#jasmine dowling

[acupofqueercoffee]

“Everywhere I go leads me back to you”

Farah Dowling x Female Specialist Reader

wc : 3000+

cw : smoking cigarettes // soulmate identifying marks // not actually unrequited love but kind of an ambiguous ending

i’m currently in my eve best brain-rot era and this is just a little something to blow off steam before i continue brainstorming for rhaenys. there is an awful lack of rhaenys x female reader stories, so if you are in need of some just like i am, you can come yell your ideas at me. farah breadcrumbs are welcomed too 🤲🏻

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There is a terrible ache dancing along your legs, pain faintly pulsing across the plane of your back. Behind the security of your palm shielding the unruly breeze, the cigarette which hangs between your lips is ignited by a spark from the lighter, made only brighter by a breath that you subsequently inhale. It burns your throat, but in a way that you are well accustomed to unlike the vexing agony that has found home on your body as of late.

This sensation, one that breeds irritation, is nothing akin to the pleasant soreness that you are used to feeling after every training session during your time in the Solarian Army. While, in the past, you go to bed satisfied despite your aching limbs, an indication to a day purposefully spent, now you brood over the state of your body. It is, after all, one of the telltale signs that you are not in your pristine condition, which has also brought you to once again roam these grounds that you have so intimately known and walked to begin with.

Getting severely maimed during a mission has led to you getting temporarily dismissed from your duties. Rather than taking leave as is suggested to you, you have instead requested to be sent to Alfea, your former school, to both recuperate and share your combat expertise with the students as a temporary instructor, not being entirely too thrilled at the idea of wallowing in bed-rest after days of rigorous trainings to hone your skills, or perhaps if you are to be unabashedly honest, out of a profound yearning of your heart.

A chuckle bubbles in your chest, bitter, tinged with self-mockery. It is with an exhale of breath that you distract yourself, expelling the uninvited thoughts along with a cloud of smoke that escapes through your nose, through the crack of your lips, and they swirl around your head. After taking a final, languid drag of the cigarette, you toss it to the ground, effectively dousing it with the heel of your boot.

You are in desperate need of a drink, preferably alcoholic, but given that work is in progress, not to mention a class that you have to supervise alongside Headmaster Silva at hand, you opt for something less strong. About a couple of minutes later, you find yourself in the staff lounge. With professors busy at this time of day teaching their respective classes, the room is empty, and you walk to the counter to brew yourself a nice, hot cup of coffee.

The aroma of freshly ground beans is rich, but richer still is the perfumed air that pleasantly tickles your nose. It smells of books, of sunny afternoons, of jasmines in full bloom, of a love left buried.

“You reek of cigarettes.”

At the familiar voice, amused rather than displeased, that spreads over you like a warm blanket, you cannot help but let loose a little grin, recalling many a time during your school years when you have suffered an earful from the woman herself for your misbehaviours.

“If you’re going to reprimand me for it, you should have known better by now, Headmistress, that it’s no use trying.”

“Even the mountains will eventually crumble, will they not?”

Amusement tugs on one corner of Headmistress Dowling’s lips by the time you turn to face her. She gestures to you with a small tilt of her head. “Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.”

“Coffee? I just brewed some.”

“Please.”

After pouring the freshly-brewed coffee into two porcelain cups, you put sugar and a splash of milk into one cup while keeping the other black. You carry them to where the Headmistress has seated herself on a nearby couch, handing the sweetened one to her.

“Here it is, my lady.” Your playfulness earns you an eye roll. “A cube of sugar and a splash of milk if I remember correctly.”

With a delicacy that you are sure only she possesses, she cradles the cup in her hands with a whispered “Thanks.”

“You remember correctly.” A blossom of a smile grows on her lips, beautiful and dizzying, but the soft tummy-butterflies inducing moment is abruptly eclipsed by the pain that suddenly flares across you ribcage.

Try as you may, you fail to rein in your emotions it seems, for one moment, the mind fairy is sitting, and the next, she is on her feet, the cup hastily discarded on the table. Her hands are poised to steady you should you falter on your feet. You stop her with a gesture of a hand, a chuckle freed from your throat as a sorry excuse of a reassurance. Although unconvinced, she makes no further moves, says nothing, only quietly observing you with her eyes as you move to sit on the other side of the couch. She retakes her seat.

“How are you finding your new job so far?”

“It’s…different. Slower than what I’m used to in the army. But the students are eager to learn and-” You take a sip of your coffee, chance a glance at her, and see that she is taking a delicate sip from her own cup. “-it’s good to be back here.”

As much as you like to believe that the last part of your confession is the product of it, the more logical part of you argue that it is the mention of her students that has her wearing a ghost of a smile, pleased.

“They are, aren’t they? And they’re fortunate to have someone with your experience as their instructor.”

After a beat, she adds. “And…how are you faring?”

The question has you hesitating for a moment, not wanting to appear weak, but nothing will come of lying to a mind fairy, much less someone who bears your name, the mark of your soul on her body.

“Recovering. Slowly. But it’s hard to stay still after being on the front lines.”

“I understand. Sometimes the hardest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves.”

Her face is unreadable, a masterful deceit, but you suspect there are hidden depths to her words.

“Last I recall, you weren’t a fan of coffee.”

It is with her own words that you begin your response. “You recall correctly, but many a white night has left me relying on it. And I’ve grown rather fond of its company.”

She levels you with a reproachful lift of a brow.

“You consume coffee, black I might add, because you can’t sleep? Aren’t you going around in circles?”

“I need it to keep me alert. Also, in case you forgot, I’m no longer your student, Headmistress.” Your reply comes out more venomous than you have intended it to, years of bottled up emotions suddenly coming to a boil.

“That doesn’t mean I’ve cared for you any less.”

Although the confession is but a murmured breath, the force of it is colossal against you, filling your mind with what-ifs upon what-ifs. With an exhale and a squeeze of your eyes, you hurriedly stand, a string of words fleeing your lips as you leave the room in a haste.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have a class to teach.”

The brain may forget but the heart always remembers. She has eyes the colour of rich honey, brown at first sight but drenched in sunlight, swirls of greens and specks of oranges dance and mingle, a beautiful, enchanting lake that makes you want to drown in it. Although she carries herself with an authority as befits a Headmistress, her students matter to her above all else. She cherishes her job to a fault, so much so that once upon a time, she has simply dismissed the soul tie that you share without so much as batting an eyelid.

The class passes in a blur. You guide, you demonstrate, you regale them with tales of your battles all the while drowning in your own memories. Even as the last class of the day is dismissed and dusk sets in, you remain on the training grounds, practicing, fighting imaginary opponents, in hopes of giving your mind something else to focus on, which you find to be failing miserably.

From the very first moment you have met her all those years ago on your first day of school, there has been an inexplicable connection, a feather-light touch of magic that softly caresses your skin. “Sup.” has been your very first words to her, admittedly not the most ideal greeting of a new student to her Headmistress. A look is all she gives you, unimpressed, understandably so, and given that your class is mainly supervised by Headmaster Silva, you seldom cross paths with her after that. On rare occasions when you do cross paths however, despite your greetings, she refuses to acknowledge you as though you are invisible to her.

And finally, finally, when she decides you worthy enough to grace you with her words, it has been to scold you. On that fateful day, you have been standing on the sidelines as two of your classmates are locked in a fight on the platform. It just so happens to be one of those days where Headmistress Dowling is present on the training grounds to spectate the progress of the students.

When a dagger has flown astray from the middle of the fight, it aims at one person, who at present has her back to the imminent threat, trapped in a conversation with Headmaster Silva, you realise in trepidation. Without thinking, you leap, an arm darting out to catch the weapon in your hand. Inwardly, you marvel at your own reflexes, finding it hard to believe that you have stopped a weapon with your bare hand, albeit not without consequences. With your palm cut open, blood has oozed, and the thick liquid drips down your wrist.

The close proximity of the Headmistress to you is felt in that spine-tingling, knee-weakening way, and smelt in the fragrant wind, before her voice finally reaches your ear in the form of your name. The pleasant surprise that takes hold of you at her knowledge of your name is quickly overshadowed by annoyance at the tone of her voice, equally as annoyed, her displeasure apparent on the hardened plane of her face once you turn to greet her.

“A thank you would be nice. I just saved you after all.”

“Which was utterly unnecessary I might add. Don’t mistake recklessness for courage.”

Ouch! That hurts. Even more so than the dagger’s mark that has permanently found home on your body.

“Greenhouse, at once.”

It is amidst getting your wound treated that you notice something that has not been on your skin before. On the delicate flesh of your wrist appears a name in a beautiful cursive. Farah, it reads, but judging by the reaction of the earth fairy before you, unfazed and composed, you reckon that this must be for your eyes only.

No sooner have you had your wound properly dressed than you are seeking out Farah, determined to confront the reality of your bond. You find her in her office, standing by the window, looking out over the grounds.

“Headmistress,” you say, stepping inside. “We need to talk.”

She turns to face you, her expression a mask of cool detachment. “There's nothing to discuss.”

“How can you say that?” You have demanded, stepping closer. “We both know what those marks mean.”

Farah sighs, closing her eyes for a moment before meeting your gaze. “The revelation changes nothing. I do not own you. Don’t let mere words bind you to me. I’m only your headmistress and you are merely my student. And that is where this ends.”

Her words cut deep, but you refuse to back down. “Farah, you can't just ignore this. It's not just about words or marks. It's about what we feel.”

“What you feel,” she has corrected you, her voice firm. “I am responsible for the safety and education of all my students. I cannot afford to let personal feelings interfere.” And in that no-nonsense way, she adds, “Also, it’s Headmistress Dowling to you.”

With a shake of your head, frustration and hurt well up inside you. “It's more than that, Headmistress and you know it. We have a connection, something real and undeniable. Why are you so afraid of it?”

For a moment, you see softness in her eyes, revealing a flicker of the pain she is trying so hard to hide, but it is gone as soon as it has come. “Because if I acknowledge it, everything changes. And I cannot allow that.”

“You're wrong,” It sounds unconvincing even to your own ears, but a desperate murmur. “Ignoring it won't make it go away. It just makes us both miserable.”

She turns away, her shoulders tense. “Go back to your training. Focus on becoming the best specialist you can be. That's what matters.”

You have stood there for a long moment, dared to entertain the fool’s dream in which she turns back, says something, anything to acknowledge the truth you both feel. But she has cut that little thread of hope by remaining silent, a statue of unyielding resolve.

Finally, you turn to leave, your heart heavy but your resolve unbroken. “This isn't over, Headmistress. Not by a long shot.”

So you have declared but deep down, you have always known that you are doomed to failure from the start. And before you know it, the graduation day dawns bright and clear upon Alfea, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside you.

Students and faculty have gathered on the grand lawn, the air filled with excitement and a tinge of sadness as friends prepare to part ways. Farah Dowling stands at the podium, her regal presence commanding attention as she addresses the graduates. You stand among your peers, listening to her speech but barely registering the words. Your heart is heavy with the decision you have made. Despite all your efforts, Farah has remained resolute in her stance, keeping the walls between you impenetrable.

As the ceremony eventually comes to an end bringing with it your inevitable departure, you have caught the Headmistress’s gaze from across the stage. Her eyes have lingered on you for a moment, a flicker of something unspoken passing between the two of you. Then she looks away, and the moment is no more.

In your dorm room, your belongings are packed and ready, each item a reminder of the years spent at Alfea, of the bonds formed and the love left unrequited. Your friends try to convince you to stay, to join them in their adventures, but you know that you are in desperate need of a fresh start, far from the memories that still haunt these halls.

So, with your bags slung over your shoulder, you make your way to the gates of Alfea. Behind you, the school stands in all her majestic glory, a place of learning and growth, and of heartache. You pause, taking a final glance, realising with a hint of melancholy that you are not only leaving a place that has been your home for three years but also a part of yourself behind.

You have not been expecting a farewell, one last goodbye, but there she is, standing tall and composed at the gates. A spellbinding beauty, you think stupidly.

Your name spills forth her lips, dainty and delicate in appearance, but you have not been given the chance, nor will you ever be allowed to find out how they feel against your own, a forbidden fruit. When she speaks, her voice is firm, genuine. “I wanted to wish you well in your future endeavours. You have been an exemplary student, and I have no doubt you will succeed in whatever path you choose.”

“Thank you, Headmistress. Alfea has been…” You pause, swallowing the lump in your throat. “everything to me.”

For a moment, she hesitates, then steps closer, lowering her voice to that excruciating, dizzying timbre. “I hope you find what you're looking for, wherever you go.”

You look into her eyes, searching for any sign of the connection you feel, but her walls are fiercely in place. With a heavy heart, you breathe. “Goodbye, Headmistress.”

By the time you turn to leave, once again, her voice halts you.

Your name leaves her lips in a soft murmur. You turn back, hope blossoming in your chest, only to have it crushed by her next words, both a gentle and a cruel finality to your fated encounter. “Take care of yourself.”

A sad smile spreads across your lips. “You too, Headmistress.”

With every step you take away from Alfea, and from her, a mixture of sorrow and determination burns in your chest. It is finally time to bury the past, to lock away the love you feel and move forward.

Months have passed as you travel, exploring new places and honing your skills. The pain of leaving Alfea and your beloved Headmistress, although duller than they use to, never truly vanish. You throw yourself into your new life, hell-bent on building something worthwhile.

One evening, in a small village nestled in a valley, you find yourself sitting by a tranquil river, the water reflecting the fading light of day. You trace the mark on your wrist, Farah’s name forever etched into your skin. Try as you may to lock away your feelings, the bond still remains, a silent testament to what could have been.

With a sigh, you close your eyes and let the cool breeze wash over you. The past is behind you, and while the future is uncertain, you know you have the strength to face it.

“Fuck, I should’ve never returned to these godforsaken grounds. So much for leaving the past behind!”

Presently, you curse aloud as you slash nothing but air with your twin blades, reenacting scenes from your battlefield. The efforts with which you have made to keep your feelings buried have been for naught, for in the end, in a moment of weakness, you have listened to your heart, and returned to where it longs to be the most.

By her side.

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[softiedancers]

P21 Intensive

Ale Mancillas Dance Studio

Ruby Salinas (junior)

Balbina Cueva Toussaint (teen/senior)

Loreto Perez Robles (teen/senior)

Paloma Wise Hernandez (teen/senior)

Allegro Performing Arts Academy

Arina Bryzgunova (mini)

Art & Soul Dance Company

Domenica Mauti (junior, 12)

Base Dance Studios

Kit Swaddling (teen/senior)

Bella Dance Academy

Ava Fryer (teen/senior)

CA School of Classical Ballet

Aliya Yen (mini, 10)

Center Stage Performing Arts Studio

Stella Brinkerhoff (mini, 9)

Brooklyn Ward (mini, 11)

Ruby Taylor (junior, 11)

Vivienne Mitchell (teen/senior, 14)

Class Act Dance and Performing Arts

Jaklyn Woodland (teen/senior, 15)

Club Dance Studio

Finley Nielson (mini, 9)

Navy Forrest (mini, 9)

Brooklyn Besch (junior, 11)

Kendyl Miller (junior, 11)

Danceology

Soleil Lynch (mini, 9)

Ella Nani Knight (junior)

Dance Concept

Jacilynn Mar (junior)

Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center

Victoria Safahi (mini, 10)

Sophia Hasson (junior)

Dance Expressions Dance Studio

Kiersten Mcbride (teen/senior)

Dance Nation

Jaelynn Walls (mini, 9)

Summer Schilling (mini, 9)

Dance Precisions

Brooklyn Ladia (teen/senior, 13)

Jasmine Sison (teen/senior, 15)

Dance Star Academy of Performing Arts

Bella Salcedo (mini, 9)

Evoke Dance Movement

Tayah Klimuck (junior, 12)

Evolve Dance Studio

Sienna Hoover (mini, 10)

FootNotes Dance & Acrobatics

Alexis Ratliff (teen/senior)

Fusion Dance Force

Abby Rodriguez (mini, 10)

Sophia Bianco (junior, 11)

Ava Rodriguez (teen/senior)

Hudson Dance Academy

Lauren Piepel (teen/senior, 17)

Imagine Dance Academy

Maria Moreno (mini)

JDI Dance Company

Adelynn Muesse (mini, 10)

Just For Kicks School of Dance

Cooper Makowski (teen/senior)

K2 Studios

Jessica Sutton (mini, 9)

Eva Wright (mini, 10)

Leilani Lawlor (junior)

Larkin Dance Studio

Evie Mccune Barrett (mini, 9)

L.A. Dance Arizona

Kate Summers (teen/senior)

Main Street Dance Company

Jaklyn Woodland (teen/senior)

Momentum By Dellos

Rozene Edino (junior)

Motion State Studios

Harley Gross (junior, 11)

Murrieta Dance Project

Khloe Cabrera (mini)

Nadines Dance Company

Angel Imani Wood (teen/senior)

Lily Straughan (teen/senior, 15)

Nor Cal Dance Arts

Mika Takase (mini, 11)

North Alabama Dance Center

Lana Hinchman (junior)

N10 Dance Studios

Carissa Hsu (teen/senior)

Claire Kingston (teen/senior, 14)

Oddity Dance College

Elizabeth Lara (junior)

Ivanna Canob (junior)

Julieta Marroquin (junior, 12)

Katherine Carranza (junior, 12)

Orange County Preforming Arts Academy

Olive O'Connell (junior, 12)

Pave School of the Arts

Addyson Paul (mini, 11)

Premier Ballet Conservatory

Graisyn Clare (junior)

Premiere Dance Center

Avery Dowling (mini, 10)

Project 21

Cece Chung (mini, 9)

Hadley Schulz (mini, 10)

Madelyn Nasu (junior, 11)

Madison Ng (junior, 11)

Olivia Armstrong (junior, 11)

Berkeley Scifres (junior, 12)

Bristyn Scifres (junior, 12)

Chloe Mirabal (junior, 12)

Ellie Anbardan (junior, 12)

Jilly Mahan (junior, 12)

Regan Gerena (junior, 12)

Sara Von Rotz (junior, 12)

Savanna Musman (junior, 12)

Airi Dela Cruz (teen/senior, 13)

Cali Cassidy (teen/senior, 13)

Makeila Bartlett (teen/senior, 13)

Leighton Werner (teen/senior, 14)

Lilly Baraja (teen/senior, 14)

Brielle Lieberman (teen/senior, 15)

Brooklyn Lieberman (teen/senior, 15)

Mady Kim (teen/senior, 15)

Richie Granese (teen/senior, 15)

Rylee Young (teen/senior, 15)

Stella Eberts (teen/senior, 15)

Kami Couch (teen/senior, 16)

Katie Couch (teen/senior, 16)

Lexi Blanchard (teen/senior, 16)

Kenz Couch (teen/senior, 17)

Loila Rhee (teen/senior, 17)

Sammi Chung (teen/senior, 17)

Sienna Carlston (teen/senior, 17)

Jojo Jessen (teen/senior, 18)

Project 520 Dance Studio

Adelynn McLeod (mini)

Pulse Dance Centre

Olivia Toneguzzo (junior)

Renner Dance

Tinsley Wallace (mini, 10)

Stars Dance Studio

Hannah Burak (teen/senior)

Starstruck Performing Arts Center

Remi Hilson (mini, 9)

Studio X

Tate Bisono (junior, 12)

Summer's DanceWorks

Lyla Sitrin (junior)

The Academy

Francesca Jen (junior, 12)

Kinsley Oykhman (teen/senior, 13)

The Base Dance Center

Roxie Onellion (junior, 12)

The Company Space

Piper Perusse (junior, 12)

The Space TV

Nevaeh Chanel (teen/senior, 17)

To The Pointe Dance Centre

Caitlyn Paik (junior, 11)

Triple Threat Performing Arts

Daniella Usa (teen/senior, 16)

Varient Movement

Mila Vishnevski (mini)

Yaya Dance Academy

Renee Liu (junior)

Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet

Emma Walters (mini, 8)

Mayyah Barajas (mini, 8)

300 Dance Studio

Filippa Kavalic (teen/senior)

Mini

Arina Bryzgunova (Allegro Performing Arts Academy)

Aliya Yen (CA School of Classical Ballet, 10)

Stella Brinkerhoff (Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, 9)

Brooklyn Ward (Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, 11)

Finley Nielson (Club Dance Studio, 9)

Navy Forrest (Club Dance Studio, 9)

Soleil Lynch (Danceology, 9)

Victoria Safahi (Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center, 10)

Jaelynn Walls (Dance Nation, 9)

Summer Schilling (Dance Nation, 9)

Bella Salcedo (Dance Star Academy of Performing Arts, 9)

Sienna Hoover (Evolve Dance Center, 10)

Abby Rodriguez (Fusion Dance Force, 10)

Maria Moreno (Imagine Dance Academy)

Adelynn Muesse (JDI Dance Company, 10)

Jessica Sutton (K2 Studios, 9)

Eva Wright (K2 Studios, 10)

Evie Mccune Barrett (Larkin Dance Studio, 9)

Khloe Cabrera (Murrieta Dance Project)

Mika Takase (Nor Cal Dance Arts, 11)

Avery Dowling (Premiere Dance Center, 10)

Cece Chung (Project 21, 9)

Hadley Schulz (Project 21, 10)

Adelynn McLeod (Project 520 Dance Studio)

Tinsley Wallace (Renner Dance, 10)

Remi Hilson (Starstruck Performing Arts Center, 9)

Mila Vishnevski (Varient Movement)

Emma Walters (Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet, 8)

Mayyah Barajas (Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet, 8)

Junior

Ruby Salinas (Ale Mancillas Dance Studio)

Domenica Mauti (Art & Soul Dance Company, 12)

Ruby Taylor (Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, 11)

Brooklyn Besch (Club Dance Studio, 11)

Kendyl Miller (Club Dance Studio, 11)

Ella Nani Knight (Danceology)

Jacilynn Mar (Dance Concept)

Sophia Hasson (Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center)

Aryanna Lafontaine Cooper (Dance FX, 11)

Tayah Klimuck (Evoke Dance Movement, 12)

London Davi (Evolve Dance Company of Fresno, 11)

Sophia Bianco (Fusion Dance Force, 11)

Leilani Lawlor (K2 Studios, 11)

Rozene Edino (Momentum By Dellos)

Harley Gross (Motion State Studios, 11)

Lana Hinchman (North Alabama Dance Center)

Elizabeth Lara (Oddity Dance College)

Ivanna Canob (Oddity Dance College)

Julieta Marroquin (Oddity Dance College, 12)

Katherine Carranza (Oddity Dance College, 12)

Olive O'Connell (Orange County Preforming Arts Academy, 12)

Graisyn Clare (Premier Ballet Conservatory)

Madelyn Nasu (Project 21, 11)

Madison Ng (Project 21, 11)

Olivia Armstrong (Project 21, 11)

Berkeley Scifres (Project 21, 12)

Bristyn Scifres (Project 21, 12)

Chloe Mirabal (Project 21, 12)

Ellie Anbardan (Project 21, 12)

Jilly Mahan (Project 21, 12)

Regan Gerena (Project 21, 12)

Sara Von Rotz (Project 21, 12)

Savanna Musman (Project 21, 12)

Olivia Toneguzzo (Pulse Dance Centre)

Tate Bisono (Studio X, 12)

Lyla Sitrin (Summer's DanceWorks)

Francesca Jen (The Academy, 12)

Roxie Onellion (The Base Dance Center, 12)

Piper Perusse (The Company Space, 12)

Caitlyn Paik (To The Pointe Dance Centre, 11)

Renee Liu (Yaya Dance Academy)

Teen/Senior

Balbina Cueva Toussaint (Ale Mancillas Dance Studio)

Loreto Perez Robles (Ale Mancillas Dance Studio)

Paloma Wise Hernandez (Ale Mancillas Dance Studio)

Kit Swaddling (Base Dance Studios)

Ava Fryer (Bella Dance Academy)

Vivienne Mitchell (Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, 14)

Jaklyn Woodland (Class Act Dance and Performing Arts, 15)

Kiersten Mcbride (Dance Expressions Dance Studio)

Brooklyn Ladia (Dance Precisions, 13)

Jasmine Sison (Dance Precisions, 15)

Alexis Ratliff (FootNotes Dance & Acrobatics)

Ava Rodriguez (Fusion Dance Force)

Lauren Piepel (Hudson Dance Academy, 17)

Cooper Makowski (Just For Kicks School of Dance)

Kate Summers (L.A. Dance Arizona)

Jaklyn Woodland (Main Street Dance Company)

Angel Imani Wood (Nadines Dance Company)

Lily Straughan (Nadines Dance Company, 15)

Carissa Hsu (N10 Dance Studios)

Claire Kingston (N10 Dance Studios, 14)

Airi Dela Cruz (Project 21, 13)

Cali Cassidy (Project 21, 13)

Makeila Bartlett (Project 21, 13)

Leighton Werner (Project 21, 14)

Lilly Baraja (Project 21, 14)

Brielle Lieberman (Project 21, 15)

Brooklyn Lieberman (Project 21, 15)

Mady Kim (Project 21, 15)

Richie Granese (Project 21, 15)

Stella Eberts (Project 21, 15)

Rylee Young (Project 21, 15)

Kami Couch (Project 21, 16)

Katie Couch (Project 21, 16)

Lexi Blanchard (Project 21, 16)

Kenz Couch (Project 21, 17)

Loila Rhee (Project 21, 17)

Sammi Chung (Project 21, 17)

Sienna Carlston (Project 21, 17)

Jojo Jessen (Project 21, 18)

Hannah Burak (Stars Dance Studio)

Kinsley Oykhman (The Academy, 13)

Nevaeh Chanel (The Space TV, 17)

Daniella Usa (Triple Threat Performing Arts, 16)

Filippa Kavalic (300 Dance Studio)

[stardustings]

By Jasmine Dowling

[lightgaswaterelectricityrent]

jasmine dowling

[ngkiscool]

This week - all the genders! Sexuality is a spectrum, and (at least in the Good Omens fandom) everybody are welcomed.

Next week will be the NSFW edition - please send recs for stories that focus on supporting characters (as in, Aziraphale and Crowley are not the main ones). Self recs are encouraged!

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the body that stands apart from itself (remains standing) by thestartofnothing - 916 words, rated G, focusing on Warlock and The Them. Summary: Sometimes a family is a ragtag gang of teenagers in a small town who use the same gender neutral pronoun. Or, Warlock Dowling asks The Them about gender. Amongst other things.

Slow Ripening Fruit by SeedsOfWinter - 1.5K, rated G, focusing on Sister Mary Loquacious and Adam Young. Summary: When the woman formerly known as Sister Mary Loquacious runs into a young Antichrist, he has a few questions about why she is no longer a nun. Do you think he’ll remember me? Pray that he doesn’t…

Green Stripes by tinykelpie (cyankelpie) - 1.4K, rated G, focusing on Beelzebub and Gabriel. Summary: After they save the world from Armageddon, Gabriel and Beelzebub attend their first pride parade, and talk about the queerness of their identities.

Who You Are by @brokencasbutt67-writer  - 1.1K, rated G, focusing on Beelzebub and Gabriel. Summary: After Armageddon, Gabriel explores his disconnect to both his name and his gender identity, with Beelzebub's support!

Real-ace-ation by EveningStarcatcher - 1.5K, rated T, focusing on Anathema and Newt. Summary: Newt and Anathema have big talks as Newt comes to terms with his ace/demi-sexuality.

Assumption Is The Mother Of All Fuckups by @mirjam-writes​ - 1.3K, rated T, focusing on Anathema and Newt. Summary: “Robin called me an ally today,” Anathema whined and flopped her elbows on the kitchen table. Newt glanced at her over their dinner. “I’m sure they didn’t mean—” “Nope,” Anathema interrupted him with a grimace. “They specifically said—and I quote—‘It’s so nice that you allies are interested in helping too.’” Anathema is organising a Tadfield pride, but feels out of place in the community that doesn’t see her sexuality. Can a visit to Aziraphale's bookshop help her with those worries?

13. Kink-free by @quefish77 - 461 words, rated T, focusing on Beelzebub and Dagon. Summary: Beelzebub is talking to Dagon about their sexcapades. Dagon is asexual.

There Must Be Chocolate by orphan_account - 865 words, rated T, focusing on Famine, Pollution and War . Summary:  In which Famine wants ideas for his new line of products, and Pollution and War help. And this time, they’re actually successful in that attempt.

Bonus - master list with all past recommendations!    

Authors - if you wish that your Tumblr account will be tagged, instead of the AO3, please comment or DM me the handle. Thanks :)

Thanks for reading, and remember - sharing is caring!

[grad604georgiamrickard]

ARTIST INSPO

WHY

Jasmine Dowling- Jasmine has created an amazing creative studio with herself. She promotes amazing quality companies in a creative way. She is designing and creating art. Her job would honestly be my dream job. She also creates work that I am drawn to with a fun style of photography, colours I love and funky illustrations.

Bonnie Brown- She is someone who I aspire to be like. She is exceptional at illustration and she has done so well she has created her personal studio with work coming in and she is working with brands and good quality companies.

Jean Michel Basquiat - An Abstract Expressionist artist using acrylic, oil paint and pastels and spray paint. He communicated contrasting thoughts through his work. I am inspired by Basquiat's art as he communicates deep ideas and issues in a fun interesting way. I love how he includes doodle-style drawings.

Bonnie Gray- Bonnie expresses feelings and tells stories, fond memories and friendships through her art. She uses oil pastels, Oil paints and symbolism. I am inspired by Bonnie’s her colours, and symbols and how Creativity is a childlike wonder. 

Marcos Navarro- Marcos has been a big inspiration to me in practising my illustration. He has partnered with books, beer, and many other amazing companies. He has created murals. His style is my type of illustration and he uses a similar process to me. He is an amazing source of inspiration and is a great storyteller through his illustrations.

Hannah Carrick - I love her use of oil pastels, she was the first person I saw using oil pastels that really ought my eye. I love her themes and how she uses bodies. She uses beautiful colours and I find her work so stunning and beautiful while she also carries layers of value in her work also.

Joao Incerti - He brings a lot of his cultural heritage into his work by incorporating his personalised patterns throughout his work. He has a strong theme and also is an illustrator and painter., He creates amazing murals and expresses self-identity which then the reader can also relate to and he is telling stories through his work also.

Ben Crase- I love the pink hats! I love his amazing technique of oil painting, he is so talented. He has beautiful colours and I am amazed at the quality. He has a strong theme across all of his work. There is value hidden in self-identity and expression and cultural heritage.

Jakey Pedro- Jakey uses oil pastels, acrylic and oil paints and shows ideas through horses. “Are a metaphor for life’s wild ride. You’re on the horse, it’s bucking, and you’re partly in, and out, of control.” I am inspired by his use of colour and style and how there is a theme and quote behind his works. 

Studio of the sun - This company is so coo. I love there atrt and as there is so many stories on a canvas and so much hidden meaning you have to search for. Its showing you a story and you have to connect the dots on why.

Tahnee Kelland - I love Tahnee Kelland's work as I am very much drawn to the colours, the texture and the themes of country and desert.

Jack Kabangu - jack's work is very unique and very abstract but within his work, there is a lot of symbolism and value within it. He incorporates a lot of his cultural heritage in what he creates and includes values he believes in. He has a strong theme throughout all his work and it also has a lot of aspects on self-expressionism.

Mika Cotton - Along with Shane as Mika is his daughter, we grew up and went to the same school so again this reminds me a lot of home as her work is connected to where she is from but she expands and also adds values from her Maori heritage and story tells so many deep values through such beautiful work filled with abstract brushes and warm colour pallet which naturally I am very drawn to.

Shane Cotton - Shane is from Palmerston North which I am also from, He is a well-known artist there so he reminds me of a slice of home. His work has so many layers contributed by his cultural heritage, Christian values which I also align with and where he's from which is also where I am from. I love the colours he uses and the illustration style as well. It is so awesome to see his work in so many places, especially the Britomart mural.

Sadao Wantabe - Her works are very textual and patterned. She recreates aspects of biblical teachings especially the main stories of the bible. I connect with this because the bible is a big part of my life and I live by these principles as well as Sadao.

Danny Fox is also another artist who I find not only inspiring but also includes the value of being childlike. I find his paintings somewhat cheeky. He is a very talented artist and uses lovely colours and included the country theme I seem to really be drawn towards.

Dubuffet - Dubuffet is a. sculptor who mainly uses black and white with accents of blue and red doodles. I love the business and the challenge to create shapes out of his scribbles. He is telling stories in a whole new way and I really love e his theme. I relate to him with the randomness and the boldness of the black in some symbol pieces I have created.

Tyler the creator - Tyler is such a great creative really maximising himself as a brand. He is a musician but he has such a strong art presence with his prints, fashion line, album covers and collaborations and his own store. I love the design style of mixed media of photography, design, illustration, and painting. He is a creative genius with also making music that matches the theme of art.

Brittany Ferns - is another artist who is including the same themes I keep getting drawn to such as warm colours, oil painting, country and horse themes. I think this is stemming from my love for the sun, warmth and feeling warm inside and my family's history of my grandparents growing up on farms and also living rurally myself.

[thefashionforwardfiles]

Instagram post|June 10 2024

Emma Roberts has The Dairy Jasmine Dowling ribbon bowerbird phone case

[kiaraalmanzar]

THANK YOU!

Mrs. España-Tait, Jazlyn, Lydia, Binish, Tiffany, Edrica, Jennifer, Valentina, Emily, Jamie, Miller, Mary, Christine, Andrea Mowery, Allison Blumenthal, Kelsey Fleury, Maggie Dowling, Mallory, Alex, Mina, Maria Alejandra, Nicole, Lindsay Hudock, Joan McCain, Wes Davenport, Rebecca, Paree, Remi, Bailey, Caitlin, Katalina, Sophie, Mike, Brittany Hoydich, Ally, Amanda, Tina Flemming, Danielle Irigoyen, Jasmine, Mia, Melanie, Carlos, Orchee, Victoria Stokel, Mandi, Pricila, Zaynab, Katherine, Alex, Sofia, Julia, Alissa, Olutosin, Mami, Papi, Abuela, Emely, JACK, Ginger, and Doof

The journey so far would be abysmal if it weren't for the wonderful humans that held my hand along the way. Thank you to these individuals for all their support, guidance, laughter, and friendship. I would definitely split my orange with you.

[reasoningdaily]

Beverly Hills: 99% of people arrested by ‘safe streets’ unit were Black, suit says

Nearly all the people arrested by a Beverly Hills police taskforce over the past year were Black, according to a new lawsuit which alleges egregious racial profiling in the wealthy California city.

The complaint, filed Tuesday by the prominent civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump, alleges that out of 106 people arrested by a Beverly Hills police “safe streets” taskforce, 105 were Black and one was a dark-skinned Latino person. Between March 2020 and July 2021, the unit unjustly stopped and arrested Black civilians who were roller skating, scootering, driving and jaywalking a few feet outside the crosswalk, the suit said.

The unit, also known as the Rodeo Drive taskforce, was set up last year in response to “a significant increase in calls for service in our business community”, according to the city, which is one of the richest municipalities in the US and less than 2% Black.

The plaintiffs in the suit, which was filed as a class action, are Jasmine Williams and Khalil White, a couple on vacation in Beverly Hills last September. They had been riding a scooter when police detained them “without any reasonable suspicion or probable cause”, lawyers wrote, saying officers demanded their IDs to run their names through a criminal database even though they hadn’t committed a crime.

The couple “peacefully” objected to the officers “abusing their police powers” and were subsequently handcuffed and arrested on “multiple fabricated charges”, the complaint said, adding that prosecutors later dropped the charges.

The suit also cited a 2 October 2020 incident when the unit stopped Salehe Bembury, who was then vice-president of men’s footwear at Versace and was holding a Versace shopping bag.

Body-camera footage from that incident shows officers followed him and stopped him for jaywalking, with one saying, “How come you did that? You didn’t want to wait for the light?” The officers immediately asked for his ID, asked if he had weapons on him and then proceeded to pat him down and search him.

“What’s unfortunate is I literally designed the shoes that are in this bag, and I’m being … searched,” Bembury said to the officers, after repeatedly making clear that he was complying and that the officers were making him nervous. When he got his phone out to record, one officer tried to discourage him from filming, saying, “Right now, you’re being detained.” The officers later released him. Bembury posted footage of the interaction on Instagram.

The suit cited another incident in October during which officers stopped a Black driver and Black passenger without cause and eventually let them go without a citation.

The suit is against the police department and captain Scott Dowling, who led the force and “directed his subordinates to seize, interrogate, use force, falsely arrest, and maliciously prosecute any African Americans who traveled on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills”, lawyers wrote in the complaint, which the local news site LAist published on Wednesday.

“That day was very terrifying,” Williams, a nurse, said in a press conference, Spectrum News reported. “I don’t want this to keep happening to anyone, it’s not right.”

The city defended the taskforce on Wednesday, claiming the unit was set up in response to merchants’ complaints about “burglaries, shoplifting, pedestrian and vehicle code violations, street gambling, public intoxication, marijuana smoking and more”. The unit recovered illegal firearms and uncovered unemployment fraud cases, the city said in a statement. Dowling could not be reached.

The city also claimed that Williams and White had been illegally riding scooters on the sidewalk and had “provided false information” to an officer, but their lawyer said that claim was false, which was why charges were dropped.

The city has not disputed the arrest data included in the lawsuit and did not respond to questions about the figures. A spokesman said the task force was no longer in operation.

Bradley Gage, a local attorney also representing the couple, said it was wrong for the city to celebrate the work of the unit and ignore the extreme racial disparities in arrests: “These numbers are outrageous … and they are trying to justify it with a racial stereotype that Black people commit crimes.”

[grad604leahwilton]

week one tutorial/lecture

Reflection on Presentation:

It was interesting seeing their approach towards the project focusing on the social impact and the research around the topic before creating a final design output. Not just focusing on the design and what it looks like but the message and connection to people it holds. Expanding their research beyond a google search or just statistics - and talking/interviewing their peers or people they look up to making it more personable. Allowing the design work to be made organically by the people they interviewed was also really nice and a good way to connect to the theme. Overall what I got out of their presentation on their work was that the entire process doesn’t always have to be on the final design work and how it looks but more the research on the topic and really understanding the issue or theme wanting to be explored and the final design work will come organically by the end.

Creatives That Influence Me

Designers, Photographers, Illustrators + Creatives Previously Unavailable Marx Design One Design Curious Studios Sea Change Studio South Studio AKIN Clemenger BBDO Laura Reid Photography Andreea Robescu Jasmine Dowling Assouline Frankie Magazine

QUESTIONARE

THE CREATIVE

Who am I as a designer?

As I designer I would describe myself as a realist and logical thinker. I enjoy minimalistic approaches that carry a lot of impact in my design work. I like to problem solve and find new ways of communicating new and existing ideas or issues.

What are the influences on me as a designer and where do they come from?

Fashion / beauty / lifestyle - Working amongst retail brands in those realms influence my design aesthetic and output - things like packaging + marketing + textile design. Tv/Film (Pop culture). Travel - geography. Film photography in particular capturing candid moments.

How can I unpack the personal design ideologies that cultural shifts ,ethics, and responsibility that impact my decision-making?

Observe what interests me and sparks enjoyment or curiosity. And asking myself what do I value and apply when thinking/making creatively. Acknowledge my environment and who surrounds me and how that has had/ could have an influence on those aspects.

How might I expand my visual vocabulary by understanding the environmental, social, cultural, political contexts of my design influences?

By exploring and being curious. And making connections/networking to realise and explore new perspectives and skills and becoming apart of a community that I align to.

Where do I stand in relation to my practice and what do I value?

I value communication and honesty. I enjoy finding ways to communicate messages that can’t be spoken. Finding ways to resinate with others in a way that is creative and impactful through creative outlets. I am practical and logical thinker that want’s to problem solve and find good solutions to help others succeed and express their ideas or purpose.

THE CREATION

What is the nature of my Communication Design practice and research?

Thinking practically, logically, and empathetically.

How do my environmental, social, cultural, sub-cultural, political contexts and influences show up in my work?

In the language I use, the messages I want to express.

What key themes, ideas and conversations are speaking in or through my work?

Connection + bringing people together. Understanding. Creativity.

What specialist subject knowledge do I want my work to convey?

Typographic approaches. Minimalistic design style. 

Are there specific techniques and crafts I want to hone within my practice?

Campaign design. Social awareness and community based.

THE CREATIVE COMMUNITIES 

Who are the local and global creatives, designers, illustrators, photographers that you want to connect with?

I am mainly inspired by design agencies as I value community and team work. Ability to build off different ideas and help provide impactful design for businesses or communities.

Locally:

Curious Design, McCarthy Studios, Marx Design, Previously Unavailable, Hannah Design Studio, AKIN, Clemenger BBDO, ONE design, Blink Boys, Milk Design, Design Dairy, Unordinary Design, Studio Narrative, White Rabbit

Globally:

Colour Club, Squad Ink, Ras (Spotify Head Of Design),

What are the influences on them and what engages you in their work?

Most of the design agencies I selected inspired and influence me because of their values and way of thinking and creating unique and compelling brands and design work that engages customer/consumers in a robust and on evolving way. They all work practically while stepping out of the box to think differently and find a point of difference in a sometimes mundane world of design.

In what (if any) ways as they collaborative and engaging communities?

What impacts, concepts, thematics, and organising principles are at play in the creative practice?

Really understanding their audiences –

[daughter-of-melpomene]

fc oc meme: serena motola + good omens — @xoteajays

I had… many ideas for this one.

A young demon named Zazzadon who gets sent to Earth in the 40’s (shortly after the church encounter) to be trained by Crowley, and also to keep an eye on him since Hell was starting to realize how much he liked humans at that point.

She and Crowley have something of a father-daughter dynamic, although it’s more similar to Ellie and Joel from The Last of Us than anything else (in that Zazzadon is a sarcastic little shit who can’t seem to stay out of trouble and Crowley is an equally sassy parental figure who is constantly trying to keep her out of it).

First meets Aziraphale in the 60’s when he gives Crowley the holy water and they have their encounter in the Bentley; Zira is very surprised that Crowley has actually been taking care of another being for this long, but also likes Zazzie right off the bat, and vice versa.

Of course, Zazzie immediately clocks their crushes on each other, and she and Crowley have a sassy exchange in the Bentley about it once Aziraphale leaves and she’s just like, “You wanna kiss him so bad it makes you look stupid.”

Goes right along with Crowley and Aziraphale’s plan to raise the Antichrist with equal influence; disguises herself as a new maid in the Dowlings’ mansion at the angel and demon’s request to make sure neither of them are pushing too far in their influencing.

She and Aziraphale develop a genuine friendship over the years of raising Warlock, bonding over their love of food and fascination with different aspects of human culture (though he refuses to really acknowledge it as friendship the same way he denies his feelings for Crowley).

However, after the “breakup” scene at the bandstand, she tells him off for trusting Heaven so much and refusing to admit how much he cares about her and Crowley, and marches off with her demonic mentor while giving the angel the finger and not looking back.

After the Apocalypse is averted and the Ineffable Husbands make their plan to avoid execution, they send Zazzie to hide with Anathema and Newt in Jasmine Cottage, since Anathema has wards on the house that can protect it against any more demons entering. (She’s not too happy about this plan, but not having anyone to switch bodies with, she goes along with it.)

No canon ship, but at the end of the finale when the Husbands switch back and go to the Ritz, she declines to go with them, citing a date with a human girl she’s been talking to online.

She also threatens Crowley to finally tell Aziraphale how he feels before they leave to go to dinner, and does a little happy dance when she comes back to the bookshop after her date to find them kissing on the sofa.

(I’m also gonna tag @endless-oc-creations in this, just because she’s my Good Omens girl and I feel like she’d like this.)

send me an fc + fandom for me to make an oc on the spot!!

[lacewings]

Jasmine Dowling

[epipheny]

source: https://www.jasminedowling.com/

[aquariusavenue]

By Jasmine Dowling

[ninkatana]

https://www.instagram.com/jasminedowling/

[bronzedfawns-blog]