#(it's a wrap-shawl-vest-thing)

[throwing-roses-into-the-abyss]

idk yet if this is gonna be another short-term hyperfixation or an actual long-term interest I'm going to develop further, but, for now, I'm really enjoying this knitting thing. plans and ideas are starting to happen. fingers crossed I can keep finding time for it among everything else happening in my life and also my 3904739 other hobbies

[cultivating-wildflowers]

the one time I said "I'm going to gauge this project" and the guidelines for the gauge still confuse me, even four days out

is it just me or is it impossible to get a 4 inch square that's only 14 stitches wide yet 12 rows of stitches tall??

[rocksibblingsau]

#party animal branch au

What would Branch's relationship with each of the members of the Snack Pack be like? How does Cooper and Branch's sibling relationship develop? How did Branch's relationship with his adoptive parents develop (and what is it like)? When Cooper meets his adoptive family, does Branch start to feel insecure? What was the Funk family's first impression of Branch?

Sorry for writing a lot ^^"

―🦝

Hm, that's a tough one! Healthy Pop Branch is a very hard character for me to wrap my head around. I think Party Animal Branch is somewhat shy and a bit melancholy sometimes so he's not fully as energetic as his friends.

I think he and Poppy would be childhood best friends. Maybe sweethearts if you like Broppy. He and Biggie would get along over being more 'sensitive' about things. Meanwhile he and Smidge I think would have a competitive relationship over being Poppy's best friend. Guy tries to get him to be more confident, and I think he'd team up with Satin and Chenille to try dressing him up more. DJ Suki and him would hang out in the back when parties get too much.

I have no clue what he and Creek would be like.

I think Branch very slowly warms up to the idea of having a brother. He's still scared that Cooper will abandon him, but now that he's thrust into the big brother role, he becomes determined not to abandon Cooper.

Branch becomes Cooper's cool, super knowledgeable big brother. Cooper looks up to him and wants to be like him. I like to think Cooper starts wearing a shawl that looks like Branch's vest.

His relationship with his parents is also a bit like how it's going with Thrash. Learning to have parents is hard and weird, but he loves them.

I like to think Branch is in denial at first that Cooper is from another tribe because his "other" family becomes more tangible then. When they get brought up onto the ship, Branch is very defensive.

"Cooper's not a Funk Troll, he just has four legs because he likes walking." and "How would you even know he's your kid, Cooper hadn't hatched, you'd have no way to know what he'd look like."

Then he sees Prince D and the reality kinda crashes down and Branch is VERY scared that Cooper will leave him for this better family.

Essence and Quincy at first assume Branch is so opposed to Cooper being a Funk Troll just out of misguided fear of the other tribes, but then they realize it's actually a Trauma thing so they try to be very inclusive of Branch and his feelings.

They think Branch is a good guy, and a really good older brother!

[mraprilfools]

Word Count: 6.9k

Rating: E Pairing: Mammon x F!Reader

CW/TW: Mammon

Summary:

Even after dating the infamous sin Mammon for months, the man hasn't even tried to lay one dirty hand on you. You decide it's time to change that and put on a skimpy black dress on your next date! Only one problem, the reporters love it more than he does!

Or so you think. Preview below the cut

Openly dating one of the Sins was one of the best ways to end up with your name everywhere. In magazines, TV segments, and online discussion boards. It felt like your whole world was turned upside down once they had snapped a single photo of you leaving a restaurant with Mammon. He towered over you considerably, but you stuck out like a sore thumb as a simple hell-born Baphomet. A secretary that happened by the strangest fluke, a misfiling! Mammon had been far too impressed with your initial meeting to fire you.

All it took was a little healthy fear and suddenly he became borderline obsessed with you. At first, it was casual hangouts with the large sinner making himself quite at home with you. Then he was stealing your weekends and your free time for reasons unrelated to work. His hand became familiar on your shoulder, pushing you into his large plush body whenever he had some oddly capitalistic word of wisdom to share.

Before you knew it, the Sin had become a familiar part of your life. Only he was frustratingly chaste! Sure he’d cuddle with you, push that head against your neck, and wrap his four arms around you. You were happy to lay up on his fuzzy belly and simply… sleep. It was heavenly but three months later and he had not so much as tried to kiss you once.

You’d get to hold his hand! Mammon would pick you up and carry you. He even got you, your very own jester cap! Some days you’d lay on top of him while you played video games together. But… it never got more physical than that.

But tonight you felt you hyping yourself up to try and push things to the next level! At least a smooch! Today’s secret weapon? A pretty black dress that hugged your curves, leaving nothing to the imagination of what you were packing. High heels that showed off your legs even with your hooves fighting it every step of the way, and you went the extra mile to have your hair up.

Tonight! You were going to fuck a clown!

You arrived first at the venue. Standing outside waiting for him, pulling the shawl around your shoulders to attempt and banish the chilling cold of the evening. You’d chosen beauty over comfort and were starting to regret it. The flash of a camera made me far too aware of how high the hem of your dress rode and the plunging neckline.

It didn’t stop with one flash or two. Several were going off in the dark corners where you were never looking. You were stuck between staying where you were so Mammon could find you, or finding a place to hide. The anxiety of the crossroad didn’t have to live long. A familiar limo on the street meant your brief vigil was over and salvation.

You stood on the tips of your hooves, watching with unmasked excitement waiting for the sight of the man who had become so quickly dear to you.

Mammon stepped out wearing a bright green suit with a black vest underneath. His head was still covered with his iconic mask, matching with the colors of his formal wear. There were trappings of familiarity such as the squirting water flower and the spinning bow tie that spoke of his profession. The pressure in your chest felt much lighter at the sight of the larger-than-life sin. Thankfully he attracted all the cameras too! Something Mammon could brush off with ease because it was a world he was born into.

“There’s my Doll!” The familiar voice with its Australian slang cut through the din of the city. The nickname was a familiar one, apparently short for one of Mammon’s favorite things: The Dollar Bill.

The Chartreuse eyes glowed even in the evening, contrasting against the artificial lights. Mammon wasted no time scooping you right off the ground! Hands held your waist, lifting you until you were face to face despite your height differences. He then tucked you into the crook of his lower set of arms like a seat while the upper half was your support for your back. Your legs bent against his belly while he looked at you with his face illuminating with joy.

“You look like a million bucks!” A toothy grin flashed across his face; knowing how cheesy that sounded.

Didn’t fail to bring heat to your neck and a bubbling joy that had you bashfully trying to turn your head away. That was the highest compliment THE Mammon could give! “Fuzzy! We’re in public!” You reminded him. But the sin could hardly care, already pressing his forehead against yours. The ear of his hat tickled your scalp as his lips pressed against your temple.

“Yeah! And you think I give a shit? They SHOULD be looking. These pieces of shit are lucky to be getting to see people like us in public! Fuck, I should be CHARGING them. Wait--” The illuminated expression faltered, eyes squinting. He was stuck in one of his usual thoughts on how to exploit anything and everything for money. It was but one of the many things you loved about the man! Instead of interrupting you pressed a chaste kiss against his forehead, too shy to steal your first kiss in public!

Mammon’s face gentled, large green eyes widening in joy. “Aww, who am I kidding? I’m with my Doll! I’ll exploit these bitches later. You ready for some Italian?”

“You bet! I’ve never been anywhere this fancy before. I hope I don’t accidentally embarrass us...” It had to be quite an affair it was to make even Mammon dress up in a suit. The clown cocked his head to the side and then burst into laughter.

“Don’t worry Doll! Play it off like a joke and everyone will think you’re funny yeah? In any case, I’d hardly be Mammon if I didn’t take my girl to the most expensive restaurant in town yeah? I’m not some… broke loser. Eugh, like can you imagine?” Mammon stuck out his tongue as if it were easily the least attractive trait in anyone. You stuck your tongue out with him, a gesture that brought back that brilliant smile you loved.

“Hah, there’s my Doll! Poor people right? It’s like they want to be a joke. Come on!” Not given much of a choice, you were rocked within the cradle of Mammon’s arms. Held possessively, intentionally blocking you from the sight of the cameras.

[nerdygaymormon]

What do you think about the new styles of garments?

For those who don't know, the changes being referred to are a sleeveless option, and options that are meant to be worn underneath of skirts and dresses.

I have a few thoughts.

First, this is a good reminder that changes have happened in the past, and changes will happen in the future. Often we think the way things are is how they've always been and will always be.

Second, I think these changes are likely a result of women speaking up. The existing garments often didn't fit with modern fashions, plus they often caused irritation and infections. I've been hearing women speak up about this for years and finally they were heard. It's a reminder that speaking up is often the catalyst for change.

Third, many of the meanings people ascribe to the things at church is wrong. All those lessons were wrong that the garments define what is "modest" clothing. Think of all those parents who made a big deal that their little girls not wear the sundress that was a gift from grandma. I can think of youth dances where a visitor was pulled aside and given a wrap or a vest or shawl to cover their shoulders. There's been so much judgement and policing of what people wear (especially of what females wear) and turns out much of it is misguided.

Fourth, there have been surveys which show younger members often wear the garments intermittently, perhaps only when they go to church or to the temple. The LDS church has gone through several cycles of temple recommend interviews including a statement about wearing the garments night and day. Perhaps these changes are an attempt to make the garment easier to incorporate into daily wearing. Although, I wonder if the message people will take is that they were correct and it's okay to modify and personalize when and where and how to wear garments.

Fifth, these new styles will first become available in the Philippines and Africa where climates are warm and humid. I live in Florida and wearing garments here can be uncomfortable. When I attended school in Idaho and Utah, wearing garments was much more comfortable. I think this is yet one more way the church is acknowledging the membership who live outside the Mormon corridor of the western United States. I can't help but think these new styles will soon be the dominant option that people choose as they're a bit less restrictive and offer more flexibility in how you present yourself to the world.

Fifth, despite the variety of fabric options and now having sleeveless options, wearing temple garments can be a bit of a sacrifice. Perhaps one day we can apply the symbols onto the inside our own clothes and not have to deal with the limited selections of the garments. I read an idea that perhaps it would be more meaningful if we painted the garment symbols on our bodies each day, like a bindi. They may be onto something.

[baronetcoins]

notes/pics/links below the cut

Between the Dragon and His Wrap

Force me to learn how to steek, a thing which scares me but that I know I want to learn to do. Also, I really want a shawl to wear around the house in the evening so I have more dignity than right now where I just wear a silly fuzzy blanket.

Tracery Vest

I just love stained glass so much

Roman Villa Shawl

See above point about wanting a shawl. this one is Archeological too. However it does mean learning how to do mosaic, which I don't particularly want to.

[rannadylin]

Ranna's Year in Knits

2023's FOs and the current WIP on the needles!

Wanda Vest by Faye Kennington

Socks in Knit Picks Felici Roommates - my own unwritten pattern

Putting the rest behind a cut since it'll be a LOT of photos!

JCL Hats

Socks in Zwerger Garn Opal XLarge Polarwolf 8-fach - my own unwritten pattern

More JCL hats! (The one with owls is the Owl Night Long Beanie by Deja Joy; the rest are my own unwritten patterns.)

Feather and Fan socks (my own pattern which I think I actually did write up on a Tumblr post somewhere? I knit a lot of feather and fan stripey socks now!) in Knit Picks Felici, Space disco colorway

Ebb and Flow by Michele Bernstein

More Feather and Fan socks! This time in the Rock In Rio colorway of Schachenmayr Regia Festival Color 4-fädig / 4-ply

Flash fingerless gloves, for a commission

Socks (my own unwritten pattern again) in Premier Yarns Serenity Sock Prints in the 108 Dn colorway. I think this yarn is discontinued; I found a few skeins of it in my dresser in my parents' house and reclaimed them. It made great socks! These are some of my favorites -in fact I just wore them yesterday.

Kinross Avenue Wrap by Carla Cuadros

Beverly Mitts by Jean Riedlinger

Spring Buds Fingerless Mitts by Robin Currier

Maleme Cardigan by Meiju K-P

Mallorn Shawl by j kolette beckert (This feels like the magnum opus of the year!)

Yet more JCL hats :-D (The owls are, again, Owl Night Long Beanie by Deja Joy and the hearts are Milda by Claire Slade)

Also more socks in Premier Yarns Serenity Sock Prints! This colorway is 801 Lavendar topaz.

More Feather and Fan Felici socks, too! These are the Olive juice colorway.

Rustic Little Heart by Heidi Kirrmaier (knitting a few of these for a school thing but this is the only one I got a picture of before I handed it off...)

Water Lily by Sybil R is the cutest dishcloth I've ever made. I had to fiddle with the instructions after making the first one (in lighter colors) and ending up with gaps at the tips of the petals, but the second one (in darker colors) turned out delightfully and I gave it to my uncle when he hosted us for Christmas. :-D

And last but not least is the current WIP...but Tumblr tells me I've just hit the limit for pictures in one post XD So I guess it's for the best that my Aeria by Linnea Ornstein is not yet a FO? I'll post it separately, it's too gorgeous to wait for it to be finished!

[pacificwaternymph]

Finn stumbled out of the bar, wiping his nose with the palm of his hand. The only thing it accomplished was smearing the blood all over its face, and staining its palm red. His vision blurred and doubled in front of him, one of his eyes swelling quickly and refusing to open all the way.

The stupid Kestrel hadn't been pulling his punches. Finn grudgingly had to admit that it had underestimated him. He hadn't expected someone like him to put up such a fight. His expensive, silk sleeves had hid the muscle underneath.

Finn's stomach churned, the ale it had drunk not two hours ago protesting heavily to the abuse of its body. He barely made it into the alley next to the tavern before he heaved, vomiting onto the dirty, moldy cobblestones.

The foul mixture seeped into its split lip, mixing with the blood and stinging something fierce. He hissed in pain, limping a few steps over before sliding down the wall onto the ground. It closed its eyes and tipped its head back, taking a deep breath and trying to ignore the various aches and pains that were sure to bloom into beautiful bruises tomorrow morning. Fuck, this was not how he'd expected this night to go.

It'd been itching for a fight all day, the urge to lash out and strike anyone who came near it simmering just beneath its skin. And he'd seen him waltz into the bar like he owned the place, and Finn knew he'd found his target. His purple satin vest, embroidered eyepatch, and perfectly polished boots had pissed it off. He had the air of someone who thought himself better than the "lowlifes" in the bar, even though he was just as much a pirate as the rest of them.

Finn had wanted nothing more than to claw that smug look off his face. Maybe add a few more stripes alongside the ones that ran from his jaw, across his face, and underneath his eyepatch. Turns out, the scars hadn't just been for show.

It's head was swimming. He cracked one eye open, and wondered how on earth he was going to get home when he was like this. It groaned and brought one knee up to rest its hand on, wincing as it jostled its probably cracked ribs.

"Hello?" A voice called into the darkness. Finneas flinched and suppressed a scream at the wave of pain, turning his head to the source of the disturbance.

A young woman stood in the entrance to the alley. She had dark hair pinned back in a braid, and a shawl was wrapped around her shoulders to protect against the chill of the night. Her dress cut off at her knees, revealing knee-high laced boots.

Great, just what it needed. If anyone saw him like this, he may as well kiss his reputation goodbye. Maybe, if it was just very still, she wouldn't see him, or would think he was a dead body, and go away.

"Are you alright?" she continued, and Finn held his breath, closing his eyes and praying to whatever god he may or may not believe in that she would deem this not worth her time and leave.

But it seems the gods weren't listening, because a moment later Finn heard the sound of heels clacking against stone, drawing steadily closer to it. He cursed silently.

It heard a sharp gasp, and reluctantly opened its eyes to face the music. Up close, he saw she had wide blue eyes and... fins (he thought) where her ears should be. A siren, perhaps?

The thought sent a chill down its spine.

His fear was quickly forgotten, however, when his eyes caught on the sash wrapped around her waist. The dark blue fabric, draping down against her skirt, was embroidered with two birds, one larger and one smaller, entwined in flight together.

Perfect. On top of the humiliation of being seen like this at all, the one who had found it was one of those weakling nightingales. What an embarrassing way to go.

"Oh, you poor thing," was the first thing she said after recovering from her shock of seeing him at all. The pity in her tone made it want to throw up again. Or maybe that was the concussion. Either way, he instinctively recoiled from her condescension, and regretted it immediately. Right. Ribs.

The nightingale-siren-woman reached for it. He tensed, his hand shooting up to grab her wrist with a bone creaking grip. She jumped, startled by the suddenness of it, but there was no fear in her eyes. It supposed, with it like this, there really was no reason to fear it.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, using her free hand to pry his fingers off of her. "I didn't mean to startle you." She knelt down so that she was eye level with it, seemingly uncaring of the dirt and leftover rainwater that soaked her skirts. She reached into her bag (since when had she had a bag? Fuck, he was really out of it if he was missing obvious details like that) and pulled out a handkerchief and a small pouch holding some kind of liquid, presumably water.

"Here, I can help." Her tone was earnest, and her expression was surprisingly warm. Finn gaped at her, eyes going back and forth from her face to her hands. What was wrong with this woman? Offering help to a complete stranger?

No, this had to be a trick of some kind. It narrowed its eyes, watching as she unscrewed the cap of her water pouch and poured some kind of clear fluid onto the cloth. It looked like water, but he couldn't exactly trust that, now could he. It could be chloroform, for all it knew. He could be about to be kidnapped, and he wasn't in any position to defend himself.

Nightingales were definitely the kind to take advantage of people at their most vulnerable, disguising their ill intent as kindness. It was the only way most of them would ever win in a fight.

It curled its lips back into a sneer.

"I don't need your help," he rasped.

The nightingale paused, looking up at him. She recapped the pouch and stored it away, looking at him contemplatively. After a moment, she seemed to come to some sort of realization.

"I promise I'm not trying to hurt you," she said, in the same tone one would use on a cornered animal. She grabbed its hand and pressed the handkerchief into it. "Here, you can clean up some of the blood." Without waiting for a response, she stood up and stepped back, giving him space.

It eyed the cloth warily, and hesitantly sniffed it once. He didn't smell anything suspicious, so slowly, without ever taking his eyes off the nightingale still across from him, he started to wipe down his face. It's not an easy task. Its hands are shaking, and nothing seems to quite want to focus. But he manages to clean out his lip and most of the mess left by the bloody nose. Red still stains the creases in its hand, crusting over in a promise that it would be there for days.

The whole time, the Nightingale didn't do anything. She didn't move, she didn't talk, she didn't even watch him. She kept her eyes on the entrance of the alley, as though standing guard. When it offered the now blood soaked handkerchief to her, its hand was shaking so hard it feared it was going to drop it. A few seconds passed, and she didn't take it from him. Then, suddenly she was in front of him again, her hands enclosing around his to steady it. He hadn't even seen her move.

Though her touch was gentle, Finn still flinched. It only had a brief moment to hope that she hadn't noticed before its hopes were dashed like an abandoned ship against the rocks. The pity returned, and she gave him another smile (seriously, who smiled that much?) before taking the cloth back and neatly folding it away.

The nightingale glanced back towards the street, where the warm glow of lamps only just barely penetrated into the alley, and turned back to Finn.

"Come with me," she said, holding out a hand. "I'll help you find somewhere we can patch you up."

"Who are you?" Finn spat back. There was no way it was going to follow some stranger to an unknown location. He was trying to avoid being murdered tonight.

"My name is Joanna," the woman responded. Finn waited for her to list a second name, but a moment passed, and it realized that was all it was getting.

"What do you want?" he demanded. "Why are you helping me?"

She blinked, confusion clouding her startling blue eyes.

"You're hurt."

She said it so plainly, as if it were that simple. As if she didn't need another reason to offer her assistance to someone she didn't know, who she had found under incredibly suspicious circumstances, and couldn't possibly fathom why she would need another one.

And Maybe Finn was just tired, or maybe it was the concussion, or maybe it was because the girl seemed so genuine and Nightingales were always said to be bleeding hearts anyway, but it found itself believing her.

You must be new to the isles, he thought to himself. You're far too naive. She must be, either naive or crazy, to help him like this.

It grasped her hand and let her pull it to its feet. He stumbled forward, but she caught him, and threw one of his arms around her shoulders. She was surprisingly strong, able to support its weight even as it sagged against her, leaving her to do most of the work.

"What's your name?" she whispered to him as they started limping back towards the street. Finneas took a few moments to answer, with the way its head pounded.

"Finneas Blackwood," he muttered back. "But you can call me Finn."

-

Ta da!!! I realize I've never actually elaborated on how Joanna met any of her squad beyond Inigo, so I thought I'd give this a shot.

As always, Finn belongs to @finnified

And yes, the pirate that Finn fought was in fact Inigo. Something that will make for a very awkward second meeting with Joanna.

[sheliesshattered]

I've been dealing with a little bit of a cold this last week on top of the normal spoonie-ness, so it was slow going on my most recent sewing project -- the hooded wrap, not quite a cape, not quite a shawl, definitely not a scarf, definitely not a robe thing -- which Jack says I need a better name for lol -- but with pacing and slow incremental progress, I was actually able to finish it in pretty good time.

Ironing and pinning the very long hem was the most time consuming part, but pacing myself actually allowed me to slow down and handsew all the corners into place before I put it through the sewing machine, which resulted in much crisper edges than I would have had if I was rushing to finish it. This time last week I wasn't sure if I would be able to machine sew the hem, but I actually like the look of the top stitching it produces, so I went with what was both easier and nicer looking. After all the ironing and pinning it took me nearly an hour to sew the whole thing in the machine, inching along to keep my lines straight and remove all those pins, so I don't even want to think about how long it would have taken me to handsew it, lol.

I did french seams on all the seams, since they may be seen from the outside, and turned the hem under twice at about the same width for a nice crisp matching look. The resulting hooded thing is soft and cozy and moderately warm, and can be worn a bunch of different ways, which is fun.

With the hood down and the wrap bits left to hang straight down, it's got nearly Jedi robe vibes:

One of the wraps tossed over the shoulder creates nice asymmetry:

But with both of the wraps up on the shoulder and the hood up, it's got a different feel entirely:

The fabric is a brushed cotton herringbone that grips itself reasonably well, so once the wraps are tossed over the shoulders they stay put pretty well. From the side view you can see how it just drapes nicely down the back:

And when they're tossed over the shoulders like that, the finished ends are similar in length to the center back point:

With the wraps unfolded and left long in the front, the back panel is much more visible. There's no shoulder seam at all -- the wraps just continue up over the shoulder and meet at a 45 degree angle in the back:

I was careful when I cut out the pieces and when I pinned both parts of the french seam, so that I could line up the herringbone weave neatly and get these cool chevrons at the center back:

The length in the back is enough for it to feel a bit like a cape, but not in a huge dramatic way or anything -- and Disney generally frowns on large capes and robes for Batuu Bounding, from what I've heard. But with this length I feel like my back and shoulders are covered, but the longest bit of the center back isn't so long that I actually sit on it. I wore it out of the house this weekend and was comfortable both wearing it in the car and walking around an outdoor flea market.

I have about seven yards left of this fabric, so at some point here I'm going to make a Norse-inspired apron dress out of the rest of it, to go over the fleece dress seen in the photos, which I sewed last month, and to go over lighter underdresses in the spring, and possibly on its own in the summer. I like the idea of this hood matching that apron dress, and I did draw some inspiration for Norse/viking hoods with pointed capelets in front and back, too. Not at all historically accurate, but historically-inspired, like the fleece dress.

But really my brain is all about Star Wars right now, and the Batuu Bounding for our trip to Disneyland coming up in about six weeks. The hooded wrap has a very different vibe with big boots and leather-look leggings and a fitted vest and various Star Wars-y accessories. My nb sibling described this hooded thing as 'what Luke Skywalker would wear if he was a crow witch' -- and as an irl crow witch and a non-affiliated gray Force user in my silly Star Wars OC building, I can certainly live with that, lol.

I have a few detail things for my Batuu Bounding outfit that I still want to work on, but generally I'm really happy with how it's coming together. Next up, I'm going to switch gears and work on some details to spruce up Jack's jacket for our outing, now that we've got the base-layer pieces for him figured out too. Pictures of that (and my outfit) as they start to come together.

Six weeks isn't a ton of time to get costuming pieces done in, especially without pushing myself too hard, but I also feel like both of our outfits are good to go the way they are right now. It's just, they could be cooler looking with a little more time and effort. And hey, I'm having fun with the process and it's keeping me from vibrating in place and rewatching every Star Wars movie and tv show over and over again while I count down to my birthday, lol.

[magicalgirlartist]

[ID: 3 drawings with 2 characters each, all male, 1 higher and older facing left, 1 lower and younger facing right. 1: the higher one has light green hair with white streaks in a long ponytail, wearing a light green shawl over a dark green jumpsuit and carrying a buzz saw staff, winking with his hand to his chin. Text beside him: "TURAGA MATAU, leader of Le-Koro, most handsome Turaga (according to himself), lovely singing voice. The lower one has tiny green glasses, baggy bright green pants, and an open green vest, and he's smiling and waving. Text beside him: "SANSO, musician, plays a mean flute, can and will talk for hours about music theory." 2: the higher one has a brown scarf wrapped around his head and shoulders, loose brown clothes, a hand on his hip and a grouchy expression, carrying a hammer staff. Text beside him: "TURAGA ONEWA, leader of Po-Koro, friendly, but kind of rude, perfectionist, hates Ahkmou so much it's unreal." The lower one has black hair pulled back by a headband, a light brown tunic over black shorts, and tall gladiator sandals, with one hand by his face and a smug smile. Text beside him: "AHKMOU, merchant, normal merchant, nothing to see here, just a regular merchant selling regular wares." 3: the higher one has long greying red hair and a braided beard, long red vest over red clothes, carrying a fire staff and smiling. Text beside him: "TURAGA VAKAMA, leader of Ta-Koro, oddly prescient, very patient, "First of all let me make one thing quite clear. I never explain anything." -Vakama probably." The lower one is standing awkwardly with one hand raised, with a bright orange tank top, red pants with the legs rolled up to his knees, and a red bandana. Text beside him: "KAPURA, left hand of Turaga Vakama, member of the Ta-Koro Guard, slow and methodical, moves quickly by moving slowly (???)" End ID.]

Finally got around to doing more Bionicle Sports Anime designs! Matau's was the most fun tbh. Either the Toa Nuva or some uniform designs are next. I've been saying uniform designs for so long at this point I should probably do them.

Like to slap Onewa's bald head. Reblog to slap Onewa's bald head.

[Commissions open!]

[alwaysthesitter]

👑 — our muses in a royalty au

He knew better than to sneak out of the palace walls, but he had done it anyways. He was tired of being under his parents' dictatorship, and being told that he was too 'precious' to go out and be amongst 'commoners'. When Steve heard this bullshit, he thought of only two things - one, he was only precious because he was the only remaining heir to the throne and the Kingdom would crumble if something were to happen to him. Two, his parents were literally just judgmental fucks that thought everyone was below them if they didn't have wealth and riches, which most people didn't.

His father had gone to have a council meeting in a different part of the land, attempting to exchange money for warfare, or something like that. Steve was supposed to be listening, knowing this would be important stuff when he took over as King, but all he heard was 'blah blah blah' and he often would dissociate and tune it out. Blame the past brain damage if he had to. All he knew was it was a perfect opportunity for him to get out and past the guards, especially as his mother was often not one to pay much attention to him either, even if she was the better of the two. It hadn't been difficult to find some 'peasant' clothes; a simple buttoned vest that seemed to be made of some sort of leather, some baggy pants, and a shawl that he had wrapped around his head in a way that would hopefully hide his appearance. Mostly.

He had made his way down to the main market street, which appeared to be bustling with civilians. People shouting about selling eggs and loaves of bread, little kids chasing each other through the streets, business owners peddling their goods. It was all so different here, and Steve loved it. He was tired of being viewed as someone who was just labeled with royalty. The future King Steven. He just wanted to be able to be himself. He had jumped as a little old man had appeared in front of him, offering him to step in to the library and check out the books, Steve blushing a bit and shaking his head. "I.....I'm not good at reading." He had mumbled, tucking a lock of hair behind his ear and apologizing, ducking his head to find something else to do.

The bakery had seemed like a safe place to start, smells wafting out. All the food in the palace was ridiculously overrated, a meal to 'fit a king' as the saying went, and Steve wanted to know more about the basic goods like muffins and cinnamon rolls. Stepping in, he was immediately hit with the warm smell of fresh baked goods, pressing up close and looking at the display items, not knowing what half of them even were.

@hawkinshellraiser

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[beccasfashioncorner]

Fall season issss here!

The best season for fashion <3

Hello my dears, I do not know how it is with you, but with me it is already very cold. Therefore, I thought, we could prepare together for the fall. Therefore, today we talk about Fall basics.

1) Beanies, caps and hats A fashion accessory that also keeps you warm. For those who think it makes them look weird, try a shortened beanie. This variant suits almost all face shapes.

2) Scarves and shawls Not everyone has thousands of jackets in their closet, I for example have one really thick winter jacket and that's it. How do we doll up the whole thing now? With a scarf of course! Tip: on TikTok you can find super tricks on how to wear a scarf or shawl without looking like grandma.

3) Layering Wrapped up so thick, you look more like a snowman instead of a fashion icon. We don't want that. Instead of stacking two thick pieces, layer several pieces instead. To do this, it is best to have a white and black turtleneck in your closet. These parts actually always go. Vests are also great options.

4) Color Just because the fall of the world slowly takes the färbe, does not mean that we have to move with it. Dare to wear colors and combine them with each other.

5) Lined Tights These are like regular tights, but have a layer of fleece inside to keep you warm. This little hack is a savior especially for those who do not want to give up skirts or cute leather shorts in the fall. They look like normal black transparent tights. You can find them everywhere on the Internet or even in drugstores.

Your lovely Becca <3

[katriniac]

Ooooooof. This was difficult to stop at just one favorite, or even four. So I did almost all of my faves!

😅😅😅😅😅

Starting with my tutorial boys/guidance counselors:

Sasuke - Ikemen Sengoku

He's my #1, and therefore, he will have the best thing ever: a hoodie! With funny nerdy slogan. I will promptly steal his hoodie. This is a move he will no doubt have anticipated, so he'll pull out an EXACT duplicate and pronounce we have reached #CoupleGoals because we now own matching shirts. I love my ninjenius. 💚

Blanc - Ikemen Revolution

A light gray/blue softer-than-clouds waffle weave long duster that wouldn't normally look attractive on men but somehow Blanc manages to pull it off just fine. He will delight in trapping and wrapping me within the voluminous thing, claiming he lost his glasses and needs to keep me this close to see my cute face. ASDFGGHJKLMMMMM

Sebastian - Ikemen Vampire

To keep from overheating while he works hard, he wears a thin cardigan. The narrow sleeves hug his biceps. A crisp white button-down shirt is his hallmark under the soft layer. He soon discovers that I prefer a simple tank top under the cardigan when it is Snuggling Time™️

Nobunaga - Ikemen Sengoku

You might *think* this red hooded sweater is overly simplistic for such a powerful man. But you'd be wrong. It's woven from sustainable bamboo, manufactured by a group of war widows, a small start-up he invested in and helped to promote. That pattern you see? They named it after him because he was integral to their success. The bamboo is soooo soft, that when he holds me close I just mush right into his broad chest. The best part? On those rare moments when I actually make him blush, I can pull the hood up to hide those red cheeks so no one can enjoy the sight except me! Hee hee! 😉

Shingen - Ikemen Sengoku

*sputters incoherently* Um, yeah... Fluffy sweater. Hard muscles. Um ... *giggly gibberish* Yeahhhh ... that's all I got. Why am I wasting time writing this when there's a half nekkid Shin waiting with two mugs of hot cocoa? GOODBYEEEE!

Kanetsugu - Ikemen Sengoku

Glacial grey wool fitted coat over a monochrome sweater vest. Necktie and dress shirt are perfectly adjusted. He looks completely put together. Contained. In control. Just under the thin ice is a simmering hot springs. When I give him that *special* glance, he's quick to throw off the tidy layers and tug his tie loose with a primal snarl.

Comte - Ikemen Vampire

This cashmere sweater with leather elbow patches screams "old money". It's my favorite thing for him to wear when we cuddle by the fireplace. I love how it always smells like him, even after being washed. So soft, so warm. I'll admit it: I've worn it without anything else on and crawled into his side of the bed just to be wrapped in his scent. *melts into a puddle*

Artem - Tears of Themis

A shawl collar fits this old-fashioned guy. The cobalt blue brings out his beautiful eyes. The chunky texture keeps it from looking too stuffy and uptight. And he always wants to wear it because I bought it for him. The smile he gets when he repeats that reason? Oh goodness gracious, that smile could get me to agree to anything. You want 14 children, Mr Wing? Okay. Whatever you want, hunny.

Dean - Ikemen Revolution

So neat. So tidy. So perfect for torturing me when he pushes up the sleeves and rolls back the cuffs of the dress shirt. He KNOWS that is my weakness. And then he stalks back and forth in front of the blackboard, smacking his "professor's pointer" (*cough*RIDING CROP*cough*) against the palm of his hand as he waits for me to answer his pop quiz. Oops, guess I'm gonna fail because I was too distracted ... looks like I'll need to stay behind after class and do some 'extra credit' 😏 No one in the college would ever assume a devilish deviant would wear such a clean cut cardigan! 🙄

Sariel - Ikemen Prince

Even when I begged him to update his wardrobe and add some casual pieces, he still couldn't break away from his favorite color: black. As I roll my eyes and guffaw at his goth-boy-at-heart sweater, he levels those hypnotizing amethyst eyes at me and smirks, but stays quiet as if he's enjoying a joke only he knows. "What? WHAT." I demand, half annoyed, half playful. He waits a beat before opening his mouth, as if contemplating sharing the joke. Finally his smirk grows wider as he leans in to whisper, his hot breath raising goosebumps on my neck, "Admit it. You think the buckles are sexy." Dammit. He's right. He's always right.

Keith - Ikemen Prince

Chunky cable knit wool cardigan. Thermal Henley shirt pulled taut against his massive barrel chest. Carhartt pants and steel-toed Redwing boots. The hard-working outfit of the most helpful, most modest prince on the continent. "And the most handsome one, too," I am quick to remind him. His surprised eyes and shy blush are too cute to leave alone. I push the attack with little kisses to his nose and forehead and cheeks while I tickle his rib cage mercilessly. Keith is too sweet to go on the offensive, yet enjoying it too much to retreat. But I wonder how alter!Keith will retaliate in the morning? 😏 Heh heh, I can't wait!

Jin - Ikemen Prince

Oh. Yeah, he knew EXACTLY what he was doing when he picked out that sweater. Wait -- did he dry it so it would shrink ON PURPOSE and mould around his sculpted muscles? Seriously? Seriously. Jin. STAHP. *bursts into a fit of laughter* You're already the hottest thing on two legs, darlin. Why are you like this? You know, the tighter that sweater is, the harder it will be for me to peel off of you. Just sayin' 🥴

Trey Clover - Twisted Wonderland

No surprises here. Level-headed choice. Easy maintenance. No frills. Well made and quality materials. It's perfect. Just like you. Understated and reliable. Such a wise and practical choice. I whisper in his ear, "But you know, dear, you can go wild every once in a while and choose something that isn't machine-washable -- or something you'll only wear once. Gasp!" He gives me an almost imperceptible roll of the eyes before flashing that cocky grin I love, and whispering back, "The only time I go wild is with you. In private. I prefer to keep it that way, baby girl."

Jack Howl - Twisted Wonderland

Hiking in the Shaftlands was supposed to be the perfect autumn vacation. Fresh air, leaves turning color, and miles of wilderness for just the two of us. So why can't I keep my thoughts out of the gutter every time Jack rolls up his sleeves and I see his powerful forearms, or when I can't take my eyes off his massive thighs, or when he growls a little in his throat -- wait, why is he growling?? He has stopped walking, and I bump into him, his thick fluffy tail rubbing against my stomach. "Katie. We're almost to the cabin. The scent of your arousal has been hitting me constantly for the last mile. Don't worry, I'll be sure to take good care of you once we're there." Oh! Such a good boy! I could practically jump for joy if I wasn't already so tired and horny. Instead, I wrap my arm around his for support and nuzzle into his plaid shirt to hide my grin.

Malleus - Twisted Wonderland

Aw, did the lonely edgy emo boi buy another sweater from Hot Topic (or whatever the equivalent is in Briar Valley)? He poses with dramatic lighting for the latest magazine cover shoot. But all he can think about is how I'm waiting for him in the graveyard at midnight. Meanwhile, I'm shivering and wondering why I had to fall in love with an immortal dragon prince who loves wandering through desolate ruins? Why couldn't his favorite place be the beach? But when he suddenly appears though a green mist of magic, and he wraps me in his arms and many layers of cozy black sweater, pledging never to keep me waiting for him ever again, whispering apologies, vowing eternal love, and sinking his fangs into me, well ... I suppose I could forgive him this time.

Azul Ashengrotto - Twisted Wonderland

He wasn't satisfied with the silvery lavender sweater I gave him. "Layers. I must have lots of layers. That's what all the fashion blogs are saying will project an air of success and power. I need more layers." As we left the store -- him bundled up in layers of silk, cashmere, and Marino wool, and me guiding him down the stairs since he couldn't see over his scarf -- I muttered something about needing an extra closet just for this outfit. His sneaky reply? "Don't worry about putting it away. You just concentrate on having fun stripping it off me. And since you were such a good girl and so patient while I shopped, I'll reward you with a little bit of tentacle time. You'll like that, won't you, hm?"

Albert - Midnight Cinderella

His Majesty insisted. What was Al to do except comply? With the royal charge card in hand, we went to the Stein mall. He balked at the price of a leather jacket, but the staff's salespitch about the longevity convinced him. Then it was off to fetch a stack of identical button-down shirts and khakis. Last was a serviceable walnut-colored pullover. He held his hand out for me to pass it to him, but I clutched it to my chest. "No, I'm not letting this get paid by some royal stipend. I'm buying this for you myself. So that every time you wear it and I cuddle next to you, I'll remember that I made that cozy moment possible because it was my present to you. I want to see you wearing something I gave you." Al's face flushes pink as he pushes up his glasses to stall for words. It's not until we're riding back to the castle that he finally has decided on the perfect reply, "The smile I wear is always something you gave me. Tonight I'd like to see you wearing the smile I gave you. Just that. Only that smile and nothing else. I need to repay you for the sweater and the attack of cuteness in the store." ASDFFGHJKKHGFDGHHG

Sid - Midnight Cinderella

How? HOW. How does he make a zip-up hooded sweatshirt look THAT sexy? It's criminal. He knows he's several illegal levels of handsome as he pulls open the dressing room curtain. "Whatcha think? Not bad, right?" The cocky smirk and dancing light in his eyes are too irresistible, and I fail to formulate a snarky comeback. Instead, I grin and silently pile several other outfits into his arms. "Well? Don't just stand there, stud. Time to model all these other sexy clothes for your girl. Especially those jeans that hug your ass nicely. Ooh! Can't wait!"

Robert - Midnight Cinderella

"It's a little *too* avante garde, isn't it?" His reluctant question was punctuated by his fingers fidgeting at the asymmetrical hem. I swooped in between him and the full-length mirror, taking hold of his wrists and guiding them around my waist. My hands splayed out over his chest, luxuriating against the supple weave of the angora wool. "Mmmm...no. It's perfect for your presentation. Besides, it was a custom-made gift from your benefactor. It would be rude to refuse it. Especially when your girlfriend thinks you look so handsome in it." I looked coyly up at him, hoping my reassurance wasn't too over-the-top, even if it was all true. I rubbed my cheek against the candyfloss-softness, humming in cozy contentment. He chuckled at the image it made in the mirror, "Okay, okay, stop petting me, you're being too cute. If you keep it up, I won't be held responsible for the damage this sweater may take." His tone rolled down to dangerously sexy levels. I knew I had won him over for the sweater, AND maybe even scored myself some 'private' studio time with my favorite artist, heh heh 😏

Daily qs have been loaded back up into my server and we have some fall related ones slowly coming out, and I wanted to post a few as they pop up and hear y'alls responses...because its cute.

Question of The Day:

The weather is getting colder out and the leaves are changing- this calls for warmer clothes! Are their any outfits you'd like to put your fave in, or maybe perhaps cute matching outfits you'd like to wear with them for the season?

[aelie]

Fashion on the Outer Rim

Disclaimer: I am not a professional costumer. These are only observations that I’ve made over decades of being a huge nerd about fashion history and Star Wars. And my fashion history is mostly limited to European/western fashion. I’m making this to help a friend with references for drawing Star Wars art, and using tumblr as the easiest way to share it.

If you want to talk, know that I rarely check tumblr except to post fic-related things.

I suspect that life on the Outer Rim is very similar to living out in the American West in the 1800s. That means very few changes of clothing, as cloth is expensive. Garments are going to be multi-purpose and well taken care of. There will frequently be aprons, sleeve covers, undergarments, and accessories to protect the clothes from both bodily fluids and from stains. Clothes will be frequently patched and repaired until they can't be fixed anymore, then recycled into other uses.

That being said, there are definitely more sources of inspiration than just the American west! Basic East Asian clothing has a large influence on the design as well, with the use of wrapped garments and robes. On Tatooine, there’s also a lot of Southwest Asian and North African inspiration with the style of robes worn by both moisture farmers (well, Uncle Owen) and the Tuskens.

Here is the link to a pinterest board I’ve put together of both actual Star Wars art and costumes and inspiration references for future Star Wars art and costumes. I'll be adding to it occasionally.

Some tips on choosing clothes for your characters:

Undershirts are probably going to be common. They’d be very simple shirts with very simple seams with solid colors. Most undershirts in the past were white because color-fast dyes were really expensive, but this is Star Wars, so color everything to your heart’s content. Because they are the fabric that is against the skin, the shirts will have to be something that can really take a beating (aka be washed frequently) - meaning that lots of buttons and patterned fabric would not work very well.

Pants/Trousers/Jeans etc. are likely to be in a thick, tough fabric with thick seams that can endure a lot of wear and tear. Ironically, your best place to look for really tough pants are old style Levis. Those things were made to be used and abused. Color-wise, you’ll see a lot of solids, but in all shades of the rainbow.

Regular shirts would probably have the more fancy seamwork and loads of buttons than undershirts because they wouldn’t be washed as often as the undershirts. This is where you’d find your button-ups, your bib shirts, and your Lando shirts. You’d also find fancy embroidered tunics, your shirt pockets, your lacy trims, and your super bright patterned fabrics. The Jedi uniform-what-is-not-supposed-to-be-a-uniform-but-totally-is is supposed to resemble the clothing of the poorest in the galaxy, so shabby up some Jedi robes for spacers and smugglers. Tunics of varying lengths and styles are also a good place to look for inspiration.

On colder worlds/in colder climes, you’d see a LOT of layering like you do on Earth. For long skirts, though, you’d see a lot of petticoats under the main skirt to add to warmth. Also, stockings/tights, and wraps around the tops of boots to keep the cold and wet out.

Accessories wise, vests are awesome at protecting shirts and for carrying stuff! Sleeve covers used to be a thing to protect your clothes from food or dirt or stains, and would likely be used (it’s also a really good way to reuse old clothes!). Sleeve garters were similar - it would hold your sleeve up at the bicep so your cuffs would be pulled back. Aprons would probably be very common, especially in messier trades. Shawls would help with warmth, and scarves and hijab-like hoods are also commonly seen throughout Star Wars media. And let us not forget the humble and ubiquitous jumpsuit, or the omnipresent and tasteful poncho!

BUT KEEP IN MIND: these are all just my interpretations and opinions on a more realistic approach to clothing on the Outer Rim. This is STAR WARS, baybee! The only hard and fast rule is the RULE OF COOL.

[catgrump]

“I’m alive?” [For Sondham Sonia/GUNDHAM?] Your writing is 💕💕💕

I’m so glad you like my writing 💛💛💛

This is an Idea for a little scenario from Cruise Ship AU! I have plans for a full-fledged Sondham fic in Cruise Ship AU so this is a taste of what’s to come I guess lol

🌻🌻🌻

Gundham stared at his reflection in the cramped bathroom, leaning on the faux-marble vanity

He sighed. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

Could this cost him his job? Potentially. He’s thought about that. He can’t remember the last time he was disciplined, so maybe this would be worth the risk.

The ship was docked at its private island. He’s never actually stepped on shore. And when she found that out, she insisted he abandon his post for the day to spend time with her.

“I was going to do so many things alone! It would much more fun with a companion!” She pleaded

And he gave in. When he first met her just a few days ago, he felt like he lost his inhibitions. She’s captivating. He looks forward to stopping by her family’s suite each day for a chance to see her. She’s kind, and curious. She’s asked about him and his life.

So he’s taking a chance.

Not like he isn’t taking a chance whenever he goes out of his way to see her. But this is something entirely different.

He left the employees’ quarters to meet her on the dock.

He stepped onto the gangway and felt the sun beat down on his pale skin, and felt like he could sweat immediately seeing Sonia sitting on a nearby bench

She’s beautiful. Her long blonde hair was gathered into braids that cascaded against her frame, adorned with a sleek swimsuit, dark shorts, and a sheer black shawl. She was glistening in the sunshine.

And then she saw him. She grinned ear to ear and stood up, gathering a bag closer to her and waving with unbridled enthusiasm

He walked down to join her. “I am so glad you are here!” She was practically bouncing with excitement, “Part of me was not expecting this.”

Gundham shrugged, smiling, “I do not take promises lightly.”

“Then come with me! I have a reservation in fifteen minutes,” she took hold of his wrist and practically dragged him down the dock toward the island

Gundham followed Sonia’s lead as he took in the sights around him. The island itself was clearly designed to be accomodating to vacationers. Before the bombastically colorful front gate, one of the first things you saw were giant water slides towering into the sky.

The sky was perfectly blue and the waters looked crystalline. The sand on the shore was almost was white as the clouds. It was almost too perfect

Sonia continued to hold on to Gundham as she trudged through tourists. They passed by souvenir stalls, rows of chaise lounges, private waterfront cabanas, snack shacks, musicians playing calypso, and tropical flora and fauna— which Gundham always took note of. There were far more lizards here than he anticipated, which was exciting.

By the time Sonia finally said “we made it,” Gundham thought she had made a mistake.

When Sonia said ‘a reservation’, he thought it was for a meal. But there was a shack in front of them, storage lockers behind them, and... water vehicles of some kind parked in the water beside them

They weren’t boats; they were much too small. Gundham had never seen a vehicle like this before. It appeared to be a scooter or motorcycle on water

Sonia finished talking with the attendant in the shack and approached Gundham, jingling a small key on a ring. “Anything you do not want getting wet goes in a locker,” she chirped

Oh. So she did have a reservation to... ride. He didn’t take her as someone who’d want to do those sorts of things.

Gundham did his best not to stare as she removed her shawl, revealing more of her figure. He swallowed, but then quickly averted his eyes when he saw her start to take off the shorts she had on. He could feel himself growing more and more flustered as his imagination ran wild

He bit his lower lip as he looked at his feet idly kicking the sand

He had to snap himself back when he felt a finger tap his shoulder. Sonia was standing in front of him expectantly. “If you have a phone on you, I suggest leaving that in my bag in the locker,” She giggled

“Right,” he nodded and followed her advice, taking his phone out of the pocket of his swim shorts and placing it in her tote bag once he was at their locker.

She has not said anything, Gundham paused, standing still in front of the locker, contemplating an insecurity of his, I do not think she will make any remarks...

He took a deep breath and decided to remove the shirt he had on. Sonia had only previously seen him in uniform— a uniform where he was able to cover his scars. They adorned both of his arms, and he had some across his chest. When on the clock, he went out of his way to appear more friendly and approachable than he desired to be. Even with his brooding presence, Sonia had led him this far. The last thing he wants is for her to be scared of him.

Gundham did his best to control his breathing while he folded the shirt. We ARE on a beach, he told himself, This is perfectly acceptable.

He took one last deep breath before turning around to face her. A weight fell off his shoulders when she smiled and clasped her hands together with glee.

“Come on,” she instructed, “We have to listen to the safety information!”

They sat among strangers and listened to an instructor guide them through driving the vehicles, which Gundham learned were called ‘wave runners’.

His leg bounced with anxiety as he tried to focus his nervous energy on gripping his own knuckles

When the presentation was over, they put on life vests and went to the docks.

“Is it alright if I drive?” She asked with pleading eyes. But they were entirely unnecessary.

“Y-yes, that is fine,” Gundham did his best to hide his fear. This is not the type of activity he would do to seek a rush of adrenaline.

Sonia climbed on, taking hold of the steering handles with zeal. Gundham waited for her to settle in before cautiously sitting behind her, and searched for some sort of handle on the side of the vehicle to grab.

There was no such handle.

Well, he had to hold on somehow. He very carefully wrapped his arms around her waist, doing his best to maintain a respectful distance between them. She’s beautiful and she did invite him out, but he can’t make any assumptions.

On the insteuctor’s cue, the fleet of wave runners started off. Sonia turned over her shoulder and asked “Are you ready?”

Gundham nodded yes with a tight, forced smile.

He felt like he was flying. And not in a graceful, peaceful way. It was as if he were a crash-test-dummy in a race car, headed toward his inevitable demise. Sonia’s profile over her shoulder was the last thing he saw. Removing one of his senses just amplified the others. He couldn’t look at anything, but he could hear the motors speeding through the waves, he could smell the salt of the sea as it hit his face, he could taste his mouth getting drier, and he could feel how he had suddenly grasped on to Sonia with all of his might. There was no distance between them anymore. His brain was telling him that if he let go, he would fall off, and who knows what would happen after that?

He was squeezing his own arms for stabilization, and listening to Sonia laugh, trying to center himself. This went on for what felt like eons.

Until they suddenly stopped. “Gundham?” He heard her say his name and opened his eyes. He picked his head up to see her looking down at him with wisps of hair in her face and a concerned smile

“I’m alive?” Were the first words out of his mouth

She laughed, and covered her mouth with one of her hands. “Yes, we made it back! Our time is up.”

“Oh,” Gundham suddenly felt incredibly embarrassed, “That was not... so bad.”

“Gundham, you have not let go of me.”

She was smiling, but Gundham instinctively released his grip. Was his face heating up from the sun, or because of her?

“I think I owe you a stiff drink after that,” she continued, swinging a leg over the side of the waverunner, “Come on; my treat.”

She stepped off the vehicle and offered Gundham a hand. With his heart in his throat, he accepted it.

Prompt from This List: feel free to send in a request!

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