#i think out of the entire colour wheel green is the colour i use the absolute least

[sanctus-ingenium]

hi im so sorry if youve already answered this but how do u go about selecting the colors you use for your works!

hi! i've had this question a few times and every time i've only been able to answer with a vague sort of 'ehhh i just pick them'. but i think i'll actually talk some more about it now since a lot of my art actually takes a lot of beating before i decide on a final palette. but with a lot of them admittedly i already know what palette i'm using, and i organise the whole composition around those colours.

i use like two main palette methods and here they are (once you see it in my art, you won't unsee it). It mainly involves picking one main hue, and then a contrasting secondary colour.

So the most basic is to have a drawing be mostly a small range of hues, in this case the reds and oranges, and adding a single contrasting shade. Here it is the bounce light on the metallic metal parts, and doesn't appear anywhere else. It looks blue but it isn't - if I used actual blue, it would be too jarring and the colours would not appear unified. This is a warm and nice scene. So instead I pick that strong blue and blend it into a small swatch of the base colour. Then I pick from the blended portion, and what I get will be more blue than the base, but not actually blue. In fact it is yellow-orange :) The entire drawing looks warm as a result.

When working with marginally stronger contrast, here I have a cream unicorn on a green background. The main shadows on the unicorn will be the colour of that ambient room temperature bg - green. So I use the same test swatch method to pick a shadow colour which LOOKS green without being too disruptive of the cream unicorn. I increase the saturation and darken the value (moving the colour dot diagonally to the lower right hand corner of the box) and also spin the whole wheel towards green just a bit. Then I blend into the cream and colour pick a shade in the middle. But for the bounce light, I chose to use a common contrast of green - pink. It looks like pink in the drawing but in fact it is a low saturation orange! Using that real pink would be disharmonious. I do the exact same thing - I blend the pink into the bg colour and come up with that orange shade. It looks harmonious.

Now (top example) I am using two contrasting hues side by side. I decide the shadows will be warm, and the highlights in that contrasting zone. That means that for every colour i pick - Islin's skin, hair, his glasses, his shirt collar, his coat - every colour gets slid around the colour wheel until it falls inside that narrow band. And when I am highlighting his skin, I turn the wheel towards green. When I am shading his skin, I turn the wheel more red. I do this for every single element in the drawing.

It's the same for the Rua cover but this time I am not using such a wide band of available hues on the colour wheel, it's much tighter. I did this to replicate the look of a faded print, intentionally lowering the available contrast I had to work with by removing black as tool. It's all in that small cream to red window but it LOOKS purple - it looks like Pascal wears a purple shirt and that the smoke in the bg is lilac. Well, it isn't. That's all red and orange. I pick those colours by, again, choosing my goal "look" - a low-saturation purple, and then turning the wheel into the red range.

Okay so! for this it's just... the exact same thing again. Literally it always is. But since this one is recent I still have the process fresh in my mind. I envisioned it in the car, and I wanted this empty sort of desolate blue bg and a cold, distant overall tone. I ended up making the white on the chessboard & white pieces warmer, cream instead of white-grey, which worked out great. I wanted the blue, I wanted the pale cream/white, and the black of the chessboard. I didn't envision a colour for Pascal's shirt. but when the time came it was an obvious choice. It has to contrast with the bg both in value and hue, without falling outside the cream range already established by the chess pieces. So it's shiny salmon pink :) or orange, whatever you think it is. The only disharmonious part of this palette is the red velvet under the black knight piece - it works, but if I'd taken more care I might have spun the wheel more into orange and it would stand out less. But I don't mind.

#info asks #sorry my handwriting. not good

[mavsstar]

.⋆˚ 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲︱𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭.

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠︱𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞!𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐖.𝐂︱𝟐.𝟏𝐤

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬︱𝟏𝟖+, 𝐒𝐌𝐔𝐓, 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲, 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞: 𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐥, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 (𝐟!), 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤, 𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐯 𝐬𝐞𝐱, 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐱, 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞︱@buckspumpkin 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐬𝐨 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦!𝐈'𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐛𝐜 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐥. 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠! 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐥 <𝟑

“Bucky you have to watch the movie, it’s phenomenal!” You rambled on as you plopped down next to him. “I know you don’t like a lot of the newer things but you’ll like this for sure.” 

“Are we sure we want to watch tv?” Bucky asked, trying to divert your attention. “You know what we should do?” 

“What?” 

He snapped his fingers in the air, “Play a board game!” 

“Buck we’re not playing a board game,” You said as you grabbed the remote. “Come on please just try it. If you don’t like it we can–oh my god!” You gasped when you turned on the t.v and was faced with a cracked screen. 

You turned to Bucky with your mouth agape, “What happened?” 

“Sam came over and–” 

“I don’t think I need an explanation, you said enough,” You cut him off. “I’ll bring my computer, just give me a second.” 

You left and Bucky was left sitting on the couch as he played with his thumbs. He watched you curiously as you marched out of your room and back into the living room where the internet box was. You inspected the internet box and let out soft questioning hums. 

“That’s weird, everything is just fine so why isn’t the internet working?” A moment of silence passed as you tried figuring out what was wrong. “Bucky, did you forget to pay the internet bill?” 

He screwed his eyes shut in frustration, “I must’ve. I’m so sorry Doll.” 

“S’okay Buck, it happens to the best of us. I’ll go pay it tomorrow during work.” You blew air through your lips and tucked your hands into the front sprocket of your jeans. “Looks like we’re playing a board game.” 

Bucky followed you to a very small closet down the hall. That closet mostly contained board games and long forgotten boxes you were supposed to open when you first moved in. 

You opened the door, revealing the dust collected boxes. 

“We can play Uno.” 

“Too repetitive,” You said. “What about Monopoly?” 

“No, because you cheat!” Bucky accusingly exclaimed. 

“I do not!” You defended. “Ok so no Monopoly….We should play chess!” 

“What are we 80 years old?” 

You glanced at him and checked him out, “Well you are.” 

Bucky’s face scrunched into one of annoyance, “Ha. Ha. Very funny.” Bucky hummed as he kept looking. “What’s Twister?” 

“You’ve never played before?” You asked as you grabbed the box. 

“No, I've played my entire life and I suddenly forgot what it is,” Bucky sarcastically said. “I haven't played before, that's why I’m asking.” 

You grabbed the box and started to walk back to the living room while you explained the rules. “There's a color wheel with a picture of a body part, depending where it lands you place the body part on that color. So say I spin and I get green and right hand then I have to put my right hand on a green circle on the mat.” 

“Seems easy enough.” 

Bucky truly overestimated his flexibility. At first glance he thought it would be easy and you would easily lose against him. He’s a very trained soldier after all.

Bucky flicked the spinner. Body part, foot. Colour, green. He bent over on top of you but because the only green circle left that can make it physically possible is behind him. Which means he would have to be stuck in a crab position until it’s his turn. 

“Come on Barnes, this hurts,” You complained as your arm cramped under you. 

“I don’t think I can do this,” He muttered to himself. 

“Either we keep going by you trying or it’s a forfeit and I automatically win.” 

There was no way Bucky was going to lose to you. He instantly moved backwards and into the dreaded crab position. 

Right as you went to flick the spinner you lost your balance and fell, making Bucky automatically the winner. 

“Ha! I win and you lose!” Bucky boatsed as he got up. “And I didn’t cheat.” 

“Yeah yeah you win and I lose,” You mumbled and tucked your legs under you. “How’d you like the game?” 

“It was alright,” Bucky shrugged. “But what if we added our own twist to it?” 

“Like what?” 

“Every time it lands on red we have to take a piece of clothing off,” He smirked. “In other words, strip Twister.” 

“You’re on Barnes,” You smirked, getting up. “You’re going first though.” 

Bucky flicked the spinner, left hand on red. Bucky clicked his tongue as he took off a sock and placed his left hand on the red circle. It was your turn and you landed on right hand on green. 

“You better not cheat,” Bucky teased. 

“Or what?” You playfully retorted. “Is the big bad soldier going to get mad?” 

“Jesus christ,” Bucky chuckled as he shook his head. “You love to tease me don’t you?” 

“Yes sir,” You winked as you saluted him with a devilish smile. 

“Just for that I’m making you go again.” 

“Meanie,” You pouted and spun again. “Oh you have to be kidding me,” You groaned when you landed on left foot on red. You copied Bucky and took your sock off. 

It was Bucky’s turn and he landed on right hand on blue. A flash of disappointment ran though you and you cursed at the spinner. 

“Why the sad look Doll? Wanted me to strip?” 

“You wish,” You scoffed. “Your turn.” 

The both of you continued taking off the smaller pieces of clothing, each getting excited with each spin. Soon enough Bucky had ran out of small clothing to take off. He spun and landed on red. 

“Get ready to see an adonis Doll,” Bucky said as he peeled off his shirt. 

You stared in awe as you watched him. It all felt like it was going in slow motion right before your very own eyes. He was an adonis. Even the faded jagged scars around his arm made you want to plant sweet tender kisses upon them, showering them in your affection. 

“Hey eyes up here,” Bucky smirked as he pointed his finger up towards his eyes. 

You rolled your eyes, “I’ll look wherever I want.” 

Now it was your turn. You spun the spinner and landed on red. Perfect. 

You slowly took your pants off, making sure to purposefully wiggle your but in front of his face. Bucky’s throat went dry when he saw your thighs. All the blood started to rush to his cock and he knew the game wouldn’t last long. 

“Now I really can’t do this,” Bucky said as he contemplated losing. You only had a pair of panties and shirt left on and he only had his boxers on. If he took his next move his face would be impossibly close to your chest and he would for sure lose. “I really can’t.” 

“Just do it Barnes, s’all part of the game.” 

Bucky took your word and maneuvered his body around, his hand going over your body to land on the green dot in the right hand corner. Just as he predicted his head was right in front of your breast. 

Bucky turned a bright shade of tomato red as he tried to look anywhere else. His hardened cock pressed against your thigh and you smirked in triumph. Bucky had desperately tried to hide his boner and he was successful. For the most part. 

“What sarge? Can’t handle a pair of tits in your face?” You asked as you pushed your chest in front of his face tauntingly. 

“That’s it,” Bucky growled as he got up. 

“Ha! I won!” You stuck your tongue out at him. “I’m the winner!”

“For now.” Bucky abruptly grabbed you and tossed you over his shoulder with ease. You squealed as you felt his metal hand grasped your body. He took you to his room and gently set your body on the bed. 

Bucky shortly after climbed on top of you and kissed you with an intense need. His body grinded against yours as he sloppily kissed you. 

“Just take this damn thing off,” Bucky snarled against your lips as he ripped your shirt in half. His jaw momentarily dropped when your bare breasts were exposed, “No bra? Dirty slut.” 

His hands played with your breasts, his thumb stroking your pebbled nipples ever so slightly. Your body arched into his touch, silently begging for more. He took the hint and his lips placed their love on your body all the way where you needed him the most. 

Using his teeth Bucky pulled your panties down to your ankles. It was the most erotic thing you’ve ever seen your entire life you couldn’t helped but have moaned. You felt his head dip between your thighs, his growing beard scratched your inner thighs deliciously. 

“Can’t wait for your pretty thighs to tremble ‘round my head,” Bucky quipped, biting one of your thighs. 

Bucky spread your legs impossibly further, watching your pussy leak. He flattened his tongue and likced a bold stripe up your cunt. Your hands flew to his hair, gripping the tousled hair in between your fingers. 

“You taste so sweet Doll,” He complimented, dipping his tongue into your hole. “Like fuckin’ candy.” 

Bucky went from long bold licks to short sweet kitten licks. It made you writhe around in pleasure and push your pussy closer to his face. His hot wet tongue was addictive, he had become your own personal drug. 

You felt his tongue trace out letters on your clit. You tried so hard to concentrate but the pleasure overwhelmed you. He kept going again and again until you finally got it. My cumslut. 

“Bucky y-you gotta stop-AH!” You moaned when he started to harshly suck on your clit. “Bucky!” 

Bucky pulled away, a string of your arousal connecting to his lips. “You really want me to stop?” 

“Yes,” You shook your head no despite your response. 

Bucky chuckled at your response, “Why?” 

You nervously gulped, “Because the first time I cum I want it to be around your cock.” 

Bucky looked genuinely shocked at your response. Never did he ever think he would hear those words fall from your lips. If he could he would replay those words over and over again until he got tired of hearing them.

Bucky didn’t respond and attacked your lips once again. You felt his tip prod at your entrance, “Needy slut, wanting to cum on m’cock first.” During the middle of his sentence he pushed all the way in, bottoming out soothingly. 

Pure ecstasy rippled through your lower half, your eyes fluttered shut as you felt him inside you. His hot throbbing member pulsed inside you. Teasing him some more you clenched down hard and watched Bucky’s eyes screwed shut. 

“Can’t stop with the teasin’ huh?” He clicked his tongue. “I’m just going to have to fuck it out of you.” 

His thrusts started slow but quickly rose to a fast and brutal pace using your hips as leverage. So fast your body jolted with the banging headboard. Pain and pleasure seared through your body. Beads of sweat formed between your bodies as Bucky continued to fuck you. 

“You feel s’good Bucky,” You whimpered as you felt his tip rub against your sweet spot. “So good. I love your cock.”

“Cock drunk already?” Bucky questioned. “Looks like it didn’t take long to fuck the teasin’ out of you.” 

“Shut up,” Your voice was merely above a whisper. “Just keep going.” 

Bucky finally felt the tremble of your thighs around his outer thighs. Deciding to spice things up he pressed on your lower tummy so slightly. He watched your eyes roll to the back of your head and drool dribbled from your swollen lips. 

“You look so pretty like this, fucked out becasue of me,” Bucky said as his thumb pushed the drool back in. “Imagine how you would be like if I actually got to take my time with you. Slowly tearing you apart with my fingers, tongue and cock.” 

The mere thought of it was enough to make you come. You dug your nails into his back as you screamed his name while you gushed around his cock. 

“Yes, yes, yes,” You mindlessly hummed as he kept going. 

After a few more thrusts Bucky pulled out and finished over your stomach, both of your juices mixing together. He watched as it started to drip down and closer to your pussy. 

“You ok Doll?” Bucky asked when you didn’t make a sound. 

“I'm way more than ok,” You giggled. “I don’t think it’s ever felt this good before.” 

“That's because the other guys weren’t me, Doll,” he pointed out. “Remember that, no man will ever make you feel as good as me.”

#bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky x you #bucky x black!reader #bucky x reader #bucky fanfic #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes reader insert #bucky barnes x reader smut #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes drabble #sebastian stan x black reader #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan fanfiction #roommate!bucky #roommate!bucky x reader #bucky x latina!reader #roommate!bucky smut

[helpitsaskingmequestions]

Continuing the process of niche petty nitpicks of Wheel of TIme  there were some narrative choices for the  7 Ajah that make them (imo) uncertain in a way that I think could have been smoothed out in a way to make more narrative sense in terms of motivation, size and narrative framing. 

Reds - 

The Reds at least have a clear purpose in and out of the narrative as Aes Sedai that hunt male channelers & an antagonistic force against Moraine (Blue) and Rand (Male channeler). They’re problems largely come in how the text largely frames them as Narrative Heels but for Pevara & to some extent Teslyn and Silviana, all of whom are introduced fairly late. Even then, the Reds are largely characterised as 90s misandrists,n keeping with Alanna’s framing of the Reds as ‘hating men’ because that's what should define a group of women, how they relate to men. Then comes the size of the Reds - it’s been noted that there are less people who can channel being discovered, in part due to the Vileness and the culling of men who can channel by the Reds (and also Cansaune) yet the Reds are the largest Ajah. That the Reds have the strongest numbers is imo a very blunt object solution to 1) making the Blue’s more like an underdog and 2) have a large ground for Black Ajah. 

Changes that I think would have made the Reds more palatable from a worldbuild perspective 

Expand the purpose - the show did this, effectively making the Reds magic cops, which provides a more concrete cause for Reds to devote themselves to - hunting wayward Aes Sedai, men who can channel and Dark Friends. It would also help explain why there are so many Black Ajah in the Red - what better way to hide from the cops than to Be the cops?

Let them have Warders - there was no reason for them not to have warders, female or male or otherwise. 

Shrink their size - have the Reds be in the middle of the pack in terms of numbers, or else have them have a high casualty/fail rate that can be explained by difficult weaves & Black Ajah sisters etc. There is no logical reason for them to be that big. 

I mean ⅕ of all Aes Sedai Robert?

Don’t define them by ‘hating men’. Robert I am in your walls

Non-antagonist Reds early on - whether Pevara or Teslyn, just some calmer Reds, who do genuinely want to Hunt Dark-friends. Use the Wonder Girls time in the White Tower not just as a box tick, explore the Ajahs more.  

Show - on page - what a male channel who succumbed to the Taint looks like. The books give (imo) hints describing the Breaking but its not seen on page & I feel that this concrete example of why male channellers are cut off from the Source, why the Reds hunt them, and why people fear Rand/male channelers would be important considering we get a lot of on page stuff (Logain, Thom re his nephew) about the pain of gentling male channelers

Browns 

Ah the Browns. Clean direct purpose. Narrative letting them fulfil that function. Ajah of Verin, the Best Character in Wheel of Time (no arguments to be taken on this point. I am simply Correct). I find very little to be changed with the Browns, though I do think that there should have been an exploratory division if this is the Ajah of knowledge. 

Also not entirely certain why the White/Grey/see Ajah colours post is separate from the Brown beyond the fact RJ was a physics major 

Best Ajah - should have had an Indiana Jones Brown/Orange sister finding Age of Legends stuff

That the Browns get warders makes the fact the Reds, a physical division actively fighting people, not having Warders more insane. Robert WHY

Should have schools/ travelling schools as well 

Why no Browns in Rand’s nerd school Robert?

Yellow

Much like the Brown, a wonderfully defined Ajah, with a clear purpose in and out of universe.

Let them be nicer to Nynaeve

Black Yellows should have been allowed to go full Dr Moreau

Imagine fresh monsters

Green

The Green Ajah - the Battle Ajah. imo Robert Jordan’s favourite Ajah considering 2 out of 3 of the Wondergirls chose the Green (even though Egg should have been Ajahless its fine I’m calm so Calm) and the Green get to ‘love men’ because as the narrative has made clear, how these groups of women from this administrative magical institution feel about Men is what is important. Also a fun experiment - check to see what colours get positive associations in the books - generally it’s blue, green and white (listed as Lan’s favourite colours for instance). The Greens are also an unfortunate victim of the Gender Stuff in WoT- the Battle Ajah don’t get weapons, but they can have lots of Men who can have weapons. Because they Love Men. 

Changes

Let them have weapons Robert ffs 

Active preparation for the Last Battle; should have the third most number of advisors/relationships in nations as Greys(Purples) and Blues. 

Why are they ignoring the Borderlands? This is their Job 

I think the show made a good case for the Greens and the Reds going to nab Logain

So why are the Greens more allied with the Blues than the Reds - other than Author Caveat

Elayne and Egwene shouldn’t have been Green. Neither should Cadsuane.

More Black sisters in the Green - if the Green are going to be fighting in the last battle it should be chock full of enemy agents  

Blue

What do the Blue do? They Hunt After Causes - but what does the Mean? No Really what does it mean, apart from being Vague and because RJ couldn’t say ‘they’re the Good ajah’ even though they only ‘like men’. Other than their complete lack of purpose, the Blues get a good history, a good selection of the Good/Great (Moraine) to the bad (Sheriam). The Show made a good change in making the Blue’s the spies of the White Tower, giving them a quasi opposing ideological approach to the head-first reds, and making the Alliance of Greens and Blues make more sense considering how much they would need to work together. 

If Egg must have an Ajah she should have been Blue 

The fact that blues removed the 2 Red Amyrlin’s, there should have been more arguments amongst the Ajah’s about how justified they were/the justice of that 

Lean into the Reds being Cops and Blues being spies/activist/journalists/internal affairs with a habit of exposing/attempting to expose other sister’s misbehaviour 

Have Blue sisters attempting to uncover the Vileness in a way that actually sets it up as a mystery to be solved, not another plot thread among thousands

I have a Bee in my Bonnet about the Vileness  if you couldn’t tell 

Make the Blues less of an protagonist situation - oh they have the second smallest numbers But the Most Amyrlins and a lot of influence because they’re the opposite of the Reds 

Grey/Purple Ajah 

They have purpose If only the narrative would let them fulfil that purpose. Instead Elaida is a Red so political advisors can be any colour so why?

Also why are they always bad at their jobs

Should have been the largest Ajah change my mind 

White/Grey Ajah 

SO

I understand they have a purpose 

I just don’t understand why/how it is different to the Brown’s search for knowledge 

They’re apparently philosophers as well so it's not a STE(M) v Arts situation

Why Robert 

You didn’t have the Seven Ajahs have the Seven colours why are they Here? 

Because Alviarin being White and the Head Black was a fun twist? 

You did that colour twist with Lanfear already 

What this Ajah needed was a major character who wasn’t Black

Like Give Rand an advisor who is this Ajah during his spiral 

Or Give Egg some prominent sisters of this Ajah? 

Have their theoretical magic that they do have an impact

Or give them the prophecies / religious theorisation - aka a reason for them to be in this story at all 

Black Ajah

There is no Black Ajah what are you talking about 

#wheel of time #wot #the white tower #the seven ajahs #more whinging I guess #for reference the Alana quote defining the Ajahs in how they relate to men is in book 2 or 3 #when the wonder girl are assigned kitchen punishment

[actuallymarzzz]

My theory on the orange side: HE'S NOT LOGAN'S OPPOSITE?

WOW PLOT TWIST I KNOW

so basically I was watching through sanders sides the other day (as you do) and I was making a couple of theories on the orange side, yk average TSS enjoyer activities, WHEN SUDDENLY I WAS STRUCK WITH SOMETHING GLORIOUS

THE SVS REDUX

This is the first hints we see about the orange side (see from the cover screen showing a 7th side and the famous 01134 on the street fighter game sequence) BUT HAVE WE EVER STOPPED TO CONSIDER WHAT ELSE IS IN THIS EPISODE?

At 40:06 of the SVS redux, there is a MUSIC CHANGE (to a track that in my personal opinion sound WAY too funky to be "just for instrumental") and furthermore, Roman says at 40:12, "how long must we act selfishly until Thomas is ready to start putting more... good into the world?". Janus then responds, "A good question, for another time."

Now one might take that as Janus avoiding the question, but I think its strange that it is ONLY IN THIS PART OF THE VIDEO THAT THIS MUSIC PLAYS, when they are talking about being TOO selfish, to the embodiment of LIES. So what does it mean? I believe it symbolises Thomas lying to himself about the existence of the orange side.

SO THE QUESTION YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR THE ANSWER TO - WHO THE FRICKLE FRACK IS THE ORANGE SIDE? In my opinion, I believe it is Narcisissm. Or at least, that's what Thomas VIEWS it to be.

LET ME EXPLAIN-

The first time orange appears in the series is in the episode about SELFISHNESS, and how it shouldn't be mistaken for self care. This is extremely similar to how society treats self-love as a narcisisstic, hence why Thomas would believe this is what the orange side represents.

Now let's look at my favourite thing: COLOURS. WHAT DO THEY MEAN? • Red - This colour mainly represents Passion and Courage (like Roman, the passion is for creativity and the courage is the whole "ill always be your hero" thing) • Yellow - Many people respond to this colour in different ways, some find it cheery, others find it grating (Much like many people have different views on lying and Deceit) • Green - it is sometimes associated with sickness, and too much of it can evoke isolation (much like how intrusive thoughts make people feel sick and that they are alone with these thoughts) • Blue - light shades of blue often represent confidence, peace, honesty and reliability (literally aligning with Patton's existence in a whole) • Indigo - This colour can be seen as knowledgeable, representing integrity and intuition (Do I even have to say anymore, it literally is knowledge, aka Logan) • Purple - Shades of this colour have been used in the care of mental of nervous disorders (Maybe this is why Virgil started wearing purple, to symbolise thomas's better management of his anxiety?)

And now, what about orange? One of the negative connotations of this colour is self-indulgence, which is characterized by doing or tending to do exactly what one wants (much like BEING SELFISH). This would explain the appearance of the orange side in the SVS redux.

"But what about the colour wheel? WHAT IS ORANGE THE OPPOSITE OF?" Before I continue, I'm leaving virgil out of this because thats a whole other can of worms I DONT WANT TO DIVE INTO TODAY, BUT LEMME EXPLAIN

Red and Green are opposites, much like Remus and Roman. They represent both sides of Thomas' creativity - dark and light - so it makes sense.

Heres where things get tricky. LEAVING VIRGIL OUT OF THIS (bcus he's more of a... neutral side I guess? I feel like he doesn't really have a clear opposite anyways) The colour closest to this is actually yellow. This kinda makes sense, as Logan is based on truths while Janus is based on lies.

SO THAT LEAVES PATTON, THE EMBODIMENT OF MORALITY AND SELFLESSNESS. AND THE ORANGE SIDE, WHO I'VE JUST THEORISED TO BE A FIGURE REPRESENTING NARCISISSM AND SELFISHNESS, much like the entire plot of the svs redux.

You might be thinking, "BUT WORKING THROUGH INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS !!! LOGAN WAS ORANGE !!! HOW DOES THAT WORK????" That's because Logan had a selfish goal behind Thomas's schedule, which was being listened to for once. Many people who have narcisisstic tendancies tend to crave attention, much like logan. This part where the "orange side took over" wasn't the orange side himself, it was a representation of Logan's need to be listened to.

Am I saying Thomas Sanders is a narcisisst? No, not in the slightest. Earlier I said that this is how Thomas percieves the orange side, because they're HIS SIDES. He views his self love and desire to be listened to as narcisissm because that's what he's been brought up to believe. It can even be reflected through Patton's behaviour in the SVS redux.

Again, this is JUST A THEORY. I'm not saying any of this is fact. Also special note for these guys:

Colour theory experts (I can't art so my colour wheel analogy is probably so off

People who have NPD/actually know more about it (I want to clarify that this is how I think Thomas PERCIEVES the orange side, not what it is. I'm not diagnosing)

Virgil lovers (HE DOESNT MAKE SENSE IM SO SORRY)

PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE SERIES BETTER THAN ME (Yes I know that the line seperating "opposite sides" is a little blurry)

Thank you and goodnight (you should totally repost this)

#thomas sanders #sanders sides #virgil sanders #roman sanders #logan sanders #patton sanders #janus sanders #remus sanders #sanders sides theory #logan is really hot #logan sanders hmu #prinxiety #intrulogical

[ikoarts]

December 2023 Art

final post for 2023 art! and... i guess probably the last one of these masterposts? it'll be nice to start fresh and post as i usually would, so, thank u if u have been sticking around and liking + reblogging and all that, i appreciate it! bit dramatic its like im moving to another country or something... but rly like it hasn't gone unnoticed, ty for sticking around :)

vvv dates + info under the cut vvv

1 - 02/12/2023 : liked the idea of Heidi with a buzzcut, i think it really suits her, a radical change from her usual hairstyle, but a cool one... i love having futch OCs

2 - 04/12/2023 : chike chike chike.. frogot why i drew him think i was thinking of him doing cat things and it was gonna be a lot more than 2 drawings but i gived up x ,, but this is the most up 2 date drawing of his current design aside from like. the one colour wheel wip. so ur getting crumbs for him im sorry chike fans (1 person)

3-6 - 05/12/2023 : firstly, saw sum official art of Peach on twitter and wanted to redraw it, i loveee her eyes.. slay.. secondly, DIESEL REDESIGN YAY1!! it is now up to date. yippie. i decided he should be fat, very big brain of me.. i didnt Hate his old design but it was kinda giving kokichi danganronpa and like thats not him LOL.. but anyway i luv this drawing

thirdly, a Robin, was testing out the redesign a lil, think i was listening to his playlist again hence the comeback kid lyrics.. aaand fourthly (is that a word) another Diesel, a bit of a model series expression redraw, u kno the one where hes like >:D i enjoyed drawing his coat.. oo duende..

7 - 08/12/2023 : okay guys lets take a silly one now!!! erm anyway. was thinking about nina and the neurons, as you do, thought it would be funny to draw nina activating her neurons, like that 1 pic of the guy levitating pizza.... she served so hard with her claires accessories rave ball earrings and fluffy bobbles tho lets be real.. was very disappointed to learn shes not a real scientist

8 - 12/12/2023 : twas in the middle of finalising a design for my human Sonny, so heres some lil phone doodles where i was figuring out his hair and hat, i ended up going with the right hand side, thought it would be worth posting them

9 - 16/12/2023 : first sort of draft of his design being put to use, not my faaave drawing but it was nice to finally get him drawn, it was an absolute ballache trying to get his design perfect, the art block was Strong that week.. anyway, i did end up changing some things, just tweaks mostly, and i scrapped the hoodie, i wanted him to have a bigass varsity jacket collar to hide behind, so i opted for him wearing a plain t-shirt underneath instead, eventually

10 - 20/12/2023 : Buttercup and his scary ass big blue freak eyes, based on a tweet i saw, the OP went private eye fink but the og tweet said like "i don't have rizz, i have unsettlingly large blue eyes that are haunted by visions", and thats just Buttercup.. so heres him, having a jolly good stare

11 - 22/12/2023 : that chooshada drawing again, just recoloured with NER apple green livery :) i think she looks super cute with it, it's not entirely accurate in terms of lining coz i was referencing pics of her basis which are like 10p black and white taken on a potato kinda deal

12 - 28/12/2023 : silly little throwaway idea of a toni hair revamp, im not sure i would redesign it but, the idea is there... so who knows x

#iko's shit #2023art #Dec2023 #digital art #fine art #original art #fanart #original character #ocs #ocs:heidi #ocs:chike #ocs:robin #ocs:buttercup #ocs:rushada #ocs:toni #super mario bros #super mario #princess peach #ttte #ttte humanised #thomas the tank engine #thomas and friends #ttte diesel #ttte sonny #devious diesel #sonny the well tank engine #nina and the neurons #cbeebies #WCBF #YM&V

[definegodliness]

Oneiric sanctuary

Dreamt you up again. It's only the second time, but as the first time was so bewildering, in hindsight — after learning you actually exist — the second time, perhaps, made even more impact. Whatever we are, when we dream; certainly more mind, and less body, but, perhaps, less of the mind, and more like energy; particles drifting in unbridled creation's chaos, it all contracted into crystalline focus, when you appeared. You're presence was a sudden actuality. Importance.

We were alone, and in a luxurious carriage of one of those old steam locomotives, that never fails to present an aesthetically pleasing picture. Prettiness, that was the only symbolism for that slowly chugging 19th century beast. It was current day. We rode past flowing hills and mountains of shamrock green. Corny? Yes. But cosy. And a hell of a lot better than the post-apocalyptic future in which we first met. The contrast could not have been bigger. A vast dark jungle of danger, then, and, now, the world was small. A carriage with a sunny view. Shades of green, slowly passing by under vivid blue.

I don't know if you'd think fondly of such a train ride, for all I know it could be an incredible bore to you. But I suppose I do like them. I haven't actually tried one from a time where traveler's comfort was the main focus. All I know are intercity's, that are often crowded, and have seats wherein you spend the entire ride getting comfortable. However there were summer days wherein I, lazed by sun, drowsily watched images of the world glide by to the rhythmic drum of wheels on track. Mellowing. Hypnotising. Eased. Perhaps, the carriage had symbolism after all. Oneiric sanctuary. I let you in.

What childlike joy. I let you in. You are at home. And amid all the dusky warm colours of leather and oak, you shone. Brightened, no longer a hazed, mirage-like apparition, as in the first dream, but concrete. Your every now known detail highlighted. Beautiful, yes, but the word beautiful feels too grave, too joyless to describe you. Pretty, or cute, both true, but those words do not particularise how my heart opens whenever you are the center of my attention. You are wondrous. Wonderful. Delightful. Catalyst of my ridiculous heart. Unrestrained. So, did I clasp you. My chest pressed to your back. My arms wrapped around your waist. Tight enough to squeeze a giggle out of you, and, in teasing mockery of my disinhibition, my name.

I pressed my lips just below your neck, and only then I noticed you were holding tension as some of it seeped from you. All, when we slept together. To be clear: slept. We lay entangled, in the ease of the forlorn, found. You wore a short frilled nightgown, which I would describe as a dark shade of pink. But what do I know? I'm colourblind. Don't pin me down on the frilled part either. Either way, I'm mentioning it, because it wasn't lingerie. It was comfortable, homey, worn within the knowing; never needing to prove anything. What did you know? That I loved you. Our limbs entangled. Closeness. Utter closeness. Softness. Sleep.

It was the first time I slept in a dream. It lasted but a second. Eigengrau, like a slab of black marble blocking all vision. Then, the alarm. It all happened so quickly that I wondered if I had slept at all, but you were up and about, reenergised, refreshed, getting dressed, so I figured, I, in that second, had a good night's sleep as well.

The carriage had transformed into an old hotel room. Remained, the warm colours, browns and oranges, and reds. And you, sparkling in between. A morning person, I presume. And while you moved no-time-to-waste, I sluggishly followed behind. I followed, as the dream tried to return to its original state; to disintegrate us, and all, into particles, drifting in creation's unbridled chaos. I followed, because you were the silver thread that sewed every scene and distraction together. They were presented as rooms, all, in the maze-like corridors of that old hotel. I saw friends, and family, my dog, and I spent time with all, yet never lingered. And every time I thought of you, I found you. It might not seem like such a big deal, but, in dreams, I lose what I love. Always. Yet as naturally as I loved you, I kept returning to you. You were a part of me.

We made it out. Outside that old, maze-like hotel. And, outside, it proved under scaffolding. Now, I understood why you woke up in such a no-time-to-waste hurry. You organised a buffet and needed to cook for all the construction workers. Naturally, I helped. Or rather, got in your way, with my dumb jokes, and failing to present the dishes your exact way. The meal was: toast, grilled meat, sauces. Sandwiches. Spectacular, I know... yet they were evidently delicious.

So, I helped. And you helped me helping you. Especially with the three sauces you were quite the perfectionist. I used too much and didn't slather it neatly enough. I cut the bread for toast all right, but cut the meat too thick. Still, I showed I understood how much you wanted those construction workers to be happy — you had a strong link with them, or, perhaps it was the hotel in scaffolding — that, I felt. That's why I helped, and that was enough for you. You were patient with my mishaps. Even though I wasted important time, you enjoyed me, wasting it. With your help I picked up the pace, though, and in the end we were quite the dynamic duo. More like Laurel and Hardy than a streamlined cooking team, but, still.

There were three sandwiches left when the foreman called your name, catching our attention. A chef's kiss. Success filled the atmosphere.

We did it.

With that, I woke up. Right before the alarm. Refreshed, reenergised, and completely infatuated. Of course, that feeling waned into the reality of day. Even though I was completely drunk on love, and, yes, clinging to that feeling, I'd like to think I sobered up rather quickly. 

Still, you... How peculiar. My dreamt up rendition of heart-wishes, proved real, once more visited me. Delightfully. And, then, it is quite ridiculous to think how, whatever I am when I dream — certainly more mind, and less body, and, perhaps, not mind, but energy, drifting in the chaos of unbridled creation — whatever I am, stripped from the nonsense of existence, loves you so profoundly, wholly, and naturally. It is quite beautiful, isn’t it? Ironically, because of this, I don't think I could ever function naturally in your actual presence. It just makes me wish life could be like the dream:

“Hey, I'm here. Let's stick together.”

--- 1-2-2023, M.A. Tempels ©

#dream #prose #soul connection #writing #romanticism #romantic #esoteric

[inlocusmads]

do the uncommon asks!! Trystan + Nora, please: 10, 13, 23, & 29 (along with F for the creator ones!!)

thank you 🌺

10. What lie do they most frequently remember telling? Does it haunt them?

Answered here!

13. What color do they think they look best in? Do they actually look best in that color?

Trystan: What colour do you think I look best in?

Nora: I feel like you're good at -- adapting colours. Do you-

Trystan: Yes, yes, I get what you mean. So hypothetically I could wear a traffic cone.

Nora: At the risk of looking cartoonish.

Trystan: But a fan-favourite nonetheless.

Nora: Someone abolish his mobile phone service, please.

Trystan: You look very good in green, though.

Nora: I wear like four colours that worked for me as a kid. Never changed anything ever again.

Trystan: She looks very good in this kind of -- deep shade of purple though.

Nora: More I think about it, you could pull off the orangething in the traffic cone.

Trystan: Now it's just insulting at this point.

Nora: Seriously?

Trystan: *exaggeratedly* You have tarnished my love for oranges entirely. I will never look at the fruit the same way ever again.

Nora: *giving him the most deadpanned look of deep-sated disapproval*

23. How does envy manifest itself in them (they take what they want, they become resentful, etc)? 

Nora: You can't "take" what you "want" that's not how it works, but-

Trystan: You don't deserve to be wronged either and you're allowed to want to deserve compensation.

Nora: Shit, how are you good at this?

Trystan: I used to write poetry, Nora. You think this stems out of bereavement speeches? Come on. I thought we were partners.

Nora: That and -- I dunno, I guess I have a more healthier view of envy than I used to. I'm not vicariously consumed with the need for revenge. Not often.

Trystan: I feel I have too. I do have everything I'd ever want, you know? I'm happier.

Nora: Moral of the story - just get a PI job. Actually don't.

29. Do they usually live up to their own ideals? 

Trystan: Do you think I live up to my ideals?

Nora: *blinks* What are your ideals?

Trystan: Good question. They change on the daily.

Nora: Goals aren't ideals.

Trystan: They are if you put them on a hamster wheel and run it until the end of time. Recently I try to -- better erm, forgive myself if that makes sense, at the risk of sounding selfish?

Nora: You aren't selfish.

Trystan: Trying to move on and - take responsibility while also knowing you cannot really conjure up a trick or anything.

Nora: It's depressing. He lost at Tetris and just, moved on.

Trystan: An endless stack of mismatched bricks. Those are ideals. You pick whatever that fits and move on.

Nora: Do you think I do?

Trystan: Aren't you doing that everyday by merely having the strength to keep going?

F) What do you feel when you think of your OC (pride, excitement, frustration, etc)?

When I look at Nora, I just think of desperation - this attempt to keep going on and on, because she has no other choice, which stems most of her strengths and weaknesses. As for Trystan, I tend to associate him with hope - both the healthy and unhealthy versions which affects every facet of his life depending on the nature of what he aspires for.

Of course there's a lot of things, but a more fun answer would be - Nora's just "why am I here" and Trystan's "Here? Really? Seriously? You guys could not have picked a better 'here', are you actually--"

___

Thank you so much for the ask Juudy!! <33

uncommon oc asks

#uncommon qs #choicesmc #askboxed #trystan x nora

[unpassive-viewer]

Olives are Green... The Use of Colour in Little Miss Sunshine (mild spoilers)

Happy New Year everybody! Or NYE, I suppose. I’m celebrating by making pot roast, drinking red wine and watching Little Miss Sunshine again. I admittedly only read Nietzsche because of this film, and its got a very special place in my heart. 

This movie is kind of like a sadder version of RV with Robin Williams - family who hates each other goes on a road trip because it’s their only option to get somewhere, and in the process learns to love one another again. The story really revolves around how adults internalize fear of failure and toxic shame; the parents are deeply angry people because of their own shortcomings, Grandpa spends most of the movie reminiscing on what he didn’t do in his youth, and uncle Frank (Steve Carrell) is probably the most obvious manifestation of all of this - when we meet the characters, he’s getting out of the hospital for a suicide attempt after watching someone he loved fall in love with someone else, and seeing his career go down the drain. 

I am not here to give you a plot rundown, though. If you’ve read anything else I’ve posted, I am often specifically focused on set design and the colours utilized by directors to drive home themes. So why is Little Miss Sunshine’s use of colour so important to this film? 

Well first, the colour palette overwhelmingly utilizes yellow. Makes sense, considering the title. The VW van they drive is yellow, their house interior is yellow toned - everything kind of takes on this yellow hue. If you have even a basic understanding of how colour is used in media, you’ll know that this doesn’t make a whole lot of sene. Yellow is the colour of joy, and these people... they are not joyous. So why is it used? 

I have an answer. Olive, the star of the show, wears almost entirely red. Among a group of people who wear light coloured clothing that draws little attention, she is bright and loud and in line with the rest of the colour palette of the film. I believe the effort to use the palettes that the director does is to make the rest of the family conform to her colour scheme, instead of the other way around. In a sea of adults who are wrapped up in their own failures, she has no concept of not doing things just because she wants to (unless of course they’re trying to instill their shame in her). To the point that I put in my title - olives are green! Green and red are directly across from one another on the colour wheel. Olive is nothing that people tell her to be. Instead she is authentically herself, regardless of how much that forces her to go against the grain. 

Dwayne, her brother, exists somewhere in between she and the adults, both in terms of colour palette and character arc. Specifically, his outfits tend to mirror that of either Frank or of Olive. Frank, because of their similar outlooks and character arcs - Dwayne has taken a vow of silence clearly not because of his desire not to talk, but because he exists in a loud, conflictual world. Frank took similar, although more dramatic, measures. Olive, on the other hand, is the person who Dwayne has the strongest relationship with. When Dwayne needs everyone to shut up, Olive is the only person who knows to be silent. When Olive is questioning whether or not to embrace toxic shame, Dwayne is the first to cast it aside for himself. I also don’t think its just a fun added detail that he’s colourblind - I think it speaks to how they’re the only people in the film to really see one another for who they are. 

Her parents and uncle all come around to this eventually, and turn their own worlds yellow. They start to mirror her outfits, and all start wearing more pink and red. They relinquish themselves to the fear of judgement, the sting of shame, and after spending the entire film telling Olive what she should be doing, finally take a lesson from her. 

Overall I think this film is a really sweet take on how adulthood warps your brain to worry about things that maybe don’t matter. It’s a bit of a bittersweet film, but it tells us that that’s life - you make the best of it. I could talk about this film forever, but that’s the basic distillation of my thoughts.  

Also, side note, this is not the only film Steve Carrell and Alan Arkin (the Grandpa) have been in together. If you have a free evening and need a comedy to watch, I highly recommend Get Smart (2008). 

#little miss sunshine #movie review #colour in film #toni collette #abigail breslin #steve carell #so many commas #i will never change

[allsonicgames]

Sonic Lost World (3DS)

Original Platform: 3DS

Original release: 29th October 2013

Available to buy: No

With lovely graphics, full video cutscenes and voice acting, Sonic Lost World is definitely a visual treat for a 3DS game. I originally reviewed this when it originally came out so I was curious how my feelings for the game had changed.

Playing it again, and I think the controls are an issue as they don’t feel intuitive at all. Running up walls, especially design sideways, feels clunky, and I found myself jumping instead of boosting a few times. The somersault energy attack move also feels like a pointless addition, even if it’s required for some enemies it just doesn’t add to the game, it’s just an additional thing to remember. I do enjoy games with lots of controls to remember (such as Banjo-Kazooie), but they need to be intuitive.

Another change is the homing attack, with a change that sounds nice on paper: you can now target three enemies at once and bounce between them. Unfortunately, you can end up targeting an enemy you don’t want – such as one you passed – and Sonic will fly backwards to hit it. Tapping jump between each enemy worked fine as it was.

The levels in Sonic Lost World 3DS are a mixed bag. A lot aren’t memorable, partly because they all look like floating islands, all in the style of Green Hill Zone. The most memorable levels either have interesting mechanics or are just a nightmare to play. These levels also seem to go on forever. There’s one level set inside a giant juicer and you have to wheel apples into it, which I really enjoyed, but then there’s one where you have to push snowballs which is possibly one of the worst Sonic level’s I’ve played. Some annoying jumps, ice physics and a giant snowman head which chases you the entire level, destroying the snowballs you push around if it touches them.

Wisps return from Sonic Colours (although the story doesn’t acknowledge them at all) and while I loved them in that game, they just don’t work in Lost World 3DS and feel more like a chore to use, the asteroid is slow, floaty and often has bad camera angles while the Quake would work, but uses motion controls that can’t be turned off.

Motion controls also hamper the special stages and a boss fight, as they use 1:1 motion controls, so you have to turn around fully to play them. If you happen to be playing on public transport, you’ll just have to stop playing. The controls actually work well, but they needed to be optional for a handheld system.

Sonic Lost World 3DS isn’t an awful game, it’s just somewhat forgettable. It tries to do some new things and I think with some refinements it could have done well.

#sonic #sonic the hedgehog #sonic games #allsonic #sonic lost world #3ds #nintendo 3ds

[invisibleraven]

56 + 93 for Willex for the AU mashup?

"Y'all need a stylist," Flynn declared at their latest band strategy meeting. "You have events coming up, and with your album doing so well, there's bound to be more."

"What's wrong with what we're wearing?" Luke asked, affronted. Flynn just motioned to the entire side of his torso visible through his cut off, the multiple rips in Reggie's jeans, and Alex's, well Alex's everything.

"Hey!" the drummer exclaimed. "What about Julie?"

"Julie's perfect," chorused Luke and Reggie, causing her to blush, but then shrug. Even Alex would silently admit, Julie had the most style out of the four of them, and it was only because of her and Flynn that they hadn't played their Orpheum gig in their usual get up.

"Well why can't you do it Flynnie?" Reggie asked, breaking out the puppy eyes.

"I am slightly busy," she said, counting off on her fingers, "managing this band, my wife's band, and oh yeah, growing a whole entire human being!" Flynn gestured to her stomach, which was only slightly distended, but pregnancy had been rough on her, and it didn't help that Carrie was right in the middle of recording, so she wasn't around as much as she liked.

"What, you want us dressed like that guy?" Alex gestured to the skateboarder resting a few tables over. He was in a tye dye crop top, obnoxiously patterned board shorts, and socks covered in cherries.

"You couldn't pull it off," the guy said, smirking at Alex. "Plus you literally have your socks pulled up over your pants, I don't think you have any place to talk."

"I-I didn't..." Alex stammered.

The guy rolled his eyes. "Uh huh, sure you didn't." He then leaned in and pressed a kiss to Flynn's cheek. "Nice to see you again gorgeous."

Flynn beamed, and then turned to the band. "Guys, I'd like you to meet Willie Shotton, your new stylist."

Alex groaned and face palmed. "Fuck my entire life."

~

Willie, for his... own interesting fashion choices, actually did do right by the band. He found pieces that were sleek and professional, but still suited their individual tastes. He had a knack for finding treasure in consignment shops and thrift stores, vintage suits that Reggie loved, some subtle leather pieces that he tailored without sleeves for Luke, he even found Julie a dress that almost made her swoon.

Alex was nervous, he had barely spoken to Willie since he put his foot in his mouth, and he wondered if he'd end up in some neon lime green monstrosity as a payback.

"You should let your hair grow out, just a little," Willie commented as he browsed through racks of clothing, Alex by his side. "I think you'd look nice with longer hair. I mean, you pull off the 90's look fine, but maybe you need an update? Bring it into this century?"

"Next you'll be telling me to give up the fanny pack," Alex muttered.

"Nah, fanny packs are in right now. I am curious as to what's in there though."

"My inhaler and Epi Pen. Plus Ativan, a mini first aid kit, snacks for Reggie, guitar picks for Luke, and hair ties for Julie," Alex replied.

"Jeez, you're a mom friend, no wonder you have no style," Willie said with a smirk. Alex mad an affronted noise, but Willie just shoved a suit at him. "Here, try this on."

"It's yellow."

Willie nodded. "Good, you know your colours. Look, I know pink is like your signature, but it's okay to explore outside of one chunk of the colour wheel. Plus it'll highlight how hard you've been hitting the gym, the fangirls will love it." Willie shoved him towards the dressing room after that.

"You know I'm gay right?" Alex called as he struggled out of his clothes and into the suit.

"So am I, but your demographic is still mainly female, so we gotta give them some unattainable eye candy."

"I mean the other three are all together, so they're not any more attainable than I am," Alex commented.

Willie's eyebrows rose at that. "Huh, never would have pegged that. Guess I can see why you'd keep it quiet."

"They're gonna tell people after the wedding." Alex then exited the dressing room, giving a little twirl, and smiling nervously at Willie. "So, how do I look?"

Given Willie's almost slack jawed expression, Alex figured he looked good, and preened a little.

By the time the events started rolling in, Alex made a few jokes about wearing his fanny pack, but his boyfriend just rolled his eyes at him, and claimed he had a much better accessory right there before twining their fingers together. Alex had to agree, what went better with his outfit than the guy who picked it out for him?

#filled prompts #ficlet #willex #julie and the phantoms

[just-a-draco-girly]

The Secret - Chapter Eight

Nervously, I adjust the dark green chiffon material of my dress as I look at myself in the mirror. I let Charlotte do my makeup again which consists of dark smoky eye shadow and eyeliner with the pinky-nude coloured matte lipstick that I've come to grow fond of since Draco complimented me on it in Hogsmeade at the start of the year. My hair is held back in a plaited bun with a few curly tendrils falling lazily at the side of my face. I drop my eyes to my feet which are adorned with a silver pair of ballet flats. I somehow managed to avoid Charlie making me wear heels... again. A shaky sigh leaves my mouth when I turn to face Charlie, who is wearing a long, grey gown that is covered in sparkly gems and is sifting through her trunk to find her shoes.

"Charlie?" I call over, causing her to turn to me and nod in response. "I'm scared, I don't think I can do this..." I trail off, looking at my hands that are still playing with the soft skirt of my floor length dress. She sighs and moves over to my side, gently taking hold of my shoulders. I'm spun around and made to look in the mirror once more.

"Victoria, you are the most beautiful, smart, and witty girl I've ever met. I don't get what you see in an asshole like Malfoy..." She speaks, pausing when I glare at her in the mirror. "But he'd be lucky to have you. Any guy would for that matter" She adds, smiling sweetly at me as I continue to give her the stink eye.

If I am honest, despite her not liking Draco she has supported me completely through this whole ordeal. She understands that Draco has been my closest friend for a long while, and she knows who I'd pick if she tried to come between us. Draco. It's always been Draco since he accidentally kissed me when we were five years old. A small smile etches itself upon my face as I remember his little pale face turning the shade of a tomato.

"You're right. I shouldn't be nervous, I've known him my whole life" I speak, resolutely. Charlie pats my shoulder and grabs her clutch, passing me my own. Happily, we link arms and walk out of the dorm, heading down the stairs to the common room. We find her date, Thomas Witten, a fellow Ravenclaw from the year above us, waiting in a brown armchair by the portrait hole. He stands, straightening his jacket as we unlink our arms. Greeting us both, he gently takes Charlie's hand and I can see her dying inside. Thomas is quite the catch. Tall, dark haired and he's the captain of the house's Quidditch team. Youngest Quidditch captain in almost 200 years.  Most of the girls in Ravenclaw are obsessed with him.

But he's not my type.

Our trio leaves the common room and walk down the corridor. I awkwardly follow, feeling overwhelmingly like a third wheel. The feeling soon dissipates when we reach the top of the staircase that descends into the entrance hall. My eyes immediately land on Draco, who is wearing a black shirt and tie with black trousers and dress robes. His usually messy blonde hair is slicked back, but parted slightly. In short, he looks perfect. I smile widely and slowly descend the stairs. I can feel his eyes watching me the entire time.

"Hi" I say, nervously smiling, as I come to a halt in front of him. His eyes that were staring at me blink rapidly and he slowly shakes his head.

"Um, hey" Draco mumbles, scratching the back of his neck. "You look... st-stunning" He speaks, amazement evident in his voice. My cheeks burn brightly, hopefully being hidden by the makeup Charlie put on earlier. I nervously respond with a curt thank you, before hearing a loud shriek of anger that sounded like it could only have came from one Pansy Parkinson.

"Drakey-poo!" She shouts, marching across the hall with tears streaming down her overly done makeup. She looks like a mess (well more than usual). Draco groans, rolling his ice blue eyes as she nears us. She shoves me out of the way when she stands in front of Draco, almost standing on the hem of my dress. I stumble slightly. Draco gently places his arm around my waist to steady me, instinctively pulling me into his side.

"Yes, Parkinson?" He asks, sneering almost. Pansy's pug face drops at the use of her surname. She hopefully has realised that Draco doesn't like her and sadly saunters towards the stairs that lead down to the Dungeons. I feel a slight pang of guilt as I watch her go.

"Don't you think that was a bit mean, Draco?" I question, gazing up at his tall frame.

"I've tried everything else and she still didn't leave me alone" He sighs, resignation taking over him. I softly pat his shoulder in some form of comfort. His arm still clings to my waist, restricting my movement. But I don't care.

"Malfoy!" Potter's voice booms from the stairs, causing both Draco and I to groan in disgust and turn to the source of his voice.

"What do you want, Potter?" He demands, sounding exhausted already due to Pansy and now Potter confronting him. Potter saunters down the stairs with the sense of entitled arrogance that only he, the chosen one, has. I thought Draco was entitled and arrogant until I met Potter in first year.

"So you've actually got yourself a date apart from Parkinson?" He speaks, snidely. Draco grinds his teeth together, only calming down when I place a hand on his chest to stop him from attacking the boy who lived.

"Yeah, he does and at least he didn't get his last minute unlike you, Potter" I reply, snapping at Potter's smug face. He does a double take before retreating to Weaselbee on the other side of the now crowded entrance hall, muttering nonsense angrily under his breath. A quiet chuckle escapes Draco's pink lips. I turn to him with a look of confusion on my face. "What?" Bemused, he continues to laugh at whatever joke is funny inside his head.

"I really don't get how you weren't put in Slytherin" He responds, still chortling slightly. I roll my eyes at him, pulling away from him. His other arm finds my waist and tugs me closer to him. He pulls me into a sort of embrace, leaning his chin on my shoulder. "But I wouldn't have you any other way" He whispers softly. His lips brushing against my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine and goosebumps to appear on my skin.

Suddenly, he removes his arms from me and steps back. I frown in confusion until I see Blaise in fancy dress robes approaching us with Millicent Bulstrode clinging onto his arm happily. I wave nervously at the two, as I hardly know Blaise let alone Millicent. They come to a halt in front of us. We all greet each other and soon everyone is allowed to enter the Great Hall, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland.

The ball starts officially with the champions dancing with their partners to that stupid dance Professor Flitwick made us learn last week. I roll my eyes in disgust at Potter flouncing around with Pavarti Patil from the table that Draco and I are sat at. Noticing Draco's eyes fixed on my face, I turn my gaze to him and earn a smirk from the blonde

"Please, don't make me dance to this stupid song" I plead, locking eyes with his blue orbs. His eyes soften slightly as he stares at me with his chin perched on his hand carelessly.

"Alright" Draco chuckles. "But only if you promise to dance with me later" He adds, winking slyly. I nod in agreement, causing a goofy grin to spread across his lips. He shuffles his chair closer to mine and I instinctively rest my head on his shoulder, as his arm wraps around my torso and we watch the dancers frolicking around the Great Hall. 

.................................

"So where's my dance?" Draco asks, cheekily nudging my arm with his. I had promised him a dance two hours ago after the feast had finished, but nonetheless I roll my eyes. A light blush covers my cheeks.

"I guess I could dance with you" I sigh dramatically. "If I really have to" I add, taking hold of his hand that was held out to me and allowing him to lead me to the dance floor as a slow song starts. His right arm slinks around my waist, pulling me gently into him. Tentatively, I place my left hand on his shoulder, whilst he takes hold of my other hand and we begin to sway slowly to the music. I lazily rest my head in his shoulder, letting out a content sigh.

We sway like this until the rest of the song, contained in our own little bubble, until Professor Dumbledore announces that it is the end of the festivities and that students should return to their dormitories. A low groan leaves Draco as we reluctantly pull away from each other. I giggle helplessly at his disgruntlement. This causes Draco to stick his tongue out at me and I lightly punch him in the arm. We make our way out of the Great Hall slowly among the crowds of students, Draco's hand gripping mine. Keeping me close to him. 

"Draco!" A shout from the other side of the entrance hall causes Draco to stop abruptly and I stumble into his back clumsily. I look around in a bid to find the source of the voice, as Blaise and Millicent emerge from the throng of dithering students.

"Hey" Draco greets them, casually. Millicent timidly waves at the pair of us. 

"So, looks like you won the bet" Blaise speaks, pulls out some galleons and drops them in Draco's outstretched palm, causing me to stare at them in confusion. Draco smiles smugly before pocketing the gold coins. 

"What bet?" I ask, curiosity killed the cat but I don't care. Blaise raises an eyebrow at Draco, before turning to me.

"Oh, I bet Draco that he wouldn't be able to get you to go to the Yule Ball with him" He says, earning a hard glare from Draco's cold blue eyes. What? This was a dare? I glance up at Draco, as I feel tears threaten to spill over my lower lashes. He opens his mouth to speak, but he is suddenly cut short when my hand makes contact with the side of his pale face. The sound of my hand making contact with his skin causes eyes from the surrounding crowd of students to fall on the pair of us. 

"Don't Draco. I thought you actually cared about me!" I push him away as he makes an attempt to reason with me. Tears now flow freely down my cheeks, leaving black mascara trails.

Hurriedly, I turn away from him and sprint up the grand staircase with a tear stained face and a broken heart. 

Other Chapters

#the secret #draco fanfiction #harry potter fandom #draco malfoy #harry potter #harry potter fanfiction #draco fanart #draco x oc #harry potter universe #wizarding world #ravenclaw #slytherin #cedric diggory

[smol-ish-rose]

Feature artist Friday

Hey, this is my second Feature artist Friday, a little series I’m currently doing as an art student to spread the work of some indie/contemporary minority artists (like myself) and to make art and engaging with work of minority artists more accessible to the general public. I am white British and obviously not a member of every minority that I will be covering so if I get things wrong, especially in regards to ethnicity, please feel free to correct me and edits will be made to the post. 

Todays artist isssss…

CHAAYA PRABHAT

This Friday we’re looking at a Freelance graphic designer from India, Chaaya Prabhat (She/her). She is an illustrator (someone who draws pictures to go along with writing, like the people who draw pictures in books) and lettering artist (Someone who does designs with letters, like making fonts, making the words in logos, and including words/letters in their drawings). 

Originally from Chennai (in India), Chaaya now lives in and works from Goa (also in India), She’s illustrated book covers for publishers including Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Hachette, Macmillan, and Disney Hyperion (These are some big names in publishing!!) She’s also worked with Snapchat, Facebook and Google on digital illustration projects which is insane! The majority of her work is digital, but there are some sketchbook style works on her website which I think are amazing!

I mean just look at this graphic pen and marker drawing of housing areas! They’re absolutely stunning with the drawings themselves being achromatic (no colour), which makes the whole thing simple and easy to understand, but includes a small amount of colour by highlighting the negative space (area that isn’t the stuff, eg the background) in red, which adds to the readability of the shapes. 

Chaaya herself, in an interview, has said that her use of colours and shapes is inspired by the colourful areas where she grew up, in Chennai.  She says that “There is so much colour in India—I see these colourful places around me and I draw the world that way.” You can see this inspiration in the picture above, with its focus on bright primary (red, yellow, blue) colours and architecture. 

These are two of the book covers she has designed, both for books written by Geroge Orwell. Animal Farm is one of my personal favourite books, and 1984 is a book I am currently studying for an english course, so these illustrations particularly interest me. The Animal Farm book cover uses a limited, analogous (colours that are next to each other in the rainbow) colour palette of reds, oranges and creamy-yellows and browns. This use of colour means that the entire cover looks cohesive, and the red may be symbolic of the bloodshed in the book. With the 1984 cover, she uses similar reds and oranges, but also includes dark blues, which form a complimentary (colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel) colour scheme, which means that the orange shape in the centre, and the surveillance cameras around the outside, stand out more from the blue. There is a lot of eye symbolism in the cover, with not only the obvious eyes, but with the central window shape making the shape of an eye, with the sun as its pupil, suggesting that the whole world is watching, which is the key theme of the book. 

One of my favourite pieces of her work is her illustrations for the poem Ozymandias, which was written all the way back in 1818 by Percy Bysshe Shelly (Mary Shelly’s husband). The image I’ve attached is one from the end of the poem but it is, however, my favourite, due to the sideways tilted landscape, that makes it feel like the viewer is lying on their side to meet the statue face-to-face. This one also uses complementary colours, with the greens and blues of the mask being opposite to the oranges and yellows of the landscape.

You can check out Chaaya’s website here, her Instagram here, and some of the books she’s illustrated here, here and here

Find out more about Indian architecture here (wikipedia page here)

#Feature artist Friday #illustration #indian art #Chaaya Prabhat #artist feature

[blog-reflection]

ONE / Six - The Train spoke To Me

Yesterday was a disaster.

In case you don’t know, I’m currently on the hunt for an apartment, which is more or less the most inefficient thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. Heck I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do. The only thing I do is to scroll through endless pages of more or less pretty apartments throughout Brighton and that’s it. It doesn’t feel good and I’m not feeling good doing it either. But yesterday was supposed to be the day where I visited my first apartment. I was excited like never before, like, like a kid on christmas level of excitement. But the morning already started shit. I got up and bumped right into my table and hit the doorknob into my hips while getting out the door to get into the bath. I got into the shower, which had warm water by now, and started a long and comfy shower. Well, for the first five minutes. I was reaching for my soap when I slipped and fell, hitting both knees on the floor. I sat on the shower floor trying hard not to cry. Also because I just couldn’t get up. I mean they aren’t broken aren’t they. I never broke anything. 

After another five minutes I decided to just wash myself on the floor while sobbing. I could not hold back my tears, the pain was already too much. After I crawled out of the shower I Wrapped myself in a towel and slowly pushed myself up. I’m fine. Seriously, I really am fine. Nothing hurts anymore. I can’t even believe that I cried for nothing. I went into my room and looked for something to wear, when I noticed two big bruises on both knees. I grabbed a pair of dark blue Denim Jeans as well as a black shirt with a black/white pattern on the chest pocket. I threw a black jumper on top and got my bag before going downstairs to take the bus to Dover station. Just when I turned around the corner my eyes witnessed the Bus leaving. I have it. The appointment is in 4 hours. How am I supposed to get there in time? 

Guess I have to walk all the way to the station then. Fun. I made it in time to get the Train after the one I originally planned to take. I placed myself in the seat and just stared out of the window. 

It's the start of fall. Leaves are fading from green to bright colours of yellow and orange to brown, until they eventually fall down. Sometimes I think that this happens to everyone. Eventually we all are fading. One. After. Another. And hell no one will remember us. Train rides make me overthink and I hate it. That’s why I try to avoid train rides as much as possible. But sometimes I just have to take a train. I don’t have a car or even a driver's licence to begin with and to be honest I haven’t planned to make one in the near future. Apparently everyone assumes you can drive once you’re 20 but I don’t. I mean I have been sitting behind a wheel before, more or less illegal, but still. I don’t waste over 2-4k£ just so I can legally drive a car. Whenever I drive a car I’m so safe that no one even notices if I have a licence or don’t. And before you ask, Charles teached me when I was crashing at Jesse’s for a few years.The time at Jesse’s place was a whole different experience, time was wild. 

My thoughts got interrupted since the train stopped out of nowhere really hard. It didn’t take long before the robotic voice announced the statement.

Train: We are sorry for the current situation, but a tree fallen onto the rail

Like a choir you could hear everyone in the train leave either a big sigh or start yelling. I for myself just hoped that my jumper swallows me whole. I looked at my phone. 2.30pm. The appointment is at 4pm and I don’t know how long I’ll be on the train. There was a kid crying a few rows behind me and god I wish I had something else to throw then my phone. Ok, that’s enough. I took my phone and turned the volume up to 100%. I kept pushing the button but the volume wouldn’t rise over 100%. I want to hear nothing besides the music basting in my ear to an extent where every doctor tells you not to. I don’t care. I want to cry but I can’t. I already cried today and I have this thing where I try not to cry more than once a day. That's when the train spoke to me again.

Train: We’re sorry but the situation is solved. We carry on now

With that the train had a big push which almost made me fall off my seat. But hey maybe I will make it in time for the appointment. The train entered the main station of Brighton. People flooded out the doors. I looked at my phone. 3.45pm. I opened maps and looked for the address. 30min walk. That’s fine I’m gay so I’m blessed with a fast running skill. I checked my headphones, grabbed my bag on its sides and started running. Corner after corner, house after house. I think I bumped into multiple people but I was too busy saying sorry. My alarm was buzzing as soon as I turned around the final corner. I walked up to the house trying to catch a breath. 3.59pm. Just in time. I knocked at the door. Nothing. I looked around for a doorbell but nothing. I again knocked at the door, this time with more force. Still nothing. I looked up the address. It’s the same. Why is no one opening the door? An older lady started to scream from the other side of the street. I couldn’t quite understand her so I quickly sprinted over.

James: Hi ehm sorry I didn’t quite hear you. Any chance you know who owns that house? Old Lady: This house has been empty for years! James: Oh really? Because I have an appointment for a room in this very house Old Lady: I’m sorry man James : All fine, thanks for telling me, have a good day!

You gotta be kidding. I took everything that happened today just to be in front of a house where no one's even selling a room in??? I’m done I am so fucking done. I opened grindr and looked around. There is no chance I’m going home without anything. I got in contact with someone who seemed nice and instantly messaged them. In grindr style we made a deal. They could have fun with me but they have to drive me back to dover. We both agreed and a few minutes later I laid naked on the bed of some stranger I meet 5min ago. After one hour they finished and we got dressed again. They asked if I wanted to shower but I just said that I wanted to go home. They talked to me on the ride home but I just stared outside the window not really paying attention to what they were saying. They seemed to be worried but all I wanted was to feel my bed again. They dropped me off at the main station once the bus arrived so I didn’t have to wait in the cold. When I arrived at home it was midnight. I walked upstairs, got out of my shoes and fell into my bed. I started crying. I’m allowed to cry since it’s already a new day. 

I cried till I was so exhausted that I slept.

#train station #autumn #well #blog.reflection

[freswoe]

ANNIE REDFEARNE FACTS

because i am insane about her. also it's very long under the readmore so be warned. annieheads only!!1!!!!11!

she can play the drums extremely well

looks up to her dad, who she's never met, and will do anything to become enough of a story to get his attention/get him to come back

adores rollerskating and refuses to wear any protective gear (she thinks it looks stupid)

(she has received numerous concussions as a result of this)

(she still refuses to wear it)

most odysseus-coded girl in the world

she's a very good thief. unfortunately she keeps getting caught because she wants people to know that she did it

(did i mention that she's odysseus-coded)

you know that one post about the canada lynx which is 'boy why are you so paws'. Annie. To Me.

acts like she has the moral code of a roulette wheel but in actuality she does have lines she won't cross (mostly involving hurting kids), but she pretends like she's just doing it for money/not out of the goodness of her heart

listens to music exclusively via walkman

actually really enjoys embroidery as a hobby

unfortunately she uses this to make the worst shirts in the world

(she thinks her fashion sense is good. it categorically is not)

despite her name and overall vibes, her favourite colour is green

she's aroace!! however she would date/have sex with someone if it was funny enough to her. no actual like Desire involved, she's just that committed to the bit

likes to act like she can beat the shit out of you with a baseball bat. She Cannot. She Will Run Away

however she is pretty good with a shotgun

adores sunny weather and the heat

(no matter the weather she will always wear shorts, a t-shirt, or both)

she's left-handed

she actively enjoys doing the crossword. she thinks this is incredibly embarassing

will wreck the SHIT out of books. if it's not worn down, she hasn't liked it/read it enough yet

speed-reads a book once, then reads it slower the second time to relax now that she knows the plot and pick up on the little details

she makes fun of her friends, and ignores people she hates. if she's being nice to you, that's not annie

her hair is naturally ginger, but she dyes it to make it specifically peachy-red

doesn't use perfume but always carries a bottle of tommy girl with her

(it's her grandmother's signature perfume)

(when she gets overwhelmed she smells it to calm herself down)

her comfort food is PIZZA BABY

however she can cook pretty well. not like amazingly but she can do a fair few recipes off-book

she has been convicted of larceny eight times. each time, she has been bailed out by either her best friend (a detective), her other best friend (a lawyer, who patently refuses to represent her in court), or her grandmother (entirely possibly used to be the leader of a crime syndicate)

acts like silly, bouncy music is in the background always. like she thinks she's in a comedy

(she is in a tragedy)

(she won't ever get out)

(and she will never be known in the way she's always desperately tried to)

sees the big picture, so very good at putting some things together

(such as exactly what to say to get her friends to leave her behind)

(she uses her cruelty to sacrifice herself)

(and she does not believe she deserves for them to come back to try and save her)

#annie redfearne #the great annie lore post #im not well about her unfortunately

[iorekbyrinson]

BCS S1 Costume Analysis: Mike Ehrmantraut

The story of the grey man, going from light to dark

this has been sat in my drafts for toooo long so I'm posting it, I WAS gonna do Mike throughout BCS but, as you can expect, my brain kind of melted whilst going through S2 haha. I like the writing here though so here goes

BCS costume designer Jennifer Bryan (who worked on BB too) has summarized colour theory on BCS as:

"On Breaking Bad, the colors [showed] the character's journey. What we did on Saul is that the colors put you into your category in life. So good folks, let's say on the legal side of things, have a certain palette, like military colors, navys, and greens, and blues. Guys on the other side of the law, the hustlers and the cons, I had them in reds and oranges, and colors of the New Mexico desert." 

The way I'm interpreting and analysing the costumes of each character are on the grounds of alignment - reflective of how the character perceives themselves, with some wider narrative themes thrown in. Less so red = evil, blue = good, more so a character in blue aligns themselves with good. Chuck, for example, is routinely lit and dressed in blue; he fully aligns himself with the law. As to whether his actions are actually good, however, is an entirely different argument.

And talking about wider narrative themes - looking back at Breaking Bad, the main theme of the series was the meth trade, and the character's proximity to it (the Breaking Bad wiki has an excellent resource about how Vince Gilligan used the colour wheel to demarcate this idea). In BCS, Gus's meth empire hasn't even been accomplished yet. The main theme of Better Call Saul is the legal profession - and how closely or loosely a character aligns themselves with their own interpretation of what that means. I'm also going to use Jennifer Bryan's description and various bits and pieces from Gilligould when relevant to structure these themes.

So to start off with - Mike. I'm starting with Mike because I think he has the simplest colour palette (black, white, grey). Mike's also an ex-police officer, so there's blue there too.

Going back to the first shot of Mike we have in BCS;

Blues with grey pants and yellow gloves. Mike's a cop at this point, but he's a bent cop, and his hands aren't clean; he's largely on the side of the law though, so the blues dominate. His grey pants could mean anything, but going from Mike's history I'm guessing its his moral ambivalence about taking an illegal stake.

Check out Matty, who's already matching his adored dad with the blue stripes. No grey here; Matty thinks his Dad's a hero. White too, because Matty's an innocent, but also orange - not because Matty's a criminal, but because he's going to get drawn into the criminal world unwillingly, and it's all because he followed his dad into the force.

Everything from the car dash to the clothes to the Boston scenery is matching here - browns, orange, blue, white. It's a family scene, all the more painful because we know how this ends. It's likely this is how Mike remembers his days with Matty, simpatico, with the tragedy far in the future.

The next time we see Mike, he's about to murder the men who killed his son. I kid you not, every single frame in this sequence is saturated in blue. In Mike's mind, he's pursuing his own law - he's righting a cosmic wrong. Because everyone in this scene is a cop (or was a cop), there's a preponderance of blue also. But Mike isn't wearing his blue on the outside - he's covered up with a coat and gloves. The coat isn't black - it's more of a dark camo green;

Which I think is more a callback to the coat Mike wears when all his sins come home to roost and he's shot by Walt in Breaking Bad.

He's wearing black gloves, which like the yellow gloves before are a marker - before Mike's hands were tainted with crime. In this scene, they're tainted with murder. We also see black a lot with characters who are a part of or become eventually Gus's faction. It's the colour Victor and Tyrus wear almost exclusively, and by Breaking Bad Mike is consistently wearing a black jacket. Black is the colour of death.

Also, amendment to what I said before; you can add green to Mike's palette too. It does crop up again in BCS - an allusion to Mike's military background, where he almost certainly handed out death, but it was government-sanctioned death.

Back in Albuquerque to re-connect with the daughter-in-law and granddaughter he hasn't seen in months, in a grey shirt. I'm not going to claim every scene of Mike can be analysed forensically, but there is significance in grey - it's Mike's "colour" in Better Call Saul (as Jennifer Wyman has mentioned here), and without much explanation I can assume that means as a "grey" morality - without definition, neither one side or the other, the conflict of which is his character's arc throughout BCS. Here, he's a killer, but he's deciding here to make fresh with his family and start over. Still, head-to-toe black. He's not shaken off the darkness that tails him, and underneath that jacket is a red wound.

Upstanding citizen Mike - grey parking attendant's uniform. Lighting ain't great here, but a better look;

Blue-grey uniform. Banal as it is, whilst Mike's working the parking booth, he's on the side of the law. It's miles away from the grey Mike wears later in the episode;

Throughout the episodes where Mike holds his daughter-in-law at arm's length, fools the police about his murder, colludes with Jimmy, and eventually reveals the painful truth about his dead son, Mike's light grey shirt has become a forbidding dark grey (grey + black). Hope to self-hatred. He's wearing dark blue pants (out of shot), again, he's talking with the cops and it's calling to Mike's background.

Later, Mike suits up in all-black to steal from the Kettlemans. No, it doesn't mean death here; he's hardly going to do covert business in anything else. All-black here is indicative of Mike's innate professionalism when he's outside of the legal world.

That being said;

He's a dark figure in the life of his daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Stacey knows Mike's past, but she hasn't fully accepted him into the family.

Head-to-toe black again when taking on some protection work for Daniel Wormald (and throat punches Mr X in the parking lot). I'm not going to read too much into the striped undershirt; these are civilian characters that have fairly limited wardrobes (except for Jimmy), and you'll see the same clothes on rotation. We saw Mike wearing yellow gloves before, the mildest version of the non-legal colours in the story, and I think there's an association with non-violent crime here; Mike taking a stake, Daniel's dealing, Jimmy's car (Daniel's also gullible and naive). Daniel's just getting into the criminal world, but, as we learn later, doesn't define himself as a criminal - Nacho's an ambitious career criminal, and his associations with Tuco have had him deal in violence. But only one of these people has ever killed anyone, and despite the other security guys in the parking lot and Nacho's posturing, Mike's the darkest one here.

#better call saul #better call saul costume analysis #mike ehrmantraut #better call saul season 1 #“bugs why did you do this” #well I just think. it's neat #*tyres screeching away* #listen this isn't a medieval fantasy show ok there's only so much i could work with #and this old man wears old man clothes. we love him for it

[berlinbisque]

Review: Vintage Speaker

Coming to my PRC speaker which I got for my mini Barista www.lilacnights.com/post/my-little-barista, I tried it the other day, I haven’t used it much to give a proper feedback as of now but I’m gonna share the first impression, the make is really cool, it has mini legs or two stands below which came wrapped in plastic foil and I think there’s lithium battery behind which also came covered with a blue peelable sticker, it was box packed, it came inside a white matte plastic pouch + bubble wrap, the box had a charger, aux cable & a 2 page instruction manual 😜 it has multiple ports such as USB, Aux, Memory Card and a provision for USB-C, the dialer is slightly tarnished from one edge but that’s not visible due to light reflection, and the rest of the make is great, the buttons too were not lose because it’s brand new and they were pressing with a proper click sound, the size is good it’s small but it’s cute and it’s not as small as my other (old) speaker, the colour looks green unfortunately in my warm lights but when I flash my phone’s torch it looks very beautiful it’s the same BABY BLUE that I had ordered and it looks gorgeous 🤩 it does appear slightly blue from certain angles even in the yellow lights that I have here, the metal portions are very shiny and I love the matte finish cuz it looks more sophisticated for a change, my previous one had costed me two times more, it was glossy, it was louder but also heavier even though it was half the size, it came with a velvet pouch, I had taken it 5-6 years ago, it’s still there, it has a chain sling and all, this one is comparatively lighter and easy to carry, in fact it’s very light, the instruction manual has a diagram but certain instructions are copy pasted from another product so I had a hard time looking for the on & off switch until I realised there was none… I figured the dialer which was on 0 was also meant for tuning it up like a typical radio cuz it was called the “boot button”/volume wheel, I then saw the blue light blinking which prompts you to pair it with your Bluetooth device. I felt like the volume was too low, I almost felt cheated there I kept it on 8 to hear it properly the numbers go uptil 11 and then you have 0 which makes a click and it shuts down. I then charged it for about 15-20 mins the red light stopped blinking which means the charging was done and I had read in the manual that you shouldn’t be overcharging it, I’m not sure about it’s battery life or if it was sounding really low because it was not in use and one has to charge these things before trying them out, I could hear it even on volume 3 this time after charging it (I really hope the battery doesn’t drain out that fast cuz otherwise the volume decreases a lot) initially when the battery was low it was also making a static sound which sometimes comes from my phone’s speaker as well like a “phata dhol” in proper words 🤣 I have an iPhone 12 mini, it scares me a lot cuz I get really insecure then… I don’t have a lot of money to waste like that. It didn’t happen after charging it, and even after connecting the Bluetooth I feel it takes a while for it to like “start off.”

This is what I found impressive though… I played a good track & I realised that I was missing out entirely on the music on my phone’s speaker 🔊 cuz it was able to pick up not only the beats but every minor little sound which was there including a knocking one which was very pleasing (you’ll enjoy it as an audiophile) it was there throughout the song, it amplifies them like a proper speaker inspite of being small and light. And the music listening experience is indeed very good… just like the manual read “We hope you enjoy your songs” It’s a cute little gift and it can be used for flat lay photography or even while making aesthetic videos as an additional prop, it has the charm of a “mini vintage radio speaker” although these radios are very common now, I feel like it is a great portable option to lighten up your mood and take it wherever you go, if you want to enjoy some music that too in all of its glory. Mind you, it’s not going to be like a surround sound system cuz it’s just a mini portable speaker but it’s great for my coffee bar and I really love it.