#I’m trying to not buy any new material for this project

[sainte-melasse]

It’s still a work in progress but I can’t help showing you Shikimi in the nurse lolita dress I’m making them.

[sheerfreesia007]

Masterpiece of a Confession

Pairing: Hyunjin x Reader

Word count: 1,802

Content warnings: Fluff, mention of alcohol

Summary: You and Hyunjin have made plans to hang out tonight. What happens when you find him a gift that he’s been eager to get his hands on, and when you present it to him he confesses to you?

Seoltang: Sugar

There was just something so comforting to you whenever you went shopping for hobby supplies. The store was perfectly lit to be able to show you all the colors of the materials that you were looking to buy. Not to mention all the sales that would normally come along. As you walked slowly down the aisle with all the multicolored yarn and thread you smiled softly while your hands gently trailed over the ones you liked. You picked out a few for a project that you were just starting and then a few more that caught your attention.

Just as you moved further down the aisle your cellphone began to ring and you smiled when you recognized who the ringtone was for. Fishing the device out of your bag you quickly answered the phone and held it to your ear still smiling.

”Hey Jinnie.” You greet him happily and he chuckles softly on the other end.

”Hi Seoltang, where are you right now?” He greeted and asked kindly. You could hear the smile in his voice as you continued to walk down the aisle perusing the merchandise.

”At the craft store picking up some material for my new project.” You tell him as you stop to look at some hand dyed material that catches your eye.

”Do you want to come hang out later once I’m done with this photoshoot? I miss you.” He says softly into the phone as if he doesn’t want anyone else to hear how sweet and soft he’s being. You smile to yourself at his tone, Hyunjin has always been like this with you. He was always able to relax and be himself whenever he was with you and you loved that about your relationship. Plus the fact that you were able to be such a comfort to him made your heart sing with joy.

”Of course I do. Do you want me to pick up some food for us and Changbin?” You ask him kindly when you turn down the paint aisle and smile softly at the reminder of your friend.

”Changbin’s going out with Jisung and Chan tonight. It’s just going to be the two of us.” Hyunjin responds and you nod your head at his words as you spot Hyunjin’s favorite brand of paint before walking over to it.

”Alright so then I’ll grab us some food, anything in particular you’d like?” You ask as you grab some of the paint colors that you know he runs out of a lot and slip them into your basket.

”I don’t know, comfort food?” He muses curiously and you nod your head knowing exactly what he means. Today had been a bit of a gloomy overcast day and it really should’ve kept you in your cozy bed but you were on a mission to get all of your errands done.

”Italian from that little mom and pop place not far from your apartment?” You ask curiously and Hyunjin gasps and hums in delight.

”Oh you read my mind.” He gushes out softly and you chuckle at him as your eyes continue down the shelves of paints when suddenly something catches your eye. “Maybe we can try some of those Aracini balls that we weren’t able to try last time.” He suggested and you hummed in agreement.

”Oooh that sounds great. I’ll make sure to get an order of those for us.” You tell him as you move down the aisle closer to the multicolored box in hopes that it was what you thought it was. Hyunjin had been going on and on about this paint set that he wanted to try but every time he tried to get it in any craft store they were always sold out, as you reached up and grabbed the box you nearly let out a squeal in delight! It was the same set that he had been talking about, and luckily for you it looked like it was the last one on the shelf. 

“Well I really called you to talk about our days but it looks like I don’t have that long of a break today.” Hyunjin sighed softly and you frowned in response to his words before beaming as you slipped the paint set into your basket.

”That’s okay Jinnie, we’ll have all of tonight to talk about our days.” You reassured him sweetly and he hummed softly in response.

”I can’t wait to see you tonight Seoltang.” He said softly. “I’ll see you later, I gotta get back now.”

”I’ll see you later Jinnie.” You respond happily and hang up the phone before quickly making your way to the registers to pay for your things. You were eager to get home so that you could wrap the gift for him and give it to him tonight when you saw him.

*-*-*-*

Your trek up to Hyunjin and Changbins’ apartment is an easy one for you as you eagerly stride up the stairs two at a time. You’ve got your tote bag that holds the wrapped gift for Hyunjin as well as a bottle of wine that you found in the family owned restaurant when you went to pick up your dinner order. It had looked and sounded like something the two of you would enjoy together while eating so you had bought it.

Just as you make it to the top step of their floor you stop for a second letting yourself catch your breath and you hear a soft sweet giggle coming from the side. Turning your head you grin at a giggling Changbin who eyes you happily.

”That eager to get to him yah?” He asks knowingly and you blush softly at his teasing which causes him to giggle more. “Don’t worry he’s just as eager for you.” He says before giving you a quick hug and then continuing on down the stairs. “I’ll sleep over at Chan’s place tonight so don’t worry if you have a sleepover.” He calls over his shoulder teasingly.

”Changbin!” You scold softly and he giggles loudly once more at you before waving at you over his shoulder.

”Was Changbin giving you a hard time?” Hyunjin asks you and you turn your head to see him standing in the doorway of his apartment looking at you worriedly. You grin at him happily and he reciprocates the grin with one of his own sweet smiles. “I’ll beat him up for you.” He offers and you laugh happily as you excitedly make your way over to him and wrap him in a tight hug.

”No, no nothing like that. Just a bit of teasing.” You explain as you bury your face in his worn cotton t-shirt. “And I’d never ask you to do that.” You scold him softly as he grins down at you while wrapping his arms tightly around you.

”The offer still stands.” He says with a shrug before guiding you into the apartment. “Wanna get changed in your pjs first and then we’ll eat on the couch while watching a drama?” He asks when he finally lets you go so that he could close and lock the door.

”Yes please.” You sigh out happily as you slip your shoes off and go to set the bag of dinner on the kitchen island and pull out the wine bottle as well. “I bought wine from the restaurant too. Sounded like something we’d enjoy.” You tell him over your shoulder as you walk away to the bathroom so that you could go get changed.

”Oooh, this is a good one. Good choice!” Hyunjin calls out and you chuckle softly as you quickly get changed into your pjs before walking back out to find that Hyunjin had already set up dinner on the coffee table and was just pulling up a recent drama that the two of you had gotten into. “C’mere Seoltang.” He calls from his spot on the couch and you grin while rushing over to tackle him in a tight hug causing him to laugh happily at your actions. The two of you stay like that for a few quiet moments before you remember the gift you had gotten him.

”Oh! Before we start. I have a gift for you.” You say with a hint of teasing and Hyunjin looks at you with wide eyes before he grins excitedly and holds his hands out.

”Gift, please!” He calls out and you laugh softly at him before shaking your head. He gasps and then dramatically throws himself on top of you groaning loudly. “I need whatever thoughtful gift you’ve gotten or I’ll perish Seoltang.” He cries out as he throws a hand up into the air and squints his eyes. “Darkness is already closing in! I Can feel death’s cold grip on me tightening.” He dramatically cries out and you laugh loudly as you shove him playfully off you before you reach for your tote bag and pull out the wrapped gift.

Hyunjin quickly sits up from his sprawled out position as he eyes the prettily wrapped gift with eager eyes. You look down at the gift in your lap and then look up at him with a teasing grin on your face. Hyunjin leans forward with wide pleading eyes and a pout on his lips trying to get you to give him his gift. You smile softly at him and lean over to press a sweet kiss to his forehead without even thinking about it, it just naturally came to you to do that.

”What’s the magic word?” You ask him softly and Hyunjin grins widely at you as his eyelids flutter with delight at your kiss.

”I love you.” He answers immediately before cupping your face and pulling you into a deep loving kiss that makes you squeak with surprise as Hyunjin smiles through the kiss. He pulls away softly and grins widely when your mouth moves to chase his making the love he holds in his body for you swell to consume him. He then pulls you back in for another kiss and whispers the confession between each kiss he gives you.

You’re giggling happily and adoringly as you try to pull away from him so that you can give him his gift before you give up and press the present into his chest before kissing him once again.

”I love you too.” You whisper against his mouth and Hyunjin practically beams at you before he pulls away and looks down at the gift in his hands. Quickly opening it his eyes widen as surprise and adoration fills him. He looks up at you with wide love filled eyes before he grabs onto your face and pulls you in for another deep loving kiss that he doesn’t let you up from for a few breathless moments.

SKZ Taglist: @intartaruginha, @kayleefriedchicken

[ten-chocolate-sundaes]

Can I ask if you have any headcanons for the Maitlands? If so i'd love to hear them!!

ohhhhhh yes :)

so sorry for the info dump

they both went to college, but neither of them use their degrees. adam majored in engineering and babs majored in art history.

i like to think they own the hardware store in every universe (hence why I don’t think they use their degrees). it was adam’s father’s store, and adam decided to take over when he realized they liked actually building stuff more than engineering.

they met through a habitat for humanity program in high school and became quick friends after that. they didn’t start dating until late in college, though.

barbara is obsessed with making lego flowers and likes to decorate beej’s room with them because she knows they’ll never water real ones.

babs lost her mom when she was a teenager, just like lydia, and they often trade stories about their mothers. lydia loves hearing about the kind of person her “grandma” was.

adam is terrible about picking out lumber without knots, so babs always has to accompany them when buying materials for a new project.

the deetzes restore maitland hardware and build a raised pathway from the house to the store so adam and barbara can go there and have it still be “part of the house.” they do the behind the scenes while charles hires people to be workers, and a cleaned-up bj is the face of the company.

they’re both biromantic asexual because I said so.

lydia gets them a black cat as a pet (it can see them for some netherworldly reason, according to beej) and they absolutely spoil her. I’m talking babs bakes her little kitty treats from scratch and adam refuses to leave the room without her in tow. they build the most epic cat tree of all time.

adam secretly likes weezer. lydia uses this as blackmail against them.

adam’s middle name is david and barbara’s is anne.

shortly post-musical, adam finds out there are more than two genders when beej casually drops that he’s genderfluid and takes the maitlands to pride. gender crisis ensues, and adam figures out they’re transfem and starts using they/he. barbara desperately tries to help him through the process since she had all her gender problems figured out twenty years ago (she’s trans. to me.)

babs loves 70s fashion. she starts wearing bell bottoms and overdone blue cateye eyeshadow after she dies because she finally feels comfortable enough to express herself.

barbara sings to her plants.

adam owns every martha stewart book. barbara never really understood the appeal, but she’ll help them do one of the projects whenever inspiration strikes.

adam has spina bifida and has to take breaks from working often because of leg weakness,

barbara makes the world’s greatest strawberry rhubarb pie. she makes it every year for adam’s birthday.

babs secretly collects gemstones, although she’d never tell delia. her favorite is the amethyst.

both of them develop an odd trait post-death: their clothes change color like beej’s hair to match their moods.

they’re both tall (like 6 feet)

adam is a mariokart champion. lydia and bj constantly try to beat them. they fail.

skye’s troop told her to go sell to the maitland’s house since they’d always buy way too many cookies because they didn’t want the girls to have a bad sale day.

I have more but this list is getting long so <3

[lifenconcepts]

Y’all I’m seriously desperate at this point,

suggest me litteraly whatever activity you can and there’s like.. a good 80% chance I’ll go out of my way to do it. Please.

I’m practically suffering from boredom and yet have a million ideas for all sorts of activities and projects I could do - it’s a problem where I simply got so many lovely ideas and yet can’t choose, no matter how desperate I am.

I INSIST GIVE UTTERLY ANY IDEAAS (but avoid lists, I can make them myself, I just need someone to pinpoint a specific one.)

Goes without saying but DONT be weird about it. Nothing related to my actual identity, nothing romantic/sexual/harmful to anyone and especially not to myself, and nothing personal or strange i.e. related to my body or something disgusting like handling deceased creatures.

Anything else is absolutely okay!! Art ideas/prompts/requests

Craft ideas/prompts/requests/themes/suggestions

Writing ideas/prompts/requests/suggestions/topics

Photography prompts/ideas/requests/tasks

Challenges of any sort

Excersize related stuff (just keep in mind I would struggle with anything prolonged more than half an hour, be kind to me)

Visiting places near me (So stuff like “go to an art gallery/museum (there’s like..2 near me), to a new park, to a store you haven’t been in for a while, etc etc)

Some sort of hobby or activity taken on (would much prefer if it was cheap and/or free, as I can’t keep buying supplies if I’m not sure I’ll even get the hang of it or enjoy it. I do enjoy doing things outside and also inside if that makes it any easier to pick something out. Got some simple supplies for things here or there and random odd tools and materials)

Questions or advice from me, I got a ton of answers for those too.

I know I said it before but I’ll say it again, challenges are so welcome. Stuff like do so and so for this amount of time or the opposite of not doing so and so.

brownie points if it will take me more than 5 minutes. And EXTRA bonus points for being creative. I KNOW YALL CAN BE SO CREATIVE prove it !!!!

these points mean nothing I just am trying to increase the likelihood of someone offering me an activity

ACTUALLY BEGGING PLEASE IVE ALREADY SENT SO MUCH OF THESE OVER MY TIME ONLINE NOBODY RVEN SEES THEM BROOOO I need more than 2 tasks a month to keep me going yk????

[theswitchsteinenigma]

Yay I spent all evening on a sewing project that immediately was a huge fail and broke and I’ve never been more upset in my life I wasted time I could’ve been spending with my family working on something that now I can’t even show anyone because it failed I’m so sick and tired of trying so hard only for things I know how to do to work out so wrong it makes me feel like I never knew how to do these things in the first place. I hate everything I just feel like I’m not getting any better at anything I do I’ve been stagnant for years and in some cases I’ve degraded I feel like after 10 years my art isn’t anywhere near where I expected it to be and it’s just heartbreaking I feel like I’m just losing myself and theirs nothing I can do about it no matter what I do. I feel so ruined I don’t understand why this is happening to me.

well I’ll never have a disposable income so I really doubt I’ll ever make the art I truly want. Like I’ve found every cheap, recycle, accessible method of art supply curation and artistic creation and still theirs just something missing and it’s literally things I can’t afford that would make my art actually professional and I just don’t even understand how that’s the only issue. Like I can make anything out of anything and do so many cool skills I just don’t make things that look brand new and idk I feel like a lot of my creations are ugly it’s just annoying. Even when I buy like high quality fabric my issue is I don’t have a high quality sewing machine I have to hand sew things or just everything else is so much cheaper in comparison to the item I spent the most on that it just feels out of place and I’m just so lost on why people make making things look so easy but the reason their videos start off with a thousand dollar shopping trip of all brand new items it just magically looks a million times better. Theirs very few artist I follow or can find that create with low budgets and recycled materials I do but the few artist that do have a very established art style that incorporates that recycled look very well but makes it a brand new piece in a way it looks intentional. Like I can’t achieve perfect brand new, I can’t achieve artisan recycled, I’m stuck with just mediocre and only the stuff that has the least amount of work and the most amount of just purchased and put together things sells the best but the art I pour myself into just gets over looked or I just feel like it’s not really all that great to show off or like I don’t even want to keep it for myself because it doesn’t look the way it does in my head and I just feel bad throwing things away like I don’t have the money to just throw failed projects away so it’s just this big loop of being reminded I’ll always just be this poor artist and most of the people who buy art from me either feel bad for my situation or are utterly clueless about buying art and I was just reccomended by someone who feels bad for me so they assumed it would be a good choice and then they usually just ask for the most barren unlike me price ever and I put it out and just move along and they’re like hmm this is weird and doesn’t look like what you do because yeah even though I say I can draw anything that doesn’t mean I can promise you something in my style you asked for something you could tell by what I do that I don’t do that’s why it looks weird I tried but you like it enough to keep it just don’t really plan on getting art from me again because idk I’m not the most comissionable person for some reason despite feeling like I could make almost anything I’m asked. I’m just never asked…sadly it’s money related. My art just feels so stuck. Like I pride myself on what I’m capable of with what I have but it’s just alienating and depressing when I’m so over looked because my outcome isn’t brand new finished or perfectly artisan recycled. Too in the middle of those to look genuinely nice.

Do I even make any sense???

Xoxo- Switch.

[blissfullyapillow]

A beauty that transcends the Sakura Blooms

A beauty that transcends the Sakura Blooms

Genshin Impact

Kamisato Ayato x female reader

wc: 10,128~

Notes: fluff with spice because that’s my special formula (lmao), self indulgent (at this point what isn’t?), black/mixed reader, reader is mentioned to have small hands, reader is eluded to be shorter than Ayato, I wrote this inspired by a tiktok I saw talking about how black readers are typically portrayed in fanfics lol, self love is an avenue to personal growth and new opportunities <3 

Back to Main Masterlist

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Living a peaceful life as a black individual in Teyvat is easier said than done. Being black is not the only part of my ethnicity, but my skin color and black identity is the first and most essential aspect of myself that others see first. 

I’ve traveled to many nations, and the piercing stares have become the norm for me. It makes blending in difficult, but over time I’ve come into my own and developed my self esteem, so I no longer care for the curious glances in my direction. 

Although, having self confidence doesn’t make the insensitive questions any easier to hear. People have asked me, “Why is your skin color brown?” or “Why is your hair like that?” I’ve even heard people make passing comments like, “I’m surprised her hair isn’t braided” and “Oh my, her skin is so exotic, I want to touch her hair.” One of the most interesting comments I’ve received was, “Wow, your lips are so full. I’ve never kissed a woman with full lips before. How about you be my first?” 

…

I think that one speaks for itself. 

I shake my head as I focus my attention on the task at hand. Currently, I’m in Inazuma browsing through the various dyes at Ogura Textiles & Kimonos. I tend to buy dyes, kimonos, and high end silks from Ogura Mio, the shop owner. 

The first time I stopped by to find materials for my next project, I overheard her talking about “new” dyes with a blonde traveler and floaty.. thing. 

After the interesting duo left I asked her if I could try one of her “new” dyes, but she refused. I convinced her by agreeing to trade silk flowers from Liyue, since at that time the sakoku decree was still in effect which put a strain on outsourcing. She agreed to this trade deal, and ever since then I’ve been a regular with my usual haul of silk flowers. 

“Oh, Name! You’re back! I have a new dye to show you and- oh Name, how many times do I have to tell you I don’t need you to bring me silk flowers anymore?” Ogura scolds me like an old friend, but she gratefully takes the flowers from my small hands. In return, she completes our usual exchange with a new batch of her experimental dyes. 

I spot a beautiful hue of blue in the pile, and I’m sure my face reflects my obvious excitement. “Do you need any silks? You’re my only customer who gets a special discount, so make sure to put it to use!” I eagerly eye the new silks Ogura has in stock, and I pick out a natural white shade of silk. I make sure to get a feel for the silk before purchasing it, and I thank Ogura for her dyes and her business. 

“No worries Name, we’re friends, you know. Now, let me know how the dye turns out so I can…” Ogura’s eyes widen like saucers, and her voice comically dies mid sentence. I snort at her expression and open my mouth to tease her, but before the words can escape my lips a voice from behind interrupts me.

“My, it certainly seems business is booming for you.” Wait a minute.

My eyes widen as I make eye contact with Ogura. She raises her eyebrows in shock before she fixes her expression to be less comical. As she addresses the man behind me I feel my heart skip more than a few beats.

There’s no way she’s talking to the person I think it is, right?

I hold my breath before I slowly turn my body to glance at the man. His light blue hair reflects the beaming sun above us as his eyes roam over the various silks and dyes offered by Ogura. I almost can’t believe my luck. The esteemed Kamisato Ayato, or Lord as I should say, is here in the flesh. My cheeks flush as I gratefully take in his natural beauty.

Ayato turns to look at the kimonos, and his purple eyes temporarily meet mine. My cheeks instantly heat up as I freeze in place. I notice the soft chuckle he lets out as he sends a wink in my direction before his eyes return to their previous target. 

Oh, my heart.

I silently will myself to calm down and stop being so awkward when Ayato speaks up. “Would it be alright if I request a custom order?” Ayato’s question shocks not only the shop owner but me as well. 

Ogura, you’re so lucky!

Ogura looks a bit conflicted as she ponders her answer. “I’d love to, but I already have a lot of custom orders for the upcoming festival. I can do a custom order for you, but it may take a bit longer than you’d like Lord Kamisato.” Ogura apologetically bows, but Ayato’s small smile remains on his pretty lips. “It’s alright, no worries.” His simple response dictates the end of the conversation. 

Ogura looks remorseful as I watch her mind work a mile a minute. Her eyes scan the faces of people out and about before they land on me, and her eyes light up.

Oh no. No.

My palms sweat as I aggressively shake my head ‘no’ at her, but she dismisses my concerns. “Lord Kamisato, if you’re interested I know a friend who can fulfill your custom order with the finest of silks. Actually, she just bought silks that I’m sure will suit your tastes.” My feet are rooted to the spot as Ayato takes great interest in her words. “Oh? I’d be delighted to meet them.” With that, I turn on my heel in an attempt to make a break for it.

Ogura knows me all too well and is one step ahead, as I feel her arm link with mine as she all but drags me back to her shop, right in front of Kamisato Ayato- or well, Lord Ayato- no wait, Lord Kamisato. My eyes nervously trail over his elegant clothes until they meet his eyes. My observations were brief, but his clothing seems like a fusion of traditional Inazuma clothing and a suit, an item of clothing I’ve seen on my travels to other nations. 

Ayato smiles gratefully in my direction, and he moves a bit closer to study the silk and dye in my arms. I feel flustered with his body so close to mine. I try to calm my rapid, pounding heart with subtle deep breaths. “Ah, I see. Yes, this silk will do, and the dyes look splendid. Of course, this is all only if you are willing to accept my commission…” Ayato looks at a loss for words as his eyes suddenly look into mine, silently asking for my name, and I hope my nerves aren’t as obvious as they feel. I open my mouth to offer my name, but my nerves hinder my ability to respond.

“Name!” Ogura offers my name for me, and Ayato’s eyes shine with a mischievous glint. 

Hmm, what is this man planning?

“Ah, I see. Well Name, it would be my honor if you accept my custom commission.” Ayato ceremoniously bows in front of me, and some onlookers look at us in awe. I feel embarrassed and way more elated than I should. 

It takes me a moment to respond, but once I do I nod my head in compliance. He curiously tilts his head, no doubt wanting verbal confirmation, and I swear to the Archons if this isn’t the one of the most adorable things I’ve ever seen I’ll personally confiscate my vision. 

“Yes! The honor would be mind, Lord Aya- Lord Kamisato!” I embarrassingly correct myself quickly, and bow my head so he can’t see my flushed cheeks. It’s silent for a moment, and I don’t dare raise my head. Ayato’s sweet laughter cuts through the awkward atmosphere, and Ogura isn’t far behind as her own laughter reaches my ears. 

I slowly raise my head and admire the beautiful expression of joy on Ayato’s pretty features. His melodious laughter gradually calms before his eyes gleam in amusement. “Name, you’re an interesting individual. Thank you for accepting my commission. I will reward you with a generous amount Mora once the commission is complete.” In an unexpected action, Ayato moves closer to me and extends one of his partially gloved hands in my direction.

I watch with intense rapture as Ayato gently holds my free hand in his. Ayato gently leans down to press a chaste kiss against the back of my hand, and Archons know it’s taking every fiber of my being not to show how flustered his actions are making me feel. 

My eyes catch Ogura’s wide ones, and although her eyes express shock she’s quick to change her tune and give me two cheeky thumbs up. 

I giggle at that. 

Ayato raises his head to look into my eyes and I admire the resolve that I see swirl within his mesmerizing orbs. 

“Thank you, Name. If you don’t mind, would you accompany me to the Kamisato Estate? Time is of the essence, after all.” Ayato’s words ooze refined elegance and charm, and I find myself agreeing with his words instead of denying his request like I want to.

It’s not like I don’t want to go to the Kamisato Estate, but this is all so sudden! THE Kamisato Ayato is in front of me right now, smiling and actually talking to me, and he even kissed my hand!

In all honesty, I expected him to dismiss me once his eyes roamed my figure. I thought he would turn his head away in disgust as he inevitably looked elsewhere for a commission from someone with a lighter skin tone. 

“Wonderful. If you’ll excuse us, Miss Ogura. Thank you for your business and for the delightful referral.” After a swift exchange of bows between Ayato and Ogura, Ayato leads me to the infamous Kamisato Estate. 

As I pass Ogura I mouth my thanks. I also use the opportunity to express my shock with what I’m sure is an incredulous look on my face.

She simply sends a wink in my direction with a silent “good luck” in reply.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The trip to the Kamisato Estate is a leisurely one, and this is reflected in the hues of orange and purple displayed with the setting sun. The scenery around us is bathed in a beautiful golden glow, and I admire the golden rays' majestic glow on my skin.

I have to admit, my arms are getting a bit tired from holding all of my materials. Despite this, I refuse to voice my concerns to the Lord mere inches ahead of me. “Name, are your arms tired? I can hold your silks and dyes for you.” My head shoots up to look at Ayato in pure disbelief. 

Ayato chuckles at my expression as I scramble for a reply. “...Can you read minds?” I cautiously pose my question. Ayato blinks owlishly at me for a moment before his melodic laughter graces my ears yet again.

He wordlessly removes the materials from my tired hands, making sure to take it slow in case I rather keep my things to myself. I let him remove the silks and dye from my arms with no resistance. “Thank you, Aya- Lord Kamisato.” I graciously voice my appreciation. Ayato hums to himself for a moment before he voices another question. “Name, what’s your first and last name?” I feel my cheeks warm and I hope he isn’t getting ready to scold me for being improper. Maybe I should start referring to him as Lord Kamisato in my mind so I stop slipping up when I talk to him.

I make sure to speak up before I’m silent for too long. “Name L/N.” I reply. I carefully watch his expression, and it morphs into one of genuine intrigue. “Ah, I see. Such a lovely name for a charming lady such as yourself. Name, if it’s alright with you, may I continue to call you Name? I happen to like how it sounds.” Ayato’s genuine compliment fills me with joy. I’m glad he seems to be accepting of my unexpected last name rather than close minded..

“Of course! I apologize for slipping up with my formalities, Lord Kamisato. It’s very rude of me.” I bashfully apologize to Ayato as I make sure to keep pace with him by his side. Ayato thoughtfully looks off in the distance, and I follow his gaze to what I’m sure is the Kamisato Estate. 

Ayato speaks up, and when I turn to look at him his intense gaze makes it hard for me to look away. “Normally that would be considered rude, but since I’ve been referring to you by your first name all this time I believe it is only right that you refer to me by mine. You may call me Lord Ayato if you wish, but Ayato is just fine.” My jaw drops as I lose my footing, and Ayato is quick to reach a hand out to steady me before I eat dirt. 

Literally.

I quickly regain my balance. Once I’ve steadied myself, I notice that Ayato skillfully maneuvered all of my materials to his other arm in order to catch me before I fell. 

I also notice that Ayato still hasn’t let go of my arm. 

I feel his eyes on me as I attempt to control my erratic breathing from my near fall. “Sorry.” I mumble. “No worries. Although, I think it’d be wise if I continue to hold onto you. We can’t have you almost falling again.” I look on curiously, wondering what he means by that, and a feeling of bliss explodes in my chest as his gloved hand slowly trails down my arm until they rest against the back of my empty hand.

His hand moves to intertwine with mine. He begins walking again, so I have no choice but to follow. I intently stare at our intertwined hands for the remaining duration of our walk.

I fail to quell the incessant flame that colors my cheeks red. I can only hope he doesn’t catch sight of my burning cheeks.

Although I’m beyond elated at this turn of events, it’s hard for me to believe Ayato doesn’t have any ulterior motives behind his actions. Ayato not only accepted a commission from someone whose skills he knows little about, but he kissed my hand and invited me to the Kamisato Estate, all on day one. On top of that, he’s allowing me to call him by first name.

What is this? A fanfic?

I let that absurd thought leave my mind as Ayato and I finally reach the Kamisato Estate. 

Hopefully I can get answers as I complete Ayato’s commission.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Ah, milord! You’re back. Just in time for dinner- oh? Who’s this?” I look at the cheerful blonde man in front of me, and his welcoming energy helps to ease the tension in my muscles.

“Ah, Thoma. Thank you, I’ve found someone to fulfill that commission I mentioned to you earlier.” Ayato looks at me in lieu of gesturing in my direction as both of his hands are occupied. For some reason, we’re still holding hands as he has yet to let go.

Thoma, supposedly the cheerful blonde man in front of us, catches sight of our intertwined hands as his eyes glance in my direction. 

A spark of recognition flashes in his eyes, and he sends a dazzling smile in my direction. “Oh, welcome! Since you’re here, why don’t you join us for dinner? Lucky for you, I made extra today.” Thoma’s smile dispels any anxious thoughts I would have, although his recognition doesn’t escape my watchful eyes. 

“Thank you Thoma.” I smile at him, and Thoma returns my smile with a cute laugh. “Well, if you’ll excuse us.” Ayato leads me away, and I wave a temporary farewell to Thoma as I’m guided through the halls of the Kamisato Estate until Ayato leads me into an empty room. 

I gasp as I take in the beautiful interior design of the room. Ayato slowly lets go of my hand as he sets my materials down on a lengthy table in the center of the room. “I apologize for bringing you here so suddenly, but I’d appreciate it if this commission was completed sooner rather than later. If it is alright with you, my retainers can arrange a change of clothes and a bath for you. You may stay in this room for as long as you wish, but I ask that you reside here in the Estate as you work on your commission. That way, you can take all the measurements you need and make adjustments with ease as you progress.” As Ayato relays this information to me, I admire his form as he sits down on the floor below.

I follow suit and sit down across from him. His watchful eyes observe my form.“Of course, I understand. This is honestly a lot, but I’m really thankful for this opportunity so… Thank you. Although, I am curious since you have yet to tell me, and I hope you don’t mind answering.. What exactly do you want me to commission for you?” I curiously eye him, and his calculating gaze catches my interest. 

“Well, I’d like to commission a kimono from you, for myself. I hope that is acceptable.” My eyes widen in surprise, and a giddy giggle slips past my lips before I can stop it. No way! I can finally make a kimono for someone other than my small group of friends, and I’m getting paid for it! 

Wait, before all of that..

“Ayato- I mean, Lord Ayato… um, sorry. I want to ask you another question.” His eyes prompt me to continue, and so I do. “It seems as if Thoma knew something unspoken when you mentioned why I’m here, and your kindness towards me doesn’t make sense at all, considering I should be a complete stranger to you.” Ayato’s eyes glint, and he seems impressed by my astute observations.

“Well done, Name. I’m impressed. Those questions all have an answer, and in due time those answers will be revealed to you. I will return to this room to give you my measurements tomorrow, although if you’d like to begin earlier we may start after dinner.” With that, Ayato stands, but not before he gently brushes his hand against a wayward strand of my hair. 

I’m glad he turns away so he can’t see the goofy grin on my face.

I watch his graceful form leave the room, and I will my heart to slow its rapid march.

Almost immediately after he leaves I hear someone knock before they enter the room. It’s one of Ayato’s retainers, and I’m quickly whisked away for a bath and a comfortable change of clothes. Mere moments later, I find myself seated beside Ayato, Thoma, and Lady Ayaka for dinner.

I don’t even know where to begin, but my addled brain and hungry stomach can only muster enough energy to enjoy the delicious food before me, courtesy of Thoma’s skillful hands.

 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

I approach Ayato privately after dinner and tell him to meet me in my room. His eyebrows raise and a tease smirk settles on his luscious lips. I realize my mistake, so I quickly backtrack before he can tease me about my suggestive choice of words.

Although, I wouldn’t mind being suggestive with the head of the Kamisato Clan.

Okay, I’m getting way too ahead of myself. 

With minimal teasing on Ayato’s end, I lead him to my temporary room. 

I’m elated when I return to my room to see measuring tape and all the necessary materials I need neatly organized across the center table. “Alright then Mr. Kamisato, are you ready for this?” My confidence finally presents itself as I’m now in my element, ready to get to work.

Ayato chuckles in amusement as he dutifully follows my instructions.

 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

I have to admit, being close to Ayato like this in nothing but his undergarments is really doing things to me. I know I need to be professional right now, so although I want to admire his physique I focus my attention on acquiring the numbers I need to work on his commission.

It isn’t long before I finish, quite used to this process and Ayato was pleasantly still for me. 

I raise myself up after measuring the length of his legs, and I ask if it’s okay if I finish off by measuring his bust and waist. As I gauge his reaction, I’m blessed with the sight of his flushed cheeks. A rare sight, I’m sure.

Ayato awkwardly coughs before he nods, giving me the go ahead. I cautiously move in closer in case he wants to back out.

That time never comes, and it isn’t long before I’m finished with everything. “All right Ayato, you can get dressed again-” A muffled sound of surprise escapes me when I accidentally slip on the measuring tape whose length reaches the floor below.

I stumble back into Ayato, and I feel his firm chest against my back as his arms wrap around my frame to steady me. “You appear to be quite the klutz, Name.” I abhor the laughter I can hear in his voice, so I turn around to refute his accurate claim. “For your information, Lord Ayato, I’m sleepy and tired right now. I know you need this commission finished as soon as possible so I wanted to get your measurements tonight, but that doesn’t mean I…” My words get caught in my throat when my eyes raise to catch a glimpse of his face.

His purple eyes are burning flames as they travel across the expanse of my face, and I hate how ecstatic I feel as his eyes trail a bit lower, before returning to my face. “You perv, what are you looking at?” I mumble. Ayato hums, and I have to tear my eyes away from his intense stare. “Name, you’re the one fully clothed. If anything, you’re the perv. You were awfully close to my waist you know? You even had your hands all over my person.” I chuckle in disbelief at Ayato’s choice of words.

Ayato laughs at my befuddled expression, and he pulls me in closer. I relish the feeling of his warm skin against me as I close my eyes in content. 

I know I should pull away and conduct myself in a professional manner, but… this feels nice.

Ayato’s laughter dies down after a few moments, and a comfortable silence envelops us. I keep my eyes shut, unintentionally drifting off to sleep. “Name?” Ayato's husky voice simultaneously arouses me and makes me sleepier. “Hm?” I softly reply. 

He’s silent, and I can feel the rise and fall of his chest against my own. Soon, I really am on the verge of being lulled to sleep. I feel his body shift against me, and soon his arms are around me as his breath fans against the shell of my ear. 

“Thank you for your accommodating attitude, Name. May the Shogun bless you with dreams that reflect the beauty of the sakura blooms.” I swear he presses a kiss to my ear before he pulls away and carries me to the bed. 

Butterflies soar the open skies of my thumping heart, and in a breathless whisper his name falls from my lips.

I feel the way Ayato’s body stiffens, so I slowly open my eyes.

His purple orbs hold a softness I formerly believed they were incapable of holding, and in one swift movement he sets me down on my bed. “Rest well Name, I shall visit you in the morning.” I stare into his eyes, and almost as if we can read the other’s thoughts, we both lean towards the other.

I abruptly stop moving, surprised by my own actions. What has gotten into me? I don’t know this man, I know of him and his reputation, but not him. There’s no need to be hasty here, and in the first place I shouldn’t be thinking about my employer like this.

Ayato watches my movements with hooded eyes, and it seems he has an inkling of what my current thoughts are. He slowly leans forward to press a gentle kiss against my forehead. His hand hovers over my head, but he withdraws it before he whispers a cordial “goodnight” before he moves away. 

I shut my eyes as he dresses himself, and I hear his soft footsteps as he leaves.

It isn’t long before I drift off to sleep with more questions than answers and conflicting feelings fluttering around in my chest. 

Unbeknownst to me, Ayato was pressed up against the nearest wall outside, flushed  cheeks covered by his pretty hands. His closed eyes concealed the whirlwind of emotions that blew the soft petals of sakura blooms into the welcoming winds of his heart.

 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

I had a surprisingly refreshing rest, and my dreams were unexpectedly sweet. Of course a certain blue haired lord was at the center of my dreams, but I think I’ll keep that tidbit to myself. 

My morning is more or less uneventful, as the same retainer from before brings me a change of clothes along with breakfast. It isn’t long before I continue working on Ayato’s kimono.

I ask the retainer if I can see Ayato whenever he is available, and the retainer dutifully leaves to deliver my message. Minutes later, Ayato knocks before entering my room.

“Oh! You’re here earlier than I expected. I won’t take much of your time. I just wanted to know what your favorite color is.” I wait for his response to reach my ears as I mull over the array of dyes I have to choose between, including the ‘new’ blue dye I acquired from Ogura. 

“You’re my favorite color.” My head shoots up and my ears pound as I take in Ayato’s fond expression that’s blatantly directed at me. He moves to sit beside me, and he carefully observes the array of dyes spread out before us. 

I heard that incorrectly, right?

It isn’t long before Ayato hands me the dye of his choice, and of course it’s the ‘new’ blue dye I picked out with Ogura. He picks a second option, an elegant deep hue of purple that graces my eyes. “Ooh, I can work with this! Thanks, Ayato. I know you’re busy so you can leave now. I’m going to get to work.” With that, I begin to work on Ayato’s Kimono.

He stays for a while and watches the process before he stands up to leave, wishing me a pleasant farwell. I finally let out the breath I was holding as my face explodes in a beautiful burst of red.

I would’ve believed I heard his earlier statement incorrectly if he hadn’t whispered the words again in my ear, flustering me all over again.

 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Three hours of peace pass before I hear another knock. I place my work in progress down on the table as I stand up and stretch. I voice a greeting, and lo and behold Ayato walks through the door with a stack of papers in his hands. 

As I stretch my legs I watch him walk into the room with obvious intrigue. He wordlessly makes his way over to the lengthy table I was previously working at. He sets his paperwork down on it before he joins me in stretching. I eye the way his arms stretch above his head, and the satisfied sigh that escapes those pretty lips as his stretch comes to a conclusion.

I admire him for a moment longer before his eyes flutter open, and I quickly avert my gaze in hopes of not getting caught staring. I finish my stretch before I return to the table, but not without catching Ayato's knowing smirk as I walk past him.

Ugh, whatever. 

Once I’m comfortable I continue where I left off. Ayato sits himself down beside me. It takes a moment, but Ayato takes a single sheet of paper from the large pile of papers he brought in. He sits up as he carefully reads it over, pen in hand. 

I come to the sudden realization that he brought all of his paperwork with him to visit me; He fully intends to do his paperwork beside me as I work on his kimono. 

I ignore the flip of joy my heart does as I focus my attention on completing Ayato’s commission.

I pretend I don’t notice the way Ayato subtly moves closer to me.

 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

I allow a yawn to escape as I safely store my work in progress. Ayato only has a paper or two left to sign, and I’ve made decent headway on his kimono. I have to say I adore the contrast of the beautiful blue hue to the natural white silk of the kimono. I’m taking creative liberty with the design, so it’s taking me a bit longer than anticipated to precisely sew intricate blue camellias along the kimono. 

Despite the intricacy of the design I’m sewing, it should only take another measly two hours to finish, three at most. Actually, I should relay this information to Ayato. 

I turn around to do just that, but I wind up staring at Ayato as he reads the words on the paper in front of him. His brows are furrowed, and whatever’s written on the paper is clearly causing an internal dilemma for him. 

Okay, I’m a bit curious..

I return to my previous position beside Ayato, and I sit down beside him. He doesn’t say anything, but one of his hands gently reaches over to rest on top of mine. I ignore how delightful his hand feels on mine in favor of stealing a nosy glance at the paper he’s reading.

I catch a glimpse of the word ‘marriage’ and I abruptly look away. 

Marriage was not the word I expected to see. I feel my cheeks burn as I imagine this isn’t the first time Ayato’s received a letter like that. Why did I think for even a moment that- “Name, I apologize to ask this of you after you graciously agreed to my previous request, but may I ask something else of you?” I feel Ayato’s hand gently curl around mine, and although I know I should pull my hand away I curl mine around his in reciprocation. 

“Yes, you may.” Is my verbal response. I study Ayato’s handsome features, and I take joy in the noticeable way his eyes soften at the sound of my voice. “I originally needed a Kimono for the upcoming festival, but now there seems to be a delightful change in plans, if you will permit.” My eyebrows raise in curiosity, and as a prompt for him to continue. 

Ayato smooths a gloved thumb over the back of my hand, and I watch as he clearly contemplates his next words.

“To be frank, I’m quite tired of all these marriage proposals, and it just so happens a suitable candidate is already by my side. So, if you would do me the honor..”

My mind struggles to process Ayato’s words as he turns his body to face me, and he tenderly grapes both of my hands in his. 

Bashful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. I avert my eyes so I don't fall prey to his captivating features, especially his stupid beauty mark.

Ayato leans in close to my ear to whisper against it, “Name, look at me.” I take a steadying breath before obliging his request, and the emotion that swirls in his eyes inadvertently makes me squeeze his hands. He squeezes mine back before he finally voices his additional request.

“Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” My entire body explodes and I’m sure I’m unfortunately as red as a shiny red apple. Ayato studies my reaction for a moment before he bursts into laughter. My heart sinks, thinking he’s toying with me, but before I can remove my hands from his he tightens his grip on my hands as he pulls me against him.

I let out a yelp of surprise as I fall against him. He laughs as his arms wrap me in a hug. “Pardon my bad manners, but your face was utterly adorable. Yes, I want you to be my wife, but only for the night. If rumors circulate about me having a fiance, these pesky proposals will all but disappear from the incessant pile of paperwork I must look over.” 

I contemplate his words, and although the word ‘temporary’ and the fact he is indirectly using me leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, I decide to agree on one condition. “I’ll be your ‘fiance’ under the condition that you tell me the real reason you asked me of all people to sew your kimono.” I look up to see the way Ayato’s eyes reflect genuine excitement and subtle surprise. 

“My, insistent aren’t you? Alright, I agree to those terms.” Ayato loosens his hold on me, giving me the opportunity to escape his arms if I should choose. I remain in his arms and lean my head against his chest. Ayato hums a tune to himself as he holds me against him. 

“I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to you if I say I may have had some… influence on how we met.” My eyes widen, and my heart pounds against my chest. I honestly suspected as much, as things had gone a little too smoothly with someone as high caliber as the head of the Yashiro Commission. 

“I will mention I’ve seen sparse glances of you around Inazuma, and you have piqued my interest. Not for the ill intent you may be thinking, I assure you, but for other reasons I do not wish to divulge. Not today, at least.” I can’t help but giggle a little at how sheepish that last sentence sounded, and Ayato awkwardly coughs to cover up what I’m sure is a bit of embarrassment.

“Regardless, I have been eager to get to know you personally, and our meeting at Ogura Textiles and Kimonos was just a wonderful event ordained by fate. Does this answer satisfy your curiosity?” Ayato slowly runs a hand along my back as he waits for my response. 

Honestly, it does, but I still have one question. “Why did you want to get to know me?” My words come out a little strained, and I hope he doesn’t question it. As much as I’ve enjoyed my time at the Kamisato Estate, I would hate to realize a man of such power only intended to use me. I’ve endured enough mistreatment from others already.

“Oh dear, it seems I’ve only managed to distress you instead of alleviate your concerns. Alright then, I’ll be completely transparent with you.” Ayato gently places his hands on my shoulders before he slowly pulls me back to look at him. I tentatively look into his elegant purple orbs as he speaks. 

“Do you recall a kimono you sold through Ogura? A furisode kimono with a Same Komon pattern?” I quickly rack my brain. 

A furisode kimono? I previously sold some of my designs through Ogura, which she gave me the mora for, just to see how well my designs would be perceived with the people of Inazuma. Fortunately, they sold out rather quickly, and one of the customers was a sweet young lady who returned to Ogura Textiles and Kimonos just to relay her thanks. 

Oh, wait, that same young lady was the one who bought the furisode kimono I made. From what I remember she was very pretty, kind, and well mannered. ..Now that I think about it, she resembled Ayato in many ways. 

“Yes, I remember. A respectful young lady personally gave me her thanks after buying the kimono. Why? Do you happen to know her-” Suddenly the words die in my throat and my eyes widen in realization. Ayato smiles at me since I finally put two and two together.

“That young lady is my younger sister, Kamisato Ayaka. Remember we had dinner together? Honestly, I learned of you and your work through her. I thought I’d catch a glimpse of the person who made Ayaka’s kimono, so I attempted to locate you. I used some outside help, but I managed to catch sight of you walking the streets of Inazuma. I have to say, when I saw you for the first time you were truly breathtaking, and a beautiful sight to behold.” Ayato all but gushes his admiration of my work and my perceived beauty, and I may as well be putty in his hands.

“O-Oh…” Is all I can shyly mutter. Ayato gently trails a hand down my arm as he silently gauges my expression. “I see, that makes a lot more sense. I’m so sorry for being suspicious of you, I’ve just had a lot of bad experiences with others across the nations and I..” I gulp and take a moment to catch my breath, as the delicate emotions I’m feeling cause my voice to waver. Ayato traces unknown shapes on my arm, and remains a comforting presence as I gather myself. 

“I just don’t want to be hurt again.” I whisper. “I understand.” Is his compassionate murmur of perception.

Although it’s silent afterwards, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. I usually brush off offensive comments made about me, and I’m used to suppressing my feelings in order to cope with the many stressors of life. Some of those daily stressors are things that others will never experience in their lifetime. 

So to hear genuine understanding and empathy in two simple words, well…

I truly feel that he understands what I mean. 

I close my eyes as I rest my head against his chest yet again, and he happily complies with my actions. “Ayato…” I breathe. “Hm?” He hums in question.

“I’ll happily be your wife.”

His hand pauses its soothing motions on my back, and I can feel more than hear the way his breath hitches as his chest stills on inhalation.

A beat passes before he exhales. His free hand trails down my arm to hold my smaller hand in his bigger one. 

“I’d love nothing more.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Ayato, aren’t I just pretending to be your wife?” The only response Ayato offers to my question is a muffled “yes” against the juncture of my neck.

I shiver as his breath fans across my sensitive neck, but I make no effort to move.

I can hear the gentle pitter patter of the rain outside as Ayato comfortably snuggles against me.

“Wouldn’t this be deemed ‘inappropriate behavior’ by your retainers?” I ask. “It doesn’t matter, I am perfectly able to comprehend and make my own decisions.” Ayato gives me a response that isn’t muffled this time.

With a blissful sigh, I finally relax against him as he pulls me impossibly closer to him. 

Our limbs are tangled together on my bed. Ayato visited my room earlier, and after a few swift knocks he entered my room and plopped himself down beside me.

I was still groggy and not fully awake yet, so I didn’t completely register everything that was happening as I welcomed Ayato into my arms with a soft giggle.

I was tired.

And totally not thinking straight.

Despite that, this does feel nice. Being held like this.

I detest the way my heart beats a steady rhythm against my chest as I feel more at ease than I have over the past couple of days. “Isn’t today that fancy event thing you’re supposed to attend? With the kimono I sewed for you?” I gently run my hands through the light blue strands of Ayato’s hair, and he releases a dreamy sigh against my neck.

“Yes, but that doesn’t occur until later, and that is where you will be presented as my fiance.” My hands suddenly stop moving through his hair. Ayato grumbles disapprovingly at this. He reaches up and uses his hand to guide mine in continuing their former movements.

“W.. Wait, but aren’t I supposed to be trained for that? What if I say something wrong or I make a bad impression? I don’t want it to affect you or your reputation..” I verbally voice my concerns, but Ayato doesn’t reply. 

“Ayato, I’ll continue if you respond.” Ayato’s response is quick after my words reach his pink tinted ears.

“You do not need to worry yourself over something so miniscule, Name. Whether they like you or not is none of your or my concern. From what I’ve seen of you over the course of these past few days, I have no concerns. I’m sure that you’ll be able to handle yourself just fine. You naturally conduct yourself in a manner that is suitable to be my fiance.” Ayato’s words subdue my anxious thoughts, but they have the added side effect of making me blush.

I resume running my fingers through his soft hair, and he hums in satisfaction. “You’re really clingy to someone you hardly know.” “Well, let’s change that.” “What do you-” I cut myself off as Ayato removes his head from my neck to send a charming smile in my direction. 

“You know my favorite color, but what is yours?” Ayato watches my face closely. “I, um, purple. I love the color purple, especially light purple. I like all shades of purple though.”  I answer. “Hmm. How lovely, purple is an elegant and graceful color. It is befitting for an individual such as yourself.”

“I swear to the Archons, Ayato!” I bashfully cover my mouth with my free hand as I look away, and I feel the way his chest rises and falls, pressed against mine, with his boisterous laughter. 

“Are you not used to such genuine compliments, Name?” Ayato teasingly trails a finger down my arm, and I refuse to look at what I know is a teasing smirk on his lips.

“W-Well yes, and um.. you’re really handsome, so hearing those words from someone like you is a dream come true. You’re a genuinely good person as well, so it’s kind of hard for me to believe that you can see me in that way.” I whisper. I close my eyes and take a deep, calming breath before opening them again.

When I look at Ayato’s face, I’m graced with the presence of a pink blush on his cheeks. I pointedly look at his beauty mark that is oh so close to my face, and it takes a lot of willpower for me not to lean in and kiss it. 

I watch as Ayato awkwardly coughs in an attempt to cover his embarrassment, and that action is what leads me into a giggling fit.

How can this man tease me relentlessly, yet the moment I compliment him in return he’s a flustered, blushing mess?

I’m almost tempted to compliment him again, if only to see what other pretty expressions he can make.

Ayato continues to smile at me fondly as my laughing fit slowly dies down. 

My next action is honestly out of my control. I can’t help it when he’s smiling at me with such profound adoration in his eyes. 

I give in to the urge and quickly lean in to press a tender kiss against his beauty mark, and I gaze deeply into his eyes as I pull away.

He’s frozen for a moment.

Or two.

Before his entire face is redder than I’ve ever seen it as he sputters and tries to come up with something to say, only to be at a loss for words. 

“Ayato? Are you okay?” I jokingly ask him. 

It feels very empowering to know I can fluster him just as much as he flusters me.

Ayato covers the lower portion of his face with his bare hands. He looks at the bed in favor of looking at me. 

“Can you give me a second? I need a moment.” Ayato’s bashful words elicit a grin out of me. 

I watch in amusement as Ayato visibly takes a few deep breaths in an attempt to collect himself. “This is a sight I could get used to.” I tease. 

I lean my head against a propped hand, and Ayato’s eyes reluctantly follow the action.

A few moments later, Ayato shyly moves closer to me, and I allow him to wrap his arms around me yet again.

“Please speak of this to no one.” 

“No promises.”

“Name.”

“No promises.” 

I love the way he groans in acceptance as he chooses to bury his face in the juncture of my neck again. 

Oh, this is fun.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Don’t apologize.” “Sorry.” “Name.”

This is the fourth time tonight I've apologized. This time it was because I clumsily bumped into Ayato. 

I’ve been sticking to Ayato’s side like glue as he talks to various important figures of Inazuma, and I’m doing my best to remain calm under the pressure of so many judgemental stares.

Ayato has more or less been my rock throughout this entire evening, and I’m beyond grateful to him for it. I can’t help but think that I should show him how much I appreciate his guidance tonight in some way, granted he is the reason I’m in this situation to begin with. 

For some stupid reason the thought causes a perverted smirk to present itself on my face.

I quickly catch myself when Ayato turns to look at me, and his eyes widen at my expression. I wipe the smirk off my lips, but it’s too late.

A similar smirk to my previous one finds its way onto his pretty lips. I can’t help but notice the way his smirk lifts the cute beauty mark near his lips. 

Ayato leans down to whisper in my ear. My cheeks warm as his tall figure lowers to my height. “Wow, Name. I never imagined I’d see such a lecherous look on your face.” Ayato’s breath tickles the shell of my ear, and the feeling causes a pitiful whimper to escape me. I enjoy the way Ayato’s breath catches at the sound. 

Ayato and I are taking a breather in a secluded area so I’m not too worried about someone spotting us, although it’s still a possibility. 

Ayato brought me out into the empty halls earlier when he noticed my stiff shoulders, and the small act of his hands wrapping around mine as he led me away from the prying eyes of the crowd… well..

Let’s just say my heart skipped a few beats. 

And my eyes may have sparkled.

…

Anyway-

My mind is drawn back to the present when his nose grazes the skin of my neck. I let out a gasp at the feeling of his soft lips pressed against my neck. “Ayato-” I grasp the sleeve of his kimono in a futile attempt to ground myself. 

Ayato groans as his lips slowly trail sweet kisses down my neck. 

I jump when the sound of footsteps reach my ears, and my heart lurches.

This is super improper! It’ll be bad for Ayato if someone sees us like this.

“Ayato, someone’s-” The rest of my words are incomprehensible as Ayato gently sucks on a sensitive spot on my neck. Now both of my hands are gripping his kimono, and I hear a startled noise from a few feet away.

The sound of footsteps fade away, accompanied by an awkward cough. I almost care about the fact someone saw us like this, but I can hardly muster the energy to as Ayato’s lips cast a captivating spell on the skin of my neck. Ayato pulls away once the sound of footsteps can no longer be heard. 

Ayato tilts his head up to look into my eyes. “Name.” My name sounds hoarse on his lips, and his name escapes my own in a hushed whisper.

My body acts before my mind can catch up, and I find myself leaning into Ayato’s welcoming lips. Ayato’s groan reaches my ears once our lips finally meet, and the stress from this entire evening leaves my body as I melt into Ayato. 

Ayato’s arms wrap around me to gingerly hold me against him as his body all but sinks against mine.

Our lips mold together perfectly, and if I wasn’t so engrossed in the kiss I would feel embarrassed by the moan I let out.

Ayato’s hand slowly trails down my body until it rests against the small of my back. 

As much as I’m enjoying the kiss, my body’s demand for oxygen becomes too much. I gently tap Ayato’s shoulder for him to pull away, and he languidly breaks our kiss. 

Ayato’s wistful sigh elicits a giggle out of me. We stare into each other’s eyes as our heavy breaths mingle in the short distance between our lips.

“Ayato, shouldn’t we return-” 

His mouth steals the rest of the words from my lips. I squeak when he slowly pushes me back into the solid wall behind me. 

This time I’m the one to pull away, and I blush when his lips chase mine in a desperate attempt to continue our kiss. 

“Ayato, wait please.” His lips abruptly stop chasing mine, and he groans in reluctant compliance. I take in his hooded eyes and ruddy cheeks, and that’s when I know.

This feeling is indisputable, but I still try to resist it nonetheless. “Name, I’m sorry if I got carried away… I..” Ayato trails off, and I quickly correct him before he can misunderstand my actions. “Ayato, honey, you didn’t do anything wrong. If you couldn’t tell, I leaned in too. I just broke the kiss since it may be a bit improper for the Yashiro Commissioner to be caught fervently kissing his fiance against the wall. If you’d like to continue, we’d have to go somewhere private.” Ayato’s eyes widen at my bold words, and I can visibly see the moment he finally registers that someone did in fact walk in on us kissing.

Instead of the panicked reaction I partly expected to see, a devilish smirk upturns his captivating lips.

This man is almost too attractive for his own good.

Actually, no, he is. And he knows it too.

“Alright. Then if my fiance permits it we shall return to the function to give our farewells. It is getting awfully late, and I’d hate to neglect the needs of my pretty wife.” A furious heat blazes across my entire body at his suave words, and he watches my reaction with amusement and another emotion I can not name.

“Ayato, did you only kiss me so someone would see? So they couldn’t question whether I was actually your wife- or, well, fiance.” Ayato’s eyes lower at my words, but I catch the hurt in his eyes.

I hate the way my heart hurts at his saddened expression. He begins to pull back a little, but I tighten my grip on his sleeves and pull him into me again.

“I-I don’t want to doubt you Ayato. I’m sorry, I just… I’m sorry, it’s not you. I believe your actions and your words, you’ve given me no reason to doubt them thus far.” Ayato sucks in a breath, and he allows me to press a kiss against his lips.

My kiss tells him the rest of the words that get caught in my throat. He immediately accepts my kiss, and overwhelming relief relaxes my tense shoulders. 

His acceptance tells me that he understands all the words I couldn’t say; he accepts me nonetheless.

When we part again, this time I’m the one who chases after him. Ayato chuckles as he allows me to kiss him again. “I understand. I don’t mind, we’ll move at whatever pace you are comfortable with. Whatever it is my wife wishes, I am more than happy to oblige her requests.” Ayato pulls away from me, and I watch as Ayato gets down on one knee in front of me. I allow him to tenderly hold my shaking hand in his.

My eyes water as he presses a sweet kiss against the back of my hand, and a tear slides down my cheek when he turns my hand over to press a delicate kiss against the palm of my hand. 

Before he can rise to his feet I practically throw myself into his arms.

“My, what’s gotten you so emotional?” Ayato knowingly murmurs the question despite knowing the answer. He silently holds me against him as more tears travel down the valley of my cheeks. 

It takes a few moments before I allow Ayato to see my tear stained face. He dutifully wipes my tears with a handkerchief. 

There’s no judgment in his eyes, and a well meaning smile placates any concerns I would’ve had. 

Once all of my tears are dried Ayato and I return to the function to give everyone our farewells before Ayato escorts me back to my room for the night.

He follows me inside my room, and he comically walks over to my bed and flops down onto his back. I can’t help but smile fondly at the sight of the esteemed Kamisato Ayato spread out like a starfish on my bed.

“Name, you can do more than just stare. I give you permission to touch.” The teasing lit to his voice immediately causes me to fluster. 

This man will be the death of me.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*   ♡　*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The first thing I register is the soothing sensation of fingers playing with my hair. I coo as I snuggle closer to the smooth skin of my pillow. 

…

Wait.

My pillow doesn’t normally have smooth, warm skin….

I slowly pry my bleary eyes open. I struggle to adjust to the dim lighting of the room as I change my position. “Shh, go back to sleep.” Ayato’s low voice murmurs against my ear. 

I’m silent as Ayato hums, and my thoughts run a mile a minute as I try to remember what happened last night. 

From what I can recall, we changed into our nightwear before sitting side by side on my bed, just talking about how we feel about everything that’s happened and what we’d like to do moving forward. 

Unfortunately I fell asleep during the conversation. I was really tired, and Ayato’s steady pulse against the shell of my ear only encouraged me to rest. 

Now, I all but purr as Ayato plays with my kinky hair. “Did I give you permission to touch my hair?” I joke. Ayato's hand stops its soothing motions. Before he can completely withdraw his hand, I whine and place my hand over his to return his hand to its previous position. 

Ayato lets out a booming laugh as he continues to play with my hair. “It certainly seems as if our roles have been switched, hm?” I can only laugh as I recall an earlier time when Ayato was the one in my position. 

“I don’t mind, it feels wonderful.” I snuggle against his chest. My hand eagerly intertwines with his, and he willingly weaves his hand with mine. As his thumb rubs soothing shapes into the back of my hand, I splay my free hand against his chest. 

My eyes open again, and this time it doesn’t take me long to adjust to the dim lighting. I look at his face to gauge his reaction as I basically feel him up.

I adore the way his eyes squeeze shut and his face explodes in a delightful burst of red. 

“A-Ah, Name, I didn’t take you for the handsy type..” I snicker as he makes no attempt to stop me. 

A comfortable silence accompanies the peaceful atmosphere. My mind wanders, and it isn’t long before I voice a question. “How do you think last night went?” I ask.

Ayato squirms as one of my fingers brush over his nipple, but his hands don’t falter in my hair and his thumb continues its comforting movements. “I think everything went over smoothly. The individual who saw us made it much easier to get the point across; I’m a taken man.” Ayato sighs in content when my hand trails up to play with the baby hairs at the nape of his neck.

Ayato’s hand mimics my action, and I involuntarily shiver when he gives a playful tug to the little hairs on the nape of my neck. Ayato doesn’t say anything, but he resumes his previous playing of my hair, minus the hair tugging. 

I pout.

He isn’t tugging my hair. 

I think back on his words, and my cheeks warm when I remember what he said. “Wait- what do you mean by ‘I’m a taken man?’” “Name, aren’t you my fiance?” “I mean, in theory, yes-” 

I’m stunned by the sound of surprise that Ayato makes in response to my words. 

Did I say something wrong?

Ayato removes his hand from my hair to lift my chin. My eyes swirl with overflowing emotion as his alluring purple orbs stare deep into my eyes. 

“Yes, you were correct when you said ‘in theory,’ but I believe we should change that.” Ayato lets go of my chin and untangles himself from me. 

I sit up in bed as I watch him walk over to the possessions he left here the evening prior. “Ayato..?” He doesn’t respond as he riffles through his things until he finds what he’s looking for.

I get out of bed to see what he’s found. Before I can walk over to him he’s in front of me.

Except he’s kneeling before me on one knee, just like he did last night. 

He wordlessly slips something on my finger, and then he kisses the back of my hand.

“I know we’ve only known each other for a short period of time, but if you’ll allow me, I’d love to know you more intimately. From what I have seen you are an exceptional woman, Name. I have no qualms with letting go of my inhibitions around you, and this is normally a feeling that eludes me in many of my personal relationships. I’d be elated to have you as my fiance Name, not in theory, but in reality. Alas this is only if you’ll grace me with the honor of-” “You’re talking too much.” Ayato’s head shoots up so fast at my words that it’s almost comical. I immediately seal the deal with a passionate kiss against his lips before he can ask the meaning behind my words. 

I lean into the kiss until I fall against him, and he easily catches me in his warm embrace. When we both pull away for much needed air, I give him the verbal confirmation his eyes wordlessly ask for. 

“Yes, I’d love to be your fiance. Hopefully one day I’ll be your wife, if you will ever be so kind as to bless me with the opportunity…” I giggle as I mimic his previously formal tone as he basically proposed to me. His cheeks light ablaze in a color I’m slowly growing fond of.

“I am grateful to have you in my life. Thank you, Name.” “Yeah, yeah. Now kiss me again. Oh, and tug on my hair. I love that.” Ayato’s incredulous facial expression makes me laugh. 

As my bubbly laughter sounds throughout the room Ayato’s fond smile makes me feel at home.

He lifts himself off the floor with me in his arms before he gently places me on my bed. He’s quick to cuddle with me as sunlight streams into the room. Pure elation causes my eyes to water as the sunlight gleams against the ring he placed on my finger.

I close my eyes as I listen to Ayato’s heartbeat. A goofy grin presents itself on my lips, and I’m sure it’ll be a long time before it leaves.  

I feel a tug on the little hairs at the nape of my neck, and a mewl slips past my lips at the pleasant sensation. “Oh? Now that’s a sound I can get used to.” I playfully swat Ayato’s shoulder as his body shakes with laughter.

He presses a multitude of tender kisses all over my face, and there’s nowhere else in Teyvat I’d rather be. 

[heronchildlove]

I have to admit, I am a little confused about the Kickstarter.

So the plans if I’m correct are SOBH, three new novelas and a diary and the kickstarter is a way of funding? I have no idea how it all works but I hope people can eventually buy them even if I prefer online books.

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform, people put projects on it to try to get the funds to make them a reality. That is, the books Cassie mentioned on the newsletter don't exist yet, she will use the money gained through Kickstarter to fund the development and production of these books independently, since this project isn't being done with the backing of a publisher. However it isn't SOBH and 4 novelas, it's 4 whole books: one is SOBH, one an updated version of the flower book, one a book with 4 novellas, and another a book a la GOTSM with 10 short stories focused on shadowhunter couples + the journal.

The campaign itself isn't up yet, it'll only go live in November, for now it's just a holding page on the Kickstarter site where you can sign up to receive the alert for when the Kickstarter does go live, which has its perks because if you back it up in the first 48h you'll receive the first chapter of TWP as a bonus when prizes start being send out.

Since the actual campaign isn't up yet, we can't know exactly how she will set it up, and I admit I have never used Kickstarter because it's not the crowdfunding platform used in my country, but crowdfunding projects usually have many "tiers" you can choose from. So tier 1 might get you only the SOBH book, tier 2 only the novellas book, etc, some tiers might offer a bundle of 2 or more books with or without the journal, a tier will probably offer you the chance to get all the books. Of course, price increases or decreases with what tier you decide to pledge to, and you'll only receive the products from the tier you selected.

It is unclear whether any of this material will be released online/as e-books, either as prizes for the Kickstarter or later on. For now Cassie has only said the prizes will be the 4 physical book options + a journal with art from Charlie Bowater.

It is also unclear so far if any of the books will be available to be bought after the Kickstarter ends, again, because Cassie isn't doing this with the backing of her publisher, so it's unclear whether she will be able to get them printed through them afterwards or through a different press or anything. Based on how these projects go, sometimes the crowdfunding does pay for continuous printing, sometimes not. So if you do want to guarantee your copies, for now the best choice is really to back up the Kickstarter!

She sent all the info on her newsletter which I'll copy and paste below the read more not to crowd the dash too much, but the project seems very interesting and gorgeous and I can't waaaait for it to go live!

There's also a video here that sums it up. The full newsletter is below:

[jayde-jots]

does the celestial family know about their mother cosmo? She’s such a gorgeous character you made ❤️

Also, after Nexus got thrown into space, I assume she had like a space shuttle and snatch him outta there cause it’s cold. She decides what’s best for him, is to have a new better life. He been through so much and dealt with so many problems, to think he could handle it all with his siblings, that was a terrible mistake knowing the pressure he was under by old moon. She permanently erased his memories and gives him a new name. The old moon memory storage chip was out during the whole process. After that, Monty arrived at the space station and asked for old moons storage chip, took it then left. Nexus wakes up moments later and cosmo happily raises him in secret. New moon is new reborn as nexus now :)

Man I had started a whole AU involving her, from her first meeting Sun and Moon when they were still in one body to current day. I like your idea of her just resetting Nexus and erasing his memories but character wise she wouldn’t do that. My idea was that she’d step in after Sun captured Nexus, have a one on one talk with him and keep guard while Sun was at work.

After Monty came in at that one point to talk to Old Moon I’d think she’d make the choice to then remove him from Nexus’s head. She’d personally commit to Nexus’s therapy under a sort of psyche hold, transporting him to her personal residence to keep a better eye on him and to keep him isolated from the others for the time being while he heals. So while Earth is like a general therapist, Cosmo is a Psychiatrist.

One thing I haven’t mentioned about Cosmo is that she tries to adopt or parent any version of her kids, this goes as far as including Ruin. And it wouldn’t be the first time she’s taken in one or more of the other bad Celestial’s that Sun and Moon disagreed with. When Eclipse version 1 was first dispelled out of Sun’s head, Moon said he was ether badly damaged out in the forest somewhere or gone, in this AU I’d say he’d be badly damaged and she’d go out to find him and repair him, taking him back to her place for supervision and some personal one on one time. Before that she absolutely would’ve done her damndest to love both Eclipse and Lunar, she’d help Eclipse with smaller non-harmful projects like teaching him how tools work for the first time, and she’d teach Lunar how to make his own bean bag, go shopping with him to buy the materials for it and so on.

Sun, Moon and Lunar wouldn’t be happy about it that she chose to save Eclipse but she’d promise them that he’d be the biggest form of grounded she could muster. Which for Eclipse might as well have been boot camp for the marines. She’d also adopt Bloodmoon, asking Moon to create a sort of blood alternative that she could substitute. I have a design for him that I’m working on as well, bear with me on that one.

Then would come Eclipse V.2 with added Solar Flare. She’d be fast to try and snatch them up as well, showing that Eclipse that the original didn’t perish and is actually with her. Eclipse would still do nothing with the star once he got it, and once New Moon managed to come up with a plan to get rid of the star Cosmo would go as far as to follow Clipse V.2 to Nice Eclipse’s dimension to make sure he’d survive but to also make sure that the star got destroyed. But unfortunately this’d kill Cosmo in the process. Needless to say when V.2 came back through the portal with a body full of blood and burns on him, the remaining fam weren’t happy.

Until Cosmo would come back as the animatronic she is now. Yep! Cosmo first started out as human, and ever since V.1 Clipse had started going down a darker path than she would’ve liked, she’d asked Old Moon in secret to have a device that would take pictures of her brain so an AI consciousness of her could live on as an animatronic should anything come to happen to her.

So the whole Celestial family was pretty shocked when she came walking into the Daycare like nothing had happened, and then would proceed to dog pile her with hugs and tears.

I’d rant more but this is already pretty long. So yeah, Cosmo wasn’t always human, she’d be adopting 2 versions of Eclipse and the OG Bloodmoon, and then Eclipse V.3, BM V.2, Ruin, Solar and Earth would be showing up. I got a lot to draw for them all. Hope this fills in more about who Cosmo is.

[serafiel-jacobs]

Unfair world

A new chapter of my Lies of p Fanfic series (´ ω `♡)

“No Pinocchio I’m not buying you that horse”

Pinocchio was looking at him with pleading eyes, he even grabbed his father’s clothes.

“But father they are gonna kill him just because he broke one leg, that’s not fair!”

Geppetto was starting to regret taking him to the annual animal fair, Pinocchio was a very empathetic, very sensitive boy, he couldn’t see him sad like that, he hoped that this moment wouldn’t ruin the rest of the day.

“Look, son, horses are very hard creatures to take care of and well, you see…” Oh Lord, he didn’t want to explain this. “If a horse breaks its leg, then he cannot walk anymore, but, I’m sure that he is gonna be happy here on the last few days he has left”

Oh no, that came out wrong.

Tears were starting to form in Pinocchio’s eyes.

It’s okay Geppetto just do damage control.

“Pinocchio that horse cannot walk anymore, they are in a lot of pain, and the pain will only get worse, and horses are not like us or other animals that can have limbs replaced, and then they are sad, and it’s not fair for them to live sad and in pain right?”

He understood now, understood because it reminded him of Sophia.

“I understand…” but it wasn’t fair, why does that have to happen to horses? It’s awful.

“Hey, buddy you haven’t seen the bunnies, how about we check them out?” Gemini clever as always just knew how to try and cheer him up.

Pinocchio perked up a bit, he really wanted to see the cute little bunnies, so many stories in the books he reads have them, and he was eager to finally see some in person, well he is not a human person but that’s how the saying goes.

Sometimes talking to Pinocchio was like talking with a little kid, Pinocchio always listened to Gemini went it came to fun things, things that would cheer him up, but he wasn’t much of a listener when it came to his advice, eighty percent of the time, he would just do what he wanted anyways, well it eased Gemini’s mind that he hasn’t gotten any trouble. But he still had the bad habit of shaking his cage every time he got mad at him.

Pinocchio was picking up the bunnies and petting them, he had to be careful and mind his strength, it was something that stressed him sometimes, his body was harder, more stiff, and he worried that if he applied too much pressure he could end up hurting others, he had performed Herculean feats of strength, his father made sure to make him out of the most durable, strongest materials.

Geppetto watched his son, he was so happy, he had never seen him so happy before, taking him was the right decision, he always tends to find his own fun wandering around with Gemini, but this was an actual event, made to entertain others, he was having fun as well.

He had only been to the fair once before, he took Carlo to see it, when he was twelve years old, his wife… had recently died, and he wanted to cheer him up, at least a little bit, they had a good time, it was one of his most precious memories with him. It was also one of the few times he ever took him somewhere where they bonded just the two of them.

He had heard before that when you have two children, the first one is the one you learn the most, unfortunately being the one you make more mistakes with, and with the second one, you already had more experience and knew when not to screw up. Geppetto doesn’t think that’s a hundred percent true, but it does have some truth to it.

“I can’t make the same mistakes again,” Geppetto thought to himself, he would make sure to spend more time with him, to be there for him, he now works less, and his work life won’t consume him again, but he still put effort in his craft, after all working less doesn’t mean working worse.

They looked around more, Gemini had never seen so many people in one place, he felt a bit disoriented, it really didn’t help when he got stuck tied to Pinocchio’s belt, seeing just people walk around, Pinocchio had to lift him up to make him see the animals, but he can’t carry him on his arms all the time.

“Father look!” Pinocchio pointed at a big sign, it was the newest attraction, a traveling circus had come by and joined alongside the fair, it was marketed heavily to the public, at the very end of the fair was a huge tent, that held elephants inside.

Pinocchio was speechless, “They are so big, they are huge!” he couldn’t believe animals could be so big, he had seen big creatures before obviously, but petrification disease monsters don’t really count on his eyes.

They were big, but gentle creatures, they stretched their trucks for the guests to touch them, such noble creatures.

There was a small elephant on the corner, away from the visitors, it looked scared, as Pinocchio stepped closer, the little elephant sneezed, revealing a huge pair of ears, bigger than its own body, he smiled.

“Hello, what’s your name, little guy?

“That’s Dumbo” said a man in extravagant circus attire. “He is just a dumb elephant, clumsy too, he is just a mess, he can’t perform like the others, and his mother, she got violent, we keep her away so she can’t harm others”.

“Well that’s very rude,” Gemini thought and he always wanted to say it, but it was best not to stir the pot.

Pinocchio ignored the rude man and extended his hand towards the little guy, carefully and wary, Dumbo got closer to him, Pinocchio touched his head, and Dumbo took a few steps back, but Dumbo got closer again, and let himself be petted, the small animal flapped its ears, happy to have someone recognize and cherish him.

They left the elephant tent and continued to look around for the rest of the day, once the moon was seen in the sky, it was time to call it a day, before heading to the exit, something caught Pinocchio’s eyes, he walked to see the elephants being lead to their respective cages, a cage was far away from the others, it was fully blocked, the cage was closed and it only had two small windows open with bars, the door was shut with a wooden lock, signs were around it.

“Mad Elephant” “Danger” “Keep out”

Pinocchio saw Dumbo again, going towards the cage, when he arrived, a trunk came from one of the free spaces of the window bars, picking up the small elephant, it rocked him back and forward, he could see tears in the poor creature’s eyes.

“That must be his mom” Gemini Chirped.

Pinocchio looked away, he held Geppetto’s hand as they walked to the exit, but before going outside Pinocchio couldn’t hold his frustrations anymore.

“That’s so unfair!” He told his father, “That poor elephant was nice, why do they keep her in that cage? And why are they so mean to her baby?! It’s small and misses his mom and doesn’t know any better”.

“Pinocchio…” Gemini didn’t know what to tell him.

Geppetto sighed, it was going to be hard to try and explain this because he was right, it was unfair and cruel to do that.

“Son, it is bad and unfair, animals shouldn’t be treated like that, but there is nothing we can do, unfortunately, they are the elephant's owners, and so they treat them like they want, even if it’s not okay”.

“But why? I don’t understand why nothing can be done about it”

“Pinocchio sometimes the world isn’t fair”

“Why can’t the world be fair?”

Geppetto didn’t know what to say, the world can be very unfair, he knew it, he experienced it, he lost his wife, he lost Carlo; when the whole disaster happened all those people that died, that got sick, it wasn’t fair to them.

“It’s just… how things are sometimes, it’s awful but, it’s something we have to accept, sometimes, there are moments when you can help others in bad situations, but also sometimes there is nothing you can do to help”.

Pinocchio was frustrated, but what else could he say? It was true… there was nothing he could do to fix this. And he did really have a good time for the rest of the day, he can’t let this and what happened with the horse ruin the good day he spent with his father and Gemini.

“It’s okay I get it.” He got closer to his father and held his hand again. “And thank you for bringing me here”

Before they left, they stopped by a shopping stand, Geppetto bought Pinocchio a small plush of an elephant, something good to try and remember this day by.

Weeks later in the newspaper, an interesting headline appeared “Dumbo the great flying elephant!” With a picture of the small elephant in the sky, alongside his mother.

Pinocchio smiled, and for the rest of the day, he kept that smile.

[everygame]

The Making of Karateka (Nintendo Switch)

Developed/Published by: Digital Eclipse Released: 29/08/2023 Completed: 04/10/2023 Completion: 100% of the museum, beat Karateka (Apple II) beat Karateka remake. Trophies / Achievements: n/a 

If you’ve been following my writing for a while, you’ll know I’ve been playing a ton of old games, and yet I never ever thought to make a point to play Karateka until this release (you can read my thoughts on it here.) Although it has pedigree–its creator Jordan Mechner would go on to make, I think most famously, Prince of Persia–it’s also an Apple II game from 1984, and I think a strange choice to launch a deluxe re-release line, Digital Eclipse’s new “Gold Series'' (outside of there just being a lot of historical material available to pull from.)

Using that material, The Making of Karateka is described by the company as an “interactive documentary” and while it is that, it’s also sort of a digital museum exhibit… and sort of like a Criterion edition of a classic movie if the blu-ray was designed in such a way that it directed you to watch Charlotte et son Jules and read Jean Luc Godard’s treatment before you actually got to watch Breathless.

So it’s kind of an odd sell, really, and the contradictory thing I have to say about it is that I think The Making of Karateka is absolutely brilliant, but I also don’t think it makes a ton of sense as a product (although I do think you should run about and buy it immediately so they make more.) The question that lingers, you see, is what actually makes someone who isn’t retro game-pilled like me pick this up? It’s “The Making Of” to express that there’s something more here than just a re-release of Karateka, but hang on, if you don’t care about Karateka, why do you care about the making of it?

I don’t think it’s something that Digital Eclipse manages to answer, exactly, although what they have produced is beautiful anyway. Clearly using the same front-end as Atari 50 (which could have done with being made a bit more fitting for Karateka? I mean the music sounds exactly the same? ["Though it's not the exact same piece of music"--Pedant Ed.] they’ve created a tour through Jordan Mechner’s life as he started developing video games, from the aborted project Deathbounce, through the release of Karateka and its sequels, and then with some postscript concerning a possible sequel that hints towards what eventually became Prince of Persia.

It is heavily curated (I sort of wanted to read more of Jordan Mechner's diaries than I got to...) and definitely some irrelevancies (sorry, I hate famous talking heads telling me why they like something. It’s not as insightful as you imagine!) and some bits feel a bit… ad-hoc. It also (and I noticed this about Atari 50, too) keeps quite a narrow focus and doesn’t widen context to deepen your understanding. Everything about Spartan X and the path from Prince of Persia to Tomb Raider and beyond that I wrote of in my Karateka write-up is my own, er, research [“*cough* Wikipedia *cough*”--Ed.] and I think that’s a line that’s missing and (honestly) needed to make players understand Karateka’s place in history.

That said, what’s there is still fascinating. It’s simply a matter of curatorial choice. It’s obviously challenging to try and make an Apple II game chime with audiences in 2023, and the choice here was made to not just release Karateka with a “museum” glued on and I’d agree it’s more likely than not in that situation new players don’t go into the game with the right mindset. But I’m not sure that going for the “museum” first angle is correct either. While, yes, you can absolutely click through to a menu and just play Karateka straight away, the experience is absolutely not framed like that, and if you play through the “interactive documentary” in order, you spend a long time playing prototypes of Deathbounce, a game that Jordan Mechner never actually manages to make any good!

It’s a strange priority, and I think it comes from locking the interactive documentary into a strictly chronological format. No one is asking for my advice, but I think there’s a middle-ground here, and I think it’s the Turner Classic Movies system. You know how you used to turn on TCM and then like, Robert Osborne would be there, and he’d explain how this random Humphrey Bogart movie was actually very interesting, and then suddenly you’re watching Sahara and really enjoying it?

I think that’s what I’m imagining. You load this up, you get a nice intro, an explainer, and then you’re playing Karateka. Then once you stop playing it (you don’t have to finish it or anything) it goes straight into the documentary, armed with knowledge of Karateka. Deathbounce makes more sense once you’ve played Karateka. You can actually see the evolution because you know how far he was able to go!

So, yes, my main complaint with The Making of Karateka is simply one of pacing and structure and awkward priorities, the last of which is most exemplified by another example: the inclusion of modern remakes of both Deathbounce and Karateka. Structured as it is, I have to question whether they were worth the time and expense?

(An immediate aside as I discuss this. Retro re-releases are getting wildly disparate in pricing now. Arcade Archives are putting out excellent stand-alone titles for $8, but you also have ININ putting out a bare-bones version of Cannon Dancer for an absurd $30, so it’s actually a bit hard to declare the correct value of a re-release, and how much extra value remakes or improvements offer in terms of how much you can charge versus how much it costs to produce…)

The Deathbounce remake doesn’t feel simply unnecessary, it feels counter-intuitive to the thrust of the documentary. It doesn’t succeed in making Deathbounds good, and the lesson I read from this section is that Mechner spends far too long trying to make a simple arcade game into something more rather than just releasing his first version quickly (which is probably the most fun version!) and just ends up with something that’s kind of a bloated mess, and seemingly far from his goals. The “what if” here is “what if a mess, but it’s 2023.”

The Karateka remake, however, is fantastic… it’s just that it is basically at the end of the entire museum and it wasn’t until I got there that I even knew it existed! Developer Mike Mika has done exactly what he set out to do, which is to make a hyper-smooth version of Karateka that feels like it was developed for an ideal VGA PC in the early 90s, and it includes a brilliant director’s commentary system (there’s an entire director’s commentary for the Apple II Karateka too, but it’s not particularly highlighted, which is a bit of a shame–although you just watch a playthrough for that one). 

It makes the game really accessible (perhaps too easy to play, even) but by the time I got to it it felt completely redundant! Sure it’s slow, but Apple II Karateka is perfectly playable, and the director’s commentary in the remake even just recounts a bunch of stuff you’ve already learned. So the whole thing feels like it’s working at cross purposes to the rest of the release–like they could have simply released a remake, but something changed their minds about doing that, and it ended up here as essentially bonus content.

If it really comes down to it, though, this is all just my classic “well, this isn’t exactly how I want it” complaints, and I sincerely hope the “Gold Series” can be sustainable enough to continue–perhaps this is as much a proof of concept as anything. I’m just not sure they actually need to put in this much effort, as counter-intuitive as that sounds. 

Will I ever play it again? From an educational standpoint, I sort of wish there was just a folder with all the materials in it to refer to rather than having to walk the halls of the digital museum each time, but there’s stuff here that I’ll return to, absolutely.

Final Thought: Actually, a (much needed!) re-release of MULE, for example, could benefit from an expansive museum and including a remake (which should be front and center if they do, the original is a much harder sell than even Karateka) but for many games–and I think in the end Karateka felt like this for me–a Turner Classic Movies-style release would be enough. Either way, I’m still going to show up every time.

Support Every Game I’ve Finished on ko-fi! You can pick up a digital copy of exp. 2600, a zine featuring all-exclusive writing at my shop, or join as a supporter at just $1 a month and get articles like this a week early.

[mildew-mop]

I feel like I’m going crazy without a knitting project. If someone were to buy me the yarn to make a new blanket I would make them a pride flag blanket. Here’s a video of an old one I made. I can’t take a picture of the more recent rainbow one cause I never really took a good picture of it, and my ex broke up with my partner & I before giving it back (I did not give it to him, I brought it over to show it to him and he broke up and ghosted us without ever arranging to bring it back, not that I care that much about getting it back cause I’m pretty sure my cat either threw up or pissed on it at some point but he literally didn’t even fucking respond which is such a dick move and he was just looking for a rebound then went back on dating apps apparently like an asshole).

Anyways if anyone wants me to make them a giant pride flag blanket and has money for yarn to send me yarn (could use like Amazon wishlist) that would be great. It’s like $70-$100 for like cheap yarn. Will be more if you want nicer yarn. When I’m done I can send it to you. Any pride flag, so long as I can find the right colors and such. I’m not sure how long it will take to make but usually it takes a few months (that’s not working on it consecutively). I wanna see how long it will actually take to make before I try making a profit or whatever doing this.

Please reblog this if you think anyone else might be interested in a massive knitted pride flag blanket. It will take a while to get it, and will probably just be cost of materials + shipping. Also if you’re allergic to cats, I’m sorry. I’ll be able to keep it from the fate of the last one; but I have 6 cats. Some amount of fur is unavoidable. Thank you.

[lokimyparrot]

ECHO, BLU, AND LOKI February 19th, 2023

Birds are sweet, quirky critters. When you start really looking at them—their prehensile flexible feet, their useful beaks, it’s not hard to believe they’re living dinosaurs, Parrots are smart, funny—and particular enough to remind you of your friends with finicky felines.

Our little dinosaur, Echo and Blu, is a green cheek conure and a turquoise blue green cheek conure, with a personality that’s far bigger than their 10-inch body If you’ve ever seen the movie, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, about a flock of parrots that live together in San Francisco, you’ve seen conures—just bigger ones.

A lot of learning to manage a parrot is—opposite of what’s natural with mammals like dogs or cats. Early on, for example, we learned that parrots enjoy drama. So that loud “No!” you might use on your dog? Might have the opposite of its intended effect on your bird who’s exploring the taste of your finger.

Echo and Blu have lived with us since they were around 1 month old. Having a bird in your life inevitably gets you funny comments and double-takes—and sometimes a cry of delight when it’s a fellow parrot parent.

one of their favorite spot to sleep is in the crook of my elbow or my shoulders while I’m studying or doing my work(although they love my mom’s shoulder).

They like to inspect things, like fruit…

Or whatever it is you’re doing, like home improvement projects.

It’s important to keep parrots busy, by providing them with toys to engage them  and materials to shred. And a healthy diet is key. We feed him fruits like grapes, apples, bananas, seeds, and veggies eat. When they’re not playing, shredding wood, or snacking on their perch…

They keep their feathers in tip-top shape…with other feathers. preening like this is just one of the amazing ways parrots use their feet to grab tools

We’ve been grateful to have Echo and Blu to be a part of our lives for so many months. And while birds have always been a favourite animal of mine, they’ve made me appreciate extra the wild birds outside as they go about their business.

Meet Loki the Sun Conure

Say hello to Loki the Sun Conure.

Why did you choose a Sun Conure?

I didn’t know much about Sun Conures before him. I was going to buy a Fischer’s lovebird, but Loki’s breeder called saying there was one bird left and so I never made it to the Fischer’s lovebird, Loki fit in perfectly, he became the top dog of the flock and the brat of my life. He was one month old when we bought him and is now he’s 5 month’s old

What is Loki’s favourite food?

Loki’s not that picky but with good tactics he will eat anything. We are currently converting him to fruits, , so fingers crossed. So far, he like’s to eat apple’s and banana’s we’re trying to get him to eat other fruits as well rather than sticking to seeds or one type or fruit

Does Loki have any favourite toys?

He likes wood and his ball which we get it from the hamster section of a pet store. He loves his wooden bridge which is being remade constantly as he chews them

Does Loki have any games he likes to play?

He not much of a player and he’s also afraid of my other two parrots Echo and Blu, but when he’s outside his cage he tries to bite my books or my pen and he sleeps most of the time

Does Loki speak?

Loki can say rather a lot. His favorite word to say is  ‘Loki’, and also he can say the word ‘hello’ and when he is tired he sighs the way I do.

Do you have any advice for new Parrot owners?

If you going to go for a Sun Conure, be prepared as they are the loudest among the conures and are messy!

They are demanding but very smart birds. Sun Conures literally stick to you like Velcro. They are real lovebugs. If they choose you and they bond it is forever. He trusts me so much I can file his beak and trim his nails

Thank you

[jonathankatwhatever]

I’m going to try talking. It’s still 4 Jan 2023. Billy as curled up on the ottoman next to my feet. The police came by tonight looking for security cam footage. I looked up crime reports and there was an assault at the corner on New Years, and the bad guys ran this way. I doubt we’ll be doing much walking around after dark. It’s a weird area. On one side of the street is a thrift store, and I go into the Family Dollar on this side to buy WD-40. They had a general purpose lubricant for metal. Then you walk a block and there are some cute boutiques and fancy restaurants.

I don’t know why I get hung up on basics like matrices. I think it’s because I don’t have much interest in how they’re manipulated. I’m interested in why they work, in what they represent. I get the words. I want something more, like the format of a matrix generates within a dimensional projection. That projection is the construction of grid squares, by which again we mean the Irreducibles of D3-4//4-3 and D4-3//3-4. I want that to feel more natural. The Irreduciblesof the immediate description of gsSpace, as opposed to higher dimensional Irreducibles like Hexagonal. Remember: we did that as D3-6//6-3. You know, if we simply write it as D(3-6//6-3), then we can specify that stands for both ways. So going forward, if I type D3-6-//6-3 or D4-3//3-4, then I mean direction.

This is fascinating: I’m seeing that a directed segment, a 1Segment in our notational parlance, is finite across the relation, meaning over the Extent, which means the connection constructed between Ends as read by a 0-1 count, so when you arrive at the End , then it counts as 1

And something brings me back to representation as a matrix.

————————

I just gave up and went to bed last night because I was and am so frustrated with my lack of understanding of this material. I had one moment of insight. Oh, I forgot to say what the issue is: can’t get past the wording of matrices to the visualization of them, and I’m just starting to get it. It’s in the scaling, which means a 2 by 2 calculates at the various levels or scales which represent that particular matrix, with those particular values which indicate how x and y relate in 2 dimensions, where we can replace that word ‘relate’ with whatever function generates along that row, which thus combine to give a series of meanings, as with a determinant being positive, though I’m not sure what comes next.

The determinant takes all the function, all the constructive gs process, which links crossways. Like the image of us or any relationship which projects. And of course I finally connect to permutations there, with alternation and Leibniz. I don’t know why I couldn’t grasp that other than to say now it all makes sense. I can see eigenvalues and vectors because this is a constructed gsSpace and thus has xyzK. Note to self: remember the K notation indicates gs, while xyz indicates regular squares or rs. Just realized that puts my dad in the name.

The insight to this was simpler. It was that scaling of 2T, of the representation of the 2T at specific matrix values or more generally across the function of each row, and then diagonally - and now you can see that sign flips by row choice, which gets at inversion - that scaling counts at the gs levels necessary to create the mappings. I’m seeing how one gathers Ends and 1Segments, and how one makes 1-0Segments, and how you make bigger pieces, and how these repeat, and that level of visualization is something I’ve dreamed about having.

It’s intimately, and I emphasize intimate, connected to the switch to my left side. I have become dramatically more left-sided lately. I’m now able to hold my left open and right eye shut without strain, and I’m able to see more and more clearly and with more and more natural depth. This has been and currently is balance challenging. And that sometimes overwhelms my ability to keep my head up.

I find myself doing things only with my left hand. Don’t even notice when the right just takes the time off, like Billy in his retirement.

I need a break.

[lets-talk-spirituality]

Hiii! Can you please do a reading for me?

Do you think I should make this move? And how will it affect me my long term goals?

Love youuuu and thank you very much 💓💓💓

Hi! I can see what comes up :)

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Whether or not you make this move is not the biggest impact on your long term goals, the energy with which you make or don’t make this move is the factor that will effect things the most. Making the move you are considering is not as important as examining the intention of the move. What’s the highest attainable intention? Is it to bring more joy or contentedness to your life? And why would this move do that versus the way you are currently living your life? Is it that you think this move will give you a fresh start?

Fresh starts are incredibly cleansing and important. It can be an amazing way to release energy that others send towards you when they think of you as they know you to be. Going somewhere where people don’t know you can free you of energetic ties that may bind you into versions of yourself you’ve outgrown.

If this move can help you more freely and joyfully be the version of yourself you want to be, that is the highest intention and there can only be growth that comes from it, which means it is a positive for your long term goals. How you define positive is relative but for me, anything that leads to insight and growth is considered beneficial.

Card Pull- Druid Craft Tarot

Should you make this move?

Four of Pentacles, upright—building wealth, rootedness, security

“Financial planning, building a business, using the power of the earth wisely will ensure a strong foundation, a preoccupation with accumulation may be to protect yourself from feelings of inner loss and inadequacy, loss of compassion, withholding affection in relationships, greed and miserliness, a sense of safety, security and inner strength”

Immediately I feel like this card is saying this move you’re considering will lead to a more stable foundation. It reminds me of the place I most recently moved from. Living there allowed me to finish my degree, buy a house and set myself on a more stable financial path. I think the move you are making would end up providing you some of this more material stability you may be looking for.

How will it effect your future?

The magician, reversed—blocked flow, lack of will, confusion of purpose, abuse of power

“You may feel blocked, or that projects just aren’t taking off. If life isn’t flowing the way you want it to, this may be for a purpose. The magicians ability to use communication to solve problems and be creative is being denied in your life. Focus on clear communication to release any blockages and open you to a new phase.”

A few things, first. The magician is number 1 which means new beginning so reversed it would mean an ending, or 9. To me, this suggests that building this foundation through this move may be exhausting for you and may burn you out. And that it may not produce stability how you think. I see that you may be discouraged a lot and question whether this was the right move as it may seem stagnant and unfruitful at times. This card says that this move may block your magic a bit, in favor of more practical material pursuits. That may be part of why it drains you.

Overall what I’m getting is that if you are trying to make this move to set yourself up more materially—education, business or money— than this move will be beneficial for that and will require hard work and perseverance at the sacrifice of more esoteric pursuits. It isn’t forever though, just while you establish a foundation. In turn, if you’re trying to focus on more esoteric pursuits than this is telling me that it may feel harder because you face real world obstacles. Regardless of the choice, you will face hardships and successes. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

I hope this gives you some insight into the choice you have to make! Would love to know how this connects. Hope you’re having a good day. Mwah 😘

[aiden-luchian]

Beautiful Adaptation of a Hobby | Q&A

Mitchell Romani, an Endicott College student hailing from Fremont, New Hampshire, has always had a keen interest in the arts, particularly drawings and paintings. However, despite his passion, he never progressed past the casual level of creation. That is until he was introduced to the world of pottery and ceramics, which he quickly fell in love with. With the help of his community, Romani was able to take his artistry to the next level and cultivate a talent he never knew he had. Since his initial experience with ceramics, Romani has been giving back to the community that helped him discover his new favorite pastime. He began by gifting his pieces to friends and family, but soon found himself selling beautiful vases and other items in his neighborhood. His success has allowed him to pay back those who helped him along his ceramics journey, from the teacher who first introduced him to the medium to the friends who provided support and encouragement along the way. Romani's dedication and passion for ceramics have sculpted an unknown hobby into a beautiful piece of his life. He continues to experiment with new techniques and styles, pushing himself to grow as an artist. For Romani, ceramics have become much more than just a hobby; they are a source of joy and fulfillment that he plans to continue cultivating for years to come.

A Q&A with Mr. Romani

(Q is Aiden asking a question, A is Romani replying). 

Q: How did you begin to be interested in pottery, and what inspired you to begin your “business”?

A: I started my senior year of high school. I spent a lot of time drawing and painting, but I got put into a ceramics class. I wasn’t very good at it at first, but the teacher offered to put me and my friends on the pottery wheel, rather than freehand sculpting, and so we started spending a lot of time using that tool. I didn't have a class at the end of the day during that semester, so we would have an extra hour to make stuff, and we got pretty good at it with that extra practice. It got to the point where we were making way too much pottery. I didn't want to have any more because it was building up in my house, so I decided that I should start giving pieces away and selling them in my small community. 

Q: Can you describe the creative process while making pottery?

A: Usually I like to begin with a project in mind, and I always try to make something new. It does take trial and error, but usually I’m able to get the new form I want to make, and those are the pieces I usually like to keep. But sometimes, for example, vases are my favorite thing to make, so since I enjoy creating those I find myself with a little more than my house really needs. Usually, like the vase example, I like to give away pieces that I’ve made before. It’s nice to have fresh ideas in my house, because repetition can make it a tad boring.

Q: So when you make pottery, you paint them, correct? 

A: Yeah of course, so you have to use a special paint called a “glaze,” and you use it after you fire the clay once. After firing the clay, it becomes solid so you can't manipulate it anymore like wet clay, and since it’s hard you can paint over it. You can make any kind of designs, and it's a lot of fun experimenting with different glazes because you can create a lot of different effects. Laying glazes can create different designs, so that everything can be a little different. 

Q: Where do you get materials apart from using the ones available at school?

A: There's a place in Maine, I think it's called  Portland Pottery Co. 

Q: Do you have it shipped after buying online or do you actually go to Maine?

A:  I go get it.

Q: So you drive all the way up to Maine?

A: Yes!

Q: So would you say that pottery is something you go out of your way to do instead of just a fun hobby?

A: Yes, even though it is a fun hobby it also is fun to dedicate your craft too. It’s always really satisfying when you get a new piece that you really really envisioned and its awesome seeing it come to life.

Q: Could you walk me through the typical clay making process? Like a vase?

A: So you start with a big block of clay and depending on the size you have to portion parts of it off.

Q: So you just pick it apart or do you cut it..?

A: Yeah, you cut it apart and weighing it based on how big you want the piece to be, then you wedge it, which is like forming it into a sort of torpedo shape and it gets rid of all the bubbles and inconsistencies in the clay, and make it easy to throw onto the wheel. 

Q: What's the wheel, exactly?

A: The wheel is a platform that rotates as you sculpt the clay

Q: Oh, so that way everything can be symmetrical?

A: Yeah, exactly. So after you put it on the wheel, you need tools and water, like sponges and scrapers so you can stylize the piece and shape it better. You have to wet the clay because it drags on your hands as it spins and it hurts a bit. You first make a hole in the middle and drag your fingers straight up, and after that you can manipulate it however. Then you have to let it dry, which usually only takes like a day, maybe even less. Then you fire it in the kiln, which usually takes a few days depending on the size of the piece. After that you get to choose glazes and patterns, and after you glaze it you fire it a second time. Then you have your piece!

Q: So you began this as a school/hobby thing, how did it turn into a sort of community business? A: Eventually, once I had so many pieces, we (his family) never used them since there were already so many pieces around the house. I even had extra to bring here to college, like bowls I use for my jewelry and a mug for coffee. Extra pieces were just lying around, and my aunts and uncles always asked me if they were for sale, so I was like yeah why not? I don't use them. So I decided to start giving some out. 

Q: So since this is technically not a “real business” and mainly a niche part of your community, how do people find out about your talents? How does word spread that Mr. Romani makes pottery?

A: So, in that senior year of high school, I was kind of infamous for being in the art and ceramics room all the time. I had multiple art classes apart from just ceramics, so sometimes I’d just do ceramics in my other art classes, with permission from the teacher. Everybody knew I was in the ceramics room though, and the teachers put up my pieces around the school occasionally. I also post a bunch of my pieces on social media, and in a small town just about everyone follows everyone, so word spreads quickly. Also family coming over was sort of self explanatory because they'd see it around the house. 

Q: So are there future plans? I know it's difficult to keep it up during college.

A: I would love to keep this going throughout my life, and not just at home, but at the moment home is about the only place I can do it. I'd like to do it more often, and it would be beneficial to me because practice makes perfect.

Q: Does being a student affect your pottery career?

A: Definitely. I'm not really able to make much here at college. There is a studio but I'm not sure if and when I'm supposed to use it. I've made one piece here but it's not even finished, and I don't know when the group is meeting again to finish it, but hopefully I can finish it before the end of the year. 

Q: What's your favorite piece you've made?

A: That's a tough question. It's probably a tie between two things. One of them was two pieces that I messed up, because when I was trimming, I poked a hole in the bottom by accident and I didnt know what to do. I didn't know what to do with it because obviously a vase with a hole in the bottom is useless, so I put it on top of one of my other pieces and formed it together so it combined into a huge tall vase and I think the glazes I used came out perfectly, like a blue and black which is one of my favorite combos. Black always works really well with other colors. And the other one is a little different. We used a firing process called “raku,” which is a different process. All it is instead of the big kiln, it goes into a different type of kiln where you take it out while it's glowing hot, and you put different stuff all over it, like copper and it melts onto the piece. So you take it out when it's burning hot and you can search stuff onto it, like feathers and stuff for designs. 

Q: So it's like branding kind of but the opposite way because the piece is hot instead of the imprint?

A: Yeah exactly. Then you put it into a barrel and put the lid over it, so the smoke and everything encapsulates everything. I made it have a really cool color too, like a turquoise blue gradient into a pink and it turns into literally gold by the end of it. 

Q: So that sounds super complicated, is this one of the more difficult things to do?

A: Yeah, the firing process is way harder and longer than usual and it's really easy to mess up. I really liked that piece because it was one of the only ones that made it all the way through the process. 

Q: So when you sell pieces, how do you base your prices?

A: So obviously I wont charge my family, but like when I sell it to my neighbors or people in my town it's usually between $25-50 depending on the size and the time it took. It usually never gets to $50, because that's super expensive for something I enjoy doing. It also depends on the materials and stuff, like any business. 

Q: Do you use your own pieces a lot?

A: Yeah I do, I use my mugs literally every day. Another piece that gets a lot of use is this whiskey glass that I made for my dad for fathers day. So he uses it obviously, not me.

Q: Were your teachers a main factor?

A: 100%. My ceramics teacher was a huge influence on me, and her encouragement was what kept me going from the beginning. Once, she wanted us to experience a factory type of day where we would make a ton of mugs in one day to see what real production is like. I think we made like 12 mugs and we gave them out to our favorite teachers. 

Q: That's so cool, and it kind of gives insight to how a business works?

A: Yeah, especially learning consistency, because that's huge in ceramics, but it's also cool knowing every piece is sort of unique too.

Q: Lastly, how do you deal with pottery you're not happy with?

A: So one thing my teacher did really well was teach us that you can't always get it right. When she didnt like a piece, she would literally smash it right there in front of us. This way, you can get your frustration out, accept that not every piece is going to be perfect, and you can always try again. 

Aiden: That's so cool! Thank you so much!

[victorboullet]

VICTOR BOULLET WERKK.WERKK.LIVERPOOL.PAINTING. Organized by Reilly Davidson On view January 13 – February 26, 2023 Opening on Friday January 13, 6–8pm LUBOV 5 East Broadway, #402 New York, NY 10038 Victor Boullet. by Reilly Davidson

I’m not leaning in any other direction but my very own pit of sorrow and existential crawl.

Victor the grouch. He resents his neighbors for their neglected waste bins. Victor the sequestered. In seven years he received four visits from friends. Victor the enlightened. Approximately six thousand encounters with the Liverpool Cathedral, along Hope street. Victor the in-betweener. Norwegian, French, Scottish, none “major enough.” Victor the obsessive. He is meticulous and well-studied. In his compositions residues of history dance alongside his lived experience. He plods forth with an Ensorian grit adapted for the new age. Victor’s compositions are the accumulations of every single moment in his life, everything he has seen spurs paint on canvas. Victor’s productions are not for anything, they are just happening. This quick, revolving door of images correlates to the experience of walking and capturing snapshots between blinks. As he walks, he carries the world in his mind. Notably, this space of transit is one where mistakes and failures can be reflected upon.

You walk your way into thought. You walk your way into action. It is everywhere.

I was in high school when these paintings were inaugurated. There are decades between Victor and I, this stretch of time between 2014 and 2021 was incongruous between the two of us. I was coming of age and Victor was dealing with the austerity of midlife.

It was only at the tail end of his Liverpool years that I made initial contact. I look out and see thirty years ahead of me, grasp it, bring it closer to my purview. Death anxiety happens when I realize that I’ve likely reached my quarter life…

It began with phone calls and over the next few years we exchanged packages and email, sacrificied cellular data for intercontinental telecommunications.

I am getting older, but instead of trying to hide the fact or buy a pair of fucking converse, and as mentioned earlier, I have always said, if I get to 75 years everything above and beyond 75 years are bonus years. i.e. I have another 23 years left (if lucky) please don’t read this as, ahhh, sad, blah blah, no, I insist, please read and understand this as material or content, So how will I, and, or can I use these 23 years of life before the bonus kicks in.

Paris 2009. Victor set forth on a two year expedition: developing The Institute of Social Hypocrisy, a collaborative project operating under the auspices of a faux organization, so that its participants could gain access to spaces that they may otherwise be rejected from. This effort expired in 2011, by Victor’s design. He wove himself into the fabric of the art world only to set fire to that which he labored to create, casting himself into no man’s land.

A self-made exile condemned to alienation. In the passageway between Great Cities he landed in the modest Liverpool, which became his home for the next seven years. His practice took an sinsiter turn inward. Gone were the days of the jester, Victor was resigned to a solitude of his own design. He made an effort to disconnect completely after decades of participation in the European scenes.

These works weren’t made to be shown, and in their exposure they participate and bear witness to a new form of network. A dialogue in private made public, exposure of the intimate.

Sustained by their non-strategy. He came to find that envy is fruitless after a dance in the art world’s networked ratrace. People became devices for career enhancement. Victor is living in London now, where he is forced back into a circle – by proximity and desire.

I’m dealing with time, trend and understanding, making up ones mind too quick or by others. Being convinced for the wrong reasons if you like.

At the exhibition’s three-quarter mark, the paintings will be replaced by Victor’s drawings. These are the most elemental form of expression for the painter, the thinnest membrane between thought and composition. These are, simultaneously, building blocks and the structure itself.

I see age as [a] rare type of material or content. The drawings are a matter of fact way of seeing and searching in this material, I guess.

Victor preys upon the mundane and the tumultuous at once, stroking his innermost joys and despairs.

It’s the simplicity of both the emotional and the complex, by just representing the very little you have. Becoming one with what your brain can manage to send to your hand, and accepting the result whatever it may be and no compromise of time or place. The work is yours.