#vint trash

[thegalaxyonherlips]

Fast fashion: please note, that when the waist band goes up, the material should also increase too, sincerely my flat but big ass that doesn't want to always be on show in any short/pencil skirt I wear.

[coveredinredpaint]

Im an aspiring punk here ive wanting to start making my own stuff maby start a batle jacket or patch pants or somthing but those projects sound a bit intimidating. Do you have any recmondations on a good place to start?

hey ey!

to begin sorry for the late reply, i got a lot going on currently

to begin id advise collecting inspo for what kinda jackets/pants you want first. i use pinterest, tumblr and etsy to find inspo for my diy stuff. i like to sketch out different designs for my projects before making them, so i can try out what fits and what doesnt.

to practice id say starting by making patches and sewing them (use dental floss, its cheap and incredibly strong and durable) on for example a bag is the simplest way to introduce urself to patchmaking and sewing. i advise using the whip stitch to sew them on. when youre a bit more confident in ur skill level one of the easiest projects to start is a battlevest, since its mostly flat and straight fabric its easy to sew on and modify. most people find denim more difficult to sew on cause of its sturdiness but i prefer it for exactly that quality, it prevents the fabric from moving/stretching too much

you dont need expensive supplies, even stuff that might be seen as trash is very useful for punk diys, some old cloths and acrylic/fabric paint will already be enough for patches. i got a tutorial on my blog for stenciling them (let me know if you want me to link it). soda tabs can be used to make buttons/pins, chainmail, chains, and so much more. bottlecaps can also be made into different types of buttons/pins and chains (and more stuff i cant think of rn). you can get chains for cheap from hardware stores, id also keep an eye out for those chain dog collars in yardsales and such, theyre often very good quality (i got 3 all secondhand).

on that note, where can you find ur stuff for projects?? i get almost all my stuff secondhand. ive got at least 4 thriftstores nearby, and there are often fleamarkets around my area, which i always try to go to when i have the chance. fleamarkets are often announced in local newspapers or on posters around town. you might also find em by googling ur towns name and then "fleamarket" or "yardsale". if you live in a remote area where these things just dont exist i advise asking family/friends if they got old stuff they wanna get rid off. or to use online secondhand stores like vinted or depop (altho depop sellers often overprice, keep an eye out for cheap deals) for stuff you really cant get secondhand like spikes etc. i advise etsy. also if youre US based studsandspikes.com has tons of different spikes for cheap.

an important thing to remember is that your stuff wont and doesnt have to look perfect. your stuff will be messy and sometimes a project totally doesnt end up how you want and thats okay. fuck around and find out!

[heyy-dont-mind-me]

Hey guys, just wanted to ask what is the most craziest thing you two have done throughout your relationship experience? (Btw have some more snacks, got too many on me currently) also if you guys watch any tv shows? I’m personally a cartoon guy myself but also watch marvel movies time to time.

Scott: we've had our fair share of crazy stuff that happened throughout our friendship..

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Onceler: there was that time we got drunk and trashed our retail workplace and wore bride dresses.

Scott: there was that time to see how many snakes could be lured out if I stayed still for the night (it was alot).

Onceler: right, that time we had to steal a recipe of a bakery because you wanted to know how to make it.

Scott: and you love it

Onceler: touché but still.

Scott: for TV shows, we don't really have access to cable over here, so we end up watching movies we can rent or buy.

.

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Vint's note: they craziest thing they both did is actually when they both went to Vegas and they both got drunk and married each other. (They lost the certificate but I'm sure it's in the records)

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[ko-existing]

I’m not sure if you have answered these questions already but I’d like to knowing what your favourite styles or concepts of fashion are, what combinations and parings you like in fashion or characteristics an outfit you like seeing on others or doing with your own. (I’m sorry if that didn’t make any sense.)

What’s your favourite silhouette of a piece of clothing and do you have any brands and stylists you like?

And I’d also like to know your favourite brand of hot chocolate and how you like to eat Tsampa!

I’m so sorry that was a lot but I’m curious because you seem like such an interesting and cool person :)

oh thank you, you're too kind😄 long answer again:

I don’t really have a favorite silhouette when it comes to fashion. I’m a huge fan of oversized T-shirts and loose stretchy pants though. I basically wear anything and everything — I'm just not a fan of showing a lot of skin, like those tiny skirts. Not because I couldn’t wear them, but I just don't feel the need to. In general, I like clothes that kind of cover my shape a bit. Oversized tees are my go-to because they're just so comfortable, and you can move freely. I think it’s partly a sensory thing too — I don’t like tight stuff on my skin unless it’s an undershirt or something under my nursing uniform. Compression shirts are the exception because they have a nice feeling, but otherwise, loose > tight.

As for brands — I don't really have one favorite. I just like brands that do their own thing. If you've been following me for a while, you’ve probably seen me post a lot about SKOOT Apparel (a South Korean brand). I didn’t like their really early stuff because it was actually ugly — but in a good way? They lived up to their "ugly is good" motto. I love their current oversized designs though. I mostly collect SKOOT pieces because they're too good to wear daily!

I also collect vintage — like old Tupac shirts, old Movie shirts, vintage anime shirts — because the quality is way better and there's meaning and history in them. I really hate fast fashion and almost never buy it anymore. My closet now is mostly from more expensive brands or secondhand sites like vinted, Depop, Bunjang (Korea), Taobao (China) or Xianyu (China’s secondhand Taobao). I really love niche & Streetwear brands because they're usually way more creative but it depends on the piece.

• About bigger brands:

I like New Balance 530s — they're super comfortable. I used to like Nike’s Air Monarch IVs but they changed the sole and now they squeak on day one (I checked Reddit, I’m not alone😵‍💫). I don't buy Nike or Adidas much, but I have to say Adidas' Chinese New Year collections are really beautiful and creative. Adidas > Nike lately imo. I recently found their "Blue Version" Collection on ebay. It's incredible how they don't look like Adidas at all. Love it. Puma isn't really my thing either, except their Puma x Fenty by Rihanna collections — loved each one.

I’m also a huge fan of Ader Error (South Korean brand), Haderlump Atelier (Germany brand) and the Miu Miu x New Balance collab — I have sneakers from them. And Balenciaga… yeah, Balenciaga has my whole heart. They literally don't care what anyone thinks, and I love that. Their collabs are incredible — like their platform Crocs boots and "Planet Earth" Connection, I needed to get them. A lot of their stuff is "ugly," but it's intentionally ugly and that's why it's iconic. I like the 3XL & Runners I had both and sold them again. I don't have the 6XL (formerly 10XLs) because they weren't my taste but I liked the concepts, very fun! Overall, I have more tshirts from them. They even made a literal trash bag dress just to prove a point. I love that kind of unbothered attitude. One thing I didn’t like: the Kim Kardashian collab Tshirt. Super unnecessary and trashy honestly. Glad it didn’t sell well.

I have… interesting spending habits (borderline a problem). If I see something super eye-catching, I have to have it, even if it's stupid.

When it comes to favorite pairings or outfit combos, I don’t really have a set style either. I love when people wear something totally unexpected or out of the ordinary. I even saw a girl in cosplay last week, I couldn't stop smiling. I think it’s so cute when people fully express themselves, even if others judge. I just love seeing creativity.

Overall, I don't think I hate any style — except like… the stuff from Fashion Nova or Shein. It's just cheap, tacky, and thoughtless. There's no soul in it. If you walked around in Germany or China wearing some of those very.. revealing outfits, people would genuinely stare like you lost your mind🙂

I have so much to say but I'll save it for another time or another question😭 In short, i'm everywhere and nowhere. Gucci, Hermes, LV, BAPE, etc not my taste, very critical of them.

Hot chocolate: My favorite brand is Teekanne (a German brand). They have single sachets or 50-pack boxes. But lately, I don't drink it much anymore — it's too hot outside, and I got a little tired of chocolate anyway. Also, I don’t like milk, and luckily you can drink it without milk.

Tsampa: I eat Tsampa like porridge! I usually mix it with soy milk or just plain water. Super quick. There's a reason it’s a staple food in Tibet!☀️

[zombiefishgirl]

I was tagged by @im-on-fire-today for the last sentence meme

Madrigal's Muse, a light wine that some philistines compared to Vint-9 Rowan's Rose but it was Lucanis' opinion that most, if not all Tevinter wines were trash and not fit to grace Mara's lips.

I tag @raven-6-10 and @anotherdayforchaosfay

[tired-truffle]

Something's Gotta Give

A CullenxLavellan fic

Chapter Word Count: 4.4k

Part 32 - A 'Vint, an Inquisitor, a Qunari and a Spirit-Possessed Mage Walk into a Bar

Tag list: @thomrainierapologist (If you'd like to be added to the tag list, let me know!)

“I found him carefully studying me, his lips in a thin line. 'Has anyone ever taken care of you?' he asked quietly.”

Warning: Canon typical talks of emotional abuse from a parent and later on memories of violence against a child (Ash's backstory)

Masterlist

Ash leaned against the weathered stone wall of the Gull and Lantern, her eyes scanning the bustling Redcliffe marketplace. The late afternoon sun set on the horizon, hidden behind the ubiquitous Ferelden clouds. Iron Bull stood beside her, his massive frame dwarfing her own, his single eye alert and watchful.

"Think they're alright in there?" Ash asked, fidgeting with her staff. The tavern door remained stubbornly closed, muffling any sounds from within. Dorian had been uncharacteristically silent on the journey to the Hinterlands to meet with his father’s retainer. From what Ash knew of the man - which was very little, though none of it good - she wasn’t surprised that Dorian was preoccupied. It was cruel of the man to send a retainer to upend his son’s life. Would he have done so if Dorian hadn’t made a name for himself within the Inquisition? Cashing in on his estranged son’s fame.

Bull grunted, his horns catching the fading sunlight as he shifted his weight. "Dorian can handle himself. And Boss is in there, too. Between the two of them, I almost feel sorry for this retainer they're meeting."

Ash laughed quietly - more of a breathy exhale - though it did little to ease the knot of tension in her stomach. “You’re right on that one.” She sighed. "We're out here as the backup muscle, but I feel like we're just twiddling our thumbs."

"Sometimes being the muscle means waiting. Dorian knows we've got his back if things go south in there."

"True," Ash conceded. "Though I suspect that’s also why we’re out here and not in there with him and Rae. He knows we'd end up trashing half the tavern and that representative if he said something wrong. Probably make things worse with his father in the long run."

A group of children darted past, their shrieking laughter bouncing off the stone buildings. Ash’s fingers twitched, itching to reach for her staff at every sudden movement or loud noise. Before they’d departed Skyhold, Ash had spoken with the Seeker about a private matter - that the other woman had been mildly embarrassed to answer - and now watching the children run by, she couldn’t help but let her mind drift to the soft smile that Cullen had given her as they left the confines of the Keep. He hadn’t known that she’d gone to Cassandra instead of him - she hadn’t want to upset him or make him feel inadequate with her line of questioning - but it had been important. She’d already had her suspicions, and Cassandra had confirmed them. Perhaps she’d bring it up with him another time when she felt ready. They had time.

"You know," Bull said, changing the topic - a distraction from his concern for his lover that he wouldn’t admit. "I've seen a lot of family dynamics in my time, but you and the Inquisitor? You two are something else."

Ash raised an eyebrow, turning to face him. "Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?"

Bull shrugged, his massive shoulders rolling like small mountains. Ash wondered if he’d ever started a miniature avalanche with those things. "Just that you've got each other's backs, no matter what. It's good. Rare, even."

"We've been through a lot together," Ash said softly. "Rae's all I've got."

"Not anymore," Bull pointed out, his eye fixed on the tavern door. "You've got us now, too, and the Commander."

Heat rose to her cheeks at the mention of Cullen. "I suppose you're right," she admitted, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"'Course I am," Bull grinned, nudging her with his elbow and almost sending her flying - she stumbled, but managed to catch herself on her staff, shooting Bull an unimpressed glare.

The tavern door slammed open, startling Ash and Bull - well, it startled Ash, Bull was as unfazed as always. Dorian stormed out, his face twisted in anguished fury. He strode past them without a word, his shoulders rigid and fists clenched at his sides.

Rae emerged moments later, her eyes flashing with barely contained rage. She shook her head sharply as Ash opened her mouth to speak, jerking her chin to indicate they should follow Dorian's retreating form.

"What happened?" Ash hissed as they fell into step several feet behind the fuming Tevinter mage. "Is he alright?"

Rae's jaw clenched, her gaze fixed ahead. "Give him space," she said. "It wasn't a retainer. His father showed up in person."

"What?" Ash growled, her fingers instinctively curling around her staff. Bull remained silent, no doubt thinking along the same lines as Ash, though much too stoic to voice it. Love stirred within her, responding to the surge of protective anger. "That manipulative bastard-"

"Trust me," Rae cut her off, grabbing Ash's arm to keep her from turning back to the Tavern and giving Dorian’s father a piece of her mind - and fist. "It took all my willpower not to strangle the man myself. He’s…worse than I realized. Let's set up camp at the nearest Inquisition outpost. Dorian will find us when he's ready."

Ash wanted to argue, but she knew Rae was right. She’d be doing Dorian no favours if she beat his father to a pulp. That honour should be reserved for him.

Sighing, Ash resigned herself to a long night of waiting. They headed to camp, a small clearing in the hills staffed by Inquisition agents. As night approached and her restlessness hadn’t settled, Ash volunteered to fetch water from a nearby stream.

The forest hummed with the chirping of crickets and the rustle of nocturnal creatures stirring. Ash's mostly bare feet crunched over fallen leaves as she picked her way down the worn path. Kneeling at the water's edge, she dipped the waterskins into the crystal-clear flow. But as she filled the last skin, a twig snapped behind her.

Ash whirled around, her hand flying to her staff, only to find Dorian standing there. His normally pristine and polished appearance was a bit ruffled, his usually perfect hair slightly tousled, and his kohl-rimmed eyes showed a hint of red at the edges. To the untrained eye, these were subtle changes, as he still looked more composed than almost anyone she knew. Yet, for Dorian, even the slightest imperfection - a single hair out of place - was enough to raise concern.

"Hey," Ash greeted. "I didn't expect to see you so soon."

He attempted a smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "Yes, well, I found myself in need of a friendly ear. And perhaps something stronger than water, if you have it."

Ash patted the ground beside her, inviting him to sit. “I’ve only got one of those, I’m afraid, as long as a pointed ear will do.”

Dorian chuckled weakly as he lowered himself to the ground beside her. "They will more than do."

Ash waited, giving him space to gather his thoughts. The stream burbled softly, and a chilly breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the scent of damp earth and autumn decay.

Finally, Dorian spoke. "I wanted to talk to someone who…understands. Someone with a complicated relationship with their parents."

Had she really been that transparent? "You could tell?"

"It takes one to know one, my dear," Dorian replied with a wry smile. "We recognize our own."

Ash nodded, her throat tightening. "Do you want to talk about what happened with your father?"

“Not at all, actually. But if I don’t, it's just going to eat me up inside, and I can’t let him win by destroying my life any further.“ Dorian's shoulders slumped. "He…tried to change me," he said, his voice cracking. "With blood magic. After having taught me to abhor the craft for my entire, he had no problems resorting to it.”

Ash's breath caught in her throat. "What?"

"He wanted to…alter my romantic preferences. Make me the perfect Pavus heir." Dorian's laugh was bitter, devoid of any real humour. "As if magic could change who I am, who I love."

Rage boiled in Ash's veins, Love's presence flaring within her. She rubbed her knuckles against her sternum, willing herself to stay calm for Dorian's sake. "That's…Creators, Dorian. I'm so sorry."

He shrugged, but the casual gesture couldn't mask the pain in his eyes. "It's what happens in the Imperium. Anything to keep up appearances, to maintain the family line."

Ash reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing her hand on his arm. "That doesn't make it right."

"No," Dorian agreed softly. "It doesn't."

Ash's fingers absently traced patterns in the damp earth, her mind drifting to memories she usually kept locked away. He’d wanted someone who understood, someone to connect with. She didn’t want him to feel alone in his misery.

"I loved my mother," she said softly, surprising herself with the admission. Dorian turned to her, his eyebrows raised in silent curiosity. "She was everything I wanted to be. Strong, respected, a leader in our clan. I craved her approval more than anything."

Ash swallowed hard around the whimpers of a much younger girl who hadn’t yet become accustomed to the sting of her mother’s rejection. "But I never got it. No matter what I did, it was never enough. She always found something to criticize, some flaws to point out. She said things…terrible things. About me, about who I am. I've always wondered if they were true. I mean, she was my mother, she should know me better than anyone. And for so long, I believed her. I still do a little. There must be something fundamentally wrong with me if my own mother couldn't love me."

An owl hooted in the distance, its mournful cry echoing through the trees. Ash took a shaky breath, feeling Love's presence wrapped around her like the warm embrace of a mother she had never experienced.

"But being here, with the Inquisition…with all of you…the more time I spend around people who actually seem to like me, the less I believe what she said. I think." She glanced at Dorian, managing a small smile. "What I’m trying to say is that our parents may have created us, but that doesn’t mean that they know us or get to decide who we are. Nor is their supposed love worth changing ourselves for. It's easier to say than believe, I know, and I’m only just starting to realize this myself, but…if you ever need someone to challenge whatever crappy views of yourself your father instilled in you, all you need to do is ask, and I am more than happy to dispel them for you."

Seconds turned to minutes as Dorian sat quietly beside her, his gaze fixed on the gently flowing stream.

"Thank you, Ashvalla. Truly," he said at last, turning to her and managing a small but genuine smile. "It seems we both have our share of parental demons to exorcise."

"That we do. Maybe we should start a support group."

"'Children of Terrible Parents Anonymous'? We could meet weekly to commiserate over wine and cheese."

"I like the way you think." Ash bumped her shoulder against his and he grinned in response.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, and some of the tension drained from her shoulders, grateful for this moment of connection. How had she gone for so many years without true friendship? She’d been a fool to think she was fine without it. Surviving and living were two different things, she was learning.

After a while of enjoying the quietude and finishing up her task, Dorian spoke again, quieter than before. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like? To have parents who accepted you, supported you?"

Ash sighed, leaning back on her hands and placing the last water skin to the side. "All the time," she said. "But then I think about Rae, about the family we've built for ourselves here. It's not perfect, but I love it."

Dorian nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, of course. Though I must say, the idea of Blackwall as a father figure is both hilarious and mildly terrifying."

Ash burst out laughing, unable to contain the joyous sound that bounced off trees and skipped over the water like a perfectly smooth stone. "Oh, Creators, can you imagine? He'd probably try to teach toddlers how to wield swords and swear the Grey Warden oath."

"While Varric regaled them with highly inappropriate bedtime stories," Dorian added with a chuckle.

"And Sera leaving 'presents' in their toy boxes."

They dissolved into giggles, the absurd mental images chasing away some of the heaviness that had settled over them. As their mirth subsided, a warmth filled the empty space left behind - affection for the man sitting beside her. For all of her friends, really - this strange, mismatched group they'd cobbled together.

Though the day had been stretched on endlessly, to finish it at her best friend’s side - for that’s what they were, she had belatedly come to realize - made it all seem just a bit more bearable.

Ash stared at the chessboard, her fingers hovering over a piece without truly seeing it. The polished wood gleamed in the soft light of the gardens, but her mind was far away, lost in memories of her early clan life and conversations had beside babbling streams.

"It's your move," Cullen prompted gently, pulling her back to the present like a fish hooked on a fishing line. His voice had that effect on her, smooth and with that wonderful Ferelden accent. Gods, she could listen to him talk all day about the most boring things and want for nothing else.

"Right, sorry," Ash mumbled, moving a piece at random. She winced as Cullen's eyebrows shot up, realizing she'd probably made a terrible play.

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

Ash shrugged, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. He’d explained the rules to her what felt like dozens of times, but it was always in one ear and out the other. "Yes?"

In truth, her conversation with Dorian a few days prior had stirred up doubts she'd long tried to bury due to their incessant ability to invade her limited attention. Her mother's voice echoed in her mind, sharp and critical as ever.

"You must think before you speak, Ashvalla. You allow your emotions to dictate your actions. If you truly wish to stay with the clan, with your family, as the First to the Keeper, you must learn to control yourself and put the needs of others above your own."

Ash's fingers tightened around the chess piece, her knuckles turning white. She'd spent years trying to live up to her mother's impossible standards, to be the perfect daughter, the perfect First. But it had never been enough. Even in death, her mother couldn’t let her go.

"Selfish girl," her mother's voice hissed. "Always thinking of yourself.”

Her father had always been too preoccupied with Rae or whatever task her mother had assigned to him to notice the tears in his eldest daughter’s eyes. Or perhaps that had been on purpose. She’d never gotten the chance to ask.

Cullen leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief that she did not pick up on. "Well, if you're sure…perhaps you should move your rook diagonally across the board and capture my knight. That would certainly turn the tide in your favour."

Ash nodded absently, her fingers closing around a pawn instead. She slid it three spaces forward, knocking over one of Cullen's bishops in the process. The piece clattered to the ground, rolling beneath the table.

Cullen stared at her, his eyebrows nearly disappearing into his hairline. Ash blinked, realizing what she'd done. She glanced down at the board, then back up at Cullen, her cheeks flushing.

"Oh," she said eloquently, her ears drooping slightly.

"You're distracted." He reached across the table, his gloved hand covering hers. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine," she said automatically, then cringed at how unconvincing it sounded. "It's just…how much time do you have until you need to meet with Josephine?"

"Josephine? I don't have a meeting scheduled with her today."

"Oh," Ash said again, feeling foolish. "Right. Sorry, I'm a bit out of sorts today."

Cullen looped his hand beneath hers, ignoring the fallen piece beneath the table and squeezing gently. "I have time," he said. "Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?"

Ash hesitated, her gaze drifting back to the chessboard. The pieces stood at attention, patient and unyielding, much like the man across from her.

Yes, she found herself thinking, she did want to talk about it, with Cullen specifically.

Wordlessly, Ash rose from her seat, her fingers intertwined with his. She tugged gently and he followed without resistance, leading him across the gardens and up the stairs to her quarters.

In the gardens, the impulse had seized her, an overwhelming need to bare her soul to someone who might understand. But would he? Could he still care for her once she showed him the writhing mess she held inside? Doubt gnawed at her resolve. She was foolish to think Cullen would want to hear her petty grievances. He had his own burdens to bear, his own demons to fight. Who was she to add to that weight?

As they reached the landing, Ash paused, her free hand hovering over the door handle. Was this a mistake? Her mother's voice whispered insidiously in the back of her mind, chiding her for her weakness, her neediness. But then Cullen's thumb brushed across her knuckles, a gentle reassurance that silenced the critical voice.

The door creaked open, and they stepped inside, Cullen closing it behind them. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and turned to face him. Before she could lose her nerve, she let the words flow from her lips.

"I want to tell you exactly what happened the night of my parents' murder. I've never said it out loud before, not even to the clan elders. I let the other children talk after we were rescued, but…speaking about his issues seemed to help Dorian, so maybe it could help me too." Her fingers twisted the fabric of her robe, a nervous habit she'd never quite shaken. The faint scars around her lips tingled.

“You don't have to—"

She shook her head, cutting him off. "I want to. But…I need you to just listen, okay? When I'm done, I don't want you to say anything. Not yet. Can you do that for me?"

Cullen hesitated, clearly torn between his desire to comfort her and his need to respect her wishes. Finally, he nodded, taking her hands in his. "Of course," he said. "Whatever you need."

A small smile canted at the corners of Ash's lips, warmth blooming in her chest. Oh, how much she adored that wonderful man. "Thank you.” She glanced around the room, feeling exposed. "We might as well get comfortable. This could take a while."

She led him to the bed, perching on the edge of the mattress. As they settled, a lump under the covers began to move. Sweetpea's fluffy head emerged, blinking sleepily at the disturbance. The cat stretched, taking her time, before padding over to Ash, curling up in her lap with a contented purr.

Ash's fingers absently stroked Sweetpea's fur as she gathered her thoughts. The room was quiet save for the cat's rumbling purrs and the distant sounds of life in Skyhold filtering through the window.

“We were in bed for the night when the slavers attacked, starting with burning the halla pen as a distraction. My parents were part of the group of warriors that went out to stop them. Rae and I had gotten out of bed by the time our mother returned - only our mother. We were so afraid, though we didn’t really understand what was happening. She told us to stay together,” a half-truth that she couldn’t bring herself to fully express, “and the shems followed her in and killed her.”

Sticky, red liquid pooling on the ground, the rough scrap of a sword being pulled from her mother’s ribcage. Rae’s wailing cries.

Cullen stiffened beside her, but he respected her wishes and remained silent. 

“They hauled us away,” she continued. “I knew she was dead, but I called for her anyway. I tried to fight back, but I wasn’t strong enough to do much damage with my little flames. Still, they didn’t want to risk letting a mage have full access to their powers. I would fetch them a pretty coin so they weren’t going to kill me. They bound my hands so my palms were pressed to my stomach. I’d end up burning myself if I tried anything. For good measure, they bound my ankles and…they, uh, sewed my mouth shut.”

Rough hands holding her down, clamping around her head as she squirmed. Unfamiliar fingers holding her lips together as they sewed through her flesh. The taste of copper coating her tongue and trickling down her throat. Children shouldn’t know what it’s like to choke on their own blood.

“I guess one of them was familiar with the way Qunari treat their mages. It wouldn’t have scarred if it hadn’t gotten infected from the dirty laces they used. I think they were from one of their trousers.” 

She glanced at him then, and it almost broke her. His hands twitched in his lap as he resisted the urge to pull her close and smother her, but it was his eyes that tore at her heart. It was like looking directly into the sun, a flash of helpless anger, grief, and the softer edge of compassion, all blinding in their intensity. 

Curling her fingers into her palm, her nails pressed into the thick pad of muscle. “They threw me in a cage like some wild beast. I mean, who even has cages on hand?” A poor attempt at humour that she quickly moved past. “But then they tried to take Rae away. I heard them talking about separating the group, if one was caught, at least the others could get away and collect the payout. Rae was going to be taken from me and I just…lost it, I guess. I blacked out, and when I woke up, they were all dead. My bonds had been burned away and a hole had been melted in the bars of the cage. It was so eerily silent that for a second, I was terrified that I’d killed Rae too. It’s hard to throw up around laces sewn into your lips, but it turns out it can be done.” Another attempt at humour that did nothing to wipe the horror off his face. 

“But then I heard her start crying, and I found them all unharmed at the edge of the camp. That’s where our clan found us a few hours later when they’d managed to track our location. They never did look at me the same after that, but at least they removed the laces.”

Stroking Sweetpea's soft fur provided a much-needed distraction, yet from the corner of her eye, she could see Cullen working over everything she’d shared. She’d unloaded a heavy burden on him, and while he’d encouraged her to do so, a light gurgling of guilt started in her stomach at her request for him to keep his thoughts to himself.

But she couldn’t rescind it; it was already taking everything in her to hold back a complete emotional breakdown. Not once since that night had she fully recounted it. Not to herself and certainly not to anyone else. She’d left out key details, and maybe one day she’d confide in him, but she couldn’t bring herself to quite yet. Especially not the spirit possession. As for the unbreakable promise…she wasn’t sure what held her back. Shame, perhaps, that she’d barely managed to uphold her end. 

His hand found her chin, tilting her up to meet the molten heat of his sunshine eyes. Cupping her cheek in both hands, his thumbs traced over the dot-like scars around her lips.

Keeping his promise, he pulled her into his arms, enveloping her in a warm embrace that chased away the chill that had settled in her chest. Ash went boneless against him, her body slotting against his - the final brick laid in a lovingly built home.

Sweetpea, disturbed by the movement, let out a disgruntled meow before relocating to the foot of the bed. The cat's tail swished back and forth as she settled into a new spot, keeping a watchful eye on her humans.

Years of tension seeped out of Ash, flowing away like wine from barrels left too long in the heat. Her muscles, so long held taut with the pull of her secrets, began to relax. Ash buried her face in the soft fur of Cullen's mantle, inhaling the familiar scent of leather, armour polish, and elderflower - his withdrawal symptoms must have been giving him trouble lately. Yet he’d still taken the time to listen to her so attentively.

She thought she should probably cry. After all, wasn't that what people did after unburdening themselves of such heavy truths? But the tears wouldn't come. A strange sense of calm washed over her, as if speaking the words aloud had somehow diminished their power over her.

Cullen's lips pressed against the top of her head and his arms tightened around her, one hand cradling the back of her head while he held the small of her back. He didn't try to fill the silence with empty platitudes or well-meaning but ultimately hollow comfort. He simply held her, offering his steady presence and affection to ease the burden she’d carried on her own for so long. The memories that had haunted her didn't disappear, but they seemed less sharp-edged somehow. Less able to cut her when she least expected it.

They stayed like that for what felt like hours, though it could have been mere minutes. Time seemed to lose all meaning in the safe haven of Cullen's arm.

She lifted her head, meeting Cullen's gaze. His eyes shone with understanding, compassion, and something deeper that made her stomach clench. She could name it, if she wished to, but she was not yet ready for such revelations. He held her face in his hands, his thumbs ghosting over her cheekbones. Then, slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted, he leaned in and pressed soft, reverent kisses to the scars around her lips.

Ash's eyes fluttered closed, holding back Love as she raced through Ash’s torso with her full, excitable flames.

When he pulled back, Ash found herself chasing his lips, not ready to lose the comforting contact. Cullen obliged, capturing her mouth in a slow, sweet kiss that made her toes curl. His fingers tangled in her hair, cradling her head as if she were something precious, something that deserved such softness.

"Thank you," she whispered against his lips. "For listening. For…for everything."

Cullen traced the curve of her cheek. "Always.”

And she believed him, foolish as that may be.

Perhaps she would cry before the day was done, though not because she was sad, but rather that she could hardly believe how lucky she was to be with him - to feel the depths of his affections. But her luck had to run out at some point, didn’t it? It always seemed to, one way or another.

When Leliana knocked at her door the next day, her face set in a grim expression, Ash knew with unyielding certainty that the time had come to pay her dues.

Next Chapter

A/N: The chapter title was a lie and only two of the four actually walk into the bar/inn, apologies for the deception.

What news could Leliana be bringing, I wonder…find out more on Monday!

[artdcnaldson]

A high and mighty rich vinted seller treat me like a cunt and blocked me for no reason, the way they were talking to me was like i was a poor peasant and i wasnt good enough to buy from them anyway, there was more to it but i was nothing but logical and polite and long story short they blocked me (not before calling me insulting names) simply because i asked if they could put an item on reserve for me as i was having issues with vinted and i would be back to buy soon.

i was going to get someone else to buy from them on another account out of spite but no one had an account, i reverse image searched the items and im gonna buy the things else where. The pettyness in me wants to make a new account just to send them a photo when they arrive, i had the perfect thing i wanted to write but i dont remember it now but im still pissed and it happened like 4 hours ago. Id been wanting to buy these things from them for months and arguing with vinted for just as long just to be treat like that and called a scammer and acting like my profile is trailer trash

The items were on ebay and etsy and i will have to buy them separately and it will cost more but screw them. If i didnt think that bitch would try and screw me over i would have laid into them 😂😂

Buying from sellers online is SO stressful. I got an Irish wool sweater and it came with a stain that wasn’t disclosed and idk what to do. I’m nonconfrontational.

[simplefelicity]

What I sold in 2023

this is the second in a series of posts in which i reflect on my 2023 from a financial perspective, using data from my financial journal.

i sell my secondhand books and clothes and miscellaneous objects online. i'm not a reseller, i do not purchase things to sell them online. this is all just stuff i have laying around the house.

this year i sold 18 books, 8 pieces of clothing and 5 miscellaneous objects. in total, 31 objects left my house AND i earned back 314€. yay!

what was successful

the lesson here is, once again, list everything you can! even stuff you think would never sell! i sold a bag that i wouldn't have paid 1€ for 5€! you never know who is going to scroll past your ad.

also, being on more than one website/app is very important! i am on 3 apps and 1 book-specific website. the most sales came from Vinted, but Vinted doesn't allow to sell everything. my biggest sale (roller skates for 80€) happened on a more local app that's not as well known.

my most successful months were january, october and december, when i sold 5 items each. otherwise, i usually sold 1 or 2 items per month. i don't know why those months in particular were so successful. my guess is that it was a mix of new university books time and gift-giving. i wonder if the pattern will repeat next year as well?

i have finally finished taking pictures of all the clothes i wanted to list. it was such a long process! but i did it!

what didn't work

in the name of being on as many apps as possible, i tried to branch off to Depop. i don't know how it is in other countries, but i only got spam and people trying to get me to click on links. not even 1 real person interacted with me! so i think i'll eliminate my profile and good riddance.

i also ventured on eBay, which is something i've been wanting to try for ages. i only listed 1 item just to see how it worked and it didn't lol. i guess i chose the wrong item and i should try again with something easier to sell. buying something to get a couple of more good reviews would be a good idea as well.

but mostly i need to go on the apps i already use and reupload some of the listings (especially the clothes) to give them more visibility.

plus, there are some listings that i took off for one reason or the other and never put up again because of laziness and that's not conducive to business, let me tell you.

2024 plans

currently, all the things i want to sell are in 2 drawers of my closet. i can't wait to have that space back! so i need to work harder on this payed decluttering.

i'm still proud of myself, because there were times when i thought "why am i doing this? why do i even bother? why don't i just throw everything in the trash and be done with it?" but the numbers speak for themselves, don't you think? and i can finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, thank God.

in the new year, i plan to keep experimenting with eBay and consolidate my presence on my current apps. also, i should start taking pictures of my shoes (dread).

[threelittlerooks]

This kind of posts have been popping up to me a lot and like, I'd like to add, as your latina demisexual kinky auntie that spent too much time thinking about the Dellamortes:

Everytime someone makes Lucanis tall Spite loses his wings. DO YOU WANT A WINGLESS SPITE??? NO, SO STOP IT. Also, like, if this is your case, please think a little as to why you think men should be taller than women, maybe? "It's a personal preference!', IS IT THOUGH???

"He ain't gonna be your dom daddy mafia boss in bed, sorry." - In the beginning, I agree, but there's room to learn!! Add this to your fics, if you wish, Rook and him learning together what he likes and what he doesn't like. While I don't read Lucanis as this type (for me he's service top, and he would be the bestest of boys and just fold at the first praise, ANYWAY), it would be interesting to see this development and how it would mirror his personal development (like, getting control of his life and beginning to make his own choices and discovering what is him and what is his training/grandmother influence?).

I don't know if it's because I'm a latina (born and raised and living in a latin american country) but like, usually people think latinos are suave flirts just because we smile too much. I swear to God I have made gringos blush just by being my NORMAL self. So, maybe Lucanis is a suave flirt for Vints, I don't know, just because he's funny as fuck and this is read as flirting. He sure is attractive, this is stated in the game. Like. Play with this!! Play with the trope within world! People perceive him as something he's not just because of his culture. Maybe antivans have this fame because they're more open than other countries? I don't know. But there's a lot of room to have a lot of FUN with this. Desconstruct that trope!!!

And, like, please? Like, leave Illario alone? Please???? Whenever someone says LUCANIS IS NOT THE LATINO LOVER TROPE someone always pops up and says AND ILLARIO IS RIGHT THERE. Illario is NOT the Latino Lover trope too, he's a classic Telenovela Villain! He's Felix throwing his own baby niece in the trash so his mom won't prefer his sister to him in the succession, he's Nazaré pushing Cláudia down the stairs, he's Olavo saying "you're the dumbest bitch in this street because you're the only one that can't realize I love you". He's Paola Bracho, he's Soraya Montenegro. He's the Raquel to Lucanis' Ruth (but in this case, the one who is presumed dead and comes back is Ruth, not Raquel). He's charismatic, he's tragic, his actions are unexcusable, we understand why he did all he did and probably in his place, would've done worse. His ambition is his downfall. We all love to hate him, we all love him. He uses seduction as one of his weapons and a means to get what he wants, which is classic Telenovela Villain. You can ascribe the Latin Lover trope to him with the same caution you ascribe to Lucanis. Will Illario woo someone because he's a playboy? No, he'll woo them because he wants something out of it. It's a transaction. He can use the trope and expectations to his favour, and it can give really interesting nuance to this exploration!

None of these men are heterosexual. They can be with women, but they are still queer, don't forget this. it's not a switch, oops, now I'm gay! Now I'm heterosexual! Bi/Pan people are bi/pan despite their current relationships.

Anyway!! Just some additions and ideas to help fic writers!! And if you have a fic that is Lucanis learning what he likes (in all senses!!), sent it my way ASAP.

important things to remember about Lucanis

the man is a short king, between 5'5"-5'7"

He is panromantic demisexual. Which means when he feels sexual attraction, he probably panics and wonders if he's dying for a second. (that's a joke.)

He in a canonical virgin. He ain't gonna be your dom daddy mafia boss in bed, sorry. And it does make sense with the Crows and if you read the Wigmaker job. It's hinted at that it's mainly elven assassins who are trained in seduction, not human. (now, if you wanna write him as having experience, that's your welcomed interpretation. But he does mention Rook being his first and only relationship. You can take that how you will.)

He is not your latino lover trope. Just because he's brown, doesn't mean he's sexual promiscuous and a suave flirty dreamboat get that out of your head. He is a fucking nerd who likes to cook, knit, and is obsessed with wyverns. He's got too much anxiety and feelings of needing to be good enough to be suave before confirming a relationship. Not to mention the shit ton of stuff he's dealing with.

[caells]

WANTED CONNECTIONS. everybody, get in line to meet the boy who flew too high. who does it all just to be liked by strangers that he met online.

press #001 to sing : ❛ tough love ❜

❝ i'm wasted with the sister of a boy that i met through someone back in college, she's a weird intellect. she liked to tell the truth and she was harsh but direct. ❞

( female only ) CAEL & MUSE tem uma quase amizade engraçada. ela é direta e difícil de lidar, mas ele não é muito melhor - talvez por isso se deem tão bem. o jovem raramente bebe, mas quando quer afogar as mágoas, procura a outra, e passam a noite com uma garrafa de vinho entre os dois e todas as reclamações do mundo. ( @vivianflowers )

press #002 to sing : ❛ the tortured poets department ❜

❝ you’re in self-sabotage mode, throwing spikes down on the road but i’ve seen this episode and still love the show. ❞

( male / female / nb ) CAEL e MUSE são melhores amigos, sempre foi & sempre vai ser assim. opostos, raio de sol para seu poeta torturado, MUSE segura a mão dele nos piores momentos, cuida do jovem e cael tenta ao seu máximo retribuir mesmo quando está em modo de auto sabotagem, mas não tem nada que faça MUSE partir.

press #003 to sing : ❛ letter to god (1974 ) ❜

❝ his parents give him everything, they never yell or fight. they never make him cut his hair because they're happy he survived, and he didn't have to clean his room, it was enough to be alive. ❞

( male / female / nb ) MUSE é um amigo da família faz muito tempo, os pais de CAEL e os seus costumavam se dar bem, e MUSE estava lá quando cael quase morreu antes de descobrirem a condição cardíaca , e depois disso, como os pais do jovem, começou a o tratar com super proteção e o rapaz odeia.

press #004 to sing : ❛ speed drive ❜

❝ they my best friends in the whole world, on the mood board, they're the inspo & they're dressed in really cute clothes. kawaii like we’re in tokyo. devon lee smile, teeth a white row. got a classic, real deep, van gogh, they got loyalty, they say, “i love you, man ” - i love them more . ❞

( male / female / nb - 00/02 ) MUSE & MUSE são os amigos mais antigos de cael, e sempre que se trata de fazer decisões ruins, eles estão juntos.

press #005 to sing : ❛ us ❜

❝ if history's clear, someone always ends up in ruins and what seemed like fate becomes "what the hell was i doin'?" - babylon lovers hangin' lifetimes on a vine. ❞

( male / female / nb ) MUSE foi o primeiro amor de cael, eles tiveram algo inocente e mágico que acabou porque eram diferentes demais ou talvez muito parecidos para funcionar.

press #006 to sing : ❛ alice of the upper class ❜

❝ the smart ass, white trash bitches in the first class - well, that's american dreamin' in a nutshell. ❞

( male / female / nb ) MUSE acredita em todas as lendas da cidade, e na magia que corre por essa terra, e isso os faz inimigo número um para cael. eles tentam fazer com que ele aceite o quão especial é este lugar, mas o rapaz não vê com bons olhos essas crenças.

press #007 to sing : ❛ favorite crime ❜

❝ know that i loved you so bad - i let you treat me like that. i was your willing accomplice, honey and i watched as you fled the scene. doe-eyed as you buried me, one heart broke, four hands bloody. ❞

( female only ) CAEL e MUSE não são amigos, mas ela é mais velha & encantadora aos seus olhos, e ele sabe realisticamente que nunca teria uma chance com a mulher, mas isso não impede de manter um crush que o faz tropeçar nas palavras quando interagem.

press #008 to sing : ❛ would’ve, could’ve, should’ve ❜

❝ if i was some paint, did it splatter - on a promising grown man ? and if i was a child, did it matter if you got to wash your hands ? ❞

( male only ) MUSE e CAEL namoraram brevemente quando ele tinha apenas seus vinte e um anos, MUSE era um pouco mais velho que si e a relação foi marcada por altos e baixos, em sua maioria - baixos , mas quando era bom ; era ótimo. porém, por ainda não saber bem quem era, o jovem insistiu que mantivessem tudo em segredo. MUSE, no entanto, não aceitou ser um segredo e assim veio o final.

[turbocao]

Just saw your tag about vinted and it reminded me that I once received a piece of clothing in a trash bag with only tape all around it, no box only the trash bag ^^' and recently I ordered clothes for my nephew (he is 1 so the clothes were small but there were like 5 pieces of clothing ) and they were sent to me in a box of applesauce like the ones in squeezable pouches 😅

the trash bag package is a vinted classic!! it's happened to me so many times im not even surprised anymore when it happens. i was actually more surprised to receive a cereal box that one time lol

applesauce is an amazing choice of package too hahhahaha

[malaak]

why is vinted trash lately

[spac3-s0up]

Dear anyone whos ever felt like they were unimportant or haven't ever touched anyone else emotionally

You have, in my room i have four walls completely covered in thungs other people see as trash, however each little item has a story, as a few examples;

There is a small bit of packaging from an order off vinted where the seller wrote that i had a cool name

I have pictures of people i have never and will never meet up on my walls

I have a switch because one of my ex's wanted me to get one so we could play animal crossing together

I bought my boyfriends old ds and 3ds because some random person in college had one

I have pictures of me and friends that i will never see again

The wristband from my first ever concert is up on my wall, along with a little doodle the friend who took me did for me

I have post its from multiple people on my pinboard, little notes and drawings people made without a second thought, most of these people wouldn't recognise me anymore

The stories on my shelves are only the ones that other people recommended

People dont realise it, but they make impressions on everyone they talk to, everything that seems small to you can be an important memory in the eyes of another, you are important, you are known, and you are loved.

[earaercircular]

The world of toys in the midst of an ecological shift

In order to continue to please children and parents alike, the toy industry is redoubling its efforts to reduce its environmental impact over the entire lifespan of its products.

In the windows, life-size dolls and teddy bears collide amid the illuminations. Christmas is quickly approaching and the toy stores are always full. But this end-of-year holiday magic comes at a cost. According to Ademe[1], nearly 100,000 tonnes of games and toys are thrown in the trash each year. In February 2020, the Agec law[2], relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy, took the problem head on through the establishment of a toy sector. Since January 1, 2022, the sector has been encouraged to reduce these tons of waste through the collection of used toys, reuse and even repair.

Farmers, teachers, pirates or explorers: since the 1970s, these little plastic characters have been transmitted from generation to generation. “I can no longer count the number of grandparents who come to tell me they keep these toys for their grandchildren,” laughs Bruno Bérard, general director of Playmobil[3]. These figurines stay in people's hearts for a very long time. » For him, there is no doubt, this emotional dimension is the first criterion of an ecological toy that lasts over time.[4]

Reuse, a priority

But not all toys follow the same destiny as our Playmobils. According to Ecomaison[5], the organisation approved by the French Government to take charge of the collection, reuse and recycling of toys, “half of the toys ends up in household waste, around 45% is collected in public recycling centres and less than 5% is reused”. In 2023, the priority was to optimise the reuse of toys, via donation or resale. Five thousand collection points have been set up across the country from associations, recycling centres or stores themselves. The objective is now to triple reuse by 2027.

However, many brands did not wait for the Agec law to roll up their sleeves. “We weren't starting from scratch,” says Jean Kimpe, general delegate of the Federation of shops specialising in toys and children's products (FCJPE)[6]. Above all, the law made it possible to coordinate and develop pre-existing initiatives. » In 2011, Oxybul[7] launched IDTroc[8], collection points to collect used toys from customers. “The criteria of sustainability and responsibility have been part of our brand DNA from the beginning,” says Anne Fauveau, product director of Oxybul Eveil et Jeux. Our toys are as scalable as possible in order to last over time. » The brand assumes that it places itself outside fashion trends, preferring timeless designs and colour charts in order to offer durable toys.

In spring 2021, King Toy[9] followed the movement by launching its King Okaz brands. There are now around ten of them throughout France. Toys are returned in exchange for a voucher valid in all of the brand's stores. “We see that we are responding to a real demand,” assures Coralie Gueydon, CSR manager of the group. Unlike platforms like Vinted[10], we provide a guarantee of quality. Not only is the item guaranteed to be repurchased, but they are then cleaned, repaired and checked before being put back into circulation. »

But if the brands promise more qualitative and safer reuse than that allowed by second-hand platforms, the latter currently benefit from a certain notoriety. “We have just inserted ourselves into a behaviour where, originally, specialist brands did not necessarily have their place,” recognises Coralie Gueydon. At the moment, our stores operate largely through word of mouth. » The brand also offers a repair service whereas Playmobil currently offers 20,000 spare parts in order to make their products last longer.

The big challenge of recycling

Between solar panels and characters on bicycles, the ecological farm proposed by Playmobil does not hesitate to play with the codes of a more sustainable society. Above all, like the Wiltopia collection launched in 2022, the product is made with more than 80% recycled or biosourced materials. Most come from recycled refrigerators. “Three additional ranges will be des

igned in this way in 2024,” indicates Bruno Bérard, who recalls that the German group’s objective is to be climate neutral in 2027.

Generally speaking, toys made from recycled plastic materials are still struggling to find a place under the sun. Often less solid and dull, they remain difficult to reuse to make new toys. Lego quickly noticed this. “So far, we have tested more than 300 alternative materials for our famous brick,” explains Sylvain Bouchès, Lego France marketing director. Some have been successful, such as bio-PE, and we are proud to have been able to develop this first alternative. Other materials showed their potential, but did not meet our requirements for quality, safety and durability, or help reduce our carbon footprint. That's the whole difficulty. » Last September, the brand announced that it was abandoning the use of recycled PET because it would have resulted in greater carbon emissions over the lifespan of the product. [11]

“When we use recycled material, the range of colours that we can produce is not as rich as when we use raw material coming directly from petroleum products,” recognizes Bruno Bérard. There are technical challenges to resolve. We can't imagine tomorrow that a fire truck will be pastel red. » For a product to be recyclable, it must ideally be as simple and single-material as possible. However, toys are generally made of a multitude of materials in order to promote the sensory awakening of little ones.

All this research takes time. The majority of producers agree that the organisation of recycling sectors in France still has a lot of progress to make. “This is all the more complicated to implement as safety standards are very demanding regarding toys intended for children, particularly at the European level,” adds Coralie Gueydon.

So should we say goodbye to plastic? Not necessarily, tempers Anne Fauveau who regrets a lack of information on the subject. “Disposable plastic is not good,” she explains. But durable plastic that is passed down from generation to generation, which is ten times stronger than wood, is not necessarily bad for the environment. » Oxybul has thus adopted the habit of favoring wood only when it can replace the virtues of plastic. “There is no ideal solution,” says Anne Fauveau. For example, biosourced plastic is interesting because it does not use petroleum but it is sometimes manufactured in South America to the detriment of local populations. Ecodesign is undoubtedly what is most complicated today. »[12]

Design differently

While tests to recycle plastic are increasing, others are looking for alternative materials. In 2018, Lego launched the first elements made from sugar cane waste in our play boxes to make elements such as leaves, trees and accessories.

“If we started by making botanical elements from this plastic of plant origin, we have since expanded its use to more than 200 pieces, almost half of our products,” explains Sylvain Bouchès. The treehouse thus includes 180 plastic elements of plant origin. Today, more than 50% of the brand's products contain elements made from biosourced materials.

In terms of eco-design, Oxybul has been doing well for many years. Every month, all the brand's teams participate in a meeting on this issue. The brand multiplies alternatives through the use of FSC-certified wood (by the Forest Stewardship Council)[13], water-based paint and even recycled polyester. This year, she co-created with the Thai brand Plan Toys[14] a range of wooden toys suitable for children aged 12 months and over. “This is one of the first suppliers to have implemented self-managed forests,” explains Anne Fauveau. He works in particular with hevea wood, the rubber tree, which is a plant that grows back very quickly. This avoids deforestation problems. »

The brand also wanted to be a pioneer in terms of reducing its packaging. As early as 2017, the teams decided to readjust them to the size of the products. “At the time, this did not necessarily go in the direction of commerce,” recognises Anne Fauveau. Suppliers generally prefer to have large boxes in order to be clearly visible on the shelves. Initially, this even caused a drop in sales on certain products, which required us to contact the customer to explain our approach. » Now, 80% of the brand's packaging no longer has plastic, replaced by materials such as cardboard and paper. These are intended to be reused, serving as storage boxes for children's toys.

Since then, the idea has caught on. “Ecodesign doesn’t just involve products,” insists Sylvain Bouchès. Today, 93% of Lego packaging is made from cardboard or paper-based material. Single-use plastic bags are gradually being replaced by recyclable paper bags certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Started in August, the global deployment of new boxes for the mystery minifigures should allow the group to save around 30 tonnes of single-use plastic per year.

And the work of designers and engineers is far from simple. “The paper must be able to withstand transport but also the manufacturing process in all our factories,” explains Sylvain Bouchès. However, this material is more sensitive than plastic to variations in humidity and temperature. The development of these alternative means of production and packaging involves an in-depth transformation of our processes. » Nearly 70 different papers and formats had to be tested. “This requires a lot of research and innovation,” confirms Anne Fauveau. It is important that we can share best practices between brands and be good competitors on this issue, because the solutions will tend to be found by the big players. »

More local… and transparent products

While nearly 90% of toys are imported, local products are back at the top of the bill. “Since the confinements of 2020, the place of manufacturing of toys has become a leading theme for customers,” observes Coralie Gueydon. There has been a very significant new attraction for Made in France. »

In the toy landscape, the Ecoiffier company[15] has been established in France since 1945. At Playmobil, almost all of the products are produced in Europe. “From the beginning of the company, it was a strategic approach, in order to control our manufacturing but also economic, to reduce costs,” explains Bruno Bérard. Recently, the seven Maltese production sites were grouped together in order to avoid travel between different areas. “This factory operates in daylight, which allows us to consume less electricity,” explains the general director. The heat released by the machines is recovered to provide heating when necessary, and the site has a water collector. » For the company, local production goes hand in hand with saving resources.

Faced with this demand for transparency and sustainability, King Toy recently launched the Toy Score in order to guide consumers in their choice. “Today, the toy market is not mature in terms of eco-responsibility,” explains Coralie Gueydon. But even if we are starting from very far away, it seemed important to us to promote the initiatives put in place in the sector. » Using the NutriScore[16] rating system, now well known to the general public, the Toy Score applies a rating system between 0 and 5. It is based on three criteria: the place of manufacture, the efforts made at the level of packaging and materials that make up the toy. Assisted by Ecomaison, the brand has chosen to promote products made from FSC wood and recycled materials.

Since October 26, the Toy Score has been in place in all King Toy stores as well as on their website. It was notably applied to all the toys in the Christmas catalogue. Out of 1,600 products, around 450 have a rating greater than or equal to 2 out of 5. Bioviva[17], known for its board games based on nature, thus obtains the maximum rating. The brand is closely followed by Smoby[18] which manufactures its toys in France from easily recyclable plastic. “By 2025, the objective is that 50% of our toys present real eco-design characteristics and that the criteria are raised,” indicates the CSR manager.

Because the Toy Score also aims to encourage the industry to redouble its efforts to provide more eco-responsible toys. “Many suppliers come to ask us how they can improve,” says Coralie Gueydon. Others allow us to rethink our criteria. The indicator is intended to be scalable thanks to both suppliers and customers. »

Raise consumer awareness

Will Christmas 2023 therefore be placed under the sign of eco-responsibility? Not necessarily, moderate the brands. “We don’t expect consumption habits to really change at Christmas,” admits Coralie Gueydon. It is generally children who choose toys from the catalog, and the eco-responsibility criterion is then not taken into account. »

For the holidays, buying second hand can also remain a hindrance even if brands observe that this reluctance tends to relax in society. “There remains a lot of education to be done, whether on the realities of Made in France or recycled products,” observes Anne Fauveau. And consumers are not necessarily ready to pay more for an eco-designed product. » While the period of inflation weighs on individual baskets, Oxybul has made the bet of not passing on the cost of its research on these sales prices.

“The Agec law has revolutionized many things at the industry level,” assures Coralie Gueydon. This made distributors and suppliers alike aware that we must now think beyond the life of the toy. » Lego is also preparing to triple its spending on sustainable development initiatives to reach $1.4 billion spread over four years until 2025. “Each year, we receive hundreds of letters from children who share their ideas on how we could progress, says Sylvain Bouchès. Having a positive impact on society and the planet, playing a role in building a sustainable future is a major challenge for the group. »

At the same time, Playmobil assures that it wants to pursue an approach of social responsibility. The company still belongs to a private foundation, created by its now deceased founder, which works for the development and protection of children. In addition to offering products that illustrate a more eco-responsible society, the brand also takes into account issues of representativeness and diversity. Equipped with a green roof, the school of the famous figurines is also designed to facilitate access for students with reduced mobility. “We are not lesson givers,” insists Bruno Bérard. But we can help raise children's awareness of important points for our future. And the best way to do that is through the toy. »

The Joyful Discount saves toys from the dumpster

It is one alternative among others to make the world of toys more sustainable. In August 2020, La Remission Enjouée[19] was born in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, in the North. Led by Christelle Cousin, a former specialist educator, the structure offers the collection, repair and then resale of toys in its shop. It currently employs 13 people in integration between 18 and 62 years old. “We work with people of foreign origin as well as with people at the end of their careers, the long-term unemployed or people who have been impacted by the Covid crisis,” says Christelle Cousin. In addition to participating in an ecological approach, employees gain skills and social contact.

The plus of La Remission Enjouée? “This is a real local service,” assures its director. There is an emotional side to toys. People don't want to put it in the trash and like to discuss the history of the object when they come to drop it off. » The structure, which currently depends a lot on subsidies to exist, hopes to develop in the coming years. Next step: online sales.

Source

Charlotte Meyer, Le monde du jouet en plein virage écologique, in : Les Echos, 18-12-2023

[1] The Agence de la transition écologique. (ADEME, Agency for ecological transition) is a public agency under the joint authority of the Ministry for an Ecological Transition and the Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation. At ADEME - The French Agency for Ecological Transition’s role is to mobilise citizens, economic actors and territories towards a fairer, more harmonious, low carbon and resource-efficient society. At every level, their expertise and forecasting capacities serve to guide and inform public policies. https://www.ademe.fr/en/about-ademe

[2] The French law on the fight against waste and the circular economy (Agec) sets a collection rate target for recycling plastic beverage bottles of 77% in 2025 and 90% in 2029. Ambitious targets with regard to the rate collection, which is around 59%. This means that 41% of the 315,000 tonnes of plastic bottles consumed per year end up in the household waste bin (therefore incinerated or buried) or in wild dumps.. https://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/editos-analyses/economie-circulaire-la-solution-de-la-consigne-plastique-1946930

[3] Playmobil is a German line of toys produced by the Brandstätter Group (Geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co KG), headquartered in Zirndorf, Germany. The signature Playmobil toy is a 7.5 cm (3.0 in) tall (1:24 scale) human figure with a smiling face. A wide range of accessories, buildings and vehicles, as well as many sorts of animals, are also part of the Playmobil line..

[4] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/690821468349775872/coolrec-and-playmobil-turn-old-refrigerators-into?source=share

[5] Created in 2011 – then under the name Eco-mobilier – by 24 French furniture distributors and manufacturers, Ecomaison is now made up of 68 shareholders from the furniture, bedding, DIY, garden and toy sectors. and building. All these actions are made possible thanks to eco-participation, a contribution which applies when purchasing a new product. The amounts paid to Ecomaison finance all services and solutions for reuse, collection, transport, recycling and innovation. Our ambition: to achieve zero waste! https://ecomaison.com/

[6] A historic player in commerce, the fédération des commerces spécialistes des jouets et des produits de l’enfant (FCJPE) (federation of shops specializing in toys and children's products) brings together the stores preferred by young and old, whether independent, branch chains, franchise networks or cooperative groups. From the creation of quality toys to their availability in our stores, the toy sector brings together all the players who allow our children to find what they are looking for. This is why the FCJPE is engaged in constant dialogue with its partners, in order to always better serve our customers.

[7] Oxybul éveil et jeux, formerly Fnac Éveil et jeux (between 2004 and 2011), is a French distribution brand specializing in edutainment games and toys. Éveil et jeux was born in 2004 from the merger of the two subsidiaries of the “youth division” of Fnac: Éveil & jeux created in 1989 by Margaret Milan and Fnac Junior created in 1997. In September 2010, FNAC sold the company to Ïd group. The brand has been operated by the Okaidi company since July 2016.

[8] https://www.idtroc.com/

[9] Specialist in the distribution of games and toys for more than 30 years, King Jouet (King Toy) offers you more than 20,000 toy references. Building games, board games, dolls, stuffed animals, vehicles, circuits or radio-controlled toys, you will definitely find the toy that will please him. More than 240 stores in France, as well as in Switzerland, are waiting for you to find the gift of your dreams or receive it at home by placing an order on www.king-jouet.com. Subsidiaries: Maxi Toys, Poly S.L.U., Teddy Toys, Société Gueydon SAS, Maxitoys International SA. Umbrella organization: Giochi Preziosi https://www.king-jouet.com/fr-lu/

[10] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/651509379878813696/second-hand-economy-much-bigger-than-expected?source=share

[11] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/658880330018766848/the-obstacle-course-to-green-lego-blocks?source=share

[12] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/722715633728569344/europe-is-putting-an-end-to-the-throwaway-culture?source=share

[13] The Forest Stewardship Council A. C. (FSC) is an international non-profit, multistakeholder organization established in 1993 that promotes responsible management of the world's forests via timber certification. It is an example of a market-based certification program used as a transnational environmental policy.

[14] Plan Toys is a toy brand that strives for sustainable playing fun. All the toys that Plan Toys makes are only made from strong, sustainable materials and are produced in an ecologically friendly way. Plan Toys' quality material ensures that children can enjoy the toys for years to come. So, contribute to a sustainable world in a playful way with Plan Toys! https://www.babycompany.be/merken/plan-toys

[15] Since October 2017, Écoiffier products have been labeled “Origine France Garantie”. It is a brand whose principle of obtaining is simple: you must meet two mandatory criteria:

– at least 50% of the unit cost price is French.

– the product takes on its essential characteristics in France

A locally based company, aware of environmental and social issues, Cadeaux Écoiffier offers a complete range of simple toys, without electronics, meeting the primary needs of children at low prices and in a short supply chain. https://ecoiffier.fr/ecoiffier-une-marque-francaise/

[16] The Nutri-Score, also known as the 5-Colour Nutrition label or 5-CNL, is a five-colour nutrition label and nutritional rating system, and an attempt to simplify the nutritional rating system demonstrating the overall nutritional value of food products. It assigns products a rating letter from A (best) to E (worst), with associated colors from green to red. This system was selected by the French government in March 2017 to be displayed on food products after it was compared against several labels proposed by industry or retailers

[17] https://www.bioviva.com/en/mission

[18] Smoby is the largest toy manufacturer in France based in Lavans-lès-Saint-Claude, in the Jura. Buying a toy on our e-store means buying a toy directly from the manufacturer. A solid, robust toy, like our slides or houses, resulting from quality know-how acquired over several decades and respecting European toy standards. https://www.smoby.com/smoby_fr/home/

[19] Christelle Cousin and Pauline Vandenbussche have created an integration workshop in Haute-Borne, where games and toys are cleaned, renovated or completed, to experience a second life. From four, the workforce will increase to twelve before the summer. The workshop has only been operating since January 18, but it’s already off to a strong start. https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/929774/article/2021-02-04/villeneuve-d-ascq-avec-la-remise-enjouee-des-jouets-pour-pas-cher-des-emplois Created in August 2020, the association La Stratégie enjouée collects second-hand toys, which it renovates and resells at low prices in its shop in Villeneuve d'Ascq. A good initiative especially during this period that the Region close to your daily life shares with you. https://www.hautsdefrance.fr/economie-circulaire-pour-les-jouets-aussi/

[demxters]

selling one thing on vinted makes me want to sell my entire wardrobe

not to be a bad influence but 👀 lol jk.

i go through phases of wanting to completely trash my current wardrobe and reinventing myself but then remember with what money can i even buy a new wardrobe first of all.

[holleni]

Thanks @why-cant-turtles-fly for tagging me for this game !!

It was really tough to choose stuff that I would *willingly* give away and isn't trash, but I tried :

The pencil case is huge, there's around around a hundred colored pencils, so all colors are represented

I should really sell that leather bag on vinted, it's in pristine shape compared to the other stuff -_-

Tagging @awesomecitys-blog and @orange-ish-sunset if you want to, no pressure !

I came across this tag game and thought it looked fun so let’s do this. In this game you pick stuff from your room and have people vote on which one they want to take home.

I tag: @samblerambles @vizishereig @resident-rats @goodpointsandbadpoints @thebrandywine @lliinno-blog (anyone is welcome to participate honestly)