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#meraki post
petrichormeraki · 7 months
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ive been up all night thinking about this. how do you kill evokers if they literally have totems of undying on them. is the player the only one that can use them? why? they're clearly modeled to LOOK like villagers/pillagers. why, then, can a stranger to this world that speaks not their language or look anything like them the only one that can harness it? was death that never really stuck to begin with not enough?
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arts-and-drafts · 9 months
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Home Again (Hermempires Crossover)
(In which Tango and Jimmy stargaze on the roof of their new ranch in Tumble Town, and reminisce. This one is unbelievably sweet, it rotted my teeth writing it. Enjoy!)
CW: Mentions of death
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"It's beautiful, Jimmy." Tango said, for what felt like the millionth time.
And for the millionth time, Jimmy smiled wide and flushed, shyly turning his eyes away from Tango's to the ranch he built earlier that day. Tango kept it up for two reasons; the first being that the ranch really was beautiful, and nostalgic, and the fact that Jimmy built it solely because Tango was here meant a million unsaid words.
The second reason is that Jimmy rarely smiled near the end of Double Life, and Tango missed it with an ache that surprised him. Now that they didn't have to expect death at every moment, Tango tried to make Jimmy smile every chance he got.
Turns out, when he wasn't fearing for his life, it was extremely easy. Jimmy smiled so much, and it never lost it's novelty. Not to Tango.
"I'm so glad you like it." Jimmy beamed, tipping his hat upwards to take in the cobblestone "R" at the very top. "I figured it fits right in."
"It sure does." Tango agreed warmly. He didn't feel like it was fair to attribute Jimmy's whole western aesthetic in this server to the short few weeks they spent together previously, but it was a beautiful coincidence. The ranch fit right in with Tumble Town's theme.
Jimmy's hat and badge suited him even better. Tango could tell his Soulmate stood a little taller with that title on his chest, and the responsibility fit him well. Now that he saw the person Jimmy had grown into, Tango couldn't imagine him being anyone else.
He hoped Jimmy was as respected as he looked he deserved to be. He had always deserved respect, to Tango, but the imp hoped that his Soulmate's appearance commended it from the other rulers in this server.
Jimmy was looking at him again, his smile turning shy. "What're you lookin' at?"
"Uh, nothing." Tango coughed, and turned his eyes away. "The hat is just very impressive."
"Isn't it?" Jimmy agreed with pride, readjusting it on his head. "That blue fire is something else, too, man! It's cool!"
"'Cool', you say?" Tango grinned cheekily and gestured to the frost pattern on his robes, and Jimmy laughed.
It was like sunshine, his laugh. Jimmy practically emanated light as he doubled over, hiccuping and giggling, and Tango had never felt warmer in his life.
"Stop," Jimmy giggled, getting ahold of himself and turning back to the barn as he waved an enthusiastic hand over his shoulder. "Come on, I want to show you the best part!"
Tango followed him, smiling all the way, as Jimmy started to climb a ladder propped against one of the barn posts. "I had to wait till it was getting dark."
Once Jimmy was a decent amount ahead, Tango started to climb as well, his excitement building purely from Jimmy's reaction.
Tango's head breached the trapdoor at the ladder's top, and he looked around to find Jimmy already smoothing out a blanket on the stable roof.
"Woah, a stargazing spot?" Tango grinned and climbed onto the roof to join his rancher.
"Yup!" Jimmy said, rising to his knees as he finished laying out the blanket, and turned his eyes to the sky. "It's also got a pretty good view of Tumble Town!"
Tango followed Jimmy's point and saw that yes, the part of town that was this side of the mountain was perfectly in view without strain. Illuminated by the softly glowing lanterns placed at the fronts of the buildings, it looked unbelievably quaint. If Tango didn't know better, he'd have easily believed this town had been here for at least a decade.
But he did know better, and he knew Jimmy built this whole place with his own two hands. It made the feat unbelievably impressive.
"It's beautiful." Tango said, for the millionth-first time. Jimmy's face lit up at the praise, just as before, but this time it was echoed by something soft.
"Thank you." The sheriff said, his eyes fond as they traced over the buildings. "It means a lot."
Jimmy's hand touched Tango's, and the imp curled his pinkie finger over the sheriff's and pressed their shoulders together. "Remember when you said you weren't a builder?"
Jimmy laughed, his eyes scrunching up. "I do! And I'm still not."
Tango gasped, and pulled away to whip around and stare at Jimmy like he was terribly offended. "Are you nuts?! Look at this place, Jimmy!" He waved an exaggerated hand at the sight before them, and Jimmy giggled again.
"This is downright beautiful! It's rustic!" Tango pressed, a smile pulling at his lips as he watched Jimmy's laughter. "And the way you used the stripped logs to make texture--'not a builder', I can't believe you!"
"Alright, alright!" Jimmy gasped through his laughing, pushing Tango's arm back down. "Thank you, I get it!"
Tango chuckled along with Jimmy's giggles, the two of them fading into a comfortable silence. Jimmy's hand had traveled from Tango's bicep to his hand, and he didn't pull away.
"I--I missed you." Jimmy said, quietly, and didn't meet Tango's eyes when he looked at him. His focus had turned to the stars, and Tango saw the whole sky reflected in Jimmy's eyes.
"I missed you too, buddy." Tango smiled softly, and maneuvered his hand to hold Jimmy's properly. They were close enough that the imp heard Jimmy's breath catch at the movement, and for a moment he worried he overstepped.
But then Jimmy's hand squeezed his, and a rush of a different heat than Tango was used to warmed his chest.
"Do you still--" Jimmy cut himself off and cleared his throat, staring stubbornly at the sky. Tango furrowed his brow. "...Still what?"
"We're not Soulmates anymore." Jimmy said plainly. "You don't--I mean, you don't have to be here anymore."
Tango blinked. Jimmy's hand was solid as a rock in his own, as if he had tensed it so it wouldn't shake.
"I'd argue we are." Tango said, softly, and Jimmy's gaze snapped away from the stars to look at him with wide eyes. Tango smiled in response.
"I can't feel your pain anymore, but you--the portal I went through lead right to you." Tango continued. "Can you imagine the chances of that?"
Tango squeezed Jimmy's hand gently. "I'm pretty sure that means the universe wants us together, man. And...I do too."
It was Tango's turn to look away, heat flushing his face. "If--if you'll have me."
"Yeah." Jimmy said, immediately, his voice sounding a little strangled. Tango turned back to him, and saw Jimmy's eyes were shining brighter than the stars above combined. "I would."
END.
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merakiui · 2 months
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rook hunt.
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meraki-yao · 2 months
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Taylor said 'practice' not 'rehearse.
Taylor knows Nicks schedule, since he said 'very soon' when speaking with Amelia
Tony liking more posts about Taylor.
Taylor wanting Amelia to ask Nick about if he is a good kisser
Taylor has a dog named 'COPPER'. FFS. - With all this, your next candies post is going to be insane!
;)
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ivy-diaries · 11 months
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ivy's boyfriend is pretty cute.. i mean look at him, he's adorable, wanna kiss his cheeks 😩
yea i agree 🥺🥺 and he keeps feeding my delusions too 🫠 but yea im like obsessed at this point
literally ignore the fact that it's 12am
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blujayonthewing · 4 months
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meraki and hiraeth are really fucking good names for elyss actually and I'm really mad about it
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twstchaos · 1 year
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Original Character: The Goddess
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Introducing: The Goddess!!!
Technical Information
Name: Kore Meraki (Κóρε Μεράκι)
Japanese: コレ・メラカイ
Romaji: Kore Merakai
Nickname(s): Betta* (Floyd), Mademoiselle Bosseuse (Rook)
*Floyd has to specify which “Betta” he is talking to using scientific names: Betta splendens (Vil) or Betta persephone (Kore).
Warning: Contains chapter six spoilers
Biographical Information
Gender: Female
Pronoun: She/Her
Age: 18
Birthday: March 20
Starsign: Pisces
Height: 180cm
Eye Color: Purple
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Homeland: Kingdom of Heroes/Island of Woe
Family: Ourios Meraki (Father), Demetria (Mother), Teleia Meraki (Step-Mother), Khalkeus Argos (Half-Brother), Ergane Meraki (Half-Sister), Enyalius Argos (Half-Brother), Cythereia Drepanum (Sister-in-Law), Cynthia Aigletou (Half-Sister), Phoebus Aigletes (Half-Brother), Poimandres Pleiades (Half-Brother), Lysius Meraki (Half-Brother)
--
Professional Status
Dorm: Ignihyde
School Year: Third
Class: 3-B (No. 13)
Occupation: Student, Aide to the Heir of the Shroud Household
Club: Board Game Club
Best Subject: Classical Literature and Classics in Art
--
Fun Facts
Dominant Hand: Right
Favorite Food: Gyro
Least Favorite Food: Olive
Dislikes: Running errands for Idia
Hobby: Tabletop Roleplay Games
Talents: Instantly finding whatever dice she is looking for in her dice sack
--
Appearance:
Kore has long dark brown hair tied back into a high ponytail, leaving some longer strands of her bangs to neatly frame her face. Before moving to the Island of Woe, she had an olive complexion, but years of living with the Shrouds faded her skin tone which make her freckles and eyebags more noticeable. Her eyes are purple in color. Kore sports a permanent pout from having to do all of the heavy lifting for Idia.
Kore dons the standard Night Raven Academy female uniform, which consists of the black blazer on top of the blue, gold-lined vest designated for students of Ignihyde, and a short black skirt, all without the black and white tie. She ties the Ignihyde armband around her hip. In the dormitory, Kore wears a dark navy blue deep v-neck tank top with the standard bright blue half-vest over her right shoulder and across her torso, navy-blue pants, and black and blue boots. She either drapes the jacket over her shoulders or ties it around her waist.
--
Personality:
Kore is a very snarky individual, spending years around Idia would do that to a person. Somehow his introvertedness did not rub off on her, helping Ortho drag the Ignihyde dorm leader out of his room. Where Idia is not, Kore will be, running errands for him and generally doing the hard work. Despite her hatred towards doing everything for him, Kore and Idia do get along well, but him making up by buying her dice and gyros does make Kore a tiny bit willing to do it. Speaking of dice, she is the textbook definition of a dice goblin, always showing up to the Board Game Club with a new set of dice. Kore is one of the more competitive members of the Board Game Club, either dishing out challenges or readily accepting them from others.  
--
Background:
(Chapter Six Spoilers)
The Merakis are a prominent family in the Kingdom of Heroes and one of the head families of the Jupiter Conglomerate. The patriarch of the household, Ourios Meraki, sired eight children; the youngest of which is Kore with his ex, Demetria. Her parents split when she was an infant, resulting in her spending her time between the Meraki household in the Kingdom of Heroes and Demetria’s in the Shaftlands.
Growing up, due to business relations, the Merakis and Shrouds had a decent connection with each other. Thus, Kore and Idia were somewhat close as children. However, at the young age of ten, the two would become inseparable. Disaster struck the Shroud family, and as the youngest of eight with zero possibility of ever becoming the head of the Merakis, Ourios handed custody of Kore over to the Shrouds as a companion to their grief-stricken child. She was forced to leave her brothers and sisters behind and live in the Island of Woe.
Kore was there by Idia’s side through all of the failed test runs, supporting his attempt at creating life. She held him as he broke down, and he held her when she missed her siblings too much.
Four years after Idia successfully brought Ortho to life, they both received their letters of admission to Night Raven College. Together with Ortho, Kore and Idia attended the prestigious school and were both placed into Ignihyde. In the crowd stood a certain student of Ignihyde about to embark on his journey as an interning fourth year: Poimandres Pleiades, the youngest son of Ourios Meraki and the older half-brother of Kore. Upon their arrival into the dormitory, Poimandres took it upon himself to welcome his baby sister whom he had not seen in six whole years with open arms. After their reunion at the school, Kore was finally able to reestablish her bond with her older siblings, starting with Poimandres.
--
Abilities and Unique Magic:
Because of her experience and enjoyment with tabletop roleplay games, Kore is very adept and quick with improvisation and thinking on her feet.
Kore’s Unique Magic is called “Restoration”. Restoration is a purely support-based power, which allows Kore to negate and remove any and all effects from an individual target. Additionally, she can act as a conduit for blot accumulation by siphoning blot from whomever she is in physical contact with and must keep holding on to the person to take in blot. Kore can also redirect the accumulated blot into another target.
Incantation: “Take a rest. Debuff negation. Heal upon my word. Restoration.”
--
She is twisted from Persephone from Greek Mythology 
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and Megara from Disney’s Hercules.
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More information will come out in the future~
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anachronisims · 2 years
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Rubati:  Nooooo thank you!
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lilworkerbee · 2 years
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05/16/2022
o listener mine,
i'll let you in on a little secret.
see, i hate to rub it in, but i have the best job.
i get to work with flowers and plants, see little critters and be out in nature, watch as robins and sparrows hatch, see the flowers germinate and bloom.
my greenhouse is large and spacious, with good benches and landscaping fabric floors and curtains for shade. i have few hills to battle and relatively mild summer heat and humidity. the plumbing is logical and easy to use, potting and planting are worker-friendly, and i'm able to work smart rather than always having to work hard.
i get to do a large variety of tasks, from planting seedlings to restocking merchandise to weeding our landscaping to making pickups to sorting recycling to making winter wreaths to arranging combo pots to cutting bouquets to doing greenhouse repairs.
my coworkers are good-natured and hard-working, wise and knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. we look after each other, and they teach me about the job, the greenhouse, the plants, the animals, and the history of our little working abode.
i can put my earphones in and listen to music and podcasts and books for hours, or take them out and hear the birds and frogs, the fans and wind, the traffic and trains.
i don't have to deal with angry or entitled customers, working back in production where there's peace and serenity. my work is uninterrupted by questions or foot traffic.
i've been blessed to work year-round, not having to budget and save for those winter months or find another job altogether.
i didn't have to sit in a classroom, feel the pressures of finals week, or carry heavy debts with me to get into the field.
and i get to live an active, healthy lifestyle, building muscle and being warmed by the sun, breathing in fresh air and working with soil and greenery.
my work is filled with passion and meraki, it's mentally-stimuating and fun, my manager is smart and kind, and as a bonus i have employee discounts on all the plants my heart desires.
but shhh...
don't tell anyone i told you this, or they'll want my job, too.
busily yours,
~ 🐝
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lucentshore · 7 months
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Remaking a personal blog and I am begging that it doesn't end up on the weird side of tumblr. If someone perceives me as factkin or a roleplay blog I will simply fucking throw myself out a window!
› Meraki ⛏️ he/him
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tamiyagantetsusai · 8 months
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Local is lekker 🖤🦇✨
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petrichormeraki · 1 year
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i love how much it focuses on Ellie being born post society. Joel lived until his adult life before the collapse of the world, but Ellie was born after it all went down. Of course she wouldn't know what a car does. Of course she'd be in awe that they went in the SKY, REGULARLY, for traveling around. That's probably never going to happen again, at the very least definitely not in her lifetime. This show keeps reminding us of what we take for granted in this age and it's such good world building
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arts-and-drafts · 1 year
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Call Them Brothers (Hermit!Tommy AU)
(A little look into the early months of Mumbo and Tommy's friendship in this AU! This one is pretty angsty, mind the CWs :)c )
CW: Abandonment, violence mentions
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Mumbo had no earthly idea why Tommy chose to hang around him.
As far as looks were to be considered, Mumbo was a human in a world of otherworldly creatures. He was well dressed and eloquent, and as entertaining as a white slice of bread. But still, this feral little kid that couldn't be more of his opposite decided to trail behind him like an imprinted chick, already talking as if he and Mumbo were thick as thieves despite the fact that they just met.
He was used to foul language, and that special kind of unhinged that Tommy exuberated with everyone he talked to was just another day with Bdubs, or Skizzleman, if Mumbo was off server. But for some reason, the kid took one look at him and decided that they were friends, even when the vibe couldn't be more different between the two of them.
It baffled Mumbo, but he wasn't one to object to very many things. Besides, the kid wasn't too bad to be around once you got used to him.
Tommy made him laugh, even if most of the time it was of incredulousness at whatever in the realms just came from the kid's mouth. He would constantly beg for Mumbo to teach him redstone, only to get bored and complain within the first minute of the man explaining the rudimentary knowledge of what a redstone signal was.
"I can't just beam the information into your brain!" Mumbo had said, to which Tommy looked up at him with such an outlandish face that the man couldn't help but stifle a laugh.
"Why not? You're a genius," Tommy had replied, so matter of fact that it seemed more like he was stating the obvious instead of offering a compliment.
Okay, maybe Mumbo had an inkling as to why he let the kid hang around him so much. (An ego boost was never a bad thing--could he really be blamed?)
However, even when Mumbo started to get used to Tommy's presence, it was the protectiveness that quickly followed from the boy that he couldn't wrap his head around.
When anyone from the Hobbit Society came for a visit, the hostility from Tommy escalated so much that neither Mumbo or the hermit visiting could tell if it was a bit or not. Even spending the day with Grian was overseen by jealous blue eyes glaring holes into the back of the hermit's head from behind a tree, the request from Mumbo that they be left alone barely taken into account.
It was when Tommy started the insults that Mumbo decided it was enough.
"Tom, listen." Mumbo said, pulling the kid aside after he scared off xB. Tommy looked up at him with wide eyes of rapture, something Mumbo had to try very hard to push past to get his point across.
"You've gotta chill out, mate." Mumbo said, allowing a small bit of his growing exasperation slip into his words. Tommy's eyebrows furrowed exaggeratedly.
"What d'you mean?" the boy asked, already adapting the defensive tone he took on whenever he was caught out. Mumbo sighed.
"I'm allowed to have friends, alright? I'm flattered you want to hang out so much, but--I still have a life, you know?" Mumbo said, nervously deciding to just get to the point after seeing Tommy's expression darken.
"You've been really mean, dude." Mumbo's voice softened to genuine truth. Tommy blinked.
"I get that that's just who you are sometimes, but you won't even let me have a day with my husband without him feeling like he's gonna get kicked out by security." Mumbo continued, taking advantage of the kid's silence.
"This server is about community. It's okay if you don't feel up to that yet, but please let me continue to." Mumbo said.
Tommy was quiet, something that always made Mumbo nervous just because of how little it happened. The man was prepared to soften his words with hurried fluff that made him seem less abrupt, but the kid spoke up before he even got a chance.
"...Okay. Sorry." Tommy mumbled, suddenly void of any energy that usually fueled his words. Mumbo stared.
Tommy never apologized, especially not that quickly.
"...You okay?" Mumbo asked lamely, honestly not knowing what else to say. He sensed something was very off with the kid, but he'd never been good at deciphering that sort of thing.
Tommy hunched his shoulders and scuffed the smoothstone floor with his sneaker, not looking at Mumbo anymore. Dread started to pool in the man's gut.
"Tommy, you didn't do anything wrong-" Mumbo tried to say, but the kid violently shook his head. "No, I didn't--"
He took a shuddering breath, like he did when he saw the various buttons around Mumbo's base for his contraptions, or he was caught off guard by a firework propelling a hermit to the sky.
Oh no.
"I'm not annoying, not really," Tommy pleaded, looking up at Mumbo with eyes that broke his heart.
"No, Tommy, that's nothing like what I was saying." Mumbo scrambled, reaching out, only to awkwardly close his fist and bring it back when Tommy tensed.
"You're not annoying. Who told you that?"
-
"You're such an annoying little shit!" Wilbur yelled, his voice so harsh and biting that Tommy couldn't tell if he was joking. The way he mercilessly noogied the boy's yellow curls made it even harder to tell.
"Get the fuck offa me!!" Tommy yelled right back, trying his best to struggle out of the headlock his pseudo-brother had him in. "PHIIIIIIL! WILBUR'S BEING A DICKHEAD!!"
"Stop being a dickhead, Wil." Came Phil's apathetic response from his rocking chair, the angel not even looking up from his book of runes to see Tommy's peril.
"He was being a dickhead first!" Wilbur objected hotly, unbothered by Tommy's flailing attempts to escape his restraining hold. "Tommy threw my music book in the pond!!"
"I threw it because you were being a prick!!" Tommy replied, indignation behind his words.
"Boys!" Phil was looking up now, his eyebrows knotted in annoyance. "Wilbur, let the kid go! You're better than that! Tommy, get his book back and both of you apologize!"
A moment of hesitant silence.
"...Yes, Dad." Wilbur relented bitterly, releasing Tommy. Tommy immediately jumped away and made a show of rubbing his neck and head, just to earn the glare from Wilbur at his antics. Tommy abandoned the act and raised his eyebrows smugly.
"Well? Apologize, Wilbur." Tommy ordered, crossing his arms with a smirk. Wilbur glowered. "Get my book first."
"I won't until you apologize."
"Dadza SAID you had to get my book before I have to apologize."
"I don't remember hearing that."
"Yes you godsdamn do!!"
"You can't tell me when l what I do and don't remember!"
"You little-"
Philza stood from his chair, and both boys blanched.
"Tommy, stop it." Phil said, his frustrated tone enough to make Tommy shrink into himself. "Get Wilbur's book, and then go home. I think you two are done for the day."
The note of finality to Phil's voice cut off any attempt to argue that Tommy would've tried. A bit of himself ached as soon as the mention of home was brought to attention. As much as Wilbur was being a bitch, Tommy still liked him and his family.
It masked the fact that Tommy had none of that, at least for a little while.
Tommy silently waded into the pond and fished around for Wilbur's book, getting thoroughly soaked up to his shoulders before he felt the leather brush against his fingers. Tommy pulled the book to the surface, and quickly realized the extent of his actions as soon as he looked at the precious object.
It was ruined.
The ink on the now soaked pages was so streaked that anything inside was incomprehensible, and the soggy paper was barely clinging to the spine. The carefully tended leather that Wilbur tried so hard to maintain was now soaked through, and Tommy knew it'd be completely fucked up when it dried.
Tommy slogged back up to the shore, pointedly not looking Wilbur in the eyes as the older of the two glared hot malice over crossed arms. He slowly held out the book, sagging and dripping, and flinched when Wilbur snatched it out of his hand.
Without another word, Wilbur stalked back to his cottage, startling Tommy into following. He expected Wilbur to yell at him, which would've absolutely called Phil back out, and then the both of them would be in so much trouble that only siblings could get into, and Tommy wouldn't have had to leave just yet.
But this silent treatment solidified the fact that Tommy would have to go back to his hole in the ground when Wilbur closed that door behind him, shutting Tommy out from a warm family that he so desperately wanted to be part of.
Tommy moved before he realized it, and caught the door with his shoe before it was slammed close. "Wil--I'm--I'm sorry, alright? I didn't mean to--"
"Didn't mean to WHAT?" Wilbur snapped, the venom in his words making Tommy's throat dry. "You're just a fucking pest, Tommy, an annoying little roach that should've died a long time ago but won't leave me alone! You fuck up everything!"
Tommy's foot was kicked out of the doorframe. He didn't hear the spruce door splinter under the force of Wilbur slamming it, or Phil's shout at the noise. He just heard Wilbur's words echoing in his head.
-
"Tommy?"
Mumbo saw the boy startle, and numbly touch his face where tears had started to fall. His eyes cleared, and he looked back up at Mumbo, now with a weariness that the hermit had never seen in his life.
"I'm--I'm sorry, Mumbo. It won't happen again."
Tommy turned on his heel and ran off before Mumbo could say anything else, leaving the hermit alone and concerned. For a brief moment he considered following the kid, but what would he do when he caught up? Just stand there and stutter again?
Gods, why did Tommy pick Mumbo out of everyone else? Why him? He barely knew how to read his own emotions, much less the emotions of a prickly teenager.
Mumbo pulled up his communicator and messaged Joe, hoping his ramblings were coherent enough to get the poet to his base. Joe would know what to do.
Maybe he could teach Mumbo too.
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merakiui · 4 months
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very unfortunate news,,, tmdg is too big to be posted on tumblr........ ;;;;;;; HOWEVER!!!!! good news because there is a solution!!! the place to read it will be on ao3!!! :D i will post the link and fic soon, so please look forward to it!!!
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meraki-yao · 4 months
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Translation of a Bilibili Video Analysing the Paris Love Making Scene
HOLY SHIT THIS LITERALLY TOOK ME ALL DAMN DAY
Preface from me: PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT MY ORIGINAL CONTENT! THIS IS JUST MY TRANSLATION OF THE FOLLOW VIDEO MADE BY 搭火箭都要追剧 A CHINESE RWRB FAN. I REPEAT, THE CONTENT IS NOT MINE, I'M JUST A TRANSLATOR (that being said I did a little bit of commentary, anything in brackets is my own thoughts)
All photos are unedited screenshots taken directly from the video
Preface from OP: The content of this video is very subjective and shallow, if it's different from your opinions, you're the right one (a Chinese saying which basically means "this is just my thoughts don't come at me") and it's most likely to be very different from any official BTS.
Didn't translate the first part because 1, I can't really translate it well due to cultural references 2, I... don't really agree with it, but did like 90% of the video
Also since it's about the Paris love-making scene, there's sexual content, you have been warned
For the moment when Alex slips his hand under Henry's shirt
When Alex slides his hand across Henry's naked waist, his fingertips, the most sensitive part of the hand is touching Henry's bare skin and stirring his desires, which is why Alex's body tenses: he clenches his jaw and takes a deep breath in.
In contrast, Henry is absorbed in the romance of it all. He's been in love with Alex the whole time and finally, the man of his dreams is here with him, touching him.
For the couple of shots where they stand naked with Henry touching Alex
1, Close Up Shot of Henry's hand gliding up Alex's arm
Henry told Alex that he's in good hands, therefore Henry's the one to lead this dance and set the atmosphere, so most of the light is on him, with the bright spot being shone on Henry's wrist which leads the audience to focus on that point
He starts with his fingertips running along Alex's vein, but the brightest spot doesn't follow the movement of his hand and stays focused on his wrist and the lower part of his thumb while the rest of his hand is in darker lighting. This is to strike a contrast and to put the focus on Henry's hand and therefore his movement. The reason only part of his hand is illuminated is because his entire hand is lit, the frame's lighting loses its balance and looks abnormal, and won't match the more subtle, softer tones of the romance in the movie
A highly saturated orange/golden light is chosen, which increases the feeling of content and ambiguity (I don't that sounds weird but it's the closest word I can think of, but a more accurate description… Imagine the use of steam in a shower sex scene) which also hints that this is going to be a lovely night
The use of light and the contrast of brightness on different parts also serve to convey Henry's emotions and internal thoughts. Even though their first night in Alex's room and their hook-up during the polo match were both really intense, but it was more about the surging, frantic sexual desire between the two. Now Henry doesn't actually know how Alex will react and is somewhat worried about it, which is represented by his fingers in darker lighting. But at the same time, Paris is the first time Henry can be so physically close with his long-time crush and be extremely honest/vulnerable with him, and later understand and feel each other on a spiritual level (… Woah.). He feels contentment from that, which is what the brighter area conveys.
In this single shot, the bright and dark areas are fairly equal, which also means these two emotions are in equal conflict at this moment
Then Henry's hand slides up towards Alex's shoulder and he switches to touching him with his fingertips, which, with its sensitivity, means Henry can feel any tiny change on Alex's skin. He feels Alex's excitement and comfort, which in turn makes him happy and bolder, which is also conveyed in the change of the light in the frame: the fingertips that were previously in dark lighting gradually shift into the brighter area, representing his worries fading
2, The following shot of Henry facing Alex's camera right, Alex's back against the audience, camera left
The light is still on Henry which means this shot is still conveying Henry's feelings
There's a clear contrast of light on his face which makes his face seem more 3D (again sorry for the weird translation but I can't find any other words) and attracts the audience's attention more.
The contrast is also represented in Henry's characterization. To explain this, we need to understand what a cognitive schema is: cognitive schema is a psychological concept which can be summarized as when a person is exposed to an object, event or person, they will use precious experience and knowledge to make a general judgment and description of them thus predicting their next actions. So in the case of Henry, at first since he's a prince, the audience and Alex, using their cognitive schema will assume he's prim and proper, when in reality he's horny (ha), flirtatious and adorable (so in conclusion, he's actually a babygirl)
Henry then lingers his hand on Alex, and glances at Alex with a flirtatious smile, enjoying Alex's shiver under his touch.
3, Shot of Alex facing audience camera left, Henry back against audience camera right
The light is now mostly on Henry's back, increasing the romantic atmosphere of the shot.
The light is also on Alex's torso and cheek forming a light contrast, which turns the audience's focus onto Alex. The larger dark area indicates he's being led by Henry in this situation, and he doesn't really know what Henry's gonna do, therefore his nervousness is the dominating emotion, represented by the dark area.
But he's also enjoying Henry's touches, which is why the light is still mostly on Henry but also partly on Alex now, almost like an extension of the contentment that Henry feels
The lamp that in-universe is providing the lighting is on the right side of the frame. If a similar light source isn't placed on the left side, the left side of the frame would seem too cold, which would destroy the atmosphere previously created. Therefore a mirror was placed there both for spatial balance and to create a reflection of the lamp's light, creating a small light spot on the left, balancing the coloring and lighting of the shot.
To the right of the mirror where the light can't cover is a small cupid statue. The statue not only adds to the romantic atmosphere but also indicates what's about to happen, as cupid symbolizes love and sex. Cupid is also a mischievous God who enjoys pranks, which also somewhat describe the boys' relationship: cupid shoots out the silver/lead arrow of aversion and revulsion that leads to their misunderstanding and subsequent hatred, but the shoots out the golden arrow of fall that led to them falling in love with each other and living together happily ever after.
Alex keeps watching Henry's hand as his hand slides down and looks back up when Henry touches his chest and takes a deep breath. Henry smiles brightly at Alex's reaction.
Alex then becomes intoxicated by Henry's touch as his sexual desires take over him
When Henry picks up the key that means a lot to Alex, Alex clenches his jaw. The highlight in his eyes allows the audience to immediately catch the change in his eyes that's filled up with lust.
So to conclude this part, a lot of attention was given to the placement of props and the lighting: the saturated golden creates a romantic but steamy/foggy (meraki seriously can't find the right word) setting, which is a filmmaking technique often used by Wong Kar Wai, in fact a similar lighting was used in "In the Mood for Love" (Matthew is a true fan)
For the shots of them kissing on the bed
There's a red mark on Henry's chest which OP explained in an earlier video that would have been caused by Alex grabbing there when thrusting forward
There's another possibility which is Alex getting excited when being behind Henry but he doesn't really know what to do so all he can do is grind against Henry. But Henry feels and sounds divine, and Alex gets impatient so he leaves marks on Henry's arm and chest
To prove her hypothesis op did an experiment with her own arm: she chose her arm because just like the part of Henry's chest that's marked, part of the muscle curves (into the elbow just as the chest muscle curves into the armpit) it's not a easy place for fingers to exert force, thus can draw a closer, more subjective comparison.
Experiment process: open uses her other hand to grab onto her arm and pull backwards forcefully, to 1, observe the shape of the mark and if it's identical to that of Henry's, 2, observe the time needed to create the mark in order to be the same as Henry's
As shown in the photo, the (faint) red marks are approximately the same shape, width and redness as the ones on Henry's chest. It took 28 seconds to reach this. This approximates the time taken by Alex to "do stuff" (I think she means prep?) from Henry's behind
With how loving and gentle Alex is with Henry it's not that likely that he started groping Henry's chest from the beginning, so the conclusion is when Alex was trying to "move forward" when he was behind Henry (I seriously don't know if she means prep or like, doggy style) but doesn't really know what to do and groped Henry in his nervousness, and this failed attempt lasted at least 28 seconds.
OP thinks the failed attempt was done in front of the window with Henry bending over, gripping the back of one of the chairs, and deduced from the DNC scene: the boys were originally chatting in bath robes on the couch with the curtain mostly closed, but when Zahra barged in, the blackout curtain was out, leaving just the mesh layer closed. There was a bathrobe on the far side of the couch and another in front of the window. So presumably after the talk, they went for another round, Henry ditched his robe on one side of the couch and pounced on Alex (similarly to how he did on Alex's couch), they tumbled around and switched position and ended up in front of the window, Alex remembered he failed attempt in Paris and wanted to make up for it so he pulled open the blackout curtain but left the mesh layer closed, and then he got to work. (...tbn personally I think this is a stretch?)
Henry thinks Alex is adorable but he's also really intoxicated and wants to get down to business asap, so he grabs Alex's neck and presses Alex towards him, kissing from Alex's lips to his neck. He kissed Alex's neck because from their first hook-up and the way Alex immediately stretched his neck to give Henry space when he kissed his neck then, that this is the quickest way to stimulate him. Which is why you can see a faint hickey on Alex's neck
As they kiss they walk towards the bed. During their first hook-up, Henry pushed Alex onto the couch, so now it's Alex's turn to pounce on Henry, which is what we see in the shot: Henry falls onto the bed first, then Alex follows. Alex is really happy and a bit proud that he can drive Henry crazy like this, while (and I quote directly) Henry can't think of anything anymore, and has "please hurry up and fuck me" painted on his face
The mark/hickey on Alex's neck takes the shape of an inverted triangle, with the vertical side and the diagonal side (left down right up, in math it's a positive slope) being more red, which means those two points experienced the largest amount of force
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Red Mark on Henry's Chest
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Screenshot from In the Mood for Love using a similar lighting
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Red Mark Result from OP's experiment
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Blackout Curtain Closed on DNC Night
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Bathrobe (presumed to be Henry's) on the far side of the couch
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Bathrobe (presumed to be Alex's) near the window, Blackout Curtain Open in the background
For the process, deduced with the shot of them laying in bed during the afterglow
The trajectory of sweat on Henry's temple runs downward vertically. If he was fucked lying down, the sweat should run into his ear canal horizontally. Which means he was fucked in a sitting position. For example in the polo match hookup, Henry's sweat is visible in the form of drops running vertically down his face. Also in the afterglow, the sweat also seems to be splattered, which required Henry to have vigorously moved either up and down or front and back. So yeah this further proves that there was a cut riding scene.
Alex also has sweat on his face, and his fringe is wet. So riding should have happened right before they lied down and started talking.
So the process deduced by OP is 1, they tried doggy style in front of the window and failed 2, what was shown in the movie 3, doggy style on the bed 4, riding (OP wasn't aware of the details of the extended Paris love-making scene, but all RWRB fans in China know that there's doggy style and riding that got cut, this is OP's deduction of the order)
Even without looking at the sweats and marks, from the way Henry's signet ring is turned in the movie you can tell that something's deleted, since before Alex intertwined his fingers with Henry, the letter H was facing outwards, and when their hands join the movement causes the ring to turn and for the letter to face inwards. But then the next shot with Henry's hand on Alex's shoulder shows the ring worn normally again, which means something in between was deleted or reordered.
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Hickey on Alex's Neck
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Henry's sweat in the afterglow
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Henry's sweat during the polo hook-up
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Alex's sweat in the afterglow
tagging @sanneannelies7 and @na-18dia who mentioned wanting the translation in my original post
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ivy-diaries · 1 year
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cringe and goofy ah 😞
??
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