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animefeminist · 14 days ago

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Visiting the CLAMP Exhibition in Tokyo to celebrate 35 years of the legendary manga collective

From July 3rd to September 23rd of 2024, The National Art Center in Tokyo held the CLAMP Exhibition, a major exhibition dedicated to the famous manga artist collective, showcasing around 800 original manuscripts in one of the largest exhibition spaces in Japan. In 2024 CLAMP are celebrating their 35th anniversary as professional manga artists and this exhibition is a culmination of that milestone.

CLAMP is a creative group of four women who have produced a range of iconic manga across a variety of demographics, from shoujo to seinen. Some of their most notable works include Tokyo Babylon, X, Magic Knight Rayearth, Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, Tsubasa – RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE – and xxxHolic. They started as a larger group of 12 women in the late 1980s producing doujinshis of popular works such as Saint Seiya and Captain Tsubasa. They made their professional debut in 1989 on the pages of the third edition of South magazine (Shinsokan) with their original story RG Veda. By that time, the collective had shrunk to six members, eventually leading to its ultimate formation with its four current members: Igarashi Satsuki, Ohkawa Nanase, Nekoi, and Mokona.

The idea to hold a dedicated CLAMP exhibition first came about in September 2019 from one of CLAMP’s main publishers, Kodansha, after the successful run of the Cardcaptor Sakura Exhibition – the Enchanted Museum exhibition at the Mori Arts Center Gallery, which would later travel to other cities in Japan and Asia. Soon after, other publishers and companies related to CLAMP and their works formed a committee and started planning the exhibition. It took five years of planning but, according to one of the exhibition producers from Kodansha, from the very beginning there was a desire to do the exhibition at The National Art Center, a grand museum with spacious, eight-meters high ceiling exhibition rooms that have hosted exhibitions of legendary artists such as Salvador Dali, Caravaggio, and Monet. As far as I’ve been able to discover, this is the first time the Center has put on an exhibition of this scale focusing on women artists.

Read it at Anime Feminist!

#clamp #cardcaptor sakura #rg veda #x 1999 #xxxholic #tokyo babylon #magic knight rayearth #articles

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black-arcana · 3 months ago

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EVANESCENCE To Enter Studio In November

During an interview with 89 FM A Rádio Rock at the Rock In Rio festival in Brazil on September 15, EVANESCENCE's Amy Lee was asked about the band's plans for the coming months. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're in the creative process right now, but we're not deep in the throes of it yet. We've been doing a lot of creating, and we just have, like, tons of ideas. So we're gonna get serious and get in the studio in November for the first round. Round one."

EVANESCENCE will embark on its first headline tour across Canada in 15 years this fall. Produced by Live Nation Canada, the trek kicks off on October 15 in Vancouver, British Columbia, hitting cities nationwide before wrapping on October 29 in London, Ontario. EVANESCENCE will be joined by special guests, post-grunge/metal rockers HALESTORM across all stops. Alternative sister trio THE WARNING will open all shows.

Delivering a number of dynamic rock hits over the last two decades, EVANESCENCE recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its landmark debut album, "Fallen", originally released in 2003. They recognized the milestone with a special anniversary edition of the smash album, which spawned gigantic rock hits like "Bring Me To Life", "Going Under" and "My Immortal", kickstarting a thriving career they're still carrying out today.

To date, EVANESCENCE has released a total of five studio albums, including the multi-platinum "The Open Door" (2004) and "Evanescence" (2011),both of which topped the Billboard 200. In 2021, the band thrilled fans with their first album of new material in a decade, "The Bitter Truth". Now 20 years on, EVANESCENCE continues to scale new heights. Featuring a lineup of Amy Lee (vocals, keyboards),Tim McCord (guitar/bass),Will Hunt (drums),Troy McLawhorn (guitars) and Emma Anzai (bass, backing vocals),the band continues to travel the globe, staging some of the most successful shows of their career, having wrapped a run of sold-out shows in Latin America, including Allianz Parque, a soccer stadium in Sāo Paulo, Brazil, which was the biggest headline show of EVANESCENCE's career to date, drawing 40,000 fans.

Shortly following its release in March 2021, "The Bitter Truth" rose to the top of the iTunes Album charts in 22 countries and also landed the top spot on Billboard's Top Hard Rock Albums chart.

EVANESCENCE first topped the Hard Rock Albums chart in October 2011 with its self-titled effort. The album stayed atop the list for three weeks.

"The Bitter Truth" was recorded during the pandemic and confronted the dark realities of the world head-on. Yet its resounding message was one of light: pushing through is better than giving up.

#evanescence

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3liza · 3 months ago

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i think celebrity and influencer age kayfabe has gotten so extreme in this century that a lot of people are just going to be permanently confused about what normal human age milestones actually look like. lot of very public women "in their twenties" walking around with very clearly 40+-year-old elbows, hands, neck tendons and knee topography. and those are just the ones who don't have doctors that are clever enough to cover that shit up, which I assume most of the A list celebs are doing already with fat transfer, LED therapy, fraxel laser etc. if we ever get stem cells working on a scaled basis we'll be able to grow custom molded bioidentical fat implants and then we're really going to see some shit

#most people look basically the same with extremely minor aging between about 27 and 43 #thats the post-Young Adult stage of development and it's fairly stable except in the case of pregnancy changes and major weight gain #mid forties is when the really noticeable aging starts kicking in again #which is on time for our broad understanding of how human social organization works #theres evidence that something about skin wrinkling itself is related to longevity #we share the characteristic with elephants and naked mole rats and we all live a very long time #but you can push the mid forties changes out pretty far if you want to put a lot of effort into it

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kingsanddragonsandgods · 1 year ago

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⁂Early life:

Princess Visenya Targaryen of Runestone was born on the last day of the year 90AC, at her mother's ancestral home.

The newborn child was named after the Conqueror Queen, Visenya, by her father and anointed by holy oils seven days after her birth at the Sept-by-the-Sea in Runesport.

Queen Alysanne, who held the child during the ceremony is noted for having remarking that ‘the girl has all of Viserra’s beauty, but Alyssa’s temper’ to which the King is said to have answered ‘Gods be good’.

As Princess Visenya grew, her parents continued to battle, using the young girl as a pawn in their conflict, with both parents appealing to the King and Queen to take their side on occasion.

During her early years she grew especially close to her natural born brother, Orys Stone, the illegitimate son of Prince Daemon by Lady Rowena Royce, Lady Rhea’s older third cousin. The young boy was brought into Lady Rhea’s household in the year 90AC, following the passing of his mother.

From the age of five, her parents’ estrangement was permanent, with Prince Daemon returning to the Crownlands and Lady Rhea and their daughter remaining at the Vale. After royal intervention it was agreed that the Princess time was to be split between living in Runestone with her mother, and between the Red Keep and Dragonstone with her father, alternating during the seasons, summer and winter was spent on the Vale, while spring and autumn in the Crownlands, special celebrations were shared.

Her education appears to have been strict and somewhat old-fashioned, thus, in addition to her studies, Grand Maester Runciter notes in his journals, she was taught spinning and weaving and had an innate talent for weaving intricate tapestry. From the year 92 forward, Visenya, who had been betrothed to her newborn cousin, Prince Aerion, was expected to become Queen Consort, and her education reflected it. Her betrothed passed away in his cradle two years later, and Visenya was then betrothed to his newborn brother, Prince Aelor.

Her tutors at the time, Maester Adelin, Archmaester Vaegon and Master Petrarca of Volantis, regarded Princess Visenya as an extroverted, lively, highly intelligent, and strong-willed girl. Prince Daemon was reported to be proud of her horsemanship and marksmanship.

Because of her outstanding intellect, and his blunt favoritism, King Jaehaerys named Princess Visenya as his cupbearer in the Year 96AC, at the age of six.

The young princess often was allowed to discuss the classics, philosophy, and the affairs of state with ambassadors and envoys visiting the court of Jaehaerys. Moreover, she was personally acquainted with the painters, musicians, writers, and scholars who lived in and around the royal court.

Princess Visenya if often considered one of, if not, the best educated women of her generation.

The year 96AC marked another milestone for Princess Visenya: on the eight moon of the year, the young princess bonded and became the first rider of a she-dragon she named Huraxes. The same dragon that as a hatchling had been brought to Princess Daenerys Targayen. Huraxes had pearly scales and iridescent wing membranes, with pale and pinkish flames. The princess was allowed to bond with the she-dragons by royal decree after falling ill with a bolt of Spring Fever that nearly took her life.

Matches for Princess Visenya started being discussed by the Small Council, brought up by the Lord Hand. Thought Visenya was heiress to the largest fortress in the Vale and to the Ladyship of Runestone, it was argued that as she was a Princess of the Realm, the matter of her marriage was a prerogative of the King, which infuriated Prince Daemon, who at the time occupied the seat of Master of Law, the Grand Master agreed that such line of thought might anger the Vale, as the Princess was highly regarded by her people and her second cousin, the Lady Jeyne Arryn. Lord Corlys suggested his own son as a match for the princess, four years her junior, most likely to tie another dragonrider to his house. His Grace put down all talks of marriage for his niece, agreeing that such was the right of his brother and good sister to choose her match.

For the celebration of his niece's fifteenth nameday, the king ordered seven days of celebrations, with a tournament and grand feasts. The Queen's absence was noticed, excused as Her Grace was in the early stages of her final pregnancy, and Visenya was allowed to sit in the seat usually reserved for the consort; she was crowned Queen of Love and Beauty by the Dornish Ser Eldric Dayne, the Star in the Morning.

Since the Princess's return to court early in the spring of 104 AC, Visenya had caught the king’s eye, and it is reported that Viserys and his niece have become very close, spending hours each day in each other's company, promenading in the gardens, hunting in the Kingswood, and dancing together during feasts and balls.

The king is said to have spoiled his niece with lavish gifts, including presenting her with a manse in King’s Landing, a country estate crossing the Blackwater Rush and later a sea palace in the Reach.

⁂Marriage and Queenship:

After the death of Queen Aemma Arryn in the Year 105 AC, Princess Visenya, aged 15, became the 2nd wife and Queen Consort of her uncle, King Viserys I Targaryen. Their betrothal was announced a month following the queen’s passing, and a private ceremony was held three months later in Dragonstone.

It was a scandal at the time, as not only the King’s new marriage was announced a moon after the late queen’s passing in childbed, but it had also been rumored for some time that Viserys and Visenya had been lovers.

More salacious tales propagated by the fool Mushroom during the Dance of the Dragons tells of the princess sitting on her uncle's lap during feasts, kissing him shamelessly, and nibbling his fingers sensually as he fed her like a beloved pet; of the king fondling her breasts in public, and announcing to his courtiers that he and his niece would retire to make love. These have no contemporary support, with Septon Eustace calling such tales absurd and slanderous.

Over the matter of his marriage to his niece Viserys claimed that the marriage was in the public interest and ordered a grand celebration for the occasion of his new queen's coronation, to happen after the end of mourning period for Prince Baelon. Visenya was the first Queen Consort crowned in a separate ceremony from the reigning King. During the occasion the apparent advanced state of the queen's pregnancy caused a new wave of rumors that Visenya had been the King's mistress while the queen was still alive and that their child was conceived out of wedlock.

In their more than two decades of marriage, Visenya and Viserys had fourteen children, all survived into adulthood, something that the maesters attribute to the queen’s management of the nursery. Visenya’s role as a mother was glorified throughout the realm, their young new queen’s obvious fertility was seen, by the smallfolk and nobles alike, as both a bless from the Mother and a sign from the gods. With the birth of her twin girls, Princess Viserra and Princess Rhaelys, coins were issued, portraying her as the Mother, an allegory that would repeat itself many times for the remaining of her husband’s and son’s reign. If in her maidenhood, as a young princess, Visenya posed as a model for sculptures of the Maiden, in motherhood and queenship, she was now the Mother.

Although it was not the norm of the age, and in fact, apart from the late Queen Alysanne, no other queen receive such a honor, King Viserys granted Visenya a seat on his Small Council, leaning on her for advice on varied subjects due to his respect for her opinion and good judgment. She became a formidable figure with far-reaching influence during this time. According to some sources, her influence was such that Queen Visenya effectively ran the government alongside the Hand of the King.

In the year 115AC, around the time of her stepdaughter’s wedding to Ser Leanor Velaryon and in the years that followed, the Queen Consort started to work and put her own trusted people in ever higher positions to strengthen herself and her sons through them.

Visenya acted as her first husband’s regent after his health decline, sat in her eldest son’s war table following Viserys’s death.

⁂Personality:

Some historians have contended that to some extent she deserved her negative reputation propagated by her stepdaughter following the death of King Viserys I, despite the inaccuracies of the claims that she was sexually disreputable or regarding the legitimacy of her children, other criticisms of her were valid: she was ambitious, proud, obstinate, and masked her cunning behind a sweet-toned voice and flawless manners.

Princess Rhaenyra described her as a woman of reckless extravagance and wantonness, who seduced a grieving man, and whom the King nonetheless loved passionately and faithfully. It is widely known that those part of the Black Court of the Princess of Dragonstone took to call the queen ‘the King’s Great Whore’ and ‘Lady Concubine’, however always away from both the queen and the king’s ears as well as her supporters, further spreading the rumors of an extramarital affair while the late Queen Aemma still lived and questioning the validity of the legitimacy of their children. Despite rumors spread on her sons legitimacy supported by the queen's supposed lasciviousness, all of Visenya’s children resembled those of her lineage.

In her youth, Visenya was celebrated as ‘the most beautiful creature in the world’ and that there was ‘nothing lacking in her that the most beautiful girl should have’. Ser Alyn of Hull would reflect later in her lifetime that regarding her appearance ‘there were few women who could compete with the Queen in her prime’.

Visenya was fiercely independent, a trait she shared with her mother. Mellos described her as having ambitions to match her pedigree. However, Archmaester Gyldayn notes that Visenya was fully aware that a woman in Westeros could not hold power in her own right. Instead, Visenya orchestrated the rise of her sons.

Capable of acts of extreme ruthlessness, she, in contrast, was also able to demonstrate uttermost kindness and charity.

⁂Issue:

At four and thirty of age by the time of their weeding, Viserys was already considered in his middle age. The union however proved itself to be a happy one, and together they had 14 children, nine sons and five daughters.

Visenya had been taught the importance of receiving an education and came to play an extensive role in her children' education, resulting in the creation of a "superior breed of princes."

Queen Visenya was know to call her children her 'precious jewels', and took great pride in all of them, she was particularly close to the princesses Alyssa and Elaena, however it is said, that from all her children, her favorite was Prince Aegon.

edited on 11/04/2024

#house of the dragon #hotd fanfic #it's pro team green #kinda #viserys married his own niece #so she's team red #she's the bitch people accuse alicent of being #the children are there in essence #Aemond is the same #mostly #hotd #viserys targaryen x oc #viserys targaryen x reader #tyland lannister #fuck viserys

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nonhumanhermitheadcanons · 29 days ago

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The hybrids and players from the Nether, End, or Aether don’t really get Overworld Customs and Holidays.

Those dimensions are static in their climate, so any seasonal markings weren’t commonplace. Let’s just say, on their first time on the server, a good portion of the server was really alarmed by the world cooling down, freezing, and dying, while everyone was putting up bright colourful lights as all the plant life dies. Even today, they aren’t used to it.

In dimensions without seasons, celebrations tend to revolve around personal or community milestones; the Nether and End don't even really have day and night, making measuring time difficult. All the more reason to have patterns to one's life that *can* be measured... but a little startling when familiar patterns get disrupted by, say, leaves dying and falling off of trees! It's especially disconcerting to hybrid players who have lived in the Nether most of their lives, as they're used to constant warmth (and "plants" that mostly don't have bits that can fall off of them).

Netherborn habits are part of why Tango built Decked Out 2. Despite having lived with the hermits for a while, he still has a hard time seeing the appeal of winter; building a frosty fortress was his way of exploring the good things about cold and snow, and finding his own things to celebrate and count within it - marking time by number of dungeon runs; celebrating wins and discoveries; introducing new challenges and milestones. All things that someone from a relatively timeless dimension would typically single out to make a day for!

On the other end of the scale, Jevin is an Overworld player through and through. In the presence of many species, from many places, he kicks up his own holiday celebrations a notch or two, to make sure everyone knows what the winter holidays are about, and knows they're welcome to be involved.

#We're opening this one to the floor!#Reblog with your own specific hermit holiday reaction ideas #or holidays that might be celebrated in other dimensions!#hermitcraft #hermitcraft headcanons #winter holidays #tango tek #ijevin

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mimzkyu · 4 months ago

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Lyric McMullen’s life had always been a balancing act, juggling her roles as a mother, student, and freelance artist. But everything changed when she received an unexpected job offer that felt like the break she had been waiting for. A prestigious art gallery had taken notice of her work and offered her the opportunity to become a professional artist. The chance to sell her pieces on a larger scale was a dream come true, one that would provide much-needed financial security for her and her family.

For years, Lyric had poured her heart and soul into her art, scraping by on commissions and hoping for her big break. Now, it had finally come. The transition from freelance work to a stable, professional career in the art world was a game-changer. The steady income allowed her to breathe easier, knowing that she could provide for Breanna and contribute more to their future. This success was more than just financial; it was a validation of her talent and dedication, a milestone that marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

To celebrate this significant achievement, Lyric and Ryan decided to go out for a special night together. It was a rare opportunity for them to relax and enjoy each other’s company without the usual stresses of their daily lives. They laughed, reminisced, and marveled at how far they had come since the early days of their relationship. The evening was a perfect blend of celebration and intimacy, a moment where they could truly appreciate the life they were building together.

But Ryan had more planned than just a simple night out. A week later, he surprised Lyric with a date at an upscale restaurant, the kind of place they rarely visited. Lyric, still riding high on the success of her new job, didn’t suspect that anything was out of the ordinary. They enjoyed a beautiful meal, the ambiance romantic and perfect, but as the evening progressed, Lyric noticed that Ryan seemed unusually nervous.

As dessert was served, Ryan reached across the table, taking Lyric’s hand in his. He looked into her eyes with a sincerity that took her breath away, and before she could fully process what was happening, he was down on one knee, holding out a ring. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Ryan spoke from the heart, expressing his love for her and their daughter, and how he couldn’t imagine his life without them. Tears welled up in Lyric’s eyes as she realized the magnitude of what was happening.

With a joyful “yes,” Lyric accepted Ryan’s proposal, her heart swelling with love and excitement. The restaurant erupted in applause, but all Lyric could focus on was the man kneeling before her, the man she had fallen in love with, now her fiancé.

The days that followed were filled with planning and excitement. Lyric and Ryan began to envision their future together, discussing wedding plans and how they wanted to celebrate their love with friends and family. Breanna, their lively and curious toddler, was to be the flower girl, adding an extra layer of joy to the occasion. The thought of their daughter walking down the aisle with them made Lyric’s heart swell with happiness.

Amidst the excitement, Lyric couldn’t help but reflect on how far they had come. From the uncertainties of early motherhood and financial struggles to the joy of a new career and the promise of a future together, their journey had been anything but easy. But through it all, their love had grown stronger, and now, they were ready to take the next step, united in their commitment to each other and to the family they were building.

poses used: <3

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jonnysinsectcatalogue · 6 months ago

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Question Mark - Polygonia interrogationis

To all fellow lovers of the insect world and those who are kind to bugs, with this post the blog now has 800 posts to its name! What a milestone to celebrate! I'm delighted to share all these brilliant animals with you and learn more about them with each new post. New species continue to join the blog, the last few months of posts have garnered well-deserved attention, older posts are experiencing a resurgence, and these insects are now shared on YouTube too! Here's to much more blog growth and expansion and to continue sharing insect photography with all of you, my dear readers! As always, to you and to and all those who’ve helped me on this insect journey, I extend my sincerest, heartfelt thanks for everything! As things grow, expand, refine and change, and questions abound over what may come next, I thought that this stunning summer Brush-Foot would be most appropriate to share today as #800. As a reminder, this specie's name is not a mystery, but rather based on the marking found on the underside of the hindwing (best seen on Picture 5).

The Question Mark's question mark marking is a stand out against the rest of the mottled underside that conceals this Butterfly as if it were a dried leaf. While normally cryptic colored, the sunlight shining down on this individual has caused the dorsal and ventral scales to blend together, obscuring the mottling against the display colors of the top (the effect is stronger on the forewings). This (along with mimicking the appearance of a leaf) is why Butterflies hold their wings together in order to remain inconspicuous. While this Butterfly isn't trying to remain hidden, I've last long last delivered on my promise in the previous post to feature this elusive insect. I have delivered a long awaited view of the dorsal side of this Butterfly's wings and am happy to share those beautiful, brassy-orange colors that highlight the summer. With a view like this, it should become apparent how similar the Question Mark can appear when compared to some of its punctuation-themed relatives such as the Eastern Comma (P. comma; yes, really), which necessitates a glance at the underwings to find that all-important marking.

The dorsal side of the wings can reveal other important information about your Butterfly find. For this individual, you may have noticed that while the forewings are vibrantly colored, the hindwings are darkened. This tell us that we are witnessing the summer brood form of this insect. This would certainly fit the emergence timeline which gives summer Question Marks a range of May to September to be seen in the air. From there, they lay eggs on elm trees and nettles which hatch and develop throughout the summer into the winter brood (overwinter brood may be a better name). Unlike the summer brood, winter brood Question Marks have vibrant orange and brown that extends into their hindwings as well. They also seem to have longer hindwing tails compared to the summer form, but I'll need to see a few more individuals in the wild before I can declare that with any certainty. These adults will fly from late August until temperatures fall, upon which they will seek out sights to overwinter as adults and begin the cycle anew with summer individuals like the one found in the yard for today's post. I hope fortune smiles upon you to find one of those (or perhaps their Caterpillars), but approach slowly, for they are quite skittish and swift!

Pictures were taken on June 23 and 25, 2024 with a Google Pixel 4. Happy 800th post! Thank you everyone for reading, watching and guiding my photography journey! I couldn't do this without you. And thank you to all the insects as well!

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palesweetscherryblossom · 4 months ago

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I can imagine Dabi getting really into the parenting shit and stalking humans to figure out what the best thing to do would be. And he would then take over in the parenting and Tomura just watched happily and purrs to whole time as Dabi is taking their hatchling out into the sun and helping them stretch and help pick human clothes so that their baby doesn't get cold.

And I can just imagine the ones that don't like the two putting a target on Reader only for Tomura to hunt them down and kill them in cold blood, and leaving their bodies at the borders of their territory as a warning to everyone else. Like don't fuck with my baby and mate. And all that while Dabi takes Reader for a small bath and helps them stay clean and happy. He will be trice the father Enji was, may he die painfully, and he would do anything for his little one.

And later in the evening he would wash Tomura amd calm his bloodlust down after an enemy tried to destroy their family. And Tomura brings Dabi "throphies" from the killing to show his mate he cam take good care of their family and protect them. Like an arm or teeth or scales or anything else. And it inspires Dabi in a way.

So they end up just switching jobs from time to time and Dabi goes killing while Tomura takes care of the little one.

Also how do you think Tomura and Dabi would react at Readers milestones in life? Like talking, reading, hunting (collecting berries) ect. Would they throw a little party? Give them small trophies as gifts?

Shigadabi would be extremely proud of Reader adapting to their way of living, you could blink and they’d be all over you. They would probably celebrate your accomplishments by giving you gifts.

Dabi would be that dad when he finally gets in the swing of things. Holding you on his hip and shit.

Shigaraki has very precise methods of warning people, usually by wearing their bones, intimidation tactics or just being plain messy with his methods.

Yet people just refuse to accept that Shigaraki is more than a mindless beast.

#mythical forest au #naga shigaraki #naga dabi #child reader #shigadabi x reader

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wannaeatramyeon · 2 years ago

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Hello 👋

Could you please do 'dating him includes' for Taehoon and Seongjoon?

Thank you so much 🥰

Black Anon 🖤🖤

Hey Black anon! Thanks for the ask and so sorry this has taken so long. I feel like all I'm doing is apologising because everything is taking me friggin AGES. There's also a few boyfriend HC for Taehoon in my masterlist, but I've expanded this to all my HTF faves! Yes I'm a ho

HTF Boys - Boyfriend/Dating hc

Seong Taehoon, Baek Seongjun, Ji Yeonwoo, Han Wangguk, Kim Munseong (WHERE IS HE I MISS HIM)

Seong Taehoon

Man. The girlfriend privileges are severely lacking with this one. He's a little sweeter on you, a little gentler. But he sees no issues being a menace to you.

Absolutely loves getting you all wound up, murmuring obscene comments during the most inopportune times, or a little light spanking when no-one is looking. Sure Taehoon intends to make good on his words and actions later, but there is nothing like seeing your face redden or hearing a squeak escaping your lips right now.

It's even worth the filthy looks you throw his way, or any subsequent silent treatment. He knows you can never stay mad at him anyway.

Taehoon's physical affection is more on the end of physical rather than affection. There's nothing like a little bite or a headlock or just pinning your arms by your side as he holds you to show how much he cares.

Surprisingly amicable to being dragged all over the place with you. Yes he would prefer the arcade or practicing Taekwondo, but even if he is completely reluctant - seeing your face light up is its own special reward. And of course that would be too cringe for him to ever admit outloud.

Baek Seongjun

Prefers flings and short encounters rather than a relationship. He comes with a lot of trauma and history that he is unwilling to share. Show him kindness though without any ulterior motive, then you're guaranteed to stay on his mind.

Has a lot of experience sexually, but not with relationships. Cherishes experiencing a lot of first milestones with you (regardless of your own experience). Celebrates them all: anniversaries, 100 days, Valentine's etc.

Difficult to publicly date due to his NewTuber fame. He's well recognised by a surprising amount of people, so any dates tend to be on the chilled and private side.

And of course cooking for you is one of his favourite things to do. More so if you join him in the kitchen, and you cook together. You both flowing together as one, moving in harmony. It makes Seongjun think of how well you can fit in other ways too (no, not just sexually - that's already well established that you do). But with the rest of your lives too.

Values cold hard cash as power, and therefore has gift-giving as one of his main love languages. You will be showered with tasteful, lavish gifts. A tender kiss and appreciative thanks from you is all he needs, and is enough to balance out the scales.

Ji Yeonwoo

Only admired you from afar before he finally broke the chains from his dad and had much more freedom.

Again, not one with any experience though Yeonwoo is honest and forthright. Doesn't shy away from asking you out, and is full of sincerity. However, doesn't give much thought to what happens next - he wanted to tell you how he felt more than anything. You saying yes? Unfortunately that broke his brain.

Dating Yeonwoo means you improving your physical fitness somewhat. Completely on accident, but he spends so much time honing his kyokushin karate skills that you thought you would try and join. More often than not, it's just you watching in awe or him piggybacking you on his runs uphill.

Honestly, being with him helps a lot for your own self improvement. Your grades also improves by a ton as a byproduct. Yeonwoo actually makes studying fun and has limitless patience even as you make him explain something for the fifth time.

Unbelievably sweet and gentle through and through. Not that you would, but one complaint from you about anything and he will happily put that right. More attention? More kisses? Less time training? Done, done, and done.

Han Wangguk

A natural caretaker, always anticipating your needs before you even knew yourself. Here's a snack for you, here's that book you wanted, here's a coffee because you said you were tired today.

Goes without saying that he prefers small and thoughtful gestures to big, grand ones. Show him how much you care by remembering the little details: asking about the things he mentioned offhandedly or buying that tiny thing he wanted, and he will be forever wrapped around your thumb.

Extremely selfless and not one to put himself first. Repay his thoughtfulness and kindness by helping him to prioritise his own needs and you will always hold a piece of his heart.

Never too far from his camera, either his actual equipment or phone, and all the better to capture pictures of you. You posing is nice, but there's nothing quite like snapping a moment when you don't expect it. When you're completely candid and natural, before any consciousness of knowing a lens is there.

Of course with Wangguk comes Gyeoul. She's an absolute terror and will bound to clash at first with any partner. She's not used to sharing. But the little smiles Wangguk now always wears? The way he has even started whistling? Fine, Gyeoul can tolerate you she supposes. Honestly though? Another older sibling to dote on and spoil her? She'll love you in the end too.

Kim Munseong

Silent and stoic. He's a man of very few words, and to be honest, you didn't even realise he liked you until you found him always hanging around you and you confronted him yourself.

Shy and inexperienced, with very little game. If anything, it only makes Munseong even more charming and endearing. You'll be the one making a lot of the first moves until he is comfortable enough to take your lead.

Juggles a lot of the time between MMA and training, and you. It's to be expected, he's got a lot of eyes on his fighting career. Please keep supporting him, he feels a lot of guilt that he's not able to be at your constant beck and call, which is frankly a little ridicuous anyway.

Nothing perks him up more than seeing you watch him during a spar or an actual match. Finding your face in the crowd, even if completely unexpected, flicks on a little power-up for him. He wants to make you proud, and it pretty much guarantees a win.

Munseong has always been praised for his strength. Showering him with praise and compliments for literally any other aspect will guarantee him blushing furiously.

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seafoamreadings · 1 year ago

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week of december 31st, 2023

happy new year~!

these are written predominantly for the *rising* signs but they are also intuitively "channeled" enough that they should work for any dominant energy you have! (try your sun if you don't know rising, or more advanced readers can try moon, anywhere you have a stellium, etc and see what works best for you!)

aries: the first week of the year is fairly calm, although mercury ends its little retrograde to kick off the new year. likewise you can start your year off by focusing on reinvigorating an academic or spiritual practice.

taurus: the astrological weather is fairly quiet at the moment which may well bode nicely for your upcoming 2024. proceed through the week with care regarding shared resources or taxes, and be careful not to push any romantic or commitment situations. although mercury stations direct, hold off on signing contracts or verbal agreements for a little while longer.

gemini: celebrate your ruling planet mercury ending its retrograde! seriously, don't let the day (new year's day!) go unmarked. while you may not be entirely out of the woods until he makes it into capricorn, a major milestone is here achieved.

cancerians: mercury direct is good news for fitness, health, and daily routines. it's like a lingering fatigue lifts at last. then mars into capricorn makes any ongoing romantic relationships a little more, let's say, sizzly. maybe a lot more. if you're seeking a commitment, it's almost time to get that ball rolling.

leo: it's a great week to be a leo. mercury direct lightens and brightens up your romantic and creative life. meanwhile mars heads for capricorn, which helps you stay looking the way you want to look, doing the things you want to do, at a level others only ever dream of attaining.

virgo: mercury resumes direct motion, helping to relieve any problems you've been having at home. then mars heads into his exaltation in your fellow earth sign of capricorn. create something new and follow your bliss, be that a person or a project or cuddling up under some covers alone.

libra: if you want to make your own good omens for yourself, wait until about january 2 or 3 and decorate your home with some mountainous imagery. but not impassable obstacles of mountains, rather mountains that have been successfully scaled, the view of the earth from up there on the peak if you can.

scorpio: for the most part you can forget mercury retrograde ending. that direct motion fixes some finances for you but the big deal really is mars into capricorn. mars was your ruler of old, actually even less than a hundred years ago pre-pluto. he is exalted in the sign of the sea goat. the animalistic side of that sign comes out. it suits you well. it is very raw, honest, primal... make the most of it.

sagittarius: been waiting for mercury's retrograde to end? arguably, it's affected you most of all. the new year kicks off with the direct motion at last beginning. it doesn't reach the end of its shadow period for a couple more weeks but things ease up for you big time. for best results, don't get hasty about any new year's resolutions. you can save them as long as you want. maybe until mercury is well back into capricorn and you can see more clearly?

capricorn: mercury goes direct to start 2024 and then mars promptly enters his exaltation in your sign. if you're doing hustle culture, it works, but it does best if you also use this vibe to defend your rest periods, your fun and play, and peace. but you win the battles you enter.

aquarius: if it seems like mercury retrograde took away some friends or social circles, they are likely to pop back in from new year's day on. at the same time mars into capricorn means it's good to get a little gung ho about your spirituality, especially in terms of integrating the shadow.

pisces: this is a good week to spend time with old friends you haven't seen in a while. helpful people abound if you just put yourselves in each other's paths. also be a helpful person to others! if you have networks or support systems to build, this is especially easy from the 5th onward.

#weekly horoscopes #weekly horoscope #horoscopes #horoscope #astrology #signs #zodiac #aries #taurus #gemini #cancer #leo #virgo #libra #scorpio #sagittarius #capricorn #aquarius #pisces

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mariacallous · 1 month ago

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This week sees the one thousandth day of the war launched by Vladimir Putin in February 2022. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the largest European conflict since World War II, and one of the first major wars to be covered in real time on social media. Audiences around the world have watched in disbelief as the Russian army has advanced into Ukraine, reducing entire cities to rubble and displacing millions of people. For almost three years, this unfolding tragedy has been the world’s leading news story.

Few expected Ukraine to reach this week’s grim milestone. Indeed, on the eve of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the consensus was that any organized Ukrainian resistance would likely crumble within a matter days. In retrospect, it is now clear that both Vladimir Putin and the vast majority of international observers were equally guilty of underestimating Ukraine.

While their country has surpassed all expectations, Ukrainians have little to celebrate as the war passes the 1000-day mark. The Russian invasion has inflicted unparalleled suffering on Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands killed and more than fourteen million people forced to flee their homes. Huge numbers of Ukrainian service personnel and civilians have suffered life-changing injuries. For the men and women defending the country on the front lines, the physical and psychological toll from almost three years of relentless fighting has been immense.

Beyond the battlefield itself, the Russian invasion has plunged the entire Ukrainian population into a mental health crisis that will last for decades. Almost everyone has experienced some kind of personal loss or wartime trauma. In towns and cities across Ukraine, people have grown used to the daily routine of air raid alarms, bomb shelters, and electricity blackouts, all accompanied by gut-churning news of the latest Russian atrocities.

Despite the many horrors and hardships, Ukrainians have remained broadly united by a shared sense of purpose. While most people are understandably desperate for peace, there is also widespread recognition that Ukraine is fighting for national survival and faces destruction if Russia’s invasion succeeds. This has been made abundantly clear by the actions of the Russian army in areas of Ukraine under Kremlin control, with thousands of potential dissenters abducted and children sent for indoctrination to rob them of their Ukrainian heritage.

Most Ukrainians acknowledge the need to fight on, but there are growing concerns over continued international support. During the initial months of the invasion, the watching world was awed by Ukrainian courage and tenacity as the country fought back against the might of the Russian military. This helped convince Western leaders that arming Ukraine was both morally right and worthwhile. However, as the war has dragged on, grumbles over the cost of supplying the Ukrainian military have grown louder, as has the chorus of voices calling for some form of compromise with the Kremlin.

Every time Western leaders delay the delivery of military aid, the cost can be measured in Ukrainian lives. These delays enable Russia to bomb Ukrainian cities and advance further along the front lines of the war. Shortfalls in military support are also making it significantly harder for Ukraine to mobilize new troops for the army, with many potential recruits left alarmed by the prospect of being sent into battle without adequate weapons or armor.

While Kyiv struggles to convince wavering Western leaders, Moscow is creating an axis of autocrats to bolster the Russian war effort. Since the start of the full-scale invasion almost three years ago, Putin has strengthened ties with China, Iran, and North Korea, receiving a range of support including sanctioned high-tech weapons components, attack drones, ballistic missiles, and vast quantities of artillery shells. This alliance is playing an increasingly direct role in the invasion of Ukraine, with North Korean soldiers recently appearing on the battlefield.

Donald Trump’s election victory is now fueling anticipation that the war is about to enter a new phase, with the incoming US administration expected to push for a negotiated settlement. Nobody wants to end the war more than Ukrainians, of course. At the same time, there are mounting concerns that Western efforts to pursue peace from a position of weakness may lead to Kremlin-friendly terms that would end up emboldening Putin and setting the stage for further Russian aggression.

Ukrainians have particularly painful memories of the failed peace process that followed Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. For eight years, Russia refused to even acknowledge its direct involvement in hostilities, insisting instead on noncombatant status. This farcical situation made it virtually impossible to achieve any meaningful progress toward peace. It is now clear that while Moscow was pretending to engage in diplomatic efforts to end the war, Russia was busy preparing for the full-scale invasion of February 24, 2022.

Ahead of any peace talks, Ukrainians will be hoping their international allies have not lost sight of the huge costs they will face if they fail to stop Russia in Ukraine. The invasion launched by Putin one thousand days ago has already transformed the geopolitical landscape and led to the emergence of a formidable authoritarian alliance that shares a common commitment to ending the era of Western ascendancy. Russian success in Ukraine would dramatically strengthen this alliance, with alarming ramifications for the security situation everywhere from Central Europe to East Asia.

As the world reflects on one thousand days of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the Ukrainian nation is exhausted but remains determined to end the war on terms that will allow the next generation to live in peace. This will not be possible without continued international support. Putin was wrong to assume that Ukraine would collapse in the wake of his invasion. Western leaders must now convince him that he is equally wrong to believe he can outlast them in Ukraine.

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insurrection-if · 1 year ago

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Hiatus Ended

I am very sorry, truly. I cannot stress my apologies enough.

I'm back.

I am, honestly, somewhat scared to be returning after so much silence. Every day without a peep from me on this blog just seemed to compress this sense of guilt and unworthiness I felt towards the idea of returning at all.

My hiatus was not announced. It had not been planned. It was unfair of me to let it drag on so long without any notification that it was occurring. Everyone who has ever shown interest or kindness towards this story deserves far, far better than what I have provided.

I was not confident about this story, or my conveyance of these characters. I despised my writing. I toyed with some other projects behind the scenes. I experimented with Twine - and I have declared Twine to be my latest technological enemy (as I am horrible with it). It is very suitable to other stories I have in mind, but my effort with those stories and my taming of Twine are heavily scaled back for now.

My efforts at present have also largely been focused on my financial situation and future. Thankfully, my current circumstances have eased much of the financial stress I faced earlier this year. Though my current employment does not provide a very liberating schedule to work creatively, I do feel much more secure in my continued ability to write as a means of recreational enjoyment and fulfillment.

In my absence, it has come to my attention that this community has not given up on Insurrection.

This is an unbelievable wonder worthy of a good cry.

I cannot emphasize enough how meaningful this is to me. I do not deserve all the support shown to this story thus far. The IF community is overflowing with passion, creativity, and talent that I could never hope to match. And so, to have this much gracious interest extended to this story, I am helplessly and forever thankful.

Your time, your interest, and your presence hold a value far greater than a number on a screen could ever tell.

But, goodness, that number is quite something to behold!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, each and every one of you! I would like to celebrate such a momentous milestone in following but, alas, I am not the most creative of 'party planners' . . . nor am I even a decent one at that! (；´∀｀)

If anyone has any ideas, suggestions, or wishes for something to mark this occasion, please let me know! Otherwise, I simply wish to extend my gratitude as sincerely and deeply as possible to everyone who has taken the time to read this, or just about anything on this blog. It is a privilege for me to be able to share my ideas and writing with so many in a way I never could, or can, in my life beyond the screen.

Thank you! For your patience, your grace, and your belief in this story! Thank you everyone!

#personal

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skaldish · 2 years ago

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Hi there, hope all’s well! 🌷

I just came across your post about the emotional starvation of (cis) boys (excellent visualization of what the majority of boys/men go through from the get go).

In my day to day life I offer services and rituals to celebrate and honor women in ways that the world often has not; and I work to be all inclusive (nb, trans, and whatever might fall in between or outside of that). This work uses, showcases, AND teaches this feeling of sorority/sisterhood/community safety.

In order to balance out towards the other side—because I have been saying this same thing about boys and men missing this vital bit of living, and therefor perpetuating the rift between men and women whether they want to or not— I’ve started apprenticing as a barber. This seems to me to be one of the “softest” self care rituals men indulge in.

Would you say, in your experience, that this type of self care and perhaps the celebration/ritualization of milestones could help boys and men interact in healthier ways with their own masculinity, and the world at large?

I mean…yes and no.

Yes, because rituals and rites are nourishment for the soul, and no, because the kind of approach you're suggesting is designed to address systemic marginalization rather than systemic isolation. The reason why you don't already see cis men seek empowerment in relation to their gender because they don't need to be.

Instead, what they covet is to belong in despite of it.

See, the way we raise boys—and the experiences boys have growing into men—teach and reinforce this specific narrative:

"It doesn't matter who I am as a person, what my personality is like, or how strong of a bond someone forms with me; the moment I'm [too girly / too manly / not manly enough / the wrong kind of man / etc] my belonging is revoked and I'm disowned."

This is a trauma so ubiquitous within our Western society that many of us write it off as a feature of the XY chromosomes as opposed to conditioning. It's as omnipresent to men as objectification is to women, and equally as despised.

The origin of male isolation comes from the same place as everyone else's disenfranchisement: Western Imperialism. Western imperialism teaches us that the way we get anything good in this world is through acts of conquest:

"We become happy by conquering sadness." "We become healthy by conquering our bodies." "We become good people by conquering the parts of us that are bad." "We become good adults by conquering our behavior as children." "We become masculine by conquering effeminacy." "We become cherished and loved by conquering the parts of ourselves that are problematic and detested." Etc.

The only way I was every able to really truly heal my lifelong traumas was by ending the reign of conquest in myself. Conquest is what traumatized me to begin with, so ending conquest is what allowed me to heal.

My guess is that the same logic can be applied on a societal scale. But it would mean changing the way we go about achieving results.

(I also want to point out that cis men actually have tons of rituals and rites of passage in relation to healthy masculinity. They're just covert, and rather than speak to one's sense of agency—which is something cis women and trans* folks desire in relation to their genders—they speak to one's sense of belonging, which is, again, what cis men desire in relation to theirs.)

It's a huge topic. It's taken days for me to even write this reply because there's so much about it I could say. Let me know if you want me to address something specific.

#answered #gender things #masculinity

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