#YOU introduced her to glamorizing using in excess !

[vixentheplanet]

heartbeat

“everything about you is speeding up my heartbeat.”

shuri x black!reader | 18+

Summary: You live a privileged life of luxury as the heiress of Esme Hotel. The majority of your time was spent partying and drinking all over the world. One night, at your father's request, you find yourself at a charity event where you meet the Queen of Wakanda. Your friendship was instant, but the love was unexpected.

Love was not a feeling you were familiar with, but as time passed, you realized you were in love with Shuri. Shuri meant too much to you to risk losing her by telling her this, but you weren't doing a good job of dealing with your new emotions.

word count: 5.4k

themes: heiress reader, falling in love because love is beautiful

warnings: excessive drinking, some drug use (y/n is a rich party girl having the time of her life), and insecurities.

hi- my first post lmaoooooooo i was going to add versace on the floor to this at the end BUT i can’t find the document 😩🫨

Life is a funny thing. 

If somebody had told you six months ago you would be meeting the love of your life, you probably would have laughed in their face. As the heiress to Esmé Hotel’s, a global luxury hotel and resort business, you weren’t interested in settling down because, in this life, it was hard to find genuine connections with people. Of course, you didn’t have a hard time making friends. People clung to you everywhere you went. That was your life, money, glamor, parties, and disingenuous people. For you, it wasn’t that bad.

Love was the last thing on your mind, but again life is funny. 

Tonight you returned to New York City from Ibiza; it was your best friend's birthday, and one day wasn't enough to celebrate her. You and a group of "friends" flew out to the Balearic island and spent a week fueled by drugs and alcohol with little sleep and many bad decisions, but you couldn't remember them to regret them. The fun ended when your father called to say he was sending the private jet to take you back to New York. 

Pepper Potts, the CEO of Stark Industries, was hosting a charity event in the ballroom of one of the Esme Hotels, and your father asked you to attend in his place because he couldn't. The company was auctioning an all-inclusive trip to any Esme resort in the United States. Usually, your brother would fill in for him, but they were both in Monaco on business, leaving you as the only option.

You opted for a piece from the Zuhair Murad Couture 2023 collection, a stunning pink sequined midi dress paired with a matching floor-length scarf. Your pink Giuseppe Zanotti Iride crystal sandals went perfectly with the dress. When walking the red carpet, you smiled and posed, trying to make it not appear as you’d rather be anywhere but here. You got through without any problems, and as soon as you entered the ballroom, you went straight to the bar. Was there anything else you were supposed to do? Mingle? Network? You didn't need any of that and intended to leave after making arrangements with the auction winner.

Of course, the staff knew exactly who you were upon your arrival, and the bartender quickly came over. “Marco, the usual, please.” Within seconds a French martini was in front of you. “Thank you, I’ll need another one in about five minutes.” You say, sipping the martini and scanning the crowd. 

There were many people here, some of whom you recognized as reputable business professionals in their respective industries, some celebrities, and government officials. Most were just nameless faces. If they weren’t in the tabloids or someone your father had introduced you to, there was no way of you knowing them. 

Suddenly, a man in an awful powdered blue suit approaches you and leans on the bar. "Hello, sweetheart. I'm surprised to see you here. Where is dear old dad?” 

This man, whoever he is, was a stranger to you, but he clearly knows you. As much as you wanted to tell him to fuck off, you were here to represent Esme in place of your father and didn't want to make a PR nightmare or accidentally upset a valued shareholder.

You flash your perfect fake smile before replying, “My father couldn’t make it. He’s stuck in Monaco overseeing the construction site for a new hotel.” 

“So I guess you’re being auctioned off?” He jokes. He's too preoccupied with the drinks to see the look of utter disgust on your face.

“Excuse me?” You say, completely appalled. If this person is someone your father knew and trusted, he would never dare to treat you so rudely and endanger the future of their business relationship.

This asshole has the nerve to seem surprised that you didn't appreciate his compliment. “Oh, come on. I’d pay top dollar to hit that.” He makes a humorous sound, and before you can react, someone else chimes in.

“That’s rather disrespectful, don’t you think?” In front of you is a figure you've only seen on television while news commentators discussed whether the world needed access to vibranium. You may have changed the channel repeatedly, but forgetting such a striking face was difficult. The Queen of Wakanda was stunning in a sparkling black jumpsuit, accompanied by two Dora Milaje warriors who stared down the man who had insulted you.

Who would have guessed Queen Shuri would be coming to your rescue? “You see a beautiful woman and lose your manners?” Her expression is fierce, and her gaze is harsh. Unable to answer her questions, the stranger stood there with eyes so wide you thought they could pop out of his head.

You smirk, taking a sip of your martini. Not so talkative now, asshole.

Her next words were a demand, not a request. “Apologize.” 

He turns to face you, and you can’t help but smirk with satisfaction, waiting. “I-I- I’m sorry,” the man stutters and is smart enough to walk away quickly.  

Once the man is out of view, Queen Shuri focuses on you. You place your drink on the bar and try to think of the proper way to greet royalty. You definitely can’t bow in this dress. You settle on a slight curtsy. “Thank you, I would bow, but this dress is too tight.” You explain. 

The Queen laughed and flashed a smile at you, "There is no need to bow, and I must say it is a very exquisite dress." 

You feel your cheeks warm. That must be the alcohol. “Finally, a normal complement,” you say playfully in light of the incident that had just transpired. “The jumpsuit is gorgeous. I’m Y/N Esmé,” you say, holding your hand out. 

She takes your hand in a firm grip and shakes. “You wouldn’t happen to have any relation to the golden Esmé hanging outside the venue?” She questions, raising an eyebrow. 

“That would be correct. Just the Heiress, nothing too exciting.” 

“Nothing too exciting,” She mocks. “An heiress and great sense of humor.” 

You prepare to respond when Pepper appears, looking a little frazzled, most likely running around to greet and show her face to guests. “Hi, Y/N. Thank you so much for coming.” She gives you a quick hug. 

“Do you mind if I steal the Queen away?” She asks. It was a question, but it was just for pleasantries. 

A little, you thought, but responded, “Not at all. It was a pleasure to meet you.” You tell Shuri, and she nods. “You as well,” and like that, she leaves as quickly as she had come, and tonight just got a little more interesting.

During the auction, you bid on a gold Steinway & Sons grand piano and paid $150,000. You thought it would look good in the lobby, and the money would go to a good cause. It turns out that you weren't the only one who felt generous. To your surprise, the top bidder for the vacation at an Esme Resort was the Queen of Wakanda herself, who bid $500,000. It was relatively high, given that the prize was only worth half the amount.

Later, you track down Shuri to find out where you should deliver the information for the trip. "That will not be necessary. I don't usually travel for pleasure." She explains, leaving you perplexed as to why she paid such a high price for a vacation she did not intend to take.

Your eyebrows raise. “Why did you bid on a vacation you have no interest in taking?” 

“It’s for charity. Besides, Money is no object.” 

Charming. You appreciated the way this woman was endearing and bold. Nothing like the dull, self-absorbed people you knew. An idea came to mind. “Follow me,” You say, bringing Shuri to the bar again. 

You lean over once you reach the hightop, getting the bartender's attention. 

“Marco, a pen, please.” The man behind the bar responds quickly, "Absolutely, madame," before scurrying to fulfill your request. He returned with a gold pen, the one given to the guest, and you grabbed a napkin writing down the digits of your number. 

“Here,” you said, holding the napkin out to Shuri. The Dora Milaje member accompanying her eyed it with suspicion. A business card would have been more appropriate, but the only card you carried was black with no spending limit. This napkin was the next best thing, “If you’re ever in New York and need a place to stay or a friend, text me.” 

That was the start of a meaningful friendship. Six months had passed since the Stark Industries event, and you and Shuri became inseparable. You spent time together whenever she was in New York, sometimes for a few hours, sometimes for a few days. You took her to several restaurants, art studios, and museums. The Dora Milaje was just a little behind, but it felt like it was only you two in the universe. If Shuri visited for a lengthy period of time, she'd book rooms at the Esmé and frequently find her way onto your couch, where you forced her to watch almost every reality TV show known to man. She had a lot of catching up to do.

Those moments were when you were genuinely alone and often held deeper conversations in the safety of your living room and each other's company. She told you about her father's death, her brother's death, and the tragedy that took her lone surviving family member. All of this led to her bearing the weight of the crown and becoming Wakanda's defender. You recall hearing the events on the news, and a small irrational part of you feels guilty you couldn't be there for Shuri, even though you didn't know each other at the time.

You tell her about your upbringing. How your father was never present, preoccupied with working for his father and one day taking over the family legacy. Your mother had been a free spirit who had turned into a stay-at-home mom; she had your brother and then you seven years later. Having suffered from postpartum depression in addition to a long-standing sense of being trapped and ignored, she simply left.

Your Family was a difficult topic for you; life wasn't all sparkle and glamor. Since losing a loved one caused you so much distress, you realized you probably suffered from abandonment issues. The "friends" you'd gained stuck with you because they benefited from being affiliated with you. You knew those people didn't care about you as a person, and you were okay with it because it prevented anyone from getting close to you.

It was something you never opened up to anyone about because, truth be told, you never formed a connection deep enough with someone to open up the way you did with Shuri.

You're not sure when these feelings blossomed into love, but it hit you one day while you sat in the Esmé's empty Luxury Cinema. When you mentioned your favorite movie to Shuri, she said she'd never seen it, so you dragged her to the hotel's theater. Your living room's flatscreen wasn't big enough for a first-time movie experience. As Shuri watched Shrek, the two of you enjoyed an assortment of concession snacks.

Even though it was your favorite, it was difficult to concentrate on the film with Shuri's infectious laughter next to you. Shuri's laugh unexpectedly became your favorite sound in the world. She laughed at the TV every time someone said something witty. She chuckled at your jokes, even if they weren't particularly amusing. Always full of positive energy. 

In her company, you felt safe and valued. You couldn't stop thinking about her when you were apart, which was regrettably a lot. The time until you could see her again was something you counted down in minutes or perhaps even seconds when she left.

You were awed by every aspect of her. Her brilliance, heroism, strength, and bravery. It was that moment when her eyes lit up as she watched Lord Farquaad interrogate the Gingerbread man when you realize you love her.

Shuri was in town for a UN meeting on Thursday night; ordinarily, she'd let you know when she'd be in town so you could plan something together, but she didn't. You got a text an hour ago wondering whether you'd be home because Shuri was planning on dropping by before returning to Wakanda. It hurt a little to know she was here but didn't inform you. Did she start to get bored with your company? 

You cut those thoughts out before texting back. You'd be home waiting. 

She made it to your penthouse and was currently lounging on your couch watching a rerun of Real Housewives. Shuri pretended she didn't like the show, but you both knew it was her favorite way to spend quality time together.

Unlike the other instances, it was quiet and tense, but you knew it was your fault. Even though Shuri decided to come over, you couldn't figure out why she wouldn't tell you she was in town. You video-chatted and texted frequently, but you only had so much time together in person. 

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” You asked. The question sat heavy in your mind, so you finally decided to ask. 

“Is that why you’re being all grumpy?” She accused, poking you with a socked toe. 

You reached over to swat her foot, “Don’t call me grumpy. You should have told me.” You hated how needy you sounded.

“I got so caught up in my lab I honestly forgot about it,” Shuri admits. “It was very last minute. Also, I figured you wouldn’t be here.”

Your sensible thinking takes over, and you can only say "Oh" as you realize how silly you are behaving. It made you feel a little ashamed for some reason. Even though this was your home, you were never there. 

There had been enough late hours and shared stories for you two to know enough about one other's lifestyles. Shuri had been thrown into the role of Queen at such a young age and held immense responsibilities. On the other hand, you are a well-known socialite whose late-night antics frequently trend on social media. That way of life wasn't as appealing as it once was. Knowing what Shuri went through and her bravery and resilience made you want to be better than you were.

That's why you've been attempting to reconnect with your father nowadays. As you grew older, your father realized how careless he had been during your childhood and constantly made attempts to connect, which you rejected. 

“Actually, I was in Monaco with my dad.” The construction of the Esmé resort in Monaco was going well, and your father had asked if you wanted to visit the site. In the past, you would say no you probably would’ve been busy, but your free time had opened up a lot more since you weren’t going out too often. It didn’t attract you as much anymore. 

“That’s wonderful, Y/N.” she was genuinely happy to hear that, knowing how strained the relationship was with your dad. 

“Yeah, it was nice, but I need another vacation.” You groan, throwing your head back on the edge of the sofa. 

“You could always come to Wakanda,” Shuri says casually, just like your head snaps. “I would love to show you my nation. I trust you.” She adds. 

“Stop joking,” you say, trying to laugh it off and pretend those words don’t have your brain removing all the knowledge you’ve accumulated in your years on earth to ensure you never forget this moment. 

Shuri doesn’t know how much her words affect you. You’re in love with her but could never tell her that. It wouldn’t work. For once in your life, you were the one in lack. Truthfully you had nothing to offer. You hated it. 

“Y/N,” She calls out to you, but you’re not listening. The television remote has become more interesting than this conversation as you try to bring your focus away from the woman of your dreams sitting suddenly too close for you to breathe. 

Shuri sits up slightly and reaches for the remote, stealing your attention from her. Sometimes, she seemed to have forgotten her strength. Instead of taking the remote from your grasp, you find yourself being tugged forward. The unexpected shock throws you off balance and causes you to tumble sideways. Shuri reacts immediately, pulling you back with one hand and securing the other around your waist to keep you upright.

That’s how you end up on her lap, looking down at her as she says, “I trust you,” again—staring directly into your eyes so you can see the honesty swimming through hers. Your heartbeat quickens as you struggle to comprehend what has just occurred. She holds you close, your hair falling in her face, and you laugh because that’s what you do best when things are too much.

You move the hair out of your face so you can see her clearly, “Shuri-” The sentence gets caught in your throat. While the romantic feelings were there, the sexual ones were there too. There have been too many occasions when you've woken up from a vivid dream and found it hard to believe her hands hadn't been coaxing some of the most intimate sounds out of you.

The way she looked under you. 

Your resolve was breaking.  

Her eyes flicker down and then back up. Your delusional mind starts to take over, imagining what it would be like to have her lips on yours. You wanted that so bad, if only you dared to lean down. There was stopping you from crossing that line, and it was dangerous. 

As if sensing you were going to fail its test, the universe takes mercy on you. 

Shuri’s kimono beads begin to ring, interrupting the moment between the two of you. You quickly move from off her, the skin on your face feeling warm as you take in the fact that you just had Shuri right underneath you, her hands holding tightly to keep you stable. You tried to move your thoughts elsewhere, not letting them get too carried away. 

A holographic depiction of General Ayo appeared. “Panther, we’re prepared to head back to Wakanda.”

Panther. Why was that so sexy? 

The Wakandan Queen is a little out of it, blinking a few times as she takes in the message. “Enkosi Ayo, I’ll be out soon.” Ayo salutes, and the hologram disappears. Wakanda’s technological advances always leave you amazed. 

Shuri looks apologetic. “I’m sorry, I must go.” She stands up and moves to retrieve her jacket from the coat closet. You needed distance from each other to prevent any uneasiness from developing.

“Better hurry, don’t keep Ayo waiting. She'll know it was my fault.” You tried to lighten the tension from the moment you’d just shared. 

“Ah, please, Ayo adores you.” She puts on her jacket and shoes before turning to you. “Don’t watch any more Real Housewives without me. I want to pick up where we left off once I return.” She says. You have to stop yourself from saying you can pick up exactly where you left off now, not talking about the show. 

“You got it,” You tell her as you both step into the foyer. It's always difficult to say goodbye to Shuri because all you can think about while she's gone is how much you miss her. For a split second, you think she'll say something else. She'd hold you close and tell you she's staying if you had your way.

Shuri's gaze lingers on you for a second, and you swear it's quiet enough for her to hear the rapid rhythm of your heartbeat. “Goodnight, Y/N.” She hugs you, and just like that, Shuri’s gone. 

You were in a daze from the event that transpired minutes ago. Your cheeks were still hot, and you felt as if you were suffocating. Your anxiety kicked in as you were left alone in such an empty space. 

Although you had never experienced love before, you did not doubt that you were head over heels for Shuri. She cared for you on a human level and treated you as such. You couldn't think about anyone else but Shuri. You recognize your vulnerability, but it's hard to be apart from the one you love, even if they don't realize it. But, keeping your emotions in check was becoming increasingly difficult, and today proved that.

You were used to people wanting something from you when they came into your life. To go on lavish vacations on your dime, to be seen with you, and to improve their reputation. It didn't disturb you that you were surrounded by those who did nothing but take from you because, well, they were still there. Being alone has never worked for you.

You groaned dramatically, throwing yourself onto your bed. There was no doubt in your mind it would never work out. Shuri was too sophisticated and well-established, and yes, you were an heiress, but what did that mean to the Queen of the most advanced nation on Earth? Nothing. 

It was all so overwhelming. Something had to give; you needed to find a way to get these thoughts out of your head before they jeopardized your friendship with Shuri. You took out your phone and contacted a couple of your friends to ask if they had plans for tonight, and your friend Amaya texted you the information about an event starting at ten o'clock at one of her mothers' VIP clubs. Hanging out with Amaya was always fun and guaranteed a night of dancing, drinking, and getting high. You didn't want to feel anything, so you’d do whatever to numb your thoughts.

Deciding on an outfit was tricky, but you eventually decide to go with the green Attico Magnolia sequined mesh midi dress, pairing it with crystal sliver Rene Caovilla sandals. An SUV awaited you outside the hotel, and you were on your way. The night flew by, and as soon as you found Amaya, she handed you three shots and half a pill, and you shoved it down your throat. That was all you could recall distinctly as the night progressed; after seven drinks, you lost track and swallowed the other popper. You had a lot of fun on the dance floor but left when the talk became too suggestive. Why would you go home with someone other than Shuri? You need another drink.

The drinking and dancing cycle continued until 3 a.m. when your feet ached, and you needed to get into bed. The SUV returned you to the hotel, and security ensured you arrived securely at your penthouse.

You were back on your own, without a sense of direction, but you did know one thing: you missed Shuri. You want to see her, kiss her, and adore her. You reached for your phone and dialed her number without thinking. You placed your phone on the bed and stared at the ceiling, waiting for her to speak, but she never did.

I’ll leave a voicemail.

With the chemicals disrupting your mental state, you allow your emotions to take over completely. "Shuri, you are the most incredible person I've ever met... and I'll never meet somebody half as beautiful as you." Your words are slurred but honest.

“I need you to come back right now. I love you. I can’t not love you. I can’t lie, I can’t pretend, and I don’t want to. I love you. You’re all I want so much it hurts.” That is the last thing that left your lips before you inevitably drifted into sleep. 

When you woke up, the pounding in your brain was merciless. You have no idea how you got into your bed while still fully dressed down to your shoes. Fortunately, there was an Excedrin and a water bottle on the bedside table, thanks to your security guard. You take the pill with water before changing your clothing and preparing for a day of movies and takeout. There was no way you were getting out of this bed today.

You enter your walk-in closet, pull off your dress, and change into a ridiculous I LOVE NY tank top that Shuri had given you as a joke. You didn't bother putting on bottoms, it was your home, and you could go around in your underwear if you wanted to. You entered the bathroom through a door that connected to the closet.

Using the claw clip that was lying around, you clipped your hair. You brushed your teeth and reached for your face wash. The corded phone in your bedroom rings as you turn for the sink, the sound loud and piercing. Groaning, you return to the bedroom, assuming it's someone from the front desk.

Nothing could have prepared you for the appearance of a figure inside your room. Your brain recognizes the person before you as you open your mouth to scream. You believed you were hallucinating for a split second. 

“Jesus fuck, Shuri! What the hell!” You scream, grasping your chest, relieved you weren't abducted, but your heart is pounding.

The phone was still ringing. You moved past Shuri to answer it. Startled, hungover, and annoyed, what a morning you thought. 

“What?” You yell into the receiver, instantly regretting your tone as the person on the other line stutters out, “Madam Esmé, you have a guest coming up. I apologize we could not reach you on your personal cellular device.” 

The visitor must have been Shuri. Why had she returned? You looked at her curiously, trying to figure out what was happening. Last night you sent her off back to Wakanda; not even 24 hours went by, and she’s back leaning against the wall, arms crossed, and jaw tight. “Uh, sorry. I see that, thank you.” You hang up the phone and turn to Shuri, but keep your distance. 

“Not that I’m not happy to see you, but you scared the shit out of me. Why are you back so soon?” 

“You.” Your body tensed at her tone. 

“Me?” 

“You weren’t answering your phone. I called you multiple times. Do you know how worried I was?” Your heart sinks. Did something happen? Had she needed you, and you weren’t there? You couldn’t even remember where your phone was. 

"Oh my God, I'm such an idiot, Shuri. I must have left my phone." This isn't the first time you've misplaced your phone after a night out. You felt slightly embarrassed about being questioned about your whereabouts last night while wearing only your underwear. Even more, you felt horrible that you worried Shuri so much that she had to travel here to check on you. 

Shuri’s voice pulls you from your thoughts. “Y/N, what do you remember from last night?” She asks, changing the subject, even though you were clearly a little discombobulated. 

“Well,” you rub your temples while trying to recount the events. “I went out to a club in Manhattan, lots of shots, a few pills, and everything else doesn’t matter. I'm home.” Blacking out didn't bother you as long as you weren’t hurt or dead. 

The room was silent. “You called me.” 

The words make your blood run cold, “Oh,” is all you can say. What could have been important enough for you to drunk dial Shuri? 

“Oh.” You repeated as the hazy memories returned. With Shuri in front of you, attempting to restore your recollection of last night, the puzzle pieces begin to fall into place.

I need you to come back right now. 

I love you.

I can’t not love you.

Ironic. You went out for temporary release from your feelings for Shuri and instead ended up confessing. If it weren't for the weight of the situation, you probably would have laughed. 

Thoughts race through your mind as you struggle to find a way to make this right. Denial was the best option. “Whatever…” you start but trail off to find your words. “Whatever it is I said, just forget it. It wasn't me talking. I shouldn’t have drank so much.” 

Shuri shook her head as soon as the words left your mouth, “Don’t insult my intelligence.” She says, narrowing her eyes. “That doesn’t make your words any less true.” 

“I want you to look me in my eyes and tell me, sober.”

“I would have told you if I was sober.” You snapped back. You don’t know why you were upset, but you felt like an idiot. The vulnerability was a nasty feeling, your heart was laid bare, and moments from being broken, you felt the need to defend yourself.

“Why?” Shuri asks with so much sincerity it breaks your heart. 

“Why?” You repeat back. “Because, you’re so good, too good even. I’m used to knowing what I bring to the table for people, money, fame, and popularity. You don’t need any of that. You don’t care for any of that. What could I possibly have to offer you?” Tears blurred your vision and collected at your lashes.

Shuri pushes from the wall, her eyes filled with fire as she approaches you. "Stop doing that." Her order stops you from speaking as she carefully lifts her tattooed hand to your face, forcing you to look at her. "You have this awful habit of shutting down and shutting me out or speaking negatively about yourself."

She continues. “There’s so much depth to you, yet you hold yourself back from what you deserve.” 

Your heart flutters. That is the reason you adore her. She was a steadying presence, reminding you of your worth and letting you know that the world only sees a fragment of who you are. You allowed her in because you always knew you were safe in her care.

You felt secure enough to begin speaking about what you'd been holding back for so long. It wasn't a secret any longer. Shuri knew you loved her and deserved better than a drunken late-night phone call.

Fuck it. 

“I love you,” you confess. “You make me feel so cared for and protected and safe. I don’t know how to handle this. It's all new to me. You don’t have to feel the same way, but.”

You sigh to catch your breath. “I love you. And I don’t want to lose you.” 

Her thumb moves to caress the side of your face. “I wouldn’t be here right now if I didn’t feel the same way.”

“As soon as I heard those drunken words of the woman I love telling me she’s in love with me, I returned to her as fast as possible. I needed to see her beautiful face light up when I told her she’s everything to me.”

The relief you feel hearing those words brings more tears to your eyes. “You love me?” 

Shuri brought her free hand to your waist, embracing you as she whispered, “So much, angel.”

You stare at her, overwhelmed by the adoration you find behind those beautiful brown eyes. She loves you. She loves you and came from Wakanda to confess. 

Before your brain can process what's happening, you rush forward, putting your lips to Shuri's. It’s just a soft press at first. You melted into Shuri because you could now – relief swimming through your veins as you nipped at her bottom lip. 

All you can think is how right it feels to kiss her, to be in her arms. Cliché enough, this is what life is all about. Love, being loved, being in love. Letting go and diving into it, you feel weightless. 

The kiss grows intense as Shuri leans in further. When she kisses you, it's like she's starving. Shuri pressed her way back in, kissing you with a desire that pulled the oxygen from your lungs. You're so desperate that you moan against Shuri's lips as she opens her mouth and passionately kisses you back.

“I had all my meetings pushed back. Unless there's an imminent danger, I’m all yours,” Shuri informs you. You like the sound of that. Shuri lifts you instinctively as you wrap your arms around her neck. You lock your ankles around her waist, gathering her closer and closer, wrapped up in each other. 

You pulled your lips apart to move lower, leaving a trail of kisses from her jawline down to the tattoo on the side of her neck. "Good, 'cause everything I want to do involves you in that bed." You motion to the bed beside you.

As you fall into satin sheets, you cling to her and won't let go. Now that she's yours, nothing could ever come between the two of you.

[dwnflls]

i really need to write something up on axe’s relationship with his ex, nyx

[tcm]

Minnelli Magic and The Band Wagon By Constance Cherise

Period piece perfection, attention to detail and an impeccable eye. You simply cannot rival Oscar winner and three-time Golden Globe winner Vincente Minnelli during the height of his career. It was as if the musical Technicolor coming-of-age was waiting for his destined arrival. But, what else would you expect from the former art director of Radio City Music Hall? There, he designed and eventually directed monthly stage shows (Minnelli designed the iconic Parade of Wooden Soldiers costume, still in use for the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular) before his imminent second coming to Hollywood.

There is a bevy of activity in MGM’s THE BAND WAGON (‘53), which easily turn this entry into a three-page essay. An ideal introduction for a novice, THE BAND WAGON is a visual encapsulation of the glorious movie musical as well as a quintessential vehicle for Minnelli to once again prove his raison d'être. Comprised of a “hundred or more little things,” THE BAND WAGON is a sheer explosion of joy with its ideal cast of characters, visually captivating sets and driving musical orchestrations which move the film along at an even pace, producing the industry standard of “That's Entertainment.” Its jaunty Broadway opening score sounds as if we’re sitting in a vaudeville theatre enjoying a live pit orchestra and on its own, is enough to lift spirits. The plot is simple. A washed-up hoofer attempts a comeback on the Broadway stage. Comedic pandemonium ensues.

No other film probably reflects Minnelli's former Radio City stage experience more than this backstage musical. The rehearsal scene where sections of the stage revolve, lift and lower, stage queues get confused and all goes amusingly wrong, was no doubt a reference to Radio City's elevator hydraulic system. Minnelli’s expertise in stage design is given an appropriate nod with the Proscenium Theatre models that appear on the shelf behind the couch in Jeff Cordova’s yellow reception room. However, this is not Minnelli's only production that offers us an insider's perspective. A film removing the Hollywood gloss, equally as exquisite, even in black and white, is the wickedly fun THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (‘52).

The majority of the main characters were based on some aspect of themselves or real-life people. Characters Lily and Lester Marton were based on screenwriters/lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who were already industry colleagues with Minnelli, as both also toiled on Broadway before arriving in Hollywood. Fred Astaire honestly felt that Cyd Charisse was too tall for him and his angst was written into the script. Oscar Levant was a true-life hypochondriac.

Of course, humor is not lost wherein the opening scene an auctioneer references Swinging Down to Panama as an amusing referral to the Astaire and Rogers film, FLYING DOWN TO RIO (‘33). Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney’s backyard musicals receive a playful jab when Lester (Oscar Levant) heartily states, "Why can't us kids get together and put on ourselves a show?” Our introduction to Jeff Cordova (Jack Buchanan) through the theatre poster—Jeff Cordova presents, adapted from... Jeff Cordova, starring Jeff Cordova, (pause, pan out and down) directed by Jeff Cordova— is the ideal introduction to the character’s omnipresent ego. Listening to the vocals of “You and the Night and the Music” with its embellished bravado, along with the excess of explosives could cause an individual to start coughing in sympathy. The film is brimming with sophisticated comedy, surely inspired by cocktail-charged, jovial conversations in smoke-filled rooms.

As usual, Minnelli’s sets are vibrant and imaginative. Cordova's home has an elegant Paul Williams aura. Even the doors are glamorous. Each room is painted in various colors to reflect different moods, including the ever-present Minnelli Red. In the theatre, where we are first introduced to Gabrielle (Cyd Charisse), the surreal stage backdrop is dreamy and existential with its combination of calming hues. I always look forward to that simplistically stunning scene. 

Speaking of Charisse, where was costume designer Mary Ann Nyberg all of our lives? It took me some time to realize the intricacies of the black A-line dress Charisse wears when arriving at Cordova’s home, more than likely because I was coveting her green gloves. Fashion fans, please gather. A scalloped black lace top is coupled with a green A-line underskirt bottom that is overlapped with black lace. The entire dress is covered in shimmering green sparkles. It is delicately romantic and ingenious all together, and is the most beautiful costume in the film, until the “New Sun in the Sky” number.

Nyburg hits the bullseye, creating a depiction of the sun manifested in the form of a dress. She then adds a red tulle arm puff. It is perfection until Charisse peels herself from a full-length jacket to reveal her dazzling red dress in the “Girl Hunt” ballet, which she claimed was her favorite costume. Charise performs an iconic dance in a nightclub once again as she did with Gene Kelly in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (‘52) and once again, those legs! Nyberg isn't done. The final scene finds Nanette Fabray in a blue and black A-line tulle gown and Charisse in a sweetheart neckline, moss green taffeta, fitted, biased cut gown, with so many details this will turn into a run-on sentence.

Many classic musical fans consider “Dancing in the Dark” one of the most romantic scenes put on film. After a contentious working relationship Tony (Astaire) and Gabrielle must learn if they truly can dance together to foster a hit show, which of course they do at night in the park, alone. Naturally, it is also the budding of their love affair. There was one notable scene that ended on the cutting room floor, “Two-Faced Woman,” and I am convinced it was a mistake to remove because its double-sided origami-like set design is exquisitely unique. However, it is easily found online and absolutely worth watching.

A barrage of aesthetically lush scenes appear in Minnelli films, executed so dynamically well you don't consciously realize how much is being absorbed and that is his exact tool of entrapment. A visual assault of the senses that naturally entices into his vortex. Critic Derek Malcolm had it exactly right when he said “The more you look at it, the more perfect it seems. Hollywood doesn't make films like this now because public taste has changed. But it's doubtful if they could anyway.”

It is doubtful that today's Hollywood could conjure the artistry of THE BANDWAGON, as it retains the same timeless light-hearted exuberance over 65 years later. Not only is that exceptional directing, it is pure Minnelli magic.

[reversecreek]

hi it’s me... clicks across the linoleum of the dash wearing high heels w a spray tan like i’m a member of jersey shore suddenly..... best summary of willa is that she got moira rose as her #1 chara on a What Character Are You Most Like personality test out of thousands of options.... says so much. u can find her pinterest here n her playlist here 😋 like this or hmu fr plots!!

* ashley moore, cis female + she/her  | you know willa deneurve, right? they’re twenty-four, and they’ve lived in irving for, like, most of her life, on and off? well, their spotify wrapped says they listened to watch me by the pom poms like, a million times this year, which makes sense ‘cause they’ve got that whole sticking gold stars over old polaroids until you can barely see faces, dressing as marie antoinette at your high school prom & delivering fake laughter to a bratz doll you’re pretending is a talkshow host thing going on. i just checked and their birthday is august 1st, so they’re a leo, which is unsurprising, all things considered. ( nai, 24, gmt, she/her )

HISTORY:

willa ws born to honestly like….. the perfect family not to honk my own tit bt……………. they were jst rly quite wholesome. her mum celeste was this larger than life person who could never b contained by the four walls of any room she was in. she hd the presence of a gold glitter chess piece on an otherwise mundane wooden board. her dad marlon used to always joke that he had absolutely NO idea how he landed her bc he was just this like. rly average guy by all accounts n purposes….. blended into the sea in high skl……. had a few close friends but was never rly Notable or made a proper impression anywhere…… he always retold it as him coasting thru life until he met her in college. kind of like he’d been half awake before. they just Clicked n no-one cld believe she’d chosen him bt she was jst. completely head over heels n didn’t care what anyone had to say bc that was That

willa always very much took after celeste…… there’s this one quote i remember reading that goes vaguely like “my mom and i would sit and listen to leonard cohen and joni mitchell lyrics together. from a young age i remember her being like "i’m playing this song and when it’s done i want u to tell me what’s happening in it” n she would give me a fake glass of wine when i was 8 and i would listen and b like. i think there was an affair.” which so much summarises their dynamic…… she ws just so like. dramatic n fun n always encouraged that in willa too. her mum was like. everything she aspired to be…… got scouted by a modelling agency in college n shot one campaign before blowing it off simply bc she was bored. starred lead in a play. spent a few weeks travelling asia selling handmade candles shaped like koi fish or curled up foxes or elegantly stretched hands. dated a parisian movie star during a break she and her father took n was featured in tabloids on his arm at the premiere. sm fun n exotic stories willa literally cldn’t get enough. whenever she’d tell them to willa as a kid her dad wld roll his eyes like ohhhhh here she goes again but it’d all b playful n he’d smile bc he honestly cldn’t get enough either. the stuff dreams are made of luv (lizzie mcguire stans rise)

(car accident & death tw) so u know when ur walking down a flight of stairs n then out of nowhere u miss a step n u get that lurch in ur stomach like ur in free fall? yeah. i won’t go into it too much but one night they were driving back from getting frozen yogurt and then suddenly they weren’t. she doesn’t rly remember much about it except for completely ignoring the doctors trying to give her the news and just saying “dad chose pecan. who chooses pecan?” n repeating that over n over n over until it didn’t rly register in her ears as english any more.

willa was uprooted from irving at 11 to go n live w her aunt in NY. this was like. a huge adjustment honestly….. her aunt blanche hd always been a little unconventional bt extremely glamorous. she lived in an old defunct theatre she’d bought out n came from a lot of money. willa’s mum’s side of the family hd always been well off bt celeste opted to live a little more Ordinarily shall we say after settling whereas blanche ws jst balls to the walls dripping w eccentric excess…. wld say she was never naked bc she ws always wearing black opium by yves saint laurent…… probably the living embodiment of la vie boheme….. she’d been admitted a yr early to a rly prestigious parisian design school n is an AMAZING seamstress. a corset she stitched a broadway star into got commissioned fr an actress’ red carpet walk at an indie film festival. rly just lived such a life rich w lots of stories n lots of talent too…… had that star quality essence tht her mum had n that was smthn willa found quite comforting everything considered.

(grief tw) u would think maybe a situation like this (one involving so much sudden change) wld cause a kid of tht age to withdraw into her shell bt willa only came out of her shell MORE. she coped w her situation by spinning it into a celebrity origin story inside her head. the tear jerker tale someone tells during their x factor audition to get the judges rooting for them. mentally streamlining things. repackaging all that hurt as a surefire ticket to success bc it had to be useful for something right? there had to b a point to it right? willa decided the point was she’s a star. KFHSGKFHGFKHGKJSFHG. get it girl….. she ws literally just like ok well clearly i’m destined to be famous n i’m the main character of this story. this story called earth. it’s all about me.

rly heavily immersed herself in her high skl theatre scene……. loved experimenting w fashion n literally wore the most outlandish things like. she treated the hallways like her milan f/w debut every new school yr…… a lot of the things she wore were actual like. costumes frm her aunt’s collection…… she has a multi-story closet u have to climb ladders to reach things in like a very rustic library…. it rly wasn’t uncommon for willa to turn up one day corsetted like a pirate with billowing sleeves or sporting the baby blue gingham of a swedish milk maid. it’s like she literally jst…… became a role. always. every day. the world ws her stage. the cameras were always rolling. her aunt only encouraged this tbh n honestly? icon. we love to see it. willa partied a bunch n rly lived a lax lifestyle where responsibility was concerned…. her aunt ws her best friend…… made rly gd friends with performers in the drag club scene n loved the glitz of that….. lots of wild nights turned grossly bright mornings

snagged an agent fresh into her first yr of college (she gt accepted to a pretty competitive theatre program at [redacted] in NY bc i haven’t looked into what that wld be yet <3 i’m merely a helpless british lass <3) n booked a few commercials n things….. when i say willa wld enter audition rooms like she owned the place i’m rly not exaggerating…. once she turned up to a casting call for MEN n just walked right to the front of the line scraping a random chair along the way n then took a seat w her legs crossed popping a bubble in her gum as they all glared at her like wtf is literally going on who are u. she received several complaints n she was just like “ur all acting so jealous of me….”

i feel like she got a pretty big role in a theatre production in her last yr at school. haven’t decided what yet. maybe smthn rocky horror or even mimi in rent. this was meant to b some like huge moment for willa like yes girl finally making it ur on ur way this is what u wanted n she WAS happy abt it but once it was wrapped she jst had this strange like Huh feeling in her chest……. n a la celeste w all her exciting stories was just like well i’ve done that so what’s next? i think she’d graduate n then jst suddenly decide to move to irving in a fit of impulse. to all her college friends she’d be like “ugh a beach retreat is so necessary honestly the city is sooooooooo toxic this place cld literally enlarge my pores if i wasn’t so rigorous with my skincare routine” bt like 🤔 what u seeking girl? results pending.

SO basically i feel like she finally moved back to irving little over a yr ago. she hd a brief stint starring on a reality tv show tht filmed in one of the larger beach houses where her dog gained a handful of fan accounts dedicated to him……. u maybe will see why in the first bullet point of her personality section………… FKGHKSHFGGKFSHKHG. honestly she ws received pretty well too (mostly bc she’s so fking dramatic n like a caricature of a person) bt it wasn’t anything to warrant actual Fame (despite what willa herself might think). she’s mostly jst like. chilling honestly. accepting scripts n flying out fr auditions still. she’ll nab the occasional part bt she’s looking for that One Thing that rly feels like her big moment….. otherwise i cn just imagine her treating irving like a little dollhouse compared to the roaring mansion of NYC n having fun playing around in it. strikes a pose w a hand on my hip…. and now to personality.

PERSONALITY:

got a very large n lithe greyhound n named him marlene dietrich bc she was a black n white hollywood starlet famously known for her affairs n “bedroom eyes��. willa was like ugh. icon status instantly. didn’t rly foresee the responsibilities tht came w owning a dog tht loves exercise n complains abt him being like “ugh he wants to run soooooooooo much 🙄 like where are u literally going”. having said tht loves him dearly n he can often be seen wearing little clothes. a baby’s bonnet. a quilted leather waistcoat. a custom dog boa. he’s very glamorous. willa calls him a gay icon despite no evidence to support this theory. she also says he can sniff out evil in ppl so she brings him sometimes when she’s first introduced to a friend’s new bf n if his nose quivers a certain way she’s like “marlene has spoken. it’s done”. her friends r like omg? what’s done? willa gets up n walks away without elaborating. marlene’s little paws clicking along the floor w attitude.

literally dressed as marie antoinette for her high skl prom even tho there was no theme pertaining to this. jst loves the spotlight. can fake cry and WILL to get out of a parking ticket or teach someone to watch their tone or even simply for the theatrics of it all. the Most dramatic………….. rly fits being an actress like when people find out what she does it’s very like oh that makes sense.

says she doesn’t get hangovers. she’s just like “i revoked that it doesn’t happen to me”. alludes tht this is bc she’s an all powerful deity that was Chosen to be Blessed bt really she’s jst great at bouncing back n acting fine even w a blistering headache. it’s about believing the performance so much that u even convince urself.

has an extremely elevated sense of self importance bc this is kind of the equivalent of several layers of bubble wrap to cushion her frm the world. strives to b extraordinary bc ordinary honestly feels like a death sentence n there’s nothing she’d want to b seen as less. despite this weight she puts on that she rly doesn’t tend to let ppl’s opinions affect fr the most part like she’s quite firmly set in this I’m Literally The Most Gorgeous And Beautiful Angel Star Creature To Walk This Narsty Little Earth view

probably an incredibly big fan of dramatic short lived love affairs. she wants the glamour of it all. the scandal. the randomly breaking up w someone in a public place n sliding on sunglasses after delivering the words over a freshly ordered coffee (tht she’ll leave without drinking bc that’s star power babey she waits fr no man or no hot beverage)…….. has no preference gets w any n all regardless of gender……… romanticises things so they hv a better spin or story in her head n doesn’t rly take things seriously like jst has fun in her fantasy world…. she’s like ugh chuck i know u wanted to marry me but i’m a beautiful bird in a cage n u literally need to undo the latch n set me free……. the guy’s like……. my name’s chase n we’ve only been on two dates….. willa’s like…… please don’t take this so hard i can tell ur besides urself but people r starting to stare……. gets up n leaves. no-one was staring. chase is confused n honestly probably semi concerned fr her welfare.

always has to b the hottest n most glamorous person in a grocery store…. probably goes to them when she doesn’t even need anything jst holding a basket nonchalantly over her forearm glancing over at a cashier in her wizard of oz corset seamed interpretation on a dorothy dress thinking he wants me soooo bad it’s not even funny….. seduces him over the check out counter jst for him to ask her to come back to his so she can lean back scandalised n cry “IS THAT THE KIND OF WOMAN U THINK I AM, PAUL?! YOU’RE A GHASTLY LITTLE MAN, YOU ARE….” with all the gusto of a telenovela. attracts the shocked glances of all surrounding elderly.

speaks fluent french. probably on her brief stint on tht reality show i mentioned earlier was like “ugh can you believe Deneurve of this guy?” n in her head was like this catchphrase is sensational it’ll catch on fast the twittersphere is abt to implode but it didn’t become a thing except for in a small isolated community. despite this she’s like “yeah it went viral….. go figure. just another day in the life.”

honestly like a lot of fun bt also a huge handful at the same time. keeps her real Serious emotions in a locked box bt is always overflowing w melodramatics n rly giving her all at the drop of a hat where Performing is concerned. probably Loves parties n sees them as another form of production in which she wants to b the lead. rly just. loves herself. except does she? 🤔 lifts my hand up like rihanna n winks. find out next time. lucky by britney plays as i slowly disintegrate in spiderman rp…..

WANTED CONNECTIONS

unrequited flame: willa burns thru people like matches. bright n fast. honestly i feel like she struggles to take romance seriously so it cld be fun to play around with someone who’s been singed by that in the past…. mayb they hd actual feelings whereas willa was just messing around n having fun…. living la vida loca so to speak…….. we can discuss a time frame or specifics to expand upon this but. sexy angst perhaps.

those she knew from childhood: willa moved to NY at 11 n i feel like it was very sudden n soon after the accident. maybe she didn’t even say goodbye. maybe they were rly close n all of a sudden she didn’t show up to school the next day n when they rode past her house on their bike the sign said sold and that was that. honestly very dramatic of her even at a young age. we love a disappearing act. houdini who?

acting rival: honestly jst feel like this cld be funny. willa’s so dramatic she’d be like i literally want them dead they’re a despicable little gremlin fr trying to steal my spotlight. cld be as simple as having auditioned a few times fr the same parts or something.

childhood sweetheart: i think it cld be rly cute n sad if there was someone that kind of echoed the dynamic her mum n dad had except she was the celeste n they were the marlon…. (open to any gender)…….. so like. willa was always very larger than life commanding attention in a room n they were more to the sidelines but they just kind of got each other n brought out the best in one another. added angst to the fact tht willa wld maybe want to avoid them as much as possible now bc it dredges up feelings she doesn’t want to confront where her parents r concerned n also in a way any possibility of them winding up together feels like sellotaping an expiration date to both of their foreheads in willa’s brain

someone who was either a fan of or also on the reality show willa was: i imagine it like a reinvention of the hills honestly except based in these irving beach houses…. probably didn’t run that long bt there was a bunch of drama on it mostly staged…… maybe they were willa’s love interest bt it was all fake fr the cameras…… it wasn’t like. a huge deal n didn’t rly catch flight so much where popularity’s concerned bt. cld be fun to play with <3

patti frands: jogs in high knees to translate that into party friends as i adjust my spectacles. willa’s very sociable bt she’s also like kind of full of herself n obnoxious so do with that what u will. KFHGKSHGKGHFSKG. she knows hw to have a gd time tho like growing up she was rly into the gay club scene n the drag scene in NY so like. let’s hear it fr the gays who know how to do it right <3

someone equally over the top: i luv the idea of willa having someone who just like runs with made up scenarios n roles she makes up on the spot n them hanging out is like a 24/7 improv session tht they reel random surrounding strangers just fr the fun thrill

the other woman: willa is quite detached n selfish so she wld easily be the other woman in a relationship n not care about it n this cld make for good spice <3

[tipsycad147]

Dionysus – Greek God of Wine

Dionysus (Roman equivalent Bacchus) is the god of wine, grape-harvest, ritual madness, theater and fertility in Greek mythology, known for giving humans the gift of wine and for his fantastic festivals and celebrations. The god was famous for his cheerful energy and madness. Here’s a closer look at Dionysus.

Origins of Dionysus

Dionysus at Getty Villa

The myth of Dionysus had its roots not in ancient Greece but farther to the east. There are several instances where Dionysus takes trips to Asia and India, which could justify the suggestion that he originated elsewhere.

In Greek mythology, Dionysus was the son of Zeus, the god of thunder, and Semele, the daughter of King Cadmus of Thebes. Zeus impregnated Semele in the form of a mist so the princess never actually saw him.

Dionysus was the god not only of wine and fertility but also of theater, madness, festivity, pleasure, vegetation, and wild frenzy. He’s often depicted as a god with duality – one the one hand, he symbolizes merrymaking, joy and religious ecstasy, but on the other hand, he would demonstrate brutality and wrath. These two sides reflect the duality of wine as both a positive and a negative item.

Dionysus – The Twice-Born

When Dionysus was conceived, Hera was mad with jealousy at the infidelity of Zeus and plotted to take revenge. She appeared to the princess in disguise and told her to ask Zeus to show her his godly form. Semele requested this from Zeus, who, before knowing what the princess wanted, had made an oath to deliver any request.

The almighty Zeus appeared in front of Semele, but the power of his full form was too much for her mortal body to see. Semele couldn’t handle this glorious image and burned to death, but Zeus was able to take the fetus out of her body. Zeus attached Dionysus to his thigh until the baby’s development was complete, and he was ready to be born. Thus, Dionysus is also known as the Twice-Born.

Early Life of Dionysus

Dionysus was born a demigod, but his development attached to Zeus’ thigh gave him immortality. To protect him from Hera’s anger, Zeus commanded the satyr Silenus to take care of the demi-god on Mount Etna.

After being looked after by Silenus, the god was handed over to his aunt Ino, Semele’s sister. When Hera discovered the location of Dionysus, she cursed Ino and her husband with madness, causing them to kill themselves and their kids.

There are depictions of Hermes taking care of the child-god too. He appears in several of the early stories of Dionysus. Some myths also say that Hera gave Dionysus to the titans as a child for them to kill. After this, Zeus resurrected his son and attacked the titans.

Myths Related to Dionysus

Once Dionysus had grown up, Hera cursed him to wander around the country. And so, Dionysus traveled Greece spreading his cult.

The celebrations to Dionysus were orgiastic festivals in which the god’s frenzied madness possessed the people. They danced, drank, and lived beyond their existence during these festivities. It was believed that the theater came out of these festivals, which called Dionysia or Bacchanalia. Dionysus roamed the land, accompanied by the Bacchae, who were a group of women, nymphs, and satyrs.

During this time, he was involved in many stories and myths. Due to his upbringing on earth, there are several myths of the god in which kings and common people disrespected his role as a god or did not honor him as such.

King Lycurgus

King Lycurgus of Thrace attacked Dionysus and the Bacchae while they were crossing the land. Some other sources say that the attack of the Thracian king was not on the god, but against the excess of his festivals. Either way, the god of wine cursed the king with madness and blindness.

King Pentheus

After the episode in Thrace, Dionysus arrived in Thebes, where King Pentheus called him a false god and refused to let the women join the festivities that he had announced. After that, the King tried to spy on the women who were about to join the god. For this, the Bacchae (his cult) ripped apart King Pentheus in a rush of Dionysus’ frenzied madness.

Dionysus and Ariadne

Bacchus and Ariadne (1822) by Antoine-Jean Gros. Public Domain

On one of his journeys, The Tyrrhenian pirates captured Dionysus and thought to sell him to slavery. Once they had sailed, the god turned the mast of the ship into a great vine and filled the ship with wild creatures. The pirates jumped off the board, and Dionysus transformed them into dolphins upon reaching the water. Dionysus continued to sail to Naxos, where he would find Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete, who had been abandoned there by her beloved Theseus, the hero who had killed the Minotaur. Dionysus fell in love with her and married her.

It’s interesting that while the festivals of Dionysus were full of worldly pleasures and he himself was represented by a phallus, he remains loyal to Ariadne who is his only consort.

King Midas and the Golden Touch

One of Dionysus’ most known stories is his encounter with King Midas, the king of Phyrgia. In return for a favor he had once done for him, Dionysus gave King Midas the ability to turn everything he touched into gold. This gift, however, would wind up being a less glamorous ability than expected since the king could neither eat nor drink and was pushed to the brink of death because of his ‘gift’. Dionysus then took this golden touch away at the request of the king.

This story has become one of the most popular in modern culture, with the phrase Midas touch used to refer to the ability to make money out of anything you undertake.

Dionysus and Winemaking

Dionysus taught the art of winemaking to the Athenian hero Icarius. After learning it, Icarius shared the drink with a group of shepherds. Unaware of the effects of the alcoholic drink, the men thought that Icarius had poisoned them and they turned on him and killed him. Thanks to Dionysus and his cult, wine would become one of Greece’s most popular drinks.

Dionysus and Hera

Some myths propose that Dionysus gained the favor of Hera after fetching Hephaestus and taking him to the heavens to free Hera from her throne. Dionysus got Hephaestus drunk and was able to deliver him to Hera so that she could be free.  

Dionysus’ Journey to the Underworld

After some time roaming Greece, Dionysus worried about his dead mother and traveled to the underworld to look for her. The god of wine found his mother and took her with him to Mount Olympus, where Zeus transformed her into the goddess Thyone.

Symbols of Dionysus

Dionysus is often depicted along with his many symbols. These include:

Grapevine and grapes – Dionysus is often shown with grapes and vines around his head or in his hands. His hair is sometimes depicted as being fashioned from grapes. These symbols connect him to wine and alcohol.

Phallus – As a god of fertility and of nature, the phallus symbolizes procreation. The Dionysian cult would often carry a phallus in their processions to bless the lands with fertility and bountiful harvests.

Chalice – signifying drinking and merrymaking

Thyrsus – also called a thyrsos, this is typically a long fennel staff covered with ivy vines and topped off with a pinecone.

Ivy – ivy is the counterpart of the grapevine, representing his duality. While the grapevine signifies life, merrymaking and living, ivy symbolizes death and the end.

Bull – the god was sometimes depicted with bull horns and was strongly connected to bulls.

Snakes – Dionysus was a god of resurrection, and snakes have been associated with resurrection and regeneration. They’re can also be seen as symbols of lust, sex and the phallus.

Dionysus himself was initially depicted as a bearded, elderly man. However, later he began to be seen as a young, almost androgynous man.

Influence of Dionysus

Dionysus was normally associated with lust, madness, and orgies. Dionysus also had to do with the centaurs for their uncontrollable drinking and sex lust.

Since he introduced wine to the world, he became an influential god in daily life in ancient Greece. The big parties and the great stories with drunken characters normally evoked the god of wine.

The beginning of the theater in Greece had its roots in the Dionysiac festivals. A variety of retrieved plays from ancient Greece were exclusively written for these celebrations.

Dionysus Facts

1- What is Dionysus the god of?

Dionysus is the god of the vine, wine, merrymaking, fertility, religious ecstasy and theater.

2- Who are Dionysus’ parents?

Dionysus’ parents are Zeus and the mortal Semele.

3- Does Dionysus have children?

Dionysus had many children including Hymen, Priapus, Thoas, Staphylus, Oenopion, Comus and the Graces.

4- Who is Dionysus’ consort?

Dionysus’ consort is Ariadne, whom he met and fell in love with on Naxos.

5- What type of god was Dionysus?

Dionysus is depicted as a god of agriculture and associated with vegetation. He’s associated with several natural objects such as grapes, orchards and the harvesting of grapes. This makes him a nature god.

6- What is the Roman equivalent of Dionysus?

Dionysus’ Roman equivalent is Bacchus.

In Brief

Unlike the other gods, Dionysus traveled around Greece performing feats and making people join his cult with his actions. His influence in the daily life and the arts of ancient Greece still impacts today’s culture. The god of wine remains a remarkable figure in Greek Mythology.

https://symbolsage.com/dionysus-god-of-wine/

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How Fenty’s Beauty Branding Positioning Generated $100 Million In 40 Days

Many of Huda Beauty’s high posts featured the brand’s photogenic founder, suggesting the brand is taking advantage of that Huda magic. Beauty branding is all about first impressions and in the enterprise of beauty the bar is set excessive. Salons want a distinctive style to face out and entice fashion-savvy shoppers in an over-saturated market. We are a beauty branding company, our skilled brand id companies create related, believable, well-positioned manufacturers https://mslk.com/.

Don’t cover them on a webpage nobody visits; use them to underscore your advertising, your website copy, and every thing else that comes from your model, implicitly and explicitly. According to Brand Finance, L'Oreal Paris is the main make-up brand in relation to net worth. In 2020 it's value was value a whopping 11.75 billion US dollars. It's adopted by Gillette and Nivea in the second and third places, respectively. Anyone could be their own makeup artist with the assistance of Make Up For Ever.

This beauty branding logo is kind of made up of a monogram illustration and a wordmark. The monogram is made up of a artistic and edgy letter mixture. The U and D are uppercase and angular, with gentle swirls, onerous traces and modern aptitude. Color is merely certainly one of three logo components - others are symbol and font.

The brand’s skincare, makeup and perfume merchandise combine science and sweetness to achieve the right blend of modern thinking and timeless style. Created by François Nars in 1994, NARS Cosmetics launched with simply 12 lipsticks. Since then, the label has grown considerably and now provides a various and in depth assortment of magnificence merchandise for women of all skin sorts. You don’t want to purchase couture clothes to find a way to put on luxurious.

This mega cosmetics firm is certainly one of the largest on the earth and has been providing girls with incredible cosmetics and fragrances since 1886. RMS Beauty prides itself on creating merchandise that are not solely non-toxic but in addition nourishing to the skin. The label’s makeup and skincare ranges function raw, food-grade and natural elements that promote anti-ageing and long-lasting magnificence.

They’ve backed up their dedication to that base of their marketing, and they’ve used social media to attach with their clients in unfiltered and organic methods. Since Lilah b isn't brand new, Foland is working via well timed issues that are important to modern beauty customers. The brand is increasing the variety of foundation shades provided, of which there are at present only 5, and addressing sustainability, an increasing area of focus for the wonder trade. The frequency of assortment has increased from monthly to weekly in just some years, and Lilah b is devoted to persevering with the scheme as a value of doing enterprise. Vegan beauty brand The Lip Bar was a prime performer on each Instagram and Twitter this year.

As prospects are exposed to a beauty model extra typically, they become extra inclined to like it. Successful brands have a constant look and feel in every little thing they put in front of their prospects. One of the major benefits of this type of consistency is that it offers easy recognition of any product amongst customers. Attractive packaging design is a motivating pressure in encouraging folks to make impulsive selections. Taking benefit of this reward-seeking conduct with a good design can have a robust influence on customers’ receptiveness to your products.

To be thought-about natural, the product must meet non-toxic standards for ingredients and processing. Up from $483B in 2020 to $511B in 2021 — and with an annual compounded development rate of four.75% worldwide — it’s predicted to exceed $716B by 2025. Long controlled by legacy conglomerates, the sweetness business has turned on-line. Spend a while really nailing down what makes your products different. You have to not be afraid to level out what makes you stand out, there’s plenty of power in that. You’re a growing group with systemic issues which may be affecting your brand.

Lilah B promote multi-use merchandise using "clean" components, encouraging clients to recycle their old cosmetics packaging. Customer engagement is handiest if it’s organic, through “deep connection” corresponding to user-generated content or influencers who've plausible relationships with products. A robust online presence might help entice stockists—so it’s worth investing in social media areas. Early on, you will want to create a website—try Squarespace for an inexpensive, secure, and slick on-line retailer you could build your self with no coding skills. I constructed my very own retailer on Squarespace within the time it took to watch an episode of Black Mirror.

Skincare model Mary Kay swiftly jumped into the fight against coronavirus by redirecting resources to fabricate hand sanitizer within the early days of the pandemic. Instagram followers jumped in to applaud the brand’s actions with more than 17,000 likes and comments. Not all brands went so far as to change up manufacturing, however many beauty manufacturers tried to make a difference by actively sharing what they have been doing to fight the pandemic with followers on social media. Many manufacturers noticed success with giveaways this yr, but this one from ColourPop is a textbook instance of a dynamite social media giveaway. The brand stored the criteria for entry easy and centered on ColourPop as an alternative of creating fans hop around to a bunch of different brands. The giveaway in celebration of a big follower milestone sneakily helped ColourPop develop followers even more by incentivizing casual followers to follow the model on Instagram.

The company serves various industries together with sports, leisure, food & beverage, retail and travel. But the joy in this brand comes in its simplicity — particularly in comparability to the encompassing packaging. The monogram is made up of the overlapping E and L of the model name in a curly, inventive and splendid font. The backward “N” adds a cool, innovative and edgy tone to the logo that elevates the brand’s mastery within the beauty industry. Due to Instagram API limitations, we’re capable of pull accurate Instagram engagement numbers only for verified and/or Instagram business accounts. Helpful business articles, our work, and special provides are introduced on these platforms.

You’ll also need an on-brand business card full with your logo, website and another components of your model identity, to construct these connections. The visual id communicates instantly what it would take a long time to place throughout in words. For example, are your values natural, natural and eco-friendly or glamorous and glossy? The customer will instantly get an impression from your packaging and marketing materials to assist them resolve if the product is for them. Of course the phrases are important too, but you have to get your clients to notice you first, and that's where visuals are so necessary.

After Fenty launched, their deep shades offered out across the nation, and customers took to social media to share their joy at discovering foundations that matched their pores and skin tone. But while Fenty is priced as a luxury model, they still aren’t as expensive as most of the other manufacturers promoting a lot of shades. Estée Lauder’s foundation range with forty two shades, for instance, is priced at $42; Fenty’s foundation is $35.

By posting YouTube movies of her make-up routines and sharing seems on her Snapchat tales, she had positioned herself as a number one voice. eMarketer reviews that 38% of shoppers interested in testing pop-up stores are those that already store on-line every week in comparability with 28% preferring brick-and-mortar shopping. By engaging with its followers in a face-to-face setting, Glossier is prepared to deepen relationships with customers past online interactions. Yet, it doesn’t come with the monetary obligations of following a chain-store mannequin. With different themes in every area and experiential advertising activations — it’s constructed hype that attracts droves of brand name lovers desperate to try out the products in real-time.

While the beauty and private care business will stay strong globally, the cosmetics and skincare verticals specifically will expertise probably the most income growth within the US at a fee of 3.5% by 2021. Crafted is a inventive branding agency that companions with startups and fortune 100 brands across the globe. They have experience in brand design, video manufacturing, web site improvement ad content material advertising. Does a Black-owned magnificence brand need to post about Black founders, Black influencers, and makeup shades for darker skin tones to be successful on social media?

Fenty is a good instance of magnificence brand advertising, from their partaking social media channels which include sharing well-liked memes on Twitter and sharing selfies of their clients sporting Fenty makeup. Fenty was initially launched in 2017 by way of an exclusively digital marketing campaign and to this present day the model is a testomony to the significance of how important the web area is for modern magnificence manufacturers. Different branded cosmetics model design elements by Almi designLogo. Your brand is the face of your beauty enterprise and, as such, it’s the most important component you’ll bring to life through the branding course of. Fenty found next-level success because it positioned itself from day one as a diverse brand for a various buyer base. They’ve built products for an enormous and underserved market—women whose pores and skin tones don’t fall into the ranges that the most important makeup brands focus on.

According to NPD, Benefit Cosmetics had a 50% share of the £20 million brow market in 2016, and that was before the model launched thirteen model new brow-related products. Fenty continues this strategy across digital channels, using YouTube tutorials and stay virtual events to generate engagement and hype around each new product launch. Many magnificence brands launched digital tools in 2020, as customers have been unable to visit stores , and L’Oreal’s ‘Signature Faces’ digital make up line was arguably one of the most innovative releases.

Your web site is a superb platform to start a dialogue about all magnificence topics and, who is aware of, maybe a while down the road you might begin producing a line of beauty products that you never considered. Funkhaus is a digital creative company working on the intersection of design, content material, programming, and strategy. One reason behind Benefit’s domination of the area is its shrewd advertising activity, which in 2017 concerned the ‘Browmobile’ campaign. Combining experiential elements with digital advertising, it involved an online competition offering customers the possibility to win a visit from the browmobile.

"Aside from social media, a advertising tactic that usually will get overlooked is the unboxing experience you could create for influencers," says Wittick. "Fabfitfun created a stir about this, yet it’s a tactic that still will get uncared for." When operating a cosmetics advertising marketing campaign on social media, begin by figuring out what makes your product visually intriguing.</p>

<p>Glossier managed to tie for first with last year’s Instagram winner Huda Beauty thanks to dynamic posts tailor-made to the instances. Many of the brand’s prime Insta posts featured COVID updates, assist of frontline staff, and popping out in support of Black Lives Matter, indicating the model was unafraid to take a stand. Going beyond the makeup was a profitable strategy for Glossier throughout all channels and was especially powerful on Instagram.

A logo that conveys your brand and character instantly is one which prospects will respond to. Those are just two examples, but you should take the time to determine the place your clients spend their time if you'd like your marketing to be effective. Once you could have taken these three steps, you have to use the information you could have gathered to market your company and merchandise. New web shoppers must create an online account to earn & redeem rewards. “We actually imagine that Then I Met You has its own distinct branding and story to inform, and we want to grow separate and distinctly from Soko Glam,” says Cho.

You will create much less waste and save vitality by using recycled supplies. This sort of engagement is gold, and firms like ColourPop comprehend it. The brand is constantly increasing its product range and making an attempt new things, and the probabilities are countless. In 2017 it put a name out for a name for a model new, yet-to-be-released concealer and inside seconds had dozens of replies. The website Bustle rapidly caught on to the thread, stating ColourPop teased a possible concealer on Twitter and followers already have the right name idea. A large seventy % of Glossier’s on-line sales come from peer referrals.

Matt Holt, Chief Strategy Officer at Digitas UK, explains why we have to deliver memorability and utility via buyer expertise. The travel trade fascinates me; not just because like everyone else I love a good holiday and a while within the solar, however it’s additionally some of the aggressive industries in relation to the SERPs. A beautifully designed web site in its personal right – it’s fairly simple to get lost browsing round. However, by pointing customers back to content material on the primary Aesop web site, it is in a position to deliver on its authentic function of promoting the core model.

Social media cosmetics branding by JayJacksonIf you need your magnificence brand to succeed, you need to model yourself on social media. While all platforms are necessary, YouTube and Instagram are each visual platforms where the majority of magnificence content material lives, making them, palms down, the most important channels for beauty manufacturers. Fenty launched with forty totally different shades of foundation, encompassing an enormous variety of pores and skin tones. As a outcome, the company was in a place to supply a greater number of choices in darker and lighter shades of make-up than most other major firms.

Logo by thisisremedy for Floral Chemistry.Customers wish to work with manufacturers they'll stand behind. So when you really wish to connect together with your customers, you should do greater than make superb lipsticks or tremendous pigmented shadows—you want a powerful corporate mission and values. Sign up for our free, 7-day e mail course and learn to construct the proper model id. When it comes to branding your corporation, there are three fundamental ideas you have to understand.

It specializes in science, and you'll see that within the design components that the logo embodies. You can’t ignore a model whose beauty brand is shiny, daring and dynamic in the way this model is — and you don’t want to. The first store opened a hundred sixty five years ago as a New York apothecary, nevertheless it has advanced right into a model that cares about all-natural merchandise and the shoppers that use them. Glossier is a modern cosmetic brand that is identified for its simplicity and minimalism — in its product providing and its product packaging.

The flowing feel of a script font is inherently feminine and conveys a simple class that might be perceived at a look. What meaning in sensible phrases is that the competitors in the magnificence industry is fierce. The huge cosmetics corporations are continuously engaged in a battle to win the business of more and more subtle customers. And even in the smallest cities, generally two or three hair or nail salons have to compete with one another for a small pool of shoppers. Over the previous twenty years we now have helped manufacturers grow from the bottom up, launch line extensions, rediscover their voice in a crowded market, and create totally new product categories. While public relations, partnerships, events like Indie Beauty Expo, and different advertising tactics may be efficient, Instagram influencers will actually increase your beauty business.

The emblem is a mirror of this magnificence brand’s products, usually described as bold, surprising and vivid. Its aesthetics is immediately derived from Kat’s tattoo artistry in its intricate typography sample even in its retail places which echo stylistic cues from gothic artwork and structure. It balances a regal history with a contemporary energy that can’t be ignored or tamed.

[cigaretteboxes]

Expectations and Printed Cigarette Boxes

Brain is like an automatic machine. It keeps on working round the clock. It keeps gathering information. It keeps processing it and making calculations basing on it. This complete procedure is called estimation mechanism or guesswork, which enables us to make expectations. If past performance of someone or something is good, we will expect more from that person or thing. However, if it had not been delivering better in the past, we will not expect a lot from it. Similar is the case with business world where first impression works as last impression as it happens in almost every sphere of life but in this field it actually defines future of a business or brand and tells us if we will be able to earn a lot in coming times or not.

Printed Cigarette Boxes Business

If a product succeeds in impressing customers in its first impression, they start expecting many more from it in future and it becomes difficult for manufacturers to come up to their expectations whereas if something is depressing on its first entry, people reject it at once and the business soon starts to deteriorate. Therefore, those who are in the field of cardboard packaging and use to make, design or sell Printed Cigarette Boxes or any other packaging stuff should keep it in mind that the fate of their business depends upon their own early performance. Their good performance in the beginning may result in rise of their businesses. Their bad performance in the beginning of their business may result in rejection of their produce from the masses. However, their extremely good performance in very beginning of their businesses can cause problem of high expectations for them, which is indeed a very serious problem. Yes, when you succeed in giving your best in the very beginning of your business, it too becomes a problem for you because when people see that you have come out with a unique or extremely fruitful idea in the beginning of your business then they always keep expecting more and consistent new things from you. If you become failed in introducing new and better things repeatedly, the expectations of your clients become shaky and they become dejected. This situation results in tempting them to find something different so they decide to change their brand. Therefore, if you are going to launch your packaging brand and going to start production of cardboard packaging stuff such as retail boxes, wholesale boxes, display boxes, gable boxes and so on and so forth then you should ensure not to play with expectations of your clients. Do not produce so bad stuff to damage expectations of your clients. Do not produce just an average stuff, which could never enable your brand to stand out of the host of other brands. Do not show all of your cards in the beginning to not to remain able to show anything newer or better. Keep introducing small changes after regular intervals to save your clients from becoming bored as well as to make them realize that you are creative and have the ability to do better every day. If you succeed in following this strategy, you will definitely succeed in making more clients of your printed boxes and keeping them intact for a longer span of time.

Ideal Printed Cigar Boxes

If a product succeeds in satisfying its customers, it is an ideal product. If a product is beautiful and useful, it satisfies customers. If it is a packaging product such as Printed Cigar Boxes then how will we become able to know that these are useful or otherwise? Useful cigar boxes should be capable to enable packed cigars in maintaining their taste and newness for a longer time. Useful custom cigar cases should be capable enough to pack cigars inside effectively from all sides so that no dust, air or moisture may let in to damage taste or quality of cigars. These should be printable. Logos, names and slogans of their respective brands should be printed on any prominent place of these cases. It will give them identity and enable customers to decide if they should buy these or otherwise. Warnings regarding misuse and excessive use should also be printed on these in order to increase public awareness about cigars. Such public service messages particularly prove good for new users and make it easy for them to decide if they should buy and use such items or not. If a cigar case has all such qualities, it enables its manufacturer to come up to the expectations of his or her customers, which ultimately results in increasing his or her sale and establishing business.

Artistic Printed Pre Roll Boxes

Art is life. It inspires. It amazes. It adds charm to life. It has attraction. Therefore, if a product being sold is only useful, it only succeeds in seeking attention of those who are in need of it whereas if a product being sold is artistic as well, it succeeds in attracting even those who may not be in need of it. Hence, art and beauty has amazing strength. Therefore, those who are in the field of cardboard or Kraft packaging and use to make containers like Printed Pre Roll Boxes or cosmetic boxes etc. for fashion lovers, should particularly try their level best to produce glamorous containers. Doing so will enable their printed cigarette boxes to come up to the expectations of their customers.

[judemahoney-blog]

The Best Way to Learn History is to Read Fiction

Why study historic fiction?

A former ee-e book membership member HATED it while the organization study historic fiction. She become adamant that analyzing novels approximately real historic occasions become a waste of time. All the ones conversations withinside the ee-e book have been made up due to the fact nobody alive now may want to probably recognize what have been stated among characters in a preceding generation.

Historical fiction is simply FICTION, she declared.

I adamantly disagreed.

“Writers do lots of studies earlier than crafting a historic novel, regularly gaining access to real journals, letters, and newspaper articles of the time. They recognize the outstanding gamers of the period. They recognize approximately the dialect, the costumes, the residing conditions, the political situations, and the accoutrements of lifestyles after they write their novel. Isn’t it higher to get a FEEL for the generation and a few information of the problems and the peoples’ responses to them than to be placed to sleep with the aid of using a few dry, dull, dull nonfiction textual content or flat-voiced biography?”

(My apologies to biographers and nonfiction writers everywhere. This become a announcement I made earlier than I started out analyzing a number of nonfiction and knowing that now no longer all biographies have been dull. Not all records texts have been dull.)

My pal became her head away and lifted her nostril barely as though the scent of what I had stated become offensive.

We by no means got here to any type of settlement approximately the fee of historic fiction. For her, it become nonsense — a waste of highbrow energy. For me, historic fiction is a joy, the first-rate manner to research records.

Ironic, don’t you think?

I discovered extra approximately records from made-up memories than I did from a presentation of the facts.

What’s the first-rate a part of historic fiction?

History.

Of course, the tale is important. It has to have a compelling plot, interesting, third-dimensional characters, sensible dialog, and keep-it-transferring pacing. The writing is important. The cowl design, ee-e book blurb, strengthen reviews, and exposure are tantamount to a ee-e book’s success, however it’s the records of a historic novel that entices me.

I am now no longer by myself in taking part in historic fiction. It’s a famous style with the strains among literary fiction, women’s fiction, historic fiction, or even thriller and suspense blurring.

I discovered some distance extra approximately records from analyzing novels than I ever did from analyzing a textbook

I become a great scholar in excessive school. I sat withinside the the front row, took notes, and paid interest to regardless of the instructor stated. (No note-passing, spitballs, or having a pipe dream for me!) But as attentive as I become, I didn’t get plenty concept of records outdoor of some simple concepts. I discovered the Civil War took place from 1861–1865 and that the most important problem become slavery. I knew that World War II started out for America with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and that hundreds of thousands of Jews have been gassed in chambers with the aid of using Adolph Hitler. America received her independence in 1776; there has been a “Cold War” with Russia, and we landed a person at the moon in 1969.

My information of records existed of simple dates and standard terms.

But as an avid reader, I actually have discovered some distance extra records from novels than I ever did from textbooks. Not handiest have I discovered approximately historic movements, however I’ve internalized them. History is a part of my waking focus due to the memories I’ve study. I recognize how exclusive occasions impacted the human beings of the time. I get how the numerous viewpoints of a criminal selection stirred controversy and the way wars affected households on a private level.

What I’ve discovered approximately records from analyzing fiction constitutes a large catalog. If you consider it, you’ll in all likelihood give you a protracted listing of historic occasions you wouldn’t have understood with out analyzing, too.

Here are only some of mine off the pinnacle of my head.

America’s First Daughter with the aid of using Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie taught me approximately Thomas Jefferson’s slave-retaining past, his dating with Sally Hemmings and her offspring, and the lifestyles of his high-quality daughter, Patsy Randolph.

Julie Orringer’s The Flight Portfolio taught me approximately Varian Fry and his Emergency Rescue Committee who smuggled artists, writers, and philosophers out of German-occupied France on the onset of World War II.

The position of Guernsey Island in World War II — and the spirit of the Resistance Movement, as properly the transportation of kids to maintain them safe — have become clean to me from studying The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society with the aid of using Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

The Bronze Horseman with the aid of using Paullina Simons introduced to existence the brutal situations of existence in Russia all through Hitler’s march to Leningrad. (I didn’t recognise that human beings had been ravenous and died withinside the streets!)

I could now no longer actually have a touch of an concept approximately the American whaling enterprise of the 1850s with out studying Moby Dick with the aid of using Herman Melville.

Did you recognize approximately the child-abduction-trafficking operation run with the aid of using Georgia Tann withinside the early 1940s? Me neither. I found out approximately it from studying Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours.

While I’m on Lisa Wingate’s work…I dabble in Civil War records, however I had by no means heard of the Lost Friends pages of the Southwestern Christian Advocate, a manner for greater than 3.five million freed slaves to discover misplaced pals and relatives. Check out The Book of Lost Friends.

I’ll possibly by no means get to the bullfights in Spain. And I dislike Ernest Hemingway’s writing, however I felt the color, the manic energy, the violence of bullfighting in Spain with the aid of using studying The Sun Also Rises.

How did they construct the ones big cathedrals 800 years in the past with out high-powered system or computer-aided design? I located out. Read Pillars of the Earth with the aid of using Ken Follett.

Did you recognize that one of the maximum beautiful, glamorous girls of all time became additionally the spouse of Hitler’s fingers supplier and one of the first-rate clinical minds of the time? Read how Hedy Lamarr helped create the cutting-edge mobileular telecellsmartphone in Heather Terrill’s The Only Woman withinside the Room.

I should cross on and on and on. You get the picture.

Reading ancient fiction has coloured my selections and modified my movements — I clearly accept as true with it has made me a higher person. — Crystal King

Reasons to examine ancient fiction

Anna Diamond in The Atlantic: “Using Historical Fiction to Connect Past and Present” gives motives to examine ancient fiction as adults — and as kids. She remarks at the strength novels have withinside the lecture room with the aid of using

easing into hard topics

providing a couple of perspectives

developing a story — a story arc — that heightens exhilaration and the choice to recognise what happened

growing empathy while the testimonies experience personal

“humanizing” records, and making it approximately actual human beings, now no longer dates and statistics.

reducing the skepticism of minority college students who won't accept as true with that textbooks appropriately constitute their testimonies

enhancing vital questioning capabilities with the aid of using encouraging discernment among truth and fiction, fact from falsehood.

She notes,

“ historical fiction books can provide the chance, if taught conscientiously, to interact college students with a couple of perspectives, that are crucial to information records; to assist college students recognize ancient styles and political analogies; and to introduce college students to historiography — how records is written and studied.”

No marvel I like ancient fiction. Not most effective does it assist me find out about the past, however it additionally enables me make selections withinside the present. From studying, I’ve visible the effects of different human beings’s comparable movements and might weigh my selections with theirs.

Reading ancient fiction also can assist me see tendencies for the future. If people repeat the equal styles over time, we recognise what may lie ahead. Heather Webb, the writer of Rodin’s Lover, says it best:

History is likewise a window into our future. As creatures of habit, we stay our lives in a chain of styles and movements. Studying those styles may be beneficial in predicting what comes next, how we need to put together ourselves, or maybe what we need to communicate out towards in a significant manner.

What greater should you need from a book? Reading ancient fiction offers you information of the past, readability withinside the present, and foreknowledge of the future. It takes you to exceptional eras and exceptional places. You get to recognise heaps of characters. It’s knowledge, however it’s additionally simply simple FUN!

[alkatonepills-blog]

Is Alka Tone Keto (Shark Tank) a Scam? Our 2019 Review

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Some elements help to extricate the body from trouble and place it into ketosis as a result of without keeping the body into ketosis, you cannot lose weight rapidly. This supplement conjointly helps to regulate appetite and cravings. You don't would like to try to to additional effort into fitness. You simply have to follow the diet plans and regular intake of these pills. Then you'll surely get the required physique without facing any bother.

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Alka Tone Keto may be a supplement that works below the mechanism of natural ingredients and every one elements are safe and herbal. You can utilize these keto pills without any worry of harm or danger. Because all compounds are mixed in this formula when a nice experiment. The ingredients are as follows:

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Side Effects - Alka Tone Keto

This keto supplement has the options of natural substances. As a result of of its natural ingredients, this weight loss formula has become the foremost popular product in the marketplace. Many individuals have used this product and they need given the review once their deliberation. Per their reviews, this formula has no side effects and it is also helpful for the overall body. All its elements are tested by laboratories and proved that it's a safe and pure weight reduction product.

This supplement is also best as a result of it's Keto qualities such as keep your body in ketosis and burn excess fats rapidly. You can utilize this supplement without any worry or hassle. It's a guaranteed formula that provides you a hundredp.c positive outcomes and benefits while not any vaccination or pain.

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Sometimes, any compound could prove harmful for someone and due to the present reason, it provides negative effects like vomiting, rashes, allergic etc. Then do not use the merchandise and consult to any specialist. Ketogenic diet plays an important role in keeping your body active and slim for an extended amount of your time. Following diet set up is powerful but Alka Tone Keto makes it easy for customers to urge their desired physique within a few months without any onerous rules and prescriptions.

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[matheuspedroh14-blog]

Pets - Cat Litter Box Help!

Cleaning the litter box isn't the most glamorous job in the planet, but as a cat 

parent, you are aware that it's a job that should be done, however much you dislike it.  Hide the litter box is not an enjoyable game for Kitty, actually, it's quite stressful.  Weighty boxes will stay in place even if your cat steps on a single wall.

You don't wish to drop a great deal of money on a cat litter box that's only likely to last two or three months.  There's a good deal of room for your cats to become in, and a lot of room for them to do what they have to do inside.  As you know whether you possess a cat, if you let all those remains build up over a couple of days you're likely to smell it.

Life After Pets - Cat Litter Box

You'll be amazed at your choices and learn as you choose which box is the recommended to purchase. The way this box was manufactured means that it's resistant to both issues. A necessary part of kitty care equipment, the litter box gives a thankless but important support. The Fundamentals of Pets - Cat Litter Box Revealed You must think about the size of your cat prior to buying a litter box. The absolute most important tip in making certain your cat uses their litter box is to just keep it clean. Just like a normal litter box, deciding on a litter box that's large enough for your cat is critical. The box can be found in both a regular and big dimensions, so you may use several boxes or a large one that can accommodate every one of your cats. Plus, it is designed to fit in corners so you can tuck it out of sight. Trouble with the new litter box might be to the litter. Litter box odor is always more noticeable when you have multiple cats so that you will have to replace litter and wash the box more frequently than should you have just a single cat and one box. The Benefits of Pets - Cat Litter Box For instance, if you've got 1 cat and 2 levels you ought to have 2 litter boxes. A cat litter box should be clean to stop bad odors from spreading in your residence. Providentially, the ideal litter boxes for smaller spaces are made to help you creatively solve all the problems that can come up with both mess and odor containment. So you may want to contemplate giving him dry food too. If you're uncertain how well it's possible to deal with the smell, you may use the trial period to learn. There are a lot of possible explanations for why you may see that your cat has stopped using the litter box. There are a lot of reasons why your need the ideal litter box for several cats over having an ordinary litter box that's shared between several cats. Due to the shy nature of cats, it is not likely they will use the litter box if it's kept in a crowded place or within a place where you must climb on to something to poop and pee. You will discover that there are lots of different makes, models and brands of automatic cat litter pans to pick from. On the flip side, if you've got many cats, look at getting a bigger litter box, though some individuals argue that the smartest choice is to buy separate litter boxes. Maybe there is another brand out there which can contain cat odors and Fresh Step. Pets - Cat Litter Box Help! For our terrier Tucker specifically, the cat poo was too much temptation. If you're searching for an affordable clumping cat litter, look no more. Your cat will surely enable you to know when the location pleases her. You might know which litter brands are a few of the best to use, but if you don't find out how to maintain this, or even why you require non-tracking cat litter, then you won't be in a position to use the full advantages of the cat litter. Cat litter on carpet is never a great idea. To begin with, you need to pick which animal you desire. If you've got a Maine Coon kitten, you'll quickly find him outgrowing a normal size litter box! Certainly in case you have three or more cats you would want a bigger box. Cats are independent and that's something which cat-owners love. They are definitely the most adorable pets which you can have, and it follows that you can't just have one cat, particularly if you are a crazy pet parent like me. They are very particular when it comes to their hygiene. When you begin to look for the ideal cat litter box, you wish to know your cat will fit. You also should try and find out why your cat started peeing in the specific same spot all the moment. Having a cat can be quite easy in contrast to the majority of pets. Pets - Cat Litter Box Ideas The dog cannot get in the litter anymore. Inexperienced cat owners are able to sometimes face unexpected troubles. In case you have cats and dogs residing in the exact same household, it's likely that you may have caught your dog attempting to become within the litter box and eat their droppings. Below is a list of the ideal dust free cat litters which make cleaning up easy. Cat litter on carpet is never a great idea. Despite the fact that the extra-large size makes it a better choice for homes with numerous cats, the entrance, while convenient for only one pet cat, could make an issue with various cats. In the event the box is tough to get to, your cat may not utilize it. For example, if you've got an overweight cat, you will need a bigger litter box which has a larger opening to make it simpler for your cat to get in and out. Kitties that aren't neutered may be more inclined to urinate inappropriately. They are definitely the most adorable pets which you can have, and it follows that you can't just have one cat, particularly if you are a crazy pet parent like me. They hate to be disturbed when they are going to the toilet so spare a little thought for kitty. When you begin to look for the ideal cat litter box, you wish to know your cat will fit. As a cat owner, you understand how important it's to make sure your cat is cared for. He or she will be the first to suffer. But What About Pets - Cat Litter Box? Cats may get finicky about their litter boxes so it's important to locate a litter box that is suitable for your cat's requirements. In the event the box isn't cleaned on daily basis, the cat won't need to use the pot. If you start to notice your cat isn't using the litter box regularly, it's imperative that you determine why. The general guideline is to have a minumum of one litter box per cat in your house plus an excess box. Despite the fact that the jumbo size is larger than the ordinary box, it may not be big enough for some cats. If you're utilizing the box for smaller kittens, it's crucial to decrease the height so that they can crawl up. To find more details on nature's miracle litter box please visit petsmartblog.com/natures-miracle-self-cleaning-litter-box-reviews Trouble with the new litter box might be to the litter. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. What is Really Happening with Pets - Cat Litter Box Altering the litter completely is dependent upon how many cats you've got and which kind of litter you're using but the overall guideline is once or twice weekly. Users love the ease of having the ability to dispose of the whole litter box and they love it can be employed with any sort of litter. So you may want to contemplate giving him dry food too. Before you select the ideal litter box for your feline friend, here's a quick collection of factors you will need to think about. Obviously, it's simplest to train kittens to use an automated litter box since they won't be employed to a non-automatic and they're more malleable when it has to do with introducing new things. If your cat has a propensity of arching and heightening the rear whilst urinating, there's a superior means to spend less. There's no need to be worried about the potential smell as it is fitted with filters that may screen the unwanted smell. You will discover that there are lots of different makes, models and brands of automatic cat litter pans to pick from. Fortunately, there are brands of litter out there which have the properties that produce your job simpler. Currently there are a couple other self-cleaning litter box brands on the industry, but Littermaid is still one of the most familiar. Facts, Fiction and Pets - Cat Litter Box Possessing a pet in the family usually means plenty of expenses incurred. When it has to do with getting the very best litter box, your priorities change whenever you have more than 1 cat roaming around your home. As cats get older, we know they lose their movement, so it's important to make things simple for them. In the event the old smell Kitty was attempting to cover isn't removed, he can continue to go on such a spot. There's a good deal of room for your cats to become in, and a lot of room for them to do what they have to do inside. As you know whether you possess a cat, if you let all those remains build up over a couple of days you're likely to smell it. The Pain of Pets - Cat Litter Box A lot of the litters to be found on the sector simply make your job a hassle. If you choose to continue to continue to keep your cat really fit and in an exemplary shape, we recommend that you look carefully at the instructions explained in the report. With a lot of choices offered in the sector, one is bound to find confused but picking the proper litter box is paramount. Pets - Cat Litter Box - Overview To handle the excess traffic in your house, you want the very best cat litter box for many cats. Selecting the most suitable cat litter does not need to be as big a hassle as it appears. Your cat will surely enable you to know when the location pleases her. Some of the things which you can think about in selecting a multiple cat litter box rather than litter boxes designed for a single cat are given below. You love your cats but that's a complement. There are a number of reasons that someone might need to acquire their cats to use the toilet with a cat toilet trainer. This morning, you're likely to observe fleas stuck in honey. The truth is there are a lot of litter boxes you'll be able to find, but you have to understand how to spot the best one that your cats will certainly love and you will appreciate also. The majority of the times it's a characteristic for male cats. Humans aren't the only individuals who need to deal with Arthritis. They also do not have to be let outside to do their business. They feel more comfortable when they don't have to step on each other's waste. When you begin to look for the ideal cat litter box, you wish to know your cat will fit. You also should try and find out why your cat started peeing in the specific same spot all the moment. Having a cat can be quite easy in contrast to the majority of pets. The Fundamentals of Pets - Cat Litter Box That You Can Learn From Starting Immediately Cleaning the litter box isn't the most glamorous job in the planet, but as a cat parent, you are aware that it's a job that should be done, however much you dislike it. In homes with over 1 story, litter boxes have to be available on each degree of the house. Although this litter box is a little pricier than the alternatives, it's excellent for someone with a larger budget who wants their litter box to coincide with the remainder of their house. You don't wish to drop a great deal of money on a cat litter box that's only likely to last two or three months. There's a good deal of room for your cats to become in, and a lot of room for them to do what they have to do inside. Or you'll be able to foster a cat for a limited time. Get the Scoop on Pets - Cat Litter Box Before You're Too Late A number of the cat litter box furniture is accompanied by a choice to add carbon filters to filter the air heading out of the litter box. The absolute most important tip in making certain your cat uses their litter box is to just keep it clean. Selecting the correct litter box for your beloved feline friend can have a significant impact on it's litter box training and day-to-day litter box usage. The box can be found in both a regular and big dimensions, so you may use several boxes or a large one that can accommodate every one of your cats. Plus, it is designed to fit in corners so you can tuck it out of sight. The Petmate Pan is the ideal budget top entry litter box around, therefore it's not surprising that it's also among the most popular. Litter box odor is always more noticeable when you have multiple cats so that you will have to replace litter and wash the box more frequently than should you have just a single cat and one box. The Benefits of Pets - Cat Litter Box Moreover believe me or not it won't need to find pricy anymore even in the event that you wish to fix the odor question completely! Cats can definitely make so much as the cleanest home smell terrible that is why these self cleaning litter boxes are now so common. You may find merely by doing this that it will begin to use the litter box, and quit leaving that nasty cat urine smell all around the home. Mulch attracts earthworms, aerating the soil and offers nutrients at the very same time. Straightforward cleaning is normally a massive component when deciding which litter is most effective to buy. Avoiding dirty litter boxes is an actual issue and includes a price. Before beginning the procedure for breeding, it is critical that the breeder has adequate housing for those gliders. On the flip side, owning several litter boxes for every one of your cats isn't only pricey, but in addition takes up all of the space and you may wind up spending countless hours cleaning all of the litter boxes. Some cats don't have any issues with the standard dishpan sort of litter box, especially if they don't know there's an option.

Kittens are vulnerable to eat a little bit of the litter when they're learning, and the clumping varieties are extremely dangerous if eaten.  This litter is created completely of recycled paper that makes the litter itself recyclable and a positive effect on reducing landfill waste.  In addition to all of these things, it is also very affordable.

Vital Pieces of Pets - Cat Litter Box

A lot of the litters to be found on the sector simply make your job a hassle.  If you choose to continue to continue to keep your cat really fit and in an exemplary shape, we recommend that you look carefully at the instructions explained in the report.  With a lot of choices offered in the sector, one is bound to find confused but picking the proper litter box is paramount.

[cordonianchoicesqueen]

Rewritten: The Royal Romance: The Million Dollar Picnic (Part Nine)

A/N: Looking forward to the opportunity to make more personal deviations from the story after this chapter as all of our characters have been fully introduced! The TRR Gang is formed.

Summary: Riley attends the Royal Picnic to impress the Queen, plays croquet and eats finger sandwiches with the TRR gang.

Choices Chapter: Book One, Chapter Six

Disclaimer: Characters and main storyline from Pixelberry’s Choices.

Word Count: 4000+ 

Warnings: one use of strong language

Tags: @krsnlove

The Million Dollar Picnic

I felt lucky that I had been able to enjoy the races with Drake and Liam. I could only have imagined my experience otherwise in the suitor’s tent with Olivia and her clique as they threw a barrage of insults my way about my looks, manners, culture and anything else they could be bothered to think up. I really didn’t want to be afraid of these women but I was. I had such a high amount of respect for each one of them but knew that didn’t run both ways. As Drake led me to where the cars would take us to the picnic, I heard Olivia mutter up ahead, “I can’t believe we didn’t get to see the Prince at all…” She looked utterly glamorous in her blue, flowery, pendulum dress. She never had a hair out of place and seemed to own every room she was in… even if when she was just outside in the world. I wondered how she and Liam could have been friends for so long. They seemed so different. Yet, I could say the same about Drake and Liam. “He’s sure to be at the lawn party, though,” Penelope assured Olivia. Drake rolled his eyes, obviously not wanting to get any closer to the noble women, “I guess I leave you here.” “Sometimes I feel like I’d rather face a rampaging horse than deal with the others,” I muttered to him. He smiled, “I don’t know… You didn’t fare so well in front of the horse…” I laughed, looking up at him, “I guess that’s true.” For a moment, we looked at each other and every mean word that had crossed between us seemed to disappear. I was lost in his eyes, there seemed to be so much bubbling below the surface. I had known him just as long as Liam but felt like I knew nothing about him. There was something attractive in the enigma of it all. 

“Hey, Drake,” I said, breaking our silence, “Thanks for saving me.” He sighed, looking down at his dirty shoes, “I know I can be a jerk, but I’d have to be a real low-life to let a horse trample a girl.” “Well… Thanks, anyway,” I said, a truce settling between us. I walked away to catch up with the ladies, feeling like I was leaving something behind. “Look who finally showed up,” Olivia scoffed. “Fashionably late has its limits you know.” Out of the sea of judging eyes, Hana pushed through, grinning, “Riley! I was worried about you. What happened?” I took her arm in mine to walk with her, “Oh, well, I… kind of got lost.” Kiara raised an eyebrow, “It’s only day two and you can’t even keep up? Tres embarrassant.” I flushed red but before I could say anything Hana said, “I know it can be really overwhelming… how the press swarmed us all when we arrived…” She smiled at me shyly and I told her, deciding to ignore Kiara, “Hana, you look absolutely stunning today, as always.” “Oh! I don’t have as many dresses as I’d like with me so I feel like I am lacking variety,” she mused as we continued towards the cars with the group. “You work well with what you have,” I said. “Now that the races are over, what’s up next?” “Now the real party starts,” she said, giddily. “So it’s going to be the best party ever?” I asked as we drew ourselves away from Olivia, Kiara and Penelope. “Well, if your idea of the best party is a tea party with lemonade, finger sandwiches, and butter cookies…” Hana teased. “To be honest, tea parties aren’t really my thing,” I said craving another beer with Liam and Drake already. “I can see how they’re a bit silly… flowery china, the fussy napkins, the frilly doilies…” Hana listed. “What even is a tea cozy?” I laughed. “It’s like a sweater for your teapot,” Hana said seriously. “Are you some kind of tea expert?” I raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t go that far,” Hana said, looking down nervously. “When I was little, I didn’t’ have that many toys to play with because my parents thought they were frivolous but I was allowed a tea set, so that I could learn to be a proper hostess…” “Naturally,” I said, suddenly understanding where all of Hana’s expert knowledge was coming from. “I spent a lot of happy afternoons sipping tea with all my favourite guests… Mr. Sock, Miss Lemon Curd and Princess Snickerdoodle,” Hana reminisced. I stared at her speechless, trying to shake the pity from my face. I didn’t know what to say to such a sad picture. Her parents appeared to want to push her to succeed but she had, obviously, been very, very alone as a child. “Like I said,” Hana said brushing off my silence, “I wasn’t allowed to have toys… so I had to get a little creative.” “I just hope the company today can keep up with Princess Snickerdoodle,” I said, making her laugh. “Oh, I much prefer your company!” Hana said, cheerful now. “Don’t forget we, also, will be meeting the Queen today.” “Have you met her before?” I asked. “Once, a long time ago but I doubt she remembers me. Today will be our first official meeting. I must confess, I’m a bit nervous,” Hana said steadily, not letting her nervousness show if she was. We finally arrived at the line of cars awaiting to whisk us to our next location. A black town car rolled to a stop beside Hana and the driver got out to open her door. “Well this is me. I’ll see you there,” Hana reached in and kissed my cheek. “Looking forward to it,” I said, genuinely. I waved to her as her car pulled away. A familiar limo then pulled up next to me. The driver stepped out to open the door and Maxwell was revealed inside, holding a glass of champagne and chatting away to Bertrand. “Hop in,” he said, trying to imitate a slick movie star. I rolled my eyes, laughing and slid into the limo. He handed me a glass of champagne and I gladly accepted, enjoying the taste of the bubbles on my tongue. Bertrand sat at the far end of the limo looking over some papers. “I hope you had a good time,” Maxwell said. “It was-,” I began. “Enough pleasantries,” Bertrand said gruffly. “We only have time for business. First of all, was that Lady Hana Lee I saw you with? You two looked friendly.” “Hana and I are becoming fast friends,” I said, proudly. “An alliance with her family isn’t the worst thing as long as you don’t let it distract you from the Prince. In any case, your focus today should be on impressing the Queen. She holds more sway at court than anyone else,” Bertrand stated. “Even more than the King?” I asked. “Socially, yes. Do. Not. Underestimate. Her,” he said clearly. “You need to get her to like you,” Maxwell said seriously. “Tell me what she hates the most then,” I said. “She’s quite… wary of ladies who were not born in Cordonia, so you should watch your step there,” Maxwell explained. Great, I thought, so she’s wary of people like me then. “The Queen hates it when royal protocol isn’t followed. You should call her Your Majesty when you first meet her and then ma’am thereafter,” Bertrand said, looking at me as though he thought his words would go straight through me.  “I know you have a great sense of humour,” Maxwell said. “Thank you!” I exclaimed, thankful to finally have a compliment or some support throughout this barrage of information. “…but she does not. So if you only have something snarky to say…” Maxwell said nervously watching my smile drop. “Don’t,” Bertrand said. “Ultimately, she’s concerned about how the Prince’s bride will be partly responsible for Cordonia’s future. Keep that in mind when talking to her.” “Got it,” I said, taking huge sips of my champagne. “I hope you do,” Bertrand said, no hope in his eyes. “You might have performed well with the press but it only takes one slip-up to tear apart any reputation you’ve built.” I gulped. I was pretty confident now that Liam was falling in love with me and I was falling in love with him. In another world, we would be going on exciting dates, taking weekend trips away, meeting each other’s families and getting to know each other in every way. But now, I felt that everything was against me. I knew I could perform well with the press and in front of many important people at the court… yet, the pressure associated with not failing the Beaumont family made me so nervous. I could ruin everything for them with a single slip. I could not judge Bertrand for his seriousness. I would do right by them. They were the whole reason I was there at all.

When we reached the park where the picnic was taking place, the driver opened my door and Maxwell took my arm. They always say that the grass is greener on the other side and I had truly never seen grass as green as I had beneath my feet. Gorgeous marquees with thick garlands of flowers floated above magnificently set tables dressed in satin tablecloths and shiny silverware. “Wow, this looks like a million-dollar picnic,” I said. “It’s not polite to discuss price,” Bertrand scolded, then murmured quietly, appreciation in his eyes, “but you’re probably not far off.” Maxwell guided me over to the receiving line for the noble ladies to meet the Queen and left me with Hana. She appeared to fit comfortably into the surrounding excess. “Welcome to the tea party,” she said, smiling as always. “Cutting it awfully close,” Olivia hissed at me as the herald announced the arrival of the Queen of Cordonia. Queen Regina looked distinguished in her traditionally styled gown. Even the way she moved her hands and head had a softness, a regal-ness to them. Her voice was gentle but strong, “Welcome all. I’m so delighted you could join us this afternoon.” She made her way through the crowd, greeting guests who I could only imagine came from all over the world for an event like this. I noticed a tall, blonde woman escorting the Queen. She looked like a model but her gaze was hardened. A shiver went down my spine. Hana leaned over and whispered, “I wonder who that is…” “Your guess is as good as mine,” I muttered. “You dolts,” Olivia hissed again. “That’s Countess Madeline of Fydelia, and if you haven’t heard of her, then you really are behind.” “Her name was all over the tabloids at one point,” Penelope joined in our whispered gossip. “ She was betrothed to the former Crown Prince until he abdicated…” “It was particularly embarrassing for her to be thrown over like that,” Kiara added in a hushed tone. “She was the one who was chosen during that social season, after all. To go through all that and not be royal…” “Poor thing must be the Queen’s guest as a consolation prize,” Olivia said with faux sympathy. The Queen reached our receiving line and began talking briefly with each suitor as she made her way down the line. At last she stopped in front of me. She smelt like a summer day and her dress glittered in the sunlight up close. I stepped forward from the line and curtsied for her, “It’s an honour to meet you, your majesty,” I smiled, gracefully. “Ma’am, this is the one I was telling you about,” Madeline said without giving away any emotion or indication as to what had been said. “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Riley Brooks,” Queen Regina smiled. “The press speaks well of you. It takes great effort to manage one’s image so responsibly. They’re touting you as a mystery, someone they can’t quite figure out… I hope you realise that no one can remain a mystery long when they are a public servant and must attend to the people.” “Of course, ma’am,” I said, wanting to let her know already that I was a strong candidate. “Trust me when I say, I’d take my service seriously.” The Queen gauged me, “Tell me, what do you think is the best quality for a ruler to have?” “A sense of duty,” I said thinking of what Bertrand would want me to say as the Queen tested me. “One must have loyalty to the kingdom you represent and the people you serve will carry you though any crisis.” “Good answer,” Queen Regina smiled, making her eyes wrinkle at the side and began to appear more motherly than frightening. “Thank you, ma’am,” I gave her a warm smile. “Governance is not to be taken lightly. You will be bombarded daily by a hundred little decisions. Few will be glamorous and many will weigh on you,” her serious tone returned. “Loyalty to the kingdom and to the people must guide your every decision.” I thought about my loyalty I felt to the Beaumont family and nodded. I knew, given the opportunity, I would actually make a half decent queen. I had a strong sense of empathy and loyalty had always been an attribute I searched for in others. I might not have the training of Hana, the history of Olivia nor the culture of Kiara but I knew I still had a lot to give. “As heads of state, we have a responsibility to the people. The press acts as their eyes. We must always portray a sense of calm and dignity. If the rulers appear in control, then everyone will be reassured. Hysteria benefits nobody. Do you agree?” she asked. “Ma’am, I believe a stoic head of state equals a stoic people,” I said, letting Bertrand channel through my body. “Precisely. We must set the example, which is why we must not enable the scandal hunting impulses of the press,” she said, looking deep into my eyes. It seemed that all of the nobles I spoke to believed I was going to cost them something. A scandal would arise at some point from the waitress from New York. I was going to prove them wrong. I was just as strong as them. I wasn’t an embarrassment or a problem child they were just waiting on having an outburst. “Ma’am, I hate to interrupt but it’s time to begin the game,” Madeline said a couple steps behind the Queen. “Yes. Thank you,” the Queen then raised her voice. “Everyone, please, follow me. It’s time to begin the ceremonial croquet match.” We were led in a procession across the lawn behind the queen. I don’t know what it was about the term “ceremonial croquet match” but it really made me want to laugh so my main focus as we walked was on not doing that. “Know that one of you will be the next queen, and I expect you to represent Cordonia well. Madeline here has been the embodiment of dignity and devotion. It is my hope that you may all learn from her example,” the Queen said as we walked. “Thank you, ma’am,” Madeline smiled, genuinely but still with cold eyes. Across the lawn, I could see that the croquet hoops had been set up. Prince Liam stood poised in conversation with other well-dressed men laughing. He looked so different to the man I had just had a beer with. He was stately, stoic and the dignified... definitely not betting naked press ups against his childhood best friend. As we got closer, Liam took his time greeting each lady in the procession. When he got to me our eyes met and we had a full conversation in a split second. He had missed me even though we had barely been apart. I held out my hand and he held it gently, raising it to his lips. His lips brushed against the bare skin of my hand and he whispered, “Lady Riley, I am so pleased to see you.” “Prince Liam,” I said as our hands dropped apart, “is it wrong that I want to kiss you in front of all the other ladies?” “Maybe a little,” his eyes twinkled. “You know that’d cause a real scandal.” “That’s half the fun of it,” I giggled. He grinned as I playfully curtsied in front of him. I knew he was starting to like how well I was fitting in but with a mixture of wanting to fight the protocol of the proceedings. I wondered if the women around us could feel the sexual tension building, the secrets we held between us. As he continued on, I tried to refocus my attention on impressing the Queen. “Custom has it, that the Queen and the Prince play a round of croquet with two of the season’s suitors,” Queen Regina proclaimed to the crowd. “I have chosen Madeline as my partner.” Whispers surged around me from the crowd of women. A mixture of confusion and panic. “She’s a suitor?” Penelope hissed. “Pas bon,” Kiara exclaimed. “That scheming little…” Olivia narrowed her eyes at Madeline. Madeline acted as though there was no reaction at all, smiling standing by the Queen’s side. The obvious favourite. “As for myself,” Liam said stepping over towards the Queen and Madeline. “I shall choose Lady Riley.” I beamed as I stepped forward. I could hear Olivia gasp and then her daggers staring into my back. I joined Liam trying to retain decorum in front of the jealous noble women. We were directed to the beginning of the circuit and handed mallets. “Looks like we found another way to steal a few moments,” Liam said. “Hey, I don’t want to cause you alarm or anything, but I don’t know how to play croquet. You picked the worst partner,” I teased. “No worries. Just follow my lead. Hit your ball through the same hoop as mine and you’ll be just fine,” he reassured me with another award-winning smile. “Right, we are up!” Liam smoothly knocked his ball through the first hoop. Feeling all eyes on me, I set up to take my first shot. I breathed deeply, centring myself and calmly knocked the ball through the hoop. “Nice swing,” Liam murmured as he brushed past me, seductively grazing his hand along my lower back. As the game continued, I took my opportunity to speak more with the Queen and Madeline whilst Liam was taking his turn. They were deep in conversation when I approached. I was going to need to move mountains for the Queen to prefer me to the woman who had already been chosen to be Queen once before. “Am I interrupting anything?” I queried. “No. We are simply discussing how to best undress when meeting with ministers during the coucher,” Madeline said smoothly. “We do what now?” I asked, confused. “Oh goodness, Madeline. You’re too funny,” Queen Regina let out a soft laugh. “Forgive me, Riley,” Madeline said with the fakest smile I had ever seen. “It was only a joke. I hope you won’t begrudge us a small laugh at your expense.” I was more than fed up of women here thinking it was okay to laugh at my expense. Madeline seemed already worse than Olivia and I wasn’t sure I could cope. Before I had the chance to respond the Queen said, “Now, let’s give Riley the opportunity to speak her mind. Tell me your thoughts on governance, my dear.” “Governance is an art lost on most,” I said, remembering something Maxwell had told me that morning. “A sad truth,” the Queen agreed. Liam approached behind me and said, “my apologies for interrupting your conversation, but I believe it’s your turn. No pressure or anything, but if you hit the peg in the centre, we’ll win!” As I walked back to the end of the circuit, I took note of where the peg and my ball were, “That’s an easy shot! I can definitely make that!” As soon as I said that, however, I suddenly remembered that I was here to impress the Queen. I wasn’t here to beat her at a game. What if she was offended by losing to me, a commoner. I looked down at the ball. Was I really going to throw the game? No, I wasn’t. I had always been competitive and that wasn’t going to stop now. I wasn’t just here to win the game. I was here to win Liam’s heart and both the Queen and Madeline needed to know I wasn’t going down easy. I hit the ball with ease and it hit the peg with a satisfying ping. “I believe that means victory is ours,” Liam came up close to me, struggling not to hug me. The Queen approached us, “I’m glad you had the guts to finish the game. Too many ladies have thrown the game on purpose to impress me. That’s why I decided to make it a point to lose this match.” “You mean this was a test, ma’am?” I looked at her. “It was a test and you passed,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “I’m sure we’ll have times in the future where we’ll find ourselves on opposing sides. Next time, though, I expect it won’t be simply playing croquet… and I won’t be holding back.” Although through hearing it, this appeared to be a threat. I heard it more as a warning that she had strong opinions and morals that she would not back down on… and that she didn’t expect nor want me to back down on my own either. It relaxed me to know that there were some people here who appreciated the type of person I was. The grounds crew began to tidy up the lawn and the Queen addressed me once more, saying, “It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Brooks. You’ve shown yourself to be unlike many of ladies at court, which is no small feat in my eyes.” I tried not to smile goofily at her praise, “you honour me, ma’am.” Queen Regina turned to the other ladies who were spectating the field, “Thank you all for coming and I look forward to seeing you at the next event.” The Queen and Madeline left the field surrounded by bodyguards whilst the rest of the ladies spread out to the tables across the lawns to gossip about what they had just witnessed. Liam led me to a table and we sat down together, basking in the beautiful sun of the afternoon. Hana approached our table. “Riley, Prince Liam, that was well played,” she said. “Thank you, Lady Hana. Won’t you sit with us?” Liam welcomed her. “I’d love to,” she said, hiding her inner smile. If I could have screamed, fuck you Olivia, without causing a scandal I would have. On my first night she had gone out of her way to make a fool of Hana, telling her that she and I were the bottom of the bunch. That the Prince would never want us. Now here we were not 24 hours later sat with him at this gorgeous picnic in front of so many people. As we made small talk, servants brought out piping hot tea, cream and tiny sandwiches. Maxwell and Drake, also, came over to join our table. Sitting there amongst those four, I finally felt comfortable in Cordonia. “We finally get to eat!” Maxwell exclaimed, picking up a handful of sandwiches. “If you can call this eating,” Drake held up a tiny cucumber sandwich between his thumb and forefinger. “Drake, you would complain about free gourmet food,” I nudged him with my arm. “I’m just saying I’m simple,” he put his head to the side and looked over at me. “I don’t think anyone would argue with that,” I teased. Drake shook his head as the table laughed but I could see a small smile on his face. Maybe Drake was finally warming to me. “What I mean is,” he said. “Give me a ninety-nine cent burger any day over some escargot aioli.” “Escargot aioli? But, how would you?” Hana gasped. “It was just a joke, Hana,” Drake said, face emotionless again. “Oh,” Hana said, uncomfortable. “Anyway, onto the big question. Riley, do you think you impressed the Queen?” Maxwell looked at me, eyes wide. “I think I impressed her,” I said. “Fantastic,” Maxwell said leaning back and sighing happily. “It’s like watching a bird learn to fly on its own.” I turned to Liam, “Do you think the Queen approves of me?” “Yes, I think you performed quite gracefully in front of her,” Liam said. Liam secretly took my hand underneath the table and gave it an encouraging squeeze. It was amazing in this environment how special a small gesture like that made me feel. “Enough about Riley. All the little sandwiches are gone and I’m still starving,” Drake said, having inhaled most of the sandwiches on the table. “Not to worry, there’s more food waiting for us back at the palace,” Maxwell said.