Tumgik
#aztec pattern dress
andyoullhearitagain · 2 months
Text
Every Quarkfit Ranked From Worst to Best Part 4
Part 1
5. Space Zebra Print:
Tumblr media
Some more top tier pattern mixing. Neither of these are zebra print and yet to me they both read that way? Odd. I LOVE the colors on this one. My only major problem with this one is I oddly want MORE trim? I just wish there was some more detailing down the center front of the vest piece, and maybe something on the sleeves? We hardly ever see it full length from the back (bc like why would we?), but I LOVE the shape of the tails.
Tumblr media
4. Red and Blue:
Tumblr media
I like the yoke/stripe through the sleeves and the chest a lot, and I like that their contrast is the wrong side of the fabric. Love the little highlights of green and yellow in the bias trim. Love that the sleeves are super short to reveal the sleeve cuffs. The light colored shirt is very nice because it creates nice contrast right next to his face (this is why traditionally your shirt is the lightest part of your suit). It also looks great with the Klingon marriage fur robe thing.
Tumblr media
My only real problem with this outfit is that I think cutaway coats in general are a little unflattering tbh. This is the costume that he wears the most without the jacket and he looks like such a little businessman 😭.
Tumblr media
3. Mondrian:
Tumblr media
Quark is really demonstrating some high-level pattern mixing here but he's following the rules - different scales and similar but not identical color pallets. I love love love the texture of the shirt.
Tumblr media
In fact I think this is my favorite of his shirts, and I like that it bears pretty much no resemblance to a modern dress shirt. I love the little double trim on the collar and it's echo on the sleeve.
Tumblr media
And I love the weird little Space Fashion shape of the front hemline.
Tumblr media
2. Red Striped Tails:
Tumblr media
Love the color palette on this one, I'm a suckered for red and pink and purple together. Love the little bias panels down the front.
Tumblr media
And look at the pattern matching at the back of the collar!
Tumblr media
I also love that the tails go all the way down to his ankles!
Tumblr media
Cons: Once again it's a little too Earth for Quark. He looks like a regular Terran ringmaster. He also looks like the Mayor of Munchkinland, but I'm pretty sure the Mayor of Munchkinland is on Quark's fashion inspo mood board so that's fine.
1. Aztec Cherry:
Tumblr media
Aztec Cherry my beloved ♥️. I love her. Love the fabric. Love the shape of the lapels. Love the lovely soft roll line. Love the trim on the seamlines.
Tumblr media
My only quibble is that it's a little close to his skintone, but they balance it out by putting the blue right next to his face. I love how there's like eight fabrics in this costume but they all balance so nicely.
Tumblr media
77 notes · View notes
bakedbananners · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Alex Fierro llevando el traje de escaramuzas para el mes de la herencia latina 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽
[image description: art of Alex Fierro. She is wearing a detailed, ruffled pink and green dress with many stripes and zig-zags along the skirts. She has a cape off of one shoulder with aztec-like patterns, and is wearing a sombrero. Her green hair is pulled back into a low ponytail with a pink and green bow. She is looking off to the side with a small smile. End description]
791 notes · View notes
bullet-prooflove · 6 months
Text
Chief: Luke Leone x Reader (NSFW)
Tumblr media
Tagging: @kmc1989 @rey4kat @caffeinatedwoman @vaneyvfs @keyweegirlie @littleone65 @hoorayperfect
Tumblr media
It’s wildfire season in California and Luke has barely been home for longer than five minutes. He worries about that, about the toll his job takes on your relationship. You’ve never chastised him for the missed dates, or late nights but it’s been a while since the two of you have spent any quality time together and he misses you fiercely.
He doesn’t expect you to turn up at his office. He’s reading through the after action reports from the Rock Creek Fire when he looks up to sees you step over the threshold. You close the door quietly behind you. When he raises to his feet you give him that smile, the one that lights up his entire world.
You’re wearing that dress he likes, the one with the black and white Aztec patterns. His hand comes to rest on your hip, thumb chasing over the fabric and you smile as he leans in close, pressing you back against the door.
“Long time no see, Division Chief.”
He loves when you call him that, the sultry tone you use. It taps into something deep inside him, something raw and demanding. He cages you in against the door, his fingertips skating over the lock before he twists it, the mechanism securing the two of you from outside intrusions.
There’s a recklessness in him, you can see it in his eyes as his thumb chases over the line of your jaw. The scent of smoke clings to his skin, his hair, his clothes and it sends a dangerous thrill chasing through you. You can tell he’s still riding the adrenaline of the last fire.
It’s like a narcotic, he’d once explained to you. It heightens the senses, makes everything sharper. He usually lets it out on a punch bag but the times he has brought it home, you’ve ended up getting fucked into the mattress because it makes Luke a little wild, which makes you a little wild. Those are the nights that panties get torn off and shirts get ripped.
“I don’t have much time.” He murmurs, his thumb trailing over your lower lip. His hips pin yours to the door and you can feel his erection pressing urgently against your core.
“There’s just something about you in this uniform.” You murmur, your fingertips playing across his belt. He feels it loosen, hears the sound of the zipper before your hand delves into his underwear.
Your dexterous musician’s fingers wrap around his cock, squeezing just a little as your thumb smears pre-cum across the tip. Luke groans, thrusting into your hand as you lightly pump him.
“I get off on it a little you know?” You whisper against the corner of his mouth. “Having the Division Chief at my mercy, knowing that I’m the only one that can do this to you.”
“Fuck,” Luke exhales, his fingers chasing under the hem of your dress. His fingertips graze across your wetness and your head falls back against the door. “No panties? You are a bad girl today.”
“I’m your bad girl.” You remind him, guiding his cock to just the right place.
Christ, it gets him off when you talk like that, it speaks to something primal inside of him. Luke’s spent his whole life alone, untethered and unmoored, and now he has someone who belongs to him, someone who loves him, cares for him.
His lips capture yours as he sinks into you slowly, that tight, wet heat enveloping his cock. Your hands tangle in his shirt, the fabric bunching in your fists as you tug him even closer, until his hips are flush against yours. His cock rakes over that sweet spot and you see fucking stars.
“That’s it Chief.” You whisper against his lips. “Right there.”
His eyes fix on yours as he starts to thrust, slow, hard, deep. Your breath catches with every stroke as ecstasy sears through your synapses. It builds quickly, the way it always does when you’re with Luke, each wave crashes through your body, igniting your nerve endings as he takes you higher and higher until…
“I’ve got you right where I want you don’t I?” He asks you, his voice rough as you clench around his cock.
“Yes Chief.” You whisper and he comes undone completely.
One more thrust and you’re both hurtling over the edge, freefalling into the abyss. His mouth covers yours, stifling the noise that emits from your throat as you come all over his cock. The way you grip him…
It feels like he’s died and gone to heaven.
He drinks down your pleasure as he spills his release inside you. His kisses become softer, more tender as his thumb traces over the blush of your cheek. This is the part he loves the most, the intimacy, the connectivity. He’s spent years chasing this feeling and he still can’t believe he has it, that he’s met someone who loves him so unconditionally.
“Come over tonight.” He requests, his forehead coming to rest upon yours. “I miss being with you, holding you.”
He’s not talking about sex. He means sleeping with you, waking up with you. It’s those moments that Luke treasures, the ones he thinks about when he’s alone. You’ve fit into his life as if you’ve always been there and some day he wants to make that permanent.
It’s when you open your mouth to answer that the bell goes off. Another wildfire, another emergency he has to attend to. He gives you an apologetic look as he tucks himself back into his trousers and straightens his uniform.
“I’ll see you tonight.” You say softly, your palm coming to rest on the space where his heart resides in his chest. “Be safe out there today.”
“Always.” He promises, his hand clasping yours. “I’ll always make it back home to you.”
Love Luke? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.
Interested in supporting me? Join my Patreon for Bonus Content!
Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee
Tumblr media
36 notes · View notes
elderidgeart · 2 years
Text
Does anyone have any good and trustworthy resources on depicting Yuan-Ti inoffensively?
I have a client who commissioned a character who has heavy theming with the Mayan god Huitzilopochtli. The visuals of this deity are stunning however finding the meaning behind his symbolism is near impossible to find.
Also finding resources on early Mesoamerican dress, attire, and armor is extremely difficult. Google will explain that the textiles varying between commoner, noble, warrior, and priestess were vastly different but provide no visual guide.
Any sort of help would be greatly appreciated! I want to know what I'm working on before just slapping cool-looking Aztec symbolism and patterns onto a piece.
25 notes · View notes
mfred · 9 months
Text
After I bought this caftan, I shared the link with @bookgeekgrrl and she bought a caftan, too! Now it's your turn!
2 notes · View notes
Note
Thank you!! :D
You may not care about sonic (or just not know anything abt it) but I will get ur gay ass invested in my sonic stuff
I absolutely hc Shadow as transmasc. This is the most concise way I've explained it
Tumblr media
But it's also bc I heavily kin Shadow and I'm trans and therefore he is an emo trans man just like me
Fashion is very important to Rouge, Shadow and Amy for different reasons. Rouge likes to look good, because she's a very confident person. It gets her self assured attitude across, and tells people she knows what she's doing, and no one is going to be able to double cross her. For Shadow, it's about performing. He was made to perform, in a nonliteral sense, and dressing alternative is performance art, but performing a role he chooses. For Amy it's about being someone she can be proud of. She used to be helpless, but she's grown to be a hero in her own right. She's sought to be someone she can be happy calling herself, and she extends that to every part of herself. Rouge's style is sleek and feminine, Shadow's is dark and punk-inspired, and Amy's is bright, sweet and girly.
I've been thinking a lot about how clothing correlates to character. Here's my thoughts so far.
As a kid (11-ish, around the time of the first 4 games), Sonic wears a bright outfit that symbolizes his enthusiasm for everything and joyful attitude. It's a bright red shirt, blue shorts with a pattern on one side, and red tennis shoes.
Post-forces he wears the star symbolizing the resistance on a big, slightly oversized black shirt, and at any point in his older years (15-ish) he also wears a blue varsity jacket with black sleeves, blue jeans with stars and designs scribbled on them, white fingerless gloves, dark blue wrist and ankle cuffs to keep his shoes and gloves on, and shoes that look basically the same. It represents his chill, lighthearted, somewhat immature and irreverent personality, the colors being darkened, the symbol of rebellion showing how he does what he thinks is right always, even when it means going against everything that other people think is "good", and how while his unrelenting optimism inspired people when he was young, he's now more so a confident and strong person.
When Tails is little (4) he's scruffy and sad and abandoned for being a "freak," and he wears the same outfit every day. It's a slightly-too-big t-shirt and khaki shorts. They're stained, dirty, faded, and his tails don't fit quite enough into the shorts bc they were made for only one tail.
When he's 8, he has better-fitting clothes. He wears a white t-shirt, and tan overalls with dozens of extra pockets for tools and an extra hole in the back for his second tail.
Knuckles' clothing is reminiscent of Aztec and Mayan men's clothing. He wears a white shawl over one shoulder, and red pants. He always sticks to this, but as he becomes friends with Sonic and co. he also wears more stuff from other places. T-shirts with the crest he has on his chest are a common one.
Shadow, having been a research experiment, wore a black hospital gown most of his life. During experimentation on the ARK he wore it, when he was captured by the military he was still wearing it, and he was put into stasis with it. During the time of SA2, he wore it tucked into a pair of red jeans like a shirt. It was heavily damaged, but he kept it for a while, before finally abandoning it in favor of choosing what he was going to wear for himself.
Amy has always just dressed really cutesy and girly, but it went from being a measure to ensure she conformed and was likable and tolerable as a child to being how SHE wanted to look, exclusively for her own happiness and no one else's, as she grew up.
You're right, I know little to nothing about the actual Sonic lore, I was more of a Mario kid lmaooo-
Once again my bias wins out, since I think my favorite clothes progression is Shadow's, like shedding your past by changing something you've worn almost your entire life my beloved-
2 notes · View notes
gwennafran · 2 years
Photo
Tumblr media
Pale Lights - Chapter 23 Trial Participants Lineup Fanart 
Massive rearrangement of everyone as the diving crews finally are official.
New info is added. Finally some actual info on Yaretzi.
Inyoni got moved to the section we after this chapter really didn’t want to see her in. EE, why are you doing this to me? That was one of my favorite designs with the nice cool scar! :(
 Minor art updates:
Small Ishaan art update as he’s no more sickly looking / pale.
Angahrad got a small update with an added sword belt.
 Wardrobe changes: Zenzele was noted to have a coat, so I updated his look to something more Baroque than Renaissance. Also gave him a tricorn as that is a Malani fashion trend, so seeing how I was taking his wardrobe in a more modern direction it seemed fitting.
Yaretzi got a full wardrobe update. Of course, as we all know Yaretzi is super plain and easy to not notice at all. While wearing basically a full bard outfit of stripes on the top and a patchwork skirt (Yes Tristan. I am judging you and your choice of how to describe people). Anyway, I had fun finding some historical Aztec references that fitted to that exact combo. Almost. The skirt is woven to have the pattern rather than actual patchwork. No extra full body art, but I know exactly what she’s wearing. Except the shoes. I’m assuming she has shoes, though. Even if only Aztec nobles had them in real life and everyone else were barefooted. ;)
Isabel was noted to wear skirts this chapter. The outfit we last heard described did not have skirts. I’m therefore assuming she changed her outfit even if we didn’t get a thirsty description from Angharad. Probably she dressed a little up again now she can expect to not track through the wilderness. You think Yaretzi had me geeking out with a two-hour research session? Yeah, no. This is me properly geeking out in a whole different way. Isabel is running out of luggage room for more new clothes. Seriously, a full gown like the first she was wearing takes up room for a full bag and is easily 7 kgs of fabric. And don’t even get me started on transporting big hats. This outfit is done reusing a bunch of items she has worn in earlier art. The yellow satin bodice is the same as the last outfit, but she has dumped the jacket and added “mix and match” sleeves. I figure she has a skirt to match those sleeves, but the layers below that skirt would be the same as used for the yellow brocade dress from the ship. The hat is from that first dress on the ship as well. This means it all in all only is one third extra outfit dragged along. Instead of a full one.
3 notes · View notes
karastroph1c · 2 years
Text
⊶An introduction to: Yaretzi D'macro⊷
Tumblr media
◈Name meaning Yaretzi: The name is of Aztec origin, with the meaning being "You will always be loved" With Raea giving this name to her daughter so she'll know that no matter what happens. Her mother will love her, and will watch every step she takes. D'macro: This one is actually a pun, as a "macro" is a programming pattern that specifies how a certain input should be mapped to a replacement output. This is in reference to Raea birthing Yaretzi so she can 'pass the torch' when she dies ◈ Kanji(?) ヤレツィ ◈Age 18 ◈ Height 5'8 ◈Ethnicity Greek/Puerican ◈Birthday February 31st ◈Gender Female ◈Zodiac Pisces: The water element and the ruling planet of Neptune, Pisces are in tuned with their emotions, and are able to judge whether someone is good or bad. With a strong moral compass and a sensitive heart, Yaretzi BARELY fits with her stupid little sign. ◈Birthstone Amethystos: A remedy against drunkenness, as the Greeks thought it could prevent intoxication. It's associated with Bacchus due to its wine like color. Raea would wrap a necklace made from it before sending Yaretzi off to school after forcing her to drink a cup of Alcopop because she 'needed' it. At first, she loved her little necklace even though it always felt snug and tight. Because she thought it was gifted out of love, but now she can't stand to look at the purple dog collar, let alone the gem itself. Crushing it under her foot when she arrived at Japan was cathartic. ◈Occupation ⚬ 3rd year student at Ryoutei Academy ⚬Waitress: Because when your greedy as hell $700 a month isn't enough (and 5-dollar coffee money stacks up sadly). Yaretzi was strolling down the streets of Tokyo until she sees this big, pink cafe and just stares in awe. One of the waitresses beckons her to come in and she realizes it's one of those themed bars and all the staff were dressed as magical girls. This woman goes BERSERK and spends over $50 on desserts and soda and the extra $30 went in her server's pocket as a tip. Needless to say, she's very much welcomed there and was even more welcomed to apply as a waitress. Now she calls herself 'MAGICAL GIRL OF PURITY YARETZI!!!!' and poses like a dumbass at work. She only hopes nobody she knows sees her. ◈ Languages ⚬ English: Her native tongue, she's been speaking it all her life so there's not really much to say. ⚬Greek: Another language she's fluent in. Her mother taught her in the 5th grade because she wanted her daughter to learn more about her heritage. After years of studying the words flow out of her tongue as easily as English. ⚬Japanese: Yaretzi would rather shit out glass than relearn kanji. Hiragana was fine, Katakana was tricky, but she jumped over that hurdle. But KANJI? No, never again.
Tumblr media
BACKSTORY SNIPLET
By the time I finish writing this my sister and I will be long gone from this place, and because of that I can finally call this 'place' a hellhole. But do not be mistaken, I'm in no rush to finish this note just as Yaretzi and I are in no rush to leave. The sounds of screaming will make our ears bleed no more and the smell of blood will curl our stomachs will cease to be. I'd like to believe our very mother is ceased to exist as well. After all, consuming such a race is bound to have side effects to the human body. I don't know who will find this note first, our mother or someone else. But please know we were, despite everything, good children. Yaretzi, IS a good child. She resists freedom and will always resist freedom for the sake of our mother. She will reject stable impulse for the sake of Raea. She will deny stable values for Raea. I'm getting a bit too emotional, so I'll cut this short. I pray the day Yaretzi finds her place in the world our mother won't be present when she looks in the mirror and instead the sweet little girl deserving of love.
3 notes · View notes
hickmanshistory · 2 years
Text
Basilisks of Central America
Tumblr media
Basilisks are a diverse, highly esoteric clade of near-avian reptiles found all over the world, but none are so beautiful or revered as those native to Central and South America. 
The Resplendent Basilisk is the largest species of basilisk, and the largest terrestrial predator on Earth today. No two resplendent basilisks have the same pattern, but they are all covered in colorful feathers in shades of green, yellow, and red. These animals had a deep cultural importance among the Aztec people due to its resemblance to the Teotl Quetzalcoatl and continue to serve as a symbol of Mexico today.
Historically the resplendent basilisk has served as a ‘living altar’ to Quetzalcoatl, although what this means varies drastically. Some cities and cultures would bring food or gifts such as gemstones to the caves in which the animals would live, some would invite the serpent to live within sacred temples and give the resplendent basilisk human sacrifices as apart of religious rights, and some feared the animal, and did their best to drive it far from their home. During the invasion of Tenochtitlan by Hernan Cortez, the emperor of the Aztec Empire, Moctezuma, greeted Cortez cordially, dressing him in fine clothes and inviting him into the city. Cortez was not aware that this show of politeness served as a show of strength in Aztec culture and believed that he was being handed the city. However, upon reaching the Great Temple, the would-be conquistador was promptly killed and eaten by the resident basilisk.
Today, these animals are critically endangered. They are slow-growing and long-lived, and their beauty and high levels of mysticism make them a prime target for poachers. Caves or temples where the resplendent basilisk makes its home can be identified by the growth of plants and mushrooms imbued with mystical, hallucinogenic properties that can temporarily enhance esoteric abilities when consumed. Traditionally, these were used in religious ceremonies, although today, they are often used recreationally. Interacting with the resplendent basilisk can be incredibly dangerous, due to its large size, carnivorous nature, and paralyzing esoteric stare, although it is highly intelligent, and once an individual can gain its trust, can make a lethal and efficient force of protection. 
The Kulkulkan is closely related to the resplendent basilisk, although it is smaller and more reclusive. It has mostly been expatriated from its former range, which encompassed all of the Yucatan peninsula down to the most-northern part of South America. Now it can only be found in Belize. It is named for the Mexica deity Kulkulkan, for whom the animal served as a living altar. Westerners mistakenly believed Kulkulkan was the name of the basilisk itself, when asking for a translation, and the misnomer stuck.
One of the most distinctive features of the kulkulkan are the long feathers that form a crest on the head of the male. These are used during mating rituals, similar to the ornate feathers found on birds-of-paradise. Additionally, these are one of the few species of basilisk capable of true flight. Although its physical physiology would not support the ability to fly, it uses esoteric energy to assist in keeping aloft, and the sight of a fully-grown kulkulkan in flight is both terrifying and wonderous. It feeds primarily on larger monkeys, mammals such as tapirs, and large fish, which it will hunt both in fresh and saltwater. This animal has the paralytic gaze typical of all basilisk, and a powerful, hallucinogenic venom. 
The Sapphire Wyrm is an unusual animal, even among a clade already so unique. It is one of the few species of truly social wyrm, and forms underground colonies that are often compared to those of the naked mole rat. Like other wyrms, it is eyeless, and uses esoteric energy to ‘see’ using an aura it projects around itself. The sapphire wyrm spends its life digging beneath the surface of the Earth in search of rocks and minerals imbued with esoteric energy, which it eats to sustain itself as opposed to calories from physical meals. 
Colonies of sapphire wyrms are highly structured, with mothers with eggs and hatchlings in the center, and the other wyrms radiating out from youngest to oldest. As the sapphire wyrm ages, esoteric energy builds up in its body, particularly the tail, which is fluffy with feathers and purple to make it more noticeable to predators. Once the wyrm is beyond reproductive age, around 5-7 years old, this energy builds up to an intense enough degree that it will burst when grabbed by a predator, releasing enough mysticism to turn parts of whatever harmed the animal into esoteric stone. It kills the wyrm itself, but also maims predators enough to keep them away from the rest of the colony. Many seasoned individuals who collect wyrms for use in medicine and alchemy find themselves with a finger, or hand, that has been rendered rock by an unfortunate attempt to catch an elderly wyrm.
6 notes · View notes
glancieri · 2 days
Link
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Gorgeous Turquoise Beaded with Wooden Beads Silver Tone Weighted Necklace.
0 notes
jaimee2001 · 5 days
Link
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: LuLaRoe Irma Aztec Relaxed Oversized Short Sleeve High Low Tunic Top.
0 notes
hamstress · 6 days
Link
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Aztec Pattern Sweaterdress.
0 notes
bullet-prooflove · 7 months
Text
LA!Series Part Three: Legacy - Manny x Reader
Tumblr media
Tagging: @wnbweasley @darqchilddaydreamz @theesirenteller @crazy4chickennuggets @kmc1989 @withakindheartx
Tumblr media
Manny’s adjusting the sleeves of his suit jacket when you step out of the bathroom, he looks up and it’s like someone has stolen all of the oxygen from his lungs. You’re clad in a sleeveless mini dress, adorned with a black and white Aztec pattern, the tattoos that decorate your arms on display. You’ve paired it with Black Doc Martens and a black leather jacket that clings to your form.
His thumb runs over the silver studs in your ear, the first a set of stars, the rest three tiny pin drops that decrease in size the higher they go.
“Very pretty.” He says, feeling something stir inside of him.
The whole thing is just so unapologetically you.
It’s outside the gallery that you falter, you step up to the door, your gaze lingering on the people on the other side and you just stop. His hand comes to rest on your lower back, his thumb tracing a soothing circle as your hand grasps the door handle.
“We don’t have to do this.” He says quietly.
You tilt your head towards him, your kohl lined eyes meeting his. He sees the trepidation in them, the indecision. This is a crossroads for you, you can either step forward and tell your story or you can run, the same way you have been since you were eighteen years old and newly turned out from the care system. Your grip on the handle tightens before you take a deep breath, allowing the oxygen to flood your lungs and walk inside.
You’re a hit, Manny knew you would be. He smiles, watching from a distance and sipping from a flute of Prosecco as you talk to a group of young people who accosted you on the way back from the bathroom. They’re just like you, he thinks creatives in the making. They show you their work, explaining the concepts and you take such interest, asking questions, pointing out the features you like.
In that moment he understands what it would be like to be loved by you, and he realises how much he wants that.
His attention wanders and he finds himself in front of your photographs. They’ve got a lot of attention tonight, people in the industry, alternatives, kids from the programs the studio hosts. He stands in a rare moment of quietness surveying them.
There’s a rawness in the images, it brings out the depth of the art styles, the reverence behind each and every one of them. There’s such beauty in these pieces. They all capture a moment, a snapshot in time where the past and the present merge together. Old techniques and new ink, clashing to create something real, something visceral.
This is your legacy, this passion project of yours.
This is you in all of your glory.
He sees it as clear as day.
When he looks at you again, it’s in a different light because you’re far more to him than just the woman he fucks. You’re the one that owns a piece of him.
When you’re asked to speak, he can tell you don’t expect it. A microphone is thrust into your hand, and you take up residence alongside your artwork, your gaze lingering over each of the images before you turn your attention to the small crowd. You clear your throat before your eyes come to rest on the kid in front of you, the one that’s been vying for your attention all night.
“People don’t realise how lonely it is being in foster care.” You find yourself saying. “How isolated you become, you feel like you don’t have anything to say and when you do, it feels like no one’s listening. For me photography became a way of expressing myself when I couldn’t use my voice. My pictures showed the world how I saw it when I couldn’t speak the words.”
You think of the feel of the camera in your hands, the way things just clicked into place for you. It was a polaroid; you remember the whir as the picture was spat out of that tiny slot. You were fifteen years old at the time.
“There weren’t art programs like this when I was in care, I stole my first camera from a guy who was paying me to model for him…” You trail off and there’s an agony in Manny’s chest because he knows the kind of shoots you’re talking about, how they start and how they finish. He wishes that hadn’t happened to you, that none of this had happened to you but that’s not your reality, it’s not his either. “I’m thankful that things have changed, that there are programs to assist young people who have faced the same things that I did. I hope that seeing my work shows you that there are opportunities for you out there, that your past doesn’t have to shape who you become.”
He's there when you hand the microphone back to the host. You come to stand beside him, your spine straight and your head held high. You’re withdrawing back into yourself, shutting him out, Manny can feel it. This is the most real you’ve been with anybody, and it takes courage to do what you’ve just done, to speak your truth.
“I’m proud of you Mami.” He says, his fingers seeking out yours. He squeezes your hand lightly and you squeeze back. “I think you’ve made a difference here tonight.”
Love Manny? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.
Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee
Tumblr media
24 notes · View notes
maisonfleurant · 11 days
Link
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: BB DAKOTA MORGAN RACER BACK MAXI DRESS W CHEST POCKET BROWN MEDIUM.
0 notes
texascountrymiss · 15 days
Link
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Silk & Salt Boho Flowy Dress In White & Green Size Medium.
0 notes
lovinagoodfind · 18 days
Link
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: ANTHROPOLOGIE Maeve Lilt Printed Swing Sundress Pockets EUC sz S.
0 notes