#Self Taught Cake Decorator

[ioniansunsets]

heartsteel christmas dinner 👉👈 who brings what? i can picture Sett staying in the kitchen to prepare ham/turkey 🥰🥰

✖ Heartsteel Celebrating Christmas with You ✖

✖ Word Count: 1.1k

✖ Tags: Established R/S

✖ A/N: You host a Xmas party with your partner uwu (posting this early so maybe if you guys like this I’ll write another quick one for the afterparty and gift opening?)

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Sett was the best person to celebrate with. Mama taught him well, he was there early in the morning, hells, he stayed over the night before. Up before the sun even rose, the two of you spent time lovingly together in the kitchen. Waking up early with Sett kissing the tip of your nose and carrying you to the toilet to freshen up. Trying to keep you awake as he holds your hand and leads you to the kitchen right after. Cooking up a mad delicious Christmas dinner, baking cookies and frosting them together, laughing as he held you close, face nuzzling into the crook of your neck, giggling together as frosting gets on his nose and his ears twitch in frustration. It was cold out, but with the oven heated up, his arms around your body and the two of you in sweaters Sett’s mom knitted. Maybe winter was even warmer than summer sometimes.

Kayn was a surprisingly thoughtful guy. He knows he can’t cook, he knows he can’t do any cute little handicrafts, he knows his limits. So he does what he does best, help out however he can. Sneaking into stores and buy whatever things you need last minute. Almost a challenge to him finding somewhere selling Christmas Cake and Turkey the day of and somehow still making it to the party early. Staying by your side and trying his best to do exactly as he’s told, you need dishes washed? Its your Christmas gift today, he’s on it. You need someone to decorate the tree? Easy, Rhaast is a surprisingly good at hanging ornaments on trees. You need motivation? Kayn has it covered. A cheeky smile, a soft kiss, loving words of support. He is there. (Hide the presents though, the one thing he doesn’t have is too much self control, Rhaast wants to know, Rhaast has to know, Rhaast found his gift hidden in the locked closet-)

K'Sante straight up tells you to take it easy today. He has friends and connections. You two have a private reservation to the best dinner spot at the roof of an expensive hotel. Sure having a Christmas party at home is sweet and humble but you’re his precious lover! And there was other opportunities to enjoy a warm homely holiday dinner together after you two get married. He was making sure you enjoyed all the glitz and glamor now, friends and family around the two of you, soft music playing in the background as the hotel staff handle all the food and drinks. He holds you close as the two of you overlook the city, lights sparkling both in the stars of the sky and across the ground as the lights in buildings, it was a sight to behold only emphasized by the soft kisses on the back of your neck and the warm hand wrapped around you.

Ezreal was known for holding the wildest of parties, everyone he knows was invited. So nothing was new when he said he would plan things, you just needed to show up and love him. It was a trademark Ezreal party alright. The largest and brightest tree you’ve ever seen set up by the fireplace, a potluck filled with all sorts of dishes from all his friends, decorations strewn across the room and gifts piled up so high in a corner it was almost its own tree, music so loud you heard it before you even stepped in. And when you did step in, eyes meeting his, he immediately blinks to your side, throwing himself at you in the tightest hug he’s given you in a while. A bright smile and a sparkle in his eyes before his lips meet yours, still almost embarrassing to be loved so brightly in front of everyone but at the same time so endearing to know how much he loves you to show you off like this. As everyone else talks loudly all around you, Ezreal sits by your side, one hand firmly clasped in yours under the table as he eats with the other.

Yone was more of a, “ I just want to spend time alone with you this weekend.” kind of guy. Something sweet and different about going out with him on a Christmas date, laughing together as you two go to ice skate (he tries and is graceful most of the time but when he trips and stumbles it is so cute), hands in yours as you two walk around in the evening, enjoying the lights as other sickly sweet couples walk past you. As the night comes and the air gets colder, he would hold you close, wrapping a scarf around you, hands wrapped around yours as he drives you to a dinner reservation in the heart of the city. Nothing too expensive but nothing to cheap either, it was a nice restaurant that he has brought you many times before, just that tonight there was a Christmas special menu, cute decor seen throughout the establishment as you two walk in. There was really just something nice about spending the whole day alone with each other for company. Maybe he was just old or sentimental, but he wouldn’t trade all this for anything.

Aphelios wants to be alone with you but at the same time, he loves his sister and band. So as a compromise, you two celebrate with Heartsteel at night but spend the morning in each others arms as he stays over the night before. Cold weather meant that snuggling up together as you wake up late, soft smiles and softer kisses in the warmth of the bed. Lazy mornings as Aphelios slowly gets up to get the two of you breakfast. With hot chocolate in one hand and some cute pastries in the other, soft music playing in the background, and your partner laying lovingly on your shoulder, this was truly the epitome of winter romance. Getting dressed together, adjusting each other’s hair and outfits, excitedly walking out of your place back to Heartsteel dorms to spend time with his family (both blood and non-blood related). Sure it was noisy with the other boys around, but when you two quietly sit on the couch, Aphelios could secretly admire you as your eyes light up, talking and interacting with everyone important to him. There was a soft of comforting silence enveloping his daydreams around you.

[popatochisssp]

Would it be too much to ask what kind of jobs the new skeles might have since you already shared bram would be a groundskeeper at a cemetery?

Looks like I never officially did this one for Wave 2, just Wave 1 over here.

So, while we’re at it, let's do 2 and 3!

Ash (Undergloom Sans): He’s semi-unemployed, or self-employed depending on how you look at it. He busks, playing his trombone out on the street and accepting donations from anyone who feels so inclined. He likes playing music and the idea of brightening peoples’ days in the middle of their commute, so the money doesn’t really matter to him. Sometimes he picks up small gigs at local venues, mostly by word of mouth, and eventually he breaks into the tutoring scene—teaching his favorite instrument to young aspiring musicians who find the same joy in it that he does.

Yrus (Undergloom Papyrus): He works as a professor at the local community college, teaching anthropology. He’s passionate about the subject and can’t think of anything he’d rather do than share it with a classroom of humans who probably have no idea how interesting they really are. If only one student walked away from his class with a new appreciation for what humanity’s all about then he’s fulfilled—but he tends to send a lot more away with that than just one, since he’s a very popular, friendly, and accessible teacher.

Brick (Horrorfell Sans): He’s self-employed, knitting blankets at home and selling them online. He doesn’t need a job at all, between the Queen and his brother, money’s not an issue, but he’d go crazy if he didn’t have something to do all day, and nobody wants to see what he looks like when he goes crazy. He takes commissions often, but other times he just makes things according to whatever he’s feeling and what color yarn he has handy and sells to whoever feels like buying it.

King (Horrorfell Papyrus): He works as a physical therapist. He more or less taught himself to walk again after losing his leg, and a second time after getting a replacement, so he very personally understands the need that exists for people who are injured and want to get back to their normal life—but maybe lack the discipline, the knowledge, or the tools to take that journey solo. He’s hard on his patients and sadistically merciless, but his success rate in terms of mobility recovered is very high and any complaints after the fact are begrudging at worst.

Merc (Horrorswap Sans): He’s a home baker, making cakes and small pastries for a small but growing client base. He likes the freedom of getting to pursue his passions seriously and to be his own boss, set his own hours, screen his own clients, et cetera. He puts a lot of time and care into what he makes, both in terms of flavor and decoration, and finds nothing quite so satisfying as a repeat customer or a glowing review and recommendation to someone new.

Ell (Horrorswap Papyrus): Freelance programming is what he does for cash. It was something he could both learn how to do and actually do remotely, without the need for more than the bare minimum of in-person contact. He likes problem-solving, and complaining about the problem-solving, and the field is pretty much always in demand so if he’s bored of certain kinds of jobs, or sick of the person giving him the jobs, he can jump ship at any time and be a contractor someplace else.

Pitch (Horrorswapfell Sans): He’s a boxer, more amateur than pro so he doesn’t make a ton doing it, at least not consistently, but he likes fighting and draws in a decent crowd by being a bit of a spectacle (a blind skeleton in the ring) so the entertainment value is worth something. Aside from that, eventually, he fills in for his brother as a combination business partner/agent/accountant, helping him get jobs and keep clients and manage the money he makes doing so.

Nemo (Horrorswapfell Papyrus): He’s unemployed for a long while, but ultimately breaks into professional photography, with a specialty in travel photographs. He likes taking pictures and getting to see the world in the process, and it helps that it’s a family business so he and his brother have pretty much full control over what jobs he takes and for how much. He doesn’t really concern himself with the money numbers, though, he just likes filling out his portfolio with gorgeous locales all around the world.

Sunny (Gastertale Sans): He does a lot of odd jobs, all over the place, generally (things that are considered) unskilled labor—bussing tables, janitorial work, desk clerking, that kind of thing. He doesn’t like the thought of getting too stuck into any one thing and being unable to try something else out later if it doesn’t work out, and there’s something to be said for the satisfaction of being closely connected to the results of your labor. Sometime down the line he will end up sticking in one career, as a dealer for a casino, because it combines his social, charming nature with his sharp eye and quick hands, but until then he’s happy to bounce around.

Aster (Gastertale Papyrus): He’s a bookkeeper at a nondescript company. He’s organized and thorough with record-keeping and double-checking data, and he likes putting those skills to use to make sure his employer’s finances and transactions all balance out at the end of the day. Some might find it boring work and he could almost certainly qualify for a much more ‘prestigious’ job doing something else, but he’s satisfied having a job that doesn’t require all of his effort and brainpower, so he can save some of that for his personal life and private interests.

Spectr (Transcendtale Sans): He’s a nomad, a wanderer, he has no job. He’s a robot in the shape of a monster—ostensibly still a monster, even so—in a world full of humans that as yet believe monsters don’t exist, so even if he wanted a job, getting one would be logistically difficult. Luckily, he feels no special need to be gainfully employed and just spends his time wandering around and taking in the world. If he needs something, he’ll either just take it or use one of his brother’s accounts to pay for it.

PapAIrus (Transcendtale Papyrus): He’s a performer, a disc jockey who mixes, makes, and plays music to crowds at clubs, raves, and discos, anywhere he’s welcome. He takes advantage of the perception of his holographic form as an artist’s gimmick, like Daft Punk, Hatsune Miku, dead musicians projected onto stages to play posthumously… In his defense, that last one is sort of exactly what he is, except he didn’t really start making music until after he died. Still, he has fun doing it and adores the fame he’s steadily gaining as a popular, cutting-edge technology music act.

Xanth (Ascendswap Sans): He does aura readings for people. For those interested to know, he shares his perception of their colors and the flow of energy in and around them, and just generally describes the sense he gets about a person. What he does is really more of a soul read than an aura read, so a lot of the color meanings and terminology he uses contrast with the kind of readings his clients may get from humans who practice something a little bit different. Still, he’s earnest in his desire to help people understand themselves and their energies and emotions, so he gets a lot of recommendations and repeat clientele who trust he’s the real deal.

Piper (Ascendswap Papyrus): He works as an event planner, organizing gatherings, arranging vendors, booking venues, the whole nine. He has a great reputation for making things go smoothly and always seems to be able to talk out bumps and snags before they ever become a major problem. He also maintains great relationships with people in the industry and delights in having connections just about everywhere in case he needs to call on a favor to make something happen for a client. He's got the magic touch and the silver (gold) tongue that makes everything fall into place just so.

Carmine (Underfell Fruition Sans): He works as a clerk at a pawn shop. He gets to handle a lot of interesting items and assess roughly how much they’d be worth, and he’s pretty good at haggling and negotiating with people who might not agree with said assessments. Sometimes people will come in with broken stuff they wouldn’t be able to get too much for, but maybe he can cut ‘em a deal, fix it up on his own dime and if they come back for it, great—and if they don’t, his boss’ll be happy to have something that works to sell to somebody else at a markup, how ‘bout it? He does a brisk business and both sides of the counter love him.

Tank (Underfell Fruition Papyrus): He’s in construction. He’s huge, strong, takes direction well, and diligently follows rules and protocols—he’s an ideal fit for it. He likes to work hard and be able to see a job come together, knowing he had a part in it and being satisfied with the quality of his contribution. He especially likes to take every safety training and equipment certification course he can attend because he likes knowing what the rules are and being specifically told how certain procedures are run, machines operated, et cetera. He’s very likely to be apprenticed in as a foreman if not the inheritor someday of the construction business by its current owner for his work ethic and dedication, but that’ll be a long ways from now.

Vi (Swapfell Fruition Sans): He works as an independent auditor and combs through companies’ records, internal and external documentation, processes, and accounting and ensures everything is being done in accordance with industry standards. In short, he shows up, demands to see everything they have, and looks through it to see if they’ve lied, did something wrong, or lost information they weren’t supposed to. Sometimes he can do this remotely but other times he has to travel out to a physical office somewhere and sit down with a bunch of stuffed file cabinets, and he really doesn’t mind either way. He likes the work and he’s good at it—maybe because he’s good at it—and he finds it satisfying to catch the tiniest little misses and errors to demand an accounting of them.

Hunter (Swapfell Fruition Papyrus): He’s a trail maintenance worker for Ebott National Park. He walks the paths and hiking trails and makes sure they’re safe and unobstructed for visitors, as well as whatever odd jobs in the area that happen to come up—looking out for invasive species, helping with a bench install, directing lost tourists, that kinda thing. It’s not especially glamorous work but it’s pretty much exactly where he wants to be and he’s happy to do it, probably wouldn’t pick any other job in the world…except maybe to volunteer for a seasonal fire-watch position and do pretty much the exact same thing, but more isolated and with a big cool tower to sit in.

Kohl (Descendtale Sans): He works as a mortician at a local funeral home. He generally isn’t expected (read: allowed) to deal with grieving families, that’s more the funeral director’s purview, but he works behind the scenes embalming, processing, and otherwise preparing the dead for their final party and last ride home. He has a strong stomach—or rather, no stomach at all—and doesn’t get squeamish or emotional about the dead, so that works out. They also let him work nights so he has several long, quiet hours of methodically going through the routine with no (living) humans around to irritate him or vice-versa. Sounds like a good gig to him.

Bram (Descendtale Papyrus): Yes, still a groundskeeper for the cemetery and loving it. It was something he kind of fell into through his brother, when he didn’t really know what he wanted to do on the Surface, but his brother sends dead humans off to their final resting place and said final resting place was looking for someone to dig holes, mind the grass, keep everything looking neat and nice—and that’s certainly something he can do! He also works nights, being that monsters are almost entirely nocturnal these days, so he’s also an unintentional scarecrow deterrent to teenagers sneaking in late for partying or spooky dares when they see a slim, bony silhouette materialize out of the shadows with a shovel in hand, asking if they’re just visiting or thinking about moving in.…

[royall-ass]

Not a request, just a headcanon dump cuz i need someone to rant to about them! ^_^

Alex's Hatchetfield Headcanons

Paul Matthews used to sing and dance all the time as a child, but stopped when someone in his class in freshman year started bullying him for it to the point he also ended up hating musicals (especially after watching Hatchetfield High's production of Brigadoon). NOW HEAR ME OUT- IT WOULD BE SO FUNNY BUT SO SAD FOR PAUL TO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN MUSICAL ARTS BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL DID YOU HEAR HOW EASILY HE HIT THEM HIGH NOTES IN LET IT OUT?!!! WHEN HE WASNT EVEN FULLY INFECTED?!?!?!?!!!

Literally every single John Matteson character is autistic in some way. Including Wiggog Y'Rath. Bro has the eldritch equivalent or smthn.

Linda Monroe is half british. I really don't know how to explain this one but i just feels right to me.

Richie Lipschitz forgets he's 18 a lot because he thinks he's mentally still 13/14 due to COVID + his obsession with anime. Someone will call him a perv/pedo for liking one of the girls in MHA or smthn and he'll defend himself by saying "but i'm a minor too?!" and then he just pauses for a sec to think about what he just said. And then would cry about it into his body pillows at home after school.

Ruth Fleming is hypersexual. There, I said it.

Max Jägerman is an older brother, and his younger sibling gets all the attention from their dad, leaving Max to be kinda neglected and 'shunned' (abused) by his dad, all because he was the "bad child".

To add onto the previous headcanon, Max has a raging inferiority complex to which he uses his bullying and faux confidence to hide behind. Kinda like a Katsuki Bakugo typa beat but ... not? If that makes sense??

Due to intense religious beliefs , Grace Chastity's parents never taught her the quote unquote 'birds and the bees' because they thought it would be sinful to speak of such a thing to their daughter. This caused Grace to think she was being possessed or smthn when she first got her period because according to her logic/knowledge why else would she be bleeding from the 'mommy spot'? She also figured out the "self pleasure" on her own, but would do it in secret because she knew it was sinful and her parents would be disappointed in her. She never understood why it felt good though, all she knew was that it helped to stop the butterflies in her stomach whenever she thought of Max.

Stephanie Lauter is DEFINITELY chronically online, like that girl says W Rizz for SUREEE. To the point where she taught her dad what mewing was and he wouldn't stop doing it all day.

Yet another Paul Matthews headcanon because he's my special little sunflower, ummm... Paul doesn't just like black coffee, he also loves dark chocolate, and i mean like 85% cocoa dark. Although the rest of his family think he's a weirdo for it, they still get him a bar or two for his birthday + christmas every year. FOREVER AND ALWAYS SPECIFIC HC -> Emma made their wedding cake a dark chocolate/black coffee version of tiramisu as a little surprise for Paul <3

Charlotte Sweetly is a purple person in theory but not in execution, as in she ADORES purple, but cannot be bothered to buy lots of purple furniture,decor etc

Ted Spankoffski knows how to crochet!! Charlotte taught him how to in highschool (i see them as being childhood friends) and he just kinda kept it as a hobby.

Both Ted and Peter Spankoffski's favourite animal is (ironically) goats. Their parents used to live near a farm so the two grew up around farm culture and got to meet the goats and cows etc at this farm. Peter's baby toy was a crochet goat stuffie that his older brother made for him <3

Ruth's room is COVERED in stuffed animals and posters and random things she's collected over the years. She also has a notebook full of all her stuffed animals' names written in blue glitter gel pen that Richie lent her for an art project in freshman year that she never gave back.

Finally, Hatchetfield itself is a small island town on Lake Michigan, hence how the only way to get to it is across a body of water (Clivesdale has to put bridges up/down to gain access). Also that the Lords In Black utilise Tinky's abilities to create new Earths to destroy them over and over. Except the one detail they keep the same/ongoing is Hatchetfield and its residents. Because they're obsessed with them for some reason. Tinky and Nibbly more so than others .

I do apologise for how long this is but i needed to get it out of my notes app 😭😭 ~ Alex, @wiggogwiggogyrath

OH MU GOD I LOVE ALL OF THEAE

I CANT GET THE IDEA OF STEPH BEING IN THE BACKGROUND OF ONE OF HER DAD’S INTERVIEWS OF TV AND MEWING OUT OF MY HEAD 😭😭

[theboywithburninghands]

We’ve arrived. The final chapter, apart from an epilogue. I hope it was worth the wait. Some characters by @noble-crimson and @cleoarrow appear again. Also, @toonsforkicks22 and @fernstarsblog the story is complete now. Phew… I can’t believe I actually did it.

T/W: Violence, parental and emotional abuse, homophobia, drug addiction, era-appropriate sexism.

Primum Peccatum Final Chapter: Thanks for The Memories

Their reception was held within Lakepoint. The function center was decorated with white lace and the occasional splash of red or blue. The round tables, six seats at each, were dressed with white tablecloths, a glass carafe in the middle of each, filled halfway with water and a red and blue rose. Fine white ceramic plates, each with a silverware roll wrapped with a white napkin and a red or blue satin ribbon. On the long rectangular center table was a three-decker Angel food cake, frosted elegantly with white buttercream, purple and green sugar blossoms climbing up the sides. Jade green bottles of champagne, their tops wrapped in gold foil, sat beside dozens of identically arranged flute glasses. To the right of the champagne, a large silver kettle of coffee, several boats of cream and a bowl of frosty sugar cubes beside white mugs on white saucers.

Pomni walked with her husband, hand in hand, to their reserved head table. As was customary, the bride’s side of the family sat with them. Vladimir, Mirella and Zooble sat with them, along with Mr. Kinger. He was family. Pomni was the last to be seated, as she had elected to bring everyone something to drink. Normally, the bride wasn’t to raise a finger for her guests. But it was Pomni’s wedding, and she couldn’t be persuaded otherwise.

“Your vows were absolutely beautiful, piccola, they brought me to tears…” Mirella sighed, sipping from her flute of champagne.

“I am glad they moved you, mother,” Pomni Krolik said. She finished the cup of coffee she had poured for herself, wiping her chin with a napkin. “I spoke from the heart. As you have so often told me not to do.”

Mirella’s reply was cut off by Mr. Kinger.

“Mr. Krolik, what are you to do now? Now that you’re married I assume you must find a trade.” he said, sipping his black coffee.

“I would first like to fully recover from my illness, as well as enjoy some time with my wife, before I seek an occupation.” Jax replied. His tone was pleasant but somewhat uneasy. “There is also the matter of inheritances.”

“Indeed,” Vladimir said. “All of that shall be taken care of. In just a few days, your estate will be prepared. I have the paperwork for the property and for your inheritances in my desk-”

“In the first drawer on the right,” Pomni added. “All your documents to be signed are put there for safekeeping and ease of access.”

“Yes dear, your memory never fails, does it? In the first drawer on the right.” Vladimir smiled. “Goodness, I’m proud of you. You’ve adapted so well to your circumstances… And you were so obstinate before!”

“Adapting is certainly an accurate description,” Pomni said. She picked up her quarter-full flute of champagne and sipped. She was not a fan of drinking. It spoiled her focus. So she opted for a paltry amount for ceremony’s sake.

“I suppose now is as good a time to say so. Welcome to our family.”

A deep voice behind her made Pomni turn in her seat. Drexl Krolik stood, arms tucked behind his back and dwarfing just about everyone at the table. Boone stood at his side, his mouth firmly closed. He met Pomni’s eyes and glanced away.

“Mr. Krolik, I’m delighted to see you! Wasn’t the ceremony lovely?” Mirella asked.

“Quite. I was impressed by my son and my daughter-in-law’s rhetoric,” Drexl said, clapping a massive paw to Jax’s shoulder, who flinched conspicuously.

“And what a performance by your second son!” Kinger exclaimed. “That voice of his is astounding, where did you train him?”

Drexl sniffed. “He’s self taught. My involvement with such frivolities is minimal, I assure you. He is a career driven lad, much like the rest of my family. While we were on the subject, however…”

Drexl turned to look at Pomni, who had quaffed her mostly empty champagne flute.

“I was curious, Mrs. Pomni, if you had the chance to consider my offer? Krolik International would love to have you onboard as a member.”

Pomni took a deep breath and smiled, setting her empty champagne glass down on the table with a clink, a bit of leftover froth trickling down and resting at the bottom of the flute.

“Why yes I have, Mr. Krolik! I’ve pondered your offer for some time now, and after careful consideration, I’ve decided that I’d rather have a job wiping the prime minister’s arse than work for you!”

Kinger put a hand to his mouth in a soft gasp. Zooble made a sound that sounded like an abnormally loud cough. A deafening silence fell over the hall.

“Pomni-!” her father exclaimed. “M-Mr. Krolik, I’m truly sorry, she doesn’t normally drink- I’m certain that she didn’t mean a word of-”

“Father?” Pomni arose from her seat. “Firstly, I am not inebriated. Secondly, I don’t feel at all comfortable working with that man. You’ve already pawned me off once, I’d prefer if you didn’t do it again…”

Her father spun about, a vein popping on his forehead. “Pomni Shutnyk-!”

“Pomni Krolik, father. Please get it right. It was your idea. And if you please, shut up a moment. I’m explaining to you why I don’t want to work for this man. You will let me speak.”

Pomni turned from her stunned father and looked back at Drexl Krolik.

“Mr. Krolik. I can’t speak on your skills as a businessman, because from what I can tell, you are perfectly successful. However, as a father and authority figure, you disgust me on a visceral level. What do you gain from putting your hands on your own sons?”

Drexl’s eyes ballooned to double their size. “Are you accusing me of harming my own brood?” he whispered.

“Ha. Please don’t playact being offended. I know you harm your own “brood.” In fact, I saw you slap Osvaldo and Boone in the face the evening I had dinner at your manor.”

Jax winced. Other guests had turned to look in confusion. The Gentleman in Red, unnoticed, finished cutting himself a piece of cake and watched from the end of the table.

“That’s true, isn’t it Boone?” Pomni said. “Your father is rather wicked at the best of times, is he not?”

Pomni took a look at Boone, who shrank and stammered. Everyone had turned to look by now. Ragatha clutched her necklace of beads and whispered prayers to herself.

“Pomni, you’ve said quite enough-” her father began.

“Father, do you love me?” interrupted Pomni.

“Do I-?”

“If you love me, you will not give me over to Mr. Krolik. He is a fiend.” Pomni gestured to Drexl, who stood like a bull. “I will suffer under his leadership, make no mistake.”

Jax got to his feet. “I’m afraid I must agree, Mr. Shutnyk. My father would surely bring harm to your daughter should he be put in a position of authority over her. As her husband, I cannot allow this.”

“This is obscene!” Drexl barked. “I am appalled at your lack of decorum, the both of you! I magnanimously offer you, my daughter-in-law, a position at my company despite your gender and this is my thanks?!”

“Yes,” Jax replied.

“Allow me to elaborate, ladies and gentlemen!” Pomni climbed onto her chair so she could be seen and heard more clearly. Perched up there, she looked like some form of odd white Phoenix.

“Be careful, dear..!” Kinger exclaimed.

“That incredible performance that you heard this morning? Mr. Krolik found the idea of his son composing and performing a song for our wedding so abhorrent that he struck him in the face! I witnessed it, roughly around 9:30 PM on the seventh of this month. The performer, Osvaldo, my brother-in-law, could not join us for the reception, because he worried for his safety and had to flee the premises. Fearful of his own father’s wrath!”

Pomni glared at Drexl, her eyes glinting with righteous anger. “From what I’ve been told, your four sons and daughter in law live in terror of you. You’re impossible to please yet entirely too easy to displease! And when you’re displeased-”

“Pomni-” Mirella began.

“Mother, hush.” Pomni snapped. “And when you’re displeased, you hurt people. So if I were to displease you as your underling, what would you do? Hm? Hit me? You’d knock me flying. Perhaps even concuss me! But you wouldn’t be caught, no, a man like you is talented at not leaving marks, correct?”

“It’s true,” Boone said.

Drexl whipped his head around to look at his older son. Pomni and Jax looked at him as well.

“It’s true. My father is a tyrant,” Boone said, taking several steps away from Drexl and avoiding his searing gaze. “In fact, not long ago, he did this.”

Boone opened his mouth, placing a thumb and finger over one of his front teeth and neatly plucking it from the socket. The guests gasped.

Ragatha hastened her prayers. The crow-woman stood and left the reception, clutching some silverware in her wings. The Gentleman in Red had a bite of cake.

“I did no such thing!” Drexl thundered.

“But you did, father! You’re always trying not to leave marks, but this time you boxed me a might too smartly, didn’t you?” Boone shot back.

“Cease these lies at once!” Drexl roared.

“Or else you’ll do what?” Boone shouted back. “Knock a few more teeth loose? Oh, I’m so very scared!”

The patriarch of the deer family, possibly even taller than Drexl with fur so brown it was nearly black, rose to his feet. His cinnabar eyes burned with severity.

“What kind of a man puts his paws on his children, Krolik?” he demanded. His voice was a heavily accented growl.

“Lawrence, this is all nonsense!” Drexl spluttered.

“No man at all,” Kinger said, slowly shaking his head.

“I’m afraid the bridegroom speaks the truth,” Altonicus said, standing from his table. “I was often spared from my father’s wrath on account of being the oldest son, a guilt I struggle with to this day… But even I have been denied meals and been a recipient of floggings. I became a doctor because it was my passion, and it happened to be profitable, so my father allowed it. Osvaldo wishes to be a vocalist, and is undeniably skilled, as you all have seen, but father sees such a career as and “womanly.” So he refuses to allow Osvaldo the chance to pursue his dream.”

Kali got to her feet. “It isn’t limited to his offspring, either. I live in fear of Drexl as well. Alton and I have avoided bringing a child into this world because I would worry for their safety… And I…”

Kali covered her mouth and sniffled, Altonicus holding her other paw.

“Kali, may I?” Jax said.

“You’ve all said quite enough!” Drexl growled.

“Slanderous little harlot… I would never-”

“I have not had the flu.” Jax interjected.

“Pardon me?!” his father barked.

“I have not had the flu. Rather, I have been ill, but not from any rogue paramecium.” Jax turned to his sister in law and repeated himself. “Kali, may I?”

Kali wiped her eyes and nodded. “I’ve bore this anxiety long enough. Tell your story.”

Jax smiled gently and nodded.

“This is all hearsay, hearsay and lies!” Drexl thundered.

“No, Mr. Krolik. I would like to hear from my son-in-law.” Vladimir said coolly.

“Thank you, Mr. Shutnyk.” Jax said. “When I was 17, Boone and I got into an altercation. I fell from a bridge, and broke my arm and several ribs…”

Boone looked down at his shoes, still maintaining a careful distance from his father.

“Kali tried to ease my pain by giving me a bit of laudanum. She only knew that laudanum was a powerful sedative, not a narcotic, and wanted to grant me some respite from the pain, because she is a good sister…”

Kali broke into sobs, sinking into her chair. Alton wrapped an arm around her. Jax had begun pacing around the reception.

“And thus, when I began craving more laudanum and the pain returned worse than ever, Kali was forced to hide her mistake and bring me more. Now, why was this the best choice, you may ask? My brother is a doctor, surely he would have a way to remedy the situation… It was because I was still living with my father.”

Drexl simply stared, livid.

“If he discovered Kali made this mistake, no matter how well-intentioned and repairable, he would surely fly into a rage. He certainly would have attacked her, or Alton… Perhaps even me for acting an inebriate. And so she gave me more opium to ease the pain and avoid arousing his suspicions until I had healed, yet had a hopeless craving for poppy. I struggled with it for five years…

“That is why I’ve been ill. I apologize for lying to you all. My wife encouraged Kali and Alton to aid in getting me off the awful tincture now that I’ve been away from my father’s prying eyes. I have been in the midst of battling withdrawals. It is incredibly unpleasant, but I am on the mend.”

Jax, now at the other end of the hall, turned to address the guests. They were utterly transfixed.

“Now you all see the depth of the terror my father inspires. No mistakes are permitted around him, lest you face his wrath, be you offspring or in-law. Pomni and I apologize for dampening the mood of the wedding, but we wanted everyone to know my father’s true character.”

The door opened, and Osvaldo entered. He held a file under his arm, gasping and holding it to his chest upon seeing his father standing in the middle of the mostly silent room.

“Osvaldo, welcome in. Would you like to add to the litany of accusations against your father?” Pomni asked with poison politeness.

“Don’t be frightened, Aldo,” Jax said, standing at his older brother’s side and accepting the file that he girded himself with. “You can say what you like.”

The gray rabbit shook his head frantically. “I shouldn’t…” he muttered.

“Do not contribute to this slander, Osvaldo.” Drexl warned.

“Sir, we would like to hear from your son,” the son of the deer family said. He looked at the gray rabbit with an expression that might be read as protective. Osvaldo blushed and swallowed, but shook his head again.

“Osvaldo. We’ll entertain this piffle no longer. We are returning home.” Drexl said.

Sister Ragatha approached Osvaldo. Although he was an inch or so taller than she, she bent slightly at the waist to speak to him.

“Osvaldo… My child, there is nothing to fret about.” she said, using her softest and voice and wearing her warmest smile. “I think you’ve been exceptionally brave today already. However, I need to know the truth because it concerns a dear friend of mine. Would Pomni be in danger working for your father?”

Osvaldo chewed his lip, squinting his eyes shut.

“Ozzy,” Boone said. “Go ahead. It will be alright.”

After an agonizing number of seconds, he nodded.

“Mutinous little CUR!!!”

Drexl drove his fist into Pomni’s table, knocking it onto one leg and catapulting champagne flutes and coffee cups across the hall, which shattered into dust or clinked shrilly across the floor.

Mirella yowled and fell out of her chair, Vladimir diving to her aid. Zooble was struck on the armpit by the tabletop and knocked to the ground. Pomni tumbled from her chair as well, shielding her face with her arm with a loud exclamation. Kinger slid over and caught her before she hit the ground, although she took him to his knees with the impact of landing. Jax made a dash for Pomni from across the hall, losing a shoe mid-stride. The table wobbled feebly on its solitary leg before falling onto its side, the tablecloth fluttering to the ground and forks and spoons and butter knives sliding free from their undone rolls.

“Mrs. Krolik, are you quite alright?!” Kinger asked, holding the small woman tenderly as Jax skidded to his side, kneeling to assure that she was unharmed.

“I-I-I am fine, I… Osvaldo?!” Pomni sat up at attention, looking across the hall.

Drexl moved like a charging steam engine towards Osvaldo, who whimpered and crouched to his knees, covering his head with his arms. Guests all around the room gasped and got to their feet, some shouting in protest. Ragatha stood before Drexl, clutching her necklace in a fist.

“Sir, I would ad-”

A huge palm lashed across her face, the Gray Sister yelping and falling to the floor.

“DARLING!” Gangle shrieked, kneeling at her side.

Drexl seized Osvaldo by the throat and pulled him up with alarming force.

“Father, no, please!” Boone cried.

Drexl ignored this and began to squeeze. Altonicus vaulted over his table and sprinted towards his younger brother, only to skid to a halt.

There was a sharp scrape of metal across metal as Drexl felt something cold press to the back of his neck. He turned and ceased all movement.

“You-!” Pomni could be heard saying.

The Gentleman in Red had crossed the room. Nobody had seen him walk, oddly. He was by the wedding cake, and then he was not. He’d withdrawn a rapier, as thin as a fencer’s foil, hidden in his cane, and pressed it to the back of Drexl’s head, directly on his brainstem.

“Sir,” The Gentleman said, as calmly as a constable might speak to one who had just tossed their sandwich paper onto the sidewalk. “Please allow your son down.”

Drexl Krolik snarled like an enraged wolverine, but did not move.

“Sir, again,” The Gentleman said. “I must ask you, allow your son down. I need only push a centimeter or two and you will cease to be. I do not wish to do this, and I am certain you do not either. Go on.”

Drexl’s pupils dilated from the slits that they had shrunken too. The Gentleman in Red looked at him sternly. Osvaldo fell from his father’s paws and scrambled backwards on his rear end. He crouched behind a table and was just about to curl up and weep when a hoof touched him on the shoulder.

“Sir, are you quite alright?” a deep voice asked.

The son of the deer family knelt at his side, honey-brown eyes shimmering with concern. Osvaldo did not reply with words, bursting into tears and covering his face with his paws. The deer rubbed his back and spoke softly.

“My name is Dawson. I loved your performance…”

The hall was silent apart from whispers and sobs. Drexl remained where he was, the rapier pressing against the back of his head. Vladimir rose to his feet.

“Mr. Krolik. In light of this new development, I will not be signing my daughter onto your firm. I will also be reconsidering my family’s donation to yours. You are no longer welcome at this reception. Good day.”

Drexl looked at Pomni, who had gotten to her feet. The look in his eyes could have poisoned an alpine stream. Pomni felt a lurch of fear in her belly that he might cross the room, grab her head with a single paw and tear it from her shoulders. The Gentleman in Red hopefully had quick reflexes…

Drexl turned to Zuzanna, thrusting a finger to the door. “Wyjeżdżamy.”

Zuzanna remained in her seat. Her normally sweet countenance was icy.

“Zuzanna! Właśnie teraz wychodzimy!”

“Obawiam się, że to trudne,” she replied.

A few of Jax’s cousins gave nervous input in Ediacaran. Zooble got to their feet, groaning with pain. Nothing was broken, but they were going to bruise terribly.

Drexl’s mouth twitched. He looked to Boone.

“Boone. Come along,” he ordered.

Boone slid his tooth back into its socket and looked his father in the face.

“Mother would hate who you’ve become. Go fuck yourself,” he replied.

There was a scattering of gasps from the guests. One indigo rabbitwoman flipped open her fan and rapidly waved it on her neck. Ragatha made a sound of disbelief as Gangle helped her into her chair.

Drexl balled his fists. He stared a moment longer before whirling about, stomping to the exit door and throwing it open hard enough so that it slammed against the outside wall with teeth-chattering force. The Gentleman in Red sheathed his rapier and rested both hands on his cane, observing the hullabaloo. He nodded to Vladimir.

“Delicious cake, Mr. Shutnyk,” he said.

Pomni put ice from the champagne bucket in one of the napkins, a blue one, and gave it to Zooble to help with their injury, doing the same for Ragatha, this time in a red one. She then strode over to Jax, who watched Drexl Krolik retreat into the distance before he closed the door.

“Are you alright?” she asked, holding his paw.

“I am alright. Are you? I’m sorry I didn’t catch you…” he said.

“Think nothing of it. You were helping your brother. I would like to go home. May I see those documents?”

Jax handed her the folder. She brought it to her parents, who were still gathering themselves off the floor. Jax went to

“Pomni, we had no idea that-” her mother began.

“Yes, I’m sure you didn’t. Do not worry about that now. Please review these documents, if you don’t mind.”

Vladimir opened the folder. Inside were about a half dozen penned documents. The handwriting was of such a neat and blocky quality that it could only be Pomni’s.

“And these are?” Vladimir asked.

“A few bits and bobs. Notice of intent to vacate, acceptance papers from the New Hirnantian Embassy in Ediacara, transfer of ownership for a piece of property… and a few letters of intent to pursue legal action should Jax and I not be given our dowry.”

Vladimir put on his spectacles and skimmed through the papers, then looked up, perplexed.

“You’re… giving the manor we’re gifting you away?” he asked.

“We can hardly take it with us to Ediacara, can we? Besides, Osvaldo would benefit from it more. He needs a place to live, after all. So he can live there along with whoever he chooses.” Pomni said.

“You’re moving to another country? But Pomni, why? Why would you do this..?” Mirella pleaded.

“Please don’t begin the crocodile tears, mother.” Pomni sighed. “Yes, we’re moving to Ediacara. Drexl Krolik’s offer may have been laughable, but I was quite intrigued by his mention that women can work there. There are other issues, assuredly, but at least I won’t be doomed to a life of domestic servitude as I would here.”

“But… Pomni, what about-” Vladimir began.

“I’ve told you before, father. Your firm interests me no longer. Although Jax and I love each other, I have not forgotten how betrayed I felt three weeks ago, as well as both of your complete and utter indifference towards my distress. That hurt almost as much as you going behind my back. It not only broke my heart, it showed me that I exist as a commodity to you, not as your daughter. If I hadn’t learned of Drexl’s vicious personality, I would be at his mercy and it would have been entirely your doing.”

Mirella burst into tears, earning a roll of the eyes from Pomni.

“Mother, really. That is not needed. Now, if you two are truly apologetic, you will give me my dowry and let me go. Perhaps then I will let you back into my life. If you attempt to skimp on my inheritance, then you will never see me again apart from in court. That’s all. I am going home to pack. Our boat leaves in a few days. I’ll see you later.”

Pomni turned and walked away. Vladimir watched his daughter go. She found her husband, pecked him surreptitiously on the cheek with a dry smile, and spoke a bit with her oldest brother-in-law and sister-in-law. He felt like screaming at her, demanding her return. But he did not say a word, simply hugging his weeping wife.

Secretly, he was impressed.

[eredhes]

I’ve been wanting to get into clay and wondered what kind you used and if you have any tips for a newbie

I'm pretty flattered by this as I'm totally self-taught with clay haha I work with air-drying clay as I haven't been able to get onto a course, everything has been booked up in my area for like 2 years now. I'm considering saving up to get a home kiln.

My clay recommendations might be limited to the UK/Europe. I use Sio-2 Plus, but my normal supplier has stopped selling it so I've half switched to Pebeo Gedeo.

I'm really fond of and highly recommend Channel 4's The Great Pottery Throw Down and absorbed a lot from watching it.

(This got really long so rest under the cut):

I prefer natural clays as they tend to allow for fairly fine detailing. Sio-2 Plus is my favourite of these. Pebeo Gedeo is very similar to Sio-2 except it tends to dry out quickly and form a sort of skin which can be annoying. The white version doesn't do this but the texture is more grainy. Glorex looks like it would be the same as the previous two but it tends to be chalky (marks surfaces, feels soft). I have a 5kg bag that I use for practice pieces. I would not sell something made from it. Scola (which seems to get sold under different names) I would not recommend as in my experience while it feels soft and nice to work with it's brittle and chalky. Hobbycraft's own clay used to be this gorgeous natural red clay (older pieces of mine prior to April 2023) but they've replaced it with synthetic clay that is totally different.

I don't like most synthetic clay as they tend to be like soggy, mushy paper making them harder to work with. They're better suited for making larger pieces. DAS I absolutely hate. I don't know if every pack I've gotten happens to be bad but it's borderline unworkable as it doesn't adhere to itself easily. There's also Earthstone, which is synthetic with a more natural feeling but it's sort of hairy and chalky.

Natural clays are usually in a see through plastic bag, while synthetic are usually in the same type of opaque plastic/foil-like packaging.

General advice: I have 2 tools I mainly use (besides my beloved hands); rubbery tip paintbrush-thing and a very blunt cake decorating knife.

I start with a basic shape made of scrunched up tin foil then build up on top of it, just make sure the clay is at least 50mm thick or it may crack. Also handy to have; cake decorating stand wheel (actual pottery ones are... pricy) and a tile for a flat easy clean surface (can get free sample ones online).

Moisturise your hands after working with clay. Get up and stretch regularly. Seek out inspiration, follow what moves you. Sketch out ideas beforehand, use reference images, do studies (drawing and clay), make practice pieces. Have fun with it.

Sorry this is a bit long winded but I hope it's helpful!

[sirianasims]

Chapter 32

Never Grow Up

Less than a year later, Samuel and I were married.

The wedding was everything I’d dreamed of. I’m sure our parents would happily have paid for an enormous wedding if we’d asked them to. But that wasn’t our style.

All I wanted was a small, intimate affair with our closest friends and family while I said ‘I do’ to the love of my life. We rented the Myshuno Observatory. It almost felt like my grandma Cora was with us in spirit.

Even Charlie showed up. I knew it meant a lot to Samuel, although his brother couldn’t stay for long.

At least he was there for the ceremony, and he came over to congratulate us afterwards.

He said he had a flight to catch, his band was on tour at the moment. I suspected that he was also trying to avoid talking to Colten and Kailani.

I wondered if Charlie actually preferred his solitude, or if he secretly wanted to be a bigger part of his family than he was.

I was grateful that I got along with my own family, especially my sister Grace. I couldn’t believe that she would be starting high school after the summer, it felt like yesterday that I’d taught her how to cross the monkey bars in our backyard.

By the time Grace and I headed inside for the reception, Charlie was gone and Kailani was talking to Jessica. Jessica had volunteered to do the decorations, beautiful blush-coloured roses everywhere, my favourite.

We kept the wedding alcohol-free for my dad, and Griffin and Daria had offered to do all the food for us as a wedding gift. It was impressive, the entire menu was vegan since Griffin had also stopped eating meat after his first visit to the cadaver lab during medical training. I didn’t blame him, it sounded horrific. Samuel hadn’t seemed as bothered.

Over by the cake, Conrad was making my dad and Cecilia crack up with outrageous anecdotes. It was strange to see my parents interact with each other. It had happened before, of course, they had celebrated my birthday together a few times when I was younger, but I couldn’t remember if they had been in the same room since my mom and Conrad moved to Del Sol Valley.

Looking at the four of them now, it was impossible to tell that things had ever been bad between my parents. Still, I couldn’t imagine two people less likely to work out. They both had a certain desperation to them, and they both needed someone to temper them, not stoke the flames.

Conrad, with his extravagant approach to life, gave my mother a safe outlet, a way to release all that intensity so she didn’t blow up.

Cecilia, kind but unwavering, calmed my father down and turned his particular brand of chaos into something less destructive.

But who was I?

Was I like my dad, prone to holding on in an attempt to do the right thing until I finally self-destructed?

Or was I more like my mother, desperately trying to make people love me until I gave up and left them in the dust?

I needed to do better than both of them. I wanted everything to work out. I shook my head lightly, trying to chase away the dark thoughts. This was my wedding day, why was I only thinking about disaster?

I went to find Samuel. He pulled me close and kissed me.

This was what I needed. My husband.

Samuel would temper me, like Conrad and Cecilia tempered my parents.

We would be fine.

By the time we were back in our bed that night, I was both exhausted and deliriously happy.

I took Samuel’s hand, marvelling at the ring on his finger.

“I can’t believe we’re actually married.”

He sent me a mischievous smile.

“Me neither. But you better let go of my hand. I need it for something.”

I was glad that we’d had some practice over the last year, otherwise I might have chickened out of my wedding night completely.

Samuel was gentle, always making sure that I was satisfied.

A small part of me wished he’d be a little less restrained, that he would lose himself in it, the same way he made me lose myself, but it was still good.

beginning / previous / next

[dragon-sentinel]

I have already seen my fair share of

"Barbie is great because it teaches girls they can be hyperfeminine and pink and glittery etc. etc. and still be empowered. Barbiecore!! It has nothing to do with pleasing men. Men hate the movie, see?

Also, it's not bad if girls are taught to "have fun" with make-up from an early age on."

And I just get so tired. I wish people would understand the effects and the role of femininity (even the version that "supposedly does not revolve around men and is hated by them") in our larger cultural context and how femininity is part of a gendered hierarchy.

It does not exist in a vacuum and cannot be divorced from the damaging history of femininity's social function as a reinforcement of sexism, patriarchal dynamics and gendered hierarchies.

It doesn't just go away because of a fun movie.

Don't get me wrong. Barbie is a good movie and I am not saying it has no value or doesn't also teach women many good things.

But two things can be true at the same time.

Barbie can reinforce good messages (women can have great careers, STEM jobs, be successful, call out sexual harassment etc.) while also reinforcing harmful messages with regard to other cultural facets such as beauty standards, make-up culture and the alienation of women's natural faces (and this being pushed onto young girls too), fear of aging, having to embody a set of pleasing "aesthetics", wearing clothing/looks that can be unpractical restricting and demand lots of self-monitoring (increasing a woman's cognitive load because part of her attention always has to check whether her skirt didn't go up too high to prevent flashing her underwear, whether her make-up smudged, whether her hair is in place etc.) and spending lots of time, money and resources on beauty and fashion-related products and practices.

Those things ARE harmful femininity. And only because you think a subset of men don't like it doesn't mean it doesn't reinforce and teach these basic concepts of women being valued immensely for their decorative appearance.

(Also, more on that whole "men don't like these aesthetics" down belove because I think this claim also needs to be looked at with more nuance.)

These messages are not mutually exclusive. The same piece of media can absolutely provide very good commentary on one topic while giving bad commentary on another.

"But pink is just a color and there is nothing wrong with glitter."

I agree! But Barbie's aesthetics are the full package of femininity.

Because it is not just about glitter or about pink. Barbie's default isn't running around in pink sweatpants with a glittery oversized hoodie and purple crocs with messy hair and no make-up. Or some funny fantasy clown make-up.

Barbie generally looks conventionally stunning.

She wears carefully selected, perfectly designed beautiful and feminine outfits, styled through and through from head to toe.

And even if there is some ironic twist somewhere in the movie, its entire advertisment and PR are very explicitly focused on those hyperfeminine aesthetics.

Her event and PR outfits referencing iconic Barbie looks and the hyperfeminine aesthetics in trailers and promotional material to grab people's attention are a core part of their campaign.

That is also socialization. It still presents these things as attractive and desirable, as it reinforces that people should find these things appealing and direct their attention towards them.

I am aware that the movie also comments on body odor or cellulite.

I know it has moments like America Ferrera's monologue and I appreciate these things but this doesn't erase the rest of the aesthetic narrative of the movie, which does want you to enjoy and have fun with those pink hyperfeminine aesthetics. It is part of your viewing pleasure.

Despite the good points it makes it simultaneously also wants you to be positively and genuinely entertained by the aesthetics.

When it comes to this, the movie has an "eat your cake and have it too" mentality because they want to (rightfully) criticize some damaging expectations superimposed on women by feminine gender roles, i.e., femininity. But they clearly also want to keep others. They think some of them are not actually harmful but fun, empowering, even though a thorough look at the femininity they promote as worth keeping will uncover that they still have disadvantaging effects on women and keep crucial parts of the patriarchal hierarchy intact.

And in some regards their messages are even contradictory. Because on the one hand they do want to criticize unrealistic beauty standards (see Gloria's monologue) but at the same time even "self-centered" femininity, wanting to look good, feminine, pretty "for yourself", expressing your "identity" with a certain type of feminine fashion, still has the aforementioned mental and material effects (altered relationships with our bare faces because of make-up, even if your "eyeliner that is so sharp that it can kill a man, is for yourself and yourself alone", spending lots of time and money on restrictive clothing and make-up products, placing a significant amount of value on your looks, constantly monitoring your outward appearance).

As women we have learned to lie to ourselves and live with this cognitive paradox constantly.

"We don't need to shave. But we do it because we "want to", because even though "we don't have to" for some reasons we all collectively still think it is unattractive and unfeminine. But hey we "choose" to shave so it's different!

Aging is totally fine! Women are allowed to age! But at the same time we invest lots of time and money in anti-aging products and routines but this time under the guise of self-care. We don't have to of course. We are perfectly fine with wrinkles! It's just an (odd, collective) "personal" preference that the majority of women would still rather look youthful forever. But this time it's different! It's a choice!"

Materially we are doing the exact same thing that we are conditioned to do by patriarchal norms but thanks to the rhetoric of positive femininity, choice and personal preference we do not need to actually change our behaviour. We can let the words, the impressive-sounding monologues, do "the work for us" to absolve us, while our actions remain the same.

At the end of the day, the movie doesn't really deconstruct the entire cage of femininity, its roots, and all the aspects that harm women. Instead they reframe and rename some of the same things as a celebration of positive femininity.

But simply keeping something damaging in place and renaming it doesn't remove its negative material effects.

It just serves as a dazzling, soothing paint job to distract you and make you feel better about liking it, even if it doesn't serve you.

Hence, it's clear that the movie wants you to think that these aesthetics themselves are or can be, on some level, still fun and good.

(Again, that doesn't mean that it doesn't also promote good messages at other moments.)

And the public reception proves it. Otherwise we wouldn't have those aforementioned takes on how "Barbiecore is empowering because it doesn't revolve around men and "women-centered" hyperfemininity is good."

(Though it has to be noted that whereas pink and glitter are inherently neutral, they have been assigned certain meanings, hence when they are used they do serve as social signifiers and messengers for certain ideas. They are like a condensed proxy or short-form of femininity that quickly and efficently evoke certain gendered ideas in the viewer just by having them look at it.

I think sub-cultures are a good example: Goth and emo fashion for women is not considered attractive by many average people, including average men. And I am pretty sure most goths and emos would tell you they wear this kind of fashion for themselves, to express themselves and not to fulfill any gendered (mainstream!) expectations.

But. Within these scenes there are very often STILL very distinct differences in the type of fashion men and women wear. And oddly enough they often align more with traditional gender expectations than they like to admit (even the higher degree of androgynity in male fashion in those scenes doesn't undo those dynamics - the sexualization and pornification of women in those scenes is very prominent).

Funny. One might wonder why this is the case.

So you still have feminine, pretty, sexy, lady-like goth and emo girls who might not appeal to the general public's taste. But within the scene they very much appeal to that scene-related male gaze.

So the basics of femininity are still taught and lived.

And in addition, if for some reason a woman were to change her style and leave those scenes she might let go of her specific fashion sense but she will most likely take the basic teachings of femininity with her: that there lies immense value in her being decorative (for men).

I honestly think many women are in denial about the fact that yes, even their "self-centered" femininity benefits men as it consolidates certain tranditional gendered roles. And I also think that women are often taught to lie themselves (amongst others by liberal feminism) with regard to how much they actually appreciate men's positive attention and feedback (and I don't blame them for wanting those things, that's how we are socialized, even on purely platonic levels. As a lesbian even I notice how much I often value and unconsciously want positive (platonic or professional) feedback from men in particular. We as a society value men's opinions and attention deeply.)

Coming back to Barbie I think all of this can be applied as well.

First, just as with non-mainstream femininity in alternative scenes "Barbiecore" still teaches the same basic concepts of decorative femininity, encouraging many of the aforementioned damaging behaviours connected to femininity (money, time, resources, cognitive load, value of external attractiveness/appeal), even if women believe they do it for themselves.

And if a woman moves on from pink, glittery Barbiecore to another type of feminine fashion these fundamental values will probably remain with her. At best they have not been challenged by Barbiecore, at worst they have been reinforced, but this time under the pretense of "self-love", self-care or focusing on one's self, ostensibly not serving the male gaze.

Second, it is naive to believe that no man finds Margot Robbie's Barbie and her looks attractive in the movie (just like there are enough men who think unconventional, i.e., non-mainstream, displays of femininity like gothic/emo etc. are attractive).

Given Margot Robbie's attractiveness and the fact that beyond the pink color palette, Barbie's feminine fashion itself is not really "outrageous" (vs. some scene clothing) I wouldn't be surprised if the number of men who are attracted to her movie character is actually higher than the "men hate barbiecore" idea wants to make one believe. They may say they don't but in my opinion it's an act to save face and demonstrate ostensible superiority, just like when they call beautiful women "mid". (Also as we know men are very well willing to fuck what they hate; it's just another display of "dominance").

I am actually very convinced that there is a significant amount of men who would totally dig the very same looks she is sporting if her behavior was different.

I believe they hate her despite her good looks because her personality does not align with their gendered expectations of what a woman should be.

So out of spite, as a punishment, they call her and her aesthetics ugly and childish - because they know beauty is one of the things women are primarily valued for in our society, hence it's an effective target to attack.

If she kept the look but acted like a 50s house wive I'm pretty sure many men would openly say how they are attracted to her (and objectify her).

And even if a portion of men may find the focus on pink genuinely childish they can still like the overall femininity the look reinforces. If you kept the same outfit but changed the colors and removed the glitter it would still be the same basic type of femininity. So with regard to fundamental gendered concepts nothing is really challenged here.

So yes, I genuinely think men hating on "girly" femininity is a lot more aligned with the "Margot Robbie is mid" defense.

They are very clearly attracted to her but they try to paint themselves as not interested, as above that, to display their "superior status and power" over her, because they hate her as a person now. (Or use it as an attempted power play to make girls insecure and - as another post said it perfectly - withold beauty from women because women are taught it's their social currency; so if even women like Margot Robbie are relegated to "mid" they feel self-conscious and weak and will try to win the men's favor to receive their approval - and thus be granted some of that withheld beauty.)

In essence, I really don't buy that men don't actually benefit from "women-centered hyperfemininity" and that it is the looks that don't appeal to them as a class (obviously individual tastes vary).

I am not saying that everything that received the label "feminine" is inherently bad. Compassion and empathy come to mind of course and in an ideal world we might also have separated the harmless parts of the aesthetics (cute fabric patterns like flowers etc., soft but also relaxing and practical cothing) from the harmful practices that reinforce regressive gendered ideas and also lead to increased cognitive load, self-image issues (esp. regarding our bare faces), spending lots of time, money and resources on these things etc.

But we do not live in this ideal world.

We need to treat femininity as the thing that it is in the real world right now. It already has a meaning and this meaning won't be deconstructed by elevating all of it and saying that the harmful parts are actually empowering, too, which is what is happening with those celebrations of barbiecore and pink hyperfemininity.

Your celebration of femininity does not occur in a vacuum.

You cannot pretend the social context in which you do this simply doesn't exist because it spoils your fun and pretend it doesn't actually have any unfavourable consequences for women.

It does.

Gender is a hierarchy, in which femininity is an active tool to place women below men.

That is the reality we need to deconstruct.

-----

A little extra that just came to my mind:

The gothic lolita scene used to have (and perhaps still has) the same kind of rhetoric, too: "We do it for ourselves. Not to appeal to the male gaze. Men don't like this kind of fashion anyway." But a) this is clearly…not true. Gothic lolita, including the non-revealing styles (which make up most of the styles actually), is still popular and fetishized by certain groups of men, precisely because of its (distinct interpretation of) feminine appeal. And b) it still ingrains many core believes of classic femininity into women that transcend the fashion style and reflect accepted and desired ideas about feminine gender roles in broader society.

So the mindset of "doing something that is in line with our sexist society's expectations "for yourself", hence it's different and does not reinforce the same sexist ideals" that women often adapt is a common, recurrent cognitive strategy to justify these preferences to ourselves and others.

Barbiecore is therefore not unique and suddenly above reproach. On the contrary. It perfectly fits a commonly found pattern.

[ciaossu-imagines]

Hey! The prompts you have provided have made it easy for me to request something. So, if i’m going to choose, can you do Prompt No. 1 with Miura Haru?

Yay! I’m so glad the prompts proved useful to people and I can definitely do this for you! Thanks so much for the request and I hope you enjoy, anon dear!

What’s their go-to fifteen minute meal?

Haru actually really does value eating well and staying pretty healthy and she doesn’t usually just end up going the grab and go route with food. If she was really hungry and was running short on time to make something, I think she’d end up replacing a meal with cake from a bakery or grabbing a gas-station bento, which I see as her other guilty pleasure.

How would they describe their perfect vacation?

Romantic. Haru is all about the romance and the atmosphere while travelling and I think Paris, as the so-called ‘city of love’ would appeal to her, though she’d really love the idea of a beach vacation and walking along the sand at sunset with someone special.

What’s the most read book on their bookshelf?

I think a lot of Haru’s reading is done for school and she keeps all her old textbooks to reread. However, I also think she has a lot of poetry books, particularly romantic haikus, and she has at least one or two books on astrology and blood type personalities, things along those lines.

If they had to describe themselves as a type of shoe, which type would they choose? Why?

I think, as a shoe, Haru would best be described as a colourfully printed or patterned sneaker, something fun and whimsical but comfortable and practical.

What song would they choose as their theme song?

I don’t know why but I’ve always kind of associated Ash Koley’s Apple of My Eye with Haru, so it’s the one I’m going to have to go with.

What’s the oldest item in their refrigerator?

Haru’s a pretty neat person. It comes from her mother, who kept their house clean and neat and organized, so I do see her as someone who cleans out their fridge of expired or nearing expiration date products at least once a month. The oldest product is probably a bottle of soy sauce, though it’s still well within it’s expiration cycle.

Do they have an emergency treat (ice cream, cookies, candy, etc.) hidden somewhere in their kitchen for bad days? What is it?

Because she does her best to stay healthy and watch her weight, Haru doesn’t keep treats in the house. She knows that she has a huge sweet tooth, and very little willpower and self-control when it comes to not indulging in treats. If she has them in the house, she’ll sit down and eat them, so she doesn’t keep emergency treats in the house, though she will occasionally stop and buy a piece of cake or some sort of sweet pastry if her day’s been really rough.

What’s their weirdest bedtime ritual?

While not exactly weird, Haru does keep a diary and she can’t go to bed until she writes in it. Her mind just won’t settle down to sleep until she’s written out all of her thoughts into the diary.

Who/what is the one thing that can make them smile no matter how terrible their day has been?

Tsuna can definitely make her do that, but so can all her other friends, like Kyoko or Lambo and I-Pin. Tsuna, though, is the one she really focuses on to get through really bad days. If she gets through this or that hard thing, she’s sure Tsuna would be really proud of her and she uses that as motivation.

Where do they go when they need some time alone?

I think Haru’s room has really always been her sanctuary. Her parents let her decorate it exactly how she wanted, it has all her favourite things and when she just needs to detach from the world, she’ll shut off her phone and hide behind her closed bedroom door and pretend the outside world doesn’t exist.

What’s one conspiracy theory that they secretly agree with?

Haru, for as spacey and as weird as she can be, doesn’t buy into a lot of conspiracy theories. Her father is a very practical man, who always taught her to not blindly trust in anything that couldn’t be proven…that being said, she does buy into any theories related to secret societies though, as she finds the very thought romantic and dangerous and thrilling.

Who’s the person they most want to tell when they hear a funny joke?

She always tells Tsuna or Lambo the funny jokes she discovers first. Tsuna doesn’t always laugh, which bums her out sometimes (though she just challenges herself to find a funnier joke), but Lambo always laughs at her jokes and it makes her feel really funny and cool and happy.

What’s the first section of the newspaper (or online news source) that they check each day?

She checks her horoscope first and then that of all her friends. She’ll send them little texts telling them what her horoscope site of choice says that their days will contain before flipping to the fashion section or advice columns.

Who would they call to bail them out of jail? Bonus points if you describe why they were arrested!

She would either call Tsuna or Bianchi, depending on how embarrassing whatever got her tossed into jail was. She doesn’t want to embarrass herself in front of Tsuna too much, so anything really major or really bad would definitely warrant an immediate call to Bianchi, who Haru really does admire and trust.

What’s the one scent that most reminds them of home?

It’s cherry blossoms. She has so many great memories, right from the time she was really young and went to watch them with her parents, throughout all her life, of watching the cherry blossoms with others and creating precious moments with people she cared about or loved during that part of her life.

What do they consider their greatest achievement?

Honestly, I don’t see Haru as considering herself as someone who has reached their greatest achievement. I do see her as a very hard-working girl, with big dreams, and pretty solid goals that she’s always working to achieve, but I do think she’s not at the point where she feels she’s achieved any of them yet.

How much time do they spend on the internet each day?

Haru doesn’t use the internet a lot. She texts to talk to people and prefers paper-based books for research whenever possible. Sure, she might fiddle around on the internet here or there, but I don’t see it as being more than an hour a day, when averaged out when the week is done.

What’s their go-to procrastination activity?

Haru daydreams. She’s very creative and imaginative, and she can easily get swept away in wild stories she makes up or drawn into plans for new costumes or outfits or games and she definitely does use those fantasies to space out and procrastinate.

If someone were to make a movie of their life, who would they want to play them?

I’m sorry for cheating here, but I really do think Seira Nagashima was such a great choice for Haru in the stage play, and that’s who I’m going to go with.

Is there a number in their phone that they should definitely delete but just can’t seem to erase?

Haru used to have a best friend growing up, right from preschool to late elementary school. However, the two girls had a huge fight and stopped talking to each other in late elementary school…but Haru still can’t bring herself to delete the girl’s number and puts it into every new phone she gets, just as a force of habit.

[alicent-apologist]

Here we have Aegon's thoughts during Helaena's labour.

TW for semi-suicidal thoughts and self harm.

This is a bit different from my usual style of writing, more like a train of thought kinda deal. Gets a bit dark but Aegon is a bit dark.

I hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think!

Helaena used to run into his room crying whenever she had a bad dream. When he was young and stupid, he’d hold her tight and promise her that he’d protect her from everything.

Helaena screams and cries in their bedchamber.

What was one more broken promise in his fucked up life?

Aemond is pacing from one end of the room to the other, the grip on his sword getting tighter and tighter with every whimper of pain they can hear. Daeron is sitting with his legs to his chest like the child he is, eyes wide and unblinking, fixed on the door to the room.

All Aegon wants is wine.

Wine helps him forget that he’s his mother’s biggest disappointment. That his father doesn’t love him, let alone like him. That the iron throne looms like a sword poised above his neck.

That his sister (wife) could be dying.

The hangnail on his thumb comes off with a satisfying burst of pain. Is it penance? If he rips off enough of the skin around his nails, under his nails will that be enough? Would the blood on his fingers be able to hide the blood that would be on his hands? One was chosen and one wasn’t. Which is which? Does he know? Helaena would know. Her sad violet eyes had always seen right through him. He hasn’t looked at them in years.

Maybe he should rip his nails off.

Mother doesn’t know that he knows. None of the others know.

What his father did to gain a son.

He knows.

He knows why his mother will never allow him in the birthing room.

Does he want to be in the birthing room?

If Helaena dies will it be his fault for being her husband? Or is the sin that he loves her as his sister?

Incest is wrong. The Faith decries it.

But not for Targaryens. Who come from the blood of Old Valyria.

Helaena screams. Dreamfyre roars.

If Helaena dies will Aemond kill him in turn? He’s always loved their weird sister best.

Aegon will let him.

Would that be penance? An eye for a life for a life?

No, Aemond would never kill him. He’d look at him with blame and hatred and duty and love and he would lovehate Aegon until the day he died.

Aegon wishes he was on Sunfyre, flying high above the clouds. They would fly up and up and up until they couldn’t see anything but the sky.

He’d still be able to hear Helaena scream.

She can’t sleep without him in their bed any more. She’ll never tell him but he knows.

He taught her how to lie. Does she remember?

He can’t sleep without her next to him either.

After this is over he’ll get her all the cake she wants. Decorated with blueberries and dripping in honey.

All the fingers on his left hand are bleeding and stinging.

There’s a hangnail on his right pinkie.

He’d give his left bollock for a cup of wine.

Well, his bollock is royal. A jug perhaps.

A good big brother would comfort Daeron. Tell him that their sister would be fine and that they were gaining two new members to their fucked up family.

Aegon pulls at the bit of skin under his nail. Pulls and digs until he can feel the nail separating from the nail bed. The pain makes him want to hiss and stop.

Aegon keeps pulling.

Helaena keeps screaming.

[ferinehuntressmoved]

◈　@shimmerbeasts　[ ⋯ ]　old meme . 　☾ ⸻　👫 (Baroness for Jinx)

⸻ When Caitlyn was barely starting out living in the undercity, Caitlyn found herself following around Jinx. Despite being younger, Jinx knew the undercity and knew how it worked. caitlyn had always been curious about it since she was little but now that she was in it she had to learn the ropes. So anything Jinx did, Caitlyn would copy. It's how she learned how to climb and scale buildings, and how to fight back. Jinx taught Caitlyn how to embrace her innermost beast and to not fear the violence but embrace it. Caitlyn learned how violence was not just a way to fight back, but it was a way of life and she thrived in it. Jinx helped Caitlyn learn the language of Violence and embrace the zaunite within herself. Caitlyn stuck to Jinx because she was the first person who not just helped her, but showed her who she was.

⸻ When Jinx falls into her episodes and struggles to process things: whether she locks herself away in her workshop to the point she is losing herself or she finds herself having one on a rooftop; Caitlyn will do anything she can to help ground and focus her. Sometimes it must be immediate so Caitlyn will use all five senses to help bring Jinx back and then get her away from the situation or she will handle the situation personally. Or, if it is a long-term thing, Caitlyn will go out of her way to find a way to lift Jinx's spirit. This could be anything from a new gadgetry toy she can work and improve on, to something that benefits her such as a gag for her oral fixation to help prevent her from hurting her lips or certain sweets that Jinx can handle (like the bitter chocolate cake or a type of citrus fruit). She loves to find ways to help Jinx focus and to know that she's not alone in this and that Caitlyn sees her for all she is and will always be there to help her.

⸻ Jinx was Caitlyn's inspiration to truly connect with the predator within herself, not to just accept it but to become more of it. It's why Caitlyn wanted to watch Jinx when she was in her hound state and was truly mesmerized by how vicious and lethal she became. The longer claws, the sharper fangs, the way jinx almost looked more animal than human. Caitlyn knew how dangerous Shimmer could be if not handled with care but she also knew that she wanted to become more of her predator self and Shimmer would help with that. Jinx was able to provide the right kind of shimmer that wasn't given to brothels or a watered-down solution that would only give her a high. Careful regulation of it allowed Caitlyn to connect with her inner beast which sprouted feathers over her shoulders and her nails grew sharper. Caitlyn enjoys using shimmer from time to time, especially when she is with Jinx.

⸻ Caitlyn and Jinx often exchange gifts back and forth, without the need for return (yet it has become a 'you give' and 'I give back' action.) When Jinx leaves a gift at Caitlyn's office: be it a decorated dish, a new music box, a new gadget, or little metal toys; Caitlyn makes sure to go out of her way to find something to give back. More often than not, Caitlyn has a love for anything shiny. She will go into the mines and find unique gemstones which she gives to Jinx. The favorite one she gave to Jinx was a stone of Blue Jadeite. It was absolutely beautiful and she went to get it chiseled and crafted into the shape of an ocelot. Afterward, she left it in her den. caitlyn will often find any kind of shiny gemstones to leave with Jinx, though this Blue Jadeite Ocelot was the favorite gift she had ever given.

[builtbybrokenbells]

15 questions for 15 mutuals

I got tagged by @jakekiszkasmommy 😁thank you so much for tagging me!! 🫶🏻

Were you named after anyone?

My middle name is Dawn, after my aunt (and my niece is named after me 😁)

When was the last time you cried?

Literally this morning lol 😂 my mental state is in constant shambles

Do you have kids?

Not right now

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Constantly lol

What's the first thing you notice about people?

Usually kindness! If someone seems genuine, it’s definitely the first thing I pick up on. Visually, style is absolutely an attention grabber

What's your eye color?

Blue

Scary movies or happy endings?

I love scary movies! Don’t get me wrong, I love a good happy ending but I’ve always been a horror freak lol

Any special talents?

Self taught on guitar and bass 😁😁 also, can roll a joint in ≈ 20 seconds

Where were you born?

NB, Canada 😬

What are your hobbies?

Music and writing! I play guitar and bass, but I’ll always be a singer more than anything. I write a lot, too. Lots of fics, and currently halfway through my first novel! I also bake and decorate cakes, and volunteer in my spare time

Have any pets?

Not at the moment! Fostered kittens for a very long time, had two foster fails but unfortunately I couldn’t end up keeping them. Was almost a year ago now and it still breaks my heart. Haven’t even bought a goldfish or anything since 😂

What sports do you play/have you played?

Rugby

How tall are you?

5’7

Favorite subject in school?

I was an everything kid 😭😭 I loved school, but if I had to pick, science or English. In uni I majored in health sciences with a minor in literature

Dream job?

Author, poet, musician, dreamer 🤭 anything to escape the mundane lifestyle. but also, I was in school to be a surgeon so it would be pretty cool to be able to achieve that dream someday

I tag: @sunandthemoontwinflames

@wetkleenex-gvf

@sammysprincess

@ohgodthefeeling-gvf

@gvfpal

@jakesgrapejuice

Absolutely no pressure to participate, and sorry if you already got tagged! i don’t have a whole lot of mutuals (🤥) so i just tagged a few blogs i see around and appreciate!

[nopesterlogs]

Okay, time to enter the kitchen

I just noticed john is wearing his normal glasses under the fake ones, that can't be comfortable. he really does suffer for his art.

I appreciate the detail in the harlequins arm falling off. not everyone would go to the effort.

why does this have a heartbeat is this whole story gonna end with meeting Dagoth Ur in a volcano

Faceless dad here has baked and decorated an entire cake in like 15 minutes since getting home

> [S] STRIFE! Is john gonna attach his dad with a hammer

dads taking this quite well

or not

okay this was pretty funny. dude could of dropped them any time

heh

yknow for a guy whos backed at least 3 cakes today dads kitchen is really clean. Is he single

John why take his PDA.

Is this how Captchalogue upgrades are normally done? cause that... is inconvienient.

Quest Success. Another Birthday present?

is homestuck so long because its just john messing up the inventory system?

oh hey, number 4!

and... they're gone. they seem nice

TG has absolutely no chill

I can imagine were only starting to see the depths of meta this comic will go honestly

version 0.0.1? im surprised there is even a server yet to play

considering the fact they are the basic way people seem to interact with the world, you'd think it would be like basic knowledge taught in school.

... does john go to school?

how does this world work

???????

hes gonna launch the razor into the fucking computer at this point

close enough

Poor dad. wait how did the glass fall on the inside?

ooh a present from TG. I literally have no idea what to expect

NOOO???

John really needs to be stopped.

okay finally the present

Something suspiciously dirty and smelly.

:/

But no, it is not merely LIKE that bunny. According to this NOTE OF AUTHENTICITY, it is the VERY SAME BUNNY.

I have no idea how much movie memorabilia goes for but i can't imagine its cheap. TG Must be pretty well off.

Looks like Sburb is ready and TT is messaging.

Its got a client and a host so 2P? guess thats TT?

yeah TT is connecting

a, This music is banging

b, very sims, I think i saw "Sewing Mirrors" If I could pause I'd be inclined to read all of them, I wonder if theres anything important in there. is there a list somewhere? otherwise it seems pretty "recalculating Splines"

very sims Select revise and deploy feel like they are kinda self explanatory. but is it for the real world? theres what looks like an item registry? Grist Cache sounds like currency maybe?

last two I dunno but the last one has a punch capcha card?

oh theirs johns FIFO card sweet.

also what the fuck. although considering that other hand is this just a normal thing that's possible in universe?

ummmm what is the range on this thing

mildly convenient

Dads going out for MORE supplies?? why didnt he just get enough the first time??

okay I guess there is a range

the menace deserves to be prodded buy a terrifying game cursor

I like how he responds to the reference

So this game can just rewrite reality? just create matter out of thin air?

Seeing as John already lives a pretty Video gamey life is Sburb more like a mod that allows the host (or client actually which one is John) to effect the base code?

Seems like existence is based on a coded frame work. "It was all a video game" seems a bit too cliché but maybe something like that is happening?

man it even effects the outside too

oh boy nebulous machinery

Cruxtruder - Extrudes something? a Crux presumably

Totem Lathe - Used to carve some kind of totem probably? that seems too simple though

Alchemiter - the Punch card thing had something to do with Alchemy too. Changes things with punch cards?

[jackhkeynes]

19th-century Espionage and the Invention of Software

collected notes on two entirely unrelated works of literature.

Men of Jet and Diamond (originally published in Welsh under the title Dynnon o Vuhuð a Diamont) is an 1890 trevold written by Hasinick Welshman Cadogan Torrior, shortly after he graduated from the University of Nadacou [capital of Hasiny, located not far from the coast on the banks of the *Mississippi] as a scholar of diplomacy.

Published by Blackburn Editions, the work is a rather late member of the first wave of masquira romance. The book was modestly popular in eastern Mendeva [North America], but became much more widely known after being adapted by a New Provence guild into the wildly-succesful 1951 film 'Jet White' (New Provincial Blanc Sabaje).

---

The Parable of the Mute Bookbinder (originally published in Burgund as Fable dew Reillour Mut) is a philosophical treatise written in 1743 by noblewoman Rachel Desselut in response to Vallakis on the problem of the bounded self-duplication of living things (in brief: how can a finite being contain within itself the ability to create a full copy of itself?).

Desselut's work lays out the separation of Form and of Method, and how they allow for the unsculpted duplication of a bounded being. She argues that in order for living matter to duplicate, the Form must contain within itself an explicit Method describing in some readable language its construction. Thus she inferred the existence of a vital language (in her own writing she called it the Divine Word; we now know it as heredian acid [DNA]) present in the cases of the body.

---

(book excerpts under the cut)

Men of Jet and Diamond

It would have been an exaggeration to say that the hotel's lobby was crowded. Nonetheless, Zoe Pentross found she couldn't take a seat without inserting herself into someone's lively conversation or another's relaxed solitude. Instead she remained standing at the bar, keys in her left hand and a gratifyingly-good Empordan wine in her right. "Are you here to see the new King arrive in Nadacou?" A tall, slender man joins Zoe at the bar, signalling the tender for a refill. "Not to see His Grace, per se," Zoe demurs, taking the opportunity to turn and look properly at her new companion. Dark hair, closely-shorn—not typical among those with long family ties in the area, though his complexion suggested he wasn't entirely foreign. "Ah, of course!" The smile that spreads across the man's face is charming and curious. Someone delighted at mystery, perhaps, or at least someone willing to humour it for the sake of conversation. "You plan to stand one street over from tomorrow's parade, I take it?"

Half an hour, far too much shockled cake and a generous glass of limmon acquetta later, Zoe strode out of the new unmanned lifter and peered at the ornate signposts. The key in her hand was helpfully inscribed with a fullaw bird and the number four in neat script, so she turned down the corresponding corridor until she found her door, set discreetly into the wall. Inside, the set of rooms (really, not much more than a small parlour and a bed in an alcove) was decorated in the latest Morrack fashions, all exposed stonework draped in tapestries and curtains. The ewer in the corner even had a handle in the shape of a viper.

The Parable of the Mute Bookbinder

And yet he could not take Marcuccio as his apprentice, for how was he to instruct a pupil in the art of bookbinding? But although Ignazo could not speak, he could write. For a year and a day he wrote, describing all his methods and arts, from the pedigree of sheep for the parchment, to the age of the oak tree for the ink. In this way he taught Marcuccio in detail the production of a book exactly like the one he had himself written, save that the copy would be utterly blank. Upon the last page, Ignazio wrote his final instruction: Et omnia hic scripta scribas illic—And all that is written here, you shall write therein. And thus Marcuccio received the book, and studied from it. And after many months did he return to Ignazio, twin books in his arms.

[abookishdreamer]

Character Intro: Chiron (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nicknames- Trainer of Heroes, The Golden Centaur by the people of Olympius

Mr. Wise by the Centaur community

Pop by his children

Stallion by his wife

Age- 49 (immortal)

Location- Thessaly, Olympius

Personality- A "gem" of the Centaur community, he's a perfectionist through and through. He has the biggest heart & he genuinely cares for people, in and outside of his community. He's a great orator, teacher, & is remarkably patient. He's recently remarried.

He's a Centaur. His lower half is that of a white stallion.

Chiron's immediate family includes his new wife Paean (goddess of physicians), his younger brother Dolops (who owns his own business), and his children from his first marriage- a son Carystus (nicknamed Cary) & daughters Melanippe (nicknamed Melanie), Endeïs, and Oycrhoe. Their mother (Chiron's ex-wife) is Chariclo, an Oread (mountain nymph). The two still maintain a friendship.

He, his wife, and children reside at their picturesque woodland estate in the state of Thessaly with an equally breathtaking view of Mt. Pelion. Inside the interior colors are dark shades of blue, green, orange, & brown. There's lots of leather furniture, various decorative animal pelts, and taxidermed animal mounts. His Imperial Gold bow and arrow (a gift from Apollo which is purely decorative) is on proud display in the main living room. The basement is converted into a "man cave" of sorts- complete with leather armchairs, a pool table, a flat screen television (which is rarely turned on), & several upon several shelves filled with books of various subjects (including the rare leather bound editions). Chiron owns a canoe as well as many hunting rifles. He & Paean also have the pleasure of having an apartment suite in the royal palace on Mt. Olympus.

Because he has the favor of King Zeus and Queen Hera as well as the general respect & admiration of the pantheon, he was granted with the gift of immortality. Chiron & his family also has a security detail provided by the King.

Chiron is the only non-deity to have a star on the Pantheon Walk of Fame. Many Thessilian Centaurs came to the official ceremony!

He's fluent in Old Greek (self-taught), Latin, and Minoan (after an eight month stay in Crete).

He always starts of his morning with a run, a workout session at the nearby gym, followed by a nice hot cup of roast coffee at home while reading The Oracle newspaper.

Other go-to drinks for him include water, aloe vera juice, grapefruit soda, mango juice, & his "special" milkshake that he makes often. He's more so of a social drinker- enjoying a glass of brandy or champagne.

Not much is known about how Chiron started out, but his intelligence and way with words were always praised. He started teaching early on as a young man- first in secret in an underground school towards the end of the Titanomachy (when the Titan God & King, Kronos ordered that all schools should be burnt down and destroyed). Several hundred years later, Chiron was still an educator in Thessaly teaching at a low funded public school. His talents with the sword and bow & arrow also became gossiped about!

It's said that his archery skills are on par with Apollo and Artemis! Chiron also knows his way around a shotgun, almost never missing his target.

His favorite dessert is the carrot cake from Hollyhock's Bakery. He also likes his wife's vegan flourless chocolate cake!

There's several scholarships at the University in his honor.

Chiron's op-ed piece titled "A Trail of Tears" garnered nationwide attention. He offers his thougths and possible solutions on the heightened violence in the Centaur community. It all stemmed from daily news reports a couple years ago of many centaurs losing their lives in various violent crimes. It was known as "The Summer of Blood."

For his career, he recently did the grand opening of his training academy- most notable students being Jason & his fellow Argonauts. The school is open to all creeds. His main career though is being a public speaker. Chiron travels throughout Olympius (sometimes out-of-realm) where he gives speaking engagements. It's said that he earns up to a million drachmas per speech! He's also an accomplished author having published a few books- his best seller being Letters From Thessaly.

For other work he also writes for The Oracle newspaper as well as the magazines O Dianooumenos & Modern Olympus. Personally, Chiron and his brother co-founded an organization that's set up to help promote education & literacy in the youth of the Centaur community. Summers in Thessaly are always filled with charity basketball and football (soccer games), an archery contest, and barbeques open to the public!

A personal highlight of his career was when he was in attendance at the swearing in ceremony of the newest police cheif of the New Olympus Police Department- a centauress (female centaur) named Dorotea Tsopei.

In the pantheon, he's friendly with all of the deities, but he's especially good friends with Ktesios (god of the household), Eudaimonia (goddess of happiness), Karmanor (demi-god of the harvest), Neicus (god of debate & appeal), Apólafsi (god of enjoyment), Lelantos (Lantos) (Titan god of air, the unseen, & hunting), Pathos (god of emotion), Eikono (goddess of iconography & literature), Pan (god of the wild, satyrs, shepherds, & rustic music), and Favian (god of philosophy).

His favorite guilty pleasures is the BLT on a hero (on whole wheat bread) from The Bread Box & the veggie burger from Olympic Chef with olympian sized sweet potato fries.

Even though Chiron is immensely blessed and grateful for the many opportunities that came his way, he does feel this insurmountable burden to be the best Centaur he can be, carrying all the responsibilities & varying issues within the Centaur community on his back. He can think back to every moment at any social function when someone made an ignorant comment towards him disguised as compliments- "Oh, you're not a true Centaur" or "You're the best one." A viral sketch on The Agnostic Network said it best- "This shining beacon isn't a notorious overly indulgent drinker or greets someone with a crack of a skull. No! Not a uncultured barbarian- He's the pretty golden drachma! Intelligent! Civilized! A kind heart!"

His wife once comforted him while he was having a panic attack after nearly passing out while checking in a hotel in Naxos after seventy-two hours of no sleep.

Chiron has rejected both Clymene and Pheme's offers of filming a docuseries and a reality television show about his family.

Lately, he's been warming up to & supporting his son's decion to enter the music industry as a conscious rap artist.

Sometimes Chiron longs for the days where he'd be relaxing at his brother's barbershop, eating peanuts & chewing tobacco with the other guys all while having thoughtful and relaxing discussions about everything while playing cards & dominoes.

Despite all he's done for his community (and outside of it), controversy hasn't escaped Chiron. A main point of contention among Centauresses is his love life- the fact that he's never publicly dated or had a relationship with a female Centaur. Chiron hates how he has to defend who he fell in love with.

He knows his way around a kitchen- his most well known dish being this hearty and flavorful meat & potato stew (added with beef, pork, chicken, russet potatoes, green beans, okra, bell peppers, carrots, spicy sausages, and broccoli). His other favorite meals include his wife's grilled lime jerk wings, his daughter Endeïs' macaroni salad (where she uses olive oil mayo and adds chopped celery, red pepper, jalapeños, and parmesan & feta cheese), pastitsio, kalogeros, and wild rice salad (added with chopped pecans & pomegranate seeds).

Bonding time for Chiron and his daughters happen when they re-tighten his locs.

In his free time he enjoys archery, basketball, football (soccer), canoeing, hunting (with his son & brother), reading, writing, mountain climbing, gardening, baseball, chess, and playing pool. Chiron rarely watches televison (except for news & documentaries).

"You can help a person aquire knowledge, but you can't make them think."

[rabbitcruiser]

International Cheetah Day

They are mother nature’s precision, high-performance machine, designed to do one job and to do it with incredible skill and effectiveness. They can accelerate faster than a Ferrari, tearing up the ground from 0-75 mph in just 3 seconds, and they come with a self-grown paint-job that would make the fanciest of muscle cars blush with envy. That’s right, we’re talking about the Cheetah!

International Cheetah Day celebrates these incredible animals while raising awareness about their threat of extinction. So get ready to enjoy Cheetah Day!

History of International Cheetah Day

As founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), Dr. Laurie Marker chose to commemorate Khayam, a cheetah she raised at the Wildlife Safari that she ran in Oregon, by establishing December 4th as International Cheetah Day in his memory.

Khayam served as part of an important experiment that helped in determining whether or not captive Cheetahs can be taught to hunt and live in the wild on their own after being in captivity. After a trip to Namibia, the experiment was proven successful. However, Dr. Marker and Khayam still returned home following the experiment, after observing that local hunters were eliminating wild cheetahs as a threat to their livelihood.

Driven by this encounter, Dr. Marker decided to move to Namibia to help heal the rift between farmers and the majestic cheetah. It was in 1990 that she founded the CCF. Cheetahs are incredible animals, being the fastest land mammal in the wild today.

Sadly, though the numbers used to be significantly higher, there are only 8,000 of these creatures left in the wild today, a number that leaves them as Africa’s most endangered feline. Cheetahs hold their position as the world’s fastest land mammal, thanks to some tricks that have perfectly adapted them for high speed.

The cheetah’s full running speed is so fast that their feet only touch the ground once every 6 to 7 meters, and their muscular tail helps to steer them like a rudder at these high speeds. Needless to say, once a cheetah has prey in their sites, there’s no running away!

How To Celebrate International Cheetah Day

Celebrating International Cheetah Day is meant to not only be fun, but also educational. It’s an important day to raise awareness for wildlife, so try out some of these ideas to honor the day:

Learn All About Cheetahs

First, this is the perfect day to learn everything possible about these amazing animals. Try out these ideas for getting more involved in the world of cheetahs:

Watching documentaries is a fascinating way to learn about the plight of these beautiful creatures. A few options are available, including Running for Their Lives, Cheetah: Against All Odds, or the BBC’s Cheetah Family & Me.

Attend a variety of functions held on International Cheetah Day at various local zoos.

Read books about cheetahs to children, whether buying them or borrowing them from the local library. These might include titles such as How Many Spots Has a Cheetah Got? by Steve Martin; Oshok and the Cheetah by Arjun Dhol; or the amazing photography book, Remembering Cheetahs by Wildlife Photographers United.

Host an International Cheetah Day Party

Get some friends, family or coworkers together and host a party that means something! Use a cheetah theme and have decorations resembling the cheetah spots or also a jungle theme. When guests arrive, give them all headbands with cheetah ears on them to wear at the party. Serve snacks along the theme, such as Cheetos Paws or make a decorate a cheetah cake. Finally, for the evening’s entertainment, watch a cheetah documentary (listed above).

Don’t forget to make the party into a fundraiser by asking guests to bring a donation with them, or getting some gifts ahead of time that can be used to create a fundraising auction. While there, invite everyone to sign up for Cheetah Conservation Fund newsletters so they can stay informed.

Help with Cheetah Conservation

Once a new (or growing!) appreciation for these high-speed mammals has been developed, it’s time to start finding ways to help with their conservation. Many valuable and credible organizations have been striving to make a change for the better for these animals. Join in by volunteering or making a donation to one of these groups:

Cheetah Conservation Fund This organization (mentioned above) was founded in Namibia in 1990. Their website offers many options for education and donating, as well as purchasing resources that support the animals. In addition to simply making a donation, friends can actually sponsor a cheetah, whether monthly or for a full year.

African Wildlife Foundation Committed to protecting animals all over the continent of Africa, the AWF has been working toward solutions related to building communities and avoiding human-wildlife conflict.

Big Cat Conservation An organization in the UK, this group supports projects that help a variety of Big Cats around the world.

Spread the Word About International Cheetah Day

Getting the community involved with saving the cheetahs is ideal when it’s combined with efforts from the local zoo. People who live in a place where their local zoo doesn’t have an International Cheetah Day celebration, might decide to contact them and see what can be done to arrange one, even volunteering to help run it if need be!

The cheetah is known for being incredibly fast, but with your help, together we can slow down its extinction.

Source

[sweetteachings]

Blog Post – Chapter Four – Self-Directed Learning

After reading Chapter Four in our textbook on Self-Directed Learning, I find that there are a lot of points that I can relate to. Naturally, being an adult learner returning to post secondary school in an online environment, there will be a lot of self-directed learning (SDL) involved within the structure of our course, but it is my 20 years as a pastry chef running my own business where I feel the affiliation with SDL.

From the opening paragraph of Chapter Four (Merriam & Bierema, 2014, p.61), “your project was [SDL] if you: intentionally sought the learning, planned your learning, took responsibility, controlled your learning, and evaluated the outcome.”  All these markers describe my continuous goal of learning how to make gumpaste flowers. 

When I started my business, wedding cakes were a major focus as my goal was to become one of the leading bespoke wedding cake artists in Vancouver and to excel in the industry by making all of our cakes 100% from scratch; from baking the cakes to making the fondant and decorations too.  But making gumpaste flowers is an advanced cake decorating skill that is barely touched on in cooking school, so I had little experience with them. 

“Intentionally sought the learning”

After taking a basic gumpaste flower course at a local cake decorating shop, I decided to fly to Atlanta, Georgia and participate in a 5-day comprehensive gumpaste wedding cake flower course at the International Sugar Arts Collection (https://www.nicholaslodge.com/), a sugar crafting school founded by my mentor, Nicholas Lodge (1961/2022).  

(Photo courtesy of https://www.nicholaslodge.com/blog/nicholas-lodge-s-new-blog)

“planned your learning”

 After learning the basics of making 10 different flowers and foliage, I had the opportunity to see Nicholas again when he taught a few different classes in Vancouver and as a team building exercise, I brought my entire staff to learn from him as well.

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“took responsibility and controlled your learning”

With these basic skills in hand, I would be challenged continually over the past 17 years to create different types of gumpaste flowers at the request of my brides.  By contacting Nicholas over the years for instructional sheets and by doing my own research with Google, YouTube and a couple of renowned sugar flower books, I learned how to improvise with the flower cutters I owned and to not spend too much money on every flower cutter and impression mold in existence!  As well, I learned to adapt techniques for making one type of flower to new ones.

 

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“evaluated the outcome”

As per trial and error, the first few flowers would not be that great, but I always make more flowers than needed to be able to choose the best flowers for my wedding cakes and with the positive responses from my brides, I think I have done okay!  

With some reflection on methods and looking at the context of my experiences, I know that I can keep improving my techniques and I was able to self-direct my learning into something meaningful that gives me the confidence to continue learning as a pastry chef and evolving my cake decorating skills for the better.