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madam-melon-meow · 3 years

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Bisexual Kyoshi is something that can be so personal, actually

Panel edit by @flagellasturbation

[image I.D. : An edit of a comic panel of avatar Kyoshi. On the left in the image is a close-up of Kyoshi from the torso up, contained within an upside-down trapezoid shape. She wears her full battle uniform of olive and emerald robes, dark gloves and bracers, and a golden headpiece in a fan-like shape. Her eyes are the same emerald shade as her robes, she has black hair billowing to the left edge of the image, and her black eyebrows have been dramatically lengthened by black face paint. Her face and neck are artificially whitened with chalky makeup, she has black winged eyeliner, red eyeshadow that sweeps upwards to her temples and down the sides of her nose, and red lipstick outlined in black. This is the classic Kyoshi makeup. Her arms are crossed, the left arm behind her head pointing a golden fan away from the viewer, the right arm extended in front of her face, another golden fan pointed towards the viewer. She appears to be looking upwards and towards the right of the image. Above Kyoshi’s eye level and in the top right of the image is a comic text box. It reads in all caps: “even avatar Kyoshi- who by all accounts loved men and women- was unable to effect any kind of real progress.” The background art and color has been replaced with the Bisexual Flag, a thick horizontal line of pink on top, stopping at Kyoshi’s cheek level, then a thinner line of purple ending at her shoulders, and a thick line of blue that extends to the bottom of the image. End I.D.]

(If someone does not find my image I.D. sufficient, please let me know. This is my first time trying to make such a thing, as i am a lurker, not a poster)

Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee, page 99 (text copy / pasted from the b&n ebook version)

““Are those . . . fire lilies?” he said, a wide, knowing grin spreading across his face.

Kyoshi flushed beet red. “Stop it,” she said.

“That’s right,” Yun said. “The Ember Island tourism minister brought a bunch when he visited two weeks ago. I can’t believe you simply shred the flowers once they dry out. I guess nothing goes to waste in this house.”

“Knock it off,” Kyoshi snapped. But it was too hard keeping the corners of her lips from curling upward.

“Knock what off?” he said, enjoying her reaction. “I’m just commenting on a fragrance I’ve come to particularly enjoy.”

It was an inside reference that only the two of them shared. Rangi didn’t know. She hadn’t been there in the gifting room eight months ago while Kyoshi arranged a vast quantity of fire lilies sent by an admiral in the Fire Navy, one of Hei-Ran’s friends.

Yun had spent the afternoon watching Kyoshi work. Against every scrap of her better judgment, she’d allowed him to lie down on the floor and rest his head in her lap while she plucked deformed leaves and trimmed stems to the right length. Had anyone caught the two of them like that, there would have been a scandal that not even the Avatar could have recovered from.

That day, entranced by Yun’s upside-down features dappled with the flower petals she’d teasingly sprinkled over his face, she’d almost leaned down and kissed him. And he knew it. Because he’d almost reached up and kissed her.

They never spoke of it afterward, the shared impulse that had nearly crashed both of their carriages. It was too . . . well, they each had their duties was a good way to put it. That moment did not fit anywhere among their responsibilities.

But since then, whenever the two of them were in the presence of fire lilies, Yun’s eyes would dart toward the flowers repeatedly until he was sure Kyoshi noticed. She would try unsuccessfully to keep a straight face, the heat coloring her neck, and he’d sigh as if to mourn what could have been.

Today was no different. With a wistful blush on his own cheeks, Yun stared her down until her defenses broke and she let out a giggle through her nose.

“There’s that beautiful smile,” he said. He pressed his heels into the floor, sliding up against the wall, and straightened his rumpled shirt. “Kyoshi, trust me when I say this: If it turns out not to be me, I’ll be glad it’s you.”

~~~~~~~~~

Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee, page 210 (text copy / pasted from the b&n ebook version)

“You think you don’t deserve peace and happiness and good things, but you do!” Rangi yelled. “You, Kyoshi! Not the Avatar, but you!”

She closed the distance and wrapped her arms around Kyoshi’s waist. The embrace was a clever way to hide her face.

“Do you have any idea how painful it’s been for me to follow you on this journey where you’re so determined to punish yourself?” she said. “Watching you treat yourself like an empty vessel for revenge, when I’ve known you since you were a servant girl who couldn’t bend a pebble? The Avatar can be reborn. But you can’t, Kyoshi. I don’t want to give you up to the next generation. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

Kyoshi realized she’d had it all wrong. Rangi was a true believer. But her greatest faith had been for her friends, not her assignment. She pulled Rangi in closer. She thought she heard a slight, contented sigh come from the other girl.

“I wish I could give you your due,” Rangi muttered after some time had passed. “The wisest teachers. Armies to defend you. A palace to live in.”

Kyoshi raised an eyebrow. “The Avatar gets a palace?”

“No, but you deserve one.”

“I don’t need it,” Kyoshi said. She smiled into Rangi’s hair, the soft strands caressing her lips. “And I don’t need an army. I have you.”

Psh,” Rangi scoffed. “A lot of good I’ve been so far. If I were better at my job you would never feel scared. Only loved. Adored by all.”

Kyoshi gently nudged Rangi’s chin upward. She could no more prevent herself from doing this than she could keep from breathing, living, fearing.

“I do feel loved,” she declared.

Rangi’s beautiful face shone in reflection. Kyoshi leaned in and kissed her.

A warm glow mapped Kyoshi’s veins. Eternity distilled in a single brush of skin. She thought she would never be more alive than now.

And then—

The shock of hands pushing her away. Kyoshi snapped out of her trance, aghast.

Rangi had flinched at the contact. Repelled her. Viscerally, reflexively.

Oh no. Oh no.

This couldn’t—not after everything they’d been through—this couldn’t be how it—

Kyoshi shut her eyes until they hurt. She wanted to shrink until she vanished within the cracks of the earth. She wanted to become dust and blow away in the wind.

But the sound of laughter pulled her back. Rangi was coughing, drowning herself with her own tears and mirth. She caught her breath and retook Kyoshi by the hips, turning to the side, offering up the smooth, unblemished skin of her throat.

“That side of my face is busted up, stupid,” she whispered in the darkness. “Kiss me where I’m not hurt.”

~~~~~

I include both these quotes because i've seen a few posts about the “gigantic lesbian” avatar, and although i am glad my sapphic sisters feel connected to Kyoshi (as well they should!), that doesn't mean i wish to simply be quiet on the matter of her textual bisexuality. I understand that not everyone has read her novels, nor has everyone read legend of Korra comics, but Kyoshi is *textually* bisexual.

Kyoshi had a loving romantic relationship with her firebending friend Rangi, but this does not erase her feelings for her earthbending friend Yun, even if neither of them were able to properly express it due to their respective “status”. (For context if you haven’t read, the masters believed that Yun was the avatar, and though he was bodyguarded by Rangi, and though Kyoshi was his servent, the three of them were simiar ages and thus close friends until the discovery of Kyoshi’s true ability destroyed their former lives). Hell, Kyoshi and Rangi do not become intimate until after fleeing their former lives. Who is to say what would have happened, had Yun not been captured by father glowworm ?

I know that there is a chance you will scoff at this, will write this off as comphet, accuse me of disproportionately weighting an almost-kiss with a true relationship, but these above quotes (as well as the comic panel from “the legend of korra: turf wars- part 1”) serve as proof that Kyoshi, “by all accounts loved men and women” (see panel directly below)

[image I.D. : the same comic panel as the edit above, this one without the bisexual flag edited in. Directly behind Kyoshi, within the upside-down trapezoid shape, is an olive to lime gradient, darker around her head and lighter near the bottom. Around and to the right in the image, outside of the trapezoid, is an aerial shot of buildings within an Earth Kingdom city, and what appears to be the lines of troops on the ground far below. the text box in the image is the same, but I have underlined the word “men” in blue, the word “and” in purple, and the word “women” in pink, to reflect the bisexual flag. End I.D.]

I am making such a big deal over this because Kyoshi is a massive figure, her long shadow cast over Aang’s life alongside Roku’s, and even before her novels came out there were often jokes about her “bloodthirsty” nature. I implore you to read the novels and see why Kyoshi believed in deadly justice at times, but also so you can see what a dynamic, loving, and beautiful character she is.

Some members of fandom have taken a “step on me” attitude towards Kyoshi, who has, even if the 7 feet tall thing is more fanon than canon, been explicitly described as “exceptionally tall”, and “towering” over others. This “strong woman who will break me and I thank them” attitude is one that butch &/or physically imposing sapphics, as well as trans women with similar statures to Kyoshi have expressed discomfort when applied to themselves and characters like them. I would love for more people to acknowledge her flaws and multi-faceted nature, that she is more than a “warrior goddess”, just as Aang is more than a living relic. Flattening her out to the easily-fetishable parts erases the depth of her character and the complexity of circumstances that led to the instances of deadly force.

There are very few bisexual characters in media, especially women, and especially in children’s media. Bisexual women have often been caricatured as loose, promiscuous, good for a threesome and not much else. (This is mot to say that i think any lesser of my fellow bisexuals who are proudly promiscious, nor can an actual live bisexual person be considered a stereotype for living their life, but media’s portayal of us as obsessed with desire is incredibly harmful). Knowing that a strong, beautiful, and important character in the avatar universe is a bisexual woman is amazing, even more so to have her first lady-love described in the novels with such care. F. C. Yee, the author of these novels, has my eternal gratitude. I sincerely hope that the new generation of fans, whether they are drawn to the cartoon or even the hypothetical live action show, will pick up these novels and discover the kind of bisexual character that I wish existed in my early days as a reader, and if a small fraction of them resonate with Kyoshi’s reciprocal on Yun and love for Rangi, then the world becomes a little bit brighter for it.

I mentioned her importance for the simple reason that Kyoshi IS important with the text of ATLA. As one of the avatars, she is one of the most historically important figures in that universe, one of the few avatars that Aang knows by name, and one of the only avatars to speak through his body. The fact that she has two whole novels to herself testifies to that effect, making her bisexual representation all the more important than a simple background character might be.

If or when the ATLA live action tv show occurs, we can expect some mention of Kyoshi. After all, there is a whole episode dedicated to exploring one of her missions, and the way that the descendants of her enemy have recolored history. It is my sincere desire that enough discussion is made about her canon bisexuality , that fandom trumphets it from the roof with as much force as crackshipping zukka, that when she does make it to the screen, there is some subtle nod in her bisexuality’s direction, even if it is something as meta as casting a bisexual actress for her. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

edit by @flagellasturbation

[image I.D. : An edit of a comic panel of avatar Kyoshi. This is like the first image, Kyoshi and the text box of the comic panel untouched, the background color and art replaced with the bisexual flag. However, this version has the words “by all accounts” blown up large and placed diagonally in the image, directly under Kyoshi’s face and stretching from one side of the image to the other. The bottom third of the image is similarly obscured, the words “men” , “and” , “women” blown up large enough to fill the panel and cover most of Kyoshi’s torso, as well as the purple and blue areas of the background flag. End I.D.]

#Avatar Kyoshi #Rangi #Yun #The Rise of Kyoshi #The Shadow of Kyoshi #father glowworm #bisexual

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reneejuliet · 4 years

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The bells of change.

Author: reneejuliet

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Rating: E (still absolutely nothing)

Word Count: 1,247

Genre: Fluff, Soulmate AU

Author’s Note: Here’s the sequel! Well, I say sequel, but it’s more like an installment. These “pieces” are going to be snippets of a story, as that’s probably all I’ll have time to write out. But I hope you like it! The photo above is edited by me.

You can read the first part here.

Happy Reading!

You were exhausted.

Two weeks ago, your days had been cinematic. Soaring mountains, neon cities, blooming country sides: they’d all provided breathtaking backdrops for a month’s worth of adventures with your best friend. Your passport still sat carelessly on your desk, pages brimming with the timeline of your travels. The trip had been impulsive, and exhilarating.

And expensive.

Despite all your scrimping and saving and the meticulous planning you had put into the excursion, your bank account had still been stretched incredibly thin. After all, you still had bills to keep up with while you were away experiencing life. Not that you regretted the trip – the very opposite, actually. You’d never known such freedom, such peace. And oh, what you wouldn’t give to be back on a distant shore, toes buried in the sand and bathed in moonlight, watching your friend frolic haphazardly through the dark waters.

Instead, you find yourself back in your studio apartment on the far side of town after another long day at work. Only the light above the stove is there to greet you at this late hour, left on by you to prevent any more stubbed toes or banged shins. After all, the only window you have in your “living room” faces a brick wall attached to a ten-story building. You aren’t exactly familiar with natural lighting.

Still, the apartment is home, and has been for some time now. It may not be conveniently located to your work – 45 minute commute by bus, 30 by taxi if you ever had the money to spare for one – but it’s cheap enough that even with your commuting fees, you manage to come out on top each month. And that’s really all you could ask for. Plus, it’s just you living here, and you’ve never been a flashy kind of person. If anything, the plain, boring space suits you rather well.

You had just thrown your coat over the back of your kitchen chair and dropped your bag onto the counter when the familiar chime of your phone sounds from the confines of your pants. Instinctively, you groaned. You knew that sound.

Another work email.

Even though you had clocked out almost 2 hours ago, your phone had not shut up since you had left the building. Your return from your vacation had been timed perfectly with the start of the busy season, and thus had buried you in orders before you’d even had your first cup of coffee. Ever since, you’d been working longer and longer hours to try and stay afloat. This often meant working off the clock and answering emails from the comfort of your own home.

Needless to say, you’d grown conditioned to hate that particular series of bells.

Tonight, however, you choose to ignore the siren call of work in favor of heating up some leftovers you’d been dreaming about all day. It was Friday, after all. Even if you responded to this beck and call, it likely wouldn’t be received until tomorrow, let alone appreciated by your bosses until the coming Monday because they got to leave work behind when they clocked out. So, screw it. You were taking the rest of the night for yourself.

The food in the microwave, your clothes changed out for a comfy set of pjs, and your laptop tucked under your arm, you settled into your favorite spot on the couch. Flipping the screen open, you punched in your log-in information and waited as your most recent activity reloaded before your eyes. Squinting against the brightness, you’re greeted with the familiar sight of your social media. It’s all kept primarily on your laptop in an effort to maintain your phone for work purposes only, so you’re not surprised that you’d forgotten to close out of the accounts.

As the tantalizing aroma of your food begins to seep out from the kitchen, you flick between accounts to catch up on the latest with your family and friends. You were just about to leave a sarcastic comment on one of your friend’s status updates when another chime rings loudly in your quiet apartment. You jump in surprise, carefully cradling your laptop to prevent a journey to the floor. Instinctively, your eyes shoot to your phone with a glare. But it remains on the counter, where you left it, screen dark with its lack of power.

You look instead to the microwave, tongue sticking out of your mouth in anticipation of your food. Only the glowing red numbers tell you there is still a little over a minute left. Your stomach rumbles grumpily.

Something on the screen between your hands catches your eye, and you look down with your brow drawn in confusion. There is nothing on the page you are currently on, but one of the other tabs is blinking in notification. Clicking on it, your Facebook page loads up in a soft blue glow. And there, up near the top of your screen, is a little red circle indicating that you have a new friend request.

You have not met anyone new lately – there hasn’t been any time for that with work. Anyone of interest from your trip that had warranted exchanging information had added you on their preferred social media platform, none of which had been Facebook. You vaguely remembered a friend mentioning her cousin was moving nearby soon and would likely be scouring her own page for people to add from the area, but that was more than a month ago.

Curiosity winning out, you click on the little red bubble. The menu drops down with the account that has submitted the request. There is no profile picture – hello red flag – but there is a message attached to the request. You click on it, and you choke on your own spit.

Hello, Y/N. Bell girl. I hope you made flight.

You almost have no idea what this message means. Your name could have just been gleaned from your profile, and everything else is random enough to be brushed off as spam. You move the mouse to hover over the delete button. But you hesitate.

Because just across from you, on one of the shelves of your bookcase, sits a little ceramic bell whose chime you have not been able to forget since it literally rained down on you. You’d thought they’d all been cleaned up, but one had managed to fall into the hood of your coat and you unwittingly carried it onto your plane with you. It wasn’t until you were an entire ocean away that you discovered the mistake, at which point it was too late to remedy. You’d stewed in guilt for a day or two, even contemplated tossing the thing out so it wouldn’t remind you of the only theft you’d ever committed.

Then you rang it, and those soft doe eyes were called into your memory. How they glistened as he’d stared at you, the way they crinkled when you’d offered him your name. You hadn’t gotten his, but you hadn’t needed it, either. Because you knew those eyes.

Your own snap back to your laptop and zero in on the requester’s profile name. A rather undignified snort leaves you.

John Cook.

Was he serious? Of course not, because there was no way this was even him. It was some sort of coincidence. At worst, a terrible joke. It had to be.

There was absolutely, positively, no way Jeon Jungkook was adding you on Facebook.

Right?

There it is! I know Jungkook isn’t exactly present in this one, but I wanted to show the reader’s POV more this time. Please let me know what you think. And, if you have any suggestions for the next drabble, feel free to share! I’m pretty positive I’m going to continue this as inspiration hits, but I’m always open to suggestions. Especially when work is draining most of my creativity. Thanks for reading! :)

©reneejuliet 2020. No part of this material may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, reposted, or translated without consent.

#btsghostie #kpop fanfiction #kpop fanfic #kpop drabbles #bts fanfiction #bts fanfic #bts fic #bts drabble #jeon jungkook #jungkook drabble #jungkook fluff #jungkook soulmate au #bts soulmate au #bts fluff #jungkook fanfic #jungkook x reader #jungkook scenarios #the bells of change #reneejuliet

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purplesurveys · 3 years

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1070

[found at: --rainboweyes--]

When was the last time you did clay work/pottery? The one time I did pottery was I thinkkkkk during our trip to Vigan? Somewhere up north, anyway. That was around 3 or 4 years ago.

Do you like art, hate it or just not mind it? I love looking at art and can be in museums all day long; but I hate analyzing it and having to read into metaphors or symbolisms. I just appreciate the brush strokes, the colors used...basically the skills and hard work that went into the artwork.

If you had to choose would you prefer dull pain for 12 hours or sharp for 2? Sharp for two, plz. I have had dull headaches all week that have lasted into the night and I absolutely hate it.

Koala or Kangaroo? I like either.

Do you know the words to the national anthem of your country? Of course.

Is your country ruled by a president, prime minister, queen or other? President. Our current one’s an incompetent one, but yeah a president I guess.

Does blue occur in your national flag? Yes. We place the blue section on top when the country’s at peace, and we flip it to the bottom side if we’re otherwise at war - fortunately I’ve never seen the red be put on top throughout my lifetime so far.

Talking of flags. Do you like football/soccer? I’ve personally never seen the appeal of either, but that’s just me.

If yes, do you play and what position? If not, leave blank.

Would you rather be a Model, Famous Scientist, Singer or Chef? I’d like to be a scientist, just not a famous one. Like can I just be lowkey smart? Lmao

Would you rather be a pilot, crime scene investigator or estate agent? Pilot. That would have been so rad. I have a friend who flies nearly every week and his photos always look awesome. Maybe I’ll take lessons one day.

Does making others happy really make you feel happy? It’s my main way of keeping happy.

What color literally doesn't appear in your wardrobe at all? Purple. Never looked good on me. I wanna add orange since I dislike the color as well, but I remember the orange top I have that I never got around to throwing out. I’m pretty sure I also don’t own any brown.

Do you actually read the answers others give to your surveys [I do]? Yes. Sometimes I’ll be gone for several days and there’ll be so many new survey entries that I can’t always read everyone’s answers, but for the most part I do try to take a look at the ones I see.

Did you ever swear at a teacher in school? Why? I’ve sworn at them behind their backs, but that’s it.

Have you ever pricked your finger on Holly or another 'sharp' plant? I’ve definitely been a victim of thorns before.

Speaking of Holly, do you adore Christmas or does it bug you? It makes me lonely for the most part. But I was happy this year because my dad was home, and both sides of my family managed to make get-togethers work while still following protocol.

Have you ever wrote your own short story? I tried writing fanfiction when I first discovered them, but that was when I learned I was unbelievably terrible with fictional work. My career as a budding author did not last any longer than two weeks, lmao.

What about a novel? Or perhaps you started and couldn't finish? Nope. I believe I tried this as well, but I just didn’t have both the creativity and commitment for it.

Either of the above, if this was the case, place short synopsis here: Couples I shipped and that is cringey enough so that is all you need to know.

Do you prefer SciFi/Fantasy/Action/Horror or Rom/Com/RealLife? When it comes to fanfiction still? Or just in general? I like stories that are most likely to happen in real life, so I enjoy dramas the most. Romcoms are also cute and they’re what I turn to whenever I need to de-stress. I do like horror as well but my interest has waned a bit through the years; sci-fi is a hit or miss for me; I don’t hold any interest for either fantasy or action.

What do you have a lot of faith in [note: can be anything]? It’s hard to hold a lot of that these days.

Think of a material thing you want. Name it here (material, made or bought] Right now I want a projector. I keep YouTube videos playing on my phone throughout my shift to serve as background noise, but I wish I had a bigger screen :( I have a blank wall in my room so a projector would be perfect rn.

Would $100/$60 be enough for this item? I can definitely find a projector in that price range on Shopee, lol.

How about $1000/$600? That’s more than enough and can get me a high-end projector at this point.

Would you rather have a big house, a lot of kids or a high flying job? The last one is a priority for me now.

Have you ever been to a creepy/haunted/abandoned place? I’ve been to many places rumored to be haunted, like particular spots in my high school.

What did it look like and what were the circumstances? Idk the so-called haunted areas in my school were all everyday spots, like certain washrooms and the penthouse in the high school building. An outsider probably wouldn’t suspect they were haunted unless someone else told them.

It’s nearing 10:30 PM and it’s pitch-black in my room, so I’d rather not explain the stories behind the ~haunted spots LOL

What's your favorite dip? Depends on what food I’m dipping? There are so many kinds of dips, dude.

Chocolate Cookies or Fudge Brownies? Just chocolate cookies? As in double chocolate, not chocolate chip? I never liked that flavor. I’m going with fudge brownies.

I give you a little baby puppy. What do you name him? It will depend on their personality. Cooper was a smartass from the get-go so we named him after Sheldon Cooper.

Is crime a big problem in your area? Not in my city, fortunately. But my country generally doesn’t have a good rep when it comes to crime. I always hear of unjust killings every week, if not every day.

What's your town/city most well known for? Being on a mountain, a famous biking spot, a famous climbing spot, the view of the metro it gives at night.

Do you know a Jack? What's he like? I don’t think so. No one is coming to mind.

How about a Lisa? What's she like? Our neighbor from my childhood home is a Lisa. I have not seen her since I was like 10, so I have no clue how she’s doing these days.

Are most your friends older, younger or the same age as you? Same age, since most of my friends are the people I went to high school/college with.

Do you subconsciously hang out with those with the same star sign as you or as each other, perhaps due to certain personality traits? Think about it: Astrology makes me cringe.

Name 5 objects that you don't have but would like right now? A 2021 planner, scented candles, Ivy Park merch, a massage pillow, skincare products.

When you have children, would you like twins? Probably not.

Do you know any twins? If so, what are they called? Yeah I was classmates with a pair in an English elective I had in college. We ended up being friends that semester, but we don’t interact much anymore. I’m not giving away their names, but I’m sad that I was never able to tell them apart :/

If you were given the choice to choose your child’s gender, would you? Absolutely yeah, if it were possible. I’d preferably have all girls.

What instrument would you love to learn how to play? The piano.

Does the sound of knocking/tapping startle you? If it comes out as a loud thud, yeah. It’s more likely to irritate me, though.

What's the scariest story/urban legend/creepypasta etc you heard? Skipping this as it’s nearing 10:45 PM and I don’t need any images to come to mind right now lol

Do you miss someone currently? Always.

When was the last time you were in hospital? What for [if comfy saying]? Needed to get a urine and blood test to check my platelet count, because my parents and I thought I had dengue.

When was the last time you went to the dentist? December 2019 when I needed a pesky toothache dealt with ASAP, and when my dentist discovered a decayed tooth that needed to be removed.

Do you get along well with your family doctor/your doctor? We don’t have a family doctor. I only go to the doctor when I’m sick, and we go to different ones every time haha.

What personality trait does nearly everyone in your family seem to have? Everyone hides their emotions, to a point that it’s unhealthy. No one just wants to address the elephant in the room, which is precisely a part of the problem. I’m 100% certain we are all suffering and fighting our own battles quietly.

The survey’s ended. I hope you enjoyed it. :) This was a pleasant one to take :)

#survey #surveys

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artificialqueens · 5 years

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living on the edge of the law (biadore) - chapter 5 - lily2

bianca needs an outlet and all her friends are either flirting or too drunk to realize, adore is beyond stressed with her new restrictions and album being put out & sasha reaches an absolute breaking point.

— *.✧ “So you’re not exactly the fondest of her is what I am hearing?” Jinkx asked, taking a sip of her Pepsi, genuinely intruiged by the way of which Bianca was speaking. It bad been a full work week since Bianca had begun assisting Adore Delano, the grundy and up and coming singer from Azusa, California. Her auburn hair twirled around her finger curiously listening to Bianca talk, well yell— all her emotions and anger and work stories out. “It’s not that! It’s really not, when she performs and she’s doing her thing? Jesus, she’s fucking amazing.” The small twinkle in Bianca’s eyes when she started talking about Adore singing was enough of an indication to Jinkx, “So you like her and her music, she’s just understandbly a bit tense, she’s young, and smells horrible?“ “Exactly!” They laughed, cheering glasses, Jinkx the one who was unlucky and stuck driving for tonight, Pepsi in hand whole Bianca took down tequila shots, “You don’t have to die of alcohol poisoning today y'know!” She spoke up over the music, Bianca rolling her eyes, scoffing a bit offended. “Bitch you of all people should know that I, as a Latina, cannot legally get drunk off tequila, it’s fucking water!” She yelled before taking down another shot and holding onto Jinkx’s arm, smiling to know that she had her closest high school friend in her presence and now permanently since she had moved to Santa Monica. The waiter came with their food and with a small slip of paper, passing to Jinkx who was definitely confused as to why a young waiter would be passing her something as generic as paper, crumpled and with clear writing inside judging by the blue ink stains from the outside. “Is this for me?” She asked, Bianca stunned. “Yes, our bartender wanted you to have it, the girl with the dyed platinum hair.” He said before taking his now empty tray as Jinkx opened the slipe to find a phone number enclosed as well as a small message that read: Please take the number, I’m Ivy and I think you’re absolutely beautiful xx . Bianca snaked her eyes over to look at the note as she completely widened her eyes, “Well damn, atleast she isn’t fucking around with you.” The bartender who was apperantly named Ivy stared at Jinkx, looking for a reaction and getting one in the form of a smile and glance over, shoving the number in her pocket and brushing her hair from her face, “Maybe I still can get around.” She joked much to Bianca’s dismay. “Oh bitch we are not that old, don’t do me like that.” Bianca taking a bite of her salad, decently content with the actual flavor of it though Jinkx was now only staring at that mysterious bartender who would return the glances often with a bashful smile. “Go and talk to her, say I want some alcohol bitch.” She whispered teasingly before Jinkx punched her stomach under the table, Bianca yelling before Jinkx shushed her, standing up. “I need five minutes is all.” She left the table and went over right to the mysterious woman. “Oh sure!” She yelled before going on her phone, not wanting to answer Adore’s new texts right now, more trying to look occupied so she could try and spy on her close friend, Jinkx already cackling while talking some nonsense to the flirty bartender who made her a drink, unsuprisingly. She finally replied to Adore who was just ranting on and on about how many limits her new album would have, Bianca telling her to suck it up and realize this was how the cooperate world worked unfortunately. The singer replying with nothing but crying emoji’s, Bianca quickly clicking out it not exactly wanting to deal with her childlike antics in a restaurant like trying to look preoccupied. Two notifications popped up across her phone’s screen as banners, both were from Sasha, which was surprising considering how little she ever needed or asked for from Bianca, she seemed like she had her life together and wasn’t too worried about depending on friends over text, she just occasionally asked for some paperwork and a question about Shea, she realized even in just one week working at the office that everyone realize the emotions and feelings were beyond real besides the two people who were showing it most: Shea and Sasha. Bianca, Katya is throwing a party tonight, no reason specifically and she totally forgot to text you, I’m at her house and she invited you if you would like to come. She begun typing a response almost immediately before doing a double take on the second message which mentioned the fact this party would almost hundred percent be a karaoke party. Working with singers was one thing but actually having to be under the influence of her co-workers and alcohol and sing for fun was a completely different ballgame. Bianca didn’t care much for if she sounded good or not, she wasn’t Adore and not like karaoke was ever taken very serious especially at a party with the people she had begun to consider friends at the very least— she wasn’t exactly where the flaw in the plan was but something in her stomach growled, maybe she was just feeling far too attached to music and musicians tight now and didn’t want to think about her job outside of work. Okay I’ll come, just text me the details of the party and date, bring alcohol or no? And just like that Bianca Del Rio, most known for her attitude just accepted a personal invite to a damn house party for a job she had barely started a full week ago, the only thing that could’ve made it possibly better was Courtney being closer and not hours ahead, never being able to FaceTime and Adore being a bit more mature and making her own decisions, to be less reliant on her friend she had spoke about in her office and on Bianca herself. Bring nothing, Katya has enough please trust me on that :) Jinkx insisted she would be back by now but Bianca just finished her food and paid the check without her knowing, slyly sliding off her chair and leaving a note for Jinkx saying there was a work party she had to go help and that she hopes things work out with the Ivy chick. She snuck herself out before skipping along to her car, turning it on to work the AC before reading Adore’s message, asking for her to come if she could and help Adore find a house or studio to stay in, expressing genuine want to get out of her best friend’s apartment in Los Angeles. Please B!!! I need help, I have virtually no credit but I can’t keep leaning on her, you’re totally right. We can do it at your house if you want so you don’t have to make the trip. Bianca groaned, “She really just had to reply right after Sasha?” She muttered before thinking, it was a Friday so not like she had anywhere to be on the weekend, all she needed to do was finish organizing her closet and call Courtney and spill some more news and stories for the week. “Okay let’s do a few hours at Katya’s and then she can come over, perfect!” She planned aloud before texting her to come to her house around 10PM, sending her addressing and adding a: Don’t fucking walk this time you bitch. STAY SAFE!!! She dropped her phone and blasted her music, slightly letting the window down, she had the decent and general idea of where Katya lived after having to take her home this past Wednesday because her car broke down or some shit like that, she was right across the recording studio and a block on the left so not like she could get lost, especially when seeing the Russian flag on her mailbox. It was extremely fucking stupid as a decoration in her own opinion and it was indeed very extra but it definitely helped Bianca distinguish her house quite easy. “Hey whores!” Bianca teasingly called from the door once hearing Katya’s distinct voice yell at her to come in once she rung the doorbell. “Hello!” Smiled Sasha who was rummaging and sorting through the alcohol that filled the absolute perimeters of Katya’s shelves. “Guess I really didn’t need to bring the alcohol when you have an entire liqour store in the back of your kitchen.” Katya snickered at Bianca’s comment before turning, holding a bottle of whiskey, “Some of it is just for guests, I don’t drink beer but I have some just incase someone like Shea comes over who can’t handle her liqour well.” Sasha slapped her on the back and cursed something unintelligible to Bianca who laughed, clapping and stealing some of the chocolate Katya had laid out. “How many people did you invite?” She asked jokingly looking at the alcohol and food before Katya replied with a shrug, “Only about twelve people.” Bianca nervously smiled, that was about ten too many in her book. She was extremely extroverted but really liked her peace and quiet and knew it would be her awkwardly sipping alcohol and watching all these others talk so comfortably with eachother considering they all probably had worked together for years “Oh you’re great, you’ll be fine.” Katya’s voice sounding absolutely serious when she spoke the reply, Bianca had her doubts but trusted her newfound friend and co-worker. “Don’t worry if I get left out I’ll just steal all your fucking alcohol and leave, bag that shit up and go!” She yelled before grabbing Katya’s arm and laughing with the Russian sitting next to her before they started escalating into conversation about Adore and how that entire thing is going, everyone seemed obnxiously interested in that world of Bianca’s especially if it had to do with Adore, it was sweet at first and now it was annoying as hell: she didn’t have much to share so then it was time for Katya to speak. “I finally asked my crush of about four years on a date.” Bianca’s eyes widened and Sasha almost dropped her glass in her surprise, “You’re joking!” She screamed before clapping and mumbling something in Russian. “Who? You never even told me you had a crush let alone for that fucking long.“ Shea better take notes! "Her name is Trixie, she’s a singer but we met because we used to work in entertainment, she’s a makeup artist and does hair to but she’s trying to break into music.” Bianca rolled her eyes, “Seems like everyone is nowadays.” Katya almost pushed her off her chair, “She’s actually a fantastic singer, she does more country and folk music, it’s some really cool stuff but I finally asked her and you know what she responsed?" Sasha absolutely delighted for best friend smiled, "What? I really wanna know!” Bianca put her face in her hands and listened definitely curious, she would laugh if after all of this build the answer was a deadpanned “No”. “She said yes!” Katya screamed before Sasha also yelled and Bianca yelled since everyone else was, they all hugged before Bianca questioned her antics and if she was invited to tonight. “Oh fuck no, if she saw my friends she would dump me right before our date even happens!” She joked though Sasha wrapped her arms around her fellow Russian friend’s neck and smiled, “I’m very proud of you!” The two seemed to click like sisters, Bianca would’ve probably guessed they were if it wasn’t for Katya very early on distinguishing the two of them though she was sure somehow they were twelveth cousins. The doorbell rung and all three of the girls yelled the door was open, Katya giving a thumbs up before getting out more cups as Shea and Aja walked through the door all at once, stepping in and saying their hello’s and Shea quickly running over to Sasha who happily took the hug and held her hand as they spoke aimlessly as absolutely fucking expected. “What is the alcohol of choice?” Katya said showing off her bar cart, twirling in her red tulle skirt, smirking. “I just want something straight, no ice.” Aja said dull, sitting down quickly and with a sour face. Katya nodding and fixing her a vodka pouring just a bit of club soda since Aja seemed intent on just vodka but the Russian knew better than that. “You seem distinctly off today, something wrong?” Bianca tried to be the mediator here but Aja didn’t say a word, clearly wanting space though that only caused Bianca further confusion, “Honey why did you come to a party if you’re just gonna sit there in silence?” Katya quickly shushing Bianca and taking Aja to her room so she could drink and be in peace until she was ready. The Russian came back out, greeting Farrah, Sharon, Aquaria and Alaska before grabbing Bianca’s arm, still clutching a vodka-soda in the other hand. “She’s having some relationship issues and she really wants to have a good time, I pushed her to come and atleast have a little drink so she wouldn’t have to think about it at home, alone, just let her be. It’s complicated but I swear after a few minutes of peace she will be fine.” Bianca took her word and nodded, the blonde obviously knowing her own co-workers of years in and out, much better than Bianca certainly. “Let’s fucking sing!” Katya yelled to her friends who were already here, knowing in the back of her mind this was the people she knew wouldn’t be two hours late or busy. “Who is first?” She asked turning on the microphones and her laptop which was hooked to her system and flatscreen which projected the karaoke program on screen, Sasha raised her hand and whispered something to Shea who laughed and got up with her. “Throw us money bitches, you aren’t ready for this!” Shea shrieked before downing her shot and smiling, still holding Sasha’s hand. Bianca took out a one and threw it, Farrah throwing a ten already. Shea picked up the money and grinned, stuffing it in her coat’s pocket before Sasha typed the song and stood back to back with Shea. “Oh my god it’s a whole production over here!” Alaska grinned happy, leaning into Katya’s large couch that took up almost two thirds of the entire living area which was impressive considering the scope and size of the woman’s house. The music started and all of them cheered immediately recognizing the song though they let Sasha and Shea take the lead on this, Bianca wanted to see this happen in action. The Russian grabbed the mic as did Shea and they turned towards eachother, not even having to look at the lyrics but neither did anyone else, this song was an absolute classic.

“I’ve been hearing your heartbeat inside of me

I keep your photo right beside my bed

Livin’ in a world of fantasy

I can’t get you out of my head!”

Their singing wasn’t even half bad, it was pretty decent actually although Bianca prayed that meant they wouldn’t be asking for a record deal tomorrow. It was ironic they chose what apparently was “their song” according to Farrah who already had her phone out, recording her friends like a mom at a shitty dance recital, since this song absolutely epitomized their relationship. Shea and Sasha staring at eachother intently as they sung each word in perfect sync and with the beat just having fun with the song, the Russian twirling her friend around and smiling in pure, delusional happiness.

“I’ve been waiting for the phone to ring all night

Why you want to make me feel so good

I got a love of my own

Shouldn’t get so hung up on you.”

At this point they both faced eachother back to back before turning on the word you, pointing to eachother. “Get a room!” Yelled Alaska who was absolutely eating this performance up, clapping and mouthing all the words when she wasn’t chugging her (already) second glass of some cocktail Katya must’ve made her.

“I remember the way that we touched I wish I

didn’t like it so much

I get so emotional, baby

Every time I think of you

I get so emotional, baby

Ain’t it shocking what love can do!”

They held hands the entire performance just staring into eachother’s eyes so damn sincerely that Bianca wanted to murder them both. “This is too good.” Farrah whispered to Aquaria as she danced in her seat, still recording. It went on for the entire song before they got to the last lyric and just danced around the wooden floor, smirking and putting the mics back before they all clapped and laughed wildly, “Absolutely stunning.” Aquaria commented before Bianca noticed Shea pulling Sasha away for something. Oh my fucking god maybe today will really be the day! God knows what Shea is gonna say anyway. The party grew twice its size in about two hours due to Alaska’s impulsive decisions and big mouth and Bianca decided this would be the perfect time to finally leave and be able to catch up with Adore, texting her as she said goodbye to Katya, attempting to look for Shea and Sasha but not finding them, which made her both extremely nervous and extremely happy. She skipped along to her car before turning it on and driving away, not rushing to be anymore since Adore promised she would be at her house at around 9PM, it was about 8:30PM, Bianca definitely had time. It was a fun party but she definitely felt out of place a bit, she wasn’t sure if it was of legitmate concern or just because it had only been a week since she started working there at the office. I’ll figure it out eventually, I always do. *.✧ Shea took Sasha’s hand and squeezed it, the Russian questioning exactly where they were going but the blonde simply left it up on her best friend who insisted she stay quiet so they could sneak their way through Katya’s room and going up the staircase though Katya and Alaska covering a tipsy version of “Last Dance” by Donna Summer was definitely enough of a distraction from anyone caring about what they were doing. “Are we going on the roof?” Sasha joked before Shea stopped in her tracks. “Oh— you were serious!” The Russian laughing and whispering before blinking, feeling the mascara on her long lashes gently touch her skin, hoping there wasn’t a blackspot now. “I don’t mind!” She quickly intervened before her friend could reply, taking her another corner of the house and saying how she had done this multiple times with Katya on a holiday to watch fireworks without the mess of trying to go to pier all sweaty and crowded. “I know all of my Russian sister’s home!” She gloated before they made their way, still holding hands and not letting go until they sat awkwardly silent, listening to the wind and staring out at the sun, which was beginning to make its course to set. “Do you ever miss home?” Shea asked out the blue, it wasn’t at all an odd or weird question to ask Sasha who often talked of her culture and past but in the conversation and setting it did indeed feel a bit suprising. “Well…” She breathed in before laughing and biting her lip, “It’s complicated.” Shea scooted as she closed her eyes and thought long and hard how to respond, her hand on Sasha’s knee happily offering her support, mumbling that she didn’t have to answer and that it was a dumb question. “No, no, not at all! I do miss Russia and I will always be proud to have such a complex culture and amazing landmarks and history but part of me, it feels so ashamed. I can’t be who I am because of the country and even though it holds most of what I love and adore and it’s been the biggest source of childhood and happiness, I can’t act like I would want to go back." Shea was definitely surprised. "I miss all the tea and the way of living in terms of pace, the neighborhoods, how everything is full of a myriad of cultures and I definitely miss the food—” she snickered, “But, I see all of the news and how badly the government is constantly acting, it’s getting worse for us. For us who are different and not willing to concede and fit in with what they think the perfect picture of society is, it’s the worst feeling ever knowing that I will never feel comfortable in my own motherland again.” Sasha feeling herself tear up. Fuck. Shea didn’t mean to start such a conflict of interest, she quickly put her hands on her cheeks and frowned, wiping her wet eyes, “Don’t cry, it’s not just because of your mascara either, I didn’t mean to make you so sad, I think it’s a very beautiful country I was just wondering since you said your family still lives over in St. Petersburg." "Do you miss Chicago?” Shea still not taking her hands off her cheeks shrugged honestly, “Sometimes yes, sometimes no: I definitely wanna go back during PRIDE though!” She bragged as she nudged Sasha with her now free hands, the Russian feeling herself get good energy again, smiling at her best friend’s enthusiastic reply. “Speaking of—” Shea started, stuttering a bit as she felt her Sasha’s face soften and stare, her perfect smile revealing her rose glow at her cheeks.“Yes?” Everything seemed so perfectly silent and at ease when they just stared at eachother but Shea knew she would have to stay atleast something, something to make herself feel validated especially with Bianca and Katya beginning to understandably breathe down her neck about the entire situation. “Sasha, I think we should talk about us, you know.” Her nervous smile and laughter making it difficult to speak, the Russian nodding in wait. “I know you just recently broke up with your man—” Sasha rolled her eyes, “I know but I’m over it don’t worry, you knew he wasn’t the best from the beginning and you were absolutely right, youre my good judgement I guess." "Well, I’m your best friend, it’s just what I’m here for.” Shea said painstakingly aware that if she didn’t say it now it would never come out. “You’re here always, the others can’t relate!” Sasha was joking but the wink she gave to her completely set off Shea who let her open her mouth to speak before she started looking away, completely in a state of emergency. “Shea, what’s wrong?” Her gentle and soothing tone spoke, rubbing her shoulders before Shea breathed in before grabbing Sasha by her collar and leaned in, smashing their lips together. The blonde completely surprised to say the least, pushing her away almost immediately after kissing back, something just felt a bit wrong, she wasn’t sure what. “Sasha, I’m sor—" "No. Stop it, please.” She begged, holding her hands, kissing them before staring into Shea’s eyes trying to make sure she was listening and paying attention. “I was kind of hoping you would soon, Bianca was starting to ask me about how I feel about you every day and I started piecing it all together in my head after years.” She laughed, Shea didn’t know whether to slap or thank Bianca on Monday but they would see after this endeavor. Their hands interlocked and Shea looked down before Sasha smiled and bent down to lift her head and kiss her, finally. Shea had never felt greater in her entire life and it just had to happen on Katya's roof of all places, as the sun went down: you really couldn’t make this shit up. They didn’t really want to stop kissing, only stopping to breathe and struggling to kiss without giggling everywhere even as their lips met, it was weird. “Okay I’m gonna call it quits now but only because, I think we should go to my house.” Her hand ran through Sasha’s hair who only gave her a grin, “To your house?” Knowing the kind of activities that would entail, no matter how badly Shea didn’t want to encourage it, it was gonna happen tonight and they both kind of accepted it. “To my house.” Shea whispered leaning in to kiss her again before the Russian pressed her finger to her lips, “And my car?" Shea slapped herself for that one, "Dammit…” She whispered before they both decided to go into the house so they could atleast talk without wanting to fall off the roof, now that it was getting dark especially. “Let’s just take my car and I’ll drive you in the morning to go and get yours, deal?” She held out her hand for a shake but Sasha only slapped their hands together before quietly jumping into her body unexpectedly, pulling her by her waist, arms around Shea’s neck. Beyond satsified even as she heard the obnxiously loud karaoke still continue. “Let’s get out of here." "Thought you’d never ask." *.✧ Adore knocked once, then twice and then heard Bianca scream and knocked three times just for good measure, coming in an unsurprising jumble mesh of clothing she knew she made look good: not like she was trying to impress anyone anymore, they wouldn’t revoke her contract just because of personal fashion tastes— atleast she hoped not. "You really had to knock that many times? How fucking obnxious.” Bianca still threw the door open, the singer gripping her planner, a pen and her phone before she closed and locked the door. “Do you want water?” The voice spoke from the kitchen as Adore, beyond impressed, gave herself a little tour of the studio before waving Bianca off who poured some water and ice into a cup anyway, one for Adore even if she seemed to not pay attention to a word Bianca had said. “I know, it’s very nice.” She sat on the leather couch before Adore joined her, stretching her legs on the couch before putting them down on the ground but keeping them crossed as she opened her planner, Bianca audibly gasping. “Wow, she actually has something besides her phone and tights, I cannot believe I’m experiencing actual history in the making.” Adore flipped her off and cursed her out, “Oh fuck off hag.” She flipped to the page with the month’s plastered over them, looking for October as she spoke about how in the conference they wanted to do the album release the first week of October but promotion and some single releases month before. “So basically you have to come up with some venues I can do, they said to go out of state if I can for a little." "Let’s say Nevada because I’m sure the bitches in Las Vegas would die to see you. I don’t think you have enough material just yet to go bigger but we can try and do some stuff there and I’m the west if you think that’ll get you some bank and promotion and actually not fall flat on it’s ass." An hour later after some math, Adore moving places constantly and Bianca taking notes and making sheets for future reference on her laptop they had begun to slow it down and focus a bit less on work. Somehow they ended up on the topic of family and that’s where something begun it’s development. Adore, now laying her head on her assistant’s lap, groaned, Bianca suprisingly unbothered by the whole ordeal. "My dad is dead and my mom and I gave up on contact after she found out I dropped out of college.” That was tough, even Bianca paused a minute and really thought about this for a second, contemplating getting up so Adore would actually talk and not just close her eyelids and ignore all eye contact possible. “You have guts for talking about it.” She knew deep down that she should probably finally speak about her parents, which she didn’t often, especially in a situation like this, having only really known Adore for a week, less than even. “I was thrown out.” She admitted softly, finally Adore sat up and grabbed Bianca’s hand, usually she would flinch and almost punch her right in the stomach and make some witty comment about her scent but she would let this pass without any comments. “They found out from someone, a friend let it slip that I was into women and well— you can imagine how well two latino, immigrant parents took that!” She almost laughed, it was truthfully just the reaction she expected especially considering her age and the time it was found out, right before senior year. “I don’t regret it though, every bitch for them fucking selves, I was raised by wolves." Adore leaned into her shoulder and felt her lips glued shut as she bit the inside of her cheek, "You’re very brave.” She admitted with nothing but respect and admiration for someone who clearly had seen all she needed to see at a young age especially regarding her personal life and interests, Adore’s mother never had an issue with her sexuality, it was just school and the alcohol. “Well enough of that sappy shit.” She cackled before moving to open her laptop, “Now let’s talk just a bit more about your next few apperances, we wanna organize it good so we can promote it.” *.✧ Eventually Bianca decided to give the clearly drowsy girl a small tour of the studio, showing off all the furniture and admitting Courtney had set her up, she knew nothing about houses which was what they had originally come to speak about but Adore needed to rest first, now wouldn’t be the best time. She saw a guitar and suddenly she was completely melting, running over and grabbing it, “Can I?” She asked like a kid in a candy store, Bianca leaning against the door frame as she turned on the light, this was just a vacant space with no purpose yet. “If you sing and play, of course, not like I’m gonna serenade you anyway.” She sat on the small couch right next to where Adore planted herself, tuning the guitar before placing her fingers across the strings, rummaging for a pick in her coat, finding one hidden in the left pocket and giving a wink to Bianca, “See I’m not too messy!” Besides the joking she thought a minute, contemplating her song choices, it be cheesy to do her own song wouldn’t it? Or super egotistical? “Okay, this is one of my favorite songs.” She admitted with a heavy grin before she looked down, beginning to strum the strings.

“I got my red dress on tonight

Dancin’ in the dark in the pale moonlight.”

Bianca could die at any second as long as she got to hear that vibrato again, her face unknowingly leaned into her hands just as they did when Adore performed at her gig in Los Angeles, the singer slowly playing as she strummed the strings, so far so good. It was beyond good, it was absolutely perfect, no words to say.

“Done my hair up real big…”

Adore paused and stared into her assistant’s eyes, radiating onto her, she strummed: ”Bianca Del Rio style—“ the sudden ponder and lyric change earning a small clap and grin from Bianca herself who usually would call it a cheap move anyway but this was different, she fixed her long skirt so it covered her legs as she planted them comfortably on the couch as she took in the atmosphere of it all, Adore’s voice was enough to convince anyone of— who knows, the proof of god, but she always had the setting and emotions of the songs down, even if it was a gig as small as singing to Bianca in an abandoned room.

“High heels off, I’m feelin’ alive

Oh my God, I feel it in the air

Telephone wires above

Are sizzlin’ like a snare

Honey I’m on fire, I feel it everywhere

Nothin’ scares me anymore.”

Her hands so perfectly moving across the guitar as she barely even had to look down, even she knew her great capacity of play, this was definitely a song that deserved it’s own cover on her album but they could discuss that later, enough about work on a Friday night, especially after having to suffer through an entire karaoke party. Their eyes met and Adore felt herself completely bash up the next few chords, staring at Bianca the entire time, she embarrassingly put the guitar down before the older woman frowned, “That was fucking amazing, why did you stop?” Adore shook her head, “Messed up is all, got to me.” You did, when you fucking look at me it’s enough to mess up all my skill, how can I already be so damn fixated. “I’m very tired.” She whispered, wiping her eyes though that wasn’t at all a little white lie, she legitmately felt brutually deprived of her rest. “If you want, and don’t tell anyone I’m being kind, you can stay in the spare guest bedroom, it’s a decent size and has a bathroom so then we can actually focus on finding you a house and I don’t have to have a constant and rampant panic attack about you getting home safe, deal? Great!” Adore couldn’t really refuse, there wasn’t any negative to this expect that she had to tell Tatianna awkwardly that she was sleeping over at her assistant’s house, you know— as professionals do. Bianca stuffed her hands with two pillows and an extra blanket before dropping it on top of the guest bed, presenting it to Adore who could cry really, that bed looked comfortable and it was getting to be late even if her tolerance for a late night was almost always much, much higher. “If you do anything stupid clean it yourself.” She joked by the door frame before Adore grasped one of the pillows and walked near Bianca, not caring too much that she definitely leaned in to kiss her assistant of one entire week, Bianca’s hands covering Adore’s entire face as she grinned, “Sleep, don’t be fucking stupid. Good night.” She whispered before telling her she was in the other room if she needed anything. “Thank you.” Adore said loud enough for Bianca to atleast give a smile which made her entire heart burst, the door half closed and she was left with her phone and a million pillows in the midst of darkness once the living room lights were all turned off. Dammit Adore, you are so stupid.

#rpdr fanfiction #bianca del rio #adore delano #katya zamolodchikova #shea coulee #sasha velour #farrah moan #aja #jinkx monsoon #ivy winters #aquaria #biadore #sashea #jivy #living on the edge of the law #lesbian au #roza #concrit welcome #submission

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narcopharmacist · 4 years

Text

This basic ass b*tch randomly thought of following the generic storylines now infamous in webtoons, light novels, whatever. Here I came up with a cliché story, just to satisfy my curious mind of what it feels like. Gob my head is starting to hurt already LOL

Works that inspired me to get this generic thing into writing: Lady Beast (i just read the latest chapters last night), Naruto Shippuuden (Miss Sakura Haruno herself), Coffee and Tea by Kevin Sheen Tiu (names of the characters); the title is from Meaghan Martin’s song from Camp Rock called 2 Stars heck I used it bc it seems like majority of the titles in recent comics are really long, so I thought why not make mine long too? LOL

Anyways here it is:

If We Believe that 2 Stars are Brighter than One

V.W. , Princess of -x- She’s been arranged to be married off to the Crown Prince of the -x- empire, infamously known as the Destroyer of Peace, K.S.

V monologue: For the past 17 years of my life I have done nothing but study and learn to be a proper lady. I hope my efforts will pay off.

V.W., however, is no ordinary princess. When she was 15, her father remarried when her mother died of unknown cause, and ever since she’s seen nothing but spite and disgust from her stepmother and stepsister.

On her debut as a princess, her father declared in front of the family that V. will be married off to K., the crown prince of the empire. The stepmother was infuriated and was against it, but she had no power over such decision.

V monologue: I’ll finally be free from those morbid people... Mother, please watch over me.

The day she arrives at the Imperial palace:

V: *curtsy* V. W., your highness.

K. looks back from the window and approaches her. He nears her and raises her right hand and kisses it. She blushes when he smirks at her.

K: K.S. From now on, you’ll be V.S.

He gave her the keys to the house, toured with her, etc.

V. is no ordinary princess. For the past 17 years of her life she has trained to become a proper lady. However, when her mother was still alive, she trained for something else. The secret she has kept...

V monologue: Keep calm. That’s what mother always says. “Calm...” How could I be calm when I’m confronted by such motherfvckers...

V. clenches her fist as she presents herself to the other noble ladies who were eyeing the crown prince but didn’t stand a chance. She knows they’re out for her neck. But surely she will never let them win. After all, she is a descendant of the wolves herself.

Her secret....

When she was 5 years old, her mother, a descendant of the W. empire, an empire people feared the most because of how dangerous people they were — they were known as a pack of “wolves” — possessing superhuman powers, trained her in secret how to use her inherited brute strength to crush her enemies. She gave V. a pair of gloves to use when she punches the ground into rubble, how much more when the time comes for her to face her enemies.

Kamelia: V., don’t ever use your strength as first line defense. Remember, you’ll be a lady of the imperial house some day. Keep your calm and stay steady.

..... love story between princess and prince....

> K. shookt at V’s beauty. Shiny black wavy hair, red eyes,rosy cheeks, fair skin, kissable lips, hourglass body. K= tall; deep golden hair, sky blue eyes, muscular build ie RIPPED

> The servants are easily charmed by V because she’s modest, kind to them, and they feel safe around her.

> Women from the same country as V., who were eyeing the prince, jealous of V... try to bully her, but V barks back with witty remarks. K always seems to find his way to her and snatches her.

> K and V’s first disagreement ever that almost resulted to V running away: K did not want V to go with him to a party because he was afraid she’d be bullied by the upperclass women again. V told him she could handle it.

> A visit from K’s close friend who takes a liking to V *red flag warning*

50 chapters in

Hunting competition. V was part of it because wives of the higher noblemen were required to participate, to show off their prowess. Someone plotted to assassinate the princess. V was alone in the woods because K was busy in another part of the forest.

She was surrounded by 15 men. Her escort was tied up when she didn’t look.

V: sigh... after all these years... *takes out her gloves and wears them* I can finally use what mother gave me *smirk*

V punches the ground and it shook, broke, and turned into rubble. The men were thrown away and died of the rocks hitting them.

The escort was stunned.

Ending of the hunting competition. News reach the prince that the princess is found nowhere in the hunting grounds. He was terrified, and disappointed at himself for not thinking more of her while the competition was ongoing.

Hours later, V appeared at the palace entrance, carrying her escort on her shoulder. Everyone was shocked.

K ran to her and embraced her with all his might.

K: I’ve been worried sick! Where did you go?!

V: I...

Knights came in and reported that they found bodies in the forest. The escort revealed what had happened to them, and this angered K, especially learning about the assassination plot. However, the escort explained to K that V was so strong that she defended both of them from the killers. This surprised K.

He looked at her.

V, with tears on her eyes, was silent. She was scared that this moment she’d been preparing for, the moment the crown prince would finally learn of her prowess, is finally happening.

K: You... You did all of that? (Face darkened)

V did not answer, her tears were flowing out of her eyes.

Suddenly K cupped her face and kissed her forehead, surprising V.

V: K...?!

V’s eyes widened. She was in awe that he did not mention what she had done. It’s like he disregarded it.

K, with a face so serious, said, “I will definitely find the person who plotted all of this and kill him myself.”

K was declared the winner.

....love story continues....

On the night after the celebration of the winner of the hunting competition, V told K the story about how her mother trained her, although he knew that her mother was a descendant of the infamous family(which was ACTUALLY the reason why he chose her to be his wife - for prestige, knowledge, infamy), he never thought V would undergo such things to use her inherited strength. He was impressed... and well, fell even more in love with her.

60th chapter

One morning, K invited V to the knights training grounds. He requested V to show him what she did on the hunting competition.

~~I’ll edit this when I feel like continuing it LOL ~~

#thoughts #fanfiction #story #novel #light novel #literature #fiction #romance #writing prompt #writing #godmothersthoughts

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raendown · 6 years

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I’ve never played Civ5 but I am very here for War Lords Sakura and Ino.

Pairing: SakuraIno Word count: 3777 Summary: Empress of her realm, Ino finds her match in the woman she cannot outmaneuver: Haruno Sakura, an Empress in her own right. But a mind like hers can find opportunities everywhere and in offering peace to end the stalemates between them Ino finds so much more than she could have ever hoped.

Follow the link or read it under the cut!

We’ll Build A Flame To Burn The World

Fingers drummed against the wooden arm of her chair, her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed as she stared across the table at the map her generals had set up. Alone in the command tent but for the single lean shadow drifting along the edges, Ino ran the pad of one finger across her bottom lip in thought, unconsciously nibbling at her perfect nail until the shadows reached out to stall her movements.

“It would not do for an empress to have such unsightly fingernails.”

Her finger lowered and Ino smirked behind her watching the shadows coalesce in to the shape of a tall man with dark hair. “One would think that an empress could do whatever she wants.” Her mirth faded quickly in to frustration as haunting blue eyes returned to the map. “And I want to win. Tell me about this woman again, this…Sakura.”

“Haruno Sakura, the ruler of Konohagakure, the only empire whose size rivals your own. She is said to be a woman of short temper yet she is also lauded as an incredibly fair and benevolent ruler.” Shikamaru shrugged. “It’s been a drag but it seems like we’ve finally come up against someone with an actual head on her shoulders.”

“Either that or she has good advisors.” The smirk reappeared for a brief moment as Ino entertained the idea of a puppet queen, sat primly upon her throne while her underlings pulled the strings to make her dance. She waved the idea away quickly, however. From the rumors which had reached them she would guess that Haruno Sakura was as much of a hands-on ruler as she herself was and, while that certainly made for more intellectually engaging battles, it also meant that more of her people died each time she and the empress of Konohagakure met on the battlefield.

Ino was getting rather tired of stalemates. She was a smart enough woman to know when it was time to change tactics.

“Shikamaru, my dear, send for a messenger. And tell them to bring a white flag.” Her advisor blinked at her impassively.

“You have a plan,” he noted. Ino chortled inelegantly, free to do so with no one around to hear her but her one true friend.

“I always have a plan,” she said.

As her advisor stepped out of the tent to do her bidding Ino rose from her chair and sashayed across the carpeted ground to run her fingers over the map. Small figurines depicting her own companies and Empress Sakura’s were dotted across the parchment, some of them laid on their sides to show where either her men or her enemies had been defeated but those were few. Most of their encounters ended without a clear winner and Ino, the final product in a long line of tactically brilliant rulers, saw an opportunity in that.

Reaching across the very center of the map, Ino fingered the tiny crowned horse which represented the last known location of Empress Sakura’s main war camp. Her bottom lip pushed out in a thoughtful pout as she plucked the horse from the its spot and held it up in front of her eyes.

“Ride, my lady. Ride out to meet me.”

Absently patting the neck of her restless mount, Sakura murmured under her breath almost without thought. The horse trembled beneath her touch and quieted at her words. Sharp blue eyes watched her from half a hundred feet away and Ino found herself quite unable to stop her wandering thoughts from admiring how well her fellow Empress handled the beast. Her motions were rote, clearly done by habit alone, and it was obvious that Haruno Sakura has spent a great deal of her life on the back of a horse.

Something about that appealed to Ino, who had spent her fair share of time in the saddle as well since the wars began. Whatever bug had crawled in to the ears of all the world’s leaders at the same time had been driving them all with the same compunction to conquer and spread since almost before she could remember. Ino was not born a child of war but she had been raised as one and there was only respect in her heart for other leaders who put as much of themselves in to the dirty work as she did.

The rumors, it appeared, were true, although she had known that the moment she laid eyes on the woman awaiting her on this steely dawn. Sakura was a war lord, a battle-worn Queen who wore the blood of her enemies just underneath the skin.

And she was beautiful.

Squinting in irritation at her own distraction, Ino gently guided her own horse forward, boldly making the first move to place herself between the two armies. Behind her she could hear Shikamaru scrambling to follow with her banner and an exasperated grumbling about how much of a drag this all was but she paid no attention. More important was the way her opponent gracefully tossed her hair as she moved forward as well. That long elegant neck held her head up so proudly and Ino couldn’t help but wonder if she had ever bowed to anyone in her life. Probably not.

When they met in the middle there was a moment of brief humor where both of their vassals tried to announce them at the same time, each thinking their own empress the higher standing and worthy of being announced first. The blonde next to her opponent glared at Shikamaru, clearly insulted on his liege lady’s behalf, but the moment Ino saw the woman crack a smile she knew that this meeting had been one of her better ideas.

“Peace, boys,” Ino said. “We can see each other; we know who we are.”

“By reputation, if nothing else,” Sakura agreed.

Ino very carefully did not swoon. That voice was honey over velvet with a core of steel and would have wobbled her knees had she been standing on them at the moment.

“Gracious of you to respond so politely to my request for a conference. As host, I have had my people set up a pavilion where we might recline and speak in comfort.” Seeing one of Sakura’s eyebrows twitch, Ino smiled her most winning smile. “An open pavilion, of course. I would not hide you away and make your troops worry. They will see how well I treat their Lady.”

“Your hospitality is legendary,” Sakura said, a hint of wry humor layered under her words. Ino was thrilled enough to allow a laugh, doubly thrilled to see the way the other woman watched her raptly.

“Only the pleasant hospitality today,” she promised. And strangely enough, she meant it.

It took surprisingly little time to reconvene under the elaborate awning her troops had set up for them and Ino reflected that it was probably because neither she nor the other cared much for pomp and ceremony. Both of them dismounted with a few murmured words to their people and came forward with no more protection than their bearers, carrying the colors which marked their position for all to see. It had been so long since Ino had begun travelling everywhere with her banner man that she was certain she would feel more exposed without her family’s crest placidly wandering after her wherever she went.

After the both of them had been settled and a nervous serving girl had offered them both refreshments, Empress Sakura cut through the chaff to get straight to the point.

“I found your missive rather interesting,” she admitted. “And if you’ve called this council for the reasons that I suspect you have then I openly admit myself to be quite intrigued.” Her honesty was so refreshing that Ino found herself replying in kind.

“I am offering you an alliance. Our forces have met and clashed time and time again yet very rarely have either of us come out the victor. A stalemate cannot last forever, not without breeding ill feelings which lead to rash decisions. My good woman, I care for my people. Enough of them have died defending my lands from others who don’t know what is good for them and I am quite keen to prevent as many further deaths as I possibly can.”

Sakura watched her over the rim of a battered water skin, taken from her own hip after she politely refused the fruit juice offered by the serving girl. Under those thoughtfully narrowed eyes Ino had to resist the urge to squirm and rub her thighs together against an odd need for friction.

“Join with me,” she proposed confidently, ignoring her body’s strangeness. “I do not propose either of us to assimilate each other’s lands; merely an alliance between us. Sister empires. As they say: if you can’t beat them, join them.”

“You assume I need an alliance.”

“I said nothing to imply that either of us needed one, only that both of us would greatly benefit from one.”

“And what other benefits can you promise me from an alliance with you?” Sakura lifted one eyebrow.

Ino very nearly fumbled her fruit juice. A shame it would have been since fresh anything was hard to come by in the camps and it would have stained the pale blue robes she wore to conceal the armor underneath but Ino worried only about whether Sakura had noticed. Unfortunately it seemed that she had.

Fortunately, on the other hand, she apparently hadn’t realized her own words could be taken in such a manner. A pretty pink flush graced her cheeks and her green eyes darted away, allowing Ino a moment to discretely gulp in a lungful of air. There wasn’t really any politically correct way for her to blurt out how much she would enjoy showering a woman of Haruno Sakura’s caliber with those sorts of ‘benefits’ so she took the opportunity to compose herself properly. By the time those eyes were on her again her chin was raised and her lips pursed together primly.

“I can offer you many things,” she announced in that soft yet commanding tone which had brought many a man to his knees before. “Organizing trade between our lands would be the simplest of tasks and we have many products to share with each other. Protection of the borders between our lands will be a shared task, equally attended by both parties. Your people will be granted safe passage through my lands and, if you will pledge the same to me, then I will give my word upon honor to come to your aid should ever you need it.”

“Many things indeed. It seems we have more to offer each other than an end to the squabbles between our troops.”

“Squabbles,” Ino repeated in amusement. After giving it some thought she supposed that was really all the battles ever amounted to. No matter what scheme she cooked up or what tactics her opponent employed, neither of them were ever truly able to outmaneuver the other. “I suppose there is one more thing we might both gain from an alliance.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

“Some god forsaken intelligent conversation.”

The way Sakura so freely tossed her head back and roared with laughter, completely unconcerned with propriety or the fact that she snorted thickly while doing so, was quite possibly the most beautiful thing that Ino had ever seen. Almost immediately she was overwhelmed with the desire to cause such a reaction again. She could listen to that hiccupping sound all day and never tired of it as long as it came from a face that beautiful, from a chest covered in delicate linens which she suspected concealed the same plates of armor she had disguised under her own outer layers.

“Now that alone is worth more than I could possibly say,” Sakura said after she finally calmed down. Behind her chair, the blonde man holding her banner gave his ruler an incredibly offended look. He did manage to hold his tongue but it seemed like a close call. The scars on his cheeks flushed red and he looked away with a grumpy frown.

“Do we have an accord, Your Majesty?”

“I believe we do, Your Majesty. Naruto, sweet thing, send for a scribe. Let’s get some things down in writing first and then I fully intend to take you up on some of that intelligent conversation.”

Restraining herself to only a mild grin, Ino reveled in the rush of glee racing through her bloodstream. It felt as though all of her life had been building to this moment and she was more than ready to meet whatever came of the decisions they came to this day.

Parchment and ink shifted lazily in the breeze, skittering across the table until a pale hand reached out to capture the would-be runaway. Ino traced the curves of the signature fondly before folding it and tucking the little treasure away inside her sleeve. Later she would hide it inside her trunk with the rest of her precious belongings but for now she wanted to keep Sakura’s words as close to her heart as she possibly could.

There was something charming in the scratched out words and the ink blots around the edges, proof that her favorite ally had penned the correspondence herself rather than having someone take down her words for her as most in her position would. It gave their communication a much more personal feel and Ino had taken to doing the same if for no other reason than to hope that Sakura would see fit to allow yet another of the barriers between them to be torn down.

Having any sort of friend was hard for an Empress. Becoming friends with the ruler of another nation came with entirely new pitfalls and distances that Ino very much wished she could simply do away with. What sweet joy it would have been to simply ride out and meet with Sakura in an empty field to while away the afternoon as some of her soldiers did on occasion. Of course, generally they did such things when they took up a beau from one of the nearby villages of from another encampment and Ino flushed at the thought of sitting as closely to Sakura as she had seen her troops sit with their lovers.

Just thinking the word ‘lovers’ in conjunction with Sakura was enough to make her wish for nightfall to come sooner. Time alone in her quarters was becoming more and more of a necessity with each letter between them.

With effort, Ino pulled herself together and wrenched her thoughts away from the inappropriate avenues they had followed yet again, focusing instead on a more realistic future. Sakura had written to confirm another meeting between them, the third since their alliance had become more official than the simple ceasefire just over two years ago.

Both of their empires had flourished in that time, able to refocus their time and resources on other problems both internal and external. With more soldiers on her western front Ino was able to better protect her port cities from Iwagakure’s battleships. Able to release a handful of her forces from service now that there were less battles to fight, her cities had never been more prosperous or so well kept. Soldiers laid down their swords to take up the masonry and carpentry they had left behind when duty called them to war. Ino could not possibly have been more proud of her realm nor the people she watched over and Sakura’s letters indicated that things were progressing much the same in her own realm.

“Your Majesty,” a voice hailed her from behind. She turned to see the commander of her armies, Choji the Winged General, with his fist pressed to his chest in reverence. He was a massive man whose renowned ferocity in battle was well-balanced by the gentleness he exhibited once sword returned to scabbard.

“Are the preparations complete?”

“We wait only for you, my Lady.”

“Yes and if I don’t hurry along like a good little empress you’re going to get that tick in your left temple. I’d best pick up my feet then, shall I?” Ino smiled and laid a hand under her general’s chin to raise it up. Choji was a man of strict duty and he would never dare to look her in the eye without permission.

She was delighted to see his nose wrinkle slightly. “I would never presume to hurry Your Majesty.”

“Of course not. Choji, my old friend”-she ignored the way he jerked at being referred to as her friend-“give me your advice. Is this trip wasteful? Am I allowing personal desires to blind me to things I should be giving my attention to instead?” Ino lowered her fingers and watched Choji’s passive face, giving away nothing of his thoughts.

“It is important to maintain good relations with one’s allies,” was all he offered.

Ino’s smile was slow and wild. It seemed her intentions were obvious to at least those who were quite used to watching her every move and it made her wonder her obvious they were to her whom she had intentions towards. If Sakura were aware of how captivating Ino found her then her invitation to ‘allow the nations to see that we continue to strengthen our union’ took on an entirely new meaning.

“Bring me my horse, Choji. We ride.”

“As your wish, Your Majesty.”

Lounging on soft cushions with a bowl of grapes near at hand in the capitol city of Konohagakure was not a situation Ino would have expected to find herself in only a handful of years ago and yet here she was, entirely content as page boy around her own age slipped back out of the room, the red tattoos on his cheeks peeking out from the shadows for a moment longer before he closed the door. With him gone that left only herself and Sakura here in this luxurious room all alone.

Her counterpart was freshly bathed; Ino could tell by the scent of roses which wafted from her skin when they embraced each other in greeting and the lack of dirt on her clothing. And such delicate clothing she wore here in the heart of her empire. Ino could understand the statement behind it, wearing no protection as though to flaunt her safety here, and she found herself a trifle jealous. After a lifetime of fairly living in her armor it would be nice to take this opportunity to feel silks against her naked skin and not have greaves digging in to her shins beneath her mantle – even if these were her nice greaves, engraved and polished to a shine despite going unseen.

She had already achieved her greatest desire, however, and not even the thought of increasing her comfort could move her from her current position. There would only be so many opportunities to find herself completely alone with the woman who plagued her every idle thought.

“I trust your journey was pleasant.” Sakura plucked a grape and slid it between her lips, savoring it in a way that made Ino wonder if she was being seductive on purpose or if she always made love to her meals like that.

“As pleasant as it could have been. I miss my old horse.”

“Yes, my condolences on his loss.”

Reaching across the small distance between them, she laid a hand on Ino’s wrist in consolation. Ino felt her heart crashing about inside her chest in a manner which would have alarmed her were this anyone but the woman at her side. Smart tactician as she was, Ino could see when it was time to admit defeat. Her defeat was in the way she had loved Sakura almost before they met, engaged by the brilliance of her battle strategies until she had was then seduced by a beauty both hidden yet freely offered.

Taking a chance, she lifted her other hand and laid it atop of Sakura’s. Yamanaka Ino was nothing if not brave; calculating and always with several plans up her sleeve.

“Believe me when I say that I find no better comfort than in your welcome presence.”

Sakura’s smile was tinged with that same pretty blush she had seen only once before and Ino swelled with triumph. Hope took root that her feelings were not unwanted. A wolf rose up inside her then, coming out in the edges of her smirk and the weight of her fingers where they did not lift from Sakura’s, lingering there in pointed declaration.

When her companion met her eyes determinedly and made no move to retrieve her appendage it was all Ino could do to keep herself from howling in victory. Her prey, it seemed, was more than willing to be caught.

No, she reprimanded herself. Sakura could not be said to be her prey. There existed no word which could describe Sakura better in Ino’s eyes than to call the woman her equal and she realized that this, more than anything, was what she had fallen in love with. It was more than her pretty face and her alluring eyes, her spectacular temper or her gentle forgiveness. Rather, Ino loved a woman who could stand tall by her side, who held her head high and kept her hands just as sure around the hilt of her blade.

“You must be tired from your travels,” Sakura murmured, her fingers seemingly to tighten their grip on the wrist they held. “Allow me to show you somewhere you might find more relaxing.”

Ino offered no protests about how relaxed she already was perched her on this cloud of pillows with no other stressors in the room. She offered nothing but a winsome smile and raised to her feet to allow Sakura to lead her elsewhere, deeper within the palace. Not once did she thinking about asking the other to unhand her; not when she had been dreaming of this very moment since the first time she saw this perfect creature sitting proudly atop her horse, ready both for battle and for peace, and recognized a kindred spirit in her.

Only a few short years later would see the two empires come together under a single banner, united by marriage and by then so closely entwined it was hard to tell one from the other anyway. Already massive powers in their own right, as one they became the largest singular nation in the known world, reputed to be entirely peaceful unless their two Empresses deemed violence necessary in the protection of their people.

And so the world bowed.

#rae writes #sakuino #inosaku #sakura #ino #shikamaru #naruto #choji #fanfiction #naruto shippuden

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dumbledearme · 6 years

Text

chapter forty-five—the fate we make

read Child of Land and Sea here

Act V — Walking On Water

Part VIII — We're off on a mission, we're tough; in good condition. We're short but standing tall. No fear!

Thalia said the Titan wanted to see Andy under the flag of truce, that he had a message from Kronos. Andy didn't seem to have a choice. The flag was as big as a soccer field and was carried by a thirty-foot-tall giant with bright blue skin.

"A Hyperborean," Thalia said. "The giants of the north. It's a bad sign that they sided with Kronos. They're usually peaceful."

"You've met them?" Andy asked.

"Mmm. There's a big colony in Alberta. I'm telling you, you do not want to get into a snowball fight with those guys."

With the giant, came a half-blood in armor, an empousa demon and a tall man in a tuxedo. The group walked leisurely toward the them.

"The tux dude is the Titan?" Andy guessed. Grover nodded.

The Titan stepped forward. He was taller than an average human. His black hair was tied in a ponytail. Sunglasses covered his eyes, and the skin in his face and arms was covered in scratches. "Andy Jackson," he greeted. "It's a great honor."

"Why? Are you a fan or something?"

"I think he was only being polite," Thalia pointed out.

"Well, he can-" Andy caught herself when she realized the half-blood was Ethan Nakamura. The son of a bitch. His nose looked like a squashed tomato which made her feel a little better. "Oh, you shouldn't have come here," Andy told him. "Now I'll be forced to hurt you."

Ethan glared at her, unsure if she was being serious.

"To business," the Titan got between them. "I am Prometheus."

With difficulty, Andy tore her eyes away from Ethan and shook the other guy's hand. "The fire-stealer guy who was chained to a rock with the vultures?"

Prometheus winced. "Please, don't mention the vultures. But yes, I stole fire from the gods and gave it to your ancestors. In return, the ever merciful Zeus had me chained to a rock and tortured for all eternity."

"And how-"

"How did I get free? Hercules did that, eons ago. So you see, I have a soft spot for heroes. Some of you can be quite civilized."

"Unlike the one beside you," she commented.

"Oh, demons aren't so bad," Prometheus eyed the empousa. "You just have to keep them well fed."

"I meant him," Andy specified pointing at Ethan and thinking of ways to make him suffer.

Prometheus smiled as if he too didn't like Ethan but was too polite to say anything. "Andy Jackson, let us parley." Prometheus laced his fingers. He looked earnest, kindly, and wise. The idea of fighting him made Andy sad. "Andy, your position is weak. You know you can't stop another assault."

"We can do this all day."

Prometheus looked pained. "Andy, I'm the Titan of forethought. I know what is going to happen."

"Also the Titan of crafty counsel," Grover put in. "Emphasis on crafty."

Prometheus shrugged. "True enough, satyr. But I supported the gods in the last war. I told Kronos: 'You don't have the strength. You'll lose.' And I was right. So you see, I know how to pick the winning side. This time, I'm backing Kronos."

"Because Zeus chained you to a rock," Thalia guessed.

"Partly, yes. I won't deny I want revenge. It was very upsetting what I went through. But that's not the only reason I'm supporting Kronos. It's the wisest choice. I'm here because I thought you might listen to reason. We have you surrounded. We know your numbers. We outnumber you twenty to one."

"You also have a spy."

Prometheus smiled apologetically. "At any rate, our forces are growing daily. Tonight Kronos will attack. You will be overwhelmed, Andy. You've fought bravely, but there's just no way you can hold all of Manhattan. You'll be forced to retreat to the Empire State Building. There you'll be destroyed. I have seen this. It will happen."

Andy shook her head. "I won't let that happen. Our future isn't set. I can change it. We can all change it."

"Understand, Andy. You are re-fighting the Trojan War here. Patterns repeat themselves in history. They reappear just as monsters do. A great siege. Two armies. And you are Troy. Do you know what happened to the Trojans?"

Andy felt again, that fear creeping inside of her. But she wouldn't let him see it. "You're going to cram a wooden horse into the elevator at the Empire State Building? Good luck with that, buddy."

Prometheus smiled. "Troy was completely destroyed, Andy. You don't want that to happen here. Stand down, and New York will be spared. Your forces will be granted amnesty. I will personally assure your safety. Let Kronos take Olympus. Who cares? Typhon will destroy the gods anyway."

"You expect me to believe that Kronos would spare us? That he has even a drop of mercy in his blood?"

"All he wants is Olympus," Prometheus promised. "The might of the gods is tied to their seats of power. When Kronos destroys Olympus, the gods will fade. They will become so weak they will be easily defeated. Kronos would rather do this while Typhon has the lost. But make no mistake, the best you can do is slow us down. The day after tomorrow, Typhon arrives in New York, and you will have no chance at all. The gods and Mount Olympus will still be destroyed, but it'll be much messier. Much, much worse for you and your city. Either way, the Titans will rule."

"I serve Artemis," Thalia said angrily. "The Hunters will fight to our last breath. Andy, you're not seriously going to listen to this slimeball, are you?"

"You both have courage," Prometheus said. "But the courageous die too. We need not be enemies. I have always been a helper of mankind."

"That's a load of shit," Thalia said. "When mankind first sacrificed to the gods, you tricked them into giving you the best portion. You gave us fire to annoy the gods, not because you cared about us."

Prometheus shook his head. "You don't understand. I helped shape your nature. I have been whispering in man's ear since the beginning of your existence. I represent your curiosity, your sense of exploration, your inventiveness. Help me save you, Andy. Do this, and I will give mankind a new gift – a new revelation that will move you as far forward as fire did. You can't make that kind of advance under the gods. They would never allow it. Bu this could be a new golden age for you. You know in your heart that Titans and their offspring aren't all bad. You've met Calypso. She made you see."

"That was different-"

"How? Much like me, she did nothing wrong, and yet she was exiled forever simply because she was Atlas's daughter. We are not your enemies. Don't let the worst happen," he pleaded. "We offer you peace."

Andy looked back at Ethan Nakamura. "Peace... If we take this deal, you don't get your revenge. You don't get to kill us all. Isn't that what you want?"

His good eye flared. "All I want is respect, Jackson. The gods never gave me that. You wanted me to go to your stupid camp, spend my time crammed into the Hermes cabin because I'm not important? Not even recognized?"

"People make mistakes. Gods make mistakes too. You ask us to respect vengeance?"

"Nemesis stands for balance! When people have too much good luck, she tears them down."

"Is that why she took your eye? Were you just too damn lucky?"

"It was payment," he growled. "In exchange, she swore to me that one day I would tip the balance of power. I would bring the minor gods respect. An eye was a small price to pay."

"Mother of the year."

"At least she keeps her word, unlike the Olympians. She always pays her debts – good or evil."

Andy punched him so hard in the face he fell backwards. "I saved your life! You son of a bitch, I saved your life! And you repaid me by raising Kronos and hurting Anthony! You want someone who keeps their word? Well, you got me, Ethan Nakamura. And I swear I will watch you die!" As soon as the words left her mouth, Andy regretted them. She knew she was just being mean, that she was just angry.

Although the fear that crossed Ethan's good eye kind of made it worthwhile. He grabbed the hilt of his sword, but Prometheus stopped him. "We're on a diplomatic mission." The Titan studied Andy. "It bothers you what happened to Luke," he decided. "Hestia didn't show you the full story. Perhaps if you understood..." He reached out. Thalia cried in warning, but before Andy could react, the Titan touched her forehead.

Suddenly she was back in May Castellan's living room. Thalia sat on the table while Ms Castellan bandaged her wounded leg. Anthony held her hand. Hermes and Luke stood apart in the living room.

"Why show yourself now?" Luke demanded. "All these years I've been calling to you, praying you'd show up, and nothing. You left me with her!"

"Do not dishonor her," Hermes warned. "Your mother did the best she could. As for me, I could not interfere with your path. The children of the gods must find their own way."

"So it was for my own good?" Luke cried. "Growing up on the streets, fending for myself, fighting monsters?"

"You're my son," Hermes said. "I knew you had the ability. When I was only a baby, I-"

"I am not a god! Just once, you could've said something. You could've helped when... when she was having one of her fits, shaking me and saying crazy things about my fate. When I used to hide in the closet so she wouldn't find me with those... those glowing eyes! Did you even care that I was scared? Did you even know when I finally ran away?"

Ms Castellan was singing aimlessly, but it was obvious the others could hear them.

"Luke, I care very much," Hermes said slowly, "but gods must not interfere directly in mortal affairs. It is one of our Ancient Laws. Especially when your destiny..." his voice trailed off and Andy finally understood. Hermes knew; he had known all along. He knew what would happen to his son and he did nothing to stop it.

"What?" Luke asked. "What about my destiny?"

"You should not have come back," Hermes muttered. "It only upsets you both. I'll speak with Chiron and have him send a satyr to help you get to camp."

"We're doing fine without help," Luke growled. "Now, what is my destiny?"

"My son," he said, "I'm the god of travelers, the god of roads. If I know anything, I know that you must walk your own path, make your own choices, even though it tears my heart."

"You don't love me."

"I do love you. Just... go to camp. I will see that you get a quest soon. You will get a chance to be a great hero before-"

"Before what?" Luke's voice was trembling now. "What did my mom see that made her like this? What's going to happen to me? If you love me, tell me!"

Hermes expression tightened. "I cannot."

"Then you don't care!" Luke yelled.

Finally, May stopped her singing. "Luke? Is that you? Is my boy alright?"

"I'm fine. I have a new family now. I don't need either of you."

"I'm your father," Hermes insisted.

"A father is supposed to be around. I've never even met you. Thalia, Tony, come on! We're leaving!"

"My boy, don't go!" May Castellan called after him. "I have your lunch ready!"

Luke stormed out the door, Thalia and Anthony scrambling after him. May Castellan tried to follow, but Hermes held her back. She collapsed in his arms and began to shake. Her eyes opened – glowing green. "My son," she hissed. "Danger. Terrible fate!"

"I know, my love," Hermes said sadly. "Believe me, I know."

The image faded. Prometheus pulled his hand away from Andy's forehead. Her face was wet with tears. She had to focus not to throw up.

"Andy?" Thalia called. "What... what was that?"

Prometheus nodded sympathetically. "Appalling, is it not? The gods know what is to come, and yet they do nothing, even for their children. How long did it take for them to tell you your prophecy, Andy Jackson? Don't you think your father knows what will happen to you?"

Andy held back a sob.

"Andy," Grover warned, "he's playing with your mind. Trying to make you upset." He could read her emotions so he probably knew Prometheus was succeeding at that.

"Do you really blame your friend Luke?" the Titan asked her. "What about you, Andy? Will you be controlled by your fate? Kronos offers you a much better deal."

Andy clenched her fists. "No. Tell Kronos... You tell him to call of his attack. Tell him to leave Luke's body and return to the pits of Tartarus. If he chooses to continue this war, then let him know we're right here. We'll be our own heroes. And we will write our own stories - to death or to victory. That is my message."

The empousa snarled but Prometheus just sighed. "If you change your mind," he said, "I have a gift for you." A Greek vase appeared in Andy's hands. The ceramic lid was fastened with a leather harness.

Groven whimpered. Thalia gasped. "That's not-"

"Yes," Prometheus said. "You recognize it. This belonged to my sister-in-law. Pandora."

"Pandora's box?" Andy asked.

"I don't know how this box business started. It was never a box. It was a pithos, a storage jar. I suppose Pandora's pithos doesn't have the same ring to it. Nevertheless, she opened this jar, which contained most of the demons that now haunt mankind – fear, death, hunger, sickness."

"Don't forget me," the empousa purred.

"Indeed," Prometheus conceded. "The first empousa was also trapped in this jar, released by Pandora. But what I find curious about the story is how Pandora always gets the blame. She is punished for being curious. The gods would have you believe that this is the lesson: mankind should not explore. They should not ask questions. They should do what they are told. In truth, Andy, this jar was a trap designed by Zeus and the other gods. It was revenge on me and my entire family. The gods knew she would open the jar. They were willing to punish the entire race of humanity along with us." Prometheus tapped the lid of Pandora's jar. "Only one spirit remained inside when Pandora opened it."

"Hope," Andy whispered.

Prometheus looked pleased. "Yes. Elpis, the Spirit of Hope, would not abandon humanity. Hope does not leave without being given permission. She can only be released by a child of man. I give you this as a reminder of what the gods are like. Keep Elpis, if you wish. But if you decide that you have seen enough destruction, enough futile suffering, then open the jar. Let Elpis go. Give up Hope, and I will know that you are surrendering. I promise Kronos will be lenient. He will spare the survivors." He stood and left, the others following him.

"What did he show you?" Thalia demanded. Reluctantly, Andy told her. "Ah... Yeah, that was a bad night," she admitted.

"What happened to Ms Castellan?"

"I don't know. Luke told us about the strange things she would say. What caused it... I have no idea. If he ever knew, he never told me."

"But Hermes knew," Andy said. "Something caused May to see parts of Luke's future, and Hermes knew what she had seen – that he would turn into Kronos."

Thalia frowned. "You can't be sure of that. Prometheus was manipulating you. Hermes did love Luke. I could tell just by looking at his face. And Hermes was there that night because he was checking up on May, taking care of her. He wasn't all bad."

"But it isn't right. Luke was just a kid. Hermes never helped him, never stopped him from running away."

"Andy," Thalia said darkly, "this is exactly why I joined the Hunters. It's easier to control our feelings, you know? Love... it stops being so overwhelming. We all have tough things to deal with. All demigods do. And like you said: people make mistakes. Mothers, fathers. Gods. But Luke... he made terrible choices. And he made them on his own. Nobody forced him."

"So you don't love him anymore?"

"Don't say that. I will never stop-" she stopped herself. "If you're worried about who loves who... Well, if Tony... I mean, if he has to face Luke in battle, I don't know if he can do it. From the moment those two met, they've had a connection. They don't share the same blood, but they are brothers. After that night... After we left his mom's house? Luke was never the same. He got reckless and moody, like he was trying to prove something. By the time Grover found us... well, part of the reason we had so much trouble was because Luke wouldn't be careful. He wanted to pick a fight with every monster we crossed. And Tony... he didn't think that was a problem. He likes recklessness, just look at you."

"Who are you calling reck-"

"Those two together..." Thalia continued. "They wanted to be heroes. All I'm saying is... don't fall into the same trap. Luke has given himself to Kronos. We can't afford to be soft on him just because we love him."

Slowly, Andy nodded. "Alright. I hear you."

"I'm going to check on the Hunters, then get some more sleep before nightfall. You should crash too."

"No, I don't want to. I'll only have bad dreams."

"I know, believe me," Thalia looked down. "But there's no telling when you'll get another chance to sleep. It's going to be a long night. Maybe our last night."

"Do me a favor then," Andy handed her the jar. "Lock this in the hotel vault, will you? Hope isn't going anywhere. Not while I'm around."

Thalia smiled. "You got it."

Andy watched her go then found the nearest bed and passed out.

#andromeda #andy jackson #anthony chase #andony #genderbend #fanfic #dfcrosas #child of land and sea #walking on water #fem percy jackson

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malecsecretsanta · 6 years

Text

Merry Christmas, @magnificentbane!

hope this gift made you feel as warm and fuzzy reading it as it did for me while I was writing it! xoxo Happy Holidays!

Read on AO3

*****

I love you wholly & I love you forever.

Alec isn't positive what prompted the first attack on his love life. All he knows is that he was re-stringing his bow in companionable, peaceful silence one second and the next Max was springing a loaded question on him with the most casual of tones, "Why haven't you proposed to Magnus yet?"

Alec pauses in the midst of tightening his string, slowly turning his head to the side to look at his little brother, who isn't quite so little these days but whose questions still possess that youthful naivety. Alec's so taken aback from the question that he finds himself blurting out the first thought that comes to mind, "I don't have a ring."

It sounds like a weak excuse even to his own ears and it's not quite that simple either. The concept of marrying Magnus is not a foreign one to him, rather quite the opposite with his dreams, both awake and sleeping, filled with warm scenes of confessing his eternal love for Magnus in front of their family and friends. But the logistics of actually proposing are definitely much less common, his brain preferring to skip over that step to the ceremony itself.

Max sees right through that flimsy excuse, "Why do you need a ring to propose? Who even cares about the engagement ring?"

Alec nods his understanding at what Max is getting at, maybe not having a ring isn't a solid enough excuse when Alec’s not even sure if they’re going to have engagement rings or just wedding rings, but it's not quite that simple either. It's not that Alec hasn't thought of proposing because he expects Magnus to (which Alec knows would never be the case), it's that nothing has felt quite right . No ring he's looked at nor moment they've shared has ever been quite right to be worthy of proclaiming one's everlasting affections to someone as smart, beautiful, loyal, and magical as Magnus. Marriage is something Magnus has never been privy to so Alec wants it to be perfect, every component of it, and he plans to only propose once, so he wants it to be something that he can look back upon fondly forever .

"Aren't you guys going on vacation next week? Isn't that a common thing to do - propose during a destination getaway?" Max's voice cuts through Alec's convoluted thoughts. He narrows his eyes in confusion at the suggestion from his eighteen year old brother. Max shrugs under the scrutiny, unabashed as he explains, "I've been watching the Bachelorette with Izzy, Simon, and Maia. It's been the contestants' favorite proposal route for many seasons."

Alec nods his head slowly to himself as he absorbs all the different tidbits of information in that response, he turns his head back to tightening his bow. "Maybe... I'll keep that in mind."

After a few moments of silence, Max speaks up again. "I know I wasn't the nicest to Magnus when you first started dating and I'm sorry for that but I now see how good you are together, better together. And I'm looking forward to having him as my brother in law."

Blindsided once again by Max, Alec pauses in his ministrations. His response is simple, compacting his appreciation and pride for his younger brother's constant growth over the past six years into two words: "Thanks Max."

While Alec and Magnus are on vacation, Max's romantic reality tv proposal worthy suggestion comes to mind one night. They are walking away from Epcot at Disney World after dinner, enjoying some quiet before their night plans at the Atlantic Dance Hall (also known as a time for Alec to watch in awe of how effortlessly and seductively Magnus moves his hips to all types of music, thoroughly putting Alec's lackluster dance moves to shame).

It’s quiet with them just enjoying each other's presence, not feeling the need to talk to fill the space between them, when a loud bang to their left catches Alec's attention. He looks back to see the source of the noise, an alley cat darting in between crates, and when he looks forward, the setting sun directly behind Magnus, cloaks him in only the finest of pinks, purples, and soft blues as the sky turns from day to night. A pastel bisexual flag in the sky, highlighting the glimmer in Magnus's eyeshadow and the golden brown tones in his cheeks, giving him an ethereal glow as if he has a bit of angel blood in his DNA too. It’s a sight so amazing that Alec's breath catches in his throat, trying to process all the beauty of a man who manages to pull off anything, even the free Mickey Mouse ears he won earlier that day.

Magnus looks up, as if sensing Alec's gaze. Magnus's lips curl into a warm smile, his eyes fond and the lines around his eyes deepening as he looks back at Alec. That's when the thought really hits him: he wants a million more of these little quiet moments with Magnus, wants them for the rest of their lives. And he thinks about proposing right then and there with no rings, so overcome with love for his boyfriend. But he holds back because it still doesn’t feel quite right to him. The idea of proposing at their first visit to a place they aren’t emotionally attached to doesn’t feel quite good enough . So Alec just smiles back, gently squeezing Magnus's hand as they keep walking. Though Alec tucks that tidbit of his personal proposal preference into the back of his mind.

Night is only just settling in and so is Alec with an important side case for the institute to tackle, papers strewn around him on his large wooden desk and a map of the Bronx up on his tablet. The papers detail coroners reports for the six people so far that have died due to a string of poisonings slowly overtaking New York City, starting in the Bronx. It’s pretty low on the radar for mundane police officials because it’s mainly happening in housing project neighborhoods but during the last Downworlder Meeting, Luke mentioned that his wolves have been talking about it and how he’s not positive it’s completely mundane -so Isabelle’s on the case.

A soft knock on the door dares to distract Alec from the papers in front of him, feeling as though there is a clue somewhere if he can just unravel it. He grants the visitor entry without lifting his eyes. It’s the sound of a lock clicking into place that causes him to look up to Maryse. And while seeing his mother walk through his office door is not a foreign sight for Alec, the fact that she locked the door behind her alerts him to the fact that she is definitely up to something. Even though this is the first case Alec has been able to work on since getting back from vacation, he puts his tablet to the side to return to later, well aware the case isn’t time sensitive because while they believe the poisonings are a result of demonic activity, they can’t proceed without Isabelle’s analysis for confirmation.

“Good Evening Alec.” Maryse greets kindly as she walks up to the side of his desk, hands behind her back and a warm smile on her face. She looks too pleased, making Alec feel like she knows something he doesn’t.

Alec narrows his eyes, “What do you want?”

The corner of Maryse’s mouth twitches in amusement at Alec’s bluntness. “Well I was talking to Max last week,” Alec has a strong inkling as to where this conversation is going. He wills it clear away from the direction of being scolded by his mom for not proposing to his Downworlder boyfriend of six years. A small part of him does reason it’s a much better route than where they were six years ago when his mother openly didn’t approve of Magnus, nevermind their love. “And he told me that you haven’t proposed to Magnus because you don’t have a ring yet.”

Alec manages to only groan internally but refuses to hold back his eye roll at the oversimplification of his issue. Maryse doesn’t notice though, her eyes focused on the corner of the wooden desk. She takes in a deep breath as she looks up again, “There is also a part of me that thinks that my original disapproving prejudice at you dating not just a man but a downworlder , may be playing a role in holding you back. That my initial lack of respect towards Magnus and support of your relationship still has residual impact on your decision to propose.”

The pain that Alec hears in his mother’s voice as she remembers those less proud years of her life makes him want to reassure her that isn’t the case here but there is a hard look in her eyes, like this is something she needs to get off her chest and that she isn’t done yet. “Max’s comment made me think about my family and our proposal stories which reminded me of a very faint memory I have from growing up: an uncle that lived with another man my whole childhood and until his death. And I suddenly realized that they were lovers that just never could marry.” She pauses for a moment, shifting her weight to her heels, rolling her shoulders back as she acknowledges a little of that weight that comes from being woefully ignorant to the struggles of LGBT+ community, even in her own life. “They never had kids so their belongings were put into our family vault. I found this yesterday and thought you might be interested in it.”

Alec’s breath is already caught in his throat from hearing about a great uncle that grew up in an even more closeted time but still had the strength to love who he loved regardless before Maryse even reveals what she found. At the sight of two polished simple black rings resting in his mother's outstretched hand, Alec’s eyes well up. He takes them gingerly from her, running his fingers over their smooth cool edges as she continues.

“I know your sister has my family ring and Jace has your father’s family wedding pins but I wanted to give you something from me, from my family, to share my blessing, not that you’ve ever needed it but to show you, with more than just my words and actions... to materialize my support of you and Magnus, of how happy I am for you that you have found love in such an amazing man, that pushes you to always be your very best. There isn’t a day that goes by where my love and pride in you does not grow.”

Alec focuses his energy on the weight of the rings in his hands to keep from shedding tears as his mother’s words wash over him. He’s about to thank her for the blessing when tilting the rings reveals an inscription inside each one, making it clear that they were intended as wedding bands, ‘i love you wholly’ and ‘ i love you forever’.

Maryse must notice that Alec saw the engraving for she adds, “They’re made from black onyx, for the wearer’s protection, and tungsten, for durability so that they will last until the end of time.” Her voice is as choked up as he feels, hinting at her awareness that he’s researching immortality routes and her quiet way of showing support. A tear falls from his eye; the rings are perfect.

Alec’s mother’s parting advice about her own proposal at a romantic, upscale restaurant in Barcelona echoes in his mind as he leafs through the menu at Magnus’s favorite sushi restaurant in Tokyo. Though they order the same thing every time they go, special plates created by the head sushi chef of the best fish caught that day, because this chef is one of Magnus’s ultimate favorites from the past seventy five years, Alec needs the distraction the menu provides to sort his nerves, the rings weighing heavy in his pocket.

Maryse’s voice was just so soft and her eyes far away, back on that special moment, when she recanted the story, like the memory is so perfect for her that even Robert’s cheating and their divorce managed to not completely taint it. A memory that stands the test of time, the highs and lows, that’s what Alec wants for his proposal.

“Changing your mind Alexander?” Magnus’s voice draws Alec away from his conversation with his mother and to the present moment. Alec places the menu down on the table, smiling in response to Magnus’s playful expression, “I just wanted to make sure my dessert is still an option.”

“We haven’t even ordered dinner yet and you’re already thinking ahead?” The gentle ribbing tone alluding to the last time they were here when Alec ate so much at dinner that he had a stomach ache for the rest of the night that he whined incessantly about while refusing to take any of Magnus’s remedies. Well Alec learned his lesson, albeit the hard way and he knows now to stop the chef way before ten dishes.

Alec leans in closer over the table, “I’m always thinking ahead.”

Magnus eyes Alec for a moment, mouth slightly parted, the honest weight of that sentence not going amiss. Their waiter returns to take their order before Magnus can respond. After they leave, Magnus and Alec just sit in comfortable silence with matching small smiles on their faces, the candle on their table making Magnus’s beautiful dark brown eyes sparkle with the flicker of its flame, and the chatter of the restaurant around them falling away to a white noise. Alec’s heart swells with love for just how lucky he is and how happy he is, an emotion that he never thought he would fully get to experience before meeting Magnus. Alec extends his hand across the table, resting it palm up and Magnus reaches for it, placing his hand in Alec’s and squeezing gently. And Alec knows that this would be the moment to propose, that no moment at dinner is going to be better than this one, but it still isn’t right , doesn’t feel quite like them.

Suddenly there is a crash of glass shattering from a table near them that causes both Alec and Magnus to turn their heads in its direction. They see a man on one knee next the table, holding a small black jewelry box open to the woman sitting in the chair, the source of the noise, a broken flute glass, on the floor by their feet as if the proposal had taken the woman by so much surprise they dropped their glass. The woman looks to be in shock at the man at their feet, the moment is suspended before they break into a huge smile as they exclaim, “ はい! (Hai!)”

The couple embraces tightly and tables around them burst into applause, Magnus and Alec included. The noise dies down, everyone returning to their food and previous conversations. Alec turns his attention back to Magnus as he asks, “I wonder if the answer would have been yes if they weren’t in such a public setting.”

“Public proposals always make me uneasy to watch for that reason: too much societal pressure.” Magnus says as he takes a sip from his martini glass, his eyes watching the woman slip the ring onto their finger, a shocked expression still lingering in their wide eyes.

The comment reassures Alec on his gut instinct, that something a little more quiet and intimate is more their speed for a proposal. The rings no longer feel like a heavy burden in his pocket, allowing him to enjoy all the courses of his meal and dessert in the moment with Magnus.

“So mom told me she gave you the perfect wedding rings to finally propose to Magnus and that both of you cried.” Jace says as he waltzes into Alec’s office apropos of any sort of greeting.

“Why is everyone so emotionally attached to my romantic life?” Alec asks, more to himself than his brother, before looking up from Isabelle’s forensic analysis on the poisoning victims. He welcomes the break from the case he’s been reading for hours, currently unable to draw any further conclusions beyond the involvement of demons. “Am I on an episode of Real Housewives of Idris?” Jace rolls his eyes instead of responding, prompting Alec to narrow his eyes, “Do you all have bets?”

Jace sounds slightly offended, pulling his head back as he replies, “What? No! Gambling on a timeline for when you and Magnus will finally get engaged is inconsiderate and stupid…” Jace pauses for a moment before continuing, “Though if it were to happen within the next couple of months, before Christmas, I wouldn’t complain.”

The comment definitely hints at the existence of an underground betting pool about Magnus and Alec’s love life, whether or not the prize is money or simply bragging rights is unclear. “Yes I have the rings now thanks to mom but I still don't know how I’m actually going to propose.”

“Just do what I did.” Jace says, shrugging one shoulder as if it's the most obvious answer in the world.

“No. I am not asking Magnus to marry me in the middle of battle.” Alec responds with a sense of finality, like it’s a proposal that only someone like Jace could get away with.

“Nothing is more romantic than professing your love when your life is on the line.” Jace reassures with sincerity in his voice.

Alec squints one eye at Jace, his mind filling with dozens of moments that him and Magnus have shared in the past year alone that are more romantic than that moment. But Jace was also covered in sick Seelie bile so that clouds the memory for Alec. Jace’s eyes are slightly glazed over as if he’s back in the midst of that fight, similar to how Maryse looked when recounting her proposal story, and the suggestion manages to pull at Alec’s heart strings a little.

Two days after Jace’s proposal advice, they finally make a breakthrough on the obscure demonic related poisoning case. Alec and Luke notice from looking at the map as a whole that a pentagram formed across New York City when the sites were connected with a straight line, progressing from oldest events to the most recent. That realization cements Magnus’s theory: demons are planning to summon an even greater demon on Thursday for the Harvest Moon. A summoning this big could call forth any number of demons, so they have Shadowhunters and Downworlders deployed at each poisoning site while the best fighters converge on the pentagram’s center point: the expected summoning place.

It’s why not even a week later from the talk with Jace, Alec finds himself in the middle of battle with Magnus by his side, working together to take down the group responsible for the poisonings in the city. If Alec wasn’t in the life of hunting demons, he’d think Jace’s comment was a vague foreshadowing but being a shadowhunter does have certain expectations with it.

When they arrive, it’s to an odd stand off with a circle of demons protecting the one doing the summoning itself. Everyone eyes each other warily for a moment and no words are spoken, there are ten fighters and only eight demons so the odds look to be in their favor. Suddenly as Alec draws his bow, prepared to initiate the fight, one of the demons bursts into half a dozen or so smaller tar-like lizards, reminding Alec of a previous demonic encounter. Maia and Luke take off after them, their four legs helping chase after the demons giving them a run for their money. Meliorn follows after them to help ensure the destruction of the demons with their special blade, forged by the Seelie Queen herself, since werewolf teeth aren’t always as effective.

Now what remains are seven against seven and Alec knows Magnus can’t use all of his magic incase he needs to close any portion of the portal. The odds are looking a little less stacked but Alec has no doubt in their capabilities. Alec immediately turns to cover Magnus’s back, shooting at one of the smaller demons that strayed from Maia and Luke while Magnus uses his magic to ensnare the demons in their spot so Alec can shoot before they shift.

It’s a technique they’ve started to use more in battle because it takes up less of Magnus’s energy than a banishment spell and ensures a less likely return. Of course it sounds flawless in theory and occasionally it is in practice but not all of the demons are vanishing when they’re attacked with weapons, some are multiplying like the first one. Regardless, Alec and Magnus continue working their way through the demons towards the summoner. They get within a foot of the summoner but there is an invisible wall-like structure surrounding them so they can’t get any closer, prompting Magnus to mutter something of annoyance under his breathe, elbowing Alec to cover his side. Magnus turns his wrist in a full circle, flame like embers appearing around his hand as he pushes down the air in front of him to take down the protection wall.

The moment the barrier breaks, the summoning demon in the center turns on Magnus faster than a blink of the eye, grabbing Magnus’s wrist and pulling him forward. They hiss, “We’ve been expecting you Prince of Hell. Your father sends his best wi-.”

Magnus doesn’t even wait for the demon to finish their sentence, slicing across their throat with the runed sword from Alec’s holster. Immediately the ground that was sinking in front of them stops as does the fighting around them. The sword clatters on the asphalt when Magnus releases it to cradle his hand the demon grabbed, surveying the red blistered hand print they left behind, but he’s here, safe and whole, and Alec smiles. Magnus looks up from his hand and catches Alec’s eye, smiling back just as tired and relieved as Alec feels.

Even with black blood like goo all over Magnus and even a little on his face, Alec still has never seen a more beautiful person in his life. Jace’s proposal advice crosses Alec’s mind briefly but then he remembers that he confessed his love to Magnus for the first time after the soul sword incident. So he pushes the thought away because he doesn’t want all of their relationship milestones to be tied to violence for the rest of their lives. They deserve soft and warm memories, like mundanes, too.

After discussing Isabelle’s successful administration of her poison antidote to people that could still be sick at the sites, Alec thinks they’re done. He’s almost out the door of her laboratory when her voice makes him pause, “I’m glad you didn’t take Jace’s terrible advice and propose to Magnus after that fight in some dirty alleyway in Queens.” Alec nods slowly in agreeance, realizing now how suspicious it was for Isabelle to not have already given advice for how to propose. “It should be a place you want to revisit and maybe on an important day... like your anniversary. Good Luck Alec!”

Isabelle sends him off with those parting words, the conversation over just as quickly as it started, which is what Alec prefers though he knows it’s because Isabelle is in the midst of documenting everything about the attack. With his anniversary coming up in a couple of weeks, Alec stores away that not awful advice. He supposes proposing on one’s anniversary is cliche for a reason, right?

“Alec, are you alright? You look on edge.” Magnus’s asks from across the table, concern evident in both his tone and facial expression, bringing Alec back to his dinner and out of his mental spiral of the right time to ask the question. Magnus moves their anniversary bouquet of roses to the side for a less obstructed view of Alec before returning to his steak, not oblivious in the slightest of the inner turmoil Alec faces -just of its topic.

Alec’s celebrating his sixth year relationship with a truly magical man that he loves greatly, who knows him better than anyone else in his life, even better than Isabelle. And even though his stress is correlated to a surprise for Magnus, Alec wants to bring it up now to talk about because Magnus always knows how to look at things in a different light from Alec that gives him more information to consider. So he goes with the truth, “All of my family members have given me proposal advice the past couple of months and I’m starting to feel like I’m on Real Housewives of Idris. Having them hovering to tell me when and how to propose is more stressful than I expected.”

Magnus puts down his fork, corners of his lips turned down in a frown as he regards Alec. “You know I love you completely and fully, right?” Alec nods his head even though he knows the question is rhetorical. “I don’t need a ring or a shadowhunter ceremony to validate that our love is real. If you don’t want to propose, I will still be by your side for as long as we are good for eachother -ring or no ring.” Magnus maintains eye contact with Alec, trying to fully drill this concept into his mind. He nods his head again to confirm that he heard and understands. Magnus nods to himself, picking back up his utensils. “So did you actually make those chocolate covered strawberries or did you pick them up from that place on 22nd we’re always admiring from the sidewalk?”

“Both.” Alec says with a grin, making both of them laugh. “Isabelle picked up a box because I complained too much about how hard it was to decorate the chocolate.”

And just like that, the conversation gently steers to less stressful topics like teasing Alec for all the attempts to dress up their dessert and how Magnus was so distracted by their anniversary plans that he forgot his potion for too long, turning a stomach relief remedy into the opposite. The rings in Alec’s pocket and all the stress they carry to make sure the moment is just right evaporates as they spend the rest of the night laughing, talking, and celebrating six years of their amazing relationship.

“Hey Alec!” Alec stops in his tracks at the sound of his name, turning to see Simon walking down the hall towards him. Perplexed, Alec isn’t sure he wants to stick around long enough to find out where this is going. His eyes dart for all possible escape routes if the conversation heads south. “Jace told me you’re thinking of proposing but weren’t sure when. As a married friend, my advice is to pop the Question when the moment feels right because there is no perfect one.”

Yup this is exactly where Alec feared this conversation would lead. He raises a single judgemental eyebrow, “Didn’t you propose in the middle of dinner?”

“Yeah but then we redid it.” Simon says with a shrug like multiple proposals are a common occurrence.

Luke appears from around the corner of the hall, having heard their conversation and deciding to chime in as well. “He’s right but just don’t follow his lead.”

Alec nods his head in comprehension as he looks from Luke to Simon. Storing this not terrible suggestion in the back of his mind as he tries to parse out why so many people are invested in his love life; he’s starting to feel like he’s in that other reality drama: Saturday Nights at Edom .

Alec’s only been up for a couple of seconds, refusing to leave the warm comfort of the bed and the wonderful sight of the man he loves. Next to Alec, Magnus is sprawled out shirtless on his back, one arm across his eyes and the other on Alec’s forearm, as if reaching out for him even in sleep. The golden sheets pull up all the way to Magnus’s chest, bringing out the natural golden undertone in Magnus’s skin. He looks radiant, completely at ease in rest. He lets out a snort-like snore that makes Alec smile, remembering fondly how Magnus first teased Alec about his snoring before they were together. Magnus is truly beautiful, always but especially here in this moment, sleeping in their bed right now. Alec thinks to himself, ‘I want to wake up next to Magnus every day for ever and ever, no- for as long as they are good for each other .’

Magnus’s words from their anniversary dinner the other week echo in Alec’s mind, filling him with warmth. Magnus stirs slightly in his sleep, his arm falling off his face and onto his chest. The sudden movement causing him to wake up, slowly batting his eyelashes as he leaves the dream world for the land of the awake. He yawns while turning towards Alec, squeezing his forearm when Magnus sees that Alec’s awake, almost like a gentle greeting. Magnus’s eyes trail Alec’s face, taking in his fond smile and offering a warm, sleepy one in return, “What? Did I drool again?”

The question is right there, on the front of Alec’s mind but the words get jumbled in his throat and don’t make it out of his mouth. Instead he answers with a soft truth, as he shrugs one shoulder, “I love you.”

“I stand by my statement - you cheated that last game.” Magnus calls behind him as they enter the loft while Alec locks the front door. “Every tricky shot I had, you would distract me with your,” Magnus turns on his heels to face Alec, gesturing at him, “body. Therefore you didn’t win because you played dirty.”

Alec grins, quickly stepping into Magnus’s space and enjoying the way he tracks Alec’s movements. His hands slide up Magnus’s sides, “You enjoy when I play dirty - you love a challenge.”

“That is true.” Magnus concedes, his eyes drag from Alec’s lips to his eyes before kissing him deeply, teasingly biting his bottom lip before pulling away from the kiss and his arms. Magnus winks, removing his jacket for the coat rack.

Alec huffs out a laugh, reading loud and clear Magnus’s declaration: he too can play dirty. Alec walks through the entryway and out onto the balcony. They portaled home but the night’s open air calls to him, it’s chill feels wonderful after being around the hot, crowded pool tables at Hunter’s Moon. Magnus follows Alec out onto the balcony, “It’s a perfect night.”

Alec looks over at Magnus, head tilted up to the moon and few stars visible in the Brooklyn night sky as he rests his hands on the balcony bannister next to Alec’s. He couldn’t agree more but something pulls at him, his mind immediately going to the rings in his pocket that he’s been carrying around everywhere for the past couple of months and he just knows in his heart that this is the moment.

“Yeah... and the only thing that would make it even better would be knowing if you, Magnus Bane, would marry me?””

Magnus turns slowly towards Alec, who has gotten down on his knee with his hand extended, holding the black onyx and tungsten ring between his thumb and pointer finger, glinting in the moon’s light.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to propose to you Magnus, I just was waiting for the perfect moment, one that felt right , because before, the closest thing I ever felt to right in my life was when I used my bow, then I met you. Everything about you, your laugh, your smile, your wit, your pool skills, your hand in mine, your magic, you have always made me feel happy -good . And nothing would feel more right than being by your side as your husband for as long as we’re good for each other.”

The moment between them falls quiet, a soundtrack of Brooklyn’s city noises plays around them. Alec sees the tears in his own eyes reflected in Magnus’s as he gently picks up the offered ring in Alec’s hand. Magnus’s expression is in awe as he tilts the ring back in forth, eyes dancing as he follows the way the ring catches the light of the stars. He tilts the ring just so and the light in the living room must highlight the inscription on the ring, making him bring the ring closer to read, ‘I love you wholly’. The smile on Magnus’s lips deepens until his white teeth reflect the moonlight, slipping the ring onto his finger even though it’s a little too big.

“I never even considered that I could experience the sanctity of marriage before I met you. Yes, I would love to marry you Alexander for I do love you wholly and will forever. ”

Alec’s heart swells at hearing Magnus utter those words, hearing him practically say the complete inscription for the bands on instinct alone just solidifies to Alec how perfect these rings are for them. He stands, reaching in his pocket again to retrieve his matching ring with the inscription, ‘I love you forever’. Even though he knows it’s a little tight from trying on both rings before, he puts it just the same. He holds his hand elevated in the air next to Magnus’s, just to see both of their hands with their rings catching the moonlight. Alec looks back up to Magnus, who is watching him with a warm expression like the idea that Alec proposed is still being processed.

Magnus leans a little closer and Alec answers the movement immediately, leaning in the rest of the distance to soundly press his lips against Magnus’s. Slightly over excited about the kiss, Alec steadies himself with one hand resting at the juncture of shoulder and neck and the ring bearing hand on Magnus’s cheek. He tilts his head to the side, deepening the kiss as his hands come up to brace Alec’s face. And Alec has felt the cool material of rings on his skin before, he has been dating Magnus Bane for six years, but at the thought that one of those rings is their wedding band makes butterflies flutter in Alec’s stomach that are as strong as the first night they met.

Alec pulls away from the kiss to take a breath, he stays close as he rests their foreheads together, both of them sporting big, happy smiles. Alec whispers back his mutual affection, “I too love you wholly and will forever, my fiance .”

It’s the perfect ending to a perfect day.

#magnificentbane #malecsanta17 #*fic17 #*gifts17

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garrisonsnug · 7 years

Text

london’s burning // shelby sister

a/n: a little nsfw, but not too explicit.

there’s rarely a moment of peace in this house. always money to be counted, whiskey to be drunk, errands to run. so sunday mornings are your time. the boys are never early risers - except tommy, who you know wakes with the sun and lies still, watching it crawl across the ceiling. normally they trail in the front door around eleven, polly slightly earlier once the sunday service is over.

so that leaves you and your tea and your newspaper, content at the kitchen table, reading in the morning light. a precious few hours to yourself.

the kitchen doors swing open and a heavy bag lands on the table in front of you.

‘outside and dressed in half an hour,’ tommy annouces. ‘something nice. we’re going to london tonight.’

peaceful mornings are good, but this is a thousand times better. cooped up in the back of the car next to john, you laugh as arthur hangs out the door and enlightens all of small heath as to where the peaky blinders are headed.

the london trip had been brewing for a while. god knows you’d heard enough arguments between tommy - who’s good at keeping quiet during arguments - and polly - who’s definitely not. you’d started dropping hints in your conversations with tommy about how good you were getting with a gun, reminding him of times you’d used your relatively innocent appearance to go unnoticed and draw out important information. he would pretend to have no idea what you were getting at, until you were forced to ask him bluntly whether or not he’d take you to london with the boys.

‘you heard esmé at the meeting,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘london’s trouble. besides, you’ve got a job to do up here, keeping an eye on things.’

‘tommy, you know as well as i do that you’ve got enough eyes in small heath. who have you got in london who can get into pubs and cafés totally unnoticed? who the men pulling the strings aren’t afraid to talk to?’

he had sighed and gestured for you to leave, and you hadn’t spoken of the trip since. just like tommy, to keep you in limbo until the big day.

by the time you’re driving down the hazy streets of london, the sun has almost set and the stones of the city are pink with dusk. tommy stops the car on a street busy with well-dressed young people, making their way in twos and threes towards a club across the road. the century club is emblazoned in blue lights above its entrance, flanked by two burly security guards. arthur climbs out of the car and opens the door.

tommy turns to look at you over the seat. ‘right. this place is no eden, but it’s still sabini’s. you are not in friendly territory. anyone asks, you’re a rich country girl down here for a bit of fun.’

‘right,’ you laugh, mind already teeming with the possibilities of the night.

‘not too much fun,’ tommy says sternly, reading your mind. ‘you’ve a lovely fiancée waiting at your country estate. we’ve brought you here on business. the people in this club are cousins, sons, protegées of the sabini clan. your job is to find out as much as you can without raising suspicion. have a drink to fit in, but don’t lose your head. we’ll be back here at midnight. understand?’

‘yes, tommy.’

‘you’ve got the gun in your purse?’

‘only for emergencies.’

‘good lass.’ he pats your shoulder and nods towards the club, your cue to go.

arthur takes your hand and helps you climb out of the car. he gives your hand a reassuring squeeze and leans in close to your ear. ‘if the guards give you any trouble,’ he says, ‘tell them that darby sent you.’

the boys roar off into the night as you approach the club’s entrance. you’re wearing the violet dress you wore for your nineteenth birthday, when the boys took you out to the races. it’s perhaps a little northern - some of the girls here are showing more leg than you’ve ever seen in birmingham. still, it might add some conviction to your new country heiress identity.

‘you alone tonight, miss?’ the security guard asks around a cigarette, his accent clipped.

‘yes, i am.’

‘and why might that be?’

you smile at him graciously. ‘because darby sent me, of course,’ you say.

he raises both eyebrows in surprise and ushers you inside. you enter through a warmly lit foyer, trying not to gawk at what you see. waiters move effortlessly around tables and across the dance floor, carrying trays of drinks and silver platters of what looks like powdered sugar. couples are dancing and spinning wildly to the most fantastic music you’ve ever heard, draping over each other with their clothes hanging half off. by a fountain of champagne, you see two young women curled in a tight embrace, lips locked together. a waiter approaches you with champagne, and you take a crystal glass, deciding to savour your only drink for the night.

don’t lose your head. right. you scan the bar quickly for men who look more important, more knowledgable than the others. sitting by the bartender and idly watching the chaos with a cigar is a young italian man in a well-fitted suit, looking like serious money. you like something about him - maybe the way you hesitate to trust him. summoning your best air of elegance, you approach the bar.

‘mind if i have a try?’ you ask coyly, nodding at his cigar. ‘i’ve never had one before.’

he smirks at you, passing it over. he watches coolly as you take a few puffs and then takes it back. you see the glint of gold rings on his fingers. definitely serious money.

‘i’ve never seen you here before. why’s that?’

‘well, i’ve never been. i’m from up country, darling. my father brought me here for the weekend. he’s on business.’

‘what kind of business?’

‘oh, you know. securing some deals with someone called sabini. i hear he’s quite well known around these parts, but i’ve never heard of him.’

the boy’s eyebrows raise and he lets out a low whistle. ‘your father must be a heavyweight. sabini owns this club, you know.’

you laugh delicately, taking a sip of your champagne. ‘well, do you know him? you must congratulate him for me on the running of such a wonderful establishment.’

he clears his throat and adjusts his tie. ‘well, not personally. my boss is, um - an acquaintance of his. i’ll pass the message along. where did you say you were from?’

you know the difference between someone who’s keeping a secret, and someone who’s bluffing. as you carry on the conversation, lying effortlessly about your family and prying gently into this boy’s life, it becomes clear that he has nothing to do whatsoever with sabini, and is only trying to impress you. you glance at the clock. half-eight. there are more important things to do than waste your time on someone like this.

you touch his hand and cut a tall story about his exploits with a rival gang short. ‘alessandro,’ you say, ‘it was lovely to talk, but i’m going to explore for a minute. i’ll come and find you later, yes?’

the next hour or so you spend doing the same thing, moving easily around the room and talking to the most influential looking people there. one girl even takes a liking to you and invites you into a gated-off section, where ‘all the people worth knowing are.’ however, even in the most exclusive part of the club, it becomes quickly clear that this club is full of london’s clueless elite. young women and men who want to get drunk like everyone else, but also feel important while they do so. by drinking at the century club, they get to play gangster without having a clue what that really means.

as you continue an idle conversation about your dress - ‘so wonderful, i adore country fashion’ - you feel anger rising at your brothers. they knew there was nothing of real influence in this club. they just wanted you to feel as if you were a part of things, stop your complaining for a while by dropping you out of the way of the real business. the men’s business.

well. you excuse yourself from the table and pick up another champagne from a nearby waiter, finishing it in one swallow. if they don’t want you to be a businesswoman - want to drop you off at a club for naive teenagers playing fast and loose - you might as well play the part.

alessandro is still sitting at the bar, chatting with two other italian boys. you tap his shoulder and he turns, face lighting up when he sees you. he shoos the other boys away and calls for the bartender over.

‘what will you have?’

you lean in closer to him than strictly necessary. ‘let me try the sambuca,’ you say, and he laughs. ‘when in rome.’

‘that’s a peasant’s drink,’ he grins.

‘should i order something different?’

‘no,’ he says, flagging for two shots. ‘i’d like to see if you can hold it down.’

two shots become four become six, and your whole body feels warm with the liquorice burn of the drink. you feel the neckline of your dress slipping down and the hemline slipping up as you drape a leg across alessandro’s lap, laughing at some story he tells you of his school days.

‘you’re not like anyone i’ve met in london,’ he says. his cheeks are flushed from the alcohol, his brown eyes earnest and inviting. ‘care to dance?’

‘of course,’ you reply, ‘but not in front of all these people.’

when he catches your meaning, an infectious grin breaks out across his face. he takes you by the hand and leads you through the roped-off area of the club, to a row of folded silk partitions you didn’t notice before. behind each one is a loveseat and a bucket of ice, champagne bottle waiting. you check the ornate clock on the wall. almost ten. plenty of time.

laughing, you let alessandro pull you down onto the loveseat to straddle his lap. ‘won’t everyone still hear us behind these things?’

‘why do you think they play the music so loud?’

he sits up and holds your face in his hands. his mouth is hot over yours, tasting of liquorice. your hands skim down the front of his body, feeling the tension coiling in his stomach as you make short work of his buttons, revealing an expanse of tanned skin and dark hair, arrowing towards his hips. he shrugs the shirt off completely and returns the favour, kissing your neck as he unbuttons your dress and slips it off your shoulders.

‘will your father kill me?’ he asks, his breath against the shell of your ear raising goosebumps.

‘oh, he doesn’t have to know -’ you say, cut short by a gasp as alessandro’s mouth closes over the silk of your slip. he presses up into you hungrily through his trousers, his hips arching against yours, finally pulling your slip down -

three gunshots ring out across the club, followed by panicked screams and shouts. the music comes to a halt.

‘gesù cristo,’ alessandro hisses. ‘what the fuck was that?’

you shut your eyes, sighing. you have a hunch.

‘right,’ you hear arthur’s voice echo confidently from the floor. ‘there’s a miss shelby somewhere in this club, and we’ve come to collect her. the rest of you london brats better start paying your dues to the peaky fuckin’ blinders, cause you’ll be sure as hell seeing a lot of us soon.’

alessandro squints, confused, as the music starts up again uneasily. ‘who are the peaky blinders?’

‘no idea,’ you say, hurriedly pulling your slip back up over your exposed breasts and patting your hair down. ‘but i’m not staying to find out -’

‘right, right, pull yourselves together and get out - what the fuck?’

john. waving his pistol nonchalantly, one hand in his pocket. now stopped dead.

‘who the fuck are you?’ alessandro challenges, scrambling to stand up, stance broad.

‘i think you better tell me, mate, what the fuck you’re doing with my sister.’

‘john,’ you say sharply, ‘he didn’t do anything. alessandro, leave us, please.’

he gathers his shirt and skulks away, leaving you hurriedly buttoning your dress back up and john seething.

‘don’t tell tommy, or arthur, please,’ you say. ‘not now. we can talk about it later.’

‘later, like hell,’ john says. ‘i find you with some wop halfway up you, and you want to save the explanation for a fucking family meeting? we told you to keep your head on.’

‘you also told me i was here on business, doing good work for the family! told me i was a valuable member of the blinders, that you respected my contribution. not that you were going to dump me at some useless club and expect me to sit in the corner, bored out of my mind all fucking night.’

john rolls his eyes. ‘so your solution was to get your kit off for the highest bidder. jesus, i can fucking smell the drink on you.’

‘that’s fucking rich, isn’t it! not like when you get half a whiskey in you you don’t start feeling up every woman who looks twice, no mind what esmé thinks.’

you storm past him, through the elite seating - now back to its normal chatter - and across the floor, where tommy and arthur are waiting on you.

‘have a good night?’ arthur laughs. you ignore him, heading straight into the cold night and climbing into the car where it waits. the three of them follow a minute later, tommy’s expression dark and serious as john relays what you said to him.

they enter the car in stony silence, the tension thick as anything as you make your way out of the city. you’re well out of the city centre when you speak.

‘i suppose the eden went fucking terribly.’

‘why do you say that?’ tommy asks, sounding almost bemused.

‘because you came back two hours early, and you’re all in a foul mood.’

‘perhaps i’m in a foul mood because i gave my sister a distinct list of things not to do tonight, and she took it upon herself to do all of them.’

you pull a cigarette out of your purse and light it, pulling a long drag. ‘you also gave me a job to do, knowing full well i wouldn’t be able to do it. and you didn’t care.’

‘you know it’s not -’

‘not what, tommy? if you don’t think i’m good, or smart, or strong enough for the family business, you can come out and say it. but don’t you dare condescend to me like you did tonight.’

you hear tommy sigh. ‘it’s not about any of those things. sabini’s new ground, even for us. we didn’t want to throw you into danger without gauging it for ourselves, first.’ he slows the car and looks at you over his shoulder. ‘but you’re right. i’m sorry. it’ll be different next time.’

an apology from your brother. the world must be coming to an end.

you watch small, bricked homes fly past on the streets beside you, eventually turning to countryside. as you watch fields and stone fences and horses slip by in the dark, listening to your boys talk rubbish, you can’t stop a smile from growing on your face. next time.

#peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders fic #shelby sister fic #anyway london's burning by the clash is a Mood

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purplesurveys · 3 years

Text

1032

survey by danceamydance

Have you ever witnessed a birth? Never have. I wasn’t present when my mom gave birth to my younger siblings and other than that there’s been no reason for me to be around for the birth of my other younger relatives.

What pattern does the closest tissue box have? I don’t have one in my room, but the one in our bathroom is brown. I think. I never actually checked even though I use it everyday lol.

Where did you lose your virginity, if you have? I truthfully didn’t really keep note of what counts as the first time because we had already been fooling around quite a bit. I’d guess either a hotel room or my room, or maybe hers. The one thing I can remember was that I was 18, so there’s that.

What color car(s) do your parents drive? We have two white cars and one teal. I still don’t know why my dad got a teal car when none of us in the family are into colored cars, but according to him getting the Vitara in white would’ve looked like an FX (a form of public transport here), so I’ve learned to make my peace with the teal car lol.

What are your views on getting rid of the penny? I can’t relate, because we don’t use pennies.

Which Asian country would you most like to visit? Aside from the ones I’ve already gone to, I’d love to take a trip to Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and India.

Have you ever had a nosebleed? Nope. I fear the day I get one; I’m scared of blood haha.

How far away do you live from your birthplace? Maybe around 30 minutes without any traffic. A realistic drive to Manila would take me anywhere between 1 to 1.5 hours.

Do you have bangs? Yep, and they’re starting to get pretty long as well so thanks for reminding me that I’ll have to trim them soon. I want to get rid of them already as I’ve had my fun with them, but NO ONE HAS SEEN ME WITH BANGS loooool so they are still staying.

Are you a good driver? I wanna say I’ve been better through the years? Hahaha the consensus is that I drive a little crazy, but my friends still always pick me to drive them whenever we go somewhere because everyone apparently still finds me the safest driver to ride with despite my temper on the road. Having a tiny car, being bullied by bigger pickup trucks and SUV through the years has helped toughen me up.

Have you ever kissed someone underneath the mistletoe? No. My ex and I always celebrated Christmas separately, with our own families, so we never got the chance to do this.

Do you watch the Olympics on the television? No. It’s not really something that interests me.

What was the scariest experience of your life? The time I nearly crashed into a car that I didn’t realize was stopped in the middle of the road while I was going 80 kph, and having like 3 seconds to hit the brakes.

Do you have a Tumblr account? I mean...

Are your nails painted right now? What color? Nope.

Have you ever played truth or dare? Several times, though I always pick truth because I’ve never had a problem saying it. I also hate picking dares because my friends would usually make us do dumb things, like dance, or worse, make out with someone in the circle.

How long is your driveway? Not very.

Are there any tv shows you keep up with religiously? Mmm it used to be The Crown, but I probably won’t be watching it for a while despite the new season because 1) I used to watch it when my past relationship had still been smooth-sailing, so watching it would just remind me of that; and 2) Gabie loves the shit out of Gillian Anderson and she was brought in for season 4 lol.

Right now my focus is on a new Korean drama called Start-Up, which is currently ongoing and is so fucking good. Nam Joo Hyuk is also there, so it’s a sweet bonus for me <3

What is your favorite iPhone app? I’m using YouTube the most these days, so it may as well be my favorite.

Where is your mother right now? She’s at work.

Do you know anybody named Carl? I don’t think so. The only person that came to mind is an uncle named Carlo who I haven’t seen in more than a decade. My dad’s college group used to be super tight-knit and I used to be friends with his friends’ kids, so it’s sad to see them kinda grow apart and notice the others be more reclusive over the years.

Are you more of a night owl or a morning person? Morning person. Ugh, work is changing me as a person haha.

What is your favorite song at the moment? Saw You In A Dream by The Japanese House has taken the top spot again. It’s just too goddamn good of a song.

Do you have a weak stomach? Very. I’m awful with car rides, bungee jumping, fair rides, you name it.

Have you ever been to a party where people were drinking underage? Hmm, yes. Kaira’s 18th birthday – it was held in May but most of the people at her party weren’t going to turn 18 until the end of the year, so it was a lot of 16 and 17 year olds drinking. I had just turned 18 then, so I allowed myself to take my first sip of a margarita.

How many stores are in the mall closest to you? Malls here are generally packed compared to what people may have in the US or other countries, so even though our local mall isn’t anything notable, it still holds 200+ stores.

Do you know anybody who has been diagnosed with cancer? Yes, but they’re all outside of family. My mom’s side is very weird about cancer and never share information about family members who may have it and only ever refer to it as ‘the c word,’ so I may have more relatives who have cancer than what is made known to us.

How far away is the closest McDonald’s to you? We have one literally right beside the main entrance of our village but because our house is at the very end of the village, what should be just a couple of steps away is instead a 10-minute drive for me.

Would you ever meet someone in person that you met online? Yeah I’ve done that with a few people in the wrestling circle. Jila I met unexpectedly while we were both in line for the WWE house show in Manila in 2016; Javi I met when I lent him my Chris Jericho memoir; and Rafie was the one who gave me a free ticket to said WWE show. Rafie’s a local celebrity now and he has such a huge following, so as weird as it is I’m also glad I have that little memory with him before he blew up.

What was the last film you watched? That Thing Called Tadhana, but I was unable to finish it. I’m into TV shows these days and I’ve been all over Start-Up.

Does it snow where you live? Never has.

Have you ever been to an art gallery? Of course, I’m a sucker for those. I always go to one whenever I can; there are a lot of malls here that’ll randomly have pop-up art exhibits, so art galleries here actually aren’t limited to just museums.

What are your neighbours like? A lot of them have kids, that much I know because a lot of them play outside in the afternoon and make some noise. We all keep to each other, though, so I don’t know any more about them; the only time we get together is when the neighborhood organizes its own Christmas party for the community.

Do you visit your town’s library often? I would if we have one, but public libraries are not a thing here. If you needed to go to a library to find a book, you would have to go to a university.

Have you ever had to take care of an intoxicated person? This just gave me college flashbacks haha. Of course I have, and the most notable people for me are JM, Andrew, and Angela.

What flavor was the last ice cream you ate? It’s a red bean ice cream sandwich that also has a bit of vanilla ice cream in it.

Can you do a cartwheel? No but I definitely tried a thousand times as a kid.

Who is the last person you spoke to on the phone? Can I do video calls instead? I haven’t done phone calls in a while. The last people I was on a call with were Ysa and Bea.

^ What did you talk about? Secret work stuff.

Which website do you spend the most time on? YouTube, Tumblr, Reddit, Twitter.

Have you ever kissed someone of a different race? I haven’t.

What can you smell right now? My coffee chocolate chip cookie.

Do you read fanfiction? If so, what fandoms? I haven’t checked on my favorite authors since college, mostly because they went MIA at some point and moved on to different fandoms as well. But when I did, I mostly read ones for AJ/Punk and HHH/Steph.

What accent is your favorite? Man this question is asked a lot...

How did/will you celebrate your birthday this year? Gab gave me a cute digital present, I think I may have spent the whole day playing the Switch, and Hans and Angela sent over a box of sushi for me.

Are you more introverted or extroverted? I’m both depending on the people I’m with. If I’m with a crowd I don’t know all that much, I turn my volume down.

Do you tend to repeat yourself all the time? Yeah. I got it from my mom, who unconsciously repeats stories all the time.

How was the last chicken you ate cooked? Fried.

Is there anybody you always find yourself thinking about? Yes, but it has gotten easier to manage/ignore altogether these days.

What was your last argument about? Haven’t argued with anyone in a hot minute. It was probably my mom as always, but I no longer remember what it could have been about.

Are/were you part of any extracurricular activities in school? I had clubs in high school since it was mandatory. In college, I was in yearbook and a journalism org.

Do you want to get married someday? I don’t know about that anymore.

What colors are on your country’s national flag? Blue, red, yellow, and white.

Would you go back to your ex if he/she asked you? I’m pretty stupid when it comes to this, so yes.

#survey #surveys

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northernjulian · 7 years

Text

"Lucidity Roses"

LUCIDITY ROSES ルシディ・ローゼズ

Dedicated to:

This poem, project, and visual representation of mental growth & beauty is dedicated to someone I miss dearly and think about everyday. My best friend Jaedin A. She helped me get through everything. From my first heartbreak, to my first day of suicide watch in the hospital. She was there. From crying over being abused in a relationship to crying over being locked in a hospital room. She was there. As I write this dedication with tears falling down my face like that day let it be known that I would not be here today. Mentally, and physically if it weren’t for this person. It’s nothing simple like I got an injury and she stopped the bleeding therefore she “saved my life” shit. It’s more like I couldn’t find my own injury but she stopped it from hurting by just being there with me. No matter the situation. Whether it was when I was 1,500+ miles away or just inches away she helped me push through everything that would’ve broken me. Thank you so much for existing in my era. Xox

This piece is heavily inspired by Jenny Holzers ‘Truisms’ poem. Her diverse yet obvious stanzas created beauty by the things we see and hear everyday. Basic knowledge formed together to create a intricate puzzle like piece that allows the mind to gain an insightful view. Thank you Jenny. Alongside being dedicated to my best friend Jaedin it is dedicated to those who did me wrong. Sorry to kill your vibes but no one can bring me down no matter how long they try. With all love and no hate <3 -Julian

WARNING

This is art. This is real. This is raw. I speak my mind and express everything I see and understand. This ain’t some politics-free Facebook post. Not wanting to argument with family members shit. I’ve been blocked by family members for the things I’ve said. My aunt blocked me after posting pro-black lives matter messages on my Facebook. Apparently not wanting to see my half blood brother on the news is too offensive. Wanting justice for innocent people was “too much”. Putting bad cops in the system they avoid was “too excessive”. If you can’t respect my existence or my families and friends then fuck you. This country has been hypocritical since the day it was founded, but overtime new laws and such have been put into the system yet they still treat us like the cameras ain’t recording, like the wounds ain’t showing, like the pain ain’t growing. So realize that this piece isn’t some school assembly script. This is raw and uncut like Trumps Twitter minus the fact that I’m not a damn idiot. Also while reading this piece you have to be in touch with the other side. By that I mean you have to be relaxed and at peace. Plug in headphones, white noise machine, open the window, do what you gotta do to be ready to see instead of just read. It’s like a deep song with curse words in it. You can’t listen for the words, you have to listen for the meaning. If Van Gogh painted Starry Night in an art class no one would fully appreciate it for the way it was meant to be. Art is three dimensional and up. It can be seen from many sides. Although all of them can be justified, when the artist explains what his two dimensional view of the piece is you gotta just sit back in amazement. The whole time I was writing this I had that mindset. This my canvas mindset. Knowing that each stroke on the white surface has to be better than the last. So here is my piece. My canvas. I hope you enjoy and understand.

Here is “Lucidity Roses”

— america is the biggest terrorist threat not isis all lives matter movement is a fictional movement anatomy is important for love astrology isn’t a science arian advantages are my disadvantages america escaped tyrannical governments only to become one abortion isn’t murder amendments have been broken atheists are people not afraid of death aberrant people are the future able bodied people are the most lazy abolish our current government abrasive people are common absolutism is always a bad idea abstemious people are annoying absorption of countries kills cultures acquaintance is a rude way of saying relationship adeptness is underrated altruism is key for humanity apathy controls our motivations astronomy is observable and beautiful amassing is dangerous anonymity people keep the truth alive aflame is the best way to describe America right now aptitude lovers are real aridity is rising

beautiful mornings happen everyday borders don’t stop shit branding runs capitalism blue lives matter is equal to all lives matters blue people don’t exist bernie should’ve won bravery comes in many forms bruce becoming caitlin was important for this generation baby boomers blame everything on anyone younger bombs are never precise boys don’t cry, men do tho bitches aren’t women bad bitch isn’t a compliment babies show us life in it’s pure form baptism doesn’t save every child of god baptism didn’t keep me holy bottles ease the pain boredom is a first world problem bacteria is everywhere germaphobes being called something besides your name is great blonde was album of the year black lives matter buying expensive things have repercussions baffling is trumps best and only skill burning the flag doesn’t help anything basketball is the best sport

crying in the rain feels good creativity is the key to a new world conspiracy theories aren’t reality cherry blossoms are natures physical form of love condolences are appreciated cancer can be stopped censorship stops art ceasefires never truly cease fire cultures are not to be mocked colors all have meaning codes control our superficial social media currently waiting for closure classical mythologies were once religions civilizations never disappear fully cobain was murdered ceasar once ruled the world callisto needs to be explored carbon dioxide emissions are real cherokee are the toughest natives christmas is definitely the most wonderful time chickenpox in america wasn’t an accident cold war was the scariest war columbus didn’t find shit captain avery was a genius camo clothes are never out of fashion crucifixion is over the top

dark nights only make brighter days death penalty is overpriced depression is real denying science and facts gave us trump don’t argue with science devil dances to inner city anthems death lurking in my thoughts lately da vinci was the closest thing to perfection drake runs our generation dogs are impossible to hate divinity is possible in our form diamonds are perfection doomsayers don’t enjoy their life dormant volcanoes are relatable dancing is art dinosaurs exist despite being held back we succeeded desperate people are the most sick different place this planet is nowadays dying is overrated dust shows authenticity dyed my hair for this rebirth defense is a form of offense dreams mean something doing thangs for myself deities exist in us

“every night fucks everyday up” emptiness is a curse everyone is beautiful in their own way exercise is a reliable stress reliever eagles are sacred earth deserves better easter island disappeared electromagnetism control our sense of direction extinct species show how precious life is endorphins are off in my mind epicenter disasters happen in our minds too egyptians had the smarts of unearthly creatures einstein got sad over things he didn’t understand too errors in our ways are to be fixed not ignored effective ways to love vary on the person elsewhere exist on our minds equality is bullshitted in our world eventually everything falls endings are emotionally exhausting efforts mean everything egos are killed by assholes education isn’t always important for a better world eternal life happens when you love life ethnic cleansing still happens today ethics are not negotiable eyes perceive more than the physical

fuck trump by the way fires burn inside flowers are unreal football is a life damaging sport “faults break into pieces” freezing points are breaking points futura is a great font fonts are key pieces for expression focusing isn’t something gained through pills fallacies run our political system futuristic ideas were once sci-fi ideas finding love is very important fire was once considered magic freedom isn’t real in america fresh fruits are being created as if they were artificial for the last time the earth isn’t flat fascism exist in our america fuel exist in many forms feminism is needed for this generation fake love is true evil false prophets are average humans fables are more than just cute fake news doesn’t exist only inaccurate news faithfulness isn’t difficult when you aren’t an asshole fanatics are just passionate, not crazy feedback is appreciated

guys can be pretty too generalization is the key to all problems global warming is real great barrier reef is almost gone gothic art is the realist art gambling is the currency form of lust geniuses exist in many fields generosity can go a long way geometry is the simplest form of math ghost exist giggles are always nice glaciers are separating glaring is rude girls glisten glitter beauty is magical goddesses are women goals should always be pursued go all out with anything you get some time for yourself gain respect towards those who hurt from things you can’t see great wall didn’t stop the mongols good people exist gasoline isn’t worth killing people over goodnight messages mean a lot good morning messages mean more gestures mean more than words

hells exist beyond our minds health care should always be free heavens exist in our minds hesitation kills motivation highly favorable people were once underrated homophobia isn’t real, being an asshole is homosexuality is just as natural as heterosexuality hogs represent rich people houses aren’t homes unless they’re made into one home is where the love is highlights of life are everything without a price high beams on a dark road how do some people live with themselves? hidden in plain sight things are extraordinary hello starts every conversation height is superficial hierarchy only worked for the pharaohs hire the unfavored heels shouldn’t be a beauty standard heavens gate is no different from christianity heavens gate is a religion hashtag save our girls happiness has me believing i made heaven harassment is cruel to humanity hardly anything is real anymore help is never too far away

i feel like pablo making my own art i’m just human isis doesn’t represent islam imperialism is the reason rome fell imperialism is the reason we shall fall immigrants made america i’m sad as shit when i’m alone i can also be happy as shit when i’m alone i see race i just don’t care about it internet is overrated and superficial inferior things are not always the problem invasion of foreign countries is never reasonable ice cream is good for the soul ignorance isn’t a bliss illogical facts are “alternative facts” illumination of the mind is inspiring imagination is the only drug we need islam has no relation to terrorism impossible is only a word infuriating people lead to a dumber generation infallible beliefs are close minded inhabiting foreign lands ruined cultures informing is not insulting innovation is suppressed in our world instincts are always right intelligence is uncommon

jim jones was the furthest thing from the messiah jesus was brown jean-michel basquait was our van gogh just kidding isn’t an excuse for your assholeness jealousy ruins more relationships than actual issues jewels aren’t worth the killing judges have sympathy journalists can be bias joy is a great feeling justice is failing in america judging others is natural jungles need protection jades are the perfect shade of green jewelry is a classism statement journey around the world if you can jump into new things don’t be scared jokes keep the sadness at bay jumble things are sometimes more beautiful than neat things jaunts are good for you jigsaws relate to our lives justifying racism is impossible judaism is the most neglected religion join the cause jackson was killed by a doctor jerichos’ horn is heard all around world just wondering if i’ll make it in life

keep thinking positive things and they will happen killing for peace is a hypocritical phenomenon kings never end happily ever after kind people are the most beautiful keep your family close knowing isn’t always understanding kkk is a terrorist organization kids bring the family together kanye is a smart man keep yourself your number one priority kissing is just as addictive as drugs kahlo is the best artist ever karma will get you kaitlin lives forever keep the bullshit away kaleidoscopes sparked my creativity kd betrayed his team keep it real keep the faith kepler telescope watches the heavens kepler-452b is our last resort kgb tactics are still in use kick back and get dreamin killing the innocent happens too often killing by accident happens too kidnapping is the worst crime against humanity

loving and sex are two different things legends never live life is a clusterfuck love doesn’t have a gender loneliness craves company lying is an insult to ones morality les brown motivates me lucidity roses is my canvas lucidity roses is life lust for life losing is better than not trying living shouldn’t be bordered by rules lying is an insult to yourself leaving incompetent people isn’t wrong or bad loving those who others don’t is perfect let go every once and awhile laws shouldn’t be bribed lawyers shouldn’t defend sick people lurking gets us hurt lies formed history last night stories are the best lately i’ve been feeling sad lyrics always have deeper meanings last doesn’t always mean something bad lines divide us like paper layoffs are necessary for a new world

majorities blame their problems on minorities mind over matter meditation is a mental workout mental injuries are worse than physical ones make america united again make your dreams a reality men don’t understand motherhood motherhood is a connection like no other “my eyes had a gleam once” my intentions are always good, my actions aren’t always tho meddling in others relationships is disrespectful mexico is a beautiful country manipulated by our politicians managing friendships is tiring morgues show us life after death minerals are running low mindsets vary on time sets marrying just to cheat is unacceptable and wrong mothers are responsible for our nurture vs nature thinking missing people who hurt you is ass-backwards “might've” has no meaning in the present masculinization insults the free spirits makaveli escaped to cuba magna carta is the way of the people mask show more than the person behind it medications should be free mcdonalds runs america

nothing happens for a reason nights with the person you love is better than anything nothing is as intimate as love never have i or will i say “president trump” narcissism got me through my depression nihilism is the truest religion ‘no more parties in la’ nobody pray for me! no means no never think about the past names always deserve a deeper meaning narrow minded people are ruining our country nikes is perfect natural beauty is the perfect form of art news stations are almost always biased nirvana is close by.. nagging gets you nowhere nowadays people aren’t living in the now newcomers deserve respect newcomers deserve recognition nazism is still active in america north is the main direction never love someone you wouldn’t wanna wake up with narcotics control the banks nasa deserves better never judge something you don’t understand

our system is corroded ousting exposes jealousy outfits describe our personalities overnight love is the best ocean needs protection oceans display vibes omitting happiness is brighter than any rays omega is more dominant than alpha order is tyrannical orgasms vary oracles saw illusions odd problems can become the most dangerous ones mental state is a number one priority oak is the most refreshing wood obligate yourself to everything you love oblivion exist only if you open the portal to it oblivious people are the loudest only illegal humans are those who manipulate the public our greatest internal struggle is wanting what we give old white people should have no say on racial issues obliterating countries doesn’t solve problems obnoxious people are common occasional personal days are necessary off days are the worst days offer yourself to the ones you love old times are gone, forget them

past civilizations were more advanced than current ones peoples temple was a suicide group political corruption runs our system police gotta stop killing us pro-black isn’t anti-white philosophies vary on mindsets philosophers were once seen as irrelevant picassos’ rose period is my life season political parties are for small minded people politics separated my family permafrost love is gonna be a visual perfect people only exist when you become in love with someone pesticides are just as bad for humans than bugs push through the tough shit pulling someone closer is a form of intimacy purple is a sexual color purest forms of intimacy are decided by lovers please love someone before you leave this planet peaceful protest are always manipulated by fox news party whenever you can for however long you can pretty isn’t a girl only word panama was split for financial reasons peaks are the top of our lives pastor keeps the followers with hope paparazzi got no respect please don’t stop living

quit slut shaming sexually active people quit calling every female a bitch quality over quantity all the time questions without answers are possible quiet people are a blessing quotes were unappreciated at their time qualm thoughts are stressful quantum mechanics are the future qualified people can still be stupid queens don’t need kings quickly doing things is sloppy quicksand is the physical metaphor of depression quilts are comfortable canvases quixotic love is the best love quizzing us on things we don’t know is irrational quotation marks aren’t needed for the words you say quran isn’t evil quran is equal to the beautiful quarantining sad people is cruel quarantined orcas need to be freed #fuckseaworld quite a few good things in life we don’t appreciate quitting is never the answer quit fucking with people who don’t care for you queer isn’t an insult question everything you don’t understand quasars represent underdogs

reverse racism isn’t real respect your elders those who respect you roses show more beauty than we can comprehend “respect existence or expect resistance” rest in peace selena respect for women shouldn’t be gained through knowing one remember the good days every chance you get real friends make time for you release week was dope reality is distorted raw art is the truth we need ranting proves you can think random compliments are the best compliments reading puts you in another world reducing stress is impossible in our world refusing facts isn’t always because ignorance remember that you matter runaway with the person you love runaway is also a perfect song, thanx kanye roses are red roses aren’t dead riding with your friends is peaceful reintroducing people is lovely radiation levels are unnatural radical ideas are barbaric rapist don’t deserve a casket

“special shoutout to the icon dynasty slip and slide records” science is the forerunner of every subject self control is a uncommon blessing support planned parenthood support stem cell research sexism is at an all time high sadness has me believing i belong in a sanitarium sexual fantasies are normal scientist don’t lie, politicians do stop being scared secrets are esoteric seducing has to be wanted school makes me feel stupid sadness dissipates when we begin to live smoking kills shea made me sad shan made me happy strong people exist satanist aren’t bad people say no to *bad* drugs seeing old friends is refreshing sad and mad emotions ruin lives safe sex is rare saints were once sinners sinners were once saints see what i’m saying?

tranquility is achieved through our minds the meaning of life is happiness thank you for the inspiration frank o. tupac is still alive for me the world is ours taste of lips is a drug the only thing we need is love tattoos tell stories that words can’t “to die without leaving a corpse..” thank the universe or your deity everyday “torture is barbaric” the day is as only as bright as you make it tired is a real excuse for not doing things trading your soul for something always ends bad trendsetters aren’t original treat everyone you meet with respect trying to educate the ignorant is pointless tattoos at a young age show defiance tattoos don’t look gross when you get older tips are small but meaningful today is the beginning of a new life. timid people are usually the brightest tacky clothes are fun tell people how special they are tell your deepest secrets to no one take it easy

uncles’ are usually pieces of shit..lookin at you lencho using someone for sex is inhumane ultimately what defines us is our actions, not words u is the saddest song ever umbrellas are cliché understanding someone helps them get better unfortunately we can’t stop time under pressure we can sprout unite the world together again unlikely doesn’t mean impossible unless you’re dead nothing can stop you unusual organisms see us as unusual too urges can be handled uplift everyones spirits unnamed sources are the realist sources untruth the lies using the system to beat it is smart unnecessary comments don’t have to be necessary upload your experiences update your friends as much as possible urgent care is a sad place universe is in us us is nice to say uttering words isn’t always the best idea urban legends are fun to read about until we stop fighting we’ll never start loving

violins are the most beautiful instrument vibrant things give me happiness videotapes are ancient versatile mindsets are necessary very important people are not strangers with money vikings found america vivid dreams are future scenes vaccines don’t cause autism voice your opinion no matter where you live volume never seems loud enough version one is draft like vintage art is overrated verbal abuse is the worst versions show both sides view life differently vote based off personality not political party valleys are scary versace is godlike voices are deceiving vaults are examples of paranoia vice versa situations are just normal situations very good people are always unheard of veterans shouldn’t be veterans venture into the wild visit family as much as you can versus the world

would trump let jesus in our country? women deserve better “wishing things away is not effective” quote jenny we face the inner struggle of the penitent and impenitent thief war on drugs is a waste of time and money wes lang is the descendant of basquait women can hurt men too whiners can’t be choosers winning is just as scary as losing wearing all black is beautiful wanting what you can’t have is cruel would you like you? wishing for the best holds back the best watching people be themselves is interesting why do they keep killing us? when’s tranquility gonna reach us welcome new people like family weddings are a form of art why questions will never be answered why are we here? why do we battle things we can’t see? why do good things happen to bad people? why do bad things happen to good people? why is there a why if it can’t be answered? willpower is yours winning is the only option

xenophobia is wrong not matter how trump puts it xenophile is a lover for high class things xerophytic people are the strong yet depressed humans xanax are for those sad people xeriscape was created for another dustbowl xerothermic weather isn’t normal xenobiotic compounds are even antihuman xerophile organisms are relatable xenogeny is the creation and start of life xat have spiritual energies xenocide is happening to our own species xenoepist think you’re a xenoepist xenomorphs exist xeronisus happens when you don’t love that person xickovit of this country xox means a lot to me x’ing out the bad people like tic-tac-toe xanthippe was the opposite of socrates xenial countries are declining xenocracy founded america xenophobia is runs our country right now xenophobic is like homophobic, so it’s not real xanax are bad for you xenophiles need to know their boundaries x marks the spot xoxo

you don’t have to be in love to make love yelling should only be for sports events years pass like the seasons year-round happiness is important yikes at our country yearbooks shouldn’t be the only time we appreciate each other yearning is a sin but an understandable one yearlong relationships are rare yellow is the most vibrant color y chromosome organisms have no right over double x organisms y chromosome doesn’t excuse being disrespectful yellowstone is gonna explode soon yes is all you need to hear for consent ying yang symbol is life in simple terms yogism is the purest philosophy you can’t expect the unexpected your only priority is you you’ll never know what someone else is going through you are loved you are noticed you are always on someones mind you deserve better you can succeed you can inspire you will be happy you are you

zenith empires eventually fell zero was created by the mayans zodiac signs are bullshit zygotes show us how related we are zeal mindsets are important for our generation zelo was nikes brother zeal mindsets can be dangerous zero first world problems are important zuckerberg made billions off our generation zirconia isn’t diamond zero hour is the best time of the day zeta is an unearthly letter zev (zero emission vehicles) were the future zigzagging down a dark road zika needs to be defeated. zionism fucked over jerusalem zodiac killer was found zoos’ need to be more natural zebra stripes are mesmerizing zealous juries can free the criminals zaddy turns no one on zoning people out is risky zombies is who our voting system was built for zoetropes still amaze me zero stars show in the daytime zero people can talk shit about me now —

Everything in this project has meaning. Everything. I would stay up til the early hours of the morning just thinking and trying to tell my story while correlating it with symbols and clues. Notice how there is every letter in the alphabet on here twenty six times? That was a tribute to Holzers style she had on “Truisms”. Notice how every letter is lowercased? Also a tribute to Holzer. The cover art, hand drawn by the way, the cover is a skull with three roses coming out of it. Those three roses represent the three loves of my life. From best to worst going left to right. The words above them show what they gave and introduced me to. Love, lust, and lorn. All of these things are apart of life. The three emotions we all are controlled by in life. The three things that can break us from ourselves. That’s why the skull is there. After all those things I had to endure I felt nothing but dead inside. On the outside it was visible too. From the days my mother would ask me what’s wrong to the days I would break down at school. It was visible. I seemed dead on the inside. They say nothing is as dry as the bone, but I found a way to push through. My rebirth allowed me to show the world I am still here. After my battles with love a rose grew, after my battles with lust a rose grew, and even after being beat down and almost held away from the light that helped me grow, a rose grew from lorn. I am still recovering from these three things. The roses vary in stages because of this. Lorn was the most impactful on me hence why the rose is the smallest of the three. It is taking time to heal from these things, but I am reborn. Three things that have claimed my last three years. From the day after middle school ended where I was in my room all day crying because I never took a chance at shit to the first day of suicide watch. These are my past lessons. This is my life. Thank you all for allowing me to fully expose this. I hope that this can inspire you to become the best you. I hope this can inspire you that no matter how crazy, lonely, and heartbroken you feel you’re never alone on this crazy ride we call life. Thank you very much. Xoxo -Julian

P.S – Three is my lucky number

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adryangerrits · 6 years

Text

A Love Letter to Taylor

Dear @taylorswift,

We were both young when I first heard you.

I remember it clearly, as if it were happening right now. It was on a Saturday, in the summer of 2009. I was driving down to my aunt's house in the suburbs of my hometown. It was my favorite kind of day. I had no other plans apart from spending the afternoon in the company of my beloved aunt and my two little cousins, the sun was shining, the sky was deep blue with no clouds, and the streets were empty, as almost everyone had left the city to spend their precious summer days by the beach, only a couple of hours away. I don't know why, but empty streets have always made me feel at peace. Is that weird? Anyway. At that point in my life, I didn't really know who Taylor Swift was. I had read your name in a few headlines and seen pictures of you on stage raising your heart-shaped hands above your head, but that was about it. I also knew that you had a hit song called Love Story and that everybody seemed to love you, but I didn't know why (yet). Then, on that gorgeous summer day, I heard you for the very first time. As I was driving down an empty road, I turned on the radio and Love Story started playing. I rolled down the windows, let the summer breeze and sunshine in, and savored Love Story from beginning to end, pure joy in my heart. It felt like magic! How can I song you never heard before make you feel so happy so quickly? It took me a while to realize who and what I was listening to, but when I finally realized, I remember thinking "Now I get it! That's why everybody loves her!"

I moved away from my hometown to spend a semester abroad shortly after that beautiful day. It was on September 13th 2009, in my very first apartment, in a strange city, that I saw you for the first time. We're the same age, so I guess "we were both young when I first saw you"? I became a fan the moment you stepped out of that carriage looking like a Disney princess, but by the time you finished performing You Belong With Me at Radio City, I had become a Swiftie! I'd rather pretend that infamous moment didn't happen that night, as this letter to you has no room for anything other than love, gratitude and admiration. :)

The day after the VMA, I watched every music video you had released until then, and I've listened to your songs every single day of my life ever since.

The end of the Fearless era marked my life in Santiago, Chile, which were certainly consisted of some of the best days of my life. It was the end of my teens, I was living on my own in an exciting new country, meeting interesting people from all over the world, making wonderful new memories, and having a little taste of what it felt like to be independent without the real responsibilities of adulthood. I was truly free.

Then came Speak Now, which marked my last year and a half in my hometown and the beginning of my life as an adult in Dublin. Over the Speak Now era, I finished college, ended a three-year long toxic relationship, and said goodbye to everything I had ever known until then to embark on a new adventure, completely on my own. I moved to Dublin at the end of the Speak Now era; the best decision I have ever made. Fun (or maybe not so fun) fact about that toxic relationship: I remember that I was never able to think of him while listening to your songs (total red flag). If we were to stay together forever, I would spend the rest of my life listening to your love songs (or any love songs, for that matter) with a blank space in my heart and mind, which was a very depressing prospect. I should've known! If you can't think of the person you're with while listening to a Taylor Swift love song, they're certainly not the one.

RED arrived with my new life in Dublin and a brand new relationship. My first real job, first time paying bills, living on my own again (this time knowing that I wouldn't be returning to my hometown when the semester was over), first relationship after college, new friends. Everything had changed and RED was the soundtrack every step of the way. Begin Again and Everything Has Changed marked the beginning of my relationship with my current boyfriend; Starlight and Stay, Stay, Stay, my daydreams and hopes for our future together; All Too Well and The Last Time, our arguments; Come Back, Be Here (probably your most underrated song along with I Almost Do, btw), the moments when I missed him and we couldn't be together because he hadn't come out to his family yet; 22, my carefree nights in town with my friends, feeling happy, free, confused and lonely in the best way. You were there for me and with me at the beginning of my adult life and I will never forget that as long as I live!

1989 came out around the same time my boyfriend and I moved in together. I was certainly more settled into my new life and a lot more confident in myself. I had gotten a new job, made new friend, my boyfriend had finally come out to his family, and I was getting to know them. Life was good! And it was during the 1989 era that I saw you live for the first time! On June 30th, 2015. It was literally a dream come true. I was so thrilled to be there, I honestly couldn't believe it! I went to the concert by myself and walked home with a huge smile from ear to ear. You played Holy Ground acoustically for the first time that night. :)

The song from 1989 that marked me the most was This Love, which is my favorite one on the album. I used to often go to the rooftop terrace of my apartment building to watch the sunset while listening to it. I will hold on to those memories forevermore.

Reputation came out around yet another pivotal moment in my life. My boyfriend and I moved to London last year, around the end of September, and the songs from Reputation have been the soundtrack to my new life there ever since it was released. Gorgeous will always make me think of Hammersmith, where I was temporarily living when it was released as a promotional single; Call It What You Want was released on the exact day my boyfriend and I moved into our new apartment in North London, so I'll always associate it with that moment in our lives; I recall late November, holding my breath while I watched a fiery sunset with the London Eye in the background to the sound of Dancing With Our Hands Tied; End Game is often the soundtrack to my walks along the Southbank; Getaway Car and Dress remind me of cozy winter evenings on my own, lying on the couch under the golden light of a single lampshade, waiting for my boyfriend to come home from work. And so it goes... I could probably go on forever. Funny that these songs about your life in London with the king of your heart are now the soundtrack to my new life there with the king of mine. :)

I was listening to Dancing With Our Hands Tied when I took this picture, on November 17th 2017.

I know you will most likely never read this, but if, by design or some violent, exquisite happenstance, you do, please know that I will be forever grateful to you for all the joy and emotional support your music has given me for the past nine years. When I'm deep blue, your music paints me golden and mends my broken bones and heart. When I'm happy, your songs elevate me even more, making me feel like I'm shinning golden like starlight. Honestly, THANK YOU! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

You've been with me through every major milestone of my adult life so far. It's like we've grown up together! I honestly can't wait to see where your music will take you (and me!) next. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you and all your loved ones all the best, forever and always. See you in Dublin at #repTourDublin next Friday AND Saturday! I'll be in the snake pit left wearing gold from head to toe!

Love,

Adryan

PS. On our first anniversary, I gave my boyfriend a watch with the date we met and "I watched it begin again" engraved on the back. (We met on a Saturday, in a cafe, when I watched love begin again for me.) He's been wearing it every day since. :)

@taylornation

#taylor swift #taylorswift #taylor nation #taylornation #taylurking #reputation #reputationstadiumtour #reputationtour #reptourdublin #reptourmanchester #reptourlondon #1989 #red #speak now #fearless #love story

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spasmsofthought · 3 years

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fractures. (zuko x reader)

This is totally a free for all because I haven’t read any of the comics or watched Legend of Korra at all. Part 2 maybe, if you all think it’s worth it??

Kinda angsty, and mostly political - but y’all, I think Zuko learned how to be a politican as Fire Lord. This is me trying to explore that a little bit.

Like, comment, reblog! Thank you for your support, as always! xo

+ + +

The first time you see him, he is touring the Earth kingdom as the Fire Lord.

It’s been at least two years since he��s been crowned. It’s been two years since a Fire Nation flag last hung over the arches of every town entrance in the Earth kingdom. It’s been two years since a lot of things.

Peace is a hard custom to keep when all you have known is war. Peace is a foreign language when all people know how to communicate is its opposite.

The Fire Nation colonies are no longer known as such. Instead, villages and previous colonies outside of the former Earth Kingdom walls have formed into clans of their own. With the Earth King travelling during the latter part of the war, leadership has been thrown up in the air. There was no one to trust; especially after the Fire Nation invasion of Ba Sing Se. In all the chaos of the war, though, the de facto mantle of leadership among the small number of people in your village fell onto your family. You aren’t aware of the reason why, but being raised in a Fire Nation colony by a mother from the Northern Water Tribe and a father from the edges of the Earth Kingdom makes people feel something like safety in a land subjugated by an unrelenting and ever-growing superpower.

When the crowning of Zuko the Fire Lord happens, with Avatar Aang right by his side, the news spreads rapidly, even across the broken networks of communication established among the clan leaders. But even in the middle of developing a new world, there is still brokenness. There is still pain. There is still suffering.

The world does not seem to heal the way people want it to: very slowly, in pieces rather than in a whole. There is still prejudice and hatred. Very little is still solved with words.

It is the first time a foreigner has walked the land your people call home in two years.

It is the first time people see the color red on someone in two years; before, during the Invasion, red was what everyone saw on every passerby. Travel was severely limited and people mostly kept to their homes in fear of what Fire Nation guards would do to them on top of the restrictions and heavily imposed taxes.

When he is directed to your doorstep by everyone in the village, the only one out of your family able to host him is you. Your father died in a skirmish near Ba Sing Se’s walls on his yearly pilgrimage to trade in a way that would have helped support your village during a time of scarcity two and a half years ago, right before the conquering of Ba Sing Se. Your mother is a figure made up only of stories. A figure who passed soon after your entrance into the world.

For such an imposing figure, he wears very little ceremonial garb. It seems that he understands there is little need for formal ceremonial clothing in this community of people simply trying to survive in a world clawing back from the brink of total destruction.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” He begins with, bowing with hands formed in a traditional Fire Nation greeting.

You bow back similarly, using a specific form of ceremonial bow used by formal authority figures here in the Earth Kingdom. Your hands move in a sweeping motion, directing the Fire Lord to a low table in the middle of the small living room your house has. The table settings are sparse and there is no fancy silverware, but there seems to be something in his countenance that relaxes slightly for some reason.

“Please make yourself at home,” You try to make yourself seem soft. Yielding. Compliant. “Would you like any tea?”

He nods, holding the simple cup up off the wooden structure slightly as you lift the tea pot and fill it halfway with the steaming liquid. You set it back down and it is then that Zuko surprises you for the first time. He nods his head towards your own cup. There is a pause, your mind trying to process the simple action, before you are moving your cup up off the table as well, watching the jasmine tea slowly fill up space that was previously empty.

He gestures a toast to you, holding his cup close to yours while nodding, before he takes a sip. Out of respect, you take a swallow as well before you set your cup back down on the small coaster you were told your mother knit while pregnant with you. Blue and green repeat each other in a circular pattern, reminding you of how beautiful the two colors look together. Reminding you of your own roots face-to-face with someone who carries a vast and rich legacy of his own.

“If it’s alright, I would like to skip the formality of small talk and get to the real conversation. What is the purpose of your visit here?” For such an abrupt change in tone, he doesn’t seem surprised. He sets his cup down, too.

“We would like to begin discussions with your clan about officially coming under the government of the Earth kingdom again.”

You have to take a deep breath in.

When you were little, your father always told you tales of his land’s history; of its vastness and proud strength. As you grew older, however, the tales turned into lessons of caution. He taught you to not trust the central government of the Earth kingdom for a reason. A reason you had soon found out had little to do with his own faith in the people he belonged to and more to do with the fact that the governing body had been crumbling for a long time. There had been a reason there was local autonomy among so many cities and villages, especially during the War. Despite the belief shared among many that the Earth kingdom remained a single political entity, the vastness of land kept that belief more of an idea than something that was practically applied.

“I would love to see the Earth kingdom become the nation it was before the War, but there is a reason my people remain wary of allying ourselves under a central government again. We know about the details of the Coup of Ba Sing Se; we know the corruption that spread vast and wide among politicians, generals, and other administrators.”

“I have been working with the Earth king very closely these past two years. It is our plan to host a gathering at the palace in Ba Sing Se with all local clan and tribe leaders to truly take your input into account while we finalize the development of the Earth kingdom’s government after this long period of strife. That is why I am here, to formally invite you...”

You stop him before he can go any further, “Thank you, but my place is with my people.”

“The Earth king desires that his nation once again be strong and united and at peace once again.” You want to know if he has always been an apt politican, or if this has something he has had to learn in these past two years. You wonder how he mediates both the needs of his own people and those of the world without faltering.

“My experiences have taught me many lessons, as I am sure yours have taught you specific lessons as well. I have very little trust in a central government that before has previously become so easily fractured by whispers of greed and silent grabs for power, and can become so again.”

“There are specific checks and balances in place so that never happens again. I have personally seen to these assurances in the formal writing of the government documents that have been extensively drawn up.”

“How can I even trust you?”

“I-” His mouth opens but more words from your mouth stop him before he can even begin. So much for being compliant.

“I know the legacy of your family. I have witnessed the destruction your family has caused on this land; on the entire world. I do not know you personally. I only know that you have come to ask me to join a government I have little interest in letting rule my people once more when I am right here to make sure they are provided for and kept safe. There is very little about the world I can trust right now.”

You begin to wonder, in the seconds of silence that linger afterward, if you have officially screwed up any chance at the peace people have been so longing for: here and abroad. You want to seem strong, but there always seems to be the chance to second-guess yourself. To back-up and take a new route.

“I only know what it is like to be a new leader. I cannot offer you trust you are unwilling to take, but I can offer you the assurance that the Earth king, the Avatar and I will do whatever it takes to make sure the world is whole again.”

You know he means it. Despite the solemnness of his face and his scar as a reminder to you of the stories of his own life that have yet to be told, there is a fire in his amber eyes that contains no violence, only the longing for the same thing you want: peace.

“My uncle would praise your tea-making skills,” A small corner of his mouth lifts up. Your eyes track the movement for a small second before you are staring down at his cup, too.

“I could give you a bag to take to him to give the next time you see him,” An olive branch, maybe, in light of your previous words.

War has its own effects on everyone, including yourself. Trusting others has not been a virtue of yours for quite some time.

“I’m sure he would love that.” It is a brief glimpse into something about himself, you are sure, that he smiles slightly. A genuine smile. Despite the title he holds, there is nothing but humility. You tuck that observation into you heart to ponder on later.

How can the Fire Lord be so at home in this run-down mill of a home? How can he be so comfortable in the presence of a stranger; a stranger who opposes him in his objective to make peace in a way that he seeks but you do not want?

You find yourself reaching for a stored bag of tea leaves before you can think about it.

As you hold the bag out in the palm of your right hand, your left resting in your lap, his fingers brush yours. He takes the bag and tucks it into what you assume is a pocket on the inside of his simple cloak. The warmth fades as quickly as it came, and for a moment you want to reach out for more of it.

You stop yourself before you actually do such a ridiculous thing as reach out for the hand of the Fire Lord.

But the feeling stays with you long after you tentatively promise to keep in touch with him as he graciously exits for the day. It stays with you for a long, long time.

#avatar: the last airbender #Avatar The Last Airbender #avatar: tla #fire lord zuko #prince zuko #avatar zuko #Zuko #zuko x reader #zuko fanfic #zuko x y/n #zuko x oc #zuko imagine #zuko preference #zuko one shot #avatar the last airbender one shot #atla zuko

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biofunmy · 5 years

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Iran, Hong Kong, Royal Ascot: Your Tuesday Briefing

(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)

Good morning.

We’re covering new penalties against Iran, anger toward Hong Kong’s police force and all the hats at the Royal Ascot.

“We will continue to increase pressure on Tehran,” Mr. Trump said before signing the executive order. “Never can Iran have a nuclear weapon.”

Details: While previous sanctions cut off revenues from Iranian oil exports, this round will bar Iranian leaders from access to financial instruments.

Analysis: The new sanctions are designed to force political change in the country and compel its leaders to reopen negotiations about its nuclear program.

But some analysts said the economic penalties had strengthened local support for hard-line officials in Tehran and might provoke the country to lash out.

Australia’s Catholic Church rejects a feminist nun

Sister Joan Chittister is a well-known figure in America. She rose to prominence in the 1980s with her opposition to nuclear proliferation, and has since given numerous lectures and written more than 50 books calling for women’s equality and social justice.

She was supposed to speak at a Catholic education conference in Australia next year. But a few weeks ago, she received a letter from the Archdiocese of Melbourne effectively disinviting her without providing a reason.

She said she suspected that it had been because church leaders didn’t like her ideas.

Quotable: “I see it as a lot bigger than one conference,” she said in an interview with The Times. “I see it as an attitude of mind that is dangerous to the church.”

Takeaway: The dispute over her invitation, unreported until now, arrives at a time of tension for the Catholic Church in Australia, writes our bureau chief, Damien Cave.

After Cardinal George Pell — a former archbishop of Melbourne who also served as the Vatican’s treasurer — was convicted for molesting two choir boys and subsequently appealed, the church has been facing a backlash from everyday Catholics over its culture of secrecy and conservative values.

DJI, made in America

The large Chinese drone-maker has recently come under scrutiny from the Trump administration over concerns that its machines send sensitive surveillance data back to Beijing.

So to win over American officials, the company announced that it would convert a warehouse in California into an assembly plant to build a new version of its popular model. And the new machine, called Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual, saves data only on the drone itself rather than by transmitting information wirelessly.

The company — the latest Chinese entity to get caught in the cross hairs of the ongoing trade war — hopes these moves will be enough to allow its new product to be sold in the U.S.

By the numbers: About 70 percent of all drones in the U.S. are supplied by DJI, including industrial-grade drones used to survey remote areas, and those used by U.S. government agencies.

Looking ahead: President Trump will meet President Xi Jinping for trade talks at the sidelines of the G-20 summit, which kicks off on Friday.

Hong Kong’s police scramble to salvage reputation

The 30,000-member police force was once considered “Asia’s finest,” in part for being restrained in its responses.

That changed on June 12, when officers tear-gassed and beat largely peaceful demonstrators who had gathered to protest a proposed extradition law. They fired rubber bullets for the first time in decades.

That day has become a focus of ongoing demonstrations in Hong Kong, with protesters demanding an investigation into police conduct. Anger swelled when the police described the largely peaceful demonstrations as riots — a term with legal ramifications for participants.

Background: Cracks in the police force’s reputation first began to show during democracy protests in 2014, known as the Umbrella Movement, when officers used tear gas and pepper spray against peaceful protesters.

What’s next? The police and a government-appointed watchdog that monitors complaints both said they would investigate the tactics used against the protesters.

But many protesters and pro-democratic lawmakers have called for an independent inquiry.

More demonstrations to pressure the government to withdraw the extradition bill are expected on Wednesday.

If you have 15 minutes, this is worth it

Jackie Kennedy’s transformative year

A 20-year-old Jacqueline Bouvier, above, third from left, arrived in France in August 1949 and began a year that would change her life.

Our writer retraced her steps through Paris, seeking a glimpse of the period that the future wife of President John F. Kennedy later called “the high point in my life, my happiest and most carefree year.”

Here’s what else is happening

Winter Olympics: Italy beat out Sweden to host the 2026 Winter Games, amid waning interest and rising costs. The venues will be divided between Milan and a ski resort.

Vietnam: A U.S. citizen was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempting to overthrow the state by inciting protests and by trying to attack government offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with gasoline bombs and slingshots, according to a state-run newspaper.

Bangladesh: At least five people were killed and dozens injured when part of a train heading for the capital, Dhaka, careened off a railway bridge that had failed, officials said.

Nissan: The company will hold its first annual meeting today since the fall of its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn, focusing on whether to reappoint the chief executive, Hiroto Saikawa, to the board.

Amazon: The company’s domination of the books market offers insight on some of the potential problems under a tech monopoly. Its bookstore is rife with counterfeits, but it does little to rein in the lawlessness, according to publishers, writers and industry groups.

Google: Sidewalk Labs, a sibling company of the search giant, is proposing to remake Toronto’s rundown waterfront, using new technologies, such as automatic awnings to shield pedestrians from rain, sensors to track the speed of people crossing streets, and robots to pick up trash. But critics worry about how much data would be collected and about privacy.

Snapshot: Elaborately dressed spectators arriving at the Royal Ascot on its third day. Our London correspondent, Ellen Barry, went to the horse races — a major event on the British social calendar — in search of answers about class and the state of England today. She quickly realized she was wearing the wrong hat and there was much she didn’t understand about the country.

Women’s World Cup: The U.S. beat Spain for a spot in the quarterfinals. Tomorrow, China will face Italy and Japan will take on the Netherlands.

What we’re reading: This BuzzFeed News article. “Zheng Churan was detained for 37 days for protesting sexual harassment on public transit in China,” writes Jennifer Jett, an editor in our Hong Kong office. “Now she is running around her city, Guangzhou, every day to call attention to the case of her husband, a journalist and activist who disappeared into police custody in March.”

Now, a break from the news

Watch: “Everything in this art form is self-expression,” the dancer José Xtravaganza says. “That’s what vogueing is.” Watch him freestyle.

Listen: From “Rocketman” to “Her Smell,” “Blaze” to “Vox Lux,” the film industry seems to think all musicians have the same ups and downs. Our critics discuss on the new Popcast.

Smarter Living: Are you a driver who doesn’t use your turn signal? There’s evidence that in addition to making the roads safer, the act of signaling provides a cognitive benefit to the driver. “When you turn on the turn signal, you’re turning on your brain,” said Chris Kaufmann, a driving school instructor and former police officer. “It’s the start of a checklist to look left, look right, signal, look left, look right.” That level of mindfulness can reduce the possibility of an accident.

And, no, your coffee habit is not the reason you aren’t a millionaire.

And now for the Back Story on …

The rainbow flag

As Pride Month winds down, we’re looking at one of the most enduring L.G.B.T.Q. symbols.

The artist Gilbert Baker, who described himself as the “gay Betsy Ross,” created the design for the rainbow flag to celebrate the diversity of the gay community. The flag first appeared at a gay pride march in San Francisco on this day in 1978.

The flag originally consisted of eight colored stripes, each with its own significance: pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sun, green for nature, turquoise for magic, blue for peace and purple for spirit. The flag was later streamlined into the current six-color version.

“Our job as gay people was to come out, to be visible,” said Mr. Baker, who died in 2017 at the age of 65. “A flag really fit that mission, because that’s a way of proclaiming your visibility, or saying, ‘This is who I am!’”

That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.

— Alisha

Thank you Chris Stanford helped compile the briefing and wrote today’s Back Story. Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford provided the break from the news. You can reach the team at [email protected].

P.S. • We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about the recent military crackdown in Sudan. • Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: Sing the praises of (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • A scholarship in memory of Robert Pear, who covered health care and other national issues for the Times for 40 years, is being set up at Columbia University, where he received his master’s from the Graduate School of Journalism.

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