#Harlem Fashion Week

[benitacharles]

Tomorrow (Feb 6th): I will be performing in the HFW Rhythm & Runway event at iNine Bistro in the Bronx. Join us for an intimate evening as we blend beats and couture in a celebration of culture and creativity while enjoying delicious cuisine! Showtime 7:00 pm/Doors open at 6:00 pm. For tickets, visit:

[trippybandzzz]

[whore-ibly-hot]

Yan!Cage-Fighter x Fem!Reader

'Paying bills ain't easy'

18+ Minors DNI

Warnings: Toxic behavior, traditionally masculine roles, power dynamics, violence, murder, jealousy, subpar spanish, cursing, mentions of sex, description of unsafe neighborhoods.

(AN: I know I said I was working on the part two for the fae fic, and a fashion designer piece, but the idea for this guy hit me like a train. Apologies for any Spanish mistakes, I'm coming along in my learning!)

The sound of raucous cheering rings out throughout the crowd of the 'Dog Pit' Den, Harlem's most prolific underground fighting spot. Fighters from all over the city come here to try and earn a living wage. Backbreaking, degrading work, boxing, kicking, and spitting in the no-rules ring. A crack, a cheer, and the sound of a collapsing body, before the announcer yells that Matias Lopez has taken yet another challenger down. A sweaty, tanned man hops back and forth on his feet, arms raised in the air as he celebrates his victory.

"Ladies and gentleman, Matias 'The Mayhem' has taken down yet another challenger! You know what that means! Make some noise!" The announcer yells, and the room shakes with boos and cheers, the stomping of feet making the ground tremble. "Matias Lopez has won the 500 dollar Rookie Fighters Championship prize!" Another round of yells, and Matias spits on the ground. He makes his way out of the cage, kissing the rosary his mother always makes him wear, even when he's cracking skulls in an illegal cage-fighting circuit. To be fair, she doesn't know. He sighs, tearing his fist-wrappings off and running a hand through his sweaty locks. He changes out of his outfit, switching into a casual gray hoodie, a pair of sweats, and some slides. After reapplying deodorant, he hears someone outside. One of the guys who runs the 'Dog Pit' has come to give him his check.

"Yo, Matias, my man!" He greets, slapping a hand on Matias's toned shoulder. "Me and some of the 'execs' as we've taken to calling ourselves are gonna hit the club', you in?" Mattias, clicks his tongue, and shakes his head. "Nah man, not tonight. I gotta get home n' see my girl. I was supposed to be home earlier." He glances down at the floor. "Shit, alright man, here's your check. I'll see you later." Mattias nods as the man heads out, stuffing the check into his duffle bag, before sliding out the alley exit.

Matias and you have been dating for a little over a year now. Both of you met in a pretty rough part of town, he was working a day-job at a gas station, and you were a cafe worker. He'd come in occasionally, claiming that the gas station coffee just wasn't up to his standards. He scared you, at first. Mattias has a very tough exterior, tattoos and muscles, but an even tougher interior. He was kind of stoic when you first met, and you couldn't quite get a read on him. He wasn't outwardly flirty or affectionate, which is why it took six weeks of him stopping by the coffee shop for him to pull you aside and ask what he was doing wrong, and why you weren't picking up on his advances. You had explained, and shortly after that you began dating. It was only a month or so into dating when you had learned of his cage-fighting career, but he assured you that he was tough, and no guy was gonna hurt him. You both needed the money on the side, so you reluctantly agree. That's what leads up to where you are now, passed out on your couch, waiting for him to come home.

He heads towards your shared apartment as quickly as he can, taking the subway about 8 blocks east, before running up the fire escape to the flat's balcony. He knows you deadbolted the door any time past 8:00, and doesn't blame you. It's kind of a dangerous neighborhood, and he feels bad enough leaving his girl home alone as much as he does.

"Pobre mami, espero que no me haya esperado." (Poor mami, hope she didn't wait up for me.) He pulls up the window, making sure to slip in quietly, in case you had already gone to sleep. As he places one foot on the floor, the wood barely creaks beneath him, when he hears a soft groan coming from the couch.

"Matty?" You mumble, sitting up from the plush couch and rubbing your eyes, trying to make out his large silhouette. He sighs, tossing his bag to the side as he stretches "Hey, hermosa, did I wake you up?" He asks, looking at you with his usual hooded gaze. "I guess, I don't think I was asleep that long..." You run a hand through your hair. "How'd it go?" He smiles softly, chuckling. "You know me, baby, I don't lose." He sits on the arm of the couch. "Gotchu' five hundred dollars, gonna' get you something real pretty with it." You sigh, and shake your head. "You've got me plenty of gifts, what we should be doing is saving up for somewhere else to live." You explain. He shrugs. "Yeah, you right, you right. That's my bad." He puts his hands up in surrender. "Well, if you aren't gonna let me get you somethin' pretty, you outta lemme' take ya to bed." Before you can react, he scoops you up in his arms, causing you to squeak.

"Don't scare me like that, God!" You smack his chest, but your hand only bounces off his firm pecs. e chuckles. "Gonna' have to hit harder than that, mami." He flicks off the living room light as he carries you to your shared bed. He lays you down, gently this time as opposed to the times he throws you on the bed, usually to pin you down and tickle you, saying things like '¿Qué pasa, bonita? Solo empújame, no es tan difícil...' (What's wrong, Pretty? Just push me off, it's not that hard...). Sometimes though, his manhandling isn't that innocent. As you snuggle down into the bed, Matias strips off his hoodie, and you blush at the way the light coming in through the blinds hits his chest. He lets out a soft groan, as the plush mattress and soft bed sheets soothe his sore body. Matias bites his lips as his eyes trace over your sleepy form, and he rolls over onto his side, tucking an arm around your waist.

"Mmm, no Matias... m' too tired tonight." You whisper, your face scrunching up. Matias was never a very soft guy. Playful and devilish, sure, but soft? No. His hands were calloused from years of bruising skin and bloodying faces, working and scrounging every penny he can get to get a better life for himself. Deep down, he couldn't imagine placing these damaged, dangerous hands on something as soft and sweet as you. He could snap you in half if he desired, and the thought terrifies him.

"What, no baby... I'm not tryna' smash at-" He looks over at the clock. "Shit, 1:00 am already? Jesus Christo..." He turns back to you. "Just wanna hold you, mami." He presses his long torso up against the curve of your back, pressing his face into your curls and inhaling your scent. "You feeling okay?" You ask. He knows he doesn't. He knows he should have been home for you sooner, and it didn't help that he had to make a stop on the way back home.

He feels a sense of dread in his stomach. You won't ever know about the stop he made, you were asleep. Besides, he comes home late all the time. What you will learn about is your bloodied new co-worker being found with his skull smashed in, just a few blocks from the cafe. Due to the graphic scene he left behind, it's sure to be on the morning news. Matias hadn't expected your new friend to be working the late shift, but he was still on an adrenaline high from the fight, and god... he couldn't stand the idea of that bitch getting to spend more time with you than him. He wants to be home for you more, he does, but he can't. Still, that doesn't mean he's going to let any other guy fill that void. Hell no.

"I'm fine, Hermosa. Just sore from the fight, wanna' hold my baby." He whispers, placing a chapped kiss on the shell of your ear, making you flinch. "That tickles..." You giggle. He smiles, and squeezes you gently. "C'mon, stop being silly. Necesitas descansar, especialmente después de quedarte despierto para mí." (You need to sleep, especially after staying up for me.) He scolds. You roll over to face him, and tuck your head into the crook of his neck. "Love you, Matty." You sleepily coo, before drifting off in his arms. He freezes, his breath labored for a minute as he looks down at you. Even now, after dating for so long, he can't process the softness of you juxtaposed with the beatings he both takes and gives every other weeknight. It's a transition he sometimes struggles to handle. He feels a smile creep onto his face, and he curls your small form into him, practically cradling you against his broad chest. God, he'll take on an extra five challengers next time, all for you.

"Gonna get you a penthouse baby, real nice neighborhood too. Somewhere safe, somewhere that makes me feel better about leavin' you all alone..." He whispers, knowing you can't really hear him. "Better not have anyone but me over, no fucker's from work, aight'? I'll kick the shit out of any of em' just for you..."

[olsenmyolsen]

This Is Me Trying - Two - (A Y/N Parker Spider-Woman X Kate Bishop Story)

masterlist

Summary: The Hawkeyes and you seem to be on the same track...

Word Count: 3.5K

Content: College stress, Flirty Kate Bishop, Clint being a dad

"Kate Bishop! Your crush! Asked you that!? No way!" Ned, of course, couldn't believe it. But this was the same man who didn't realize he was going out with Betty Brant for two weeks

"What did you say after she asked?" MJ questioned when she looked up from behind her laptop on the couch.

"I said, "yeah!" and "that's awesome." Was that good?"

MJ shook her head. "Truly a wordsmith." Sarcastic as ever. MJ went back to her screen to basically ignore you and Ned.

"Well, anyways, congrats," Ned said, getting up from the dining room table where his and Peter's LEGO Death Star was kept. Why was it in your dorm and not there's you had no idea. But MJ helped from time to time, so you figured it was okay.

Ned and you walked into your room and closed the door.

"You know it's a good thing everyone knows you're gay, or else the amount of time we go to your room alone would be suspicious." You froze and thought about Ned's words. "Yeah, I guess... I wonder what MJ thinks we do?"

"I think Peter said we watch movies that she'd disapprove of."

That made sense. "Hmm, alright." You walked over to your bed and flopped onto it while you waited for Ned to do what he needed to do.

3...2...1. "Okay, got it." He said as your fingers formed into a 0. "Alright, what am I looking at?" Ned had pulled up security footage from a traffic light from three weeks ago.

"Okay, this was when that building on 10th in Hell's Kitchen burned down." Ned played the video, and it showed a group of guys in Tracksuits fleeing from the building as they piled into a black SUV moments prior to the building going up.

"Okay. So the Tracksuits are back.." You thought out loud as Ned moved his cursor to another video.

"This was from last week on 3rd in Harlem." The video played and was almost identical to the third one. Except the SUV and the plates on the car were different.

You stood in thought as the last video started. "This was last night."

You recognized the building immediately as you remember zipping past it last night. Just like the other two videos, it played out the same. When the video stopped, Ned looked at you.

"Okay, so as bad as their fashion choice is, they're not idiots. They have different cars and plates every time. Their faces are covered, and let me guess, if we follow the cars light by light, they end up at a chop shop?"

Ned nodded.

"So... it's gotta be the buildings." Ned tilted his head. "What do you mean? It's not the chop shops?" You shook your head. "Chop shops are easy to bust. It's like they want you to follow them there. The buildings. The ones they burn. That's the real money."

Ned looked from you to the screen.

"So you think these tracksuit guys are burning the buildings for insurance money?" You shook your head and entered your closet to change into your Spidey Suit.

Just because you're gay doesn't mean you want guy your friend Ned to see you.

"No, I think someone is hiring these guys to do it." You huffed as you remembered who had the tracksuit mafia in his pocket last time.

Wilson Fisk. The Kingpin.

He was a roach you could never squash just right.

If he owned the buildings, that means there was a lot more at play.

"Okay." You stepped out of the closet and quickly scarfed down a leftover slice of pizza Ned had. "Do you think you could find out who owns these buildings?" Ned nodded. "It's probably a bunch of shell companies, but I can do my best." You patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks, man." You hurried across your room and grabbed your mask.

"Oh, and when Peter comes over, could you maybe not tell him I went patrolling? Tell him I overheard something on the radio." Ned gave a flat smile.

Lying was not his strong suit.

"If you do, I'll-"

"Hey, Y/N, are you still in there?" You gave a panicked look to Ned before putting on your mask and twhiping away before MJ wildly opened the door.

She looked from the open window to Ned.

"Where's Y/N?"

"Uhhh..." Ned was really bad at lying. "She left..ago- a while ago!" He was in trouble. "Yeah?" MJ crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. "How come I didn't see her leave?"

Ned's brain scrambled.

"Blindness?" Ned said, making MJ stand up straighter. "I turn a blind eye to many things, Ned, but this won't be one of them." She uncrossed her arms and stretched her arm out to grab the door handle to the room. "By the way, nice camera footage, totally not suspicious at all." She thinned her eyes and hummed as she closed the door.

After swinging for what felt like a good enough distance away from campus, you stood on the roof of an old pizzeria.

Your phone chimed, and you had a text from Ned. "Did my best. Sorry. 😭😭😭"

You laughed and reassured him that he wouldn't be fired from his guy-in-the-chair duties.

"Keep me posted on the buildings." You sent your final text and put your phone away.

You then stared out into the boro you find yourself in. In the distance, you can see what remains of a shootout you helped rescue people from two months ago. You think about a girl you saved who said she wanted to be like you when she grew up.

Your heart warmed, and you told her to stay in school and that she'd be better than you.

Which was looking more and more accurate by the day as you leaped off the pizzeria, ignoring a text from your brother about the essay you still needed to do.

At the same time, Kate Bishop entered her dorm room, walking past her blonde roommate and fast friend Cassie Lang at her desk before Kate collapsed facedown onto her bed.

"What's wrong?" The slightly shorter of the two, Cassie, turned around and asked. "Tired." Kate's muffled voice spoke.

"How late were you out last night?" Cassie asked as she stood up, approaching her friend's bed. "Past 3," Kate said, making Cassie go wide-eyed. "Kate Bishop! The rule was 2:30 at the latest!"

Kate rolled over and lifted herself up. "I'm sorry." She pouted at her friend, who instantly pulled her into a comforting hug that turned into Kate leaning on Cassie's shoulder. "What else is wrong?" Cassie asked as she saw how exhausted Kate looked.

"Nothing," Kate said, but Cassie wasn't so sure. "Are you doing some overthinking?" Kate froze eventually before nodding. "What about?"

"Clint and the Tracksuits."

Kate spoke freely about her other life to Cassie.

Kate used to tell people openly about how she was working with an Avenger, but after what happened with her mom and Kingpin last year, she toned it down.

Now, the only people who know are Cassie, Pizza Dog, and a rouge assassin for hire. Plus, Clint and his family.

Cassie only found out when she woke up in the middle of the night to see Kate in her Hawkeye outfit on the floor.

Kate tripped, falling through the window, and busted her chin.

Kate wanted to tell more people like you. But as previously mentioned. She liked you and didn't want you to get hurt because of her.

So, she kept her Hawkeye circle small.

However, Kate couldn't get the idea out of her head... what if she told you?

"Kate?" Cassie poked the forehead of her dorm mate. "Where'd you go?" She asked.

Kate sat up and cracked her neck, ignoring the question. Cassie noticed as she raised her eyebrows and returned to her desk. Choosing schoolwork, Chemistry in particular, over prying answers from Kate.

"Do you think I should tell Y/N?" Kate spoke up and waited for Cassie to turn around. But she didn't.

"Cass?" Kate asked as she stepped off her bed and walked next to her friend. "Cass?" She asked again before realizing Cassie had put in her AirPods.

Cassie turned to her left and jumped, startled, before pulling them out. "Oh shit. What's up?!" Kate opened her mouth. "I..- nothing. I just was going to tell you that I.. wanted to.."

She couldn't do it.

"I wanted to invite Y/N to my archery practice!" Kate put on a smile and watched her friend's face light up.

"Oh my God, I love that! Please do it! Ugh, she's so pretty!" Cassie was happy for her friend finally doing something about her crush. "She is," Kate replied with a blush. "Think she'll show?" Kate then asked.

"Why wouldn't she?" Cassie tilted her head, entirely focused on the conversation.

Cassie and you had hung out briefly when your friend group and Kate's got together, but she has never witnessed how your superhero life affects you.

Kate shrugs. "Lately, Y/N has been... flaky isn't the right word.. but not here? I guess? She's always tired too. She bails on plans with her and Peter sometimes."

Cassie raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

"I've seen it at the library. Their study block is next to mine." Cassie nodded. "Plus, MJ's told me."

"Michelle Jones?" Cassie questions, making Kate nod. "She's roommates with Y/N, right?" Kate nods again. "Well, what does she think." Kate folds her lips into her mouth and raises her eyebrows.

"She thinks Y/N is The Spider."

Cassie's mouth drops before forming into a smile of laughter. "What?!" Kate nods with her own smile. "It's true. She's convinced."

Cassie laughs, making Kate giggle. "She took pictures of The Spider over a summer once. That doesn't mean she's THE Spider." Kate nodded as her smile naturally faded. "That would be funny," Kate said, making Cassie laugh again.

"Well, good luck with having your crush at practice tomorrow." Kate waved Cassie off as she went to the bathroom to shower and change. "Going out?" Cassie yelled through the closed bathroom door.

"Not till later. Why?" Kate replied as she took her top off. Her eyes finding a yellow bruise on her chest. "Looks like it's gonna snow."

And snow it did.

It started to come down after you stopped an armed robbery. Armed being used lightly as the men committing the crime were carrying toy guns.

Plus, the bank they chose to hit was a block down from a police station.

So, as you swung back up onto a nearby roof, snow hit your mask. You smiled and lifted up the mask to expose your mouth and nose. You inhaled and exhaled, watching your breath hang in the air.

The snow touched your face and melted against your warm pink cheeks.

It was cool and calming.

A few seconds of much-needed peace.

"I love snow." You whispered to yourself as the wind blew, making you shiver, but you remained now sitting on the roof with your smiling face to the darkened sky.

After enough time, you pulled out your phone.

"I should see if anyone needs any help." But before you could check the Friendly Neighborhood Spidey App, you were receiving a call from an unknown number.

"Ew, who calls anyone after 7?"

You weighed the options of answering it due to your fear of talking on the phone, but after three rings, you caved. "Hello?"

"Yes, hello, I'm calling for a Y/N Parker." The male voice on the other end sounded familiar.

"This is she." You said, standing up. "Ah, Y/N! Nice to put a voice to a list of your academic achievements." The male chuckled. "This is Dr. Otto Octavius." You physically stopped pacing and smiled. Holy crap! You were speaking to THE Dr. Octavius!

"Dr. Octavius! Hello! Wow, I can't believe you called. I take it Dr. Connors passed along... well, my life." You sent a small laugh Otto's way. "He did." He replied with a smile. "And I must say he was right; you're a bright student, Y/N."

You made a "yeah!" gesture with your arm.

"But-" Oh no! "I agree with Connors when he says you've been struggling. I can see just by looking at your grades and past reports that you're lazy. Brilliant but lazy."

"I- I'm trying to do better." You paved around the empty rooftop. "I've just had a lot of personal stuff happening lately."

The other side of the line went quiet.

"Parker, intelligence is not a privilege. It's a gift."

You opened your mouth to defend yourself, butDr. Octavius stopped you. Do you think you'll be free after the holidays?" You perked up at that and stood on your tiptoes.

Was he saying what you thought he was saying?

"Uh yes- yes sir! You'll have my undivided attention!"

Dr. Octavius hummed.

"On the second Monday after the new year, I'd like to speak with you face to face. From there, we can see how we'll proceed with one another. That's about a month away, Parker. That should give you time to get your other affairs in order."

You nodded your head. "Yes, sir. Thank you!"

"I'll email you the information and where to meet me two weeks from now. Happy Holidays."

The line went dead, and you cheered. You just got an interview with Dr. Otto Octavius. He called you lazy, but he also said you were brilliant!

You put your phone away and jumped off the roof of the building with an aloud cheer that you were certain people did not appreciate.

Meanwhile, Kate was unlocking the door to her aunt's place to meet up with Clint. What she wasn't expecting was for Clint to be there already.

"Trust me, I don't plan on missing two Christmas' in a row."

Clint was on the phone.

Kate quietly closed the door, dropped her bag, and quiver on the floor.

"Laura..." Clint sounded tired. "With Kingpin back, I'd feel awful if I left and something happened." Kate's lips formed into a flat line. "Yeah, no, she's great. Kicking ass on her own." Clint said and laughed when his wife replied back.

Kate tried to remain quiet, but a floorboard creaking under her left foot gave her away. Lucky's head shot up from Clint's lap, making the archer turn around. "Hey, babes, Hawkeye just arrived, so I gotta go. Yeah. Yeah. I'll be safe. Love you too."

Clint smiled before hanging up. "She says hi." Kate nodded and told Clint to tell Laura hi the next time they spoke.

Kate grabbed a spot on the loveseat next to the couch.

"I didn't hear you come in," Clint spoke up as he put his phone away. "Don't know if that's my old age or..." He tapped his ear. "Maybe I'm just getting better at sneaking around," Kate replied with a smile.

Clint nodded his head with a chuckle. Kate was saving him from embarrassment.

Clint was still struggling with his hearing loss.

"Yeah, well... maybe it's all three," Clint said as he looked away from Kate. His hand still petting the dog.

Something in the room always shifted when talks like these happened. It reminded the two archers that time and missions with one another were limited.

Clint couldn't do this forever.

He didn't want to do this forever. He had a family and a life outside of being Hawkeye.

But damn, if he wasn't going to miss someone, he considers family—an annoying girl who was somehow more skilled than him but clumsy as hell, Kate Bishop.

Clint kicked his tongue and scooted Lucky off his lap before getting up and grabbing a water from the ridge and a laptop from his bag. "While you were at school. I got a friend to do a little research."

Clint returned, sitting at the edge of the couch closest to Kate. He opened the laptop and clicked on a folder of files. Blueprints. Bank records. Phone calls and messages all popped up on the screen.

"A friend?" Kate asked with a knowing smirk.

Clint ignored her as he took a sip of water. Clicking on the map of the city. Certain buildings highlighted in red. Others in grey. "What am I looking at?"

"The red ones are the burned-down buildings." Kate took a look at the map again. "And the grey... Potential targets?" Clint nodded before clicking on another file. It was a picture taken by Clint last night. "This is a zoomed-in photo of the blueprint on the Tracksuits wall."

"Their next target?" Kate asked. "I think so. We find one of the grey buildings that matches this blueprint." He pointed to the screen. "We can stop them."

Stop them, hurt them, make them confess, give us the details and whereabouts of Wilson Fisk.

You know, that kind of stop them.

Kate looked at the screen again. She moved pieces of her hair behind her ears before leaning into the screen. "How do we know they'll target one of the grey ones?"

Clint moved the cursor on the screen and clicked on an open tab. Finical records. "The ones burned down and these ones." The ones highlighted grey. "Are all owned by different shell companies, but when you really start digging deep, you find that they all go to the same place. Red Lion National Bank."

"Kingpin," Kate said.

Clint nodded. "He owns them all."

"So what he uses these buildings as cash houses and then burns them down when they aren't needed?" Clint shrugged. "It's a working theory. I'm sure there's more involved than money." Kate agreed.

"This one looks like the blueprint. But... but so does this one." Kate said as she clicked between two different buildings.

"It's probably built by the same company that's why they're not so different." Clint thought. "We could go stake out one and see how much movement happens."

"Sounds good to me. Doesn't look that far away. I mean it's far but- you get what I mean." She flopped her hand at Clint.

He laughed.

"Alright well, let me go get changed and we'll be off." Clint stood up and clapped his hands. "Oh, I also already fed Lucky and took him out so no need to worry."

Pizza Dog perked his ears up.

"Awww did Uncle Clint already take care of you?" Kate turned on her baby voice as she leaned over to kiss and pet the dog. "You're such a good boy!" Lucky's tail started wagging. Clint playfully rolled his eyes as he walked to the bathroom.

As she waited Kate's mind started to wander.

"Alright, we just about ready?" Clint asked as he zipped up his vest and grabbed his bow. Kate stood up putting her phone into her pocket and nodded. "My stuff's by the door."

"Great." Clint and Kate made their way to the front door to finish gathering what they needed. "Oh, here." Clint tossed Kate a purple beanie.

She smiled and looked at Clint. "Occasion?"

"It's cold and snowing outside. Can't have you getting sick." Kate's heart warmed at that whether it was sarcastic or not. "Thanks. Where'd you get it?" She asked a she released her hair from its ponytail

"Stopped by my place in the city earlier. Found it in the closet."

What Clint failed to tell Kate is that the beanie wasn't store-bought.

It was handmade.

And before you ask. God, no Clint didn't spend hours crocheting a hat together.

Natasha Romanoff did.

"Looks better on you kid." Clint smiled as Kate dawned it with pride. "Hawkeye and Hawkeye. One with a beanie the other with a hearing aid!" Kate posed as if she was shooting an arrow and exaggerated her voice.

"Had to ruin it didn't you?" Clint teased as he opened the door.

"Bye, Lucky!" Clint waved to the dog before entering the hall. "Bye, Pizza Dog! Be good!" Kate flipped all but one light switched off and locked the door.

As the two archers made their trek to the location marked on Clint's phone he spoke up simply because he couldn't help himself.

"So... who were you texting earlier?"

Kate looked to her right confused. However, she knew what Clint was talking about. "Come on. Don't give me that look. I may be deaf at times but I'm never blind." Clint bumped into Kate as they kept waking. "Don't forget I'm also the father of a teenage daughter."

Kate had him there.

"A friend." She said. "Oh, a friend! Are they nice?" Kate nodded. "She's nice." Clint smiled. She. "Does she know about this?" Clint pointed to the arrows on Kate's back.

Kate shook her head. "She knows I do archery but that's it." Clint looked at Kate's side profile. "But you want to tell her?" Kate looked up. "How'd you know?"

Clint exhaled.

"Because Kate you like this friend of yours. You're young. Oh, and you're terrible at keeping secrets."

"Am not."

She was.

In Clint's eyes, it was a miracle the whole world didn't know the real identity of the "new" Hawkeye.

"Regardless, are you going to tell them?"

Kate shrugged. "I don't know."

Clint patted her shoulder. "That's alright." Kate smiled. "I invited her to my archery practice tomorrow and to study afterward. The text was about her coming over."

Clint raised his eyebrows. "Oh well as long as you're safe."

Kate furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head. But before she could reply her phone buzzed.

It was a text from you.

"Sounds great! 🎯"

You smiled as you hit send.

Your fingers remained tightly gripped around your phone as you twhiped yourself through an alleyway.

You thought about double-texting Kate. Asking her how she was or what she was doing. Or why the sudden invite to her archery practice?

Was it just for fun? The want to hang out with you? Or did Kate truly just want to show off her toned arms and skills with a bow?

Could it be all of the above?

You closed out your messages app before you could accidentally send a double text and focused on your tingling.

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 15/02/2024

Corridors of Vine

Season 6 Featured on: SiIvaGunner's Highest Quality Rips: Volume FF

Ripped by Heboyi

Right, okay, we've had a good streak recently of covering more "traditionally good" rips for the blog - arrangements and remixes like NIGHTMARESCAPE 〜Unrestrained HyperCam 2〜 (Final Boss Phase 2), genuinely good arrangements like mlp racism anthem (comix zone arrange), even the premiere of a new Season with the Magolor's Shoppe Fusion Collab. I think its about high time we change the clock to something "stupider" - the kind of rip that reminds you just how much SiIva is driven by the wild imagination, skill, and commitment-to-the-bit of its contributors. Only within a community like SiIvaGunner's will you get something like Corridors of Vine.

With memes as a whole, there seems to exist some sort of...invisible hierarchy that defines their public perception, that I've always found really fascinating. It's not impossible to understand why this hierarchy exists: Memes like the Hampsterdance in Wario's Hampster Mine, the Sparta Remix in THIS. IS. SOLEANNA. and more call back to a different, more innocent time in internet history, wheras memes like Despacito in Plains of Des-passing-to and It's Everyday Bro in It's Everyday Lake are oft met with comments like "I hate that I love this", or other similar sentiments. Memes generally follow a trend where, once one has worn out its period of inferred relevance - typically once it stops being a niche internet activity and spreads to marketing teams and unfunny people in general - its labeled as "dead" and unwanted, left as a relic of a smaller period of internet activity. That is, of course, unless it gets brought back into fashion by virtue of nostalgia and given some sort of new spin, as we've seen happen with Doge as of late - until that then too becomes co-opted by unfunny people (this time crypto-grifters) and the cycle begins anew. Yet part of what makes SiIvaGunner as a channel so great, is that very few of the memes it uses ever reach that state of abandonment: the team is so good at finding new, inventive ways to use memes as old as from Season 1, to where they rarely feel stale. And if they do feel stale - well, then that can ironically become part of the joke, playing into just how samey and played-out the joke is for a sort of ironic appeal.

All of this is to say, that I always find it immensely funny whenever the team decides - seemingly at the drop of a hat - to begin using memes that have been thoroughly labeled as dead for years by that point. A meme like the Harlem Shake didn't have so much as a pulse by the time Season 6 rolled around even past its sole revival to relevancy a few years back from being attached to Ajit Pai - yet The Harlem Shakeover of that very season was one containing over THREE HUNDRED rips utilizing the joke, next to none of which were made with the intention of sounding bad. Funny enough, then, that one of the first events we'd see during that same Season would be doing the exact same thing to a meme that's likely far more loathed than the Harlem Shake ever was - Damn Daniel, the core joke to Corridors of Vine.

Damn Daniel is perhaps the closest we've ever gotten to having a meme that felt like a social experiment - a complete non-sequitor of a joke starring an average, marketable teen and his immaculate footwear. At the peak of Vine's age of randomness humor, the series of various videos on Daniel's Vans absolutely blew up - and immediately, there were cynics from outside of Vine, older internet dwellers mainly, who made a big point about how lacking-in-funny the videos were. Yet the guy, Daniel, made it onto the damn Ellen Show of all things within mere weeks after his debut, and in a way it kind of made Damn Daniel a symbol for everything considered wrong about Vine: its mainstream appeal and focus on short, memeable videos had created a form of shitposting that...no longer felt like they were part of a community.

That is, of course, just my summary of the opinions I gathered from all the way back in 2016 - back when SiIvaGunner itself was first revving up into gear. And I find it so incredibly befitting that it was during Season 6 that the Damn Daniel event occurred on SiIvaGunner - the Season all about letting go of the past. To have it begin with SiIvaGunner, itself a 2016 meme, acknowledging its near polar opposite made around the same time: A meme that was, for a solid while, one of the most wanted-dead memes of all, one that the internet as a whole frankly felt a kind of hatred toward during what would come to be a rather cynical, hateful year in general.

There's definitely an overarching aura of irony applied to the anniversary celebration's rips regardless, of course - part of the joke with Corridors of Vine is that its using a song otherwise so closely enveloped in emotion and vulnerability (one SiIva itself used to similar effect with 時の回廊 ＜ver. CCC＞), alongside a joke that's so bitterly remembered that its mere inclusion makes it difficult to take seriously. Yet Corridors of Vine takes itself as seriously as the concept could be, it is a genuinely fantastic YTPMV using several of the famous Damn Daniel Vines in conjunction with one another, resulting in an infectiously catchy combination of lead- and backing melody instrumentation. I do think the commitment to the bit worked excellently, and the comments of the video itself appear to agree with me - despite how beloathed Damn Daniel itself was, the time to properly acknowledge and accept it had arrived, and we were for once actually...enjoying the meme?

To circle back to the point made in the second paragraph here - the truth is, there are very few memes that wind up actually full-on dead for long. Dead memes as a concept are a label we put upon jokes we feel have ran their course, yet especially in the world of YTPMV there will always be people out there able to prove the naysayers wrong, even if the intentions are purely ironic. Ironic or affectionate, the end result is the same, isn't it? You've got a smile out of your audience through your work in adapting the meme! And through all the comments expressing their concerns over returning to the hellscape that was 2016s meme culture, those smiles - even through the barrier of the internet, felt as if they were shared by all of us. The entire event - and Corridors of Vine in particular - showed Damn Daniel a sense of affection it likely hasn't had since the days when the SiIvaGunner channel's name began with a G.

Here's to 8 years, Daniel.

...Stussy man, Damn.

[cyarskaren52]

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africanarchives

Cicely Tyson was an actress and fashion model. In a career which spanned more than seven decades, she became known for her portrayal of strong African-American women. Tyson was discovered by a photographer for Ebony magazine and became a popular fashion model in the early 50s. Her first acting role was on the NBC series Frontiers of Faith in 1951. Tyson got her first play role in 1950 and her first film role in Carib Gold in 1956. Tyson appeared on the popular television series East Side/West Side and the soap opera The Guiding Light.

She was nominated for the Academy and Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress for her performance as Rebecca Morgan in Sounder (1972), also winning the NSFC Best Actress and NBR Best Actress Awards. She starred in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974), for which she won two Emmy Awards and was nominated for a BAFTA Award. Tyson has been nominated for thirteen Primetime Emmy Awards, winning three.

In 2011, she appeared in the film The Help, for which she received awards for her ensemble work as Constantine from the BFCA and SAG Awards and she has an additional four SAG Award nominations. She starred on Broadway in The Trip to Bountiful as Carrie Watts, for which she won the Tony Award, Outer Critics Award, and Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Play. She previously received a Drama Desk Award in 1962 for her Off-Broadway performance in Moon on a Rainbow Shawl.

Tyson was named a Kennedy Center honoree in 2015. In November 2016, Tyson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor in the United States. In 2020, she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

Tyson's memoir, Just As I Am, was published on January 26, 2021, and she was promoting the book during the last weeks of her life. When she was asked how she wanted to be remembered in an interview with Gayle King, Tyson said, "I’ve done my best. That’s all."

Tyson died on January 28, 2021, at the age of 96. Her funeral was held February 16 in Harlem, and was attended by Tyler Perry, Lenny Kravitz, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.

🖋️You can tip on www.africanarchives.support to support the page 🖤 thanks!—link in bio—

[hellcab]

Roth's new bio ( VER-2 )

Among the living, Roth ( Marion ) Kruger was a mordacious, contemptuous jerk. Damnation made him worse.

Roth’s life was a nightmare of circumstances, outside his control. Abandoned by his parents, Roth became a ward to the state at eight years old. He spent his childhood at Saint Emiliani Orphanage, in New York City. Eventually, Roth was aged out from the system, thrusting him into the world. Despite his rough upbringing, Roth wanted to make something out of himself.

Yet, failure was his only option. The first domino was being framed for plagiarism at New York University, by someone he once considered a friend. Despite his pleas, Roth’s protest fell on deaf ears. He was ushered out, blacklisted to further his humiliation. From there, Roth’s life spiraled out of control.

Struggling for work, Roth found employment with the checker cab company. The job, though grueling, kept Roth above water to survive. Around this time, he collected a group of friends, notably Nina Roberston and Scott Holden. Nina was a self-made fashion designer living in Harlem, whom Roth dated. Nina was the light in his life, a reminder that there’s still good. Scott was a troubled veteran, who was disgraced after it was revealed he shared information with his North Vietnamese captors. This “betrayal” was to save a wounded comrade, whom The Vietnamese were withholding medicine from. It was Scott’s fate that eventually broke Roth.

After a heated argument, Roth abandoned Scott at a bar. Scott was forced to walk home, where he was accosted by two NYPD officers. Without much provocation,  the officers started beating Scott for “resisting arrest”. Scott though, managed to fight back and try to escape, not wanting to hurt anyone. For his trouble, he was shot. The bullet pierced his back and paralyzed him. Scott later died during surgery, when doctors tried removing the slug from his spinal cord.

Nina was the first to tell Roth, which devastated him. Unable to process the grief and regret, Roth suffered a nervous breakdown. In his madness, he took out his pain and frustration out on Nina. The result left her heartbroken. On that night, Roth lost all his friends and his religion. Proclaiming that, there’s no God. Roth’s erratic behavior saw him fired from his job, losing his apartment and becoming an outcast.

In 1979, of that same year, Roth was murdered.

At night, Roth was on the Brooklyn bridge. He had nothing left, no friends, no home, and no hope for the future. There, he struggled to jump. Someone came along, to choose for him. The Wire, an infamous serial killer, ambushed Roth on the bridge. Despite the surprise, Roth fought back with every inch of his life. Unfortunately, The Wire won in the end.

Roth was thrown over the bride, landing into the freezing waters below. The impact didn’t kill Roth, but the drowning took him. A week later, Roth’s corpse was found by harbor workers. Police ruled his death a suicide. Nina, still heartbroken, had Roth buried with money she earned through her shop.

In Heaven, Roth arrived well ahead of time. He was shown in, thinking he somehow made it. Roth’s delusions were soon crushed, as he was put on trial. A committee of angels decided Roth’s fate, while his guardian Angel defended him. For prosecution, Dearie made the argument for Roth’s damnation. The committee sided with Dearie, much to Roth’s horror. Out of desperation, Roth blindly thought he could escape the courtroom. At the door, he was greeted by an Exorcist.  

The Exorcist subdued Roth, dragging him away as he screamed and begged. He was soon thrown into Hades, into Hell.

In Hell, Roth was surprised. It wasn’t the inferno described by Dante, but a world of excess and vice. It reminded Roth of New York’s seedier parts, all condensed into one and overexposed. But Roth was still frightened beyond belief. Even more so, he was horrified by his demonic appearance. In his first few weeks into eternal damnation, Roth once again became a fervent follower of Christ. Though, he soon accepted that his prayers of rescue could never be answer. Alone, with just his grit and gut-instinct, Roth survived.

In 1983, Roth landed a job with The Gehenna Cab Company, one which provided enough to afford his own apartment. He found friends, he even found love. That love being Maple Kovacs, an erotic dancer who dreamed about becoming a song writer. Maple worked at Club Ice, owned and operated by Eduardo, an iguana demon.  Together, Roth and Maple had a fun and romantic life together.

This was not for long.

In 1987, Eduardo was “convinced” into selling Club Ice to Valentino. He was later found dead in his apartment, by an apparent overdose. Valentino now owned the club, including every single contract. He sought to make sure his new “employees” stayed loyal.  Soon, Valentino was informed about Roth’s relationship with Maple. Seeing Roth as an unnecessary distraction for Maple, Valentino sent his problem solver to educate Roth. It was here Roth first met Robert Milhaud, the man who would ruin his life again.

Arriving home one late night, Roth and Maple were greeted by Robert and his associates. Despite fighting back, Roth and Maple were both subdued. Forced to watch, Roth was beaten nearly to death in front of Maple. Taking Maple to Valentino, Robert warned Roth that if he continues his relationship with Maple, he will hurt her. Roth despite loving Maple, choose ending the relationship rather than risking her death.  Over the next couple of weeks, Roth received call after call from Maple, begging Roth to see her.

Roth ignored every message, not wanting to risk her safety.

On Extermination Day, of 1989, Maples apartment ( her prison ) was destroyed by Adam’s exterminators. Though Maple was never found, it was assumed she died. Roth couldn’t attend the funeral but watched from afar. He felt nothing but hatred towards Valentino, for what he had done. More than anything, he hated himself for what he allowed. He failed Maple. Just as he failed so many people before.

In 1992, Roth was growing more and more resentful towards Hell. He wanted desperately to escape. There was nothing left, no future, no peace down below. It was around this time; Roth had a chance encounter with Vincent Andras. Demonstrating a simple magic trick, Vincent connected with Roth and eventually brought him to Ultima Discordia. The group were dedicated practitioners of chaos magick. Vincent Andras, a man stepped in the new wave of occult knowledge during the 1970s, wanted to share his knowledge with Roth. Perhaps, even, a way to escape Hell.  All he wanted was Roth’s unquestioning loyalty.

Roth accepted his offer. Willingly.

In the coming years, Roth studied under Vincent Andras, with both men becoming close friends. Yet, slowly, and surely, Roth started questioning how genuine his friend was. Andras was determined, caring little about the personal dangers of magic. This drive for knowledge withered the collective sanity and health of the cult. Discussions soon turned to arguments, as Roth and Vincent’s relationship was strained. In 1995, the cult came into possession an ancient Tibetan Scroll, named ཨ་ཀོ་ཧ་ཐི་ཡི་སྒོ་མོ། , or Doors of Agharti, contained thirty intricate Mandalas. Vincent explained that “Doors of Agharti” was their key to freedom. A doorway to the realm of ultimate peace. After four years of grueling work, they finally translated the scroll.

Om October 25th, 1998, the cult underwent the ritual to reach Agharti. The journey was harsh, as Vincent, Roth and the cult suffered both hunger and hallucinations. Yet, after so much suffering, the final mandala was reached.

The ritual failed.

All laws of reality were made void. Something arrived, something hungry. During the confusion, insanity and ravenous violence, Vincent and Roth managed to escape. Despite their fear and weakened mental states, they knew they must seal the doorway. Miraculously,   they managed to seal the doorway, sending whatever came back through. Yet, the price for this victory was steep. The cult was dead, with Vincent and Roth being the only survivors.

Both men blamed each other for the disaster. Roth rebukes Vincent, swearing he will never work with him again. Severa days later, Roth suffered an acute nervous breakdown, screaming about “Thousands and Thousands of Teeth”. He was admitted into psychiatric help, at The Walter Freeman Memorial Hospital. There, Roth was eventually diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.

From 1998 to 2002, Roth was given the help he needed to resume a normal life. It was around this time, he met Guns Akimbo, a mercenary and gun dealer based on Pride. Guns Akimbo was instrumental in arming Gehenna Cabs during the “Great Cab War” of 2003, which saw widespread violence through Pentagram City. The event was even covered by Alastor, with great amusement.

Afterwards, Roth and Guns assumed a sexual relationship, that blossomed into romance. Unfortunately, their conflicting personalities caused their breakup. They remain on rather hostile terms.

Now, in 2024, Roth Kruger is still trying to escape Hell. He believes that through magic, he can defy Lucifer, Heaven and everyone who ever doubted him.

But, then again, his magic comes at a price. His own sanity is slowly and surely being drained. Resulting in Roth becoming more and more unhinged.

There’s also on important Rule, Roth has broken in magic.

A knocked door cannot be unknocked.

[pop-punklouis]

Hope can you tell us your 10 favourite documentaries or more than 10, I don’t mind hakshsj

hey babe!! i don’t know about 10 or more than 10 haha but off the top of my head these are ones i’ve really enjoyed:

The Decline of Western Civilization

A look at the late 1970s LA punk-rock scene and how its music drove its culture which was largely and blatantly ignored by the rock music press of the time. Investigating the songs of Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Fear, and more.

Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck

Filmmaker Brett Morgen uses material from the Cobains' personal archives in an in-depth examination of the Nirvana frontman's childhood, music career and untimely death.

Meeting People is Easy

This film takes a decidedly unromantic look at the touring life of English rock group Radiohead. The gloomy alternative band finishes recording their third album, "OK Computer," then travels to Asia, Europe and North America to promote it. Radiohead plays a series of large concerts and holds extended press conferences, all of which take a physical and mental toll on the band. Radiohead's introverted lead singer-songwriter, Thom Yorke, has a particularly difficult time dealing with stardom.

Artifact

Telling harsh truths about the modern music business, this riveting and award-winning documentary gives intimate access to singer/actor Jared Leto (i know rip but it’s really good) and his band Thirty Seconds to Mars as they fight a relentless lawsuit with record label Virgin/EMI and write songs for their album "This Is War." Opening up his life for the camera during months of excruciating pressures, Leto reveals the struggles his band must face over questions of art, money and integrity.

Backstreet Boys: Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of

A behind-the-scenes, no holds barred look at the popular boy band, Backstreet Boys, as they discuss their rise to stardom, pressures and stresses of being in a world-known boyband, and the dark side of fame.

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?

Brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb find early fame in the 1960s and go on to write over 1,000 songs, including 20 No. 1 hits. This film follows the group's meteoric rise as they navigate the complexities of working so intimately alongside family.

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco

This insightful documentary chronicles the tumultuous recording and release of the band Wilco's 2002 album "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." A bold departure from the group's earlier releases, recording it nearly broke up the band, and when it was completed, their label refused to release it and eventually dumped Wilco from their roster. With the album completed, the band turned to the Internet to get attention for the record, which was eventually released to widespread success and critical acclaim.

Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was largely forgotten–until now. SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more

Amy

Archival footage and personal testimonials present an intimate portrait of the life and career of British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse.

[thepassionof-joanharrow]

This is How We Walk on the Moon ~Chapter 1 | Matt Murdock x OFC

Pairing: Matt Murdock x OFC

Summary: Sura Harmon works for a nonprofit foundation in NYC and goes to Nelson and Murdock to find some lawyers for the foundation’s clients. Upon meeting Matt, he seems strangely familiar. Matt instantly recognizes Sura as someone he attempted to help while in his Daredevil suit just a week ago. As they continue to work together, Sura and Matt are drawn to each other more and more.

But little does Matt Murdock know that his new colleague Sura Harmon has just as many secrets as he does.

Warnings: Eventual smut, (MINORS DO NOT INTERACT), swearing, discussion of trauma, death and mental illness, emotional angst, discussion of the blip/snap.  

Word Count: 2, 996

A/N: This is an ongoing series and will have many chapters! Mostly Sura’s POV but will probably have some chapters be in Matt’s POV.

Also, aside from the prologue, each chapter will have a song to go with it. I highly encourage you to listen to the song to give you the vibe for some of the scenes in that chapter!

Chapter 1:

  Kevin Morby – “Harlem River”

   It was mid-March and the air was still crisp. Sura’s chunky heels clacked on the pavement as she strode down Broadway.

 Just two more blocks and then I can turn right on 50th.

 She smiled up at the sun as she took a sip of her coffee. It was barely noticeable, but the sun was getting brighter and warmer. It felt like a balm after this past winter. The city was still grey and stiff and only just beginning to thaw, but the excitement of spring was here.

 A red plaid scarf flapped behind her as she turned a corner, a stark contrast to her long black everything-else. High waisted black slacks, calf-high black boots and long black coat. Underneath the coat she had a patterned black-and-white button-down blouse.  Lose the high heels and this was a standard winter city outfit for her. The boots were to inspire confidence in her and give others a sense of her ability.  Plus, she really liked the way they sounded.

 She could have transferred to another train to get closer to her destination, but she kind of wanted the walk. This meeting was very important and a walk in the sharp air of early spring would help to both soothe her nerves and steel her resolve.  Plus, Sura wanted to see more of New York. Her city. She always wanted to see more of her city these days.

 The disastrous incident in the alley by her house had been a week ago. Her bruises had only halfway faded, but some foundation mixed into her hand cream helped the rest disappear. She was finally done beating herself up about it though. It was an impulsive decision. If she was going to do that sort of thing the night before an important meeting, she needed to at least bring protection for her hands. 

 After Sura had realized that her hands would be sore and bruised for her meeting with Alexander Christopher Russell, she’d had to think up a quick and easy solution.  Thankfully her friend Luce had still been awake and Sura had arranged to pick up some fashionable gloves from her the next morning.

 Thank god for Luce and her massive wardrobe collection. She mused as she walked past a tall Catholic church on her right. 

 Luciana Del Real sourced wardrobe for TV and film production and was Sura’s best friend since they met at her café job while at college. And ever since Sura’s return, Luce was eager; sometimes overly so, to help her with anything she needed. 

 A couple blocks past the church and Sura had arrived at her destination. She took out her noise reducing ear buds as she looked up at the sign on the building. Nelson and Murdock.

 This is it. Here we go.

  She climbed the stairs, strode down a hallway and found the firm’s entrance. As she opened the door to the firm’s reception, a tall blonde woman looked up from the desk and smiled at her.

 “Hello, I’m here for a 10am meeting with Mr. Nelson and Mr. Murdock?” Sura said as she strode up to the desk.

 “Hi! Yes, I have you down right here,…Sura Harmon?”  The woman’s pale skin had a beautiful rosy tint to it and her blonde hair was long and slightly curled.

“Yes that’s me”

 “Hi Ms. Harmon, I’m Karen Page. Mr. Nelson is here but I’m afraid we are still waiting for Mr. Murdock to come in. Do you mind waiting for a little bit?”

“Not at all, thank you.” Sura smiled at Karen and sat down in a group of chairs to the left of the desk.

Five minutes later, she looked up to see a man walking into the room.   He was wearing a dark suit jacket over a white button-down shirt. A thin black tie lay over his chest, which seemed toned. He held a white cane in one hand and began to fold it up as she noticed his dark glasses.

 Oh, he’s blind.  He must be another client.

The man walked towards the receptionist’s desk: “Hey, sorry I’m late Karen, I know I have a meeting scheduled for 10am? I got caught up in something”

 Shit. Sura thought. He must be the other lawyer. Wow. Way for me to stereotype.

 Karen got up and walked over to her, “Yes, Matt, this is Sura Harmon. She’s with the Harmon-Brookes foundation.”

 Sura stood up as Matt came closer. “Hello Ms. Harmon, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Matt Murdock.”

 He held out his hand in the space between them.

 Oh, Murdock. So he is definitely the other lawyer.

 She reached out and grabbed his hand in hers. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you!” His grip was warm and friendly.

 “Thank you for coming here, we’re excited to hear about your foundation.”  Matt smiled at her.

 “Oh no, thank you for having me. The foundation is very excited to possibly work with your firm Mr. Murdock”

 As they released their handshake, Sura noticed that his smile froze. Just for a moment. Then it faltered. Just for a bit. Just in the corner. And for a moment, Matt Murdock wasn’t moving at all. He seemed to almost be in a trance. But then it broke, just a second later.

Karen didn’t seem to notice as she led the way into the meeting room saying: “If you’ll come in here Ms. Harmon, Foggy will be in with you all in just a moment. Would you like any tea or coffee?”

 “Yes, uh…shall we go in?” Matt beamed at her with just a hint of a pause at the beginning.

 “Yes, thank you. And I would love some tea Karen, thank you.” Sura replied as she followed Matt into the room.

 They headed towards opposite chairs at a long wooden table.  Karen brought in two cups of tea for the both of them and left the door ajar.

 She knew she shouldn’t stare at a blind person. But as he sat down and made himself comfortable in his chair, she realized that he seemed familiar and she couldn’t look away.

 “Didn’t expect to find a blind lawyer at this meeting Ms. Harmon?”

 His face seemed good natured, with wide lips and a kind of softened sharpness to it's features. A prominent nose and chin, but not overly so. Both had a somewhat delicate edge to them. His face was further softened by overgrown stubble that Sura could only amusingly think of as “scruffy”.  His skin was fair but his hair, brows and beard were a dark brown.

Interesting, Sura thought.

 His question jolted her out of the scan of his face.

 “What?…oh…no….” Sura felt appalled and tried to quickly save face.

 Matt chuckled an interruption. “Hey, its okay, I’m used to people being surprised. I could tell you were staring.”

 She felt terrible. “Oh I apologize…I was looking at you but not because you’re blind….”

 He sat up a little straighter “Oh?” He grinned a little.

 Sura went on “You actually look familiar to me. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I was just trying to figure out where I might have seen you before.”

 Matt stilled. When he didn’t respond after a beat, she asked “Have we met before?”

 Matt cleared his throat. “Uh,..no…Ms. Harmon, I don’t believe we have. Unfortunately I can’t say whether or not you look familiar.“ He gave a short chuckle and she did as well. “But you don’t seem familiar, no”.

 “Ah.” She ruminated for a moment. “Well maybe it will come to me later. Or maybe you just have one of those faces?”

 He laughed and smiled. “Maybe so.”

 She smiled at him. Too bad I don’t know him. He’s kind of cute.

 “It’s good to see you too Mr. Nelson, thank you for meeting with me!”

 Let’s change the subject, she thought. “So, Mr. Murdock, how long…”

She was interrupted by Foggy Nelson coming into the room. “Ms. Harmon! It’s good to see you again, thank you for coming in!”

 Sura had met Foggy briefly in the courthouse two weeks before and was happy to see a familiar face.

 But before they could continue catching up, Matt reached out a hand towards Foggy and said: “Uh, Foggy, can I speak with you for a moment?”

 Foggy looked at Sura, then back at Matt, a little uncertain.

 “Sure, yeah. Ms. Harmon, we’ll just be a moment.” He said as he stood back up out of the chair he had just sat down in.  Matt trailed after him out of the room.

 Sura could see them discussing something through the beveled glass separating the meeting room from the reception area. She couldn’t hear a thing though, and her heart started racing.

 Be as normal as possible you dingus. I don’t know what that was about…just…just act like it wasn’t about you. It probably wasn’t….right?

 Did I say something wrong to Matt Murdock? Was he immediately turned off by my staring? Have I ruined this meeting before its even began?

A million possible scenarios raced incoherently through her mind as she tried to look preoccupied with her phone.

 After another minute, Foggy and Matt re-entered the room.

“Sorry, Ms. Harmon.” Matt said “Personal matter that I forgot to inform him about.”

“Of course. Not a problem at all.” Sura smiled.

   “Alright so, Ms. Harmon, let’s discuss why you would like to work with us. We talked a little bit about it in court that day but I’d love for you to give us the whole spiel” Foggy said with a smile.

 “Yes, please tell us how Nelson and Murdock can help your foundation?” Matt added.

 Sura finished swallowing her sip of tea. “Yes, well, I won’t sugarcoat it. Harmon and Brookes is a bit of an unconventional foundation. And I had heard that Nelson and Murdock is a bit of an unconventional firm. So I thought we might be a good fit together.”

 Matt smiled at her and clasped his hands together on the desk. He seemed eager and curious.

 “And talking with Foggy here at court made me more intrigued.” Sura took another sip of tea.

 Foggy let out a whistle. Matt raised his eyebrows and his mouth opened a bit.

 She cleared her throat. “So here is what we do. We seek generous donations from wealthy New Yorkers and then use those funds to house, feed and care for New Yorkers in need. Anyone can come to us and apply for help, but we focus on those who are disabled, POC or part of the LGBTQIA community.  We try to help folks with anything they need. Most of the time, its funds to cover their rent, or finding them a place to live, paying their medical bills...or providing a reliable source of food, clothing and other necessities."

She paused a moment to asses the lawyer's faces. They were eagerly listening, so she continued. "We also help connect those who are in domestic violence situations to other organizations that can help them, and we even have a branch of our foundation that specializes in having a caregiver of sorts be with these people throughout the whole process of leaving their abuser. You know like, someone to provide moral support but also to be an extra person around, so they feel safer.”

 Matt said “That is…very impressive Ms. Harmon. Especially your efforts with victims of domestic violence”

 “Well, that part of our foundation is quite small at the moment. We are trying to grow it currently. We can’t do nearly as much as we want to unfortunately. But we are trying. It’s one of the projects I spearheaded after…” Sura trailed off for a moment. “...after I returned from my break.  I’m very proud of it, so uh, I apologize if I’m going on and on.”

 Matt said “No don’t apologize, this is obviously something that you are very passionate about. And it must be sorely needed, right?”

 “Oh yes, you have no idea. So many people,…when they try to leave,…they don’t know where to start. They have no money saved up and no family to turn to. They know the government has programs and shelters but…those can be scary and impersonal, especially if there are kids involved. And so many shelters don’t accept pets. Which is terrible.  We help them navigate the government systems if that’s what they choose to do but we make sure they have someone who truly cares about them to guide them through everything and make them feel less alone. And we make sure to keep the entire family together, including pets.”

 Matt opened his mouth into a wide small at Sura. “That’s so amazing Ms. Harmon. You should be very proud of what you are doing. Foggy, we are definitely working with this foundation.” He pointed a finger at her for emphasis.

Sura felt blood rush to her cheeks and she dipped her head. “Thank you Mr. Murdock. And I’m sorry I know I was rambling. I do that with things I’m passionate about. I can get right to brass tacks and tell you what I need your firm for.”

Matt brushed this aside “Hey, we love passionate people here, don’t we Foggy?”  He kept his head pointed in Sura’s direction.

If she didn’t know better, she’d think that now he was staring at her.

Foggy lifted his head from his notes “Hah, yes, we do indeed!”

 Sura took a breath and dove into what she came for. “Well, our foundation does have some lawyers on staff. But our budget has been running thin these days. We are trying to cut costs where we can while still providing as much help as we normally do. In fact we are trying to increase our numbers this year. Sometimes we need lawyers to represent our clients who are fighting their landlords in court to stay in their homes. Occasionally for other cases, like domestic abuse or silly drug charges. And I had heard that Foggy and Nelson was a company that often did work pro-bono, for those in need. Now we certainly are not going to ask you all to work for free. But if we could work out a deal, some kind of discount, we would love to hire you all for some of our legal cases. We’d be able to help more people in need without paying the crazy high prices of most of the best defense lawyers out there.  We simply can’t afford them and can barely keep the ones that we do have on staff.”

 “So you’ll settle for the second best defense lawyers?” Matt smirked at her.

 She smirked back. “Haha, oh no. See notice I said most. You and your partner here, Mr. Murdock, you are the best.” Sura looked into his eyes, or where she thought they were behind his dark glasses. She briefly wondered if his eyes were dark too.

 “I’d heard a couple things about your firm. But when I ran into Mr. Nelson in the courthouse I did some more research.  I know what you did with Fisk. I read about your other cases. Even the small ones. The ones no one else cares about. You are a perfect fit for us.”

 Matt raised an eyebrow at her. His smile grew on one side of his face. He cocked his head. Sura swore that he seemed to be studying the silence following Sura’s words, or her or, something. 

 Then he smiled fully and said “Well that is quite the compliment Ms. Harmon. And we don’t take that lightly. We uh, did some research on your foundation as well.” 

 At this, Foggy handed Matt a sheet of paper with the raised bumps all over it. Matt skimmed his hands over it as he read out loud their statistics from last year, then the past five years, then the past decade.

“Harmon and Brookes is very impressive.” He concluded. “You’ve helped a lot of people. You’ve changed a lot of lives.”

Sura smiled. Big, wide, happy. “Yes. That’s our goal. That’s why we do this.”

Matt returned her smile, just as big, just as happy. “Then I think that settles it. We’d love to work with you all.”

   On her walk home to her apartment farther south in Hell’s Kitchen, Sura breathed several huge sighs of relief. She felt drained and was glad that she had nothing else to do today. Social situations always drained her and she tried to incorporate some recovery time into her schedule as best she could. But important meetings for work were especially taxing. She always had to make sure she said the right things, looked in the right eyes, even monitored her body language.   Some meetings were easier than others.

It had been very important for this one to go well because the foundation desperately needed new lawyers and they were also on a razor thin budget.

 As Sura thought back to how the meeting had gone, she smiled. It had certainly started out more intense but as it proceeded she had felt more and more comfortable and at ease. Karen seemed so lovely and friendly. And Foggy was just as pleasant as he had been at court and in their email correspondence. Matt; well, she still couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew him from somewhere.  But he gave her a comfortable feeling as well.  They all seemed way more understanding and friendly than the hundreds of other lawyers she had met in NYC.

 She put in her headphones and selected a track on Spotify that always made her happy and wistful. She was feeling hopeful and wanted this feeling to last.

 Interesting bunch, a little odd definitely. She thought. Well that works just fine for my oddball ass.

“Harlem River talk to me

Where are we headed now?

Harlem River I’m in love, love, love, love

All because of you.

 In my pearl and my diamond shoes

I climbed a cloud, now I stole the moon

Harlem River

All because of you"

 As the music coursed through her body, Sura bounced down the sidewalk towards her apartment, practically floating.

[sexypinkon]

Sexypink - Rest in Power Kwame Braithwaite - Making BLACK LIVES MATTER long before the slogan existed.

[officialalbsure]

#AlBeez 🐝 • #Repost @HarlemFW • #BreakingNews @‼️$ Earnin’ @MountVernonNY and the entire • #TriStateArea • Saturday March 4, 2023 • 8:00PM (EST) • Harlem Fashion Week • Come One Come All • #TheAfricaCenter • 1280 5th Avenue • NY, NY 10029 • To attend Live RSVP Now @ EventBrite.com/e/546725208817 • or @HarlemFW’s #LinkinBio • LinkTr.ee/HarlemFW and click the banner • 03.04.23 #HFW #AgelessRunwayShow ••••••••••••••••••••••••• @OfficialAlBSure ⭐️ Legendary singer, songwriter, producer, syndicated radio host, social justice advocate and the Ambassador of New Jack Swing and R&B, Al B. Sure! to receive Season 11 #CulturalIconAward • I AM • #HarlemAmerican but #MtVernon4Life • www.AlBSure.net/Booking ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @RachelNoerd @HarlemGatsby @hrlm_champagne @doryne28 @therealraybangs @foreveryoungquincy @ericaford_ilovemylife @petergunz174 @alizebbz @kheperah @skipdillard @ernestmoralesiii @mekadon @abbutler914 @lowkey2lowkey @mr_allen_2_you @djchuckchillout @kendisgibson @omarihardwickofficial @deoncole @mayorsph #Harlem #Fashion #culturalicon #fashionshow #fashionexhibition #harlemfashionweek #harlemfw #r&b #newjackswing #courage2conquer #organrecipient #albsure (at The Africa Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpWIpTCu72l/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lboogie1906]

Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Shumpert (December 10, 1990) is a singer-songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer, director, and model. She signed a record deal with Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak Entertainment imprint, before making her first national appearance on My Super Sweet 16. She signed to Kanye West’s GOOD Music label through Def Jam, after asking for her release from Star Trak. She has written records for artists such as Usher, Chris Brown, and Omarion. She has appeared on runways during Fashion Week and has landed high-profile features, such as on Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. She stars in the show Teyana and Iman, alongside her husband, basketball player Iman Shumpert.

She signed a deal to design and release two pairs of sneakers with Adidas. The first pair released were the Harlem GLCs. According to Adidas Global Director of Entertainment and Influence Marketing, Jonathan Wexler, she holds the record for fastest-selling sneakers in Adidas Originals history. She is focused on designing and releasing her second pair of sneakers with the brand. She launched her “Fade 2 Fit” Workout Program, a ninety-day workout that centers around dance and fitness routines. The inspiration for this program and the incorporated dance elements come from her work in the music video for Kanye West’s “Fade”. She released a line of workout apparel, called Fade2Fit. She featured and directed the music video for Lil Durk’s remix of Home Body in his new album Signed to the Streets 3.

She co-starred in Madea’s Big Happy Family.

She married former NBA Player Iman Shumpert (2016-?). They have two children. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[trippybandzzz]

[allthemusic]

Week ending: 11th June

We're in an instrumental mood, it seems, this summer. Not that I'm complaining, this week. Because the instrumental we've got here couldn't be more different from those of Russ Conway and his ilk. Plus, it's an instrumental with pedigree!

Guitar Boogie Shuffle - Bert Weedon (peaked at Number 10)

I'd never heard of this song, but it's a cover, it turns out, and a surprisingly old one - the original Guitar Boogie was written all the way back in 1929, based on more traditional boogie woogie piano music. It was then turned into something quite different in 1945 by a certain Arthur Smith, at which point it became a huge hit, spawning dozens of sound-alikes with the same so-called "hillbilly boogie" style, whcih sounds by all accounts like it was basically rockabilly avant la lettre, with maybe a stronger emphasis on making a guitar-led version of traditional boogie-woogie piano tunes.

It was enough of a hit that numerous rock and roll covers of it came out throughout the 1950s, leading to this version by Bert Weedon. And indeed, it sounds exactly like you'd expect a 1959 song called "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" to sound. You've got a strummy repetitive 12-bar blues chord pattern, shuffling along apace, while Bert noodles along on the top a bit, with this slightly audible picked style that's very appealing. The whole thing's got that echoey guitar effect that I've been hearing for a while, too - a sound that you do start to get more and more in these instrumental guitar rock songs of the era, and that definitely makes its way into surf rock, as that genre comes together over the pond. You can absolutely hear the roots of groups like the Beach Boys, here, you know?

That said, Bert himself was a Brit, and had grown up in the 1930s, fronting groups such as the Blue Cumberland Rhythm Boys, and then, with an even better name, Bert Weedon and His Harlem Hotshots, before breaking out and embarking on a solo career. In between all this, he kept the lights on as a member of the ensemble in both Ted Heath and Mantovani's bands. So we might actually have heard Bert's work already - interesting to see this new style of instrumental music sort of coming out of the older-fashioned instrumental stuff we were seeing much earlier in the 1950s! Plus, he was a session artist for the BBC, accompanying a bunch of the early British rockers and rollers in their many TV appearances. So yeah, a real chameleon, with fingers in a lot of pies, it seems!

All this experience means he was a good person, in 1957, to write a guide to guitar playing, which he called Play in a Day. In it, he focussed primarily on the importance of tone control, drawing inspiration from American jazz guitarists like Les Paul. You can kind of hear this in his style, and it absolutely influenced the Shadows, too, helping them develop their distinctive style. So we've also got Bert to (kind of) thank for some Cliff hits, it seems. Plus, the guide is also cited as influential by literally dozens of other legendary guitarists, including but not limited to Eric Clapton, Brian May, three out of four Beatles, Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, Sting, Mark Knopfler and Jimmy Page. Not bad going, Bert!

I honestly had no clue. We've got this guitarist who influenced literally a whole generation of British guitarists, and has links to charting artists going back to the Mantovani days. And all of it tied to a song that's fun in and of itself, a nice little slice of boogie woogie guitar work. That said, it's definitely one of those songs where a bit of research into the artist improves the experience - you can't help but listen for traces of of everything else that's linked to it! What a wild find.

Favourite song of the bizarrely influential boogie woogie bunch: Guitar Boogie Shuffle

[celebstylefinder]

The Fashion Killa - A$AP Rocky

A rapper from Harlem New York, A$AP Rocky is no stranger to getting dressed and looking stylish. Since his come-up on the music scene back in 2011, he is known to rap about high fashion designers and streetwear brands, and is considered to be one of the pioneers for mixing high fashion together with streetwear, which is a very popular style for the youth today. In 2013 he released a song called "Fashion Killa" where he raps about his love for fashion and stylish women which references over 27 fashion brands and designers. This includes Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga, Jil Sanders, Alexander McQueen, Raf Simons, Rick Owens and much more. The music video also features Rihanna, who plays as his love interest which is very ironic because 11 years later, they are now dating and have two sons together. Here is the iconic video below.

Rocky's style doesn't only come from his expensive clothes, but also his confidence to wear whatever he feels like because he knows he's going to look good no matter what. His bold approach to experiment different styles such as mixing designer clothing with streetwear is what sets him apart from other fashionistas around the world. His love for fashion is also very authentic and apparent as he literally raps about being a "fashion killa" which is why he is one of the most notorious fashion icons in pop culture and is here to stay for the future.

Here are some of his best outfits below that showcase his style of high fashion mixed with streetwear:

source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/393431717448695841/

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Top: Loewe Fire of Youth Poster Tee

source: https://www.lyst.com/en-ca/clothing/loewe-fire-of-youth-poster-t-shirt/

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Bottoms: Dickies Khakis

source: https://socalskateshop.com/Dickies-Skateboarding-Slim-Straight-Pants-Brown-Duck.html

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Shoes: Off-White Jordan 1

source: https://stockx.com/air-jordan-1-retro-high-off-white-chicago

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source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/84794405469290212/

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Top: Gucci Silk Floral Cambridge Shirt

source:https://the-echelon.com/products/vintage-flowers-silk-cambridge-button-down-shirt

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Bottoms: Gucci Floral Painted Pants

source: https://www.lyst.com/shop/mens-gucci-slim-jeans/

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Shoes: Adidas Stan Smith x Raf Simons

source: https://stockx.com/adidas-stan-smith-raf-simons-white

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source: https://www.gq.com/story/asap-rocky-bottega-veneta-tie-jeans

Top: Bottega Veneta Pattern Long Sleeved Shirt

source: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/stripe-cotton-button-up-shirt/7199925

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Bottoms: Bottega Veneta Printed Leather Denim

source: https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/bottega-veneta/clothing/straight-leg/printed-leather-straight-leg-pants/1647597306955984

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Shoes: Bottega Veneta Leather Derby Shoes

source: https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/bottega-veneta-mens-strut-leather-derby-shoes-prod266790346

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TAG US IN YOUR RECREATIONS AND INSPO PICS @celebstylefinder !

LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW WHO YOU WANT TO SEE NEXT WEEK... WE WILL BE DIVING INTO SOME MORE OF YOUR FAVORITE FASHION ICONS! UNTIL THEN...

xoxo

celeb style finder

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 05/07/2023

Shaky Mountain

Season 6 Featured on: siivagunner's highest quality rips: volume

Ripped by Myeauxyoozi

Alright, I promise I will get to covering Season 6's Harlem Shakeover one day, but it's a big thing to unpack, okay! All you need to know about it for this rip in particular is that there was a takeover of two weeks where every single rip uploaded was nothing but the Harlem Shake. The takeover was as hilarious as it was torturous, and many parts of the fanbase celebrated its ending, or at least that's what I saw from the comments section. Yet in typical SiIva fashion, the joke refused to die: The harlem shake kept propping up every now and then in rips acting as if the takeover never truly ended. It created a sort of fear in the fanbase only really comparable to the infamous (and far worse) Bean incidents in Season 1.

What made it all worth it, though, was that these Harlem Shake rips, both ones during and after the takeover, are CRAZY good. I don't understand for the life of me why Myeauxyoozi decided to dedicate his time on the channel to making over 50 different Harlem Shake rips, but he's evidently a master of his craft. In Shaky Mountain in particular, every aspect of the original track is used perfectly, from the vocal samples to the intro sequence before the actual "shake" commences, to the lead instrument and its wub-wub backing...I just can't get over how perfectly placed out it all is.

I might be a bit biased toward this track in particular, as I've always had a fondness for how Kirby songs' high BPM lent themselves well to really fast jokes. High quality rips are very good at making you laugh as soon as they start, and that goes double for ones that move at such an insanely fast tempo.