#also jaidas little

[sexynetra]

I’ve been thinking about Nicky Doll saying Pepe le Pew all day. Why she say it like that

[trippinsorrows]

through your eyes + au 3

authors note: well. this got freaky. some smut ahead, folks. this really is starting to feel like a completely different story, low key.

part one // part two // au solana instagram

warnings: smut

taglist: @sayyestoheav3nn @fearlesschimera @cyberdejos2 @annfg8 @trentybenty @sabrina-carpenter-stan-account @zoeyybellex3

word count: 4.3k

"I need to talk to you."

Solana should have been talked to someone about this.

But, she's felt torn.

Torn on just who she can talk to about it.

And lack of options hasn't been the issue.

If anything, there's a copious amount of resources and trusted confidants she could go to. Courtesy of her large family, host of cousins, and other good friends.

It's actually easier to start with who would absolutely be the worst person to go to.

And her mom, interestingly enough, is that person. Ironic given how close she is to her madre. One of her best friends, in many ways.

But, not for this. Because Nina will go to Xavier, Solana's dad, and somehow Wes, Solana's brother, will get involved, and it'll just be a whole mess.

Beyond that, there's her cousins. Jade and Anriel will scold the living shit out of her and probably confide in their mom, Solana's aunt Sharmell, out of concern. Aunt Sharmell will go to her husband, Booker, who won't hesitate to literally fly out to Miami just to tell his brother, Xavier, Solana's dad. Thus, the whole damn family knowing.

Then there's her cousin, Roxanne. Roxanne would be great if not for her inability to hold water. And Solana definitely doesn't need her mom's side of the family knowing. They'll kidnap her and force her to live in Mexico for the rest of her life, believing she's gone mad.

Might not be too far off though.

Rhea will just kick her ass for being so 'fawkin stoopid'. Jaida will encourage it, because Jaida encourages all things questionable. But Kayden....Kayden could be the one.

She's also bound to not respond well, but still, someone Solana knows will ultimately keep this between the two of them.

Kayden Carter looks over at Solana with intrigue. With over 15 years of friendship, she knows when her roommate and best friend is truly in a dilemma, that nervous, panicked voice she typically uses present already. This is definitely one of those times.

"Okay." Kayden motions for Solana to sit down on the other end of the sofa, waiting until she does so to ask, "what's going on?"

Solana takes a deep breath, both hating and needing to share this. "You know the event I attended with my family this weekend?" Kayden nods. "I—I met someone there."

At that, Kayden lifts a pierced brow. "Oh?"

Solana looks away, explaining, "I was trying to get away from Ethan and ran into this man by accident, and he ended up helping me out. Pretending to be my date or whatever. It got Ethan to leave me alone, so that was good."

"Forget about Page's annoying ass, what about the man? Is he attractive?"

Solana scoffs. "Very." She's not quite sure how to describe just how fine Roman Reigns is. "But—"

Kayden's expression sours. "He's an asshole, isn't he?"

"Notorious." Though Solana does her best to stay tucked away in her little corner of the world within that's away from the mafia life, she's not stupid nor entirely disconnected. It's common knowledge that Roman is a dick.

And yet....

"But, he was nice to me. He's been nice to me." Kayden's expression shifts into confusion, Solana clarifying, "he—he came to my job this morning."

"Holy shit, he's serious about this." Kayden scoffs and smiles, clearly intrigued by the mystery of it all. "Wait, who is this guy, Sola?"

And now, here comes the part that Solana has been dreading since decided she would confide in Kayden. "It's....it's Roman."

Kayden blinks, not catching on. "Roman who?" And it's just one 'you know' look from Solana that has her eyes widening. "No." Solana closes her eyes. "Please tell me you're kidding." More silence provides the answer she's certain her roommate didn't and doesn't want to hear. "Roman fuckin' Reigns? Solana, have you lost your mind? Do you know who he is?"

Solana leans back into the sofa, murmuring, "of course."

"No, you must not, because this man is the devil himself. He's a monster, Solana. If you heard half the things he's done, you'd be running the opposite way. You'd be on the other side of the goddamn world to get away from him." Kayden continues to freak out, lecturing and chiding Solana for what she clearly feels is a bad call. "I just-I don't understand. Solana, you've always been so against our world. You've essentially lived in seclusion just because you don't want to be a part of it, and now you're entertaining the literal embodiment of said world?"

Solana runs her hands over her face. "It's not—it's not like that."

"Then tell me what it's like, because maybe I'm just confused, but I'm pretty sure you're telling me that you're talking to Roman Reigns?"

That's exactly what she is, but Solana is lost on just how to express that despite everything that's been said about this man, in the two interactions she's had with him, he's been nothing but kind. In his own way, of course.

"He....he hasn't been that way with me," she finds herself defending while also recognizing that it truly is a weak defense. "He's been....nice. He helped me out with Ethan. He came to see me at my job just to ask me out--"

"Wait, he already asked you out?" Kayden looks like she's about to spazz out even more. She shakes her head, taking a second to calm down. "Solana, you're my best friend, and I love you, but he's probably just trying to fuck you. You're gorgeous with a great body, and he obviously sees how innocent you are. It's just a chase."

It makes sense, and Roman more or less confirmed as such with his comment about wanting her with no clothes on. That should be enough evidence for her to find a way to ward off his advances.

But.....

There's this part of her that's absolutely intrigued by him, as he so smugly pointed out. A part of her that wouldn't mind to get to know him more. Even if it makes no damn sense to her.

"I can take care of myself." It doesn't come out as confident and assured as she would like it to be, nor is she entirely certain of her assertion herself, but it's expressed regardless. "I—I can handle this."

Kayden looks just as unsure as Solana feels. "Your family doesn't know, do they?"

"No." Her eyes widen a bit. "No one does, except you now. So please, please don't say anything to anyone." Solana needs to at least figure out just what's going on before she has to face the inevitable backlash from her family and others.

Kayden shakes her head. "You know I got you, girl. Even though I do think you're fuckin' crazy, you've always supported me in my fucked up relationships, so I'll do the same with you." Kayden suddenly gives her that teasing expression, poking her arm. "Besides, it's not like he's ugly, am I right?"

So right.

"I get so nervous around him," Solana whines, laying her head back against the sofa. "He's just so....he comes on so strong."

Kayden smirks, leaning over and playfully nudging. "He wants him some Sola, girl." She laughs as Solana covers her blushing face. "Who could blame him? You're gorgeous, babe."

It's such weird experience. Solana is still trying to heal and learn to love herself again after calling off her engagement, so a man like Roman Reigns coming into her life out of nowhere and being so intent on just....her....it's a lot to digest. Because taking away all of the things about him that make him dangerous and avoidant worthy, he's still, hands down, the most handsome man she's ever seen.

"So where are ya'll going?"

Solana bites down on her bottom lip. "He invited me to WarGames. Said he'll send a car for me."

There's obvious surprise on the face of her best friend. "First date is watching him beat the shit out of other men?" Kayden says aloud, nodding and shrugging. "It tracks." Solana rolls her eyes. "Well, what are you gonna wear?"

She shrugs, truly unsure when she remembers what he said. "Something....something red." Kayden is curious, as Solana shares a version of what Roman said. "He....he asked me to wear red."

Told. He told her to wear red, but Kayden doesn't need to know that part.

Smirking, Kayden nods, impressed almost. "Damn. He already wants you wearing Bloodline colors? First lady type shit." Solana grabs a pillow and throws it Kayden's way, her friend laughing and then gasping. "Holy shit, you have to wear that red dress I got you last year for your birthday!"

The mention of that little piece Solana swore would never see beyond the back of her closet has her eyes widening. "Kayden, no, I can't. That's way too revealing."

"That's the point, duh." Kayden tosses the pillow back and stands up off the sofa, pulling Solana up with her. She then looks over at Dulce who's been sleeping peacefully as her mama stumbles into one of the most questionable decision of her life. "Come on, Dulce. We gotta get mama ready to get dicked down."

"Kayden!"

--------

Solana is a nervous wreck.

She hasn't been this anxiety ridden since taking her NCLEX-RN, and that was a damn near traumatic experience.

This is literally just a date.

Kind of.

Cause she's never actually been on a date before where the man will be preoccupied the whole night.

But, she's also never been on a date with someone like Roman before either. It's just all around a brand new experience that has her so in her head. She's in it during the car ride and especially when she arrives at the Warehouse and is escorted to Roman's locker room.

She nearly has a heart attack when the door is opened and she expects to see him waiting, but it's postponed, God looking out for her, when she sees he's absent.

The security leave her alone without any guidance or clue as to just what she's supposed to do, so Solana takes that time to text Kayden and let her know she's arrived and that she's safe.

For now.

Not wanting to focus too much on the unknown of it all, she takes in his locker room which is much nicer than what's probably necessary. Craft table. Weights section. Sofa. Flat screen TV. A trainers table. The works, essentially.

It makes sense when she thinks about it.

Roman seems like a man who only accepts the finer things in life, if not the finest.

But, it's the section on the craft table with a bottle of wine that keeps snatching her attention.

Drinking is probably the last thing she needs to be doing, but that's exactly what she does.

She quickly grabs the bottle and and a wine glass, filling it up halfway before downing almost all of it. It's the perfect combination of sweet and bitter and hopefully helpful in taking some of this edge off.

"You sure don't disappoint, do you?"

It's a pure stroke of luck that she doesn't drop the glass in her hand at the rumble of his deep voice behind her. But, it's truly a miracle that both the glass and herself don't fall to the ground when she turns around to look at him.

Mio dios.

Roman is standing by the door, his hair down and clearly wet, water droplets sliding down his bare chest, Solana unable to take her eyes off his bulging muscles and the intricate tribal tattoos that somehow add to the magnanimity and beauty of this man. He's wearing black cargo pants tucked into black boots, with the sacred, red ula fala resting around his majestic neck.

Roman Reigns in a suit is one thing.

But Roman Reigns shirtless is something entirely different.

She's almost certain the ground underneath her shakes a bit, also deeply impacted by the god among mere mortal men.

If not for Roman initiating something beyond her embarrassing gawking. she would continue to stare. For a long time. A very long time.

He walks toward her, every step bringing her closer and closer to melting into the ground. This man is a giant. In every sense of the word.

But, it's when he takes his finger under her chin, lifting her head a little and has the audacity to say, "you can do more than just look, if you want" that Solana just about spontaneous combusts on the spot.

He's maybe said a total of 8 to 10 sentences to her in the entire time they've 'known' each other, yet even in the midst of that brevity, he still gives her more of a visceral, bodily reaction than her ex ever did.

"I—" Words are a thing of the past, something she was once capable of but not anymore. The sight of God himself has a tendency to rob anyone of the right to verbalization.

Roman chuckles, his other hand moving to her hip. "You listened."

Solana is certain it's her that's trembling and not the room around her. It takes her a minute to process he's referring to her dress. "You—you said wear red, didn't you?."

"I did." He acknowledges, once again giving her a one over as he bites on his bottom lip. "Good girl."

Oh, fuck.

Solana has to get the hell out of here. The room is freaking in shambles at this point.

Or, maybe that's just her.

She's a stuttering mess trying to communicate with this man. "I—you—probably have to get r—ready."

Roman smiles, and her entire world flutters. "Do I not look ready to you?"

Hardly. This man probably doesn't even know what it's like to be unready. Never experienced that. That's a mortal thing.

"No—I just.....S—sorry."

Similar to their last two interactions, Roman brings his hand to her back and tugs her into him. Solana, once again, places one hand on his chest, not even thinking about the fact that the water from his hair continues to dampen his body.

Until water hits her palm.

Solana is on fire. In all areas. She stammers out, feeling stupid as all the outdoors for stating the obvious. "You're wet...."

His gaze flicks to the space between her legs. "I'd bet you are too."

What the hell?

How is he so.....raw?

She absolutely refuses to move an inch, refuses to cause any kind of movement with her legs that could alert her to the fact that he's probably not wrong.

Not wrong at all.

If only Roman was on the same page.

"You are, aren't you?" His eyes narrow slightly, hand gradually starting to move down from the her back to the sizable swell of her ass. "I bet that pussy dripping for me already."

Solana's eyes shut, her nails clawing against his chest. "R—roman." Her breathing is labored, heart beating a mile per fucking minute, and that only intensifies when he squeezes her ass. Her natural reaction being to arch into him, her breast pressing against his solid body. "Oh my God....."

"God can't do for you what I can, sweetheart."

Blasphemy. Filth. Pure disrespect, and yet her head drops against his chest as he slides his hand to the front of her, wiggling it between her thighs.

Solana means to stop him, means to push him away, but her body seems to have a mind of its own, because she finds herself widening her stance, giving him all the access he needs.

The go ahead.

And he takes full advantage of that, Solana gasping loudly when he moves to cup her through her underwear. Her soaked underwear. "Dripping." He taunts, and it's true. Legs no longer mushed together, she absolutely feels the wetness dripping down, soaking her panties. "I'm taking you out to dinner after the match, but I think we should just skip to dessert right now."

Eyes widening, she gasps again when Roman removes his hand and picks her up, her thighs naturally wrapping around his waist. He carries her over to the trainers table, plopping her down on the edge.

"Lay back."

Her stomach is all kinds of twists and turns. She's not stupid. Far from it. There's only one place this is headed. "I—what?"

Roman, however, looks bored, stating so plainly. "I don't make it a habit to repeat myself, Solana. Even with a pretty thing like you, so do me a favor and just lay back."

If someone told her this is how the night would kick off, she'd call them crazy as all the outdoors. There's no way in hell this man is about to do what she thinks he is.

Is he?

Voicing her thoughts, she struggles with just how to word what is an otherwise simple thing to ask. "Are you...."

His gaze is piercing. "Can I?"

What a fucking question.

Once

Once has she had someone go down on her, and it wasn't even her ex-fiance. It was a guy she dated in college for a few months. To say it was......disappointing would be an understatement.

She didn't even finish.

Back to the borderline crisis at hand, she finds herself oversharing. "My ex. He didn't—he wouldn't....."

"Well, he's a fucking idiot." Roman's cruel but accurate remark is accompanied by his big hand moving up the sides of her dress until its scrunched by her stomach. "Eating pussy is a delicacy."

Her eyes shut again. He's so nasty.

So why is it only making her wetter?

Roman's fingers lightly tugging the waistband of her underwear reminds her of the proposed question.

This is a bad idea. A very bad idea. She doesn't sleep around. Doesn't let random men go down on her, and yet, the minute Roman licks his lips, the decision is almost made for her.

"Y—yes."

That alluring, small smile is back as he moves his hand to her stomach, pushing down just enough to get her in position. "Lay down, and let me show you what it's like to be with a real man."

Sweet baby Jesus.

Solana is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, back flat against the cool table when he goes to pull down her panties, leaving her open and exposed.

She hears Roman make a sound. "Mmm. Pussy just as pretty as I imagined."

Her hands clench at her side. He's thought about this? About her? About her—

"Ahhh." Her back is almost entirely off the table the minute his thick tongue gives one full, sensation stirring lick up her cunt. "Roman...." she moans, hands planted on the table, head thrown back as his cool breath blows against her pussy.

Seconds later, his tongue is back on her, fingers spreading her lips while his tongue teases a languid circle around her clit. "Oh my....."

The sound of his deep chuckle travels from his space between her legs. "I'm gonna make a fucking mess out of you."

And before she can process that, he tugs her by her thighs, diving face first into her cunt. Solana is a mewling, writhing mess as he sucks on her pussy like its the fuel and energy he needs for the fight to come. Laps at her with a hunger and desire that nearly matches her own, because whatever her ex did to her that one time is nothing compared to what he's doing to her right now.

"Shit...." Her body is hot, her nipples hardening by the second, and Solana can't help the way her thighs squeeze against his head, her lower half coiling and twisting from pleasure she's never experienced.

"You like that, don't you?" He hums, voice haughty and knowing. "Like me eating this pretty pussy, don't you, sweetheart?"

Her answer is an obvious one, breathed out over and through heavy pants. "Shit, yes." He sucks on her clit, the slurping sound practically filling the room and egging on her moans.

He pulls away, the absence something that's so much more noticable and painful than it should be. Only for her to arch again when his finger plays around with her nectar that feels like it's spread all over her lower half at this point. "Look how wet you are. I can tell she been neglected." Roman swirls his finger in circles around her clit, thumb applying just the lightest pressure. "Can tell she been needing me."

Solana can't and won't disagree. Not that she could anyway. Logic is very much a thing of the past. The only thing on her mind is ecstasy, and he's giving her more of that than she's ever had in all sexual interactions with all of her ex's put together.

"Goddamn, you taste good." He goes back to licking and sucking on her again, groaning almost. "Would stay down here all night if I could."

Solana nearly comes right then and there.

She wouldn't be opposed.

At all.

He stays with his head between her legs for what feels like inhumanly possible, long enough for that feeling she's only ever been able to give herself starting to rise. Toes curling and stomach twisting, she manages to whine out, "Roman, I—I'm gonna—"

He kisses her clit, coaxing her, guiding her, encouraging her. "I know, baby." She can practically visualize the smirk on his face. "Now be a good girl and come in daddy's mouth."

It's disgusting how that one filthy command manages to evoke her orgasm from her, Solana nearly sitting all the way up as her release shoots through her entire body. Roman continuing to suck on her and lap up every bit of it until there's not a fucking drop left.

Solana's practically lifeless body collapses against the table. Everything below her belly button is numb. Eyes shut, pulse probably in the danger range, she has no ability to do anything other than lay there and recover.

She's never come that hard, that much, that long.

Who is this man?

Solana whimpers a bit when she feels something against her, wiping her. A towel most likely. Strong but surprisingly gentle hands help her body to lift up only for her to fall against a solid chest, her forehead against Roman's shoulder.

She clutches onto him as he kisses her temple. "That's my girl." His girl. His anything. She's whatever he says and more. That's how fucked out he has her. "I'll see you after the match, okay?"

Sure. Fine. Whatever. Her ability to agree to anything was sucked out of her by that dangerous tongue of his, so the most she can do is nod against him.

Roman chuckles and gradually pulls away, Solana gripping on the edge of the table, eyes opening just enough to see that strong, muscular back of his as he walks out the door, closing it behind him.

She isn't sure how long she sits there, dress pulled up, towel covering her bottom half. She just knows that even after sitting for what should be a long enough time, her legs are still wobbly. Even as she moves around the room to look for her underwear only to see they're nowhere to be found, leaving her with one conclusion.

Roman took them with him.

The thought shouldn't make her pussy flutter. It really shouldn't and yet, here she is.

God, what did he do to her?

Swallowing, she does her best to maintain her pride and walks out, guided by the same guard who escorted her to Roman in the first place. He takes her up to what must be VIP seating. It's the perfect view of the celled ring and cages on the side intended for the participants.

Sitting there alone and with nothing else to occupy her mind, Solana's mind starts racing. That shouldn't have happened. She should have stopped him. Should have said no.

Even if she did want it just as much as he seemingly did. Nevertheless, that shouldn't matter. He's him. She's her. They're very different people. She's supposed to have morals and standards. Women who have that don't let men who are practically strangers go down on them.

But, that's exactly what she did, and she feels terrible about it.

"You must be my brother's flavor of the night."

Solana is already nervous as all the outdoors, yet somehow the interruption of her overthinking only serves to exacerbate that anxiety.

But, when she looks over and sees the source, Solana is unsure which is worse: what's said or who said it.

Rosalia Reigns isn't as tall or built as her twin brother. Not at all. A given considering their different sexes, but she's every bit as intimidating as him, and they do share some similar features. Same set of pretty brown eyes. Those full, pink lips and that overall powerful aura.

You know just by looking at her that she's an important person.

And she is. She comes only second to her brother.

Roman

Solana swallows and adjusts her dress as Rosalia gives her a oneover, not even trying to hide her distaste. "H—hi. I'm—"

"I don't care." Rosalia interrupts, a level of venom in her voice. "You'll be an afterthought come tomorrow morning when you join the rest of his whores on the island of forgettables."

Sting.

Solana shouldn't be surprised nor hurt by such cruel words. Rosalia, much like her brother, has never been known for kindness. Regardless, that knowledge doesn't stop the tears from pooling in her eyes.

Cause the words hit way too close to home given what just happened.

Something noticed by the other woman. An equally cruel smile growing on her face. "Aww, did I hurt your feelings?" Her smile deepens as she scoffs, sitting down in her chair. "Yeah, Ro definitely dropped the ball with you. You're dumber and more naive than the other stupid bitches my brother loves to entertain."

A stupid bitch. Any other time, Solana would disagree. She may not verbalize as such, but she would inwardly reject such a thing. But, she can't. She can't because it's true.

She gave Roman exactly what he wanted. Fell into his trap. Another of many nameless, faceless, forgettable conquests.

She's no different or better than any of the other women Roman messes around with.

She's now one of them.

And she feels disgusted with herself.

Not wanting Rosalia to see her cry, or anyone else, Solana mumbles a quiet 'excuse me' and rushes past the smirking woman. She needs to get out of here. Needs to go home.

Needs to never see or speak to Roman Reigns ever again.

This was a mistake. All of it.

And it can never happen again.

[uceyliyahh]

SNEAKY LINK

Summary: After having a one night stand with each other Kiyana and Jey decided to become sneaky links until she grew attached to him will he be able to feel the same as her?

smut warning; it’ll come in the story randomly so PLEASE PLEASE look out for it I’m not really good at writing ✍🏽 smuts but I’m improving at the moment.

Jey Uso x Kiyana

AWFUL GRAMMAR IM GETTING BETTER I SWEAR LOL.

comments, likes, repost are appreciated I would love the constructive feedback in what area I need to approve in. 🤍

ALSO! I don’t not want nobody stealing my fanfics or take it as theirs that will be an issue fasho so keep it cute respectfully.

I only own my OC along with the make up scenarios

But I’ll be writing along the way since this story is in my drafts on Wattpad right now so yuh. 💁🏽‍♀️

TAGS ⬇️ lmk if you wanna be tag 🏷️@pinkwithhearts @420days @jstarr86 @empressdede @angiedawn02 @biancasreign

@bebesobrielo @skyesthebomb @aikosilo @papireigns-05 @punksyeet @paigereeder @magnificentbouquetmusic

@celesteheartsjey @charmed-dreamssss @fearlesschimera @partypoison00 @mselenalovebug @bloodlinesbabe93 @justazzi @xbriexx @luvrsluxe @celesteheartsjey @4milly @luuvprincess @yyaktayak @yana3sworld

CAST

- Kiyana Rhodes aka; Yana, Yaya, Keke -model - single - Cody's Rhodes little sister - been messing around with Jey for a while now until that one night changed everything - short around 5'4 - observant -instagram: yanasworld iMessage: Yana💗 -loyal - Jey calls her, baby girl, mama, princess

- Joshua Samuel Fatu aka; Jey, Josh - professional wrestler - single - best friends with Cody - been messing around with Kiyana for a while until the one night changed everything - tall about like 6'2 - instagram: uceyjucey - iMessage: Big Papa 😩 Kiyana calls him, Papa, Josh, Daddy, Jey -has a fling going on with Jaida

- Cody Rhodes - professional wrestler - married - one daughter - best friends with Jey -Instagram: americannightmarecody - IMessage: Big Brother 💪🏼 - tall -Kiyana's big brother

-Aaron Pierre - Actor - single - tall - gets with Kiyana only for Jey to get jealous but end up being a manipulative person and forcing himself on Kiyana when she refuses to have sex with him - Instagram: aaron_pierre1 - iMessage: Aaron🙂‍↕️ - calls Kiyana; Sweetheart, baby - manipulator

- Liv Morgan - professional wrestler - dating dom - Kiyana's best friend -Instagram: yaonlylivonce - iMessage: Liv 🌸

- Jaida Parker - professional wrestler - Jey's little fling - envious of Kiyana - Instagram: jaidaparker_wwe - iMessage: Baby girl 💋

These will be the main characters of the story the rest of them will be themselves in the story, let's hop right into the bullshit shall we?

[alldancersaretalented]

Studio Switch List 2024/25

(also includes late season switches)

Link to "How many studio switches so far?"

??

-> Elite Studio of Dance

Jordyn Hay

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

B. Bernard C. Butler M. Caryl L. Caver E. Defoe K. Heath I. Lewis C. Nielson A. Peterson S. Peterson A. White

-> Kinetic Dance

Mary Anne Serpas

-> Mather Dance Company

Sally Schulz

-> N10 Dance Studios

Juliette Birchard Jonah Guzman

-> Renner Dance Company

Connell Gocke

-> The Merge (new studio!)

Leila Pitcovich

-> The Moxie Movement (new studio!)

Beeta Barkhordar Harper Fish Bailee Hill Sky White

-> The Union (new studio!)

Veda and little sister Mia Weisz-Marin

-> Tribe Seven

Cate Block

3'N Motion Studio

-> BLA Dance Academy

Molly Weber Margaux Struble Chloe Todman

4th Street Dance Centre

-> Northern Force Dance Company

Hazel Brown Olena Brown

Adage Dance Center

-> K2 Studios

Dylan Kubo Aspen Walton

Adrenaline Dance Company

-> Prodigy Dance Studio

Bellarose Ramos

AE Dance Productions

-> The Company Space

Hazel Kinnick

All American Dance Factor

-> Evolve Dance Complex

Madison Virostek

Allegro Performing Arts Academy

-> Pave School of the Arts

Lily McFarland

AM Dance

-> Studio X

Brooklyn Abrams Alana Cato Asyah Lewis Baileigh McJimson Leiyah Nova

-> The K Project Dance Company

Aubrey Davis Jaden Gonzalez Rosalyn Gutierrez

Amirian Ballet Academy

-> Royal Danish Ballet School

Emma Crawford

Apples Dance Lab

-> Evolve Dance Complex

Payten Butler Sara Wren

Artistic Motion Dance

-> Abstraction Dance Company

Giselle Pilorin

-> Devotion The Movement

Sydney Duke Sunnie Pelant

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Zoe Baker GG Mier Katie Rosa Piper Ryder Tatum Ryder

Art Of Technique

-> The Washington School Of Ballet

Kaitlyn Brandely

Augusta West Dance Studio

-> CCJ Conservatory

Zoe Lewis

Avanti Dance Company

-> CAP The Company

Natalie Jahn

-> Mather Dance Company

Hayden Goren Reese Goren

-> N10 Dance Studios

Saige Hibbard

-> West Coast School of the Arts

Eva Graziano

Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre

-> Boston Ballet II

Sophia Jones

Bayer Ballet Academy

-> John Cranko Schule

Amelia Chen

Big City Dance Center

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Alex Cyncewicz

Brava Dance

-> Westchester Dance

Emily Pierog

Burbank Dance Academy

-> ABT Junior Co

Manuela De Souza

Cache Valley Civic Ballet

-> Creative Dance Academy

Kate Baldwin Sophia Baldwin

Camarillo Academy of Performing Arts

-> Bobbie's School of Performing Arts

Peyton Root Ryan Root

Canadian Dance Unit

-> Vlad's Dance Company

Quinn Powers

CanDance Studios

-> Club Dance Studio

Preslie Ball

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Colette Stutzman

-> The Union (new studio!)

Crystalyn Chesko

Carlsbad Dance Centre

-> Pave San Diego (new studio!)

Ansel Mullick Camille Mullick Evelyn Mullick

Cary Dance Prudctions

-> Renner Dance Company

Marlee Thomas

CC & Co Dance Complex

-> Renner Dance Company

Connell Gocke Olivia Roberson

Centerstage Dance Academy

-> West Florida Dance Company

Ava Starr Rodriguez

Center Stage Dance Company

-> JBP Entertainment

Bianca Lewis

Center Stage Dance Gymnastics

-> The Fenyx Project

Arielle Miles

Center Stage Performing Arts Studio

-> The Moxie Movement (new studio!)

Halston Fisher Oakley Fisher Tatum Fisher

Charliz Balicao Dance Company

-> Larkin Dance Studio

Payton Mueller

Cincinnati Ballet Professional Training

-> Alabama Ballet

Caroline Love Jenna Renfield

City Ballet San Francisco

-> Boston Ballet II

Maddie Austin

CityDance Conservatory

-> Boston Ballet School II

Lucian DeBellis

CJ Dance Crew

-> Club Dance Studio

Madi Cole MaKinley Cole

Club Dance

-> ??

Ashton Wullbrandt

-> Dance Studio C

Gwyneth Woods

-> Elite Dance Pro

Madisyn Rose Amos Kennedy Cicerelli Abby Honstad Jaida Morin Payton Stowe

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Tilly Allen Brinley Bennett Brynlee Bulbulian Lainey Bulbulian Makena Cameron Pallas Chiste Olivia Clouse Kensley Colman Charlotte Cook Sophia Dasalla Avery Dunwell Lena Funk Mia Funk Jaycee Grant Kalista Greer Kanon Greer Kaylan Greer Oakley Hill Goldie Hill Birdie Hill Alaina Igleski Kaydence Lawton Arianna Mendez Callie Mendez Harper O'Malley Dannika Ren'ee Quiroz Tatem Robinson Leslie Soto Nicole Soto Tatum Strauss Kate Valentine Aubrey Williams

-> Illusion Dance Company

Madyson Barney

-> Prodigy Dance PAC

Taeya Stosich Tinley Stosich

Complexity Dance Center

-> Vision Dance Alliance

Ava Dowling London Dowling

Concept Pavielle

-> Larkin Dance Studio

Siena Paradeau

Conservatory of Dance Arts

-> The Merge (new studio!)

Ella Andrews Sarah Blady Charlotte Dean Sophie Dean Calli Hollenbeck Lilly May Hartley Murla

Cypress Dance Project (closing!)

-> The Fenyx Project

Ahmya Tovar Jasleen Tovar

-> Tribe Seven

Avery Farris Gracelyn Harris Kyndle McCormick Frankie Miranda Mia Narvaez Tana Nickerson Evelin Peterson Lily Savarese Paislynn Schroeder Gabriella Slay Dalilah Soto Frankie Soto Kayla Tanea Abigail Wade Melody Thiel Rianna Weck Rosalie Wickman

Cypress Elite Dance Studio

-> The Fenyx Project

Charlie Mae

Dance Academy of State College

-> Evolve Dance Complex

Emma Girdany

Dance Arts Centre ATL

-> Dance Lab (new studio!)

Ryn Andersen Tarin Belizaire Izzy Bensinger Nina Kitchen Daniella Lerman Samantha Wilson

Dance Arts Centre

-> Summit Dance Shoppe

Beckett Eberhard Britta Eberhard

Dance Connection 2

-> Club Dance Studio

Claire Pistor

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Jaxon Adamson Juliette Ridenour Scarlett Ridenour

Dance Connection Scottsdale

-> The Collective PHX

Madee Richardson

Dance Deluxe

-> Club Dance Studio

Dana Homes

-> Dance Connection 2

Kamryn Arnold

-> Elektro Dance Academy

Sunday Smith

Dance Dimensions PAC

-> The House Dance Complex

Sophia Hasson Victoria Safahi

Dance Enthusiasm

-> Murrieta Dance Project

Liciana Vun

-> Phunk Phenomenon Dance Studio

Landon Indeglia

Dance Exposure 2

-> The Vision Dance Alliance

Morgan Wendt

Dance FX

-> Pave San Diego (new studio!)

Aryanna Lafontaine Cooper

Dance Inc Company

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Lauren Allan

Dance Lab OC

-> Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy

Maggie Till

Dancemark Studio

-> Pave San Diego (new studio!)

Katie Bishop

Dance Republic

-> Club Dance

Annabelle Greenamyer Scottie Greenamyer Abigail Patton

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Kaia Roseland

Dance Studio C

-> Elite Dance Pro -> Dance Connection 2

Charlotte Rathjen

-> Impact Dance

Maizey Miller Savannah Miller

Dance University

-> Impact Dance Academy (new studio!)

Olivia Cherpak Stella Cherpak Chiara Siragusa Mila Steven

Dance Unlimited Miami

-> Stars Dance Studio

Mila Talab

The Dance Zone

Katelyn Miranda

-> The Living Dolls Dance Factory

Olivia Martinez

Dance Unlimited Colorado

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Fiona McDonald

Dance Vision

-> Becky Nalevanko's Dance Studio

Aria Telander

DanceDynamicsLV

-> Academy of Nevada Ballet

Naya Fowler

-> The Rock

Brielle Bonas Parker June

Danceology

-> Club Dance

Kelsey Jackman Makayla Jackman

-> DC Dance Factory

Kendall Kolodge

-> Evoke Dance Movement

Vida Lemos

-> Hyphen Conservatory

Haley Bertino

-> North County Academy of Dance

Ella Nani Knight

-> Pave San Diego

Paisley Publico Polly Jo Publico

Dancers Edge

-> Club Dance

Emerson Van Houten

Dancers World Production

-> K2 Studios

Claire Zhang

Dance Vision

-> The Academy

Cece Nguyen

Dansations Competition Team

-> The Vision Dance Alliance

Brady Horne

DC Dance Factory

-> The Vision Dance Alliance

Harper Bowen

Dellos Dance Academy

-> The Academy

Kendall Krajewski

Diverse Elements

-> Dance Connection Scottsdale

Kenna Bonhote

-> Dance Connection 2

Peyton Whited

Divine Dance Center

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Kallie Niday

DMdance Company

-> The Merge (new studio!)

Kinsley Gainer Taylor Jenkins Tyler Jenkins

Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy

-> ABT Junior Co

Clara Riggs

-> Boston Ballet II

Pavel Kulev

-> Elite Classical Coaching

Summer Lily

-> European School of Ballet

Annabel Kohn

-> San Francisco Ballet School

June Freeman

-> Westside Dance Project

Fiona Poth

DNA Dance Creatives

-> Prodigy Dance PAC

Jackson Ruekert

Drapers Center for Dance Education

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Rhauri Samuels

-> The Rock School For Ballet

Samuel Gauss

Dynamic Dance Company

-> Stars Dance Studio

Victoria Crupi

Dynamic Dance Refinery

-> New Level Dance Company

Sophia Hernandez-Gonzalez

Elektro Dance Academy

-> Dance Deluxe

Alexis Gizzo

-> Eternal Dance Company

Madyson Koch

-> LA Dance

Kinsey Joan

-> The Collective PHX

Julianna Aispuro Tenley Anthony

Elevate Dance Academy

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Sidney Sullivan

Elite Classical Coaching

-> Academie Princess Grace

Morgan Ligon

-> Royal Ballet School

Izzy Keesee

Elite Dance PAC

-> Hyphen Conservatory

Lillie Lanier

Elite Dance Pro

-> Club Dance

Peyton De La Cerda Mila Michael Lucia Piedrahita Sophia Schiano River Segerman

-> Rhythm Dance Complex

Gavin Schwarze

-> The Collective PHX

Alexa Schwarze

Elite Feet Artists Company

-> Stars Dance Studio

Norah Hurley

Elise Flagg Academy Of Dance

-> Central PA Youth Ballet

Ella Wilke

Ellison Ballet

-> ABT Junior Co

Victoria Papakalodouka

Encore Dance Arts

-> The Collective PHX

Laila Faith

Eternal Dance Company

-> CanDance Studios

Alaina Martinez

-> Gateway Dance Center

Juniper Wakefield

Evoke Dance Movement

-> Pave San Diego (new studio!)

Eleanor Bullock Lucia Jade Frazier Emmy Claire Khaiden Tayah Klimuck Dylan Schaffer Maya Steinman

Evolve 26

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Blayklee Balthazar

Evolve Dance Complex

-> CCJ Conservatory

Cami Vorhees

-> Power Dance Company

Maya Rogers

Evolution Dance Center

-> North County Academy Of Dance

Presley McGraw

-> Pave San Diego (new studio!)

Casey Archibald Liv Barrelli Karisma Colyan Kirrana Colyan Ava Cucker Elyse Dueler Alli Esposito Avery Fumillari Sofia Galati Joya Garner Sofia Gorman Kendall Hensley Kaylie Koehnen Brianna Lee Isla Marshall Emma MacKay Everly McGraw Ellie Miles Avril Overlock Drew Overlock Danielle Smart Kirra Stradwiser Vivienne Tolentino Lyla Yuceit Brooke Zamoff Shayne Zell

Expressions Dance & Music

-> Tribe Seven

Francesca Casaretto Gabi Woods

Fearless Dance Company

-> K2 Studios

Marilyn Castaneda

Flashdance Studio

-> Houston Ballet Academy

Patricio Lopez

FLEX Dance and Fitness

-> The Southern Strutt

Grace Marvella

Freckled Frog Dance Studio

-> K2 Studios

Vallerina Athena

Fusion Dance Force

-> Blueprint Dance Project

Emily Deal Abigail Monahan Abby Rodriguez

Fusion Studios

-> Mather Dance Company

Brooke Kim Mariana Simoes

Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

-> Dance Deluxe

Bradley Kawa Breckyn Kawa

Gotta Dance Company AZ

-> The Collective PHX

Avah Gonzalez Gabriella Gonzalez Valencia Gonzalez

Gotta Dance Company CA

-> Stars Dance Studio

Tristan Jones

Greenwich Conservatory of Classical Ballet

-> Dance Town

Cassie Coughlin

-> Mather Dance Company

Lydon Thach

-> The Academy

Lia Turrieta

Hart Academy of Dance

-> The Academy

Lia Turrieta

Hathaway Academy of Ballet

-> somewhere in the Netherlands

Kennedy Kahler

Heart & Sole Performing Arts

-> Gotta Dance Company

Leigha Jessee

Hollywood Ballet School

-> United Ballet Academy

Isobel Lehman

Houston Ballet Academy

-> Boston Ballet

Sam Stampleman

-> Boston Ballet II

Michael Dadlez Layla Porter

Hudson Dance Academy

-> Avanti Dance Company

Melody Garcia

Hyphen Conservatory

-> Mather Dance Company

Makaela McCosar

iBallet Studio

-> Elite Classical Coaching

Aviva Brock

Impact Dance

-> Club Dance Studio

Bostyn Thomas Holland Thomas Presley Thomas

In Motion Dance Project (closing)

-> ??

Mila Bonilla Anniston Clarke Adrienne Diaz Bella Flores Mia Flores Lily Holbrook Isabella Luciano Mali Photnetrakhom Madeline Terry Joey Webber

-> Dance Universe

Ellie ?

-> Marshall Ellis Dance School

Renee Forseth

-> New Dimensions Dance

Annalee Ramb

-> Starz Dance Company

Elissa Loryn Sadie Moore Isabella Peixoto

-> Orlando Ballet School

Sylvie Rock

-> Underground Movement

Lila Blood Kristyeliz Laureano Valerie Santana Izzy Warren

-> Xplosive Dance Academy

Levi Caicco Valeria Luciano Isabella Quartaro Olivia Rock Abigail Torres Adeline Vozza

Innovate Dance Studios

-> Avanti Dance Company

Pressly Loomis

Inspire Dance Complex

-> K2 Studios

Eliana Guzmán Isabela Guzmán Cali Rucker Arrow Yarbrough

Inspired Movement Dance

-> Innovate Dance Studios

Brooke Toro

Intensity Dance Academy

-> Evolve Dance Complex

Lydia Onder Bryn Onder

Intensity Dancer's Studio

-> Dance Town

Nicole Losada

In The Spotlight Dance Studio

-> Summit Dance Shoppe

Quinn Caroline

JBP Entertainment

-> BLA Dance Academy

Ashton Kinsleigh

JDI Dance Company

-> 4PM Dance

Addelyn Muesso

Jean Leigh Academy of Dance

-> Tari's School of Dance

Stella Vince

Joffrey Ballet School Texas

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Ella Waitz

Jump Dance Company

-> Impact Dance Academy (new studio!)

Natalie Boone Reese Gilman Chloe Mullins Claire Sorensen Addison Weimann

Jun Lu Performing Arts

-> Bayer Ballet Academy

Athena Hu

Just off Broadway

-> Club Dance Studio

Kaia Erby

-> Elite Classical Coaching

Sadie Daniels

-> Stars Dance Studio

Zoe Swope

K2 Studios

-> ??

(Jessica Sutton) (Rebecca Sutton)

-> Studio X

Jeanne Garcia Zoey Garcia

-> The Academy

Kynzli Reece

Kaos Dance Elite

-> The Company Space

Taylor Smith

Kat & Co

-> Evolve Dance Complex

Anthony Labritz

Katies Dance Connection

-> Elite Danceworx

Taya Osso

Kick Dance Studio

-> The Vision Dance Alliance

Violet Kolb

Kinetic Dance

-> The Merge (new studio!)

Catherine Owen

Kozmic Edge

-> Q3 Dance Company

Angelina Mendez

LA Dance AZ

-> Dance Connection Scottsdale

Syvon Stokes

Larkin Dance Studio

-> Studio 4

Lola Boisen

-> Concept Pavielle

Grace Sullivan

-> Elite Classical Coaching

Savannah Manzel

Legacy Dance Productions

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Mckenna Gerrits

Legacy Productions Miami

-> Stars Dance Studio

Emily Pina

Lovett Dance Center

-> Hyphen Conservatory

Logan Macy

Major Productions Studio of Dance

-> Impact Dance Academy (new studio!)

Hailey Schneider

Master Ballet Academy

-> Ballet West

Melanie McIntire

-> Club Dance Studio

Hazel Silverman (also continues training at MBA)

-> John Cranko Schule

Gracie Kirkwood Lillian Rossman

-> The Rock School For Ballet

Keagan Pickett

Mather Dance Company

-> OCPAA

Mia Santiago Savy Witeck

-> The Academy

Eliana Weiss

Mekka Dance Project

-> Tribe Seven

Ainsley Scott

Meta Fair Burns Dance

-> Kinetic Dance (new studio!)

Kylie Dalrymple

Miami City Ballet Pre-Pro

-> Boston Ballet II

Olivia Santos

Miami Dancity Studios

-> Stars Dance Studio

Sabrina Lorente

Michelle's Dance Xplosion

-> Nor Cal Dance Arts

Jaxon Albano

Michigan Dance Alliance

-> Artflux Dance Lab

Mattie Mair Millie Morante

Milele Academy, LLC

-> DC Dance Factory

Eisley Beer

MJ's House of Dance

-> Blueprint Dance Project

Kiley Holgerson Ava Azzaretto Caiden Boltz Cassidy Boltz

Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre

-> Bayer Ballet Academy

Harper Palmer

Move By Morrelli

-> Artistic Fusion Dance

Lilianna Hales

Murrieta Dance Project

-> K2 Studios

Jaedon Diaz Kloey Diaz

MVP Elite

-> 3'Motion Dance Studio

Mackenzie Mucha Madison Mucha

N10 Dance Studios

-> ??

Ariella Truong

-> 4PM

Jordan Eskenazi

-> Dance Star Academy of Performing Arts

Avery Margarita

-> Premier Youth Dance Academy

Clara Han

-> Project 21

Annie Hu Madison Ng

New Level

-> Stars

Kenny Braga Reese Braga

NJ Center of Dance

-> The Vision Dance Complex

Bella Baldino

No Limits Dance Company

-> CCJ Conservatory

Rylie Sickles

Northern Force Dance Company

-> Larkin Dance Studio

Aria Johnson Sloane Johnson

North Shore Dance Academy

-> Dance Enthusiasm

Juliana Desilets Ellie Fanning Sophie MacKenzie Callie Wilkins Molly Wilkins

OCPAA

-> ??

Sarah Kuy

-> K2 Studios

Amelia Faizi Ella Montano

-> Mather Dance Company

Mila Malone Sierra Yen

-> Nebraska Dance

Sophia SantaMaria

-> Project 21

Reese Arkin Valeria Ochoa

-> Studio X

Jordyn Rockett

On Pointe Dance Studio

-> K2 Studios

Giuliana Bressler

Orlando International School of Dance

-> Starz Dance Company

Layla Jordan

Palm Beach Academy of Dance Arts

-> Dance Universe

Hattie Selene

Panama City Dance Academy

-> Kinetic Dance (new studio!)

Maisie-Rose Burkey

Paula Carr Dance Academy

-> Elektro Dance Academy

Eliza Gee

Pave School of the Arts

-> Evoke Dance Movement

Addyson Paul

-> Innovate Dance Studios

Quinn Briscoe

-> Mather Dance Company

Alexa Rauth Ava Rauth

-> OCPAA

Kennedy Bush

-> Project 21

Stella Fisk Liv Matson

-> The Moxie Movement (new studio!)

Kenzie Arrendondo Talia Ayumi Gemma DeSola Kinsley Dunn Kassidy Dunn Ellie Iwamoto James Iwamoto Harper Fisk Marlowe Fisk Tatum Fisk Kirsten Jeslyn Kailey Longshore Kassidy Luong Sophia Monje Alexa Paul Goli Ranekouhi Rylee Stabeck Isaiah Wang Hadley York

-> South County Dance

Hayden Calder

Perception Dance

-> Premier Dance

Madison Smith

Perfect Pointe Dance

-> Studio X

Danya Chang

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School

-> Ballet West Academy

Carina Fulop

Platform Dance

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Arielle Michalak

Precision Dance Conservatory

-> Dance Universe

Teagan Sanchez

Premier Youth Dance Company

-> Elite Classical Coaching

Greysen Fowler-Allen

Prestige Dance Institute

-> Renner Dance Company

Kensley Phillips

Profusion Talent

-> Studio X Dance Complex

Dallas Soffel

Project 21

-> ??

Ally Choi Airi Dela Cruz

-> CAP The Company

Dillon Barron

-> CA School of Classical Ballet

Aliya Yen

-> Stars Dance Studio

Leilani Lawlor

-> Westside Dance Project

Makeila Bartlett

Project Performer

-> Pave San Diego

Nora Aminlari

Renner Dance Company

-> Club Dance Studio

Ania Siri Olivia Siri

Republic Edge Dance Company

-> Tribe Seven

Adalynn Delaney Alayna Jeneva Cali Lynch Aubrey Warren

Revolution Dance

-> Dance Zone

Kaylin Gabosch

Rize All

-> Elite Studio of Dance

Carissa Chueng Roxanna Chueng

-> Natiomas Dance Method

Ayla Polendav

-> University Cheer Force

Addelyn Skube

Rockly Mountains Ballet Academy

-> San Francisco Ballet School

Shylee Sagle

Russian Masters Ballet

-> Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy

Sheridan Stone

San Clemente Dance

-> Variant Movement

Alana Ting

SFLA Dance Complex

-> Dance Enthusiasm

Addison Parker

Skyra Studios

-> Mather

Sienna Morris

Sol Studio SSD (closing!)

-> Pave San Diego (new studio!)

Phoebe Fatula Hayden Goebel Makenna McGrath Lily Parraga Riley Platenberg Gabby Reiss Tiffany Robinson Keira Segal

Soul Studio Dance

-> West Florida Dance Company

Callie Ludtke

South County Dance

-> K2 Studios

Paige Garrett Reese Garrett

-> Mather Dance Company

Gabby Campos

Southland Ballet Academy

-> ABT Junior Co

Alisa Xu

-> Pacific Dance

Natalie Chiang

South Tulsa Dance Co

-> Next Step Dance

Allyn Green

Stage One Dance Studio

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Katie Kim

Starstruck Performing Arts Center

-> Perception Dance

Jacey Erwin Kinley Winn

Steps N Motion Dance

-> K2 Studios

Aspen Roberts

Studio 1 Dance Academy

-> Club Dance

Hadley Taylor

-> The House Dance Complex

Lyla Martin

Studio 4

-> Larkin

Elle Boudewyns Reese Ottney Leah Pribyl Vera Souvannavong

Studio 19 Dance Complex

-> Elite Dance By Damian

Alexis Crystal

-> Evolve Dance Complex

Carina Simone

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Kaitlyn Allen

Studio 702

-> The Rock

Peyton Nowacki Addison Price Hailey Stuck Taylor Stuck

Studio Bleu Dance Center (closing!)

-> ??

Kristin Mitchell

-> Art of Technique

Abigail Daisy Olivia Rosiek Chloé Le Pettigrew Victoria Zhang

-> Cerdafied Dance Studios

Nick Shalin

-> CityDance Conservatory

Kennedy Thompson

-> Dance Academy of Loudoun

Madelyn Cuttin Addie She

-> Enchanted Stage

Lily Mendoza Ellie Myers Mina Oemler

-> Ignite The Light Performing Arts

Zion Landis

-> LM Premier Dance

Grace Wright

-> Mission Dance Project (new studio!)

Lily Carmello Ava Doell Aubrey Franklin Kayleigh Jo Ellie Myers Brianna Norgrove Emily Parinello Brooklyn Smith Stella Tullio Jessica Zhang

-> NOVA Elite Dance Alliance

Nicole Ocean

-> Rise Dance Center

Kennedy Mirabella Maddy Mirabella

-> TDC Dance

Ja Pelle Nayeli Wilder

-> The Dance Lab VA (new studio!)

Leilah Bell Lily Rae Bolno Audrina Brudner Bellatrix Castillo Isabella Plotczyk Ashlan Scheide Mina Terry Gina Zhang

Studio G Dance Company

-> Art In Motion Conservatory of Dance

Madilyn Rexrode

-> Artistic Edge

Devin Dalmolin

Summer's Danceworks

-> The Union (new studio!)

Cienna Fernow Ellah Perry

Summit Dance Shoppe

-> Concept Pavielle

Gabriella Maggitt Carrigan Paylor

-> Larkin Dance Studio

Lucy Mae Dunn

Synergy Academy Utah

-> Center Stage Performing Arts Studio

Corra Blake

Tapio School of Dance and Gymnastics

-> CCJ Conservatory

Landry Leon

TDA Prep

-> Exhibit 3 Dance

Avery Maycunich

Temecula Dance Company

-> K2 Studios

Bailey Dalton

Texas Academy of Dance Arts

-> Tribe Seven

Gatsby Lasala Quinlyn Lasala

The Academy

-> Evoke Dance Movement

Ella Carlson

-> K2 Studios

Laci Stoico

-> Mather Dance Company

Bella Puskar

-> The Next Big Thing Academy

Peyton Barron

-> The Platform Dance Studio

Malia Williams

-> YYC Dance

Kinsley Oykhman

The Art of Classical Ballet

-> Hollywood Ballet School

Kya Massimino

Theatre Arts

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Hallee Francisco

The Ballet Clinic

-> Russian Ballet Academy

Sarina Rosenblum

The Center Stage Dance Studio

-> YLAB

Blakelyn Scifres

The Collective PHX

-> CanDance Studios

Sasha Landreaux

-> Club Dance Studio

Ellie Laird Zoie Laird

-> Elite Dance Pro

Alivya Alfonso

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Breckyn Kawa -> Dance Deluxe Bradley Kawa -> Dance Deluxe

-> Russian Ballet Academy

Mila Hiatt

-> The Union (new studio!)

Addy Gaffney

TheCREW

-> Studio X

Kinley Cunningham

The Dance Academy of Puyallup

-> The Company Space

Isabella Scandale

The Dance Centre NJ

-> The Vision Dance Alliance

Savanna Grae

The Dance Complex

-> Larkin Dance Studio

Maddyn Bauermeister Henley Raak

The Dance Institute

-> Stars Dance Studio

Maribel Weishaar

The Dance Scene

-> Studio X

Desi Alcala

The Dance Space

-> Tribe Seven

Penelope Church

The Dance Spot

-> Danceology

Alessandra Escobar-Moeller

-> Mather Dance Company

Kennedy Molino

The Element Dance Center

-> The Academy

Sunnie Stanley

The Living Dolls Factory

-> Legacy Dance Studio

Lilliana Gonzalez

The Movement Complex

-> Stars Dance Studio

Victoria Reich

The NINE Dance Academy

-> Canadian Dance Company

Shaunaughsey Meagher

-> Vlad's Dance Company

Evelyn Rego Ivy Mae Rego

The Platform Dance Studio

-> CCJ Conservatory

Kaydence Mardis

-> Dance Connection 2

Jordyn Castle

-> Gateway Dance Center (new studio!)

Clara Lawless Lily Lawless Stella Lawless Arielle Michalak Charlotte Reese

The Rage Dance Complex

-> Studio 1 Dance Academy

Tennasyn Faith Giselle Miranda

The Rock Center For Dance

-> ABT Junior Co

Crystal Huang

The Southern Strutt

-> CCJ Consevatory

Annsley Huff

The Talent Factory

-> K2 Studios

Ileana Cruz Sienna Legitt Natalie Pan Quinn Pan

The Vision Dance Alliance

-> New Jersey Ballet Company

Kennedy Anderson

The Why Movement

-> Tribe Seven

Grace Gerszewski

Titanium Arts Lab

-> MDC Bridge Into The Industry

Julliana Gould

Trademark Dance Academy

-> The Vision Dance Alliance

Braelynn McKenna

Variant Movement

-> New Level Dance Company

Gabby Terschluse

Way 2 Move - Dance & Movement

-> Dance Town

Alexa Oviedo

West Coast Dance Complex

-> Pave San Diego (new studio!)

Emily Bach

West Coast School of the Arts

-> Hyphen Conservatory

Rebeca Gomez Garza

West Florida Dance Company

-> Stars Dance Studio

Ella Dobler

-> The Southern Strutt

Macey Strickland

WestMet Classical Training

-> Sarasota Ballet School

Madelyn Murphy

Westside Dance Project

-> ??

Diana Kouznetsova Isabella Kouznetsova

-> European School of Ballet

Annabel Kohn

-> Hyphen Conservatory

Esme Chou Olivia Marquez

-> San Francisco Ballet School

Izzy Howard

Woodbury Dance Center

-> Larkin Dance Studio

Kylie Roach

Xtreme Dance Studio

-> The Rock School

Blake Metcalf

YLAB

-> Project 21

Emma Walters (also continuing training at YLAB)

Your Haven Dance Company

-> West Florida Dance Co

Kylee Kay

Youth American Ballet Company

-> Boston Ballet II

Natalie Cardona

[fahye]

book recs: oct/nov 2023

I read an obscene number of books during my weeks travelling in the USA, so here are some highlights!

A GENTLEMAN UNDONE by cecilia grant - I actually read all three in this excellent series, but this is the highlight. a tense, engrossing regency romance between a gentleman desperate to make money in gambling halls and the woman who teaches him to count cards, who unfortunately happens to be someone else's mistress. extremely horny and very smart.

SHADOW MAGIC by jaida jones & danielle bennett - after HAVEMERCY I desperately needed the rest of the series, and happily I had dinner with jaida and dani and was given them! this one is classic political fantasy: assassins, ambassadors, a devoted bodyguard and his beautiful prince, and a flamboyant little chaos magician who wonders why nobody else in his delegation is enjoying the beautiful local Fashion Robes. this book has never had a heterosexual thought in its entire life.

AMERICAN QUEEN by sierra simone - okay, this is a rec for the entire series (AMERICAN PRINCE & AMERICAN KING follow), a modern arthur-lancelot-guinevere retelling where they're american politicians and they're all in love and kinky and fucked up about it. mostly smut, lots of angst, occasional plot. maybe the hottest thing I've ever read in my life?? damn, sierra simone knows what she's doing.

THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by robert a. heinlein - what if we were a moon colony and we decided to stage a revolutionary war and we asked a bored AI computer to run the logistics for us? I'm such a sucker for logistics, and heinlein delivers in spades. very funny, great worldbuilding, fun characters. has aged surprisingly well, I think.

10 THINGS THAT NEVER HAPPENED by alexis hall - a pure shot of gay grumpy/sunshine delivered via FAKE AMNESIA TROPE and a plot lovingly and lampshadily borrowed from the classic sandra bullock vehicle while you were sleeping. alexis hall's protagonists and glorious supporting casts always grab me, and this was no exception.

THE FALL THAT SAVED US by tamara jerée - do you like the good omens setup of bookshop angel vs. snarky demon, destined to be enemies but oh no we're in love, and you'd like to add some recovery from family trauma + sex scenes + also they're sapphic? yes. good. enjoy.

CHAIN-GANG ALL-STARS by nana kwame adjei-brenyah - holy shit!! finished this one yesterday and will be thinking about it for a long time. premise: criminals can choose to compete in deadly televised gladiator matches instead of remaining in prison. this is an absolutely brutal examination of the prison industrial complex and the violent commodification of bodies (especially bodies of colour) under our capitalist hellscape. lyrical, wonderful, cutting. very queer and very angry. I flew through it. what a fantastic book.

[vicstwashington]

She's here...

As for the match... Jaida was fine. But she needs a lot more work and idk maybe it was my stream lagging, but I didn't see her facial expressions didn't change much. Roxanne working with these rookies is fun... But after the match. Boy did things pick up. GIULIA Debut and went face to face with Roxanne. I think I seen on Twitter Halloween Havoc is the next PLE.

Also, Kelani Jordan took on Wendy Choo. Great match... Little dead is some places. It's the crowd but I enjoyed this better than the women's title match. Although so far, I don't really see who's going to beat Kelani. Personally, I'd let someone like Stephanie Vaquer beat her. But I keep seeing on Twitter she's having Visa's issues. I hope that's not true. Tatum attacked Wendy after. Maybe a new tag team is forming?

[misamoresanfield]

Eye to eye 2

Chapter 16🤍

Warnings: 2 smuts (18+)

-

Trent was pushing the double baby buggy through the airport, making his way to the arrivals section so that he could wait for Ella and Jaida to walk through. His girlfriend had teased him last night with pictures that he added straight to his folder filled with naughty videos and pictures of both them or just of Ella. She found it thrilling that he had such a thing as it emphasised how much he only loved her and no one else. Ella was also flattered about it. Only he was allowed to see her like that. Tayah had been in a bad mood this morning. Maybe it was down to the fact that Trent left early so that he could get there on time. Tahj was still sleepy on his side of the stroller, enjoying his slumber. However, both their behaviours would change when they saw their mum arriving through the doors.

"Hi my lovelies." Ella bent down so that she could give them both kisses on their little heads. Due to this being the longest she had been apart from them, they immediately wanted to be in her arms, which she understood, doing what they wished. "Mama missed you so much." Tayah was trying to reach her arm higher so that she could play with Ella's hair while Tahj felt comfortable in her other arm, being held by his closest relative. "Hi baby." She turned to Trent to give him a little peck on the lips.

"You okay gorgeous?" He smiled after they both pulled away. Ella simply nodded as a response to his question before he went to give Jaida a quick hug. She was practically his sister now, being Ella's best friend and Jude potential partner.

"Can we go eat?" Jaida was extremely shattered, haven woken up early to catch this flight and not haven eaten anything. Ella felt the same but she felt better after seeing her babies and Trent.

"Yeah, I'm hungry." Ella agreed, putting Tahj and Tayah back in their shared buggy. To be honest Trent was hungry too so they left the airport with food completely on their mind and their stomachs growling.

"Where do you guys want to go?" Trent questioned ask her pushed the stroller with Ella's arm linked to his. They were almost near the car now.

"You chose." Ella answered. He knew that asking Ella where she wanted to eat always led to a while of thinking as she could never decide.

"Right. We're both indecisive." Jaida responded truthfully. They had now reached the car where Jaida helped Ella strap the babies in their baby seats before Jaida sat at the back with them and Ella joined Trent at the front, being the passenger princess as always while he drove.

He had chosen to take them to a breakfast place which he had previously gone to with his brothers in the past. During the drive there, Trent had his hand on Ella's thigh, as usual, while Jaida played with the babies in the back, fulfilling her auntie and Godmother duties. When they arrived at the restaurant, Trent made sure to get the baby chairs for the twins so that they could join them. It was definitely a peaceful morning to say the least. Jaida decided to get something simple as Trent and Ella shared their food because it came in a big portion. He was glad to finally have Ella back after the three days which had felt like an eternity to him. It had been strange to not have her around the house, but that wouldn't be an issue anymore. To their surprise, the babies remained calm the whole time they were at the restaurant. Normally they would be crying and making a fuss, but maybe it was having their mother back that made them behave better. Having Tahj and Tayah there made Jaida feel less like a third wheel. Her and Jude had put Ella through that lately so it was her turn again. After they had all finished eating, Trent called up the waiter so that he could pay for all of them. It was funny how Ella never had to pay whenever she was with him. He always did that.

After an hour, they had dropped Jaida home and then returned back to theirs. It was midday now so the family had all the time in the world to spend time together. They used that time to watch movies and enjoy each other's company. Trent and Ella each had a baby in their arms as they were cuddled up on the couch. It was moments like these that they would never take for granted. Others would gush about how perfect their little family was and honestly both of them felt the same. They were in complete bliss.

"The babies are still tired." Trent chuckled as he could see both of them falling asleep individually. They had been woken up before their normal time so he understood. He also wanted to use this time to spend some alone time with Ella. How perfect. With the babies asleep all the way upstairs and with him and her downstairs, everything would work out. Plus, Tahj and Tayah were loud enough to alert their parents if there was anything. He loved the twins more than anything in the whole entire universe, but this was the perfect moment. "We should put them in their crib."

"Yeah, they look so sleepy." She was giggling aswell, seeing how adorable they were. She wasn't getting the hint that Trent wanted her to himself, until she looked over at him and saw his begging eyes, calling out for her to be alone with him after a while of not having her. "Baby.." She continued snickering.

"I missed you." He concentrated on her beauty. The way her brown, alluring and gentle eyes brought out her enchanting facial features. The way her dilated pupils indicated how much she loved him. The way her cheekbones were soft but defined at the same time. She was the most extravagant woman in his life.

"I missed you too. Don't worry, I'll take them upstairs. They're falling asleep anyway." Ella did as she said, standing up and heading upstairs to drop them off in their nursery. "Sleep well my loves." Their eyes were fully shut now, meaning that they were in dreamland. She then kissed them one by one on the foreheads before going back downstairs to be with her man. "Look, now you have me all to yourself." Ella walked towards the kitchen so that she could get water as Trent followed her in there and got behind her.

Ella began teasing him, backing her butt up on him so that it was touching his cock and moving it to make him take her. When Ella was horny, she would show him in the sexiest ways which turned him on aswell. She could be very freaky and Trent considered himself lucky when she was. Before having the babies, Trent and Ella would have sex a lot, and as much as they loved doing it, they were now to do it less often. That's not to say that they weren't still doing it more than the average couple. Now that Ella was home, it was going to go down. She loved her man and he loved his woman, wanting to feel each other's bodies.

"You want it beautiful?" Trent asked, placing his hands around her waist before kissing her neck to give her hickeys. The atmosphere they had created was one filled with passion and love.

"Yes baby." She uttered out, causing Trent to turn her around and connect his lips to hers sensually. You couldn't say that he hadn't waited for this moment.

"Come on." He told her, being madly in love with the woman in front of him. He was now holding her in his arms while her legs were wrapped around his torso. "Let me take you to the couch." And he was eventually going to take her on the couch aswell. When he had reached their living room, he gently set her down on the comfortable piece of furniture. Ella was below him, letting her body be guided by his as they continued to make out. Carefully, he moved her leggings down to her ankles, going down to kiss her neck again. "You like when I kiss your neck princess?" He asked her rhetorically. He already knew the answer.

He continued to kiss her until she let out a soft moan, wrapping her arms around him. He was so erotic. After he heard the sound she made, he pushed her panties to the side and began rubbing her clit in a circular motion. Ella's heart was racing as she could feel how good his finger felt on her. More moans escaped her mouth, causing him to go faster and faster.

"Trent.." Ella managed to let out in his hear. She was so wet, he hadn't even put his cock inside her yet and she was already dripping like candy paint. He took that as an opportunity to tease her entrance with his fingers, wanting her to feel even better. "Please babyy..." She begged him to put them inside her.

"There you go princess." He did as she wanted him to, slowly sliding his fingers inside of her. Ella gasped at the action he had committed even though she was expecting it. Her moans got louder, but she knew that she couldn't be too loud because of the twins sleeping upstairs. He loved watching her squirm under him as it fulled his energy for what was to come next. "Feel my fingers inside you." Trent quickened the pace at which he was moving his fingers making her close to finishing. It became apparent to him when he felt her walls clench around him. He knew her body very well. He was so hard, he just wanted to fuck her. They had only been together for 1 year and 2 months, but it was as if they had been together for 5 years. Immediately pulling his fingers out, Ella already knew what was coming now so she slightly lifted her legs which Trent held back.

Ella gasped again once he slipped his cock inside her aching pussy. Her instantly placed his hands around her waist so that he couldn't move in and out of her faster. She was trying her best to not let out the loudest pornagraphic moans, feeling how fantastic his big dick felt inside her, stretching her out. After about a minute of this action, he was able to reach her g-spot, repeatedly hitting it with every thrust. He was amazing at this everytime.

"No one can fuck you the way I do baby." He manage to say before passionately kissing Ella. She very much agreed with what he had just said but she couldn't verbally respond even if she tried. He continued to pound into her, as she was getting closer and closer to the finish line and as was he. "I love you so much princess."

"I-mmmm." She couldn't let a word out, until she used up all her brain power to do so. She was nearly on the verge. "I- love you-u."

"You gonna cum for me?" He questioned her as her groaned out, trying his best to wait for her to orgasm so they could do it at the same time. She let out a louder moan than her previous ones which he presumed as a 'yes' to his question. "Let it out for me beautiful." Was the last thing he said before they both came together. They always had the best sex, it was impossible for them to have a bad or okay session. Trent and Ella carried on until they had nothing left in them for the time being. "That was amazing baby." He kissed her gorgeous lips again, as she was still laying down, calming her self down and collecting her breath. Trent couldn't help but chuckle at his precious but seductive girlfriend. She didn't get that water after all, but she definitely had juice.

The couple went to clean themselves up, going to pee after Trent helped Ella put her clothes back on. They then proceeded to cuddle on the couch for a bit longer, contentment striking them. It was the most comforting thing.

"We should go on a date." Trent suggested, having his arms wrapped around her as they watched Harry Potter. He loved those films so much, always watching them with Aaron when they got the chance. He practically knew the words by heart.

"Not you asking me out on a date-" Ella smiled as she blushed softly. They hadn't been on a date in a long while so it was definitely something she was looking forward to. "We should."

"Should we go tomorrow night?" He asked, looking at her with loving eyes and continuing to relish in her embrace and presence. "But we can't stay out late because of the babies."

"I loved to." She agreed to the date. She was excited to spend more time with Trent alone and of course the babies would have them both when they would be back. "I'll ask my dad to come over and watch the twins."

"Okay gorgeous." After Trent had finished his words, the sound of their children calling out for them was heard clearly. Ella then made her way upstairs so that she could feed them and bring them downstairs.

The rest of the day was silent as the family just enjoyed each other. Trent's three favourite people clung to him and cuddled him the whole time. It was now confirmed that Tahj and Tayah were so clingy because Ella was. It was the best thing in the whole wide world. Trent couldn't wish for anybody else to spend the rest of his life with other than Ella. He wanted to marry her and have another child in the next couple of years. He wanted to be able to call her his wife so badly. It was inevitable that they would get married one day though so he would just have to seek out the perfect opportunity to propose to her, but that would be in a few months to a year, not wanting to rush too quickly. When the night time approached and the babies fell asleep again, Ella and Trent brought them both upstairs so that they could get their sleep, kissing them both on their foreheads and whispering 'goodnight'. They then got on with their night time routines, getting ready for bed. Once they had finished, they got in bed as Trent watched videos on his phone and Ella couldn't manage to close her eyes because she was so horny. Again.

Ella began kissing Trent's neck, leaving a hickey on him as she did so. She didn't know what had come over her but she wanted his hands all over her and she wanted his cock inside of her. Trent couldn't help but close his eyes, feeling the love his girlfriend was giving him and wanting to enjoy the moment. Wanting to feel him, she placed herself on his lap, facing him while continuing with the neck kisses before he spoke.

"Baby, you're so sexy." He commented smirking slightly. Ella began to grind on him, rocking her hips back and forth which felt so good as her clit moved up and down and so did his dick. Trent's head rolled back feeling the pleasure, both of them moaning but not wanting to be loud. "Keep going for me." He commanded before bringing her face to his so that he could kiss her. Their lips moved in perfect unison and Ella quickened her pace on his lap a little. The kiss caused them both to have butterflies as usual, emphasising how in love they were. Ella was the one to roll her head back as he wrapped his hand around her neck, making her also bite her lip. She loved it when he choked her, it always made her so wet. When their lips connected again, it didn't take long before she bit his lip sensually. Their make out session was definitely intense and passionate. "I love you beautiful."

"I love you so much." Ella needed him so badly. She needed to feel his cock throbbing inside her. He needed her pussy. "Fuck, I need your dick daddy."

"Get on your stomach baby. Ass up." He ordered her before she did as she was told. Ella was waiting for him, with her throbbing pussy dripping. "Good girl." He slapped her ass, making her moan.

"Please daddy." She looked back at him desperately, moving her ass a little to indicate how badly she was aching for it. Something about the way she said 'daddy' always made him feel as though he was in control. He felt on top of the world whenever that word came out of her mouth.

"Be patient for me princess, daddy's gonna give you what you want, I promise." Trent was stroking his cock looking at Ella. It's not that he was trying to get it hard or harder because it had been from the beginning, it's that she looked so beyond sexy that he couldn't help himself. As soon as she had gotten in that position, he needed to touch himself before putting it in because she drove him crazy. He needed to look at her. "Touch yourself for me." Ella complied immediately, staying in her position and reaching her hand under her stomach to rub her clit so that he could see everything clearly. Her ass in the air as he watched her play with her dripping wet pussy was so erotic. She was moaning his name and letting out the best moans. "You're the most sexiest fucking woman ever. Fuck." His strokes became faster and his dick needed her desperately.

"Mmm- I'm gonna cum daddy. Please fuck me, I need you." She pleaded before he got behind her and placed his hand around her waist, lining himself up with her entrance with the other. A gasp escaped Ella's mouth as he smashed into her for the second time today. It was taking everything for her not to moan out loudly.

"Don't be too loud baby, you know what time it is." He spoke as he carried on pounding inside of her. "Everything about you is beautiful. Your face, your personality, your body, your pussy, your ass. Fuck. Mm- you feel so good." His eyes were rolling back. Ella was in complete ecstasy beneath him as his big cock drilled into her. "You have the best fucking pussy. Fucked you twice today and I'd fuck you ten times more. I'm so in love you with you." He had reached her g-spot while he grabbed her tit with his hand. He felt himself getting closer.

"Daddy-" After a while, Trent could feel himself and Ella were about to orgasm as her walls clenched around him.

"Cum for me beautiful." He told her, which Ella did at the same time as him causing them to ride out the orgasms until they were empty. "Fuck, that was good."

-

Chapter 17

Okay, so this chapter was a bit on the boring side but I PROMISE the next chapter is better and you guys will definitely love it. Chapter 17 is my longest one so I hope you guys enjoy. It is always out with this one x🤍

[undisputed-queer-a]

Thanks, Jaida, I wanted an excuse to talk about trans women in sports again

Ok, when I said that I was using this as an excuse to talk about things. I mean it. Because it should be known I am transgender but I have looked over the posts made by Jaida multiple times and I don't even know what point she'd trying to make and what she meant or whatever.

But I do want to talk about trans people in sports. I want to talk about Iman Khelif. And I'm a little bit late, but oh well. Because hers isn't the only case where this happens. In fact there is a rookie that recently debuted on nxt who has already been accused of...being a man (goodness me I hate the world I live in). And this explicitly harms female athletes. While in most case the people saying this abhorrent stuff online and spreading weird rumours about athletes. Their fine. Nothing happens to them. They can do this without any consequence. But women like Iman certainly lose in this situation. You know who else loses. Actual trans women do.

Because there are two likely major possible responses to a cis athlete being 'accused' of being trans. Response one is a transphobic 'ew that's awful we need to keep dangerous freaks like this away' which is dehumanising, demoralising and a destructive mindset to hold. Response two is a supportive response to the athlete, saying 'actually she was born a woman wtf'. And while yes, please debunk these weirdos. But the response has the adverse effect of also carrying the ability to be perceived as 'oh, no, it's ok she's not trans' as if being trans is the issue but it's fine because this person isn't.

Now please don't get me wrong I am not trying to make situations like this about me. It's not about me, it's about how often I see trans women negatively effected by situations that if kind of have nothing to do with them.

This has been Undisputed Queer-a.

Slay The System, certainly Shock The Cis-tem

[fauxsdreamland]

hiya mx faux i have a crystal for ya!!! (it’s two actually shhhhhh)

the first one is self portrait crystal because she’s :) and her portrait is :) and jaida is supporting her and it’s a cute little moment. and also little drummer boy crystal because the christmas tour is almost starting up and that’s so EXCITING !!!!!! the crystal looks we’ll get to see …. just imagine …..

anyways love u :)

I love silly little self-portraits by queens. Like they can do extravagant makeup that takes hours, but drawing? No skills. I can’t judge, I couldn’t do much better 😅

Yes little drummer boy look! I saw her perform that number during the christmas tour last year, it was so fun. I’m still debating on going this year or not.

[karinonsan]

Made a A7, 8-pages folded zine! I had miscalculate on the paper a little, and still finding out the correct way so the pages fell more or less squarely together.

These are a peek of two fandoms from which I compile my fanart. My Havemercy (RookThom) doodles from Volstovic cycle series by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett. And Lucemond from House of the Dragon series by GRRM.

In the future I also want to make comics inthis format... I hope I could commit to practicing drawing more!!

[alamhiganelezen]

Shamagi's Wrestling Corner - NXT No Mercy (2024)

//Sorry for taking so long with this one. I had other things going on. Anyway, enjoy my 2nd installment in this series for what was a very good PPV. My next one will be for AEW All Out (2024).

The NXT x TNA collaboration is the best thing to happen to NXT since the Black-and-Gold era. Getting to see so many talented TNA wrestlers get the spotlight on WWE TV and PLEs (even if it's mostly just NXT) has been an absolute treat and this PLE continued to deliver.

NXT Tag Team Title match: Axiom & Nathan Frazer def. Chase U (Andre Chase & Ridge Holland) (c) - TITLE CHANGE!!! (****)

What better way to open the PLE than with some high flying tag team action. Both teams put on an absolute clinic. Nate and Axiom also get their titles back, and then Ridge Holland turns heel on Chase U to shock the crowd. Not much else to say, really.

Zachary Wentz def. Wes Lee (****1/4)

No title, just a really intense blood feud between two former brothers in arms. The start was a little lackluster, but the rest was essentially a 5 star match to make up for it. They were pounding each other senseless to try and claim superiority and going all out from bell to bell. Then Zach get the assist from Trey Miguel to take the win. I can't wait to see how this feud continues to develop.

NXT Women's North American Title match: Kelani Jordan (c) def. Wendy Choo (**1/2)

The only real stinker on this card. This match could have been a lot better, but it really feels like Wendy Choo is being held back by the character she's playing as she's demonstrated far better in ring ability elsewhere. Instead it felt like Kelani was doing most of the heavy lifting to try and make this match passable. I'd skip this one.

NXT North American Title match: Oba Femi (c) def. Tony D'Angelo (***1/2)

Good effort, Tony. Until now no one had ever kicked out of Oba Femi's powerbomb. But if anything, this only proves that you can delay the inevitable. Oba Femi is an absolute monster and I'd love to see him get a Gunther-like reign with this belt to solidify him in that role. The best part is, he still has a lot of potential to be even better. He'll be tearing it up on the main roster soon enough.

NXT Women's Title match: Roxanne Pérez (c) def. Jaida Parker (****1/2)

My pick for Match of the Night. Roxy continues to put on banger after banger, with this one being one of her best yet. She and Jaida were on the top of their game, and while I honestly would have been fine with Roxy losing I'm glad she retained because we then got to witness the debut of Giulia in WWE! I am so fucking excited for what she's gonna do and I think she'll be the one to dethrone Roxy, most likely as soon as Halloween Havoc. Plus she's half-Doman like me!!! DOMA REPRESENT!

NXT Title match: Ethan Page (c) def. Joe Hendry (special guest referee: Trick Williams) (****)

I'm gonna be honest: this would have been 5 stars if Joe Hendry won. That said, I did go into this match expecting him to lose as he's a TNA wrestler and there's no way WWE would have allowed a non-WWE wrestler to take one of their titles. Still, there was one reason I was invested in this match as much as I was: BELIEF! The whole crowd was behind Joe Hendry. They were singing his theme, they were chanting "We believe!" the whole time, and Joe absolutely fed off of their energy the whole match. He is legitimately the most over babyface in wrestling right now and to have Ego retain feels like a huge missed opportunity. Not to mention the ending kinda fell flat, with Trick Williams (playing the role of guest referee) stopping the count of the backup ref to bail out Joe only to count the pinfall to 3 when Ethan Page hit Ego's Edge for the win. Regardless, this match was really fun to watch and I pray Joe Hendry wins the big one, at least in TNA.

Overall rating: ***3/4

Unfortunately Kelani vs. Wendy was bad enough to drag this show below a 4 star rating, but the rest of the card was so good that it only just barely missed the cut. The tag team match, Zach vs. Wes, and Roxy vs. Jaida are all certified bangers, and while it could have been a lot more the main event ultimately delivered.

Now, sing it with me one more time:

SAY HIS NAME AND HE APPEARS

I BELIEVE IN JOE HENDRY

I BELIEVE IN JOE HENDRY

CAUSE THEY LOVE HIM IN LIMSA AND ISHGARD AND ALA MHIGO

TULIYOLLAL, THAVNAIR AND SHARLAYAN AND WACHUNPELO

THEY SAY "I BELIEVE IN JOE HENDRY

I BELIEVE IN JOE HENDRY"

WAVE YOUR HANDS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND SAY

"I BELIEVE IN JOE HENDRY

AND JOE HENDRY IS THE PRESTIGIOUS ONE!"

//I really need to make Shamagi do Joe Hendry gposes

[sweetestberryofthebunch]

ok musician au hear me out: (it’s season 12 so far because that’s what i know but i’d love to hear your thoughts for who could fit the rest of the band !!)

jan and jackie are a duo, famous for jan’s energy and bright vocals with jackie’s warmer tones to balance it and provide lower harmonies, not to mention their iconic chemistry and will-they-won’t-they energy that keeps audiences guessing. their careers are firmly in the limelight after a big break a few years back, and they’ve gotten the best team they could hope for (though they’re still looking for someone to help gigi, their hair and costume person, with the outfits for the shows). now on their second national tour, they feel on top of the world—especially with their friends by their side.

but there’s a new name on the scene that both of them find themselves maybe too bothered by. where they’d never been anything but friendly and welcoming to the people they met, something about this new hot french solo act named nicky doll seems to be affecting them more than normal. worse, somehow, is the fact that she gets along so well with the rest of the team, and even worse? she’s opening for them at their next show.

cast do characters so far:

jan and jackie (main duo)

crygi as makeup (crystal) and hair/wardrobe (gigi)

nicky (an up-and-coming solo act and opener for their next show)

jaida (her designer and best friend)

who else would be in the band/in their team?

Oh this is SO cute! And all their friends from other seasons could be friends they meet st different stops on tour - In new York they play a show at the bar where they got started - which just got taken over by Jan‘s Highschool friend Rosé who can immediately sense the chemistry between not just Jan and Jackie but also Jan and Nicky, pushing her to fool around a little.

In Missouri they save some money by parking their (kind of old and wacky - its their first big tour after all) tour bus in front of Crystal’s little sister Daya’s place. They all stay in the house while they’re there, and Jackie and Jan find themselves forced to sleep in the living room with Nicky, pushed together on a pullout couch. While they deal with crashing egos and maybe some jealousy, Gigi gets to know Crystal a lot more on a trip through her hometown, getting a tour of all her favourite spots.

In LA they stay for a whole week to play at a festival, and in the early mornings after shows in the sun all day, lots of alcohol and maybe some other recreational activities, shenanigans ensue. Meanwhile, Gigi is nervous for Crystal to meet her found family, worried the LA girls will judge her.

After that they’re on the road up the coast for a while, and Jackie gets jealous when Jan and Nicky start writing a song together, especially since Gigi and Crystal seem to get closer by the day too as they make their way towards Seattle…

[ateneablack21]

Drag me to my grave (By Atenea_Black and Valeriiia_RG in A03): Chapter 1

After some technical malfunctions in the Season 12 Reunion set happen and delay filming, Jaida, Gigi, Jackie, Crystal, Heidi, Nicky and Jan stay in the building while the other queens go outside to grab a coffee and explore the city. But, unfortunately, that ends up being the worst decision of their lives when an attacker starts trying to hunt them down one by one. Will they be able to survive this massacre?

Well, it all depends on the choice you make! After every chapter readers will have to vote for two options that can save or condemn one of the queens lives.

So, what are you going to choose?

——————————————————————————————————

Chapter 1: Voting closed:

Summary:

Jaida, Gigi, Heidi, Jackie, Jan, Crystal and Nicky stay behind in the filming location of the S12 reunion after some technical problems.

Notes:

Hiiii! Before you start reading this we wanted to explain the dynamic of this book The dynamic of this book is different to the one of a normal book as when each chapter ends we will be giving you two options to vote in the comments for (you have to say which you prefer) which will determine the fate of the characters (if they will end up surviving or dying).

Every chapter there will be a decision to make and you’ll be given between 48 and 72 hours after the chapter is published to make the vote. After that, we will close the voting and write the next chapter with the decision that you guys took.

You can only vote one time per chapter, so please don’t comment your vote more than one time. Feel free to ask any questions you need or to comment what your thoughts and theories are as well!!

We wanted to give some credits to the fic “Seven Little Queens” by Aphistas (in A03) as we took the idea of the dynamic of the book from them. If you like this kind of stories we really recommend you read this one, plus it’s also from the Drag Race fandom, featuring Bianca, Courtney Act, Adore, Trixie, Katya, Pearl, and Violet Chatcki as the protagonist of the story.

With all that being said, hope you enjoy!

————————

When they applied to Drag Race, they all knew it was going to be a life-changing experience. What they didn’t expect though, was that that life-changing experience was going to bring a worst one with it. And if they had known that before-hand… They would have never applied in the first place.

(…)

Season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race was at its end, and all the queens of the season had come together for one of the last times for the Reunion. The season's twelve contestants had been in touch since they finished filming everything, not including the finale, and were excited to see each other again. They may have fought, but they liked one another just the same and had ended up forming a beautiful friendship with each other.

When they saw each other they all hugged or exchanged greetings, talking about how their lives had changed since they had last seen each other. They had already talked about it over the WhatsApp group, but, it was better to talk about it in person as well.

Upon arrival, the producers gathered them all together, informing them that there had been some problems and that they would have to delay filming for a couple of hours. They told them that one of the main cameras had stopped working and that they had to leave the studio to go to were they kept the other cameras, which could take a while. They were free to stay in the studio if they liked or go outside to visit the city, they just had to be back in 2 hours.

Brita, Aiden, Dahlia, Rock and Widow decided to go to a nearby café together while the rest of them decided to stay and make sure that they were ready for the filming of the reunion. In a room near the recording room, there were 4 tables where they could leave their things according to the producers, so the seven remaining queens walked there, talking the whole way. Nicky, Jaida, Gigi and Crystal took the table closest to the door, while Jackie, Jan and Heidi placed their things on the adjacent table.

It wasn’t long before Jan excused herself to go to the bathroom, saying that she was going to take advantage of the free time they had to fix some of her makeup, the rest continuing with their conversation as she left the room.

“So… Are you excited for the finale?” Jackie asked the top three.

“To be honest, I thought I would be nervous, but I’m just eager.” Gigi answered, taking out a small bag containing the makeup she might need to touch up and leaving it on the table.

“I'm pretty confident. After all the work I've put into the lipsync I'm sure it's going to turn out great.” Jaida said while she fixed the position of her wig as it had moved slightly during her journey to the filming location.

“Yeah. It’s exciting to think that in no time one of us will be crowned as the winner.” Crystal talked, moving seats so she could seat closer to the rest of the queens.”

“I a-“ Heidi started to say, shutting up suddenly and starting to look around, making the rest worry.

“Hey, are you okay?” Nicky questioned as she placed a hand on the other’s shoulder.

“I- I thought I had heard something…”

"It's probably just the strain of the journey here taking a toll on you, don't worry.” The French queen reassured, squeezing Heidi’s shoulder lightly to try to soothe her friend.

The future Miss Congeniality nodded a little more calm, all of them resuming their conversation about the finale and what they expected from it.

(…)

Jan had found the bathroom rather quickly, even though it was a bit far from the room where she was before, her fast pace had allowed her to get there sooner.

The bathroom was rather big, with a giant mirror, 8 stalls and 5 hand washing basins. Wanting to go back to the other room as soon as possible, as she didn’t want to miss any important conversations, she quickly took out the makeup out of her bag, starting to fix the little errors she hadn’t been able to fix back in the hotel before coming here.

She was finishing up when, suddenly, the lights went out, leaving her in almost darkness, the only thing illuminating the room being the emergency lights that flickered every few seconds.

"The producers are going to be pissed." The queen said under her breath, chuckling slightly as she imagined the faces of the producers when they knew they had to fix another problem before they could shoot the reunion.

Having left her mobile phone with the rest of her things in the room where her sisters were, the one with the blonde wig started walking towards the exit of the bathroom in the dark, taking care not to bump into anything as she made her way out. She left her makeup there, intending to fetch her mobile phone to put the lantern feature on and continue touching up her makeup.

While this happened, the lights where the other six queens were also turned off, everyone looking at each other, as much as the emergency lights let them, the confusion clear in their faces. How did the producers find such a shitty place to film? Even the emergency lights didn’t work correctly, flickering and basically leaving them more time in the dark than the time they could see their surroundings.

“I’m gonna call Jan, check if the lights in the bathroom also went out.” Jackie informed, taking out her phone and marking her fellow queen’s number, only to realise that the other had left her mobile in the room.

"I'm sure she'll be back soon, you can ask her then." Gigi said, walking to where the door was so she was able to see when the other queen came back.

Meanwhile, Jan found herself doing just what Goode had said, finally out of the bathroom and starting to walk down a corridor. 

Suddenly, the queen heard a sound behind her, swiftly turning around to try and locate the source of the sound. She looked around her, the only thing in sight being a nearby plant. After spending a few more seconds searching for the source of the disturbing sound, Jan finally gave up, trying to convince herself that it had been just a figment from her imagination, turning around again to head back to where the other queens were.

“It was nothing, I just imagined it, I’m sure” she whispered to herself as she started walking again.

The queen continued her journey, taking deep breaths to try to calm her growing nerves: It had only been her imagination, so she had nothing to worry about. After all, she-

Jan cried out in agony, feeling a sudden sharp pain in her back and fell to the ground. The pain she was feeling was like nothing she had ever felt before, the sensation making desperate screams come out of her mouth without her permission.

Her screams were so loud that they reached the other side of the building, where the other queens were. They looked at each other with fear and concern before quickly following the desperate screams, worried about their fellow friend. They would have liked to try to believe that it was just their imagination, but, unfortunately, they could clearly recognise Jan by her screams.

Without turning her body around, Jan looked backwards, suppressing a sob when she saw a big black-haired man with a sickly grin holding a bloody knife behind her, the queen quickly realising that the blood in that knife was hers. The one with the blonde wig couldn't stop the tears starting to fall down her face, her make-up smearing. The man laughed as he watched the queen begin to cry, advancing towards her as she tried to crawl away from him.

“Help!” She screamed at the top of her lungs.

“Nobody’s going to help you, little bitch. I’m going to end you, and as soon as I do that, I’ll end your stupid friends too… One by one. And nobody is going to be able to stop me.”

“Please…” Jan pleaded “I’ll do whatever you want but please don’t kill me.”

“Oh, but killing you is all I want, darling.” He laughed “There’s no stoping this.”

The attacker raised his arm, preparing to deliver a fatal stab in Jan's back...

Option 1: Jan crawls away from the attacker.

Option 2: Jan turns around to face the attacker and defends herself.

————————

Final notes:

We hope you liked it!! 🥰🥰🥰

What did you think? Tell us all about in the comments!!

Remember to vote for the option you think is best for Jan’s survival! (Just say something like “I vote for Option 1” or “I choose Option 2” with the choice you think will be the best!)

Happy Pride Month!! 🏳️‍🌈

[slutnali]

here to help you procrastinat,e 'm bringing my favorite numbers: 5, 7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 21, 23, 27! (i don't remembr the highest number dlfklsd) + one extra if you wanna do one. i'll take halldoll, sashnetra and rosenali in bakernali

mar ilysm jrguberibf 💓 read more bc it's long. these answers are mostly halldoll & rosenali but the last one has cc sashnetra in it <3

5. Which one tries to make food for the other but burns it all by accident and which one tells them that it’s okay and makes them both cookies?

This has Jai and Nicky written all over it. Jai's the one that burns it and Nicky's the one that bakes cookies to comfort her about it rotegbuib

7. Which one constantly wears the other’s clothes?

Jai and Nicky steal and wear each others clothes ALL the time. Whether it's intentional or not, who knows and it's partly an inconvenience before they move in together.

For bakernali au, Nali for sure wears Rosie's clothes to wear around the apartment and Rosie loves to see it 🥰 its cute but also hot

11. If they were about to rob a museum, which one does backflips through lasers and which one is strolling behind with a bag of chips?

Nali would do backflips through lasers because she's extra and Rosie would be the one strolling behind... Mostly because she cant do flips rerbguiebr

12. Which one of your OTP overdoes it on the alcohol and which one makes the other stop drinking?

Nicky overdoes it and she tries her best to hide it but Jai can always tell.. Her eyes always look so glossed over, cheeks all rosy, hiccuping and getting sappy over little things egibueuirfb but thats her girl and she hands her a bottle of water while listening to Nicky being cheesy

14. Which one keeps accidentally using the other’s last name instead of their own?

Jaida for sure keeps accidentally using Nicky's last name and it always makes Nicky's heart flutter whenever she catches it.. she's gonna marry tf out of her!!

15. Which one screams about the spider and which one brings the spider outside?

Jai screams about the spider because she's such a scaredy cat and Nicky freaks out too but she puts on her big girl pants to bring it outside because if not, who else will? Jackie said they had to deal with it 😭

21. Who gets attacked by a bully and who protects them?

Nali would for sure protect Rosie if someone made some dumbass comment about her or them, she'll throw hands with anyone for her woman even tho rosie could defend herself 🥹🥰

23. Who comes home from work to see that the other one bought a puppy?

Jai would get a puppy to surprise Nicky, they'd been talking about getting one eventually but Jai spontaneously decided to speed up the process to surprise her girl

27. Which one would give the other a makeover if they asked?

This one automatically made me think about cc sashnetra.. can you imagine Sasha asking Neech to paint her ??????? Lets go insane thinking about it 😌

[artificialqueens]

Only Threw This Party For You (Halldoll) - Mumu

A/N: Had to write Halldoll for my comeback fic, of course. Also on AO3. Betaed by the lovely @sweetlikesunflowersandhoney. Come find me @stillmumu

Summary: It’s Jaida’s 19th birthday party, and Widow brings her a present in the form of Nicolette Doll.

Jaida should have known this was going to happen. 

She’s been friends with Widow since 6th grade, and ‘lowkey’ is simply not a word in the girl’s vocabulary. Why she expected anything less than a full-blown house party for her 18th birthday when she asked Widow to plan the celebration is beyond her.

She can already hear the bass pounding from all the way upstairs, a sure sign that tonight’s going to get crazy. She’s going to get a migraine if she doesn’t get some alcohol in her, pronto.

“Girl! You ready yet?” Widow calls, knocking on Jaida’s bedroom door. Speak of the devil. “I’m all for being fashionably late, but you’re cutting it close.”

“One second,” Jaida yells back, throwing one last look at her reflection in the mirror. She opens the door with a flourish, waving Widow in. “Come help, gold or silver?”

Widow considers, holding both sets of earrings up to Jaida’s skin. 

“Gold.”

Jaida takes her advice, clipping on the large tassels. “How do I look?”

“Hot,” Widow cackles. “You’re so gonna get dicked down.” She pauses before amending her statement with a: “Or, you know, whatever the girl on girl version of that is.”

“I’ll take it,” Jaida says with a grin. “I’m not trying to get laid tonight though. Can’t promise I’ll be nice to all your little friends you try to set me up with this time.”

“Bitch, of all days you decide not to get some, you choose your birthday? Really?”

“Shut up, oh my God.” Jaida runs her fingers through her braids, fiddling with the beaded ends. “Birthday sex is overrated.”

“You say that now,” Widow challenges good-naturedly. Jaida just shakes her head, biting back an exasperated grin. “C’mon, the party’s waiting!”

Jaida lets Widow lead her downstairs, into the thick of the party. Jaida scans the level, barely suppressing a frustrated groan at the sheer volume of people in attendance. Nearly half the school is here. This is going to be so annoying to clean up.

“Widow,” she starts, but is waved away.

“Just have fun! Don’t think too hard.” Widow motions at someone across the room, mouthing a ‘later’ at them. “Let’s get you a drink, yeah?”

Jaida nods gratefully, letting Widow push through the crowd, clearing a path for her. People stop her on the way to the kitchen, throwing congratulations and birthday wishes her way.

Jaida recognizes a few, but most of the people she doesn’t have any recollection of. Probably friends of Widow’s: that girl knows everyone in the neighbourhood and then some.

“Jesus, Widow, how many of these people are actually here for me?”

“Mixed or straight?” Widow ignores Jaida’s question.

“Huh? Oh, uh, what we got?”

“Coke zero.”

“Mixed, then.” 

Widow busies herself pouring Jaida a drink, measuring out cheap vodka and soda into a solo cup. Jaida shifts on her feet, already regretting the decision to wear stilettos. She’s been here less than ten minutes and is already exhausted. 

“Here.” Widow hands her the cup. Jaida nearly gags the second she tastes it, but the burn doesn’t keep her from chugging the cup as soon as she recovers.

“That was fast,” Widow says as soon as Jaida takes a break to breathe.

Jaida just shrugs. She holds her now-empty cup out, and Widow tops it up. 

“Gonna need it to deal with all of this.” 

“Fair enough,” Widow decides. “I promise you’ll have a good time tonight.”

Jaida grunts noncommittally, focusing on her drink. Widow arches a brow, watching her sip it at an alarming speed.

“Jesus, Jaida, you’ve got all night to get drunk. Slow your ass down.” 

Her phone pings and she fishes it out of her pocket. “Oh! Perfect timing, my present is here. You’ll like this girl.”

“I thought I said no wing woman action tonight? Birthday sex is fun in theory, but I’m not trying to celebrate with a one night stand.” Jaida frowns.

“Who said y’all had to bang? She could be your one true love. Be a little romantic, damn.”

“You’re so annoying,” Jaida says.

“Rude,” Widow’s phone pings again with her text tone, and she types something back, a little rushed.  “You wanna meet her or what?”

“Uhh…” Jaida swirls the remainder of her drink around in her cup, stalling. 

“Jaida, please. If you hate her I’ll save you right away, no questions asked.”

“Fine.” Jaida concedes, pulling a grimace. Is she really agreeing to this? “But you owe me lunch if this goes bad.”

Widow grins, already dragging her out of the kitchen. “It won’t.”

Widow’s never been this excited about someone to introduce to her before, Jaida reasons, trying to convince herself. Maybe it’s not all bad. And plus, she can still get a free meal out of Widow for her troubles, so it’s pretty much a win-win on her end.

Widow comes to an abrupt halt.

“Did something happen?” Jaida reacts just in time, nearly crashing into her.

“Nah, we’re good.” 

Widow sweeps the party, trying to figure out where Jaida should be standing when her surprise guest walks in. She pushes Jaida up the stairs a few steps, so that Jaida’s the first thing the guest will see when she arrives. Like a show pony, or a shiny trophy on display. Jaida knocks back another gulp of her drink at the thought. 

“Here, right here.”

“Chile,” Jaida starts with a wry grin. “You’re so extra, I can’t even.”

The complaints die on her lips as soon as Widow’s guest enters the party.

She’s gorgeous. Supermodel level gorgeous. Her blonde hair tumbles over her shoulders like something out of a magazine, and she’s in a sheer black dress that emphasises the sleek curve of her figure.

A sparkle draws her eye, and Jaida squints—is that a Chanel belt? Damn. Miss White Girl is rich, too? Whoever she is, she’s proof the universe has favourites.

“Damn. Where the hell did you find her?” Jaida says, thankful for Rihanna blasting over the speakers, loud enough to ensure nobody can hear her gossiping like some kind of auntie.

“She’s a new international student. Nicolette Doll.”

Nicolette. The name sounds elegant. Jaida likes it. 

Nicolette draws closer, and Jaida feels her mouth go dry. Her skin gleams gold under the party lights, and Jaida struggles to rip her eyes from the sight.

“Coucou!” Nicolette leans in and kisses both of Widow’s cheeks. 

“Hey, baby.” Widow repeats the gesture like it’s second nature to her.

Jaida blinks dumbly watching the exchange. She’s only seen that happen in movies. Everything about Nicolette seems so sophisticated, even her name. She’s got a hand on Willow’s arm, and Jaida can’t help but notice that the nails on two of her perfectly manicured fingers are clipped short.

Something tight and sleazy floods Jaida’s stomach at the sight, and she grips her drink tighter between her hands, trying to brace herself.

She’s got to get it together. It’s her party, for God’s sake; this is her territory.

“You must be the birthday girl?” Nicolette greets her, warmly.

“That’s me!” It comes out squeaky, but Jaida has no time to be embarrassed.

Nicolette goes in for the same cheek kisses she exchanged with Widow, and Jaida does her best to copy. 

Nicolette’s breath is warm, and she smells like incense and vanilla. Jaida’s so flustered at the way Nicolette’s perfume envelops her that she’s slow on the transition to the other cheek, accidentally closing the space between them. The sensation of the girl’s nose bumping against her own startles her, and Jaida pulls back, face burning.

There’s a soft little smirk on Nicolette’s face as she studies Jaida, and it’s making her dizzy. The tension stretches sticky between them, backed by the pounding bass from the speakers.

Widow pipes up for her: “Nicky, this is Jaida.”

Right. She’s supposed to tell Nicolette her name. That’s a normal thing people do in conversations. Jaida resists the urge to shake her head to break herself out of this haze, and bites the inside of her cheek instead, praying the sharp pain grounds her.

“It’s nice to meet you, Jaida,” Nicky says. Jaida catches a bit of an accent on the words, and the sound of her name in that lilting voice gives her butterflies. “I’m Nicolette. Nicky for short.”

“Nicky,” Jaida tries the nickname out, liking the way it feels on her tongue. “Pretty name. Suits you.”

“Does that mean you think I’m pretty?” Nicky winks cheekily at her, and Jaida swears she feels her heart stop.

“Shit, only if you think I’m pretty too. My compliments ain’t free.” She can’t stop the smile from spreading on her face. This girl’s flirty, and Jaida likes that. 

“Well!” Widow says, looking way too proud of herself. “I’ll leave you to it then.”

No, don’t leave, Jaida wants to call after her, don’t leave me with this girl, I’ll make a fool of myself. 

But Widow’s already gone, the space where she was standing suddenly looking very empty in Jaida’s periphery. Alone, Jaida feels unmoored in Nicky’s presence. 

Her eyes drift, not sure where to look. 

The highlighter on Nicky’s collarbones keeps shifting metallic in the light, and Jaida tries her best not to linger too long on the sight each time Nicky moves. With the way she’s standing a step above Nicky, though, her eyes keep falling to the gentle curve of her shoulder and dip of her chest, and Jaida can tell she’s pushing it with how close she’s coming to ogling.

Willow has truly outdone herself this time.

“Can I get you a drink?” Jaida asks, mostly just to say something. “The alc’s nothing nice, but it’ll get you a buzz, at least.”

Nicky responds by gesturing for Jaida to hand over the half-filled cup in her grasp. Jaida does, watching as Nicky turns the cup slowly in her hand. When she spots the place where Jaida’s lips have left a brown sheen on the rim, she aligns her mouth to the glossy print. 

Jesus christ, this girl is bold. 

Nicky’s eyes flutter closed as she tips the cup upwards and Jaida swallows hard, transfixed. Nicky’s bottom lip is pillowy, pushed up against the red plastic, and Jaida lets herself imagine for a moment what it would feel like to kiss her, to feel those plush lips against her own. Her body aches, and she resists the urge to slip her hands around Nicky’s waist and lean in close enough for the ends of Nicky’s hair to form a curtain around their faces and–

“–This isn’t terrible, actually. I’ve had worse.”

Jaida blinks, coming back in time to hear the tail end of Nicky’s review. She shifts on her feet, hoping Nicky hasn’t noticed her distraction. But the slight arch in Nicky’s brow tells her she hasn’t been so lucky.

“You’re distracted.”

“I- uh, yeah,” Jaida winces at how stupid she sounds. “Yeah, sorry.”

“Do I make you nervous, cheri?”

Jaida’s brain short circuits. She opens her mouth and then closes it, trying to come up with a bratty retort. Nicky’s smirk grows the longer they stand there quiet, contorting into something charged and cheshire-like.

Nicky makes her sweat, taking her sweet time before she speaks again. 

“Come on, use your words.” 

A strangled sound forces its way out of Jaida’s throat at the mean little edge in Nicky’s voice before she can catch it. Nicky’s head quirks to the left in a smug little gesture that makes her breath hitch. Jaida feels faint at the intimacy of the movement. They’ve just met, but Nicky is already teasing her apart masterfully, piece by piece.

No, no, no. Absolutely not. Nicky’s not going to win this easily.

Jaida catches her lip between her teeth, calculating. Her eyes dart over Nicky’s, taking in her easy lean against the wall, the confident way she’s meeting Jaida’s gaze. It’s a power struggle, and right now, Nicky’s too comfortable.

Fuck it. Jaida snags Nicky by the wrist, pulling her away from the crowd.

She’s moving fast, nearly bounding up the stairs and into her room. Nicky’s stumbling slightly behind her, trying to keep up with her pace. Jaida doesn’t bother to slow down, running off of pure adrenaline from Nicky getting her all riled up. She pulls open the glass door that leads to her balcony with such force it swings back in her face, and Nicky chuckles at the urgency of her actions.

The cocky noise dies in her throat once Jaida whips Nicky in front of her, pinning the blonde to the railing with her hips. Nicky’s breathing goes ragged, and Jaida knows she has her where she wants her.

Now it’s Nicky’s turn to be nervous, blushing when Jaida twists a lock of her blonde hair around her finger. Jaida lingers for just a beat too long, brushing over the shell of her ear. The sensation is light, but sends a shudder down Nicky’s spine. Jaida catches it, of course, ever-perceptive.

There’s a predatory glint in her eye as she gives the curl a harsh tug.

Nicky’s head spills backwards in response, exposing her throat to the soft moonlight. Heat spikes in Jaida’s gut at the sight. God, this girl is unbelievable. She brings a hand up to trace Nicky’s collarbone, finally putting her finger on the pretty gleam that’s been entrancing her all night.

Nicky sighs happily at the contact, encouraging Jaida to drag upwards until her hand is wrapping around Nicky’s throat. She eyes Nicky carefully, gauging her comfort.

“Okay?”

“O-kay,” Nicky whispers, her accent severing the word.

Her voice sounds loud to Jaida anyways, her senses heightened with their forms so flush together. The night air is cool, but Jaida can feel Nicky burning up underneath her.  It’s adorable how quickly Jaida was able to turn her into this shy little mess, even if Nicky wasn’t as quick to give up control as most girls Jaida is used to. 

She’s putting up a good fight, and Jaida kind of likes it, likes the challenge and quick banter they have together. Makes things more fun.

“It’s cute that you thought you were in charge.” Jaida’s grip is loose but firm, the intensity of her gaze enough to convince Nicky that she means every word she’s saying.

Nicky works her jaw instead of replying, defiance in her expression. The bitten-back aggression of the action sends a jolt of electricity through Jaida’s bloodstream, pushing her to up the ante.

“Aw, do I make you nervous?” Jaida repeats Nicky’s words from earlier, voice lined with something sinister.

Nicky finally breaks. She whines, the sound vibrating against the palm of Jaida’s hand. It’s a sweet little sound, one that drives Jaida crazy enough to slot a thigh between the girl’s legs and bring it upwards. The impact has Nicky gasping, and Jaida grins when another whine escapes. She could listen to Nicky make pretty little noises forever.

Jaida tangles her hand into Nicky’s hair, bringing their faces closer so that she can mutter into Nicky’s ear.

“Good girl.”

The praise seals Nicky’s fate, all but unravelling her. She takes a shuddering breath, and then another, trying to calm herself. 

Jaida’s in her element now, watching Nicky work to find her words. She takes the moment to drink in the comforting warmth of Nicky’s body pressed against her own. There’s a pretty pink blush on Nicky’s cheeks, visible through her foundation. 

It takes every ounce of resolve Jaida has to pull away, a calm smile on her face. Normally she’d be quick to pounce, work the squirming girl into putty underneath her fingers. But something about Nicky feels different, more special, and Jaida can’t shake the feeling that she’d like to do things the right way this time. She deserves better than a drunken quickie at a shitty house party.

Nicky’s breaths have begun to level out again. Jaida almost melts at how cute she looks with her eyes half-lidded, blinking out of her stupor.

“You know, usually girls wait a few hours before showing me their rooms,” Nicky offers, voice still hoarse.

“I move quick,” Jaida shoots back, tone playful.

“I’ve learned.”

“Try to keep up, Frenchie. I know you have it in you.”

“Yeah? What gives you that assumption?” There’s that intoxicating challenge again, goading Jaida into setting her straight about who’s in charge.

“Baby, no girl dressed as slutty as you are moves slow.”

There’s a few moments of silence, and Jaida feels a twinge of panic beginning to rise. Maybe she misjudged. Did she go too far? She’s opening her mouth to apologise when Nicky laughs, breathily, more air than sound.

“You Americans are bold, I’ll say that.”

“I was thinking I offended you for a second,” Jaida says, relieved.

“Why, because you called it like it is?” Nicky does a cute little shimmy with her shoulders, as much movement as she can manage given their closeness. “You think I dressed up in this and looked in the mirror thinking I look classy?”

Jaida stifles a snort, stepping backwards to give the girl some space. 

“I like you, Nicky.”

“You’d better, miss Jaida.”

A breeze flows through the balcony, and Nicky shivers.

“Do you wanna go inside?” Jaida suggests. “It’s getting chilly.”

–

“So, how do you know Widow?” Jaida asks once the girls are seated on her bed. There’s a blanket strewn across Nicky’s lap, and Jaida tries not to think about the subtext of a pretty girl in her bed. She tries to. But Nicky looks sort of at home in it, and Jaida’s heart melts a bit at the sight.

“Do you really want to talk about our friend?” Nicky asks her, voice laced with a dangerous faux-innocence. “Because I don’t think you brought me up to your room for small talk, yes?”

Jaida’s breath catches. She feels lightheaded all of a sudden, a thrill running through her veins. The tables have turned, once again.

“Chile, and you said I was bold.”

Nicky makes an impatient sound, so Jaida scoots forward, her lips smashing into Nicky’s. Nicky’s hand tangles into her hair, tugging. The pair topple downwards, Nicky’s back hitting the mattress with a thump. 

Their foreheads bump, hard, and Jaida rolls off of her position on top of Nicky. They hold each other’s gaze for a few still seconds, Nicky’s tongue swiping at her bottom lip, before they dissolve into laughter.

“Merde, that hurt.” Nicky smooths her hair down with her fingers, still smiling.

“What’d you call me?”

“No, merde. It’s French for shit.”

“Oh, right, sorry.”

“Don’t apologise! I’m happy to translate,” Nicky says, grabbing Jaida’s hand. She shifts closer to the other girl, and Jaida shivers at the feeling of the warmth of her skin.

“Maybe you could teach me French sometime,” Jaida tries.

“Mhmm, sure,” Nicky says. Her eyes sparkle. “I could teach you to french for now though!”

Jaida can’t help the splutter that escapes her. “I hate you already, oh my god!”

“Is that a yes?”

“Shut up and kiss me.” Jaida tugs Nicky even closer to her. 

She’s practically in Nicky’s lap at this point, and she sighs happily when their lips meet. Nicky kisses softly, a reflection of her personality. Jaida’s made out with many girls before, but this is different. Nicky is gentler with her. The kiss is all-consuming but dreamy at the same time, and Jaida’s happy to stay in the spicy-sweet cloud of Nicky’s perfume.

They part, and Jaida gives her head a light shake, trying to come back to reality. Nicky giggles at her. 

“You have-” She gestures to the corner of her mouth. “-lipstick there.”

Jaida swipes around her mouth. “Did I get it?”

“Uh-uh,” Nicky says, with a shake of her pretty little head. She uses her thumb to swipe, showing Jaida proudly when her thumb comes back with a streak of brown lipstick. Jaida stills at the tenderness of the gesture, holding her breath.

“Got it.”

“Merci,” Jaida says. Part of her cringes and dies as soon as the french passes her lips, but Nicky actually seems amused.

“Slow down, girl! French is my gig.”

“What can I say, I’m a woman of many talents.”

The atmosphere around them feels gentler now, a stark contrast to the charged tension they had earlier in the night. Jaida figures it’s the effects of the vodka in her system winding down, making her feel hazy.

“So, Jaida,” Nicky starts. “I don’t know much about you except that it’s your birthday and you’re Widow’s friend too.”

“And I’m a good kisser,” Jaida interjects.

“And you’re a good kisser.” Nicky laughs, agreeing.

“Well, chile, let’s see. I’m an only child, I’m captain of the basketball team. I’ve done pageants since I was little.”

The last fact peaks Nicky’s interest, and she leans closer, hair brushing Jaida’s shoulder.

“Pageants? Like, with the crowns and everything?”

“Yeah! They’re big around here.”

Jaida learns that Nicky is a model back in Paris. That explains the looks, and the cheekbones. From what Jaida gathers, she’s quite a famous one. Nicky is trying to be as modest as possible, waving her away when she asks if Nicky’s been in anything she would recognize, but Jaida gets the feeling that the girl is downplaying her success.

She and Nicky bond over their love for fashion, Nicky practically vibrating with excitement when she learns that Jaida designs and sews for fun. She promises to show the Parisian some of her designs sometime.

Nicky plucks at a loose string on the blanket in her lap, biting her lip.

“If you don’t mind me asking, why did you decide to transfer here?” Jaida asks.

“Change of scenery,” Nicky says. “Everything got very intense back home, and I wanted to take a break. Figure out where I want to take my career for a bit instead of jumping into things.”

Jaida nods in understanding. “Yeah, I can see how that can be overwhelming.”

Another beat of silence builds between them, but it’s the comfortable kind, and she’s more than happy to just sit in Nicky’s presence.

Jaida’s eyelids suddenly feel a bit heavy, and she tries to stifle a yawn. 

Nicky catches it anyways, eyes widening. “Oh, it’s late! I should let you rest.”

Jaida tries to protest, but her argument is interrupted by another yawn. 

“You can stay over?” She suggests instead.

Nicky hesitates, but then Jaida pouts. The sight is too cute for her to deny, her heart swelling. 

“Do you have a guest room?”

“A guest room? You were all cocky before, where’d that go?” Jaida teases. It’s cute how considerate Nicky is. 

Nicky wrinkles up her nose, frowning playfully. “I was being polite!”

“And it was sweet,” Jaida assures her. “But you can stay here. The bed’s more than big enough for two. I’ll get you something to wear.”

Nicky nods, and Jaida leaves to rummage through her closet. 

Now that she’s alone, the blonde takes in her surroundings. 

Jaida’s room has plaques and trophies displayed all around, no doubt from basketball, and there are rolled-up sashes piled up on her shelves. The sheer volume of them should be shocking, but then Nicky remembers Jaida’s dark lashes brushing her temples, and sharp jawline pressing into her cheek, and it all makes sense.

The fact that Jaida’s a pageant girl doesn’t surprise Nicky too much, actually, now that she’s thinking about it. The way the girl carries herself is enough proof: her regal posture, the way she commands attention with her quiet confidence and poise. 

She’s pretty, too. Striking. Statuesque. Nicky feels a rush of pride at the thought. Even outside of France, she can’t help but attract beauty all around her.

“I hope this is okay?” Jaida comes back, tossing the other girl a large t-shirt.

Nicky hums a sound of approval, unbuckling her belt and tossing her skirt to the side. Jaida’s brain seems to shut off at the sight, all the blood rushing to her head. Her skin feels too hot all of a sudden. 

Nicky’s skin is tanned, and it looks soft. Her torso is toned, and Jaida fights with herself, trying not to trail her eyes down even lower. Jaida’s eyes fall to the her collarbones, and then to the swell of her breasts. Her palms prickle at the sight of the lace fabric of Nicky’s bra resting against her skin.

“Enjoying the show?” Nicky asks, a sultry lilt taking over her words. Her accent is even more pronounced than earlier in the night, and it sends a jolt up Jaida’s spine.

“I- uh,” Jaida stammers. She opens her mouth and closes it, unable to come up with some kind of explanation to why she’s staring so intently. “Um.”

“In modelling, you kind of assume everyone will see you naked at some point,” Nicky says. Her words are distracted, like she’s just trying to fill the space between them.

Jaida tears her eyes away from the girl’s figure, fumbling for her own change of clothes. She knows her self-control isn’t strong enough for her to resist the urge to pull Nicky on top of her if she keeps staring. “Right.”

“Bored with me already?” Nicky’s lips twitch like she’s trying to hide a smile.

“Are you always this full of yourself?” Jaida huffs.

“Only when pretty girls can’t take their eyes off me.”

“I’ve only known you for two hours and I already know you’re going to be a pain in the ass.”

“You’re the one that riled me up just to get tired.” Nicky accuses.

“Get used to it.”

“Jaida! I’m trying to flirt!”

“I know, bitch,” Jaida says. “But I’m tryna sleep, so.”

Nick just grins. “You’re cute when you get annoyed.”

–

Jaida wakes up to an arm thrown across her throat, and a leg slung across her torso. 

Nicky is snoring lightly, and Jaida giggles at the sound before she remembers she has to be quiet and not wake the other girl. Jaida might have found her snores cute, if not for the way she’s finding it harder and harder to breathe from the weight of Nicky’s arm on her windpipe. 

She tries to lift the girl’s arm, to no avail. Nicky’s dead weight, and Jaida’s awkwardly shoved under her, the twisted position making it hard for her to move at all. She tries to wiggle her way out of Nicky’s grip, but that approach isn’t successful either. 

How is such a tiny girl so hard to move?

Her elbow thuds against Nicky’s ribcage and the girl stirs slightly. Jaida holds her breath, but Nicky still seems to be sleeping. 

After a bit of maneuvering, Jaida manages to get out of Nicky’s koala grip and breathes a sigh of relief. Her lungs fill with sweet, sweet air. There was a second there when she really thought she was going to suffocate. Note to self: Nicky is an aggressive sleeper.

A ringing sound startles her, and Jaida tries to locate where it’s coming from. She checks the bedside table, but her phone isn’t there. A bit of searching leads her to under the bed. It must have fallen while she was sleeping. She presses the power button, and the screen lights up.

14 unread texts

1 missed call from: Widow

Jaida groans audibly, realising that she completely forgot to tell Widow where she went off to last night. Hopefully, she didn’t notice that both Nicky and Jaida were gone, and Jaida doesn’t have to sit through an interrogation. Jaida reads the texts first.

Spiderbitch : I’m watching y’all talk from over here

 oooh girl a lip bite? get it miss hall!

Well, there goes her fantasy of anonymity.

Spiderbitch : Y’ALL GOING UPSTAIRS????

i’m so proud

this is such an emotional moment

Of course Widow would be enabling this behaviour.

Spiderbitch : get that french dick

or v my bad. whatever it is for girls, yk what i mean

y’all better bump clits i stg

Jaida makes a disgusted noise at that last one. Leave it up to Widow to choose the grossest way to describe hooking up.

Spiderbitch : y’all haven’t come down yet so i’mma jus cut the cake

u getting dessert rn anyways so,,,

i saved u 2 slices b, they’re in the fridge

u can share w frenchie

Jaida : omg we didn’t fuck u nasty

ty for the cake

She locks her phone, counting down. Widow’s going to call her in three, two, and… one. As if on cue, her phone rings again.

“Bitch! What do you mean y’all didn’t do it?” Widow all but yells into her ear.

“I mean we didn’t bone,” Jaida hisses. She makes her way over to her balcony to avoid disturbing Nicky. “And lower your voice, she’s sleeping.”

“Wait, y’all are still together? You slept in the same bed and didn’t fuck?” Widow cackles. “Who are you and what’ve you done with Jaida?”

“Oh my god, shut up,” Jaida laughs. “I like her, and I’m not trying to ruin it for a one-night thing.”

“I like me too,” Nicky’s voice calls out. Jaida whips around, eyes landing on the now-familiar shock of blonde hair. Nicky waves at her lazily. “Morning.”

“Is that her right now?” Widow shrieks. 

Jaida jerks her phone away from her ear. “How the fuck did you hear that through the phone, you freak? I’m putting you on speaker before I burst an eardrum.”

“Bonjour!” Nicky sings. How the hell does she have that much energy so early in the morning?

“Morning, Nicky,” Widow responds. “So are y’all going to go on an actual date now?”

“Widow-” Jaida protests, right as Nicky starts to say yes.

“So which is it?”

“You’re lucky I love you.” Jaida rolls her eyes. “If I say yes will you leave us alone?”

“Possibly,” Widow sounds smug.

“Yes,” Nicky interrupts, clearly impatient. “We will. I like her.”

Jaida blushes at that, despite herself. 

“Jaida, you owe me lunch.”

“You bet lunch on me?” Nicky says, sounding offended. “I’m worth dinner at least!”

Widow cackles. “I knew I liked you, Frenchie. Don’t forget the cake. Be safe! Use condoms!”

She hangs up. Jaida glares at her screen in disbelief, before shooting a glance at Nicky. “That bitch-”

Nicky just laughs. “I heard something about cake?”

[eggcatsreads]

May Reading Wrap-Up

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Favorite Read of the Month:

Master of One by Jaida Jones and Dani Bennett (GR review)

Rags is a thief until he's caught by the Queensguard and forced to find an ancient fae relic for a sadistic royal sorcerer. And now he's forced on a journey to find the rest of these relics so they can save the world before it's destroyed.

Y'ALL. THIS BOOK DOES NOT GET ENOUGH LOVE AND THAT IS A CRIME. THIS CAME OUT IN 2020 AND THERE'S NOT EVEN A WHISPER OF A SEQUEL IN THE WORKS??? HELLO??? MORE PEOPLE NEED TO READ THIS SO THERE'S ENOUGH HYPE FOR THE AUTHORS TO CONTINUE THIS SERIES.

This is the queer fantasy adventure we've all wanted and it's been slept on. (Personally, I think it's the cover and the name keeping people from picking this book up.) Trust me, this book is PHENOMENAL. If you have ever read a fantasy adventure with some romantic tension in it, and thought "okay but what if it was gay?" then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU.

The best way I can describe it is if Crier's War and Realm Breaker had a baby. If you haven't read both of those books (what are you doing?) I'll try to describe the vibes. It's Crier's War in that it's a queer fantasy story where the protagonists are practically fighting against society itself to correct the corruption throughout the realm, where solving this won't be an easy fix - as well as it standing in the way of the romance, where two people from different worlds try to come together anyway and overcome the obstacles. It's Realm Breaker in that it's a found family adventure story where you collect more and more characters along the way as they have to fight to save the realm before it's destroyed. It's the love of my life in that I stayed up until like 6am to finish it in one sitting.

READ THIS BOOK. PLEASE.

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Other Five Star Reads:

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen (GR review) (series)

Let’s get one thing straight—Vanja Schmidt wasn’t trying to start a cult.

If you haven't read Little Thieves yet, what are you doing? Read that, read this (the sequel), cry at the ending, and then wait with me with baited breath for Holy Terrors. While you're at it, read Margaret Owen's other book series, The Merciful Crow. She's a fantastic author.

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Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (GR review)

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, same debut year in publishing. But Athena's a cross-genre literary darling, and June didn't even get a paperback release. Nobody wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks. So when June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers to the British and French war efforts during World War I.

R. F. Kuang is a PHENEMONAL writer, and in this darkly humorous memoir from the white women who stole the manuscript for her famous Asian-American author "friend" when she died, you won't be able to stop to take a breath before you realize you've finished the book in one sitting. In an impressive twist of expectations, R.F Kuang's self-insert character ISN'T the main character - she's the one who dies.

Instead, we're stuck inside June's ("Juniper Song's") head as she complains about the unfairness of political correctness and how only minority authors are getting the big breaks now, and no one supports her work because she's white. So when her friend dies unexpectedly in front of her one night, she takes the opportunity to steal her book and pass it off as her own - and it's a cultural phenomenon of a book - until her fraud comes to light. Her response to all of this will keep you on your toes until the last page.

Also R.F. Kuang has a trilogy called The Poppy War which I HIGHLY recommend reading. She's also written Babel, which while I liked, academia focused books aren't my forte. However, reading all four of these books can kind of lend some insight into Yellowface, as R.F. Kuang takes the criticisms she's faced and turns it around to mock them in this book, and there were a few moments I laughed out loud because I knew EXACTLY what book and where a certain criticism came from. It's not required, but if you were interested at all in these books, I recommend them before Yellowface, if you can.

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The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison (series)

When the young half-goblin emperor Maia sought to learn who had killed his father and half-brothers, he turned to an obscure resident of his Court, a Prelate of Ulis and a Witness for the Dead. Thara Celehar found the truth, though it did him no good to discover it. He lost his place as a retainer of his cousin the former Empress, and made far too many enemies among the many factions vying for power in the new Court. The favor of the Emperor is a dangerous coin. Now Celehar lives in the city of Amalo, far from the Court though not exactly in exile. 

Thara Celehar my beloved. I would die for you, you sad gay wet cat of a man.

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Rest of Books Read Under the Cut:

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Grief of Stones by Katherine Addison (series)

Thara Celehar continues to be a sad gay wet cat of a man, as we watch him go on his little adventures and solve crimes.

Babel by R.F. Kuang

1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. The tower and its students are the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver-working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as the arcane craft serves the Empire's quest for colonization.

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods. But the gods remember, and they do not forgive.

Tbh this might have been 5 stars if the main character wasn't so vanilla that he'd see a half dragon/half man hybrid saving his life and didn't immediately want him, and instead went to hide and think about it. SIR. WHAT.

Also it's the classic enemies to lovers, one has to kill the other and the other doesn't know it, betrayal love stories we all love. Except gay. And with dragons. So better.

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Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb

In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive. After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system—tapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. 

Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina

Anna Horn is always looking over her shoulder. For the bullies who torment her, for the entitled visitors at the reservation's casino...and for the nameless, disembodied entity that stalks her every step--an ancient tribal myth come-to-life, one that's intent on devouring her whole. With strange and sinister happenings occurring around the casino, Anna starts to suspect that not all the horrors on the reservation are old.

Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill

It's 1853 London. Frankenstein's great niece Mary Saville and her husband, Henry, are trying to follow in his scientific footsteps and become renowned paleontologists. But after finding clues to her great uncle's disappearance, Mary's luck may just change. She constructs a plan that will force the scientific community to take her and her husband seriously; no one will be able to ignore them after they learn to create life.

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Books read so far this year: 59

How I rate books.