#2025: rl

[kinetic-elaboration]

February 3: Back to Work

I want to take an entire day off from the whole world and just write, but I say that because it's late and I need to sleep, not because I actually spend whole days I have off 'just writing' or would know how to do that. Being overwhelmed by creative projects has always been a way to siphon off overwhelmed-feeling into a safer space, though. Still true!

Rather out of sorts for most of today. I really think it was mostly that was reading too much news all at once, maybe a bit of residual fatigue from the weekend's adventures. There was some dumb work stuff, too, coming up on the horizon--a part of me welcomes another siphoning opportunity, but another part just doesn't want to waste any sort of feeling, effort, or annoyance on stupid things, you know. Why. It doesn't matter.

It's really warm and feels like spring. It won't be feeling like spring this weekend! Not where I will be!!! I have much to do and so the next few days I should remain focused and go to sleep early. Tall orders for me. But I would really overall be the best thing.

[nicholask-la]

From December, 2024

[isagrimorie]

So 2025’s volley so far seems to be kicking everyone’s ass so far. Also, every year seems to come in with catastrophic fires.

For me, personally, after the whirlwind holiday with my siblings returning home from abroad, a family medical issue. My first week has consisted of staying in the ER for hours (11pm to 5am) for what seemed to be never ending nose bleed, which was brought on by my boneheaded wrong way of using a nasal decongestant.

My sneezing, and inflamed sinusitis.

And then I think I seemed to have gotten my sister’s cold (it’s not covid, I checked) before she left. The cold knocked me on my back and thankfully, now I’m recovering. But my ribs are bruised from all the coughing.

It’s not even a full month yet 2025, cut us some slack.

[allshadesofconflicted]

2024 is ending and I can't ignore reviewing myself this past year. Did I grow? Did I hit my goals?

This is the first time in a while that I am ending the year thankful. I couldn't afford the trip home last year but this year I am able to and I can spend the holidays at home in Lagos with my mum. This December I visited 2 aunts I had not seen since I was a toddler. I met my cousins, now young adults like myself. This is big for me and its highlight of what I have to be thankful for.

I am ending the year with an invitation to join a bank's graduate trainee program January. That's a job and a good salary to start 2025 with. I am thankful for this opportunity.

I don't know if I'll like it. I don't know if it's what I want. I am scared I'll turn into someone this Joanna will not recognize if I take this job, but I am also reminding myself that it may not a bad thing. I am scared I won't be able to deliver what this new job will demand. I am scared I am setting myself up for a job i might hate.

But I am also reminding myself to be kind to myself. I am 25, with no s/o or kids, I can leave this job if I don't like it. I am smart and can learn, I can pick up what I need to. I am surrounded by people who are willing to help whenever I get stuck. If I figured my 20-24 years I'll be fine in my 25th year.

There is only one way to go and that's up.

[heybrine]

Cozy Simstmas Pack

Hiii everyone!

Finally I am back with this month pack! This month has been wildly busy in my RL, but I managed to finish this cute Christmas Pack! As always I have been inspired by some pics on pinterest to make some awesome decorations for your sims holidays!

I wanted this to be a super cozy living room, filled with classic decorations and warm candles to feel embraced by the christmas essence!

This pack has 20 items, more focused in christmas decor! I tried making a classic color pallete but also with some fun colors swatches too. I made a matching set of more classic sofa, loveseat and armchair. A wood coffee table in a more vintage style. And this ornated fireplace really won my heart! I also loved these small decors with super tiny cute and fun details (some you can only see zooming in really close to the objects lol).

I used some of my previous pack in these photos such as the wall panelling (from Le bistró pack), curtains and rug (from Indonis bedroom pack) and stool table (from Indonis bathroom pack).

And also thank you all for following and supporting me this year I really appreciate it! We are over 4,700 now! Thank you all so so much! ❤️

Anyway I hope you like this as much as I do! Happy holidays, I wish you all a beautiful christmas and an amazing new year! 😊🎄✨

You can always see more info on my patreon here!

If you wish, you can become a member and get early acess 😊 --- Public release on the 17th of January 2025

[janaverse]

FUCK YEAH!!!

[disabledwhumphurtcomfort]

Introductory Post

Welcome to the 2025 Disabled Whump & Hurt/Comfort Writing Challenge!

This is a 30-day writing challenge for original and fan fiction in the whump and hurt/comfort genres which centers on characters with disabilities. One general writing prompt is given for each day, and participants post a piece written to fill the prompt (any length) on that day, tagged appropriately (see rules 3 and 4).

The challange runs through April 1-30 2025, but late submissions tagged for the event will be accepted and reblogged to be featured on this blog. Prompts are posted now, so feel free to write things ahead of time, as long as they are posted on or after April 1.

All writers are welcome! This challenge will uplift the work of disabled writers, but you do not have a disability to participate.

There is a post with resources for writing disabled characters respectfully and learning more about disabilities here.

The moderator is Mod K (she/her), and can be contacted via the ask box or messages.

Please read the rules and goals before sending asks as they have many FAQs in them!

Rules:

This event will be centered on characters with disabilities and chronic conditions, both visible (ex, paraplegia; limb differences) and invisible (ex, migraines; CFS). For writing to qualify, please have one or more disabled/chronically ill characters as the focus of your story, rather than a side character/cameo in a story about abled characters. Prompts are meant to facilitate stories about disability and disabled characters in the genres of hurt/comfort and whump (also known as hurt-no-comfort).

"Disability" can have a broad definition, and many conditions can be disabling. The moderator will not be filtering or rejecting submissions based on what medical conditions "count"; the only parameter is that the central character lives with a chronic condition of some type which is disabling for them in some way. Disabililties which come about in a fantasy or sci-fi setting are welcome as long as they are portrayed as being disabling in some way which is anaolgous (eg, a permanent problem caused by magic, or vampirism as a fantasy-disability). In fanfic it does not have to be canonical - headcanons and AUs are fine.

Please do not TAG your posts/links with the names of disabilities you are writing about (eg tagging a story about an epileptic character with “#epilepsy”,) or with “#disability” or “#chronic illness”, as those tags are used by disabled folks to talk about our RL disabilities and in the past there have been issues with writers inadvertently clogging those tags with fiction/writing advice.

Please DO tag your posts and links #disabledwhc2025 and, in a second tag, the day (eg, #day 1: established disability) so the mod can find and reblog them to the blog!

Original work and fanfic are both welcome; anything goes in terms of settings and genres (fantasy, sci-fi) as long as it’s h/c or whump.

You do not have to write for every prompt (that’s why there’s a mix of hurt and comfort!) or every day to be featured. If you don’t have time for 30 days, do as many as you feel like. If you only write either H/C or Whump, you can do a 15-day challenge, reinterpret the hurt prompts to include comfort, and/or find a whumpy spin on the comfort prompts.

If you write prompts out of order please still tag which day you are writing for and the title of that prompt set. So if you decide to post the prompt “frustrated ambition” from the set “Loss”, which is day 21, on April 3, please still tag your April 3 post “day 21: loss”.

There are no restrictions on what content can be posted, but please use content notes for the following topics: "Rape/noncon" "Underage" "Graphic Depictions of Violence" (ie gore), and "Major Character Death" before the start of your piece. You can also use the warning "Creator Chose Not to Use Content Warnings" if you do not want to spoil fic. Please use a "read more" for these pieces.

Please tag any NSFT works (explicit sexual content) as "NSFT". Please use a "read more" for these pieces.

Challenge Goals:

Help destigmatize writing about disability in the whump and hurt/comfort genres. Complete recovery is not the only way to have a happy ending, and whumping already-disabled characters is a valid option for stories. So is having disabled characters doing the comforting, or the hurting!

Highlight disabled characters, canonical in media or original, in the genre.

Make disabled creators visible! A lot of us are drawn to hurt/comfort partly due to our disabilities.

Encourage nondisabled creators to try writing about disability, and dispel fear or anxiety about being “allowed to”.

Expand horizons of who disabled characters are. Headcanons or AUs about a character having or acquiring a disability are entirely welcome.

Other Ways to Contribute:

Do you want to participate but don't have the spoons (energy) to write anything? Here are some other ways to be a part of this event!

Make a reading recommendation list of works with disabled representation in whump and hurt/comfort. Please make sure that these are tagged #disabledwhc2025 and have "reading recommendation" somewhere in the post title. Please only do this with works whose authors have tagged them as whump, hurt/comfort or related terms. If you find a work on tumblr which you really, really want to recommend which you feel fits the genre and criteria but is not tagged as such, please ask the author if it is OK to include on the rec list before doing so, as some people may be uncomfortable with the genre tags being applied to their work, and ask or message mod K with a screenshot of the permission you received.

Like, reblog and comment on others' works! By following this blog you will see featured works and can give some love to the people who made them.

Reblog the prompts or otherwise spread the word about this event.

[kinetic-elaboration]

January 28: Lost Day

Very hard day today. When I woke up my very first thought was 'I should cal in sick' and you know what, I probably should have. I really didn't accomplish anything today that was more important than the sleep I could have gotten that I needed.

I got a few moments of amusement looking at a catalogue of Christian materials with some coworkers, not because it was specifically objectively funny or even interesting in any way but just because of the incongruity of a library, this library, getting a Christian Supplies Catalogue. Like do we need a collection plate? No. But I know why you think we do and that's even funnier. (Bought a DVD on homeschooling from a tiny Christian bookstore, upon request from a professor who specializes in family/youth law.)

I also showed my student locked storage and got her to shelve a bunch of books for me, which isn't really my accomplishment, but it was something concrete and real that got done.

Mostly it's, like, not that I was so overwhelmingly tired but just that I was sad and down the whole time. Functionally losing this day has put my week plan out of alignment--such a plan as it was, anyway. So there's just... a lot to do and to worry about.

[countdowntotwinpeaks]

LET'S ROCK! New format, without a 25 years hiatus in between!

FULL RULES

PROMPTING FORM

THE PROMPTS SO FAR

Prompting opens: January 9th, 2025 Big fanfare about prompts being published: January 23rd, 2025 Works are posted: February 24th, 2025

How does this fest work? It’s a prompt fest. Participants write up to eight prompts that they would like to see realized, and then in turn pick, at their discretion, something that someone else prompted to draw or write. All works are ultimately posted by their authors on February 24th, to celebrate Twin Peaks day.

How do I take part in this? There is no formal signing up - anyone can join in at any step of the process. By filling this form, you can add prompts for other people to fill. Honor system: if you submit some prompts, please try, in good faith, to then pick someone else’s prompt and give it a spin. If RL then gets in the way, it happens and that’s okay.

[rcris123]

Trigun Stargaze Prediction Bingo

Okay here we go! This is just speculation, obviously, and I invite speculation alongside it! All i know is that Studio Orange loves the Trigun manga, because they put in a LOT of details in Stampede that make me want to chew it.

Since we open and end Stampede following Meryl, I think episode 1 will open with a remake/reimagining of the first time we see Meryl and Milly in both the Manga and 98’ anime.

Maybe they’re following rumors of Vash the Stampede and stumble into the town where ‘Eriks’ is with a fake Vash.

I think the Eriks episode/chapter might be adapted as it is, maybe with Meryl and Milly added in the mix bc studio Orange loves to center Meryl and put her right beside Wolfwood whenever they’re with/helping Vash.

I don’t think we’ll see Vash actually acting out his puppy routine. Though this is the studio that did Beastars-

I have a gut feeling they will have Meryl cut Vash’s hair instead of Lena and if that's the case I will legitimately cry.

We’ll have to return pretty soon to Home ship, me thinks probably around episode 4-5, with the reason to do so being injuries post a Gung-Ho Guns confrontation (money’s on Raidei and/or Dominique given their absence around the blowing up incidents).

If we get more of angel Vash and/or that one scene where he almost catches Meryl in his destruction I will once again legitimately cry (might happen here or later, but feeling is they will restructure the story so that plays into WW’s and Meryl’s feelings towards him going into the fight on Home ship IF that’s what they’re going for.)

We will get to see Knives be reborn from one of the pregnant plants much like he did in the manga, but I don’t know if they will also redesign him with long hair for it or not.

Once on Home Ship, the humans from Earth will come back into the plot, but I have no clue what how they’re going to include them and Knives’s ARK.

Around Episodes 5-7 we’ll get the Home ship fight against Grey the Nine Lives and Puppet Master. It will be a 2 parter, much like the sand steamer.

I think all healing scenes will be conflated into something coming before the Home ship fight and none after.

We won’t be getting Wolfwood saving Vash from Knives’s ARK because that arch was roughly equivalent to episodes 10-12 from Stampede, including Elendeira-WW conversation/conflict. (A shame because Volume 7-8 are amazing and they wreck me every time 😭)

I don’t know how we’re going to get back to the orphanage and the RL & Chapel vs Wolfwood fight (pls let it be Elendira & Mr. Hornfreak fight pls and thank you) , but we’re going to get it roughly around episode 9. And it will take up the entire episode. We’ll get the explanation/backstory for Razlo. Vash shows up only halfway through like in the manga.

Wolfwood still dies, at the beginning of the next episode, the rest of it being set-up for the finale.

They might fuck us up in a new innovative way but, if we get couch scene in any capacity, I will eat drywall.

Episode 10 or 11 sounds like Legato fight territory, backstory and Vash killing him included.

Zazie's going to get a much bigger role, maybe even turning tables against Knives in the end fight? bc Studio Orange loves Zazie and I love him too.

How hard they're going to lean VW I also don't know, but the 2025 new years post heavily implies we're going to get something, because that was too intentional with the same kimono & being just the two of them in much more formal attire than their 2024 versions. Also it's the studio that did Beastars.

[boltlightning]

year of the dragon round up

you may or may not have heard that i spent this blessed lunar year of the dragon reading many dragon books. here i am rating them based on how cool and relevant the dragons are and nothing else. they are listed in the order i read them here.

NOTE: year of the dragon ends on jan. 25, 2025. so if you have any other recommendations...let me know 👀

the earthsea cycle by ursula le guin — these dragons have left an indelible mark on my soul. i adore that they are super intelligent and have their own customs, but they still act like animals with animal instincts. orm embar you will always be famous to me. ∞/10

seraphina by rachel hartman — love em. lots of good discussion of what it means to be human and what it means to be draconic. the sequel gets WEIRD about their lore but i liked the rest of the worldbuilding enough to politely ignore that. 8/10

fourth wing by rebecca yarros — the dragons are regrettably cool but the logic around them is not particularly sound. they don't act like dragons; they don't have the wants or needs that supposedly wild animals would. their classification is awful and bad. but i like that they give their riders powers. 4/10 but really they get a 0/10 for compelling me to finish this book and a -2/10 for starting a wave of romantasy books with poorly considered dragons.

eragon by christopher paolini — i adore saphira. i don't remember what the rest of the books teach us about dragons and i won't be rereading them anytime soon, but i love saphira sm, and i love that despite dragons being a recognized part of life, they still have some magical mystique to them. 7/10

temeraire by naomi novik — you all don't need to hear me talk about this series more. gold standard for lite fantasy dragons. tied intimately to the themes of the story. lots of variation and biological consideration. as a dragonet temeraire hisses like a cat when he gets caught in a hammock and bats at swinging lanterns. what more can you ask for? 10/10

dragonfall by RL lam — i loved the lore and religion. dragon parts as relics is such a cool idea. that said we didn't have a lot of time with the dragons in True Dragon Form but i will look forward to that in the sequel. 9/10

the aurelian cycle by rosaria munda — these books are like if fourth wing was good. LOVE the idea of these dragons, i wish they were explored more in depth, both from a biological view and an emotional, thematic view. they could've been replaced by horses and it wouldn't have changed much. but i like them and they're cute. 6/10

the farseer trilogy by robin hobb — look. when i first read these books i didn't know they even had magic, let alone dragons, and they function so differently from dragons in all fantasy that i don't even know how to rate them. it's such a surprise i don't want to give more than that away. i haven't read the sequel series that actually deal with dragons more in-depth, so i'll give them a go read these books/10

(and yes i know the rest of the realm of the elderlings books have more dragons, i just haven't read them yet. the rating is a command for you all as much as for me)

a natural history of dragons by marie brennan — love the biologist-centrist view of this books. they are animals and they are treated like animals and that's very refreshing and fun in its own way. i wish i liked the book more so i felt compelled read the sequels to see the other variations. solid 7/10 for the dragons tho

tooth and claw by jo walton — this entire book is a heavy-handed metaphor, and while i had trouble visualizing the dragons, their biology is inherent to the heavy-handed metaphor and pretty fuckin cool. there's gross eyeball stuff. they wear hats. 8/10 for that alone

harper hall trilogy by anne maccaffrey — i haven't read the rest of pern but a friend told me how the dragons in the series came about and honestly...love it. wish i could make myself read more of these books. 7/10

to shape a dragon's breath by moniquill blackgoose — love to see feathers and spikes. there was a surprising amount of chemistry (legitimate science not metaphorical) involved with their magic and i like that they're not just for warfare. but it had the same issues as the aurelian cycle, where they are not characters and contribute very little to the emotional journeys of the humans. but their breath is very cool! 8/10

the bone ships by rj barker — not only are the ships made of dragon bone cool, but the dragons are also cool. and importantly they are as gross as they are mysterious. the sopping wet sailors get a 9/10 and the arakeesians also get a 9/10

DNF LIST

heartstone by elle katharine white — genuinely really enjoyed the dragons and their variations as presented here. this book is regrettably determined to get in the way of its own interesting ideas for the sake of being a pride and prejudice retelling. however i will give the dragons a 6/10 for being present and cool despite this

when the moon hatched by sarah a. parker — i did not even get to the part of the story where the dragons appeared. regrettable. NO SHOW/10

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

a song of ice and fire by george r. r. martin — i read these books 10 years ago before i was dragonpilled. i remember liking the themes and drama of dany's dragons, and what it takes to feed/train them. HOWEVER: i can't bring myself to watch house of the dragon. while i am supremely jealous that this series gets a high-budget dragon show and not temeraire (peter jackson PLEASE buy the rights again there's an audience for this shit!!!!) glad that there is a dragon show that has gotten so popular, it bothers me that they're wyverns, not dragons. this is the dumbest thing to be pedantic about in this series and i know that. nonetheless: 5/10 very thematic but not particularly cool. sorry.

the book of dragons, an anthology by johnathan strahan — lots of variety here (obviously) and the graphic design fucks. i'm still working my way through it, but it's impossible to rank these all anyway, so i'll give it a GRAPHIC DESIGN IS MY PASSION/10. in particular i love the brooke bolander piece and think about it all the time <3

[askagamedev]

Summer 2025 Game Development Student Internship Roundup, Part 2

Internship recruiting season has begun for some large game publishers and developers. This means that a number of internship opportunities for summer 2025 have been posted and will be collecting applicants. Internships are a great way to earn some experience in a professional environment and to get mentorship from those of us in the trenches. If you’re a student and you have an interest in game development as a career, you should absolutely look into these.

This is part 2 of this year's internship roundup. [Click here for part 1].

Associate Development Manager Co-op/Internship - Summer 2025 (Sports FC QV)

Game Product Manager Intern (Summer 2025)

Music Intern

EA Sports FC Franchise Activation Intern

Associate Character Artist Intern

Client Engineer Intern

Visual Effects Co-Op

Associate Environment Artist Co-Op (Summer 2025)

Game Design Intern (Summer 2025)

Game Design Co-Op (Summer 2025)

Concept Art Intern - Summer 2025

UI Artist Intern - Summer 2025 (Apex Legends)

Assistant Development Manager Intern

Global Audit Intern

Creator Partnerships Intern - Summer 2025

Technical Environment Art Intern - Summer 2025 (Apex Legends)

Intern, FC Franchise Activation, UKI

Tech Art Intern - Summer 2025 (Apex Legends)

Software Engineer Intern

UI Artist Intern

Game Designer Intern

FC Franchise Activation Intern

Software Engineer Intern

Product UX/UI Designer

Software Engineer Intern

Enterprise, Experiences FP&A Intern

Game Designer Intern

Software Engineer Intern

Development Manager Co-Op (Summer 2025)

Software Engineer Intern

PhD Software Engineer Intern

Character Artist Intern

2D Artist Intern - Summer 2025

Software Engineer Intern (UI)

Entertainment FP&A Intern

Game Design Co-Op (Summer 2025)

Data Science Intern

Production Manager Intern

Software Engineer Intern

Channel Delivery Intern

FC Pro League Operations Intern

World Artist Intern

Experience Design Co-Op

Media and Lifecycle Planning Intern

Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2025

Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2025

Intern, FC Franchise Activation, North America

Creative Copywriter Intern

Game Design Intern

Social Community Manager Co-Op

Business Intelligence Intern

Software Engineer Intern (F1)

Total Rewards Intern - MBA level

Intern - Office Administration

Digital Communication Assistant – Internship (6 months) february/march 2025 (W/M/NB)

International Events Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (H/F/NB)

Intern Cinematic Animator

Research Internship (F/M/NB) - Neural Textures for Complex Materials - La Forge

Research Internship (F/M/NB) - Efficient Neural Representation of Large-Scale Environments - La Forge

Research Internship (F/M/NB) – High-Dimensional Inputs for RL agents in Dynamic Video Games Environments - La Forge

Research Internship (F/M/NB) – Crafting NPCs & Bots behaviors with LLM/VLM - La Forge

3D Art Intern

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Intern Game Tester

Etudes Stratégiques Marketing – Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

Localization Assistant– Stage (6 mois) Avril 2025 (F/H/NB)

Fraud & Analyst Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

Payment & Analyst Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

Media Assistant – Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

IT Buyer Assistant - Alternance (12 mois) Mars 2025 (H/F/NB)

Event Coordinator Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (H/F/NB)

Communication & PR Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

Brand Manager Assistant - MARKETING DAY - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/N/NB)

Manufacturing Planning & Products Development Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (H/F/NB)

Retail Analyst & Sales Administration Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (H/F/NB)

UI Designer Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/M/NB)

Esports Communication Assistant

Machine Learning Engineer Assistant – Stage (6 mois) Janvier/Mars 2025 (F/H/NB)

Social Media Assistant – Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

[sugareey-makes-stuff]

Well, popping in with some winter Sterek updates from the hols all the way up to now. It has been crazy busy, with things finally settling down. So, I'm very glad I had these two around to make the days a little brighter! >> I'm pretty sure sometimes when I step away from my desk for ten seconds, Stiles tries to convince the other animals to do some weird things. Glad Derek's trying to be the adult here (or is he?). Do I want to know what they're talking about? Yes and no. 😅 >> I had a decent amount of hols gifts to wrap up for Christmas, so these two decided to supervise (mainly by choosing the paper and then telling me how to wrap everything🎄🎁😁). >> Since 2024 is now wrapped up, well...it wasn't a bad year but it wasn't a good one either? It was just there, but I really need it for healing and life reframing. I'm actually so glad I had these two with me (as plushies and as general characters I could revisit) throughout the year because they helped me work through a lot of RL stuff. Anyway, I think Stiles and Derek are glad that year is finally behind them. My planner was very chonky and well loved, that's for sure! >> For 2025, in addition to planner stuff (yep, I'm a person that needs to have a paper planner), I decided to take up daily journaling and lettering! (Technically, the lettering started in Dec 2024, but I've been going pretty strong so far!) Are there any Hobonichi folks out there? I'm currently using a Weeks and A6 Techo, and yes, I do love my stickers. The boys are either curious about what's inside each or they might be judging me. Probs both. 😝 >> Sighhh. The last 4 photos is what I saw on my desk this week. 😘 Why am I not surprised I walked on these two rolling around like dummies or making out? Not that I'm complaining, but I do need to use my desk for things.

That's all I've got for now. The good news is since it's a new year, I have some new outfits coming in for them soon! Hopefully that means more updates and adventures for these little guys. If you'd like to keep tabs on more Sterek mini adventures, feel free to follow the #stereksmolshots tag. Cheers!

[racingliners]

@hypersoft-fest Week 8: Any prompt (Romcom)

George/Lewis - Royalty AU & Arranged Marriage, 5k, no warnings apply

Hypersoft Publications are delighted to present an excerpt from RL Aston's upcoming modern royalty romance novel, set for publication in Spring 2025 - Forces

“Father you can’t do this!” George had gotten up from the settee and taken a few steps forward before he realised it was pointless. When the King had left the room it would have taken an earthquake to change his mind.

He thought that being the youngest Prince meant he would have more time, he thought that both his siblings being married meant he’d be spared the pressure to marry, he thought… well clearly what George thought didn’t matter to anyone but himself, and maybe his private secretary Marcus.

“I mean…” Alex, a fellow Prince in the Thai royal family, ran a hand down his face and let out a long sigh once George had finished updating his friend on the latest and frankly terrifying development in his life.

On one of the most beautiful Saturday’s of the year at the end of April they were taking part in a charity polo match at Blenheim Palace. George and Alex were taking advantage of both being on the same team and there being a break in play to take shelter in one of the canvas tents, so George could have his minor breakdown in relative privacy.

“It doesn’t sound like an arranged marriage-”

“What else would you call it then?!” George exclaimed abruptly, failing his arms wide as he spoke. It was a wonder he’d managed to hold on to his polo mallet.

“Careful George,” Alex cast a cautious look at his friend. “You’ll either hurt someone or yourself with that thing.”

“Well,” George scoffed. “I’m about to have a husband who’ll take care of everything for me so who gives a fu-” Strangely, and thankfully, George was holding his mallet at the hammer end. And right as he swung his arm holding the mallet wide, a figure walked into the tent and yelled loudly when the end of the handle smacked into their nose.

Alex was on the scene almost immediately, first checking to see if the person’s nose was broken and secondly hurriedly looking around for a first aid kit. George meanwhile was completely frozen into place as his mind went into overdrive with recalling all of the guests at the polo match, and who would be the absolute worst case scenario to break their nose. All George could see was a masculine frame, dark skinned hands and fine braids tied in a ponytail.

“Ah… fuck,” The man winced as he removed his hands from his face, revealing himself to be Sir Lewis Hamilton, the eldest son of the Duke and Duchess of Northamptonshire. He’d been fairly high up the worst case scenario list mainly because George didn’t know him all that well. They’d said hello at the odd gala, discussed a speech here and there, nothing more.

“I am… so sorry I-”

Lewis looked up at George with dark brown eyes that didn’t exactly look pleased, once again causing George’s brain to freeze.

“Is it broken?” George said instead of an apology.

“No I don’t think so,” Lewis however did dab at the blood slowly coming out of his nose and grimaced right as Alex returned with a first aid kit. George hadn’t even noticed that he’d left.

“I have loads of brothers and sisters,” Alex said with a shy laugh, waving his hands around in Lewis’ direction. “I’ve dealt with nosebleeds my whole life, this is nothing.” There was something about Alex’s flippancy for the whole situation, as if sons of Dukes walked into tents where Princes were swinging about polo mallets all the time, that seemed to relax both Lewis and George while Alex patched Lewis up. “There, good as new… though maybe take it easy for the rest of the day just in case.” He cast a cautious look over Lewis before closing the first aid kit with a firm click.

“Thank you.” Lewis gave Alex a small nod before glancing over at George, who had been absolutely no help despite very much being the cause of the problem. “And sorry for disturbing you, Your Highness… I’m clearly in the wrong tent.” Before George could string together an appropriate apology in his head, Lewis had left the tent almost as quickly as he’d arrived.

George immediately dropped his polo mallet and flopped down into the nearest chair. He buried his head in his hands and had to fight the urge to claw his fingers into his scalp. First the fact that he was only six days away from meeting the first of the three potential husbands his parents had picked out for him, now he’d almost broken the nose of a very well respected member of society. George silently hoped for his sake that he never saw Lewis Hamilton ever again, he’d probably turn as red as his polo shirt.

Alex, ever the wonderful friend, gently patted George on the back in his moment of need.

“Just don’t hit any of the horses as well, I can’t help you with that.”

George looked up, and hoped for a split second that Alex would get hit by a stray bolt of lightning.

“Fuck you.”

It had been obvious from the moment George woke up that the palace staff had been in overdrive since at least 6am. At breakfast he could see clusters of people walking briskly up and down the corridors and stairwells that led to the palace kitchen. The first of George’s potential husbands would be arriving for afternoon tea at exactly 3pm, and from the second he’d finished his last bite of toast his parents had been hovering over and around him like incessant bees.

Remember to smile George, remember your etiquette George, be charming George. No don’t wear the green tie it’s goo garish, the ice blue one brings out your eyes. Stop frowning George. Your hair is too curly today George, it needs to be more slicked back.

By 11am he wanted to lock himself in the nearest cupboard for all eternity.

“I’m sorry about all of this,” Marcus said with a long sigh at lunch. Chef had made leek and potato soup and George could barely stomach looking at it. “But today might not be as terrible as you think.”

“Am I not at least allowed to know who I’m meeting today?” George looked out the window of his state apartment that had a wonderful view of The Mall. It was yet another gorgeous Spring day with a bright blue sky. The leaves in the trees were undisturbed by any breeze and the tourist crowd in front of the palace gates was slightly larger than usual – probably due to the good weather.

“Sadly not, your parents want it to be a surprise.”

George scoffed and slouched in his chair just to prove a point even though his parents weren’t there to see it. “Do they think we’re going to have some miraculous love at first sight sort of thing?”

“Probably.” Marcus said dryly, and finished the last bite of his dinner roll. “You should eat, I’m certainly not doing any of this on an empty stomach.”

George finally turned away from the window and looked down at the plate in front of him. Next to his bread roll was a small pat of garlic butter, instead of plain. Chef always knew how much George liked it. With a small smile, George sat up and slowly ate his soup that was thankfully still warm.

At ten to three he was changed into his slate grey three piece suit with a pale blue tie fastened in a Windsor knot, and walked behind his parents to the courtyard entrance where mystery future husband number one (as Alex had decided to call him) would be arriving by car any second. Already George’s hands felt clammy and his shirt collar too tight, but he took in a deep breath and buried his discomfort as far down as he could. If his parents wanted the handsome, charming Prince to be on show then that was exactly who they would get.

Once George was stood just behind and adjacent to his parents he quickly glanced over at Marcus out of the corner of his eye, and saw his secretary looking back at him with a reassuring smile.

George would be fine, he’d eventually realised after lunch. He’d been to countless state dinners, charity galas and banquets, over the course of his life. This afternoon tea would probably last an hour at most. If anything George was starting to worry about his mystery suitor, and if he knew exactly what he was about to walk in to.

Through one of the windows George saw a black Mercedes enter the courtyard and he stood a little bit straighter while Andrew, the palace’s Chief of Staff, went outside to greet him. All George heard was the sound of a door opening and a mumbling of voices. The heavy wooden door and stone palace walls were too thick for any distinct sound to pass through.

“Sir Lewis Hamilton, Your Majesty.” Andrew announced when he walked back through the door. George blinked rapidly, certain that he’d misheard and that someone else was three paces behind Andrew. But then Lewis, Sir Lewis, walked in wearing a pale grey suit with a lavender jacquard waistcoat and matching tie, with one of his staff following close behind him. The man, who wore glasses and had short, dark hair that was grey at the temples, shared a quick look and small nod with Marcus. The private secretaries of the British upper class did all know each other to some degree after all.

“Thank you for inviting me to the palace Your Majesty.” Lewis said to George’s father with a warm, bright smile, as if this was just another day for him. George on the other hand could feel beads of sweat forming at his temple and on the back of his neck. He felt warm all over, and that his shirt collar was about to strangle him at any moment. Though the ground swallowing him whole without any warning would have been much more preferable.

“Thank you so much for coming.” His mother’s gentle hand on George’s shoulder somewhat pulled him back into the present.

“I’m afraid my wife and I have a rather busy schedule today, but Prince George will be joining you for tea.”

Lewis looked over at George, his eyes all warm and dark brown and… had a small twinge of concern within them.

“Please just call me George.” The words rapidly flew out of his mouth before Lewis could bow say ‘Your Highness’.

“George.” Lewis said softly, and even with a small smile. George was starting to wonder if the polo match last week had just been a bizarre fever dream. It was almost like the mallet incident had been completely forgotten about. Or, much more likely, Sir Lewis Hamilton was an utterly fantastic actor and his talents were wasted on the aristocracy. “It’s an honour to meet you properly at last.”

George’s mother quickly cleared her throat. George should have instigated a handshake by now.

“The pleasure’s mine,” He jutted his right hand out, and every single muscle in his arm was tense as he watched Lewis’ hand glide into his. The handshake was firm, but warm. All George could think about was how soft Lewis’ skin was beneath his fingers. “I…”

“Tea is being served on the West Terrace, perhaps afterwards George can take you on a tour of the gardens…” The soft tones of The Queen’s voice caused Lewis to drop George’s hand and fall in step with her as she, George’s father, Andrew, Lewis and the man George assumed to be his secretary all left the foyer while George’s feet remained glued to the stone floor.

“We’ll be just a minute.” Marcus said to Andrew quietly, the look on his face was enough for the two of them to be left alone. George had told Marcus about the incident with Lewis and the polo mallet in a blind panic while they were in the car on their way back to the palace. Marcus had just reassured him that so long as Lewis didn’t need to go to hospital then it would all be a simple mishap that would be forgotten about in a few weeks.

Once George and Marcus were alone in the foyer, George allowed himself one whole second to breathe before speaking with a rather freeing sense of clarity.

“I’m flinging myself off the nearest balcony.”

“No you’re not.”

“Yes I am.” George nodded to himself and took a firm step towards the courtyard.

“No- George,” The sternness in Marcus’ voice was what managed to stop George in his tracks, and he slowly turned round. “You are going to be yourself, and see this through.”

“You say that as if you’ve had a hand in all of this.” George looked at his personal secretary of just over 18 months with a heavy frown.

Marcus rolled his eyes and tucked his folio under his arm so he could quickly fix George’s tie.

“I wasn’t going to let your parents marry you off to the first eligible man they saw you know.”

George let out a long sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“If anything, you can use this as an opportunity to properly apologise for being such an idiot.”

George couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle, it was better than crying or being distressed about the strange scenario he found himself in. And after catching his breath and giving himself the smallest of peptalks, he walked alongside Marcus over to the West terrace.

“My apologies,” George flashed a perfectly charming smile at his parents. “I couldn’t decide if I needed my sunglasses, it’s so bright today.” He turned to Lewis who was stood with his hands clasped behind his back. A round table had been set out on the stone terrace with two chairs sat opposite each other. While no cakes or scones were in sight, it had been draped with a crisp white table cloth and had the palace’s finest tableware in front of each chair with the afternoon sun glinting off the silver cutlery. “Has someone asked what tea you’d like?” George asked Lewis, remembering to be the attentive host.

“Green please, if that’s possible.”

“Certainly, I’ll inform the kitchen.” Andrew said and almost immediately disappeared inside. George’s parents, plus Marcus and Lewis’ secretary followed suit, leaving George and Lewis alone. The air remained still with no hint of a breeze, and in the distance George could hear the sound of birds tweeting in the trees. It was quite perfect.

“You’re welcome to sit down, any chair you like.”

Lewis opted for the chair closest to him, and quietly sat down. George quickly did the same.

“I um…” He didn’t know where to begin. The apology for almost breaking Lewis’ nose, or revealing to Lewis why he was really at the palace. “I have to apologise for what happened at the polo match at Blenheim Palace last week,” He curled his hands into fists under the table so he could maintain eye contact with Lewis.

“It was my own fault,” Lewis briefly bit down on his bottom lip. “I should have knocked… well you can’t knock on a tent but you know what I mean.” He added with a shy laugh. “I wanted to introduce myself to you somewhere quiet before all of this.” He vaguely waved a hand around in the air, gesturing to the palace and grounds around him.

George once again found himself dumfounded in Sir Lewis Hamilton’s presence without a single word coming out of his mouth. “You know?! About…” He spluttered before trailing off in disbelief.

“Well, in the sense that Bono and I put two and two together. Especially when you were all your father talked about when he sought me out last week.” Lewis paused as one of the doors opened and their afternoon tea was brought out. George’s parents must have insisted on the china, white patterned with blush pink. It was the same set used at Cara’s wedding breakfast.

“Thank you Matt.” George said with a smile to the palace’s Head Butler.

“You’re welcome Your Highness, Sir Hamilton.” He bowed slightly, and quickly left.

The scones, tiny lemon tarts, macarons and finger sandwiches would all have been made fresh, as by the looks of things was the small dishes of strawberry and apricot jam.

“Go ahead, please,” George waved a hand at the table. “You do not need to start eating when I do.”

Lewis snickered, and poured himself tea. George watched the pale green liquid flow seamlessly from the spout of the teapot to the teacup, and waited until Lewis had set the pot back down before speaking again.

“And if you need anything else please just ask.” George reached for his own teapot, which would likely be filled with steaming Earl Grey, and filled his cup before adding a splash of milk.

“So, is this were we get to know each other?” Lewis first examined the contents of the tea stand, and then quickly glanced over at George.

Most of what George knew about Lewis came from passing comments and snippets of news articles. He had interests in fashion and music, and was apparently quite the skilled pianist. And as for George, most of his life had the tendency to get splashed across the front pages. Everyone knew his secrets moments after George had discovered them.

They talked about the weather, and the food in front of them. Lewis said with a small blush in his cheeks that he hoped George’s parents weren’t secretly watching from a window on the first floor. And while George didn’t say it out loud, he didn’t put it past them. It was a shame really, if George’s parents weren’t the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, he would probably get on with them quite well.

“If you’d figured out that my parents are only interested in marrying me off…” George shook his head and sighed once he’d finished his first sandwich. He was grateful at least that he hadn’t been the one to drop the bombshell right on Lewis’ head. “I’m very surprised you still came here.”

Lewis leaned back in his chair, and glanced over his shoulder at the perfectly manicured lawn that was once again set to host many a garden party this Summer. One of them had likely been earmarked for George to attend with his new boyfriend, whoever he turned out to be.

“I might not be royalty, but I’m still nobility.” Lewis spoke with the air of the son of a Duke. The Larbalestier’s had been gifted the peerage of Northamptonshire over a century ago, and it had caused quite a stir at the time when Lewis’ father married into the family. But their reputation within society was spotless. Lewis had earned his Knighthood through his various charity work, both through sports and the arts to give children from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds a chance that no one else would.

“In an ideal world, at least according to my father,” Lewis continued. “I would have gotten married myself a long time ago.” There had been rumours of Lewis being involved with a German socialite just over ten years ago, and even louder speculation of a rather messy break up that followed three years later. “At least this way… maybe we both get some kind of say in how this will all play out.”

George bit down on his lip and looked down at his empty plate while his leg started to bounce nervously.

“We hardly know each other.” George’s voice came out breathless, like the air was being squeezed out of his lungs.

“From what I’ve heard, you seem like a very good man.”

George had to fight himself not to scoff in reply. Whoever Lewis’ source was, it probably wasn’t Alex.

“You’re clearly very brave if you’re willing to jump head first into The Royal Family.” George gulped and reached out for a sandwich, ham and mustard by the looks of it, and immediately let it fall onto his plate with a small thud.

“Like I said,” Lewis paused to bring his teacup to his lips. “I’m nobility already, I know exactly what I’d be getting myself in for.”

George could see it all now, the headlines, the news features, the questions, jokes about who would propose to who… it sounded like hell. As if the spotlight on him wasn’t bright enough. It was part of the reason why George had never gone out of his way to find someone, he was too terrified at what that kind of pressure would do to someone from the outside. That they might end up resenting George forever for something he had no way of controlling.

“Why me?”

“I’ve heard you speak a lot about how you wish your family would do more, not just with charity work but… real lasting action. That was what you said in your speech at the COP summit last year right?”

George slowly nodded. He had no idea Lewis had been in attendance, let alone had found George’s opening speech so interesting that he’d chosen to remember it.

“Well, maybe together we can.”

Lewis had clearly been thinking about the practicalities of the potential arrangement a lot longer than George had. Marriages in the Royal Family were never just for love, it was about spectacle and image and simply just doing what was expected. And while credit where credit was due this iteration of the monarchy had been free from scandal, but to some they weren’t very interesting either. George could immediately see his parents plans now, host a big Royal wedding while making themselves look relevant to society at the same time. Quite the power move.

“Believe me when I say that I’ve spent a long time this past week thinking about this.” Lewis said firmly. “And I like to think that… if any shit hit the fan I would have my husband there to support me, and vice versa.”

“Yes… yes of course you would.” George said quietly, with every ounce of sincerity he could muster. While he still wasn’t particularly keen on the idea, he still like to think himself as capable of being kind to the poor soul who ended up marrying him.

He let out a long shaky breath, and ate his second sandwich in two bites. Very undignified behaviour for such a handsome young Prince.

“I still feel like I have to apologise for you ending up being involved in all of this.” George said once he’d taken a large gulp of his tea. Lewis just looked down at the crumbs on his plate and let out a small hum.

“As I said, my parents want me to be engaged within a year since they’re… rather desperate for me to not be single any longer. And it’s not that I don’t want a family someday, because I do,” As Lewis looked up at George, he could see a small flicker of warmth in his eyes. “I just want to have some choice over who I spend the rest of my life with.”

“And you feel like this is you having a choice.” George scoffed, and picked up a macaron without looking and ate it in one bite.

“I could have just about gotten out of this if I wanted. You would be amazed at the number of dinners Bono has managed to get me out of.” Lewis said with a small shake of the head. “Sorry, I’m supposed to call him Peter in such a formal setting, but he hates it.”

It was strange. It was almost like Lewis was giving George advise on how to say hello to Bono when they met for the first time. As if all of this was going to go somewhere.

“But, if I’m not to your taste then-”

“Oh no!” George exclaimed so loudly his knee accidentally hit the bottom of the table and caused everything to move a couple of millimetres. “Your complete honesty is… so refreshing. You’ve no idea.” Lewis was also unbearably handsome. Well-groomed stubble that looked stylish, not scruffy. Flawless skin that glowed in the sunshine, and deep brown eyes that despite everything were so warm, and kind. George told himself not to think about how well fitted Lewis’ suit was to his frame. “I just… this has all been sprung on me quite suddenly.”

“Ah,” Lewis nodded, a knowing look on his face. Silence fell over the table and a soft breeze briefly brushed over George’s skin. It seemed to help reset his brain as he let out a small sigh.

“I know it was my mother’s suggestion, but if you would like to see the gardens I’d be happy to give you a tour. We can come back to this afterwards.”

Lewis smiled, and it briefly turned into a grin. “I’d like that.”

George called for Matt, who he knew would be waiting just inside to cater to any of Lewis’ and George’s whims, and he asked for the tea stands to be covered while George and Lewis walked round the palace gardens. Matt gave a small nod of his head, and said of course, adding that the rose garden had looked particularly lovely this morning.

Lewis gestured for George to lead the way, and George waited so he and Lewis could walk side by side down the long path towards the rose garden.

“Now we can have some actual privacy.” Already George’s shoulders felt ten times lighter as he ran a hand through his hair to loosen some of the gel. It was such a small thing, but already he felt so much more like himself. “We can compare notes on our parents scheming if you’d like?”

Lewis’ snort quickly turned into a bright laugh, his eyes even crinkled at the corners.

“What’s your favourite film?” Lewis asked instead. And truth be told it did feel better doing the getting to know you questions like this, completely away from prying eyes. They exchanged films, songs, and their shared belief at just how absurd their lives really were by the time they’d reached the wrought iron gate that led to the rose garden.

George pulled the gate open and gestured for Lewis to go first. He stopped a few paces in to look around, and let out a small wonderous sigh. If George had been asked what his favourite part of the palace grounds was, he gave the gardens as a generic answer. But very few people knew that the rose garden was actually his favourite. He frequently took breakfast here in the Summer, and sometimes just liked to sit and read a book while time passed around him.

“The rose garden was my Grandfather’s first wedding anniversary present to my Grandmother,” George explained as he and Lewis began their slow walk round. It was set out in an oval with a small stone fountain in the middle that you could just about sit of the edge of without falling in. “My Grandma loved roses, so my Grandfather had this built for her.”

“What? Just like that?” Lewis said with a snap of his fingers. George immediately noticed the delicate tattoos inked onto his skin before humming in reply. “Wow,” Lewis’ eyes briefly widened. “He must have really loved her.”

“Yeah… yes they loved each other very much.” George said quietly, his eyes trained on the ultra-fine gravel that crunched beneath the soles of his black leather shoes. When he finally looked up upon realising that Lewis hadn’t said anything, George saw him paused in front of a bush of bright yellow roses in full bloom. Lewis delicately ran his index finger along the edge of one of the petals before leaning down to inhale its scent. “I wish I could tell you all the different varieties we have, but botany was never my strong suit.” Like many of the previous royals, George had studied politics at university before his quick stint in the air force.

“What do you like to do in your spare time?” Lewis asked, looked back up at George with his head slightly tilted to the side. “What do you do when you’re just George?”

George coughed out a small laugh. “As tragic as it sounds, I don’t get to be ‘just George’ very often.”

“But when you do…” Lewis asked again, clearly not wanting to let the point go. George let out a long sigh and let his shoulders sink down a couple of centimetres. He hated talking about his interests to other people in case he sounded dreadfully boring.

“I like photography, I’m not very good at it but I enjoy it. On a quiet day our head chef lets me into the kitchen and he teaches me a new recipe. It’s a wonder I haven’t chopped all my fingers off by now, but Riki’s very patient.” George’s cheeks flushed red as he glanced down at the ground and let out a nervous laugh. Lewis just stayed smiling at him. “What about you? What do you do when you’re… just Lewis?”

Lewis talked at great length about music, but also fashion. How he’d helped designed the suit he was currently wearing amongst others. That he loved it as a creative outlet while also giving himself some control over his identity, and that he only dressed for himself and not the approval of others. It sounded so freeing. In the past George had often heard whispers at galas over people gushing over what the son of the Duke of Northamptonshire was wearing, sometimes George had managed to catch a glimpse of him, and other’s he was left feeling disappointed when he didn’t.

They found themselves halfway round the rose garden before either of them had really noticed.

“You do have a say in this you know.” Lewis said with a raised eyebrow, turning the conversation back to the whole marriage fiasco. George wasn’t so sure. The only thing he knew was that he really didn’t want to go through this again, and meet whoever else his parents had lined up for him. Would they be as understanding as Lews was? As thoughtful? George assumed not.

And maybe it all felt very easy, choosing Lewis after being with him for barely an hour. Like he was once again doing exactly once his parents were telling him to do. But there was something in the immediate comfort George felt from being around Lewis that he didn’t want to let go of. It was a kind of safety he’d only ever felt with Alex or Marcus.

“A part of me hoped when I was thinking about all of this last night,” When he had been tossing and turning in bed, more accurately. “That… so long as I’m getting married as my parents want, I will as you say, have some input in how it all happens.” George knew he wouldn’t get left alone completely. His first public appearance with his new partner would probably be at Wimbledon. The Trooping of the Colour was both too soon and far too formal for George to suddenly show up out of the blue with a boyfriend. Not a soul would care about the parade at that point. And the engagement would be planned to within an inch of its life.

But George was starting to hope that if he did pick Lewis, then maybe he would at the very least get a friend out of it all. And most importantly he seemed to be fully aware of what he was doing.

“You’re really sure about all of this?” George asked Lewis firmly, looking right into his eyes to get a read on his frame of mind.

“Of all the options I have… this is the best one. Believe me.”

George admired his determination. If Lewis was going to become a Prince he was going to need it. Lewis seemed to have it in spades, as he was the only to hold his hand out for George to shake, like he was offering a deal.

“Will you marry me?” He said not completely sarcastically.

George let himself throw his head back and laugh so much his shoulders shook. The rose garden had played host to both Benjy’s and Cara’s engagement announcements, chances were it would be the venue for George’s too. He could see it all now flashing before him in his mind. Their first formal appearance together, the engagement announcement next Autumn, how probably in two years’ time to the day George would be waiting for Lewis at the end of the aisle in Westminster Abbey with his new title on his shoulders and Lewis walking towards him, and all the state visits that would follow for the rest of their lives. And, as Lewis had said, all the good they could do together.

George pressed his lips together and nodded, before clasping Lewis’ hand with his.

“I will.”

[dojae-huh]

DJJ: 127 Vibe

0:41 - Clueless Woo, flirting (by trying to be funny) Jae, and smirking Do.

A smartypants Ravenclaw humouring his Slytherin crush by bullying a naive Hufflepuff.

So Woo has a driving license? News to me.

2:29 - Mom-Doyoung won't relax unless he sees the kids do everything right, lols.

3:01 - Ever attentive to whatever Do says Jae, driving an expensive car or not.

3:43 - Why cut out a couple of seconds? Let us in their jokes or comments.

4:43 - Woo's look of an ignored person, lol. (Did he sing "If I were a boy" by Beyonce?).

Jaehyun and Alicia Keys connection. Cyword old, cyword new. Singing. About watching Keys live.

So yeah, you get the point that Do's comment wasn't random.

That jam they got into looks pretty long, huh? Jae lost patience, heh.

6:41 - And who will cook those home-cooked meals? In theory? Heh. He didn't say "mom's cooking". And he can cook himself, for that matter. But I guess the person in Jae's mind got the hint.

10:13 - The old habit of explaining something together at the same time.

10:54 - Jae telling Do to get to the bathroom while he is parking. The editors cut off the bit when Do said he needs to go, so we don't know how long ago he complained. Still, attentive to other's needs Jaehyunie. And he was biting on his nail when he spoke up. So "go" was very matter of factly, routinely, heh.

12:20 - This content was shot somewhere in October 2024, later half. And in January 2025, during 127 Day live, Do said it's Jae habit to introduce Woo as the longest Music Core MC. So was he copying Jae here?

16:10 - Sleepy, but chatty Jaehyunie.

By the way. They remember they are being filmed for the vlog, and on the way to the market both DoWoo tried to create content by asking questions, putting on neo songs. However, we don't see Jae behaving like he did during the drive to the next destination in content normally, we are used to him being silent. Yet, noone indicated his behaviour being unusual (for the camera, or as if he was in an especially chirpy mood), zero side eyes from DoWoo. It's natural wild JaeDo rapport. 16:30 - Restrained but not forced.

18:30 - Not knowing Korean I can't feel the nuances of the level of familiarity in speech, but Jae usually knows when Do addresses him. Some regular words or the tone of voice Do normally uses addressing him are the indicators, probably.

18:30 - A cow because Jae was born in the year of Ox?

18:58 - Do not letting Woo choose a colour and taking control over the gift for him, heh.

24:30 - Another example of Jae reacting without being confused. Sure, Woo didn't have anything to eat. Still, no hesitation.

25:05 - Jae was waiting for an opportunity to upgrade his Do-enciclopedia, the page about the Uni musical.

27:45 - Do grabbing Jae's bag to make sure there are no money hidden, heh. The day was spent productively for Jaehyunie, he teased his hyun successfully.

28:26 - The moment Jae gave Do the photo of him Woo took earlier.

29:45 - Had to unveil that fond smile at Jae's antics (you can hear a quiet chuckle).

32:13 - Of course everyone would look around to a singer's voice (with resonance), lol. Noone talks like this in rl.

32:34 - Do doesn't remember, Jaehyun does, heh.

Considering Jae was evidently sleepy and amidst his tight October schedule, he was very into the outing and enjoyed himself despite boring locations. It's the company that matters~

Seems like they filmed this content the day after 127 filmed for the concert VCR? (Do talked about Woo catching a cold due to getting wet under the water machine).

Illustrative how everyone dealt with the task of buying a gift. Both DoWoo picked the first thing they saw, basically (not caring to spend much time and thought on a gift bought for content purpose). Just Do also gravitated to what he likes (cute toys). Meanwhile Jaehyun thought about making his gift into something to laugh about (funny earrings or a customised puppy doll). That child in him that likes to play and tease.

[kinetic-elaboration]

January 24: Friday

I've been trying to be quietly productive in various ways today (gearing up to be quietly productive the next two days please please please) but now I'm fading. Probably all for the better. I don't want to go to sleep too late. I want to get a lot of rest and then do a lot of cleaning tomorrow, laundry, etc.

There sure is a lot to do, and I keep forgetting things. And I think my eyelash is bent back into my eye.

Also I think I'm entering anxiety hours again. Which is like--fine, whatever, I just sort of survey the scene and realize what the feeling is and ignore it. I want to crash so badly. It is annoying how quick it seems to come upon me.

I don't particularly want to do my evening writing either...which isn't great. I hit sort of a wall last night where I wasn't sure precisely where I wanted to go or how to get there. I was thinking about sort of veering off, but I don't know. Probably not the best idea. I don't know. I'm kind of too tired to deal with it but, I don't know, maybe my shower will help.