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#i'm v excited to work on it too
buried-in-stardust · 9 months
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打鐵花 (da2tie3hua1; struck iron fireworks) is a traditional folk firework that began in Henan and Shanxi, first arising in Queshan county, Henan and later circulating through the whole country. It had first appeared during the Northern Song dynasty, and was most popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
For Queshan struck iron fireworks, a two-layer pergola is built and covered with willow branches for performances, under which the molten iron is struck up with two willow sticks to create a rain of fire.
[eng by me + edited an ad out]
(On top of the information in the video, I have some more about its recent history under the cut.)
*Also, a note about one of the subtitles: I realized later that "going into battle without a shield" actually just meant going shirtless. I was only confused about this phrasing while translating because she didn't go shirtless, although that is for obvious reasons
Queshan struck iron fireworks had almost been lost before Yang Jianjun unearthed it again in 1988. It had almost died out in the early years of the Republic of China being established, after which there had only been three performances until 1988: 1952, 1956, 1962. Yang Jianjun had seen the 1956 performance as a 7-8 year old and later on as the director of a cultural centre, began digging up the skill and its history. In the process, he became an apprentice to Li Wanfa, who had been the last head of the Queshan Struck Iron Fireworks Society. He practised with sand and water, learning of its historical origin, its ancestral inheritors, craftsmanship and performance arts, but didn't touch the real thing until 1988. Through Yang Jianjun's efforts and investment, the first struck iron fireworks performance in more than 25 years took place in Nanshan Square (then a deserted area) in Queshan county.
Queshan struck iron fireworks are different from other struck iron fireworks in that it requires a wide area to perform, whereas others only needed a wall or could be hit straight up into the air, and it costs much more money to set up.
The names of inheritors are difficult to trace, and can only be traced back to the Qing dynasty during the Qianlong period, making Yang Jianjun a sixth-generation inheritor, and Jiang Xunqian (OP) the first woman and a seventh-generation inheritor.
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cerise-on-top · 1 month
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ik that you just did something about what dates Valeria and Laswell who take you on butttt can you still do how’d they like to celebrate valentine’s day! Hope you have an awesome valentines 🩷
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Hey! Sorry for not posting on Valentine's Day or yesterday, I was extremely busy with work and had some very long days ^^; But I'll post twice to make up for it today! Sorry this was a bit late as well ^^;
Valentine’s Day with Valeria and Laswell
Valeria: We’re just going to assume that she has time to spend with you this Valentine’s day and took a day off or something. Valeria doesn’t think too much about it, it’s just another day where people are taking the money straight from your wallet, either because there’s someone you love or because you’re single and need to eat your frustrations away. She doesn’t care at all about that day, and whether she does something for it or not entirely depends on whether or not you complain about wanting to go on a date with her that day. If you don’t then there will be no date. Because it’s only a cash grab sort of day, Valeria wouldn’t particularly buy you chocolates either. She really doesn’t like Valentine’s day. Complain enough and she’ll get you some chocolate straight from the chocoria, no matter how expensive. A few flowers maybe as well, but that would be it out of her own initiative. She’d much prefer to stay at home and watch some movie with you. One that isn’t about romance, just a normal action movie or comedy or something. Complain enough and she’ll sigh, grabbing her coat and ushering you outside. It’s not often that she does something like this, but you’ll be walking around Las Almas together, chatting a bit, getting some of the yummy street food out there. You’ll do something akin to sightseeing where she shows you all the places there are in the city and around it, except they’re all the places she found when she was still young and reckless. From the berry bush in the park no one knows about, to the abandoned mill by the countryside she used to hide from her parents in. Valeria is normally a classy woman who could buy the world if she wanted to, but her real signs of love would be when she isn’t spending money on you for once. It shows that you’re more to her than just another cost, another person who’s just out for her money. Or, at the very least, she trusts you to not be. While there still won’t be too much sentiment from her side, you’ll also go stargazing together if the sky is clear. She can’t tell you too much about the constellations, but you’ll just stand there and look at the stars. Valeria hasn’t had the time to do that in forever, so she’ll likely take a while.
Laswell: Again, we’re going to assume that she has the time to spend with you and isn’t out and about abroad, risking her life. Laswell has a much greater tolerance of Valentine’s day than Valeria does. She used to love that day much more when she was a teenager and was with her first girlfriend, but stopped caring as much about it as the years went by. While she doesn’t like how romance is being forced down everyone’s throat that day, she’ll tolerate it since she can’t change it anyway. However, Laswell is much more likely to do something with and for you on that day, she doesn’t complain either. Starts the day off with a kiss to your temple in order to wake you up, makes you breakfast, heart shaped pancakes with vanilla ice cream, before she gives you the chocolates and flowers she got for you. The flowers are fairly fancy, roses, dahlias, lisianthus. Anything that looks nice and could show you just how much she loves you is a-okay. After breakfast you’ll lounge around your home for a bit, doing chores together and stuff, until it’s time to leave that is. You’ll be going to a fancy restaurant together, eating at an all you can eat buffet until your hearts and stomachs are content. Of course, all of it goes on Laswell’s bill. Afterwards it’ll be something relaxing for the time being, digesting the food as you take a stroll through the park, for example. Whatever suggestions you may have, you may voice them now before the two of you will go to a jewelry store where you can pick out something gorgeous that fits you, your outfit, your eyes and whatever else there may be. After your stroll is over, you’ll likely go home together, cuddle on the couch and watch TV. It’s not the most exciting day there is, but Laswell is just glad she has a sweetheart she can spend the day with. You’ll end up watching some awful rom-coms together, complain about them and how bad they are, only to be watching the next one right afterwards. You will be eating popcorn together, salted, with caramel and maybe steal a few kisses from each other here and there while there’s nothing interesting going on at the moment. Again, it’s not much but Laswell is usually out and about just about anytime and wants to relax for a bit for once. Even better if she gets to do it with you.
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batvvvvv · 3 months
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"and this has nothing to do with the plume of smoke rising from... oh, just about where your lab was, last i checked?" "shut the fuck up"
our plot begins on edward's doorstep! i'm still trying to figure out how i want to format all of this so um... bare with me! but this is what i'm doing for now because i don't have the patience for comics. story introduction below !!
after the world ended (not actually; although gotham had collapsed into ruin, the rest of the world was quite content ignoring their existence. let the city eat itself alive, they reasoned, and the problem would solve itself.) edward found himself incredibly, mind-numbingly bored. with everyone making chaos and scrambling for power, there’s no audience to his crime, and no payoff. money is obsolete, he already has all the power he needs with essentially a monopoly on tech and repair, and there’s no thrill of the chase without a functioning gcpd. he needs someone to BOTHER.
and who better than his old friend (read: guy who wants him dead) jonathan crane to bother while everything else goes to shit! so he heads over to jonathan's last known residence and proposes an alliance. jon tells him where he can stick it, and slams the door in his face.
then, about a week later, jonathan's entire laboratory is blown sky-high. jon has no idea who did it, (a lot of people hate him enough for that) and if ed has a clue he's not going to say a word. but nonetheless jonathan is now homeless and in dire straits! all of his supplies were destroyed, half of his work didn't make it out of the fire, and they're having a pretty bad goddamn day, alright, so their judgement isn't the greatest right now!
his first thought is the sirens. ivy is pretty much his only friend in gotham, but the sirens are at full occupancy right now with plenty of their own problems to solve, and jon knows ivy: she'll just tell him to suck it up and figure it out
again, no one else in the city likes him, so he's pretty much out of luck. until he remembers a... certain someone. and jon hates the idea. he really, really hates it. but they're down on their luck and if they want a chance at finding their footing and saving what's left of their hard work, they need a place to stay, and fast.
so he shows up covered in ash on edward nygma's doorstep, to request a second chance at that offer. edward laughs in his face, obviously, but lets him in nonetheless! he reasons that he could use the entertainment around the house, anyway.
neither of them have any idea what they're getting themselves into, but don't worry! the horrors are just around the corner <3
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tragediegh · 2 months
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OCACD housekeeping!!!! I'm posting the next chapter Monday instead of tomorrow due to family/life things <3
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mosalahd · 2 years
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mini doodle dump of sum sketches i might finish or do something with eventually
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byanyan · 7 months
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ㅤ@ofgentleresolveㅤㅤ∘ ˚ ( cont. )
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ㅤthis is their own fault, really. they'd gotten careless, overconfident. even though they'd gotten out the door without any alarm going off, they'd obviously been spotted pocketing things by someone inside the small store. should have been more cautious, more subtle — just because shoplifting has been almost yawn-inducingly easy lately doesn't mean that every theft will be the same way.
on the plus side, this place seems like it must be a family-run shop. instead of being out here with a security guard who poses some amount of threat, they've been apprehended by the cashier. all in all, it shouldn't be too difficult to get themself out of this.
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ㅤㅤ" yeah? "ㅤutterly unfazed, and even sounding somewhat amused by the whole turn of events, byan sizes the cashier up and raises an eyebrow. at this point, they've more or less stopped denying that they've taken anything.ㅤ" an' what're you gonna do if i say no? y'really think you can drag back inside and hold me there 'til the cops show up? "
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revengesworn · 6 months
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Mikey isn't the type of person to be bewitched by a woman's beauty. He's never understood the appeal of that sort of thing, to be honest, and it never bothered him that he was missing out, either.
But this woman... he doesn't think it's attraction he feels - rather, there's something otherworldly about her. It catches his attention, but more than that, he almost feels as if she isn't even human, like she's something beyond that entirely... the feeling only lasts a brief moment, but it's a bizarre sensation for him.
Then the moment passes, and he's just a kid looking at some random woman again. Still, now that they're looking at each other, he feels he should at least say something.
"Hey! Nice day, isn't it?" ...And then, after a moment. "You know, I've never seen you round here before. There's a lot of gangs in the area. You should be careful."
@thecs ( starter for persephone )
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practically-an-x-man · 5 months
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the other good thing about getting tatted tomorrow is that then the tattoo will be healed in time for Little Shop (since I don't want to have a still-healing tattoo while I'm puppeteering a giant, sweaty, bacteria factory plant puppet)
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staticmonitor-a · 1 year
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// btw before i get distracted and forget to say it, thank you guys so much for all the love earlier!! really needed it today. ♡ ♡ ♡
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pynkhues · 10 months
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kinda niche but any books or plays you would want to see adapted into a prestige miniseries / film that havent yet ??
Ooo, that's such an interesting question. I've been seeing a lot of theatre over the last few months, and have actually seen a lot of tremendous plays (and a couple of very bad ones, haha), but the majority of them have been one-act indies which don't necessarily lend themselves to TV or film adaptations. My favourite was My Sister Feather, which was actually probably one of the best theatre experiences I've ever had (I wept through the last half), but I don't think it'd work as a film or series at all. It's such a play to me.
Books there are a few though! I read Maaza Mengiste's The Shadow King last year which has really stuck with me and I think could be an incredible series.
The Devil in the White City is one of my favourite true crime books, and something I think would be an incredible series if done right. Martin Scorsese has had the rights to the book for approximately 12 million years which I was SO excited about, but then he handed the directing reigns over to Todd Field (less excited by that, but not-not excited), but he's now left post-Tar, and Hulu's just dropped it too, so I'm in doubt it'll ever be made.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt would be great too, but I'd worry what that could set off in terms of pop culture, haha.
Actually though, I think the film or series I fantasise about the most is one about Ann Rule. Ann Rule is a very famous true crime author and while I've read a lot of her books and have always loved her writing style, I've always found her own story one that's so interesting. She grew up middle class and while both her parents were teachers, she had a lot of family members in the judicial system - her grandfather a sheriff, her uncle a medical examiner, a cousin who worked as a prosecuter for the DA's office.
She studied creative writing and psychology at college, but she ended up deciding to be a police officer only to be fired at 21 for her eyesight. She ended up marrying young and having four children, and then her husband left her. With old connections to the police force, she started writing true crime stories off recently closed cases to sell to magazines which was enough for her to get by, and then in 1971, she sold her first book proposal to write about the currently active Campus Killer. At around the same time, she started volunteering at a suicide hotline only to be sat next to, and befriend, a guy who she'd learn over the course of the year was the Campus Killer, Ted Bundy.
The Stranger Beside Me, the book she wrote, was a huge success, and it's genuinely a pretty brilliant read. Ann's such a great writer, and combined with her meticulous research and her own self-reflection (and criticism) of her relationship with him, the judicial system and herself and her family too. It's great, insightful and devastating, and I've read it a few times over and can't believe it hasn't had a prestige adaptation already.
I do think there's a series in her life generally too though, because Ann would write 32 more true crime books and develop an enormous following, and the way she balanced a complicated relationship with celebrity, crime and commercial gain is messy and Ann isn't always likable, but she's always interesting, and I feel like she deserves a story that really unpacks all of that.
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shewantsitall · 1 year
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I may never sleep again ✨
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despairforme · 1 year
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CHAPTER 1 - What’s mine’s mine.
The promotion sign outside didn’t match the shop. The store looked old and somewhat dirty. The kind you’d just pass by, and that survived only by the grace of a loyal local customer base. The sign was in bright colors that immediately appealed to Atsushi. The store had managed to bring in a snack from another region, and was advertising it as a way to stay afloat among the dozen convenience stores in the area. Atsushi was here specifically to get the candy. He had walked by the sign on his way to school, but he’d been late already, and hadn’t had time to stop by. It had bothered him the whole day, and he was worried he was too late to grab himself some stock.
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❝I hope I made it in time.❞ he mumbled to himself. When he entered the shop, a discreet bell rang. As always he had to duck his head to avoid the doorframe. It had become a habit for him at this point, since he’d been been forced to do it since middle-school. That’s what you get for being almost 40 cm above average height. The shop was cramped. He actually didn’t mind small shops, because they often had snacks you’d find nowhere else, not to mention there were almost always less people. There was a distinctive run-down feeling here, like the business was on its last legs. He scanned over the shelves to find what he was looking for as he walked down one of the ailes. The shelves reached all the way to the ceiling. 
What’s the point, it’s not like anyone can reach that high? Apart from him, of course. He spotted a smaller version of the promotion sign, but the shelf was empty.
Maji ka? How could his luck be this bad? Was he going to start to walk around with Libra’s ‘lucky item of the day’, like Mido-chin? Frustration and disappointment was rising. Those emotions were never far beneath the surface, so they would spring up easily. Then - some hope. A single package of candy was hiding on the top shelf. Atsushi perked up, and reached for it.
Another hand grabbed it at the exact same time. A white, bony hand with scarred knuckles. Atsushi frowned and instinctively tightened his grip and tried to yank the candy package. The other hand did the same thing.
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❝Oi, let go it’s mine.❞
❝Oi, let go, it’s mine.❞ they both said at the exact same time.
He looked from the hand to the owner now, following a long, thin arm. His eyes widened slightly when he realized he didn’t have to look down to meet the other’s eyes. In fact - he had to look slightly up. Atsushi had only ever met one person in real life who was taller than himself. He had a thinner build than Atsushi, but his shoulders were very wide. His face was unpleasant. Thin lips and narrow eyes. He had large teeth that were flashed in an annoyed sneer, a deep furrow between his skinny brows. There was slight surprise on his face too, probably similar to Atsushi’s, the guy had probably never seen someone who was as tall as him either. His hair was long (even longer than Atsushi’s own), and inky black. They both glared at each other while their knuckles turned white around the candy package. Had it been an anime, sparks would’ve flashed between them. To any spectators, they probably looked like two shaggy dogs in a tug-of-war over a bone. Atsushi’s mouth opened in a mute ‘ oh no ‘-sound as the package slipped from his grip, and the tall stranger triumphantly pulled it away
❝Oi! Give it back, I was first!❞ Atsushi complained, holding out his hand as if the stranger really would change his mind. It didn’t look like that was going to happen. The guy’s grin screamed ‘victory’. Had he not had his hands full it looked like he’d place both his hands on his hips and laugh at Atsuchi’s defeat. In one hand he had the candy package, and the other was occupied - by a basketball that he was balancing under his arm.
❝Haaaah? No way! Ya lost out, deal with it.❞ The ╬ symbols were certainly popping up on Atsushi’s head now. The guy had a hoarse voice, and something about the way he spoke just made Atsushi think he was a bad guy. He pointed to the other’s basketball. It couldn’t be helped. This was the only way he was going to get his hands on that rare candy.
❝Play me for it. One v One. If I win, I get the candy.❞ This suggestion surprised the other. He looked conflicted for a moment. He seemed like the type to never back down from a challenge (Atsushi was kind of like that himself, because he absolutely hated to lose, but he was also too lazy to get riled up all that easily). There was nothing for the stranger to gain from accepting the challenge, apart from the prospect of victory. Not that there was any chance of Atsushi losing against this guy. He might be the tallest person he’d ever met, but that didn’t automatically mean he was amazing at basketball. Atsushi had always said that basketball was a game for tall people, but he was not simply tall. He also had a remarkable talent.
❝Oh, ya play basketball, huh? Should’a guessed, since yer so tall.❞ What was the height difference between the two of them anyway? A few centimeters? Less than 10. Somehow, Atsushi didn’t feel like he was standing opposite someone larger than himself. It was the other’s build, he decided. He really was skinny. He wore a black, baggy t-shirt. From how loose it was on him, it was obvious that he was thin. Then there were his arms, which appeared to have zero muscle on them. He certainly didn’t come off as athletic. ❝Ain’t like I’m gonna turn down a challenge. I’mma take ya on.❞ The guy cocked his head back, clearly confident.
Atsushi followed behind the other to the check-out. He was so annoyed that he wasn’t even tempted to grab something else for himself. After payment was made, they walked outside. Atsushi had no intentions of walking behind the other like some puppy, so he walked next to him. Normally when he walked, he’d drag his feet out of habit so that others wouldn’t have to jog to keep up with him. He didn’t have to do that now.
❝Ya got a name?❞ The guy suddenly asked.
❝Murasakibara.❞ Atsushi answered.
❝‘Daz way too fuckin’ long. I ain’t never gonna remember that.❞
What is up with this guy?
There was a moment of silence. What was he supposed to say to that? ❝I’m Jiruga.❞
❝Sorry, I don’t remember names of people I beat.❞ It wasn’t true, but he felt like biting back. Jiruga chuckled, the raspiness of his voice exchanged for a surprisingly deep tone.
❝Ya ever played someone was tall as me?❞ He was taller than Jason Silver, wasn’t he? Though he looked smaller. It was the lack of muscles. The few centimeters between them wasn’t going to make much of a difference. Atsushi obviously weighed more, which was going to give him an advantage.
❝I don’t know, like I said, I don’t remember the people I beat.❞
They walked for a little bit without further conversation. Atsushi was glad. He wasn’t a very talkative person, and he didn’t like this guy, so he’d prefer not to chat with him. They both knew where they were going. There was a public court not too far away. It was run down so it was rarely used. How convenient. How old was this guy anyway? It was strange that he hadn’t seen him around before. He was maybe a couple of years older than himself. Was he also a high schooler? If he was, why hadn’t Atsushi heard of him before? Such a tall guy was bound to draw attention in the basketball environment, regardless of his level of skill.
The court was deserted, as expected. The hoop was rusty, and the court markings on the asphalt has completely disappeared. It had been a while since he played street-basketball. It wasn’t the sort of thing he’d usually go for. If he played, it was because he was being dragged along, most likely by Muro-chin. While being annoyed was not a good feeling, he had to admit that he did like it when something could lift him out of his apathetic state. It was one of the reasons why he liked basketball in the first place. It made him feel something. It made him care.
Jiruga placed the candy down on the stone fence that separated the court from the street. If it had been the other way around, Atsushi could’ve imagined Jiruga simply snagging the candy and making a run for it. Jiruga bounced the ball a couple of times. The ball was normal-sized, but somehow it looked slightly small in those big hands. Was that how other people felt when they saw Atsushi handle the ball?
❝First one ‘ta score five wins?❞ Jiruga suggested. It was all the same to Atsushi what sort of game-set-up they went for, so he nodded.
❝Bring it on.❞
Was this a lot of effort for some candy? Maybe.
Mah, it’ll all be worth it when I win.
Jiruga started with the ball. He bounced it it with the tips of his fingers. It gave him more control in some ways, but it would be easier to take the ball because there was less grip-strength. When he finally moved, he was fast. Some added agility probably came with having a lighter body. However. He was underestimating Atsushi’s reflexes. When Jiruga attempted to pass him, he timed the bounce so that he slammed his hand against the ball when Jiruga was merely touching it with his fingertips. The ball quickly moved into Atsushi’s palm like it wanted to get stolen. He wasted no time. He was closer to the hoop than Jiruga, so he didn’t have to pass him. Two long strides and he was close enough to jump up and score. Out of habit he was choosing the path of least energy spent, so he wasn’t going to dunk it. The ball was about to pass into the net, when Jiruga’s hand reached it, and he slapped it away. He had barely even jumped to reach it, like he too was playing lazily. 
Tch.
They glared at each other for a split second, before they both reached for the ball. Jiruga’s arms were longer. He reached it first. They were caught in another tug of war with their large hands. Those skinny fingers had a crazy grip strength, and Jiruga pulled the ball away from him successfully. He jumped up to score. Atsushi followed him, and this time their roles were reversed. Atsushi prevented Jiruga from scoring just like the other had done.
Everytime Atsushi stepped up his game, Jiruga would match him. He was always holding himself back out of habit. Nobody could compete with his strength, so if he wanted to play basketball at all - he had to hold back. Or he’d hurt his opponents, or his teammates. This mental barrier wasn’t something he thought about a lot. It was just sort of there. Now though, he was noticing how he was stepping further and further towards breaching the barrier. It was an exciting feeling.
Maybe I can get a little serious...
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He jumped up this time, both hands around the ball, and he finally scored. Jiruga had not been prepared to use both hands to stop it. Atsushi was already sweating. He hadn’t thought he’d need to spend this much energy just to score once.
The real surprise came when Jiruga went ahead and scored twice. There was something fiery about him now. His annoyed expression had been replaced with concentration and - maybe enjoyment? Like he was having fun. Often, breaking the deadlock would make it easier to score in a match, but that wasn’t the case here. Atsushi was having a really hard time stealing the ball now. At one point, Jiruga had stopped using the tips of his fingers when he bounced the ball. The only thing Atsushi could do to win the ball was to get the rebound when one of them failed to score. He could use more of his power, he realized.
When he jumped up the next time, he positioned his body so that he’d push Jiruga away, rather than letting him jump freely. In the air, it was a simple matter of weight, and - no surprise. Jiruga lost that battle. The other was pushed back when their bodies collided, while Atsushi continued his jump, slamming the ball down with both hands and finally scoring his second point. When he let go of the ball, he grabbed onto the hoop, swinging back and forth once for a softer landing. That’s when he heard the hoop creak alarmingly. His feet hit the asphalt, and when he looked up, the whole thing was coming down. He quickly got out of the way. There was a thundering sound of metal against stone when the hoop crashed into the ground. After that, there was a moment of silence. Then Jiruga started laughing.
❝Oh, ‘fer fuck’s sake, I was just gettin’ in’ta it.❞ He was wiping sweat off his forehead, and pushing his bangs away from his face. Atsushi was a little out of breath. He too wiped sweat of his face. The score was only 2-2, but they had been playing for a while. He’d been so into the game that he hadn’t even noticed the sun breaking through the clouds. No wonder he was feeling so hot. Jiruga dipped his tongue out between his teeth and panted like a dog. ❝Ya broke it so, ‘daz yer problem. I’m keepin’ ‘da candy.❞
This day really is the worst.
Now he was sweaty, tired, hot, and he was without candy. But...
It’s been a while since I played like that.
Not since they all played against Jabberwock, where he’d broken his wrist. That didn’t mean he wasn’t frustrated though! He hadn’t exactly lost, but it felt like a loss because he didn’t win. He was going to get a milkshake to cheer himself up. He didn’t say anything to Jiruga. No ‘ good game ‘ or ‘ see you later ‘ (he didn’t want to see him later). Instead he began to walk in the direction of the nearest place that sold milkshakes. But why...
Why is this guy walking with me?
❝Why ya followin’ me?❞
❝That’s my line! Why are you following me?❞ Atsushi seriously couldn’t deal with this guy.
❝I’m gonna get milkshake, and it’s this way.❞ Jiruga pointed down the street they were now both walking. Atsushi exhaled and pouted. Should he go somewhere else?
Aaaaarg what a pain!
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He wasn’t going to go somewhere else just because this bastard had had the same idea as him. Jiruga had put the candy package in the pocket of his pants, and Atsushi imagined it was now melting from the other’s body heat. How tragic.
Thankfully it only took them five minutes to walk to the fast-food joint that sold milkshakes. And burgers. And fries. Atsushi was almost drooling now. He was hungry. A small victory for him was that he managed to get first inside the restaurant. Jiruga had opened the door (for himself) and Atsushi had pushed past him (there was no way to ‘slip’ past someone when you were his size). He was first in line now. He looked up at the menus, mouth watering. He was so goddamn hungry...
He ordered a large strawberry milkshake, large fries and a large burger.
❝ Double that order.❞ he heard Jiruga say from behind. He turned around to look at him.
❝ Hah? I’m not paying for your food.❞
❝ C’mon, it’s cheaper ‘fer us both. I’ll share ‘da candy with ya.❞ Jiruga was gesturing to a poster that said ‘ double deal ‘, where you’d get a discount on your order if it was double. Atsushi wanted to tell him ‘ no way ‘ just for the satisfaction of making him pay the full amount, but - he was always interested in saving money. Buying cheap snacks was one of his hobbies. Not to mention he’d actually get to taste the candy he’d fought so hard for. It was a win-win. It wasn’t like they had to sit together and eat.
❝Fine.❞
Atsushi paid. They got their food, and then they sat down at a table. Together.
Wait a minute.
❝Who said you should join me?❞ Atsushi mumbled, his eyebrow twitching slightly. Jiruga had sat down opposite him with his tray of food. His milkshake was chocolate flavored.
❝Hah? Don’t ya think it tastes better with milkshake?❞ Jiruga had pulled the candy package out of his pocket. ❝Or do ya wanna taste it after we’re done eatin’?❞
❝No.❞ Atsushi reached out and took the package, opening it. Jiruga didn’t protest. He was biting into his burger with eager, like he was starving for it. The candy, which was a type of chewy-candy with surprise flavors in different colors and a liquid center, had indeed melted a bit. The package contained several smaller wrappings. Atsushi opened one, and finally, he could pop it in his mouth. He hummed in delight. It was delicious! Bliss! He took another one. Jiruga was watching him with an amused expression.
❝Ya got a big sweet tooth, huh? Me too.❞
❝You have big teeth in general.❞ This made Jiruga snort.
❝‘Daz right. Big teeth, big bite.❞ He demonstrated by finishing the rest of his burger in one go. Atsushi made a hmmm-sound and drank some milkshake. The last piece of candy he ate had strawberry flavor, and now he was experiencing a strawberry overload. He loved it. Jiruga tried a piece of candy now. He squished it between his fingers before putting it in his mouth. ❝Pretty good. I sure prefer Japanese candy ‘ta European. This is much sweeter.❞
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❝Where do you get European candy?❞ No surprise, he’d be very much interested in trying new things.
❝I dunno? I lived in Spain ‘fer ‘da past three years or so. My parents only decided recently that we should move back here.❞
❝Hōō... I kinda thought you were older.❞ But this would explain why he hadn’t heard of him before.
❝Ain’t we ‘da same age?❞
❝I’m turning 17 in October.❞
❝‘N I’m turnin’ 19.❞ Jiruga chuckled, finding it funny that they had both imagined the other to be older. Atsushi was used to people thinking he was older than he was, thanks to his height. Jiruga probably had the same experience. He pulled off the bun of his hamburger to pull out the pickles and the tomato, placing it aside. He hated vegetables (not counting potatoes). “Ya ain’t gonna eat that?”
❝No.❞ Pickles and tomato? No thanks! Jiruga reached out and promptly scooped up both the pickles and tomatoes from the tray where Atsushi had left it. He blinked in surprise.
❝More ‘fer me.❞ Jiruga grinned with his mouth full.
They sat in silence for a bit. Jiruga ate his fries and drank his milkshake. Atsushi did the same (he also ate some more candy). The silence wasn’t awkward, he decided. It was like they had a joint understanding that there was no need for small-talk or chatter when they didn’t have anything to talk about. Jiruga probably wasn’t a very talkative person, just like Atsushi. They’d reached the bottom of their milkshakes when Jiruga spoke again. ❝It was a pretty good game, huh? Too bad we didn’t get ‘ta finish it.❞
❝Un.❞
❝Been a while since someone could keep me from scorin’. I love winnin’, but who’s gonna acknowledge me as ‘da strongest if I only crush weaklings?❞
❝You weren’t crushing me.❞
❝I know, but I wasn’t goin’ all out.❞
❝I wasn’t either.❞ This made Jiruga grin.
❝Wanna play again sometime?❞ Whenever someone asked him to play, he’d almost always respond with No thanks, it’s too much of a pain. His first instinct was to be as lazy as possible. That response was completely skipped now. Because yes - he wanted to play him again.
❝Yeah.❞
[ CHAPTER 2 ]
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candledburns · 1 year
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Truth be told, Roman’s been hunting his “other self” for a while now. As soon as he arrived here, in this place that’s so similar to the Remnant he calls his home... he’d had an inkling that something like this might happen - one that was only confirmed when he did his research and heard of the Roman of this world’s activities.
Really, it’s uncanny. This isn’t something that can be explained by mere semblances or auras - no, this is something far beyond all that. It made Roman’s head spin, at first, and still does if he’s being honest - but he’s nothing if not a man who knows how to adapt and survive.
But what’s more important is that having a double is quite the... problematic situation. After all, whatever actions this new Roman might take will inevitably be reflected on him, too - and that includes whatever mistakes he might make.
Roman had been planning to stalk his other self for a while, to find out more... and maybe to eliminate him if needed. But it seems that right now, he’s been caught in the act.
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“You know, I’ve seen a lot in my day, but this is just downright bizarre. You’ve got me at a loss for words - and not many manage that, so - I suppose congratulations are in order?”
@candlewick-corporation ( starter! )
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rogersstevie · 1 year
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it’s so funny how much kids seem to like me when i struggle so much understanding the words they’re saying if they’re really little and i’m BETTER at interacting with them than i used to be after all these years with my nephew and nieces but still like. kinda awkward
i like them too, to be clear, kids are the fucking BEST even if i don’t want them for myself. but i’m always just kind of stunned when kids attach themselves to me seemingly so easily
#and it's just like?? most of the kids i interact with?#started with my nephew when he was much younger i'd guess not long after we met and started spending time together#and my older niece is much the same way when she comes over she wants to take me around with her#their younger sister not so much but she's still p exclusively attached to her parents it seems#so maybe in a year or two for her#and then my godson sure bc i've gone theirs a couple times a year every year for giving him birthday and christmas presents#but his siblings all get excited to see me too (sidebar his younger sister was dressed so cute today and i'm like#it was not like that when i was 10 oh my god)#and the youngest is more shy in general i think but he was v shy of me when i was over just a few months ago#and today we played tossing coins back and forth to each other and he had the biggest smile on his face#and he wanted to show me some toys in his room#and then he had one of those blankets that's also like a sort of lil costume of a monster#and he asked me to put it on him and then i did the whole pretending he's the monster that's gonna get me#but i was just like omg where did this turnaround come from you didn't wanna interact with me a few months ago#anyway kids are fascinating and also so fun and i love them i love them#i just wish i was better at the play stuff my brother apparently loves doing the make believe stuff with his daughter#which doesn't surprise me he's got a good imagination but yeah i'm always just like. idk how to do this#tbf i don't think kids really notice/care as long as you're engaging with them and all but still i just wish i was better at it#especially bc like if i WERE...working with kids might be fun but idk#personal
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galaxietm · 1 year
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of course i pick up more otome heroines, i'm weak and honestly they're cute and yes they're on the muse page now
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darkimpulsed · 2 years
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Toman, Mikey’s home, his family, has been disbanded. It’s the first step in ensuring the happiness and the safety of everyone in it - and because of that, Mikey would do it again a hundred times if needed, but...
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. Everything hurts.
Emma is gone. Baji, Shinichiro - he’ll never see any of them again. Takemitchy has left him, even if not in the same way as the others - and it’s not just them. Because if Mikey gets his way... soon there’ll be no-one left by his side.
He knows that it’s the only way. If he wants to protect them from himself, from that inevitable, awful future that Takemitchy warned him of, he doesn’t have any other choice but to do this. He’ll pretend to hate them - he’ll make them hate him, he’ll do anything if it means keeping them safe - yet why is he so selfish? The thought of being alone, being despised by the people he loves - it makes his stomach turn, filling him with too many unbearable emotions to count. It makes him want to cry, want to be sick... and when he remembers that Emma is no longer with him, that pain only increases tenfold.
Once, Mikey took pride in himself - maybe a little too much, even. Now... when he thinks about himself... all he can feel is an all-consuming hatred.
...And suddenly, to his horror... Mikey finds that he’s started to cry. He can feel tears rolling down his cheeks; hears himself sobbing, pathetic noises escaping his mouth - and it only makes him hate himself more. Isn’t he supposed to be strong? What right does he have to call himself their leader, if he’s as weak as this? If he’s going to do nothing but hurt, nothing but destroy, then he shouldn’t even be here. They’ve always been better than him, and he’s never deserved them... he simply lied to himself until now, wanting to believe they could live on the same level, wanting to believe he could be good - and what a liar he was.
He wants Emma back. Wants Shinichiro. And through the tears, and the wave of emotions that threatens to consume him, Mikey can only think distantly that at least he’s alone.
...Right?
@anomalyfated ( starter for draken! )
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