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dewitty1 · 5 years ago

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Heart Of Silver/Heart Of Gold

lettersbyelise @lettersbyelise

Chapters: 25/25 Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Characters: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Minerva McGonagall, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Gregory Goyle, Narcissa Black Malfoy, Andromeda Black Tonks, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Jeff the Niffler, Other Characters Additional Tags: Demon Draco Malfoy, Human Harry Potter, POV Draco Malfoy, Hogwarts Eighth Year, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Unresolved Sexual Tension, First Time, Angst, Enthusiastic Consent, Bathroom Sex, Mutual Masturbation, First Time Blow Jobs, Non-Penetrative Sex, Intercrural Sex, (kinda), Christmas Miracles, Happy Ending, Getting Together, Advent Calendar, Complete

Summary:

Draco Malfoy, a young demon specialising in school bullying, has lived hundreds of uneventful lives. Until his world is turned upside down by his newest assignment a few days before Christmas: to get rid of 8th year classmate Harry Potter, Defeater of Dark Lords and thorn in the side of all things evil. Trouble is, Draco’s world has been upside down for a while… ever since he started having very human feelings for a certain bespectacled Gryffindor.

Excerpt:

Harry’s cheeks were pink, the blinking fairy lights randomly highlighting his hair with pink, blue, yellow and green. His grin had turned slightly embarrassed, as it always did when he was the centre of attention for too long. Draco used to think it was false modesty. Right now, he wasn’t so sure. Now that he was starting to see Harry for who he really was... it felt like a Bludger to the face, every time, realising how utterly, how deeply good Harry was.

Draco wondered how a demon like him didn’t burst into flames just by being in Harry’s vicinity.

The first players made room for new ones, Granger, Weasley, Finnigan and Blaise this time. Draco felt someone sit next to him on a free cushion, a friendly shoulder brushing his.

“Fun game,” Harry said, very close to Draco’s ear. “You should play.”

“Not sure I’d be good at Muggle games,” Draco admitted. Harry’s face tightened. Draco, realising his mistake, backpedaled quickly. “I mean... not because they’re Muggle, obviously. I have nothing against... that.” Harry watched him silently, as if taunting him to say it, so he did. “I have nothing against it anymore. You know that... Don’t you?”

“I think I do,” Harry murmured, eyes pulled back to the loud players again. “Still think you should play, you know? You’re so... serious. So grave, all the time. You should loosen up a little.”

“I am serious because I want to be serious, Potter,” Draco muttered. He didn’t know why he was telling him this. With the surrounding noise, he was certain only Harry would hear him. “I’ve been a little shit for far too long. I’m making amends now. At least, i’m trying to.”

Harry nodded, still watching the game. “I believe you.” He canted his head to glance at Draco. There was a crooked little smile on his lips that Draco did not care for. “And if you don’t know how to relax, perhaps I should give you a hand.”

Draco froze, unable to look away from Harry, his little smile, the impish glint in his beautiful green eyes.

“I—” he said. He was humiliatingly interrupted by his own throat, contracting to swallow a gulp of air. Harry laughed.

“Hold that thought,” he said. He stood to his feet, fairy lights dangling from around his neck. He ran to his dormitory room.

Harry came back as a fourth round of Hungry Hungry Hippos was finishing, Longbottom as the winner this time. He shyly yet proudly punched the air in victory. Pansy clapped and whistled loudly.

“Oi, Harry, what ye got in there?” Finnigan greeted Harry. Harry opened his fist to show everyone its contents: a small, flat packet and a transparent plastic pouch containing what looked like dried, crushed Gillyweed. He grinned mischievously.

The Muggleborns and half-bloods in the group burst into laughter. Thomas clapped Harry on the back while Granger crossed her arms with a disapproving huff. “What? What is it?” Weasley kept asking, still sitting on the floor, pulling at the hem of her robe. “It’s Harry pretending to be cool but really being a stupid, predictable teenager,” Granger scoffed. Her admonition had the opposite of the desired effect on her boyfriend. Weasley stood to have a better look at the pouch.

“McGonagall let you in with this?” Thomas enthused. “There really is such thing as a ‘Boy Who Lived’ privilege!”

“Shove it, Thomas, or you won’t have any,” Harry laughed. “What McGonagall doesn’t know can’t get me in trouble.” He looked around. His eyes fell on Draco who was still seating where Harry had left him, too bewildered by the scene to move. “Wanna try?”

Someone moved the board games aside. Slowly, the students arranged themselves in a loose, lounging circle on the floor. Hannah Abbott brought something that looked like a large silver box riddled with buttons, opened a round compartment on top and placed a small silver disk in it before closing it with a click. Strange music started playing—definitely Muggle—and Draco tried to pay attention when he noticed Harry nodding approvingly at Abbott. The song was upbeat yet melancholy, hopeful yet happy. The singer was asking her lover to kiss her repeatedly beneath the twilight. Pretty lyrics, Draco thought. As he looked over to Harry, he thought they were quite fitting.

The lights dimmed. Harry, still wrapped in fairy lights, shone as enticingly as a Christmas present. Wouldn’t he look just perfect, surrounded by multi coloured lights, naked in Draco’s bed—

Oh, sweet Lucifer. That was new.

Draco had never allowed his mind to go there before.

And now that it had been, he couldn’t think of anything else.

Harry naked. In his bed.

He watched Harry bend over and lick a stripe along rolled-up cigarette paper, and his mouth watered.

Around the circle, a few students looked utterly at ease, as though what they were about to do was normal and not completely foreign. A few others, like Granger, appeared to be battling to keep the disapproval from their faces. The majority, though, just followed the proceedings curiously. Harry lit the tip of the cigarette with a muttered ‘Incendio’ and took the first puff, closing his eyes briefly before passing it to Thomas on his right.

He leaned on his left to murmur to Draco, “You don’t have to try it if you don’t want to.”

“I don’t even know what it is, Potter,” Draco whispered back.

Harry suppressed a giggle. “It’s a marijuana cigarette.”

Draco had never heard the term before, but he wasn’t stupid. He could read the context. As a demon, he had a knack for sensing illegal shenanigans when he saw them. He felt a little frisson of excitement mixed with circumspection at the thought.

“Drugs?” he asked, trying to sound casual.

“Kind of.”

“What’s kind of a drug? It either is, or it isn’t.”

“You’re right,” Harry rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. Around the circle, their classmates were passing the joint around with lazy smiles. “I just meant it’s light and recreational. It helps with... relaxing, or sleeping. Among other things.”

Harry’s face was thoughtful. No innuendo of any kind here. Draco reflected on all the reasons why Harry would need help relaxing or sleeping. So he said, “I want to try.”

Harry glanced at him. “Yeah?”

“Yes.” Draco clasped his hands in his lap, looking at them instead of at Harry.

“You never tried it before?”

“No,” admitted Draco.

“Oh. Of course. Yeah.”

“Why would you say ‘of course’?”

“No reason!” Harry lifted his hands. “It’s just that—you’re so... upper-class and all. I assumed—” He glanced at Draco and saw something in his expression that made him stop in his tracks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s okay if you’ve never done it before, or if you don’t want to do it now.”

Draco wanted to be offended—Harry seemed to think what he’d just said was insulting although Draco couldn’t fathom why—but he chose to move away from that particular attitude. After all, in the past, it had done him no good when it came to Harry.

“Will you show me?” He asked.

In the dim shine of the fairy lights, Harry’s face lit up.

“Of course.” He took the cigarette when it came back his way. He looked Draco in the eyes. Draco stood very still, his hands trembling, his whole body buzzing with the nearness of Harry. “I’m going to make it easier for you,” Harry explained. “I’m going to take a pull, and I’m going to exhale in your mouth.”

Draco felt his eyes go wide as saucers. “Beg your pardon?”

Harry looked as though he wanted to laugh, but not at Draco’s expense. “It’s... softer that way. You will still get a high, only slower. Nicer. For your first time,” he added, and Draco blushed.

Around them, a hush had fallen, as though their classmates had noticed the joint hanging from between Harry’s thumb and forefinger, his body fully angled towards Draco’s, Draco still as a bird caught in the line of vision of a snake.

Someone hooted, “Show the posh boy how to live, Harry!” and several people giggled. Harry paid them no mind. He just smiled at Draco.

He brought the cigarette to his lips.

He took a pull, his cheeks hollowing, his eyelids drooping slightly. His green eyes shone in the fairy lights, their gaze trained on Draco, insistent, unwavering.

Draco saw him lift his hand as if in slow motion, Harry’s strong, blunt fingers making contact with his jaw, the calloused tips sliding along his cheek, into his hair, fisting lightly, bringing his face closer. Harry’s eyes crinkled at the corners, and Draco angled his head, opened his mouth, and let Harry blow a cloud of grass-scented smoke into his mouth, the hint of his soft lips and his hot breath a thousand times more heady than the drug.

Around them, Draco was aware of people cheering and wolf-whistling.

With a smile just this side of smug, his eyes never leaving Draco’s, Harry pulled away, his fingers caressing Draco’s cheek as he retreated.

Draco swallowed.

With it came the smoke, and he burst into a coughing fit.

Everybody laughed. Draco was still coughing, but he didn’t care. Less than a foot away, Harry sat prettier than the Christmas tree, his gaze soft and facetious. He smiled at Draco before taking another puff of the cigarette for himself.

What a sweet irony, Draco thought, smiling at him, mind and body loose.

He was the demon, and Harry was the tempter.

#Heart of Silver/Heart of Gold #Author:Lettersbyelise #Drarry #Drarry squad #fic rec #Drarry fanfiction #draco malfoy #harry potter #Hogwarts eighth year #Caey's bookmark fic recs #Carey's Personal Bookmarks

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carrietrekkie · 5 years ago

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The perfect moment.

So, let´s see what happens in Cathrins first week aboard of the Enterprise. This one connected directly to The joy and burden of a Captain.

It started a few moments before Chris decided to make finally a step forward. I hope you like it. Finally they getting closer!

Leave me a little FB, if you don´t mind. ;)

@bold-brave-courageous @allthetrek @reeselivesforeverinmyheart

"Here for you." I had not really entered the turbolift yet, as Spock already held out to me a PADD. "Good Morning." "Yes, right." He nodded to me. "Good Morning." I smiled, then accepted the PADD. "What's this?" "The plan you wanted." He tapped the display. "This should help you to find your way around, until you know where you find something." "Thanks, that's really nice of you. Then I'll take a look around. "The lift stopped and I got out. "Um." "The pink dot indicates where you are right now." "You bugged me?" I just wanted to protest, but the door closed and left me perplexed. "And why did the dot have to be pink?" Here I was, somewhere between the engine room and the infirmary. My only problem was that there were at least three decks in between, according to plan. I sighed and put my head to the left, then to the right, and decided on the gear that started right in front of me. That cannot be that hard? I wandered off and let myself drift through the corridors of the ship.

I found various recreation rooms, holds, the botany and eventually even the recreational deck and that really knocked me over. There was a gym, with swimming pool, a large common room, various activity rooms and, that was the killer, a park. Complete with fountain, stream and bridge over it. "Insane." As I left the deck, I passed the access to the computer core and then passed the main deck access. There were the offices of senior officers, transporter rooms, and then I felt dizzy. This was a city, not a spaceship. I stepped to a window and looked out into space, rushing past at warp speed. Smiling, I put my hand on the window frame, now I had learned that this was not glass, but transparent aluminum.

"Lady, I didn´t think you would blow me away like that." "If you do that more often, don´t let Dr. Boyd catch you. " I startled and spun around. I was about to get angry, but then I saw who had addressed me. "Chris!" I beamed at him. "I almost forgot how you look like." "Ouch." He smiled as well. "I'm sorry, there's a lot to do and right now I'm enjoying my twenty minute break, before I have to devote myself to a long list of appointments that already suggests that going to bed early today will not come back. " "Twenty minutes?" I gave him a sympathetic look. "How many are left?" "I guess five, maybe seven." He looked at me. "I've spent a while watching you wander around here." "You followed me?" I raised my eyebrow. "If you say it so, it sounds a bit scary." "No, it's kind of cute." "Then I was lucky. Are you going to take a walk with me? "He pointed in the direction I had just come from. "Yes, sure."

He put a hand behind my back and we started walking. It was good to have him with me. Despite the excitement of the last few days, I had missed him terribly. "Are you getting along?" "I'm trying hard." I turned briefly around my own axis. "This ship is gigantic, there is a park here! Did you know that? "He laughed as he listened to me. "I saw people skating there and I was wondering where all the sprained ankles and lacerations came from." "Yeah, I heard about this wondrous place." He nudged me. "I even had the illusion for a while that I could sit there and read on a bench." "Why didn´t it work?" He paused as he stopped in front of a turbolift. "Have you been on the ship for almost five years? "That sounds like a lot of time, I know, but most of the time it was like I was drowsing in the gym and getting into bed after showering." "How mean." I crossed my arms behind my back.

"A suggestion." He came to me again. "We'll meet here tonight and try to eat together? Of course, only if you don´t mind eating around midnight. " "That sounds wonderful." I smiled at him. "If I find the way back again." I pointed briefly in the direction I suspected the deck, he laughed, then reached for my hand and twisted my outstretched index finger in the opposite direction. "Well, I was close." "I'll pick you up." "That sounds even better." I pinched my lips. "Are you asking me for a date?" "What if it were like that?" "Then I would wear something other than my uniform." I rolled my eyes a little. "Sounds good." He raised an eyebrow, then took a step toward me. "Then it's definitely a date. "A broad smile crossed his face. "I've needed long enough, right?" "No, it was just right." I replied. "But I think I need a little tutoring on dates" I put my hands on his chest. "My last date was good 230 years ago. Likely even longer. " "I don´t think so much has changed." He put his arms around me. "It will..." "Captain Pike please on the bridge." His answer was a slightly annoyed growl, then slowly released me. "I have to go." "Never mind." I winked at him. "We have our date. Maybe that will make your day a little easier. " He stepped into the elevator, which was just opening for him again. "What is with you?" "I'm sure Dr. Boyd has some nice little nasties in store for me. "

"I'm sure of that."

I saw him pinch his lips briefly, then he stepped out of the elevator, put his hands to my cheeks, and before I could say anything, he kissed me. I closed my eyes and hoped that moment would last forever, but I knew it wouldn´t. Before I even thought of returning the kiss, he released his lips from mine and smiled at me.

"See you later Cathrin." "See you later Chris." He stepped back and I watched with beating hearts as the doors closed and left me behind.

I didn´t know then that I wouldn´t see him for a few days. I was about to finish my shift in the infirmary when Captain Pike's Yeoman brought me a small card. I thanked him and opened it. Handwritten there was a message from him. "Cathrin, I'm terribly sorry, I will not make it. I'll make it up to you Chris. " Although he denied me, I could hardly be angry at the charming way he had done it. Sighing, I pocketed the card, took my "homework" and went to my quarters. I never threw this card away, for a while it was a mark in the book I read while falling asleep. I remember exactly that he was terribly upset when he found it, not because I still had it, but because he had been so stupid at the time to cancel that date.

++++++

These first days on board the Enterprise flew past me, otherwise I couldn´t say it. Dr. Boyd meant that with his crash curse really deadly. I fell asleep at the end of my shift on the infirmary, slept for a few hours, then ate something and study. Apart from the extremely sophisticated technology for me and the fact that there are not just human patients, not much had changed. The paperwork had actually gotten a little less because the computer was doing some work on its own, but I was overwhelmed with what I where allowed to do. In a few hours we would reach the earth and there would be a lot going on, I was told. There was an official reception for the crew, then everyone had a few days of shore leave and the night before the new mission start there was a ball. I found that the most confusing, maybe Spock later got something that I could pull out of his nose. What I would do with my land vacation, I didn´t know yet. I wanted to see the Starfleet headquarters, as far as I was, the rest… That just scared the hell out of me.

I shook off these thoughts and tried to focus on the lecture I was going through. Around me, there was a mood just like before Christmas. Which I could understand. After a long time they finally saw their families again, for some it would be the last flight with the Enterprise, which would mean that there were soon new people to meet. Someone laughed behind me and after trying once more to tell me that Andorians were born with two instead of one stomach, I gave up and leaned back. The team cafe was probably not the best choice, but I had been a little lonely in my quarters.

I hadn´t seen Chris really since our start almost a week ago. We had met a few times in the hallways and there was that lovely, to short kiss but time to talk was never much. I had to admit that I missed him and that wouldn´t be any better for the next time.

"At least try to look happy." I looked up and faced Number One. She held a tray in her hands and looked at the empty chair next to me. "Please." I made her seat on the table. "Are you alright?" She sat down. "Yes, I was just thinking." I tapped my records. "I wanted to read a bit more before going to my appointment with Dr. Boyd. " "As far as I know, you have no reason to be nervous." She pulled out her fork and began poking her fries. I straightened up. "Do you know something I don´t know?" "Maybe." She started to eat and I spread my arms as she let me hung in the air. "Commander!" "I shouldn´t do that." She sighed. "Dr. Boyd would be mad if I messed up his ride."

"Nonsense, the man is a drama queen. He finds a new reason to explode faster than I can drink my coffee." I leaned against her. "I really need something constructive." "Captain Pike will soon have more time again." She reached for the sauce. "He likes to handle all paperwork and requests before a mission starts. So that he can go on without burden in the new task." "Um, okay, that's good to know, but why are you telling me that?" I raised my eyebrows. "You wanted something constructive." "Yeah." But for once that had not been what I was after, at least for the moment. "But I actually meant in relation to Dr. Boyd and my place in the infirmary." She gave me one of her unfathomable smiles. "I wouldn´t worry about that. Dr. Boyd was at Pike earlier and the captain signed with joy. "I smiled at her. "You are now officially a member of Starfleet Medical Corps." She replied. "In education." "No joke?" "I would never dare." She continued eating. "I'm happy for you." "Thanks." I couldn´t help but grin, which was not the best response given the person who was just entering the room and headed straight for us.

"Ms. Zimmer!" Boyd dropped enthusiastically in the chair to my right. "Just the woman I was looking for." "I would be wary of that statement." I grinned at him and he back. "What gives us the honor?" "Number One, I have wonderful news." Now he smiled at the first officer, then at me again. "However, for my new paramedic in training." "No, honestly?" I did my best to be surprised, but I didn´t succeed, but I didn´t want to give it be beaten yet. "Are you serious?" Quietly, I heard the commander chuckle beside me, that put my already weak performance the killing blow. "Why did you betray it?" Boyd glared at the first officer. "I was so looking forward to do it." "That's my flaw." She shrugged, probably should be an apology. "I knew that." I pricked off a piece of my cake. "And I am honored that you will share your knowledge with me Dr. Boyd." That seemed to soothe him.

"And I'm looking forward to teaching you." He stood up, seemingly expecting me to do so, because he looked at me. "I would like to give you the appropriate documents." "Right now?" I reached for the brownie and bit again, then stood up. "Of course." He nodded. "The next few days are getting too chaotic and if you find time, you have something to read." "How farsighted of you." Number One was still clearly fun, Boyd tried to ignore her. "Okay." I reached for my cup, put the cake in my mouth, chewed hard and swallowed the much too big bite down. "Let's go." I felt the cake crack on in my stomach. "Very good, efficient. Medics eat when there is time. "He started and with a big grin, I threw in the direction of the first officer, I followed him to the infirmary.

"At the time, finishing your class, it raises you to the rank of an officer, which means you'll also have to complete some levels of command training and Starfleet regulations." Now I figured I'd been accompanying Tilly on the Discovery. "I am highly motivated and looking forward to the challenge." "I am glad to hear that." We reached the infirmaries and Boyd started providing me with educational materials, if that were books I needed a wagon to bring them to my quarters, so it was just a PADD and a small box of data carriers. "I will also call you when extraordinary situations arise." "All the time?" I looked at him. "If I am on duty or I think it makes sense, yes." I bit back a sigh. Apprenticeship years are not men's years, my father has always said that. "Okay doctor." I smiled instead. "Of course, you can also cancel and I understand everyone's private life, rest periods are important, but don´t let it become a habit."

"What private life?" I watched as he passed me. "You must not forget that we have time in spite of everything, you must remember that your life expectancy is now many times higher than in your time and eventually there will be more in your lives than running after me." "If you say that." I just realized how quiet it had become. "Not busy today?" "All preparations are already in progress for the arrival on earth. We get new staff and equipment and don´t forget the holiday. " I nodded, the thought of vacation still causing my stomach ache. Spock had sent me the transport coordinates for my home and confronted me with what I wanted to do. Stupid Vulcan, that's what I said to him. "Ms. Zimmer to the bridge, please. "I looked up involuntarily as Pike's voice rang out from the infirmary's Com, then I pressed the talk button. "Here, I'll be right there." Then I looked at Boyd. "Did I do something?" Boyd glanced at one of the screens, then smiled at me. "I think I know what's going on." "OK." "Let's go." He made a movement as if to scare me away. "We are done for today." "See you later." I waved to him, then hurried to follow the captain's orders. I still didn´t belong official to Starfleet, but it was better not to stand in the way of the chain of command.

I reached the turbolift to the bridge, gave my destination and took the few seconds it took to figure out why I should be there. The lift opened and I entered the bridge of the USS Enterprise. Again, the mood was solved and just when I wanted to be a little uncertain around the area, Pike turned to me. "That was fast." He smiled at me. "It sounded somehow urgent." I looked around. "Maybe." He pointed to the screen. "I thought you might want to see this." "Reaching the sol system." "Impulse engines." Pike turned back to the front. "Go under warp." The typical Warp lights in front of the window vanished and disappeared into the starry sky and after we passed a few planets very quickly, I finally saw something that I knew.

I stepped next to the command chair, I didn´t know where else to stand. In front of the Enterprise, Saturn with its rings pasted, then joined by Jupiter. Time and again, spaceships and stations crossed our path, and as we passed Mars, which looked completely different, I felt myself getting nervous. And then I saw it. I had seen pictures, but even the highest resolution photos couldn´t match what was just before my eyes. Blue and sparkling, it floated in space, the earth. I left my place next to Pike and walked a few steps to the screen. I couldn´t see that he was smiling slightly, I was too much attached to what was going on in front of my eyes.

Here, too, scurrying satellites and spaceships, if I hadn´t known that this was the headquarters and heart of the Federation, that sight would have left no doubt, and as if all that had not been overwhelming enough, the most incredible space station I've ever seen pushed itself from the side of the picture. More and more, the familiar blue filled in the window. The perfect moment, I was sure, the more frightened I was by the beeping of the Com, just sounding through the bridge. "We are hailed." "Open ship-wide channel." Pike got up from his chair. "Captain Pike, this is Admiral Johnson of the High Command." "We hear you admiral." "Welcome back, USS Enterprise." I could hear the clapping around me. "Space Dock 1, you're expected in San Francisco in an hour." "Understand High Command, Enterprise end." I still stood there watching now as we turned and headed for the Utopia Planetia, then I could hear footsteps behind me. "Welcome Home." His voice so close to my ear gave me goose bumps all over my body and I glanced back over my shoulder and looked straight into his blue eyes.

I was sure I was beaming from ear to ear, as he beamed at me, as would be the best at this moment that brought the whole crew to dance, that he could give me a pleasure. "Thank you." I just hoped that I didn´t blush. If I had been aware that the entire bridge crew was watching us, the red alarm would probably have faded with envy, but all I could feel was his hand brushing unobtrusively over my back before he turned around and went back to his chair. He took a seat and opened a channel. "This is Captain Pike." He let his gaze wander through the bridge. "We are home again. I wish you a few nice days with your families before we meet again. For those who leave us I have only the best wishes, I thank you for your services, your sacrifices and your dedication. "Then he got up. "I'd like to ask you to remember a minute of those who didn´t come back with us." A silence fell over the bridge, which seized the entire ship and stopped it until Pike spoke again. "May they find peace. Thank you. Pike end. "

Again they clapped and then the crew brought the docking maneuvers behind and then I could experience, how for the first time on this ship something like hectic broke out. The officers put their stations in a kind of stand-by mode, before saying goodbye to the captain and leaving the bridge. I, on the other hand, still couldn´t take my eyes off the earth. It seemed like years ago that I had seen it, but it was only a few months. "See you the evening after tomorrow?" I looked to the side and found myself facing number one. "What is there?" "The ball." She smiled at me. "I would like to introduce you to someone and you will certainly like it." "How should I imagine that?" "Lots of gorgeous, smartly dressed people eating, having fun and dancing." She sighed a little. "That sounds." I raised an eyebrow. "Cheesy." Number One did the same. "Sorry." "No, it's cheesy, but still pretty." She put a hand on my forearm. "I count on you. You need a dress. " "Where should I get a dress?" "Therefore, where you get all your things." She grinned. "There are endless patterns or you design something out for yourselves." "OK." "I'm looking forward to seeing you." Then she released me and waved to Pike.

Outside, a spaceship flew by and drew my attention back to space. I still couldn´t believe what I saw. It was all a crazy dream and at that moment I couldn´t wait for this ship to embark on its mission. "So how long do you want to stand there?" I couldn´t help but smile as Pike stood next to me. "I don´t know how much longer would it be appropriate?" My answer was a buzz and the lights went down.

"This was a hint that it was time to leave." He stepped around me into my field of vision. The sight was not bad either. "Anyway, from the bridge." "Okay." I sighed a little. “We're expected in San Francisco. "He put a hand behind my back and pushed me away from the screen toward the exit. "Do you already know what you do after the reception?" "I'll try not to get lost." I grinned at him. "I've never been to San Francisco before, I can find something." Couldn´t be that hard.

"I have a suggestion." He raised his eyebrows as we made our way to the transporter room. Not only we wanted to go there. The whole crew would beam down. "I'm all ears." I grinned at him. "Or may I guess?" "You'll never get it." Pike laughed a little. "You want to persuade me to go for a spin?" I would have bet a lot that I was right. "I wish it was so." A pitying look hit me. "I have the great pleasure of spending the next few hours in a meeting with other captains and admirals." "Uh, sounds exciting." I tried as encouraging as possible to look. "How long does it take? Because I would need someone to show me the city. "That helped, he giggled a little.

"You don´t believe how tempting that sounds." He sighed again and then looked at me with a look that made my heart beat faster. "And I couldn´t imagine anything better, but I'm afraid that will take forever, especially considering the recent events." "I assume my name will drop a few times as well?" I rolled my eyes. "Would be overdue again." We entered the transporter room and started. "But it's going to be related to being part of my crew now." Pike smiled at me. "Don´t worry, you will leave the planet again with me." "I'll let me ravish to believe you."

I looked forward and the transporter took the last group of people away before Pike and I were the only ones left. Spock and Number One just joined us. "Alright, I cannot get it." I raised my hands as I followed Spock onto the platform. Pike looked up at me from below, then followed me. "Are you telling me?" "I'd rather show it to you." He winked at me, then the transporter grabbed us and brought us to earth. After the transporter jet disappeared, I found myself in sunny San Francisco, a stunning building in the back, the Golden Gate Bridge right in front of me, and the smell of seawater in my nose. "Wow." I took a few steps towards the wall and felt Pike grab my hand and pull me back. I stumbled and he caught me, unnecessarily. "What is?"

"Wrong direction." He smiled happily at me, but didn´t let me go. He looked at me and I caught myself at the thought of kissing him. Here, in front of the entire crew and half the leadership of Starfleet certainly not the best idea, but still a damn enticing. "Turn around." "Okay." I turned and it took me a moment to pick out some familiar faces in the clutter of uniforms and civilians. There they stood change! Tilly, Burnham and other crew members of the Discovery. I turned back to Chris.

"That's not true!" I beamed at him, then hugged him briefly. "Now I'm even more sorry that you have to fumble in this stupid session." I released him, but he didn´t. "I'm allowed to play tomorrow." He laughed and I joined him. "Go and greet all from me." "Thanks, Chris." I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, so close to his lips, as I just considered it appropriate. "I would like to praise it, but that would be undeserved." He chuckled, but kept his thoughts to himself. I let him go, waved him goodbye and then walked over to my friends.

#star trek discovery #star trek discovery fan fiction #star trek discovery oc #chris pike #chris pike x reader #christopher pike x reader #captain pike x reader #captain pike x oc #pike x oc #chris pike x oc #captain christopher pike #captain chris pike #writeblr #cathrin zimmer #captain pike fan fiction

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wirika125-blog · 5 years ago

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Morocco Travel Information

We at Morocco Stars Travel get numerous queries all the time regarding Morocco. We tend to attempt toad keep this list updated so you'll be able to get an understanding regarding however we tend to run our Morocco tours and the way you'll be able to best expertise the country with our company. Please have a visit to our web site. Be at liberty to succeed in out and provides the U.S.A. Associate in the Nursing email if you've got any queries in any respect.

Morocco Stars Travel is developed over than seventeen years of expertise, that allowed to Morocco’s travelers to fancy their Morocco visit;

Best things to try and do in Morocco:

Testing Morocco Food

Eating couscous and tagline:

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Drinking mint tea:

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Hearing the decision to prayer

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Morocco is an Associate in nursing improbably destination. At times, it had been making an attempt, stressful, chaotic, and fulls my senses, except for all the stresses of travel, it had been a rustic wherever I felt out of my part and like I used to be actually somewhere new and totally different. I am white-haired that feeling and everything else regarding Morocco.

Sandboarding in energy unit Chubb

Once at energy unit Chubb, the sand dune surf riding will begin! However, don’t forget… initial you've got to climb up the Dunes! The upper you climb, the higher the ride down, the quicker your board can take you. And what goes up, must, most of the time, come down. You hope to ride down the dune as quick as you'll be able to create the trouble of climb up to the highest whole price!

Quad and buggy

Morocco Stars Travel offers you a chance to get Morocco by Quad and buggy within the Sahara of Morocco is one among the foremost superb mechanical desert journey and Sahara Desert experiences in Morocco. If you're a fan of quads and dunes buggies, you need to completely expertise quad biking and recreational vehicle within the Sahara. The bulk of tours of Morocco begin from Marrakech collectively of the highest five world travel destinations. Don’t miss this superb desert journey within the Marrakech Sahara. From Marrakech or from any Moroccan town, we are able to prepare a tour to the Sahara and cause you to expertise quad biking or buggy and a few alternative desert experiences like sandboarding. Except for Morocco imperial city tours, cultural tours, and coast city tours. We are able to organize any style of trip.

1- Morocco desert tours its superb Associate in Nursing terrific that all Morocco travel person should do it; A visit to the Moroccan Sahara is unquestionably an expertise everybody ought to have a minimum of once in their lifespan. it's a journey well definitely worth the effort and you'll have fond reminiscences to last you forever. Imagine yourself on a canceled ride, trekking through the rolling orange Sahara of energy unit Chubb Dunes. There’s nothing around you and everyone you'll be able to hear area unit the footsteps of the artiodactyls mammal on the soft sand. The sky is huge and clear within the day and crammed with many bright stars in the dead of night. It’s terribly peaceful expertise, one relay identified to most of the Western World

Marrakech rubber-necking

With its heat days, busy nights and verdant fragrances, Marrakech could be a fascinating town for even the foremost discerning soul. Although a booming touristy trade will stifle a number of its charms, there is a unit still ways that to induce slightly of magic in ‘The Red City’.

While many folks could associate this thousand-year-old Moroccan town with labyrinthine alleyways and snake charmers, Marrakech is really equal components ancient and mode

Fes visit guided Morocco stars travel provide several tours and visit.

Fes town is one of the necessary cities in Morocco which each and every traveler should visit with the native guide as a result of its thus exhausting to go to this town while not the native guide, Fes it was the primary capital within the country and it’s the oldest town altogether geographical region.

Chefechouan Trip recently become sort of a prime destination in Morocco beneath name blue city

Morocco Imperial cities holidays during this tour the travelers can have the chance to get and compare between medieval ages and actual way thus our experienced team can provide this expertise with our skilled guide

Enjoying the beach and food of Essaouira

The charming settlement, Essaouira is that the recent Portuguese town of Mogador.

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Seeing Aid Benhaddou

This day excursion can pass fully through the chain of the High Atlas by the route of Tizi n’Tichka, passing the very best road in Africa; admire the mountains of the gorgeous and ancient Berber villages. You’ll notice the distinction between the 2 sides of the chain: the North maintains a transparent Mediterranean character, whereas the South is way a lot of arid and Saharan. This is often marked within the vegetation, however additionally within the mode of construction of ancient housing that takes into consideration climate terribly totally different.

Morocco hiking

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Meditation and Yoga

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Morocco Stars Travel offers you a chance to seek out your soul, Set within the tranquility of an exquisite landscape within the heart of Sahara Desert dunes, wherever you'll be able to observe the Yoga and Meditation, taking time to relax and revel in all the delicious native food. It’s simply a fabulously fun and helpful experience! Realize the first page here http://www.moroccostarstravel.com/

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some-thoughts-and-crosses · 7 years ago

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Visitations!

It is October in Rome…and a lovely month it is. Technically Autumn, it’s only now getting slightly chilly in the mornings. It also marks almost 3 months since I arrived, and what a 3 months it’s been. I’ve settled into a groove, and am enjoying my work. A few trips are on the horizon and a few have just been, which helps stave off the persistent homesickness. Also helping greatly in this regard are visits from my people!

Faeeza and Pria came to Rome! They arrived on Saturday 30th September, bringing their lovely selves, along with home treats, much chat, and the priceless comfort of dear friends. The first thing I did after their somewhat gruelling journey was make them climb to the top of Gianicolo! It did provide beautiful views though – my justification.

The first of several selfies, taken with enthusiasm if not skill!

In the afternoon we traipsed through Rome a bit, visiting Fontana di Trevi (of course), the Spanish Steps, and the Keats and Byron museum.

Sunday took us to Naples! A lovely train ride of a little more than an hour and the friendliest tourist office staff led us to our first destination…Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità in Piazza Sanità. We came for the catacombs! Our first…and probably not the last. Was a really interesting insight into savvy priests and gullible (but rich!) nobles of the time, that saw them pay vast sums to be ‘purified’ and entombed after they died. The price they paid for this saw the church built in just 10 years – unheard of in the 17th century! This is a fresco of a couple that reputedly died on their wedding day. The women is depicted in what we were told is typical, no-nonsense Neapolitan stance – hand on hips! Even then...

After all this excitement we needed sustenance. Perhaps you’ve heard that the best pizza in Italy can be found in Naples…we did! And to be frank, this was the aspect that pretty much decided Naples as our day-trip destination of choice. It turned out to be the perfect choice. We all 3 loved it! There’s a mad energy there, a realness, and so much to see at every corner that is either beautiful, stimulating, or both. Graffiti is wall art. Crazy locals stare from their windows. Seafood is sold on every street corner, and the traffic follows its own, decidedly Neapolitan rhythm. No one wears helmets on the many scooters. We passed scooters with kids standing on the seat as an adult rode, and pizza delivery guys holding the pizzas in one hand and steering with the other. Speaking of pizza…

I really love this pic of the 3 of us, eating our pizza on the pavement and watching the world go by!

The texture of the dough is different in Naples, being more pliable and thicker than in Rome. And while our pies were tasty, I have to say, I will take Roman pizza any day. The below sample is from La Bocaccia in Rome, a spot Pri and Faeez found for me, a dangerous 10 minute walk from my apartment. I would highly recommend it…so good!

After some pastries (for which Naples is also famous), we ventured forth to see the status of the Veiled Christ. It is hauntingly beautiful. We weren’t allowed to take pics of our own, but Wikipedia obliges us. The artist ‘was charged with producing "a marble statue sculpted with the greatest realism, representing Our Lord Jesus Christ in death, covered by a transparent shroud carved from the same block of stone as the statue.":

We headed back to Rome, with Naples leaving its mark. It was a somewhat busy work period for me so I was back to work next day, which left Faeez and Pri to their own sweet wills. Here you see them posing romantically in what is, I believe, the English graveyard Keats is buried in.

On Monday evening we reconvened, and went to the Forum for a night-time audio-visual tour focusing on Caesar. The play of light and sound was incredible – it recreated the Forum and let us see what it would have been like when built. Completely (and expensively) funded by Caesar, he saw it as a way to show-case his glory. As such he refused to have any artists sign their work, lest it detract from him. Kind of a dirt-bag move Caesar…but then again, he did get quite the comeuppance. (This is the first time I’ve used ‘comeuppance’…it won’t be the last).

Too soon, Pri left us lamenting. This gave Faeez a couple days to explore Rome on her own, and on Friday we met again at the airport for the final leg of our adventure…Milan!

Faeez’s fashion credentials necessitated the trip, and almost immediately, the change in dress was visible. The Milanese are a funky bunch. Saturday morning started with coffee and cornettoes in Caffe Armani…

We spent the morning on a fashion tour, with our guide giving us a fashion history lesson and taking us through some of the designer stores, conveniently located around 4 core, inter-leading streets. This part of Milan is really quite small and contained, and the chaos during Fashion week – with celebs in tinted luxury cars on the little, gridlocked streets – can only be imagined. The tour was fascinating…who knew Armani started out his empire by providing clothing for the first wave of professional, working women at the time! The window displays are curated with much care, and are frequently spectacular. We learnt that Valentino has a trademark colour – Valentino Red!

We also realised just how big the fur trade still is…with fur trimming in high demand on everything from accessories to floor-length coats. Interestingly, I just read that Gucci is committing to going fur-free in 2018. This is extremely promising, since it seems Gucci is at the top of its game right now, and was by far the busiest of the designer shops we visited.

Our tour came to an end and Faeez and I went in search of sustenance. We had tea at a venerable old lady of a tea room – 200 years old! Pasticceria Cova…you were a lovely glimpse into what 1800s café society was all about.

The last and most magnificent stop of the day was the Milan Cathedral. Faeez spotted it first as we exited the underground (who knew it would be right there?!) – and it pretty much took our breath away. We lit candles inside and spent a few moments enjoying the loveliness.

Sunday was also a tour day, the primary reason behind it being to secure a viewing of The Last Supper. If you’re going to Milan and want to see it, make sure you book your tickets early. Once they sell out, as they did, you can only hope to access it via a tour. In an attempt to maintain the humidity levels of the room in which it is painted (an old priestly cafeteria!), we passed through 2 sets of doors that seal behind us, and have 15 minute slots for viewings. Pictures are allowed, flash is not. When I was a kid in high school art class, I never imagined that one day I would actually get to see the things I was learning about. It was just so beyond my frame of reference. Each time I do, I am quite overcome. The Last Supper was no exception.

Overall, Milan was lovely. The people were gracious and friendly, and everything seemed to work smoothly. Giulia reckons it’s because the Milanese aren’t frustrated like Romans!

If I had to place Italian cities along a scale of ordered to crazy, I’d place Naples on one end and Milan at the other – with Rome somewhere in the middle. What really made these trips special though, was getting to enjoy it with F & P

Disclaimer: “The information posted on this blog reflects my personal views and opinions and does not necessarily represent those of my employer.”

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minimalnerdig · 4 years ago

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Frontier Station 01

As I entered the passenger compartment of the shuttle that would be my safe space for the next few hours, I routinely scanned the other passengers. They were of no consequence to me, but still I had to be sure. The compartment was comprised of 12 seats on its walls, all equipped with Type C passenger security belts, manufactured by a frontier brand. Cheap, but functional, although I noticed strong signs of abrasion as I fastened mine. The middle of the compartment featured a standard recreational table with 6 additional seats. A quick glance led me to believe that at most 30 percent of the activities could be in working order, the rest was covered with a thick layer of metal dust, rendering the controls useless. There were three exits: The one I had just entered through, on the far left from my seating position, one on in the middle of the wall I was sitting next to, leading to an emergency airlock, as well as the lavatory and finally, the one directly to my right, leading to the escape pods and, at least through a maintenance hatch, connected to the bridge. In a T-3 class passenger shuttle like this, that hatchwas usually sealed shut, an inconvenience easily overcome by a modified Type 2 plasma cutter, like the one I was carrying in my knife, if you knew where to cut. I turned my attention back to exit 1, as the door opened and a seemingly young man entered, ducking his head through the hatch. The steward resealed the hatch while the man gazed at the passengers, just as I had done only minutes before. I quickly turned away, just slightly arching my back and looking just as slightly bored, before this piercing gaze hit me. Satisfied with his survey, the man sat down just where he had been standing, directly next to the hatch. With one seat still empty, we waited patently, knowing that without that missing passenger our voyage would not begin. The travel company would keep us waiting until that seat was filled by a paying passenger, as penalties would have to be payed for not complying with the Efficiency Act. Penalties that would be passed directly down to the crew by the company. Finally the last passenger arrived. He had to be about thirty years old, with long, black hair, almost as black as my own had been, before I had coloured it in an inconspicuous bright red. His clothes suggested that he should not have been able to afford the comfort of a T-3 shuttle, or at least its passenger compartment. He must have gotten a special deal or, for a reason unbeknownst to our fellow travellers, a sponsor. I noticed the man’s nervousness: His hands were shaking ever so slightly and his blood pressure was clearly elevated, at least to an observant eye such as the large man’s. The young man took the last seat and fastened, after some trouble, his security belt. As soon as that was accomplished, a vibration shook us and the engines started with a deafening roar. A stomach-churning sensation of being dropped let all passengers fall into silence, as the shuttle took a guided and boostedfree fall through the launch tube and the inertial dampeners were adjusted. A final rumble shook the ship when the launch thrusters were detached, then the shuttle fell into the silence of space. Our safety belts automatically released, which compelled the two children on board to jump to the table to stare through the now transparent ceiling into the vast abyss of empty space, shrieking with an excitement that would soon fade into boredom. I used this moment of communal distraction and left the compartment through exit 2. A quick glance through the semi transparent door made sure that no one had cared about or even noticed my departure. I entered the lavatory and stepped to the mirror. Keeping one eye on the door, I opened the smart mirror’s interface. I entered the prepared sequence and activated it. The interface turned to a calming red, vanished for a second and then reappeared, butthis time visible to my eye only. I activated the mirror’s scanning cycle, carefully redirecting the feed to myself and entered another sequence. In turn, my synthetic

eye also activated and, as I slowly increased its capabilities, I continued monitoring the mirrors readings. Once the mirror detected my implant, I stopped the scanning cycle and decreased my eye’s range slightly, to keep it undetectable from anything but a thorough examination. Satisfied with the result, I deleted the smart mirror’s memory and replaced it with a forged recording of me straightening my hair. Fortunately for me, the kids still had all the passenger’s attention, as I reentered the compartment. I sat down again and started scanning the passengers, beginning with the tall man. The first thing my eye told me, my eyes had already suspected when he had first come in. There was a reason for his unnatural youth. His face was the product of plastic, or rather metallicsurgery, because the original one could not have survived the operation. His scull had been completely replaced with a replica in a metal alloy, bulletproof I suspected, but I could not be sure without risking detection. His hair was equally fake and provided additional shielding against unsuspecting scans. For a second, my scan seemed to glitch, probably a result of his heavy shielding. I moved down to his jacket. Nothing. His torso seemed to be completely unaltered, a fact I considered to be highly improbable. Then my eye caught a short, unshielded glims, perhaps caused by malfunction in a generator. Unfortunately there wasn’t sufficient time to get a full scan, but the amount of metal I managed to detect, was alarming. The man’s trousers and shoes were, though military grade, not out of the ordinary, especially considering our destination. I moved on to the young black haired, just quickly glancing over the other passengers, merely detecting 2 poorly concealed weapons that would not be able to harm me. They were most likely brought in fear of the partly uncivilized lands we were heading to, although they would not be of much use against anyone actually intent on harming the bearers. The young man was a different story, on the other hand. I scanned two knives and a much more potent gun, as well as cheap scanning equipment, that all would be well hidden behind his clothing encryption, if I did not poses his access codes. There were no body modifications to speak of, the man would not have had the money. I started to relax. We were on a 120 hour trip, if he followed protocol, which was extremely likely considering the close quarters, the metal scull would not take action until the last 20 hours of the trip, probably even later during the deceleration phase. This window gave me plenty of time to add an additional layer to the black haired’s body encryption, to give him the necessary credibility. I closed my eyes and keyed myself, and my seat’s sleep system, to wake me in 10 hours. My brain processor would remain highly active, even throughout my sleep, installing various subroutines and commands, necessary for the coming deception.

#FrontierStation #MinimalNerdig #MinimalNerdigOriginal #HardSciFi

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sailorrrvenus · 6 years ago

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Recreating the First Color Photo Ever Made

In the “Olden Days,” professional science was still in its infancy. People who trained in science and practiced science were using every ounce of creativity and imagination at their disposal to discover the nature of the world. They were scrappy and inventive. In this article, I will outline a modern replication of the experiment that produced the first color photograph ever made.

As you will see, the method for making the original color photograph was itself a remix! It was made in 1861 by Scottish physicist, James Clerk Maxwell working with the photographer Thomas Sutton (here’s a nice historical blog post). The image was of a tartan ribbon and based on ideas he had worked out and described in a scientific paper six years earlier, in 1855 (you can get Maxwell’s original paper here).

In a world driven by multi-media and digital imagery, it is easy to forget that not so long ago, photography was a brand new technology. As of right now, it is less than 200 years old! The first photograph known to be taken that is still surviving today was by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 or 1827. It is a photograph taken through an upstairs window, looking out over the rooftops of his estate in Le Grase, Burgundy, France. The earliest photograph known to include people was by Louis Daguerre in 1838, showing the Boulevard du Temple in Paris.

These early photographs were all monochromatic — “black and white.” They were largely based on chemical reactions of silver nitrate, which darkens when exposed to sunlight. Such reactions are called “photochemical.” While the novelty of capturing life exactly as it appeared at a given moment was enchanting, there was always something missing: color.

This article will guide you through a modern implementation of the Maxwell-Sutton method. It is not necessary by any means, but it is an enjoyable process and has its own charming elements that can be launching points into your own personal explorations of the artistry and science of photography.

Step 1: Maxwell Color Separation Method

Maxwell’s method is to exploit monochromatic photography in a subtle and clever way. The basic idea is this:

1. Take a black and white photograph of a scene through a colored filter. The image will be black and white, but the only things in the image are the things that can be seen through the filter.

2. Take a multitude of black and white images through different filters. The classic choices are RED, GREEN, and BLUE.

3. To reconstruct the color image, shine a RED light through the “red” black and white image; shine a GREEN light through the “green” image, and a BLUE light through the “blue” image.

4. Align the three projected images together on the screen or wall, and the correct color image will appear!

In images where the colors are well defined and separated, it is easy to imagine how this might work. Above, I show a Hubble Space Telescope image of the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293). Hubble takes images using exactly the Maxwell method, through separate color filters, with the final image being a combination of the separate images. The three black and white images are the RED, GREEN, and BLUE breakdown of the Helix Nebula. You can compare them to the color image to see how different parts of the full-color image are created.

Step 2: Materials

To complete this project, you’ll need:

Some cardstock

Tape

Red, Green, Blue transparent plastic (see below)

Smartphone (or other camera)

Tripod

Printable transparency sheets

A bright light

The keys to the method are the colored filters. You can try just about anything, but the overall color balance you end up with depends on the color of the filters and how dark one filter is compared to another. For accurate color representation (as opposed to artistic — see the last step!) you want the three filters to be roughly the same in terms of how dark the world looks through them, and slightly darker is better than slightly lighter.

Good sources of filter material might be clear gel filters used in theater lighting or colored PVC sheets at your local art supply store. I’ve used clear cellophane for gift wrapping for this project.

Step 3: Color Filter Mount

To make photographing simpler, we’ll build a “filter slide” that holds a colored bit of filter in front of the lens on your camera. For this step, I’ll assume you are using a smartphone.

Begin by cutting a 1-1/2″ wide strip of cardstock from the long dimension of your sheet.

Fold the strip around your smartphone so it overlaps itself making a loop sleeve.

Note where the camera is; unfold the strip and using an Exacto knife cut an opening over the location of the camera.

Tape the sleeve shut into a loop, and confirm your hole sits over the camera.

Step 4: Color Filter Slide

To make the filter slide, take another 1-1/2″ wide strip of cardstock about 8 inches long, and fold it in half. Cut three large windows through both sides using your Exacto knife.

In each window, pick one of your three color filters and tape a bit into the window. Be careful to not get any tape in the window — otherwise, it will show up in your photographs!

If you need the filter material to be a bit darker, you can fold it over on itself (I had to do this with my blue cellophane). If you do this, make sure it is as flat as possible, or your photographs will not come out crisp and in focus.

When the filter windows are covered, tape the edges of the cardstock together so you can slide it into the filter mount as one piece without it flopping open.

Be careful to place the windows so you can cover the camera with the film, not the cardstock. I had to trim my first filter slide a bit because the cardstock boundary was a bit too thick the first time I cut it, and it blocked about half of the camera view!

Step 5: Using the Filter Slide

Insert the slide with the filters underneath the filter mount against the body of your smartphone. Carefully slide the filter back and forth until one of the colors shows through the window.

If you look at the camera view, you will see a color filtered image of the world!

When you are ready for the next filter, push the slide along underneath the mount until you reach the next filter window.

Step 6: Photography Setup

The key to successful Maxwell-Sutton image composition is ensuring that each of the images is taken from exactly the same vantage point and orientation. For the method to work, you are taking three identical photographs through each of the different filters, so you don’t want the camera to move between shots. Since I’m doing this with my smartphone, I use a small table-top “Gorillapod” tripod from Joby.

Set-up your camera with your still life well lit up — the camera flash will be behind your colored filters and will not illuminate the scene; I recommend turning the flash OFF so it doesn’t fire and glare off the inside of the filter.

Slide your filter into the sleeve to the first color (red for me) and take the first shot — make sure you tap to focus! Carefully slide to the next color (green for me) and take a photo, then slide to the last color (blue for me) and take a photo.

You may experiment with different exposure settings in your camera, to see how the resulting filtered images look.

Step 7: Printing the Modern Maxwell Ribbon

One difference between what we are doing and what Maxwell did is we are taking COLOR photographs through filters, then recombining them directly. Maxwell took BLACK AND WHITE photos through filters, then shined the pictures through the correct color filters to recombine them.

Each of your filtered images will look somewhat like the still-life, but not exactly. In the first image above I show a colored ribbon I used (I did not have a Maxwell family tartan ribbon!), and the three printed images taken through each of my filters.

On a piece of transparency, print out each of the red, green, and blue images separately.

As noted above, it is not perfect as the filters themselves are not perfectly balanced against one another; experimenting with different filters can make the color return more true to the original. As we will see below, all of the color information is in the filtered images, and software processing can make up for color imbalances.

Step 8: Viewing the Modern Maxwell Ribbon

Stack the three images on top of each other, and carefully align them. You’ll notice in my ribbon, I had a small paper clip holding the ribbon in its shape, which was very useful for alignments!

Hold the stack up to a bright light and you will see the recombined color image!

Using random color filter material, it is hard to get a perfectly accurate color image out. It is a complex combination of the color filters you use, your printer’s interpretation of those colors, and the quality of the print. But you can clearly see the color pattern and the trends in the colors. In this particular case, I think the blue needed to be even darker.

The quality of your light source also matters. A light-table would be ideal, as would sunlight. The day I was doing this project was cloudy, but if I get a sunny day someday soon, I’ll add a picture viewing with bright sunlight.

Step 9: Using Software for Recombination

Modern printing methods use a variant of the Maxwell technique to generate color on the printed page or screen, breaking images up into color channels (like RGB or CMYK) that when mixed give the full-color images you are used to seeing; this is why your color printer has different color ink cartridges. In the first image above, I’ve put a 20x magnifying loupe up against a white space on my monitor, and you can see the individual pixels are lit up in a combination of red, blue, and green!

In software like Photoshop, the color separation information is stored in “channels.” We can have the software combine our color filter images into a full-color image using the channels.

Which color channels you have in Photoshop depends on the image Mode you are using. In my version of Photoshop (CS6) you can find this under the menu Image > Mode, as shown in the second image above (we’re using RGB for this project).

Selecting under the menu Windows > Channels will bring up the separated channels. In the third image above you can see I’ve opened a full-color RGB image. The channels show the combined RGB result and then separate R layer, G layer, and B layer. They act just like layers do in any document — you can turn individual ones on and off, or change them. This is what we will exploit in the following steps.

If you don’t have access to Photoshop, there are also good openSource image manipulation software packages, such as GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) for all platforms.

Step 10: Software and the Modern Maxwell Ribbon

Open up all three of your filtered images in Photoshop, and note down the dimensions. Open up a new document with the same dimensions as each of the filtered images.

Go to the red image. Select the entire image (“Select All”), and copy it. Switch to the new image file, and view the channels described in the last step.

Now we’re going to copy the individual color filtered images into the correct color channel:

Select the RED channel, and paste. You’ll see a greyscale version of the red image in the red channel layer.

Repeat the process by copying the blue image file, and pasting it into the blue channel of the new image.

Lastly, copy the green image file and paste it into the green channel of the new image.

You can see the result in the last image above — nothing has been done to rebalance this, but it looks very good! There is an excess of green, which you can see in the white background — this is because the green of my clear cellophane is not what Photoshop thinks the basic green filter should be. Never-the-less, the color response you see is excellent — your screen display, on a pixel by pixel basis, is much better at showing good combined color response than overlaying the fine grains of ink or laser toner on printed sheets!

Step 11: Software Color Balancing

As we noted above, software is good at rebalancing color and can make up for the relative strength in the color of our individual filters. Photoshop has an auto-balancing feature that does its best to rebalance how much each of the color channels influences the overall image combination. Above, I’ve shown a rebalanced color combination. Here’s the original full-color ribbon for comparison:

With the balancing, you can see the green background is closer to the truer white it is in real life.

Step 12: Last Thoughts & Artistic Games

I’m experimenting with this technique but would like to settle on a good set of filters and good printing process so I can print a piece to hang in my house as art. The need for illumination is making me think about a shadow box with LED strips and a light diffuser behind the printed transparency stack. It will make for good conversation!

Beyond that, there is a well-developed science around color which you can learn about and exploit, but the ability to play around creatively can lead to unexpected and interesting artistic results. For instance, consider the color balanced collection of Rubik’s style puzzles in the first image above, created using the process outlined in this article. In the second and third images, I took the red, green, and blue images and pasted them in different channels — this makes strikingly different, and clearly not correctly colored images! In the last image, I took the red and blue channel and left them alone. For the green channel, I did a “color inversion,” replacing the green with its color “opposite” (a kind of pink palette; Photoshop can do this automatically). The result is a very alien glowy green image! Awesome!

I hope you enjoyed this remix of photographic history and experiment some on your own with creating your own images of the world!

About the author: Shane L. Larson is a professor of physics and astronomy at Northwestern University. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. His hobbies include amateur astronomy, woodworking, and LEGO modeling. You can find more of Larson’s work on Twitter and YouTube. This article was also published here.

source https://petapixel.com/2019/04/11/recreating-the-first-color-photo-ever-made/

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pauldeckerus · 6 years ago

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Recreating the First Color Photo Ever Made

Step 1: Maxwell Color Separation Method

Maxwell’s method is to exploit monochromatic photography in a subtle and clever way. The basic idea is this:

1. Take a black and white photograph of a scene through a colored filter. The image will be black and white, but the only things in the image are the things that can be seen through the filter.

2. Take a multitude of black and white images through different filters. The classic choices are RED, GREEN, and BLUE.

3. To reconstruct the color image, shine a RED light through the “red” black and white image; shine a GREEN light through the “green” image, and a BLUE light through the “blue” image.

4. Align the three projected images together on the screen or wall, and the correct color image will appear!

Step 2: Materials

To complete this project, you’ll need:

Some cardstock

Tape

Red, Green, Blue transparent plastic (see below)

Smartphone (or other camera)

Tripod

Printable transparency sheets

A bright light

Step 3: Color Filter Mount

To make photographing simpler, we’ll build a “filter slide” that holds a colored bit of filter in front of the lens on your camera. For this step, I’ll assume you are using a smartphone.

Begin by cutting a 1-1/2″ wide strip of cardstock from the long dimension of your sheet.

Fold the strip around your smartphone so it overlaps itself making a loop sleeve.

Note where the camera is; unfold the strip and using an Exacto knife cut an opening over the location of the camera.

Tape the sleeve shut into a loop, and confirm your hole sits over the camera.

Step 4: Color Filter Slide

To make the filter slide, take another 1-1/2″ wide strip of cardstock about 8 inches long, and fold it in half. Cut three large windows through both sides using your Exacto knife.

In each window, pick one of your three color filters and tape a bit into the window. Be careful to not get any tape in the window — otherwise, it will show up in your photographs!

When the filter windows are covered, tape the edges of the cardstock together so you can slide it into the filter mount as one piece without it flopping open.

Step 5: Using the Filter Slide

Insert the slide with the filters underneath the filter mount against the body of your smartphone. Carefully slide the filter back and forth until one of the colors shows through the window.

If you look at the camera view, you will see a color filtered image of the world!

When you are ready for the next filter, push the slide along underneath the mount until you reach the next filter window.

Step 6: Photography Setup

You may experiment with different exposure settings in your camera, to see how the resulting filtered images look.

Step 7: Printing the Modern Maxwell Ribbon

On a piece of transparency, print out each of the red, green, and blue images separately.

Step 8: Viewing the Modern Maxwell Ribbon

Stack the three images on top of each other, and carefully align them. You’ll notice in my ribbon, I had a small paper clip holding the ribbon in its shape, which was very useful for alignments!

Hold the stack up to a bright light and you will see the recombined color image!

Step 9: Using Software for Recombination

In software like Photoshop, the color separation information is stored in “channels.” We can have the software combine our color filter images into a full-color image using the channels.

If you don’t have access to Photoshop, there are also good openSource image manipulation software packages, such as GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) for all platforms.

Step 10: Software and the Modern Maxwell Ribbon

Open up all three of your filtered images in Photoshop, and note down the dimensions. Open up a new document with the same dimensions as each of the filtered images.

Go to the red image. Select the entire image (“Select All”), and copy it. Switch to the new image file, and view the channels described in the last step.

Now we’re going to copy the individual color filtered images into the correct color channel:

Select the RED channel, and paste. You’ll see a greyscale version of the red image in the red channel layer.

Repeat the process by copying the blue image file, and pasting it into the blue channel of the new image.

Lastly, copy the green image file and paste it into the green channel of the new image.

Step 11: Software Color Balancing

With the balancing, you can see the green background is closer to the truer white it is in real life.

Step 12: Last Thoughts & Artistic Games

I hope you enjoyed this remix of photographic history and experiment some on your own with creating your own images of the world!

from Photography News https://petapixel.com/2019/04/11/recreating-the-first-color-photo-ever-made/

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bffhhoneymoon · 6 years ago

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Entry 25

I felt as if my eyes were bulging out of my head. The pink-skinned beings around us had no sense of modesty. Some of them wore clothing with more holes than material. Many of the outfits with abundant material were also transparent. Barely an hour on this planet and I was equally appalled by its occupants and impressed by its beauty.

Displays of affection were not only frequent, they were grandiose. Kissing seemed as common as a greeting to these people. Lewd dancing to music groups sang was frequent. What I felt and heard going on just out of sight was entirely inappropriate.

When Aaliyah warned us that we might have a sense of culture shock due to this being a pleasure planet, I expected the drinking, gambling, drugs, music, and numerous forms of entertainment. The crowds weren't surprising, not even with the singing. I knew Dani's people had a love of music. The complete lack of even a sense of decency was appalling. James had to agree. He frequently covered Dani's eyes.

“Watch this.” stated Aaliyah shortly into our trip towards the school, grabbing my hand with a grip that made me feel fragile. Then she started to sing.

The song spread out from her, with every native to the planet joining her in singing it. Even my daughter was singing almost instantly. Spells formed all over, creating a complicated harmony to match the melody. Magical light shows flickered in time, and even offworlders quickly joined in the dancing.

Walking through the streets was no longer possible. Anyone who didn't dance their way onward would be an unforgivable eyesore in this spontaneous musical. The choreography was easy enough to learn, so James, Dani, Aaliyah, and I twirled, dipped, and bopped our way closer to the school.

Much later when the song came to an end, I expected silence or confusion. Instead, the enormous musical broke off into song-filled debauchery again. This time I saw a connection between many of the activities. Melodies, rhythms, and harmonies from the musical found their way into various other themes. Dance moves were borrowed for other entertainment. The people here never really broke from their unity.

“Still finding it vulgar?” asked Aaliyah with “vulgar” being the sole English word.

Come to think of it, I didn't know an equivalent word in Dani's tongue.

“What's… vulgar?” inquired Dani, looking between the rest of us.

“A word in a language we'll teach you someday.” explained James.

“What's it mean?” asked Dani, her curiosity not sated.

“You'll find as you learn languages that there are numerous words which won't translate easily. My daddy enjoyed teaching them to me. He works as a translator, so he knows many languages.” explained Aaliyah.

For once, I was quite thankful when her explanation continued to an absurd length. By the time Aaliyah had finished, Dani had completely forgotten what she had been asking. Fortunately we had also arrived at the school.

I couldn't find fault in the architecture of Dani's people. The school was somehow even more beautiful to me than the numerous other buildings we had passed throughout our walk. The soaring ivory towers with their silver accents and shimmering windows wove around one another in intricate, delicate-looking patterns which could trick the eye into believing the towers stretched past the clouds.

How could a people so dedicated to frivolity design such a wonder?

“You'll never find a species more dedicated to the arts. There are some equally dedicated, but even they can't compare in passion.” claimed Aaliyah with a grin. She then took the lead, guiding us between the towers and into a garden at the center.

A partially transparent illusion of a woman appeared when we stepped onto a fancifully engraved platform at the garden’s center. The illusion smiled and said, “Thank you for visiting Zyanasha’s School for Girls. The headmistress will see you shortly. The energy field is for your protection as we ascend to higher learning.”

As the illusion spoke, a dome was generated over us. The platform then ascended at the end of the illusion’s speech, just as promised

I felt numerous people above and around us, most of whom were obviously young. By the time we arrived, I had a fair understanding of the layout for the lower towers. Three of the towers were for education. One seemed to be recreational. The fifth was obviously dormitories.

“James, Alma, and Dani, correct?” asked a tall woman with magenta skin, lilac hair, and a nervous smile. She seemed uncomfortable in her modest dress, fidgeting slightly as she pulled it one direction and then another.

I wondered if she chose her apparel for our sake. She didn't really seem to know where to look between us, and was quite obviously not wanting to look at James. Despite the pleasantly cool air and her species’ natural aptitude from magic, she was sweating.

When James nodded and held out his hand, she quickly grasped it while saying, “I am Headmistress Miriandra. We are most excited to see Dani into our care. I'll be giving you the tour at your convenience. Your maid has already prepared Dani's room, and the royal family sent welcoming gifts for her as well as a few tokens to take with you. His majesty wanted me to inform you that he is most saddened that you aren't able to join the royal family for dinner on this trip. The palace is always open to you.”

Ah. I could see why she was nervous now. With this world's monarchy anxious to accommodate us, everyone would be attempting to do the same. Why had Aaliyah said we were busy? Was she keeping something from us, saving us, or plotting something again?

“All of the above, of course.” she replied with a smile, having frozen time. “We'll be frequenting this planet to visit Dani, and you would be most shocked by a royal welcome here at the moment. Best save such things for when you are a bit older. By the way, Miriandra is just as worried about upsetting you. Would you believe there are rumors about how incredibly protective you are with regard to James? Given that monogamy is unheard of here, she's not entirely certain what would offend you.”

Before I could respond, things jumped back into motion. The headmistress, realizing she had been shaking my husband's hand for an excessive period, released him and risked a glance at me.

“I would be delighted for that tour if we may proceed.” I stated.

The headmistress was quick to guide us onward, showing us where Dani’s classrooms would be and introducing the teachers as we stopped at each. I found the uniforms to be scandalous and noted my husband averted his eyes from everyone present in the halls and classrooms alike. The course descriptions here made Earth classes sound like a joke. Mastering calculus, basic physics, and offworld languages was primary school material.

By secondary school, students were expected to be on a technological level that would make Jarod geek out. High schoolers here were also expected to have a firm grasp on intergalactic politics, trade, and law. Then there were classes such as Spell Theory, Recreational Engineering, and The Art of Stillness ― a class dedicated to teaching emotional restraint.

Given how obvious the effect of my husband was on the students and faculty here, I meant to insist Dani enrolled in that Art of Stillness class the moment she reached that level. There were also a number of classes I intended to forbid, finding them entirely inappropriate. James was probably unaware of them, given that they were thankfully not mentioned on the tour. I simply wasn't capable of ignoring what was happening behind certain doors.

I had mixed feelings about leaving Dani anywhere on this planet, but most of the curriculum was better than I expected, considering Dani wasn't of my blood. The school was active year-round, save for holidays. We would also have the option to visit Dani on weekends occasionally.

The tour ended with Dani's bedroom, a multi-roomed suite that was obviously larger than normal.

“These quarters are typically reserved for the royal family. Given their current lack of daughters, his majesty insisted that we make the rooms available for Dani.” explained the headmistress.

“But… I'm not a princess.” stated Dani with wide eyes. She had been relatively composed throughout the tour, but a smile had grown on her lips till she heard this news.

“You are to me.” replied James with a grin.

Dani's eyes went even wider.

I bent down and hugged her, careful to be gentle. By my standards, she was fragile. I couldn't let myself hug her as hard as I would like. I didn't really want to let her go at all. The month living together had only made this more difficult. I forced myself to release her, smiling when I saw that she was clinging to me.

“We need to do this.” stated James. Time was frozen again, and he was staring into my eyes.

“Are you really so certain?” I asked, surprised by his confidence.

“I'm sure you noticed the energy on this planet. Yes, I find much of their behavior shocking, but that emotional energy is overwhelming. The difference between how the different ages reacted when we visited the rooms was incredible.”

“Some of the girls looked ready to jump out of their seats. Others had been quickly restrained by spells.” I admitted.

“There was that, but we could practically see the excitement growing, passing between them.”

Smiling, I told him “And here I thought you were doing so well at not watching anything.”

“Unfortunately, I lost much of my talent for ignoring things when my senses were vastly heightened.” he replied with the most lovely frown.

I nodded and time resumed its normal pace. I gently brush my fingers through Dani's hair.

She looked up at me and asked “Are you leaving?”

“Do you want to go to school here?” I questioned.

She hesitated, looking from me to James and back. “Will I get to see you soon?”

“You can chat with us whenever you're free, and we'll visit often.” promised James.

“If you ever have a problem, just let us know.” I told her. I was amused by how the headmistress tensed up at my words. Dani would be treated well.

“I'll be with you as well.” promised Mila. “Alma would be disappointed if we didn't continue some of your extra studies.”

“I'll also check in each month when I deposit the tuition.” stated Aaliyah.

“There's no need to deliver tuition in person. Fund transfers are the norm.” insisted the headmistress, looking shocked.

“James and Alma won't always have time to make an appearance for tuition, but I'll be perfectly punctual. As secretary to James Michael Somerset III, keeping tabs on Dani's progress while handling accounting is my privilege.” replied Aaliyah with a grin.

The headmistress nodded. “Very well. I'll be sure to make time.”

James knelt and hugged our daughter after seeing the rest of the rooms, so I hugged her again after him. We were parting, but we didn't have to be apart for long. Perhaps we would visit in a week. James and I could easily sneak in extra times with Aaliyah's help if she were willing. After collecting the gifts from the royal family, we headed back to the streets, and I found myself staring back at the tower that housed my daughter.

#BFFH Honeymoon #BFFH #Honeymoon #Jovial Times #Jovial #Times #Fantasy #Fiction #Story

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peckhampeculiar · 7 years ago

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One to watch

Francis Olvez-Wilshaw’s work has explored a diverse range of topics, from American football to the financial crash and his grandfather’s Filipino heritage. We caught up with the Peckham-based artist ahead of his upcoming show at the Royal College of Art

Words Emma Finamore; Photo Orlando Gili

Big, bright red baseball caps are something you might expect to see at a Donald Trump rally, rather than in an art gallery, but a Peckham-based artist is using symbols like this in his work as a way of questioning power, both political and economic.

Francis Olvez-Wilshaw first arrived in the area after winning a place to study sculpture at Camberwell College of Art from 2010-13.

“I was sort of ‘parachuted’ into Camberwell,” he says, remembering how it felt to be a teenager from the Midlands arriving at art school in London. “I was oddly out of sync. I think people noticed my accent a lot, it used to be much stronger.”

Encouraged by his tutors, Francis went on to apply successfully for an MA at the Royal College of Art (RCA), but took a two-year gap after his BA to go back to his hometown of Buxton, Derbyshire, to “toughen up” and learn to live as an artist outside the protective confines of university. While he was there he received a grant from the Arts Council to set up his first solo show: If You Want Me To Stay.

This initial show was heavily influenced by collaborations Francis had worked on at Camberwell with a fellow student interested in interior design. Looking a little like a 1960s bedroom, the show featured brightly coloured, almost cartoon-like sculptures and neon Perspex tables.

There were cushions covered in flowers and small ornament-like sculptures, the most striking of which were resin cast busts of the grandfather of socialism, Karl Marx, in neon pink, yellow, purple, blue, orange and green.

The show might have appeared jovial and bright on the surface, but its themes went deeper. “I was interested in the commodification of someone who spoke about commodity,” says Francis, of the Marx busts.

Next he “bounced back into a London residency in Highbury, run by curator Paul Bailey” and took part in a group show with the Florence Trust at St Saviour’s – a former church turned arts centre – in north London.

Francis’ work explored the financial crash, creating architectural interior-inspired sculptures that echoed the lobby and reception areas of big international bank buildings – complete with water features – as well as aping their corporate logos.

“I looked at it with a sort of pastiche,” he says. “The lobbies of bank buildings and logos that don’t really mean anything – those visuals are all I know about that world. After the financial crash they’re sort of zombies, without the bravado or confidence they used to have.”

Francis notes the odd parallels of the show having been held in a former church, how the international banks he was exploring are (or were) institutions of their own; pinning the world together, with consumers worshipping at their altars of capitalism.

Next, he embarked on his MA at the RCA, where he is currently in his final year. Despite being based in a very different location, there are elements reminiscent of Camberwell College of Art, which he enjoys.

“We’re in a totally open studio, very like Camberwell,” he says. “You can’t make something and get away with it! It’s a good thing, I think.”

Francis clearly made an impact in his first few years, as he was then selected as the fourth exchange student from the RCA to be hosted by the Studio Art MFA programme at the University of Texas at Austin in the United States.

The exchange is seriously competitive, and gives a residency abroad to just one RCA student to go and work in Texas, and one UT Austin student to come and work here in London.

A little like relocating to London from Derbyshire, the move to Texas was a bit of a culture shock – but one that created a good frame of mind from which to create new, reflective work.

The resulting show at the university – titled Stick A Fork In It –was totally responsive to the environment in which Francis found himself: he went to Austin with no tools, no equipment and no work.

“The university is next to a football stadium as big as Wembley,” he says. “So I was thinking a lot about polarisation through sport and American football, and its ethos – how it’s sort of a template, a moral code for life.”

Francis was interested in how heavily engendered sport in America is – men playing on the field, with women dancing (or cheering) on the side – and how its expectations of women and men are outdated but still adhered to on the field.

He sees sport in the US as almost “allowing” people to go back to an old mode of living: “At this particular moment, the world sees an increasing number of changes to beliefs and social systems in which the realm of sports has come to offer refuge and a simple model for lifestyle, behaviour and relationships.”

Francis is also interested in how sport offers a collective model for living that’s been lost in our post-industrial, increasingly individualistic, society. “One yearns to belong to something bigger than one’s self,” he says.

“Power is achieved through this collectivism, a power equated to an individual’s self-worth and control within one’s own personal sphere. Our collectivism is being defined more by what we are against, rather than what we are for. Conflict and antagonism, born from a mutated form of binary competition, is now our discourse.”

The show featured an imposing 10-foot-high red baseball cap, a symbol that Francis has focused on for a while. “I wrote about the red baseball cap for my thesis in the first year of my MA,” he says.

“How it’s been used from the French Revolution, then taken up by baseball players, then soaked up into sports capitalism and fashion brands of the 90s, and now adopted by Donald Trump.”

He says there’s something about the hat that seems to signify battle, but that it’s also something to hide behind: at the scale he created the sculpture in Austin, when you’re inside the cap it’s impossible to see out of it, or be seen yourself.

Another piece in the show is a huge, inflatable man – the kind often outside car show rooms, or advertising things on the side of the road. At first he seems whimsical and jolly, but on closer inspection it’s clear he is wearing a fierce “game face” rather than the smiley one you might expect.

Francis says he was inspired by the American football billboards he saw around town in Austin; displaying men in masks, baring their teeth and seemingly promoting violence.

While he was on this life-changing trip in Austin, another pivotal moment happened for Francis: his grandfather passed away. He had lived in the Philippines his whole life (Francis’ mother is Filipino) and the loss hit Francis in an unusual way.

“I was in Texas, so me, my mum and my granddad were all at the furthest points away from each other,” he says. “It was an odd feeling of isolation and grief.

“He spoke a native dialect so we couldn’t really speak to each other when we saw one another every three or four years, so my idea of him really comes from stories from family, the old man sitting outside the house.”

The idea of mixed identity, but one part being dominant – “half of me is so over-assimilated that I feel like a working class English man,” says Francis – as well as a celebration of strong female role models in the Filipino home he remembers so fondly, will form the centre of his final show at the RCA.

“I’m making a dress out of a fabric woven from pineapple leaves,” he says. “It’s kind of like a ‘national treasure’, worn in the Philippines during formal occasions. It’s sort of transparent so feminine and slightly sensual, but it’s worn by men and women.”

Inspired by memories of women in the house cleaning, cooking and taking care of him and his sister, Francis will also recreate the coconut shells women wear on their feet to wax the house floor, in a sort of domestic dance.

These will be accompanied by other works such as a reimagining of a Tudor family portrait, full of symbolic objects and meaning; and a high modernist sculpture, inspired by the pot-bellied Filipino men that Francis remembers seeing sitting outside the house with their vests rolled up to keep cool in the heat.

With such diversity of inspiration and breadth of work, Francis Olvez-Wilshaw is one Peckham artist worth keeping an eye on.

............................

Francis’ final show at the RCA is open to the public from June 23 to July 1, 12-6pm at the Darwin Building, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore. francisolvez-wilshaw.com

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