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teddy06writes · 3 years

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You Didn't Need Us Then, We Don't Need You Now

Requested by this anon: "Okay I thought of this idea during Fundy's stream. Quackity and reader were engaged to Karl and Sapnap, but they left because of Karl losing his memory and Sapnap paying more attention to him. Quackity and reader then created Las Navadas to try and cope with everything that's happened to them. They created a little wedding area where they planned to get married with Sap and Karl. Flash forward to a year or two later, Karl and Sap stumble across Las Navadas and their two former fiancees. And they see everything they've done, including the little wedding area. which is perfectly designed as to how they wanted their wedding together. That's is as far as I got to the imagine in my head. If you could make a fic out of it that would be cool. If not at least you have this cute imagine in your head! 😊"

{Okay, so- so man feels, so many ideas. I haven't seen all of the Los Nevadas streams yet because I've got a lot of school stuff going on, but, I think I have a pretty good idea of what's going on. [also Slime from The Ground my beloved]}

Quackity x reader; Past: Sapnap x Karl x Quackity x reader

trigger warnings: maybe some swearing, slight descriptions of a panic attack, slight drinking

premise: After L'manburg was destroyed, two of your fiancées seemed to disappear. With just Sapnap left, you had been scared, but he assured you that the right thing to do was split up to try and find Quackity and Karl. And, well, you found Quackity, but when He found Karl.... something else had taken over, and suddenly Kinoko Kingdom was more important than finding you and quackity again. But thats fine. You and Quackity had been together in the begining, so what did you need from the other two? Las Nevadas could fill the void they left,,, and it did, until they happened to come knocking, right as you were finally moving on.

{Also, parental unit for everyone in Las Nevadas, I love it, brain is going brr so hard}

{also also, purpled is the forgotten eldest child of the server and no the ufo does not get blown up}

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"It's gone, (y/n) it's all gone," You said with disbelief, staring over the barren, ashy place that had once been L'manburg and El Rapids, "We couldn't stop him."

Sapnap took in a shaky breath, wrapping an arm around your shoulders, "We were never could have. Even if the supplies weren't destroyed."

The remaining people had already cleared out, but you had only now come to see the damage, having been forced away from the battle by your fiancées.

"I could have helped." You fell to your knees, still staring at the wreckage.

Sapnap could only sigh at the broken look on your face. You had lost the only home you'd ever known, but what had he lost? Well, for one thing, Karl.

Karl was still no where to be found, and now it seemed that Quackity had disappeared.

He fiddled with the purple band that circled one of his fingers, "Look- we- we need to find Quackity and Karl. Q looked pretty bad the last time I saw him, and Karl-"

Resolutely you nodded, dragging yourself to stand, "Karl is Karl. He'll be happy that his statue missed being blown up. I think its Q we should be worried about. This place- El Rapids- that was everything to him."

"Well- how about you go find Quackity, and I go find Karl. We're bound to find them eventually if we split up." He offered.

You studied the look on his face, "You're covering for him. What's going on?"

Sapnap only shook his head.

Crossing your arms you turned toward the hill, and what was left of the prime path, "Quackity has the deed to some land. North of Spawn. Meet us there once you kind K, alright?"

"Okay." He said softly, leaning over to press a soft kiss on your cheek.

"Be safe." You advised, already starting away.

It didn't take you very long to track down your Fiancé, in all the time you'd known him (much longer than you'd known the others), he hadn't changed too much.

So, when you made your way through the twisted paths near Pogtopia, he was up on the ridge, sitting on the rock that had for so long, doubled as a bench.

"It's good to see you're safe." You hugged your arms to your body, trying to keep your voice from shaking.

As soon as you were sitting next to him, he was leaning on you, "He destroyed everything- all that work- El Rapids-"

"I know." You wrapped your arms around him, finally letting your own tears fall, "I know."

"What are we gonna do? I just wanted a place for us- I just- I wanted to make a place for us- all we asked for was recognition- and now the only place that saw was recognizing us is gone."

It had taken a while for Quackity to stop talking about everything that had been destroyed. Even then he kept asking, "But- Just wanted to make a place for you guys, how are we gonna do that now?"

"We can still make a place," You assured him, even as you yourself were unsure, "We'll make our own little country. So far out where no one will be able to blow it up."

He seemed to take to the idea quickly, and that night, as the two of you sat together in the camp that had been made within the caverns of Pogtopia, he talked feverently of the country you two would make.

He talked of buildings, of businesses, and of wedding venues. The plans he made up that night, they were almost enough to make you forget about what had happened to your home.

"What about that land north of spawn?" You suggested, letting your head rest back on his shoulder.

Quackity thought about it for a moment, "I mean- its just some desert, but I think we could make it work."

"Good, I told Sap to meet us there once he found Karl."

He nodded, "We'll head up there, and start getting everything ready, and then when they're ready they can come up."

~~ This was how three months came to pass, with the busyness of planning the new city, the beginning of construction, the meetings with Sam to plan for the new economic system that the new country would spread through the lands.

Yet you still felt off. It had been that long and Karl and Sapnap had never returned, something must have gone horribly, horribly wrong. It nagged at you, constantly, Drove you sick with anxiety somedays.

"(y/n)."

You looked up from the designs for the next casino you had been going over, "Sam! I didn't know you were visiting today! What can I do for you?"

"Uhhh, I wasn't planning on it, you better come out here- it's Quackity, we had been discussing- some things. I don't know what happened but when he passed back through-" The creeper hybrid trailed off.

You quickly stood, rushing passed him and through the hall to the courtyard where Sam had left him, gasping for breath and tugging at his hair.

In an instant you were kneeling beside him, "Breath baby, breath."

"They- he- George- Kinoko- Sap- left- on purpose-" He blubbered.

"Hey, Q," You took his hands as gently as you could, "look at me. Breath, breath with me. Come on, breath."

Slowly, he began to calm down, and by the time Sam was long gone he slowly began to explain what happened.

"I was heading back from talking with Sam, I saw George outside the prison. He kept talking about something- about- Kinoko Kingdom..." He sighed.

"Kinoko- what?" You asked, confused.

He let his head drop into his hands, "Karl and Sapnap.... started another country- called Kinoko Kingdom... they didn't even wait for us."

You felt your heart drop, if you hadn't been holding his hands yours would've been shaking, "What-"

Quackity could only nod shakily as he pulled you into his arms.

"I told him to come back here- I told- why didn't they-" You muttered absently.

The only noise in the courtyard was from the fountains, and the small sniffles from the two of you.

You were still in a state of semi-shock and sadness when you felt his arms tighten around you.

"We don't need them anyway. Las Nevada's can prosper without them."

~~ "Purpled? You want to get him in on this?" Quackity frowned.

You shrugged, "He's a mercenary, he could be of some help around here."

Your fiancé studied your face for a moment, "No, that's not it. Why do you really want him here?"

"Look, he's-" You sighed, "The kids been through a lot. He doesn't really have anything anymore, he needs somewhere, someone at least. We owe that too him at least."

After a moment, he nodded, "I haven't spoken to him since I paid him for his help with that egg mess. He- didn't seem to like me being around."

"I'll try to find him, he'd talk to me, I'm sure of it." You stood up from your seat at the table.

"You're going now?" He asked, following you across to the coat room.

You nodded, tugging on your boots, "If I want to make it through to the Greater SMP before it gets dark. I'll see if Eret will let me stay the night, then I'll head out again."

"Be careful." Quackity advised once you were ready.

You pecked at his lips, "I always am."

The journey to the Greater SMP went quickly, and after a nights stay in Eret's castle, you had made your way to the UFO, disappointed to find it seemingly abandoned.

"How the hell am I supposed to find him if the one place he ever seems to be is empty." You muttered, glancing around the base of the UFO.

You shrugged off your knapsack, dropping it to the side, followed by the sword that had been at your hip, and then you began to climb.

Even the inside of the UFO was completely empty, devoid of any chests, crafting tables, or furnaces.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

You jumped, turning to find Purpled, in full netherite, sword gripped tight in his hand.

"I- We've been looking for you." You fumbled for an explanation, holding up your hands in a sort of surrender.

He scoffed, "I already did a job for you people, I'm busy now."

"Not for a job Purpled!" You couldn't help but exclaim, "Some people actually try to find you for more than just that."

"Then what do you want?" He snapped.

"Did Q tell you about Nevadas?"

Purpled frowned, "Yeah, he mentioned it."

"Well, I think you should join. Come in on the project."

"Why the hell would I do that?"

You sighed, "Look, Purpled, you- everyone here, in this smp, they don't care, they don't bother to know you. You- you don't really have a place here-"

"You think I don't know that?" Purpled's grip on his sword tightened.

"So, If you come with us, join Las Nevadas, you can have a place- have people who care. You need people, Purpled."

"I don't Need anyone." He insisted.

You sighed, "Someday your going to have to see that that's not true. Please consider joining Las Nevadas, no one here cares, but we do."

"That's not true," He said bitterly, "You just need me to do another god damned job."

With a shake of your head you turned, preparing for the climb back down, "Purpled, this smp isn't kind to children, but I think it's been the most unfair to you. Out here your being forgotten, but you might not be if you join us."

At the base of the UFO you were surprised to find a strange, slimly looking boy digging through your bag.

"Hey!" You yelled, "Don't touch that! It's not yours!"

He looked up and froze, realizing he'd been caught.

You snatched your things away from him, quickly unsheathing your sword, "Who are you?"

"Uhhhh, I'm a meat person- same as you!" He offered.

"You- you're- uh-" You sputtered for a moment confused, "Why were you touching my things?"

"Uhhhhh, Dap me up!" He said avoiding the question.

You stared at him for a moment, "I don't have time for this."

As you started back toward the prime path you heard him call, "Nice to meet you (y/n) from Las Nevadas!"

"How do you know my name?" You demanded, whirling around.

"Oh, I know a lot of things." He laughed, "I see lots 'a stuff."

You frowned, "Uh huh. I'm gonna- walk away now."

~~ A week had passed, and there was still no signs of Purpled, nor Fundy or Foolish, (both of whom Quackity had gone to speak to whilst you were away), coming to Las Nevadas.

You were sure that Purpled would come around eventually, but had no faith that anyone else would join Las Nevadas, until you had heard a strange noise in the night.

It had been a cross between a clang and a yell, and then almost like something being dragged.

You had been going over some of the contracts you had been preparing for if anyone ever did show up when you'd heard it, and your fiancé seem to be gone from his own office, and your bedroom even, so quickly you armed yourself with your sword before hurrying out after the noise.

The streets of Las Nevadas were still partially lit by street lamps as you hurried along, it didn't take you long to find your fiancé, just outside of city limits, pacing In front of a strange looking hole.

"What the hell are you doing?" You hissed.

"Hey! It's (y/n) from Las Nevadas!"

You jumped at the voice, turning to see that no, the hole wasn't green, that the same slime boy from before was sitting in it.

"You! What are you doing here?!" You exclaimed.

"Quackity from Las Nevadas put me in this hole!" He said cheerfully.

Quackity grabbed your shoulder, turning you away from Slime and the hole, "You know him?"

"He was trying to look through my stuff after I talked to Purpled," You explained, glancing back over at the hole, "Said he sees just about everything, uhh, as far as I can tell, he's like the hybrids- but- weirder."

"Nope! I'm just a totally goopless guy! I'm bones and stuff!" He called from the hole.

"Oh god we have crazy people here." Quackity muttered scrubbing a hand over his face.

You moved to crouch next to the hole, "What- uh- What are you doing here buddy?"

"Oh I'm just oozing around. Dap me up!"

Confused, you complied, nervously laughing as he grinned at the handshake.

"I found him spying in the restaurant." Quackity sighed.

"What's spying?" The boy in the hole asked, "I just listen."

"Yeah well tell me exactly what you heard or I'll ill you right now!" Quackity threatened, pulling out his sword.

He hummed, "Well, I saw you, and I saw (y/n) from Las Nevadas. And there was a green guy, and a purple guy. I know of a Red guy, dead guy but he's not dead anymore-"

Your breath hitched, "Dead guy?"

"Yeah, looked real ashy- maybe even ...sooty?..." He confirmed.

Quackity glanced back at you, "And he's not dead anymore?"

"No. He's weird now. Got gray hair instead of grey skin. Used to run a country- got blown up though."

"How much have you seen man?" You asked, incredulous.

He shrugged, "I mean, I move slow but I've seen a lot. Lately a lot of conversations about taking advantage of the ever so fragile human psyche through gambling."

"Holy shit." you muttered.

Quackity glared up into the night sky, almost looking for an answer.

Shifting closer too look at the boy you frowned, "What's all that green stuff?"

"Oh- those are just- my totally normal- human parts! I'm a person!" He grinned.

You sighed, "Uhh, look, what's your name? Like how I'm (y/n) from Las Nevadas, who are you?"

"Oh, I'm goop from the ground!" He smiled for a moment before realizing his mistake, "I mean- I'm a meat person!"

Quackity still seemed to be praying to the sky, not paying any attention.

"Goop from the ground," You muttered, slowly connecting the dots, "Well, uhh, goop, how bout I give you a regular person name?"

"A person name? Oh boy!" He laughed.

You thought for a moment longer, "How about- Charlie?"

Charlie grinned, somehow even wider than before, "Woah! I have a real human name! Like any other regular human meat person!"

"Yep, you do." You chuckled.

"And, to be clear, I definitely am one of those, and not a piece of goop, that's slowly come to the surface, hiding as a person!"

As you continued to talk with Charlie, Quackity seemed to come to a realization, "He's like an accidental spy!"

And, when you helped him out of the hole Quackity was quick to say, "Well, this- this- was- was uh a formal greeting! Yeah that's what we call them!"

"Wow!" Charlie mused.

The walk back to Las Nevadas was quiet, until Charlie turned to you, "(y/n) from Las Nevadas, if I'm Charlie- where- where?"

You smiled, "Do you want to be Charlie from Las Nevadas?"

By the end of the same week, after having gotten Charlie fully on board, and slight agreement from Foolish, word finally came from Purpled.

You'd been working on the next phase of the whole Nevadas Project when Charlie rushed in, "(y/n) from Las Nevadas! There's someone here!"

You frowned, "Who?"

"Purpled from UFO!" He practically yelled.

Standing, you tucked your papers away, "That's perfect Charlie, thank you. Do you want to come with to help show him around?"

He nodded, following you out of your office.

Outside, you found Purpled, along with his dog, looking up at the casino in awe.

"Purpled! You came!" You called cheerfully.

The boy turned, a strange expression you couldn't read on his face, "What? No 'I told you so'? No 'I knew you'd come around eventually'?"

You shrugged, "I'm just glad you finally came."

He sighed, "It's not like they needed me anywhere else."

You put a hand on his shoulder, "That's alright, We need you here."

"They- I went to tell Ponk I was leaving," Purpled sounded too broken, too tired, "He said he was too busy to talk to me."

Before you could say anything, he continued, "I had a house, near L'Manhole. I- I uh blew it up, to see what would happen," His shoulders began to shake, ever so slightly, as he finished in a whisper, "No one even noticed."

In one quick move you wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him into a hug, "It's okay Kid, it'll be okay now."

That was how your fiancé found you, standing outside the main casino, a teen all but sobbing into your shirt, Charlie looking on confused.

And so, the time passed, Las Nevadas grew, and you and your new little family did along with it.

Quackity found it funny, really, your ability to bring people onto your side be connecting with them emotionally, and as he put it, all but adopting them.

Charlie still took up a room in the apartments you and Quackity staid in above the offices. Purpled would come over when things around the country weren't so busy, and you'd talk for hours, Foolish joining in some of the time.

Fundy, on his first night in the city, had broken down to you, the same as Purpled, but you'd helped him put himself together. Though Tommy, Tubbo and Ranboo didn't have official places in Las Nevadas, it seemed a chunk of their time was spent there.

Yep, that was your new strange family. You, Your fiancé and the kids but not really young enough to still be kids you accidently adopted.

Now, you reflected on this quietly, from the top of the needle.

"You okay?" Quackity asked softly, looking over at you.

You chuckled softly, "Can you believe that it's been two years?"

"No, can you?"

You shook your head, "You know, I've been thinking. A long time ago, you told me we were better off with out Karl and Sapnap."

He watched silently, as you pulled the other two rings that you had kept, holding them up by the chain they were strung on.

"Maybe- you were right- and maybe it's finally time to get married. Just us. We didn't need them to get here, we won't need them for anything else."

A small smile slipped onto Quackity's lips, "Would you marry me?"

"You already know the answer to that." You chuckled.

"So it's a yes?"

"Obviously." You scoffed.

"When should we have the ceremony then?" He asked.

"Right now," You mused, "We opened that wedding hall for a reason, right? We could get married proper, right now. It's already decorated the way Tubbo originally planed."

He laughed, "Let's do it tomorrow that way we have time to get like, notices out and shit."

You smiled, "Of course."

The sun had begun to set during this discussion, and you looked out over the peaceful landscape with a soft sigh, yes, this, this was home.

And even as you heard Charlie tripping and crashing his way up the stairs, the thought still filled your head.

"Quackity and (y/n) from Las Nevadas!" He exclaimed, "Purpled from Las Nevadas found some people by the border!"

In an instant, both you and Quackity were standing, "What were they doing?"

"Looking around, real weird like. Fundy From Las Nevadas said they might be here to attack us! I hope they aren't."

You followed Quackity past him and back down from the tower, drawing your sword as Charlie called out where he had left Purpled and the mystery people.

What you found was not what you expected.

Purpled stood, sword drawn and pointed at the men you least expected to see now.

Karl looked scared, tucked back behind Sapnap who was moving to draw his own sword.

Not another move!" You barked, moving to stand in line with Purpled.

Karl's face light up upon seeing you, "(y/n)! Quackity! I missed you!"

"Did you?" Quackity spit.

"Sapnap drop your sword." You commanded, not paying attention to the strange look on their faces, no one, and I mean no, pulled a sword on your family.

He frowned, "Wh- (y/n) don't be like that. I get it- but- why..."

"What are your intentions? Why have you come here?" You asked.

"We wanted to find you!" Karl said, "We missed you (y/n)."

"Uhh, that's (y/n) from Las Nevadas to you." Charlie said.

Quackity sighed, grabbing Charlie by the collar and pulling him back, "Sorry- he's been learning sass and sarcasm lately."

"Still, what are you doing here?" You pushed.

"We wanted to find you! You've been gone so long, we thought we'd go looking." Sapnap explained.

"We've been gone?" You scoffed, "You were the ones who disappeared."

Karl moved forward, grabbing your left hand, and Quackity's right, "We just wanted to come back, to finally get married."

You pulled away, slowly sheathing your sword, "You can't be serious?"

"What do you mean?" Karl asked, the smile just beginning to drip off his face.

"You fucking left us- We were just trying to make a place for the four of us to be safe and you left us! And now you want back? Out of the blue?" Your voice steadily grew louder, "You cannot show up here after abandoning us like that!"

Quackity gently took your hand, murmuring, "(y/n)..."

"No. They don't get to do this!" You turned to him, watching his face change upon seeing the mix of anger and sadness in your eyes.

"W- We'll talk about this tomorrow, away from the kids," He asserted, for once not earning any protest about age from Purpled or Fundy, "Charlie, you think you can take these guys on a tour of the place?"

He nodded eagerly, "This way this way!"

As Sapnap, Karl, Purpled and FUndy began to trudge after him, Quackity turned to you, "(y/n)?"

You just shook your head, pulling your hand out of his and starting away.

~~ Purpled had followed the tour party quietly, taking a page from Charlie's book and watching, observing everything.

He had seen the pain in your face at the suggestion of marriage, and the anger in Quackity's just upon seeing them.

So, he followed the men warily, watching the way Karl exclaimed about how he had built an Effile tower just like the one in the city in Manberg, and the way that Sapnap mentioned fondly how the décor at the wedding hall matched the ones you two had always spoken about.

Hearing it nearly drove him mad. Did they not realize that it had all been for them? That dreams of them arriving were the only thing that had ruled Your and Quackity's minds?

When Charlie had directed the group, which by now included some of the other tourists, past one of the bars, he stopped.

Inside, Quackity was slumped at the bar, a bottle of whiskey in hand.

"Drinking away your problems won't solve them." Purpled sighed, pulling the bottle away from him.

"We were doing so good without them. You know that Purp. But here they are, back and ready to fuck things up again. That's how it's always been." He muttered.

The boy shook his head, "They don't realize how destructive they are? Do they?"

"Never have." He sighed.

"Lets get you back home."

Quackity allowed himself to be manhandled into standing, and then led out of the bar, back toward the offices, and toward the apartment.

"(y/n) will figure it out. They always do." Purpled assured him, pulling open the apartment door and ushering him in.

"But they shouldn't have too," He sighed, running a hand through his hair, not bothered by the way his beanie fell to the floor, "They've dealt with so much without help. Yet they're always the ones to help us."

Once he had wrangled Quackity into the bedroom, Purpled headed back out, finding Fundy at the base of the Needle, "They up there?"

"Yeah," The hybrid sighed, "Quackity?"

"Got drunk. He's- painfully coherent though." He winced.

Fundy ran a hand through his hair, "It's hard to believe one of the nicest people around is the one to fuck them up like this."

"Makes perfect sense to me," Purpled said as they began to make their way toward the stairs, "My first night here- I was having a hard time, because- the whole server acted like I didn't exist. (y/n) told me about how Sapnap and Karl had abandoned them."

"Did it seem this bad though?" Fundy asked.

"No- but that was before they turned up again talking about marriage."

By now they had reached the top of the tower, and Purpled could see where you sat by the ledge, feet dangling over. Quietly, they both sat down on either side of you.

"How's Q?" You asked quietly after a moment.

"Drunk, but back at your apartment, well supplied with water." Purpled reported.

You nodded, "And K and- Karl and Sapnap?"

"Waaay to blissfully ignorant." Fundy said.

Quiet held you three in silence for a moment, until at last Purpled sighed, asking, almost bitterly, "So- are you gonna marry them? You were going to once."

"Even if I did it wouldn't change anything here." You mumbled.

"Sapnap was talking about how cool it would be to come back and visit from Kinoko after the honeymoon." Fundy admitted.

Before you could say anything Purpled drew one of his knees to his chest, "I- don't- it feels like they'd be taking you away from us- I like it the way it is. Things are nice, and they're just fucking it up."

Fundy nodded, "As much as I hate to say it, he's right. If you people all get married nothing will be the same. I kind of liked having parental figures, I don't want them messing that up."

"They won't." You promised softly.

By god, if you hadn't already made up your mind, their words would've swayed you.

~~ After a while, you stood, "Let's go home."

They followed you tiredly, Charlie joining the mini procession at one intersection, telling you that Sapnap and Karl had gone to get a hotel room.

At the apartment, Quackity was sitting on the couch, already seeming more sober than Purpled had told you. When you sat next to him, his arms were quick to wrap around you, holding you like a lifeline.

Charlie took his place on the other side of the couch, Purpled curled up in the armchair, and Fundy dug around until he found one of the old projectors he'd left there, queuing up a movie.

"Hey, just like on Nightmare's days!" Charlie laughed, referring to the infamous 16th, where, just about every month it seemed you, Fundy, Quackity and sometime Purpled would have nightmares of the Manburg Pogtopia war, and everyone would congregate in the living room to watch one of Fundy's movies.

"Sure as hell feels like one." Quackity muttered.

And so you watched the movie, though your thoughts drifted, thinking of how you would deal with your reappearing ex-fiancés.

As you thought, you created a mini script in your head. Exactly what you would say came you.

"You didn't need us then, and we don't need you now."

Yes, you thought, leaning more into Quackity's side, thats what you'd say, after you talked about your new family.

(and the next day, you did just that)

#mcyt x reader #quackity x reader #quackity imagines #sapnap x karl x quackity x reader #karlnapity #karlnapity x reader #teddy 06 writes #teddy06 #teddy 06 #I was going to write the full confrontaion #but I didn't have it in me

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binniedeactivated · 4 years

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saint. || soobin🌪 (10)*Finale*

congratulations for making it to the part 1 finale guys! thank you all so much for supporting this au! I am grateful beyond words! ♡

🖤┊𝔰𝔞𝔦𝔫𝔱 . ೄྀ࿐ 𝖕𝖆𝖎𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌: 𝖘𝖔𝖔𝖇𝖎𝖓 𝖝 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖌𝖊𝖓𝖗𝖊: 𝖘𝖒𝖚𝖙/𝖆𝖚 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙; 2195

you never really noticed how much breakfast solved your morning grumpiness but it did. you were much more relaxed and motivated when you were not worried and being taken over by hunger. you were able to actually pay attention and do your work with such ease. you thought maybe it was worth adding that into your daily routine once in a while. throughout you were surrounded by a bunch of females who were talking about how they were ranked on the list as it if mattered anymore. you wished they stop talking about it because to you at least, it didn’t matter anymore. you hated soobin for making something like that and you were happy you said what you said to him.

anyway sister abigail was choosing random people to do math equations on the board today and you knew this would go completely go wrong for you. you knew math formulas and expression, but you couldn’t solve an equation. it was always for you which is why as soon as you felt as if you were about to go next you quickly asked her if you could go to the bathroom. she obliged and you were happy to have gone.

you were kind of surprised soobin wasn’t in the hallway like he normally was. creating trouble and walking around as if he didn’t have classes to go to. you push open the door to the bathroom. there was someone sitting on the floor which you found very odd, and...disgusting. she looked insane. you don’t even think she went to the school, maybe she snuck in and needed a place to stay. you couldn’t go into another stall without addressing her. her clothes were ragged and her hair looked as if it hadn’t been brushed in days. you approach her hesitantly while she sits with her knees to her chest. she kind of scared you with that look of crazy in her eyes.

“hey, are you alright? do you need somewhere to stay tonight?”.

maybe you could call your mom and they could’ve arranged something until she got back on her feet. you couldn’t just leave her here.

“what do you want? why are you even talking to me?”. she grumbled. you looked closer into her eyes.

“mia?”.

“what?”.

you were baffled at her appearance. you couldn’t believe she came to school in this condition she looked so strung out. it was terrible.

“what happened to you?”.

“it’s not like you’d understand. shit like this happens to you when you refuse to be a saint”. she assures with a tear fleeing her eye.

“mia it doesn’t matter if you’re a saint or not. if you need help you need help”.

she blinked a couple of times before she began crying in her hands. you sit down with her, wrapping your arms around her shoulders. you felt horrible for her and you hadn’t even known what happened. As she was crying you could see her now dirty school skirt lifting up a bit. words couldn’t describe how sorry you felt at the fresh wounds that slit across her thighs.

“mia? have you been...?”. she quickly clutched the bottom of her skirt and pulled it down. she was ashamed of what she had done. you pursed your lips. no human being should ever have to experience that kind of pain. absolutely no one.

“I want to help you. can I help you?”. you says and mia looks up with you with her teary blue eyes.

“why the hell would you want to help me? soobin must’ve broken up with you huh?”.

you stand up, giving her a hand to help lift herself off the floor.

“me and soobin aren’t dating”. you say truthfully. “we should head to the nurses office to get you some painkillers”. you hold out your hand for mia to hold. she reluctantly clutched it figuring she had no choice. you guided her down the hallway and your mind was blown on how she willingly let people see her look like this. it wasn’t like mia to ever look ungroomed.

“what do we have here?”.

“hey i was wondering she can get some pain meds? she’s having a bit of a headache right now”. the nurse nods putting a hand through mia’s tangled hair.

“are you okay honey?”. she asks. and mia just nods knowing she was broken beyond repair. she was given the tablets and glass of water and she took them gratefully. you tell the nurse thank you and wish her a happy rest of her day before you let mia follow you back into the bathroom.

you place your bag on the sink and position her in the mirror where she could see herself clearly. she knew she looked like a wreck, she hadn’t had the strength to do something about it. you reach into your bag and take out a brush, slipping it through mia’s hair carefully. she flinches.

“what are you doing?”. she snaps.

“I’m brushing your hair. I refuse to let you walk out of the bathroom like this”.

she turns around and continue going down each strand, brushing out the knots at the ends before brushing from the top. you did this until her hair was as silky and flowy as you remembered it. mia touches it, forgetting how much better she looked with it done.

“you like it?”. you asks and mia nods. she looks into the mirror like it was her first time seeing herself. you grab a napkin and wet it, wiping the tear stains off her cheeks. “whoever they were must’ve really hurt you mia”. she holds her head kind of low while you dip into your bag and grab some mascara and lipstick. you never wore much makeup but you carried it because...well that’s just what girls did in high school .

“i’ll never be the same person again”. she swallows. you twist open the mascara and grip the cap tight. you gently drag the mascara brush up her eyes lashes with care. “who’d ever hurt you like this? this is insane”.

“you’d be surprised at the things people do when they’re desperate”.

“what did they want from you?”. you question finishing up her other eyelash. mia gulps and stares into your eyes with the most serious look you’ve ever seen. you gulp.

“mia you have to tell someone you can’t just harm and neglect yourself like this”.

she shakes her head slowly, remembering what the boys told her.

“I can’t”.

“why can’t you? anything is better than this. look at your thighs. you can’t go on like--”.

“I have no choice you don’t understand”. you sighed. you take out the lipstick and swab her lips with the pretty maroon color. you use your fingernails to get the excess around her lips before you were finished. you turned her around to the mirror where she could see herself. she stared and you could tell she didn’t know how to feel.

“you look beautiful mia. and if you let me help you we can get you through this”.

she presses her lips together.

“why are you being nice after I’ve done what i’ve done to you? it doesn’t fucking make sense”.

“well--”.

“I clowned you in front of the whole school i fucked up your history exam I tripped you in gym class and not only embarrassed you but you were also injured. I tried to take soobin away from you and talked down on you as much as I possibly could to get him to hate your guts. why are you being like this?”.

“The bible says to love your neighbor like you love yourself. yes those things happened but i forgive you. the only thing that is important right now is making sure that whoever it is pay for what they’ve done to you. you don’t deserve this”.

mia toys with fingers before grasping you in her arms hugging you with the small pocket of joy she had left.

“do me a favor just put that one on this wall”. Michael says to kevin. he nodded, taking the polaroid picture and stapling it to one part of the bulletin board.

“we should spread them out more”. kevin says in a matter of factly tone. “true”. and together the both of them took their time taking numerous polaroids and stapling and taping them shamelessly to every wall they could find.

“this bitch is so pathetic”. kevin utters laughing to himself. he was proud of the work they were doing. it was more fun than any arts and crafts project he’d ever done.

“she is. I hope she sees this shit”. michael replies. the both of them take a step back and look at it all together. in their eyes, it looked great. but when the bell rung and everyone made their way out into the hallway they stopped at every wall in complete horror. thousands of polaroids of the pictures mia took of herself, cutting herself and bleeding. under each one wrote,

‘mia is an attention seeking cunt’

some laughed. some were shocked, and some just plainly walked by them as if they were normal everyday posters. but after mia hugged you, you slipped her your number and made your way upstairs to your class. to your misfortune you didn’t see them.

but as soon as mia worked up enough courage to step out of the bathroom and become herself again she was reminded of who hurt her. she was reminded of the boys who could give less fucks about how she feels. she was reminded that she was an absolute psychopath for slitting her thighs the way she did. she was stared at. and normally mia wouldn’t mind being stared at when she was among her friends but it was different when she were alone and much more vulnerable.

where were her friends?

she walks through the crowd holding her head low to avoid eye contact. she’d do anything to not be able to look into people eyes and see what they thought of her. she knew she was a lunatic. she knew she was disgusting. because in the religious community, self harm was bizzare.

michael throws his hood on and ties it tightly so that his face went unseen. he catches up to mia who was still trying to innocently make her way past the hallway. he grabs them hem of her skirt and pulls it down before he makes a clean getaway. mia shrieks, gaining back the attention she was starting to lose.here she was, in the middle of the hallway with her scars out in the open for everyone to see. she quickly pulls her skirt back up with tears gushing out of her eyes. she runs outside of the school building and everyone stares in utter shock.

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

the housekeeper clutches the blankets and snatches them off the bed. she jumped back a little when she saw the blood stains that danced along the bed sheets. she quickly reported it to her manager as she was mandated. he took a glimpse for himself. it was unusual that guests ever left a mess and when they did it would be food, shoes, maybe clothes that they forgot.

but it was never blood so this was a serious problem. and it called for investigation.

#choi soobin #choi yeonjun #choi beomgyu #choi soobin au #txt au

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aerielz · 4 years

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Here's a lb of the When We All Vote special because I just needed to talk about it I guess?

I mean, it really is just me geeking out about the filmmaking and quoting my favorite lines but be my guest

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

It's always amazing to me how Brad's voice haven't changed at all but he looks like a qtip, it's great.

OH WAIT THIS IS A READ THROUGH. THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO READ THE SCRIPT THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE. and smart too.

And it's great because Aaron's earlier scripts read exactly like a play, like, it's really is three lines of stage direction and then just... dialogue all the way down.

Oh God the staging and the direction is so solid damn you Tommy Schlamme. As far as a staging goes this is solid. I mean, the blocking is SO nice??!! And very theater-y! Going minimal was one hell of a good idea, specially considering the time frame. Ugh damn this is a smart production.

"I was thinking how much things change in sixty seconds"

Tell me about it.

The titles! Crying? No I'm not crying you're crying. THIS IS SO PRETTY! I love how they decided to put in moments of the making of, this is a THREAT

I’m gonna screencap the shit out of this episode and cycle the shots as desktop background, it’s decided.

The lines between the act breaks are actually pretty funny and I love the fact that both Eli and Aaron wrote these inserts, because Sorkin is hilarious but then Eli comes with the I Know What I’m Doing with the politics and the speeches are solid.

THE CUTS ARE SMOOTH IN WAYS THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE HOW THE FUCK MAN

OKAY I AM SORRY BUT I'M GONNA GO FULL GEEK OVER THE FILMMAKING HERE OKAY just skip to the next bolded line after this one if you don't wanna read about it.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW THIS SHOW WORKS (as far as craft is concerned):

You have a classic Hollywood filmmaking style for most of the time: smooth and invisible tracking shots in dollys (little carts that push and pull the camera over a track for smooth movement), beautiful close ups and focus racks (when you pull focus on something on the foreground then change it to the background, or vice versa, without cutting) to make use of your entire depth of field. That by itself ties nicely to Aaron's 40's-ish scripts: heavy plot and lots of fast talking require you to keep moving so things don't get boring, but it can’t be overwhelming because the writing is already like ok wow too much; the jokes need that precision in timing, too, it all needs to be like clockwork. And the atmosphere all of that creates is just right too: the precision and the damn fine acting you need to pull this kinda shit off are a testament to the very themes and setting of the show so *chefs kiss*

AND THEN ON TOP OF THIS YOU HAVE THE SMOOTH STEADY-CAM AND THOMAS SCHLAMME PROVES HE KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING. because it's so good. The camera floats through the west wing as if it was a character itself, you’re dropped right in the middle of the action. the way the camera circles the characters puts you in their mindset: things are HAPPENING decisions needs to me made. it’s what’s next in visual form. and it pulls the show right into the 21st century, because it’s such a modern thing, such a technical achievement, to be able to stage and

THE THING IS, THIS IS A STAGE. THIS IS NOT A FULL SET, like they had back in the day. so the staging needs to make sense and the movements have to be thought out to match the next cut. they blocked the staged to allow for continuous long shots of the more complex sequences but some cuts here are still kinda tricky. this is by no means impressive by Hollywood standards but it’s still not really trivial? might be after you’ve spent 8 years filming like this, but all in all it’s not nothing.

I talked once about how it’s kinda funny that almost half of the shot/reverse shots (dialogues are usually shot like that: you have once person talking, then the other, and you usually shoot the entire convo one side then the other, and then cut them in together so it makes sense. it’s p much the first thing you learn if you go to film school) are out of focus, and about how it’s prob because the schedule must’ve been insane. but I say this out of sheer respect. you naturally spend more time and effort on set pieces and difficult shots but half of this fucking show is a set piece.

I mean IT’S SO SIMPLE. BUT IT’S SO GOOD. There’s nothing extraordinary going on but it’s so beautiful and so well done and I'm constantly blown away by how much this show does with what ends up being just basic filmmaking.

it really all just comes down to great scripts, great acting, and a handful of techniques to bring it all together. and in this day and age when everything became a desperate and artificial attempt to make the audience respond, that is impressive.

ok I’M SO SO SORRY. end of me geeking out about filmmaking

"DONNA!"

My first reaction to this one single line was omg- I missed this so much. and I’m actually rewatching the whole thing it’s been 0 days since I've heard josh screaming at donna. I can only imagine what it was like for them.

I just don't have words anymore to talk about how much I love this show.

God fucking damnit THE ACTING.

JANEL'S ACTING. THE TINY REACTIONS.

On stage you don't have the realism, you don't have anything to help you believe it so it's SO MUCH CLEARER how GOOD these guys are.

Okay I understand if everyone ends up pissed because this is not at all new material, etc etc, but I GOTTA SAY I AM THROUGHLY ENJOYNG THIS THING. Sorkin writing is made for stage and having the chance to see these guys actually doing it on stage is a blessing if you ask me.

You just know this exchange is gonna become gifs that people will subtitle with whatever else line of dialogue they want and I can't wait for it.

I really want to to back to the episode later and compare the acting (which is kind of a dick move but I'm inconsequential to them they'll never know), because Janel is fucking NAILING young Donna after all this time and this is just insane.

"Give it up, tiny"

that's a bold line when it comes to Allison Janney

"I moved my pawn..."

"Well, it's as popular today as it was back then."

Please please please please tell me the bit about the stuffed animal is true. Please. it’s probably not but I don’t care it’s in my head and it’s not gonna go away

"I think if my dog could pull that off his vote should count."

Oh my God.

"Did Aaron write this?"

Oh my God.

I'm-

"You're a sap?"

"It's called poetry, me bucko."

Can you tell that at some point I stopped thinking and just got really into the show?

"He's not gonna-- that's the other guys! He's not gonna gonna privatize social security. he'll privatize New Hampshire before he privatizes social security."

I remember that this line made me actually stop the episode to laugh back when I first watched it and guess what yep I did it again

UGH.

I really love how this episode ends. I really love the feeling of how Bartlett is pretty much teaching Sam how play the game on a higher level, I love the feeling of ‘oh okay this guys is GOOD we get’. I think a month ago in one of those interviews they were doing to promo the thing Sorkin said people respond to the sigh and sound of competence and he’s absolutely right.

oh, and that ending right there was an definitely an "I have no idea what to do about that" solution, but it wasn't a bad one? it clashes, but it’s not bad at all.

I LIKED IT. I really really really liked it. This was really fun and the only bad part is that we're gonna gonna get to see them just doing everything else too. Like, it ended and i was half expecting to see he next episode but it wasn't there and that was the one disappointment tbh

#when we all vote #the west wing #az talks tww #az talks filmmaking

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olicitytropes · 5 years

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Olicity Tropetastic Awards: Fandom Writers

And with this post, we’re at our final rec list for this year’s Tropetastic Awards! Thank you everyone for helping us make it through this hiatus! (instant tears)

We can’t express how much we love Olicity, this fandom, and every writer who shares their stories with us. We wish we could buy you all some real trophies (or give you a really good hug) for the time and effort you’ve poured into your fics! There are just so many talented writers that we’ve talked about and fangirled over. Hopefully through this process, we’ve been able to shine some light on all of that talent. And we hope that everyone in this fandom can appreciate and respect it as much as we do! We could’ve made this post go on forever, so all of the kudos to all of you<3

As fans, we’ve followed Arrow for seven seasons, and we’ve found so many fanfics along the way that touched us and pulled at our heart strings as much as (sometimes more than) canon. It’s hard to put into words how much that means to us, but we had to try;) Here are some writers who we want to thank. And of course, they’re only the tip of the iceberg on this giant, powerful fandom.

We will always, always, always love you.

@smoaking-greenarrow’s recs:

** @supersillyanddorky06 **

Strangers in the Night

The Firebird

The Predator

The Phoenix & The Phoenix Rises

Award: The Alternate Universe Specialist

Kudos: I’ve been so happy to let @supersillyanddorky06’s worlds distract me from real life when I needed it. The Firebird was my study-break savior in college when I needed to step out of reality and stop stressing over finals. Devouring The Phoenix and The Phoenix Rises kept me up way too late reading and made me way too tired for work the next morning, but it was so worth it! There are infinite things to love about Olicity, and infinite things to love about this talented writer. Matty, I know I can speak for more than just myself when I say that your stories mean a lot to this fandom. You’re already one of my favorite authors, but I can’t wait to read The Predator as a novel. And watch it captivate the rest of the world like it did for Olicity fans. Arrow captured lightning in a bottle when they got Stephen and Emily on screen together, and I think the same thing happened when you watched the show, fell in love with Olicity, and decided to write fanfic for them. I’m beyond excited to see what you do next, and low-key telling myself that I basically got to read a first draft of The Predator before it becomes a bestseller ;)

Bonus Kudos: MY QUEEN. Sending you all the love for the hours I’ve spent with your amazing fics! Finding an email notification that The Predator had updated always made me squeal out loud! Thanks forever for that! -Meegan (@it-was-a-red-heeler)

** @it-was-a-red-heeler **

Lost and Found

A Dance with the Devil

Desperation Club

Deep Water

Award: The Storyline Mastermind

Kudos: I know that when I start one of Meegan’s fics, it’s going to be satisfying from start to finish. I first read Lost and Found, and I was so impressed with it that I had to write this little fic review. Everything that I read of hers after that was just as wild and just as incredible. She’s a genius at pacing, building tension, and plot twists. Meegan, I’m so happy I’ve had the chance to read your dreamy and steamy versions of Olicity. And I’m even happier that we’ve had the chance to get to know each other because of this fandom. Be my friend and stay forever, K?

** @tangled23works **

Like A River

Whatever It Takes

Nothing Short of Perfect

My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark

Broken Bones and Porcelain Dolls

Award: The Hook, Line and Sinker

Kudos: Sascha writes the kind of fics that I don’t want to put down. She’s insanely good at picking up her story in the perfect place, one that keeps me hooked and wanting to read more (and since those important first words are something I often struggle with, I’m so envious of her for that;)). All of the kudos to you my friend, for your out of the box thinking! Sascha, I’m so happy that you share your writing with all of us, and just your presence in this fandom in general is amazing. I can’t even tell you how many times you’ve brightened my day! Thank you for being the talented writer and awesome person that you are!

** @mindramblingsfics **

Forget Me Not

Will Fate Allow?

Summer Flame

Was It Ever Real?

Award: The Creative Trailblazer

Kudos: @mindramblingsfics I have so many praises to sing for you, but most of all I just think you’re insanely cool. The way you craft your fics is so unique and clever. You take us on a journey with everything you write. You take all of our favorite tropes and spin them on their heads in ways I’ve never seen before. I’ve never read a summary or teaser of yours that didn’t make me excited to read the story, and those stories are always better than I imagined. Thank you for all of your special fics, and all of your hard work. We all appreciate it so much!

Bonus Kudos: Oh my goodness. This amazing writer. I cannot even begin to thank you for your incredible works! They always leave me wanting more. Summer Flame is one of my Top 5 favorite fics of all time! Along with Whiskey and Romance too! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for writing such wonderful fics! -Caitlin (@blondeeoneexox)

** @felicityollies **

Vampire and the Geek

Secrets Don’t Make Friends

Trust Me

Doppelgänger

Award: The Jack of All Trades

Kudos: I dare you all to try to find a fic from Bev that doesn’t give you everything you’re looking for. This writer can do it all, and it’s amazing. I promise you’ll be impressed by every world you jump into and you’ll fall in love with every version of Olicity that you read. Bev, I’m blown away by every story of yours, you never disappoint, and I can’t wait to read more! Thank you for everything you’ve given this fandom!

@blondeeoneexox’s recs:

** @smoaking-greenarrow **

The Hardest Part

Mine at Midnight

Just Beneath the Surface

Come Back When You Can

My Favorite Faded Fantasy

Kerosene and Desire

Award: Queen of Olicity Happy Endings

Kudos: Okay, y’all are going to have to forgive me cause this is about to get really sappy and kinda personal. @smoaking-greenarrow’s fics were the first I read after joining this wonderful fandom. I was so in awe of her talent and how she could make you feel like you were really inside the fic. How she could make me laugh, cry, and really bring out the sap in me. I wanted to talk to her and rave to her about how amazing she is, but I didn’t want to be THAT person, you know? 😂 Then one day SHE messaged ME about something totally different (😉) and I was SO excited! I actually got to tell her how incredible her fics were without seeming like a crazy person, hahaha. Now, she’s my best friend in this fandom and I am SO beyond lucky to have her. Thank you for not thinking I was some random, psycho fan girl, E. I am so thankful for you and for your absolutely phenomenal writing. If you haven’t read her fics, please do yourself a favor and go do it right now! I’d start with Mine at Midnight and work down the list. You won’t regret it. 😘

Bonus Kudos: Ellie, what can I say? Besides your unsolicited review of my little fic that launched me under the fandom’s nose (forever grateful for that, my friend) your fics are beyond amazing! So many great stories to choose from, all of them a world I can fall into with my favorite couple. Love ya! -Meegan (@it-was-a-red-heeler)

** CSM **

Lucas’ Adventures

Impeccable Genetics

A Future Worth Fighting For

Almost, But Not Yet

Award: Queen of Time Travel Fics

Kudos: Oh my goodness. Nikki! I am COMPLETELY OBSESSED with her time traveling kid fics. From Ellie to Mia to Lucas, it doesn’t get any better. She puts wit, charm, sass and hilarity into every single one of her amazing works. I am currently obsessed with Lucas’ Adventures (updated every Sunday in case y’all wanna start 😉), where a sweet 10 month old Lucas shows up and completely disrupts S2 Oliver and Felicity’s lives! If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend along with every other one of her kid fics. She is an absolutely incredible writer, I’m so happy to know her and love her works!

Bonus Kudos: Nikki, Lucas’ Adventures is exactly what I need and want to be reading in this trying time. While Arrow and season 8 look very daunting and sad right now, this fic has been so much fun to read. Can’t wait to see what you do next, and thank you! -Ellie (@smoaking-greenarrow)

** @alexiablackbriar13 **

little wonders (twists and turns of fate)

whenever you’re ready

#olicity lives!

two pints of mint chip it’s a girl

Award: Queen of Canon Divergence

Kudos: Oh boy. @alexiablackbriar13. Where do I even begin? I’m sure as all of you know, she is a PHENOMENAL writer! From little wonders to all of her amazing one shots, I’m forever in awe of her writing! I think my absolute favorite though would have to be little wonders, because OBVIOUSLY. She took canon and transformed it into something the Arrow writers couldn’t DREAM of doing. I remember when she posted the teaser of this story. I knew it was going to be one of a kind, and it did not disappoint! GO READ IT IF YOU HAVEN’T, YOU ARE MISSING OUT. 😍 and I can’t forget my other favorite, whenever you’re ready. I remember reading this and SOBBING. Mia and Lucas travel back to 2019 and meet their parents. It’s a fic that should be read by all. You’re sensational, Lexi. This fandom is so lucky to have you!

** @dust2dust34 **

Four Walls (Of Law Firms and Honey)

Forever is Composed of Nows

Wanna Be Yours

(i will be the fire) that keeps you warm

Award: The Fandom’s Real MVP of Smut

Kudos: BRE. Okaaay, I don’t think this writer needs any introducing. I mean, one of the masterminds of the perfection that is FICON? Come ON. What you have given this fandom is more than I could put into words. From your oneshots to your sultry, smutty, smut fics, to the beautiful multi-chapters you’ve created, your writing is unparalleled. I, on behalf of the fandom, want to thank you for all of your masterpieces! They are truly incredible and we are so lucky to have you!

Bonus Kudos : Bre, I will forever be grateful to the time you have spent writing Olicity fics and obsessing over Felicity Smoak and Oliver Queen. Through the years you have become a master of your craft and I honestly can’t wait for your next story. Thank you for everything. -Sascha (@tangled23works)

@allimariexf’s recs:

** @MachaSWicket **

Deceive, Inveigle, and Obfuscate

And Then It Ends, Your Little Winning Streak

Long Time Coming

The Unbearable Hotness of Being

Va Banque

Award: Master of the Essence of Olicity

Kudos: How can I possibly summarize why Macha’s works are so special? She writes with a perfect blend of compelling plot, moving emotional development, and effortlessly beautiful prose. She writes characters that jump off the page, so that we hurt and rejoice and lust with them. She adds elements of surprise and delight to even the most well-worn tropes, infusing them with the essence of Olicity. Her canon-related and AU stories always feel like just another (and in many cases, better) path that Oliver and Felicity could have taken. Every word she writes is a treat, every story is a gift to the fandom. I know this sounds effusive but it’s barely scratching the surface of how amazing her works are! I have definitely laughed, cried, and everything in between while reading (and re-reading...and re-re-reading, etc.) her stories. (Okay also I already listed 5 of her stories, but I also have to mention two more: the utterly delightful AU WIP Our Version of Events (co-written with geneeste), and fandom-favorite Little Black Dresses and King-Sized Messes.)

** @anthfan **

Devil’s Backbone

Tropes

Times like these

Tell me a story

Dust to Dust

Above and Beyond

Award: Queen of Canon-related Tropes to end all Tropes

Kudos: anthfan’s stories were some of the first I read in this fandom, and WOW what a high bar she set. Those of you who know me know that I tend to prefer canon-related stories to AUs (well okay, more recently I have begun to love AUs too, but canon-related will ALWAYS own me), and anthfan just hits that pitch-perfect spot of great storytelling - intriguing twists, heartfelt scenes, perfect characterization, and ANGST - OH, THE ANGST - while still remaining in that familiar Arrow universe we all know and love. And nowhere does she shine as well as when she’s taking well-known tropes and giving them a uniquely Olicity twist. Devil’s Backbone remains my favorite Olicity fic of all time (probably!), but truthfully I wish I could read every one of these stories over and over again for the first time.

Bonus Kudos: I thought the first chapter of Dust to Dust would actually kill me, but it proved itself to be clever and badass and witty and FUN! As far as Devil’s Backbone goes, I watch Season Three now and just assume all the stuff from the fic is going on after hours (headcanon accepted)—one of my all-time favorite stories! -Meegan ( @it-was-a-red-heeler)

** @mogirl97 **

Crazy for You

Along The Way

Sportsmanlike Conduct

The Offer

It Takes Two

Award: Master of Swoony, Romantic AUs

Kudos: So I mentioned above that I only recently (in the past year or so) really got into AUs, and mogirl97 offered a crash course that I couldn’t resist! I started with Along the Way and I was HOOKED, quickly gobbling up everything else she wrote, and it was all equally swoon-worthy. She has a way of making you absolutely fall in love with each of her universes, and every time a story comes to an end I never want to let it go. Sweet, soft, longing, gently angsty - those words can describe basically all of her stories. And romantic. So, soooo romantic!

** bri617 **

Across The Highs, The Lows, And The In-Betweens

Did It Hurt When You Fell From Heaven?

Without You (I’m Incomplete)

You Were Mine (Just For One Night)

Freeze Frame, Pause, Rewind, Stop

Award: Queen of Fluffy AUs

Kudos: bri617 is just a master of FUN. Fluffy, fluffy, soft, delightful FUN! She has cornered the market on college AUs, but basically everything she writes captures that perfect blend of flirty, simmering, quirky, playful, slightly-awkward, mutual heart-eyes Olicity that we all crave. In every one of her stories, I fall in love with Oliver and Felicity and Olicity all over again, and laugh my ass off while doing it.

@tangled23works’ recs:

** @someonesaidcake **

Ride or Die

ONE (Oliver The Footballer)

Truly, Madly, Stupidly

Award: Queen of Emotional Impact

Kudos: I’ve been trying to find a way to explain how I feel when I read @someonesaidcake’s fics and I keep failing. The best way to understand what I’m talking about would be to start reading them yourself, if you haven’t already. These stories are powerful enough that they’re gonna make you cry, smile and wish you could experience such a unique, powerful love story in real life. The fandom was truly blessed when this amazingly talented author decided to write Olicity fics.

** @olicityaddicted **

Never Tear Us Apart

One More Chance

And She Will Be Loved

Award: Queen of Heartfelt And Comforting Romance

Kudos: I chose @olicityaddicted for my second award because, to be honest, she deserves to be far more appreciated than she is. Her stories provide a safe refuge for me, a place where I can relax and forget about real life for a while. Her brilliance lies in simplicity; her fics will not punch you in the gut but make you feel like you’re cocooned in gentle warmth and Olicity love.

** @bindy417 **

Caught in the Rapture

Arrows & Airwaves

Bound to You

Award: Queen of Page-Turners

Kudos: @bindy417’s complex and beautifully drafted stories are one of the reasons I enjoy reading Olicity fics so much. She has written one of my all-time favorite Al Sah-him fics. I made the mistake of reading it on a bus once and missed my stop. Seriously, there are published books which are less well-thought-out and more predictable. Brittany’s works are imaginative, compelling and addictive. She deserves ALL the awards.

Bonus Kudos: Okay, okay. I’m kind of mad at myself for not choosing Brittany because she has written some of the most BEAUTIFUL multi chapters in this fandom. Bound to You. Caught in the Rapture. I have read those two fics I cannot tell you how many times! I’m completely obsessed. I bow down to you, lady! You and your stories are so amazing! -Caitlin (@blondeeoneexox)

@msbeccieboo’s recs:

** @so-caffeinated **

Forever Is Composed Of Nows series

Stop the Presses series

Award: Favourite Universe-Creator

Kudos: I adore an extended AU universe, and (together with the amazing Bre, of course) Janis has created one of my absolute favourites, the “Forever Is Composed Of Nows (ficon)” ‘verse. What I love most about her writing is her ability to not only write beautifully for our known characters, but to create wonderful, captivating and just full original characters that we quickly fall in love with, and are immediately pulled into their world to experience with them. I now love and treasure characters like William, Amelia and Jules (my personal faves) as completely as I do Oliver or Felicity. I also love how much she interacts with her readers, constantly asking for ideas and feedback, answering asks and writing to prompts. Her storytelling is original and immersive, and I can’t wait to read her original works!!

** @smkkbert **

10 Rules of Rebounding

The Way You Make Me Feel (I Call it Love)

Time For a Story

If Loving You is Wrong (I Don’t Want to be Right)

Award: Most Diverse and Constantly Creating Writer

Kudos: Kathi has a huge range of any type of Olicity fic you can think of! LoA/Bratva/canon/AU/kid fic/high school/friends to lovers/season rewrites/missing scenes, there is something and everything for everyone! From one-shots to epic multi-chapters, as well as some of my favourite smut? YES PLEASE!! I am not ashamed to admit I have read some of her stories many, MANY times over!!

She has consistently posted fic after fic after fic, writing over 50 Olicity stories, with “Time For a Story” constantly updating alongside, and set to reach 500 chapters!! I love how she seems to be able to write Olicity in a million different ways/scenarios and still always pull me into their new world and fall in love with them over and over again. Superb, AND not in her first language either! Amazing!

** @realityisoverrated-fic **

Infinite Love series/universe (of which there are >200 one-shots/mullti-chapters)

Award: Smoaking Billionaires QUEEN (we all bow to her)

Kudos: You want Smoaking Billionaires? This should be your first port of call! But to imply she simply writes around one theme would be an epic disservice. This series has everything, Olicity/Flommy/Toliver/SBs, fluff, family feels, kids, canon, canon divergence/swerve, action, humour, angst…oh the angst, oh, and a healthy dose of smut!

Her stories can be so deep, heart-breaking, raw and real-feeling in places, whilst also fluffy, hilarious, happy and contain some of the hottest smut ever!

** @allimariexf **

Not Your Typical Secretary series

Burning Souffles

Coming Home Again

A Dream That I Can Call My Own

Award: Queen of Canon/Canon-Divergence

Kudos: Alli has the gift of writing in canon, or slightly divergent, whilst still perfectly capturing the essence of Olicity and improving on the show’s writing, all whilst bringing the angst!! An absolutely beautiful writer, more beautiful human, and mah P.I.C.!! 😍

Bonus Kudos: Alli, I’m so happy that you share your fics with the fandom and that you created a whole channel for us to be as geeky and Olicity-obsessed as we like. Thank you for writing these stories (seriously, Succumbing to Shadows is a masterpiece), for organizing Arrow rewatches and for being a true friend. Even though there are hundreds of miles between us, I still feel that I know you and you should know that you can count on me. Always. -Sascha (@tangled23works)

** @stephswims **

One Step Ahead

That’s The Way It Is

Drunk Cuddly Oliver

Numb Lips

Award: Sweetest Little Smut Monster

Kudos: Steph has written some of my current favourite WIPs, and has a knack for writing badass AU Felicitys, in particular. She always manages to get the narrative voices of her characters juust right, which makes reading her stories all the more relatable! Oh, and the smut is glorious hehehe!!! My love and fandom sister wife! 😍

@it-was-a-red-heeler’s recs:

** @ruwithmeguys **

What Wouldn’t I Do

Indecent Proposal

Restless Heart

Award: The Queen of Nuance

Kudos: A sideways glance. The hitch of a breath. The babbling, breathless inner dialogue of a beautiful IT genius in love with a broody-but-lovable warrior. These are the elements of Olicity we all love so much, and Jessica’s magical talent as a writer. She makes you feel the angst and the love in her writing. Long after the story ends you’ll be thinking about her characterization. The tickle of a breath on the back of a neck...a heartbeat...a kiss...

** @missyriver **

Left to Fate

A Queen

Award: Badass Olicity Queen

Kudos: The first time I read one of Missy’s fics I assumed she was a professional author; she’s just that good. Left to Fate is one of my all-time favorite re-reads, full of the perfect mix of angst, fluff, and smut. Yum yum! I’m so glad I found her works!

** @the-shy-and-anxious-fangirl **

Home to You

The Queen’s Mage

Award: Wise Beyond Her Years

Kudos: Y’all, read this author’s works and know that she is going places. I am continually amazed at the maturity of her writing and the depth of her understanding of the characters we all love so much. This is only the beginning for her and I’m so proud to call Arianna a friend!

** @callistawolf **

twelve hours

ready for the fall

Award: Olicity Fandom Royalty

Kudos: Jen (jbuffyangel) may have introduced me to the Arrow fandom that exists beyond the tv screen, but Calli’s Ready for the Fall showed me I didn’t have to fear the idea of fan fiction. She helped open up a new world to me, where very talented anonymous authors could right the wrongs of showrunners and let the characters I love so much live on forever; as each other, or as pirates, or even as werewolf soulmates. Several years later she wrote Twelve Hours and taught me not to be too hasty in my preconceived ideas (ahem, Chapter 10, just sayin’). I love her stories, her analysis and words of wisdom on Tumblr, and her podcasts with Jen. Thanks for everything!

Bonus Kudos: I remember waiting every Wednesday last summer for Calli’s latest update of real love (is never a waste of time). I would be refreshing my tumblr every ten mins it felt like. It was such an amazing fic (along with every other one of her fics!), but that one will always be my favorite of yours! You are phenom! -Caitlin (@blondeeoneexox)

@memcjo’s recs:

** @hope-for-olicity **

Love Letters

Hidden Thoughts and Feelings

I Am Not Broken

No Sex Until There is Hair

So Much Love

Choices

Award: Queen of Fix it Fic and Felicity’s POV

Kudos: I don’t even know where to begin to tell all of my love for Jacq and her amazing stories. Jacq’s stories are so easy to become wrapped up in. She has a way of putting you right there as Oliver and Felicity navigate whatever life has thrown at them. During the seasons, I become dependent on her to help me through the trama the Arrow writers have inflicted upon me with their horrible treatment of Oliver and/or Felicity. Jacq’s fix it fics have brought me tremendous joy. Her treatment of Olicity, showing them as flawed people, doing the best they can while loving each other so very much, has brought me to tears more times than I can count. I highly recommend ANY and ALL of her Olicity fic!

Bonus Kudos: Jacq’s fics are what you read when you want to be happy. I can’t thank her enough for all the sweet, feel-good, wonderful stories that always come full circle in a beautiful way. And for all the moments I’ve had to try not to smile/giggle while reading her stories in public. Jacq, you’re truly an amazing writer. And even better, an amazing person! Thank you so much for helping to make my fandom experience so incredible! -Ellie (@smoaking-greenarrow)

Bonus Kudos: Jacq, my love, we’ve talked about this. Adore you and your fluffy full-of-goodness stories and your amazing comments on other author’s fics. The show may have broken your heart, but you and I have a lot of years of great stories ahead of us! -Meegan (@it-was-a-red-heeler)

** @mel-loves-all **

A Touch Unlike Any Other

Vivez

Softly Comes Love

Under a Winter Sky

Award: Olicity Historical Romance Writer Extraordinaire

Kudos: Ah, Mel. How do I love your romance novel Olicity? Let me count the ways...Mel seriously provides the exact right mix of sweet meetings and budding romance in her Olicity novels. I adore her feisty and endearing Felicity, I swoon over her stoic yet thoughtful and loving Oliver. When Olicity comes together in her beautifully crafted stories my heart simply becomes a puddle of goo. Historical Romances are my go to get-aways, and Mel’s stories always takes to a magical Olicity AU.

** @dmichellewrites **

Wanted

Distractions

Hover

What Are You Thinking?

Under the Stars

Award: Most Fabulous Writer of Olicity Family Life in One Shots

Kudos: Devon is the master of creating Olicity in all their flawed, passionate, driven, loving glory. Her stories never fail to give me a new insight into Oliver and Felicity and their life together. I love the way Oliver and Felicity love each other in Devon’s stories. As she shares her Olicity slices of life I find myself cheering for my OTP. Devon is an amazing story teller and I would recommend all her Olicity fics!

** @geneshaven **

Mother and Daughter

To Do It All Over Again

Ivy Town To Star City

One On The Way

Award: Master of Thought Provoking Olicity Stories (this link leads to his Tumblr account where all his fics are posted)

Kudos: Nobody can craft a story about Olicity quite like Gene. His blend of light and dark, joy and angst has rocked me to the core more times than I can count. Gene’s love and respect for the characters of Oliver and Felicity are evident in the way he treats them in his stories. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve reread some of his stories, but every time I do it’s like the best present you can open again and again.

Bonus Kudos: I LOVE a @geneshaven update! I remember first seeing his Tumblr posts through Louise’s blog and being fascinated that a BOY loved Olicity as much as me! And then he started posting stories that mesmerized all of us. A truly special addition to our fandom. I’m so happy to call Gene a friend! -Meegan (@it-was-a-red-heeler)

** @absentlyabbie **

Long Way Down

You’re Not a Friend (No, You’re Nothing)

Interludes

Way Down We Go

Award: MVP of Emotionally Compromising Fanfic

Kudos: When I say emotionally compromising I mean it in the most, best, angsty possible way. Abbie’s fics can rip your heart out and stop you from breathing, leaving you shaken and in the next moment your heart is melting from the amazing tender actions any and all of our fav Arrow characters. These roller coaster ride stories takes you to the highest heights only to drop you to rock bottom! This series I’ve posted is just HEART WRENCHING, MOVING, and OH MY GOD~ addictive. Her updates are celebrations, her cliffhangers can drive me to drink. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!!

Bonus Kudos: Parts of Long Way Down still run through my head now again, it’s that powerful a story. Angsty in the best way possible, dark, sharp, and wonderful. A must-read for the fandom. Thanks for an amazing story! -Meegan (@it-was-a-red-heeler)

#Arrow #Olicity #olicity tropetastic awards #fandom writers trope #fandom writers rec list #olicity fanfiction #olicity fic #Oliver Queen #Felicity Smoak

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trampledcactusboy · 6 years

Text

Opposites Attract (Joker X Gender Neutral Reader)

READER’S POV

Cold

Is what his skin felt like on mine.

Sour

Is what his breath smelt like in my face.

Dark

Are what his eyes shaded into once trained on me.

Loud

Were the warning thoughts swarming through my head.

His hand was wrapped firmly around my neck, his bulky rings digging indents into my delicate skin I was sure would be seen in the form of bruises come morning.

My back was pushed up against the brick wall, almost painfully so.

I arrived here in strides of pride.

My aura had a nasty stench of confidence he quickly sniffed out amongst my team.

The second I stepped through the doors of this warehouse… I didn’t stand a chance.

My eyes shifted to my left to see Bruce knocked unconscious, thick ropes tied around his sloping figure on the concrete floor.

Next to him was Barry, who’s pupils were dilating and shrinking over and over in a desperate attempt to take control, his mouth dropped open and hands shaking- no, jolting -like crazy as the “shock syndrome” drug took easy effect throughout his system.

I glanced to my right.

Diana was asleep, the drug taking an alternative effect on her supernaturally strong body.

Not to far away from her sprawled out self was Arthur who was ruthlessly shoved into what could only be described as a human cage due to his brutal restraint against the unwanted injections.

I swallowed at the realization I was now alone, a small gasp for air occurring from the slight choking sensation Joker was causing.

I focused myself, forcing my sight to go back to the green haired man before me, our eyes locking instantly.

“Yeah, train those pretty e/c eyes on me. I love the attention.” He drawled out sinisterly, that sickly smile permanent on his whitened face.

“Why don’t you just get it over with? You’ve won.” I rasp out, feeling defeated on all fronts from this turn of events. We hadn’t expected an ambush, thus us charging in thoroughly unprepared.

“Oh no no no, pet. I’m not going to stick you. You’re too precious for that, aren’t you?” He mused, his unoccupied hand reaching up to gently stroke my cheek with the back of his hand.

I cringed, nose scrunching up at the touch.

“You’ll make a fine addition to my collection.” He growled, tone suddenly much lower than previous.

“Collection of what?” I spat out at him, his smile only widening from the cruelty of it.

“Broken hearts, of coarse.”

===================================

I huffed in annoyance, the loud shouts from Joker downstairs being heard over my own thoughts.

I felt like I was drowning.

It’s been two weeks now.

A full fourteen days at the Joker’s estate.

And I can’t lie…

I’m enjoying every second of this.

I want to say I miss my friends, my teammates.

But I’d be lying.

I want to say I despise not being able to fight crime as I often do.

But I’d be spinning a tale.

And worst of all the confessions…

I want to say I hate the Joker.

Which I have always been able to do without regret.

But now… not so much.

I’ve been able to view an entirely hidden side to Gotham’s most renown criminal.

I’ve been given forbidden access into the mind of a psychopath and what I have found… didn’t frighten me but…

aroused me.

The Joker is only a facade he has created, a mask he has worn for all the world to see but inside he’s just a human being like the rest of us.

Fighting him for so long… I have forgotten that disturbing fact.

The Joker isn’t just someone who blows up buildings and reeks havoc amongst the living.

He’s someone who makes himself a cup of coffee every morning with four spoonfuls of sugar to make it taste extra sweet.

He’s someone who slow dances by himself as he cooks dinner, humming along to whatever classical piece is playing that evening.

He’s someone who knows how to play piano as well as any professional, only taking the time to pursue the craft when he has a mental block in need of removal.

He’s someone who prefers hot bubble bathes to steamy showers.

He’s someone who says what he means but doesn’t entirely mean what he says.

Like when he told me I’d be just another long lost broken heart left upon his dusty shelf.

Instead, he’s done the opposite- giving me more and more reasons to fall into a full blown infatuation with the damaged man.

And somehow, he’s fallen for me too. Even if he won’t confess to it just yet.

I can tell in the ways he beckons me to his side when failing to fall asleep at night.

I can tell by the way my name rolls off his normally sharp tongue like his favorite song.

I can tell in the way he unintentionally will grab ahold of my thigh whenever someone gets too close to me.

I can tell by the way he smiles at me when we’re alone.

Not that crazed smile, but a secret one only known to the two of us.

The one that’s not as big but just as evident.

The one that’s soft and genuine and inviting.

The one that whispers “tell me more” during conversations and “goodnight” before bed.

And now it’s an uncomfortable stand-off between us.

We both have come to notice each other’s feelings for the other, but neither want to confront them.

I was meant to become his hostage.

Maybe his science experiment if held captive long enough.

But something within him begged him not to, screamed for him to keep me safe from the world instead.

And now there’s tension constantly swirling the air around us.

We don’t want to give up our own personal morals, promises and lifestyles for the temporary pleasure of each other’s company.

So we are left in a sea of unknowing and waiting.

I heard a piercing shatter sound throughout the house.

I shot up on instinct, my guard never dropping.

I made my way downstairs to investigate the commotion that kept interfering with my simple plans of relaxion.

“YOUR INCOMPETENCE HAS SOILED MY PLANS FOR THE LAST TIME!”

I turned the corner into the kitchen to see Joker, fuming mad, standing dangerously over an anxious crony.

I walked inside slowly, treading lightly over to J.

I placed my hands on the backs of his shoulders as I listened to his heavy and rapid breathes of anger.

He spun around to face me, my hands now on the tops of his shoulders.

“It’s okay. It’s gonna be okay. You are in control. You have everything under control.” I soothe, his eyes never leaving mine as if in a hypnotoc state.

“Tell me how you always manage to show up at the right places at the right times.” He grumbles, hands visibly itching to grasp onto me.

“It’s a gift.” I shrug with a playful smirk.

“You’re a gift.” He licks his lips hungrily, eyes trailing down my body and back up again.

As he does this I lean a bit to the side to look at the young crony who seemed like he was about to piss himself, nodding my head toward the door as a signal for him to make his leave. He did as I ordered with a grateful expression adorning his face.

“You can’t always distract me like this. It’s not playing fair.” He sings out teasingly, a sinful smile growing upon him.

“I don’t know what you mean.” I whisper, arms slipping around his neck to hang loosely.

“Mmmm, I think you know exactly what I mean. I have business to do, Y/n. And you’re preventing me from doing it.” He says lowly almost as a warning to me.

Yet he still snakes his arms around me, pulling me tight to him while his fingertips drum against my lower back- right above my ass.

“Yelling at people isn’t business.”

“Someone has to do it.”

“Fine. I’ll be ‘someone’, you’ll be ‘it’. How’s about that?”

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, sweetheart.” He growls, hands now squeezing the backs of my thighs roughly.

“Oh I’ll finish alright. But I won’t finish first. I tend to last long.” I wink, running my hands into his untamed hair.

“I know how to keep up, baby.”

He leans in and for the first time ever

I let him.

He’s less than an inch away from my lips now and I’m anticipating the feeling to come.

But it doesn’t greet me as sweetly as I thought it would, because he pulls away as quick as he came in, leaving my desires unfulfilled.

“Why now?” He asked suspiciously.

“What?”

“Why have you decided to randomly flirt with me. To finally be with me like this. What’s your game plan?”

I just raised a brow, confused.

“Your goal? What do you want from me?” He questioned on accusingly.

“Nothing.” I breathed out.

“Don’t you dare fucking lie to me, Y/n.” He growls maliciously, grip tightening on me to inflict a small stinging.

“I don’t lie.”

“You’re trying to tell me that you, of all people, want to be with a monster like me?” He laughs sadistically at his own words, but a dry, sad undertone was obvious in the reaction.

“Yeah. I am.” I confirm seriously, standing my ground.

He’s taken aback at this response, his grip softening once again as his laughter fades.

“You’re not going to try to tell me how I’m not a monster? That I’m just misunderstood? That I’m a good person deep down?”

“No. I told you, I don’t lie. You are a monster. There’s no denying that. But you’re also so much more than that. The side of you that I love is so much bigger than the side I hate. You have a habit of only showing 10% of yourself to people and for some reason you’ve let me see the other 90 and if your ‘goal’ from doing that wasn’t to wrap me around your finger than I don’t understand you anymore than I do this situation right now because that was the only possible outcome, J.”

A short moment goes by of him staring at me wide-eyed, not moving a muscle.

“Do you love me?” He asks, voice barely above a whisper as if we are gossiping.

“That depends.”

“On what?”

“Do you want me to?”

He gulps, his pupils blowing up in size but wide eyes returning to their normal state.

He pushes me up against the island behind me and moves in as close as possible.

“Oh, I want you to. I really want you to. I want to have you. I want to claim you as mine. I want to keep you on my arm at all times and have everyone see that you belong to me and only me. I want to make you feel things and experience things beyond your imagination. I want to learn every part of you until I’m able to play you like piano keys. I want you to fucking want me as bad as I want you. I want you to want this.” He whispers in my ear huskily, his lips brushing against my skin.

I let out a shaky breath and move his head to be directly in front of me but still at a very close distance.

“Is this you saying you love me back?”

“Is this you admitting you love me?”

“Let’s agree to disagree.”

“On what?”

“Everything.”

“It’s what we do best, doll.”

And that’s when I smashed my lips against his, him immediately pulling me to him and dipping me in his arms as we made out for the next few minutes.

He pulled me back up once we concluded with our entanglement, still keeping me flushed against him.

“Stay with me.” He glided his fingers across my bottom lip as we spoke, parting them for me.

“Isn’t this the part where I disagree?”

“This is the part where you stop being a smart ass and start putting those tempting lips to good use again.”

I giggled, him flashing me that soft and genuine smile from the sound.

He pushed the back of my head toward him and caught my lips with his own, them moving in synch- just like we do.

Well, you know what they say…

opposites attract.

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hiphopscriptures · 3 years

Text

Country Rap Musician, Songwriter, and Filmmaker Sabyn

Sabyn is the son of Randy Parton (Dolly Parton’s brother) who had lost touch with his dad for many years. Right before Randy fell in his health, they reconnected. Unfortunately, Randy passed away and after his memorial service, Sabyn wanted to pay a tribute to him in song. So with that in mind, he sampled some music of his dad’s and did a cool song called “9 to 5 to 9” featuring “9 to 5” by his famous aunt, Dolly Parton. Prior to that, Sabyn spent many years in LA directing and producing films, but now resides in Nashville.

While Sabyn may not be a recognizable name to the mainstream music scene or particularly the hip-hop scene, his award-winning film productions and his songs have been commissioned for various TV series throughout his career. He now brings us his uniquely crafted, heartfelt music on his debut EP ‘Halfway There’, available on all digital platforms on Friday, July 30. His roots run deep in Tennessee as you will hear when you click play on “9 to 5 to 9.”

Being the nephew of Dolly Parton, Sabyn was fortunate to have her blessing as she graciously lends her iconic “9 to 5” to the song in what is one hell of cool sample! Recently, Sabyn reunited with his father, Randy Parton. As mentioned, he passed away earlier this year and Sabyn has experienced a whirlwind of emotions which he has been able channel creatively for his upcoming EP. His father was also a popular singer, writer, entertainer and devout dad. He also played guitar and bass in his sister’s band for many years before headlining his own show.

After his father’s memorial service, Sabyn felt compelled to commemorate his father through a musical tribute of his father’s song “Oh Tennessee.” He adds his style to the 3-song EP that features his father, his famous aunt Dolly and Johnny Berry and the Outliers remake of “Halfway to Louisville.” He has modernized, synthesized, revitalized the original classic.

Check out the iconic Dolly Parton’s thoughts on Sabyn’s work,

“Like his dad, my brother Randy, Sabyn has a great gift for music. And I’d like to think he gets a little of that from me. LOL!, Although I don’t rap, I am wrapped up in the idea and hopes of a bright music future for Sabyn. I am especially proud of his version of my “9 to 5” song “9 to 5 to 9.” “Oh, Tennessee pulled at my heartstrings because of Randy and Sabyn……I am very proud of and for Sabyn.”

Artist Bio

Sabyn is a remarkable creative with roots in Nashville, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California. An

award-winning filmmaker whose numerous productions have brought accolades for his Los

Angeles-based production company Stay Fly LLC. Sabyn has deep Music City roots that ring even

louder these days, in anticipation of his newest project.

This summer he plans to release his EP, Halfway There, which features his marvelous aunt and

supporter, the icon Dolly Parton, as well as his late father, Randy Parton. Randy passed away early

this year, but before he did, he and Sabyn were able to share in a musical collaboration that

brought them closer together prior to his passing. Randy was an iconic singer, writer, entertainer

and father who valued his family, hard work, and the arts. He played guitar, bass, and sang in his

sister Dolly Parton’s band for many years, and Dolly describes their duet of ‘Old Flames Can’t Hold

A Candle To You’ as a highlight of her career. Randy was loved and supported by many, and as

Dolly says, “He will always be in our hearts.” To carry on in his family’s musical footsteps, while

carving out his own path, is something Sabyn takes great pride and honor in doing.

Prior to this new project, Sabyn’s music was featured in Season Two of the MTV series “Buckwild,”

as well as numerous seasons of the CMT juggernaut ‘Party Down South.” His single “It’s a Long,

Dark Road,'' was featured in the 2010 film, AFTER, which Sabyn cast and produced himself. At the

same time, Sabyn’s former duo released two albums, Trailer Park VIP (2013) and Barn Burner (2014).

Fast forward to 2021, Sabyn has announced the release of his debut EP Halfway There with

sonaBLAST! Records, a thriving indie label based in Louisville, Kentucky.

After having just attended Randy’s memorial with his family, Sabyn felt very fortunate that he

was able to commemorate his father with a tribute through music on his song “Oh Tennessee,”

which is featured on Halfway There. Sabyn puts his music city roots on display with a remix of

“Halfway to Louisville,'' by Johnny Berry and the Outliers, bringing new light to an iconic country

classic. The third track on his EP is a modernized rendition of his aunt’s widely known song “9 to 5,”

and Sabyn’s version, called “9 to 5 to 9,” is an ode to the people out there working their fingers to

the bone. Halfway There, demonstrates Sabyn’s true artistic style, and is both musically and lyrically

empowering for the hard-working, dedicated people of the world.

Parton had this to say about her nephew’s musical endeavors:

“I am very proud of my nephew, Sabyn. Like his dad, my brother Randy, Sabyn has a great gift for

music. And I'd like to think he gets a little of that from me. LOL! Although I don't rap, I'm wrapped

up in the idea and hopes of a bright music future for Sabyn. I am especially proud of his version of

my "9 to 5" song "9 to 5 to 9". "Oh, Tennessee" pulled at my heartstrings because of Randy and

Sabyn. "Halfway To Louisville" is very well done as well. Like I said before, I am very proud of and

for Sabyn.”

With EMMY-award-winning casting director Laray Mayfield as his mother, Sabyn had the unique

privilege of growing up surrounded by some of the most visionary filmmakers of this generation.

His early love for the film industry transformed into a lifelong passion for cinematic storytelling,

and this strong devotion carried over into his songwriting. No matter what he’s creating, his goal

is simple: to provide his audience with innovative and strategic content that is fresh,

cutting-edge, and rooted in the works of artists past. Sabyn continues to direct and produce with

Stay Fly LLC, and he currently lives and works in Nashville, TN.

Oh Tennesse:

This is actually where it all started. In the years my father and I were estranged, I would look up clips of

him from time to time. One clip in particular always struck a chord with me, and it was the one of him

singing "Tennessee Born" written by his brother/my Uncle Floyd Parton.

Flash forward many years when we finally connected. I knew I wanted to make something musically for he

and I to share, and it seemed only natural to sample a portion of "Tennessee Born"; which turned into the

song for my father you're hearing now: "Oh Tennessee".

9 to 5 to 9:

On the heels of "Oh Tennessee" my father was so blown away by what he heard, he suggested I do

something similar with other family members songs. Well it was a no brainer to start with the Queen

herself…Dolly.

Growing up an 80's baby, I was a fan of Dollys even before I knew she was my Aunt, as well as a huge fan

of 9 to 5 the film, and of course the single.

So I thought, what better place to start with one of the most iconic songs of all time?!

I knew it would be a challenge, but when it came to carrying the torch and continuing on with the

narrative of the working persons struggle, that was something I had no doubts I could convey in an

uplifting and move your body kinda way.

Halfway to Louisville (Sabyn Remix)

One thing about me that has always been true, is that I have many many types of artistic influences and

tastes. While musically its easy to but me in the Hip Hop category, which I very much embrace, I've always

wanted to expand beyond that label and venture into the realm of mixing genres you wouldn't normally

think of. Working on this remix with Johnny Berry & The Outliers gave me an incredible opportunity to do

just that, and put me in the position to meet Gil & Jaxon over at sonaBLAST! Records who are releasing my

EP. I couldn't be more grateful fo this opportunity for the path the all put me on to hopefully fully realize

my potential as an Artist.

FOLLOW SABYN ON SOCIAL

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jules Wortman

Wortman Works

[email protected]

615-260-9985

#sabyn #country music #country rap music #dolly parton #new music #new music release #new album #randy parton

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johnboothus · 3 years

Text

Next Round: Nomadica Wine Co-Founder Kristin Olszewski on Making Canned Wine Cool

Airing between regular episodes of the VinePair Podcast, “Next Round” explores the ideas and innovations that are helping drinks businesses adapt in a time of unprecedented change. As the coronavirus crisis continues and new challenges arise, VP Pro is in your corner, supporting the drinks community for all the rounds to come. If you have a story or perspective to share, email us at [email protected].

In this “Next Round” episode, host Adam Teeter discusses the new canned wine brand Nomadica with one of its co-founders Kristin Olszewski. The two highlight Nomadica’s packaging and how the brand uses works of art as the “doorway” to excite its customers, welcoming them into what are often complicated conversations about wine. Olszewski emphasizes that while canned wine offers a particular convenience — for throwing a can in your purse or enjoying a sparkler on the beach — she always takes pride in the “juice” Nomadica uses.

Nomadica has paired with several small wineries to create limited-edition releases and sources all of its wines from producers Olszewski swears by. As a trained sommelier with over a decade of experience in the field, she proudly markets Nomadica as sommelier-curated canned wine, and hopes the brand can change consumers’ minds about the bottle-versus-can debate.

Nomadica’s current lineup includes two sparkling wines, a still rosé, and a red. Listen or read below as Olszewski discusses her initial skepticism of canned wine, how she built the brand, and her hopes for Nomadica’s future.

Listen Online

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Or Check Out the Conversation Below

Adam: From Brooklyn, New York I’m Adam Teeter. And this is a VinePair “Next Round” conversation. As you guys know, we’re bringing you these conversations between the regular podcast episodes in order to give everyone a better picture of what’s going on in the alcohol beverage industry. Today, I’m really lucky to be talking with Kristen Olszewski, the chief beverage officer and founder of Nomadica Wine. Kristen, what’s going on?

Kristen: Hi, Adam. I’m so excited to be here with you today.

A: Thank you so much for joining me. I hope I didn’t butcher your last name.

K: That was actually perfect pronunciation.

A: So you are based in L.A., right? And a former sommelier, who now has a canned wine business?

K: Yes, from Barolo to canned wine. I love it.

A: So can you tell me a little bit about Nomadica, and then we’ll get into your career and how you came to start it in the first place, but give me the “What is Nomadica wine” pitch.

K: OK, so Nomadica is sommelier-curated canned wine. Of course, I am the sommelier curating the wine. And then anyone who takes a look at our cans always remarks on how beautiful they are. We work with artists so that the art on the can works as the first tasting note for the wine inside.

A: Oh, interesting. So I got to tell you, literally I’m not kissing your a** here. I just saw your cans a few years ago and they were brought into my office and I was like, “Wow, this is the first canned wine brand that I thought was understanding what craft beer had gotten right,” if that makes sense. Craft beer’s branding has been so good, especially on the can and that’s what consumers love. And I saw a lot of canned wine brands coming out prior to meeting you that looked a lot like this could have been designed by Anheuser-Busch, right? It was very “Bud Light,” but it was a rosé. And so I was like, wow, how is this the brand? Because at the time, I didn’t know you, and we’re just meeting for the first time, to be fair to everyone listening. I’m just excited about it. I was like, how has it taken anyone else this long in wine to figure this shit out? Just because it’s in a can doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be beautifully designed and something that you want to pull out and people will ask you in the park, what are you drinking? That’s been what craft beer has gotten right for so many years now, whether it’s L.A. breweries that I am less familiar with than the New York City ones, the Other Halfs and the KCBCs. And if you listen to this podcast, you hear me talking about these breweries a lot whose labels just look dope. I was blown away that you were the first one I saw to do that. So this is a very roundabout way of me asking you about your wine brand and what your decision to create a wine brand was in the first place. Because prior to this, you were at a restaurant group, you were a working somm, so why a canned wine brand?

K: Well, it was a crazy journey. I got introduced to my co-founder through a mutual friend. He actually comes from the New York restaurant scene, and he was like, “Hey, I met this girl. She wants to start a wine company. You should speak with her.” As you know, I’ve spent my entire career working in Michelin and wine-focused restaurants and am literally obsessed with wine. So I go meet her after working on the floor at Mozza, I show up in my lady suit in my favorite natural wine bar in Los Angeles, shout out to Tabula Rasa. And Emma tells me that she’s been pouring nice wine into Pellegrino cans to take by the pool or on really long Uber rides in Los Angeles. And at first I was like, “Ugh, canned wine?” To be honest, I’d only had bad experiences with canned wine. It’s not something I thought of myself as ever drinking or ever having any interest in. But Emma is famously stubborn and stalked my Instagram, found a winemaker she knew I really liked on the Central Coast, Josh Klapper from La Fenetre at Timbre, who worked at Avant Cremant for a while. She canned a small batch of his Pinot Noir and brought it back to me to taste. And I let it sit in my cabinet for two months. I’ll be honest, I opened it up one night when I didn’t feel like opening up a bottle. And I had this realization that canned wine wasn’t bad. People were just putting bad wine in cans. And of course, I think the market has changed now. There are some amazing players in the canned wine space, and I could not be more excited about sharing this space with some really great winemakers, but Nomadica was born. And so we decided to use artists as our labels because I’m sure anyone who works the floor will understand this. You spend all night talking to people, and probably 10 to 15 percent of the people you speak with actually have language to describe what they like in wine, right? They understand what body means, what tannin is, or how to talk about acid levels, what volatile acidity is, et cetera. But most people you have to use unconventional formats to describe flavor profiles and tastes. I remember one time describing Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino to a guest as God walking down your throat in velvet slippers. And he’s like “Yeah, I want that. I want that wine.” So we thought it would be really fun to be really playful with that and play on the idea of synesthesia here, and I think we do a great job and we’ve actually just hired a creative director the last couple of months who is immensely talented. And I can’t wait to reveal our new lineup of can art coming out next year.

A: That’s super cool. So when Emma brought you this idea, you were like “OK, let me figure this out. I’ll think about it.” How long did it take you from thinking about it, to saying, “OK, screw it. I’m quitting my job. I’m doing this full-time?” What was the process? What did you go through to do this?

K: Well, I worked two jobs for a very long time. I’m sure anyone who started their own business knows the hustle is real. So I would spend all day working on Nomadica and then I’d spend all night at Osteria Mozza, slinging Barolo and Brunello and all the fun Italian wines. And we were able to raise a little bit of money last year, and I was able to go full-time, and I can’t even tell you how exciting it was — and still is — to work for myself. It’s crazy.

A: Awesome. Yeah. It’s totally great, right? It’s this thing that you just finally take the leap and you do it, and it’s nuts. So you have this canned wine brand. You finally got it on your own. What is your goal for this brand? Or obviously you said that it’s about putting good wine in cans, but what does that actually mean to you? And could you put Barolo in a can? Do you know what I’m saying? I’ve heard some people be like, “Oh, there’s only certain kinds of wine that you’d put in cans.” So what does it mean for you in terms of the wine you put into a can?

K: Well, we source wine specifically for the can, and I do think this is where my decade-plus in wine really does come in handy. We don’t just put any juice in the can. I will probably never put Barolo in a can. I do think it needs to age in a bottle, but certain varietals like our current red, a Sangiovese blend with a little bit of old vines and vanilla and Grenache. It’s poppy. It’s bright. It doesn’t have tannin, it’s high-acid. It’s crushable. So that’s kind of where we’re heading here. And then we have a core lineup of wines. Two sparklings (a white and a rosé), a still rosé, and a red. We’re adding a still white to that lineup next year. And then we’re also doing some really fun limited editions that we’re just going to drop online, small boutique things. We’re doing a collab with Stolpman Vineyards. We’re doing a carbonic Syrah with them. And then Mike from Rootdown and Cole Ranch, and SLK wines made an amazing Piquette with some 70-year-old Riesling from his single vineyard.

A: OK. I get it, though, I get it. So basically the whole idea is it’s wines that are drinkable now, right? We’re not aging anything in this. Are you the person that’s drinking from the can, or do you expect the consumer to pour into the glass?

K: So I always say wine tastes better from a glass, and no one will ever get me to change my mind on that. There are some circumstances where you’re on a hike, you’re at the beach, you’re sneaking a can into your purse to have with an In-N-Out burger. I don’t know for a fact, I’ve never done this myself, of course — I would never — but sometimes you just drink out of the can for convenience. Another thing I really like about the cans, and I think one of the special things about what we do at Nomadica is we have nothing to hide. I encourage everyone to drink it out of a glass. And because of that, we’ve noticed — we’ve done a lot of surveys with our customers, and they’re wine drinkers. They’re a little older, they’re in their 30s typically, and they’re choosing us because they don’t want to open an entire bottle.

A: Oh, interesting. So, here’s what I’m curious about. I was going to ask this question, you sort of answered it for me, but it’s who does dump it into a glass? Because we started, and in all fairness, we’ve never had your wine submitted for the tasting, we started two years ago a big open call for canned wines. Because there’s so many now, right? Canned wines were submitted to us and actually our tastings director basically the first year was like, we have to stop pouring the wines into a glass. And so we don’t, if anyone else who listens has submitted to us before, you’re now learning, it’s the only tasting where we do not pour the wines into the glass, because when we surveyed our staff and then readership, most said they drank it from the can. And so we were like, well, because a lot of times when you pour it into the glass, especially with some of these canned wines, you get that weird sulfur smell initially. And so we were like well, no one is actually going to get that because they’re drinking it from the can. They’re consuming it in the way they would consume a seltzer or the way they would consume White Claws, but yeah, the way they would consume a seltzer or a beer, that’s that format we’ve been conditioned. We drink from it. We don’t pour into a glass. So I, that’s why I was curious to ask you, just because I wonder, then, if you think about what kind of wine goes into the can, knowing that it’s not going to be examined or it won’t aerate?

K: Yes, absolutely. So when I’m selecting wines, I always have several cans, and I taste it out of the can and because I don’t want to control how anyone drinks it. I want it to be amazing in every single scenario.

A: It’s funny, there’s a restaurant near me in Brooklyn that sells Nomadica, but how have you expanded? What has that been like? So you obviously quit your job. You’ve raised a little bit of money. You’re now out in the world. What has your growth trajectory looked like? Or what are your plans for growth? How is that working?

K: So we’ve actually been really lucky in a pretty awful year — let’s be honest — to really hang on, and over half of our business is in on-premise, which people are always surprised by. I mean, I was surprised by that. I think when we first started Nomadica, I was like, “Oh, this is just gonna be retail. This is just going to be retail,” but we’ve seen a massive uptick from luxury hotels and grab-and-go programs. I’m sure that restaurant in Brooklyn is one of those.

A: It’s like a little falafel shop.

K: Oh, Holy Pita! I love that place.

A: That’s so funny that you know which one it is!

K: Of course I do. Of course I do. I have a very hands-on approach with our national sales office, and I think because the wine world and the beverage world is really small and I have to just really shout out our partners. At the beginning of this, we went to people and we’re like, “OK, this sucks for everyone.” I have worked in restaurants basically my entire life. And I’m worried about the future of restaurants. I think we all are. And so we went to a lot of our partners and just asked how we can help them, how we can be there for them. So we’ve done a bunch of Zoom tastings, virtual staff trainings. We’ve done a lot of charitable partnerships. And I think our relationship with our partners is better than ever. And thankfully, the industry is so small, we’ve also felt that love back towards us in a lot of ways.

A: Right. So is part of the plan for this to be a DTC brand? So obviously, on the site, right, you can order, you have the wine shop. Was that part of the business plan to begin with where you would be able to send people the wines they love on a subscription basis or is that since Covid?

K: Well, that’s definitely a re-pivot since Covid. We had always planned on launching some e-comm business as wholesale. We love our wholesale partners. We’re never going to take our foot off the gas of that, but e-commerce allows us to do these limited-edition collaborations and allows us the opportunity to talk to our customers, which I love. I miss the floor so much. I can’t even tell you. I just love talking to people about wine. It’s a sick obsession. I’m sure you understand. And so we actually just expanded, we’re going to be able to ship to 48 states in January, we’re launching a subscription service called “Club Nomadica.” You can either order monthly or subscribe quarterly, and we’re doing some really fun, exciting things next year.

A: So can you tell us any of those things?

K: So I’m so excited about this. We’re offering this up to all of our Club Nomadica customers, they get 24-7 access to me for all of their wine questions. It’s called “Text a Somm.” And so we’ve been beta testing it. And this came about because I get probably at least 10 texts a week from friends or family. Either it’s a photo of a wine list, “What’s the cheapest, best wine I can drink?” Or “I’m at the grocery store. What do I get?” And so we were like, wouldn’t this be great if we offered this up to our customers and our early adopters. And we’ve been beta testing it. People love it.

A: Yeah. I will say just full disclosure, no relation to the VinePair Text a Somm program. Totally different.

K: Totally different things.

A: But yeah, no, I think that’s super cool. I mean, obviously, yeah. I’m joking, but we did do “Text a Somm” this summer to give working somms a shift, basically. And we saw how many people texted in who have just random questions for wine professionals and they really want to know stuff. So obviously we’re never going to make this full-time. I think it’s super cool that you’re doing it like this. I think you’re also insane to be available 24-7. But I mean, it is still a young company, so I feel that’s when you have the energy be like “Yeah, s***. I’ll do it. 3:00 a.m. I don’t care.” So I dig that. So I have to ask you a question that is not about the wine. Then we’ll get back to the wine, but we’re going to be going all over the place here. I did check out your LinkedIn and it looks like you thought about going to medical school.

K: Yes. Oh my goodness.

A: So, where did that change for you? Obviously you went back, you had done undergrad, then you went back to that post-bacc to go to medical school. Where did you fall in love with wine in that journey and say, “You know what, screw being a surgeon, I’m gonna ultimately own a canned wine brand.”

K: So I majored in sustainable agriculture, moved to San Francisco, cooked for a little bit, worked at some really amazing restaurants, front of house, met Carlin Carr, who’s now the wine director for the Frasca group. She was so generous with pours. I cannot even tell you, and I kind of started to get the bug for wine there, but for a slew of reasons decided that “No, I should be a doctor. I should go prove to people that I’m really smart.” And so I went and did my pre-med post-bacc at Harvard. I’m originally from Massachusetts, so it was just moving back home for me, essentially. And throughout this time I was spending my summers working on Nantucket at Straight Wharf Restaurant, which actually has an incredible Bordeaux and Burgundy cellar. The restaurant has been around since the ’70s. Julia Child was actually the opening chef there. I know, so, so cool. And my last year, and here’s when I really started to get exposed to great wine. And there’s very generous guests. I had the opportunity to taste things that I could never in a million years afford to buy. And then in my last year of school, I’m taking my MCAT, applying for med school, I get in and that’s that, I’m going to med school. I’m going to be a doctor. And I meet this woman, Felicia Foster, who was running the small wine bar in Somerville, which is right outside of Boston, called Spoke Wine Bar. And she just mentored me, invited me to taste with her, you know when you first start out in wine and you’re tasting things and just don’t have the confidence to name flavors, to talk about the wine. She just encouraged me, and exposed me to Piedmont and Austria and Germany and all these wines that I just had no idea about, and she just really encouraged me to leave school because I was pretty miserable. I’ll be honest. And I love wine and I just took the leap and never looked back.

A: That’s great. That’s awesome. So back to the wine. So obviously the company is only a few years old. What are your goals for Nomadica? Would you like to ultimately grow it to a level where it is bought by a larger wine company? Would you like to own it forever? Would you like to ultimately use the label to expand into bottles or other things? I’m curious, what is your vision for the brand? As of right now as we’re closing out 2020 moving into 2021.

K: I really do want Nomadica to be everywhere. I think we’ve all had the experience in our life, whether it’s we go to a sports game or a movie theater and you drink beer because there’s not a wine that you would drink. And I really do think Nomadica solves that problem. And to be quite honest, we’re just so focused on building this thing and making it as great as it possibly can be that if we potentially get bought out, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. We’re just trying to make our product as great as can be and do some really fun things while we’re at it.

A: So you bring up a really great question and probably something that some people who listen to the VinePair podcasts always have, which is how do you get into those kinds of places? How do you get into the sports arenas or the movie theaters or the Holy Pitas of the world? And what I mean by that is I think that your value proposition is really great. I love the cans. I think the juice inside the can is absolutely stellar. And I get the marketing positioning of sommelier-curated wines. But the places that I think where you find the initial customers is where you’re talking about, right? The places where I wish there was a good glass of wine, but I don’t have it. And for the most part at those places, the person doing the buying may not know the difference between Nomadica or be able to appreciate the differences between Nomadica and that canned wine brand from Oregon or that canned wine brand from — not to pick on them — that canned wine brand from Northern California or something else from even New York state, right? How do you explain to them that this is the canned wine brand they should have for all of the reasons that I understand they should have it, the quality, the better design, all that stuff. Is it just that they see the package and they get it? What is your strategy there?

K: The packaging definitely is the door opener, but our strategy is really just, I can’t even tell you how great I’ve gotten at rejection the last few years. I remember starting this journey and thinking I’m great at sales. I sell wine on the floor every night, I can sell so much wine, and I really didn’t realize how you just have to constantly take it on the chin and keep going. And that’s basically my strategy. So I never really take no for an answer because I do think that there’s always an opportunity to revisit. And that our sales have definitely shown that to be true. And maybe it’s not always a “no,” maybe it’s a “not now.” And you just relentlessly follow up. You leverage your network. I stalk buyers, I’ve realized how creepy I am. And we’ve also been really lucky. I recently brought on Terra Hannaford as my COO, and she was the VP of sales from Casamigos and just what a difference she’s made in the company. And she has taught me so much about how to leverage and manage our distribution network, which was not formerly a skill of mine coming from the fine-dining wine world, and how to talk to retailers, how to use everything from your friend that you knew in seventh grade who maybe has a cousin that owns a wine shop. You got to really connect with people. And so I think it’s been working pretty well.

A: That’s awesome. So I feel like at this point I have a really good picture of the business. Do you plan to raise more money? What are your goals? Because like I said, the cool programs you have coming are “Text a Somm” et cetera. What are your goals when you think about where you’d like to be at the end of 2021?

K: Yeah, well we’ll raise some more money. We’ve got some exciting innovations on the way that you will be one of the first people to know about, I promise. I’m so excited about that for 2021. And just a lot of really innovative programming, and you know things take money, unfortunately. And I want to be everywhere in the U.S.

A: Kristen, this was really awesome to talk to you and get to know the business, where you’re headed. Like I said, I really think that the product is awesome. When I came in contact with it two years ago, I thought it was great. And then to be fair, I see so much stuff that it passed my mind. And when I got emailed about it again a few weeks ago, I was like, “Oh man, yes, I absolutely want to have this conversation” because I think you really seem to get it in a way that I think a lot of other people who are trying to do the canned wine thing just are missing, right? I’m not telling you to make, as I said earlier, the next “Bud Light.” I’m telling you to make the thing that I also would love to have out on my table or to be seen with in the park. That’s what I want. And I feel you’re delivering that, and it’s just awesome.

K: Thank you, Adam. That’s so nice.

A: So anyways, all the best in 2021 and with Nomadica. I’ll definitely keep watching, and I’ll definitely drink it when I go to Holy Pita.

K: Shout Out to Holy Pita!

A: Shout out to Holy Pita. Talk to you soon.

K: Bye, Adam. Thanks.

Thanks so much for listening to the VinePair Podcast. If you enjoy listening to us every week, please leave us a review or rating on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever it is that you get your podcasts. It really helps everyone else discover the show. Now, for the credits. VinePair is produced and hosted by Zach Geballe and me, Adam Teeter. Our engineer is Nick Patri and Keith Beavers. I’d also like to give a special shout-out to my VinePair co-founder Josh Malin and the rest of the VinePair team for their support. Thanks so much for listening, and we’ll see you again right here next week.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity

The article Next Round: Nomadica Wine Co-Founder Kristin Olszewski on Making Canned Wine Cool appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/next-round-nomadica-wine-kristin-olszewski/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/next-round-nomadica-wine-co-founder-kristin-olszewski-on-making-canned-wine-cool

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wineanddinosaur · 3 years

Text

Next Round: Nomadica Wine Co-Founder Kristin Olszewski on Making Canned Wine Cool

Listen Online

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Or Check Out the Conversation Below

Kristen: Hi, Adam. I’m so excited to be here with you today.

A: Thank you so much for joining me. I hope I didn’t butcher your last name.

K: That was actually perfect pronunciation.

A: So you are based in L.A., right? And a former sommelier, who now has a canned wine business?

K: Yes, from Barolo to canned wine. I love it.

A: So can you tell me a little bit about Nomadica, and then we’ll get into your career and how you came to start it in the first place, but give me the “What is Nomadica wine” pitch.

A: It’s like a little falafel shop.

K: Oh, Holy Pita! I love that place.

A: That’s so funny that you know which one it is!

A: So can you tell us any of those things?

A: Yeah. I will say just full disclosure, no relation to the VinePair Text a Somm program. Totally different.

K: Totally different things.

K: Yes. Oh my goodness.

K: Thank you, Adam. That’s so nice.

A: So anyways, all the best in 2021 and with Nomadica. I’ll definitely keep watching, and I’ll definitely drink it when I go to Holy Pita.

K: Shout Out to Holy Pita!

A: Shout out to Holy Pita. Talk to you soon.

K: Bye, Adam. Thanks.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity

The article Next Round: Nomadica Wine Co-Founder Kristin Olszewski on Making Canned Wine Cool appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/next-round-nomadica-wine-kristin-olszewski/

0 notes

girlwsoftsound · 7 years

Text

Homes and Dreams || Adam Hann Oneshot

Word Count: 1,941 Summary: “Adam asks you to move in with him and its all cute and fluff :)” Author’s Note: Nothing like a little Adam domestic fluff to round out a day! Let me know what you think! Please feel free to read my other work here! Enjoy!

As a little girl, you fantasized about your dream home.

As cliche as it was, you at least did not want a picket face with 2.1 children like every stereotypical girl did. You simply thought of the future a lot, and what you would want that was better than your childhood home and fit your ideal. You loved the idea of a home tucked away in a lot of trees, where you could find seclusion and comfort from the rest of the world. You pictured a four bedroom house, fit for your personal bedroom, a guest room, and two children’s rooms. In it, you imagined warm tones for all except the children’s rooms. Those could be whatever they wanted, and light pastels when they were young. You thought of home as being a warm escape, and you worked your entire life in order to be able to afford such a dream place one day so that you would have it to go to when your hard work was done. As time passed, you tried to add any bit of spare money towards your dream home fund. You were determined to make the dream turn into a reality.

There was one problem about your plan - the actual act of saving was hard. Really hard. Especially hard for a budding graduate who needed to pay for things such as cars, apartments, and living essentials. Savings, you learned, were very easy to blow through when you were on your own. Before you could stop yourself and realize your dream was fluttering away, you were pulling from your dream to fulfill present needs. When all finally settled and you were free to possibly consider that dream house, you found yourself empty handed. Only two hundred dollars stood left in your savings. Your dream home was stuck as a dream, after all you had worked for. It was a dream turned nightmare.

Your family told you when you came to them for comfort that ‘everything happens for a reason’. It was the biggest cliche in the book, and it hardly did much to comfort your shattered confidence. How could you carry forward when what you planned on having your entire life no longer seemed possible? But, they told you to forge on, because you never knew what was around the corner when it came to life, and maybe down the road you would encounter the lovely home you desired. They said that you would not be able to know until you tried and put yourself out there, and after a lot of thought, you came to terms with the fact that they were right. As much as it hurt to possibly abandon what you worked so hard for, you had to put yourself out there and keep working. If it was meant to be, then you would come face to face with your dream again as a reality.

So, you worked, and worked, and worked. You slaved over your job out of personal wanting, taking overtime shifts and whatever you could extra in order to save up extra cash. You took on smaller roles as babysitter and other odd jobs for neighbors. Essentially, you fit in all the work you had done before your fall from grace into the time you spent after it. The determination paid off in the form of you saving up in only a few years half as much as what you needed for your dream home. You grew giddy, thinking that in only a few more years, you would have that home you desired, the home you deserved.

That was when the man of your dreams came into your life, blindsiding you. His name was Adam, and he was everything you could ever hope for. A gentleman, handsome, adorable, and geeky to no end, he brightened up your life. He was a good reminder for you to enjoy life a little throughout all of the work. His presence reminded you that you were human, and no matter how much you worked, you needed to be human from time to time. You fell for him hard, and he was as smitten as you had ever seen a man get over you. He was a match made for you in heaven. You could not see your life without him as soon as he entered it.

The thing about Adam was that he was not from your hometown. Instead, he was from across the Atlantic in England. He was a guitarist in a band who traveled constantly, not really staying in one place for an extended period of time. He saw you as often as he could, and even though you did not mind him being more of a long-distance boyfriend, one nagging thought still remained in your mind. You could not shake the fact that, because he was always touring, you would never get your dream home if you stayed with him. It was not like you would dump him for that chance. No, that would be ridiculous even on your standards. That did not mean it did not bring you down from time to time. You would be happy with however settling down with Adam would be. You simply would just always have that longing to be in the happy home you wished for.

At the end of one of Adam’s tours, he had you flown out from your American home to join him in England. You arrived in the country of tea and royalty super excited to reunite with him. Hugging him after running across the airport into his arms was incredible. It was a wonderful embrace, something out of a movie. The gentleman he always was, Adam took your stuff and brought it to his car for you. Hopping into it, he took your hand and drove off to his flat, which you knew was only a few minutes from the airport.

However, as you watched where Adam drove, he did not drive to the flat, at least not in the way you thought he was supposed to. By the time over twenty minutes had passed, you realized that you most certainly were not heading off to his flat like he had promised. In fact, it did not look like you were near any flats like his. All you saw were trees, lining the road beautifully with overhanging branches to create a sort of green tunnel. Turning to him, you frowned.

“Adam, where are we going?”

Smiling, he kept his eyes on the road. “You’ll see, love. We’re only a few more minutes away.”

Going back silent, your mind went spinning through all of the possibilities. Was he taking you on a camping trip? Did one of the boys want to have a boating day, and this was Adam surprising you with it with a trip out to some random lake they chose? Did he want to go hiking? You had no clue whatsoever. You still had no clue as Adam pulled off the main road down a paved road surrounded by trees. He took your hand in his and squeezed it, another shining grin on his face.

“Love, you know how you have been saving your money ever since I’ve met you?” You nodded. Of course you did - it was all you ever seemed to do. “Well, I’ve been keeping a secret from you. I’ve been doing some saving myself.”

You furrowed your brow. “What do you mean, Adam?”

“Look in front of the car, love.”

As you turned, your breath went away. It did not seem real, the beautiful home appearing seemingly out of nowhere in a clearing between the trees. Gorgeous cream colored siding, a humble porch with a swing, a big garage - it was perfect already, and you had only seen it through the windshield of Adam’s car. Your hands went to your mouth, and your eyes flew to Adam. When he parked, he grinned at you.

“Think of this as my gift for being the best long-distance girlfriend a guy could ask for.”

He held your hand as you made your way to the home. You gripped it tight, needing to hold it to keep standing as the beautiful sight crippled you. It was even more gorgeous up close. The door was crafted and had a swirling design on the edges, making it positively regal. Even the knob was pretty - a shining gold color that sparkled in the rays of sunlight seeping through the trees. Going inside, you were even blown more away by the open concept and warm cherry-wood finished floor. Sure, the walls were white, but it looked exactly like you had imagined your home would. Upon exploration, you fell in love with its crown molding and beautiful granite countertops. You loved the natural light and view provided to you by the huge glass windows that faced your backyard and the pool that sat out back. Even the carpet in the bedrooms felt to your exact wish. By the time you entered the final room you had not seen, the master bedroom on the top floor, you practically had to throw yourself at Adam to let him know how overjoyed you were with him. Kissing him passionately, you let a few tears flow.

“Adam this...this is gorgeous. How...how did you ever know that I wanted all of this?”

“I’ve known you for a while,” he replied, winking. “I’ve heard you tell me your dreams so many times that well...when it came time to choose what went where, I just knew. It’s been in production all during tour. I’m so glad you are still around to see it completed.”

“I love you so fucking much.”

Adam smiled. “I love you too, dear.”

Eyes wondrous, you glanced around the room. “What about everything I saved up?”

“You can put it towards decorations. I know you always said you wanted warm paint colors on the walls. These white walls are kind of the opposite of that,” he joked. You shook your head.

“You’re incredible. All of this for me, when I probably won’t even be here half the year? You’re freakin’ a saint, Adam.”

“About that.”

Your eyes flew to his. Turning to you, Adam took your hands into his. “Love, I know I am gone a lot because of touring, and I know you get busy working, but....well, I want this home to be our home. Not just to go to whenever our schedules fit, but...always. {Y/N}, I want you to move overseas to live here with me. I’m here a heck of a lot more than I am anywhere else, and I would love nothing more than to be able to come home from recording to see you here with our home. I love you. And,” he said, grabbing something from his pocket, “if that isn’t enough incentive…”

Your jaw hit the floor. Opened in his hand sat a small box holding a radiant diamond engagement ring, practically calling your name. Shaking, you could only give Adam a small nod before leaping to hug him, tears falling fast, some reaching the carpet of your new dream bedroom.

It was like your family had said. Things happened for a reason. Had you not wasted your money as a recent graduate, you would have never ran into Adam, who just so happened to be the key to all of your dreams. He would be your new dream, and your home would hopefully after a little bit of love and breaking in become the birthplace for even more new dreams.

With Adam, you were convinced that dreams, and dream homes, really could come true.

#Adam Hann fanfiction #Adam Hann #Adam Hann imagine #Adam Hann Preference #adam hann x reader #adam x reader #Adam Hann writing #The 1975 writing #Adam Hann oneshot #oneshot #the 1975 fanfiction #The 1975 fic #The 1975 imagine #The 1975 #The 1975 Oneshot #Homes and Dreams

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htstalybridge · 4 years

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Thought for the day: April 3rd

Good afternoon all,

I hope you are having a good day so far?

At the Vicarage Lucy and I have been trying to balance our time to allow us both to work and have quality time with our kids. This morning Lucy has been working for CAB on their advice line and I have been working with Tilly and Naomi on some projects.

Many of you will know I quite like lists and frequently will think about my top ten this or that whether that be LFC footballers, music artists, or films. I know what you’re thinking, I cannot wait to hear some of his thinking!! (Perhaps not!) But with this in mind I decided to educate the kids on the ‘fun’ involved in top ten lists so we compiled our top ten foods, animals, and films. There were some interesting results and I took pride in Tilly putting Back to the Future in her top ten film list.

In view of this ‘exciting’ endeavour, today’s thought for the day is a top ten Bible verses. They are not the greatest verses (there is no such thing, all of it is God breathed!!) rather these are ten of my favourite go to verses and I pray that they bless you and speak to you today.

1. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil 1:21)

Probably my favourite Bible verse as it sums up Jesus being everything. I keep threatening Lucy to get this as a tattoo one day, but for now I am happy with Alice Parker’s stunning calligraphy of this verse framed in my office.

2. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)

Psalm 91 is my favourite Psalm and these are the first Bible verses I meditated upon when I became a Christian at 15. I remember being blown away by the deep truth of the verses that God would respond to me so personally and so powerfully. I regular come back to this verse and marvel over God’s promises.

3. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

It was hard to pick only one bit of Romans 8 as the whole chapter is stunning. However this verse deeply spoke to me in my twenties as God began not only to tell me but show me the incredible and unmeasurable depths of his love.

4. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jer 31:3)

I love that God is never done with us no matter how far we fall and how often we fail. His love is everlasting, his kindness is unfailing. This verse just makes me want to worship him.

5. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ez 36:26)

So often we hold up the heroes of the faith (and rightly so), but when we see the old prophets of Israel and Judah we are reminded that they lived under the old covenant and pointed forward to a time when God’s Spirit would live within us, giving us a new heart and the means to follow him. We know this happened through Christ’s sacrifice and the Holy Spirit being poured out at Pentecost. How Ezekiel would have loved to have been around to see what we have seen and experience what we have experienced.

6. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev 22:3-5)

It is wonderful that we know the end of the Biblical story as I think it gives us hope, and hope is precious. One day God will dwell with us again and we will see his face. Last year I did a Bible study with one member of church and we both just grinned at this verse as the reality sunk in. In fact I think all either of us could say was ‘Wow’!

7. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

If you ever begin to doubt God’s goodness or you feel that God is cross with you then this is a wonderful verse to return to. Jesus tells three lost stories and each one culminates with something or someone being found; the sheep, the coin, and the son. However, in the parable of the lost son we see two really important things; the willful rejection of the Father, and then the Father’s response. Notice that the Father embraces the son and doesn’t even let him speak to say he is sorry. Whenever we come to God, this is how he comes to us. We need to let that sink in and know deep in our souls how much Father God loves us.

8. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

God is not stingy, he offers a full life to all. Isn’t it wonderful that the creator of everyone and everything wants us to flourish!

9. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph 4:4-6)

This verse has always spoken to me that we don’t do faith alone. We are the body of Christ. We need each other, and we serve together, being the presence of Jesus in our communities. We are united together because we all know the one Lord, Jesus.

10. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Col 1:15-20)

I personally think these verses are the best description of Jesus in the Bible and the most complete picture of the Gospel. He is more amazing than we can ever comprehend. Praise his name! Louie Giglio preached some years ago on these s on a tour and the section on Laminin (yes it’s a real word) blew me away. See the video yourself

So there you go, ten verses that I love and regularly return to. What are some of yours? I would love to hear.

See you all on YouTube on Sunday at 10:30am for our family worship complete with live donkey, and afterwards on Facebook for a chat. Can I remind you that the online gathering will be available on our channel afterwards so don’t worry if you miss it.

Also, please do look out for an email tomorrow that contains some family worship ideas and instructions on how to make your own paper cross. We will be attempting to respond to God’s word with a practical craft activity. How exciting!

Love and prayers

Gary

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elanska · 4 years

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newlyweds in atlanta (a ZA wish fulfillment research note, also doubling as KHR!OC romance fic crossover with TWD, kinda)

since mangasite crashed about 2 weeks ago(?) I've been relapsing into my zombie apocalypse addiction. No, not something useful like practising my cardio, but by reading the walking dead fics in AO3 (it's a scary experience without the EXCLUDE filter. What's wrong with people thinking zombies makes a good sexy time background? I know, I know that ZA are MOSTLY about humans and their way to deal with zombies, I just thinking it will mostly involving cool ACTIONS instead teenagers bringing their car into zombies infested parking lot and giggling 'I'm so scared, plz hold me' action type. It's not cool man, not even if your date bringing a tank. I meant, what if I said no to his/her advances? will I be trapped in a tank?)

'kay, so since trying to find non-romance ZA fics in TWD section in AO3 kind of tiring (I found several nice ones, but still need moar! moar!), I'm kinda running my own.........err, general headcanon that devolves to plotline to wish fulfilment (yeah, it degenerates further and further) about what happen if I throw a ballpark of awesome! that is mah baby TYL!Hibari Kyouya into The walking Dead setting.

Kyouya also accompanied by Kusakabe - I had 110% sure that Tetsu's flame is lightning, only to google later that he's canonically a storm (dammit! ah well, storm is fine too, even better perhaps). I'm making headcannon that Tetsu's box weapon is storm trapjaw ants (18 of them in one box; Bianchi have 20 storm scorpions, I'm not sure how much boxes she has, but let's headcannon that those 20 scorpions can fit into one box; Kusakabe has 2-3 box of them of course, and maybe have another type - bees maybe? for aerial recon; anyway all of Kusakabe's pet box characteristics are hard-worker like he is. I still trying to find another storm animal that can go surveillance underwater but can't think any at the moment. Kyouya's having firepower, so Kusakabe's more into support and versatility. And equipped with storm flames, that means Kusakabe is OP as fuck)

Oh yes, talking about his main box (the trapjaw ants) they can launched themselves through the air (dis true IRL) with storm flame it will meant unlimited zombie headshots (or until Kusakabe's drop from exhaustion, which considering how sturdy he is = not likely happen anytime soon). The more fantasy and wish-fulfillment parts are that those ants can do wish-fulfilment lifting. Yea, real ants can lift 1000 times their mass, BUT! to give you estimate how wish fulfilling heavy-duty these mafia ants are, they can lift a class A RV (yes, those weighted > 30,000 pounds. I told you this is wish fulfilment; also, shounen mangas about magical mafias). Okay, he might use two boxes of ants, but anyway, they can still lift the RV dammit! I want to have an RV and I will have it in my fic! It's not my fault that I can't find whether the box storage can act as free item bag or just their pre-determined crafted for that one-item-only storage box (if it's the previous, it can be used to store the RV). Since I'm not sure, I have to opt for making awesomesauceness that is Kusakabe's OP-as-fuck!ants; it also will force Kyouya to do multiple supply run with Glenn to the town (otherwise they can just raid Costco warehouse once and then leaving before even meeting Rick, and we can’t have that)

But wait! you critical readers might say, why with Glenn? why not with the heavy-duty Kusakabe who doubles as undead’s annihilator which more efficient and makes sense? Well, you readers might already know that I ship Kyouya x Namimori(+Hibird), and so we have give him an OC, which is absolute baggage in physical fitness(+very useful in people's surveillance + cute + absolute mental terror). No, we're not kidding about the absolute mental terror bits. You had to remember that she's created by us, so she has special snowflake feature that bordering supernatural (it's not as bad as her gender-inverted version in my other ZA fic/drabble/plotline that goes full-blown supernaturally awesome (but in that setting, every normal humans evolved to have supernatural ability), However in this story, her bordering supernatural skill is just have ultra-good perception of people (which almost a necessity on every TWD!OC in fix-it fic; and trust me, since TWD TV episode came up with rage-inducing stupidity like the Alexandria’s great zombie race, fix-it! fics are fucking needed!). She'll need to engage in talking with the target to gauge them though, won't be able to see bad people from their aura or by prophetic vision or something like that. I meant, do you see how in season 2, Dave get to probe and pinpoint what’s Rick and Hershel base is? that was amazing, and Dave was just being a normal human!

Where was I? oh yeah, since Kyouya's soulmate is not fit to do a supply run, she had to stay at quarry (and hassled people to do somekind of makeshift fence to secure the camp) while Kusakabe guarding her. People are not really inclined to do so + maybe scolding her for paranoid thought and scaring people (for insinuating that the walkers can arrive at their camp undetected). Risa (the namimori+hibird's fusion) smile and nod, and move her+Kyouya+Kusakabe own camp a noticeable length away and make their own makeshift barricade around it (Kusakabe's flame is storm remember? they can get logs as many as they want, and you can make makeshift rope from branches and twigs - Risa's dad likes camping, but since Risa's not very fit (yet still insisting to come with him + her physically fit siblings), she usually stuck in their camp, doing this kind of useless but fascinating shits). When confronted about it, she just said "well, me and Kyouya having social anxiety of being in crowds + since we're worried about possible attack, we'll stationed ourself as outpost and can warn you on impending attack. Also, let's make couple of outdoor toilets, in case of several people need to go at once and it's safer than going to woods alone to relieve yourself." Risa will act as buffer from Kyouya having to deal with other people, because Kyouya might be awesomely OP as fuck, but in zombies story, hell is often other people. Don't worry bebe Kyouya, I gave you Risa to terrorise them mentally ahem, I meant, level the playing field of annoyance.

(if you think Lori is annoying, well, Ed Peletier usually walking quickly in another direction when he sees Risa coming. No, no, she won't issuing royal orders as a first lady or anything, it's just ‘Ed like survivalist stuff right? you're bringing MRE! how awesome! no, it's yours, I won't ask you for share. You have your own family to take care of, what happens if they run out? I am and adult and have responsibility to get food on my own! but Ed definitely knows how to do survival stuff right? like digging outdoor toilets, or making snares, or making wattle fences, let's make example to show how it's correctly done!’ - kind of annoying. Aside from those little projects, she also intending to make biogas generator from those outdoor toilets (this idea rejected by everyone because ewww, carrying pail of human waste? thanks but no thanks), so she gives up and just make simple outdoor toilets = dig a hole, making raised platform from excess log for the toilet seat, makes lots of wood shavings after use). She can't force people to follow her ideas anyway (Yes she know that Dale has RV, but it's for Dale's own use, not some kind of public restroom. what if it broken down or two people need to go at once?)

Anyway, aside from those little projects that makes people defer to her as 'hippy, camping girl', Risa also propose to have small pond on the campsite (doable with tarps salvaged from supply run + wood logs (for the foundation basis) + stone for weights), just in case they somehow need water for emergency and can't go to quarry because it’s night time/landslide/there are walkers around/etc. As well as making manual washing machine, also roping Jim to convert gas-fueled cars into electric car project (yes, the last one is unlike any other, but Jim is noticeably depressed and may need to be worked out to avoid suicidal thoughts + gasoline seems to dwindling). Now you understand why people generally walked in another direction when spotting her walking to them (or mutter 'oh god, what crazy ideas she's proposing to do now')

Oh yeah, after spending a week in quarry and seeing Risa getting chummy with everyone (also makes people half-heartedly doing her 'better encampment!' ideas or muttering excuses to not to and flee/hide when they spot her), Kyouya finally propose to her! People gasps! Because Hibari is a different kind of terror (of the zombie!mower variety, also, he beats Merle into submission and kinda recruited him to his Foundation member, sorta)

Anyway, Kyouya professing harboring +10 years of crush but always busy with works and not really understand about this feeling!TM until he heard that she's permanently transferred to USA at her work, and buy tickets for same plane as her. Risa blushingly accepts his proposal - because she always likes Hibari. She thinks it’s just being good friend, but she likes the feeling that she's safe whenever she with him, and can see themselves growing old in namimori together. People clapped (somewhat confusedly at the non-romantic acceptance speech) when Kyouya put a ring on her wedding finger. Good thing they didn’t hear what he whispered to his new bride.

"it has GPS tracker function, so I would always know where you are." "is it battery operated? can it charged with solar panel?" "kinetic motion, it's charged when you're moving your arm." "ooh, like when I'm walking. Nice!”

*cough cough* they’re one of a kind pairing. So, this scene is why I’m naming this whole note/wish fulfillment/crossover fic (sorta) with Newlyweds in Atlanta

I kinda forgot that in the intro scene, we'll have action packed scene in which Kyouya + Kusakabe battling zombies inside airplane! (those three are seated in first class section, zombies started in economy, there are about 13 zombies in total when people stampeding into first class? with 10 zombies busy eating people in economy and 3 zombies eating people in business (I'm not sure if it's too many or too little, if I saw even one people start ripping people throats with their teeth, I'll start leg myself out of the way there, but then again, I'm always afraid of zombies). Kyouya putting sleeping Risa (whose crappy physical condition makes her goes into catatonic coma everytime she sleeps, no seriously, she'll sleep through ZA if it happens on her bedtime) inside Sphere Needle Form, which you know, totally impenetrable but also have limited oxygen inside (since she's in coma, Kyouya thinks she'll be fine until he finished disciplining the troublemaker on the airplane). He subduing the three zombies using the Vongola unlimited handcuffs but noted the people they gnawed are also rise from the dead and attack one cabin attendant who after cuffed for safety precautions, became zombies as well.

Since it's dangerous as hell, they decided to kill the rest of zombies because there's no way Kyouya detain all of them until the airplane landing (he still has his girlfriend stuck inside the oxygen slowly depleting sphere needle form) + no way they can told people to sit down next to captured zombies while planes landing. So unanimously, people choose to kill it. Some relative sobbing, but can't say (or do anything) upon given option of locking you+your loved ones inside toilet so it won't kill other people (who also have loved ones as well, and might need to go to toilets). Some of them pleading (then resort to threatening) for Kyouya to just hold their zombies!loved ones until plane landing, Kyouya beating them (he never the one goes for democracy).

So plane does emergency landing in atlanta and immediately met with chaos because hey, zombies in airport too! Kusakabe went to steal get a SUV from car rental and they leave airport. After 8 hours of catatonic sleep, Risa wakes up, seeing people in their cars stuck in highways + Kusakabe telling her about some kind of strange infectious disease that makes the undead walking and the city just got bombed = checking tourist map that came with the rental RV and suggest they go to bellwood quarry. They’re still in there when Rick Grimes awake from his coma and come strolling to Atlanta

#newlyweds in atlanta #zombie apocalypse khr twd crossover #AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!#*insert maniacal laugh here*#look at me writing all this wish fulfillment crap while I should do something productive #like working at my cardio #*wheeze cough*

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slrlounge1 · 5 years

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Tips To Overcome Bad Weather From 14 Wedding Pros

Although we’ve seen a cluster of beautiful wedding images in the rain and snow, not many wedding photographers look forward to getting soaked for the shot. We asked a selection of our Apex award-winning photographers what techniques they love to use when faced with bad weather and what gear they rely on to make these shots happen.

The first thing you’ll need is a couple of Ziploc bags for your off-camera flashes, so if you’ve got a wedding coming up and bad weather in the forecast, we’ve got you (and your flashes) covered!

Melissa Jill – Website | Instagram

“My best technique is simply planning ahead & creating a game plan! For this rainy day wedding, we brought umbrellas (clear ones so that the subjects faces wouldn’t be too heavily shaded). After strategizing with the bridal party under the cover of a tent, we ran out to grab the shot, with my 2nd shooter holding another umbrella over my film camera. It took planning prior to the wedding and in real-time with the bridal party, but it was all worth it!”

Jared Gant – Website | Instagram

“Who defines what is good and bad weather? Okay, maybe if a hurricane is coming in we should all duck for cover, but all too often, I see both photographers and clients unnecessarily hiding from a little bit of snow or rain. When the weather is starting to look different than expected, I try to remind my clients to go with the flow and be playful. One of my favorite techniques is to back-light the couple with a MagSphere. This throws light in all directions and exaggerates the appearance of the weather. I always keep a few large zip-lock bags in my bag to cover up and protect the flashes.”

JD Land – Website | Instagram

“As a primarily documentary photographer, I absolutely love the challenges that I’m faced with when the weather isn’t considered to be “ideal.” The weather 100% affects a couple’s emotions on their wedding day so that part of the story NEEDS to be documented and told through photographs. Accomplishing that is the hard part as a couple will only spend a few moments out in the weather. To make sure I am able to tell the entire story in these brief moments, I am always using either my 24-70mm f/2.8 or 35mm f/1.4. Both of these lenses are wide enough to allow me to include the environment, or the weather, in the composition.

This photograph is a bride getting ready to head into the church and her feelings about the weather are written all over her face as she prepares to be escorted in by the umbrella-toting driver. I needed every bit of a 35mm to make sure I was close enough to be in the moment with her but also include the umbrella in the frame to show why she is having the reaction she is.”

Aaron Story – Website | Instagram

“Shooting predominantly in the UK means that I’m often faced with wet weather; it’s something I used to worry about a lot, but as I’ve grown with experience, I’ve learned to go with it. The way I think about it is if I’m anxious, then it’s likely that will rub off on my couple and that will affect their day (and photos). In the photo above, I went out beforehand to set everything up and wrapped my flash in a clear plastic bag (I keep a few handy, just in case). I found an usher to help me out in getting the right settings, and once I was set, I invited the couple out with umbrellas. We were out for a matter of seconds – this is the result made with a Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 24mm f/1.4L II, one Yongnuo 600 EX-RT Flash in a Ziploc bag and Op/Tech Rain Sleeve for the camera and lens.”

Dave Shay – Website | Instagram

“Backlighting rain or snow with bad weather isn’t a new trick by any means (I used a MagSphere for this), but the most important part about shooting in bad weather is to get your clients excited about it. If you can convince your clients that you’re the expert and that they should trust you, you have so many more opportunities to make something incredible. Once your clients are on board, the only thing you’ll need is a weather-sealed camera (thanks, Nikon!), a few Ziploc bags to throw your flashes in, and a horrible pun to make some magic.”

Paco Van Leeuwen – Website | Instagram

“Last year I had a wedding I’ll never forget, it was raining the entire day… Although there wasn’t a real couples session planned, they did want a few nice images at these different locations. At times the rain was coming sideways so I had to come up with a solution. Thanks to the SLR Lounge flash courses I had the knowledge and confidence to pull this off. I just left the couple dry inside and got soaking wet myself. For both shots, I used a gridded flash, underexposed the ambient light by 1-2 stops and set the flash power accordingly.”

[Read: 8 Rainy Day Wedding Photography Tips You Need To Know]

Scott Josuweit – Website | Instagram

“Group composites are one of my favorite tricks when the weather isn’t ideal. The bride and groom wanted an “epic group photo” in this one space of their venue but they wanted to be able to see all of the greenery in the background. My assistant held a Godox AD200 with a MagGrid, MagSphere, and 1/4 CTO MagGel on it and lit each member of the wedding party one at a time, and I snapped a photo each time they moved. I ended up using 13 different frames to put this composite together.”

Matt Gruber – Website | Instagram

“Sometimes a couple is really adventurous, but more often than not you want to get photos outside without having them soaking wet afterward (or holding umbrellas for every photo). Many venues will have some sort of awning or covered valet area somewhere on the property. I love to place the couple under the awning and use a telephoto lens to get beautiful bokeh and compression. Mix in just a small amount of flash to blend in with the ambient light behind them and no one will have any idea it was even raining at all.”

Alex Pasarelu – Website | Instagram

“I improvise a lot, but mainly try to take advantage of the bad weather and create beautiful memories no matter what. I always encourage my couples to enjoy the rain and be brave, they need to live the moment. I tend to use the water on the ground to create beautiful reflections, use umbrellas to help compose the frame, or just have the couple dancing in the rain if they are willing to. I always try to capture the day how it really was.”

Shannon Cain – Website | Instagram

“How do I convince my clients to step out into the rain and wind for some beautiful portraits? Before I ever pull them outside, I completely set up the shot so that when I do ask my bride & groom to step outside, it only requires them to be in the elements for a fraction of the time. And when particles of any sort are in the air, choose to backlight! I always carry ziplock bags with me to cover my Godox AD200s from the elements as well as two clear umbrellas.”

Nicole Chan – Website | Instagram

“During inclement weather, I always encourage my couples to embrace it. I mention that during perfect days, there are dozens of couples fighting for the same spot at the same time. I remind them that all relationships are different and that having non-cliche engagement and wedding portraits is a pretty awesome thing. For Brian and Maryanne’s portrait session, it was sub-zero temperatures in Boston. Brian recreated one of their early dates and gave Mary Anne special mittens that had been crafted specifically to allow two people to hold hands while wearing the mittens.”

Christophe Viseux – Website | Instagram

“I actually see bad weather as a fantastic opportunity to create spontaneous photos with a different feel and sometimes gorgeous light like before a storm. From a gear point of view, you still want to make sure your camera remains safe and sound in dry conditions. I always carry an emergency rain cover in my bag.”

Christi Chambers – Website | Instagram

“I always get excited when there’s a little precipitation in the forecast (hopefully late in the day). My go-to is a simple backlit shot to catch whatever’s in the air (rain/snow/fog). Of course this works best with lower ambient light (if you don’t have a super powerful flash with you). My couples are always blown away by the results!”

Abul Shah – Website | Instagram

“I consider myself lucky to live in one of the most amazing countries in the world. But, as I’m sure many of you know, or will have experienced first-hand if you’ve ever visited the UK, good weather is not what we are known for! Grey is an all too familiar colour to us, and the stats say that we only see the sun for about one third of an average year. Yes, that’s right. The rest of the time, it’s overcast, raining, or we get what we Brits like to call ‘drizzle.’

So, achieving creative or dramatic photos requires direction and a plan, and keeping the bride and groom dry at the same time can be a challenge. The majority of brides don’t want to ruin their hair in the rain, and some won’t even consider stepping outside. At times, we are expected to deliver maximum results with minimum effort from our client.

When I want something dramatic, with soft light and good contrast, a good option that I come back to now and then is one of the simplest. I look for a window with good light and little distractions in the frame, so I don’t lead the viewer away from the subject.

There’s no need for umbrellas, no need to light the scene or zip lock your speed lights, no wet wedding dress and most importantly, the couple stays warm and happy.

I use prime lenses on my Nikon D800 bodies 90% of the time, namely the Sigma Art 35mm and the 50mm f/1.4 lenses, because I like to shoot wide open and they are incredibly fast lenses. The window light (in the above scenario) may not be strong, and as I like to make an effort to keep my ISO as low as possible, my choice of prime lens always responds perfectly.”

Tips from Abul:

When placing your subject by the window, the natural light fall off can be rapid, so don’t be afraid to have their shoulder almost touching the window if the light requires it.

Try and avoid getting the window itself in the shot, as it will be bright and distracting in the final image. Perhaps try leaning against the wall and breaking the ‘gazing space’ rule. Get it right in camera.

You may find that a good window location may be in an obscure or strange place. Your couple may not understand what you are seeing and might seem uncomfortable, but if you’re there then you know they trust you. When you get a good shot, show them. Sometimes showing them a shot once or twice on the back of the camera and telling them how good they look will help them relax, and help you get the best out of your couple.

Tips For Rainy Day Wedding Photography | Summary

Make sure your gear is weather sealed and if not invest in plastic covers to protect it from getting ruined.

Always have an umbrella on hand (this can just be a regular white lighting umbrella) because you never know when you’ll need it.

Always test the shot before bringing your couple into the scene to prevent them from getting cold or wet.

Use flashes to backlight the particles in the air and compression lenses to yield better bokeh results.

from SLR Lounge https://www.slrlounge.com/rainy-day-wedding-photography-tips/ via IFTTT

#IFTTT #SLR Lounge

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succeedly · 6 years

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Wade King: Find Your Classroom Creativity Wildcard

Wade King on episode 301 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

We can unleash our creativity as teachers if we want to inspire our students. Co-author of Wildcard, Wade King, shares how.

Listen Now

Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher

Stream by clicking here.

***

Enhanced Transcript

The Wild Card: Find Your Creativity

Link to show: https://ift.tt/2KnP77z Date: April 30, 2018

Vicki: I am so excited about this two-part series for Motivational Monday!

Not too long ago I was on Amazon looking at books like I do and I came across this awesome book that I had to immediately order. It’s called The Wild Card: 7 Steps to an Educator’s Creative Breakthrough, and I saw that Wade and Hope King wrote the book.

And so of course I got Dr. Lisa Durff, my wonderful research assistant to start looking, and she said, “You know what? Wade and Hope work with your friend Junior Bernadin who is at Ron Clark Academy!”

So, Wade, you have come on the show, and we are going to help motivate teachers to get excited about creativity in our classrooms.

Where do we start?

Wade: Yes! So excited, so excited! Thank you so much for having me on this. It is one of those where we are just pumped to share how we use creativity in the classroom for engagement.

So I love to start with, “What is your WHY? So focusing on — and reflecting on — WHY you got into teaching in the first place as a teacher.

What is your WHY?

A lot of us, as educators, we got into education for a particular reason and purpose but as you go through year after year after year, you kind of forget about why you became an educator in the first place.

So reflecting on that is absolutely essential to what you do in your classroom. You cannot be creative if you do not know why you want to be creative and who you’re doing it for.

Vicki: So important. Isn’t it though, easy when… I mean everybody can fall into a rut, right?

Wade: Absolutely, absolutely.

I always, when I talk to educators, I always say, “It is easy to remember your WHY you got into education when it’s the beginning of the school year because you’re coming off the summer break and you’ve been looking on Pinterest or on Instagram, getting all these great ideas.

But then February comes…

Vicki: (laughs)

Wade: … and then March comes, and you get so bogged down.

So kind of reminding yourself of that and finding people who hold accountable to that. We all have a different reason of why we got into education, a different purpose.

Remind yourself of your WHY in February and March

I like to tell teachers, “Yes, it is great that you love kids, but that’s not enough. Why do you love kids? Why do we do? Why do we wake up when it’s dark outside and some of us actually go home when it’s dark outside. So why do we put ourselves through that?”

Well, it’s for our kids, but what do our kids need?

And so focusing on that — yes, you definitely get burnt out. But it definitely helps you when you think about, “Okay, what am I doing this for? Really, really… what exactly is my reasoning for why I want to push myself to the limits and create an engaging environment for my students?”

Vicki: OK. So we understand our why. We also know why I am going to go all this effort to make an exciting classroom, because that’s also a why. Some people phone it in, but we don’t phone it in because we want to be remarkable.

So, what’s next? How can we get motivated to pull that creativity into our classroom after we know our why?

Wade: Right, I love this question. Because a lot of people put creativity in a certain box — this is what has to look like.

My wife Hope and I — we obviously teach together here at the Ron Clark Academy. We have taught together even in public school. But her creative aspect is totally different than mine is.

When we started to look and see the monotony, kind of, in our classroom… We started to reflect… number one, on our interest. So what makes us excited?

And then we started to look at the kids. What are they interested in?

Build off of the students’ interests as well as your own

For example, when I taught fifth grade math back in Pendleton, South Carolina, my girls loved Hannah Montana. Absolutely adored Hannah Montana. And so what I would do is I would literally go to Hope’s mother’s house, sit in the recliner, and watch “Hannah Montana,” just so I could pull into those interests of my students.

So why did I do that? Well, I did that because as my students coming to the class, they were still giving me effort, but I could see it on their faces that it was just another day.

And that was the start of really, really honing in on creativity. I to play music in my classroom I love to use debate. Hope, she is very crafty. Her room looks like Hobby Lobby threw up all over the place.

Vicki: (laughs)

Wade: (laughs) and that’s just because she loves hands-on lessons. Loves crafting. That is her creative aspect. And throughout the years, she’s really focused on that.

There was a study done. I read in this sports magazine article over a decade ago, and they were talking about how much productivity you can have in your profession if you incorporate your interests.

Vicki: Hmm.

Wade: They’re not even talking about talents.

If you think about that, if you are interested about something, you are going to be excited about doing it.

And so we have to think about that — yes, we can be selfish a little bit if we’re teachers. We’ve got to think about that for ourselves. What are you interested in as a teacher? How do you incorporate that into the classroom?

And the same goes for our kids. If they’re not interested, they are not engaged, and they really aren’t going to give you their best effort. And so focusing on that and integrating those interests in your classroom — that is the beginning of understanding who you actually are and that reflective process of obtaining that creative breakthrough.

Vicki: And we want them to be interested, don’t we?

Wade: Absolutely. Oh my goodness, you have to.

You have to make learning relevant. If learning is not relevant for your students, no matter what it is, they are not going to be excited about it.

“But I’m not an actor… I’m not a performer…”

That is just — people just say that we are not actors, and we are not this, and we are not that, but at the end of the day you are. That is your stage, every single day, to get your kids pumped up and excited about what you’re going present to them.

Vicki: You know, why not? It is so exciting when you get kids engaged! It’s so exciting when you get excited, and they get excited. I mean, it’s almost like if you’re an adrenaline junkie, teaching is the perfect profession for you because you can really have an adrenaline hit when you have an awesome class, can’t you?

Wade: Absolutely.

Hope says it best, and we reflect on this a lot.

Like, if you are at a concert or something at front of the row giving it all you got, just hoping that that performer looks at you and gives you a wink or a high-five — that’s how we should want our kids to be in the classroom, too.

A wink from the performer can go a long way

When the performer sees that, the performer is going to get more amped up, and more excited. So the more you pour into your kids, the more excited you are about learning, the more you share information with enthusiasm, the more you are going to be excited about it because you are going to feed off back and forth from each other.

So being able to do that can definitely liven up your classroom to help ignite that creative aspect.

Vicki: So Wade, give us a 30-second pep talk to motivate us to really willing to bring creativity and bring own interest to our classroom.

Wade’s 30-second pep talk

Wade: You all, we wake up when it’s dark outside. We go home when it is dark outside.

A lot of us as educators, we spend more time consciously inside of our classrooms during the school week.

We have got to be excited about walking into our classrooms, just as our kids are excited about walking into our classrooms.

We do a fantastic lesson. Now, do fantastic lessons have to cost us a lot of money? Or a lot of effort? No! Just be different!

If all you do is play music every single day in the classroom, even that gets old.

You all, I am not a technology person, but if I were to use technology tomorrow to do something as simple as quizzes? Oh my gosh, my kids would be blown away!

We have got to start thinking differently to ignite that passion because at the end of the day we have human beings in our classroom who potentially will change the world one day.

Vicki: I love it.

So educators, creativity is definitely a part of being remarkable. Not only our creativity, but the true creativity of our students, and not just here’s a list of twenty things — you pick one. We’re talking about truly letting them create and invent and do remarkable things.

So the book is The Wild Card: 7 Steps to an Educator’s Creative Breakthrough by Wade and Hope King.

Check out next Monday. We will be talking to Hope!

Transcribed by Kymberli Mulford [email protected]

Bio as submitted

Wade King serves as the director of curriculum and instruction at the famed Ron Clark Academy, where he also teaches social studies and current events, co-author of the best seller The Wild Card 7 steps to an educators creative breakthrough, and featured presenter and director of the Get Your Teach On Conference.

His personal passion is using music and debate to drive engagement in the classroom—over 20,000 visiting educators who’ve observed his teaching methods remember Wade as the teacher with the electric guitar and drum set.

Prior to teaching at RCA, Wade was recognized in Anderson School district four as a District Choice Teacher, Pendleton Elementary Teacher of the Year, as well as Region Coach of the Year. Wade is a graduate of T.L. Hanna high school and earned both his undergraduate and masters degrees from Anderson University where he also wrestled for the Trojans.

Blog: setthestagetoengage.com

Twitter: @wadeking7

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post Wade King: Find Your Classroom Creativity Wildcard appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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