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oc-challenges · 1 year

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Tis the damn season, people! This year at oc-challenges, we’re doing a winter holidays challenge! Challenges are Hanukkah,The Winter Solstice, Christmas, and New Years inspired. @aliverse and @elmunson have teamed up with @victoriapedrcttis and @maddies-buckley to come up with 32 prompts to hopefully inspire and delight you!

RULES

Be respectful and accepting, most holidays have their roots in religion and it’s important to both treat people of any religion with kindness and be sure any depictions of a religion you are not a part of is researched well and done respectfully.

You know the usual, don’t steal edits. If you feel an edit of yours or someone else’s has been stolen and would like to report it, follow these guidelines.

For any crossovers, make sure the other person is okay with crossovers.

Feel free to ask questions, all prompts are open to interpretation!

In order for your post to be included in this blog, it must be tagged with #owhc2022.

And last but certainly not least, have fun!

Challenges under the cut...

EIGHT DAYS OF HANUKKAH For the first eight days, we will be celebrating Hanukkah!

Day One: Soon So Shall It Be By You (December 1st)

In the spirit of OC Challenges, our first challenge is dedicated to Jewish OCs; an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites and Hebrews of historical Israel and Judah. Create to your heart's content, and if you don’t have one of your own then feel free to make a new one inspired by this prompt or make something for someone else’s Jewish OC!

Day Two: All of The Honor (December 2nd)

Most winter holidays are about the appreciation of life, family, and friends. Today we’re making something to show an appreciation for someone else. Make something for a Jewish OC creator, let them know that they're loved and cherished.

Day Three: Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah (December 3rd)

Day three is all about the holiday itself! Make or write something nice about your Jewish OC celebrating Hanukkah by themselves, their friends, or family, or even an non Jewish OC celebrating with their Jewish friends or family!

Day Four: A Game of Dreidel (December 4th)

Much like the teetotum, the dreidel is a four sided spinning top toy that bears letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The game has become a famous tradition during Hanukkah, created as a way to help those study the Torah. Show us what your OC’s dreidel would look like or write about your OC playing the game with friends and family!

Day Five: Light The Candles, Count Your Blessings

On the first night of Hanukkah when you light the first candle with the shamash, you recite three blessings. For this day, take a look at what your OC values and the things and people they are thankful then make an edit or write something to highlight those things.

Day Six: In Honor of The Maccabees (December 6th)

The Maccabees were a priestly family of Jews who organized a successful rebellion against the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV and reconsecrated the defiled Temple of Jerusalem. What is something that your oc would die / risk their life for? Have they done it already? Have they lead a rebellion or campaigned for change?

Day Seven: A Great Miracle Happened Here (December 7th)

In the holy temple in Jerusalem, a menorah burned for eight days. It became known as a miracle, giving Jews time to purify and rededicate sacred space. Where did your OCs miracles happen? Is there a place they consider sacred or special? A place that brings them great comfort?

Day Eight: Miracle of Eight Days (December 8th)

A small vial of oil to keep the flames burning for one night somehow miraculously burned the Temple's menorah for eight days during a time of war and prosecution. In that span of time, they were able to make more oil and keep the eternal flame lit. Has your OC ever experienced a miracle, figurative or literal? Has something they needed or loved but expected to abandon them lasted through their worries? Write or edit something about your OC’s personal miracles.

WINTER SOLSTICE Challenges inspired by The Winter Solstice!

Day Nine: Blessed Be (December 9th)

Blessed be our capacity for creativity, creating ocs has made us friends and brightened our darkest days. Today, create something to celebrate a pagan oc.

Day Ten: Brightest Blessings (December 10th)

A good person wishes others only the brightest blessings, and today we are going to give our own blessings. Create something for a pagan oc creator!

Day Eleven: Time of Reflection (December 11th)

One tradition in winter solstice celebrations is to reflect on your past and those in it, for day eleven we are going to look at an oc from long past. Maybe you want to look at your first oc and reflect on how they’ve changed from first draft to final product? Maybe there’s an oc you’ve decided to scrap or finished with that you would like to honor one last time with an edit or drabble?

Day Twelve: Bask in The Evergreens (December 12th)

Evergreens are famous and honored for the exact reason you’d think— they remain lush even in the harshest circumstances. Today is all about forevers. Perhaps you want to honor an oc that remains eternal in your heart or persistent in your mind, maybe even do something as simple as creating something for an immortal oc?

Day Thirteen: Back to Mother Nature (December 13th)

One winter solstice tradition is to give back to nature and the creatures it mothers, some do this by decorating a tree to highlight it’s beauty and some do this by decorating a tree with edible food for animals among other things. For today, honor an oc who loves the natural phenomenons of their world whether that be through a love of nature, nature powers, or care for the animals of the world.

Day Fourteen: All The Pretty Lights (December 14th)

The winter solstice is celebrated on the shortest day and longest night of the year, thus we must find light in different ways. For this day, honor an oc who finds or is the light in the darkest day. Perhaps they are a mirrorball, reflecting all the best parts of others. Perhaps they simply have a talent in keeping hope alive, continuing to show love and optimism through all hardships no matter how hard survival is?

Day Fifteen: May The Flame Warm Our Hearts and Light Our Way (December 15th)

Today is about dedication; to gods and goddesses, those we cherish, our places of worship. For today, perhaps show or tell us how your OC would decorate their Yule alter? Perhaps how they would choose to honor their deities? Maybe show or discuss what gifts they would give to those they cherish?

Day Sixteen: Merry Solstice (December 16th)

It’s time for another celebration, this day is all about the holiday itself! Tell us about how your oc celebrates yule! Do they bake gingerbread, craft wreaths? Do they sit around the bonfire and tell stories?

Day Seventeen: Time of New Beginnings (December 17th)

Besides reflection, winter solstice is also big on renewal and new discoveries or ideas. Today, it’s time to do something to represent newness and change! You could create a brand new oc, perhaps highlight an oc with qualities you’d like to emobody in the new year in attempts of changing your life for the better?

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS Some merry challenges for a merry christmas!

Day Eighteen: Baby’s First Christmas (December 18th)

Over the first year of a baby’s life, many people document a lot of the major moments—but when it comes to making memories, there’s nothing quite like Christmas Time. Recount your OC's first Christmas as an infant or as a recently new parent whose trying to make the holiday special with their little bundle of joy!

Day Nineteen: With Your Under The Mistletoe (December 19th)

In Norse culture, the Mistletoe plant was a sign of love and peace and Figg promised to kiss anyone who passed underneath it. For Celtic Druids, it was used to ward off evil spirits, provide good luck and even help to improve fertility. No matter what origins you prefer or have grown up knowing, both created the tradition of mistletoe hanging in the archway of a room where two rooms met to become one. Create something to celebrate two becoming one with an OC and their significant other under the mistletoe.

Day Twenty: For You and Me (December 20th)

The season is about giving and surprising those you care about with the perfect gift. Create a gif for your best friend who is in love with one or a few of your OCs! Make something inspired by your conversations that were based on an AU or a crossover with their very own OCs.

Day Twenty-One: Rocking Around The Christmas Tree (December 21st)

The Christmas tree, a symbol that represents permanence and immortality and decorated with lights, ornaments, and a star on top for the shining hope for humanity. For this challenge, write about and show how your OC(s), or send asks to your fellow creators about how their OC(s) would decorate their tree! Do they have a family tree that have homemade ornaments? Do they just have a personal pencil tree with peculiar theme? Do they get a fake tree or a real tree.

Day Twenty-Two: Jingle Bells Are Ringing, Everyone is Singing (December 22nd)

Other than gifts and decorating, Christmas music is a major part of the Holidays. From "All I Want for Christmas Is You" to "Last Christmas" which song best relates to your OC(s) this season? Do they enjoy Christmas Caroling around the neighbourhood? Do they sing a certain song every year that people automatically associate with them?

Day Twenty-Three: From Mine to Yours (December 23rd)

Christmas Cards are a great way to share love to those who live miles away from you, especially if you have no idea what to give them and just insert a $50 gift card in the envelope. Create a card that your OC would gift to someone else to spread kindness and warmth this chilly season.

Day Twenty-Four: Christmas Special (December 24th)

Hallmark is known for their very cheesy romantic TV Christmas movies but we always sit and devour the plot no matter what. As for the mainstream blockbuster movies such as Love Actually, The Holiday, and A Bad Moms Christmas, these are the movies that follow a different formula by giving us individual looks into the holiday season for different people and families with their own troubles and personal goals. For this day, you'll be inserting your OC(s) into their very own Holiday Special AU or making something for the actual holiday special of their fandom!

Day Twenty-Five: Giving, Receiving, and Appreciating (December 25th)

For the day in question that inspired the last seven challenges, we're taking it easy. To complete Christmas Day's challenge, simply make sure you signed up for and submitted ocpotlucks gift exchange than watch out for your gift and be sure to compliment others ocs and creations you see on the blog.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Some challenges to prepare us for the New Year!

Day Twenty-Six: First of The Year (December 26th)

Before we enter a new year of new beginning, let’s reflect on this years beginnings. For day one of our New Years themed challenges, let’s honor the first oc you made *this* year with some writing or an edit.

Day Twenty-Seven: You Make My Year Better (December 27th)

Saying goodbye is hard, but the hello can sometimes make everything worth it. For this day, appreciate a fandom you said hello to this year by making something for an oc you made for said new fandom.

Day Twenty-Eight: A Toast To You (December 28th)

You’ve heard it from a million people in a million ways; Skam says people need people, Girl Meets World says the secret of life is that people change people. So this day is about those people in the oc community who made your year better, and more specifically the ocs they created that changed and inspired your own writing and creativity. That’s right, we’re making something for your favorite oc of the year by someone else.

Day Twenty-Nine: The Best Part Of My Year (December 29th)

We all need ways to get through life, sometimes those things are always the same and sometimes they are hyper-fixations that get you up in the morning to explore. So, what oc did you find yourself fixating on most this year? Was it a brand new one, perhaps an old one you haven’t thought about in a while? On the twenty-eighth, use your passion to create something for your MOTY… muse of the year.

Day Thirty: I Still Love You (December 30th)

Friends break up, friends get married, strangers get born and strangers get buried, trends change, rumors fly through new skies… But that doesn’t mean some things don’t stay with us even when they lose our focus. Today, we are showing some love to those we may have accidentally left behind by making something for an oc you love that you feel you may have neglected this year.

Day Thirty-One: Practice Makes Perfect (December 31st)

A lot can change in just seconds, and even more can change in 365 days. Over the year, we’ve all learned and grown in so many different ways, and it’s time to show off. Remake an edit or rewrite a draft from early this year to remind yourself and others how far you’ve come!

Day Thirty-Two: Resolution (January 1st)

One of the most well-known traditions of new year celebration is to make resolutions. A New Year’s resolution is when someone makes a promise or sets an expectation for the new year that they are determined to live up too. Although these resolutions don’t always stay resolute, let’s get a good start on our attempts by making something on the first day of the year for an oc you want to appreciate and work on more throughout 2023.

#origin post #owhc2022 #winter holidays challenge 2022 #ocappreciation #allaboutocs #queerocs

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nasa · 3 years

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Amazing Earth: Satellite Images from 2020

In the vastness of the universe, the life-bringing beauty of our home planet shines bright. During this tumultuous year, our satellites captured some pockets of peace, while documenting data and striking visuals of unprecedented natural disasters. As 2020 comes to a close, we’re diving into some of the devastation, wonders, and anomalies this year had to offer.

NASA’s fleet of Earth-observing satellites and instruments on the International Space Station unravel the complexities of the blue marble from a cosmic vantage point. These robotic scientists orbit our globe constantly, monitoring and notating changes, providing crucial information to researchers here on the ground.

Take a glance at 2020 through the lens of NASA satellites:

A Delta Oasis in Southeastern Kazakhstan

Seen from space, the icy Ili River Delta contrasts sharply with the beige expansive deserts of southeastern Kazakhstan.

When the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 acquired this natural-color image on March 7, 2020, the delta was just starting to shake off the chill of winter. While many of the delta’s lakes and ponds were still frozen, the ice on Lake Balkhash was breaking up, revealing swirls of sediment and the shallow, sandy bed of the western part of the lake.

The expansive delta and estuary is an oasis for life year round. Hundreds of plant and animal species call it home, including dozens that are threatened or endangered.

Fires and Smoke Engulf Southeastern Australia

A record-setting and deadly fire season marred the beginning of the year in Australia. Residents of the southeastern part of the country told news media about daytime seeming to turn to night, as thick smoke filled the skies and intense fires drove people from their homes.

This natural-color image of Southeastern Australia was acquired on January 4, 2020, by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite. The smoke has a tan color, while clouds are bright white. It is likely that some of the white patches above the smoke are pyrocumulonimbus clouds—clouds created by the convection and heat rising from a fire.

Nighttime Images Capture Change in China

A team of scientists from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Universities Space Research Association (USRA) detected signs of the shutdown of business and transportation around Hubei province in central China. As reported by the U.S. State Department, Chinese authorities suspended air, road, and rail travel in the area and placed restrictions on other activities in late January 2020 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the region.

A research team analyzed images of Earth at night to decipher patterns of energy use, transportation, migration, and other economic and social activities. Data for the images were acquired with the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA–NASA Suomi NPP satellite (launched in 2011) and processed by GSFC and USRA scientists. VIIRS has a low-light sensor—the day/night band—that measures light emissions and reflections. This capability has made it possible to distinguish the intensity, types, and sources of lights and to observe how they change.

The Parched Paraná River

Though a seemingly serene oasis from above, there is more to this scene than meets the eye. On July 3, 2020, the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8 captured this false-color image of the river near Rosario, a key port city in Argentina. The combination of shortwave infrared and visible light makes it easier to distinguish between land and water. A prolonged period of unusually warm weather and drought in southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina dropped the Paraná River to its lowest water levels in decades. The parched river basin has hampered shipping and contributed to an increase in fire activity in the delta and floodplain.

The drought has affected the region since early 2020, and low water levels have grounded several ships, and many vessels have had to reduce their cargo in order to navigate the river. With Rosario serving as the distribution hub for much of Argentina’s soy and other farm exports, low water levels have caused hundreds of millions of dollars in losses for the grain sector, according to news reports.

Historic Fires Devastate the U.S. Pacific Coast

Climate and fire scientists have long anticipated that fires in the U.S. West would grow larger, more intense, and more dangerous. But even the most experienced among them have been at a loss for words in describing the scope and intensity of the fires burning in West Coast states during September 2020.

Lightning initially triggered many of the fires, but it was unusual and extreme meteorological conditions that turned some of them into the worst conflagrations in the region in decades.

Throughout the outbreak, sensors like the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) on the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite collected daily images showing expansive, thick plumes of aerosol particles blowing throughout the U.S. West on a scale that satellites and scientists rarely see.

This image shows North America on September 9th, 2020, as a frontal boundary moved into the Great Basin and produced very high downslope winds along the mountains of Washington, Oregon, and California. The winds whipped up the fires, while a pyrocumulus cloud from the Bear fire in California injected smoke high into the atmosphere. The sum of these events was an extremely thick blanket of smoke along the West Coast.

The Sandy Great Bahama Bank

Though the bright blues of island waters are appreciated by many from a sea-level view, their true beauty is revealed when photographed from space. The underwater masterpiece photographed above is composed of sand dunes off the coast of the Bahamas.

The Great Bahama Bank was dry land during past ice ages, but it slowly submerged as sea levels rose. Today, the bank is covered by water, though it can be as shallow as two meters (seven feet) deep in places. The wave-shaped ripples in the image are sand on the seafloor. The curves follow the slopes of the dunes, which were likely shaped by a fairly strong current near the sea bottom. Sand and seagrass are present in different quantities and depths, giving the image it’s striking range of blues and greens.

This image was captured on February 15th, 2020, by Landsat 8, whose predecessor, Landsat 7, was the first land-use satellite to take images over coastal waters and the open ocean. Today, many satellites and research programs map and monitor coral reef systems, and marine scientists have a consistent way to observe where the reefs are and how they are faring.

Painting Pennsylvania Hills

Along with the plentiful harvest of crops in North America, one of the gifts of Autumn is the gorgeous palette of colors created by the chemical transition and fall of leaves from deciduous trees.

The folded mountains of central Pennsylvania were past peak leaf-peeping season but still colorful when the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite passed over on November 9, 2020. The natural-color image above shows the hilly region around State College, Pennsylvania overlaid on a digital elevation model to highlight the topography of the area.

The region of rolling hills and valleys is part of a geologic formation known as the Valley and Ridge Province that stretches from New York to Alabama. These prominent folds of rock were mostly raised up during several plate tectonic collisions and mountain-building episodes in the Ordovician Period and later in the creation of Pangea—when what is now North America was connected with Africa in a supercontinent. Those events created the long chain of the Appalachians, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.

A Dangerous Storm in the Night

Ominous and looming, a powerful storm hovered off the US coastline illuminated against the dark night hues.

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on NOAA-20 acquired this image of Hurricane Laura at 2:20 a.m. Central Daylight Time on August 26, 2020. Clouds are shown in infrared using brightness temperature data, which is useful for distinguishing cooler cloud structures from the warmer surface below. That data is overlaid on composite imagery of city lights from NASA’s Black Marble dataset.

Hurricane Laura was among the ten strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall in the United States. Forecasters had warned of a potentially devastating storm surge up to 20 feet along the coast, and the channel might have funneled that water far inland. It did not. The outcome was also a testament to strong forecasting and communication by the National Hurricane Center and local emergency management authorities in preparing the public for the hazards.

A Windbreak Grid in Hokkaido

From above, the Konsen Plateau in eastern Hokkaido offers a remarkable sight: a massive grid that spreads across the rural landscape like a checkerboard, visible even under a blanket of snow. Photographed by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8, this man-made design is not only aesthetically pleasing, it’s also an agricultural insulator.

The strips are forested windbreaks—180-meter (590-foot) wide rows of coniferous trees that help shelter grasslands and animals from Hokkaido’s sometimes harsh weather. In addition to blocking winds and blowing snow during frigid, foggy winters, they help prevent winds from scattering soil and manure during the warmer months in this major dairy farming region of Japan.

Shadows from a Solar Eclipse

Formidable, rare, and awe-inspiring — the first and only total solar eclipse of 2020 occurred on December 14, with the path of totality stretching from the equatorial Pacific to the South Atlantic and passing through southern Argentina and Chile as shown in the lower half of the image above. The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16 (GOES-16) captured these images of the Moon’s shadow crossing the face of Earth.

The “path of totality” (umbral path) for the eclipse was roughly 90 kilometers (60 miles) wide and passed across South America from Saavedra, Chile, to Salina del Eje, Argentina. While a total eclipse of the Sun occurs roughly every 18 months, seeing one from any particular location on Earth is rare. On average, a solar eclipse passes over the same parcel of land roughly every 375 years. The next total solar eclipse will occur on December 4, 2021 over Antarctica, and its next appearance over North America is projected for April 8, 2024.

For additional information and a look at more images like these visit NASA’s Earth Observatory.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.

#NASA #Earth #science #earth pictures #planet earth #solar eclipse #eclipse #oceans #solar system #planets #space #satellite #stunning photos

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bridgertown · 3 years

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How Bridgerton is poised to revolutionize romance on television

Lace up your corset and put up your dukes.

Words by Maureen Lee Lenker, November 13, 2020

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Regency romance must be in want of glittering ballrooms, witty banter, a dashing leading man, and a piquant heroine.

Bridgerton, Netflix’s first scripted title with über-producer Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland production company — under its headline-grabbing $150 million deal — has all of this in abundance. Not to mention a diverse cast that’s a far cry from the typical lily-white hues of Jane Austen adaptations and their ilk. Oh, and the narrator is a Regency-era Gossip Girl voiced by Julie Andrews. As showrunner Chris Van Dusen puts it, “It’s not your grandmother’s period [piece].”

Based on a series of romance novels by Julia Quinn — beginning with The Duke and I, which offers the season 1 blueprint — Bridgerton follows Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), a debutante who’s thirsty for a love match. Buoyed (and slightly overprotected) by her family, including her marriage-obsessed mum, Violet (Ruth Gemmell), and her seven siblings, Daphne embarks on a fauxmance with Simon, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page). “When we first meet her, she’s this young, naive woman who’s been in this little bubble and doesn’t know anything about love or sex,” says Dynevor.

Simon, meanwhile, is hell-bent on avoiding matrimony, as part of a vengeful vow he made to his execrable father. Page drew inspiration from the classic Romantic poet Lord Byron to craft a character who is part aesthete, part brooding enigma. “You have this beautiful, shadowy, broken, thoroughly complex man, who is as glamorous as we all wish we were on the outside,” notes Page. “But [he’s] trying to figure out who he is.”

It’s standard fare for Shondaland: men and women looking to find themselves within the social confines of their reality. This time it’s in a completely different world, one that shares the female-gaze ethos that often defines Shondaland series — think Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and more. Romance novels account for nearly a quarter of all fiction book sales, yet they’re rarely fodder for splashy screen adaptations. “I never thought this would happen to me,” Quinn says. “Nobody was adapting romance novels, and if somebody was going to do a period piece, they wanted to do another adaptation of Jane Austen or the Brontë sisters.”

That prestige gap between Austen and mass-market historical romance was something executive producer Betsy Beers admits she bumped up against when Rhimes first recommended the novels to her. “I didn’t take what the books were as seriously as I could’ve initially,” she says. “But there should be no pejorative association with romance novels. Nobody sneezes at suspense, at action, at true crime. These are just good stories about relationships, about emotional politics, about how you juggle duty, love, and lust.”

For Van Dusen, the 280-year evolution of romance writing was something to exploit. “I wanted to infuse everything with my own unique, modern lens,” he says. “The tone is very spirited and daring. Everything’s fresh and youthful. There’s a little effervescence to everything.”

That freshness manifests throughout — from the score, which features classical string arrangements of contemporary pop songs (Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next,” Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood”), to the costumes (“Jane Austen loved her bonnets, but Bridgerton is a bonnet-free world,” quips Van Dusen). But nowhere is it more evident than in the casting.

The series looks like any Shondaland show: multi-hued and reflective of the world we live in. Romance novelists like Vanessa Riley and Diana Quincy are challenging the established narrative of who inhabited the 19th-century aristocracy. Austen herself featured a mixed-race heiress in her unfinished novel Sanditon. But such a cast is still dismayingly rare in period pieces.

Though the casting here is a far cry from the source material, Quinn wholeheartedly endorses it. “Bridgerton isn’t a history lesson; it’s a show for a modern audience,” she notes. There were, of course, people of color who existed in this time and place, but the show hands them more power than historical assumptions allow. It imagines a British aristocracy where Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) is of mixed race (a fact some historians suggest there’s evidence for), thus elevating other people of color to dukedoms and positions of status. “It’s not color-blind casting,” explains Beers. “We try to imagine history and the world in the way we wanted to see it.”

It’s what allows Page to play the powerful, devastatingly handsome duke, a role that previously would have been the exclusive domain of white actors. For Page, who made his U.S. TV debut as Chicken George in the 2016 remake of Roots, it makes Bridgerton’s romantic narrative even more potent. “With color-conscious casting, I get to exist as a Black person in the world,” he says. “It doesn’t mean I’m a slave. It doesn’t mean we have to focus on trauma. It just means we get to focus on Black joy and humanity.”

That joy opens up another narrative component often left behind closed doors in period drama: intimacy. Typically, the Regency’s idea of sexual tension is the brush of a gloved hand, but in the world of Bridgerton, audiences find themselves in an opera singer’s boudoir within the first 10 minutes. “The sexiness and the steaminess was always going to be there,” says Van Dusen, adding that it’s core to the “education of Daphne Bridgerton.”

Dynevor echoes this, explaining that the show’s sex scenes, overseen by an intimacy coordinator, were as intricately choreographed as a fight sequence. But for Dynevor, it was a key part of Daphne’s arc, one that foregrounds her character’s wants above any objectified desirability. (What other Regency literary adaptations feature a heroine experimenting with self-pleasure at the suggestion of her suitor?)

“It’s not often you see sex [treated] in that way,” Dynevor reflects. “It wasn’t gratuitous. It was so essential in Daphne’s journey and sexual awakening. I love the fact that it is very much the female gaze.”

That gaze is the connective tissue between Shondaland and romance publishing, a match so fortuitous it could only end in happily ever after. “[The show] is not going to be so different from the experience of reading a romance novel,” Van Dusen concludes. “It’s sexy and a little dangerous and fun. It leaves you a little hot and bothered and breathless.” Fetch the fainting couch — and the remote.

Bridgerton hits Netflix on Dec. 25.

#long post #bridgerton #the bridgertons #bridgerton netflix #netflix #netflix bridgerton #daphne bridgerton #simon basset #julia quinn #ew #entertainment weekly #article

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bulletballet-arch · 3 years

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REALLY LONG CHARACTER SURVEY. RULES. repost , don’t reblog ! tag 10 ! good luck ! TAGGED. I took this from Minnie’s archived Bioshock blog. I’ve been looking for this meme all this month. TAGGING. @hammurabicomplex. @bluuxriising. @ Me - for Sal on @bulletsoverbensonhurst. @immaterialed (charlie) @soypeor (bella) @svmmercmance. @mrflayed. and you!

BASICS. FULL NAME : Eve Delores Littlejohn NICKNAME : Evie, Little Evie (by her maternal side of the family), Delores, Didi NAME MEANING / S Eve is from the ancient Hebrew name חַוָּה (Chawwah), which was derived from the Hebrew word חָוָה (chawah) meaning "to breathe" or the related word חָיָה (chayah) meaning "to live". Delores is a variant of Dolores, meaning "sorrows", taken from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary María de los Dolores, meaning "Mary of Sorrows." Littlejohn is a surname that has historically been found in England and Scotland. With potential origins being either ‘to distinguish a beloved child that was not the eldest.’ Or, ‘a contradictory nickname for a large man.’ HISTORICAL CONNECTION? : She’s named after her grandmother, Evelyn Hollins.

AGE : 42 BIRTHDAY : June 2 ETHNIC GROUP : Black-American. Meaning she’s mixed with a lot (Some of her relatives are respectively Creole and Italian) but uses Black as a catch-all term. NATIONALITY : American LANGUAGE / S : English, Italian, Spanish, Latin, some French SEXUAL ORIENTATION : Bisexual ROMANTIC ORIENTATION : Biromantic RELATIONSHIP STATUS : Verse dependent, usually married -or connected- to Salvatore Scozzari in some way. CLASS : Upper-Class HOME TOWN / AREA : Brooklyn. Spent time between Bedford-Stuyvesant - with her paternal grandfather and Park Slope - with her maternal grandparents. CURRENT HOME : In her childhood home in Bedford-Stuyvesant. PROFESSION : Ballet Instructor. Former Professional Ballerina. ( Other verses see her as a professional thief. )

PHYSICAL. HAIR : Black. In terms of her natural hair, Eve has springy, 3C hair she seldom shows off because she was raised in a family where straightened hair was deemed presentable and professional. EYES : Thin almond eyes. Dark brown. NOSE : Straight and small. FACE : She has a prominent, high forehead, that’s accented with high cheekbones and a pointy chin. LIPS : Full. COMPLEXION : She has a light brown (tawny) complexion. SCARS : None major. TATTOOS : None. HEIGHT : 5′4″ BUILD : Eve has a slender build. One of those people who have been small and petite since childhood. Despite this, she also stays skinny because she is obsessively conscious of the food she consumes. The older she gets the more she weighs, however. USUAL HAIR STYLE : Her hair is cut short. Reaching her shoulders in a neat, even bob. She either curls it in a retro fashion or curls the tips. For work she wears it in a traditional, pinned bun. USUAL FACE LOOK : In public, she appears stoic for the most part. Any emotion shown (such as the length of a smile) is carefully calculated. She has to seem perfect. USUAL CLOTHING : Form fitting dresses. Incredibly chic and fashionable for the time. Shoes include heels - never open-toed, unless she has on stockings. Extravagant earrings. Jewelry that can include either necklaces, crosses, pearls, or dainty rings. Prone to wearing black sunglasses in public.

PSYCHOLOGY. FEAR / S : Thunderstorms, airplanes, creatures like weasels, snakes and ferrets, break-ins, men she doesn’t know, harm coming to her children ASPIRATION / S : Formerly wanted to become a major [black] ballerina in the elite world of ballet, now she just wants to expose more [inner city children] to dance through her job. Personally, she wants her children to change the world in some form or fashion, too. Eve also has good ideas on improving the community, but at the moment has no idea how to go about these ideas. POSITIVE TRAITS : Generous, compassionate, patient, protective NEGATIVE TRAITS : Strict, sullen, hard to read, represses her emotions, secretive MBTI : Advocate - INFJ-T ZODIAC : Cancer TEMPERAMENT : Melancholic ANIMALS : Lioness VICE / S : Pride & Lust FAITH : Christian. Grew up Baptist, but Catholic influences have been around her since childhood. Attended a Catholic High School in Park Slope, her grandmother Evelyn was also a practicing Catholic. GHOSTS ? : Yes and no. She feels that objects formerly owned by the deceased posses the essence of their previous owners and that they essentially live on through these pieces of property. AFTERLIFE ? : Yes. REINCARNATION ? : No, but it’s a romantic concept. ALIENS ? : No. POLITICAL ALIGNMENT : Democratic ECONOMIC PREFERENCE : She likes being where she’s at now. But honestly, being upper class is all she’s ever known. SOCIOPOLITICAL POSITION : Bourgeoisie, basically. The Littlejohn’s represent The Historical Black Elite. EDUCATION LEVEL : College level. FAMILY.

FATHER : William ‘Bill’ Littlejohn MOTHER : Linda Littlejohn ( nee Hollins ) SIBLINGS : None EXTENDED FAMILY : Amos Littlejohn (paternal grandfather) Liza Littlejohn (paternal grandmother) Evelyn Hollins (maternal grandmother) Giuseppe D’Aietti (maternal grandfather) and a wide host of cousins, aunts and uncles.

FAVOURITES. BOOK : Night Song by Beverly Jenkins. The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Some sort of old, French erotic novel that was published before she was born. MOVIE : Eve watches films along the lines of...Waiting to Exhale, Beaches, The First Wives Club and Fatal Attraction. She loves Made-For-TV movies from the time period. In regards to plays, her favorite one is Sunday In The Park With George. 5 SONGS : Meet Me On The Moon / Essence of Sapphire / No One In The World / People / The First Time I Saw Your Face DEITY : Persephone HOLIDAY : New Years Eve, Christmas, Thanksgiving. Major holidays during the colder season. MONTH : October SEASON : Autumn PLACE : The dance studio she works at. WEATHER : Sunny, but cool. SOUND : The voices of Anita Baker and Sarah Vaughn. A skilled hand running over piano keys. Soft trumpets. Running water. Cats making chipper little meows. SCENT / S : Perfume, floral scented lotions, her partner’s cologne TASTE / S : Caramel, the tang of dark chocolate, strawberries coated with either chocolate, or sprinkles of white sugar. Light Vinegar. FEEL / S : Performing in front of an audience. Hot water engulfing your skin after a long day. Satin - whether it be the fabric of her clothes or sheets, your fingers tightly intertwined with another’s, feeling your significant other’s chest raise and lower against your skin with each breath they take. ANIMAL / S : Cocker Spaniels, Afghan Hounds, Cats, Birds - she loves all ( well, a majority ) of animals. NUMBER : Doesn’t have one. COLOR : White, Pink, Gold.

EXTRA. TALENTS : Dance, Eve is trained in ballet when it comes to her main verse. She has attended ballet classes since the age of eight and ever since then she placed all of her focus into it. Similarly, Eve has always had the makings of a good artist - as a child she enjoyed drawing and had informal art lessons with a man who lived in the basement of her grandfather’s brownstone, but she never invested into that half of her. BAD AT : Singing, Being interviewed, Public Speaking (as in Speech Giving), Decision Making TURN ONS : Charisma, Leadership Skills, Temperature Play, Phone Sex, Heavy Kissing, Light Roleplay TURN OFFS : Public Sex, Tearing [ Her ] Clothes, Threesomes, Cruelty, Senseless Violence HOBBIES : viewing plays & some musicals, reading romance novels, shopping, working out (she was into the whole celebrity VHS tape exercise trend), playing tennis, decorating AESTHETIC : Vintage Black Glamour, Black Ballerinas, Champagne and Wine Glasses, Paintings by Melinda Byers and Edward 'Clay' Wright QUOTES : "I'm bad with words, I hope you're good in reading eyes." / "There are truths I haven't even told God. And not even myself. I am a secret under the lock of seven keys."

FC INFO. MAIN FC / S : Lynn Whitfield ( A Thin Line Between Love & Hate ) ALT FC / S : Kylie Bunbury ( Twisted ) OLDER FC / S : Lynn Whitfield ( Greenleaf ) YOUNGER FC / S : N/A VOICE CLAIM / S : Lynn Whitfield

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1 : if you could write your character your way in their own movie , what would it be called , what style would it be filmed in , and what would it be about ? A1 : Recently I decided that if/when I try to write anything serious about Eve again, it’ll center on her being a jewel thief because it presents me more fun, and emotionally diverse, opportunities. That and I have a very specific cover image in my mind. Ideally, her adventures would be a series of books. I have no title in mind, no idea about how ‘it would be filmed’ ( although a style replicating 90s films would be excellent, film grain and all. ) but, I do have a bunch of plots in mind that I really don’t feel like typing out here.

Q2 : what would their soundtrack / score sound like ? A2 : Her score would have a vintage sound (or a jazzy Spike Lee sound, if you will) with instrumentals by Dorothy Ashby (a Jazz Harpist) the Ahmad Jamal Trio, Pharaoh Sanders, Yusef Lateef and Tarika Blue. For music with lyrics, the soundtrack would include the likes of Julie London, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dionne Warwick.

Q3 : why did you start writing this character ? + Q4 : what first attracted you to this character ? A3 : Whenever I make NPCs for my character’s lives I actually can’t just let them just be NPCs. I start thinking about them too much. Developing them too much. And then I’m like, ‘wow! I really like this character!’ Eve was a different character when I began writing her, and likely wouldn’t be considered the same character as she was previously, if I told someone in real life who knows about my writing (like my grandma) about all the changes she has undergone. Originally Delores was a university professor, because I thought it could lead to interesting interactions with college-age muses. And her previous history with the mafia was also something interesting to tap in. But then I started thinking about what was realistic, what wasn’t realistic, what did I feel comfortable/interested writing? What didn’t I feel comfortable/interested in writing? So as time went on, things would alter about this character. And the new things I came up with attracted me more.

Q5 : describe the biggest thing you dislike about your muse. A5 : I have a love/hate relationship with Eve’s quiet demeanor. On one hand, I think quieter characters need love and the ability to be fully dimensional but on the other hand, writing louder characters has always been more fun for me. But really, Eve’s guarded behavior makes writing her stressful in some cases with others because sometimes...if I’m going to be honest...people don’t know how to carry a thread and interact with someone of her demeanor effectively.

Q6 : what do you have in common with your muse ? A6 : We’re both black, we’re both into art (although our exact interests and aesthetics with art differ)

Q7 : how does your muse feel about you ? A7 : Realistically she would think I need to take better care of myself.

Q8 : what characters does your muse have interesting interactions with ? A8 : We skippin’ this question.

Q9 : what gives you inspiration to write your muse ? A9 : Films such as, “Waiting to Exhale,” “The Kitchen” and “Widows.” Books by Alice Walker, like “The Third Life of Grange Copeland” as well as her short story, “Roselily.” The historical mob figure Stephanie St. Clair.

Q10 : how long did this take you to complete ? A10 : A few hours.

#long post #dash games.#headcanons.

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yarntwist2 · 3 years

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Prime 10 Tourist Points Of Interest In Vietnam

Visit Cat Cat, Lao Chai and Ta Van with an experienced guide and enjoy the surroundings of the Hoang Lien Son mountains. Living the ocean behind with a go to to Po Nagar Cham Towers which are the significant religious relics of Ancient Champa Kingdom. Go Vietnam Tours tailor-makes unique tour packages, sightseeing adventures and activities to help vacationers explore Vietnam on their means. We are a passionate staff of 100 avid vacationers who love to share our experiences of Vietnam with those looking for a extra genuine journey experience. Drive to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s favourite destinations, and board your afternoon cruise via the gorgeous bay. These range from stunning Halong Bay to superbly quaint Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh Complex . With its breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history and very good meals, this country will electrify all of your senses and seize you from all angles. The charming Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, has aged well, preserving the Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture, while making room for modern developments alongside. A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without paying a visit to Vietnam’s capital metropolis. Hanoi is known for a city experiencing a protracted history with not solely glories and sufferings in historical time but in addition distinctive values of tradition, tradition, and people. There are additionally several caves to discover including the Mua Cave and Trang An. Km of lush tropical forest and one of the country’s most important protected areas. Both Phu Quoc and Mui Ne have warm temperature and the wet season running in the time between June and September. Although Phu Quoc seems as having the extra rainfall, Mui Ne still experiences some light and storm, particularly in the late afternoon. The detailed citation for Ho Chi Minh shore excursion has been despatched to your email. Please have a look at it and let us know if you have some other enquiries. Discover Public Parks & Gardens In Washington, Dc Take a guided or self-guided tour and enjoy the view of DC from one of many city’s highest factors. While the estate is presently closed, members can again go to starting Feb. 16 and Hillwood will be open to the public for visits on March 2. Constitution Gardenswas dedicated through the nation’s bicentennial celebration in 1976. The two hectares huge rainbow flower subject has lavender, cosmos, sunflowers, rainbow snapdragon, and so on. The rose backyard subsequent to the parking lot appears to exhibit romance between lovers. In addition to the beautiful and breathtaking cluster of flowers and grass, different well-liked photo spots include the out of doors landscaping, the crystal church, classic automobiles, carriages and Mediterranean windmills, etc. Shimen Reservoir is reputed for its beautiful lake and mountain views all 12 months round. Connected to over a dozen vacationer sights, the Reservoir presents green parks, bikeways, lake yachts, dam, spillway, wharf, Xizhou Park, Maple Park, Nanyuan Ecological Park, and so on. Dogs as pets are very fashionable in the intervening time in Saigon, so I would suppose that strolling them in these parks is appropriate. (In general, dog-etiquette is in its infancy right now, but there are many them around). Get lost in its magical evergreen or bamboo forests — nicely, not actually. The best way to expertise all of it is to join a tour that starts in Saigon and lasts for two days. You could be even fortunate sufficient to identify golden-cheeked gibbons or civets. Back in the 1980’s, Hillsborough County officials and local veterans got here together to determine and fund growth of a Veterans’ Park facility. The site selected was originally known as Tesawee Park which was later designated Veterans’ Memorial Park located on U.S. 301 along the Cross Channel Canal. A small museum was constructed on the location to show military artifacts and to act as a gathering place for small groups. If the theme park has a water park, don’t forget your swimsuits and swimwear, corresponding to swimming goggles and towels. While Vietnam doesn’t have Disneyland or a Disney theme park, a lot of Vietnam’s amusement parks have Disney-inspired facades and similar themes integrated. The two largest leisure corporations are Sun World Group and Vin Group, so you’ll see many parks hosted by these two. A go to to this website in Lincoln’s historic Antelope Park will take you on a strolling tour of over thirty-seven army monuments and memorials. A place of solemn magnificence, the garden permits peaceable reflection and serves as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices veterans have made to preserve our freedom. The Veterans Memorial Garden is positioned within Antelope Park at 3200 Veteran’s Memorial Drive. Lumpini Park is doubtless certainly one of the largest inexperienced areas in central Bangkok. Educational supplies, together with interpretive signage and printed materials, on plant variety for guests to Bach Ma National Park. We are a promoter and steward of this evolving metropolis and its progressive values, which have the ability to transform the travelers who visit us. Get your monthly guide to Portland's events, sights and news. Don’t let the term zoo put you off — this is one of the best within the country. It is continuously striving to enhance facilities to have the ability to care for the animals as finest as they might. They purpose to conserve and defend regional animals believed to be under risk. Buddhist Temples In Huế The journey to Nikko included a cease for lunch at Lake Chuzenji amid the snow and wild monkeys, on a highway that had 48 hairpin turns. One week earlier than the dawn of the brand new yr, they put together the altar for the Kitchen Gods who will give a report again to the 'Jade Emperor' in regards to the family. Because the family desires the report again to be a good one to ensure luck and prosperity within the upcoming year, they put out particular meals and a hat and shoes for the Kitchen Gods. They purchase a red carp fish and release it in a close-by river as a outcome of legend says that the red carp will assist the Kitchen Gods reach the Jade Emperor quickly and easily. Báo Quốc Pagoda was one of the three nationwide pagodas of the town through the time of the Nguyễn Dynasty. It lies on the southern side of the Perfume River and is roughly one kilometre west of the town centre. The temple is located on a small hill named Ham Long and a spring from the highest of the hill flows down into the grounds of the temple. Bao Quoc Pagoda was founded in 1670 by Zen master Thích Giác Phong, a Buddhist monk from China. During the era of the Nguyễn Dynasty, which was based in 1802 by Emperor Gia Long, the pagoda was frequently renovated and expanded. In 1808, Empress Hiếu Khương, spouse of Gia Long, patronized varied development projects, that included the development of a triple gate, the casting of a big bell and a gong. In 1824, Emperor Minh Mạng, the son of Gia Long, visited the temple and changed its name to its current title. Obviously, I didn’t have the chance to see them all, but I did manage to go to over 50 of them, all of which I’ve marked on my temple-hopping route map. There are no admission charges for the temples and hardly any guests . For essentially the most half, the only folks in the temple grounds are monks and novices. All temple compounds can be entered if the gates and doors are open, but shoes should be taken off if getting into the temples correct. Whichever method you look at it, there’s a lot of complicated historical past between the Vietnamese and the Khmer in this region, a few of it historical, some current. The Temple-Hopping Loop could be ridden on any bike, scooter or bicycle. However, some sections are on very narrow lanes or back-roads with worn, pot-holed surfaces, however this shouldn’t be an issue for most riders. Finally, there’s an opportunity that a variety of the smaller roads might undergo from flooding through the rainy season (May-October). Although the using on this route is enjoyable, very interesting and much from the crushed path, it’s not a route that’s suitable for cruising. Rather, the small and generally uneven back-roads make for a slower, gentler tempo, to not point out the quite a few stops and breaks to have a look at the temples. The pagoda has a base membership, and other people pay month-to-month dues and infrequently contribute to different fund-raising events. People who attend a service can also put cash within the collection boxes or give it to the treasurer who then writes out a receipt. Most members of the pagoda insist that there isn't a requirement to offer cash, and plenty of members contribute via getting ready meals and sustaining the pagoda structures. The pagoda also provides a space for households to return for funeral services and ceremonies to recollect the spirits of deceased ancestors. Most individuals sit on the floor, some with their legs crossed, others with their legs tucked behind. The most sacred days of the month aren't Sundays, but the first and the fifteenth days of the month. On today, some devotees come to the pagoda to chant, and plenty of Buddhists observe vegetarian diets on these days. It’s a huge complex with a quantity of wood halls overlooking a big gravel backyard. It’s rich in historical past, tradition, and artwork together with a replica of the necessary Heart Sutra written by the emperor. Gio-ji is a lovely small temple with a lush moss backyard and a thatched-roof main corridor. Kiyomizu-dera in the course of the special night illuminationsThe large picket primary hall was built with out nails and houses a statue of the eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon. On any day, one might even see pairs of footwear left outside the double doors that open to the main prayer corridor. People take off their footwear before getting into the open space, typically leaving them in piles on the small patio in entrance of the constructing. Floor cushions are handed round for folks to sit down on as they follow chanting. On most Sundays about fifty members attend the regular worship service led by Thich Thong-Duc, who was recently put in as the abbot of the pagoda. Adults and kids pay homage to the Buddha in separate providers, each of which are performed in Vietnamese. Tet Fest Many of the festivals, particularly Tet, contain Vietnamese people returning to their hometowns to be with household. This means that transportation is busy during competition time and it is very important guide planes, trains, and buses prematurely. During the full moon in Hoi An, the resorts are very busy, so you will want to make bookings in advance. Thousands of Vietnamese individuals also flock to town presently to honor their ancestors, and it is often crowded. The Perfume Festival takes place on the Perfume Pagoda[Is this the identical as Den Trinh? ], which is a putting complicated of Buddhist shrines and temples positioned near Hanoi. You’ll likely want a facemask to avoid all of the incense smoke drifting around at occasions, but it simply provides to the ambiance of this solemn and essential celebration. Beginning with a dragon dance at Den Trinh Pagoda, members travel by boat to the Huong Tich Cave, for worship. Although the Pagoda could be accessed by land as nicely, make certain to take the waterway route to benefit from the gorgeous landscapes. The 15th day of the 1st lunar month brings together locals at the Perfume Pagoda in Hanoi, an unbelievable web site in Vietnam, to wish to Lord Buddha for an excellent yr ahead. The function of the pageant is the race of Ghe Ngo, a remarkable type of wood boat which is in the form of a Khmer's holy object - Nagar Snake. Different activities organized within the occasion together with Khmer music and dance shows, shows of artistic works, and workshops on horticultural improvement, interesting vacationers from many places. With over half population of the country being Buddhist devotees, Buddha's Birthday is commended on fifteenth of the 4th lunar month to remember the birth, edification, and passing of Buddha. The vacation can also be an excellent chance for guests to get a glimpse of Vietnamese Buddhism, which is totally different from the Thai or Burmese versions. The finest place to rejoice Tet is in the large cities of Vietnam, because throughout Tet the small cities typically 'shut down'. Hanoi is especially good for the festival as it has two impressive pagodas the place locals can be seen lighting incense and praying to their ancestors. The stone statue of Chua Xu at Sam Mountain, Chau Doc, is bathed, and hundreds flock to honour her. Martial arts demonstrations in Tay Son District, plus garlanded elephants on parade. The most necessary pageant is Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, and lasts for seven days someday between the last week of January and the third week of February. No matter how busy individuals are, they will prepare time to go residence to reunite with their families and have fun the start of the brand new 12 months. Families eat a sort of sq. rice dumplings and spherical rice cake, which is an essential traditional food in Tet Nguyen Dan, symbolizing good weather, good harvest and good luck. At the Temple, individuals take pleasure in a sequence of festivities, together with Tuong performances and martial arts performances. The metropolis of Vung Tau commemorates Vietnamese folks perception in “Ca Ong”, or the whale spirit, who rescues fishermen in dire straits. Legend has it that Emperor Gia Long was saved from drowning by whales, motivating him to create a cult of worship for these animals. Asia Highlights welcomes the chance that can assist you design your perfect trip to Vietnam. It is a time for individuals to not solely commemorate the merits of genies, nationwide heroes and their ancestors, but additionally to loosen up after a yr of onerous work. On 音波拉皮 , people typically go out together to enjoy the peaceable and beautiful scenery and the pure environment of spring. Tet Trung Thu, also called the mid-autumn festival, falls on the lunar fifteenth of the eighth month yearly. In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival can be a kids's day in addition to family reunion, and the child is the protagonist of the pageant. On this day, the adults will prepare varied snacks and gifts for the children, and the youngsters will spend the vacations collectively. The Vietnamese like the lunar calendar because they are often certain of a full moon on the 15th day of each month. For this cause, their festivals may come on a special date every year by our Gregorian calendar. First of all, the event is nearly entirely aimed at tourists nowadays and it seems like the entire pageant is simply accomplished for the sake of selling lanterns and making money. Furthermore, thousands of lanterns end up littering the river and heading out into the ocean damaging aquatic life and inflicting pollution unnecessarily. While we love festivals and cultural occasions, we don’t feel like we are ready to justify this one, due to the detrimental environmental influence. Celebrated throughout 美白 , Reunification Day is one other one of many festivals in Vietnam 2020 which is a nationwide competition in addition to a public vacation. On thirtieth April, South Vietnam got free from American troops and got here under one authorities with North Vietnam. Events are organized in several elements of the country like Ethnic group efficiency and exhibition in Sapa, display of fireworks of international teams in Danang and an amazing parade in Hanoi. You can attend all these festivities and if you are on a vacation in Vietnam on their liberation day. Finest Souvenirs From Hanoi & Shops On Your Purchasing Listing Tourists may not significantly discover them helpful, however sedge products are definitely essentially the most iconic objects in this South East Asia nation. Furthermore, the creativity of native has given start to the special sedge memento like vases, baskets, and animals. For the best place to purchase, try to go to Kim Son Sedge village in Ninh Binh. Embroideries are the popular souvenirs to deliver house from Vietnam. The meticulous handmade products with a wide range of choice include quilts, bed sheets, pillowcases, desk runners, scarfs, baggage, and garments. Dozen handicraft villages are scattering in the nation and manufacturing facility retailers in tourist spots. The large sizes handmade takes months to make, the quality one made by special linen and cotton with well-designed patterns. We got ourselves waterproof jackets and backpacks which we use now. You will find lots of of local individuals in the streets of Hanoi carving conventional Vietnamese and trendy wood stamps. Our Twins Tania obtained one depicting a pirate skull along with her name on it whereas Zoe had a tiger and I received one with a perfect illustration of the logo I used as a photographer. We aim to find truely distinctive method to travel and discover Vietnam & Asia, daring to show the completely different, thrilling, quirky attribute that we love and make our world so special. If you may be keen on items of art, oil paintings ought to be your choice for handicraft souvenirs in Vietnam. Oil paintings often depict four main themes including landscapes, architecture, portraits, and abstract. The small change purses that the Hmong ladies promote shouldn’t value you more than a dollar or two for every. And our absolute favorite place to buy hand-woven luggage in Hanoi is Nunal Boutique. It’s a tiny shop with high-quality baggage at actually reasonable prices. If you journey round northern Vietnam you’ll undoubtedly encounter brightly colored hand-woven textiles on the market, particularly in the Sapa region. I've obtained my first acoustic guitar for around 1,500,000 VND (around $65) which is a nice deal. Anyway, chances you could have someone in the household who's passionate about the music are high, so getting a musical instrument would be a nice reward from Vietnam. You can find actually anything embroidered, including sheets, quilts, pillowcases, table runners, luggage, sleep clothes, and much more. Do Paper is a particular sort of paper made from the inside layer of do trees. Here you should have the chance to buy some unimaginable vases made from Bat Trang porcelain. We understand that most individuals won’t be ready to lug a gigantic vase again to their house nation, that’s why we suggest you take the opportunity to make your own small vase, plate, or cup. However, you can see smaller and easier wall hangings within the various souvenir shops and markets in every metropolis in Vietnam. If you need to buy considered one of these embroidered wall hangings, it’ll price you a few hundred dollars. And you won’t discover any that are this large or intricate in any night time markets in any of the cities. There is one in Saigon called XQ Sai Gon however it’s the only one we’ve encountered outside of the bus cease memento outlets. This information will enlighten you into the most effective souvenirs obtainable for purchase, where in Vietnam to purchase them, and what to expect to pay. Take a piece of the experience home with these well-liked + traditional items and souvenirs. These lovable things usually are not only containers, they are ornaments because they're largely manufactured from silver with many different designs, and in addition are sometimes crafted into animal shapes. These packing containers not solely serve for adornment, but additionally they are the reflection of the owner’s status regarding the scale, the material, and design. The process of producing these packing containers is usually handmade because of the sophisticated and craftsmanship traditional abilities. This is a beautiful and beautiful memento that both adults and children being fond of. Traveling to Vietnam,Nguyen Art Galleryis a should-not-missed destination for travelers to discover essentially the most unique work and artworks which completely catch your eyes at first sight. In addition to the above-mentioned great souvenir, another type that ought to be taken into consideration is silk which could be very popular in Vietnam. Woven from the cocoons of the silkworm, silk is thought to be the image of luxurious and nobility. I guess my pictures and my memories are what I prefer to deliver back with me. Plus, I notice that souvenirs are most likely placed within the high shelf of a closet usually. Since I was a toddler, I’ve at all times admired followers (although I’ve never used one…). I tend to pick up a silk scarf or something tiny that we can simply tuck in our keep on luggage. Cicada Espresso Bar The decor is gorgeous, and there is balcony seating with views of Hoan Kiem Lake. Prices are higher right here, and that’s as a end result of the meals is high of the range and the menu is extensive. Da Nang’s Korean BBQ eating places cater to those tourists by cooking up all kinds of meat and serving them with an array of Korean facet dishes. In our view, Fatfish is a great place to enjoy a western-style, riverside, moderately priced splurge meal. Many Vietnamese eating places in America and Europe have this dish on the menu. If you are new to Vietnamese delicacies but look to taste popular but genuine Vietnamese food, an alternative to pho, attempt Vằn Thắn Mỳ soup. The menu spans a quantity of pages and contains dozens of options including soups and dishes with greens, tofu, eggs, fish, shrimp, pork and chicken. Despite unique elements like fermented shrimp paste and bitter melon, most dishes at Bep Hen are accessible for all ranges of eaters. You wouldn't have to worry about being hungry throughout your go to. This cafe lets you enjoy some Vietnamese fares and spirits. If you love seasonal dishes, this cafe has it all for you. You can even keep for long time here, not endlessly, to get one of the best second with its distinctive inside designs. We were so glad once we discovered Food Street, Tong Tuy Dong. A place we ate at twice is Banh Cuon Ky Dong, and the menu is easy, however is simply what we usually need - noodles, vegetarian choices and a few drinks. We wish to hold our price range small and our meals experience massive, and in Hanoi, the best meals is discovered on the street or in local street-side stalls. This is great for anyone who needs to actually lower your expenses during journey. High 10 Most Popular Local Markets For Shopping In Vietnam The market is each a spot to commerce and an space to level out the delicate culture of every region. Visiting the markets, tourists not only purchase the gadgets they love but additionally explore the unique culture of that place. Souvenirs that vacationers select most at Ha Long night market are items with a sea taste. Lovely key chains, chains created from sea shells, stunning ships, T-shirts printed with footage of Ha Long and Tuan Chau seashores. Foreign guests to Ha Long evening market of Vietnam are mostly Asian, Thai and Chinese visitors. You ought to visit Vietnam to explore the stunning tourist sights, store on the streets and to relish the scrumptious native meals. Some of the best fresh products in Vietnam could be found in Dong Ba Market. To begin your day properly, take your style buds on a curler coaster ride with a Vietnamese breakfast with Pho, and spring rolls topping the record. Follow the mouth-watering aromas all the best way to the back of the market and this will lead you to an excellent canteen where you could spend weeks ‘food-hopping’ from one stall to the subsequent. The meals popping out of this canteen is extraordinary, and this alone is cause enough to go to Bình Tây Market. Hanoi's Old Market is worth to pay a visit, its shops, the individuals, and all the things you could buy. The market is situated on the nort-east nook of Hoan Kiem Lake, you might have just to comply with the people . Located within the Saigon Centre, this Japanese retailer is sort of in style amongst the locals and tourists alike. In fact, not simply Japan, however you can discover one of the best merchandise from Europe and North America right here too. High-end jewellery, cosmetics, fragrances, and apparel manufacturers are spread out evenly on all of the floors of this place. Amongst all of the Vietnam buying areas, the Hanoi Night Market is certainly one of the best locations to drop by in the evening. From the famous Hanoi avenue meals to handicrafts & equipment, yow will discover it all here at actually pocket-friendly costs. Meander along the river, join in on the commerce, or simply watch folks shop, as nicely. Like other markets in Vietnam, Hoi An market has the sections promoting everyday goods and industrial merchandise. Along the streets available within the market area, you'll find a way to see many individuals doing Asian squat to promote and purchase fresh vegetables. The Tay Do evening market is starting to open round 4 pm when small companies rush to organize items. Tay Do night time market with wide paved walkways and well organized stalls is probably considered one of the finest night time markets to walk around when tour Mekong delta. At the market there are many sorts of delicious and still fresh seafood, in order that guests can freely choose the type of seafood you want. After that, the store staff might be able to serve you any other dish you want. Traveling In Vietnam With Children You’ll find extra leases in Nha Trang and Hoi An than wherever else. –no month is a “terrible” time for visiting Vietnam, every interval has its own professionals and cons so don’t stress about discovering the right time. Considering a technique sleeper for fun/ flight again the other. Typically, the wet season (when you’ll be visiting) is extra intense in central Vietnam than within the south – although both can get plenty of rain – so I’d probably do Phu Quoc. Pre-book Trains in Vietnam Great submit – appreciate it. Just one question – did you prebook practice journey or did you wait until you arrived and booked it? I have found a few websites on-line, however it appears fairly expensive compared to some of the finances airlines . This web site makes use of numerous affiliate hyperlinks that make us commission on purchases. We earn commission on these must you make a purchase. All recommendations are real and we aren't paid to incorporate products, motels, and so on. We’ve travelled in Vietnam several times, and once with the youngsters. Phong Nha National Park space and people caves is definitely a highlight for us. We haven’t, as but, created a whole information to consuming in Vietnam, however we've meals, restaurant, and markets in Hoi An, completely lined for you. A actual spotlight was dressing up and trying our hand at conventional Vietnamese Opera. The food in the city is nice and you'll participate in cooking courses to study extra concerning the native dishes. A stroll across the evening market can also be recommended. A smart way for kids to expertise the Vietnamese tradition is thru conventional Vietnamese water puppet present. The areas round Hanoi, towards the northern components of the nation, are in style as the origin of puppetry. This is an opportunity to do anything you might need missed the first time around. District 1 is a superb place to walk around with the family. If you've fallen in love with Vietnamese meals, sample a variety of the culinary delights you haven't obtained around to but – perhaps some grilled cuttlefish or, for the adventurous, street-barbecued sea snails. Enjoy a dragon boat cruise alongside the Perfume River to go to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. While you are here, take the opportunity to learn slightly extra about this figure who opposed the French involvement in Vietnam. But there could be a lot to get pleasure from in Vietnam with youngsters the enchanting water puppet theatres, laid-back seashore resorts and islands, pleasant native communities and naturally the trains, boats and cyclo rides. Hire an area information to take you across the floating market and day market to get the most effective food experience. 雙眼皮 had was on the plastic chairs and road meals from a household spot. Spring rolls and Pho soup had been always a success with the youngsters. A should within the metropolis is to go to the War Remnants Museum.It was in all probability a bit much for the age of our youngsters but we needed to go and learn for ourselves extra in regards to the Vietnam warfare. There was a lot we truthfully did not find out about, the history, impacts and so much extra. Jamie and I took turns going in and out of the exhibits whereas the other entertained the youngsters in another space. Popular Culture And Excessive Tradition In Vietnamese History On Jstor In many public areas, nevertheless, folks usually keep away from standing in queues, leading to a chaotic setting the place people touch or press up against one another as they go about their enterprise. While ladies have a robust position within households, their standing in business and government is much less important than men's. The applications they finance and implement embrace poverty alleviation, infectious disease control, contraception, educational assistance, and water purification, among others. The most outstanding contemporary symbols of social stratification are consumer items. Two of the most common symbols are the possession of a motorcycle, particularly certainly one of Japanese manufacture, and a cell phone. Other objects embrace refrigerators, televisions, video players, gold jewelry, and imported luxury goods, such as clothing or liquor. Some individuals additionally assert their status by way of large wedding feasts. But for now, we'll all the time have our Vietnamese hat dance, fan dance, and lion dance as a staple. Nursing homes and long–term care facilities are not acceptable solutions for many Vietnamese families. Here, a musician performs the monochord, a standard Vietnamese instrument utilizing a string and a stick which is bent to change the pitch of the note performed. To end the talk, Nguyen took questions from audience members. One scholar talked about how their mother and father don’t inform them about their previous experiences residing in Vietnam. I wanted to find out about VietNam as a outcome of all the great and hardworking women I really have met in USA. As a part of the critique, I should explain how the movie is really consultant of life in Vietnam in such elements as relationships, faith, tradition, and so on. I am desire to learn about fully Viatnam, relating to individuals, socialwork staff member Name with e-mail Id. and desire to conversation. And want to make good sincere respect girlfriend in Viatnam. The codes mandate that two to 5 p.c of the staff of most businesses be individuals with disabilities. They additionally provide incentives like tax reductions and low–interest loans to businesses that are in compliance. With this new perspective on Agent Orange, most people with disabilities are considered as victims of the war. In the past decade, the federal government of Vietnam has used a paternalistic approach to deal with the needs of this inhabitants. Adopting measures much like these within the United States, the Vietnamese authorities enacted the "Ordinance on Disabled Persons" to supply a legal foundation for protecting individuals with disabilities in Vietnam. The official census of Vietnamese with disabilities in the united states has yet to be made obtainable to the public. The 2000 Census reported there are 1,223,736 self–identified Vietnamese and bi–racial Vietnamese dwelling in the us The most powerful place within the nation is the Communist Party basic secretary. Other necessary positions are the prime minister, the president, the minister of public security, and the chief of the armed forces. Women and members of Vietnam's ethnic teams are nominally represented in the authorities. One of the most sensitive issues the government faces is balancing regional pursuits. Vietnam is home to fifty-four official ethnic groups, the majority of which live in highland areas, though some large groups such the Cham or Chinese reside in lowland or urban areas. In television and films and most of all in well-liked songs, rage against the war was all over the place in the late 1960s and early Seventies. And after all there was a backlash towards the hippies that was instant and simultaneous. The #1 pop single of 1966 wasn’t some antiwar anthem or a Beatles basic or something by the Monkees, the “prefab four” who broke by way of big that 12 months. It was “The Ballad of the Green Berets” by a man named Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler. In addition, I use the movies produced depicting the warfare to demonstrate the methods popular culture can serve as a studying software after a crisis. It is plain Vietnamese American youths get pleasure from American pop culture. They also gravitate toward Japanese anime, Korean pop music, and Chinese Hong Kong movies and dramas. This genre has developed strongly within the South and has unfold out over the North area after the rise of Bức Tường within the 90s. For the final 10 years, steel has become extra mainstream in Vietnam. Ngũ Cung and Microwave are the current high Vietnamese steel bands within the 21st century. Chèo is a form of generally satirical musical theatre, usually encompassing dance, historically carried out by peasants in northern Vietnam. Traditional Vietnamese music has been primarily used for religious actions, in every day life, and in traditional festivals. Nightlife In Hanoi, Vietnam Not to say the enduring Full Moon Party which occurs every month on the Haad Rin seaside on Koh Phangan island. If you’re seeking a spot to enjoy Vietnam nightlife activities, which of them do you choose in your trip? Yes absolutely, you just walk into such a place and a Vietnamese girl in a short skirt will convey you to a personal space upstairs where she takes off your pants and sucks your dick. Located on the twenty first Floor offering the extraordinary view, along with live music and signature cocktails serving. An city and stylish bar that stands out in the center of bustling street of Bui Vien. We bring you a combination of East and West where we serve a range craft beer from Vietnam hand picked by Ong Cao whereas enjoying hip hop and rnb music. We actually love Vietnam, and wish to show you the best Vietnam has to offer. This is a beautiful place for a sundown drink and as quickly as the sun goes down, the celebration continues until late. Sit again on one of the comfortable daybeds or sofas and savour the beautiful ocean views. While it’s potential to navigate this district by yourself, going with a guide provides you with a richer and more satisfying expertise. We have been to plenty of these locations however didn’t realise that so many of those have been additionally good party destinations too! When it comes to nightlife, few destinations can prime Thailand. Festive, cultured, vibrant, and dynamic, this vacation spot hosts a plethora of events, which take place all across the country, from Bangkok to Phuket. One of the best get together seasons in Thailand is from November to March, which is when the sand turns into a dance ground, and seashores get glistering with neon lights, fire spectacles, and music. Thailand additionally has a wide selection of well-liked foam parties, particularly in Pattaya, cultural reveals, pool events, pub crawls, and superb rooftops. Funky Buddha (no website; 2 Ta Hien Street, Hoan Kiem) is doubtless one of the best-known bars in Hanoi. Fancy and upscale, Funky Buddha has stay DJs every evening in addition to a nook for shisha smoking. Another good place for a drink is Spotted Cow (no web site; 23C Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem). A relaxed place to spend time with pals, the bar presents big-screen TVs to look at soccer video games, a place to play darts and plenty of seating to only sit back and revel in a drink. I recently wrote about assembly Vietnamese women in my article about the most effective relationship web site and apps in Vietnam . Online dating in Vietnam works nice , yet I still find it's far more fun to meet women while partying.

#醫美

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ashleyswrittenwords · 4 years

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Frogs, Fevers, and Forehead Kisses

My titles are getting more unimaginative by the day.

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“Her Royal Highness requested that we test the specimen she found by Death Mountain.”

The princess’s knight attendant looked between the Sheikah scientists with growing confusion, the overly respectful distance only increased his worry. Robbie and Purah inched further away as if he were a grizzly bear still debating whether he wanted to eat them.

“I don’t understand,” his brow furrowed, “Is the princess okay?”

“Oh, yes,” Robbie waved him off. “Mere symptoms.”

His heart dropped, “Symptoms? Of what?”

“Link,” Impa said crisply from behind the two. He couldn’t see her face from behind Robbie, but that sternness was unmistakable. “In the frog, Purah found a strain of the flu that was thought to be extinct.”

“Is,” he tried to swallow the dread in his throat. “Is she in danger?” Hylia, it had to be the frog, didn’t it? After incessant pleads from Princess Zelda, he quickly learned he didn’t have the strength to deny her for long. That night they roasted it over a fire with as much seasoning as he could find, then they shared it and he was bombarded with her scientific analysis.

Did he feel any more energetic? No.

Could he see any better in the dark? No.

Was he ill or queasy? Not any more than one would be when they eat a charred amphibian.

And, if he were being honest, it wasn’t that bad. The spices definitely helped with the taste, though Link doubted he would do it again on his own volition.

“Historically, no,” Purah inserted, adjusting her glasses, “Unless you are a specific subrace of Hylian, the host will only experience common flu symptoms from seven to fourteen days – which is the apparent case with Zelda.”

An itch started in his sinuses and he tried to ignore it.

“And what would happen if that specific person were affected?”

“Oh, I can answer that!” Robbie pointed his chin up, airy in his demeanor. “The Sheikah would experience symptoms such as vomiting, pneumonia, and subsequent death.”

The itching came to a head and Link sneezed loudly into his elbow, leaving Impa to yelp and run down the hall. “Send him away! Goddesses, send the infested child away!”

Purah pursed her lips, “Ah, she means we have to isolate you and the princess.”

---

They had been in the same room for two days now, which wasn’t out of the ordinary. Princess Zelda had been his charge for nearly a year. However, it had never been like this. Neither of them were allowed to leave the room nor interact with anyone that wasn’t already infected – and that was restricted to Link and Zelda.

The room was isolated in the west wing due to the lesser populated halls and, until their isolation, was meant exclusively for storage. A large bed had been moved in for the princess and a smaller cot for her knight. Other than that, the room was barren and the essentials were brought up and left by the door where he was only allowed to open it once the servant had left. It wasn’t long until the castle realized the top physicians were all Sheikah of origin who feared the possible levels of contagion.

Upon his arrival, it was obvious that Zelda had been taking the brunt of the illness. The princess was already burrowed within the quilts of her new bed with a heated fever. So, through the mahogany of the door, it was decided that Link would be her main caretaker and communicate her vitals every morning.

A knock at the door snapped Link out of his daydreaming haze and he approached it.

“Yes?”

The voice was muffled yet unquestionably regal, “How is she?”

Link gave a passing glance to the girl resting in her bed and lowered his voice, “She’s resting now, Your Majesty.”

King Rhoam sighed, “I suppose it is for the better. You’re a decent lad, Link. Look after her.”

“I’ll let the princess know you came by.”

Receding footsteps signified the king’s departure. Link turned to the sleeping form under the quilts. The princess had woken up a half hour ago, shuddering from a cold that wasn’t there. He found himself being drawn to her without needing to be. With the covers drawn to her chin, her hair formed a halo around her in tangled blonde strands. Audible breaths came from her slightly parted lips and her cheeks were flushed pink with fever. Link’s rather sleepy expression upturned.

Gently, he leaned down onto the mattress. With one hand, he smoothed down the short hairs that so often fell in her face and pressed his lips to her forehead.

It was a quick show of affection and as quickly as he had indulged, he moved away to rest his exhausted head on the cot.

After all, he was sick too.

---

Four days into isolation, the princess learned she couldn’t read for long in her condition. With a lantern wicking from her bedpost, her knight had taken up the task by sitting in a chair that looked older than his father. At her bedside, he read through a novel about a milk maid who decided she wanted to travel the world and fell in love with a highwayman. Now they were at the part where she was cornered by ruffians and this masked crusader rides in on his midnight stallion. With one raise of his sword-

“You have a nice voice,” Zelda interrupted him. He glanced up from the book to see her quietly watching him, her cheek flush with the pillow below her.

“It’s the fever talking,” he simply said, caught between the magnifying green of her eyes and the following words of the novel.

She made a small motion, “No, I mean it. I want to hear what’s going to happen next, but at the same time it’s like I’m being lulled to sleep.” Then, almost predictably, she fell into a heavy cough that haunted her when she spoke too much. Link knew it sounded worse than it really was, but it made him wince regardless, “I think that means we should get some sleep.”

A whine came from the bed, “It does not!”

“It’s already late and you need to build up your strength.”

“Link, please?” Zelda paused him as he stood. There was that look again. The look that got them in this mess in the first place. Just as he was going to deny her a final time, she hurriedly said, “I’ll fall asleep if you keep reading. And tomorrow we can read over where I fell asleep so I don’t miss anything.”

Link closed his eyes, relenting and falling back into the chair. “Fine.”

She smiled to herself and briefly he thought that if she stood in the middle of battlefield with that face, she could stop a war.

He read for an hour. The highwayman had revealed himself to the former milk maid and she gasped. It was the blacksmith’s son who she had been betrothed to since they were young. She hadn’t seen him in years and fearing her reaction, he ran from her. Link let his voice trail off.

The princess didn’t budge. Her arm hung off the bed in slumber. Slowly, in case the chair decided to creak, Link rose and set the novel on the seat. He took her forearm gingerly and tucked it into the pile of covers. Although her smile was gone, the relaxed expression she wore affected him all the same. Impulsion took over and he brushed her hair aside and kissed above her brow.

Then, uneventfully, he blew the lantern out.

---

Six days of isolation passes by and now there is splashing water.

“Link, don’t look.”

“I’m not looking.”

“I know, but just… don’t look.”

“I’m not looking!”

The tub was in the center of the room and Link was buried under a blanket. He heard a loud slosh and then water dripping into the tub. Zelda sighed from the other side of the room, finally feeling clean after almost a week. It seemed as if they were on a scale. The healthier Zelda seemed to get; the more ill Link seemed to fall. Some of her blankets were transferred over to his small cot.

“Alright,” she finally said, “I’m dressed now.”

Groaning, he sat up. Link felt every bit as awful as he looked. His hair was in disarray and tissues covered his surroundings. “I don’t think I need to bathe.”

Zelda stared incredulously, “You must.”

“I don’t want to.”

She wore a simple day gown that was so soft that she could sleep in it if needed. “It’ll make you feel better.”

His eyes drooped in her direction, “Nothing can.” Then, he let himself fall to the cot.

The princess crossed the room, eyes rolling but concern glinting, “Don’t be dramatic.” From behind, she pulled him up to a seat and, gods, was he heavy. As she whispered small encouragements, he let her pull him to a wobbly stand and towards the tub. The water was bubbly and he looked at her with absent accusation.

And bashfully, she admitted it, “I prefer bubble baths.”

Link didn’t say anything and simply stared.

“What?” Zelda felt suddenly insecure.

Tiredly, he drew in a breath, “I have to undress, Princess.”

“Oh!” she spun on her heel, face aflame. “Right.”

Clothes were heard being discarded and she could make out his tired voice, “Zelda, don’t look.”

“Oh, shush.”

He laughed and the water moved as he got in. The water was still steaming when she got out and it no doubt felt nice on his skin. And, quite unfortunately, the thought practically returned the thick blush of a fever. Busying herself with the book about the milk maid, she looked through the parts she never got the chance to read herself. He had finished the book for her last night and as she skimmed the pages, she could hear his voice read the words.

“I liked this book,” she said with a passing breeze in her tone. He hummed, “I think I did too.”

A smile played on her lips, “What was your favorite part?”

Link thought for a moment, “When you would grip the covers whenever the highwayman was in danger.”

Afterward, Zelda listened as he dunked his head underwater.

“Zelda,” he sounded frustrated. “I… I can’t reach my head.”

“What?”

“Whenever I try to wash my hair, I feel like passing out. And I really don’t want to pass out in water.”

She blinked at the wall, “Do you want me to wash your hair?”

“You don’t have to. I just don’t want you to yell at me when you see that my hair is still greasy.”

“Can I wash your hair for you?”

A beat of silence went by and then, “… I suppose.”

Zelda took the back of the old chair at her bedside and dragged in over, careful to not look at the tub unless absolutely necessarily. At most, she glanced at the wood. Link sat with his back to her. Thankfully, the bubble bath was an ingenious invention because the only thing she could see was the midpoint of his torso and his knees jutting out of the water. Even if she stared, she probably couldn’t spy anything… not that she would, that is.

“Hand me the soap,” she gently commanded as she sat.

He did and she ran a hand experimentally through a portion of his hair. The locks were wet and free, partially stuck to his neck. She spilled a generous amount of shampoo on her hand and lathered it between her palms. Then she began to entangle her fingers in his scalp and brushed.

“You didn’t touch your soup last night or today,” she stated plainly, “That’s why the heat is getting to you.”

“I wasn’t hungry,” it sounded more like a weak complaint. The princess bit the inside of her cheek and tried unsuccessfully not to look down at the water running along his neck. Admittedly, he was very pretty to look at – from behind, at least. Zelda was a simple woman, she appreciated the male physique, and his back muscles were very appreciable.

Her fingers were tender and forgiving in hair that hadn’t been properly brushed in days. So much so, that he leaned into her touch. When they found a tangled knot, she worked at it without pulling until it came free. Far too soon, she pulled away.

“Okay,” Zelda pronounced. “Dunk into the water and I’ll shake the soap out.”

He nodded, sidling into the water until fully submerged. Tautly, she ran her hands through his hair and laughed as bubbles of soap and his breath came to the surface. Eventually he came back up, breathing in air.

“Thank you.”

She nodded without him seeing and went back to the book while he scrubbed up. Once he was dressed, he allowed her to know and she turned with a question on her lips, “Would you prefer the bed? I wouldn’t mind sleeping on the cot if it meant you were warmer.”

Even then, she watched him shiver out a tentative no.

“You need it more,” Link straightened out the blanket on the cot.

“That’s not true,” she moved to the edge of the bed. “I don’t have a fever anymore. You do.”

He shook his head and croaked out, “I’m fine.”

“We can share it. It’s big enough, Link.”

Of course, he hesitated. It was a large bed with comfortable pillows and a mass of quilts. Not to mention, an inviting princess looking at him with doe eyes. But…

Zelda sat with her legs tucked under her, “The door’s locked. No one would find out.”

He let go of the cot’s blanket and walked to the bed; she smiled and pulled back the covers on his side. Without words, they rearranged the pillows so she wouldn’t hoard them all and Zelda reached for the lantern.

“Goodnight, Link.”

“Goodnight, Zelda.”

For the first time in their isolation, Link didn’t dare continue his routine of sneaking forehead kisses once she was asleep. He was far too tired and the newfound comfort of a proper mattress with all too enticing. Although, as he floating into a dream, he could have sworn someone had cupped his cheek and warm lips kissed his forehead.

#i tried talking myself into making this a smut but i couldn't do it #bc as we all know im a coward #we been knew #ily anon #ashleyswrittenwords #zelink #zelda #link #loz #legend of zelda #loz fanfiction #zelink fanfiction #zelink oneshot

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lovemesomesurveys · 3 years

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weird asks that say a lot

1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans? I choose 3: Coffee mugs, water bottles, and soda cans.

2. chocolate bars or lollipops? Chocolate bars.

3. bubblegum or cotton candy? Cotton candy.

4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you? I was the “pleasure to have in class.”

5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups? Cans or bottles.

6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear? Pastel.

7. earbuds or headphones? Earbuds.

8. movies or tv shows? Both.

9. favorite smell in the summer? The smell of the ocean/beach air, coconut, and sunscreen.

10. game you were best at in p.e.? I sucked at everything.

11. what you have for breakfast on an average day? Over-easy eggs and Eggo’s.

12. name of your favorite playlist? My main playlist on Spotify is my “Starred” playlist.

13. lanyard or key ring? Key ring.

14. favorite non-chocolate candy? Candy corn.

15. favorite book you read as a school assignment? One of them is A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

16. most comfortable position to sit in? I sit with my legs crossed or to the side.

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes? My black Adidas.

18. ideal weather? Fall and winter weather.

19. sleeping position? I sleep slightly turned to my side.

20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)? My laptop.

21. obsession from childhood? I was obsessed with Barbies.

22. role model? My mom.

23. strange habits? My eating habits. I pick apart my food and eat it that way, I’m very picky and particular about my food, I like some odd pairings, my appetite is up and down, I don’t eat edges...

24. favorite crystal? Rose quartz and amethyst are really pretty.

25. first song you remember hearing? I have no idea. Probably something on Barney, another childhood obsession I had when I was really little.

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather? Go to the beach

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather? Enjoy hot cups of coffee. I drink it year round, but it’s even more special during the cold months.

28. five songs to describe you? *shrug*

29. best way to bond with you? Watch the same TV show series.

30. places that you find sacred? The beach.

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names? I have no such outfit. I’m not a badass, I’m a a lame ass. ha.

32. top five favorite vines? Vine is dead.

33. most used phrase in your phone? Uhh, I have no idea?

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head? I don’t have any.

35. average time you fall asleep? It really varies.

36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing? Pfft, I have no idea.

37. suitcase or duffel bag? Both.

38. lemonade or tea? Tea.

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie? Lemon cake.

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school? Nothing I’ve experienced.

41. last person you texted? My mom.

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets? Jacket pockets.

43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket? Hoodie, leather, jean, and bomber.

44. favorite scent for soap? The typical soap scent for body soap. I like various scented ones from Bath and Body Works for hand soaps. I’m obsessed with their foamy hand soaps.

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero? I enjoy all 3.

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in? Lounge shorts or t-shirt dress.

47. favorite type of cheese? I love a variety of different cheeses.

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be? I don’t know.

49. what saying or quote do you live by? There isn’t one.

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have? Uhh, I have no idea.

51. current stresses? Health stuff as always.

52. favorite font? Tahoma, Verdana, Georgia.

53. what is the current state of your hands? What?

54. what did you learn from your first job? I haven’t had a job.

55. favorite fairy tale? Is Alice in Wonderland one?

56. favorite tradition? Holiday ones.

57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome? Various surgeries and health related things.

58. four talents you’re proud of having? I have no talents.

59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be? I don’t know.

60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be? I don’t know.

61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.? I have a lot of those.

62. seven characters you relate to? I don’t feel like spending a bunch of time thinking about it.

63. five songs that would play in your club? Five upbeat, catchy songs ha. I’m too lazy for this.

64. favorite website from your childhood? Neopets, dollcentral or something like that, Club Penguin... I can’t think of the others I frequented.

65. any permanent scars? Yes, several.

66. favorite flower(s)? I don’t have one.

67. good luck charms? I don’t believe in luck.

68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried? Seafood and alcohol.

69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned? Blah.

70. left or right handed? Right.

71. least favorite pattern? Animal prints.

72. worst subject? Math.

73. favorite weird flavor combo? Dipping my sandwiches that have mayo in it in my ramen cause I like the mayo and ramen flavor combo.

74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen? Well, I’m on a pain management regimen so I’m on a schedule to try and keep the pain manageable.

75. when did you lose your first tooth? I think I was 6.

76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)? I love potatoes in a lot of different ways.

77. best plant to grow on a windowsill? I have no idea.

78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store? Coffee from a gas station. I don’t like sushi at all from anywhere.

79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo? I don’t have a driver’s license, but I never liked my school ID photos.

80. earth tones or jewel tones? Jewel tones.

81. fireflies or lightning bugs? No bugs.

82. pc or console? PC.

83. writing or drawing? Writing.

84. podcasts or talk radio? Podcasts.

84. barbie or polly pocket? I had both, but I was obsessed with Barbies.

85. fairy tales or mythology? Fairy tales.

86. cookies or cupcakes? Both.

87. your greatest fear? Losing my loved ones, death, never getting better/getting worse, never doing anything with my life...

88. your greatest wish? To get my health under control and do something with my life.

89. who would you put before everyone else? I put my loved ones first.

90. luckiest mistake? Uhh.

91. boxes or bags? Depends?

92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights? Fairy lights.

93. nicknames? Steph and Sis.

94. favorite season? Fall and winter.

95. favorite app on your phone? Kindle, DoorDash, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

96. desktop background? Alexander Skarsgard.

97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized? Just a few that I’ve known forever.

98. favorite historical era? Hm.

#personal #text #survey #surveys #long survey #random

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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Money Heist: What to Know About the International TV Phenomenon

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If you haven’t tuned into Money Heist yet, you’ve been missing one of the hottest series on Netflix right now. It’s sexy, absurdist fun, an action soap opera like no other, so addictively bingeable that it has stolen the hearts of a worldwide audience. But it’s more than escapist fare. Money Heist has also become a rallying cry of resistance that is changing the world.

It almost didn’t happen. Netflix picked up Money Heist entirely by chance. If they hadn’t, the original series might have easily vanished into obscurity for English-speaking audiences. Once Netflix got it, it blew up and became their most watched non-English series.

Money Heist was originally broadcast on Spain’s Antena 3 channel in 2017 under its native title La Casa de Papel (The House of Paper). The first season was 15 episodes, told in two parts. The initial part garnered a healthy 45 million viewers but viewership plummeted when the second part was broadcast. With only half the audience remaining and the story complete, the show seemed at its end. Netflix acquired the series as part of an international catalog of titles, re-edited it into 22 shorter episodes, re-released it internationally later that year. The streamer didn’t even bother to promote it when they added to their queue. Nevertheless, it found a huge audience outside of Spain and viewership skyrocketed.

Season 1 is about a meticulously planned heist of the Royal Mint of Spain. The Professor (Álvaro Morte) is a criminal mastermind who assembles a gang of thieves. Each thief adopts the name of a city to conceal their true identities from each other, akin to the robbers in Reservoir Dogs. The story is told from the perspective of Tokyo (Úrsula Corberó), a brazen spitfire femme fatale who steals every scene she’s in. The thieves capture the Mint, taking dozens of hostages. Their plan is to print millions in unmarked bills. Meanwhile, the Professor plays a cat-and-mouse game with Inspector Murillo (Itziar Ituño) who is hot on his trail.

Don’t Fall in Love During a Heist

Through Tokyo’s narration and copious flashbacks to the planning of the crime, Money Heist tells a gripping story of the ultimate anti-heroes. As tensions mount, the gang is at one another’s throats while navigating the Professor’s deceptive instructions. The Mint is surrounded by cops and time is running out. Gratuitous shots of ticking clocks increase the pressure, the same device deployed by original Mission: Impossible TV series to heighten suspense. Stockholm syndrome takes hold as the hostages fall for their captors. In classic Money Heist style, the main hostage who joins the gang adopts the name “Stockholm (Esther Acebo)”. The Professor and the Inspector engage in a deliciously dysfunctional romance. It’s all exceedingly sexy with the beautiful actors often scantily clad, and has a subversively sharp sense of humor.

Despite its ludicrousness, Money Heist is so addictive in many ways. First off, it masters the cliffhanger. The suspense is relentlessly palpable and no matter how ridiculous some of the deus ex machina resolutions are, they’re still great fun to watch. Just like Game of Thrones, this show is merciless. Beloved main characters die in shockingly poignant death scenes. This keeps the suspense very real. You never know if your favorite character is going to make it. Of the seven thieves that enter the Mint with Tokyo – Berlin (Pedro Alonso), Denver (Jaime Lorente), Helsinki (Darko Perić), Moscow (Paco Tous), Nairobi (Alba Flores), Oslo (Roberto Garcia Ruiz) and Rio (Miguel Herrán) – three don’t make it out.

Secondly, it’s about those characters. The ensemble cast delivers great performances across the board. Every role is rich, complex, and well-developed. Everyone has his or her strengths, weaknesses, and back stories and their emotional journeys resonate deeply. No one is entirely innocent. You can’t help yourself from rooting for them, even the villains.

And third, Money Heist has style. Its passionate soundtrack has captured the ears of the world. The use of color, particularly red against darkly composed frames, is exquisitely captivating. Money Heist is a thrilling roller coaster ride that just has to be experienced.

Enjoy It Until the Party is Over

The global following shocked the cast and crew. After season 1 wrapped, the show seemed finished. As the cast watched their social media following grow exponentially (an experience catalogued in Netflix’s documentary, Money Heist: The Phenomenon), they knew something was up. By 2018, Money Heist garnered several nominations and wins across the European awards circuit and even won the coveted Best Drama Series at the 46th International Emmys.

Consequently, Netflix reassembled the cast and crew for a second season, this time with a much bigger budget. Even though season 1 was self-contained, the show’s creator Álex Pina dreamed up a second season, one that was on a much grander scale, thanks to Netflix’s backing.

The second heist is in four parts. That may sound confusing because the upcoming season 5 will be split into two parts as well. Season 5 is actually parts 3 and 4 of the second heist story arc. “Heist 2” is already 16 episodes deep and it’s only the halfway point.

For the second heist, the gang must reassemble to rescue one of their own after Tokyo makes another grievous mistake. And that rescue hinges upon robbing the Bank of Spain. New gang members join the survivors of the first robbery, and another more ruthless adversary, the pregnant Inspector Sierra (Najwa Nimri). Sierra is a more ruthless opponent than Murillo was for the first heist. When it comes to the Professor’s psychological chess game, Sierra flips the chess board upside down. Season 3 (Part 1 of the Bank of Spain heist) debuted exclusively on Netflix in the summer of 2019. Season 4 (Part 2) was released almost a year later in April 2020, and it was seen by 65 million households. That’s a million more viewers than watched Tiger King when it ran around the same time.

Realizing they had a bankable hit, Netflix released Money Heist: The Phenomenon. The documentary showcases the astonishment of the cast and crew as they navigate their new found popularity from a show they thought was done. A season 2 opening scene, filmed in front of the historic Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral in Florence, Italy, was almost ruined when rabid fans rushed the crew. However, do not watch Money Heist: The Phenomenon before seeing the show because it drops some major spoilers.

We Are Dali

To hide their identities, the gang wears masks based on the famous Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali, replete with a red hooded jumpsuit. They force their hostages to wear the same costume to confuse the police. This Dali mask has become a new symbol of international rebellion, supplanting the Guy Fawkes mask from V for Vendetta on a global scale. Beyond Comic-Con cosplaying, the Dali mask has been appearing on protestors and in effigies around the world. Footage from these real life demonstrations appear in the show.

Money Heist has had a profound effect on international football (“soccer” for we Yanks). Massive displays of Dali mask banners appeared at Saudi Arabia soccer stadiums. At the Karaiskaki Stadium, Greek soccer fans unfurled a huge Dali banner too. After their team won, they rushed the field wearing Money Heist costumes. Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar de Silva even makes a cameo in season 3 as a monk who wryly comments about his disdain for soccer. Silva claims Money Heist is his favorite show.

There were even real life copycat heists. France fell victim to a shop hold-up and a hotel robbery where the perpetrators wore Dali masks. A 2019 daylight heist of the Mexican Mint was thought to have been inspired by the show. Perhaps the best one was when Justin Bieber’s five-billion-view music video ‘Despacito’ was hacked on YouTube. The hackers replaced it with an image of Money Heist in full Dali regalia with guns pointing out, accompanied by a call to ‘Free Palestine.’

Consequently, there has been some backlash. Cyprus banned Dali costumes for Carnival. Turkish journalists and politicians have admonished the show, describing it as rebel propaganda. The Professor describes it best in season 3. “The mask has become a symbol throughout the world of resistance, of indignations, of skepticism. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that it has inspired many people.”

Ironically, Money Heist pilfered Dali’s image. The Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation never gave the show its blessing for the use of the artist’s likeness. There’s no doubt that Dali is spinning in his grave for not getting paid royalties, but he must appreciate the surrealism here.

Bella Ciao!

Beyond the now iconic Dali mask, Money Heist also revived a rebel ballad, the Italian protest song Bella Ciao. Bella Ciao means ‘Goodbye Beautiful’ and it was the anthem of anti-fascists of the Italian Resistance during WWII. Originally about toiling in rice fields under an oppressive boss, the lyrics evolved to describe the Resistance’s commitment to the cause with their lives. When translated from Italian, the lyrics end with “This is the flower of the partisan who died for freedom.”

The Professor’s grandfather fought in the Italian resistance so he sings it with Berlin, his older brother, and teaches it to the gang. The song is frequently reprised throughout the series, most tellingly during the season 1 part 1 finale end credits. A montage of black-and-white footage decrying the evils of money fades to red as Bella Ciao plays.

Since Money Heist, over a dozen new versions of Bella Ciao have climbed the charts across Europe, with the Professor’s rendition placing first in Austria, second in Germany, and in the top twenty in Belgium, France, and Switzerland. It’s been covered by several EDM DJs like Steve Aoki and Hardwell. Bella Ciao has become a common chant at soccer matches, and was heard at the 2019 World Cup. When Open Arms rescued a boatload of fleeing immigrants docked in Lampedusa, the refugees sang Bella Ciao to celebrate their newfound freedom.

The Last Times are Beyond Comparison

What might the finale hold? When we last left the gang, they were reunited in the Bank of Spain and determined to win ‘the war’ in honor of their latest fallen comrade. But Inspector Sierra got the drop on the Professor. With a gun to his head, she declared “Checkmate, son of a bitch.” Anyone who knows the show understands that it is volatile and unpredictable so it’s anyone’s guess what happens next.

It’s clear that this is the end. When production wrapped on May 14th, Netflix tweeted “Thank you to all the fans for being part of La Resistencia! We can’t wait to show you how this story ends.” However, Netflix is never one to kill a goose that lays golden eggs.

Money Heist creator Álex Pina already launched another Netflix series, Sky Rojo. Season 1 premiered back in March 2021 and season 2 is slated for July. It’s the story of three women on the run, somewhat reminiscent of Thelma and Louise, only the threesome are prostitutes. It’s stylish and sexy, and received some critical acclaim. But it has nowhere near the impact of Money Heist.

A Korean adaptation of Money Heist is in the works with Kim Hong-sun directing. Cast as the Professor is Yoo Ji Tae, who is most remembered for his mastermind role in Oldboy, and also had a part in a Korean TV adaptation of The Good Wife. Playing Tokyo will be Jeon Jong Seo, aka Rachel Jun, a newcomer with two feature films under her belt.

This summer, an immersive event “Money Heist: The Experience” is set to tour London, Miami, Mexico City, New York, and Paris. Each city will get a different version of the experience, adapted to the venue, and the venues won’t be announced until just prior to the events open. This is another collaboration between Netflix and Fever, who previously staged “Stranger Things: The Drive Into Experience” in Los Angeles.

Most of the cast of Money Heist were too engaged with filming the final season under pandemic restrictions to take on any new projects. The notable exception of Úrsula Corberó. Corberó is cast as the Baroness in the upcoming G.I. Joe Origins film, Snake Eyes.

Money Heist held the title of Netflix’s most watched non-English series until a French show, ironically also about a heist, stole the crown. Lupin robbed Money Heist of the title in January 2021 racking up 76 million views. Lupin Part 2 debuted on June 11. When Money Heist returns, will it steal back Netflix’s most watched non-English series crown? Hopefully so. For Nairobi!

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Money Heist, Parts 1-4, are available on Netflix now. Season 5 Volume 1 debuts on September 3, Volume 2 arrives on December 3, 2021.

The post Money Heist: What to Know About the International TV Phenomenon appeared first on Den of Geek.

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teabooksandsweets · 4 years

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All Creatures Great and Small

🎼 All things bright and beautiful // all creatures great and small // all things wise and wonderful // the Lord God made them all 🎵 are the first lines of a well-known hymn and particular childrens’ favourite, and—not quite in this order—the American titles of James Herriot’s famous (and brilliant) books, thanks to an idea of his daughter Rosie.

All Creatures Great and Small is also the title of the popular BBC series the books were adapted into. The series ran for seven seasons and three specials, over thre course of thirteen years, with little breaks in between.

It’s the loveliest thing, and I recommend it frequently. And I recommend it right here, right now, in this very post.

It’s a period piece based on books based on real life, with just the right balance of comedy and drama. It’s set in the Yorkshire Dales, that sublime country, as the series calls it, and there’s animals of all sizes, everywhere, all about the show. The cast is splendid, absolutely splendid, all of them, and some worked closely with the real people their characters are (sometimes only loosely) based on.

It’s a show about veterinarians, Alf Wight, the real James Herriot, who wrote the books was a veterinarian. There were always veterinarians on the set, who found the cases treated either by them, or sometimes, under their instructions, by the actors, making the show extremely realistic—and very animal-friendly, because the BBC paid for all sick animals treated for the show, because of which one of the veterinary advisors always brought animals from people who couldn’t pay their veterinary bills to the set, even if they never appeared in the show, and treated them there, with the BBC having to pay.

I know that many people don’t like that the medical work is closely shown, and there are of course always the “arm up the cow” jokes made about it, but I have to say: it’s bluntly realistic, never concealing or censoring, but also never gory or deliberately gross. The characters do their work, and so do the real people behind the scenes; and the medical aspects are both scientifically correct and historically authentic.

The characters are all very, very fabulous, and pictured above is the Skeldale House family as it was in the first three seasons, including the five dogs.

There’s James Herriot, the newly qualified (and adorably awkward) vet from Scotland, who just got his first job in Yorkshire, where he’s got to prove his competence; played by Christopher Timothy.

his boss (and later partner) Siegfried Farnon, who is as capricious and eccentric as he is kind and generous; played by Robert Hardy (with his own whippet Christie on his lap).

Siegfried’s younger brother Tristan, a darling rascal who spends most of the early seasons failing exams and getting drunk; played by Peter Davison.

Mrs Edna Hall, the housekeeper (and secret head of the family) whom everyone loves, and who sadly only appears in the first three seasons, because of the passing of her wonderful actress Mary Hignett.

Helen Herriot, née Alderson, James beloved wife, a farmer’s daughter who always helps out in the surgery; played by Carol Drinkwater in the first three seasons and first two specials.

James, Siegfried, and Tristan appear throughout the whole show, with Tristan sometimes being absent; Helen, too, though she is played by Lynda Bellingham from season four on. James and Helen also get two children called Jimmy and Rosie; Siegfried, too, marries and has children, and Tristan, finally qualified, is often away for work.

Seasons four and five (and the beginning of season six) also feature the Scottish veterinarian Calum Buchanan, played by John McGlynn, who’s got a liking for all wild creatures, and even keeps a badger for some time, and Deirdre McEwan, a very diligent young woman who works for the Ministry of Agriculture, and whom Calum eventually marries.

And of course, there is, throughout the entire course of the show, the brilliant Mrs Pumphrey (played by the incredible Margeretta Scott), whose dog Tricki-Woo suffers from an unfortunate condition called Flop-Bot. She also keeps a pig called Nugent (after her uncle, who looked just like him!) and has a very grumpy gardener called Hotchkin (played by Teddy Turner). Mrs Pumphrey herself is a reason to watch this show.

And of course, there’s occassional appearances of Granville Bennet (James Grout), a a small animal specialist who always persuades James to drink too much, and his beautiful wife Zoe (Pamerla Salem).

The supporting cast is fabulous too, reaching from grumpy farmers who never pay their bills, to sensitive owners of small pets, and from poor people whose existance depends on their animals to the rich and aristocratic who may or may not be really happy with their lives.

The first three seasons are set in the late thirtes, and ending with the beginning of World War II. The first two Christmas specials take place just after the end of the war, and the last four seasons and third special showcase the beginning of a new time, the early fifties.

The show is sometimes sad. Because it’s about veterinarians, and they can’t save all their patients. Because many farmers are very poor and many pet owners emotionally vulnerable. Because it takes place around a terrible war.

But it’s such a happy show. It’s so hopeful, and so warm, so cosy, and so humorous and witty. The scripts, especially of the first three seasons, are absolutely brilliant, and the later ones are also very, very good. The acting is fabulous, the actors are fabulous, and so is their unique influence on the making of the show, their relationships to each other, and to the people they partly portayed.

And of course, it’s beautiful. It’s not a period drama of a very stylised sort; it’s made with costumes and scenery made to look as they did in the time and place, and to fit the characters and context. The overall look is very warm, with much of brown and green, and the background is incredibly green—because it’s the Yorkshire Dales, all around, everywhere. Endless hills and moors, narrow walls, small streams.

And of course, it has the very theme music. It’s such a lovely tune, and it’s absolutely iconic. A classic. It’s lovely.

Long story short: Watch All Creatures Great and Small —it’s brilliant!

(On another note, I also really recommend the books. This post is not about them, but they are amazing!)

#all creatures great and small #period drama #tv recommendations #show recommendations

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replicantdeviancy · 3 years

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Outline:

Connor E. Arkeit (26yo) is a homicide detective for the Detroit Police, Central Precinct, in downtown Detroit. He has been working with the DPD for four years, experience outside of the academy of two years as an officer before receiving a promotion into the detective position in Homicide, where he has a further two years experience. Before joining the force Connor attended college at Michigan State where he had a double major in forensics & criminal psychology. He graduated summa cum laude along with his two brothers. Within the DPD Connor quickly made a name for himself, not only in regards to his appearance & magnetic, charming personality, but with his work performance. To date, his case record stands at seven assigned cases solved, thirteen cold cases solved; solving cold cases has become something of a hobby for himself & his brothers in their free time.

Skills:

Connor has expressed a certain skill level for making seemingly impossible connections through evidence that help solve his cases. The gift of imagination coupled with his extremely proficient sense of observation builds the underlining structure of in depth reconstructions of scenes & incidents, & he has the ability to run through those reconstructions within his minds eye. (Connor used to place himself into the point of view of the perpetrator in order to better understand them in a psychological profiling, but after the Zlatko case he no longer does.) In Connor’s imagination he is the unseen observer to the crime, watching it unfold either in pieces or as a collective in order to fully understand what happened. Note: Because of his observant capacity he is often able to predict events with a strong level of accuracy, aiding him in planning & execution of close quarters combat & defense.

Due to his mental condition, Connor is an extremely proficient tactician, using psychological & emotional manipulation both in his work as well as occasionally in civilian life. He has been known to leave those he is tasked with interrogating in a disturbed state of being in extreme cases, though more often than not his tactics are standard police interrogation techniques. He is a calm & collected negotiator who can bury emotional instability under pressure in order to accomplish his task. Connor has learned from many years of conscious practice to use his mental dysfunctions as a tool rather than a detriment, & while he can be incredibly empathetic & warm he also has the ability to shut his emotions off completely if it is necessary. He can lie without any indication save for the involuntary dilation of pupils, keeping his pulse steady & breath shallow.

His proficiency with weaponry & martial arts is impeccable, though he would claim he is still learning. His accuracy with firearms is upwards of 97% (conditions do apply) & he has proven a capable sniper. Close quarters combat is where he thrives & his dulled sense of pain helps mask the damage he might suffer. While not notably strong physically, Connor is very fast & agile, & he shows a talent for improvisation. He can be brutal if necessary. Around the office, the team gave him nicknames like ‘Bloodhound’ or ‘Plastic prick’ just to razz him, making him part of the group of older, more seasoned police officers. Criminals on the streets call him the Deviant Hunter.

Notable Case:

A hostage situation following a murder of John Phillips on Aug 15th, involving a housemaid turned hostile after discovering he was going to be dismissed in favor of a replacement. (Evidence suggested there may have been romantic involvement between the suspect & the victim.) The daughter, Emma, was taken hostage by the housemaid, Daniel, & threatened with her fathers handgun at the edge of the high-rise balcony. SWAT was called in but with Daniel being so close to the edge of the building it was decided that a negotiator should come in to handle the situation. Connor was called onto the scene, arriving at 08:29PM, where he took the time to profile the suspect before engaging in negotiations. Connor managed to lull Daniel into a sense of security enough to feel assured he would walk out of the situation unharmed, though in cuffs. He released Emma & was taken down by SWAT snipers.

It should be noted Connor was left with a thick scar on his shoulder from a gunshot where the deltoid muscle peaks. In a fit of confusion & panic Daniel fired a single shot at Connor, having initially believed he was Xander, Connor’s younger brother, who was at the scene with his SWAT team that evening.

Sidenote: It was the triplet’s birthday.

Zlatko Andronikov was a suspect in a large scale underground human trafficking ring in Detroit & was under investigation for multiple cases of murders in the area. A raid on his home in the historical district on Nov 6th uncovered a far deeper sinisterness to Zlatko than ever imagined. Beneath the mansion were cages where Zlatko kept some of his ‘experimental art’ - the ones who survived their transformations. People turned into mere flesh barely living, yet still breathing, tortured & disfigured beyond recognition as truly human. Most did not live beyond a few days after rescue, to which most believed was best. Zlatko was killed by a houseman he had manipulated into servitude & Connor was tasked with a profile on Zlatko in order to aid the court proceedings for Luther, in order to reduce his own sentencing for his employer’s death & for accessory charges.

This case broke Connor psychologically & he was forced to spend time on leave to recover from the traumatic experience of inserting himself into Zlatko Andronikov’s head on a psychological level.

Psychology:

Connor, like his brothers, has been diagnosed with moderate high functioning antisocial personality disorder. It is because of this condition he is able to act in ways & in situations people may find uncomfortable, callous or almost impossible. He carries out his objectives without compromise lest the involvement of his partner might somehow compromise the situation. He has been shot protecting his partner, Lt. Hank Anderson, & has killed to defend him in the line of duty. Connor finds difficulty in attaching any kind of emotions to those he has not become close with, & his outward demeanor is more superficial than completely genuine. He is friendly, sociable & very kind, but mostly out of necessity to make work & life easier. He shows concern for others not on his behalf, but on the behalf of those he does care for who might feel sincerely for another. He does not feel guilty for any cruel or damning actions performed in the line of duty, only feeling remorse if he manages to upset someone he feels genuinely for. He lies, is very manipulative & has a tendency to flirt with people, men & women, in order to obtain something he wants with relative ease. He may also flirt in response to another’s flirtations, amusing himself by playing with them a little before moving on.

On the other side of the spectrum, when he does manage to attach an emotional connection to someone he cares deeply, almost manically. His desire to protect & see those he loves well is near insatiable & he has been known to use those same manipulative tactics on people closest to him, though with sincere intentions for their wellbeing. He does not & will not attempt to isolate people from others, insert himself into situations for attention, or harm them in any way, especially psychologically. If he loves, it is completely. He will also never lie to a loved one on any important matter, or really any matter at all.

Though it is very well hidden most of the time, Connor has anxiety & depression, though his depressive moods are few & far between. His anxiety, however, is in constant contention with his numb state of being & only in rare cases will it ever come to light. Nervous fidgeting, such as with pocket change or stress-grooming, are commonplace, though he is not prone to panic unless someone he loves is in danger or his objective is dangerously close to failure.

Involvement:

Silent Hill - A fog loomed over him, not merely over his body but over his mind like a blanket, cool & soft, beckoning him into the darkness. Connor found himself in an unfamiliar place, in a state of utter deprivation, bewildered yet too fatigued to do anything about it. It was not a fatigue of the body, but of the mind which was so powerful it stole all strength from his body & he could not move himself. He didn’t know why this town stole him away, but he knew he would either become a sacrifice for God or repent for his past mistakes.

Resident Evil - Full outline HERE.

Hannibal/Silence of the Lambs - In pursuit of the Chesapeake Ripper, the team under Jack Crawford of the FBI grew needy for assistance as Crawford became further concerned that his specialized profiler, Will Graham, had been compromised psychologically & feared breaking him. Through his resources Crawford touched base with Detroit PD’s director of criminal psychology, Amanda Stern, who suggested her own protégé Connor Arkeit as a worthy successor. As such, Connor was assigned to work with FBI & transported temporarily to Quantico. There he was directed to work with Graham & learn what he could, ready to take over should there be a need for it. Instead he learned to completely harmonize with his partner, after realizing they both possess the same gifts of imagination & reconstruction. However, he realized Will could not turn off his empathy, & slowly Connor began to take on more & more in his role as profiler, both using Will for information & protecting him from further psychological trauma with mixed results.

Marvel 616/Netflix - Many months after the incident in New York when the world learned that extraordinary heroes walked among them & villainy came not only from the furthest reaches of the globe, but from beyond the stars. After the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen helped expose the corruption within the city & FBI filtered out the turncoats within the NYPD, New York was in dire need for replacements. The Arkeit siblings volunteered for a temporary transfer to help clean up the city & maintain order. Having grown up so close to the city limits of Detroit & fully immersing themselves into it’s culture, darkness & light, the trio believed they would be fit to handle the task. On a more personal note, the boys were highly intrigued by the tales of super heroes & vigilantes, & the exploits of organized crime within Hell’s Kitchen. Connor was intent on learning all that he could, against the warnings of his siblings that he might get in over his head.

#˾ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ ̚ ;; ᵀʰᶦˢ ᶦˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵃ ᵍᵃᵐᵉ. ᵀʰᶦˢ ᶦˢ ᴼᵁᴿ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ.#˾ ᴄᴏꜰꜰᴇᴇ & ᴄɪɢᴀʀᴇᴛᴛᴇꜱ ̚ ;; ⁱ ʷᵒⁿᵈᵉʳ ʷʰʸ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵃ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ᵗʰᵃⁿ ⁱ ᶜᵒᵘˡᵈ ᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵇᵘⁱˡᵈ ᵒʳ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵗᵉ.▐ ᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ #˾ ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱɪʟᴇɴᴛ ʜɪʟʟ ̚ ;; ᴴᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵃ ˡᵘˡˡᵃᵇʸ ᵗᵒ ᶜˡᵒˢᵉ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉˢ. ▐ ᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ #˾ ᴜᴍʙʀᴇʟʟᴀ ᴄʜʀᴏɴɪᴄʟᴇꜱ ̚ ;; ᵂʰᵉⁿ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʳᵒᵒᵐ ᶦⁿ ʰᵉˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ ʷᶦˡˡ ʷᵃˡᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵃʳᵗʰ ▐ ᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ #˾ ʜᴀɴɴɪʙᴀʟ ̚ ;; ᵈᵒ ⁱ ᵗᵉʳʳⁱᶠʸ ʸᵒᵘ? ᵒʳ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵃˡⁱᵛᵉ?▐ ᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ #˾ ᴍᴀʀᴠᴇʟ ̚ ;; ⁱ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵇᵉˡⁱᵉᵛᵉ ⁱⁿ ʰᵉʳᵒᵉˢ.▐ ᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ #˾ ᴄᴏɴɴᴏʀ ̚ ;; ᴵ'ᵐ ᵇᵉᵍᶦᶰᶰᶦᶰᵍ ᵗᵒ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗˢ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ᶰᵒᵗ ᵖᵃʳᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵐʸ ᵖʳᵒᵍʳᵃᵐ ▐ ᴍᴜꜱɪɴɢꜱ

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thiswasinevitableid · 4 years

Note

For the Meet Ugly Prompt: #23 Sternclary NSFW if you can :)

23: our mutual friend has been talking us up to the other and when we finally meet, we have to tell them that we’ve been in a feud for the last six years (and I can’t stop thinking of all the nice things our friend has said about you). NSWF

“EeEEH, I’m so excited for you to finally meet him.” Aubrey tugs her uncle down the hall, “he’s practically like another uncle to me, and he’s really such a fucking amazing cook--he made all the stuff tonight--so he’ll go with your whole foodie thing-”

“Critic, firebug, food critic” Stern smiles at her.

“Right, right, and he’s got the hunky lumberjack thing going that you know you love.”

“Geez, you buy one calendar-” he elbows her, chuckling. Then the world screeches to a halt.

“Mr. Cobb.” He nods, polite as he can manage with rage-horns blaring in his head.

“Stern.” The bearded man nods back, pushing off of the counter where he’s leaning, glass in hand, talking to Dani.

“Why do I have the bad feeling you two know each other.” Dani looks at her uncle nervously.

“You remember when Amnesty was first getting off the ground and we were struggling to get anyone to take us seriously? This” he points to Stern, no anger or ice in his voice but plenty in his eyes, “is the fucker who gave us the bad review that set us back months.”

“I was doing my job, I’ve told you that a dozen times since then, it was nothing personal. Unlike what you did afterwards.” He replies coolly.

“Oh for fucks sake, I apologized for that.”

“Yes, two years after the fact, which hardly makes up for arguing with every review I wrote so forcefully that Hayes pulled me from the review circuit for months and made me do cookbook reviews instead.”

“Poor Stern, had to do a slightly different desk job while I was terrified the restaurant would go under.”

“You ended up fine, and if the food at Hornet is any indication, you improved.”

“Lucky me, getting such kind words from the illustrious Joseph Stern.”

“I was trying to-”

“Nevermind. I gotta go check the stuff on the grill.” He reaches the screen door to the back yard, then turns, “and I appreciate the thought, kid, but he’s just not my type.”

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

The problem is, of course, that Stern is exactly Barclay’s type. Or maybe he’s everyone’s type, all nice suits and handsome face and perfectly slicked down black hair. They’ve run across each other at plenty of food functions in the city over the last six years, and Barclay always feels like a scraggy mountain man standing near him. It doesn’t help that Stern talks about food the way other people talk about fine art, and Barclay could listen to him do it all day.

He also tells really, really corny jokes when he thinks no one is listening, and Barclay hates his mouth for how many times it’s laughed at them.

Making amends is the right thing to do, but every time he considered it his whole being--piloted by his ego-- recoils.

But they’re going to be family soon. And his niece doesn’t deserve to deal with their feud. He picks up his phone, Stern’s number on his desk thanks to Dani’s wedding planning list.

Me: This is Barclay. If you’re still reading, I think we should meet and talk things over. For real, not in the way we keep fucking up.

Stern: Why?

Me: Because your niece and my niece are getting married and I don’t want us bickering like jerks at the wedding.

Stern:Good point.

Me: Meet me at the Arch? Bar there is good.

Stern: Ok. 8 tomorrow work?

Me: See you then.

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

Stern fights the urge to shred his napkin as he waits at the bar. Maybe this is a set up, or a trap, or-

“Hey.” Barclay announces himself with a tap on the shoulder. His auburn hair is hanging loose, and the blue shirt he’s chosen brings out the brown of his eyes and the copper in his beard.

Stern should stop staring.

He picks up the drink menu as Barclay sits down next to him, “Um, the, um, I can buy. Consider it another apology. What do you get?”

Barclay gives him a mild smile, “How about you pick for both of us?”

It’s an olive branch wrapped in a challenge, and so Stern studies the menu carefully. Chooses the Bigfoot, a mixture of bourbon, chocolate bitters, with a splash of cherry soda, for Barclay and and the Roswell (smoked prickly pear juice and tequila) for himself.

“Good choice.” Barclay smiles at him over the rim of his glass, the first genuine smile he’s ever sent his way, and he straightens proudly at the praise.

“I remember the drink menu at Hornet was bourbon heavy.”

“Goes with the food, but yeah, it’s my booze of choice.”

“So…” Stern swirls the toothpick in his drink, “how do you suggest we go forward?”

Barclay sighs, “Was kinda hoping you had some ideas.”

“Look, how about we agree that when we’re together for wedding planning stuff, we don’t talk about our history, restaurants or food that isn’t specifically related to the wedding menu?”

“Deal.” Barclay finishes his drink, “what do we talk about instead?”

“Books?” Stern signals the bartender, orders them both another round.

“Works for me. Hmm, lemme guess, you read those big-ass historical ones.”

Stern snickers, “I prefer mysteries, or well done travelogue.”

“You’ve read Bourdain, I’m guessing?”

“Of course. He put me on to a cooking memoir by, by, oh damn it all, he wrote that Madeline series.”

“Bemelmans! Shit, I love his memoirs. They’re my comfort reads along with My Life in France.”

“Classic.”

Before Stern even knows it, an hour has gone by, they’re three drinks in, and he has a new reading list. He also sees now why Aubrey thought to set him up with the cook; Barclay is easy-going and friendly, even stopping their conversation to exchange hellos with several staff that recognize him, a needed counterpoint to his own professional demeanor. That soft, deep voice slips under his skin, sets his nerves humming, and Stern wants to move closer, let those capable hands do whatever they wished to him if it meant Barclay would keep stealing appreciative glances at him.

Then he puts his foot in it.

“....food was just a little heavy, like how it is at Amnesty.”

Barclay frowns, “have you even been back there lately?”

“No, I assumed I’d be forcibly shown the door.”

“I would’ve been tempted, but I’m a fucking professional, thank you very much.”

“Besides, it wouldn’t prove your point; I know you’re the exec, but you don’t cook there anymore.”

“Hold the fuck up, it’s my cooking you think was the issue?”

“I didn’t mean that, just that...no, actually, I did mean it. That menu never played to your strengths.”

“That so.” Barclay slams his glass down, the dram undercut when he flashes an apologetic look at the waitstaff before standing in Stern’s space and looming over him, “my house, Tuesday at seven. I’ll show you exactly how good that menu can be in my hands.”

“I look forward to it.”

Barclay leans closer and whispers “bring an appetite” in his ear, voice just shy of a growl.

Somehow, Stern doesn’t think he’ll have trouble doing so.

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

Stern knocks on the door of the modest house. He knows Barclay is now worth quite a bit of money, so the fact he’s chosen an A-frame that looks like it belongs in Tahoe is charming. As was the afternoon they spent with their (clearly relieved) nieces testing out wedding cake ideas. Barclay even laughed at his corny puns and complimented his flavor choice (and how the suit he’s having fitted for the ceremony fit him).

“Come in.”

He steps into the house, finds the kitchen off to the right, just beyond the dining room. There’s only one place set at the table, and when Barclay comes into view he sees why. The taller man is in his chefs whites, hair tied back, making Stern relieved he’s wearing a suit.

“Should I…”

“Take a seat, first course is gonna be out shortly.”

“Right, of course--what’s that sound?” Something is whining behind a door down the hall.

“Hmm? Oh, just Sass, he heard someone come in and wants to be the welcoming committee. He’ll chill out in a sec, he has a dog puzzle there to keep him occupied.” Barclay turns back into the kitchen as Stern sits down. Thanks to the pass through, he can watch as he pulls down a plate and sets three parcels of dough on it.

“You’re getting tasting portions” he sets the plate down, “I’m not blowing through a bunch of ingredients just to prove a point. Smoked salmon pierogies to start.”

Stern takes one bite and knows he’s beaten. The filling is perfectly seasoned, feels like butter in his mouth, and the dough is impeccably made. Maybe it’s a fluke, but all three are gone before Barclay sets the next plate in front of him.

“Bacon, arugula, goat cheese, and blueberry jam on sourdough.” The aroma from the sandwich is intoxicating.

The first course was not a fluke, and he moans after taking a bite. Barclay chuckles, turning back to the kitchen.

“So, Aubrey told me something interesting.” Barclay says casually as he slices what looks like lamb, “she said you don’t only write about food.”

“Oh lord.” Embarrassment creeps up his back, so he focus on his meal.

“Weekly World News is almost as good a byline as the Times.”

“Please don’t say more.”

“Bigfoot is my boyfriend’ was especially good.”

“Oh lord, you looked them up?”

“Yep, Aubrey gave me your pen name. I had a blast reading them, you should, uh, let that funny side out more.” The oven shuts and he returns to the table leaning against the counter of the pass through, “gonna be a minute more on the third course. How is it so far?”

“Incredible.”

“Glad to hear it.” Barclay wipes his hands on his apron and Stern has a moment of clarity; the cook is nervous.

“Can I tell you something nobody else knows? I, um, I’m working on a pitch that combines the two. I want to travel to famous paranormal locations and write about local food at the same time.”

“That sounds amazing.” Barclay pulls out a chair, “do you know if anyone’ll take it?”

“I’m trying some magazines and websites first, to see if they’ll pick it up as a series, which’d make it easier to jump to a book later on.”

A timer dings and Barclay stands, returning with a lamb pot pie for one that Stern eats without concern for how conspicuous his sounds of delight are getting.

Dessert arrives on a small, round plate. Stern tucks into the airy chocolate strawberry cake with raspberry sauce on the side, notice Barclay already washing up. Pity, he was hoping he could stay and talk awhile. There’s only a bite or two left when he decides to admit defeat.

“This is one of the best meals I’ve ever had, Barclay. Whatever you were trying to prove, you proved.”

“Good.” Is all he gets in reply.

“Barclay, I have to know: I wasn’t the only critic to give a less than stellar review of Amnesty when it opened. We both know that. So...why me? Why act as if I was the one who wronged you.”

Barclay turns, wiping his hands on his apron before hanging it up as he sighs, “yeah, you weren’t the only bad one, but the Times held more weight than any other food section in the city. When you reviewed us we were floundering, and when I saw it I just, I almost gave up; I’d put everything, my heart, my soul, my last dime, into Amnesty. And here was some critic basically dooming us. But once I was done being upset, I got pissed, threw myself into proving the bad reviews wrong and you, uh, you became the avatar for every critic who wrote us off as not being fancy enough to compete in the food scene here.”

“Are, did you make me your fucking mental punching bag?” Stern stands just as Barclay leaves the kitchen.

“Yeah, and I’m not fucking sorry. That spite was the kick I needed.”

“And it nearly cost me my job, and my reputation!”

“Maybe you should have lost both, given that you helped Hayes shoot down anyone who threatened the old guard.”

“No I fucking didn’t! I fought him time and again to let me review new chefs, feature them, praise them. Lord almighty Barclay, I’m not some soulless fucking machine who just does as I’m told. In fact-” they’re toe to toe, his lower back to the table, as he pulls out his phone and searches, “even in my review, the one you hated, I was defending you, telling people to give you a chance.”

“Like hell you were.” Barclay snorts.

“I’ll prove it, here” he clears his throat, reads off an excerpt, “Chef Cobb is clearly talented, with a sense of flavor that’s at once exciting and comforting. It is my hope that as Amnesty leaves it’s growing pains behind, we will see incredible offerings from him. There.” He tosses his phone on the table, “see?”

Barclay stutters once, twice, then mutters, “finish your meal, Stern.”

“No, not until you apologize.”

“Jesus christ, just eat the fucking cake!”

“Make me!”

Barclay inhales, long and measured, as he reaches around Stern and picks up the bite of cake. When he holds it to Stern’s lips, he keeps them in a firm line.

“Open. your fucking. Mouth.”

“Fuck youOghm” he flails backwards, hand landing on his plate as Barclay shoves the cake into his mouth. He’s never had sweetness applied so forcefully, and the part of him that isn’t annoyed is screaming with arousal.

He swallows, feels something sticky on his fingertips.

Barclay leers, rumbles, “that’s bet-”

Stern smears his hand across his face, streaking raspberry sauce on his cheeks and mouth.

Barclay licks his lips, growls, and lunges forward at the same moment Stern grabs his shoulders and pulls. Teeth connect first with his neck, then his lower lip before Barclay shoves their mouths together, moaning when Stern tugs their hips flush. Grinds against him so hard the table digs into his back as they yank ineffectively at each other’s clothes.

“Tell me, Stern, four courses enough for you?”

“I’m satisfied. Barely.” He bites Barclay’s ear, making him grunt.

“Barely? Barely? Fine, think I got one more you. On your fucking knees.” Strong hands shove him down by his shoulders, or they try to; he’s already dropping, panting in anticipation as he fumbles with Barclay’s pants. When he finally gets a look at his cock he groans hungrily at the size, lips staying parted as Barclay guides it between them with one hand and yanks his hair with another.

He’s craving, praying for, and expecting roughness. Even so, he gags when Barclay thrusts as far as he can, toes curling and eyes watering as he bumps the top of his throat again and again.

“Fuck, fuck, there we go” he tugs his hair, wonderful pain prickling his neck and making him moan, “oh fuck yeah, every time I do that you tighten, so good, so fucking good.” He tightens his hold, fucking his mouth harder as Stern brings a hand up to stroke the base of his cock, “nmm, yeah, that’s it, show me what those hands are good for, god, fuck, Joe.”

Stern whimpers, delighted at how his name sounds in that rough, demanding baritone.

“Shit, fuck, you want something else to swallow tonight?”

He nods, paws at Barclays thigh.

“Then you, fuck, you got it, fuckfuck Joe, baby, that’s it ohfuck.” Cum spurts down his throat and he swallows like he’s starving, licks and sucks when Barclay orders him to finish it all.

As soon as the cook releases him, he drops to his knees on the hardwood next to Stern. Stern, for his part, is wondering if Barclay will at least let him hide in his bathroom a few minutes so he doesn’t have to drive home hard and soaking wet.

Then his back hits the floor, one calloused hand cupping his face and the other yanking his pants open so messily a button goes flying.

“I, you, you don’t have to-”

“Do you want me to?” Barclay pauses, meeting his eyes with such genuine, tender concern that he melts like butter in a pan.

“Lord yes.”

Barclay’s hand slips beneath his boxer-briefs, three fingers sliding into him when he spreads his legs.

“Fuck, fuck, ohlord, Barclay, just a little shallowerAHfuck, yesright, right there.” He cranes his neck and Barclay gets the hint,dipping down to kiss him to the slick sound of his fingers fucking into him.

Jerking his hips, he can’t find the friction he needs, so he reaches between them and tilts Barclay’s hand so his dick can drag across his palm. His vocabulary has diminished to affirmation laced profanity (or profanity laced affirmatives) and Barclay is faring the same, growling praise in his ear as he gives him more pressure to rut against.

“Lookit you, god, shoulda known you’d look as good fucking as you do eating. Take me so well, gonna find every way to fill you.”

“Please.” He whispers, eyes squeezing shut in concentration.

“Gonna spread you out on a table and eat you like a fucking gourmet meal, gonna fuck that perfect mouth til your so full of cum you can’t swallow any more.”

“Lord, Bar, Barclay, please don’t stop, don’t tease.”

“Who said anything about teasing?” A tender kiss to the corner of his mouth even as the hand fucks him hard enough to make him cry out, “you’re my new favorite taste, babe, and I got so many fucking plans for you.”

Stern cums so abruptly his leg kicks out and bangs his heel on a table leg, but he doesn’t feel it. His would is the pleasure speeding through him, the repetition of Barclay’s name, the affection that overwhelms him and the fear nipping at it’s heels.

He comes back to himself on his side, face nestled against Barclay’s chest.

“Christ, think we both needed that.” The cook sighs, content, and pets his hair.

“I, um, I certainly no longer feel the need to argue with you over things from six years ago.”

“Me neither. And, uh, I’m sorry for being a dick for so long.”

“And I’m sorry for the spot my review put you in.”

Barclay laughs, shaking his head, “only took six years and some killer sex to get us there, huh?”

“It is pretty silly, in retrospect.”

“Your foot okay?”

“Uh huh. I, um, I can be out of your hair in a moment.”

Barclay raises an eyebrow, “because you want to be or because you think you should be?”

“The second one.”

“Don’t gotta leave on my account. In fact, uh, I, uh, I was hoping maybe you’d stay. I want to test out some breakfast ideas on you. Also I like cuddling you and don’t want to stop.”

“A compelling argument. Though we should move to the bed.”

“On it.” Barclay stands, scoops him up with some effort, and carries him precariously to the still-shut bedroom door.

“Damn it.”

“On it.” Stern reaches out and turns the knob, whereupon Barclay barely gets him to the bed without dropping him, as Sass is boinging about their feet.

“What kind-”

“Rottweiler, corgi, spaniel. I think. Not sure where the huge feet came from.” Barclay cuddles up next to him as he strips off his clothes. As he rolls under the covers, Barclay nuzzles his cheek.

“Would, um, would you like to try having a, um, a different kind of relationship? Like a dating one?”

“I’d love it.”

Barclay’s smile is pure bliss, and when he kisses him, it’s the best taste in the world

#agent stern/barclay #sternclay #chef AU #meet ugly #prompt fills #trans stern

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nasa · 4 years

Text

Chart-Topping Space Images From 2019 You Won’t Want to Miss

From the first-ever image of a black hole, to astronaut Christina Koch breaking the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman – 2019 was full of awe-inspiring events!

As we look forward to a new decade, we’ve taken ten of our top Instagram posts and put them here for your viewing pleasure. With eight out of ten being carousels, be sure to click on each title to navigate to the full post.

1. First-Ever Black Hole Image Makes History

In a historic feat by the Event horizon Telescope and National Science Foundation, an image of a black hole and its shadow was captured for the first time. At a whopping 3.4 million likes, this image takes home the gold as our most loved photo of 2019. Several of our missions were part of a large effort to observe this black hole using different wavelengths of light and collect data to understand its environment. Here’s a look at our Chandra X-Ray Observatory’s close-up of the core of the M87 galaxy with the imaged black hole at its center.

2. Hubble Celebrates 29 Years of Dazzling Discoveries

When you wish upon a star… Hubble captures it from afar ✨On April 18, 2019 our Hubble Space Telescope celebrated 29 years of dazzling discoveries, serving as a window to the wonders of worlds light-years away. ⁣

Hubble continues to observe the universe in near-ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light. Over the past 29 years, it has captured the farthest views ever taken of the evolving universe, found planet-forming disks around nearby stars and identified the first supermassive black hole in the heart of a neighboring galaxy. ⁣Want more? Enjoy the full 10 photo Instagram carousel here.

3. Stars and Stripes in Space for Flag Day

Patriotism was in the air June 14 for Flag Day, and coming in at number three in our most liked Instagram line up is a carousel of our stars and stripes in space! One of the most iconic images from the Apollo 11 missions is of Buzz Aldrin saluting the American flag on the surface of the Moon. But did you know that over the years, five more flags joined the one left by Apollo 11 – and that many other flags have flown onboard our spacecraft? Scroll through the full carousel for flag day here.

4. Spitzer Celebrates its Super Sweet 16!

Since 2003, our Spitzer Space Telescope has been lifting the veil on the wonders of the cosmos, from our own solar system to faraway galaxies, using infrared light! Thanks to Spitzer, we've confirm the presence of seven rocky, Earth-size planets, received weather maps of hot, gaseous exoplanets and discovered a hidden ring around Saturn. In honor of Spitzer's Sweet 16 in space, enjoy 16 jaw-dropping images from its mission here.

5. Earth as Seen Through Our Astronauts’ Eyes Show Perspective Changing Views

“That's here. That's home. That's us.” – Carl Sagan

Seeing Earth from space can alter an astronauts’ cosmic perspective, a mental shift known as the “Overview Effect.” First coined by space writer Frank White in 1987, the Overview Effect is described as a feeling of awe for our home planet and a sense of responsibility for taking care of it. See Earth from the vantage point of our astronauts in a carousel of perspective-changing views here.

6. Astronaut Christina Koch Breaks Record for Longest Single Spaceflight by Woman

Astronaut Christina Koch (@Astro_Christina) set a record Dec. 28, 2019 for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, eclipsing the former record of 288 days set by Peggy Whitson. Her long-duration mission is helping us learn how to keep astronauts healthy for deep space exploration to the Moon and Mars. Congrats to Christina on reaching new heights! Join in the celebration and view few photos she captured from her vantage point aboard the Space Station here.

7. Our Beautiful Planet – The Only Place We Know to Harbor Life – From Space

Earth is special. It’s the only place in the universe that we know contains life.

On July 7, 2019, two million people joined us in celebrating its beauty with a jaw dropping carousel of our home planet, as captured by crew members aboard the International Space Station. Bright blue oceans, glowing city lights and ice-capped mountain peaks come to life in a collection of breathtaking images, found here.

8. A Moon Even Sinatra Couldn’t Help But Sing About

Every 29 days our Moon turns over a new leaf, and on May, 18 we saw a very special one of its faces. Appearing opposite the Sun at 5:11 p.m. EDT, the world looked up to find a Blue Moon! Though the Moon didn’t actually look blue, the site of one is kind of rare. They occur on average about every two-and-a-half years when a season ends up having four full moons instead of three. Click through a carousel of high-definition lunar phases here.

9. The Majesty of Hubble Imagery ... From Your Backyard

On December 23, a new gallery of Hubble Space Telescope images highlighting celestial objects visible to amateur and professional astronomers alike was released. All of the objects are from a collection known as the Caldwell catalog, which includes 109 interesting objects visible in amateur-sized telescopes in both the northern and southern skies. Flip through the jaw-dropping carousel here, and learn more about how you can study the night sky with Hubble here.

10. The Moon Gets Sassy

Nobody:

The Moon: “Y'all on the way yet?” 👀

We're working on it, Moon. Under the Artemis program, we're sending the first woman and the next man to walk on your surface by 2024. Find out how we’re doing it here.

For more pictures like these, follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nasa/

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

6K notes · View notes

in-tua-deep · 4 years

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How would Ravenclaw! Klaus react to the ghosts in Hogwarts? Like, would he ignore them until he realizes everyone else can see them? Does he discover that he can make ghosts corporeal and/or levitation and telekinesis now that he's not on drugs? Does he accidentally talk to a ghost that no one else can see, like the ghost of a muggle, and everyone thinks he's crazy? Basically, what are your Klaus headcannons for your HP AU? (Sorry if this was too long, I've just been thinking about this alot.)

asdfFGDH no worries - I also like the idea of Ravenclaw!Klaus but for the purpose of this au he is a baby Slytherin bless his heart

okay okay okay

So the thing is, while the kids stay at the school for winter break and that’s fine, they have to go somewhere for the summer. Headmistress McGonagall took them for the remainder of the summer before they went into their first year, yeah, but she wasn’t exactly planning on housing seven magical kids. She was just the best bet to transfigure them seven beds (can you say bunk beds?) as a temporary measure

The summer between first and second year they end up with the Weasleys who have an empty nest after Ginny moved out. They have room for seven magical kids at least, even if they kind of tiptoe around one another and it’s kind of an awkward placing

Molly Weasley is very physically affectionate and loud. The kids are very used to violence and getting yelled at so this is not a fantastic combination. Five thinks Arthur Weasley is an idiot of the highest degree after several questions regarding muggle things (and the other won’t say it but they’re kind of thinking it as well) not to mention their general wariness of male parental or authority figures.

Diego volunteers to cook with Mrs. Weasley and likes it but then immediately feels guilty because that’s something he did with Grace and he misses her so he swings wildly between liking Mrs. Weasley and hating her for not being Grace and then feeling guilty for liking her AND guilty for hating her and it’s a vicious cycle

Luther still resents the fact that they can’t go home, even if he’s starting to clue in to the fact that the way Reginald treated them was way beyond not normal and that he’s actually way safer than he’s ever been before? It’s weird and he feels guilty for what he perceives as disloyalty for enjoying himself and having fun and so he’s kind of moody like Diego is

(this combination is somewhat explosive oops. at least they don’t share a room unlike they did at McGonagall’s place)

now this is a somewhat long winded way of saying that during the summer, the Weasley kids do come and visit their mother of course! And, one fateful day, one half of a matched pair shows up to cheerfully cause chaos. George Weasley comes home with a big smile and free samples from the shop to distribute among the little kiddies under his parents roof - have to keep them on their toes after all!

And Klaus sees ghosts. Which, if you said this to any wizard or witch, they would nod and tell you that they also see ghosts! Except Klaus sees more than the ones like Nearly Headless Nick and the Bloody Baron. He sees souls that are only wispily tied to the world, who haven’t had time to solidify their presence. Who follow behind their family.

Now, Klaus doesn’t mention this. It’s not normal, after all, and all of the Hargreeves have agreed to keep their... extra issues under wraps in case the grown ups decide to return them or something, or decide they aren’t magic after all, or whatever. They’re eleven going on twelve they’re allowed to be afraid.

So Klaus doesn’t mention anything when the red headed man comes in followed by an identical (albeit slightly younger) man. Klaus only cottons onto the fact that this man is a ghost because Molly Weasley introduces George to them and not the other one. No one notices the other one. And they’ve seen pictures, they know that there used to be Fred-and-George until the war happened and then there was only-George.

(related: Klaus is actually very happy with the wizarding world ghosts and also very pissed off about them. On the bright side, the killing curse leaves no visible wounds! So there’s not as many incredibly disturbing traumatizing ghosts to look at! Downside here is that Klaus cannot tell if a ghost is a ghost. Unless they’re wearing fancy ass historical period clothes :/

Klaus memorizes pretty much all the years students out of sheer self defense. If there someone who Klaus knows Is Not a Student, he just quietly asks the nearest sibling who is In The Know about his powers

He gets anxious when they’re out in like, hogsmeade or diagon alley though, or when there are a lot of strangers. his general rule of thumb is to only interact with people his siblings interact with, or people who he touches first. He’s perfected the ‘accidental bump’ move thank you

The other sibs are all very accommodating because if Klaus’s secret gets out, then all their secrets get out)

Anyway so Klaus’s modus opperandi is to ignore ignore ignore! Usually if ghosts don’t realize he can see them, they leave him alone. Unfortunately, Klaus is sharing Fred-and-George’s old room with Ben (they organized themselves this way so that Ben can wake Klaus up when he has nightmares)

and Fred floats up to reminisce while Klaus is in there and Klaus would ignore him except he keeps making comments and looking sad and just UGH and he’s lurking in front of the door and Klaus can’t just walk through him to leave. That’s weird and gross. So eventually, eventually, Klaus snaps at him “Can you please move?”

and he’s tired and he had nightmares last night (he can’t just ask Five to carve the good dream runes into some random lady’s son’s bed) and he just wants to go downstairs okay?? and he’s not thinking about it and the guy looks young and friendly and almost alive and it just slips out

and Fred stands there in shock for a solid second before finally whispering a simple - “You can see me?”

and this is a mistake

Fred tries to convince Klaus so hard to tell George and to pass messages and and and - he’s just so excited! He’s been following George around, watching him wallow in grief and watching his family wallow in grief and he’d thought that ghosts were just. Ghosts. He didn’t realize it was even possible, this invisible existence. He’s been silent for so long

But Klaus is a traumatized eleven year old okay he is Not About Any of This

eventually Fred gets it into his head that he’s freaking the kid out and softens, because Fred’s always been pretty good with kids anyway. He listens when Klaus haltingly explains why no one can know and then kind of hedges, because Fred is really nice, so he makes a deal

He’ll tell George about Fred, but only when he’s 17 and a legal adult in wizarding society with no chance of being sent back into Reginald’s grasp. Fred thinks this is stupid, but he’s waited fourish years already and didn’t expect to have any chance so (and Klaus is very adamant about keeping away from his ex-Dad and Fred knows there’s a reason)

anyway Fred follows Klaus when he goes back to Hogwarts to start second year. Well, kind of. He splits time between the shop/lurking after George and then going to bug Klaus. Klaus is very resistant to this at first, because if the other ghosts realize he can talk to Fred, then they’ll want to talk to him.

Fred fixes it though by basically just going around (because Fred is still legendary and his pranks are to be feared and all the ghosts in Hogwarts uniforms with haunted eyes that fell defending their school know that) and warning them off. He takes requests and messages and passes them to Klaus to write down in a notebook to be distributed when Klaus hits 17 - so Klaus isn’t bothered by any ghosts

besides being bros with Fred is actually a very excellent thing to be because Fred knows everything about the school. He knows all the secret passageways and all the trick steps and trap doors and empty rooms. He mentions missing having a map in passing, but tells Klaus it would have been so much cooler to have an invisible ghost to scout ahead and warn them about professors or anyone coming

Klaus doesn’t keep Fred secret from the others, so the whole family gets to benefit from Fred’s vast knowledge

(Klaus’s written test grades increase, to the bafflement of his professors - it certainly helps having a ghost to help you cheat!

none of the family are above cheating tbh, they are all very wary of the concept of failure in general and are willing to do a lot to avoid becoming acquainted with the consequences of failing)

Klaus probably figures out making ghosts corporeal when he’s hmm. 15? There is. a lot of drama in Klaus’s fifth year and it’s stressful and there is an Incident where Fred going corporeal saves Klaus’s life

(Fred helps out a lot in Klaus’s fifth year, actually, the kids would probably be in serious trouble without him)

anyway this sparks another freak out where Fred says they HAVE to tell George - because this changes everything!! They fight and don’t speak for like two entire weeks before Fred comes back and grudgingly apologizes. After so long hanging around the Hargreeves, he knows very well that they were Super Fucking Abused and are fearful of being returned for Good Reason

so Fred gets to be the one that Klaus practices with and figure out corporeal ghost stuff with

I’m going to say no levitation/telekinesis in this au (pending the results of season two maybe?) but I will say that the first year flying class? Klaus fucking excels. You think about Klaus on a broom and it should be a disaster, but Klaus is the best flyer in Hogwarts, he treats the broom almost as an extension of himself

Slytherin keeps trying to recruit him onto the quidditch team but Klaus always laughs it off saying that he’s not a jock - also his flying skills do not translate into catching/throwing skills thanks. He’s graceful as all fuck but if you try throw him a quaffle or whatever, he will drop it

i feel like it should be noted that with all seven of them, the Hargreeves could form their own quidditch team lmao

But yeah to sum up, Klaus ignores ghosts (his housemates tease him about being scared of ghosts and he laughs them off), he does discover his ability to make ghosts corporeal due to no drugs, no levitation/telekinesis, he can absolutely see ghosts that wizards can’t see (and not every wizard/witch who dies becomes the wizarding version of a ghost), and I have headcanons about Klaus being very good on a broom lmao

#ask me #anonymous #hogwarts au #tua au #tua/hp crossover #the umbrella academy #klaus hargreeves #fred weasley #the weasleys #luther hargreeves #diego hargreeves #ben hargreeves #my usual rambling to get to the point #long post #in tua deep

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troped-fanfic-challenge · 4 years

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Chopped: Holiday Trope Exchange Masterlist

A huge thanks to every person who signed up for our gift exchange, we got 18 really wonderful fics! For anyone who isn’t sure what this was all about, this was a double blind gift exchange where each of our eighteen (18!!!) writers were assigned four tropes from an anonymous recipient, and were tasked with writing a fic that fit our holiday theme, and included all the tropes. The only guidance from their recipient were a couple of brief notes they included during the sign up, and both the writer and recipient were revealed when we shared all the fics! These fics, as with all our Chopped fics, were creative and unique, and found ways to utilise tropes that may seem so simple in really spectacular ways! If this gift exchange, or any of our other Chopped events, have sparked your interest, keep your eyes peeled on this page for some future events we have planned, and sign up to join the fun! In the meantime, we hope you enjoy these wonderful holiday fics!

Love to everyone who participated, Bailey and Sara <3

Let it Snow (And I’ll Get Sentimental) [G] (Memori)

Written by @mylifeiskara, for @hostagetakerandhistraitor. The four assigned tropes were 1) friends made a bet, 2) one character kisses the other and the one who got kissed is shocked still, 3) amnesia AU, 4) ark AU (or any other AU where the story takes place in space).

All John Murphy wants for Christmas is for Emori to remember who he is.

Won’t let you go [G] (Clurphy)

Written by sapphictomaz, for @vmreed. The four assigned tropes were 1) childhood friends-to-lover, 2) grounder au, 3) tattoos, and 4) body painting

There is nothing shared in Clarke and Murphy's lives. They come from opposite clans who have a history of warfare between them. She lives in the jungle, while he calls the mountainside home. She celebrates the holidays by dancing the year away, and he does so by claiming dominance on another year that has passed.

They meet, anyways, and realize that sometimes, you have to make your own traditions.

Contained Constant Chaos [T] (Murven)

Written by @vmreed, for sapphictomaz. The four assigned tropes were 1) Post-Apocalypse AU (different from canon), 2) Found Family, 3)Hurt/Comfort, and 4) "You're an asshole to everybody else, but you're nice to me"

“Please don’t kill me.” He said, stupidly.

She raised an eyebrow, saying nothing, but offering him a box of tampons.

and i’ll die by your side if you want me to [T] (Memori)

Written by @dylanobrienisbatman, for @justbecauseyoubelievesomething. The four assigned tropes were 1) based on a tv show (author chose Timeless), 2) soulmate AU, 3) fake dating, and 4) timeloop/groundhog day AU.

Murphy got tapped to come work for a special project after he was arrested for stealing a military vehicle right off of the base (long story). Turns out the special project... involved time travel... so theres that. About 6 months after he signed on, it all went horribly sideways, and now they were chasing their friends across history, trying to stop them from making a horrible mistake.

Thats how they end up in the middle of World War I France on Christmas day in 1914. Thats how she dies.

And then... somehow... the day begins again. Can he figure out a way to stop The Blake Siblings from wrecking history forever and also save the girl?

This Christmas, You're All That I Want (Just Don't Tell Anyone) [G] (Bellarke)

Written by @bellarkestitchdelena, for @captaindaddykru. The four assigned tropes were 1) Joke kiss turned serious, 2) The main ship must share something (can literally be anything), 3) Two characters giving extremely biased flashbacks to an event, and 4) Secret Relationship.

It all starts trying to prove Murphy wrong

Season’s Grievances [G] (Multi)

Written by @hostagetakerandhistraitor, for @teeandsnowflakes. The four assigned tropes were 1) a terribly loud crash and one of the characters yelling ‘IM OKAY’ from another room, 2) huddle for warmth, 3) found family, and 4) one character is ‘icy’ and slowly defrosts.

Bellamy and Raven have been best friends for over 3 years. They found each other at their low points and bonded to turn each other into better people. But when Bellamy starts dating Raven's ex, Echo, things get icy. This is a story of family, friendship, romance, betrayal, culinary inaptitude, with a slight zest of things I wanted to be canon. Also a Blake family Christmas party.

Kiss Me Babe, It's Christmas Time [M] (Bellarke)

Written by @eyessharpweaponshot, for @shen-gong-oops. The four assigned tropes were 1) One character has a child, 2) Characters are not together but are mistaken for a couple, 3) Terribly loud crash and one character goes ‘oops’ in a casual voice, 4) Two characters giving extremely biased flashbacks of the same event.

How long have you been in love with him? Seven years now?’ ‘Eight’ Clarke corrects him, her voice muffled through her hands as she cups her face. She’s still trying to calm her heart rate down. Murphy simply laughs, his amusement of this clear as day. ‘Don’t know what you’re laughing at. You were in the same boat with Raven’ Clarke reminds him. ‘Not for eight years, I wasn’t.’ Clarke rolls her eyes. She should never have told Murphy. The results of too much wine and being the last ones standing after a night in Grounders a couple of years ago. ‘Look, all I’m saying is it might be worth telling him’ he shrugs, leaning against the broom in his hand. Clarke gives him a pointed look. ‘Nobody is telling Bellamy anything.’

Christmas time, a harbouring secret and a festive get-together. The perfect combination.

where the love light gleams [T] (Murven)

Written by @teeandsnowflakes, for @kuklash. The four assigned tropes were 1) meet cute, 2) first kiss, 3) surprise proposal, 4) pregnancy AU.

Raven hadn't been home for Christmas in four years, but the one year she did, she met Murphy, new in town since she had last been there, and learns a very important lesson about the holidays.

i know you can feel the magic we don't need to talk about it [T] (Bellarke)

Written by @captaindaddykru , for @eyessharpweaponshot. The four assigned tropes were 1) exes, 2) jealousy, 3) protectiveness, 4) modern au.

Christmas eve, Clarke's sort-of-ex shows up at her door in the middle of an awkward family dinner and so she ends up flashing him. Holiday spirit and all.

Dance Your Way Home [T] (Becho)

Written by @justbecauseyoubelievesomething, for @dylanobrienisbatman. The four assigned tropes were 1) historical AU (1920′s or earlier), 2) almost kiss/interrupted kiss, 3) holiday party, and 4) sunrises.

“We need to get you home. You’re freezing.”

Home. She has no home.

Everyone Telling You Be of Good Cheer [G] (Clurphy)

Written by @kinetic-elaboration, for @hopskipaway. The four assigned tropes were 1) amnesia, 2) found family, 3) oblivious pining, and 4) and mistletoe kiss.

“Merry Christmas, by the way,” Clarke adds, which settles that.

“You too. Merry Christmas.” He takes down Bellamy’s NYU mug without thinking, tries to shake the feeling that he’s no more than an extra in Clarke’s amnesiac version of Groundhog’s Day. That this is, somehow, normal. That he is not wondering, the thought like an invasive little jingle in his ear, what she thinks yesterday was.

The day after Murphy, Clarke, Bellamy, and Raven return from disappointing family Christmases, Clarke wishes that they could have spent the holiday together instead. A fall down the stairs, a bout of amnesia—and suddenly it’s Christmas again. And again. And again. Reliving the day puts even Murphy into the holiday spirit, and helps him learn to open his heart to his friends, and to the possibility of love.

3 Times Murphy Lost a Fight, and 1 Time He Didn't [M] (Clurphy)

Written by @kuklash, for @mylifeiskara. The four assigned tropes were 1) 3+1, 2) Oblivious Pining, 3) Work Party, and 4) First Kiss.

Dec. 20th, 2003

"This party is gonna fucking suck, Clarke."

"Of course it’s gonna suck, Murphy, but if you want this job you have to schmooze," the blonde said with an eye roll. "The best place to schmooze is the company Christmas party."

A Little Brighter [G] (Bellarke)

Written by @shen-gong-oops, for @bellarkestitchdelena. The four assigned tropes were 1) Rivals to Lovers, 2) Arranged Marriage AU, 3) Pregnancy, and 4) Sunsets.

Taking a deep breath, he turned towards Clarke. "If I were to take up your father's offer for knighthood, please know, I do not wish to be the knight to the princess of all Arkadia."

Or: Bellamy takes a really long time to realize he's being a hypocrite.

when i’m feelin' alone (you remind me of home) [G] (Clurphy)

Written by @hopskipaway, for @probably-voldemort. The four assigned tropes were 1) royalty au, 2) marriage pact, 3) clumsy character, and 4) roommates.

Within the walls of the palace, Princess Clarke of Arkadia lives a quiet and lonesome life.

That is, until John Murphy waltzes into her life and changes it forever. She’s not complaining.

sweet dreams of holly and ribbon, mistakes are forgiven, and everythin' is icy and blue, and you would be there too

make my wish come true [T] (Murven)

Written by @probably-voldemort, for @kinetic-elaboration. The four assigned tropes were 1) almost kiss / interrupted kiss, 2) holiday movie (as in being in a holiday movie), 3) friends with benefits, and 4) band au.

It's been ten years since the Delinquents went off air, so clearly it's time for a reunion in the form of a Christmas special. Yeah, it sounded like bullshit to Murphy, too, but he hadn't seen the crew since Raven's wedding a few years back, and he'd managed to convince Kane that his character should have a dog, so there was no way it could be all bad.

Right?

Last Christmas [NR] (Bellarke)

Written by @bellarkeshoe, for @hiddenpolkadots. The four assigned tropes were 1) Exes, 2) Fake dating, 3) Kiss under the mistletoe, and 4) Modern Au.

Bellamy Blake never thought he would see Clarke Griffin again in his life. At least, not after the way things ended. He wished that things had gone differently because well, he cared about her. He loved her and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He never even really got the chance to tell her that.

Everything happened so fast. One moment he is as happy as he can be, enjoying his life as a professor with an amazing girlfriend, and just like that, his world came crumbling down and over one huge misunderstanding.

But when they ended it, they both said some things they didn’t mean, or well he hoped she didn’t mean what she had said, he knows he didn’t.

But that is all in the past now, he can never forget about her, he still thinks about her everyday, but there is nothing he can really do about it. Clarke hates him for some reason and he doesn’t know if he’s totally over the fact that she ended things.

He is sure she had a good reason to. I mean at least that’s what he hopes. If the love they felt for each other was genuine and real than she should have had a very good reason to end things, right?

your eyes outshine the town, they do [T] (Bellarke)

Written by @hiddenpolkadots, for @thelittlefanpire. The four assigned tropes were 1) magic au, 2) competing businesses, 3) secret relationship, and 4) kiss in the snow.

“I’m going to make you enjoy Christmas,” she tells him, her confidence in herself almost overwhelming. “I can’t do anything about the weather but I’m pretty sure I can handle the rest. By the time the season is over you’re going to love Christmas.”

“I highly doubt that,” he says, staring at her hard. “I may just tolerate it at best.”

“I’ll take it,” she says, “Bellamy Blake, prepare to have the best Christmas of your life.

or, sometimes christmas is you and your rival falling into a snowbank together.

Taste of Arkadia [G] (Bellarke)

Written by @thelittlefanpire, for @bellarkeshoe. The four assigned tropes were 1) Rivals to Lovers, 2) Character A catches Character B crying, 3) Modern AU, and 4) Competing businesses (author’s choice).

Before Christmas, the Chancellor of Arkadia charges his son with the task of repurposing the city’s warehouse district into a cool, hip hub for commerce and camaraderie.

At its opening, an impromptu competition among the many businesses in the area begin for the best spot in the ARK.

Take a read! Leave a kudos/comment! These fics are so unique and fun and the authors worked so hard on them. Thanks so much!

#chopped: holiday gift exchange #chopped: holiday trope exchange #chte2019 #bellarke #becho #memori #clurphy #murven #linctavia #masterlist

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