#and that was all without the accessories she had to wear on top of everything else

[la-cocotte-de-paris]

Watching L'Aigle à deux têtes as my Valentine's film and ohmygod Edwige and Jean are so fucking good

[crimsonhydrangeavn]

I think Camilla and Rita are absolutely beautiful. But I also really like Marcelo. These 3 will be the death of me!!

How would the cast react if MC were a bit of a fashion guru and would knit and sew the things they wear themselves and then would make the LI a custom accessory/item of clothing that would match them?

Btw the VN is really cute and eerily comforting and I really love that.

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for the kind words! It really means a lot to hear that you love Rita, Camilla, and Marcelo! (They’re definitely the healthiest options out of the LI’s LOL ) I also find it really sweet and flattering that you find the VN cute and eerie at the same time, it’s definitely the general vibe I'm going for so It's a huge relief that it’s translating well! <3

Garret would be surprisingly touched if he received something handmade by you. It’s no secret that he came from money, a lot of money. Everything he was ever given was top of the line and brand new. No one had ever bothered to make him anything before. So the fact that you of all people were the first and only person to make something for him? To spend countless hours thinking and working on something for him? It would bring tears to his eyes and he would give you the warmest most grateful hug imaginable as he tried to reign in his emotions and not overwhelm you with them.

Marcelo would be thoroughly impressed with not only your fashion tastes, but your ability to craft something so well made! He’d proudly wear it every day ( if possible) and if anyone commented on it, hell even if they didn’t, he’d brag about how you made it just for him. It goes without saying he’d be happy with the gift and do everything in his power to return the favor and shower you with your favorite foods/ deserts the next few times you visited the bakery. 

Camilla would be stunned by the craftsmanship and just how cute/fashionable it was! She’d try to convince you to open up an online shop and sell it to the public. However if you refused she’d still proudly rock it and give you a shout out ( if you allowed it) in all of her social media posts that somehow included it. ( Lets just say there would be a lot from that moment on.)

Much like Garret, Rita would be incredibly touched by the time and effort it took you to make it for her. She would stare at it for a while, complimenting what she specifically liked about it and how well made it was. Growing up in a traditional household she was taught the basics of sewing, mending, knitting, crocheting, darning socks, etc. So while she doesn’t do it much any more, she can tell when something is well made and has a rough idea on how much work went into creating it. 

Teagan would be over the moon if you made something for them. Since they’ve known you for a while, there’s a good chance that you made something for them previously when you were just starting out / still refining your craft. They would comment on how much you’ve improved and shower you with compliments, refusing to put it down after receiving it. If this was in fact the first time you ever gave them something, they would probably have a more emotional reaction towards it.

[selfaware-bungou-stray-dogs]

Ok, but imagine a teenager! reader who dresses in Gothic Lolita! The over-the-top headwear, big skirts, tights, corsets, (sometimes) umbrellas, etc. etc. They are decked out in full Lolita outside of school, but they still incorporate some of the gothic feel in their clothes during school hours.

Reader isn’t really teased about their choice of clothing, especially since last time a group (with no style) was talking smack about Reader’s style in front of their face, basically calling them names and just being huge assholes. Reader, despite being shorter than the average teenager, threw hands when they started to touch them, and now that same group keeps their mouth shut since they basically got their ass handed to them by some short gothic hottie.

(Btw, sleep well and eat and drink loads of food and water!)

Gothic Lolita

Self-Aware! Platonic! BSD Characters x GN! Teen! Gothic Lolita! Reader

Description: You have an interesting taste in clothes.

A/N: Reader's style is a mix between Gothic Lolita clothes and Ouji (not considered part of Lolita style, but, it is the masculine counterpart of it. Style is considered gender neutral). Reader wear both masculine and feminine clothes.

Warning: OOC. English is my second language. Short.

🐾 When you saw Gothic Lolita style for the first time, you immediately fall in love with it.

🐾 It looked so cool, elegant and unique.

🐾 Without second thought, you decided to start dressing up in Gothic Lolita style.

🐾 Well, sometimes.

🐾 Wearing headwear, corsets, tights and all other clothes of that style 27/7 was hard. It was stylish, but, you wouldn't call it the comfiest everyday clothes. Moreover, you don't want to get into trouble with teachers. This Style is over the top for school.

🐾 So, the experiments time came.

🐾 First and foremost, in school you decide to wear, mostly, casual clothes. You choose black clothes with occasional royal blue and rocking horse shoes. You also wear a simple accessory, a little silver bat brooch.

🐾 At home you wear, what most will describe, Gothic Ouji. Elegant and comfortable enough for a casual hole clothes.

🐾 But, every time you need to go somewhere, besides the school, you finally can have fun and wear full Gothic Lolita outfit.

🐾 Black headpiece, poofy skirt, petticoat, tights, black umbrella... But no corset. It was impossible to tie this thing correctly, so you could breathe. But, your light makeup was always on spot.

🐾 You were confident in your style. Still, when BSD Cast arrived in your world, you feel a little bit nervous. You don't want to make a bad first experience with your clothes.

______

You, dressed in your Gothic Lolita outfit, finally enter the living room. BSD Cast (manly Fitzgerald) offer you to go on a small shopping trip.

All gazes were on you, when you enter the living room. For one moment everything was quiet. Then a choir of 'You look great!' and 'I knew, you had style' fill the room.

You were nervous for no reason.

_____

💰💉 The shopping trip leads to Fitzgerald and Mori buying you all clothes from every 'Gothic Lolita' brands you love.

💉 Mori do a little research, to help you find more Gothic Lolita clothes, that are suitable for school. Mori also likes to see you in new outfits.

🍰 If you became tried of Mori's advices, ask Elise for help. She knew, how to make Mori stop dotting on you.

📒 Kunikida do keep an eye on what you wear to school. Not because he doesn't trust you. Because he doesn't want you to get in trouble like last time.

_______

You were standing between Kunikida and Jounou, glaring at two of your classmates. They were beaten up and were shaking, looking at you. They were hiding behind their parents.

Fitzgerald, who was leaning towards the headmistress, hissed.

"So, let me get this straight. This two were harassing [Y/N] for no reason. When my kid reported them to a teacher, the only reaction was, 'Learn to get along.' But, when this two almost assaulted [Y/N], and my kid had to defend themselves, you are ready to explain them?"

The situation was a little bit funny. Because you were shorter than Chuuya by a few centimeters. And two jerks were much taller than you.

They messed with the wrong person. You know, how to throw hands. And have protective family.

_____

🐾 You don't have any trouble with other students after that.

🐾 Manly, because of your fighting skills.

🐾 You dressed as you feel comfortable, live with people, who accept your style and didn't pay any attention to people, who has problems with your style.

[mysticeclipses]

Inky Threads

Chapter 1: First Encounters

Real World AU by @chez-cinnamon Welcome Home by @partycoffin

“Oh feathers, how did I end up in a situation like this?” Poppy muttered as she walked through the empty streets, trying to keep the various garbs Fionn had chosen as her disguise around her body. There was a mild heat wave going on in this small Idaho town, temperatures were getting closer to 85°F these days, making Poppy stand out like a sore thumb in all her layers while others were wearing tank tops and shorts. Just a moment ago, Poppy had been in the grocery with Fionn and all her neighbors when she spotted some oranges falling from a nearby stand, moving to place the fruit back where it belonged when everyone had suddenly disappeared, leaving her standing in the middle of the store in confusion. How could they have left so suddenly, and how could they have left without her? Dozens of thoughts were running through Poppy’s mind as she searched the shops lining the streets, trying to find one that was empty or mostly empty, which wasn’t turning out well in her favor currently. Every shop window Poppy looked through was rather full of people, and she wasn’t in the mood to have even more eyes on her after everything that had happened, so she decided to keep looking.

After what felt like hours, Poppy came across a small corner shop that looked to be completely empty of people inside, noticing the interesting name as well, ‘Devilish Designs’, how different. Stepping inside, the environment was nothing like Poppy had ever seen before, the store being just as different as the name was. The ceiling lights were turned down low, the ambiance being carried by a variety of softer string lights hung around, noticing that the bulbs were in the shapes of stars. A polished oak wood floor creaked gently under Poppy’s feet as she stepped farther into the shop, a small bell ringing above the door as it opened and closed, clearly a sign to notify the owner whenever someone entered or exited. Poppy couldn’t help but find herself walking around the store, forgetting why she had come inside in the first place, more interested in what was on display. The floor had many mannequins set up and dressed in what Poppy could only assume was hand-made clothing, a variety of designs and styles being shown, several of which she could see her neighbors in. Several shelves were spread along the walls, each having some sort of accessory as its main focus, the metal and jewels glimmering faintly in the gentle lighting. There were also some tables as well, sporting a variety of candles, incense sticks, sage, crystals, and many other things that Poppy had never seen until now.

Poppy was so caught up in taking in the shop around her that she didn’t notice some of her tail feathers slipping out from under her disguise, only realizing what was happening when she turned to take a closer look at some crystals and a loud crashing sound came from behind. When looking over her shoulder, Poppy realized her tail feathers had caught the leg of a table in the corner and had knocked it over, broken ceramic and wax now scattered across the floor. “Oh feathers, oh feathers, I didn’t mean for this to happen!” Poppy began to panic as she tried to clean up the mess, feeling that panic grow as she heard the faint sound of footsteps.

“Is everything alright out here? I heard something break” A voice spoke up as another door creaked open, a young woman appearing from elsewhere in the store. Poppy was too caught up in trying to clean up the broken candles, not realizing the store owner was in the room until a hand fell upon her wing, pulling her attention to the newcomer. She seemed to be shorter than Fionn, but not by much, especially taking into account the heels she was wearing. A head of curly black hair with several white streaks sat upon her head, accompanied by piercing green eyes and fair skin. A long black dress with sheer shoulders and flared sleeves covered her body, several chains adorned her waist that complimented her other accessories, and a wide brim hat sat upon those curls. Poppy had never seen anyone dressed in such a way, it was definitely unique and fit the aesthetic of the shop, her presence having a rather calming effect after what had just happened with the table of candles.

The woman seemed to take note of the broken candles and Poppy’s minor panic, stepping away for a moment just to come back with a broom and an empty container, guiding the broken pieces in Poppy’s wings to the container. “Just drop those into the container, I’ll clean up the rest of what’s on the floor, I wouldn’t want to see you hurt.” Her voice was gentle and understanding as she got to work on sweeping up the rest of the broken candles, glancing up at Poppy every now and then while she worked. Poppy didn’t expect the woman to be so gentle with her, carefully putting what was in her wings into the container, taking a step back so she wasn’t in the woman’s way while she cleaned up the mess. It didn’t take long for the broken candles to be swept up and carefully disposed of in the container, the woman brushing any remnants of ceramic and wax off the broom bristles before putting it away, cleaning her hands before she turned to face Poppy. “Well, now that we have that taken care of, may I ask what you’re doing in my shop? I thought I had turned the open sign around, but perhaps I didn’t.”

Her tone was still gentle as she headed over to the door, checking the wooden sign hanging from the door only to see that it had been turned to say closed, but she wasn’t going to kick out her guest for intruding with how nervous they seemed. “Ah, well, I came in to see if you have a phone I could use? I need to make a rather urgent phone call.” Poppy spoke up after a moment, her gaze continuing to follow the woman as she made small adjustments to the merchandise on display. “Oh, yes I do have a phone. It’s a rotary phone, but it should work just as well as any flip phone people carry in their pockets these days.” The woman stepped behind the counter and gestured to the ivory rotary phone sitting on the end of the countertop, her thumb pulling at the dial a few times before looking back at Poppy. “Hopefully you’ll be able to reach your desired person, Poppy Partridge.”

[galaxysupreme17]

Prom

Emily Prentiss X Aaron Hotchner

Aaron Hotchner X Daughter!Reader

Emily Prentiss X Step!Daughter!Reader

The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the Hotchner household as Y/n paced the living room, her phone pressed to her ear. She was in a heated discussion with her best friend, Jess, about the unexpected turn of events. Peter Parker, the boy she'd had a secret crush on for the better part of the year, had just asked her to prom—only two days before the event.

"I can't believe he asked me now! What am I supposed to wear?" Y/n exclaimed, her voice a mix of excitement and panic.

Jess laughed on the other end of the line. "You'll figure it out! It's Peter Parker. This is your moment!"

Y/n ended the call and sank onto the couch, her mind racing. Aaron Hotchner and Emily Prentiss sat at the kitchen table, sharing a quiet moment after dinner. They exchanged a glance, sensing Y/n's distress.

"Everything okay, sweetheart?" Aaron asked, standing up and moving to sit beside his daughter.

"Dad, Peter asked me to prom!" Y/n blurted out. "But it's in two days, and I don't have a dress or anything!"

Aaron smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes. "That's wonderful news, Y/n. Don't worry. We'll figure something out. Emily, what do you think?"

Emily's eyes lit up with excitement. "A last-minute prom emergency? Sounds like a challenge I'm up for," she said with a grin.

Y/n looked at Emily with hopeful eyes. "Really? You think we can find everything in time?"

Emily nodded confidently. "Absolutely. We'll make a day of it. Get your things; we're going shopping."

The next morning, they were off to the mall. The bustling activity didn't deter Emily, who easily navigated the crowds, leading Y/n through the maze of stores. They started with dresses, visiting every boutique and department store for the perfect gown. After hours of trying on countless options, Y/n emerged from the dressing room in a midnight blue dress that shimmered under the store lights.

Emily's eyes widened in delight. "That's the one," she said. "You look stunning, Y/n."

Y/n twirled in front of the mirror, a radiant smile on her face. "I love it! Thank you so much, Emily."

They moved on to shoes, accessories, and makeup with the dress secured. By the end of the day, they had everything they needed. Laden, with shopping bags, headed home, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

On the day of prom, the house buzzed with excitement. Emily set up a mini salon in the living room, complete with curling irons, makeup brushes, and a selection of beauty products. She worked meticulously, styling Y/n's hair into elegant curls and applying her makeup with a practiced hand.

As she worked, Emily chatted with Y/n, sharing stories of her prom and giving advice on handling the evening. "Just be yourself and have fun," she said, applying the finishing touches to Y/n's makeup. "Prom is all about making memories."

Y/n nodded, her nerves settling as she took in Emily's calm demeanor. "Thanks, Emily. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Emily smiled, giving Y/n's hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're going to have an amazing time. And Peter is a lucky guy to be going with you."

By early evening, Y/n was ready. She stood in front of the mirror, taking in her reflection. The midnight blue dress fit perfectly, the shoes added just the right height, and the accessories sparkled in the light. Her hair and makeup were flawless, thanks to Emily's expert touch.

Aaron walked into the room, his eyes widening as he saw his daughter. "You look beautiful, Y/n," he said, his voice filled with pride.

Y/n blushed, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thanks, Dad."

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Aaron answered it, revealing Peter Parker standing nervously on the porch, dressed in a sharp tuxedo. He smiled awkwardly as Aaron let him in.

"Hi, Mr. Hotchner," Peter said, shifting from foot to foot. "Is Y/n ready?"

Aaron nodded, stepping aside to reveal Y/n standing at the top of the stairs. Peter's eyes widened, a look of pure admiration on his face as Y/n descended the stairs.

"Wow, Y/n, you look amazing," Peter said, his voice filled with awe.

Y/n smiled, her nerves melting away. "Thanks, Peter. You look great, too."

Emily snapped a few photos of the pair before they left, capturing the moment for posterity. She and Aaron exchanged a proud glance as they headed out the door.

The prom's venue was decorated in a whimsical fairytale theme, with twinkling lights and elegant drapery creating an enchanting atmosphere. Y/n and Peter entered, hand in hand, greeted by a sea of familiar faces and the sound of laughter and music.

"Y/n! Over here!" Jess waved from across the room, standing with their friends.

Peter led Y/n to the group, where they were met with excited chatter and compliments on their outfits. The DJ played a mix of upbeat and slow songs, and soon, the dance floor was packed with students enjoying their night.

Peter smiled, his nerves easing. "Let's dance."

They moved to the center of the floor, and as the music swelled, Y/n felt herself relax. She and Peter moved in sync, laughing and chatting between songs. When a slow song began, Peter gently took her hand and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"You're good at this," Peter said softly, his cheeks slightly pink.

Y/n laughed. "You're not so bad yourself."

As the night continued, they mingled with friends, took photos at the decorated booths, and sampled the delicious refreshments. The atmosphere was filled with joy and celebration, a perfect send-off for their high school years.

During one of the faster songs, Peter and Y/n joined a group dance, where everyone mimicked the silly moves of the class clown, Ryan, who had somehow convinced the DJ to play a retro dance hit. Y/n found herself laughing so hard that her sides hurt, and she was grateful for the fun and light-heartedness of the evening.

The DJ announced the last dance as the prom began to wind down. Peter and Y/n returned to the dance floor, where he gently took her hand. The music was slow and romantic, a fitting end to a magical night.

"I'm really glad I asked you to prom, Y/n," Peter said quietly. "Tonight has been incredible."

Y/n looked up at him, her heart swelling with emotion. "Me too, Peter. It's been perfect."

After the final dance, they lingered for a while, saying goodbye to friends and taking a few more photos. Finally, Peter walked Y/n to her door with a gentle smile.

"I had a great time tonight, Y/n."

"Me too, Peter. Thank you," Y/n replied, feeling a warm glow of happiness.

"Maybe we could do it again. Not prom, but a date?" Peter asked with a small smile. As an answer, Y/n leaned in and kissed his cheek, a blush forming on both of them. "I would love that." Y/n smiled.

Peter nodded and waved as he walked back to his car. Y/n turned to enter the house, feeling the day's exhaustion catch up with her.

Emily and Aaron were waiting in the living room, their faces lighting up as Y/n walked in.

"Welcome back, Cinderella," Emily teased gently. "How was it?"

"It was perfect," Y/n said, her smile widening. "Thank you both so much."

Aaron hugged his daughter tightly. "We're glad you had fun."

Emily stood nearby, her eyes shining with affection. "You were the belle of the ball."

Y/n stepped over to Emily, feeling a rush of emotion. "Emily, I... I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. You've been amazing."

Emily's heart swelled with warmth. "You're welcome, hunny. It was my pleasure."

Y/n hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Goodnight, Mom."

Emily's eyes filled with tears, and she pulled Y/n into a tight hug. "Goodnight, sweetheart."

As Y/n headed upstairs, Aaron wrapped an arm around Emily's shoulders. "She's lucky to have you," he said softly.

Emily smiled, leaning into Aaron. "We're all lucky to have each other."

And with that, they turned off the lights and headed to bed, their hearts full of love and the promise of many more memories.

[vivianbernadetteaurora]

Aquarius, Venus

So the Aquarius Venus definitely has their own brand of clothing that is very unique to them. Like I said we always want to put their rising sign and sunshine into consideration to add up that spice to each outfit a lot of the time when I use celebrate examples I like to use their street style, Unless they are a very raw and out there celebrities from the 70s and prior to that where there was not as much TMZ and things like that I mean, I know there was big Hollywood films with big costume sets and stuff,

Nancy Spudgen, so for her life, Nancy sponge and took a lot of slack from the media and the press hounded. Her even members of the Sex Pistols and part of their team. Tried to keep her and said apart, but he was attracted to this wildcard she attracted everything he wanted to be I believe for a 20-year-old she knew a hell of a lot. She was very intelligent and her mother tried everything with her her from private schools to institutions to try and sort her head out. Even as a baby. She struggled so much of the deprivation of oxygen, Aquarius rules, the supernatural and other world. When I read her book the mothers book, she would talk about these parties that Nancy would have where people would be having sex on the stairs in their family home, so all the other family members ahead to her behaviour without wanting to upset her for an easier life going into her style from what her mother says was ahead of the times and I always get annoyed when people say this because I think really everybody, but when you look at the pictures of her back, then she was a hippie before being a hippie was cool, she was a punk before being a punk was cool. She put her outfits together. Her mum actually hated the white blonde hair and the punk rock so much today that she changed her. She really was at the funeral and put her in a different dress and dyed her hair back which I believe is very Aquarian energy. She wanted to be a rebel and her mum monitored to conform to some degree.

But were very fitting for her. It was very simple and a lot of these aquarium Venus outfits are very simple but give a little jar to the outfit so they might wear a really oversized jumper with a belt and hot pants but it could be in plain black so it doesn’t look that over the top, or it could have some funky accessories while the west of it’s really plain, but what she did is have a white face, white hair, black smudged, make up red lipstick, leopardprint, fishnets, leather high heels, and she looks sensational. She had her beautiful Jewishness in her outfits too because of her lovely hair and her voice. It all went together in this really nice neat package for a small woman, with lots of a fountain of knowledge and a high IQ, not that I regard IQ is the biggest thing in the world at all. I’m just saying that this lady was very intelligent and to be honest she wasn’t even a proper adult at 20 I’m mean what do you know at 20, but this lady I’m telling you was put here is comic out for either her family or herself and her being a Pisces, sun, and Pisces rising, there was a lot of focus on the self and how she got away with a lot of things in the house because of who she was, and then it got to the trance on her physical body was too big to be controlled.

It’s funny, because now we going to Kate Moss, a similar story with her and Ganner Poirot similar to the story of Nancy Spoden, where there was a party where lots of things were going on in weird rooms, and Gwynne fact leave because it wasn’t really her flavour that say, she had wild times of Pete Docherty in the Alley, 2000 where they would go out and be packed by the press crazy things “ cap on Coke again” headlines like that, and I will say Aquarius might have a thing for that illegal substances that say, but Aquarius can leave things hidden, but a lot of the time things do come to them. Aquarius is rules, magnetics and magnetic force and electricity so the way I said Nancy did that with controlling her family, maybe Kate did that in the sense of her modelling industry with her Leo rising, and Aquarius, Venus opposing each other, that was the rebel in her the Aquarius side, and then Leo side, both being rebellious signs the Leo giving her the confidence to do eccentric things and being an eccentric person in the press, and love the attention of the press for her beauty and her crazy relationships.

Then things got a bit quieter. She mellowed down and then she’s talking in her 40s so it took a long time and Aquarius is a long sign of energy and age. It is the older sister it might take longer to mature. It might even have Benjamin button syndrome a little bit .now as we come to clothes she’s a fashion icon, bing the supermodel and being the brand girl for many Dales like Rimmel London a lot of the tailored outfit goes so well for her body. I’ve noticed they all like the suit jacket basic staple of a wardrobe and obviously Kate had access to these things being a supermodel, knowing what looked gone on her. She also had the controversial period of their heroin, she look, so here you see with Aquarius Venus says they have a lot of controversy surrounding them. Their fashion is iconic. I have an Aquarius Venus aunt and she got a real bad disease that you can’t cure and she kind of felt ostracised for that, but there was always rumours in the family about things that she had done just like we’ve being an alcoholic and having maybe drug problems as well but she always like dressed to the nines. She would wouldn’t leave the house sometimes until she done her hair which and make up which would’ve taken her like four hours. All in all, we’re not too sure about her, but these guys really do know how to look for their body. They face their hair all of it and I’ve always admired and I’ve always asked my auntie for style tips because she always looks good at any size she’s been.

Kate Moss is very like blazers a nice fur jacket to throw all over it, and then when it comes to festival she’ll wear a power, hot pants, a fluffy bomber and a dress top which I’ve put in the picture above which I just think looks so beautiful, but what’s added to the outfit is the jewelry she’s dressed up with jewellery they dress it up with a nice bag where the crazy symbol symbol line simple,And it always looks amazing.

Sienna Miller

So in the early 2000s there was a lady called sienna Miller, who is like an actress model. We didn’t really know she came from. She came out of nowhere from being honest and she was just at Bohemian, hippie Vanessa Hudgens,/Nicole Ritchie, kind of girl. she was styled so beautifully and so classically. These girls kind of brought back the 60s vibe. Where is the untamed blonde hair hardly any make up and if it was it was maybe smudged a bit for the party}!

So she was with Jude law and had children with him I believe, but they’re controversies in the 2000 were crazy about affairs and threesomes and everything like that, but her style that was what captured the magazines again that’s what I’m saying, their styles of these people capture the magazines they want to see what they’re gonna be wearing next and they don’t get criticised because they have four out so well with that aquarium energy of knowing what looks good, similar to Sagittarius Venus, which is a bit more insecure Aquarius Venus will be insecure about it, but they will know how to dress it rather than hide it well a bit of both.

But she really gave Bohemian, a new thing, along with people like Nicole Richie, she was almost like a young Anita Palenberg, and then we have Tiffany Amis and we’ve had saved by the bow looks that it was so classic and so ladylike and so feminine that all the young boys fell in love with Tiffany on 90210 and saved by the bell she had that beautiful face cherub like and the outfits were so 90s and chic they were recycling. The 70s again so this Aquarius Venus, as you can see and along with Ashley Benson who is dressed up the bait lasers so well and the street style looks so comfy yet tailored it shows really how clever Aquarius can be with materials.

[oneirataxia-girl]

okay people I need everyone to drop everything now and LOOK AT MY DARLING MARI OMG, Hadley @supermarine-silvally was kind enough to make me art of Mari and I Have Not Stopped fangirling over it since they sent it to me. this is my new roman empire now (as if I need another reason to go feral over Mari)

check under the cut for a surprise 🤭 minor spoilers for Wano, but it’s just one line tbh

"Bepo, don't touch that! It's not done yet!"

The polar bear hung his head as he drew his paw back from the half-finished cannon, "Sorry."

"Don't apologize!" Penguin chastised, the penguin charm on his cap shaking in tandem with his head.

"Yeah!" Added Shachi, tossing a dirty look at Kenji, who raised his arms in surrender, "We're all on the same level here, so don't order us around like you're higher than us, Strawhat!"

"Aren’t you bossing us around right now?"

As the Strawhats -- mostly Franky and Chopper -- and the Hearts started to argue, a huff of laughter diverted the two crewmates’ attention to the last crew’s second-in-command. Killer had his arms crossed in front of his chest, mask covering his face as always; Kenji didn't make a complaint as the blond-haired man shoved through the throng of people and wrapped a muscular arm around his shoulder.

"Pretty sure Kenji knows his stuff better than you, Heart. So listen to him on this."

"Stop ordering us around!"

Chaos descended back on the Sunny as the crews, now three rather than two, shot insults and jabs at each other. Under the deck, the captains exchanged glances at the ruckus.

"Your crew’s done something again, Strawhat."

"Why me? It’s probably Jaggy's fault!"

The redhead threw a spoon at Luffy while spewing a stream of insults. Sighing, Law raised a hand to tug on his hat, only to remember that the top of his head was empty. Kid’s head was similarly void of his usual headgear, something Luffy didn’t hesitate to point out as soon as he stepped into the room.

"Jaggy! Your hair looks good without your goggles!"

Kid snapped his head in Luffy's direction. The blue hairband holding his hair back was distinctly not a part of the captain's wardrobe. Indeed, the accessory stood out among the reds and blacks that Kid favored like how Law's lack of his cap also drew Luffy's attention as soon as he saw the doctor.

"Did I miss something? Why are you not wearing your hat, Tra-guy?"

Behind him, Kid made a sound that was a mixture of a scoff and a snicker, "Yeah Doctor, where's your hat?"

With a glance at the hair accessory perched on the redhead, Law’s mouth twitched slightly, "You know perfectly well where it is."

Up on the deck, the Heart, Strawhat, and Kid pirates had each taken up a corner of the ship. Arguing about everything from whose captain was the strongest, to which crew had the greatest feats; Zoro looked ready to draw his swords and dice up the next human (or mink) who said Law was the best out of the three captains, and Kenji just seemed flattered that he managed to start such a debate.

That was, until Mari slid down from the crow's nest.

"Brook," she started, striding across the wooden floor with soundless steps, "It's your turn to keep watch, my shift's done."

The skeleton opened his mouth, but only the clack of his jawbone falling to the floor came out. Bepo, Penguin, and Shachi had identical looks of shock on their faces; even Killer seemed surprised behind his mask.

Mari's forehead furrowed as she took in their expressions, "What?"

"Mari," Kenji said from his place next to the Kid Pirates’ second-in-command, "What's that on your head?"

Reaching up, Mari repeated her crewmate's question with a confused look, her eyes widened for a fraction of a second as she registered exactly what sat on her head, then her face returned to her usual expression of boredom.

"A cap."

"Just a cap?" asked Kenji, smile too wide for it to be normal. Mari’s eyes narrowed at him, but he didn't seem to be fazed by her as she answered simply:

"And some goggles."

Kenji nodded sagely, turning around to tap Killer on the shoulder, "Kill, don't you think my crewmate's new goggles look familiar?"

The blond man nodded back just as gravely, the gravity of his stance offset by a few gasps of laughter escaping him as he observed, "I've certainly seen it somewhere."

"Captain's cap?!"

"Are those Kid’s googles?!"

"Has anyone seen my jaw?!"

Numerous pairs of eyes turned around to look at Brook.

"Ah, here it is! Thank you, Robin."

Robin’s arm replied with a thumbs up.

"Ah-ah," said Kenji, bringing the attention back to the woman about to leave the deck, "where do you think you’re going, young lady?"

"I’m two years older than you."

"Barely two years older than me."

"Still counts."

"On paper maybe, but --"

"Why do you have Captain’s hat?!" Demanded Bepo, flanked by Penguin and Shachi, who were both glaring at Mari under the shades of their own hats, "You stole it, didn’t you!"

Removing her hand from the doorknob, Mari sighed softly and tugged at the spotted brim of the hat, "Your captain gave it to me."

"Did Kid also give you his goggles?" Came the question from Wire.

"He shoved them in my face and stomped off."

"Sounds like him," Heat muttered, getting a chorus of agreements from his crew.

The Heart Pirates, on the contrary, weren’t so easily convinced, "Why would our captain give anything to a Strawhat?"

Mari shrugged in response, tucking a hand behind her back as the other one started to open the door leading down into the interior of the Sunny, "He doesn’t explain things to me. And if that’s all, I’m going to finish my chores."

"I’ll come with," Sanji piped up, pushing his way through the throng to follow his crewmate, "it’s time to get started on dinner anyways."

The door swung shut behind the two.

Kenji held his hand out to Killer, who sighed and rummaged in his pockets for a wad of Berry, which he placed in the other man’s waiting palm. Brook, now with his jawbone, coughed awkwardly and moved to the crow’s nest to keep watch. Bepo, Penguin, and Shachi were still muttering and casting furtive glances at where Mari had left the deck. And for a moment, there was only the sound of waves lapping against the sides on the ship.

In the kitchen, Mari was silent as she chopped up the vegetables into small cubes; Sanji was the same while he grinded herbs and spices into a paste -- until he put down his pestle and asked:

"Is Kid wearing your hairband?"

Her knife suspended in midair, Mari glanced over at the blond, a small smirk growing on her face as she nodded.

the enabler's call: @arrthurpendragon @starcrossedjedis @auxiliarydetective @daughter-of-melpomene @bibaybe @supermarine-silvally @fakedatings -- want to be added? shoot me an ask!!

[iciatheguardess]

[ITS REDESIGN TIIIIIIIIME]

[Story below the cut]

After a long, much-needed evening with Lance, he departs for his room and Icia returns to her house. She treads up the stairs, feeling light with love. In her room, neat and cozy as always, Icia catches glimpse of something in the mirror of her vanity...

.... it's me, She thinks. I'm still... me. After everything. After all this. After everything I've gone through, it's still me. I'm still me.

Icia approaches her reflection, pulling down her neck guard as she sits. No mouth, no cracks... just a blank, clear, unblemished area except for a few silver snowflakes. She smiles... her eye gleams positively, but with no lips the area remains void of emotion.

"..."

Icia reaches up and feels her hair.... it's smooth and slippery against her touch, without any bumps or curves- only sharp, clear edges. She feels the tip of her hair between her fingers... any sharper, and it could probably draw blood with one careless move.

"...."

And then she looks down at her skirt, at where her feet would rest, crossed at the ankles. She can't quite remember when she last had two legs and could walk instead of shuffling.

"....."

All of it... feels odd, from a new perspective. Inhuman. No legs, no waves in her hair, no smile.

It doesn't feel fully like... her.

Icia reaches for her blow dryer... or rather, blow heater, as she calls it. She takes off her outer uniform and rather puts a towel around her shoulders, turning on the heater and aiming it at her hair. The warmth of the air blasting against her skin and hair feels lovely in a way she can't quite describe... she did always love the warmth.

After only a few minutes, Icia's hair starts to grow wavy and uneven, the texture of ice turning more into a smooth jelly. She's used to this happening- only this time, rather than smoothing and shaping the melted mass as it refreezes, she lets it be.

Her hair freezes into something much more uneven and bumpy than before- small hints of gold start to shine through at the edges of her front bangs. By the time everything freezes over fully, Icia's hair looks more like carefully carved ice rather than solid, straight sheets. A glimmer of gold at the edges shines from the warm light of her lamp.

She kind of likes it.

Now, the harder part.... Icia goes and sits on her bed, closing her eye and tuning in....

----------------------------

Icia.exe opened.

Files accessed.

>ENTERED: <Avatar>

>ENTERED: <Model>

CURRENT/DEFAULT SETTINGS:

Mouth: N

Legs: N

Fingers: Y

Hair Length: Medium-Long

Hair Material: Ice

Golden lining: N

UPDATE SETTINGS?

Y N

Pending...

UPDATE DEFAULT SETTINGS?

Y N

Default settings not updated.

Pending...

Success!

CURRENT SETTINGS:

Mouth: Y

Legs: Y

Fingers: Y

Hair Length: Long

Hair Material: Ice

Golden Lining: Y

[Notice: Due to <Model> updates, files under <Attire> has also been updated.]

>EXITED: <Model>

>ENTERED: <Attire>

>SELECTED: <Default Outfit>

CURRENT/DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR <Default Outfit>:

Underclothing: Default White

Top: Default Navy

Belt: Default Gold

Skirt: NONE

Pants: Default Black

Shoes: NONE

Epaulets: Default Gold

Cape: Default Long D.Gray

Uniform Adorments: N/A

Buttons: Gold

Hair Accessory: Pearl Claw Clip

UPDATE SETTINGS?

Y N

Pending...

UPDATE DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR CURRENT MODEL?

Y N

Pending...

Success!

CURRENT/DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR <Default Outfit>:

Underclothing: Default White

Top: Default Navy

Belt: Silver & Pearl

Skirt: Default Black

Pants: White Leggings

Shoes: Default Black

Epaulets: Default Gold

Cape: Long D.Gray Galactic

Uniform Accessories: Gold Locket on Chain

Buttons: Pearl

Hair Accessory: Gold Leaf Headpiece

>EXITED: <Default Outfit>

>SELECTED: <Loungewear>

CURRENT/DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR <Loungewear>:

Top: Gray-Blue Sweater

Skirt: Default D.Gray

Pants: Default Black Tights

Shoes: None

Accessories: Locket Necklace

WEAR <Loungewear>?

Y N

Pending...

Success!

>EXITED: <Loungewear>

>EXITED: <Attire>

>EXITED: <Avatar>

Files locked.

Icia.exe locked.

----------------------------

"ICIA?!?!" Starro hurries inside frantically, clutching his phone in his hand. "I got here as fast as I could- are you okay?!"

"I'm upstairs...!"

Starro bounds up the stairs, 3 at a time, all the way up to Icia's room before flinging the door open.

"What's wro-"

"... Surprise!!!"

Starro stares at Icia for a moment, awestruck. Suddenly, his eyes light up and his stars beam yellow.

"ICIA!" He exclaims, rushing and grabbing her shoulders. "I- YOU LOOK SO PRETTY! YOUR HAIR! AND- YOU HAVE A MOUTH?! AND LEGS?!" He runs his finger down her hair, growing even more excited over the smooth, small bumps of waves. "AND YOU HAVE GOLD IN YOUR HAIR!!!"

Icia bursts onto happy laughter as she lets Starro check out her hair and how the edges shine in the lamplight. "Yeah..! I just wanted to try something new with my hair, I won't always wear it like this... but- what do you think...?"

"I LOVE IT! IT LOOKS SO PRETTY!!" Starro backs up, bouncing estatically as his arms completely spaz out due to pure excitement. Icia's cheeks start to hurt as she laughs and smiles- she can't quite express how it feels to have a mouth. It feels the same as before, but, different?

"I- how?! Icia, how did you- I thought you didn't have a mouth! And why??" Starro continues, managing control over his excitement before he accidentally breaks something.

"I just changed my model a little.... nothing's fully set in stone, but... I felt it was time for a change. You don't exactly walk away from saving the whole circus and digital realm and NOT be different."

"Aghh, I forgot you could do that!" Starro slaps his forehead before looking Icia up and down. "... you look so good- and happy. Much more... you. Are you changing your uniform too?"

"Take a look," Icia replied, motioning to her closet where her normal uniform hung. The cape catches Starro's eye- where usually the underside would be an almost-black maroon color, it's now a deep, subtle galaxy kind of print. He heads towards the cape, taking the heavy material in his hands and moving it around. The small, faint stars seem to move in accordance with how he manipulates the fabric.

".... woah...."

Icia pulls her sweater back above her mouth. "I think I'll still wear something to cover my mouth... I might get rid of it later. But for now, I wanted to try it out... it makes me feel a bit more human."

Starro turns back to Icia and sits next to her on the bed. "Do you... not feel human?"

"Well I do, I just..."

She looks ahead of her, into the mirror and at the reflection that gazes back. "I don't know. I've been in this realm for... around a decade? At least... the whole time, the only time I tried something new was out of fear, when I was Ice Anon. But I guess I just... wanted to try something new, just for the sake of something new."

She sits back on her hands with a sigh. "And trying out this new stuff... not straightening my hair, having legs and a mouth, having. Human qualities- it makes me feel a bit less like... an avatar? Less like I'm wearing a costume? I feel a bit more like me."

Starro nods slightly, though his stars dim from yellow to a gentle blue. "I don't understand- well I do, but not... fully?"

Icia's gaze turns to her brother. "Do you feel fully human here?"

He doesn't respond. She turns back to the mirror.

"I've been in the digital realm, including my Kingdom, for around a decade by now. Not feeling human has become normal- I don't really remember what it even feels like to be alive outside the digital realm, even. I don't think anyone does but, I forgot what it felt like to have a mouth. To have skin that feels like, well, skin. To have normal, fluffy hair that needs washing. H---, even to walk without shuffling. All of that is human and organic."

"I guess, all the stuff we went through when fighting her... it brought out a lot of feelings and emotions that I really forgot how to not push away. And once I started getting it all out, it felt more human. And then when I looked in the mirror a few hours ago, I just... decided it was time for a change. And maybe giving myself these things would make me feel more human."

She pauses and laughs. "I don't think any of that made sense... or maybe it did, and I overcomplicated it a lot."

Starro glances down, letting his legs swing a little. "I think I get it... I don't really feel 'human' here either."

He reaches over, squeezing her shoulder. "But... even if we don't feel human. We know we still are, right? And we're still us. Y'know...?"

"I don't think I understand how you feel 'cause I've only been here for a couple years... but. I get what you mean by not feeling human.... but you're still you at least! And if changing these things makes you feel more you, then I totally get it."

He smiles a little at her. "I think changing things to feel more like yourself is pretty human. Huh?"

Icia thinks and shrugs with a laugh. "Yeah, not wrong..."

The two fall into an odd, pondering silence.

Eventually, Icia sighs again. "I'll figure it out... but. I think for now I'll keep this style a bit. I look and feel more like me like this."

Starro smiles. "Good- you keep being you, okay? That's the best version of you."

".... thanks. Really."

More silence.

"Oh- I almost forgot the biggest reason I asked you to come over... can y'do me a favor?" Icia eventually asks, breaking the quiet.

"Name it."

She lifts her skirt slightly, laughing with embarrassment. "Can you teach me to walk with two legs.? I can't get up."

Starro bursts out laughing, the last of the blue dissipating and leaving only a joyous yellow over his stars. "Alright, alright- let's get you on your feet. Both of them."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I need to get this out like NOW. I'm SO MAD THAT THIS TOOK SO LONG

AHHHHHHHH

Well, yall get this now.

Oh! And before I forget, here's Icia's OFFICIAL NEW DESIGN! (Hair will fluctuate between straight and wavy for a while lol)

God, this took so long- but yeah, hope you like her!

Alternate below to make the gold in her hair look less dull:

Enjoyyyyyy

[aviocs]

What would Asya, Abaddon and one character of your choice wear to Pride?

IM GLAD YOU ASKED i know it's july. but it's always time 4 pride

asya:

asya is a performer and i can see her doing some singing at a pride event! and if she's performing, she's dressing up. for the outfit itself, gotta have a few bits of the classic rainbow, but mostly she's got a lesbian flag theme going on in a coordinated outfit. spends months before the event getting the perfect pieces in the right colors. might've even gotten the bustle shorts custom made.

if she was just attending pride without getting on stage she'd probably dress more like she normally does, tie some flannel around her waist and put on some pins or other accessories.

abaddon:

thinking of her in gta au for this which implies los santos has a pride event, which i can get behind lol

abaddon's got a much more casual look! spent an afternoon finding some rainbow pieces and called it a day. for someone who primarily wears red and black it's more colorful than her usual looks and she'd enjoy that for a day. she's also someone more likely to just throw on a couple rainbows vs looking to coordinate stuff/get pins in her more specific flags (trans, nonbinary, bi, demisexual, demiromantic) because the specific labels are less important to her than the queer umbrella. doesn't need to call out everything, the rainbow works just fine.

also gave her a water bottle and backpack because gotta stay hydrated out in the summer heat, especially if this IS gta au and it takes place in the gta version of california. the backpack is for more water bottles and the wallets/phones of her friends who might be more dressed up with less pocket space so they don't ruin their aesthetic with bags. abaddon's a team player.

jt:

jt's not queer herself but she's got two dads who absoLUTELY have been taking her to pride since she was an infant. she'll go with them as she grows up, too, but always love an excuse to draw her as a kid. she didn't necessarily pick out her outfit here, dads had to coordinate for her, but they do care a lot about her having a say in this sort of thing and got each piece jt-approved. she was particularly excited about the sparkly tutu.

as a teen and adult she gets different 'i love my dads' shirts to wear every year. probably doesn't wear too many rainbows herself outside of the shirt

bonus! cian:

cian is the allocishet guy in the friend group and someone who gets mistaken for also being queer a non-zero amount. it doesn't bother him and he mostly just corrects people if it's relevant. when the Bi Wife Energy tiktok came out he got like 5+ people sending it to him, 100%, thus the shirt, also since a lot of the women he dates/gets interested in end up being bi. cian is just a good guy and a safe guy and the queers flock to him, and also they invite him to pride with them and of COURSE he'll go.

(i think his design fluctuates every time i draw him. his hair looks pretty normal, i tend to make the... spikes? rounded for him and actually remembered to do that this time. it's the goatee that moves around a bit, finally remembered this time that usually goatees come with mustaches instead of only slapping the chin bit on him)

a couple more bonuses under the cut that don't fit the art styles

actually drew this abaddon before all the others, but struggled to draw any others in the same style. i wanted this post to be a bit more unified so i redrew her once i actually started having some luck with asya's piece, but i like how this turned out so i'm posting it damn it lmao i forget her undereye circles so often though, f

this piece is five years old now oh my god. ANYWAY sergey taking val to their first pride! sergey would either wear minimal actual pride gear - some beads he got at the event and a trans wristband - with otherwise normal clothes (accounting for the heat) or some kind of meme shirt on top of that. val also has minimal pride gear here mostly because they're looking to buy more at the event. sergey checks in on them frequently throughout the even to make sure they're not overheating in that binder. he remembers how fucking hot and sweaty those things get.

[pyromania2667]

Outcasted Prodigy

So, I might write a book, this chapter is focused on my OC, Russel. He's a good boi ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up this morning, like any other, the sun had just begun to seep through the curtains as I pull away the comforter, stretching my limbs as far as I can take them before I climb out of bed. It is Sunday today, Jasmine said I could join her for mass if I wanted to, but… Mass hasn’t quite caught onto me yet, it is nice to hear the choir sing, maybe I will go today. Show her my appreciation for everything she’s done.

My paws hit the floor as my tail drags behind me, to which I pull it out from the bed. Setting it back up isn’t easy if I leave it in the way… I pull up the lint roller, making sure to catch any stray bits of fur I may have left inside, running it around anything I can see as the white hairs clutter up the sticky sheet. Another day, another morning in my routine. Twenty one now… Jasmine says I’m almost ready to graduate from her tutelage…

I rip out the tape and toss it into the bin before walking to my dresser. So much to wear… If I were to go to church should I…

No, gloves first. Always. Top drawer. Can’t go without them, I don’t want people looking at my mitts.

Okay… Maybe some jewelry? Those cuffs look nice, but what would go with the rest of my outfit? I haven’t decided on what to wear, but I like thinking about accessories first… My eyes finally meander toward the pair of gems at the top of my drawer. I haven’t looked at them in a bit, it was only a few weeks ago, my birthday… I remember talking to Jasmine about my life before she took me in… My mother and father never showed me the love she did, but to some degree, I still appreciate them for putting in a bit of effort… even with having too many brothers and sisters to name.

The rocks clink and clang together in my palm… a clear crystal and an orange jasper… That was their name… Crystal and her Jasper… I wonder if such a name is a coincidence or not… Goodness… growing up sure was… trouble… A part of me wonders where I’d be if I just stayed-

            Knock Knock Knock

I jump as my ears perk up to the ceiling. “Gah!”

Jasmine opens the door to my room, and for a moment, I’m blinded as a surge of light blasts itself into my room, “Oh, Russel! Sorry! I was worried breakfast would get cold and you weren’t replying. I wanted to make sure you’re alright! Are you hurt?”

I take a deep breath, collecting myself as Jasmine stands at the doorway, her face shrouded in a small curtain of shadow from the light behind her, making her tan features seem darker than usual. Maybe I’m just not used to being blinded so early… “Yeah… I’m fine, thanks mom… Just… thinking…”

“Goodness, Russel,” she interjected. “Could you do your thinking with the curtains open? It’s so dark! You may be my little mouse, but I still want you to get your sunlight, it will do you no harm, I promise.”

“Yeah, sorry, Mom… I just… well…”

She finally looks at the rocks in my hand, I still haven’t let go of them, yet they’re starting to dig into my gloves with how much I’m clutching onto them now. I ease up my grasp a little…

I could see her head tilt a bit, as if she were about to frown, as she would every time her head tilts that way, “Oh, thinking about your parents before you came here?”

“A little bit…”

I could see her gaze lighten up as she gave me her usual smile, the smile that made me feel warm and calm inside, “You know, I still remember your face and your adorable little whiskers when I first found you on the streets, Russel.” She walked toward the curtains to open them for me, letting in another fresh source of light.

“You do? Gosh, that was… just over ten years ago now?”

“Yeah… And here you are… an adult now… A mouse who defied all odds in a world of humans and the like.” She sat on my bed, gesturing for me to join her. “It feels like only yesterday I was wiping your tears from your face because none of the other students would be your friend…”

I shook my head slightly, snickering a bit as I took a space next to her, “Yeah… I still remember what Annalise called me… White Weasel… How that name stuck with me for the next few years…”

“I did everything I could for you, you know, Russel… I couldn’t take them out of school just for you, I could only move you to the other side of class…”

“I still remember what you said, ‘To overcome adversity is often the greatest feat of them all.’”

She leaned closer, resting her head on my shoulder, “It wasn’t just about learning magic, Russel, it was being able to deal with these tensions that can make you powerful. I was-”

I chimed in, speaking in unison to repeat the same saying she’s stated a hundred times, “just like you.” I chortled with her, “Yes, I remember, you’d tell me that every day… and deep down, I knew you meant it, it just didn’t make me feel any better at the time.”

“Do you remember that day I found you?”

“How could I forget?”

~ * ~

I was walking to the library like any other, a grown woman with a job as strenuous as mine has to keep her studies in order. I worked myself up from nothing, riding on scholarships and promises to the world above in this kingdom, and a part of me still feels that being idle will damn me to fail, so I am always looking for some time to study and better not only myself, but how I teach others as well.

The sun was starting to dim when a glint caught my eye, within the sewer grate beneath my heel, I thought the refraction of light was perhaps an ornament someone dropped, mayhaps a ring? It was when I loomed closer that I saw a pair of eyes, but the reflection of light was so intense, I knew it was no human, but an animal. I almost backed away, but this creature seemed fixated on me, not with feral unintelligence, but a human-like curiosity.

It was at that moment, I sensed it. The king hired me as one of his Arcanosophists, a gift few people have, an extrasensory capability that allows me to peer deep into the being of another, and I saw… magic… brimming… full of so much potential… buried within. A person without my cryptaesthesia would have moved on, but not me, this was a calling, a task, something new, something not only I can learn from and improve from in many ways. At the same time, it wasn’t just a being brimming with potential, but someone who needed my help, even without the magic, I would have to have done something. No sentient creature deserves to live in filth and poverty.

Pulling the grate up was a breeze as I helped this creature up, and he seemed to follow along nicely. White fur, a long, slightly prehensile tail, big, round ears. He was a mouse, over a foot shorter than me, still in a juvenile age.

~~~~~

“Do you remember that day like I do?

I shook my head, “It was a blur, I hadn’t properly eaten in days.”

“I could tell, perhaps part of that delirium from starvation is what led you to be so clingy to me.”

~~~~~

I took him home, set up running water and bathed him. You didn’t fuss, flinch or even resist, which made it easier for me. I must have drained the bath at least five times. The dirt took a tremendous effort to wash off, but in the end, I clothed you, and you seemed… Proper. Much better than the matted shawl you wore.

Okay, he is a mouse, but there are many open-minded people, right? Though… I haven’t seen any anthropomorphic creatures around before… Celestials at most, but they look almost identical to other humans… The ones that come here, anyway.

I can worry about this later, but now, I must feed you.

“What is your name, little one?”

He was so shy… submissive… a sign of neglect, perhaps?

“… Russel.”

“Well, Russel, I am Jasmine, the pleasure is mine. Now, what would you like to eat for dinner?” I could see his whiskers twitch, his tail swaying as his ears flicked a bit, he was utterly still and silent.

“I’ll fix you up something nice, an old family recipe. How do Latkes sound?”

He didn’t respond, and I didn’t expect him to. I seated him and he sat quietly in silence, running his hands through his new set of clothes. Once it was ready, he devoured everything up, and that’s okay, I’ll have to teach him manners later, it’s only his first day, presumably.

I tucked him into bed, but before I could go, he took hold of my hands, I could see the desperation in his eyes, he needed me. I felt something I had truly never felt before, an overwhelming sense of maternal duty, you are my child, I saw it truly, my precious baby.

~~~~~

“You sang me that lullaby… I will never forget it.”

“Would you like me to sing it to you again?

“In a bit… Please continue your story.”

~~~~~

First, I had to teach him about how to act, only then I could take him to class to properly learn and work with his magic. Strangely enough, he didn’t realize he was using magic already. I think that’s how he read, because most children who are new to reading would move their lips and mouth each word, but Russel gazed at it intently, his eyes sparkling with glints of arcane motes… It had to have been a magic reading, allowing him to absorb the contents. If it works, it works, he has his ways, I never thought someone would have to rely on magic to be literate.

He learned so quickly, and eventually, I could take him to class.

“Don’t be nervous, everyone has to start somewhere, Russel.” He was still so clingy…

I noticed the students calling him names, but… what could I do? These were all children from royal families, and I was one foul word from their parents from being sent to the gallows. I couldn’t tell Russel that, I only hoped that this adversity would make Russel stronger.

There was a part of me where I had to come to terms with who I was, I was new to this aspect of maternity… but was I a teacher first… or Russel’s mother? Should a mother risk dying for her son?

~~~~~

“I never knew how difficult things were for you. I just remember crying all the time.”

“I was still learning myself, you taught me so much, too, Russel. If I could turn back time, I would have done things differently.”

“It’s okay, I am thankful for everything you’ve done for me, mother.” I pulled her in for a hug as she leaned her head against me gently before continuing.

~~~~~

Each night, I’d hold him tighter, reassuring him over everything. I knew things would get better somehow; I hoped the children would get bored of mocking him for being inhuman. I wanted to do more, I was thinking of what I could do, but I was trapped under the burden of two duties, I almost crumbled, but I couldn’t let him see that, so at night, I wanted to distract him from the pressure I felt. The lullaby was the only thing that came to mind, and I started singing it to him every night.

~~~~~ “You are good at masking your troubles… I’m sorry I wasn’t helping.”

“Don’t be, you were just a child, how could you know?

~~~~~

You had so much potential, you were my outcasted prodigy, cast away from home, given disdain from his peers, yet you still managed to come to class each day, even if I had to carry you there once or twice, I could see acceptance within you, a burning passion to learn, still.

I knew how quickly you picked up on new subjects, grasping onto your talent of magic so swiftly, so I’d purposefully end lectures early to allow class to demonstrate. As I expected each time, you were the only one who could grasp it in that time, you excelled in every way. Perhaps it’d finally get your peers to look up to you.

Slowly, but surely, it worked. First, envy, I saw it coming, a child who couldn’t use their toy would get upset first, but they’d have to figure out they must earn it, as this is a toy I cannot give to them, but something they make themselves.

~ * ~

Jasmine pulled her head up from my shoulder, brushing away her locks from her face as she sat up, “You children grow up so fast…” I could see her wipe a tear from her face, I almost wanted to cry, too.

“That’s just the unlearned part of chronomancy…”

She giggled slightly, “You were always my brightest pupil, but I still remember a few days you told me you wanted to go home, and a part of that did hurt me.”

“A part of me was still so young and trying to adjust, I guess I wanted the familiarness of being neglected rather than being the center of attention all the time, but this is my home, it has been since the moment you took me in that night. I sometimes wonder how my birth parents are doing, but I wouldn’t give you up as a mother ever.”

~ * ~

I was ten years old when she took me in. Bathed me, clothed me. Before that, there I was, reading the books tossed into the gutters, barely aware of the magic inside of me. I’m still not wholly sure if in that moment, she took me in out of pity or for her knack of seeing even the slightest hint of potential within any being. She asked me who I was, I told her. There was this stillness between us, as if I knew I should be with her, and she knew that I had to be taken in with her care, out of the muck.

She asked me what I wanted to eat, but I wasn’t used to asking for food, I’d just take what I could come by, I didn’t know what to say. When I get nervous, I can feel parts of my body twitching, it starts in my ears, then my whiskers then my tail starts to shake. She took off, getting to work on making me a meal.

I smelled it as it was getting prepared. My mouth had never watered that much in my life, seeing a bevy of food forming before me.

“I made latkes, hope you enjoy!”

I dug in without a word, scooping it up with my fingers. The heat singed my hands a bit, but I didn’t care, all I needed was that salty, starchy goodness within me. I heard her sigh something, my ears perking at the noise, but it didn’t matter to me, and in moments, I was finished.

She tapped her finger on her chin, stifling a chuckle, “Typically, latkes are acquainted with sour cream or applesauce, but I suppose I can save these for later, though.”

After dinner was finished, she cleaned me off with a sterile rag before I was tucked tightly into bed, draped in a lavish set of covers in a bed far too large for my tiny body. She tousled my hair before getting ready to take her leave, but before she could, I don’t know what came over me, I took her by the wrists, not wanting her to go. That was the first time I made a legitimate attempt to reach out to her, not out of desperation, but want, a want to have a mother. I have never been cared for so much in my life, I couldn’t let it go, could I?

She smiled at me; the same earnest smile she’s always had that never seems to fade. She sang me a lullaby until I fell asleep.

~~~~~

“Daily and nightly, sunlight to nightfall, passing sands of time.

Let the clock unwind, twisting gears, and you’ll be just fine.

In your thoughts, let warmth cradle you, far from all harm.

Memories, like a dream, shall wash your tears away.

Like a star in the night sky, darkness can’t come to spite.

Until dawn, cast away your old thoughts, reclaim your light.

            Rest my child, stay in my heart beneath my canopy, in our world.

            Even if we’re worlds apart, we’ll build a bridge from our love.

I’ll always be by your side, remember me by this rhyme.”

Now I am tearing up… “I’ll never forget that little lullaby.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulder, the loose, flowing sleeves of her robes draping over my arms.

I sat for a moment, closing my eyes as she held me. I love the warmth of her aura, it’s… magical… as cheesy as that is.

~~~

On the next day, she helped dress me, the fabric was so silky, it felt good against my fur, even if it was a little too big and the sleeves went past my hands… I couldn’t help but grin in excitement, running around with the floppy fabric around me. I was special, I was loved, I was in this whole new world, an entirely different reality filled with fresh, clean light and magic all around myself. I kept clinging onto Jasmine, I was practically attached to her leg, and she’d lean down to pet me each time. Even as she made breakfast, I wouldn’t let go of her, I never wanted to part from her.

Soon, breakfast was ready, and my mouth was watering again, seeing a bevy of food before me, but she lifted up my chin to stop the drooling.

“A gentleman does not let his jaw hang agape, Russel. This is the start on your manners.”

I clung onto her tighter, leaning into her palm as she closed my mouth for me.

“While I am your mother, and I love you dearly, some people do have personal space, which means they do not like to be touched as much or have you stay too close to them. Of course, I don’t mind, my child.”

She spent the next few days teaching me manners, before then, I didn’t even know what a fork was, and now I know how to properly use my dinner, salad, fish and dessert fork. She was beaming with pride at how quickly I learned, telling me I have a bigger surprise to come soon, now that I’m ready.

It was the next morning when I woke up to Jasmine opening the door to my room, shifting away the curtains to let in all the morning light fill the room.

“Good morning, Russel! You have a big day ahead of you, are you ready for your first day of school?” I’ve never heard of such a thing. Is this the surprise? “What’s that?”

“Russel, I am what many would call a savant, a cryptesthetic, or, by title of the King, his Arcanosophist. I can tell when some people have the spark of magic within them, and you, by far, are one of the most promising people I’ve ever seen. I will be your teacher as well. Do not fret, you won’t have to spend any time away from me if that’s what you’re worried about.”

It hardly felt like I had any say in the matter then as she snapped her fingers, causing a pile of new clothes to fall onto the bed, the force nearly launching me out from beneath the covers as I fell back onto my pillow.

“I have to get you dressed, my child. It’s your first day, impressions matter! Mouse or no mouse, I want you looking the best you can.”

“Mouse?”

“That’s what you are, Russel, a big, cute mouse. While I am a human, that doesn’t mean you are any less my son, and I’ll have it officiated by the kingdom within a week.”

“What’s a mouse?”

“You, you are a mouse. Hmm, I’ve got to get you more books to read later… Over more than just our magic studies…” She ushered me out of the bed as she conjured a ruler within her palms, measuring me up. “Four foot… one inch… How old are you?”

 It was hard putting my thoughts to words… “Ten years, I think… but-”

She knelt down to me before I could finish, wrapping me in her arms before looking me directly in the eyes, “Russel… Every time I look at you, I can see a part of myself, confused, lost, unsure of what’s happening, but I can see you, truly. You are destined for greatness, know this. I know you have so many questions, and I will do my best to answer them all for you as I can. Learning is a long, lengthy process. I know you can handle this, trust me. Now, let’s get you dressed before breakfast, alright?”

She dressed me up in tweed until she deemed it fashionable, then took me out of my room. Food was ready, but I was prepared. No drooling. No running. Feet on the floor, elbows off the table, napkin in lap, sit up straight and with dignity.

After breakfast, she walked me through the corridors, guiding me to the classroom on the other wing of our home. Getting me seated, she combed my fur, we still had time before the others came, and as we waited, she held up her hand.

“Russel, I can see the energy within you, please follow my hand with yours.”

I raised my hand, watching as she waved her fingers in an intricate somatic motion.

“Repeat after me.”

She said something in a language I never heard of, and then snowflakes began dancing around her hand. I did my best, following what she said with the motion of her hands, and in that moment, I felt a chill in my palm as snow began to form. My ears sprang up, as my jaw started to open, but I immediately closed it in reflex. Frost was forming over my palms, but she closed her hands over mine as the magic dissipated.

~~~~~

“Honestly, Russel, this moment meant the world to me. You already knew more than you realized, and I was proud of you.”

“It’s strange to think I never realized what I could do at the time.”

~~~~~

She couldn’t stop smiling, “You are a natural at this, Russel. Have you done evocation before?”

I shook my head, “No, never. What is this..? Evocation?”

“It is magic, Russel, something you are more than capable of. For some, it may take years or practice, for others, they may never be able to harness such strength and force of will, but for you, you are special. I have only known one other person who could follow such practice with as much ease… and that person is myself, the next most gifted that I’ve seen took two days of practice.”

I was in awe, not sure what to say next.

“I will teach you more, Russel. This school is for you and everyone else who wishes to have the best possible education in the arcane. I will ask much of you, my child, but know nothing will be more than what you can handle.”

A few moments later, the other students began walking in, Jasmine bowed to greet them all one after another.

First was a little boy with brown hair, a little stocky, but he walked in with a huge smile in some basic garments, though, purple. Jasmine said purple is the color of royalty.

“Good morning, Brett.” “Good morning, Ms. Jasmine.”

Then, a girl in a lavish blue dress and stockings. She had white mary janes and her wavy hair was styled elegantly, she had this air of superiority around her, it reminded me a little of my dad… he was… a bit entitled.

“Good morning, Annalise.” “Good morning, Ms. Jasmine.”

Another girl, she had black hair, an olive complexion and had a yellow shirt and purple pants, it was… jarring. But she had a big grin on her face.

“Good morning, Nene.” “Good morning, Ms. Jasmine.”

A boy followed her, he was wearing a tabard over his clothes, on it was a shield. Jasmine told me something like that usually indicates a family symbol, a sign of an important lineage.

“Good morning, Percy.” “Good morning, Ms. Jasmine.”

Lastly, two more students walked in, they looked almost identical, both with red hair, green eyes and dressed in a similar style of outfit, white with ruffles and laces. Except the girl had a skirt and the boy hand pants.

“Good morning, Samantha.” “Good morning, Ms. Jasmine.”

“Good morning, Samson.”  “Good morning, Ms. Jasmine.”

Jasmine then gestured toward me once everyone had walked in, “Class, today we have a new student, please give a warm welcome to Russel!” Waving her hand at me, I waved back to her and then the other students as they all gawked at me.

Before this moment, I had never particularly thought about how I looked to others, mostly since I grew up underground, and Jasmine was the first human I interacted with, and now, here were other children at my age, each one staring at me in horror.

Brett was the first one to do anything as he started bawling… was I that horrific to look at?! Percy pointed a finger accusingly, “THAT’S A RAT!”Samantha and Samson seemed offended as they spoke together, “WHY IS IT WHITE?!” Annalise scowled furiously as she stomped her feet, “JASMINE! GET RID OF THAT WEASEL!”Nene wouldn’t stop staring at me, “WHAT ARE THOSE EARS?”

The kids took turns pointing at me accusingly, then tugging at Jasmine’s robes as if I had done something so incorrigibly horrific that I should be burned at the stake immediately. Jasmine did her best to hush the other students, guiding them to their desks. “Now, now, behave yourselves, Russel is a student here just as much as each and every one of you, so I expect you all to treat him as you would your other classmates.”

They would not stop staring at me, they all scrambled for desks far away from me, but by then, there were only two desks left, both adjacent to me.

“Annalise, please, take a seat.”

She whimpered querulously, “EWWWWW! Do I have to?!”

“Annalise, if you do not sit down, then you cannot attend the class with the others.”

Folding her arms, she stomped her mary janes, “But he’s yucky! His ears look stupid!”

“Madam, we do not use those kinds of words here. Please take a seat or I’ll have to tell your parents that you did not participate in class today.”

I was pulling down my ears, trying to hide how much they stuck out past my head. Were they really stupid? My face was growing hot, my fur covering all the blush growing over me.

Relenting, she took up a seat by my side, not before stepping over my tail on the floor. We both yelped as I recoiled, yanking my tail up away from her.

“JASMINE! JASMINE! HE TOUCHED ME WITH HIS TAIL, IT WAS GROSS!”

Jasmine stepped up to her desk, looming over the little girl, “Annalise, please! Behave! As long as you keep your hands and feet to yourself, you don’t have to worry about touching others or being touched. Are you here to learn or not?”

I still remember her mocking sniffle, still trying to get away from me, before giving up, knowing that her tantrums will have no effect on Jasmine. ~~~~~

“I had talks with her parents before, her father spoiled her, but her mother knew about the tantrums, she told me to send her home early if she misbehaved enough.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, but her husband was what held me back, he could send me to the gallows with a single bad word to the king as his advisor. All of the students in my class are either royalty or on in relation to it, you know. It’s the position the king gave me, and I knew the work I was getting into.”

“Goodness… I suppose that does tell me a little more why they were so upset to see me.”

“I would’ve done more to stop all the discrimination if I could.”

“I know, and you’ve still done more than enough for me.”

~~~~~

I shrunk away as Jasmine taught the class, not participating in anything. Every time she’d try to get me to stand up, I could feel all the students looking at me. No longer in horror, but disgust and vitriol. They whispered amongst each other.

“Fatty ratty.” “White weasel.” “Ugly rat.” “Stinky cheese.” My ears would perk up to every insult, twitching in response, which only provoked more behind my back. “Whiskers” I hated that one, every time they said it, my whiskers would twitch, and they giggled because of it. I tried hiding my whiskers in my hands, no longer focusing on anything Jasmine had to say.

It wasn’t long until Jasmine heard the whispers, to which she finally spoke up, “Students, I’ll have no name calling in this class. If none of you want to learn more about magic, then I’ll have to end today early.”

“Good!” Annalise pouted. “I don’t want to be here with that stupid thing!”

Jasmine took a step toward Annalise, and I have never seen someone try to hide in their chair so quickly before, “Miss Annalise? Do I need to talk to your mother after class?!” Jasmine had a firm, but still soft tone, yet I could feel the cold authority seething through her teeth as her arms folded.

Annalise’s eyes were starting to water, “N-no… Ms. Jasmine…”

“Now,” Jasmine spoke up. “If we cannot be respectful, then I will just have to end class today.”

The air was so thick, I thought I was going to choke until Nene spoke up, “Ms. Jasmine, please teach us, I still want to learn magic.”

Samson chimed afterward, “Yes, Ms. Jasmine!” Samantha echoed him, “Please Ms. Jasmine!”

Jasmine shook her head, “I know we have our differences, but understand we are all capable as much as we are unique.”

Annalise muttered back, still grumpy, “What makes the white weasel any more special aside from being ugly?”

Percy and Brett were quick to join in, shouting over Annalise, “White weasel! White weasel! White Weasel! I bet he’s dumb! He looks stupid! He’s too ugly to know magic!”

Snapping her fingers like lightning, all the students jumped, now in a trembling silence. Jasmine brought up a dartboard at the wall, lining up all the other students as she took my hand, keeping me away from them. “I wanted to save this lesson after we had a little more practice for today, but let’s see how much you have all learned today so far.”

Jasmine wafted her hand through the air, “If you have been paying attention, I was trying to teach you all how to manipulate your force into material objects. Starting easy, it would have been darts today.”

The students awed at the sight, trying to mimic her movements in anticipation.

“Let’s see who knows how to recall what I’ve taught so far. It’s simple, not only do I want you all to conjure a dart, but also manipulate the air to hit the board from the other side of the class.” With her words of power, Jasmine sifted three purple darts in her hand, each one sparkling with flecks of light. Slowly, they flew through the air as she threw them before they all stuck directly into the dartboard at the other side of the room. I clung to her in awe as well, watching everything she did.

Jasmine raised her hand, motioning for the others, first, “Students, now it’s your turn, we’ll go in alphabetical order. Annalise, you’re first.”

I watched her struggle, she didn’t remember the words, but her hand gestures went fine. I knew the mistake she was making there, mispronouncing a few of the letters. She couldn’t get her darts out to begin with. “UGH!!! THIS IS NOT FAIR!”

“You should have paid attention.” She lined up the next student, “Brett.”

He couldn’t even remember the gestures needed, hanging his head before giving up with a sniffle. “I’m sorry, Ms. Jasmine.”

“You should have paid attention.” She lined up the next student, “Nene.”

Nene knew the somatics, forming the darts as she spoke the words, but as she threw them, I could see her focus slip as the darts dissipated into the air. “No! I was so close! Hmmph!”

“Very good, but you should have paid more attention.” She lined up the next student, “Percy.”

“Ms. Jasmine… I don’t know the words…”

“You should have paid attention.” She lined up the next student, “Samantha.”

“Oh, Ms. Jasmine, can I go with my sister?”

“You may.”

I watched as the two eagerly did the somatics, Samantha then spoke up first, but was interrupted by Samson, “No, dummy, that’s not how it goes!” Samantha hissed, “Nuh uh! You’re doing it wrong, idiot!” “Dummy!” “Idiot” “STUPID!” “Yeah, well, mom said I’m the favorite!” “Nuh uh!” “Yeah huh!” “Dad said he doesn’t love you!” “That’s not true!”

“Samantha! Samson!”

“YOU FART!” “NO, YOU’RE FARTING!” “THAT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!” “YOUR FACE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!”

The other students were giggling, forgetting about their failure moments prior before Jasmine stepped between the two of them, “That’s enough! I’ll have no name calling in my class! Clearly, both of you should have paid more attention. Back of the class with the other students… Now!”

Then, it was my turn, Jasmine tousled my hair, “I know you can do this, Russel. I hope you’ve been paying attention where you can.”

I remembered what she said in class as I was being ridiculed, it wasn’t as if I didn’t pick it up, it was just subconsciously. I followed the motions as I said the words. Three darts in my palm, then to guide them to the board. One after another. I was the only student that day who did it successfully.

Jasmine clapped, but I could see a mix of awe and disdain in the other students.

“Teacher’s pet.”  I could hear Annalise grumble, but even then. I felt that all my efforts were in vain because nobody else clapped.

Jasmine dismissed the class shortly after we had more practice. I had to wait for everyone else to do it successfully.

Once class was over, Jasmine and I had to wait for everyone else to leave first before she could take us home, “Did you have a good day at school? Don’t worry about the others, I know being a new student isn’t always the easiest, but you’re incredible at this, Russel! You have plenty more days of school ahead.”

I couldn’t bear the thought as I burst into tears, shoving my face into her thigh as I clung onto her robes, “I want to go home! I want to be back where nobody said anything to me, I don’t want to go to school anymore! Everyone was making fun of me!”

I remember how she sighed before giving back her usual smile as I looked into her eyes. She dried my tears away with a kerchief as she held me closer, “It’s okay, Russel, but adversity is what makes us stronger. I’ll try to accommodate the class for you, but… I cannot make them be nicer to you, only protect you where I can. If they step out of line, I’ll intervene as I can, but there are many things you just have to deal with, sometimes. Tell you what, I’ll make you something special for dinner tonight, all you have to do is tell me what you want so I can make it up to you.”

I wasn’t hungry then, and a part of me didn’t want to eat, what if I was the fatty ratty they said I was? I hardly knew what good food was, either, so she took me home and got me cleaned up. She made latkes… It seems to be her go-to meal for cheering me up or any special occasion… They’re by far my favorite dish from her. I thought about how my real parents hardly ever made anything for us to eat, it was what we could find or starve. I was almost okay with that, at least I wouldn’t have to go to school anymore.

The next day, I tried to stay in bed, pulling the covers over my head to shield myself from the light, but it was futile. Jasmine snapped her fingers and all of the covers flew off, nearly taking my paws with them.

I saw her holding a box, “Russel, here, I have a gift for you, come on, get up.”

I watched as she sat next to me, opening them up. It was a pair of brown leather gloves, so soft it might as well have been satin. “Here, if you’re feeling left out, wear these gloves, they’ll help you fit in, I promise.”

I felt weird wearing them, while the clothes she gave me were nice, touching these made me feel like I was on another planet, a whole new world opening up to me.

“Do you like them?”

I didn’t know how to put it into words, but she understood it as she pulled me into a hug.

“Class will get better, I promise. You’re still learning, after all. You are my little prodigy.”

She took me to the kitchen after dressing me up, getting me ready for the day. Each lecture had the soft background noise of whispering from the other students as they scooted their desks away.

“Teacher’s rat.” “White weasel.”

Annalise caught everyone on with hers, and I didn’t even know what a weasel was at the time.

Annalise loomed closer to me, “Those gloves are ugly, by the way.”

It was at that moment, I heard a snap, then the door to the classroom flew off his hinges as a shockwave pulsed through the room. Everyone was screaming as the wind was pushing us all back. Papers were scattering through the room. I could see Nene sprawled over her desk, holding on for dear life as the gust threw my ears behind my head, my whiskers brushing against my cheeks. It was like a tornado flew into the room and then left after only a second.

Jasmine was fuming, I could see her eyes were literally sparking with fire, it made my heart sink to see her like this, “That’s enough lecture for today. Everyone can walk home now.”

~~~~~ “I remember that day, I was livid, because I wanted you to fit in, and it’s as if kids can smell weakness, Annalise knew those gloves were supposed to help you, and to hear her say something like that, well, I had to get you out of there before things got worse for you. I didn’t want you to regress in my classroom.”

“I am kind of glad you did that, because I forgot what Annalise said at the time, it wasn’t until you made her apologize later when it hit me.”

~~~~~

The students were whining a bit, but nobody quite knew why class was over. I think it was the shock of the moment where we all got up and left, too scared to see what you’d do. I was trembling in my seat, still, not moving an inch as everyone left before you walked up to me.

She tousled my hair again, “Sorry about ending class early, let’s get you home, shall we?”

My fingers were vibrating in my gloves, my tail stiffened behind me, I had to pull it through the back of the chair as I stood up before taking her hand.

The next day, class was a lot quieter, though each time she’d close the lecture a little early to see who’s been paying attention, and some were better than others. I wasn’t perfect each time, but I felt leagues ahead of them, not that it mattered when I felt so alone and outcasted all the time. What did it matter if I was better than everyone else if I had no friends other than my mother?

Jasmine started putting us into groups, but it hardly helped because none of the others wanted to talk to me. I could see the disgust, I was vermin, I was a weasel, a pest.

Nene just stared at me the entire time, “Do you eat cheese all day, like a stinky?”

“What’s cheese?”

“Hmmph, You’re not even the good kind of mouse…”

She’d constantly ask me questions, keeping her distance, I felt weird, and none of them made any sense to me.

The next day, I was with Brett, he wouldn’t even look at me. I was feeling even more self-conscious as I twiddled my thumbs.

“From the wrist down with your gloves, you almost look like a real person, and I guess that’s okay.”

“I’m not a real person?”

“No?”

He stopped talking to me after that. Didn’t do anything else with me that day.

Percy was with me the next day.

“My dad said he kills monsters like you outside the kingdom.”

“I’m a monster?”

“Yeah, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“What’s a wolf?”

“Like a big dog, but dangerous.”

I nodded, still not knowing what these animals were.

He leaned in close for a whisper, “My dad also said that I should kill you if you turn out to be evil and to keep a close eye on you.”

“What does your mom say?”

“She said to listen to my dad.”

Percy was only student that refused to take their eyes off me. I wanted even less attention today. I was starting to get scared… learning all these new things…

“Jasmine, what’s a monster?”

“Don’t worry about it, my child.”

“Percy said I’m a monster.”

Her hand squeezed mine as we were walking home, “You’re not a monster, you are my child, you are my special boy, and don’t let anyone make you think you’re worth any less for being different, okay, Russel?”

“Yes, mother.”

“Promise?”

I was taught not to lie… “I’ll try, mother…”

She sighed as she pulled me closer, “That’s all I can ask of you for now. I still believe in you, always, never forget that.”

The next day, I was paired with both Samantha and Samson, they never wanted to be separated.

“You talk to it first.” No, you talk to it first!” “Quartz, parchment, shears!” “One! Two! Three! Go!” “Not fair, you cheated!” “Nuh uh” “Ughhh! Fiiiiiine!”

I was so confused… I’m an… it?

Samantha turned to me, “Hi.” She turned to Samson immediately, “I did it, now you go.”

“What?! You have to say more than that!” “No, I did what I was told, you go now.”

He turned to me briskly, “Hi.”

I’m surprised they kept this up for the next hour, eventually they built up the sentence: “Can. You. Go. Do. Magic. At. Home. Away. Please. Go. Now. Thanks. Okay. Bye. Russel. Signed. Samson. And. Not. Samson.”

It was hard trying to learn anything when nobody sees you as a peer, that day was no different, but I think the next day may have been the worst… Annalise…

“If you touch me, I’m telling Jasmine. You have to do all the studying; I don’t have to do anything with you here because you’re beneath me.”

“But I’m next to you.”

“A white weasel like you is a pest, that’s what everyone else says.”

I could feel tears welling in my eyes again, “Really?”

“Really, really, got it? You’re the teacher’s pet, so you get special treatment because she feels bad that you’re retarded.”

“What’s retarded?”

“It means slow.”

My whiskers were twitching again, “Jasmine called me a prodigy, though, I thought that means I learn fast.”

“Yeah, that’s just what they tell the retards.”

I wiped away my tears, I never felt so worthless before, like I had been lied to all this time. Maybe I was retarded, maybe I was slow, maybe Jasmine said all this stuff because she feels bad at me for being a monster. I deserve to be killed… I hear these every day, so it must be true…

My head was slumping as Jasmine passed papers around. She gave my hair a little tousle again to cheer me up, but I didn’t even flinch.

Annalise leaned in, whispering into my ear, “See the way she touched you? That’s how they touch retards. Now, since you’re so slow, you should do my paper, too, so you’ll learn twice as fast, which means you’ll almost be at the speed of us normal people.”

I had to do it, I felt like I had no choice. I didn’t want to be a retard, did I? But that’s all I felt I was, a monstrous retard. Stinky, fat, a white weasel.

Even when we weren’t partners, Annalise would force me to do her classwork and homework when she could, and I did them, because I thought I had to. I didn’t tell Jasmine, of course, because I needed to work extra hard now that I was slow.

It was nearing the end of the unit, and Jasmine said that means we have a big test coming up on the new subject.

It was at dinner when Jasmine wouldn’t stop looking at me, “What's wrong, Russel? You’ve hardly touched your food.”

“I’m not hungry…”

“You don’t have to lie to me, it’s okay.”

I took a deep breath, “Jasmine… how retarded am I?”

The silver fork clattered against the porcelain china plate, causing bits of her salad to fly in the air as she looked at me in horror, “Who taught you that word? What makes you say that?!”

“Annalise said you feel bad for me because I’m a retarded white weasel.”

Jasmine slowly picked her fork back up, cleaning up the spilled vinaigrette from her dish with a napkin, “Russel, you are not a retard, you are smart, you are handsome, you are kind, you are gentle, and you deserve to be loved. You are smarter than any other student in the class, too.”

“Everyone wants me to be killed, though. I’m just a stinky monster. A fat, ugly white weasel”

I felt a sinking sensation as I was suddenly in Jasmine’s lap, swathed in her silken embrace as she held me in her robes, “None of this is true, Russel, they’re all just jealous because you’re so talented. You are so much more than they could ever be, and you deserve to live, don’t listen to them.”

“But what if they’re right?”

She gave me a kiss on the forehead, “Then prove them wrong, Russel. You cannot stoop to their level, nor should you give in. Prove. Them. Wrong.”

“How? I don’t think I can do anything…”

“We’re going to get into prestidigitation, Russel, now’s your chance to make something truly magical, put on a show, impress them all with your skills. I can give you a few extra lessons at home if you want.”

She tutored me more and more in private, she would never stop complimenting me on how quickly… Was I learning… Was I ready? She never stopped smiling at me, reassuring me every chance she got.

A week later, and I was trembling, today she wanted us all to do a personal presentation on what we’ve learned, and today was my turn to go, but I was so scared, because I had to do it all by myself, no help from Jasmine when class started.

I remember my favorite bit of magic, the sparkling force. She taught me something that wasn’t in the curriculum yet, how magic is not only a part of your will and being, but also how it can drive off your state of mind and emotions, it was too complex for me to learn further, she said, but she taught me some of the surface level pieces she could. I wanted to draw on it, at least a little, cast away my doubts and shame to channel an even stronger sense of magic.

I started that class, my vision was blurry, but then I looked at my hands, still wrapped in those leather gloves. They were special to me, not because they made me feel in place, but because it was given to me out of love, a gift from my mother. I felt like I could be myself, and I snapped my fingers. The magic whirled around my wrists up to my palms, motes of light dancing around me as I honed my will into this reality, manipulating the air around me. My fingers twitched and tingled as I coalesced each fleck of light together before throwing them into the air into several small blooming fireworks that crackled in the air.

A lightshow full of force, bottled up emotions into a cathartic release, it was me, however it had to be. My hands were trembling as I snapped my finger, causing it all to retreat quickly into my palm before I closed it, making it look like I sealed the magic away. For once, all the students clapped for me, as I had done something none of them were close to achieving yet. Sure, it was elementary for the time, but I was only ten. Jasmine never looked so proud of me in that moment as she gave me a big hug.

“You can’t do that, can you, Annalise?”

“No, can YOU, Brett?”

“No! But it was so cool!”

Class ended after another lecture, but Annalise stayed longer than everyone else. Finally, she approached me, just the two of us and Jasmine watching from her desk.

She twiddled her fingers, a mixture of confusion, and perhaps anticipation, “Russel… I’m really sorry for everything I said to you… for calling your gloves ugly… for making you do my homework. For calling you a white weasel and retarded. I was just mad that you were doing so good, and I thought that if you did my homework, I could learn what you know from it when you gave it back… I just... Those lights were really pretty… could you show me how to do that?”

At first, I didn’t know what to say, but Jasmine always told me to treat others how I want to be treated and to respect others, “Yes, I can teach you, you really liked it?”

“Yeah, but I want to do it with blue instead of purple!”

I was beaming, and I caught her off guard with my grin before she giggled, “Okay, can I stay after class with Russel for a bit, Ms. Jasmine? I want to learn like he did!”

“Of course, Annalise, you may. The more the merrier!”

~ * ~

“It’s funny to think about how Annalise was my first real friend… Looking back, I guess things weren’t so bad, just the first few months… as a white weasel. I wouldn’t want to have grown up any other way, nor with anyone else.”

Jasmine laughed softly, “Does she still call you a weasel?”

“Sometimes, but it’s not an insult anymore.” I looked at my gloves, rubbing my fingers together, “Thank you… for everything you’ve done, Mother…”

“You’ll always be my little prodigy, Russel… Now, are you ready? You can be my teaching assistant for today, Annalise said she couldn’t make it, and, let’s be honest, you’re still better than her and everyone else from that class.”

I couldn’t stifle my laugh, “Alright, alright. I hope your younger students have learned by now that magic can come from anyone or anything, no matter how different they may be.”

“Shall I make latkes for breakfast today?”

I could feel my tail starting to wag, and she took note of my excitement.

“I take that as a yes, now finish getting ready, they’ll be done when you come out.”

“Thank you, I love you, Mom.”

She gave my hair a quick tousle as she left, “I love you, too, Russel.”

[smol-grey-tea]

Title Change: Worth and Warmth -> Secret Ending Three

Secret Ending Three - Chapter 3: Pamper

Guys. I think I have a thing for this trope.

The trust. The vulnerability. The domesticity. The platonic, non-sexual nudity.

Why I love this trope so much, I DO not know.

It's still cold, even in the house. The whole place is full of the remainders of gift wrappings and ripped packaging. It's a huge mess, but it's fun to leave everything out and pretend Christmas never ended.

The world we've found ourselves in itself has traces of every single version of events. I'm glad every Christmas we had was a good one.

Today was hectic. I'm beginning to understand why it's called Boxing Day, what with how it feels like you've been thrown in the ring. We all stayed at the department store all day preparing for our future with the seven of us, buying clothes and groceries. Dinner was rushed but comforting and warm in this storm of emotions. I think we're all just about ready to head to bed immediately.

I can't help but yawn as I sit down to write in my diary again. It feels like only now I can finally take a breather and I just stare at the past pages, pen in hand.

The words are smudged. Not because of being tampered with, but because each past diary entry had been written all on top of each other in a way that's beyond comprehension. I think I should invest in better quality pens anyway though.

He opens my door without knocking and just stands in the doorway, looking at me. I can already see the beginnings of faint dark circles forming under his eye.

"Ready for bed? You look tired."

"I do..? If you say so," he said, perching on the corner of the bed. After getting home, one of the topics brought up at dinner were our sleeping arrangements. We decided on going with the same arrangements we'd had at the beginning, while he can sleep with me in my bed.

"I've never slept before."

"Really?" I turned around and put my pen down at his comment. "I thought you'd been human for a while already."

"Yeah, but the Abandoned Toys Room isn't like the normal world. We all appear human there, but time flows differently and we don't need to eat or sleep."

"This must all be so new for you then."

"Tell me about it."

I followed his eyes as he looked down and fidgeted with his left sleeve. I didn't notice until now how his fingernails had such dirt underneath them and were incredibly jagged and cracked.

I took this moment to study the rest of his body as well. He was wearing the clothes I originally found him in: his ripped white shirt with the dark purple trousers and accessories. His hair was dry and tangled in places and his bare feet were near black with dirt. How could I have left him in such a state for so long?

"Are you really okay like this??"

"Like what?"

"Like...like this! I can't believe I was so reckless with you when I was little. You don't even have both eyes anymore, you're so dirty!"

"Well, it's not really fun, no. But I've lived like this for a long time now, I'm used to it."

"No, this isn't right. No matter how much you're used to it."

"Hm?"

I leapt up from my seat and took his hands in mine, determined.

"I'm no longer the kind of person who will leave you to rot. I promise you, for real this time, I'm gonna fix my mistakes. Let's start with fixing you."

"Just what do you mean by that??"

"I'm saying, why don't I give you a pamper day? You probably don't know how to care for yourself, right? Since you're so new to being human?"

"Oh..."

"So I'll take care of you! Does that sound good?"

"I hated being thrown in the washing machine..."

"No, don't worry. Human hygiene is nothing like that! It's actually kind of relaxing, I promise."

"Ah, I see..."

"So what do you think? Shall I help you get clean and ready for bed?"

"Well... Alright. Maybe it'll be good to get a good dusting for once."

"Yay! Let's go! I promise I'll do my best to help!"

"First of all, let's brush your teeth." She says this with her back turned to me, as she's leaned over the bath, running the water. The sound of the rushing tap is loud and the smell of the bubble bath concoction she's generously pouring in has already filled the room.

I find a spare toothbrush in the cabinet next to the sink and make my attempt at squeezing the paste onto the bristles. Despite the limited dexterity in my left arm, I manage to empty a sufficient enough amount. It should be the size of a pea, right?

"Woah, you did well with the toothpaste. You could've let me do it for you, you know?"

"It's easy enough. But how am I supposed to use this in my mouth?"

"It's alright, it's easier than it looks. You have to open your mouth and brush each tooth, not too rough."

Cautiously, I sniffed the wooden stick before biting into it gently. The paste's minty flavour was strong, and I wrinkled my nose at it initially, but soon warmed up to its biting cold. I enjoyed placidly chewing on it a lot more than I thought I would.

"I don't know if that's how you're supposed to do it, but if you're happy like that, it's fine. It is your first time after all... How about you try smiling and I can brush the front teeth for you to show you how I do it?"

"Hmm..." I furrowed my brows at her before remembering her promise not to treat me like she used to, then gave a hesitant nod.

"Okay. Here." She held her hand out to me and I placed the brush in her palm. "Now say cheese!" she beamed. I bared my teeth in response, not as a simple following of instructions, but as a reflection of her own contagious smile.

The way she held the brush looked like an inconvenience to her, what with the awkward angle she'd have to approach brushing someone else's teeth from. However, although it felt as if she too were new to this activity from her shakiness, the sensation wasn't invasive too much, and it was more of a pain to stand so still than to feel the back-and-forth of the brush.

I forgot all about the unpleasantness of the paste's vibrancy when watching her face as she worked. Her lips pressed together in a tight line. Her brow creased, as mine did before, now in concentration. Her yellow eyes were trained on me, and I silently counted the number of times she blinked, noting the immensity of her pupils and the intricacies of her irises.

"That's basically how it's done. Do you think you can take it from there? Just try and do what I did but along the tops and bottoms of your teeth too, and where I couldn't reach. Oh, and you can spit out the paste if it gets annoying."

I silently asked for the toothbrush back, holding out my own hand. After spitting some of the annoyance into the sink, I stuck the brush back in, ready to make a better attempt. As she said, it wasn't nearly as difficult as it seemed, just a bit tedious. Although, her demonstration made it much easier to understand. Soon, I felt much more refreshed and clean, and washed the rest of the mixture out, satisfied.

"How did you find that?"

"Not bad. A bit gross."

"Then that sounds good enough. Are you ready for the bath? The water seems like a good temperature now."

"Hmmm. Why not?" Can't be half as bad as last time, right?

I dipped a finger in the water, crouched down on the floor after removing all my clothes. It felt strange to be without them. Sitting in a tub of warm water might feel stranger though. Gingerly, I stepped in and acclimated to the steaming heat. It felt nice to sit, surrounded by mounds of bubbles.

"Are you in yet?"

"I'm up to my ears in bubbles, you can look now."

"Okay... Oh my god." Her face lit up in surprise as she laid eyes on me. "You look so cute like that! Like you're hiding in the bubbles! So cute!"

"Heh... It does feel nice."

"Right? And check this out too!" She produced from the cabinet a small pink ball. "It's a bath bomb. I haven't used one of these in a while, since I tend to shower more than bathe, but I thought it might be fun for you to use!"

"What does it do?"

"Umm, it's easier to show than explain. It kinda just fizzes and makes really pretty colours in the water. I've also got a couple rubber duckies to help you relax too." I do like ducks.

The bath bomb fizzled almost immediately as it landed in the water. It sank straight to the bottom and I watched the pink fizz reach the surface enthusiastically, before it began to spread across the expanse of the bath.

The fizz mingled with the bubbles, tinging them pink and the rubber duck bobbed along, looking startled.

"Alright! Then if you're comfortable in there, shall we begin?" she asked, rolling her sleeves back for the tenth time. I nodded in response, more occupied by swishing the water around me and popping bubbles.

"Okay then! First of all, let's make sure you're all properly wet. I'm gonna fill this jug with water and pour it over your hair, okay? I'll use my other hand to shield your face though. Ready?"

"Ready."

"Okay. Remember to hold your breath."

I squeezed the rubber duck while I held my breath as the warm water hugged my hair and trickled down my face. It felt strange and I couldn't help but giggle at the sensation, which then accidentally allowed some of the water into my mouth. That part didn't taste or feel good.

She lightly dabbed my face with a towel in apology before picking up a bottle of something. When she opened the lid, it smelled floral.

"Next, let's do the shampoo." She squirted some of the floral stuff into her hand with a squelch and began to massage it into my scalp. Her hands were small and soft, working up a lather with care.

When she said she was going to pamper me, I hadn't expected for it to really feel like it. She rinsed out the shampoo after ensuring that my hair was thoroughly frothy, then did the same with the conditioner. She also kneaded some body wash into my skin in slow and soft circular motions.

While playing with the mountainous bubbles, I piled a fistful on top of my hair like a wig, when I noticed that I couldn't find a single knot or tangle. It felt refreshing to be able to card my fingers through my hair without issue, as soft and light and breathable as stuffing. My hands too were free of dust or grime, now along with my feet, wriggling at the other end of the bath with Sir Ducky. Perhaps this human hygiene thing looked not to be such a bad idea afterall.

"Okay, we're all done. Are you ready to get out now?"

"Aww, do I have to?"

"Oh, are you enjoying it then? I'm glad! But the water's dirty now, so it would be best to get out. Don't worry though, we can definitely do this again another time!"

"Aww... Okay then."

Fascinated, I watched the water all swirl into a mini whirlpool down the drain, leaving only a residue of pink bubbles and a lonely rubber duck. Meanwhile, I was cloaked in a fluffy purple bathrobe and she rubbed my hair through thoroughly with a separate towel.

Back in the bedroom, I sat on her desk chair while she sat on the corner of the bed as she brushed and blow dried my hair. The sound of the hairdryer was powerful but the heat was alright. I could already feel how quickly I was becoming dry.

"Hmm, let's see... Next, how about we take care of those nails?"

"My nails?"

"Yeah, they're a bit too long, aren't they? If they get too long, you might end up scratching yourself or they might break on their own."

"Oh..." Running my fingers over the sharpness of my nails didn't exactly feel good, in truth.

"It's okay though, all we have to do is file them down. They will grow back, so we don't have to worry."

"Oh, okay." Human bodies sure are strange.

She leaned over towards me, holding a sandpaper stick over a bin, with my hand gently cradled in hers again. Awkwardly but kindly, the stick made back and forth motions on each nail, slowly sanding each down to a smooth, round shape. It was slightly painful and filled the place with dust, but I enjoyed how my human fingers now resembled my old paws with their softer edges.

"How's that? I tried to get it as neat as I could."

"It's per..." I tried to speak but was interrupted by my own yawn. "... Perfect."

"Are you getting sleepier? That's cute. Why don't you get changed into your new pyjamas then and let's get into bed?"

She wiped off the dust from my fingers before I got changed into my starry pyjamas. They were a bit bigger than I expected but I do prefer long sleeves anyway, so I don't mind it that much.

"Oh, one more thing." I'd gotten under the covers and I was about to lay down when she stopped me. "Give me your hands again."

I hesitated for not even a second before obeying, and she happily massaged into my hands another cream that she meticulously rubbed into the skin of each finger, along each knuckle and into my palms. I took my hands back when she was satisfied and lifted them up to my nose. It smelled like watermelon.

Once she'd also gotten changed, we huddled together under the covers, entangled in each other's limbs.

"Oh, but-" I winced.

"What's up? Is it too close?"

"No, it's not that. It's just...my arm."

"Oh! Sorry! Let's swap sides."

I wriggled my bad arm out from underneath her and she crawled over me to the opposite side of the bed. We resumed our position again, without as much pins and needles, now comfortable.

"How do you feel now?"

"Happy." I couldn't help but beam. I hope I can properly convey how I feel. I'm not used to expressing happy emotions.

"Hehe, I did mean about the bath and everything, but it does make me happy to hear that."

"Oh, I feel very soft, yes. That too."

"Okay, that's good. And it didn't feel too difficult for you to do yourself next time, right? I'll still help you if you're getting used to it, but how do you feel about doing it yourself?"

"Hmm, I think it should be okay. It might be difficult, but I think I can do it. Do humans have to do this every day?"

"Not everyday. Well, I think Yuri does. But people usually shower more often than bathe since it's quicker. It's just easier to bathe you while you're sitting in a bath though. Eventually, I'll teach you to use the shower too, if you'd like."

"I'd like that..."

"Me too."

I burrowed deeper under the duvet and buried my head into the crook of her neck. In response, she rested her hand upon my head, gently playing with my soft hair.

I've missed this. So much.

I sighed happily, "Goodnight, owner."

I felt her smile above me. "Goodnight."

Didn't realise til now how much I loved the trope of someone who takes care of someone, who then repays them by taking care of them. ^^^^^^ Nameless watched over her when she was a child. But while she grew up, he stayed the same, and now is a child compared to her. Now she looks after himmmmmm 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[ahiddenpath]

Chat and Update

This one is partial update, and partial chat about something that has been on my mind: the natural deterioration of objects, and what that means for my consumerism habits.

Life Update

I've been working ridiculously hard lately. It's alright, and I'm doing great work. I made huge progress on our IgA1 work, which is enormous because the company has never been able to get IgA1 before me (aka it's been passed through a few people with no progress). I also am working on potential treatments for a type of secondary infection that currently has no treatment, so that could be meaningful.

Basically, challenging, fast paced, high volume work.

Also, since moving labs, I've started burning about 2,500-2,800 calories per day and getting 20-80 elevated heart rate minutes just from... Doing my work. I've lost three pounds in two weeks without, like... Making any changes beyond cutting out sugary drinks, snacks that are not fruit, and just doing my work.

My hands are full right now, and I'm exhausted mentally and physically. I do think I'm in the beginning stages of adapting to the huge increase in physical activity. I hope my body catches up, but like. Hm, I'm torn between appreciating a good job with fair pay and challenging/meaningful work and lamenting how hard I have to work and how tired I am.

Creatively, the create ins at the Camp Digimonth server have been my only creative time, so that's a massive drop off. Right now I am forced to focus on my physical state.

But let's talk about what I'm itching to discuss!!!

Natural Deterioration of Objects and Consumerism

So one of my hobbies is ball jointed dolls. I've been collecting dolls and accessories for them since 2008, so at this point, I have a large collection of both. Recently, I took stock of my collection, and...

I found knit clothes with holes in them, the threads disintegrated. Shoes with peeling leather and plastic. Buttons and applied details that fell off, broken buckles, even a shoe where the heel somehow separated from the sole (?!?!?!).

I take great care of my stuff, and obviously my dolls don't damage their clothes. So, like, wtf? I spoke to a friend about it, and she said that all objects degrade over time... But a lot of objects degrade faster if they are not used, which feels so contrary to what I'd assume. And logically, even if a doll is dressed in clothes and shoes, she isn't "using" them in the sense of... Placing wear and tear on them.

This really made me think about the excess stuff in my house. To be clear, my house isn't cluttered, and I'm generally on top of keeping things organized and displayed nicely. However, my family is huge on gift giving, and on giving me their hand-me-downs. I realized the other day that I had never purchased my own coat and had only purchased a few pairs of shoes in my life, as I keep receiving new and gently used ones.

I went into my closet and cleared everything that I hadn't bought myself, unless I use it routinely, and some of the things I bought ten years ago that, while nice, are no longer used now that I just... Am older and don't have the same tastes. I do what I always do, which is: start by offering certain things to friends and family (based on their tastes, or at least my understanding of them), then separating out what can be sold, then donating the rest to a place that sells all items for $5 and donates work clothes to people who cannot afford them.

I used ebay for the first time, and there is a bit of a learning curve. I thought it was kind of nice to like... Send these things out into the world. I realize I'm romanticizing, but if the items sits in my house, unused, it will quietly deteriorate instead of being enjoyed. So even if I sell something for a low price compared to the new price, I feel happy that the item has moved on.

Anyway, items degrade if we use then, and paradoxically, if we don't. So excess purchases are a bad idea all around, as is holding on to things we don't use (obviously, exceptions for certain things). These days, when I shop, I picture the item quietly degrading and ask myself: do I want to upkeep this? Am I willing to patiently glue or sew this back together? Wipe off the dust? Store it when it's not in use? If so, where? It makes it easier to fight the rampant consumerism that everyone living in a capitalistic country faces.

Except for notebooks. I literally bought one yesterday...

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some doll clothes to patch.

[liveforfurs]

which princess do you find the most stylish? the least? which villain is the most and least stylish?

"The princesses? Ack! Horrible, wretched styles, all of them! It's an absolute crime against fashion seeing them prance around in their horrid rags or tastelessly gaudy ballgowns. But then what do you expect when their fashion designers are filthy rodents or fairies who don't know how to sew?"

"I suppose if I had to pick one to be the most stylish, I would have to say Belle. She, at the very least, knows how to incorporate fur into her aesthetic."

"The color looks quite nice on her as well. Though considering everything tasteful she wears came from a magical wardrobe, I'm not sure that I can truly give her any of the credit. The other princesses are in a race to the bottom for the worst dressed! But the lowest point has to go to Rapunzel!"

"What is this? Baby's first Easter? A dull and overdone silhouette, a tacky color that drowns out her features and gets outshined by her hair instead of complimenting it, cheap looking fabric haphazardly sewn together, and to top it off, not even a pair of shoes to round off the look. Tasteless garbage, in my opinion, which means it's the objectively correct opinion."

"Now let's move on to my dear friends, the villains. Here is where you'll find good fashion. We're all incredibly stylish and Avant Garde. Naturally, I'm the most stylish villain, but the second most stylish has to be my dear darling Queen Grimhilde!"

"The colors? Perfectly chosen. The purples and the deep reds framed by the black of the cape and headpiece all complement each other nicely. The silhouette? Gorgeous. She shows off her figure just enough but also has the wide sleeves and cape to add drama to the shape. Composition? Flawless. The materials are the best money can buy, and to top it all off, she knows how to accessorize with the necklace and the crown without allowing her accessories to overshadow the look. Take notes, all of you. THIS is how you do fashion!"

"As for the WORST dressed villain. Well, I'll just leave this picture here..."

"The fact that it always smells like dirt certainly doesn't help...."

[minthyj]

ascension of ambers

chapter i - towards the flame

Note: English isn't my first language, so sorry for any grammar mistakes - minty

What fire does not destroy, it hardens. - Oscar Wilde

The blaring sounds of Ninjago’s downtown were as clear as day even from her bedroom. The sun's rays hit her stoic face, she found the sunshine not as fulfilling as they used to be. There was something missing. She couldn’t put her finger on what exactly it was, but the sun felt emptier, colder than the way it did just the day before. Although something was missing, she felt somehow fulfilled. She felt lighter. Maybe the sun rays did too; maybe that was the reason why they were so cold. 

"The Emperor and Empress were found dead at 58 and 35 in a tragic event leaving their only daughter, Jade Princess Harumi, who recently turned 15 as the new Empress of Ninjago. Many of Ninjago's citizens have not even realized the existence of a Ninjagan royal family, as the latest reportage on the Jade family was 19 years ago." Gayle Gossip’s hyper voice exclaimed, suddenly ripping her out from her thoughts. As quickly as the information appeared she realized that her TV was never turned off.

The camera panned over to the Imperial Palace, with large decorations placed all around in celebration of her enthronement ceremony. A crowd could be seen right in front of the main gate where several storefronts were placed along the sides. She could easily guess that their intention was to catch a glimpse of her. If they could wait a little more, she’d make sure to fulfill their curiosity. 

In the corner, she saw an electric blue gi poking out on top of one of a store’s roofs. It appeared for only a second, but she instantly recognized it. A wave of disgust washed over her and her once expressionless face grimaced and flashed a sign of pure venom. It took all she had to not throw something at the TV.

A soft knock knocked her out of her anger. Her venomous look was swiftly replaced with indifference. Harumi found the remote and switched the TV off.

“Come in," she coldly called out. 

The handmaiden that came in bowed before her. She carried a small box with her. The box was forest green, with golden drawings of the lotus flower, one of the symbols of the royal family. The box matched her ceremonial clothing.

“My Princess, I have brought before you a box of accessories to wear.”

The handmaiden held out the box towards Harumi. Her hands shook slightly as every second passed. With a drawn out sigh, Harumi took it and placed it on the vanity table.

“You don’t have to call me by my title.” 

“My Princess, that is unthinkable!” The maid kept her head down.

“It’s an order.”

“...then what shall I call you?” Harumi heard the maid’s voice quivering. She didn’t want the maid to be afraid; after all, she had been serving her for months diligently.

“Whatever you would like. Raise your head as well, I can’t have someone serve me without being able to look at me.”

“O-of course.”

Her head snapped up to meet Harumi’s eyes. The corner of Harumi’s lips raised up to form a small smile. 

“Good. Now help me with my makeup,” she pointed towards the open makeup stand on her vanity table. Harumi took a seat on a nearby stool, facing parallel to the mirror. The maid carefully picked up a brush and started applying her makeup. The face paint that she wore was almost the same as usual, filling Harumi with a safe sense of familiarness. The somewhat positive feeling was quickly over when she noticed that the maid picked out a darker shade of red for her lips and cheeks. That particular shade of red was reserved for her imperial mother. With furrowed eyebrows she looked at the face paint and quickly regained her neutral and everyday posture.

“Lady Harumi, please inform me if anything discomforts you,” the maid stated.

Harumi raised her eyebrows in surprise, but she had no opposition to what the maid said. 

“Everything’s fine, please continue.”

She had finished Harumi’s bottom lip, pausing to dip the brush into the burgundy paint. It didn’t take long before the maid had continued painting Harumi’s face. The maid’s quick and careful application was barely noticeable to her. It was as light as a butterfly. Not even the most skilled makeup artists in all of Ninjago could apply makeup as rapidly and as cautiously as this maid could. She took a mental note to reward the maid well. 

“Might I inquire about your place of origin?”

“Pardon?” the maid’s voice was raised slightly. She had stopped putting on the white face paint.

“I apologize for my phrasing, I just want to talk about where you’re from.” 

The maid continued with her light brushes, finishing the right side.

“I’m from the capital.”

“Oh? What part?”

She took another quick pause before resuming her work on Harumi’s left cheek. The maid dipped her brush into the dark red face paint, speaking as she applied it.

“The slums.”

“...I assume you don’t want to speak of your time there.”

The maid didn’t answer, instead focusing on perfecting the small circle on Harumi’s cheek. 

Another mental note was taken by her to raise the maid’s salary considerably. The air stilled with only the noise of paint being slathered around. Harumi began to get bored with the silence. 

“I finished.” the maid bowed back. 

With that sentence, she nearly jumped to look at herself. Harumi took a quick look in the mirror, an unfamiliar face looking back at her. The maid had done too good of a job. Her hands desperately wanted to poke at the crimson circles on her cheeks. Another soft smile crept up on her face.

“Well done.”

The only thing left was her hair. Harumi had brushed it beforehand but a bun created from her hands was still far from her grasp. Every single one of Harumi’s previous attempts had gone wrong in one form or another. 

As if she was reading her mind, the maid had opened the forest green box. In it was a vast assortment of hairpins adorned with precious jewels. All were items that she had seen the previous empress wear. Harumi’s heart plummeted. 

“Please choose.” the maid gestured to the box. 

Harumi’s mind was trying its hardest to say something. Eventually, she found the perfect string of words to say. Fortunately, her years of palace training kept a neutral expression on her face. 

“I want you to do so,” Harumi softly said, “Choose one that you believe will suit me. I trust you to do so.”

Nodding her head, the maid placed her hands inside the box. She rummaged around for a bit before pulling out one particular hairpin with a golden four leaf clover pattern. It had small jade colored beads dangling down from thin gold chains. The pin itself was made out of pure gold with only a couple of small white jewels lining the shaft. It was extravagant yet simplistic, perfect for offsetting her clothes.

Harumi’s heart stopped. Several memories of the former empress popped into her mind, every single one of them containing that hairpin. Even the moment she first met the former empress included that hairpin placed perfectly in her silvery white hair. Harumi’s insides twisted in different ways with the recollection of those memories. 

With little choice, she nodded her head towards the maid. 

The maid brushed out her hair with the hairpin placed on the vanity table. Her hands were careful, not a single movement was made without purpose. 

Harumi felt the maid grip all her hair into one hand. She then saw the maid picking up the hairpin. Harumi felt her hair being picked up and placed on her shoulder. Her long white hair was then twisted clockwise around an object, presuming to be the hairpin. All of her strands of hair eventually came out of sight. Then came the most uncomfortable part; the piercing of the hairpin through the bun. Bracing herself, she pushed her palms together. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a hard tug. 

“I finished,” the maid stated, “Allow me to fetch your cloak.”

She took a swift bow then left just as quickly as she had entered, sliding the door closed. Harumi didn’t even get a chance to thank her. 

She looked up to face the mirror in front of her. Much to Harumi’s horror, she looked strikingly similar to the former empress. Not even her age diminished the glaring similarities between her and her imperial mother. The urge to take out the hairpin and hide it somewhere isolated in Ninjago began to rise. Alas, she didn’t want to ruin the superb work her maid had done. Harumi focused on the inauguration robes she had on, smoothing out small wrinkles on her lap. Every second waiting felt like a needle pricking everything in her body. 

She was considering rewatching the news station when she heard a soft knock. 

“Come in.”

The maid quickly ushered in with a white cloak with dark green colored lotus flowers. She bowed towards Harumi again before moving behind her. She stood from her chair to face the maid.

“I apologize for the delay.” 

“It’s fine.” 

She went behind Harumi. The maid unfolded the cloak, the cloak placing a light weight on her shoulders. The maid then went in front to tie it. Her fingers tied together the two ropes within seconds. Harumi once again turned her head to look at herself.

Her imperial mother looked right back at her. 

Shivers traveled down her spine. She looked away instantly, not wanting to see her reflection once more. Harumi pressed her palms together. What if she was meant to always become exactly like her mother — unfeeling towards the plights of the common folk and everyone around her? She shuddered at the thought. 

Harumi felt a slight tug on her cloak. Turning her head to the location, she found the maid crouching, appearing to be sweeping off the dust on her garment. 

“You don’t need to do that.”

“I must! Otherwise the media will criticize my Lady for being unkempt,” the maid pressed her lips together.

Her hands focused on brushing out one particularly hard spot to remove. Harumi noticed her brows furrowing at yet another failed attempt to get the stain out completely. It was the size of her pinky near the bottom of her cloak. 

“Nobody will notice such a small stain,” Harumi whispered to her.

“But-”

“It’s an order,” she jokingly added, “from your future Empress.”

Harumi’s tongue recoiled from saying the word out loud. Its unfamiliarity left a bitter taste in her mouth. The only time she had used it was referring to the former Empress – it was still sparse and far between. 

Her maid finally dropped the cloak in defeat, standing up and taking Harumi’s hand in a gesture to lead her outside. They both quietly walked until the closed doors of Harumi’s room. The maid left her side to slide the wooden doors open. Once she was done, the maid quickly returned to her side and gently pulled Harumi to the left hallway. 

As Harumi walked, she spotted portraits of a seemingly happy family of her and the deceased Emperor and Empress. Disgust and anxiety welled up in her body, only held back by the palace mannerisms instilled in her. A small scowl landed in her face for a split second before returning to her neutral expression.  

She then turned her head straight, hoping to see the beautiful garden that connected her room to the outside. Her feet began to hurt from all the walking. The ache dissipated once she spotted the usual greenery of the garden alongside two large wooden doors sporting the Imperial family’s symbol. 

As soon as they turned the corner, the guards stationed immediately came to attention. Their spears were held up with a tight grip accompanied by their steeled gaze. Harumi was unable to bask in the beauty of the gardens, her maid going straight to the gate. She then stopped a couple of steps away from the gate. Harumi’s face flashed with confusion for a moment before she remembered imperial rules. 

“My Lady, I am unable to accompany you further. I wish you luck.” A tinge of sadness hit Harumi with those words. 

The maid stepped back, allowing Harumi to grow closer to the gate. Her footsteps went farther and farther away from where Harumi stood. With no-one at her side, she began to think of what lay before the gate. She knew the answer, but the uncertainty of how it would go bothered her quite a bit.

Harumi knew she had some choices; run away into the safety of her room and never come out, pretend she was dead, or take the leap of faith. Any choice that she had made had to be done without regrets.

Making up her mind, she unclenched her hands and pressed one of them against the wooden surface, pushing it ever so slightly.

masterlist

next chapter ➣ chapter ii

previous chapter ➢ prologue

[unit2-ss24]

The 1970s - part 2

Grace Jones

Grace Jones is a fearsome model, actress and singer, she is the synonymous of Seventies and Eighties disco culture. Her striking androgynous looks created a bold visual impact.

Television shows such as Charlie’s Angels featured the smart and liberated but sexy woman.

The blondes Cheryl Tiegs and Farrah Fawcett represented the new sporty and physically fit ideal for women of the era. Farah Fawcett was considered one of the decade's most beautiful women. She was the ideal 1970s beauty, she was tanned with flowing hair and a slim, toned body, an athletic look with minimal or "natural" makeup.

Blue Jeans

After James Dean popularized blue jeans in the movie Rebel Without a Cause, wearing jeans became a symbol of youth rebellion during the 1950s. During the 1960s, the wearing of jeans became more acceptable, and by the 1970s it had become general fashion in the United States for casual wear. Denim was being mass consumed by all ages and seen as the ultimate American garment. Jeans were flared, bell bottom, wide legged, hip huggers, high waist, embroidered, embellished, studded. Denim was was not just limited to pants: jean skirts, suits, vests, jackets, hats and accessories were also brought to the mainstream.

Designer jeans were seen as a status symbol and the more expensive, the more desirable. Designer names such as Gloria Vanderbilt and Calvin Klein were branded across the backsides of men and women everywhere.

Gloria Vanderbilt is an American artist, author, actress, heiress, and socialite mostly known for the early development of designer blue jean she sold, selling 10 million pairs of jeans per year at the height of her brand’s success in the 1970s.

Glam and Glitter rock brought flamboyant, boldly coloured clothes in luxurious fabrics like satins, velvets and lurex. Everything was decorated with sequins, bedazzled, gemmed and worn with feathered boas. Nothing was considered too outrageous. Super high stacked platform shoes or boots were the favoured footwear.

Glitter rock stars of the the time such as Kiss, Marc Bolan, The Sweet and the New York Dolls were very outgoing dressers wearing chiffon, spandex and satin. Glitter trends in makeup were worn on the face by both men and women. Stores such as Granny Takes a Trip and Biba had multiple locations in the U.S. and the U.K that catered to the teenage audience and rock stars alike.

David Bowie

Pop star David Bowie, as alter ego Ziggy Stardust, wore over-the-top androgynous outfits both on and off the stage.

Suzi Quatro

Rock chick Suzi Quatro was the creator of style leather suits in which were inspired by Elvis Presley's 1968 leather suit. It gave women the power and confidence they needed.

Debby Harry

Debbie Harry became an inspiration for women of the 70s. She formed her music band “Blondie” in 1975 and with it she made her mark on fashion of the time. The LHLL aesthetic is hugely inspired by her ability to effortlessly blend a rock 'n' roll attitude with a touch of chic elegance.

Studio 54

Disco brought excess and decadence. Designers and celebrities partied at the infamous nightclub Studio 54 in New York City. It was known for its drug use and bacchanalian carousing.

Studio 54 inspired dance wear style, wrap-around skirts, leotards, tube tops, dresses and separates that moved with ease and were made in Lurex, miliskin and spandex.

Cher

Throughout the 1970s, Cher scored the US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles becoming the female solo artist with the most number-one singles in US history at the time. She had her own TV show, and she was a pioneer in the use of revealing clothing and showing the navel, her Bob Mackie wardrobe was talked about. Cher's influence on fashion can also be seen in her use of accessories, particularly her love of statement jewellery and oversized sunglasses.

[gloryride]

Motion for Virgile

Favorite for Oscar

Alternate for Vanessa

Hey, thank you for asking about them 💞💞 i really had fun to imagine Virgile moving, and i'm happy you asked !

[OC ASKS : CHARACTER DESIGN EDITION]ask if you want, love this one

VIRGILE

motion: How does your OC move? How does their clothing help or hinder their range of motion? Are they flexible, coordinated, clumsy?

Virgile walks quickly, back arched, head bowed, halfway between feeling out of place and not wanting to be seen. He avoids glances, cameras and reflections, often with his hands in his pockets. His movements are sometimes nervous, a little brusque, awkward and clumsy… except when he's working. The netrunner is precise, focused, his movements quick but effective, he's in his element. Just like when he's working on his motorbike or his cars, everything is almost instinctive, gestures done and redone over and over again, thanks Dad. But the rest of the time, Virgile is an uncoordinated boy. And don't ask him to dance, he has no sense of rhythm, apart from a few basic steps to avoid looking ridiculous on the dance floor ! That's also why he often wears neutral colours, cool enough not to be too noticeable, almost invisible. White, black and navy blue are his colours, jeans or cargo trousers, tank tops, short jackets with no frills, sometimes even sunglasses or visors. He's a discreet boy, nervous and still wanted by NetWatch since he finished his contract, so he tries to stay under the radar. He abandons this posture when he's with Panam, more proud, chin up and heart eyes. He's a man in love, what do you expect!

OSCAR

favorite: Does your OC have a favorite article of clothing or accessory? What is it? What's the meaning behind it? Do they wear it all the time or do they wear it sparingly to keep it safe?

His sunglasses! Oscar often wears a pair of sunglasses on his eyes, with yellow lenses most of the time. Not only does he think it's stylish, but it protects his eyes from the blazing Pacifica sun. Because he still has an organic eye, and he wants to take care of it. It's become a trademark, almost a part of himself, as he sometimes forgets to take them out, continuing to see life in yellow until late at night, or even until bedtime.

Nothing special behind them, Oscar needed glasses, and he liked these yellow ones. He has several pairs because he often loses them, breaks them or just gives them away! And without meaning to, they've become almost inseparable from him!

VANESSA

alternate: What would your OC's alternate universe look be? If they're a fantasy character, what's their modern look? If they're sci-fi, what's their fantasy look? What AU would you want to see your OC in, and how would they dress themself? Bonus: Prompt an AU!

Oh Vanessa has so many variations! She inspires me a lot, and I can easily imagine her in lots of different worlds. As for Cyberpunk, I already have her nomad version, which is really my favourite AU. Vanessa, aldecaldo, less fancy, less crazy in style, but still just as adventurous and stubborn. I'm really having fun with this AU, not quite defined, but I love taking photos of her in the Badlands ^^ I've also created her corpo version, which is more of a lifepath swap with Valentin (where he's a streetkid). I like to dress her glamorously in her canon, but I love suits and chic, sober clothes on her. No pink in this version, but damn, she's beautiful!

I didn't take any photos, but I have a timeline where Vanessa turns down the Heist, stays at Coyote for a while and eventually becomes fixed at Heywood. It's still very similar to her canon appearance, but I've got some plans for custom outfits for this other timeline, especially used when she's with other V/OCs ^^

She also has these AUs: kpop (poke @bnbc ♥ also thank you for this !) james bond 70s (poke @dustymagpie ♥♥) rocker burlesque wrestling (even was only for Halloween)

And teasing for a new AU ...

I love her so much that I love creating it in other games: Fallout (4 & 76)

Outer Worlds (anticorpo in space!)

(i want to do her in Dragon Age one day, as Baldur Gates if husband has the game for his birthday) ((and many moooore !)