#⋅ ▽ ° ─ what could be behind curtain number one? ; WISHLIST

[lurkerdemon]

“Damian? Dami?”

Danny poked his head in through the door of the one of many living rooms in the manor. The lights above were off, but a few other fixtures had been positioned to cut jagged beams across the floor. The overall result left the back wall in a curtain of angular shadow. Only one shaded lamp broke it up, the small illuminated circumference revealing part of the desk it sat on and the chair behind it.

A chair in which Damian swiveled around to face him, visage dramatically lit from beneath.

“Daniel.”

“Danny.” The response was automatic, absentminded, and quiet as he stepped fully into the room. This certainly wasn’t what he was expecting.

“I saw the note. About borrowing one of my models? Sooooo, think I can get it back now?”

“Of course Danny.” His model spaceship was slid in front of the dim glow on the desktop. “I’m grateful to you for letting me borrow it. It is very well made indeed.”

“Cool. Coooolllll. Then don’t mind me while I just-” He tentatively approached one step closer.

“So well made in fact that I thought I would make a proposition.”

Danny’s eyebrows shot up into his hairline, but Damian pressed on before he could manage a response.

“I recently came into possession of certain… items, that I believe would be of great interest to you.”

A box was slid into view of the lamplight this time. Danny audibly gasped when his mind processed the brand and model number in prominent display.

“How did you get the newest satellite model already!? They’ve been sold out everywhere!”

“I have my ways Danny. And it could be yours if you so choose.”

It took great effort for Danny to tear his eyes away from the box and back to Damian, half-alive brain working just enough to still be suspicious.

“...Alright then. What kind of deal are you looking for? Free sneak out of the manor? Help with pranking someone? Messing with B’s stuff-”

“I think you know exactly what I want Danny.”

The response was a weary sigh. “Dami, we talked about this. I know you take good care of your pets but-”

“You keep Cujo as a pet, and he’s capable of far more damage than a blob-ghost.”

“Yes, but I also trust Cujo to know how to go home through a portal on his own. I don’t wanna risk one sticking around where it shouldn’t.”

Damian turned his chin-up further in defiance, gaze steady as another box slid into view.

“I know you have your reasons Danny. But are you certain there’s nothing I can do to convince you?”

Danny sucked in a breath. “How? Where?”

“Unimportant. What is important is whether you think this ordeal is really worth the trouble over concern for a creature that would be looked after with the utmost attention in the first place.”

He bit the inside of his lip, holding back the urge to float over and stare at the impossibly rare model kits. This was fine. He didn’t need to have them. They definitely weren’t on his wishlist for months before they had even been listed for purchase online.

“Dami. Please.”

Danny stared at Damian. Damian stared at Danny. The two held eye contact for several seconds before Damian finally looked away with a pout. Danny tried to give a placating smile in return as he approached the other boy and ruffled his hair.

“Come on baby bat. We can go take over the TV and watch something.”

Damian sniffed. “Fine. I guess it’s just a shame that I’ll have to return this.”

There was a burst of white light as Damian turned the tablet in his hands to show the order page it displayed to Danny. He felt his eyes bulge, mouth clicking open and shut several times as he tried to form a coherent thought.

……

Bruce wouldn’t notice just one blob-ghost would he?

=======

@breannasfluff boop.

I tried.

Also lost track of the initial prompt list that sparked this.

And probably shouldn't have chosen to write this so close to when I go to bed.

AND probably should have double checked how to properly format text around dialogue.

[shimano-futoshi]

So you gave us your best yakuza daddies list.. What about 10 of the least-daddiest?

You asked for it... And now You Will Get It! Welcome to shimano-futoshi's TOP TEN LEAST DADDIEST DADDIES OF THE YAKUZA!!!

And Now... NUMBER 10....!!!

10: KANDA TSUYOSHI:

Me: Can we get Shimano? Mom: We have Shimano at home. Shimano at home:. What a disgraceful excuse for a daddy. Like, it's obvious he's trying to be Japan's Next Top Shimano but it's FAILING. You are FAILING, Kanda. Do us a favour and just go. Leave. You will NEVER BE A DADDY!!!

9: SHIBUSAWA KEIJI:

Wow. Just wow. You didn't even try, did you Shibusawa? That underwhelming suit, that hairstyle you'd catch on a twelve year old trying to look like his favourite Tick Tock influencers. And what have you brought to the Yakuza, Shibusawa? Oh? The final boss of Y0? The shadowy manipulator behind the curtain? Oh, yes, I remember that, but only because you SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN!! Talk about disappointing villains. Should've stayed the tertiary, mate. Never will you be DADDY!

8: NIHARA TAKASHI:

Look, Nihara, I like you. I really do. More... Granddaddy material though. I get what you're trying to do, but I don't think it's working. Like, "acting chairman"? Really? Big whoop. I'm sorry grandpa, but I hope you've got your bus pass, because only DADDIES will be getting a ride home with me!

7: SHINDO KOJI:

Do you like daddy's katana, kitten? This guy looks like he frequents right wing message boards and that IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIES HIM FOR DADDYSHIP. I don't care how many slurs you call me or how your dad will get me banned from Discord, you will not be a daddy for as long as I live and breathe, Shindo!. And no, I also don't care that your "kittens" seem to think so. They're stupid and probably get their DDLG knowledge from Tumblr.

6: TACHIBANA TETSU:

Hm. Ok, ok, like, I get you. Sugar Daddy and all that, but you're just too TWINKY, Tachibana! It looks like your face hasn't changed since you were 5! Don't get me wrong, you're adorable, but DADDIES AREN'T ADORABLE! Goodbye, but take this link for my Amazon wishlist with you if you'd rather be above a few more on this list ;)

5: NISHIKIYAMA AKIRA (PRE-EVILIFICATION):

Suffers from Tachibana-itis... Too twinky! Too adorable! Don't worry, Baby Nishiki, you will grow up to be quite the daddy one day, but for now, we will have to wait... However, I am getting quite impatient. Wait, are you? Are you crying??? That is NOT DADDY BEHAVIOUR! GET OUT, you're making the chair soggy!

4: MEDIA KING:

There is nothing "king" about you, Media King... Daddies must be clean, well dressed, and humble. But you look greasy, are dressed in these gaudy, awful clothes, and are a self proclaimed "king"? I'm afraid your words mean nothing because DADDIES ARE CHOSEN, and you certainly haven't been, today! Also, why did your boss fight have to take so long to get to? The mere fact that I had to see your Bars Go Up for HOURS made me sick of you before we even met.

3: PATRIARCH GONDAWARA:

How much more opposite to a daddy could you get, Gondawara!? Diapers are for BABIES, dummies are for BABIES! You don't see any DADDIES DOING POOPY in their pants, do you?! No, I didn't think so! You may be number one baby, but you are number three worst DADDY! Now get out of here, I'm sure it's nap time.

2: NISHIDA:

Babyface strikes yet again, but dear Nishida here hasn't even TRIED to do anything to up his daddiness... You see, DADDIES TAKE CONTROL, Nishida, but you're content with being number two. That's just not going to cut the mustard, but I'm sure you'd need someone to do that for you anyway! Now go on, shoo, I think I hear Majima calling for his tea!

And, finally, the LEAST DADDIEST DADDY OF ALL YAKUZA EVER IS...

1: TERADA YUKIO:

What have we learned in this list? That daddies must be HANDSOME, able to take CONTROL, have an IMPECCABLE WARDROBE, and be SURE OF THEIR DECISIONS. Terada. You fall into ZERO of these categories. You look like a sentient thumb, the Tojo was in shambles while you were chairman, your outfit is atrociously boring, and you couldn't decide if you wanted to be dead or not! Look at you. What a disgrace! Truly the WORST DADDY to have ever lived, died, lived again, and died again! My only regret is you not dying for a third time! Oh, and you also KILLED THE NUMBER ONE DADDY SHIMANO! Even if you worked your hardest. Bought all the plastic surgery you could, wrangled the Tojo into submission, replaced all your clothes with Gucci and decided to Live On... You could never be a Daddy. Not after what you've done. Your Shin (Shimano Sin) is too great, and for that you will remain Yakuza's Least Daddiest Daddy for the rest of eternity.

[elgaberino-mcoc]

MCOC Wishlist Blog Character Spotlight KNULL

by Marco “Prophet of Knull” Garcia ed. Other Gabe

BACKGROUND

Knull is an ancient malevolent deity whose existence predates the universe itself, and was originally content to drift through the endless abyss that existed before time.

He used his weapon, the Necrosword, to combat the Celestials who disturbed his darkness. With this sword Knull severed the head of a Celestial. That head is now Knowhere, a popularly-known Marvel location and a battle zone in the Marvel Contest of Champions Battlerealm.

Wanting an army, Knull then constructed the aliens we all know, love, and sometimes hate, the Klyntar race of gooey symbiotic aliens.¹ Later, after a debacle with the Mighty Thor, the symbiotes rebelled against their “God” and trapped him on a desolate planet, later known as Klyntar. There the God of Symbiotes waits and plans his escape, hoping to one day lay waste and bring Darkness to the universe.

“The End is near. God is coming….”  

Editor’s note: the next several sections are designed to familiarize the reader with Knull’s worthiness to be featured in a video game, compared with the myriad other Marvel characters from whom Kabam could choose.

POPULARITY

Technically, Knull has been around since 2013, and appeared in Thor: God of Thunder Vol.1 #6 by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic, as he was a shadowed figure from whom Gorr the God Butcher steals All-Black the Necrosword.

He was then revealed by name by his creators in Venom Vol. 4 #3 by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman in 2018. 

Knull has had huge fan buzz around him since his inception and his name is only getting bigger. Despite fewer than a dozen appearances initially, Knull headlined the King in Black line-wide event that began in December 2020, from the minds of Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman. 

Editor’s note: Arguably named after Knull, the King in Black initial release was considered critically to be a high-stakes situation, due to the perceived hype. Its comics made regular appearances in bestseller lists after the event launched, suggesting the Knull name and story, in conjunction with the strength of his creators’ reputations, was strong enough to sell books. Overall the King in Black arc has also gotten good critical reviews. 

KNULL AS MATERIAL FOR OUR MARVEL GAME

Editor’s note: these character spotlights usually explore several factors to determine whether it is reasonable to expect Kabam to seriously consider the character as a candidate for addition to Marvel Contest of Champions. Among these factors are inclusion in other similarly-marketed games, mainstreaming in comics and other media, mentions in MCOC lore, Kabam conversation, or community rumors, and pure hype among summoners.

OTHER MARVEL GAMES

Knull has been featured in other games already: first in the Spider-Man Unlimited mobile app,² then in Marvel Future Fight. In Marvel Puzzle Quest, Knull was originally only part of the backstory description of the playable Prophet Carnage character, but was eventually released in his own right in May 2021.

KNULL AND THE BATTLEREALM

Arguably no direct mention of Knull has happened in either [Marvel Contest of Champions or Marvel Realm of Champions], but it can be said he was alluded to in the motion comic that accompanied the release of Cosmic Ghost Rider and Red Goblin in October 2020.

Then, when story mode Act 7 was released in December 2020, this dialogue was revealed, which has been strongly speculated to be a reference to Knull.

CLAIM TO FAME: KNULL IN OTHER MEDIA

Knull has not enjoyed a reference in any Marvel Cinematic Universe content to date. Hel has only been mentioned in the Disney XD cartoon Spider-Man: Maximum Venom with a retelling loosely based on his comic book origins. 

UNIQUE WAYS KNULL COULD FIT INTO THE MCOC META

Knull could be a massive boost (editor’s note: synergy hub) to many Symbiote champions or champions in general. I see him as a Cosmic [based on what I was told by co-creator Ryan Stegman], with massive damage. Being the creator of symbiotes, Knull could outfit any [non-#Symbiote] champ with a “Klyntar symbiote” of their own to enhance their kit or base numbers. He could also operate with #Symbiote champs similarly to the way Apocalypse enhances Mutant champs. He could also work as a counter to Symbiotes or anyone who would have ever been bonded to a Klyntar before in canon, which would include most of the Spider-Fam!

Knull’s kit could alternately introduce a #Codex tag to add to certain non-#Spiderverse Hero champs who have famously bonded to symbiotes (paging Red Hulk or even Deadpool).³

A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN?

No mention of Knull ever came out of the Kabam team or anyone related to MCOC. Then again, Kabam never likes to tease big-name additions like Knull would be. Mid-September 2021, one data miner claimed that Knull is forthcoming.

WHAT DO SUMMONERS THINK?

Summoners seem to dig Knull. He was the winner of the first Tournament  of Battlerealm Future, March Addness 2020, which was co-hosted by MCOC Wishlist creator Other MCOC Gabe and Unofficial MCOC Podcast veteran UMCOC Deacon on Twitter. The tournament pitted hundreds of characters against one another for votes from Summoners expressing who they would prefer to enter Marvel Contest of Champions. He cleaned house throughout most of the tournament, earning his addition to the MCOC Wishlist, where he has risen into the top 50 most wanted champions.

Due to recent ramblings by the author, and the introduction of Red Goblin to Marvel Contest of Champions, people have warmed up to the idea that Knull might actually be coming to the contest. (Even community-renowned comics expert CTMCOC agrees!)

Once below rank 250 on the MCOC Wishlist, Knull now stands as the #31 most-wanted champ, with over 550 Summoner upvotes as of this writing. 

KNULL: CHAMPION BUILD IDEAS

PROBABLE CLASS

As mentioned above, Knull is a canonically cosmic entity or deity who purports to predate the universe itself. This forms a strong case for the MCOC Cosmic class of champions.

POSSIBLE ABILITIES

Like many Cosmic champs’ builds, I can see his relying on many Active Buffs with massive damage and defensive potential due to Symbiotic Armor. Perhaps as Knull collects Codices, he gets stronger and this mechanic could be used in game as persistent charges. The more Codices he gathers, the more potent his Buffs could become. He could utilize Fury, Aptitude, Armor, Cruelty, Precision, and other critical-damage-enhancing Buffs. Bleed and Armor Break Debuffs are likely as Knull breaks down his enemies with bloodthirsty ferocity.

POSSIBLE SYNERGIES

Knull's status as the God of the Klyntar could enhance all #Symbiote champions just as Apocalypse does for Mutants.

Venom could get a unique synergy called “Daddy Issues,” allowing Venom a 2% attack boost for every Buff converted on his sp2 but as passive Fury stacks. I imagine Carnage with something like a “Prophet of Knull” Synergy allowing 95% resistance to incinerate effects, allowing him to heal from Incinerates, since Carnage has no weakness to fire when he is operating as Knull’s prophet in the comics.

Knull could also be built to spend Persistent Charges to enhance #Symbiote champions in order to increase their stats and enhance their buffs.

It would also be clever to have a Synergy with Void called “Knull and Void” allowing Void access to a non-stacking Armor Break Debuff, such as on his Heavy Attack. More debuffs for Void would be devastating. 

Knull could also enjoy a basic “Enemies” synergy with Thor and Silver Surfer. A great champ to release in conjunction with Knull would be Gorr the God-Butcher, a notable Thor villain, played by Christian Bale in Thor: Love and Thunder, and the other best-known wielder of All-Black the Necrosword.

•.•.•

Editor’s note: this concludes Marco’s commentary and notes on Knull as a potential champion. Anyone tracking the conversation about future champs knows that the name of Knull comes up frequently among Summoners, and his rise in every voting event in the community tends to support the notion he is greatly demanded by Summoners and would make an excellent addition to the game.

This article was originally drafted almost entirely in late 2020, and has been dug up and completed in September 2021 after MCOC Trucos released a purportedly datamined leak suggesting Knull “is Coming” to Marvel Contest of Champions in October 2021. -OG

________

NOTES 1. The Klyntar alien race is most popularly represented by Venom, and his fellow Klyntar aliens Carnage, Scream, and the other names associated with their stories of superhuman symbiosis and “Venomization.”  2. Spider-Man Unlimited was well ahead of the curve announcing Knull for a video game in 2018. It got there by virtue of attempting to release almost every noteworthy Spider- and symbiote character as playable video game characters. Knull was not yet a character most people would consider important for gaming. 3. A codex (pl. codices) is the term for the biological traces a Klyntar symbiote leaves in its host’s system after separating from that host.

[arcticdementor]

I was talking to Sarah yesterday and I had a revelation I think is worth sharing.

Let’s begin at the beginning. About a month ago, Instapundit posted this.

Now, I’ve been thinking of the rise and fall of civilizations lately. I can’t think why it’s been on my mind. It’s a tale as old as time—a civilization emerges, establishes a new worthwhile order, the good things brought forth by said order soften up the people maintaining it, the softening turns to decadence, and the decadence gives way to the barbarians, who clean the slate. Where would you say things are lately?

…

In short—the federal government of the United States of America has become impotent at almost all good things.

Expanded out—There is no start to its talents. It cannot maintain its borders. Since the “election” it doesn’t even try. No surprise there. It cannot maintain friendly relationships with allies—as our recent screwing of Britain on our way out of Afghanistan shows. The “leader” of the “free world” could not be bothered to pick up the phone for our closest ally. Speaking of Afghanistan, it can’t win a war. It can’t even lose gracefully. In fact it fucked up leaving so badly some people are entertaining that it intended to fuck it up, because how the fuck does somebody above the age of six not notice that pulling the military out first and the civilians out second is not even a remotely workable strategy? Resulting in leaving millions of dollars of equipment—and—excuse me, what? Millions of dollars of dollars in the desert? Fantastic.

It makes self sabotaging and idiotic choices to stymie its own domestic oil industry, while accepting a pipeline not from Canada, but one that’s a joint Russian-German venture instead. Which means the problem, contrary to any environmentalist whining, isn’t the pipeline—it’s the pipeline with a friendly country. Big surprise— its only true interest in the environment lies in international agreements that hamstring us while doing nothing to China, the world’s largest polluter. It either can’t be trusted on energy production  and the environment, or is trying to get it wrong.

It can’t manage its economy. What could have been a “V” shaped recovery has been turned into an “L” shaped one. What could be contributing? Paying people to do nothing? Rampant inflation? Meanwhile all the dumbasses running the country can think of is spending several billion more dollars that don’t exist. The country has infrastructure problems for a fact, but they’ll only acknowledge that to the extent of cynically plastering the word on an “infrastructure” bill which is in fact just a far Left wishlist that largely ignores actual infrastructure, in the hopes people will be dumb enough to support it because it has the right label.

And on.

And on.

And on.

What aptitudes does it have besides taking money, trampling civil liberties, and ignoring constitutional laws at gunpoint? News flash, dummies: We don’t need peaceful protestors incarcerated without a trial. We don’t need the weight of the federal government turned to the problem of violating states rights because Texas passed a law Biden doesn’t like. We need military egresses that look like they weren’t planned by Bozo the clown and an economic plan better than something China would design for us as an attempt to permanently sink the country. Is there anyone at all in DC who can provide that? If not, is there anything useful they can do? I’ll wait.

…

This is what decadence looks like. When the government stops even attempting competence because nothing and nobody that currently exists can replace or displace them so who cares about results? When comfort and plenty have become so common, been taken for granted for so long, that the question of utility or even basic sanity isn’t even distantly considered. When it’s assumed that self-harming policies that will obviously damage the country won’t really matter because nobody has ever known a world without America and fundamentally has no idea how the present day came to be. When the country’s most educated start chasing bizarre and unimaginably stupid ideas on economics that boil down to “inflation won’t happen if you double the monetary supply by printing money, if only you just believe hard enough”. In fact, when education stops being a means to greater insight, more useful abilities, and a better life, and becomes a cult devoted to the kind of idiocy that can survive only with strenuous censorship, the tenets of the cult being treated by the indoctrinated as a collection of sacred mysteries and deeply-thought paradoxes— while to those not similarly trained it is self-obviously a collection of contradictory and self-serving lies.

Verily, decadence is here. We can infer that what comes next is the barbarians. And we have options. Mexican illegals? A heady mixture of poverty-stricken Marxists who have never known a system that wasn’t corrupt, functionally lawless, and devoted to the tenets of voting oneself rich; and outright criminals with lives like “a demon’s resumé���? Perhaps radical Muslims? By sheer numbers worldwide they’re the most likely option. The Taliban just got a huge infusion of cash and a big boost in morale. In a few short days we’ll know whether they’ve arranged a thank you gift for Zho Bi-Xen and his kleptocrat marching band to commemorate his intended pull-out date. But even if, and God I hope, they have not, we can expect an uptick in terrorism and quite shortly. Or perhaps China? The Middle Kingdom would laugh at being called barbarians, but I call genocidal communists like I see them. Mao was morally three steps below a pig and Xi has enough power to aspire to greater depths. As is I wouldn’t dream of feeding a pig Mu Shu Xi due to the great risk of poisoning the pig.

But there is a barbarian group not considered. Us.

Hang on. Before you balk, listen. Look again at what these idiots are selling as the fruits of civilization. Defenses of pedophilia and urinals as art. And more, too—sterilization and disfigurement of teenagers in the form of sex changes. Black supremacy as a panacea to made up threats of white supremacy. Books nobody reads, movies nobody watches, paintings that exist only to launder money—even the ones not made by Hunter Biden.

What good person would not be proud to be considered a barbarian by these miserable, over-decorated Faberge people? I’d be mortified if they agreed with me! So they think I’m a sexist or a racist or whatever. Fine. They do not use these words to mean the same things I mean, so it’s a pointless argument, and they are now officially beneath my explaining myself to them. When the people who are calling me names are so morally opaque that the Taliban can make devastating critiques of them just by referencing the foundational works of their own gender studies programs, I’m done caring about the names. Fine. I’m what you think is a racist. I’m what you think is a sexist. But you think a lot of very stupid things, and as the curtain continues to draw back on the carnival of madness that’s been behind the scenes the entire time it’s occurring to me that what you think and reality overlap so seldom that the only time not to ignore you is when I can ridicule you. If that is your civilization, someone hand me a pointy horned helmet.

…

Yes, this is a moment of peril, but also opportunity. See in your country what every hostile group listed above sees in it—the makings of great civilization, along other, less stupid lines. All of it guarded by weak, fat, stupid people with no will and no self-belief. Take that mindset and go forth.

Get involved in your local systems. There is an old prayer for God to make ones enemies ridiculous. Congratulations to whomever was still praying it. Your prayers have been answered. Will you tell me that you cannot defeat these people? People who lose casual debates to terrorists not on principle but on basic facts?

…

You can’t reason with them so don’t bother. Recent events have made it clear you may as well try to talk sense into a three-day-old mackerel. Just confront them with their own stupidity so that people who see the inevitable video understand what this is about, and don’t feel that you are too good to shout them out of the room. You’re the barbarian, remember? Not like the nice civilized people with their gender-queer Tik-Tokers pushing vaccine propaganda. That means you’re excused from conversations with morons. Don’t bother trying to find common ground. Look at where they’re standing! Do you want to try to find the midpoint between that and reality? Silly. Pointless. Send them back to their walled online gardens to whine to their equally stupid friends about the barbarians.

Can we take it back from the ground up? I don’t know. But hey, it’s got to be worth a shot. Join the fun! Find some friends and locate a low-hanging political event to raid. When was the last time you went to a town hall for your town? Isn’t just a part of you curious to know whether your local county commissioner starts by declaring her pronouns? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see someone like that made very uncomfortable? You can make that happen. You can probably do it within the next month. Bring a few friends! Or a few dozen. Some of the people reading this probably were afraid to do that kind of thing for fear of losing their job. The Biden economy might have freed up some of your time. What have you got to lose now? More importantly, the way things are going, are you going to lose it anyway if things continue as they are? Think on it.

[whorehour]

Wishlist

SIDE NOTE: This was requested but while writing it i accidenly lost the ask beacuse im really dumb:( anyways i hope u like it maureen and im really sorry:((

sypnosis: a one-shot in which yeonjun struggles with buying the reader the perfect birthday present and in the midst of reliving some old memories, they create new ones.  2K WORDS

TW// mild use of vulgur language // very soft fluff

it was 2am when u heard something tick against your bedroom window. you tried to ignore but, it just kept getting louder. as you drew open the curtains you were met with the face of your beloved best friend, choi yeonjun.

"morning sleeping beauty" "its 2am" "the early bird catches the worm" he remarked as he climbed into your room and jumped onto your bed. you want to be mad at him from disturbing your precious sleep but, the truth is that this wasn't something new. it was quite normal for yeonjun to show up at your place at the strangest of times without any warning but that doesnt mean you weren't confused. 

"what's all this about yeonjun" you weren't exactly pleased with this spontaneous visit you valued your sleep and yeonjun knew that. "whats this?" you asked as he shoves a crumbled up piece of paper in you face. "this my dear is your wishlist from when you were 8" "how did you get that?" "we made them together on your 8th birthday, here look you wrote that these are the things you want to acomolish in ten years" the memories of your 8th birthday came flooding back. your mum had invited your friends over for a party and after everyone had left you and yeonjun stayed outside in your backyard colouring. then, yeonjun suggest you make a wishlist list of all the things you wanted to accomplish together before your 18th birthday

"i cant believe you still have this" "of course i still have it, i keep everything that's precious to me." "so you snuk into my room at 2am just to show me this?" "yep!" he smiled clearly very proud of himself. he leaned his head against your beds headboard, his eyes sparkling brighter than any star in the sky. you had to admit that your best friend was indeed beautiful which is why you can't understand why he hasn't gotten a girlfriend yet. not that it bothered you, in fact it would’ve bothered you even more if he did. you've always had a little crush on yeonjun but you never even dared to reveal your true feelings for the sake of the friendship. 

"hello? earth to y/n?" "oh sorry... thank you i love it, really" yeonjun mirrored your smile and with a playful glint in his eyes, he stood up and went back to the window and looked at you as if he was expecting you to follow him.

"what are you doing?" "read number 6" "mc donalds at 2am? really?? now??" "its 2am isn't it? hurry up birthday girl, im hungry" you blinked twice in confusion trying to process all that was happening. you ignorantly thought that the wishlist was the gift paying no attention to its contents, but of course there was always something more when it had to do with yeonjun. 

"are you sure this is legal?" "probably not...hey, dont give me that look this was your idea" you and yeonjun were currently at an abandoned apartment building ready to check number 9 off the wishlist, having a picnic on the roof of an abandoned building under the stars. you had to admit, this birthday present was becoming quite scary, but the thought of getting caught doing something this stupid with your best friend was more than exciting. you finally reached the top floor and opened the door which lead to the roof. the apartment building its self was about 12 stories high so, you were quite high up.

"the views so pretty" "yeah... beautiful" you didn't notice how yeonjun was looking at you with so much love in his eyes. to him you were the most beautiful and precious thing and seeing the way your eyes twinkled with happiness made his heart skip a beat. if it weren't for your impatient whines to set everything up and start eating, he would've told you how he felt right then and there, but everything happens for a reason. 

an hour later and you were both laying under the stars talking and laughing and sometimes not saying a word, the silence was never awkward between you two, in fact you found so much comfort in each others company that sometimes no words were needed.

"did you feel that?" "feel what?" "its raining" "what!? hurry grab the stuff lets-" you were starting to stand up when yoenjun pulled you back down. he reached inside his jean pockets and pulled out the whish list. "number 2" he said nonchalantly. number two was special to both of you. it was something you always wanted to do but never had the chance because your parents would scold you, over time you had forgotten about it...until now. yeonjun stood up and extended his hands to help you get up. he pulled you in close and started swaying from side to side.

"there's no music" you mumbled and right on que, he started humming your favourite song. it was a magical moment, just like you had dreamed about when you were eight. it felt like a movie scene and you didnt want it to end. yeonjun held you close as you rested your head against his chest and whispered and it was at that moment you both realised how deeply in love you were with each other.

"you know, when i was eight years old i considered myself a great artist. however, today...not so much” "come y/n its the last thing on the list we have to do it" "alright fine, open the paint bucket" number 10 was very... ambitious. you wanted to paint a disney castle on one of your bedroom walls. sure the idea was cute, but it would've been cuter if it was done by a professional and not by two teenagers who can barely draw stick figures. but alas, yeonjun insisted to stick to the list and so, here you both where, ready to (ruin) paint over your white bedroom wall. 

"ready y/n?" "nope" "good"

"THATS SO NOT A CASTLE" "WHAT DO MEAN ITS PERFECT" "lets just paint over it yeonjun"  "no. we're leaving it as it is. its got character. you clearly dont understand art." "oh really? do you understand this" as the last word rolled off of your tongue, you painted a nice blue line across yeonjuns arm. he laughed for a second, then got serious and started running after you with a paint brush drenched in white paint. your bedroom filled with laughter and screams as yeonjun picked you up and pinned against the wall. he was so dangerously close to your face that you could feel his breath fan over your lips. you didn't move nor did you want to. yeonjun however, inching closer and closer until you could feel his soft pink lips on yours. the kiss was soft and short after two seconds he pulled back with wide eyes an apology already prepared, but you didnt give him any time to say a word, instead you wrapped your arms around his neck tightly and drew him into a deeper kiss. yeonjun finally relaxed and melted in your embraced as he kissed you back with so much love and passion. his hands snaked around your waist and pulled you closer if that was even possible. you could feel his tongue poke against your lips asking for permission and you willingly let him in. as your tongues battled for danced around in each other’s mouths, yeonjun wrapped his hands around your thighs and lifted you up. you wrapped your legs around his waist as he walked towards the bed where he laid you down softly. 

"you sure this is ok?" he whispered above you.

"more than ok...please, dont stop again" that was enough for yeonjun to strip off his shirt and go back to kissing you. his lips travelled down towards your jaw and down to your neck. he started to kiss all over your neck.until he found your sweet spot. the sound of your breathless moans cause yeonjuns pants to tighten as he littered hickies all over your neck. he pulled back to admire his work and his eyes travelled upwards to find a bright smile on his face. yeonjun felt his heart flutter as the sight and leaned in again to place a chaste kiss on your lips before pulling your top over your head. 

"you're so beautiful" he whispered as his littered kisses all over your chest and stomach. his kisses kept getting lower and lower untill he reached the waistband of your sweats. "may i?" he asked to which you eagerly nodded. he removed your sweatpants dangerously slow which cause you to whine in impatience, earning a breathless laugh from the man above you. you were getting impatient by how slow things were moving so you flipped yeonjun over and sat on his lap. his reaction was priceless, eyes wide and mouth opened ever so slightly he looked like a deer in headlights. he watched eagerly as you reached behind your back to remove your bra and tossed it wherever. 

the sight in fornt of yeonjun was enough for him to buck his hips upwards. his hands travelled towards your chest as you bent down to kiss him again while grinding on him. yeonjun couldn't help but moan, he flipped you over again and stripped himself of his pants and boxers. "like what you see?" yeonjun laughed at your wandering eyes. you didnt respond instead pulled him into another deep kiss but this time it was sloppier. yeonjuns hands slid down and removed your underwear, his lips never leaving yours. you could feel him lining himself into your entrance and gripped his arms which caused yeonjun to pull away from the kiss.  “dont worry, i got you... i wont hurt you i promise” you trusted yeonjun with your life and you couldn't feel safer with him, but you were still nervous. he pushed inside of you and you winced and the streched. yeonjun didn't move a muscle he was so scared of hurting that he waited for your command before he started moving his hips. he kissed your lips to distract you from the pain

"i love you" he whispered "i love you too"yeonjun buried his head into your neck and soon, the pain turned into pleasure and you started moaning in yeonjuns ears."f-faster" you moaned out. yeonjun didnt hesitate to buck his hips forward at a faster rate. he sat up and lifted your legs over his shoulders and moaned at the feeling of your warm walls wrapped tightly around his length. the view of yeonjun moaning and bitimg his lips as his hear stuck to hia forehead due to the sweat, had you moaning and cleanching around him

"fuck- stop that or ill- fuck" he continued to pound into you not caring how loud the two of you were being. yeonjun looked at you and could tell by the way your face was twisting and how you were tightening around him that you were close."come with me baby" his growled in your ear. his voice alone was enough to send you over the edge as you came on his dick. the feeling of your walls pulsing around him caused him to pull out and come on your stomach. the view of yeonjun moaning as he came on you was breathtaking. daringly, you scooped up his cum from your stomach and placed your digits in your mouth, sucking every finger while keeping eye contact with yeonjun. yeonjun moaned at the sight and scooped up the remaining cum and shoved his fingers into your mouth and watched in awe as you sucked his fingers clean. after he pulled his fingers out he leaned in and kissed you once again, tasting himself on your tongue. 

he pulled himself back and laid beside you as you both started up at the ceiling, trying to process all that just happened. "well, that wasn't on the list" you laughed and yeonjun joined in as he pulled you closer. you rested your head against his chest and wrapped your arms around his figure after pulling the covers over both of you. yeonjun kissed the top of your head lovingly and whispered "i love you" “i love you too...we still need to paint over that castle by the way." "ssshhh dont ruin the moment"

[i-w-p-chan]

Miss- err, Mr. and Mr. Croft, Part 2/Chronicles

Important Author Note: Unless it is specified who says which part, the dialogue typically alternates between Tsuna and Hayato.

WARNINGS: OOC, Language (there is a lot of cursing), Violence, Indiscriminate Killing (Tomb Raider Typical Killing- applies to humans, animals, and mythical creatures), Dialogue Heavy, Set In The Tomb Raider Games 'Verses, So May Not Make A Whole Lot Of Sense If You Don't Know TR (unless you, like me, don't mind that), Collection of Snippets/Drabbles/Scenes Featuring Tsuna's And Hayato's Adventures In The TR Games, Beware Of Unexpected Mood Whiplashes, Ship Teasing, Slight BoyxBoy (why do I even warn about this anymore?), Platonic 5927 (To The EXTREEEEEEEME!), Snark, Badass Tsuna And Hayato, Badasses In Dresses, Perverted Swords, Cute Hammers, And As Always: Shameless Self-Indulgence/Ridiculousness.

Disclaimer: Don't own TR or KHR.  

.

Chronicles

.

"Did you just put the stone in your garter?!" Hayato was in hysterics, "Why are you wearing a garter?!"

"How sure are you that it's a garter?"

"I don't want to think about the alternative."

.

"You can shoot a crocodile just fine now, but when you see a dog you freak out and accidentally trip into a fountain. Juts… what the fuck?"

"Shut up, I was just surprised!"

.

"Any more dogs will pop up from where we least expect them?"

"Tsuna, stop clinging to me like that, I need to use my hands."

.

Hayato dodged the bullets Larson rained down on him; ahead of Hayato, Tsuna faced Larson and raised his gun. Hayato snorted, it was nice (not really) knowing Larson.

It took seconds and a number of scarily accurately-shot bullets from Tsuna for him to drive Larson away.

"Have I ever told you that you're vicious?"

"Yep."

.

"There is a perfectly functioning revolver innocently and conveniently laying around waiting for us to pick it up and use it."

"Back at it again?"

"Yes!"

.

"And a laser sight, too, wow. And even conveniently close to the gun it could be combined with. Wow!"

"Sawada Fucking Tsunayoshi!"

.

As Hayato put the stone to the place it was missing from, Tsuna turned around and shot at the roofs on the other side.

"Let's go, Tsuna."

Tsuna fired off a last shot and turned to follow after Hayato.

"You. Are. Nasty. Damn, Tsuna."

Tsuna merely smiled.

.

"'You want to try the back pockets' really, Tsuna?"

"He was asking for it. Hayato, we're wearing shorts, our legs are bare from the knee up to our shorts. There is no need to 'search' them."

"Jeez, calm down, I was surprised you didn't just shoot him."

"I was tempted. But kneeing him in the groin was more satisfying."

"Of course it was, you sadist."

.

Tsuna and Hayato climbed out of the water and onto the ledge behind the curtain of falling water in what may have been a lake, a pool, or a really big fountain.

The two walked the corridor beyond and turned at the bend to come face to face with a giant, floating statue of a centurian head. The glowing, green stones embedded in the head in place of its eyes sparked with electricity as it appeared to prepare to prepare to shoot something out of its eyes.

Tsuna and Hayato simultaneously drew their guns and each shot an eye.

The two high-fived as the giant head collapsed onto the ground, its base breaking down.

.

"Oh, great. The way back is barred now. What do you think is there forward?"

"There is a fucking shotgun on the ground; do I even want to know?"

"Whether you want to or not, you'll have to."

.

"Oh, great. Another moving statue."

"And it shoots energy out of its sword! I want a sword like that!"

"Tsuna!"

"What?!"

"Now is not the time."

"When will it be then?"

"Just put 'a cool energy-channeling sword' in your wishlist. You may eventually get it in a year… or twenty."

"Hmph! I'll get a sword like that no matter what you say! And once I do, I'll wow you to the ends of the earth."

"Sure, sure."

"Hayatoooooo!"

.

"I." Tsuna viciously grinned, "Am going to kill him."

"Hey! I want to kill him too! It's not fair that you always get to kill people!"

"And you call me vicious."

.

"Oooooh! They shoot fire~!"

"Tsuna, I've said it a million times already! You can't keep all the fire-breathing creatures we come across!"

"Partypooper."

.

"I can't believe you just ruthlessly killed them like that, Hayato."

Sigh.

.

"Now, we finally get to go through the portal."

.

"Did it have to drop from underneath us?"

"And we were so close, too."

.

"Holy shit, is that magma?!"

"Thank god we're quick on our feet."

"You know, if after everything we've been through we weren't quick on our feet, I'd be worried."

.

"Hey, did you hear that?"

"It sounded like a growl."

.

"Oh my god, it's a lion! Can I keep it?"

"Tsuna!"

.

"You actually fucking tamed it, how-?!"

.

"You don't look scared of the skeletons on the walls."

"I have two loyal companions who will protect me!" Tsuna gestured to the two lions twining around him, "Right, you guys?"

The lions rubbed affectionately against Tsuna.

Hayato gaped.

.

"It looks like you'll have to leave your newest companions down here. Unless they can climb walls."

.

"Fuck they really can climb walls."

.

"Are those gladiators?!"

The lions pounced on the gladiators.

Tsuna puffed up his chest in pride as he watched the lions take down the gladiators.

"…" Hayato stared, perplexed.

.

"Hey, look! Another lion!"

.

Tsuna stopped after the first door that opened and stared ahead, "My lions can't go on ahead."

Hayato stared blankly at Tsuna. Tsuna looked back at him, "Hayato! I can't leave my babies!"

.

"Fuck you, Tsuna!" Screeched Hayato as the tile underneath him dropped and he fell down a slide.

.

Tsuna turned to look at his three lions. His eyes welled with tears, "I'm so sorry, my babies. Mama can't bring you further with him. You'll have to stay here."

As Tsuna and his lions had a tearful goodbye, Hayato stared blankly ahead.

.

A few minutes, and a near close call with a ruined floor and a long drop later, Tsuna stared mournfully at yet another lion.

"I'm sorry child, but I can't take you."

The lion stared woefully at Tsuna, Tsuna wiped a tear away, "The wound from my separation from my babies is still too fresh, it's too soon for me to take a new lion in."

Hayato wished he let himself try that long drop earlier.

.

"Now, I want a cool, energy-channeling hammer too!"

"Tsuna…"

"A sword and a hammer. Heh. I'll name the sword Excalibur and the hammer Mjolnir."

"Tsuna…"

.

"Such a vast change in scenery. From the Coliseum to a military base somewhere."

.

"Dogs in the showers?"

"To each their own, I guess."

.

"Economy class, huh?"

"Ha. Ha. Ha."

.

"At least he was decent about it."

"Is that why you let him strip us of our weapons and hold us here?"

"Uhhhhh…"

.

"So, who's going to take a dive?"

"Rock, paper, scissors?"

"No, pick something else."

"Why?"

"You cheat at rock, paper, scissors."

"Hey!"

.

The hatch was closed and the pod released.

"He's a good man."

"Is that a crush I hear?"

"No." Tsuna looked sideways at Hayato who kept looking straight ahead. Tsuna poked him in the cheek. "What brought that on?"

Hayato looked at Tsuna, one eyebrow raised, "You want to have that conversation here and now?"

"Sure, why-"

A light flashed. After it was gone, the two were out of the pod, and in rocky area with tress. It was raining, and they were unarmed and sixteen again.

"-not?" Tsuna looked at his hands and huffed.

"Hello, new adventure."

"We're going to continue this talk later, don't think that you can avoid it."

.

A bell rang. Tsuna flinched and clutched at Hayato's arm, "I don't like the feeling of this place at all."

As Hayato opened his mouth to respond, a corpse appeared in a flash of light, hanging by a noose from the tree in front of them, its chest cavity was open and empty.

"Oh god!" Tsuna folded himself against Hayato's back. Hayato straightened up, his figure hiding Tsuna behind him.

"Come, child. Come closer, for I have gifts for thee."

"I'll stay where I am."

.

"My soul is gone, and how it fares, nobody knows and nobody cares."

With a choking laugh and another flash of light, the corpse disappeared.

Tsuna sagged against Hayato's back, "That was creepy as fuck. What did we get into this time?"

"Demons, maybe?"

Tsuna blanched, "What?!"

"Hush, you baby. You had no problem in facing a god, why are you freaking out over a possible demon?"

"There's a difference!"

.

"Did you have to do that? Now, my ears are ringing."

.

"This place is so fucking creepy, I don't even have words to describe it."

"How about you be quiet? You know, so that you don't attract attention to us."

"I swear I'll burn the next thing that comes at me, no matter what it is."

.

"Ohmygod whatwasthat?! What was that sound?! Hayato, did you have to put in the heart?!"

.

As the demons approached them, Hayato grasped the piece of iron he had on him. Meanwhile, Tsuna let out a shriek so loud it probably woke the dead and promptly burst into flames.

"Geez, Tsuna."

.

"Are those skeletons or ghosts or what shouldIburnthemalljusttobesafe-?!"

"Tsuna…"

.

"Oh my god was it holding a sword?! Was it swinging the sword?!"

"…"

.

"What the heck is that spirit?! This is the second time!"

"Did you just go from scared to angry?"

"Yes!"

.

"Hmm, I wonder what this book is."

Hayato snorted, "I didn't really expect you to crack the book open immediately. Figured you'd rather keep an eye out on your surroundings."

"I can do both."

"Suuuure."

.

"It's those little freaks again."

"I'll burn them to death."

.

"What the heck what the heckwhattheheck-!"

"Tsuna! Calm down!"

"BUT I CAN'T CALM DOWN!"

.

"Who is this that stands before me? The first to visit me in my prison, seven hundred years past."

"Seven hundred years? All alone in a barn? Huh, those winter nights must have just flown by."

"Is he… is he snarking at the demon?"

"Yeah… damn, that's badass."

.

"If you name a demon, you have power over it, and you named him! It's your shout, Lara."

"So…"

"Basically, I can tell him to fuck off?"

"Who even let you have power over a demon."

"Eheheheheheeee." Tsuna smirked.

.

"So, we're playing the spy game? Avoiding lasers, crawling through air vents?"

"I like the bodysuit."

"Of course you do."

.

"The Iris again?"

"I thought we put that behind us after the mess in Cambodia."

.

"Did you just nail him with a headshot?"

Tsuna merely smirked.

.

"You're vicious, Tsuna."

"Aww, Hayato, you're making me blush."

.

"Aw, I have to put the gun here and go?"

"Yes."

"Whyyyyy?!"

"Metal detectors, duh."

"Awwwww." Tsuna pouted.

"Hey, at least you still have your flames."

"You're right!" Tsuna beamed.

Hayato sighed.

Ah, what a quick recovery.

.

"At least I get to say that I survived an elevator dropping down to ground floor when we have to make small conversations at dinner."

"HAYATO! That is not appropriate dinner conversation. Or any conversation, for that matter."

"What? And saying that you used a grenade gun to blow a person up is better?"

"At least I wasn't planning to mention it at dinner."

"Spoilsport."

.

"Got my gun back~"

"Why do you sound so happy?"

"'Cause I got mah baby back~"

.

"Ah, Hayato! We-!"

"Are going to be jumping to the next adventure?"

The two burst out of the stairwell and into the roof, dodging the bullets aimed at them.

"Yeah!"

The two ran towards their hang gliders, they leaped at them, grabbed the handles, and tipped off the rooftop's edge to glide in the air- except that they fell into an expanse of white light.

The two cursed as the gliders vanished. They plummeted and-

They slammed into the ground.

Their vision swam in and out. There were words being spoken, but neither of them was aware enough to comprehend what was being said.

A few minutes later, Tsuna groaned and sat up, closely followed by Hayato. Tsuna looked around them at the unfamiliar apartment they were in before his eyes landed on a figure laying on the ground.

Tsuna and Hayato stood up, and cautiously walked over. Tsuna kneeled down next to the figure and turned them around.

"It's Werner." Hayato raised an eyebrow.

"And he's dead." Tsuna furrowed his eyebrows as he stood up.

"Tsuna, your hands."

Tsuna looked at his bloodied hands, "Yeah, I get it. I'll wash them."

"But who killed him?"

.

End chapter 

[damesel]

TAG DROP 001.

[theprettiestshit]

#blackexcellence IRL At The In Her Shoes Black Women-Owned Holiday Bazaar

@bufferingbetty

The Black Girl Magic Event Of The Season

This past Saturday, Dec. 2nd, I had the pleasure of attending the In Her Shoes Black Women-Owned Holiday Bazaar in New York City. I got to meet dozens of black, female, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and people ready to support one another. They each came from a different background. Each woman had her own unique, "Why I started this business" story. All of them empowered one another. 

Renae Bluitt was the mastermind behind this event that showcased the power of black female entrepreneurs.  She is the founder and creator of the In Her Shoes Blog and Crush Media. She writes,

“I’ve always been intrigued by other women’s stories: their “a-ha” moments, successes, struggles, and most importantly, what inspires them to fight the good fight when times get tough” (source).

This passion for story sharing inspired her to create her documentary film She Did That. The film tells the stories of 5 black female businesswomen that are shattering their industries. She Did That centers on Luvvie Ajayi: best selling author of I’m Judging You, Lisa Price: the creator of the brand, Carol’s Daughter, Melissa Butler: the creator of The Lip Bar, Tonya Rapley: the creator of My Fab Finance, and finally on Renae Bluitt's In Her Shoes Blog story.

Renae is really out here fighting for women! She is an entrepreneur who is not just focused on her own success. Renae Bluitt is creating pathways that allow the grossly neglected population of black women to be seen, to be heard, and supported as business women!

Read more about how, in her own words, in Renae’s blog post, Walmart Supports “She Did That.” & Ramps Up Supplier Inclusion Initiatives (a must read!).  

Watching the sneak peek of She Did That was exhilarating.  The preview included part of the story of the creator of Carol’s Daughter, Lisa Price. It resonated with me. She shared about her experience of struggling in her undergraduate career. Price talked about her battle with depression; needing help but not having the courage to ask. From a vulnerable stage of her life, she found the strength to rise and eventually build a company whose products are easy to find.

The full documentary is set to release in 2018 and based on the short glimpse I saw, it is something that all goal setters must watch and study! These 5 driven women are an inspiration!

After the documentary preview and panel discussion, the Holiday Bazaar was open for business. Here are just a few of the things I found. 

First, we have our very own Pepper B. doing demonstrations of how you can blend your skincare with your makeup for the ultimate healthy glow. She teamed up with Bloomsbury Square, a vegan skincare company, to give shoppers skin to envy.   

Bloomsbury Square was founded by Niambi. “I delight in making products that let nature do what it does best: nurture the body and mind” (source). Using their Featherlight Cucumber SkinNectar with Clary Sage + Geranium, Pepper blended the lightweight oil with a loose pigment to give me the melted peachy highlight of my dreams. I was already wearing makeup and thought that applying an oil could disrupt my “I ain’t woke up like dis, I worked for dis” makeup. Girl. When she finished blending my highlight, I was ready to do some serious exploring at the In Her Shoes Black Women Owned Holiday Bazaar. And off I went!

"Vegan, pure, affordable products inspired by indigenous herbalism and healing." Bloomsbury sq

Find more of Bloomsbury Square here!

Very early in the day, I found myself being pulled in by the force of a sheet mask. A black lace sheet mask to be exact! Eve Milan is a skincare company founded by an esthetician who has 10 years of experience to draw from (source). Eden Gilliam designed these sheet masks to be hydrating without the use of oils. Most sheet masks make you look pretty creepy. Eve Milan’s The Lacial Masque will make you look mysterious. 

"A 5-free skincare line designed to restore confidence back into your skin and give it a healthy glow without the use of harsh chemicals." Eve Milan NY

Find more of Eve Milan NY here!

Next, I headed to our friends over at The Lip Bar. This company is the brainchild of Melissa Butler, one of the 5 featured entrepreneurs in the She Did That film. While there, I met a blogger who loves this company as much as I do. She asked me why I liked The Lip Bar so much. I pointed to this poster and said, “That image right there.” Loyal meetpepperb.com readers must remember back when I reviewed their signature shade, Bawse Lady. I basically fangirled. The imagery used by The Lip Bar is untethered.

On a wall covered in beauty campaigns, The Lip Bar’s vision is striking and magnetic. I was thrilled to see that their table was swarming all day with shoppers ready to drop coin on their lipsticks!

Read Pepper’s interview of Melissa Butler here.

Read my review of the liquid matte lipstick in Bawse Lady here. And Amanda’s review of liquid matte lipstick in Man Eater here. 

“I am passionate about creating an inclusive narrative on what beauty is and reminding women that we don't have to settle for anything.” Melissa Butler

Find more from The Lip Bar here!

There was another friend of meetpepperb.com who was a vendor at the In Her Shoes Black Women Owned Holiday Bazaar. LIT Brooklyn is a homemade candle company founded by Denequa Williams. These soy candles are a favorite of our website. The scents Joy and Home were quickly added to my mental wishlist. Citrus scents give me life!

Read Pepper’s Interveiw of Denequa Williams here.  

“Made from our homes to be enjoyed in yours.” - Denequa Williams

More from LIT Brooklyn here!  

Jasmine Lawrence sought to remedy her damaged hair dating back to when she was 11 years old! (source). She’s a healthy hair guru prodigy! Lawrence created Eden Bodyworks. They had one of the most extensive lines of product to be featured at the Holiday Bazaar. They even had a range of products for kids. 

Eden Bodyworks distributed a bag of samples featuring a new product line scented with Almond + Marshmallow. Included in the bag was their Split End Repair Masque, Hydration Serum, and Therapy Leave-In Conditioner. I don’t know how Eden Bodyworks took two very sweet scents, almond and MARSHMALLOW, and somehow crafted something that doesn’t suffocate your nose. When I opened the products, I was very hesitant to give it a sniff test. I feared the worst. But I was very wrong. It smells amazing! Because I just have sample sizes, I am very hesitant to give our readers a review. I don’t think I can give an in-depth review the way I like to. However, if you are interested in hearing a ‘first impressions’ type of review, leave a comment saying so!

“EDEN BodyWorks™ provides natural products that integrate wellness and beauty inspired by nature to restore and maintain the hair and body’s original design.” Eden Bodyworks  

More on Eden Bodyworks here!  

FInally, we come to Limegreen. This skincare line prides itself on products that are multifunctional. Multi Oil, Multi Wash, Multi Spray, and even a Multi Candle - it’s bomb, too. Aromatherapy that melts into a massage oil so you can calm your nerves and soothe your muscles.

While speaking with one of it’s founders, I learned that this company was born from wanting to help a friend in need. Her friend was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer patients are restricted to what products they can use on their skin based on the treatment they could be receiving. She told me that one day after work, she decided to pop into Whole Foods to see what she can blend together to help her friend.

From there, giving relief to a friend, bloomed into a passion project that flourished into a business.

I took home with me a bottle of Limegreen’s Multi Oil scented with lotus. How great is this packaging! There is prideful showmanship in the way the box opens up like a door revealing what’s behind curtain number 1. While at the event, I tested the oil on my dry-growing out-bleached blonde hair focusing on my ends. Did this oil not make my hair look and feel like silk! I was impressed!

I have since tried it on my face, just once, though. You will get a full review in the future. It’s basically Winter, so my skin concern, along with the fading of my golden summer glow, is dry, flaky skin. Mostly on my forehead. When I applied the oil, I expected to have to add an extra drop to my forehead because it usually needs extra TLC. Not the case! My forehead did not feel tight or itchy and the best part is that my skin did not feel sticky or greasy from the oil! While the oil is marketed as a makeup remover, I don’t really see myself using it that way because the oil is kind of thick. Which is great for hydration, but I don’t love that for cleansing. I will test it out and write about it for a full review.

"Through natural, multi-use products, Limegreen aims to promote a lifestyle that is healthy for the body, sustainable for the environment, and unifying for people of all backgrounds." Limegreen

Find more Limegreen here!

There were so many more brands at the In Her Shoes Black Women Owned Holiday Bazaar. This event was an exhibit of the entrepreneurship of black women. Renae Bluitt shared a statistic that black women-owned businesses “generate $52.6 billion” (source). There was music, wine, artists, and there was even a proposal at the end! Congrats! Make sure you check out In Her Shoe Blog and keep your eyes open for the release of She Did That. Thank you for having us!

Full list of vendors here

It's holiday time! If you want to support more black women owned business, check out Renae's shopping guide. In Her Shoes Shopping Guide: 75 Black Women-Owned Brands to Know, Love & Support here

Special shout out to my Kiss & Recharge Powerbank Luxe! Kept me charged and connected all day! Link to shop below!

[lalorrunningclub]

The Bay of Portland Marathon - by Melissa Flentjar

The Bay of Portland Marathon would have to be one of my favourite events in my three years of running. Our family arrived in Portland at 10:30 p.m. on Friday night, we quickly unpacked and settled after an interesting car journey avoiding pot holes and koalas. We set our alarms early to get up to participate at Portland parkrun. In the morning when we woke we opened up our apartment curtains and Amelia was very excited to see Crux and Bec in the opposite apartment and quickly called the whole family over to wave at Crux.

We all loaded into the car and went down to Portland parkrun to catch up with our Portland Running Club friends. With parkrun complete, breakfast and catch up done, it was time to head to the Upwelling Festival to pick up our race bibs. We had a picnic lunch on the lawn of the festival and soon in us it was time to head back have a shower and get ready for the pasta night put on at the Royal Hotel by the local running club. Dinner & company was great but it was time for a quick visit to Safeway to pick up some gels. Low and behold they didn't sell the gels I needed so I had to pick Winners and hope that they would be OK with my stomach.

I returned back to our apartment, laid out all my race gear, discovered I had forgotten my hydration pack so we tucked into bed for an early night.

My two little seven-year-old alarm clocks woke me up just after 7 a.m. I needed to be at the Big O milk bar by 8:30 to catch the 8:45 bus out to the start line of the half marathon. It was at the milk bar that I caught up with Andrew and we had agreed that we would walk the first hill together. The half marathon starts at the bottom of the hill affectionately known 'the shuffler'. You can run up this hill but it's called the shuffler as you really only can shuffle up it. It's pretty steep and it goes for about a kilometre.

With the shuffler done it was time to get a move on, there was 20.1kms of running to do. There were aid stations at 4, 9, 13 and 19 km and it was my aim to have a gel coming into eat aid station and have a cup of water. The first aid station passed with ease and as I came up to the second aid station one of the volunteers tried to hand me a special drink with massive LRC stickers all over it and the name CRUX on it. Now I'm all for taking other people's food and drink but not on a guy running a marathon. I said "no that's for the next guy coming behind me he's awesome he's doing the marathon".

On course they have the most amazing motorbike Marshals that pass you constantly. I would say there would have to have been half a dozen of these blokes who just ride around the course checking in on all the runners. They give you a thumbs up, you give them a thumbs up back to let them know you are ok and they carry on until you see the next one. These guys were amazing and it was comforting knowing that they were there.

14ks dowm and I was feeling pretty good. The cat and mouse chase game with the local school relay team number 66 had finished at this stage they had got well in front of me so there was no cheering by these school teams who are waiting on the side of the road every couple hundred metres. 15 k's in I looked at my watch and my heart skipped a beat I was on track, I was ahead of schedule. There was an elderly gentleman that I had passed whilst I was having a mild panic attack he patted me on the back and told me I was doing such a great job. He said I looked strong and I was chuffed with his kind words. He had no idea who I was and I had no idea who he was but his words at that time meant a lot to me. As I passed him I turn around and I said "hey mate I'm going to buy you a beer at the finish line" and he said "would you do that? That would be great" so I continued with a spring in my step, hill after hill, up and down after up and down.

As I approached closer to Portland I was really begging for that 19k drink station. I knew that after the 19th a drink station there was one more hill to tackle and that the end of the half marathon wouldn't be far away. The 19km drink station had been and gone and I just keep telling myself to keep my excitement down as I knew I would be close to getting a PB.

I usually suffer a panic attack when finishing a long distance race on my own. I become overwhelmed close to the finish line and when I recognise what I have just achieved but it was really important for me during this run to keep focused until after I had been through that finish. As I came up the last hill, I passed two other females that were participating in the half marathon. I had my earphones in I couldn't hear what they were saying but I just screamed "last f****** hill, this is the last f****** hill" I continued on past them and as I turned into the main street I looked at my watch I had 15 minutes or so to travel 1.8km. Melissa Flentjar I stopped I took some time to reset my breathing, I lined up three of my favourite songs of the moment on my playlist to take me that last 1.8k and I said to myself 6 minutes per kilometre and you're done and you'll get that PB .... now you've got a job to do. As you travel down the main street, you I actually can't see the finish line until you pass through the last round about. The finished chute is about 200 m long and is filled with locals cheering for those they know and for those they don't.

The first person I saw in the finish chute was Andrew and the first thing I thought is thank f*** he made it because he been unwell and in hospital the day before. I then screamed "I've got that PB Andrew I've got it in the bag" and he screamed "well done Mel. The next person I saw in the finish chute was Bec, Ollie and Cooper and Bec had a massive smile on her face and I was still screaming "I've got a PB I've got a PB" I continue down the finishing chute screaming as people cheered and clapped.

I was about 20 mtrs out from the finish line when I saw Ash but I couldn't see the kids. I could see Alan Hoskins at the finish line taking photos and as I cross the finish line I pause my Garmin. I didn't even check my time. My baby girl leapt into my arms and looked up at me and said "Mum you're my superhero" and I burst into tears and locked into the most beautiful embrace with my baby girl as I realised I had just achieved an 8 minute course PB and an overall half marathon PB by just over 2 minutes.I wiped up my tears Jack came over and said "Well done Mum" and he gave me a hug. I was awarded with my medal, a pat on the back and a well done from Alan and then things started to hurt Lol.

I got a jacket on, got a protein shake into me and I went and joined Bec so we could cheer Crux and Danni home. Once Crux "Crooks" and Danni had finished we headed into the Henty Hotel and yep you guessed it upstairs to the presentation ceremony where there was so much food and drink it was unbelievable. We sat down and we watched the presentation ceremony and it was an absolute honour for the second year in a row to see my dear friend Serena take out first place in the women's marathon.

It was such a wonderful run, such a great community such an excellent weekend away with great friends and an excellent running result for myself. I really hope each and everyone of you put this run on your calendar or wishlist as it really is one of the best events I have done.

What did I learn from my experience? I am more than capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. I also learnt to be flexible as I had no gels that I'm used to and I had forgotten my hydration pack and you know what .... I survived!

My mantra was "when your legs are tired, run with your heart".

This the three songs that got me through the last 2 kms

Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - Bon Jovi Symphony - Clean Bandit feat Zara Larsson Revenge - P!nk

Post race recovery and celebrations consisted of Canadian Chicken lots of cheese, crackers, dips, antipasto, cheezels and I believe we consumed a few beers and ciders.

My next goal: Not sure 😉

Thank you for reading and I hope that I have inspired or motivated someone.