#best fireworks for sale

[showtimefireworks1]

Exploring London's Premier Fireworks Shops

Find more info at: https://t.ly/YNCjl

[fireworkstores]

Blaze & Ice - 500 Gram Shot Cake

[k-looking-glass-house]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2024!! Sam's new year sale DRAGON mode

Hi little one!!~ How are you??? Did you have some good holidays? Did you spent some quality time with your loved one or alone (both are good as long you're fine with it)? Thank you to some of you for specifically wishing me an happy new year!! And sending me some kind dm, just wait a little bit, I'll do something for each of you!! I mean it!! Thank you so much!! Just wait!! Also my my sooooo mannnyyyyy things to catch on!!! SO many xD how comeee you are sooo amazingly productive!

I'll do my best then!! Take care until then!! I'll do my very best to thank you the proper way!!

Let's enjoy like for the 3rd time already our dear staff duo in their new year attire 2024 under the year of the dragon!! Hmmm well maybe I was a bit too much into it.... Maybe xD!! Crewel outfit is totally inspired by 102 dalmatian movie "the dragon dress", while Sam is freely inspired by Shaolan (CCS) and Conte D. (the petshop of horror). Those sequin.....those sequin..... Imagine me crying in a corner with bloody fingers after sewing all those one... Having doki doki of "fashionnnn, put it all on meeee!" Arwwgghhhrrrr.......Also...long haired Crewel....yes...why not....Now sit and let me brush your hair...

Those outfits are inspired by asian culture nothing really specific, just some fantasy aesthetic hope it turns ok!

-Credit_

game asset extracted by @alchemivich

Mushu render belongs to Disney (edited by me)

firework effect were created by a nicommons for free

[photmath]

NYE Kiss | Trent Alexander-Arnold

Pairing: Trent Alexander-Arnold x Female Reader

Summary: At Trent's New Year's Eve party, he confesses to the reader, his childhood bestfriend, that he's lonely.

Word Count: 4.8k

Warnings: mention of alcohol, angst, miscommuncation, childhood friends, kiss

Note: Happy New Year!

With twenty minutes left until the clock struck midnight, Trent’s brothers, Tyler and Marcel were already setting off fireworks. A couple of Trent’s teammates were also in attendance, and some of the friends you and he shared, but there were still a few valuable ones missing.

Despite Liverpool playing a match the next day, Trent still wanted to do something for New Year's Eve, even if it was a bit risky. But he promised Virgil he would kick everyone out by one in the morning so that they had time to be well-rested for the match, luckily it wasn’t a noon match. Even though he had his brothers, parents, and best mates surrounding him, the night still felt—empty. A bitter taste was left in his mouth as he took a swig of his drink, searching for a solution to his ache.

Trent makes his way over to you, a brown bottle pinched between his fingertips. It’s too dark for you to notice if he’s looking at you, but the pause in his step once his eyes land on you gives you everything you need to know. He stops at the pillar of the canopy, face lighting up with the blast of a firework, “Did the fireworks get too much for you already?”

You purse your lips, shaking your head, “No. I just keep having the recurring thought of one of the ashes falling on my hair and it going up in flames.”

The corner of his lip barely tugged up, “That’s quite an image.”

“It’s very rational,” you defend, tugging the sleeve of your knitted sweater over your hands. Trent was dressed way more casual than you, a black pair of sweatpants and a dark gray hoodie. Had you known him and his brothers would dress like that, then maybe you wouldn’t have nearly lost a finger trying to put yourself into your tight jeans tonight.

A beat of silence washes between the two of you as he decides to stay quiet. He wasn’t usually this quiet when the two of you were with his family, but when he was, he was thinking. So in his head that everything else was irrelevant. It could be a battle trying to ground him back to the present sometimes.

“So, how are you?” you break the silence, sparing a weary glance at him.

“Lonely,” he mumbles. He stays facing the alleyway of Tyler’s home where they light another firework and then scramble away from it.

“Lonely at the top,” you sing, referencing his team’s position at the top of the table. Trent gives you a hard look immediately and you quiet down, averting your eyes from his. “Sorry.” There’s a heavy plate of tension that fills the air between the two of you and despite you both being outside, it feels suffocating. “What’s wrong?”

He shrugs, “Everyone is moving.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone moved, I feel like I’m the only one who stayed,” he says. His voice is soft but aloof, still not giving you a glance. “I just thought you would stay. Was a slap in the face to see that your house was for sale.”

It was your parent’s house, the one you grew up in. You lived on the same street where Trent grew up, only three houses separating your families. After riding your bike down the street and dramatically tripping over the rock that you saw at the last minute, Trent came running out of his house and helped you up. Him and his brothers were playing football in the street, the three of them had just gone inside, but he noticed your sparkling pink bike and got distracted looking back at you. Once he realized a kiss to your scarred knee wasn’t going to make the bleeding stop, he called out for his mom and the three of you walked you and your bike back to that house after she cleaned your knee. Trent had stayed by your side the entire time, assuring you that your knee would be okay in the next couple of days.

The sound of a firework exploding shutters you out of the past, forcing yourself to look at a sullen Trent. His bottom lip is tucked through his teeth as his eyes follow the firework’s path. 

“Trent, can you look at me?” Trent slowly looks in your direction and his eyes seem more hurt than he lets on. Much different than the bright eyes that welcomed you two hours ago. You swallow, “Did you think we would live here forever? I mean Jude, Alana, Kai….” You list off the friends and neighbors you both shared who had since then moved away. 

He shakes his head, “Obviously not, but you could’ve told me you were moving.”

“I know, we’ve just both been so busy. We barely put up the house for sale a couple of days ago.”

Trent blinks his eyes a couple of times and doesn’t speak immediately.

“I am lonely though,” he confesses and it stabs you right in the heart. “The season has felt really long, haven’t seen you or the lads that much. I know you go to some of my games, but we don’t speak afterward, and I miss you. I miss having people around that aren’t my family.”

“Trent,” you sigh. “I’m sorry for not being there.”

“It’s okay,” he shrugs. “I mean, it’s not like I’ve tried to be there for you either.”

“Trent—”

He cuts you off, “I haven’t had much time either but I dunno…the time I do have at home, it’s so quiet. I’ve been staying at my parents house actually, for the past couple of days because I’ve been sick of the silence. Sure, I could’ve walked to your house but I never did…”

He swallows another swig of his drink, the bitter taste in his mouth had yet to leave. And after chewing on the inside of his cheek for so long, he also tasted copper. He couldn’t blame you for being busy. He knew you had just landed the job you had been working so hard for, at a company that treated you well and respected your work, and with the way Liverpool’s hectic season has been going, he didn’t have much time off either.

You're left with your thoughts screaming at you to say something, but what could you say that would heal his loneliness? That you two could schedule a meet up soon? But it wasn’t concrete, ‘soon’ could be tomorrow, could be a week or before the month ended.

“We should hang out sometime,” you decide. “I’ve missed you too. My schedule is clear for whenever, just let me know.”

He downs the rest of his drink, before tossing it in the bin that Tyler usually has next to the side of the canopy but it’s not there. The bottle goes crashing to the ground but doesn’t break, it rolls off some steps away from him and he ignores it.

“Are you drunk?” you ask, eyebrows raised. You knew he shouldn’t have been drinking the day before his game, even if it was New Year’s Eve.

Trent looks back at you, a tsk leaves his lips, “I’ve only had one.”

“One case?”

“Funny,” he grits, any humor in his tone is gone. “I’m being honest.”

You cross your arms, not realizing you pointing out him drinking would upset him. Yeah, maybe you wouldn’t want to be caught doing something you shouldn't be doing, but Trent had been acting out of character the moment he admitted his loneliness. He was never one to talk about his feelings, always shoving it somewhere down deep that you had given up trying to pry out of him a long time ago because it always upset him more than helped.

“Tell me what’s really wrong,” you demand.

He looks away but you watch his Adam’s apple bob as he glances down to the pavement. The door to the house suddenly bursts open behind you, his mother weaving through you both as if you aren’t standing there.

“Fifteen minutes until midnight!” She announces, and then marches back inside but stops once she notices the two of you, “Oh, you two look so cute. Please, you both can stay in the upstairs bedroom if you get too tired to drive home. I’m sure Tyler won’t mind.”

Her presence seems to break off the tension because Trent lets out a low chuckle, “You know, she always thought it’d be us.”

“Us…what?” You bite the annoyance of him switching the topic away.

“It’d be us,” he shrugs nonchalantly. “That we’d be married and have a kid by now.”

Your eyes bulge at his words. He had to be drunk.

His voice rumbles as he kicks an imaginary rock, “What? Does the idea of starting a family with me repulse you that much?”

“No,” you shake your head frantically, hoping you didn't make him feel more bad than what he was already feeling. If Trent was going to be vulnerable for the last fifteen minutes of the year, then fine, you weren’t going to be petty and let your own feelings get in the way of him being open. You choose your words carefully, “I just—” Screw sparing his feelings. “You’re drunk.”

He rolls his eyes, words spitting out of his mouth in irritation, “It was one drink. One drink does nothing to me other than make me honest. Even then, it wasn’t a high percentage of alcohol.”

Your eyes dance between his dark brown ones. They seem more watery than before, the glow of the light from the inside of the house and fireworks glaring off of them. You look away briefly, “Honest? Like I can ask you any question and you’ll tell the truth?”

“Well,” he shrugs, “I don’t need a drink in me to be honest. I’m always honest to you.”

“That’s a lie,” you remark. “You lied to me when you said I could take your car for a drive.”

He rolls his eyes, “That’s because I value my life.”

You huff, “You didn’t have to be in the car with me, but fine, whatever.” You needed to control any impulsive comment you had. Trent was opening up, this was unchartered territory, and maybe he needed a clean conscience for the New Year more than you did. “I wasn’t repulsed by the idea of starting a family with you, I was just shocked to hear you say that.”

Nothing could’ve prepared you to hear him utter those words. Sure, the two of you shared your first kiss together and took each other’s virginities on the night of your twentieth birthday, but the two of you were never anything more. Never went on a date, never received flowers from him—minus the single daisy he plucked out of the grass one day as an apology for leaving the rock in the middle of the sidewalk—but nothing the two of you did was glaringly romantic. He held your hand for a total of two minutes and fifteen seconds one day underneath the table at a shared family dinner, but nothing came of it either.

He was off focusing on the academy, while you were busy studying in school. Once he did make his first team debut, you were in the stands cheering him on. He felt like the happiest man—boy—that day, having both of your families witness his debut. But still, the bone-crushing hug he pulled you into after you all met in the car park, it meant—nothing.

Even the night you lost your virginity, him as well, it was haste. He was in your bedroom, flipping through the birthday cards you received when you confessed to him that it was comical being a virgin at twenty, feeling the weight of society’s judgment on your shoulders for whatever reason, while he didn’t laugh at all. The liquor you both were sipping on gave you both the courage as you went on, sneakily closing your bedroom door and turning a page. After the both of you came down from your high, he cuddled you for an hour before slipping out of your bedroom window and going home.

Nothing was ever really mentioned after that, the both of you deciding it was best to scrape it under the rug so that it wasn’t awkward at combined family dinners, but there was a feeling. A tingling feeling that made your voice hitch whenever he looked at you or texted you. Any visit you made from uni, your heart did flips when he pulled you into a hug and welcomed you home for that weekend.

He snorts, making your eyes dart to him, “We’re being honest, yeah?”

“I’m telling you the truth,” you say.

He nods, “Okay, I believe you.”

Another moment of silence passes between the two of you and he sighs, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“Can I ask you another question?” you mumble and he nods. “Why did your mom think that?”

Trent shrugs for the hundredth time that night, leaning against the pillar as his head rests against it, “Because I told her that I liked you. She said to go for it, I told her I would, but I never did.”

Oh.

Oh.

“When was this?” you muster up the courage and power to ask, feeling breathless.

He blows a raspberry, “Maybe ten years ago?”

You're glad that Marcel misfires a firework that goes flying towards a tree to the left of the house, earning a commotion from Trent’s family and teammates, so that you have time to wipe off the shock before Trent looks at you.

Trent looks at the tree and holds his breath, hoping it erupts into flames. Perhaps he needed a break in the conversation as well. He felt exposed, too vulnerable at the expense of your curiosity and even though he said he would be honest, he wasn’t sure how much more truth he could give out when you weren’t exchanging much back.

“Why are you leaving?” he blurts out.

“You know I don’t live there right?” your eyebrow rises. Surely you told him you moved. “I moved out when I was twenty-two. I live almost ten minutes away, but my parents are moving because they need the money. After I left, they started spending on stuff that they shouldn’t have, putting us into a lot more debt than we should be. So, I say ‘we’ decided to sell because the only reason they were keeping the house was for me. For what it represented.”

Your childhood. A part of you was heartbroken for what it meant, but the other part of you knew it was the right thing to do. You knew it would serve you and your family well.

Trent eyebrows furrow, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I knew you would’ve wanted to help.”

Trent averts his gaze, “I can. I can buy it.”

“Trent,” you gawk. “Seriously, I’m going to accuse you of being drunk again—”

“It’s your childhood home.”

“Yeah, and I made a choice. It was my choice to make.”

His shoulders deflate, “So you did want to leave?”

You nod, “It was time for a change. They lived there for the past twenty years. A home isn’t a single house anyway.”

“Do they have a place for after it sells?”

The quick glance at the floor reveals the almost lie you would’ve told him, but the two of you agreed to be honest, so you shake your head, “No. They haven’t left the house entirely. They still live there and whatever they make from the sale, they’ll use it to purchase their next.”

“I can buy it,” he states again and you shake your head.

“Trent, you aren’t going to buy my childhood home, drop it,” you spit, voice unwavering as he looks back at you. His jaw is clenched.

“Fine,” he agrees. “But if you have any doubts, I can buy it. I’ll give them whatever double the asking price is—”

“Trent.” You knew he wasn’t going to drop it, he’d most likely ask your parents first thing tomorrow and you didn’t even want to think about what their response would be.

He sighs, “Okay.”

Instead of letting the conversation simmer into silence, you take a deep breath and ask him another question. Here goes nothing: “Why didn’t you ever pursue your feelings?”

Trent rotates his body towards yours, leaning against the column with his shoulder. His hands are still stuffed into the pockets of his sweats. “I was fifteen, I was scared.”

At fifteen, the two of you would’ve already shared your first kiss and held hands underneath the table. You were so giddy, but you weren’t sure if you were giddy at the idea of getting caught or because you had a crush on Trent. The two of you spent so much time growing up together, playing footy, exploring the neighborhood, everything. Tyler would often tag along, and then Marcel as well once he got older, but still you knew you were closer to Trent more.

“And they’ve just gone away?” you ask without a second thought. Your heart lurches as he looks away. What a stupid thing to say!

He coughs, clearing out his throat and your cheeks burn. He looks down at the hem of your sweater, “Would my mother still be trying to play matchmaker if not?”

A squeezing feeling encompasses your chest that you wince. The shock was gone, you were upset now. It had been ten years, you could excuse the first five years because they were hectic with you at uni and him training, but the both of you had sex knowing the feelings were there.

Because no matter how much you tried to convince yourself you didn’t have feelings for Trent, they were always still going to be there. He was the first boy you were really exposed to. The boy you followed throughout the neighborhood despite not knowing anything about him. You wanted to be brave and follow him into the woods. Doing all sorts of things you would’ve never done had he not been by your side. The sweet boy who kissed your knee in hopes of getting you to stop crying held your heart the moment he ran to you.

He watches the way your eyes dart from the fireworks to his family members cheering as they drink a champagne flute. The crease in your eyebrow and nose, he knew you were in deep thought. On a night of too many truths, he was exhausted.

“Just say it,” he whispers. “We’re being honest.”

“You watched me,” you start, voice trembling but teeth grinding, “you watched me get my heartbroken not once, but twice. Gave me all this advice on boys, broke my heart in the process because I thought you didn’t like me back, and then I went on to have two relationships where they were both shit. And you just watched? Knowing you felt something?”

Trent can’t stand to hear the shake in your voice, it itching his ear in a way that makes him tilt his head away from you.

You continue, “I liked you too, a lot. So much that I would sometimes scare myself because I would see my exes as you, even though sometimes it would be months since we last talked. You were always on my mind, and had you said something earlier, all of it,” you wave your arms around to symbolize the time and heartache lapsed. “All of it could’ve been avoided.”

Trent glances down, “I was a coward.”

“No shit,” you yell. Trent abruptly looks at the crowd of people and hopes you don’t catch their attention.

“I wasn’t ready,” he says, truthfully. “I wasn’t ready to give you my all if we had gotten together. I was still finding my footing on the team, all of my focus was on that and wouldn’t have been on you if we were together. Okay,” he relents, “maybe I could’ve spared your heartache had you known, but it just—it wasn’t worth all the drama—”

“Drama?”

He shuts his eyes closed. Think! “It wouldn’t have been worth you getting hurt because I had training. Or I had a game and had to miss something important of yours. I would’ve been physically there but not emotionally present—”

“Do you think I would’ve cared, Trent?” you gape.

He shakes his head, “You wouldn’t, and that’s the problem. You wouldn’t have deserved that. You wouldn’t have deserved me not being present, it would’ve driven us both away. The only times I saw my family were because they came to my game and I met them at their suite. That would’ve been the only time you and I interacted, do you seriously think you would’ve been okay with that?”

No. But you would’ve been content knowing he felt the same. The small moments you saw him would’ve made up for any multi-hour-long day spent with him.

“Like you needed to find yourself at uni and focus on what you were passionate about, I did too,” he says. His voice is much softer and less urgent, knowing that you were understanding and on the same page as him. “But I’m ready now. I’m not saying you have to be ready right now—or maybe you won’t ever be because you don’t have the same feelings you once had—but, I’m here now. I’m as present as I’ll ever be. The season started off fast and will continue to be difficult, but I’ve learned how to be present at home. How to not focus on football and be with my family and pets during my spare time.”

On cue, the rest of Trent’s family—and yours—burst through the back door. There are only a couple of minutes until midnight, those fifteen minutes blew right past the both of you. Tyler and Marcel had stopped popping fireworks as they compiled a bunch together to be ignited exactly at twelve.

Trent looks at you, pulling your hand so that you’re closer to him near the pillar as your family members stampede outside, settling in lawn chairs and anywhere on the floor. Trent hasn’t dropped your hand yet. He caresses the backside of your hand with his thumb as his fingers squeeze tighter around yours.

“I know I was a coward, I know I could’ve said it anytime you were around, but it was never the right time,” he whispers in your ear. “We were busy, our lives never aligned perfectly, and maybe they don’t align right now either, but I’m willing to take the risk.”

A breathy sigh escapes you as you soak in his words. You close your eyes as you lean the side of your head against his chest. You needed to be grounded as you thought, and he was always someone stable. His hands don’t wrap you into a hug because he knows exactly what you’re doing.

“I still like you,” you acknowledge. “I’m a little upset you kept this a secret.” He snorts. “But, if I’m being honest, I’m not sure when I would’ve bursted and confessed the same thing. I wanted to tell you that we were moving, especially whenever we were thinking about it when it was first brought up, but I stopped myself. I was scared, because I knew my first instinct to reach out to you meant that it was something more, that I saw you as someone more than just my friend. That I always have. Every failed relationship was a reminder of it.”

Trent chuckles, finally being able to breathe. The tightening feeling in his chest had dissipated, replaced with jittery nerves as he restrained himself from pulling you into a hug.

You drop Trent’s hand and face him. If he was confused, he hid it well.

“I’m willing to take the risk too,” you state, the heavy weight on your shoulders dissolving. “I’m trusting you, just like I trusted you the day I followed you into the woods.”

“We ended up getting lost,” he recalls. He isn’t sure how much longer he can keep his hands off of you.

“I know,” you smile. “But I trusted you still, despite being so scared. I knew you would keep your promise and get us out of there before the moon rose. I’m willing to get lost with you, wherever you are, I want to be there.”

“You trust me?” he cheeses, his lips breaking out further into a grin. A chorus of a ten-second countdown breaks out in the background.

“Of course, stupid,” you smack his bicep and the brief contact makes the both of you hold a breath.

Trent knew he couldn’t get the smile off of his face no matter how hard he tried. He didn’t expect to have this conversation with you tonight, but after seeing you underneath the canopy, your clothes and figure lighting up from the colorful lights of the fireworks, he knew he couldn’t let you walk away from him again. You didn’t even hold his heart in the palm of your hands, you held it in your gaze. One look at him from you and he was floored, a weak and desperate man on his knees begging for your attention.

“…three, two, one, Happy New Year!”

Your blissful eyes combined with his gleeful ones don’t look away as you both lean closer. Your hands stay tucked by your side, his suddenly not wanting to move either as he leans down. The moment your nose grazes his, you close your eyes and let him kiss you. You press your lips further into his as the sound of fireworks go off behind you.

The kiss feels like the first one you shared together, tentative but passionate. It feels like a new promise, one full of commitment for the year to come. A promise from him that he’ll be there for every second of the day, and you a promise to be present as well. To not make him feel like he needs to bottle up his emotions and wait until the last minute to confess them.

His hands find your cheeks at the same time you wrap your arms around his waist. He pulls away and sighs against your lips, resting his forehead against yours. “Happy New Year, sweetheart.”

“Happy New Year,” you smile, pecking his lips one more time before burying your head into his chest. He pulls you in for a bone-crushing hug, squeezing your shoulders tightly against him and then resting his head on top of yours.

Instead of letting you close your eyes to soak in the feelings of him being this close in your arms, he shuffles the both of you and points up, “Look up.”

His careful gaze looks down at you as he double checks that you’re actually looking up at the fireworks, but he bursts into a nervous laugh when he sees you looking back at him. You can feel his heart quicken its pace as he stutters, “No, not me. The sky!”

“You’re so happy,” you whisper. Earlier his eyes were on the verge of breaking down, but now, they seem so full of light and hope.

“Yeah,” he slips his hand back around your waist. “I got the girl of my dreams in my arms, my girl.” He enunciates the last two words like they’re a testimony.

Your cheeks rush with heat that you’re glad he can’t feel them. He leaves a chaste kiss on your temple before looking back up at the fireworks. And then he glances down suddenly, “Do you remember when we made that fort in my living room?”

You burst into a laugh, pulling away from his chest, “What?”

“The fort,” he repeats, “it ended up crumbling because Marcel rolled too far and pulled the blankets down—you remember?”

You nod, bewildered by his sudden excitement.

“Well, the spare bedroom of Tyler’s only has a mattress on the floor, but there are some chairs and sofas we can combine to you know,” he lets his voice fade away.

“You have a game tomorrow, maybe you shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor.”

“It’s a new mattress! That’s why it has nothing else,” he laughs. His laugh is intoxicating that all your logic and usual bickering dies out. He could build the fort, you’d be right there helping him either way.

Your heart swells as his eyes go wide, his face glowing red. He taps your waist, “Look, look look.”

The red firework that just popped erupts into the shape of a heart. You smile, standing on your tippy toes to give him a kiss. To think you’ve been missing this for the past twenty years that you’ve known him. What a fool the both of you were.

That night, Trent holds his promise as you help him build the fort around the mattress. You steal a lantern from Tyler’s shed outside while Trent found blankets to use and old moving boxes. It isn’t an exact replica like the two of you first shared, but it’s quite close, only this time you two are wrapped in each other’s arms.

[sillylotrpolls]

Somehow in the writing of this poll I developed a dozen headcanons for Middle Earth celebrations. I am particularly partial to the idea that by 50 years or so after Sauron's defeat, younger people see the holiday simply as an excuse to party. Meanwhile, the older folks sing 28-stanza songs while glaring passive-aggressively at the teens, who are bored while waiting for the fireworks/parade/re-enactment of The Big Local Battle.

[yikes-em]

Green Houses, Pincushions, and a Wedding

For @astrangersummer week 3: flowers

steddie | 3426 words | gen/no warnings | see tags below or on ao3

Three things you can find at Steve and Eddie's first date. Or: Robin sends "Maid of Honor" and very single Steve to pick up the flower arrangements for their wedding. Just so happens that Chrissy asks "Best Man" and also very single florist Eddie to arrange said flowers for their wedding. Somehow in their three years, Steve and Eddie haven't met until now.

Read also on ao3

“Okay, make sure that he’s just done it right, I mean I trust Eddie- Chrissy trusts the guy, and I trust Chris, but please, Steve, for the love of God, I will lose my goddamn mind if the flowers are wrong, I will just- I’ll-I’ll-!”

“Robin!” Steve shouts over the phone the second he gets the chance. “Robin, Jesus, breathe. I’ve got the pictures you sent me. I will inspect the arrangements. I will not harass him, he’s just a flower guy.”

“Well, he’s not just- you know what, I’ll do that later. Okay, thank you, dingus.”

“Yeah, you’re welcome. I’ve got this handled. You go get back to your nails, okay? I’ll see you later tonight. Bye, Robbie, love you!” Steve says, yanking open the door to the flower shop, the sign flashing Your Bedroom’s Garden, and entering as he hangs up on Robin.

The shop isn’t what he’d been expecting. The neon sign outside is hot pink with a few little yellow sparkles. Inside is a different story. It’s a long room, two walls are sage green and the other two are black like the floors and ceiling. Vines drape down the black walls while the green are covered in little shelves with examples and decorations for bouquets. Every other surface in the building is covered in water buckets of cuttings, planted pots, pots for sale themselves. Steve is overwhelmed by the amount of clean air in one room.

“Hi, welcome in! Be right with you!” Someone from deeper in the shop calls out so Steve idles by the desk. There’s a small commotion before a man appears, dressed in a cut off tank and ripped skinny jeans with a small horseshoe ring hanging from his nose. More of what Steve had not been expecting. “Hey! What can I do for ya?”

“Hello, uh I’m picking up an order for Buckley- might be under Harrington if she listed an alternate- yeah,” Steve says with a light smile.

“Ah, so you’re the hottie that she said would be coming,” the man laughs, the high ponytail of curls perched atop his head swaying a little. Steve can’t help the flush that heats his cheeks. “Follow me, I’ve got it all organized in the back.”

Steve does as he’s told, shuffling behind the guy and into a bright room with a garage door on the far end. He doesn’t notice he’s twisting his hands together until the pressure starts to hurt.

“I’m Eddie, by the way. Nice to meet you, Harrington.”

“Steve,” he corrects, watching Eddie stall in his approach to the buckets of flowers.

“Alright, Steve,” Eddie grins. “Well, everything’s here if you want to give it a once over. We’ve got the centerpieces over here in the light blue buckets. Bouquets for the party in the white ones. The smaller one there is for the boutonnières, there’s a package inside with the little glass vial pins for them. And then that pink vase has the flowers for the bridal hair.”

Steve can hardly keep up with everything Eddie’s saying, he also hadn’t expected for Robin and Chrissy to be so thorough with their floral choices. Nevertheless he pulls out his phone and starts matching things up to the trial photos they’d went with. “Sorry, Robin would kill me if the flowers were wrong.”

“I understand, I’ve had my fair share of assholes because they themselves didn’t confirm with me so I prefer a second opinion. When you’ve got it all checked out you can pull your car around to the door here and I’ll help you load them up.”

“They’re beautiful,” Steve says as he works mindlessly, pulling at a periwinkle blue bloom shaped like a firework.

“Yeah, that one’s got a funky name. One of my favorites. Called scabiosa. Or a pincushion flower if you wanna be a little less fun,” Eddie says.

It takes just another two minutes before Steve decides the flowers are as perfect as they could be and back his truck into the loading space. Eddie’s got gloves on now, dragging the buckets out into the sun. The flowers start to really light up and Steve gets butterflies thinking about the wedding tomorrow. Robin in her suit that he’d helped her pick, Chrissy in her dress with petit flowers snuggled into her braid. God, he was definitely going to cry.

“Nice truck,” Eddie comments as they load up the first few buckets of flowers. He gestures to the mud splatters on the tires and edge of the bed. “Work outside?”

“I guess you could say that,” he shrugs, shoving another bunch of flowers up with the rest. A few pieces of hair obviously from Eddie’s bangs have started to weasel loose of the tie and Steve can’t help but notice. He swallows his tongue. “I own a restaurant but we do a lot of farm to table work.”

“Hell yeah,” Eddie grins, ducking back into the garage for a bundle of tule which he begins to wrap around the flowers already in the truck. “I’ll have to come by sometime. What’s the name?”

“It’s kind of dumb actually,” Steve laughs and watches Eddie work at securing everything gently. “Farm’s Ahoy.”

“That is kind of dumb,” he laughs too. “But cute.”

“It was an inside joke and seemed like a good idea. I mean, I don’t regret it.”

“No, why should you? I named the shop after a joke too. My best friend from high school used to say my bedroom smelled and looked like a garden- but meant two very different things about it.”

“Oh?” It sounds silly, something so simple and soaked with curiosity leaving his mouth but Steve can’t help it. He steps a little closer to Eddie as if instinctively wanting the answer.

“Yeah, I used to smoke a lot of weed in my room growing up,” He chuckles and hops down from the truck bed. Steve sincerely can’t help the twist in his gut that he gets from watching him do so, all lean and lithe muscle. “But I still loved plants back then. Had less than I do now but it was my private garden, both legal and il.”

“That- I actually really like that joke,” Steve grins and leans up against the side of his truck. “Well, now I think I have to explain too.”

“I think so.” Eddie crosses his arms with a smug look. Steve wants to kiss it off his face, but that’s not something you just do to strangers. Not in broad daylight at least.

“My best friend and I- from high school too actually- we worked at this ice cream shop called Scoops Ahoy when we were in college- I dropped out and Robin finished but whatever. So we worked there and it was this whole thing, little sailor outfits and hats. The whole shebang. So after I bought my current property and started a vegetable garden, then wanted to open the restaurant, we spat a few names around and when she said Farm’s Ahoy I just knew I had too. We were high too, at that point, so it definitely seemed funnier.”

“That’s just perfection, Steve.” Eddie’s laughing and shielding his eyes from the sun with one hand to see Steve better. “I’ll definitely be by sometime soon then.”

“Yes, please, I’ll put your name on a list,” Steve says, as if a list is something he even has.

“Thanks.” Eddie kicks his feet a little and for the first time in their interactions he looks bashful. “Well, I think you’re all set.”

“I uh, I’ve still gotta pay,” Steve reminds him.

“No, this is a gift to the bride from me,” Eddie says with a grin. He takes a few steps back as if to retreat into his safe space again before briefly surging toward Steve to offer up a card. “Text me if anything goes wrong.”

“Will do. Thank you, Eddie, this is very sweet of you.”

“Yeah, well, I try,” he says and soon disappears behind the closing garage door.

Steve tries not to dwell on any of his time at Your Bedroom’s Garden very long, lest he slip into an infatuation with Eddie’s brown eyes and sweat curled hair. Instead he unloads the flowers into his own garage where they’ll sleep overnight before being hauled again down to his barn.

Steve’s property spans across 50 some acres. There’s two barns, one for the livestock and farming and one that he rents out or hosts events in. Then there’s the restaurant beside them, a full dining floor and decked out kitchen. In the far corner down a long gravel road situated away from the public side of his property is the farm house. It’s as large as the rest of his buildings, with 7 guest rooms and 10 (mostly half) bathrooms all for the chance that he gets to host gatherings. Dustin ends up at the farm the most, stays for the summer months and pitches in when he’s off school. Sometimes the other boys Steve used to shepard in his babysitting days, Mike or Lucas with their girlfriends and on the odd occasion Will, stop by for a few days at a time.

Steve agonizes over texting the number Eddie provided him in the few hours before his guests arrive. How is it that the wedding is a day away and he still doesn’t have a date? In the end he settles on leaving the number in his bedside drawer for another occasion. The house fills quickly as dusk arrives and, for the first time since July Fourth last year, Steve’s home is full of light and laughter and easily flowing rosé. His heart feels just as full as he wraps his arm around his best friends.

The big day kicks off earlier than he’d prefer. The photographer and videographer are the first to the scene, followed quickly by the hair and makeup team. Steve does his best to stay by Robin’s side but by the time her mother and Vickie and the other girls are ready and Robin’s up to be dressed Steve takes his que to slip out. He’s careful with his shoes on his walk to the barn, where Dustin’s already dragged the flowers. There’s a few crew tutting around the building that Steve doesn’t recognize but assumes their part of the planners team as they arrange plates and seating.

“I don’t know! Talk to Steve about that!” Dustin shouts from where the small stage has been set up. Steve rolls his eyes as he approaches.

“Alright, alright, what’s the problem?”

Steve stops dead in his tracks when the person Dustin had been arguing with turns around. His hair is down, curly bangs perfectly fanning across his forehead and brushing his eyebrows. Steve risks a glance up and down his body, taking in the dark green of his suit and steel toed boots. His mouth goes dry when Eddie shoots him a knowing smirk.

“Kid here says there’s no amp hookup.”

“I did not, I said that there’s no hookups right here! I’m not in charge of the live music.”

“Check the attitude,” Steve gripes at him, covering his face with a palm. “Uhm, well, are you the Chrissy's best man?”

“As accused.” Eddie nods.

“Alright. Cool, cool. Okay.” Now he understands what the pretty guy from the flower shop is doing here. Steve takes a deep breath and points at Dustin. “This is a you problem now. Find Tommy, please, get him to pull all the stage equipment out and let’s try to find something for what music needs, yeah?”

“But I was just on audio for the speecheses only-”

“Shithead, you’re graduating next year with a degree in audio-what-the-fuck-ever. Get it in gear and find what’s missing.” Dustin opens and closes his mouth a few times before shaking his head and skittering off on his new mission. Steve turns his full attention to Eddie, swallowing hard. “So.”

“So?”

“I did not expect you to be here. Today.”

Eddie laughs heartily, pushing a chunk of hair off his shoulder. Steve’s face gets hotter and he wants to shrivel up and disappear into the collar of his blazer. “No, I guess you didn’t.”

“Sorry about Dustin.”

“It’s okay. I like his spunk.”

It’s Steve’s turn to laugh. “I have never heard someone describe him as having spunk.”

“It’s an endearing trait.”

“Okay, great. Don’t let him know you’re a fan.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Eddie grins. “So I see the flowers aren't out yet?”

“The flowers are my job. Had to be with Robin up until the dress got on, but I’m here now. Why are you down here?”

“Chrissy said the guy on flowers might’ve needed a little help.”

“Right, okay,” Steve huffs. His brain cells start to wake up and he’s getting why he’d been sent to pick up the arrangements in the first place. “Do you see what they’re doing too?”

“Yeah. Master manipulators.”

There’s two thoughts that cross Steve’s mind in a moment's time. He could brush this off, ask to act normally and prove that the happy couple need to keep their noses out of other people’s business. He could accept the date and ask Eddie to dance once the band arrives. He could, if he used enough brain power, convince his brain cells to kick into high gear and spontaneously combust. Maybe not so much on that one.

“Well, since you’re here,” Steve says and starts for the flower buckets across the barn. “I probably could use a hand. Follow me.”

Steve gets a thrill up his spine when Eddie does follow, tight on his heels. They swap Chrissy and Robin stories as they drop bundles of flowers into the vases Chrissy had procured just months after they’d been engaged. Their laughs sound good together. Eddie explains how he’d opened his shop with his uncle after an accident at work left Wayne laid up with a good payout. Eddie had done all the heavy lifting, overhauling a vacant office studio into his dream. Wayne did some training online and learned quickly how to run the numbers and orders.

“Yeah, y’know, it’s pretty perfect. I just don’t have my own greenhouse yet.”

“I can lend you one.”

“What?” Eddie’s hand stalls on the last vase, almost knocking it over. Steve reaches out to stabilize it, hands firmly covering Eddie’s own. Both their faces are the same beet red as one of that night's sauces. He hadn’t exactly thought through his offer before it left his mouth.

“I mean, I’ve got four of them. I can make some room in one- actually, yeah we moved the squash over by the compost pile so. Plenty of room.”

“Steve I don’t- how much do you want for it?”

“Oh, no,” Steve shakes his head, pulling his hands away and cracking his knuckles. Money talk always makes him a little nauseous. “Free of charge. So long as I get some pretty flowers out of it too.”

“I’ll grow you the prettiest damn flowers you’ve ever seen, Steve Harrington.”

Steve likes how that promise sounds, especially when Eddie shakes his hand.

They finish soon after, both making the short trek back up to the farm house to check on their corresponding brides and knocking elbows the whole way. Steve’s voice gets caught in his throat when Robin pins his boutonnière to his lapel.

“Are you having a good day?” She asks and tucks a short curl behind her ear, exposing the pearl earrings he knows her grandmother gifted her.

“Yeah,” He says earnestly with tears in his eyes. Nothing could have prepared him for the emotions in his heart seeing Robin ready to start her next phase.“Yeah, Robs. It’s a beautiful day.”

Steve can’t help but make eye contact with Eddie through the service, especially since they’re both up by the altar. Eddie shoots him a wink when the officiant declares them unified in marriage. They kiss, and giggle, and dash back down the aisle that is simple grass. Steve’s on the brink of full on crying. The videographer follows them back up to the hill and Steve has to clock in to his maid-of-honor duties again. He ushers everyone from their seats outside in to the barn with the promise of food, drinks, and a lovely reception. He loses track of Eddie in the process.

There’s a bit of disappointment when Steve still can’t locate him by the time Chrissy and Robin are back in their new dresses. It lingers in his bones until he announces the first dance and, after a bit of applause, the sound of acoustic guitar flows through the amps he’d given a once over a few hours ago to confirm they’d work. Eddie is standing beside them again, guitar in his arms and microphone held a few inches from his face by a stand.

Against his suggestions, the girls had decided on Shania Twain (You’re Still the One) as their first dance. Even last night if you’d asked Steve how he felt about that decision he may have implied a bit of disagreement. But now, comparing Eddie’s song to the original, he understands their choice. It’s a meaningful song and artist for them both. The lyrics, as told by a close friend, seem to hold a new weight in Steve’s ears.

It’s a beautiful arrangement that leaves him with twice as many questions as he’d gone into it with. There’s a small instrumental break towards the end, where Robin had given Steve a few more instructions: the only thing keeping his head tethered to the ground.

“Alright, everyone, now’s our time to join the happy couple on the dance floor,” He says into the mic, crossing the floor to be closer to where Eddie’s still performing. He can hear him better over here, that’s all. Robin and Chrissy’s family and friends slowly shuffle out to finish the song.

Eddie’s voice is gentle as he finishes out the last few lines of Shania Twain before swapping songs and morphing into something much raspier, with a little more swing. “I’m so glad we made it, look how far we’ve come my…baby! It’s been a long day, baby, things ain’t been going my way, you know I need you here…”

Steve watches Eddie watch his guitar, making sure his fingers are in just the right spot before considering the crowd and the microphone again. It was a song Steve had thrown into the first dance hat himself. You Are the Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne. A song his mother used to dance around the kitchen with him to. He’s got starry tears in his eyes again when Robin catches his gaze and blows him a kiss.

The song is over almost as soon as it started and Steve is the first to applaud. Eddie’s grinning down the stage at him and after he’s sure his guitar is settled into its cradle he’s leaping off it toward Steve. The DJ takes his place quickly.

“You didn’t tell me you could sing. I guess I should have assumed but-”

“They told me not to,” Eddie shrugs with a goofy grin. “Said it’d just make you like me more.”

Steve knows he should feel embarrassed but can’t find it in himself to. “They put you up to this, huh?”

“A little bit.” Eddie tucks the guitar pick he’d been fidgeting with into the pocket of his jacket and straightens. “Is it working?”

“You know,” Steve starts. He tries to put together something that can at least feign a little annoyance. But in their defense, Steve had asked Robin to find him a date and though this wasn’t the typical approach he sure couldn’t argue with their pick. He’d been sold the second he stepped foot into that damn flower shop. “More than I think any of you could have expected.”

Eddie pumps his fist in the air, an unsaid ‘score!’ hanging between them. Then he bends at the waist, hair flowing in sheets down over his shoulder and Steve suddenly wants to know what it feels like between his fingers, and offers out his hand with a mischievous look. “Might I have this dance, good sir?”

Steve plucks the smallest scabiosa from his boutonnière with one hand and takes Eddie’s outstretched with the other. When Eddie rises, he tucks the flower into the hair in front of Eddie’s ear. His hunch had been right, his curls were soft and Eddie’s cheeks did look good in a crimson blush.

“You may.”

[spinningalbinoturtle]

Where they like to shop-LOTR

Frodo- the bookstore obviously. He especially likes to support indie bookstores but if need be he will resort to Barnes and Noble. Always tells himself he will only get one book and walks out with ten (he always gets at least one for Sam) He likes artisan markets and boutiques and loves a vintage fashion store. He also can spend several hours in any yarn store.

Sam- the nursery! He goes through the entire store and every greenhouse very thoroughly. Usually comes out with a dozen new plants. Similarly enjoys the hardware store. Always has some landscaping project going on. Loves a good open air food market or little family run delis. Loves a good spice selection. Cannot go into a cookware store without buying something.

Merry- Merry of course loves the weed store. He also likes to shop for fancy wine. I get the sense that he would like shopping for nice suits too. He’s got a good sense of style. Loves to go to touristy shops and get the weirdest thing there. He does collect city mugs. He also collects the weird paintings at Goodwill which he will hang up in his parents house without telling them.

Pippin- Pippin is kind of an impulse buyer. Pretty much any store he enters he will buy something in. He spends way too much money at Target (“they have everything Merry!”). Is big on seasonal decorations and will always buy like the giant Halloween things that jump out at you and massive amounts of Christmas lights. Also has an absurd amount of ugly Christmas sweaters.

Gandalf- like Merry does spend quite a bit at the dispensary. Likes a good woodworking shop. Likes to buy unique carved pipes. And of course spends over a thousand dollars at the fireworks stand.

Aragorn- his main shopping destination is the feed store. Buys all kinds of shit for his horse. Is a loyal REI customer. He always buys the really good quality stuff for backcountry camping. He knows more than the employees there about what is a good brand to get and will happily assist other customers who assume he works there. He also likes to go shopping for Arwen and will usually get her some beautiful piece of jewelry or a really really nice handknit sweater.

Gimli- man loves the hardware store, loves his power tools. Likes to hang out in the lumber yard much to Legolas’s distress. Comes home with a bunch of rocks and woods that he builds stuff with. Also likes to jewelry shop and admire all the nice gemstones- he has an excellent eye and will often go with Aragorn when he is shopping for Arwen. He likes handcrafted stuff from wood, stone, and ceramic and likes to support local artists. Always on the lookout for a good bargain at the hardware store but willing to dish out quite a lot for something unique and handmade. Knows good craftsmanship when he sees it and likes to support other craftspeople.

Legolas- accompanies Gimli and Aragorn to the jewelry store and always manages to convince Gimli to get him something despite having plenty of his own money. Loves the plant store and samples all the edible and some non edible plants. He can legitimately spend a couple of hours at the wine store. Will go to fancy wine tasting events with Gimli. Fashionista man will happily spend an afternoon walking through the high fashion district where all the attendants know him. Similarly an expert Sephora shopper.

Boromir- like Gimli loves the hardware store they run into each other there and end up chatting for like an hour. Loves a good appliance store. Chats with the Best Buy people while picking out a new fridge. Is very particular about getting good quality shoes so he goes to like really nice shoe stores. Absolutely loves a furniture store-will always be on the lookout for a good sale there.

Bilbo- antique store expert! Wanders around until he sees something he likes. Buys a lot of nice antique furniture. An expert clothes shopper-he usually takes Frodo with him who doesn’t mind cause Bilbo pays. Bilbo will exclusively go to second hand bookshops and buy the super rare things behind the locked glass. Also likes to go look for nice rugs, blankets, and linens. Does love the cooking store and usually offers to pay for Sam there (Sam always declined when he worked for Bilbo but once he and Frodo got married he let Bilbo buy him stuff).

Eowyn- shopping for weapons. This woman has a massive sword collection its honestly kind of scary. Also likes the hardware store and the home improvement. Generally she’s not really a big shopper - she really only buys something unless she needs it or as a present for someone else.

Faramir- Faramir loves the pet store. Totally an animal person and has like four cats and two dogs and like a couple guinea pigs and maybe a turtle. Buys so many pet accessories. Eowyn thinks it is cute but ridiculous. She has to remind Faramir that no they do not have room for any more animals-yes not even that gecko- every time they go into the pet store.

Arwen- loves going high end fashion shopping with Legolas. Is really into nice fabrics and weaves so likes to shop for things like fancy tablecloths. Loves a good shoe store. Also a big fan of hat shops. Gondor is a lot brighter than Rivendell so she wears lots of hats to keep her eyes shaded. Starts quite a few fashion trends this way. She also likes to shop for art-especially paintings and statues. She often attends art gallery events and almost always buys something that will be priceless in a few years-she has the money she’s a queen!

[soralinklokidottirofmirkwood]

Rock on: Xinyan x best friend reader.

Age: 15 Reader is childhood friends with Xinyan after her family moved from Qingce village to Liyue Harbor when she was a year old. She lives next door to Xinyan and they immediately become best friends after their parents became friends then 14 years later they start a duo band together.

Flashback no one’s POV:

2 year old Xinyan is happily playing dolls with 4 year old Yun Jin while there parents had tea on the porch and everyone in Liyue Harbor was doing their own thing when a wagon stopped in front of a house that was on sale “Oh looks like we have new neighbors.” Xinyan’s father said as a man with black hair and brown eyes got off the wagon while helping down a woman with pastel purple hair and purple, pink and blue mixed eyes with star shaped pupils, she had a sleeping baby on her back wrapped in a white cloth with a tuff of black fading to pastel purple hair in a tiny tail.

The couple began unloading the wagon but some stuff was falling “Let’s help them.” Xinyan’s father said getting up with Yun Jin’s father while their wives went to the woman to greet them “Hello, welcome to Liyue Harbor! We’re your neighbors.” Xinyan’s father said bowing “Thank you, I’m Yao! This is my wife Meiling and our 1 year old daughter Y/N.” he said happily gesturing to the woman with the baby still on her back now awake revealing that she has both parents eye colors one was brown like her father’s eyes but it was mixed with amber and red while the other was like her mothers eyes, both with the star shaped pupils.

While the adults are unloading the furniture your mother sat you down in your playpen with two more girls a bit older then you “Hi I’m Xinyan.” the little girl with sun kissed skin, sunset colored eyes and her black hair with yellow highlights pulled into high pigtails held by red ribbons.

The other girl with red eyes, pale skin and black hair with purple highlighted hair in twin braids held by red clover knots introduced herself next “And I’m Yun Jin.” She said “I’m Y/N.” You said happily “Let’s play.” Xinyan said taking out a wooden doll while you and Yun Jin did the same.

At 5:00 the adults finished unpacking while you and the two older girls continued playing but you all started getting sleepy “Would any of you like some tea?” Your mother asked “Yes please.” Yun Jin’s father said “Yes! Tea would be nice.” Xinyan’s father said as your mother went to the new kitchen to put tea on the kettle “Ohh looks like the girls feel asleep.” Xinyan’s mother said smiling as she sees you, Xinyan and Yun Jin asleep in the playpen with your dolls next to you three while the adults awed at the sight “Looks like Y/N is making friends already.” Your father said smiling while helping your mother bring out snacks.

End of flashback 14 years later during the lantern right:

You stand by Xinyan on the stage as both of you played your guitars while Hu Tao raps.

You smiled as you see your other friends such as Xiangling, Xingqui, Chong Yun, yun Jin, the traveler and the girl from Fontain Charlotte whom you’ve became fast friends with after she interviewed you and Xinyan on your band and how you two started it.

After the concert:

You are happily sitting down next to Xinyan eating rice buns that you made yourself that you call Rolling Riff buns, they look like the rice buns but you added bits of meat, shrimp, crab meat and Junyun chili peppers into it with chopped vegetables in the shape of lightning bolts “These are rocking Y/N.” Xinyan said happily munching on one of the electric purple buns “Thank you, I added meat, shrimp and crab into the buns.” You said happily eating your specialty dish “Hey they’re about to light up the fireworks, let’s go.” The older girl said grabbing your hand as both of you still had a bun in hand.

You and Xinyan both stand by each others sides as you wait for the fireworks to start and you began to remember your first lantern right together when you two were little “This reminds me of our first Lantern right.” The older girl said making you smile as you popped another bun in your mouth “Yes, only with more friends.” You said happily glancing at your other friends who were all gathering to watch the fireworks “Let’s go over.” Xinyan said once again grabbing your hand.

You, Xinyan and the others are all happily watching the fireworks as they decorated the night sky with the lanterns, jade chamber, the frost nail over dragon spine, the blue glow of the Narukami shrine in the distance of Narukami Island (apparently the shrine glows blue after you complete the Sakura cleansing ritual quest) and the stars making the night look beautiful “Hey Y/N one last concert for tonight but acoustic this time?” Xinyan asked making you smile “Let’s do it.” You said grabbing your guitar with Xinyan doing the same and both of you played a soft melody while memories of you two as kid’s playing imaginary instruments to playing actual instruments then performing your first concert together.

Later:

You and Xinyan walked home together after having fun on the last night of the lantern right “See ya in the morning Y/N.” She said hugging you as you hugged back “See ya Xinyan.” You said as you both broke the hug and went to your own houses, walking into the living room after taking off your shoes you greeted your parents “how was the concert?” your mother asked making tea while your father took out the Sakura Mochi he got on his business trip to Inazuma after the vision hunt decree lifted “It was great and I made a new friend named Charlotte! She’s from Fontain.” You said sharing with your parents what happened today “That’s great dear.” Your father said bringing the Mochi to the table as you helped carry cups and plates to the table while your mother brought over the kettle.

After nighttime tea with Sakura Mochi you bathed and went to bed looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

[paleparearchive]

SummerTime Melancholy ~ The Night Flowers I Look Up At With You

Giotto's Scenario

Chapter 1 ( 1 - 2 - 3 )

(1/5)

Giotto: Oh no, I only got a few days 'til the event…

(It's an event sponsored by a salon I often deal with. I wanna do what I'm asked to, but I wanna do it well.)

I think it’s ‘cause of the quantity, since new pieces are brought in every day.

(The sales pitch for this painting contest is that a critique by a working artist must be attached to each entry.)

It's nice to see so many aspiring young painters out there. I wanna go straight to that enthusiasm.

(However, no matter how many days go by, the number of entries that have yet to be judged is still a problem…)

I wonder if I'm spendin' too much time judgin' one work…

(But a critique that only points out the obvious might nip young sprouts in the bud. I wanna praise and develop their good points.)

–In this work, the rough sketch is somethin’ to work on, but the colors are nice and the theme’s original… Also, oh–

Salon owner: Hey, Giotto. I came to check on you. How’s it going? How’s the works’ review proceeding?

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

(2/5)

Giotto: Ah, greetings…

Salon owner: Wait, you're not done at all! What's this all about? This is…

Just a quick glance at the work and a quick comment! You're a successful artist, you can do it, right?

Giotto: Right, but a coarse critique could nip young sprouts in the bud… I wanna develop the good points of the artist through their painting. They can draw this much now. If they continue like this, they'll get better. And yet, I can't let my critique cause ‘em to break their brush–

Salon owner: Hey hey, what are you talking about! More entries will be coming in the future, you know? I don't want you to spend so much time on one that you won’t be able to look at the others! Everyone is waiting for your critiques.

Giotto: H-Huuh…

(... W-Will there be more of ‘em?)

Salon owner: Now that you understand, I’ll ask you to do it more quickly next time! I'll be back to check up on you!

Giotto: … I'll try my best.

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

(3/5)

Giotto: (Nothin' decreases as the days go by, only work tasks pile up.)

–I wanna paint a picture… How long haven't I been paintin’?

(As an artist, I'm happy to be in the public eye and to be relied upon. However, I feel like I’m forgettin’ myself as a painter. I need some time to face myself.)

I serve as a judge for competitions and show up at various painting events. I wonder if I will be able to go easy on my job soon…

Salon owner: –Giotto, is this a good time?

Giotto: Ah, yes?

(Ugh. I'm afraid I'm gonna get another scolding 'bout the progress of the critique.)

If it’s 'bout the reviews, I'm still workin’ on 'em–

Salon owner: No, that's not what I’m talking about today. I need you to perform at the noon part of the event.

Giotto: Ya mean the live painting?

Salon owner: Exactly. There will be a fireworks display at night, but I'd like a successful painter like you to make the noon session a great success. I've also asked you to be a judge for the painting competition, so it’s just right, yeah?

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

(4/5)

Giotto: I’m sorry, but I have other work to do as well, so I–

Salon owner: Huh!? Don't tell me you're going to turn it down!? I thought you would've accepted the offer without a second thought… I've also asked Raffaello to be your live painting partner.

Giotto: Raffaello?

(That guy also shows up in a lot of places, it must be tough for him…)

Salon owner: Well, don't be in such a hurry to give me an answer. You have a day to think about it.

Giotto: H-Huh…

Salon owner: I expect to hear a positive answer the next time I come back. Well then…

Giotto: (Even if he told me to think ‘bout it, what can I do?)

Hmm… I’m plannin’ on turnin’ it down, maybe I should consult with Raffaello directly?

(It sounds like he's been gettin' calls from everywhere, maybe he can give me advice with a similar situation.)

For now, I’ll just get today’s work done. I’m gonna make it in time for the event!

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

(5/5)

Raffaello: … Sigh.

Giotto: Raffaellooo, ya there?

Raffaello: ! Giotto-san, welcome. Do you need something from me?

Giotto: Yeah. I’ve got somethin' I need to talk to ya ‘bout, can ya spare me some time?

Raffaello: You want to talk to me? … Actually– no.

Giotto: Oh? What’s wrong?

(Somethin' seems off here. Could it be something's botherin' Raffaello too?)

What’s troublin' ya? If you've got somethin' stuck in your chest, I'm here to listen!

Raffaello: Ah, well… That is right. I do not feel comfortable talking about it here, so can we go somewhere else?

Giotto: Oh? Yeah, fine for me. I'd also appreciate it if we could sit back and relax, instead of standin' around. Since we’re here, why don't we go out for a drink?

Raffaello: Yes, that would be nice. Then, how about the bar?

Giotto: Okay. Then I'll look for a place and make a reservation for a table. Why don't we meet up directly at the bar?

Raffaello: Of course. Then, the time–

[showtimefireworks1]

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For those seeking a show-stopping spectacle, Showtime fireworks is the ultimate choice. These multi-shot barrages pack a punch with a rapid succession of explosions, creating a crescendo of light and sound that builds to a breathtaking climax. From cascading willows to crackling palms, each burst offers a symphony of color and movement that leaves spectators spellbound. Perfect for those who prefer variety; we offer a diverse range of effects in a single package. From vibrant peonies to shimmering brocades, these assortments showcase an array of shapes, colors, and patterns that paint the night sky with beauty. With a mix of aerial shells, mines, and comets, every launch promises a new and exhilarating experience. Add a touch of whimsy to your celebration with our Buy Fireworks Online UK that delight both young and old. From sparkling fountains to spinning pinwheels, these charming additions bring an element of surprise and joy to any gathering. Whether you're lighting up sparklers or releasing glowing lanterns into the air, these playful accents create lasting memories for all who witness them. For those mindful of noise restrictions or looking to create a more tranquil atmosphere, quiet fireworks offer a serene alternative. These low-decibel options deliver all the visual splendor of traditional fireworks without the loud bangs, making them ideal for intimate gatherings or urban settings. From gentle crackles to soft glows, these subdued displays still capture the magic of the night sky. Elevate your fireworks display with specialty effects that push the boundaries of imagination. From dazzling strobes to mesmerizing comets, these innovative creations offer a modern twist on classic pyrotechnics. Whether you're illuminating the sky with neon colors or painting it with metallic glitters, these avant-garde effects are sure to leave a lasting impression. When selecting fireworks for your event, it's essential to prioritize safety and legality. Always purchase fireworks from reputable vendors and adhere to local regulations regarding their use. Additionally, consider factors such as venue size, audience proximity, and environmental conditions when planning your display. In conclusion, whether you're celebrating a wedding, ringing in the New Year, or simply gathering with loved ones, fireworks have a magical way of bringing people together and creating unforgettable moments. With the best fireworks for sale, you can illuminate the night sky and create memories that will last a lifetime. So let the countdown begin, and prepare to ignite the sky with a spectacle that will leave everyone in awe.

Source & Reference: https://sites.google.com/view/showtime-fireworks/illuminate-the-night-discover-the-best-fireworks-for-sale

[fireworkstores]

Back The Blue - 500 Gram Shot Cake

[adamwatchesmovies]

Uglies (2024)

Oh, the Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian/Fantasy Novel Film Adaptation genre. How I’ve missed you. Uglies is a film cut from the same cloth as Divergent and The Darkest Minds. Its villains are obvious, which makes everything that follows evident. The romance and "shocking" revelations that follow are sure to have you rolling your eyes. Any potential it might’ve had is buried in overused ideas. Even if you haven’t seen where this clone's original genetic material comes from, you’ll be holding back laughs. I can’t wait for the sequel.

After the planet’s dwindling natural resources nearly caused civilization to collapse, a new society emerged to solve all of humanity’s problems. Genetically modified orchids provide free, renewable energy and humanity’s worst traits are expunged after they undergo extensive cosmetic surgery at the age of sixteen. Tally (Joey King) cannot wait to become one of the “Pretties” but when her best friend, Peris (Chase Stokes), undergoes the procedure, she has second thoughts. His personality has completely changed. Her uncertainty doesn’t go unnoticed. The city's lead scientist, Dr. Cable (Laverne Cox) assigns her a mission - she will remain one of the "Uglies" until she infiltrates the rebel group that lives in the surrounding wilderness and discovers the location of their leader, a terrorist named David (Keith Powers).

There are some good ideas there. Until you’re sixteen years old, you’re forced to live outside the city in restrictive dormitories. You’re told by the authorities that you need to be fixed and that you don’t fit in but that someday, you will. Once you undergo the surgery, you’ll start a new life “over there” with all the beautiful people living in this place you’re not allowed to visit but know is filled with non-stop revelry, fireworks and fun. If you grew up in a society that broke you down mentally every day, you’d do just about anything to get that carrot they've been dangling. Wanting to belong is something we can all relate to. With everyone over the age of sixteen either part of the corrupt governing body or brainwashed, it makes perfect sense for young heroes to be the driving force of rebellion and change.

The problem is that when we see this world in action - and I’m going to blame director McG here - every cell in your body says “This is wrong”. You take one look at Joey King. She looks fine. The “Pretties”, however, have a distinct sheen of special effects and makeup and the way they act/talk makes you immediately uneasy. When Dr. Cable tells Tally she can’t have the things she’s always wanted until she investigates this mysterious terrorist who operates outside the city, you know who the villain is. Even before we meet Dr. Cable, you’ve got this entire society figured out. From minute one, you’re waiting for our protagonist to catch up to you and scenes of flying skateboards can't make up the difference.

In the film’s defense, it’s got a good message. It’s what's on the inside that counts, and as a bonus, it doesn’t beat you over the head with it. The performances are… fine, so are the special effects. It’s not like anyone acts illogically or there are glaring technical errors, it’s that you feel like everything in this movie is beneath you. There are no interesting twists or revelations. There's nothing new to see. We never dig into Tally’s psyche enough for us to doubt our initial impression of this society. This world's sales pitch isn't good enough to make you think "You know, maybe they're an idea here worth exploring". No one who isn't brainwashed could see the idea of “Uglies” and “Pretties” as a good thing but the society isn't even sinister enough to be interesting and the secondary crisis is the definition of "underwhelming".

For me, the joy in Uglies, The 5th Wave, The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones, etc. comes from seeing the boxes I know it will check get checked. Does the enemy become the friend? Does the transparently evil-looking character turn out to be evil? Are the protagonists anguished, system-smashing teens? Is there a plot-relevant scar or tattoo? Will victory come at the expense of a vaguely important, but ultimately useless supporting character? Is there a city surrounded by walls or a barrier? Will the first love romance get broken up? What’s the film’s equivalent of “Muggle” and what are the factions called? I’ve made a game out of it, where everyone watching gets random cards and the one who gets the most points once the credits start rolling wins.

Uglies is not worth your time, not when you could re-watch the Hunger Games, Harry Potter or even the Twilight and Maze Runner films but when/if the sequel comes out, I’ll be there. I want to see what comes next so when it comes to Uglies, do as I say, not as I do. (October 4, 2024)

[iamlostsomewhereinthegarden]

Yugioh New Years Headcannons

Happy New Years! Here’s how you spend the New Years with some Yugioh Characters from Duel Monsters!

Seto Kaiba

He owns a company yk!

So he can’t stay at home cause he’s running the New Years celebration in the heart of Domino City

So you’re also working with him and Mokuba

Yeah it sucks but you get to see a bunch of famous musicians, singers, duelists and other important people

You guys are busy all night long that y’all hardly spend time together

Well that is until the countdown!

Seto finds you three minutes before the countdown starts and hold on tight

Ofc he gives you one of the best kisses ever

You think it’s him being cute a romantic until you see ads of a picture promoting his New Years Sales along with it being all over social media

Yeah he lowkey tricked you into the best spot to get pictures in

Hey, money waits for no one, at least you look good and got a banger kiss out of it!

Also ofc there were blue eyes white dragon fireworks

Joey Wheeler

He celebrates it with you and Serenity

You and Serenity cook and clean while Joey puts out the decorations

He’s so hype man it’s like dealing with a kid

He eventually calms down after seeing how tired everyone else is in the house and puts on the tv to watch for the countdown

You wanted to go to the countdown in person but Joey said that he’s had enough of Kaiba for the whole year so y’all stayed home

It was nice to snuggle up warm at home with family though so you didn’t mind

By the time the countdown came around Serenity was passed out and you almost were too

All you know was that you were woken up 10 seconds to and given a sweet kiss at New Years

Oh also, Serenity woke up at 5 seconds and caught a picture of you guys kissing

Yk for a fact that Joey was fighting Seto with his picture

Marik Ishtar

Mans first ever New Years above ground with his family

So ofc you celebrated it with the Ishtars

He was even more of A hyper kid than Joey because he never experienced this before

Did all stereotypical things plus more because it was his first one

The other Ishtars also helped and they were truly enjoying it and you were happy to be there for them

Accidentally let it slip about the kiss thing so now Marik’s even more hype for New Years

Falls asleep and has to get roughly awoken 5 minutes before New Years to be awake for it

Was fighting to go back to bed until you mentioned that he’ll miss the kiss and he was up like if he drank 5 Red Bulls

Couldn’t wait for New Years again

Gave you the most energetic kiss of your relationship so far at New Years

Ryou Bakura

Was planning to be alone and work on a project

You ofc was not having that

Yeah his family wasn’t there but you were and you were not gonna let your cream puff be sad!

You forced him to sleep since them eyebags were crazy and you wanted him to be awake for New Years

You lied to him saying that you weren’t gonna celebrate with him and that you’re just gonna chill

Ofc you cleaned, cooked, and decorated the place

Yk he was tired bad because he was knocked out even through the cooking and noise you made

You woke him up at 9pm to have him call his family and pay respects to Amane

He was so grateful to you and felt so loved that he started crying

Took a while to stop him as you freaked out a bit first before going to help

After calling and paying respects you guys settled down, ate and watched the countdown on TV

And at New Years enjoyed a nice sweet kiss ready to go into the New Years happily!

Yugi Mutou

He closed up the game shack early with gramps that day to spend it with you

Y’all cooked, cleaned and decorated early in the day and very fast

Then y’all slept in until 10pm and headed to the countdown celebration that Seto invited y’all to

Ofc Yugi dueled and entertained the crowd along with many others

After his piece though he went straight to you and cuddled cause waiting for the New Year and enjoying the events

At New Years ofc you guys kissed

It was sweet and simple

And despite not pushing anything somehow you guys got involved in the sweetest kiss “drama” on social media between you guys, Seto and his S/O and Joey and his S/O

Pharaoh Atem

As the king Atem was ofc very busy in the preparations of the feast and everything that would happen on New Years so you hadn’t seen him for 2 weeks

But those days were made up with good nights 👀

Still you wanted to be with him during the day but you were accompanied with Mana so you weren’t lonely

Eventually it’s the day and all the rituals were taking place

Though the humiliation ritual which you always found funny before felt different when it was your lover and he ended up shedding tears

But yk it meant more time with him as king and meaning a longer life

But you guys get to spend most of the day together, whenever one is the other is right there

And that night was the most special you’ve ever had in a while

New Years is good day

The the link about the New Year activity thing

Téa Gardner

You guys spent the day cleaning and cooking but not decorating

Nope you guys weren’t even going to Seto’s countdown

You guys were going to a party with some close friends outside of the friendship gang

So after having a calm day and sleeping in y’all reached the club that was reserved for the party at 5pm

And man it was amazing

Sodas, champagne, snacks , cakes, food in general!

You two were glad that you guys came to the party

It was a great night spent dancing and eating away

Eventually you passed out from a mini food coma along with Tea barley hanging on

You guys jumped awake at the at the alarm of one minute to New Years going off around the club

Sitting on the comfy couches you guys cuddled together and shared a short sweet kiss for New Years

After whispering happy New Years to one another y’all promptly passed

Eventually you guys get woken up 2 hours later by the host saying the party was over and to go on home

It was a very nice New Years and you couldn’t wait for what the year holds

Tristan Taylor

He was surprised to get an invitation to Seto’s countdown as he wasn’t noticed as much as everyone else in the group but he got one!

Though you guys didn’t get set up in the entertainment section or the vvvvvvvip section you guys were in the vvvvvip section (naming done by Mokuba) and was able to meet cool people but mostly stayed to yourselves

You guys cooked and cleaned as y’all knew where you guys were heading and watched some tv as you guys waited for the time to pass

It was a nice calm day that led into a fun night that you truly enjoyed

At New Years y’all shared a small kiss not wanting to show too much PDA and cuddled until it was time to go home

Duke Devlin

Also a person who was surprisingly invited to Seto’s countdown

But he was in the lower promotional area to promote and show off Dungeon Dice Monsters

It was an all day thing for him

You weren’t bored though since you were allowed to help

Also because Seto’s holograms were so good that it made showing off the game exciting no matter how many times you did it

The best part was showing it off on big scale at night in front of millions of people at the countdown

It was amazing! And you could see Duke’s happiness

After his piece at the countdown he stayed out for on hour later and closed up to spend the rest of the day with you before New Years

At New Years he gave you the biggest and happiest kiss he’s ever given you

In general New Year’s Eve and New Years was a great for all these characters and I hope you have a Happy New Year! May your future be bright and I hope you come back to read more of what I post!

Tags: @reallyromealone @jkloserdazai @kokonoiscoconut @gaybitchfx

[stormyoceans]

As someone who doesn't like vice versa I dare you to try make me like jimmysea

SKFGDSKFGSKDGFSKDGF I—i mean if they're not really your thing i doubt anything i could say is gonna make you like them but YEAH OKAY SURE WHY NOT I CAN TRY

let's meet our boys separately first!!!!

jimmy. actor, doctor, babygirl. frankly has my undying admiration even just for being able to juggle his acting job while also studying to become a dermatologist and somehow succeeding at both literally could never be me. people tend to dislike him for his role as wai in bad buddy, but you only need to watch any bts video from the show to see how much he is adored by everyone and if anything that should be proof of the absolute range he has as an actor. avocado enthusiast and self proclaimed extrovert (is he tho. is he really), don’t get fooled by his quiet and responsible appearance, he’s actually the most deranged man in the industry. i still remember the day an anon told me he improvised nomming on his co-star's face and using a pillow to suggest stripping said co-star down and eating him out all in the name of Acting™ because i've never been the same ever since. the me before and after i was given this information are completely different people

sea. actor, athlete, dog dad. you won't get a single objective thought out of me because i am: Disgustingly Fond. debuted with a killer performance in the show 55:15 never too late as a supporting character, the fact that he's somehow still so underrated when he's one of the best actor in GMMTV makes me want to bark bite maim kill. he is an actual ray of sunshine with a smile that could light up the entire world and also the perfect example of an introvert: he has the innate ability to somehow disappear from any social gathering, but if he wakes up in a silly goose mood you will find him shamelessly twerking in front of everyone and being an absolute goofball. he's also a great singer and goes along with everything jimmy does because he is a big Simp™ (who's more deranged, the one who noms first, or the one who noms back, this is the question)

and now onto them as a pairing!!!!!

jimmysea. with a 5 years difference between them, they are actually the pair with the biggest age gap in GMMTV, which could have come in the way of their on- and off-screen relationship, but from what we are privy of i think you can see in every interaction they have that they clearly adore and are incredibly fond of each other. maybe it's because they share the same kind of derangement, or maybe it's because they both are very hardworking and humble boys who always try to give their best, but somehow they work. as the older one jimmy is always there to help and guide sea however he can, but when he needs it sea is ready to step up and carry the weight for him. they may not possess the kind of chemistry that's all sparks and fireworks, but they have a quiet gentle intimate one that makes them look like they've been married for years, which is also helped by their insane ability of looking at each other with so much love and adoration in their eyes it feels like your heart is getting curb stomped against the sidewalk. they don't really know what fan service is and they can go weeks without seeing each other (the drought eras), but when they do hang out they usually go out to eat and swim together (preferably at the pool in sea's condo after jimmy drives him back)

..not sure why this came out as a sales pitch tbh ;;;;;; honestly there are a lot of things i could add and if i were to convince you to like them i should probably send you links to videos and stuff like that but. im not really good with this sort of things ;;;;;; (i guess i could still suggest you to watch their praew interview to have an idea of their dynamic)

in the end all i can tell you is why i personally like them, which is mainly because what transpires of their relationship feels very genuine to me and they seem to be really sweet boys who just stand in their introverted corner minding their business doing their own thing portraying high romance and giving incomprehensible levels of adoration derangement goofiness talent ability skills. THEY ARE JUST SO COMFORT SHAPED TO ME IDK WHAT ELSE TO SAY

[i-eat-worlds]

Whumpcember Day 17-Fire

@whumpcember

cw: angst (whoops), accidental burns, poor firework safety

“Do you want to know what the best part of the good ole’ états-unis d'Amérique is?” Sil was practically vibrating.

“What?” Avia said, sighing. This was gonna be a fun one for sure.

“Explosives.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “This isn’t gonna go well, is it?”

“Nope,” Avia agreed, shaking her head. “I’ll go call Joseph, just in case.”

“Good idea.”

It was the start of August, and the team had been sent to the states for a month of training. Eric and Joseph were off at some muckety-muck leadership conference, but the rest of the team had the day off. Sil had taken that as an invitation to experience some freedom and buy the best on-sale discount fireworks fifty dollars could buy. (Avia had promised to come along if he kept the endeavor under budget)

And, as Avia had intended, that wasn’t much. They burned through them quickly, and were just about to pack up when Sil found and extra sparkler. “We’ve got to be up early tomorrow, maybe we can try being in bed at a decent time?” Avia crossed her arms over her chest.

“It’s only one! Waste not, want not,” Sil said. She could practically see the fire in his eyes as he lit it.

The sparkler sizzled, sending out bright sparks as he held it. He traced it around in the air, writing his name with the tail of sparks.

“Those take forever to burn down, it’s eleven. I want to go,” she lunged for the sparkler, trying to smack it out of his hand.

Sil yanked his arm back, pulling it out of range. She reached for it again. This time she was more successful, landing a hand on his wrist. Spooked, he let go of the sparkler, sending the stick rolling down her arm before it landed on the ground.

“Fuck!” she yelled, pulling her arm in close. The sparkler had burned her forearm.

“Are you okay?” Sil asked, as he extinguished the sparkler. His voice was full of worry, and his veins blooded with guilt.

“Let’s just go back,” she grumbled.

*** Sil chewed on his cheek, raising his hand to knock and then dropping it. The sink was still running, as it had been for the past ten minutes. Alex had been in and out, bringing in some supplies, before she left Avia alone.

Exhaling, he bit his lip, shame coiling in his gut. He hadn’t been trying to hurt her. She was in pain, and Joseph didn’t handle burns well, and he’d fucked everything up. The least he could do was apologize.

“Avia?” he asked, lightly tapping on the door.

“Come in,” she said.

Sil swallowed and pushed the door open.

She was leaned against the sink, arm positioned under running water. There was a bottle of ibuprofen on the counter, lid half screwed on.

“Hey…um.” He needed to just get it over with.

“I’m sorry, for dropping the sparkler on you.”

Avia was quiet for a second. “It’s my fault, not yours.”

“I was the one that dropped it.”

“And I was the one who tried to take it.” She turned off the sink. “It’s on me.” Carefully, she started to cover the burn with the clear stuff that Alex had brought in. “It's only a first degree burn, so Joseph shouldn't freak out too much.”

“We’re both going to get our buts kicked, aren’t we?” Sil sighed. Aivia nodded

“Absolutely.”

Taglist: @pigeonwhumps @rainydaywhump

[talltoontales]

~ Friggin Friday ~

[Story 32]

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Prompt: You've been transported to a 2000's live-action Disney movie & your only key to getting is by making the MC's dreams unobtainable through any means necessary. Prompt By: r/wingman66 (Reddit) Started Writing: 07/09/2024

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Word of advice: never buy a TV from a witch's garage sale.

Because I've been in this Chinese restaurant since eleven in the morning, downing fortune cookies like cheap shots, looking like an absolute maniac! But the only way outta this C-tier movie is to keep Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan for swapping bodies, and the quickest way to do that is to make sure this place doesn't have any more terrible-tasting mystic fortunes to give…I'm gonna be sick!

|| || || || ||

Ok, so fun fact: if you eat your weight in fortune cookies you will vomit until you pass out. But enough about my ongoing hatred for fortune cookies. Time for plan B! Jamie Lee Curtis, who is now in Lindsay Lohan's body, should be meeting with this world's version of the mean girl trio.

Which doesn't really hit, now that I think about it. Because I know Mean Girls came out in 2004, and Freaky Friday, I think, came out the year before, but whatever!

Regina- I mean…who am I kidding? Her actual name doesn't matter. Regina's about to trick Jamie Lee Lohan into getting gift-wrapped, causing her to stumble over a nearby bike rack and eat grass. However, if my math is right, I should have set in motion a Final Destination-style series of unfortunate events where, instead of landing on soft-ish dirt, Jamie'll get knocked out for hopefully the rest of the movie's run time…

-Pulls Out Phone-

Wow, '09 and '04 again! How do I even know that this movie exists? Wait, that's riiiiiight, Parent Trap and the School Sleepover. Man, those were better days. Why couldn't I get trapped in Parent Trap? Could've been done by now.

-Jamie Lee Lohan screams as she topples over the bike rack onto dirt-

What the-where's the duffle bag of football helmets? Where's the horde of test frogs? What happened to the-

-The school shakes as a muffled explosion goes off, followed by fire alarms-

Oh yeah, forgot about the toilet bombs. Oh, man, I should probably make sure that janitor's okay. Alright, first, help the janitor, and then we slash pretty boy's motorcycle tires.

…probably should have done that first.

|| || || || ||

Ok, so that did not work at all, but on the bright side, Jamie Lee Curtis' character is a pretty good therapist, so I got that going for me.

Anyway, no more, Mr. Subtle. It's the big concert, and I gotta show stopper, and by that, I mean over a thousand dollars in professional-grade fireworks at the heart of the city's electrical grid. Can't rock with no power!

-Laughs maniacally while lighting the fuse-

…wait a minute…these are rockets…rockets explo-

|| || || || ||

-Jerks awake on the couch as the credits for Freaky Friday roll down the TV screen-

Oh, thank God that worked! Not to self, next, get trapped in something fun like Lilo & Stitch or one of the Rugrats movies or…

-Jumps off the couch over to the DVD rack, frantically searching through the stacks until finding "Speed Racer 2008."-

I take it all back, this was the best purchase I've ever made!

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. . . . . . . . . .

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story. If you have any comments, critiques, or criticisms, please don't be afraid to let me hear 'em (as long as they're constructive (or comical)). Also, if you have some spare time, check out my blog for more stories like the one above. Stay safe, drink plenty of water, and be kind to yourself and others. ToonMan, AWAY!

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