#nail tech spotlight
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thrifted romance | megumi fushiguro x reader
synopsis: you’ve never really spoken with megumi before, so when your friends leave the two of you behind on a snowy night, you take the opportunity to get to know him.
wc: 6.2k... SO SORRY I GOT CARRIED AWAY
cw: swearing, college au, noncurse au, i don’t thjnk there’s anything else ??
this got way longer than i intended it to be and i rushed to grind it out so it may not be coherent.. if so i apologize :’3 and this one’s late but i hope the content makes up for it ! enjoy meemow
barely proofread!
it's a late winter evening when you meet up with megumi and your friends on the side of the street— cozied up in puffy layers and a long blazer stained with coffee splashes and a few hot chocolate smudges here and there.
fall had melted away with the slow gradient of leaves from the trees, sinking into fluffy piles on the sidewalk that soon became coated and replaced with light snowfall; the first of many problematic inches. midterms were just around the corner, and with it meant late hours spent pulling all-nighters that left you exhausted, eyes dark around the edges with a lack of sleep; breaths of minty hot chocolate and coffee from the amalgamation you'd concocted to at least pretend to get into the holiday spirit.
(a fruitless effort, though— if not for your failure that warned you to stay out of mixology, but the way your roommate's cat had knocked over your mug and ruined the flashcards you'd been wrestling with and looked completely smug with itself.)
really, though, there was absolutely nothing jolly about school, or exams. so when your favorite inefficient, sidetracking study buddy had offered to spend the weekend out, who were you to say no? nobara had offered to go find a club, but it was far too cold out to frolic around in skimpy clothing and your expensive winter coats were much too valuable to risk being stolen in the haze of drunken students and sweaty bodies. so, you'd decided to go shopping, because what else is there to do with her? besides the usual karaoke session with the upperclassmen she seems to like so much, of course.
turns out, it'd had been a group endeavor. or, more accurately— a group of four, unlike the duo you had previously thought you'd be going out in. yuji and megumi were there too— friends from separate majors; you'd heard that yuji was involved in the uprising surge of software engineers and computer science majors clambering for a shot in the world of big AI tech companies, even though he supposedly was about as computer-smart as your teetering old grandma ripe with age, permanently stuck in her rocking chair crocheting the days away.
megumi, on the other hand, was a mystery. you'd shared a few classes together; his chipped dark nails that shone the same blue as his esoteric eyes beneath the warmth of the glowing sun, and his inky black hair that spilled over the collars of his simple gray sweatshirts like effortlessly graceful calligraphy on paper had captured your attention as smooth and seamless as the daylight turned to darkness, days cut short by the onslaught of cold. even so, you'd never brought yourself to interact much— he seemed like he'd prefer to keep to himself, if the way he'd disdainfully scoot away from anyone who tried to approach him and turn up the volume of his headphones indicated anything. you had laughed to your friend and called it introversion to its finest, only to promptly shut up when his unmoving gaze landed on you, leaving you feeling like a clown on the stage, rimmed by rich dark red curtains and a wooden floorboard as the beaming spotlight shines upon you imaginary button nose, hot and glaring under his gaze.
even though you'd approved of his music taste once you snagged a few notes by the ear, you'd really thought his taste in fashion was too bland to be the type of person to shop with nobara— her meticulous style and image were much brighter and more flamboyant than megumi's jaded attempts at a splash of color through the occasional blue argyle or layered turtleneck. still, those were better than yuji's paltry attempts at fashion; at least the myriads of color on nobara's figure were coordinated. the pink-haired boy with funny scars on his face would probably have been better off learning graphic design or art, with the disasters of clashing colors on his person.
and he'd gotten the opportunity to demonstrate his questionable tastes on the chilly evening, when black ice had begun to form on the roads and the soft light of boutiques with slow jazz flowing from the speakers filled your frost-bitten red ears as you walked up to the shade of a nearby lamppost. once you'd all met up, nobara had hooked an arm around your elbow and dragged you off, leaving the boys to follow along like it was walking dogs.
honestly, you wouldn't be surprised if you were— at least, with yuji. he carried nobara's bags like she was the next princess in line, without complaint and with the little fearful quivers that dogs get in their legs whenever their owners scold them for barking or misbehaving, much like how nobara would yell at yuji if he dropped a single cream linen sweater or ruffled pink cami.
megumi, on the other hand, was far too lethargic and quiet to be considered any kind of canine. although the weaved bracelet on his left wrist with a cute little puppy charm you caught sight of when he'd rolled his sleeve up implied otherwise. the only reason he'd even had to do that was to rub the sickeningly sweet orange blossom hand sanitizer nobara had spritzed on each of your palms after you took turns petting a stray cat, one that seemed to take a great liking to you and megumi in particular.
the night seemed to drag on forever; pale yellow lights and holiday decorations blurred into swathes and bubbles of color in your vision as the hours passed and the caffeine from the cute little coffeeshop you'd stopped at earlier began to wear off.
but there had just been something magical about that evening; spending time with friends (albeit, more like acquaintances) had granted you a much-needed break from cramming your mind with an overflow of information that was sure to spill out the moment you answered the last exam question. so, when it was almost midnight and it was time to retire to your bed, you'd insisted on staying out for just a little longer while nobara and the rest returned to their dorms to catch some sleep. yuji had complained something about his legs cramping, but you were feeling giddy, and the stars were twinkling just as bright as the light in nobara's eyes were when you told her you had to soak in the fresh air for as long as you could before being locked in to study again as she laughed and headed home with her pink dog-boy escort in tow.
megumi had mumbled something about staying with you since it was late and he wanted to make sure you were safe. you didn't think too much about it, because if you did, you were sure you'd end up with a faced even more flushed than it was frostbitten from the cold.
so, here you were, strolling down the quieter side of town, a brooding boy with inky dark hair and hands pale with blue veins shoved into the pockets of his jacket trailing behind you. he had one airpod tucked into his pierced ear; you assumed he hadn't brought his headphones because yuji would be there to prattle and babble. even so, you were content not to say anything, so there was plenty of opportunity for him to wear both. but he wasn't. you decided not to linger on it.
you'd just finished writing a silly little note out of the crisp snow gathered on the windshield of some stranger's car; the flakes were cold and biting on your skin, leaving it feeling numb with little droplets of icy water when you pulled away to admire your handiwork.
"actually, maybe i shouldn't be doing that." you decided after a moment, mumbling under your breath. it was just a little message with a whiskered smiley face, but the headlights on the car and the bumper seemed to form a frown at you when you stepped back, shaking its motorized head at your vandalism.
"you think?"
megumi's voice sounded from behind you, a little weighed down by the cold with a wisp of warmth leaving his lips like a powdery exhale, curling into the prickly night air. he was standing on the sidewalk, observing you all prickly-like as if you were some flagrant toddler he was babysitting. you still had to get used to the way his voice sounded after rarely hearing it; the few crumbs you got when your professors forced obligatory presentations onto struggling students had sent this warm, fuzzy feeling collecting in your stomach at the rich tone of velvet it held. not rough or overly deep, but smooth and reassuring. the kind you could fall asleep to; like there was a lullaby just waiting to be poured from his tongue with little scratches in the indent of his tone.
of course, you hadn't heard enough of it to make such an assumption, so when you heard the little quip framed with irritation at the edges, it wasn't all sugary sweetness like you imagined.
"yeah, well, sorry i like to live a little," you huffed, rubbing your hands together in an attempt to resuscitate some warmth back into them with a small little sigh.
"you call that living?" he scoffs a little, cocking an eyebrow at the vandalized toyota behind you. now, it just looked a little sad; imaginary eyebrows over the red lights droopy in disappointment. you followed his gaze, before looking back at him and making a sour face as you stepped onto the sidewalk.
"maybe we just have different tastes, y'know? doesn't mean we don't have to get along like this," you mumbled, shaking your hands out a little to get the remaining snow droplets off before stuffing them back in your blazer pockets. "just like itadori and nobara. one has terrible taste in fashion and the other doesn't, but they both like their bright colors." you feel satisfied with yourself for that one, but clearly, megumi doesn't feel the same. but the corner of his pink lips seem to quirk up just a tiny bit, and you feel pride blooming in your chest.
there's just something about the way it looks— an almost implausible smile coaxed onto his lips by something particularly amusing, reaching his dull blue eyes in a way that made their usual tedious apathy morph into something like fondness, or appreciation. adding a shine to his navy irises the lamp light overhead could only hope to mimic. then again, you didn't let your mind linger on it for too long like usual— so instead you chalked it up to the one other thing that had caught your eye besides the sharpness of his jaw and the handsome slimness of his face: his jacket.
you take back what you said about his style and its blandness before— it would be unfair to what he was wearing right now. just a simple black turtleneck (one that you were sure he'd worn to the early morning wednesday lecture you had a few days ago, when the sun was still bright enough to catch on the condensation of the cup of lemonade your white-haired, oddly sweet-toothed professor had), and black jeans, but the vintage racing windbreaker hanging from his shoulders brought it together in a way that was unfairly seamless; all dark blues and stripes of checker; a neutral grayblue that reminded you of the sky on rainy afternoons, trudging about the shopping districts in tokyo. there were a few brand patches here and there, some red bubble lettering of names you didn't recognize in patches of color that brought out the shade of his eyes. maybe the labels of those energy drink brands you often caught him running on when the shadows beneath his long dark lashes seemed heavier than usual.
all that to say he looked good. like, seriously good. you didn't know how you hadn't noticed all night— but now that you had, it was hard to keep your eyes from his slim and tall silhouette (not that he minded). the jacket really complimented it.
"that's a neat jacket. where'd you get it?" you asked after a moment of chilling silence; he'd probably noticed you looking, and you prayed he didn't think you were checking him out. although, if that meant getting your hands on one of those windbreakers, you wouldn't really mind. he glanced up at you, tearing his attention from the sad snowy toyota camry that seemed worn past its years at the newfound attention on megumi's racing jacket. he blinked a little, and you didn't miss the little flake of frost on his eyelash; probably caught from brushing past a windowsill earlier. by now, most shops were closed; even so, the street still felt warm and safe. well, maybe it was to be credited to a person rather than the concrete— but like you had been all night, you ignored it.
"oh, this?" as if he was wearing more than one jacket (it was cute), "i thrifted it." and for some reason, you didn't expect to be surprised, but you were. him? thrifting? the few western-fashion tailored thrift stores you'd been to with nobara had been lacking— not like you'd been able to stay in them long; the artificial ginger had this... beef with reused clothes. she liked her clothes clean and fresh from the press, even if you reminded her they could just be fresh from someone else's press. megumi must be familiar with the antiquated racks of varied worn graphic tees and frayed pants if he could fish something that classy from a thrift store.
then again, it's not like you had any experience to go off of at all.
"really? y'know, i've always wanted to go thrifting," you sighed, stretching your arms out, watching the fabric of your blazer wrinkle and curve to follow the movement of your muscles. a light dusting of snow coated the surface, like powdered sugar on tiramisu. that makes the coffee stains fitting. "but i feel like i'm bad at it." you said, stepping over a crack in the sidewalk, the rubber bottom of your sneakers brushing against a little clump of pine green weeds.
"bad at it?" megumi echoes, following you with a faint ruffle of smooth fabric, like the sound of a zipper sliding down. before, the world had been a cool shade of gray, like smoke rising from a cigarette or the blurry blue of the sky from the window of a speeding bullet train. but now, you let yourself soak in the sound of his voice, like grinded coffee beans and a smooth, soothing honey medicine for your throat on a sick day when you get to cozy up in your bunk bed and watch the clouds drift by.
it's nice.
"yeah. like, i wouldn't know where to go, or what to find, or what to look for..." you trailed off, rubbing your cold fingers together again as your breaths leave in little exhales of coagulating mist in the cold night air. now that it was late, it the temperature would only continue to drop.
you walked in silence for a little longer, listening to the scuffles of shoes against concrete, glassy with ice that had begun to creep up on the roads like a steady stream of seafoam from the tides.
"why don't we go thrifting now, then?" he asks out of the snowy blue.
you paused, and you almost smacked straight into a pole. "now?" you spluttered, turning around to face him. the look on his face was unreadable; a mix between exasperation, amusement, an attempt at stoicism, and something like affection in the corner of his lips as they curved upward. it was like a CPR compression; the smile that sent fuzzy electricity through your veins and reinvigorated your heart.
"yes, now." he said it like you were stupid, which you might just be, the way you stared dumbly at his face. "the place i got this jacket from is just over there," he said, jutting a ring-adorned thumb behind him. you had to lean up and peek around his shoulder to see it; you wouldn't've noticed if he didn't point it out. it was tucked between two buildings, a stairway downward into the store. the only thing indicating its status as a retail and thrifting store was the broken neon sign and painted red arrow that gestured towards the staircase.
"looks really shady. and it's late." you grumbled after you got over yourself, and he shot you an irritated look. that was all he really seemed to be doing tonight; that downward knit of his dark eyebrows and the slight pout weighing his lips down. not very suave, you think.
he swallows hard, and you aimlessly watch the bob of his adam's apple. "well?" he prompts, a hard edge to his voice despite the situation. you stand there for a little while, marinating in the growing cold until you cant feel the tips of your fingers.
"fine."
one accidental slip on the crosswalk and a few minutes later, you're stepping down the last wooden stair of the thrift store and into the building's basement; it's much bigger than you would've thought, with an expanse of layered clothing racks that obscure your vision, the corners of the walls clogged with cobwebs and years of dust build up. there's a faint lingering scent of cigarette smoke and cologne; something vanilla that you've caught clinging to megumi's wrists and neck on the rare occasion you brush past him. faint jazz spills from the speakers, something in a swing rhythm with the signature lilt of saxophone that makes you think you should be out enjoying a romantic fancy dinner instead of being cooped up between old wrinkly moth-bitten clothes. but you're here with megumi, so you convince yourself you don't mind either way.
"you sure this is the right place?" you asked, trying (and failing) to keep the obvious distain from your voice as you kick a folded 'floor-is-wet' sign from your path and step into the store. you can't even see the cash register from where you're standing.
"yes, i'm sure. can you stop complaining?" you can practically hear the eyeroll in his voice, and you're sure you could see it too if you just turned around. "trust me. it's not all shit." his voice softens, and you freeze up a little as he brushes past you; the corridors and margins are tight, so he has to turn sideways to fit. even so, a tag on your coat manages to snag on his jacket, and you hasten to unhook it before he can notice. he almost disappears into the racks, and you have to follow him, pushing your way through thick coats and worn graphic tees that have cracked logos and balls of lints clinging to them.
you're no thrifting expert, but you're pretty sure the store's supposed to be in better condition than this.
"hey." megumi's voice soon snaps you back into reality, and you look up from the mustard yellow top you were eyeing warily to meet his sedate gaze. "the good stuff's in the back. c'mon." he doesn't give you much room to argue even though it sounds like you're here to do drugs rather than find clothing, and before you can react he's reached forward to grab your wrist and tug you along. a yelp of protest almost spills from your lips, but you bite your tongue and let him drag you along, trying to extinguish the hue of cherry you know is making a home on the tips of your ears.
you brush past patchwork coats and a few leather belts that've tangled with the lace from the silk shirts next to them, but nothing really catches your eye, until you realize that he's let go of you only because of the lack of warmth around your skin and you focus yourself on the current again. you glance up at him, but he already has his back turned to you, sifting through a rack of black shirts that all look the exact same. maybe you have an untrained eye, though.
still, you can't help it when your gaze lingers over the back of his neck; one strand of dark hair has caught itself beneath the collar of his turtleneck, and it irks you. and you decide to do something about it because you'll know it'll bother you if you don't.
time seems to move in a liquid slow; things are blurring and there's no mothballs or ugly recycled coats to get in your way as you reach over and swipe your hand across his neck, hooking a finger beneath the strand and pulling it out of his collar. it takes you a moment to realize what you just did, and when you do, it's like there's a permanent mark seared into your index finger just from the touch of his skin against your own. you think he might have whiplash because he turns his head around so fast to catch your gaze before you can slink away, eyes wide and eyebrows knit, and you notice his bottom lip is snagged between his teeth.
he raises an eyebrow, but before he can utter a shaming word that'll only make you feel more embarrassed you shake your head vigorously, apologetically.
"sorry— it was bothering me. i hope you don't mind." you managed to say, the words spilling out in a rush before you turned away and slipped past him, disappearing into an aisle of dresses. you can feel his gaze burning cold holes into your back as you distract yourself.
you don't let yourself linger on what you just did— you seem to be doing a lot of that, lately, especially with him as you go through a few batches of clothing. by now, it's far past midnight, and you're feeling much more sluggish than you'd like to admit. you haven't seen megumi in a good twenty minutes save for the few times you picked up a few shirts and a cute diner jacket you thought would look good on him. he just thanked you bluntly, taking the bundle of clothing from your arms before walking away to the fitting rooms. you wished he'd stay to let you see the jacket.
you'd tried on a few things, discarding your blazer in favor of a cute knitted cardigan you grabbed, but nothing seemed to stick the way you'd like them to. it would be a great help if you had nobara to assist, but you were sure she was snoring away at home right now, and at the thought of your warm, inviting bed, your knees wobbled a little and you balanced yourself on the wall.
"hey— oh, you alright?" it's an unfamiliar voice; you lift your head up, looking for the source. it's a young boy— he looks to be about your age, maybe a little younger. there's a blue lanyard around his neck, and he's got a spattering of freckles on his hands, which are curled around the collar of a white linen shirt. he must be the one who's tending to the store.
"yeah, i'm okay. sorry," you said hastily, pushing away and rubbing the back of your neck. how embarrassing— he didn't seem to mind, though. he just smiled, big and bright and toothy. cute. reminded you of how toddlers would grin up at parents with those huge red lollipops in hand.
"no worries. i just thought i'd let you know that we're closing soon, since it's almost 2am." he said, shifting his weight on his sneakers. you nodded, about to give a hum of confirmation before another voice cuts through the slow jazz filling the stifling air above, all familiar in its smoothness.
before you could respond, though— "[name]?" megumi's voice rang out in the quaint little store, calling for you, and so you give the employee an apologetic nod before you turn and start toward the noise. you pass a mirror with a coat draped over the top, peeking your head around a tall rack of long skirts to catch sight of the raven head, in all of his glory. you notice that he's taken off his windbreaker.
"what’s up? we have to go soon," you reminded him, yawning a little and rubbing your eyes as you straightened up and stepped over to his side. there was another mirror in front of him, you noticed, with fading stickers pale in the dim yellow light stuck to the wooden rim. even so, with the smudges and the bare sheen of the silver, he looked good. that black turtleneck really suits him.
"i know. i just wanted to ask for your opinion." he said, glancing at you from the corner of his eye. you tilted your head curiously, and he held up a deep mauve sweatshirt, with some varsity logo branded on the fabric. it had a nice touch to it; a warm color that reminded you of red wine and slow evenings. you were sure it had been one of the pieces you'd picked out for him, but you were too sleepy to recall. "you should try it on. i think it'd look good," you said, gesturing toward the mirror.
you think you must've said something wrong, because he looks at you for a moment too long before he seems to catch himself staring and he nods, a choked little sound leaving his throat which he hides by ducking his head down and covering his face with his long bangs. you think you're hallucinating the pink on his cheeks.
after a moment, he glances at you. "hold this," he shoves his jacket towards you, and you have no choice but to take it. doesn't seem like he's used to taking no for an answer, but you're certainly not the one complaining when he tugs the sweater over his head, ruffling his soft black hair as he steps a little closer to you, observing himself in the mirror while straightening out the folds and fixing his turtleneck. you were right— it does look good on him. almost unfairly so— you don't know how he manages to rock granny clothes so well, like he was born a retirement home's runway model.
unlike him, you're not a reticent shut in— and although you'd like to say you have no problem telling him how good he looks, it's still a little difficult when the words feel like they're lodged in your throat in order to prevent you from making a fool of yourself again. but you ignore it and push on.
"you look great. i think it really suits you," you breathed, shaking your head as your hands tighten around his jacket in your arms. he blinks, adjusting the collar before glancing down at you. you take a moment to really appreciate the sight— him, bathed in the soft yellow glow of the chipped lights overhead. despite the dilapidated store and the antiquated, worn clothing surrounding him, he still manages to look like some ethereal angel boy you'd stumble upon in a bookstore on a dreary winter's afternoon and never be able to get out of your mind again.
ink black eyelashes flutter when he blinks, framing his eyes like the bangs falling over his face when he turns around again to observe himself in the mirror once more before he takes the sweatshirt off. it catches on his turtleneck, which rides up when he slips the mauve sweater over his head, tussling his hair and exposing the dip of his pale hips, all muscle and flesh and bone, and you pray he chalks up the red on your face to the cold. the end of his belt dangles from the buckle as you hand his jacket back to him, fingers almost brushing— just barely out of reach.
a meager conversation flows between the two of you; you follow him through the endless maze of used clothing until you somehow stumble upon the cash register and he buys his sweater; the only thing he manages to buy after all this time spent milling about in a dusty, dinky little retail store. the boy from earlier helps check him out, and the icy glare he receives from megumi when he glances at you seems to fly straight past your head as you pick at your cuticles. the tips of your fingers are still red from messing with the frosty snow earlier. you wonder when the car owner will find your message.
it's almost freezing when you get out of the dusty shop, emerging from the smoke-stained alleyway stairs and into the cold night air. your breaths almost seem to form a precipitate, and the thought reminds you of the chemistry conversions waiting for you on your desk beneath the lamp, and you cringe internally. staying out for a few hours longer seems way better than succumbing to the never ending stream of worksheets and documents calling your name. you wonder if your charismatic professor will let you get away with a few assignments if you call in sick. are papercuts excuse enough?
the click of a lock behind you signifies the store's closing— the employee left through a back exit, it seems. and you realize too late that you left your blazer in the dressing room when you turn around and a sigh falls from your lips. megumi, paper bag in hand, glances over at you.
"you okay?"
you almost forgot he was there, in his brooding vintage racing jacket glory. you shake your head, before sighing forlornly again. he notices this, making a little face; his lips press together and his pretty eyes narrow. he thinks you sigh far too much. you'd look prettier if you smiled some more. he likes it when you do.
"i left my blazer in there, but he just closed it and it's so fucking cold out," you whined, bringing your hands to your face and rubbing your eyes tiredly. you're cold and your fingers are going numb again, and there's light snowfall. so much for not losing your coat at a club. you can't tell which one's worse. "sorry to complain so much, but do you mind if we—"
you're promptly cut off; the words on your tongue left unsaid, burning with the taste of bitter black coffee. your gaze trails from megumi's hand, the clink of his silver ring against the zipper rail of his jacket as his fingers curl around the fabric, up his arm to the sleeves of his dark turtleneck, rounding the curve of his shoulders and up his neck to his face. he's not looking at you.
the words that leave his wet lips are so small and hurried that you think you're hallucinating them; when you inevitably looked back at this moment later, you'd realize that he was being shy. he mumbles something under his sweet breath, and you ask him to speak up.
"i said, you can use mine." he repeats, louder than necessary as he finally brings himself to look down at you from under his lashes, biting the inside of his cheek. his voice is a little strained, and a soft breeze carrying the smell of cinnamon and fresh ice rustles his hair. you blinked, feeling like a deer caught in headlights over a layer of thin ice, ready to shatter at a moment's notice.
"oh— okay. um, do you have anywhere else you need to go..?" you said tentatively, reaching forward to take his jacket again. it was exactly like how you'd done back in the thrift store, but the vague sense of deja vu you get is accompanied by an endless fluttering of warmth in your stomach that melts away the winters and tiring exams, and the night seems to become a soft warm orange, as if someone's drained the cool hues from the landscape.
megumi just shook his head, reaching into his bag and taking out the sweater he'd bought earlier. he slips it on again, adjusting it over his shoulders and refusing to meet your eyes as he crumples the paper bag in his hands. you notice they're slightly trembling as he does it, fingers digging into the material with much more force than is really needed. his hair follows each movement of his head; the strain of the muscles in his neck when he swallows again and gestures for you to follow him back down the empty street, past cars coated in melting snow and jaunty yellow lights twinkling over the awnings of closed store windows, shut down for the night. the sweater suits him really well, you think; not too loose, but tight enough in the right places to send your heart racing a mile a minute.
you pull his jacket over your arms, tucking your sleeves in and zipping it up. it's big on you— that's no surprise, and you can almost taste the vanilla on your tongue, his cologne lingering on every fold of the insulated fabric. it's warm, and it feels like being enveloped in a tight hug. in megumi's head, he hopes— prays its him you think of if you ever feel that way again.
you walk in a stiff silence; both of you want to say something, but you're dancing around it, letting your words linger unsaid until the other breaks the ice first. it's only ever cracked once you reach the dorms, where you part ways. there's light snowfall, and a thin layer of white has coated his hair when you turn to face him. you reach forward, learning onto the tips of your toes to brush off the ice. his hair feels unimaginably soft beneath your fingers, slightly damp from the snow. but he's the furthest from cold when you pull away; his face is burning up.
by now, you can't bring yourself to mind.
"thank you," you said softly, sighing contentedly. you move to take his jacket off your shoulders and return it, but he stops you, holding a hand up. the expression on his face is unreadable, but his lips are pursed together in a way that makes you think he's pouting.
"don't worry—" a pause. " you can, uh. keep it. i know you wanted one. just... give it back when you want, yeah?" he says, curt. almost prude, if it weren't for the way he was avoiding your gaze out of embarrassment. it was like trying to play the world's most difficult game of whack-a'mole, attempting to catch his eyes and see the iceberg that's melted into pools of warm glittering affection in his blue irises. at the thought, you wonder if he likes arcades, and you make a mental note to suggest an activity to nobara the next time she has the urge for an escapade.
you don't bother asking him whether he's sure, because you don't want him to take his words back. so you linger there in a moment of silence, letting it hang over your heads like a warm throw blanket, cozied in front of a fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate in your hands. maybe a coffee mix like you'd attempted before.
angel boy clears his throat first to speak, all honey that links the syllables together like christmas ribbon; rich like orange flavored dark chocolate. "i'll see you later, then." it's short and sweet, but your heart is already flying so high on euphoria you can barely bring yourself to care, or suppress the giddy grin that's spreading across your lips.
yeah, you're tired. yeah, you're still a little cold and you think you need to thaw at your desk for a week until exams, but at least you've got his jacket to accompany you when your study buddy passes out first and you're alone on all nighters. frankly, you can't bring yourself to care— your head is spinning with the events of the chilly night, from crude messages in the snow to thrift store mothballs and lanyards, to one checkered racing jacket. but you don’t think it’s so bad when it threatens to stick to your memory, like chewed up gum under your professor’s desk. whether it’s from the students or the professor, that’s a mystery you’ll never solve.
"yeah. see you around, fushiguro." you can’t say the same about the mystery that megumi is, though. in fact, you think you’re already one step closer when you turn around and part ways, catching sight of him in the reflection of a frosted window. he’s slipping both of his airpods back into his ears, crimson at the tips.
the sound of your shoes against the rug stairway fills your ears as you clamber back up to your dorm, eyelids heavy with drowsiness and face flushed a pleasant warmth. even when you finally get to bed, you can't stop your eyes from drifting over to the bundle of lapis blue fabric sitting on your desk, and your mind from the soft spoken boy with eyes like the night sky and inky hair like calligraphy.
you decide you don't think his style is too bad, after all. and when you tell him that the next morning when he's still sleepy and his lashes fall slow when he blinks the weariness from his eyes, you get to enjoy the steady flush that stains his cheeks and prompts a hoarse cough from his throat when he ducks his head away and grumbles something under his breath, probably about being offended you even thought he was boring in the first place.
and if you ever ask, the only reason he lent you his windbreaker that night was to replace the scent of mothballs and dust with your sweet-smelling perfume.
so, as it turns out, you're able to get your hands on one of those pretty vintage racing jackets— except, it wasn't a new one; it was his. nobara hasn't stopped pestering you with questions since you showed up to class the next day; the only thing you hear for the next week is how much she regrets leaving early.
apparently, it's all yuji's fault.
my (riaki) stuff. don’t repost and/or plagiarize !
#ahhh im really sorry this is late;; got busy with life like those ao3 authors but much less impressive#i really like jazz i feel like not enough people do#just listen to persona music sometime. its worth#sometimes i make up words but thats ok as long as people buy it. i speak english first language trust 👨🔬#i feel like reader is kokomi or whatever her name is from saiki k#at that one ramen place but its a thrift store.. pretending it’s not all that bad except reader doesn’t rlly try LMFAO#for megumi!!! everything we do is for him 💐#megumi fushiguro x reader#fushiguro megumi x reader#megumi fushiguro x you#fushiguro megumi x you#megumi x reader#megumi x you#jjk fluff#jjk x reader#jujutsu kaisen x reader#jjk#megumi fushiguro#megumi fushiguro x y/n#billet-doux#and via thinks her titles r bad#I CAN FINALLMY. WORK ON MY CHRISTMAS EVENT
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a quick guide to . . .
- Planetary Hours.
what are planetary hours?
each hour of the day is ruled by a specific planet. every planet holds a different energy, resulting in each hour holding a different influence. planetary hours are great to schedule important meetings or dates, to study, manifest, post content, etc. and it's a technique often used by wealthy people to boost their success ✨ this practice dates back to hellenistic astrology; as such, we'll only take in consideration the seven classical planets: the sun, the moon, mercury, venus, mars, saturn and jupiter. in this reading I'll show you how to calculate planetary hours, what they mean and how you can use them based on your birth chart 💫.
calculating planetary hours
calculating planetary hours is extremely easy, and also free. first of all, I suggest using the website planetaryhours.net. you just have to select the date of the day you want to check and the place of your location, and you'll automatically get a chart of all the planetary hours of the chosen day. apple users also have access to the planetaro app, which pretty much works the same. the advantages of this app are the possibility to enable notifications, in order to be noticed whenever it is a certain planetary hour, and you can also add an aesthetic widget to your home screen to always keep an eye on them.
how to make the best out of planetary hours
☉ sun hour: great for being in the spotlight, creativity, confidence and self-expression. during sun hour, try to schedule your job interviews, post your social media content to reach more engagement, work on your creative projects to be more inspired; talk to authoritative figures during this hour (for example to ask your boss for a raise). sun hour is also great for manifesting success, fame, popularity and confidence.
☽ moon hour: great time to spend with your family or at home in general. you can book a table at a restaurant during moon hour, since it's also the hour for food, you can have a meal with your family, or also cook, as the food cooked during this hour turns out very delicious. moon hour is also great for serene naps, with frequent dreams. in fact, during this hour we tend to be more in tune with our imagination and intuition. as such, you can also read tarots or your birth chart with better results during moon hour. this is also a great time for journaling and writing down your feelings.
☿ mercury hour: this is the best time for communication and learning of any kind. it's the best hour to study, you may find yourself easily more focused on the topics you're studying. this is also the best time to write essays or any kind of formal document. if you have to write and send an important email or message, this is the best time to do it. this is also the best hour to take a lesson or an exam, if you can schedule them at your leisure. this is also a good time to write content for your blog (it's mercury hour as I'm writing this rn!) and for creative writing. this is also a good hour to sell items and to make deals in general.
♀︎ venus hour: during venus hour you can do a bunch of things! first of all, it's the best time for love, therefore you can schedule a date, a marriage during venus hour in order to make it turn out well. it's also a great hour for creative activities and for entertainment in general. during venus hour you may attend a concert, go watch a movie, go shopping, throw a party... it's also the best time to book an appointment with the hairdresser, with your nail tech and anything that involves beauty. this is also a good time to grow your social media, create and post content and manifest luxury and money.
♂︎ mars hour: great for physical activity; if you workout, make sure to do it during mars hour for better stamina and results. this also applies for sports and competitions of any kind. mars hour also makes you more assertive, so it's a good hour to make decisions and plan your week, do something that you always procrastinate. on the other hand, remember that mars is also a malefic planet: try to avoid confrontations that may escalate into an argument, as during this hour it's easier to get stressed or lose our temper.
♃ jupiter hour: jupiter hour is obviously the lucky hour of the day! it's the best time to manifest abundance and wealth, you may want to play the lottery during this time. this is also a good time to launch your business, do anything that you may want to grow and turn into success. that can implicate studying for an important test, investing your money... during jupiter hour you can also pursue spiritual activies like meditation, astrology, yoga, tarot reading, etc. in addition, it's the best time to study a foreign language and planning trips.
♄ saturn hour: during saturn hour we tend to feel more disciplined; as a result, it's the best time to do your house chores, complete a project you are procrastinating, organize your week and your plans for the future. saturn usually makes things slow, therefore if you want to do something swiftly make sure not to do it during this hour. instead, do things that you want to take slow and nurture with time. saturn also rules karma, therefore be mindful of what you do and what happens during this hour. most of the time, significant events that occur during saturn hours are karmic events that were meant to be.
a little trick
to make the most out of planetary hours, look at your birth chart and act based on your personal planets. for example, let's suppose you want to cut your hair. you can book your appointment during venus hour, but what I suggest you to do is to look at the sign your venus falls in. for example, if your natal venus is in virgo, it means it's ruled by mercury, and therefore mercury hour will activate your natal venus and give you its benefits. in this way, you'll be able to match the energy of your birth chart to planetary hours for better results.
if you made it until here, thank you! hope you enjoyed the post ✨ don't hesitate to ask more questions if something's not clear, my ask box is always open.
also, I do complete birth chart readings for only a few $, therefore if you're interested in having your chart read by me you can get all the info on my pinned post. 🦋
last but not least, if you liked this post make sure to follow me for more content! - libramc xx
#astrology#astro notes#astrology notes#astro observations#astrology observations#astro tidbits#astrology tidbits#astrology101#planetary hours#astrology planetary hours#sun#moon#mercury#venus#jupiter#mars#saturn#birth chart#birth chart reading#natal chart#natal chart reading#aries#taurus#gemini#cancer#leo#virgo#libra#scorpio#sagittarius
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Third challenger
There are no curtains, this time; no stage or spotlights.
Only the clear, open sky, the wide arena of grass and the brightness of a sunny afternoon.
No frills. No distraction. Nowhere to hide.
Donatello is starting to get pumped up.
At the center of the stadium, two figures stand across from one another. They look small, frail even, in the middle of such an impressive volume. He knows the extra space will be much needed, though.
The cameras turn to him, the speakers announce his name, and he confidently steps out of the shadows. The public in the stands welcome their third challenger with renewed fervor.
It had escaped his understanding, these terms in the tournament reglementation. Up until the last minute, he’d thought he had secured his third place by winning the Wheel of Doom, and that was it.
The excited screeches of his family when he’d been told to get ready for the grand finals still ring in his skull.
Applauds rain over him as he gets closer to his rivals. Stopping at a respectable distance, he makes a show of flipping his tech bo before tapping it to the ground in a practiced hero pose, purple pixels flaring up around him, and the crowd roars.
He feels a smirk spread onto his face.
“Donatello-san?!”
“Hi, Mob,” he answers with his best too-cool-for-you attitude. “Enjoyed the rest?”
“What are you doing here?” the boy blurts out.
“Rude. You see, apparently beating someone once doesn’t necessarily result in his direct elimination.”
“It doesn’t?”
“Well, here I am, aren’t I?”
The surprise on Kageyama’s features morphs into something decidedly amused.
“Heh. I should’ve guessed you wouldn’t give up so easily.”
“Damn right,” Donatello grins back.
“So, Donnie-san, are we allowed to team up, or -”
“AM I THE ONLY ONE HERE WHO'S READ THE RULES?” the other opponent interjects, voice bold and cheeky. “THIS IS A SOLO DEATHMATCH SITUATION, NOT A TEAM-UP BOSS BATTLE.”
Donnie turns to the skeleton. He has taken some time to learn about him, of course: hard-working, keen on hindrance, element-of-surprise enthusiast.
The handmade costume and bright, toothy smile only raise more red flags.
“And you are…?” he asks casually, fully intending to keep his bad boy image up.
As the skeleton lazily inspects his nails, it appears two can play this game.
“MY NAME IS PAPYRUS, BUT YOU CAN CALL ME THE GREAT.”
Donatello decides he likes this one.
“Enchanté,” he voices, then rolls his shoulders. “Well, gents, as much as I would like to keep this charming conversation going, don’t we have a public to impress?”
Mob nods. He doesn’t make any other movement, but the grass around his feet is already spiking up like hair charged with electricity.
“I would hate to disappoint my master,” he agrees.
Donnie looks over to Papyrus, and finds him cracking his bony knuckles, a ferocious look on his edgy features.
“BRING IT ON, YOU SWAGLESS FROG.”
Around them, the giant screens broadcast their little exchange, and the crowd goes wild with anticipation. The match is finally about to begin; whatever happens now, there won’t be another round.
Donatello can’t help but feel grateful to be there.
This last chance was unhoped for, and he is going to make it count, if only for kicks and giggles.
If only for glory.
--------------------------
Hey guys, uh. I guess I. Did it again?
Follow-up to this. Y'all can thank this anon because by making me say I wouldn't do it they actually made me do it. Whoops
DISCLAIMER: I know even less about Undertale than I do about Mob Psycho 100, which is to say I don't know shit about Papyrus. Took a hot 5 minutes of research and rolled with it. So once again this is probably wildly OOC and I apologize to whomever I may have offended
THAT BEING SAID I had a lot of fun writing this one as well! @autismswagsummit you don't know the state your tournament has me in. I think I might actually explode whatever the conclusion
Remember kids, have fun, take care, be cool, vote Donnie!
@autismswagreblogs
#DONNIE SWEEP#autismswagsummit fanfic#autismswagsummit#yes I now have my own writing blog#you're still more than welcome to come talk with me on my main tho#rottmnt#rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles#donatello#donnie#mob psycho 100#mp100#mob#shigeo kageyama#undertale#papyrus#the great papyrus#writing
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tuesday again 8/15/2023
woo it's payday
listening
joywave, one of my favorite bands put out a experimental collab album. it's taking a bit to grow on me but i do like The Carousel. this man is simply having a fucking blast on this fucking carousel. starts off with some synth..stings??? that feel very much like they could back a mall fashion show. or, better yet, imagine a 2005 chick flick about a small town girl moving to the big apple and accidentally becoming a supermodel. this would be the backing track when she finally nails her walk. spotlights, sophistication through understated vibes, frictionless, etc. spotify.
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reading
shotgunned five volumes of spy x family sunday night and i am now deeply invested in this simp. this is just a very silly slowburn slice of life. epitome of curtainfic
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watching
gave Afro Samurai (2007, Gonzo) the ol' two-episode try and simply was not vibing. it more than delivers on the samurai and afro parts of its title and is very stylish (complimentary). i think it deserves its emmys, it has a really lovely sense of constant motion without getting muddy and the fights are fun to watch. the sprinkling of high-tech futurism in what would otherwise be a very ordinary samurai anime is fun.
however it is SIGNIFICANTLY gorier than i expected.
if you looked at these screencaps and thought "hey that sounds like something Samuel L Jackson would say" congrats he's in this, bc it was 2007 and we had not yet exhausted our appetite for making Samuel L Jackson say things like this. we must also remember it is from 2007, so it rates VERY highly on the weeb portion of the Weeb-Ass-Shit scale.
that specific combo of gory weeb shit simply wasn't the mood on friday night and i don't think i'll come back to it. not for me! sad! oh well there's other anime!
how'd i find this: the wonders of tubi
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playing
organ attack is a medical-themed last-one-standing card game where each person starts out with four organs and a hand of five attack and defense cards. most are tailored towards a specific organ (eg the NOSEBLEED card i pulled first) but some are more general like CANCER or NECROSIS. it took about an hour with six people bc it got down to a real drag-out nasty threeway fight at the very end. the style is what you see on the box and is not gross-out nasty.
hysterically fun to play with a bunch of nurses, and even if you don't have an established friendgroup of nurses to insert yourself into it's very funny to say shit like "i'm giving your teeth cancer, hand 'em over". if you are playing with normal able-bodied folks i would not recommend saying "haha i have that!" every time someone puts a relevant card down. the normies really didn't like that.
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making
fallow week
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hey arc, classpect the MI team + villains (:
Okay yeah I deserve that. But I'm not classpecting anyone who is only in one movie, I refuse. I need more material.
So let's start with the obvious.
Ethan Hunt is an Heir of Light, which may parse as someone who is manipulated/played by/acts as the avatar of luck/agency/relevance. Light is the aspect of the script, the narrative, the spotlight. It is the driving force that keeps the story going simply because the story HAS to be told.
My recurring thing with Ethan is that I don't think he's great at plans. I think he's incredibly skilled at rolling the dice and figuring out the next hour of his life, and then he has to figure out the next hour after that, over and over. It is EXHAUSTING. He's like a perpetual motion machine but you can see the cracks and hear how the gears grind.
But he can't stop. In a very real sense, the narrative is centered on the fact he will not stop. He weirdly almost has the Unspoken Plan Guarantee as a superpower... But for it to work, he has to keep going.
The deal that fate has dealt Ethan is "oh you will succeed and you will win, but you will keep running until you reach that point." If at any point he gives in and stops, everything collapses around him. IT. SUCKS.
.
Luther is a Mage of Void, I think. His aspect was difficult to nail down but his class absolutely has to be Mage. He's a passive team player and his utility is 99% knowledge. But what separates him from a Seer or Sylph is that yes he can be compelled to do exposition and shit when necessary, but mostly, if he can answer a question with "Because I'm the best at this, baby," then he will. He is not compelled to infodump in the way other classes are.
As for why Void, it's difficult to nail down but basically I think Luther is there to explain very twisty concepts that revolve around obsession. Void is the aspect of Obsession, and Luther as a Mage does deal hands-on with the aspect, yeah, but he has more of an observational role over it than other classes. So he's the one to teach Julia how to be a ghost, he's the one to fnd Ethan when he's hidden, and he's the one to explain Ethan's whole Thing to Ilsa. He's the guy who understands the inexplicable, and hoards that understanding like a dragon.
.
Benji Dunn is a Rogue of Blood. I mean, obviously, right? Benji tricks you at first because he's a tech guy, he's a gadget guy, he's an answers guy (in the way that Luther isn't, actually), so you want to go "oh he's a Doom or Time or something".
But nope, Benji's got blood in the lines of his hands and it's the well-spring he draws from. Blood is the aspect of Obligation, and of leadership. Obviously Ethan is the factual leader of the team, but it's not a coincidence that Benji is the one to direct Ethan, to give the objectives, and in RN flat out acts as Ethan's tether to reality when he's going off the deep end. As a bonus, he's protected by Blood as well. Ilsa sees him through a sniper scope and immediately saves him before she's even met him because of course. Of course she does. Benji compels people so easily to what he wants and needs.
And its also not a coincidence that Solomon grabs him out of everyone. He steals the anchor everyone is tied to, and you can almost see the blood red rope between Ethan and Benji snapping violently taut the moment it happens. It's like Ethan's chained to a runaway train, he has no choice BUT to save Benji.
.
Ilsa Faust is a Prince of Mind in my opinion. This one parses a in service to the aspect of skepticism. Settling on Ilsa's aspect was difficult but to me, her defining struggle is that she's surrounded by all these rules and crossing loyalties and objectives from multiple people, the entire world is pressing down on her... but she doesn't really care. Oh, she says that she does, she says she has to do this, this is how she makes it home, but what do her actions say?
To me, they say Ilsa is skeptical of everything trying to bind her, and at the end of the day she propels the plot simply by making her own choices. She's the one who chooses her path and says "No, but" to everyone, the perfect inverse of Ethan's improvisational nature.
And she gains power as she does it. When she says, "No, but" she changes things for everyone. Like any Prince, she is incredibly potent, but acts like a sword in a sheath, the potential humming through her until she springs into decisive action. And again, with the Prince class, when the player is in service to their aspect, it gives them phenomenal power. When they resist their aspect, they are punished. Every time Ilsa gives into the powers trying to control her, she's miserable and used like a pawn.
So yeah I'm p comfortable saying she's Prince of Mind.
.
SHOCKING NO ONE, Brandt is Maid of Doom. lmao. This parses as one burdened by the aspect of inevitability. I don't even need to think about this one. Doom players are good at understand the systems that have everyone crushed under a boot. They know the laws and the bylaws and the commonplace agreements that keep the system in place, and they're annoyed at it all... but they also know how to play that game, who is important, where they can pry a place for themselves. That's Brandt, who basically quits the field and becomes operations because he knows the team needs cover, and he knows how to provide it, and god-fucking-dammit, SOMEONE has to keep the lights on at home.
And Maid? Maids are one of the Tired classes, and Brandt is sooooo fucking tired all the time. The eternal pessimist. Maids have an abundance of their aspect and thus provide it to their team. They also want something that their aspect keeps them from attaining, and in this case I think of "Doom" as "the CIA-IMF" and the thing Brandt needs is to fucking retire. Stop having a job, Brandt.
.
The only other character I think I can classpect is Solomon goddamn Lane, and oh, he's a Seer. There is no fucking question that Solomon is a Seer. Nailing down what he's a Seer of is more difficult though.
I kind of wanna say he's a Seer of Blood. Knowledge of the aspect of obligation to serve others. Everything about how he functions is about people's bonds. He knows how to get the right people who have been abused by their organizations and governments, he knows how to put people together in a room to force new connections, he openly admits that his weapon against Ethan was the moment he killed the young agent in front of Ethan's eyes. He sees all the red strings and he tries to garrote people with them.
Seers are also very active people in the story, they are always pulling bullshit, and Solomon Lane never stops being a petty fucking asshole pretending to be a calm, reasonable man. Seers fucking loooooove acting aloof and above it all when really they are dramatic and addicted to revenge.
THAT'S EVERYONE, HERE YOU GO PUNCT.
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I want to know about all your OCs pls ❤️
For Kai: 🥊🌂
For Tyler: 🙌 💼
For Kit: 🌺🍕
For Mikaela: 🧠🧊
For Rylan: 🎯🍀
For Azazel: 🎓🌼
For Dante: 💼💀
For Fae: ✂️ 💚
(let me know when you regret letting me ask so many questions 😈)
ajdhsjfhd Shakeyyyy you don't understand how happy this makes meeeee<3
Main bit of context:
They're a found family who have lived together since the age of 12, when I refer to "the house" it's in reference to the 8 of them, they are also a famous band. It becomes easier to understand when you realise I'm in this world practically 24/7 and you gotta make a lotta leaps in logic to have everything fit together.
Buckle up my little bitch (affectionate) 1.5k words under the cut that took me over an hour to write
Kai:
What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?
Kai loves being the nail tech of the house. It wasn't what people expected of him, but he started trying to help his girlfriend Mikaela with her nails, which then evolved into him learning to do acrylics, and nail art, and manicures and pedicures. And now he has a little pocket sized notebook that he dedicates a single page to each song they have to perform and notes down what nails he'll create for kit and the girls and if the boys are having anything too.
Every morning he likes to go for a run (note:sprint at breakneck speed) from the house to the cliff that overlooks the edge of their island. Their home is connected to the mainland by a sandbar that can sometimes be submerged for days. This has been a job he's done almost since the start, to see if they can leave the island or not. If not they have to cancel any appointments until the sandbar is visible. In an emergency there is a small boat, but the water is more dangerous than it seems. He'll run to the edge, check, and then sprint back home where Fae has his typical breakfast of a bacon sandwich ready and waiting for him, and for eight years he has been shocked to see this and has never gotten used to her doing it.
Kai can sometimes hate being in the spotlight, ironic as the band bassist and one of the rappers. He'll sometimes try to shield himself behind others and typically holds his microphone with his fingers stretched over his face so as to hide himself away during his lines.
He also detests sleeping alone, mainly as it's annoying. He has to lay down, tuck the duvet around him and then scooch it up under his butt so he's firmly tucked in and then hides underneath everything. He does it as a safety measure from his past, hiding under everything so he can't be seen or grabbed. Sleeping with others means he has protection, and if Mikaela's away he'll often wear her robe to sleep.
What genre do they belong in?
All of them belong in a coming-of-age, romantic flick. However Kai, especially after examining his past, also belongs in thrillers. His pickpocketing and robberies were always full of suspense, especially as he could never trust the teams that recruited him, which always came at a cost to him.
Tyler:
How many sibling does your OC have?
As far as he (and me) is aware, he has no siblings. But I'm an unreliable narrator, and often need something dramatic to happen, so who knows?
What do they do for a living?
Tyler is the third rapper of the band and their drummer, currently. In the past he was an illegal "demolitions expert" of sorts (see how you need to ignore a lot of real world logic to make things work haha), human battering ram, human shield (against his will, poor guy) and had plenty of clientele for his knack of fashioning explosives.
Kit:
Do they have any love interest(s)?
Tyler. His protector, his lover, his sweet cheese, his good time boy, his daddy. Him and Tyler have been together for seven years. They've roomed together since the day they moved into the house, the only thing that changed was swapping two beds for one.
What is their favorite food?
Strawberries. Oh my god this kid and his strawberries. He spends his time tending to the "veg patch" and his favourite is his strawberry plants. Much like me as a kid feeding ducks, tearing off bread (I'm aware now that you can't give ducks bread I'm so sorry) and going "bit for you, bit for me", Kit picking strawberries takes a while as he picks one to go in his basket, and one for him to eat as he goes along. It's a miracle he never runs out.
Mikaela:
What do you like most about the OC?
Ooo I think it's how unapologetic and confident she is. She's so "fuck yeah this is me, and?" it's enviable. Try and insult her, I dare you. She'll fucking agree and twist your words into a compliment.
Is their current design the first one?
Technically yes, technically no. Everyone is mostly the same as they were at the beginning. Any changes either happen naturally as they grew and changed, or were just straight up shoved in as if it was always that way. But Mikaela is pretty much the same.
Rylan:
What do they do best?
Fucking own my heart Rylan is my favourite, he's been with me the longest so I'm so fucking sorry haha.
I think what he does best is pull the strings from behind. When you think of the "parents" of the house he doesn't actually make the cut, but rest assured he does so much for his family. Be it making sure everyone's clothes are folded ready to go to their rooms, buying treats and snacks and keeping them stocked, little things like smoothing clothes, fixing hair, pulling Fae's skirt down or stopping the girl's and kit's clothes from blowing in the wind by discreetly holding the hems, or slipping his (illegal) credit card to everyone so they can buy presents behind each others backs. He just cares so deeply and notices so much, he just wants to love and be loved.
What originally inspired the OC?
So Rylan was a name I read in a book as a kid (not sure which) and really liked. I couldn't have friends round as a kid so I had to play by myself and always needed a counterpart so it'd be a dude called Rylan. Then when my parents separated I started daydreaming of moving house, and of there being a rundown house at the end of the street I'd go explore, and then I'd run into a boy called Rylan hanging out in there, and get to know him and his friends and that's how the story came to be. It was meant to be a quick daydream like everything else as a kid where once the daydream ended for the day, I couldn't go back to it. Instead everything kept expanding and developed into this big world and storyline. And this didn't actually answer the question but it felt important (?)
Anyways Rylan was initially (INITIALLY) modelled after 707 from Mystic Messenger. I had never played Mystic Messenger before. Just liked how he looked. And now Rylan looks nothing like him haha we retconned the fuck outta that man.
Azazel:
How long have you had the OC?
Six and a half years I think. My brain is so scrambled and used to the fictional timeline I forget when it actually all started. I'd need to sit and write it all out haha.
How old are they?
She's in her early 20s
Dante:
What do they do for a living?
Dante is a vocalist in their band, and he used to be a drug dealer. These fuckers and the genre hopping give me whiplash istg.
Does your OC have any phobias?
I'm not too sure if this counts as a phobia but one of the big things he hates is extreme cold (fucking ironic he lives in the fucking UK then haha).
Fae:
What is one of your OC's worst memories?
Childhood. It's one of the core things that bind them is a traumatic childhood (not too sure if I'm projecting with that), they each had their own experiences, crossed paths along the way, then found each other again without even realising they'd met before.
But memories I can actually talk about without trigger warnings? Uhhhh...
that and a home invasion. She was in the kitchen and grabbed a frying pan and a knife for defense. Now Fae isn't too cool with the idea of killing a person unless she realllyyy has no choice, so she Rapunzels the fuck outta these situations and just keeps whacking them over the head with a frying pan until she can find the boys to take care of the intruders.
Another time she hates to think of was when Dante (her boyfriend) just upped and disappeared. No note, no warning. She let it eat at her so much, and was so relieved when he was found and came home. Same with Kit wandering off in the dead of night. They all went up the mountains searching for him and kept coming across his clothing meaning hypothermia was setting in and Kit is so small and frail it was a wonder to think he managed to get so far in his state. There was a lot of stress baking in the kitchen those days after her boys were safely back home.
What is your OC's gender identity and sexuality?
Fae is a cis woman, she's very femme but in a softer way than Mikaela. Her sexuality throws her off a bit, much like her boyfriend they're both straight, however with an exception for sleeping with their same sex best friend on a couple occasions.
Hahaaaaaa I don't regret asking you hehehehe I hope you regret asking me because I ramble SO MUCH IM SORRY I LOVE THEM OKAY THEY ARE LITERALLY MY LIFE
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This day in history
Today (May 20) at 3:15PM, I’ll be at the GAITHERSBURG Book Festival with my novel Red Team Blues; then on Monday (May 22), I’m keynoting Public Knowledge’s Emerging Tech conference in DC.
On Tuesday (May 23), I’ll be in TORONTO for a book launch that’s part of WEPFest, a benefit for the West End Phoenix, onstage with Dave Bidini (The Rheostatics), Ron Diebert (Citizen Lab) and the whistleblower Dr Nancy Olivieri.
#20yrsago William Gibson on the future of media https://web.archive.org/web/20030503081410/www.williamgibsonbooks.com/archive/2003_05_01_archive.asp
#15yrsago We need a privacy bill of rights https://www.wired.com/2008/05/securitymatters-0515/
#15yrsago Steamy tell-all memoir by a Disneyland “Jack Sparrow” https://web.archive.org/web/20080525200648/https://www.lamag.com/featuredarticle.aspx/?id=7016
#15yrsago Oregon to hold hearings on whether its laws are copyrighted https://public.resource.org/oregon/
#15yrsago China’s surveillance state https://web.archive.org/web/20080517165418/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/20797485/chinas_allseeing_eye/print
#10yrsago Unknown mathematician makes historical breakthrough in prime theory https://www.wired.com/2013/05/twin-primes/
#10yrsago What UK education czar Michael Gove doesn’t understand about creativity https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/17/to-encourage-creativity-mr-gove-understand
#10yrsago Accused identity thief nailed by food-porn Instagram photo https://www.techdirt.com/2013/05/20/criminal-nabbed-his-own-food-porn/
#10yrsago Utah wants to tax power consumed by the NSA’s massive, illegal data-processing facility https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=56304956&itype=CMSID
#10yrsago Book review: information security for lawyers https://books.slashdot.org/story/13/05/20/1313205/book-review-locked-down-information-security-for-lawyers
#10yrsago When America issued dogtags to kids to help identify their nuke-blasted corpses https://gizmodo.com/that-time-american-school-kids-were-given-dog-tags-beca-508802138
#10yrsago Whatever happened to crack babies? https://web.archive.org/web/20130904231440/https://www.retroreport.org/crack-babies-a-tale-from-the-drug-wars/
#10yrsago Internet of Things and surveillance https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/05/the_eyes_and_ea.html
#10yrsago Profile of math-inspired 3D printing sculptor Bathsheba Grossman https://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/2075-designer-spotlight-bathsheba-grossman-2.html
#5yrsago Explaining marine invertebrate reproductive strategies to the lobster-obsessed Jordan Peterson https://twitter.com/baileys/status/997646354414522368
#5yrsago Supreme Court rules that employers can make signing away your right to sue them in a class a condition of employment https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/21/politics/supreme-court-nlra-arbitration-gorsuch/index.html
#5yrsago New York high school will use CCTV and facial recognition to enforce discipline https://web.archive.org/web/20180521033340/http://uschnews.com/lockport-schools-turn-to-state-of-the-art-technology-to-beef-up-security-the-buffalo-news/
#5yrsago High school students who will not smile in the hallways are sent to mandatory counselling, while bullying is rampant https://www.ldnews.com/story/news/local/2018/05/15/n-lebanon-students-told-smile-while-bullying-gets-ignored/606180002/
#5yrsago The Vatican dunks on the finance industry and its “amoral culture” https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/05/17/180517a.html
#5yrsago Ahead of national elections, India’s authoritarian ruling party loses a key regional battle https://web.archive.org/web/20180520035216/http://www.atimes.com/article/huge-setback-for-modi-as-bjp-fails-floor-test-in-karnataka/
#5yrsago Britain’s hardline prohibitionist drugs minister is married to a weed grower https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/drugs-minister-victoria-atkins-hypocrisy-cannabis-paul-kenward-british-sugar-a8356056.html
#5yrsago App that let parents spy on teens stored thousands of kids’ Apple ID passwords and usernames on an unsecured server https://www.zdnet.com/article/teen-phone-monitoring-app-leaks-thousands-of-users-data/
Catch me on tour with Red Team Blues in Toronto, DC, Gaithersburg, Oxford, Hay, Manchester, Nottingham, London, and Berlin!
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(LUKA SABBAT, 25, HE/HIM/SHE/HER) Have you seen [SIDNEY ROWE] around Faerune? They’re a [MEDIUM] who [IS NEUTRAL ABOUT] restoring the Seelie Court. People have heard they’re [VIBRANT; LOVING; & SELF-ASSURED] but can also be [DRAMATIC; HEADSTRONG; & DIRECT]. We’ll see where they fall when the revolution arrives, but until then they can be found working as a [NAIL TECH & DRAG QUEEN]
x Sidney, of course, grew up in the same household as Sutton (raised by their mother and grandmother and the rest of the ancestors they always had filling their house)
x Unlike his brother Sidney he got into far less trouble (even if he had a bigger mouth). Sutton used his fists Sidney used his words… Maybe he did get into just as much trouble just not with the LAW.
x Both he and Sutton are artists at heart. Whereas Sutton focused on poetry and visual arts, Sidney pursued dance and music. He got into drag from a young age. He was meant to preform. Sutton didn’t want to be in the spotlight, that was fine; Sidney would gladly soak it all up.
x The drag scene in Faerune is fine but he wanted to see the world. Sid left the nest earlier than Sutton, moving to Hollywood in the hopes of making it. He did well for himself. Forming relationships always came far easier to him. He’s charming and confident and it didn’t take long for him to get engaged. He was with his ex fiance for four years.
x Sid and his ex fiance split recently — they’re “””taking a break””” — and suddenly LA felt suffocating.
x while through the years he’s come back for holidays/vacations/birthdays etc. it was never to stay. Now he’s not sure what he’s doing. He figured he’d take Founder’s Day as a much needed break from Beverly Hills. He’s still deciding if he wants to stay in Faerune or move back to the states.
x Even though it isn’t the biggest, flashiest city — there’s a magic about Faerune Sid knows he can’t find anywhere else. That and family makes staying for a while more palatable. He’s calmed down a lot from the wild teenager that he was years ago. He still likes a party, don’t get him wrong, but he works jist as hard.
x As of right now he’s doing nails at the salon (a gig he’s had on and off for years since he was a teenager) and in the pm performing at the various clubs in Faerune. He also braids hair and makes wigs for people (but that’s all under the table)
x Sidney’s drag name is Petty Labelle. I imagine his style is very Shea Coulee/Naomi Smalls. He is an excellent dancer/performer and often incorporates stand up in his act. Sometimes he’ll just do comedy, sometimes he’ll dance, it depends on what the venue calls for.
-10s 10s 10s across the board; a very kind warm disco energy with this one. He does lack a filter, but doesn’t go out of his way to be nasty to people. That’s bullshit. Sid’s the friend that wont mince words or coddle you because he cares deeply about you. And he will be the first to come to your or a strangers defense. He’s made people cry with his sharp ass tongue before, he won’t hesitate if you’re acting a fool.
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i love you nailing auditions i love you cast lists coming out i love you first rehearsals i love you brand new scripts i love you dumb vocal warmups i love you theater best friends i love you character work i love you stage design i love you pretty costumes i love you the feeling of being off book i love you run-throughs I love you showmances i love you inside jokes i love you tech week i love you empty auditoriums i love you curtains falling i love you tech crew i love you weeks of shows i love you closing night i love you spotlight i love you bows i love you art i love you musical theatre
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Nail Polish Industry Size, Share and Future to 2025
Nail polish has transcended its functional purpose of protecting nails. It's become a vibrant art form, a statement of self-expression, and a multi-billion dollar industry. Let's delve into the world of nail polish, exploring its market size, growth trends, and the hottest styles shaping the future of this colorful landscape.
A Global Industry with Glossy Prospects
The global nail polish industry is a powerhouse, estimated to reach a staggering USD 21.4 billion by 2025. This growth is fueled by several key factors:
Rising Disposable Income: As economic prosperity increases, people have more money to invest in personal care, including nail polishes.
Social Media Influence: Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest showcase creative nail art designs, inspiring trends and driving demand for new colors and finishes.
Focus on Self-Care: Manicures and nail art are increasingly seen as a form of self-care, offering a moment of relaxation and pampering.
Evolving Color Palettes and Textures: Brands are constantly innovating with new color trends, finishes like matte and chrome, and special effects like glitter and holographics, catering to a diverse range of preferences.
Market Share and Regional Variations
North America and Europe hold the largest share of the nail polish market, followed by the Asia Pacific region. However, the Asia Pacific region is experiencing the fastest growth due to a burgeoning middle class with increasing disposable income. Here's a breakdown of the estimated regional market share:
North America: 35%
Europe: 30%
Asia Pacific: 20%
Rest of the World: 15%
Beyond the Basics: Trends Stealing the Spotlight
The nail polish industry thrives on constant innovation and trendsetting. Here are some of the hottest styles captivating nail enthusiasts:
Nude with a Twist: Neutral tones remain popular, but with a dash of shimmer, glitter, or metallic accents for added flair.
Minimalist Chic: Clean lines, negative space designs, and single accent nails offer a sophisticated aesthetic.
The Power of Color: From vibrant brights to deep, dramatic hues, color remains a key aspect of nail trends, allowing for self-expression.
Nail Art Extravaganza: Geometric patterns, intricate designs, and 3D embellishments are gaining traction for those who love a bold statement-making look.
Sustainability: A Growing Concern
The nail polish industry is starting to address the growing consumer demand for sustainable practices:
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Products: Consumers are increasingly seeking nail polishes free of animal-derived ingredients and not tested on animals.
Eco-Friendly Packaging: Brands are exploring ways to reduce waste by using recycled or recyclable packaging materials.
Non-Toxic Formulas: The development of safer nail polishes free of harsh chemicals like formaldehyde and toluene is gaining traction.
The Future of Nail Polish: A Bright and Colorful Outlook
The nail polish industry future is poised for continued growth, fueled by consumer demand for self-expression, innovation in color and finishes, and a growing focus on sustainability. Here's what to expect:
Personalization: Nail polish brands might offer customizable shades and finishes to cater to individual preferences.
Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Sales: More online retailers and brands might offer D2C options, providing a wider range of colors and niche products directly to consumers.
Tech-Enabled Experiences: Augmented reality (AR) apps could allow consumers to virtually try on nail polish colors before buying.
#nail market#nail industry#nail polish market#nail polish industry#nail market research report#market research#cosmetics industry
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Immersive Experiences Await Discovering Aya Universe Dubai
Welcome to a unique journey of discovery at Aya Universe Dubai. In the middle of this bustling city, Aya Universe stands out as an innovative center of entertainment. It combines the latest technology with immersive experiences. The goal is a unique adventure where reality and fantasy blur, allowing visitors to step into a world where the unimaginable is everyday.
Aya Universe Dubai is more than a venue; it's an epic adventure that goes beyond the ordinary. Here, visitors enjoy a range of visuals and sounds designed to captivate all senses. With virtual reality and interactive displays, every corner of Aya Universe is crafted to whisk visitors off to a place outside of their wildest dreams. Whether you seek thrills, are a tech-lover or are just searching for something different, Aya Universe Dubai delivers combining entertainment and technology in an enticing way that urges you to unlock a universe of boundless possibilities.
Immersive Experiences Await Discovering Aya Universe Dubai
An Exciting Future Adventure: Getting to Know Aya Universe Dubai
Surrounded by Dubai's impressive skyline, Aya Universe sparkles as a new beacon for innovating entertainment inviting those seeking thrills and adventures to go on a journey unlike any other. It redefines true immersive experiences as it expertly merges cutting-edge technology with unmatched creativity. As visitors walk towards Aya Universe, the building's exterior provides a tantalizing preview of the treasures inside. More than a theme park, Aya Universe is a full-fledged adventure. It blurs the real and imagined, setting the stage for an extraordinary escapade.
Aya Universe: Exploring the Wonders of Virtual Reality
Welcome to Aya Universe, your gateway to the magical world of virtual reality! We have The Virtual Reality Nexus, filled with cutting-edge headgear and environments that break the boundaries of possibility. Here, you can fly through star-filled scenes or dive deep under the ocean. Our goal? To leave you amazed and inspired. We have a variety of simulations to suit everyone, making us the go-to spot for all things VR.
Discover Interactive Exhibits: Where Creativity Meets Tech
Step into Aya Universe and you'll discover a world of interactive exhibits that marry creativity with tech. For instance, the TechnoSphere is packed with the latest in robotics and AI. It's a sneak peek into the future of how humans and machines could interact. Then there's Artisan's Alley, paying tribute to the age-old art of craftsmanship. Here, traditional methods meet modern tech to create one-off wonders. At Aya Universe, we don't just shine a spotlight on innovation. We celebrate the sweet spot where human creativity meets tech.
A Cultural Journey: Exploring Dubai's Rich Heritage at Aya Universe
Look at Aya Universe, honoring Dubai's vibrant culture, blending exhibits saluting the city's customs and past. The park's Cultural Nexus offers digital tours of key historical sites, permitting guests to dive into Dubai's fascinating past. Interactive showcases pinpoint Dubai's skyline transformation, emphasizing the city's dedication to advancement yet maintaining its cultural roots. Aya Universe adeptly intertwines local culture in its forward-looking story, establishing an experience that echoes with locals and global visitors alike.
Edge-Of-Seat Excitement: The Adventure Nexus
For the thrill-seekers, the Adventure Nexus at Aya Universe is ready for you. This park area delivers heart-thumping rides that stretch the definition of fun. Whether taking on our ultra-fast virtual roller coasters that laugh at gravity or nailing escape room puzzle penalties that assess intellect and team effort, the Adventure Nexus makes sure you're spoiled for choice in your search for exhilaration.
Easy Entry to Aya Universe: The Extraordinary Tickets
In the name of smooth and hassle-free access, Aya Universe Dubai presents a straightforward and customer-focus ticketing system. Tickets for Aya Universe Dubai are easily bought online, allowing visitors the freedom to plan their trip and adapt their experience. Our tickets cater to various tastes, giving guests the power to choose their own adventure. Be it jaw-dropping virtual reality quests, the TechnoSphere's technological miracles, the Artisan's Alley's craft products, or the head-spinning joyrides of the Adventure Nexus.
Conclusion
Summarizing, Aya Universe Dubai crosses traditional entertainment lines, welcoming guests into a world where tech and dreams meet. It's where scenes from a sci-fi movie meet awe-inspiring masterpieces. Aya Universe shows you there are no limits when boundless creativity takes the wheel. Aya universe Dubai tickets are your passport to a venture-packed land where ordinary takes a backseat. As night falls on the famous Dubai skyline, Aya Universe keeps shining, calling everyone seeking something different. It promises them something they've never seen before inside its modern wall. A voyage through Aya Universe doesn't stop when you leave; it leaves an imprint on the explorers' hearts and thoughts, igniting a never-ending passion for the unique.
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Nailing Your Hotel's Digital Game: A 2024 Marketing Handbook
Hey there, hoteliers! Ready to kick your digital marketing into high gear in 2024? Buckle up because we're diving into the ultimate guide to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of online presence and bookings.
1. Get in the Know: Let's start by getting cozy with the latest trends and tech. From Instagram stories to the wild world of virtual reality, knowing what's hot can give your hotel the edge.
2. Website Wizardry: Your website is your digital storefront. We'll chat about making it look appealing, creating killer content, and ensuring it's search engine-friendly. After all, you want people to find you when they Google "amazing hotels."
3. Social Media Sorcery: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter – these platforms are your best friends. Find out how to use them to flaunt your hotel's best side, build a community, and turn followers into guests.
4. Email Magic: Dive into the world of email marketing. Learn how to craft emails that people actually want to read, build a solid contact list, and keep your guests coming back for more.
5. The Art of SEO: Let's demystify SEO together. We'll talk about keywords, on-page tweaks, and how to climb to the top of the Google search mountain.
6. Paid Ads Playbook: Ever tried your hand at Google Ads or social media advertising? We'll break it down so you can create ads that catch eyes and wallets.
7. Reputation Rehab: Your online reputation matters. Discover how to manage reviews like a pro, respond to feedback gracefully, and keep your hotel's image sparkling.
8. Numbers that Matter: Geek out with us on data analytics. Learn to decipher website metrics, user behavior, and campaign success. It's like having a crystal ball for your marketing strategy.
In conclusion, let's rock 2024 together. Embrace the digital revolution, connect with your audience, and watch those bookings soar. Here's to a year of thriving in the online spotlight
Know more about how digital marketing for hotel helps their business growth
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Is the Manufacturing Job Market a Competition or a Walk in the Park?
Hey there, folks! If you've ever dipped your toes into the world of manufacturing, you might have wondered whether finding that dream job or the perfect candidate is like a friendly stroll in the park or more of a nail-biting competition. The answer is a bit of both, and we're about to unravel the mystery behind this perplexing landscape.
The Thrilling Competition
First off, let's talk about the competitive side of the manufacturing job market. For those of you with some serious skills and expertise, this might feel like a thrilling showdown.
Skills in the Spotlight: Manufacturing is all about innovation and technology these days. So, if you've got those specialized skills that are in high demand, you might be in for a treat. Companies are always on the lookout for folks like you, which often translate to juicier job offers and better paychecks.
The Battle for Talent: Manufacturing companies are on a never-ending quest for top-tier talent. They're all competing to woo those skilled workers. The result? A job market that's as competitive as a game of musical chairs at a family picnic. But this also means companies are willing to go the extra mile, offering great benefits, stellar working conditions, and opportunities for career growth.
The Role of Manufacturing Recruiting Firms: Let's not forget our trusty allies, the manufacturing recruiting firms. They're like the talent hunters of the manufacturing world, matching up the right candidates with the perfect opportunities. These folks can be your secret weapon in this job market showdown.
The Not-So-Competitive Side
Now, let's shift gears and talk about the uncompetitive side of things. It's not all glitz and glam, especially if you're a certain type of job seeker.
Entry-Level Adventure: If you're just starting out and looking for entry-level positions, you might face some hurdles. Many manufacturing companies prefer candidates with experience, which can feel like trying to get a foot in the door of a top-secret club.
Location, Location, Location: Remember that your location can play a big role. In areas with a bustling manufacturing scene, you might have more competition but also more job openings. Meanwhile, in quieter regions, you might face less competition but might need to search a little harder for those job opportunities.
Automation and Its Impact: The rise of automation and advanced technology has reshaped manufacturing. While this has brought some high-tech roles into the limelight, it has also led to the downsizing of traditional positions. So, if you're in one of those roles, it might feel less competitive but more uncertain.
How to Navigate the Maze
Okay, so now that we've navigated the maze of the manufacturing job market, how do you make it work in your favor? Here are some friendly tips for both job seekers and employers:
For Job Seekers
Skill Building: Invest in sharpening those skills that are in hot demand. Consider taking up training programs or online courses to level up your qualifications.
Network, Network, Network: Build a solid network within the industry. Attend industry events, join manufacturing clubs, and connect with those awesome manufacturing recruiting firms.
Stay Flexible: Don't shy away from considering jobs in different locations if your area is a bit slow on the job front. Sometimes, the perfect opportunity might be just a road trip away!
For Employers
Lean on the Experts: Lean on those awesome manufacturing recruiting firms. They've got the inside scoop and can connect you with the cream of the crop.
Invest in Training: Consider running training programs for entry-level hires. It's like nurturing fresh talent right in your backyard!
Embrace the Tech: Get cozy with technology and automation. Not only will it make your processes more efficient, but it'll also attract tech-savvy job seekers.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, folks! The manufacturing job market might have its competitive and uncompetitive sides, but it's a landscape filled with opportunities for those who dare to explore it. Whether you're up for a friendly competition or a leisurely walk in the park, remember that the manufacturing recruiting agencies are your pals in this journey. They're the ones who can connect the dots and make your manufacturing dreams come true. Happy job hunting!
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Stay Ahead of the Competition: How a Restaurant Point-of-Sale System Drives Success
In the wild and ever-changing world of restaurants, staying one step ahead of the competition is like a high-stakes dance. Success hinges on a mix of secret ingredients: great grub, top-notch service, and operations smoother than a buttered slide. But here's the secret weapon that can give you the upper hand – Point of Sale restaurant system. Let's dive deep into the POS magic and how it can jazz up your success in today's turbocharged dining scene.
Unveiling the Restaurant Roller-coaster
Picture this: the restaurant scene's like a rollercoaster. Flavors evolve, food fads come and go, and the competition? It's like a food fight out there. To not just survive, but thrive in this topsy-turvy world, you gotta have the tech that rocks your restaurant game. That's where a tough-as-nails restaurant POS system steals the spotlight.
Dishing Out Success with a Restaurant Point-of-Sale System
A Symphony of Orders
In a restaurant whirlwind, getting orders right is like a conductor's dream performance. Those old-school paper-and-pen orders? Recipe for disaster. They lead to mix-ups and delays, turning smiles into frowns. But with a restaurant POS system, it's like the orchestra got its act together. Waitstaff tap in orders, and bam – fewer mix-ups, speedier service, and happier taste buds.
Mastering the Table Tango
Imagine peak hours – the joint's jumping. You're playing a table-juggling act, and there's no room for slip-ups. A restaurant POS system? It's like your secret table choreographer. It tracks tables, reservations, and seats the crowd like a maestro. No overbooking, no empty tables – just a dining symphony that hits all the high notes.
The Inventory Power Move
Oh, the inventory struggle – a tale as old as time. But wait, a restaurant POS system with inventory mojo? It's like waving a magic wand. It tracks ingredients, watches stock levels, and dishes out real-time reports. That's the recipe for smart buying, less waste, and a wallet that's not crying tears of onion.
A Menu That Dances
Menus need to dance to the diner's tune – changing, grooving, and always ready for a surprise encore. A restaurant POS system? It's like a menu maestro. You wanna add a seasonal twist or a dash of customer whim? Easy-peasy. Changes zap across all screens, like a foodie lightning bolt. Your menu's fresher than fresh, always stealing the show.
Serving Up Customer Delight
The Express Checkout Tango
In a world where patience wears thin, quick checkouts are the hero. A restaurant POS system takes the lead, waltzing through payments – cards, wallets, contactless magic. The result? Smiles, not sighs, as your customers dash out, satisfied.
The Personalized Waltz
Customers crave more than food – they want a personalized feast. Guess what? A restaurant POS system's like a treasure chest of diner secrets. It remembers who loves what, so servers greet them by name and serve up their favorites. It's a tango of familiarity that makes customers feel like royalty.
The Loyalty Rumba
Loyalty's a dance between customers and your joint. A restaurant POS system? It's the perfect dance partner. It twirls in loyalty programs, giving customers points, treats, and discounts that keep 'em coming back. The loyalty tango? It's got everyone hooked.
Picking Your Restaurant POS Partner
Choosing the right restaurant POS system's like picking your dance partner for a big show. Look for the one that clicks – easy to use, vibing with other tech tools, and always there when you need it. Scalability's key – you're not just dancing for today, but for the future.
A restaurant Point-of-sale with kitchen display system plays vital role in any restaurants success. It's like the spotlight that turns your restaurant into a sensation. By streamlining operations, wowing customers, and serving up data gold, it's your secret sauce for success. So, here's the tip: snag that top-tier restaurant POS system, and watch your eatery go from a hidden gem to the talk of the town. Get ready for standing ovations, a full house, and plates wiped clean – your restaurant's the star of this culinary dance!
#point of sale restaurant system#kitchen display system#full service restaurant#restaurant management software#restaurant point of sale#restaurant kds#restaurant pos system#online ordering system#self service kiosk#quick service pos system
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Purple mood board
1920x1080px Attack On Titan Armin Arlert Sitting And Studying A Book With Background Of Mood And Purple Cloudy Sky Anime, HD wallpaper.1620x2880px Moody desert sunset, DARK, Mood, purple, sand, sky, sun, HD phone wallpaper.4500x3004px Women, Asian, Black Hair, Flower, Girl, Hydrangea, Mood, Purple Flower, Woman, HD wallpaper.2402x2139px Purple, mood, moody, rain, HD wallpaper., abstract, animation, ericaofanderson, flowers, glow, loop, mood, purple, vibe, visuals, HD phone wallpaper 1080x1812px Aesthetic moon, aesthetic, anime, fortnite, mood, moon, nature, night, purple, sad, samsung, HD phone wallpaper.1920x1200px Lilac, mood concepts, bouquet of lilacs, book on the table, spring, purple spring flowers, HD wallpaper.3035x2150px morino rinze, the idolmaster shiny colors, purple hair, raining, crying, mood, windows, Anime, HD wallpaper.2880x1800px purple roses, flowers on a book, roses, mood, background with roses, purple rose buds, HD wallpaper.1920x1120px cute anime girl, purple hair, loli, mood, blushes, school uniform, Anime, HD wallpaper.Don't worry about making it too perfect, either. We're fans of Inked By Dani's Color Nail Art Tattoos, which come in a variety of designs, including smiley faces, flowers, and stars, to name a few. In fact, you can even get some nail decals and just stick your smileys on. On the flip side, if you don't feel like doing the legwork, get a pair of some fun press-ons. If the brush is too thick, simply trim some of the bristles away with scissors." "They are some of the best tools for making nearly perfect circles, and you can also use an old eyeliner brush to create fine lines in a look like this. "Never underestimate the power of a bobby pin and a toothpick when creating nail art at home," she says. If you don't own one, Los Angeles-based nail artist Mazz says there are definitely items around your house that will do the trick, too. This adorable smiley-face manicure can be easily achieved with just three colors - nude, yellow, and black - along with a trusty dotting tool. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Consider all your nail art needs to be covered.Īhead, keep scrolling to find 32 short nail designs that we can guarantee you'll want to copy, add to your nail art mood board, or show to your nail tech at your next salon appointment.Īll products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. Fancy pink over neutrals? We've got those, too. Not into pastels? We've got several ideas that fare more on the neutral side. Better yet, each of these sets comes in a variety of colors and designs that are sure to satisfy almost everyone's aesthetic palette. "If you have very short nails, consider focusing the design down by the cuticle - try a half-moon or a negative-space look." In fact, these manicures look amazing on all lengths, especially on shorties. "As a former nail-biter, I can attest that nail art makes every length look extra fabulous," says New York City-based nail artist Miss Pop. You and your adorable short nails can still hang. If you're someone who will never succumb to the siren song of acrylic nails, are a nail-biter, just aren't a big fan of long nails, or are cursed with weak nails that just won't grow no matter how many supplements you take, don't fret. Short nails are like Jan Brady, the middle sister who sometimes gets overlooked but definitely deserves the attention just like her big sis. We're talking much longer than that library book you forgot to return to the school librarian back in the fourth grade, or that one-word text you were supposed to send to that guy you've been talking to on Tinder. But let's be honest: short nail designs are long overdue for some time in the spotlight. Long nails are like the Marcia Brady of manicures - they get all the attention and are always showing off, displaying their intricate designs on the internet.
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If It Means A Lot To You
AU info/chapter index || Next
Chapter 1: Put your blood on ice
Warnings for this chapter: unintentional deadnaming and misgendering, let me know if I need to add more
Summary: After the final concert of his tour, Roman finds himself reflecting on his past and present, and makes the decision to do something about it.
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Roman could remember clear as day the dreams if his childhood. Years of watching Disney had told him he could be anything. At first, he wanted to be a prince - a hero who saved the day and was adored by all. He later realized that wasn't a very likely future, so he chose something he knew he had a shot at: stardom.
For as long as he could remember, he'd had a talent for the performing arts. Singing, dancing, acting, even songwriting - it all came as naturally to him as breathing.
Roman's heart had long ached for the spotlight, The adoring fans, the fame, the freedom. He fought tooth and nail for every chance to make himself known, even leaving behind everything he'd ever known, and now, after so many years, he had what he wanted.
Except...no. This wasn't what he wanted. Not at all.
When you're a kid, your view of fame is skewed. Rose-tinted glasses only let you see the money, praise, opportunity, and everything good that comes with being a celebrity.
But it isn't the truth. The truth is that once you become someone everyone knows, you have to make sure you're always known. Little by little, the things that make you who you are can end up being chipped away. The songs you write may mean nothing to you, the characters you play can feed into a loss of self, and each time you dance you may feel more and more like a puppet on strings.
Life among the stars is so deceptively beautiful that you can become oblivious to the fact that your own starlight is flickering out. Coldly, slowly, and lonely, the limelight kills the dreams of those who seek it. Roman had learned that the hard way.
---
“Thank you all for coming, and have a wonderful night!” Roman waved to the crowd of screaming fans as he walked offstage, gratefully accepting the water bottle offered to him. Finally, the tour was over. Just a few public appearances and he could go home.
He cringed. He really wouldn't say the mansion he lived in was his home. It was really just his place of residence. He hadn't had a real home in years.
“Hey! Earth to Roman!” The singer was literally snapped out of his thoughts by his bodyguard, Remy, who looked equal parts annoyed and concerned. “Were you even listening?”
Roman huffed a nervous laugh. “Sorry. You know I space out after shows sometimes.”
“This is the seventh performance in a row that's happened.” Remy raised his sunglasses to the top of his head. “Are you sure you're not subconsciously starving or losing sleep?”
“I'm fine Rem,” Roman sighed. “This tour has just been..a lot. I just wanna curl up in my bed for a decade, that’s all.”
His friend’s only response was a muttered “Mood” before walking with Roman back to his dressing room. The tech crew backstage rushed past the two, offering quick words of praise before continuing on with their post-show responsibilities. Everyone seemed so much more eager to do their jobs this time. After all, the sooner everything was done, the sooner they could finally rest. Many had been hired to help with the entire tour and had been on the road for months. But now, they could finally go home and sleep in their own beds, and Roman could practically feel their relief.
Remy held open the dressing room door, the performer thanking him as he stepped inside. The moment he heard it click shut behind him, though, he let his shoulders drop. Finally, for the first time in months, he was able to stop for a breath.
Don’t get the wrong idea, he loved this. Loved being able to perform for thousands of people, loved getting to travel the world and sharing his creations. It was all he ever wanted when he was younger — and it still is! The letters he keeps stored safely at home, from fans who have found comfort and meaning in life and are still alive thanks to his older music, they make all of the mental and physical exhaustion worth it.
That doesn’t make it any easier to ignore the ache buried deep into his very soul. The pain of trying to pour his heart out into a song that has no room for his heart at all. The interviews that slowly feel more and more scripted. The clothes that scream “rich guy with more money than he knows what to do with” but never scream “Roman”.
God, he can’t even remember the last time he truly felt like himself.
He collapses into the chair in front of his vanity with a heavy sigh, and lets his head fall back to stare up at the ceiling. Whatever remaining tension is left in his body, he lets it melt away with a few deep breaths.
“Almost over,” he mutters to himself. He says it over and over, like a reassurance and almost like a prayer. Maybe once this was over, he’d try to go visit Janus. The last time he got to see her was very briefly at one of her concerts almost a year ago.
A quiet 'ping' rings out from his phone, drawing him from his musing. He looks at the notification and sees that it's from one of his private social media accounts, ones he uses to share his personal life without being bombarded by fans or corporations looking for exposure.
It's one of those time-line memory notifications, (you know the ones) with the memory dated back to when he first made the account in high school. With his curiosity piqued, he tapped on the screen to open the post.
A picture appeared on the screen. Three teenagers, two in the background dancing around in the rain, and one taking the picture in selfie mode, rolling his eyes with a fond smile. It made the ache in Roman’s chest grow painful one again.
The person taking the photo was him, he knew it was, but he still felt as though he were looking at a stranger. He had changed so much, a quick glance in the mirror in front of him was confirmation enough.
But it was the people in the background who hurt the most to see. His twin sister, Rebecca, and his ex, Virgil. They were the only two people in the world who had cared about him back then.
But that was ages ago. Roman lost their care when he decided to run away, his last words to Virgil being cruel accusations, and he didn't even leave a note for Rebecca, let alone say goodbye.
That was what he regretted most. Not that he left them behind (though sometimes he wished he hadn't), but how he had left. After all they'd done for him, they deserved better.
Rebecca was his first best friend. From the moment they were born, they were inseparable. As they grew, they fought more and more, as siblings do, but they were always there for each other. Even when their home and school lives were hell, they always knew that their twin would have their back. He should have brought her along, or at least said goodbye somehow. She probably hates him now, if she doesn't think he's dead in a ditch somewhere. He wouldn't blame her.
And Virgil — God, Virgil was the love of his life, had been nothing but supportive of Roman's dreams, and what did he get in return? An ungrateful (now ex-)boyfriend and a broken promise of forever among the stars. Worst of all, Roman never moved on. He had a few dates here and there, sure, but none of them stuck. Not like Virgil had. The guilt of it ate at him, because really, he had no right wanting to cross a bridge long burned when he was the one who lit the fire.
They both deserved better, or an apology at least. And an explanation for why he left in the first place.
The thought had him sitting up straight in his chair. That was it, wasn't it — part of the weight on his conscience. He needed — no, wanted to make amends with the people he hurt in his desperate climb to the top. Apologize to Virgil, for lashing out after all that Virgil had given him. And to Rebecca, for leaving during the years when it was most important for them to be at each other's sides.
And seeing as the tour was coming to an end with no plans for afterwards, he had all the time in the world.
He could finally say sorry.
With his mind made up, he stood and got ready to head back out for a few final fan meet-n-greets before turning in for the night. He'd make it through the interviews over the next week, then immediately hit the road. The sooner he was back home, the better.
He had much more important things to get to.
---
-----
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(Hope I actually finish this one so it'll stop bouncing in my brain. Enjoy)
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