#the task is to evoke emotions

[darlingpwease]

I'm so sorry there 2.3k words, here's like a little intro to it tho???? The first part ig

hhhh I'm sorry if it's sloppy :'))

-panna cotta

Ookok, what about sorcerer/wizard!Yuuta who befriends sick!reader??

People who are gifted with magic are highly appreciated in society, for they can help out not only villages, no, cities in struggle, but whole countries, entire nations if they so wish. However, they’re incredibly rare to appear. Throughout the whole world, there will barely be even 30 people with those gifts. Being able to have inhumane abilities, unable to get sick, increased strength and agility, they truly were amazing souls.

That's why you were so surprised when you met Yuuta, and even became friends with him. Why would a person like him talk to a person like you? You don’t stand out well, you’re a pretty average person, in both skills and appearance, and you live in a shabby house, with an incredibly boring job as a farmer. Meanwhile Yuuta is probably the most stunning person you’ve ever met, and his magic always blows you away.

He loves to show you little tricks and see your reaction. Your face always brightens in awe, no matter how big or small it is. He’s always nervous to show you in case you don’t find it impressive, but when your eyes shine, and you say how amazing and great he is, he can’t help but flush as his chest feels all fuzzy and his stomach flutters.

You two met because Yuuta got injured while helping out nearby towns. His mana was drained after constant use for multiple days, and thus, when he crossed paths with monsters, he wasn’t able to fight properly.

You stumbled upon him right as he narrowly escaped, and when he looked at you after he crashed into your chest, stuttering out apologies, you couldn’t help but take him back to your tiny house to help treat him.

You saved him, and he can’t help but feel like he owes you his life.

Thus, your relationship bloomed. And even now, 4 years later, he still visits you whenever he can. You both send each other letters when Yuuta has to travel far to help aid other places, and you both can’t help but feel so stupidly happy when your eyes carefully gaze upon the ink placed upon the paper from your new messages.

You cherish your moments with Yuuta, he’s just so pretty, so amazing, so perfect that sometimes you can’t help but wonder if he’s even real at all. What if he is just part of a wonderful dream that you don’t want to wake from??

But when he gently caresses your hand with a flustered look, timidly looking you in the eye, you can’t help but not want to leave him. Not that he wants to leave either, he wants to stay by your side forever.

Yuuta adores you, you are the light of his life. His savior. He always struggles with people, especially with that voice constantly in the back of his head telling him to be careful, to not trust them.. But with you, everything seems wonderful, and he never wants to leave. Whenever he gets summoned to a place far from you, it's like a horrible pain in his chest, a constant pressure. He gains more praise from people now, ‘he gets it done so quickly, he is so amazing!! Truly gifted!’, ‘So powerful!’. ‘He must be the best alive!!’ but only he knows, it’s only done quicker so he can go to you as soon as possible.

It’s almost a need for him to be with you.

You love being with him, hearing his stories, seeing new spells, everything about him is amazing. He loves being with you, experiencing your cooking, your warmth, you.

The gentle caresses you give each other, the long tender holds from a long separation, the comforting hugs given, the soft kisses given to one another thinking the other is asleep…

You are each other's joy. Each other's warmth.

Even after you both confess, the warm cozy nights spent together, affectionate heart-filled promises for the future, giggling under covers as if you were children, the poorly sung songs you both love to sing together, shy kisses given to each other, gentle gazes given throughout all the hours you spend together– it never seems enough, even though the euphoric rush given always seems too much, you’d happily accept more and more.

The childish joy in the days with the two of you is almost beautifully precious.

Even when he is a sobbing mess underneath you, harsh pants leaving you both as you press against each other as much as physically possible… The messy kisses exchanged, the hushed ‘love you’s spoken throughout those times…

Although Yuuta hates leaving you, you always make him cute little trinkets to take with him. ‘A little piece of me for you to accompany you’, you’d say. It gets to the point where he has his own bag he carries with him just full of them. He’d never tell you how he kisses them when he’s away though, secretly hoping you can somehow feel them despite the distance.

Just a glance at the bag has him smiling with joy. You are his world. You are his life. His everything.

He loves it when he returns, walking up the path to the house he calls home. He always sees you waiting by the door, or already outside. The moment your name leaves his lips, the way your face lights up when you see him, when you run up to him and scoop him into your arms, he can’t help but smile til his cheeks hurt. Loving laughs leaving both of you.

He ignores the nagging feeling, though. The way those voices drip into his ears, warning him that you will leave him. But he knows you won’t. He won’t let you.

The first time a fever fell on you, Yuuta panicked. He has never been sick himself, and when he sees how tired and weak you look, he’s scared. Why are you sick?? What does he do? You’ll be okay, right? Although he can help out whole countries, he can’t heal people. He can’t heal you. How is he so useless when it comes to this?? It was a struggle the first time, that's for sure.

However, as time moved forward, he learned how to take care of you, as you did him, when you ever got ill. He owes you his life, after all, and he’d lovingly do whatever you asked. He will take care of you, sharing the joy and appreciation he felt for you since the first time you both met.

That’s why when another fever fell, he wasn’t as worried as he was the first time. Obviously, he was still concerned, you never got this hot, you never looked this weak– but he knows you will get better. He will help you get better.

You smile so lovingly, so brightly, so gently as he gives you medicine and feeds you. You can’t help the way it spreads on your face as he tells you about what new story he has to share with you. The animated way he talks when he gets into it, only to snap out of it with timid embarrassment, the way he still clumsily caresses your hair, not minding how sticky and damp it feels through the sweat.

The way he quietly asks how you feel, the way he kisses you softly, almost as if he was worried you would break, the way he gently wipes your lips after you eat, how he worries over you, worrying if you’re sleeping okay, is your stomach sore? Your throat?? Any headache? Chills?? you can’t help but want to kiss him all over. How is he so cute??

He gives you the best medicine he can find, he makes sure the house is at a good temperature all the time, he makes sure you are as comfortable as you can be.

He’s giving you all he can, he owes you that much. He owes you so much

So why.

Why aren’t you getting better?

He doesn’t understand. He did everything he has done before, you got better then, so what’s different now?? Why does nothing seem to work??

The feeling of dread heavily climbs up him as more days go by, but your condition only seems to worsen. Why??

You seem to know something is wrong, too. You were having headaches before your fever, but you shrugged it off. You were doing your best to look better, but from the way Yuuta looked at you as the days moved forward, you know that you aren’t doing a good job. You just feel horrible. You feel like something is wrong, very very wrong.

But you can’t let Yuuta know that.

You two promised to be together until you both grew old and wrinkly. To travel around the globe, meet new people, see new things. To live in this shabby but comforting home until nature holds it long after you two leave its warmth. To wear matching clothes, have matching trinkets. Try new foods, and enjoy old ones.

You promised you wouldn’t leave him.

So why does it feel like you’re getting further and further away? You are right here. Right in front of him. He sees you, smells you, he feels you. He has you right here. So why does he feel that way?

You’re not leaving him, right? You wouldn’t. He would never let you. He owes you his life. His life, his whole being is yours, so why won’t you get better? He’s doing his best, please know he is doing his best, so don’t go. He doesn’t think he can live anymore without you by his side.

He knows he needs to find a healer right away when you sleep more. The way your breath is so, so heavy as wheezes leave your mouth. You’ve lost so much weight, you are more in a daze than you are not. He hears you when he leaves the room, the way you croak about how sorry you were and how sore everything was.

Oh no no no nononono, no dear no don’t apologize, he loves you dearly, can’t you see? He’d give you the world. He will do anything for you, so just get better. Okay? He will get you the best healer alive, okay??

You barely understood what he was saying when he told you that he wouldn’t leave your side. Your mind was so groggy. Everything hurt, and you could barely stomach food, drinking was becoming hard too. Everything was spinning, and you couldn’t help but feel both scalding hot but freezing cold simultaneously. You were so tired. Fuck, so so tired.

Yuuta can’t help but cry sometimes as he sees you now. He can see you changing. Leaving. A fellow sorcerer he knows is on their way. The letter said they should be there in less than a week. They’re an amazing healer, they’re known for their miracles, so they will help you. They will.

He should be happy, help is on the way! But when he looks at you, he doesn’t know if that will be good enough. They should be here now. He feels like a child throwing a tantrum.

Tears of frustration and angry sobs leave him. He doesn’t get it. What the hell is going on? Why is this happening?? You’re leaving him. You're so sick, why can’t he help? He is useless and is fucking up every second as you’re still not better. Why can’t you get better? Did he do something wrong and your mad at him? He’s sorry. He’s really really sorry, so please stop this and get better, please? Go back to normal, pretty please?? Please stop.

He lays his head next to you, too anxious that he might make you feel uncomfortable with his body heat if he gets too close. When your gazes meet, a worried look versus a muddled one, he can’t help himself from crying. Oh, love, he’d take this all away from you if he could. He’s trying, he’s really fucking trying. Please know that he’s trying so hard.

Gripping your hand, tenderly kissing it, he gently sings the songs you two would love to sing. Your weak smile, your awfully quiet hums, they hurt him. Where did your brightness go? Your energy? Oh, my dear, he will get you better. You have to.

But you don’t.

He doesn’t know what happened. You fell asleep, still gently smiling, he even slept next to you tonight. His palm was on your chest, feeling your heart's scarily slow and calm thumps, but it will be okay. Help is almost here.

It should have been okay.

But, as he awoke, he felt something was wrong. Stiffening, he slowly moves his gaze to his palm. Why can’t he feel anything? Why can’t he feel any thumping?

He suddenly is aware of just how stiff you are, how you seem cooler than before… How you aren’t waking up.

Hey, wake up.

Yuuta sits up quickly, tenderly shaking you at first, “C’mon, dear, wake up.” He says.

No movement.

As more minutes pass, his grip tightens. He shakes harder, speaks louder until he is eventually screaming for you to ‘Wake up! Wake up, please!’

Panic is all that runs through him. This is wrong. This isn’t supposed to happen.

No, no no nonono this can’t be happening. This isn’t happening.

You’re just sleeping! That’s right. You’ve looked so exhausted lately, you must be taking a deep rest, that’s all! Of course!

He lets out a chuckle, of course! How could he be so stupid. You used to sleep a lot in the past when you were sick, you will wake up soon. No, no you won’t, you’re dea–

He lovingly strokes your hair before going to grab some medicine.

That’s right, you’re all okay. Everything is okay.

The healer should be here any day now, any day. Soon. So soon, then you will be okay.

Yuuta can’t help but smile tenderly when he looks at your face, it’s stiff why is it stiff–

Leaning over, he presses a kiss on your forehead.

Yes. You are okay.

[deebris]

The Mysterious Visitor II

Batfamily x batsis (platonic!)

Synopsis: The unknown child evokes conflicting feelings in Bruce Wayne, who once again finds himself needing to deal with Talia's life problems. The girl only wanted the simple desire to see her brother again, unaware of the danger she had put herself into on her journey.

Warnings: The reader is 13 years old and is Damian's twin sister; the tone of the story is somewhat sad; Bruce is intimidating; Hugo Strange mentioned.

Word count: 2.8k

Note: I feel like maybe I could have developed a more emotional scene between Bruce and the reader, I also want to delve deeper into her thought process, but I hope to make up for that in the next part.

Part I Part II Part III

Alfred could finally check the exact time now that he was standing in front of Bruce's room, admiring for a few seconds the clock in the corridor's decoration, which showed 4:17 am. He prepared to knock on the door, but suddenly a thought crossed his mind: would it be more rational to wake Damian instead of his father? Throughout his life, he had faced unusual situations thanks to the Wayne family; hardly anything would shake him now. His concern, however, was not for himself, but for Bruce.

Talia was a persistent shadow in Bruce's past, still haunting him, and although he had tried to convince the butler many times that the only link he had with her now was because of their son, Alfred still doubted it. Their relationship had been complicated in many ways, either because of her ambiguous nature or Ra’s al Ghul's insistence on trying to persuade Bruce to join the League of Assassins, making Alfred fear that Bruce's morals might deviate because of this passion at the time.

Alfred raised his fist to knock three times and waited patiently as was his custom, but it seemed that was not enough to wake his master. He knew the door was open and knew he was allowed to enter without knocking, so just this once he used the liberty the young man had given him over the years; because in the end, Bruce Wayne was just that, a young man, and would always be seen that way by him.

Inside the room, he turned on the light, and the intense glare made him close his eyes to avoid the sting of the brightness. Approaching the bed, he sighed at the sight of Zolpidem pills left on the nightstand. This had been the only way Bruce found to stop spending sleepless nights, reluctantly since he was too stubborn and preferred to patrol in the darkness. Waking him would be a difficult task.

"Master Bruce," he called, waiting for a response, but got nothing. Alfred felt sorry for waking him, seeing how he finally seemed to be resting. "Master Bruce," he called again, this time nudging his shoulder. The pills must have been wearing off because he started to stir on the mattress.

"What’s going on, Alfred?" Bruce asked in a hoarse voice while rubbing his eyes to relieve the discomfort from the lamp. He sat up in bed, leaning his back against the headboard, blinking several times to see the butler in the corner. One of the room's curtains was open, and he saw the snow falling outside with the dark sky, showing that it was still night. "Is it Hugo Strange? Has he shown up somewhere?"

"Unfortunately, or fortunately, no, sir." Alfred paused, then licked his lips, preparing to continue and finally revealing, "There's a young lady downstairs who claims to be Master Damian’s sister." Direct, as always.

"Sister of Damian?" Bruce repeated the information, still not fully comprehending its meaning. He needed some time, just standing there absorbing the words. It seemed to be taking an eternity, but Alfred wouldn't interrupt the moment of clarity he was having.

He squinted, pushed the covers aside, and picked up the shirt he found nearby. Buttoning it up and getting out of bed, he continued, "When did this happen?"

"Just now, sir."

"Did Damian bring her here?" The question had a bitter tone but never crossed the line of respect that was drawn between them, and Alfred knew he should prepare for his interrogation. Bruce saw the alarm clock and, like the butler a few minutes ago, checked the time. "He never mentioned anything like this."

"Nor to me." Alfred suddenly extended a coat for him to take. Bruce held the fabric between his fingers, confused. "This coat is hers. There’s a map of Gotham City and a letter inside. I recommend you take a look at the addressee."

Pulling the papers from the right pocket, Bruce noticed a map folded into many smaller parts and a letter witch was still sealed, though the corners were noticeably crumpled and marked by small fingers. Carefully analyzing the cursive handwriting, he read. "I had no idea Damian still had contact with his mother. Much less that Talia had a daughter," he said, still drowsy, staring at the name 'Talia Head,' to whom the letter was addressed and recognizing his son’s elegant handwriting. Apparently, she still used the alias surname.

"It's not surprising considering you only discovered your son after so many years." The statement could have easily been interpreted as irony, but it was acidic. "She didn’t seem sure Damian lived here; I suppose she found out because of this letter."

"You left her alone downstairs?" he ignored the previous comment.

"I left her in Master Dick's care."

Bruce stared at him for long seconds and hurried out of the room. Halfway down the stairs, he could already see some glimpses of Dick's hair over the back of the sofa, talking to someone, or rather, laughing with someone.

"Dick?" The voice quickly caught his attention, turning his face to see his father approaching. When Bruce stood in front of the fireplace, he could finally look at the child beside the boy. Dick began to say something, but Bruce couldn’t hear. 

He stared at the girl, analyzing everything about her, from the way she intertwined her fingers nervously to her deer-like eyes. Her iris were shining, as if she had cried, and her swollen and bruised lips were quite noticeable. She had definitely been outside not long ago, shaking and rubbing her hands together constantly to warm herself up. She seemed too sweet, but Bruce knows that appearances can be deceiving.

His gaze passed over the pendants hanging from her bracelet, a simple detail that caught him off guard. Two crossed swords and a demonic head, he understood well what they meant; they were some of the symbols of the League of Assassins, the third was a simple "T" surrounded by a moon. He shouldn’t have been surprised, Talia was a possessive woman and he knew that the "T" was her way of marking property.

"Her name is Y/n," he heard Dick say after a long time.

You noticed how this man's eyes went dark while he watched you and couldn’t help but shrink back on the sofa. It was impossible to hold his gaze, and you began to feel ashamed of being stared at for so long.

"Y/n, this is Bruce Wayne."

"What do you want?" That came out ruder than he intended, but his aversion to the League of Assassins stirred a certain anger. The idea that this could all be a trap crossed his mind. You might be young and exude innocence, but you must have enough understanding to participate in their malicious plans.

"I just wanted to see my brother," you said with sadness in your voice, questioning yourself if this whole situation was worth it. Bruce knew the best way to confirm if this was all true would be by his son’s word, but the signs were so explicit that it might not even be necessary.

You don’t look anything like her, at least at first glance, but you wore her favorite colors and clothes so perfectly matched that no girl your age could choose yet, exactly to Talia's taste and with the appropriate youthful touch for your age. The pendants, the cut of your hair, literally everything had her touch. It was impossible for anyone to convince him otherwise.

"Go get Damian." He said, and Dick understood that the message was for him. Bruce needed to make sure you were telling the truth, or at least needed to make sure you weren’t dangerous. This could still be a League scheme or some plot by your mother.

"Can I see him?" Your voice was the loudest you had spoken that night. The excitement was clear, and it was so much that irrationally you stood up to follow Dick, but a calloused hand suddenly wrapped around your torso and stopped you, making your back hit a slightly prominent belly. You looked up and saw the old man again, his expression was not happy, and you realized it was directed at Mr. Wayne, who had an arm extended towards you but that never managed to touch you.

Like his face, his arm was tense, with visible veins and contracted tendons. You didn't know what his intentions were, but by the way the old man grabbed you to prevent him from laying hands on you, maybe he wasn't as good as he or Dick. It was a very scary sight., making you feel that this man could be dangerous. Trusting the old man, you turned to hug him, hiding as much as possible. Mr. Wayne’s aura was dark, very unfriendly, but you still saw how he recoiled with his face displaying a certain sense of regret.

Dick noticed Alfred's sudden movement behind him before he could leave the room. He glanced at their faces and for a moment considered whether it would be appropriate to turn back and mention the conversation he had with you to the butler in secret, but then his eyebrows furrowed thinking of Damian. Maybe he should confront the little demon first.

"Don’t do anything stupid, Bruce." Dick thought.

Frantically he knocked on the boy’s door. One, two, three, four times until he lost count. At no point did he hear any noise inside, so he began to turn the doorknob, only to find it was locked.

"Of course he’d lock it, that brat..."

"What are you doing?" Suddenly Tim's bedroom door behind him opened abruptly, making a sliver of light from inside illuminate the opposite wall. He was obviously irritated at being woken up but still had that tone of seriousness he carried most of the time.

"Where's his room key?" Dick completely ignored his brother's attitude.

"Forget it. I heard him sneak out to patrol again." Tim's voice sounded tired.

"And you let him?!" Dick snapped but reminded himself to contain it, remembering that Jason was sleeping in one of the rooms in that wing and that you three downstairs might hear the commotion. "Why didn’t you stop him?"

"And what good would it do? That boy is too stubborn." Tim tried to defend himself. "Besides, I have his location right here. He’ll be fine." He opened the door a bit more to show one of his computer monitors tracking the trajectory and heart signals of a green dot on the streets of Gotham City.

Dick looked both ways down the hallway before pushing Tim back into his room and closing the door.

"Hey, what's this? Why are you acting so weird?" Tim was startled by Dick's unusual behavior, feeling anxious as he watched him go to the computer to check Damian's exact location, observing the dot on the screen moving. Dick pressed a button, likely an emergency notification to get Damian to return home. Then he turned to Tim, gripping his shoulders and looking at him with intense seriousness.

"Tim, what I'm about to tell you might be a lot to take in, and I need you to try to understand as much as possible." Dick pointed a finger in his face, waiting for confirmation.

"You're scaring me like this. What the hell happened?"

"No questions and no interruptions! Understood?" Dick's tone was authoritative, stepping back only when he saw Tim nodding affirmatively.

"Why the hell is everyone awake downstairs? Did someone die or something?" Jason barged into Tim's room without ceremony, trying to make a joke, but when he saw the ghostly expressions on their faces, he quickly shut the door again, this time with him inside the room. "My God," he exclaimed in shock. "Can I join in on your little secret?" he asked ironically.

"Did you see the girl?" Dick asked Jason nervously, with a certain expectation.

"Yeah. I saw a girl with Bruce and Alfred. But they didn't see me, since I went back upstairs. The mood down there is pretty tense." Jason threw himself on the bed, making the mattress bounce and Tim frown in displeasure. "I think Alfred is going to give him a lecture afterwards."

"She's Bruce's daughter."

Jason propped himself up on his elbows, and Tim had to sit in the computer chair. His mouth formed a perfect 'O' as he struggled to believe Dick's words.

"With who this time?" Jason seemed to be reacting better than Tim to the news, even letting out a light laugh. It was a typical, caustic Jason response.

"That's not all." Dick ignored his comment. "She said she's Damian's twin."

Tim let out a short whistle, processing the idea like a complex calculation. "Tell this story from the beginning, Dick. Why did she show up now?" He finally managed to rejoin the conversation. It took a while for the shock to pass, but now he had his usual rational demeanor.

Dick rubbed his hands over his face, trying to recount the night and organize the information. "Apparently, she doesn't even know Bruce is her father. And he doesn't know about it either."

"Damian also never mentioned having a sister."

"Damn. Hiding one kid for a decade is something, but two?" Jason stared at the floor as if it were the most interesting thing in the world, a strange sensation taking over the room. But seeing the melancholic expression on Dick's face, his curiosity grew even more. "What else do you know, huh Dick?" He questioned him, sensing there was something much deeper behind this, and his brother just gave him an enigmatic look.

"She said she came here to see Damian. That she found out where he was because of a letter he wrote to Talia..." Dick suddenly froze, pulling a little box from his pocket as if it were a dangerous bomb. "While we were talking, she said a man had helped her get here. He gave her a map and asked her to deliver a present to Bruce, but she gave it to me to deliver." He handed the beige little box to the two, but it was Tim who took it.

Whatever it was, it was very well wrapped.

"Is it right to open it?" Tim asked. "I mean, it's for Bruce, isn't it?"

"I already opened it." Dick said bluntly. "I thought it might be a trap, I was careful."

"Give it here." Jason took the small box from Tim's hands. It was the same size as an engagement ring box, perfect for carrying in a pocket. He pulled the lid off and took out a card, freezing when he read it.

"What does it say?" Tim was curious, taking the card from his hands and reading it out loud:

'I sent your daughter home as a demonstration of my benevolence. Merry Christmas, Batman. Signed, H.S.’

"Holy shit," Jason exclaimed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "That bastard figured out Batman's identity."

"Even worse: he knew about her before we did." Tim added reflectively, his voice barely a whisper. "That means he knows much more than just Batman's identity. He might know other things, including our identities. He probably suspects we are also vigilantes."

"I want to hear the whole story properly." Jason's intensely serious voice broke the silence that had settled in the room, determined to fully understand the appearance of this girl and how she got involved with Hugo Strange.

Dick took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "Alright, here it is. Minutes ago, Alfred and I woke up because a girl showed up at the manor claiming to be Damian's sister. She told me that she had a map of Gotham and a letter addressed to Talia from Damian. Alfred brought Bruce to her, and then I went upstairs to call Damian, but I discovered that he's out on patrol. And now we're here."

Tim interrupted, "Wait, so Damian's been in contact with Talia and didn't tell us?"

"That's what it seems like," Dick confirmed, rubbing his temples. "The girl didn't even know Bruce was her father. She mentioned that a man helped her get here and gave her a map along with a present for Bruce."

Jason leaned forward even more. "And this man was Hugo Strange."

"Not xactly, he could have sent someone else." Dick nodded. "The present was that card. Strange knows about her and about Bruce being Batman. He sent her here as some twisted gift."

Tim, processing the information, asked, "Did she say anything about why Strange would do this? What does he gain from sending her here?"

"She didn't seem to know much about Strange's intentions," Dick replied. "She just wanted to see Damian. But it’s clear that Strange knows a lot more than he's letting on. He must have some larger plan in mind."

Jason clenched his fists, his anger palpable. "So, this girl is just a pawn in his game. We need to figure out what his endgame is."

"Agreed," Dick said. "But first, we need to make sure she's safe and find out everything she knows. We also need to talk to Damian and see what tell us about all this."

Tim nodded, adding, "And we have to stay vigilant. If Strange knows this much, we can't underestimate him. He could have more moves planned."

Jason stood up, his determination evident. "We need to get to the bottom of this before anyone gets hurt."

"But what about Talia? Did she just let her daughter go out there, be deceived by a stranger, and then simply come here?" Tim pointed out. "And you, Dick? Are you going to tell Bruce?"

Suddenly, the sound of someone tapping on the window glass was heard. The three brothers turned their heads to see Damian, clad in his Robin attire, asking to come in. "Open up already, you idiots."

Tag list:

@lafrone @sylum @mileskisser @belowbreadcrumbs @riddle-me-im-sirius

@rafa-the-beautiful @shehrazadekey @fairuzwhat @bedeater @arianapjs

@idonthaveanameforthisacc @azulawayne @nciolisa @lovelywritersgarden

@spideybv28 @faimmm @formula-space @cherry-peach-flavored

🍒

@nebuluma

Credits for the divider: @cafekitsune

[markrosewater]

Elegance

Here’s my original article for Elegance.

 This is a topic I’ve wanted to write about for a long time.  Ironically, the words needed to explain the concept kept the column from being elegant. So I did what all artists do.  I found a way to say a lot in a little space.

 Enjoy,

 Mark Rosewater

 [NOTE: EACH OF THE ABOVE FIFTY WORDS IS HYPERLINKED.  BELOW IS THE FIFTY HYPER LINKS.  THE HEADERS SHOULDN’T BE ON THE LINKED PAGE.  I’M JUST INCLUDING THEM SO YOU KNOW WHAT EACH LINK IS.]

 ELEGANCE

 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary has five definitions for elegance:

 • refined grace or dignified propriety

• tasteful richness of design or ornamentation

• dignified, gracefulness or restrained beauty of style

• scientific precision, neatness and simplicity

• something that is elegant

 The common elements appear to be dignity, simplicity, and taste.

 THIS

 Elegance requires thinking, but it also requires feeling.  Elegant prose is judged by how it makes the reader feel. It needs to generate a sense of calm that puts the reader at ease.  Everything in your writing should feel as if it was carefully positioned to create the proper effect.

 IS

 Pound for pound, the writer’s greatest writing tool is the verb.  Nouns add substance and adjectives add flourish, but it’s the verb that drives the sentence.  Choose a strong, descriptive verb and the sentence has flair and purpose. Choose a weak one and the sentence lacks any sense of drama.

 A

 Here’s a little game to test an elegance relevant skill (based on an old game called Inklings).  Randomly choose a noun.  Try to convey that noun to the other players using the least number of letters possible. You’ll be surprised how much you can communicate in just a few letters.

 TOPIC

 One of the greatest stumbling blocks to elegance is the inability to choose a single focus.  Elegance requires simplicity.  Simplicity requires a single purpose of thought.  This means that elegance starts before you write a single word.  A good sculptor must know his image before he picks up his chisel.

 I’VE

 One of the common misconceptions of elegance is that it requires a writer to be fancy. Elegance though is more about familiarity than formality. You shouldn’t be afraid of friendlier language such as slang or contractions, assuming that such language adds an element of ease rather than one of laziness.

 WANTED

 An important element of elegance is a sense of passion.  Brevity does not mean pulling away emotionally from words, but rather the opposite.  When you find yourself limited to fewer words, you must pack each individual word with extra emotional punch.  You are not reducing your message, simply your messenger.

 TO

 A good tool in understanding elegance is studying poetry.  Poetry is the most concise of all written art forms.  It strives to maximize impact while minimizing expression.  Each word carries the burden of evoking some essence of the poet’s message. If it cannot carry its own weight, it is excised.

WRITE

 To be an elegant writer, you have to become a student of prose.  You have to study the mechanics of language to understand how it can be shaped.  Once you have learned how to transfer the feeling in your head into meaningful words, you are on the path to elegance.

 ABOUT

 Be careful not to fall in love with ambiguity.  While intoxicating in its beauty, it is the enemy of elegance. Remember, the goal is not to make the reader struggle for comprehension.  Rather it is to lead them to the obvious conclusion. Elegance should be used to illuminate, not confuse.

 FOR

 Elegant prose requires connecting with your reader.  To do this, you have to understand who that reader is.  Nothing should come before this task.  It needs to be done before writing can begin. I like to compare this to planning a trip.  Maps are useless until you know your destination.

 A

 Another major key to elegance is the understanding of the importance of the tiniest detail.  Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a piece of prose is only as tight as its messiest detail. A good writer doesn’t stop at the nouns, verbs and adjectives.

 LONG

 Don’t confuse elegance with brevity.  Elegant things are short not because they have to be but because the difficulty to craft an elegant piece of prose combined with the limitations of time forces writers to be brief.  Elegant novels, for example, do exist, but they are few and far between.

 TIME

 To quote Roman orator (and letter writer) Marcus T. Cicero, “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.”  

 Simplicity takes more time not less.  Anyone can get a point across with ten thousand words.  But a true artist can do it in ten (or possibly fifty).  

 IRONICALLY

 Irony is a potent tool for commentary.  Its genius lies in the fact that it comments not on what is, but rather on what isn’t.  Like all good humor, irony makes you laugh.  But like the best type of humor, it also makes you think.  It’s both funny and funny.

 THE

 Elegance in writing is about more than words. Equally important is how the words are woven together. Tempo, pacing, rhythm – these are the tools that set the mood for the piece.  Try reading aloud your text.  The natural beat of language is more suited for the ear than the eye.

 WORDS

 To realize the power of words, you must first understand how they work. Art is expressive; words are connotative.  That is, words draw their power from their ability to extract different ideas from different people.  A circle is a circle, but the concept of “scary” varies from person to person.

 NEEDED

 Elegance is not the result of any one attribute.  It is the combination of numerous factors coming together in harmony. This is why it’s such a hard skill to master.  Most people can pat their head or rub their tummy.  But put them together and it’s not quite so easy.

 TO

 An elegant piece of prose needs to hit the reader at a gut level.  Often they won’t know exactly why they like it, but they will recognize that something about the piece moves them.  There are many types of writing where subtlety is lost.  Elegant writing isn’t one of them.

 EXPLAIN

 There are many ways for you to explain an idea.  The most elegant one though is not through definition but by example. By connecting your idea to one already known by the reader, you’re leaving the work of teaching to someone in the past.  Education is hard.  Comparison is easy.

 THE

 If writing is like building a house, the structure is like the foundation. Its design will dictate how the house is built.  If it’s faulty, no amount of fancy brickwork will undo the damage.  So take the time to ensure your structure is building the kind of prose you want.

 CONCEPT

 Never underestimate the power of a concept.  An important part of elegance is condensing big ideas into little words. This is far from an easy task.  It often takes a genius an entire lifetime to create a truly innovative concept.  So take advantage of all their hard work and inspiration.  

 KEPT

 A common barrier to elegance is the belief that only one way will work. Often a writer is unable to abandon a beloved piece of prose even when evidence demonstrates otherwise.  If something doesn’t add to the larger sense of the piece, you have to learn to let it go.

 THE

 Readers notice things at a minute level far beyond their mind’s ability to interpret. This means that although they may not consciously notice many of your tiny details, they will do so unconsciously. Aesthetics teach us that it’s this unconscious structure that will determine whether or not it feels “right”.

 COLUMN

 All communicators, whether through speaking or print, need to find a voice. A voice provides familiarity and it teaches the listener or reader how to more quickly absorb the information. Elegance is all about the conservation of ideas.  Having a pre-learned voice to guide you is a very valuable tool.

 FROM

 I’ve spent some time talking about understanding your reader.  But there is one more person who is even more important to understand – yourself. Writing is about sharing your ideas with others.  If you haven’t spent the time to figure out what you think, how can you possibly communicate it?

 BEING

 “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

 Or so the saying goes.  What the cliché forgets to mention is how many words a single word is worth.  For example, take the word “being”. To capture the essence of what “being” represents is tens of thousands of words if not more.

 ELEGANT

 What is the value of being elegant? Why should you care? Elegance adds aesthetics. It evokes poetry.  It grants beauty.  Elegant prose draws the reader closer because it gives them something to not just learn but to admire.  Good prose stimulates the head, but elegant prose resonates in the heart.

 SO

 Who, what, where, when, how - all important questions.  But for a writer they pale next to why.  If you don’t understand the reasoning beneath the surface, the other details are irrelevant.  The act of elegance is cementing the why.  It’s taking the purpose and engraining it into the piece.

 I

 Elegance is a very personal thing.  If something doesn’t resonate with you, there’s no way for it to resonate with your reader.  Writing is an art, not a science.  There is no rulebook for how things must be done.  If your instincts are telling you that something isn’t working, listen.

 DID

 An important tool in your toolbox is time. Elegance cannot be rushed.  Mental ruts only get deeper the harder you focus on them.  Make sure to work time into your schedule so you are able to walk away from your writing. An hour next week is worth a day today.  

 WHAT

 Don’t let attention to detail pull you away from having a larger sense of what you’re writing.  Take this column as an example.  While I spent a lot of time fine tuning each entry I never lost sight of the effect they created when all the entries were put together.

 ALL

 Elegance requires taking a holistic view of writing.  Every word, every sentence, every paragraph is a piece in a larger puzzle. It’s not enough to understand the impact of a single element. You must understand how any two elements interact if you want to understand the potency of your text.

 ARTISTS

 Elegance and art are very intertwined.  Both seek to achieve a similar goal: to illuminate and inspire with a conservation of expression.  If you’re trying to be elegant, I think it helps to think of yourself as an artist. The instinct for the latter mirrors the needs of the former.

 DO

 An important part of any writing is understanding the feeling you’re trying to evoke.  And then realizing what mechanic tools you have available to evoke that feeling. Diction, verb tense, sentence length, alliteration, word flow, phonetic juxtaposition – each of these will control the mood and tone of your piece.

 I

 A writer’s life is the ultimate fodder.  Don’t be ashamed to plumb your own experiences.  You understand them deeper and more personally than anyone else.  No painter would refuse to use his finest paints. And, as a bonus, by using your own experiences, you will become better educated about yourself.

 FOUND

 Don’t forget that the act of revealing is also an act of exploration.  Don’t be afraid if you learn more than the reader you’re trying to educate.  Writing is not an exact science.  (Or even an exact art.)  Often you will find that the road to salvation has a fork.

 A

 Your future is paved with your past.  If you want to learn how to grow as a writer, you need to look back at what you’ve written. With time and a detached eye, your will find your mistakes become clearer.  Remember that it’s failure, not success, that bests drives education.

 WAY

 The problem with looking for a single solution is that you’ll never find more than one.  And the first one isn’t always the best.  But if you’re open to the possibility that every problem has an infinite number of answers, you’ll have the freedom of choosing the solution you want.  

 TO

 Sentences are filled with freeloaders.  Because writers seem to love overwriting. (I include myself in this camp.)  Make sure to create time for the editor side of you to prune unnecessary words.  If a word can be excised without any harm to the sentence, it has no right being there.

 SAY

 I’m spending my time today talking about elegance in prose, but most of what I’m saying is applicable in speech.  The key difference is that prose has less defining attributes like appearance or tone.  The key to elegant speech is making people focus on the words rather than everything else.

 A

 It’s ironic that something designed to be so simple can be so complex.  But that, my faithful readers, is the joy (and mystery) of elegance. Like an onion, elegance has numerous layers that reveal themselves as you slowly peel them away.  Oh yeah, and it can sometimes make you cry.

 LOT

 An interesting exercise is to look at each word you’re using and think about how much content is loaded in that word.  Then explore what other words exist that fulfill the same role but with added content.  Once you’ve found the word you can’t best, move onto the next word.

 IN

 A good way to get better at understanding elegance is to look for it in every day life. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised where and how often you find it.  Study each example carefully and try to see if you can put your finger on what makes it work.  

 A

 Writing is a shared endeavor.  No one owns the words.  If someone uses a technique that works, there’s no shame in borrowing it.  Like science, writing creates technology that’s brought back to the group to spur further advancements.  Elegance is hard enough to accomplish without refusing to use the toolbox.

 LITTLE

 How big should a piece of text be if you want it to be elegant?  The answer is as big as it needs to be – and not a word more. Just think of it as playing the game Jenga. Keep pulling words out of your prose until it collapses.  

 SPACE

 One of the most important lessons in art is learning the value of negative space, the idea that the eyes are equally drawn to what isn’t there.  Prose has a very similar quality.  When writing pay careful attention to what you aren’t saying. Often it will speak the loudest volume.

 ENJOY

 For some reason people tend to equate dignity with seriousness.  And as such they come to the false conclusion that elegance has no room for humor.  Ironic as humor is one of the most elegant of styles.  A good joke is no longer than is necessary to do its job.

 MARK

 As is always true when I head off the beaten path, I am curious to hear your feedback.  What did you think of this article?  Was it entertaining?  Was it educational? Did you actually read all fifty links?  And if not, why not?

 Tell me.  Inquiring mind wants to know.

 ROSEWATER

 I couldn’t end this week’s column without my trademark closing.  I mean, how inelegant would that be?

 Join me next week when  I go from being a letter man to a Letterman.

 Until then, may you learn to appreciate now just the “what” but the “how” and “why”.

 Mark Rosewater

[itsvelyria]

"alternate universes w the f1 drivers"

Charles Leclerc

A tense atmosphere hangs in the still air of the conference room. The guards of the neutral faction glance at each other, be that in trepidation or anticipation, you couldn't give two hoots. If you had a little more presence of mind, perhaps you would have scoffed at the sight of such timidity. But your attention had been focused on one thing even before you stepped foot into the room - Leclerc, the commander of your universes' nemesis and your self-proclaimed enemy. Even as both your universes teetered on the brink of a cosmic conflict over some glowing orb of unfathomable power, you could see nothing but his equally unwavering stare boring into you. It was a battlefield of carefully chosen words and tempered anger, the kind you were terrible at, and a desperate attempt to find common ground in the midst of interdimensional tension. Memories of recent battles played like vivid flashbacks in your mind – your successful conquering of New York, and then counted with major loss suffered in the faraway battlegrounds of Thailand at his hands. The friction between you two mirrored the larger conflict, a reflection of the cosmic struggles that had engulfed your universes. Each word uttered by your superiors and his felt like a strategic move on a celestial chessboard, with the stakes higher than ever. The table, littered with holographic projections and tactical maps, became a battlefield of its own, an arena for diplomatic warfare. Amid the charged atmosphere, you two stood tall as commanders of your respective armies, your universes hanging in the balance, and the fate of countless lives rested on the outcome of this uneasy negotiation.

Carlos Sainz

You can't stop the sly smile from spreading on your lips when one of your maids discreetly places a charcoal-coloured envelope next to your plate. The conversation about the northern harvest abruptly fades as your eyes lock onto the crimson seal adorned with an embossed helm, an unmistakable insignia of authority. The seemingly simple package, however, emanates opulence, from the shimmering paper to the vibrant pigment of the wax. It speaks of a wealth only a king could possess - the Ruler of the Underworld, your husband. Beside you, your mother's disapproval is palpable, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the letter from your elusive beloved. Despite her repeated skepticism regarding the legitimacy of your marriage, a quiet rebellion has taken root in your heart, growing into a conspicuous flower that refuses to be overlooked. In a huff, your mother excuses herself, unable to endure the presence of the offensive missive on her table. Meanwhile, you handle the delicate task of peeling the seal with utmost care. The pages that spill out consume your entire morning, each carefully chosen word and artfully crafted sentence nurturing the burgeoning emotion within you, a fervent longing for the man. Tracing the signature at the end, the cursive letters spelling Carlos's name evoke the vivid memory of him signing his name on the palm of your hand that teary evening before your departure.

Danny Ricciardo

Your workshop is beyond cluttered. You know this. And on usual days, you don’t mind it in the least bit. But when you can’t find the only wrench that works, it is basically hell for you. You rifle through bags of nails and bolts, wondering if it is possible for a black hole to open at random to steal one’s only good tool. The plastic baggie of sequins that you bought to adorn Danny’s suit as a prank explodes as you toss it to the ground harshly, decorating the air with pink metallic confetti. Your hands pause over the table, eyes pressed closed in the hopes that your temper will settle itself magically. It doesn’t. But the door to your workshop does open, and the cheery voice of your partner asks if there is a party going on. You turn to him with the deadliest expression you can muster, telling him that you aren’t in the mood for jokes. “Will coffee help?” he asks, his unruly curls pushed up by the goggle on his head, holding up a mug. You feel the tension in you jaw loosen and nod, taking the metal cup from him gratefully. The amazing coffee smell wafts into the air as you open the lid and take a sip. He asks what you were looking for, already sweeping up the sequins from the floor as you collapse into your stool to enjoy the caffeine. You tell him in-between mouthfuls of the precious liquid. “I told you to keep your station clean,” he wags a finger at you in mock lecture. “And I told you I’d do it when you clean out your closet,” you shoot back bitingly. He sticks out a tongue at you as he dumps the collected sequins into the trash. Danny holds his hand out for the empty mug like he does on the coffee run he insists on doing for you every day. “Your wrench is right there by the way.” You swivel in the direction the pilot points, spying the goddamn tool right there beside the toolbox. A curse spills from your lips. “Love you too,” your boyfriend presses a kiss to your cheek as he leaves the door, already late for his practice session.

George Russell

The colossal estate towers over you in a show of intimidation, even more so than 17 years ago when you were deposited at the front door and it was introduced as your new home. Perhaps it was the fact that in the room with the round window on the second floor, sat the very man who had shaped you into the officer you were today, someone you would forever be indebted to and the folder in your hands had to power to ruin his life's work. Your feet propels you forward, the duty you were sworn to uphold taking charge over the fog that clouded your perception now. In the ancient study room, you greet your adoptive father whose eerily calm composure hints at his awareness of the purpose of your visit. And so you lay it out. The mosaic of the photographs and documents, the tangled threads of your past and his lay out in the open. Taking out the last photograph, you pause to study the profile of the man who should have been in your place, the cheeky look in his eyes and the impish charm glaring through the still image. You slide the photograph across the desk, utterly still as the man behind it scrutinizes it. The air hangs heavy with the unspoken words, the undeniable connection that lingered between you three, and imaginary weight of your disclosure pressing down on your throat at the very moment. You were well aware of the ruin that could be brought upon you with this discussion and yet you were still here, confessing the sins of his child to him. His response is stoic, the same measured tone that rings through your ears when you screw up. "Do what you must." The words hang over your head as you exit the manor, already on the phone with your superior officer for a warrant request for a George Russell.

Lando Norris

The daily Elemental assembly meeting was something you dreaded with a passion. 6 elements, all with wildly different personalities and priorities engaged in what you can only describe as immortal combat. Today's battle amongst the jewel-toned silks emblazoned with your crests was over the luscious piece of untouched land up north. You slammed your hands on the table as the Head of the Fire elements begins detailing the plan his council had drafted for the beautiful plot of soil. If he wanted to build a fucking heat machine, he could do it over your dead body. The unjustified stare he shoots you should send normal people back-pedalling into their opinions, except you were not "normal people". Unlike all the other heads here, you have had the terrible misfortune of being Lando's classmate all throughout your schooling years. It has been ruthless threats and one-upping each other since your first childhood memory. When he was elected head of his kind, you too were appointed leader of yours. And thus started a new chapter in your rivalry that continued to this present moment. You slam the car door angrily, muttering under your breath at the infuriating man and his stubborn opinions. "I thought we agreed not to bring work outside of the building." Your husband slides into the seat beside you, his scarlet orange suit blinding your vision as you shoot him a dry look. "Let's get lunch before my council meeting with the fire elders." The nonchalant tone rings through your ear drums and you feel it water down the rage that was blazing in you. "You have a community session right?", followed by "Shall we watch that movie you've been talking about tonight?" and the fire washes away completely.

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis doesn’t like this. The lumpy seats provide no support and the intrusion into his life is not something to just get used to. But it means he can continue to chase the dream of playing bass around the world, so he settles into the interview. Surprisingly, the interviewer was interested in more than his gym routine and the rockstar life, posing a question about his time in music school, more specifically the conservatory where he played the violin. And so, he recalls the late-night practice sessions and composing classes where is almost tore out all his hair, all his memories leading to the same person. The interviewer brings the topic to his final year showcase, the culmination of his studies and the last fond memory of sharing the stage with his favourite musician. “I understand you are friends with the pianist of the San Francisco Symphony,” the leading statement loaded with intention even as the interviewer shoots him her most brilliant smile. Lewis laughs. He can’t help it as he thinks of how you were probably watching this and spamming him with messages right now. He agrees with the interviewer, thinking of his confidante all the way in a different state at this moment, staying up late to watch the interview. “Just friends then?” The prompt sends him into a fit of giggles even as he answers. But he thinks of the flowers he sends for every single one of your performances and concerts, receiving a call from you afterwards with a selfie and he knows, that deep down, even as his lips define it as a friendship, his very soul knows it wants more than that with you.

Max Verstappen

You would kill Yuki one day. And if you didn’t, you would turn yourself a ghost and push him into a hole somewhere for ditching you at lunch. He knew damn well how you felt about being alone in a crowded Great Hall and the little spitball was still nowhere to be found. Damned betrayer. Gripping your books tightly, you wondered if it was too late to escape to the library. The sudden pressure around your wrist comes out of nowhere and you jump, instinctively glaring at the offender. Max releases your wrist at the sharp look and suddenly, you miss the warmth of his palm on your skin. You mentally slap yourself as you glance to the side and meet a familiar pair of eyes. Your sister sends a small smile in greeting, her canary yellow-trimmed robes rustling as she does. “I need a favor,” your friend poses the statement at you once the sharp look softens into something you won’t name. “What is it?” you ask, not trusting your voice. “Tutor me in runes tonight,” his reply comes instantly, though it sounds more like a demand. Your sister reacts to this by grabbing her boyfriend’s arm in confusion. “You are having trouble in runes?” Watching the exchange, you feel yourself inching away from the potential couple fight. What stops you, is Max turning to you and repeating the question. You can see your sister roll her eyes out of the corner of your mind and determining it as an okay sign, you agree before your brain can point out everything wrong with this scenario. You collapse onto the empty bench at your house's table, and like the devil he is, Yuki appears. At the sight of his happy beam, you are once again reminded of why you do not lunch alone.

[khristie16]

Blindfolded Desires

about: Love - Lies - Unravelling Mysteries about Charles warnings: angst angst angst, third parties info: someone else has their claws on you, can he be trusted? tags: (✿◡‿◡) @urmotheris @cmleitora @honeybunchiesofoats @f1lov3r Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

The following day unfolded with a lingering headache, a testament to the tears that had flowed throughout the night. Disappointment clung to you like a shadow, and you couldn't help but wish for a chance to rewind time. The vulnerability you had shown to someone seemingly indifferent cut deep. Regret seeped into your consciousness as you reflected on the decision to open not just your heart but your body to him.

As you prepared for the day's classes – a task you approached with a sense of dread – your thoughts stubbornly clung to Charles. On your way, a familiar face greeted you. Stephan's infectious smile momentarily lifted your spirits. It made you wonder if this was a shared trait within the Leclerc family.

“Hello YN, how are you?” Stephan initiated a conversation, and you found yourself responding. Surprisingly, he was amiable, and as you settled into the classroom, Charles made his entrance. His emotions remained inscrutable, but Stephan, seated beside you, couldn't overlook the hurt etched across your face.

“YN, are you okay?” Turning to him, you replied with a forced assurance, but Stephan sensed your distress, linking it to Charles. Throughout the class, Charles couldn't shake the unsettling feelings within him. Seeking a respite, he decided to distance himself by taking another girl out. In his mind, perhaps things would return to normal. However, reality proved to be a stark contrast, as his thoughts incessantly circled back to you during the entire date.

Back in your dorm, Stephan's messages brought a smile to your face. Suddenly, a late-night knock disrupted the moment. Anticipation surged; could it be Charles seeking to bridge the gap? The door opened to a determined Charles, his serious gaze locking with yours. Seven awkward seconds stretched before he spoke.

“May I?”

The air became palpably charged with confusion. Yesterday, he had barged into your room, uninvited; today, he sought permission. Nodding, you opened the door, allowing Charles to step inside, his gaze fixated on the ground.

“I'm not good with words, so I will show you instead.”

Closing the distance, he took your hands and placed them on his chest. As you processed the unusual gesture, you traced his chest and ventured to his hair, a replay of the intimate moment shared just the day before. A gentle tug on his hair evoked an unexpected low growl, surprising both of you. Confused, you took a step back, questioning his sudden display of vulnerability.

“What are you doing?”

Charles looked back with fury. “Isn't it obvious?” he spat through gritted teeth.

The phone's notification interrupted, a message from Stephan proposing to take you to the same place where he had seen Charles on a date. Panic seized you, and the beautiful feelings you had harbored seemed to evaporate.

“How was your date today?”

Charles's widened gaze confirmed your fears. Closing your eyes, tears threatened, and you uttered what he now knew too well.

“Get out.”

The following day unfurled with a sense of numbing detachment, each step an echo of the misery that had settled within. Questions circled your mind, a relentless loop wondering why you repeatedly found yourself entangled with men who only left you feeling wretched. As you grunted in frustration while mechanically brushing your teeth, your phone buzzed with another notification. It was Saturday, and you had agreed to Stephan's invitation to go out. In a somewhat pathetic attempt to maintain some connection to Charles, you embraced this link with Stephan, even if it was indirect.

On your date with Stephan, everything unfolded smoothly. He took charge of the conversation, making you laugh, sharing tales from his childhood. Lost in your thoughts, you failed to notice when Stephan posed a question.

“YN?”

Caught off guard, you turned to him, offering a distracted response. “I see you're somewhere else, huh?” he remarked,

His gentle smile suggesting an understanding demeanor. Apologies lingered on your lips, but Stephan continued to share his thoughts.

“It's about Charles, isn't it?”

Your heart skipped a beat, and your eyes widened. He halted, and so did you. The sincerity in his eyes was palpable.

“I saw it yesterday on your face.”

Panic set in, wondering who else had detected your inner turmoil. If anyone else noticed, it was undoubtedly clear what was preoccupying your thoughts. You wished to shrink, feeling small again. Stephan sensed your struggle, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder.

“I'm sorry, YN. That's what Charles always does. He sleeps around and leaves those poor women. I've lost count already.”

His words cut deep. You wished he would just stop talking, and you wished you hadn't found yourself in this situation.

“You mean here, on campus?”

Your confusion was apparent. Stephan, in his first year, had always been under Charles's wing, part of the inner circle rather than left out.

“Well, he's always been flirty. But yeah, I mean since I've been here. He's always somewhere late with a different woman every night. Like yesterday, for example.”

Comfort seemed like a distant concept. Squeezing your eyes and ears shut, you sought protection from any more revelations. Stephan, understanding your distress, held you by the shoulders.

“Don't worry. It will pass. I'm here for you if you need me.”

Later in the day, as you were pondering your thoughts, a message from Nicole illuminated your phone screen. Meet me tonight, I gotta tell you something. The unexpected summons puzzled you, adding an additional layer to the complex emotions already swirling within you.

[pretty-unglad-you-were-born]

Whats your opinion on the hands in claires story?

hands are an integral part of our daily lives. they are the tools that help us navigate the world, connect with others, and express ourselves. from a young age, we learn to grasp objects, make gestures, and create art using our hands. they are versatile and adaptable, capable of performing a wide range of tasks with precision and finesse. the significance and importance of hands cannot be understated, as they play a crucial role in both our physical and emotional well-being.

one of the primary functions of hands is their ability to manipulate objects and perform tasks. they possess dexterity and fine motor skills, allowing us to perform intricate tasks that set us apart from other animals. the opposable thumbs give humans the ability to grip and hold objects with precision, making us capable of intricate and delicate work such as sewing or playing the piano. without hands, our capability to create, build, and explore the world would be severely limited.

moreover, hands are essential for communication and connecting with others. a simple handshake can convey trust, warmth, and confidence, instantly forming a connection between two individuals. through gestures, we can express emotions, communicate ideas, and convey complex messages without uttering a single word. for instance, a raised hand can symbolize a greeting or a request for attention, while a clenched fist can represent determination or solidarity. sign language, a visual manual communication system primarily used by individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, relies on the hands to convey words, sentences, and concepts, emphasizing the importance of hands in facilitating human connection.

additionally, hands can serve as expressive instruments in the realm of art. artists have long appreciated the versatility and expressiveness of hands. they are capable of producing beautiful works of art, sculpting clay, painting delicate strokes, and playing instruments that evoke powerful emotions in listeners. painters like leonardo da vinci and michelangelo were known to capture the subtlety and grace of hands in their masterpieces, recognizing their ability to convey emotions and tell stories. sculptors have harnessed the power of hands to create lifelike depictions of human figures, showcasing their strength, grace, and beauty. through art, hands become a medium for creativity and self-expression, transcending language barriers and reaching deep into the souls of viewers.

beyond their physical capabilities, hands hold symbolic and metaphorical meanings as well. they are often associated with labor, hands also symbolize care, nurture, and comfort. a gentle touch on someone’s shoulder can offer solace, while a warm embrace can convey love and support. in this sense, hands become a means to express empathy, compassion, and humanity.

in conclusion, hands play a vital role in our lives, both practically and metaphorically. they enable us to interact with the world, connect with others, and create beauty. from performing complex tasks to expressing emotions, hands are versatile and essential to our well-being. let us cherish and appreciate the miraculous capabilities of our hands, recognizing the incredible ability they possess to shape the world around us.

[bakersimmer]

Martin stared at his phone, the screen displaying 12:58 in bold digits. He had grown accustomed to seeing Laila's name flash on the screen around this time every day. But, for the third consecutive day, there had been no calls or messages from her.

A peculiar mix of emotions stirred within him. There was an odd sense of relief, a subtle freedom from the routine that had bound him. However, intertwined with this relief was hesitance. Shouldn't the absence of his wife, the lack of interaction, evoke a longing instead? With a deep breath, Martin pushed the phone aside, shifting his attention back to his computer, hoping the familiar rhythm of tasks would distract him. A few minutes later, he heard a familiar buzzing. Martin casually picked up the call without paying much attention to the screen.

Martin: I was just thinking about you. Hanna: (surprised) Really? What were you thinking? Martin: Oh, uh, Hanna! Hanna…Sorry…I thought it was someone else. Hanna: (curious) Someone special? Martin: Curiosity can kill. Hanna: But I'm not a cat, so...not worried. Martin: Hmm. How can I help you? Hanna: I wanted to ask how you're doing. Martin: Fine. How about you? Hanna: I'm doing okay. Martin: Great! What's new? Hanna: Not much. But I've been considering something. Actually, it's not a new idea…

Martin: Okay, tell me. Hanna: (hesitantly) I, uh, I want to start dating again, but I'm not sure how to approach it. Martin: (smirking) My expertise in this field is, uh, questionable… Hanna: Huh…It seems that I will die alone then. Martin: Well...Before dying alone, you could ask a friend to set you up with somebody. Hanna: (hesitant) I wish it were that easy. Martin: Come on, that's what friends are for. Two of my friends owe their married bliss to my epic setup skills.

previous / beginning / next

[eloeloanna]

Astro Compatibility for John and Paul

I found this free version in a website haha. Enjoy!

John's Sun in Libra and Paul's Sun in Gemini

You have an excellent mental rapport, and you enjoy one another's intelligence, wit, and style. Both of you are very social creatures who thrive on interaction with people, cultural activities and conversation. Your match is likely to be a very egalitarian one, for you both want a partner who is an equal and a friend above all else.

John is very considerate, has a strong desire to please Paul (or any partner) and will compromise readily; John always sees numerous possibilities or desirable alternatives, and you both have trouble being decisive or making up your minds sometimes.

John's Moon in Aquarius and Paul's Moon in Leo

Paul has an inner desire to be special and important, to shine and be the center of attention, to direct or lead rather than follow. Paul wants to stand out from the crowd in some way, and is generally not a team player. John, on the other hand, needs to be part of a group or community. The fellowship, the togetherness, and the group solidarity are very satisfying and meaningful to John, whether or not John is the focus of attention.

Paul wants to be in control and can be very authoritarian (in a magnanimous sort of way, as in a 'benign dictatorship'), but John has a rather rebellious, freedom-loving nature and resists Authority. Though having no desire to be on top, John will not be compliant or domesticated either.

Also, Paul is loyal, intensely personal, and rather narcissistic, while John can be rather cool and impartially fair. Paul sometimes feels hurt by being treated 'just like everyone else'!

Mars Mutually Aspects Pluto

Your ability to work together with intense zeal and sense of mission is quite extraordinary. Bonding is very intense and you become very deeply and intimately involved with each other, so this relationship may well lead to marriage. Power struggles are very possible though; if you come to cross-purposes, one of you may try to dominate and manipulate the other. Your ego drives, competitiveness, and personal ambitions can get in the way of a truly cooperative, harmonious union.

John's Moon opposition Paul's Mars orb 0° 51'

This is a 'hot' relationship. Sexual and physical attraction is strong, tending to lead to hot pursuit of each other. Subtlety is lacking and one, or both, of you may feel your approach to sexuality is too aggressive or insensitive. You also enjoy competing with each other and working hard together. Competitive sports, games, and outdoor activities are good outlets. You must strive to avoid conflict because the aggressive quality of your relationship can easily flare into anger and hostility.

John's Moon opposition Paul's Pluto orb 0° 43'

There is an obsessive quality to the desire you feel for one another and the emotional intensity of this relationship may be more than either of you wants to handle. You are deeply attracted to each other, drawn to each other like magnets, and you 'get under each other's skin'. You find yourselves pouring out your deepest feelings to each other. Or you may struggle to hide your true feelings from each other, and consequently become enmeshed in a very complex emotional tangle. You may feel simultaneously intensely attracted and repulsed by each other. Bonding is intense, though, and you may evoke feelings of jealousy and possessiveness in each other as well. If either of you is unwilling to have your deepest feelings exposed and your ingrained habits challenged, you will find this relationship too stressful.

John's Pluto conjunct Paul's Mars orb 1° 30'

You draw out of each other your deepest drives and desires. The two of you arouse a zeal and sense of mission in each other that makes it possible for you to jointly accomplish extraordinary tasks. However, your fears and anxieties are brought to the surface too, and there is no guarantee that your zealousness will produce positive, constructive results. You may become fanatical in an extreme and unbalanced manner. Also, sexual passion, jealousy, and competition can be very volatile, disruptive, obsessive, and intense in this relationship.

John's Sun sextile Paul's Moon orb 1° 10'

You are drawn to one another because you instinctively understand each other. There are strong feelings of belonging, closeness, and acceptance between you. You blend and merge with one another very easily and a strong mutual interdependence is likely to develop very quickly. John, especially, feels affirmed and strengthened by Paul's support and 'backing'. Because of the deep affinity between you, you are more motivated and more able to overcome any problems or differences that arise in your relationship.

John's Sun trine Paul's Mercury orb 2° 5'

The mental rapport that you two share is a big reason why you enjoy each other's company and are good friends. Communication is open and harmonious. You work together very well on practical affairs, daily chores, problem-solving, and business activities.

John's Moon trine Paul's Saturn orb 1° 39'

There is a mature, stable, responsible tone to your relationship that makes you feel secure with each other. There is a great deal of trust and respect for each other. As you spend more time together, you will find that your tastes, priorities, and sense of what is really important in life becomes very compatible. If you marry and have children, you will work together well as parents, especially when difficulties and 'minor crises' arise.

John's Moon trine Paul's Uranus orb 1° 34'

There is an upbeat, enthusiastic, spontaneous quality to your relationship. You spark each other's imagination, creativity, and wit. You feel loose and uninhibited with each other, and you enjoy exploring life and sharing new experiences. Also, if you both enjoy dancing or playing music, you have found a wonderful dance and/or music partner. You spark each other's sense of rhythm, and you can work together very spontaneously, yet gracefully - an indication of sexual compatibility and satisfaction as well. (I LOVE THIS, even astrology wanted them to be musicians 😭🤣 it was written in the stars!)

John's Venus sextile Paul's Jupiter orb 1° 22'

Your relationship enjoys a high level of harmony, good will, and enthusiasm. The two of you invariably have an enjoyable time together, you have many friends, and you enjoy socializing and going out together. Financial and material benefits may also result for you both through this relationship.

John's Venus square Paul's Saturn orb 1° 59'

This relationship may very well lead to marriage, but there are some major negative tendencies that you both need to try to avoid. The proclivity to marriage stems from the strong sense of commitment, reliability, trustworthiness, faithfulness, and stability that this relationship offers. You both feel that you can count on each other and dedicate your lives to each other. However, this stable, reliable relationship can easily become boring, unexciting, and downright cold over time. John, in particular, is likely to feel stifled by the relationship. John may feel neglected, unloved, and unappreciated. Your tastes and interests are often different and you sometimes simply don't connect with each other on an emotional level. To prevent this relationship from drying up, you both must maintain your involvement in activities that inspire and uplift you, and maintain your friendships, hobbies, and entertainment you love - even when your partner does not share your enthusiasm for these activities.

John's Venus square Paul's Uranus orb 1° 14'

This relationship has an erratic, unstable, but exciting quality. Sexual attraction becomes very intense at times and at these moments you may feel like you cannot live without each other. But the feelings come and go quickly and they are not always reciprocated - your moods and desires get out of tune with each other, so that one of you may feel like partying and the other wants to have a quiet evening at home. The quality and nature of the relationship changes frequently. This is a difficult relationship to maintain over a long period of time but it is also difficult to break such an exciting relationship as well. If you want a permanent, close relationship, then both of you will need to be extremely flexible and willing to accept unexpected changes in your relationship and lifestyle.

John's Mars sextile Paul's Mars orb 0° 1'

You are able to work together very harmoniously and complement each other's efforts. You coordinate well on tackling daily chores and you are able to accomplish a great deal in almost any joint effort.

John's Mars square Paul's Jupiter orb 0° 49'

The two of you enjoy planning and designing methods for achieving success. You encourage each other to achieve your dreams and Paul frequently points out new avenues and grander vistas for John's talents and energy. However, the propensity to speculation and unrealistic optimism is also very strong, and many of your joint ventures are likely to prove wasteful, poorly timed, or extravagant.

John's Mars trine Paul's Saturn orb 2° 32'

You work together extremely well. You are able to focus on tasks, come to an agreement on what needs to be done, and get the job done. This is a tremendous asset for individuals that live together and build a life together because the need to coordinate on tasks, whether they are minor tasks like grocery shopping or major tasks like planning career goals, is a big part of everyone's life. You help each other to be clear about what is really important and how to accomplish your goals. You are able to concentrate and work together in a focused, disciplined, harmonious manner.

John's Mars trine Paul's Uranus orb 0° 41'

An electric, exciting quality infuses your relationship and you encourage one another to be bold, confident, and assertive. Vigorous physical activities, from love-making to sports, are good outlets for the vital dynamic energy you generate together.

John's Mars sextile Paul's Pluto orb 1° 36'

Bonding is strong and the two of you are able to work together effectively in achieving goals and objectives. If you share a similar hobby or profession, you can jointly develop creative works of high quality - a result of your combined dedication. As your relationship deepens, you will find that the two of you are able to assist each other immensely in achieving the goals and objectives that are most meaningful and important to you.

John's Neptune square Paul's Sun orb 0° 34'

You must guard against mutual deception and misunderstandings. Paul tends to have a glamorous and unrealistic view of John, and John has a tendency to unconsciously capitalize on Paul's imaginative and often simply erroneous perceptions. The tendency to be dishonest, hide things from each other, exaggerate, and spur each other to unrealistic hopes and dreams is very strong. Both of you must be able to distinguish fantasy from fact, and utilize the increased sensitivity and heightened imagination that you inspire in each other, without letting it cloud your ability to clearly and realistically see other and understand each other.

John's Ascendant trine Paul's Moon orb 2° 27'

There is a strong feeling of family and kinship between you. You have a natural affinity for each other and feel very at ease and comfortable with each other, so consequently your friendship is likely to be very long-lasting.

John's Ascendant sextile Paul's Mercury orb 1° 32'

Harmonious, open, and clear communication is so ingrained in your relationship that you probably take it for granted. You enjoy long talks and it seems that no matter how well you know each other, you continue to enjoy having time for long discussions.

END OF THE SHORT VERSION (sorry, I will not pay for more haha)

[randomfoggytiger]

Curated settle-down-frohike Fics

I adore these fics, written with a mixture of mature sweetness and youthful buoyancy. @settle-down-frohike often evokes the tiny, careful fumbles of new, awkward steps forward or the righteously incensed fury of condemnation or determination. Both are integral to Mulder and Scully as individuals and as a unit; and both are crafted into these pieces with startling clarity and simplicity.

These fics made an early and meaningful impact on my fandom experience; and I still cling tightly to them.

@settle-down-frohike: Masterlist and Ao3

MSR+the desert

He gives the space in front of him a blank once over, obviously preparing for a scathing trademark Mulder monologue, and she’s thinking: here it comes. Her chin raises in defiance, but she can feel her heart begin to pound. 

Post Never Again Mulder has reached his limit.

for the WIP prompt: hospital

“Mulder.” He glanced up, but past her. “I’m fine, Scully,” indignantly going back to the task at hand. And she’d have believed him too, if he wasn’t looking through her, if his pitch hadn’t been a little too high, if he hadn’t forgotten the fact that her shoes were the very last thing to put on and she wasn’t even out of her hospital gown yet. She allowed it out of pity, mostly. Or humor. But his hands shook, fumbling with the laces like a feening alcoholic.

Redux II Mulder is trying to hide his emotions behind preparations for Scully to come home. (Edit: confirmed to be Redux II, not Empedocles by the author! Yes, answers!)

120 for the drabble prompt

The last of these luxuries is currently failing at wiping burnt butter grease from her formerly spotless countertop when Scully, fresh from the hospital, comes wobbling in arm-in-arm with her mother, who’s exasperated expression at the unfamiliar acrid smell of the place is written clearly across her face. They are both damp and stumbling from the downpour outside and the shared clumsiness of her daughter on percocet. Maggie shoots him a flustered glance. The medical journals are new but soggy, waiting on her coffee table. The ice cream is now melted and leaking, forgotten to prevent the sounding of a smoke alarm. 

Post Tithonus Scully is both groggy and happy with Mulder's ministering mishaps. Maggie, not so much.

Luctus

Scully clasps her hands together, wanting to look as much like she is listening as possible, but more so to hide the fact that her hands are trembling. His eyes are glassy, wild and distant. She doesn’t know where this is going.

“I was her favorite you know.” She looks up and he’s staring straight into her. The uneasiness won’t let up. This brazenness is so unlike him. He’s nodding again. “I was,” his gaze focuses back to the wall now, “That’s why she chose her. It had to be,” and just as suddenly his head drops between his knees and his shoulders begin to shake in silent sobs. “It had to be, Scully. Why would she do that?” he croaks.

Post Sein und Zeit Scully has to get Mulder throw that one long, incredibly grueling night.

Sensory Integration (Tumblr)

Only people don’t talk directly to ghosts about their scars and miraculous healing and their perfect health. They’ve been circling each other cautiously since she came to retrieve him this morning. He senses her restlessness and gets the distinct impression that she’s holding back from latching into him and falling apart. He’s grateful for her restraint, because he can’t handle sudden movements right now. If she were to approach too fast in his direction, he’d end up curled in the fetal position somewhere in a corner, protecting his vital organs. He doesn’t know how he knows this, he just does. He’s like one giant Pavlovian experiment.

Stimulus.

Response.

Repeat.

Three Words, Mulder's PTSD, and Scully's heartbreaking understanding.

Magneticus

“Mulder, aren’t we supposed to have a wedding ring for this?” And the unintended double meaning isn’t lost on him. He can tell Scully is regretting the phrase immediately by the fact that she’s now holding her breath.

“You can use a needle too, Scully. Hold still.” Her eyes follow his hand warily as it stretches towards her cheek. “OW!!” He comes away with a single amber stand and carefully threads the eye, double loops it and dangles above her swollen middle. They wait. She sighs heavily.

“Mulder…”

“You know this practice isn’t without scientific theory Scully.” His voice has taken on that nasal quality it tends to when he’s talking mostly to himself.

S8 Mulder tries to determine the baby's gender with the ol' needle twirl. (The ending lines are seared into my brain, forever.)

Paternitas (Tumblr)

 I need to make sure the baby’s nurse comes back for a diaper check. This guy isn’t ready.  I note the various monitors and change her bag. 

 "Would you like to hold him?“ That gets him to look right at me, with an unidentifiable expression.  He looks over at the bassinet, back to me and his mouth opens, but nothing comes out. He’s blinking furiously.  Bless. Indecision and panic are clear as day in his eyes. But something else, too. He looks…guilty. It’s the strangest thing. I can sense that he wants to hold the baby but can’t bring himself to.

While Existence Scully is unconscious and recovering in Georgia, a local nurse looks after her barely functioning partner.

Headcanon

Only once had he feared the words had lost their meaning. He’d come out of his office, in a sparse moment of clarity and had called her name. She appeared from the kitchen, coffee in hand and hair mussed from slumber. It must have been morning. His name had ended with a question mark, clearly surprised by his emergence and the rest of the phrase had gone flat. Her eyes were wide but vacant, “I’m here.”

And then one day he emerged and found that she wasn’t.

My Struggle II Mulder and Scully: first names, nightmares, and comforting each other through the years.

5 Pt. AU Prompts - Chapter 2

Prognosis. Stunted and ignorant. Crushing her under its clumsy, suffocating weight of formality. What does it know. He is a miracle. And miracles defy logic.

AU-- Mulder gets cancer; and Scully is ready for war.

Thank you for reading~

Enjoy!

[megumi-fm]

this week on megumi.fm ▸ media analysis brainrot

📋 Tasks

💻 Internship ↳ setup Linux system on alternate drive (this took me wayy more time than i anticipated) ✅ ↳ install yet more dependencies ✅ ↳ read up on protein folding and families + CATH and SCOP classifications ✅ ↳ download protein structure repositories ✅ ↳ run protein modeller pipeline ✅ ↳ read papers [3/3] ✅ ↳ set up a literature review tracker ✅ ↳ code for a program to parse PDB files to obtain protein seq ✅ 🎓 Uni Final Project our manuscript got a conditional acceptance!! ↳ revise and update manuscript and images according to changes mentioned ✅ 🩺 Radiomics Projects ↳ feature extraction from radiomics data using variance-based analysis ✅ ↳ setup LASSO regression (errors? look into this) 📧 Application-related ↳ collect internship experience letter ✅ ↳ collect degree transcripts ✅ ↳ request for referee report from my prof ✅

📅 Daily-s

🛌 consistent sleep [6/7] (binge watched too much TV and forgot about bed time booo) 💧 good water intake [5/7] (need to start carrying a bottle to work) 👟 exercise [4/7] (I really need to find time between work to move around)

Fun Stuff this week

🧁 met up with my bestfriends! we collected the mugs we painted last year and gifted them to each other! we also surprised one of our besties by showing up at her place. had waffles too ^=^ 📘 met up with another close friend for dinner! hung out at a bookshop after <3 🎮back at game videos: watched this critique on a time loop game called 12 minutes //then i switched up and got super obsessed with this game called The Beginner's Guide. I watched a video analysis on it, then went on to watch the entire gameplay, then read an article on the game's concept and what it means to analyze art and yeah. wow. after which I finally started playing the game with my best friend!! 📺 ongoing: Marry my Husband, Cherry Magic Th, Last Twilight 📺 binged: Taikan Yoho (aka My Personal Weatherman), Hometown Cha Cha Cha 📹 Horror Storytelling in the internet era

📻 This week's soundtrack

so. the Taikan Yoho brainrot was followed by me listening entirely to songs that evoked similar emotions to watching the main couple. personal fav emotions include a love that feels like you could die, a love that feels like losing yourself, a love that makes you feel like you could disappear, a love asking to be held, a love that reminds you that you're not alone, and a love that feels like a promise <3

---

[Jan 15 to 21; week 3/52 || I am having a blast at work ♡ I feel like I'm really learning and checking out a lot of cool stuff. That being said, I think I'm slacking when it comes to my daily routines in regards to my health. and I'm spending wayy too much time chained to my desk. maybe I'll request for an option to work from home so that I can cut on time taken on commute and spend that time exercising or walking

also. my obsession with tv shows is getting a bit. out of hand I think. not that it's particularly an issue? but I think I should switch back to my unread pile of books (or resume magpod) instead of spending my evenings on ki**a*ian. this could be unhealthy for my eyes in the long run, considering my work also involves staring at a screen all day. let's see.]

[caitlynmeow]

Did the daughters have an adolescent crisis or like a rebellious phase and how did Alcina deal with it ?

Generally the daughters were a handful and Alcina isn’t going to say otherwise. She did bear three very strong headed daughters and at times she wondered if passing her genes was such a good idea. But this is Alcina, she is warm and affectionate but when the daughter push her far enough, they meet another side of their mother they’d rather not meet a lot. Luckily, her daughters are smart enough not to push that far because mama’s wrath is that last thing they want to evoke and life is much better when their mama is happy with them. Because Alcina is very stern when needed, and her word is law. Whatever she says is going to happen and no amount of tears sway her. So it’s better not that get her to that point and everyone is happy. Though life is not always so perfect. As the daughter got older and were in their teenage years, things did get rocky. Bela didn’t really get into a rebellious phase compared with her sisters. Often, Bela was content being on their mother’s side when it came to a lot of things. She is her mother’s right hand and she took pride in it. Of course, she is only a child still, and at times she got testy and tried to go against her mother. But it doesn’t last long because one look from Alcina is enough to bring her back to the straight and narrow. Bela is a rule follower and she is quickly brought back to sanity when she feels that she has gone too far.

Bela did go through a crisis because she does have a lot on her plate. Between maintaining perfection, managing her sisters (not the easiest task in the world), and being around her mother- the eldest Dimitrescu daughter was prone to breakdowns when things got too much.

Alcina tries to lessen the responsibility, but there are certain things that only Bela is capable of. She knows that the younger two are not as capable or organized as she is. For that, Alcina would remove certain tasks to allow Bela more free time and to just rest. But Bela being who she is, she'd think that her mother sees her less capable/not trusting her and she'd eat at herself for a whole different reason.

There was no winning with Bela. Alcina found that it's best to keep things as they are as Bela's guilt shows and she hates to be the reason for it.

Cassandra- Alcina has always prided herself on being a very patient person who could tolerate a lot from her teenage daughters (but that’s only Bela so it’s fake) Cassandra however proved to be a challenge. Alcina’s second daughter lived off of pushing the limits. While Alcina could give Bela some leeway with some rules, doing so with Cassandra is a big fat no. Cassandra doesn’t listen. She does what she wants when she wants and she thinks if she holds her ground long enough mama is going to relent. Little does she know that her mama can outlast all three sisters without breaking any sweat. Does Cassandra realize this? No. Cassandra also doesn’t take too kindly to hearing ‘no’. Her brain doesn’t process it and she ignores it and does as she pleases. Too bad for her, her mother is not someone who’d let these things go. Unlike her sisters, Cassandra is very sensitive and emotional even when she hides it so well. Alcina is Cassandra’s rock, she is a steady unyielding presence amidst the crashing waves that even she struggles with sometimes. Cassandra is intense and very very stubborn. Her rebellion is a driving force and she is often met with a strong mother who never ever relents. Alcina knows that with Cassandra it’s a waiting game. Rules must be very clear, and consequences even clearer. When her middle daughter gets herself into trouble, she knows exactly what awaits her at the end of that. By far, Cassandra is very challenging because she is always doing the exact opposite of what her mother says. At times, Alcina wondered if she was doing it on purpose to give her mother a hard time or if she was just being an insane teenager. She reasons that it’s the latter, always. Because despite that, Cassandra and she are very close. She reminds herself that her daughter going off the rails for no reason is because she feels secure with her, that no matter how absolutely insane and difficult she is, her mother is always there for her. Alcina also knows that Cassandra is testing her. Her confident strong-willed daughter feels insecure at times. It’s why she pushes and pushes just so that she can confirm that her mother is there. Alcina doesn’t let any of these things slide. She is always there to remind her daughter that she’s there to love her no matter what. Though, no, she is never exempt from punishment because she earned every bit of it. Alcina also knows that Cassandra’s stubbornness and resilience are those of her own. At times, the woman catches herself admiring her daughter before catching herself and remembering that she needs to parent and discipline her wild daughter. Ironically, though it’s no surprise to anyone, Cassandra is the one who ended up grounded the most. She often brings it up, claiming that she’s probably the least favorite because Bela and Daniela didn’t get grounded as much. But Alcina is always there to remind her that it’s her actions that led her to this. And besides, when she’s grounded she spends more time with her mother so the least favorite allegations are not true (she thinks she can use it as a bargaining chip but this doesn’t work with her mother)

Daniela- From a young age, Daniela proved to be independent and confident in herself. Of course, this dependence translated to her thinking she's as old are her sisters and thus should be allowed to do the same things that they do.

Alcina, on her part, often found it hard to deny her youngest anything. Daniela doesn't ask for much, and she's usually soft as a dove.

As she got older, Daniela tried to rebel against the very lax rules that were implemented. But unlike Cassandra, her outbursts are short and she's easily distracted by something else.

Daniela always thought it was unfair. Her sisters only have their mother to deal with, while she has her mother AND Bela. She tries to be like Cassandra, but every time she tries to sneak out she is caught. She is never as stealthy and her plans are never that thoroughly thought out.

This is not to say things were smooth sailing with her. Because like Cassandra, she doesn't take kindly to 'no' and she isn't above throwing a tantrum over things not going her way. But being the youngest, and after Cassandra. Alcina barely bats an eyelash because try as she might, Dani is not as intense as Cassandra and all her attempts at rebellion are tame in comparison (when she was twelve, Cassandra did try to sneak out through the roof of the castle one time using only a rope; she ended up falling and breaking her leg and elbow and while she was at the hospital she had the audacity to ask Alcina if she isn't grounded anymore to which Alcina said 'you're grounded for the next six months' so on top of being broken in several places she managed to extend her punishment this is why Dani is very tame in comparison)



[astroismypassion]

What's the difference between Mars in the 1st house, and Mars in the 8th house? People say both are powerful and sexual placements, but I feel like there's more to it than that.

Hi!

This is a cool cool question.

MARS IN THE 1ST HOUSE

when they make a mistake, they ALWAYS know THEY are in the wrong, their ego could be hurt or they might not want to admit the mistake, but they will always be accountable and aware that the mistake was fully on them

however, with Mars in the 8th this might very well NOT be the case, they are so interconnected with the other person's feelings, thoughts and actions that they don't know where they end and where the other person starts, lack of clear boundaries firstly within themselves if you ask me, because they need OTHER PEOPLE to survive and REFLECT their own IDENTITY BACK to them, meanwhile Mars in the 1st is already fully aware of their own identity, who they are, what they like, dislike, their actions, motives and traits

great athletic potential and skills, even if they don't even work out on a regular basis, they are still very skilled and might just wing it

very fun, adventurous, down to try everything at least once

does a lot of things on the spur of the moment

also, can we talk about how they procrastinate and one day later they schedule 5 meetings in a day and do it all at once? They might decide to meet with friends, finish an essay, study for an exam, go to the gym, just fully productive in one day

they are really focused on start and finishing a task in a short time frame, for them it's not so about details (like Mars in the 8th house), but they just want to say that they have finished it or done it

they will brag or tell you about stuff they've done before

MARS IN THE 8TH HOUSE

far far more reactive than Mars in the 1st house due to paranoia, past betrayals, trust difficulties

then CAN act very defensive and don't take enough responsibilities for their own emotional hurt or emotional reactions

they might be so convinced that their reaction was caused by the other person, that the feel like THE OTHER PERSON needs to take accountability and/or apologize

they can easily upset other people as well or evoke strong emotional hurt in other people, but then they put it on THEM, like Mars in the 8th house is not responsible for other people, but for themselves

so it's like a weird mix of being on their own, independent and standing behind their own action, yet at other times highly interconnected with other people's reactions, thoughts, emotions

meanwhile, Mars in the 1st house will always take accountability, because they always know they are on their own

don't get fooled by their strong nature, they don't actually know themselves that well deep down, so they constantly need other people around to mirror their traits, emotions, actions back to them

very nerdy

secretly might be low key afraid of their father figure and other male figures in life

loves sensual, quality lingerie

a bookworm too

they know so many random, fun facts, it's like their mind knowledge is endless well, it just never stops, they always surprise with new information, new knowledge

not so open to try everything once, UNLESS their friend recommended it

but other than that they are not so spontaneous with trying new stuff, actions, because they have prejudgements, pre-ideas about a topic and they already know in advance that some actvitiy just won't be enjoyable for them

they rely on inspiration and/or caffeine do meet the deadline

similar to Virgo Mars, can be too stuck in routines or their own daily schedule that they became negative and low energy because of it

they will keep a mystery or won't reveal as quickly their previous accomplishments or what they have done, they won't flaunt as much

I hope this answered some of your inquiries.

@astroismypassion

[noirpalette]

Caravaggio. (1605). San Gerolamo, <<Saint Jerome Writing>>.

"Saint Jerome Writing" is a captivating masterpiece crafted by the renowned Italian Baroque artist, Caravaggio. The painting, completed in the early 17th century, portrays the revered figure of Saint Jerome in a profoundly introspective moment of deep contemplation and devotion.

At the heart of the composition, the aged and bearded Saint Jerome is seated at a simple wooden desk, dressed in the traditional red robes of a cardinal. Bathed in a soft, warm light that emanates from an unseen source, Caravaggio skillfully accentuates the textures of the saint's wrinkled skin and coarse beard. The play of light and shadow adds a mesmerizing realism to the scene, highlighting the artist's unparalleled mastery of chiaroscuro.

Saint Jerome's face exudes a sense of profound focus, as his deep-set eyes intently scan the pages before him. With his left hand grasping a quill pen and his right hand gently cradling a large open book, the saint appears fully absorbed in his scholarly task of translating the scriptures.

Around him, the sparse and dimly lit setting hints at a contemplative atmosphere. An array of ancient scrolls, a crucifix, and a human skull, symbolizing mortality and reflection, lie scattered across the desk, underscoring the theme of the passage of time and the transience of earthly life.

Caravaggio's unparalleled attention to detail and extraordinary ability to evoke emotions through dramatic lighting and composition make "Saint Jerome Writing" a quintessential example of Baroque art. The painting not only captures the essence of Saint Jerome's scholarly pursuits but also transcends its religious subject to invite viewers into a moment of profound meditation on the human condition.

As one of Caravaggio's most iconic works, "Saint Jerome Writing" stands as a testament to the artist's groundbreaking artistic vision and the timeless allure of his masterful brushwork, leaving an indelible impression on art lovers and historians alike for generations to come.

[chefboyar-zeee]

Round Table: Trolls

In what ways does the film’s score situate the story with its narrative context?

Since music is a central theme in the "Trolls" film, the score incorporates various musical styles and motifs that complement the storyline. This includes original songs written for the film, as well as musical references to popular songs from different genres and eras. By integrating these musical elements into the score, the film's music reinforces its thematic focus on the power of music to bring people together and uplift spirits.

The score may also reflect the personalities of the characters and the different worlds they inhabit. For instance, the music associated with the Trolls may be bright and catchy, while the music associated with the Bergens, the film's antagonists, may be more ominous or somber. These musical distinctions help to differentiate between the various characters and settings in the film.

Some Examples:

After Branch demonstrates a poor nighttime routine when sleeping with Polly, she tries to match his energy singing even if he doesn’t enjoy the singing itself. So she sings “The Sound of Silence” by Disturbed, with her own Polly twist. Ultimately, he rejects it by throwing her ukulele away in the fire.

When the audience doesn’t know much about the Bridget character, the audiences is introduced to her through song expressing her longing for King Gristle.

How do songs use character performance to push cultural authenticity in the film’s diegesis?

Poppy sings “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior, when talking about the huge troll celebration that everyone is excited for. It’s a very reaffirming and fun song to get the people ready to party together. Every song is full of the entire troll community, showing their love and connection with each other. They sing of everybody being united, which is quickly shown to not be the case.

Although Armstrong is writing in conversation with Disney and cultured groups, and I am analyzing a fantasy film involving Trolls, what she has to say about fantastical themes and epic performances still applies. The music in fantasy films tends to have epic themes that evoke a sense of adventure, heroism, and magic. The use of sweeping melodies, dramatic crescendos, and majestic motifs helps to transport the audience into the fantastical realms depicted on screen (Armstrong, 2018).

In what ways does the film use musical “framing” to structure the score within familiarized styles?

By framing unfamiliar sounds within a familiar musical context, filmmakers can create contrast and emphasis on specific moments or themes in the film. The juxtaposition of different musical styles can highlight key emotional beats, character developments, or narrative shifts, enhancing the overall impact of the storytelling.

The songs come in when characters are having moments of extreme hope or need to inspire one another

The songs are meant to hype up the characters to execute some form of difficult task (I Will Bet Back Up Again)

Because of Poppy’s character, a significant portion of the film, specifically recalled plans or imaginative ideas, are shown in storybook (scrapbooking) which immerses you more into the fantastical world of Trolls.

#oxyfilmmusical #animatedmusical @theuncannyprofessoro

[kavaeric]

Run of "Yinmai Cinematic" commissions from 2022. Commentary on each piece (yes, each) below.

I learned that I really, really liked comms where I was tasked to tell a story in a single still composition. The Yinmai series of commissions was an experiment in limiting/directing the prompts to suit this desire: the composition is inherently limited with the anamorphic-esque crop, which means having a typical character-on-white-background comm isn't really possible. The space around a character becomes exaggerated and emphasised, and so by nature this comm style forces you to engage in visual storytelling.

Luckily, I seem to have really good clients who know how to rise to the occasion. I actually had a contingency tier for Yinmai, where I would accept avatar/portrait comms for those not interested in the whole cinematic affair—no one took me up on it.

In order of appearance:

AstroVernox

She commissioned me years ago, before she came out as trans. I think her initial prompt was actually a more mundane scene of being in a cupola, but to work with the drama of yinmai we agreed to adjust it, as well as making a bit of a reference to her transition.

Noir

A fun experiment in quads composition, where the negative space around the subject is further exaggerated and creates a strong sense of empathy. Good for a bit of horror.

Flake (Light Era diagetic)

Ditto as above. One of the two trial comms before I opened publicly. The character of theirs is Trellis, and they included a Dropbox folder of inspiration images; one of them was of the hydroponics scene from the film Sunshine. I incorporated that into this.

Fosh (Light Era diagetic)

She wanted a piece about being out in the field in the Olympic forests. I had a lot of fun with the trees and the colour in the sky makes it really stand out amongst this set.

Taky (no social media) (Light Era diagetic)

They requested them as a Wintertide Adept, which got me a bit hesitant since I never liked to romanticise the military aspect of Light Era too much, but I read their prompt further and they requested a more sombre mood of anticipation, maybe dread. A great example of a client understanding the assignment, if you will. I thought about showing the feeling of isolation by strategically placing the window frame to separate him and the rest of the group in the background.

Forth & Hydrophagist

The other trial comm of this series. The dramatic nature of Yinmai means it's predisposed to show character at a moment of weakness or emotional vulnerability. It makes me more comfortable portraying military themes as it moves it away from ideas of dominance or strength.

Ashii (Light Era diagetic)

Much the same as above, but taken to a larger scale—a little more chaotic, a little more frantic. Playing with depth was very fun. This one is the most popular piece of the series, apparently.

Panzica

Prompt was making a call under the feeling of uncertainty, if I recall correctly. I sneakily referenced a police interrogation room for the environment. The worm's eye view works for the idea, but I feel like I could have executed the anatomy better.

Phenokage

The prompt was of their character, Trouble, whose backstory is a lot of them learning how to deal with being turned into a macro; feelings of being out of place and learning to cope felt resonant as someone of Asian descent living in a foreign country. I felt like I could evoke this feeling by trapping her between a building and the cage-like railings of an expressway headed in the wrong direction.

[chattingwiththelightkeeper]

Ritualistic Intimacy

In the world of D/S, rituals can play a profound role in deepening the connection between dominants and submissives. These carefully crafted routines and behaviors serve as symbolic expressions of commitment, trust, and intimacy, enhancing the overall dynamics of a lifestyle relationship. Today let’s delve into the significance of rituals for submissives, exploring how they can enrich and strengthen the bond within a D/S partnership.

Rituals in a D/S context encompass a wide range of activities, behaviors, and routines that hold symbolic meaning within the power exchange dynamic. These rituals can be physical, verbal, or symbolic expressions designed to reinforce the roles and commitments of both dominants and submissives. They often serve as anchors, grounding the partners in the shared values and dynamics of their unique relationship.

How rituals enhance a lifestyle relationship:

Symbolism and Significance: Rituals provide a tangible way to symbolize the power exchange dynamic. From specific greetings and postures to daily routines, each ritual carries a unique significance that reinforces the roles and expectations within the D/S relationship. The symbolism behind these actions fosters a sense of purpose and commitment.

Consistency and Predictability: Consistent rituals create a sense of predictability and stability within the relationship. Submissives often find comfort and security in knowing what to expect, fostering a deeper trust in their dominant partner. The regularity of rituals helps build a routine that becomes a shared language between dominants and submissives.

Emotional Connection: Rituals provide opportunities for emotional connection and bonding. Whether it's a specific phrase, gesture, or routine, these shared moments deepen the emotional intimacy between partners. The repetition of rituals can evoke strong emotional responses, creating a unique and profound connection.

Mindfulness and Presence: Engaging in rituals requires a heightened level of mindfulness and presence. Submissives learn to be fully present in the moment, focusing on the dynamics of the power exchange. This increased awareness strengthens the connection between partners and enhances the overall experience of the D/S lifestyle.

Sense of Purpose and Identity: For submissives, participating in rituals often provides a sense of purpose and identity within the D/S dynamic. These behaviors become an integral part of their role, offering a structured framework through which they express submission and find fulfillment.

Here are some ideas/examples of D/S rituals:

Adorning Yourself with Symbols of Submission:

Wearing symbols of submission, such as a discreet collar or jewelry, serves as a constant reminder of the submissive's commitment and devotion. It creates a visible, tangible link to the D/S dynamic, fostering a sense of connection even in everyday life. Choose a symbol that resonates with your dynamic. Wear it with pride, discussing its significance with your dominant. This can be an intimate moment of sharing and reaffirmation.

Ritual of Service:

Performing acts of service joyfully communicates devotion and reinforces the power exchange dynamic. It creates a tangible expression of submission and allows the dominant to feel cared for and respected. Discuss with your dominant the type of service that would be meaningful for them. It could be a specific chore, a pampering ritual, or any task that brings them comfort. Approach it with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to serve.

Ritual of Self-Reflection:

Self-reflection promotes personal growth and allows the submissive to communicate evolving desires and needs. Sharing these reflections with the dominant fosters open communication and strengthens the connection. Schedule regular quiet moments for self-reflection. Consider keeping a journal to document thoughts and insights. Share these reflections with your dominant during designated times for open and honest communication.

Personalized Journaling:

Journaling provides a private space for the submissive to explore thoughts, desires, and reflections. It becomes a tool for self-discovery and a means of sharing innermost thoughts with the dominant. Dedicate time regularly to journaling. Create a personalized journal that reflects your personality and submission. Share selected entries with your dominant, fostering a deeper understanding of your inner self.

Mindful Breathing Ritual:

Mindful breathing serves as a grounding practice, helping the submissive center themselves during moments of stress. It contributes to a sense of tranquility and reinforces submission. Practice mindful breathing during stressful situations or as a daily grounding exercise. Share the experience with your dominant, expressing how it contributes to your well-being.

Weekly Ritual of Devotion:

Devotion rituals allow the submissive to express dedication through special acts or gestures. It becomes a recurring demonstration of commitment, reinforcing the power exchange dynamic. Establish a weekly devotion ritual. Discuss with your dominant the type of act or gesture that would hold special significance. Consistency is key to building the ritual's impact.

Ritual of Self-Care:

Prioritizing self-care ensures the submissive's well-being, enabling them to better serve their Dominant. It reinforces the mutual commitment to holistic care within the D/S dynamic. Develop a self-care routine that aligns with your needs and preferences. Share this routine with your dominant, emphasizing its role in enhancing your ability to fulfill your submissive role.

Research and Understanding Ritual:

Dedicate time to research and understand new aspects of the D/S dynamic. This ritual fosters continual growth, knowledge, and shared exploration within the relationship. Choose a specific topic or aspect of D/S to research. Share your findings with your dominant, initiating discussions that contribute to mutual understanding and growth.

Ritual of Gratitude:

Expressing gratitude for the lessons and growth experienced through the journey of submission reinforces positive aspects of the D/S dynamic. It fosters appreciation and acknowledgment. Set aside moments for expressions of gratitude. This could be done verbally, through written notes, or gestures. Share your feelings of appreciation with your dominant, creating a positive atmosphere within the relationship.

Ritual of Affirmation:

Reciting empowering mantras or affirmations reinforces the submissive's commitment and worth. It becomes a ritual of self-affirmation and acknowledgment within the D/S dynamic. Develop a set of affirmations that resonate, and recite them regularly, especially during moments of self-reflection or stress. Share these affirmations with your dominant, creating a positive and empowering dialogue within the relationship.

In the tapestry of D/S, rituals serve as threads that weave together the intricate dynamics of a lifestyle relationship. For submissives, these carefully crafted routines provide not only a sense of structure and purpose but also a powerful means of expressing submission and strengthening the connection with their dominant partner. As with any aspect of a D/S relationship, open communication, mutual consent, and ongoing exploration are key to discovering the rituals that resonate and enhance the unique bond between dominants and submissives.

If you enjoyed this, I invite you to give my podcast a listen 'Chatting With The Lightkeeper,' a top 25% most-followed podcasts on Spotify but available on all the major podcasting apps and follow my socials for more exclusive content: Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) for a deeper dive into the wonderful world of D/S.

As with all of my thoughts, please see this disclaimer.

©TLK2024