#pp ch3

[arminthada]

Grandma. I offer you some green curry with fish balls, your favorite.

You Are My Universe รักสุดใจยัยตัวแสบ (2023) dir. Kasap Sammabut

[echantedtoon]

A Lovers' Circle (Poly Haishira x Reader) Ch3 There's Always A Catch When It's Too Good To Be True...But For The First Time Its Not Unpleasant

(MOST of this will be from Gyomei's p.o.v or p.o.vish. I will be describing surroundings for the readers but keep in minc Gyomei can't actually see what the readers are being described. The performance I had in mind was actually something similar to the song below if anyone wants to listen to it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=98AqvD-Dvgo&pp=ygUXYXBwbGUgYmxvc3NvbXMgc2hhbWlzZW4%3D         )

A number.

Ten Digits across.

You remembered quickly jotting down the ten small numbers of a notepad you thumbled to get out of your purse and shakily wrote everything down he told you with a patient smile on his face. 

You must've been out of your mind for doing this. Agreeing to go on a date right after the worst one of your entire life? Maybe you were that desperate? Or maybe it was the charm and gentlemanly way he had been nice to you that charmed you off your feet enough to agree. If he was nice enough to go through the trouble of making sure a total stranger was ok and returning your purse then he couldn't have been that bad. At the most terrible he'll just be a kind but bland personal to date and it won't work out for you both. You'd much rather have it end that way than the last few dates you've forced yourself to go on. 

You still remembered what Murata's shocked face looked like when you finally opened up the passenger door and sat your still soaked body down in the seat next to him. Wet, smeared make up still half smudged all over your face from where the rain didn't wash it off, covered in dirt, and looking like a food fight had taken place on your dress.

"Oh my God. ..What happened? Are you ok?!"

You have him the most exhausted deadpanned look ever. "What do you think?"

"I think you look like a doll that was dunked underwater."

"Thanks. You really know how to compliment a girl."

He only shrugged before starting up the car and pulling away from the smiling and waving a hand in the direction of the retreating car. Feeling a shy feeling bubble up in your chest as he faded away from view. Face going a light pink.

"Are you running a fever too? Your face is all red."

"No! Just drive me home please."

The comfort of a warm shower and cozy bed was something else so relieving. Letting yourself forget your worries and allow the mind to dwell away in peace. Unfortunately there was no saving your dress as the stains wouldn't come out, and your heels had permanent water damage to them. Oh well. They were both bought from a cheap second hand store anyways so it's not a big loss. 

But the real nerves came from those four small numbers.

The paper accidentally knocked off your bedroom side table and fluttered down on the floor, bumped off when you were cleaning two days later and only noticed when your foot had stepped on top of it. The feeling of paper under your heel caught your attention and found the small note with ten numbers staring up at you.  

A phone number.

GYOMEI'S phone number.

The tiny paper in your hands staring up cheerfully at you as you sat on your bed and stared at the digits. Staring. Unsure. And frankly very nervous. What if he was really busy right now? Or what if someone else was already seeing him because you took so long? Or what if you just accidentally wrote down the wrong number in your stressed state? That'd be embarrassing. However the longer you looked at the paper just pinched between your fingers. Even if he gave you his number, it was probably only because he felt bad about what happened to you and wanted to make you feel better.  He probably wasn't serious...

But..where was the harm in calling?

At worst you'd just be given a no and you'd be getting a possible friend at least! A shaking breath was sucked in through your mouth as you hesitated slightly before reaching out to the phone near your bed and grabbing it. Your hands trembling as they fumbled for the number accidentally typing in a wrong number and having to fix it at least seven times before you were able to get the correct line up of numbers as on the paper. Taking another five minutes you stared at the screen and hesitated again.. before inhaling a deep breath and pressing the dial button with your thumb. Your eyes watched in slight fear and nervousness as it dialed through. And called.

And rang.

And rang. 

And rang.

"Th-This was a bad idea."

You were just about to press the end call button when a sudden sound made you freeze up-

"Yes?"

"Oh!" The paper fell from your grip as you barely managed to not drop the phone in shock. Staring at the calling screen with a frown. "Um..." What do you say?! What do you say?! "..Hello?" Nice. You totally nailed that.

There was a deep few chuckles from the other side making you blush in embarrassment and gulp. "Ah. Ms. Y/n, I was just wondering when I'd receive a call from you."

"Haha. Yes. Sorry for taking so long." You gulped again. "I-I hope I didn't call at a bad time. "

"Not at all!," he reassured you kindly, "I just got out of an interview with a potential new employer, so the timing could not be better." Oh thank goodness. "I assume you are calling about the date I proposed for this Saturday."

"Um. Y-Yes! I um-... D-don't really know where you wanted to meet is all?"

"Ah! Of course! Are you aware of Kimetsu University?"

You rose a brow at that. "The local college?" Yes you knew that place. You worked there AND attended classes there. "Of course. Lots of college students live around here."

"Across the street from the entrance is a small coffee shop. If you aren't allergic to caffeine then perhaps you would like to grab a drink with me that afternoon?"

You couldn't help but chuckle at his joke despite the nerves you felt. "I actually know where that is, so that works perfectly! If you don't mind meeting me."

"Og course not. I'm looking forward to this very much. Does noon sound good?"

"Noon sounds perfect! I'll see you then!"

"Of course. I look forward to seeing you."

You thanked him before hanging up and then just flopping down on the bed with a sigh. That took a lot more nerves than you were really expecting but nevertheless it was a good start. A good start but a bad case of nerves. You really didn't want to worry about what would happen within the next three days so you tried to focus on work until then. Putting yourself in autopilot for your classes and at work just cleaning up after little gremlins. 

"Hey, Y/n. Did you know anything about the new hires coming in?"

You glanced up at your coworker, arms full of toys to be put away, confused. "Not really. Just that there was a lot of applications and that they need to sort through them all. Why?"

She rolled her eyes before sighing. "I just hope that they don't hire anyone like Stacy again. She was so lazy and ate all the kid's snacks."

Well you didn't disagree. Stacy was only given the job because her grandfather was a high paying staff member and she needed the credits. Except she was an 'online model' and was more interested in taking selfies in the middle of her shifts and helping herself to the snacks for the kids. She didn't last a whole month before being let go. Since then a lot of other people applied for the position and currently your bosses were combing through them all to pick the best one. You just hoped it wasn't someone like Stacy.  

Oh if you only knew the surprise that'll occur.

Despite your best efforts to keep a calm distracted mind, you still found yourself very nervous sitting in your bedroom and dressing yourself up in something nice. Yeah. Dressing yourself up when you were going on a date with a blind guy might be overkill since he couldn't tell what you looked like but you still wanted to look nice. He at least deserved a decent looking date unlike what you went through. In the end you just settled on a nice white blouse and a pair of black pants, casual but nice looking, after all it was a coffee shop not a high end restaurant. Then it was out the door and the twenty minute walk towards Kimetsu University. 

The day was nice. Warm breezes that rustled through the air and cooled down everyone from the warm sunlight. Meanwhile the sidewalks were full of people of all ages whom walked around enjoying how uncrowded it was with very little cars out making it all the more peaceful. Everyone usually went away on the weekends so that was probably why it was so peaceful right now. Didn't seem like a bad start so far. You hoped it stayed like that. Passing by homes and small random businesses humming a tune to yourself, you eventually got there turning a corner and smelling the upcoming scent of coffee grounds. And-

Ah. Speak of the devil.

And there on the street was just the man you were heading to see.

Gyomei was not an easy man to miss. One would have to be blind themselves in order to miss such a tall man standing just on the edge of the sidewalk, leaned up against the wall to be politely out of peoples' way as they walked up and down the sidewalks to their destinations for the beautiful day. A light worrisome bundle of nerves brewed beneath the heart pounding beneath the surface. Every head tilt towards a fleeting sound of footsteps approaching caused the tiniest bit of hope but then it fizzled right back to worrisome when they were discovered to be not quite right.

No. That was the loud thudding of a large man in working boots. No. Those light taps were too young sounding, probably one of the children that was playing hopscotch up the street had decided to go home. No. Those heels accompanying the sounds of a baby stroller were not right either-

A blink of surprise blank eyes gave when the sounds of a baby, possibly still under a year old, turned up in his direction and giggled in all their innocent delight. That gurgling high pitched giggling only sweet little babies could make. It caused a moment of surprise before a smile accompanied the blind stare that heard the stroller pass by on their way to wherever the mother decided to take them. A small happy feeling in replace of the worry bloomed temporarily.

Until the sounds of what possibly could've been sneakers approached. Hm. Light enough to be a woman's footsteps, and squeaky..So perhaps old sneakers or brand new ones just being broken in. A head turned their direction as they walked from the left side but slowed until coming down to a full stop in front of him. His face tilting. Perhaps someone in awe at the sight of him once more or-

"Hello, Gyomei." The familiarity of the voice caused him to jump in surprise and she quickly held up her hands. "Oh my. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

His face was one of complete surprise for a few seconds before it quickly dispersed into one of happiness and.. relief? With a happy sigh through his nose, a large hand was held up. "No need to apologize. I was just merely caught off guard." He assured her before he used the same arm to gesture towards a nearby doorway. A nearby bell ringing as a man excited with a caramel expressio and walking across the street in front of them all. "Would you like to go inside? It's cooler in there and we can sit and talk."

"Absolutely! That sounds delightful!"

He could literally feel himself starting to sweat, and it wasn't from the warm sun..At least he could use that as an excuse for if she asked. Another silently breath of relief escaped his lungs the moment her footsteps started towards the door with him following behind mindful to not accidentally step of anyone's feet. 

That's all he needed. Stepping on his first real date in nearly a year's feet and risking breaking her foot bones. That'd be such a good impression. 

Luckily by some miracle that didn't happen and he managed to reach out and push the door inwards before she touched it's handle. "Please allow me."

There was a few seconds in her pause that had him worry perhaps he startled her by suddenly reaching past her- "Now aren't you sweet?" Her happy voice piped up as surprised as it was happy. "Thank you!"

It made a relieved smile appear on his face as her footsteps entered followed slowly by his larger slower strides. He had to duck a fair bit just to not let his head smack against the doorframe but luckily the ceiling wouldn't embarrassingly hit him for being too hard.  A tiny bell going off somewhere above him.

Senses were shoved full in activity. From his ears being filled by the sounds of a blender somewhere near but still far, a shuffling of multiple steps against tiled floors, and the murmuring of voices being a few. To his nose inhaling the sweet smells of coffee as to be expected, creamers, and perhaps what was homemade jelly rolls. 

"Gyomei, is that you? I haven't seen your face around here for almost two weeks now!," an older man's voice cut through the air and down towards him. "Did you hear about my new weekend sales and decided to come back?" He jested towards him and made him smile in the relieved familiarity of it all.

A hand was held up. "Not today. I'm here for a more.. romantic aspect." 

"Oh?" He could hear the interest in the man's voice and didn't need to see in order to know that he must've been looking at the woman who was obviously still next to him. "Ooooohh! I see." He got it now. "A girlfriend huh? I haven't seen you with her before so she must be new-"

"Yes." He didn't mean to be rude and interrupt him but he really didn't want to explain a very....out of ordinary part of his life just when they were only getting their first impressions in. "It has been a while since I have been on an outing with anyone. Perhaps you wouldn't mind taking our orders now?"

Please don't make this awkward for him. Not now. Not when he hasn't even had a chance yet. He'll get to that part he promises just don't make him to be a bad thing. 

"But of course! Your usual?"

Another sigh of relief. "Yes please." His head tilted in the direction of the woman next to him with a smile hoping she wouldn't mind actually not looking directly at her as she spoke. "Go ahead and order whatever you'd like. I'll pay."

"Oh no. I can't ask you to do that for me. I'm fine with paying for myself."

He smiled wider. "But you didn't ask. I offered. I would rather pay after everything you experienced last time, to help you make up for it."

"I can afford a small drink. You really don't have to."

"As can I and I insist."

The hesitation was felt greatly in the air. "Well..Alright but just this once."

In the end there was a warm black coffee in his hand, and a much smaller green tea sat in a cute little white teacup in her hands, a just as cute smile on her face as she smiled up at him from the chair she sat in after he pulled it out for her. Once again sensing a round of surprise from her before she called him sweet again, thanked him, and happily sat down with a smile on her face and a nervous smile on his right across from her. The chair he sat in comically small for his height. 

"Thank you again for the drink. I wasn't expecting it."

He gave a small chuckle. "Certainly. I did say that I didn't mind."

She gave a small tilt of her head. "So that man knew you." He paused suddenly. Oh no. Was she about to ask him about the awkward talk!? "Do you come here often then?"

...Oh.

"Not all the time." He visibly relaxed himself slowly. "But a lot of the time I'll stop here for the coffee or my friend will ask me to pick up orders here for her. They serve her boyfriend's favorite ohagi and they're often too busy to stop and get it themselves."

"Oh. I've actually made ohagi before. It's one of my favorite recipes!"

Oh right! "That's right. You mentioned that you studied pastry arts didn't you?"

"Yes that's right! But only partially. I'm thinking about changing my major or taking a different course once I graduate from the first course. Maybe it's cliche for a woman like me to say this but I love cooking! I used to bake all the time with my grandmother."

"Does that mean you attend Kimetsu University?" His head tilted at her interested. 

"Yes! But most of my courses are online minus the cooking classes I take in person. I actually work there. Do you know the small daycare on campus?" He hummed a yes in response making her continue. "I actually work there."

That caught him by surprise, stopping the cup that nearly made contact with his lips for a sip. His eyes widening and blinking. "The daycare?"

"Uh huh. I help watch the kids while their parents are taking classes. Kimetsu University in the only college I know of that provides childcare for their own students. Why? Is...that a problem?" Her nervous look was only relieved when he slowly smiled widely. 

"Not at all." He lowered his cup until it made contact with the table with a small thud. Well, well, well. What a surprising turn of events. "Do you.. like children?"

"I love children! I want to have a family of my own one day but for now I love working in the daycare."

The surprise smacked him hard in the face enough to leave him dumbstruck for a long moment staring at nothing but holding his drink. Blinking he slowly nodded and hummed. He heard that before but he really always had gotten the same answer silently from people who he had been out with whether upfront or implied by tones.

'Yes. I'd love to have children someday...Just not with you.'

It always hurts that knowledge. But at the same time he couldn't really blame someone for their answer when they see him. 

"I'm sorry. Was that a bit too much?"

He hummed blinking again. "Ah. No! No no no." She blinked surprised when he nervously held up his hands. "It's wonderful to want to have a family some day, so do I. We have that much in common." Slowly they lowered until they felt the cold feel of the wooden table between them. "Bu-But back to the University. *ahem* What year are you?"

"I'm about to finish up my first semester of college actually. It'll be my second year when the next semester comes. What of you, Mr. Himejima? Do you attend the school?"

"Yes. Are you surprised?" 

"A little bit. Are you a professor? I don't think I've ever seen you teach a class, not any I've attended at least."

"Uh?" A professor? Him? A teacher? "Pfft. Haha. No. I'm not a teacher."

Her pretty face scrunched up in a pout. "What's so funny?"

"I mean no disrespect." He chuckled more a few more times holding his chin. "You surprise me. I've never been mistaken for a teacher before however-" He pointed a finger up smiling widely. "-I am studying to become one."

There was now silence from him as he was expecting her to be surprised processing the fact that he cou-

"Oh that's wonderful!" Her hands made a little clap sound as she put them together. "What subject do you wanna teach?"

....

.......

"What?"

"I said what subject do you want to teach? Like maybe art or music- My friend's uncle teaches health classes for a highschool on the other side of the coast."

"N-No. I heard you perfectly fine." The hands were held up again whilst still on the table.. however they slowly lowered once more as his brows furrowed in confusion. "Aren't you.. surprised with the fact that I attend classes? Or that I want to become a teacher?"

"No not really. A lot of people work to become educators. Why would I be surprised if you want to be one?" She brought the cute teacup to her lips.

"Because..I am.." 

Blind.

There's no sugar coating around it. He was blind and that's why a lot of people decided that things weren't going to work out between them. A big part of it actually. They're always surprised when they hear he attends classes and actually wants to become a teacher. One woman even accused him of lying and hit him below the belt saying someone like him couldn't possibly become a teacher-

"Now why would I think such a rude thing like that?" Her soft voice cut through his temporary stupor through past memory street and he blinked widely at her direction. "Anyone can study for the career they want. If someone else has told you you can't, then they're the ones who are truly blind."

There was silence.

A very shocked silence as nothing but the usual hustle and bustle of the shop around them continued with people walking around him and going about their business drinking, working, watching the TV that was currently broadcasting the news (something about a famous fashion stylist retiring for good).  A long sip was taken from her teacup as he continued to start in utter shock and awe.

She must've noticed his long silence because she opened an eye to peer at him. "Gyomei, are you alright? You're letting your coffee go cold."

"Um..Yes." He slowly nodded. One hand making a couple grab motions in the thin air she watched before finally grabbing his cup once again. "I am just.. surprised is all. I do not get that many positive responses."

"Huh. Well I suppose I should put a break in that cycle." She smiled wider at him. "What course are you taking?"

...A smile slowly spread across his face replacing the surprised feeling from earlier. "I'm working towards a bachelor's degree in a social studies discipline however I'm taking a leap year off before I attempt my final semester to work and save up money to help pay off those student loans."

"Oh! So you're going to be a civics teacher!"

"That's right! You got it right on the first guess!"

He couldn't remember the last time someone actually engaged with him so...normally. He did not once sense a rude, condescending, or doubtful tone. Not a single time. Not when he told her about his experiences during his three years studying and taking classes. Not when he told her his favorite hobbies. Not even when a very obvious turn off for most people was literally staring her right in the face. Or-..Wait. does it still count as staring if the person looking at you was blind? He wasn't sure, but she didn't once point it out of bring it up. If anything he was the one who was thinking about it as a topic.

But-

"Hmhmhm. Did that really happen? You must really love kids."

He told her the embarrassing moment a child had mistaken him as a ghost during a Halloween party and then proceeded to beg him to do cool 'ghost tricks' which was asking him to pick him up while invisible so everyone would think he was flying. The heartbreak on the child's face when he politely explained he wasn't in fact a spirit and couldn't levitate him. Mitsuri had thought it was the most precious thing and always told the story at least once every few months. 

Her giggles sent a pitch through his heart beats and a heat lit up his cheeks a pink as he stared far away yet so close. "*ahem* W-Well I-..I guess one such as myself should b-be used to such M-mi-missunderstandings."

"You're so lovable that when a little boy thought you were a ghost, he asked you to make him fly instead of getting scared. That's the cutest thing I've ever heard!"

"Oh g-goodness." He mumbled a hand pressing to his face, it felt hot but his reaction only made her giggle more. 

"How sweet.~"

"Y-You are really too kind."

"No. You are. This has been the best date I've ever been on! And I mean that genuinely. I can't remember the last time anyone just wanted to sit down and talk so much, and I can't remember the last person who was so kind to me." He jolted as a soft hand gently grabbed his remaining one. "Thank you."

There was a split second of surprised silence from him. Only one second because quickly his face exploded from a pink to a deep cherry red and his hand pressed further into his face. 

"Are you blushing?" He shook his head no- "Yes you are! That's so adorable!"

"Oh..g-goodness. I'm af-fraid you caught me offg-guard."

And her giggles were not helping either. "I'm sorry. That was probably too forward." She slowly let go of his hand leaving him to slowly clench it shut, warm from where she touched him. "But I really do mean it. Thank you. It has been a really good date. The best one I've ever had! Maybe ..you wouldn't mind going on another one soon?"

He cleared his throat before speaking up again, a hopeful tinge to his voice along with surprise. "Another with me? Are you certain?" She hummed yes making him smile again. Her face went surprised as he gestured back towards the door. "Then perhaps this time we can have dinner together?"

"Oh..Oh I'd love that!" Once again her hands clapped together. "I'm free next Friday night actually...Say. Do you like shamisen performances?"

He hummed but nodded. "I have heard the instrument before yes. Why?"

"There's these performers in the University's drama department. They're putting on a free show involving traditional dances and there's this duo who's going to play the shamisen and sing together. I thought maybe we could listen to it together?"

Surprise. She wanted to go to a show. With him. ..His face melted into the softest of smiles. "I would like that very much. It'd be an honor to attend a show with you." 

He could practically feel the bright smile on her face as they stood on the sidewalk and spoke good-byes to one another in the warm light. Her holding a hand. One palm big enough to hold both her small ones.

"Would you like me to walk you home?"

She shook her head no. "No it's ok. I only live twenty minutes away. I can handle that part." Her tiny hands gave him a slightly tighter squeeze. "But I appreciate the gesture. I'll see you this Friday?"

"Count on it. I look forward to our next date."

They're next date. HIS second date! He can't remember the last time he actually was on a second date let alone being the one asked to go on said second date. His heart pounded at the prospect of actually going out to a literal dinner and a show as cheesy and cliche as that sounds. She bid him good bye and thanked him for the drink one last time before departing from him waving goodbye to one another even if he couldn't see it himself, only hearing the slow disappearance of her footsteps until they were no more merging into the background noise behind him. 

And then there was a ringing noise disturbing the euphoria of his happiness. 

And it rang and rang. Snapping him out of his happy stupor and causing him to pat down his body until he fished out a phone from his pocket and held it up to his head. "Hello?"

"HHHeeyy, Big Guy," a man's voice sing songed out of the phone and into his ear.

A sigh escaped him but he smiled nonetheless. "Tengen. Aren't you supposed to be working on a project?" 

"Yeah but Suma missed me so it sorta just turned into us ordering in pizza."

"You spoil her whims too often. You know Makio and Hinatsuru are going to be very upset with you when they find out."

"No worries. I'll just pull an all nighter and finish the project in no time!"

"Uh huh. And do tell exactly how many times have they made you do it?" One time with Makio literally standing right behind him with a scowl for four hours until he finished a project.

"..... Don't mock me." He couldn't help but chuckle knowing the man on the other side was pouting. "I didn't call you about my homework! How did the date go? If it's a bust you can totally come over and hang with us. It's been a while since the three of us just had a movie night."

"As tempting as that is, I cannot. I have a second interview tomorrow and need the rest but the date was rather well. She invited me to go to the University's show this Friday."

A pause. "Wait. Seriously?! You're gonna go out again?! Ok. What kind of flashy magic did you pull to do that? I can't even Sanemi to pose for me."

"You've asked him to pose shirtless for you. Of course he's going to be flustered."

"Oh like we all haven't already seen him shirtless before at the dam pool! He just doesn't want to sit still so I can paint his pretty face. But seriously? You're really going out again? With the same girl?'

"Yes. She's actually rather polite."

"Dam, Dude! See? Kanae was right when she said you'd find the right one eventually."

"I suppose so..We still need to get to know one another better."

Another pause. "..Oh..So like you haven't told her about the whole-"

"Not yet. That's not really a first date conversation topic."

"Shit man. When are you going to say something?"

"I want to see how the second date goes and depending on the outcome, I'll tell her after dinner. Do not worry about me. I have enough of that for myself to do."

He was frightened for sure. A long time to be frightened when you have a to wait nearly six days for his next date. Perhaps it was because he was fearing that deep down she was only being nice to let him down gently or doing it as some way to repay him for the help he gave her back at the restaurant nearly two weeks ago now. He felt so bad for her when that sorry excuse of a man had the gull to pull such disgusting actions towards her.

She had been very polite up to the point that he nearly shoved her out of her own chair. He remembered feeling the back of her chair literally being shoved back into his when he pushed everything forward only to turn around and vomit all over the floors. The sounds enough alone were able to draw a few tears from his eyes. Those poor employees. The poor owner. The poor people having to witness everything. 

But most of all poor her. No kind woman should be treated like that. 

Call him a bit of a romantic type, but he did take a bit of a gamble offering to take her out. He was surprised when she agreed to it and the end result couldn't have been happier. And more worried. Did he come on too strong? Did he make her feel forced in order to pay him back? 

"You're overthinking everything, Mei." The black haired man leaning against his right side all cuddled up had bluntly told him, one hand holding up a treat to a pretty white snake. "Just relax and don't let those thoughts make you feel bad."

"I just do not know. What if she finds me to be..How do you say? Not to her liking?"

"Who wouldn't like you?" A woman with pretty pink eyes and butterflies pinned in her hair stuffed a nice warm drink into his hands. "You're respectful and smart and incredibly thoughtful! If she's the one who asked you for another date then you've made a really good impression!"

"Hm. I suppose so." The warm cup did little to ease the cold lump of worry and guilt sitting in his stomach. 

He didn't even call her to know what time to meet up or where to meet. That was stupid on his part. It was just a gamble of waiting for her by the entrance to the University and just standing there unable to hear her footsteps amongst the throngs of others in the late afternoon and hoping she didn't want to meet up somewhere else.  By now the sun was about twenty minutes away from starting to set and someone had giving a tug on his sleeve.

"Are you sure you don't want to come inside and wait with us?"

"Yeah! The performance is going to be flamboyant I heard. You can sit by me and let Suma sit on your shoulders."

He held up a hand. "No. I'd better not. It would be wrong of me to interrupt you fours' date night and it would be much to rude to just turn it into a double date without asking her. You go enjoy your night and I'll see you all later."

The familiar touch and voices left, leaving him there standing by himself and once again lost in the sea of sounds unable to decipher the one who'd might not even come tonight-

"Gyomei!" He jumped. Tilting his head to the right wide eyed as a smaller figure yelled up at him with a smile. "I knew it was you! I'm so sorry I'm late. I had to help my mother with some errands and lost track of time. "

He could hardly believe it. She was here. She was actually here. A wide grin peered down to her. "No need to apologize. I'm just glad you made it in time. S-Shall we go inside and get seated?"

He was once again taken by surprise when she wrapped an arm around his and nodded. "Absolutely! I was looking forward to this all week!" 

It was one small tug that nearly made him trip with a stumble but he could've sworn her grip felt like a hundred horses pulling him along. Almost falling into people as he allowed himself to be clung onto by the arm like an actual couple. It sent a shock of surprise on his face and a smile to his face.

"You must be very excited to see this," he noted.

"I'm more excited to see what you think of the music!"

"Haha! I'm sure it'll be beautiful."

They had ended up taking seats in the very back at his insistence to avoid him awkwardly blocking the view of anyone wanting to see the show with his unusual height. He wasn't sure how many people were exactly in the University's theater with them, but with the wave of voices and footsteps around him he could guess it was quite a bit. The steps were stilled and the voices slowing to quiet as the first few beats of a drum were played, and the echoes of dancing long since passed down were summoned.

~~

"Did you like the performance?"

"I did. That singer is a very talented woman. I would not be surprised if she became a famous singer when she graduated."

"Well we can brag that we liked her music before she was famous."

The soft glows of the street lights and the lights from buildings casted onto the streets as the stars and moon shown just as bright in the skies above. He smiled down in the direction of the woman's voice, walking uncharacteristically slower as to not accidentally rush her into trying to keep up with his strides.  A grasp on his left arm reminded him of that task. She hadn't left even after the show ended. Holding his hand in a way that had his normally calm face a pink. 

"So do you still want to have dinner with me?"

"I'd still love to have dinner with you! Where did you want to go? This time I'll buy something for you."

"Heh. You don't have to."

"Well I want to! You paid for my last two meals, I'm paying for this one to make up for it. Just pick wherever you want to go!"

"Well..There is a nice little cafe just a street down from us if you don't mind that."

"That sounds great actually. I don't mind at all."

She might not mind now but what would she think when or if he told her after? He felt that oozing feeling again. The guilty one that clawed the inside of his stomach and leaking into his conscious as he lead her to the tiny establishment of foods and smelling the familiar mouth watering dinners. Didn't sound like too many people were around them tonight which was both a comfort and a relief. The feeling still didn't go away when he forced himself to sit down and smile through the awkward ordering of a random cheap sandwich from the waitress. And certainly it didn't go away when he was brought back out of his own thoughts.

"Gyomei?"

"Huh?" He blinked not able to see the confused look on the woman's face.

"I asked what you do for work. Are you ok? You seem distracted."

"O-Oh. Yes. I am fine." A lie. He knew he looked nervous and guilty and possibly was sweating. "I-I work at the nearby shelter but currently I'm looking for a different job."

"..Are you sure you're alright? You're acting nervous when you were alright just a few minutes ago. Is something..wrong?"

Did she do something wrong?

"N-No! I mean yes! Yes as in I'm perfectly fine but no nothing's wrong. I'm just..well there's something that has been bothering me. Im just not sure what you're reaction would be if I told you."

"Oh. Was it something I said?"

"Nonononono!" He quickly held up his hands and clarified in a panic. "You did nothing wrong I swear! It has nothing to do with you even! I'm just-..Well I mean to say.." He sighed. Long and hard through his nose defeated. Head hung in the knowing embarrassment and the hate that'll always come from it. This was eventually going to happen anyways so might as well get the heartbreaking rejection over with. "The truth is that you see.." He couldn't even steer his head in her direction as he uttered the next words. "I am..s-seeing other people."

There was quiet between them for a moment as she blinked.

"Oh. Well that's perfectly fine. I mean this is only our second date and we aren't in a relationship. Going on dates with other people isn't really anything new."

"No. You misunderstood what I meant. I didn't mean I'm 'seeing other people ' as in going on dates. I meant I'm seeing other people as in I am romantically involved with them." Again there was silence as he felt the eyes staring at him from across the table. "I-I don't mean that I'm cheating or have multiple affairs going on! Please don't think I'm such a man who'd stoop to such terrible things!" He quickly said. "It's just that...I am.."

Here it comes. Again another bout of screaming calling him disgusting or abnormal. Or rejection In the worst way calling him some name like cheater or player. Maybe even a slap across the face as she stormed out and away never to be seen again.

"*sigh* I am polyamourus. My partners are as well, however I do not have an actual significant other and due to other factors you can clearly see that has made my dating life very how you say... impractical and difficult for a lot of people when I first tell them."

There was more silence. And more silence. And more silence. So much silence that he thought she already had snuck away and left him there-

"Oh...Well it's definitely not the worst thing someone's told me on a date."

...He blinked. And blinked again. Slowly processing her words. "What?"

"Uh huh. Someone telling me they're poly is actually pretty normal compared to what happened to me two weeks ago."

"You mean-? I-" He pointed at her. "You're not disgusted or at the very least put off?"

"Well let's see. You didn't scream at me, get drunk, surprise me with scams or that you were actually married with a baby, certainly didn't ghost me, and out of everyone else I've ever dated actually treated me with respect. Hm...So where is the thing that I'm supposed to be disgusted by?"

"The part where I am seeing other people as we sit here?"

"Well let's see again. Do they know you're going out with people?"

"Of course."

"And are they ok with that?"

"Perfectly."

"And is your relationships with those other people consenting and mutual?"

"I wouldn't be in said relationships if we weren't."

"Then I see no problem with it. You've been very open and honest with me about it instead of trying to hide it so I don't see anything wrong with it. In fact I'm more flattered you chose to tell me."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. So casually. So polite. So...unphased by it all. 

"So you're not surprised by it at all?"

"Oh no. I definitely am surprised but when you have so many bad experiences like I have, this really isn't a bad surprise. A surprise definitely but not a bad one."

He couldn't stop staring. He couldn't believe it.

"So how many partners do you have?"

"I-..E-Eleven?"

"Oh my. That's quite a few people."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Not really. I'd like to meet them sometime."

Gyomei.exe has stopped working.

He slowly blinked. So slowly he could've been mistaken as a robot as he stared widely. Processing the words from her lips. "You..want to..meet them?"

"I'd love to meet them one day! If you care about them then they must be very wonderful people."

Gyomei did not move. Did not speak. Only staring in awed surprised blankly at the smiling woman in front of him. The silence kept up the more he sat there until he held up a hand. 

"Actually I think I can arrange that. Do you mind if I go place a call very quickly?"

[oldfashionedmorphine]

hi, hello, here is the final chapter preview of:

on the same frequency

-.-. .... .- .--. - . .-. / --...

December 29, 1995

Wait…

Mike leaps up from the sofa and rushes toward the kitchen—it was an utter disaster—the island covered with an array of baking ingredients, bowls, measuring cups, utensils, and with flour absolutely everywhere, but he didn’t see anyone in the kitchen—it was empty.

I could’ve sworn…

Maybe he was just dreaming again. Wouldn’t be the first time he—

December 30, 1985

Every year the Wheeler’s would co-host a potluck with their neighbors in the cul-de-sac and Mike always invited him and the rest of the Party. And after eating tons of food they’d get to light up sparklers while their parents would shoot off some store bought fireworks, and last year he was even allowed to take a few sips of champagne for the first time to toast the new year. Will always looked forward to it, but mostly because he’d get to hang out with his friends.

🎶 a song from chapter seven 🎶

rating: mature

tags: alternate universe, not canon compliant, major character death, graphic depictions of violence*, grief/mourning, ptsd, blood and injury, supernatural elements, time shenanigans, butterfly effect, thriller, emotional manipulation*, abuse*, grooming*, implied/referenced suicide*, angst with a happy ending

release date: 11/26/2023

✨ previous chapter previews ✨

ch1 | ch2 | ch3 | ch4 | ch5 | ch6

(i hope you guys enjoyed all these little crumbs! ps: these previews all together only amounted to like… less than 5% of the whole story!! lol… but anyway, the wait is almost over—see you guys in 7 days for the grand release!! pps: i also listened to my beta reader and added some new tags due to how things went in chapter 6, so please keep that in mind!)

tagging:

@kaiminluu @greenfiend @total-serene560 @across-thestars @boahey @magentamee @daydreams-in-the-moonlight @soyboystan @foodiewithdahoodie @booksandpaperss @likegoldintheair @mandycantdecide @hazmatazz @sparks-olivarpente @1-tehe-1 @karenchildress @rebellius @maru-chu @septembr-moon @kamomillatea @trvbblemaker

[hazbinextgeneration]

Housed Hearts Ch3 Job Opportunities

(Art is mine. Heim belongs to Mortisfox. What Rose does to help Heim with his lawn is described in the video linked below.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=FJYDXC9x8z4&pp=ygUXZ3Jvd2luZyBncmFzcyBmcm9tIHNlZWQ=)

-THIS SPANS OVER A COURSE OF A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS-

The apartment she temporarily was moved in was quite nice even if most of her belongings were still going to be in boxes stacked around everywhere until she was located and given a house. She had all the basics she needed anyways. It was only a matter of time until she would be given a full house anyways. The very next day she was back to work as usual taking one of the many greyhorse buses until she got to that greenhouse in town. It was always so calming being around so many plants and taking care of something. They were her babies in a way. She was always watering them, giving them the highest quality fertilizer and plant food money could buy, and trimming away any dead leaves or stems. Only the best for her babies and her customers. She was often complimented on how healthy her plants were or how pretty the flowers were or how delicious the various fruits and vegetables that she had grown was there. It was hard work but hearing that people were happy with her work was reassuring to hear. She hadn't seen or heard anything from any REALTORS for almost two weeks since meeting Heim a while ago but she wasn't surprised too much about it. REALTORS were going to do what they please despite her offers. However she had a small surprise waiting for her when she arrived home and found a certain lure huffing and puffing down the street and towards the apartment complex and towards herself.

"Well if it isn't Mr. Baile. How nice to see you again," Rose greeted amused and crossing her arms, "Are you on the hunt for more buyers today?"

He stopped right in front of her wheezing a bit and taking a moment to catch his breath so to speak before smiling at her. "Nah. I'm on my way to that burger place near here. I got a few coupons off for 'em from some newspapers."

"I see." Her brow rose at him. "I wasn't aware REALTORS had money. Or are you awarded a lump sum along with your feedings?"

Heim paused for a moment before looking off. "Ah..I uh... Didn't think of that. Guess I'm kinda stuck. I..Guess I don't need it anyways." His arms flopped down deflated. "! did already got my delivery this month anyways."

She chuckled despite herself and he blinked as she patted his shoulder. "Well I probably shouldn't do this, but If you really want one I can lend you a hand."

He immediately perked up. "You mean that?!"

She nodded. "I wasn't feeling up to cooking dinner tonight anyways." She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder. "C'mon. You can pay me back by letting me use your coupons."

"DEAL! Wow. Not only are you pretty, but you're S-So nice to an old run down house like me too."

"Hey. You're not run down." Rose assured him with a smile and pat on his shoulder. "You're a really nice person and it's what's on the inside that matters."

He hummed. "Well I do have a nice TV so not every house can claim that!"

She giggled again. "I was talking about how nice you are again but it is a nice TV." Heim puffed his chest in pride as he waddled next to her. He certainly was a sweet guy. Can't say that about a lot of REALTORS. "We can bring them back to my place and watch some TV if you'd like."

"Really?!"

"Sure. It'd be nice to have company."

She had a quiet evening and spent it with Heim watching TV. A few nature documentaries and a few generic drama shows here and there. It was new to have a REALTOR sit on her sofa for a few hours watching TV before leaving with his burgers to no doubt be digested by his main body. He surely was a sweet little guy. Perhaps all REALTORS could learn a lesson or two from him. She again didn't see Heim for about another week until he showed up again walking past her apartment building and it was her day off. She was just taking a potted plant outside to plant in the apartments lot when she spotted him waddling his lure down the sidewalk.

"Hello, Heim. Going to the burger place again today?"

He seemed happy to see her but shook his head no. "Actually there's a new ice cream place that sells burgers AND ice cream! Can you believe it? I heard they're giving away free food all day for their grand opening! I can't miss that!"

"Didn't you get your monthly dose of feeding this month already?"

"Well..yes. But I can't miss a good deal like this!"

Her brows rose higher as she looked at him. "You're still eating fast foods huh? Have you tried the salads and fruits the convience stores have? I think those are pretty good too."

"Yeah. Sure. I've had them a couple times but if there's somewhere that's giving away free burgers then I'm game!" He smiled wider gesturing at her to come along. "You wanna come?"

She shook her head before holding up the small potted plant. "Nah. I'm doing some winding down today and planting a few things."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself. Feel free to come join me later!"

"I'll think about it."

He nodded before walking away and she watched as he went off on whatever trip he had planned. He sure ate a lot of fast food huh? That can't be too healthy for him even if he wasn't human. Was that why he was in such bad shape? It didn't seem the ones who were feeding him didn't care or were even aware of that fact. He didn't even seem to mind that actually himself despite his initial nervousness when she first saw his main body. Things could only get worse if nothing was done about it.

.... Tomorrow morning she would be sure to bring everything she needed for the first step.

She was expecting Heim's surprise when she first got there. At first he didn't even respond to her showing up. Rose assumed he must've been asleep considering his lure cord wasn't leading anywhere outside. So she wasted no time stretching on the thick rubber gloves, opening the giant trash bag she brought along with her, and started walking around the yard picking up the many pieces of trash (again mostly empty take out containers) and throwing them inside the bag. The first step was to clean up the top mess, then she'd come back the next day with a company truck and haul what she really needed for this job.

Heim wasn't there the first time she showed up but his lure answered the door and stared in surprise at her when a company truck she borrowed and rolled up to his house. He stared in surprised silence as Rose just went about her business opening the back of the truck and hauling out a tiller she had also uh... borrowed from her boss's company for this task. He continued to watch as she rolled it up onto his front lawn and then turned around to walk back into the truck only for this time to struggle with a heavy bag of fertilizer. 

"Uh...Rose?"

"Hello Heim," she grunted out between trying to haul the bag out.

"Um... Hey, pal. Whatcha doing there?" He pointed towards the truck and everything else.

"Fertilizer. I'm gonna till it into the dirt," she grunted finally dropping the massive bag by the tiller with a sigh. "Then I'll add a layer of top soli. I'll need to borrow a seed spreader and some grass seed from work later this week and we can get your situation better."

His eyes widened if that was even possible for his lure to do before looking around his yard. "You mean... You're gonna fix my yard?! For free!?"

"You'd better believe it. Now stand back. I wouldn't want to get your lure caught in the tiller." With one hand on the tiller and the other on the starting cord, Rose yanked it hard. And the engine roared to life.

The hard parts was tilling the fertilizer into the ground and then shoveling all the top soil everywhere. Good thing her bosses also ran a landscaping gig. She'd make up an excuse for why a bunch of fertilizer and top soil is gone later. Probably pretend she used it in some of the pots at work. Overall the hard parts were done and she could rest for a bit. Later that week she returned once again with the company truck and a few bags of grass seed and a seed spreader to start spreading the seeds all over the lawn before watering it all down with a nearby hose. It should take about a month to fully grow in. Hopefully she wouldn't have to overseed any spots. For now she could move on to the second thing he wanted to do. So imagine Heim's surprise when one day there was a knock on his door. Strange. He didn't order any takeout and he wasn't expecting anyone to deliver anything from the Mayor's office until his monthly feeding next month but he puppeteered his lure anyways to answer anyways. So imagine his surprise when he opened the door and found Rose standing there, but there was something else. In her hands was a giant basket of...fruits and vegetables??

"Uh...Heya, pal!" He smiled anyways upon seeing her albeit confused. "Sure is nice to see you again but what's up with the basket of goodies you're holding there?"

"This, Heim, is the new addition to your diet." Before he could ask anything she was already placing the giant basket into his arms as he blinked. "You need more nutritious foods and better carbs if you're going to repair the outer shell of your main body. Greasy fast foods like burgers and ice cream and anything else you're eating might keep you full, but it's not healthy. From now on You're going to be eating these fruits and vegetables and I want you to start repairing your outer shell. Once that's done your illusions should get better too." She smiled at him wider. "You'll be better soon. I'm going to be seeing you a lot more to make sure it happens too. Bet on it."

Rose kept her promise. Slowly but surely she began coming back more often than not when she could to deliver what actual healthy foods she could or anything extra her boss was about to throw out anyways. It was always still good enough for Heim to eat. Over the course of the next two months she made sure that his lawn was kept up as it slowly grew in an eventual bright green color and a few of the smaller cracks in Heim's walls had already healed. Heim himself was mostly flabbergasted about it all but also very grateful and even happy to see her a whole lot more. 

"Hey! Y'know You're more than welcome to come inside," he said to her early one morning she showed up with a giant paper bag of apples from a sale down the street. "You've been so nice to me... It's the least I could do for ya."

Of course she had her concerns. "Are you sure? I wouldn't want to cause any inconvenience for you... Or let something else happen by accident. Aren't you still waiting on your feeding for this month from the Mayor's office?"

Of course he winced from her implying to be eaten alive but it was a valid concern considering most REALTORS wouldn't hesitate. "Well..Yeah. But I'm not really hungry right now." He gestured to her bag as if to get his point across. "You've been feeding me a lot more than I'm actually used to so I've been a lot more full lately. Honestly I -I wouldn't mind getting able to spend some time with you that's not you just taking care of me."

She hummed raising a brow at him. His words were genuine and he was really sweet...but she wasn't going to take a chance without ensuring her safety first. "Alright then. I have nothing else to do today anyway." He lit up but blinked as she held the bag to him. "But I want you to eat these first. I don't want to be in there while you digest them. No offense." And it'll help with any lingering hunger he might be feeling.

"... Kay. Fair enough, pal."

Actually being a REALTOR sure was... different. Can't say she'd ever done something like this before. She'd waited around forty five minutes for Heim to finish digesting and fully ensuring his insides weren't in the digesting process anymore before he (or more accurately his lure) answered the door again and happily beckened her inside. Rose hesitated at first. Heim wasn't a danger, not really. But when a REALTOR was hungry...Well she might've become food on accident if anything else. So she only stuck in her head at first. His illusions were gone allowing her to see the real meaty, fleshy insides. And across from her was Heim's lure resting on an armchair of the meaty flesh, eyes blackened. 

"Are you gonna come in?", his voice asked slightly worried from everywhere around the room now that his lure wasn't in use anymore.

"Are you sure it won't be uncomfortable for you?" She asked concerned raising a brow. "I'll literally be walking around on what's probably you're stomach."

"Nah. It's not like I haven't felt it before walking this around all the time. It's a pain in my gutters chasing around people sometimes lemme tell ya."

"Alright. If you're sure."

She hesitated a few seconds but slowly stepped inside the doorway before pausing...and then slowly walking inside. Well this was certainly a new experience wasn't it? Other than poking her head in a few times she's never been inside another living creature before. The fleshy recliner Heim's lure sat on extended into the flesh sofa making it big enough for her to sit on. Slowly she walked over ... and slowly sat down. It was.. surprisingly comfy and soft albeit warm and squishy. The sounds of a nearby game show popped up on the TV and it soon had her attention gravitated towards it. Although she was aware in the back of her mind.  But.. nothing happened. Other than Heim shouting excitedly at the screen every time the host asked a question to one of the contestants. It was cute to hear him so excited. Until around two hours later the door knocked causing Rose to immediately look towards it in question.

"Are you expecting someone?"

"Not really," his voice answered from everywhere. "Unless it's a door to door salesmen. I hate those guys."

Rose continued to stare as the knocking came again before she stood up. "I'll see who it is. You just watch your show."

"Can't complain about that!"

She chuckled but walked over to the door and grabbed the doorknob and turned it. She opened it and paused. A pair of brown eyes on the other side also froze upon seeing her standing there. Both women just stood there for a long, long moment staring at one another. Eventually the other woman shook her head blinking at her. 

"Excuse me for asking this...But have we met before?"

"I'm pretty sure we have." Rose rose a brow at her and the clipboard in her hands. "Ms. Woodrow if I remember right." She then looked at a stack of at least three boxes stacked on top of each other than almost reached Ivy's mid forearm. And a delivery truck was parked not too far from Heim's lawn. "I wasn't expecting you to show up here."

"I'm making sure a few of our known REALTORS get their monthly attoinment this month." This time it was her turn to look her up and down confused. "But you're not a REALTOR. Do I have the wrong address?"

"Did someone say food?"

Rose turned her head back inside and nodded. "Yeah. She says she's here to give you that monthly feeding you've been waiting for." She pushed the door all the way open to allow Ivy full access to the inside of the home. By now Heim's lure had popped his eyes back to normal to look at them both. 

"Really?! Neato! I've been waiting for that forever."

"What exactly are you doing inside a REALTOR'S home?" Rose turned back to a confused and astonished Ivy. Her eyes looked between her and Heim. "I don't suppose I walked in on something bad happening."

"Actually we were just watching TV."

"TV?!" Ivy looked more perplexed at Roses casual answer.

Rose nodded again. "But I suppose it is time for me to go."

"So soon?" Heim looked saddened but Rose nodded.

"You have some more digesting to do and I don't think I should be inside while you do that but I'll tell you what. I don't have work next Friday. We can hang out then. Sound good?" He happily nodded. "Then I'll see you then." Rose then turned to Ms. Ivy. "You should make sure whatever you're feeding him is healthier than what he's been getting. He needs to start healing his outer shell more. Excuse me."

Ivy's eyes followed Rose as she stepped around her and walked away down the driveway and back into the street and down the road. She watched Rose go for a long moment before looking over at the REALTOR in a long, long moment of silence. 

"Hey. What can you tell me about your relationship with her?"

More days passed since that day. She still did what she always did. Going about her day to day life until there was a knock at her apartment door early one morning. Confused she opened the door and on the other side was none other than Ms. Ivy. Rose blinked at her but before she could say anything Ivy spoke.

"Ms. Rose Willow I assume. Do you have a moment? I think we should talk."

Rose rose a brow at her. "I'm sorry but I'll be late for work."

"I've already informed your employers about that," Ivy interrupted by holding up a hand. "Please. This is really important."

Rose stared at her for a long moment before crossing her arms and leaning against her door frame. "Alright. You got my attention."

Ivy smiled at her. "Thank you. It won't take too long I promise. I just wanted to talk to you about what happened last week."

"Was there something wrong with me visiting Heim?"

"No, no. Not at all. I was actually quite intrigued by it all. He told me everything you've been doing with him." Rose rose her brow higher suspicious. "You know usually it's not advised to feed REALTORS then again there's not a lot of people who willingly associate with them." 

"Am I being arrested for giving him fruit?"

She shook her head smiling wider. "Quite the opposite actually. I'm impressed with the level of kindness and humanity you've shown towards Heim Baile. So I came by to stop and ask you a question. What is your opinion on REALTORS and other non-human species as a whole?"

Rose was surprised by the question but answered. "I think they're alright. Obviously you should be careful around a lot of them but that doesn't mean I'm going to treat them like a pack of cockroaches. I find a lot of them pretty nice actually. Heim sure is."

That made Ivy light up more. "I'm glad you think that because I'd like to offer you a job opportunity."

That was certainly a surprise. "A job?"

"It would only be once a month and you'd still be able to work your regular day job," she assured Rose, "I think you'd be a great addition for the Mayor's REALTOR feeding program."

"Oh. The feeding program huh?"

"I'd be your employer for it of course as the Mayor is usually busy with more important matters. But it has good benefits. You'll be paid a hundred dollars for every one REALTOR you feed. We'll start you on just feeding one REALTOR per month and then slowly add more but it'll be an amount you can surely handle. What do you say? I think with your way of thinking you'd be great at the job."

Rose still stood there for a solid moment before humming. "That's...a tempting offer but I don't know."

"You don't have to answer now. Here." A small card was held up to her. "Here's the number for the Mayor's office. Call me if you change your mind." She slowly took the card and looked at it. "If you change your mind, there'll be a certain amount of food given to you to distribute to certain REALTORS. More will be explained if or when you decide."

"...Ok. I'll think about it but no promises."

There was a few days of rethinking it over. In that time life passed on as normal or as normal as it did around here. She had thought about it for a while... before calling the number. Why not? It sounded like a great deal and it wouldn't hurt to make an extra hundred dollars a month. So she dialed the number and arranged for it to be done. It wasn't so bad meeting with Ivy again and having her explain the basics. Once a month a supply of food would be delivered to her apartment and it was her job to deliver it all to Heim and then mail the Mayor's office a filled form with Heim's signature confirming he had gotten it. The check for a hundred dollars would be mailed to her a week after. Seemed simple enough. Sure enough the very next month there was a knock on her door one day and she answered it seeing a mailman delivering three Giant boxes before having her sign for them and leaving. All Rose could do for a moment was stand there before lightly kicking the stack of boxes. It felt heavy and barely budged from her light kick.

"... I need to buy a car."

[postsofbabel]

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[secretofresearch]

Polyolefin Resins: A Look at Their Wide Range of Uses

Polyolefins are a class of polymers formed from the polymerization of olefins such as ethylene and propylene. These polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, and other polymers made from alkenes. Polyolefins exhibit many useful properties that have enabled their widespread use in a variety of industries and applications.

Chemical Structure and Properties

Polyolefins are hydrocarbon polymers, meaning they are composed purely of hydrogen and carbon atoms in long molecular chains. The main difference between polyolefin types is the structure of these repeating molecular units - polyethylene contains an ethane repeating unit (–CH2–CH2–) while polypropylene contains a propene repeating unit (–CH2–CH(CH3)–).

The carbon backbone structure gives Polyolefin Resins their main mechanical properties. The strong covalent carbon-carbon bonds make polyolefins rigid yet flexible and resistant to chemicals and corrosion. The lack of polar chemical groups also means polyolefins are generally non-polar and hydrophobic – this property enables uses where water or moisture resistance is important. Polyolefins also have low densities, ranging from 0.89–0.97 g/cm3 for LDPE and 0.90–0.92 g/cm3 for polypropylene.

Polyethylene

Polyethylene (PE) is produced in various forms depending on process variables used during Polyolefin Resins. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resin is lightly branched with densities around 0.915-0.940 g/cm3. LDPE products have good clarity and flexibility ideal for food packaging films, shrink wrap, and trash bags.

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) has a linear polymer chain structure with short branches, lowering densities to 0.910-0.940 g/cm3. LLDPE resins can be processed at higher rates than LDPE and offer good impact resistance suitable for industrial films and lamination applications.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has fewer and shorter branches, making it essentially linear. HDPE has densities in the range of 0.941-0.970 g/cm3, imparting high strength and stiffness properties useful for pipes, bottles, containers, and durable household goods.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene (PP) differs from PE in having a pendant methyl group on every third carbon in its polymer chain. Isotactic polypropylene, the most common type, has these methyl groups oriented on the same side of the polymer backbone. This gives isotactic PP higher melting points than LDPE or HDPE, ranging from 160-171°C depending on composition.

Isotactic PP has a balance of properties making it suitable for a huge diversity of applications. It is rigid yet tough, with high heat distortion temperatures up to 120°C. Common uses include caps and closures, textiles, rope and cord, automotive components, pipes, living hinges, and medical devices and components. Atactic or syndiotactic PP varieties offer varying property profiles.

Uses and Applications

As the most widely produced plastics globally, Polyolefin Resins are highly versatile materials that bring value to many markets:

Packaging - PE and PP resins dominate the packaging industry with their moisture and chemical resistance. They are used extensively for food packaging, shrink and stretch films, bags, bottles, containers and more.

Consumer and Industrial Products - Durables like tools, pails, detergent bottles, cable jacketing, automotive components, car interiors and more capitalize on polyolefin toughness, durability and design freedom. Outdoor furniture, pipe systems, and construction products also use polyolefins extensively.

Medical Devices - The biocompatibility and processing characteristics of medical grade polyolefins support use in devices, components, tubing, gowns, drapes and other single-use applications.

Textiles - Spunbond PE and PP nonwovens are major materials for geotextiles, diapers, wipes and hygiene products, filtration media, and other textile applications. Fiber and filament grades also see use in carpet and apparel fibers.

Polyolefin Resins are amongst humanity's most significant material inventions. The unmatched versatility and balanced mechanical properties of PE and PP, coupled with facile production methods, have enabled polyolefins to permeate nearly every industry and market segment. With global annual production now exceeding 100 million tons, polyolefins will assuredly continue to play an outsized role supporting modern society and economies into the foreseeable future.

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[haphuongswh00091]

Week 4: Reality shows in the age of social media

According to Deller (2019), the concept of reality TV has always been perceived as how entertainment content is recorded in a real setting involving individuals from real life. This is also one of the paramount reasons why viewers feel attracted to this type of content, although they claim to dislike it or call it superficial and nonsense.

From only through voting messages and ratings, audience engagement nowadays can also be observed through social media, thus expressed under more diverse formats and directions. As a result, reality show producers have been adapting to the situation by adding details in the scripts that have the potential to drive discussions. For example, the America Next Top Model even has a list of controversial and cringeworthy moments collected by Business Insider (2022), in which the contestants were unwillingly put in contexts that evoked and exaggerated their extreme reactions. In contrast, people who refused to act wildly or keep a neutral attitude would be called mediocre or not a "view attractor".

Source: Erin McDowell on Business Insider (2022)

Similarly, Kavka (2018) raised serious concerns in some British reality shows regarding the extent of ethical values for entertainment when witnessing the participants being forced to suffer through offensive experiences, supported by a term coined by Mark Andrejevic: "the lab rat quality of reality television" (2013). While those scandalous events are clearly perceived as scripted, they are still the motivation for the audience to follow the shows just to figure out how those uncommon conflicts would be solved. Besides simple amusement purposes, consumers place a higher demand on authenticity since the increase in artificial media production raises doubts about the plausibility of the value. (Rose and Wood, 2005) From another point of view, they prefer to be immersed in the blending of the factitious and the spontaneous, reflecting a complex negotiation of authentic and inauthentic elements in the shows. (Rose and Wood, 2005)

To sum up, reality show viewers are equally likely to favor stage-craft and imagination in producing genuine experiences as they were to rely on their personal lives. This preference implies their engaged and interactive role in the shows' pre-production and post-production processes since they would be the final consumers after all.

REFERENCES

Andrejevic, M. (2013). When Everyone Has Their Own Reality Show. In A Companion to Reality Television (pp. 40–56). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118599594.ch3

Deller, R. A. (2019). Reality TV: The TV Phenomenon that Changed the World. In Reality Television. Emerald Publishing Limited. p.153

Kavka, M. (2018). Reality TV: its contents and discontents. The Critical Quarterly, 60(4), 5–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/criq.12442

Rose, R. L., & Wood, S. L. (2005). Paradox and the Consumption of Authenticity through Reality Television. The Journal of Consumer Research, 32(2), 284–296. https://doi.org/10.1086/432238

[artmill-danaan]

DUCK LUCIFER

Crochet 3,5mm or 4mm (I use 3,5mm because I don’t have a 4mm crochet)

Yarn: D.M.C Knitty 4 Ref 8120 (4mm): 1 white, red, orange and yellow/gold

Terms:

- Ch = chain

- Sc: single crochet

- Dc: double corchet

- St = stich

- Sts = stiches

- Sc2tog = single corchet 2 together (or decrease)

- Inc = increase

- Sl = slip

- Sk = skip

I) FOR THE DUCK

a) 1st Part of the body: WHITE Yarn

R1: ch 2 and insert 8 sc in the second ch from the hook (8)

R2: inc around by sc twice in each stich (st) (16)

R3: (sc1, inc1) x8 (24)

R4-R7: sc 24 (24 - 4 rounds)

R8: decrease by crocheting 2 together all around (sc2tog) (12)

R9: inc all around (24)

R10: sc 22, inc twice (26)

R11: sc 23, inc twice, sc (28)

R12: sc 24, inc twice, sc 2 (30)

R13: sc 25, inc twice, sc 3 (32)

R14: sc around (32)

b) Beak: at the front of the face: ORANGE Yarn

R1: ch in between R5-R6 of the head, sc 2 then sl st

R2: turn, skip a st, sc 2, sl st in last st. FO and weave the ends inside the body of the duck.

c) Eyes

Attach them either on the same level as the beak or on the upper row. Not to far from the beak, 1 or 2 sts away.

d) 2nd part of the body: WHITE Yarn

R15: (sc1, sc2tog once)x2, sc 10, (sc2tog, sc1)x3. Sc2tog 2, sc, sc2tog (24)

R16: (sc1, sc2tog once)x8 (16)

Start putting the stuffing into you duck's body.

R17: sc2tog all around (8) Add stuffing.

R18: sc2tog all around (4) Finish stuffing the body.

R19: sc2tog all around (2)

R20: finish decreasing (sc2tog) and weave the tail of the yarn into the body.

e) Wings

1st and 3rd wings:

R1: RED Yarn - ch 2, dc in the same st as the ch. Dc 2 in each of the next 4 sts.

R2: switch to WHITE Yarn (introduce white strand at the base of last st of R1) - ch2, turn, sk a st, sc in next 2 sts, sl st.

Weave strands of WHITE and RED and bury it in the body of the duck.

2nd wing –middle wing:

R1: RED - ch 2, dc in the same st as the ch. Dc 2 in each of the next 6 sts.

R2: ch1, turn, sk a st, sc in the 7 sts.

R3: ch1, turn, dc in the 7 sts.

R4: Sk st x2 along ridge of the wing to come back to the base of the wing then switch to WHITE Yarn - ch2, turn, sk a st, sc in next 2 sts, sl st.

Weave strands of WHITE and RED and bury it in the body of the duck.

Tuto youtube that can be used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ53NWc2tOU&ab_channel=SweetSofties

II) FOR THE TOP HAT

a) Hat

R1: WHITE Yarn - ch 2, sc 6 sts in the 1st ch (6)

R2: inc in each sts (12)

R3: (sc1, inc1)x8 (18)

R4: sc 18 through back loop of R3 (or interior loop) (18)

R5-9: sc 18 (4 rounds)

R10: switch to RED Yarn - sc 18 (1 round)

R11: sc 18

R12: (sc7, sc2tog)x2 (16)

R13: switch back to WHITE Yarn - in front loop (exterior of hat):

(sc2, inc1)x5, inc1 last time (22)

R14: (sc1, inc1)x11 (33).

Keep a long tail so that you can sew your hat on the duck at the end.

A tuto youtube that can help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f65kzLF6Uh4&pp=ugMICgJmchABGAHKBQtjYXQgY3JvY2hldA%3D%3D

b) Snake: YELLOW/GOLD Yarn

R1: 1ch in back of the hat; 2)sc in 2 to 3 sts at the base of the hat; 3) ch 3; 4) (sc2, ch3)until you're back to the beginning of the tail.

R2: ch 36 then sc in sts 35 and 34. Cut the yar and weave the end in the round head of the snake.

End: weave the serpent in R1 by weaving it in between the (ch3) parts of the row 1.

c) Apple: RED Yarn

R1: ch 2, sc 6 in 1st st (6)

R2: sc 3, inc, sc 2 (7)

R3: sc 2, sc2tog, sc1, sc2tog (5)

R4: sc2tog until you can close the apple. Keep a long tail and sew the apple on the hat thanks to the tail by weaving it in the hat.

d) Crown:

Take some yellow or golden tissu and sew it on the hat.

III) BOW : BLACK Yarn

1st: ch 9

R1: sk first ch, 8sc (8)

R2: turn, ch 1, 8sc (8). Pull off the end, cut the yarn and weave the end in between sts.

Use some yarn to make a knot in the middle and attach it to the duck.

IV) FINISHING

Depending on how your hat looks like, you might have to put some stuffing in to have it not crease on the inside.

Weave the WHITE tail of the hat from the outside to the base of the hat then use it to sew the hat on top of the duck's head. Finish off and bury what's left of the tail inside the duck's body.

WIP of my ducky lucifer, working on the bow and I still have to make the lapels to and get some tissu for the crown and undershirt (gotta be honest, I'm not sure I'll do the undershirt yet 😅)

[potential-fate]

Angela...

Angela glanced around. Even with being popular in high school, she felt out of her element here now at this college party. Most of the others here were older, only a few freshmen had either been invited, or brave enough to come without an invitation. And all the people that she’d come with had disappeared into the ranks of dancers around her. The music loud and the lights made it hard to make out anyone’s faces clearly.

Lilith and Dirk had snuck outside with Lilith’s new friend Allegra. She knew they were smoking in the yard, but she didn’t want to do that so she’d opted not to follow them like a lost puppy. And now she felt very out of place. She didn’t want to end up being that kid next to the food table who people felt bad for, but she didn’t know anyone here. And she hadn’t really tried to make friends any time recently. What was the point, when she’d just have to be fake all the time?

So she sat on a couch, and watched some of the sorority girls doing shots at the punch bowl, and near them, the frat boys egged them on. She rolled her eyes, sure that they didn’t have any ulterior motives.

Dustin would have had a great time at a party like this. If it had been a high school party, he would have been the one sneaking in liquor they weren’t supposed to have. That always made him super popular. Not much else had made her friends like him, but his ability to get them illegal shit always worked. At least when he was around. The comments her friends made when he wasn’t in the room were less kind though. She sighed. Then, forcing herself to straighten up, she shook her head to clear her thoughts.

No. We aren’t doing that. Lilith invited you to let go a little. We’re not gonna think about Dustin.

She looked at her mostly full drink. Gathering some concept of courage, she took a breath, and then downed it in one awkward sip. She tried not to choke on the “punch” that consisted of about 20% koolaid, and 80% cheap vodka. Putting down the plastic cup, she contemplated joining the sorority girls near the liquor table to at least have something to do.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the last member of her friend group in a darker corner of the party, and regretted it almost instantly. Jimmy had his tongue in one of the sorority girls mouths, and they were not subtle. She rolled her eyes at how the tables had turned. She remembered one of their first conversations, where he was the one complaining about having to watch Dirk and Lilith go at it.

At that though, she decided. She was already here, and clearly everyone else was having fun. She might as well too. She got up off the couch and turned towards the punch table,where two of the other sorority girls were still standing, but swayed a little.

Yes, the punch was definitely mostly vodka. But now, she was determined to forget her problems, at least for tonight.

[incorrect-dishonored-quotes]

To the anon who sent a message bigger than my phone screen, you can just unfollow.

[arminthada]

Could you please explain how big BKPP is in Thailand? You mentioned that no pair could be as big as them. Woah.

Hi nonnie 😄✌️

BKPP is HUGEEEEEE in Thailand. I really don't know how to explain this any other way but like if you're walking in the street in Thailand, every 500M you will see BKPP faces plastered on a poster/standee/banner/billboard. These days you mostly see either Billkin or PP only but before they got super famous and expensive for brands to book both of them, in like 2020-2022, BKPP faces were plastered together almost every where.

If in the past, the most popular pairing in Thailand for promoters work was the famous CH3 actors duo NadechYaya, then in the 2020s, it's undoubtedly BillkinPP. They're the kind of popular where the general public knows their name and their face, even if they haven't necessarily watched ITSAY or any works they've been in, but everyone knows them as singers who occasionally have acting works (all of which are high quality) and as brand presenters.

For example, I made friend with a Thai girl who shared some of my master degree classes with me, I asked her if she knows BillkinPP, she said of course everyone knows them, and then I asked her if she's seen any of their series and she said no but she's heard their music before. Interestingly while we were having that conversation, a Chinese friend chimed in and asked me if I was a fan, I said I'm kinda but not like a super fan and it turns out the Chinese friend was a BKPP superfan who went to almost all of their events before they went to do their master degree 🤣 I know this is a very specific and random TMI but I guess my Thai friend is kinda representative of the general young Thai demographic that rarely watches or consumes Thai lakorns/series/media 😅

But I think with the mass success of Lahn Mah or How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies last year, if the general public didn't watch any of their works before, at least they have definitely watched Billkin now in that film.

I Told Sunset About You was HUGE phenomenon in Thailand and it singlehandedly revitalised Phuket's tourism alone. I'm sure other BKPP superfans have the stats and receipts to back up what I'm saying. But yeah, BKPP is pretty much unrivaled in the sense that they achieve all of this with technically only one series where they're a supporting side couple, two mini series (5 eps definitely qualify as a mini, if you watch ITSAY and IPYTM together, it's literally 10 eps and that's even less than your average BL series), two short films (one of which is an ad film for a brand they're representing at the time), and a feature length film where it's ambiguous/debatable whether their characters are romantically involved or not =))))))))))))

We just got a bit less of them in 2024 because Billkin was off to do his master degree in the UK but actually he flew back to Thailand quite often last year. I hope that answers some of your inquiries nonnie 🤗

[arminthada]

Ah yes Kao-PP, i love them i adore them but with all honesty i'd say that he's thriving in doing couple's work with PP rather than saying he's "got a work lined up nex year" thriving.

So even though Kao got signed to CH3 in 2021 (just shortly after the success of Lovely Writer), he kinda got nothing going on except CH3 promotional activities until 2024.

2024 was a big year for CH3 because it's the year they would finally release five Dhevaprom series - a sequel series to the five Juthathep Gentlemen series.

The Juthathep Gentlemen series were about the five Jutathep brothers who were betrothed/engaged with Dhevaprom girls, however they all fell in love with a non-Dhevaprom girls -> each Jutathep series chronicled a love story of a Jutathep gentleman. It was a huge series back in the 2000s that basically launched all the names of the current big lakorn players at CH3 like James Jirayu, Bella Ranee, Mew Nittha, Mint Chalida, Pope Thanavat, James Ma...

So basically with its cult status, whoever got casted in the Dhevaprom series is basically deemed as THE core actors whom CH3 are going to push in the next few years. Kao got to be the ML in Dhevaprom: Poncheewan which is the most anticipated installment out of the five Dhevaprom installment.

Even though its last episode did reach the highest ratings out of all Dhevaprom series (largely due to it being the very last one), the series faced a lot of criticism due to them character assasinated ML so drastically from the novel, turning him from a kind mature diplomat into a walking red flag in the series.

Kao and PP's chemistry basically saved the series and I think that its their determination to take on more couples' work during this time that is helping them salvage the bad reception to the ending of their series. Even more since KaoPP's chemistry were so good, they got commissioned for a feature film that's coming out next year.

But even then, Kao's currently filming lakorn of 2024 is one of the unfortunate projects that got put a pause on this year, very shortly after they had just started filming too 🥲

So I'm not really sure if I can confidently say that he's thriving. If we talk about him having works aka being booked and busy, then I do think Kao is one of the most busiest guys after the huge success of Dhevaprom series.

hiiii turtles 👋 i love reading all your critical posts about gmmtv and their business models. just wanna share one interesting information about the recent lineup. maker y - a popular production company that usually only makes series for CH3 (like parbdee for gmmtv) is announced to be the production company behind My Magic Prophecy (JimmySea medical drama). Unlike GMMTV which has no trouble finding sponsors, CH3 has too much trouble finding sponsors and their stuff hitting low ratings these days -> so many of their filmed lakorns are just shelved and I think it's leading to this state where CH3's usual go-to production company branches out to find more works/projects. i just thought it's interesting to share since you mentioned CH3 in one of your answers 😅

HI @clairedaring! Wow, thanks for dropping this in my inbox! (Hey @flowerbeasblog, this might be something you're interested in!)

Okay, so this is interesting. Channel 3's stuff (mostly het, mostly mainstream) isn't rating well these days... but I always have to remind myself that comparing those ratings to GMMTV's shows' ratings isn't fair, because GMMTV is so niche and small-market. (I use @flowerbeasblog excellent ratings guides to understand this context!)

But still, Channel 3 is shelving shows.... and that's interesting, I wish we knew why. I can't imagine GMMTV being the channel that's gaining market share against them, since GMMTV is so small. Competition with One31, maybe? And intense streaming competition, as well. I'd love to know more behind this, I should research it.

So what you're positing, @clairedaring, is really the continued growth of the soft power of QL in the Thai production market place. If QL is a genre that continues to grow, and production companies are losing business with major mainstream channels, to the smaller channels they'll go, and that includes GMMTV/GMM25. Super fascinating. We are seeing that power emanate in real time!

Re: the sponsorships -- I read in Dr. Thomas Baudinette's "Boys Love Media in Thailand" that early Thai BLs, while not modeled on the lakorn scripting structure, were indeed intended to be modeled on the in-show sponsorships that many lakorns featured. So I wonder if the huge growth of QLs in Thailand has also affected the advertising market place, leaving mainstream channels struggling more than they used to.

I love talking about this business stuff! Thanks so much, @clairedaring, for letting me know about this piece of news!

[echantedtoon]

The Toll Of Desire Ch3 Beauty Is Pain

Disclaimer/Warnings: This story WILL contain the following topics of death, blood, gore, Red Light District stuff, innuendos, wounds, cannibalism, illness, yandere themes, and other things usually found in Demon Slayer. I DON'T support irl yandere behavior.

Taglist: @toxic-awsomness @sleeplessnightandschool @lavenderdropp @average-demon-enjoyer @wildchild23

@yimmy-homebase-world11 @ameyarain @whomisi @purplesoulsapphire @hantengudelulu @anniesblogof2025

@sectorpretty

remember if you want to be added to the tag list lemme know

(Warnings for spicy stuff mentioned but no explicit stuff, Red Light District stuff but again no explicit description, harassment mentioned, mentioned nudity but nothing explicit, etc.

Reader IS an adult just to clarify.I decides on her last name being Yuu as it's a play on 'You' and a Japanese name, her first name is unknown so you may insert any name you want her to have.

A lot of research about oirans' lifestyles and objects are going into this so please be patient.I know oirans knew tea ceremonies and I apologize if not everything is accurate. I got the info on tea ceremonies from the video linked below.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=xD7qUfSOGOE&list=LL&index=2&pp=gAQBiAQB

The song used is Apple Blossoms from the anime Mashiro no OTO linked below.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=XAqYuYkw32s&list=LL&index=4&pp=gAQBiAQB

The lonely stillness of the air stood out against the usual lustful gazes and the practiced giggles one would usually here persisting within the Yoshiwara Province. That place is full of criminals and some even heard rumors you're not even allowed to live there unless you got money or you're in service to some rich house.

The measurements of one's own worth weighed heavily upon the beauty of outer looks. Or the wealth from the status you had upon thee either from birth or taken for one's own self through selfish means.

She was no stranger to that way of life.

The crystalized glamor that was painted over the true cruelty of the withering district hid the true meaning underneath. The streets bathed in the battered blood of civilization tainted with selfish desire and covered in a layer of cherry blossom petals and silk robes to distract those from the real monsters underneath.

The closer to the glittery land they got, the more the excitement and desperation truly grew within greedy heart. It was only a matter of time before they truly were lost to it's influence. The streets were as beautiful as the buildings and each were obviously made to show off wealth and status, and yet they looked so sinful once you looked closer under their glitz and glam! The annoyance in pattern only continued on with each step they took, each street passed, each house going by. Becoming more bigger and horrible the more wealthy into the district they marched.

The only sounds of the room being the soft footsteps slowly approaching the window, pushing the shutters quietly open to peer down amongst the crowd just starting to form.

Then a soft glow settled amongst the glam and glitter that paves the streets. There was still plenty of light only just beginning to turn sundown, but most of the light came from above. Strings of lanterns hung up over the streets and connecting the buildings within the dazzling glow of red lantern lights. Sparkling like mini stars and giving off the red glow the district was known for. The heavy scenes of sweet perfumes and food ravaged the air. And the sights before shiny eyes were what they were familiar to seeing.

The streets were full of people crowded yet still more were coming in. Once a buzz like bees murmuring of speech, now slowed down to a full stop as eyes from streets, doorways, and windows looked down to stare at the men lining in the streets. The streets were filled with beautiful women adoring flattering dresses and make up, and working men in loose fitting Hakama shirts showing off their impressive builds, both men and women of the night ripe for the taking for any paying customer. They'd often catcall out to potential customers to entice them out of their money and lure them to an early empty wallet. Looks like it's going to be an early night.

She simply stared down at the wondering people who stood in the streets until one paused feeling the stare of eyes piercing his head. Looking up the two locked eyes and it was like the mere sight caused boldness within him as if he was waiting for her to spare him her eyes for just a moment.

"OIRAN YUUKIHIME!!," he boldly proclaimed to her and anyone who would hear his voice as arms rose in worship, "I love you! I love you, I love you, I love you!! Your beauty is beyond compare!! I would make love to you every night if you were mine!!"

The sounds of a shutter slamming back shut filled the space as she backed away from the screaming man desperately calling her name over and over like a desperate prayer. Obsessing admiration as she knew it well to be. A sigh leaving her lips once more.

"Oiran! Oiran!"

Her head turned. The sound of a door sliding open and two young girls no older than seven or eight appeared on the other side adorned in matching pretty blue silk kimonos printed with white flowers, identical hairstyles and make up matching their faces as they smiled at her. Twins. Twins that happen to be her Kamuro since last year, and have come to service her.

"Oiran!" They practically squealed out in delight approaching her with wide smiles. Approaching quickly and tugging at her robes. "Let's play!" "Will you read to us?" They excited babbled on to her.

Despite the dreaded feeling that lingered, she smiled down at them, a gentle tug pulling their hands away from her. "Not tonight. There's work needed to be done and you're supposed to be practicing your writing tonight. Is Master Sakuno awake?"

One of the twins nodded and her sister pointed to the door. "Yes. He told us to get you ready for the night!"

"Alright. Would one of you please tell him there's someone lingering outside my window again? He should take care of it before it stirs up more trouble."

She nodded turning around and quickly exiting back out closing the door behind her, leaving her sister to take her by the hand and tug towards the vanity on the other side of the room. Her beautiful face quickly becoming apparent to herself as the mirrored reflection stared at her in the eye. The face that moved a province and could guide many a man to poverty if she chose to use it like that.

But she never would. It'd kill her if she ever used this face for anything.

The small clattering of objects being moved about sounded as she slowly sat down, Kamuro already making grabbing hands towards the various makeups until a larger hand placed itself on top hers to stop her. With a questioning tilt of her head, her eyes glanced up at her.

"I'll do my make up tonight. I want you and your sister to study the new words I taught you. Alright?"

A small whine of protest escaped her mouth. "But we study every night! We don't even get to play anymore! All we do is study and chores!"

"Master Sakuno gave you to me as my Kamuro. Im supposed to teach you and you're supposed to learn. That's the way things are here." A serious expression grazed her features and a firm finger pointed to the young girl's face. "The sooner you learn, the less hurt you'll get. Now go study your words!"

She pouted but probably knowing what will entail if either failed to learn, she turned to events walk off. A sigh of relief for now escaped from her lips as she turned back to the woman in the mirror. Her gaze piercing and beauteous, not a blemish to her skin, not a wrinkle, not a birthmark, not a scar. Perfect alignment and slim but a certain roundness to her cheeks making them plump enough to squish cutely without making her face fat looking with just the slightest of rosey tints. Her lashes long and fluttering, eyes a perfect shine, full lips, lucious silky locks of hair that cascaded down her back and framing the face staring at her.

Beautiful.

The mirror woman was beautiful with her perfectly symmetrical face and soft features. Truly a desirable lady, one that could drive a man to suicide if she wanted to. She despised the woman daring to look back at her. A hatred no one understood but one she had learnt to live with long ago. Hands instinctually found their places amongst the objects. Comb going through long locks and nimble fingers grabbing strands to place them in a certain style.

"Oiran!" A small voice piped up behind her. "What style will you do today?"

"I think a momoware will suffice."

"But that's a style for maiko. You should wear a datehyogo instead as that's what you're supposed to wear."

"I don't think anyone else would notice tonight if all they do is stare at my face." As long as she gave the illusion of a high priced courtesan then did her opinions really matter? "I think I want to try something different today anyways."

The hands worked her hair around, thing in certain places as the sun proceeded to set outside. Long locks tied up in a style before a twinkling silver bira bira was added with a kushi and long purple floral kanzashi. A flowering kanoko dome placed carefully in the back. Beautiful. How weary. The smells of make up reached her nose as a red brush dipped in red liquid was pressed to her lips, face a powered puff white. Floral patterned silks pulled from a closet and dragged out to her by little hands was expertly wrapped around her in layers. A perfect mirror image of a highly desired woman truly.

"Whoa! You look pretty, Oiran!" Two identical faces stared up at her in awe. "I wanna be as pretty as you when I grow up."

"Hm. No. Don't wish for my life." A hand patted a smaller head. "Wish that someone will buy your freedom instead."

The silence was again palpable with the night fully here, the twinkling stars no match for the lantern lights shining down lighting up the throngs of people who filled the air with their voices and footfalls. ...Speaking of footfalls- Her head turned to the door as heavy footsteps approached and a second later it opened up with a loud thud revealing the frowning man on the other side.

"Master Sakuno," she greeted with a bow practiced many times beforehand that it was second nature now. "Good evening. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

His frown didn't waved as he pointed a hand at her. "I just got done with running off a penniless rat again! How many times are you going to invite bastardized pigs around Heavens House!?"

Blame shifting. Not once did that woman invite those men to come back around, stalking her window, yelling professions and confessions of love never reciprocated. She never once asked for any of this attention. In fact she utterly despised it to her core, but explaining it to someone who'd never understand that was absent hopeless. Fighting wouldn't get her anywhere but more trouble that she wouldn't want, so biting her tongue she just smiled and bowed her head.

"I apologize for that, Master. I was under the impression that you wanted customers to come back and spend more money."

"Spend money!! Which would give way to the fact that they need to SPEND the dam MONEY to see you!!," he yelled out in full anger, the smaller Kamuro hiding behind the flowing layers of silk in fear. "Giving them free looks at you from the balcony is fueling their own fucking fantasies as if this is some romantic folk story!! THIS BETTER BE THE LAST DAM TIME I HAVE TO RUN OFF POVERTY RATS OR ELSE YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF SCRUBBING THE FLOORS RAW WITH NOTHING BUT A NAIL BRUSH!! UNDERSTAND THAT!?"

Her head bowed obediently. "Yes, Master Sakuno."

"Don't forget your place just because you carry the rank of Oiran on your shoulders!," he spat the pointing finger jabbing her forehead painfully. "I still own you!! I took you in when you were no one with nothing to your name and made you who you are! That could easily change if anymore disobedience happens to pop up!"

"And for that I am truly grateful." Her head kept bowed. Eyes closed. "I apologize."

His hand lowered but his scowl remained. "If you're grateful then you won't mind making it up to me!"

"Of course. What shall I do to atone for my mistakes?"

He scoffed. "Tch. Fortunately for you, you actually have a customer tonight. Prepare yourself for the procession. You'll go greet him immediately!"

Her one attribute she was trained to do. Entice and lure in. Like a Venus fly trap to an unsuspecting insect.

"But fix THIS first!!" There was a brief sting of pain as the kushi was ripped out from her locks instantly pulling some of the strands with it as he just pulled it from her hair and a moment later threw it to her her feet. "You look lowly like that! Make yourself look presentable before you even think about showing your face, and do it quickly!"

"Yes, Master Sakuno."

The older man regarded her in contempt before giving a grunt of annoyance, turning on a heel stomping away with only the loud slam of the door behind him signaling his leave. Only then did she dare look up or acknowledge the shaking children next to her.

"Master is scary," one sister eventually spoke up from where she hid herself behind her robes. "I don't like him!"

"Hush that way of thinking immediately." Her tone was ever stern as her eyes turned down and she reached for the painted kushi on the floor. "It's best not to bite the hand that feeds you."

"But he's so mean!," one insisted. "He's always yelling at everyone and threatening them!"

"He also gives you food, water, clothes, a place to sleep, doctor visits..." Her eyes narrowed in their own contempt. "Allows me to educate you...No one said you must like him, but be grateful for what he provides you and don't speak ill of who provides you with it. I don't want to hear it from your lips again."

Both girls exchanged looks at one another. "What will you do now, Oiran?"

She took a deep inhale. "I'm going to fix my hair." She turned. "Would you two prepare my room for the customer's arrival? I'm going to fix my hair. When you're finished, I want you two to spend the rest of the night studying your words. We don't want to anger Master Sakuno any further do we?"

The twins exchanged looks but knew better than to argue at this point with the house master angry. Both shuffled towards preparing the room around them as they were taught to do early on. Once again her reflection appeared to her in the mirror, loose strands sticking out at odd angles as she let out a sigh and hands gently began to pull out the momoware. Combing and tying, inserting kogai until the datehyogo was sitting proudly on her head, little bira bira swaying from either side of her hair. Beautiful. Very tempting to just throw the floral kanzashi into the reflection to shatter, but instead she turned to leave a perfect smile practiced for years on her face. She would grin and bare the pains of beauty.

Her footsteps leaving her room signalling to everyone who knew her that she was on her way. Looks of disdain, contempt, and jealously marking her, weighing her down with every step from others.

"I heard the house master got angry with her again," one whispered loud enough for her to purposely hear as she passed, daggers being shot through her spin. "Apparently she was caught flirting with a poor man outside of her balcony once more."

"Isn't that the fifth one this year?," another snickered back looking gleeful at her misery, "She thinks just because she has the highest rank here, she can do as she pleases. Honestly she displays such shameful behavior, it's no wonder Master Sakuno thinks she'll bring shame to his house."

"He might just get so fed up with her, he'll just auction her off like he did with Shishi last year. Disgraceful women who throw themselves into lust like dogs in heat have no place here."

"Shh. Careful. She'll hear us."

Jealousy, contempt, disdain, anger, envy- She's gotten it all from her fellow women living here. It was about as awful as receiving the terrifying advances of the men outside. She did not blame them. Most were forced into this lifestyle to survive and couldn't help but be envious to the few luxuries offered to her. What they wouldn't do for the amount of times she's gotten marriages offers or men interested in buying her contract when it meant freedom, but all were turned away from by the house master. After all, she made him his most money. It would be a stupid investment to give away his most precious asset. But the amount of times she's nearly been shoved down stairs or purposely tripped over by others here was starting to show cracks in their 'accidents'.

----------------------

The night was long and treacherous with many dangers being out there in the dark even for skilled killers and fighters like the men whom sought out the company of warm flesh and soft faces.

Therefore it was a very good hunting ground for certain demons.

It nearly blinded the men by the amount of lanterns and lightly that glowed warmly against the sky, giving just a small amount of light. People were everywhere. Tons of them. Walking around, shouting at one another, talking loudly, and sometimes carrying objects like bags or boxes. The murmuring of voices together was loud enough to be a buzz like that of a bee hive. It rattled his heads in a way that was unpleasant and not too familiar.

The buildings surrounding the people were bigger than any of the ones back where they hailed from. Two or three stories each. At the base of said houses were small stalls and wagons the tons of people swarmed but you couldn't see what they sold unless you got close to them. There was too many different faces. It was dizzying. Yet that didn't stop some of them from quickly stopping by one stall that it's vendor sold large warm meat packed dumplings, buying one and proceeding to eat it as they walked. The savory taste of soup boiled beef and spice mixing deliciously in their mouth as they walked.

Only now stopping to look at the maze of houses lining the streets and bedazzled in way too much money. Yoshiwara was known for too much flattery and painting everything in the metaphorical gold. It's supposedly a display of wealth but if you asked someone like him, it just meant they were egotistical and gaudy.

He settled on the flashiest looking one for his hunt tonight. The best ones were usually kept in the most terrible looking homes.

That was true. In his experience, the rich weren't too bright and enjoyed showing off WAY too much. Made them easier targets for men seeking what they want like him. Eventually red eyes blinked around before settling on one building in particular.

The entire thing was white. Shiny wood painted a pure white, meanwhile golden oak pillars decorated the outside like beams of heavenly light. A golden glow emitted from the front and a few girls in beautiful kimonos happily giggled and waved at passerbys who stopped to gawk in awe at their beauty. Surely a very successful house amongst the others. Seemed like a place only an the best women would reside. Ones well taken cared for without disease or low quality. Exactly what he was looking for. 

The best quality in food both in nutrition and looks. After all you wouldn't want to eat an apple if it only LOOKED good and the inside was actually rotten.

He made his way towards the large building. Even now people stopped to look at him passing by in shock most likely in his well dressed attire but the women were quick to bat their lashes, giggle annoyingly, and beckon him with sultry looks to entice him. It annoyed him, but not enough to want to hurt as long as they looked but didn't touch. The girls even complimented his appearance as he ascended the stairs and through the entrance. The inside looked as fancy as the outside but the large space was not surprisingly filled with more women dressed up in a similar style to all the others they've seen, all stopped and stared widely at the differently dressed man that walked right in. Looking around the place of shiny polished floors, and lit candles, and velvet curtains hanging off the walls.

The murmuring of the ladies quieted down as they looked around. Hm. Maybe he didn't come to the right place after all? Despite them all smelling clean, none of them were what you would consider to stand out. He was about to leave when A shuffling of quick footsteps got his attention and a second later the curtains moved, revealing another man on the other side. He was nothing to look at. Practically the stereotypical man who at first looked completely stunned by his presence, before smiled probably expecting him to be a rich customer by the looks of his high end suit, however unlike everyone else here this man IMMEDIATELY annoyed him most. More silence passed before he let the curtains drop back into place behind him and gave a customer service grin.

"Ah. Good evening, Weary traveler," he greeted somewhat nervously clasping his hands together. "Welcome to the Heavens House. How can I help you tonight?"

"I happen to be looking for a specific lady."

"Ah! Well that can be arranged!" He gestured his hands around them. "We have many fine young ladies here for your entertainment tonight." His eyes scrunched up more in a greedy smile. "In fact, Heavens House hosts an Oiran. Best one in Yoshiwara. For your entertainment tonight, I can have her perform for you." That got his attention slightly. "But of course..A high class lady such as herself isn't without it's costs-"

An Oiran? Hm. Well that wouldn't hurt to look into while he was here would it? "Very well. Don't worry about money. I have the funds to spend."

He practically beamed gesturing at the curtain he had just came from. "I'll prepare right away! Where might she come fetch you from?"

"Two streets from here in front of the brewery. Try to meet me within the next hour."

-------------------------------------

Lanterns as heaven's echo play above the street, come to the night as if they are our brightest of dreams and forever lighting our way. Lanterns are the stars we make in salute to the black heavens. The red glow shining down upon the masses as they walked the streets below.

The laughter and music around them continued through as he waited patiently amongst the crowd and drunken patrons exiting the brewery to his right. Shameful. Down right disgusting behavior. It smelt too much of alcohol making him regret not choosing the dress shop as a his meeting place but it was farther away and he didn't want to wait longer than necessary. Meanwhile excited looks and whispers still glanced up and down the streets in anticipation of what's to come.

Slowly the loud laughs and talking with the occasional scream filled down to a murmuring him until it reached a silence. The new slowed silence wasn't lost to the him who slowly rose a brow at the sudden change. Noticing the way everyone's faces turned down the street behind him. Still waiting, he turned to see why such a change in direction occured.

The entire middle of the street had been cleared and what looked to be two giant crowds of men and women lined the street on either side. As if something was blocking them from crossing with each other. What was stopping them? Did something happen just now? He then looked up the street and immediately knew the reason why.

Ah. Finally.

Slowly coming towards him was a parade of people. And smack dab in the middle of them all was a woman.The most BEAUTIFUL woman he had ever seen.

...At least by inferior human standards.

She glowed under the lantern lights like a beacon of beauty, slow steady steps she took gracefully step after step slowly but surely as if she was dancing, by the way she was doing so he knew she must've done this countless times before. Her makeup and hair done perfectly. Her robes the fanciest he's ever seen yet so beautifully matched perfectly with her complexion. But what struck him the most about her was her smile. Her eyes were the most striking beautiful he'd ever seen. Lips pink in lipstick catching onto the red lantern lights shiny with the lip gloss she used. In a way it she was angelic with the way they shined in the light.

However her demeanor was... Strange. As she got closer he could see the slightly worried look in her eyes. As if she didn't want to be here, but yet at the same time there was something... Powerful almost scarily heavy about her body despite how graceful she moved. Entranced by the new sight he only stopped and stared as she ever so slowly and gracefully walked, continually up the street with her escorts.

"Huh. She's coming pretty close to us." Someone near him made sure to note in his head giving a look around at the awe filled looks from men and women alike. Taking special care to note the tackily dressed men that stood there. "Her customer must be one of the rich snobs close by. Lucky bastard."

The moment of silence was deafening with only the sounds of the oiran's parade coming down the street, the red lanterns being her spotlights for the whole district was her stage and her the one glittery star. The rummage of fabric like flowing wind danced amongst her body as her flesh and bone became flowing water, gracefully dancing each step she took up the long stage of streets.

Her face was memorizing with each flutter of half lidded lashes, the flashing of those beautiful eyes reflected in the reddened lights, her smile warm as she offered a smile as thanks for the watchers standing there. The gold ornaments shining in her styles silk of hair caught the glitter of moonlight and lantern reds, causing an almost ethereal glow around her body as she danced in her silks. The silver bira bira fluttering like little butterflies each time she moved.

Beauty. Grace. Elegance.

Like a current in the sparkling blue ocean, she flowed.

Red eyes were transfixed upon her with everyone else as the party of people in front and behind her came closer, but no one paid any attention to anyone other than the main gleaming star herself because..Well he's never seen such a display before. An oiran's procession was always a sight to behold and he'd be damned if he didn't also want to stop and watch her dance to the sounds of bells and her own graceful steps. 

It made him feel hungry. 

Closer and closer to the end of the street they came. Angelic face coming closer and closer to his eyes, until they stopped in front of them all. And he realized that he was able to gaze right at those beautiful eyes and smile. The air was tense with silence anticipation and awe from everyone awaiting at the dancer's words. Slowly the hand a hold of the pint brought it up to his lips.

Her head slowly turned left, then slowly back to the right. Carefully scanning the crowds for a specific person until those eyes landed on him, and she smiled. "Tsukihiko?" She questioned gently.

"Indeed."

"Master Tsukihiko." The voice so calming and sweet carried with it and aura of grace as those lashes fluttered shut as she bowed. "I'm so honored to have the pleasure of meeting you."

So others leers ignored he took his first steps towards the woman who was called to the scene and presented to him like a glittering trophy for his disastrous deeds. The beautiful doll all dressed up and looking at him silently as he approached her. Each heavy thud of his steps coming up to her until he stood right in front of her. In silence she regarded him as amber eyes looked over her, up and down but without the lust of the usual audience. Instead it was more studying rather than anything else really. As if a curious fox was circling the hen house.

Red eyes took great care in studying the wrapping of fabric adorned her body. The way those ridiculous shoes made her taller when is reality she couldn't have been taller than half his upper torso. The beautiful hair pins adorned by fake bedazzled roses, bira bira, and tassels that swayed with each tiny tilt of her head, keeping that glossy silky hair nearly tied up in that hairstyle expertly done. The way her face wasn't surprisingly caked in a million layers of make up like the other women here. Instead it was just enough to make her features pop without taking away from the natural beauty of herself. Especially those reddened lips.

Pleasing to look at at least.

"Hm. You exceed my expectations."

Her smile lightly got smaller but didn't waved. "I'm glad I do. Would you like to accompany me back now that we've met?"

Usually he wouldn't be the center of attention like this, and rather blend in with the crowd however it would've made a bigger scene if he had pushed to just see the Oiran instead of allowing her to take her procession to greet him as was the normal procedure. It would garner attention but it was the norm in the Yoshiwara District, so it was better to go with the flow and blend in.

He nodded. "Yes. Let's do that."

The walk there was anything but pleasant really. Rather slow and awkward as she gracefully danced her way back into the spotlight and into the awed eyes of many spectators. Smiling in appreciation at them. He just stiffly and awkwardly walked behind her like an out of place tag along until they reached the beautiful (tacky) house and followed her inside. The wary stares followed his form up the steps after her as her dance ended at the door. Pausing her dance in exchange for walking normally but still not loosing that graceful movement. Not when she had to duck to fit within the door front and lift her expensive silks to walk inside as he followed closely behind.

"Please follow me, Master Tsukihiko-san."

He made no comment as she turned and walked away from the main room allowing him to follow her through the halls of polished floors and doors. Women were there as well. Pressing themselves into the walls or quickly shuffling themselves into one of the many rooms. A few men were there too, no doubt customers, but they also paused as they saw the image of the beauty herself walking down the halls with the man in western clothing following behind. His heavy footfalls echoing throughout the entire halls from the first floor to the second and then the third where a single hall awaited him and one large door. A scrawny servant girl was the only other person there besides them and she trembled while holding some kind of tray in her hands. She smiled at him opening the large sliding door with a bow.

Red eyes looked at her, then at the room for a few seconds calculating the minor possibility of this night being a trap, before slowly walking inside. The floor was covered in tatami mats other than a small square space in the middle of the room beholding an already boiling black tea kettle. On the far left side was a large cushion presumably for him to sit on and a small table beholding a large gourd he assumed was filled with water or sake. And plates of food were already waiting for him. The expensive stuff too.

O-toro sashimi. Wagyu steak cuts. And the rest he wasn't sure what it was. Some kind of noodles in broth. That was onigiri. Some kind of sushi he thinks?? He only knew the names of some of them because Rei either tried making them once or had spoken about wanting to try out their recipe. Sure went out of their way to accommodate him. Probably out of courtesy not that he could actually eat them.

To the fair right of the room was a low standing vanity with a pillow sat in front of it and a wide variety of make up, brushes, and other items were nearly placed upon it. A second door..Closet maybe? Or lead to a bathroom. And a large luxurious futon nearly made. Obviously her accomodations for living. A koto instrument and shamisen was leaned against the side wall on her side, tuned and ready for use at any moment.

All in all, what he expected and oirans room to look like but he was surprised at how less fancy looking it was considering the district and her high position.

"Please." He turned to her. Her gentle smile and graceful hand gestured to the large sitting pillow and table of food. "Make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you."

He slowly allowed himself to sit in the room soft cushion, removing his hat and looking as she moved. 

"As you wish, Tsukihiko-san. With your permission I'd be honored to perform a tea ceremony for you. It is but only one of the duties I can perform. With your consent, I'd like to perform it for you as a welcome start to your stay here."

He wasn't sure what to think at first watching the still woman. Before he somberly nodded. "Of course."

"As you wish."

He just mindlessly watched her. The trembling servant girl quickly handed her the tray before scrambling away, leaving the oiran alone with him. With a smile she turned to him and bowed tray in hand before stepping inside. He noticed that she didn't wear those shoes anymore so her height was where he estimated it to be. She barely reached the middle of his torso. Door sliding behind her she made her way silently to the teapot before him and sat down on her knees in silence.

He just watched as she silently began to place the objects in front of him which included two clothes, a ladle, and a few other things. The silence around them continued on other than the light noises coming from her moving around the objects. Starting with her wiping down the already dry tools, and then pouring water into the decorated cup. Before it was quickly discarded. A few other motions were performed as he watched her closely until she opened the small container filled with green powder. 

She still continued to work as she spoke never once breaking her motion as he glanced suspiciously between her and the drink she began to whisk up. She continued until the cup was lifted into her hands before gently presented to him with a small pattern of Sakura blooms painting the cup's front. Amber eyes stared at it for ten seconds before holding out his hand. She placed it in his palm gently and he flinched at how soft her skin was.

He remained sitting there holding this cup as she returned to her objects. Gently placing them back onto the tray again without another look at him. He blinked looking at the green liquid within the cup, and raising a brow at brow at the bitter smell wafting out of it. There was absolutely no way his body was able to digest this anymore but he'd take it anyways to not seem impolite. 

"It smells delicious. Thank you."

"I do hope you're not too displeased with the ceremony." She only smiled at him and gestured to the instruments along the wall. "If you prefer, I can play something for you instead."

"Play?"

She nodded. "Yes. I can play both the koto and shamisen. I can also perform traditional dances and sing for you if you'd like. Or perhaps you would like to hear a story? I can recite many old stories or poetry for your amusement."

He hummed. "Perhaps another time."

"Then perhaps you would prefer a more strategical challenge. I can play many board games including go and shogi."

There's an air of elegance and art and it feels far too formal here almost. "You'll be pardon if I may be blunt." The cup was slowly placed down to the side as he looked at her. "I was under the impression all of Yoshiwara women partook in promiscuity."

That made her give a small hum. "Well that's certainly not out of the question for me to do, but usually I am not summoned for something as simple as that."

"Oh. Well then I suppose you're not an ordinary woman regarding your skill set."

"Perhaps but I don't often get as many customers compared to others." His head tilted slightly in question. "You see most men prefer the company of Oiran Warabihime over everyone else's."

Daki. Supposed that he shouldn't have been surprised by that, she's had hundreds of years of experience. "I see. You do not seem broken by that fact."

She chuckled. "I have seen Warabihime in person before. She's actually quite beautiful and her skills as a professional oiran far outdo my own. I don't blame others for wanting her to be in their presence. For that I cannot be mad at anyone. To be jealous would accomplish nothing."

"That is a very mature way of thinking. Your personality pleases me."

Her smile widened. "I'm happy to meet your expectations. Shall there be anything I do for you, Mister Tsukihiko-san?"

His eyes glanced behind her in thought for a brief moment before he slowly nodded. "Yes. I'm searching for entertainment that is not of flesh for the night. So I would rather like to see you'd skills as a woman worthy of your rank.  You mentioned that you play?" She nodded. "What is your favorite song?"

"Apple Blossoms. It's a piece I play with the shamisen."

"Play it."

She smiled. "If that's what you'd like."

She happily got up and shuffled to the other side of the room to grab the shamisen leaning against the wall and turned. He kept watching with calculating eyes as if he was trying to determine something, but she merely only bowed before shuffling over and calmly sitting down into place, holding her shamisen ready, and starting to prick away the notes to the song that was her favorite.

"Saa! Ah! Ah, ah, saa!"

A beautiful voice waved off the walls with the echoes of music notes playing just for the two in the company of the room. The distance sounds of voices being the only ones accompanying her music.

"Now we begin. Ah even the trees on winter days, repose with their limbs buried in snow awaiting the moment for their buds to emerge."

Her voice was rather pleasant to the ears. That pleased him. 

"Ah, in Spring they are delicately, deftly pruned. Wearing medicinal herbs as make up, they revisit their youth."

The shamisen strings echoed out with her voice, lashes fluttering shut as her mouth smiled through the song. 

"These flowers blossom but once a year."

He leaned closer. Head in hand as he decided something in his mind that would seal this young woman's fate forever. 

"Ah when Autumn comes and it shows it's face once more it has ripened and taken on a luscious red hue and it's taste is even finer than it's color-"

She would do.  

-----------------------

Tired steps walked their way around the room from the vanity. It had been a long night for her entertaining her guests with songs and poetry he asked her to do. ..Well no. It was more demands than requests. Challenges for her to complete like she was being interviewed for some purpose.

"Recite for me a haiku about death." "Go receive your shogi board and see if you can best me." "Give me a reason to believe you're worth the money I spend."

That was only a few of his requests he constantly demanded one after another until he decided to leave with only a few hours left until the sun came rose back up. Escorting him to the door and seeing him off properly with a bow when he asked her one final thing. 

"What do they call you?"  

"I do not have a name. They refer to me by my mother's surname, Yuu, or the name the house master calls me, Yuukihime."

"That will be all."  

He then left much to her relief. The man's presence was heavy and gave her an unpleasant tug in her stomach, but now all was well and she could rest. Pulling her hair out and asking a Kamuro to bring her a basin of water to wash off the night's makeup. To allow her to drag herself to futon and undress the stuffy layers of silk from her body whilst humming. Tugging her top free fully and about to ..

Her hands paused in her state of undress. A prickling feeling suddenly sent a chill down her spine and the hair on her neck standing up. Silently with her back to the door, she turned to look over her shoulder. Towards the balcony window. The shutters were long since shut earlier that night, however mysteriously a crack had appeared opening to the outside. 

And just enough room for two yellow eyes to stare inside from the darkness.

SHE. SHRIEKED!!

Her high pitched scream echoed out loudly, her hands bunching up the fabrics clutched over her chest in panic. The scream startled those eyes into going wide and disappearing back into the darkness silently. She kept screaming in fear backing away from the window as heavy footsteps quickly approached. A second later the house master bursts through the door, a look of alarm on his face as he looked at her in question. 

One hand immediately pointed to the balcony. "There's a person at my window!"

Quickly the alarmed look turned to anger. In just a couple quick strides he was at the window shoving the shutters open and looked out into the busy streets. The buzzing crowds below greeted him as he looked at the wall, too high to climb and had nothing for someone to grab to climb up with. The street beneath the window was bare except for the crowd not paying him attention....If someone was here they would've died if they had jumped. With furrowed brows he looked left and right before his head receded back inside to look at the terrified woman. Already a few other woman had gathered in the doorway and outside the hallway outside to see what the commotion was about.

"There's nothing out there! It's impossible for someone to be there."

"I saw their eyes!"

"What you saw was a mere owl or bat!," he spat out slamming the shutters shut with a loud thud. Finger pointing at her. "You caused enough trouble tonight, Yuukihime. If I hear anymore disturbances from you, you'll be made to go out and entertain the rest of the night!"

Angrily he stomped out passed her. The amused smirks and snickering faces enjoying the embarrassing humiliation she felt under their gazes as they were shooed back to work by the master spewing threats at them. Her panting form only able to stare at the closed shutters.

"Owls and bats don't have human pupils."

TAISHO SECRETS:

Are you curious about the vocabulary used in this chapter? Well here's a list to help better understand.

Momoware: A form of hairstyle used by maiko.

Maiko: A rank of geisha.

kushi: Basically just a decorative hair comb.

Datehyogo: A hairstyle only allowed to be worn by high ranking courtesans(Oiran), and the same ones Koinatsu and Daki wore in Kny.

kanoko dome: A hair pin with a heavily decorated top(usually a half circle, butterfly, flower, or bird) that's usually inserted in the middle of the hair bun facing the back.

Bira bira: Fluttering hair accessories usually silver in color.

Kogai: Hair pins/sticks that usually go with a matching kushi.

kanzashi: Hair pins. Usually ones that come with flowers.

koto: A traditional Japanese stringed instrument played by plucking strings similar to how one would play a harp.

kamuro: A servant to and a student of an Oiran whom she trains to one day take her rank.

Shamisen:  A traditional Japanese stringed instrument similar to a biwa or lute.

Haiku: A form of poetry usually with three verses.

Go/Shogi:  A Japanese strategic board game.

[ednsgroup]

Polypropylene is a synthetic fabric used to create a wide range of products. The use of polypropylene has become so prevalent that now you see it almost everywhere from woven bags to wedding dresses. And this is because polypropylene is such a flexible material that it could be customized to make almost anything. The woven bags manufacturer adds additives in the material to make fabric based on industry requirement.

In this article, we are discussing five important characteristics of polypropylene material that gives it such wide acceptance.

How was polypropylene made?

Polypropylene is produced from propene also known as propylene monomer. This is basically a linear hydrocarbon resin and its chemical formula is (C3H6)n. This is one of the cheapest plastic available at present. It is used both as fibre and plastic. It has application in various industries like the automotive industry, agriculture industry, consumer goods, packaging industry, furniture market and other places.

The present-day polypropylene is made from the polymerization of propene monomer by Ziegler-Natta polymerization or metallocene catalysis polymerization. After the polymerization, the PP can form any of the three structures based on the placement of the methyl group in the chain.

Atactic (aPP) - Irregular arrangement of the methyl group (CH3)

Isotactic (iPP) - Methyl group (CH3) arranged on one side of the carbon chain

Syndiotactic (sPP) - Methyl group having alternate arrangements

The polypropylene material was first polymerized by the German scientist Karl Rehn and Italian chemist Giulio Natta.

Depending on the placement of methyl group in polypropylene material, the pp fabric comes in different strength and texture. The pp woven fabric roll is then made from them and used to make PP woven bags, sacks and other products.

Types Of Polypropylene, Its Use And Advantages

Two types of polypropylene material used in the market at present, polypropylene homopolymer and polypropylene copolymer.

Polypropylene Homopolymer - This is the general-purpose grade polypropylene and widely used. It comprises only propylene monomers in the semi-crystalline solid form. The material is used in packaging, healthcare and other industries.  

Polypropylene Copolymer - This polymer is further divided into two categories and it derives from the polymerization of ethane and propene.

The homopolymer polypropylene is primarily used for making the woven bags that have a wide application. The reason for the same is that the material comprises the following characteristics:

It has a higher strength to weight ratio and it is stiffer and stronger than its counterpart

It has a great weldability

It has good resistance to chemicals

It has excellent processability

It is acceptable for food contact

It has good resistance for impact resistance

It contains good stiffness

The polypropylene sacks and bags have all the above-mentioned qualities. These bags are high in strength, therefore, it is used for packing material in bulk. It has resistance against chemicals, thus used for packing chemicals, cement and fertilizers. It is acceptable for food contact, thus used for making grain bags, animal feed bags, fruits and nuts bags, etc. Its impact resistance quality makes it a perfect option for manufacturing polypropylene woven bags and sacks used for the transportation of material from one place to another. The high stiffness of bags ensures the bag could withstand tough weather conditions.

Use Of Additives In Polypropylene Material

The above-mentioned features of polypropylene are the basic ones, the PP woven bags manufacturers enhance its features or add new features in bags by adding additives in it. Some of the commonly used additives in polypropylene are clarifiers, glass fibres, minerals, flame retardants, lubricants, etc. These additives enhance the basic features of polypropylene material.

One e.g. is polypropylene being a fatigue resistant, tough and durable polymer that can be used for low strength application but because of its heavy wrapping and semi-crystalline structure, it was not possible to do 3D printing on polypropylene. Therefore, earlier the woven bags were available only in white colour with no print.

Now, the manufacturers of polypropylene bags used the flexibility of polypropylene material and amended its properties to make it suitable for 3D printing. Thus, you can see attractive, printed, colourful pp woven bags all over.  

[materialsscienceandengineering]

LED-ing the way: A clean and convenient method to oxidize plastic surfaces for industry

Polypropylene (PP) is everywhere, being one of the most widely used plastics in human life. A versatile material, its naturally inert surface can be modified for specific applications. Researchers at Osaka University have now developed a convenient light-driven process for oxidizing PP without harmful waste.

As reported in ChemComm, the process uses radicals to make the plastic react. The surface of PP bristles with methyl groups (–CH3), which constitute the side chains of the polymer. The strong C–H bonds in methyl groups make PP an unreactive material, which for many purposes is exactly what is needed. However, these bonds can be cleaved by the highly reactive chlorine dioxide radical, ClO2•.

"In applications like printing and medical materials, plastics must be surface-modified," explains study co-author Tsuyoshi Inoue. "Oxidizing C–H bonds is a textbook case in organic chemistry. With polymers, however, the risk is that anything strong enough to do this may also break the C–C bonds of the main chain, ripping the polymer apart. Luckily, the ClO2• radical is selective to react the side chain."

Read more.

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Help for Billy Synapsis

Ch3 and Ch4 

In Chapter 3 of Help for Billy, Forbes dives into the actual makeup of the brain, and why we respond the way we do to different stimuli. The three parts that she really describes in detail are the neocortex, the limbic system, and the reptilian brain. The neocortex is the largest part of the brain and is often called the “rational brain.” This part of the brain handles conscious thought, reasoning, language, imagination, and so much more. This is where Andy usually is when he enters the classroom. He is “regulated”(p.24 para. 2). The limbic system is composed of three different parts of the brain that regulate emotions, memory, hormones, and attention. This is the part of the brain that has control over fight or flight responses(para. 3). Finally we have the reptilian brain. This part of the brain is focused on physiological needs. This is the primitive part of the brain where there are no consequences, and only the urge to self-preserve(pp.24-25). For the most part, the neocortex is in charge, but for children like Billy, they don’t have all of their needs met or they might be dealing with trauma. This means they are dysregulated and their limbic system or in worst cases the reptilian brain is in control. Forbes mentions in this chapter that sometimes we as educators can worsen the situation if we do not approach it in a loving manner. Relationships are the key to learning, and regulating.

Chapter 4 covers deficits that some children may have when they enter the classroom. Because of trauma, that can sometimes affect development. Forbes states that there are 6 different areas in which a child develops: cognitive, language, academic, social, emotional, and physical(p.40). If any one of these is lacking, it can sometimes make life in a classroom more difficult. If Billy has any kind of deficit, he may inwardly beat himself up. His self esteem takes a dip, and he doesn’t even feel the need to try, because he claims himself, “stupid.” This leads into the next chapter where we try to change those beliefs in Billy’s mind.

More for you later!

Abby