#❝ ⚊ THE PLEASURE IS ALL MINE ❞ giulia

[stardomtrash]

Wait, would you mind explaining why the way Giulia sold Kairi's backhand is bad (if that's what your reply was about)? Is it the sell being too silly looking and not making Kairi look good?

Apologies in advance Anon. You did not ask for this and yet I’m going to turn this ask into an excuse to talk about selling.

I’m gonna preface this whole thing with one big blanket of “in my opinion”, so take all the following as just my feelings on things and not that I’m talking from any consensus.

Everyone sells in different ways. There’s no one way everyone should take every move - that’d be boring. Mayu has her own magnificent brand of selling, and might be the best of the roster. Utami sells very well for a powerhouse. Starlight Kid and Natsupoi benefit from their smaller frames to do some great full body selling.

One of my favourite wrestlers of all time is AJ Lee because, in the same vein as SLK, she’s tiny and she sells like she’s been shot by a canon. That sort of ragdoll selling is, when she does it, believable and it works. Watch any AJ match and just look at how she takes moves compared to her peers. It’s brilliant.

Now, this is where I lose ALL my credibility… I like Ronda Rousey. Okay, put the swords and hammers away, lemme clarify. I liked her when she FIRST arrived. I don’t watch WWE now so any time after The Man era and I’m unfamiliar with her work. But I think it’s cos she’s from the UFC background, she KNOWS what moves feel like, she KNOWS how things ACTUALLY FEEL and how you ACTUALLY take that pain, and how that pain manifests, and she channels that when she’s selling. My guilty pleasure match is Nia Jax vs Ronda Rousey cos Ronda’s selling in it is top class.

So now that my opinion means precisely nought, let me talk about Giulia.

Selling has never been one of Giulia’s strong points. It’s always been a bugbear of mine that her selling has never come across as authentic, even when she tries. She never conveys that she’s in any danger, and it really takes me out of things. A great wrestler has to be able to sell, not just deliver moves, and Giulia is a great wrestler (this is me pointedly not mentioning the any drivers she does), but she can’t sell like her peers.

I joked that when she won the Red Belt and did that whole gauntlet match that she was giving herself a crash course on selling, just trying to cram years of knowledge and training into one match, but it still never clicked for me, and that’s why what could have been a really great enjoyable match just… wasn’t. Imagine Mayu in that spot and tell me you wouldn’t pay good money for that match.

Giulia’s facials never actually seem like she’s in pain. They kinda have the air of “Oh no. Oh ow, ooo that does hurt a bit, ooo”. Her body language never conveys it either. It’s usually too rigid, too ‘forced’. She’s tense, on edge. It’s like she’s just counting the seconds until she can move onto the next spot. It borders on the realms of no-selling, and THAT is a problem.

And then there’s the times she sells like this

(if you think that sell is good, this is the only time I'm gonna be bold enough to say you are flatout Wrong)

In regards to the Kairi sell, I’d class that in the type of OTT comical selling that can make your opponent look bad (like the SLK one above). I don’t think she’s doing it on purpose. She’s not TRYING to make Kairi look bad. It’s just that maybe she’s not aware of her own actions? I really, really don’t know how to excuse it, because Giulia has been around the block a lot.

The Kairi one isn’t the most egregious bad sell she’s ever given, but it’s part of a larger problem I have with Giulia’s selling, so thank you for giving me the chance to get this off my chest, Anon.

[antiquatcd]

@waterblossoms //

everything finn did was dependent on his stupid broken arm, and he hated being held back. he was lucky that it wasn’t his dominant arm, but he hadn’t realized how often he used his left until it’s use was hindered. he couldn’t even shower normally without sticking his cast out of the water and trying to wash himself with one hand. it was a living hell.

now, he was in sips, trying to type up some new emails regarding artifacts. the task of typing with two hands was already slow for finn, but everything went much slower when he only had the mobility of his one hand. and, with his big cast raised in the air, he knocked coffee all over his keyboard. “shit, fuck, damn!” he cursed, reaching for napkins to dab at the spot. “can someone help me clean this up?” he cried, watching his computer screen short out as the coffee seeped in too fast for him to clean.

[nostalgiatm-a]

SEND  📝  FOR  A  LIST  OF  MUSE  INTERACTIONS  I’D  LIKE  TO  SEE  ------  accepting  !

KIKI

chihiro  ogino  &&  pazu  :  a  studio  ghibli  crossover  would  absolutely  warm  my  heart  !!  TWICE  the  amount  of  warm  feelings  and  aesthetically-pleasing  nostalgia  !

TADASHI  HAMADA

literally  All  of  my  bh6  muses 

kai  :  ok  ,  listen  :  kai  shares  A  LOT  in  common  with  hiro  .  mini  hustler  ?  check  .  a  blatant  disregard  for  the  law  ?  check  .  illegally  aquiring  money  for  personal  gain  and  enjoying  the  danger  it  brings  ?  also  check  !!  really  ,  i’d  just  love  to  see  how  our  favorite  robotics  major  handles  not  just  one  ,  but  two  misguided  ,  hopeless  heathens  .

TINKER  BELL

jane  stuart  :  obviously  !!  (  i  love  their  lil  rivalry  in  the  2nd  movie  to  pieces  ,  ok  )

aang  :  i  have  no  substantial  evidence  that  i  can  put  into  words  for  these  two  ok  ,  just  a  really  good  feeling  about  their  interaction

MEGARA

kristoff  :  again  ,  i  just  have  a  really  good  feeling  about  them  .  their  personalities  would  clash  deliciously  *  chef’s  kiss  *

JANE  PORTER

guy  :  he  would  be  so  interested  in  her  field  of  work  it’s  crazy  !!  guy  is  always  trying  to  innovate  and  organize  the  world  around  him  into  these  lil  neat  compartments  that  make  sense  for  him  ,  so  hearing  about  her  theories  and  such  would  be  such  a  fun  and  sweet  thing  to  explore  !

eep  crood  :  basically  female  tarzan  .  100  /  10

dagur  :  need  i  say  it  ,  really

EMMA  OVERLAND  

kai  :  hmmm  .  classic  bad  influence  meets  the  sweet  little  sister  ?  potential

MILO  THATCH  :

tadashi  hamada  :  HMMMM  okay  this  is  a  guilty  pleasure  of  mine  ,  maybe  .  two  skinny  nerds  with  so  much  passion  and  knowledge  and  innovation  on  their  respective  subjects  ?  they’d  prbly  talk  for  hours  ….

GIULIA  MARCOVALDO  :

luca  paguro  &&  alberto  scorfano

kai  :  ik  i  keep  putting  him  all  over  this  list  but  i  love  seeing  him  interact  with  kids  his  age  .  plus  ,  kai  doesn’t  care  enough  and  she  cares  with  the  fire  of  a  thousand  suns  so  .  on  the  flip  side  ,  they’re  both  fun-loving  and  look  for  adventures  !  that’s  a  dope  contrast  and  potential  for  friendship  right  there  .

@survivus​

[thegreatescape]

SHARE THE LOVE CONVENTION

Here’s what happened at the Share The Love Con in Milan! :) [Sorry for my terrible English lol]

At the con I was in the front row with my friends. It was amazing but at the same time I felt a little bit observed lol Pietro was the first one who greeted me and then Nicholas recognized me ;; 

After the panel, my friend and I decided to take a picture with Federico because he was too beautiful with that blue sweater and when we went to take the picture he gave us a tight hug that I will remember forever. I don't know why but I was more nervous than the previous times... maybe because he was even more beautiful than usual lol 

Then we queued for the Fede + Rocco duo and I don’t know where I found the courage but I showed them a photo in which two people were kissing a girl on the cheek and this happened sdifhoisadpo 

Damn Fede has really soft lips, I cry just thinking about it. I left the room shaking like a leaf lol Then we went to the autographs of Nicholas, Greta and Beatrice. Greta and Bea were a wonderful surprise. They are both so kind and sweet. When Greta saw my drawing she gave me a hug and said ‘thank you’ a hundred of times. She was sooo cute! ;; 

Even Beatrice thanked me so much and complimented me and said “You drew me so hot!” And I was like "Well, you are" haha ​​

Then I went to Nicholas and this happened:

Nicholas: Hi! I'm a big fan of yours!

And I smiled at him sooo embarrassed.

Nicholas: I don't know how to thank you! I’m very tired after a drawing, you draw 10 drawings every day! You're very good.

Then Greta arrived at his table and said: Did you see my beautiful drawing with the pink background?

And he was like: Mine is gray! :(

Me: I made the backgrounds based on the shirt you had in the photos and you always have a black shirt.

Nicholas: I have to do a photoshoot then haha

Nicholas then asked me to show some of my drawings to Bea and when I showed her my Instagram profile she remembered those I had done for her and Greta added: Oh my God you made me the drawing of me and Nini kissing? It's beautiful! ; _;

This is Nicholas’ autograph. He drew me Luchino eating pizza’s crusts LOL

Then we went to the autographs of Pietro, Fede and Rocco and I have to say that this was one of the most beautiful moments of the Convention. When Pietro saw me he greeted me with an "Hello darling, how are you?" And before I answered he said: "Did you bring me something?" And when I gave him the drawing he said: “Oh my God, it's awesome! This is a new one!”

Me: “Well, yes, I couldn't post it before, it had to be a surprise!”

Pietro: “Can I keep it? ;)”

Me: “Sure it's for you! Also, sorry if I tag you on so many drawings.”

Pietro: “It makes me so happy! You drew the futuristic black and white one, the one where I’m in Venice, the one with the flag you gave me last time and ... this, right? (he remembered all of them ; ___;) And then he added: “But you drew Federico more :( AHAHAH”

Then I went to Fede and he said: “I know that yesterday was your birthday so… HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” And he sent me a kiss. I died. Then I gave him the drawing and he thanked me and he looked at me with a pleased smile saying: “What can I write here ..?” And he wrote me this beautiful autograph that I’ve to frame. 

Then, without saying anything, he got up and hugged me and it was a beautiful moment because I didn't want to let him go. Maybe that was the best hug- not only because it lasted longer but because I could tell him how grateful I was for everything.

Then I went to Rocco and he greeted me with a big smile saying: “Hello Giulia, how are you ?!” And I was actually dying inside so I immediately gave him the drawing and he said something like: “Wtf is this a drawing? Oh my God it’s amazing thank you so much” and he showed it to Fede.

Then in the afternoon there were other panels but for those I will make a special mentions at the end of the post.

Then there was Fede and Rocco meet & greet. It was pretty weird because we were all so shy and we didn’t know what to say so they told us something that happened on set during Marti and Nico reunion on the terrace in 2x09.

Fede: “Ludovico told us ‘Kiss!', so we did it. It was so romantic, but when we stopped, I noticed that I had Rocco's snot on my cheek. So I said: WHAT THE FUCK IS IT? THIS IS DISGUSTING! and the atmosphere was ruined.

Rocco: “It's true HAHAHA”

Fede: “I had your snot on me all the time! You were always crying!

Rocco: "Yes, there was an important exchange of body fluids. AHHA”

Then we went to eat the pizza with the cast. The first one who sat at our table was Federico. I was the first one to get the pizza and he said: “Well you're the birthday girl that’s why they gave you the pizza first”. I just smiled like an idiot and he said: “Eat it or it gets cold!"

Me: "No, I'm waiting for you …"

He: “But if it gets cold, it sucks”. (it sucked anyway haha)

Then me and my friends started arguing with him bc Federico claimed that the pizza has to be cut in 8 pieces (and we were cutting it in 4). Thankfully Pietro arrived and supported us and told Fede: “Stop being so annoying” ahah.

After that, there was the most embarrassing interaction that I've ever had with him. We looked at each other and he smiled, so I smiled back but I was too nervous to say anything. Basically we kept smiling for like 15 seconds and it all ended with an embarrassing silence :))))

Then Rocco sat right next to me and he was so… excited? Haha

Rocco: “Did you eat today?”

Me: “No, we were anxious…”

Rocco: “Why? C’mon we know each other now! We’re friends!” (I almost cried, I swear).

Then I showed him a bracelet that my friends bought me for my bday (a heart with the word ‘Sbedemmic’ written on it) and he enlightened and said: “Nooo! Oh my god! Sbedemmic !? A-ma-zing!”

Then we asked him how to pronounce “Maxence” and Rocco called him at out table and Maxence rushed to us leaning towards us and we were blown away because he has really beautiful eyes and honestly I didn't even listen to what he said ahaha

Then Nicholas joined us and said  "I want to sit right next to Giulia” (I wanted to hug him ;u;) and we talked about drawings and it was wonderful. Then at a certain point I don't remember what he wanted to ask Bea and he started to call her addressing a girl at the table next to ours and only after a while we pointed out that Bea was sitting on the other side of the room and he was like: “Who was I calling? The girl doesn't even have hair like Bea!” HAHAH

Before he left we hugged each other tight and we  thanked each other for everything.

Maxence is literally an elf. He is nice, funny and he gave me a lot of positivity. We asked him to take a photo all together and he immediately put the glass of wine down because “If my mom sees the picture she gets angry” xD He said he never had the chance to interact so much with the fans at the events and that he thinks it’s amazing to create a bond with us.

Then I apologized bc I tag him on a lot of drawings and he asked me “Wait, what did you draw?”

Before I answered him he started to jump on the chair saying “The raccoon one!?”

Me: “Yes, even the-”

He: “The one with the shirt! Come on, let me see it!”

So I showed him the drawing and he exclaimed: “YEEEEES! THIS ONE! YEEEEES! THE SHIRT!!!”

He thanked me and I closed instagram, but I had forgotten to change my background and I had a photograph of me with Federico.

Maxence saw it and said: “Is that your boyfriend?"

And I said: “I WISH!”

I swear I didn't want to say it out loud, but it was spontaneous. He widened his eyes and literally burst into laughing while I turned RED. I apologized saying it wasn’t my intention to say it out loud but he said that he got that bc he read the panic in my eyes as soon as I realized it, but he appreciated my spontaneity and he said that it will be our little secret xD (then we talked outside and we took a couple of photos, he even chose the poses AHAHAH but then we got caught and the staff told him to go inside xD).

1 December

The second day in the morning we went to the autographs of Robin and Lukas and they both thanked me so much for the drawings (I will never forget their expressions ;;). 

After giving Lukas the drawing he stood up and hugged me tight and he was the sweetest, with his beautiful and kind smile :’)

Then I took a photo with Nicholas 

and a duo with Maxence and Rocco where I asked for a group hug and Maxence said: A POLIPATA ?! (an Italian word that idk how to translate. Obviously Rocco taught him that haha it’s like “hugging like an octopus” lol)

The last photos were those with Federico. When I showed him the photo I wanted to do he made an expression that I will never forget a mix between a smile and ;) and he said: “Uh, today we are in the mood for kisses”. And of course I turned BRIGHT RED :DDD

The last activity of the day was the autograph with Maxence. He thanked me for the drawing and said "You made me a beautiful drawing, so I will also make your own beautiful drawing" and he made a stylized character of me ahaha

At the cocktail party Maxence was the first one to sit with us! He didn’t know what to say so he asked us to do a toast and we all said in chorus 'cin-cin' and he said: "Do you know that ‘cin-cin’ means vagina in Chinese?” Ahah This was the highlight of our conversation.

Then Nicholas and Rocco came at our table and we talked all the time about medicines and reflux lmao We looked like the geriatric department bc they said that all the cocktails tasted like medicines lol 

Then Pietro and Fede arrived, both sooo tired, but Fede greeted us with "Hello rays of sunshine!" And we were literally dying . Pietro said he was worried about not being able to return home because he would have arrived after midnight and he didn't have the keys. "I can't call someone and say "Hi, I'm the guy who lives upstairs" ahaha

Then we talked to Lukas and Robin and they were so cute ;; Lukas is a very interesting person, he has a pure soul and it was a pleasure to know him ;; 

In the end, Bea and Greta arrived and we gossiped a lot, especially about boys haha

Best moments of PANELs:

-Nicholas said his favorite word is Australopithecus Robustus and Greta said "Fregno" (it’s a slang for ‘hot’) xD

-Fede said his Spirit animal is a Golden Retriever and that Martino’s is a fox

-Fede made fun of Rocco because he spoke with metaphors that didn’t make any sense so Fede was like: Enough Rocco, enough! Stop it! THAT'S ENOUGH!

-We made a video for Bea and everyone cried in the room

-THE KARAOKE

-Fede said that Rocco didn’t know how to ride a bicycle and they had to shoot that scene a lot of times

-Fede complimented Rocco and then he gave the microphone to him saying: “Come on, I’m waiting.” Because he wanted to get compliments too haha

-Rocco sat in the audience and asked Fede the story of Bambi and Fede called him “Er Lucertola (lizard)” in revenge and said that the name of Bambi was born because of a toxic (Rocco haha)

-Pietro who answered BOH to all the questions haha

-When a girl mentioned the 4th season (even if we couldn’t) and everyone said to keep hoping and thanked us for fighting so much during these months and then Rocco said: Yes, thank you very much for the support. Without you it wouldn't have been pos— Everyone: ROCCO !!!!! haha

-When another girl talked about Massimo Reale -Dr. Spera- (referring to the photos he posted from the 4th season’s set) and then Bea said: She just wanted to know the name of Dr. Spera and yes, it’s Massimo Reale xD

-Rocco screaming SBEDEM

Here’s some pics I took at the panels :) 

Everything was AWESOME! I miss them all so much ;;

Please if you want to use one of these pics tag my instagram account:  here

[cesarborjas]

“we get dark, only to shine” - chapter one

I’ve been thinking for awhile about posting a cleaned-up version of wgdots, and … I’m in a Renaissance place right now, so it seemed like a good time!

title: we get dark, only to shine verse: wgdots (1/lol) length: 168k, so far (shh) characters: Cesare Borgia, Lucrezia Borgia; Cesare/Lucrezia stuff that happens: Lucrezia, anxious about her forthcoming marriage to Giovanni Sforza, takes her concerns to Cesare.

PART ONE: PESARO

CHAPTER ONE

Lucrezia twirled, laughing as her skirts unfurled around her, a blur of pink and white. She could hear the rustle of the silk, feel her hair swinging out, caught by the breeze. Only a rush of light-headedness stilled her.

“What do you think, brother?” Lucrezia demanded, turning to sit by the fountain. She staggered, a little, dizziness making her graceless as little else did. Elsewhere she might have feared some damage to her dress, but Cesare caught her around the waist, as she had known he would. She smiled up at him, feeling very bright and beautiful. “Well?”

“I think you nearly tipped yourself into the water,” he said, guiding her to the stone rim of the fountain.

Lucrezia pointed imperiously at the place beside her. When Cesare sat down, his red robes settling around him, she tilted her head up to the sun.

“Tell me!”

“What shall I tell you, my love? That your hair is tangled, or that you have a lost a pearl, or—”

Lucrezia wrinkled her nose at him. He laughed, then relented, as he always did.

“You look very, very pretty. If Giovanni Sforza is not pleased, he must be a fool indeed.”

She could see his good humour dimming as he spoke of her betrothed, mouth tightening. But he had never wished her to marry, and she had an idea that he was unhappy over some particular of the betrothal. The husband, perhaps. Still, the affection in his eyes did not fade with his smile.

“But what of my dress?”

Cesare caught a corner of her skirt between his thumb and forefinger, then let it drop, uncreased. “It is lovely, sis.”

She reached out to grasp his hand between both of hers, pressing the long curl of his fingers between her own small ones.

“What is it?” he said.

She glanced down, from his eyes to his mouth, frowning in concern, and back again.

“You will think me ridiculous,” she said.

“Never.”

“I—I am a little afraid.”

“That is not unusual at all,” he said, frown shifting to a sympathetic smile. “You are to leave Rome, to join your life to a stranger, to be mistress of an unfamiliar household—”

“You are not helping.”

Despite themselves, they both laughed.

“Well,” he said, “it is perfectly natural to be afraid—that is all.”

Lucrezia turned that over in her mind. She had worried over those things, but she would not call them fears, exactly. “It is common, you mean. But I am a Borgia. I should not be afraid of anything.”

“Nonsense,” said Cesare. “I fear dozens of things, myself.”

“You?”

“And so does the Holy Father,” he added. He squeezed her fingers. “Why should we not? Della Rovere spreads his plots through all Italy, perhaps beyond. Our father’s papacy hangs by a thread. You are to leave our protection, and I fear most of all for your happiness. I shall not be able to ensure it from so far, no matter how kind your husband.” His lips pressed together. “You must promise to write to me, sis, if there is anything you require, anything I can do. And if he is not kind—”

I shall cut his heart out with a dinner knife, he’d assured her before, long frame bending over her, the curve of his mouth making it a jest, and yet not. Lucrezia had felt less comfort than delight, his blood-red robes draped over her, her heart pounding and eyes drifting to the mouth that had formed the words, as if they still rested there. She almost kissed him, the affectionate sister’s kiss she had hundreds of times pressed to his cheek or lips; and yet she did not. Something stifled the impulse, even with warmth prickling over her skin and her blood running quick in her veins. Instead, it made her fling her arms about his neck, pressing her face into his shoulder.

Now she interrupted him. “There is something I would ask, brother.”

“Ask and it is yours,” he said. She was staring at their joined hands, not his face, but she could hear the sudden smile in his voice. “Within reason.”

“I may not know very much about marriage, but I know a wife should please her husband.” Lucrezia bit her lip and looked up at him. If he had smiled before, he did not now; a familiar unhappy expression had settled over his face. “And I know that, for my dear father’s sake, it is of the utmost importance that I please mine.”

“Lucrezia, the Sforza arms are already promised to us,” said Cesare. “It does not depend on your husband’s—pleasure.” His mouth twisted at the word.

“But promises may be broken. Is that not so?” She lifted one of her hands to touch his cheek, anxiety and affection alike thrumming a steady beat under her ribs. “Do not bother trying to deceive me. You cannot hide things from me, brother.” Lucrezia gave an unsteady laugh. “I see them in your eyes. We both know it will be better for his Holiness, for our family, if I … if my husband …”

“Then speak to our mother,” he said at last. Something, perhaps distaste, tugged at his mouth. “Or Giulia Farnese.”

Lucrezia, briefly distracted, tipped her head to the side. “You do not like Giulia?” The idea had never crossed her mind.

“I neither like nor dislike her,” said Cesare. “I am, however, fond of our mother.”

“As am I! But I cannot ask her how to kiss a man!”

They stared at each other. Cesare, seeming only then to recall that his hand still lay in her lap, drew it quickly back.

“And why should you? You have kissed men hundreds of times—even thousands.”

Lucrezia’s mouth dropped open. “I have done nothing of the kind!”

“Father, Juan, me.” He paused. “Prince Djem, perhaps.”

“I never kissed him,” she said, and felt rather than heard his sigh. “And for the rest, that is not the same at all!”

“Exactly,” said Cesare. He tapped her nose. “You cannot learn how to kiss a husband from your brother, my love—your brother who will never be any woman’s husband, no less.”

“Well, I don’t see why not. It is not as if you are celibate.”

He made a strangled sound. Lucrezia grinned, smug, as a flush crept up his cheeks.

“You know what men and women do together,” she persisted. “You know what pleases a man, what—”

His finger pressed against her mouth.

“There lies your first mistake. I know what pleases me. Men do not share all our tastes. I could not guess—do not wish to guess—what pleases our brother, or my manservant, or Giovanni Sforza.”

“I suppose,” said Lucrezia, not entirely convinced. “Juan does prefer dark ladies, and I know you do not particularly. Perhaps—”she brightened—“Lord Sforza will be like you.”

“This is not a conversation a man wishes to have with his sister,” Cesare said, grimacing.

She dimpled. “But I thought all men were different.”

“Not that different!”

She could see him realize his mistake almost as soon as the words left his mouth. Before he could correct it, she said blithely,

“Then you can teach me.”

He released a breath. “I cannot believe I am even considering this.”

Lucrezia’s smile turned triumphant.

“Is there no one else?” he demanded.

She tilted her head inquisitively. “Is there a man you would rather instructed me?” Then she laughed. “Really, is there another man you would permit to touch me? To even remain alone with me? Juan? Should I ask him instead?”

“No!” Cesare scrambled to his feet, skirts billowing out. He glanced around the courtyard, as if Juan—or worse—might emerge at any moment. With a tug of her hand, he pulled her into their mother’s villa: dragged her, Lucrezia might have said, had she not followed so readily that it was more like walking hand-in-hand. They clattered around into his bedchamber.

She perched on the edge of his bed and watched, intrigued, as Cesare latched the doors and closed the window. He was really being very dramatic about all this.

“Well,” she said, “tell me what to do.”

He settled beside her, finally meeting her eyes. “You know how to give a chaste kiss.”

Lucrezia nodded, then smiled and quickly touched her mouth to his, as she had so many times before.

“That is not how I shall kiss my husband.”

“You may, sometimes,” he said. “That kiss speaks of affection. It is for company, and when there is no chance of anything else.”

“And when there is?”

She saw the shudder in his throat as he swallowed. He tilted his head down, towards hers, until their foreheads leaned together and she could feel his nose to the side of hers, his breath on her mouth. That was not new, either, but nevertheless something in her belly fluttered. Lucrezia smiled uncertainly.

“Close your eyes, my love,” he whispered, words but an inch from her.

She obeyed, though she couldn’t help saying, “But I want to—”

Cesare’s lips pressed against hers, lingering a moment, shifting to kiss her again from a different angle, his mouth brushing over hers between kisses. The fluttering deepened to a heavy shiver, radiating out and up her spine, until she was warm and shaking. Like a fever, she thought dimly, except fevers were wretched and this, this was wonderful. Even the skin of her neck prickled pleasantly, though he did not move the hand that rested there. Out of nowhere, she wished he would, slide his hand down her throat or neck—and she wanted to do something with her hands.

He broke away. Lucrezia did not feel any cooler, but her eyes opened in protest. Cesare, she saw, was flushed, too, his eyes very bright.

“What does that one speak of?” She sounded at once breathless and strangely loud.

“Promise,” he said, and nudged her nose. “But you must do your part.”

“Oh! I forgot!” She glanced down at his mouth and then back up. “But where do I put my hands?”

“Anywhere you like,” said Cesare. He added, “On my shoulders or behind my neck, generally.”

Lucrezia gave a solemn nod and set her hands on his shoulder. She dutifully closed her eyes; when he kissed her again, she kissed back, feeling his lips give way—just a little—under the pressure. Excitement burned through her veins once more. She tried to mimic the slow press of his lips, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Her heart was pounding. Then his thumb ran down her throat, almost to her collarbone, and Lucrezia gasped against his mouth.

Should she be …? The thought dissolved with a slide of his thumb against the hollow of her neck. Her mind was empty of anything but his name echoing around and around, Cesare, Cesare, Cesare. And more. She shifted her hands to his face, then locked them behind his neck, holding him as near to her as she could; his leg was already pressed against hers. It wasn’t good enough. She wanted—she wanted—

He stopped again. No, Lucrezia thought dimly, not even bothering to open her eyes; she pressed lingering kisses all along his mouth. In reward, she felt his arms around her waist, hands at her back, holding her close: familiar and new both. But he seemed to be trying to say something. Lucrezia didn’t want to talk. She caught his bottom lip between hers.

Before she could even decide what to do with it, she was tipping backwards onto the bed, Cesare sprawling over her, pressing quick, open-mouthed kisses into her parted mouth. One moment she felt the glide of his tongue over her lip, the next his teeth biting down, and she could only kiss him back, his hair caught in her right hand. She felt the line of his leg trapped between hers, though between her skirts and his she could do little but stir restlessly. 

Yet the propped-up weight of his body was more familiar than the robes under her fingers. It shouldn’t have felt like all the other times, the two of them lying together in the courtyard, the gardens, laughing together on this very bed—but it did. It felt exactly like that.

Cesare lifted his mouth, but only to press the same kisses down her throat. Dazed, Lucrezia could only wish there was some way of wrapping herself around him, of—of anything. When his teeth nipped at the skin where her neck met her shoulder, she nearly sobbed.

“Cesare,” she whispered instead.

He instantly froze, then buried his face in her neck. Lucrezia, thoughts a little more coherent, realized that his breath was panting against her throat, his shoulders shaking. She opened her eyes.

“Cesare?” Her voice sounded hoarse. She cleared her throat and he lifted his head, staring at her as if he could not quite believe his eyes.

“Forgive me,” he mumbled.

Lucrezia frowned. “For what? I thought that lesson went very well.”

Her brother shifted off her, lying on his back. It was only then that she realized his cross had been digging uncomfortably into her torso.

“Ah,” he said. “Well, yes.”

Lucrezia turned her head to the side, her hair loose around her brushing her cheek. Cesare looked almost bewildered.

“Did our father kiss our mother thus? And Giulia Farnese, now?”

The solemn set of his mouth turned, quick and easy, to a laughing smile. He tapped her nose.

“I think you know perfectly well how our father kisses women,” he said, with a meaningful glance at the window.

“I do not spy on Papa,” she said, repulsed, and Cesare laughed aloud.

“You reserve that honour for me?”

“Yes,” said Lucrezia, snuggling comfortably against him. She pushed the cross aside.

Cesare drew a deep breath.

“Will my husband kiss me thus, brother?”

“Perhaps,” he said. His expression went grave again. “Perhaps not. He may not be very interested in—niceties. He is a Sforza, after all, and he does not love you as I do.”

“That may be for the best,” said Lucrezia, “for I shall never love him as I do you.”

Cesare just sighed and stroked her hair.

“You will come and visit me? We are not to be separated forever?”

He hesitated.

Lucrezia felt panic welling in her chest. She pushed herself away, lifting horrified eyes to his. “Cesare?”

Cesare bit his lip. Then with a reckless look, he said, “Of course I shall.”

[dargeereads]

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  The first time Cassio met his fiancée, she called him ‘Sir’. After losing his wife, Cassio is left to take care of two small children while trying to establish his rule over Philadelphia. Now he needs a mother for his children, and someone who can warm his bed at night. But in a traditional world as his, choosing your wife is duty not pleasure. Rules have to be followed. Traditions heeded. That’s how he ends up with a woman—a girl barely of age. She might not be what he and his children need, but she’s wicked lovely and a sweet temptation he can’t resist. Giulia always knew she’d marry a man her father chose for her. Only she never expected to be given to someone much older. Suddenly she’s supposed to be a mother to two small children when she hasn’t even held a baby in her life. Giulia quickly realizes that Cassio isn’t interested in a relationship on equal footing. Her mother always warned her that men of power like Cassio don’t tolerate insolence; yet, tired of being treated as a nanny and clueless child-bride, Giulia decides to fight for her vision of a happy family.

♦ ♦ ♦

  ♦ ♦ ♦

Read the First Chapter HERE!

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Acting on impulse, I leaned forward and brushed my lips across his then darted my tongue out, tasting the liquor clinging to his mouth. Smoky and sweet. Cassio stiffened, but the look on his face became even more intense than before. “What was that?” His voice was a low rasp that I could feel everywhere. “A kiss?” I didn’t have much experience, but I doubted anyone could mess up a simple kiss. “Are you trying to influence me with your body?” My eyes grew wide. “No. I could smell the liquor on your breath, and I was curious how it tastes.” Cassio chuckled. “You are a strange girl.” His mouth twisted. “Woman.” He looked down at the dog in my arms. It was snuggled against me peacefully. Without a word, Cassio turned around and returned to his glass of whisky on the table. I stepped inside and closed the door. Stroking the dog, I followed my husband. “What’s its name?” “Loulou,” Cassio said, a strange note to his voice. I stopped beside him. “Can I have a sip of your whisky?” Cassio’s eyes bored into me. “You’ve never had whisky before?” “No. My father didn’t allow me to drink alcohol. I had my first glass at our wedding.” “Many firsts for one day.” A small shiver passed down my spine at the contemplative growl. “You aren’t old enough for hard liquor.” My lips parted in indignation. Was he serious? He downed the remains of his drink, and before I could say something snarky, he cupped the back of my head and pressed his lips to mine. Gently at first, his eyes searching mine. I grasped his bicep and stood on my tiptoes—his permission. Then he really kissed me, his tongue stroking mine, discovering my mouth. The taste of whisky swirled in my mouth, intoxicating—not as much as the kiss though. God, his kiss set me aflame.

♦ ♦ ♦

  Enter the Release Day Giveaway HERE!

Cora also has giveaways on her TWITTER and INSTAGRAM!

♦ ♦ ♦

  Cora Reilly is the author of the Born in Blood Mafia Series, The Camorra Chronicles and many other books, most of them featuring dangerously sexy bad boys. Before she found her passion in romance books, she was a traditionally published author of young adult literature. Cora lives in Germany with a cute but crazy Bearded Collie, as well as the cute but crazy man at her side. When she doesn't spend her days dreaming up sexy books, she plans her next travel adventure or cooks too spicy dishes from all over the world.

♦ ♦ ♦

[londonlanded]

Week 33

Alright folks, rolling two weeks into one here since not a ton happened the first one.

Monday rolled in, and so did a true winter storm? I've seen London reduced to rubble by weather before, but this was some next level disruption. The tube stops when there's so much as a leaf on the tracks, so when you factor in an entire 'blizzard' by English standards, the world stops. Amusing how something as simple as frozen water can paralyze an entire country that's previously withstood everything from guns, germs, chemicals and everyhing in between. I was the only one whose shoes weren't seeing me slide across the pavement uncontrollably, my seasoned snow-walking ways allowed me at least a giggle as I passed my somewhat less-fortunate comrades who, well, looked kinda drunk walking on ice for the first time in, likely, a very long time. Maybe even ever?

Anyway, I made the mistake of taking the tube one morning (instead of the bus which is significantly more weather-worthy), and found myself listening to the most profoundly annoying train operator I have yet come across. We found ourselves stuck between Baron's and Earl's Court stations, and instead of just leaving us to suffer in peaceful silence, our conductor decided that telling us over and over that 'we will be moving AT SOME POINT' was much more comforting??? It was the most vague and simultaneously amusing and frustrating 10 minutes of my time in London. It also led me to think I might die underground more than it encouraged me that I wouldn’t. Anyway, I wouldn’t be much of a Londoner if I didn’t complain about the tube right?

Still, barring my one moment of train frustration, my week went by as smoothly as any second week of a job could go. I woke up Saturday morning to find a strange chocolate bar in my cupboard, and decided to make it my breakfast (#cleaneating). I tasted what could only have been alcohol, and I heard from my Hungarian flatmate later that morning that it was actually an old-fashioned chocolate bar flavoured with brandy. As sweet of her as it was to give me something from her home, I wasn't counting on tasting liquor that early on a Saturday morning!

By the way, not sure when I actually received these, but ready for something hilarious?

If someone could enlighten me as to how I’m meant to get rid of 250 of these I’d be hugely appreciative thank you. I only have like...30 family members, not sure who’s going to be on the receiving end of these cards but I’ll let you know if anyone ever actually takes one off me! Amusingly a friend of mine likes to take her friends’ business cards to dole out when she’s tipsy and gets asked out by boys she doesn’t want to give her number to, so at this rate the only call this card’s going to earn me is from one or two very disappointed gentlemen...

Monday, I spent my day wishing it away since that evening after work, I headed out to Hammersmith Apollo to see my hands-down favourite artist play the last of a series of 8 sold out shows he played in London. I've been a Bon Iver fan for years, but the only other time I've seen him live, I was in the wrong company and it was in the wrong venue (drunk and loud, open air aka the concert wasn't loud enough amazingly enough). This time, I didn't make the same mistake, I set out on my real-life clothes from work (much to the amused surprise of my colleagues who had never seen me out of a dress), and took the same bus that I usually take home.

As expected, the opener's become the most played artist on my itunes since the show, and unsurprisingly, Justin swept us all off our feet the second he took to the stage for his short but phenomenally good set. I walked the 20 minutes home with a smile on my face and a quiet thrum in my chest from the music that had just finished reverberating through it.This is the calm before the storm, but I was too distracted to take many good photos during the show. In any case, you can’t capture sound on camera anyway, it’s safe to say that my eyes didn’t really need to work for me to be fully and wholly consumed by what I could have been looking at. 

Wednesday, met up with Paris after work to go to his new favourite place in the city, which happens to be feet from where I work. The top of the Picturehouse Central cinema holds a members-only seating area that allows you a view over all of Picadilly circus, and we stopped there for a drink and a chat. If you know me at all, you know I've seen a total of 3 movies in the past decade probably, so buying a membership to a movie theatre is probably the last thing you'd expect from me, but hey, I'm full of surprises what can I say. And for this view?? Worth it I think.

Thursday March 8th meant happy international women's day! I learned that it's a massive deal in Eastern  Europe, so much so that 4 bouquets of flowers were delivered to our office for the director of the Russian Worldwide Sales Office (based in our building). I always thought it was something created in the West, but evidently not. My way of celebrating was with a few friends for dinner, but soon after arriving I found out that I couldn’t escape my past as a pad-lady since there’s truly nothing more empowering than being the face of sanitary napkins apparently... They forced me into it, here for your viewing pleasure. 

Friday after work, I met Paris at the very same place he’d shown me the week before - we’ve had to have a lot of marathon catch-ups recently to make up for the time we’ve lost together in the office, and I have a feeling I’ll be visiting this theatre overlooking Picadilly Circus a lot over the coming weeks to do just that. 

Saturday, came across this funny little street sign that reminded me of home. Even more amusing was the fact that I was in a neighbourhood near one called Forest Hill. I always gave the people who named my area a bit of flack for having been so unoriginal, but perhaps they were inspired by someone even less innovative than them. To make things worse, I was visiting someone named Emily. Too many parallels thank you. And yes, under the sign is a box of Yorkshire tea, in case you needed any more proof that I’m in England. 

Saturday night, headed to a vegan restaurant called Chloe where we celebrated one of my ex-colleagues birthdays under a sign that displayed how my generation looks at the monarchy. 

Sunday morning, I finally headed to one of the markets I’ve been most desperate to go see, with the most fantastic company I could have imagined of course! I met Paris and Giulia at the entrance to Liverpool Street station, and from there, we walked to the first of our two markets of the day.

Spitalfields market is a mix of food and clothing, textiles, wares and art and trinkets, anything you can imagine wanting you can probably find there. It’s not somewhere you want to go if you’re tight on your budget or bad with temptation, the three of us had to resist the urge to empty our pockets at least half a dozen times. Didn’t take too many photos since my iphone wasn’t giving me what I wanted in terms of photographic standard, but I did manage to snap this photo of a legit wood-fire stone pizza oven contained inside a food truck, which I found quite impressive I must say. 

Thanks to my mom’s recommendation, the three of us knew exactly what to order when we finally made it to the mouth of Brick Lane market. Dark Sugars is a chocolatier that’s more than just a storefront. Staff walk around with trays of samples, there’s a fantastic soundtrack, and they sell truffles in every flavour under the sun, including some that have tiny liqueurs that you inject into the truffle just before digging in. 

As cool as all that is, the reason we came was for their famous hot chocolate. They don’t use powders or syrups - instead, they take chunks of milk, white, and dark chocolate and shave them in front of you, displaying them in a tasty rainbow on top of steamed whole milk.

 It’s your daily requirement for sugar and everything else no doubt, but it was worth the inevitable sugar high as well as the small dent on my wallet. 

From there, we walked along to the second spot we were adamant on hitting that morning - the Beigel Bake is one of Brick Lane’s most well known and longest-standing attractions. 

Opened in 1974, they serve classic ‘Jewish-style’ Beigels and salt beef for a relatively paltry price tag. They’re open 24 hours, though walking into the place at high noon made it hard to imagine in any state other than packed to the brim busy. If any of you are familiar with the soup nazi from Seinfeld, that’s the vibe you get when you walk in. The line was out the door and almost to the corner, though it moved at a decent pace thanks to the no-funny-business, military-efficiency being demonstrated by the staff. 

Even though my body doesn’t agree with bread, I ordered the classic salt-beef beigel with gherkins, and though my body must have taken issue with something else I had consumed that day, it was entirely worth it. Paris added to his meal a 99p piece of cheesecake that honestly blew my mind when he offered me a bite, I swear if anyone you know is down to their last few pence and needs to feed themselves for a week, stocking up on that dense and perfect cheesecake might do the trick to keep them going. 

Brick lane really is all about the food though - there are a number of warehouses that you pass while hopping between stalls, and they’re all filled to the brim with stalls of vendors selling food from all around the world. From italy to the Netherlands, you can find your country - there’s even a poutine stand being run by some Canadian ex-pats! Of course, there are thousands of other things available like any market, and I went home with a map of England and Wales from 1900 that cost me a grand total of £5. See, it pays to be into things no one else wants!

And with that, I headed home with a happy belly and happier heart. 

Next week, my last week of training, the beginning of some real sales work, and some blasts from my PBX past!

e

[businessweekme]

Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti – Reviewed

The souped-up version of Alfa’s entry-level sedan is refreshingly different from its peers—and cheaper, to boot. You might have just found your new best friend.

Alfa Romeo has been the butt of jokes for years. Even—especially—during those years, it hardly sold any cars in the United States. (In 2016, it posted 516 total U.S. sales.)

Older Alfas are known for their propensity to rust and for any number of frustrating mechanical hiccups that happen with no apparent consistency or common theme, while electrical and software “issues” have plagued modern examples in recent years. (Then there was that embarrassing day at the track with BMW and Mercedes, which may have been an isolated event but wasn’t great for street cred.)

But now the humble Alfistis in your life—your cousin, a friend at work—has a strong comeback. They can thank the Alfa Romeo Giulia. This is the car that will receive all the credit for (re) introducing Americans to the 107-year-old brand.

By now you’ve probably heard plenty about Giulia; the Italian-built sedan with the carbon-fiber driveshaft and baby Ferrari curves was the subject of those perfectly sexy television commercials and the winner of Motor Trend’s coveted Car of the Year award for 2018.

I’m not going to gush about it as much as some Alfa fans and critics have. Those guys are nuts for Alfa Romeo. But it’s true that along with the Stelvio SUV, the Giulia has worked like a charm in terms of bringing an audience back to the brand in the United States. Both are lithely chiseled machines, with dynamic performance from behind the wheel and comfortable, thoughtful interior technology and appointments. Last year, the Italian brand realized the biggest surge of any carmaker’s sales in the U.S. for 2017, up 62 percent from the year prior.

The Giulia has a 280-horsepower, four-cylinder engine that can hit 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds.Photographer: Hannah Elliott/Bloomberg

Volkswagen AG’s Audi AG, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz have nothing to worry about yet in terms of sales competition. Alfa Romeo Automobiles Spa sold just over 12,000 cars in the U.S. last year, compared to more than 300,000 from BMW, and boasts only 177 dealers in the U.S., about half as many as the likes of BMW and Mercedes. Yet it is fair to say that the Giulia and its variants have stolen a share of the spotlight, at least for the time being.

Noticeable Adaptability

By now, the Giulia as a model is not new. It debuted in late 2016 and started production in 2017. But it is worth examining the updated 2018 version, especially the Giulia Ti RWD edition, because it embodies this car’s raison d’etre: to offer a bold, value-conscious, different-looking and -feeling alternative to the German-made sedans that have dominated the segment for decades.

The $41,145 Ti RWD edition gives you things the $40,095 standard version doesn’t, such as heated seats, a bigger control screen, and remote vehicle start. A Ti Performance package, for $1200, adds active suspension and mechanical limited-slip differential. Those additions mean that while mine had the same 280-horsepower, four-cylinder engine as the base version, and they both get to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds on the automatic, eight-speed transmission, the Vesuvio Grey model I drove felt especially light and responsive under duress.

Ask Giulia to mind its manners in traffic and down side streets? Fine. Push it to pass cars bigger and more powerful than it is—on paper, at least—up the highway? It’ll do that, too, with pleasure. The suspension here is perfectly calibrated between tight and responsive; the steering feels as good as almost anything for which you’d pay $30,000 more. In general, Alfa Romeo has produced a sedan that drives far lighter and more athletically than expected, without feeling overstrung. If it’s not quite better, it can at least hold its own with the big boys (BMW, et al). I have to say, it was pretty fun to be driving a sedan that is, for once, different and interesting. I think you’ll like it, too.

New and Improved, Inside and Out

New for 2018 on the Giulia line are chrome door speakers surrounding the cabin and 18-inch polished double Y-spoked aluminum wheels. Standard, too, are Apple CarPlay and Android Aut, plus front parking sensors bundled together with blind-spot monitoring and auto-dimming exterior mirrors. There’s also a new cargo convenience package that comes optional with cargo netting and hooks inside the truck; a premium, 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo is now offered as a $900 option on the Giulia and Giulia Sport.

The special Ti Sport edition offers two new ,19-inch, aluminum wheel options as well as a Ti Sport Performance Package, which adds an active suspension, as well as a limited-slip differential.Photographer: Hannah Elliott/Bloomberg

Better yet, both the base model and the 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sport offer new tech such as an 8.8-inch display with 12 free months of SiriusXM satellite radio.

In fact, the Giulia Ti comes with many well-appointed trappings of luxury, one of its biggest strengths. Even the red-leather interior seats (which often look outré in sedans) and dark gray oak-wood trim on the dashboard and doors looked and felt great.

This is not to say that everything in the 2018 Giulia has been perfected. The brakes are way too soft; the joystick-like shifter feels plastic and cheap. The sport seats are cushioned so thickly you’ll be hard-pressed to fit your hips and shoulders in them if you’re much bigger than sample size. I felt like I was sitting on top of the car, rather than inside it. We have yet to really test the reliability over multiple years’ worth of driving; reliability has been an issue with Alfa Romeo cars. And if you want the full Italian job, you’ll have to fork over more than $50,000, which was the final price on the one I drove, once all the upgrades and fees were tallied.

If you can pay even more than that, opt for the 2018 Giulia Quadrifoglio. That sedan has the same sensuous body style, starts at $74,000, and justifies that price with high performance from a twin-turbocharged, 2.9-liter, V6 engine and Pirelli P Zero Corsa Asimmetrico 2 tires.

But if you want to drive something bold and beautiful, fun and efficient (27 miles per gallon, combined), step down one notch to the Giulia Ti RWD. It is a great option with value and style in the frequently too-vanilla premium sedan segment.

      The post Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti – Reviewed appeared first on Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East.

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[proteportainternational]

Autocar's best of 2017: our cars of the year

From the Aston Martin DB11 to the Volkswagen Up GTI, these are the cars that most thrilled our team this year

With so many cars on hand to drive each year, it takes a special machine to stand out. But when put on the spot, which four-wheeled machines impressed Autocar's staffers the most in 2017?

Using whatever criteria they fancied in order to make their choices, our team provides the answers. Click through the pictures to see our picks.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Be honest: who really thought Alfa would ever get round to executing its comeback plan – the fifth such plan we’ve heard of in recent years, and the most ambitious. Not me, for one. And then the first new-era Alfa arrived, a stunning rear-wheel-drive sports saloon with a 500bhp-plus Ferrari-developed V6 and handling none of its rivals could live with. What a joy.

I drove it right at the start of the year and nothing I’ve driven since has bettered it, nor does anything immediately spring to mind that could do so in 2018. Now do it again, Alfa.

Aston Martin DB11 V8

I’m still mentally invested in my long term Seat Ateca, which I returned in spring. Not particularly exciting but an excellent all-rounder which I’d absolutely buy. But, predictably, the glamour of fast cars wins.

I wasn’t sold on the DB11's looks when it was first revealed, but in the flesh it is much prettier, in a muscular kind of way. The V8 is also far better than I expected from behind the wheel, with sharp(ish) steering and keen handling. I only drove it for a couple of hours – a welcome break in an otherwise unremarkable Monday – but I reckon I could easily be convinced to make it a daily driver. If only…

Honda Civic Type R

I’m a bit surprised my favourite car isn’t an SUV, given my preference for them in recent years. But the Honda Civic Type R is my stand-out this year. I’m not struck on its outlandish looks, which are not only OTT but rather spikey with it (Jeremy Clarkson has reflected in The Sunday Times on how small your manhood needs to be in order to drive a car that looks like this). But the way this car drives would give me pleasure every single day. The engine is smooth, extremely powerful and responsive everywhere. The gearchange is Honda brilliant. The steering is firm but lovely. And the Civic is so little slower than the likes of a 911, practically speaking, that it has to be a bargain.

What amazes me most is that the ride is comfortable, even supple, despite the ribbon tyres and the close-to-perfect body control. Like I say, I’d enjoy this car every time I drove it.

Porsche 911 GT3

Yes, I know, this choice is about as predictable as mince pies at Christmas, but offer me a year in any car I’ve driven in 2017 and I wouldn’t have to think twice. I think the new GT3looks fantastic in the metal, much better than it ever looks on the page or on a screen, because there’s a sort of subtle muscularity to it that is only appreciated in person. I’d have mine in Touring spec, which deletes the rear wing for maximum subtlety points. And, of course, the way the car looks is entirely secondary to the way it drives.

News Autocar

Learn about the products of Proteporta to maintain your car with the appearance of new always! www.proteporta.com

[de-lumine]

Ask Me Anything: refined.

My final list of 5 designers to interview...

Stefan Sagmeister

The Letterettes

Giulia Giannini McGauran

Studio Constantine/Pleasure Projects

Craig Sutton

In order of hardest to easiest people to contact, but not necessarily the order of who I’d like to interview most. I’m thinking I’d like to interview SC/PP the most, from an interest point of view. David Constantine was a mentor to me for a year of study and the work he and his wife produce is really visually interesting - I’d love to pick their brans.

GGMcG has always been a favourite local artist of mine and is another visually interesting artist whose methods and thinking I’d like to learn more about. In contrast, Craig Sutton is someone I know very well, but has actually graduated from our course. Interviewing him would be interesting for all of us in terms of gaining an insight into what the course holds for us, how to handle it, and the way of thinking of someone who’s completed the degree.

[thegreatescape]

My experience at the HVFF

This is going to be a very long post about my experience at the HVFF (sorry for my terrible English).

So, when we arrived, on our left, we saw Milo Ventimiglia and we almost fainted in front of him because we didn't expect to see him so close to the entrance lol Infact we were shocked when we saw John Barrowman few seconds later on our right too haha

Then my friends and I went immediately to Robin's stand and when we saw him we all freaked out -damn, he's so good looking and he seems like 28, not 39 :O- So we stood right next to him (not in the queue) and when he saw us he waved and smiled at us (his smile is so bright and cute, I almost melted).

Then I met Em, Julia (@robinllordtaylor) and Jen (@christopherpaulcolfers) and they're absolutely adorable ;-; I'm so happy that I've finally met them -I love you so much girls!

Then we all went to Robin's photo-op and when I saw him I asked him if we could hug and he said 'Of course, sweetie!' and he smiled again. So I picked up my bags and I showed my hand to my friend -because I was literally shaking- and Dickie (Robin's husband) saw me and he laughed -lol I was sooo embarrassed!

Then we went at the Gotham panel but I don't remember everything they said... But when the interviewer talked about the couples and mentioned Nygmobblepot everyone screamed out lout (video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUt6B2BDV_P/?taken-by=giulsholfer ) and Robin laughed and changed the subject and talked about Alfred's terrible love life lol

At the end of the panel we went to Robin's stand again and there I witnessed the funniest thing ever: my dear friend Alexa (@rainbowthirteen) asked Robin to sign her 'Nygmpowerbottom' pic (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsc_JEy1nW8 // gifset: http://colfernygma.tumblr.com/post/161274349417/few-days-ago-i-took-this-video-of-my-friend )

Then it was my turn and it went pretty much like this:

Robin held my hand and said: 

-Hi, nice to meet you! What's your name?

-Hi, I'm Giulia. First of all, sorry for my English.

-Where are you from?

-Venice, Italy.

-Oh, Italy! Well, my Italian is terrible too. The only word I know is 'prego'. (he was so adorable when he said that with his accent hufodsiafshoi) Is it correct, right?

-Yes, it's correct! So... (I gave him my drawing, this one:)

-Do you want me to sign this pic?

-Ehm, no. This is a drawing for you!

-A draw-- what?! OH.MY.GOD!!! I thought it was a picture!! (he called his manager and told her that it was a drawing) Look at the details! Oh my God, it's so impressive! You're so talented.

And his manager: Oh my, it's better than the original!

And Robin: Yeah! Wait... (he looked at her pretending to be offended) thank you!? (and they laughed.)

Robin hold my hand and complimented my drawing again, and I gave him the t-shirt.

-I hope it fits.

-OH MY GOD! It's my cat Finn! Look! She put a picture of my cat and... Oh, wonderful.

-Actually, it's a drawing.

-You drew this too? Oh my God that's amazing! You're so talented omg!

And his manager: She's spoiling you! And him: Definitely!

-It looks like a picture, thank you so much!!

(gifset: http://colfernygma.tumblr.com/post/161254744987/when-i-gave-my-t-shirt-to-robin-with-a-drawing-of )

Then I asked him to give Cory my present for him (a tshirt -yeah, with that terrible guinea pig bc Cory is obsessed with it lmao- and a drawing) 

because he cancelled his participation few weeks before the fanfest so I had my gifts already done and Robin was SO kind to me. Here's the moment: http://colfernygma.tumblr.com/post/161311350147/ill-be-forever-grateful-thank-you-robin

-Come here, let me hug you!

-Love you.

-Love you too.

(gifset: http://colfernygma.tumblr.com/post/161292214277/robin-and-i-after-i-gave-him-a-drawing-of-oswald )

Then we went to Sean's stand and I gave him another drawing ( https://www.instagram.com/p/BOiI9ULgbFF/?taken-by=giulsholfer ) and he complimented me and said something like:

-Oh my God, can I keep it?!

-OF COURSE! (I mean, I thought it was obvious haha)

He was sooo sweet and he hugged me twice ;-; ( https://www.instagram.com/p/BUsdGniDIHZ/?taken-by=giulsholfer )

Drew was right next to him so we decided to go all together and do a group pic. Me and Em had two cutouts of Cory

and when Drew saw them he yelled:

-OH MY GOD! That's so creepy! But beautiful! Wait...

He took his mobile phone and asked us to pose with the cutouts and thEN HE TEXTED CORY IN FRONT OF US!!! HE LITERALLY SENT OUR PIC TO HIM -I'm still screaming-

So he said:

-Okay, I get it that Cory is your favorite BUT who's your second favorite?

And we -laughing-: YOUUUU!

He laughed too and said “You'll have my gratitude forever!”

When we told him that we are all friends and we're from Italy, Great Britain, Germany and Argentina he said: “You should start a girl band called 'The Cory Smith!'

Then we took like 20 pics (he's so sweet and funny istg and he gives the best hugs) and he even put Cory’s face on his lmao

 And at some point a guy run towards us and photobombed us and we were like 'Hey you didn't pay for the pic!' but then we noticed that it was fREAKING BRANDON ROUTH! And my friend screamed: OH MY GOD! SUPERMAN PHOTOBOMBED US!

Then I went to Milo's stand and while we were queueing I was taking a looot of picture till he caught me. I smiled guilty and he laughed and said: Don't worry, take as many pics as you want!

When I arrived in front of him the conversation was this:

"Hi! Nice to meet you! Omg this is an ooooold picture!"

"Well, you're always beautiful."

"Aw, thank you! What's your name?"

"Giulia."

"Italia!"

"Yes! I'm from Venice."

"Bella! How do you spell Giulia?"

-I had a panic attack and I wasn't even able to spell my name lmfao-

"Give me your phone."

"Yeah thank u, bc I'm shaking."

"Aww, no." -he took 3 pics-

"Can I hug you?"

"Sure! Certo! È stato un piacere." (He said it in italian and I melted)

Then he hugged me tight ;-;

The second day we went to Robin's stand in the morning. I talked about my social anxiety and that I was there just to meet him and he said that he has the same phobia and that he was so happy that I was able to face my fears to meet him. 

But the thing that made my heart jumping was the first thing he said to me:

-Oh, hi! I was looking forward to seeing you again!

And he held my hands... he was so sweet I'm still crying. (gifset: http://colfernygma.tumblr.com/post/161314684447/i-was-literally-shaking-when-he-told-me-that )

Then we went to his stand 3 more times and he hugged us every single one and I was like 'I'm so so so sorry, I don't want to bother you!'

And he was like: 'Awww noo! Don't worry! It's a pleasure, come here!”

And we took a pic with Cory’s cutout too lmao

We also saw Dickie again because he was bringing him bottles of water bc it was so hot, and a friend of mine tapped on his shoulder and when he turned around we paralized and waved at him. He smiled and looked genuinely happy and he said: “Hi! How are you?! Are you having fun?!” and omg he's so cute! He has a beautiful smile!

Then we went to the photo-op again and when Robin saw me he said:

-Hi Giulia! Nice to see you again! and he hugged me one more time.

Then we went to Sean (he had his black glasses... we HAD to take a pic with him lmao he's hot, I've to say that :P) 

and while we were taking our pics with him, Drew yelled:

-Seannyyyyyyy??? I'm on someone's wallpaper! Are you on someone's wallpaper?

And Sean pretended to be sad: -No :((

And Drew with an high-pitched voice: Well, I'm on someone's wallpaper!

It was soooo funny! I love them so much!

Before leaving I asked Drew if I could hug him again and he almost lift me off the ground and he said to me and my friends: “Good luck with the girl band!!” (the one that he called 'The Cory Smith' the day before lol)

Then we waved at David and Jessica more than once and they're so cute too! David is so small and Jessica is breathtaking!

It was such a lovely experience and everyone was so nice to me. The cast of Gotham is a treasure and I had the best time with them and my amazing friends!

P.S

When I came home I saw this adorable video posted by Robin ( http://colfernygma.tumblr.com/post/161313103552/justgotham-robin-thanking-fans-at-heroes ) and I cried bc you can see my drawing, my t-shirt, my gift for Cory and Julia's drawing ;-;)

Oh, and Cory liked these two pics: 1) https://www.instagram.com/p/BUpMB-1jsN7/?taken-by=giulsholfer 2) https://www.instagram.com/p/BUpKjSlDKmL/?taken-by=giulsholfer 

I’m still laughing!