#Amine Edge & DANCE

[tracksampm]

45 Minutes of Tech House FUKINASTY feat. DJ Rush DJ Rush, Amine Edge & DANCE, Hugel Too Hot Rawfox Hustlin' Martin Ikin Diluvio Blank Sense La Flaca feat. Gloria IT Nausica, Danny Rhys, Gloria IT Turn it Up CID, BURNR 50 INCH WOOFAS Facu Baez, Braydon Terzo Northern Rhythm Patrick Topping, Ewan McVicar Quarterback Frank Storm, Francis De Simone Rio Original Italobros House Machine Roland Clark, Todd Terry, William Kiss Botella Marco Lys Remix Miane, Vikina

[posi-pan]

2022 books with pan rep 📚

At the time of posting previous lists, there were 57 books in 2020 and 141 in 2021. This year, there are 176!

30 Things I Love about Myself by Radhika Sanghani

Ablaze by A.H. Cunningham

All I’m Asking by J. Marie Rundquist

Apparition by Zahlia Amin

Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires #3) by Kelly Fox

Bad At Love by Gabriela Martins

Barcelona (Circus After Dark #3) by Chloe Adler

The Barkeep and the Bookseller by V.L. Locey

Barnabas Bopwright Saves the City by J. Marshall Freeman

Bartholomew (The Temple Brothers #2) by Elle Sparrow

Ben and Beatriz by Katalina Gamarra

Bishop’s Opening by R.S.A Garcia

Bitter Medicine by Mia Tsai

Blood Bound (Youkai Bloodlines #3) by Courtney Maguire

Blood Legacy (Avators of Ruin #2) by Tej Turner

Bloodmarked (Legendborn #2) by Tracy Deonn

Bound (Fangs with Benefits #3) by Aveda Vice

Bound (Kozlov Chronicles #2) by Elena Sobol

Carnal Cryptids 2: Southeast (Carnal Cryptids #2) by Vera Valentine

Changing the Rules (Rules of the Game: Evanston River Otters #1) by Brigham Vaughn

The Chasm (Finding Humanity #2) by Branwen Oshea

Cold Cases and Bitter Enemies (Cold Case Unit #3) by J.M. Dabney

A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

A Cruel and Fated Light (The Hollow Star #2) by Ashley Shuttleworth

Dance with the Devil (Mercenary Librarians #3) by Kit Rocha

The Darkest Edge by Lyra Blake

Dead Draw by Layla Reyne

Death by Society by Sierra Elmore

Dinner with the Schnabels by Toni Jordan

Dominance of the Heart by Char Dafoe

Dragon’s Honor (Irresistible Dragons #2) by Nora Phoenix

Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak (Unstoppable #2) by Charlie Jane Anders

D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chenica C. Higgins

The Edge of Being by James Brandon

Electric Idol (Dark Olympus #2) by Katee Robert

Epilogues of Lost Gods (Unwritten Runes #2) by Cat Rector

Errant Vol. 1 (Errant #1) by L.K. Fleet

Eternal Hoptimist by Lee Blair

Every Word You Never Said by Jordon Greene

Exodus 20:3 by Freydís Moon

Extra Witchy (Fix-It Witches #3) by Ann Aguirre

Fabricated by Zoe Lee

The Fae Keeper (The Witch King #2) by H.E. Edgmon

The Fake Date by Trisha Bradley

Fate in Suspension (Horn & Haven #1) by Archer Kay Leah

Fault Tolerance (Chilling Effect #3) by Valerie Valdes

Fight + Flight by Jules Machias

Fighting Monsters: Part One (Fighting Monsters #1) by Sam Hall

Fighting Monsters: Part Two (Fighting Monsters #2) by Sam Hall

Forward March by Skye Quinlan

Furious Heaven (The Sun Chronicles #2) by Kate Elliott

Going Public (Jade Harbor Capital #2) by Hudson Lin

Got Me Looking (Vet Shop Boys #3) by Casey Cox

Griff by Ana Night

Grim and Bear It (Love Me Dead #2) by Heather Novak

Grounded for All Eternity by Darcy Marks

The Heartbreak Handshake by J.R. Hart

Her Stubborn Warrior by Kaylee Pike and Kyra Keys

His Heart Knows by Riley Long

The Hourglass Throne (The Tarot Sequence #3) by K.D. Edwards

Howl Down the Moon by Layla Dorine

How to Love a Dragon (Dragon Tamer #2) by Lila Mina

How We Ricochet by Faith Gardner

I Am Sebastian by Cameron James

I Bought Him, So He’s Mine by Kaylee Pike and Kyra Keys

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

I F-ing Dare You by Emm Darcy

If I Were A Weapon (All These Gifts #1) by Skye Kilaen

The Immortality Trials (The Immortality Trials #1) by Madison Nicole

Incandescent by Christina Lee

Indigo: Nights (Indigo B&B #2) by Adrian J. Smith

Inked Temptation by Carrie Ann Ryan

In the City of Time by Gwendolyn Clare

Irresponsible Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James

It’s Not Unusual To Be Loved by an Alien by Chloe Archer

Jamison by A.N. Waugh

Jilted: Jaren (The Foster Brothers #1) by Nora Phoenix

Just a Touch Away by Jae

Just One Date (Castleton Hearts #5) by Chelsea M. Cameron

Kieran by Avery Tu and Kota Quinn

The Kindred by Alechia Dow

Kink Camp: Hunted by A. Anders

Know It In the Dark (All These Gifts #2) by Skye Kilaen

Kostya the Fallen Star by Melissa Polk

The Last Hero (The First Sister #3) by Linden A. Lewis

Last Resort by Helene Gadot

Lead Me Astray by Sondi Warner

Let Me In (Gods of Hunger #3) by R.M. Virtues

Let the Light Shine Through by A. Marie

Lipstick Lies (The Order Duet #2) by Kris Butler

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings

London (Circus After Dark #4) by Chloe Adler

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Love Me Gently by E.M. Dennings

Love You Like That by Scarlett Cole

Lunar New Love by Ophelia Silk

Man o’ War by Cory McCarthy

Match with the Demon by Chace Verity

Meet Me on St. Patrick’s Day by Bryony Rosehurst

Moon Dark Smile (Night Shine #2) by Tessa Gratton

MumFest & Murder (The Java Tavern #2) by Elizabeth Garver

Music Lights & Never Afters by C.L. Matthews

My Roommate Romeo (First Times #1) by Billie Bloom

Nestor (Green Hill Pride #6) by Catherine Lievens

Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino

Not Your Type by Elizabeth Jeannel

Odder Still by D.N. Bryn

Omega’s Study Partner (Sweet in Silford #3) by Hope Bennett

One Night With You by Laura Jane Williams

One Night With You by Sky McCoy

One Step at a Time by Lily Seabrooke

One Week with His Stepbrother (Daddy Tales #3) by Kelex

The One Who Loves You the Most by Medina

Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie

Paris (Circus After Dark #1) by Chloe Adler

Pitcher Perfect (Tap That Brewery #1) by Lee Blair

Playing for Keeps by Jax Calder

Play Me (Dragons Love Curves series #10) by Aidy Award

Pull (Love Is Love #1.5) by Nyla K.

Project Himbo by S.J. Whitby

Promote (Shattered Pawns #3) by Jennifer Cody

Pushing the Limits (Secrets Kept #2) by Riley Hart

Queen of Queens (Our Fae Queen #5) by Traci Lovelot

Queen’s Hope (Star Wars: The Padmé Trilogy #3) by E.K. Johnston

Reaper Hospital: Code Hot Nurse (Their Repear #2) by Lacey Carter Anderson

Recast (Handled #4) by Romilly King

The Redemption by Alexia Chase

Ripped (Kozlov Chronicles #3) by Elena Sobol

Rookie Mistake (On the Board #1) by Anna Zabo and L.A. Witt

Royal Exposé by Jenny Frame

Royal Lines (Boston Rebels #4) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Sasha and the Butcher (The Moretti Family #1) by Stephanie Kazowz

The Savior’s Rise (The Windermere Tales #2) by Talli L. Morgan

Scorpica (The Five Queendoms #1) by Greer Macallister

Seize the Castle (A Knight’s Revenge #2) by Elizabeth Dear

Shake Things Up (Love at Knockdown #2) by Skye Kilaen

Silent Secrets (The Secrets of Sorlphi #1) by Miranda May

Silhouette and the Shadows (Silhouette #1) by Delaney Andrews

The Society For Soulless Girls by Laura Steven

So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

Spin the Damn Bottle (All the Games We Play #2) by Emm Darcy

Stiletto Sins (The Order Duet #1) by Kris Butler

Stitched (Kozlov Chronicles #1) by Elena Sobol

Stone Wings (The Gargoyles of Arrington #1) by Jenn Burke

Storm the Gates (A Knight’s Revenge #1) by Elizabeth Dear

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

Sugar Girl by Emma L. McGeown

Sweet to the Core (Lighthouse Bay #3) by Amy Aislin

Temptation Cove (Hot Takes #3) by T.S. Ankney

Tempt Me Tonight by Natasha Washington

A Tended Garden by J.P. Jackson

Thank You, Next by Andie J. Christopher

That Good Mischief (The Nine Worlds Rising #3) by Lyra Wolf

This Cursed Crown (These Feathered Flames #2) by Alexandra Overy

This Wicked Fate (This Poison Heart #2) by Kalynn Bayron

Tracking Trouble (Spellster Universe #2.5) by Aldrea Alien

The Trow of Duncaster by Melissa Polk

Twilight’s Touch (Prairie Smoke Ranch #2) by V.L. Locey

Two Rights Make a Wrong by Chloe Liese

Undeniable (Bainbridge University #4) by Andi Burns

Uninhibited (Bainbridge University #3) by Andi Burns

Unlikely Savior (For the Gods’ Amusement #3) by Catherine Lievens

Untitled (The Councillor #2) by E.J. Beaton

Us Against the World by Shayne Prescott

VAMPS: Fresh Blood by Nicole Arend

Venice (Circus After Dark #2) by Chloe Adler

Violet is Nowhere by Faith Gardner

Warrior Queen (Our Fae Queen #6) by Traci Lovelot

Warwick (Rebel Sky Ranch #4) by Kelly Fox

What’s Mine Is Yours by Willow Renee

When the Walls Come Down by Harper Robson

Wicked Beauty (Dark Olympus #3) by Katee Robert

The Wicked Love by Pru Schuyler

Wrong Hunt by J.S. Harker

Have you read any of these books? Or books with pan rep at all this year? Let me know! Happy Pan Week!

[lyra-brie]

Find the Word Tag Game

I was tagged by @another-white-hole here. I believe the rules are to find the words you were given somewhere in your wip and share the snippets. My words were: animal, blue, and red. The scenes all ended up being from Idk, Dragons because they were easiest to find good ones for lol.

Aminal, from one of my favorite scenes where Elara and Jeldon dance in the still unnamed magic forest

Then, a group of fairy dragons flew off to the other edge of the clearing and pulled out these little objects she didn’t know how to describe, and then they started making these lovely sounds with them that made her want to dance more that before. Jeldon’s jaw had dropped a bit again. “What are those? How are they making those sounds?” she asked, her voice full of curiosity and wonder. “Those are instruments, but I’ve never seen or heard any quite like those. Instruments make noises called music. But this… This is magical. It doesn’t normally sound like this. And animals aren’t usually capable of playing instuments.” “This is what they talked about in the books?” This was better than anything she could’ve imagined. She grinned and grabbed his hand, pulling him into the center of the clearing. “Dance with me?” “I- I don’t know how-“ She frowned. “What do you mean you don’t know how? You just have to move.” He smiled a bit. “I’ll try. But I’m actually bad at this, so I’m sorry if I don’t live up to your expectations.” She tilted her head. “How can you be bad at dancing?” Jeldon just smiled more and shook his head a bit.

Blue, another scene I adore. The first time Jeldon and Elara saw each other in like 10 years and she hit him with a stick thinking he was a bear or something.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was you. Are you… are you okay?” “I’m great. I just got hit on the head with a stick. I think you cut me.” He held his hand to his ear. “I’m really, really sorry. I swear I didn’t mean to.” His midnight blue curls shined in the moonlight. She hadn’t even noticed the moon was out until now. It was way later than she’d expected. Jeldon had that angry look on his face, just like he had when they first met years ago. At least last time he hadn’t actually been glaring at her. This time he definitely was. “What are you even doing out in the woods this late?” “I could ask you the same thing.” It was a line she’d read in a book. She read the book months ago and had been waiting since then for an opportunity to use it. “I’m traveling. What are you doing?” “I’m traveling, too.” She raised her chin stubbornly. She wasn’t telling him anything more than he would tell her. He raised a brow at her. “Do you even know where you’re going?” “Absolutely. What kind of fool would be walking around in the forest in the middle of the night if they didn’t know where they were going?”

Red, this is the scene where we first meet Cynthia and Linda kidnaps her

“I’ve never gotten to see a dragon this close before.” Her voice didn’t shake, like Kalinda expected. She seemed to be in awe. “This is a wonderful way to die. I would be honored to die at your hands, magnificent beast.” This was a strange human, although Kalinda thought all humans were rather odd. Her hair was a silver-ish gray with red ends. The red definitely wasn’t natural in humans, but it fit her. Despite the fact that she seemed to be on the older end of the human lifespan, the woman carried herself like a warrior. The light gleamed on her medium-brown skin. “I need you to come with me.” She wasn’t sure how to interact with the human creatures anymore. It’d been so long. Maybe it would have been better to immediately explain that she wasn’t going to kill the woman, but the woman also didn’t particularly seem to care if she did. “Oh! You’re not killing me yet. Okay, I’ll totally accept a dragon ride before I die.” The woman was smiling. Definitely a strange one.

This was fun, I enjoyed looking for these.

I'll tag @chainsaw-raven @rains-inky-mind and @gummybugg. Your words are: fire, family, and life.

[paisleypattern]

This Week in Music (Week 51, 2022)

Playlist, here. Details Below.

New Songs

Ladies and gents, cats and dogs, alligators and ducks, and mammals of all ages: Little Simz is back!!! This one is for my homegirl Jennie joon! Gorilla

Country alert! Two of my colleagues put me onto ERNEST and dang I'm smitten with his voice. Songs We Used to Sing

Jack Harlow's flow with THAT classic Neptunes sound. Movie Star

Put your dancing shoes on fam. A-Trak with the heat. Spit - Amine Edge & DANCE Edit

Iran's finest. Sweet and poetic lyrics. Gorgeous melodies. Mosallas

Throwback

Blues love! Fun back story of a previously lost track by The Doors that was likely recorded sometime between The Soft Parade (1969) and L.A. Woman (1971). Big shouts to B-Logic for putting me on. Paris Blues

Cover

Long time readers of Patterns know of my undying love for George Michael's music who passed away 6 years ago on, of all days, Christmas. Here are the Future Islands paying homage to this timeless choon in their own synth heavy recognizable sound. Last Christmas

[shadowetienne]

More watching Japanese Nationals. It’s the Men’s Free Skate to wrap things up (may try to watch the gala too though). First two groups have shaken things up!

GROUP 1

Kazuki Kushida (23)

I feel like he lost the vibes needed for a Michael Jackson program a little bit to having to focus so hard on the jumps. He got the 4T, but the jumps as a whole were a bit of a mess, and it kept him from ever quite getting momentum on the program as a whole.

Mitsuki Sumoto (21)

He has an elegance and musical sensitivity that hasn’t really clicked with his technical elements. I really wish that he’d been guided towards ice dance or pairs when he was younger because I think that he could have been good at one of them (with the pressure of the bigger jumps taken off). He’s retiring though, and I hope that he can be happy with the skates he had.

Tsudoi Suto (15 - Juniors)

His balance was fighting him on the landings at the start. He’s got a great foundation, but needs to work on his consistency. I’m looking forward to him developing his skating in juniors and bringing forward the lovely elements of his skating.

Haru Kakiuchi (16 - Juniors)

He showed up with musicality and performance from the very start. 4T+3T combo, nice! Good work getting that out. He’s got nice spin positions. Great commitment to the music and program, it was fun seeing him sing along as he skated. He’s a delight to watch, and he’s got a lot of potential.

Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (20)

His elegance and gentle musicality have developed in the past few seasons. He had some really nice tech elements, and some big misses on tech elements.

Haruya Sasaki (19 - Junior)

Lovely skating, and I like how connected he seems to his music. The jumps are holding a lot of his attention though, and pull him away from everything else. Good work here, and I see a lot of potential for him, especially because he has great lines already!

GROUP 2

Kazuki Hasegawa (21)

Good speed across the ice. His movements really don’t feel fully finished a lot of the time, and it makes a lot of his movements seem rushed. I want to see him figure that out, work on hands/finishing movements.

Shingo Nishiyama (20)

He also does ice dance, and man does it show. I really think that his strengths end up a little wasted in singles, so I hope that he’s able to develop that ice dance side of his skating. Sounds like he has a partner (new?) but they didn’t make it to nationals? I would love to see how he skates with a partner. He’s so elegant and poised. But the jumps appear to be a struggle. He’s got beautiful spins, and just those edges in the spread eagle are to die for. I want to see him thrive in ice dance because he’s got the skating skills for it.

Kosho Oshiyama (19)

He’s doing a Top Gun program, of course he is! He commits his entire being to his programs, and it’s wonderful. The jumps aren’t quite up to the level of performance, but he’s going for them, and it pays off a lot of the time. He’s so fun and enjoyable to watch. Honestly, I could see him doing incredibly well in pairs if you could find him a partner to match his energy (and who enjoys the same sort of fun offbeat programs).

Seigo Tauchi (14 - Juniors)

He’s got beautiful lines, but he’s clearly still working on developing his jumps. Lovely spins as well. I’m really looking forward to him developing his skating over the next few years in Juniors. There were some moments of excellent musicality that are good to see.

Takeru Amine Kataise (18 - Juniors)

He’s been one of my favorite juniors this season, so I wanted to see him do well. The 3A was not there today at all. He’s got beautiful skating and edges that I love to watch. He’s also got wonderful spins. Jumps are certainly a thing that happen to him though sometimes.

Kao Miura (17)

I was not expecting him to be this low after the SP. It’s certainly a testament to how strong this field is for him to land here after the SP. Kao’s first few jumps were a struggle, but he got his feet under him properly after that. He’s so fast and feels this music so well. I love his spins and his musicality throughout the program!

Let’s see how much placements get shaken up in the next two groups! It’s definitely been a roller coaster already.

[cssmonster]

Discover 15+ CSS Water Effects

At CSS Monster, we bring the soothing serenity of water and waves to your web design. Dive into our latest update, showcasing an expansive selection of meticulously curated HTML and CSS water and waves effect code examples. With our November 2022 update, we've delved into reputable sources like CodePen, GitHub, and other dependable platforms to unveil a captivating array of water and waves effects. In addition to the classic water ripple effects, our collection immerses you in a world of code snippets that emulate the graceful movement of waves, the playful dance of splashes, and even the serene beauty of underwater scenes. These enchanting effects can be applied to various elements on your website, whether it's tranquil backgrounds, animated buttons, captivating headers, or entire sections, allowing you to craft a truly immersive and dynamic design. As we continue to expand our collection, the November 2022 update brings you four new items, offering even more possibilities to create a web design that seamlessly integrates the tranquility of water. Explore the endless possibilities of CSS water and waves effects by diving into our collection today. Happy coding! Author Oluwakemi May 5, 2021Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeWATER WAVE CSS EFFECTCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:noDependencies:-Author Paulina Hetman February 4, 2021Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSS (SCSS)About a codeSUNRISE OVER STILL LAKECompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:yesDependencies:-Author Cody Pearce January 29, 2020Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeOCTOCAT SPRITE SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN WITH CSSCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:yesDependencies:-Author Yannick Brandt October 29, 2019Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codePURE CSS RAINCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:noDependencies:-Author Goodkatz August 13, 2019Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeSIMPLE CSS WAVESCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:yesDependencies:-Author Travis Doughty April 24, 2019Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML (Pug) / CSS (SCSS)About a codeUNDERWATER PURE CSS ANIMATIONCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:noDependencies:-Author Ivan Grozdic December 29, 2018Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeOUTLINE. PURE CSSCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:noDependencies:-Author Nicholas Gratton December 13, 2018Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeWAVESCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariDependencies:-Author Jhey May 29, 2018Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML (Pug) / CSS (Stylus)About a codePURE CSS RANDOM RAIN WITH SVG AND CSS VARIABLESCompatible browsers:Chrome, Firefox, Opera, SafariDependencies:-Author Istiyak Amin February 5, 2018Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeCSS WATER EFFECTCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:noDependencies:-Author JustSaas February 1, 2018Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeCUP FILLING WITH WATER CSS ANIMATIONCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariResponsive:noDependencies:bootstrap.cssAuthor Jaron White February 5, 2016Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeWATER DROPCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariDependencies:-Author Adib Behjat July 18, 2015Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSSAbout a codeDRIP DROP ANIMATIONCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariDependencies:-Author Jérôme Beau February 14, 2015Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSS (SCSS)About a codeWATER DROPLETS ON WINDOWCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariDependencies:-Author Lucas Bebber November 11, 2013Links Just Get The Demo Link How To Download - Article How To Download - Video Made with HTML / CSS (SCSS)About a codeCSS TEXT FILLING WITH WATERCompatible browsers:Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, SafariDependencies:- Read the full article

[whatsonmedia]

Thursday Thrill: Music Festivals to Close Out the Summer!

The summer of 2023 is coming to a close, but there's still time to get your groove on at one of the UK's best electronic music festivals. Here are three festivals that are sure to leave you wanting more: Groovefest UK 30 Sept House music lovers can get their best groove on, at the iconic Blackheath Common in the capital. Coming together for one last open-air summer festival celebration. The day-to-night event is one of high energy with an international headline line-up also features the finest home-grown playing the best sounds of the badass bassline to throbbing melodies connecting people all through the love of dance music and having the best time of their life. Including multiple music stages, the best street foods and plenty of hydration stations, and lots of festival paraphernalia. And a line-up featuring Amine Edge and Dance, Dateless, De La Swing, Dennis Quin, Hector Couto, James Carter, Leon, Max Chapman, and more For more info & tickets www.groovefest.co.uk Glitterbox 1 Oct Join the team this weekend to close the summer Ibiza party at one of the white isle’s biggest clubs.  HI has seen thousands descend on its historical dance floor all summer long. Hosting sell-out party’s throughout, as soon as the club through open its doors, from dusk till dawn, for the hardcore lovers of dance music genres. It’s been full-throttle, back-to-back with a carnival atmosphere and a production set up to take its clubbers breath away.  Making the summer of 2023 one its most successful seasons.  This weekend the Glitterbox brand takes over for a 10-hour non-stop party going out in true Balearic style for one of the most magnificent dance music events of the summer.  Expect modern day disco and a packed-out dance-floor of disco clad dancers living their best life, a crowd of the happiest people all drunk loved-up, on the vibe and best dance music you can hear. It’s not too late to book a flight out to the most famous Island and let loose one last time in the warm Ibiza sun. This weekend’s line-up offers a host of international DJ elite offering disco dance music sets to light the dance-floor on fire and features Cody Currie, Gina Breeze, Groove Armada (DJ Set), Kiddy Smile, Masters At Work, Melvo Baptiste, Sg Lewis (DJ Set), The Shapeshifters For more info & tickets www.hiibiza.com Boundary Brighton 30 Sept After a massive successful festival in 2022, Brighton welcomes the return of Brighton Boundary festival.  As the darker nights are arriving and the end of a wonderful summer.  This weekend it’s time to dig out your best dancing shoes or wellies depending on the UK weather, and festival attire, all things glitter would be OK, to see the summer festival season for one last time.  Saving the best till last! This festival sells out every year, for a crowd of festival-goers who know this festival vibe is off the chart. Brighton is Brighton's is the famous seaside's town biggest end of season electronic music festival showdown.  Spread across four stages and includes a vintage fair, delicious street food and artisan beverages there is no better way to see off the weekend. And no expenses have been spared on the music entertainment.  The festival features a line-up of home-grown DJ elite who'll serve up house and bass-friendly music taking over Stanmer Park for this one-day open-air annual danceathon. This year the lineup features Sub Focus, P Money, Metrik, Gray, Culture Shock, General Levy, Kurupt FM, Holy Goof, Vibe Chemistry, p-rallel, Sammy Virji, Hedex, Monrroe, Ben Hemsley, A.M.C, Phibes, Gardna, Mozey, Pendulum (DJ Set), East End Dubs, Lens, A Little Sound,  Disrupta, Jyoty, SILK(UK) For more info & tickets www.boundarybrighton.com Read the full article

[thedjmusic]

Defected Ibiza 2023 Extended Special Edition

DATA: 2023-01-19 TOTAL: 205 GENRE: House

The hottest House right now. Special Edition for junoBeat.com

DOWNLOAD: https://thedjmusic.com/news/defected_ibiza_2023_extended_special_edition_for_junobeat/2023-01-20-192

&ME,Rampa,Adam Port - What You Expected

&ME,Rampa,Adam Port,Ali Love - Confusion

&ME,Rampa,Adam Port,Nomi Ruiz - Pussy Power

&ME,Rampa,Adam Port,Sofie Royer - Discoteca

&ME,Rampa,Adam Port,Solomun - The Day I Met You

AMÉMÉ - Drum Beat

AMÉMÉ - Loca

AMÉMÉ,Joeski - Drum Beat - Joeski Remix

ANOTR - Amplia

ANOTR - Bigger Picture

ANOTR,Abel Balder - Your Mind

ANOTR,Abel Balder - Your Mind

ANOTR,King Wonder Bread - The Great Reset

ANOTR,Sebastian Kamae - Time To Smoke

Adam Port,Alan Dixon,Keinemusik - Forms Of Love

Amine Edge & DANCE - Do You Love Me - Original Mix

Amine Edge & DANCE - Phone Call - Original Mix

Amine Edge & DANCE,DJ Fronter - Phone Call - DJ Fronter remix

Amine Edge & DANCE,Technasia - Do You Love Me - Technasia remix

AndileAndy - Victims - Buddynice Vocal Mix

B Beat Girls,Nic Fanciulli - For The Same Man - Nic Fanciulli Extended Remix

Basement Jaxx,Paco Osuna - Fly Life - Paco Osuna Remix

Basement Jaxx,Project00 - Fly Life - Project00 Remix

Baxsphere - Caught You By Surprise Neh!

Bebe Winans,Debbie Winans Lowe,Korean Soul,Louie Vega - It's All Good (feat. Debbie Winans Lowe & Korean Soul) - [Louie Vega Remix]

Black Loops,Cody Currie - These Changes

Boys Noize,Naeem,Velvet Negroni - Let Us Rave (feat. Naeem & Velvet Negroni) - Extended Mix

Bruce Loko - Octopus

Butch - Same Like Dope But Different - Extended Mix

Catz 'n Dogz,myst milano. - Feed My Hunger (No Shade) - Club Mix

China Charmeleon,Kali Mija - Confident - China The Charmeleon The Animal Remix

Chloé Caillet,Mikhail Beltran - NYWTF feat. Mikhail Beltran - Extended

Chronical Deep - Make Up Your Mind

Classmatic - Bape

Classmatic,Nfasis - Toma Dale

DJ Koze,&ME,Sophia Kennedy - Drone Me Up, Flashy - &ME Remix

DJ Koze,Mano Le Tough,Kurt Wagner - Muddy Funster - Mano Le Tough Fuzzy Munster Remix

DJ Koze,Mano Le Tough,Róisín Murphy - Illumination - Mano Le Tough Needs a Birra Light Remix

DJ Merlon,Enoo Napa - Lavitate

DJ Merlon,Enoo Napa - Two Zulu Men In Ibiza - Reloaded Version

DJ Merlon,Enoo Napa - Two Zulu Men In Ibiza

DJ Tennis,Ashee,Lady Donli - On My Own Now - Acid Dub

DJ Tennis,Ashee,Lady Donli - On My Own Now - Extended

Dam Swindle,Jungle by Night - Call of the Wild feat. Jungle by Night

Dam Swindle,Lorenz Rhode,Ash Lauryn - High Life feat. Lorenz Rhode - Ash Lauryn Remix

Daniel Steinberg - Groove People

Darius Syrossian,DJ Supreme - I'm The Joker (feat. DJ Supreme) - Extended Mix

Darius Syrossian,George Smeddles - Back In The Dance - Extended Mix

David Morales,Tiger Wilson - Heartbeat

Deep Essentials - Lets Break It

Deetron - Dr. Melonball - Extended Mix

Deetron - V-NRG - Extended Mix

Dennis Cruz - El Sueño

Dennis Cruz - Mochis

Dennis Cruz - So Sweet

Dennis Quin - Dedication To House Music - Extended Mix

Eliza Rose - Move To The

Eliza Rose,Interplanetary Criminal - B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All)

Fka Mash - Open Window

Francisco Allendes - Maratone

Francisco Allendes - What You Do

Francisco Allendes,Harry Romero - What You Do - Harry Romero Remix

Gabriels,Kerri Chandler - Love and Hate in a Different Time - Kerri Chandler Remix

Gaoulé Mizik,Dam Swindle - A ka Titine - Dam Swindle Instrumental Remix

Guy Gerber,Albertina,Michael Bibi - Bocat - Michael Bibi Remix

Harry Romero,Inaya Day - Rise Up - Deep In Jersey Extended Mix

Harry Romero,Inaya Day - Rise Up - Extended Club Mix

Gerd - We Bring U Muzik - Warehouse Dub

Gerd - We Bring U Muzik - Warehouse Mix

Gerd - We Bring U Muzik

Hannah Wants,Clementine Douglas - Cure My Desire (feat. Clementine Douglas) - Extended Mix

Hannah Wants,Clementine Douglas,THEMBA - Cure My Desire (feat. Clementine Douglas) - Themba Extended Remix

Honey Dijon,Channel Tres,Sadie Walker - Show Me Some Love (feat. Sadie Walker) - Extended Mix

Hypaphonik - Manzwi Ehupenyu

J Balvin,KAROL G,Nicky Jam,Crissin,Totoy El Frio,Natan & Shander - Poblado - Remix

Jaden Thompson,Aaron Pfeiffer - Something Else - Original Mix

Jamie Jones - My Paradise - Extended Mix

Jamie Jones,Darius Syrossian - The Best Thing

Jamie Jones,Darius Syrossian - We Bring It

Jamie Jones,Vintage Culture - My Paradise - Vintage Culture Extended Remix

Jansons - Twisty

Jerk House Connection,Akram Sedkaoui,FNX OMAR - Each & Every Day (Life Goes On) [feat. Akram Sedkaoui] - FNX Omar Remix

John Summit,Hannah Boleyn - Show Me (feat. Hannah Boleyn) - Extended Mix

Jon Dixon,Kenny Watson - I Keep Falling - Brixton Remix

Jon Dixon,Kenny Watson - I Keep Falling - Original Mix

Jon Dixon,L'Renee - Feel Your Touch - MinorInvention Edit

Jon Dixon,L'Renee - Feel Your Touch - Original Mix

Jon Dixon,L'Renee,Jimpster - Feel Your Touch - Jimpster Remix

Judee Arakawa - Into The Wilderness

Kerri Chandler - Feelin' Red [DC10] - Pull the 9 Out Mix

Kerri Chandler - I See [Razzmatazz] - Full Mix

Kerri Chandler - I See [Razzmatazz] - Full Mix

Kerri Chandler - I See [Razzmatazz] - Instrumental

Kerri Chandler - Industria [Industria]

Kerri Chandler - Keep One (But Do it Again) [Sir Henrys]

Kerri Chandler - Let It [Basic Club] - Kerri's Full Vocal Mix

Kerri Chandler - See The Light [Lux Frágil] - Original Long Vocoder Vocal Mix

Kerri Chandler - Subbie [Sub Club] - The Jackpot Mix

Kerri Chandler - Sunrise [Watergate]

KVRVBO,BillowJazz - Billow Made Me Do It (VIP)

Kerri Chandler - Sunrise [Watergate]

Kerri Chandler - The Box Frame [Halcyon]

Kerri Chandler - The Calling [Club Qu]

Kerri Chandler - The Piano Thing (Live) [Eathos]

Kerri Chandler feat. Leirbag,DJ Deep - Dirty [Rex] - DJ Deep's Son & Dad Edit

Kerri Chandler,Aaron Braxton jr - Back to Earth (Find Your Peace) [The Knockdown Center]

Kerri Chandler,Bluey Robinson - Tenacity [Output] - Main Vocal Mix

Kerri Chandler,Dora Dora - Who Knows [Barbarellas] - Media Vocal Mix

Kerri Chandler,Dreamer G - Hurry Up [Ministry of Sound] - Instrumental

Kerri Chandler,Dreamer G - Hurry Up [Ministry of Sound] - Kerri's Again Mix

Kerri Chandler,Dreamer G - Hurry Up [Ministry of Sound] - Kerri's Again Mix

Kerri Chandler,Lady Linn - You Get Lost In It [The Warehouse Project] - Full Vocal Main Mix

Kerri Chandler,Leirbag,DJ Deep - Dirty [Rex] - DJ Deep's Son & Dad Edit

Kerri Chandler,Mauro Capitale - Milan [Magazzini Generali] - Full Sax Mix

Kerri Chandler,Mona Lee - Joyful Life [De Marktkantine] - Full Vocal Mix

Kerri Chandler,Mona Lee - Joyful Life [De Marktkantine] - Full Vocal Mix

Kerri Chandler,Nadir Simon - The Morning Heat [La Grange] - Main Mix

Kerri Chandler,Sunchilde - Never Thought [Printworks] - Main Vocal Mix

Kerri Chandler,Troy Denari - Change Your Mind [District 8] - Full Vocal

Kerri Chandler,Troy Denari - Sun of Sound [Plan B] - Vocal Mix

Kerri Chandler,Yaniel,Patrick Mangan - Kaiku [Kaiku] - Disco Version

Kid Fonque,Jonny Miller,ASAP Shembe - Amaphela - El Payo Remix

Kid Fonque,Jonny Miller,ASAP Shembe,Jazzanova - Connected Beings - Jazzanova Remix

Larse - A Part Of - Extended Mix

Latmun - Bump

Latmun - Tonight

LevyM,Benjy,Emmanuel Jal,Nyaruach,N-You-Up - Guaja (feat. Emmanuel Jal, Nyaruach & Benjy) - [N-You-Up Freaky Dub]

Louie Vega - Another Day In My Life

Louie Vega - Atmosphere Strut - Extended Version

Louie Vega,Anane - Cosmic Witch (feat. Anané)

Louie Vega,Audrey Wheeler,Cindy Mizelle - You Got Me Dancing (feat. Audrey Wheeler & Cindy Mizelle)

Louie Vega,Axel Tosca - Deep Burnt (feat. Axel Tosca)

Louie Vega,Bernard Fowler - Change Your Mind (feat. Bernard Fowler) - [Extended Version]

Louie Vega,Cindy Mizelle - Dreamin (feat. Cindy Mizelle)

Louie Vega,Elements Of Life - Chimi - Extended Version

Louie Vega,Elements Of Life - Love Has No Time or Place

Louie Vega,Honey Dijon - Feel So Right (feat. Honey Dijon)

Louie Vega,Joaquin "Joe" Claussell - Igobolo (feat. Joaquin "Joe" Claussell) - [Extended Version]

Louie Vega,Karen Harding - Free To Love (feat. Karen Harding)

Louie Vega,Kerri Chandler - Come Away (feat. Kerri Chandler)

Louie Vega,Lisa Fischer - The Star of A Story (feat. Lisa Fischer) - [Extended Version]

Louie Vega,Moodymann - Seven Mile (feat. Moodymann)

Louie Vega,Nico Vega - How He Works (feat. Nico Vega)

Louie Vega,Robyn - All My Love (feat. Robyn)

Louie Vega,Tony Momrelle - Touch The Sky (feat. Tony Momrelle)

Louie Vega,Two Soul Fusion - Joy Universal (feat. Two Soul Fusion)

Louie Vega,Unlimited Touch - I Hear Music In The Streets (feat. Unlimited Touch)

Louie Vega,Unlimited Touch - Music Is My Life (feat. Unlimited Touch)

Marco Faraone,Greeko - Armaghetton - Extended Mix

Mason Collective - Down Like That

Mason Collective - Leave Me Alone

Masšh - Get On

Max Dean - Start Screamin

Max Dean - Yes Baby

Maya Jane Coles,Moxie Knox - Freefall (feat. Moxie Knox)

Maya Jane Coles,Moxie Knox,Ruff Style - Freefall (feat. Moxie Knox) - Ruff Style Remix

Mr. G - Full A Love - Mango Boy Refix

Mr. G,Duncan Forbes - Next Up - D's Pedigree Chunks With Added Tender Chewy Bitz

Mr. G,Kai Alce - U Feel Mi - Kai Alce's New Feel

Mr. V - The Drum - Mr. V House Masters Extended Variant

Mr. V,Butch - Mr. Bongo (Hello Children) - Butch Extended Remix

Mr. V,Dario D'Attis - Somethin' Wit Jazz - Dario D'Attis Extended Remix

Mr. V,Dennis Quin - Jus Dance - Dennis Quin Extended Remix

PAWSA - Room Service - 24 Hour Extended Mix

Pig&Dan - Better Than The Love I Know - Extended Mix

Pig&Dan - Pull Up To The Bumper - Extended Disco Mix

R.E.A.D,Marco Faraone,Sailor Jane - Where's My Phone? (feat. Sailor Jane) - Marco Faraone Extended Remix

Radic The Myth - Rainy

Radio Slave,NEZ,Dixon - Wait A Minute - Dixon Extension

Rampa,chuala,Keinemusik - Les Gout

Riva Starr - Creators

Riva Starr,Soul City Connection,Phebe Edwards - Brotherly Love Divine (feat. Phebe Edwards) - Extended Bootleg Edit

Riva Starr,Soul City Connection,Phebe Edwards,Jamie 3:26,Danou P - Brotherly Love Divine (feat. Phebe Edwards) - Jamie 3:26 & Danou P Extended Remix

Riva Starr,Soul City Connection,Phebe Edwards,Mark Broom - Brotherly Love Divine (feat. Phebe Edwards) - Mark Broom Extended Remix

Riva Starr,Soul City Connection,Phebe Edwards,Nigel Lowis - Brotherly Love Divine (feat. Phebe Edwards) - Nigel Lowis Extended Edit

Riva Starr,Todd Terry - This Is The Sound - Extended

S.A.M.,Sarah Ikumu - Spotlight (feat. Sarah Ikumu) - Club Mix

SAINT - Poison - Extended Mix

SGVO - Above Water

SONIDO - Amor

Sally C - Downtown

Sally C - Give it to Me

Sally C - Nasty

Sandy Artwell - Alchemist

SeeMeNot,Deetron - Borderline - Deetron Extended Remix

SeeMeNot,Jamie Jones - Borderline - Jamie Jones Extended Remix

Seth Troxler,Jaden Thompson - Talking Walls - Dub

Seth Troxler,Jaden Thompson - Talking Walls

Soichi Terada,Masalo - Diving Into Minds - Club Mix

Soichi Terada,Masalo - Double Spire - Club Mix

Souldynamic - Fuze - Extended Mix

Souldynamic - Paroaria - Extended Mix

SpheraQ,Tebza De SouL - Told You!

Star B,Riva Starr,Mark Broom - House Sound - Extended Mix

Star B,Riva Starr,Mark Broom,MC GQ - House Massive (feat. MC GQ) - Extended Mix

Steve Lawler,Marco Lys,Joy Farrukh - If Only You Knew (feat. Joy Farrukh) - Extended Mix

TIMANTI,Nomvula SA - Warrior (feat. Nomvula SA)

Tea White - Bread & Milk - Enchanted Mix

Tensnake,Purple Disco Machine - Coma Cat - Purple Disco Machine Extended Re-Work

Thabo Tonick - Stargazing

Thorne Miller,Miči - Channels

Tiga - Mind Dimension 2 - 2022 Edit

Tiga,Ben Sterling - Mind Dimension - Ben Sterling Remix

Waajeed - Motor City Madness

Waajeed,Underground Resistance - Motor City Madness - Underground Resistance Remix

[andilistenstomusic]

[113min]

[vanderstein]

(Vanderphonic)

[thetmblrraversmeetup]

Met Amine Edge & DANCE over the weekend! Awesome set like always.

[starryeyes2000]

The Road Back: Chapter 8

I Need Time

Chapter 7 | Chapter 9 | Beginning of the Story

Status: In Progress

Pairings: Christopher Pike x Fem!OC

Rating: Mature

Word Length: 2.2k

Summary: Once the physical injuries from Talos healed, Chris moved on. Then he met someone special but each time the moment was right to become lovers he pulled back, unwilling to trust himself. Unsure if the attraction and his feelings were real. Then he realized or rather admitted the Talos incident was more than kidnapping, imprisonment, and mind-control. It was a violation of the deepest and most intimate kind. And that perhaps there was no way back.

ooooo

Right on schedule, Phil entered the ready room the following morning. Today he carried two thermoses and set one in front of Pike. “From my stash of real Tanzanian peaberry beans. I heard you had a late night on the bridge.” At Chris’ raised eyebrow he added, “Don’t worry, Chef brewed it. I know when to leave things in the hands of the master.” Phil took a chair on the opposite side of the desk comfortably slouching into it.

Leaning back in his chair, Chris sipped the fragrant brew, closing his eyes in appreciation. Coffee was one of his few indulgences. He tipped his thermos at the CMO in appreciation then explained, “Getting close enough to analyze the asteroid field in our path without being drawn into it was painstakingly intricate. Number One and Amin had the worst of it.”

“Any conclusions?”

“It’s dense, massive, and unusual. So far, the probes we’ve launched failed to return any data. Lucero’s science teams and Louvier’s engineers agree we should go around it. They estimate that will take three weeks at a minimum. We’ll spend a few more days gathering information in order to determine how wide a berth is needed for safety while remaining close enough to map it.”

“Wish you’d opted for the mail runs between Earth, Vulcan, and Andoria rather than deep space exploration?” Phil queried his eyes dancing with merriment.

“Not a chance,” Chris replied with a slight smile. “In addition to a plethora of asteroids, dwarf planets with orbiting moons, comets and other ice bodies, this field has a number of mysterious properties. And may be worth outfitting a specialized ship to explore it internally. Which starts with us sorting out if that is possible. Spock … well I’ve heard him utter fascinating more times in the past forty-eight hours than during the prior three months. When I checked in with the bridge this morning, he was still in the science lab.”

“It is amusing seeing Spock behaving like a child on Christmas morning whom Santa richly favored.”

“Or a kitten who has jumped into a box full of toy mice and crackly balls,” Chris added.

“What, no horse metaphor? Should I haul you to Sickbay for an exam?” Phil teased.

Chris rolled his eyes.

“So how are things with you and Aalin?”

“That was subtle,” Chris noted with a hint of sarcasm as he began sorting through reports vying for his attention.

“No reason to beat around the bush,” Phil countered. He peered at his friend. “Or is there? You know, playing with your PADDs isn’t going to disappear me in a puff of smoke.”

Chris mumbled something undecipherable.

“What was that?”

Chris mumbled again while burying his attention in a maintenance request.

“Use your big boy voice,” Phil prompted.

“We haven’t seen one another nor spoken. Other than when I was looking for Spock a couple of days ago,” Chris repeated looking and sounding sheepish.

The doctor abruptly sat up and moved to the edge of the chair. “You kissed the girl … you were close to … you know what with the girl … and, to use an antiquated idiom, you haven’t called the girl since then? Other than to find your Vulcan? Are you a moron? I hope so because otherwise I’d have to conclude you are totally lacking in any social graces.” A pause. “If you were five, I’d send you to your room to contemplate the error of your ways,” he finished in a huff.

With a sigh Chris admitted, “Age wouldn’t matter to my father, he’d do the same today. A lot is going on … has need my attention … I’ve …”

Phil leaned forward. “If you want a relationship with this woman, she can’t always be prioritized after the crew, the mission, the ship. You wanted to spare her from gossip. Don’t you think the crew will notice if you purposefully avoid her?”

“You’re right.”

“What?” Phil prompted.

“You heard me,” Chris said firmly.

“Yeah, but that phrase is so seldom uttered to me by this crew, particularly the senior officers, and even less so by one senior officer who is in this room but shall remain nameless. I decided to luxuriate in the moment.”

“All of your points are … spot on,” Chris conceded. “This is not an excuse, but I’ve been waiting for the right time, until I have more than a few minutes in the wee hours of the night or at the start of her shift. I don’t want our conversation to be rushed.”

Phil settled back in his chair. “Alright then. So you’ve abandoned your earlier plan to break it off?”

“No.”

ooooo

On this third day after that night, as Aalin had begun referring to her and Chris’ interrupted liaison, another day slowly passing without speaking with him, her earlier benign uncertainties morphed into a whispered doubt. As the day continued the doubt buzzed in her mind with increasing frequency, retreated briefly when swatted, and then resumed. Logic argued with emotion. Emotion dredged up previous hurts, experiences best left in the past. By the end of her shift she was tense and arguing with herself.

Tonight, needing to be alone, she was grateful to have her own quarters, a rare perk for a lieutenant with no seniority. Every inch on crowded deep space vessels was optimized leaving no permanent work area for the ship’s linguist. At times, the information she translated was classified demanding privacy rendering quarters her lab. Though given a choice, most days Aalin would pick the roommate over the perk, thinking it would have been a nice way build a friendship and integrate into the crew. Her roommates from college had remained best friends.

Describing her path into Starfleet as winding and unexpected would be an understatement. As a state department interpreter she accompanied a delegation of Federation Ambassadors on a tour of the Gileseian refugee camps and stayed behind as a teacher. That led to the Varian mission then a life on Enterprise. Because of the nature of that path Aalin had few personal items with her, only things she always carried when traveling – a frequently reread book, a portable music player loaded with a couple of favorites, a shell bracelet made by and gifted from a nephew – and the remembrances from the orphans on Noohra. This left her quarters standard issue and not yet feeling like home.

Stressed and edgy, she sank into the armchair and played a round of ‘what I miss most from civilian life.’ Lolling in a long hot silky bubble bath surrounded by candlelight was currently at the top of the list. Bathtubs were not standard issue in junior officers’ quarters. I wonder if that perk is available to the senior officers.

Also, freshly baked bread. A night out on the town with friends. Real pizza. Freshly fallen snow. Cupcakes from … Chris would tease me about the outsized place of food in this list …

Thinking of him cascaded her mood lower. What’s going on? Maybe he regrets … what if he’s realized he’s not attracted to me after all …

Or perhaps he thinks I am pushing him away, that I don’t want him. I’ve tried to be mindful of his responsibilities and not bother him, not ask for too much, but is my passive action sending the wrong message? Is waiting for him to come to me fair? After all, yes, he hasn’t reached out to me; but I’ve not reached out to him either. Is he staying away in order to give me an easy out? Are both of our good intentions creating a misunderstanding? She resolved to talk to Chris tonight.

Aalin glanced her watch. It read 4:00pm. No, 16:00, will I ever get used to a twenty-four-hour clock? It’s too early, he’s likely still working. Wait until the delta shift is half-way through. Tugging off her uniform boots and shedding the jacket, she placed wireless buds in her ears, called up a favorite on the portable music player, cranked up the volume, and indulged in her second favorite way to destress.

ooooo

Chris drummed his fingers on the wall next to the door of Aalin’s quarters while waiting for her to answer the chime. Having ordered all who spent the past two days focused on the unusual asteroid field to stand down until morning, he followed his own instructions. 16:50, she’s off-duty, not in the mess halls, no one has seen her in the past few hours …

Impatiently he pressed the chime button three additional times, because once is never enough.

Where is she?

What if …

Chris jabbed in his command override negating the lock and rushed inside.

Where he found Aalin standing in the middle of the room, back to the door, body swaying to what he assumed was music heard only in her head, arms gesturing. Left hand palm up, fingers curled inward then straightening, the motions repeated once, twice, three times in rapid succession as if encouraging someone. Right hand, palm facing the ground pushing downward four times, as if quieting. She nodded then her right armed moved to the center of her chest, from the movements of its elbow he discerned she was tracing a cross in midair, down, right, left, up. This continued for a several minutes. Or so Chris assumed. Mesmerized, he lost track of time; standing motionless, as if hypnotized, savoring the moment.

Closed hands raised, her fingers opened with a punch. Her arms emphatically sliced through the air; her head leaned back face turned to the ceiling. Arms thrust up. Chris expected trumpets to sound as if heralding an important announcement. He cleared his throat intending to capture her attention without startling. Aalin pulled out an earbud and turned in his direction. Her face flushed.

“Captain … Chris …”

“You didn’t answer the chime … I was concerned …”

She smiled. “It’s OK. I needed … to relax. Some beings sing in the shower, some meditate, I air conduct an orchestra.”

“At home I’d go for a long horseback ride. Here I have to settle for reciting equine facts which bores my crew,” Chris replied with a grin. He pointed to the earbuds in her hands. “Why not play something from the ship’s library? You know, so you can hear the door chime or public address system?”

“Oh. This particular performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony isn’t loaded into Enterprise’s computer, it’s several hundred years old. And my favorite.”

“You can tell the difference between performances of the same song?” Chris asked his tone of voice a combination of amazed, puzzled, and disbelieving.

“Symphony not song,” Aalin replied. “And yes. Can you tell the difference between how the ship feels traveling at warp six versus warp seven?”

“Of course.”

“Then I rest my case.” She smiled again and shook her head before explaining, “When you grow up in a family of lawyers and doctors most discourses at home turn into presenting a case.”

Aalin moved closer to Chris. He stepped back. She halted and asked, “Would you like to sit?” He nodded and pulled out a chair from the small table. She took the armchair now opposite of him. For several minutes there was no sound in the room, just awkward silence. Simultaneously they said, “I should have …”

“Please, me first,” Chris insisted. “I’m sorry. We ought to have talked before now and that’s my fault.”

“No. We both shied away. In the moment I though my reasons were good, were kind. And I’m sure you did as well.”

“Yes … but …”

“No buts. Let’s dispense with the unnecessary apologies and move on,” Aalin replied reaching for Chris’ hand.

He started to reciprocate then pulled back, resting the hand on a knee, fingers unconsciously flexing.

Aalin placed her hands in her lap and searched his face. Then in a soft voice she said, “You want to tell me something, something you believe will hurt.”

Damn, she reads me too well, Chris thought. He nodded.

“Go on.”

Her shoulders straightened. The movement was almost imperceptible, but Chris was learning her body language. She’s summoning her poise, her interpreter’s persona, the one she believes lets her melt into the background, the one meant to keep others from seeing she’s vulnerable.

He began haltingly, “I … us … I think we should pull back. Slow down.”

She glanced down and to the side, carefully planning her response. Looking back to him she said, “You once told me the stability of a crew flows from its commanding officer.” Aalin placed a hand on his arm; this time Chris didn’t pull away. She continued, “And that you don’t indulge in casual physical relationships on board the ship because of this responsibility. You’ve convinced yourself looking for a commitment before what is a more typical getting to know one another period is too big of an ask. But it’s not. Not with you.”

Aalin paused and smiled. “I want to give you that upfront security with my promise to try and work through our problems even when they seem insurmountable rather than simply moving on.

“But we’ve never …”

“That’s immaterial.”

Chris closed his eyes briefly. When they opened Aalin noticed their haunted look. He held her gaze and said in a sad whisper, “I’m unsure about us together. I realized that these past couple of days.”

“Oh.”

“I need time. Time to work through my doubts.” He now understood why the cliché ‘it’s not you but me’ was often uttered in these situations yet hated and never believed. It was truth, but it never comforted.

“I see.”

Chris’ inner voice insisted, Take her in your arms, make love to her; that’s real. His intellect shouted back, No! I have to be sure.

Instead he asked, “Will you grant me that?”

“Yes. Of course.”

ooooo

At 17:00, Team Christopher’s second meeting came to order.

Chapter 7 | Chapter 9 | Beginning of the Story

Story Masterlist | Series Masterlist | Author Masterlist

[doubleattitude]

24 Seven Dance Convention, Birmingham, AL: RESULTS

Sidekick Solo

1st: Penelope LeMieux-’These Boots’

2nd: Calla Massey-’Helium’

3rd: Lainey Hess-’Amazing Mayzie’

3rd: Mila Simunic-’Never Enough’

4th: Macey Strickland-’Wind It Up’

5th: Brenna Himber-’To The Moon’

6th: Maddie El-Amin-’I Will Survive’

6th: Lily-Kate Nance-’Lost Boy’

6th: Annie Cardwell-’Yes I Can’

7th: Reese Braga-’Rule the World’

8th: Paisley Black-’Finding Wonderland’

9th: Addison Daniel-’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’

10th: London Roundtree-’Respect’

10th: Scarlett Shirley-’Riverside’

10th: Myla Boler-’Single Ladies’

10th: Cece Hanley-’Spanish Rose’

Mini Solo

1st: Kya Massimino-’System Activated’

2nd: Emma Caudill-’Big & Loud’

2nd: Georgia Beth Peters-’Come Together’

2nd: Allie Plott-’The Path’

3rd: Ella Dobler-’Shrine East’

3rd: Keelyn Jones-’The Call’

4th: Clare Gibbons OR Chloe McVay-’Baby I’m A Star’

4th: Lily Hackney-’Static’

5th: Emily Core-’Without Limits’

6th: Alyessia Isabella Chiavatti-’Dreaming in Red’

7th: Raegan Hess-’Black Hole Sun’

7th: black hole sun

8th: McKenna Dorr-’Silhouette’

8th: Reed Knight-’Skeletons’

8th: Ella Birdsong-’The Garden’

9th: Dakota Casteel-’Heart of Glass’

9th: Charlie Stone-’Never Enough’

9th: AnaKate Danner-’Unleashed’

10th: Emersyn Malone-’All Aboard’

10th: Sariah Benitez-’Blank Page’

10th: Avery LaSaicherre-’Hide and Seek’

Junior Solo

1st: Mary Jordan Clodfelter-’Mind’

2nd: Audrey Mayernik-’Anchor’

2nd: Taylor Harrison-’Dawn Chrus’

2nd: Londyn LeMieux-’Tar’

3rd: Riley Fiorello-’Crippled Bird’

3rd: Leila Winker-’Takt’

4th: Gisella Gandarilla-’Expressions’

5th: Caroline Powell-’How Rare’

5th: Gracie Elder-’No More Tears’

6th: Addison Murphy-’How Does A Moment Last Forever’

6th: Lydia Smith-’My Heart With You’

7th: Collier McLain-’Love Has No Limits’

7th: Lucy Claire Reilly-’Whisper’

8th: Piper Lucassen-’Billy Jean’

8th: Chloe Wiest-’Hold Your Breath’

9th: Abigail Hirota-’Me Oh My’

10th: Kaitlin Cho-’Synthesize’

Teen Solo

1st: Georgia Greene-’Alpha and Omega’

1st: Sarah Moore-’Tombs’

2nd: Finley Williams-’Curious Yellow’

3rd: Kaylin Motton-’Are You That Somebody’

4th: Jordan Lassiter-’Joyful Girl’

4th: Janai Burton-’Justice’

4th: Jesse Detroy-’Once Upon A December’

4th: Quincy Wilson-’There Will Be Sunshine’

5th: Annamarie Messina-’Bitterly’

5th: Kylie Nequette-’Dream State’

5th: Wells McEntyre-’Like Water’

5th: Maria Laughlin-’Little Voice’

5th: Carrington Hodge-’Mercy’

5th: Natalie Bumgarner-’Omnia’

5th: Maddie Laine Callaway-’Piece By Piece’

6th: Madison McLain-’Madness’

6th: Courtney O’Bryant-’When You Loved Me’

7th: Daelyn Kreis-’Know My Rights’

8th: Payton Gray-’Only The Bravest’

8th: Faith Stoner-’Solids’

9th: Julianna Mazzucco-’Exile’

9th: Katie Ambrose-’Tiny Victories’

10th: Chloe Ollard-’252′

10th: Cate Greer-’Keep You Safe’

10th: Liza Grace Cole-’Time’

Senior Solo

1st: Chloe Jeffcoat-’As For the Fall’

2nd: Julianna Abenoja-’Elephants’

3rd: Alexandra Jinglov-’Action Reaction’

3rd: Payton McCormick-’On My Bones’

3rd: Sophie Grabau-’Unravel’

4th: Brianna Butler-’Ain’t No Sunshine’

4th: Meredith Link-’Chapters End’

5th: Caroline Lybarger-’Clown’

5th: Madeline Underwood-’Say Goodbye’

6th: Cameron Claire Rhodes-’The Last Event’

7th: Lexie Little-’Free Me’

8th: Reyna Foslien-’Human’

8th: Raya Briley-’Turn To Stone’

9th: Leslie Blakney-’Where Does the Good Go’

10th: Ariana Gilles-’Honeymoon’

Sidekick Duo/Trio

1st: Dance Force Clarksville-’Donkey Pot Pie’

2nd: New Level Dance Company-’I’ll Be There’

3rd: Glamour and Grace Studio of Dance-’Wherever You Will Go’

Mini Duo/Trio

1st: Centre for Performing Arts Studio-’I Look To You’

2nd: Glamour and Grace Studio of Dance-’Geometric’

3rd: The DANCE CENTER on Main-’Looking for the Rainbow’

Junior Duo/Trio

1st: Center Stage Performing Arts Studio-’C’mon Talk’

2nd: The Dance Centre-’Us’

3rd: The Dance Centre-’You Will Be Found’f

Teen Duo/Trio

1st: The Difference Dance Company-’Come Let Us’

2nd: The Dance Centre-’Factory’

2nd: The Factory Dance Productions-’That’s Life’

3rd: The Dance Centre-’Dreamland’

Senior Duo/Trio

1st: Miss Amy’s Competitive Edge-’Forever Young’

Sidekick Group

1st: New Level Dance Company-’I Need A Hero’

2nd: The Dance Centre-’Fruit Machine’

3rd: Encore Dance Company-’Mr. Postman’

Mini Group

1st: The Dance Centre-’You’ll Be Back’

2nd: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Another One Bites the Dust’

3rd: The Dance Centre-’Life’

Junior Group

1st: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’All I Want’

2nd: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’State of Shock’

2nd: The Dance Centre-’Storm Coming’

3rd: Birmingham Dance Theatre-’Control’

Teen Group

1st: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’California Love’

1st: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’The Chain’

2nd: Dance Force Clarksville-’O.C.D’

3rd: Impulse Performing Arts Studio-’The Great Escape’

Senior Group

1st: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Fix You’

2nd: Dance Force Clarksville-’See Me’

3rd: Dance Force Clarksville-’Heaven I Know’

3rd: Dance Force Clarksville-’Rescue’

Sidekick Line

1st: Dance Force Clarksville-’Dinosaurs’

2nd: Studio H Dance Company-’ABC’

3rd: McCalla Academy of Dance-’Birth of the Boogie’

Mini Line

1st: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’Jailhouse Rock’

2nd: The Dance Centre-’Jindigo’

3rd: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Be Our Guest’

Junior Line

1st: The Dance Centre-’Heroes’

1st: Birmingham Dance Theatre-’Surrender’

2nd: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’It’s About That Walk’

3rd: The Dance Centre-’Woodland Fairies’

Teen Line

1st: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’Salvation’

2nd: Birminghman Dance Theatre-’Perception’

3rd: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’One More Time’

Senior Line

1st: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Spring Fling’

2nd: Dance Force Clarksville-’Escape’

Sidekick Extended Line

1st: The Dance Centre-’Candyman’

Mini Extended Line

1st: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Pirates’

2nd: Birmingham Dance Theatre-’The Birthday Card’

3rd: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’I’m Alive’

Junior Extended Line

1st: The Dance Centre-’Jagged Roots’

2nd: Jill’s Studio of Dance-’Footloose’

3rd: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’I Look To You’

Teen Extended Line

1st: The Dance Centre-’Scorned’

2nd: Birmingham Dance Theatre-’The Skaters Waltz’

3rd: The Dance Centre-’Tabula Rasa’

Senior Extended Line

1st: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’The Stars’

Junior Production

1st: The Dance Centre-’The Tina Turner Review’

2nd: Dance Force Clarksville-’Walk the Plank’

Teen Production

1st: Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Somebody to Hold’

1st: The Dance Centre-’Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!’

High Score by Performance Division:

Sidekick Jazz

The Dance Centre-’Candyman’

Sidekick Tap

Encore Dance Company-’Grease Lightning’

Sidekick Contemporary

Glamour and Grace Studio of Dance-’Flickers’

Sidekick Lyrical

New Level Dance Company-’I Need A Hero’

Sidekick Specialty

Dance Force Clarksville-’Dinosaurs’

Mini Tap

Encore Dance Company-'Boogie Woogie’

Mini Lyrical

The Dance Centre-’Perfect Way’

Mini Jazz

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’Jailhouse Rock’

Mini Musical Theatre

The Dance Centre-’You’ll Be Back’

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Be Our Guest’

Mini Hip-Hop

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Pirates’

Mini Specialty

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’I’m Alive’

Mini Ballet

The Dance Centre-’Rodeo’

Junior Hip-Hop

Birmingham Dance Theatre-’Emergency’

Junior Musical Theatre

The Dance Centre-’The Tina Turner Review’

Junior Specialty

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’Footloose’

Junior Jazz

The Dance Centre-’Jagged Roots’

Junior Tap

Dance Force Clarksville-’Sorry’

Junior Lyrical

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’All I Want’

Junior Contemporary

Birmingham Dance Theatre-’Control’

Junior Ballet

The Dance Centre-’Woodland Fairies’

Teen Hip-Hop

The Dance Centre-’Meet the Plastics’

Teen Tap

The Dance Centre-’Blinded By the Lights’

Teen Specialty

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’California Love’

Teen Jazz

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’One More Time’

Teen Contemporary

The Dance Centre-’Scorned’

Teen Lyrical

The Dance Centre-’I Do’

Teen Musical Theatre

The Dance Centre-’Welcome to the Moulin Rouge!’

Teen Ballet

Birmingham Dance Theatre-’The Skaters Waltz’

Senior Contemporary

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Spring Fling’

Senior Lyrical

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Fix You’

Senior Jazz

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’The Stars’

Senior Hip-Hop

Dance Force Clarksville-’Roman Holiday’

11 O’Clock:

Sidekick

Dance Force Clarksville-’Dinosaurs’

New Level Dance Company-’I Need A Hero’

The Dance Centre-’Candyman’

Mini

Birmingham Dance Theatre-’Hocus Pocus’

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Pirates’

The Dance Centre-’Jindigo’

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’Jailhouse Rock’

Junior

The Dance Centre-’Jagged Roots’

Dance Force Clarksville-’Welcome to the Party’

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’I Look To You’

Birmingham Dance Theatre-’Surrender’

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’All I Want’

Teen

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’Salvation’

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Somebody to Hold’

Birmingham Dance Theatre-’The Skaters Waltz’

The Dance Centre-’Scorned’

Senior

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Spring Fling’

Dance Force Clarksville-’Escape’

Studio Showcase:

Jill’s Studio of Dance-’Salvation’

Heidi Knight School of Dance-’Spring Fling’

Encore Dance Company-’When Tomorrow’

Birmingham Dance Theatre-’The Skaters Waltz’

The Dance Centre-’Scorned’

McCalla Academy of Dance-’Step In Time’

Dance Force Clarksville-’Escape’

[igorcns]

"Amine Edge & DANCE Feat. Anni Haase - You Can Be A Bitch (Sample) UNSIGNED/UNRELEASED" by Amine Edge & DANCE

[whatsonmedia]

Thursday Thrill: Music Festivals to Close Out the Summer!

The summer of 2023 is coming to a close, but there's still time to get your groove on at one of the UK's best electronic music festivals. Here are three festivals that are sure to leave you wanting more: Groovefest UK 30 Sept House music lovers can get their best groove on, at the iconic Blackheath Common in the capital. Coming together for one last open-air summer festival celebration. The day-to-night event is one of high energy with an international headline line-up also features the finest home-grown playing the best sounds of the badass bassline to throbbing melodies connecting people all through the love of dance music and having the best time of their life. Including multiple music stages, the best street foods and plenty of hydration stations, and lots of festival paraphernalia. And a line-up featuring Amine Edge and Dance, Dateless, De La Swing, Dennis Quin, Hector Couto, James Carter, Leon, Max Chapman, and more For more info & tickets www.groovefest.co.uk Glitterbox 1 Oct Join the team this weekend to close the summer Ibiza party at one of the white isle’s biggest clubs.  HI has seen thousands descend on its historical dance floor all summer long. Hosting sell-out party’s throughout, as soon as the club through open its doors, from dusk till dawn, for the hardcore lovers of dance music genres. It’s been full-throttle, back-to-back with a carnival atmosphere and a production set up to take its clubbers breath away.  Making the summer of 2023 one its most successful seasons.  This weekend the Glitterbox brand takes over for a 10-hour non-stop party going out in true Balearic style for one of the most magnificent dance music events of the summer.  Expect modern day disco and a packed-out dance-floor of disco clad dancers living their best life, a crowd of the happiest people all drunk loved-up, on the vibe and best dance music you can hear. It’s not too late to book a flight out to the most famous Island and let loose one last time in the warm Ibiza sun. This weekend’s line-up offers a host of international DJ elite offering disco dance music sets to light the dance-floor on fire and features Cody Currie, Gina Breeze, Groove Armada (DJ Set), Kiddy Smile, Masters At Work, Melvo Baptiste, Sg Lewis (DJ Set), The Shapeshifters For more info & tickets www.hiibiza.com Boundary Brighton 30 Sept After a massive successful festival in 2022, Brighton welcomes the return of Brighton Boundary festival.  As the darker nights are arriving and the end of a wonderful summer.  This weekend it’s time to dig out your best dancing shoes or wellies depending on the UK weather, and festival attire, all things glitter would be OK, to see the summer festival season for one last time.  Saving the best till last! This festival sells out every year, for a crowd of festival-goers who know this festival vibe is off the chart. Brighton is Brighton's is the famous seaside's town biggest end of season electronic music festival showdown.  Spread across four stages and includes a vintage fair, delicious street food and artisan beverages there is no better way to see off the weekend. And no expenses have been spared on the music entertainment.  The festival features a line-up of home-grown DJ elite who'll serve up house and bass-friendly music taking over Stanmer Park for this one-day open-air annual danceathon. This year the lineup features Sub Focus, P Money, Metrik, Gray, Culture Shock, General Levy, Kurupt FM, Holy Goof, Vibe Chemistry, p-rallel, Sammy Virji, Hedex, Monrroe, Ben Hemsley, A.M.C, Phibes, Gardna, Mozey, Pendulum (DJ Set), East End Dubs, Lens, A Little Sound,  Disrupta, Jyoty, SILK(UK) For more info & tickets www.boundarybrighton.com Read the full article

[claudeng80]

Fight me

Okay, this is probably cheating, but I took advantage of this to clean up a leftover Obiyuki bingo piece. BNHA AU.

The large glass windows probably lit the room in the daytime, but at night all they did was let in pests. Obi included himself in that category.

Not that he even touched the windows.

The lights of sleeping computers illuminated the space with an eerie blue glow. Rows of tables were stacked with scrap paper, knick-knacks, and dirty coffee mugs - so far it was indistinguishable from any tech startup with money to burn and an aesthetic for historical buildings, but Obi’d been watching the place far too long to be taken in by that. This was the Alchemist’s workshop, he knew it, and if only he could get proof-

A tinny beep was his only warning, just enough to duck behind a sofa. Somebody’s “collaboration space,” or something equally full of buzzwords, most likely. He couldn’t hear footsteps across the room, but a computer whirred to life and confirmed he wasn’t alone. It’d be hard to plant bugs if he wasn’t alone.

But really, if he wasn’t lying to himself, he was curious. Shielding the light, he checked his phone. Who was coming in to work at 2:34 in the morning and why?

Whoever she was, she talked to herself.

The flow of words was too quiet to record, too fragmentary to be full sentences, but he stayed listening anyway. Something about esters, something about buffers, something about “is going to kill me.” A grunt behind on a deadline. Secure in the darkness, he peeked from behind the sofa to see a profile lit in crescent by the computer screen. A cute grunt.

Outside, in the alley, something fell with a metallic clang and rolled noisily. Obi peeked again, and this time the girl’s eyes were wide with fear, her body rigid and her breath fast. Not that Obi had ever worked an office job, but it seemed a bit excessive. Unless her reasons for being here in the middle of the night were less behind on a deadline and more . . . like his own.

At last she turned back to her desk, and Obi crept forward. He needed a better look at her work, a better idea of what she was doing. She could be an ally. Darting desk to desk, he drew closer, her gentle mutters about amine groups and isomers flowing right over his head. He’d had chemistry in high school, as much as any UA student got, but it had never been his best subject.

It was a desk chair that did him in, a careless heel nudging it just enough that an armrest dropped with a ratcheting clack. The girl shot to her feet, wheeling, her eyes immediately jumping to Obi exposed between desks. He was hardly ten feet away.

Her eyes stayed fixed on him as she scrambled in her pocket, then clicked something between her fingers and a fireball hovered above her outstretched hand, fuzzy at the edges and stretching into a sooty peak. He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. He’d faced down far bigger fireballs in training, and she wasn’t even throwing it. He could probably blow this one out like a birthday cake. One more step, and the ball blurred into an arc as she swung her arm around to match his motion. Her eyes were frightened in the dancing light. He could only imagine he looked like a real threat. Good.

The smallest of shifts, a twist, and her arm was pinned behind her back. The fireball wisped out in a puff of soot and a chemical smell, and he held her tight against his chest. Her hair, an odd shade of red, smelled chemical too, like a gas grill when the fire’s not working quite right. He rested his knife in front of her face, close enough to make her shake, far enough away she wouldn’t get it in her head to try to bite him. “Who are you?” She gasped. “Did Raj send you?”

“I’m Obi, fireball girl,” he answered with a smile. It was as good a name as any, and if she was in bed with the Schenezade Syndicate, everything he suspected about this place was looking more and more likely. “Do tell, what’s so urgent that has you working at this hour?”

The smell off her hair was different now, more piercing, a little sweet. It made Obi want to sneeze.

“I shouldn’t say,” she pleaded, beseeching but not nearly as afraid as she was a minute ago. He shifted the knife, trying to get back his advantage, and it tumbled from his numb fingers. He blinked, and it took an effort to open his eyes again. He jumped away, breathing deep to let the clean air start to clear his head.

Her fireball was back by the time he set his eyes on her again, frustrated. “Are you a hero?” she asked. “Or from the police?”

It’d been long enough that shouldn’t bother him anymore, but it did anyway. ”I don’t think that’s what you should be concerned about,” he growled.

“I’m not concerned, I just need you to leave me alone and let me work.” There was another sound down in the alley. Either the local vermin were feasting in the trash cans, or they were in trouble.

“It’s important,” she repeated. “I have to stop the Schenezades before the poison apple is ready.”

He must have still been disoriented from whatever she tried to gas him with, but whatever confused face he made put a little half-smile on her lips. “And what does that matter to the Wisterias?” His eyes flicked across her desk: computer, carbon black, sugar, test tubes, but no fume hood, no safety gear. He remembered at least that much from high school.

“It matters to me.” The fireball hissed gently above her hand, sending shadows dancing, but it was her face he couldn’t look away from. She wasn’t scared of him, not one bit, and nothing he could do was going to stop her. He underestimated her, there was no way she was just a Wisteria peon-

“You’re the Alchemist.” A villain mentioned only in the most secret of rumors, the Wisteria family’s newest weapon. Her lips tightened at the word, a frown in her eyes if not her mouth, and she didn’t deny it.

“I’m the only one who can stop a terrible disease before it starts. Are you going to get in my way, hero?”

“I’m no hero.” Not anymore. The east-facing windows showed the lightening sky. “You know, if you took this to the police, they’d get you help, and you wouldn’t have to do this alone, in the middle of the night, working for a crime syndicate.”

“The security guards should be here soon. I won’t tell anyone if you go now.”

A bluff. He couldn’t help but be impressed, but it only lasted a second before the ding of the elevator announced some new arrival. It could be a security guard, could be an overly ambitious employee, but the terror on her face as she glanced from the hallway to Obi was real

He hadn’t shifted another person since he went solo. He hated passengers. And yet before Obi knew it he’d grabbed her hand, her fireball flaring and snuffing out with surprise, and he dragged her through the shadows to safety. Time to finish this explanation on his terms.