#Main Factor Lace Corset

[womenofwrestlingfashion]

Liv wears the Classified Sunglasses from Lorvae ($80) with the Main Factor Lace Corset (on sale: $28.99) & Tie Me Up PVC Pants ($88) from Club Exx

[rwmarketingunit2]

Victorian fashion

The Victorian period created an elegant, exaggerated look for women with tight corsets, bustles, crinolines and huge hooped skirts. Victorian skirts contained vast amounts of fabric meaning the normal woman would have only had a few outfits as these were very expensive. In the Victorian era a very popular garment was corsets for women to scheme that desired hourglass shape they was looking for. A corset was an undergarment set with strips of whale bone which was soon replaced by steel. Corsets were seen as really unhealthy for the women’s body causing fainting from compression of the lungs, cancer, birth defects, etc although was still a huge fashion statement in the Victorian era providing women with power, social status and respect. However unlike any other corset garments created before this time Victorian corsets didn’t end at the hips infant they went a few inches more than the hips causing problems for those who wore them as they wouldn’t have been able to sit for hours apart. Tightlacing had a huge negative impact on the woman’s body however was one of the main factors of achieving the small desired waist all women wanted. Tightlacing was the start of a huge controversy a group of voices formed to go against tightlacing and it eventually worked doctors eventually concluded patients and journalists wrote articles criticising women who sacrificed their health for the sake of fashion. Corsets weren’t always looked upon In positive ways some people saw the damage of corsets and the obvious health risks that came along with it.

[image of a Victorian woman tightlacing]

Originally the crinoline which is another popular Victorian garment was used to make under skirts and a dress lining however the stiffened fabric was designed to hold out and widen women’s skirts to achieve the illusion of the tiny waist. A crinoline was made of horse hair and Cotten or linen and could reach up to six yards however was soon replaced by a structured hooped petticoat. The hooped crinoline became very famous in the fashionable society of England by the end of this era. The features of this garment made crinolines very dangerous if not worn properly or with care causing meant deaths to women in the 19th century who has their crinoline get caught.

[image of a Victorian crinoline]

A bustle is a padded undergarment used to add fullness or support the drapery at the back of a women’s dress in the Victorian era. Many of the dresses worn by women in this era consisted of huge masses of long draped fabric the skirts of these dresses would fall straight or the bustle was worn to support the drapery giving the skirt below the waist a bigger appearance.

These devices above were used to add fullness to the back of the skirt, the various styles of the bustles were created with wires, springs, padding and fabric. Although many people believed lace looked out of place within the bustle they were often incorporated into the design. By the 1880s the bustle began to be incorporated within the skirt it’s self however they began to decrease after this until they had disappeared all together.

[examples of the bustle]

Harvard referencing:

(2019) YouTube. YouTube. Available at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qkEGN-Nm5mU (Accessed: December 5, 2022).

(2021) YouTube. Available at: https://youtu.be/sxtBXOZ5vAg (Accessed: December 5, 2022).

Crinoline definition. design and how to make one? (2020) Victorian Era. Available at: https://victorian-era.org/what-is-crinoline.html?amp=1 (Accessed: December 5, 2022).

Journal → fashion & history (no date) Understanding Underwear: The Victorian Crinoline | European Fashion Heritage Association. Available at: https://fashionheritage.eu/understanding-underwear-the-crinoline/ (Accessed: December 5, 2022).

Monet, D. (2022) Victorian era women's fashions: From hoop skirts to bustles, Bellatory. Bellatory. Available at: https://bellatory.com/.amp/fashion-industry/Fashion-History-Victorian-Costume-and-Design-Trends-1837-1900-With-Pictures (Accessed: December 5, 2022).

Susana Aikin (2019) The victorian era and women's corsets, Susana Aikin. Available at: https://www.susanaaikin.org/post/the-victorian-era-and-women-s-corsets (Accessed: December 5, 2022).

Victorian bustle: Hidden secret behind the 1880s silhouette (no date) VICTORIANA MAGAZINE. Available at: http://www.victoriana.com/Victorian-Fashion/victorianbustles.html (Accessed: December 5, 2022).

[dulce-pjm]

stepsisters and squires

word count: 11.0k

genre: fluff, angst

summary: as the story goes, the fairy godmother saved cinderella and sent her to ball. wrong. that was you. you were the one got the dress, the carriage, the glass slippers. but you’re also the one about to screw it all up. so much for happy endings. 

warnings: parents slapping their children, swearing, bad dancing?

��Cinderella. Fetch me my ribbons.”

A look of disdain crosses her face before she rolls her eyes, tugging a little harder on your corset.

“Fetch them yourself, bitch. And stop using that stupid nickname.”

You laugh obnoxiously from your belly, only to have the life squeezed out of your lungs when she yanks on the corset strings, nearly cutting off your oxygen. Your giggles are quickly cut off with a shout of pain.

“I’m kidding, Sowon!” You throw up your hands and gasp when she pulls again. “Oh my god, you’re gonna kill me.”

“You’re much too dramatic,” the girl mumbles, though she’s struggling to hide her grin. You ignore her.

“These things really are torture devices, you know. I don’t understand the point of even wearing them tonight, it’s not like I’m getting married!”

“Isn’t the whole point of the ball to get you engaged?” she asks, eyebrows raised. You glare at her in the mirror, but her eyes stay pinned on the back of your dress. Her light bangs barely hang over her eyes, her shiny, loose curls framing her soft cheekbones perfectly. You’ve always been a tad jealous of her natural beauty, but despite your insistence on the fact that she’s gorgeous, she never takes your compliments. You suppose the innocent humility only adds to her charm.

“My mother might say that, but we both know she’ll never pull it off. I’d much rather pig out at the pastry table than pretend to be interested in a lifelong marriage with some boring rich guy.”

“Not even a hot boring rich guy?” she counters. You stop to ponder that for just a moment too long, making your stepsister of several years giggle, the sound sweet and tinkling.

“What is it?” you shout incredulously, only making Sowon laugh harder, desperately holding onto the corset strings in an effort not to undo her hard work. “If I’m gonna have to commit to someone for the rest of my life, I might as well enjoy looking at them.”

“You have no morals,” Sowon says between spurts of laughter, her cheeks and nose tinged bright pink. You’re smiling widely too, her comment sparking the memory of a certain someone.

“Morals are no fun,” you retort, shifting uncomfortably in your gown. “Are you finished back there? I’m gonna pass out if I have to keep this posture any longer.”

“Just finished.” Sowon steps back to admire her work, letting you spin in your deep magenta ballgown. The skirt is covered in lace and intricate floral designs, the sleeves puffed and hemmed at your forearms, just as you prefer them. Makes it easier to eat without dirtying the cuffs. Sowon always takes extra care with your dresses, never failing to make you feel like a princess. It’s another trait of hers she refuses to accept is just extraordinary. Obnoxiously humble as always.

Sowon adjusts a pin in your hair, fashioned into a braided low bun, with just a few stray curls hanging by your ears. You can’t help but smile, excitement tickling at your stomach. Once Sowon gives you the nod of approval, you spring into action.

“Alright, I better go check on Jin- What are you doing?!” She cries in surprise as you forcefully take her shoulders, and move her to your bed. She falls back onto the comforter, barely upright.

“Just stay there!” you shout, dashing towards your dresser. She’s doe-eyed, her brows raised and mouth cutely pouted as she watches you in utter confusion. You rifle through your drawers until you see a suitable piece of fabric, a satin blue ribbon from a previous gown. You snatch it and rush back to Sowon, moving to tie it around her eyes. She throws up her hands before you can, wrapping her fingers around the cloth.

“What’s going on? Are you trying to blindfold me?”

“It’s a surprise!” you whine. “And yes, stupid girl, I’m clearly trying to blindfold you. It adds to the surprise factor.” Sowon forces an awkward smile onto her face, lowering the ribbon to her lap.

“Can’t we do without the blindfold? Since, you know…” You loll your head to the side in confusion before you realize your utter insensitivity. Sowon’s absolutely terrified of the dark, though she’d never let you say that out loud. Ever since she’d halfway divulged the secret to you, you’d made sure there was a lamp full of oil and a box of matches by the attic door every single night, silently creeping through the hallways as to prevent your mother or brother from catching you. To others, it might seem childish, but you knew that years of being locked away in a cold, dim room with creaking walls and leaking ceilings would give anyone nightmares. In your excitement, you’d nearly forgotten her phobia.

“Oh, of course! Just… think you can close your eyes? Please?” You puff out your lip and bat your lashes, making Sowon’s eyes fly to the ceiling for guidance.

“Why can’t you just show me the surprise?”

“It’s not in here!” you huff, gesturing towards the door. “We have to go get it.”

“You want me to walk with my eyes closed?”

“I’ll guide you!” You grab her hands, squeezing pleadingly. “It’ll be fine, just trust me!” Sowon gives you a long look full of hesitance and suspicion, but seeing your genuine excitement, she eventually gives.

“Fine.” You break into a smile, and pull her to her feet, tugging her down the hall. At your request, Sowon squeezes her eyes shut, stumbling slightly as you weave through the halls of the manor, laughing at her yelps every time her foot barely catches on the carpet or a loose stone in the flooring. And she calls you dramatic.

You approach the one room Sowon never cleans, the storage closet you’ve secretly turned into a home for the surprise you’ve been planning over the past few months, ever since the ball was announced. You bring your stepsister to a halt, screaming when she barely opens her eyes for a moment. After checking the surroundings for any stray family members (who certainly would not approve of your endeavor), you unlock the door with the key you always keep on you, letting it swing open with a large creak.

“Here it is!” you cry, finally allowing Sowon to open her eyes. She looks at your project and then stares at you blankly.

“What is this?” You roll your eyes and grab her arm, tugging her into the poorly lit room and shutting the door behind you.

“It’s your dress!” You fling your arms proudly towards the soft pink gown. You’d spent every last penny you could to make it as extravagant and royalty-like as you could, paying for the hem to be decorated with bows and the waistline to be embroidered with pearls. You were especially proud of the sweetheart neckline, a daring fashion choice that you thought would suit Sowon perfectly. “For the ball tonight. I saved up some money secretly and had it made for you. I know it isn’t much but when mother said all that, I had the idea and I just wanted you to have a dress that made you feel as pretty as you always make me- oof!”

Your impromptu rambling is cut off when Sowon nearly tackles you in a hug, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes. She sniffles into your neck, and while your mother might have screamed at the possibility of her saltwater tears ruining your clothes, your chest is swelling with pride. You wrap your arms around your stepsister, giving her an affectionate squeeze.

“It’s perfect,” she whispers. “Thank you, Y/N.” You give her a soothing pat on the back before breaking up the hug and stepping away. There will be time for being sappy later, but now, there’s work to do.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s no big deal. Now let’s put it on!” Sowon is smiling brightly, her cheeks practically glowing. Your roles are switched now as you’re the one attending to her attire, helping her pull the gown over her shoulders and lacing up an old corset of yours while she watches you through a large mirror you’ve leaned against the wall. You pretend not to notice the tears escaping past her lashes every few moments as she grins uncontrollably at her reflection. Her joy is contagious, infecting even your cynical mind. Even if you hate these stupid social events, seeing Sowon so excited made you remember that you had reasons to be excited too.

You pin up a few strands of hair and fasten a pearl comb into the crown of her scalp to compliment the dress. The gown you picked hugs her frame nearly perfectly despite the measurements being mostly guesswork. She looks stunning, absolutely regal, like she was made for this lifestyle. You finish up with only a few minutes to spare and step away, allowing her to bask in her own reflection. Now, tears are threatening to pour from your eyes as you take in your work. It wasn’t long ago that the younger girl barely spoke to you, her eyes always filled with fear and sorrow. There was only so much you could do for her under the hawk-eyes of your family, but you’re glad you’d done enough to see her this happy, even if only for a night.

“This is amazing, Y/N, I don’t know how I can thank you, but-”

“Thank me by coming tonight and dancing with a hot boring rich guy! But we can talk about that later.” Your voice lowers to a whisper. “Now, here’s the important part.” She leans in as you explain all of the preparations you’ve made over the past few months.

You tell her of the carriage and coachman ready for her a ten-minute walk away from town on the main road and which door to use to escape without one of your mother’s eyes and ears and catching her. You instruct her to wait exactly five minutes after you leave the room and then to sprint for the exit as fast as her legs would carry her without ruining her outfit. You tell her to stay away from your mother and brother, to avoid the main ballroom until after the first dances, at which time you, your mother, and Jin will move to the dining halls to mingle. And most importantly, you emphasize how imperative it is that she leave before midnight, before the servants lock the back doors and your mother is too tired to stay out any longer.

“Oh, and I almost forgot! Have fun and no matter how great it sounds, don’t drink the alcohol. It goes down like sugar but your head will be spinning in no time.” Sowon looks like her head is spinning now as she memorizes your instructions, nodding furiously.

“Okay, I won’t.” Her hands are shaking with anticipation, but you know her night of fun will quell the nerves. “You’re like a fairy godmother, you know.” You shrug lightly, pretending to flip your hair.

“What can I say? You deserve a magical night.” You smile earnestly before cracking open the door, making sure the coast is clear before you leave Sowon.

“Wait!” she whisper-yells before you can slip away. “What about shoes?” You nearly smack your hand against your forehead, internally scolding yourself for forgetting.

“There’s a box behind the mirror. Treat them well, they’re very fancy. Venetian glass. Custom fit, too.” Sowon laughs, assuring you that she will.

“Oh, don’t forget to tell your squire I said hello,” Sowon says teasingly as you step out into the hall. You rest your hand on your hip, giving her a knowing look.

“You know I won’t.”

“Really? Because that time I found you two it didn’t look like there was very much talking going on. I thought he was eating you ali-” You slam the door before she can finish, your cheeks heating. You can barely make out her laughter behind the thin walls as you scurry away to the front door, a dumb smile across your face.

You’d like to hope you both are in for a romantic night.

“You bitch.” Your mother’s hand smacks across your face and your head is forceful turned to the side. Jin watches you with slight sympathy in his expression, though he makes no move to aid you. He’s too much of a mother’s boy. “You helped her, didn’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you repeat, straightening your spine.

“Don’t play dumb,” Jin chimes in, arms crossed. “You told me that dress was yours two months ago when it was delivered.” You glare in his direction, having hoped he would have forgotten the entire encounter by now.

“You dare lie to me?” You ignore her, instead focusing on your brother, the one person who should be your ally.

“I’m surprised your memory goes that far back,” you sneer. “With your intelligence, you’d think you were dropped on your head as a child.” Your mother gasps, making you hiss as she strikes you again. Jin attempts to mask his feelings with a look of apathy, but the flicker of insecurity that flashes across his features is enough to make you feel victorious.

Your mother presses her fingers to her temples, looking to the heavens for guidance.

“What did I do to deserve such a disobedient child?” You open your mouth to snap a smart reply, but quickly shut it when you notice her hand still raised.

“There’s nothing we can do about it now,” Jin says.

“You’re right, you’re right,” your mother replies, massaging her forehead and scalp. “I’ll deal with you both in the morning. For now-” She glares pointedly at you. “You will stay in my sight for the rest of the ball. You will be cooperative and pleasant and receptive and you will do exactly as I say. You will dance with every man that I pick for you, even if he’s ninety, and you will not eat a single bite unless I say you may. Am I understood?” You nod defeatedly, eyes pinned to the floor as your mother huffs, dragging you out of the small side room and back into the fray.

It’s not Sowon’s fault, you could never be angry with her. How were you supposed to know they were going to announce everyone as they entered? She’d even thought to keep her real name to herself, though you could imagine that upon being asked, she’d panicked. As soon as a ‘Cinderella of Greenfield’ had been loudly introduced to the ballroom, your mother’s eyes had bulged out of her head and her face blanched of color. Within minutes she’d put your panicked expression and stepsister’s surprise appearance together and yanked you away from the crowd, unleashing her anger.

Your face falls further when you realize that this new development means you won’t see the one you’re really looking for, who you’re always looking for, really. You’d like to hope that even if you aren’t dancing with your ‘prince charming’ (a term that would make him cringe and groan), Sowon will at least have her own fun before the clock strikes twelve.

“Fix your posture.” You quickly straighten your spine, folding your hands neatly in front of you. You can already see your mother’s eyes scanning the premises, searching for a new victim- er, suitor. Your brother has already disappeared off to god-knows-where, probably chatting up another girl. You, however, don’t have such luxury when your mother believes it’s taking way too long to get you married off.

Despite your insistence that being single at twenty is in fact not the same thing as being an old maid, your mother pays no attention to your opinions on the subject.

You resist taking a swig from the champagne flute resting between your fingers, instead turning your attention to the dancing couples. The first few times you were allowed to attend these balls, the dancers seemed magical and heavenly and happy, dress skirts spinning in sparkly swirls of color. But the dance floor had long lost its glamour when you realized how political the act of dancing really was. No one danced because it was fun or romantic, they did it to secure their relationships, to sign the contract of their alliance without touching a pen. It was all about appearance and status. Dreams of waltzing with your one true love were crushed once your mother had shoved you into the arms of a man much older and much creepier than you would have ever wanted.

You could say with confidence now, however, that dancing isn’t anything close to a requirement when forming a romantic relationship. It’s honestly pretty boring. Shameless flirting and stolen kisses, however, are much more fun.

Too bad you wouldn’t be doing any of those things tonight.

“I’m sorry, what was your name again?” you ask, making your mother pinch your side. You do your best to ignore the pain.

The man you’ve been talking to for the past several minutes pauses, his sweet smile becoming strained.

“And- Oh, it’s Jimin.” You nod, pretending like you’ll remember it five minutes from now. You feel bad. The guy’s pretty cute, his dashing eye smile and boyish features making his cautious flirting all the more adorable. But it’s difficult to really appreciate his looks when your mind is occupied with other faces and names. Or, well, a very specific face and name.

“My apologies, her mind is always wandering,” your mother intrudes, leaning into your conversation as if she’s the one who’s supposed to be initiating a courtship and not you.

“It’s alright…” Jimin squirms uncomfortably under your mother’s scrutinizing stare.

“We really would love to know more about your father’s business. You are the eldest, correct?”

Jimin’s eyes flash from your blank expression to your mother’s eager one, before, like all the suitors before him, he realizes that this really isn’t the place he wants to be. He gives you an apologetic look before inventing some excuse about seeing a business friend and darting away before your mother can protest.

She turns to you, eyes ablaze.

“You’re acting like a petulant child,” she snaps. “Don’t expect to leave your room at all for at least a week. Keep this up and you’ll be lucky to have a single meal.”

“It’s not my fault!” You know you aren’t helping your case by being defensive, but at this point, you don’t care. You’re bored and miserable and your skin still stings where your mother slapped you. “You keep scaring them away!”

“Watch your tone.” It’s ironic, really. You could smile and flirt and be docile all day long, the only thing stopping your mother’s wishes of a suitor from coming true is your mother herself. She can’t help but question the hell out of every man who walks your way until they’re shaking in their dress shoes, fully regretting ever coming within your vicinity. You’ve never had a courtship last longer than a month, let alone make it past the first conversation. At least not one that your mother knows about.

Your mind wanders again to the vision of a snarky boy you’ve come to care for deeply, his thoughtful, coffee-colored eyes, his pouty lips. You’re grinning to yourself at the memory of his ever-stern expression breaking into a sheepish smile when you push just the right buttons, make just the right remark. There isn’t much you wouldn’t give to be talking with him rather than the men picked out by your mother, but, alas, not all dreams come true.

“Ow!”

Your toes ache when your new suitor clumsily steps on them, his palm sweaty and nervous against yours. He quickly panics at your expression but continues the waltz.

“Oh, I am so sorry!” he whispers, awkwardly twirling you under his arm, just as his foot slams onto yours again. You wince. The poor kid might be your age, but it seems he still isn’t quite used to the lanky limbs puberty gave him. He’s barely even dancing at this point, mostly just stumbling across the floor and stringing you along. You wonder if this is his first ball, because it took a good ten minutes for you to coach him into actually leading you, instead of the other way around.

“It’s really okay,” you assure him, noticing his blonde strands falling into his face. You were scared out of your mind the first time you danced, too, though probably for entirely different reasons.

“I promise I’m not usually this awful,” he insists. “I broke my glasses just before I got here, so everything’s pretty blurry.” You sympathize with him. Awful vision and carefully maneuvered dancing don’t exactly pair well together.

“Namjoon, was it?” He nods, flashing a small, dimpled smile. “This your first time?”

His grin turns sheepish. “Was it that obvious?” You shake your head, but then wonder if he can even tell, if his dancing is truly a reflection of his poor eyesight.

“No, I just hadn’t seen you before. I attend most of these things.” Namjoon relaxes at the casual conversation, glad to be talking as peers and not potential spouses.

“Really? Don’t you get tired of them?”

“All the fucking time.” Namjoon’s jaw drops at your language. You cringe, glad your mother can’t stalk you while you’re dancing. “Er- sorry.”

“It’s fine, really.” The lights are dimming outside and your sympathy for the man only grows. Even your vision begins to fail once night falls. Would it kill them to get better lighting in this place?

“My point is, they get easier. Promise. The nerves will go away eventually, probably quicker than you think.” Namjoon laughs skeptically, his grip loosening in yours.

“Easier said than done.” A smirk creeps across your lips.

“See? You’re already comfortable with me! I’m proud.” He immediately starts blushing and tensing up again, but you’ve made your point and Namjoon is grateful. You knew you could be quite intimidating, that this whole event could be quite intimidating, so you’re always glad to help a fellow straggler out.

The dance ends with Namjoon accidentally knocking his head against yours as he bows deeply, profusely apologizing. You laugh it off and send him on his way, probably to recover from the embarrassment in private. You almost get your hopes up that your mother will let you go, but it doesn’t take long for you to be shoved into a new conversation.

“It’s just- I love her, you know?” The boy is staring at you earnestly, his chin propped in his hands and his shaggy, brown hair anything but styled properly. You’re not even sure why your mother settled for this guy. He certainly doesn’t seem like a rich bachelor looking for a wife.

You lean in, fully captured by his heartfelt story. It only took two minutes before the guy noticed your disinterest and gave up on flirting, suggesting the two of you chat casually over desserts instead. You accepted his offer in a heartbeat, feeling your mother glaring holes into your back as he guided you away, finding a corner table and a heaping tray of eclairs. Now, you were listening to his romantic tale, absolutely astounded at his experiences.

“Yeah, I think I do. But what are you supposed to do? She’s locked in an enchanted tower! With a witch!”

“Exactly!” Taehyung responds, throwing his hands into the air. “The only reason I’m here and not with her is because of my family. If I could just get away from them, I’d think up a way to rescue her, I’m sure of it.” You ponder his dilemma as you shove another eclair into your mouth, treasuring the sugary pastry while you still can. He’d already tried the obvious choice, bringing a rope, but as soon as he stepped inside the tower with his love, it disintegrated in his hands, spoiling the plan.

“Maybe you can trick the witch!” You suggest, words muffled by the dessert you’re chewing on as you blatantly talk with your mouth open. All manners have been abandoned as Taehyung is eating two eclairs at once, equally focused on the matter at hand. “Well, no, maybe trying to trick a magical scary lady is a bad idea.”

You think for a moment longer, taking a few more desserts, before your brain lights up.

“Wait, we’re both idiots!” you exclaim, slamming the table in epiphany. Taehyung leans forward, anticipating your new idea. “Just cut her hair and use it as a rope! Surely the enchantment isn’t that advanced.” Taehyung processes your idea before his lips grow into a wide, joyous grin that stretches into his cheeks adorably. If it weren’t for other circumstances, you’d actually consider courting this guy.

“That’s genius!” he shouts, jumping up from his seat. “What do I do now?” You rise with him, taking his hands into yours.

“You have to go to her. Now.” Taehyung’s face grows solemn with resolve as he takes a deep breath.

“I will! Thank you, really.”

“You can thank me by inviting me to the wedding!” The boy laughs and assures you that he will before he grabs one last eclair, dashing out of the castle and into the night. You can only hope that he’ll be successful in his quest, that he won’t die because the plan went horribly wrong or the witch is waiting for him. You send a silent prayer to whoever is listening, but a part of you just believes he’ll be alright.

Having nowhere else to go, you make your way back to where you last saw your mother, brushing against several shoulders as you weave through the crowd. But instead of your mother, Jin is who you see, pigging out on a plate full of food from the buffet. Your mouth waters at the sight.

“Where’s mom?” you ask tentatively, Jin barely meeting your eyes before returning to his meal.

“Went to talk to someone important. I dunno.” You sigh. For being your older brother, he sure is useless.

Your second great idea of the night begins to grow in the back of your mind, daring to give you hope.

“Oh… Well, if you see her, tell her I’m speaking to another suitor. A very rich and very powerful one.” Jin nods, barely half-listening. Knowing your mother, if she was really talking to someone important, it’d take a while. Giving you plenty of time to do the one thing you really came for.

“Uh-huh.”

You dash off before Jin can think twice, leaving him with his second love, only topped by himself, of course.

Your heart is throbbing in your chest, lungs aching from lack of oxygen as you weave through the ballroom and sprint down the halls, making your best guess as to where to find him. You can see the look on his face now, seeing you all dolled up and exhausted from socialization. He’ll make fun of you to no end, but you don’t mind. You have plenty to tease him about, too.

As you round a corner, you collide with a strong chest, only stopped from falling by a pair of strong arms.

But when you glance up, you’re met with a very different squire than the one you’re seeking, but still a dear friend.

“Y/N? I thought you weren’t coming!” You smile as you steady yourself.

“Are you kidding? I’m always at these things, Hoseok.” You step back, peeking around his shoulder, but you’re only met with an empty hall.

“You’re telling me,” he laughs, a friendly hand still lingering on your shoulder. “What took you so long?” You shrug, still catching your breath.

“Suitors, dancing, my mother… You know how it is.” Hoseok nods in understanding, his kind eyes and warm brown hair a welcome sight after a night full of socializing with strangers. “Why aren’t you in uniform?”

“Ahh, it’s our last night off. Like a reward before we get knighted and swear our lives to the crown and all that.”

“Wait, really? You’re getting knighted?! That’s amazing, Hoseok!” The man blushes, shrugging sheepishly. His stupid humility reminds you of Sowon. The two of them would be great friends, you muse, being all shy about their accomplishments together. But never in a million years would you allow them in the same room, not with Hoseok’s reputation.

“Well, we both are.” His eyes light up at something behind you. His hand spins you around, facing you towards the rest of the ballroom. “But your boyfriend can’t even enjoy his one night to have fun. He’s over there brooding in the corner like he’s on duty or something. Doesn’t matter how many times I or Jinyoung tell him to relax, he won’t listen.”

“Sounds about right,” you muse.

“Go talk to him, will you? Make him lighten up.”

Hoseok winks at you before strolling off, making you roll your eyes. But your gaze quickly returns to the idiot you’ve come to love, looking more like a criminal than a knight as he watches the crowd with narrowed eyes. He looks dashing in his ball attire, his dark hair slicked back and leaving his forehead exposed, only a few strands falling out of place. He’s dressed in a simple suit, a white dress shirt with navy blue slacks and overcoat, but he makes the entire look seem classy and elegant.

Despite his piercing gaze, he doesn’t notice you until you’ve snuck up behind him, trailing your fingers up his arm, leaving goosebumps in your wake. His eyes barely flicker to your before quickly returning and focusing on the dance floor, as if you were never there.

“Hey, squire.” No one notices you fiddling with the collar of his coat, not as the lights are growing dimmer and dimmer. He doesn’t respond, face still fixed ahead.

“Oh, come on, you’re off duty. Hoseok told me. At least talk to me.” Still, nothing. He’s as still as a statue.

“Please? I’m sorry I took so long, I got caught up with my mom, you know how she can be.” It’s like you’re talking to air, having a conversation with yourself. His brows furrow at the mention of your mother though, sharing as much hatred for the woman as you do.

“Yoongi.” He sighs, finally facing you. But upon seeing your face, really taking it in, his expression immediately fills with concern, rather than that smile you really want to see.

“Are you okay? Your eyes are swollen.” Damn it. Rely on Min Yoongi to always see right through your facade, to never save you your pride. “Was it your mother?”

“No,” you lie. “I’m fine, really. I just missed you.” Eager to change the subject, you smirk, eyeing the top of his shirt, left unbuttoned. “Really, Min? How unprofessional…” You reach up and fix it, leaning close enough to feel his breath on your face. You meet his eyes cheekily, seeing the conflict brewing in his mind.

“Where have you been? How’s Sowon?”

“Around. Turning down suitors. And as far as I know, she’s good. Hopefully enjoying herself.” Your hands linger at his collar, fiddling with it as you grow closer and closer.

“You sure they aren’t turning you down? You’re pretty damn annoying.” You feign a gasp.

“Wowww, do all those years of me helping you train mean nothing to you? All those late nights for you to insult me like this?” Yoongi takes your hand before you can slip away in your faux-anger, intertwining your fingers.

“I think you’re glossing over all the years that I protected you from the snakes in the palace garden.”

“Oh please,” you scoff. “That was all just a ploy to get me to hold your hand.” He smirks, fully turning away from the party and towards you.

“It worked, didn’t it?”

“Only because I wanted it to. Now, are you going to keep holding my hand like we’re fourteen or kiss me?” He laughs, eyes flashing to your lips.

It only takes a moment before the two of you have disappeared from the main room and you’re pressed up against a wall, kissing him messily in a quiet hall, far from the other guests.

You’re not stupid enough to go any further, as much as you’d like to, but for now you’re satisfied just to feel his lips on yours, just to be in his presence for a while. Your fingers are running through his hair, ruining his hairstyle as his arms are wrapped around your waist, tugging you close as he kisses you senseless, as if to make up for the lost time.

No matter how many times you see him, no matter how many times you corner him in a dark room with time to kill, your heart always thumps in your chest and your stomach always flutters when he’s nearby. It’s always like the first time you talked to him, nerves racing up and down your spine like the idiot teenager you were back then.

He’s always been the first one you want to talk to in the morning, the last person you want to see before your head hits the pillow. And, of course, he’s the one you always wished was treating you to dates or romantic strolls instead of whatever suitor your mother chose next.

While your mind is racing, hands beginning to wander, Yoongi pulls away all too soon, leaving you reeling.

“Sorry,” he mutters, growing all embarrassed when the tips of his ears turn pink. “I was getting carried away.” You laugh, poking at his blushing cheeks. He jerks away, summoning a scowl that he can’t maintain as you only laugh at him further.

“That’s not very knightly of you,” you tease, glancing over his shoulder to make sure you’re still alone, a habit you’ve developed over years of seeing him in secret. Yoongi shakes his head, glaring at your proud grin.

“I don’t think sneaking off with a squire looks very good for you, either, dumbass.”

“I think you mean running off with a soon-to-be knight! Hoseok told me!” Yoongi scoffs.

“Of course he did. Asshole.” You quirk your brow.

“Wait, are you not happy you’re being knighted?” You affectionately comb your fingers through his hair in an attempt to fix the damage you’ve caused as he shakes his head furiously.

“No, no, that’s not it. I wanted to tell you myself, that’s all. There’s actually something I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while, now.”

“What, that you’re finally using your knightly privileges to kill me once and for all?”

“What? No! At least, not yet.”

“You’re gonna get me my own sword?”

“No. I’m-”

“You’re going on a quest to save a girl in a tower?” Yoongi’s expression is incredulous. It takes everything in you to suppress your giggles as you relish in his confusion.

“What are you even talking about?”

“Trust me, it happens.”

“Oh- Okay? Well, what I’m trying to say is-”

“You’re leaving me for Hoseok? It’s okay, I understand. He’s so hot, I would too-” Exasperated, Yoongi claps a hand over your mouth, still keeping you pinned in the corner despite your struggling.

“God, no! I’m trying to tell you I’m gonna marry you, okay?” You freeze, eyes going wide. His hand lowers, letting your jaw drop. “I mean, assuming you want to.”

“Yoongi…” You sigh, a sadness you’re often able to ignore filling your chest and throat. “We talked about this, you know my mother won’t-”

“I don’t care what your mother thinks.” He sighs, face unsure instead of smug or annoyed, as usual. The sight makes your chest constrict. “I’m serious. I’m in love with you and I have been for years, you know that. I’ve been saving up and I can take care of you, at least for a while. But after I’m knighted, I’ll have a steadier income. And then in a few years, maybe we can open that tailor shop with Sowon you’re always talking about. You can do the numbers and Sowon can sew and I know I’m not great with either of those things but I’m sure I can figure out something to help with. I’ll make it work, I promise. You just have to trust me a little.”

For a moment, you allow yourself to hope. To stare into his pleading eyes, to imagine a future with him, a life filled with sarcastic remarks and flirtatious glances and a shop, a place to call your own with the people you love. Out of your mother’s reach, in Yoongi’s arms, happy and content.

But you’re not stupid.

No matter where you go, she’ll follow you. She’ll crush you and ruin you just like she’s done to everyone in her path, spreading rumors and menacing words until you’re despised and cast aside. You’d watched her do it to her own friends, to Sowon in her own house. Once she knows about Yoongi, she’ll do the same to him too. You can’t allow that to happen. You might be afraid of your mother, but you’re far more afraid of what she would do to him than what she would do to you.

“Yoongi, I love you, I really do, but I- I can’t. I won’t.” I won’t hurt you. You almost laugh. In order to spare him from a world of pain, you have to inflict pain yourself.

His face darkens, his expression flashing with hurt. Your heart squeezes painfully in your chest. His grip loosens on you, and the disappointed but unsurprised look on his face is too much to bear.

“Are you serious? Is this really what you want? To let her control you?” Yoongi bites his lip. You wish he’d get angry. That he’d yell and scream and insult you. Instead, his eyes grow glassy and sad, his brow furrowed with concern, making you feel all the worser. You wish you could kiss him until it was all gone, until nothing mattered anymore and you both felt alright again.

“I’m sorry, Yoongi.” You slip away, out of his arms. You’re out of the room and wiping tears from your eyes in a flash. You hurl yourself down the hall, muffling your choked sobs behind your hand. You’re stumbling like Namjoon on the dance floor, ignoring Yoongi calling your name and chasing after you. You know he’ll leave you alone once you make it back to the crowd, once it’s possible your mother could see.

Maybe it was better this way. If you just left each other alone, pretend it never happened. You were nothing but a leech, really. Taking and taking and taking from him and never giving. You didn’t deserve him, not his talks, not his kisses, not his anything. You deserve to grow old miserable with someone you don’t love. You aren’t brave enough to try for something more, not like Yoongi is.

“Y/N?” You nearly run into the girl, her face looking as panicked as you feel. You quickly dab at your eyes, summoning a casual smile. “Are you okay?”

“Hey, Sowon! Having fun?” Not unlike Yoongi, she’s clearly conflicted on whether or not to press you further. You’re grateful when she doesn’t.

“I- um- yeah. I’m leaving, actually.”

“What?” You aren’t carrying a watch, but you know it’s not anywhere near midnight yet, not by a long shot. “Why?” It’s then that you notice that her cheeks are slightly tear-stained too, red from embarrassment. Her hands are shaky, barely holding onto yours. “Did something happen?”

“I really can’t talk about it, now,” she says, voice breaking. “I just have to go.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll talk to you at home, alright?” She nods, her weak smile thankful.

“Alright, see you-”

“Y/N.” Your heart leaps into your throat when you see your mother standing not too far from you and Sowon, her glare murderous and cold. She pretends not to see her stepdaughter, but you know a majority of her fury comes from her presence at the ball tonight.

You shoot your stepsister a look and she’s gone before you can blink, tearing off into the crowd. Wait, is she missing a shoe? Those took up half of your budget!

“I was just looking for you!” You say it awkwardly, the worst acting performance of your life. You’ve done better than this as an eight-year-old. You try to force yourself to forget everything that’s just transpired. All that matters is minimizing your mother’s wrath, if possible.

You aren’t entirely sure why, but she hasn’t dragged you away to a private space to scream at you for your insolence. Instead, she’s forcing a strained smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Your stomach starts to sink. Somehow this feels worse.

“We’ve been summoned. By the royal family.” Your stomach accelerates from a sink to a drop, leaving you nauseous and an anxious feeling itching up your arms and back, choking your throat.

“What?”

“I don’t know why I continue to do these things for you,” she says, wringing her hands, as if to keep them from lashing out. “But it seems I’ve secured you a betrothal. To the Crown Prince.”

“What.”

It had to be a lie. How had your mother, the least personable human you knew, managed to do this? And she hadn’t even consulted you? Not that you’re surprised about it, but the stress and pressure and cruelty of it all is getting to you. What would this even mean? Is it all just a lie to get you alone so she can really yell?

But the look in her eye and Jin’s story support her claim. Your emotions hit you like a train again as the realization sets in.

“Mom.” Your lip trembles, unable to force itself into a smile for her, not anymore. “I don’t want that. Please.” You silently follow up your plea with desperate eyes, frantically attempting to keep tears from further spilling down your face. But her expression contorts, leaving no room for fake smiles and laughter. Her brows are pressed as far down as they can go, her mouth permanently twisted into a scowl. Her hand raises and you flinch prematurely, casting your face downwards.

“You ungrateful little-”

“I’ll be glad to escort you to the royal family.” Your eyes shoot upwards at the sound of the familiar voice. But Yoongi doesn’t even glance your way, looking at your mother with his stoic, knightly expression he’s worked to perfect over the years.  Like he didn’t propose to you minutes prior.

“Who are you?” your mother sneers, giving him a skeptical look.

“A knight,” he states plainly. “This is my night off, but considering your daughter’s recent change in status, it’s only practical she receive a change in security as well.” Your mother ponders this before smirking, the pride of your apparent future marriage already fueling her own ego. She nods, forcefully taking your elbow. Yoongi’s eyes barely flicker with fury when he glances at your mother’s hand, knuckles white from her grip, but he’s able to calmly mask it before your mother notices.

“Well, then, by all means, get on with it.” She gestures ahead as if she’s the one paying him to be here and not the palace. He pretends not to notice her blatantly rude behavior, steadily striding back down the hall, leading you to your own doom.

Ironic, really. You’ve just had someone propose to you and now you’re being lead off to another engagement by the very same man. My god, you’re about to be engaged. To the fucking crown prince. What’s his name? Isn’t he younger than you? You can’t even remember, your mind is going too fast, your heart pounding too loudly.

Your mother is hissing instructions into your ear, berating you for your behavior before you’ve even entered the room, but you don’t hear a single word.

You’ve accepted defeat before the battle has begun as you bite your lip to keep it from trembling.

You hate the way Yoongi doesn’t fight it, how you can only watch his backside as you walk towards an engagement you never wanted, too afraid to say no. You want to run away, to grab Yoongi’s hand and never look back. But that leaves too much to chance. You don’t know where you would go, if you could take Sowon with you.

Crippled by fear and indecisiveness, you stay silent.

“Well, I think that settles everything.” You jolt in your seat, yanked from your daze when you’re being pinched harshly.

Jin’s been pouting in his seat the whole time, frustrated he even had to be here in the first place. He should be pleased, he’s about to have all the food and women he wants, and more.

“We’re incredibly thankful at being given this opportunity,” your mother insists. You muster a smile, unable to meet the eyes of the supposed prince, who’s pouting like a petulant child. His features match his seemingly immature personality, boyish and cute. His eyes are large and doe-like, nearly bulging out of his head with each word spoken, each negotiation settled. You’re glad you’re not the only one who feels poorly about this, though the two of you express that emotion very differently.

Yoongi hasn’t looked at you once the entire time. Instead, he’s standing at the door without a sound, just like the knight he’s been trained to be.  

“Well, we’re grateful to have negotiated this opportunity as well, Lady Kim. I’m sure your daughter will make a lovely queen alongside Jungkook.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. You hadn’t even opened that can of worms yet. How were you supposed to be a queen? You could barely play checkers without panicking, how would you be able to manage the stress of ruling a country?!

“I’m sure she will, too. Right, Y/N?” All eyes pin on you and your blood runs cold, goosebumps running up your arms and legs.

“I- I’ll do my best,” you murmur, your voice choked and quiet. The king leans forward, brow furrowing.

“What did you say?” You open your mouth to repeat yourself, but your mother beats you to it.

“She said she agrees. She’s really quite the talented socializer, always making friends and connections. She’ll be a beloved queen, I’m confident in it.” The queen smiles softly in approval, gazing at you affectionately. She must think your nerves stem from being in the same room as the prince, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. You’d give anything to be able to sprint away, never looking back.

“I’m sorry, but when did I say I agreed to this?” Jungkook shouts the question, making everyone else in the room jump. Your gaze lowers to the table again as you try to pray yourself out of existence. The queen places her hand over her son’s, sighing disappointedly.

“Jungkook, not right-”

“No, Mom! You tell me to get married and I say fine, as long as I can do it on my own terms. You tell me to find a girl I liked at this ball, who I think I could care for and would make a good ruler, and I did. I found someone and you won’t even hear me out!”

“Enough!” the king roars, slamming a fist on the table. “Your ‘girl’ ran off and all you have to prove her existence is a glass shoe. A glass shoe, Jungkook. That’s not evidence of a queen candidate, it’s footwear!”

“I told you, your stupid guards scared her off! She started panicking and mumbling things about a stepmother and needing to go and your guards kept me from following her! And now this is all I have to show for it.” A loud gasp leaves your mouth and you look up to see Jungkook holding a small heeled slipped, made of Venetian glass. Sowon’s slipper.

“What?” Jungkook leans forward, eyes boring into yours. “Do you recognize this? Do you know her?” Your mouth hangs open like a fish out of water, unable to form words. But your mother has already pieced together this puzzle, what with your startled reaction and Jungkook’s retelling of the story.

“Oh, surely not,” your mother insists. Her hand squeezes yours, nearly crushing it, making you yelp. You barely see Yoongi’s nostrils flare, but he doesn’t move. “She just loves Venetian glass, don’t you, dear?” The question falls on deaf ears when Jungkook starts ranting to his father again.

“I’m not giving up on this,” he states matter-of-factly, almost initiating a staredown with the king himself.

“And I’m not going to be controlled by a teenager who doesn’t understand priorities,” he snaps back, eyes blazing. The queen sighs, massaging her temples, as if this isn’t the first time such an argument has occurred.

“I have an idea!” your mother exclaims, clapping her hands together and momentarily drawing the attention of the rest of the table. Jin is still totally checked out, staring off into space. You wonder if he’s sleeping with his eyes open.

“His Highness should try to find this mystery girl! Put out an ad, let girls try on the shoe, do house visits if you wish.” You gawk at your mother, wondering what the hell she’s playing at. “We all deserve a chance at love, no?”

“Yes,” the king responds. “But-”

“But if in, say, two weeks, this girl doesn’t show or she doesn’t turn out to be a good candidate…” You gasp when she interrupts the king, a blatant show of disrespect, but he says nothing, only listening to your mother’s idea patiently. “Then we move forward with the engagement with my daughter. That way we all get a fair chance at what we want.”

“I… suppose that would fine.” Jungkook looks at your mother skeptically, but he really has no reason to say no. She’s just offered him his chance with his dream girl. Why would he refuse?

To everyone else, your mother seems charitable, maybe even absurdly so. But to those who are privy to full the context of the situation (you, Yoongi, and Jin), she’s anything but. In one fell swoop, she’s managed to seize full control of the situation while making a good impression on the royal family. As long as she has you and Sowon pinned beneath her thumb, she’s won easily.

“Yes, I suppose that is fair,” the king says. “Two weeks, Jungkook. That’s it.” His son nods solemnly, determination filling his eyes.

“Two weeks.”

You say nothing to Yoongi as you leave. You know he understands just as well as you do. You’re getting engaged. Just not to him.

“Wait!” You spin around only to be met with your maybe-future-fiancé, gripping your shoulders with a desperate look in his eye. You catch another man staring at you from the door, but you pointedly don’t meet his gaze.

“Yes, Your Highness?” The prince groans.

“Oh, please, don’t call me that.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Your cheeks heat as your mother glares at you from the side, just out of Jungkook’s view.

“Are you sure you don’t know this girl? She’s about this tall-” He raises a hand to just below his shoulder. “-and she’s blonde and really pretty and she was wearing a pink dress.” You’re about to respond, but he continues his description. “And she’s honestly the nicest, most sweet person I’ve ever met. I don’t think she could hurt a fly if she tried.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair nervously. “I know I’ve gotta sound insane right now, but I’m not claiming to be in love with her or anything like that. I just have to see her again. And by the way she was talking, I’m really worried. She might need help. Even if she hates me and that’s why she ran off, I just have to make sure she’s okay and safe.”

You’re astounded at his passionate speech. You’d misjudged him completely. He might be immature or naive, but never had someone seemed so genuine. Never had someone seen Sowon the way you saw her: the silly, sweet girl with a heart of gold.

You’re impressed.

But your pleasant surprise is spoiled when you catch your mother’s gaze, and a realization hits you.

You’d be stupid to trust this Jungkook idiot. No matter how earnest he was, there was no guarantee your mother wouldn’t contradict you, wouldn’t call you insane and have you institutionalized. She could go home tonight and have Sowon shipped off and killed before Jungkook had a chance, and it’d be all your fault. No one was going to stop this. Not Jin. Not Jungkook. Not Yoongi. Not you.

No matter where you go, no matter what you do, your mother will always be there, always be pulling the strings. To try to resist it would only make things worse. For you and Sowon.

You won’t be selfish. You won’t be brave. You’ll take whatever your mother makes you do, as long as she doesn’t hurt Sowon.

Your eyes meet Yoongi’s, full of unspoken apologies.

“Yes, I’m sure,” you lie. “I don’t know her.”

You turn away before you have to see the disappointment in either of their faces.

Two weeks later, you’re allowed to leave your room again. You’re dizzy and nauseous with the guilt and hunger and exhaustion, but your decision remains firm. It’s not like you could really undo it anyway.

You lug your body downstairs, forcing yourself to smile, to look pleasant. Jungkook is sitting in the foyer, a poorly masked sad expression on his face. You’re sad, too.

“-really am disappointed you weren’t able to find your girl. I suppose some mysteries just can’t be solved, can they?”

“Mmm.”

You gulp. You worry about said girl two floors up, who you haven’t seen in a fortnight, probably feeling upset and betrayed.

But you’d been able to cut a deal. Your silence and compliance in exchange for Sowon’s freedom and safety. Maybe it was reckless and stupid to prioritize your stepsister’s life over yours, but after years living in a household that did the opposite, you figured it was the least you could do.

Or maybe you were the selfish one. Maybe all of this was an elaborate ploy to avoid standing up to your mother, your biggest fear.

Either way, it felt much too late to turn back now.

Of course, to make things more painful, Yoongi had to be here too. Watching as you betrayed yourself and him, maybe even Sowon too. You hated how he attempted to hide his obvious disapproval and hurt, to hide his true feelings for your sake.

He stills looks just as good in uniform as he did in his ball clothes. He’s still dressed in navy blue, but the royal crest is embroidered across his chest and a sword hangs at his waist, his hair slicked away from his face again. He looks dashing. Knightly. Regal.

But you’ve given up the privilege of being able to look at him that way. He’s not yours anymore.

An exhausted look duke stands next to the equally tired Jungkook, blabbering on about logistics and future plans. They’re here to take you away permanently, to begin residing at the palace and training for queen hood and preparing for the marriage. Your mother and Jin will follow soon after, leaving their servants here to be released from work, including Sowon, for which you’re grateful.

“Well, I’ll miss her dearly while you’re keeping her,” your mother croons, her voice so sickeningly sweet you think you might vomit again.

“I’ll make sure she’s treated well,” Jungkook assures her. Another bout of guilt claws up your throat. He’s much too innocent, much too good for you.

“I would hope so.” Your mother wraps an arm around you and squeezes. “She deserves the best, she really does.” At some point, Yoongi’s dropped his stoic look, putting up his hands pleadingly in desperation.

You deserve better, he mouths.

“I don’t.”

“What?” Jungkook’s brow is quirked, a very puzzled expression on his face.

“She’s just humble!” your mother nearly shouts, voice strained and threatening to crack.

Are you going to let her decide for you?

It is my decision.

I love you.

You look away from Yoongi before you cry again. You’ve done enough of that over the past two weeks.

“Well, I suppose it’s time we get going,” the duke pipes up, gesturing to the rest of the guards, who begin trudging to their feet and filing their way out of the room. Jungkook takes your arm awkwardly leading you away from your childhood home. You bite your lip and squeeze your fist.

Is this really want Sowon would want? You don’t know. She ran from Jungkook, after all. If she really thought he cared about her, if she really thought safety or love was possible, wouldn’t she have stayed? Jungkook seemed genuine, seemed caring. So why?

An awful thought occurs to you. An awful, terrible, irreversible thought.

There was only one reason you could think of as to why your stepsister had run, had sacrificed her chance with her prince charming.

She didn’t want to leave you behind.

Your mother would have been furious, would have dragged both you and Jin out of the country if that’s what it took to quell her own embarrassment. She’d threatened it before, and she wasn’t one to do so without the intention of following through. You’d never see Sowon or Yoongi again, not in this lifetime, anyway.

Your stepsister risked everything for you, sacrificed her own happiness for your own, and here you were about to leave her behind in the same way she refused to do to you.

You’re giving up everything you cared about, because, what? You’re scared?

Yoongi loves you. You love him. You’ve longed to be with him, to really be with him, for years. And he gave you a solution. He put in the effort to make it work, put it all on the line to be with you.

And you told him no. Because you were scared.

You don’t want to be scared anymore.

“Stop!” you shout, pushing Jungkook away, his expression riddled with surprise. “Just, stop. I have your mystery girl. Come on.”

“You what?” You sigh loudly, leaving him in the dust as you march back up to your mother, who’s gaping at you in horror and disgust from the large doorway.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” your mother gasps. You ignore the way your stomach clenches and that familiar feeling of wanting to crawl under the covers and never come back out.

“Get Sowon or I will.” You state it loudly, for everyone in the vicinity to hear. She gasps, her face turning bright red with anger. You see the retort forming on her lips, the scream threatening to tear from her lungs, but your spine remains straight and tall.

You resist smirking as a familiar presence eases its way behind you, a gentle hand landing on your shoulder.

“Move aside,” Yoongi bellows. His voice clearly sends shivers down your mother’s spine as she jumps to the side out of fear, but you’re suppressing a giggle when you know that he’s just a big softie underneath.

As you make the final trek upstairs to unlock the door and bring Sowon to her awaiting prince and freedom, Yoongi’s hand never leaves yours, giving you reassuring squeezes every time you hesitate. He’s never been one for passionate declarations or romantic gestures, but his unending honesty and small actions are enough for you to feel loved.

“I’m proud of you,” he murmurs into your ear as you tug Sowon out the door for the last time. You don’t give your mother the dignity of a last glance. You can guess how she appears, face contorted in anger and embarrassment and shock as she realizes she’s been betrayed, that she won’t be able to manipulate her way out of this one, though you wouldn’t put it past her to try.

You do, however, give a single nod to Jin as you go, a silent message of forgiveness. He returns a similar look to you. You know the two of you can never be close again, but you hope one day you can see him again. You both are just doing what you must to survive.

After being peppered with questions and giving thousands of explanations to the guards and Jungkook, you’re finally allowed a moment to breathe. Sowon and her prince are staring at each other sheepishly, both suddenly shy and unsure. He awkwardly shakes her hand just as she goes to curtsy, making the both of them burst into stiff giggles and smiles. You shake your head at their antics, but a part of you hopes they make it past this phase and work out.

Just as you’re about to suggest that the group get moving lest your mother takes all of your heads, you’re being yanked away into the shadows behind Jungkook’s carriage and being met with a knowing smile.

You smirk, looping your arms around his neck.

“Hey, squire.” You lean up to press a kiss against his lips but he stops you with the pad of his finger.

“Knight. I’m a knight now.” He’s grinning cheekily, smile so wide you can see his gums. You shake your head and pat the top of his hair, which luckily isn’t covered with a silly metal helmet.

“You’ll always be a squire to me,” you tease, combing your fingers through his hair. Yoongi feigns a glare before wasting no time in stealing a kiss (or three) from you, the two of you pressed up against the carriage, tucked away from sight just like in the good old days.

“And this- Oh!”

You tear away from Yoongi, your cheeks heating as you see a pale Jungkook staring at the two of you in horror as Sowon stands slightly behind him, sending you a look that says, ‘You really couldn’t wait any longer?’

Your eyes are burning holes into the ground as you silently wonder whether kissing a royal guard while kind of engaged to the prince is treason.

“I am so sorry,” you manage, trying to formulate an excuse, but none comes. Yoongi has returned to his knight like stance, acting like a statue and not a lovestruck idiot.

“It’s, uh… It’s fine.” You glance up in surprise as Sowon slips her hand into Jungkook’s, pulling him in the opposite direction.

“Sorry for interrupting!” she calls over her shoulder as she leads her prince away, not noticing his sheepish grin as he stares at their interlocked fingers. “We’re leaving soon so don’t waste too much time…”

As soon as their forms disappear from view, you’re laughing quietly to yourself. After years of sneaking off with Yoongi, it’s still Sowon covering for you. You don’t know if you’ll ever be able to pay her back for everything she’s done for you, big and small, but today is certainly a start.

“So…” Yoongi begins, his hands finding yours. “Did you think any more on what I asked you the other night?” You laugh, resisting the urge to tug him in for another kiss.

“Well, seeing as my chances with the prince have been completely ruined…” Yoongi groans, fingers hovering above your stomach threateningly. You jolt backwards, only to be met with the side of the carriage. “I was joking! Just teasing! Please don’t tickle me.”

The man you’re hopelessly in love with only rolls his eyes, fumbling with the pocket of his pants.

“And I’m trying to be romantic. One of these days I’ll get my revenge for the amount of headaches you give me.” He produces a small box from his pocket, but before he can ask any questions or see the happy tears pricking at the corners of your eyes, you pull him close, pressing your nose into his shoulder. He laughs, quickly reciprocating the embrace.

“Does that mean yes?” he asks. “Because I don’t have the ring yet, the box was a symbolic thing. Unless you like my grandmother’s ring, in which case-” You scoff. A thousand teasing remarks come to your head, but you decide to cut to the chase, not leave him hanging.

“Yes!” You can’t wipe the stupid grins of either of your faces as you pull apart slightly, staring at each other in pure joy.

“Good,” he murmurs. “Because then this would be pretty embarrassing. For you.”

You’re still giggling as the two of you round the carriage hand-in-hand, garnering a few odd glances from the other knights and guards. But instead of quickly jerking your hand away, creating a normal distance as usual, you proudly march up to Yoongi’s horse, let him help you up and lean against his chest as you sit in front of him. Sowon and Jungkook are long in their own world, chatting away about god-knows-what.

As the caravan of carriages and horses rides away, you don’t look back once. You don’t worry about making it back to your mother in time or planning an elaborate explanation to give her to quell her suspicions. Instead, you fully relish in Yoongi’s warmth, teasing him relentlessly and talking about nothing and everything all at once.

You can’t guarantee that it’ll all be easy, that the royal family won’t be royally pissed at you for keeping such a big secret for two weeks. But as the hope of a long life spent with Yoongi and Sowon becomes closer to the truth than ever before, you think you’ll turn out just fine.

[amphtaminedreams]

The Women of Euphoria and Personal Style: Lookbook no.8

Hi to anyone reading,

I hope you’re well considering everything going on! It feels weird to want to talk about fashion or TV shows or red carpets or whatever when 90% of my Google searches are COVID-19 related but there you go. It’s all about trying to power through as normal (minus the social interaction) and pretend the world isn’t ending, right? Queue nervous laughter.

And as if things aren't shitty enough, production of season 2 of Euphoria has been postponed until further notice. 

Okay, in the grand scheme of things, having to wait a bit longer for a TV show isn’t catastrophic but it does just about sum up the transition from 2019 to 2020 thus far that after HBO redeemed itself by broadcasting Euphoria in the summer following an ending to Game of Thrones that has made the whole series unrewatchable, the glimmer of hope in me reignited by the prospect of series 2 this year has been quickly dashed. 2021, I’m rooting for you, because it doesn’t seem like things are getting better any time soon, and in all seriousness, I think everyone needs a break from the collective suffering of the last few months.

For me (and undoubtedly for many others if the hundreds of makeup looks and styling videos are anything to go by), Euphoria’s effect on the world of fashion and beauty is unprecedented. I really can’t recall a TV show in living memory that has had as much of an impact on the way young people dress. I mean, this might partially be because the style of the characters already kind of caters to and draws from the target audience but also, aside from Blair Waldorf did anybody really give THAT much of a fuck about what anybody in Gossip Girl wore?

The draw of the styling on Euphoria is that it has something for everyone. The style of each of the main girls, Rue, Kat, Maddy, Jules and Cassie, all of whom I’ve attempted (emphasis on attempted!) to base (emphasis on base!) outfits around, is varied and distinctive but still so current and realistic at the same time. It’s also consistent; even if you don’t own the specific pieces worn by any of them, similar shapes and details reoccur enough in different looks throughout the series that it’s not hard to create an outfit which matches your favourite character’s overall vibe without buying anything new. That’s kinda what I have attempted to do here and without further ado, I’m gonna get on with it! First up:

Jules (Played by Hunter Schafer)

When it comes to whose style is the most experimental, Jules is the obvious answer. A lot of her outfits are what I imagine a cartoonist in the near-distant future will envision their cool girl protagonist wearing. Whilst her ensembles are generally whimsical and girly for the most part, there’s usually a few slightly punk-ish finishing touches thrown in there too be it through chunky shoes or bold makeup or that incredible mesh trench coat she wears in the series finale with the trans symbol on the back which, honestly, deserves a moment of silence. 

There are definitely nods to current fashion trends sprinkled throughout her wardrobe too. I'm not going to lie, despite someone at work seemingly thinking it was an insult to tell me I look like someone who does (I still don’t know but this person has a Rick and Morty keyring so I don’t give it too much weight), I’ve never watched any anime. BUT, that being said, given the abundance of anime screenshots posted by all these aesthetic oriented Instagram and Tumblr moodboard accounts, I have a vague idea of what some of the more iconic characters look like and a lot of Jules’ looks seem to be very much modelled after or at least inspired by them. In a way, I see a lot of her looks as a blend between modern “e-girl”, Y2K skater chick (yes, I’m thinking early Avril Lavigne), and 2013 Tumblr “hipster” a la 2014 Joanna Kutcha and Charlie Barker, and though on paper that sounds like a nightmare combination, it works. I know-if that sentence were a Depop description I would’ve just gained 30 followers.

When it comes to my own interpretation of Jules’ style, it’s definitely something I like to channel when I’m putting together a proper OUTFIT outfit. Meaning an outfit I actually put effort into and thus will most likely want to get a good photo in, lol. The way her character dresses is almost quite Christopher Kane in that it’s fresh and unusual but still understated enough that I wouldn’t walk into a room wearing any of these feeling like I’m doing a Rick Owens runway.

I’m not TOO far out of my comfort zone but still at the same time, I’d be trying something new and maybe a little bit more zany than I'm used to. As for noting where any of these pieces are from, only a few have been bought in the last 6 months, but from left to right clockwise I have marked out those that have in case they’re still available (though be wary of the fact that it seems a lot of online clothes stores are still forcing warehouse employees to work in close confines at the moment and so perhaps aren’t operating the most ethically):

LOOK 1

Corset-Jaded London

Shoes-TK Maxx

LOOK 2

Dress-Motel Rocks

Boots-Koi Vegan Footwear

LOOK 3

Dress-Jaded London

LOOK 4

Dress-Jaded London

Beret-Ebay

LOOK 5

Beret-Ebay

LOOK 6

Mesh Top-Depop

Hair Clips-Urban Outfitters

Kat (Played by Barbie Ferreira) 

Eurgh, Kat. 

I LOVE THIS BITCH.

If I had to choose my favourite character in the show, it would be a very close toss-up between her and Rue, and though I think Rue might just about nab the top spot for her relatability factor, Kat is the girl I want to be or wish that I had been when I was at school. I mean, there’s definitely an argument to be made in that a lot of what she’s doing with her cam work could be seen as a means of validation (Sam Levinson has basically said everyone on the show has some kind of an unhealthy coping mechanism and I would guess due to the circumstances in which her cam girl career was borne and the fact she’s underage, this would be hers) but I do think in other ways we really see Kat reclaim her power and recognise herself for the smart, capable, gorgeous woman that she is. Honestly, the definition of divine feminine energy, and I would completely let Barbie Ferreira/basically Kat if she was also actually 23 dominate me.

Plus! Her! Style! Is! The! Bomb! Definitely the easiest character to base looks around because if I’m totally honest Kat’s energy is pretty much just what I want to emulate in every day life. 

It’s either pieces that are typically feminine, cutesy, and even slightly preppy at times drenched in everything grunge OR vice versa where you have something semi-gothic and then add a colourful, more playful touch in there that harks back to the beginning of the series before Kat had began to explore her identity and sexuality and dressed slightly more Forever 21.

I’d say, not yet with my whole chest, that on a good day the outfits I put together when making an effort aren’t too far off something Kat would wear, minus the more overtly BDSM touches; if wearing a ring choker in London is enough to get me a creepy comment from a gross middle aged shopkeeper (because I apparently forfeited my right not to be perved on when I decided to buy a bottle of Oasis summer fruits), then you can only imagine the kind of looks wearing a full-on harness would get in my conservative OAP dominated hometown. Not the most doable right now, especially considering the only time I get out is to work and to go for a run. The chafing I could deal with but the horrified glares of pensioners whose M&S prawn mayo sandwiches I’ve ruined by simply being in their eyesight not so much.

LOOK 1-

Corset-Urban Outfitters

LOOK 2-

Bodysuit-Depop

Skirt-Zara

Harness-Ebay

LOOK 3-

Co-ord-Depop

Lace-up Corset-Missguided

LOOK 4-

Dress-Vintage

LOOK 5-

Belt-Ebay

LOOK 6-

Coat-Topshop

Dress-Jaded London

LOOK 7-

Fishnet Top-Ebay

Skirt-Urban Outfitters

Maddy (Played by Alexa Demie)

Not gonna lie, I was kind of scared to do Maddy. I’m scared to be posting this, lol! Alexa Demie has played this character for a single season and she’s already one of the most iconic women to grace our screens in years. This is a huge undertaking and I don’t have the bank balance or the body confidence (lmao) to raid IAmGia. 

And this is where I want to stress: THESE ARE NOT OUTFIT RECREATIONS. THESE ARE INSPIRED BY. I HAVE ADDED ELEMENTS OF MY OWN STYLE INTO THEM. PLEASE DON’T DRAG ME. I KNOW, I’M NOT ALEXA DEMIE. I WOULD NEVER ASSUME TO BE ALEXA DEMIE. I’M NOT ABOUT TO TAKE THE LORD’S NAME IN VAIN LIKE THAT. So now we’ve got that out the way (wipes bead of sweat off forehead), let’s continue. 

Everything about Maddy Perez is extra. She has very much been established as a centre of attention character, and her outfits are a key part of that. They’re daring, they’re hyper-feminine, and they are always glamorous. We’re told that she competed in beauty pageants when she was younger and it’s clear that level of excess and coordination and glitz and all-round-boujeeness wormed its way into her DNA during that time. Even the “depression” outfit she wears to school following Nate becoming violent at the fair is costume-like, a 2019 Bratz doll Off-White street style collaboration.

Do you know how HARD I had to try to be HOT!? For these photos. Alexa Demie is one of those blessed women who doesn’t have to try at all, and that translates into the character completely. At any given moment, Maddy could add or remove one item or clothing and be let straight into the VIP section of a club, and that, honestly, is inspiring to us all in these dark times. 

One thing I tried to keep in mind is that she always looks polished and coordinated, I.E the kind of look I would prepare for a night out is something Maddy would wear on an average day. Co-ords and delicate prints seem to be more subtle wardrobe staples along with mesh and PVC and glitter and feathers and fur and basically anything that toes the line between expensive looking and tacky. Yes, I am aware we may toe different sides of that line but please let me stay delusional and believe that’s not the case for 5 minutes. Much appreciated xoxo

LOOK 1-

Bodysuit-Jaded London

LOOK 2-

Bralette-Depop

LOOK 3-

Co-ord Suit-Boohoo

Bodysuit-Boohoo

LOOK 4-

Dress-Motel Rocks

Shoes-Schuh

LOOK 5-

Bodysuit-Zaful

Trousers-Depop

Coat-Topshop

LOOK 6-

Dress-Zaful

Belt-Zaful

LOOK 7-

Top-Jaded London

Hair Clips-H&M

Rue (Played by Zendaya Coleman)

I have a complicated relationship with Rue as a character. When I started season 1 of Euphoria, I was like “Oh my god, this girl is the worst. Jesus, she’s so negative and draining and willingly self-destructive and-”

Then, oh my god is this what it’s like to live with me!?

I will say, to my own credit, that I don’t think I've ever been quite as hard to deal with as Rue (a lot less smashing stuff up and a lot more moping), and to HER credit, by the end of the season we come to realise she’s been through a fucking lot and so it makes sense, but wow. I don’t think I have ever seen a teen show handle drug abuse and mental illness in such a brutal way. It’s quite a talent to be able to show a character cause so much pain to those closest to them and yet do so through a sympathetic lens. And issues aside, whether it’s her occasional social awkwardness or her relationship with her family or watching bloody Love Island (still quite surreal to see Zendaya Coleman witnessing the Amy/Curtis drama unfold), Rue is just my favourite character to follow. 

Her style, though. AH. The thing is, I can hardly drag it, because it’s pretty much what I wear when I’m moping about the house-or just any time I can get away with it to be honest-to a T. I want to stay true to character, but that being said, creating a “Seth Rogen”-esque outfit that’s worth posting on here is difficult. So, with the same kind of artistic license that had me wearing berets whilst cosplaying Maddy Perez, here is the best I could do:

I know, I know, it’s probably too much colour and jewellery for Rue but this is as toned down as I could do and I tried to stick with the key silhouettes we see from her throughout the season; I mean, I can’t see her wearing leopard print but the structure of the coat in outfit 1 is very similar to the one seen in Shook Ones pt.II. I think the bottom line when it comes to her character is keeping things effortless and not overly-feminine; you want to mix street style, athleisure and your dad’s wardrobe favourites like your life depends on it. Plus messy hair and smudged makeup, both of which I’ve already got down according to the completely inappropriate number of customers who’ve asked if I'm tired at work so thanks for that guys, and glitter tears. Lots and lots of glitter tears.

OUTFIT 1-

Dungarees-Vintage

OUTFIT 2-

Trousers-Depop

Cardigan-Urban Outfitters

OUTFIT 5-

Beanie-Depop

OUTFIT 6-

Shirt-Boohoo Man

Sports Bra-TK Maxx

Trousers-Urban Outfitters

OUTFIT 7-

Shirt-Jaded London

Cassie (Played by Sydney Sweeney)

Style-wise, Cassie is a hard one. When putting outfits for her character together, I found myself gravitating towards a direction that’s probably a bit too bohemian for her character, under the guidance of loose terms like “girl-next-door”, “floaty”, “delicate”, you get the idea. She definitely feels the least fully-realised in terms of all the main girls and I think it’s fair to say she’s probably got a bit of self-discovery to do. Most of her storylines in the season are dictated by her relationships to other people: McKay, Maddy, Lexie, her parents and so on. 

Nevertheless, I tried to stick to the airier, more traditionally “pretty” pieces whilst still channelling the confidence and ease with which Cassie pulls them off. Sydney Sweeney has the most incredible figure and I feel like whilst the clothes the on-set stylists put her in flatter that and don’t hide anything, they’re still the focus. It doesn’t feel like there’s anything more inherently sexual about her character than any of the other main female characters despite the way the men within the narrative view her, and I think it’s a testament to the the wardrobe department that to me she still gives off big modern Disney princess energy and a certain innocence even whilst we hear her being continuously sexualised by her male peers. 

If anything, Cassie probably dresses the most like an actual teenage girl, and her style, whilst less distinctive than the other girls, still does a good job of capturing the youth and romanticism of her character. 

The colour palette of her wardrobe tends to be quite neutral, with a couple of pastels thrown in there, and if there are any details, they’re usually quite dainty. Similarly, Cassie is probably the least experimental when it comes to her makeup; we don’t really see her wearing the bold eyeshadows or liners or gems like the other girls at any point.

OUTFIT 1-

Bodysuit-Motel Rocks

Hair Clips-Bershka

OUTFIT 2-

Dress-Jaded London

OUTFIT 3-

Trousers-Urban Outfitters

OUTFIT 4-

Top-Urban Outfitters

Hairband-H&M

`OUTFIT 5-

Top-Urban Outfitters

Jeans-Zaful

Headband-Primark

OUTFIT 6-

Top-Urban Outfitters

OUTFIT 7-

Dress-Urban Outfitters

Hair Clips-Boohoo

SO, I guess that’s it for my Euphoria lookbook! As always, let me know what you think (nicely pls, my ego is fragile lol) and I’d love to hear your opinions on the show too! I really haven’t got this excited over a new TV show in ages and I just think that it does everything so excellently-from the writing to the cinematography to the soundtrack, you can tell each element is so carefully and purposefully constructed. It immerses you into the dramatic highs and lows of being a teenager in a way I haven’t seen since UK Skins and I never thought I’d watch a show which held a candle to that. 

In terms of what I’m doing next, I’ve got a very delayed fashion week masterpost in the works as well as something to fill the Met Gala shaped hole in our lives, which I hope to get up over the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, if you read to the end, THANK YOU! And I hope you’re staying safe and AT HOME where possible. I know this self-isolation feels never-ending and if I’m honest, it is having a hugely negative effect on my mental health, but NHS staff are doing their very best with the shitty recourses they have and whilst it seems that our government have thrown workers under the bus once again, we can all do our bit to combat that by slowing the spread of the virus. Also thank you to anybody who’s out working now in such a scary and uncertain time! I work at a grocery store and can say from experience that the best way to show this thanks is just through kindness and following employee’s instructions without giving them grief for it. Everyone’s scared right now and the best we can do is pull together and look out for each other, as difficult as that might seem at times.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble, and like I said, stay safe! Thanks once again if you read til the end or even if you’re just here for the photos. Appreciate it more than you know either way!

Lauren x

[viviae]

what's a stay?? Sorry I tried to google it but I'm getting mixed answers

Stays are the predecessor to corsets and were the main feminine supportive undergarment starting around the 18th century but they evolved over time heavily.

Stays push the breasts in and are known for the conical body shape they provide the wearer that was very flat. Typically they didn’t meld the breast until the regency transitional corsets. 

Where corsets have a cinching factor and were traditional made with whale bone (not actually bone but rather the flexible cartilage stuff in whale’s mouths) that shaped the body and would actually sculpt the breast, Stays did not. They were normally made out of reinforced linen and would simply smooth out the figure without any cinching.

Stays just kind of holds everything in without any extra exaggeration. Stays do create the illusion of a cinched waist due to clever padding and construction. This is more of a traditional stay while the regency era had transitional stays that were starting to use whale bone and other methods to create exaggeration to the figure 

These are long regency transitional stays, They also had versions of these that were shorter and even a very early version of the bra. Since the desirable silhouette in the regency era were much more “natural” and the empire waistlines did not need the smooth waist line that prior stays had they played around a lot with the styles of stays present.

Regency stays have a wooden busk in between the breast that would provide more support and a bigger pushing factor which wasn’t as common in prior styles.

Naturally following these advancements to give a fuller bust lead to the Victorian’s popularizing the corset which is the undergarment which finally gives that cinching factor to the waist. And the Victorian’s silhouettes and fashionable corset style changed much more frequently until the corset became outdated post Edwardian era and around the 1920′s

Other Stays Vs Corsets Facts

Stays typically have shoulder straps, Corsets do not

Stays lace in the front, Corsets have metal clasps in front and laces on the back

Stays normally had a lot more decorations around them especially around the 18th century

Lower class women in 18th century could just wear their stays and decorative stomachers, if you wore stays in the 19th century or just a corset in the Victorian/Edwardian era that is basically just wearing a bra onto your clothes

Corsets have more boning channels than stays 

Stays used reinforced linen for boning, Corsets use whale bone

Corsets would go well past the hips when typically stays did not

More styles of corsets

“Wild Fashionistas” for the regency era would wear no stays, while fashionistas in the Victorian Era would tight lace 

TL:DR

[jcmorrigan]

which of your OCs has the closest sense of fashion to your own taste?

Probably my main heroine, Venley! I’m most attached to her out of the whole hero cast - she’s a mix of “everything I want in heroes” and “actually my insecurities buried under that.” And the thing is she and I look nothing alike - her design came through several drafts and now I’m so super happy with it, and I actually have AN AMAZING ART of her done by the talented @charmmycolour:

But because I have so many of my favorite colors in her hair and eyes, she tends to wear clothing that complements that, mostly deep blues, which is my favorite shade to play in (until we’ve hit navy, at which point we’ve gone too far). She also likes layering a lot and I tend to throw at her every trend I like when imagining her outfits - asymmetrical skirts, corset lacing, leggings under minis, the list goes on.

A brief summary of Venley is that she’s seemingly a sunny optimist who makes friends wherever she goes and enjoys every new experience she touches, loving to explore her world and go on grand adventures with a smile on her face and her best foot forward. And this is mostly correct, but deep down, I’m realizing she has a little bit of a lack of sense of who she truly is, kind of relying on the external bonds she makes to define her. Her primary conflict is that the lead of the villain team pretended to befriend her, then seduce her in order to get something valuable from her (I haven’t decided what), and once it came out that he actually hated her and was a horrible person, the heartbreak she felt from loving him so fervently spread through her sunny disposition like a poison. Now she’s caught between wanting to find peaceful solutions to problems and her secret inner desire to bash that guy’s head against a wall of spikes seventy consecutive times. I see her arc as figuring out who she is when she’s not defined by her relationship to him or to any of her friends who she has come to rely on like crutches. But at the same time, to balance it out so she has room in her heart to give her friends the love they deserve and more, and to one day forgive the guy who broke her heart so they can unite on a one-time basis to defeat the more threatening Lawful Evil bad guy. (If you’re shipping her with the evil guy right now, I can’t guarantee that will be endgame but I am VERY okay with it, dysfunction and all. I see their relationship floating in the same sea as Hans/Anna, J.D./Veronica, and Reylo.)

I also really, REALLY want fiction and stories to play a role in my work, since that’s the concept that I’m most passionate about, so Venley is also an avid reader/fangirl and a collector of stories. I haven’t yet decided if she travels to other worlds she previously thought fictional or just defends books at risk of permanent destruction on her own world, but the characters of those stories are either figuratively or literally also her friends and factor into her arc of “Who am I, and how can I best help out those I love?”

Now, there’s a caveat! One of her friends, Axeline, has fashion as a defining interest in her life, and I’m kinda canonizing that Axeline is the designer (or at least shopping assistant and advisor) of her friends’ outfits, Venley included, based on their tastes and what looks best on them. I don’t have an all-encompassing art of her at present, just two character makers that allowed me to get half the picture, so imagine this color palette

On this body type

Why’d I put a human heart in her hand? Because her other defining interest is HORROR. She is a morbid, morbid woman who loves reading scary stories at midnight and isn’t easy to scare anymore and will sometimes say the complete inappropriate statement for the moment, like bringing up how the thing they’re looking at could be a really effective murder weapon if you’re creative, just saying.

But she loves experimenting with styles - I primarily see her as wearing reds, with long jackets and corset lacing, but I think she also has a hand in what almost every other person on the main hero team wears, and so as a catch-all, I can say Axeline shares my style because I basically hand her ALL the aesthetics I picked for the main cast and then some and say “She prefers a certain aesthetic for herself, but she loves working with ANY.”

(Fun facts: Axeline’s current voiceclaim is Elle Fanning; Venley’s is Tara Strong)

[marketreportss]

Corsets industry  Size, Share, Development by 2028

A corset is a piece of clothing worn primarily to train and shape the body or waist to achieve the desired shape. In general, the main intention of wearing a corset is simply to make the waist smaller and the bottoms larger. They can be worn for a number of reasons, mostly for fashion or medical purposes. It was mainly worn by women, but these days men are also investing in it. Corsets are available in a variety of shapes, colors, fits and patterns. Other than that, over bust, under bust, less curvaceous, steel and plastic skeleton corsets can be worn under or over clothing. It can also be worn alone or with other outfits. Also, they can have different styles like zip ups, lace ups, eye closures and hooks. It can be made of lace, satin, velvet, brocade, leather or cotton or twill.

Corset Market size is projected to reach USD 149.48 Mn units by 2027 from an estimated USD 116.33 Mn unit in 2019, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% globally.

Read More About The Corset Market:

https://introspectivemarketresearch.com/reports/corset--market/

 IMR offers a comprehensive overview of the market through the analysis of key parameters such as revenue, price, competition, and promotions, as well as the study, synthesis, and summarization of data from different sources. It analyzes the leading industry drivers and shows numerous market components. The information offered is thorough, dependable, and the result of a comprehensive primary and secondary study. IMR market research reports offer a comprehensive global market as well as an in-depth strategic sourcing methodology and analysis based on qualitative and quantitative research to anticipate market growth.

 Segmentation Of Corset Market:

 In market segmentation by Type, Corset Market report covers:

Leather ,PVC ,Faux Leather ,Other types

In market segmentation by Application,  Corset Market report covers:

Fashion, Fetish, Medical

Market Segment by Regions and Countries Level Analysis:

·         North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

·         Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)

·         Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia, Rest of APAC)

·         Middle East & Africa (GCC Countries, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

·         South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America)

Corset Market Report contains market data from 2022 to 2028, which provides an overview of the market covering key drivers and risk factors. The report is segmented by top global manufacturers that mention sales, revenue and applicable prices. It also evaluates the competitive scenarios of key players. The report is expanded to include regional market data along with types and applications. This report forecasts sales and revenue from 2022 to 2028. Detailed sales channels are also covered in the study.

Key Benefits for Industry Participants & Stakeholders:

Industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities covered in the study

Neutral perspective on the market performance

Recent industry trends and developments

Competitive landscape & strategies of key players

Potential & niche segments and regions exhibiting promising growth covered

Historical, current, and projected market size, in terms of value

In-depth analysis of the Corset Market

[mzargentum]

The Stormsender’s Daughter | Chapter XIII | Devil’s Gold

Chapter XII | Chapter XIII | Chapter XIV

Word Count: 4,118

Warnings: Sexual situations, physical abuse, murder

As the sun finally rose against the horizon…

Muerlin nonchalantly enjoyed her nutritious breakfast, a couple pieces of bread and canteen water, perched on a large hill near a small village.

It had been nearly a week since her journey began and so far, it could’ve been worse considering.

It took forever to make it away from the city to the more rural areas where people stayed, but that wasn’t the main problem at the time.

The biggest issue was making it through town with tattered clothes and a shirt that was covered in bullet holes and blood…with no wounds.

Lucky for her, most of them didn’t have radios so there was no way for them to assume she was the Pythoness rather than some kid that was having a reeeeally rough day.

So the villagers were more inclined to assist her. Among finally having an actual bath, she was given new clothes as well as a small satchel for her belongings as well as a holster.

Even though all she had on her at the moment was a canteen and the switchblade she received from Lunafreya, she accepted it nonetheless. At least the ankle holster would be useful.

Muerlin was at a comfortable distance from the city to relax for the time being, but she couldn’t afford to fully lower her guard.

If she knew one thing about the Empire…and their gracious Chancellor…is that they were persistent. Nothing was going to steer him from his search for her…and she knew it.

She could hear them scrambling in the distance foraging through caves, trees, in the most random nooks and crannies they could think of. 

Jeez…she thought to herself with an eye roll. Just because she was a wizard didn’t mean that was a reason to throw all practicality and logic clear out the window, but she figured she should be grateful that they weren’t really experts on the matter.

After everything that happened leading up to now, she could use a break from her Imperial stalkers.

As the sun’s rays began to finally blind the lagoon eyed maiden, she took it as her cue to trek on.

Dusting the dirt from her bare thighs and shorts, Muerlin leaps down the hill, sticking a firm landing upon its base.

Once she stood from her crouched position, the young wizard turned to view the actual height of the hill. It wasn’t the tallest she had ever seen, but anyone under her age falling from it would definitely be in some serious shit.

Ever since Muerlin received a larger dosage of her power from the Fulgerian, her overall senses and abilities, as well as her reflexes and nerve activities have heightened to great proportions.

She could already sense the presences of people as well as animals in her vicinity, but with her enhancements, she could detect any disturbances within a radius of 40 kilometers with minimum focus. 60 at max.

Though much concentration was required, her field of vision was nearly 360 and, unlike before, everything stood out to her. She noticed every motion of every object and creature.

Her audible range had extended both in loudness and in pitch. From the lowest frequency possible almost reaching to that of a dolphin, hence how she could even hear the Nifs from so far away.

Yet because of Asteria’s overall animalistic nature, these heightened abilities wrecked absolutely no havoc on her physicality, which she would gladly thank her for.

Somehow her pain tolerance had heightened as well. Pain was, of course, still evident, but it seemed her entire body had underwent a complete rewiring.

I mean, should she expect anything less from a God?

However, despite the beneficial factors of finally accepting her true self, there was still a matter of addressing the elephant in the room…

The daemonic essence within Muerlin’s veins was still very prominent and continued to slowly make its way up her wrists. Her hands were still pitch black so she was still forced to keep them covered in some sort of way.

Her general disguise was a good way to keep the imperial’s off her scent, but these markings would be a dead giveaway. Especially if a lowly, gullible villager decided to rat her out in hopes of some sort of payment.

Lucky for her, the marks upon her feet barely reached her ankles so that was one less thing to worry about.

So as long as she kept moving and stayed out of trouble, she’d be fine.

Heh…easier said than done.

Hours went by…

Muerlin, however, paid little attention until…

*growl*

“Ugh…”, the young wizard groaned in frustration toward her roaring stomach. “Now? But we just-”, the girl suddenly paused upon looking toward now setting sun.

“Ohhhh….dammit”, Muerlin cursed herself under her breath.

She hadn’t eaten since that morning and the despite the daemon energy creeping around in her bloodstream, she really didn’t think taking on a swarm of daemons alone would be the smartest idea.

Looking around, she noticed there was not a haven to be found and it’s not like she really had any decent camping supplies. It had just been easier to find places to sleep in towns. Unfortunately, she was miles from one.

But a good ways in the distance, she suddenly noticed a light flick abruptly. Centering her attention on the anomaly, it was suddenly revealed to be…

“A house?”, she chuckled with a puzzled eyebrow. “All the way out here?”

Judging by their location, it seemed to be the only one and it looked rather huge from this distance.

Normally, the sketchiness of the situation would warrant an alternate solution, but she could feel the evil presence of the daemons preparing to rise from below.

Sighing out of frustration, the young wizard reluctantly made her way toward the house.

What Muerlin was not aware of is what immoral deeds were done within this mansion...

All throughout the inside was plush and polished and roaming about the halls were pristine young women dressed in sequins and glitter.

Tutu skirts, and tight shirts, most without the support of a brassiere. The halls riddled with countless doors, all leading to a chamber unique to the previous.

...And within those chambers, were numerous Niflheim soldiers lavishing in the pleasures of the women’s “forbidden dances”.

“Ugh! I TOLD you that motherfucker would do this!”, a ravishing young platinum blonde, only sporting a pink lace thong and black stilettos, shrieked as she her prized physique bounced furiously as she stormed down the hall. “BIRDIE!!!”

“What?!”, an older, yet youthful strawberry blonde haired woman raced from a separate room to confront the screaming from the hall. Intercepting the young blonde, her baby blue eyes pouring with angry tears over her plush rosy flesh, “Crystal, damn, what’s the problem? Where’s your top?”

“That piece of shit did it again!!”, she shouted. “I told you, he’d tear it! I told you!”

“Oh, hell, again?”, Birdie sighed trying to keep the angry baby faced girl calm. Her plump cherry lips curved into a frustrated pout. “I made that one too”.

“He grabbed it from the collar with his giant sausage fingers and tore it off from the center!!”, the girl whined. “And I really liked this one!!!”, she whimpered with a stomp, the bottom of her shoe clicking against the solid floors.

“I know, shug”, Birdie gently reassured the girl trying to soothe her, “how ‘bout this? Why don’t you head to the dressing room and find yourself a new outfit? I’ll handle our rude guest”, she smiled toward the saddened doll before she stomped off toward the dressing room.

Birdie’s gente myrtle gaze darkened to a vengeful glare as she made her way down the hall toward the soldier’s room. Each step more and more fierce and prominent than the last.

The force of each stomp rattling her porcelain cleavage within her emerald corset dress. Her strawberry locks bouncing at every strut. Her raging aura growing more and more intense as she closed in.

So potent and toxic that it woke the soldier from his slumber. His heart rate increasing at an alarming rate as the doorknob turned before...

“Good evenin’, sir”, Birdie’s silky voice slithered throughout the room upon her entry, leaning against the doorway. A lustrous scarlet red smirk on her face. “Seems like someone got a little too frisky, eh?”

The soldier merely stared at the woman in confusion as well as light arousal as she looked toward the shredded blouse on the floor.

“Oh, dear”, she facetiously pouted. “That was such a nice top too...”.

“Poor poor Crysie”, the woman continued. “That was the 5th stop she’s lost in the past two weeks...y’know I made them”, her voice began to take a more vicious tone. 

“...it takes a lot of time...and effort to make these girls look nice for worthless pigs like you...and this is the thanks I get?” The man’s heart skipped a beat upon the click of the lock as the fear of the woman in front of him rose through his abdomen.

“Looks like we’ll have to teach the young man some manners, won’t we?”, Birdie grinned as she slowly approached the man. Her curvy hips swaying back and forth with every step as she shut the door behind her.

“L-Look, lady...”, he whimpered as he scooted against the headboard of the bed, “I...I didn’t mean to ruin the shirt, hones-ghk! Auggghhh!!!”, the man was abruptly silenced by a sharp backhand to his jaw, Birdie’s pointed nails leaving a vicious gash against his face.

“Oh, no, no, no”, the woman’s soft sensual tone returned. “It’s too late for that now...but don’t worry...it doesn’t take much to teach a man...”, a she smirked as her petite hand slid down the front of his pants, intruding his boxers, light whimpers erupting from his throat.

“Please...”.

“All it takes...is a little....persuasion”, she whispered before a blood curdling scream echoed throughout the halls, even to the dressing room at the end.

“There...”, a dapper man in a gold quite delightfully beamed, as he consoled the still mostly bare Crystal. “Sounds like he got his taste of the Strelitzia Reginae”.

“W-what’s that?”, Crystal asked the man.

“The Bird of Paradise”, he grinned. “Daddy’s favorite flower”.

Moments later, Birdie emerges from the room. Her hand, up to her wrist, gloved in crimson as well as a few droplets that stained her dress.

“Ugh...gross”, she sighed upon the few before shouting. “GALAHD!!”

Followed by a brief silence, the woman began to check her surroundings. Noticing no one, she began to call out once more. “GALA-”.

“I’m here”, a small yet firm voice sliced through Birdie’s yelp, startling the woman.

She spun around to see the girl she was addressing already in the room, beginning to place the torn flesh into a trash bag.

Birdie never liked the girl. She was always so quiet, and quite frankly, it creeped out the older woman as well as all of her girls. Her clothes were worn and she never wore shoes, but the main reason why they were fearful of her...was because of her milky grey eyes.

Not that it was anything new. Her eyes had always been this way...ever since the incident...but because of how they frightened the girls and put them on edge, Birdie demanded for them to always remain hidden.

They were always kept hidden away by her hair so she trudged about doing the bidding of anyone in the mansion with any authority over hers.

A slave to their unholy cause.

“Well...make sure you replace the sheets. And get that blood out, ASAP, y’hear? I don’t wanna see none of that nastiness when I check later”, she commanded to the girl.

“Yes, ma’am...”, she mumbled dragging the castrated and maimed corpse off of the bed to get into the bag.

“Good girl”, Birdie nodded before an abrupt knock on the door captured her attention. Glancing at the child clean up her mess, she began to shut the door to conceal the smell before approaching the front door leaving the girl alone in a  dark room with a rotting corpse.

Although, her senses remain unhindered.

A light sigh escaped Muerlin’s nostrils as she took in the vast flamboyancy of the mansion as well as it’s size.

The doors were way too big for this to be a regular home. Especially with it’s random placement in the literal middle of nowhere.

A slight shiver crept up her spin as one of those giant doors slowly slid open with a loud creak.

Staring toward the dim red lighting beyond the doorway, a shadowy silhouette of a woman appeared.

“Can I help you?”, Birdie greeted the silver haired wizard. Light sass in her voice.

“Um...sorry, I hope I’m not intruding”, Muerlin’s lightly accented voice fluttered through the woman’s ears. Upon closer examination of her, she actually noticed the silver in her hair as well as a random shading upon her wrists under her glove.

The woman’s eyes suddenly lit up upon her realization of their new guest’s identity and her attitude took a complete 180.

“Oh...”, Birdie smirked, her delightful tone making the microscopic silver hairs on the back of Muerlin’s neck stand at attention. “Not at all, deary. How may we be of service?”

“Well...”, Muerlin began to explain with a light chuckle. “I’m just traveling through the countryside and seems I lost track of time and ventured too far without any proper plans for food and shelter for the night”.

“Oh, you poor sweet baby doll”, Birdie cooed at the nervous teen bending down toward her. “Not to worry, precious. I’m sure we can find something for you”, her sinister silky voice crept through the young girl’s mind followed by yep...already regretting it as she slowly made her way inside.

“Take a seat, sweetheart”, Birdie calmly suggested, gesturing to one of the plush chairs in the foyer. “Make yourself comfy”.

As Muerlin sat down, a rather foul aroma floated through her nostrils causing her to scrunch up her nose in slight disgust.

Upon realizing this, Birdie attempts to cover up the incident. “Uh, I will be back in a jiffy, sweetie”, the woman chuckled. “There’s someone special I want you to meet. Stay right here, shug. Right here”, she grinned before hurriedly heading down the hall.

The further out of sight the silver haired girl became, the quicker Birdie’s pace. Her heart pounding against her eardrums as her excitement grew. Once she finally reached the farthest end of the hall, her excitement had grew to such immense proportions, she practically kicked the door open allowing it to swing and slam against the wall.

“Goddammit, Birdie!”, the man in gold shouted, startled from his favorite whore’s outburst. “What in the hell has gotten into you?!”

“Our big break, Dion Honey, that’s what!”, she loudly whispered toward the confused man.

“What does that even mean?!”, he began to calm down.

“It means that tonight is the night we finally get to stick it to them Imperial bastards”.

“How?”

“The Pythoness is here!”

The man immediately calmed down upon hearing this news before fixing his tie. “Well, alright...let the game’s begin”.

A few moments later, Muerlin begins to get used to the silences despite the overall creepy nature of this place.

Although she notices the hordes of bare bodies floating about in skimpy sparkly outfits, her presence still remains unknown, thankfully.

“Welly, well, well, what have we here?”

...or it did.

Muerlin’s gaze quickly shifted to the slender man in a golden suit as he approached her. She was surprised at how well she hid her anxiety toward him.

His hair seemed a million times shinier than his outfit despite the fact it was a dark brown, but if the point was to keep the waves in place, it was working for him spectacularly.

As much as she hoped his thin mustache wasn’t smoothed out by the same gel, she was almost certain she was incorrect.

She had to give him some credit by the fact he was very sharply dressed, but his appearance coupled with Birdie’s and the obviousness of what this mansion actually was, it made her incredibly uncomfortable and in that moment, her regret for even considering this place skyrocketed.

“This is our new special guest I was telling you about”, Birdie explained, that sly and creepy grin still plastered upon her face.

“Special, indeed”, the man’s slimy voice slipped through Muerlin’s ears. His light brown iris’ examining her body thoroughly. 

“Dionysus Mammon”, he gently took her hand placing a damp kiss upon it, “but you can call my Dion”. The fibers from his mustache tickling her knuckles. “A pleasure”.

As much as Muerlin wanted to slap the gel out of this guy’s mustache, she needed a place to stay...so, trying not to be rude, she forced herself to smile with a light chuckle. “Th...The pleasure’s all mine”.

“This young lady was hoping to find a place to stay for the night”, Birdie explained. “She got all turned up and didn’t get a chance to eat”, the woman pouted with false concern.

“Is that so?”, Ferdinan asked the young woman, perching himself upon the edge of the chair she was sitting in.

His cologne filling Muerlin’s nostrils nearly rendering her comatose.

“It is, sir”, she continued to force her smile, while trying her hardest to hold her breath. “...unless it would be too much trouble?”

“Oh, nonsense”, the man waved his hand in the air with a toothy grin at her. “It would be no trouble at all”.

“Thank you, sir”, Muerlin graciously nodded, still heavily creeped out by his demeanor.

“GALAHD!!!”, the man loudly snapped his fingers.

After a moment, the young girl emerged from the dimly lit hallway rather hastily approaching the group.

Her appearance was fairly unnerving to the young wizard. Not really because of her in general, but the juxtaposition between the clearly pristine and pressed, dolled-up duo in front of her and the ghostliness of this girl rose suspicious.

Her clothes had clearly been lived in and there was no telling how long her feet had been bare, or when was the last time she had a proper bath.

Her hands seemed to be the cleanest thing about her.

Like they had been recently washed.

“Yes, sir?”, her voice was solid. Monotoned. No sense of emotion behind it in any way. Almost robotic...and chilling. 

Her long pitch hair shifted just enough for Muerlin to notice an eye, but the girl’s gaze was toward the floor so she was unable to really make it out.

“Please escort our special new guest to one of the empty rooms on the second floor”.

Upon receiving the order, the girl suddenly peered up to the silver haired girl revealing a light grey and blue iris behind a milky film.

Muerlin’s gaze upon the eye intensified though her face never changed expression.

She noticed the girl’s eye dart around in her direction and it seemed they widened every second.

What was she possibly looking at? Muerlin had no idea, but whatever it was...judging how sharply the grey eyed girl’s gaze returns to Muerlin’s teal pools, it had her shook.

A deafening crack abruptly broke the wizard’s trance, causing her to jump in her seat.

Muerlin glanced toward the two snappy dressed adults in front of her to notice a gold plated pistol dangling in front of her face in Mr. Mammon’s hand.

“What did I say about showing people those disgusting eyes of yours?!”, Dion shouted, his voice snarled and cruel. His general suave demeanor instantly shifted.

It took a few seconds for Muerlin to realize the girl was on the floor holding her face in one hand while trying to hoist herself up with the other, clearly struggling not to make a sound or tremble.

“Well?”, Dion hissed at her.

Upon removing her hand from her face, her gaze was once again plastered against the floor, however Muerlin could clearly see the black and purple blemish around her eye as well as the hint of red shaded upon her pale palm.

“My apologies, sir”.

“NOT...to me”, the man instructed.

“...Apologies, miss”.

Completely dumbfounded by the fact that he actually forced this girl to apologize to her, Muerlin was more and more eager to get away from those two.

“Now then”, Mammon’s gentlemenly manner returned like nothing happened as he holstered his pistol, “would you kindly escort our guest to her room? Be a good little one and make sure she’s comfortable. Can you do that little favor, sweet-pea?”

“Yes, sir”.

Muerlin felt absolutely sick to her stomach. Sleep and food now came second and third to getting the hell out of here, but what would happen if she just left?

She didn’t want to risk them blaming this girl for her sudden departure. So, she reluctantly followed the girl, with no rebuttal.

Feeling slightly better now that there was some distance between her and those two.

Slightly.

Moments before midnight...

The luscious moans and fervorous groans that usually echoed through the halls had long ceased.

And toward the end of the hall, a mere glimmer was shown through a cracked door.

“You and me have hit the jackpot now, Big Daddy”, Birdie sensually beamed as she gently knocked the ash from her cigarette without knock it off it’s holder. “The Emperor will surely be pleased”.

“Yes...he would be...wouldn’t he?”, Dion responded half-heartedly as he sat at his desk, staring intensely into the fireplace pondering to himself.

Birdie however appeared so enthusiastic about their apparent success, she didn’t seem to catch this.

“The Chancellor’s prized possession walks in our humble establishment”, he began expressing his thoughts, “and is now counting sheep in one of our rooms”.

Rising from his seat, he slowly paces about his office. “One phone call...and we finally get the reward and position we so rightfully deserve in the emperor’s circle”.

“We’ll be the talk of Niflheim, baby”, Birdie hummed against her cigarette before taking another hit.

“Yes, yes, but...is this really the answer?”

Birdie’s parade suddenly came to a halt at Dion’s words. “What’re ya talking about?”, Birdie’s voice shook with light concern. “We’ve got this in the bag. Give the Pythoness to that creep Izunia and we’ll live like royalty until death do us part”.

“Yes, but...is this all my great legacy will be? Will I only be the man that captured the Pythoness?”

“What you tryin’ to say?”, Birdie’s demeanor beginning to sour.

“Returning the Pythoness to the Chancellor would get us in with the gold, but...keepin’ her for myself, makin’ her one of my girls...my girl...with her at my side...why, I’d have Aldercapt at my balls”.

“Now, hold on there, Dion”, Birdie nervously chuckled as she rose from her seat. “We already got a plan. Gettin’ under Aldercapt’s skin would be nice and all, but gettin’ in his circle, we’d be swimming in dough”.

“True...but makin’ that ol’ shriveled motherfucker sweat, I become the circle”, Dion’s greed continuing to get the best of him.

Birdie gulped with anxiety at Dion suddenly turning his back on their reward. HER reward. Instead of splitting the fame and glory, he was actually willing to make the Pythoness his personal favorite. His new personal favorite. 

“Now, Dion, what in heaven’s name gave you such a ridiculous idea like that?”, Birdie tried to keep it together.

Dion was silent. His back to the woman.

“Really. Makin’ that child one of your girls just to piss off the Empire”, Birdie snorted hoping that he’d come to his senses and agree. “Now, what we need to be doin’ is-”, a pitch black tunnel suddenly placed directly between the bridge of her nose silenced Birdie.

“I’m sorry”, Dion softly murmured. “I don’t seem to recall asking you for your input, sweetheart. Please...”, he paused before before slowly removing the safety, “...enlighten me if I am mistaken”.

Sweat began to build upon the woman’s brow as she balled her fist, trying to push her rage back down.

“Not at all, baby”, the woman reluctantly replied.

“That’s what I thought”, Dion hissed before returned his weapon to it’s rightful spot on his side, in his jacket.

A sudden light echo caught Birdie’s attention outside the room, down the pitch corridor. Dion heard nothing over his avarice.

“In a few days, the name Dionysus Mammon will be the name of the Niflheim Empire...”, the man sinisterly beamed as Birdie began to slowly shut the door.

“...and Aldercapt will be the footnote”.

______________________________________________________________________

Tagging: @digitalkanvas @insomniasix @aquathemermaidstripper @glacian-apocalypse @a-new-recipehhh @prettyprompto @dizzymoogle

[epicplacesss]

Jumpsuits are, unquestionably, a statement style. The head-to-toe, across-the-board piece of clothing makes a striking look that moves past a basic dress or jeans and top combo, and into more fashionable domains. So why then, at that point, do such numerous ladies actually keep away from this commendable style? All things considered, it isn’t generally the most effortless garment to pull off. Pick some unacceptable fit blue mesh jumpsuit or add some unacceptable accessories and your jumpsuit can go from a fashion saint to a fashion zero. Fortunately, we’re here to assist with ensuring all your outfits are truly stylish. Here is our aide on the most proficient method to wear a jumpsuit like a road style star. 

Formal Occasions 

When going to formal events, ladies frequently fall into the outlook of reasoning that a dress is their main choice. While a dress might be the “protected” decision for dressing suitably, it will infrequently have a similar effect as a jumpsuit. Jumpsuits can be similarly pretty much as delightful and cleaned as a dress while offering an out-of-the-crate wow factor that will procure you some genuine style focuses. So for your next proper occasion have a go at getting out of your usual range of familiarity and wear a blue mesh jumpsuit. Pick a smooth and very much custom-made style that compliments your figure, add some basic yet stylish accessories, and you’re all set. 

Casual Occasions 

In case you’re hoping to add some genuine style to a relaxed occasion, you can’t disregard an easygoing jumpsuit. Loose, very agreeable, and quite stylish, the casual baddie jumpsuit is the ideal thing to get you out of your pants and T-shirt groove. Browse cotton and denim assortments in scope of outlines to track down the one that suits your style. Specifically, free-fit jumpsuits that highlight an elasticated or drawstring waist will in general be all around complimenting and ideal for jumpsuit virgins. In the event that you intend to wear pads with your jumpsuit, make sure to ensure you pick a trimmed style boot or lace-up shoe that wraps up at or marginally over the lower legs. This will assist with making balance and keep the look stretched and slim. 

How Should You Accessorize A Jumpsuit?

While wearing a jumpsuit might make organizing an outfit a lot less complex than most different articles of clothing, it actually requires a bit of thought. Indeed, you can simply wear one dress, however, you actually need to think about how you will adorn it. Pick some unacceptable accessories, and the entire look of the baddie jumpsuit can become messy and unstylish. To keep things stylish, plan out your outfit, giving specific consideration to your shoes, adornments, and belt. 

Jumpsuit + Belts 

A belt is an imperative accomplice to pulling off a jumpsuit, especially in case you’re as yet uncertain with regard to the style. By adding a belt to your jumpsuit, you’ll assist with characterizing your waist in a profoundly complimenting way. Regardless of whether the style is as of now fitted at the waist, a belt will assist you with seeming slimmer and transform a segment outline into an hourglass. For the individuals who are still new to jumpsuits, we suggest trying a belt in a differentiating tone with the baddie jumpsuit to that of your jumpsuit. Doing as such will add another measurement to the outfit and separate the straight line of your jumpsuit, which can in any case appear to be overpowering. Take a stab at coordinating with the shade of your belt with your shoes for a business-like outfit. 

Jumpsuit + Jewelry 

Jumpsuits, while being an assertion style, can some of the time look somewhat plain without striking accessories. Square shading assortments, specifically, will in general lose their wow-factor without the additional outfit measurement that accessories, like gems, give. Jewelry makes an auxiliary spotlight point on your outfit, making your style go past that of simply the blue mesh jumpsuit. It makes an intriguing subtlety that will draw the eyes of people around you. Pick pieces that will stick out, like a thick neckband or enormous pendant studs. Gold will in general look incredible with formal jumpsuit styles while a fly of shading can add some enjoyable to easygoing styles. 

Also Read:- Corset Tops Are Back — Create a Style Statement With a Money Print Corset Top

Jumpsuit + High Heels 

While jumpsuits can be complimenting, they likewise have a talent for pulling the eye downwards as you see them, causing you to seem more limited than what you are. Wide-leg and low-waisted jumpsuits, specifically, are famous for transforming average-sized ladies into divas who look amazing. One of the most amazing approaches to battle this issue is by adding a couple of high heels to your look. The extra height that you will get from the heels will assist with stretching your legs and cause you to seem taller in the blue mesh jumpsuit paired with heels. Simply ensure that you pick slim heels rather than stout ones to keep the look smooth and tall.

[arsenicolada]

I have seen that 'story' go around a lot and I still don't know what it is. WHAT is My Immortal??

Ok buddy get yourself comfortable cause this is gonna be a long one:

Let’s go all the way back to 2006, when the internet was just becoming a thing to young people. Back when a majority of the websites we know today were either just starting out or just starting to pick up in popularity, including fanfiction.net. A lot of fanfictions had already filled the archives, both bad and good, but one fanfiction in particular caught people’s attention almost immediately. And it was ‘My Immortal’ by “Tara Gilesbie”, or ‘XXXbloodyrists666XXX’ as was her username on the website. Supposedly taking place in the world of Harry Potter, this particular fanfic gets to a point where, had it not been for the actual characters’ names being present, you can’t really tell what it’s supposed to be referencing as it has very little acknowledgement of the source material’s canon. The story’s main focus is “Tara’s” self-insert OC, Ebony Dark’ness Dementia Raven Way. Also known as Enoby, Egogy, Evony, Ibony, or just Tara. To anyone who has only heard of ‘My Immortal’, it just sounds like your typical run of the mill “mary sue” fanfiction. But what made ‘My Immortal’ stand above the rest were three things: the butchered grammar, the author’s seemingly obsession with the gothic subculture, and the mary sue herself.

The grammar is terrible, there is just no other way to put it. “Tara” had a very distinct way of writing, which was better exemplified in her ‘author’s notes’, her little thoughts that she always puts at the very beginning of each chapter or sometimes at the end. And other times in the middle of her story, to either talk back to the ‘flamerz’, go on about how much she loves a band she mentioned, or point out a pun she made. And it all greatly resembles someone sending a text message:

“AN: STOP flaming! if u flam it menz ur a prep or a posr! Da only reson Dumbledeor swor is coz he had a hedache ok an on tup of dat he wuz mad at dem 4 having sexx! PS im nut updating umtil I get five good revoiws!”

That kind of style is present throughout the whole story. Granted the actual chapters have better spelling, but the way it’s put together is all the same. And it actually worsens the further it goes to the near point of illegibility. In fact, legend has it that the story’s grammar was apparently so bad that fanfiction.net deleted it due to the sudden drop of intelligence on the site. No one knows if that’s true, most likely not as that seems like quite a stretch. However, it was actually deleted, perhaps by Tara herself, though she later reposted it.

But the real kicker is exactly how the fanfic interprets the source material. Hogwarts is no longer a school of wizardry divided by bestowed houses, but is now a more high school-based setting where everyone is divided by cliques, though only three are present. Goths, preps, and posers:

•Goths are the good kids. They’re the only ones who understand this dark and depressing world better than anyone else, and shows their individuality by shopping at Hot Topic together and listening to the same exact bands. They’re also half vampires for some reason. And they’re all part of Slytherin even if they’re originally from another house in the actual story.

•Preps are the mean kids. They just like, totally don’t understand goths so they’re like so mean to them and call them scary and stuff. They’re all just bitchy and are like totally jealous of the goths and only shop at stores like American Eagle and only listen to crappy music like Hilary Duff. And all those stupid preps are in Gryffindor.

•Posers are just goth wannabes who listen to Avril Lavigne and probably don’t even know who Good Charlotte is. What houses are they even in, no one knows and no one gives a shit. They’re mostly there just to show the reader what being goth is really all about.

And above them all is the only true goth, the queen of Mary Sues herself, Ebony. Now the definition of what makes a “mary sue” has been drastically skewed over the years, and probably shouldn’t even be relevant anymore, but if you at the very least want a true-to-heart example, Ebony is the way to go. Tara’s obsession with being goth is greatly reflected in this character. She loves bands like My Chemical Romance, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, and Evanescence (who wrote the song ‘My Immortal’ which this fanfic is named after). She shops at Hot Topic and wears the type of clothing that any 13 year old goth wishes they could. In fact, Ebony’s outfits are always described in great detail and takes up to almost paragraphs in every chapter:

“For example today I was wearing a black corset with matching lace around it and a black leather miniskirt, pink fishnets and black combat boots. I was wearing black lipstick, white foundation, black eyeliner and red eye shadow.”

And trust me when I say they only get longer. It isn’t just the outfit descriptions though, the whole entire story is written in Ebony’s favor. Like a Hot Topic being in Hogsmede despite it being a nonmagical store (not to mention being an american chain) and a club where Ebony’s favorite bands just happen to be playing concerts in despite being muggle bands. And how cutting, underage drinking, and smoking is glamorized as being “dark” and “beautiful” and has no repercussions whatsoever. And how there’s no uniforms so Ebony can show off her over the top wardrobe.

Since Ebony is the main character and this is a fanfiction, all of Tara’s favorite characters from the Harry Potter world are Ebony’s gothic friends and accompany her in Slytherin, even if they’re canonly in other houses as I’ve mentioned previously. And all of Tara’s hated characters are Ebony’s enemies, and are depicted as either nasty preps or a bunch of posers that belong in Gryffindor. It doesn’t stop there though, as all the male characters have a thing for Ebony because she is just so sexy and looks exactly like Amy Lee. But Ebony only focuses on her two main love interests, Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, who now goes by Vampire Potter because he likes the taste of human blood.

This is all just the very basics of the fanfiction, there are plenty of more absurdities you’ll stumble upon the further you read. Like Voldemort and the Death Eaters disguising themselves as My Chemical Romance, Snape video taping Ebony taking a bath, characters from different sources making cameos like Marty Mcfly, the list goes on.

But what truly, TRULY made ‘My Immortal’ such a phenomenon is that no one knew if it was legit. There were two sides to how people felt about it, those who thought it was a real story and Tara at the time was another young angsty teen who had just been introduced to the internet (which would explain the terrible grammar and botched sex scenes), and those who thought the story was one big joke written by a genius troll who made Tara up as a persona, which was extremely plausible since everything about the story was so wrong and completely blown out of proportion that there was no possible way someone could’ve come up with it and been completely serious. But people on the other side have argued that they’d have a very, VERY dedicated troll.

One of the biggest factors to their argument was Tara’s friend Raven, who not only had her own OC named Willow that was featured in the story, but also had a helping hand in writing it. She even had her own fanfiction.net account called ‘bloodytearz666’. Raven was Tara’s creative filter, as she was in charge of spelling and grammar and came up with some plot points in the story. At least until chapter 16 when the two apparently had a falling out and Tara killed off Willow, but later brought Willow back as an apology. So this troll would’ve had to not only make Tara, but also make Raven as a means to support their persona, unless Raven was created by a second troll. But both of those trolls would’ve had to write other stories pre and post ‘My Immortal’, as well as manage several social media accounts, which is a whole lot of effort just for the sake of making a joke.

Since the story was made, many people have come forward claiming they are the mysterious Tara, with promises of more material and continuations of the infamous story. So no one knew for sure who Tara is or her whereabouts. Until now.

After years and years of shrouded mystery, “Tara” has finally logged back into her more than decade old account and revealed herself to be Rose Christo. As it turns out, she co-wrote ‘My Immortal’ with Raven, who was actually a real person and her friend, during a very hard time in her life. And it wasn’t for a reason most might have thought. She revealed that she purposely made it as bad as possible so she could gain enough publicity to find her younger brother that she had been separated from.

She even wrote a memoir about it that is set to be published in 2018, which you can read about here.

You can also read the fanfiction itself if you’re interested here. Even if it did turn out to be a fake, it’s still a very humorous read, and very interesting since we now know its backstory.

EDIT: So as it turns out the whole thing with Rose was a hoax and the real Tara is still out there. Waiting, longing, in a dark alley with her hand stretched out so that I may one day shake it.

[bigyack-com]

Grammys 2020: White-hot looks, strapless gowns and crazy nails at the Grammys - fashion and trends

Twenty years ago, Jennifer Lopez shut down the Grammys red carpet with her now legendary barely-there Versace green dress, open to her navel, that sent the internet into a full meltdown. How can anyone beat that?Well, the music industry’s brightest stars certainly gave it a go, strutting their stuff Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. White was a big trend, along with strapless gowns -- and super-long glittering nails.Here are some takeaways from the red carpet on Grammys night:- White-hot - Breakout star Lizzo arrived early and ready for her close-up -- and with reason. So far, she has three Grammys.The 31-year-old singer and flautist stunned in a strapless white Versace corset gown with Swarovski crystals sewn in by hand, according to the Italian fashion house.Her hair was slicked back in old Hollywood waves and she was dripping in diamonds, right down to her fingernails.She opened the night with a tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash earlier in the day, and then a stirring medley of her hits.One of her main rivals, country-rap sensation Lil Nas X, was a vision in white at the pre-gala award ceremony as he won his first-ever Grammy for best music video for his viral smash hit, Old Town Road.Gwen Stefani -- who will perform with real-life partner Blake Shelton -- rocked in a strapless, shell-encrusted off-white Dolce and Gabbana mini-dress with thigh-high boots.Indian actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, accompanying her nominee husband Nick Jonas, went for the shock factor with a JLo-esque down-to-there neckline on her caftan-like dress with silver accents and lots of fringe. - High style -Pop princess Ariana Grande arrived in an absolute cloud of a ruffled blue-gray tulle ball gown from designer Giambattista Valli and elbow-length gloves, her signature ponytail bobbing atop her head. Strapless was a big trend on Sunday, and she joined the bandwagon.Baroque pop singer Lana Del Rey looked elegant in a sparkling silver gown with a keyhole neckline and lots of dangling crystals. - Bright colors -Sometimes, it’s all about making a splashy statement with some bright colour.Lil Nas X ditched the white outfit from earlier for a hot pink Versace cowboy outfit complete with a studded cropped jacket and pants, a harness over a mesh shirt and the requisite hat.Not to be outdone, Billie Eilish -- who won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for her studio debut “when we all fall asleep, where do we go?” -- was in head-to-toe custom black and lime green Gucci, and sneakers.Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes went for a three-piece Louis Vuitton suit in a hue best described as cabernet.- Nail game -On Sunday, the music A-listers were all about the fingernails -- the longer, the better.Lizzo’s tips were literally dripping with diamonds, or something diamond-like, anyway.As her tune Good As Hell goes, “Head toss, check my nails, baby how you feelin’?”Eilish went for wild green nails that matched her custom Gucci threads.And Spanish singer Rosalia -- a winner for best Latin rock, urban or alternative album -- said her dagger-like silver nails were “something special” she did for the night. - Politics and music -Showbiz is generally unkind to Donald Trump, but a few with Grammys invitations have repeatedly used the red carpet to show their love for the Republican president -- and undoubtedly try to boost their social media cred.Singer Joy Villa went with a sparkly red gown with TRUMP 2020 emblazoned down the front in white block letters. On the back? IMPEACHED & RE-ELECTED. She capped the look with a blue and white cape.Onetime 90s boy band singer Ricky Rebel arrived in red lace under a canopied umbrella, which he lifted to reveal a shredded sort of shirt and red leather pants, revealing his buttocks, on which were written: IMPEACH THIS.And actress Megan Pormer wore a red gown with a super-high slit that read “NO WAR IRAN.” Over it was a sort of cape made of the US and Iranian flags.(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

[cheapplussizeeveningdresses]

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Another way to break this pattern is to allow your daughter to explore who she is. This can be very difficult, especially if she has no interest in following in your footsteps. Even though society’s “rules” about careers for women have changed since you, and especially your mother were growing up, we all have ideas for what our children will become as adults. Be patient. Remember the number of “career changes” you came up with when you were in school. Just like you, she will change her mind, and just as you felt passionately about something (or someone) one week, then completely changed the next 2 piece hoco dresses, so too will your daughter. In order for her to find herself, and decide the woman she will become, she will need your help. Partially for guidance, and partially to let her try and fail. Another significant factor that distinguishes between the casual wear and the formal wear is the way you accessorize your outfit. So, choosing the right accessory is as important as choosing the right outfit. When you accessorize for casual lifestyle then its in your best interest to stick with small pearl earrings, a light bracelet, or a thin neck chain with a small pendant. Bias Cut or Fishtail Gowns Both fish tail and bias cut designs leave no room for bunched and ill-fitting undergarments. These gowns are created to be sdfhkgsfkg2019.07.03-wl form fitting, requiring a smooth form underneath. Shape-wear or corsets will be the best option with these types of dresses. It's very important that the bridal lingerie fit perfectly. If it's too large, the fabric will cause creases. If it's too small, it will cause your skin to roll and bunch.

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[onceuponataarna]

I'm an amateur seamstress AT BEST, but I've sewn a few dresses/gowns and even I know better than this. There is absolutely no excuse for the seams on that jacket given that it was made by a team of professionals. You can blame some of the other fit issues on the lack of time/fittings, but the shoddy job they did matching up the lace, the untrimmed seams, and unflattering overall placement of the lines really just speaks to rushed or lazy work.

We can all debate whether Emma would choose this dress, but the costume department should have come up with an amazing design for the main character's wedding dress... and instead we got this. If Jen did have input, and gravitated to a "modern royalty" look, there were better ways to do it. As the OP said, Kate Middleton's wedding dress was clearly inspired by Grace Kelly's, but also modernized and flattering. Input from an actress is great, but it is still the costume designer's job to take that suggestion and then make something that actually works. I agree that their motivation to do their best work may have been low. Eduardo and Jen were both leaving after season 6, and I'm wondering how much of a factor that ended up being.

I have no excuse for that hideous headpiece, or why you'd bind and cover Jen's gorgeous hair. Also, would Emma really want to go with hair and makeup similar to her severe Dark Swan look for her wedding day??? Really?!? I think not.

It all reminds me a bit of the costume issues with the live action Beauty and the Beast. Supposedly Emma Watson refused to wear a corset because she viewed them as a symbol of women's oppression. I appreciate that she is a feminist and stands up for her beliefs, but the result was that many of the costumes, including the iconic yellow ball gown, were a complete mess and all wrong for the period.

Emma Swan’s wedding gown: an astonishing failure by any metric

(Many, many pictures in this post.)

I hope that, as readers of this blog, you know that I have a great deal of respect for the work of Eduardo Castro on this show. It was with dismay that I began analyzing this dress last season, when friends began asking me to talk about it. I like talking about the successes—negative analysis can be fun and cathartic and all, but analyzing something that works, in order to understand why it’s really that good, is at least as valuable, if not more so. But sometimes, a thing is really that bad, and that’s where we are today. I hope everyone understands that this is a critique of this garment, not an analysis of the character.

But let me be very clear: this dress was poorly made, poorly fitted, and poorly suited to the medium.

Arguably the most famous wedding gown ever made is that of Grace Kelly, worn for the Catholic ceremony of her wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco (the pair had been married in a civil ceremony the day before). Kelly’s gown was designed by a costume designer from MGM Studios, Helen Rose. Rose was a two-time Oscar-winning designer and ten-time nominee. She had designed costumes for Kelly several times, and she was also a well-regarded wedding gown designer.

This gown is without question her most famous work, and its influence has been far-reaching. Fifty-five years later, a dress inspired by Kelly’s was worn by Kate Middleton for her wedding to Prince William. Several European princesses of the same generation have also drawn inspiration from this gown.

Emma Swan’s wedding gown, however, does not draw inspiration from Kelly’s. It is a copy, and not even a good one.

Let’s start from the top.

Keep reading

[angrycollectordaze-me-blog]

Paper代写：Analysis of pride and prejudice

本篇paper代写- Analysis of pride and prejudice讨论了电影《傲慢与偏见》。电影《傲慢与偏见》的故事背景为18世纪英国中产阶级以及极为富有阶层之间，影片的制作班底全部来自英国，因此观众在影片中欣赏和感受到的都是纯正的英伦风，这部影片在色彩的运用、服饰的搭配上、风景的拍摄、影片中的建筑上都体现了18世纪英国特有的特点。本篇paper代写由51due代写平台整理，供大家参考阅读。

In 2005, the film version of pride and prejudice was adapted from the masterpiece pride and prejudice written by famous British female writer Jane Austen. Story background for the 18 th-century British middle class, and between the very rich, film star, director, writer and so on all production team from the UK, so the audience in the film appreciation and experience are real British wind, the film on the use of color, dress collocation, the scenery on the building, the film reflects the special characteristics of 18 th-century Britain. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards in 2006, including best visual art and costume design.

Among the human sensory organs, the visual organ is the most important, which is responsible for more than 70% of the information receiving tasks. The brightness, color, shape and space of the world are all recognized and felt by human eyes. Color is a kind of light, when the light through the person's eyes into the retina, it is bound to occur physiological excitement and reaction. This kind of excitement transmits along the nerve the visual center of cerebral cortex, can produce color sense.

This film mainly highlights the delicate feelings of women, and the audience is dominated by women. This group generally likes "young, fresh, crisp, clear and sweet feminine colors, or bright, clear, elegant, gentle and romantic colors".

At the very beginning of the film, the scene begins with the bright sunshine shining on the earth, and then the heroine reads in the sunshine. The bright sunshine gives people warmth, revealing a bright, clear, elegant, gentle and romantic atmosphere. The color of natural light is widely used in the film, and the picture is bright. The basic color of the whole film is very bright solid color and a lot of strong natural light, which stimulates people's sensory nerves. It is well coordinated with the film's soft and slow plot development and the style of the final comedy ending.

At the same time, from the weight of color and color sense of moderation, the film used a lot of light white. In the two major dances in the film, women wear light-colored clothes, which reduces the dignified color of the film. Black is rarely used in the film, only in the protagonist when an unpleasant experience occurred between the color and dim light rendering plot atmosphere.

Britain is a traditional country of gentlemen, and the story of the film takes place between the middle and upper classes. Therefore, in order to fit the style of the film, it is necessary to restore the dress of Britain in the 18th century, so that the audience can feel the classical Europe more.

British dress in the 18th century basically followed the medieval style, but with some innovation and development. The men's three-piece suit formed in the 17th century gradually developed to modern men's wear in the 18th century in terms of style and shape, and the keuluot in the bottom suit was made very tight by diagonal silk cutting. At the same time, in the mid-18th century, Britain entered the industrial revolution, and men's wear was one of the changes. The biggest feature was that the bodice was cut diagonally from the waist line back and down, which was the first step of the "tuxedo" of the next era and the ancestor of the modern dress. The men's costumes in the film are basically of this kind. Servants were well dressed, with wigs, and noblemen generally wore three-piece suits for men.

During this period, the characteristics of women's wear began to shift towards neoclassicism, but still influenced by rococo. Rococo art was formed in France at the beginning of the 18th century. Its main artistic features are delicacy, sweetness and elegance. Its characteristics are: with fine, light, gorgeous and fussy decorative; Use C, S, or swirl-shaped curves and soft colors. In the 18th century, rococo dresses were feminine and elegant, unfolding on the salon stage. Therefore, the rococo style was concentrated in women's clothing. This era was the center of women's salon, which was the "art" and pet for men to watch and pursue. Such social environment makes the external formal beauty factor of women's wear develop to the peak, which is characterized by corset and skirt support. This style is also the dress style of the women in the film, ranging from the color of clothes and hats to the color of ribbons. In particular, the women are dressed at two of the film's best social dances: a corset underneath, a light-colored dress embroidered with delicate lace, and a huge train underneath.

Ladies travel generally need to wear hats, ribbons, gloves, handbags and other decorative ribbon color for light series. The costumes in the whole film restored the historical appearance at that time, allowing the audience to experience the fashion of that time. The film was also nominated for the 2006 academy award for best costume design for its sartorial success.

The visual feast of the film is also reflected in the performance of architecture and art in the film, because of this, the film was nominated for the best art Oscar in 2006.

A total of 16 sites are recommended on the film's website, spread across England, with Derbyshire being the highlight. In addition, the protagonist's mansion in the film is mostly old buildings in England, in line with the architectural characteristics of the original work. Like grumbridge manor, where the Bennet family lives in the film; Basildon manor, the netherfield park in the film, where Mr Bingley lives; Burley house, rosings manor, lady Catherine DE bourgh's mansion; Wilton house and chatsworth house, pemberley house in the film, Mr Darcy's house.

These buildings embody the great achievements of British architecture in the 18th century, most of which are of gothic style. Gothic is the highest achievement of medieval art, architectural plane is usually cross, tall tower is pointed bamboo shoots, more inclined column strengthening support with thin wall, form a special external wall structure, a thin shell of the center of the dome has three doors open, in the middle of the gate as the main channel, internal dome is lightsome bare ridge fly frame, tall the daylighting of the spacious interior has good performance, the window for more plants vane, Windows with colorful glass Mosaic, what is the bible story, gothic in bold in the barbarian and dexterous, increase the power of the church of the holy spirit, causing a fire of momentum, Bring people's thoughts to "heaven".

Another major feature is the feature of home decoration in the film, which is reflected in the decoration of furniture in the house and interior art painting. The interior adornment of 18 centuries England and furniture modelling tend to cabinet, lightsome, use brocade to do wall to hang and laid, door window, ark is decorated with large glass mirror of cut flower, suspension glittering and translucent and dazzing branch lamp, the painting that still decorates to have famous artist and sculpture curiositywait indoors. In the film, the furniture decoration of Mr. Darcy's home fully reflects the British decoration characteristics at that time. The grey gilt on the porch and the golden figure on the back of the sofa are also characteristics of British furniture at that time. Murals on the walls and roof of Mr Darcy and ms Catherine's mansion give the viewer's eye a treat.

The intuitive visual symbols of movies, such as pictures, scenes, characters' expressions, actions, etc., are most likely to touch the nerves of the audience. The British Isles rolling mountains, hilly, beautiful scenery. The combination of lush meadows, forests, trees and uplands makes for a unique natural landscape. At present, the pastoral scenery of Britain has formed a tourism brand all over the world, and the lake district scenery of Britain is the first choice for romantic tourists. Meanwhile, the combination of lush forest scenery and empty hills adds a touch of mystery to Britain. In the film, a large number of independent landscape images present the British landscape in front of the world's audience: such as the British traditional garden stowe head garden, peak national park. Among them, peak national park is the first national park established in the UK, with rich natural and cultural assets.

The scene showing the British style provides a good background material for the film, and also enables the audience to get a visual enjoyment and impact.

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[industryrecentdevelopment]

Corset Market Size from 2022 to 2028

A corset is a piece of clothing worn primarily to train and shape the body or waist to achieve the desired shape. In general, the main intention of wearing a corset is simply to make the waist smaller and the bottoms larger. They can be worn for a number of reasons, mostly for fashion or medical purposes. It was mainly worn by women, but these days men are also investing in it. Corsets are available in a variety of shapes, colors, fits and patterns. Other than that, over bust, under bust, less curvaceous, steel and plastic skeleton corsets can be worn under or over clothing. It can also be worn alone or with other outfits. Also, they can have different styles like zip ups, lace ups, eye closures and hooks. It can be made of lace, satin, velvet, brocade, leather or cotton or twill.

Corset Market size is projected to reach USD 149.48 Mn units by 2027 from an estimated USD 116.33 Mn unit in 2019, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% globally.

IMR offers a comprehensive overview of the market through the analysis of key parameters such as revenue, price, competition, and promotions, as well as the study, synthesis, and summarization of data from different sources. It analyzes the leading industry drivers and shows numerous market components. The information offered is thorough, dependable, and the result of a comprehensive primary and secondary study. IMR market research reports offer a comprehensive global market as well as an in-depth strategic sourcing methodology and analysis based on qualitative and quantitative research to anticipate market growth.

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Segmentation Of Corset Market:

In market segmentation by Type, Corset Market report covers:

Leather ,PVC ,Faux Leather ,Other types

In market segmentation by Application,  Corset Market report covers:

Fashion, Fetish, Medical

Corset Market Report contains market data from 2022 to 2028, which provides an overview of the market covering key drivers and risk factors. The report is segmented by top global manufacturers that mention sales, revenue and applicable prices. It also evaluates the competitive scenarios of key players. The report is expanded to include regional market data along with types and applications. This report forecasts sales and revenue from 2022 to 2028. Detailed sales channels are also covered in the study.

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·         Important market dynamics and trends

·         Market segmentation

·         Historical, current, and projected size of the market based on value and volume

·         Market shares and strategies of key players

·         Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the market

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[victoriabondblog]

Regency Stays: facts and myths

During the Regency, Corsets were called Stays. This style of stays is called long stays. This is the kind of stays nearly every women, rich or poor, wore.  The material we used to make my stays was cotton twill. Later, I discovered that another good choice for stays or corsets is Coutil (or Coutille), a woven cloth created specifically for making corsets. I don’t know how authentic it is, but it has a nice, stiff feel.

The cotton twill fabric is stiff and tightly woven to inhibit penetration of the corset’s boning which is called stays and what gives this garment its name. Both Twill and Coutil have a high cotton which has good dimensional stability, or a resistance to stretching, which makes it a good choice for clothing, and especially such as a stressed garment. My grommets are metal, but authentic Regency stays have stitched button holes. Some day, when I have nothing better to do, I will hand stitch around my grommets to make them look more authentic.

As you can see, I am wearing my stays over another garment called a shift, or chemise. You can read more details about it here.

Some women preferred short stays, or demi stays. These seemed to be mostly worn during the summer or if they were especially small busted, or if they didn’t have someone to help lace up their stays—although that would have been very rare—but these provided less support and lacked the smoothing effects of the long stays so they were not anywhere near as popular. It is believed that more of the working classes wore short stays, (probably because they were thinner or because the short stays cost less) than members of the upper classes. However, many sources suggest most working women wore long stays, too. Working class women usually shared a room with someone else so there was always another pair of hands to help lace stays in back.

Regency corset stays are quite comfortable. They don’t pinch. It’s simply not possible. Unless the boning is working its way out, they don’t poke. Unlike Victorian corsets which can be tightly laced, Regency stays don’t make it difficult to breathe. With the exception of the mid to late 1800’s, corset stays were not designed to give women a small waist, but to lift the bustline, and to give women a smooth base for clothes. In fact, until the introduction of the metal grommet (1828) and the 2 part metal busk (1829), tightening a corset enough to dramatically change one’s figure was nearly impossible. The fabric or the holes would have given out first. The corset merely provided the right silhouette for the loose, flowing gowns of the Regency. 

If your heroine doesn’t wear stays, she’s not going to be able to wear the clothes of her era. At least, not with any class. She would look frumpy in them. Even if she chooses to wear them loosely laced, she would still be wearing them. Just as women today look either saggy or trashy (or both) when they walk around in public without a bra, so too, would a Regency woman.

While corsets are not uncomfortable, they do restrict the wearer in ways you may, and may not, expect.

The front center of our Regency stays has a wooden busk. This is roughly the size and shape of a common school ruler. The busk is designed to help the garment lay flat, as well as lift and separate the breasts. Because of the busk, our Regency lady not able to bend freely at the waist, but will do so from the hips. The busk also encourages excellent posture. Slouching is not really an option in a long corset due to the busk.

Now, there are a few possible discomfort factors. Other stays wearers tell me they sometimes have tiny indentations from where the shift underneath the stays has creased the skin. These may itch a little for a few minutes. Rubbing them helps, I am told, but I’ve never had this problem.

If you lose weight, your corset can become uncomfortable—more so than if you gain a bit, as your breasts may slide down and get “squashed”. Plus, if it’s loose, it may rub.

If the boning works out of the channel at the top or bottom, it can jab but that won’t happen if it’s well made.

Overall, Regency stays really are quite comfortable and nice to wear. My main gripe is how long it takes to get into them, and that I can’t do it by myself. Otherwise, I’d be tempted to wear stays every day instead of a bra.

Related Posts:

5 Fun Facts about Regency England that May Surprise You

The Great Regency Underwear Debate

Gifts for the Regency Geek

Historical Accuracy–How Important is it?

More scandalous talk about Regency underwear

Regency Stays: facts and myths published first on http://donnahatch.blogspot.com/