#i am now in my detachable waist bow era

[backstitchbroidery]

Functional mockup of a skirt with a flat-front/stretch-back waistband. I hadn't combined gathering with pleats before, but I like how that softened the shape.

[uo-mabushi]

A Court of Dragons and Fallen Angels (NobuKichou Demon AU)

Tagging @ashavazesa​ not sure if you’re gonna like it, buttt think of it as thanks for your wonderful NobuKichou ficlet

Pairing: Nobunaga x Kichou, Mitsuhide x Reader

Length: 1,188 words

Warning: slight gore and sexual situations

Prompt: Demon AU based on Onimusha: Warlords 

It was another unsuccessful raid on Azuchi Castle. True to Mitsuhide's words, Nobunaga needn't don his armor and greet the invaders himself. The Oni warriors were swiftly massacred the moment they set foot on the other side of the wall.

His demonic vassals had outdone themselves once again. Tonight, another celebratory feast was in order. 

Nobunaga sipped his rice wine leisurely as he enjoyed the night breeze. 

At his side sat Azuchi's chatelaine, anxiously awaiting the return of her beloved.

"No need to fret," Nobunaga assured her. "Don't you remember how effortlessly he crushes Oni like bugs under his soles? He will return soon."

The seamstress shuddered at the image of Mitsuhide blowing the enemies' heads with his trusty rifle. Flesh-colored veins from his hand tangled along the barrel like a web of viscera.

"It's not that. I just find this all to be so...surreal, detached from my own reality," The princess whispered. "Even now, I still can't wrap my head around demon people killing each other with supernatural powers."

Nobunaga laughed.

"Monstrous, am I right?" He scratched at his muscular arm. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Soon, the history of this nation will change under the rule of my infernal army. Your future will change."

The expanse of his skin that transformed into adamantine scales would itch at certain times. But it mattered little to Nobunaga. He needed the protection it provided from flames and bullets. Now almost invincible, Nobunaga and his retainers were free to invade lads under Uesugi and Takeda's banners.

Not even resurrected warlords could stall his thirst for conquest.

"Look," Nobunaga pointed at the grounds below. "They're coming."

But his chatelaine didn't have his enchanted senses and thus could not make out the features of the returning men. Yet she only had to look at her lord's fond gaze.

"I heard Kichou was leading the party," she nodded. "I thought he would be exhausted from all our recent battles. That demon strength really is something."

Nobunaga licked his lips at the thought of Kichou gunning and slicing through hordes of Oni and men alike. He would always bring the barrel to his lips before firing, like a prayer so that he'd never miss his mark.

The shot was dedicated to Nobunaga, along with the unfortunate soul it reaped.

Ironically (then and even now to a certain extent), it wasn't the killing that fulfilled Nobunaga. Kichou did.

It's a shame Nobunaga couldn't declare them as lovers. Two hearts made of ice weren't meant to warm each other.

But Kichou fell in love with his vision. Nobunaga loved his devotion and unyielding trust. Even when he told Kichou that he was willing to call upon the powers of hell if need be.

To which Nobunaga literally did. 

There was a flicker of uncertainty in Kichou's eyes after Nobunaga showed him the books and spoke of his plans in great detail. For the first time in their long life together, Nobunaga feared that the other man would finally leave him for their adversaries in disgust.

But it didn't take long before Kichou appeared at the entrance to the tenshu. In the dim light, the smaller man reached for Nobunaga's hand, declaring his readiness to sacrifice his very own humanity.

Nobunaga smirked wryly. Then again, they had already stopped being human some time ago. Even though the princess believed otherwise.

Soon, she'd learn that their entire entourage (including her serpent) had long traded their human souls for the sake of Nobunaga's vision. 

They sealed their fates as asuras the moment they pledged loyalty to Nobunaga. It was a foregone conclusion that they chose infernal powers over the promise of nirvana.

Evil, the senile monk at Honganji had accused. But Nobunaga could care less about being the villain in everybody else's story. It was all about the ending they'd all eventually meet.

Nobunaga rose. It was time to go welcome his warlords. 

"Come," he offered his hand to the young woman. "Let's meet your “boyfriend.”

_______________________________________________________________

The warlords were still high on the thrill of bloodshed when Nobunaga called them to the meeting room.

Nobunaga was delighted at the fevered look in Hideyoshi's eyes as he babbled at their exploits. Kichou paid no heed to him speaking out of turn. He only answered to Nobunaga, and only when prompted.

Was his poor warlord fatigued? These consecutive series of attacks had taken a heavy toll on his sleeping schedule. Nobunaga chuckled at his gormless expression. Demon warriors were supposed to liven up at the prospect of bloodletting.

The constant need for violence was now running through their veins, no matter how righteous they believed themselves to be in the beginning. Just look at Hideyoshi.

"Excellent," Nobunaga concluded their assembly. "Now, go and let yourself indulge for tonight. But remember that we still have much to do in the morning."

The warlords left their seats after bowing to Nobunaga, leaving Mitsuhide and Kichou with Nobunaga and the chatelaine. She rose and immediately went to the silver-haired man's side.

"My little mouse," Mitsuhide stroke her head. "Have you been waiting long?"

The tired man beside them eyed the couple impassively. His old self would have sneered at the lover's audacious display. But not this Kichou, who patiently listened to the chatelaine chattering about his impish cousin with adoration in her eyes.

The more monstrous we become, Kichou muttered one night, the more we appreciate these little moments that remind us we still haven't changed.

Even for all his cruelty, Kichou was still very much a sentimental man, Nobunaga mused.

After what felt like eons, the couple finally bid good night and left Nobunaga alone with Kichou. About time. He wasted no time making use of his privacy with his green-eyed companion.

Nobunaga drew Kichou to his chest, grimy armor and all.

"Nobunaga-sama, please," He pleaded weakly, hands kneading at the fabric of his kimono. "I'm all covered in blood."

"Hmmm, does it matter?" Nobunaga chuckled. "You won't be needing all that bloodied garment on you once we're upstairs."

But Nobunaga understood the exhaustion in his voice. He will wait until morning, then, when Kichou was refreshed and awake to savor his ministrations.

Nobunaga enjoyed their couplings as a demon should: for pleasure and nothing more. But to Kichou, the steady rush of emotions between every touch of their skin was his last remaining tether to his withering humanity.

Nobunaga, already ruthless before his transformation, could barely comprehend the usefulness of keeping another fragile being close to his heart. The era they were living in nearly led him to believe every living soul was disposable, even his own. It was ironic that he only understood Kichou's sentiments now when they had literally been turned into monsters.

Kichou didn't protest when Nobunaga hauled him to his feet and looped his arm behind the Demon King's neck. A sturdy hand rested at Kichou's slender waist, pulling him closer to Nobunaga's side.

Kichou was allowed to clean up and rest in his master's suite, where he belonged. When he woke up, Nobunaga would ensure his right-hand-man was handsomely rewarded for his efforts.

________________________________________________________________

Notes: the “demons” are actually referred to by the franchise as Genma. The Oni (sometimes usually translated to “demons”) as well are their equally supernaturally enhanced counterparts, but good.

[mystlnewsonline]

New Post has been published on https://www.stl.news/paris-couture-cardin-honored-sergeenko-faces-backlash/73731/

Paris couture: Cardin honored; Sergeenko faces backlash

PARIS/January 24, 2018 (AP)(STL.News) — Ninety-five-year-old French fashion icon Pierre Cardin made an exceptionally rare appearance at Paris Couture Week, while model Naomi Campbell led fashion industry insiders in criticizing prominent designer Ulyana Sergeenko over a racist slur.

Some highlights from Wednesday’s spring-summer shows:

PIERRE CARDIN AT 95

Cardin, who founded his influential brand in 1950, attended a couture show by Jean Paul Gaultier that paid tribute to his styles.

The Italian-born designer is a contemporary of Christian Dior, who died in 1957. He is, along with Hubert de Givenchy, one of the last living members of the post-War fashion generation.

Age has done little to dampen the designer’s famed acerbic tongue and frankness, who said the homage was a tad dramatic and remained undoubtedly the “personal” work of Gaultier.

“It was creative, but quite theatrical all the same. That’s the will of Gaultier, his personality,” Cardin said.

“He is an artist. I am very proud for him,” he added.

___

GAULTIER’S TAKE ON CARDIN

Cardin’s most famous decade, the 1960s, was the era that infused Gaultier’s couture on Wednesday.

Bold black and white looks dominated against a backdrop of psychedelic swirls, riffing on the graphic avant-garde designs that made Cardin a household name.

A circular black and white striped dress in silk crepe that captured the designer’s signature Space Age vibe led down to theatrical tights: one white, one black.

Then the bubble dress, a Cardin invention, was evoked reverentially in a bi-color gown with double face crepe that was cut into strips on the skirt.

Cardin’s designs were often used as creative starting points, and Gaultier made sure the 51 looks never felt like an archival check list.

Still, the show suffered from perhaps too many ideas — such as Asian styles, candy prints— and would have benefited from more focus.

___

COUTURE DESIGNER SERGEENKO FACES BACKLASH OVER RACIST SLUR

Model Naomi Campbell has led fashion industry insiders in criticizing prominent Paris-based designer Ulyana Sergeenko, who casually used a racist slur in a note to a friend during Paris couture week.

Russian Sergeenko handwrote a note addressed to “my n—s in Paris” alongside a smiley to blogger Miroslava Duma, who posted a photo of the note online Monday.

Sergeenko, whose new collection was shown Tuesday, said the reference was inspired by a Kanye West track with the same title.

Campbell was among those shocked and wrote “this better not be real” in reply.

Sergeenko posted an apology Tuesday that made matters worse saying “and yes, we call each other the N word sometimes when we want to believe that we are just as cool as these guys who sing it.”

The house didn’t immediately respond when contacted by AP.

“It’s really shocking to see comments from people you admire. Are they detached from reality? It’s not fun to be a racist or a bigot,” said Bryan Grey Yambao, also known as Bryanboy, a Filipino fashion blogger.

It’s not the first time that controversy over a racist slur has shadowed Paris fashion week.

In 2015, shoe giant Timberland severed all ties with French menswear company APC after its house founder Jean Touitou used the N-word in a live narration at the APC menswear show — reportedly, again, in homage to West.

“Have people not learned their lessons,” Yambao added.

___

ELIE SAAB’S ROARING TWENTIES

To brash Jazz music worthy of a party hosted by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Lebanese designer Elie Saab put on his dancing shoes for an exuberant ode to the Roaring Twenties.

Paris, “the city of love, the city of sin,” was the setting, as models in column silhouettes slinked provocatively down a gilded stone staircase and onto the catwalk.

It wasn’t just the music that was attention-grabbing.

Giant neck bows, embellished cloche hats, capes, split legs and plunging necklines came alongside cinched waists. Mini-skirts on models were richly adorned in sequins and ostrich feathers.

The strongest part of the 54-design collection was Saab’s exploration of the Art Deco styles popular in the post-World War I era. One black gown with structured silver and gold accents got its power from the simplicity of its silhouette. Sometimes, less is more.

___

PARIS FASHION GETS TOUGHER ON PRESS

Certain Paris Fashion Week houses pride themselves on careful image control and restrictive press access.

As privately-held brands, this is their right — although it can sometimes be excessive and lead to accusations of elitism.

Invitations are sent to carefully selected journalists and buyers, and some houses prefer smaller venues. The system is thought to increase the mystery and cachet of the clothes.

Like Balenciaga, Maison Margiela under John Galliano is one of many with a highly strict policy.

This spring-summer season Maison Margiela extended their media clampdown to all photographers, sending out a note explaining they would be handling the photography “in-house.”

The unusual move meant that all images of the spring-summer couture are now under the direct control of the Maison Margiela house.

By Associated Press, published on STL.NEWS by St. Louis Media, LLC (J.S)