#Marketing de Performance

[santannarsworld]

Domine o Marketing Digital: Estratégias Comprovadas para Impulsionar Suas Vendas

Você já se perguntou por que algumas empresas têm sucesso estrondoso enquanto outras lutam para decolar? Bem, a resposta está no poder do marketing digital. Agora, eu sei o que você está pensando - "Mas eu já tentei estratégias de marketing digital antes e não vi os resultados esperados." Não se preocupe, você não está sozinho nessa jornada. Muitos empreendedores enfrentam desafios semelhantes ao tentar navegar no vasto oceano do marketing online. Mas aqui está a boa notícia: este artigo está prestes a mudar o jogo para você.

Descubra Como Criar Um Negócio Online E Vender Todos Os Dias!

Vamos mergulhar fundo nas estratégias de vendas em marketing digital, desvendando os mistérios por trás do sucesso e fornecendo um guia prático para transformar sua presença online. Prepare-se para descobrir insights valiosos, dicas acionáveis e abordagens inovadoras que irão revolucionar a forma como você faz negócios online. É hora de deixar para trás as frustrações e dar as boas-vindas ao crescimento exponencial. Vamos começar!

Conscientização (Topo do Funil)

No topo do funil de vendas, o objetivo principal é atrair a atenção do seu público-alvo e gerar consciência sobre sua marca, produtos ou serviços. Aqui estão algumas estratégias de marketing digital eficazes para esta fase:

SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Otimize seu conteúdo para mecanismos de busca, utilizando palavras-chave relevantes para o seu nicho. Isso ajudará a aumentar sua visibilidade online e atrair tráfego qualificado para o seu site.

Marketing de Conteúdo: Crie conteúdo relevante e valioso que responda às perguntas e necessidades do seu público-alvo. Isso pode incluir blogs, vídeos, infográficos, entre outros formatos.

Anúncios Pagos: Utilize campanhas de anúncios pagos em plataformas como Google Ads, Facebook Ads e LinkedIn Ads para alcançar um público mais amplo e segmentado.

Descubra Como Criar Um Negócio Online E Vender Todos Os Dias!

Consideração (Meio do Funil)

Na fase de consideração, os consumidores estão avaliando as opções disponíveis e considerando a compra. Aqui estão algumas estratégias de marketing digital para ajudá-los nesse processo:

E-mail Marketing: Envie e-mails personalizados com conteúdo relevante, ofertas especiais e informações sobre seus produtos ou serviços para nutrir leads e manter sua marca em mente durante o processo de decisão.

Marketing de Mídias Sociais: Mantenha um forte presença nas redes sociais, compartilhando conteúdo útil, interagindo com seu público e promovendo sua marca de forma autêntica.

Remarketing: Utilize o remarketing para direcionar anúncios específicos para usuários que já interagiram com seu site ou produtos anteriormente, incentivando-os a retornar e concluir a compra.

Conversão (Fundo do Funil)

Na fase de conversão, o objetivo é converter leads em clientes pagantes. Aqui estão algumas estratégias de marketing digital para impulsionar as conversões:

Landing Pages Otimizadas: Crie landing pages otimizadas, com um design atraente e uma proposta de valor clara, para incentivar os visitantes a tomar uma ação específica, como fazer uma compra ou preencher um formulário.

Testes A/B: Realize testes A/B em elementos-chave das suas páginas de destino, como títulos, chamadas para ação e formulários, para identificar o que gera melhores resultados e otimizar suas taxas de conversão.

Automatização de Marketing: Utilize ferramentas de automação de marketing para segmentar leads com base em seus comportamentos e interesses, e enviar mensagens personalizadas e relevantes para guiá-los pelo processo de compra.

Aprendendo a Vender uma Oferta Eficiente para Pessoas que Nunca me Viram! Mesmo Sem Produzir um Pingo de Conteúdo!

Fidelização (Pós-venda)

Após concluir uma venda, é crucial manter seus clientes engajados e satisfeitos para incentivá-los a fazer compras repetidas e se tornarem defensores da sua marca. Aqui estão algumas estratégias de marketing digital para promover a fidelização do cliente:

Programas de Fidelidade: Implemente programas de fidelidade que recompensem os clientes por compras repetidas, avaliações de produtos e referências. Use e-mails e notificações para manter os clientes informados sobre seus pontos e recompensas.

E-mail de Acompanhamento pós-venda: Envie e-mails de acompanhamento após a compra para agradecer aos clientes, fornecer informações úteis sobre o produto adquirido e oferecer suporte adicional, se necessário. Isso demonstra cuidado e ajuda a construir relacionamentos duradouros com os clientes.

Conteúdo Exclusivo: Ofereça acesso a conteúdo exclusivo, como webinars, guias de uso do produto e dicas de manutenção, para clientes existentes. Isso não só adiciona valor à experiência do cliente, mas também fortalece o vínculo emocional com sua marca.

Aprendendo a Vender uma Oferta Eficiente para Pessoas que Nunca me Viram! Mesmo Sem Produzir um Pingo de Conteúdo!

Advocacia (Além do Funil)

Clientes satisfeitos podem se tornar os maiores defensores da sua marca, ajudando a aumentar sua reputação e atrair novos clientes por meio de recomendações boca a boca. Aqui estão algumas estratégias para incentivar a advocacia do cliente:

Programas de Indicação: Crie programas de indicação que recompensem os clientes por recomendar sua marca a amigos e familiares. Ofereça incentivos, como descontos ou brindes, tanto para o cliente quanto para o novo cliente indicado.

Compartilhamento de Conteúdo: Incentive os clientes a compartilhar suas experiências positivas com sua marca nas redes sociais, fornecendo conteúdo compartilhável, como depoimentos de clientes, estudos de caso e vídeos de unboxing.

Engajamento da Comunidade: Construa uma comunidade online em torno da sua marca, onde os clientes possam interagir entre si, compartilhar dicas e experiências, e oferecer suporte mútuo. Isso ajuda a fortalecer os laços entre os clientes e promover a defesa da marca.

Descubra Como Criar Um Negócio Online E Vender Todos Os Dias!

E assim chegamos ao final deste emocionante passeio pelo mundo do marketing digital voltado para vendas. Espero que você tenha encontrado inspiração, aprendizado e, acima de tudo, confiança para aplicar essas estratégias em seu próprio negócio. Lembre-se sempre de que o sucesso no marketing digital não acontece da noite para o dia - é preciso consistência, criatividade e um compromisso contínuo com o aprendizado e a melhoria. Então, esteja preparado para experimentar, adaptar e evoluir ao longo do tempo. Com dedicação e determinação, não há limites para o que você pode alcançar. Estamos ansiosos para ver suas vitórias e conquistas no mundo digital. Até a próxima jornada de crescimento e sucesso!

O Padrão de Oferta muito mais poderoso que só montar um produto, uma página de vendas, tráfego ou funis!

[markpilip]

Robert De Niro, talking ad weirdness

“Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt.” A line from Robert De Niro in “Ronin,” one of my favorite movies. When you’re looking at this weekend’s ad performance on Monday morning and you see anything–anything–hinky, there is no doubt. Something’s wrong.Don’t listen to your marketing manager, your ad agency, or anybody else. You know there is no doubt.Now, what will you do?

[kinglandfr]

Laura Montague : Experte en Communication Digitale et Intelligence Artificielle chez KingLand

Découvrez comment Laura Montague, notre experte en #CommunicationDigitale et #IntelligenceArtificielle chez #KingLand, révolutionne le monde du #MarketingDigital avec des stratégies innovantes ! 🚀 Lisez notre dernier article pour plonger au cœur de l'#Innovation et apprendre comment la #Technologie et l'#IA peuvent transformer votre #StratégieNumérique. Portrait IA ♾ https://kingland.fr/laura-montague-experte-en-communication-digitale-et-intelligence-artificielle-chez-kingland/ Que vous soyez passionné par la #TransformationDigitale, cherchant à optimiser votre #SEO, ou à améliorer votre #GestionDeRéputation en ligne, Laura partage ses secrets pour réussir dans le numérique. 🌐 Ne ratez pas cette opportunité de booster votre présence en ligne avec des conseils d'une pro de la #CommunicationEnLigne ! 💡 Partagez cet article avec votre réseau pour propager l'innovation ! 🔗✨ #PerformanceDigitale #OptimisationWeb

L’Intelligence Artificielle au Service de la Stratégie Numérique Bienvenue dans l’univers de la communication digitale et de l’intelligence artificielle, où je, Laura Montague, me distingue en tant que Directrice des Relations Publiques chez KingLand. Ma mission est de fusionner l’excellence technique avec une stratégie de communication innovante, me positionnant comme une ressource…

[bharatstarch]

BHARAT STARCH

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Chris de Burgh - The Lady in Red 1986

"The Lady in Red" is a song by British-Irish singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh. It was released on 20 June 1986 as the second single from his eigth studio album Into the Light. The song was written in reference to his wife Diane, who used to come and watch him perform at his parents' hotel. He said that the song was inspired by the memory of when he first saw Diane, and how men so often cannot even remember what their wives were wearing when they first met.

It was a massive hit across the world, quickly becoming de Burgh's best-selling single and his signature song. It reached the number one position in Canada, the UK, Ireland, Norway, and the Flanders region of Belgium. It reached number three in the US during the spring of 1987. The song also propelled its parent album Into The Light to the number two position in the UK and success in other markets. The song tends to divide public opinion and it was voted the tenth most annoying song of all time in a poll commissioned by Dotmusic in 2000.

The song is briefly featured in a scene of the 2000 film American Psycho where Patrick Bateman is listening to the song while in his office, and in the 1988 Academy Award-winning film Working Girl during a slow dance scene. The song is featured in the 2004 film Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, acting as the theme music for the character Fran Stalinovskovichdaviddivichski, who wears a red warmup suit. It is also featured in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine, during the scene when the dog variant of Deadpool named Mary Puppins first appears.

"The Lady in Red" received a total of 55,8% yes votes.

[bitter69uk]

Hagsploitation truly is the horror sub-genre that keeps on giving. Sparked by the unexpected success of 1962’s What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? in the 1960s and 70s, maturing female stars of golden age Hollywood extended their careers by swallowing their pride, embracing their inner scream queen and plunging into exploitation shockers: think of Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Tallulah Bankhead, Olivia de Havilland, Agnes Moorehead and Shelley Winters starring in the likes of Strait-Jacket, Hush … Hush … Sweet Charlotte, Berserk, Lady in a Cage, Die Die My Darling, Dear Dead Delilah and especially the “question movies” Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?, What’s the Matter with Helen? and What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? Roaring back from career doldrums (I last remember her playing Miley Cyrus’ mother), 61-year-old Demi Moore finds herself in a similar position in director Coralie Fargeat’s grisly and stylish satire The Substance. In a gutsy, exposed (in every sense) performance, Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a middle-aged television celebrity abruptly fired by ageist and sexist network executive Dennis Quaid (really chomping the scenery). Despondent, Elisabeth takes desperate measures to rejuvenate her “best self” with a mysterious unregulated black market scientific procedure called The Substance … and things swiftly unravel. Characterized by stunning art direction and a visceral sound design that emphasizes every repulsive squelching noise, The Substance ratchets up maximum dread and offers a goldmine of knowing movie references: Basket Case. Carrie. Death Becomes Her. Every single David Cronenberg “body horror” flick but particularly The Fly. Thematically, it reminded me of two specific b-movies from the late 1950s: The Wasp Woman and The Leech Woman, in which the anti-heroine experiments with science (or voodoo) to restore youth and beauty with monstrous consequences (and – it must be noted - these films make their point with a fraction of The Substance’s budget and two hour-and 40-minute running time). The Substance is bound to be divisive. There was multiple “walk outs” when I saw it. And has Fargeat lost control of the material by the ultra-gory splatter fest finale? However you cut it, it’s a wild ride and destined for cult status.

[plush-rabbit]

Working for Mammon

A/N: I can't get this dumb spider clown out of my head oh my gosh. Also you're a singer here. Jack of all trades ig. enjoy!!

Fizzarolli was his money maker- compared to the other business and people Mammon invested in, they were nothing compared to the imp. The only one who ever came close to the clown’s revenue was you. You were a close second. There were moments where your sales would rival Fizzarolli’s and you were the starlight in the sin’s eyes, only to be replaced by someone that burned brighter than you ever could. Then, of course, the imp goes and quits and you’re bumped from being second place, to first. 

Being number one comes with a lot of responsibilities. Sales cannot falter. You cannot falter. Not even for a moment. Any grand gesture or event that there is must be perfect. You’re marketable. And because of that, the Sin of Greed treasures oh so much. You may be a lower class demon, but you belong to him. Leaving you alone can bring all sorts of trouble, trouble that he isn’t going to tolerate. He dresses you in fine clothes, adorns you in sweet things that came from your pay- you deserve to own something nice that you worked so hard for is what he tells you. You are protected and cared for, treated like porcelain and pressured into a diamond.  

Ever since the abrupt departure of the imp clown, it’s clear that the Sin of Greed has a bit of an attachment issue. He hardly likes to leave you unattended just in case people start to whisper to you about just how covetous he is. He lost quite a profit with Fizzarolli and the Sin would never say it out loud, nor even entertain the idea, but it left him rattled. He treated him better than the underlings, but that isn’t saying much. Maybe he was given too much freedom and became involved with Asmodeus, and that put some wicked ideas into his head, but it’s a mistake that will not happen again. You have guards that take care of you, and there’s hardly a moment when Greed isn’t seen with you in public. He likes to know where you are- always calling and messaging, appearing if you haven’t answered within five minutes. He always has this scared look in his eyes, and he hands always clasp around your biceps, and it’s silent, as if he’s trying to contain his anger, and trying to mask any worry that he had, but it’s always noticeable with the appearance of his many eyes and the frown that’s stitched onto his face. He’s consuming, taking and wanting, and it’s never enough.

It comes to no surprise that the Sin of Greed desires to be around you at all times and in doing so, he always has a hand on you. It was different in the beginning. It felt possessive, like a child gripping onto their blanket, held in a fisted hand that won’t let go no matter how hard it’s tugged at. You remember the sore feeling, the way you were dragged around like a dog and unable to go anyway without his approval and without him. Now, it’s different. He holds your hand softly, interlaced and pulling you closer to him. You can lead him around so long as you squeeze his hand. In public, he has you pulled close to him- hands around your shoulders as he whispers for you to not mess up the performance, an arm pulling you close to him as you walk through a crowded area. He can’t seem to let go of you.

Your attention has to be on him constantly. In public during a talk show, you sit beside him and you look up at him, your hand interlaced with his, another free hand on your knee- the benefits of having multiple arms. You have to talk about him, mention how wonderful he is, and not look away. It feels marketable, there’s no intimacy to it. It’s all for show. But then you go to his home, and he whines and grumbles about everything and nothing at all as his head lays in your lap. He only sighs and mumbles something barely comprehensible when you begin to scratch the crown of his head. Or he’ll pull you close to him in private, watching some random movie, all for an excuse to have you close to him, desperate to just touch you, his hands scratching lightly at your side and splayed over the top of your thigh. He’ll twist at your hair and trace shapes against your skin, and sometimes, you forget that he’s a Sin. 

No matter how you look at it, you have to be marketable. You have to sell plushies, prints, keychains, chips and sodas and endorse perfume and clothes. And you have to sell sexbots. It took time to convince you to agree to have your likeness placed onto something that was going to be used for lewd purposes. It took even longer to convince Asmodeus to create them. But it was all worth it. The profits that came in were amazing, better than he could have ever expected. However, you still belong to him, and it comes to his attention just how creepy fans could be. Were they like this with Fizzarolli as well? No, surely he would have noticed.You’re no different than the imp that you replaced. But when he sees a fan try to get a picture of you in your dressing room, he feels angry. Rageful, even. He sees how panicky you get, and he loves how you cling to him in fear and for protection, but he hates seeing you so sad. For a brief moment, he reconsiders recalling the sexbots, but then he gets a notification that the bots are out of stock. He tells you that he’ll hire more security for you with a kiss on the top of your head. 

The Sin of Greed likes to act like he’s in a romantic relationship with you. He plans your outfits to match with his. It doesn’t have to be a direct copy of what he wears- honestly, he has some semblance of tact- but he wants to coordinate with you. The colors have to bounce off each other, the theme of the outfits, the jewelry, and accessories. He wants to match with you. It’s easy for people to start rumors that the two of you are together, and he doesn’t stop them. If people think you belong to him in a romantic way, it doesn't matter. The rumors do encourage him to be more touchy with you, to hold you closer and have a reason to not let you be alone. Sometimes he’ll play it up, talking about how pretty you are, and how your singing voice is even better in person and people should really buy tickets for your next performance. He’ll even mention how in the next act, he’ll come in with some throwing knives- just a bit of a kick to add to your performance. 

When he books you at a more high-end event, he likes to have you sing ballads. You confess to  him that you don’t know where to look during those types of songs. The more energetic ones are easier because you’re constantly moving and performing, but ballads are softer, and you can’t just look at strangers. He’d never admit to anyone that it was just a way to get you to look at him as something more than a manager. He tells you to look at him- to sing to him. During those few minutes where you long for him and declare your love and how you’d wish to kiss him again and again, nothing else matters to him. You sing to him, not to the others. You care only for him during those minutes until the song pauses and a new one comes along and you sing to him again and again. And what is he but greed personified, and the desire to hear you tell him that you wish for him and no one else, keeps your nights busy until your throat is too sore to sing.

As a clown, he takes great satisfaction in knowing people are laughing because of him. It fills his pockets with green and it keeps the masses entertained enough to keep coming back. It didn't matter who was laughing, it just mattered that he was getting paid. But then he makes you laugh. And it’s nice, and loud, and it’s your laughter that has him pausing and feeling his face grow warm. It’s uncontrollable, and your smile is lovely. Ever since he found out he likes your laugh, he does his best to keep your laughter going. He wants to hear it, to drown in it, to memorize the sound and never let another soul hear it. 

Mammon is a manager first and a sort-of-romantic partner second. He pushes you to be better than perfect. You can't afford to lose money. But when you’re at your limit, when you’re too exhausted and irritable, there are few times where you actively fight back and grow resentful and it frightens him. You don't talk to him, you avoid anything of his, you detach yourself from him.. Even if he does hold your hand, he can feel how cold you are. He hates how you affect him so much. If he makes you upset, he makes up for it but it's always half-hearted. Mammon tells you that he didn't mean to push you so hard, but he wants you to be perfect. He cares for you so much, he knows that you can be better than the imp. So he sits beside you, grumbles something that isn't an apology and he looks so sad, you can't help but forgive him. He'll pull you close in private and tell you how you did such a good job, that you're his treasure and star and where would he be without you.

[unalivejournal]

imagine a tumblr simulator set in the velvet goldmine universe lmfao

2 notes

🎹 wilderatz Follow

DNI if you still support br*an sl*de after the shooting hoax. what he did was fucking unacceptable and pathetic. the panic and heartbreak on the dashboard that day was absolutely traumatizing. and the fact that it was all for cheap publicity makes it even more despicable. if you HAVE to listen to his records the least you could do is buy them secondhand

#so glad curt never cut that record with him

186 notes

⭐️ glittersisgay

i got new boots! seeing the flaming creatures tonight :-) life is good

4 notes

👨🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 wildemons Follow

sorry but the sladewild narrative is CRAAAAZY. like imagine you start off as a nobody performer and becoming enthralled by this rockstar after he shows up your act and you end up becoming famous by being inspired by his stage presence AND YOU BECOME FAMOUS ENOIGH TO GO TO AMERICA AND MEET THIS GUY AND YOUR LABELS START FABRICATING A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN U TWO TO GENERATE PUBLICITY FOR YOUR NEW ALBUM BUT THEN YOU ACTUALLY FALL IN LOVE AND HAVE TO KEEP IT A SECRET BUT THEN THE PAPARAZZI FINDS OUT AND YOU HAVE A HUGE FALLING OUT BUT THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER YOURE SPOTTED IN THE CROWD AT THE DEATH TO GLITTER SHOW

♻�� 🦷 roxytunes Follow

lmfao WHAT are you talking about. swear to god i’m sick of you invasive freaks trying to make things up about real peoples lives. the part about the labels trying to market slade and wild as a couple isn’t even true. yes they were heavily publicized as close friends but they never admitted to being in a relationship. also receipts on brian being at the death to glitter show???? stop spreading false information

♻️ 👨🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏼 wildemons Follow

anyways watch out for my new sladewild maxwell demon tour era fic that will be published in my next zine 💋

#my mutual was literally next to him in the crowd.

58 notes

🪩 girlboydragdemon

at the Sombrero Club with the glamrocktuals YAYYYY

♻️ 🪩 girlboydragdemon

Hangover.

#we may have made. mistakes. #also we think brian slade’s former manager was in the booth behind us

11 notes

🌟 venusinpurrs

♻️ 🎸 balladofmaxwellsemen Follow

WHY ARE WE PITTING THREE BAD BITCHES AGAINST EACH OTHER

♻️🌟 venusinpurrs

better question WHY ARE VENUS IN FURS LOSING GUYS CMON ITS OBVIOUSLY THE RATS

♻️🌟 venusinpurrs

do you people hate dykes

244 notes

💋 jack-fairy-fan51 Follow

Anyone else feel like this Tommy stone guy showed up out of nowhere?

6 notes

❇️ 20th-cxntury-bxy

Well…. it’s been a fun time on the road with Malcolm & co. (@/theflamingcreatures) but in the months following the hoax and the death to glitter tribute I’ve been feeling more and more inclined to move on. idk. i know there’s still an active tumblr community but in the real life scene it feels like everyone’s just…. given up. I’ll be starting a new job soon and won’t have a lot of time to post. Might delete this blog in the near future. remember to support local shows and keep being yourself

#a.journal

0 notes

👨‍🎤 lipstickkissedelbowglove

word on the street is that mandy slade divorced brian???? lmao get his ass

♻️👨‍🎤 lipstickkissedelbowglove

[#finally i have a chance with her]

you’re funny if you think any of us on this site have an inkling of a chance with her

2,658 notes

🎸 balladofmaxwellsemen Follow

Just found this on the sidewalk. does anyone know what it is?

7 notes

[bradshawed]

NEWTON'S LAWS, PROLOGUE

main & series masterlist !

introducing... the lion and his lioness prey pairing: f1!raphael cameron & reporter!reader

An apple fell from a tree and well... you know the rest. Much like Newton's apple, you fell right in his path, the lion's path, and he deemed you his prey. Silly boy. That was his first mistake.

A tale as old as time, Newton & his gravity, faceclaim: HoYeon Jung & various pinterest girls

warnings! no warnings for this prologue

chapter 1 ...

With the 2024 season coming to an end, the driver market for 2025 has been taking shape, with several big moves announced. Let's take a look at who will be driving where...

READ MORE: FIA and Formula 1 announce calendar for 2025

Red Bull Raphael Cameron – #1 Cleo Anderson – #208

Rafe Cameron has been locked in at Red Bull, with the world champion's deal running to running through to the end of 2028. This has not prevented speculation over a possible move elsewhere, amid rumours of interest from Ferrari. Cameron has stated, however, that he is not considering changing teams.

While Sergio Perez signed a contract extension earlier in the season to keep him at the team through to 2026, the Mexican and Red Bull subsequently reached an agreement to part ways with immediate effect following the conclusion of a tough campaign. His seat will be filled by Cleo Anderson, the first female F1 driver since Maria Teresa de Filippis, Lella Lombardi and Susie Wolff, who has impressed at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

EXCLUSIVE: 'The perfect match' – Anderson and new team boss Verstappen on her multi-year Red Bull deal

Ferrari Charles Leclerc – #16 John Booker Routledge – #5

Following Carlos Sainz' retirement when it was confirmed at the end of the 2022 season, rookie John B. Routledge has made the step up from F2 to F1 and has impressed many, following in the footsteps of his father and seven-time world champion.

The other spot at Ferrari will be retained by Charles Leclerc. Having raced for the Scuderia since 2019, the Monegasque has pledged his future to the squad, having signed a contract extension which will see him stay with the team for several more years.

McLaren Lando Norris – #4 Oscar Piastri – #81

As they continue their progression following a rapid surge in performance during 2023, McLaren have settled on their driver line-up for the long-term. Lando Norris �� who has been racing for the team since making his F1 debut in 2019 – agreed a new “extended multi-year” contract with the squad prior to the start of 2024.

Joining him will be Oscar Piastri, with the Australian also committed to the team after signing a multi-year extension until the end of 2026.

READ MORE: ‘I want to do it with McLaren’ – F1’s newest winner Lando Norris on loyalty to his team, and taking the fight to Cameron

Mercedes Lewis Hamilton – #44 Topper Thornton – #47

Lewis Hamilton will remain with Mercedes in 2025, marking his thirteenth season racing for the team. It was confirmed in August 2023 that the Briton had signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the Silver Arrows through to the end of next season.

While the same contract was announced for George Russell, he ultimately activated a release option to allow for his move but was left without a seat in the 2025 season, announcing his retirement shortly after. His replacement will be reserve driver Topper Thornton, moving 2024 F2 driver and long-time Mercedes protégé Kimi Antonelli to the reserve driver position, with Team Principal Toto Wolff hoping to have uncovered the next Max Verstappen given the young Italian’s sparkling junior category CV.

RB Yuki Tsunoda – #22 JJ Maybank – #6

It was announced prior to the Canadian Grand Prix that Yuki Tsunoda will continue to race for RB in 2025 after the team took up an option on their agreement with the Japanese driver, marking his fifth season at the Red Bull sister outfit.

Daniel Ricciardo made way for JJ Maybank for the United States Grand Prix after an inconsistent season, becoming the 19th driver to be promoted to F1 from Red Bull's junior programme.

READ MORE: How JJ Maybank's move from pro-surfer to F1 driver played out

Williams Alex Albon – #23 Franco Colapinto – #43

Alex Albon will enter his fourth season as a Williams driver in 2025, having signed a multi-year contract extension with the team which will keep him there through to 2026.

At the end of August, Williams announced that their academy driver and F2 racer Franco Colapinto will contest the remainder of the 2024 season with the squad, replacing Logan Sargeant as Alex Albon’s team mate from the Italian Grand Prix. Following this move, Colapinto has signed a multi-year deal for the team, giving them continuity into the new year of engine regulations.

Aston Martin Fernando Alonso – #14 Lance Stroll – # 18

Fernando Alonso enjoyed an impressive start to his tenure with Aston Martin in 2023 and, while the team have struggled to maintain those results, the Spaniard has reaffirmed his belief in the project by signing a deal that will keep him at the squad until at least the end of 2026.

Lance Stroll – who has been incumbent on the line-up since joining in their Racing Point guise back in 2019 – has also been confirmed at the team for 2025 alongside Alonso, giving the team helpful continuity.

READ MORE: ‘It’s probably my last contract’ – Alonso reflects on new Aston Martin deal as he predicts ‘things are in place’ to become a ‘powerful team’

Alpine Esteban Ocon – #31 Pierre Gasly – #10

Esteban Ocon was set to leave following a five-year stint with the squad but with the volatile driver's market, Ocon signed a deal that will keep him with Alpine until at least the end of 2026.

Team mate Pierre Gasly has been re-signed to the squad on a multi-year extension. He will be joined by reserve driver Jack Doohan, who won out over other candidates to step up to F1 in 2025 - and where his development will be overseen by new Team Principle Oliver Oakes.

Haas Kevin Magnussen – #20 Nico Hulkenberg – #27

After returning to the F1 grid with Haas in 2023, Nico Hulkenberg has signed a contract extension that will see him remain with the squad until the end of 2028. It was also confirmed in July that with Kevin Magnussen's contract expiring at the close of 2024, he may be departing at the end of the current campaign, but he too signed an extension that will see him with Haas until the end of 2028.

Kick Sauber Zhou Guanyu – #24 Valtteri Bottas – #77

Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas' contracts see them with the squad until the end of the 2025, after which they will both be set to depart.

Following the San Paulo Grand Prix weekend the team confirmed that rookie Gabriel Bortoleto would be joining as the reserve driver, with the potential to move up to a full-time position in 2026.

READ MORE: Kick Sauber confirm rookie Bortoleto as reserve driver for 2025

If you would like to be added to the taglist, please let me know. And, if you want to remain tagged, you must interact with the posts (credits to Zya).

taglist for f=ma, @vampteeths @zya8tracks @edwardslvrr @potatodirectioner

note! credits to @zyafics for her layout, it was such a good idea to repeat the summary at the top for each chapter and to place the taglist and author's note at the end, ily and thank u for letting me use it. sorry for getting a little lazy with the article towards the end... i didn't want to miss anyone out for new readers that aren't familiar with f1 and how many teams there are, etc but equally i couldn't come up with anything new to say

[maiochiruhanabiraaa]

Seville's Heartbeat (Pablo Gavi.)

Summary: Gavi proudly introduces his girlfriend, Y/N, to Seville's rich culture through historic landmarks, local cuisine, and flamenco. Their journey culminates at the Feria de Abril, where Y/N joins in the festivities, deepening their bond and beginning their shared exploration of Seville's traditions.

Gavi had always been proud of his hometown, Seville, with its rich history and vibrant culture.

When he met Y/N, his foreign girlfriend, he couldn't wait to show her everything that made Seville special.

One sunny morning, Gavi took Y/N on a stroll through the narrow, cobblestone streets of the old town. The air was filled with the scent of orange blossoms as they passed by centuries-old buildings adorned with intricate Moorish architecture.

"This is the Real Alcázar," Gavi explained, pointing to the majestic palace ahead.

"It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the gardens are absolutely stunning."

Y/N was captivated by the beauty of the palace and its lush gardens, where peacocks roamed freely among the fountains and orange trees.

She took countless photos, wanting to remember every detail.

As they continued their walk, they stumbled upon a bustling market in Plaza del Salvador.

The aroma of freshly baked bread and grilled meats wafted through the air, tempting them to sample traditional Andalusian delicacies.

"This is where locals come to shop for fresh produce and enjoy tapas," Gavi said, ordering a plate of jamón ibérico and manchego cheese for them to share. Y/N savored the flavors, delighted by the authenticity of the food.

In the evening, Gavi surprised Y/N with tickets to a flamenco show at a small, intimate tablao.

The passionate music and intricate dance moves left Y/N spellbound, her heart racing with the rhythm of the castanets.

"This is flamenco," Gavi whispered, his eyes fixed on the stage.

"It's more than just a dance; it's a way of expressing emotions and telling stories."

Y/N nodded, understanding the intensity and passion behind the performance. She could feel the energy reverberating through the room, connecting her to centuries of Andalusian culture.

On their final day together, Gavi took Y/N to experience the Feria de Abril, Seville's famous spring fair.

The fairgrounds were alive with color, filled with hundreds of casetas (decorated tents) where families gathered to eat, drink, and dance sevillanas.

"This is our most cherished tradition," Gavi said, leading Y/N into a caseta where his friends and family awaited them.

They were welcomed warmly, and Y/N was introduced to everyone as Gavi's girlfriend from abroad.

Throughout the day, they indulged in traditional dishes like paella and churros, and Y/N even tried on a colorful flamenco dress, joining in the dancing with newfound friends.

As the sun set over the fairgrounds, Gavi and Y/N sat together, savoring the moment.

"Thank you for sharing all of this with me," Y/N said, leaning against Gavi's shoulder.

Gavi smiled, knowing that he had given Y/N a glimpse into the heart and soul of Seville.

"There's so much more to explore," he said softly, his hand finding hers.

And as they watched fireworks light up the night sky, they knew that their adventure together was only just beginning.

[arcadianambivalence]

IWTV S2E2 and History

One thing I really appreciate about this show is how it interacts with its historical setting. I worried that when Louis and Claudia left New Orleans last season, the show would start to shirk the historical details, but the latest episode has given me enough historical tidbits to chew on (pun intended).

Hidden behind the humor of lines like "Paris is shit" and the thrill of meeting other vampires, there's a sense of foreboding lingering beside the recent traumas.

As with the first episode of season 2, Louis and Claudia are surrounded by reminders of war, even if they do not have the context (or empathy) for the survivors they encounter. Claudia complains that she has to pick twice as many pockets to get by, but the two are still able to afford an apartment. Meanwhile, food staples and clothing are still rationed, but people and pigeons are easy to come by.

"Paris was Nazi scar tissue at the time..."

Louis explains, but the scars historically ran deeper than a tourist (and Louis is The stereotypical tourist in this episode) could understand. Blackouts, food shortages, rations, soldiers, and refugees linger at the corners of the episode.

Even Madeline is introduced to us by a man warning Claudia that she was a collaborator or Nazi sympathizer (he does a subtle salute and points to the shop window), which will certainly influence how the next episodes take her through her narrative beats.

The plays performed by the Théâtre des Vampires cross 1920s to 1940s expressionism with absurdity and horror. Even after all this time, Louis is unenthused about the theatrical performances.

"The plays were weird. They always ended in death or some kind of cruel, barely motivated violence."

Armand's reply is dulled by the onstage spectacle:

"Life is cruel. Life is violent. [...] It was all a seduction to lure the cattle into a willing belief of disbelief."

It's a line that is all the more concerning if you know where the story is going...

Annika, the doomed woman onstage, is from Belgium, yet another country recovering from occupation and war. When she desperately tries to convince the audience to flee (not just for them to help her, but to save themselves), she speaks Dutch, so neither the French nor English-speaking audience members understand her.

Still in character, Santiago pretends to offer her a choice. She could live if she gives up someone to die in her place, if she, as the phrase goes, "turns someone in." First, he offers to take her husband, and she refuses. Then he offers to take her son, and again she refuses. Finally, he points to a man in the audience. She nods vigorously, but it's a cruel joke.

Santiago has already made up his mind about her. He addresses the man, warning him against trusting his neighbors:

"They'll give you up in a wink."

As if someone who spent the last five years in occupied France would need reminding.

The warning is for us, the viewers.

Later, the troupe takes Louis and Claudia to a mansion, ostensibly to eat people who, apparently, hoarded resources from the black market. Another show for Claudia and Louis, tourists who still think of themselves as the "good" vampires. Because why would a troupe of vampires concern themselves with that? They don't need anything from the black market. They don't eat anything from the black market. Where was this sense of justice in recent years?

As with Annika, it's yet another excuse to enact cruel and public violence against people they consider less than them.

So when Santiago's introductory prologue includes lines like:

"Being vampires, and by nature superior to you mortals, we can [...] disrupt your tiny ship called human decency."

"Our jobs, which is at the heart of it, to laugh alongside your misery while you cry and scream for more."

"Everything you're about to see is real. Remember that when you leave here tonight. You are all complicit [...] I love you for it."

You know things are not going to get better for Louis and Claudia.

[amuseintime]

A Stage of Healing

The Play is Over but the Script Remains/Scriptfrin Saga

For anyone who doesn't know, "Scriptfrin" is a Siffrin who sometimes goes semi-verbal after the loops, (mostly) only able to repeat the "script" from his time in there. I have a bit of it up here, but most of it is in this series on AO3 (though for the general concept, you can just read "Line, Please.")

Months after the loops, Siffrin and their family are walking around a town and Bonnie happens to notice samosas in the window… the thing that they had basically every blinding night in the loops. Siffrin is clearly bothered, but not in the way you'd expect. All this leads to a long talk, a one man performance, and a lot of laughs. Humor and Hurt/Comfort (heavier on the comfort).

Crossposted here on AO3.

(And always, if you like what I do, reblog, leave a comment, or maybe buy me a Kofi?)

��Oh oh oh! Guys! Look, this place has samosas!” Bonnie said, tugging them through the streets of Bagon. Even amongst Vaugaurde, the area was known for its cooking. The smells of food filled the streets, enough to make even the pickiest child consider trying something new, and the outdoor market was in full swing now that it was warming up again!

It was that perfect time of year where spring made it warm enough to travel, but still cold enough to enjoy some nice, hot food (and oh Change, being medicated again made her hungry!), or at least Mirabelle thought so! It was still too cold for Bonnie and Odile, and Siffrin kept pretty warm with his cloak, but she and Isabeau seemed to like it! 

And speaking of Siffrin, he was staring at where Bonnie had seen samosas on the menu. While they were all getting better at reading Siffrin, sometimes it was still a little difficult. This was one of those times. His head was tilted, an odd look in his eye. Not necessarily upset, but not exactly happy either. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but only a breath came out.

It wasn’t just her that noticed. Isabeau put a gentle hand on their shoulder, not minding that Siffrin jumped before settling into the contact. “You alright, Sif?” 

“Huh?” Siffrin blinked owlishly. “Ah, sorry. Was just remembering something.”

Odile’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? Remembering what?”

“Remembering loop stuff…

Loop stuff? From samosas?

Bonnie jolted. “OH RIGHT!!! Crab, sorry Frin! I forgot that’s why I stopped making Samosas! ‘Cause you had ‘em every day in forever school.” 

Oh that’s right! Mirabelle had forgotten that Bonnie made samosas that day, but makes sense Siffrin wouldn’t have…

Bonnie took Siffrin’s hand to start tugging him away. “We can go somewhere else-“

“No.” He said it a bit too seriously, which he must’ve noticed as he smiled and mussed up Bonnie’s hair. “I can’t deny my Bonbon TWO of their three favorite foods!” He looked back to the shop. “Besides, I’m pretty sure they sell more than JUST Samosas. Though they might not be as… as…” They scrunched up their eye, glaring at the sign for a moment. Then their eye widened and they puffed themselves up as they said, “DE~LI~CIOUS as yours would be.”

“Why’d you say it weird?” Bonnie asked.

“I was trying to sound like Isa? It’s, uh… been a while. Since I heard that.” He trailed off again, staring into space…

Odile went over to the door and said, “Would you like to have this talk on a chair with some hot food, or would you rather keep staring through the window like an incompetent stalker?”

“Madame!” Mirabelle squealed. You can’t just?! Say that?!

But say it she did, and everyone else was laughing, even as Siffrin also tried to sink into his cloak like a turtle. 

“Yeah yeah, we should go in. But, um… I need time. To get thoughts together first? And not do this in public?”

“Reasonable enough. Now get in, I’m cold.”

They all filed inside. Only Bonnie ended up ordering the samosas, but none of them entirely missed the way that Siffrin eyed them.

————

They were all back at the nearest inn… which was fairly packed, given that spring was here. Mirabelle wasn’t the least bit surprised. After all, Spring was quite important in the Change religion! A time for new growth, a fresh start, and a reminder that while Change was destruction, it was creation too! A lot of people celebrated by picking up new hobbies, clearing out some space for those hobbies and just tidying in general (Spring Cleaning!), travel, and bonding ceremonies. 

All of this to say, there was only one room available… but Madame Odile was pretty insistent on NOT having only one bed, and somehow they ended up with three. Mirabelle made sure to slip extra tips to the poor staff, that was mortifying! Though the space was nice…

“I call Mira!” Bonnie said, grabbing her hand. She could only yelp in shock as they were both catapulted to the nearest bed, making it thunk against the wall. 

“Can I call Sif?” Isabeau said, chuckling at the not-actually-a-question. Even in the days before they saved Vaugaurde, it was rarer that they didn’t sleep together. 

Siffrin stuck his tongue out and, “Nah. Isa…” they trailed, took a quick breath in, and smirked, “Isa has to sleep on the floor.” They looked over to Odile for a moment, then jumped a few inches when Bonnie laughed instead.

“FINALLY! No more being gross!” Bonnie cheered.

“I was just joking,” Siffrin said.

“BOOOOOO!”

“Yaaaaaay!” Isabeau said, even clapping his hands and looking all sparkle-eyed at Siffrin (how had she missed that they liked each other?!) 

“Heh! Heh…” Siffrin trailed off again.

Oh Change. “Hey, Siffrin? Are you okay?” Mirabelle walked over and… wait, crab, what does she do with her hands now? Um… “Pat Pat!” Head pats, sure! Wait… Oh Change, he actually leaned in that’s??? So??? Cute?!?!

Siffrin smiled, eye shutting, and let out a sigh. “I’m alright, just…” He shuffled his feet, looking down, then up again, staring at the ceiling.

“Is this related to earlier in any way?” Odile asked.

Siffrin looked aside. “… maaaaaybe…” 

“We aren’t doing anything too close to the loops, are we?” Isabeau said. “I’m willing to actually sleep on the floor if-“

“NO! I mean, kinda, but also no? You don’t have to sleep on the floor, Isa. And it’s, um… weird.”

“Yeah, well, you’re weird! And we like you that way,” Bonnie huffed. “So out with it!” They scampered over to the door and held their arms out. “No escape!”

Siffrin blinked dumbly. Once. Twice. “Snrk-“ He plopped down on bed and started laughing. “Oh come on! I’m not that bad at talking…” he looked around the room and added, “…anymore!” 

Odile nodded, “I will concede, you’ve gotten better. But Boniface, stay there.”

“Sorry ‘Za! I’m the Defender now! Ehehe.”

“Oh nooooo!” Isabeau said, dramatically swooning onto the ground in exaggerated defeat. Everyone laughed. Some a little, some a lot, but they all laughed, even Isabeau!

Change, she loved these people.

“So then… Siffrin…” Mirabelle stepped closer with the utmost seriousness. Siffrin trembled before her! “You will…” Pause for dramatic effect, hand on her currently missing sword (she was in pajamas after all)… “Talk about your feelings!!!”

“NOOOOOOO!” Siffrin moaned, collapsing onto the bed and snickering. Though he sighed and rolled to look at all of them. “… but okay. Just… promise you won’t find it weird or wrong?”

“Of course, young one.”

“Sif, we aren’t going to judge you!”

“Never! Never ever!”

“I mean, you are weird, Stupidfrin, but tell! Us!” 

Siffrin squeaked and rolled into a ball like a little hedgehog.

Mirabelle couldn’t help but giggle, “Oh no! We came on too strong!” She sat down in bed next to him.

“Scared like the stray animal he is,” Odile tutted.

Maybe it was a little mean to poke this much fun when he was having problems… but it seemed to relax him, actually? She could say from experience that treating it too seriously was anxiety inducing itself!!! A cornered animal bites! 

Siffrin pushed himself up, shuffling close enough that their knees and elbows bumped together, but not much else. “Thanks guys.” In… out. “I dunno how you guys are so sweet when I’m so weird…”

“Like Boniface said, we already know that. It’s going to take more than a few new quirks to scare us off.” 

Blushing, Siffrin tried to bury into their collar, but he was in night clothes. No cloak! So cute! Everyone was nice enough not to mention it.

They continued, “It’s just…” He looked around as though looking for a distraction, but no one was interrupting. “With the samosas, it, uh… Took me a moment. To remember. What you guys said.”

Odile raised an eyebrow. “And that’s… bad?”

“It shouldn’t be…?” Siffrin squirmed. One of his hands found one of Mirabelle’s. She gave it a little squeeze, and he gave one back. “I mean. I… Let’s talking about something. Stars-!” 

Mirabelle squeezed his hand again. “There’s no rush.”

In… out. In. And out. “Thank you.” One more time. Big breath in… big breath out. “I guess it surprised me more than anything. Which is? Kinda dumb???”

Isabeau tried to cut in, “It’s not-“

But Siffrin kept talking, “I was careful! No wishes! No ‘Hi Isa, I need to do the Favor Tree thing!’ Even though I thought I wis- though I wanted to forget. But I didn’t mean those parts!” He held tighter to her hand, breath quickening. “I wanted to forget the King and the Sadnesses and the Head Housemaiden! Not you guys!”

Everyone tried to act at once, tried to protest, but Mirabelle was closest. She took his face in her hands—ignore the way he jumped, the moment of panic, the memory of a slap—and made him look her in the eyes. “Siffrin. You are NOT forgetting us! We’re right here, okay?” 

Bonnie barreled into him, Isabeau showed a little more restraint and just opened his arms for the group hug, and Odile messed up his hair a bit from the side. 

“Yeah! No way you can forget me!!!” Bonnie shouted.

“I would hug the memory back into you,” Isabeau said. 

Siffrin snorted, relaxing into the group hug. “Thanks guys, heh. Sorry, like I said. It’s a little bit weird, but I guess…” he had to stop to breathe again. “I guess a lot of things. I don’t want to forget more. Some part of me’s scared I’ll somehow forget my scripts and just go entirely mute. And it’s- it’s the only proof I have that it happened, because it didn’t! It didn’t happen to anyone else. Not on the loop that stuck!” His grasp on them tightened. Not painfully so, not when spread out across three people, but it was noticeable. “And it’s kind of not blinding fair! I- I… ‘I’d rather you ask everyone else if they need help, first.’ And I did! And- and THANK YOU SNACK LEADER FOR THIS DELICIOUS MEAL! and Fromage and… and it… How can I help you on this wonderful new loop…”

He let out a bitter laugh. “… it didn’t happen.” 

No one knew what to say. What even could they say? There was a heaviness in the air, an oppressive silence. It felt like if something broke it, everything might shatter…

But Change is destruction, and Mirabelle was a Housemaiden. “It happened to you.”

“But-“

“No, Mirabelle is right,” Odile said. “Even if it didn’t technically happen to anyone else, it happened to you for the equivalent of months. And if I recall correctly, you’ve mentioned before that that was your rock bottom, as it were.”

“I don’t think anyone blames you for feeling cheated, Sif,” Isabeau said. “Or for missing good memories, or, uh… wishing things went better.”

Siffrin sighed, resting his head on Isabeau’s shoulder. “I just, I just wish- wait! No. I want you guys to remember too. But I know that can’t happen without, um, actually wishing it. And no thank you. I think sharpening my dagger is the most wishcraft I want anymore.”

“Fair and valid,” Isabeau said. 

“Yeah… though I feel like it’d get confusing, having two memories of the same day,” Mirabelle said.

Siffrin gave her the most deadpan look and-

“Oh Change, I guess you technically do have a lot of the same day huh,” Mirabelle said one quiet breath. 

Siffrin chuckled, “Understatement. Though for better or worse, the fact that I, uh, didn’t change much made parts of it less confusing? Like…” He looked around and his eye widened. “Y’know, if you push that bed off the far wall to be more in the middle, it looks like the clock tower…” He trailed into mumbles as he just… apparently decided to do that! Without much issue! Sometimes Mirabelle forgot how strong they were now.

Isabeau, regardless, decided to pick up the other end and help. “Uh. I am going with this because you started it, but why are we doing a thing that seems kinda tailor made to trigger you, Sif?”

“I have, like, half an idea. Working on it,” Siffrin said as he set the bed down.

“Curious as I am, I’m with Isabeau on this one. This seems ill-advised,” Odile said. 

“That took, like, five seconds. We can move it back!” Siffrin huffed, sitting on the newly moved bed. “Besides. They’re way closer.” The room was quite a bit smaller than the clock tower after all, not really meant to shove all five of them in there.

“Oh! Are we making one BIG bed?” Mirabelle said. “Ultimate bed!!!”

“Gross, Frin! I don’t wanna be next to you and Za KISSING!”

“I agree with the preteen,” Odile said. “Veto’d.”

“That’s not-!” Siffrin huffed and pulled his legs in to sulk.

Oh no! “C’mon, we should probably let Siffrin think! And then tell us, um, what he’s thinking,” Mirabelle said.

“Thank you!” Siffrin said, flopping onto his back with an overdramatic huff. There were a few chuckles, but then they let the poor guy think. 

Siffrin took a deep breath. “So… I know I’ve been, uh, a little skittish. With play stuff.” They’d tried to see one once or twice, but he couldn’t step foot into a theatre without looking like he was just… empty. “But maybe I could act it out…?” His voice hoy quieter until it was a near whisper, eye averted…

And she couldn’t blame him. Isabeau and Odile both looked like he’d suggested going to swim with Sadnesses, and Bonnie looked to Odile and tried to mimic it.

“Sif, I don’t think-“

“Don’t be stupid, Frin-“

“Young one, this might not-“

“I THINK IT’S A GREAT IDEA!” Mirabelle shouted… and jumped, surprised at just how loud that came out. And oh Change, all eyes were on her now! But… oh, just pretend they’re in their underwear… hmm, that doesn’t work as well when you’ve had to wash clothes and bathe in rivers and have actually seen that. 

Deep breath, like Siffrin! They’re her friends, and it’s her turn to help. She walks over to Siffrin, sitting beside him and pulling them up enough to take their hands in hers. “I know it might sound a little counter-intuitive, to do something relating to what scares you, or, um, trauma in your case, but sometimes it’s good to? In little ways where you have control!”

She rubbed the backs of his palms with her thumbs. “It’s kind of like reading horror books? Getting to be a little scared, but safely? Or, hmm… no. Not reading… writing fanfiction! All the control is in my hands! I can make it horrible if I want, or can make them live happily ever after, or can have them face my greatest fears in front of an audience and make out over the gorey remains! And yeah, maybe it’s scary, but it’s safe scary? My, um… some of the other Housemaidens who are good at medicine and therapy and stuff recommended it, actually.”

She smiled at Siffrin, putting a hand on his cheek. The rest are probably staring at her, but this is no grand stage. It’s… “It’s us, our family! Not a whole theatre, not Dormont, or a House or anything like that. You’re safe here with us, and you can stop or break the script whenever you want, okay?“

He was looking at her like she was the one who made the seasons change and sun move across the sky. “Okay.”

She stood up and clapped. “Good!” And then dared look around. Everyone was staring!

“So, did you take a class on psychology, then?” Odile asked. 

“Three. One of which was actually theatre related!”

“Crab yeah Mira!” Isabeau pumped his fist for her. 

“You guys are nerds,” Bonnie said.

They couldn’t refute that! 

“Snrk- yeah, we can’t all be as cool as you, Bonbon,” Siffrin said. “So… if we’re good, do I just, like, do it…? I mean, the scene setting is already here.”

“What, by yourself?” Odile said.

“I’m not writing you a script and having you do it. If I see you guys say and do those things again, it might actually give me a panic attack,” Siffrin said. He stood up on the bed. “Sorry guys! One man show!”

“One! Man! Show!!!” Bonnie cheered. “Should I make popcorn?”

“I mean, yes, always,” Isabeau said. “But how long should this take?”

“Not long. Two minutes or so? Provided you don’t combust, Isa~”

“Wait, why would I combust???” Isabeau was already blushing some, holding his hands up defensively.

“EW! I don’t wanna hear you pretend to be Za being mushy! We get enough of that!” 

Siffrin smirked. “Okay, but, then you can laugh at me being Isa being mushy. And you’re in this scene too!”

Bonnie’s eyes went wide, mouth open in childish awe. “Am I yelling at you?”

“Mmmmmmaybe~” Pause. “Yes.”

“I KNEW IT!”

“Oh I’m going to have to give the neighbors something to make up for this,” Mirabelle whispered to herself. It wasn’t too late though, so hopefully they weren’t in, or at least weren’t trying to sleep.

“Dile! Get the tea heater!” They pulled out a small pan and lid from their bag. “I’m making POPCORN!” 

“Guess we’ve got a few minutes before the show. Everyone take your seats~”

“There is only one chair, and I claim it,” Odile said. 

“Overbooked! A tragedy!” Isabeau said with an exaggerated gasp and hand over his heart. 

Mirabelle, meanwhile, felt some of her theatre classes coming back. Just the rehearsals though! There was a play, but she panicked so hard that poor Junette had to just throw on the bonnet she was supposed to wear and, well, improving that that mother requesting help was the secretly the villain in disguise was sheer genius, actually! 

Wait… “Oh!” She pulled an extra bow from her bag and gave it to Siffrin. “Here! To play me! Um, assuming I’m here?” 

“You were!”

“Hmm, probably better than you attempting to do accents. Because, young one, if I didn’t know you, I’d think your attempt at mimicking me was offensive on purpose,” Odile said, smirking at Siffrin.

“Sorry Madame.”

“Here,” she passed him those weird, opaque glasses that they’d… wait… when did she get those??? 

“What about you, Bonbon. Should I steal your hat~?” Siffrin teased, inching to where it was piled atop their things.

“No. Borrow a spatula.” 

“Bon yes bon!” They pulled a spatula. Brilliant!

“Wait! What can I give you…?” Isabeau said, making a sad puppy dog face. And that was fair! Siffrin’s ears weren’t pierced, and putting earrings on and off would be a chore anyways. And Isabeau’s gloves were just too big for Siffrin’s hands!

It apparently stumped everyone as they just stared… 

Until Bonnie said, “Make your hair stand up like a bird’s.”

That alone got a chuckle out of some of them, and it turned to outright laughs when Isabeau fake cried, “So MEAN! I’m not a bird. I’m buff!”

“The buffest of birds,” Siffrin said, pressing again Isa and standing on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. 

Bonnie threw some corn at them. 

“Worth it!” Isabeau chirped.

The popcorn was ready shortly afterwards, salted and put in a little bowl in front of everyone. Siffrin was on the bed, stage right. He spit in his hand to spike up his hair, like a bird!

“Sif…” Siffrin deepened his voice, prompting snorts from all of them at his attempt to sound like Isabeau. “Hey… hey Sif. Siffrin. Siffarooni.” 

Siffrin then scooted over and tamped his hair down just to look behind him then quickly scoot back and fluff his hair again. If the ridiculousness of such an act weren’t silly enough, it was clear he was aware of this, trying not to laugh. 

He took a deep breath and got back “in character,” looking at the empty space in front of him with the biggest, puppiest eye he could muster. “Um… Sorry? To wake you? I just have to tell you something. If that’s okay?”

“Oh crab, I didn’t!!!” Isabeau groaned, pressing his hands into his eyes. 

“In front of my Belle?!” Bonnie said, gesturing to Mirabelle like she was an art piece.

Siffrin once more played “himself” and nodded before doing his silly little scoot back to being Isabeau. “Okay, okay, okay. Then I shall tell you the thing! The thing I woke you up to tell you!”

“Siiiiiif I take it back let’s end this!” Isabeau groaned. 

“Quiet, I’m watching the show,” Pdile said, taking a handful of popcorn.

Bonnie seemed considerably more interested in laughing at Isabeau, but Siffrin didn’t seem to mind.

Siffrin continued, unmoved by the begging. “Haha! Um. So.”

“The thing I have to tell you. Is. That…” Siffrin looked off to the side, a snort escaping as he caught Isabeau’s clearly shaded face. Still, he delivered his line. “I don’t have anything to tell you right now. But I will, when, uh, we beat the King, okay?”

“Oh Change and I said this every night, didn’t I? Aaaaargh that must’ve gotten so crabbing annoying!” Isabeau moaned. 

“Now you know how I feel!” Bonnie said.

Siffrin was back in his place, but… “Uh… hmm. Breaking character of, uh… myself? A sec? Eventually I just got quiet but that’s more sad than funny, so we’re doing the funny one. Okay back to it!” He cleared his throat. “That is still SO ominous, Isa.”

Back to Isa and oh Change he actually did a really good impression of Isabeau’s flustered face! “I, uh, just don’t wanna tell you right now when it might distract you! Wouldn’t want that! So, uh, I’ll tell you when we beat the, um, King, okay?”

Siffrin looked at them, opened his mouth to say something, then it split into a head manic grin as an idea hit. Oh Change here we go. 

Siffrin bolted up, snapped, grabbed the spatula and a pillow, threw it, dropped the spatula, and lunged for the bed so it hit him in the face. 

“SIF?!”

“Pfffft, hahaha!”

“PILLOW! THROW!”

��Hahahaha! Oh noooooo!” 

They had to take a short intermission from everyone laughing too hard. Once, even twice it almost ended, but someone snickered and started it again! But third time’s the charm.

Siffrin picked the dropped spatula back up, “I’ll wash this after,” and then got on the middle bed and pointed accusingly at the empty bed, “SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!” 

“HEY I DON’T SOUND LIKE THAT!” Bonnie huffed.

“Oh he’s trying,” Mira said. Though truthfully, the squeaky voice Siffrin had chosen was awful.

“You hit me with a pillow?!” Isabeau said.

“I would’ve used a book,” Odile said.

Siffrin hit the bed and set the bow on his hair. “YEAH ISABEAU! SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP! CLOSE YOUR MOUTH AND SLEEP!”

“PFFFT, Belle sounds like a mouse!” Bonnie said. “Belle’s on my side Belle’s on my side!”

Then Siffrin rushed over to stage right once more, slicking hair in the midst of a fit of giggles. “CLOSE YOUR MOUTH HOUSEMAIDEN! YOU’RE GONNA WAKE UP M’DAME ODILE!”

“How could I have slept through this?” Odile said. 

Siffrin went to the far bed, stifling giggles behind his hand before putting on the dark glasses and somehow managing to be utterly serious as he said, “I’m already up.” He didn’t bother with a voice, but got the tone scarily serious. 

“Oh, so I didn’t,” Odile remarked.

“And if the noise continues, I will stand up. You do not want to know what will happen if I stand up.”

Aaaand right back to the energy. He looked exaggeratedly spooked as he picked up the spatula and dove under the covers. “Sorry.” Then tried to roll over, presumably to be Mirabelle, and-

THUMP! “NYA!”

“Did you-?”

“Did he-?”

“Did Sif-?”

“Did they-?”

“Stars- YES I JUST SAID NYA!” Tangled in the sheets, Siffrin had hit the floor, and now was hiding in the covers, wiggling futilely for a few seconds before giving up. “… for the record. That did not happen. Uh… crew? A little help? Rather not cut these.”

Mirabelle giggled as she got up, helping get the sheets off without having to resort the scissors craft. 

Siffrin brushed the dust off of him, held the bow up, and gave a quick little, “Sorry.”

Then went back to be Isabeau. “Sorry m’dame…” He looked appropriately abashed, but the look turned into one of a familiar, adoring smile. “Good night, Sif!” 

“Aaaaaand scene!” Siffrin said, standing back up and giving a little bow.

They all clapped for him, even if Bonnie was breathless from laughing and Isabeau was still dark-cheeked. 

“Good job, Siffrin!” Mirabelle said, going over and playfully spinning him… and forgetting their current lack of space, squawking as they both tumbled onto a bed, laughing and breathless.

Isabeau must’ve gotten jealous as he scooped Siffrin into his arms and started kissing his cheek! “Mwah mwah mwah mwah mwah!”

“GROOOOOOSSSS!” Bonnie whined.

Siffrin was laughing so much that both he and Isa had to sit down a minute, but eventually Siffrin got back up to put the bed back, then munch on some popcorn. “Mmmmm, good as always, Bonbon~” They mussed up Bonnie’s hair with a smile as more salty snacks disappeared into their mouth. 

“I AM the best chef cooker after all!” Bonnie said, little chest puffed out.

“You are!” Siffrin said. He went a bit quiet for a moment before saying, “Speaking of that, we’re near a market anyways… wanna try making those fritters again? Maybe with a few spicy peppers?”

“YEAH!!!”

“We might wanna grab something for the neighbors too, if only to apologize…” Mirabelle said. 

“And we haven’t been kicked out yet, so to bribe the inkeepers as well,” Odile said.

“MADAME!”

They went into another bout of giggles and finished up the popcorn before going to brush teeth and settle in…

And in the dark and quiet, as she was starting to drift off to sleep, she could hear Isabeau say, “And hey Sif, just gonna tell it this time… I love you!”

“I love you too!”

Mwah!

And that night, everyone slept well.

-----

I prefer tea, but buy me a Kofi?

[muiitoloko]

A few days ago I remembered some videos/posts that talked about how Judge Turpin and Minister Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) looked alike, well, imagine if our dear Turpin had a partner with a strong personality like Esmeralda has, who doesn't obey the judge's orders and one of her biggest hobbies is to irritate him (whether by doing silly things like pasting drawings on his things or even something like leaving the house when he had said no) but despite everything they get along well and love each other in their own way

You don't have to write about it, only if you want to of course, I just had to ramble about it with someone

(Isso tá remoendo minha cabeça desde o final de semana juro pra ti 😭)

Title: The Witch and the Judge.

Summary: Despite everything, Judge Turpin loved his damned gypsy.

Pairing: Judge Turpin × Fem! Reader

Warnings: none

Author's Notes: Haha, can you imagine Judge Turpin dealing with a partner like that? It would be like trying to control a whirlwind with a mind of its own! 😄 But hey, who knows, maybe underneath all that irritation, they'd find a strange sort of harmony. Love can be weird like that!

Your life with Judge Richard Turpin is a complex dance of irritation and affection, a performance that seems to bewilder and entrap him in equal measure. Despite his stern demeanor and the cruel reputation that precedes him, his infatuation with you is a peculiar mix of fascination and frustration, which you wield with the deftness of a seasoned performer.

One crisp morning, you decide to step out into the bustling streets of London without his permission. Dressed in your colorful gypsy attire, you wander through the market square, the scent of fresh bread and spices filling the air. The whispers and stares of townsfolk follow you, a stark contrast to the grim respect they show Turpin. When you finally return, his expression is a storm of fury and relief.

"Where have you been?" he demands, his baritone voice echoing through the grand halls of the mansion. You merely smile, a knowing glint in your eye, and brush past him, leaving him to stew in his mixed emotions.

On another occasion, the mischievous glint in your eye turns towards his prized judicial robes. Waiting until he is preoccupied with one of his many cruel decrees, you sneak into his chambers and don the imposing black garb. The heavy fabric swirls around you as you stand before the mirror, mimicking his haughty stance and imperious glare.

When he finds you, he is momentarily struck silent by the absurdity of the sight. His stern mask cracks, revealing a flicker of amusement before the inevitable exasperation sets in. "You are impossible," he mutters, shaking his head. You laugh, a light and teasing sound that softens his scowl.

Perhaps the most audacious stunt you pull involves the elaborate wooden closet in his study. With a cunning and agility that both amazes and infuriates him, you manage to tie him up inside, gagging him with one of his own silk cravats. You then stride into his courtroom, his robes billowing around you, and take his place on the bench.

The courtroom murmurs in confusion, but none dare question the judge—your judge. You bang the gavel, summoning an authoritative tone. "Order in the court," you declare, relishing the power. The charade lasts only a few minutes before Beadle Bamford bursts in, eyes wide with shock and horror at the sight of you impersonating his master.

Beadle grabbed you firmly by the arm and led you out, his grip tight and his face a mask of concern. You allowed yourself to be guided, playing the part of the innocent and bewildered gypsy wife.

He whisked you into Judge Turpin's office, his steps quick and urgent. "Tell me where the Judge is, now!" Beadle demanded, his voice sharp with worry.

You tapped a finger against your cheek thoughtfully, pretending to ponder. "Oh, Judge Turpin? Hmm... I seem to recall now. I believe I left him somewhere."

Suddenly, a muffled buzzing noise filled the room, as if someone was screaming but gagged. Beadle's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "What have you done this time?"

With a flourish, you pointed towards the large wooden closet in the corner of the study. "Why don't you take a look inside, Beadle?"

Beadle hesitated for a moment, then approached the closet cautiously. With a swift motion, he opened the door and Judge Turpin tumbled out, bound and gagged, falling into Beadle's arms. Turpin's eyes blazed with anger and humiliation, but his words were muffled by the silk cravat gagging him.

"You! You treacherous witch!" Turpin's voice was muffled but filled with venom. "I'll have you hanged for this!"

Beadle swiftly removed the gag from Turpin's mouth, allowing him to spew threats and curses. Turpin squirmed in Beadle's grasp, struggling to free himself. "Beadle, you fool! Release me at once! This is insubordination!"

Beadle obeyed with a reluctant nod, releasing Judge Turpin who stumbled to his feet, his face contorted with rage and embarrassment. As Beadle swiftly exited the study, leaving you alone with the seething judge, you turned to face him, the smirk on your face only serving to further incense him.

Turpin lunged towards you, his baritone voice thundering, "You damn gypsy witch! What foul magic have you used on me this time?" His hooked nose twitched with disdain as he grabbed you by the shoulders, his grip tight and unyielding.

You met his furious gaze with a playful glint in your eyes, pretending to be both innocent and provocative at the same time. "Oh, my dear Judge," you cooed, your voice sweet and mocking, "I just wanted to remind you how it feels to be at my mercy."

Turpin's anger only seemed to grow, but beneath it, there was a familiar gleam of desire. "You are an infuriating creature," he growled, his face inches from yours. "You toy with me like a cat with a mouse. Do you take pleasure in humiliating me?"

You chuckled softly, not breaking eye contact. "Maybe a little," you admitted, your hands reaching up to gently touch his face, tracing the lines of his furrowed brow. "But you love it, don't you, Richard? Admit it."

Turpin's expression softened slightly, his sharp features relaxing under your touch. His voice was quieter now, filled with a mix of frustration and longing. "You bewitch me, woman," he muttered, his breath warm against your skin. "I should have you arrested for this insolence."

You leaned in closer, your lips almost brushing against his ear. "But you won't," you whispered, your voice a low murmur filled with promise. "Because deep down, you want me just as much as I want you."

Turpin's grip on your shoulders loosened, his resolve weakening. "You are a dangerous temptation," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I should resist you."

"But you won't," you repeated, a playful smile spreading across your face. "Because I'm the only one who truly understands you, Richard. The only one who can challenge you."

Turpin's hands slid from your shoulders to your waist, pulling you closer until your bodies were pressed together. His voice was low and urgent. "You infuriate me to no end, woman," he breathed, his lips finding yours in a possessive kiss.

You melted into his embrace, knowing that despite his harsh words, you held a power over him that no one else could match. As his hands roamed over your body, you whispered against his lips, "Just admit it, Richard. You love me."

Turpin pulled away slightly, his dark eyes boring into yours. "Damn you," he muttered, his voice thick with desire and frustration. "I love you, you wretched gypsy."

You smirked, tracing a finger along the edge of his jawline. "And I love you, my Judge," you replied, your voice filled with equal parts affection and mischief.

Turpin's lips curved into a reluctant smile, a rare sight, as he watched you waltz away in his judge's robes. His eyes followed your figure, a mixture of frustration and reluctant admiration evident in his expression. He shook his head slightly, knowing that your antics would continue to both infuriate and intrigue him.

As you reached the doorway, ready to disappear around the corner, Turpin acted swiftly, stepping forward to close the distance between you. He wrapped his arms around you from behind, pulling you firmly against his chest. His hooked nose buried in your hair, he inhaled deeply, the scent of your wildflowers and spice overwhelming his senses.

"Damn witch," Turpin murmured softly, his voice a mixture of exasperation and desire. "You've bewitched me from the moment I saw you."

You tilted your head back, looking up at him with a playful glint in your eyes. "Have I, Judge?" you teased, knowing full well the effect you had on him.

Turpin's grip tightened around you, his baritone voice low and urgent. "Yes, you have," he admitted gruffly. "And now, my dear, it's time for you to learn your place."

You raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "And what place is that, Judge?" Your voice was teasing, but there was an underlying challenge in your tone.

His lips brushed against your ear as he whispered, "Today, I'll be teaching you how to be a proper wife."

Your heart skipped a beat at his words, a mix of anticipation and curiosity washing over you. Turpin's intentions were clear, yet you couldn't help but smile mischievously.

Before he could act further, you danced out of his embrace, slipping away from his hold. With a flick of your wrist, you threw off the judge's robes, letting them fall to the floor. You turned to face him, standing there in your gypsy attire, a smirk playing on your lips.

Turpin's eyes followed your every move, a mixture of frustration and desire evident in his gaze. As you began to walk away, he couldn't resist any longer. He lunged forward, capturing you in his arms once again. This time, he didn't let you slip away.

"I warned you, you vexing woman," he growled, his lips finding yours in a fierce kiss. His hands moved possessively over your body, pulling you closer against him.

You melted into his embrace, knowing that despite his stern exterior, he was captivated by you in ways he couldn't resist. His kisses were demanding, his touch possessive, but there was a rawness in his desire that matched your own.

When he finally released you, Turpin rested his forehead against yours, his breath mingling with yours. "You are a maddening creature," he admitted, his voice low and husky. "But you're mine."

You smiled, tracing a finger along his jawline. "And you're mine, Richard," you replied softly, your voice filled with a warmth that surprised even you.

Turpin's eyes softened as he looked at you, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Come," he said finally, taking your hand in his. "Let's put an end to these games for now."

You followed him willingly, knowing that while your playful antics had brought you closer together, there was much more to discover about the complex dance that had entwined your lives.

[eopederson]

Late afternoon stained glass projections on gothic arches, Washington National Cathedral, 8th December 2004.

Posting this to celebrate an amazing month of music with more to come. Yesterday we were awed by a presentation of Handel's Messiah (written as a musical offering for the Easter season, but worth hearing in December) in the National Cathedral. The oratorio was written for theater performance, but it is well suited to the acoustic of the cathedral. That followed a Friday concert by the Folger Consort playing my favorite composition for the holiday season, Marc-Antoine Charpentier's Messe de minuit pour Noël. In addition there have been several fantastic concerts at the Library of Congress with two more to come before the holiday.

We finished yesterday with a celebratory dinner at Le Piquette, our favorite bistro in DC, and I enjoyed a well-prepared cassoulet, the second best I have had outside of France. [For those resident in the PNW, Cafe Campagne in Seattle's Pike Place Market serves the absolute best, a delight of a quality I would expect at a good bistro in France]. It was an amazing weekend in the midst of an amazing month.

[storkmuffin]

Do you believe hwa is the only queer member of ateez? i’d love to know your opinion on who + why anyone else is/isnt!

I hope this won't disappoint you too much, but I am going to use this ask to put together thoughts that have been percolating in my head from all the reading I've been doing about Kpop. I may or may not answer the actual question, but we'll see how this goes as I write it out.

Gay people in America and Europe have the right to marriage and explicit laws protecting them against discrimination. Gay people in Korea have none of those things and as a consequence, nobody is out unless they're professionally gay, and these people are TINY in number.

There is a LOT of 4th Gen Kpop Idols' content that is queerbaiting, gay-for-pay, or maybe actually queer, whatever, but if you recall, my thoughts on why I think Hwa in particular is walking the line between being out and not out, but reads to me as queer was based on a bunch of different things he has said and done that seem to me far beyond the usual 'fan service.'

There's something specifically Korean about my reticence to speculate about whether someone is gay or not when they don't seem to be putting it out there above and beyond Fan Service. It has to be cultural, based on what I could find in the nine books I've read to date about Kpop, all written by Koreans from a Korean POV.

Femidology, a compilation of Korean feminist analyses about kpop content, had a whole section about how the overseas audiences definitely reads Boy Idol content as "queer." They use the English term, Queer, 퀴어, to describe this, but explain the reason for why Kpop Boy Idol content in fact is subject to Queer Hegemony like this: KPop is under pressure to prioritize 'new' and 'interesting' types of performance and content, and much of this 'freshness' can be easily mined by breaking free of Regulation Standard masculinity.

These Korean feminist scholars also state, categorically, that Fan Service involving queer-looking performances are de rigueur for Kpop Boy Idols because this is what overseas audiences demand. BoyLove stuff is effective at gathering overseas fans and helping the groups become well known overseas, they write. In short, the unspoken (by the scholars) assumption is very blatantly that BoyLove behavior by Kpop Boy Band members is simply and fully a form of marketing activity, exactly like how they used to have beautiful models in bikinis making come-hither faces at the camera to sell stuff to men. Nobody actually thought that the model was actually getting sexually turned on in real time in those ads, right?

The feminist scholars were ABSOLUTELY SILENT as to whether these Boy Idols engaging in creating BL content as marketing strategies were themselves actually queer, or could be representation for actually queer people in Korea. No comment whatsoever. Zero.

I suspect that to point out actual people who haven't outed themselves to be gay may in fact be prosecutable defamation but I am not in the mood to suddenly do legal research about Korean law right now, so if you care about this, please feel free.

The ethnomusicologist who wrote another book (음악인류학자의 케이팝하기), outlining in agonizing and precise detail about her engagement in fandom of a boyband called AB6IX, wrote a whole section on how she took to buying the same clothes as her Ult in that group because she wanted to break the 'gender norms' of being a woman in Korean society. She even goes so far as to copy out the entire lyrics of a song, "Rose Scent Kiss," that she says foreign sexual minorities have taken to be a 'Pride" song (the word 'gay' and 'queer' are omitted) and stays ENTIRELY SILENT on whether she thinks her Ult is queer, gay, gender-non-conforming, or if she thinks he meant to sing a queer pride song or anything like that. She just reports that foreigners have engaged this way with this song and NO COMMENT AT ALL otherwise, not even to say whether she thinks reading the lyrics that way is valid or if she disagrees.

The scholars who wrote Femidology pointed out that while Kpop has become a political and politicized entity overseas as being on the side of minorities of all types, the Kpop idol culture inside Korea is completely apolitical. They say that this is a source of conflict and friction between 'domestic' and 'overseas' audiences of Kpop, and maybe I'm straddling the borders of that divide right this minute.

Moving away from explicitly or implicitly feminist scholars 'reading' cultural texts, the Kpop industry survey book I read, 케이팝 씬의 순간들, said that Korean fandoms have a tendency to forbear tying controversial or sensitive issues to their fandoms, whereas overseas fans politicized and politically engaged with Kpop from the start. That book said that Kpop companies have never been swift or explicit or clear in addressing any controversies or debates, no matter which type of fan demands it. The survey book about the Kpop industry said that Kpop is a high-context society, and its culture is not to make its positions on anything concrete and obvious. The unspoken reason? Because being rigidly locked into a position makes you less marketable.

Going to tumblr to engage with Ateez fandom, because overseas fandom is much bigger for this group than domestically has been curious with regards to this issue. What I, a Korean woman receiving the content in my native language, see as just a type of dance that Boy Idols do because the overwhelmingly majority straight girl Korean fans want to see them be lovey dovey with someone but not have actual girlfriends, many Western fans seem to read (more than read - insist, and if you don't agree, attack you) as being literal (but covert?) expressions of actual gayness.

What none of the academics do is wonder WHY overseas audiences all want BL performances from Korean Boy popstars. I would ask the question this way - Have Western audience ever accepted and WOULD they ever accept Korean men as hard rock musicians, punk musicians, heavy metal musicians - ultra masculine, way-macho, very loud, high testosterone etc?

I have to ask this because there is a very long history of seeing East Asian men as simply not being as manly, as dominant, as masculine, as heterosexually virile or viable, and as sexual in general as other races of men - black, white, middle eastern, southwest asian. Throwing caution to the wind, I would say that people who want to feminize someone like Wooyoung, and deny his obvious manliness, are uncritically giving into this received racist impulse, and I find them very distasteful for that reason. ... Oh great. I just accused a whole lot of potentially innocent people of perpetuating Orientalist and Colonialist emasculation of East Asian men, OH boy WHAT A PEACEFUL WAY TO START MY WEEKEND.

To answer the actual question asked, if you're still here:

I haven't seen anything beyond what just looks like BL Fan Service by straight boys to me from any other member of Ateez. And I will also say - Seonghwa doesn't engage in this kind of content very much.

There have been instances where the guys (Seonghwa inclusive!) seem to be protesting straightness, but then, as the whole discussion above shows, they can't be out so does it count? Most overseas fans would say no, right?

For example, in their "Fridge" reality content, Yeosang tells a story about being gifted a little drink by an early fan and female classmate in high school. The ones who went to all boys' schools look wistfully jealous and say that they don't have experiences like that. Then Wooyoung says to Seonghwa, But I mean, a boy could've given you one! to which Seonghwa yells, I DON'T WANT THAT!

I have seen San loudly object, once in English and another time in Korean, to gay speculation about him. There's one where a girl told him her boyfriend thinks he's hot, and he gives her a stern look, confirms that it's her boyfriend who says this, and says, Sorry Bro! The Korean content is where Woosan visit an ex Idol or something, an older man, and tell him about the friendship tattoo they got. The man goes, "Wait, the two of you got matching tattoos? Just the two of you?? Uh, that's... strange, you guys!" and makes a face and an uncomfortable mouth sound. San, who has been respectful to the point of mutism so far, turns and yells IT'S NOT ANYTHING LIKE THAT! The caption they put in under him goes WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU IMAGINING?! (the indignation and implied outrage is very clear).

I did wonder what to make of Mingi answering the "Will you marry Yunho oppa?" question once asked of him on a live with, "Marriage between men is not legally possible in Korea," but in the highly specific context of how he speaks to his fans, it's more valid to me to read this as I am straight, and I find your imposing your sexual fantasies about me fucking my best friend who I grew up with disgusting but I can't yell at you because there are 10,000 people on this call that are all recording it and I'm aware as a savvy show biz old hand that this speculation sells tickets and albums rather than a confession that he's going to marry Yunho if gay marriage ever gets legalized in S. Korea.

As I have been saying from the start - I think it's cute and fun for people to think Matz and Woosan are actually in love and dating and being young superstars together on world tour and romancing each other on stage. Do that as much as you want. Lots of Korean girls do it too, as visible in the internet chatter. But as you (hopefully) see, there are a lot of racial and historically informed aspects of this, as well as the strange quirks of Korean popular culture and fan demands, that give me a lot of qualms if I think about it too much.

[adafruit]

🎄💾🗓️ Day 10: Retrocomputing Advent Calendar - BeOS 🎄💾🗓️

BeOS, developed by Be Inc. in the mid-1990s, was an operating system for multimedia applications, multitasking, and multithreading. Initially designed for the BeBox—a proprietary hardware platform featuring dual PowerPC processors—BeOS was later ported to the Macintosh and x86 architectures. Its kernel was monolithic, and the system was primarily written in C++. It featured a 64-bit journaling Be File System (BFS), which supported metadata and allowed rapid file queries and fast performance for multimedia tasks. Despite its technical strengths, including support for symmetric multiprocessing and a responsive graphical user interface, BeOS struggled to gain market traction. Development ceased in 2001 after Palm Inc. acquired Be Inc.'s assets. BeOS continues through Haiku, an open-source project aiming for binary compatibility with BeOS R5.

A bunch of resources and links for this one!

🖥️💾🎨📀

Have first computer memories? Post’em up in the comments, or post yours on socialz’ and tag them #firstcomputer #retrocomputing – See you back here tomorrow!