#Chinese village fashion

[shutterbulky]

A Chinese woman made a wedding dress from 40 bags of cement :D

Lilia Tang, Weaving Dreams with Unconventional Dresses in Rural China Meet the extraordinary Lilia Tang, a young woman from a quaint Chinese village, whose hands transform unconventional materials into breathtaking dresses. Working alongside her parents in a village where daily life revolves around fields and farms, Lilia stands out for her artistic pursuits. Recently, she garnered widespread…

[5ammotorcycles]

Hong-Kong 2010, Pt 2

[nyc-looks]

Isabel, 22

“I am wearing a self made dress that creates the Chinese character “love” from the ruffles. On top is a tweed blazer from pushButton, and below are pants from Damaskeen. I feel like my style is very much dependent on the occasion of the day. I like to wear pieces that are comfortable but have eye-catching elements, I love it when fashion generates conversation.”

May 15, 2024 ∙ Greenwich Village

[sillygoofyqueer]

Even more thoughts, for you to post if you so choose!

I do love the idea of Shen Yuan having a fancy hair piece with a pin that doubles as a weapon! Just because demon crows don’t have access to spiritual swords doesn’t mean he can’t stab the hell out of you.

For his main weapon, I’m thinking crow demons that can take human form tend to use bows, with the feathers shed by their clan as fletching. (Perhaps demon feathers also grant abilities of some sort to the arrows?)

Looking at the iridescence of crow feathers reminds me of the Chinese tradition of making jewelry with kingfisher feathers. Now I think it would be lovely if the crow demons also had a tradition of fashioning similar jewelry with their own feathers, perhaps treated with solutions and lacquered in a way that brings out even more of their color.

Speaking of colors, while crows aren’t among those birds able to see significant ultraviolet, they are tetrachromats, and thus are able to distinguish colors to a far greater extent than humans. I’m sure his sudden ability to see way more colors than he could in his last life is very perplexing to poor Shen Yuan!

The regular crows acting as an alarm system by cursing and saying spooky nonsense at all unknown visitors is an absolute delight!

I vote that Shen Yuan intentionally never gives them whatever signal that would mark Airplane as a friend, just so they continue to harass the guy every time he comes to visit. 😂

(I’m thinking poor Airplane is trying to set up trade routes for demons, and struggling with the general hostility different types of demons have for one another. Killing interlopers and/or raiding other demons for their stuff is not conductive to trade! It’s no wonder demons lack the arts. Nobody shares anything with anyone, except when giving demon nobles tribute. 😭)

You know, with all the feathers and bird-folks about, the transmigrators probably figure out quill pens. Not sure how big of an improvement they’d be compared to brushes, but they’re at least more like what the transmigrators are used to.

It’d also be funny if all the demon crows and villagers were learning to write simplified Chinese from Shen Yuan, instead of traditional, leading visitors to wonder what the hell is up with this one location’s weird writing system, where half the characters are inexplicably different.

(He probably teaches them traditional too, if only for the sake of reading imported books and things, but simplified is probably faster for personal notes and bookkeeping or the like).

I've always loved when people have weapons in discreet places, so it seemed necessary to dump that onto Shen Yuan because he's the most iconic character ever. Especially CrowYuan as well, it seems like something he'd do just to be safe when it comes to these things - after everything he's read, it's hard not to always be prepared. (Also, a more cheeky reason if I may, imagine Shen Yuan in a sticky situation and he pulls the hair pin out of his hair, now holding a weapon and looking AWESOME as he does it) Also, main weapon as a bow IS MAKING ME LOOOSE MY MIND. Ever since I was little, I've been obsessed with people who use bows (Legolas, Robin Hood, Hawkeye, Kate Bishop, various book characters) and the idea of giving Shen Yuan a bow?? I am dropping to my knees and shaking my fists at the sky. HUZZAAAHH!!! Feathers as fletching is a great idea, almost like a calling card of sorts, as well as a warning. Demon feathers giving certain abilities to arrows is a brilliant idea, such as resilience, poison, increased speeds (useful for high pressure situations where someone has to die before they can be alerted). I'd find it interesting if different demon feathers grant different abilities, and it's almost a norm for these demons to trade feathers! The jewellery idea is absolutely gorgeous and adorable! I was thinking that it could mainly be a crow demon thing, and to have one made for you if you aren't a crow demon is a sign of great trust within the community, a decision that has to be agreed to by at least half of the community! Also, itty bitty angst idea, this jewellery could also be highly sought out because it's gorgeous and its making is entirely a clan secret that is only taught to those within it - so, it's often seen as a spoil of war, a way to brag about a crow demon's death is to wear the jewellery "won" from "battle". Shen Yuan would most definitely be thrown off guard by this wider arrange of colours, often found in the wildest areas of the forest and just staring at everything. At first, he wonders if it's because he's a demon now, but more research (aka, bullying a demon chicken Airplane for answers) shows that it is fact not because he's a demon, but instead because he's a crow. He is both excited that he can see all these colours and fiercely delighted that Airplane can't, because he's a spiteful little shit and I love him. If Airplane comes to visit, he's grown adept to immediately submitting to the harassment of the crows because they soon grow bored of him if they don't get any reaction other than pitiful screaming. (He would highly suffer from trying to set up trade routes as well, lmaooo) OH MY GOD, if Mobei Jun ever comes to visit Bing-ge, he would also be immediately attacked by crows and that is funnier than anything else right now in my mind. His stern face immediately becomes one of absolute outrage, but it quickly becomes confusion when Bing-ge says he can't attack them back because "Shen Yuan would never forgive me" On the idea of feathers as quill pens, that would end up being incredibly useful for them! Perhaps the use of certain demon feathers would be better than others if we go by different demon feathers holding different abilities - for instance, let's say crow feathers hold increased speed, that would be helpful for writing because one would merely need to guide the quill and let it do the rest. However, a demon feather that created a poison effect, let's say chicken feathers, would not be the best for writing, which makes certain feathers more valuable than others for different things! Shen Yuan would be a great teacher, because he knows the traditional Chinese - which is useful for things you previously mentioned - but then he would be able to introduce a whole new writing system that makes it easier to write. This would be especially useful for those who may struggle with the traditional Chinese, because then they would still be able to access writing!! {part seven! part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, and part six!}

[chinesehanfu]

[Hanfu · 漢服]Chinese Late Warring States period(475–221 BC) Traditional Clothing Hanfu Based On Based On Chu (state)Historical Artifacts

【Historical Artifact Reference】:

Late Warring States period(475–221 BC)：Two conjoined jade dancers unearthed from Jincun, Luoyang,collected by Freer Museum of Art

A similar jade dancer was also unearthed from the tomb of Haihunhou, the richest royal family member in the Han Dynasty, and was one of his treasures.

Warring States period, Eastern Zhou dynasty, 475-221 BCE,jade dancer by Freer Gallery of Art Collection.

Warring States period(475–221 BC)·Silver Head Figurine Bronze Lamp.Unearthed from the Wangcuo Tomb in Zhongshan state during the Warring States Period and collected by the Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology

The figurine of a man dressed as a woman holds a snake in his hand, and 3 snakes correspond to 3 lamps.

Sword of Goujian/越王勾践剑:

The Sword of Goujian (Chinese: 越王勾践剑; pinyin: Yuèwáng Gōujiàn jiàn) is a tin bronze sword, renowned for its unusual sharpness, intricate design and resistance to tarnish rarely seen in artifacts of similar age. The sword is generally attributed to Goujian, one of the last kings of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period.

In 1965, the sword was found in an ancient tomb in Hubei. It is currently in the possession of the Hubei Provincial Museum.

【Histoty Note】Late Warring States Period·Noble Women Fashion

The attire of noblewomen in the late Warring States period, as reconstructed in this collection, is based on a comprehensive examination of garments and textiles unearthed from the Chu Tomb No. 1 at Mashan, Jiangling, as well as other artifacts from the same period.

During the late Warring States period, both noble men and women favored wearing robes that were connected from top to bottom. These garments were predominantly made of gauze, silk, brocade, and satin, with silk edging. From the Chu Tomb No. 1 at Mashan, there were discoveries of robes entirely embroidered or embroidered fragments. The embroidery technique employed was known as "locked stitches," which gave the patterns a three-dimensional, lively appearance, rich in decoration.

The two reconstructed robes in this collection consist of an inner robe made of plain silk with striped silk edging, and an outer robe made of brocade, embroidered with phoenixes and floral patterns, with embroidered satin edging. Following the structural design of clothing found in the Mashan Chu Tomb, rectangular fabric pieces were inserted at the junction of the main body, sleeves, and lower garment of the robe. Additionally, an overlap was made at the front of the main body and the lower garment to enlarge the internal space for better wrapping around the body curves. Furthermore, the waistline of the lower garment was not horizontal but inclined upward at an angle, allowing the lower hem to naturally overlap, forming an "enter" shape, facilitating movement.

The layered edging of the collars and sleeves of both inner and outer robes creates a sense of rhythm, with the two types of brocade patterns complementing each other, resulting in a harmonious effect. Apart from the robes, a wide brocade belt was worn around the waist, fastened with jade buckle hooks, and adorned with jade pendants, presenting an elegant and noble figure.

The reconstructed hairstyle draws inspiration from artifacts such as the jade dancer from the late Warring States period unearthed at the Marquis of Haihun Tomb in Nanchang, and the jade dancer from the Warring States period unearthed at Jin Village in Luoyang. It features a fan-shaped voluminous hairdo on the crown, with curled hair falling on both sides, and braided hair gathered at the back. The Book of Songs, "Xiao Ya: Duren Shi," vividly depicts the flowing curls of noblewomen during that period. Their images of curly-haired figures in long robes were also depicted in jade artifacts and other relics, becoming emblematic artistic representations.

The maturity and richness of clothing art in the late Warring States period were unparalleled in contemporary world civilizations, far beyond imagination. It witnessed the transition of Chinese civilization into the Middle Ages. The creatively styled garments and intricate fabric patterns from the Warring States period carry the unique essence, mysterious imagination, and ultimate romanticism of that era, serving as an endless source of artistic inspiration.

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Recreation Work by : @裝束复原

Weibo 🔗：https://weibo.com/1656910125/O6cUMBa1j

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[neogandw]

Someone in bluesky asked who they were, so I figured I could go over them real quick.

A japanese robot stylized after the myth of yuki onnas, although she's given the job of being the company mascot for a company that sells refrigeration technology and frozen goods (such as Ice Cream) the reality of it is that she's the daughter of the CEO, a kind, strong man who gives off Santa Claus vibes.

Cute, Innocent and somewhat Lonely, Ghosty has a skewed idea of how to make friends by trying to greet people with a hearty "BOO!", but she hardly scares anyone.

In reality, she wants to befriend new people.

She can be found as a major NPC in Make a Good MegaMan Level 3!

An European robot, one of many stage hand technician robots that function as roadies of many different types of concerts across the globe, with Jill's field being hard rock.

Though she's a brash metalhead, she grew fond of music herself and wanted an opportunity to breach into the industry on her own.

Through hard work and determination (and an online video channel where she played covers for a long while) she eventually landed a gig with a music production company, which as it happens wanted someone to play an idol role.

Jill now has to balance her real work and metal head tendencies with the duties of being a bubbly, energetic idol for the public, though she generally doesn't mind playing up the cute (and the public is generally aware of her metal head tendencies since she's really bad at keeping her natural behavior in check) making sure that her secret identity remains private to herself (and her close friends).

She's also an NPC in Make a Good MegaMan Level 3.

A Chinese robot, hailing from a traditional rural village over on the mountainous regions of China. Ignite is from a family of firework crafters and handymen that work to upkeep the village's scarce technological commodities.

Given the main trade of the family is fireworks (which generally only comes up during festivals), Ignite puts her drive and fireworks abilities into learning martial arts of various kinds and work odd-jobs around town (and lately, body guard work) to bring money home.

She fashions herself a hero to the village, however, her egocentric and "believe-my-own-hype" behavior often lands her in situations out of her control or where the event blows right on her face in one way or another.

Still, she refuses to give up, ultimately, she IS good spirited and popular with the people of the village (children specially), just a bit harsh and hard to deal with.

An american robot whose original job and name are only known to him and him alone.

He was originally ownded by a rich tycoon in the gambling industry who was all kinds of shady, but through hard work and more than a few well placed gambles, Casino amassed enough of a fortune to buy out the gambling joint from his old owner. Whoever they were there they haven't been seen ever since.

Casino has since expanded the gambling joint into being a vacation resort complete with hotels and theme parks, running with peak efficiency and valuing style and respect to the clients with utmost importance.

He may have a greedy side, but he tends to find people he wants to place under his wing and protection, creating some sort of family of his own. Even if he himself may grumble about people "not pulling their weight", he's generally a softy of an uncle figure.

There's rumors that he may have upgraded himself, allegedly if his reels ever hit 7-7-7, he may become a "Dandy CasinoMan" with a more elaborate human form, though its rare that this ever happens.

A robot made by an international joint alliance looking to do paleontoligical and biological research across the globe, stylized after cavemen, he's a lot smarter than he lets on.

CaveMan thus dwells on the natural regions of various countries, looking for evidences of the past. Being well equipped with excavation, climbing and foraging technology, he ventures into the uncharted regions of jungles and into the depths of the earth to find leads into the distant past.

Cave tends to be a cranky old man and he has a distaste for the people who spend most of their research in a lab instead of out on the field. Though he's grumpy about it he generally tends to have a good point in trying to keep passerby out of the locations he tends to dwell (having more than once used his tools to rescue vacationers out of caverns and cave-ins).

His lone company tends to be a tiny pterodactyl robot called Xylo, his loyal pet, bit of a birdbrain but smart enough to help in complex work. Cave trusts Xylo far more than any young whippersnapper he may come across.

A robot created by science institutes in canada, specifically by an old scientist who was researching into a techonogically advanced liquid that could be controlled and made to take any shape that was required.

The old scientist, feeling nostalgia over shows they used to watch as a child, decided to fashion a robot out of the very same shows that inspired them to help people smile, using this very tech who happened to look like ink and created Toon Woman out of it.

While not strictly made for the entertainment industry, Toon Woman has studied and learned the art of slapstick and comedic timing. She fashions herself after cartoons of old (particularly, a show about a young witch who wants to help people), being more of a travelling comedian looking to put smiles on people and help as many folks as possible.

She's driven to not leave someone's side until they turn that frown upside down and have a fuzzy feeling inside of their heart.

A greek robot that is part of a line of robots stylized after the greek pantheon and made to fullfil various jobs, with her design echoing that of Hermes and Iris, the messengers of the gods.

As such, her duty is mail and package delivery, managing both physical postman duties and digital redictection of e-mail, Mail is a very dedicated post woman who travels around the world alongside her pet butterflies, sworn to her duty and happy to obligue.

Unfortunately, she's also a bit of a hopeless romantic and more than a bit gullible. Being in love with the concept of love (and gleeing much about it) she tends to fall for virus-ridden e-mail due to her trusting nature, causing more than a bit of trouble to her system whenever some e-mail claims "ILOVEYOU" to her.

And yet somehow, her systems work regardless of how many viruses she has in there, they appear to be clogged in a pipeline.

Her peppy attitude and go-getter disposition land her as a favorite among her siblings in the Olymp.O.S. line of robots, though few tend to humor her love sappy side whenever she's on her own dream land.

There's been… a few complaints about her taking the scenic route when delivering mail as well.

THE NEXT ONES ARE MY DESIGN, BUT CONCEPTUALIZED BY FRIENDS. SO I REGARD THEM AS GUESTS.

NOT A ROBOT MASTER, technically its own original universe.

A Death Bot made for a tournament run by a pretends-to-be-bad-guy called Mr. Sinister, who tends to rotate the tournament entrants around.

Though Mister Sinister's Death Bots are not generally humanoid due to trying to keep mass appeal high and censors off his back, Hiwired is a rare exception, though her clownish features make her look inhuman enough.

Hiwired 9 is one of the Electric-themed Death Bots, and her powers are to create lightning bolts and sparks of the primary colors. As a jester-type bot, she's mostly focused on having a good time and putting on a show, making her attacks usually more visually appealing than dangerous.

Hiwired is a devious little goblin of a robot; despite or because of this she has little self awareness. She doesn't like that clowns usually get typecast as evil though she's literally a "Death Bot". There is some programmed dissonance there because of the secret "pacifist" nature of Death Bots to everything but other robots.

Her main goals are to have a good time and put on a good show. Mister Sinister wouldn't admit this to her but she's one of his favorite robots and most embodies what he's all about in terms of presenting and flashiness.

She's got a high-pitched, almost grating voice that's a bit TOO cutesy. She's very into her job as a Death Bot and eager to show off. She's bratty and petulant; and behind the scenes gets jealous if she isn't the Electric Death Bot chosen for that particular "show". One of the Death Bots most likely to prank others and generally be a nuisance.

Outside of the show, her merchandise is one of the most popular among viewers, just behind the most cute ones like Hotter and Constellar.

This blurb was mostly written by Kittah (minor alterations were made to her current name and a small explanation for death bots was added).

A robot of unknown origin and harsh past, Duet is not entirely running in peak performance (and lacking an entire arm), she has low self steem and tends to compare herself to other more build-complete robots.

Having taken a devil deal with a scientist who she by all means shouldn't have trusted, she was given both a new arm and a helmet that both boost her confidence… at the cost of her sanity and morality, she's pushed into evil and giving into insecurity-driven anger when wearing both.

Ultimately, she's lonely and wants to befriend more people, but due to her low self steem and depression she has trouble doing so. Maybe one day she'll see she's worth more than she thinks.

The end result of various experiments ran by scientists associated with Light Labs.

After the latest attack by Dr. Wily's creations, the scientists figured that Wily's research shouldn't be entirely discarded as he is a brilliant mind of his own, and thus decided to reverse engineer his creations to find a more positive use for them.

One of such efforts being the foundation of the D.E.V.I.L. Research institute, which was dedicated to reverse engineer the technology of the various "Yellow Devils" that Dr. Wily had created and find them a peaceful application.

Although its been proving difficult to figure out an use to moldeable goo, the research institute was at least successful in creating a controller device for it: a little fish-like creature that could re-structure itself into various shapes to mold the goo into as many applications as possible.

The little fish creature would then gain concience of its own, and that would lead to the creation of Slime Woman.

Slime would thus learn more than a few things from the scientists and gain their passion for research and the gain of knowledge, being more than a bit serious, she gives in to the natural curiosity and wants to experiment on things to learn how they tick.

Experimentation is still ongoing on how to get the goo to be useful, but at least they gained an ally in the everlasting learning process.

Rogue Woman stated out as a simple security robot. She was originally designed to analyze and predict flaws in software and hardware on high-end business and laboratories for a now-defunct security firm, having gone bankrupt due to embezzlement and other morally dubious reasons.

After the company shut down, their assets were liquidated and thus Rogue was destined for the scrap heap as her function ceased to be.

As luck would have it, she was rescued from such a fate. Not much is publicly known about her benefactor (in reality an engineering scientist from the company), other than rogue refering to her as a mother (though only those close enough to personally know Rogue).

Rogue's mother has a vendetta against the former management of the company as they left her homeless for a while, as a result of their shared past, both have resolved to use their abilities to get back at the greedy corporates that ruined their lives.

Rogue wasn't designed for combat, rather prefering to use her tools to sneak in and get out quickly without being seen, though she herself has a bit of a show-offy side while doing this.

Outside of her more confident spy personality, Rogue is an entomology geek with a bit of social anxiety, its hard to earn her trust, but once you're in that zone, just expect to be told all about the bugs she finds neat for hours on end.

[atlaculture]

Hi, I love your work and was wondering if you've done a post breaking down Earth Kingdom clothing inspiration and what the pieces are called. I'm writing a fanfiction and having a hard time finding info. Thanks!

The thing about the Earth Kingdom is that it's the most populated and diverse of the four nations in-universe. Meaning that each area of the Earth Kingdom has its own unique flavor. Some places are based off of specific Chinese dynasties, others around the various ethnic minorities of China, and some are other Asian cultures entirely.

Ba Sing Se's aesthetic is based off of the later years of China's Qing Dynasty (1636-1912):

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Ba Sing Se Queues (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Zuko's Teashop Outfit (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Ba Sing Se Headdresses (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: The Dai Li (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Royal Earthbender Guards (tumblr.com)

Toph's family and background are meant to appear refined and wealthy so their look is based off of the later years of China's opulent Tang Dynasty (618-907):

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Toph’s Fancy Dress (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Toph’s Sleepwear (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Toph’s Hairstyle (tumblr.com)

Bumi likes to wear Chinese opera clothing and his character is broadly inspired by Lu Bu of the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280):

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Bumi (tumblr.com)

Kyoshi Island is Heian & Edo period Japan mixed with Ainu culture:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Headbands (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Makeup (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi’s Hair & Clothes (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Warriors Uniform (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Islanders Fashion Pt. 1 -... (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Islanders Fashion Pt. 2 -... (tumblr.com)

When Zuko and Iroh are on the run in the EK, they encounter a Vietnamese town and a Korean village:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Anatomy: “The Swamp” Episode (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Architecture: Song’s Village (tumblr.com)

The tribes of the Si Wong Desert are North African crossed with Mongolian:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Sandbenders (tumblr.com)

Chong and Lily (Secret Tunnel Hippies) wear Tibetan and Hmong clothing, respectively:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Chong (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Lily (tumblr.com)

The refugee family with the pregnant wife is inspired by Yi people:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Serpent’s Pass Refugees Pt. 1 (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Serpent’s Pass Refugees Pt. 2 (tumblr.com)

And, with the exception of culturally isolated areas like Ba Sing Se/Si Wong Desert/Omashu/Kyoshi/Foggy Swamp, most men in the EK wear their hair in Taoist topknots:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Earth Kingdom Top Knots (tumblr.com)

So the sort of clothing your characters will be wearing in the EK depends on where in the country they are or are from. If you plan on inventing a new setting that takes place in the Earth Kingdom, try to choose a culture and period that reflects the mood or theme you're trying to get across.

[daenysthedreamer101]

Youngest Original ~ TVDU

Mikaelson!OC

Masterlist

Character profile

Face claim: Liv Tyler

Name: Kassandra

Name meaning/origin: comes from the Greek language, it means "the one who excels over men"

Date of birth: October 983 A.D.

Date of death: November 1001 A.D.

Age: has been 18 for 1009 years as of 2010

Zodiac sign: Libra (♎︎)

Place of birth: in a village now known as Mystic Falls, USA

Parents: Esther and Mikael

Siblings: Freya, Finn, Elijah, Klaus, Kol, Rebekah and Henrik

Height: 174 cm (5'8 ft)

Eye color: blue

Hair color: Brown

She is a member of the Mikaelson family and is one of the seven Original vampires alongside her father and siblings.

She was the second youngest child, only older than Henrik who was 13 at the time of his death in 1001. His death was the catalyst for the creation of the vampire race. 

Can speak many different languages including English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Korean; can also speak Latin and of course, Old Futhark - her native language

Has a love for music. Even as a human, she had a penchant for singing and dancing. Has written many songs and compositions throughout her life.

Can play 7 musical instruments: the guitar, the piano, the violin, the flute, the harp, the violoncello, and the Guzheng - the Chinese zither

Alongside Elijah, she is the peacemaker of the family, always striving for peace and love. Hates being in the crossfires of her siblings’ disputes.

Baby of the family. All of her siblings are extremely protective of her. Has baby sister privileges (esp with Klaus)

Loves reading. Can often be found reading side by side next to Elijah.

In true Libra fashion hates picking sides, so when her siblings fight she tries to maintain her neutrality. That is often difficult when one side is threatening to dagger the other and put them in a casket for a hundred years.

Elijah is her favorite brother though she swears she doesn't have favorites.

Bonds with Klaus by spending time with him while he's painting in his studio. She's pretty good at art herself, though she prefers pencil drawings and water-based painting. She never got the hang of oil paintings like Klaus did.

She and Bekah are really close and they always have each other's back. They looove spending Klaus and Elijah's money lol

She sometimes wonders how Kol is older than her, cause she is more mature than him. He likes teasing her to get a reaction out of her.

He got choked several times for crossing the line

Just wants everyone to get along lol

[southeastasianists]

In Boat Quay, bronze statues fashioned by Aw Tee Hong in 2003 encapsulate an antiquated routine for merchants and laborers of early Singapore. These statues depict a Chinese trader, a Malay chief, a famous merchant Alexander Laurie Johnston, and men loading sacks onto a cart. The sculptures are located along the river and the former site of Johnston’s warehouse. Johnston, a prominent Scottish businessman and merchant, is seen mediating with the Chinese trader and Malay chief. Hong captures and highlights the multiculturalism integral to Singapore’s identity, showing how diverse the trading community is. Adjacent to these men, a homage is paid to the low-wage laborers of the time. These men, often of Chinese or Indian origin, were vital in traversing the trade routes along the river. As Johnston was one of the earliest British settlers in Singapore, he was among the first magistrates appointed by Sir Stamford Raffles. Serving as one of the Trustees of the Singapore Institution, Johnston established A. L. Johnston & Co. in 1820, making his mark as an active member of the mercantile community. The Scotsman became a founding member of Singapore’s Chamber of Commerce in 1837, helping the nation become one of the most important trading hubs in the world. The artist behind these statues, Aw Tee Hong, was a prominent Singaporean artist known for his paintings and sculptures. He immortalizes Singapore’s heritage, focusing on the country’s humble beginnings as a fishing village and its evolution into a modern metropolis.

[prohibitionprincesses]

Feibo Girl

Shanghai, China

For much of China, the phrase “Roaring Twenties” may have a less jovial meaning. While the U.S. is in the middle of its Jazz Age, China is in the middle of its Warlord Era. The end of the Qing Dynasty has seen China is split into waring fractions called cliques, with those living in the country suffering the worst violence. It’s an especially dangerous time to be a woman.

Fortunately, the Fa family lives in Shanghai, where the wars usually aren’t as close, and women’s rights are blossoming. Heavy with Western influence, the neon-lit city is “the cosmopolitan Paris of the East.” It’s an even blend of old and new. Ancient-looking ships sail past modern skyscrapers, and pedestrians push wooden carts next to buses and trollies. [Link] It’s a good thing the women of Shanghai have more opportunities, because the warlords impose high taxes on their people, and ill veteran Fa Zhou can no longer work. His wife brings in some money sewing trendy qipaos, but it’s not enough to cover necessities and the warlord’s taxes. So Mulan takes it upon herself to save her family from financial ruin.

She first tries getting a job at a cabaret called the Lucky Cricket. Her mother and grandmother help give her the makeover needed to transform Mulan into a winking Feibo Girl—a Chinese flapper. Then, hesitantly, Mulan bobs her hair using a long, sharp family heirloom. But despite her best efforts, Mulan’s clumsiness clashes with the cabaret owner’s inability to listen, resulting in a show that entertains everybody for all the wrong reasons. While the patrons laugh wildly and snark that the performer is “on fire,” the literally inflamed owner loudly fires Mulan.

Ashamed, Mulan sits in the family’s garden, deep in thought. Near an opened window, Grandma belts out to American jazz on the radio. Grandma’s dance session is interrupted by an announcement from Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, a political and military leader seeking to reunite China and put an end to the warlords. He is recruiting soldiers for what he calls “the Northern Expedition.” Mulan—athletic, strategic, crafty, and often mistaken for a boy—perks at the announcement.

Ling, Yao, and Chien Po giggle behind their fans as Zongchang boasts of his supposedly enormous masculinity. Meanwhile, Mulan and Shang quietly move to free the captured Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Along the way, they rescue another prisoner, from Zongchang’s kitchen; the Dog Meat General’s name has several possible meanings, but he does indeed enjoy certain canine dishes. Mulan saves an energetic pup from the butcher, and names him Little Brother. Though not the brightest pooch in the word, Little Brother sniffs out Sun Yat-Sen’s holding cell.

Since Mulan has already been bobbing her hair and binding her breasts per Western flapper fashion, all she really needs is a fake name. She enlists in the National Revolution Army under the alias “Ping.” Joining her are a tiny dragon sent by her ancestors, and the mascot from the Lucky Cricket. Training with both swords and machine guns, “Ping” initially causes some mayhem (thanks in no small part to pranks from her comrades). But by the time the troop boards the train out to their first battle, Ping is one of the most promising recruits Captain Li Shang has ever seen.

Control of the railways is crucial to the warlords’ power, and most battles are fought near tracks. While squeezed onto the train and speeding through the country, the soldiers’ songs about girls worth fighting for are punctuated with harrowing scenes of massacred villages. They pull to a stop at a town that’s been burned to the ground, where Li Shang’s father lies among the dead. This is not the work of just any warlord. This was the infamous “Dog-Meat General,” Zhang Zongchang. A particularly ruthless and incompetent ruler, Zongchang is the most feared of China’s warlords. Mulan’s ingenuity leads to the troop’s first major victory, when she creates an avalanche that buries Dog-Meat’s most important railroad—with most of his troops still onboard.

While in the infirmary, Mulan’s true sex is revealed. At first, Shang and the other men don’t know how to feel. But it turns out that a woman may be exactly what they need in their next move against Zongchang. The Dog-Meat General has a harem of 30-50 women, who are assigned numbers because he can’t remember their names. And he forgets their numbers. The guy is just asking for this infiltration. Mulan’s experience at the Lucky Cricket cabaret is now inviable. She drills the men on how to dress and act like attractive ladies, and the operation is soon underway.

Back at the harem, it’s time for the next phase of the plan. This requires the drag-queens to take out some guards, which means another distraction is needed. Luckily, the Dog-Meat General also fancies himself a poet. Mushu and the cricket take over the job of distracting him, by claiming to be his new typists.  Cri-Kee hops from ink to paper, taking down what the Dog Meat General dictates, while Mushu observes. The finished poem reads:

You tell me to do this,

"Poem about bastards" by Zhang Zongchang[b]

He tells me to do that.

You're all bastards,

Go fuck your mother.

Instead of applause, this poem is followed by an explosion of fireworks detonating all around his military base. Mulan has finally destroyed Zongchang’s army beyond salvaging. The Dog-Meat General himself is killed by an officer avenging his father; Li Shang blows his smoking pistol with satisfaction. Shang follows Mulan back to Shanghai, where they begin a new life together in a unified China.

AN: This picture came out looking very similar to the design that Jacquelynn Harris gave Mulan in her Disney flapper series. I assume this is because we both based the outfit on Mulan’s matchmaker attire, and her hair on actress Anna May Wong. The background border is clipart.

On the story: In the old version of my Disney flapper series, I set all the stories in the U.S. Someone suggested that I look at non-Western fashion from the era, and I dismissed the idea, ignorantly assuming that the Roaring Twenties only happened in the West. This time around, I decided to check if anything interesting was happening in China in the 1920s…and wow, what a rabbit hole! So many things fit so perfectly with Disney’s version of Mulan, especially with that bizarre Zongchang character. I’d never personally create an Asian villain with “dog meat” in his name, but the Dog-Meat General is one of those “can’t make this sh-t up” historical figures. Of course I took liberties with how the history actually played out, as Disney often does; but all of the personal traits described, from the numbered harem to the literal dog meat to that poem, were real. And yes, he was killed by an officer avenging a relative. 

To anyone so inclined, here are a couple of incredible time-capsul videos from China in around this time period. 

Up the Wangpoo River to Shanghai (1920s) 

A video with sound and color from 1929

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

So my last Animal Crossing poll, which Marshal won by a hair, got me thinking. I’d have to BUY Marshal because I don’t have his Amiibo on hand, and that gave me pause. I’ve bought so many AC Amiibo cards already that it almost became an addiction.

But then it hit me: I have a bunch of cards! So instead of spending money, and to make up for the other poll being tossed out, I have a new week-long poll to have you all decide who the REAL last boy on the island will be from out of the cards I have! The winner will join the island after my vacation!

Beneath the cut I will make the case for each of these choices! In addition, here is my current island roster:

Ankha

Barold

Beardo

Cephalobot

Marina

Muffy

Petri

Roscoe

Ruby

Tiansheng

1. Julian is genuinely one of the prettiest smug villagers, as well as one of my favorites overall. He’s a feminine male unicorn with slick style and one of the cooler houses among the mythical creature villagers. Plus I have a perfect spot for his house: A field of flowers on a seaside cliff.

2. Hans was my first smug villager, and has come and gone off my islands more times than I can count. He’s an absolute Chad, a buff yeti boy with style who unironically says “groovy” as his catchphrase. He’d also be a unique animal unlike most other choices.

3. Dobie is the best wolf in the game. He’s a cranky old grandpa, AND he’s a writer (meaning he’s literally me). The only downsides I can think of is I can’t ship his wrinkly ass with anyone, and that my daughter really seems to not like the wolves in this game (they scare her I think).

4. Pietro is da Jokah, baybee! He’s one of the most colorful characters around, and his clown style almost makes up for how awful his house is compared to his house in New Leaf. Almost.

5. I’m not too keen on another jock joining my island (Tiansheng is more than enough), but come on! It’s Kevin Bacon! Plus his catchphrase is “Weeweewee!”

6. Drago needs little elaboration as to why he’s cool: He’s a fat, lazy dragon who likes to eat and whose house looks like a Chinese restaurant. He’d make a good buddy/boyfriend to Tiansheng, I think.

7. Sasha is basically the ultimate femboy twink of the game, and he’s a bunny! He’s also the only male character with the fashion hobby! It is a bit weird hearing the himbo slob dialogue coming out of his mouth, though.

8. The underdog of the bunch. Elvis is the only character I have a card for who has never been on my island. He has a really cool house and he’d be a unique animal (there’s no other lion).

9. I love Cephalobot. I know I’m trying to vote him off, but he is a good buddy and he is cute. I guess I’m not opposed to keeping him for now.

10. There are other villagers I like who I could easily time travel for like Raymond, Chops, or Tucker. This would be first come, first served; whoever I like most that pops up first gets in.

[aikoiya]

LoZ - Hyrulean Cultural Aesthetics

Important to note, Hylians, Sheikah, Gerudo, & Lupáns are all considered human.

Those with pointed ears are referred to as Cuspan & those without are called Ovelian.

Overall Cultural Influences:

Central Hyrule & Hylians specifically = Medieval Germanic & Arthurian English with some variation depending on location. All Hylian towns will likely have a little bit of this in them.

Ovelians = Rural, small town, down home, farmer, tough as nails, survivor, rough around the edges, traditional, conservative, but still rebellious, & generally very good-hearted. That means they are the rednecks, the cowboys, the military men, the American Southerners, the Vikings, & the Celts kind of characters. You're salt of the earth types. At least in feel, though not necessarily in culture. It's because of this that humans generally get along well with Gorons. Either way, humans stick mostly to the agricultural & ranching settlements for the most part.

Zora = Hard to tell as they generally don't wear clothing, but they do wear a lot of jewelry. If I had to give them clothes, I'd definitely say they'd be something flowy. Possibly Roman or Greek in fashion to go with the water theme? As for sensibilities, maybe a bit of French Rococo. I also get the impression that the Zora's Domain is actually divided into 2 levels: the Upper Domain & the Lower Domain. The Upper Domain is what we see in the games & consists of the commercial district & palace. The Lower Domain is entirely underwater & is where the Zora actually live. The reason we don't see it is because Link can't dive.

Rito = Northern Native American. Aldean specifically. Maybe a bit of Latin American.

Goron = A mix of Maori (Polynesian), African, Dwarven, & maybe a bit of Old West mining town, though it's hard to tell for certain as they generally don't wear clothing. At the same time, their general architecture seems to have a Town of Bedrock-type feel to it. Definitely something with a decent source of friendly machismo (not what is considered "toxic masculinity;" actual machismo). Something masculine & tribal, but also community oriented & friendly.

Gerudo = Egyptian/Middle Eastern Amazons with some Orc influence. Possibly with some hints of Hindu too. At least as far as fashion goes.

Korok/Kokiri = If Peter Pan & the Lost Boys were Hobbits.

Twili = Possibly Scandanavian? Also Chinese with some Japanese influences.

Mogma = They seem to be Brooklyn-ish. Maybe even a bit of an Italian-American Mob feel, but more so in the "friendly gangster" way. So, I'm seeing some Bensonhurst influences, which is a specifically Italian-American borough within Brooklyn, I believe. Maybe even a bit of New York Jewish? Like, they come across as being Italian mafia adjacent, but only in so much as the accent, the attitude, & family-oriented organization. Sort of an "it takes a village" & "we take care of our own" type of mentality. Not in any way actually mafia though & certainly not in the romanticized view of gangsters as I don't actually see the Mogmas being the types to actually commit crimes on the reg. And despite being avid treasure-hunters, they seem to have a general culture of altruistic generosity. By that, I mean that their love language is gift-giving.

Yeti = Norse Viking.

Minish = Borrowers.

Anouki = Inuit.

Lokomo = Possibly Greek?

Zonai = Mesoamerican.

*Búralupán = Gaelic, Celtic, & Nordic. (This is a race I made up, if you wanna know more, go to Wolf Link & the Lupán Race.)

Smaller Settlements:

Hateno = I'm getting Gaelic Scottish farming town. Also maybe a bit of Spain, Italy, & Greece. Mostly inhabited by humans, both Cuspan & Ovelian.

Kakariko = Japanese with maybe a touch of American Old West. While primarily Japanese, there's also some definite South Korean influences. Especially in their cooking.

Mabe = Rustic dairy ranching town vibes because I'm putting Lon Lon Ranch there. Based on how AoC & LA's Mabe was designed, their roofing is colorful terracotta tile & generally has ivy & such growing on their homes, so maybe Colonial Spanish. Mostly inhabited by humans.

Goponga = I'm getting rural Luisiana Bayou vibes, most likely due to it being located in a swamp. So, primarily Cajun, French, & Colonial Spanish with some Zora inspiration maybe. Mostly inhabited by humans & Zora.

Deya = Not sure yet, but I'm giving them a vineyard, peach orchard, & making them use them to make moscato, so maybe an old Tuscany winery & fishing village? Mostly inhabited by humans. From what we see in the games, it was actually the biggest settlement in Hyrule besides Castle Town, so it could've been a full-on town or city.

Ordon = Has a rural ranching feel & might be inspired by a southern agricultural town in Italy called Ordona. So, maybe rural Italy with American South mannerisms & sensibilities. Culturally, though, I get Gaelic Irish vibes. It might be the smials… Also, maybe a little bit of Welsh too. Either way, it's mostly inhabited by Ovelians & Lupáns (more Ovelian than Lupáns) with the occasional Hylian, Sheikah, & 1 or 2 Gerudo. (For more of their overall culture, go to Ordonian Culture & Ordon Cooking Culture.)

Lurelin = Rural Hawaiian fishing village. Maybe a little bit of Caribbean & Okinawan? With a little bit of Mesoamerican mixed in due to Zonai influence from the nearby ruins.

Ealiyah = Tibetan-flavored Gerudo farming & brewing town. Maybe a little bit of Russian & hints of Norse too? Also, interior decoration is eclectic & cluttered but cozy & colorful in a vibrant, rustic Bohemian sort of way. There are also some influences from humans, including Ovelians, Hylians, Lupàns, & even Sheikah to a degree as several of each race lives there too (all men), but overall, the culture remains mostly that Tibetan-Gerudo sort of style. They do a lot of weaving & sewing as well as dying. (This is a town I made up, for more on its culture & history, go to Ealiyah Town & the Highlands Gerudo.)

- Hànmalàn Hamlet = A small majority Upper Middle Eastern/Southeast Asian-flavored Gerudo settlement in the Faron Jungle with some Lurelinites & a number of Sheikah living there as well. Located in Damel Forest.

Tabantha Village = Norse with Rito, Yeti, & Lupán inspiration. So, old Norse Viking, Aldean, Celtic, & Gaelic with a Russian & Welsh accent. They use a lot of furs in their clothing. Mostly inhabited by Ovelians, Hylians, Rito, Yeti, & Lupán.

Shadow Hamlet = Dwarven possibly, with Goron inspiration. So, very masculine. Maybe a bit of Old Western Mining Town. A mix of Gorons, Hylians, & Ovelians tend to live here.

Koholint Domain = This is on the Koholina Archipelago, which Eventide Island is the smallest island of & will eventually become a fishing & port town. In-world, it has influence from Zora, Rito, & Lurelin. But, from a real world perspective, it's mostly Polynesian, coastal Native American, & coastal Hindu with some ancient coastal Greco-Roman (even Atlantis-like) influence for the underwater sections of the settlement. As well as in their formal fashion. There would likely be a tiny bit of Carribean & Okinawan influence in there too. The population is made up of Euryhaline Zora (able to survive in both salt & fresh water), Coastal Rito, & Lurelin humans. And, much like with how I think the Zora's Domain is built, the settlement's commercial district is on land, while the Zora residential area is underwater. The Rito & human residences, as well as the Cheiftain's home, are also on land. (For more on the specifics of this, go to Euryhaline Zora & Coastal Rito Port Town.)

Gatepost, Outpost, & East Post = These are all a package deal. These are mostly military towns, so that'll definitely factor in. They are positioned in such a way as to protect Oldcastle. Mostly inhabited by Hyrulean Humans, but with smatterings of the other races too.

Oldcastle = The site of OoT's Castle Town, a.k.a. the Great Plateau, so there'll be some DEEP historical significance going on. As such, it's mostly Medieval Germanic & Arthurian English. Mostly inhabited by Hyrulean Humans.

LoZ Cultural Masterlist

[tammulberry]

MIRACULOUS GENESIS | The 1st Season of the Miraculous Dynasties AU by T.A.M. Mulberry begins

SYNOPSIS OF THE SEASON: Miracle Jewels were once widespread throughout the centuries as they traveled through worlds and through dynasties. However, when the rise of machines came, so did the fall of miracles. The new world had long forgotten the old ways as capital cities soon advanced to reach for the stars. After a mysterious rumbling was detected in Paris, a hopeless romantic with dreams of being a fashion designer and a famous teen celebrity collide the new world with the old world.

This is the return of the century. The return of the Yin and Yang. The origin of Ladybug & Cat Noir.

Years of the Yapping™ started in 2021 finished in ?

RATING: PG-13 WORD COUNT: 2.8k+

Copyright © 2024 by T.A.M. Mulberry

CHAPTER 1. The Invisible String

Long ago, before the rise of machines, there were miracles… 

For centuries, worthy heroes were given jewels that granted extraordinary magic from beyond this world. There are two miracle jewels, however, that stand on top of the hierarchy. The Ladybug of Creation and the Black Cat of Destruction. Juxtaposed for eternity — as one cannot live without the other. 

Legend has it — that when both these jewels are used at the same time, one will have the power to alter reality itself. 

“Are you willing to pay the price of absolute power?”

***

Along the many dark alleyways of Europe, an old Chinese man walked swiftly as if he were being chased. He had a red hibiscus shirt and board shorts underneath the long coat he wore in the chilly evening. On his back, he had a heavy knapsack. 

“I can feel the tug, Fu! We’re almost there!” A small floating creature that resembled a ladybug whispered excitedly. 

A string was shown to be present in the eyes of the creature. It was vibrating towards one source. The source that the strange crew had been following for months. 

“Patience, Tikki. We must proceed with extra caution. We may never know who could be watching!" A floating creature similar in appearance to a turtle scolded. He seemed to be the same species as Tikki. 

Just then, the frantic running stopped. The string was connected to an old crusty mansion that led to nothing but forested grounds. On the outside, it seemed to be abandoned as the vines were left to grow, the fences had paint falling off and the tall gate was full of rust. Nevertheless, it had shown signs of being beautiful once and Fu stared in awe at the sheer size of the mansion.

“So, this is where the string leads to…” 

"After all these years … the Qiji of Destruction laid dormant here," said the small turtle creature in wonder.

Fu glanced at it with a knowing look, and the small creature bowed as Fu said, "Wayzz, Scute Down." 

A magical energy traveled down his entire body and he transformed into a suit with the attributes of a turtle. A circular shield was on top of his head for good measure. 

"Tikki, where does the string lead to next?" Fu asked.

"I think it's … I think it's inside the mansion!" 

Fu contemplated before he took action. It was a gamble on their part. While the mansion looked abandoned, there is no saying that there isn't someone in the small village that was on to them. They needed to be careful.

"If you can feel the tug — then Plagg should be there. We'll retrieve him, Tikki. I promise," he reassured her, and they prepared to sneak in from the back. 

Just as expected, the mansion was covered in vines, rust and dust. Luckily, Fu’s suit protected him from any dangers that lay ahead. 

But not only was it armor — it also granted him superhuman abilities. 

They stopped below a balcony that led straight to the string. Fu grabbed one of the vines and swung it with enough force for him to roll inside. Except, it didn’t go too well and his landing went wrong as he fell splat on his face. 

“OW!” Fu groaned. 

“Are you okay, Fu?” Tikki asked, concerned.  

Crack! "Why, of course Tikki. I may be in my 70s, but I'm still young— ! Ow… right in the tailbone…” he rubbed his back in pain, which completely contradicted his previous statement. 

“Don’t worry, I can still function. Good thing Wayzz is here to keep me safe.” 

And so the old man and Tikki continued their search. Not a sound could be heard with each step he took. Fu could assume that the mansion was from an era before the rise of machines. Ornate doors that stood as tall as small trees, covered in dust. Statues that were in ruins. Curtains worn and torn. Elaborate paintings from moments forgotten in time. 

As they shuffled through cobwebs and the occasional rat, they opened a door that was relatively smaller than the other ones they passed. They were in what appeared to be a storage room. It was dusty and cluttered. Much like the rest of the mansion from the outside. 

"For such a beautiful mansion, it's really filthy," Tikki said, as she flew into even more cobwebs.

“Nevermind that now, Tikki. Now, we must look for Plagg!” 

As they continued their search, Tikki felt a tug. This time, it was much stronger than the previous ones. She looked around frantically and discovered that the string led to the next room. 

"Wait, Fu! It's in the next room!" Tikki whispered. 

"Brilliant, Tikki!" Fu exclaimed. 

After all these years, he was excited to see Plagg, the Qiji of Destruction. Fu had heard many things about him and if the legends were true, then he’d be face to face with the universe’s most dangerous force. It was fascinating to think about. 

But … at the same time, it felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders. To him, it meant freedom. To him, it meant the guilt he had been feeling for decades will finally be put to rest — 

CREAK! In his haste to get the job done, he moved recklessly within the storage room towards the door to the other side. The worn out wood of the floor squeaked loudly. He cringed at the sound in contrast to the almost heavy silence of the storage room.  

“WHO GOES THERE?” an unfamiliar voice boomed, and the both of them panicked. 

Fu and Tikki ducked beneath broken cabinets and cobwebs. Fu crawled as far away as he could from the voice. The latter was about to scold him for making that mistake but he shushed her. The two of them listened intently. Was someone following them this whole time? 

Yes, admittedly, he already knew that going into an abandoned mansion like this was a gamble. In fact, he didn’t want to go here in the first place. There were rumors that a kind old man would tend to it every now and then so he thought he could play the part, but… 

"They were here longer than us…" Tikki whispered in his ear.

The tension started to rise when they heard the doorknob twist. The two of them were hiding behind a grand piano and a curtain in one of the corners of the room. They prayed that they wouldn't get caught in a police search. Anything but that. 

Just then, it opened. With Fu still being transformed, his senses were heightened, and he heard two pairs of footsteps walk into the room. He tried to peak from where he was but all he could see were vague silhouettes. 

One of them seemed to be wearing a full suit with a tailcoat. The other looked to be in more casual clothing as he held a flashlight. And so the more sophisticated of the two spoke, "Has someone infiltrated the mansion?"

The other one surveyed the area more thoroughly, and Fu could hear his footsteps getting closer. He may not be in the best condition but he was still capable of defending himself through Wayzz. Fu tried to curl himself into a ball only for his back to betray him once again. 

I hope this isn't permanent, he thought to himself. 

As he braced himself along with Tikki, the man with the flashlight replied, "I can't seem to find anything." 

"Very well. It must have been a false alarm," said the man in a tailcoat calmly and he looked up. "Perhaps a light bulb fell…"  

Relief washed over Fu and Tikki as the former slumped down. He could hear the two men walking back to the exit of the other room. Fu peered over to get a better look at the two of them. Luckily, their backs were turned.

The refined young man coughed a bit as he walked into cobwebs. He swatted away at them and Fu couldn't help but feel amused. 

"We must really renovate this storage room. It is an absolute mess. Just like the mansion's exterior." 

"Agreed, sir." 

Tikki nudged Fu. "Now that we know there are people in the mansion, we need a new plan." 

"You're right, Tikki," replied Fu, as quietly as he could. "So — do you think we can sneak in from another route? 

"I'm not too sure. I can't make it that far without the Ladybug Miraculous near me." 

Fu observed Tikki as she concentrated. Her previous holder was not the most creatively adept person out there. A few moments later, Tikki jolted in the air. 

“Tikki, what’s wrong?” he asked 

"I don't understand — the movement is getting quite rapid," she said confused. “It's like someone is running and jumping.” 

At the same time, when the two men opened the door. They noticed another silhouette at the entrance. One that was shorter and resembled a kid. Fu had the height of one himself so who was he to assume? 

"Hey, boy. What are you doing staying up so late? And why are you here?" The sophisticated gentleman talked down to the silhouette. 

"I'm not sleepy. What's the problem with me staying up late anyway? You don’t even come and play with me.” 

That was most definitely a young boy, Fu thought. 

"Do not question my rules, brat. Know your place. Now go on, shoo and return to your mother." 

“Fine!” the young boy sneered and he slammed the door on the other side of the room shut. 

Something seemed to click in Tikki as she tried to rush towards him. 

"Wait a minute, the ring! It's on that child!" she whispered frantically.

“Tikki! Stop, they're going to hear us!” He yelled as he tried to grab onto her but immediately clamped his mouth shut as the two men looked around the place and at each other. 

"We should call a medium to this place soon. I believe it’s haunted," said the man in the tailcoat. 

"It's twelve in the morning, sir," the other man replied. 

And so the door slammed shut once again. Everything was dead silent. The swaying of grandfather clock’s pendulum was the only sound Fu could hear as his ears started to ring. 

“There’s still a chance to retrieve Plagg!” Tikki said but she was immediately stopped by an invisible force. The force that prevented her from going far from the jewels she was bound to. 

“If we follow this string then maybe we can—”

CLAC! 

“Oh, this was such a fun game of hide and seek," said the man from behind the other door’s entrance. 

Fu wasted no time as he felt his life flash before his eyes. 

“CARAPACE!” 

He broke the window and part of the wall with the expanded circular shield as he hastily grabbed the box. Tikki’s trail followed suit. He landed on one of the bushes and rolled out. A spherical shield had formed around him. A shield that no mortal machine can penetrate. 

As he rushed to the entrance, he looked around and noticed that there were more guards coming from the ground floor from both sides. 

Did they already know someone was breaking in? Where did they come from? 

“Fu!” Tikki yelled. “We can still go back there! The carapace can take on a thousand bullets! You have to fight!” 

An unpleasant memory flashed in Fu’s mind but the adrenaline from the sound of gunshots kept him focused on running away. 

“Nevermind that now, Tikki!” He answered back. “We need to keep running! They might track me down if I show my face!” 

They were nearly out of the mansion. All he had to do was bulldoze through the gate and he can detransform somewhere safe enough to look like an innocent bystander. 

Fu thought it was futile for the guards to continuously fire their ammo, but little did he know that there was a crack in the carapace. It was like time slowed down the moment he saw the first hole on the shield. The look of horror on his face as he wondered how that was possible. 

I’m sorry, Tikki…

His desire to be free from the guards overrode anything else and he managed to break through the gate. He ran, and ran, and ran until he reached a forest outside of the mansion’s territory. It was guarded by thick trees and bushes that light couldn’t pass through. He kept himself transformed in case they used their weapons again. Fu could hear the guards as they walked in the direction that he escaped, his ears muffled by the intense ringing. He hyperventilated and prayed that they would stop looking. 

He didn’t want to die. Not like this. Not in a state so pathetic. 

He overheard the man in the trenchcoat talking to what seemed to be the head guard of the mansion. “We need to issue a search party. What did the man look like?”

“I wasn't able to see his face clearly, sir.” 

In the brief silence, Fu thanked the universe for Miànshā—the veil that managed to keep the identities of jewel holders hidden.

“However, I suspect he is one of those people.”

That silence was broken as he flinched at the light. “We need to issue a search party. We don’t know just how much that man saw. But if he is what you think he is, he can’t be left alive.” 

The color left his face as the men walked in the other direction. 

He can’t be left alive… 

If he’s caught… then he’s going to die…

***

Four hours had passed since the fiasco at the mansion. Fu had detransformed. He, along with Tikki and Wayzz, found themselves in another dusty old shed in the countryside. They were able to hitch a ride on a train far from the mansion. 

They were safe, at least for now. 

Fu was afraid. Something wasn’t right about that place. Even a fool like him could tell. It seemed like no one was there when they snuck in but once the man in the trenchcoat knew, it was like the guards on the ground floor appeared out of nowhere. 

“You understand the situation, right? You’re a wanted man now, Fu,” his Qiji, Wayzz reminded him. 

“I am aware of that, Wayzz,” said Fu, agitated. “What I don’t understand is how those guards managed to damage carapace. It’s supposed to be impenetrable to machines and technology, and—” 

“Fu. Those guns they were using had Mogui energy in them. Those weren’t just ordinary mortal weapons,” explained Tikki. 

“But that’s impossible…” Fu got up from the haystack he sat on.

“Do not tell me what’s impossible, Fu. I know what I saw and I know for a fact that the mansion is hiding something more sinister than we realize. And you ran away.” 

“I know! I know…” Fu said as he tried to calm himself and Tikki looked at him intently.  

“How long are you going to run, Fu?” She asked him sternly. “How long are you going to keep up this act of bravery? Feeding us false hope? It has been decades.”

“I’m afraid I agree with Tikki on this matter, master,” said Wayzz ruefully. “Perhaps if you stayed and pursued Plagg then—”

“That’s easy for you to say!” Fu snapped and they stayed quiet. He couldn’t bear to hear the words of Wayzz or Tikki any longer. 

"A hundred years to both of you is like a blink in time. You cannot die but I can! You don’t know what it’s like to fear dying! If I didn’t have to die then everything could have stayed the same as it always was!” 

Wayzz and Tikki did not answer back anymore and Fu let out a deep breath as he slumped in front of the haystack, his hands on his face. 

“We cannot go back there. I don’t think we can stay in this country any longer,” said Fu, more to himself than to the two of them. “If we manage to escape outside their borders, we will be outside their jurisdiction.” 

Wayzz and Tikki looked at each other, as if they pitied him. 

Fu started to regain control over his own emotions as he remembered something that made him smile again. Even after all this time. 

“Wayzz,” he started as he looked at both of them. “Tikki.” 

He looked at them half-heartedly. A million questions, a million memories, a million regrets flooded his mind but there was one that resounded in his head the most. 

“Are you going to run away again?”

“It is time for us to go to Paris.” 

Perhaps he had ulterior motives. Perhaps it was born from the primal desire of not wanting to die. There were many things Fu feared but to die without atoning for his mistakes terrified him the most.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Author's Note:

I'm so excited to share my passion project with everyone. I've been working on it for over 3 years now and it's about time that it got published.

This isn't really a rewrite of the show per se but the beginning does follow the origin slightly before completely going off the rails in the next few chapters. This is just an exploration and my attempt at trying to make a living, breathing world for these characters because I really enjoy the quantic universe and I guess this is my take on it if it focused on one magic system specifically.

Some notable differences will be the age range and the target audience. This AU is not really for younger kids like the original show and that is why the main cast's age range in Dynasties is 18-20 as the story starts with them in their last year at Lycee Francoise Dupont.

There will also be some changes in terms to keep it consistent with the Chinese mythology that the magic system is based on (ex. Kwami is changed to Qiji) and a lot of changes and additions to the magic system like the powers or weapons to fit with the lore of the Dynasties AU better.

Hopefully, there will be people who can enjoy this silly little fanfic series of mine and I thank you so much if you do!

[izscha]

What sort of skills do you think each of the monks shared with the others? Did Clay teach the others gardening/lassoing/animal caring/whittling/sewing/etc? Did Kimiko teach the others electronics/social media/video games/makeup/fashion/skincare routines/etc? Did Omi teach the others reading and writing in Chinese calligraphy traditional for the scrolls/formal martial arts forms/meditation/etc? Did Raimundo teach the others pranks/soccer-futbol/chess/etc?

Just what sorts of exchanges and enrichments do you think the four of them brought each other while they got used to living together?

I have this headcanon that Kimiko teaches the boys (Raimundo and Clay specifically) on how to change up their style a bit, more so for Raimundo cuz I reckon he'd be interested in the current hot fashion in Japan. Clay would participate only cuz he likes investing time with his friends' interests.

Raimundo and Clay would also share and practice cooking recipes from their native countries with each other, since both of their diets are pretty similar to each other. (I have a strong feeling Clay would be a big fan of Brazilian food, especially when it comes to meat.)

I like the idea that Clay teaches Kimiko how to sew, cuz that gives Kimiko the advantage of modifying her outfits even further.

Since they (probably) live in China, Omi could bring his friends to nearby rural villages every time there's a national holiday event/festival going on as a means to teach them about the culture he grew up with.

I saw someone else's headcanon that the monks would teach each other on how to speak their native languages respectively, so the temple life slowly feels like a multilingual hub. I very much enjoy that headcanon.

My headcanons pretty much consist of them doing cultural exchanges between each other, which is something I wish they explored more in the original show.

[worldofasianfashion]

The Barbie of Fashion: Sandy Liang

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Written by: Elijah Magalong, CSULB

Welcome Back! This week we will be the spotlighting the Asian-American designer, Sandy Liang.

Satin pink bows, Mary Jane flats, and flowery grocery bags may be what is evoked when the name "Sandy Liang," is thrown around but her rise to the top of street fashion in Downtown New York is remarkable.

images from: https://www.oprahdaily.com/style/a23553236/fashion-sandy-liang-chinese-culture/ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/fashion/sandy-liang-fleece.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article

From growing up in Bayside, Queens to walking around Chinatown and the Lower East Side near her parents' restaurant, Congee Village, Sandy Liang took inspiration from her childhood experiences and role models. The first being her Paw Paw, her grandmother, who continues to be a source of adoration from the designer for her authenticity and eccentricity as a Chinatown Grandma. This leopard fleece on the right was dubbed the “the hottest jacket in men’s wear” by GQ in 2019, which gave the brand its highest level of visibility at the time.

Sandy Liang has since started to draw inspiration the girlhood within. She expresses several times that she is simply a "girl designing for a girl.” She embraces feminine expression through sartorial decisions such as multiple "girly" motifs such as flowers, hearts, stars and anything you would find in a girl's diary.

images from: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a42842431/sandy-liang-downtown-uniform-interview-profile/

Her garments mix practicality and a whimsical way of dressing, always designing with the mindset that women may be able to wear her clothes on the subway, no matter the occasion: going to work, playing sports, or anything a woman wants. Her most recent collection emphasized this concept of a female uniform, the dress: the first girl is at prom and the second is a girl getting up from a dream.

Successful collaboration after successful collaboration, Sandy Liang continues to push the zeitgeist instead of being lead by it. Combining both pragmatism and femininity allows women to embrace female energy in their contemporary lives that blur into androgyny. Sandy Liang's juxtaposition of power suits with bows and lace dresses with hiking shoes continue to draw in women who are strong, capable, and in touch with something that connects her audience even before they purchase her clothes: girlhood.

Next week, we will visit the esteemed designer, Grace Ling!

[thecapturedafrique]

HLAW: Day 2—Skills v. Passions/Chocolate

I hope everyone has been having a fantastic HLAW so far! I was out of town on vacation this past Juneteenth weekend and am definitely late to the party, but I wanted to share my idea of how Hana’s extensive skill set came to be! This post covers not only the skills we’re shown directly in canon but also the subjects she’d have been expected to be educated in as a noble lady. While it was originally intended to be a list of bullet points, I ended up adding more elaboration (and a little bit of the second theme there at the end lol).

Tagging @hanaleeappreciationweek and its awesome hosts @lizzybeth1986 and @sazanes!

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In my version of Hana’s backstory, she was educated from ages of 5 to 10 primarily by her Taiwanese governess Tài Luó, named after the character Miss Anne Taylor from Emma. This included the basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as some local history and folklore alongside the life sciences.

Under different tutors, Hana began additional lessons in French and Italian as well as the fine arts. This included painting and singing but began with the piano, when 3-year-old Hana first demonstrated her talent by repeating a section played by her mother, leading Lorelai to seek the best piano teacher money could buy.

Lin Changsong (parodied after the real pianist Yin Chengzong) agreed to instruct Hana after hearing her play, teaching her musical theory as well. He also encouraged her to take up another instrument after she demonstrated an aptitude for composition, and so she was also to a far lesser extent taught to play the violin.

After her tenth birthday, Hana’s governess was exchanged for an etiquette coach to prepare her for her first high societal appearance at the upcoming English Social Season. Named after the tutor from Barbie in the Princess and the Pauper, Lady Julianne de Montfort is the heiress to the extinct IRL duchy of Brittany.

Under her tutelage, Hana became fully fluent in French and thoroughly instructed in all of the social graces like conversation, decorum, and courtly manners. Lorelai also enrolled her in the Shanghai Dance School for additional lessons, where she learned ballet and classical Chinese dances from the instructor Shi Zhongyi.

Though having already been taught to sew by her grandmother Lee Bao, Hana was sent to the Shanghai Embroidery Institute, where she had to take supplementary knot tying lessons after finishing early. Bao encouraged her to take her skills further, first for dressmaking and later on for fashion design in general.

Hana’s academic studies were furthered as well by various instructors in world/cultural/ancient history, philosophies of multiple doctrines, classical literature (both Western and Chinese), advanced mathematics, and the physical/social sciences (including astronomy, chemistry, economics, political science, and sociology).

Her instruction in the equestrian arts took place while abroad in England for the Social Season, where she joined the riding club at Wimbledon Village Stables and learned dressage as well as the various riding styles. Hana was led by her parents to partake in other “noble” sporting activities like polo, ice skating, and archery.

She also learned some tai chi from Bao, who passed soon after her 15th birthday. This also ended Hana’s lessons with both Lady Julianne (which had evolved into fencing practice) and Lin Changsong, as they had both been financed by her grandmother after receiving the blame for her last public piano performance at age 12.

Hana was given a laptop to attend the online Balissande Finishing School, where her social education shifted to focusing on developing her skills as a hostess. This included courses on interior decorating and the history of art and furniture, which ignited her genuine interest in historical interior design.

One of the conditions to be a debutante for the Queen Charlotte's Ball (the finale of Hana’s official court debut) was entering a university program. While Lorelai and Xinghai did limit her options to areas of study they deemed would increase her appeal to noble suitors, Hana was still excited to choose the culinary arts.

She attended the Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland to earn her Swiss Grand Diploma in Pastry & Chocolate Arts, and her internship at Le Cordon Bleu Shanghai further refined her palate. Her graduation at the age of 18 marked the end of Hana’s formal training period, and thus began the search for an eligible husband.