#ar: and the use of smiley faces? not smiley emojis - SMILEY FACES? and just at the very end?

[1930sdarlin]

*I reach up and pet him between his ears and laugh a little*.

"Goofy and cryptid..you really are my type," *I chuckle again*.

Just to preface this, I'm fine and everything is okay, my curiosity is what motivates this.

If someone made me cry and you found out about it..what would you do?

(I will counter this with a much more light-hearted ask in the future >wo)

Well, first things first, I take care of you. You’re crying. Ĭ̸̝̱̰̿̉ ̶̘̓̄͠d̷̯̣̩̙͋ǫ̷̻̗̓ͅn̴̪̂̾’̴̡̹̞̓̊t̵͇̯̾̕ ̵̩̄́l̵̢͍̞̯̂i̶͖̇̔̕̕k̵͙̅̎ě̸̥̘͙͜ ̶̤̝̗̇t̶͖͇̺̟͑h̴̛̯̥̥̾̐̑a̴̧̡̲̅t̴͚̳͍̣͑.̶̮̰̀̉ So I’m going to take you deep into the Tulgey Wood and do whatever I need to do so that you feel better. Whatever that may be. Plushies to cuddle? A weighted blanket? A million pillows? Hot chocolate? Alcohol? Sweet food? Junk food? Funny movies? Romcoms? A little froggie on top of your head as a hat?

A̵͖̪͝ ̷̳̒f̸̢̣̭͙̤̻̄̇͒͊͝͝r̶̝̤̙̦̝͒̈́̂̉̀́ọ̸͔͇͙͚̰͂̀n̴̞̩̼̰̻̍̀̾͝͝ṭ̶̨̮̠̃́̅͊̕ ̸̢̻͉͒̿r̸̝͗̀̈́̄͒͜͜o̸̡͔̫̗͊w̴͍̄̒̐̌̚ ̴̨̨͚͂s̶̻̳̖̬̻̎̒̀̕͘ȩ̸̜̼̗̱̐̓ȁ̸͉̲̙͔̻͆t̵͔̰̮̫̃̊ ̴̨̡̱̝̖̗̀͆t̶̮̺̪͑ǫ̸̹̦́͑͘͝ ̷̜̏̉̂̅̓̆w̸̧̥̳̤͎͇̆͋̽͑̊ḫ̶͎̩͖̿̊͆̔͛͠a̸̹̤̺̅̕ͅṱ̶͖̈́̀͋ ̴͎͎͆̅͠ć̷̗̄̕̕o̴̢̭͎͔͓̔̎̀͝m̴̥͍͊̑͗̕ẻ̴̙͖̃̕s̸̥͎̎̽̔̃̌͒ͅ ̸̙̹̝͍͙͉̍̎͐͒̋̅n̷̛͔̳͉͚̆͋e̷̼̭̬̠͌̄̀͛͘ẋ̷͇̲t̶̢̺͓̖́̄͛͌͛?̷͉̦̹̔͂

You want it, you got it.

Then, in return for taking care of you ever-so-sweetly, I’m going to ask for something in return. Usually, I wouldn’t make anything in a friendship feel like an equal exchange, but, and you’ll have to forgive me for this, I’m not budging on this part. You have accepted my care. I’m only asking for the e̴̥͋x̵̩͠a̸̘̍c̸̰̈ẗ̴̙́ ̴̦͘d̵̪͘e̴̙̒t̵̼̃ä̴̯́i̶̺̋l̸̬̉ś̸ͅ ̴̩̇ó̶͎f̸͔̃ ̵̫̍w̶̏ͅh̷̼͋ä̸̜t̴̰͛ ̸̱́l̷͓̐ë̸̙́a̶̩͒d̶̝͒ ̸̱̊y̶̨̅ô̷̬ṷ̵̎ ̴̬͗ṭ̸̆ȍ̷̹ ̶̘̋ç̴͆o̴̩̿m̶͔̓e̴̗̾ ̵̼̑c̵̟͆r̵̩͊ỵ̴̒ị̴̐ṇ̶͐g̴̰͘ ̶̞͂t̴̬̐ò̷̝ ̷͕̎m̷̮͛e̵̱͝.̵͎̀ ̸̦̊

Ë̴̡̜̬̱̙̯̞̻̰͚͔́̊̾̒̎̑̏s̴̳̼͎̫̣̤̘͉̻̬̰̘̝̊̂̎̔́̽͛͆̒̒͋̒́͌̚͠͝p̶͖̘̺̠̘̣͓̙̞̟̍̏̂̽̅͠é̷̡̨̠͓̥͚͎̱̗̠̖̰̰̗̱̯͍͇͉͠c̴͔̙̥̀̓͛̌͗̏̚��i̶͚͕̼̙͇̪͒̈́̽̓̊̈́̍̊̚͜ą̷̒̓l̵͖̯̦̩͖̗̪̯̭̺̭̺̆͛̆̒̽̃̐̈́͂̇̊͒̅̚͠l̵̛̦̩̹̣̤̞͇͇̞̙̭̗̭̇͋̂͌͊̀̽͒̈̋̑̒̉̉̇́̕͘ͅy̵̧̧͚̘̗̯͕̩͈̙͙̭̝̣̞͖͇̘̺̩̆͂̎ ̷̨̧̢̗͉̬̺̻͕͚̭̜̹̜̬̫̞͎̟͈͋͑̓̍̾̚ḏ̵̡̨̢̱̜̘̗̞̺̯̳̱̖͉͇̅͂̀̎͋̓͜͠ę̷͍̼̼̼̥͍͚͚̻̞͝ṭ̵̼̙̗̘͐̂̍̓́̈́̀̔̐̌̒̂̀̂̕͜͝ͅa̸͎̩̺̬̼̘̰̻̗̫̔̽̈͋̄̽̔͊̐͛͆̀̓͒̆ͅì̷̡͙̙̪͔͋̀̒̇̈́̾̆͆̆͆̀̃͜͠͝͝͝l̶̮̠̰͍̱͔̲̖̠̭̯̾̏̓̌̌͒̀̈̓̃̆̀̆̒̆̚̕̚͘ͅs̸͙̟̣͉̃̈́̎͌̿́̔͊͋̌͘̕͝ ̸̧̤̱̞͉͉̳̦̣̭̭̲͈͕͕͊̀̾̅̅͘͝ͅͅl̶̦̾̿̈́͐̉͗̃͘į̴̨͇̠͖̮̭̼͔̮͈̦̹͌̓͊̈́k̴̪̪̝͂͑́̈́́̉͆̌͑͝è̸͕̟̱͔͚̹̞̩̙̂̑͑̽͆̂̀͒̍̓͑̄͂͌̍ ̷̨̡̧̳̮̙̺̠̙̩̰͍̭̺̣͊́̇͊̿͂̀̋̉̽̐̔͘̚͠N̸̡̛̮̦̬̬̱̺̞̣͙̯͚̤͚̫̞͔͎͓͆̍͐̿̍͂͠͝A̴̜̠͇͓͙̫̣͉͆̎͝M̷̢̧̛͚̞̤̺̙͇͉͔̺͇̗̠̝̜͉͇͌̽̔E̴̩̖̱̪̱͙̟̞̣̻͋͛́̍̐͆͛̆́ͅS̶̛̛̛̖̘͉͙͈̘̤̗̻̳̳̦̬̦̹͓̙̓̀̆̌̌͂̍̏̈̈́̐͑́̎͘͜͠.̴̘͙̺̤̯̬̯͖̳̖̰͉̙̻̳̬̭̫̎̎͒͐́͗̈́̏̆̀̓͗͐̚͠

If one of the things you wanted was a front row seat, I will gladly provide you a TV as I go off. But even that will be edited, I’m afraid. My magic just doesn’t work well with technology sometimes - the more power being used, the harder it is for cameras to stay rolling. But that’s okay - you probably don’t actually want to see everything anyway. Don’t worry too much though - I do go to RSA after all! It’s not like I’m going to kill them.

If you try to convince me to not go after the… D̶̹̠͈̤̼͎̻͓̹̗̮̺̠̳̙͎̜̋Ȩ̶̝͔̮͇̱̫̯͈̲͔̣̞̱̌̈́͝͠T̷̡̨̧̛̥̫͕̜̗̝̳͓͓͈̩̉͆̋̇̓̈́̄̿̕͝A̶̧̟̝̱̹̞̞̦̭̜̲̅̾̊̏̓̓͌̔̈̎̐̕͜͜͝Į̷̨̰̞͇̪̖̲̼̞͎̭̘͈̖̐͜ͅL̴̛̟̳̓͊̀̓͗̍̕͜͝S̷̘͍̜͎̹̻̜̟̻̮̖̟͔̹̋͗͊́̏̆̔̒̉̽͜͠… whether I listen will depend on what they did. I may listen to you and let them go for now. Or I may simply smile at you, cuddle with you, purr lightly, hum a lullaby until you give into the siren song of sleep… then slip out of your impromptu comfort nest and go after them in the darkness of the night while you sleep dreamlessly and safely in my Wood.

Cats, no matter how supposedly domesticated, are predators, hunters, at heart.

Ą̶̤̮̬̯̹̝͙͎̪̰̟̅͐̆̿͌̔̊̔͒̒̃͗̈́̑̕͜͠n̵̡̖̫͔͎̲̼̼̩̩̍͛́̀͋̐́̈́d̴̪̜̱̫͎͙̻̗̬͍̹̄͂̀̎̂͑̀̽̚͝ ̵̛̳͌͋̂͗͛́͋̊͑Ĩ̴̪̠̞͉̞̞͕̈͆ͅ ̵̹̗̣͆̍̉̈̒a̸̡̺̭̩̣͈̯̯̾̂̑̑͠m̷̢̛͍͖͇͔̲̯̦̌͂̏͘ ̶͚̫͂̋͌̕͜ṫ̴̥̋̌͂̽͒h̵̛̫͍̹͙̤̪̓̾͘è̴̲͇̹͊̑̐ ̵̢̮̓̍̊̅̋̿Ć̵̢̗̘̜͓̫̥͊͌͋̌̏̇̿͘ḩ̶͇̥̲̗͎̭̋̉̍̂̑̋̚̚͜e̴̢̖̙̩̽̿s̶̢͇̤̺̘̯̬̘̠̋̎h̷̰̽̕i̷̫̊̔͌̉̓r̸̢̬̗͚͉̳͎͌͗̒̎̄̏͒e̶̛̻̪̹̖̮͖̋̓̍̽̉́ ̴̧̨̼̝̦̮̫̯̫̈́̍͌̒̍̈́̅͘C̶̡̛̠͚͓͎̈́̑̃͊́̏̕ͅą̶̖̘̱̖̫͒̈͘ẗ̴̨̠͙̳́̈̅̂͂̚͝.̸̧̨̧̤̖̹̘͌́̿̈́͠

I̵̟̮͍̰̝͌ ̷̧̺̪̙̾̂̉̕n̴̗̼̿̈́̉̿̎̄ē̵̠̦̤̘̻̑́͐̈́v̶̘̳͈́̅͊̎̍͠e̴̡̿̓͋ȓ̴̟̳̭̘͋͑̚ ̸̙̞̋̈d̶͎̦̩̥̣̀́͑̄̚̚i̶̢̮̻͂̈́͂̕ͅd̴͈̜̩͐͐̾̃̊͝ͅ ̸͓̟̱͊̀̍̈́͌̒͜ͅp̷̨̗̩̪͛́̓͘̕r̷̠̜͉͉̪͑̽́̋̎ơ̵͓̝̗̯̏̓̃́̄͜m̶̮̜͎͚͔̈́͛̀̚i̵̦̲͙͉̱͒̽͜s̸̡̢̺̙͚͐ę̸̫͓́ ̵̙̞͍̮̲̒ẏ̵̞̦͖͙̒̃͛̚o̴͈̩̅̀͛̀͘͝ȗ̸͍͉̦̟̗͎̓͋̑ ̸̹̤̞̟̃͂̓̒ạ̴̡̛͎͊̿͛ṋ̷͊͊̿y̵̨̘̩̣͗̃ẗ̸̺̦͎̩̫́̍̆̍͝h̷̜̹̘̄̇́̇i̵̟̿ͅͅn̸̮͔̤͗ͅg̸̺̍͋,̶͇̤͇̀ ̴̟̣̈́̒͘D̸̟͍̖͕̎ͅa̵̪̎̎͊͌r̴̪̒̑́̚͜l̶̬̹̔̀̔̃͆i̴͔̺͗̈̈́͠n̴͔͇̋͒͝.̶̦̞̻͛͊

B̵̢͆ů̶͚t̵̻͊ ̷͚̑I̶̮͝ ̸̬͗w̴̨͝i̴̜̓l̸̬͒l̴̗͌ ̸̯̾h̸͎̕a̷͙̐p̴̪͊p̸͉̕ḯ̶̯l̷̥̅ỳ̴̪ ̸̺̓p̸̪̿r̶̫͌õ̶̠m̵͈̄ḭ̸̂s̸͖̋ȩ̷̃ ̸̢͠y��͈̑o̸̘̔u̵̦͘ ̷̬̅t̸̼̕ẖ̵̀ā̸̮t̶̜͒ ̷̪͂t̷̨̄h̵͙̚e̷̙̓y̸̳͒ ̷̮̀w̵̛̲i̶̢̊l̷͚̔l̷͓͠ ̶̰̋ñ̵̥e̵̫͝v̸̜̒ḙ̸̔ŗ̴͌ ̸͎̃b̵̡̈́o̸̮͂t̴̨͑h̸̙̒ë̵̠́r̴͖̓ ̵̥̒y̵̼̎ǫ̵͋ü̵̖ ̷̦̈́a̸̡̓g̴͍͠a̴̟͛i̴͉̚n̴͇̂.̵̹͠ ̶̬͝

But this is all hypothetical, because you are just asking and are not actually hurt and crying and just pretending to be fine…

Correct? :)

[thebrotherssalvatore321]

Keeping Secrets Ch. 51

Keeping Secrets Masterlist

A/N: According to the TVD universe timeline I’ve been using, Hayley was pregnant with Hope for like, a year and a half or some crazy crap. So just so you guys know in this story, Baby M. was conceived in late March, putting Katie’s due date in late December or early January.

Late October (The day after Rebekah left)

Katie, sleeping with her back to Klaus’s chest, was woken up by the feel of him slipping his fingertips lightly up her bare arm, skipping over the strap of her pajama top as he moved them over her shoulder and across her chest. Curious about what he’d do next she kept her eyes closed, pretending to still be asleep. He traced back over his previous path then down her side and over her thigh that he gently gripped. The touch sent a tingle throughout her body, but she tried her best to hide her reaction.

Since that didn’t wake her he slowly moved his hand up and under her pajama shorts and she almost had to bite her lip to hide her reaction to his teasing. He knew she was awake, not from her relaxed face or slow even breathing, but from the beat of her heart, that skipped at his tempting touches. With his hand now on her hip he pulled her closer then went back to lightly slipping his fingertips over her smooth exposed skin. When he moved his hand back to her chest and pressed his palm to it, his fingertips touching the hollow of her neck, her heart skipped again and he couldn’t hold back his chuckle. “You are an amazing actress, Little Phoenix, but the beating of your heart betrays you.”

She smiled, but didn’t open her eyes. “I’ll work in it.”

“Why do you attempt to fool me?” he asked, letting his eyes skim her face.

“Because I’m afraid if I open my eyes you’ll stop touching me like that.” she answered then opened her eyes to see him studying her face. “I missed you.” he placed the backs of his fingers on her cheek and stroked it with his thumb. “When those witches took you I…” she narrowed her eyes and shook her head, “I hated not being able to help you, not knowing where you were or what they were doing to you. How did they manage to take you down anyway?”

“While Elijah was saving you from that burning house, Sophie Deveraux stabbed me with Papa Tunde’s blade. I passed out and woke up in the sanatorium.” He answered then dropped his hand to rest on the side of her neck.

“Well, the next time I see her I’m going to bust one of Bonnie’s magic muting bombs in her face and break her neck.” Katie said through gritted teeth.

“I would pay to see that, Little Phoenix, however someone beat you to the punch.” He told her getting a curious look from her. “Sophie is dead, Elijah didn’t tell you?” he asked and she shook her head no.

“So what happened to you, at the sanatorium?” Katie asked, getting back on topic.

“Genevieve shackled me to a chair, took the blade out, kept me weak and linked my mind to Rebekah’s. While we were linked Genevieve forced Rebekah to take a walk down memory lane revealing her betrayal.” he answered.

“Why? What did Genevieve get out of it?” Katie asked with a frown.

“Revenge against Rebekah.” Klaus answered.

Katie gave him a confused shake of her head. “I know Rebekah used her to bring your father here, but that doesn’t seem reason enough to completely wreck someone’s family.”

“When Genevieve found out exactly who she brought to town and that Mikael would kill me she threatened to come to me and beg for forgiveness for what she had unknowingly done. Rebekah could not let that happen, so she infected Genevieve and her nosey little friend with Spanish influenza and had them locked in quarantine until they died.”

“Do you happen to know the name of the friend?” Katie asked curiously.

“Clara I think.” He answered, “Why?”

“Things are making so much more sense now.” Katie said with a look around and a shake of her head. “In 1919 Celeste was using Clara’s body. Both Celeste and Genevieve were victims of Mikaelson mistakes and Bastianna went along with everything because she was mad at Father K. and Marcel for screwing up the harvest ritual.”

To change the subject Klaus slipped his hand over her growing stomach and asked, “How is our little princess?”

“I haven’t felt her move in a while. I’m worried.” Katie admitted as she slipped her hand over his and looked down at her dark blue pajama tank top covered stomach.

“Her heartbeat is as strong as ever.” He told her as he brushed his thumb back and forth over her stomach. “We can find a doctor in town to take you to if you need more reassurance.”

She was about to take him up on the offer when the baby kicked hard, making their hands move. “Nope, I think I know what the problem was.” Katie told him as she gave his shoulder a push then moved to straddle him.

“Yeah?” he asked, placing his hands on her hips as she settled into his lap.

“She, like her mother, simply missed you.” She was about to lean in and kiss him when her phone on the bedside table chimed so she leaned over and grabbed it.

“If that is Nate I’m going to get jealous.” He told her with a bit of a smirk.

“It’s Hayley.” She replied as she opened the text. “Did you know the crescent wolves have been cursed to only be human on the full moon?” she asked and he shook his head no. “Elijah told me about it and Hayley came to me the day before yesterday asking for information in exchange for helping keep the peace between us and the wolves. Turns out Celeste cursed them while hopping a ride in a Deveraux witch’s body.” Klaus slipped his hands up her sides as she read the text, going back to caressing her like he had been before they started talking. “According to this message Hayley got to Celeste before Elijah killed her and got what she needed to cure her people.” Katie texted back, “Awesome.” and a smiley face emoji then put her phone away. “On the subject of Nate, who’s not gay just so you know,” Klaus gave her an I-knew-it look. “Oh don’t look at me like that. Straight or not he’s not interested in me like that. Besides, I doubt I’ll be talking to him anytime soon considering he’s been banished from the quarter. It seems it’s not meant for me to have friends here.”

“Why not get Bonnie to make a daylight ring for Josh?” Klaus asked. “He’s completely loyal to Marcel and you’ve expressed the desire for his friendship in the past.”

“Bonnie doesn’t make those rings for just anyone. She didn’t even want to make one for me, but Damon and Elena talked her into it and I had to promise that I wouldn’t feed on people before I could have it.” she said with a shake of her head. “And I kept that promise up until I stopped clinging so tightly to a relationship that was doomed from the beginning.”

“So that’s why your compulsion sucked when we first met.” He said with a small smile at the memory of the guy that Klaus almost killed at homecoming.

“Pretty much.” She nodded. “And after getting compelled by Elijah I have to wonder if all compulsion feels that invasive and violating or just what he compelled me to do.”

“You’re livid with him for that, aren't you?” he asked, seeing a spark in her eyes.

“Livid is an understatement.” she answered with a nod as she dropped her eyes to his shirt covered chest. “That slap was not satisfying enough.” She looked into his eyes. “I’m guessing you’re mad at him for defending Rebekah.”

“As well as a plethora of other things.” He replied then slipped his hand over her cheek and pulled her down for a slow, sweet kiss. “Less discussion.” He whispered then started kissing his way to her neck, pulling a sigh from her when he grazed his teeth over the sensitive skin. “Show me how much you missed me.” he whispered then kissed her earlobe as he threaded his fingers through her long, wavy auburn locks at the nape of her neck. She pulled back and looked him in the eyes as she grabbed the hem of the grey wife beater he’d worn to sleep and pulled it over his head. His hands settled on her sides as she tossed the shirt aside then turned her eyes to his torso, slipping her fingertips over his shoulders, his collarbones, down his chest, over his perfectly toned abs and around to hold his sides. She leaned forward and kissed his chest slowly working her way up to his neck where she nibbled, pulling a sigh from him as his hands lightly squeezed her hips.

She kissed just below his ear before she whispered, “Tá tú gan locht.” “You are perfect.” Her words, spoken seductively in her native tongue, made a toe curling groan slip from his lips and he wanted to take her right then, but after two nights without her, he wanted to make the moment last. So she kissed down to his chest, "tá tú dathúil." "You are handsome." she kissed over to one of his nipples and swirled her tongue around it making him sigh and back to the nape of her neck, his fingers tangled in her hair. "Tá tú blasta..." "You are delicious..." she pulled back and looked into his lust veiled eyes, “and...Kingdom or no kingdom…'' She moved to sit on her knees beside him, "village or no village," removed the blankets from his lap then slipped her fingertips up his inner thigh stopping at the line of his boxers then leaned up and caught his lips in a kiss that quickly heated up. When it finally broke she opened her eyes, her bright greens meeting his steel blues, "beidh tú i mo rí go deo." "you will forever be my king."

A gasp left his lips as he whooshed to his knees, one hand still on the back of her neck and the other pressed to her lower back, holding her as close to him as her belly would allow. Her hands pressed into his back as he caught her lips with his. Every ounce of passion, how much what she said meant to him washing over her like a tidal wave. As his tongue found hers her hands slipped down to his lower back, lightly scratching him as she moved her hands to hold his sides, steadying herself. He broke the kiss and cupped her cheek in his large hand as he looked into her equally lust clouded eyes. “Tá tú, mo bhanríon, ar meisciúil.” “You, my queen, are intoxicating.” She’d known he could understand her when she spoke Irish, but she didn’t know he could speak it and doing so caused an overwhelming amount of love and desire to wash over her.

A smile spread over her lips before she bit her bottom one and let it slip between her teeth. “Say that again.”

“Tá tú meisciúil.” “You’re intoxicating.” He repeated as he brushed his thumb over her cheek.

“The other part.” She told him with a smirk.

“Mo bhanríon.” “My Queen.” He picked up her left hand from his side and looked down at the tiara on her finger, sat it and her other hand on his shoulders then grabbed her butt with one hand and her back with the other, picking her up. A laugh left her lips as she wrapped her legs around him and he laid her back cutting off her laugh with his lips on hers.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie stood in the kitchen making a late breakfast when Elijah walked in. “Where is Niklaus this morning?” he asked as he leaned on the frame of the archway that led into the room.

“His studio.” She answered flatly, not looking up from the banana she was slicing. She was hoping he’d go away in pursuit of Klaus, but instead he walked over to stand beside her, leaning his hip on the edge of the counter.

“I owe you an apology.” He told her as he set his hand on the bar next to the cutting board.

She flipped the knife around in her hand, slammed it down into the back of his hand. He looked at his hand and the knife that she still held onto then back at her. She looked into his brown eyes with a glare that he was unfortunately getting used to being aimed at him. “I am getting, so sick of your apologies.” She told him through gritted teeth. “Thanks to you, in the back of my head I am still unwillingly coming up with ways to excuse what Rebekah has done.”

“You are the one person he listens to. I needed you to talk him down.” Elijah reasoned.

“Playing mediator was not my job or my wish at that moment.” She argued angrily as she jerked the blade out of his hand and tossed it into the sink. “He looked like death warmed over and all I wanted was to be there for him, however he needed me. Rather that was simply nursing him back to health or talking him out of killing his sister.”

“You made it perfectly clear you had no intentions of that.” Elijah pointed out.

“I was angry with her and pissed at you for stabbing him!” She yelled at him, but she stopped, closed her eyes and placed her hands on the bar as she took a deep breath then let it out. “I said things I didn’t mean. If you seriously think I’d ever really want him to kill her,” she looked back up at him, “for him to live, knowing that he was the one that took her from this world…then you really don’t know me at all.”

“Yes, well, you were not the only one who was angry.” He pulled the handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the blood from his hand where she had stabbed him.

“Oh I’m aware.” She used her hand to scrape the banana slices off of the cutting board into a bowl of honey nut cheerios. “Klaus and Rebekah aren’t the only ones who inherited the Mikaelson temper. You, in your anger, kicked a friend of mine out of this house.”

“You made a friend amongst the riffraff. Why does that not surprise me?” he asked, his air of superiority pissing her off.

She grabbed the jug of milk out of the fridge and took the cap off. “Just because they were loyal to Marcel and Klaus does not make them unworthy of being in the presence of the holier-than-thou Elijah Mikaelson.” She poured some milk in her bowl then capped it and looked at Elijah. “My friend's name is Nate and he is welcome here anytime I damn well please.” She grabbed her bowl of cereal and took a bite.

“If I find out he has less than honorable intentions for you I will put an end to them.” Elijah warned her.

“I’ve come to expect no less from you.” she replied and started to walk off.

“Katie.” She turned back to him with a sigh and an eye roll. He walked over to her, placed his fingertips on her cheek then looked into her eyes. “You are free of my compulsion.”

She blinked out of the compulsive state then took his hand off her face. “Thank you. Now, if you ever compel me again, you can expect more than a slap to the face and a knife through your hand.”

TVDTVDTVD

Later that evening Elijah led Katie to the court yard where Nate stood near the fountain. “He asked to speak to you.” Elijah told her as they walked down the stairs.

“Nate, what are you doing here? Elijah could have killed you.” Katie asked as she walked over to him and the other two vampires.

“I don’t want to leave the quarter. It’s my home.” Nate answered. “Most of the others are across the river following Diego, but I have a different leader in mind.” He made a motion at her with his hand.

“Me?” Katie asked with raised brows and a disbelieving tone. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Hear me out.” He told her defensively. “I understand that you have Klaus and Elijah, but they can’t always be with you. You’ve complained in the past about not being about to go out and about without one of them with you to make sure the witches leave you be. You need a body guard since your dad left. Besides, I kind of thought we had become friends and I don’t leave my friends even when an original tells me to.” He glanced at Elijah who was standing behind Katie then back at her.

“Don’t you have friends amongst the people that you’re leaving behind for me?” Katie asked with a narrow eyed head shake.

“Not really, no.” he answered as he tucked his hands into his pockets. “I’ve lived here for five years. Only a year of that has been spent with Marcel and his people and the whole time I was with them I never felt like I was one of them. You’re the first friend I’ve had here.” He finished with a shrug.

“Then how did you get a daylight ring so fast?” Katie asked.

“I was a vampire before I moved here. Not all witches hate vampires, as you well know.” He pointed out with a motion to the daylight ring she still wore. “If I have to follow a leader to live in this city then I choose you.” he told her with a shrug.

“I say he can stay.” Klaus’s voice hit their ears and they both looked at him as he walked down the stairs to stand beside Elijah. “Though, I’m not sure my opinion is the one that matters at the moment.”

“I would like him to stay here and be able to come and go as he pleases.” Katie said with a look at Elijah.

Elijah frowned in thought and crossed his arms over his chest. After a few seconds that felt like minutes he gave Katie a nod then looked at Nate. “Do not make me regret letting you stay.” Nate gave him a nod.

A Week Later

Katie sat at a chair at the hair salon in the quarter, the hairdresser cutting her long hair that hadn’t been cut in over a year, back into the style Katie preferred which was shoulder length with layers and side bangs. Nate sat in a chair outside keeping an eye on every person that entered the salon while pretending to read a newspaper.

“You know,” Genevieve said as she sat down in the empty chair next to Katie that wasn’t being used by a hairdresser, “You may have Klaus wrapped around your finger, but I’ll have that little knot untied in no time.”

“Excuse me?” Katie asked with raised brows as she looked at Genevieve out of the corners of her eyes, not able to turn her head for fear of messing up her stylist.

Genevieve propped her elbow up on the armrest of the chair. “Once he sees how powerful I am and that I can offer him things you could never dream of, he’ll realize you are nothing more than a has been.”

“You’re forgetting two little problems with your theory.” Katie pointed out, turning her head while her stylist sprayed her hair with water, to give Genevieve a glare. “I’m pregnant with his daughter, and he loves me. He’d never leave me for an overconfident little witch bitch like you.”

Genevieve looked at her painted red nails and shrugged. “We’ll see about that.” she gave Katie a confident smirk as she stood and walked away.

Not two seconds later Nate sat down beside her. “I tried to stop her, but she did that stupid thing witches do where they make it feel like your head’s going to explode.” He told her with a rub of his temples.

“It’s fine.” She told him with a shake of her head.

“Are you gonna tell Klaus?” he asked, sounding worried.

“That a witch got past you or that said witch is out to snatch him away from me?” she asked with a look at him before the stylist asked her to look straight ahead. So she did.

“Um…both?” he answered though it sounded more like a question.

“I have to warn him that she’s after him, even though she could try as hard as she wanted to and she’d never come between us.” she answered. “Don’t worry about Klaus. Unless you do something incredibly stupid like side with our enemies, you’re safe.”

Present Time

Elijah stood in the doorway of Katie’s recording studio watching her where she sat on the couch in the control room, practicing guitar that she’d been getting lessons to play. She’s also been getting lessons on recording and writing music. “What is that you’re playing?” he asked curiously.

“You mean other than a guitar?” she asked then looked away from her fingers on the guitar strings to give him a smile that let him know she was joking with him. He gave her a small, fleeting smile back as he walked in and sat down in the chair at the control table, facing her. “It’s a song of mine, ‘Lonely’.” She answered.

“May I hear it?” he asked hopefully.

“Mmmm…I don’t know…” she answered with a draw. “It’s kind of depressing and I’m not that good yet.” She reasoned with a motion to the guitar.

“I promise not to judge.” He told her with a serious look then gave her a small smile.

“Fine…” she sighed then turned her attention to her guitar and started playing a slow, melancholy tune and sang. “I’m slowly killing myself. Trying so hard at the back of the shelf. It’s just the same every day. I’m writing these songs that will never get played. I get told what’s wrong and what’s right. I don’t have a fantastic life. Everyone’s dying so I keep on trying to make ‘em proud before they’re gone. Can’t someone help me, please, someone help me. I don’t care, anyone or anything ‘cause I’m so sick of being so lonely.” She finished at what she had learned to play then looked at Elijah to see him frowning. “It sucks, I know…” she sighed and set the guitar on the couch beside her.

“No, it was good.” Elijah countered still with a frown on his face. “When did you write it?”

“The end of sophomore year, right after Elena’s parents died. Why?” she asked with a frown.

“Because what I just heard was a literal cry for help.” He told her, sounding really worried.

“Let me guess you thought I’d been feeling neglected by Klaus and lonely because he’s been…entertaining, Genevieve.” She said with a smirk that told him he was being ridiculous. He just nodded. “I knew what I was getting into when we started this whole thing. He’s not neglecting me. I still get just as much time with him as I always did. She gets his days, I get his nights and after Klaus’s wolf relatives and the crescent wolves have moonlight rings on their fingers…she gets dropped on her bony little ass.”

“You are aware that in order to keep up the charade Klaus will eventually be required to give her some of your nights, right?” Elijah pointed out.

“I’m aware.” Katie nodded.

“She will grow suspicious if she even so much as suspects that you and Klaus are still together.” He reminded her.

“And have I not played my part perfectly?” Katie asked, getting irritated with him.

“You have, which is what confuses me.” he told her with a frown. “How are you okay with him indulging her?”

“Because I know where his heart truly lies and that everything that happens between them means absolutely nothing to him and everything to her.” Katie argued.

“How can you so callously crush someone’s heart when yours has been broken so many times?” Elijah asked.

“Because after torturing him and Rebekah, threatening to take Klaus from me and therefore break up yet another part of his family she deserves to get dropped on her ass.” Katie answered then decided to change the subject a bit. “So how’s it going with your end of things?”

“I have gotten the new faction leaders to agree to a meeting this afternoon.” He answered. “Would you like to join me in leading it?” he asked, catching Katie a little off guard. “Diego and Hayley respect you.”

“Yes, but Genevieve will be there representing the witches. Witches, who I need not remind you, I have a special hatred of. Putting the two of us in one room together will be like putting two angry vipers in a tank and watching them fight to the death. It will be counter productive to the mission.” Katie pointed out.

“Yes, you are probably right about that.” he agreed.

“Is she gone yet?” Katie asked, missing the enhanced hearing she once had as a vampire.

Elijah listened for a moment. “No. She and Niklaus are talking, but it’s nothing of import. Would you like me to interrupt and urge her to leave?”

“Yes, please.” Katie told him with a thankful look.

TVDTVDTVD

That afternoon, while Elijah and Genevieve were at the summit, Katie and Klaus had lunch together. “So, how are things with Genevieve?” Katie asked before she took a bite of her b.l.t. sandwich.

“I believe she has grown suspicious.” He answered making Katie give him a curious look. “I noticed a willows hoop dream catcher, adorned with the bones and feet of a chicken, on a shelf in our quarters.”

“She’s spying on you.” Katie observed getting a look from Klaus that asked how she knew about the witch’s use of dream catcher spy glasses. “Fiona’s mother used them all the time to keep tabs on my father. That way she wouldn’t get caught healing my back.”

Klaus looked at her with sadness in his eyes and she knew it was because he too knew what it felt like to have his flesh split open with tiny strips of leather. He took a deep breath, then let it out and took a bite of his lunch. “Yes, she is spying on me. So we can no longer sleep in our quarters.”

“Because if you move or destroy the dream catcher it will only further her suspicions.” Katie sighed.

“And I’m afraid her suspicion stems from the fact that she and I have been taking it too slow. My actions do not match my reputation.” He added. “It is time I took the next step with her…”

“Well,” Katie paused to swallow the food in her mouth then continued, “we knew this was going to happen sooner or later.” she pushed her empty plate away and took a drink of water from the clear wine glass.

“I can not tell if you are hiding your resentment with indifference or if you truly do not care rather or not I sleep with Genevieve.” He observed.

“Klaus…” she sighed as she stood from the chair and walked around the table to lean her butt against it as she looked down at him, “I truly don’t care if you have sex with her. If you’re comfortable using it as a tool of manipulation then so am I.” she assured him. “All of this…Elijah working to unite the factions, us empowering the werewolves and manipulating Genevieve into doing so…it’s all to achieve one main goal.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “Create a safe environment for our daughter with you and the werewolves at the top of the totem pole. It will take time, but I have all faith that we can make it happen.” He scooted his chair back and grabbed her hips as she slid to stand in front of him. “I’ve asked you before and I have to ask again…are you comfortable using sex to manipulate her?”

“It’s nothing I haven’t done a thousand times before.” He answered as he slipped a hand over her stomach. “It’s easy when she means absolutely nothing to me.” she gave him a look that asked him to give her a straight answer. “Yes, I am comfortable with it.”

“Then we have nothing to worry about.” She told him then leaned down and pressed her lips to his. “Though I worry a little,” she made a pinching gesture with her thumb and pointer finger, “that she will be better than me, all things considered.” Her eyes glanced down at her massive stomach.

“You needn’t worry about that.” Klaus assured her as he stood up and looked down at her.

“But I do.” She replied as she slid her hands up his chest. “I can hardly breath these days much less satisfy you…” her eyes slipped from his to look at her hands on his chest. “Besides, you clearly have a thing for redheads considering I found a painting you made of a very beautiful woman with long, wavy, red locks in the attic.”

“How do you know it’s one of mine?” Klaus asked with a tilt of his head.

“Because I’ve watched you paint enough to know your brushstrokes when I see them.” Katie answered.

“I’ll admit to having a predilection for red hair.” he told her before he pecked her on the end of her nose, “However, you…are the red head I crave every second I am away from you.” he leaned down and caught her lips in a long, slow, sweet kiss.

When it broke she looked into his blue eyes. “I love you, Big Bad Wolf.” He just smiled and slipped his thumb over her cheekbone. “So…how’s Father Kieran?”

“His lucidity is slowly deteriorating.” Klaus answered. “I’ve heard talk of him being replaced as the leader of the human faction.”

“By who?” Katie asked with a frown.

“Francesca Correa.” He answered. “She is the city’s leading philanthropist.”

“So she’s a do-gooder like Father K.?” Katie asked curiously.

“She also owns the biggest casino in the city and is the matriarch to a rather sizable drug trafficking empire.” He added.

“Okay…definitely not a do-gooder.” Katie drawled. “Have you spoken to Cami?” Klaus just shook his head as his cell phone dinged in his back pocket.

“The summit is over. No doubt Genevieve will be here soon.” He told her.

“I will be so glad when this is all done and she is banned from this house.” Katie sighed.

“That makes two of us.” Klaus told her then pecked her on the lips. “Until then we all have our parts to play.”

Katie simply blew air between her lips as she led her head fall forward to rest on his chest. Knowing what she was feeling he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

TVDTVDTVD

With Nate at her side Katie looked through maternity dresses on a rack in the local maternity boutique. “So why are you going to this party?” Nate asked as he looked through a rack then held up a black dress and she shook her head no.

“Because it’s partially my responsibility to help Klaus and Elijah make this place safe for my child to grow up in.” She answered and he held up another dress. “Ooh, I like that one.” She took it from him when he held it out to her and draped it over her arm. “And you wonder why I thought you were gay when we first met.” She commented with a playful smile.

“Hey, a guy doesn’t have to be gay to know what will look good on a woman.” He defended.

“Oh I’m aware.” she replied with a laugh.

“For curiosity’s sake why did you think I was gay?” he asked as he held up another dress that she liked and tossed it over her arm.

“You’re pretty for a guy.” She answered and he gave her a “get serious” look. “And I mean that in a very…Jensen Ackles kind of way.”

“Thanks…I think.” He told her as he held up another dress and she shook her head.

“You’re welcome.” She told him then looked at her arm to see that she had way too many dresses stacked on it. “I’m going to go try these on.” After waiting for what felt like forever for her to be done she stepped out of the dressing room in a dark blue form fitting dress that stopped just above her knees with a deep v cowl neckline and long sleeves. “Be honest, what do you think? Is it too plain?”

“I think if you wear that dress every male at the party as well as some females might have heart attacks.” He answered.

“Is that a good thing?” Katie asked with an unsure look down at the generous amount of cleavage that the dress revealed.

“Yes.” He answered. “And no, it’s not too plain.”

“It doesn’t look like I’m trying way too hard to be sexy when in reality I look like a blue whale?” she asked self-consciously.

“No.” he answered. “If your goal is to make Klaus remember what he left for a shapeless bean pole with no personality setting other than bitch, then this is your dress.”

“What would I do without you?” Katie asked fondly.

“You would be a hopeless mess too scared to leave the compound.” He answered, then smiled and shook his head. “Na, you’d be just fine, friendless, but fine. Now go change, I still need to buy something to wear to this fancy pants shindig.”

She ducked back behind the curtain of the changing room. “You’re coming tonight?” she asked knowing that parties weren’t usually his thing.

“You think I’m going to let you walk into a room of witches, werewolves and vampires without a bodyguard?” he asked as if her question was silly. “No. I’m your self appointed friend date.”

Katie just laughed to herself at his silly over protectiveness. “You know both Elijah and Klaus will be there right? Neither of them will let anything happen to me.”

“Yes, but Elijah will most likely be working the floor ensuring that everyone gets along with each other and Klaus will have his head up Genevieve’s butt.” He pointed out.

“Okay, fine, you can be my friend date.” She told him as she pulled her maternity shirt over her head then stepped out of the booth and shrugged her jacket on.

TVDTVDTVD

Loud dance music floated upstairs from the party that was kicking off downstairs and into the bedroom that was attached to the nursery where Katie stood at a vanity fastening a shimmering bracelet around her wrist. When it was secured she took off the necklace Klaus had given her and added some small shimmering beads to the chain dressing it up to match the form flattering dress. Klaus let himself in and quietly closed the door. Katie turned to see him dressed in a black suit with a black dress shirt and a black and gold printed tie. “Hello handsome.” Katie greeted with an appreciative tone that suggested if she had it her way they wouldn’t leave the bedroom at all tonight.

Klaus growled, low and deep, as he sat his hands on her waist then slid them down to her hips and caught her lips with his. “Was it your intention, when you chose that dress, to torture me all night?”

Katie laughed and he noticed a devious tone in it. “I chose it to show Genevieve that regardless of what she thinks even eight months pregnant I’m still sexier than she’ll ever be. Torturing you and making you think only of me all night was just a happy side note.”

He gave her an impressed look with his lust filled eyes. “You haven’t peeked at the nursery have you?” he asked considering he knew it was tempting to do so, but he hadn’t finished it yet and didn’t want her to see it until he was done.

“I promised you I wouldn’t.” she told him with an eye roll and he gave her a look that told her to be honest. “No, I haven’t peeked at your unfinished project.”

“And you remember your role for tonight?” he asked, getting back to business.

“Yep, hang out with Nate, look defeated when I see you with Genevieve, help keep an eye out for tension and if need be distract Genevieve catty, immature banter while you’re talking to Jackson who is the alpha of one of the two branches of crescent wolves.” She answered then slid her hands over the smooth skin of his neck.

He smiled down at her but it faded when an uncomfortable look flashed across her face and she placed her hand on her stomach. “What’s wrong?” he asked, suddenly concerned.

“It’s nothing.” She assured him with a shake of her head as her face relaxed.

“Katie.” He drawled in a warning tone.

“Klaus.” She mimicked back. “It’s just Braxton hicks.”

“You’re sure?” he asked with wide worried eyes.

“I’m sure.” She assured him then dropped her hand from her loosening stomach. “I know what contractions feel like. I’ll tell you when I start feeling the real thing.” He breathed out a heavy breath and rested his forehead on hers. “I know you grow more anxious the closer we get to the due date…” she sighed as she grabbed his hands off of her hips and threaded their fingers together as she looked into his steel blue eyes. “But we’ll be okay.”

It was rare for him to let her see him vulnerable, but every time he did it just reminded her how much he cared for her and trusted her. Eventually, as the music outside grew louder, Klaus let go of her hands and pecked her on the lips. “Let’s get this show on the road shall we?” he asked as he held his hand out to the door for her to go first.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie and Nate were sitting at a table munching on some hors d’oeuvres when Genevieve and the three harvest girls walked in from one entrance. At the same time, a group of people led by two rustically handsome men, one with long blond hair and the other with shorter, but still long brown hair, came in from the second. “I’m guessing those guys are the crescent wolves?” Katie asked Nate.

“Yep. Something tells me it’s only a matter of time before this party gets interesting.” He answered then noticed her plate was empty so he grabbed his then motioned to hers, “you done with that?” she gave him a nod so he went to pass the plates off to a waiter. While he was gone she watched Elijah join the party and Katie was going to go talk to him and compliment him on his party planning skills, but another woman beat her to it and started flirting with him. “Feeling jealous?” Nate asked as he joined her at the tall table and handed her a champagne flute of sparkling white grape juice.

“What?” she asked looking away from the woman and Elijah, to a smirking Nate. “Why would I be jealous?”

“Um, probably because you two were a thing once upon a time.” He answered getting a frown from Katie considering she never told him about her past with Elijah. “It’s kind of public knowledge that you were soul bound to him and the link only broke because your soul shattered. The recovery from which led to you being able to get knocked up by Klaus when you were still a vampire.”

“My life’s story is public knowledge?” she asked with raised brows and he nodded. “Wow, that sucks. But to answer your question, no I’m not jealous. I’m curious.” She told him with a sigh then looked to see that Elijah was elsewhere, but the woman still stood at the table choosing desserts.

“You’re curious?” he asked disbelievingly.

“Last I heard he was dating Hayley. So when I see him flirting with whoever that chick is, yeah I get a touch curious.” She defended.

“That chick is Francesca Correa.” Nate informed her with a smirk.

“Would it completely and totally annoy you if I asked you to be nosey and tell me what Elijah and Diego are talking about?” Katie asked with a nod of her head at the two men.

“Not at all, I love being nosey.” He told her with an interested smirk then noticed her giving him a look. “What, guys can be nosey too.”

“I knew there was a reason I like you.” she told him with a laugh that he playfully shushed.

“Elijah is telling Diego to be polite and welcoming to the wolves, but they killed Diego’s family and would have killed him too had Marcel not saved him.” Nate told her while continuing to listen then Katie watched as Elijah said something to Diego and walked away.

“What did Elijah say back?” Katie asked, but when she looked at Nate she saw that he was looking off to the side and up. She followed his gaze and realized he’d noticed Klaus and Genevieve standing on the upper balcony talking.

“Elijah used fancy words to tell him to suck it up and Genevieve just called you a walking incubator with trashy taste in fashion.” He answered. The insult didn’t bother her, it wasn’t anything she hadn’t heard a thousand times before in her life. What bothered her was when Klaus placed his hand on Genevieve’s shoulder and said something to make her smile before he kissed her.

It wasn’t passionate or even a lingering kiss, but it was still a kiss and the first time Katie had actually seen them together. “If you squeeze that glass any harder it’s going to break and slice your hand open. I don’t need to tell you how bad that would be given the amount of vampires in the building.” Katie tore her eyes off of Genevieve, who’d seen her giving them a glare that if looks could kill would have Genevieve coughing up blood, then set her flute of juice on the table. She flexed her fingers and took a deep breath. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” She answered. He ducked into her line of vision and raised his brows at her. “No, but…I have to be.” She told him with a sigh. “Otherwise I’m not and I can’t deal with that right now.”

“Well, I would offer you a drink, but…” he motioned to her stomach.

“Yeah, trust me, if I wasn’t pregnant I would have found my way to the nearest container of bourbon and drank half of it already.” She told him with an aggravated look then picked up her glass and downed it.

“You know they say the last month of pregnancy is all hormones and mood swings. So, just, keep that in mind.” He told her in an attempt to make her feel like less of a crazy person and she gave him a thankful look.

An hour later, Nate had left her to dance with a witch that had been eyeing him all night. So Katie stood at the table by herself watching him dance with the witch and Elijah dance with Hayley. She was supposed to be keeping an eye out for fighting or tension, but so far the entire party had been going according to plan. So when Jackson, the rustically handsome brunette werewolf, interrupted Elijah and Hayley and Hayley started dancing with him, Katie left the table she’d been hanging out at to go to Elijah. “Save me from my boredom?” she asked with her hand held out to him.

“Gladly.” He took it and gave her a spin before she placed her other hand on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Did she just ditch you?” Katie asked with a glance at Hayley.

“She just informed me that she and Jackson were betrothed right after their birth and considering she is eight weeks pregnant with his child they are going through with the ceremony.” He told her with a displeased look.

“But Jackson and the other crescents haven’t even been cured for a full month.” Katie thought out loud. “So that means…” she couldn’t make herself finish her sentence. It meant that Hayley has slept with Jackson while being courted by Elijah. “I warned her-”

“It’s fine.” He cut her off.

“She cheated on you. That’s not okay in my book.” Katie argued with a frown and a glare at Hayley who saw and averted her eyes in shame.

“They got caught up during a full moon and sparks flew.” He defended Hayley. “I can’t say I do not know the feeling.” She knew from the look in his chocolate browns that he was talking about the sparks that once flew between the two of them. “I just did not feel it with her.”

“What about Francesca Correa?” Katie asked and he narrowed his eyes and shook his head not knowing what she was talking about. “I saw you two flirting earlier.”

“She flirted first and I flattered her because she is the new head of the human faction.” He explained.

“Either way, she has a thing for you.” Katie told him noticing Francesca gave Katie the stink eye. “She doesn’t like that I’m dancing with you.”

“Well, you are incredibly threatening to the entire female population in that dress.” He replied purposely making it a point to not look any lower down than her eyes.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She told him before he gave her another twirl making her smile.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was dancing with Nate when a confrontation between the blond werewolf guy, who’s name she’d learned was Oliver, and Diego broke out. As soon as Diego threw Oliver into a glass table, shattering it, Nate whooshed Katie up to the second floor away from the fight. Soon after, Elijah pinned Oliver’s head down on a table while Jackson held Diego against one of the wooden columns with a stake on his chest. “This ends now. I won’t ask again.” Elijah told Oliver.

“Oh we’ll end it alright.” Jackson said, making Elijah look over his shoulder to see that he had Diego pinned down.

“So end it.” Katie spoke up as she left Nate and started walking down the stairs and into the middle of the courtyard. “Kill each other. Get it all over with.”

When she walked past Klaus where he had been talking to Francesca she heard her ask him, “Shouldn’t you intervene or something?”

“Why would I? This party just got interesting.” Klaus replied. “Besides, I want to know what’s going to come out of that talented little mouth of hers.”

Katie ignored him and kept her eyes on Elijah and Jackson. “Except that it won’t be over. It will just be one more hate crime to add to the long list. Let’s take a look at the “crimes” each of the factions shall we?” She air quoted the word crimes as she looked at Jackson and Oliver. “The werewolves have a natural and uncontrollable tendency to turn feral one night a month and tear people to shreds. Therefore getting on everyone’s bad side and we all know that the wolves and vampires have hated each other since the creation of time.”

She turned her eyes to Elijah and Diego. “Then there's the vampires who ticked off the witches by throwing a wrench into their harvest ritual and using one of their own to control them. And, well, they anger the werewolves and humans simply by existing.”

From there she looked at the witches. “In retaliation for the vampires and the leader of the human faction getting in the way of them gaining more power with their ritual, the witches hexed not one, but two humans. Long before that they also cursed the werewolves to live in their wolf form save one day of the month. And to top it all off they’ve angered the original vampires with their repeated attempts to get rid of my unborn child.”

Lastly she looked at Francesca, “Then there’s the human’s…” she sighed. “From what I’ve seen they turn a blind eye as long as the money keeps rolling in and when it stops they go on a killing spree of whatever faction cut them off.”

“Are you approaching a point?” Elijah asked, still pinning Oliver’s head to the table.

“My point is…” she turned to look at everyone else in the room, now speaking to them. “We all have reason to hate each other, but we need to put the past in the past, step out of the hate tainted shoes of our ancestors and come together to create a thriving community. Not just for ourselves, but for future generations as well. Otherwise we will constantly be looking over our shoulders waiting for the next war to break out…the next crime to be committed, and I don’t know about all of you, but that doesn’t seem like much of a life to me.” she paused and looked at the four men still frozen in place with their eyes on her. “So, boys, what’s it going to be, murder and war… or peace and hope for a better future?” she asked and the men let go of one other and brushed themselves off. “Alright then,” she looked at the DJ standing at a table in the corner of the silent courtyard and made eye contact with him. “laissez le bon temps rouler!” she waved her finger in the air in a wrap it up manner and the DJ turned the music back on kicking the party back up.

Klaus gave her a proud smirk when they caught each other’s eyes as she turned and headed back up the stairs where Nate still stood. “You are aware that you just did a New Orleans style mike drop right?”

“I’m not sure I’m aware of anything that just came out of my mouth.” She answered as she turned her back to the crowd, leaning on the wooden railing then stared off into the distance. “I hate being the center of attention.”

“Then what possessed you to stick yourself in the limelight?” Nate asked curiously.

She shrugged and shook her head. “I don’t know, I just…I saw Elijah slam that werewolf’s head into a table and Jackson threaten to kill Diego and something in me just…snapped.” She explained then met his green eyes.

“Well, this is your home now and you’re not just a human, you used to be a vampire and you’re carrying a baby that is three out of the four factions. You have good reason to want them to all get along.” Nate pointed out.

“Yes, but that doesn’t give me the right to jump onto a soapbox and lecture them like I’m some kind of high and mighty, all knowing-”

“Queen?” she heard Klaus ask and looked to her left to see him walking over, “May I steal a minute, mate?” he asked Nate who nodded and walked off.

“I’m not a queen.” She told him with a head shake.

“That speech you just gave suggests otherwise.” He countered. “You may not see it, but everyone else does. You were born for this role. All you have to do is open your mouth and people respond.”

“Born for it or not I wasn’t born into it.” she argued as she turned around and looked down at the crowd. “This has only been my home for a little under eight months. Those people have lived here their whole lives.” Genevieve, standing at a table with the harvest girls, minus Davina, looked up at them and Katie frowned. “Queen or not we shouldn’t be talking right now. So,” she gave Genevieve a challenging look as she turned from the crowd to face Klaus and placed her hand on his shoulder. She started seductively talking to and touching him, “I’m going to flirt with you like the desperate, has been, walking incubator she thinks I am and you’re going to look at me like I’m pathetic, reject me then walk away.”

His face took on a look of disdain as he removed her hands from where they were slipping under his suit jacket then towered over her as he grabbed her face in his large hand and looked her in the eyes. “I love you.” from far away, especially from the angle Genevieve was viewing the exchange from, it looked like Klaus had told her he loathed her.

Katie’s face twisted with a pained look and she surprised even herself with the tear that slipped down her cheek as he let go of her face, turned his back on her then walked away. She kept her eyes on him as he made his way to Genevieve then asked her to dance to the slow song that was playing. While they were dancing Genevieve glanced up at Katie and gave her a snooty, ‘I win’ smile then slipped her eyes back to Klaus. “Wanna take a walk, get some fresh air?” Nate asked as he walked over and stood beside her.

“Fresh air would be nice.” She answered as she took her eyes off of Klaus and Genevieve to look at Nate as she wiped the tear from her cheek.

They were on their way to one of the main exits when she heard Elijah call her name and stopped as he walked over to her. “May I have a moment?”

“Uh, yeah, sure.” She answered, wondering if she’d said something in her speech that pissed him off, then looked at Nate who had also stopped, “I’ll meet you outside.” he went ahead and she turned her attention back to Elijah who placed his hand on her shoulder and walked her over to the desserts table. “What’s up?”

“First,” he grabbed a slice of cheesecake and a metal fork and held them out to her so she took them with a roll of her eyes, “I haven’t seen you eat much tonight. Also, I have been talking to the faction leaders and we all agree that you should join us in signing the treaty tonight. They believe you should take a seat at the table.

“What?” she asked around a bite of the plain cheesecake.

“With Rebekah no longer in the picture, the people see you as the Mikaelson matriarch.” He explained. “Not to mention you put things in perspective and gave them the final push that led to them all agreeing to sign the treaty tonight.”

“You call me a matriarch, Klaus calls me a queen, both are flattering, but insanely inaccurate.” She said with an animated shake of her head not understanding why Klaus and Elijah kept putting her on a pedestal.

“Katie, you are standing in a unique place of power as an important member of this community with the fresh, un-bias, view of an outsider. We are simply encouraging you to embrace it. However, it goes without saying that you do not have to do anything you do not want to do.” He told her diplomatically.

“Can I think about it?” she asked as she dropped her eyes to her cheesecake.

“Of course.” He answered, happy that she was even thinking about it. “We’re meeting here in the courtyard at 11 if you decide to sign it.” she just gave him a nod and headed outside where she found Nate sitting on a bench.

“So, what did Elijah want?” he asked as she sat down next to him.

“He asked me to sign the treaty.” She answered with a sigh as she slipped her hands over the itching skin of her stomach.

“Are you going to?” he asked curiously.

“I don’t know.” She answered with a shrug. “On one hand I’m flattered and I want to step up to the plate, but on the other I just want to be a good mother.”

“You know, this is the twenty-first century, you can choose to be both.” He told her, making her look at him across her shoulder. “I think I speak for the masses when I say I think you should go for it. Take your place at the table and use your voice to make a difference.”

Katie took in a deep breath as she lifted her shoulders then let them fall as she let it out.

TVDTVDTVD

Elijah gave Katie a surprised look when he saw her walk into the courtyard and join him, Francesca, Genevieve, Diego, Hayley and Jackson where they all stood around a table that held the new treaty, a bowl and seven silver daggers. Diego was the first to pick up a dagger and cut his palm. Everyone else followed suit then held their hands over the bowl, creating the ‘ink’ they would sign the treaty with. Elijah dipped a quill pen in the blood then handed it to Diego who signed then handed it to Francesca who passed it off to Genevieve then on until Hayley handed Katie the pen. So Katie dipped it then signed her name and handed it to Elijah, the last to sign.

After a few words from Elijah the meeting dispersed. Katie and Genevieve headed for the stairs at the same time and bumped shoulders. Katie bit her tongue, gave Genevieve the most polite smile she could muster for such a horrid person, then stepped aside and waved for her to go first. “You know,” Genevieve started as they neared the top of the stairs, “you can flash your cleavage and flirt all you want, but you’ll never win him back.”

“Yet, I believe you’re time with him is limited and you know it.” Katie replied with a condescendingly chipper tone and her head held high as they came to a stop at the top of the stairs. “After the birth of our child he’ll be so wrapped up in his daughter and me, aka his family, that your little love spell on him will break and he’ll forget all about his witchy little play thing. So enjoy your borrowed time in our bed while it lasts.” Katie told her with a smile as she walked past her. “Goodnight.”

She knew she shouldn’t say things like that since it was technically true, but she was ninety percent sure that Genevieve saw her as a giant joke no matter what came out of Katie’s mouth.

[mustafa-el-fats]

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Ancient Wisdom Revealed: 5 Hidden Magical Knowledge That Can Transform Your Life

We are usually amazed when we discover hidden knowledge related to mysticism, magic, and witchcraft. Not only does this ancient knowledge enlighten us but it can also help us understand the very essence of our being. However, most of the times valuable magical information and insight are hidden right before our very eyes. We simply need to know where to look.

“Secrets have a way of making themselves felt, even before you know there’s a secret.” – Jean Ferris

It’s true that this is World which has never actually cut off from the Old Ways. In fact, so many things we still do, reflect on the Old Religion and our Witchy Ways. Therefore, we decided to publish an article, on all weird things that actually got Pagan Origin or even Witchy! This is going to be really really fun!

Magical Knowledge Hidden in Plain Sight

“It is hidden but always present.” – Laozi

The list is endless. We could keep going on and on about it but we chose 5 facts which make more sense to almost anyone.

1. Why do we Wink to signal about secret knowledge?

A Winker actually signals the Winkee that they share or s/he is about to share some secret knowledge. It’s not obvious why or what it is, but this is a sign to immediately question reality. This is an awakening call. If you really think about it, it’s already pretty weird.

Wink & the one eye of Odin

Odin is the mighty and wise father of Norse Religion. God of Wisdom, Healing and Victory he is beloved in all germanic traditions. He is famous for his thirst for Wisdom and magical knowledge. According to one story, Odin was traveling again in his quest to expand his awareness. One day he ventured to Mimir’s Well, located beneath the world tree Yggdrasil. The Guardian spirit of this well, whose wisdom and magical knowledge for the Realms was unprecedented, greeted Odin. Odin asked for some water.

I know where Othin’s eye is hidden, Deep in the wide-famed well of Mimir; Mead from the pledge of Othin each morn Does Mimir drink: would you know yet more?

I know where Othin’s eye is hidden, Deep in the wide-famed well of Mimir; Mead from the pledge of Othin each morn Does Mimir drink: would you know yet more?

The mystical creature knew exactly what Odin was asking and he tried to make it as hard as possible. Thus he demanded his eye. Odin was asking for true and absolute wisdom and the price seemed fair for the Guardian. However, Odin gave it instantly and the Guardian gave the God of Wisdom what he was asking.

Hidden Magical Knowledge of Wink

In many ancient depictions, and due to the fact that Odin has one eye, he seems like he’s winking. This is where the ‘wink’ came from. As Odin lost his eye for hidden truth, we reenact his divine sacrifice by winking, to signal someone for secret knowledge.

“The only secrets are the secrets that keep themselves.” – George Bernard Shaw

2. Why do we give the ‘middle finger’ to insult someone?

Greeks understood the power of sex & sexuality, thus sexuality was part of each God’s powers. Thus, the ‘Phallus’ aka the erect penis, was a symbol of great potential, a power which could fight every demon, reverse bad luck to golden opportunities and create a new and successful beginning in everyone’s life.

Middle finger represents a phallus – a magical symbol

Indeed, the middle finger represents an erect penis. The middle finger also is known as “digitus impudicus” or “the impudent finger”. Saint Isidore of Seville explains in his Etymologies that the third finger is called impudent because it often expresses vexation, insult. But why?

“A graceful taunt is worth a thousand insults.” – Louis Nizer

This rude gesture actually dates back to ancient Greece. This was a sacred and magical gesture – something like a Mudra. Greeks used it to instantly counter any negative activity and dark arts that targeted them. Just like the statues of Phallus in crossroads and anywhere, they did it to repel dark magic.

Therefore, by ‘giving the middle finger and insulting’ the receiver we actually attempt to bind his/her power against us.

3. Why are Days Seven?

Have you wondered? Why aren’t the days of week 5 or 10 or 12? Why 7? Is there special power in it? Well YES!

Seven are the Days, Seven are the ‘Planets’ of ancient Witches

In the ancient World, astrologers and mages worked with the energy of the ‘7 Planets’. These 7 celestial bodies – which are not all planets – embody the diverse magical forces and energies from which everything is born into creation. Each ‘planet’ has a distinct vibration that can be directed and channeled in every magical work.

Each of the seven Days of the Week represents each of the ‘Planet’ of Astrologers and Witches which of course correspond to one God.

Monday is the Moon’s Day, day of Artemis / Diana – Goddess of the Moon

Tuesday is Tyr’s / Ares / Mars’s Day – God of War

Wednesday is Woden’s / Hermes’s / Mercury’s Day – God of Communication and Knowledge

Thursday is Thor’s / Zeus’s / Jupiter’s Day – all God of Lightning although Zeus is also King of Gods

Friday is Freya’s / Aphrodite’s / Venus’s Day – Goddess of Beauty and Love

Saturday is Saturn’s / Krono’s Day – old God of Time

Sunday is Sun’s / Apollo’s Day – God of the Sun

4. Why do we make Tattoos?

A tattoo is an ancient form of art appearing in different ancient cultures throughout history. Our modern word ‘tattoo’ comes from the Tahitian word tatau which means “to mark something”. Does this remind you of something? Maybe the Witch Marks?

“Tattoos are like stories — they’re symbolic of the important moments in your life.” – Pamela Anderson

Tattoos are in fact Witch Marks

Tattoos are similar to the Marks of the Witches. It’s a sacrifice we make to our bodies in order to connect deeper with what the symbol we chose represents. An eternal mark on our mortal bodies which can also pass through our incarnations. So please, before you decide which tattoo to do on your body, choose wisely the meaning and symbolism!

5. Why do we wear our wedding ring on our ‘ring finger’?

Haven’t you always wondered? Why do we choose to put our Wedding Rings on the ‘Ring Finger’? Well, as you can understand, the name of the finger itself actually implies its participation in Wedding Rituals.

Why a Golden Ring on Ring Finger?

This part of Wedding Rituals actually dates back in ancient years. First of all, the Ring symbolizes the Wholeness and Unity. It’s the perfect shape of Alchemists and it’s linked with Ouroboros – the symbol of eternity.

Now, why on Ring Finger? This finger is associated with the Sun and Apollo, the god of all blessings. When we ‘activate’ this finger we actually activate the power of the Sun and Apollo in us. As every ‘Planet’ is associated with one Metal, the Sun and Apollo are associated with Gold. Thus, to properly activate the Ring Finger we need to wear a Golden Ring on it. Check more on how to wear Rings to pursue your purposes here!

Therefore, in Wedding Rings, we conjure the blessings of Apollo and the Sun, the bring timeless happiness.

“Secrets are made to be found out with time.” – Charles Sanford

Esoteric wisdom can help you transform your life and the lives of your loved ones. Once you know how to access and decode such ancient knowledge, you can get a better understanding of different religions, practices and spiritual self. Now that you have gained some valuable insight, use this hidden ancient magical wisdom to build a happier and more purposeful life.

Post originally published on Magical Recipes Online

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Magical Recipes Online

Magical Recipes Online consists of a core team of 4 people who have dedicated their lives to bring Magic to a wider audience, to teach and to be taught, to help everyone in our World tap to the Great Source of All Things and bring happiness and love into their lives. We are everyday ordinary people who have lead extraordinary lives. We have heard our call to Magic from a young age but followed different directions.

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How to Decode Emotions In Text Messages: 6 Effective Ways To Get Started

“How do you decode emotions in text messages?”

Text messages can often be very confusing. It can be especially challenging to understand emotions when we communicate through text messages. With the lack of facial expressions and body language, we can often misinterpret the intended message and tone resulting in disastrous misunderstandings. So how can we read emotions in texts? Let’s find out.

“What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you’d like it to mean?” – Antonin Scalia

It’s easy when people say they are angry or sad or excited, or if they tack an emoji to the end of a text. But when they don’t? Given that even face-to-face communication can be confusing, it should not surprise us that truncated, dashed-off text messages can result in disastrous misunderstandings.

In the age of technology, we not only need to decode in-person interactions, but we also need to decode textual transmissions.

How do we know what a person is feeling when we can’t see their faces or body language?

Here are six tips to help you better decode emotions in text messages, or at least prevent yourself from jumping to conclusions based on scant evidence.

1. Assume good intentions

In general, text messages are short. We have very little information to work with. A smiley face or series of exclamation points can help assure us that the text is meant to express positive emotion, but texts do not always include these extra emotion indicators. Our friends’ busy schedules lead to abrupt messages, and our partner’s playful sarcasm isn’t always read as playful.

Keep in mind that texts are a difficult medium for communicating emotion. We have no facial expressions or tone of voice, or conversation to give us more information. If the text doesn’t say, “I’m angry,” then don’t assume that the texter is angry. We are better off reading texts with the assumption that the texter has good intentions. Otherwise, we may end up in lots of unnecessary arguments.

“Texting is a fundamentally sneaky form of communication, which we should despise, but it is such a boon we don’t care. We are all sneaks now.” – Lynne Truss

2. Cultivate awareness of unconscious biases

In my research, I have had to train numerous teams of emotion coders. But even trained coders who meet weekly to discuss discrepancies don’t agree on which emotion (or how much emotion) is being expressed. People just do not see emotions in the same way. We have unconscious biases that lead us to draw different conclusions based on the same information.

For example, every time I lead a coding team I am reminded that males and females often differ in how they interpret others’ emotions. If Bob writes: “My wife missed our 10-year anniversary,” men may think Bob is angry, while women may think Bob is sad.

I don’t presume to know exactly why this is, but I can say confidently that our emotion-detection skills are affected by characteristics about us. When it comes to detecting emotion in texts, try to remember that our unconscious biases affect our interpretations. The emotions we detect may be reflective of things about us just as much as they are reflective of the information in the text.

3. Explore the emotional undertones of the words themselves

The words people use often have emotional undertones. Think about some common words—words like love, hate, wonderful, hard, work, explore, or kitten.

If a text reads, “I love this wonderful kitten,” we can easily conclude that it is expressing positive emotions. If a text reads, “I hate this hard work,” that seems pretty negative. But, if a text reads, “This wonderful kitten is hard work,” what emotion do we think is being expressed?

One approach to detecting emotions when they appear to be mixed is to use the “bag-of-words” method. This just means that we look at each word separately. How positive are the words “kitten” and “wonderful”? And how negative are the words “hard” and “work”? By looking at how positive and negative each word is, we may be able to figure out the predominant emotion the texter is trying to express. Give this bag-of-words method a try when you are having a hard time figuring out the emotion in a text.

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Dr. Tchiki Davis

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D., is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology. She has helped build happiness products, programs, and services that have reached more than a million people worldwide. To learn more about how Tchiki can help you grow your happiness & well-being, visit berkeleywellbeing.com

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How to Use Instagram Filters in Paid Social Media Campaigns

One billion – that’s how many people use Instagram each month.

With such a huge, highly engaged audience, you can bet the competition between brands is tough. This is why small details can make all the difference, and Instagram filters could play a part in making your social media campaigns more successful.

What are Instagram Filters?

Everywhere you look, marketing advice says you need high-quality images to succeed on platforms like Instagram. But what if you’re not a professional photographer?

This is where Instagram filters can be a game-changer for your marketing and particularly your paid social media campaigns—they can make your images look as sleek as if they’d been professionally shot.

Here’s an example of an unfiltered image vs. its filtered twin:

Not only do Instagram filters make things look cleaner, but they also allow you to edit your image with one click. Where most editors make you alter contrast, saturation, and so forth individually, Instagram lets you pick a pre-set filter that suits your image—though you can tweak them if you’d like.

While these filters have been around since 2011, they’ve taken off in recent years. With the added capabilities of augmented reality (AR) technology—which adds imaginary images to those of the real world—they can significantly impact your social media campaigns.

Why Should You Use Instagram Filters in Your Paid Posts?

Social media platforms are competitive, and standing out from the crowd isn’t easy. If you’re going to get the best cost per click with your paid social media campaigns, then your brand needs to grab attention and drive engagement.

When you run an Instagram ad, you don’t have much real estate to work with, so you’ve got to find ways to draw your audience in with the limited space you have.

If you can combine innovative use of filters with creative images and excellent text, then you could achieve exceptional results— as Opel did with their “Opel Adam” campaign. In just two weeks, the campaign achieved a 2.5x increase in registrations and significantly lowered Opel’s cost per registration.

It’s possible to achieve the same results for your business, but you’ve got to make the most of the tools available to you.

If only 18% of Instagram posts use a filter, this means you’ve got an opportunity to make your content stand out over the other 82%. Research shows that AR filters have an average dwell time of 75 seconds, which is four times that of even video content—so using it can make a huge difference.

Social media platforms crave engagement, and if your advertisements give them that, you may find you reach more people for less—and Instagram filters are one of the best tools to help you achieve this.

How to Use Instagram Filters for Your Paid Campaigns

Turning your posts into paid campaigns through the Instagram app couldn’t be easier. All you need is a business or creator account, and then you can get set up with your paid ads.

Click the profile icon in the bottom right-hand corner.

Select promotions.

Choose a post to promote. Instagram will prompt you to use your top post, but you can select any of your previous posts to promote.

Select where to send people— your profile, website, or direct messages.

Define your audience. The easiest option is to choose “automatic,” which targets people similar to your followers, but you can create your own.

Choose your budget, setting your daily cost and how long you want the campaign to run for.

Review and publish.

  To create a promotion through the app, you need to have already created your post or story. Luckily, Instagram makes it exceedingly easy to snap an image on the go, add a great filter, and promote it within seconds.

Tips for Picking the Right Instagram Filter for Your Campaign 

The right Instagram filter might be a quick way to give your images the professional touch, but the wrong filter can have the opposite effect. When you’re choosing your filter, keep these three points in mind:

Your images reflect your brand

Consistency works well on social media

Don’t go filter crazy

Your images help define your brand, so the filters you choose matter. Your filters should reflect the mood of the product or service you’re promoting, and you need to stay consistent with this.  

A great example of this is JetBlue’s Instagram account. You can easily spot how consistency has allowed them to develop their own simple yet effective style by using similar image styles, colors, and more.

While the right filter can make things look amazing, “over filtering” can have the opposite effect. You don’t want to alter things so much that they look surreal. Instagram filters are optimized to please, so it’s often worth sticking to the tried and tested rather than over-editing.

If you’re looking for inspiration, Canva studied the most popular filters, and Clarendon, Gingham, and Juno came out on top.

Instagram Filters for Posts

Adding filters to your Instagram posts couldn’t be easier. In five simple steps, you can post amazing images that grab your audience’s attention.

Click the + button at the center of your home screen.

Select the image you want to use from your library, or select “photo” or “video” to create a new one. Click next.

Choose your filter from the list at the bottom of the screen. Remember, you can add more by clicking manage at the end of the reel.

Add your caption, tag people in your posts, post your location, and choose other social platforms you would like to post to.

Hit share.

Instagram Filters for Stories 

Instagram stories allow you to post photos and videos that vanish after 24 hours. One-third of the most viewed Instagram stories are created by businesses, so they are an excellent way to make your posts go further.

The process of posting stories with filters is just as simple as with posts, but you’ll notice a lot more options when it comes to AR filters.

For a live video or image:

Select your profile icon.

Hit the + button in the top left-hand corner.

Select “story” from the pop-up menu.

Use your camera to take live video or images, or select an existing one from your library by clicking on the image in the bottom left-hand corner.

Choose between your front-facing and rear-facing camera if you’re taking a live image.

Select your filter from the reel at the bottom.

Tap the center button to take a picture or hold the button to take a video.

Use the editing buttons in the top right-hand corner to add extra filters, overlay text, or download to your library.

Hit “send to” and select where to share your story.

Bonus Instagram Filter Tip

If you’re scrolling through Instagram and see a filter you like, you can save it to use on your own stories.

Go to the profile of the person with the filter you like.

Click the smiley face emoji to see all their filters.

You can save it by clicking the down arrow or try it on.

When you’re trying on the filter, click the drop-down menu.

From here, you can save the effect or send it immediately as a story.

The next time you send a story, the filter will be ready for you to use.

Instagram Filters for Faces

When you created your first story pin, you likely noticed there are a lot of things you can do to your face with AR.

AR allows you to add computer-generated effects over the live image you see on your camera. For example, if you want to see what you look like wearing sunglasses, there’s an AR filter for that. The sunglasses appear on your face and follow you as you move.

There are endless Instagram filters with AR, which gives you more options to engage your audience. However, as with any Instagram filters, it’s essential to find the ones that suit your brand.

Some companies have had great success with AR filters on Instagram, such as this one by Ray-ban. But if you’re going to use these filters, then you’ve got to make sure you stay on-brand.

To create a story with AR filters, simply follow these steps:

Select your profile icon.

Hit the + button in the top left-hand corner.

Select “story” from the pop-up menu.

Choose between front- and rear-facing camera.

Slide between the filters at the bottom and watch as your face is brought to life with AR.

For more effects, slide to the end of the reel and select “browse effects.”

Choose a filter.

Click the middle button to take a photo, hold to take a video.

Click send and then select where to share.

Other Instagram Features to Help Your Paid Campaign

One of the reasons Instagram is so popular with advertisers is because it gives you lots of tools to give your paid campaign extra oomph. The beautiful thing about it is it’s so easy for anyone to add filters, gifs, text, and music to their images.

While a recent study found that images without text overlay generally perform better than those with text, marketing is all about finding the message that engages your audience, so it’s worth experimenting to find the formula that works for you.

These Instagram features give you added options when it comes to reaching and engaging your target audience.

Adding Gifs

Gifs provide a great middle-ground between static images and video. They were talked about as a big marketing trend, and while AR has taken over somewhat, they’re still a handy tool for your paid Instagram campaigns.

A gif is a quick and easy way to add something extra to your story, and once again, Instagram makes it exceptionally easy to do:

Select your profile icon.

Hit the + button in the top left-hand corner.

Select “story” from the pop-up menu.

Choose between front and rear-facing cameras or open your library via the icon in the bottom left-hand corner.

Take a picture, or choose an image from your library.

Choose the square smiley face at the top of the screen.

Select gifs, or use the search bar to find a specific gif.

Make your gif bigger or smaller by pinching in or out with two fingers and drag it into position.

Select “send” to and choose who you want to see your story.

Adding Text

Instagram might be a very visual platform, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t use for text. The right use of text can help give your posts and stories context, grabbing people’s attention and linking the image to your brand.

Text is a vital part of Instagram because this is where you make use of one of the most important features: hashtags.

Hashtags not only help people find your posts, but they also boost engagement and allow you to zero in on what’s popular in your industry. The statistics show that Instagram posts with even just one hashtag can see an increase in engagement of 12.6%. So with only a little extra text, you can give your campaigns a better chance of success.

You can also use text overlay on your stories. You’re in control of your text’s font, color, and look, which means you have another way of giving your images a professional look.

To add text overlay to your stories, simply:

Select your profile icon.

Hit the + button in the top left-hand corner.

Select “story” from the pop-up menu.

Select your image or video.

Click the “Aa” in the top right-hand corner.

Type your text.

Choose your font, color, and effects, using the tools at the top of the screen.

Hit “done.”

Select “send to” and choose your audience.

Adding Music

Music has always played an important part in advertising. Music helps make advertisements more memorable, evokes emotion, builds the story, and accentuates the brand, so it can be an essential tool.

While some people will use Instagram with the sound off, Instagram makes it so easy to add features such as music that you don’t lose anything by using them.

Again, make sure whatever you choose fits your brand and is going to engage your audience.

Here’s how you can add music to your Instagram stories:

Select your profile icon.

Hit the + button in the top left-hand corner.

Select “story” from the pop-up menu.

Choose between front and rear-facing cameras or open your library via the icon in the bottom left-hand corner.

Take a picture or choose an image from your library.

Choose the square smiley face at the top of the screen.

Click the music icon.

Choose your song.

Edit which part of the song you want to showcase, clip duration, and how you want to credit the song.

Click “done.”

Move the music sticker, making it bigger or smaller to suit your image.

Hit “send to” and select your audience.

Instagram Filter Features Within Other Photography Apps

You might be thinking, “I want my Instagram posts to stand out, so why would I use the most common filters such as Clarendon?” While many brands find success with Instagram’s filters, you have other options if you choose to go that route.

To help you with this, there are lots of photography apps that have curated Instagram filters you can pay for or give you the ability to create your own, including:

VSCO

Afterlight

A Color Story

Tezza

Spark AR

You may have to invest some time in finding or creating the perfect Instagram filter, but once it’s saved to your Instagram account, you can add it to all your posts and stories in seconds.

Conclusion

The right Instagram filter can immediately improve your images and give your brand an identity. When you’re running paid media campaigns, you want to give your images and videos every chance of standing out from the crowd, and filters can help you achieve this.

Instagram makes it incredibly easy to add this extra element to your posts. Turn your images into posts that people want to engage with and share, then watch how they may improve your paid social media campaigns.

What’s the go-to Instagram filter for your brand?

  The post How to Use Instagram Filters in Paid Social Media Campaigns appeared first on Neil Patel.

Original content source: https://neilpatel.com/blog/instagram-filters-paid/ via https://neilpatel.com

The original post, How to Use Instagram Filters in Paid Social Media Campaigns, has been shared from https://imtrainingparadise.wordpress.com/2020/11/13/how-to-use-instagram-filters-in-paid-social-media-campaigns/ via https://imtrainingparadise.wordpress.com

[mindstormtq-blog]

Instagram Face Filter Tab : The next level of audience engagement

Let’s get you all caught up with the hush-hush new feature nobody’s talking about yet.

You’ve uploaded a selfie every day this month, you’ve posted memes on your handle all week, used all the filters under the sun on your vlogs, but a nagging voice in your head keeps saying, “Boy, I sure wish more brands had a Face Filter Tab, they’re so fun!” … That’s an oddly specific thing for your brain to think about. That being said, we agree wholeheartedly!

To those of you who aren’t sure what we’re on about. Might we make a suggestion? It’s simple really, 1) Go the Instagram handles of Swiggy or UberEats 2) Notice the new smiley tab? Yup, that’s the one. Click it 3) Welcome, to a whole new world of audience engagement

That’s right!

Instagram has now given brands the ability to customize their unique filters for their followers to use. This may just be the next step to revamping the entire way we imagine interacting with our favourite brands on Instagram. Among the brands in India trying it out are Swiggy & UberEats, a recipe for excitement indeed!

This face filter tab can allow audience engagement to be personalized to a whole new level. Filters can be created using Augmented Reality (AR) interfaces, keeping in mind the contests or messages the brands are trying to create awareness for.

These can range from simple face filters or more complex yet fun interfaces like interactive AR games. The crux of the feature remains the same however, have the followers try out the filter on their Instagram camera screen and upload it on the brand’s Face Filter Tab. “Wow, that sounds fresh! Whoa, wait a second. How come I haven’t seen this yet?” There lies the catch.

Barely any brands are leveraging this untapped opportunity!

Check out the screenshot below. ( Swiggy ‘2020 Food Predictions’ & UberEats ‘Eats in a blink’)

Swiggy : The 2020 Food Prediction This saw Swiggy create a custom filter for their users. It allowed them to type in what their resolutions towards food were 2020. Topics included what food they’re into presently, the kind of foodie they consider themselves to be, what dishes they wish to try out in 2020 etc.

Uber Eats : Eats in a blink campaign Ubereats really went the mile with their filter, creating an interactive game based on blinking! Except here, blink and you don’t miss, you gain points! This was backed by #EatsinaBlink hashtag.

The idea was ingenious, while waiting for your food, simply play the augmented reality led game. Your objective would be blinking during certain milestones in the game, points would be allocated to the user accordingly. Top scorers on the leaderboards would stand a chance to win delicious meals for 3 months. Simple yet addictive fun, who wouldn’t spend hours on it trying to beat their high score while ‘eyeing’ a free meal?

The potential for audience engagement is unprecedented using this new feature. All that’s needed is a fun, quirky idea to craft into an appealing filter design and viola! Engagements galore!

Did you know Face Filters on Instagram have been around since 2017? Of course you have. You’ve seen your fair share of puppy face filters on your friend’s handles by now. You’ve liked it, shared & commented on it. Why wouldn’t you? It’s fun, quirky yet endearing.

So here’s the question. Why aren’t more brands leveraging this? The Answer – What, don’t look at us! We have no clue, because there is no reason brands shouldn’t be all over this feature. Instagram is one of the largest social media platforms available to brands today. Did you know?

200 million Instagram users visit at least one business profile daily

It’s estimated that Instagram users will spend an average of 28 minutes per day on the platform in 2020

83% of Instagrammers said they discovered new products & services mainly through Instagram

( stats from Hootsuite & Oberlo )

These are numbers no brand who enjoys pleasant shareholder meetings would want to pass up. There is zero downside for brands to get onto the wagon of Face Filter tab. It leverages the already existing follower base, it comes at no additional cost and most importantly it’s personal. To all you social media butterflies out there, keep an eye out for the little emoji on the handles of your favourite brands in the upcoming months. We have a feeling you’ll be seeing plenty more of them. You heard it first at Mindstorm!

[ibelstore]

The 8 Best Text Messaging Phones of 2020

Best Overall: LG Extravert 2

For Verizon customers, the LG Extravert 2 may be a fantastic phone (notice the shortage of smart) that gives a QWERTY keyboard during a stylish package. With a 3.2” W-QVGA device, there’s no sense in comparing this to an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy device. they're designed for various users. rock bottom line is that the display is functional, no matter how it's going to compare in today’s competitive phone marketplace.

At 15mm thick, it’s twice the dimensions of a replacement iPhone so we’re feeling safe calling it a touch clunky. However, that additional size is overlooked because it fits the slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Unfortunately, the two-megapixel camera on the rear also means you’ll probably want to pass up using this as your dedicated camera, but again, that's not the intended purpose. What you are doing get is 17 days’ standby time, something none of today’s best-known smartphones can match. Still, there’s no LTE data, no apps, games or Snapchat, just a phone which will send and receive text messages.

Best for Business: BlackBerry KeyOne

If you only can’t quit BlackBerry’s QWERTY keyboard, the BlackBerry KeyOne will assist you continue your addiction. The cream of the QWERTY crop, BlackBerry’s KeyOne adds a full keyboard and capacitive buttons. meaning while you’re typing messages or email, you'll also swipe up to select the proper words. because the device learns how you type, predictive text will assist with shortening the time it takes to A message. It’s not for everybody, but it’s a neat trick which will save time.

Even with a keyboard, BlackBerry still managed to supply a good 4.5-inch display. Running Android 7.1 Nougat, there are plenty of popular text messaging apps available within the Google Play Store. These downloadable alternatives will allow you to vary the whole look and feel of your messaging experience. This phone also features a massive 3505mAh battery that gives up to 26 hours of life. once you need power during a hurry, Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 can get you up to 50% in under 40 minutes. 

Best Keyboard: BlackBerry KEY2

Few devices over the years have had more impact on the way we text than BlackBerry. Their QWERTY keyboards are the things of legend. Their flagship phone, the KEY2, is not any exception. The company’s “most intelligent keyboard ever” adds a number of the simplest refinements for texting. The keys are large enough for comfortable typing without negatively impacting the phone’s design. It’s also backlit or nighttime visibility and touch-sensitive, which allows for “flick typing” or predictive typing. The spacebar also doubles as a fingerprint reader for extra security, and there's a hidden trackpad within the middle of the keyboard for straightforward scrolling.

The KEY2 features a 4.5-inch screen, and therefore the whole device is encased during a sleek-looking aluminum alloy frame. A 12-megapixel camera rests of the rear which captures impressive photos. an additional boon for businesspeople or travelers that don’t always have quick access to a phone charger: the KEY2 claims to support an entire 25 hours of mixed-use battery life.

Best Display: Galaxy Note 9

If you’re willing to splurge, the Galaxy Note 9 is one among the simplest devices Samsung has ever produced. Texting aficionados will find many creative ways to form use of the huge 6.4-inch display. And Samsung has included their own set of fun messaging features. With the available S Pen stylus, you'll write and draw messages to friends and family. Want to feature a smiley face to a photograph before you send it? The Galaxy Note 9 can make that happen. you'll even be creative with Samsung’s AR Emoji to send messages.

the remainder of the device is simply nearly as good as its messaging. The 12MP rear camera snaps great photos that are perfect for sharing, and built-in stereo speakers make music and videos sound great. contribute an enormous 3300mAh battery and you’ll have a texting-friendly smartphone that lasts all day. 

Best Budget: Motorola E5

At first glance, the Motorola E5 (or Moto E5) seems like just another budget-friendly smartphone. during this case, the sum is quite the parts. The E5 features a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display that’s beautiful to text and sort on with a variety of adjustable font sizes. There’s even the choice of replacing the default Android 8.0 texting app with one among the many replacement texting apps in Google’s Play Store.

Looking beyond messaging, the E5 runs a reasonably stock Android OS. Powering the software may be a Snapdragon 425 processor with 2GB of RAM. That’s quite enough power to stay messaging running smoothly. Multitasking is handled even as well with app switching occurring instantaneously. The 13-megapixel camera adds surprisingly good results for the cash. Both photos and videos are well worth sharing through messaging or on social media. As a final bonus, Motorola added an enormous 4000mAh battery which shouldn't only last one day but easily into a second day.

Best Attachable Keyboard: Samsung Galaxy S8 Keyboard Cover

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 display is, in a word, gorgeous. Vibrant colors and good viewing angles make it a favourite for text messaging. The a method it are often improved is with the Galaxy S8 Keyboard Cover. Sometimes, the tactile feel of a keyboard is strictly what you would like for long messages. This detachable full-size QWERTY keyboard is ergonomically friendly. It’s easy to feature and take away and responds instantly to the touch. the duvet may be a polycarbonate shell and a snap-on keyboard.

Once attached, the keyboard cover doesn’t distract from the remainder of the device. There’s still many room to hit the Bixby button also because the volume and power buttons. rock bottom of the keyboard cover also leaves ample space for the USB-C port, speaker and microphone. Needless to mention, it adds many functionality without hindering anything.  

Powered by the phone itself, there’s no pairing process required. Just attach and begin typing. The display automatically resizes to accommodate the keyboard. The QWERTY lettering takes up the highest three rows while rock bottom two rows contains multipurpose keys. Samsung has dedicated buttons for recent apps, home and back. once you want your full screen experience, just clip the keyboard to the rear of the case for storage.  

Best with Accessories: Motorola Moto Z2 Play

When we believe “modifying” our phones today, it’s likely our initial thought is exterior coloring, case selection, or home screen wallpaper. within the case of the Motorola Moto Z2 Play, it means something else entirely. If you’re an important texter who is usually faraway from a charger, the Moto power back snaps onto the rear of the device and adds up to 40 extra hours of battery. does one like texting while taking note of music? Snap on the Moto stereo speaker with a built-in kickstand. It never must be charged because it draws power from the phone. For sharing absolutely the best photos with friends and family, there’s a mess of camera-friendly modifications that greatly enhance the detail and clarity of photos.

The 5.5-inch AMOLED display with Full HD resolution is perfectly sized for messaging, but it doesn’t get as bright as similarly-priced smartphones which may hinder messaging while under direct sunlight. 

Best Features: Apple iPhone 8

Apple offers a uniquely simplified messaging experience. iMessage allows Apple users to message other Apple users using Wi-Fi or phone data rather than the normal SMS. it had been a paradigm shift in how we expect of text messaging, but it’s opened the door to all or any sorts of new features. Apple’s recent iOS software updates have added dozens of latest features including GIFs, drawing tools, and many stickers to use in conversation.

The strength of iMessage aside, the iPhone 8 especially has proven to be a particularly popular device. With an App Store that has over a million downloadable apps for gaming, weather, productivity and more, there’s something for everybody. All of this takes place on a 4.7-inch Retina HD display with beautiful colors and sharp details. The rear camera features a 12-megapixel sensor. For extra peace of mind, Apple ensures the iPhone 8 is splash, water and mud resistant.

[robindluzenwriting]

Five Shows to See: Chicago in Art Ltd Magazine

By Robin Dluzen

“Aletheia: Kosmik Kathedral​,” 2016, Dan Ramirez, oil/acrylic on shaped aluminum, 78″ x 58″

Dan Ramirez, “Aletheia” at Zolla/Lieberman Gallery Through February 4, 2017 “There was a time in the 1980s when if you asked anyone who was the most important painter in Chicago, they would say: Dan Ramirez,” artist and critic Buzz Spector mentioned at the recent exhibition opening. Ramirez has maintained a career-long dedication to geometric, formalist painting, and the new works in “Aletheia” are proof that this modernist method can indeed remain fresh—especially in the hands of Ramirez. With perfectly uniform gradations of spheres, curves and edges, his technique is impeccable. In works like Aletheia: Kosmik Kathedra (2016), a shaped aluminum support working in tandem with his compositions creates a bewildering illusionistic effect, like a portal into some incomprehensible space—eschewing the flatness of abstraction for something in between reality and imagination.

“On Ripeness and Rot #17 (Squirrel and Lemon),” 2013, Kimberly Witham

Kimberly Witham, “REAP,” at Filter Space Through February 17, 2017 As is typical of the photographers shown at Filter Space, New Jersey-based artist Kimberly Witham pushes the conventions of her medium. Witham’s still-lifes in “REAP” hinge as much upon nature, objects, and the traditions of Golden Age painting as they do the camera. In her “On Ripeness and Rot” series, taxidermied creatures (sourced by the artist as roadkill) and lush flora are combined—a standard, art historical composition, though Witham exploits the jarring nature of those juxtapositions. In one particularly resonate image, a fresh lemon wedge with a single drop of red liquid lies on a doily below a squirrel, stiff and coiled atop a decorative dish. Here, Witham’s content of mortality is more than just image and metaphor—it’s visceral.

“All The Bombs Have Been Thrown,” 2016, Eric Stefanski, oil, silicone, acrylic and charcoal on cloth, 90″ x 70″

Eric Stefanski, “Try Harder” at State Street Gallery, Robert Morris University Through February 23, 2017 A year’s worth of brand new work by Chicago-based artist Eric Stefanski is heaped into his solo exhibition, “Try Harder.” The artist’s aggressive, gestural handiwork is the predominant feature of these works, though that intensity is tempered by the wit and lightness of his subject matter: emoji. Stefanski’s over a dozen large-scale paintings are filled with images of heart-eyed smiley faces, and thumbs-up and thumbs-down, while in the sculptures on the floor, yellow traffic cones are split and peeled like bananas. On our mobile phones, a singular emoji stands in place of a wealth of meaning; in Stefanski’s works, he injects these simple forms with the messy drama of the contexts in which they’re so often used.

“Expanding the Universe,” 2008, Basim Magdy, Acrylic, spray paint, and gouache on paper; 15″ x 20″ Photo: courtesy of hunt kastner, Prague

Basim Magdy, “The Stars were Aligned for a Century of New Beginnings,” at MCA Chicago Through March 19, 2017 Egyptian artist Basim Magdy’s jewel-toned exhibition recalls a retro-futurist aesthetic, like a midcentury vision of what today didn’t become. Magdy’s technique of exposing slides to household substances like soda or vinegar creates the otherworldly hues throughout his many photographs, the scenes compounded with narratives of war, wonder, love and fear. If the static works in this exhibition are illustrative, Magdy’s films truly draw us in. In 13 Essential Rules for Understanding the World, over the whirring of a film projector an impassive male voice dictates the text overlying images of tulips with drawn-on faces. With rules like “Never claim to like nature or defend the environment / You’re an alien on this planet,” it’s hard to tell whether this tongue-in-cheek film is commenting on this alternate world or our own.

“GIGANTIC ROVERINE WITH YOUNG ALL POISONOUS ALL ISLANDS OF UNIVERSAN SEAS AND OCEANS. ALSO IN CALVERINA ANGELINIA AND ABBIEANNIA,” mid-20th century, Henry Darger (American, 1892-1973), Watercolor, pencil, and carbon tracing on pierced paper, 14″ x 33 ¾” Collection American Folk Art Museum, New York, anonymous gift, 2001.16.4. © Artists Rights Society ( ARS), NY, Photo credit: James Prinz, ©American Folk Art Museum / Art Resource, NY

“Unreal Realms” at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art Through March 26, 2017 “Unreal Realms” is a showcase of one of the most fascinating aspects that characterizes outsider art: the visionary. And here, the imagined worlds of the artists run the gamut, with Ken Grimes’ graphic and text-based conspiracy theories, the densely patterned and musically inclined drawings of Adolf Wölfli, the pre-aviation era flying machines of Charles A. A. Dellschau, and the masterfully rendered, imagined architecture of A. G. Rizzoli, whose technical facility makes him an outlier of the genre. These four artists are assembled within the context of storied Chicago artist, Henry Darger’s work and his lesser-known epic novel. In an adjacent exhibition, portions of Darger’s 15,000-word book are recreated and explicated, giving viewers an unprecedented window into a making process we may never completely understand.

[2017mdia4120-blog]

Jessica Lucas - 1/13 Assignment

PART 1

1. My own earliest memory of using social media was AIM (Instant Messaging). It was a huge part of my day in 4-7 grade. We would come home from school and spend hours talking to the friends (whom we just saw literally 20 minutes ago at school), finding funny phrases to put as our away statuses and downloading crazy sets of emoji-type characters to use in the digital space.

2. The earliest memories I have of Social Media use is my mother using an email for her work. We didn’t get a computer until I was about 7, and I remember the day we got it. The monitor was huge and creamy white. my sister and I loved to play Pinball on it. Social Media wise...my mother used her hotmail email for work.

3. I never really enjoyed reading blogs until after high school. I really enjoy vloggers and I followed them much sooner in my life. I remember being subscribed to Mitchell Davis, Jenna Marbles, Olan Rogers and many other you tubers before being subscribed to any blogs. They made me laugh and I loved seeing other “real” people (not on TV) be creative and goofy. It was relatable! The blogs and you tubers I am subscribed to today are different in the aspect that they are either closer to my age, or actually enjoy doing the same things I enjoy doing. I don’t only seek entertainment anymore.

4. To prepare myself thus far for a career involving social media, I have created a blog, a personal website, a Linked In account, I’ve started a youtube channel and I have definitely been more active online than ever before.

PART 2

1.

a. Users shape the future os social media simply by doing what social media was created for: using their voice. Recently Facebook has adapted live video streaming similar to Periscope, a journalist-type video streaming app, and it has already made a statement. “51.7 percent of Facebook users now access the social network exclusively from a mobile device.” That’s 1.66 billion users. This speaks volume in telling us how many users have access to a smartphone, which would also mean camera. The users enjoy WATCHING video, which one can tell this simply by logging onto Facebook to see almost every post involving video in some way. In fact, 500 million users watch 100 million hours of video per day on Facebook. It’s no secret that Facebook’s future currently relies heavily on video. Now with the live-streaming option, users have the option to broadcast their own creativity, comedy, and life-changing experiences with just the touch of their finger. This enhances the richness of the media itself, allowing for a REAL life activity to be broadcast from a friend or relative. Users showed an interest by using the power of their own voice, they received something that would change the app immensely. This is the first situation in which the users have shaped the boundaries of Social Media.

LESSON: Users have a voice and the platforms don’t exist without them, so as long as they continue to use their voice and push for change, it will happen.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2015/12/010/what-is-twitters-new-periscope-app/ http://venturebeat.com/2016/01/27/over-half-of-facebook-users-access-the-service-only-on-mobile/  http://www.recode.net/2016/1/27/11589140/facebook-says-video-is-huge-100-million-hours-per-day-huge  

b. Another situation in where users shaped the future of social media is a little more on the informational side. A lot of people have gone to social media searching for advice, ideas or simply to get ideas of what to eat for dinner. It used to be that you would have to post a status or send out a tweet and wait for your friends and followers to reply, but in today’s world the companies have made it a lot easier to get the feedback you’re looking for in a much simpler quicker way. Twitter allows a user to set up a “poll” for their followers to vote on. People usually steer clear from online surveys because it’s more than just the click of a button...but not with Twitter or Facebook any longer. You can send out a twitter poll with a few answer options and not have to wait for someone to tweet back to you, which never really happens unless it’s a friend. This allows anyone following you to vote, which results in more feedback than a regular tweet! Facebook allows similar activities through using apps within the platform.  This is a great tool for ultimate engagement.

LESSON: Social media platforms have the ability to serve it’s users more than just for entertainment.

http://sproutsocial.com/insights/twitter-polls/   http://www.jeffbullas.com/2013/07/01/4-facebook-poll-tools-for-your-social-media-strategy/ c. One more example of a situation where users have shaped the practice or ability of social media involves the idea of having a presence. As the phone has improved in quality and ability, messaging has grown substantially. Through texting, messaging or now simply liking a Facebook status, Emojis have increased our digital presence since 1999. Since I can remember, I’ve used a colon and parenthesis to emphasize the idea of a smiley face in messaging. The original idea of this was called the emoticon. Now through small animated faces we can express our happiness, sadness, anger and even confusion. Facebook even has these as options instead of simply a thumbs up “like” button. This is a major step forward in the realm of user engagement and social presence online. The next step for emoji’s are bad in the localization aspect of things.  

LESSON: There is always going to be someone looking at the simple aspects of social media and contemplating a way to make them more immersive and engaging.

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2016/10/the-surprising-history-of-emojis/ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/27/emoji-inventor-shigetaka-kurita-moma-new-york-text

2.

a. First and foremost, virtual reality is making strides in the technology and gaming department. It is projected to be a $150 billion industry by 2022. From teaching to life-like concert experiences, this new technology has no boundaries. I think that after it becomes a normal part of gaming life, and possibly even the film world, we will definitely see it begin to merge with the social media world. We already have things like FaceTime and Facebook Live, it can only be expected that we will see something along the lines of virtual reality phone calls. Something that would allow us to be seeing the room of another building whether it be your family’s house, business, or classroom. I believe I will eventually be able to face time my mother and sit right there on the couch next to her through virtual glasses. Apple is suspected to be creating a virtual reality headset of their own, I can only imagine what capabilities they will allow it to do.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/07/how-to-invest-in-the-150-billion-virtual-reality-boom.html  http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/apple/apple-ar-rumours-vr-rumours-virtual-reality-augmented-reality-glasses-release-date-features-leaks-patents-hires-2016-3601447/

b. In today’s world, most children are given a phone at the age of 10, and most have social media accounts by the age of 11. Because of this there are features such as “blocking” another user, or making your profile “private”. This creates a safer environment for the children. I believe that sooner rather than later someone will create a social media platform specifically for kids where they can play games with one another, post photos and videos under certain circumstances, and talk to one another. There are places such as Webkinz.com or Whyville.com, but I believe Facebook, Instagram and especially Snapchat will create a kid-friendly app separate from the main app. It’s possible that there could be a “kid” section of an app, but I do think companies would create an entire separate app to ensure safety.

https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/19/the-average-age-for-a-child-getting-their-first-smartphone-is-now-10-3-years/ http://www.parenting.com/article/social-networking-sites-for-kids

c. Unfortunately, customer support is always a huge debacle whenever I need it most. I do recall a time when I tweeted about having a problem with my iPhone and the “Apple Customer Care” twitter account actually responded to my tweet and gave me advice! It didn’t help unfortunately, BUT it did spark my intuition to give them a call and get it figured out. I am also a big fan of chatroom-like customer service whenever it is an option. I believe that eventually customer service will be at our fingertips with an app for multiple companies to host chat sessions on, or even customer care within already existing apps. It is more convenient, more accessible, and less stressful for the average smartphone owner.

https://blog.bufferapp.com/social-media-2016

Jessica Lucas

[your-local-grinning-cat]

*hugs you, purring, smiling brightly*

No purroblem! 💜😸

Just to preface this, I'm fine and everything is okay, my curiosity is what motivates this.

If someone made me cry and you found out about it..what would you do?

(I will counter this with a much more light-hearted ask in the future >wo)

Well, first things first, I take care of you. You’re crying. Ĭ̸̝̱̰̿̉ ̶̘̓̄͠d̷̯̣̩̙͋ǫ̷̻̗̓ͅn̴̪̂̾’̴̡̹̞̓̊t̵͇̯̾̕ ̵̩̄́l̵̢͍̞̯̂i̶͖̇̔̕̕k̵͙̅̎ě̸̥̘͙͜ ̶̤̝̗̇t̶͖͇̺̟͑h̴̛̯̥̥̾̐̑a̴̧̡̲̅t̴͚̳͍̣͑.̶̮̰̀̉ So I’m going to take you deep into the Tulgey Wood and do whatever I need to do so that you feel better. Whatever that may be. Plushies to cuddle? A weighted blanket? A million pillows? Hot chocolate? Alcohol? Sweet food? Junk food? Funny movies? Romcoms? A little froggie on top of your head as a hat?

A̵͖̪͝ ̷̳̒f̸̢̣̭͙̤̻̄̇͒͊͝͝r̶̝̤̙̦̝͒̈́̂̉̀́ọ̸͔͇͙͚̰͂̀n̴̞̩̼̰̻̍̀̾͝͝ṭ̶̨̮̠̃́̅͊̕ ̸̢̻͉͒̿r̸̝͗̀̈́̄͒͜͜o̸̡͔̫̗͊w̴͍̄̒̐̌̚ ̴̨̨͚͂s̶̻̳̖̬̻̎̒̀̕͘ȩ̸̜̼̗̱̐̓ȁ̸͉̲̙͔̻͆t̵͔̰̮̫̃̊ ̴̨̡̱̝̖̗̀͆t̶̮̺̪͑ǫ̸̹̦́͑͘͝ ̷̜̏̉̂̅̓̆w̸̧̥̳̤͎͇̆͋̽͑̊ḫ̶͎̩͖̿̊͆̔͛͠a̸̹̤̺̅̕ͅṱ̶͖̈́̀͋ ̴͎͎͆̅͠ć̷̗̄̕̕o̴̢̭͎͔͓̔̎̀͝m̴̥͍͊̑͗̕ẻ̴̙͖̃̕s̸̥͎̎̽̔̃̌͒ͅ ̸̙̹̝͍͙͉̍̎͐͒̋̅n̷̛͔̳͉͚̆͋e̷̼̭̬̠͌̄̀͛͘ẋ̷͇̲t̶̢̺͓̖́̄͛͌͛?̷͉̦̹̔͂

You want it, you got it.

Then, in return for taking care of you ever-so-sweetly, I’m going to ask for something in return. Usually, I wouldn’t make anything in a friendship feel like an equal exchange, but, and you’ll have to forgive me for this, I’m not budging on this part. You have accepted my care. I’m only asking for the e̴̥͋x̵̩͠a̸̘̍c̸̰̈ẗ̴̙́ ̴̦͘d̵̪͘e̴̙̒t̵̼̃ä̴̯́i̶̺̋l̸̬̉ś̸ͅ ̴̩̇ó̶͎f̸͔̃ ̵̫̍w̶̏ͅh̷̼͋ä̸̜t̴̰͛ ̸̱́l̷͓̐ë̸̙́a̶̩͒d̶̝͒ ̸̱̊y̶̨̅ô̷̬ṷ̵̎ ̴̬͗ṭ̸̆ȍ̷̹ ̶̘̋ç̴͆o̴̩̿m̶͔̓e̴̗̾ ̵̼̑c̵̟͆r̵̩͊ỵ̴̒ị̴̐ṇ̶͐g̴̰͘ ̶̞͂t̴̬̐ò̷̝ ̷͕̎m̷̮͛e̵̱͝.̵͎̀ ̸̦̊

Ë̴̡̜̬̱̙̯̞̻̰͚͔́̊̾̒̎̑̏s̴̳̼͎̫̣̤̘͉̻̬̰̘̝̊̂̎̔́̽͛͆̒̒͋̒́͌̚͠͝p̶͖̘̺̠̘̣͓̙̞̟̍̏̂̽̅͠é̷̡̨̠͓̥͚͎̱̗̠̖̰̰̗̱̯͍͇͉͠c̴͔̙̥̖̀̓͛̌͗̏̚i̶͚͕̼̙͇̪͒̈́̽̓̊̈́̍̊̚͜ą̷̒̓l̵͖̯̦̩͖̗̪̯̭̺̭̺̆͛̆̒̽̃̐̈́͂̇̊͒̅̚͠l̵̛̦̩̹̣̤̞͇͇̞̙̭̗̭̇͋̂͌͊̀̽͒̈̋̑̒̉̉̇́̕͘ͅy̵̧̧͚̘̗̯͕̩͈̙͙̭̝̣̞͖͇̘̺̩̆͂̎ ̷̨̧̢̗͉̬̺̻͕͚̭̜̹̜̬̫̞͎̟͈͋͑̓̍̾̚ḏ̵̡̨̢̱̜̘̗̞̺̯̳̱̖͉͇̅͂̀̎͋̓͜͠ę̷͍̼̼̼̥͍͚͚̻̞͝ṭ̵̼̙̗̘͐̂̍̓́̈́̀̔̐̌̒̂̀̂̕͜͝ͅa̸͎̩̺̬̼̘̰̻̗̫̔̽̈͋̄̽̔͊̐͛͆̀̓͒̆ͅì̷̡͙̙̪͔͋̀̒̇̈́̾̆͆̆͆̀̃͜͠͝͝͝l̶̮̠̰͍̱͔̲̖̠̭̯̾̏̓̌̌͒̀̈̓̃̆̀̆̒̆̚̕̚͘ͅs̸͙̟̣͉̃̈́̎͌̿́̔͊͋̌͘̕͝ ̸̧̤̱̞͉͉̳̦̣̭̭̲͈͕͕͊̀̾̅̅͘͝ͅͅl̶̦̾̿̈́͐̉͗̃͘į̴̨͇̠͖̮̭̼͔̮͈̦̹͌̓͊̈́k̴̪̪̝͂͑́̈́́̉͆̌͑͝è̸͕̟̱͔͚̹̞̩̙̂̑͑̽͆̂̀͒̍̓͑̄͂͌̍ ̷̨̡̧̳̮̙̺̠̙̩̰͍̭̺̣͊́̇͊̿͂̀̋̉̽̐̔͘̚͠N̸̡̛̮̦̬̬̱̺̞̣͙̯͚̤͚̫̞͔͎͓͆̍͐̿̍͂͠͝A̴̜̠͇͓͙̫̣͉͆̎͝M̷̢̧̛͚̞̤̺̙͇͉͔̺͇̗̠̝̜͉͇͌̽̔E̴̩̖̱̪̱͙̟̞̣̻͋͛́̍̐͆͛̆́ͅS̶̛̛̛̖̘͉͙͈̘̤̗̻̳̳̦̬̦̹͓̙̓̀̆̌̌͂̍̏̈̈́̐͑́̎͘͜͠.̴̘͙̺̤̯̬̯͖̳̖̰͉̙̻̳̬̭̫̎̎͒͐́͗̈́̏̆̀̓͗͐̚͠

If one of the things you wanted was a front row seat, I will gladly provide you a TV as I go off. But even that will be edited, I’m afraid. My magic just doesn’t work well with technology sometimes - the more power being used, the harder it is for cameras to stay rolling. But that’s okay - you probably don’t actually want to see everything anyway. Don’t worry too much though - I do go to RSA after all! It’s not like I’m going to kill them.

If you try to convince me to not go after the… D̶̹̠͈̤̼͎̻͓̹̗̮̺̠̳̙͎̜̋Ȩ̶̝͔̮͇̱̫̯͈̲͔̣̞̱̌̈́͝͠T̷̡̨̧̛̥̫͕̜̗̝̳͓͓͈̩̉͆̋̇̓̈́̄̿̕͝A̶̧̟̝̱̹̞̞̦̭̜̲̅̾̊̏̓̓͌̔̈̎̐̕͜͜͝Į̷̨̰̞͇̪̖̲̼̞͎̭̘͈̖̐͜ͅL̴̛̟̳̓͊̀̓͗̍̕͜͝S̷̘͍̜͎̹̻̜̟̻̮̖̟͔̹̋͗͊́̏̆̔̒̉̽͜͠… whether I listen will depend on what they did. I may listen to you and let them go for now. Or I may simply smile at you, cuddle with you, purr lightly, hum a lullaby until you give into the siren song of sleep… then slip out of your impromptu comfort nest and go after them in the darkness of the night while you sleep dreamlessly and safely in my Wood.

Cats, no matter how supposedly domesticated, are predators, hunters, at heart.

Ą̶̤̮̬̯̹̝͙͎̪̰̟̅͐̆̿͌̔̊̔͒̒̃͗̈́̑̕͜͠n̵̡̖̫͔͎̲̼̼̩̩̍͛́̀͋̐́̈́d̴̪̜̱̫͎͙̻̗̬͍̹̄͂̀̎̂͑̀̽̚͝ ̵̛̳͌͋̂͗͛́͋̊͑Ĩ̴̪̠̞͉̞̞͕̈͆ͅ ̵̹̗̣͆̍̉̈̒a̸̡̺̭̩̣͈̯̯̾̂̑̑͠m̷̢̛͍͖͇͔̲̯̦̌͂̏͘ ̶͚̫͂̋͌̕͜ṫ̴̥̋̌͂̽͒h̵̛̫͍̹͙̤̪̓̾͘è̴̲͇̹͊̑̐ ̵̢̮̓̍̊̅̋̿Ć̵̢̗̘̜͓̫̥͊͌͋̌̏̇̿͘ḩ̶͇̥̲̗͎̭̋̉̍̂̑̋̚̚͜e̴̢̖̙̩̽̿s̶̢͇̤̺̘̯̬̘̠̋̎h̷̰̽̕i̷̫̊̔͌̉̓r̸̢̬̗͚͉̳͎͌͗̒̎̄̏͒e̶̛̻̪̹̖̮͖̋̓̍̽̉́ ̴̧̨̼̝̦̮̫̯̫̈́̍͌̒̍̈́̅͘C̶̡̛̠͚͓͎̈́̑̃͊́̏̕ͅą̶̖̘̱̖̫͒̈͘ẗ̴̨̠͙̳́̈̅̂͂̚͝.̸̧̨̧̤̖̹̘͌́̿̈́͠

I̵̟̮͍̰̝͌ ̷̧̺̪̙̾̂̉̕n̴̗̼̿̈́̉̿̎̄ē̵̠̦̤̘̻̑́͐̈́v̶̘̳͈́̅͊̎̍͠e̴̡̿̓͋ȓ̴̟̳̭̘͋͑̚ ̸̙̞̋̈d̶͎̦̩̥̣̀́͑̄̚̚i̶̢̮̻͂̈́͂̕ͅd̴͈̜̩͐͐̾̃̊͝ͅ ̸͓̟̱͊̀̍̈́͌̒͜ͅp̷̨̗̩̪͛́̓͘̕r̷̠̜͉͉̪͑̽́̋̎ơ̵͓̝̗̯̏̓̃́̄͜m̶̮̜͎͚͔̈́͛̀̚i̵̦̲͙͉̱͒̽͜s̸̡̢̺̙͚͐ę̸̫͓́ ̵̙̞͍̮̲̒ẏ̵̞̦͖͙̒̃͛̚o̴͈̩̅̀͛̀͘͝ȗ̸͍͉̦̟̗͎̓͋̑ ̸̹̤̞̟̃͂̓̒ạ̴̡̛͎͊̿͛ṋ̷͊͊̿y̵̨̘̩̣͗̃ẗ̸̺̦͎̩̫́̍̆̍͝h̷̜̹̘̄̇́̇i̵̟̿ͅͅn̸̮͔̤͗ͅg̸̺̍͋,̶͇̤͇̀ ̴̟̣̈́̒͘D̸̟͍̖͕̎ͅa̵̪̎̎͊͌r̴̪̒̑́̚͜l̶̬̹̔̀̔̃͆i̴͔̺͗̈̈́͠n̴͔͇̋͒͝.̶̦̞̻͛͊

B̵̢͆ů̶͚t̵̻͊ ̷͚̑I̶̮͝ ̸̬͗w̴̨͝i̴̜̓l̸̬͒l̴̗͌ ̸̯̾h̸͎̕a̷͙̐p̴̪͊p̸͉̕ḯ̶̯l̷̥̅ỳ̴̪ ̸̺̓p̸̪̿r̶̫͌õ̶̠m̵͈̄ḭ̸̂s̸͖̋ȩ̷̃ ̸̢͠y̴͈̑o̸̘̔u̵̦͘ ̷̬̅t̸̼̕ẖ̵̀ā̸̮t̶̜͒ ̷̪͂t̷̨̄h̵͙̚e̷̙̓y̸̳͒ ̷̮̀w̵̛̲i̶̢̊l̷͚̔l̷͓͠ ̶̰̋ñ̵̥e̵̫͝v̸̜̒ḙ̸̔ŗ̴͌ ̸͎̃b̵̡̈́o̸̮͂t̴̨͑h̸̙̒ë̵̠́r̴͖̓ ̵̥̒y̵̼̎ǫ̵͋ü̵̖ ̷̦̈́a̸̡̓g̴͍͠a̴̟͛i̴͉̚n̴͇̂.̵̹͠ ̶̬͝

But this is all hypothetical, because you are just asking and are not actually hurt and crying and just pretending to be fine…

Correct? :)