pick a Josh Lyman intervention moment, I would go to him during Donna’s recovery and tell him that Colin is NOT in the picture, morning shows are the ones sending her flowers (not that it’s any of his business), and that our poor girl needs a longer medical leave from work and for a certain best friend/boss/crush (you, you absolute ding dong) to dig deep and show up for her. 

From @donnamossburner: If you could rewrite an episode of tww which episode would it be? And what would you write to occur?

If I could rewrite a whole arc it would be the Toby thing in s7. He was done dirty, it had a long -erm impact on the show’s post-canon relationships, and IMO it betrayed a deep misunderstanding of the character on behalf of the writers. If I could rewrite it, if I were keeping a leak at all I would not have Toby be the one leaking, but rather have there be some misunderstanding/miscommunication/falling on swords going on between him and CJ and it ultimately comes out that he didn’t fucking do it because of course he didn’t. My shippy answer is: I would either rewrite the end of Inauguration: Over There so that we get a Josh/Donna kiss OR rewrite another ep later in s4 to tie up that arc and get them together under Sorkin, as they ought to have been. Although I guess I kind of DID already rewrite this in often a sweetness, ahahaha, albeit in angsty fashion.  

From @donnamossburner: Is there a trope you haven’t written / read a lot of that you’d like to see more of in the fandom?

I’d love to see more Bisexual! Josh actively explored. And actually, I’d love to write more Bisexual Josh, ahahaha. And more present day JD always, please, in all ways. Also, I’m just saying, if there were more JD pegging fics I would definitely read them (and also have one vaguely in the works!). 

From @mlea7675: What’s your favorite post-series HC?

I don’t really have set headcanons across all story universes, but I’m a huge believer in the Congressional Representative Donna Moss-Lyman and Professor Josh agenda! 

From @unpennied: How and when did you get into the ww?

I am… old, so I first watched TWW on tv with my best friend’s family while I was in high school. They got the DVDs as they came out, so we’d have marathons together, and they’d have me over to watch new eps together too, and let me borrow the whole set for comfort rewatches when I had mono in college. The last episode of TWW aired, no lie, on the day I graduated college (with a poli sci minor)! I was a huge fan, but I wasn’t active in fandom culture back then. 

I’d rewatched a bunch over the years (esp the first four seasons), but my rewatch in early 2021 is what pulled me into active stan culture for TWW. I didn’t have the heart for it during the Trump years, tbh, but once Biden was safely inaugurated I hit play out of curiosity to see how my old fave held up. I started listening to TWWW along with my watch and then (because I was active in other fandoms by now) started looking at fics out of curiosity. And welp, here we are!

 From @JessBakesCakes: Do you have any headcanons about fics you've written that didn't make it into the fic itself? If so, which is your favorite?

This was in the fic but never spelled out: I gave Donna’s siblings in all i ever wanted (was a life in your shape) ascending alphabetical names in age order (like the Bridgerton siblings, iykyk lol) and also had the hc that her parents traded Irish and Italian names (Adam, Ben[volio], Connor, Donna[tella]) because we know from The Supremes how they go about compromise, ahaha. Also, this is so tiny and silly, but in by the chimney with care I headcanon that Donna and Josh have a kind of running gag about the bougie grocery store (you know how things sometimes start out ironic but then just become… absorbed into your Couple Landscape?) because there’s no way in hell Josh would ever just randomly call that on his own, LOL. 

 From @S4MWILSON: fave season? 

Season 2 really said all bangers and it cannot be denied - that’s probably my favorite. But I also love the campaign arc in seasons 6-7!

 fave ep? 

17 People is a work of art, and not just for JD reasons. 20 Hours in America and Dead Irish Writers are also up there for me, and (I almost count the post-Sorkin years as their own thing, LOL) The Supremes is one of my favorite later season eps!

 cast member you’d most like to hang out with? 

So hard to choose, they’d all be a delight! I think I would have a lot of fun with BWhit and Amy at a dinner party, like I feel like it would be fun, easy, and interesting to talk to them both! 

 character you’d most like to hang out with? 

CJ, be my Gal Pal™, if you are reading this I am free on Thursday night, please come hang out with me on Thursday night when I am free. 

underrated duo (ship or platonic)? 

Kate/CJ for underrated ship, Donna & Toby for friendship

long fic or short fic ? 

Honestly it’s easier for me to read and finish short fics because I have chronic migraine and can’t read the way I used to. But I love all of them, oneshots and epics!

 easiest character to write? 

Josh Joshua Josh Josh.

 fave fic tropes? 

Only one bed, fake dating, mutual pining, slow burn, coworkers to lovers, BANTER (and Professor Josh)

 fave thing abt Fanon tww? 

Gotta be the Harvard sweatshirt

 and funniest scene ? 

Some of the cold opens omfg, like there are a handful I put on when I need to laugh: the cold open for The Midterms, also the cold open for The Leadership Breakfast. And that moment in Privateers never fails to SEND me.  

Thanks again for chatting with us!!

If you’re interested in being featured for a future spotlight, please drop us a line here on tumblr, on twitter, or email weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com.

xx, What’s next?

[canary3d-obsessed]

Lost Tomb Lewks, Part 5

(Masterpost) (Other Canary Content)

Warning: Spoilers for The Lost Tomb Reboot Season 1

Look 21: belongs to Liu Sang, and it’s one of my very favorites. Liu Sang’s actor, Liu Chang, has the face of a pre-Raphaelite nymph...

...and a body built like a brick shithouse. 

The very slender plot explanation for this epic bod reveal is that Liu Sang is changing into his working kit, and Pangzi is razzing him for having a tattoo-in-progress of a qilin, to match his idol. But the tattoo is not nearly as interesting as...everything else about his torso, frankly. 

This look features a six-pack you could shred cheese on, eye-catching trapezius muscles, and prominent clavicles. Liu Sang’s exquisite physical presence provides an interesting contrast to his bitchy demeanor and selfish personality, which are prominent at this point in the story. 

Later he will get whumped into a proper sense of Wu Xie adoration being a beloved and devoted part of the team and many viewers’ favorite boi, but that process hasn’t started yet.

Liu Sang’s watch is fancier than Wu Xie’s watch. It’s...round, and it tells time.  

(more behind the cut!)

As befits a professional model an antique dealer, Liu Sang’s working outfit is flattering and cool, with a snug olive green coat with black detailing, and khaki pants that are either dark blue or darkest grey.  Like everyone else on the scene, he’s got shit kicker boots and tactical gloves to go with the rest of what he’s wearing. Unlike everyone else, his hair has auburn highlights, which go well with the warm tones of his skin. 

In later episodes we see that the jacket has a big X on the back, which looks cool and is a bold choice for a guy who is headed into dangerous places with companions who don’t like him. 

While underground, he accessorizes this look with a whistle, used for mapping via sound waves. Not to be objectifying on main but...

OP might have given the whistle its own gifset, over here.

Product-placement Interlude: This orange drink looks refreshing and delicious! Just like the sort of thing everyone would like to drink, pass around, discuss, and point with.

Look 22 is Wu Xie in his spelunking gear, but this time with “oh crap, I’m blind” eye coloring. 

This look is a good one for when you are getting ready to become possessed or crazy or being overtaken by a crustacean allergy so that you try to kill your bro with a shovel. 

It’s also a good look for when your bro wants to troll you about your good looks by waving fire in your face. 

Excellent fourth-wall break, Pangzi. We do love Zhu Yilong’s eyelashes out here in fandom land. 

Look 23 is Princess Mute’s blue hanfu. It’s a bit worse for wear, after centuries underground and floating around in the water, but it’s still got a nice color and it looks ethereal and pretty when she’s being pulled up out of the tomb. Too bad she has to go spend her future days in a crate. Princess Mute is one of my favorite crustaceans characters in this wacky show.

Look 24 is Wu Xie’s black undershirt. We’re meant to believe he’s wearing this under his other shirt and that it came out of the tomb looking this good.

It looks like it might be machine-knit rayon, based on the sheen and the small folds and wrinkes in the fabric, as opposed to the larger folds you see with something made of cotton. Anyway it’s got a nice fit and it looks comfortable.

Look 25 is Wu Xie’s party outfit, which is hard to see, like every damn thing in this show, but has some interesting details. The jacket has a darker color for the placket and around the collar, with triangular insets at the shoulders.

It has flap pockets and at the waist it has straps with buttons in place of a belt, reminiscent of a vintage miltary or marching band uniform, although I can’t recall the locale or era.

This outfit is suitable for kicking back with your friends and family. Wu Xie is an interesting hero, because he is extroverted, friendly, fast-to-warm-up, and rarely in a bad mood, even when dying.  In this scene he plays pool, sings, drinks, roams around chatting with friends, graciously receives heart eyes from Liu Sang, and then sits down for a long, friendly talk with his uncle.

It’s nice to see a hero whose troubles are primarily situational, and who isn’t struggling with a hidden dark side. I don’t personally relate to Wu Xie as much as I relate to an obviously traumatized character like Liu Sang, but Wu Xie is a lot of fun to watch and to root for, and it’s clear why his friends value him so highly.  

Look 26 is Liu Sang’s new glasses, which are gorgeous, and are perfect for giving Wu Xie heart eyes. Liu Sang is much too young to need this much lens real estate [says middle-aged OP from behind her large trifocal lenses] but they look great on him.

More Lewks coming soon!

[genshin-impact-updates]

"All That Glitters" Version 1.3 Update Details (Part 1)

Dear Travelers,

Below are the details of the Version 1.3 "All That Glitters" update and the update compensation.

〓Compensation〓

1. Maintenance Compensation: Primogems ×300

(60 Primogems for every hour the servers are down)

2. Issue Fix Compensation: Primogems ×300

(Please refer to the relevant compensation mail for more details)

〓Eligibility〓

Maintenance Compensation: All Travelers who have reached Adventure Rank 5 or above by 2021/02/03 06:00:00(UTC+8)

Compensation must be claimed before the end of Version 1.3.

Bug Fix Compensation: All Travelers who have reached Adventure Rank 5 or above by 2021/02/03 06:00:00(UTC+8)

Please claim from in-game mail before 2021/02/06 11:00:00(UTC+8)

Our developers will distribute compensation to Travelers via in-game mail within 5 hours after the update maintenance is finished. The mail will expire after 30 days, so don't forget to claim the attached compensation in time.

〓Update Schedule〓

Update maintenance begins 2021/02/03 06:00:00(UTC+8) and is estimated to take 5 hours.

(Note: Precise timings are subject to change. Players may also experience disruption outside of this period.)

〓How to Update Game Client〓

PC: Close the game, open the Genshin Impact Launcher, and click Update.

iOS: Open the App Store and tap Update.

Android: Open the game and follow the directions on-screen. (Alternatively, you may open Google Play and tap Update.)

PS4: Highlight Genshin Impact from the PS4 Home Screen and press the OPTIONS button > Check for Update.

Please do not hesitate to contact Customer Service if you encounter any issues installing the new version. We will do our very best to resolve the issue swiftly.

〓Update Details〓

(All times below based on server time)

I. New Character

5-Star Character "Vigilant Yaksha" Xiao (Anemo)

◇ Vision: Anemo

◇ Weapon: Polearm

◇ A yaksha adeptus who defends Liyue. Also heralded as the "Conqueror of Demons" and "Vigilant Yaksha."

Elemental Skill "Lemniscatic Wing Cycling": Xiao instantly lunges forward, dealing DMG to enemies in his path. This maneuver can also be executed in mid-air.

Elemental Burst "Bane of All Evil": Xiao dons the Yaksha's Mask, giving him enhanced abilities at the cost of draining his health: He deals increased DMG, attacks are converted to Anemo DMG, and his jumping ability is greatly increased.

During the event wish "Invitation to Mundane Life," from after the Version 1.3 update to 2021/02/17 15:59:59, the event-exclusive 5-star character "Vigilant Yaksha" Xiao (Anemo) and the 4-star characters "Kätzlein Cocktail" Diona (Cryo), "Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean" Beidou (Electro), and "Blazing Riff" Xinyan (Pyro) will have their Wish drop rates greatly increased!

II. Rate-Boosted Characters

5-Star Character "Driving Thunder" Keqing (Electro)

◇ Vision: Electro

◇ Weapon: Sword

◇ The Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. Keqing has much to say about Rex Lapis' unilateral approach to policymaking in Liyue — but in truth, gods admire skeptics such as her quite a lot.

During the event wish "Dance of Lanterns," from 2021/02/17 18:00:00 – 2021/03/02 15:59:59, the 5-star character "Driving Thunder" Keqing (Electro) and the 4-star characters "Eclipsing Star" Ningguang (Geo), "Trial by Fire" Bennett (Pyro), and "Shining Idol" Barbara (Hydro) will have their Wish drop rates greatly increased!

More character event wishes to follow during Version 1.3.

III. New Equipment

◇ Primordial Jade Cutter (5-Star Sword)

◇ A ceremonial sword masterfully carved from pure jade. There almost seems to be an audible sigh in the wind as it is swung.

*During the event wish "Epitome Invocation," from after the Version 1.3 update to 2021/02/23 15:59:59, the event-exclusive 5-star sword Primordial Jade Cutter and the 5-star polearm Primordial Jade Winged-Spear will have their Wish drop rates greatly increased!

◇ Staff of Homa (5-Star Polearm)

◇ A "firewood staff" that was once used in ancient and long-lost rituals.

◇ Lithic Spear (4-Star Polearm)

◇ A spear forged from the rocks of the Guyun Stone Forest. Its hardness knows no equal.

◇ Lithic Blade (4-Star Claymore)

◇ A greatsword carved and chiseled from the very bedrock of Liyue.

*Staff of Homa (Polearm), Lithic Spear (Polearm), and Lithic Blade (Claymore) will appear in future event wishes.

IV. New Events

Take part in Version 1.3's flagship event, Lantern Rite, for the chance to obtain a free 4-star Liyue character of your choice!

◆ Gameplay Duration: 2021/02/10 10:00:00 – 2021/02/28 03:59:59

◆ Event Rules: No Original Resin needed to take part. During the event period, Travelers can claim a 4-star Liyue character of their choice in "Stand by Me." Complete challenges in "Theater Mechanicus" to obtain Peace Talismans, which can be spent in the Xiao Market on rewards including Crown of Insight and a new namecard style "Celebration: Lantern-Light."

〓Lantern Rite Questline〓

Duration:

The Origin of the Lanterns: 2021/02/10 10:00:00 – 2021/02/28 03:59:59

Currents Deep Beneath the Lanterns: 2021/02/14 04:00:00 – 2021/02/28 03:59:59

Light Upon the Sea: 2021/02/18 04:00:00 – 2021/02/28 03:59:59

〓Lantern Rite Tales〓

Unlock Criteria:

Lantern Rite Tales I: Complete "The Origin of the Lanterns" to unlock.

Lantern Rite Tales II: Reach the Festive Fever stage "Guests Flock From Afar," complete the questline "Currents Deep Beneath the Lanterns," and complete all requests in "Lantern Rite Tales I" to unlock.

Lantern Rite Tales III: Reach the Festive Fever stage "Glow of a Thousand Lanterns," complete the questline "Light Upon the Sea," and complete all requests in "Lantern Rite Tales II" to unlock.

● Complete requests in "Lantern Rite Tales" to win Primogems and increase Festive Fever. Increase Festive Fever to progress through the Lantern Rite.

※ After the event gameplay ends on 2021/02/28 03:59:59, requests will no longer be available to complete.

〓Theater Mechanicus〓

Unlock Criteria:

Complete the quests "The Origin of the Lanterns" and "Liyue: Theater Mechanicus" to unlock

● Each attempt at Theater Mechanicus costs 1 Xiao Lantern (regardless of whether or not the challenge is successful). Xiao Lanterns can be crafted at a Crafting Bench, and the required crafting materials can be obtained by gathering plants and ore, or by defeating specified enemies.

● Progressing through the stages of Festive Fever unlocks new maps, new mechanici, higher upgrade levels, and increased difficulty levels.

● Progressing through the stages of Festive Fever unlocks new Theater Mechanicus challenges. Complete them to win Peace Talismans.

● Theater Mechanicus challenges can only be completed in Single-Player Mode or a two-player Co-Op session.

〓Xiao Market〓

Duration:

Stage I: 2021/02/10 10:00:00 – 2021/03/07 03:59:59

Stage II: 2021/02/14 04:00:00 – 2021/03/07 03:59:59

Stage III: 2021/02/18 04:00:00 – 2021/03/07 03:59:59

● Spend Peace Talismans at the Xiao Market to purchase items including Hero's Wit, Mystic Enhancement Ore, Character Level-Up Materials, Talent Level-Up Materials, the Crown of Insight, and the namecard style "Celebration: Lantern-Light."

〓Stand by Me〓

Duration: 2021/02/10 10:00:00 – 2021/03/07 03:59:59

● Reach the Festive Fever stage "Glow of a Thousand Lanterns" and spend 1,000 Peace Talismans in "Stand by Me" to receive one of the following 4-star characters: "Exquisite Delicacy" Xiangling (Pyro), "Blazing Riff" Xinyan (Pyro), "Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean" Beidou (Electro), "Eclipsing Star" Ningguang (Geo), "Juvenile Galant" Xingqiu (Hydro), or "Frozen Ardor" Chongyun (Cryo). You may claim only one character in this way.

Five Flushes of Fortune

◆ Event Duration: After the Version 1.3 update to 2021/02/10 03:59:59

(Please notice that this event will start from 2020/02/03 04:00:00 on Euro and America Server.)

◆ During the event, Travelers can claim a Kurious Kamera from Ji Tong. Equip the Kamera and take pictures of specific targets to obtain photos of different colors. Collect photos of five different colors and exchange them for a Fortune Trove to obtain Primogems, Hero's Wit, Mystic Enhancement Ore, and other rewards!

More events to follow during Version 1.3.

V. New Questlines

1. New story quests

After the Version 1.3 update, Xiao's story quest "Alatus Chapter" will be available.

◆ More story quests are on the way, so please stay tuned!

2. New world quests

◆ A total of 26 festive World Quests will become available over the course of the Lantern Rite event, accessible from "Lantern Rite Tales" on the Events menu.

◆ A further world quest "Bough Keeper: Dainsleif" will also be added.

VI. Other New Content

• Gameplay

1. New monsters: Geovishap, Primo Geovishap

2. New gadgets:

Parametric Transformer

Complete the world quest "Tianqiu Treasure Trail" from Lan in Liyue Harbor to obtain the Parametric Transformer. Enhancement Materials can be converted into Character EXP Materials, Character Level-Up Materials, and Weapon Ascension Materials by placing them in the Parametric Transformer to undergo transmutation.

3. New consumable: Dust of Azoth can convert the Elemental Type of Character Ascension Materials.

4. New achievement "Transmutation Nuclide"

5. New recipes:

Xinyue Kiosk's "Fullmoon Egg"

Wangshu Inn's "Vegetarian Abalone"

Liuli Pavilion's "Stone Harbor Delicacies"

• System

1. Archive addition: Living Beings

Records information on enemies defeated and living things caught or discovered. Travelers can consult the Living Beings section of the Archive to view how many times they have defeated different enemies and also review tutorials for certain enemies.

2. New conversion function on Crafting Bench:

Combining some Character Ascension Materials with Dust of Azoth at a Crafting Bench lets you convert their Elemental Type.

3. Travelers' profile pages now include Achievement progress and a Character Showcase.

4. Controller support added for devices running iOS 14 or above. Currently, the following controllers are supported: Xbox Wireless Controller (Bluetooth Version), Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, PlayStation DualShock 4 Wireless Controller, some other Bluetooth Wireless Controllers designed for iOS.

5. On the Weapon Enhancement screen, holding the selected material will add it rapidly.

6. A quick delete function has been added to the mailbox. Does not delete unread mail or mail with unclaimed attachments.

7. New photography method added for the PS4 version. Take a photo and save it to the PS4's local storage in one single action.

VII. Adjustments & Optimizations

• Characters

1. Adjustments to Zhongli:

1) Adjusts the effect of holding Zhongli's Elemental Skill "Dominus Lapidis":

◇ Original effect:

Causes nearby Geo energy to explode, causing the following effects:

·Creates a shield of jade. The shield's DMG Absorption scales based on Zhongli's Max HP, and absorbs Geo DMG 250% more effectively.

·Deals AoE Geo DMG.

·If there are nearby targets with the Geo element, it will drain a large amount of Geo element from a maximum of 2 such targets. This effect does not cause DMG.

◆ Post-adjustment effect:

Causes nearby Geo energy to explode, causing the following effects:

·If their maximum number hasn't been reached, creates a Stone Stele.

·Creates a shield of jade. The shield's DMG Absorption scales based on Zhongli's Max HP. Possesses 150% DMG Absorption against all Elemental and Physical DMG.

·Characters protected by the Jade Shield will decrease the Elemental RES and Physical RES of opponents in a small AoE by 20%. This effect cannot be stacked.

·Deals AoE Geo DMG.

·If there are nearby targets with the Geo element, it will drain a large amount of Geo element from a maximum of 2 such targets. This effect does not cause DMG.

2) Adjusts the effect of Zhongli's second Ascension Talent "Dominance of Earth":

◇ Original effect:

Planet Befall deals additional DMG equal to 33% of Zhongli's Max HP.

◆ Post-adjustment effect:

Zhongli deals bonus DMG based on his Max HP:

·Normal Attack, Charged Attack, and Plunging Attack DMG is increased by 1.39% of Max HP.

·Dominus Lapidis' Stone Stele, resonance, and hold DMG is increased by 1.9% of Max HP.

·Planet Befall's DMG is increased by 33% of Max HP.

2. Optimizes Mona's Talent "Illusory Torrent": When Mona is hit, she can use Illusory Torrent more quickly, as is the case with sprinting for other characters.

3. Adds a new idle animation for Kaeya.

4. Optimizes Zhongli's animation under "Weapons" on the Character Screen.

5. Resolves issues with Aiming Mode for Bow-wielding characters when obstacles are present nearby, such as character shaking and off-center shots.

6. Optimizes precision when firing shots at moving targets.

7. Resolves issues of shaky clothing/movements when some characters perform actions such as walking, attacking, skill casting, and sitting.

• Monsters

1. Adjusts combat logic for Dendro Slimes: When a Dendro Slime is hiding relatively far from your location, you will not enter combat mode.

• System

1. Spiral Abyss

Updates the monster lineup on Floor 12 of the Spiral Abyss.

The Ley Line Disorders on Floor 12 are adjusted to:

• For this floor only, the ley line flow will be normal

• No Ley Line Disorder

Starting from the first time that the Lunar Phase refreshes after updating to Version 1.3, the three Lunar Phases will be as follows:

Phase I: When active character's HP is less than 70%, ATK is increased by 20% and ATK SPD is increased by 15%.

When active character's HP is less than 35% and they are under the protection of a shield, CRIT Rate is increased by 20% and CRIT DMG is increased by 40%.

Phase II: A Charge will accumulate every 10s, with a maximum of three existing at any one time. If the active character's HP is less than 50%, they will consume a Charge when they hit an opponent to create an unstable energy orb at the opponent's position. This orb will explode after 1s, and only one of them can be created every 2s.

Phase III:

When the active character's HP is less than 50%, they gain a 2% DMG Bonus for 10s after hitting an opponent. This effect can stack up to 10 times, and each character in the party will have their own independent stacks and durations. Each time the stack count or duration of this effect resets, there is a 50% chance to release an Energy Blast. An Energy Blast can be triggered once every 10s.

2. Deleted chats will not appear in the chat list.

3. Optimizes display order of chat column: After entering team setup in Co-Op Mode, the chat column will automatically switch to the team column.

4. Optimizes the display hierarchy when there are multiple overlapping icons on the Map.

5. Optimizes UI transparency on mobile devices upon entering Aiming Mode in the Spiral Abyss.

6. Optimizes the Kamera gadget for the PS4 version: When equipped, using the Kamera directly stores a screenshot with the UI hidden to the local storage.

7. From Version 1.3 onward, extra Fragile Resin rewards will be included in the BP system:

Starting from BP Level 5, Sojourner's Battle Pass and Gnostic Hymn provide Fragile Resin ×1 every 10 BP Levels. The original rewards of Mystic Enhancement Ore provided at these BP Levels will be added to the rewards at other BP Levels instead, and the total quantity of Mystic Enhancement Ore that can be obtained from the BP system will not change.

8. Removes the Delete button from the Portable Waypoint interface of the open world map.

9. Optimizes the size of the Wind Glider on the Dressing Room screen for certain characters.

10. When using a controller, improves the refresh rate when switching between tabs in the Paimon's Bargains section of the Shop.

11. Optimizes the experience of moving the crosshair in Aiming Mode when the frame rate is low.

• Audio

1. Voice-Over Optimization:

a. Adds a reverb effect to internal monologue voice-over in quests.

b. Character combat voice-over can interrupt idle voice-over.

2. The Chinese voice artist for Amber will be changed, and this adjustment will take effect in Version 1.4.

3. Adds Chinese voice-over for some characters.

4. Adds Japanese voice-over for some characters.

5. Adjusts the audio effects for some voice-over on mobile and PC versions.

• Other

1. Adjustment to the Geo Elemental Resonance "Enduring Rock":

◇ Original effect:

Increases resistance to interruption. When protected by a shield, increases Attack DMG by 15%.

◆ Post-adjustment effect:

Increases shield strength by 15%. Additionally, characters protected by a shield will have the following special characteristics: DMG dealt increased by 15%, dealing DMG to enemies will decrease their Geo RES by 20% for 15s.

2. Geo Shield balance adjustments:

Geo Shields are adjusted from having "250% Geo DMG Absorption" to having "150% Physical DMG and Elemental DMG Absorption."

This adjustment affects the following:

• The Geo Shield produced by Zhongli's Elemental Skill

• The Geo Shield produced by Noelle's Elemental Skill

• The Geo Shield produced upon picking up a Geo Crystal dropped by a Geovishap Hatchling

3. Amends the tab for the standard wish "Wanderlust Invocation." *Only the tab has been changed. The Wish contents and rules remain unchanged.

4. Optimizes item source descriptions for Mist Grass Pollen, Mist Grass, and Mist Grass Wick.

5. Adjusts descriptions for the materials Fragile Bone Shard, Sturdy Bone Shard, and Fossilized Bone Shard and adds their sources.

6. Adds a description for the rules of Elemental Orb drops in the "Test Run" event (the actual mechanics in-game are not affected by this change).

*Note: In order to allow Travelers for a quicker use of Elemental Bursts and more efficient testing experience, the opponents on trial stages drop additional Elemental Orbs. However, due to our negligence, this effect was not individually listed in the event details, leading some Travelers to misevaluate characters based on their trial stage performance. We sincerely apologize for any confusion this might have caused. After this update, the event details will be supplemented with the relevant rules. We will continue to optimize the trial stage experience in the upcoming versions.

7. Adjusts the Stellar Reunion event as follows:

a. Adjusts the order of rewards in Passage of Time (total obtainable rewards remains unchanged).

b. Reduces the number of points required in Homeward Path to be eligible to claim the sword "Prototype Rancour." Points requirement reduced from 700 to 500.

Scope of Impact: Travelers who activate the Stellar Reunion event after updating to Version 1.3.

[noisytigereagle-blog1]

1440p video display units have emerge as extremely famous for gaming in latest years. They're low enough resolution best 2k monitor 144hz that decent overall performance is possible with out an incredibly pricey gaming pc, yet are high sufficient resolution that you can see greater pleasant info for your favorite games. They aren't just for PC gaming anymore, both; 1440p is supported through the Xbox One, making a 1440p monitor an attractive opportunity for college kids that don't have sufficient room for a great TV. We've reviewed over a hundred monitors, and beneath are our tips for the exceptional 1440p gaming monitors which can be available for buy. See our tips for the pleasant gaming video display units, the nice gaming reveal length, the nice 1080p monitors, and the quality gaming video display units under $300. If you're searching out the high-quality gaming revel in feasible, additionally take a look at out our hints for the satisfactory gaming mice. 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It has a great height brightness that's appropriate for an averagely-lit room, however unfortunately, it doesn't appearance as true inside the darkish, as it has a mediocre comparison ratio and black uniformity, which is predicted of most IPS panels. Gray uniformity is top notch, although, with almost no signal of dirty display effect, and its out-of-the-box coloration accuracy is first rate. This reveal supports HDR, but it is able to't display a wide shade gamut and it is able to't get bright enough to carry out highlights in HDR content material. Sadly, there's no USB hub to charge mobile gadgets, however it does include included speakers in case you don't have any dedicated ones. All in all, in case you're seeking out a 1440p reveal with great gaming overall performance and FreeSync help, this one is well worth checking out. See our review DARK ROOM ALTERNATIVE: SAMSUNG CHG70 Samsung CHG70 Design Samsung CHG70 SEE PRICEAmazon.Com Size 27" Resolution 2560x1440 Max Refresh Rate one hundred forty four Hz LCD Type VA Variable Refresh Rate FreeSync If you often recreation inside the darkish, the Samsung CHG70 may be a higher option than the ASUS TUF VG27AQ. Its VA panel has a much better evaluation ratio, resulting in deep and inky blacks whilst considered in a dark room. Unfortunately, its black uniformity is just as bad; but, this may vary from one unit to another. It has an splendid enter

[latin-dr-robotnik]

After 135 hours of playtime over the last 3+ years (yeah, I jumped on quite some time post-release), I finally finished the bulk of the Shovel Knight experience. There’s still lots to be played, achievements to hunt (I used to have 100% of them until King of Cards and Showdown) and stuff like that, but I feel like my personal journey with this game has reached its conclusion.

And what better thing to say than... well... thank you, Yacht Club Games.

Thank you for the wonderful stories, for the funny dialog and the dramatic moments. Thank you for introducing us to this awesome, awesome world, filled to the brim with interesting and charming people to meet and fight. Thank you for crafting such exquisit gameplay loops that always kept us hooked with fun and always interesting ideas for a 2D platformer. Thank you for the excellent level design in display throughout all the experience. And finally, thank you for the absolutely top-tier soundtrack from Jake Kaufman.

As a 2D platformer aficionado since childhood, this game has been a personal highlight in regards to how I look at the genre, even after so many years playing all kinds of good (and not so good) platformers. This is one indie game I keep recommending to friends and strangers alike (I just got my best friend’s brother to start playing it, and he loves it so far), because it’s that good. It’s not just a retro-revival, nor a “simple” indie game, it’s its own beast, and it’s a force to be reckoned with. 

If you somehow haven’t played it after all these years, then go ahead and do it, the only thing you’re going to lose is yourself in this beautiful world. Also a perfect game to spend the quarantine period, since there’s so much unique content to explore and enjoy. I played this game almost as much as I’ve played The Witcher 3 (and I fucking love TW3), so take it from me, you’ll spend a while playing it.

As a little tribute to this game, I’d like to share more about what exactly I like the most about this game:

Favorite character (to play as): Specter Knight (King Knight is a close second.)

Favorite character (in general): Mona.

Favorite campaign: Plague of Shadows.

Favorite story moment(s): The entire Tower of Fate and ending sequence as Specter Knight. The Plague of Shadows ending as well.

Favorite boss fight(s): Propeller Knight has always been a fun one to fight (I remember dying a lot to him when I first played as Shovel Knight, and as Specter Knight he’s piss easy but still lots of fun); Plague Knight is just pure chaotic fun (even more insanely chaotic with King Knight); and I enjoyed the Giga Cardia fight a lot (it reminded me a lot of Wily Capsule 7, I mean, there’s one attack that it’s just the Capsule’s attack pattern, just a lot more manageable than that load of bs.)

Favorite stage: I’m a big sucker for the gorgeous Flying Machine vistas (also the challenge, it’s always the first stage I go for when playing Specter.)

Favorite music track(s): Strike the Earth! (I mean, it’s so fucking iconic by this point, the Green Hill Zone of this game), An Underlying Problem, Tango of the Troupple King, A Cargo of Fineries, The Price of Doing Business, Hitting Close to Home, A Silly Talking Fish, The Buzz in the Grotto.

Biggest personal achievement: Beating NG+ Plague Knight. I still think it’s the hardest of the bunch, the boss rush was insane.

Most overpowered element used: I could say an ability, a move or something, but to be honest, to me the Joustus cards that change the card you yeet it over to your side or viceversa really snapped the game in half, even giving me a big strategy advantage on the last two big games (where time limits and losing your turn to the boss’ attack is a potential strategy, just to come swinging by the last second and steal all of your opponent’s cards holding gems, it’s nasty af). It’s like having those 0 power spy cards in TW3′s Gwent, OP as all hell.

Once again, thank you for the beautiful ride over the last years. Looking forward for whatever the studio comes up with next!

[ariasdefunctchildhood]

Dies Irae Playlist

Symphonie Fantastique- Berlioz

Through its movements, it tells the story of an artist's self-destructive passion for a beautiful woman. The symphony describes his obsession and dreams, tantrums and moments of tenderness, and visions of suicide and murder, ecstasy and despair.

The Planets- Holst

The work is based on astrological signs, which fascinated Holst, and not on the astronomical planets, which explains why Earth does not appear. Although Pluto was discovered and named a planet...he had absolutely no interest in adding a movement.

Danse Macabre- Saëns

The piece begins with twelve repeated notes from the harp, signifying a clock striking midnight. The violin scratches out a series of imperfect fifths that do not resolve as they should in well-mannered tonal music. The devil is warming up to play a diabolical dance in a fast waltz time...

Suite Symphonique- Bloch

Bloch's exquisite...Suites portray, in the composer's own words, "…the complex, glowing, agitated soul that I feel vibrating through the Bible…the freshness and naiveté of the Patriarchs, the violence of the prophetic Books; the Jew's savage love of justice; the despair of Ecclesiastes; the sorrow and the immensity of the Book of Job; the sensuality of the Song of Songs…it is all this that I endeavour to hear in myself, and to translate in my music."

Six Peices for Piano- Brahms

Perceived as a secret love letter to Clara Schumann, this is one of the most tear-jerking pieces of classical piano repertoire, with love, reminiscence and sense of longing all constellated in one single piece of music.

Totentaz- Listz

Franz Liszt's Totentanz is a diabolical concerto for piano and orchestra, filled with dark, dramatic energies. The piece reflects Liszt's fascination with death and the macabre - the title is German for "Dance of Death"! The piece also showcases Liszt's inventive new ideas about how the piano and orchestra are used and combined.

Requiem in D Minor- Mozart

Mozart was not in the best state of mind when he received an anonymous commission to compose a Requiem Mass. His health was deteriorating and he believed he had been cursed to write a requiem as a ‘swansong’ for himself, because he was sure he was about to die.

Isles of the Dead- Rachmaninoff

This work was inspired by the painting by Swiss artist Arnold Böcklin. Böcklin's haunting painting depicts an island, in front of which stands a barricade of stones. Further out from it, jutting high out of the sea, is a huge rock, within which are large chambers for the dead. A boat can be seen on the waters operated by a black-clad helmsman, whose white-robed passenger stands ghost-like.

Symphony No. 103- Haydn

Between the two high-profile London residencies that marked the peak of Haydn’s long career, he took on a brash new composition student from Bonn named Beethoven...Within weeks they both realized the futility of the experience—a clash of personalities and a battle of wills, undermined, even in its best moments, by the unspoken fact that Haydn was really Beethoven’s second choice, since Mozart had died the previous December.

From the Middle Ages Suite- Glazunov

Literally couldn't find anything but some weird anecdotes from his wiki page

~~~

https://www.pbs.org/keepingscore/berlioz-symphonie-fantastique.html

https://www.wrti.org/post/story-about-gustav-holsts-planets

https://music.allpurposeguru.com/2018/02/danse-macabre-camille-saint-saens/

https://www.naxos.com/mainsite/blurbs_reviews.asp?item_code=8.557757&catNum=557757&filetype=About%20this%20Recording&language=English

https://interlude.hk/brahms-late-piano-works-klavierstucke-op-118/

http://www.favorite-classical-composers.com/totentanz.html

https://www.classicfm.com/composers/mozart/guides/mozart-requiem-full-works-concert-highlight-week/

https://www.allmusic.com/composition/the-isle-of-the-dead-symphonic-poem-op-29-mc0002367200

https://cso.org/uploadedFiles/1_Tickets_and_Events/Program_Notes/ProgramNotes_Haydn_Symphony103.pdf

[galleryofunknowns]

Joshua Johnson (b.1763-d. after 1824), 'Portrait of a Boy with Squirrel' + 'Portrait of a Girl with Dog', no date (1800s), American, oil on canvas, for sale est. 100,000 - 150,000 USD in Christie's Important American Furniture, Folk Art, and Silver sale, January 2020, New York, NY, USA.

Among the most vividly colored and exquisitely detailed of Joshua Johnson’s work, this pair of portraits stands as a masterful survival by America’s first African-American professional painter. The girl, with the expanse of her white dress, takes up a large percentage of the canvas area and stares directly at the viewer despite the nearby distractions of a butterfly and dog. Combined with a palette of contrasting colors and highlights in red and pink, this composition heightens the dramatic impact of the likeness. The sitter’s ovoid eyes, fingers thickly outlined in reddish hues and a pointing finger with noticeably wavy tip are hallmarks of Johnson’s style as seen throughout his career while the props and background point more specifically to a date during the first few years of the nineteenth century, possibly slightly earlier. The rose bush and butterfly feature in several of Johnson’s works of children including two with identified sitters, Sarah Maria Coward (1802-1860) and Adelia Ellender (c.1803-after 1841). As these subjects appear to be aged between one and three years, their portraits can be dated between 1803 and 1805. Furthermore, the distinctive white dog with bushy tail appears in four other Johnson portraits. In three of these, dated between 1800 and 1805, the dog sits sideways or away from the viewer. However, the fourth, of Mary Buchanan Smith (1788-1868) painted in 1797-1798, has a frontal view of the dog’s head, as does the portrait offered here, and both feature very similar squared heads with large, round snout-like noses. See Carolyn J. Weekley, Stiles Tuttle Colwill et al., Joshua Johnson: Freeman and Early American Portrait Painter (Williamsburg, VA and Baltimore, 1987), cats. 2, 10, 13, 22, 23, 25; see also, Christie’s New York, 18 January 2019, lots 218-220. The portrait of the girl is also one of very few by Johnson that includes buildings in the background. In the 1987 catalogue, the most comprehensive study of the artist, only one has such architectural detail. The circa 1804 portrait of Charles Herman Stricker Wilmans (1797-1833) shows two three-bay houses, with the furthest set back. Here, the houses have two bays, are similarly staggered and have an additional long, low building suggestive of a farm setting, possibly illustrating the family home or a country house. See Weekley and Colwill, op. cit., cat. 22 and Baltimore Museum of Art, acc. no. 1944.6. Like his presumed sister, the boy holds the viewer’s gaze while his left hand holds a nut for his pet squirrel, a scene of arrested play that Joshua Johnson was particularly adept at portraying. The sitter’s dress, pose and props suggest an early nineteenth-century date of production, in keeping with the evidence for the companion portrait of the girl. His left hand has the nut held delicately between the thumb and an outstretched forefinger, the other three fingers curling inward. In execution and layout, this passage is virtually identical to the right hand of Emma van Name as she prepares to eat a strawberry in her circa 1805 portrait now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A popular pet among the well-to-do since Renaissance times through the early nineteenth century, the squirrel in this portrait sits atop a wooden home, and subtle brushworks indicate he or she has a mate inside the box. Johnson’s circa 1804 double portrait of the Rutter children shows the boy in a similar pose. Instead of a squirrel and a nut, the Rutter boy has a bird, but likewise holds its food out to his side and the bird’s “home,” a wooden pole, is also included in the work. See Weekley and Colwill, op. cit., cats. 26, 32). His work identified by J. Hall Pleasants in 1939, Joshua Johnson remains an enigmatic figure. Family histories and a listing as a “free coloured person” in the 1816/7 Baltimore City Directory indicated that he was African-American but his background was unknown until the 1990s when newly discovered court records revealed his mixed-race heritage. The records include a 1764 bill of sale from William Wheeler to George Johnson (Johnston) for a “mulatto boy named Joshua” and a 1782 manumission order for Joshua Johnson that reveals his age at the time as “upwards of Nineteen Years” and that he was the son of his owner, George Johnson. In 1782, he was apprenticed to a blacksmith but little is known of his life until 1796, when he is listed as a portrait painter in the Baltimore City Directory. Two years later, he placed his first advertisement, in which he noted that he was a “self-taught genius.” Additional advertisements and directories indicate his various addresses until 1824, after which there is no record of his life (Jennifer Bryan and Robert Torchia, “The Mysterious Portraitist Joshua Johnson,” Archives of American Art Journal, vol. 36, no. 2 (1996), pp. 2-7; Carolyn J. Weekley, “Who Was Joshua Johnson?” in Weekley and Colwill, op. cit., pp. 47-67). Little is known of the history of the pair of portraits. Prior to their sale at auction in 1994, the works were in the collection of Dr. Francis Grubar (1924-1992), a specialist in nineteenth-century American paintings and prior to his death, professor emeritus at George Washington University in Washington D.C. As much of his professional career related to more academic artists working later in the century, these portraits by Johnson, perhaps because of their vibrant palette and imagery, must have had a particular appeal. (x)

[oosteven-universe]

Ravencroft #1

Ravencroft #1 Marvel Comics 2020 Written by Frank Tieri Illustrated by Angel Unzueta Coloured by Rachelle Rosenberg & Dono Sanchez-Almara Lettered by VC's Joe Sabino     RAVENCROFT REOPENED!     After the hellish horrors of ABSOLUTE CARNAGE, the Ravencroft Institute has received a much-needed facelift and is open for business with a new staff, including JOHN JAMESON, looking to atone for the part he played in ABSOLUTE CARNAGE. But will Ravencroft return the mentally unstable villains of the Marvel Universe to upstanding citizens and give John the redemption he’s looking for, or will they fall prey to the hospital’s seemingly sinister nature?     I hadn't thought that this was going to be something for me. Frank is the writer so I had to take a look as I am a fan of his work. What hooked me here was seeing Misty and once I saw her I knew I had to have this, and no I am not reading any of the obligatory tie-ins nor did I read that Carnage mischegas so for me this is new in every respect. So now that I have had a good chance to go through the book a couple times I find myself attracted to it because of not only who is in it but also because of the overall premise.     I love how this is being told. The opening with Misty is perfectly done and how we see the explanation of what is happening here could not have been any clearer for those of us who didn't read the whole Carnage saga. This is what I love about Frank's ability to craft a story, it is like we are getting in on the ground floor of something that has already been fully established. The story & plot development that we see through the sequence of events unfolding as well as how the reader learns information is flawlessly executed. The character development is amazingly strong and how we learn about the characters through their dialogue, narration as well as how they act and react to situations is extremely telling. The pacing here is excellent and as it takes through the pages revealing the twists and turns along the way help to create this really tight ebb & flow to the book.     I get that these are established characters and I get that we've seen over a million different takes on them but with Misty here mixed in with what she's currently about one thing is sure and that is we are going to see a lot of fighting. Whether she's known for her role behind the computer or on the streets this is one woman who's potential is far from being tapped.     The interiors here are actually extremely interesting to me. Though I will say right off the bat Angel needs to work and figure what is going on with Misty's hair. It has the shape of an afro yet the styling of the sixties and it looks weird all over the place. Otherwise the linework we see is nicely done and there is this great display of creativity and imagination that we see, the opening with all the blues or the freak in his tube all the way to the things that live below this is where things shine. Consistency needs work as John at the meeting and John walking into the meeting don't look like the same man as he went from muscular to skinny or emaciated looking the course of a day. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a decent eye for storytelling. The colour work here is exquisite and saves a lot of moments. There is some incredible utilisation of colour and how we see the various hues and tones within them creating the shading, highlights and shadows here. Those blues in the holographic mode, you wanna talk about stunning! ​     This story has everything you could possibly want in it. It has shadowy organisations that deeper than any black ops out there, it has literally inmates who have conquered the asylum and personal drama galore. The way Frank weaves all these together is beautiful to see and with his mind and his talent this is going to be the one to watch folks, mark my words.

[asktheseawitch]

writer aesthetics

john keats: the lavender in sunsets, flowers in the rain, sunlight slipping through clouds, lazy summer afternoons, the heavy scent of musk, flickering candlelight reflecting off the gold titles of books, fireflies on a cool summer night, being wrapped in fresh bedsheets, the ache of wanting what you can never have, dripping sunlight like gold, loving someone so exquisite, soft lips and soft whispers, fingers through hair, names of lovers carved in trees, broken glass, the insistence of being perpetually dreamy

f. scott fitzgerald: mahogany wood, crisp winter skies with cold bright stars, the solitude of an early autumn morning wrapped in fog, empty bottles on stacks and stacks of books haphazardly placed in a messy room, pale bruised arms reaching out into the darkness, cigarette smoke just barely hiding the scent of alcohol, a wall of books all poetry and old and weathered, a bad thunderstorm occurring at the end of a beautiful day, the way tragedy strikes in your heart but ends up stopping your breathing for a moment,  your favorite sweater, parties spilling into four a.m. with the stars above spinning and dancing, the contrast of blood against snow, a purple split lip oozing blood, black eyes fading to blue to pale skin, the butterflies of falling in love for the first time, the statues falling apart over time in cemeteries, the romanticization of self-destruction

franz kafka: the weight of dread that sits heavily in your stomach when thinking about the future, decrepit houses cloaked in mystery from children telling stories of people who died there, the way not even light can escape a black hole, the rich smell of old books,  delicate veins in the wrist, ghosts filling lungs, shattered bones, raindrops on the tongue, rusting metal, nostalgia that aches, the way hope feels like a plastic bag over your head

h.p. lovecraft:  the anxiety felt when staring into an unknown cave, pouring rain and mud, a child’s fear of the dark, thinking so many questions about your existence as you stare at the vast expanse of never ending ocean, the silence of three a.m.,  danse macabre by camille saint-saens playing on a record in an empty house, the possibility of aliens and the weird feeling it gives you that you can’t explain, unexplainable phenomena, strange lights in the sky in the dead of night, ouija boards and urban legends

jack kerouac: the brisk pine air of being on a mountain, travels without a destination,those nights where you’re missing three hours of memory, screaming to a lifeless desert about how you’re so alive, coffee shops late at night, car rides at night spent speeding and laughing in the dark, naps spent in the sun,  novels highlighted and underlined with notes and epiphanies in the margins, the way uncertainty sits on the shoulders, ignoring flaws and loving life, wind through hair, depression as fog in the brain, impossible ideals, a quiet sunrise, walks alone, when you think about trying to discover all the secrets to the universe, dazzling people, open lands stretching out into infinity, falling in love with being alive

edgar allan poe: the ocean’s horizon inseparable from fog, hollow bones, a preserved heart held in hands, twinkling stars above an old graveyard, the way everything turns to dust, silent black birds with eyes full of wisdom, self-inflicted flames, perfection depicted as a rotting corpse, death as bricks in the heart, lips barely brushing against each other, glassy glazed eyes, biting into a lemon,  heart-shaped bruises, rotting flowers on a grave, dried blood and spilled liquor, the hush of dusk when it begins raining, the intimacy of a secret

Tagged by Stolen from: @autumnswordsman

Tagging: @askyuivalanaki​, @my-muses-in-op​, @worldsworstsamurai​, @psychomxncy​, @onnagataizou​, @ask-kitchenwitchsanji​, and YOU!

[bussanbaby]

With the sun setting over New York, Magnus and Alec stumble through the main door, letting it click shut behind them. With his arm around Magnus’ back, Alec leads him over to the couch, supporting a big part of the warlock’s tired weight. The loft is alight with golden rays of the sun, everything so seemingly peaceful compared to what they had gone through just a couple of hours earlier.

It’s almost like the stressful day had never happened, but the lines of exhaustion, both physical and mental, are obvious in the furrow of Magnus’ brow, in the way he slumps into the soft seat with a bone-deep sigh. With his elbows set on his knees, Magnus rubs at his face with his fingers, not even paying much attention to his eye makeup, with how distracted he is.

When they returned from the core maintenance room, a little bit ruffled and still coming off the high of adrenaline, the OPS centre had been a mess - Jace held Raj pinned down against the table and a couple of other lower-rank Shadowhunters were stood by the far wall, guarded by Izzy and Clary. Alec should’ve expected the opposition to his idea if he had to be honest, given what has been said about him in the recent weeks by some of the staff  - at least everything worked out despite Raj’s interference, they’re all alive, the plan worked, and the Institute is still standing where it should be.

At first, Magnus just seemed tired, out of breath and jittery with all the magic that had been running through his fingers just moments before, but as they made their way back home, the excitement wore off, swapped for heavy limbs and a sleepy smile.

Magnus leans against the couch, letting his head fall back against the cushions, looking up at Alec who’s standing in parade rest, hands clasped behind his back.

“I don’t think I’ve taken a cab since the New York Knicks won their first NBA championship back in the seventies,” Magnus muses, his lips quirked up and eyes twinkling with what has to be a mix between nostalgia and mirth.

Alec shrugs off his jacket and tosses it onto the blue armchair, rolling his shoulders. He can feel a headache coming on, a slight throbbing in his temples, probably as a result of Lorenzo going on and on about every portrait of him and all the various ways each artist has captured the essence of his smile; people bickering around him all day and questioning his authority perhaps had something to do with it as well.

“What about a martini, a hot bath, and a steak, medium rare?” Alec offers, coming up behind Magnus to set his palms on his shoulders, kneading the tense muscles there.

A noise akin to a moan wrings itself out of Magnus as he pushes into Alec’s touch, eyes dipping closed with bliss.

“You read my mind, darling. But the bath comes first, I feel like I got hit by a bus.”

“Pure angelic power can do that to you,” Alec chuckles, pushing his thumb into a very tight knot of muscle in the junction of Magnus’ neck. “You sit tight, I’m gonna go and start the water.”

Alec kicks off his shoes and heads to the bathroom, turning the knobs until steam starts rising from the water and then adds in the bath soaks and essential oils. The scents mingle together, creating a lovely aroma of flowers and herbs. When he turns back, Magnus is standing at the entrance, shoulder pressed against the doorjamb, his eyes half-lidded and a soft smile on his face.

“Go ahead, I’ll be right back,” Alec says and Magnus nods at him as he starts to shrug out of his suit jacket with a grimace.

Socked feet padding across the floor, Alec beelines for the apothecary and towards the second-top shelf in the corner of the room. He’s looking for a small, jade-glass bottle with a dropper on top - he finds it way in the back, still half full.

Magnus is already halfway through unbuttoning his shirt which halts Alec’s steps as he decides to just enjoy the moment. Hearing a noise, Magnus looks up with the hint of a smirk playing on his mouth.

“Enjoying the view, are we?” he quips, making quick work of the rest of the buttons and slipping out of the shirt to hand it over to Alec.

“Don’t mind me, go on,” Alec chuckles, folding the shirt haphazardly to deposit it on top of the laundry hamper. Unsurprisingly, his gaze drifts back to the expanses of Magnus’ chest, tempting Alec to run his fingertips against Magnus’ sternum and down his stomach.

“How about you join me? The bath’s big enough for two,” Magnus proposes with feigned innocence, shrugging one shoulder as he works on undoing his pants - it’s a bit more difficult to do without magic (and when the belt buckle is in the back).

Alec holds his breath for a moment, tempted by the suggestion. He should catch up on reports for the day, consult Izzy about the demonic possession footage, but Magnus is right there to hold and the water looks so deliciously warm that he can’t help himself; he breathes out.

“I could use some down time,” Alec aims for an unaffected tone, but Magnus sees right through the facade, raising one questioning eyebrow. Alec rolls his eyes fondly. “Oh, shut it.”

Magnus breathes out a laugh as Alec steps closer to him, deft hands helping to set the buckle free and tug the belt out of the loops. This close, Alec allows himself to look, to take in every line and curve of Magnus’ body, the way the late afternoon light makes his skin glow better than any highlighter he has on his vanity.

This is not about the sexual kind of closeness, not this time - it’s about the feeling of safety, winding down in the presence of the person you trust with your life, letting the walls down, figuratively and literally at once. It’s about taking care of each other.

Magnus’ wide shoulders are slumped slightly and he seems ready to fall asleep across any horizontal surface when Alec grabs his hands gently where they hang at his sides, aware of the sore spots magic has left behind. “Take some of my strength.”

Magnus pulls his eyebrows together and tilts his head in a half-aborted headshake.

“Alexander…”

“Come on, even a little bit, just so you can get your mojo back quicker,” Alec insists, running his thumbs over the blue veins on the insides of Magnus’ wrists.

With the first touch of magic, Alec shivers as it tugs on his core - it’s not uncomfortable, per se, but it’s a strange feeling nonetheless, like an incorporeal arm reaching up along his spine, careful fingers searching his body for angelic power. By now, it has become somewhat familiar to him, the sensation of Magnus’ magic being something Alec’s soul leaps toward without a second thought.

Magnus takes a deep breath, already seeming more awake than just moments before as the energy continues to trickle between them through their linked hands. It slows to a stop and Magnus tilts his chin up to brush his lips against Alec’s. “Thank you.”

“This, as well,” Alec murmurs after they kiss, pulling the little potion bottle from his pocket and holding it up for Magnus to see.

Magnus opens his eyes, then purses his lips when he recognizes his own concoction, clearly labeled with curled handwriting.

“My rejuvenation serum? How did you know where it was?” he asks, seeming positively surprised and almost impressed, even with a task as simple as this.

“Well, I listen to you, believe it or not. Also, I spend a lot of time in the apothecary with you.”

Alec hands it over, watches Magnus uncork it and deposit two drops of it on the back of his hand before licking it off. He scrunches up as his nose at the supposedly bitter taste and Alec can’t help but smile with fondness.

“I don’t doubt that, you do tend to stare at my lips quite often.” Magnus sets the bottle aside after sealing it up and gets back to taking off his clothes without a hitch in their conversation.

So, he has noticed.

“I don’t stare, I appreciate,” Alec balks at Magnus’ words, huffing as he pulls his henley over his head, dropping it onto the floor. “And you can’t blame me, really, since they’re so lovely.”

Alec is just telling the truth as it is - he’d kiss Magnus constantly if he ever had that option. And it’s not that he doesn’t pay attention, since he always values what Magnus has to say; sometimes his eyes just drift down to simply watch his boyfriend talk, to follow the curve of his lower lip as he pouts, lost in his own thoughts, or learn over and over again how they stretch into a smile, so tantalizingly close.

Magnus pauses, fingers hooked into the hem of his boxer briefs. “But are they more exquisite than Lorenzo’s fabrics?” he teases, his voice tinted with laughter.

“Magnus, I was winging it! He didn’t exactly give me much to work with,” Alec explains as he tugs his legs free from the confines of his jeans, having to take a step to the side to prevent himself from toppling over. “Well, until he started talking about himself being used as a baby model by an artist.”

At that point, Alec was just guessing his answers - apparently he had luck on his side, since that baby looked nothing like Lorenzo himself.

“El Greco?” “Yeah, how did you know?”

Magnus stops the water before the bath fills up too much and dips his fingers in, testing the temperature. His back is turned to Alec, but he can hear the disdain in Magnus’ scoff loud and clear. “Because he tells that story to anyone who has the patience to listen.”

He does seem like the type, Alec thinks. It took them maybe twenty minutes just to go through one room and he’s not even sure how many more there were. In some sort of way, Magnus making noise saved Alec from further extensive Lorenzo Rey history lessons.

“I thought he was going to talk my ear off about all of his antiquities! Your loft isn’t modest by any chance, but Rey’s just showing off with that mansion chock full of expensive crap.”

Almost simultaneously, they both tug their underwear down and step into the water, holding onto each other for balance.

The water feels blissfully hot against Alec’s skin, washing against his calves in little waves as Magnus sits down by the more rounded edge. He motions for Alec to come closer and moves them around until Alec ends up with his back pressed against Magnus’ chest, and with curious fingers tracing paths through the dark hair on his chest.

“Oh, I know! He’s always been like that, loving any attention coming his way. He thinks he’s the Jay Gatsby of warlocks.” Magnus’ voice resonates straight through Alec’s torso and he can already feel his own stress draining away - the problems with the Institute, the Greater Demon case - nothing exists in that very moment, just Magnus as a solid weight behind him and the water around them, tinted a faint purple with lavender.

Alec imagines Lorenzo in a Gatsby get-up, having read the book back in the days when he had free time, but then another, better fitting character comes to mind. Alec smiles to himself, a laugh bubbling up in his chest at the vision of the new High Warlock in a sparkly 20s’ dress.

“In reality, he is more of a Daisy, who also needs to hang back on the hair pomade. That ponytail is slicker than his attitude.” Alec tips his head back onto Magnus’ collarbone, as Magnus laughs shamelessly at the jab, making the water ripple around them with each breath; it’s Alec’s favorite sound.

He closes his eyes for a moment, tangling his fingers with Magnus’ and pulling their hands to rest on his stomach. Then, he adds, “He is so full of himself, he didn’t even realize I was just buying you time with the compliments.”

“Such an ass. And you did so well, my dear. I’ve never heard you talk with such passion about ceilings!” Magnus nods exaggeratedly, poking fun at Alec’s ‘professional’ acting skills; for how long he’s been a Shadowhunter, anyone would think he’d get better at acting, but alas it’s never been Alec’s strong suit, leaving him slightly panicked and searching for topics to grab onto. Considering the sudden circumstances of their heist, Alec is still proud of keeping his cool long enough around that pompous buffoon.

“I had to improvise somehow, I couldn’t let him see you making faces from behind his fancy couch. But you would make an excellent spy.”

Magnus chuckles, dropping a kiss on top of Alec’s messy hair that probably still smells like sandalwood. “We should start our own detective agency - Bane & Lightwood, here at your service. For the right price, of course.”

It’s a nice thought - Alec and Magnus, working together, solving crimes and helping people in need; kind of like they do now. Maybe in the end, their lives wouldn’t turn out so differently.

“That’s our retirement plan, then.”

It’s both casual and monumental, hanging in the air between them. Magnus stills above Alec, his chin resting against Alec’s head, who can sense him tense up a bit, before relaxing back into the water.

“I’m already looking forward to it.” Magnus’ voice snags on one of the words, gaining confidence as he finishes his sentence, having made up his mind about whatever thoughts he chooses to keep private for now. “I appreciated your help today. I would rather have you safe and sound somewhere else, but you being there with me meant a lot.”

Alec is glad to see Magnus open up more about his thoughts and feelings, as it allows them to understand each other better. Sometimes it’s easier to leave certain things unspoken, but they’re trying to go against that, to keep themselves open instead, to allow themselves comfort, understanding, and honesty - the cornerstones of a relationship to outlast time itself.

“Of course. I told you, I go wherever you go and if it means into danger, then so be it. I’m not leaving your side, never again,” Alec confesses, squeezing Magnus’ fingers between his.

“Have I mentioned how much I love you?” Magnus chuckles, tightening his embrace around Alec and making something warm bloom in his chest. Alec laughs as well, closing his eyes.

“Once or twice.”

[macaronyy-da-lame-guy]

Title: A Memorable Co-op Shift: Engaging Passengers and Exquisite Sushi Adventures

Introduction:

Working as a PSA (Passenger Service Agent) for Cathay Pacific Airlines can be an exciting and rewarding experience. From interacting with passengers to ensuring smooth operations, the role of a PSA is crucial in providing a positive travel experience. In this blog, I will share my recent co-op shift experience, highlighting a challenging situation with a passenger and a delightful sushi adventure with fellow students.

Engaging with Passengers and Overcoming Challenges:

During my co-op shift, the flight was full, and we had the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of passengers. While most interactions were pleasant, there was one particular challenge that required problem-solving skills and quick thinking. I encountered a passenger who had a connecting flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne, but he did not have a visa for Australia. This posed a significant problem as he needed to enter Australia during the layover.

As a PSA, it was crucial to remain calm and assist the passenger in finding a suitable solution. I promptly contacted the airline's supervisor and explained the situation. Together, we explored alternative options and found a solution. We arranged for the passenger to rebook his connecting flight to a later date, allowing him enough time to acquire the necessary visa. By communicating effectively with the passenger and collaborating with the airline's staff, we were able to alleviate the passenger's concerns and ensure a smooth travel experience.

A Sushi Adventure in Toronto's Finest Restaurant:

After a fulfilling co-op shift, my fellow students and I decided to treat ourselves to a well-deserved dinner. We chose to dine at the renowned sushi restaurant, Sushi Extravaganza, located in the heart of Toronto. This upscale establishment is known for its exquisite sushi creations and elegant ambiance, making it the perfect choice for a memorable evening.

As we settled into our seats, the aroma of freshly prepared sushi filled the air, tantalizing our taste buds. We began our culinary journey with the chef's special appetizer, the "Ocean Symphony." This dish consisted of delicate sashimi slices arranged artistically, featuring a medley of flavors from the sea. Each bite was a sensory delight, as we savored the freshness of the ingredients and the chef's meticulous attention to detail.

For the main course, we indulged in the "Dragon's Roll," a signature creation that combined succulent grilled eel, avocado, and cucumber, enveloped in a thin layer of sushi rice and topped with a drizzle of eel sauce. The combination of textures and flavors was a true masterpiece, leaving us in awe of the sushi chef's culinary expertise.

As the evening progressed, we explored a variety of sushi rolls, including the "Golden Tempura Roll" and the "Rainbow Roll," each showcasing unique ingredients and innovative presentations. The evening was filled with laughter, good conversation, and an appreciation for the artistry that went into each dish.

Conclusion:

My co-op shift as a PSA with Cathay Pacific Airlines provided both challenges and moments of joy. From assisting passengers in overcoming travel obstacles to indulging in a memorable sushi adventure, the day was a testament to the diverse experiences and opportunities that arise in the airline industry.

As a PSA, it is essential to approach challenges with a calm and problem-solving mindset, ensuring that passengers' needs are met to the best of our abilities. And after a long shift, treating ourselves to a fancy dining experience like the one we had at Sushi Extravaganza allows us to relax, bond with colleagues, and appreciate the finer things in life.

In the end, it's the combination of unique experiences and shared moments that make the journey as a PSA truly rewarding. It's the fulfillment of helping others and the joy of savoring the culinary