#also how everyone thinks my icon is pink and grey when it is in fact pink and like a stormy blue

[teddy-bear-d]

With the Guess the Build crew jokingly asking Skizz if he’s colour blind or if he’s ever taken a colour blind test, I really hope they do make him take one on camera.

Not because I think he’s colour blind (I legitimately think it’s just an object permanence kind of thing) but because I had a phase in 2018 of watching people take colour blind tests and I think it would be interesting.

[theolsentimes]

Mary-Kate Olsen's Singular Style

She came to fame as a twin, but the actress's cultish look is entirely her own. Here, with Lauren Hutton, she pays homage to another fashion inspiration, Grey Gardens. Written by Laura Brown, with photography by Peter Lindbergh (Harper's Bazaar, 2007)

VIEW GALLERY

Mary-Kate Olsen may be the only young actress who breezes into her local Starbucks wearing towering, fashion-fierce Balenciaga boots, who arrives at her latest premiere (in Mary-Kate's case, for the new season of Showtime's Weeds, in which she plays a devout Christian with a pot fetish) sporting an oversize cross, and whose favorite band is Led Zeppelin. She may, in fact, be the only young actress who knows who Led Zeppelin is. MK, as she is known to her friends and family, is also a punctual and professional sort. She arrives for a poolside tea in Los Angeles 10 minutes early, ordering a hot chocolate while explaining her fetish for all things sweet — "I'm a candy girl, like Tootsie Rolls and Swedish Fish" — and objecting when the waiter tries to take the sugar bowl away. She is wearing a nautical striped T-shirt (her mom's, from the '70s), tucked into two black Wolford slips rolled down and turned into a tight, Robert-Palmer-video-style mini, and multicolored sparkly Christian Louboutin stilettos. She's just had her hair colored, returning to a sunnier shade after some experiments with both peroxide ("I woke up one morning and was like, I want white-trash hair today") and the dark side (an auburn-haired near-Goth moment last year). She's carrying a large black fringed leather Prada tote — she doesn't do small bags — and her fingers are covered with rings, most notably two vintage coiled gold snakes stacked on top of each other. ("They remind me of twins, sort of double headed.") Altogether, the effect is less her famed "bag-lady chic" than an edgy, body-conscious, and, yes, sexy silhouette. If she weren't 21, she could be 40. And French.

Few people need reminding that Mary-Kate — with her twin sister, Ashley — literally crawled into celebrity aged nine months (courtesy of Full House) and has not been out of the spotlight ever since. She has been a celebrity for more than two decades. Perhaps that's one reason she seems as if she came out of the womb worldly, the textbook old soul. "Yeah," she says with a small shrug. "I get that a lot." With all of that attention and all of the money (her and Ashley's company, Dualstar, has famously become a "billion-dollar business"), Mary-Kate could easily have ended up the type who wears pink terry cloth and carries a variety of small dogs. "Could you imagine?" she says with the politest version of a snort. "No way." She credits her exceptionally close-knit family (she has five siblings) and, interestingly, early stardom with helping her keep her perspective. "I think it helped that I started in front of the camera, so it didn't come as a shock. If I was a teenager and was thrown into the spotlight, I don't know how I would react, to be honest." Though the tabloids are all too keen to brand her a skinny, nervous deer in the headlights, in person Mary-Kate is easy in her skin, confident and surprisingly tactile, curling up in her seat and touching you on the arm to make a point. She laments the generic style of most actresses and cites only men as style inspirations: "Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp. Men, they just dress the way they want, and they don't think about Who Wore It Best." She doesn't much care for Who Wore It Best, noting she avoids those pages by "wearing vintage so often. I just dress the way I feel instead of looking for what's the new handbag." If Mary-Kate and Ashley have their way, more people will be wearing clothes and carrying bags the way they do. They have just shown the fifth collection of their ready-to-wear line, the Row, and recently launched a contemporary label, Elizabeth and James, named after a sister and a brother. The Row's holiday collection (in stores next month) is a slick mix of skinny leather pants, razor-cut blazers, butter-soft, slouchy tees, and a destined-to-be-cultish pullover fur. Lauren Hutton, who stars in the Row's Spring '08 look book, says, "The clothes are extraordinary. A man I was with just loved them. The pieces are just so genius, soft like a baby's skin. Simple minimalist stuff, but really spectacular." Mary-Kate, designer, faces an interesting challenge. She has to marry Dualstar — which has made its fortune selling tween-tastic DVDs and pastel Mary-Kate and Ashley T-shirts at Wal-Mart — with her increasingly edgy and subversive taste. Dualstar executives, some of whom have worked with her since she was a child, often nag her, mom-style, about pulling her hair back "or wearing a color," she says with a laugh. "I had this event recently, and I was like, They're going to be so happy that I'm wearing ... purple. I actually have to think about those things, though, you know, so I don't get trashed." Get trashed sometimes she does. Hutton says, "Once in a while, she'll wear something and I'll think, Oh, baby doll, take another look. But to have the bravery, to take the chance to do that, is pretty wonderful. She is making her own way, which is hardly ever done in Hollywood." Of Mary-Kate's penchant for gigantic Balenciaga heels, Jenji Kohan, the creator of Weeds, says, laughing, "I'd be like, 'It's Tuesday. Do you really want to be wearing those shoes?' But she pulls it off." Designer Giambattista Valli, a friend, says, "She likes to take risks, but because she has such strong personal style, she always manages to make it work. Even if she had nothing on, she'd have style." And MK chic is spreading. "Sometimes I'll look at people or at a magazine and I'll do a double take because I'm like, Oh, my God, that's my outfit, but that's not me," Mary-Kate says. Playing with her wire-rimmed aviators, she jokes wryly that she should have bought shares in Ray-Ban. (She and Chloë Sevigny pretty much brought back white '80s Wayfarers.) She tends to fall in love with a look, then wear it until she's done. "If I put together a good outfit, I'll wear it for three days and then switch it up with a blazer," she says. "I still love my vintage jeans, my tights, and my pants, though." She didn't start wearing heels, in fact, until a couple of years ago: "I kept watching Ashley walk around in them so gracefully, and I'm such a klutz. But I ended up loving heels, and I don't usually take them off." She wears precisely one pair of flat shoes: Chanel's knee-high patent-leather gladiator sandals. This season, it's Balenciaga's fall collection — all of it — that has Mary-Kate obsessed. She is close to designer Nicolas Ghesquière and says, "He is so talented, but he's the nicest, most down-to-earth guy, and that makes everything he does more brilliant. I bought everything, but I haven't got anything yet," she says like a girl impatiently waiting for Christmas. Will she wear the new pieces with her infamous clodhopper boots? "Uh-huh. Wore them the other day, actually." Mary-Kate always goes with her gut, even if some people (back to those tabloids) don't quite get it. "The tabloids say things about me? What do they say?" she asks archly. "People are going to write what they want, and everyone's going to have their own idea of who I am. But I'm not trying to be friends with the people who are reading them, really." After a rough couple of years filled with near-forensic scrutiny of her weight, she'll have you know that she does eat. "This is not going to sound good," she laughs, "but I like making crispy tofu sticks with peanut sauce. I love my sashimi and my salmon and my vegetables." She observes, "Stress plays a big role in how I look day-to-day. I've always been very active — Pilates, yoga. I grew up horseback riding every day for hours. I love dancing. I usually last longer than anyone on the dance floor." A common image of Mary-Kate has her emerging from a coffee joint with an oversize cup. "I always get creamed for having my Starbucks cup," she says, sighing. "But the only time people get photos of me is when I'm getting coffee, when I can't sneak away from the camera." She also resents the pictorial implication that she and Ashley are dilettantes. "They take photos of us going into our offices, and it's 'Mary-Kate and Ashley shopping again.' But I'm going to work for eight hours, and we're working so hard. ..." She trails off. "It just shows how people want to think of you." Mary-Kate is not above celeb watching herself, however. Newly obsessed with Victoria Beckham, she notes she avidly watched Beckham's Coming to America documentary: "She's running around in a bikini and heels, and I'm like, Oh, my God! I do that, too!" How positively Grey Gardens. "I run around my house naked with heels all the time. It's so funny. All my friends will tell you I love running around in kimonos and jewelry or naked with jewelry." More people will be watching Mary-Kate soon, thanks to her role in the Emmy-nominated Weeds. "I am a very good Christian girl," she says with a wink. "She has her moral beliefs — and she happens to smoke pot." Of her newest cast member, Kohan adds, "Mary-Kate is complicated. She's a big celebrity, a huge media icon, but you have to separate the media images from someone who has the same issues, the same desires, as anyone else." Of course, Mary-Kate's image, in all its incarnations — from high fashion to small screen — is her strongest asset. And she has yet to settle on one. "I feel like I've lived 10 different lives already and I'm only 21," she says, almost as a reminder to herself. "But I also feel like I'm entering a new chapter." One thing on which she is clear, though: She doesn't need to be looked at all the time. What would she do for a day if she were invisible? "I would probably go to a restaurant with my friends, who would be able to see me, of course," she adds pragmatically, "and I would sit outside and enjoy a nice lunch with them. Then I would walk down the street." The old soul takes a sip of her little-girl-sweet hot chocolate. "That's what I would do."

[dojae-huh]

what's your favorite era of every member? what suited them the best, when they relaxed the most?

Again, it depends on how to look at it. Appearance in MVs? Styling during promotional weeks? Memorable moments during comebacks?

I'll make it easier and take only MVs. Who suits the concept and grabs the attention. I'll do the first 2 U+127 songs for now. Maybe I'll find time for WayV and Dream later.

There is a 10 picture per post limit, so I can't include photos for every neo.

The 7th sense

Ten

- The birth of "where is my hair?" and yellow as Ten's colour, Ten mocking Do's brow movements, comparing him to an eating rabbit.

- Among the Rookies Ten looked most confident with his moves and facial expressions in the MV. His hairstyle suited him and his face.

Without you

Taeil

- This was Tende's era, but I'll give it to Taeil after all because he doesn't overpower others often. The grey hair really suited him and his image was of this dreamy piquing interest kind. Why did he look at the girl, why did he jump into the closet with boxes, why did he ride the bus? He was the protagonist of the MV despite Doyoung having the storyline. He was the main vocal as well. SM really tried to make a visual idol out of Taeil during the first comebacks.

Limitless

Doyoung

- Doyoung joined 127, and the unit was never the same.

- Every picture from that era is iconic. The Russian hat, the tiger faux fur coat ("I felt rich"), the tracksuit, the eye ring, his scenes with Johnny in the raw version, Doyoung being his sassy self telling Yuta to leave the room, Do crying after receiving the first award. This "boy from the streets" concept really suits his face and his character. Sportswear and baseball hats are for him.

Cherry bomb

Mark

- Tende looked great, Taeyong appeared with fan-favourite pink hair, but I'll still give this era to Mark because he became the Mark we know today, the spitting straight facts Mark who is coming.

Boss UPDATE

It's a U song, but we all agree it's the most 127 U song ever.

Taeyong and Doyoung

- I really really want to give this era to Doyoung, but even black-haired Doyoung can't overpower red-haired Taeyong. The dragon was born. The number of new fans he dragged into the fandom...

Forget what I wrote. Doyoung is the real boss. I'll make an exeption and pick two members.

Touch

WinWin

- He doesn't stand out the most in the MV (that be Jaehyun), but I think the concept suits his idol image the best. WW charm was always portrayed as that of a fluffy chick. A member loved by everyone. And Touch is a fanservice easy song. Joy, rainbows, warmth, friendship.

Chain

It's my ultimate song, but the concept is so undefined, noone stands out in the MV. Taeil looked good with the hair, Jaehyun and Doyoung looked good with the writings on their faces and in the Tende bridge scene. Taeyong had one of the fastest rap lines in his career.

OK, I'll give it to Johnny. He had curly hair at one point, the hairstyle suits him.

He also sported a chainsaw. And the chekered coat. The strongest member and the fashionista. There was a lot of experimentation with his looks in prior comebacks, which were questionable to me (the one side fringe, for example). In this comeback, both the haircolour and the clothes for the photoshoot suited his character.

Regular

Yuta

- The rebirth of Yuta! Many like "the healing smile" Yuta in Touch, but to me he stands out in Regular. He sorted out his issues and started to put effort in his dancing again, he was given a dance solo scene in the comeback and the iconic cow-print west. And the line "we are not the same, only one of me". From this era on Yuta will experiment with his hair and striking looks.

- To tell the truth, this comeback was "the era" of many. Taeil's red hair, Doyoung's blue highlights and his blue-and-red long coat, Jaehyun and the golden shirt, his "ice, ice", Haechan and his scene on the car roof, etc.

Simon Says

127

Another era when everyone was styled to perfection, it's really hard to choose. I'm watching music shows performances and still can't decide. Everyone were at their best and had their memorable moments. Aside from Jungwoo, who was still lacking confidence on stage, each fan can pick their bias and I won't argue.

Wakey-Wakey

Jaehyun

- Jae looked great in many comebacks (Boss especially for me), but this time he overpowered everyone both as a visual and as a power dancer. It was the culmination of his Boss-Touch-Regular-Simon Says raise in the magnetic power of an ace. Ah, the married life before any problems.

Highway to heaven

Taeyong

- Another tough one. JaeDo looked great, Jungwoo's hair bounced. I'm giving it to Taeyong because he embodied the "freedom", "free spirit" and "life journey" the best. He looked almost ethereal.

Superhuman

Haechan

- As with Jae, Hyuk had his shining moments and solo dancing scenes in many comebacks.

-The MV and the dance allowed to showcase Hyuk's brand of performer's charm - lean, confident, sharp in movements. His role in the lore (the observer) was also kind of shown. That scene with the crowd going around him. Many neos looked good, but Haechan left an impression. I even remember how high he jumped during that turn in the air move.

Kick it

Jaehyun

Yuta had great white hair, Taeyong's finger movement went viral, however, Mafia boss Jaehyun was the talk of the town. He also had many good scenes in NeoZone track videos. Ash hair suits him. Nunchucks. He got several magazine photoshoots that Spring. Doyoung called him a King. Jae also rocked the garbage bag clothes. Kick It choreo is based on martial arts, which goes well with Jae's style of dancing.

Punch

Taeyong

When the red-haired street gang leader appears, everyone else can go home.

Heh, I now remember Tae wanted to make Do wear this harness.

gimme-gimme

Yuta

- It's a short lived comeback with a messy MV. Yuta was memorable due to his blue hair Hisoka-like image. Other hairstyles/haircolours also suited the concept. He tried to add a lot of his personal style to dance moves, which often irritates me a bit because he doesn't match others and is slower than others, but this time around it actually fit the melody and wasn't out of place. Plus I like Yuta's voice during his lines. His voice tone is exactly for this kind of songs.

Sticker

Jungwoo

White-haired L.O.V.E Jungwoo. He also got his MC gig. Woo was prominent in NCIT, both his lore role and his student image ("every day" pics for IG).

Favorite

Doyoung

When you say "vampires" you think of Doyoung. His standing out vocal parts in the song and the MV scenes. Dorsen. The fitted at the waist blouses. "The reason why it's Favorite".

[hwrryscherry]

The one with the New Year’s Eve

characters: HARRYxMODEL Y/N

blurb: It’s Dec 31st, 2020 and this is the first time since they started dating that Harry and Model Y/n won’t be traveling for New Year’s Eve but an outing to the Rockfeller Center may be all they needed.

word count: 4.6K

author’s note: HI GUYS!!!! So first of all I wanna say MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone🥳🥳 I know I've been MIA BUT I had a major writer's block and it felt so bad and I couldn't finish this blurb even though I was trying so hard. Anyway, here it is and I hope you like it as much as I do. I also want to say that the reason why I closed my requests it's because we're starting a new year and I want to release all of my requests before receiving new ones. I'm excited for 2021 and I hope it brings all the peace that 2020 didn't. And I'm also very excited to see where 2021 will take Harry and Model Y/N's relationship🥰 Anyway, Happy New Year everyone, I'm so grateful for the support I've been receiving about my writing. I see all of you and I appreciate all of you. THANK YOU!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️

— Can I wear this? — You’d ask looking at Harry while holding one of his dress shirts that was light bluely, with some navy blue strands in it up in the air showing it to him. It's an old shirt, though. You remember buying it for Harry in your first year of dating and you also remember probably wearing it more than Harry himself.

   Harry was sitting by the couch on the living room of your NYC apartment. After spending such a magical time with your families in the French Alps, you both decided that spending christmas with your family was more of a priority than going on your annual new year's trip and that's the reason why you and Harry decided to come back to the USA and after being in LA for so long, New York just felt like the perfect choice. You like Los Angeles, but New York hit different. You loved everything about NY, and you loved the memories and story you created to yourself in NY and that's why you'd choose NY over LA without thinking twice.

   Anyway, Harry was in the couch using his personal phone what made you assume that he's probably talking to his mom or Gemma because it's already 2021 in London and Cheshire, and unlike him, you had already sent Gemma and Anne a text earlier today because they knew that you took hours to get ready even though you're not even preparing to be "glamurous".

   Harry had his pink velvet pants on and a white shirt over it, and only complementing with his vans. Not the old "white" one with the pink shoelaces that he wore everywhere, including in the Vogue cover. Tonight he was wearing the good traditional vans. That one, that is black and have the Vans icon in white. And you couldn't smell from the spot you were but you could assure yourself that he was smelling like heaven, as he always does with his perfect hair that has just been washed, his freshly shaved beard and his nails, that even though wasn't painted by a professional, you can be proud of your job and honestly, so could Harry, because he really loved that you did his nails for him and even matched with yours. Otherwise, you were using a black baggy jeans and a bra because as always, you were procrastinating for too much time and had to get ready when Harry was already ready. A typical night out for both of you.

   Harry lifted his head to analyze your figure in front of him and the cloth piece you had in your hands as he listened to your voice and question directed at him.

— Sure! — He answered your question getting his attention back to his phone right after speaking. You sighed and calmly walked towards the man on the couch and sit besides him what brought his attention to you. You rested your right hand upon his thigh and then rested your chin on his right shoulder and stared at the boys captivating green eyes.

— You're alright? — You asked with a low voice tone giving the boy a tender smile. Harry looked kinda sad, not sad, he seemed a bit down and whenever you noticed he looked like this you would usually get worried about him because you just care and love him so much that you never want to see him in anyway but happy.

— Yeah, I am! — Harry said, but it sounded more like a whisper or a murmur and you kept your gaze at him waiting for him to tell the truth and he sighed letting out a chuckle. Sometimes he'd just forget about how great you knew him. He'd look to his feet upon the grey carpet of your living room and then back at your face on his shoulder — Just feel bad, ye' know? If we were in other circumstances we'd be with our friends or family having the most fun in some place around the world — He'd tell you as he widens his eyes a little and you felt his muscles tense under your hands — It's not that I won't have fun just with you, love —  He'd now complement making you let out a small chuckle at his words because of course you understood exactly what he was saying even though you didn't say anything yet — It's just different, like, there won't be having any shows by the Times Square and all that stuff and I wanted it to be fun for you.

— So...you're worried about me not having fun tonight? — You'd ask him with an ironic tone and raised eyebrows lifting your chin from his shoulder and staring at his face. Your mocking expression and tone was based on the irony f the situation because earlier today you were talking to him about how most of the times that you were together you just felt like you could be stuck in a room with him forever and it would be the funniest thing you've ever done.

— Kinda! — He'd murmur deflecting his gaze from yours until he listened to you let out a giggle which made him look immediately at you as he tried to understand why you were laughing and if you were mocking at him for being that worried about something very silly.

— Harry...how could you even think that? I’ll always have fun with you! — You'd say lively with a smile on your lips and then take a deep breath while you finished forming the words you were about to say in your mind — It's been such a long and hard year and we had some amazing moments and some really bad moments but we're here. We're alive, we're healthy and most of all, we're here together and believe me, even if the world ends by the time that clock turns midnight, there's no other person I'd rather spend the end of the world with — You'd say making a little fun of the "end of the world" conspiracy that you've read previously on that same day and couldn't help giggling with Harry as you'd hear that same angelic sound coming from his mouth. You'd take your hand that was upon his thigh and grab his hand taking it to your lips giving a slight kiss to it feeling the cold metals of his rings against your cheeks and then you gave him a tender smile — Don't worry about it, it'll be great! It will be more than great, it'll be exquisite!

— Alright, alright! — Harry'd say with the cutest smile on his face. That type of smile that you could feel his happiness through it. Now he took your hand to his lips and gave a peck in it — You should finish getting ready though, weren't you the one that was dying for pizza and burgers? — Harry’d tell you mocking at the fact that you've been talking about wanting to eat pizza and burgers from NYC for the past three days in a row and how annoying you were being about it. And with his comment you'd fastly stand up with the shirt in your hands and look at him with a cheeky smile in your face.

— I'll go, I'm sorry for being the best girlfriend in the world and use my time to comfort you! — You'd say ironically as you walked back to the bedroom listening Harry's laugh and a "You're forgiven" being loudly said by your boyfriend.

— By the way, I don't think you should go out only with that shirt because it’s freezing outside! — Harry said on a loud tone from the living room and you'd look up to the big glass window in your bedroom and realizes that he was right. It was probably 32 °F outside and only this shirt wouldn't make you warm enough, so you'd walk to the closet placed in your bedroom and take a dark grey long sleeve blouse and dress up before complementing with Harry's dress shirt and taking out of the closet your brand new leather jacket that you gained from Gemma on christmas day, remembering how perfect it was becase Gemma knows you well enough to know that you'd love it when she bought it. And lastly, you put on shoes that looks more like boots. And finally, with your jacket and your bag in your hand you walked into the living room after turning off the bedroom light.

   You were completely ready when you'd step in the living room with your phone in your hand getting all the attention from Harry that immidietely stoped using his phone to admire you. One of the things that Harry most loved in you is that you don't need to put on the most glamurous outfit or makeup to look stunning and you knew that. You knew that you were beautiful in your own way and if you felt like glamming up, you'd be gorgeous and if you didn't feel like it, you'd still be gorgeous. Harry admired your tomboy styled outfit. He'd admire how your hair fell upon your face as you finished typing on your phone and how you'd use your hand to put a strand of hair behind your ear, giving to him the vision of your gold earrings that was also a previous birthday gift from him. He'd admire the fact that both of your nails were painted the same color because you only had one good nail polish to use so you'd go out matching nails color. He'd admire how the delicate golden rings on your fingers would sparkle because of the light in the room and he'd notice too how your face looked pretty with the small amount of makeup you had putten on your face for the night and he could only imagine how great you smelled now with the one perfume you use since the day he met you and he'd remember how much he loves that scent. He loved everything about you. He loved even the small things about you that stressed the shit out of him. He learned to love your annoying habits just as much as he loved the precious little things about you.

   Harry would stand up from the couch putting his phone on the inner pocket of his black coat as he walked towards your distracted self on the phone. You'd only notice him when he'd stop right beside you looking at your figure. You'd stop looking at the screen of your phone and lift your head up a bit to see the man's smiley face beside you. He was silent and it seemed awkward so you'd let out a chuckle and frown a little at him.

— What are you doing? — You'd ask him holding a mistrusting look on your face as you waited for him to pronouce anything as a response.

— I just think that you look really pretty and I love you! And your hair looks really pretty, though — Harry would say quietly with a tender smile on his face as he listened you murmur a "aw, thank you, love!" with the biggest smile on your lips. He knew how much you loved when he compliments your hair so he'd do it often just to make you smile this big. He'd use his hands to cup your face and lean in a little to give you a peck in the lips — Let's get going! Where do you want to go first?

— Honestly, I wish we went to The Greens at Pier 17 because it looked really cute this year in the pics I saw — You'd tell him as both of you walked towards the door and left the apartment walking to the elevator as you both put on your masks. Your apartment was situated in East Village so depending on the place you'd choose to go, it would take you a while to get there and that's the reason why neither of you had enough patience to drive in NYC, specially on a night like this one because the traffic in New York can be considerated out of this world.

— Isn't it open? — Harry would ask pressing the elevator button to take you to the lobby of the building and feel as the elevator started to go down with both of you in it.

— No, it was between 6 and 10pm, I guess! — You said pressing your back agaisnt the elevator wall as you felt it going down. It's crazy, but whenever you enter a elevator you think about what would happen if it starts collapsing, yes, it's weird — But all I want is to eat a pizza from East Village Pizza because I haven't eaten it in ages — You'd complement letting out a chuckle feeling the elevator stops at the lobby floor.

— Alright, we can go eat pizza and just hang out! Will you be meeting Bella? — Harry said as the elevator door opened giving both of you the iluminated vision of the streets lights coming through the big glasses in the front of the building. You and Harry walked past the porter and both of you smile at him and waved before leaving. You both are very familiar to Toby, the porter of your building and that's the reason why you'd wish him a Happy New Year before leaving, and you also have lived in this building in the past 5 years probably.

— No, she’ll spend it with her family. They’ll all spend it together because of the baby, I guess — You'd answer him feeling the freezing air run through the skin of your face at the moment you'd step in the street. You'd notice the wet floor underneath you because it rained the entire morning and the beginning of the afternoon, there was no resting sign of the snow that happened some days ago but you could definetly still notice the past rain, specially because of all the christmas lights that iluminated the streets now.

   You and Harry walked your way to the East Village Pizza because it was really close to your house which at this moment seems amazing but it's not. It takes you a lot of control to not dine their pizza everyday though. Pizza it's pizza, if you don't like pizza you can't even be consideraded a human being, just saying.

   You and Harry could notice the few people leaving their houses as you walked, and some of them were already by the streets though. The thing is that the big New Year's Eve attraction in New York is the Ball Drop in Times Square and this year is not allowed to have a crowd in there so the streets wasn't completely crowed and honestly that made you feel a little better. It's just that paranoic feeling that when you're around a lot of people you start thinking that one of them is infected, probably everyone during this pandemic had felt like this at some point.

By the moment you and Harry arrived at the pizzeria and ordered your slices of pizza Harry couldn't hold back his laughs at your liveliness that you also couldn't hold back for finally eating your pizza. The place wasn't as crowed as it used to be at this time of the night and that's why you and Harry could take a sit in one of their empty tables. You and him would talk about silly things. You both would talk about the ending of Gossip Girl that you had just watched this afternoon because it was shocking to both of you. You'd talk about the songs you just added at your playlist and you'd talk about what you wanted to do tomorrow on the first day of the year.

— I don't accept any other plan that you can make but if it's to stay cuddling in bed with me all day, love — Harry would say and you'd giggle at his words. He had a point though, because you couldn't imagine anything better to do tomorrow than stay cuddled up in bed under the heavy blankets with him all day long; maybe watching a movie or starting a new tv show together as you just finished gossip girl, you'd probably starts Bridgerton because you have already read the books and you loved it. And then take as many naps as you wanted. It sounded perfect and he knew you just couldn't resist to it.

   It didn't take too much for both of you to eat your pizza slices and as you ate it, Harry would take tons of photos from you all smiley eating your pizza while dancing to a random song that was playing in the background of the pizzeria. Harry loved to take random pics of you and he'd do it everytime he had a chance, which was quite often. But he did it because this way, whenever he was away and his heart ached missing you, he could go on his gallery and see all the random pics he has from you and in some way feel closer to his girl and god, so did you. Even though none of you shared the millions of photos you'd have of each other's in your phones, it felt so good to have them with you whenever you needed it to make your hearts warmer.

                                        ...

— Alright but, do you think that Brad and Angelina slept together before or after he and Jen "broke up"? — You'd randomly ask Harry as you both left the cab that was taking both of you to the Rockefeller Center because a walk from East Village to Rockefeller Center would be a hell of a walk. You both felt the christmas lights on your faces and your eyes were glowing because of them and you couldn't think of a prettier thing in this moment. It wasn't your plan to celebrate the New Year's Eve in New York and actually, the last time you've celebrated it in this city was about four years about before you even met Harry. And honestly, it just feel really cool to go ice skating in Rockfeller Center and then later go dinner somewhere and starts 2021 with a person that you really loved and appreciate on a city that you really loved, and maybe this wasn't what you planned but it was what you needed.

— They definetely were! — Harry said almost immidietely making you let out a loud laugh over his comment. You love when Harry gets into his gossiping mode, it's probably the best thing ever. He doesn't do it much when he's sober, but when he's drunk he'd just say everything you ask him and that's usually really funny, expect for sometimes when he'd tell things that are supposed to be a secret — Just look at their movie together. You could see the sexual tension and no one will convice me otherwise!

— I know but he had a sexual tension with all his co-stars! Don't you remember Legends of the fall? He had a sexual tension with his brother's fiancé that later marries his other brother — You'd argue back to him as making your point. You and Harry are definetely the "Netflix & Chill" type of couple, and as in quarantine you stayed home, you and Harry watched tons of movies on netflix and you'd always take your time to discuss them pretty often. Movies, music and books are the things that fullfill both of your souls the most and that's the reason why you'd often get caught up on discussing the things you've saw.

— It wasn't sexual tension, it was chemistry. It's different, love! — Harry'd argue back throwing his arm upon your shoulders as you both walked closer to the small line of people that were waiting to go ice skating. And you'd stop walking as realizing that you and him just arrived at the right spot and as you waited on the line of the ice skating, you had your back pressed on Harry's chest as he hugged you from behind to take the cold away as you talked. It was a nice time where you could just catch up about your thoughts while admiring the christmas lights and the people on the rink, and if you must confess, laugh a little about the people that couldn't ice skate. Harry told you about his plans to release the Treat People with Kindness music video tomorrow and talked about working with Phoebe Waller-Bridge and had to deal with your drama about not meeting her for what it seems like the millionth time, but you did make it pretty clear to him that you were so excited about the video because you haven't watched it yet because you wanted it to be a new year's surprise to you. You told him about how you missed walking the runaway and everything you want to do in 2021 in your professional career and also personal life, like the books and movies you wanted to read and watch and the places you wanted to visit.

   Anyway, it didn't take you long to get on the ice skating rink, and it also didn't take you more than two minutes to start regretting it. You were clearly not the best skater in the world. You weren't even 50% good; reasonable, would be the right term. And so, when you didn’t have the ability to move gracefully and lightly across the ice, and instead had to skate by holding on to the bars or Harry's arm and then after, having Harry insisting on trying to let you skate alone and then having you to crash into on the floor, Harry couldn't help but laugh. The boy laughed so hard, in a way where he couldn't even breathe properly from laughing so much, and you couldn't contain your own laughs either. Of course, Harry helped you up and then asked you a thousand times if you were okay and you hadn't been hurt, but the scene was just too fun at the moment not to laugh and you'd admit it.

   At around 11:20 pm, you both retired from the skating rink as your time was up and then, you walked away from the short line to the ice skating rink getting a little far away from the line. You used your right hand to move some strands of hair from your face as Harry carefully looked at you.

— You're sure you're alright? — Harry asked one last time making you glare at him with an annoyed look at your face becase he had already asked this about forty times now. He'd shrug his shoulders and put his hands inside the pockets of his black coat — Alright, you're fine.

— I am, love! — You said wrapping your arms around yourself while moving your head to look around you before getting your gaze to focus on Harry's face again — Should we go to a restaurant? Because it's almost midnight! — You asked Harry that looked the time as he took his phone off his pocket to see that the clock indicated the time to be 11:25 pm.

— Yeah let's go! And it's cold here! — He'd say wrapping his arm around your shoulders as you both started to walk again. The things is that near Rockefeller Center, there was plenty of cool and great restaurants that of course you had no idea if they were or not open but it didn't cost you to go check and that's why you'd walk around it to see — Oh, let's go to Bill's Bar and Burger. I want nachos and fries so bad — Harry would say as he stopped walking abruptly in front of the restaurant making you to gaze at the place and then at him.

— Oh my god, yes! — You'd nod at him as you both walked inside the place. You've been in it before and the menu was spectacular, the burgers were so amazing and the place was really cool, though. It had a dark wooden floor and tables and big glass windows that gave you the perfect vision from outside and at the moment you both entered the space you noticed that it wasn't extremely crowed but it had a few people. The televisions in the walls transmitted the Times Square New Year's Eve performances and you sat at the table in the corner of the wall with a padded accent.

You'd take a look at the menu and order. Harry'd order a alcoholic beverage, unlike you that'd go with a coke because if your boyfriend went wasted you needed to take him home and take a 6'0 foot taller man home after few drinks can be quite hard. You'd order fries and nachos for Harry because he just eats fish now and then orders a chicken burger for you and then some milkshakes because you were going to eat all that you wanted as it was the last day of the year.

While your orders were being prepared, you and Harry talked about the christmas trip with your families and how funny it was. You'd talk about how the hell could you both forget about the christmas presents and how thank god you could find good new presents in the last minute. Harry would probably tell you about a life story of his starting by "in my epoch" sounding like he was forty years older than you because he knows that this pissed you off. He's three years older. It's not like it's a lifetime. But you'd find fun on his stories, just like he does to yours because even though you're younger than him, you both came from different sides of the world. From completely different families and cultures and it's so cool to share your experiences with each other. With the time, you and Harry learned that everyone had something to add in your life. Something about art, or about bad feelings or good feelings. Something about love, about friendship and jobs and opportunities. You both would reflect about how you just find things and people in life that makes you whole. You grow older and start noticing what really matters. You and Harry always travel on New Year and this year you didn't and being there, on a bar in New York just with each other having the most fun as you shared your stories, made you realize that it's not about the trip or the journey. It's about the person you have on your side as you doing those things. It's about having someone that you love at your side to share the good and the bad and after a hard year, you're lucky for having each other and getting out of it stronger than ever.

When the countdown started, everyone in the bar starting to count as well. You used your phone to record both you and Harry as you both counted. The camera caught the big smile perfectly that you and Harry had on your faces, and it actually caught the cheese from the french fries that Harry was previously eating right in the corner of his mouth but we don't have to focus on this part just yet. When the clock turned midnight, the entire bar screamed happily and you and Harry turned to each other with the happiest smiles ever, hugging each other sharing the "Happy New Year" and then sharing your first kiss of 2021, just as you both did three years ago when the clock turned midnight entering 2018 and you both shared the first kiss of your life. You've been kissing since then.

[woah-were-halfway-there]

The Sweetest of Them All

A/N: just another little bonus part of the AFTR universe that I came up with out of nowhere. Also, I left this as third person instead of second. Enjoy!

Word Count: 3.2k

Y/N has never been a big fan of Valentine's Day.

To her, it was overrated and expensive. But, she'd be lying if she said she didn't love the fact that it gave an extra reason to love on Auston a ridiculous amount. Sure, she did that every day, but to be fair, she loved how the title of Valentine's Day added a bit more fun and excitement to something she'd normally do any other day. It felt different for some reason, so even though she didn't love the so-called holiday, she still tried to plan something special for it every year.

Admittedly, she and Auston almost got competitive about it with trying to one-up the other with affection. They didn't care about gifts. They cared about the time they spent together and the thoughtfulness behind it.

Usually, it was Y/N that came up with something ridiculously sweet for Valentine's Day to do for Auston. However, this year, he had her beat.

For some odd reason, Y/N woke up very early that day. Maybe it was the baby waking her, or perhaps it was her internal clock saying sleep was no longer necessary. But, regardless, she was awake much earlier than usual. She also knew Mia wasn't awake or else she would've heard her, so she took that time to lie back in bed and relax for a few minutes on her own.

The bed felt incredibly empty, given that Auston was with the Leafs in Washington and wasn't expected to be back in Toronto until late that night. Frank was a good cuddle buddy alternative, but sometimes the Goldendoodle just wasn't enough when Y/N was missing her man. Of course, this was one of the days when she missed him a lot, so she took that as an excuse to text Auston and at least get this so-called holiday kicked off.

Y/N Happy Valentine's Day, Aus 🥰 can't wait to see you tonight

She wasn't expecting him to message back right away, seeing as it was only 7:30 in the morning, but much to her surprise, he did.

Auston Happy Valentine's Day, babe 💕 Can't wait to see you either. Did the flowers for Mia get delivered?

Y/N Yes, they got here last night. They're beautiful. I set them on the kitchen counter, so once she's awake and we go downstairs, she'll see her little V-Day gift from you

Auston Perfect. I got part of your Valentine's thing with me right now too. Ready for it?

Y/N Is it going to make me cry?

Auston Probably

Y/N Great. Hit me with your best shot

She stared at her phone screen for a moment, expecting it to light up with the notification of an incoming FaceTime call from her husband or a picture, but instead, he sent her a link. But not just any link, it was the link to the video recording of a new Spittin' Chiclets podcast episode that was over an hour-long called 'Love Day: Part One.'

Confused, but also insanely curious, Y/N then leaned over to grab her laptop from the bedside table and got into the most comfortable position her growing baby bump would allow so she could watch the video like that. As soon as she was about to press play, her phone buzzed with another text.

Auston This was filmed a couple of weeks ago when the Chiclets guys were in Toronto. They interviewed at least 10 different guys in the league at different times, and they're kind of long, which is why there's more than one part. Just watch the intro, then I'm the first interview. Mitch is on part 2 if you want to watch that as well, but yeah... call me when you're done 💕

Still unsure of how to process what was going on, Y/N just shook her head and followed the link.

The video started with Biz, Whit and Rear sat all-around a table, each wearing a different red, white or pink shirt with heart-shaped balloons positioned behind them. Empty bottles of Pink Whitney sat on the table, acting as vases for bouquets of roses, making Y/N roll her eyes and chuckle at how far these guys would go for good product placement. But, she kept watching, and unsurprisingly, Biz was the first to speak.

Biz: "For Valentines Day this year, we wanted to do something different. Something more soft. So, we're going to tell, well, I guess, show some love stories."

Whit: "Bet you all didn't know that some of the greatest love stories to ever be told have happened to some of the guys that play in the NHL. Don't believe me? Guess you'll have to listen to find out what they are."

Rear: "We asked some players to come in and talk to us about their relationship stories and give as many details as they were willing to give. And let me tell you, they were great. To start us off, we have Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs telling us his fairytale romance."

The video then clipped to a shot of Biz sitting next to Auston in what Y/N assumed was the hotel downtown that the Chiclets guys were staying at. Auston wasn't dressed extravagantly or anything, just wore a grey hoodie, black pants, and his signature Raiders snapback.

Y/N immediately recognized his outfit. She remembered Auston coming home in those same clothes early one afternoon after he did some running around downtown with Mia, and started thinking of how not once did he mention doing anything for the podcast. He kept this very on the down low, and Y/N was excited to see how it would all play out.

Biz: "Alright, with us today, we have none other than the Leafs number 34, Auston Matthews. Welcome back to the show, Auston. How ya doin?"

Auston: "I'm great. Thanks for having me. How are you guys?"

Whit and Rear: "Good."

Biz: "Great, real good. Now, Auston, you know what you're here to talk about, right?"

Auston: (chuckling) "You're acting like you didn't spend the last week blowing up my phone until I agreed to do this."

Biz: "Amazing! You do know. So, here's how it's all going to go down. We've got a list of questions about your relationship with your significant other. Your obvious better half. And are going to take turns asking them so the people listening at home can get a bit of insight on your, and I quote, iconic love story. Why don't you give us a little summary of your relationship before we dive in?"

Auston: (hesitantly) "Sure, okay. So, my wife Y/N and I have been married for almost two years now. Our anniversary is at the end of July. She accidentally forgot it last year, which I haven't let her live down. Y/N, babe, this is your six month in advance warning that our anniversary is indeed coming up again this year… She's going to hate that I mentioned that. We, uh, we've been together since my first season in Toronto, so for a pretty long time now, and it's been amazing. We have a daughter, Amelia, but everyone just calls her Mia unless she's in trouble. She just turned two on January 25th, and we have our second baby on the way. They're due to be making their grand appearance in late June. We also have our firstborn, Frank, the Goldendoodle. Can't forget about him. But, yeah, that's my little family."

Whit: (nodding along with Biz and Rear) "Fair enough. Now, how and when did you and Y/N meet exactly?"

Auston: "We met on the night of my first NHL game back in 2016. She was at that game."

Biz: "Oh, yeah? Was she there for a reason?"

Auston gave him an unimpressed look.

Biz: "What?"

Auston: "You know why she was there!"

Biz: (shrugging) "Our listeners don't. C'mon, refresh my memory. Was she there to cheer someone else on?"

Auston: (shaking his head) "Yeah. She, uh, she's a cousin of one of my teammates, so she was there with their family to watch him during our first game."

Biz: (grinning widely) "What teammate?"

Auston: "The one out in the hallway keeping my daughter occupied while you keep being annoying and asking me questions you already know the answer to."

Everyone laughed at that, including Y/N, as she shifted onto her side, being mindful of her growing bump that seemingly became more noticeable each day, and got comfortable as she braced herself for what the rest of this interview would entail.

Biz: (still laughing): "Just to clarify for everyone who still doesn't know, he's talking about Mitch Marner."

Auston: "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up."

Rear: "I take it that Mitch and Mia get along really well? I haven't heard a peep from her since you came in here."

Auston: "Oh, she loves him. Yeah, that's her Mitchy, alright. Him and Steph, who you will hear all about once Mitch comes in here, are Mia's godparents and some of her favourite people."

Whit: "That's awesome. And how was that at first, though, being romantically involved with one of your teammates' family members? Sounds like grounds for some chaos, if I'm honest."

Auston: "It sure made meeting the family a bit more nerve-wracking. I'm just kidding. No, it was fine. It was definitely a little awkward at first trying to figure out how I was going to tell Mitch that I wanted to date his cousin. Like, he and Y/N are very close. Always have been. And the last thing both me and Y/N wanted was for Mitch to be uncomfortable. He did handle it really well, though. It's because of him I was even able to get to know her in the first place, which I'll never be able to thank him enough for."

Rear: "Now, you're a pretty private guy. You post the odd picture of your little family from time to time. Y/N is rather private, as well. So, really, no one knows your guys' story other than those who have lived it with you or watched it unfold. I'm sure many people will jump right on the chance to listen to this, seeing as you and Y/N are one of the most beloved couples in the NHL. But, what exactly made you want to come on here, give a bit of insight into your private life, and talk about it all?"

Auston: "Well, for one, Biz would not stop asking me to do it. Literally kept calling and texting me for days until I finally agreed."

Whit: "Shocker."

Biz: "Hey, now."

Auston: (chuckling) "That and also I figured, why not. I love my wife, and I love our little story. It's nice to think back on everything that's happened and see how it all got us to where we are now. With all the ups and the downs, its uh, it's been an amazing ride for sure, and I wouldn't change it for a thing. Also, it's for Valentine's Day. I haven't told her I'm doing this, so when you guys drop the episode, I'm just going to send it to her without much context."

Whit: "Do you think she'll cry?"

Auston: "Absolutely. I know this kind of thing would make her tear up regularly, but those pregnancy hormones have got her bad. Without a doubt, she's going to call me crying once she's done watching this."

Y/N scoffed as he said that and grabbed some tissues to wipe away the waterworks she already felt coming on.

Biz: "I've met Y/N many times now. The first time being back in what, 2018?"

The screen then showed an old picture of Biz sitting in a restaurant with his arm wrapped around Y/N's shoulders, both smiling widely as they held up their drinks, with Auston seemingly moping off to the side a little bit. Y/N chuckled at the image, instantly thinking back to the day she first met Paul Bissonnette and how wild it was before the photo faded away and showed the guys again.

Biz: "Yeah, it was when she was in Scottsdale visiting you during the summer. Great girl, completely out of Auston's league."

Auston: "Hey!"

Biz: "I'll never forget you sassing her when she commented on how hot Arizona was, with her being Canadian and all, but damn she was fast putting you in your place by calling you a, what was it?"

Auston: (grumbling) "Desert Boy."

Everyone burst out laughing again, except Auston, who just rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically.

Auston: "Whatever. She sasses me all the time when I complain about the snow, but the one time I do it back, I get called a Desert Boy and can never live it down."

Biz: (still laughing) "Ugh, amazing. Okay, moving on because we don't have much time and can probably fit in like two more questions. So, Auston, tell us how you knew that Y/N was the end game for you. How did you know that she was the one?"

Auston: "Oh, man. I don't even know how to explain it. Growing up, you see all these movies and shows, or read books where people always find someone who is their soulmate. Their perfect match. And I never knew what the feeling of finding that person was because I had never experienced it. My mom would tell me that when I did find that person, I'd know. That it'll be such an intense feeling, and to be honest, I didn't believe her. Until I met Y/N, I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. The first time I met her, something drew me in, and I knew I wanted to get to know her better right away. Mitch spoke so highly of her, so did the other guys on the team that had already met her and over the first couple of months of us knowing each other, I saw what they meant. She quickly became one of my best friends ever. When we started dating, I saw more of how good a person she is, which attracted me even more. She is so selfless and caring for everyone around her; it truly blows my mind. I had never seen my family welcome a girl I introduced them to as quickly as they did her, and I trust their judgment the most. But even if they didn't do that, I know they would have accepted her regardless because, honestly, I probably seemed like a lovesick idiot. I still do. Y/N became this significant light in my life that I knew I wanted to be there forever. I began thinking about what it'd be like spending the rest of my life with her. Then it became something that I knew I needed. I can't imagine my life without her, and I never want to. She makes me so happy and has given me more than I could ever thank her for. I'll never understand how I, of all people, was the one to capture her massive heart, but I do know how lucky I am."

As he spoke, the screen showed a little picture slideshow of Y/N and Auston over the years of their relationship. It started with one that Ema took the first time Y/N had ever gone to Scottsdale. Y/N was sitting on the edge of a pool, and her legs dipped into the water. Auston stood between them as he wrapped his arms around her middle and leaned against her while looking over at where Ema stood taking the picture. The next one was from a Christmas party where the two were under a mistletoe as Auston leaned Y/N back and was kissing her cheek as she laughed and held onto him for dear life. There was a picture of them with Auston's family, one of them with Mitch and Steph, and another of Auston with his arms around Nate and Mya, Y/N's younger brother and sister, as the three smiled at the camera and Y/N was in the background looking confused.

The last few pictures were a bit more recent. They showed Y/N holding Frank as a puppy, a maternity photo of her and Auston posing when she was pregnant with Mia, and one of them on their wedding day with Mia and the rest of the gang. Then, the slideshow concluded with a very recent picture of them taken just a couple of weeks prior at Mia's birthday party, where Auston has his arms wrapped around Y/N from the back, showcasing her growing belly. At the same time, she leaned against him and glanced over her shoulder at him lovingly. The photos then went away and showed the guys again as Auston finished speaking.

Auston was right. Y/N was full-on bawling by that point.

All the guys were smiling as Auston finished saying his thing, but were soon interrupted by a knocking noise followed by a door opening.

Mitch: (offscreen) "Wait, no! Don't let her in!"

Mia: (also offscreen) "Daddy!"

Mia then came into the frame as she ran towards Auston, not caring about what was going on or who was there. Auston was quick reacting as he smiled widely and scooped Mia right up into his arms, making sure to place multiple kisses on her cheek as she giggled and squirmed in his hold, while Mitch became visible too and shrugged.

Auston: "Hi, mini. I missed you. Did you have fun with Mitchy?"

Mia: "Yeah! Where's mommy, daddy?"

Auston: "She's at home, baby girl. I'm almost done, then we can go get a Timbit while we wait for Mitch to be done. Sounds good?"

Mia: (knuckling at her eyes, tiredly) "Mhmm."

Rear: "This is adorable."

Biz: "Hi, Mia."

Mia: (shyly while hiding against Auston's chest a bit) "Hi, Biz."

Whit: (laughing) "Okay, I think we've kept you long enough now, Auston. Is there anything else you and Mia would like to say to Y/N?"

Auston: "Yes. Happy Valentine's Day, babe. I love you so much, and I'm sorry I'm not there right now. You're going to hear a lot more from me on actual Valentine's Day, but for right now, I think that's just about it. Mia, can you blow a kiss to the camera so mommy can see it and say 'happy Love Day!'"

Mia: (blows the kiss) "Happy Love Day, mommy!"

Auston: "Can you tell her that you love her?"

Mia: "Love you!"

Auston and Mia then waved to the camera and said bye as the clip faded out, and a new interview of another NHLer began playing.

Y/N's heart felt so full. She couldn't stop crying over how much she loved her family and how badly she needed to hear something like that. Life had been particularly hard on her as of late and seemed to keep throwing her curveballs, but this, this was exactly what she needed. To be reminded of how loved she is and that she genuinely is never alone.

She then grabbed her phone to call Auston and remind him of how much she loved him, that day and every day. The two talked for a few minutes before Y/N was pretty sure she could hear Mia waking up. After saying their goodbyes, Y/N found herself thinking about how, regardless of how she feels about the actual day, this was a Valentine's Day she will never forget.

[mrs-nate-humphrey]

no-sleep 1x09rewatch ramble-essay (all content warnings for the episode apply here)

i was just like. oh i’ll watch a feel-good episode of gossip girl! s1 thanksgiving ep is great isn’t it! blairenate family feels!!! ruflyson love triangle drama!!! vdw siblings AND humphrey siblings hanging out!!! dan’s “see you later waldorf” *salutes & closes the cab door* !!!

& like. yes i DID remember serena’s whole not being sober on thanksgiving thing, and yes i DID remember blair’s ED relapse - which is heavy, but eating disorder content isn’t particularly triggering for me personally (i find it kind of cathartic, if we’re being honest) BUT . i somehow forgot. that THIS was the episode which has howard’s suicide attempt?? and now i have some of the most painful nate feels in the world. 

blah blah blah, leight’s acting brought me to tears, which probably doesn’t sound like a very big deal but sort of is, for a variety of reasons (watching things doesn’t usually make me cry, it’s happened maybe a single-digit number of times before + also just my blair feels in general --> she’s a really interesting character but i don’t find her AS relatable as i do dan, or nate, or vanessa, or maybe even serena at times --> so i usually do have a bit of a disconnect re: watching her, which i really do not have for like. dan, for instance.) 

i just cannot divorce that very cute outfit blair wears with her ED relapse - which brings me to the next point, which is that blair is maybe THE only character ever for whom her clothing choices and her plotlines are so interwoven in my head (lemon yellow shirt and funky little hat is her mean bridesmaids competitive game day, yellow-&-orange dress is her choose chuck over dan moment, genderqueer plaid skirt and grey shirt is her “dan loves me for me” moment, white shirt with the pink flowers is her get owned by nelly yuki moment, etc etc)... the only other time i noticed outfits is derena cotillion, but that’s just because i LOVE derena cotillion, and date matching shirts, but that’s because i am tuned into all things date and couldn’t possibly tell you what those outfits actually symbolise, with the exception of dan’s pink flannel shirt from when he’s holding milo. or any of the outfits from 2x06 because that is my episode hands down. oh hey would you look at that, i do actually form associations. but you gotta believe me on this, blair’s the one it happens most naturally for, which is very strange. i think it’s because her outfits are always Statements in a way that the other characters never do, except for jenny, who is a fashion designer, so it’s Different for her. what am i trying to say. 

oh yeah another iconic outfit is serena’s golden jacket and bright blue pants to the morgue to identify what might be chuck’s corpse. she literally dressed like she was going clubbing and i respect her so much for that. 

anyway. gosh. nate just - getting gaslit by his mom, getting reprimanded by his dad for telling his mom to stop being rude/petty... howard was like “don’t fight my fights for me” but nate wasn’t even doing that?? he was just asking his mom Not to be rude, and the fact that nate got told off at the end of that interaction... uh. it shows a lot about the archibald family unit in general and just. how nate is sort of treated as ... i don’t have the right word, but my brain is like “second class citizen”... which is absolutely NOT the right concept for nate but like. he is treated like he is Less a part of the family than his parents are....... RIGHT until one of them (or both of them!) fuck up in a big way and it’s down to nate to fix their mess. i haven’t read “adult children of emotionally immature parents” but from whatever i’ve heard about it, i think nate could do with reading it. or not. maybe it’d just make him sadder.

and fuck - nate’s whole talk with his dad and his dad telling nate that he doesn’t know how he can go on, etc etc... idk what to say or where to draw the line but i have really complicated howard & nate feelings. i really truly think anne was the worse parent (not like it’s a competition of course) and i sometimes seriously wonder if maybe howard archibald had a more supportive life partner, maybe he wouldn’t have ended up being ~like that~ to nate (doesn’t justify anything of course). anyway nate’s sitting by the hospital bed and his dad is denying his suicide attempt at first and nate’s just like, no, stop. this is also making me think now of nate sitting by serena’s hospital bed after tripp, and nate possibly sitting by blair’s hospital bed some point pre-series (eating disorders are serious and i really do think, esp with eleanor being eleanor, that it must’ve gotten pretty bad for blair before she got help - which. sorry. i know, it’s sad but i’m just putting together pre-existing implications.) all i’m saying is some point in the future i wouldn’t be surprised if nate’s just. uncomfortable in hospitals and unable to piece together why. oh yikes i just remembered blair’s miscarriage. at which point do hospitals become overly suffocating for natie, remind him of his own helplessness, etc... because i really think they would. anyway. 

anne archibald chills me because she is such an accurate representation of a very specific kind of mother and. i hate it for nate obviously but i struggle to remember a time i’ve seen a tv mom who i can 100% relate to so hard. as in. fuck. worded that wrong. whose SON i can relate to so hard. ouch. this may be a moot point because i don’t watch much tv, but honestly anne & nate is just. a Lot. in a way that is significant to Me, specifically. this is part of my pet peeve (not enough to fight with anybody don’t worry) when people make edits about mothers & daughters, as if what was happening between nate & anne, somehow didn’t have the same complications - i honestly think there’s some solid eleanor & blair/ anne & nate parallels to be drawn. and we’ve been over this somewhere else, but lily & serena / rufus & dan / rufus & jenny definitely have a lot of the same specific issues (parent projecting on child, etc.) again - everyone engages w the show differently, im ready to admit that like... maybe 65% of my problems with the ‘mothers & daughters’ reading probably stem from gender dysphoria, lol. but whatever.

i have feelings about dan & alison, too... i really do think dan was closer to his mom than to his dad for majority of his childhood, and this ep really cements it. anyway. i don’t have any more words and i’m tired. and i might just watch derena cotillion episode because . derena cotillion episode my beloved... 

wait wait before i forget. venn diagram of humphrey family & van der bilt family & playing american football. i know this has come up before but like. here we go i;m thinking about it again. both dan and nate have been competitively thrown in the grass by a family member in the name of sports. no wonder nate chose dan over chuck in 2x06 (i would put a tone indicator but even i can’t tell if this is /gen or /j) 

[loverofallthingssmart]

Oralie and Bronte for the ask game!

thanks for the ask anon!!

oralie!!

what i like: the way she’s so girly!! like she loves pink and doing her hair and looking pretty and it’s not a bad thing!! shannon does a wonderful job of showing girls who are without a doubt feminine and girly, and yet still show that they’re still badass and still amazing and powerful and i love that so much

what i don’t like: hmmm we don’t really get to see much but i guess i don’t like how she isn’t really shown to grieve kenric’s death (correct me if im wrong) but like even when he dies, she like...cries and that’s it...that’s like the extent of her grief and i know that it’s not the point so i understand it but if we’re being nit picky i might as well.....

favorite book: umm the first one and legacy because her and kenric and bronte were amazing in the first book and legacy because obviously the big reveal

favorite line: don’t have one?

favorite outfit: i don’t think it really mentions it but um her dress for that one function where she was prepping sophie i think? (sorry if im wrong i barely remember legacy)

OTP: koralie?

brotp: kenric, oralie, and bronte because they’re such an iconic trio

headcanon: she loves sour things....kenric has the sweet tooth and so when they were together before they were councillers, they would LOVE getting like fruit and elven food that’s sweet and sour to appease both of them. and they used to love saying they balance each other out like sugary and sour things

unpopular opinion: this may just be my stupidity but i don’t understand the issue sophie had with oralie being her mom? can someone explain that?

wish: i want to really explore the reason for oralie turning to the black swan and her motives and her backstory for that

an oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: her becoming a bad guy (she’s kind of like a morally-grey right now since she’s on council) but please don’t make her evil evil

nickname: ....................

bronte!!

what i like: i love his personality and growth...like in the beginning he’s bitter and you’re not really supposed to like him (the way he inflicted on sophie hmmmm) and then he slowly like grows closer and he’s super sarcastic and i love that

what i don’t like: ummmm the way he just inflicted on sophie, a (at the time) what?? 14 year old girl with negative emotions...at the beginning you’re meant to dislike him and i really did so

favorite book: nightfall because him and amy

favorite line: not really a line but “bronte muttered a curse under his breath” like you know for a fact he dropped an f-bomb and i love that

favorite outfit: don’t have one? i guess?

OTP: again, i don’t think i have one......i’m pretty versatile with shipping bronte with people (also aro bronte lives in my brain so)

brotp: bronte and amy like they’re so wonderful, just 2 very bitter, sarcastic buddies

headcanon: the first time he inflicts...he’s TERRIFIED out of his mind and he thinks he’s going to be exiled because he’s ancient and the elves have never seen something quite like this. he hides away and when it’s finally revealed he conceals does much...he tries to stop and tries and tries but every time someone touches him his panic shoots through the roof and they’re like automatically hit with negative emotions. the day he’s elected for council he vows to almost never use his power and that’s why he cries when sophie inflicts positive emotions on him...because it’s been so long since he’s felt like that

unpopular opinion: he makes mistakes too? like i feel everyone (including me!!) have such a kind of twisted view like we forget he’s a complete dick to sophie for like the first 2, 3 books and how he technically IS a somewhat morally meh-ish character and also that he’s OLD

wish: more of bronte trying to help the gang and like more raymond holt energy because i love them both

an oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: probably not going to but a love interest, like please don’t make him like retire as councillor because he disagrees with their morals and somehow find a love interest (even if it’s a guy)

nickname: .........i pronounce his name as bront-eee which seems wrong but idk

give me a character and i will answer!

[harmonie-writes]

Spells and Quirks Introduction

BNHA x Harry Potter crossover - Midoriya x witch reader

AN: I know floo powder only works on wizarding homes but shhh it’s fine. Let me be happy and have traveling be convenient for you! 

This might be long so this might have to be broken into parts (:

Key: (y/h) = your house, (y/p) = your patronus, (y/h/c) = your house color, (y/h/e) = your house emblem

----------

In the world today, witches and wizards presence is still supposed to be kept a secret from muggles (even if quirks can be magical). However, this hasn’t stopped a young witch from keeping her childhood friend in the dark about where she left to when the school year started. Re-dipping the quill into the ink bottle she finished scratching the letter onto parchment that would soon be sent. Anytime she planned on visiting she would write it down so that her friend, Uraraka could prep and hopefully get people out of the dorms living room. 

Rolling up the parchment you walked towards your snowy owl who was sitting by your dormitory window. Sliding the parchment into the tube you opened the window and off your owl went. Casting a glance toward your friend Hermione who was helping you pack your trunk for the holidays. You weren’t going to be spending the holidays at Hogwarts with Hermione or the Boys this year like you did the last. 

------

In the UA dorms Uraraka was in the common room with the others when she saw a flash of white go past the window. A grin reaching her ears, she quickly excused herself before bolting from the room and upstairs to her dorm room. Her classmates shared a confused stare at the odd behavior, but turned back to the movie they were watching. 

Uraraka squealed at the sight of seeing the familiar snowy owl perched on her window ledge. Giddily she slid the pane up to let in the feathered friend and pulled out the parchment. After reading about how you were doing and some of the antics that happened with your Hogwarts friends you told her how you were going to be visiting her in a couple days of receiving the letter, and wanted to meet her friends that she hangs out with. Both excited and panicked because she can’t call you she fretted on how to get people out of the living room so your appearance wouldn’t be as startling. Shrugging it off Uraraka decided she would cross that bridge when it came time.

------

You grabbed the portrait of the four of you goofing off on the quad and put it in your messenger bag. “Reducio,” you breathed while pointing your wand at your broomstick, once it shrunk in size you put it in your trunk and your wand back in your boot. Ron and Harry were waiting in the common room to see you off and Hermione was going to help bring your stuff down and say goodbye with the rest of them. Ron initiating the group hug you were squashed in the middle smiling all the while of seeing them in a few days. Pulling out the floo powder you all pulled away from the hug. You happened to still be dressed in your house uniform and black robe instead of changing into more casual clothes but you really didn’t feel like changing, you were too excited to see Uraraka again. Throwing a handful of the green powder into the fireplace you stepped in with your luggage. “UA class 1-A dorms,” you spoke clearly and closed your eyes. 

------

Uraraka felt like she had been on pins and needles waiting the last few days while also trying to hide the fact that an owl was currently living in her room. In reality she is just so excited to see you again since it has been at least a year since you have been able to see each other. Luckily for her the majority of her classmates decided to go out for the evening since it was a Friday night. The only people left were Midoriya and Iida who wanted to know why they haven’t been allowed in her room, but while all of her free time has been spent in the common room. Lets be real, they have noticed the frequent glance Uraraka would make toward the fire place and wanted to get to the bottom of it. 

“Uraraka are you okay? You have been acting a little.. um well off?” Midoriya gave a her a worried look. Iida took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, “We are worried about your well being as well as why you have been stuck in this room for the last couple days.” “Guys, I’m fine really!” She rapidly shook her head and hands at the same time trying to ease their nerves. 

Honestly, you have the worst timing but also the flashiest of entrances is what Uraraka has learned from being your friend in the past. The fire place, mind you, hasn’t been lit so when it crackled to life Uraraka face palmed while Midoriya and Iida jumped off the couch holding each other. Once composed they faced the fire place while Uraraka jumped up to stand a few feet from it. Eyes the size of the moon the boys watched while Uraraka jumped up and down clapping her hands. The fire itself turned green and the fire places started to grow in size. “Do you guys remember that one friend I always talk about?” Uraraka asked not turning around her gaze still locked on the fire place in anticipation. “Um..they aren’t a villain are they? Everyone knows that Disney characters surrounded in green are evil...” Midoriya muttered while getting somewhat ready to fight just in case. “No, you dingdong! She isn’t a Disney villain this is just how it works, but besides that I would like you guys to finally meet her since she will be here right...about.. now!” Uraraka cheered as your figure appeared in the fire. 

Being the silly witch that you are you somersaulted out of the fire place and stood with your hands straight up “Tada!” you flung yourself on to your friend who reciprocated with just as much energy. Midoriya and Iida’s jaws were on the floor at witnessing someone step out of fire. They assumed it was a fire quirk they have no idea it’s magic, at least not yet. “Iida, Midoriya I would like you to meet (Y/N). (Y/N) this is Iida Tenya and Midoriya Izuku,” Uraraka introduced the three of you like a proud mother would. 

Releasing from the hug you stuck your hand out, “Hi I’m (Y/N), it’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Uraraka!” Both the cinnamon rolls snapped from their dazes to greet you.  “Do you have a fire based quirk that gives you the means to travel?” Midoriya magically pulled out his hero notebook and was frantically scribbling down information while glancing at you to sketch and image. “Wha- No, no. It’s a um a little more complicated than that...” You and Uraraka stole a nervous glance at each other. “What school do you attend I’m not familiar with this uniform?” Iida used his iconic hand gestures to point out your black robes and house uniform. Upon hearing this Midoriya stopped his chicken scratch and glanced at what you were wearing. Your uniform consisted of a grey pleated skirt that was just above the knees with long grey socks, a black vest with (y/h/e) over a white shirt, and (y/h/c) tie neatly underneath the vest. You were quite attractive and his cheeks tinted pink.

Fidgeting slightly Uraraka pointed towards the stairwell, “How about we um go talk about this a little more in my room?” Nods were given by you three, and you turned towards the fire place to grab your trunk and rolled it behind you. Midoriya glanced over his shoulder and blushed slightly but went with his gut to be a gentleman. “Um here, let me take this for you,”  Midoriya said trying to control his heating cheeks by looking away from you. “Thank you,” you gave him a soft smile. There was no calming of his cheeks when he saw your smile. God you were beautiful. Uraraka noticed this exchange and giggled slightly while continuing to lead the way to her dorm room.

“It’s not much really, but you know its home,” Uraraka rubbed the back of her neck nervously. She knows you go to a large “private school” and sometimes feels like her style of living is a little underwhelming for you. “I love it!” You walk in behind her and do that little spin thing to admire the room. Midoriya’s heart squeezes at how cute you are being without even trying, and Uraraka knows that you are being sincere even if she is a little self conscious sometimes. 

As Iida closes the door, you and Uraraka make yourselves comfortable sitting on her bed and Midoriya on the floor. Iida takes a seat on the chair and both boys give their full attention to the girls on the bed wanting to know whats going on. 

“How good are you at keeping secrets?” You ask both of them with a quizzical look in your eyes. Midoriya bites his lip and looks down at his hands, he has hidden his quirk from his classmates so he thinks he is alright with keeping secrets. Nodding he looks up. “Great, now do you believe in magic?” you whisper leaning forward while Uraraka an hardly contain the smile on her face. At this point both boys are very confused and having matching looks of puzzlement. “(Y/N) just show them already!” Uraraka exclaims quietly in eager anticipation. “Fine, fine you’re no fun,” you huff sticking your tongue out at your best friend. 

Pulling a want made out of Acacia wood and dragon heartstring from your boot you smile and act like a game show host, “Alright then, Midoriya pick something around the room please.” Laughing at your antics he humors you, “Hmm, (Y/N) I pick the spare glasses Uraraka took from Iida earlier this year.” Uraraka laughs and avoids eye contact with Iida and you wear a large Cheshire grin. Honestly the boys don’t think much of your wand until you point at the glasses. “Accio!” your voice spoke clearly as you pointed your wand at the glasses on the other side of the room. Two pairs of eyes widened at the sight of the glasses rising and moving to your open hand.

“I believe you asked for these?” You hand Midoriya the glasses and put your wand back into your boot. This boy is shocked and flustered, shaking hand moving to take the glasses from yours. “I think that I was wrong about the fire bases quirk earlier...” Midoriya answers. Both you and Uraraka are sharing the same splitting smile as you can see the gears in both boys heads start turning.

“You’re a witch aren’t you?”

[homesteadchronicles]

It’s not Thursday, but I feel that I must ask a question. Perhaps multiple. I have been devouring your Kingdom Come posts, and have a strong urge to add my illustration skills (slim as they are) to your beautiful world. What do your favorites look like? What do they wear? What lovely sun-bathed situation are we likely to find them in?

First off, please always feel complete freedom to ask questions any day of the week! I, unfortunately, only have times to answer them on Thursdays more often than not. But anyone can shoot me an ask or a message whenever they want to!

Secondly, oh my goodness yes please that would make my entire life!!! Seriously, I saw this message after a very overwhelming day and the thought that someone would want to make art for something I’ve written about? That’s a dream come true, and it couldn’t have been a more timely encouragement to me. So thank you, thank you, thank you for even considering doing so! I’m beyond grateful that you’ve been enjoying all that I’ve been releasing about Kingdom Come, and even more thankful that you’d wish to bring it to life.

Full disclosure: I…kind of suck at character descriptions. Weird, right? For whatever reason, I just am not good at designing what a character looks like, despite my own love of fashion. I spent the night you sent me this making an (admittedly jumbled) list of ideas I had for five out of my seven protagonists, since those were the ones I had the clearest vision on. Feel free to include or exclude whatever details you so choose! I don’t mind you taking any artistic liberties you feel so inclined to take. Draw whatever, whoever and however you like!

Royan: Being born and raised in the frigid North, he has pale skin, often chapped or calloused from spending days outside in training or on missions. Royan might be reluctant to admit it, but Oeden’s all too eager to out Royan as a pretty boy. Thus, he spends a good chunk of time every morning fluffing his hair, golden blonde like his mother. It’s about medium-length, often brushed back - you know, typical male model style. As the temperatures in Aeonor are oftentimes below freezing, he has to bundle up. Probably a fancy tunic, a fur cape (a trophy from the first hunt he and his father, Kaiser Magnus, went on together - sewn from the hide of his prize, by the hands of his sister, Eirys), with a brooch clasping it together in the shape of a wolf. He’s a little lanky, still fully growing into the form of a man, but starting to at least work out with his muscles - mostly to impress people. Lightly toned muscularly, generally skinny, with soft, rounded features. Always wearing a goofy smile. Keeps his longsword at his side more often than not, but conveniently “forgets” to wear his crown - a silver circlet than encircles his head (and makes his head itch). His color scheme primarily sticks with grey bases and accents of purple and blue. On his right hand is the symbol of life.

Medea: Medea has surprisingly strong facial features. She has a pronounced chin, full lips, and, while not chubby by any means, has a healthy amount of meat on her bones. She has a full head of wavy black hair that falls to her chest, often adorned with a golden crown. As is customary for the Al-Hassian people, she has dark skin, burnt by the desert (think more Arabian, not African). Medea’s primary colors are ruby red and gold. Her most iconic outfit would be the red ballroom gown she wears to the Feast of the Five Kings, complete with a chunky golden necklace featuring a set of rubies in the center. She wears a more casual version of this outfit with a flowign red robe under a black undershirt and pants, and a golden sash. For shoes, she prefers heels, but can be found in cozy yellow slippers when lounging about, too. When showing off or in combat, Medea wears a golden gauntlet with a pauldron like a roaring lion at the left shoulder. On her left hand is the symbol of death. Often wearing an obnoxious amount of bangles and rings. Not for any magical purpose, just because she’s gaudy and likes everyone to know it.

Kasumi: Somehow, Kasumi manages to be even paler than Royan. Although her nation’s people can range from light-skinned to lightly-tanned, her time spent almost exclusively in the shadows has made her seem viable to disappear at any moment. Kasumi has not cut her hair in years, leaving it floor-length when not tied back. Her hair, however, is incurably straight and a bit frizzy. Kasumi keeps her hair up in a bun or in braids when working, but lets her hair down when she’s comfortable…which is only when she’s alone in her room. On the job, Kasumi wears a mask, as is customary for the Shadows. Her mask takes the form of a butterfly (akin to Lucina’s from Fire Emblem Awakening), but outlined in gold and the metal is painted in hues of violet, lavender, etc. She is almost always seen wearing her work uniform (think typical espionage-esque clothing). She feels horribly uncomfortable in the patterned dresses she needs to wear to formal events when she is a royal instead of a soldier. She is shockingly muscular underneath all of her armor, but most people wouldn’t see it, and rather flat-chested (…is that weird for me to say?). The most striking feature about her would be the litany of runic tattoos running up her right arm - both alphabetical symbols and images.

Oeden: Unlike Royan, Oeden does not feel the need to be noticeable. He feels as though he attracts enough attention with the rumors circulating around the castle about him, and as such, prefers to remain as invisible as possible. The first thing he puts on every morning is a set of leather gloves - a gift from his father, Knight Commander Elyk - to protect against accidental prophecies from making contact with people. He wears a simple tunic and trousers along with boots that are always laced loosely (he wishes he could wear sandals, but it’s not worth the frostbite). Having been born with vitiligo, he hides a majority of his skin with a cloak around his body. He used to wear a poorly-sewn grey one, but he alternates between a golden one sewn by Eirys for his birthday or a fur robe his mother, Nadielle, bought for him. His color scheme consists of more neutral colors, primarily white, with earthy accents like brown and gold. Being the offspring of a Northern man and a Southern woman, Oeden bears a mixture of their unique features. He has his mother’s sharp bone structure, but inherited his hair from his father’s genes. Thus, the curly orange mop. He doesn’t bother styling it unless it interferes with his sight - who does he have to impress? Can be seen accessorizing only with a number of lucky charms handcrafted by his mother, a surprisingly superstitious woman. The only other thing to note are the shackles eternally wound round his ankles - a symbol of the sacrifice of his freedom to the Sealed God. The sound of the chains rattling against the cathedral’s stone floors precedes his entrance.

Carmila: Here’s the thing with Carmila: she would want to dress differently than how she does now. She wants to look like all those highfalutin nobles, when in actuality, she’s stuck trekking through the mud like a hot mess of poverty and ill-begotten bullheadedness. I’ve always envisioned her in heeled boots, ones she would helplessly attempt to scrape the mud of the swamps off of day and night. She typically wears a brown bodice with a puffy white undershirt, complimented by a faded pink peasant skirt. The jewelry she wears is all fake - fool’s gold necklace, lapis lazuli instead of sapphires in her earrings, etc. She’s a little on the chubbier side (a fact which the noble girls make fun of her for, and her fiancee loves her for), having big-bonedness run in the family. She has dark brown hair tied in a ponytail at the side. She almost never lets her hair down. Her natural hair is curly, but she straightens it to match the Southern noble style, much to Emerico’s dismay.

There you have it! I hope that all made sense? Feel free to ask for any further clarification - I know my late night thoughts were jumbled. I hope that’s enough to work with!

Also, if by “sun-bathed situation”, you mean “can I draw them as if the cast went to on a trip in some sort of anime filler episode to the beach?” then the answer is heck yes you can! There’s a whole lot of beaches in Via Evelis to choose from where they could kick back and relax together in some alternate, probably happier, universe. Just, y’know…keep it classy. I got a family-friendly blog to run here LOL

[acquagalaxies]

my bits for “Together Alone”

It’s incredible how much happened in just 11 minutes, as It’s difficult to even decide where to start. Hard was also to not scream every 0.5 seconds for all the things the crewniverse and miss Sugar dropped in. Since already many of us covered up a lot of the stuff that have been proposed in a marvelous way, with all the references of the case, I’d just write down some thoughts I had in mind. to join my rant about an episode that blow my mind and try to talk calm-

THEY LITERALLY CONFIRMED THE “WHITE PEARL/ONCE PINK PEARL” THEORY IN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS CARTOON NETWORK U WANT ME TO DIE I HAD A STROKE SOMEONE HOLD ME I CAN BEAR THIS WITH MY ONLY STRENGH.

Ehm. So. What is presented to us I think is something like we saw in “Jungle Moon”: one of Pink Diamond’s past memories that appears in the shape of a dream, distorted by Steven’s mind (since, is in fact a dream and not just a vision/hallucination), which is a normal thing while one is dreaming, the brain in the unconscious state works and interprets things in a little bit different way, especially when it comes to memories: in the dream world the situation can take some sort of “surreal” twist that of course changes from what happened in reality and from what you remember consciously, in this case Yellow Diamond’s massively long neck (I wonder if the crewniverse is aware of the fandom’s YD giraffe neck meme and add it on purpose).

(the fact this all could have been a dream is evident already by the very first frame of the episode, when we see all the Diamonds’ ships on Homeworld perfectly intact, this alone made me confused at first for how strange and impossible it was, since we all know Yellow and Blue had to leave their ships on Earth for their being broken at the moment due to the events of Reunited.)

Aside that, the moment I loved the most is watching the complicity between Steven and this pearl (pretending to perform their role as what they’re supposed to do/be in front of others, satisfying their expectations so said others would not have anything to argue with, like Yellow smiling seeing everything seems to be at its right place, and when they’re alone again goofing around happily) that is just an altered reflection from the memory, in this case what is really shown is the bond Pink Diamond shared with who seems to be confirmed as her former pearl.

I couldn’t hold only inside a smile, because it’s heart-warming seeing this kind of relationship with someone else, with happy moments, laughter and bubbles, you can see that Pink treated her pearl like a close friend and most important, like an equal (many gems should take this behavior as a suggestion and moral model, but it’s very hard in their so hierarchical society to treat “lower gems” as your peer). By watching first the Jungle Moon flashback and Legs from here to Homeworld, I feared the physical damage that the now-white-pearl shows is the result of Pink Diamond’s infamous bursts of rage (since the first time she is introduced in Jungle Moon, Pink seemed used to this bad temper from what is seen to us, by this “brat and capricious behavior” of going around hitting things bc your parents didn’t give to you what you’re whining for) ended bad. I’m glad to see otherwise it’s apparently not Pink’s direct fault after all instead, the two seemed to share a more than good relationship.

(little thought: the way Steven lands graciously on the floor after his juggler number sweetly reminds me a bit when the young Greg met Rose in the old temple after their conversation on the beach.)

By this carefree spirit of hers and peaceful kind attitude, even a bit childish, the other diamonds maybe thought that was the pearl being a “bad influence” for Pink, deciding after to replace her with another (that’s why it is a little heart-breaking in now we’re only falling apart while Pink is trying to have a conversation with Pearl, she probably missed that complicity and the chatty moments with her old pearl, and because she wanted them to be friends and buddies, not just servant and master, encouraging Pearl to have her own thoughts and be self-conscious).

• but why keeping a broken pearl and not directly get rid of if the society cares so much of maintain only perfectly functional gems? What if White decided to keep Pink/White Pearl to make her be a constant walking reminder to Pink Diamond of who is really the one who commands and of what could happen if she tries again to make a gem behaving “different from how she is supposed to be and do”, or treats them differently from “the value” they own (like treating Pink Pearl an equal despite pearls are considered so much less, especially compared to a diamond). That’s creepy enough, I question if White was so cruel to make Pink watching while her so loved Pearl and (only real) friend turns from that pink fluffy sunshine ball into an empty shell smiling puppet without anything else left, ripped away from thoughts and individuality, a perfect obedient servant that would never get against your authority or retort your words.

The even sadder thing is, even if Steven will succeed in “bringing” back white pearl at her old self (something still welcomed just sayin’, #save the precious), still Pink Diamond, her diamond, the gem she was made for and with she shared that bond, is not here anymore.

Pink pearl has cinnamon buns on her hair bc like them she’s a cinnamon roll herself.

another heart-breaking detail is, by hearing them laugh, the voice getting from Pink Pearl’s mouth is patently Deedee Magno Hall’s, so Pearl’s supposed-to-be true voice. I’m weeping.

Then everything, pinkish and joyful, slowly becomes a grey dull nightmare, with Pink Pearl fading away into the void. Puking hair (whatever your own or someone else’s) in a dream often is the representation of the desire of expression about something that is denied. The will of wanting to express and be yourself that instead is being repressed (by someone, some situation, ecc.).  Or can also representing, in this particular case, White Diamond trying to push outside by force Rose Quartz’s persona/facade, a fake self, away from her Starlight.

Also, we’re finally able to see White’s hands (nails rigorously polished, I adore, as the cloak, so in style). Is not such important stuff but I appreciated that.

The pebbles are so adorable, they seems to love Pink Diamond’s very much (probably she was the only one that treat them decently, since apparently the word “pebble” is used in gem language also as a not-so-kind epithet? See Peridot using it with Steven when she was released from the bubble seasons ago), and I found  somehow cute (?) hearing one of them exclaiming “Pink is moving again” (which is totally reasonable since gems don’t have total acknowledge of what dreams are and what means sleeping in general, since is not something needful to them as is resting for organic beings). Plus, they apparently became attached at Connie too, that’s so sweet. Just to add, the green male pebble (which is also incredible to see a “kind” of gem being a “he”) chilling with Steven’s phone from the previous episode is so #icon. I love these little creatures.

“It almost feels like home” just being immediately replied with Garnet underlining embittered “almost” like to precise no matter how much the pebbles make the furnishing resembling as much as they can the real ones from Steven’s house back on Earth, still is not really “home”.

That grasps my heart a bit by hearing Blue Diamond, so emotionally and happily, announced than “we haven’t had Pink in 6000 years!”, since they still believe the one in front of them is always Pink Diamond and can’t well comprehend yet this aspect is not just a form Pink shapes for her amusement (just listening Yellow saying to her pearl “help her since she seems to have so much trouble recalling her past here on Homeworld”. But time to time), and getting worried this choice would not be liked by White, labeled as one of Pink’s usual childish jokes.

Ok but, someone pointed out that, “if the Diamond don’t throw a ball from 6000 years, then what about the Cosmic Jubilee Lars crashed in?” Well good question, I guess that is categorized as some kind of another event to participate at? I don’t think from Pink Diamond’s demise they never threw any party for other celebrations (a new colonial conquering for example).

Steven in the pink diamond’s outfit is a babe. It gives me the impression he actually wears It better than his mother.

What Yellow Pearl means exactly with “accept” or “reject” the members of Steven’s court? And… what happen to the ones that has been rejected from their diamonds?

Just realizing White’s throne other being of her dominant white shade, it actually reflects the colors of yellow, blue and pink, in the spots they’re placed the other thrones. Beside than being pretty aesthetical, it’s calling me the fact real life pure diamonds, reflecting the light, could do those spectacles of colors and reflections.

“Everyone stay where they belong” and Steven immediately floats near his friends and family. Bae.   smol beam of sunshine.

I really loved the explanation of what means to have “fun”, something you like to do, could it even be a passion or a simple playtime, for the good feelings it brings to you.

The pearls interactions, and the discovering of Blue Pearl’s hobby for drawing and Yellow’s for being a model just gives me life. I love the pearls and still want to learn more about their dynamics. Still, one of the moments that gives me chills is YP saying that “her feelings don’t matter” and how proudly she actually said it. Not gonna be surprised, we all know the conditions and how the pearls are considered in Homeworld society, as I know how much YP worships her diamond and how she considers herself lucky by having the “privilege” to serve the maximum rank of all gems. But still, it’s sad hearing someone states something like that without a problem.

OK SO. Since the very first Diamond Days trailer I was curious about one scene in particular: the one in which Blue Diamond separates with such brutality Steven from the group. I didn’t want to speculate about this just because I wanted first the context of the situation, and after seeing it… it actually makes more sense. I know people addressed this as Blue having a bitchy behavior because apparently she doesn’t want a Diamond that mingles herself with other gems (that compared to said Diamond, still remain lower beings, is like don’t wanting the princess of a country to get along with the farmers and peasants), but now it’s kinda reasonable? I mean, it’s still hurtful, but since White Diamond would be there, she’s afraid the gem matriarch would not be happy to see this kind out-of-the-rules behavior, and I’m sure no one would ever want to see White angry, am I wrong? Blue someways tries to protect Steven (and everyone’s asses) from doing a mistake in front of WD that could cost them. Still, it’s just the impression all the scene gave me, maybe I’m wrong.

NO NO BLUE, I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN’T FULLY COMPREHEND THE EARTH AND THE HUMAN HABITS, HOW ALL THERE WORK, CHANGE AND GROW, THAT IS SOMETHING BEYOND YOUR USUAL KNOWLEDGE, BUT DON’T DARE TO ADRESS CONNIE A SECOND TIME AS A “PET”, ‘kay?? Maybe she doesn’t do it through malice, but I really want episodes in which Steven teaches them with kindness and patience the beauties and worth of Earth, the things Pink Diamonds saw in the nature and its creatures, what took her to re-think her colonial project to preserve all of this, how magnificent and so different can be life, the organic beings, to change their consideration of them as inferior, they (we) just have another ways to live, to think and to do, that’s all. And when it comes talking about Amethyst…

“oh boy, here it comes…”

I know millions already talked and pointed out this but, I’m so proud of the character development  Amethyst is showing to us, already from the Heart of Crystal Gems arc. She has let behind her shoulders all the struggle, the feeling out of place, “wrong”, for being so different from the other quartz soldiers (“different” doesn’t mean “wrong”, and this is a very important teaching); she matures and understood it’s as alright as the way she is, and mean words from others is not worth her consideration, her tears, anymore, while in the past the same situation and phrases would have back the reaction to burst into trembling fury or silent crying.

From this dialogue whatever, it makes me consider one thing, probably “overcooked” gems seem not to be that much of scandal and dishonor (unless, Blue would have made more fussing about Amethyst and not allowed her into the ball in the first place): as long as they are, even with their “disabilities” and disadvantages, functional and useful for the society, it’s more or less consented and accepted. To not forget, Era 02 was for Homeworld a time of crisis in the production of gems due to less resources, so it’s not so shocked to see gems like Amethyst, or our Peridot, with less compared to the Era 01 gems, but still capable to fulfil a purpose.

Blue, for goddammit sake, let Garnet alone, together alone, thank you. at least, I’m content they included in this episode more lore, talking about the other types of “Garnets” presented on this planet: the Hessonites, of which we already have some acknowledge, thanks to the name dropped previously in Legs from Here to Homeworld and the contribution of  the “Save the light” game, that gives us clues on how they look like (someone else, beside me, prays to have the pleasure to see the same Hessonite from the game in the show? That would be cool, I can’t deny);

but also the Demantoids

And the Pyropes

However, who Blue just listed apparently are not invited at the ball. I’m not sure what kind of gems the ones presented above are, but they don’t seem to be Garnets however (the designs of those on the left – the green/yellow group – are kinda fascinating, not the same in my tastes for the ones on the right, but it concerns almost the “Thomas the Tank Engine” gems. Bad design in my opinion, but good memes for that. Interesting the choice to their “skirts” resembling gears, reminding Homeworld reflects a perfectly mechanic system where everyone has its specific place and purpose, working as, in fact, a gear in this immense society, and by fulfilling that purpose, this said society moves on and on, like a huge mechanism moved by the work of every single of its components – it’s also directly/indirectly underlined by their dancing afterwards, especially in the shooting sequence from above).

Look, look how many beautiful Garnets. Jokes aside, I’m really happy having the chance to see other sapphires (other rubies would same welcomed, of course), I already get in sympathy the cheek-gem one and the other few steps behind with a similar hairstyle like our Sapphire, but shorter:

oooh look these sapphires that never saw it comiiiiing

This is a one more time love for Garnet: even if she says moments before she’d not come, annoyed and angry for Blue Diamond’s talk to follow with head down the rules, she decides to do it for Steven, as Connie suggested, to give him the maximum support at the point to stay unfused for him. This, is real love too.

Aaand now here it comes the Diamonds!! Spectacular entry on the red carpet. Yellow is particular amused about how the project of the ball turned out, complimenting with Pink/Steven for the result (if she arrives to the point to congratulate with you and said that your idea is brilliant, you really did a good job then).

(same we could say for the future episodes)

E X T R A diamonds posing the way of their murals portrait.

as it is releasing sparkles and shimmers through the throne room at your subjects. because they’re glimmering and magnificent (shine like a diamond 🎶)

Icons. I adore. I can’t blame the random crow gem dropping tears, it’s so relatable I’d do the same.

Or the other one getting thrilled by the entrance of Yellow Diamond. I can’t blame her either.

But honestly, dat blue diamond hips sway. She is so elegant in her postures, a queen.

I know it sound so out of contest in the current talking but damn, Blue Diamond’s voice is so ASMR, soft and gentle. I especially feel nice chills hearing her says “you’re doing great”. Just. Fantastic.

“White Diamond… has more important things to attend to”  but 🙃, for real bro? It’s fucking new Homeworld Era ball. Pink Diamond return!! guess it’s important???? Poor Steven, he was so hopeful to catch the opportunity to finally talk to her (comparing my reaction with his when this was announced you won’t find any difference)

“Therefore, I will be here to observe in her place.”

How nobody says nothing about? a P-E-A-R-L that has the permission to stay on her diamond’s throne and be presented at her diamond’s place in sostitution. I don’t believe is something allowed to the other pearls (owed by a diamond or another high rank gem), to substitute their master and sit on their place during these events, even for Yellow P. or Blue P., or even our Pearl in her time on Homeowrld at the service of Pink Diamond. But maybe due to being the pearl of the most important Diamond and, if it’s her Diamond that orders her, it’s understandable and accepted. Dunno buddies.

Also, among all these crowds, it makes me remember Zircon’s words at the trial of what kind of gems were once in Pink Diamond’s entourage: where are the Agates, since there’re amethysts and quartz soldiers in attendance. Wasn’t their job to keep them on the line? And those sapphires? Are Pink Diamond’s? Or, since sapphires are considered aristocratic and not so common gems, this small group represent the only and all sapphires in the entire Homeworld? Another question, if not and there’d be others to meet, all Homeworld!Sapphires are all like classical blue sapphires or exist others of different types, like Padparadscha, but without being “off-colors”?

Plus, I’m sure the green/yellow gems are not from PD’s court but from Blue and Yellow’s (tiny hinted by those two react with emotion at their entrance, and we don’t see them greeting Pink like the other group do), but… there is none White Diamond’s gems (except the pearl, of course). After all, Yellow Pearl said  gems by the Diamonds are accepted or rejected. Think about it, maybe it’s why there’re no white gems…

But seriously tho, does White Diamond actually have her own court or directly ALL the entire society with all its gems is considered as “her court”, the other Diamonds included? Since her being the Mother of all gem kind and its supreme ruler, that would actually make more sense than the other way around.

Ok now, everyone get crazy about Connie’s “clever” move to drag Steven into dancing with her. I want to say, I don’t doom Connie for, quoting from others, “have been dumb”, instead, I appreciate her effort to cheering her friend up, as he always does to her. She knows she can’t totally be part of this world (due to many things, not being a gem, living a kind of life style so different from Homeworld standards, another mind-setting, and also c’mon, she is just a very young girl, you can’t pretend) , but she wants to stay on Steven’s side and support him as much as she can, to make smile again a friend so emotionally and mentally tired and down. She believed few moments of dance, enough to raise up Steven’s moral, would not hurt anyone, and no one intended to fuse, that was accidental. Many other replied that, thinking of it, every time that they danced on screen, they fused, so how did not see that coming?. Yes, every time on screen, but all the other times, off-screen? Like, on other afternoons, and at Garnet’s wedding after the ceremony, we don’t see them on the dance floor but I’m sure they didn’t miss the occasion to dance together and have fun. Not less important to mention, it was supposed to be a call-back, as the title of the episode, at “Alone Together”, as “The question” from the previous arc did with the older episode “The Answer”.

Plus, even Stevonnie is so adorable with Pink Diamond’s outfit. Pure bae.

While watching this gesture with the hands, I like to think is Steven and Connie individually still holding hands from the dancing, just a second before realizing now the hands of one became the hands of the other as well.

Oh, and there we are. Things fucked up in the worst of the scenarios. (there’d be a lot to say in particular about White Pearl’s frown at the sign of Connie and Steven twirling happily together, but all my thoughts I collected in a separated post, giving to that theory its own space, that I’d link here). Yellow whisper with tight teeth “Pink what are you doing?” is a cause of bad news.

And then the Crystal Gems come at the rescue, with Garnet and Opal (!!! before taking her down in 0.2 seconds, why this cartoon network, do you really want, at the end of the series, people coming up with videos like “every time Opal shows up” just to be, if everything went good, two and half minutes long? Is what you really want, CN?)

But the real surprise came with her:

from the end credits of the episode it’s “Jade”, she is actually very adorable: this little missing tooth, these sunshine eyes and the gem-stones placed like two puffy cheeks make her even more sweet (judging by the combination of her dress, I was right saying the yellow and green gem from before during the entrances of the diamonds belong respectively to Yellow’s and Blue’s court). It’s admirable having the courage to do “coming out”, encouraged by the CG’s bravery, standing for what they have fate in and for what is right, even if it means getting against the society’s stricter rules and meet the judge of the rulers themselves, with all the possible consequences. I’m sure she believed Pink/Steven, by her influence dictated by her high rank status, would approve and legalize cross-gem fusions and decided to stay by this diamond side. “I knew I couldn’t be the only one” is sorrowful to hear, so away from Homeworld’s eyes exist other gems of different types that fuse for love, but have to keep it hidden to not meet an horrible fate (shattered or possibly harvested). That’s sad. Let them be.

Also, love Stevonnie and Opal staring at Garnet like “yo man, you’re the fusion expert, what about that?”, and Garnet is just idk stuff dudes.

ok but, it’s not that Ruby and Sapphire lost their wedding rings after being poofed, right? … right…? (#edit after ChangeYourMind watching: thank the Lord it didn’t happen)

Scene: *everyone poofed, delirium, everything went wrong and Stevonnie is grounded* the evil gremlin inside my head: new outfits/new intro?

Last thing, I just want to make a point about Stevonnie’s “prison”:

A dark locked place at the top of a tower. Now, some time ago, Rebecca Sugar took part on a livestream with other cartoon creators, on the occasion, while talking about different stuff, Alex Hirsch (creator of Gravity Falls), asks miss Sugar what would happen if a gem was placed in a dark room for a long amount of time. Rebecca simply replied “I can’t answer that”, surely because if she does, it could be spoiler for the upcoming episodes (this constant keeping it secret is an ongoing situation with her, lol). The fact is, we all know the physical form of a gem is a projection of light that shapes in actual matter, to allow them to interact, act and speak, and it’s from light itself a gem takes her nutriment (and not from food, like organics do).

So deprive a gem of light (whatever kind: the sunlight, the moonlight, the stars’ light, natural light or artificial light), of her only nutriment, is the equivalent of making her “starving”? Adopted as a form of torture for gems considered needing a punishment for a possible wrong action?

A gem in a room surrounded only by darkness, without even the tiniest glimmer of light, what happens when she reaches her limit and lost all the energies left? Would she became a simple, faded, inanimate gemstone as the our ones from Earth?

Bonus: Who noticed that?

Since the answer I always had the anxiety these two rubies get shattered for ineptitude towards the mission to strike down the rebels and protect Sapphire. I’m glad they’re still around then.

[tidsoptlmist]

It’s a Boy-Girl Thing - E.D.

Authors note: part 3!! now we’re getting started with the story!! whoohooo!! and omfg part 1 has over 200 notes i am baffled this is so cool thank you all!!! I hope you all like it!!

Disclaimer: English still isn’t my first language !!! 

Part 3 一 ABHOR

Summary: Ethan and Y/N are neighbors. And although Y/N is on good terms with Ethan’s twin brother Grayson, Y/N and Ethan loathe each other and are constantly in dispute. Ethan is a populair varsity football player, who likes to be in the spotlight. Y/N prefers to stay under the radar, while reading books and poetry.

Although the constant bickering between the two drives everyone around them crazy - the two live their separate lives peacefully. At least that’s how it was until they wake up one morning and every had changed…

PART 1 || PART 2 || PART 3 || PART 4 || PART 5 || PART 6 || PART 7 || PART 8 || PART 9 || PART 10

Thank God, today’s friday! You curled yourself up in your warm bed. You pressed your eyes closed against the sunlight creeping it. One of the downsides of summer was how difficult it was to stay asleep when the sun was out at six in the morning!

Pulling the covers over your head, you suddenly feel at unease. Something was off… The cover didn’t smell like it normally did. It was unlike your mom to suddenly switch brands of laundry detergent. Also, now you were thinking about it, you didn’t hear your clock ticking.

You slowly opened your eyes. Your heart dropped. This wasn’t your room. The room was around the same size, but way messier. There were clothes shattered everywhere. The bed stood against the far wall opposite the window, which was only halfway cover with a dark blue curtain.

Your eyes scanned the room more. There was a big dresser against the left wall. The doors were halfway opened. Next to the window stood a messy desk. A big Apple Mac computer stood proudly on top of the desk. There were crumpled papers distributed all over the deks and the small bin next to the chair. Above the desk hung posters with a motorcycle on it. The text underneath the bike read “DUCATI Scrambler Full Throttle”.

Panic started to rise. You quickly went over your whereabouts from last night. After the trip to the museum you went straight home. You remember typing your notes into the Google Drive document you shared with Ethan and finishing your math homework. You mom had made lasagna and after that you remembered watching some tv and texting Olivia about the trip. You can’t remember getting yourself into a situation which would result into waking up in a boy’s bedroom!

Your heart stopped beating for a second. A boy’s bedroom! A boy! Slowly, very slowly, you turn around.

A sign of relief left your lips when you saw no one next to you. One-night-stand of which I don’t remember? Excluded from possibilities!!

The relief, though, was short-lived. You were still not in your own bedroom, on a Friday morning, having no memory of how you ended up there!

Before you could decide what to do next, the door of the bedroom is opened with a loud bang. A shriek left your lips and you pull the covers over your head. You can feel your heartbeat in your ears.

‘Don’t be such a girl, E! I’m just getting that blue shirt from your closet!’

As for a few seconds ago, your heart had been beating so fast it wouldn’t have surprised you when it had made a whole in your chest. But as soon as you heard the voice, your heart stopped.

This wasn’t true! This simply couldn’t be real! You thought to yourself. This must be a very realistic, but horrible dream! There was no way you were actually in Ethan Dolan’s bedroom!

Trying to make as less noise as possible, you slowly lifted the covers of your head to sneak a peek. Grayson Dolan was standing at the otherside of the room. He was only dressed in a pair of striped, loose fitting boxer shorts. He was looking through the drawers, his back facing you. You noticed your hands were shaking.

You glanced from Grayson towards the window. That window was right opposite yours. You knew was a tree next to his window. It grew in the hedge that separated your garden from the Dolan’s. With a little bit of luck, you’d be able to climb out of the window into the tree and get from the tree onto the roof next to your own window. From there, it would be easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy to get from the roof into your own house. You had been on the roof plenty of times before.

You just had to wait for Grayson to leave the room without noticing it wasn’t actually his twin brother but you! You took another glance at Grayson. Right at that moment he turned around. Your whole body becomes numb. Grayson isn’t holding up a blue shirt, like he said he would grab from the closet, but a light grey crew neck with red letters.

His dark eyes met yours. Your chest tightens painfully and your throat turns into the Sahara desert. Grayson raises his eyebrow in confusion.

‘You good bro? You look like you just saw a ghost!’ Grayson chuckled at his own comment. He walked towards the door but turn around halfway through the room. ‘By the way, I’m wearing this shirt. It’s mine anyway - I payed for it.’

Grayson closed the door behind him. It’s like your body comes back to life as soon as the door shuts. Adrenaline rushing through you body. Grayson hadn’t recognised you. Not only that, he called you ‘E’ and ‘bro’, as if you were Ethan.

With one quick motion you jumped out of bed. A big scream leaves your mouth when you look down at your body. Well, “your” body. You aren’t wearing your usual pajama bottoms and tshirt. Instead, you’re only dressed in blue, wide boxer shorts. Your bare chest is toned and tan. Your hands grab your chest.

‘My boobs!’ You gasp, ‘where are my boobs!’

Only now you notice that your voice sounds different too. It’s lower and rougher. You run towards the closet, stumbling over your own feet. As you expected, there was a mirror behind the chest of drawers.

A second scream. Instead of your own face, your reflection showed Ethan Dolan. You stumble backwards and hit your foot against the desk. You grab your feet and howl in pain.

‘Ethan?’ A voice from the hallway. ‘Are you okay?’ You can hear footsteps coming closer to the door.

‘Yes! Yes I’m fine!’ You can feel tears burn in your eyes. You were in fact NOT okay. Your hands were shaking. I need to go home, back to bed! So I can wake up and everything will be normal again! You thought and turned around. You walked to the window. It opens the same way as your own.

Your hands grip the outsides of the window frame to lift yourself up. When you push yourself up, your head slams hard into something.

‘What the fuck!’

Because of the impact, you almost fall back into the room. You look up to inspect the thing that almost gave you a concussion. The sight that met your eyes made you fall back into Ethan’s room. You were looking at yourself.

‘What is happening! This can’t be real! These things only happen in movies!’ You were sitting on Ethan’s bed. Your - well, his knees, pressed up against your - or was it his chest? You could feel a headache coming up and decided that there were your knees and it was your chest for now.

Ethan was leaning against his dresser. It was strange to look at yourself, because even though you were looking at your own face, it felt like you were looking at Ethan. He clenched your jaw. This was such an iconic Ethan thing to do, but it looked wrong when he did it with your body.

‘We need to change back, I don’t want to be you!’ He said, crossing his arms. He was wearing your pink pajama.

‘Do you think I want to be you? No, thanks!!’ You looked at him angry. He opened his mouth, but you cut him off; ‘we need to go back to museum.’

‘Are you on drugs? Why would we go back to that stupid museum!?’ Ethan started to pacing around the room.

‘Well, I don’t know what could have caused this to happen, other than the statutes in the big hall! Remember our fight? The lights went off! And when we asked the others about it, they said the power never went out!’ You tell him, ‘so unless you have a better idea, which I highly doubt you do, we’re going back to that museum!’

Ethan angrily clenches his jaw again. ‘Let’s go now,’ he mumbles, ‘I have a car! If we leave now, we can be there at 10.’

You gave him a puzzled look. ‘We can’t go now! We have classes to attend!’

Ethan looks at you in shock. ‘Y/N…’ He starts slowly, ‘if you think I’m going to school looking like this -’ He gestures at the body that’s keeping him trapped, ‘Then you’re out of your Goddamn mind!’

You stood up from the bed and walked towards his clothes. ‘You don’t have a choice! If you make me lose my attendance record; I’ll make sure you lose your spot on the team!’ You hiss towards him.

‘Y/N, you wouldn’t….’ He mumbles in shock. You smirked at him, ‘try me!’

He looks at you in anger, ‘two can play this game, Y/N!’

And after this comment, he leaves through the open window. Without paying much attention to his threat, you open his closet ready to pick an outfit to wear.

Leave a comment if you feel like it!! lots of love, s.!!

@asapethan - I got you girl!! here’s your tag! 

[staneduris]

OKAY SO LIKE REDDIE CANNON WHERE THEY GO TO THE BOWLING ALLEY FOR A DATE AND EDDIE SUCKS AT BOWLING AND RICHIE IS LIKE GUIDING HIM THROUGH THE THROW AND LIKE HAS A HOLD OF EDS WAIST AND HIS ARM AND WHEN HE THROWS IT HE GETS A STRIKE AND KNOCKS DOWN ALL THE PINS AND EDDIE JUMPS UP AND TURNS AROUND AND GIVES RICHIE A KISS BUT STARTS BLUSHING SND SO DOES RICH AND ITS JUST A BLUSHING MESS AND YEAH (sorry for yelling i’m just excited)

OKAY THIS IS SO CANON MY GOD!!!

- so it’s their first DATE - richie shows up outside eddies house 15 minutes early in his gross pickup truck that eddie hates (loves) and hands him a bouquet of sunflowers with a small smile- eddie is wearing his FAVORITE ripped jeans with a cream sweater and grey converse, his hair all curly and BEAUTIFUL AND CARAMEL BROWN - richie is wearing a ‘the cure’ t-shirt with a Hawaiian shirt over it, a jean jacket over that, tight black jeans clad on his legs and his signature red sneakers on his feet. (also if u don’t think this outfit sounds amazing i don’t like you,,,,, RICHIE IS A STYLE ICON!!!) also he has like long beautiful curly hair (GOD IM GAY FOR HIM AND IM A GAY WOMAN SO????? I DONT??? GET IT????) - so when richie firsts tells eddie that they are heading to the bowling alley on their FIRST DATE, he flips out and yells at rich for like 10 minutes because, “do you know HOW MANY GERMS ARE IN THOSE PLACES RICH??? HOW MANY FINGERS HAVE BEEN IN THOSE HOLES????”- it takes everything in richie not to laugh at that - eddie knows he actually doesn’t mind the germs, he’s been getting better with them since he stopped believing everything his mother told him. - so it’s not the germs making him nervous, it’s the fact that eddie has never gone bowling before, and he’s not ready to make a fool of himself in front of his date, even if his date is Richie Tozier, certified Dork™- so after checking in and putting in the shoes and picking out balls (richies is green and eddies is pink because ‘i like the color YOU PRICK!’) and putting their names onto the scoreboard (“richie if you write ed’s up there i swear to fuck,,,”)(they end up as ‘dickard’ and ‘sweet ass’ much to richies delight and eddies dismay) they finally start to bowl- and holy shit is EDDIE AWFUL!!!- richie can’t even contain his laughter as the smaller boy continuously rolls his ball into the gutter- “shut up rich it isn’t FUNNY!” he screams as richie literally is dying of giggles- “i just” *giggle* “cant believe” *wheeze* “how awful you are!” *wheeze and knee slap* “it’s like you’ve never bowled before!” - eddie just blushes and looks away, too embarrassed to tell richie that he HADN’T EVER BEEN! no one ever wanted to take eddie bowling! how awful is that? he’s almost 19! - “oh my god you HAVEN’T HAVE YOU????” “beep fucking beep, richie!” - “don’t worry babe, i’ll teach you,,,,” richie says and winks, making eddie want to punch him but also turning him into a blushing fool. - so, richie always keeps his word, on eddies next turn richie steps up behind him and sets a careful hand on the smaller boys waist (eddie can barely even contain his smile) - he grabs eddies wrist on the hand holding the ball and slowly draws their arms back, before pushing them forward and watching the bubblegum pink ball roll straight down the middle of the lanes - STRIKE!! - eddie can’t believe IT!!!!! HE DID IT!!!!! - he spins around in richies arms and squeals “WE DID IT! I DID IT!!” and kisses richie right on the mouth before pulling back and realizing what he’s done- “oh god i’m so sorry,,” eddie apologizes and untangles himself from richies arms - “don’t be!” and before he knows what’s happening richie is spinning him around and kissing him again and again and again - and again - and when they both pull away eddie is just blushing so much like the LOVESICK FOOL HE IS - and richie is smiling so BIG eddie swears he’s the most beautiful thing in the whole world- (richie would say the same about eds) - and sure everyone is staring at them but WHO CARES??? THEY’RE JUST SOFT BOYS IN LOV BOWLING TOGETHER - (they then have bowling night every sunday night and even though eddie gets good eventually, richie still insists on helping him, and no matter what, eddie always hits all the pins when he can feel richies breath on his neck)- I LOVE MY GAY SONS THANK U!

thank you for the REQUEST MY LOV I LOVE U

[berryshortcakes]

Get to know me

Rules: answer 30 questions and tag 20 people you’d like to get to know better

Nickname: Eva (my full name is Evelina, so everyone calls me Eva and I like it better hah)

Zodiac: Libra ♎

Gender: female

Height: 160-162, I am short and proud

Age: 20 in September😏

Time: 20:55 // 8:55 PM

Favorite band/solo artist: well BTS duhh, but I also love a lot of other artists and bands like 5SOS, Troye Sivan, I still love 1D boys and their individual work is great. Also Panic! At the Disco and Fall Out Boy 😍 I also listen to other kpop groups and solo artists but I don't stan them like I stan BTS (yet)

Song stuck in my head: none😅 because I am listening to my playlist now and sing along to every song 😅

Last movie I saw: Guardians of the galaxy :D it was last weekend when I was home with my family

Last thing I googled: adenine structure :D I had chemistry exam few hours ago :/

Other blog: @thinking-and-writing I post my own writing there sometimes😅

Do I get asks: nope, I am not a popular blog or anything. I don't have much friends either :/

Why I chose my username: well haha I love supernatural tv series and I just idk, I liked it because Misha Collins is such an amazing human being how can you not love him?!

Following: 47 (thank you guys 💖)

Average amount of sleep: 6-8 hours. I sleep pretty okay :D

Lucky number: 7

What am I wearing: underwear because it is that hot (30°C)

Dream job: forensic medicine expert🖤

Dream trip: oh man, I would love to go to Asia, it always fascinated me (especially India, China, Vietnam, Thailand, also Japan and Korea). Also Australia, damn, despite the heat, I would like to go there too.

Favorite food: everything :D I eat literally everything and I love everything (well there are a few dishes I am not a big fan of xD)

Play any instruments: are nerves an instrument? No? Oh okay then...

Favorite Songs: Spring Day will always be my fave💙 but at the moment I can't stop listening to Airplane pt. 2, 134340, outro: tear. Also Charlie Puth's album Voicenotes??? That is such a great album :o

Play(ed) any sports: I used to play volleyball and did athletics in middle school. Now I just walk a lot :)))

Hair color: naturally it is dark brown but I die it and not it is very dark purple with pink strands :D

Eye Color: one eye is grey/blue and the other one almost brown :D I have partial heterochromia I guess :D

Most-iconic song: I don't know??? There are a lot!

Languages you speak/are learning: I am fluent in Lithuanian and Russian since these two are my mother tongues. I'd say I am fluent in English. I used to be very good in Polish, but now I only understand half of what the natives would say but I can speak it okay. I used to learn German in school, but I stopped in 11th grade because it got too difficult for me to concentrate on my upcoming exams. But I'll be learning German again next semester✌ and I would like to learn Korean, but I can't make myself to start :D maybe someday...

Random fact: I sleep with socks even when it's hot. That means every night I put on socks and go to sleep. That may sound weird. But I can't sleep without socks because my toes are cold!

Describe myself as an aesthetic: late night studying, coffee in the mornings, tea in the evenings, oversized clothing, bookshelves filled with old books I haven't read yet, playlist for any and every mood, night owl, moon and cold weather lover (idk how to do this type of thing sorry🙈)

*

Thank you @agustdyccngi for tagging me!!! It was a surprise really, because I love you and I won’t lie, I fangirled when I saw that notification haha

I am tagging the amazing people I see in my notifs almost everyday and I love you guys very much uwu: @adoretaehyungie @impossiblevvings @yoonkookuwu @notamonstur @whippedforsuga @isabellepiedpiper @sttrazdaitte @sillysocks 💕

Also the most lovely 💖  @fiddle-styx @heshometome @kookmingold @jiminsrighthand @cafechim @mintysugasweet

[sicklylittlesnowflake]

I got a les mis prompt for you! Enjolras is sick and doesn't want to tell his friends worried of being a burden to them. He tries to hide all his symptoms till he collapses during a meeting or rally and everyone is worried thinking he is dying or something. Turns out the illness isn't serious but he collapsed from dehydration mixed with exhaustion so he needs medicine, fluids and rest they have a group movie night/sleepover at his apartment to make sure he is okay and following instructions

(I love writing Enjolras so much!!! Have some more of my golden sun..who I also hurt a lot sorry lol..this got real angsty reaaal quick.)

Enjolras couldn’t always be their fierce, indestructible leader.

In fact, he thought himself as anything but that. He wasn’t their perfect, glowing icon, as much as he wished he could be. He wanted to be that for everyone, wanted to be this beacon of hope for his friends but he just wasn’t. Sometimes his friends forgot that pristine marble statues could break.

He had his down days. He had days where he just felt blue.

There were days Enjolras couldn’t find the heart to speak to anyone and withdrew away from everyone. He’d feel so exhausted and down for no particular reason. He’d just feel sad and dull and grey.

Sometimes Enjolras just felt so blue he’d feel detached from himself. He’d walk around in a derealised, abstract like world in a feverish like haze and let the world go by and he couldn’t even process anything. Nothing felt real. He’d forgot about himself, neglect himself and try to stay up later and keep working to try and feel, try and force himself to feel alive.

He wouldn’t go to bed, and when he did he would lay awake for a long period of time lost in his own thoughts and feeling anxious. He’d forget to drink and eat, feeling so lost and distracted that he just forgot.

At some point during all the late, sleepless nights and his lack of self care, the weird faux feverish haze he’d be experiencing actually became a feverish haze.

When he woke up with a splitting headache he knew he had taken ill, but there was no way Enjolras was going to tell anyone that he had.

They were only days before their rally, and they were truly hectic days. Everyone was busy and stressed trying to organise things and making sure everything was okay. Enjolras beyond proud of his amazing friends, and could not find the heart to burden their shoulders any more. It was a fever, he was going to be okay.

Enjolras dug through his closet, searching desperately for his winter clothing. It was nearing the end of the summer, but it was still pretty warm and hot. At least according to the weather app. But Enjolras was shaking furiously, and it was unbelievably hard to get out of his blankets that morning. Enjolras yanked an article of clothing out of his closet,  pulled on his signature red sweater that hadn’t been taken out since the early spring.

Enjolras pulled on his thicker jeans and shuddered, wrapping his arms around himself in an effort to keep himself warmer. He lets out a scratchy, rough cough against the crook of his arm and winces as his body is racked at the sheer force.

Once Enjolras finished, he sniffles weakly and splutters for a little. He wipes his nose tiredly on his jumper sleeve, his nose squishing against the material roughly. He looked up to see himself in the little mirror on the wall and cringed at his own appearance. He’s white as snow, besides his cheeks which are saturated a deep red. He’s got dark circles, and he looks like shit.

Suddenly there was a soft knock at the door of his apartment, causing Enjolras to jump slightly. He cleared his throat, quickly trying to tame his messy, golden curls as he rushed over to his door. He opened it to reveal Combeferre and Courfeyrac.

Courfeyrac was beaming, glowing with energy and looked about the epitome of health. A vast contrast to how Enjolras looking. He was radiating with sunshine, smile so wide and in black shorts and a bright yellow, thin t-shirt. The sight of him in such thin clothing made Enjolras shudder.

“You ready, mon ami?” He beamed.

Enjolras opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly cut off by a sharp, congested little cough he had to swiftly cover with his wrist, whipping his head away. He grinned sheepishly, “I am. Lets go?”

Courfeyrac seemed unfazed by it all and was more than willing to leave, but was quickly stopped by Combeferre who had an eyebrow raised. He clearly wasn’t very thrilled with the gruff edge to Enjolras’s voice, and the look of his face.

“Enj..what’s wrong? You look..you don’t look great,” Combeferre frowned.

Enjolras shook his head, chuckling lightheartedly.

“I-I’m okay, I promise, just a little jittery. We’ve..got a huge number turning up, bigger than we’ve had in a while,” Enjolras reassured, flashing then his winning, charming smile although it is a little flat. He felt way too sick and empty to be his usual, radiant self.

Combeferre took it for now, sighing fondly and tossing Enjolras’s hair about, “You’re going to be alright, E. It’s going to be okay. Lets go, now.”

Enjolras gave him a half hearted grin, trying to ignore how heavy and miserable he felt. He felt like he was about to collapse, and he couldn’t walk in a straight line. He wobbled hopelessly, desperately wishing that he could just see the world straight. He didn’t even feel at one with his own body. How was he supposed to make people feel whole and alive, when he couldn’t even feel alive at all?

The next hour went by in a daze.

It didn’t even feel real, like he was trapped in some abstract impressionist painting. He didn’t feel connected to his own body and just watched the world as it went by. He watched an empty clearing suddenly pile in with people, and then there was hundreds. It so much, and Enjolras felt both a weird culmination of overwhelmed and nothing at all.

Enjolras watched as people yelled with passion, hope and energy. It was exhilarating, and it was amazing, but it drained Enjolras to the very bone. He felt like there was a heavy weight hanging over his shoulders, and he was slumping and he felt so sick. He was shivering hard, desperately wishing he was in bed, and he loathed himself for it.

The Cause was so much bigger than some fever. It was so much bigger than his illness. He was such an awful person for this. There were so many people out there who needed to be enlightened, and yet he couldn’t just make himself cop on a little bit and feel less empty. He needed to be their fierce, passionate leader, but he was nothing, and Enjolras felt like such a horrible burden.

Enjolras blinked blearily, smothering a harsh, rugged cough against the crook of his arm. He squeezed his eyes shut as a pang of pain stabbed at his lungs as he coughed, balling his fists as his body convulsed with the intensity of his coughing. He was taken out of it by a warm hand on his shoulder, and it felt amazing against his freezing frame.

Enjolras turned around, and when his blue eyes met green he instantly felt a little better. For a moment he felt a little less empty, and somewhere inside of him a little spark ignited and it was a little warmer. Grantaire had this weird little magical ability to ground him and hold him steady when he seemed to be floating away.

Grantaire’s smile was soft, and his eyes were sparkling with the kindest eyes Enjolras had ever seen, it was melting him, “Hey, good luck out there.”

Enjolras couldn’t help the fond smile that wiped across his face, and the pink dusting his cheeks took as he looked away shyly. “..T-thanks..”

Grantaire only smiled, and hesitated for a moment, looking a little shaky and unsure, but then he was firm and so sure.

“..I just..wanted to let you know that..I believe in you.”

Enjolras froze up, and suddenly he felt a lot less empty and more something. He felt alive, the spark igniting into a burning fire.

“..You’ve given me something to believe in, Enjolras..and uh..I’m not really sure if you believe in yourself..I’ve noticed you’ve been a little distant the past week and not quite yourself. Not our usual, strong, invincible leader. I hope you’re okay.”

Enjolras laughed awkwardly, giving him a sad little smile, “Thank you for the concern..but uh..you’re slightly wrong there, I’ve been more myself this past week than I’ve ever been. I’m not really your strong invincible leader…u-uh i..”

Tears pricked his eyes as he tried to wipe them away and he chuckled nervously, “Im just not. Not really that. I-I’m really sorry.”

Grantaire’s eyes widened, laced with a mixture of sadness, concern, guilt and a lot more that Enjolras couldn’t really read in his fevered state. Then a moment of clarity washed over his eyes.

“..I never said I believed in this strong, invincible leader.”

Enjolras looked up to see his loving smile.

“..I said I believed in you. So get out there, tiger. You can do it.”

A tear spilled from his eyes, which he quickly wiped away as he let out a shaky laugh and smile. He nodded, turning away from him and facing the curtain. He took in a deep breath, closing his eyes and thought of Grantaire, shutting out all the parts of himself that told him he couldn’t. All he could hear was Grantaire telling him he could and he felt so alive.

He stepped out onto the stage and he shone.

Everything went by in a weird blur, all he can really remember was passionate screaming, a fire blazing in his heart as people cheered him on. He felt exhilarated, this hopeful, euphoric buzz spreading and dancing within his veins as this energy burst into flame inside of him.

His illness would come back and bite him to remind himself of its sickened state, he would have to turn away to cough for a while. Sometimes he’d have to grip tight onto the podium as a wave of nausea hit him once his headache intensified. Waves of coldness would hit him and he would shake violently, and heat waves would wash over him, so scorching hot he was close to toppling over and fainting.

But none of this mattered.

What mattered was the hundreds of people with hope, hope for a better tomorrow. A better world, a kinder world. He could see the hope and enlightenment in their eyes, ablaze with determination. They were being inspired by his words, but more than anything he was being inspired by them. He felt amazing.

Then it was over, and the crowd was roaring and clapping. There was so much happening. He took a small, humble bow before he made his way back stage, to where his friends awaited.

Their faces were lit with happiness, they were all glowing. Their eyes twinkled, smiles wide and bright, arms open. They looked so loving Enjolras wondered why he ever thought he was a burden.

He could faintly hear his friends congratulating him and saying other positive things, but they were all being drowned out by a loud ringing in his ears. His headache intensified, as he tried to inch closer to them but his body felt so weak and exhausted that every step he took leeched his energy.

Grantaire’s arms were open wide for him, and as much as Enjolras wanted to melt into his embrace and fall into him he couldn’t go much closer because his knees were buckling and his vision was dotting and darkening.

Then he was free falling and the last thing he heard was the horrified screams of his friends.

It’s chaos.

Their sun and moon, collapsed on the floor. Weakened and sick, Grantaire’s not even sure if he’s breathing.

In these hectic, horrifying moments he’s suddenly realising how much a world without Enjolras would pain him. How empty that world would be. And right now his beautiful world with Enjolras in it is teetering on the edge to becoming a world he does not want to live in.

Everyone is panicking, but Combeferre is running and checking for a pulse. Enjolras is alive.

Grantaire doesn’t even know much time has passed because he’s just standing there with his heart racing scared that he’s lost him. That’s a thought Grantaire’s heart cannot bear.

Combeferre tells them he’s alright, that he’s just fevered and sick, and that he needs to go home, all will be fine.

But until Enjolras is awake and he can see those beautiful blue eyes shining with its charming sparkle nothing is fine.

When Enjolras wakes up he’s snuggled up in his favourite blanket on his couch, and he can faintly hear the beginning of the Breakfast Club in the background. Someone is softly caressing and playing with his curls, and it feels so nice. His head is lying on a soft little pillow taken from his bed, on top of someone’s lap. He looks down and sees his feet plopped onto Courfeyrac’s lap, who is happily munching away at some popcorn.

Enjolras looks a little further to see Combeferre sitting on the arm rest next to Courfeyrac and is sharing his popcorn, one hand placed firmly on his shoulder. He stirs and looks down and sees the sleeping bags and blowup mattresses scattered across his floor. Cosette is lying her head on Marius’s shoulder, who’s cuddling her and resting his chin on the top of her hair. Eponine is sitting near them, with Feuilly next to her as they share a packet of gummy bears. Jehan and Bahorel are sharing a bag of crisps, Joly is drinking a glass of water, Bossuet is wiping up some spilled soda on the floor, and Musichetta is coming back from the entrance holding a few boxes of pizza.

The person who is stroking his hair accidentally strokes against his nose, and Enjolras’s breath hitched twice before he shifts to cover his sneeze with the crook of his arm.

Grantaire chuckles softly, “Sorry, did I wake you?”

Enjolras looked up to see him and he blushed hard, the rush of emotions suddenly making him aware of his headache. He shook his head.

“No, I woke up a minute before that,” His voice was hoarse and croaky. He sounds awful.

Combeferre frowned and felt Enjolras’s forehead, gets up and returned shortly afterwards with a glass of water, medicine, and a damp towel. He passed the glass of water and medicine for him to consume. Enjolras obliged.

“You had a pretty dangerous fever earlier, E, and you were extremely dehydrated so you passed out. Why didn’t you say anything?” Combeferre scolds worriedly.

Enjolras laid back against Grantaire and snuggled against him, curling up as Grantaire draped the damp cloth over his forehead.

“..I don’t really know,” Enjolras said shyly.

He could feel everyone’s worried gazes.

“Enjolras, you know you can speak to us about anything,” Cosette cooed gently.

“It’s nothing, I just didn’t realise,” Enjolras brushed off quickly.

Grantaire sighed, “E, you know it isn’t that.”

Enjolras looks around wildly, and realised he can’t win, and pushed himself off of Grantaire to sit up. He’s a bit awkward, uncomfortable from being so vulnerable and feeling overwhelmed by everyone pausing the movie and turning around to look at him softly.

Before Enjolras even opens his mouth tears are already pricking his eyes, “I-I..just..had such a bad week..I-I felt so..so alone..which is really stupid because you’re all here for me and I just..felt so sad. I forgot to take care of myself and I-it’s..b-been tough..”

Enjolras’s voice cracked and he swallows, sniffling and looking away, “U-uh..I just felt like such a burden, you know? Y-you all see me as this amazing leader b-but the truth is, you guys, I’m just not. I’m so fucking weak. I-I’m so sorry I’m not but I’m just a stupid fucking boy who w-wants a better world.”

“Enj..you should’ve said so..” Courfeyrac said sadly.

“..You’re always telling us to reach out and you’re always here to listen to us, but you need to realise that it also applies to you, okay? We’re all here for you,” Combeferre said kindly.

Marius offers him a soft smile,  "And you are not weak. You’re one of the strongest people I know.“

"But you also have to start telling us these things, all of us would’ve been more than willing to be there for you. You really scared us, earlier, Enj..we thought you had died,” Bahorel says softly.

Grantaire wraps his arms around him and brings him close, embracing him with so much love and care, “Enjolras..we don’t need you to be fucking superman. You being just a guy, is so much more inspiring that way. A human can change the world, a human with flaws, it shows me there is still hope. You’ve given me hope again, Enjolras.”

Grantaire presses a shy, soft kiss against his cheek, “..We are right here, right by your side.”

Enjolras lets out a shaky laugh, and lets himself melt into Grantaire’s loving embrace and right here in his arms the world feels a lot lighter.

[susanpallmannhitegd-blog]

Project 1 Reflection

Project 1 is finally complete, as of this week. It’s pretty incredible to look back at what started out as sketches and see how far the final product came. The typographic may also be the longest project I have worked on at UofL so far.

I recall I somewhat started out on the wrong foot with this project; for one thing, all of my sketches were horizontal, when the poster needed to be vertical. However, in those sketches I had noticed that Mrs Eaves has an “ME” ligature, and that turned out to be a major design element down the road. Had I completely thrown out my sketches when I realized they were the wrong orientation, I would have lost exactly what makes my poster iconic now. I suppose that would be the first thing I learned in this project – mistakes are going to happen, and they are okay!

Getting a design onto the computer was the next challenge. I found the in-class poster exercise we did with “Humans of New York” to be incredibly helpful. Because we had recently done that, I was able to wrap my head around laying out my poster digitally better. I think I may use a similar practice professionally after I graduate, because that really let me get a better feel for what I was doing without all the pressure. It’s weird to look back on it now, because even in the last week or two I have already learned more about grids, or hierarchy – information that would have been helpful back when I was designing the layout of my poster – and I see things through a different lens. I feel like the layout that took me five hours could probably be done in less than two now. However, I don’t regret having to dig around in the dirt, so to speak. I think I can better appreciate a grid-making process now that I know how hard it is when you don’t have a process.

Aside from grid and hierarchy, color was a major theme for me. Everyone in the class is learning, of course, that the computer screen lies. What prints out won’t ever be the same as the computer screen. I also had the struggle, as I’ve mentioned a few times, of having issues seeing colors on my own. The original color of my poster was supposed to be a dark, navy blue. I think to most other people it’s more grey-blue, and I realize now why nobody liked that color choice. However, the fact that I got to struggle with color schemes helped me learn how to adapt my vision issues. I’ve started saving color schemes I see and like to my computer for use later, and I think that will prevent this problem from happening as much in the future. In print, my poster came out three different colors. On screen it looked far more orange. My first color print made it look red. The final one was pink. I liked the pink, so that worked out, and my peers’ reviews agreed with the color result, so I won’t mess with it. I know that the difference between screen and print coloration is frustrating to most designers, but I almost found it a little comforting. It kind of makes everyone color-blind – everyone has to work with colors that aren’t what they seem, and that makes me feel less bad about struggling with it myself.

This project was probably the most critique-intensive I have experienced so far as well. There were numerous one on one meetings, and several class critiques. There was a lot of fine-tuning, but I feel like the success of my final piece is owed almost entirely to that process of critique. It was a little hard at first (especially when I was critiqued on color), but it got easier and easier to view my own work as a work in progress, and therefore to take criticism of it better.

Most of this just has to do with the informational side. The conceptual side brought about its own challenges. I knew from the beginning that I wanted my conceptual side to be really, really appropriate. Yes, it needed to be conceptual and not straightforward in how it related to my typeface, but I wanted what I ended up doing to be appropriate. Randomness can create good results, but I think being intentional about it is a more sustainable practice. This is something that took a lot of time to get right, but I do think this is one area where my vision followed through almost exactly. I changed my conceptual idea several times before I began it, because no concept really felt quite right. My final idea came to be during the black and white critique. It was in the middle of someone talking so I hurriedly scribbled it down. If I recall correctly, I even drew a heart next to it because I was so sure it was the right idea. Mrs Eaves was designed with print in mind. It is especially perfect for things like books or newspapers, which is why my printing of my essay repeated over and over is good for more than just texture – it speaks into what Mrs Eaves is. Ligatures are one of the most defining features, and that is why leaving a “ME” ligature in the negative space of my nail polish mess is appropriate. And of course, the use of nail polish hints at its design – by a woman, about a woman. I am generally of the opinion that my work can always be improved, but in this situation I do think my solution is one of, if not the best I could have come up with. I hope I can channel that kind of problem-solving power into future projects, because it was really successful this time.

So, to conclude, I really enjoyed working on this project, and I am happy with my final solution. There are a lot of things about it I would do differently now, and I will use those critiques for future projects, but it is satisfying to see that the project is done, and that the final product is a thought-out solution. I will say I was surprised that in voting my poster was chosen as the class’ top three. There were a lot of other posters I thought were much better than mine. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very flattered, but I was surprised.

Regardless, I see lots of thoughts to take with me into the future projects I do, and seeing how much I progressed over the course of this one, I can only imagine how much farther I will go from here.

---

(I was not in class when this reflection was announced as I was permitted to leave early to get to work. I guess it was announced after I had already been excused. One of my classmates messaged me on Basecamp to let me know it was due this Friday, so hopefully this is what was being asked for - I kind of had to go off my classmate’s description of the assignment.)

[evannalily]

Bauble Image from Pinterest

Christmas is fast approaching as we have just about a week left until the big day hits and if like me you are a little stuck for I thought I would share a few ideas here with you! December is always a crazy shopping month for me as not only do I have Christmas presents to buy for family and friends but I also have a fair few birthdays!

Fun fact myself and my best friend Éimear have the same birthday on the 7th so she is always number 1 present to be bought first! Then I have my dads birthday on the 24th of December as well as it being Christmas eve, my brother is then on the 29th and this year is his 21st so it is a special birthday, my granddad is then on the 31st combined with New Years Eve so between him and my dad we have to put that extra little bit of effort in so they don’t feel like Christmas/New Year has overtaken their birthdays. So combined with those birthdays and then the added Christmas presents for them and others like my mum, nan, boyfriend, Éimear’s mum (who is basically my Irish mammy too), boyfriends parents it all adds up for me! This year though I did get a few gifts nice and early the first week of December and felt really good and motivated and organised and then cut to the 17th and I still had around 7 or 8 presents left to buy. I did however cut that down to 5 that same day after I dashed to town as it was my day off.

Womens

https://www.newlook.com/row/womens/clothing/jackets-coats/pale-pink-faux-fur-longline-coat/p/619712472?comp=Search

https://www.danielwellington.com/ie/dw-watch-iconic-link-rose-gold-28-white/

https://www2.hm.com/en_ie/productpage.0692155016.html

https://www.fentybeauty.com/killawatt-freestyle-highlighter-/FB30002.html?cgid=shop-all-gifts&dwvar_FB30002_color=FB3001

https://maxbenjamin.ie/ie/our-products/candles/cassis-white-jasmine

https://www2.hm.com/en_ie/productpage.0371163001.html

https://www.mya-bay.com/en/i-am-a-limited-edition#/1-color-gold

https://www.zara.com/ie/en/three-quarter-length-faux-shearling-coat-p04341223.html?v1=14259228&v2=1281593

https://www.asos.com/glamorous/glamorous-black-velvet-cross-body-bag-with-gold-tassel-hardware/prd/12935847?clr=black&colourWayId=16525726&SearchQuery=&cid=8730

https://www.zara.com/ie/en/zara-rose-edt-90-ml-p20110003.html?v1=13401012&v2=1281589

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-croc-effect-purse-with-hardware-detail/prd/12770532?clr=red&colourWayId=16464809&SearchQuery=&cid=8730

https://www.mya-bay.com/en/chain-choker-pimp#/1-color-gold

https://www.prettylittlething.com/black-croc-micro-mini-chain-bag.html

https://www.boots.ie/electrical/beauty-tools/facial-cleansing-brush/foreo-luna-play-pearl-pink-10216973

https://www.asos.com/fujifilm/fujifilm-instax-square-sq6-instant-camera-in-blush-gold/prd/11868954?clr=multi&colourWayId=16343908&SearchQuery=&cid=16095

https://www.nespresso.com/ie/en/order/machines/original/pixie-electric-titan-coffee-machine-with-milk-frother-bundle

https://www.asos.com/skinnydip/skinnydip-rose-gold-wireless-earbuds-with-charging-case/prd/13520258?clr=blush&colourWayId=16479854&SearchQuery=&cid=16095

Mens

https://www.voya.ie/en/VOYA-Man–Cooling-Shave-Gel/m-407.aspx

https://www.danielwellington.com/ie/dw-watch-iconic-link-silver-36-black/

https://ie.tommy.com/tommy-badge-hoody-dm0dm06593002

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-holdall-in-black-with-deboss/prd/13565069?clr=&colourWayId=16547400&SearchQuery=&cid=9265

https://www.lifestylesports.com/ie/mens-lerond-11710000.html

https://www.asos.com/ted-baker/ted-baker-zacks-bi-fold-leather-wallet/prd/8752067?channelref=product+search&affid=25081&mk=abc&ppcadref=7706964620%7C80191331414%7Cpla-331503701945&cpn=7706964620&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIos_rnbu95gIVFuDtCh3a9QwZEAQYAyABEgLyxfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://craftdlondon.com/products/abx-lion-silver?_pos=2&_sid=d4c16cc36&_ss=r

https://www.theperfumeshop.com/ie/issey-miyake/leau-majeure-dissey/eau-de-toilette-for-him/p/70700EDTJU?varSel=1201573

https://www.zara.com/ie/en/textured-comfort-knit-coat-p08288352.html?v1=26150919&v2=1282966

https://www2.hm.com/en_ie/productpage.0792344006.html

https://www.marksandspencer.com/ie/supersoft-fleece-dressing-gown/p/clp60433752

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Salter-EK2902-Healthy-Fat-Free-Electric/dp/B07DPH1GF2/ref=sr_1_27_sspa?adgrpid=53830595490&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIysfyp9O95gIVRLTtCh1ofQTREAAYASAAEgJDevD_BwE&hvadid=291322251777&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007874&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3991910792505749711&hvtargid=kwd-39607650&hydadcr=14352_1723243&keywords=popcorn+machine&qid=1576619074&sr=8-27-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTloyTUwxVUpGV1BDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzY4NDgzSFc5V0xOQU5DNUtTJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MjcxNDExOTlWNE5ZM0hISTY5JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

https://maxbenjamin.ie/ie/our-products/car-fragrance/dodici-br-luxury-car-fragrance

https://www.newlook.com/row/mens/accessories/pale-grey-chunky-knit-scarf-/p/642047602?comp=Browse

https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/

https://www.boots.ie/electrical/electrical-dental/electric-toothbrushes/oral-b-vitality-base-white-and-clean-electric-toothbrush-10076900

https://www2.hm.com/en_ie/productpage.0769673002.html

https://www.asos.com/fitbit/fitbit-inspire-hr-smart-watch-in-black/prd/12242325?clr=&colourWayId=16372082&SearchQuery=&cid=16091

Rather than doing two separate posts on women and mens I thought I would just combine the two as it would be easier to look through and also because somethings are unisex or gender neutral (and also because I left it too late too post two separate posts). I really wanted to make a gender neutral post with unisex and label-less items but unfortunately it is still a bit tough to find those when a majority of online stores still have the separation of the sexes BUT I do think that you could gift any of the items here to any person no matter how they identify themselves. Just because it comes from a “women” or “mens” section doesn’t necessarily mean that its only meant for those two types of people.

In this post I have selected a lot of items as if I was shopping for the people in my life and what I would like as gifts or what I know someone else would like so I have selected a good few handy and affordable pieces some of which I already have or know people who have them. For example the popcorn machine we have had in my house for years and it is so handy. Its also way easier then the microwave popcorn because first of all you can select whatever toppings you want and don’t have to buy packets of particular flavours and add things in, secondly because it is actually so much fun when the kernels start popping to try and catch them with the bowl. It does have a little shoot that they come out of but sometimes the kernels gather a bit of momentum and they do shoot everywhere which is very entertaining. Max Benjamin I think I mention religiously every year as a gift idea because they are the best candles in my opinion. They are Irish made, the scents are amazing and they also last a really long time. A lot of candles loose the scent after a few uses but these are fragrant and fresh right down to the base. I also reuse the jars when they’re finished as make up brush holders as they are just white china jars so you’re getting two things at once! (but maybe thats just me)

Speak to you all soon!

Ever yours

Lily

xx

      *As usual non of this is sponsored/affliated/advertised. Just me and my own ideas gathered to provide some inspiration for others!

Christmas Gift Ideas : For Everyone Christmas is fast approaching as we have just about a week left until the big day hits and if like me you are a little stuck for I thought I would share a few ideas here with you!