#also what exactly is the weather in Barcelona

[tinseltownie]

New Couple Alert 🚨

[kayleighjennifer]

Caught (Alexia Putellas x reader)

⚠️smut implied⚠️

Today was the day, you’re travelling to Australia for the second World cup match. Everyone was pumping and excited. Music was blasting through the bus while you sat in the back, chatting with your girlfriend. Alexia was, of course, sad that she’d miss playing internationally again but being able to watch you play lifted her mood.

“Aww what are you smiling at?” Katie McCabe, your twin sister asks you as she slides next to you. The girls didn’t know about your relationship. Even thought Alexia was the reason for your transfer from Arsenal, leaving your friends and twin sister behind, you decided to keep it private.

Some were guessing that you’re in a relationship but you shrugged everyone off. You feel bad lying to your family but you know how they’d react. Katie didn’t exactly dislike Alexia, but the fact how good the balon d’or winner is, made Katie jealous.

You put your phone away and just shrug. “Just saw a meme about Rue and you, you know”. Katie and you were completely opposites. You were a ray of sunshine, nice to everyone, never loosing your temper and only having clean tackles somehow. Katie on the other hand could seem a wee bit arrogant to strangers and of course short tempered.

“Are you sure, or are you chatting with the girl you laid a few days ago”. Katie smirks as she watch you blush. “Uh what?” It was no secret that you were sleeping with someone, your neck was often decorated with hickeys and you’d sweat the concealer off during training but you thought you did a pretty decent job.

“Don’t act all innocent now. You weren’t exactly quiet and she definitely left some marks. Not gonna lie, I always thought you’d be a top but you know those bruises on your legs and hips say something different”. By now you were nearly red like a tomato. “I’m sorry”.

Besides both of you, Katie was the outgoing and confident one and you the quiet one, often watching from far and only being loud around people you feel comfortable with. “Don’t say sorry, you deserve some fun, but try not to get HIV or something with how many people you sleep with”. Katie’s comment make you choke out.

She finally leaves you alone and you quickly tell your girlfriend about the situation, who seems very amused about the situation. You play some music to focus on the important game but one message from La Reina leaves you completely aroused and flustered. “Katie will have some more marks to talk about tomorrow. She’ll see how you let me do everything to do and how much of a dirty slut you are for me<3”

Ruesha sees the way you’re looking at your phone and nudges Katie. “Look at the way your little baby twin looks at her phone. She’s definitely sexting with someone”. Katie looks over to you and sees your grin. “Yep, we gotta find out with whom. She still thinks that we think, that she’s just sleeping around. Do you think it’s someone from Barcelona?” Ruesha looks at Katie and nods.

“Probably, but we’ll find out soon. I have a plan”

When you finally step out onto the pitch, you don’t feel nervous. You feel ready to win the first match and haven’t been more motivated in your whole life before. It might be because of the love of your life who’s watching you from the family stands. You wanted to make not only her proud, but also yourself.

You start warming up with the others, enjoying the weather and the phenomenal atmosphere. You’ve never played in front of that many people internationally. During water break, you search for Alexia’s hazel eyes. The world seems to stay still when you lock eyes with her. You don’t notice how Katie and Rue exchange knowing looks, but are not able to find the person, who’s making your heart jump every time you feel her presence.

“Attention, you’re drooling”. Rue smirks next to you, making you blush. “shut up, I’m not”.

You make your way into the locker room, starting to get a bit nervous. Katie hugs you and tries to calm you down. After prep talk and changing into the right tricot you’re standing in the tunnel.

You try to loosen up a little bit and secure your ponytail for the thousand time. “We’ll smash it”. Katie smirks.

The first 20 minutes were intense. Hard tackles from both sides and no goals. You feel everyone getting frustrated but you somehow remind calm.

It was in the 34th minutes when Katie beautifully passes you the ball and you’re one vs one with the Australian goalkeeper. You were sure that you would get the ball in, but the goalkeeper had other plans, sliding into your left ankle.

She lands on top of you, knocking the wind out of your body. Thankfully nothing serious happened, besides Ireland getting a penalty. In your past year with Barcelona you’ve become one of the best penalty takers so you took the one as well.

You feel all eyes on you but only focus on the ball and the goal. You lock eyes with the goalkeeper, breath in and out and shoot the ball into the right corner. The Australian goalkeeper doesn’t have a single chance against your shot.

Your teammates storm to you, tightly hugging you. You wink at Alexia and use your tricot to swipe away the sweat, teasing her a little bit.

Much to your dismay, there are many goal chances for your side but no one wants to get in.

It’s half time break, which is spent by prep and tactical talks in the changing rooms and a little bit of joking. Ireland has the most ball possession which makes you feel secure.

The second half isn’t any different, your goal being the only one this game. You feel incredibly proud, being able to represent your country like this. All the self doubt from the last years suddenly vanishing, all the pain feeling worth it. You party a bit with the girls, thanking the fans for travelling all the way to Australia and doing a quickly post match interview.

You can’t wait to see your girlfriend. You haven’t been able to have sex with Alexia for two days, wanting to be 100% fit for the game. Sex with Alexia was intense and always leaves you trembling.

Just as you were walking into the changing room, your media manager stops you and lets you know, that you have to attend the press conference in twenty minutes. You groan in annoyance but don’t have any chance to say no.

“Gotta attend the press conference, you don’t have to wait for me. I’ll take the bus back to the hotel”. Alexia and you have planned to drive back to the hotel together and celebrate. “No worries, I’ll wait for you cariño. You did amazing, but the next time don’t tease that much;)”. Her message makes you blush. This was your first real relationship, so you mainly let Alexia take the lead and never tease but in the past weeks you’ve become even more comfortable and sassy. “Huh? What are you on about? But I hope you enjoyed the game”

By now all the other girls are in the changing room but you don’t seem to notice them, being completely concentrated on the conversation with the spanish midfielder. “I really did cariño. Can’t wait to show you how much. You will arrive before me, I want you waiting in the baby blue lace set in the bed. You deserve to be celebrated”. You feel all wobbly and happy.

Katie of course sees it and snatches your phone away from you. “Katie! What are you doing? Give me my phone back” You quickly panick and Katie smirks, reading the messages you exchanged. Thankfully Alexia has the sunset with you kissing as her profile picture so you’re not able to see the face. “Oho, Y/N is getting laid guys, in her baby blue lace bra by someone who’s called Corazón. Wait is that even a name?” You blush and hide your face in your hands.

“Corazón means heart in Spanish”. Olivia laughs and Emma just shakes her hand and takes your phone from Katie’s hand and gives it back to you. You quietly thank her and pack your things, escaping to the press conference. “We can just cuddle up and watch some criminal minds if you’re not in the mood” Alexa grows worried that you haven’t answered her yet.

“I’m sorry, Katie snatched my phone and read the messages out loud. Thankfully no one saw that it was you, but it was so embarrassing. I’m up for both<3” You answer her during the press conference, happily smiling.

“I’m sorry for embarrassing you in front of your teammates cariño, it wasn’t my intention” Your smile grows wider and you quickly answer. “It’s not your fault. It’s only your fault that I’m very turned on by now and still gotta answer stupid questions instead of being under you”. A reporter’s voice gets your attention. “Why are you smiling at your phone? Is there someone special in your life at the moment?”. These kinds of questions were your least favourite and the others usually knows it.

“My country just won with my goal, so I guess I can smile without having to have a relationship”. You answer shortly and take big sips of your water. Your phone lights up with one of alexia’s texts. “You look so hot when you’re annoyed love”. You bite your lip to contain your smile.

After long 30 minutes, you’re finally free to go and see Alexia in the parking lot. You hug each other for a solid moment, just enjoying each others presence. “You did so great amore”. Alexia says with the heavy accent you love.

You snuggle up to her and smile adoringly at her. “Thank you, did it just for you”. Alexia gives you a kiss into your nose making you giggle. “Oh yeah? Well then get inside so that we can celebrate properly”. You nod and make your way inside the car.

You spend the drive to the hotel talking about the game and the teasing from your teammates. “I’ll drop you off at the hotel. I need to pick something up. And remember what I’ve told you.” Alexia reminds you and you nod, giving her along goodbye kiss.

You were very excited as you make your way upstairs, getting inside your hotel room where you quickly take a shower and change into the lingerie set, Alexia loves so much. You slightly curl your hair and put on some natural makeup.

You were lost in your thoughts about what might happen, so that you don’t notice Alexia arriving. Only when she leaves light kisses on your neck. “God, you’re so beautiful. So perfect. Just for me”. You nod at her, moaning quietly.

You loved the way Alexia made you feel and you love it even more to show it. “I have a present for you. Close your eyes cariño” She says lovingly and you do as you’re told. You feel something cold hit your neck and her hands are lingering on your neck. She turns you around so that you’re facing her. You feel the weight of a necklace on your neck and Alexia presses a kiss on, what you guess, the pendant. “Can I open my eyes” You ask excited, making Alexia laugh.

“Mhm, look at you beautiful”. You blush and turn to the mirror. “Wow, Alexia it’s so beautiful. Thank you so much”. It’s a golden necklace, with a heart pendant. It’s decorated with tiny diamonds and if you look closely, you see that there’s ‘Alexia+Y/N’ engraved. “Open it”.

The Spaniard looks at you excited and you open it. There is the first picture of you two ever took with Nala and on the other side it’s the day and time engraved where you got together.

You feel a tear leaving your face but you don’t care at all. “It’s so pretty. Thank you honestly so much. I have never seen something this beautiful before.” Alexia smiles happily and hugs you from behind.

“Glad that you like it amore”. Alexia suddenly starts to suck on your favourite spot under your ear, definitely leaving a hickey.

You cling onto Alexia’s arms, her action sending shivers down your body. “Mhm, you like it?” You feel the smirk and just nod.

Alexia continues the assault on your body, leaving marks everywhere and telling you every time how pretty you are. You’ve moved to the bed and Alexia lost her clothes on the way to the bed too.

“Alexia please”. You look at her with your puppy eyes, sounding very needy. “What? Should I touch your drenched pussy?” She knows the answer but still wants to hear it from you. “Yes please.” You shakily breathe out. “Your wish is my command”.

With out anymore teasing, Alexia works on your clit, making you a moaning mess. You’re nearly reaching your climax when there’s suddenly a knock on the door. “How’s that?” Alexia asks annoyed and you just shrug, pushing Alexia back onto you.

“I don’t care, the person can come back later”. You start to make out with Alexia again and she starts fingering you. The both of you are so lost in your own world that you don’t notice your sister unlocking the door with the spare keycard you gave her.

“Are you fucking serious Y/N?”. Alexia and you quickly part away as you look at your sister in shook and ashamed that she caught you fucking your Barcelona captain.

“Omg Katie! Have you ever heard something about privacy?” You quickly give Alexia one of your over sized hoodies and put one on yourself.

“You weren’t answering the door but for real Y/N, you and la reina?” You stand next to Alexia, trying to comfort her, or yourself. “Yes and I love her so just shut up alright?” Your voice sounds annoyed.

“For how long?” She asks and this time Alexia answers. “two years. I’m sorry that we never told you but we never found the right time”. You nod in agreement.

“So you’re not just fucking my sister. You’re loving her back right?” Alexia quickly nods. “I love her more than I’ve loved anyone else”. You blush and look down at Alexia.

“Well, I’ll let it go this time because you look good in an Ireland hoodie. But I don’t want to see you guys fuck ever again, alright?” Both of you quickly nod.

[mj0702]

For my lovely rambling anon.... vale and Sam gave their ok so here's your sneak peek for the start of camp...

You exit the Multivan that picked Keira, Lucy and yourself up from the Airport huffing a little bit as the cold english wind grazed around your face and you pulled your hat deeper into your face. Your sister was already five steps ahead basically running up the stairs to the Hotel entrance. Keira got out of the car after you chuckling

“Not used to the english weather anymore, Bitsy?”

“I understand now why Luce chose Barcelona... it's fucking freezing... why aren't you cold?” you asked her as she just smiled at her

“It's a bit chilly I must admit...” Keira started as you interrupted her

“You sound like fucking royalty... it's a bit chilly” you rolled your eyes imitating her

“Careful there wee one...” she warned you but smiled nonless

“What's her mission?” you asked as you watch your sister standing in front of the entrance looking like she's mentally preparing for a WorldCup final

“Oh she's probably looking for G... you remember... the “talk”...” Keira grinned watching as all color leaves your face and you frantically pull out your phone shooting your girlfriend a one word text “HIDE”

“Lucy!!” you shouted sprinting after her as you watched in slow motion how your sister entered the Hotel lobby

“STANWAY!!!” you could hear her yell once inside while you sprinted up the stairs stumbling over the last step nearly fell but catched yourself just in time to not faceplant either into the glassdoor or the concrete

“Lucy... please... don't...” you panicly started as you entered the lobby to just find your sister looking around confused

“Where is she?” Lucy asked into the round of Lionesses who just looked at her with pure confusion on their faces

“Welcome to camp Bronze... who exactly are you looking for?” Millie said bewildered

“Yeah hi” Lucy answered quickly still looking around “I'm looking for Stanway”

“She was here just a second ago” Ella said starting to look around too

You also scanned the Lobby as you received a text from Georgia which just contained a picture of the group and you standing a little to the side. Your head snapped up and you tried to figured out from which direction the picture was send. As you finally spotted some blonde hair hiding behind one of the large bushy plants just a few feet away from the group you had to hold back the laugh that threatened to escape your lips.

[umichenginabroad]

Week 9: When is it Going to be Spring Already???

No one told me it would be so rainy, windy, and cold in March. Like I was getting jealous of Ann Arbor weather. I seriously had to pull out my sweaters and puffer again.

But, there are two positives things about this rainy, windy, and cold week. First, look at how beautiful the buildings get. This is the plaza I live right off of.

Second, this weather is perfect, what I call, “Museum weather.” If you haven’t caught on already, one of my favorite things about living in Madrid is the huge variety of museums. But, I can never justify spending hours inside a museum if it’s sunny out, because then it’s perfect park weather. So, I had been saving the Reina Sofía for a weekend exactly like this, and I also took the opportunity to go visit the Museum of Illusions, Palacio de Cibeles, and the Chamberí Ghost Station this week.

Similar to the Robot Museum from last week, the Museum of Illusions was a small, lesser known museum. It’s actually in a few major cities around the world, and it was another good way to spend a couple hours after school. My favorite exhibit was a vortex tunnel where you had to walk on a bridge that was stationary while the screens lining the tunnel spun. Even though I knew that the bridge was stationary, it still made me feel like the bridge was spinning, and it was hard to walk straight. It was super cool!!

After we visited the museum, I tried a pastry filled with Lotus-flavored cream. I had never seen that flavor before back home, but I’ve been seeing it everywhere here, so I decided to try it and it was sooo good!! It was the flavor of the Delta Biscoff cookies, which I normally don’t love, but there was something about it being a cream that made it so much better. I really should’ve taken a picture of it…

Hosted by Comillas, I also went to Palacio de Cibeles this week to see an exhibition on a collection of old Madrid street signs and learn more about the building. I feel like when you think of Madrid, Palacio de Cibeles is one of the most iconic buildings that represent the city. The ornate outside and its grand size definitely makes it one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. It was super cool to learn that the building was originally built as a central post office for telegrams, and later letters. People could come from all over the city and deposit their mail into boxes for specific cities, allowing them to call someone over in the morning from Barcelona for dinner the same day! Now, it’s used as a City Hall. I love that the building has free entry for people to go inside and view rotating exhibitions or grab a bite to eat. I'm including a picture of Palacio de Cibeles on in the sun too, since the clouds really don't do it justice.

Over the weekend, I went to explore Estación Chamberí, an old station in the Madrid metro station that has since been abandoned. Although the tour is free, tickets only release every month, and they sell out pretty quickly, so I had been waiting for this visit for a while. I didn’t know that the whole tour would be in Spanish, but I was surprised that I was able to understand about 95% of it. I guess my Spanish is getting better!

Walking into the station, everything was so well preserved that it felt like I time traveled back into the late 1900s. White tiles lined the walls, and tiled art and paper line routes and ticket fare charts were right at the entrance. Opened in 1919, I learned that the Madrid metro was modeled after the one in Paris. The station, however, closed in 1966 because the station was curved and sloped, so when they expanded the city and consequently the metro, from 4 cars in a train to 6, the bend radius was too large, and the last two cars snapped. So, it was then abandoned. It’s funny though because getting to the station was kind of a hike, and I couldn’t help but think how nice it would be to have a metro station in the area. The Chamberí station is also widely known as the “Ghost Station,” since people used to sleep in the station after it was abandoned. When line 1 goes past it, passengers would see people moving around and thought there were ghosts. 

The next day, I went to the Reina Sofía. This was the last museum I had to visit in the Golden Triangle of Art in Madrid (which consists of the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza). I knew this museum was more contemporary and modern than the Prado, so I was excited for the visit. I was lucky to visit during a special exhibition about Picasso’s works during the year 1906, which was when he started developing his unique style. They also had pieces from other artists that showed where Picasso’s inspiration came from, which was really cool to see. Something I learned was that his works were heavily influenced by African art, which was seen as more primitive than European art at the time, and Picasso started introducing it as a part of European art. Obviously, a highlight was seeing the Guernica in real life, and I spent a while digesting everything going on in the painting. It was also cool to see the planning for the painting and how it changed from the first iteration to the final that’s now in the museum.

While the Reina Sofía was definitely more contemporary, it was almost a little too modern for my liking compared to other museums of contemporary and modern art. Having gone to all three museums now, I think the Thyssen-Bornemisza is my favorite since it has works from the 1300s all the way to the 2000s, with really amazing explanations of each era. So if I had to recommend one, it would be that one. But, I still enjoyed it a lot! Here are some of my favorite pieces from my visit by Dalí (first two) and Juan Gris.

And, on Wednesday after my second Fluids exam, I decided to walk home since it was the one slightly less cold and cloudy day we had. On my way home, I went to Templo de Debod again for the sunset, and it ended up being so beautiful! Here are some pictures of the gorgeous sky. This is seriously one of my favorite spots in Madrid, and I’ll definitely miss it when I leave. 

Overall, this week was definitely more relaxed (much needed), and it gave me a good chance to go out and explore things that were on my tourist list for my time here in Madrid.

Seriously hoping for some sun soon,

Isha Venkatesh

Mechanical Engineering

Comillas — Madrid, Spain

[toxoiddiamond]

T H E B A S I C S Given Name: Rafael Caleb Isserlis Nicknames: His family all call him Ray, but most people just call him Rafael. Age: 30 Birthday: June 6th Zodiac Sign: Gemini Birthplace: Sunnyvale, California Current Location: Barcelona, Spain Speaks: English, Spanish, some Castilian, a bit of Hebrew but not much. Dominant Hand: Right Education: He graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His original focus was Computer Software Engineering, but he switched his focus to Drawing and Painting in his sophomore year. Occupation: Bouncer at a strip club, and he has been working on a comic book with a friend (Rafael is working on the art, and his friend is the writer/story creator) for about a year. They hope to publish and sell it at some point soon. Vehicle: 2003 Opel Zafira in silver. Not the most attractive car, but he got it for cheap and it has been very reliable for him. Worldly Possessions: Lots of art supplies, a bunch of comic books, tons of dog toys, a photo album full of family pictures (put together for him by his mother before he moved to Spain), and tons of blankets and pillows because he loves to be comfy~ Pet(s): A black and white Mucuchi named Oreo. Rafael loves taking Oreo pretty much anywhere that dogs are allowed, and Oreo is always very happy to go on adventures.

A P P E A R A N C E Height: Just under 6’ Hair: He generally keeps it trimmed short just because it is easier to take care of, though he occasionally grows it out a little longer so the curls really show. He’s never dyed it before, so it is his natural dark brown color. Facial Hair: He always has at least a little bit of facial hair, even if it’s just some light scruffiness. He does like to let it grow out more sometimes. Eye Colour: Brown with some flecks of hazel Skin Tone: Dark, though the tone varies depending on the time of year. He is quite a bit darker in the warmer months thanks to his love of the outdoors. Clothing: He dresses casually for the most part, lots of jeans and t-shirts (especially band tees). If he’s working, he might wear a nice jacket as well. He almost always wears combat boots, unless he’s going running or hiking, then he’ll wear comfy sneakers. He loves wearing beanies, especially in colder weather, and he has them in a bunch of different colors. Although he doesn’t have much reason to dress up, he does look great in a suit and has some nice clothes on hand just in case. Distinguishing Marks: He has a couple of large tattoos on his chest, and a half sleeve on his left arm. He plans on getting more tattoos at some point, but he hasn’t decided what he wants or where. Face Claim: Jordan Calloway

H E A L T H Physical Health: Rafael is in excellent health– he loves doing any sort of physical activity, especially if it involves being outdoors, so he's very fit. He works out on a regular basis and eats quite healthy (though he's not opposed to a little junk food now and then). He gets sick now and then, just minor things like a cold or a mild case of the flu, but he's never been seriously sick or anything. Basically, Rafael takes great care of himself. Physical Abilities/Limitations: He can lift very heavy things thanks to his weight training at the gym. He's got good endurance/stamina– he can hike or run for quite a long time before needing a break. He's a good artist with a very distinctive style; he is constantly drawing, doodling on napkins, just keeping his hands busy whenever he can. Addictions: No addictions to speak of. Allergies: Citrus in general makes his mouth hurt, but sometimes he eats it anyway because he just can't resist. Mental Health: Generally good. He had a very stable upbringing with lots of supportive friends and family around. He is lucky enough to never have experienced any sort of mental illness or any really traumatic events in his life.

H I S T O R Y Summary: Rafael was born in Sunnyvale, California to wealthy parents (his mother is an OB/GYN, and his father is a very successful software engineer). He was the fourth of five children. He grew up surrounded by a very loving family, including much of his extended family, and had a near idyllic childhood. Growing up, Rafael always showed an aptitude for art– he was quite a skilled artist from a young age, but he also had a deep interest in his father’s work and loved all things to do with technology. He taught himself to code when he was about twelve years old and even made a couple of very basic games just to practice. Rafael was always a great student, not exactly straight A’s since he had a bit of a hard time in his literature classes and some of the more complicated math classes, but he never got any grades lower than a B, and he always tried his hardest and studied a lot, did extra credit whenever he could, etc. He also always had a lot of friends and was a bit girl crazy in high school, so he was always dating a new girl. He was on his high school’s soccer team as well– the PE coach always wanted him to go out for the football team, but Rafael hated football and still does, so he never bothered, preferring to use the time to do various volunteer projects or just hang out with his friends. Thanks to his excellent GPA and a wealth of extracurriculars and volunteer experience, Rafael had an easy time getting accepted into UC Berkeley. He initially majored in Computer Software Engineering, as he’d always planned– but after a trip across Europe with some of his friends just before his Sophomore year of college, he had a shift in perspective and realized that he really wanted to focus on his art after all. He changed his major to focus on Drawing and Painting, which was a bit of a surprise to his family, but they were, as always, very supportive of his decision, especially since it turned out he wouldn’t lose any progress toward his degree. After graduating, Rafael decided to do what he’d always wanted to do and live abroad. He decided on living in Spain, since he had taken nearly eight years of Spanish between high school and college and was almost fluent at that point. He spent a few years just travelling around Spain, exploring, working odd jobs, meeting people, just having a good time. Eventually he ended up settling in Barcelona after meeting a particularly good group of people, finding himself a quaint little house in the heart of the city, and getting a job as a bouncer in a local strip club. He has been there ever since. Job History: He didn't have his first job until college– he worked as a barista at a Starbucks on campus for his entire college career, which he actually really enjoyed. Once he moved to Spain and started traveling around, he did tons of odd jobs helping out with manual labor, working in restaurants, helping out around people's houses, doing yard work, just anything he could find that didn't require a lot of commitment. Once he settled in Barcelona, he took a job as a bouncer in a strip club because it paid decently well and fit into his schedule very nicely– that is where he's been ever since. Fondest Memories: Lots of happy childhood memories, too many to list actually. One of his fondest memories is his trip across Europe with his college friends. Plus all his adventures across Spain and the various times his sister Eliana has come to visit him. Worst Experiences: His paternal grandparents both died in a car accident when Rafael was fourteen, and that was probably the single worst experience of his life. A couple of his breakups were particularly rough on him as well.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N Speech Pace/Style: Definitely not a smooth talker, but not super awkward either (unless he’s trying to flirt). He’s laid back when he speaks, not overly formal, always seems pretty relaxed (again, unless he is attempting to flirt). He doesn’t talk excessively, but he’s not quiet or shy either, always loves to jump into a conversation, especially if it’s about a subject he’s interested in. If someone gets him started on a subject he’s passionate about, he gets very animated and excited about it. Accent: American accent, which sometimes comes through in his Spanish– though his Spanish accent, for the most part, is pretty good. Favorite Phrases or Words: He says “oh snap!” a lot when speaking English, something that rubbed off on him thanks to his younger sister. Usual Curse Words: He doesn’t curse a whole lot– it’s not that he’s offended by cursing or anything, he just kind of doesn’t think to curse unless he’s angry or really passionate about something.

P E R S O N A L I T Y, M I N D S E T, A N D B E L I E F S Personality Type: ENFP-A Sense of Humor: Rafael loves to laugh and has a pretty open sense of humor. The only type of humor he doesn’t vibe with is super offensive or raunchy/sexual humor, that’s just not his thing. But anything silly, clever, wordplay or puns, non-sequitur/weird humor, all of that is totally his cup of tea. Habits: Rafael is a bit fidgety and always has to be doing something with his hands. He can be still if he actively focuses on not fidgeting, but it's a little difficult for him. He's constantly drawing on napkins or little pieces of paper, on himself, and on others if they'll let him. If he doesn't have a pen handy then he'll crack his knuckles or he'll kinda rock back and forth on the balls of his feet. He just really cannot hold still unless his mind is fully occupied with something. Fears/Phobias: The whole idea of ghosts or demons really freaks him out. He also sometimes has a touch of existential dread and wonders if he’s going to be alone forever, but that usually doesn’t last long, just a sleepless night or two and then he gets past it. Strengths: Rafael is a very caring, sweet person who is genuinely interested in other people and loves to help whenever he can. He is attentive to people’s needs and tends to anticipate those needs in advance, so he is quite a thoughtful person. In general, he’s an optimist who likes to look on the bright side of things no matter how bad the situation may get and tries not to let the little things get him down. He is also very protective of those he loves, and though he is friendly to people almost all of the time, if anyone is rude to or tries to hurt someone he cares about, he won’t hesitate to speak up on behalf of or physically protect his loved one. Flaws: While his optimism is often a positive trait, Rafael sometimes takes it too far and doesn’t allow himself to just be sad or angry now and then, even when it would be good for him. He tends to suppress any emotion he perceives as negative instead of actually processing his feelings. In relationships, he can be a bit possessive and jealous at times, but he knows that’s his own problem and he really tries not to take it out on his partners. Hopes/Desires: He really hopes to get his comics published at some point– he just really wants to get them out there, even if they don’t get super popular or anything, he’s just really proud of their work and wants people to see it. He also really wants to find someone he can settle down with (or go on adventures with), someone he can spoil with tons of love and affection. He would love to get married and maybe have kids someday, but if his partner didn’t want children he would be okay with that also. Self-Esteem: Super good, honestly. He has his moments of insecurity just like anyone else, but overall he is comfortable with himself and believes himself to be a good person. Religion: Kinda Jewish, kinda atheist. It’s complicated.

R A N D O M Sleeping Position: Curled up on his right side, usually. Boxers or Briefs?: Boxers Day or Night?: Night for sure, he is naturally a night owl. Top or Bottom?: Probably top more than anything, but if he was with a partner that wanted to switch it up, he would happily give it a try~ Partying or Relaxing?: This would be a really hard choice for him, but he would probably have to go with partying. He loves the atmosphere of a good party.

R E L A T I O N S H I P S Closest Friend: Besides his younger sister, Rafael's best friend is Isabel Maduro, a woman he met when he moved to Barcelona. They have been working together on a comic book series for a while now; she is a very talented writer who comes up with stories that blow Rafael's mind. They see each other fairly often not just to work on the comics, but to go on walks or out to lunch, or on the occasional hike. Relationship History: Rafael had a ton of relationships in high school, many of which lasted two weeks or less and obviously those relationships didn't get serious at all– Rafael was just kind of playing the field at that point. He didn't actually have sex, or a serious relationship, until his first year of college. He then dated his first serious girlfriend, and they lasted about six months before she broke things off because she felt he was more attached than she was and she didn't want to waste his time. That is actually how all of Rafael's relationships have gone since then– he always gets broken up with before a year has passed (often much sooner than that) because they're not as into him as he is into them, or he's just too much, being too intense, etc. As a result, he's now reluctant to express his feelings at all because he doesn't want to put pressure on anyone. Sexual Partners: Rafael doesn't exactly get around or anything, but he has had about a dozen sexual partners in his life, all of them women. Thoughts About Sex: Rafael loves sex within the confines of a relationship but doesn't have much interest in it other than that. One night stands, flings, anything like that is not for him. So far, Rafael has only been with women. He's been attracted to men before and he knows he's definitely not straight, but he's always been way too nervous to try and flirt with men. He has never come out to anyone but if he were to end up in a relationship with a man, he wouldn't hesitate to come out– his sister Eliana is a lesbian and currently engaged to another woman, and was readily accepted by their family, so he knows they would all support him if he ever told them.

P A R E N T S Name(s): Shira and Booker Isserlis Age(s): Both 64 years old. Social Standing: White collar for sure, and they are in very good social standing. Occupation(s): She is an OB/GYN who is set to retire in a couple of years, and he is a computer software engineer who doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon. Religion: She is Jewish and he is agnostic, but does observe/celebrate Jewish holidays and events. Quality of Relationship With Their Children: They love and support all of their children unconditionally. They do worry about Rafael sometimes just because he’s more of a wanderer than their other children, he’s a bit more aimless, but they know he can take care of himself. Living/Deceased: Both alive and in excellent health.

S I B L I N G (S) Name(s): Daniel Isserlis, Itai Isserlis, Tamar Huang, and Eliana Isserlis (soon to be Eliana Florakis). Age(s): 34, 32, 31, 29. Yes, their parents basically had all of their children back to back. Social Standing: They have all done very well for themselves, and are all in good social standing. Occupation(s): Daniel is a software engineer and works with their father. Itai is a forensic accountant and he has helped to arrest many white collar criminals. Tamar runs a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children by providing housing, food, education/tutors, and after school activities. And Eliana is an event planner who specializes in weddings. Religion: Daniel and Tamar are still devoutly Jewish. Itai and Eliana are more like Rafael– they appreciate and enjoy aspects of Judaism but they don’t really believe in it. Quality of Relationship with Character: Rafael loves all of his siblings and would do just about anything for them, but he is definitely the closest with Eliana out of all of them. He really only sees/talks to his other siblings a few times a year, but he talks to Eliana all the time. Living/Deceased: All alive.

D A I L Y L I F E Living Arrangements: He lives in a cute little one bedroom house right in the heart of the city, on a very busy street. He loves being right in the middle of everything, so it’s ideal for him. The place was a bit rundown when he first bought it, but he has fixed it up quite a bit and although no one would say it’s luxurious or anything, it’s definitely nice and comfortable. He loves having guests over and has lots of seating and a large TV, plus a pull-out couch in the living room just in case anyone stays the night, not to mention a spacious king sized bed in his room.

[zerooclockimagines]

Red Wine: Chapter 1

A series with Taehyung as the love interest but all members are in it (with some interesting side stories) 

Warnings: mostly fluff so no warnings I guess. 

Synopsis: Katie loves writing, her short essay wins an international competition and thus she gets to write the biography of the most famous band in the world; BTS. She has a lot of bagage and obstacles to overcome but along with her charming best friend Tara and seven sweet men she finds the world is not as bad as she thought, especially when she starts falling for one of them.

When I looked at each of their faces I saw their curiosity. They were searching me, searching for signs of what kind of person I was. I did the same. They stood up one by one and introduced themselves to me. Seokjin and Namjoon looked like decent guys, they even made a little smalltalk. Hoseok seemed, enthusiastic was the best word to describe it. He immediately pulled me in for a hug instead of shaking my hand.

Yoongi and Jimin looked like sweet but shy guys. They shook my hand, said their names and hurried back to their places. I guess it would take some time for them to get to know and trust me. I mean I think I would react the same if it was me in their place. There were only two of them that remained seated.

But maybe I should give you some background so you can understand what exactly is happening.

So I'm Catherine, Katie for short. I'm born and raised in a small town somewhere in the north of Belgium. If you don't know it, you probably have never heard of it. It was the kind of village where everyone knew everyone and the one night stand between a daughter of the butcher and the son of the mayor was the biggest news in months.

I was the kind of girl you wouldn't notice often. I liked to stay in the background. I had friends for sure but there wouldn't be any town gossip about me anytime soon.

For the public I grew up in a normal family but behind closed doors things happened the town knew nothing about. The relationship with my parents wasn't all that great. Luckily I lived alone now, well with my boyfriend. His name is Dean. He wasn't exactly my fairytale prince but he liked me, so that's something I guess.

We had been together for two years now. We had gone through really bad weather but there were also good times. I didn't know if I was really in love with him but I thought I was, I wanted to believe I was.

And then there was Tara, my best friend since I was about ten years old. She was nine at the time but she skipped a grade because she was a smart kid. I don't exactly remember how our friendship started. I just remember it being there and that was that.

She's always there for me no matter what. I was so grateful to have her in my life. She's the one who pushed me to enter this writing competition which brought me here.

The international essay writing competition. You had to send in a short story based on information they had sent you, a mini biography so to say. The winner got to go on tour with the biggest K-pop group of the moment to write their biography. I didn't know much about them, BTS I mean, only from what I had researched but they seemed kind though.

Okay so that's enough information for now, let me get back to my story. Where was I? Oh yes:

I believe one of the guys that remained seated was the youngest one, Jungkook, he looked like he was shy or he couldn't be bothered. He took one look at me, said his name and continued playing the game on his phone.

There was one boy who didn't even look up. I could only mark his black curls coming out from behind a thick novel. I couldn't see the title but it had to be a compelling story because he only looked up after the man who had guided me here called his name about five times. "Taehyung would you be as kind to greet our guest please?" He lifted his voice and tapped Taehyung on his shoulder.

Finally he lifted his eyes and looked at me. He was handsome you could give him that.

"Oh, hi sorry, this novel is rather compelling." He explained. He smiled, what a gorgeous smile that was. "I'm Taehyung." He said. "Catherine." I told him in return. "Nice to meet you Catherine." I gave him a polite nod and he went back to his novel. I had to say I applaud him for getting into the story so deep. I knew how it could be to get sucked into a novel and forget everything around you. That was probably what he was trying to achieve so I should let him be.

"Shall I take you to your room miss?" The older man, I had already forgotten his name, said. I nodded. "Of course." I turned around and followed him. I could feel eyes staring at me but I didn't let them know I knew.

The man brought me to a large room with a small balcony, honestly you could fit an entire family in here. The bed was king-sized and curtains draped around it. It could've come straight out of an middle aged TV-show or something.

The rest of the room was even more impressive. There was a desk in front of a large window with an incredible view of the city and a sofa on the opposite site. The fabric on the sofa looked so soft I wanted to dive in immediately but I restrained to do that in front of somebody.

"And over here is your bathroom." The man told me. He held open a door opposite to the large bed.

The bathroom was even more impressive than the room itself. There was a enormous walk-in shower and a bathtub. Well it was more a hot tub judging by the size of it. "We're staying here for another week but you should be packed by next friday, then we leave for Barcelona." I nodded. I loved Barcelona, it would be amazing to go there again. I hoped that next to my work I would be able to see some sights again. It had been such a long time since I had seen the Sagrada Familia or even parc Guell.

The man, whose name I still couldn't remember, had left and I started to set up my workspace. I took out my laptop and charger and placed it outside on the table instead of the desk. It was such beautiful weather, it would be a shame to stay inside. I also took out my notebook and favourite coffee mug and placed the them on the table.

After I got some coffee and biscuits I sat down and stared at the view.

Rome stretched out in front of me. It was such a beautiful city. You could feel like living in a story here. The buildings were probably centuries old and the squares dated back to the middle ages. I could see the markets that were held there long ago.

Now the squares were filled with people, mostly tourists.

"Enjoying the view?" A deep voice said behind me.

My coffee almost spilled all over me but I was just in time to set it on the table. "You scared me." I sputtered. "I'm sorry that was not my intention." He sat down beside me, his novel still in his hands. "I'm sorry I didn't greet you properly just now." He pointed to the direction of the other room. "It's just that when I get caught up in a novel I tend-"

"To forget the world." I put in. "I know the feeling." He smiled and stared into the city. "It is beautiful view, isn't it?" I looked at Rome again. "Yes it is." He turned his head back to me. "Sorry about my friends. They are just a little bit reserved but they'll warm up to you once they get to know you." I chuckled. "What about you?"

"I took a head start." He winked. "You're writing a book about our lives, it's better to be friends with you is it not?" He grinned and I let out a soft laugh. "I suppose it is."

"Great, I needed a friend anyway." He put down his book on the table. "Well besides those pigs." He joked. I laughed along with him.

"Maybe we should get us some drinks." He proposed. "Do you drink wine?"

"Yes, I love wine, especially red."

"You read my mind." Taehyung stood up and left.

He came back a few minutes later with a bottle of red wine and two glasses.

"Well this is one thing I can scrap of my bucket list." I said while he opened the bottle and poured the wine. "Meeting us?" He teased. "No, it's rather silly."

"Come on I don't bite." He sat down and took a sip of his wine. "To drink wine on a balcony in Italy. I know it's silly." I took a big sip from my glass. The wooden aromas of the wine filled my mouth. "It's not silly. What other things are on that list?" He wondered. I saw the chimmer in his eyes and the soft smile on his lips, he really wanted to know. he wasn't mocking me. 

And for some reason I felt like I could tell him anything. "Fine, just a few though." I took another sip from my wine before speaking. "I want to see the northern lights." He nodded. "See that's not silly at all, I would also love to see the northern lights one day." The corners of his lips rose. I continued: "To see the the niagara falls." I paused for a minute. "To dance with someone on the pont d'alexandre in Paris." Out of the corner of my eye I could see him looking at me. There was something in his stare I couldn't quite make out. Admiration maybe?

"To follow route 66 along America, to sing in the rain in London." I finished. There were another hundred things on my list but he didn't need to know every one of them, we just met. "In other words, you want to see the world." He pointed out. "I do."

"Well then you chose the right job." He smirked. I chuckled. "I guess I did." We looked at the view again and drank the rest of our glasses. "So what about you?" I asked him. "Why do you do what you do?" He took a minute to think about his answer. "I just love it. I love singing, I love dancing and I love to make other people happy by doing it." He sighted. "Isn't that why all artist do it? To bring a little happiness into the world?" I lifted my shoulders. "I don't know but that was a great answer." He laughed and that showed his full smile.

It was a weird smile in the shape of a rectangle. A sort of boxy-ish smile. I kind of adored it though. It made his face light up like he was the happiest man to be alive. "Okay so I have a question for you before I decide I can be friends with you." Taehyung winked. "How do you feel about dogs?" I chuckled.

"I love dogs." I replied. "I used to have one." I could see the hint of a smile on his face telling me I had chosen the right answer. "What kind?" He asked. "A golden retriever, Olly. I still miss him sometimes." I sighted. "I just miss having a loyal best friend around." I continued. "Then why not get one?"

"Because my boyfriend doesn't really like dogs that much." He almost choked on his wine. "I'm sorry?" He said next. "What kind of monster are you dating?" I laughed. "The things one does for love." He shook his head but didn't say anything else. I was kind of relieved about that, I wasn't really ready to discuss the details of my love life with someone who was a stranger to me four hours ago.

We ended up just talking for hours about our lives. It felt as if I'd known him for years even though we'd just known each other half a day.

[seelaa26]

1. Next Stop, Vegas Please

“Gonna sell my car and go to Vegas, ‘cause somebody told me that’s where dreams would be”

My eyes were confused when I opened them due to the sun setting on my window plane. I lost track of time after so many hours flying but I knew we were arriving to Vegas. From the air, the city was unmistakable; you could distinguish  The Strip, it’s almost a 7 km stretch, known by its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. Honestly, that was the reason why I chose this city to do my internship, besides the fact that the Crime Lab was the best forensic scientific laboratory in the whole country, Sin City had everything; everything and anything you want to do, you can do in Las Vegas.

The airplane landed a while after and when I set foot on the ground, I couldn’t help but smile even though I was terrified. Leaving my country to go to live to another one all by myself. ¿Was it one hell of a step? Yes, but a necessary one. I wanted to push myself because I needed proof of my inner power; if I could do this, there was nothing I couldn’t do. I worked and studied hard for four years, graduated with honors and got the scholarship. The scholarship covers part of my staying in the city during the nine months; pays half my rent and the car rental. The rest of my payroll was for me. Obviously, I wasn’t going to earn the same money as my coworkers, I had a scholarship contract but it was enough to live comfortably.

My college made the car rental for me, a red Opel Astra with manual transmission and Diesel fuel. I only knew how to drive with manual transmission, so I figured that’s why they rented that car. I adjusted the seating position, started the car and typed the address of the apartment. Dream Apartments was a complex with a clubhouse and a gym, besides the apartment of course. It took me 20 minutes but I got there with success. I parked the car in front of the complex, went to reception and after the registration, they gave me the key to my new home. I followed a tile path and saw a wooden door with a door sign; 898 SF, my apartment. I opened the door, climbed the stairs carrying my suitcase and as soon as I was upstairs, I was impressed by the elegance. The apartment walls were white, wooden floor and everything else was black; doors, frames, curtains, paintings.. I loved it. After the excitement, I realized that I didn’t sleep in the plane but I needed to start getting used to the night shift so I had to stay awake at least until 8 am, since the shift was from 11 pm to 7 am. So, ¿where shall I start? Let’s walk around the neighborhood.

***

When I asked at reception where Gil Grissom’s office was I couldn’t believe it. I did not know what I expected, but his office wasn’t it. There was a metal desk in the middle of the room, which was normal but the rest of the office was full of shelves with glass jars that contained all kind of things you can imagine; a small pig fetus, spiders, frogs, snakes.. all of them dead, obviously but still, creepy.

If that wasn’t enough, he also had specimens of butterflies and bugs framed on the wall. When I was a child, I had a collection with various specimens of scorpions, spiders and beetles conserved in glass, but that was just for fun.

-¡Hi! –a voice spoke behind me, which made me jump from the scare, but he smiled afterwards- Sorry. Welcome to Forensics. Gil Grissom, I’m your supervisor on “Graveyard”.

-Laura Serrano –I introduced myself while shaking hands- ¿”Graveyard”?

-That’s how we call the night shift.

-¿Why? –I asked curiously.

-Because of the same reason you chose this shift –I wondered how did he know that, but he answered before I could even ask- ¿Do you remember what you wrote on the application?

-Actually, I do –I nodded- I wrote that I wanted to work the night shift because of the number of crimes that occur at this time. People are drawn by the allure of the darkness, and so am I.

-That quote is the reason why I accepted your internship –he confessed- You know Laura, this job requires someone who is not afraid to explore the darkest corners. CSI’s see everything and deal with the most twisted things you can imagine. It takes a strong mind to handle it, and I believe you have one.

-I agree and that’s why I can’t wait to be on the field.

-We’ll begin our shift when the team arrives, so while we are waiting.. ¿would you mind taking off your jacket and rolling up your sleeve? I need a pint of your blood. It’s mandatory for all new hires.

A few minutes later, we left the office and headed to the locker room, where the CSI’s store their personal belongings, so I could leave my bag. As we were approaching, two male voices could be heard louder. From the way Grissom smiled, he recognized them. Two good looking guys were talking while putting on their shoes leaning on the bench. One of them was an African American with brown hair and green eyes and quite tall. The other was American with dark hair and brown eyes and a little bit shorter, although I have to admit that I fell for his smile. When he smiled, laugh lines appeared around his cheeks and eyes making him look cuter.

-C’mon, give me a winner for tomorrow.

-Green Bay, minus seven and a half over Niners –answered the African American- Always go with the better quarterback.

-Warrick, Nick –Grissom called, making them look at him and me- I want to introduce you to Laura, she’s the girl who comes to do the internship.

-Nick Stokes –the cute one introduced himself.

-Warrick Brown –he shook my hand after Nick did- You’re from Spain, right?

-Yes, Barcelona –I nodded.

-Man, how I wish to be there.. –Nick mumbled- Great gastronomy, cool weather and views to the Mediterranean.

-¿You’ve been there? –I asked.

-Not yet, but I’m looking for a place for my next vacation –he answered- Now that I’m CSI Level 3 I can afford to travel further than Texas.

A brunette woman entered the locker room in a hurry and greeted everyone without noticing me. I guessed she was another member of the night shift. She was tall and skinny.

-Hey Sara, do you remember that the new girl started working today? –Grissom asked, but she didn’t even look.

-Yeah, ¿why? –she answered and looked for a moment, then she realized- Oh sorry, I’m Sara Sidle, nice to meet you.

-Don’t worry –I smiled- Nice to meet everyone.

-Not everyone.. –Grissom looked around- ¿Does anyone know where’s Catherine?

-She had to pick Lindsey up from her ex’s house, but she’s on her way –Warrick answered- It’s Lindsey’s birthday today.

-Wait for her outside, you’re working together and take Laura with you. 401A at Fremont Street –Grissom commanded as he gave me my CSI credential- Nick, Sara, you’re with me.

-¿What’s a 401A? –I asked Warrick while we were leaving the locker room.

-Hit and run.

I put the credential around my neck and followed him to the exit of the building. When we arrived outside, I saw a skinny, blonde woman approaching us with a weary look on his face.

-Hey guys.. –she said- You must be Laura, the new girl.

-That’s right –I smiled to make her feel comfortable- You must be Catherine.

-Nice to meet you, Laura. Sorry for being late –she looked at Warrick- ¿Are we working together?

-Yeah, hit and run on Fremont –he showed the keys that belonged to one of the cars the CSI’s use to do their job- I’m driving.

***

When we arrived at the crime scene it was already cordoned off. Warrick parked a couple of meters away from the police tape and then we got out of the car. The first thing I saw was the victim; a little girl. I didn’t expect that since it was night and kids don’t go alone on the street. Besides, it was a little girl. ¿Who is capable of leaving her there without calling the police? Cowards.

-¿You okay? –I heard a male voice asking that, and then I realized I stopped walking the moment I saw the girl.

-Yeah, yeah.. It’s just that.. –I tried to find the words to say ignoring that they were both looking at me.

-It’s hard –Catherine finished- I wish I could say it gets easier, but I’m not a liar. The only thing you can do is find whoever did this and get justice.

-Then I’m lucky.. Because that’s exactly our job -I looked at them and sighed- ¿Hoy many hit and runs have you had this year?

-Too many –Warrick replied as he bent down to look at the ground- One thing I can’t stand is a punk coward.

-My daughter wants one of these scooters –Catherine indicated with the flashlight- She says that she’s the only kid in the world who doesn’t have one.

My gaze went back to the little girl’s body but it was something I couldn’t control. I couldn’t concentrate on anything else but her. She had a scared look on her face. My heart shrunk from the sadness of her accident. She was so young and full of life and it only took a couple of seconds to take that away.

-¿Do you want me to tell Grissom to put you in another case? -No –I answered- ¿Why?

-¿You feeling alright Warrick? –Catherine asked in a worried tone- ¿It’s that thing with Holly Gribbs, isn’t it?

-I’m just looking out for my partners, you know.. –Warrick replied with a frown- It made me think who I am to you.

-Hey relax –she smiled at him and then looked at me- I’m sure Laura can handle this one.

-I can –I nodded- I’m okay, but thank you for the offer.  

-So, Laura the first thing we do is take a close look at the crime scene and then we take pictures of everything that could be evidence–Catherine explained- In this case, for example, the scooter, the victim’s shoe, the tire marks.. Then we try to recreate what happened with the evidence we’ve got so far. Warrick, ¿you wanna call it?

-Vehicle’s coming down from Rochester, victim was on her scooter heading east, car breaks here, impact here and the vic was thrown.. ¿What? ¿20 meters? –he explained while indicating everything with his fingers.

-And all we’ve got is some paint that’s going to match up to about 20 million other vehicles.. –Catherine sighed- Bastard.

***

I saw them collect the evidence from the crime scene and the next step was get it back to the lab while the coroner performed the victim’s autopsy. Luckily, she was the only dead body that night so it wouldn’t take long. Warrick took the evidence to the rightful departments.

-¿Have you had the chance to walk around the Lab?

-Actually, no.

-I’ll show you around while we wait for the autopsy then –Catherine said and started walking- First we have the DNA Lab, territory owned by Greg Sanders, lab tech specialized in DNA and also in listening commonly rock artists while running lab machines. You’ll meet him, you’ll like him.

-Rock is my favorite genre so I already like him.

-Next to DNA we have Ballistics and in front Audio/Video –we continued walking- We have Trace and Fingerprints over here and down the hall to the right we have the Evidence Garage next to the Evidence Vault and to the left the Locker room, Grissom’s office, the Break Room and the Layout Room.

-¿Layout Room?

-We use that room to review evidence and look for new evidence, compare notes, display the photos from the current case and use the table to draw out rough sketches on maps –she answered with a good explanation- ¿Any more questions? -I have one but it’s not about the Lab.. –she looked at me waiting for me to ask- ¿Who’s Holly Gribbs?

-She was a rookie who started working with us two weeks ago. Holly and Warrick were working together on a case but he left and when Holly was alone collecting evidence from the crime scene, the suspect came back and shot her –Catherine explained it regretfully- She died on the operating table.

-Warrick feels guilty., -I concluded- That’s why he asked me if I wanted to work another case, to make sure I’m okay.

After I finished my sentence, Catherine’s phone rang. It was time for us to head to the morgue, which was downstairs. Before entering the morgue itself, we stopped on the hall to put on the sterile lab coat.

-¿Have you ever seen a dead body?

-Yeah, I took human anatomy classes –I nodded- I wanted to be ready.

-Good –she smiled proudly- Usually, the night shift coroner is Dr. Albert Robbins, but today is his day off so you are going to meet Dr. Jenna Williams.

We entered the morgue and approached the central table while making introductions.  

-This is your hit and run victim –the coroner uncovered the girl and looked at me- Bad thing about this job is you stop asking yourself why. The cause of death was the hit by the car, but I’ve found a bruise on her leg.

-Oh my god.. plate numbers, from the license plate when impacted her skin.

-Looks like a 4.. –I looked at the bruise trying to decipher the license plate- ¿And a J?

-Yeah –Catherine agreed- We have to call DMV.

-¿DMV? –I asked.

-Department of Motor Vehicles, we’ll get them to cross check this partial plate in a 5 mile radius.

***

Actually, waiting for an answer from DMV didn’t take as long as I expected. Within the hour we already appeared at the door of the car owner’s house. This was my first time face to face with a suspect and as my first night was full of unexpected things, an older man opened the door.

-¿Hello? –Catherine said with a smile- ¿Mr. Charles Moore? We are with the Las Vegas Crime Lab. We’d like to talk to you about your car.

-We believe it may have been involved in a traffic collision earlier this evening.

-I told the police when they called me.. my car was stolen.

-That’s why we have a search warrant, sir –Catherine gave him the paper- So that we can look in your garage.

When he opened the garage door with that face I already knew we were going to find his car in there and in what condition. From the sad attitude he had, he knew what happened. The front of the car was busted and the license plate hung from its place. We looked at each other, and then we looked at him. We were waiting for an explanation.

-It.. it was an accident.. I saw the girl and I tried to break but I accelerated by mistake. I got confused.. I shouldn’t have left. I was wrong. ¿Is she okay?

-She died at the scene –Catherine said without being affected by the man’s repentance.

-You are going to be charged with manslaughter, Mr. Moore –Warrick added- Felony and run. You have a lawyer?

He didn’t answer, but he looked like he was sad and sorry to hear what happened. Obviously, killing the girl wasn’t his intention, but he had to face it. After finding the car, we had to make sure it was the correct car and we needed evidence so we called Traffic to have the car confiscated and brought in. While we waited, we went to the break room to eat and drink something.

-¿Is it me or did he give it up so easy? –Catherine asked us as she was taking out a cake from the fridge.

-Old guy was scared –Warrick answered with a soda on his hand- ¿What do you think, Laura?

-I also think that he was scared, I mean he almost cried when he heard the girl died but I feel like there’s something more.

-¡You have to see the birthday present I got for your daughter! –Grissom entered the break room while carrying a bag- I had one of this Chem Labs when I was six, I almost blew up the whole house.  

-¿What’s the rule.. how long do I have to be here before kicking in for gifts? –I asked with confidence.

-When your spirit moves you –Catherine answered with a smile- But don’t worry because Lindsey doesn’t want a party.

-¿What kind of kid doesn’t want a party? –Sara asked.

-My kid.

-Hey Catherine.. ¿at what time is your little girl coming by? –Nick entered the room with a gift- I got her a Chemset.

Grissom and Nick exchanged surprised looks. They had bought the same gift.

-Keep it –Sara intervened- You might learn something.

-Stop flirting with me –Nick ignored her- Cath, really, ¿when’s the party?

-¿What do I have to do? –Catherine got up from the chair a little bit upset- ¡There is no party! ¡My daughter doesn’t want a party! ¿Is everybody clear on that?

No one was going to answer after that. Crystal clear.

***

-¿How tall do you think Mr. Moore is? –Warrick asked us leaning on the car.

-Six feet, I’d say –Catherine answered after we exchanged a look.

-Old people must love hugging the steering wheel ‘cause this sit is pushed all the way forward –Warrick opened the door and got into the car. He didn’t quite fit- I’m six feet and this mirror isn’t helping me at all.

-¿Can you start the car? –I asked.

-¿Why?

-If you haven’t noticed I’m 5 feet and when I drive I have to push the sit all the way forward.

-You think that it wasn’t Mr. Moore who was driving but someone shorter.

As soon as he started the car, the radio turned on and a rap song started playing. Warrick whistled impressed by the song and started moving his head to the beat of the song. In my case, I knew the song and started rapping it.

-So they can hear everything that you say when you ain’t home. I guess Michael Jackson was right, “You are not alone”. Rock your hardhat black..

-¿You listen to Mos Def? -Warrick asked impressed.

-I thought you said Rock is your favorite genre –Catherine intervened.

-¡And it is! But I listen to everything and when it comes to rap Mos Def, 2Pac, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G, Eminem, Blackstreet.. are some of my favorites.

-¡I like your style! –Warrick smiled at me.

-Mr. Moore was not the last person to drive this car –Catherine was the only one who wasn’t absorbed by the song- ¿Turn the music off?

Now it was time to find the evidence that would sustain our theory. Since it was my first day, I limited myself to observe how they did the search and collection of evidence. The steering wheel cover was leather but it had small breathable circles and there was something stuck in one of them. Catherine took it with the tweezers and showed it to us.

-¿Can you tell what that is?

-¿Is it me or that is a piece of tooth? –I questioned.

***

After collecting the evidence and come to a conclusion, came the part of the confrontation with the suspect. I wanted to see how my colleagues faced the situation in the interrogation room. I had no experience, so I couldn’t enter just like that. Instead, I watched it all from the observation mirror.

-¿Does anybody else drive your car, Mr. Moore? –Warrick started.

-I was driving yesterday.

-Sir, that doesn’t answer our question.

Suddenly, the door opened and a boy about 19 years old entered the room. It was the suspect’s grandson. The boy seemed lost, but the grandfather more.

-¿What is he doing here? –Mr. Moore asked.

-Your grandson is an approved driver on your insurance –Catherine explained- He had him pulled out of school

-So James, ¿you like Mos Def?

He sat down without saying a word.

-¿Did you hit that girl with your grandfather’s car?

-Pops, let me explain to them –the boy said addressing his grandfather- They should hear what happened.

-No, they are going to from me –he nervously clasped his hands together and began to explain- When I hit that girl, James switched seats and took over the wheel, drive me home. He was worried about me, not the girl. I’m not saying good judgment was used, but that’s what happened.

-James, ¿do you want to add anything to that? –Warrick asked, but since the boy didn’t say anything, he continued- Sir, ¿can we look at your teeth?

Mr. Moore took out his dentures and put them on the table.

-James, we found a tooth chip embedded in the steering wheel of your grandfather’s car –Catherine explained again- It doesn’t appear to be of your grandfather’s teeth. ¿Do you have a chipped tooth?

-Pops, I’m sorry but I got to –he was going to tell the truth.

-He is a good boy.. it was an accident. I make him call, let me know where he is. He drove straight home and wanted me to go to the police station with him.

-I didn’t know that little girl was dead. I swear.

-I wouldn’t let him turn himself in, that was my decision –he appealed to our emotions for his grandson- Boy’s going places, college.. he’s got a real future.

-I’m very sorry, Mr. Moore –Catherine mumbled with a sad tone- James, I’m afraid you are gonna have to be taken into custody.

-Miss, please.. –he begged- I’m willing to serve his time.

-I know you are Mr. Moore but we can’t let you do that.

Two police officers entered the room and handcuffed the boy. Taking him by the arms, they left the room and went to reception, where he was going to say goodbye to his grandfather. When Warrick and Catherine left the interrogation room, I joined them. There was a feeling of sadness between us.

-Hey, ¿why don’t you go home? We can handle this –Warrick said to Catherine- Your daughter gets out of school in a half hour on her birthday.

-I owe you –she smiled at him, and then look at me- See you tonight, guys.

Warrick and I exchanged glances and approached them.

-Don’t worry pops, I’ll be okay.

-My grandson going to jail is never okay. You survive in there, ¿you hear me?

-You too –James nodded- Don’t be going downhill.

They hugged each other for the last time with tears in their eyes and honestly, they were not the only ones who had them.

-James, the first days are going to be the toughest –Warrick took his hand and wrote something on it- Here’s my cell number. If you are in any problems, call me. I’ll be right there. Keep your head up.

James was taken away and his grandfather left too. We both stood there, watching them go. Watching how they were forced to separate.

-That has been very good of you –I said touched by his act of kindness.

-They remind me of me and my grandmother –Warrick confessed- ¿How do you feel after the first case? This has been a pretty tough emotional one. You have seen two very hard emotions; tragedy and sacrifice.

-Thanks to them I have realized something –I nodded- You’ve got so much power in this job, which you use to get the bad guys but once in a while, I’d like to use it to help the good guys.

-¿And what.. forget about little Renda Harris?

-No.. –I looked at him- What I’m saying is that putting James away isn’t gonna bring her back and Mr. Moore was willing to do the time. I mean, the victim’s family gets closure..

-I know.. but we got to follow the evidence, even if we don’t like where it takes us –Warrick turned to face me- Laura, it’s the job. If you start making deals with the devil, you don’t get to walk away. ¿You understand what I’m saying?

-Yeah..

-Now it’s time to go home –he said watching reception’s clock- You did very well on your first day. Get some rest, ¿okay?

I went back to the locker room to collect my things and when I left the building, I got in the car and just sat there. I had waited so long for my first case and to feel that high when I’d solve it, but I didn’t feel that way. Not at all. Instead, I felt guilty and this had only just begun.

[jbeverywhere]

Myths about Poland and Poles

It’s time. Let me explain you some things. I hope this post will be a nice Polish culture lesson.

I asked some foreign friends what they think about Poland and Polish people, what had they thought before going there, how it was different at the end, etc. And also I added what I usually hear and drives me crazy 🤦‍

1. Temperature

Polish person: “It’s cold” ; Foreigner: “but you’re from Poland..”

And what? I’m Polish and I don’t feel cold? Aha. I think this is the most annoying answer which I hear a loooooot of times.

People have really bad image of Polish climate especially when they haven’t stayed there for longer time. So we have 4 seasons (+ 2 transitional ones).

early spring - March and April when the weather is going crazy. One day is snowing and -10⁰C, another day sunny and +15⁰C. You never know :D So if you go to Poland that time - be prepared for that, take different kind of clothes.

spring - May - first storms, during Juwenalia always rains, but the first week last years was really sunny and warm - perfect for Polish barbecue opening season :D

summer - may be hot as f.ck or colder and rainy. Many storms especially in August. Nights are much colder than days. But - surprise- temperature around 30⁰C is normal. And because the nights are colder you can sleep well - you won’t melt in your bed.

autumn - colder nights, leafs are brown, it may be really beautiful. More rainy days but still can be sunny.

early winter - October/November - crazy like early spring - may snow, may rain, may be sunny. You feel the winter in the air.

winter - yes it’s cold, but outside. Inside the buildings - it’s warm - surprise. For example I don’t have special pyjamas for winter nights because in my room is around 20⁰C. You go outside you put winter jacket and boots on. May be even -20⁰C (omg wow omg) but then you enter the house and t-shirt is enough. For example in Spain - I’m dying. Winter in Barcelona and in the flat for 3 months 12⁰C - IN THE FLAT. I opened the windows to put some warm air. In Valencia maybe not that drastic (probably it depends on the flat as well) but still I slept with 1 duvet, 2 blankets and the warmest pyjama ever xDDD So please, don’t tell that I’m from Poland and 12⁰C in the room should be perfect. Please.

So in Poland it’s like from minus extreme to plus extreme - variety! I think I like it, I just don’t like that the weather changes immediately. But the most important - inside the buildings - nooooo extreme. It’s pleasantly. So please don’t say to Poles that we should be used to the cold temperature. It’s personal not national thing, I love when is warm and I’m “more ok” with the summer in Valencia than Valencianos (they should be used to that hot no? XD exactly).

2. Music

“Omg la polaca knows reggaeton songs”

“OMG there is Polish reggaeton” 

Ok. Music is a difficult topic. But yyy yes, in Poland they use to play reggaeton (fortunately or unfortunately). For example - in Warsaw and Krakow there are clubs: Teatro Cubano - where there is only reggaeton and some latino rhythms. So if you love to dance to this kind of music, don’t worry, you will find a perfect club for you. 

I really like Polish music, especially now I think it’s really good one. But I like others as well, I have Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, even one German song in my playlists because - why not - variety! And reggaeton I like for the energy and dancing rhythms. Also I like it as a “culture”, for me it’s interesting and fascinating - I can talk about it hours! :D

3. The look

“Polish people are blond with blue eyes” XDDDD hehehehehehhehehehehehhehe

I’M NOT BLOND - first thing to note. The sun in Spain makes my hair lighter but still is not blond. In Poland there are different types of hair and skin. We are not so white. And blue eyes are not thaaaat common. Brown, green, blue, grey - but also not that brown like Spanish ;) AAAAAND - surprise - we can be tan! Wow! xD There are people who have really white skin and the sun changes it to red, but mostly Poles are tan in summer and even I would say that we love to be morenitos ;) What is funny for me (here we have the Spanish myth) that I’m more tan than many Spaniards. So let’s repair the myths: Poles may be tan in summer Spaniards are not tan at all (the Latinos yes - but also not always!).

4. Location

OK. It’s geographic lesson time.

What I heard once: “For me everything what is on the right from Germany is RUSSIA” omg. Where is my patience. omg. Please, think before saying shits like that. It hurts.

We are not that small in Europe. We have 7 neighbors, OWN language which is not Russian (it’s juuuust a liiiiittle bit similar, like some words). I can understand somehow Slovaks and Czechs but Russians - few words. AND IMPORTANT - we have Latin alphabet! Not Cyrillic like Russia. We are Slavic countries, our language is from Slavic family, Slavs love each other (in their way of love ;* ) but each of us is different and we exist, we are not Russia - note that in your head.

5. Religiousness

This is difficult topic. Yes, we are mostly Catholics and we don’t hide it. But not everybody. Many people are very religious - and I respect that. It’s kind of beauty, traditions and everything. It builds the culture. The problem appears when someone forces others to own rights. When religious is an argument in the politic world. And this I agree - in Poland we have a problem with that. But when you visit Poland don’t show your aversion to the religion. Respect it and be curious - then you can discover many nice things, interesting traditions and some kind of passion. I love to talk about our traditions and you can see it in my posts about Christmas and Easter.

6. Safety

This is more region problem than country problem. I mean, everywhere you go - you can meet bad people. In Kraków there were “bad times” but it was long time ago. When I was living there I felt really safe. Many times I came back alone and I’ve never had a strange/dangerous situation. And I always passed so many police during the night. So I think in big cities the government cares about the security. 

Just don’t enter any places where you can meet pseudo-fans of football and don’t scream any football team name. This I see still as a problem in Poland. But I don’s say that going to the matches is a bad idea.

7. Food

This I’m writing thanks to the opinions of those who visited Poland and tried Polish cuisine. So what I heard, that some Erasmus were afraid about the food, that it may be a bad quality and not tasty, but theeeen - surprise! - Where are you from? - from Poland - oooo soplica!!!! (ok, this is not food) - żurek! - pancakes - placki ziemniaczane! - PIEROOOOOGI <3 

So if you haven’t visited Poland yet, you haven't tried Polish cuisine - be prepared 😋😋😋

And you have me to ask before!

8. Language

Hehe Ok, it’s not the easiest language in the world. But it’s not an impossible one! So if you are planning to spend in Poland even only few days it’s nice to use: - dzień dobry - good morning - dziękuję - thank you - przepraszam - I’m sorry/excuse me - proszę - please/you’re welcome - do widzenia - goodbye - dobranoc - good night

Poles will appreciate a lot! We love when someone is trying to say something, and we know that it’s not easy. 

And! I know some people who stayed to live in Poland and their Polish is - wow! So as you see, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE ;)

9. Character

Hmmm I heard that some of you were afraid that Poles won’t be friendly but then again surprise. Well, I think we are nice people xD We are for sure hospitable. There is always a bottle of vodka and some cookies for a casual visit.

English is not our native language, more and more people can speak it but still not all (well like in other countries). But we won’t leave you without helping you when you ask. Gesticulating, speaking slower and louder (because this changes everything xD) - there is always a way to communicate and express yourself. 

So smile and don’t be afraid of us, especially me, I don’t bite! :D

Meme to sum up

10. Famous Poles

I think you may know many but even you don’t realize that. So let me remind you or introduce you Poles who have changed the world.

- Robert Lewandowski - football player in Bayern Monachium

- Jakub Błaszczykowski - was a football player in Borussia Dortmund

- Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) - Heliocentrism, stopped the sun, moved the Earth ;)

- Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin - composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era

- Marie Skłodowska Curie - (note: her first surname is Polish. And in many places they skip it -.-) - physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and the only woman to win the Nobel prize twice, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two different scientific fields

- Tadeusz Kościuszko - military engineer, statesman, and military leader who became a national hero in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and the United States.

- Pope John Paul II - Karol Wojtyła - the first non-Italian pope since the 16th-century, the second longest-serving pope in modern history, one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. Etc, etc. We are really proud of him and you can see that - everywhere there is his name, a looot of monuments etc.

- Lech Wałęsa - statesman, dissident, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who served as the first democratically-elected President of Poland.

- Andrzej Wajda - film and theater director. Recipient of an Honorary Oscar, the Palme d'Or, as well as Honorary Golden Lion and Honorary Golden Bear Awards.

- Roman Polański - film director, producer, writer, and actor. There was a quite big scandal with him - no comment.

- Robert Kubica - he became the first and only Polish driver to compete in Formula One.

- Anja Rubik - supermodel, activist, philanthropist, and businesswoman.

- Adam Małysz - former ski jumper and rally driver, one of the most successful athletes in the history of the sport.

- Wisława Szymborska - poet, essayist, translator and recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature.

- Robert Korzeniowski - the best walker in the world, he won 4 gold medals at the Olympics (Atlanta, Sydney and Athens).

- Izabella Scorupco - actress, singer, and model. She is perhaps best known for having played Bond girl Natalya Simonova in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye. 

- Justyna (Justi, JB) Biel - Polish butterfly with Latin blood, author of this (and the other) blog. Known by you, one day by others as well.   

and much much more!

11. Alcohol

Yes, I know, I shouldn’t forget about the most important - vodka. Yes we drink it, yes, on the parties, birthdays, etc. Yes, shots. We drink shot of vodka and then one/two/many sips of juice/coke/water/etc.

But come on, I don’t get why it horrifies you. Like vodka is 40%, rum, whisky, gin - all which you drink is also 40% and for me has even worse taste (especially gin, uff please don’t offer me that, never). Or tequila! Madre mía.

We don’t drink vodka with the dinner, like many people do with wine. Wine is also kind of alcohol I would like to remind.

And yes, we love beer a lot. And normal glass of beer is 0.5l - we don’t have smaller ones.

So, I hope... since now when I ask you to drink vodka on the before party - please, don’t be afraid and drink it with me, I’ll appreciate it! 

Ok. I think that’s all. I hope that since now your image of Poles and Poland is much better - the correct one. Here you have everything in one picture xDD

[benitezalise94]

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Symbole Reiki Niveau 1

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[elliotlikespuke]

Plz post them!!

why can I never just post a short thing. why can I never just say “hey wouldn’t it be cool if [this thing] could happen”?

knee injury (I just learned that a paramedic and emt are not the same thing??? So pretend this says paramedic and not emt) -I’m so torn, because I don’t want him to have to take time off from competing, but every athlete will at some point -at some point during a gp series, yuri dislocates his knee -he’s been a skater for a long time, and he knows how to take a fall, and therefore its so so stupid that he managed to slam his kneecap into the ice at an awkward angle -it had happened before, sure, usually leading to some swelling and an intense bruise. it had also happened on his hips, ankles, elbows, you name it -this time though, the pain cuts through him before he’s aware of anything else, and suddenly he feels like he’s going to be sick all over the ice, or pass out, or both -he can’t even cry, he can barely make a sound the pain is so extreme -since the rink he skates at is always full of skaters, someone helps him off the ice and onto a bench before he dies, since it looks like he might do that from the shock -an ambulance is called immediately, because in the leggings he wears you can clearly see his right kneecap is well off from where it’s meant to be -he can barely get words out, but when yakov makes a move for his knee, ready to poke around it to assess the damage, yuri all but squeaks at him not to -he doesn’t want to look down at his leg, and is almost certain that if he does, he’ll puke -he doesn’t know why yakov asks him to straighten it, it’s clearly dislocated, what good could that possibly do, but he tries, and that’s when he starts crying -theres no warning, no possibility of holding back any tears, one minute his eyes are dry and the next his cheeks are wet with big fat tears -from what we saw at the 2016 gpf, he’s not a pretty crier, nor is he a quiet one -injuries aren’t uncommon in the rink, but injuries to this degree definitely are, and everyone collectively comes to a standstill -yakov stays beside him, handing him tissues to press his face into since he hates letting people see him cry -yakov keeps talking to him, telling him the ambulance will be there soon and to just keep holding on, but yuri still feels like he’s going to pass out -yakov feels a responsibility to his students to go with them when they are injured, and this is exactly what he does -he dismisses the rest of his students for the day, understanding that viktor, yuuri, mila, and georgi will likely meet him at the hospital -the ambulance finally arrives, and yuri’s troubles had only just begun. -the first thing they did was brace his leg. one emt grabbed yuri’s leg, above and below the knee, and he cried out. touching any part of his leg was absolutely torturous, sending pain through his whole body, and making his vision go white -the other tapped his foot, asking him to move it. he did, against his will and his better judgement, letting himself explode in pain again. the second emt began to press his toes, making sure he still had feeling -fuck, he had feeling. he had way too much feeling -once the board and bandages came out, his stomach gave up the fight. it was either puke or pass out, and he wished so dearly he could pass out -he barely got the words “m gonna puke” out of his mouth before he was heaving. a bag was pushed under his chin to catch what they could. -“alright,” one of the emts said “when we get you in the ambulance, we’ll get you some medication and have you feeling a lot better” -viktor and yuuri had floated over, after rushing to change from skates to street shoes. yuri couldn’t be assed to pay attention to them -the emts counted down, and lifted him from the bench to the stretcher, and walked him to the ambulance with yakov following behind, carrying a bag of puke -once he was in the ambulance, everything got a lot easier. the man in the back with him and yakov gave him a needle to the arm, full of heavy pain medication, and very quickly he felt much better -“how do you feel, yura?” “better. tired.” -the medication definitely helped. he felt a bit floaty, a bit tired. -“how do you feel, yakov?” “i’m fine, yura”

heat exhaustion -japan, especially a southern town like hasetsu, got much, much hotter than st petersburg -visiting japan in the off season had become one of yuri’s favourite things since his first time, and having otabek there made everything so much more fun -the only thing he didn’t count on was that otabek loved the heat, arguably more than he should. he must be used to it, yuri supposed, because almaty was just as hot, albeit less humid -yuri felt like he was suffocating. he’d never been very good at thermoregulation, given his stature and lack of body fat, and blood the consistency of rabbit piss, apparently -runs every morning, usually followed by skating or ballet, which otabek skipped in favour of something more suited to him -today, however, the sun was out, the weather was “beautiful” (according to otabek) and they were on vacation, so after their morning run otabek decided he wanted to go shopping -it was somewhat of a tradition ever since barcelona, to shop together around whichever city they found themselves in. yuri, ever impulsive, usually ended up buying more than otabek -he’d noticed it first on the run with otabek, and then again about an hour into shopping. his thigh muscles would cramp for a few minutes, almost halting him in his tracks, or forcing him to the ground. -the next thing he noticed was a faint sense of dizziness. he went through a mental checklist. he’d eaten breakfast, had water before and after his run... -otabek noticed something was off fairly soon after. -“can you blame me? i'm fucking boiling. i feel like a lobster.”“you're starting to look like a lobster. did you put sunscreen on?” -otabek pulled his bag off his shoulder, and offered him a water bottle. yuri accepted it gratefully, the liquid inside the metal bottle somehow not boiling from the heat of the sun. he only took a few sips before handing it back to otabek. it was making his stomach twist -otabek raised his eyebrows but said nothing other than “do you want to head back?” and yuri nodded, not having bought a thing in his sour mood -the walk back was harder. they’d walked further than he thought from the katsuki’s inn, and his stomach was really starting to turn. everything in it felt undigested and heavy, and he was forced to stifle burps into his hand to relieve the pressure -he started salivating. weird, because he could have sworn any liquid in him had been sweat out of his pores. he desperately gulped it back, so glad otabek wasn’t much of a talker, but wishing he wasn’t either, so the lack of conversation wouldn’t be so noticeable -“fuck,” yuri said “this is disgusting”otabek hummed a question“it’s so fucking hot.” -walking into an air conditioned room somehow broke him, and he made a beeline for the nearest bathroom, ignoring the dizziness and confused looks from the few people in the lobby -he collapsed in front of the toilet, his whole body shaking with the desire to vomit, and the desire to do absolutely anything but that -what he desired was irrelevant, because soon enough he was spewing into the toilet, a torrent of near-projectile strength, the meagre water he’d taken from otabek, all the food from breakfast and a good deal of stomach acid -he heard a door and felt his long hair being gathered up, but couldn’t turn much given the almost constant retching -he’s just wondering to himself how on earth someone his size could possibly hold so much vomit when the retching begins to taper off -“do you have a headache?” yuri thinks its a strange first question to ask someone who’s just vomited so roughly there are tears streaming down his face, but he answers “no, i’m just so dizzy.” -otabek’s hand is still fisted in his hair, rather roughly, but yuri supposes he’s glad, because his shoulder-length hair would definitely have gotten dirty -“and you’re still sweating, that’s good.” yuri’s about to reply that it’s nearly forty degrees and humid, of course he’s fucking sweating, when otabek says “that means it’s not heatstroke at least.” -they spend the better part of an hour camped on the bathroom floor together, yuri occasionally heaving, and otabek holding an ice pack against the back of his neck

allergies and nosebleeds -you know what else hasetsu has a lot more of than st petersburg? ragweed. the plant that torments yuri the most -it’s no wonder he picked a winter sport when just a few minutes outside in the summer will give him sneezing fits, leaving his nose and eyes watering, and his mouth itching -allergy medicines are always trial and error too, some years they work and some years they don’t, and this year they definitely don’t -yuuri and his family have become so familiar with the phrase “but’ zdarov’” that they’ve started using it themselves -for what it’s worth, otabek thinks his sneezes are adorable, especially when they’re directed into his sweater paws. -yuri usually doesn’t stifle, since he tries not to do anything by half, but in the crowded restaurant at the katsuki inn, he doesn’t have much of a choice -his nose is still tingling from being outdoors that day, and no amount of nose blowing, showering, or steam from the hot springs will clear it -he directs his stifles into his fist mostly, lacking tissues with him and enjoying his meal with otabek too much to get up and grab them -otabek is telling him a story when suddenly he stops, looks intently under yuri’s nose, and says “I think your nose is bleeding” -yuri swears and swipes at his nose with the back of his hand. otabek is right, a thin trickle of blood is starting to flow from his abused nose. he swears again and grabs one of the hot (now cold) towels from the beginning of their meal and bring it to his nose -luckily it’s black, but he’s not sure if the restaurant will be able to reuse it after this. it’s still better than bleeding all over himself and his meal -otabek will joke later that it was he who gave yuri a nosebleed, because yuri finds him just so irresistible

[berlinaura]

Oh how the laziness has taken over. My school motivation has completely disappeared and the only thing keeping me going is the fact that the work I have to do are group works. I am allowing myself pass classes with minimum effort right now. 

On the week after my birthday party my Finnish friends were in Berlin. I was at school on one day of that week. We drank 4 days in a row (okay I had to take one chill day in between because I had the throw up kind of hangover). We went to some bars and Mauerpark flea market on Sunday. 

The next Monday I had an intervietw for an internship in Berlin. I was stressing over the interview for the whole night and got only 1 hour of sleep. I felt like a shaking zombie. Nevertheless, the interview went alright in my opinion. They made me speak some German and wanted to hear why I applied for the position. That’s basically all they asked me. They promised to let me know their decision by the end of the week but so far I have heard nothing from them (now it is Monday again and exactly 1 week has passed). That is alright because I also got a job offer from Finland and I am pretty sure I am gonna accept it no matter what. The tasks and salary are too tempting and unfortunately outweigh Berlin. I also got another interview for an internship in Berlin and even though I have basically made up my mind, I am gonna do the (phone) interview for practice. 

Last Thursday me and my friends were at Escape room. It was a birthday gift I recieved from them and it was so much fun! I have never been to an Escape room before so I had no idea what to expect. We took one called “Puppeteer” and the idea was to escape from a puppeteers workroom before he makes us into puppets. We had a creepy ass robot baby, quietly saying “take me with you, take me with you...” that we had to carry from a room to another. We did so well and only needed “1,5 hints” from the game master. And even got 2 spare minutes in the end! I definitely want to try this game again.

Afterwards we went out for a couple of drinks and to analyze our game. Suddenly we got the best idea ever: we are going on a road trip in February, after exams! It didn’t take long and suddenly we already had a route planned, From Barcelona to Montpellier, from there to Lyon and ending at Genf. I have been wanting go on a such adventure for ages and now I can’t wait until the exams are over!

On Friday me and a friend went spontaneously for drinks to an Indian restaurant called Amar. I found my new favorite drink “Touch down”. One thing I love about Berlin that the cocktails are often so cheap and good and you can get them from normal restaurants. It feels kinda luxurious but at the same time it only costs around 4 euros each. Also, they were super strong and only a few cocktails got us drunk and talk about deep stuff. I wish I had one right now...

On Saturday I tried my best to concentrate on school work. I didn’t proceed at all. I ended up playing Mahjong and taking a nap. In the evening I had a super fancy sweatpants, tv and frozen food -kind of date. The best way to relax after a hard week, am I right! 

On Sunday me and friends decided to check out an Asian restaurant called Umami. Their food was delicious. Always when I try food like this I try to analyze which ingredients they have used so I could redo the dish at home but I never end up doing it. 

The next week was nothing but school work from the morning to the evening. I have three presentations coming up, one paper to write and of course exams and normal homework. I feel like I am learning so much and these courses are actually beneficial for me but at the same time I feel like there is no point in stressing over grades and stress over studying. I think I have found a nice balance in working hard during week and then being super lazy during the weekend. 

After one Thursday we went to have a drink to a bar to plan our Spain/France roadtrip. After 30 minutes we had already booked flights to... SCOTLAND! No idea what that trip is about but I can not wait for the exams to be over now. We are going to visit both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Hopefully the weather is not going to be a classic February gray rain weather, though. 

On Friday 31.1. we were supposed to have a house party but decided to do a pub crawl instead. Somehow our group grew to 10 people and towards the end of the evening we were having a hard time to fit into the places we wanted to go to. The first one, multilayerladen was the stereotype of a hipsterish Berlin bar where people sat on swings, Mary Poppins film was projected to the wall and rusty shopping carts were used as a decoration. They made a delicious and affordable Gin & Tonic though so nothing to complain there. Then, naturally we ended up at Que Pasa to order their 3,5€ cocktails and read palms. Then towards the end of the evening our group started to crumble. At the last place we found fun pinball arcade machines, had conversations about language grammar and smoking and then finally left the extremely crowded yet cozy place (Clash).

I had the laziest fucking Saturday yesterday and I plan to spend my Sunday exactly the same way. I already slept for 13 hours and now I plan to play some sims, maybe bake something and maybe in the evening do something for school. If the stores were open, I would have wanted to go thrift shopping today, it seems like the perfect day for that but unfortunately I have to leave that for the week. 

Recently I have been feeling melancholic because I know my exchange year is ending soon. It is hard to enjoy fun moments when you know you are going to leave these people soon and go back to your normal life. I should accept that this semester is just a temporary part of my life and I won’t feel the same after a year. I know that after being in Finland for a couple of months, I am already used to it and don’t feel so dead inside anymore :D Also, I can always come back after graduating. Literally, who knows what I am going to do. At least now if I ever think about moving abroad, I know I’ll manage and fear isn’t holding me back.

[deer-tokki]

Harper's Bazaar Korea - Not Serious

November issue

Heard that you have wanted a Europe holiday for long time, is there a special reason to it?

Minho: I have watched closely at Spain's extraordinary unique creativeness through various medias. Coming here myself, the food and as the city of arts, it did not disappoint me. The weather was nice throughout the journey and there was a lot to see. As for the food, because it has much similarities as to Korean food,without a sense of difference, it fits my taste bud well. They have garlic in them and there are many foods that are made from rice, and I can still remember the Paella that I ate by the Barcelona Beach that had the dazzling sunlight pouring over it.

The look of you appreciating the Gaudi building seriously was impressionable.

Minho: I get a lot to be looking at the Casa Batlló that holds the aesthetic of Gaudi's curve in real life. I could feel the constructor's consideration in wanting to move nature into architecture just as it is. Each and every single element was meaningful. Especially because the Korean language audio guide was so dramatic, it was good! (laughs)

How was the soccer match you watched here?

Minho: Spain's soccer is art without much to be said. The thing that excites me the most in the trip is as expected, soccer. I came to Europe to watch matches for a few times because I have always liked soccer players who are moving right in front of my eyes in this warm weather was really a dreamy experience.

At the point you left, was it at the moment where this trip was really needed?

Minho: this year had been a year spent really busily. I think the trip this time was better because I was able to look back into the times that have past with some free time I have. There were many times that I felt a day is going by slowly but when I looked back at it, a year has passed. Even though I have been busy, I lived my life diligently and have grown as I filled my eyes and heart with a variety of experiences. I am also growing now too.

Whether if it's music or acting, is there a know-how that you have to achieve you own goals?

Minho: I would definitely protect both regardless of whether am I acting or doing SHINee promotions. Firstly, I would think of exactly what is that I want to show. I will make a bold line called 'This times, it's this.' And another one is to show things that are a new side of me and promise to definitely show that before starting on it.

You are also actively promotion as actor 'Choi Minho.'

Minho: With me promotion as 'SHINee's Minho' for a long time, there isn't a lot of people that knows my surname. If those people who already know me calls me by 'Choi Minho' and not 'Minho', it feels like I am being seen differently. I, too felt that my mindset has been renewed when my surname is being added together to my name.

Not long ago, you have been confirmed to be in the movie <The Battle of Jangsari 9.15>. what kind of movie is this that had actor Kim Myung Min and Hollywood actress Megan Fox appearing in?

Minho: It talks about the <Battle of Inchon> of September 15, 1950. Senior Kim Myung Min is a guerrilla task force commander, Hollywood actress Megan Fox has the role of a war journalist, I appear as the main role among the students soldiers. I have not met senior Kim Myung Min but I heard many good words about him so I am not worried. Because I am really lacking, I have to learn a lot through working with good people in productions. I think I am someone who is really lucky. There's nothing than being able to work with people who I can learn a lot from that benefits me more in my life.

This year is SHINee's 10th anniversary. 10 years have already passed and you are already in your late 20s, what kind of changes do you think a Minho at 30 will have?

Minho: Not sure though. I have vaguely tried painting myself at around 30 but there's not much difference. Just like how me being childish now was like how I was in my 10s, I don't think I would actually change just because I turn 30. Minus for the fact that I have experienced more things, the current me is exactly the same me 10 years back. But, when I see pictures or videos from our promotions in the past, I looked like a kid. Now, there are even juniors who are born on the year 2000. I could feel that I have indeed aged precisely when juniors come to our waiting room to greet us sometimes and go 'We were SHINee fans when we were in elementary school.' In the past, seniors would be surprised when I told them I was born in 1991, I can now understand that situation. (laughs)

What do you thing is the secret to long run?

Minho: If we look at it as SHINee, wouldn't working hard and always have a humble attitude be the best secret. Our members have their own personality, and even though the path we take may be a little different, we worked hard and came this far with one goal in mind. That's why we have the synergy effect and are able to be long running.

What do you thing mainly do to spend time when you are working?

Minho: I like to exercise. I relieve my stress and fatigue through exercises a lot. I am the kind that my endorphin rises when I exercise so it helps a  lot on mental care. I am constantly doing soccer, basketball and gym. I am also into golf nowadays. That’s why my skin these days are tanned. I can’t feel even more refreshed the next day to sleep and wake up after exercising. It gives me a sens of achievement too.

2018 is only left with a few months now. What is your plan for next year?

Minho: I would like do as much as I can. I would like to be in a production whether if It's a movie or a drama and I plan to go traveling too. I plan to go traveling once a year and the place I am looking forward to next year is L.A. I want to go there and watch basketball matched directly. I shall be sure to meet LeBron Janes! (laughs)

translation: iheartshinee_

[cryptojackers]

For us, Spain is inspiring

We promised you in the previous story that more updates are on the way, so here we are! Back again to show you through words and images, all the beauty of this amazing country, Spain!

For us, Spain is not only a magical destination. It is an adventure itself! This country never ceases to surprise you with its cocktail of natural wonders and such personal emotions. We never tought we would end up falling in love with Spain at first sight. But somehow, as soon as we laid eyes on it, we knew there’s no turning back!

We absolutely love travelling here. There are so many places to check out along the Spain coast, it’s only frustrating that a day has only 24 hours and that our feet start hurting at some point! We’re still experiencing that raw desire to discover more about these places, from beaches, to famous restaurants, landmarks, habits, traditions and the list goes on and on.

The weather is to die for: long sunny days, what more could you ask for? Summertime in Spain feels like romance and surrealism had a love child with clear blue skies and and bright horizons.

As soon as we landed at the Spain airport, we were struck by all the smiling, friendly faces and the strangers��� willingness to help. Not knowing how to get to where we were supposed to get, a friendly Spanish boy quickly came and gave us a hand to find a bus that was going to take us to our destination. There was a familiar feeling about all that. It felt like we were exactly where we supposed to be, at that moment in our lives.

That first day, there, we felt that home had a new name, for now: Spain.

Because after living all our life in a small town in Romania, we knew exactly what we needed: to make the entire world become our home!

Back to our “falling in love with Spain” process, now! Have you ever truly paid attention to the language?! It’s like out of this world and it blew our minds from the first “Hola!”! It sounds and feels like the Spanish language has a world of its own. It has romance and passion and drama and suspense and plot and action and, the most important, musicality. And if we add the spirit to those features already exposed in the previous paragraphs, it is easy to understand the inexplicable love. Spanish people don’t just live, they celebrate life.

Once we arrived, our first stop was in the really clean and tidy Lloret de Mar, a Mediterranean coastal town in Catalonia. This town is internationally recognized as a tourist resort. When the summer season starts, Lloret de Mar attracts visitors from all corners of the world. So, if you are looking for some fun and entertainment, Lloret de Mar is just the place!

From the Barcelona airport to Lloret de Mar, we took a bus, that drove for 2 hours. We weren`t sure that was the right bus to get to our destination, but, hey, risk is our middle name! So, we took the risk, like always. Spoiler allert: we did get there safe and sound, that was indeed the right bus, we took the risk and we won! Intuition – 1 Bad luck - 0!

The houses in Lloret de Mar are located on the rocky hills, so if you’re into sports or you live an active life, then it`s the perfect place! You can try hiking! Buuuut, take our word for it, it’s gonna take a looong time! That`s what happened to us:

When we arrived in Lloret, we realised that our house is up the hill. And since we didn`t rent a car, panic started to kick in. We had so many luggages, but we still thought we could do it! So the walking began. Of course, after a few hundred meters, we realised that we should call for a taxi.

So, remember: don’t try to be heroes! If you have luggages, make sure you also have a car to get you to your house!

But, if you do love hiking, it’s worth all the effort!

Because once arrived at the house, we were left speechless by the amazing view.

Of course, another reason for our excitement was the fact that the sea was all around us. And we needed to be closer to it so we went for a walk to the beach. Yes, everything the magazines and Internet says, is true! Spain truly has beautiful beaches. That type of beaches where you could spend your days soaking up the sun, enjoying the waves and trying to decipher the magical sunsets.

We discovered a new face of what freedom means to us here: spending time on the sandy beaches while listening to our music. One of the most liberating things and feelings in the world!

If you too are in need of a little piece of freedom, then you can already start looking for plane tickets and accommodation! TIP: if you love to discover a silent paradise and you want to explore more of Lloret de Mar, you have to go for a walk and also see Santa Clotilde Gardens. This garden is considered to be one of the most beautiful Mediterranean gardens in Europe. That place embodies a combination of beauty, silence, positive energy, it`s like a fairytale! There, you can admire the colorful flowers and the incredible contrast.

Oh, but more about what we see and what you could do, soon, very soon! Don’t forget to stay close for another incursion!

For us, Spain is inspiring.

https://cryptojackers.wixsite.com/website-1/home/spain-is-inspiring

[sbknews]

Aegerter breaks all-time lap record as he takes top spot in WorldSSP

The Championship leader was fastest in both Free Practice sessions whilst title contender Baldassarri was seventh. Friday highlights - WorldSSP P1 – Dominique Aegerter (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) - Aegerter was fastest in both sessions setting a best time of 1’44.507s in the afternoon session as he was able to improve his FP1 time by 1.302s. - He set a new all-time lap record at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. "It's really nice to come back in Barcelona where I stay a long time in the winter. I raced there before in 125cc and Moto2™. I think last year we had the first official test here so we had some small data, but the base setup work works very well and this morning we could start with a very strong pace. Also, we don't know exactly what the weather will be this weekend, so we tried to be ready for Saturday and Sunday. P1 this morning, and quiet impressive laps this afternoon. I saw when I came in, I had a one-second gap to second place and I think this is quite big in WorldSSP. With the WorldSSP bike I haven’t raced here yet, but I think we're ready. The team did a great job and the package is perfect, so is my physical conditions. I didn't expect to be that fast but for sure the other guys will be in my lap time." Aegerter’s title rival Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros.WorldSSP Yamaha Team) was second at the end of Friday. The Italian wasn’t able to improve his morning time in FP2 and was 1.005s behind Aegerter. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) finished third in the combined results. He set his fastest time of 1'45.522s in the afternoon session. Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was fourth overall 1.157s behind Aegerter, whilst he finished third in both sessions. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was fifth, whilst Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) was sixth in the combined classification. WorldSSP action resumes on Saturday with the Tissot Superpole at 10:25 and Race 1 at 15:15.

WorldSSP Combined Results after FP2 1. Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) 1’44.507s 2. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +1.005s 3. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +1.015s 4. Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +1.157s 5. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +1.162s 6. Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) +1.297s For more info checkout our dedicated World Supersport News page superbike-news.co.uk/world-supersport/ Or visit the official World Superbike website worldsbk.com Read the full article

[lizartgurl]

So for your ocs could you do numbers 1 through 15?

1. How many different places have they lived?

Emma: Has traveled the world and speaks at least five different languages fluently. Can communicate somewhat effectively in ten others.Eliza: Has lived in Dakota City her whole life until she moved to BYU Idaho for school, and then Barcelona, Spain for a mission.Astra: Lingkyra was and always will be her home. Her spirit lives with those of her people. Mount Justice is welcoming, but can never measure up to her Ancient Utopia.Samantha: Sand Diego girl through and through.Kiran: Travels a lot to explore with her parents, but she’s only ever lived in Washington DC and Delhi, India.Jaina: There’s Coruscaunt, and unnamed secret planet for the protection of her and her brothers, Yavin IV for training, Mount Justice, Ossus, and then Coast City. The universe is her home.Lorena: Also a San Diego girl. But Atlantis is amazing too.

2. What is their dream vacation?

Emma: Anything where she or her family don’t have to fight crime. Even a staycation would be fine if Bruce wasn’t so focused on catching Calendar Man of all people.Eliza: She likes cruises so long as her parents aren’t helicoptering over her and her health all the time.Astra: No vacation. The Universe must be defended.Samantha: Family reunions are the best! Even a house full of flies is great, so long as she’s got her cousins, silly aunts, musical uncles, and the rest of the family (based on a true story)Kiran: Visiting Archaeology sites isn’t exactly a vacation for the Singhs, but it’s got the sightseeing built in and Kiran gets to skip school so she counts it. She loves spending time with her parents.Jaina: Just let her have peace and quiet for a few seconds that’s all she’s asking.Lorena: Hawaii. 

3. What is their favorite color?

Emma: RedEliza: BlueAstra: PurpleSamantha: RedKiran: Pink!Jaina: Purple and GreenLorena: Silver

4. What is their favorite book?

Emma: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. She reads it with Kaldur.Eliza: Secrets of the King’s Daughter by Renae Weight MackleyAstra: She has only ever really read the history of Lingkyros, but the myths and legends are entertaining.Samantha: Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day GeorgeKiran: The RamayanaJaina: It’s childish, but her favorite will always be the Little Lost Bantha Cub. Her parents reading to her and her brothers will always be her favorite memory.Lorena: Goose Girl and the other Books of Bayern by Shannon Hale.

5. Have they ever cheated on anyone before?

No

6. Have they ever been cheated on?

No, though Kaldur betraying the team feels a lot like being cheated on to those who loved him.

7. How many partners have they had?

Emma: She’s only seriously been with Kaldur’ahm, but she has dated Donna Troy, Luke Fox (he’s so cute, okay!), Frankie Charles, Nadimah (from the BG of Burnside), and a couple of people who are dead now.Eliza: Eliza has been on many dates, but she has only seriously dated one or two of them (Kaldur, and a guy from BYUI when he went dark)Astra: TwoSamantha: *Sammy voice* “Ain’t nobody got time for datin’!”Kiran: She’s been so wrapped up with her studies and her parents that she never really thought that anyone would want to be with her until she met Kaldur.Jaina: Jagged Fel, Kaldur’ahm, Tenel Ka, and Zekk PeckhumLorena: She had a “boyfriend” in middle school but it was a kid relationship. She eventually thought it was dumb and broke up with him. And now she’s with Kaldur

8. Already answered

9. Already answered

10. Introvert or Extrovert?

Emma: She’s in the middle there.Eliza: Introvert, unless she’s onstage. She gets spiritual support on her mission.Astra: Extrovert.Samantha: More introverted. She likes to keep to herself but when she does talk to other people or strike up a conversation with a stranger she can make them feel very special by the questions she asks and the attentions he gives them.Kiran: ExtrovertJaina: IntrovertedLorena: extrovert

11. Have they ever been arrested and why?

Emma: A few times as a hero, mostly when she was first starting as Finch, but she always escapes. She got a DUI once, on a bad day. She has never drunken again since.Eliza: Never. She is scared to death of police cars.Astra: She was never arrested on her home planet,t he model princess, but she gets approached a few times when first acclimating to Earth, but they were never good enough to actually bring her in.Samantha: NopeKiran: How dare you accuse my perfect angel.Jaina: So many times for various offenses during her rebel teen phase, which is strange because she’s supposed to be a Jedi. She is single-handedly responsible for half of Leia’s gray hairs.Lorena: She’s too good to get caught.

12. Who would they sacrifice their life for?

Emma: Literally everyone except the Joker or Lex Luthor.Eliza: Her parents, Raquel, Kaldur, the team, baby Amistad, and it’s not a person, but she would sacrifice everything for her belief in the LDS church.Astra: All the people of LingkyraSamantha: Her family especially, but also her teammates and the people of San Diego.Kiran: Kaldur, her kids, her parents, Kamala, M’gann, Artemis, Zatanna, Raquel, Gar, and Cassie.Jaina: The entire Universe, which she just might have to do.Lorena: Her family and all of Atlantis.

13. What are their spending habits?

Emma: She likes to be wise with her money like her parents taught her, but Bruce is a billionare so either way he sends her 5mil at the beginning of every month like he does the rest of his children.Eliza: She works very hard to earn money herself for her mission and her car (her parents insisted on paying for college, and they agreed that a mission was something to personally save for). She will always splurge on clothing, accessories, and stuffies. She owns a zoo and an aquarium of plush animals.Astra: She is very conservative with her money, only authorizing insane amounts of money on necessities like food, shelter, water, education, and protection for the people of Lingkyra.Samantha: Her parents can also pay for her school, but she has to save up for a mission. She shares a car with Abby when she gets old enough, but she doesn’t really like to spend too much money, unless it’s on food or books.Kiran: Is drowning in unused notebooks and pens. She loves to spoil Kaldur, and they both love spoiling their kids.Jaina: lol what money?Lorena: Gets an allowance from Aquaman for superheroing and spends so much time trying to think of how to spend it in a way that shows him and her parents that she’s responsible so she usually ends up putting it in savings.

14. Do they like hot or cold temperatures better?

Emma: She likes it in the middle, like fall/spring weather.Eliza: She likes the hot weather. Better for swimming. And outdoor theater performances!Astra: Lingkyra has a temperate climate over the whole planet, so extreme temperatures bother her to the point of sickness. She is not allowed to fight and of the ice or fire villains. Junior always tries to flirt with her anyway (she has that effect on people)Samantha: She likes the cold because then she can wear her scarves, hats, and favorite boots.Kiran: She doesn’t like desert heat, or winter cold. So let’s say in the middle. Fall has such pretty colors, and she can wear her favorite shawls (it’s like carrying a blanket all the time)Jaina: She does not care. Either way, she’ll adjust. And she’s probably seen worse before.Lorena: She likes warm wetter, also better for swimming.

15. Are they religious?

Emma: Yes, Christian.Eliza: LDS Christian.Astra: There are many religious sects on Lingkyra, but she has never participated in one, even though her parents were devout worshippers of their own sect.Samantha: LDS Christian.Kiran: Hindu.Jaina: Does being a Jedi and believing in the force count?Lorena: No.

(I really like making my characters religious. It’s very rarely seen respectfully in media, and religion plays such a big part in my life, I want to see it in others too.)

[benparker-12]

The smart energy system: a look under the hood

The switch to a decentralized and completely carbon neutral energy supply is expensive and complicated. This 'energy transition' requires the commitment and involvement of society as a whole and requires behavioral change on both a personal and collective level. In the program series De Energietransitie, we discuss the energy transition with experts and experience experts. The article ' How do we keep the energy transition open, fair and inclusive? ' forms the basis of the series of programs and focuses on three crucial issues within the energy transition: the emergence of new inequalities and dependencies, the design of new organizational forms, and the unraveling of the 'backside' of the digitized energy system.

The energy cooperative was central to the first programme. We discussed exactly how energy cooperatives work and how they have developed in recent years. In the second edition, we looked at the organization and business models of the energy transition. Decentralized generation leads to various parties involved, each with their own role. According to the speakers, the energy transition is currently too organized from a market perspective and much more attention is needed for the collective dimension.

In the third and final episode we discussed the 'technical' dark sides of the energy transition. How can we ensure that clean energy is clean and responsible in all respects?

The downsides of clean energy The energy transition is complex and is often driven by technology. We are increasingly driving and cooking electrically, and we can map our energy consumption using smart meters. Solar and wind energy are not always available as they are weather dependent. Smart technology can provide a solution here by closely matching supply and demand.

However, there are possible downsides to this. 'Smart technology' is a collective term for networks, sensors, computers and control systems that themselves have an ecological footprint. They often contain valuable metals and mineral raw materials that come from ecologically and humanitarianly sensitive areas. (The Fairphone project derived its history from this.) These techniques also consume energy themselves and store a lot of data. Think of the discussions about the placement of data centers and the necessary power supply in, for example, the Wieringermeer or under Almere . Finally, hasty assumptions about the efficiency of smart technology lead to disappointments and feedbacks, which canare summarized under the heading 'rebound effect' .

Waag is therefore interested in the mechanisms, technology and companies involved in the energy transition. What does the smart technology that should enable our energy transition entail? Do consumers understand how this smart technology works or do private companies have the upper hand?

The three guest speakers who highlighted the dark sides of the energy transition for us were the following:

Joana Moll , an artist and researcher who divides her time between Barcelona and Berlin

Sander van der Waal, head of the Future Internet Lab at Waag

Romy Dekker, researcher at the Rathenau Institute . The Rathenau focuses on the development of new technology and its impact on society

Joana Moll studies the climate impact of the data economy, which mainly translates into internet infrastructure and the device sector. There is great ignorance about energy emissions and data pollution. This starts with the misleading metaphor of the cloud. The cloud, where our data is stored, indicates something light and airy when in fact the cloud is propped up by a complex, messy, heavy material infrastructure. The information sent out into the world via the internet depends on this infrastructure. In addition, the equipment sector is the most polluting industry in the world: more polluting than the aviation sector or the meat industry. This is due to the amount of parts and minerals required to assemble this equipment, mining the minerals and chemical waste. To put this into perspective, a smartphone is put together by 300 different hands with more than 10,000 parts coming from 700 different places. This data infrastructure, says Joana, is dependent on 'tech colonialism': in fact a continuation of old balances of power between Western consumer centers and commodity-producing countries. If we can revise these old structures, there is also scope to develop democratic technological systems. in fact a continuation of old balances of power between Western consumer centers and commodity-producing countries. If we can revise these old structures, there is also scope to develop democratic technological systems. in fact a continuation of old balances of power between Western consumer centers and commodity-producing countries. If we can revise these old structures, there is also scope to develop democratic technological systems.

Joana was succeeded by Sander van der Waal who introduced the public to the Public Stack developed by Waag . The Public Stack has the same goal in mind as Joana's research: to make the invisible visible. Technology can be compared to an iceberg consisting of four layers. Often only the concrete technological object is visible. This is called the citizen perspective.

roadmap digital future

Source: Roadmap Digital Future

But to ensure that we develop technology based on public values, the layers below the citizen's perspective must be made visible and studied. Under the citizen perspective are three layers: the foundation, the design process and the technological stack. The foundation forms the basis for a fair, open and democratic design process of a technology and consists of four important pillars:

The premise of the technology is clear and all stakeholders are involved

Human rights are and will remain guaranteed

Society as a whole needs to keep a grip on digitization

Socio-economic considerations take people and planet into account

The design process and technology stack build on the foundation and ensure that the values ​​are implemented in the technology. The citizen's perspective also suggests that we can only get a grip on digitization if we see the design process as a collective responsibility in which end users are actively involved.

Who will take the 'profitable top'? After a lively discussion about how optimistic we should or should not be about the possibility of designing democratic technology, Romy Dekker presented her research on how we as the Netherlands can digitize 'valuably' for the energy transition.

For a long time, energy policy was aimed at being reliable, affordable and clean. The priority nowadays is on 'clean', which means that we are focusing on renewable energy sources. This has put pressure on the reliability and affordability of the energy network. On the one hand, this is due to the fluctuations in the energy supply already mentioned, and on the other hand, due to the further electrification of consumption through, for example, electric driving, heating and cooking. This increases the pressure on the electricity grid.

Digitization can help in balancing supply and demand, but it also brings new problems with it. A first example of this are energy platforms that have enormous added value for grid management. Energy platforms, however, lead to the emergence of 'aggregators', market parties that bundle and trade supply and demand. To do this, they must gain a great deal of insight into the energy behavior of companies and households and design their revenue model accordingly.

The second example that Romy gave is the smart thermometer. More and more large tech companies are trying to enter the electricity market through this technology. Companies such as Amazon and Google are interested in the data of your personal household. Digitization can therefore contribute to a secure energy supply, but it also leads to new problems that must be taken into account. To continue reading on this topic, we recommend this article by Rathenau.

Curious about the previous episodes of the program series De Energietransitie? Read the report of the first episode here . And here the report of the second edition .