#Rent in Hong Kong

[xinyuehui]

PHILIP NG as WONG GAU ┉ KING

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024)

[silent123456]

SILENT CONFERENCE IN HONG KONG

The Silent Conference in Hong Kong is a unique event where attendees use wireless headphones to listen to speakers instead of traditional loudspeakers. This allows for multiple presentations or discussions to happen simultaneously in the same space without sound interference. Participants can choose which session they want to listen to by tuning their headphones to the corresponding channel. It's an innovative way to host conferences, seminars, or events in crowded or noise-sensitive environments, providing a seamless and customizable experience for attendees.

[boominghk]

Elevate Your Celebration with Booming Hongkong: A DJ for Birthday Party

 Introduction

When it comes to throwing a birthday party that everyone will remember, there's one element that can take your celebration to the next level: a skilled DJ. Booming Hongkong, your trusted party partner, is here to turn your birthday bash into an unforgettable experience. In this article, we'll delve into the importance of hiring a DJ for birthday party and why Booming Hongkong is the go-to choose for making your celebration extraordinary.

The Role of a DJ at Your Birthday Party

Setting the Mood: A DJ isn't just someone who plays music; they are the maestro of your celebration's atmosphere. Their ability to read the crowd, select the perfect tunes, and seamlessly transition from one track to another is what sets the tone for your event. A skilled DJ can create an energetic, fun, or even mellow ambiance that matches your party's theme and your guests' preferences.

Creating Memorable Moments: Booming Hongkong understands the importance of creating unforgettable memories at your birthday party. With our expert DJs at the helm, you can expect seamless mixes, engaging playlists, and personalized interactions with your guests. From dedicating songs to the birthday person to coordinating special dances, a DJ ensures that every moment is cherished.

Versatility in Music Selection: No two birthday parties are the same, and the music should reflect your unique tastes and style. Booming Hongkong's DJs come equipped with an extensive music library, spanning genres from pop and rock to hip-hop and electronic dance music. Whether you want a retro disco vibe or a contemporary chart-topping playlist, our DJs can cater to your preferences.

Why Choose Booming Hongkong?

Unmatched Expertise: With years of experience in the industry, Booming Hong Kong knows the ins and outs of party planning. We've been the backbone of numerous events, and we understand how frustrating and complex it can be to coordinate various aspects of a party. This is why we decided to make it our purpose to bring your party to the next level. We've hosted many events and know how frustrating and complex it can be to get a decent sound system delivered to where you need it to be, all setup and ready to go.

State-of-the-Art Equipment: We take pride in offering top-of-the-line sound systems and DJ equipment to ensure a flawless audio experience. Booming Hong Kong's DJs are not only skilled in music selection but also experts in handling the latest sound technology. Our equipment will ensure that the music and sound quality at your birthday party are nothing short of exceptional.

Customized Services: At Booming Hong Kong, we understand that each birthday party is unique. Our DJs work closely with you to curate a playlist that matches your party's theme, your musical preferences, and the energy you want to create. We'll tailor our services to suit your needs, making sure your event is one-of-a-kind.

Conclusion:

Your birthday party deserves to be an extraordinary experience, and the key to achieving that lies in the choice of DJ. boominghk.com, a name synonymous with excellence and unmatched entertainment, is ready to make your celebration memorable. From setting the mood to creating unforgettable moments and offering versatile music selections, our expert DJs have got it all covered. Elevate your birthday party with Booming Hong Kong, and let us take your celebration to the next level. Contact us today and make your birthday party the talk of the town!

For More Info : -    DJ for rent in Hong Kong 

                              sound equipment hires Hong Kong 

                               DJs for hire Hong Kong  

[lime-tree-hotels]

Welcome to the epitome of luxury living in the heart of Gurgaon! Lime Tree Three BHK Serviced Apartment, located at Golf Course Extension, offers a sophisticated and comfortable living experience that combines elegance, convenience, and world-class amenities. Whether you are a business traveller, a family on vacation, or an individual seeking a temporary residence, Lime Tree offers the perfect solution for your accommodation needs.

[amylai600]

Ultimate Guide for Studio Rental in Hong Kong - Exclusive Venue

Hong Kong is a thriving international city where East and West coexist. Every year, it draws a large number of foreigners and students to visit or stay.  Finding adequate and inexpensive housing in Hong Kong is one of the main obstacles for individuals who plan to stay there. 

There are a few considerations to make if you're looking to rent a studio in Hong Kong, whether it's for painting, filmmaking, or photography. 

Here, Exclusive Venue Offers a wide range of studio rental in Hong Kong. We ensure to make your stay memorable and unforgettable. Exclusive Venue presents you some Luxurious studio apartments on rent in Hong Kong. Visit our official website to view some exclusive studio apartments at the best price.

Here is a comprehensive guide on renting studio space in Hong Kong.

1.Determine your needs

Before you start searching for a studio rental, it's essential to determine what you need. Think about the kind of work you'll be doing in the studio, the amount of space you'll need, the tools you'll need, and the location that works best for your customers and your venture.

2. Choose a location

Hong Kong is a city with a wide range of locations. You must pick a place that meets your demands if you're looking for a studio rental. Kwun Tong, Central, Causeway Bay, and Kowloon Bay are some of the hotspots. Take into account the accessibility to your clients and the proximity to public transport.

 3. Check the studio amenities

Make sure to look at the studio amenities when searching for a rental studio in Hong Kong. A stereo system, lighting, power outlets, and air conditioning are a few of the necessities. For your show, extra features like a makeup station, dressing room, and props can be helpful.

 4. Review rental rates

Rental rates in Hong Kong can vary depending on location and amenities. Studios for rent can be found starting at about HKD 500 per hour and going up to several thousand dollars for a full day. Make sure to carefully study the rental charges to make sure they are within your budget.

5. Read the rental agreement

Make sure to properly study a rental agreement before signing it. Verify that the terms and conditions of the rental agreement meet your needs, and discuss any queries or worries you may have with the studio owner.

6. Book in advance

In Hong Kong, studios can fill up quickly, especially during the busiest times of the year. To guarantee the studio rental that meets your needs and prevent disappointment, make a reservation in advance.

7. Ask for recommendations

If you're new to Hong Kong, it can be challenging to know where to start when looking for a studio rental. To be sure the studio rental is reliable, get referrals from your network, such as other photographers or videographers, and read internet reviews.

8. Be respectful of the studio space

Finally, when renting a studio, be respectful of the studio space. Follow the rental guidelines, clean up after your production, and leave the space as you found it.

Renting a studio in Hong Kong requires careful consideration of your needs, budget, and location. By following these tips, you'll be able to find the perfect studio rental for your production needs.

[world-city]

#cool Places to Visit in Hong Kong

[vintagegeekculture]

So, a friend of mine on Discord said something interesting, and I feel like you might have thoughts on it. So. What do you think of the idea of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as being "The Shaw Brothers for kids", a sort of gateway drug for "the kung fu genre"?

Not the Shaw Brothers, but Golden Harvest. Let me explain: 

I’m going to sound like a conspiracy theorist when I say this, but I believe the New Line Cinema “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1990) movie was actually a money laundering scheme by the Chinese Mafia, specifically, the Sun Yee On Triad. 

Looking into the role of organized crime in martial arts cinema is a rabbit hole that goes very, very, very deep...and comes out somewhere very shocking at the end.

You mention the Shaw Brothers, but there was another Hong Kong Producer who was the only credible rival to the Shaw Brothers (and who eventually surpassed the Shaws) in martial arts movies: Golden Harvest’s Raymond Chow….a man who started off as the Shaw Brothers’ talent division, but who eventually founded his own rival studio to the Shaws (with rumored triad financial backing), and who made Bruce Lee, Angela Mao and Jackie Chan stars. Raymond Chow is widely, and extremely credibly, believed to be a middleman for the Hong Kong Triad, the Sun Yee On, who used Golden Harvest as a front facing money laundering scheme, as claimed by Frederic Dannen in "Hong Kong Babylon," and Yiu Kong Chiu in "The Triads as Business," books I recommend if you are at all interested in the topic of organized crime in the Hong Kong film industry.

Raymond Chow was also the producer and primary funder of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies. I mean, what does it mean when your movie is entirely produced and funded by a guy well known for being a triad middleman and money launderer?

And all of this happened at New Line Cinema, a borderline independent film company…one known for having dodgy financials it’s entire existence, no less, which ultimately doomed it? One of the most extraordinary things about the 1990 Ninja Turtles movie is that it was, essentially, an independent film. New Line would later become a powerhouse as a studio and created Lord of the Rings, but at the time, it was a mainly low rent operation, rather like Cannon films, known for the success of the slasher series “Nightmare on Elm Street.” So yes, I do believe "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (1990) was a money laundering scheme by the Chinese Mafia.

The triads in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan take enormous interest in financing martial arts movies for the same reason that they take a tremendous interest in financing porn movies: they’re quick, cheap, dirty, and can be used as a mechanism for laundering money, and a way to claim money from illegal sources (say, heroin) comes from a clean and legal source that can be claimed on taxes, like say, a movie studio. In addition, Hong Kong’s strict rating system, the Category III (equivalent to a far stricter R-rating) meant that very violent movies were handled in ways that were outside the law in ways similar to pornography. And according to several Senate investigations in 1991 ("Hearings on Asian Organized Crime"), the triads were actively involved in money laundering as well outside of Hong Kong, including currency trading and real estate, and the idea they could back a studio is entirely possible.

Everyone working in Hong Kong cinema has a story of dealing with the triads, who are interwoven into the city. Anita Mui's manager was was shot dead by mafiosos. Jimmy Wang Yu, the first Kung Fu star, was a suspected member of the Bamboo Union triad, and once borrowed money from one triad to pay another....and may have used his reported connections with the Triads to get Jackie Chan out of his initial contract with Golden Harvest, a favor Jackie repaid. Golden Harvest studios were actually firebombed in 1984, an event suspected to be due to Triad activity. Raymond Chow’s fellow producer and good friend who discovered Steven Chow, film producer Charles Heung, is well known to be the son of Heung Chin, who founded the Sun Yee On Triad, the largest in Hong Kong with over 25,000 members. And you don’t have to take my word for it; a US Senate Committee in 1991 on Asian Organized Crime identified Cheung as a leader of the Sun Yee On along with his brothers. Because of his association with Charles Heung and the Sun Yee On, Steven Chow, director of Kung Fu Hustle, cannot enter Canada legally.

Jackie Chan asserted Raymond Chow’s triad connections in his autobiography, and also claimed that he only hired triad members and other people who were mobbed up at Golden Harvest. One example would be producer Ng See Yuen, who produced Once Upon a Time in China for Golden Harvest, and who Jet Li refused to work with ever again after his manager was assassinated by triad gunmen (Jet Li blamed Ng See Yuen for his manager's death).

There's also Lo Wei, a Shaw Brothers director and known “Red Pole” enforcer of the Sun Yee On Triad, who came over to Golden Harvest, where he directed Bruce Lee’s Chinese Connection and Big Boss, and also directed Jackie Chan’s earliest “period” historical movies for GH. Jackie Chan, in his autobiography, stated that the reason he initially left Hong Kong to go to the United States for an American career was because Lo Wei, his director on Laughing Hyena, put a hit out on him for refusing to make Laughing Hyena 2, and Jackie had to flee the city when Lo Wei sent gunmen to his house to abduct him. When arriving in the United States, he had to avoid some men with machine guns at the airport. To this day, whenever possible, Jackie Chan goes out in public armed for fear of gangsters. 

Even Jackie Chan though, never made the assertion that Raymond Chow and the Sun Yee On had Bruce Lee killed. This is important to mention because if you talk to any Chinese person, nearly all of them believe with unshakable, absolute certainty that the Chinese Mafia killed Bruce Lee, which is literally the plot of Game of Death (which, incidentally, Raymond Chow produced). Everyone around Bruce was mobbed up, because everyone in the Hong Kong film industry was mobbed up; in fact, it’s an open question how much it existed for its own sake. It’s notable Bruce Lee died at the home of Betty Lo Ting Pei, Golden Harvest actress, and his known mistress…who was married to a triad gangster. It’s also known that the first person that Betty Lo Ting Pei called when Bruce died was not medical services but Raymond Chow, something that to this day, she has not attempted to explain. 

It can be hard to imagine what the motive is for Raymond Chow and the triads to kill Bruce Lee. After all, wouldn’t Bruce Lee be more useful to Raymond Chow alive than dead? I never saw the angle, here. But then, you consider that in the last few months of his life, Bruce Lee started to set the stage for his transition to behind the scenes roles like producer, and was assembling a lot of stunt talent around him (a lot of productions down the pipeline intended to have Bruce Lee in producer roles, like Circle of Iron). The rumor among the stunt players, as recounted by Sammo Hung, was that Bruce was attempting to form his own stunt and film production company (as Chiba later did successfully in Japan) and that would involve organizing and peeling off half the talent in Hong Kong….in a deeply triad controlled industry, no less. There was also a story recounted by witnesses that Bruce Lee, a temperamental and explosively violent man, physically assaulted Raymond Chow in his office with punches and kicks when he heard Chow had two sets of books in their shared production company, as Bruce was always keen to keep the triads out of his films. Ten days later, Bruce Lee was dead. And for weeks before his death, Lee told his friends "Hong Kong is getting too hot, I have to get out."

And you know something? A Ninja Turtles movie from 1990 is probably the least of it. In 2020, a few documents were declassified by the Taiwanese government that showed that the members of the Bamboo Union Triad had 19 top governmental positions in Taiwan from 1955-1984 (the era when Taiwan was in a complete state of military rule), including the National Security Bureau and all branches of the armed forces. In other words, Taiwan during the military rule era wasn't just corrupted by the triads, the triads were the government.

I never cease to be amazed at the incuriousness of the journalistic professions. Governments don't declassify documents - especially something as damning as triad involvement in government - unless they have to. So why would the Tsai Ing-Wen government reveal this now in 2020, especially when anti-corruption is the driving force of Taiwanese politics, and anti-corruption sentiment pushed the KMT out of power since the 90s? Outsiders believe that the single biggest question in Taiwanese politics is their relationship with the mainland. Kinda...the status quo is more or less a settled question. It's actually anti-corruption and anti-triad infiltration, which is why the DPP are the ruling party now.

The answer, I suspect, is that the triads are no longer working with the Taiwanese government, but with the mainland government. In the 1980s, Wong Man Fong, editor of the Xinhua paper of Hong Kong, said in several interviews he was asked by the People's Republic of China to reach out to the triads to help make a deal: no government interference in their activities, if they pledge to keep order in the city after the handover in 1997. I strongly suspect the mainland now has a similar arrangement with the Bamboo Union, Green Gang, and the Si Hai Bang they did in Hong Kong, especially since so much money is going back and forth with the release of trade to the mainland. In other words, the triads in Taiwan are active agents of the PRC.

Backdoor deals between government and the mob aren't out of the question, just ask the CIA, who used Giancana Crime Family assassins sent to kill Castro as a key plank of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the role of the mafia in the Kennedy Assassination, or how control of opium was a key under-the-table reason for the invasion of Afghanistan.

What I suspect happened is, the Taipei government is turning on organized crime now after decades and decades of ludicrous and obvious corruption, because to the triads, the money to be made with the mainland and unification is far more lucrative. It's no coincidence that the largest pro-unification party in Taiwan is led by a triad gangster who spent time in jail for racketeering, Chang An Lo, nicknamed "the White Wolf." Like John Gotti, everyone knows he's a mobster and that's even part of the White Wolf's coolness and appeal (if you could vote for Tony "Scarface" Montana, boy, I bet a lot of guys would), but nobody can touch him. In fact, combined with how the "light world" financial institutions are intertwined along with the underworld, there's an argument to be made that the reason the PRC hasn't tried to take Taiwan is that for all intents and purposes, they already have it.

In other words, the triads have gone from using the Ninja Turtles to money launder to essentially setting global geopolitics.

[the-queen-of-hell-666]

Too Long

Kinktober 2024 - Day 22

Kink: Stripping

Pairing: CEO!Nick Fowler x Stripper!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 1500+

Summary: Nick is one of your best clients and the only one you let break the rules.

Warnings: explicit language, explicit sexual content (unprotected vaginal sex, vaginal sex, stripping, strip tease, teasing, rough sex, dirty talk, allusions to multiple orgasms, daddy kink, power dynamics), whipped!Nick, fluff, reader's stage name is 'Kitty'

a/n: Here's Day 22! I'm not sure if I'll be able to get tomorrow's fic posted in the morning! It might be later. My job is taking up a lot of my time along with grad school, but I'll do my best!

Banners by @vase-of-lilies

You worked at a very high end Gentlemen’s club in downtown D.C. and you catered to one of the richest and most successful men in the country. Nick Fowler was a regular, always asking for the most luxury room with you, the club’s favorite dancer. He came in once a week, always with two body guards that followed him around and stood outside of the room the whole time he rented it out. But it had been a month or two since Nick had come into the club, and it was pathetic but you were missing him. When you took him to the room, you broke the club’s rules multiple times by letting him touch you, kiss you, fuck you, and it was magical. 

Nick had finally finished a business deal in Hong Kong that took way too long to negotiate and fuck, he was missing his own bed, but he was missing you more. He never thought a fucking stripper of all people would capture his heart, but you did. He thought you were beautiful, sexy, and so powerful. He never thought strippers could have that kind of power but when you walked onto stage, everyone went quiet, all eyes were on you as your body glistened with glitter in the spotlight, and how your curves showed in your lacy garments. You looked like a fucking lace clad angel, you were perfect. 

He stepped into the club with his bodyguards following a few feet behind as he walked up to the bar. He ordered his usual and asked for you specifically. When you heard that Nick was back and was at the bar, you tried to not make it look too obvious as you rushed over. You were wearing a black and red lace bodysuit, with matching garter belt and thigh high lace tights, and black heels. Nick smirked as he turned to you and regarded you with hungry eyes. 

“Hello, kitty. Miss me?” Nick hummed as he sipped his drink. 

Your smile widened and you nodded as you bit your lip, “I did, sir. I was beginning to worry.” You purred as you caressed his shoulder and he smirked and took your hand in his warm one. “Your regular, Mr. Fowler?”

His smirk grew and he nodded, “Lead the way, kitty.” He winked and you pulled him along through the hallway of the club towards the room, you two always shared. You pulled him inside and he closed and locked the door. As soon as the door was closed, he pressed you against it and his lips pressed to yours. You moaned against his lips as his tongue invaded your mouth as his hands trailed along your lace clad chest. He pulled away as his eyes took in your body hungrily, “Is this one of the sets I bought you, kitty?” He asked with a growl to his voice and you nodded. 

“Mhm, one of my favorites, daddy.” You purred as you batted your eyelashes at him, making him groan softly as he rested his forehead against yours. 

He pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed and spread his thighs before taking off his tie, “Give me a dance, pretty kitty. Wanna see all of you.” He grinned wolfishly and you blushed under his gaze and went to the tablet on the table, and choose his usual song. The beginning chords of “Daddy Issues”, by The Neighborhood played through the speakers. 

Your eyes locked onto his as your hips gently swayed to the music and you ran your hands down your breasts and over your hips. Nick’s eyes darkened as he sipped his drink while watching you. You sauntered over and straddled his lap and grinded your hips down teasingly on his lap before pulling away. You reached behind you to undo the corset of your body suit and let the straps drop from your shoulders, but your breasts kept the fabric up. You moved through your routine like you do every night but with the exception of letting Nick touch you how he pleased. He had a prominent bulge the entire time, his mind playing back the moments just like this one. He couldn’t wait to take his time with you.

Once the song was over, he scooped you up in his arms and carried you to the bed in the middle of the room, and sat down with you in his lap. “When are you gonna let me take you away from this place?” He hummed as his hands explored your lace clad body.

“I like my job, Nick. You know that.” You shrugged and he pulled the top down to reveal your breasts to him. 

“Mm, I know but I want you to myself. I can treat you so well.” He said as his palms groped and squeezed your breasts, grinding his palms against your nipples. 

You let out a soft moan at the feeling of his warm hands on your peaked nipples. “Maybe I’ll think about it.” You hummed and leaned into his hands as your hips grinded down on his bulge, pressing your clit against the zipper of his slacks. You moaned and you leaned down to trail soft kisses down his neck, as your hands made quick work of the buttons of his white shirt. You tugged his shirt free from his pants and you purred as you felt down his pecs to his taut stomach. 

“It’s been too long since I’ve had you.” He grunted and he flipped you two over so you pressed against the duvet of the bed. He made quick work of your bodysuit, tossing the lace outfit away, leaving you bare except for your garter belt and stockings. He undid his belt and slacks, pulling his hard cock out of his pants, before climbing on top of you.

“I want you, daddy. Please.” You whined as you wrapped your legs around his waist and pulled him closer to your core. He groaned as he felt his tip catch on your entrance and he reached down to line himself up to your weeping hole. 

“Have you been good since I’ve been gone?” He smirked as he teased his cock through your soaked folds. You nodded quickly as you tried to grind down on his cock, but a sharp slap to your inner thigh had you settling down. “Patience, kitty. M’not going anywhere. Just want to feel you.” He groaned as he slipped just the tip of his thick cock into your tight cunt. 

A fire lit in your lower stomach at the sensation of his cock pressing into you, stretching your walls around his tip. You whined and gripped his shoulders tight, digging his nails into his shoulders, making him groan at the pain of your nails. “Want more, daddy. Please!” You cried as his thumb moved down to circle your clit teasingly. 

Your walls pulsed around his tip as he slowly pushed into you deeper before pulling out again, just teasing you with his cock. “Mm, love the noises you make.” He hummed as he leaned down to kiss your breasts softly, taking one of your nipples into his mouth. 

He finally slid all the way into your cunt, making your back arch and a loud moan leave your lips, making you thankful for the soundproofed walls. “F-fuck, daddy. Oh my god!” You whined and your thighs shook around his hips as the pleasure coursed through you. Nick pulled away from your chest, resting his forehead against yours, groaning softly as he gave an experimental thrust into your core. 

“Fuckin’ hell, kitty. You’re so fucking tight. I can feel you gushing around my cock, your little cunt is sucking me in. So needy.” He grunted as he gripped your hips not as tight as he wanted to but enough so he could pound into your wet cunt. 

Your nails dug into his shoulders as a string of moans and whines left your lips as the tip of his cock grinds and presses against your sweet spot. Your thighs tighten around his hips as your hips grind down to meet each thrust of his hips. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders and pulled him down to kiss his lips passionately. He groaned against your lips as your walls pulsed with your impending orgasm, your walls gripping and sucking his cock with each thrust. 

He brought you to your first orgasm of the night by slapping your clit with the palm of his hand, which pushed you over the edge. It had you crying his name as you gushed around his cock and your thighs shook around his hips. He grunted with each thrust, helping you through your orgasm. 

“Good fucking girl. So wet and warm. Can feel your cunt weeping. You’re so fucking beautiful like this.” He growled as he nuzzled against your neck softly kissing your sensitive skin there till your thighs stopped shaking. “Mm, I’m not done with you yet, kitty. I have two months to make up for. I’m not letting you go till your shift is over.” He smirked and you whined and tugged him close to you. 

“Anything you want, daddy.” You whined as your nails dug into his shoulders then he started pounding into you again.

[evita-shelby]

Stay

combined @justrainandcoffee and @hoodeddreams13 requests for this soft!Brilliant x Eva one shot

taglist: @mischievouslittlecreature @thegreatdragonfruta @zablife @kmc1989

She never stays long.

With the excuse of Charlie and her own booming business, Eva tends to avoid staying the night.

She would love to, she could if she wanted tonight seeing as Tommy has Charlie for the week ---with Polly watching him as he woes May Carleton--- and it’s been so long since she’s wanted to do nothing but stay in bed with the man who owns it.

“Its late, I need to go.” The witch tries to extract herself from the man who has set her heart ---amongst other parts of her--- aflame.

“You don’t, stay tonight and I’ll make it worth it in the morning.” Billy is full of surprises, hiding a dangerous skill for martial arts under his fine clothes, capable of being exclusively hers and rather great at cuddling after sex.

Eva would be lying if she said she didn’t want to do as he suggested.

Once she had stayed the night, slept so well she forgot the chaos that was her life until she found Tommy waiting for her at home.

As much as she knows Tommy is busy right now and won’t know until he’s returned from wherever the horse trainer lives, Eva doesn’t want to run the risk of finding Arthur and John looking for Brilliant’s place again.

“I don’t want to risk of you being cut up by my former in-laws.” The dark-haired woman brushed away his damp inky hair reminding him of how it ended for the young man who rented his previous flat. Eva had been very close to letting the Shelbys get arrested for behaving so barbarically as if she’d left them and not his brother.

“They won’t know.” Billy assures her and refuses to let go. “I'm not letting go, so you can stop fighting it.”

He would if he believed she truly wanted to leave, but Brilliant knows it wouldn’t take much to get her to give in and make this something more than a fling.

She wants to, even Polly knows this relationship was different than the rest she’s had after Tommy. There was this instant click, this feeling of permanence to them that had long left her marriage once the bubble burst and revealed the cage she had trapped herself in.

“Then I won’t go.” The witch caved to her own desires for something more and melted into his arms. The cold of spring couldn’t reach her here with him, winter hadn’t either and won’t ever reach her as long as she is with him.

The morning is colder and neither make any effort to leave the bed. Eva is her own master, the ladies that consult with her for matters of life and business would be told she is not available and as long as Arthur has the Eden he won’t be free to come here.

“Do you have any business today?” Eva asks enjoying being kissed good morning.

“Today is one of those stay in bed and cuddle days.” Billy said in between kisses and reminded her how thoughtful and soft he can be when he wishes to be. “How anyone gets anything done in this abysmal weather is still a mystery to me.”

Hong Kong is warmer than London by about 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

the picture at the center is Regent Street, London in 1927(close enough🤷‍♀️) where Brilliant irl owned his buisnesses and lived

[ereardon]

Friends Don't || Chapter 3

Summary: Bob Floyd has been your best friend for almost a decade, ever since he quietly agreed to tutor you in college. The two of you have spent years chasing each other around the globe – Bob as a WSO, you as a travel blogger. You’ve always been the anywhere-but-here girl, and he’s been your rock. But when a surprise diagnosis threatens to crumble your picture-perfect life, you’re on the first flight back to San Diego, desperate to put down roots for the first time. Will Bob finally have it in him to admit that you could be the love of his life? What will he say when he finds out the secret you’ve been skillfully hiding from him? Or worse, what if he doesn’t find out until it’s too late? 

Pairing: Robert “Bob” Floyd x OC [Reid] 

Tropes: Friends to lovers

Warnings: Cursing, angst, alcohol

WC: 2.8K

Series masterlist here; previous chapter here; next chapter here

You met Denver when Bob got stationed at Lemoore. You had still been living in New Orleans, planning your move up to San Francisco, but it was taking a while because the magazine had you doing an Asia tour: Vietnam, Laos, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Nepal. 

On your way back from Tokyo, you stopped in San Francisco to do some apartment hunting, before renting a car and driving down to Lemoore to visit Bob. 

He was still a newer member on the team; everyone but Denver had been there for years. They were a knit family, and he was the odd one out. But at least he had her. 

“You’re going to love her,” Bob said. He was teeming with excitement. Seeing him happy made you happy. You knew that he hadn’t quite fit in at Newport, his station before Lemoore. You knew that he desperately wanted to be part of a team. 

And he had found that with Denver. 

The bar was crowded. And hot. You were wearing a tiny tank top and a pair of denim shorts, not much of a going out outfit but Bob had insisted the two of you go straight to the bar so you could meet his friends. 

Bob weaved through the packed bar, his hand warm in yours, over toward one side of the curved wooden bar. You spotted the familiar khaki outfits that screamed military. Bob raised his free hand excitedly in a wave and you smiled up at him. 

“Hey guys,” he said, and a few of the khaki uniforms turned. Their eyes shamelessly rolled over you, and your hand in Bob’s, jaws going slack. 

“Floyd,” one of them, a classically attractive guy with a broad jawline, said. “Who’s the girl?” 

“Reid,” you said, sticking out one hand, keeping your left firmly in Bob’s. You shook his hand. 

“Harvard,” he said. 

You squinted. Another guy, even more ridiculously handsome, sidled up behind him. “I’m Fritz.”

You nodded. The other two were Omaha and Yale. The callsigns went in one ear and out the other. You were notoriously bad with names. 

And then you heard a small voice, like a delicate bird. “Stop drooling all over her, fuckheads. She’s way too hot for any of you.” 

All eyes turned to the right. A tiny redhead was making her way over to the group, her hands full of beer bottles. She handed one to Omaha and then another to Bob. Finally, her piercing green eyes landed on you and she smiled, holding out the remaining beer bottle. “You must be Sunny.” 

You grinned. “I am. You must be Denver.” 

“Sure hope so, otherwise I’m wearing someone else’s uniform.”

You laughed and took the beer, sipping it carefully. You watched Bob’s face light up as he spoke to the pilot. The casual way she put her hand on his forearm. How easy and light they were together. The way his eyes tracked her across the room. How she always brought him back into the conversation where he might have fallen out of it. 

For the rest of the night you snuck glances at the two of them. And for the first time you saw what Bob looked like when he was in love. 

“Hey.” Fritz approached you from your right, leaning against the wall where you had your butt pressed, staring out across the bar at Bob and Denver. 

“Hi,” you replied, taking a swig from the gin and tonic in your hand. You were tipsy, edging on drunk. 

Fritz followed your gaze. “They’re good together, don’t you think?” 

You nodded. “Yeah, they are. Never seen him like that before.” 

“Like what?” 

“So happy,” you replied. “Carefree.” The two of you watched as Bob laughed at something Denver said, her eyes sparkling as she faced him. 

“He looked pretty damn happy when he told us you were coming,” Fritz said. 

You shook your head. “Nothing like that.” 

Fritz moved slightly closer and you looked up at him with a smile. 

“Live nearby?” you asked. 

He grinned. “In fact, I do.” 

You took his hand, weaving through the crowd toward where Bob was standing near the bar next to Denver and Yale. “Bobby?” you said softly, raising a hand and pressing it to his upper arm. 

He turned around with a smile. “Hey Sunny, where’d you go?” 

You looked up at Fritz. “Just got another drink. I, uh, think we’re gonna head out. Can I call you tomorrow, get a ride back to your place?” 

He frowned. “Are you sure?” 

You felt Fritz’s hand slide into the back pocket of your jeans, fingers gripping the swell of your ass. “Yeah, I’m sure.” 

Bob looked between you and Fritz with narrowed eyes. “Sunny? Gonna ask you one more time, darlin’, are you sure?” 

You nodded then leaned up and kissed his cheek, letting your hand fall from his arm. “See you tomorrow, Bobby.” 

You let Fritz’s hand migrate to your low back, guiding you out of the bar and into the humid California night. You weren’t sure why, but it took everything you had not to turn around and take one last look at Bob before you walked out the door. 

Bob looked up at Denver with angry eyes. 

“I shouldn’t have let her go. She’s been here twelve hours, she has no idea where she is. Fritz is a goddamn stranger to her.”

“Reid can do what she wants, Floyd,” Denver said, leaning her small arm against the bar. “She’s a grown woman. Besides, Fritz is a puppy dog. You don’t have anything to worry about.” 

He shook his head. “I’m going after her.” He put his glass of seltzer down and started to walk toward the door when Denver grabbed him, yanking him back shockingly hard for such a small person. 

“Floyd! Snap out of it man. She isn’t yours.” 

“Yes, she is. She’s my responsibility, don’t you get that? I brought her here.”

Harvard shook his head. “Fuck, man, you’re down bad for her aren’t you?” 

Bob squinted his eyes. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

Harvard laughed. “See, I always thought you had a thing for Denver over here. But apparently you’re just the nerd in love with the hot girl next door. And she ditched you the first chance she got.”

Bob felt like his eyes were going to pop out of his head. He lunged forward, but Denver grabbed his arm. “Come on, let’s get some air, Floyd.” 

He let her yank him out onto the back patio of the bar, anger already starting to pool in his stomach. 

“Is it because of Fritz, or is it because she left with anyone but you?”

Bob shook his head, taking a deep breath. “Please, Denver, just drop it.” 

“No. I won’t drop it. Tell me the truth. What is it about her that has you so wound up, ready to fucking combust?”

Bob sighed. “It’s just been me and Reid for a long time, OK? It’s a hard dynamic to change. That’s all, I promise.”

Her green eyes scanned his face. “You wouldn’t lie to me, would you Robert?” she asked softly, stepping closer. 

Bob raised his eyes to hers. “No, Sarah. I wouldn’t lie to you.” 

She nodded, lips pursed in a tight line. The two of them stood side by side, leaning against the railing of the patio, staring off into the distance in silence.

***

You hadn’t meant for it to happen, but somehow you ended up hosting a pizza night at the house as a way to repay the team for helping to unbox all your stuff that had finally arrived from Brooklyn, along with all of the new items you had purchased that had shown up on the doorstep, much to Bob’s dismay. 

The two of you arrived home one night to no less than twenty boxes from Crate & Barrel on the front porch. Bob turned to you with wide eyes and you gave him a small shrug across the middle console of the car, hopping out to examine the boxes. 

“Sunny,” he said, exasperated. “I said yes to redecorating. But what on Earth? Did you buy the whole store or what?” 

“Hate to break it to you, honey,” you said, opening the door and scooting the nearest box inside. “But your house? Your stuff? It’s depressing.” 

“I’m offended,” he said, following after you with a box in his arms. 

“No you’re not,” you replied. “And if you are, you’ll get over it when you see how much cute shit I got for us.” 

Bob groaned, digging in his pocket. 

“What are you doing?” 

“Calling in backup,” he said, hitting a button and lifting the phone to his ear. “Rooster? Yeah, can you and Hangman and Phoenix come over? Bring Coyote. Reid bought all this stuff and we’re never going to be able to unload it all ourselves.” He paused, nodding. “Yeah, we’ll buy you guys dinner.” 

He clicked off the phone and you laughed, already headed to your room to change into athletic clothing. “Remember that you love me!” you called from down the hall. 

“How could I ever forget?” Bob replied, shaking his head and grabbing a box cutter from the top drawer in the kitchen. 

That was how you found yourself sitting on the floor in the middle of Bob’s kitchen unwrapping a set of Estelle colored wine glasses and handing them to Phoenix, who was carefully placing them in a cabinet. 

In the living room, Rooster and Hangman were fighting over the instructions for the media center that you had ordered, while Bob was chatting with Coyote as he built a coffee table. 

You handed a blue stemless wine glass to Phoenix who took it with a smile. “So, how are you liking San Diego?” 

You shrugged. “It’s alright. I like the beach nearby.” 

“Bob said you’ve lived all over the place.” 

You nodded. “Yeah, I’ve bounced around a lot. I did New Orleans, Seattle, Austin, SF, London, Barcelona. Most recently I was in Greenpoint.” 

Phoenix put one hand on her slim hip. “Can I ask you a question?” 

“Of course.” 

“Why here, then? Sounds like you’ve lived in the best cities in the US, maybe even the world. So why the hell would you want to move to San Diego?” 

You looked out over into the living room. “It’s the only place where I can see him every day.” 

Phoenix raised an eyebrow as you stood up from the floor, dusting off your knees with your hands. “Bradshaw is gonna ask you out. Even got a blessing from Floyd.” 

You turned to her. “Bob said yes?” 

She nodded. “Wasn’t too convincing, but he said Bradshaw was free to do whatever he liked. So just keep an eye out. He’s a good guy, Rooster. You could do worse.” 

You ducked down, opening a new box to reveal a set of ivory plates. “I’m not really looking to date right now.” 

“Anyone, or does that just apply to Rooster?”

“You two gossiping about me?” Bradley appeared in your field of vision, guzzling from a water bottle on the counter. He set it down and wiped his mouth, revealing a wide grin. 

You looked at Phoenix with panic and she cleared her throat. “Was just telling Reid here that you’re a sore loser because Hangman beat you at darts last week.” 

“Fuck, it was one time!” Rooster tossed his hands up and his genuine nature made you laugh. He dropped his hands and smiled. “Listen, Reid, if you’re not busy tomorrow, I’d love to take you to dinner.” 

You hesitated. What you had told Phoenix wasn’t a lie. You moved to San Diego to spend time with Bob. It wasn’t about a new crop of potential suitors. But the way that Bradley was smiling down at you, and the broadness of his shoulders, and the air in the kitchen, all had you nodding. “Sure,” you said softly. “I’d love to.” 

Bradley smiled so wide it threatened to split his face in half. “Great. I’ll pick you up here, say seven thirty?” 

You nodded. The rest of the night was spent unpacking boxes, you and Phoenix largely sequestered to the kitchen. Hangman and Rooster finally stopped yelling at each other long enough to get the black wood and cane media console set up and you watched with a grin as all four men argued about how exactly the tv should be set up. 

At the end of the night, you swept the empty pizza boxes into a trash bag and followed everyone out into the driveway to say goodbye, dumping the trash inside the can near the garage door. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” you said lightly to Bradley and he stepped closer, kissing your cheek softly.

“See you tomorrow Reid.” 

He walked away and you heard Jake huff to himself, muttering under his breath, “What does fucking Bradshaw have that I don’t?” 

You smirked to yourself, waving to Phoenix as she got in her truck, before heading back inside. In the kitchen, Bob was wiping down the counter, placing the last beer can in the recycling. 

“Good work tonight,” you said, looking around with your hands crossed over your chest. You still had some boxes to unpack and you were lacking a dining room table, but the living room was practically brand new. 

Bob shook his head. “You didn’t have to do this, Sunny.” 

“Um, I kind of did if I didn’t want to live in a frat basement for a house.” 

“It wasn’t that bad.” “Whatever you need to tell yourself.” You slipped past him, opening the fridge and pulling out a water bottle. “Alright, I’m gonna take a shower and head to bed. Goodnight.” 

You started down the hall when Bob’s voice stopped you. “Are you really going out with Bradley tomorrow?”

You turned. Bob stood in the middle of the hallway, his hands in his pockets. There was an air around him that you couldn’t place. You nodded. “Yeah, I am. Phoenix said you told Bradley it was OK to ask me out.” 

Bob grunted, turning around and heading for the kitchen, breaking down a cardboard box in frustrated silence. 

You followed him back into the kitchen, one hand on your hip. “Bobby? Are you mad? Do you not want me to date your colleague, is that what this is about?” 

“You always do this, Reid,” he said, shaking his head. There was something unnerving about Bob calling you by your first name. It was always Sunny, honey, darlin’, sweetheart. Never Reid. 

“Do what?” 

Bob looked up. “You leave a trail of men everywhere we go, Reid. I get it. You’re the anywhere-but-here girl. But you have to realize that you can’t do that this time. This is my life you’re walking into. You’re meeting my friends, living in my house. You told me you were settling down this time. But you’re still acting like the same Reid as before.” 

“And who exactly is that?” you demanded, crossing your arms over your chest. 

Bob let out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t want to do this right now.” 

“You started this,” you practically shouted. “So fucking end it, Bobby. How am I acting?”

“You’re doing what you always do!” he yelled. “You’re acting like the Reid that fucks any guy that’s halfway decent to you. And then you run away before it can become anything more than a one night stand because you’re fucking terrified of having to stay and owning up to responsibility for the first time in your life. You just steamroll over everyone and everything, have your fun and then you’re gone. And you’ve always been like that. But this time you don’t get to just flit off to Mexico or Sweden or Croatia and send me a little gift basket and act like it never happened. This time you’re fucking with the people in my life, Reid, and it will have consequences. For once can you care about someone other than yourself and look at the situation and realize that what you do impacts me, too?”

The two of you stood, frozen, in the kitchen. The tension in the air was palpable. You could count on one hand the number of fights you and Bob had gotten into over the last nine years. 

This was one of them. 

Your eyes were locked on Bob’s blue ones. You watched as his face fell. As the realization of what he had just said washed over his familiar face. 

“Sunny,” he murmured, stepping closer and you shook your head, backing away. 

“No.” You whispered it, but there was venom laced in the word. “Don’t you dare try and take that back,” you added. “Because you can’t.” 

“Honey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it.” 

You whipped around, practically jogging down the hall toward the stairs at the front of the house. 

“Reid!” 

You climbed the stairs, two at a time, and slammed the door to your room, locking it behind you, sliding down against the back of the door onto the ground in a heap. 

You hated fighting with Bob. But this time, what you hated the most was that he was right. 

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[deepdeanvsweston]

Olympics hcs/au idk

Hazel

- hockey!!! (although if roller derby was an olympic sport it 100% be that)

- ok I know she's like. Not keen on sports canonically but I cannot get that scene out of my head in MMU where she clobbers Lavinia while playing

- that scene lives in my head rent free!!!

- secretly super strong Hazel for the win I'm so serious about this

- representing Hong Kong

- probs one of those Olympians who crochets in the stands

- she's like Ilona Maher in that she's a fucking beast while playing but an absolute sweetheart any other time

Alex

- I really struggled with Alex??? On one hand I want her (yes she's trans in this au too I love her too much) to be in rowing too and that's how her and George know each other. Any rowing event she's like "yeah I won gold but did you know that my BEST FRIEND GEORGE is competing in PARAROWING???"

- but also,,, fencing Alex/sailing Alex/skateboarding Alex...

- representing USA

- Known for her sportsmanship

- one of those celebrities who forgets they're celebrities > during the entirety of the Olympics she's like "omg I can't believe I met Simone Biles!!!"

- like sweetie you are also a World Renowned Athlete

George

- pararowing single sculls

- absolutely has the energy of that one Turkish guy in shooting who got silver with no equipment

- constantly winking at the camera??? Hot and he knows it the internet is going wild

- representing India

- always playing chess in the stands and the entire chess community is like "what the FUCK is world chess champion George Mukherjee doing rowing at the PARALYMPICS???"

- multitalented king fr fr

- always blows a kiss to his wife Hazel at the starting line

Daisy

- ok so I had a visceral image of Daisy taking a deep breath and hair in a bun before doing a beautiful routine on the beam

- HOWEVER I don't think she'd actually like doing gymnastics so while keeping my vision I hc her parents as forcing her into it after she showed talent at her baby gym class or whatever

- surprises everyone when she turns up at the next Olympics having changed sports and is now doing lead climbing or bouldering

- representing Germany (suddenly but casually revealing my German Wells family agenda)

[deadpool15]

My girl

If I had to explain the context of my relationship, it would be complicated. Well, at least to me, it is. You see, when me and my girl and that isn't even my girl met, I was in college. I became an exchange student, and my home school does have this program where they pick a selection of students to go to different countries. I decided to throw my name in the bin to see how well my luck was.

Turns out my luck was pretty fucking good. I was able to get me a one-way ticket to Seoul National University for exactly a year. It was amazing. I got to experience so many new things, and the culture was like a change in scenery for me. But all good things must come to an end, and I started to fall behind on rent. I know what you're thinking, don't you live in a dorm? Well no I didn't, dorms are shit and I wasn't gonna take that chance I managed to find a nice job until some young fucking hideous looking bitch made a complaint about me to my boss. I'm 90% she was just being fucking racist because she kept trying to touch my hair like I was some exotic animal and caught a whole fucking attitude when I didn't allow her too. "Fucking bitch."

So, shit really hit the fan from that point. I was out of money, struggling to find a job, and my grades were starting to look like how I felt. Until I met Sayaka, a much older woman. She was approximately 38 years old at the time, while I was 20. She gave off this vibe of a confident, mature woman and I fucking loved it. She smooth talked me so fast some must say it wasn't fucking pathetic. Had a girl sitting her thinking about her every day and twirling my hair. You would think we were seeing each other after a while or at least that's what I thought.

Sayaka made it clear what she was looking for, and it wasn't a girlfriend. Sugarbaby, I believe, was the correct term. She wanted someone to spoil with gifts and affection but didn't want a relationship. Now, at first I was ok with that, I mean don't judge me I needed the money and she was hot so I was ok with it. Well, until I wasn't. People would openly flirt with her, and as much as she said she was mine, I started to realize how much she wasn't. I mean, we weren't together. She was literally paying me to "have fun" and "being pretty," and I kinda felt used.

Of course, I couldn't be mad at her, I knew what I was getting myself into, but I still had feelings. So, instead of bringing it up to her, I took the last "paycheck," she gave me, and ghosted her. I know what you're thinking, very mature of you, Stella. But the sad truth was I would rather act like she didn't exist than have her tell me she didn't like me at all. She did try to call at first, but then it all stopped I assumed she got tired of chasing after a immature fucking child. I mean, I could understand that, though as much as I understood her, a part of me wanted her to chase me. Make me feel wanted for once.

After a few months with no Sayaka, I fell into a deep state of depression. My best friend, Aubrey, had been trying to get me out of my house for a long time. But I wouldn't listen. Eventually, she randomly showed up to Korea, claiming she was entering some form of competition, meaning she would be here to help me and get my mind off of Sayaka. After a while, I felt better, I realized I had to learn how to love myself and that I was worth more than being someone's little sugarbaby. I mean, I was girlfriend material, and if she couldn't see that, then screw her. I would love to do that. Ok, maybe I wasn't entirely over her, but baby steps. I did want her back, but it was obvious she didn't feel the same, so I started to get myself back out there.

Audrey said it would be good for me. I took her advice and went on several dates, none of which worked out until I met this guy Jake. He was an exchange student from Hong Kong, he was 2 years younger than me though. But besides that, he was great. As great as it gets. The perfect gentleman. I just even kinda started to actually like him. Everything finally felt as if it had fallen into place in my life. I felt good for the first time in a long time. I was sitting at home scrolling through tiktok. I watched a video of some dude doing a mukbang. "Omg, why is this dude always eating like that. Like, do you viewer's wants to see you eat and enjoy the food or die trying. There is no way a mouth is supposed to open like that. Bro is literally not human." I was sitting there watching in disgust when my phone started ringing. Scaring the absolute shit out of me.

"Fuck," I looked at the caller ID and saw Audrey name pop up. That bitch is always scaring me. I pressed the answer and heard her yelling, more specifically Audrey's yelling in the background. "Audrey, ehat have we talked about with the yelling. I'm already hard of hearing thanks to you. Please." She ended hung up and immediately called me back on ft. I answered, "What have I said about hanging up on me like I'm one of you hoes?" I said while laughing. She started laughing again. "Hola, my beautiful bestie friend, ehat are you doing?"Minding my business what do need, Audrey?" She stared at me smiling mischievously. "So since you my bestie, I thought it would be amazing of you to like make us some pepper steak and rice."

"Wow, you called me, and the thing you wanted to talk about was me cooking. How fake of you, Ms. Lane." She looked at me with pleading eyes. "I wanna show the girls one of my best friends many qualities." I tried to glare at her, but a smile slowly started to creep up on my face. She had won me over, "Fine, I will cook your favorite meal for you. Would you like me to play delivery boy as well for you?" I stated jokingly until I saw the look on her was knowing she, in fact, did expect me to deliver the meal. "The food will be there, no get off my phone, you bitch." "Omg, I love you Stella so much." I smiled and hung up and got to cooking, it took me approximately an 1 to finish the dish. Audrey loves it ever since we were little kids. I make plates for everyone and start packing up the to-go trays. Piling all the food in my SUV, then making sure it is secure. I start to drive to the place.

Now that I think about it Audrey hasn't told me where this place is. Or anything about the show. I just assumed she didn't want to disclose too much information. But it's still weird, I mean we usually tell each other everything no matter what. A bit odd.

Stellabella🥰- Hey, babe, where exactly is the name of the competition.

Audreybunny🤡- Oo, it's called Street Women Fighter 2.

Stellabella🥰- Crazy how I had to actually ask you this stuff when you usually tell me. Isn't it?

Audreybunny🤡- Oo really..... what makes you say that?

Stellabella🥰- Why so secretive ma'am?

Audreybunny- It's just my first time in a competition like this, so I was still a bit shocked. That's all. It's weird at first. It's like crazy down here. It's wild.

Stellabella🥰- You're lying to me. You used the word it's like 3 to 4 times but it's ok I'll see when I get there send me the address.

I stared at my phone, confused. Audrey never kept secrets. Why did she care about this show so much? I guess I will actually just have to wait and find out. I use the GPS in my car. After about 49 minutes, I made it there. "I don't think I ever even watched this show, let alone heard of it. She is right. This is weird." I step outside of the car, grabbing the food carefully. "Let's stop overhinking. She is right. This is a new thing for her. I'm proud of her. My bestie is on TV shows now." I smiled softly at the thought and started walking towards the entrance.

I speak to the man at the front desk, letting him know that Jam Republic, as she texted me prior, is waiting on my arrival. He smiled at me and nodded his head down the hall, gesturing me to follow his lead. I bow towards his out of respect and a force of habit now and follow him down to the elevator. After about 5 floors go by, he shows me to a colorful hallway. "I believe you have it from here. The sign says Jam Republic on the door. It big and bright pink you can't miss it. Have a nice day, ma'am." He tells me before bowing and walking off back towards the elevator. I walk further down the hall, reading the names on the doors. "BEBE... 1MILLION... WOLF'LO... TSUBAKILL. Why does that one sound weirdly familiar. I mean, it could just be like a weirdly unique name that I find interesting."

I stare at the door for a while, completely forgetting where I am. Until a hand pulls me, I scream slightly and turn around to see Audrey smiling. "What did you get lost or something?" She says, genuinely afraid she put me through stress. "No, sorry, I was just admiring the names. Hey, have you ever heard of this one?" I ask, staring at her questionable. She looks at the names before shaking her head. "If I'm being honest, the majority of the groups are korean, so I haven't heard of anyone here, you know. Come on, everyone is waiting." Audrey scolds my hand, bouncing down the halls excited.

We walk into the door, and I greet everyone. The vibe is nice, and everyone is friendly. Which I am very thankful for, I meaning usually have a difficult time having conversations with new people. Or just meeting new people in general. I hand everyone a plate. They are sitting there thanking me before digging in. I hear Kristen on the sidelines gushing over the meal and applauding me for my "master cooking skills," or so she says. I blush slightly, thank God for my dark skin. I suddenly get the urge to pee, I grab Audrey's hand without speaking and make my way to the door. She whines because I take her away from her precious meal, but eventually get the hint and help me find the bathroom. She takes me there, letting me inside while saying she will be in the room. And if anything happens, call her. I allow her to leave, not wanting her meal to get cold, then make my way inside the stall.

I was in the process of finishing when I went to flush the toilet and hear the door sqeak open. I walk out thinking it's Audrey. "Babe, I thought you wanted to finish the meal. I literally slaved over the stove to cook. Not to mention me violating traffic laws to get it here." I stated sarcastically before not hearing her response. I continue to wash my hands before I turn around to say something else to her. Only to realize it wasn't her at all. "Sayaka?" She stares me up and down before getting close to me.

The space between us is so small that it makes me nervous. "Glad to see that I've only been gone for what, 3 months, and you have a new replacement right at the ready. Making meals for her. Aren't you just the perfect little girlfriend?" I gulp looking at her, trying to create a bit of personal space between us, and it seems she didn't like that. "You're not running away from me again. What exactly does Audrey the little fairy have that I don't, huh? Stella, you know I don't like repeating myself." I look down trying to avoid eye contact. It feels like I'm frozen, I wanted to see her so bad, but I forget the massive effect she had on me. Seems she didn't, though. "Me and Audrey aren't together. She has a boyfriend. And so do I."

I try to say that last bit with confidence, but it seems like at the moment that shit hasn't gone out the window. My voice cracks. She smiles at me, but I can tell I won't achieve anything good with rhat smile. "That's cute. My little baby got herself a boyfriend. Call him." I look at her confused, why the fuck would she want me to call the guy she is jealous of. More importantly, why is she jealous of Jake. " I don't owe you anything. We weren't in a relationship, and you made those guidelines very clear at the beginning. So you have no reason to be mad at me." I try to hide the tears falling out of my eyes by looking away until she grabs my chin.

She wiped my tears while looking at me. "Baby, I gave your money because you don't need to struggle, ok? I'm your support system, whether it's cuddling you when you're sad or gifting you shit when you're happy. In the beginning, I didn't want a relationship, I just wanted you. Labels scared me, but what scared me more was losing you. I care about you." I stared at her shockingly while she gave her confession. I didn't expect that to happen. Out of all the outcomes I planned in my head. "I care about you too, and I want to be with you. She kissed my forehead while smiling lovely at me. "My little girlfriend then." As she said that, it made me the happiest girl in the world. Experiencing true love is wild.

"Now, akachan, what do you say we give that ex-boyfriend a call and make it official." She says while leaving open-mouthed kisses down my neck, causing me to moan as she grabs my hips, pulling me flush against her body. I start to moan until she speaks up. "No, no baby, say it for the phone call. Gotta show him who you belong to, don't we?"

[dropintomanga]

Initial D - The First Stage to the Overall Magic of Anime and Manga

Seeing this display at my local Kinokuniya Bookstore branch made my day and got me reminiscing.

In the early 2000s', I was still in my phase of consuming everything Dragon Ball. I followed Dragon Ball GT at the time and knew it ended around 1997. Since simulcast streaming wasn't a thing, I had to rely on Chinese-dubbed VHS tapes to rent for all the episodes.

When watching one of the final episodes of Dragon Ball GT on a tape I got, there was a trailer (which was actually the opening) for another anime that played before the episode. It wasn't for a Shonen Jump series and I heard some really cool-sounding techno music.

That opening began my journey into a series that highlighted what anime and manga was really like outside of American marketing - Shuichi Shigeno's Initial D.

For those who don't know, Initial D is about a young man named Takumi Fujiwara who gets himself involved in the mountain street racing scene. He drives a car that isn't suitable for street racing, the Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno. The car lacks horsepower and speed, but Takumi is able to utilize amazing drift techniques to make up for it. While reluctant at first, Takumi gets pulled into a race when a street racing team called the Akagi Red Suns challenges Takumi's local team. Takumi beats one of the Red Suns' top members and he slowly becomes a legend as he encounters more street racers who want to challenge him. The manga lasted 49 volumes, had 6 anime seasons in 16 years, and a Hong Kong live-action movie adaptation of the manga (which I appreciated as a Cantonese speaker) was made in 2005. The series also inspired a good amount of people all over the world to get into Japanese cars due to every car featured in the series existing in real life. It did not hurt that fans loved the Eurobeat music that played in races throughout the anime.

As you can see from the photo I took, Kodansha USA decided to re-release the entire Initial D manga in a 2-in-1 omnibus print format for a newer generation as the original English manga release by Tokyopop in the mid-2000s' left a lot to be desired for translation reasons.

After watching the OP teaser in that one tape of a DBGT episode, I decided to watch all of the First Stage season of Initial D in Cantonese Chinese on VHS. I became hooked. I absolutely loved the music. I appreciated how analytical some of the characters were. Even though I didn't understand a lot of the conversations being had due to my Cantonese not being good enough to talk about vehicle intricacies, I had the help of Initial D fansites to summarize things. I became obsessed when the manga was ongoing at the time to see who Takumi was facing. Fansites helped to bridge the gap.

Speaking of fan-related material, I learned about yaoi/boys' love through Initial D. I saw many fanfiction sites about the relationships between the major male characters. In a sense, I got to see why sports-like series appealed to female fans way before the current sports series boom we have now.

Initial D also helped me get close with my dad. He actually watched the anime with me. During the years when I was so depressed, my dad always spent time with me. We played a lot of basketball, talk sports, and watched Initial D together. It helped that he was into car culture, so he helped explain a few things to me about certain cars.

One more thing Initial D did was that it got me to go to my very first anime convention in 2003. It was the Big Apple Anime Fest and the Third Stage movie was screened. While I watched the Third Stage movie before, it wasn't dubbed in Cantonese. This time, I got to see the full film with English subtitles. I stayed for the 7:30pm screening and was excited with so many fans around me. The convention was also where I finally got to connect with a friend who lived in the same area as me. I still talk to and hang out with them today.

While Dragon Ball got me into anime in the first place, it was Initial D that got me to expand my worldview about anime and manga. The series gave me a glimpse of the other anime/manga communities out there. I got a first glimpse into series that weren't mainstream yet loved by passionate fans.

When both the Initial D manga and anime ended in the 2010s', my anime/manga interests were in a different place. But I still enjoyed Final Stage when it came out because I got to see Takumi grow immensely over time and the payoff was good. The final battle felt like two very similar individuals trying to impose their superiority over one another. It was a perfect way to end Takumi's story, given that almost all of his opponents were different from him.

I know Initial D isn't talked about as much as Dragon Ball or Sailor Moon in terms of impacting people's lives, but it has done wonders for me in genuinely seeing what the world of anime/manga fans was like outside of the usual fare. I know I'm not the only one.

So I want to say that if the super-mainstream anime and manga series aren't your thing, it's okay. There will always be something that will catch your eye and maybe change your perspective for the better. And maybe it will find you a community that you love being around and help you grow.

To quote one of the Initial D opening songs sung by the group, m.o.v.e, let's move into the brand new world and let's dive into the brand new trip.

For more perspective on Initial D's impact on its fans and car culture, this post from a car enthusiast is worth a read.

[boominghk]

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[watchinghallmark]

Holiday Road - November 24th on Hallmark Channel

When bad weather leaves each of them stranded at the airport for the holidays, a tech entrepreneur (Christie), a travel writer (Canning), a devoted mother (Enid-Raye Adams) and her son (Kiefer O’Reilly), a stubborn senior (Trevor Lerner), an enigmatic woman with a hint of mystery (Brittany Willacy), a couple traveling from Hong Kong (Sharon Crandall, Ryan Mah) and a social media influencer (Princess Davis) all agree to rent a shared van to embark on a road trip to Denver. When their unexpected journey brings them into uncharted territory, they navigate a series of misadventures together and form a deeper bond that just might change the trajectories of each of their lives. Inspired by true events. Starring Sara Canning and Warren Christie.