#Negroni Delivery | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

kquil · 2 months

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REMUS LUPIN | 13:53 — ONE NEGRONI

SUM : to help pay the bills and your tuition fee, you get a new job at an elite club where the tips are incredibly generous. you’ve met a majority of the clientele already but they don’t match the stranger who ordered a simple negroni

TAGS. : mafia au ; modern au ; muggle au ; mobster remus ; mafia boss remus ; bartender reader ; reader is a hard working sweetheart that must be protected! ; catching remus’ eye ; remus lowkey wishes he can be the one to do the protecting ; and maybe more ; for now, he’s a low key stalker ; but sexy… ; stalking is bad, don’t do it! ; this is just fiction! ; but hey! remus owns an elite club! wooooo! ; i don’t know how to feel about my interpretation of the marauders as mafia men/mobsters ; it’s growing on me… ; also, im casting peter pettigrew as Dane DeHan in this!

LENGTH : 1.5k

It wasn’t as if you were new to the job; you had previously worked some years as a bar tender for a pretty well-established club, it paid well and managed to help pay for your rent and utility bills for most of your higher education years. However, all the built up stress and sleepless nights finally caught up to you. And you found yourself repeating a year, meaning that you needed to pay for your own tuition this year atop all the other monthly bills and necessities you keep up with. Perhaps it was the universe telling you that you needed to stop and change the direction of your life — you needed to choose an easier path, a doable path. But you were stubborn and also quite the optimist. So you kept at it, determined to finish what you started and earn your degree.

Yes, it was a let down but you were still breathing. Life just gets hard sometimes.

Thankfully, your past experience and phenomenal recommendation letter from your previous manager earned you another bar tending job at a very elite club, where tips were more than generous, considering the clientele composed primarily of the privileged class, some with multiple businesses under their belts, some who were phenomenal investors and some living off their parents’ money. You didn’t care to look too much into it, you were there to work and you were going to work hard and honestly.

The patrons surprisingly had very similar tastes and so, you fond yourself making the same types of drinks repeatedly. It made the job a lot easier and you were able to focus more on your delivery and interaction with customers, leading to more tips. Times were rough after having to accept defeat with your studies and repeating a year with your own funding but things were looking up. If you keep at it, you’ll make it out alive.

Your only complaint was the dress code. Make up was advised with a bold red lip but must be kept simple. You felt like a showgirl of some kind, squeezed into a high collar, white dress that came down to your mid thigh and with a low-cut, open back. The sleeves aren’t as long as you would like but, at least, you were permitted to use black kitten heel court shoe pumps as opposed to stilettos — your only saving grace, along with the higher salary and generous tips.

“Looks like we have a newbie working the bar,” Sirius points out, drawing all attention to your lively figure as you served drinks with a sweet smile and airy voice. A hum of curiosity vibrates through Remus’ chest and up to his lips at the sight of you, “certainly easy on the eyes, huh?” the tattooed, right-hand comments again as he looks towards the head of the table where Remus holds up his glass of Negroni.

“Very… innocent— a sweet, pretty, little thing,” James comments on Remus’ other side, which Peter grunts at in agreement as he takes a sip of his whiskey-sour.

“Looks like she doesn’t belong,” Peter nods before smirking and letting out a light laugh. The domino effect had James and Sirius laughing too as Remus smirks behind his glass before proceeding to down the rest of his drink.

“Exactly your type, eh? Moony?”

Sirius’ teasing comment is ignored. Instead, Remus calls for there server and orders another drink with an additional request that only confirms his smirking friend’s disregarded statement, “Have the new bartender personally deliver my drink for me as well,”

There was no higher authority that could dismiss the club owner’s personal request.

It was a strange request but you steeled your nerves and asked your fellow bartender to minister your unattended station while you made quick work on the order. It wasn’t unusual to receive requests like this from an isolated table that had privacy curtains for convenience. However, it was usually for drinks that you could make a show out of like a Holy Water cocktail, a Phoenix cocktail and even a Dragon’s Blood cocktail — a performance that you liked partaking in for the flammable aspect. But this was a Negroni. A cocktail of equal parts gin, saccharine vermouth and bitter Italian Campari. It’s a very egalitarian drink that was enjoyed by everyone, men and women alike, simple but elegant and definitely didn’t require a performance. Despite the odd summons, you were eager to fulfil your curiosity for who the client may be.

With a professional smile, you place refined mix in the middle of your circular tray with it’s classic orange garnish and set off to the table. The standby server, who made the order, saw your approach and quickly announced your arrival through the small front opening, momentarily disappearing into the shadow of the curtains. He reappears a moment later and pulls the heavy drapes fully apart, to reveal the guests from beneath the, once, opaque shadows.

To say that you were stunned was an understatement.

It was pure luck that you didn’t stutter in your stride and spill the cocktail prematurely. At the table was seated four men, all dressed in suits and ties that were in various states of disorder. Among their collection of suits, you could spot Armani and Tom Ford, however, you were sure that their unconventional styles were not the way those suits were intended to be worn.

One man with long, midnight-black hair and paper-pale skin had an array of mismatching tattoos littering both arms, revealed to you by his lack of a suit jacket and rolled-up sleeves. Another wore cute circular glasses and a cheeky grin with a suit jacket but no button up shirt and his chiseled upper body on full display. The last was a dirty blonde with piercing eyes and a deceivingly boyish smile. He had his ankle propped up on his opposite knee and several buttons undone where a tie should have been fastened over, his sleeves also rolled up as his suit jacket lay beside him.

It was the man at the head of the table, however, who stole your attention. If you had to guess who ordered such a simple but elegant drink, it would have to be him. He had his suit jacket draped over his broad shoulders and also had several of his top buttons undone, revealing some faded scars marked across his toned chest. His neat brunette hair and kind brown eyes gave him a deceivingly gentle appearance but his close company revealed a duplicity that caught and tensed your nerves.

You ignored the creeping goosebumps that prickled your skin, down from your toes all the way up to your ears.

Just do your job…

“Gentlemen,” you addressed kindly with a slight tilt of your head, which they acknowledged with their own hums of acknowledgement, their eyes lighting up in subtle surprise at your actions, “I have an order for a Negroni,” you raise your tray with the drink and scan the four for some indication as to who the order belonged to.

“That would be for me,” just as you suspected, it was the brunette with the kindest eyes but also the most ominous air. His voice is a deep and smooth lullaby, patient with it’s seduction on your senses. It was a trap that you resisted but are so hopelessly tempted to fall into, “Thank you, sweetheart,” he meets your eyes as you lower the drink into his large, outstretched hand. You notice how his knuckles and fingers are littered with scars also, some fresh, some faded with time and some hidden behind luxurious rings. Nevertheless…

He’s beautiful

She’s precious

“Not a problem,” you reassure with a soft voice, “have a good evening,” with your circular tray pressed against your side, you offer him an innocent smile and dismiss the butterflies in your stomach urging you to linger, “gentlemen,” you acknowledge the remaining three once more before offering another sweet smile. Turning on your heel, you leave the group and ignore the stares drilling holes into the back of your head.

She doesn’t know…

Once you were out of earshot, Remus turns to his closest friends and most trusted colleagues. They all share a look, one that conveys a unanimous thought. It isn’t long before their agreement manifests into knowing smiles and a ring of laughter shared between them.

“Don’t get greedy now, Moony,” Peter chimes in as Sirius throws his head back with a barking laugh.

“That’s not gonna stop him Wormtail, you know that; she’s a rare one,”

“So what’s the plan, bossman?” James asks with a raised brow as he brings his drink up to his lips.

Remus doesn’t answer right away, he simply requests that the curtain remain open so he can fix his fond gaze on you for the remainder of the evening. The group already knew what to do and sat at the edge of their seats, awaiting orders eagerly despite their slack shoulders and composed expressions. Only they were able to observe the shift in the air between them; it became charged as soon as you entered their circle and slowly started accelerating, parallel to the climbing affection in Remus’ eyes as he watches you smile at customers while making their drinks.

He takes a singular sip of his Negroni, bitterly sweet with a citrus edge.

Heaven in a glass. And made by an angel.

“I want a background check and profile put together immediately,” Remus finally orders, “I want to know everything there is to know about her,”

A/N : i downloaded some fics and read some over the holidays and there some mafia/mobster aus and i couldn’t help but picture remus as a mob boss, i’m sure im not the only one to ever imagine this but goddamn! why is it so easy to imagine sweet, gentle, responsible remus like that?!

NAVI.

TAGLIST : @melinajenkins @aastonishment @until-i-found-you @corp0real @celestcies @lovelydoveval @inlovewithremusjohnlupin @calums-betch @futurecorps3 @hihihi1112 @simpingforthe80s @yrluvjane @chaosofmanyfandoms @storyofaromance @loving-and-dreaming @somewereinthegalaxi @ashreblogsficshere @cassandra-nerezza-black @stray-bi-kids @ttkttt @notasadgirlipromise @desikudisworld @volturissideslut @arilxup88 @rosalyn-s

#remus lupin #☽ : timestamp #remus lupin x reader #remus lupin fic #remus x reader #remus lupin x you #remus lupin imagine #remus lupin fluff #remus lupin fanfiction #the marauders #marauders #remus lupin mafia boss au #mafia au #mobster au

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robespapier · 11 months

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I've watched the Robespierre part in Le serin du major (1982) and I need you all to see Jean-Paul Farré as Robespierre because he is GREAT, it makes me sad he wasn't cast in a bigger/more interesting movie as Robespierre (I do have to find Joséphine ou la comédie des ambitions, where he also plays Robespierre).

He's a short, physically unimpressive man but his first seconds on screen, when he won't talk or look at the man talking to him and just stares at the birds, are very unerving.

He's friendly but also aloof and sharp?

HIS VOICE, oh my supreme being, his voice is perfect given what we know of Robespierre's? It's high-pitched and slightly grating, but it grows on you in the few minutes he's on screen? His delivery is also interesting, fast-paced but very careful and deliberate.

The way he can't stop playing with the birds or looking at them? (but he should be gentler about it, especially with the cage's door)

His face shape and green-brown eyes also work very well?

This movie (set in 1786 in Metz) is very much pre-Revolution in spirit and they choose to include Robespierre and present him in a positive light? This is so good.

Also I'm convinced he's wearing Negroni's coat from La Terreur et la Vertu (1964) and also possibly his black hair/wig band? In any case his outfit is very Negroni-inspired.

The "major" breaking the fourth wall at the beginning and telling us "it's Monsieur de Robespierre!!" is very cute and funny.

#le serin du major (1982)#jean-paul farré #robespierre #reposting cause it wasn't showing in the tags on or on my dash I hope this time it works #maybe it's the lenght of the video 😭??

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thecameronchronicles · 1 year

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Quality Over Quantity

TW: angst. Smut. Fluff.

SUMMARY: Your relationship with Trevor is strained from a lack of quality time. He makes it up to you just as you find your own way to do the same…

Word Count: 2600

REQUESTED:

@beautifulvoidwinner asked

HI! Over the few days I've fell in love with your work. I was wondering if I could put in a request for a fanfic of trevor from hellraiser, maybe a fluff and smut?

So Basically Y/n and Trevor haven't been spending a lot of time together because he's been getting a lot of shady jobs causing him to not have a lot of time for you so 1 night after work he decides to go vist Y/n at work (she's a bartender) and they start quietly fighting about how much he's neglected her, after her shift they both go home and have sex (so that he can show how much he loves her) then they apologize for everything that was said (while they were fighting), after all that they cuddle and watch a movie maybe???

IM SO BAD AT EXPLAINING IM SORRY

- Your newest fan

*FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU! I LOVE WRITING FOR TREVOR! AND YOUR WORDS ARE SO BEYOND SWEET. THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT AND WAITING UNTIL MARCH ❤️ HOPE YOU ENJOY!*

Quality Over Quantity

You should have been used to his absence by now, and yet it set you in a bad mood for the duration of any day you couldn't wake up in his arms. Which had become more and more frequent. A set of schedules never quite in tune as they once may have been as you were left making up for the role he now failed to continue. Such thoughts continued through your mind as you made the bed, craving the specific way the sheets were left in disarray into the way you clawed at them from the multitude of sensations that made up for the time apart. But now it only seemed to be a bittersweet reminder of passions left to simmer. If only you were able to feel the same attention from your boyfriend as the patrons at the bar, you wouldn't have crossed the threshold with that same scowl.

"Still nothing?" Your colleague and closest friend asked as she finished off a martini for an elderly woman and you crafted a Negroni for a collegiate male trying to impress some girl with his drink of choice.

"You know, playing hard to get has yet to fail."

"I don't have to. He's never home…" You sighed with your hand set on your hip as you stood in wait for another customer.

"Maybe motivate him a bit?" A decorative cocktail sword was positioned at the already unlatched button of your uniform top.

"Slip away to the bathroom and send him a few photos? Bet he'd come home pretty quick…"

"I can't…He is just trying to help make bills. I just wish he didn't have to have such weird hours…weird jobs, too…" She nodded.

"Well I miss when you smiled. So do what you have to do and just let me know if I need to cover ya."

A series of smirks and orders broke up your conversation until you became swamped with the happy hour crowd. Those coming in after dinner or with significant others had been the reason you didn't need to follow in Trevor's steps. The tips were well worth the misogynistic comments and sexualized glances. Even those bold enough to hit on you despite the fact you offered only the necessary smirk to warrant a compliment in the form of a few singles.

"How much?"

"Still not enough for my yacht." You teased.

"Maybe enough for your break to be spent with me?" A familiar voice drew your eyes upwards as you found his tired gaze looking at you with relief.

"Trevor…"

"Do you-" You turned to your friend, her arms already pushing you out from behind the bar before you could finish your question.

"Take care of our girl." She hinted to Trevor, who offered a grin of discomfort before you pulled him to the booth in the far corner.

"I only have a few minutes before I have to get ready for the delivery for later but-" You let out a sigh, retracting your hands as he'd taken hold of them over the surface of the table. Arms crossed at your chest, eyes focusing on the stain of this specific table, he moved closer towards you.

"I promise it won't always be like this…"

"You said that last time. Months ago…"

"I'm trying…" He expressed a self-deprecating exhale.

"I hate waking up alone. I hate seeing you only to say goodbye…Do you even remember how long it's been since we…"

"I know. Believe me, I know…But I also can't let everything fall on you."

"So it's your pride…Trevor if it means we get to see each other, just let me-"

"No. I'm supposed to take care of you, feminism and masculinity aside, I want to."

"Then be home…I miss you…"

"I have to go…" He explained as his phone buzzed, an alarm set to remind him of the need to be punctual.

"Soon baby…I promise." You allowed the swift peck on your lips but kept still as he produced it. His own frustration would be felt but ignored by you both until he left. As you returned behind the bar, you threw yourself into the remainder of the shift. Wishing everyone a safe night, you moved back to the direction of your apartment at the end of the block, climbing the stairs and struggling to open the door with your frustration. All because you knew what awaited you on the other side of that door.

Another night of entertaining yourself with some rerun played only for background noise as you ate a meal heated up for the third night in a row, finishing with a lukewarm shower and fighting tears as you fell asleep. At least this was how the other nights had gone.

The second the door came open, you saw candles lining every surface. The cheap kind with a sentiment meaning as much as the most expensive of wax illuminating the scene.

"It isn't homemade or anything, but it's the effort that counts, right?" He asked while pulling the takeout containers from the restaurant he'd taken you on your first date.

"They didn't have those sauce packets you like, so I went to the store and got two that if you mix together should come close…oh, and I'll do the dishes, consider it-" His list was enough of an aphrodisiac against your former frustrations. Pulling him down into you, you fisted the fabric of his oversized shirt until you felt him understand your desperations.

"You're not hungry?"

"Not for that." You explained as he smirked, taking over the lead as he began at your shirt. A gentle touch to your skin beneath rivaled the best behind your eager grip to leave him bare for you. Even if you knew his body well, rode against his muscles in thrusts as both receiver and instigator, you craved it more now than ever. Having felt prohibited to touch him until now.

"Wait, don't you have a job in-" You paused as your eyes came to the clock behind him on the stove. The very one that had only ever been used once since you moved in with him.

"Only one job I need to focus on…" He explained as he teased your hand against his swollen seam. You bit your bottom lip.

"Tonight's about you, baby…Making up for so many nights alone."

"That is quite a feat, Trevor. So many nights alone…" He smirked.

"Better get started then." You were lifted around him and into the bedroom, tossed rather abruptly on the bed before he stood between your legs.

"Did you know this when you went to see me earlier?" He paused.

"I moved some things around. Prioritized…" You grinned. "So you're mine tonight."

"I'm yours every night." You explained as he pulled your pants clean from your legs, exposing the plumb lace left beneath.

"Yeah? Well then I've been missing out…" You watched him as he kissed along your thigh as your leg bent in unrest. A sweet string of kisses towards your sex already had your eyes in a roll and your back in an arch as he continued to your center.

"Trevor…"

"Just feel me, baby…" His low tone added decadent sensuality just before the volt of pleasure as he began slowly between your folds. His tongue was the artist to your blank canvas below, the intention to cover you to drip for him, a masterpiece possible by his tongue alone. Your fingers ran through the short buzz of his hair, desperate to pull at the absent strands that found accomodations in the sheets at your side. But with each rise of your hips to deepen his tongue or motion for more, he would only slow.

"I have a lot of nights to make up for…"

"I need more…" To that, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before resting back over you. Palms to the bed for only a moment as he kissed you sweetly enough to forget of anything but his tongue grazing your bottom lip.

"Don't need this…" He spoke to himself as he dismantled his belt and you crossed your arms over your torso in order to remove your shirt. It took only a second before you were left in only your lingerie.

"If I thought this was happening, I would have worn something that matched…"

"What do you mean?" He asked as he kissed your breasts. "It's my favorite pair…" Your eyes narrowed. The old bra with the worn clasp was definitely not among your favorites so you questioned how it could be his.

"Any pair I can make wet are my favorite." You blushed, unaware how you missed such dirty words until now. Even such promiscuous words he somehow made so sweet.

"But my absolute favorite are the ones on our floor…" He grinned, pulling down the center of your bra until your nipples were exposed.

"This still feel as good as before?" He asked, taking one nipple behind his teeth, sucking it slowly as his tongue moved over the hard mound. All while his hand accommodate the other side. When you didn't respond in anything but a pair of parted lips and unsteady breathing, he mirrors his motions now to the other side.

"That good, baby?"

"Please, Trevor."

"You don't have to beg…Just show me what you want…" You rose your hips against his lower abdomen.

"You wanna be on top?" You nodded.

"Anyway…." You confessed as his smirk widened.

"Dealer's choice? That's unfortunate for you, baby…" He kissed you sweetly, onto to set you onto your stomach.

"It's gonna be a long night…" But where you expected to feel a quick and rough penetration from limiting patience, you found him to pull you to the very edge of the bed. His tongue returned to you, only now, from this new angle.

"Trevor…TREVOR!" You called out to him in repetition born from desperation and need.

"Fuck, you're already close for me, aren't you?" You whimpered, facing him and finding only his eyes just peeking from over your ass. His fingers gripped into the sheets having existed as further evidence of his affect on you.

"Fuck me. Trevor…I can't take it…"

"Not yet, baby…"

"Please…" You winced before he stood upwards, a swift slap to your ass before that same hand climbed along your curves and to your cheek. The rest only came when he took your hair.

"I missed how you look at me…On your knees." You were quick to take the hint, crawling into position as he moaned to the feeling of only your breath on his naked cock.

"It's been a little bit. But I know you remember just how I-" His breath hitched as you took him slowly at first. Savoring his taste and the automatic precum from the initial connection, you took him in depth as your name became the motivation to bypass the discomfort of his length.

"Baby…fuck…"

Your hand came in a wrap at his base, twisting to his tip as your tongue broke from his shaft and to the sensitive and heavy spheres beneath. You took your time seducing him, his inability to speak acting as proof of your success.

"Now." Was all he could muster as he pulled you back up to him. A deep and tender kiss rivaling the selfish need to claim you at this instant, even through your tears and rasps left behind from your endeavors.

"Trevor…" You moaned as he pinned you beneath him with his weight. His dominant hand pulling both above your head.

"Don't hold back on me…I want to hear just how much you've missed this…" He explained just before that initial thrusts. The body already failing beneath you as he hid his groan into your chest. Once that first sensation set the stage for the growing pace, be refocused on your body.

"Fuck, you feel so good…" He groaned with your breast taken by both his hand and his mouth as you writhed against him.

"Harder!" You pleaded as he obliged.

"That good baby?"

"Kiss me…" He consented once more. Only now, feeling your desperate breaths behind his lips.

"Oh my God!"

"Not yet…"

"I can't wait…"

"Baby…with me…" He slowed before lifting you around him, your body set in a new position of a straddle as you reclaimed dominance as he served as an outlet beneath you. Nails tracing down your shoulders and to your hips until he kept you in place to offer. A break to the ache forming in your thighs.

"Baby-" Trevor warned as he pulled you even tighter into him, his cheek at a rest against your breasts.

"Ah…Ahhh!!" A pornagraphic moan left your throat as he took you into your back one final time, ending the final thrusts just as he'd become. Slow and steady. The flex of his cock to release himself would prompt the beginning of overstimulation for you as he lowered between your breasts again.

"Trevor…"

"Keep coming baby…" Two fingers back inside of you, pushing his cum in place for further lubrication, and a second release was already in the near distance. Your hands wrapped around his determined hand as he quickened with each thrust.

"I fucking love hearing how wet you are…"

"Ah!Mmmhmm! It's too much-"

"Shhh…" He bowed over you. "Just a bit more for me, baby…" Your eyes rolled as he kissed your lips, enough to feel you tremble and ultimately unbuckle for him again. This time, spurt after spurt as you soaked his arm and torso.

"Shit…"

"I told you it was too much…" You defended yourself.

"Wrong…That's just enough…" His eyes darkened before he pulled you to the edge of the bed.

"Trevor…I need a minute…"

"I know, baby…let's get you cleaned up…we both need it now…" You smiled and followed him the best you could with trembling thighs as he brought you into the shower before him. A tender exchange more sensual than erotic and you were cleaned off with the softest of intentions before you faced him in the mirror.

"I love you, baby. I'm sorry I haven't been around…but I promise that I want to be…and I'll try to…"

"And I promise to make it worth it…" You teased on the tips of your toes, ghosting over his lips. His cock swelling beneath the towel.

"Oh, I'm not done with you tonight. But I still need a minute to recover from before. You always drain me, baby."

You chuckled as he pulled you to the couch.

"So what are we watching?" He cocked his jaw, pulling up a DVD from the rental place on his way home. The food from earlier reheated and set on your lap for consumption.

"Some old movie…Hellraiser…ever heard of it?"

TAGLIST: @hopebaker @drewspisces @penny4yourthoughts @magnificantmermaid @pickingviolets @lovedetlost @trikigirl271 @maybankslover @slut4tangerine @slvtherinseeker @obxiskewl @bluesongbird @slut-era @ailee-celeste @camilynn @sweetestdesire @onmykneesforrafe @jjmaybanksangel @phildunphyisadilf @mashdan0916

MASTERLIST

TREVOR MASTERLIST

MARCH MADNESS MASTERLIST

#drew starkey #trevor #hellraiser trevor #trevor hellraiser #hellraisertrevor #hellraiser 2022 #hellraiser

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itstheinternetofthings · 1 year

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My friend works at a bar in the west village that is known for first dates. I went to visit her tonight, as I sometimes do when it is slow on a Monday/Tuesday, and soon the place was full of explicit early dates, hinge drinks, or meetups with an old friend above which there has always hovered a question mark.

While it is slow she reads pieces of my astrological chart. Leonine in my relationships and angry about my childhood. Yes, I say. Bingo.

We order sushi for delivery; she chopsticks a piece or two in between mixing Negronis. Privately i wonder why Negronis are so popular, being, as they are, nasty.

I complement a man on his vintage corduroy pants, and then immediately worry it sounds like I’m hitting on him, especially when he looks up at me with intense dark eyes and says “they are early 20th century French work pants." I am relieved, later, when a dough-faced woman in a sharp white puffer arrives and greets him for their First Date.

(An observation that here in New York there are of course the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen in real life, but there are also mostly a lot of regular looking women like me who get by on wit, confidence, force, and cool clothing.)

The bar is small and dark and intimate. Counters of porous stone, mirrors behind the artisanal spirits, soft shadows and candlelight. Romantic and anonymous. I think if I were dating I would meet someone there for the first time. I remember the humiliation and delight of first dates, the rage of the heterosexual power imbalance, running into the thick and sticky wall of my own self-loathing. Fucking to prove my superiority, wearing the mask of my bright girlhood. Quenching the thirst of my abnegation bent over the bed, white knuckling the bedsheets. Sex for power rather than pleasure, sex to affirm that I was trash - both. Even the nicest guys on first dates reflected back to me my ugliness.

My friend tells me about her threesome last night, how it was boring until someone brought coke, and how the young person they were fucking was so young -25 - how could they not be submissive. They let us fist them, she said. We dommed them all night.

After two hours or so I leave, take the long way back to the train through the icy sleepy streets of the village, wrapped in my lime shearling coat. Looking into living rooms, listening to hot chip, freezing. Stopping in the Japanese grocery for daifuku mochi, and thinking that this was the antidote, the necessary dose- a long walk in inclement weather, an empty Tuesday night in a neighborhood with winding streets and new faces, and to once more become a solitary and social ravenous creature, alive and shivering.

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fiction-quotes · 2 years

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Slowly, dawn was breaking. Streaks of colour – peach bellinis, orange martinis, strawberry margaritas, frozen negronis – streamed above the horizon, east to west. Within a matter of seconds, calls to prayer from the surrounding mosques reverberated around her, none of the synchronized. Far in the distance, the Bosphorus, waking from its turquoise sleep, yawned with force. A fishing boat headed back to port, its engine coughing smoke. A heavy swell rolled lanquidly towards the waterfront. The area had once been graced with olive groves and fig orchards, all of which were bulldozed to make way for more buildings and car parks. Somewhere in the semi-darkness a dog was barking, more out of a sense of duty than excitement. Nearby a bird chirped, bold and loud, and another one trilled in return, though not as jovially. A dawn chorus. Leila could now hear a delivery truck rumble on the pockmarked road, hitting one pothole after another. Soon the hum of early morning traffic would become deafening. Life at full blast.

— 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World (Elif Shafak)

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liquoroo · 1 year

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8 Delicious Alcoholic Drinks To Try This Summer In Sydney

If you’re looking to make the most of the summer, then indulging in some delicious alcohol delivery Sydney is a must. With its amazing pubs, bars and restaurants, Sydney's hospitality industry will not disappoint. From classic cocktails to craft beer and ciders, this city has something for every taste.

This summer, the options for delicious alcoholic drinks in Sydney are endless. From trendy craft beers to classic cocktails, there is something to please even the most discerning palate.

Here is a list of the best alcoholic drinks to try this summer in Sydney.

The Manhattan

This classic American whiskey-based cocktail has been around since the late 19th century and remains a popular option in bars and restaurants across Sydney. The drink is made with rye or bourbon whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, garnished with a cherry or an orange peel, then stirred and served over ice. The Manhattan's alluring combination of sweet and strong flavors makes it a truly unique and delightful experience.

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz has become a beloved Italian classic in recent years. This bright orange-hued beverage features Aperol liqueur which is made from rhubarb, gentian root, cinchona bark, marmalade oranges and other herbs, combined with Prosecco sparkling wine, soda water and served over ice with an orange slice on top as garnish. Aperol Spritz may be less potent than some other cocktails but its bright flavor is sure to please anyone looking for a refreshing treat this summer season.

Old Fashioned

An Old Fashioned is another classic drink that dates back to the 1880s when it was said to have originated at Louisville’s Pendennis Club in Kentucky. This whiskey-based drink consists of sugar cubes and Angostura bitters mixed together in a glass before adding rye or bourbon whiskey along with one large cube of ice. It's topped off by garnishing with an orange peel before serving up this delightfully balanced libation that packs quite the punch!

Negroni

First crafted in 1919 by Count Camillo Negroni at Caffè Casoni in Florence Italy, this gin-based cocktail has gained immense popularity worldwide over the last several decades due to its rich flavor profile that combines sweet vermouth and Campari liqueur with gin as its base spirit - all stirred together then topped off with an orange twist for garnish before being served neat or on the rocks for extra chillness on those hot summer days!

Sangria

Nothing says summertime like Sangria! This traditional fruit punch consists of red or white wine combined with citrus juices such as lemonade or limeade along with fresh fruits like apples or oranges before being poured into pitchers over plenty of ice cubes for chilling purposes – perfect for sipping on while enjoying some sun outback during these upcoming balmy days!

Mojito

A mojito is a Cuban highball cocktail often associated with Havana’s nightlife culture – it contains white rum (or silver rum), simple syrup (or sugar), lime juice, mint leaves muddled together (by crushing them slightly) before being topped off with soda water then served over crushed ice for added refreshment! Truly one of nature’s finest creations!

Michelada

Probably one of Mexico’s most famous concoctions – Micheladas are beer-based drinks usually prepared by combining light lagers such as Corona Extra or Modelo Especial along other ingredients like lime juice, Worcestershire sauce (or Maggi) plus some chili powder sprinkled over the top for extra spice - it’s then served cold inside chilled glasses rimmed by salt – ideal for those looking for more intense flavors this season!

Fruit Beer

Craft beer has taken Sydney by storm recently thanks to many innovative brewers setting up shop in our city – so why not indulge yourself into trying out some fruity brews? You can find kegs overflowing with tropical tastes such as pineapple IPA's (India Pale Ale), passionfruit saisons (Farmhouse ales) plus apricot wheat beers among many others available on tap this summertime at your favorite pubs or breweries around town!

To ensure you get all these delicious drinks just right when making them yourself at home don't forget about quality ingredients & proper techniques required for each recipe - else you might end up ruining everything instead of having fun times ahead drinking great beverages made from scratch all throughout this beautiful Sydney summer season we've been blessed once again here Down Under.

#alcoholdeliverySydney

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essential-utensil-albury · 1 year

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iKegger Godfather Ingredients: 450ml Scotch 450ml Amaretto 100ml Water Ice Equipment: 2L iKegger Mini Keg with CO2 Tap System CO2 Bulbs Glasses to serve 1 Chill all ingredients and mini keg before making the batch cocktail. 2 Combine all ingredients in quantities listed above multiplied to fill your mini keg. 3 Gently shake to mix ingredients. 4 Attach spear with tap and CO2 Gas. 6 Set psi to 1 or 2 to pour, and not carbonate. 7 Enjoy with company. Kegging Cocktails Basics When making kegs of cocktails you will need a gas to push the liquid out through the tap. Different gases and taps have different effects. We use CO2 at 10 psi for cocktails with carbonated components eg soda water or prosecco, to maintain the carbonation. For flat cocktails like a negroni we use CO2 at a very low pressure (1-2psi) to push the liquid without adding carbonation or foam For shaken non carbonated cocktails like an espresso martini we use nitrogen (N2 or N2O) to push the liquid at high pressure through a stout tap (one with small holes the liquid is forced through) to replicate the froth you get from shaking. Ensure all ingredients are chilled before putting into the keg or allow sufficient time for them to afterwards before serving. All recipes make approx 1 litre, multiply for larger kegs / jugs. Water is to replace melted ice in shaken and stirred cocktails OPEN 7 DAYS! The Essential Utensil Albury - ‘Where the Cook becomes the MasterChef’ 🔪 428 Swift Street - Albury Delivery Available Australia Wide! 🚚 www.essentialutensil.com.au Same Day Dispatch! Free Freight on any online purchase over $150.00! (Conditions and Exclusions Apply) If you require your order to be delivered, please call us on 0260218455 to discuss / order. (Delivery Charges Apply) #essentialutensilalbury #eualbury #cooking #thisistheborder #chefsupplies #Hospitalitysupplies #cakedecorating #food #cateringsupplies #albury #wodonga #alburywodonga #commercialequipment #knives #cutlery #coffeecups #foodie #hospitality #tafe #cocktails #kitchenware #glassware #homewares #cafe #alburycbd #thegodfather #keggingcocktails #ikegger (at The Essential Utensil Albury) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cof4qLcSPFg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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mitchamsocialuser · 2 years

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What Makes a Good Pizza Restaurant Near Me?

If you’re searching for a great pizza restaurant near me, you’ve probably already heard about some of the top restaurants. Paulie Gee’s, Bar Camillo’s, Koronet’s, and Mitcham Social are just some of the many great options, and they’re all highly recommended. In fact, they’ve even been featured on television! So, what makes a good pizza restaurant near me?

Mitcham Social

Looking for a Wood Fired Pizza? Then you’ve come to the right place!The Wood-fired Pizza Cafe is another great spot in Mitcham. Featuring an authentic wood-fired oven, this café serves pizzas and burgers with a twist. You can also enjoy coffee and other beverages at the bar. Seating is limited and reservations are required, but the wait will be worth it. The cafe is located on the second floor, and there is plenty of parking for all customers. You can also order a takeout or a delivery.

Paulie Gee’s

If you have never heard of Paulie Gee’s Pizza Restaurant, you’re missing out. Founded in Brooklyn in 2010, this renowned pizza joint is a family affair. The restaurant is named after the founder, who left his job in information technology to pursue his love of cooking. Before opening the first Paulie Gee’s, Giannone made a living serving friends and family in his home. Then, in 2010, he moved to Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where he opened the first Paulie Gee’s pizza restaurant. Since then, he has grown his business across the United States, with restaurants in Columbus, Chicago, and New Orleans.

Currently, there are seven Paulie Gee’s locations across the country. The franchise has branches in Columbus, New Orleans, Chicago, and Baltimore. The eighth restaurant is slated to open in Philadelphia, replacing Amis Trattoria. You can order pizza in the dining room or order it to go to work or the office. You can even order delivery, which makes it perfect for busy professionals who need to juggle two or more jobs at once.

Di Fara

If you’re looking for the best pizza in the city, you might be wondering if there’s a Di Fara pizza restaurant near me. This pizzeria, owned by Domenico DeMarco, opened in 1964 and is located on Avenue J in Midwood, Brooklyn. It has since been voted the “Best Pizza in the City” by several publications. This Brooklyn location has recently expanded to the Lower East Side and Williamsburg.

There are two locations of the Di Fara, both in Brooklyn. One is located in Brooklyn’s Midwood neighborhood, which is dominated by Eastern European immigrants and Orthodox Jews. Famous people from Midwood include Adam “MCA” Yauch and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This neighborhood has largely avoided gentrification over the years. But, be prepared for crazy prices, and try to plan your meal accordingly.

Bar Camillo’s

If you’re looking for a delicious Italian restaurant close to where you live, consider Bar Camillo’s Pizza Restaurant near me. Whether you’re looking for authentic Roman pizza, or you’re looking for a more intimate setting, this spot is a great choice. Pinsa Cafe serves traditional Roman pizza, antipasti, and Negronis. While it might not be as large as the other Pizzeria Camillo’s in the area, this small eatery makes great Italian food.

Pinsas are Italian-style pizzas baked at a lower temperature than traditional Neapolitan dough. This allows the dough to rise to airy heights while ensuring a crispy bottom. Pinsas are the signature dish of Camillo’s, and they pair well with negronis or spritzes. Pinsas are only $10, but you can order a whole ten-inch pizza for under $20. The backyard is currently closed for construction, but you can visit when it opens for alfresco dining.

Koronet’s

Looking for a Koronet’s pizza restaurant near me? Then you’ve come to the right place! Located in Toronto, this Italian restaurant specializes in pizza and other Italian dishes. In addition to the pizza, you can also enjoy chicken, sausage, and pepperoni rolls, as well as lemonade and margaritas. Its friendly staff and cute decor make it a favorite with locals.

You may even notice that the pizza is large. Some people have even taken photos of the reheated slices to share with friends. However, this doesn’t mean the slices are low on flavor. While they may have a large serving size, they aren’t necessarily lacking in taste. While they might seem like an obvious choice, Koronet’s also has a good reputation for serving large, perfectly sized slices.

Paul’s Boutique

A pizza joint named for the Beastie Boys is opening up near you, and its new uptown location just opened in March. The “Paul’s Boutique pie” is topped with Katz’s pastrami, dijon bechamel, smoked red kraut, fontina cheese, and 1000 island dressing, and features an everything bagel crust. The crust, which is seeded, is also quite unique.

There are many places to get this New York-style pizza in the city, but one spot has become a local favorite: Paul’s Boutique, which serves delicious pizzeria classics. The pizza joint’s location near Katz’s deli on the Lower East Side inspired its founder Justin Bazdarich to make the pizzeria’s version of the famous New York deli a hit. Bazdarich had to pitch his creation to Katz’s, but they approved of it on the first try!

Mama’s Too

If you are looking for a great pizza restaurant near me, then look no further than a Mama’s Too. This counter-service, Pint-sized pizzeria is a favorite among locals and draws crowds in droves. It offers both classic and gourmet toppings for a delicious, homemade treat. Located near I-35, it is easy to find and will deliver great value for money.

You may have noticed that Mama’s Too is an unusual slice shop located on the Upper West Side. This pizza joint is known for its thick square-cut pizza that is the perfect vehicle for whipped ricotta and crispy pepperoni cups. Despite its edgy décor, you can still enjoy the traditional round-style pie and enjoy the experience of a slice of heaven. There’s no denying its delicious pizza.

#restaurant #pizza #wppd fired pizza

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palladinocaffe · 4 years

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#aperitivoinpigiama Sono arrivati altri due drinketti take-away... Americano e Negroni!!! Disponibili da domani Sabato 16 Maggio, prenotali allo 051810399 e puoi farteli arrivare direttamente a casa o passare a ritirarlo al bar! #delivery #palladinocaffe #takeaway #cocktail #aperitivo #americano #negroni (presso Palladino Caffè) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAN7y8pI5lU/?igshid=7sxsmyrl30e4

#aperitivoinpigiama #delivery #palladinocaffe #takeaway #cocktail #aperitivo #americano #negroni

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originofjaehyun · 4 years

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Interlude: No More Drama & Prelude: After Story – Omake

Omake’s primary meaning is general and widespread. It is used as an anime and manga fandom term to mean extra or bonus.

Hi!

Because I wasn’t able to update the next chapter this week (stares directly at my other deadlines) – so I thought of updating you guys with something that is rather different instead! :D

Whenever I write, sometimes I would reach roadblocks, and ideas just wouldn’t come out. Usually by then, I would start to imagine things that most of the time are totally unrelated to the main story (haha).

Anyway! Long story short, these are the character profiles that I imagined when I designed them on my head (lol?)

Friendly reminder that this is a complete fiction!

P.S.: I imagined them during their Neo Zone era, so I wouldn’t talk that much about them physically? Also, you can search on Twitter on their actual perfumes, but I think these brands would suit them very well too (there are some that I took from that reference as well lol).

Read Interlude & Prelude

Jaehyun

Scent: Maison Margiela – Jazz Club, Jo Malone – Myrrh and Tonka

Cigarette brand: Marlboro Red

Carpool karaoke pick: (At first) Lauv – I Like Me Better, Cigarette After Sex, and such, but later he would play Spotify’s This Is Adele playlist

Cocktail pick: Ballatine’s Scotch Whiskey

Food delivery choices: Anything within reach (does not have any preference)

Kinks: This tickles him by a lot, but he likes it when you teased him by playing with his happy trail

Yuta

Scent: Diptyque – Tam Dao, Armani – Code Colonia

Cigarette brand: He used to smoke Camel, but changed to IQOS

Carpool karaoke pick: Depeche Mode, Post Malone, RADWIMPS, sometimes Arashi

Cocktail pick: Cassis Orange, beer

Food delivery choices: Fried chicken (let’s not make him obviously Japanese by making him ordering Ramen every time lol)

Kinks: He loves the sound of skin slapping each other, so expect a lot of spanking

Johnny

Scent: BYREDO – Mojave Ghost (for daily), LE LABO – Santal 33 (for the evening), Tom Ford – Fucking Fabulous (for the special occasions)

Cigarette brand: Dunhill Blonde Blend

Carpool karaoke pick: Daft Punk (for sure), Disclosure, and such

Cocktail pick: Negroni

Food delivery choices: Fast food, preferably burgers

Kinks: He’s sensitive behind his ears, and would go wild whenever you whisper directly to his ears

Doyoung

Scent: Le Labo – Another 13, Chanel – Bleu De Chanel

Cigarette brand: None

Carpool karaoke pick: Park Hyo Shin, Daniel Caesar, Celine Dion

Cocktail pick: Gin & Tonic

Food delivery choices: Jajjangmyeon

Kinks: He likes it when you explore his neck, and whenever you kiss his adam’s apple

Mark

Scent: Dior – Eau Savage

Cigarette brand: None

Carpool karaoke pick: 2Pac, Kendrick Lamar

Cocktail pick: He prefers dark beer, but would take soju anytime with his hyungs

Food delivery choices: Anything carbs

Kinks: He bites a lot

Taeyong

Scent: Penhaligon – Endymion

Cigarette brand: Raison

Carpool karaoke pick: Jhené Aiko, Kehlani, Justin Bieber

Cocktail pick: Jagerbomb, but he would be the one who suggested Tequila shots

Food delivery choices: Bubble tea

Kinks: He likes the feeling of your nail piercing onto his skin (lol did I just make him slightly masochist)

Haechan

Scent: Jean Paul Gaultier – Le Male

Cigarette brand: Lucky Strike Menthol

Carpool karaoke pick: Michael Jackson, Queen, Jason Mraz

Cocktail pick: Soju

Food delivery choices: Fast food, but he would join anyone who’s ordering any food

Kinks: He prefers the room to be bright so he can see you

Jungwoo

Scent: Roses – Chloe

Cigarette brand: None

Carpool karaoke pick: Frank Ocean, Dean, NCT (a-ha)

Cocktail pick: He would take a sip of anything tbh

Food delivery choices: Anything but he would often craves for kimbab

Kinks: Jungwoo you’re not allowed to have a kink

Taeil

Scent: Tom Ford – Noir Extreme

Cigarette brand: Camel Filter

Carpool karaoke pick: He owns a playlist called; “Wedding Day Songs”

Cocktail pick: Old Fashioned

Food delivery choices: Ramen (the legit ramen and not the instant ones)

Kinks: He breathes you in, a lot

Winwin

Scent: Aqcua Di Parma – Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo Di Sicilia

Cigarette brand: Mevius One

Carpool karaoke pick: The 1975, Vampire Weekend

Cocktail pick: Ume Highball

Food delivery choices: Jokbal

Kinks: Surprisingly he’s into role play (he loves it when you call him by his code name)

Random Trivia

All Interlude chapters’ quotes are from Jaehyun’s parts on Neo Zone album

Same goes for Prelude, except for Make Your Day (since Yuta wasn’t a part of that song, I replaced it with Jaehyun’s)

You might or might not notice, but I also put Jaehyun’s part(s) on the actual chapter (either on the conversations or the narrations)

Yuta’s yakuza friend, Taka (mentioned briefly), is taken from MIYAVI’s real name (Takamasa Ishihara) – I borrowed his name because Yuta listened to MIYAVI alot (he also followed him on Instagram!)

The music that they listen to on the car ride during Pandora’s Box was Cigarette After Sex’s Apocalypse (because Jaehyun listens to Cigarettes After Sex before going to bed)

The music during the first car ride with Yuta was No Replacing You by Pink Sweat$ (it’s a part of Jaehyun’s playlist – which he revealed on one of his vlive)

The movie that Jaehyun and [Y/N] watched during the rainy day on White Night, The Notebook, is based on Jaehyun’s recommendation on NCT Night Night

I also mentioned this on Pandora’s Box, but the repeated quote between [Y/N] and Jaehyun, “What is the first twenty-four hours if we’re looking back at the past seventy years?” is highly inspired from Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud (And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70) –because Jaehyun is a fan of Ed.

Also, [Y/N] and Jaehyun met when they’re on their mid 20s. The average human lifespan is 79 years —hopefully our [Y/N] and Jaehyun would have a wonderful long life together. That phrase itself means that both of them are willing to spend the rest of their lives together. Though, I don’t know how that becomes their own love language, it just happened as I write the story haha

[Y/N]’s body gel inspiration is actually a body cleanser by Aesop, A Rose By Any Other Name

Jaehyun’s engagement ring pick was Étincelle de Cartier Ring by Cartier

Jaehyun and [Y/N]’s favorite Ghibli movie pick is Howl’s Moving Castle – Jaehyun mentioned on NCT Night Night that he watched Howl’s Moving Castle a lot when he was at school

After the wedding, dark crimson rose was spotted on Nakamoto’s residence. This symbolizes grief and sadness.

On Make Your Day, the flower language meaning for Buttercup is “Your charm dazzles me”. This is why Yuta knows ___ is attracted to her. If you didn’t notice, Yuta already know that she’s the florist during their first encounter at Nonstop. That is because Yuta remembers their first encounter, too

The tune that ___ listen to at the end of Make Your Day is Always With Me (Spirited Away theme song). I personally feel the scene (on my head) fits the song perfectly! If you want to give it a listen, I recommend the piano version

At the end, ___ gave Yuta anthurium, which means hospitality and happiness. Note how I never really specify their relationship status, since I want the readers to have their own interpretation on the continuation of their relationship

Yuta’s haircut was actually not planned, but it fits the transition since he did cut his hair haha

The hardest chapters to write was Pandora’s Box and Not Alone – purely because they’re mostly transition chapters

Out of all chapters, my personal favorite from Interlude would be White Night and Nonstop for Prelude.

In fact, Nonstop would be my favorite chapter. I think I was so immersed with Jaehyun and [Y/N]’s wedding so I kept including TONS of details hahaha (I hope you don’t mind lol)

#jaehyun fic #yuta fic #nct scenario #nct scenarios #NCT 127 #interlude no more drama #prelude after story #omake

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theburgerlist · 4 years

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𝙂𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙙 🍝 @passo.london have launched pizza and pasta home meal kits called Passo To Go. The nationwide delivery service sees them team up with @bighas___ to create some exclusive dishes for you to make at home. The kits provide ingredients to feed 2, with the pizzas also coming in an option to feed 4. Pizzas include options such as spiced salami, or smoked speck and portobello mushrooms. 🍕 You can choose the type of pasta you want, and then pair it up with your own choice of pasta sauce. I went for the Paccheri with amatriciana sauce. Cocktails are also available; there’s a summer berry bramble or a negroni. 🍹 If you’ve been to @passo.london you’ll know how amazing they are, and the kits don’t let you down. The Amatriciana, which is Pork cheek, garlic, chilli, fresh tomato, and basil was beautiful, and so rich in flavour, it definitely packed a punch too. . . . . . #pasta #pastalover #pastalovers #passo #pastamaking #pastapasta #pastamania #pasta🍝 #pastas #pastafresca #italianfoodporn #italianfoodlover #italianpasta #pastasauce #italianfoods #londonfoodguide #timeoutlondon #londonfoodblog #londonfoodblogger #londonfoodie #londonrestaurants #londonrestaurant #londonfoodie #pastalovers #pastaaddict (at Passo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDifmg7jFDk/?igshid=390dr70sf0vr

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thesinglesjukebox · 6 years

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youtube

NONAME FT. SMINO & SABA - ACE

[6.70]

A Chicago rapper who needs nointroduction...

Julian Axelrod: Three of the best rappers in Chicago the world go in over a bed of whispers, warm breezes and fluttering coos with some of the most conflicted flexes in recent memory. Smino's sidewinder croon hops on and off beat like a kid touching a hot stove before easing into a hook so smooth it practically floats off into the atmosphere. Noname's quietly virtuosic bars gleam with the joy of discovery, a young genius reveling in her new love of weed and sex and the life-affirming act of declaring these other rappers ain't shit. And just when you think it can't get better, Saba comes through with perhaps the crowning achievement of his already incredible year. His motormouth musings elicit some holy mix of pride, elation and astonishment from the depths of my soul, and yet his boasts are so nonchalant it feels like you stumbled into a conversation with the smartest guy at the party."GOAT TRIO TYPE SHIT" is right. [8]

Matias Taylor: There's a conversational quality to the lyrics, the delivery, and the ebb and flow of the track itself (amplified by the mood-setting acapella sample in the beat). Everything is in sync here; it sounds like the best kind of jam session, or like a late night conversation with good friends -- warm, funny, honest, and never trying too hard to show it. [8]

Nicholas Donohoue: Luscious, silly, precious, and good-natured. The audio of an early fall drive with your friends commenting on everything out the window, enjoying the laughs and the silence, and holding that feeling that everything will be alright eventually. [8]

Lilly Gray: Woof, this is smooth. Sometimes minimal, chill work like this ends up sounding empty or missing an element to me, but the pillowy woo background, seeming clipped from a music box or Fantasia, provides soft closeness that keeps it all together. That and the obvious enjoyment of the vocalists (the smile at the end of "wait and just hear me out"), whose complementary textures and flows wind through the scenery without causing more than a ripple. I also have the attention span of a goldfish, so smooth rapping in the same cadence over any length of time can lull me into a state perfect for astral projection or a nap. This isn't ideal for parties or getting work done, but is pretty ideal for laying around daydreaming, floating from voice to voice and thought to thought. [6]

William John: I went to Noname's Melbourne show about ten days ago. It was a short set -- perhaps 50 minutes in total, including an encore -- and she played only three songs from the newly released Room 25, one of which was added to the setlist spontaneously and put the audience momentarily into the position of a voyeur in the rehearsal room. Despite my caveats, it was an enjoyable show, not least because Noname is one of rap's most charismatic newcomers, and because Telefone, most of which was performed that night, has since its release been one of my favourite gloaming records -- music to play on still, warm nights when dusk stretches long, while downing Negronis as the delights of the dark night grow near. "Ace," too, is attuned to these same circumstances -- a spirited, gorgeous posse cut that belies its drowsy tempo. [8]

Anna Suiter: Noname's verse cuts off like she's being interrupted. It's clever, but the problem is that Noname barely feels like she's present in the song at all. Even if her verse should be the highlight, it doesn't feel like she's highlighted at all. The general mood of the track doesn't make it easy to pull much out of it either. [5]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: One's appreciation for Room 25 will directly correspond to their opinion of Noname's spoken word tendencies. As she adopts a more poetic lyricism and delivery, Phoelix's production lays out an open canvas with which she can roam free. One shouldn't confuse the album's neo-soul leanings for objective maturation (lest they be victim to a gullible and untenable rockism), but it does alter the way one interacts with and responds to Noname herself. Such is the stark contrast between Telefone and Room 25 -- both personal, both intimate, but different avenues through which we peer into the Chicago rapper's psyche. "Ace" is the album's most digestible track: standard single length, familiar features, recognizable hook. Frankly, it stands out for being one of her least personal tracks, hindered by a constricting structure that limits her voice's capabilities. Her verse features a competent flow, but it tricks the listener into thinking she's said something particularly noteworthy. Specifically, she relies on a spattering of words that act as signifiers for a vague cool, all of which tumbles into an accidental Chance impersonation in "Room 25 the best album that's coming out." Saba's verse is similarly stiff, bringing the song to a complete halt when he delivers the only line that falls completely flat: "Since I left the road, I got more hits than a deer." Smino's "fuck is you saying?" is incredibly magnetic, but hearing it repeated four times within a single minute only drains it of its energy. All three rappers here have done better, and will continue to do better elsewhere; sometimes, a posse cut isn't conducive to everyone's strengths. [4]

Maxwell Cavaseno: Dreary faux-gospel/R&B blends as repackaged by James Blake done by people who should know better, and rappers who meander into obnoxious precociousness to the point they sound less like they care about beats and more about backing for a poetry slam. Smino's pinched delivery sounds utterly contrived, Noname's murmury cast-asides act are the work of an ever more sophomoric pseud who can be mercifully less infantile and shrieky than collaborator Chance but likewise is a behemoth of agonizing pretense. Even Saba, usually colorful and capable, sounds fully committed to the youth pastor pap of this record, making it a slog if you happen to be the person for whom self-righteousness, even draped up in faux-humility, is an obnoxious cudgel of tedium. [2]

Juan F. Carruyo: The main musical leitmotiv -- a multitracked choir singing a jazzy chord progression -- is enough to make me hear this 10 times in a row, but the young guns dropping words on top about what it takes to make it on your own in the music industry these days and how better off they are without any record label providing support is just the D.I.Y. dream come true. [9]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: A few miraculous things about "Ace": (1) the Noname/Smino/Saba/Phoelix (here relegated to just production duty) quartet, two years on from "Shadow Man," still holds together, with an easy and lived-in camaderie. (2) Said quartet, despite the massively increased fame and attention the mid-west psuedo-spoken word rap scene has received since Chance the Rapper's 2016, have not hardened or fallen into the vain self-seriousness that rappers frequently become mired in following breakthroughs. (3) In fact, they're maybe even more fun than before, looser and freer after various sojourns to the West Coast. (4) Even given her guests' best efforts, from Smino's elastic-voiced hook to Saba's double-timed come-up tales, Noname shines as the brightest light in "Ace"'s constellation, weaving together a stream-of-consciousness flow that strings together globalization, weed, vegan food, and Chicago without ever feeling forced. [9]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

#Noname #Smino #Saba #rap #hip hop #music #music review #writing

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