#gosh i love roden so much

[enchanted-prose]

Daisy Chains

I can’t contribute anything to the fandom except for writing! Here’s my first contribution for something I’m going to call Fic Friday. I solemnly swear to drop a fic or drabble from 200-6,000 words every Friday! (drop comments because I live for attention?)

Title: Daisy Chains

Word Count: 2,000

Features: Mott, Jaron, Amarinda, Tobias, Roden, and Imogen, as well as a few ocs and an introduction for a larger project I’m working on.

No editing, we die like men.

The day was warm.

Birds chirped, and for the first time in a long time, the trees all bore their leaves. Everything was alive. Buzzing with a lazy energy.

The Roving River moved eerily slowly, slugging through the broken forest just outside of Drylliad castle. It would be years before the forest surrounding the castle healed from the wounds of war. But after two years, the environment was making great effort to return to normalcy.

But normalcy was still years away.

Repercussions from the Avenian War still rattled the government and population of Carthya. In Avenia, the people were struggling to survive. Bymar was facing severe social unrest.

At least Gelyn was still swindling people out of their fortunes, like they always did.

On the bank of the river lay a large, quilted blanket. A basket of food stood in the middle of a group of young people.

And there was laughter.

Smiles despite the haunted look each person tried to hide.

"Still can't believe you managed to drink an entire barrel full of mead," Tobias shook his head. "Roden, there's been an ongoing study about fermented beverages leading to an early death."

Roden Harlowe, the charming captain of Carthya's royal  guard, smirked, "I'm bound to die anyways, may as well die from something I like."

"That's not-"

"Careful Tobias, you might trick people into thinking we're friends."

"Shut up."

A wave of snickers rippled through Tobias, Roden, and the rest of King Jaron's inner circle.

Jaron himself had demanded that he and the inner circle take the afternoon off. They all deserved it. Each one had been working nonstop to ensure domestic peace, and others had been grappling with diplomatic responsibilities.

The rules for the afternoon were simple: Under no circumstances was anybody allowed to bring up anything that had to do with the kingdom.

Or other kingdoms.

Or anything sad at all.

"I feel like you should push Roden to his limits," snipped Amarinda, the princess and ambassador of Bymar. "If he can drain an entire barrel, why not see if he can do two?"

"Now that's a wager I'll get behind," Roden said. He settled on his back, clasping his hands behind his head.

"You'd be sick for days," Tobias argued.

"That won't stop me from doing anything."

"Idiot."

"Prat."

Jaron was laughing, "As much as I approve of pushing boundaries, maybe you should start at one and a half barrels. You still need to patrol the- ah, you still need to be wary on your feet. . . Or Tobias may be able to disarm you in a sparring match."

"Didn't think of that," Roden groaned. "My reputation would be ruined."

"Your reputation is already ruined," Amarinda teased.

"Damaged beyond compare, there's absolutely no chance you can repair it. You'll be churning butter your whole life," Jaron inched his way closer to Imogen, and settled an arm around her. "Maybe you could open a shop."

"I fully intend to vanish, and then train wannabe heroes just like the mentors from the old legends."

"Don't the mentors usually die in the legends?"

"Everyone dies in legends, that's why they're legends."

"I thought we were going to avoid depressing subjects," Imogen chirped. She tugged on the end of her braid.

A moment of silence settled in over everyone.

Avoiding the scars they'd all received would never be an easy task. They were still too fresh despite appearing to be healed.

Each one had different burdens.

Each one bore their own burden in different ways.

For Imogen, she found herself almost always afraid that somebody would materialize out of the dark and put an arrow through her shoulder again.

For Jaron, he couldn't ever seem to sit still, something he struggled with as a child before. If he was constantly moving, there was less of a chance of being caught.

"My cousin, Princess Eline, sent me a letter," Amarinda said. "She's going to be named heir to the throne soon."

"She's going to become queen in her own right?" Jaron's eyes went wide. "That's incredible!"

"She's taking the situation very seriously, especially since she's so young. However, there is much. . . Much to be done to prepare for the ceremony. I hope to attend."

"I hope we all can attend."

Silence once again.

They all knew that they were avoiding a subject very specific to Princess Eline's new title as Crown Princess.

Princess Eline  had the support of the Royalists, but no support from those calling themselves the Tairrogists.

The Tairrogists insisted that they needed a new monarch.

One that would focus on Bymar's affairs before attending to their allies.

And they were gaining an unsettling amount of support from the people of Bymar.

Amarinda wasn't the type to watch her country topple, even if she did have a duty to Carthya and her husband above all.

That was how she kept herself composed.

She busied herself with ways to make life better for everyone, and did her best to involve Tobias. Together, they worked through their concerns.

Their fears were slowly melting away.

Together, they recognized that there was only so much that they could do within their power.

Unlike Roden.

Unlike Captain Roden Harlowe, who silently insisted that he was strong enough to save everyone he could.

The results when he couldn't save everyone were devastating to watch.

So he turned to the company of alcohol. The local tavern had a stool reserved just for him. The local barmaids always did their best to serve him first for the chance to accompany him to his bed.

He kept himself detached and too involved all at once.

And he never slept alone.

"I've always wanted to know how to make a daisy chain," Roden blurted, saying the first thing that came to his mind.

"A daisy chain?" Imogen tilted her head. "I'm quite good at those, have anyone in mind you're going to give it to?"

"Not really, just need something to do while I'm out in the woods on a boring day."

"I think making daisy chains is a brilliant idea. You can use it as a weapon, maybe even a rope," Jaron snickered. "Can't tell you how many times my life has been saved by flowers."

"Ah, see, I can think of one time your life was definitely saved by flowers, your Highness," a smile split across Imogen's face like a ray of sunshine.

"None of you will ever understand how grateful I am for Imogen. If more people were like her, we'd get everything under control."

Nobody could deny that Imogen was certainly the most productive out of them all.

"I know I could use a few notes on remaining focused," Amarinda's gaze flickered to a special area. "Especially when Tobias and I are taking inventory in the physician's chambers."

Another wave of snickers rippled through the circle as Tobias's ears turned beat red, "I, ah, could say the same."

"Dear Saints, I hate being around you all," Roden groaned.

"Right! Daisy chains!" Imogen clapped her hands together, desperately trying to change the subject. "You start by getting-"

"-Daisies of course," Jaron said. He stood, and held out a hand to Imogen, "Care to look for them with me?"

"Don't mind if I do."

By the time they both returned from 'looking for daisies', a newcomer had joined Amarinda, Tobias, and Roden on the blanket. The sunlight glinting off of his shiny, bald head brought safety to both Jron and Imogen.

There was nobody they trusted more than Mott.

"Mott!" Jaron exclaimed, nearly dropping all of the daisies he'd collected. "Ae you sure it's safe for you to be out-"

"I'm not made of glass, Jaron," Mott sighed, but a ghost of a smile lingered on his face.

"I know, but, I do worry."

"I wish you didn't. What have you got there?'

Everyone was far too talented at changing the subject.

"We're going to teach Roden how to make a daisy chain," Imogen said. She sat down on the blanket, and began passing out bundles of daisies.

Mott tried his best to hide his surprise, "Is there somebody he's courting?"

"The day I court somebody, male or female, is the day that I get a sword through my middle," Roden snapped.

"Violent words from a lover," Jaron placed his hand over his heart. "How could you forsake our love, dear captain?"

"Because you're the type of person to steal the blanket in the middle of the night and I get cold."

"You do steal the blanket, Jaron," Imogen noted.

"I am not a blanket stealer!"

He was indeed a blanket stealer.

Quite inconvenient on a snowing night.

"To start with a daisy chain, you need a pair of flowers. One is going to wrap around the other," Imogen held up the daisies, expertly wrapping one stem around its twin. "You sort of repeat this pattern until it's as long as you like. I sometimes tie the ends together with string because they stay longer, but I don't think we have anything. . ."

"I have string!" Tobias said.

"Never leaves home without it," Amarinda grinned. "Always insists that he might need to stitch somebody up."

"Can't help it, I'm friends with Roden."

"Speak to me kindly," Roden frowned.

"Not on your life."

"Prat."

"Idiot."

The first batch of daisy chains from Jaron and Tobias fell apart. Eventually, their daisies became too worn out, and they fell apart. However, Roden seemed to be a natural at first. . . Until about halfway through the chain when he accidentally broke off a daisy, causing the entire thing to fall apart.

Amarinda's crown was finished quickly, and in no time, her crown was resting on Tobias's head while she worked on a second one.

They made sure to speak to each other while they weaved. It helped keep their minds from wandering to dismal places.

Crowns were made and placed on  heads.

Mott's bald head couldn't keep the crown in place until one was made to specifically fit his head, and his alone.

Tobias, at first, bore the most crowns. . .

But the circle made an unspoken pact, wrestled Jaron to the ground, and shoved as many daisy chains as they could onto and over his head.

It had been a long time since they'd all laughed that hard.

Later that evening, as Jaron sat alone in his office reading decrees and letters, he couldn't shake the feeling that the afternoon he'd shared with his friends would be the last truly happy thing to happen for a long time.

And it scared him.

It scared him that things weren't slowing down as he'd hoped. Though Carthya was well on their way to recovering from the Avenian war, Bymar was teetering on the edge of civil war.

As their ally, Carthya had an obligation to assist Bymar.

But what could they offer?

If Jaron sent troops, the Carthyan population would be decimated.

If he didn't. . . He'd be a traitor.

Oh how he wished that he could spend every afternoon simply making daisy chains with his inner circle..

[oceanspray5]

James and Lily are my favorite ship as is the Marauders Era my favorite HP era and there have been many fan casts for Lily over the years despite the rest of them being fixed and agreed upon by the fandom (Aaron Taylor Johnson as James, Ben Barnes as Sirius, Andrew Garfield as Remus for the boys) and for the longest time I adored Karen Gillan as Lily to the point I couldn't see anyone else as her for years and yet something was still missing although I could never tell what.

Recently I discovered that newer Marauder edits have been using Sophie Skelton and I hadn't seen any of her shows so was skeptical but oh my gosh is she PERFECT? It took me one edit and I was sold despite that never happening before and at first I couldn't figure out why Sophie worked so much better than any other fan cast for Lily especially when Karen has been the fandom favorite for so long (I've seen Elle Fanning and Holland Roden also) but then the difference became clear after watching an older edit where Karen was used.

I feel like Karen's Lily embodied more of the movie version of Lily that we got and consequently understood but weren't satisfied with: Smart, followed rules, orderly and an overall goody two shoes. That's not how the fandom ever viewed her as but the movies took "bright student" to mean in the most stereotypical way possible. Karen fit the mould for that Lily fairly well but you could squint to see the book Lily between the lines if you tried hard enough so she was a satisfactory Lily for the longest time.

However, Sophie Skelton embodies the book and fandom version of Lily where she's full of life and love and charm and mischief amidst the movie Lily's qualities of being a bright student. Sophie's expressions express Lily's wit and passion and delight and creativity past just being smart.

You see Sophie Skelton's Lily and understand why James fell in love with her while with Karen's Lily it's more of an acceptance that he did because we know Lily's qualities even if we don't see them portrayed exactly as we have in mind. Falling in love with Lily the way James did adds a magical level of realism which is why Sophie is so perfect.

Sophie's scenes from her shows also work SO WELL with the ones used for the rest of the Marauders and I've been watching Marauders edits with her in them for days but can't get enough which is why I hope she's a permanent fixture fan cast finally like the rest of the Marauders era fan casts.

I still love watching edits with other fan casted Lilys but I think it's safe to say that Sophie is now my permanent fan cast for her. It's strange I wrote an entire essay on the "portrayal" of different actresses in a role they didn't even play but it speaks to how attached I've become of this fc and also how much this Fandom puts love and effort into the Marauders stories that even just edits make it appear that our fan casts are acting out the stories we have chosen them to play unknowingly.

[toomanyfandoms02]

The Photographer // Matthew Gray Gubler x Reader

So I made a one-shot based off of the picture down here!

Word count ~ 3.1k

Summary - y/n is a celebrity photographer, and Matthew's birthday is coming up. This calls for a birthday shoot.

Ever since I was in sixth grade, I dreamed of being a photographer. But back then, I was just taking candid pictures of my cat (Peanut Butter), and random flowers that my mom had graciously planted for me. I really never planned on taking nice, professional pictures of people.

But here I was.

I went to 'California College of Arts' in San Francisco for 4 years. After that, I had a bit of trouble getting myself out there. I had a decent following on my instagram. People liked the pictures of my dog, and the pictures of nature that I took on my many travels. But likes and follows don't get you money, at least not enough. So I switched my focus onto more interesting things.

Advertising yourself as a photographer wasn't an easy task. You had to be ruthless, and be willing to get rejected and not back down. So I did what any semi-sane person would do.

I messaged over 50 celebrities asking of they wanted to do a shoot with me. I sent them my prices, and what kinds of shoots I was willing to do. I didn't have much hope for it, but it was worth a try.

And that's where it began.

Out of all of the messages, Andrew Lincoln, AKA Rick from The Walking Dead messaged me back.

*Hello Miss y/l/n! I've actually seen quite a few of your nature shots and I have always wondered how your photos would turn out with people. I would love to be your Guinea Pig.*

He sent me days he was available and I did his shoot. After posting his pictures, my popularity shot from there.

That was a few years ago, I was now taking photos for multiple celebrities. I was ultimately known for my black and white shoots. I had, in fact, just gotten done with a shoot of A.J. Cook. She had requested *me* to take her pictures for an up and coming article that was being written about her. I, of course, gratefully said yes, being a huge fan of hers, along with the whole Criminal Minds cast.

I emailed her all of the pictures I had taken, edited and all, while simultaneously posting them on my instagram.

It was mere hours later before a notification popped up on my phone of an email that I could not believe. Theres no way that he was emailing me, right?

*You have an Email from Matthew Gray Gubler*

*Hi there! I saw your shoot on AJ's instagram and my birthday is coming up. My manager wants me to do a birthday shoot, and we both like your black and white style. I know it's not usually the kind of thing you, birthdays, do but I figured it was worth a shot, and I think you have some real talent. Let me know when you are free next. I am on a break so my schedule is relatively flexible.*

I could safely say that it was a good thing that I lived alone because I don't think I have ever screamed louder into a pillow. Matthew has been one of my favorite celebrities for the longest time. If we were going to be completely honest, once I started watching Criminal Minds, I immediately had a crush on him. This wasn't exactly the profession to be in if you were going to have a celebrity crush. I was often invited to red carpets and movie premiers, so I met quite a few stars. I never thought I would have to worry about slipping up on my professionalism.

Because I never thought I would even meet him.

My obvious answer to his request was yes. I would never *ever* miss an opportunity to have a photoshoot with someone so inspiring and meaningful to me. So I started writing an email back.

*Hi Matthew!*

Should I address him like that? Is that unprofessional?

*Hi Mr. Gubler*

Abso-fucking-lutely not.

*Hi Matthew!* We are gonna stick with that. *I don't know if this is too short of a notice, but I actually have a free spot tomorrow. (Of course if that doesn't work for you, I can figure something out for later, and try to fit it in before your birthday). I have a few ideas for props that I can send you? Let me know how I can help.*

I sent it and ran my hands through my hair, tossing my phone back onto my comforter. I had taken pictures of so many awesome celebrities:

• Selena Gomez

• Robert Downey Jr.

• Dylan O'Brien

• Grant Gustin

• Holland Roden

• Danai Gurira

But this was by far the coolest one, in my mind at least.

While waiting a little to anxiously for a reply, I decided I was going to make myself some lunch, Ramen. I set my phone on the counter as I boiled my noodles, peering over at the blank screen every few seconds (but really they felt like **minutes**).

Just as I was adding the flavour packet to the bowl my phone buzzed. I jumped slightly, spilling part of the packet out of the bowl.

"Damnit." I quickly wiped the salt into the trash can and snatched my phone, seeing another email.

*Tomorrow is actually perfect, and I would love to hear your recommendations on props, clothes, anything really. I'm going to leave my number on this email so we can have easier contact of that's okay with you.*

Wow, alright. I will now have Matthew Gray Gublers number in my phone. I made a contact for him.

**It's y/n, soooo for props. I figured I could bake you a cake! I took a few baking electives in college so I could make a really nice one and we can do something with it. I recommend you bring clothes you like to wear that are black and white. (Other colors work too, but it just looks and flows better if it's black and white). I will set the rest of the stuff up. I will be ready for you by 1 pm if that's okay.**

*You would bake me a cake?! That would be super cool thank you! I would love that. I will bring a few black and white outfits. Would it be weird if I brought a black and white Kimono?*

A chance to see Matthew in a kimono? Please yes.

**Oh my gosh please do. I would love to take pictures of you in an infamous kimono of yours.**

*Awesome! I will see you tomorrow at 1. Heres my managers info for you to sell the billing to.*

He attatched his managers email. I just sat at my kitchens island, smiling like a true dork at my phone.

**And here is my address, I run the studio at my house. What is your favorite cake and icing by the way? :)**

Was a smiley face unprofessional?

I need to chill out.

*Vanilla cake and chocolate frosting possibly? I will eat anything though probably. :)*

Now I was really smiling at my phone like a psycho idiot.

**Alrighty, see you tomorrow**

Since I didn't want to wake up too early tomorrow, I decided I was going to start the cake tonight. I had quite a few recipes held in my cabinets. I located my vanilla cake recipe and put my pre-made chocolate frosting on the counter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After about an hour of preparing, making a cake from scratch, and putting it in the oven. The cake was finally done and cooled. I added black cocoa to the frosting to make it completely black and got out my white gel.

*You made it 3 decades :)*

Was scrawled in calligraphy on the top of the cylindrical cake. I added white drips down the sides and white multi shaped sprinkles to the bottom part.

I set it in my fridge and got ready for bed. I know it's going to be hard to sleep just thinking about tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My alarm woke me up at 10 am, never before this had I woke up with a smile on my face before 12.

I took a quick shower and dressed in a white and blue floral romper with my hair in a high ponytail. Now it was time to set up backgrounds for the shoot.

I had two stations downstairs where I took all my photos. I set the first one up very normal with a white background and a rustic black stool. The second one was set up with another white background but littered with black streamers and big *30* black and white speckled balloons strung at the top.

Once I was done with all that. It was nearing 1. I slipped the cake out of the fridge and slid it onto my island. I glanced up at the clock above my stove.

*12:49*

Since I just had a little bit of time, I went a put some simple makeup on. I usually don't wear makeup when taking pictures of people, but for obvious reasons, I was making an exception.

Just as I was leaving my bathroom I heard a knock at my door. I walked swiftly to my door and opened it shakily.

"Hi!" He held up the clothes that were hung lazily over his arm. He smiled that million dollar smile and I could have sworn he looked me up and down.

Wishful thinking I guess.

"Welcome!" I stepped out of the doorway, silently inviting him in. "If you wanna set your stuff down, those stairs to the right lead you down the the studio."

"Thanks." He scurried down the stairs as I grabbed the cake and followed him down. I set it on a table that I had down there, he peered over at it and immediately burst into fits of laughter.

"I knew you had a sense of humor, so why put something normal and boring on the cake." I laughed with him as he tried to catch his breath.

"This is so perfect." He laughed a little more. "Thank you, so much." I shrugged with a smile. I posed him in front of the streamers with the cake.

He made some silly faces and smiled like there was no tomorrow. Next I brought him to the more plain station, sitting him on the stool. I looked through the lenses of the camera and glared a bit.

"Hey can you put your left leg up on the second peg of the stool?" I asked, pointing to his leg.

"This one?" He put it on the third. I shook my head. "This one?" He moved it down the the fourth. He was smiling a sly smile, seemingly challenging me.

"Let me do it for you." I had to pose people often, but posing him was going to be a little harder for me, considering I found him painfully attractive.

I moved his leg up to the second one and patted it.

"Now leave it there, so I don't have to help you again." I giggled, walking back to my camera. Taking a picture of him leaning forward on the stool and smiling. I then made him laugh and got a good genuine one of him leaning back and laughing. After all that, I proposed that we eat some cake and took a break.

I cut him a slice and handed it to him with a smile.

"So, tell me about yourself." He said, eating a bite of his cake.

"Well, I have always enjoyed photography. I love all types of art, so I also draw and paint often. And I have a black cat upstairs. His name is-" and I stopped, blood rushing to my cheeks. He is most certainly going to ask me the name, and I do not want to tell him.

He stared at me expectantly. "What is his name?" He motioned me to go on.

"Uh," I laughed a little awkwardly, setting my hands in my lap and staring at them. "His name is Spencer. As in Spencer Reid..." I glanced up at him and saw a huge grin break out on his face.

"So you like Criminal Minds? I never would have guessed. You just don't seem the type."

"Well all my memorabilia is in my room, just so people don't think I'm weird for having quite a few framed and signed posters." I smiled up at him, pushing around the remaining cake crumbs on my plate.

"One, That's not weird, that's awesome. Two, can I please meet Spencer and take pictures with him in my kimono."

I don't think I have ever heard a better sentence in my entire life.

"Yes, absolutely! I'll go get him." I clunked up the stairs on my search to find Spencer. I went to his usual spot first, my bed. Luckily he was sitting there, licking his outstretched foot. "Hi baby! You are about to take pictures with the guy you are named after. He almost as cute as you!" I grabbed him from the bed an headed back downstairs. I walked in with the accidental impeccable timing to see Matthew in his barely tied kimono, showing off his chest. My eyes widened a bit and he tied it off fully.

"Is this the famous Spencer?! He is so cute!" He reached his arms out at Spencer. My little fluff ball curled up into him instantly, cuddling into his silky kimono.

We took many many pictures of Spencer and Matthew together. I think maybe my cat likes him more than he likes me now.

"Okay, last idea. How about we just take some more up close pictures of me feeding you some cake?" It came put as a question because I didn't know how comfortable he would be with it.

"Perfect!" I cut another slice of the cake and brought it over to him. We were both sitting on the floor.

"This might be a little awkward, okay?" I giggled as I leaned back to get his whole face in the shot. This proved to be very difficult as I was using my left hand to take the picture. I fed him the cake with the right as he looked at the camera with a more seductive look. I could have melted into the floor.

I decided to switch hands so I could take the photos better, but now my very uncoordinated hand was the one picking up the cake. As I went down to get another section of the cake for another angle of feeding this sculpture of a man, I instead dipped my thumb right into the deep black frosting.

"Shit, I'm so sorry hold on." As I went to stand up and grab a napkin to wipe my thumb off, Matthew grabbed my wrist lightly.

"Hold on, uh, I have an idea, before you do anything." I sat down with a confused look. "I saw someone do this in another shoot. But we totally don't have to do it. I just thought it would be a different idea." His words were more rushed than usual.

"I'm sure I've done weirder things for other shoots, don't worry. It's *your* shoot." I reassured him, though my head was swimming wondering what he was going to do.

"Ok. So. What I'm going to do is put your thumb in my mouth, and I'm basically gonna, uh, suck on it while kinda smiling?" He could barely get through the whole thing without laughing.

"Alright, weird request but I like it!" I giggled for what seemed like the 30th time today. "And to make you feel better, yes, I have done weirder."

"Thank God."

"So I am guessing you want me to do something like this with the rest of my hand, ya know, the part that's not in your mouth." I stated as I placed my hand on his cheek. He let a slow breath out, staring into my eyes.

"Yeah, exactly."

"Okay." I said with a shrug, grabbing my camera from the ground. He opened his mouth with an all too familiar wide grin as I placed my thumb in. His mouth closed around it and he smiled, just a little. I brought my camera to my face, capturing the moment that I would have forever in my mind and in a small frame on my bedroom wall, for sure.

I slipped my thumb from his mouth and watched as his face turned extremely red. To save him embarrassment, I immediately stood up and grabbed a napkin to wipe the rest of the frosting off.

"Can I see it?" He motioned to the camera. I nodded, sitting down right beside him, showing him the picture. It showed off a closer look at the rose tattoos I had near my wrists and the shiny watch that was gifted to me by my mom. "It turned out good! I really hope I didn't make you uncomfortable."

"Oh no! Of course not. Total opposite." As soon as I said that I regretted it.

"So that made you extremely comfortable?" A sly smile was making it's way onto his face.

"That's, that's not- You know what? Sure, yes." I chuckled. "You don't really make me uncomfortable at all to be honest. So no, you didn't make me uncomfortable."

"Well I'm glad." He smiled and we sat in silence for a moment.

"Well I guess that's it yeah?" He nodded. "Well this was fun. Thanks for being an excellent subject to take pictures of."

He gathered his stuff as we went back upstairs. Once at the door, Spencer came up to him, rubbing on his leg. He bent over to pet him.

"So, I'm not sure if you are single or not." I could feel the blood draining from my face. Was this really happening right now? "But I wanted to know if you wanted to go on a date?"

Yes, this was happening right now.

"Really?" I could tell I sounded extremely excited, but at this point, I didn't even care.

"Yeah, you are super laid back, funny, talented, and you aren't scared away by how weird I am." He laughed, "So yes?"

"I would absolutely love to."

"Great. I'll text you." He winked and waved as he closed the door, leaving.

My back went against the door. I couldn't keep in the squeal so I just embraced it and squealed my heart out, doing a little dance.

Which was quickly ended when I heard a knock at the door.

"I'm sorry, I want to get to know you better immediately." He let out a nervous chuckle. "Are you free for the rest of the day?" I was sure that my face was red as a tomato.

"Yes I am." He grabbed my hand, dragging me outside.

"Then let's go."

[ruffled-serpent]

Lair Review for TazerPones

whoo! my last one! And what a great lair to end with :)

@flight-crashing​

You specifically asked me to pay close attention to your G1s but I’d like to give you some first impressions of your whole collection first. At a glance most of your lair is filled with dragons that stay in the cool color range, and that’s something that I really like about your lair! Purples, blues, blacks, and greens are all among my favorite colors and you’ve done a great job with your dragons.

Beluga

Beluga is such a fantastically put together G1. The greyscale is just something to be marveled at, but I am totally going gaga over how you paired up the pink silks with the subtle lavender in her primary...I mean wow. The veined also goes soooo nicely with marbled and seraph. Beluga truly is a queen amongst genones.

Mar

Mar is a buckwild looking bogsneak. The glowing eyes with the mischievous post of these gals makes for a fantastic combination. I also really like just how well the blues of the poison blend in soooooo nicely with the glowtail gene. Her overall look is so flawless, you’ve used her blues so well in her whole design.

Rose Quarts

I love this proud papa. You’ve married the greys from the white seraph so well with the silvers of the vest and tail bauble. And the matching eyes are to die for. I also found how you incorporated the ice tomb to compliment his goldenrod tertiary. I also love how he gets a happily ever after in his lore where he gets to be so proud of his adopted daughter ;;w;;

Roden

Roden looks SPOOKY and I’m absolutely here for it. Giving him the horns just bumps up that creep factor by ten fold. And I love the small detail where you’ve matched his eyes with the necklace. I just love this funky lad so dang much. I wish him all the best in his (evil?) adventures. 

Waverly

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor because Waverly is stunning. I love how you took peridot and used bee to give it those nice murky greens taht match nicely with swamp. The added touch of using the legbows to match with the lead glimmer is also appreciated. The combined sparkle of the rest of her outfit goes well with her shimmery appearance here, making her such a treat to look at as a whole.

North

I wanted to include North even thought she’s not one of you G1s because of just how well her lore ties in with her outfit. The way the steampunk set is used as a device to help her be mobile again is such a cool story aspect. I love the choices of color here too, the steampunk’s golds pop nicely against her dominant white palette, as do the reds from the bandages. What a fantastic use of storytelling!

Canyon

I enjoy Canyons neutral-red tones and how well they go with the more naturally looking genes. I always enjoy the combination of more natural colors with genes that are based on animals, and canyon here is no exception for that love. Not only does he look great though, he’s got a great...er...personality to boot? Since he has no brain I’m...wondering if there’s much to go off of there, but REGARDLESS of his head being empty it’s still a neat character trait to include.

SirBreunor

Sir Breunor is a stunning pastel gen one. I love the gradients we get from the Blend and Fade and I can’t wait for that beautiful tertiary to be added into the mix. It’s going to go so well with that. Also those daybreak decorations overtop the cloak is just beautiful. UGh I’m so in love with Beunor’s aesthetic.

Gawain

ok so I’m probably incredible biased with Gawain but I love her and can relate to this dragon because it’s my own goal to become a veterinarian ;w; Apparel-wise I love how you’ve meshed the purples from the Herald’s Wrap and her tertiary (and speaking of that tertiary...those matching eyes are SO lovely). Plus the tail ring to match those reds and oranges is such a neat little detail.

Honorable mention: Medusa

I couldn’t help but notice your plans for Medusa and oh my gosh she’s going to look SO good. I’m envious at how you were able to find blue in both her primary and secondary to match her tertiary. I can’t wait to see her all gened and dressed up!

Thank you for letting me review your lair! You’ve taught me a lot about making the most of G1s even if they don’t quite have a ‘desirable’ color scheme. You’ve really made a beautiful lair out of your collection, thank you for sharing.

[catholicartistsnyc]

MEET: Jenna Mohr

JENNA MOHR is a cosmetologist and hair stylist living in NYC. (Instagram / email: jenammohr@gmail.com)

CATHOLIC ARTIST CONNECTION (CAC): What brought you to NYC, and where did you come from?

JENNA MOHR (JM): I moved to NYC after college to start a new job as a tax accountant in Midtown Manhattan almost 4 years ago.  I came from Charleston, South Carolina, where I was ready to take a position at a local firm and live a comfortable life eating lots of great food, listening to local music and enjoying cheap libations with friends.  Living in New York and working as a hairstylist had always been a dream of mine; but as time progressed, I grew to accept the notion that my dreams might end and not materialize into reality.  

A friend from high school, who was studying accounting at Clemson University, mentioned that his classmate had just finished an internship at a firm in NYC that was hiring.  We were able to get a hold of the recruiter, and the rest is history. Now, I am living out my dream working at a Big 4 accounting firm to pay the bills and going to Arrojo Cosmetology school part time, contemplating what my next move will be.  I would love to style/cut hair in the film, theater or print industries and am excited to explore those avenues once I graduate in February. I have close to no free time and eat mostly Cliff bars, but, hey! Living the dream!

CAC: What do you see as your personal mission as a Catholic working in the arts?

JM: I have never contemplated the term “Catholic artist” until answering these questions, but I suppose I can call myself one now.  I definitely define myself as a Catholic but feel that I am growing into the term “artist” since I had to convince everyone around me in New York that I was an accountant first until I started cosmetology school in September 2018.  Now my mission as a Catholic cosmetologist is to help bring out the innately good and beautiful in whoever I am working with.  Although my profession as a cosmetologist is seemingly aesthetic only, I have come to discover that how you treat the individual you are working with and make them feel, regardless of what they end up looking like, is where the value is. Being in this profession, I have realized how truly selfless I need to be in order to give of myself to the client. As a result, I feel that my faith has strengthened because I recognize that only God and his grace can give me the emotional energy I need to make whoever is sitting in my chair to feel like the best possible version of himself/herself.

CAC: Where have you found support in the Church for your vocation as an artist?

JM: Sister Virginia Joy with the Sisters of Life!  I first met Sister Virg in middle school where she was the assistant soccer coach and also a high school academics/college admissions counselor.  I told her how I wanted to be a hairstylist but that my parents wouldn't let me and said I needed to get a 4 year STEM degree instead.  Throwing in the towel, I thought I may study engineering but Sister Virg challenged me to not give up on my dreams.  She helped me to to devise a plan where I could study accounting, specifically tax since it is seasonal nature, and then pursue cosmetology down the road in the "off seasons".  My sophomore year, she told our soccer team she was moving to the Bronx to become a nun.  Fast forward almost a decade and I also am moving to New York and reconnecting with Sister Virg. She helps to keep me Catholic by inviting me to Catholic events throughout the city and I have even gone to the house to style one of the mother's hair for a gala.

A special shout out to St. Patrick's in Midtown because I have the opportunity to go to daily mass and confession at one of the most beautiful churches in the country and arguably the world.  Also, it has been a safe haven for me where I would go to nap during my lunch break during the gosh awful tax seasons where it was not unusual to leave the office before 2AM for months at a time.

Finally, reading the daily liturgy has given me the daily courage and reminder of what it means to be Catholic.  Through daily readings, I have discovered one of my favorite passages where Jesus wakes the young girl up from the dead saying, "Talitha koum", or "Little girl, arise".  This phrase is my own personal, "YOU GO GIRL!", from Jesus.  I got it tattooed on my finger (highly advise against finger tatts, they fade and will look a little silly) as a reminder to keep pushing and pursuing my dreams.

CAC: Where have you found support among your fellow artists for your Catholic faith?

JM: I don't know a lot of Catholics or a lot of artists but Renee Roden (the editor of the newsletter!) has been instrumental in supporting my art and faith.  She asked if I would like to be one of the featured artists on this blog.  When she asked, I think that is one of the few times where I really felt like an artist and more importantly, a Catholic artist.  She has invited me to plays, readings and is always excited to explore art and our faith.  I am incredibly grateful for a friend that shows so much gumption for a world that I love and admire so deeply.

CAC: How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?

JM: My first reaction is: how can the two be separated?  The Church and the arts have so much in common and both are all about exploring, discovering and seeking truth in some form.  I think if we look at it from that angle the Church will naturally be more welcoming to artists.  Seeing that my free time is limited, I am not aware of a lot of "happenings" in the city; however, I think if parishes hosted open mic nights or other art forums and extend it to the general community that people would be receptive.  I understand that Church and religion can seem scary and rigid but I think a forum that allows people to express themselves free of judgement can create a bridge to a safe space that the Church needs to extend to the outside community.

CAC: How can the artistic world be more welcoming to artists of faith?

JM: I think it is a 2-way street!  The outside world, particularly NYC, can seem scary to a law-abiding Catholic.  However, these safe spaces, created through art forums can help to bridge those gaps.

CAC: Where in NYC do you find spiritual fulfillment?

JM: I am a parishioner of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral; however, I have been attending St. Cecilia's in Brooklyn lately due to its proximity to where I live.  I highly recommend both!  While Old St. Pat's is the cool, hip place for young folks to be,  St. Cecilia's, at a fraction of the size, has also been great and just as welcoming!  Both have beautiful music and the priests are very kind, welcoming and give great homilies.  If you are in Brooklyn, you should definitely check out St. Cecilia's, us Catholics are out here too!  

(Side note, St. Cecilia's is close to McCarren Park, Graham Avenue with so many cute places to eat and stroll around. I am currently answering these questions at FourFiveSix an outdoor bar with eclectic decor and food inside.  Only a 2 minute walk to St. Cecilia's and they have WI-FI!)

CAC: Where in NYC do you find artistic fulfillment?

JM: I like to sit at the park and listen to my thoughts and take in the sites.  I love North Brooklyn Farms in Williamsburg (you should visit since it will be closing soon!).  You can see the Manhattan skyline and the old Domino sugar refinery factory, my favorite building in the city, is located there as well.  I love the industrial look that parts of Brooklyn has to offer.  I think a lot of that architecture and scenery influence the styles I like to create as a hairstylist because it is all about embracing the imperfections and bringing them to light in a romantic and beautiful way.  

Due to my schedule, I haven't had a lot of opportunity to join many other extracurricular activities outside of work and school; however, I believe there is so much to be inspired by in our everyday lives that may transpose into another medium.  You never know what may trigger an idea for a new hairstyle; it may be a building, a sign, someone on the subway, construction sites throughout the city, even a podcast!  

CAC: What is your daily spiritual practice?

JM: I read the daily readings/reflections from the Laudate app on my phone on the way to work every morning.  It is a great way for me to set the tone for the day. Sometimes I will go to daily mass and/or confession at St. Patrick's.

CAC: What is your daily artistic practice?

JM: Right now, my daily artistic practice is going to class every evening.  On the weekends, I may do hair for my friends.  In the past, I have gone to a music festival to braid hair. I love music and the performing arts in general so I was very excited to be in a setting where I could experience both!

CAC: Describe a recent day in which you were most completely living out your vocation as an artist. What happened, and what brought you the most joy?

JM: I love cutting and styling hair.  I enjoy challenging myself, learning new skills and most importantly, seeing a client's reaction when they are feeling the LOOK!  I am actually surprised by my most recent day in which I was most completely living out my vocation as an artist.  I braided my friend's hair this past weekend.  I was nervous because I am not super experienced with braiding add-ins (adding additional hair so that braids can be longer/fuller/more colorful, etc.) or working with natural hair.  I was satisfied with the outcome and enjoyed the process but there was still plenty of room for improvement.  What caught me by surprise was my friend's reaction.  She was so grateful and excited that I was open to learning and pursuing a skill, being able to work with multiple hair types, particularly natural hair types, that is so under served in the beauty world.  I am realizing that my sense of fulfillment, as far as living out my vocation, does not need to come from a high-profile job but can emerge from small encounters and bring a massive impact to myself and the client.

CAC: You actually live in NYC? How!?

JM: Friends of friends, my alumni group on Facebook, and the good Lord! This is the first time I am renewing my lease since I've lived here and I couldn't be happier! For one apartment search, I posted on my Facebook alumni group to see if anyone was looking for a roommate and reconnected with a girl I had interned with years ago for Charleston Fashion Week! Whenever I was searching, I think it was very helpful to start with the resources I had - friends of friends, alumni groups, or anybody I knew that was already living here.  The options can be very overwhelming but I found that using my current network, as small as it is, to be very beneficial.

When I first moved here, I wanted to be in Manhattan so that I could ensure I was able to navigate life and get to work.  Then I discovered North Brooklyn Farms and Brooklyn and cheaper rent and I've been moving further east ever since.

CAC: But seriously, how do you make a living in NYC?

JM: I became an accountant first and got my CPA.  It was brutal. I know that my vocation is to be a world class hairstylist ideally in film, theater or print.  However, I wanted to make sure I had a practical course of action to get there that would allow me to pay for my education and support myself in the city.  My plan A started with my plan B.  It took years of discipline and I know that I am coming into my vocation a little later than most; but Hey, look at Sarah! God's timing can be worlds different from ours; but patience, practice, discipline and most importantly faith has helped me to reach and keep striving for my goals. How much would you suggest artists moving to NYC budget for their first year? I think the important things to consider are transportation, food, rent, laundry and maybe a flight home to see mom every once in a while.  If the budget allows, you may consider a gym membership that has a shower...you never really know the quality of the apartment you are about to be living in or the responsiveness of a landlord.  Having a gym membership proved to be very helpful when my bathroom was out of commission for about a week. After that, you really need to tailor it to your lifestyle and figure out how much you want to spend.

CAC: What other practical resources would you recommend to a Catholic artist living in NYC?

JM: Find a good coffee shop or cafe! Some of my favorite coffee shops are closing due to increased rent prices so if you have a local coffee shop that you love, keep loving on them!  These types of places will also host great events for artists and can be a great way to connect with others with shared (or different) interests.  I love working outside as much as I can or to find a space with great natural light.  I have enjoyed North Brooklyn Farms, Domino Park, McCarren Park, Little Skips, 19 Cafe, Bushwick Grind, FourFiveSix and runs along the east river through Williamsburg into Greenpoint or across the Williamsburg Bridge.

CAC: What are your top 3 pieces of advice for Catholic artists moving to NYC?

JM: GO TO CHURCH (and confession)! Even if you feel like you are losing your religion as an adult, stay open to God's grace.  I think NYC is an incredibly challenging place to live - spiritually, financially, emotionally.  If anything, allow the church to be a quiet place to sit and find solace in the silence, and let the Big Guy do the rest.  I love going to confession in the city, because nobody knows who the heck you are!! It's such a weird and liberating sensation knowing that the guy behind the screen may never see you again.  Also, I have had some of the best confessions of my life at St. Patrick's in midtown.  You would think that it could potentially be an assembly line of people expecting a dry, one-size fits all confession and absolution; but it could not be more the opposite!  The priests will make jokes, advise you on your life, provide tailored insight and give you a penance that will make you feel awesome.

Make friends with the non-Catholics and non-religious.  I am a cradled Catholic and love my faith but God gave us free will and I want to use such an incredible gift and what better way than to learn about others who do not share the same beliefs as you.  I recently met a man who said that he has always wanted to be religious.  He considers himself spiritual but his parents never took him to church and religion is something he has always wanted to explore but didn't quite know how.  These kinds of people need you in their lives.  You don't need to turn them religious, or Catholic, but being there and listening is sometimes all it takes.  I try not to tell people that I am religious or go to church because realistically, it can scare people off sometimes.  However, some of my friends that I have become close with in NYC say that they admire that I still practice and have even asked if they could come to church with me.  We are just mediums for God's art; sometimes we just need to show up and he will take care of the rest.

Call mom.  Like St. Monica (also my mum's name!), our mothers are likely worried sick that we are turning into delinquents hustling in the city.  Let her know you are doing OK, brushing your teeth and still going to Church.  And if you aren't doing those things, call mom anyway and tell her you love her and thank her and then try to go do those aforementioned things.

If you know anyone looking for a hairstylist please don't hesitate to reach out! I am new to the artist world and would love to become as immersed as possible in my spare time while I am waiting for school to finish in February 2019.

[sweetpeaslilbitch]

Charlie Blossom.

okay so this was sooo rushed, and it's probably terrible. 

I also have absolutely no plot line for this so far so tell me some ideas. 

and I know that Holland Roden ( if I spelled that wrong sorry) doest have strawberry blonde hair but I couldn't find anyone that really fit the idea of Charlotte right and I can find heaps of GIFs so yeah. 

Enjoy xo

________________________________________ 

“Charlie were leaving hurry up”. Charlie could hear her older brother calling fro her from the front door, as she finished fluffing her hair in her mirror she grabbed her bag and made her way downstairs. She was not going to miss getting a ride from her brother, she refused to be dropped at school via her dad. She wouldn’t sit through 15 minutes of terrifying silence and glares from daddy dearest.

Clifford Blossom was in the kindest way, ashamed of Charlie. Of course, nobody knew the truth about Charlie and that she wasn’t a true blossom but Clifford would never allow it to become public knowledge.  It was clear that Charlie was different from her siblings but it was just assumed that she got some of nana roses genes and that cause her lighter hair color and slighter less pale skin tone.

Charlie was one year younger than Cheryl and Jason making her 16. Other than her father’s hostility and the toxic environment that was her home life, Charlie was very much Cheryl’s mini-me in the public eye. Charlie was, of course, the star flyer of the vixens and an honor student, she had done a few performances with the pussycats there was nothing Charlie couldn’t do.

It was made clear that Charlie was off limits to any guys, Jason had made sure of that. he knew Cheryl could hold her own but Charlie was just young and naïve. There had been plenty of situations that Charlie had found her self in that Jason or Cheryl had to explain to her later, the trio of redheads had to raise each other due to the lack of love that their parents displayed.

Charlie ran out the front door and jumped in the back of the cherry red convertible that there older siblings were already sitting in.

“sorry I was fixing my hair” her older siblings both gave a small laugh and Cheryl pulled Charlie forward and fixed the small spot of lipstick that had somehow been messed up in her travels from her bedroom to the car.

“look at you Charlie you’re a mess, gosh” Cheryl shook her head at the young girl as they pulled out of Thornhill’s driveway.

The trio of blossom siblings was an unstoppable force, everyone in Riverdale knew who they were for good or for bad. They were the best of friends and they were almost never seen without another one close by, nothing could pull them apart. That was until Charlie woke up on the morning of the 4thof July faced with the news of her sibling’s recent trip to Sweetwater river. Charlie sat on the boat next to a soaked Cheryl as they searched for there brother.

The news of Jason’s disappearance had rippled through the town before the sun had even set on July 4th. Alice Cooper making sure to print it as the front cover story of the Riverdale Register for days afterward.  Once school had started again it was the gossip of Riverdale High, everyone wanted to know every single detail of the event that Charlie was trying to desperately pretend didn’t happen and that it was just a bad dream.

Cheryl was holding together almost too well until Jason’s body was found. Then once the true story had been revealed Charlie was stuck at a crossroads. All Charlie wanted was for he older sister to hold her and tell her that it was going to be okay but she was so mad at the older girl for keeping the real story from her. She was mad at her brother for not even letting her say goodbye like Cheryl had. Her parents were upset but not nearly enough that what they should be, and Cheryl was no longer so genuinely smiley and happy. She just sat in the room or Jason’s and cried until someone knocked they she would plaster on her best fake smile and pretend to be fine.

The only logical explanation Charlie could think of was that the entire world had gone mad. Or that she was just having a really long really bad dream, and she was going to wake up and it is fine but that seemed too good to be true. Charlie longed for the day when everything went back to normal, but with Cheryl practically forgetting she exists and her parents become even more mentally draining she felt as if the dark, grim walls of Thornhill were swallowing her whole, she felt as if she couldn’t breathe. Her entire life she had relied on her siblings for everything now here she was all alone.

“CHARLOTTE” Charlie was shaken out of her thoughts by the banging on her locked bedroom door, of which when she opened revealed her mother with a sour look on her face.

“why on earth was your door locked Charlotte, is there somebody in here” she looked around rapidly.

“No. why on earth would you think that I was just getting changed. That’s all” her mother looked her up and down,

“yes well were having some people over for dinner so please make yourself presentable. Be downstairs and ready in 40 mins” and with that Penelope, blossom left Charlie's room and made her way across the hall to Cheryl’s.

Charlie had always hated the fact that her parents refused to call her anything other than Charlotte, but after 16 years she had grown used to it.  Charlie went into her bathroom and showered, then once she was out she wrapped herself in her robe and walked over to her wardrobe. She pulled out a simple but classic outfit of a simple red dress, white belt, and white heels. Once dressed Charlie dried her hair and started to curl it, she pinned back a small stand from the front then quickly started on her makeup. She was unsure of who was coming for dinner so she wanted to look nice. Once she was finally done she quickly grabbed a white cardigan and made her way downstairs.