#And memorize adjective forms

[celeluwhenfics]

Officially confirming that having deadlines and adulting issues and an upcoming language exam is the #1 way to stir up writing inspo.

I couldn't write a line this weekend, but ideas and solutions to plot problems are fluttering all over the place.

[asyastudieskorean]

~는 것(을/이) — Making a verb into a subject/object

안녕하세요~ Since I've done nothing of substance during my winter break so far, I thought I'd take the chance to review ~는 것(을/이) with you all and teach you if you're not familiar with this grammar point yet. 그럼 우리는 같이 배울까요?

~는 것(을/이) is for making a verb into a noun/subject/object of a sentence.

For instance, you can change “저는 읽어요” (I read) to “저는 읽는 것을 좋아해요”(I like reading).

In the first sentence, “read” is the verb; in the second, “like” is the verb. "Read" has been turned into the object of the verb "like."

Form

~는 것 is attached directly to the verb stem (the verb you’re making into the noun/object of the sentence):

(To see) 보다 ➡️ 보는 것 (To go) 가다 ➡️ 가는 것 (To hear/listen) 듣다 ➡️ 듣는 것 (To walk) 걷다 ➡️ 걷는 것

The only irregular are ㄹ* verbs, for which you drop the ㄹ in the verb stem and conjugate as normal like other verbs:

(To live) 살다 ➡️ 사는 것 (To open) 열다 ➡️ 여는 것 (To make) 만들다 ➡️ 만드는 것

Easy-peasy, 그죠?

Now that you know how to conjugate the verb, in sentence form, either an object marker (을/를) or a subject marker (이/가) must be attached to 것.

Note that you’d only ever use 을 or 이 because 것 ends in a consonant. 를/가 are for words ending in vowels.

~는 것을 versus ~는 것이

When to use which was actually the most confusing part for me learning this grammar point, lol, but this is how my 선생님 explained it:

Use ~는 것이 when the verb that follows is an adjective (descriptive).

드라마를 보는 것이 재미있어요. Watching drama is fun. 단어를 외우는 것이 어려워요. Memorizing vocabulary is difficult.

*Something being fun or difficult is descriptive.

Verb examples: 어려워요 / 쉬워요 / 좋아요 / 싫어요 / 재미있어요 / 맛있어요.

Use ~는 것을 when the verb that follows is a verb (action).

저는 청소하는 것을 좋아해요. I like cleaning. 설거지하는 것을 싫어해요. I don’t like doing the dishes.

*Liking or not liking something is an action.

Verb examples: 좋아해요 / 싫어해요 / 먹어요 / 읽어요 / 들어요.

Of course, all these examples are pretty basic. They're all in present tense, 요 form, but this grammar point can be used in many more ways, such as in questions, different levels of formality, and different verb tenses/forms. Generally speaking, the conjugation rules will be the same.

For instance, look here:

제가 말하는 것을 듣고 있어요? Are you listening to what I am saying?

Same concept, but a bit different in sentence format (it uses the present progressive form (~ing) and is a question, but the same rules apply when changing 말하다 to 말하는 것을.)

And, yes, this rule of when to use the object marker (을/를) or subject marker (이/가) applies beyond this specific grammar point:

문법이 쉬어요. The grammar is easy. 한국어를 좋아해요. I like Korean.

Lastly, ~는 것이 can be shortened to ~는 게 and ~는 것을 to ~는 거 in speech and writing.

*ㄹ is pronounced “리을“ if you are speaking about the hangul letter.

If you want to give it a go in this post's notes, go for it! It can be any random sentence, just for the sake of practice. Of course, you can always send me an ask or message me directly if you want to practice Korean. I'm a bit slow on replying these days since it is my winter break, but I always reply eventually! Let's keep studying together~ 화이팅!

[thebroccolination]

KRIST’S LEGENDARY TAIKO DRUM SOLO

He’d probably be the first to quibble with the adjective, but that’s how I think of it.

In April of 2023, Krist kicked off his first solo tour around Asia in Japan. This tour was three years in the making, originally planned for 2020 when the world shut down. In that time, he did more planning and made it even bigger, including different features for every individual country he’d visit as a nod to their respective cultures.

Krist has committed a lot of time and effort in recent years to vocal training—to the extent that I think he’s genuinely the best live singer GMMTV has. He’s dynamic, he has incredible breath control, he knows how to improvise, how to move around the stage, how to belt. I saw his solo concert twice in November, and I count it as the second best I’ve ever seen. (The top can’t be beat because of Feelings.)

However! He’s not new to music in general, and has said over and over that he still considers himself more of a musician than a singer. He’s been playing the drums far, far longer, and in fact, that’s Singto’s first memory of him at Kasetsart: drummer in a band.

So when he visited Japan for the first leg of his tour, he decided to pay tribute to one of Japan’s most revered instruments: the taiko drum.

He studied not only how to play it correctly, but also its cultural and religious significance. And before he began his performance onstage, he wai’d before the drum to show his respect. It’s even been immortalized in chibi art form.

Then he casually shattered not just my whole brain but the whole brains of many.

[Vid Source: @KristFanClub]

It was such a popular performance that he recreated it for his final two concerts in Bangkok using a different type of taiko drum. (I think the one he used in Japan was a local rental.)

And while we don’t have full, official footage of the concert in Japan, Krist’s fan club was wonderful enough to record segments like the one above and share them afterward, and it’s become one of my all-time favorite performances of his.

Krist has had a vast and loyal fanbase in Japan ever since SOTUS aired in 2016, so I thought it was lovely that he started his tour there. In a behind-the-scenes interview after the concert, he said he was amazed and moved that his Japanese fans had already memorized a song he’d only released days before. And sang it with him. In Thai. He said something like, “I realized that they support all my work, and it makes me so happy.”

And in return for that love, he gave his Japanese fans a beautiful concert filled with respect for their country and culture and music.

That’s why, to me, it’s a legendary performance.

[nowoyas]

thinking started feeling like burning - nishinoya yuu/reader

m.list - deleted smut scene - read on ao3

A/N: would you believe I wrote the majority of this BEFORE having a complete mental break and quitting my job without any sort of plan? this one is gonna have a smut spinoff oneshot sometime before the end of the month but no clear ETA yet due to school and job hunting. this boy needs more love and goddammit I may not be confident in my noya but I'M GONNA GIVE IT TO HIM

Summary: Nothing had changed since you left. Not him, a brilliant hurricane, and not you, a lost robot moving forward with no goals or dreams of your own. Opposites attract, after all.

Warnings: past minor character death, suggestive themes. reader is gender-neutral but for purposes of the deleted smut scene coming later is afab. reader basically has an anxiety disorder and it's implied they have not great parentage but no major detail is gone into.

Word count: ~8600

desolate

/dĕs′ə-lĭt, dĕz′-/

adjective

1. Devoid of inhabitants; deserted

2. Barren; lifeless

Yeah, maybe that was it. Desolate. In this hotel room—small, furnished but empty—you set aside your phone and its little dictionary definition of what’s wrong with you and the definition imprints itself on your brain all over again. Hardly the first time you’ve known the meaning of the word, but perhaps the first you’ve recognized it in your face.

In high school, you’d occupied your time with almost nothing but studying. There had been friends, one or two, and a blip towards the end in the form of a boyfriend, but you had potential and didn’t need to focus on things like going out to karaoke or making out with a guy when you had exams to study for.

You had so much potential.

You recall, dimly, having memorized the definition for desolate one day among all your vocabulary. More than that, reciting it for a hopeless light in your life who just didn’t get all this school stuff.

Your nose wrinkles at the memory. Best not get caught up in that spiral, yeah?

Against your better judgment, you flop onto the hotel room bed face-first and sigh. What the fuck are you even doing here? None of this was necessary. None of this was planned for.

There’s, of course, the simple textbook facts of the situation: you attended a work event, and halfway through, went to the bathroom and just stared at yourself in the mirror—much like the way you spent the past half an hour in a hotel bathroom—went home, got in your car, and drove to a hotel precariously close to your hometown. Sure, there’d been some kind of internal monologue going on, but you don’t remember any of it anymore. Nothing beyond what you’ve known for the past six years:

Something is fundamentally wrong with you.

“So, what, we get in our car and drive away and don’t show up to work and hope it all works out?”

The desolate room does not answer the desolate you.

~

Some species of sea turtle have been observed returning to the beach where they were born in order to nest, a phenomenon known as “natal homing”. There are many theories as to how they are able to return to their birthplace…

Like the sea turtle, you swim through endless water and find yourself, of all places, back in Miyagi, staring at a house you only vaguely remember and wondering if your instincts really led you here, or if you’re staring at a random stranger’s house you’ve never been to. Maybe there’s more than one family with his last name in the area.

It looks like all the others—a house in the countryside, standard and homely. You were here… what? Three times? Five?

Not even in the double digits—you know that much. You and Noya had spent more time together at school, or at your house. Your parents hadn’t wanted you to spend too much time alone with a guy at his house. In hindsight, you kind of get it. His grandfather hadn’t exactly been the type to make sure you two were being good kids, or whatever.

Still, you run your fingers over the nameplate, the kanji of Nishinoya’s last name, and try to figure out why this, of all places, is where you’ve drifted to.

“[name]?”

You startle, looking to the voice. Familiar, yet matured. Perhaps a bit lower. Perhaps carrying an emotion you don’t recognize. That, you know, must be him.

You note with a barely-stifled laugh that Noya has not changed his hair in the years since you’ve seen him. Still that stupid, adorable tuft of dyed blond hanging down in his face. Good.

Then, the feeling passes, and the panic sets in.

What the fuck are you doing at your ex-boyfriend’s house?

“Noya,” you breathe. You nod to him, stunned.

“Holy shit, that’s actually you!” He’s closed the distance in an instant, swept you off your feet in a hug that has you crying out in surprise. When he sets you down, you stumble, trying to catch your brain before it falls out your head. He studies you with bright, sharp eyes. “What are you doing here?”

Ah. “Uh, yeah. About that? I… I have no idea.”

He blinks slowly, and then he’s laughing. “That’s not like you at all! Come on, if you’ve got the time to sit down, I’m sure we’ve got something around here to feed you with.”

“Feed me…? Wait, I…”

But he’s already grabbed your wrist, pulled you across the forbidden threshold and right to the front door. Maybe you should have thought about literally anything before showing up at his house.

Too late for regrets, you guess. You’re in way too deep for him to let you slip away now.

~

In your mind, Nishinoya is steepling his hands together like a stern employer trying to figure out the best way to admonish a bad employee. The image doesn’t really suit him, and you do know that, but you still feel like cubicle fodder waiting to get chewed out.

In reality, he’s resting his chin in his hand, watching you carefully as you run your thumb over the glass of water he’s given you and try not to meet his eyes. (It had taken quite a bit of debating to keep him from actually feeding you. The water was a concession in a valiant fight.)

“So, you don’t know what you’re doing?”

A slow nod.

“You don’t know what you’re doing.” The statement, repeated, does little to hide how astounded he is at the concept.

You sigh. It is easy and so, so heavy as the air escapes you. Maybe you can drown your errant thoughts in water until you understand just what, exactly, you’re trying to do here. You try, but no matter how much you drink, you still don’t have an answer. “Pretty much, yeah. I just sort of ended up here.”

He has an easy smile on his lips, sharp eyes taking you in. “After what?”

“What do you mean, after what?”

“I mean, it’s not like you to just run off and end up anywhere. You’re, you know, thoughtful and stuff! I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of you just doing something without at least three plans ready to go in case something went wrong.”

“I mean, there was you,” you admit with a laugh.

Shit. That was the wrong thing to say, but here you are, panicking and thinking you’ll make things even more awkward than you already feel, and there he is, smiling like he’s looking at…

What?

It isn’t until he’s leaning in further like he’s about to say something dirty that you realize your real mistake in that response.

“You didn’t think before you did me, huh?”

Your cheeks flare, and you hurriedly down the rest of the glass of water while you try to think of a suitable redirect. “You know what I meant!”

“Sure do! You meant—“

“Oh, hush.”

He laughs, and you fall into silence, trying to commit the sound of his laugh to memory.

That’s what sucks about this, oddly enough: you sit at his dining room table, holding a now-empty cup, and it’s just as easy as it always was. He tells you what he’s been up to: how he doesn’t play volleyball anymore (tragic—you loved watching him play) and he’s been traveling a lot (infuriating—you love to travel) and he’s dated once or twice since you last spoke, but nothing really lasting.

(heartbreaking.)

(you love—)

(you loved him when you left.)

“So,” he says, ever enthusiastic to redirect the conversation onto you, “what have you been up to?”

“Nothing, I guess.”

“Oh, come on. You’ve always been amazing. I bet you’ve been doing something awesome with that brain of yours. You wanted to write, right? How’s that going?”

Hah. Amazing. He’s only saying that because you were useful when you tutored him. “No, really. Nothing. Sales, I guess. Convincing people to give up money for a product I don’t believe in for a company I hate. I guess I’m up for a promotion soon. Really though, I think I’ve probably just been dead for the last… what, six years?”

You’d picked the number because it was when you graduated high school. That had made sense to you—college, too, had felt like nothing. No parties, no partners, just studying, exams, and keeping your body moving forward until you had a neat little degree in a field you didn’t care about. But when you spare a glance away from the window, where your attention has been glued in hopes of avoiding letting the awkwardness and pain of this whole situation actually hit you, it’s the first time since he ran into you that Noya isn’t smiling at you.

Oh yeah. And right before you graduated, you’d broken up with him.

“You broke up with me, you know,” he says after a long moment. “Are you saying you’ve been a ghost this whole time?”

And ouch. He’s right, and you hate that. It hadn’t been his fault you’d left. It’d been your insecurities, your inability to handle the weight of your parents’ disapproval, your unwillingness to fight for something that seemed so correct, your stunning realization that Noya would always shine too brightly for you to be the one standing beside him. He always thought you were amazing, but you were nothing compared to his whirlwind personality, his passion, his sense of life.

Maybe this would have been easier if you’d ever told him that.

“I don’t know what I’m saying. Probably just that high school was the last time I felt like a real person, and that ever since, I’ve just been going through the motions and slowly losing my mind and trying not to panic about the fact that not only do I not have any direction in life, I don’t even know how to enjoy it if I did.” Your words come out calm and metered. You try not to betray the worst of it.

For a moment, talking to him, you’d been able to forget the person you’ve been since graduation. You were always moving forward a step at a time, but at some point, you stopped being a hiker on your predetermined life path and just let yourself be a robot. Mechanical step after mechanical step. Just keep moving forward and you’ll get to where you’re going. When you get to where you’re going, you’ll take another stupid, empty step towards where you’re going now. Some successful career, some boring partner that your parents like, kids, wake up, go to sleep, another day, another day, another day doing exactly what you’re expected to do. Just keep following that bright, clear line. That bright, clear line to nowhere at all.

And then you stumbled. And now you’re here, again. Dizzy, sitting at the same table with the same guy.

At some point, you’d trailed off, staring at the table and searching for scars of a life well-used on its surface. You hear the shuffle of him standing over you, and look up to find him reaching out a hand to you. “Alright. Come on.”

“Come… on?”

He leans forward a bit more to take your hand and pull you up. “I’m taking you out to dinner.”

“Huh? Wait, but where?”

“Don’t know yet!”

He drags you out, and you stumble after him in mind and body.

“It’s one o’clock!”

“So we’ll scout places that look good while we get lunch. You don’t have anything to do, right?”

“Well, no, but—“

“Then we’re going!”

He pulls you right past the entryway, nearly has you out the front door before you can protest. “I’m not wearing shoes, Noya! You’re not wearing shoes!”

He only laughs, only pauses, only gives you a moment. “Get them on, then.”

“And do you even have your wallet?”

He blinks and pats his pockets. “Guess not! You’ve got until I’m back with my wallet to get your shoes on and decide to let this happen!”

Decide… to let this happen?

He disappears around the corner, deeper into the house, and at last you sigh, sitting to put your shoes on properly. You doubt he’ll be quick finding his wallet—if he’s anything like you remember (and so far, he’s exactly like you remember) then he has absolutely no idea where he put it last. If you didn’t think he’d absolutely drag you out the door once it was found, you’d kick your shoes back off and help him look.

After getting your shoes on, setting his out in ideal kicking-feet-into-without-stopping position, and five minutes of listening to him rustle about the house, you glance at a table in the entryway and smile at the sight of a plain black wallet in the dish. You inspect it, just in case it’s not his—there’s been no sign of Noya’s grandfather around, but almost nothing’s changed, so he probably still lives here. Better to check.

You open it, just to see that it’s got his ID in there and not someone else’s, and nearly slam it closed again immediately.

Yeah, it’s his missing wallet. ID and everything. And, in the little photo slot, a six-year-old photo of him in his volleyball jersey, million-volt smile on his face as you push him away with your own brilliant smile. He’d just won a game, and you’d been busy trying to get him, gross and sweaty, to stop getting all that gross and sweaty on you even as you laughed the entire time. Tanaka took the picture, you think—there’s a bit of thumb in the bottom right corner.

Noya keeps a photo of the two of you in his wallet. After six years without talking.

A noise bangs from somewhere else in the house, and you close the wallet and force down the warmth welling in your chest and rushing to your face. “All good?” you call out.

“I can’t find my stupid wallet!” he shouts back a moment later. He sounds a bit frustrated. “This isn’t going to work if I spend the whole day trying to—“

“Nishinoya,” you cut him off, half sing-song, “you left it by the door.”

No reply except the thudding of feet as he runs right up to you and plucks it from your hand. “There it is! I found it!”

“Oh, really? You found it?”

“Yep! Are your shoes on? We gotta go now!”

“Go where? You’re in an awful rush. Do you have plans or something?”

He kicks his shoes on and grabs your wrist again. “Nope! You’re gonna love it!”

~

Really a type of plankton, jellyfish possess extremely limited swimming abilities, if any at all, and rely on the currents to control their horizontal movements through the sea.

It occurs to you, as you make the trek to the bus stop, that you didn’t have to say yes to this. Well, really, it’s not like you said yes so much as didn’t say otherwise, and Noya, ever the trail-blazer, pulled you along for the ride. What’s even the difference in what you’re doing now and what you’ve been doing these past six years?

You barely make the bus. Nishinoya pays the fare for both of you, before you can protest, and when there’s only one open seat, he takes it.

“You’re such a gentleman,” you snort.

He responds by tugging you down into his lap. “I am!”

You’re stronger than you were in high school. Really, you are. You don’t collapse into emotions like embarrassment. You don’t let the sensation of being flustered consume you. You do not.

…you bury your face in your hands. “What are we doing right now?”

Always laughing. Always lighthearted. “What do you mean? We’re taking the bus someplace we can find some restaurants.”

“You know exactly what I mean!”

The bus passes over a bump, and he wraps an arm around your waist to steady you. “You know, you’ve barely changed at all.”

“Neither have you,” you fire back. You meant it as an accusation, but the words come out tender. “You’re still a complete hurricane.”

He laughs, his own tenderness bleeding through. “And you’re still not letting yourself have anything you want.”

“When have I ever—“

“I think you know.” His other arm comes around your waist, holding you in a loose hug, chin resting against your arm.

You try not to stiffen at all the contact. This, too, is something you haven’t felt in ages—simple, casual touch. He had always been that way, resting a hand on your shoulder, your back, running fingers through the ends of your hair, like if he stopped touching you, you’d run away.

Maybe he was right. Maybe he is right.

“You didn’t answer me before. Are you still writing? I’ve been keeping an eye out for your name on the shelves, you know.”

You rest a hand on his arm, half considering pushing his arm off. The bus stops, but apparently not at a stop Noya is interested in dragging you off at—he steadies you as the bus jolts, and as a few passengers file off, you consider admitting the answer.

“Poetry these days, mostly. It’s not like I’d ever get published if I went for it, so I just scribble out a few half-assed lines and—“

“See, stop that. That’s half your problem right there, you know!”

“Another seat just opened up, you know,” you mumble. If you try to fight him on this, he’ll end up talking you into these grand ideas that you’ll never be able to accomplish, and by the end of the day he’ll probably have you in love with him all over again, even though you know it would never work, even though you know you’d never really be anything—as an employee, as a person, as his. “We don’t have to do this… couple-y thing.”

“I want to, though. It’s nice, isn’t it?”

…it is. It really is.

“…I still like to write, but I never have time anymore. It’s work, recovering from work, getting ready for work, waiting to come home from work so I can prep lunches and wash my clothes so I have something to eat and wear at work. I don’t have energy for anything except meetings, emails, and phone calls where no one means anything they say.”

“Damn. No wonder you seem so lost. Why don’t you quit?”

“And do what? It’s not like I have a dream job. I just want to get by and survive—“

“Why? You’re not happy. Don’t you want to do something more than survive?”

“I don’t even know what that would look like, Noya.”

He says everything so simply. Just quit. Just move on. Just move forward. He’s lucky, you think. He doesn’t know what it’s like to have parents planning out your entire life for you.

…okay, that was mean. Add that to the list of things that are wrong with you.

He sighs, shaking you gently in his hold. “It’s worse than I thought. Hey, [name], why’d you come here?”

“I told you already. I have no idea.”

“Alright. Adding it to the list. Today, you’re experiencing adventure for the first time in six years, and you’re gonna figure out what you were doing standing outside my house at noon on a Saturday. If I have my way, you’re also going to be quitting your job and starting a promising career as the greatest writer Japan’s ever seen, renowned the world over, but we can get to that some other time if you want!”

“Noya, I’m not—“ Your words die in your throat as his fingers slide between yours. You hadn’t realized your hand was sliding up his arm, but here he is, holding hands with you like it’s nothing.

God. How old are you, again?

~

Lunch ends up being crepes. Never mind the fact that crepes are not a meal, not even when Noya suggests buying two each—he proudly declares it lunch, and so lunch it must be. You’re lucky that he graciously allowed you to get a table, though he’d insisted on grabbing one outside even as the sky above has started to loom with rainclouds.

“And what’ll we do if it rains?” you retort drily as he sits across from you.

“We’ll figure it out,” he grins, sliding you a menu. “Dry off after we get rained on, not before.”

You snort. “How about we just try not to get rained on?”

“Then we would be sitting inside, and you wouldn’t get to look up at the clouds while we eat! You always liked the way the sky looked before it rained, right?”

A soft huff leaves you, a small smile unbidden. “You actually remember that? I think I said that to you, like, one time.”

He nods. “Only had to say it once! Besides, I caught you staring up at the sky in the rain more than once.”

“And yet, I had to repeat the same information for you so many times, only for you to still get it wrong on test day…”

“Hey! I was distracted!”

“You weren’t supposed to be,” you tease.

“What was I supposed to do? There was this gorgeous person sitting across from me telling me all these complicated things in a nice voice. I’m a simple man!”

Though your cheeks heat at the declaration, you can’t help but laugh. “Clearly.”

“Yeah. Clearly.” For just a moment, he’s soft, unbearably soft, and you fear looking at him. Quick, change the subject before you have to acknowledge whatever’s going on here!

“S-so!” Smooth! You’re doing great, sweetie! “Any idea what you’re going to get?”

He slaps a finger down on the menu without looking. “A… monte… monte…”

You sigh and peer over to look at the fanciful English he’s pointing to. “A Monte Cristo crepe?”

“Yeah!”

“Did you read the part where it’s got onions as a main ingredient? Don’t you hate onions?”

He wrinkles his nose, but stands firm. “I’m sure!”

You huff softly. “Alright. Far be it from me to stop you.”

“What about you? Make a pros and cons list for each menu item yet?” he teases.

“For your information, I don’t have to do that when ordering in restaurants. That’s for big decisions. But…” You sigh. “I haven’t eaten out in a while. It stresses me out.”

“Why?”

“So let’s say I pick something that looks good, and it sucks. I won’t eat it because it sucks, but then I feel like I’ve insulted the chef and wasted my time and money.”

He narrows his eyes at you. “If you don’t like it, you don’t like it. But at least you’ll know! When’s the last time you actually ate out like this?”

You bite your lip thoughtfully. When was it?

“I… think I did a celebration dinner with my parents when I graduated?”

“College?”

“No, high school. We didn’t celebrate when I graduated college.”

Once again, he’s staring at you in blank disbelief. “[name], that was six years ago.”

You flush. “Yeah, so?”

“That’s so sad. What have you been doing? I’m about to take you on a food tour just so you can catch up on all the restaurants you’ve been missing.”

You wrinkle your nose. “Please, no. I can’t eat that much.”

“Then we’ll spread it out!”

“Noya…”

The waiter drops in at exactly the wrong time. Flustered, you stumble your way into lemonade for you, apple cider for him, and then, as he’s confidently mispronouncing “Monte Cristo” to the waiter, you panic and end up ordering some curry crepe, a concept which intrigues and horrifies you.

“How’d you even find this place? Seems weird for there to be some half-French, half-English upscale crepe restaurant out in Miyagi.”

“What do you mean, how did I find it? We found it together. I’ve never eaten here.”

Right. He’s completely winging everything. “Amazing.”

“Right?”

Drinks come, and you sigh into a masterful lemonade and try to think of things to say to fill the space between you and your ex. (You have to try not to forget that bit—that this isn’t natural, that this can’t lead anywhere. For your sake and his.) “So, how’s your grandfather been?”

The easy smile on Noya’s lips drops. “Oh. He died late last year. Age caught up to him, I guess.”

Oh. Fuck. “Noya, I’m so…”

He shakes his head. “Don’t apologize. Crazy bastard had a hell of a time of it. He’d hate for me to sit around feeling bad about it, anyway.”

He wouldn’t want you to pity him. Doesn’t want you to pity him. You know that. But…

Did Noya ever talk about any other family members when you knew him? You know he lived in that house with his grandfather. No siblings. Never mentioned any cousins. You know he didn’t grow up around his parents, either…

Has he been alone this whole time?

You reach across the table. Place a hand on his. “Maybe I’ll visit more often.”

In silence, the two of you sit and wait for your crepes.

~

The crepes come out, and with them, new points of conversation that carry you both to finishing—all the way until Noya manages to argue you into letting him pay. He pulls you along, a bit slower than before, a bit easier. You can’t help but let him take your hand and bring you wherever the wind is leading him, half-pitying him and half from the complete lack of will to fight him all day.

“I told you you weren’t gonna like what you ended up ordering.”

“You liked it though, right?”

Predictably, he’d taken one bite of the crepe and instantly realized his mistake. Far too much onions for his tastes. Your curry crepe had been… well…

Let’s just say that you weren’t especially upset when Noya asked you to swap.

“It was really good, if you like onions.”

“I know what I like! Onions aren’t it!”

It’s easy like this, and the day really is nice. There’s rain on the breeze and in the clouds, a pleasant scent and a comforting gloom over the day. You tease and joke back and forth, hand in hand like it’s natural, and it is. It’s easy, being around him. It was easy back then, too. So easy it scares you.

You’re just waiting for the bottom to fall out.

You’re waiting for the bottom to fall out, and it does—with a shriek and loud laughter, rain chases the both of you underneath a tree and within sight of the nearest bus stop, soaking you both through to the bone.

“See?” Noya says, grinning as he pulls you a little closer underneath the tree. “Now we can worry about getting dry.”

“You’re unbelievable,” said with a smile. “What is all this meant to prove again?”

“Well, why’d you come here?”

“Here? You dragged me out here.”

“Yeah, but why’d you come back to Miyagi? I’m just saying, my doorstep is not the first place I expected you to turn up on when the inevitable nervous breakdown hit.”

You fall silent, shiver in the rain. It’s peaceful. You try to focus on watching for a bus, anything except the question you were asked.

“[name].”

You glance at him, yelp a little to find how close the two of you have gotten. This close, in this kind of situation, it’d be only natural for you to lean in, for you to brush your lips against his.

God, have you even kissed anyone since you burned everything down?

You’re not doing this. You’re not falling into a hurricane like him again. You won’t be able to come back if you do that. (Especially with such a fucking cliché.)

You turn away. “You already asked me that. I told you before, I don’t know.”

He hums thoughtfully. Drapes his jacket over both of your heads in an attempt to keep you both from looking any more rained out than you already do.

“I’m just saying, if you want my opinion, you’re going to have to do a lot more adventuring and a lot less sales for a company you hate if you want to remember what ‘happy’ is supposed to feel like.”

“Not sure I ever knew what that was like to begin with.”

“Never?”

“When I was a kid, maybe.”

He tilts his head. “Not even when we dated? Is that why you broke up with me?” He sounds genuinely curious. Would it feel better, you wonder, if he sounded hurt?

You wince. “I didn’t mean… I just…” A sigh. “It’s more like, I was too afraid to let myself be happy when I was with you.” In the close proximity, you find it easier to let your head rest against him a little. “Please don’t misunderstand. I like you. I probably would have been really happy with you if there weren’t something fundamentally wrong with me as a person.” Shit. You definitely misspoke there.

“I don’t really know how to teach you to relax a little, but it’s gotta be easier now that you’re out of your parents’ house. Maybe you need to go somewhere completely new. Get a fresh outlook.”

You arch a brow his way. At least he’s not commenting on your slip of the tongue. “What are you suggesting, Nishinoya?”

“I’m leaving for Italy. Six weeks. That’s enough time for you to plan your little heart out, right?”

“Italy.”

He nods, as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Italy.”

“And if I came back after six years to kill you or something?”

He barks a laugh, stark against the pouring rain. His eyes linger on you. The part of you that’s charitable to yourself thinks he might be mentally undressing the clothes sticking to your skin, though you know it’s more of a challenging look. “I’d like to see you try.”

~

One soaking wet bus ride back to Noya’s house doesn’t save you from this little adventure plan of his. Instead, you’re given a towel or two to dry off with and a change of clothes from his closet, as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. The way he acts, everything is.

So now here you are, wearing a shirt far too large for you that you’ve wrestled into looking somewhat nice with Nishinoya’s jeans. It slides off your shoulder a bit no matter how many times you fix it. You admit, you do manage to pull it off, but the whirlwind of the day still has your head spinning with just how wrong this situation is.

You’re supposed to be at work right now. You should be in office clothes, sitting at a desk in a too-cold cubicle that you never got around to decorating, perfect and polished while you tap out yet another perfectly-balanced email, three-quarters professional, one-quarter gentle familiarity to lure your clients into a false sense of security. Not standing in your ex’s bathroom, tying one of his t-shirts at the waist, adjusting your hair to look closer to “decent” than “drowned rat”. This, this day, this situation, was never supposed to happen.

Is this whole day going to be a stumble? How long will it be until you catch yourself and get back to moving forward? When you do, will you still have a place at your desk?

Do you even want one?

A knock at the bathroom door. “If you give me your clothes, I’ll get them started drying,” his voice filters through the door.

All of these actions have been so easy. Your wet clothes, picked up from where they hung shower-side. Easy to wring them out a bit more to keep from making the floor worse. Easy to open the door. Easy to hand them to him.

Nothing had ever been particularly hard before him, but falling in love with him had been just like this: easy.

Maybe the first easy thing you ever remember.

~

So you go along with it. Another bus ride, this one less crowded than before. This time with umbrella in hand—just one, because of course Noya didn’t even think about it on the way out the door—and a determination to figure out what the hell you’re doing here to begin with.

Everything is as everything was, you think. Shops lining the street, one familiar sight in particular, one of two things you had never had the strength to deny yourself back in school. At the sight of the bookshop, you tug Nishinoya to a stop. You’re a little surprised when he actually does stop.

“Sorry, can we head in? I used to love this place back in school.” You nod to the bookshop. He smiles and lets you lead the way.

“I think that’s the first time you’ve done something selfish today,” he comments as you lead him in.

You refuse to meet that one with a reply.

The shop is exactly as you remember. High stacks of books, books, books everywhere. The scent of old books and a slight spice in the air, scents blending and mixing until, for just a moment, you’re in high school again, marveling at rare finds coming through the used books section and finding some new world to escape into.

You sigh into the scent and disappear into the stacks. Noya is kind enough to humor you as you pick through, find a title or two to take up to the register. If you really do come back to visit from time to time, you’ll have to make sure to stop in here when you do. The old woman at the register hasn’t aged a day. She smiles when she sees you the same way you’re smiling as you approach her.

“Is that little [name]?” she asks, though you both know she already knows the answer. “Why, I haven’t seen you around here in ages! You’ve grown so well!”

“It’s wonderful to see you again, ma’am.”

“Just as polite as you always were. Find everything you were looking for?”

She’s got a poster on the counter by the register. You steal a glance, then meet her eyes with a smile. “Sure did! I’m glad to see you guys are still here.”

Her smile turns bitter. “I’m not sure how much longer, I’m afraid.”

Ah. There’s the heartbreak, panic, fear. “What?”

“It can’t be helped. It’s getting difficult to watch this place in my age, and my Taka’s not been doing so well lately. The kids are all off worrying about their own lives now…”

Your chest twists at the thought. “Can’t you find help?”

“We’ve been looking, but…”

It cannot possibly be this easy.

There’s no way.

“But…”

Noya slides a few bills over the counter while you’re busy fighting a war in your head.

“Oh, and who’s this? You’ve got to introduce your boyfriend, dear.”

“Oh, he’s not—“

“It’s nice to meet you, Granny! I’m Nishinoya.”

Already, they’re spiraling off into some side conversation, too fast for you to make the obvious correction as the old lady makes your—Noya’s—change. She tucks a little bookmark into the front of the stack, and you slide your new books into your bag in resignation. It becomes his space as easily as it was yours, and somehow, it doesn’t feel wrong.

After you’ve left, you consider clearing the air, bringing up… whatever that was.

…it’s not worth the argument.

Another few shops, another few stops. Another few steps forward, another few hours, and yet again you’re sitting across from him, fretting over being underdressed at the restaurant you’ve both happened across and settled on.

“Are you sure we’re dressed alright?” you mutter.

“They let us in the door, didn’t they?”

…yeah, you don’t know what you expected him to say.

“Besides, you look great,” he adds. His eyes dance over you, over the bare skin on your shoulder where you’ve finally given up on pulling the neck of his shirt back up. “I think you wear that better than I ever have.”

You ignore him in favor of another menu, another decision to make that feels earth-shattering. At least you’re aware you’re being ridiculous when it comes to ordering. Really, what’s going to change if you get the fun-looking drink you might not like over the safe one? How bad would it really be if you didn’t like your meal that much?

Drinking too much. Discovering a new allergy. Food poisoning—

“You’re overthinking again,” he teases.

“I’m always overthinking,” you grumble.

“Maybe you need to take the edge off.”

He’s right, and you know that in theory. But in the practice and the day-to-day, you stare at the drinks menu and feel your chest constrict with that itch of anxiety all over again.

“You’ve just got to jump in before you can talk yourself out of it. Come on, [name], let me distract you a little.”

…you don’t think he’s trying to flirt, but your face feels hot all the same. And, well, shit, Noya is a great distraction. He’s a bit less keyed-up than he was back then, but he’s still endlessly charming, endlessly easy to get wrapped up in if you lower your guard even a moment.

“…fine. So what’s this you were saying earlier about Italy?”

His eyes light up. You rest your chin in your palm, glance over the menu again as he tells you about his dreams of traveling the world, how he wants to seek new thrills and see all these new things. You can see every potential disaster of the situation—for one, he has a house back home that someone’s going to need to care for while he’s away, and he doesn’t seem to have thought of that. For another, he’s got an inheritance and no passive income to work with. His grandfather’s leftover money may be substantial enough for this to work in the short term, but longer-term…

Well, one day, he’s going to run headfirst into a hole he can’t climb out of himself.

The thought scares you. Who’s going to be there for him when that happens?

The waiter stops by. Before you can talk yourself out of it, you pick out something alcoholic and fruity and try not to preen under Noya’s delighted approval.

“I’ve never seen you drunk before. Looking forward to it,” he grins. This time, you’re sure he means it flirtatiously, given the wicked gleam in his eyes.

You reach across the table to bat at his arm. “Keep looking, then. I don’t plan on getting drunk tonight. Just buzzed enough to put up with you.”

“Well, that’s no fun. I wanted to know what you’re like when you finally let loose.”

“Excuse you, I can be plenty fun without getting drunk off my ass.”

“Then let’s see it.”

Drinks come out, food orders are placed. You get your margarita halfway down before the buzz starts really setting in, a pleasant warmth blossoming through you. At least now when Noya makes your face hot with some offhanded comment, you can blame it on something other than your own weak heart.

“You know, this is the most adventurous thing I’ve done since I dated you,” you admit once you’re both walking back to the bus stop. Fully sober you would never have this conversation. You recognize that, but there’s enough pleasant fuzz in your head that for once you do not give nearly enough of a fuck to stop yourself. The night is warm, maybe even romantic. “This whole… running around, stopping at random restaurants, getting drenched in the rain without an umbrella. All that.”

He’s got this soft look in his eyes as he regards you. “Really? I can’t say I’m surprised. You were always worrying about everything.”

You snort. “Someone had to.”

“We were kids, though. You probably could have left at least some of that worrying to your parents.”

“Believe it or not, they gave nearly all of that worry to me. On purpose, I think.” You sigh, lean against him just a touch. Your balance never was all that great sober. “I had to be perfect. You were that one little blip.”

“Hey, it felt perfect to me.”

“Did I make a mistake, do you think?”

He looks a little wounded at that. To your credit, he’s definitely misinterpreting. “Dating me?”

“No. Leaving you.”

He pauses, an awkward motion that has you both stumbling just a bit. He’d drank over dinner, too—you’re both buzzed, and the bubbly, floaty feeling ebbs out as you stare at each other. “Why do you say that?”

“I just… I thought about it a lot,” you mumble. “What it would have been like. If I’d just stayed, instead of letting the thought of my parents scare me into running away.”

He huffs a soft laugh and winds his arm around your shoulder. “I thought about it, too. Come on. You don’t need to make it back to the hotel alone; I’ve got a guest bedroom you can use tonight. That, and I’ve still got your clothes.”

Oh. Right.

You nod and let him walk you back to his home.

~

“Have you figured anything out yet?” he asks as he finds another oversized t-shirt and a pair of athletic shorts for you to sleep in. “Gotten even a little closer to figuring out how to do something you actually feel like doing?”

“I had fun,” you mumble in reply. “I know that much, at least.”

“Good. That was mostly the point.” He hands the clothes over to you. They’re more neatly folded than you would have given him credit for.

“Mostly?”

“Well,” he grins, “I also wanted to spend the day with you. Didn’t figure you’d ever agree if I didn’t drag you out before you could think about it too hard.”

“It was nice,” you admit. “Thank you. For all of it. I… I still don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow, though.”

“Is it so bad listening to what you feel like doing every once in a while, though?”

“If I knew what I felt like doing, maybe.” You linger awkwardly in his doorway, bounce your shoulder rhythmically against the frame. “You’ve got your work cut out for you if you think one day is gonna get me that in tune with my brain.”

“That’s why I asked you to come to Italy with me.” He tilts his head, some question lingering unspoken. “Try it now, though. What does [name] feel like doing right now?”

He’s close to you. Too close. He’s close, and pretty, and magnetic, and—

“[name] feels like doing something stupid.”

His grin widens. “Nice to meet you. My name’s Nishinoya Yuu, and I’ve been told on more than one occasion that I am pretty damn stupid.”

—fuck it. You grab him by the collar of his shirt and kiss him before you can talk yourself out of it.

He reciprocates in kind, an eager hand coming to settle on your waist like it’s been waiting to rest there all night. You kiss him hot, heavy, open-mouthed; let your hands slide from gripping his collar to locking loosely behind his neck. When you’re both out of breath, he pulls back and leans in to whisper into your neck:

“Why did you come here, [name]?”

It’s hard to think with his breath on your neck, his hands on your body leaving your skin on fire where he touches, but you are great at thinking and finally off the deep end enough to admit it.

“I wanted to remember what it was like to feel alive,” you breathe out into his ear. His lips brush your throat, and you let out a breathy whine. “You’re the only person who ever—who ever seemed to know how to do that.”

“Let me show you how to let go, then.”

There’s no illusions about what he means. Not this time, not with his lips dancing down your neck to your exposed shoulder. Not with his hips pressing into yours, not with his fingertips toying with the edge of his shirt you’re wearing, and not with his fingertips brushing the bare skin at your waist.

You nod and hope you won’t regret it.

~

If there’s regret to be had, you expect you’ll see it in the light of morning. As it is, Noya returns from the bathroom and collapses right onto you, a lithe arm pulling you into his chest.

“I’m glad you came back,” he mumbles into your hair. You’re both tired—it’s late, and that might have been the best workout you’ve gotten in a while.

“Because you missed me, or because you got to fuck me?” you tease, sliding a hand over his.

“I missed you,” he replies without missing a beat. “Not too late to come travel the world with me. Quit your job and feel peace for once in your life.”

“Peace? With you around? Not likely. Besides, I’m renting a place in Tokyo. I can’t meet rent if I quit my job.”

He laughs and pulls you in a little closer. “Then just Italy, and you can go back to the way you felt before you turned up on my doorstep looking more lost than I’ve ever seen anyone in my life.”

You sigh. “When you’re traveling the world, who’s gonna take care of your house? It doesn’t seem like you’re selling it, are you?”

“Italy, come home, we’ll break in the place, and then I’ll come home to you between trips while you work on writing an international bestseller.”

Your heart flutters at the thought. Admittedly… it’d solve a lot of the problems you have with his little “plan”.

“And how do you suppose I pay for being alive aside from not having rent?”

“Ask that old lady at the bookshop if you can help at the store.”

“Why do you have an answer for everything?”

“It’s okay if things fall into place once in a while, you know.”

You sigh into him. There’s too many unknowns. How is he going to keep paying for traveling? What if the book never works out? If there’s no space for you at the bookshop? If—

He nuzzles into your neck. “I’m waiting on an answer, baby…”

“It’s late, Noya. I’ll think about it.”

“Do me a favor and think yourself into something for once, instead of out of it. I might die if you leave again.”

He presses one last kiss into the back of your neck before you both draft off, sore and exhausted.

There’s one thing, at least, you can be sure of, at least for tonight: you’re glad you came here.

~

Epilogue

“You’re looking much better,” your coworker nods to you as you settle back into your desk. “Get some much-needed rest?”

You nod your reply. “I did, thanks. Sorry for disappearing so suddenly. That cold was killer. Think I slept about fourteen hours straight.”

She snorts. “Man, no wonder you weren’t answering your phone. Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

She wanders off to her own desk. You take a long sip of your drink, stretch a bit, and get right to your stupid little emails.

You tap away, pausing between sentences to consider, to answer the phone, to sip your drink. Occasionally, to tab over to some other draft when you worry a passing coworker might see exactly what you’re writing. At one or two points, over to your web browser, either to the wikiHow article you’re referencing, or to one of the many other tabs: your online banking, to confirm that this isn’t going to completely kill you (it won’t—all work and no play gives Jack a hefty savings account), or to any number of other wonderful things on the Internet that you suddenly feel comfortable accessing with the letter you’re drafting in the background.

It takes an hour to settle. The letter is drafted, all the right people are copied. You’ve triple checked everything, gotten all your things already slid into your bag or in a box to carry out with you. Made sure everything you need to leave behind is in clear view on your desk. You’ve even prepped an auto-response on your email client so people know who to bother, if not you. It’d take three, maybe four clicks to blow up your life.

You can’t do it.

You reach for your cell and dial.

Noya, despite all that worries you about him, has always been an early riser. He picks up on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Distract me,” you order in lieu of a greeting.

You hear laughter, a slight shuffle. “From what?”

“Doesn’t matter. Just distract me.”

“Ah, you’re doing something you don’t want to talk yourself out of. I’m proud of you!” You hear the smile in his voice, close your eyes to try to visualize it. “Am I allowed to ask what you’re up to? Where you are?”

“No and no. If I tell you, I’ll back out by the time I finish saying it.”

“I get it. Hey, do you still have that mark on your neck from when I—“

Your cheeks burn, fingers dancing along the bruise in question. It had been a bitch to cover with makeup this morning. You’re still not convinced you did so successfully, but no one’s commented on it yet, at least. “No thanks to a certain someone. I still can’t believe you did that.”

“Hey, you said you felt like doing something stupid. Who was I to deny you?”

“Cheeky bastard.” You smile, lean back in your chair a little bit. Click ‘send’. “Oh god. I did it.”

“Am I allowed to ask what you did now?”

“I might throw up. Not sure yet. Hey, how do you feel about renting bikes?”

“Bikes?”

“In Italy. I was looking up, like, bucket lists and stuff, and there’s this road, the Appian way? You can rent bikes and bike it. Apparently, it’s pretty old, and there’s this café we could eat at, and—“

You hear the thunk of something falling in the background of the call. “You’re coming!?”

“Well, I just emailed my resignation letter to my boss and HR, and I can see him panicking in his office from here, so you better have meant it. Here in a minute or two, he’s probably going to call me in, or come yell at me at my desk—“

“When’s your resignation effective? Did you give a notice?”

“Effective as soon as he stops panicking.”

A bark of laughter sounds in your ear. “So if he comes to yell at you, just leave. You already quit, anyway. What’s he gonna do?”

“Good point. Leaving now.” You stand, scoop up your bag. “I have two months left on my lease. If you didn’t mean that thing about me housesitting while you’re off seeing the world, speak now before I call my landlord and let him know I’m canceling that, too.”

“All yours, but your rent is walking around without pants whenever I’m home.”

You roll your eyes. Pause to wave at your boss on your way out the door. If he shouts after you, you don’t hear it. You’ve got a trip to Italy to plan.

Tags: @deeplightgarden @idonthaveanameideayet @dusstory

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[sparklyeevee]

I may have missed it but when do we see Lan’s eating disorder in the books?

Okay, this is a little sting and corkboards, so bear with me. Also, like I said, it was subtle, so don't feel bad for missing it.

Quite a few people, most of them Borderlanders, talk about how Lan was attractive when he was younger, but no longer is.

Lan was sexually abused as a teenager and, at minimum, subject to substantial unwanted sexual or romantic attention as a young adult. "Over one particularly memorable ten days in the south of Cairhienen he had almost been killed six times, and nearly married twice." (New Spring). "Women have been chasing Lan since he was a beardless boy." (Crown of Swords).

It's a Thing that survivors of sexual violence will deliberately change their weight in order to be less attractive so that it's less likely to happen again. In our world, it's more often women, and more often gaining weight than losing it, but it's a Thing. There seems to be less fatphobia in Wheel of Time - "slim" and "slender" are both used as positive adjectives, but so is "plump", and in the Borderlands, where it's Cold and most people lead difficult, active lives, I would not expect beauty standards to favor thinness.

Lan has very little body fat, like, way too little. The thing that comes up repeatedly is that his face is all "hard angles", and this is often cited as an aspect of his not, or no longer, being attractive, but sitting on his lap is also characterized as "softer than the unpadded wooden benches on this boat...Well, no harder than the benches, anyway." That's not normal or healthy, even for someone as active as he is.

Lan canonically over-exercises as a coping mechanism. We see this in New Spring when Edeyn is keeping him, obviously, and in Crown of Swords when Myrelle is doing essentially the same thing, but see also "If you had not made me so angry I had to go work forms with Jaem..." in The Great Hunt.

We know Myrelle had difficulty getting him to eat in ACoS because she tried to get coin peppers brought in from the Borderlands. On its own, that could reasonably be attributed to the effects of a broken bond, but it stacks with the other evidence.

There are a number of instances where a group of characters are nominally eating dinner or something, and Lan does not appear to eat. This isn't super certain on its own either, especially since the books don't usually provide comprehensive lists of who's actually eating, but it adds up.

What this amounts to is that there's solid, if somewhat diffuse, evidence that Lan is consistently undereating and over-exercising, at least partly in an effort to decrease the amount of unwanted sexual attention he gets, but at this point it's probably also become a Thing unto itself. So I was very pleased to see that Alanna is apparently trying to make sure he eats at least every couple of hours, which is a common thing in eating disorder recovery.

[awellboiledicicle]

My lover pauses, hand resting on my cheek, and asks what poetry is being written behind my look of adoration. I can only offer that I'm writing it, before I kiss him. Willing my tongue to convey my love, where it can't with words.

Because I'm not writing some grand poem immortalizing his beauty, while I feel his hips against my palms. I'm not thirty stanzas into an epic about our love, as my teeth sink into his shoulder and his moans dance through my nervous system. Nor am I composing lyrics to a song my throat is too tight to sing, when I'm shuddering under his touch.

I am, instead, painting the walls of my memory with broken open sharpies. Hoping that the impression and sensation of his mouth get set down as permanently as they are physically impermanent, so he will be with me when he is not. I do not stop until we do, every detail dabbed onto the surface of thought. The drywall is soft, mostly, from all the additions. This is how it should be. My hands end up messy, and I come out light headed, but by the time we lay holding each other, the picture sets.

Poetry, pretty words that trip my tongue and make my lover smile. .. I do not write while we lay together. I do not write it while I gaze lovingly from across the couch. Because, when I cup his face and memorize every freckle, I have only to say I Love You. My throat is thick with it, my eyes threaten tears, and my tongue feels heavy with all the times I want to say it. But it do not write it then.

Words, those fickle little things with more weight than sense, fall into form... later. Later, when I lay in bed alone and miss the sound of his breathing. When I, in the haze of sleep, reach for his comfort and find nothing on the other side of the bed. When I feel the phantom of his lips as I try to fall asleep, and hold my own hand to make up for a lack of his.

The poetry behind my eyes puts together that room covered in sharpie. It outlines the curves of my lovers body, the spots on his skin, the wisps of hair in his limbs... the look of love and longing that I'm not sure he knows the scale of. Words, sometimes perfumed and sometimes heavy, school together to try conveying my feelings. I cannot write the poetry my lover could make into a song, but I can outline the feeling of him learning a song for me. How the honor I felt choked me like a vice grip being wrenched tighter with each note. I can finger paint the picture of my emotions when he explains his interests, bright hues staining my hands as I pick out adjectives for the halo of joy he wears in those moments. I can even splatter letters around to silhouette the grand palace he's helped me make of my self confidence-- though the paint fades here and there on that one.

My lover asks me, his breath in my mouth, what poetry I am writing behind my half closed eyes. And all I can think to answer is I Love You

[virromanus]

Introduction to Latin: The Basics for Beginners

Introduction

Latin, the ancient language of the Romans, continues to enchant and educate people worldwide. Its influence on languages, literature, and legal systems is undeniable. For beginners eager to embark on the fascinating journey of learning Latin, understanding its grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation is the first step. This post will guide you through these fundamental aspects, providing a solid foundation for your Latin learning adventure.

Understanding Latin Grammar

Latin grammar may seem daunting at first, but it's quite systematic. One of the language's distinctive features is its use of inflections. Words change their form (inflect) based on their role in a sentence. This is crucial for understanding Latin since word order is more flexible than in English.

Nouns and Cases

Latin nouns are categorized into groups called declensions. Each noun has a gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) and is declined according to case and number. There are five main cases in Latin - Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative, and Ablative - each serving a different syntactical purpose. For instance, the Nominative case is typically used for the subject of the sentence, while the Accusative is often the direct object.

Verbs and Conjugations

Latin verbs are conjugated to express tense, mood, voice, number, and person. There are four primary conjugations in Latin, and verbs are grouped into these based on the ending of their second principal part (the infinitive). Learning to conjugate verbs is essential for forming sentences and expressing various actions and states of being.

Adjectives and Agreement

Adjectives in Latin must agree with the nouns they describe in gender, number, and case. This agreement is vital for sentence clarity and coherence.

Building Latin Vocabulary

Expanding your Latin vocabulary is a mix of memorization and recognition of patterns. Many Latin words are the ancestors of English terms, especially those in scientific, legal, and literary contexts. Start with common nouns, verbs, and adjectives, and use flashcards or apps to reinforce your learning. Practice by translating simple sentences from English to Latin and vice versa.

Mastering Latin Pronunciation

Classical Latin pronunciation is somewhat different from the Ecclesiastical (Church) Latin used in religious contexts. Here's a brief guide to classical pronunciation:

Vowels are pronounced more distinctly than in English, with 'a' as in "father," 'e' as in "they," 'i' as in "machine," 'o' as in "fort," and 'u' as in "flute."

Consonants are generally pronounced as in English, but 'v' is pronounced as 'w,' and 'c' and 'g' are always hard, as in "cat" and "get."

Diphthongs like 'ae' and 'oe' are pronounced as 'ai' in "aisle" and 'oi' in "oil," respectively.

Conclusion

Embarking on the journey of learning Latin is not just about mastering a language; it's about connecting with centuries of history, literature, and culture. By grasively embracing Latin's grammar, diligently building your vocabulary, and accurately mastering pronunciation, you're setting a strong foundation for your Latin studies. With patience and practice, you'll unlock the rich and rewarding world of Latin texts and traditions. So, take a deep breath, dive in, and let the language of the ancients guide you through a transformative learning experience.

[kebriones]

tryna teach myself Greek and I can read it, but why is Greek so hard-?

:D well I think it's not much harder than learning most languages, it's just that english is extremely easy.

I'd say the hard part of greek is the endless conjugations/declensions but these can be learned by repetition and with time. In primary school, we spend years just writting down the inflection of words over and over and over.

but this was also what made me find french very difficult to learn, the verb conjugation kicked my butt and, as an adult with limited time, memorizing collumns of verb forms was difficult. it's just that it's even more extensive in greek.

Sentence structure is a little strange because you can change the order of the words but it's not hard to construct simple phrases once you get a feel for it. maybe understanding the subtle changes in tone depending on word order isn't something easy for non-native speakers to grasp, i am not sure. and you can get pretty complicated sentences if you push the syntax but you shouldn't worry about that at this stage.

things that might seem scary like every noun having a gender and having to match this gender in adjectives etc is very learnable and even when you make mistakes in the gender of words most people can understand you just fine.

[neonmeron]

火曜日　2023/9/27

皆、こんにちは！

Why does it actually take me so long to write this lmao. I started yesterday morning and it's the next days evening TT

(im posting this 10/11 sorry)

So today was my school's career fair. I didn't have to go because I'm a Japanese major but I still wanted to. I met with the FBI and CIA so that was really cool. I didn't even have any resumes to give them lmao. I'm not worried. I have it alllll planned out.

Let's continue where we left off yesterday

すぎる means too much of something and its a verb 

So if i wanted to say I ate too much i could say 食べすぎました。you have your original verb in ます form but instead of ます、you put in the すぎる. And then すぎる conjugates as a normal verb does. You can also combine this with て form and た form and んです　and so many other things wowza! Let's do some sentences

I ate too much pasta last night - 昨日の夜、パスタを食べすぎた。（すぎた is short past tense of すぎる but you already knew that)

I work out too hard yesterday - 昨日、運動しすぎた。

You must not study too much tonight. 今夜、勉強しすぎてはいけません。

Please dont smoke too much - タバコを吸いすぎないでください。 (i may be wrong with this one but it looks right) (let me know if it's wrong!)

Please dont worry too much - 心配（しんぱい）しすぎないでください。

Next, we used すぎる for adjectives. You only use すぎる for adjectives if its beyond normal or proper.

So, something like この本は高すぎます。”This book is too expensive” is correct. Something like

かわいすぎます。 “Too cute” is incorrect. You have to use とても or すごく to describe things in a higher regard.

You simply put the adj stem (without extra い or な) and add the すぎる. 練習しましょう

この町はにぎやかすぎる。

その家は小さすぎる。

あの授業はうるさすぎる。

この授業は難しすぎた。

妹はいじわるすぎる。ｗｗ

Pretty simple. Moving on….

I believe ～ので works the same as から except its more formal. (reason ので situation)

The reason part of a ～ので sentence usually is in a short form. For example,

話す＞話すので、～～～

食べない＞食べないので、～～～

登る＞登らなかったので、～～～

テストがあったので、～～～

Let's do some sentences:

授業をサボらないので、いい成績（せいせき）がある。

水を飲むので、頭が痛（い）たくない。

いつも日本語で話すので、日本語が上手になった。

宿題がたくさんあったので、昨日の夜、寝なかった。

For い and な adjectives, 

You keep the い and add ので

But for な adjectives/nouns, you keep/add the な

いじわるなので、～～～

日曜日なので、～～～

Yesterday in my practical writing and speaking we practiced humble forms. 

Here is what we learned

食べる、飲む＞いただく

来る＞まいる

する＞いたす

いる＞おる

ある＞ござる

言う＞もうす

あちらだ＞あちらでござる

More words to memorize….yay….

We then practiced introducing ourselves. (we had to make up some things)

スザンナ・ジョンソンと申します。オルバニーの図書館からまいりました。RITしてんで働いております。よろしくお願いいたします。pretty cool. 

次

お／ご+verb stem+します

So this basically makes something more polite/formal/humble

You use お for a normal verb but ご for する verbs. For example,

持つ＞お持ちます

連絡（れんらく）する＞ご連絡（れんらく）します。

送る（おくる）＞　お送ります

掃除する（そうじする）＞　ご掃除します

It's pretty straight forward

I hate to cut it short but I wanted to at least post something for you all. There is still a bit left to cover but that will be for next time. 

Thank you all for your patience with me. I will try harder to improve my time management so I can't post for you all (genshin has me in a grip rn. Who is your fav character?? Mine is yanfei and beidou <3)

今日の歌はTatsuya Kitani - 「青のすみか」です。

Notice any errors? Lmk!! I always want to fix my mistakes so I can learn better. ありがとう！

[crazypuzzle1234]

Unlocking Language Skills: Using "7 Little Words" as an Educational Tool for English Learners

Learning a new language, such as English, can be a rewarding but often challenging endeavor. Traditional methods like textbooks and grammar exercises are essential, but incorporating fun and engaging activities can significantly enhance the learning process. "7 Little Words," with its blend of vocabulary, clues, and word formation, presents a unique and effective way for English language learners to improve their skills in a motivating and enjoyable context. Let's explore the various ways "7 Little Words" can serve as a valuable educational tool for those mastering the English language.

1. Vocabulary Acquisition in Context

One of the most significant benefits of using "7 Little Words" for English learners is the opportunity to acquire new vocabulary within a meaningful context. The clues provide definitions or descriptions of the target words, allowing learners to understand the meaning and usage of new words as they encounter them in the puzzle. This contextual learning is often more effective than rote memorization of word lists, as it helps learners understand how words are used in real-world scenarios.

2. Reinforcing Existing Vocabulary

For English learners who already have a foundation in the language, "7 Little Words" can serve as an excellent tool for reinforcing their existing vocabulary. Encountering familiar words in the clues and having to recall them to solve the puzzle helps solidify their understanding and retention. This active recall is a crucial part of language learning.

3. Improving Spelling Skills

The game requires learners to construct words from the provided letter blocks. This process actively engages their knowledge of English spelling rules and patterns. As they try different combinations to fit the clues, they are constantly reinforcing the correct spellings of words they know and potentially learning the spelling of new words they encounter.

4. Understanding Synonyms and Antonyms

Many clues in "7 Little Words" rely on synonyms or antonyms to hint at the answer. This exposes English learners to different words that have similar or opposite meanings, helping them to expand their understanding of semantic relationships within the language. Recognizing these connections is a key aspect of building fluency.

5. Learning About Different Word Forms

As learners try to match words to the clues, they will encounter different word forms, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. The context of the clue often provides hints about the required part of speech, helping learners to understand how words change form and function in English sentences.

6. Enhancing Reading Comprehension

To solve the clues effectively, English learners need to carefully read and understand the meaning of each sentence or phrase. This process naturally improves their reading comprehension skills, as they learn to identify key information and infer meaning from the context.

7. Boosting Confidence in Language Skills

Successfully solving a "7 Little Words" puzzle can provide a significant boost to the confidence of English language learners. Each solved word and each completed puzzle reinforces their progress and encourages them to continue learning and practicing their English skills.

8. Engaging and Motivating Learning

Traditional language learning methods can sometimes feel repetitive or tedious. "7 Little Words" offers a fun and engaging alternative that can help keep learners motivated. The puzzle format makes learning feel more like a game than a chore, which can lead to increased participation and better learning outcomes. The anticipation of the "7 little daily answers" can also provide a daily motivation to engage with the English language.

9. Accessible and Convenient Practice

"7 Little Words" is readily available on various platforms, including mobile apps and online websites. This accessibility makes it easy for English learners to incorporate language practice into their daily routines, whether they have a few minutes during a commute or a longer period of dedicated study time.

10. Exposure to Idioms and Figurative Language

While less frequent, some clues in "7 Little Words" might occasionally incorporate idioms or figurative language. When learners encounter these, it can provide an opportunity to learn about these more nuanced aspects of the English language.

Tips for English Learners Using "7 Little Words"

Here are some tips for English language learners to maximize the educational benefits of playing "7 Little Words":

Keep a Vocabulary Journal: When you encounter a new word in a clue or answer, write it down in a journal along with its definition and an example sentence if possible.

Use a Dictionary: Don't hesitate to use an English dictionary (either physical or online) to look up words you don't understand in the clues.

Focus on Understanding the Clues: Before trying to form words, make sure you fully understand what each clue is asking for. If necessary, break down the clue into smaller parts.

Don't Be Afraid to Guess: Language learning involves taking risks. Try to guess potential answers based on the letters you have and the general meaning of the clue.

Review Solved Puzzles: After completing a puzzle, take some time to review the clues and answers, paying attention to any new vocabulary you learned.

Start with Easier Puzzles: If you're a beginner, start with easier "7 Little Words" puzzles and gradually work your way up to more challenging ones as your vocabulary and skills improve.

Utilize Translation Tools (Sparingly): If you're completely stuck on a clue, you can use a translation tool to understand its meaning in your native language, but try to solve the word in English yourself.

Engage with Native Speakers: If possible, play "7 Little Words" with native English speakers or discuss the puzzles with them. They might be able to offer insights into the clues or explain nuances in the language.

Conclusion: A Playful Path to English Proficiency

"7 Little Words" offers a playful and engaging way for English language learners to enhance their vocabulary, spelling, reading comprehension, and overall language skills. By providing a contextual and motivating learning environment, this popular puzzle game can be a valuable addition to any English language learning curriculum or self-study routine. So, whether you're just starting your English language journey or looking for a fun way to refine your skills, "7 Little Words" can be a surprisingly effective and enjoyable educational tool.

[maigamal]

Understanding the 14 Pronouns in Arabic

Arabic grammar has a rich and structured pronoun system that helps clarify who is speaking, being spoken to, or being spoken about. Unlike English, where pronouns are relatively simple, Arabic pronouns change based on gender and number. Learning the 14 pronouns in Arabic is essential for anyone studying the language, as they form the foundation of sentence construction.

Categories of Arabic Pronouns

Arabic pronouns fall into three main categories: first-person, second-person, and third-person. Each category includes singular, dual, and plural forms, with variations for masculine and feminine.

First-Person Pronouns (Speaking About Oneself)

أنا (Ana) - I: Used for both males and females in singular form.

نحن (Naḥnu) - We: Used for both males and females in plural form.

Second-Person Pronouns (Speaking to Someone)

أنتَ (Anta) - You: Used for a singular male.

أنتِ (Anti) - You: Used for a singular female.

أنتما (Antumā) - You two: Used for two people, regardless of gender.

أنتم (Antum) - You all: Used for a group of males or a mixed-gender group.

أنتنَّ (Antunna) - You all (feminine): Used when addressing a group of females.

Third-Person Pronouns (Speaking About Someone)

هو (Huwa) - He: Used for a singular male.

هي (Hiya) - She: Used for a singular female.

هما (Humā) - They two: Used for two people, regardless of gender.

هم (Hum) - They: Used for a group of males or a mixed-gender group.

هنَّ (Hunna) - They (feminine): Used when referring to a group of females.

Why These Pronouns Matter

Mastering these pronouns helps learners form basic and advanced sentences with ease. Arabic verbs and adjectives often change based on the pronoun, so knowing which pronoun to use is crucial for correct sentence structure.

For example, the verb for "wrote" (كَتَبَ) changes depending on the pronoun:

أنا كتبتُ (Ana katabtu) - I wrote

هو كتبَ (Huwa kataba) - He wrote

هي كتبتْ (Hiya katabat) - She wrote

هم كتبوا (Hum katabū) - They wrote

Tips for Learning Arabic Pronouns

Practice daily: Repeating pronouns in sentences will help reinforce them.

Listen to native speakers: Hearing how pronouns are used in conversations improves understanding.

Use flashcards: Writing each pronoun with example sentences can make memorization easier.

Engage in conversation: Speaking with native Arabic speakers or language partners will help in applying these pronouns naturally.

Final Thoughts

The 14 pronouns in Arabic are essential building blocks for anyone learning the language. They provide the foundation for constructing meaningful sentences and understanding how verbs and adjectives change in different contexts. With regular practice and exposure, these pronouns will become second nature in everyday communication.

[thegospelofstjohn]

"The Empty Tomb." From the Gospel of Saint John, 20: 1-2.

The Stone at the Entrance is like the rock that featured the Sword Excalibur. The person that could roll back the stone was supposed to be the King of Israel.

Following passage explains how the emptying of the tomb after the stone is removed was supposed to mean the advent of a permanent refuge for the Jewish people. This obviously did not happen. The events of October 7, 2023, and since have proven the world is not yet prepared to do what has to be done to become the kind of people God made us to be. We find good reasons to fuck around and fool about, but not to do this.

A tomb=183, קפג, kafg, kep" (כף) in Hebrew means a smooth or rounded stone, particularly one that provides spaces to hide within,essentially describing a hollowed-out rock or a curved, smooth surface; it can also refer to an open hand used as a container, like a "palm" of the hand. 

An empty tomb=818, ףיח‎ ‎, ephic, soot, "has achieved eminence."

We need to enter the darkness of the Shule, Day Zero before we can restart again at Day 1:

"Verbs עיף ('ip) and יעף (ya'ep) mean to faint, or "go dark" in a consciousness sort of way. Adjective עיף ('ayep) means faint or exhausted. Adjective יעף (ya'ep) means weary of faint. Noun יעף (ye'ap) means weariness or faintness.

An identical but unused verb יעף (ya'ep) exists in cognate languages with the meaning of to ascend, and note that creatures that protect their young don't merely end up being able to rise up into the sky, but more importantly, they also ascend on a scale of success and prominence. It's no coincidence that birds are revered in all cultures. The derived noun תועפה (to'apa) does occur in the Bible and means eminence."

Only a being who has learned to memorize the experience of the fullness of the empty mind is prepared for Day 1. The more one bails water out of the mind, the more one realizes the All in One, the Self we discussed in the former frame.

The Stone at the Entrance=886, ףףו‎, papo,  "papo" (written as "פה" in Hebrew) translates to "here" or indicates a location in Hebrew, essentially meaning "this place". 

Key points about "papo":

Literal meaning: "mouth"

Usage: When used as an adverb, it signifies the location "here".

Example: In a sentence like "He is here," "papo" would be the word representing "here". 

To be fully present with a completely clear, compulsively competent intellect is the height of religious experience. It is called Ha Shem in Hebrew.

"Since the Creator's invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature can be clearly seen, being understood through what has been made (Romans 1:20), knowing the "Name of God" is the same thing as understanding the whole of creation, which in turn means that a true desire for righteousness leads to science rather than to religion.

Then there is the identical adverb שם (sham), which means here, there, hither or thither. These two words may have accidentally evolved into the same form, but perhaps this adverb served as a sort of pronoun by which an otherwise unnamed or unspecified location was named."

Ha Shem takes place only after the mind is fully prepared for it. It does not matter where or when this happens.

A world that is repaired by seeking Ha Shem is called Tikkun Ha Ba, "fixed using the Alphabet."

The Empty Tomb

20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 

2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

The Values in Gematria are:

v. 1: Early, while it was still dark...The Number is 10113, ייא‎ג‎, yeyherg "come on, grow again or be killed."

"yherg" (written as "ירק" in Hebrew) means green or green things in Hebrew, stemming from the root "yaraq" which generally denotes a color ranging from green to pale or dusky-white across the Semitic languages; the masculine noun "yereq" specifically translates to "green" or "green things.". 

v. 2: So she came running. The Number is 11166, קיאסו‎‎, kiaso, ‎‎

"Kasu" (קצו) in Hebrew means "end or boundary", derived from the root "qasa" which also signifies "to cut off" or "to end"; essentially, "kasu" refers to the point where something terminates or reaches its limit. 

Moses did not enter the Promised Land and neither will we unless we find a way to avoid God's anger and live fully until the moment we die of natural causes. The Republican Party has decided to start a bitter fight to the death with the human race, and I do not want them to win it. This planet was paved by God for the sake of a humane human race. If the Republicans want to fight for it, then a fight they shall have.

So all of you free and free thinking persons, stand up and fight.

[cucuspanish]

A Beginner’s Guide to an Effective Spanish Ab Initio Study Plan

Learning a new language can be both exciting and daunting. If you're embarking on your Spanish journey as a beginner, a well-structured Spanish Ab Initio study plan for beginners is crucial for success. The term "Ab Initio" refers to a learning approach that starts from the very basics, allowing you to build a solid foundation. Whether you're learning for travel, work, or simply for the love of language, having a clear roadmap will help you stay motivated and on track.

This blog post will guide you through a comprehensive study plan that not only makes learning Spanish fun but also sets you up for success as you progress through different levels of proficiency.

Setting the Stage: Understanding the Basics

Before diving into your lessons, it's important to understand the fundamentals of the Spanish language. Spanish is a Romance language, meaning it shares many similarities with other languages like French, Italian, and Portuguese. For a beginner, these commonalities can make learning a little easier, but there are still essential concepts you need to master.

Start by familiarizing yourself with the Spanish alphabet, pronunciation rules, and common phrases. The Spanish alphabet is relatively simple, but it includes a few special characters like "ñ" and letters that are pronounced differently than in English. Practicing sounds early on will give you an edge when speaking.

Creating a Solid Vocabulary Base

Once you've grasped the basics of pronunciation, it's time to focus on building your vocabulary. The Spanish Ab Initio study plan for beginners should start with everyday words and phrases that you’ll use frequently. This will not only help you communicate in basic situations but will also encourage you to practice and retain new vocabulary.

Start by learning common greetings, numbers, days of the week, and essential verbs like ser (to be), tener (to have), and hacer (to do). Incorporating thematic vocabulary sets, such as words for food, travel, and daily activities, will keep your learning relevant and practical. Flashcards, apps, and word lists can be extremely helpful for this stage. As you progress, make sure to practice using these words in sentences to cement your understanding.

Mastering Basic Grammar

Grammar is the backbone of any language, and Spanish is no exception. At the beginner level, your goal should be to understand the structure of the language, so you can begin forming sentences correctly. Start with simple sentence structures, paying special attention to noun-adjective agreement and verb conjugation.

In Spanish, verbs are conjugated based on their subject and tense, so mastering the present tense is essential. Focus on regular verbs first, as these follow consistent patterns, making them easier to learn. Once you're comfortable with the present tense, begin learning how to use past and future tenses. Spanish also has formal and informal ways to address people, so understanding when to use tú versus usted is key to sounding polite and respectful.

Developing Listening and Speaking Skills

Language learning isn’t just about memorizing words and grammar—it’s also about using what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios. One of the most challenging aspects of learning Spanish is becoming comfortable with listening and speaking.

To develop these skills, immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Listen to Spanish podcasts, watch Spanish-language movies or TV shows with subtitles, and try to repeat phrases aloud. It’s important to practice speaking, even if you make mistakes. Language learning is all about consistency, and the more you speak, the more confident you'll become. You can also find language exchange partners or join online groups where you can practice with others.

Staying Motivated and Tracking Your Progress

Learning a new language takes time, and progress might feel slow at times. To stay motivated, it’s important to track your progress and celebrate small milestones. Set achievable short-term goals, like learning a specific number of new words each week or mastering a particular grammar point. This will help you stay on track and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Additionally, mix up your study routine to keep things fresh and interesting. Use language-learning apps, take online classes, or write short essays in Spanish to keep challenging yourself. Remember, consistency is key—spend at least 15-30 minutes every day practicing Spanish, even if it’s just reviewing vocabulary or listening to a song in Spanish.

[maiega]

Understanding Plurals in Arabic

When learning Arabic, one of the most fascinating aspects to explore is its plural forms. Unlike English, which typically forms plurals by adding "s" or "es," Arabic has a more complex and varied system for making words plural. The plural forms can sometimes be irregular, and they depend on the word's gender, structure, and sometimes its meaning. Let's dive into plural in Arabic - Arabic plurals to get a better understanding.

In Arabic, plurals are generally categorized into two main types: the sound plural (جمع سالم) and the broken plural (جمع التكسير). Both types have their own rules and applications.

Sound Plurals (جمع سالم)

The sound plural is more straightforward and follows consistent rules. It is typically formed by adding specific endings to the singular form of the word. There are two main types of sound plurals in Arabic: the masculine sound plural and the feminine sound plural.

Masculine Sound Plural: This is formed by adding -ون (un) or -ين (in) to the singular. The suffix depends on the grammatical case of the noun. Example:

معلّم (teacher) becomes معلّمون (teachers) in the nominative case and معلّمين in the accusative or genitive cases.

Feminine Sound Plural: For feminine nouns, the plural is formed by adding -ات (at) to the singular. Example:

طالبة (female student) becomes طالبات (female students).

Broken Plurals (جمع التكسير)

Broken plurals are much more complicated than sound plurals. These plurals do not follow a specific, predictable rule. Instead, they involve changes in the structure of the word, such as altering the internal vowels or consonants. The patterns for broken plurals can vary greatly, and they often need to be memorized.

For example:

كتاب (book) becomes كتب (books).

طفل (child) becomes أطفال (children).

This irregularity makes it harder to form the plural correctly, and learners of Arabic often find broken plurals to be one of the most challenging aspects of the language.

Dual Forms (المثنى)

In Arabic, there is also a specific form for the "dual," which refers to two of something. To form the dual, the singular word is modified by adding -ان (an) or -ين (in) for masculine nouns, and -تانِ (tan) or -تينِ (tin) for feminine nouns. The dual form is used specifically to refer to two people, objects, or things.

Example:

كتاب (book) becomes كتابانِ (two books).

طالبة (female student) becomes طالبتانِ (two female students).

This dual form is unique to Arabic and is not something commonly found in many other languages.

Plurals in Context

Plurals in Arabic don’t just affect nouns; they also change the forms of adjectives and verbs. Adjectives in Arabic must agree in gender and number with the noun they describe, meaning that a plural noun will require a plural adjective. For instance:

الولد طويل (The boy is tall) becomes الأولاد طويلون (The boys are tall).

Similarly, verbs also agree with the subject in number. For example, the verb ذهب (he went) becomes ذهبوا (they went) when referring to a group of people.

Tips for Learning Arabic Plurals

Start with sound plurals: Because they follow consistent rules, sound plurals are easier to learn. Start by memorizing these patterns before diving into the more complicated broken plurals.

Focus on frequently used words: Learn the broken plurals of commonly used nouns first. This will make it easier to get a feel for the patterns.

Practice in context: Try to use plural forms in real conversations or writing exercises. This will help you get used to how plurals fit into sentences.

Memorize common broken plural patterns: While broken plurals don’t follow set rules, there are certain recurring patterns (like -ات for many feminine words) that can help you.

In summary, plural in Arabic - Arabic plurals are an essential part of mastering the language, and understanding both sound and broken plurals is key to speaking and writing correctly. While broken plurals may seem tricky at first, with practice, you’ll be able to spot the patterns and use them confidently. So don’t be discouraged—just keep learning, and the plurals will soon become second nature!

[futurelanguage]

From Beginner to Fluent: How Long Does It Take to Master Italian and German in Language Classes?

Learning a new language can be an exciting journey, but it often comes with its fair share of challenges. Whether you’re tackling Italian language classes, German language classes, or even French language classes, you’ll likely face obstacles in mastering grammar, expanding your vocabulary, and perfecting pronunciation. This comprehensive guide will provide practical tips to help you overcome these challenges, no matter which language you are learning, so you can confidently progress on your path to fluency.

1. Mastering Grammar: Strategies for Success

Grammar is often one of the most intimidating aspects of learning any new language. Italian and German, in particular, have their own unique grammatical systems that beginners may find complex. Whether you’re working through Italian language classes, German language classes, or even French language classes, these tips will help you navigate common grammar pitfalls.

a. Italian Grammar: Conjugations and Gender

Italian grammar can seem complicated at first, especially when it comes to verb conjugations and gendered nouns. Italian is a Romance language, which means its verbs change depending on the subject (I, you, we, etc.), tense (past, present, future), and mood (indicative, subjunctive, etc.). Additionally, every noun in Italian has a gender, which can be challenging for beginners.

Tip 1: Focus on Patterns When learning verb conjugations, focus on common patterns for regular verbs first. Italian has three types of verb endings (-are, -ere, -ire), and understanding these will help you conjugate most verbs correctly. Practice with flashcards or apps like Anki to drill conjugations until they become second nature.

Tip 2: Gender Agreement To master noun gender and agreement with adjectives, practice using the articles (il, la, un, una) consistently with the nouns. Memorizing common noun endings can help you predict whether a word is masculine or feminine. For example, words ending in “-o” are usually masculine, while those ending in “-a” are typically feminine.

b. German Grammar: Cases and Syntax

German is known for its intricate grammar, especially its case system (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) and flexible word order. Cases indicate the role of a noun in a sentence, whether it's the subject, direct object, or indirect object.

Tip 1: Understand the Function of Cases One of the most challenging aspects of German language classes is grasping the case system. To simplify, think of cases as “markers” that show who is doing what in the sentence. Use example sentences to practice identifying which case is being used and why. Visual aids like color-coded charts can also help you memorize case endings.

Tip 2: Learn by Example German word order can change depending on sentence structure, particularly in subordinate clauses. One effective way to master word order is by reading and repeating common sentence structures. Breaking down sentences into subject, verb, and object components will help you understand the logic behind German syntax.

c. French Grammar: Verb Tenses and Agreement

French grammar is closer to Italian but also presents its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to verb tenses and agreements with adjectives.

Tip 1: Practice Verb Tenses Regularly In French language classes, one of the biggest challenges is mastering all the verb tenses (past, present, future, conditional). Start by focusing on the most commonly used tenses (present, passé composé, and future) before moving on to more advanced ones like the subjunctive.

Tip 2: Master Gender and Number Agreement Like in Italian, French nouns have genders and require agreement with adjectives. Learning the basic rules of gender agreement and practicing with common noun-adjective pairs will help you avoid frequent mistakes. Using visual aids or flashcards to associate words with their correct gender and form will reinforce your understanding.

2. Expanding Vocabulary: Techniques for Building Fluency

Building a robust vocabulary is crucial in any language. Italian language classes, German language classes, and French language classes each present unique challenges in expanding vocabulary, but the strategies for learning new words are similar across all languages.

a. Use a Thematic Approach

One of the most effective ways to learn vocabulary is by grouping words thematically. For example, when learning Italian, start with topics like food, travel, and everyday conversation. In German language classes, you might focus on work, technology, or hobbies. For French language classes, themes like shopping, dining, and travel are particularly useful.

Tip: Incorporate Words Into Your Daily Routine Use the words in sentences or practice with flashcards that show both the word and its use in context. The more you expose yourself to new vocabulary, the faster you’ll retain it. Listening to podcasts, watching movies, or reading news in the language you’re learning is an excellent way to see vocabulary in action.

b. Use Mnemonics and Memory Tricks

Languages like Italian, German, and French all have unique words that may be hard to remember at first. Creating mnemonic devices or memory aids can help solidify these in your mind. For example, when learning Italian, you might associate “amico” (friend) with the English word “amicable” to help you remember its meaning.

Tip: Visualize or Associate New Words Visual learners can benefit from associating new vocabulary with images. For example, when learning the German word “Apfel” (apple), picture an apple and associate it with the word. Similarly, for French vocabulary, creating word associations or using word maps will help you build connections between similar words.

3. Perfecting Pronunciation: Keys to Sounding Fluent

Pronunciation can be one of the trickiest aspects of learning any language, especially if it differs significantly from your native tongue. Whether you’re taking Italian language classes, German language classes, or French language classes, these tips will help you improve your pronunciation and sound more like a native speaker.

a. Italian Pronunciation: Focus on Vowels

Italian is known for its musicality, and much of this comes from its vowel-centric pronunciation. Italian vowels are almost always pronounced clearly and distinctly, which is why learning proper vowel sounds is crucial.

Tip 1: Practice Open and Closed Vowels In Italian language classes, you’ll learn that Italian vowels can be either “open” or “closed,” depending on the word and region. Practice pronouncing vowels slowly and exaggerating their sounds. Listening to native speakers or using language apps that offer pronunciation drills will help refine your accent.

Tip 2: Roll Your Rs One of the defining characteristics of Italian pronunciation is the rolled "r." If you’re struggling with this sound, practice by placing your tongue behind your upper teeth and gently blowing air. Gradually, you’ll be able to roll your Rs like a native.

b. German Pronunciation: Master the Umlauts

German pronunciation is known for its precision, with sounds like "ü," "ö," and "ä" (known as umlauts) that don’t exist in English or Romance languages.

Tip 1: Focus on Umlauts In German language classes, one of the first challenges for beginners is mastering these unfamiliar vowel sounds. Start by listening to native speakers or using language tools that focus on pronunciation. Practice repeatedly with words that contain umlauts, such as “schön” (beautiful) or “Mädchen” (girl).

Tip 2: Practice German Consonants German has certain consonants, like the “ch” in “ich” or “ach,” that are unfamiliar to English speakers. These sounds are produced by placing your tongue close to the roof of your mouth and lightly exhaling. Practicing these consonants out loud will help you develop a more authentic German accent.

c. French Pronunciation: Nasal Sounds and Silent Letters

French is famous for its nasal vowels and silent letters, which can be tricky for beginners. In French language classes, learners often struggle with pronunciation due to these nuances.

Tip 1: Master Nasal Vowels French nasal sounds (as in “bon” or “pain”) are produced by pushing air through your nose. Practice these sounds by exaggerating the nasal part at first, then gradually tone it down until it feels natural.

Tip 2: Silent Letters Many French words contain silent letters, particularly at the end of words. For example, the “t” in “chat” (cat) is silent, as is the “x” in “deux” (two). Make a habit of listening carefully to native speakers to understand when and where silent letters occur, and practice pronouncing words without emphasizing these letters.

4. Staying Consistent and Motivated

Consistency is key when learning a language. Whether you're working through Italian language classes, German language classes, or French language classes, setting aside regular study time and staying motivated is essential for progress.

Tip: Set Achievable Goals Break down your language-learning journey into small, manageable goals. For example, aim to learn five new words a day or practice grammar for 20 minutes. Celebrate small wins to keep yourself motivated along the way.

Conclusion

Learning a new language like Italian, German, or French is both challenging and rewarding. By mastering grammar, expanding your vocabulary, and perfecting your pronunciation, you’ll be well on your way to fluency. Whether you're taking Italian language classes, German language classes, or French language classes, use these tips to overcome common obstacles and make steady progress on your language-learning journey. With dedication and the right strategies, you’ll be able to communicate confidently in any of these beautiful languages.

[ashitomarisu]

As the summer begins to wind down, I want to share a few non-spoiler things about my experience reliving Digimon's "AiM era" (which covers Adventure, Adventure 02, and Tamers).

(Note: I will not go in-depth because I have a couple followers actively watching this franchise so let's cut to the chase.)

June

Adventure had the least impact on me since I knew most of the story and background already from watching the dub during my childhood. Although, that did not affect my enjoyment in the slightest as the moments between seeing Mimi and [my boi] Gomamon still hit the feels as it did the first time.

(He is best digimon; don't @ me).

[Side note: I did start to let Gabumon slide as second best, since I do remember loving him as a kid for looking LIKE a doglike creature, and MetalGarurumon is still one of the coolest Ultimate forms at that point.]

As for the music? Of course, Butter-fly was a huge nostalgic punch (for the first week), but then it got old (in a weird way). BRAVEHEART still kicks ass though. In terms of the ED, hearing "I Wish" and "Keep on" felt nice to revisit AiM (Ai Maeda) early in her career trying to perfect those vocals (more on that later).

=Let's fast-forward to 02.=

July

(Is "currencist" a good adjective to describe a noob who refuses to accept anything but dollars? )

This is the season I watched over and over again in reruns and still cannot get over it. It ties in with the original 8 as a continuation, but is HEAVILY driven with spoilers. With that, the only change I notice is the fact I finally paid attention more to the ending, which I failed to understand for the last two instances I watched this.

All I can say is "what a literal dark turn".

Nevertheless, the music was a memorable portion of this season. Target ~Akai Shougeki~ is my personal favorite OP with Kouji Wada putting a lot of effort into the song. Miyazaki returns with BRAVEHEART but also Break Up!, a huge double-header of hits to my ears. "Ashita wa Atashi no Kaze ga Fuku" by AiM, on the other hand, is AiM at her literal rise. Her vocals improved so much throughout the ED, and has become my favorite ED overall as of recently. All three singers brought their A-game for this sequel.

Oh, and one more thing: THE NEW TRIO. I can't choose who gets my heart I guess.

August

(I LOST COUNT OVER HOW MANY TIMES THIS BASTARD KEEPS SAYING "MOUMANTAI").

All crossover ideas aside, it was a pleasure [and a pain] to rewatch this spinoff. Supposedly, I had to remember this season was directed by someone who worked on Evangelion; thus, the darker vibe lurking over the usual Digimon traits. Despite the oncoming fear factor ranging from [this spoiler] to [that spoiler], the season still left a massive scar on my psyche. As for the main characters, Ruki and Renamon are still my guilty duo. I still get pumped up looking at Kyubimon every time it appears on screen.

The music this season is decent, although...

[Side note: Once upon a time, I actually considered Days~Aijou to Nichijou~ to be my favorite ED from AiM. However, upon discovering the English translation...]

(I've been living a lie for 8 years).

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Overall, this has been an insane, memorable trip back in time for me. Unfortunately, fall is approaching and I must move on from this nostalgic phase.

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With the "Digital Summer" over, let's get into what is in store for September. Luckily, I have already lined up something (good, I suppose). The only catch? WE HAVE TO GO BACK ABOUT 13 YEARS.

IT'S TIME TO GO BACK TO THE 80s!!!

Now, if I can remember which button it is to reveal the hint...*brb; pushing buttons*

Okay! Here is the hint:

(If I did an audio hint, it would be a dead giveaway).

Until then, here's hoping your buddy doesn't have a bonk stick nearby.