#bangles not included

[ask-the-dweets]

Another Twitter meme

Drawing one of the Dwights being confident is weird XD it really only suits Incubus Fancy, which is great because that’s the AU I’m currently fixated on!

[twitter post with source]

[thegreatyin]

scoundrel?? what scoundrel???? the magnificent mr cards (who ironically has more of a flower aesthetic going on) is completely unrelated to any "bandaged scoundrels" running around the neath. in fact it's never heard of the word scoundrel ever in its entire definitely long definitely ancient life. but yknow, hypothetically, if it did know the scoundrel, it's confident that they're really really really handsome and cool and epic and they're almost just as amazing as it is and you should totally donate all your valuables to them and stuff

aaand because i like them too much, have a transparent version. the Creachure. the Thing, even.

[sunshineandlyrics]

The bidding for Freddie Mercury's silver snake bangle at Sotheby's, starting at £10,000 (6 September 2023)

[griffinborn]

Ok I get where everyone is coming from when they see the design of Pavitr ‘Pav’ Prabhakar aka Indian SpiderMan as an expression of gender queerness, but let me be frank this is very typical Indian male costuming.

Even the toxic masculine patriarchal men have similar stylistic expressions or to be be more precise this is a traditional/historical/ye olde male aesthetic.

Having said that I love what design elements are being used here. So…

Let's take it from the top.

The FACE MASK

The Three Colors surrounding the eyes are typical spider man colours but they are done to evoke the image the traditional makeup done for the ancient dance art Kathakali. In which the whole face is painted and bold lines are drawn to emphasise/exaggerate the eyes. These eye mask lines are usually thin - bold-thin.

Same with the white lines on the cheek bones which are indicative of tusks or pincers of demons or Animorphs in folklore/myths.

The white dot in the centre of the forehead is the most common Hindu motif, expressed in myriad of ways all over the country .

The ARM/LEG BANDS/CUFFS

The bicep cuff is a part of Indian historic armour - made of malleable metal, its bejewelled ornate counterparts were then worn in day to day life. Here in the north Royals still wear it during big ceremonies. These metal bands are generally worn by warriors.

bangles (metal circles worn at wrists) are an important male accessory and are more daily wear even in present modern times, some religions (Sikh,Jain etc.) require the males to always wear one at all times. The ones on the suit were more in the shape of wrist guards which again were an armour accessory. In Indian male clothing the cuffs are usually emphasised.

Due to traditional male footwear being sandals metal ankle cuffs were employed to guard the shins and were worn during wars while thinner bands - ornamental accessories - were worn in daily wear.

There are so many other things I want to elaborate on like: The PATTERNS/LOGO,The LEG GARMENT (??!)(what’s the collective term for clothes for legs?), The Cat’s Cradle swinging/body animation ; but my ADHD is already acting up so imma leave this here.

SIDE NOTE:

I love how the heel and toes are bare in this design. It makes sense from the spider powers perspective - no barrier in contact allows for better manoeuvring and jump control as is seen in gymnastics. But also because in Hindu culture important tasks including some traditional sports require the removal of footwear and getting feet dirty is not discouraged (of course with an adherence to washing of the feet multiple times in a day)

I also loved how incorporated his wrist guard is in his spider style using it as a toy and a tool. This aspect of making use of something in a completely different way was so desi ‘Jugaad’ I was stunned.

[gothsuguru]

THIS WAS SO CUTE HEHE FANK YEW MICKEY :3

tagging: @chwoso @storiesoflilies @mikichko @connorsui :3

UWAHHH i found this super cute picrew so i had to start a lil tag chain !! ⸜(*ˊᗜˋ*)⸝

tags <3 ( no pressure )

@dira333 @lowkeyremi @verahella @y2kuromi @lu-naes @omitea @sweetfushi + anyone else who would like to join !!

[cherryredlove]

☆ eiffel tower ☆

Modern! au Cregan Stark x reader x Jacaerys Velaryon SMUT

Includes Cregan x Jacaerys smut

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

Baela and Rhaena always host the hottest parties of the summer. Invitied alongside your best friend Helaena, you meet two handsome men who seem equally interested in you as you are in them.

Word Count: 2.5k

Themes: SMUT, 18+, threesome, p in v, oral, eiffel towering, cum eating, alcohol consumption, cigarettes

also just imagine cregan in the pics has dark hair ahah

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

The hot July night is thick with the mingled sounds of the party—a seamless mix of bass-heavy music, laughter, and shouts cutting the air. You feel the vibrations through the floor as you push your way through the crowded living room of Rhaena and Baela’s apartment. They live in a swanky flat in the city centre of King's Landing. It's their birthday, and, as usual, they’ve gone all out. Neon lights bounce off the walls, casting a colourful glow that makes everything feel both surreal and electrifying.

You'd worn your favourite sexy black top and bootcut jeans, making your ass look fantastic, as your flatmate Dyana had so kindly informed you. Bangles jingling, you make your way toward the makeshift bar in the corner, your eyes scanning the throngs of people dancing and talking, searching for a familiar face. Finally, you spot her—Helaena, your best friend, is lounging on a couch, deep in conversation with a couple of guys from her art class, while sipping a bottle of Asshai beer. She waves at you enthusiastically, a smile stretching across her face.

“Hey, you made it!” Helaena shouts over the music, wrapping you in a quick hug. She smells like lavender and vodka, wearing a blue skater dress, a familiar and comforting combination. “I was starting to think you’d bail on me.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” you reply, your voice barely audible over the thumping beats. You lean in closer. “This place is insane.”

Helaena laughs, nodding in agreement. “You should go say hi to Rhaena and Baela later. They’re out on the balcony, holding court as usual.”

As you nod, you can’t help but feel a little out of place, surrounded by people who seem to know exactly where they fit in this chaotic scene. You were a bit of a party animal too with Helaena, but the party here was madness. You grab a drink from the bar—something pink and fruity that burns just enough to remind you of its potency—and take a long sip, letting the alcohol warm you from the inside.

You seek out Baela and Rhaena. Both of them look divine in gold shimmery tops. They scream a little with excitement when you see them and hand some sourz shots for the three of you to do together.

After, you’ve been chatting with Helaena for a while, legs crossing over eachothers as you lounge on some chairs, when your attention is caught by two guys approaching. Even in the dim light, they stand out: one tall and dark-haired with broad shoulders, the other with brown curls, high cheekbones, and a rougish smile. They're both stunning in that unfairly effortlessly cool way that makes your heart skip a beat.

“Hey, Hel,” the first one says with an easy smile. His eyes flick to you, holding your gaze a moment longer than polite. “Who’s your friend?”

Helaena grins, ever the mischievous meddler. “This is Y/N,” she says, gesturing toward you. “Y/N, meet Cregan Stark and Jacaerys Velaryon. They’re Baela’s best mates from uni. You guys both study politics and history with her, right?"

Cregan gives you a nod, his smile widening into something warmer, while Jacaerys offers you his hand to shake. “Nice to meet you, Y/N,” he says, his voice a low, pleasant rumble.

The conversation flows easily, the four of you finding common ground in shared interests and mutual acquaintances. Cregan regales you all about his recent backpacking trip through the Highlands, the beautiful scenery and his close scrapes with the law, while Jacaerys leans closer, drawing you into a discussion about your favorite bars and places in King's Landing. You find yourself laughing more than you have in weeks, the tension you carried into the party slowly melting away.

As the night deepens and Helaena ends up sneaking off with a mysterious girl named Sara who Cregan knows, the three of you drift outside to the balcony, the cool air a welcome relief from the heat inside. You lean against the railing, the city sprawled out before you while Cregan sparks up a cigarette for you. Below, the streetlights flicker like stars, the hum of traffic a distant lullaby.

“So, what do you think of the party?” Cregan asks, his voice low and inviting.

“It’s amazing,” you admit, taking a sip of your drink that Jace had grabbed for you, a Starfall Screwdriver. “You two must be close with Rhaena and Baela.”

“Yeah, we’ve known them forever,” Jacaerys replies, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. His gaze is steady, intent. “They throw the best parties.”

You nod, feeling the warmth of their attention settle over you like a physical presence. There’s something about the way they look at you—like they’re seeing you, really seeing you—and it makes your heart race in a way you can’t quite explain. You aren't blind to their eyes and where they're looking.

“So, Y/N,” Cregan begins, a playful glint in his eye. His arm rests on your shoulder after taking a drag. “What’s your deal? You seeing anyone?”

The question catches you off guard, your mind scrambling for a response. You hesitate, unsure of what to say. The truth is, your love life has been a series of near misses and almosts, leaving you jaded at a young age.

“Not really,” you finally reply, your voice steady despite the flutter in your chest. “I’ve been kind of focused on other things lately.”

Jacaerys leans closer, his expression thoughtful. “Like what?” His hand brushes your thigh, and you clench slightly. Cregan smirks, and Jace takes a long drink of his beer.

“Like work, mostly,” you say with a shrug, feeling suddenly self-conscious under their scrutiny. “And, you know, just figuring things out.”

Cregan exchanges a glance with Jacaerys, something unspoken passing between them. You feel a twinge of curiosity, wondering what they’re thinking.

“What about you two?” you ask, shifting the focus away from yourself. “Any girlfriends I should be worried about?”

Jacaerys chuckles, shaking his head. “Nah, we’re both single. We're too busy having fun, I guess.”

“Though we do have something in mind tonight,” Cregan adds, his tone teasing, almost conspiratorial.

You raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? What’s that?” Jace looks amused at your obliviousness.

Cregan and Jacaerys exchange another look, this one filled with a kind of mischievous energy that makes your skin tingle with anticipation. You have the distinct feeling that whatever they’re about to say will lead to a very interesting night.

“Well,” Jacaerys says slowly, his eyes locked onto yours, “we were actually wondering if you’d be interested in something…a little different tonight.”

Your heart skips a beat, the possibilities flashing through your mind. You find yourself leaning in, caught in their magnetic pull.

“What do you have in mind?” you ask, your voice barely above a whisper.

Cregan’s smile is all charm and challenge. “A threesome,” he says simply. “You, me, and Jace.”

You blink, your mind momentarily short-circuiting at the proposition. Of all the things you’d imagined, this wasn’t one of them. And yet, the idea sends a thrill coursing through you, igniting something bold and adventurous that you didn’t quite realize was there.

“I—” You start, then pause, choosing your words carefully. “I’ve never done anything like that before.”

Jacaerys steps closer, his presence enveloping you like a warm, inviting shadow. “No pressure,” he says, his voice gentle but edged with excitement. “But we think you’re amazing. And we’d love to spend the night making you feel that way.”

Your pulse quickens at his words, the heat between you three palpable and undeniable. You consider their offer. They're both hot, both your type, and they both fancy you. The decision weighs on your mind, and yet, somewhere beneath the surface, you know exactly what you want.

Taking a deep breath, you meet their expectant gazes, a slow smile spreading across your lips. You down your drink. “Alright,” you say, your heart racing with anticipation. “Let’s do it.” They both smile, and their grip on you becomes a tad tighter.

“Great,” Cregan says. “How about we head back to ours? We live in a flat just a couple of minutes away.”

You nod, feeling a heady mix of nerves and thrill. As you follow them through the party, weaving through the throngs of people and neon-lit haze, you feel your heart and pussy begin to thrum.

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

The ride to their apartment is a blur of laughter and anticipation, the city lights streaking past like shooting stars. You sit between them in the backseat of the cab, your legs brushing against theirs, the proximity sending shivers up your spine. Cregan brushes your neck lightly with his knuckles, and you tense when Jace's hands move upwards from your knee to your inner thigh. Feeling both of their mouths so close to you, their hot breath and their longing, heated gazes makes your pussy clench, excited.

When you finally arrive, the apartment is everything you imagined—a stylish blend of modern and cosy, the kind of place that feels lived in and loved. As soon as the door closes behind you, Jacaerys presses you against the wall, his lips capturing yours in a kiss that’s all fire and passion. You melt into him, his hands gripping your shoulders tight and keeping you upright.

Cregan’s hands find your waist, pulling you from the wall and sandwiching himself behind you, his touch firm and grounding as he leans in to whisper in your ear. “You alright?” he asks, his voice a low murmur that sends shivers down your spine. You can feel his hardness press into your ass from behind. You kick off your shoes and let Cregan pull your jeans down.

You nod, your breath hitching as Jacaerys trails kisses down your neck, his hands deftly unzipping his jeans. “More than alright,” you manage to say, the words a breathless promise. Jace rubs your thighs with his heavy hands and Cregan gropes your tits, pulling his shirt over his head.

You each undress, hands reaching out when not removing clothes to grasp at each other and kiss hotly, all tongues. You're not sure who you're kissing or who's kneading your ass when they guide you toward the bedroom.

Pushing you gently onto the bed, Jace turns to Cregan and kisses him, Cregan moaning lightly at the touch. Your pussy explodes ablaze at the sight, whimpering as the pair advance on you like wolves.

Cregan yanks your legs towards him, opening them and sighing at the sight.

"Oh, Jace, look at her," he smirks. "Already soaking wet and we haven't even started."

Jacaerys laughs lightly, kneeling besides your body as Cregan swipes a finger through your pussy slick. That draws a hot moan from your parted lips.

"Will you be good and let Cregan look after you?" Jacaerys asks, your eyes glued to his hardened cock that brushes against your tits as he leans down. You nod, moaning as he kisses you, and places your hand on his cock to stroke it.

Cregan takes his cue and sinks his mouth down onto your heat. You whimper loudly as he softly licks up your slick and begins sucking lightly on your aching clit. Encouraged by your reaction, he eats your pussy more fervently, devouring any juices and engufling your labia in his hot mouth.

Jace moans as you stroke his cock, Cregan watching the sight from between your legs. You reach down with your other hand to grasp Cregan's dark hair, pulling slightly. His eyes roll back and you notice his hand is between his legs, jerking his huge cock at the sight of you and Jace.

It's too much for you. You feel like you'll explode. Jacaerys grabs your tits and tweaks your tender nipples, and you moan, arching your back and feeling the start of an orgasm creep up on you.

"Come on Princess," Jace gasps. "Cum for us." He spills a thick white rope of cum over your tits. Cregan, eyes wide, eats your pussy with such vigour that he yanks an orgasm from you, and you howl as you cum. He jerks himself as he cums on your thighs.

Panting, you watch as Cregan approaches Jace. You would have expected yourself to be satisfied by now, but watching Jace lick the cum off himself and Cregan inflames your pussy once more. You wobble upwards, kneeling on the floor and engulfing Jace's cock with your mouth as you jerk Cregan's cock. The pair moan into eachothers mouths at the touch.

Leaning down, Cregan pulls you gently by the hair onto all fours. Your eyes widen as you realise what he means. Your mouth opens involuntarily as he makes you suck his fingers, chuckling to himself.

"You reckon she's ready?" Jace asks him. Cregan nods, eyes dark and glinting.

"Oh yes, her pussy's a mess. Look at how good she is, sucking my fingers," he removes them, smirking as you whine. "Don't worry girl, you'll be able to suck all you want."

He nudges his cock by your lips, and you swallow it whole. He begins thrusting lightly, moaning heavily at how good your mouth feels wrapped around his cock.

You startle when you feel Jacaerys' hard cock press against your pussy lips, gently easing inside as your eyes roll back. You feel so full as he settles deep inside you.

Jace begins thrusting against you, hitting that sweet spot deep inside that very few can reach whilst Cregan uses your hair to push you deeper onto his cock. Breathing through your nose, you sink down until his cock is deep in your throat, making a strangled moan come from his lips. You can feel the hot licks of pleasure build again inside as Jace rubs your clit as he pummels your pussy and gives you a healthy slap on your ass, watching it shake. His hands grab your hips and squeeze, leaving bruises that will spark some intense memories later.

Cregan huffs and you can tell he's close to finishing, so you swallow hard as his cock hits your throat again. He cries out and you feel ropes of salty cum filling up your mouth and throat.

You climax at the feeling, Jace's fingers carrying you over the edge as he pulls out and cums across your back. Your pussy flutters as you cum hard, collapsing on the floor as the two men pant and join you.

All three of you lie there, softly breathing and exchanging sweet kisses and looks. Cregan stands first, hauling you up to the bathroom to wipe you down whilst Jace grabs you some water each.

Sandwiched between them in bed again, you feel yourself drift off to sleep as Cregan and Jace hold you tight. You can only hope the next time with the pair will be even better.

• • • • • • • • • • • • ✦ • • • • • • • • • • • •

AN: hope yall enjoyed that. i definitely prefer writing modern aus for some reason. any requests send them in, lmk if you want more like this!

[pearlz-c0rner]

The gyaru substyles !!

I am doing only a handful of some of the most popular ones, there is tons of different substyles! Don’t feel limited to these if you want to become a gal!

Gyaru was made to prevent catcalling and rebel against Japanese beauty standards. The point is to look unappealing, but NOT ugly!

himegyaru !

hime gals usually have a lot of pink and lace. Himegyaru is NOT the same as himekaji. Himekaji is similar, just more casual than himegyaru. Hime means ‘princess’ in Japanese, so the literal English translation of hime gyaru is ‘princess gyaru’. Hime is not only pink, but assorted with softer colors like pastels. Hime is also assorted with big hair and accessories. The focus of hime is to stay innocent and cute, creating the princess aspect of the whole look. Makeup for himegyaru is very classic, with enhancement on the eyes and soft lip colors.

Agejo

Agejo is short for ‘Ageha Lady’ and is inspired by the Ageha Magazine! This style is more found on older gyarus, not often younger because of the mature status of the style. Aspects of lingerie and tight clothing are usually incorporated into the look, as the look is influenced by expressing a high level of s3x appeal. The hair is usually long and curly, with makeup having heavy emphasis on heavy liner and thick eyelashes.

Manba !

Manba is alongside yamanba, both styles that developed from ganguro (ganguro is not a substyle!) manba places a focus on ‘kawaii culture’ and pastel colors originally. Manba and yamanba are very similar, where as the most obvious difference is that Yamanba will have white eye makeup above the eye, while manba will have white makeup both above and below the eye. Yamanba usually has darker tans and bleached hair, though tsuyome manba will sometimes include these element too (I’ll talk about different tans another time). Manba has characteristics like heavy white makeup around eyes, nose and lips, hair often bleached blonde or unnatural colors, bright and colorful clothing, etc.

Amekaji!

Amekaji translates to ‘American casual’. It is inspired by the fictional stereotype of America, and is known to be very bright, colorful, loose and casual. Characteristics of Amekaji include bold prints, cute patterns and slogan tees, hats like baseball caps and beanies, dresses aren’t seen often but jeans, shorts and skirts are. Flat shoes, necklaces bangles and belts. Hair is often bleached or brown, tan ranging light to medium, and makeup is usually simple gyaru makeup.

Rokku !

Rokku incorporates elements of rock and visual kei. This sub style doesn’t require a tan, and is different from other gyaru substyles because of the color scheme. Rokku opts for darker colors and blacks instead of the usual flashy bright colors. The hair can be any color you like, a lot of rokku gals prefer darker colors like reds and blacks. The makeup focuses on heavy dark eyes and Smokey looks, as well as dark lips sometimes. Rokku gyaru fashion hasn’t evolved much compared to other substyles, and has remained true to its origins.

[ssweeterthanfiction]

Glimpse of Us

summary: routine became something finnick cherished. but course, the capitol must ruin everything, including his love. but he will still find a way to get her back.

finnick odair x fem!reader

content warnings for the whole story: descriptions of death, torture, starvation, and everything described in The Hunger Games, mentions of suicidal thoughts, implications of S/A

mood board + playlist

previous part | masterlist | next part

Chapter III

You couldn't sleep and Finnick was trying his hardest to get you to sleep, even if it was for a little while.

"Come on angel...you've gotta sleep, you need energy for tomorrow" he says as he strokes your hair.

You've always had trouble sleeping, ever since you won your games. Nightmares were something that came with winning, but Finnick was always there to console you. No matter how long it took, he was always there.

When he finally got you to sleep, he held you for a little while longer before slowly pulling away.

He went to the living room and sat in the dark. His mind was racing. What if you get hurt in the arena? What if you die? His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the soft swish of the door open.

He thought you had woken up, but when he turned his head he saw Haymitch.

"Haymitch. What brings you by?"

"Just came to drop this off.." he says as he holds up a gold bangle.

Haymitch tosses it to Finnick and he catches it with ease. "Put it on before you go in tomorrow, then show it to Katniss, she'll know that you guys are allies."

Finnick quirks an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

Haymitch shrugs, "We'll only be able to see tomorrow"

"About tomorrow..." he says, spinning the bangle around his finger, "This whole plan. Are you sure it's gonna work?"

"About 90% sure it'll work"

"Can you promise me something?"

Haymitch nods, "Sure"

"If anything goes wrong, you save her. Get Katniss, get Peeta, get whoever else you need to and save her. Leave me if it comes down to it."

Finnick watches as Haymitch hesitates, "Promise me Haymitch or I won't protect Katniss and Peeta." he says in a low threatening tone.

Haymitch puts his hands up in mock surrender, "Alright, alright. I promise."

After Haymitch leaves, Finnick returns to you, wrapping his arms around you in a protective embrace.

              🌊 .·:*¨🌊🐚🌊¨*:·. 🌊

The next morning, you both woke up at the same time and decided to stay in eachothers arms for as long as possible.

Neither of you wanted to get up, you both knew what it meant if you did.

Finnick kisses the top of your forehead. He could feel the heat of your skin against his, the soft thrum of your heartbeat. For a brief second, he allowed himself to pretend that everything was normal, that this wasn’t the last morning he might spend with you. He knew it wasn’t possible, but he wanted to hold onto that feeling of peace for just a little longer.

It was only when the silence grew unbearable, when the weight of what was coming came crashing down.

Finnick pulled away just enough to look at you. Your eyes were wide, searching his face as if to find an answer, a reassurance he wasn’t sure he had.

"Finnick... I..." you started, but the words faltered on your lips. He could see the fear in your eyes. The same fear that he saw in your eyes when he mentored you.

"Don’t," he whispered, gently cupping your face in his hands. "You don’t have to say it. I know."

You swallowed hard, but your gaze never left his. Finnick felt his heart crack a little more as he saw the vulnerability in your eyes. He planted his lips on yours, "We’re going to make it through this," he said firmly, more to himself than to you. He didn’t know if he believed it, but he had to say it. For you. For both of you.

You nodded slowly, he could tell you didn’t believe it either, but you were trying for his sake.

He kissed you gently again, as if trying to imprint that feeling of safety into you for the storm that would come. "I’ll never leave you. Not now. Not ever."

For a long moment, neither of you moved. You just held each other, that was until you heard the high pitched voice of Lyssandra call out for both of you.

"Guess it's time.." he says in an annoyed tone.

You both get up from the bed. Finnick pulls you close, cups you face and gazes into your eyes, kissing you one last time before letting you go. "I'll see you soon." ***

"I'll see you soon tadpole."

Finnick watched as Kael gave you a big bear hug before being ushered onto the hovercraft with the other boys. He could see that you were nervous, well of course you were, you were basically being sent to your death. But Finnick knew that Kael would protect you in the arena.

Your voice trembled as you spoke, pulling him from his thoughts. "Any last advice?"

Finnick takes a step close and give you a tight hug, "Stick with Kael and stay alive."

He pulled away from you reluctantly, his hands lingering on your arms for a fraction of a second longer than necessary. "Stay alive," he repeated, his voice breaking slightly.

You nodded, though Finnick could see the uncertainty in your eyes. He wanted to say more, but the hovercraft’s engines roared louder, drowning out everything else.

As he watched you board the hovercraft, he wanted nothing more than to pull you back into his arms where you would be safe.

But he couldn't.

He could only hope that you would survive and make it back to him.

***

Finnick blinks a few times as he adjusts to the light of the arena. Looking around him he noticed that the cornucopia was in the middle of a lake and so was everyone's starting podiums.

"Let the 75th Hunger Games begins. May the odds be ever in your favor."

He looks around frantically for you but can't figure out where you are. Wherever you were, he needed to find you, Katniss, and Peeta fast.

"Ten."

Finnick’s heart pounded as the countdown began. He scanned the expanse desperately, his eyes darting from one podium to the next.

"Nine."

Where were you? Were you close by or on the opposite side? His chest tightened at the thought of you being too far away, out of reach before the bloodbath began. He had to find you. You had to survive. He wouldn’t forgive himself if you didn't.

"Eight."

Finnick’s hands tightened balled into fists. He felt the anxiety again. The same anxiety he felt when he was fourteen.

"Seven."

His gaze landed on Katniss, a few podiums to his left. Her face was set in determination, her body tense like a coiled spring. He knew it would be easy to get to her

"Six."

Where were you? His jaw clenched as frustration and panic built in his chest. He should’ve been able to spot you by now, to gauge how far you were and what he needed to do to get to you. The lake wasn’t large, but it felt infinite when you weren’t within his sight.

"Five."

His mind raced with possibilities. Would you run for the Cornucopia? No, that wasn’t your style. You’d likely stay back, wait for the chaos to thin out before making a move. But this was different. What was smart in your first games wouldn't be as smart now.

"Four."

Finnick reminded himself that you're strong. Stronger than you gave yourself credit for.

"Three."

His muscles tensed. He could already hear the splashes of water, the frantic scrambles of tributes who’d dive in as soon as the cannon sounded. He could picture the chaos, the blood, the screams. It was always the same, no matter the arena.

"Two."

Finnick took a deep breath and locked his eyes on a trident. If he couldn’t see you now, he’d find you once he got to the center. He had to. He’d promised himself that much. He’d protect you, no matter what it cost him.

"One."

The cannon sounded, and Finnick leaped into the water, the world exploding into chaos around him. His only thought, his only focus, was finding you before it was too late.

It wasn't long before he reached the center. He grabed his trident and after a quick encounter with Katniss that would establish the alliance, he was quick to make the first kill of the District 5 male that tried to run up on him and Katniss and after that was taken care of he went to the other side to look for you and Peeta.

He calls out your name and then sees you standing on the strip of rocks with a spear in hand as you look into the water. He calls out your name again.

Your head snaps up, "Finnick! It's Peeta!"

Finnick holds up his hand, "Just wait there! I'm gonna go get Katniss!"

He doesn't take long to come back with Katniss.

"He's there!" you say as you point to Peeta fighting a tribute in the water.

Finnick hands you his trident and immediately dives into the water. As he swims to Peeta, he panics when a cannon goes off and a body floats up to the surface.

But once he sees Peeat pop his head out he lets out a sigh of relief, one that he's sure everyone shared.

Once he has Peeta, you all start making your way to the jungle, the one place you all think you'll be safe.

Finnick takes your hand, holding it with a firm grip and runs behind Katniss and Peeta.

The four of you pushed deeper into the jungle, the thick canopy above shielding you from the blistering sun. Finnick’s mind raced as he scanned your surroundings.

"Okay, hold up. Hold up!"

Now in the middle of the jungle you all stop and crouch down, trying to desperatelt cath your breaths.

Finnick puts his hand over yours and squeezes it, a silent way of asking if you're okay, when you nod Finnick relaxes a bit.

"God it's hot. We gotta find fresh water." Peeta says, panting slightly.

Before anyone can respond, the cannon fires three times. Three more tributes are gone.

"Well I guess we're not holding hands anymore." Finnick says as he laughs.

He watches as you shoot him a 'shut up' look, silently scolding him for what he said.

Katniss glares at him. “You think that's funny?” she snaps, her voice icy and accusatory.

“Every time that cannon goes off, it’s like music to my ears,” he says smoothly. “I don’t care about any of them.”

He feels you nudge his shoulder and watches as you shake your head.

“Good to hear,” Katniss bites back, her expression hardening as she draws her machete with a metallic scrape.

"Wanna face the Career Pack alone? What would Haymitch say?"

"Haymitch isn't here."

You and Peeta exchange a look and Finnick watches as you both start to get up.

"Let's keep moving." Peeta says as he gets up.

You get up as well, but Finnick and Katniss don't. They stay crouched on the ground, glaring at eachother.

"Finnick." you say in a firm, yet soft tone.

Finnick finally stops glaring at Katniss, "Right...okay."

As you all start to traverse through the jungle, Finnick could feel the tension between the two of you.

"Did you have to say something earlier?" you say in a hushed tone.

Finnick scoffs under his breath, running a hand through his hair. “Oh, come on. I’m the one who kept everyone alive so far. I grabbed the trident, took out a tribute, and got Peeta out of the water, didn’t I? Forgive me for cracking a joke.”

You stop walking for a split second before catching up to him again. “It’s not about the joke,” you mutter, your voice quiet but firm. “It’s about the way you said it. You sounded like you didn’t care.”

Finnick’s steps falter, and he glances at you, his expression softening just slightly. “I care,” he murmurs, his tone barely audible. “You know I do.”

You glance at him out of the corner of your eye, your annoyance fading but not entirely gone. “Then show it. Because if she thinks she can’t trust you, this whole thing isn't gonna last long and then the plan will be out the window."

Before he could even think of responding, the sound of Katniss screaming cuts through the air, and before anyone could even react, Peeta goes flying off the force field and crashes into everyone.

Finnick groans, "Are you okay?"

You nod but then start hitting his shoulder and pointing to Katniss.

"He's not breathing. He's not breathing! He's not breathing- Peeta!"

Finnick dashes towards the two and pushes Katniss off of Peeta to start CPR.

You see Katniss go to reach for her machete, her movements quick and defensive, but before she can strike, you call out sharply, “Katniss, stop!”

Her hand freezes in mid-air, fingers gripping the hilt of her machete, eyes wild with confusion and fear. The tension in the air is suffocating, and for a moment, everything stands still.

"Come on Peeta. Come on."

A painful silence hangs in the air as Finnick continues, his heart hammering in his chest. The seconds stretch out like an eternity, every beat of his pulse ringing in his ears.

Then, finally, finally a shudder runs through Peeta’s body. Finnick’s breath hitches, and he shifts, leaning in closer as Peeta coughs, sputters, and gasps for air, his chest heaving as life returns to him.

"Peeta?" Katniss breathes, her voice soft with disbelief as she touches his shoulder gently. "Peeta oh my god”

Finnick takes a step back and you take a step closer to him.

You both watch as Katniss kisses and as she pulls Peeta into a tight embrace.

"It's real." you whisper.

Finnick looks down at you for a spilt second and then back at Katniss and Peeta.

It defineitely is real.

        🌊 .·:*¨🌊🐚🌊¨*:·. 🌊

After walking for a bit longer, the group stops as Katniss climbs up a tree.

You step closer to Finnick and reach out for his hand.

You look flushed, the heat and dehydration was catching up to you.

"You okay angel?" he says in a gentle tone.

"Yeah... just had a little déjà vu back there.”

Finnick tilts his head, brows furrowing as he watches you, “Déjà vu? What do you mean?”

You stay quiet for a moment, "When you were giving Peeta CPR...it reminded me of what happened in my games." you whisper, looking down at the ground.

Finnick frowns, he knows exactly what you're talking about.

***

He was sitting in a lavish Capitol viewing party, surrounded by jeering, laughing citizens who are oblivious to the weight of the lives being traded for their amusement. His eyes were glued to the screen, watching as the Games unfold in front of him.

You and Kael were safe, you were both deep in the forest, away from all the other tributes. The cameras were constantly following the two of you, you were both already deemed Capitol favorites.

“Oh, aren’t they just adorable together?” one woman gushed, her hair a shock of neon pink feathers. “Kael is such a protector. Did you see how he looked at her when she almost tripped over that root?”

The party goers continued to comment and make remarks while the cameras continued to follow you both as you forged for something to eat.

He was already thinking of how if neither of you found anything, he could just persude one of these partygoers to send you bread, soup, anything to keep you alive.

He watched as you picked a few berries and examined them, he could tell that you weren't sure if they were safe to eat, but you still set them down onto a small leaf ontop of a rock.

He watched as you turned your back to try to find some more...but then he saw a tribute. He felt his heart stop. Kael was no where near you, so if this tribute attacked, you would have to fight on your own.

But instead of going after you, he watched as they lunged for the berries and as they ate all of them.

The tribute had collapsed almost immediately. The camera zoomed in on their lifeless body, the effects of the poison quick and deadly.

He watched as you turned around and froze. Your face twisted in horror, your hands were shaking violently. You realized what had happened. You hadn’t meant for this.

Without hesitation, you dropped to you knees beside the fallen tribute, desperately pressing your hands to their chest, trying to revive them, trying to save them.

But it was too late.

He wanted to turn away, to block out the sight of you cradling the body in your arms, your face streaked with tears as you whispered frantic apologies.

“Oh, she’s so sweet,” one Capitol woman remarked, her hand pressed to her chest, her voice high with faux sympathy. “She never meant to do that. She was just trying to help. Poor thing.”

The women around him murmur in agreement, calling you “sweet” and “innocent". “She doesn’t belong here,” one woman says, tsking as she crosses her legs. “Such a delicate thing. She’ll never survive, not with that soft heart of hers.”

He wanted to tell them to shut up as they all continued to make comments. But he couldn't. All he could do was hope that you come out of this alive.

***

"The force field. It's a dome, we're at the edge of the arena." Katniss says as she adjusts her bow. "I couldn't find any signs of fresh water."

Everyone shares a look of disappointment. It was now hotter than before, almost too unbarable.

"It's gonna get dark soon." Finnick says, "We'll be safe with our backs protected. We should set up camp."

"We can take turns sleeping" you say.

Finnick nods, "I'll take first watch."

"Not a chance." Katniss scoffs.

He scoffs and stands up.

"Honey. That thing I did for Peeta back there? It's called saving his life."

"If I wanted to kill either of you, I would've done it by now."

"Finnick.." you say as a warning.

He starts walking away but you tug on his arm.

"Finn. Come on. Stop acting like this."

"Like what?

"Like you don't care!"

He gazes at you as you put your hand on his cheek.

"Finn. I know you care. More than anyone I know you care." you whisper. "But they don't." you say as you motion to Katniss and Peeta.

"I know.." he whispers, "But you know I can't just break this whole act."

You nod, "I know...I just- I don't want Katniss to not trust us."

He puts his hand on you cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against your skin as he gazes into you eyes. “I’ll try,” he murmurs, his voice barely audible. “For you. But it’s not gonna be easy.”

“I’m not asking for perfect,” you whisper back, your voice soft yet firm. “Just… don’t make them think you’re the enemy. We need them as much as they need us.”

His lips twitch into a faint smile, “Alright, angel. I’ll behave. For now.”

You let out a small, relieved sigh and drop your hand from his arm, giving him a nod. Finnick straightens, his gaze briefly flickering to Katniss and Peeta, who are both watching the two of you from a distance. Katniss still looks wary, her hand resting on her bow, while Peeta’s expression is one of observation, as if he’s trying to piece together what's going on between you and Finnick.

        🌊 .·:*¨🌊🐚🌊¨*:·. 🌊

It's not long before nightfall hits. Finnick and Katniss are the only two awake as you and Peeta try to rest.

He keeps his gaze locked on you as you sleep next to him, admiring how pretty you look under the moonlight of the arena. Then he looks over at Katniss.

"How's Peeta?"

"He's okay I think. Dehydrated like the rest of us." Katniss says as she looks over to you, "How's she?"

Finnick sighs, "She's fine, just like you said, dehydrated. I just hope she doesn't get sick." he says as he runs his hand through your hair.

"You really care about her, don't you?"

Finnick look at Katniss, who has a look of skepticism on her face. He nods, "Course I do."

Before Katniss can say anything back, the anthem starts playing causing you and Peeta to wake up.

You all look up and watch as the holograms of the fallen tributes appear on the screen. You and Finnick share a sigh of relief when you don't see anyone that's apart of the plan up on the screen.

Except for Seeder and Cecelia.

Finnick watches as you tear up when you see Cecelia up on the screen.

"Her kids Finny..." you say as your voice breaks, "Her kids...they’re all alone…"

He's quick to put his hand against your cheek to console you, "I know angel. I know." he pulls you closer, wrapping his arms around you. Your forehead rests against his shoulder, your quiet sobs muffled by the crook of his neck.

“It’s not fair,” you whisper, your voice trembling.

“I know,” he says, his own eyes shining with unshed tears. “It’s never been fair. But that’s why we have the plan, angel. To make sure it ends.” he says so quietly that only you can hear, letting you go from his arms.

Once the holograms finish, Katniss says she counted eight. Sixteen tributes are still out there.

The familar sound of the chiming of a sponsor gift fills the air.

Katniss walks over to it and Finnick follows her.

When Katniss realizes its a spile, she goes over to a tree and using a rock she taps it into the tree. The minute water starts trickling out of the tube, everyone starts to drink from it.

Before you can even move, Finnick comes up to your side with a leaf full of water.

"Finn..I could've gotten it myself.."

He smiles, "But I wanted to get it for you. Here, drink" he says as he brings up the leaf to your lips.

He watches as you drink from it, "Better? Do you want more?"

"I'm fine, I don't need anymore, this is enough."

He nods and places a hand on your cheek, "Come on, let's get you back to sleep."

A few minutes pass and you're sound asleep next to Finnick again, he idly runs his fingers through your hair in a soothing motion.

Only when you hear the banging of what sounds like a gong do you wake up.

"What's going on?" you say sleepily.

"I don't know.." Finnick says, looking around.

"I counted 12." Katniss says.

"For midnight?" Finnick says, continuing to stroke your hair.

"Or for the number of Districts"

You then all hear and see a huge strike of lighting hit a tree in the distance multiple times.

You all look at it puzzled by what it meant.

Finnick sighs, "Well..if you're not gonna sleep, I will" he says to Katniss as he moves to lay down with you.

      🌊 .·:*¨🌊🐚🌊¨*:·. 🌊

You were lying on Finnick's chest as he holds you close. Both of you were fast asleep. Hearing the distance sounds of the waves coming from the beach made it feel like you were both back home.

That you were both back in four in the comfort of your house.

But the ugly reality came crashing down when you were both awoken by Katniss' screams of pain.

A/N: AND THAT ENDS DAY ONE OF THE GAMES!!!!!! i hope u guys enjoyed! next chapter will be filled with more finnick and angel moments I PROMISE. also if u guys have any questions or just wanna like chat my asks/requests are open! i don't have school AT ALL this week so i will be able to respond to a lot more than usual!

Taglist: @jacaeryslover @sundawn1990 @redama @noodleisodd **if you'd like to be included in this taglist lmk in the replies!

[blueiscoool]

Detectorist Unearths Bronze Age Hoard After Getting Lost on Treasure Hunt

John Belgrove, 60, uncovered rare sword, axe head and bangle in Dorset after becoming separated from group

An amateur detectorist has described how he unearthed a bronze age hoard, including a rare sword, after getting lost during a treasure hunters’ rally.

John Belgrove, 60, became separated from the main group of detectorists and headed to higher ground to try to spot them when he made what he has called the find of a lifetime.

His device activated as he walked along and when he dug down he uncovered a rapier sword dating back to the middle bronze age.

The 61cm (2ft) rapier had been deliberately broken into three pieces and placed in the ground.

Unusually, the hilt, though cast in bronze, was shaped to mimic a wooden handle. Only two similar rapiers have been found in Britain before and they were incomplete.

As well as the rapier, a palstave axe head and a decorative arm bangle were found, presumably buried as an offering.

Dorset Museum and Art Gallery raised £17,000 to buy the objects, with the proceeds shared between Belgrave and the landowner.

Belgrove, a retired pensions consultant from Purley, Surrey, made his find in the village of Stalbridge, near Sherborne, Dorset, in 2020.

He paid £20 to go on the rally on private farmland but became separated from the group.

Belgrove said: “There was a group of between 40-50 detectorists there and they had searched the land before but they were excited because some new land had been opened up for the rally.

“I tagged along and didn’t know anyone there. Somehow I got left behind and lost and so I walked to high ground in a field and that is when I got a strong signal for this find of a lifetime.

“It was clear there was metal there but I thought it would just be an old can or something. I dug about eight inches down and found an odd-shaped object that was caked in clay.

“I didn’t know what it was at the time but it turned out to be a solid hilt of a sword, an exceptional item.”

He then found the two broken sections of the blade along with the axe head and the bangle.

Belgrove said: “I knew when I saw the axe head that it was a bronze age hoard. My head was in a spin. The blade of the sword was still sharp. The view of the British Museum is that it was deliberately broken and deposited in the ground as part of a ritual burial and offering.”

Elizabeth Selby, director of collections at Dorset Museum, said: “This hoard is incredibly special. The rapier sword is really unusual because of the cast bronze handle. The bracelet decoration was quite unusual as well.

“There aren’t really any comparable objects like the rapier, so to be able to acquire these items is really important for us.

“Finds like this tell us about how people were travelling, meeting and exchanging ideas with others on the continent in the centuries before the Roman invasion.

“There was a farming community there and these people generated enough wealth to be able to barter for or exchange objects that others had made.”

By Steven Morris.

[friend-shaped-but]

Marathi Rukmini Jewellery Breakdown

Ok so I found this art of Krishna and Rukmini by Himanshu Bankar where rukmini is shown in marathi traditional attire and it made me SO SO HAPPY to see that because she's rarely depicted like that! And thenI saw it being shared on tumblr by a lot of ppl who didn't know that whatever clothes/jewellery rukmini is wearing is traditional marathi bridal attire.

So I thought I'd do a deep dive into this painting and talk about her clothes, hair, and jewellery! This is a long post, imma put everything under the cut! Tagging @cyndaquillt because you asking me about marathi miku made me learn a lot more about marathi jewellery, @sharngapani for showing me this image in the first place, and @chahaa-piun-ja for cheering me on!

Hair:

Her bun is a hairstyle called "Khopa" (खोपा) and the gold pin in her hair is called a Juda(जुडा). These can either be gold pins or have strings of pearls attached to them and I'm thinking that the latter is what she is wearing. Then the maang tika is pretty standard across cultures. The golden band between the maang tika and the juda is called a Bijwara(बिजवरा) and it's not used much in the modern day so I did have to do a bit of research to find out what it was.

Images, from left to right: Khopa, juda, and a minimalist maang tika/bindi.

Face

On her forehead, and hanging on either side of her face are Mundavalya(मुंडावळ्या), a forehead ornament worn by Maharashtrian brides & grooms. It is made from pearl & has two pearls strings which stand for the togetherness of bride & groom. Chandrakor is actually my ABSOLUTE fave part about maharashtrian culture it's the crescent moon on her forehead. Then on her nose is a pearl Nath(नथ). She's also wearing Kanpatti(कानपट्टी) aka ear strips on her ears and they're attached to her normal earrings. Fun fact btw the kanpatti in her ears looks a lot like the one my mom has.

Images from left to right: mundavalya+chandrakor, nath, kanpatti(without earrings)

Neck:

Generally what I've seen people wear at their fanciest is three-four necklaces, one right at the throat, one slightly lower, and a couple hanging almost down to mid-chest or upper stomach. Rukmini in that drawing is following that pattern. The choker-style necklace she's wearing in the picture isn't super clear but I think it's a thushi(ठुशी). It is a choker necklace crafted out of gold beads in varying sizes and is adjustable thanks to a soft thread that can be adjusted according to the wearer’s convenience. The next one seems to be a plain golden chain but the fact that she's wearing a mangalsutra at the time Krishna is taking her away is icing on top!

Thushi, mangalsutra and mohanmal in the picture below!

Arms:

There is a shela around her shoulders. These are generally made of silk and worn by brides.

Rukmini is wearing a vaki(वाकी) or bajuband(बाजूबंद).

Maharashtrian women generally wear green glass bangles(I've heard north indians wear red ones someone pls confirm this), and for weddings and festivities they're layered with gold bangles. Today, for everday wear, some people wear only one golden bangle on each arm(like my mom) or they might wear glass bangles(my grandma does this), and only do the gold-glass layering during special occassions.

The names of these bangles differ according to the way they're made and where they're placed on the layering. The thickest gold bangles nearest to the hand are called Tode(तोडे) and they're pair of heavy gold bangles that feature intricate designs that go all around the bangle. Since they keep the layering in place, they're generally smaller than the actual wrist and include a screw and hinge to fasten them. The gold bangles in the middle and back are called Patlya(पाटल्या), are a type of traditional gold bangles and are often decorated with intricate designs on the outside.

She also has a kamarbandh on her waist but ig that's also pretty standard so I didn't include separate pictures

[cecesimsxo]

Eternal Set

4 Items Included

Dress

8 Swatches

Found In "Long Dresses"

Custom Thumbnail

Disallowed for Random

Bangles

4 Swatches

Found In "Wrist (Left)"

Custom Thumbnail

Disallowed for Random

Chunky Hoops

4 Swatches

Found In "Earrings"

Custom Thumbnail

Disallowed for Random

Necklace

4 Swatches

Found In "Necklaces"

Custom Thumbnail

Disallowed for Random

Early Access Download Here Released Content Here

[hussyknee]

Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani’s Kitab al-Aghani records the lives of a number of individuals including one named Tuways who lived during the last years of Muhammad and the reigns of the early Muslim dynasties. Tuways was mukhannathun: those who were born as men, but who presented as female. They are described by al-Isfahani as wearing bangles, decorating their hands with henna, and wearing feminine clothing. One mukhannathun, Hit, was even in the household of the Prophet Muhammad. Tuways earned a reputation as a musician, performing for clients and even for Muslim rulers. When Yahya ibn al-Hakam was appointed as governor, Tuways joined in the celebration wearing ostentatious garb and cosmetics. When asked by the governor if he were Muslim Tuways affirmed his belief, proclaiming the declaration of faith and saying that he observes the fast of Ramadan and the five daily prayers. In other words, al-Isfahani, who recorded the life of a number of mukhannathun like Tuways, saw no contradiction between his gender expression and his Muslimness. From al-Isfahani we read of al-Dalal, ibn Surayj, and al-Gharid—all mukhannathun—who lived rich lives in early Muslim societies. Notably absent from al-Isfahani’s records is any state-sanctioned persecution. Instead, the mukhannathun are an accepted part of society.

...

Far from isolated cases, across Islamic history—from North Africa to South Asia—we see widespread acceptance of gender nonconforming and queer individuals. - Later in the Ottoman Empire, there were the köçek who were men who wore women’s clothing and performed at festivals. Formally trained in dance and percussion instruments, the köçek were an important part of social functions. A similar practice was found in Egypt. The khawal were male dancers who presented as female, wearing dresses, make up, and henna. Like their Ottoman counterparts, they performed at social events.

- In South Asia, the hijra were and are third-sex individuals. The term is used for intersex people as well as transgender women. Hijra are attested to among the earliest Muslim societies of South Asia where, according to Nalini Iyer, they were often guardians of the household and even held office as advisors.

- In Iraq, the mustarjil are born female, but present as men. In Wilfred Thesiger’s The Marsh Arabs the guide, Amara explains, “A mustarjil is born a woman. She cannot help that; but she has the heart of a man, so she lives like a man.” When asked if the mustarjil are accepted, Amara replies “Certainly. We eat with her and she may sit in the mudhif.” Amara goes on to describe how mustarjil have sex with women.

...

Historian Indira Gesink analyzed 41 medical and juristic sources between the 8th and 18th centuries and discovered that the discourse of a “binary sex” was an anachronistic projection backwards. Gesink points out in one of the earliest lexicography by the 8th century al-Khalil ibn Ahmad that he suggests addressing a male-presenting intersex person as ya khunathu and a female-presenting intersex person as ya khanathi while addressing an effeminate man as ya khunathatu. This suggests a clear recognition of a spectrum of sex and gender expression and a desire to address someone respectfully based on how they presented.

Tolerance of gender ambiguity and non-conformity in Islamic cultures went hand-in-hand with broader acceptance of homoeroticism. Texts like Ali ibn Nasir al-Katib’s Jawami al-Ladhdha, Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani’s Kitab al-Aghani, and the Tunisian, Ahmad al-Tifashi’s Nuz’ha al-‘Albab attest to the widespread acceptance of same-sex desire as natural. Homoeroticism is a common element in much of Persian and Arabic poetry where youthful males are often the object of desire. From Abu Nuwas to Rumi, from ibn Ammar to Amir Khusraw, some of the Islamic world’s greatest poets were composing verses for their male lovers. Queer love was openly vaunted by poets. One, Ibn Nasr, immortalizes the love between two Arab lesbians Hind al Nu’man and al-Zarqa by writing:

“Oh Hind, you are truer to your word than men. Oh, the differences between your loyalty and theirs.”

...

Acceptance of same-sex desire and gender non-conformity was the hallmark of Islamic societies to such a degree that European travelers consistently remarked derisively on it. In the 19th century, Edward Lane wrote of the khawal: “They are Muslims and natives of Egypt. As they personate women, their dances are exactly of the same description as those of the ghawazee; and are, in like manner, accompanied by the sound of castanets.”

A similarly scandalized CS Sonnini writes of Muslim homoerotic culture:

“The inconceivable appetite which dishonored the Greeks and the Persians of antiquity, constitute the delight, or to use a juster term, the infamy of the Egyptians. It is not for women that their ditties are composed: it is not on them that tender caresses are lavished; far different objects inflame them.”

In his travels in the 19th century, James Silk Buckingham encounters an Afghan dervish shedding tears for parting with his male lover. The dervish, Ismael, is astonished to find how rare same-sex love was in Europe. Buckingham reports the deep love between Ismael and his lover quoting, “though they were still two bodies, they became one soul.”

...

Today, vocal Muslim critics of LGBTQ+ rights often accuse gay and queer people of imposing a “Western” concept or forcing Islam to adjust to “Western values” failing to grasp the irony of the claim: the shift in the 19th and 20th century was precisely an alignment with colonial values over older Islamic ones, all of which led to legal criminalization. In fact, the common feature among nations with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation isn’t Islam, but rather colonial law.

Don't talk to me I'm weeping. I'm not Muslim, but the grief of colonization runs in the blood of every Global South person. Dicovering these is like finding our lost treasures among plundered ruins.

Queer folk have always, always been here; we have always been inextricable, shining golden threads in the tapestry of human history. To erase and condemn us is to continue using the scalpel of colonizers in the mutilation and betrayal of our own heritage.

[horsebark]

ways to express your nonhumanity without gear

good quality gear can be pricey (for good reason!) but that doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself in other ways. here’s what i have personally found to be helpful! add yours in the notes!

-clothing & accessories:

being a horse makes this somewhat easy as western wear and horse shirts are aplenty. beyond just “shirt with your theriotype on it” think about what makes you feel like your type. for me this is loose clothing, especially a boxy “potato sack” kind of dress. or in colder months, jackets with a fur/sherpa lining make me feel like im wearing an insulated saddle. again, easier cause im a horse but if im going somewhere fancy i get inspired by dressage horses and show ponies. accessories that make me feel horse like are: chunky jewelry, bangles, stuff that makes noise when i walk! also i had to get new headphones, so i got them in a grey and brown option that reminded me of horse tack.

i thrift pretty much everything and this has helped me find really unique pieces as well as cheaper stuff that i don’t feel bad modifying to be more horse like.

-hair:

my partner does both of our hair. we’re both nonhuman and try desperately to make our external forms match the internal form. for me this looks like cropping the sides of my hair, and sometimes putting it in a row of buns down the back. bangs have also been helpful. for him as a crocodile and canid, this looks like matching his hair to his coat color and a choppy/angular haircut.

-piercings/tattoos:

ive talked a little about this before on my blog, but truly piercings and tattoos have eased my species dysphoria so much. i haven’t got any with direct relation to my species yet, but they all help me recognize my skin is mine. in the future i’d like to get a large gauge labret and stretch it, as the oral feeling would remind me of a horse bit. i’d also like to get a coinslot in one of my ears to hang an identification tag in. specific kinds of stretched ear jewelry make me feel horselike too, like (obviously) ear saddles. i also plan on getting a horse tattoo or two, and some horse shoe tattoos on my feet. body mods are expensive but last forever.

-body language & movements:

research into equine behavior has helped me notice what i already do that’s horse like and figure out what i can add. i struggle with speech sometimes so this has been helpful in boosting my range of nonverbal communication. i also watch gait videos and practice them. practicing how your type navigates its environment does not have to be through quads! i don’t do quads because it feels less like how a horse would move. biking helps! something about the way my knees pedal a bike feels equine.

-visit a hearthome:

go camping, see the desert, star gaze. what makes you feel at home? for me these places are: stock shows, rodeos, horse races, antique malls, rocky terrain, and feed stores. sometimes farms give tours to the public. ones not related to being a horse include: dawn/dusk, ice/ocean (this one has only been affirmed by going to an exhibit about orcas), and for some reason the electronics section at a thrift store. if you wouldn’t be able to visit a hearthome for whatever reason, message me and let’s figure something creative out!

[honeytonedhottie]

HONEYS IT GIRL MAGAZINE march edition⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🎀

welcome back to honeys it girl magazine, this is the march catalog. get ready for the inside scoop on data that i've collected, things i've learned/started doing, and just general info like that organized in kind of a teen-magazine inspired fashion. a magazine for it girls ✨ and now please enjoy, the it girl magazine.

MUST HAVE FASHION ITEMS ;

for march/spring fashion in general its so fun to dress like a winx doll or a fairy. i feel magical in flowy material that shimmers, adorable mini skirts and accessories like gold bangles and waist chains.

when im going shopping, im mainly buying clothes for hot girl summer bcuz im just so excited and can't wait. plus i wanna be prepared yk? some patterns that i've noticed in my shopping patterns are that im buying lots of camisoles and sleeveless shirts.

also i've been looking for cute shorts and low waisted jeans. im looking for cute things to embroider onto the jeans and shorts to personalize them and make them feel more "summery".

something that i started was a FASHION BINDER. i followed @prissygrlsorority's idea for a fashion binder and started my own and so far im having SUCH an amazing time. i want to take time and perfect my binder but so far its going well ✨

spring traditionally has LOTS of pastel colors so formulate a color scheme based on pastel colors that look good on you. some rly good examples for color scheme this spring include

something to note for spring fashion specifically is to not look for colors that are specifically dark or bland, the idea behind spring fashion is giving fresh flowerbed, something REFRESHING.

FOR THE BLOG ;

i've been working this month on a larger project that i think you guys would really enjoy and find useful. it'll be released on the first of march and i'll announce it exactly a week before.

additionally during the month of march i expanded my blog by setting up a membership system and facilitating a way for u guys to tip my work and support my blog. i've also offered my services if u might want them.

for the month of april u can expect a variety of content but i wanted to get input from you guys on what you'd like to see the most so i'll be releasing a poll for april content later today.

HOT GIRL SUMMER PREP ;

look, ik its only march but hot girl summer is right around the corner so here are some ways that you can prepare yourself for the summer, so that you can be your most glowy, confident, and radiant self ✨

you can moisturize ur skin with the most sweet smelling and extravagant body butters and creams, but if ur skin is dull and dead you won't get that GLOW that u so desperately seek

for this i recommend juicing (i'll get more into health in the wellness girlies section) and start dry brushing to promote blood circulation and remove dead skin cells from ur body, leaving ur skin feeling baby smooth. also i recommend using a body scrub 2-3x a week depending on the sensitivity of your skin.

if u liked this hot girl summer prep section u can continue reading right one of my recent posts where i went more in depth about how u can prepare for ur hot girl summer.

OH HOW I ADORE BEING A WOMAN ;

this months catalog was in collaboration with @pastel-charm-14 and this section of the magazine was written by her ✨🫶🏽

march brings more than just the promise of spring, it's also a time to celebrate the amazing women who've shaped history. as women's history month rolls around, we can't help but reflect on what it means to be a part of this incredible legacy.

think about those bold suffragettes who fought tooth and nail for our right to vote. they weren't just distant figures in history books; they were real women with fire in their hearts and determination in their eyes. and what about the everyday heroes—the moms, sisters, and friends who quietly make the world a better place?

they might not be famous, but they have such an incredible impact. so here's to us—here's to the laughs, the tears, and everything in between. here's to celebrating our history, our struggles, and our triumphs—because they're what make us who we are.

cheers to being women, and cheers to the journey ahead. being a woman isn't always easy, but i know wouldn't have it any other way.

FOR THE WELLNESS GIRLIES ;

something that has come to my attention is that i drink a lot of fluids early in the morning. i've known that it was good to drink fluids in the morning, specifically water, but i wanted to have an in depth explanation of why it was good. so i googled it ofc.

ur body is dehydrated while u sleep so when u drink water first thing in the morning it helps ur body to recover from the temporary dehydration.

your body absorbs fluids faster in the morning on an empty stomach. so my routine has been, once i wake up to have an 8 oz cup of water, but water isnt the only thing that i drink in the morning.

bcuz fluids are so quickly and efficiently absorbed in ur body in the morning, you can drink other healthy drinks and reap the benefits. some things that i drink in the morning are ;

chlorophyll - this makes me feel so clean, it boosts red blood cells production and helps with glowy skin and weight loss. plus after i drink it i feel so clean, like a fresh out of the shower feeling

ginger shots - these are pretty lethal but they r so good for you. ginger shots are rly good for digestion issues and bloating, and it also boosts ur immunity which is always good

kombuchas - this one i dont drink on an empty stomach, but drinking kombucha in the morning though rly helps with bloating and reduces inflammation, leaving me looking snatched

FUN QUIZZES, VIDEO ESSAYS, RECIPES AND GAMES ;

what kind of flirt are you? - seventeen magazine

whats ur girl power anthem? - seventeen magazine

what kind of dessert are you? - queendom

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ;

this is the video that im going to be thinking about in order to write this section and here's what i thought about it.

ok so the conflict is unique but personally if i was the husband i wouldn't be mad bcuz its not like the wife was IN the bed with the brother in law 😭 she just said that he could use it cuz he was so sleepy. i think that what she did was nice and the husband could've communicated that he was uncomfortable in a better way then to get angry. but in that same breath the wife knows how strongly her husband feels about things like this so maybe she could've been more considerate. like bring out a pillow and some blankets for the brother in law and let him rest on the couch or whatever 💀.

if u thought differently or if u wanna elaborate on that and have more of a discussion feel free to share ur own opinions and thoughts in the comment section.

[welcometotheravenclawcommonroom]

(South) Indian Harry Potter Headcanons:

Harry knew he was Indian (mostly because the Dursley’s used to say racist shit to him) but he didn’t know where in India the potters were from until he went to Hogwarts. He finds out from the Patils, who were close with the potters because desis stick together.

The Patils are from the north and use Hindi to speak to each other. Neither of them knows Telugu/Tamil/Marathi/Malayalam/insert Southern language of choice here (I personally headcanon Telugu because it’s the only Indian language I speak and because there’s a huge diaspora of telugumandi in the west, but feel free to choose whatever you’d like). So Harry has to rediscover his heritage language on his own.

He also studies Sanskrit, and it opens up a HUGE world of spells that they don’t teach at Hogwarts (because of course Indian wizards don’t do spells in Latin). He and the Patils know a bunch of spells that nobody else does.

Harry’s pleat game is ON POINT. It makes sense, since he had to do all the chores at the Dursley’s and that includes perfectly folded and ironed laundry with the edges aligned neatly, or else he would risk being punished. But the result is that if you want your saree drape to pass the inspection of even the most judgemental auntie, you go to Harry to help with your pleats.

Even when they’ve graduated and all have their own homes, it’s a pretty regular sight for the Patil twins to come through Harry’s floo, half dressed, to have Harry pleat their sarees or their lehenga dupatta for them.

Harry LOVES spices. The dursleys only liked bland food, but Harry has always liked flavorful foods, and has no problem with (hot) spicy food either. He uses lots of spices in his own cooking now. His food is very flavorful, but when he’s cooking for himself, it’s too spicy for all his friends (even the Patils). So nobody can eat his leftovers unless he was specifically cooking with other people in mind. Ron learned this the first time he rummaged through Harry’s fridge after a night of drinking. Now Harry labels all his food as to whether or not it’s “Harry spicy”.

James LOVED to buy Lily sarees. He’d order them with custom, wizard-themed designs from weaving villages in south India. The women who made them assumed he was just very imaginative, so he wasn’t violating the statute of secrecy since saree patterns are often vibrant and unique. Harry finds some of them in the old potter manor, and they still smell like the perfumes and scented oils his mother would wear when James took her to the local temple for Hindu holidays.

Indian witches often store extra magic in or enchant pieces of their copious jewelry with spells that can keep them safe if they’re ever in a situation where they don’t have their wands. stuff like, each bangle can function as an emergency portkey that can take you to different safe locations if you say the activation word, or ones that create an instant magical shield when you tap them. Harry finds some of his mothers gajulu, gives them to his female friends.

He ties Rhaki on Ron and Neville, and all the weasley boys. Ron was the first person he ever tied it on, because Ron was the first person who he ever bonded with, and his closest brother.

Harry always cooks idli sambar or dosa for his friends for breakfast the next morning after a night of drinking together, and it’s the perfect hangover food because it definitely brings you back to full alertness/knocks the last bit of post-hangover grogginess right out of your system.

Harry’s parselmouth abilities are valued in his native culture because of the sacredness of snakes in Hinduism, and it comes to be something he’s really proud of (personally I think the ‘parselmouth connected to the horcrux’ thing is dumb, so I’ve always imagined Harry was just naturally a parselmouth).

As the number of Indian immigrants/expats continues to grow after they graduate, Harry helps some of his students (he’s the DADA teacher) start the Hogwarts “South Asian Student Union”.

He always has snacks out for his students when they come to visit his office hours, and they’re all Indian snacks and sweets. His personal favorite is kaju barfi, but he always has a good variety of both sweet and spicy treats, especially for stressed out owl and newts students.

He collaborates with Hermione, who works in the ministry, to make it mandatory for Hogwarts students to a “foreign magical language” course so they can broaden both their minds and their spell repertoires. Padma Patil becomes the “Sanskrit Spells” teacher, and Seamus teaches “Irish Gaelic”. (It took him a little longer to get his course started, since it turns out that at least 40% of Gaelic spells are just increasingly complicated and violent ways to repel the English).

Hermione and Harry also work together to make sure there are employees in the international magical cooperation department who specialize in post-colonial relations, because the magical world also has its issues with that colonialist mindset towards countries that were formerly part of the empire.

Just south Indian Harry embracing his heritage, learning about what was ripped from him, and using it to enact meaningful change in a multicultural magical society.

[aithsims4]

🐝For Honey Set🐝

This Set includes Earring, Choker, Bangle, and Ring.

Commissioned by Toy of Dukeness🐝💕

More Details on the Download page.

🐝Download🐝

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