#bottom is pattern drafting and decorating

[tipsy-scales]

I used to hate making pants but look at me now!!!

[polymorphiczooid]

Marcille's frog suit is complete! This was my third-ever project using a sewing machine, so I've put a bit on my process for suit and staff-making below.

The Body: I drafted a pattern from a loose sweatshirt and sweatpants (somewhat following these tutorials: 1 2). From this I made a truly terrible mock-up from a fitted sheet -managing to sew the arms on inside out (twice, in two different ways). I also learned that the back panels need to be larger than the front panel, to accommodate the butt.

Originally, I wanted to make this out of raincoat material or pvc fabric to get that slimy frogskin look. I couldn't find any in the right color (or price), so I went with a cheap polyester satin. I think latex might have been also been a good alternative, but I've never worked with it before.

To get the white patterns on the frog, I just eyeballed where I thought the stripes should go on the paper pattern and cut it into smaller pieces (which I had to tape back together when I made the lining - this time out of blue bed sheet).

In the manga, there are large visible stitches in front. To mimic this, I decided to have the front lace with a thick cord. This meant I needed to install gromets on the front opening - but I was worried the hardware would tear right through the fragile satin. To prevent this, I reinforced the opening with a strip of denim encased in red cotton.

The smart thing to do would make the front zip up, and add a panel of fake lacing over the top. Since I didn't, 1) it takes a while to put on, and 2) the suit gapes open in places.

Frog Head: I spent a lot of time trying to figure this out - but in the end, I went with a very simple construction.

The hood consists of four main panels: the frog-shaped front and back panels of the outer hood, and two red panels for the inner hood. I 1) attached the white and orange parts of the outer panels 2) sewed the outerpanels together, and the inner hood panels together 3) cut a hole for my face out of the front outer panel, 4) sewed the edge of the inner hood panels to the face hole, 6) stuffed with batting from an old pillow, 6) added some extra fabric to close the hood under the chin.

I didn't quite get the shape right - the eyes should be rounder/ protrude less, and the cheeks/marcille's ears should sit lower down on the head. I think adding an extra panel to the back of the head would help it sit better. It's pretty 2D in profile, so my face sticks out of it too much.

Finally, using a stretch fabric for the inner hood (or a drawstring, that could tighten the hood itself) could make the hood fit snugly around the face. My hood was too loose, and I constantly had to adjust its position.

The frog eyes were also a bit tricky. The satin frayed to much to add large decorative stitching, so I had to sew little pieces of cord individually to the eyes. I probably should have made these smaller and more numerous...but my fingers were pretty sore form hand sewing.

The Shoes: I decided to make some boot covers for my docs, because making shoes from scratch is beyond my skill level.

I made a pattern by wrapping one shoe in a plastic back, then masking tape, and tracing out what looked like some important seam lines. I sewed all the pieces together except for top of the shoe, which I left open so 1) bagline the show cover, and 2) sew in the frog toes.

The toes themselves were sewn out of cotton and, stuffed with batting and old crochet squares. Then everything except the toe-tip was covered in orange satin. I did this since I was worried that the satin would not play nice with paint (foreshadowing). The toe-tips were then painted with a mix of black acryllic and liquid latex (for flexibility).

To keep the shoe covers on the shoes, I added some elastic around the bottom (salvaged from a fitted sheet). They also needed to close in the back - but I didn't have and velcro or zippers and I was running low on gromets. Instead, I made some loops out of scrap leather to run the lacing through. This looked cool but it was really hard to lace up myself!

Gloves: These were made the day before the convention, and are terribly slapdash.

Normally when you make gloves out of non-stretch fabric you need to add gussets to allow your hands bend, without the gloves being too loose. I did not do that. I just traced my hand on the fabric, and gave myself big finger pads and plenty of ease. They turned out pretty meh!

One issue was the finger pads themselves: it's hard to sew in a circle, so they were lumpy in shape. This lumpiness was enhanced by the way I stuffed them: just shoving stuffing into the finger tips. which is also where my fingers have to go. So every time I took the gloves on and off, the fingertips would get out of shape. I think hollowed foam balls would have been a better choice for the finger tips.

In addition, I painted the fingertips with the same latex/acrylic mixture I used on the toes. While it dried just fine on the cotton, the paint remained really sticky - so they picked up dust and peeled rather badly.

The gloves only had four fingers in the manga, so that's what I went with. But it was pretty uncomfortable with the pinky+ring finger sharing a home, and it didn't even look good.

Ambrosia (the staff): This was a real last-minute addition to the costume, done the night before the convention.

The base is a wooden dowel, and the hoop in a long tube of cotton fabric that I stuffed very firmly. I anted to make sure the hoop wouldn't fall off, so I "drilled" a hold near the tip of the staff (I.e. I shoved a screwdriver through the soft wood like an animal), and added grommets to each end of the stuffed cotton tube. I then created a tight mechanical join by running leftover cord though one grommet, then the dowel, and then the other grommet before tying it off.

Next, I wrapped a ton of different materials around the hoop and body of the staff: coord, twine, paper florist "rope", and paper-covered florist wire, etc. This was secured with an ungodly amount of hot glue. When possible, I tried to new strands under pre-existing ones for some extra security. I really like how wrapping the cord around the soft-hoop created the impression of vines growing around a living branch.

I painted the staff in three layers: base coat of red-brown, then a "wash" of watery black acrylic , and a dry brush of a lighter brown. I did not do a good job getting the paint evenly over the surface! From some angles the white cotton is still very visible, and I probably should have painted it before wrapping anything around it.

The sprout was made by sewing two leaf-shapes out of cotton, hot gluing it to a small snip of florist paper, and then hot gluing the stem to the hoop. Not bad for a rush job!

Overall: I think the feet and staff came out the best! People recognized me at the convention too, which is always the real test.

[celestialtrolls-moved]

Aelynn is ready for the ball! The result of blood, sweat and tears (both mine and hers), and now I'm gonna go let my hand collapse and potentially fall off my body!

But that's not all, because I put my whole brain into this design, so click the read more to see ME EXPLAIN NEARLY EVERY SINGLE DESIGN DECISION I MADE AND WIPS

themes that were kept in mind

CARNEVALE CONFECTIONS: A BLOODSTAINED MASQUERADE

Sogno Dell’Arlecchino + Blood & Candy

inspiration focuses were chocolates, vampires (blood and gothic), carnevale (harlequins), decadence and detail, and Italy. just. in general.

DRAFT 1, sketch

writing, from top left to bottom right

makeup is carnevale inspired, maybe jade for vampire/rainbow drinker

ribbon-like chocolate gift decoration (in hair)

drips - blood? chocolate? (necklace)

wavy hair to invoke pouring chocolate

cream filling or icing (around the hem of bust)

rhinestones in hair and in tulle for decadence

tulle (bustle) -> make it lace, more common in carnevale costumes

caramel drizzle, small jewels as 'salt' (decorating the gloves)

corset VERY IMPORTANT for vampiresque vibe

subtle pattern (on the corset)

like little maltesers (on the bustle)

alternating black and white (skirt panels)

the dress shape itself was inspired by several looks from 'salon du chocolat' fashion shows, however this was abandoned

DRAFT 2, lines (attempt 1)

switched to a long skirt for a more classic silhouette, skirt drafts

based on various cake decoration methods, asked in servers which i should go with and then tried to merge the chocolate chips and the icing for maximum decadence, however

chocolate chips were abandoned due to looking somewhat messy

some rhinestones were placed to replace them much later

LINEWORK, attempt 2 (i redrew the entire thing with a thinner lineweight)

as well as the things written here, i switched out the hairpiece from chocolate squares to unturned fangs and roses

i also included the rest of the moodboard i was using in this image so you can see the other things i was inspired by

COLOUR DRAFTS

tried roughly placing colour in this phase, wanted to have a bright lilac main colour to balance out the dark details and hair, since carnevale costumes tend to be extremely bright and eye-catching, tried to avoid using completely desaturated colours

decided to put the gradient at the bottom of the dress because putting it at the top made it look like it wasn't one piece with the bust, wasn't really happen with the contrast between the leg ribbons and the lilac however

part way through colouring i decided i hated the lilac, tried to darken it a little, still didn't like it, turned it black

decided to hand-draw a tonne of embroidery for the corset because most carnevale dresses have heavy detail in texture and lace pattern

the front two panels are paisley/plant-inspired and then the panels on the back which is then echoed for the translucent torso piece are geometric patterns based off of commedia dell'arte costumes for the character trope 'harlequin'

the torso piece also has small unique embroidered flowers in each of the larger empty spaces because seriously these carnevale outfits go so heavy on patterns

more italian gothic architecture, this hatched pattern has a multiply layer depicting the Duomo of Siena onto the fan, which is a fascinating piece of architecture that spanned centuries to finish

[victoria-daydreams]

AN: Don’t know if I will continue this story, don’t know where I want to go after this chapter, but I do know I’m happy it’s out my head and my drafts.

Trigger Warnings: racial slurs, use of google translate

Isabella Davies, dressed in an elegant, navy blue and white trimmed gown, sat rigidly in a finely upholstered chair on a grand ship called the Kerberos. Daintily, she sipped hot English tea out of a china cup, her dark brown eyes lazily scanning her surroundings over the rim. The dining hall was decorated with wooden paneling on the walls and had floors made of linoleum tiles, featuring an elaborate red, brown, and triangular pattern. Hundreds of tables littered the space, filled with any range from two to five people. Low murmurs floated about in the hall along with clattering of the china, for eight, long days she would have to endure this.

“Morning tea, noon tea, evening tea.” she thought.

This voyage was not one she voluntarily wished to be on. It was not her fault high society and her did not mix for reasons out of her control. Though diamond earrings adorned her ears and a diamond pendant hung from her neck, Isabella would never be seen as one of them.

“Isabella?” Mr. Wood called, causing her to lower her cup and look at him. “Are you listening to me?” he asked, peering over his glasses.

Wilfred Wood, a plump and almost balding man sat beside her. He was her breakfast companion, more than that, he was also her legal guardian since her father passed. He was a kind man, treating her with respect and dignity despite her complexion. However, at the moment, she was in no mood to hear their itinerary; they had more than enough time to discuss it later.

She stared at him with mild interest, “Wholeheartedly,” Isabella responded, placing the porcelain cup onto its saucer.

“Good, as I was saying, once we get to America,” Mr. Wood continued, not picking up on her sarcasm.

Isabella tuned him out once more, shifting her blank gaze to two tables from them. There sat a young couple who looked to be about her age. Although, Isabella felt the term was being used too loosely by her. If she opened a dictionary and searched for the word unhappiness, the two of their faces would be plastered next to the definition. Isabella couldn’t help but carefully watch their interaction with each other. The pretty, brunette attempting to engage in conversation with her handsome husband who’s attention lied elsewhere; she quickly followed his stare to discover he was looking at the geisha across the room.

She could see the distance between the man and woman, it was plainly obvious if you knew what to look for. Isabella, for reasons unknown to her, was immediately captivated by this man. Curly brown hair, light blue eyes, a well groomed mustache above plump lips, even the determined line of his jaw. Isabella wanted to get to know him better, but in a way, she felt she almost knew him already. Wrapping her fingers around the handle of the teacup again, she went to raise it to her lips when her eyes noticed faint movement at the bottom of the couple’s table.

Isabella’s eyes drifted down to the source and was shocked to find it came from the handsome man himself. Just out of sight of everyone, his left hand began to tremble uncontrollably. Furrowing her brows, Isabella shifted her eyes up to find the man staring back at her. Startled, she quickly turned her head and looked straight ahead, sipping at her cooling tea.

“Isabella!” Mr. Wood called again, his voice low.

“Yes, Mr. Wood,” she replied, glancing at him.

“You have not listened to a single word I’ve said have you?” he questioned.

“I have,” Isabella said, quietly putting the cup down. “With the utmost interest,” she added, an easy smile on her lips.

He looked at her for a moment, “Repeat to me what I just said,” Mr. Wood challenged simply.

Isabella’s savior to answering the demand, came in the form of a scarred, lanky man from third class suddenly bursting into the dining hall, shouting in a foreign language. She welcomed it, because she didn’t have the faintest idea of what Mr. Wood had been droning on about. Still yelling, the man’s shouts echoed in the hall while passengers nervously looked around at each other. Isabella concentrated on the man’s words, trying to put her lessons to use to decipher what he was saying. The language he was speaking vaguely sounded like German, but she knew it couldn’t be as she would’ve understood him perfectly.

“I think he’s trying to ask for something,” Isabella whispered, looking at Mr. Wood, his thick brows raised.

“Doctor!” the man exclaimed, desperately looking around the room.

Just as he managed to say the one word in English, three crew members came from behind him and roughly dragged him out the room. A second had barely passed when a redheaded woman jumped from her seat to find the man who was dragged away. Slowly, hushed conversations resumed in the hall.

“Well,” Mr. Wood began, dabbing the corners of his mouth with a cream colored napkin. “That was enough excitement for the morning,” he remarked, putting the cloth onto the table and standing up. “Let us go, where you’ll be less distracted as we discuss what is to come, hmm,” he said, outstretching his hand for her to follow him.

She exhaled, “I do not have much of a choice, do I?” Isabella retorted, rising to her feet.

Side by side, they walked to the double doors and Isabella briefly glanced off to her left. Like magnets, dark brown eyes locked with a familiar pair of blue ones and at that moment, it was as if time slowed. Gliding past him, their eyes never left each other’s. Isabella was mesmerized. She began to wonder how many other women had gazed into them, held fixed by the wordless spell? With a soft creak, the trance Isabella was in shattered, forcing her to look ahead and follow Mr. Wood out the doors.

~~~x~~~

Isabella’s fingers mindlessly tapped against the railing, imagining them as piano keys as she looked out into the bleak, gray sky.

“This was your plan all along, to cozy up to him! You have robbed the both of us from our father’s inheritance, his blood! You two-faced, negress whore!”

Echoes of the upsetting memory floated through her mind, unsettling her and causing her palms to tremble. Tilting her head, Isabella closed her eyes as a gentle sea breeze blew, sending the loose strands of her dark hair across her face. The sound of waves lapping against the ship soothed her as the steel behemoth cut its way through the ocean bound for America.

“Est-ce que quelqu'un vous l'a dit, regarder est impoli?” a deep, male voice stated, standing beside her. (Has anyone told you, staring is rude?)

Isabella’s eyes opened, her head whipping to the side and she was pleasantly surprised to see the slim frame of the handsome man from earlier. She relished the temporary distraction from her sullen memories.

“A Frenchman,” she thought.

“Pour être juste, je crois que tu regardais aussi,” (To be fair, I believe you were also staring.) Isabella responded smoothly, a small grin tugging at her lips. “On peut difficilement appeler ça du regard, si ce n'était qu'un simple coup d'œil,”  (One can hardly call it staring, if it was but a simple glance.)

His eyes widened slightly, surprised Isabella responded in his tongue.

“Tu parles français?” (You speak French?)

“Oui,” she nodded. “Je m'appelle Isabelle, Isabelle Davies,” she said, flashing him a friendly smile.

He merely stared at her, “Isabelle, un si beau nom,” the Frenchman commented. (Isabella, such a beautiful name.)

Blood rushed to her cheeks, “Merci,” Isabella said, bowing her head shyly. “Et tu?” she asked, gesturing to him.

“Lucien,”

“Au plaisir de vous rencontrer Lucien,” (A pleasure to meet you, Lucien.)

His eyes trailed over her face as if he was trying to commit it to his memory. Shifting his weight to one leg to another, he moved closer to her.

“S'est-on déjà rencontrés? Il y a quelque chose en toi qui m'est familier,” Lucien commented.  (Have we met before? There is something about you that's familiar to me.)

“Non,” Isabella shook her head. “Sauf si vous avez visité Londres récemment,” she added, with a hint of playfulness. (Unless you have visited London recently.)

Lucien’s lips quirked up a little, “Non, je n'ai pas encore eu le plaisir,” he said, chuckling half heartedly. (No, I have not had the pleasure yet.)

Isabella mirrored his expression before a silence fell between them, she lowered her gaze taking to studying the deck at her feet. Glancing upwards, she quietly observed Lucien. Both of his hands were tightly clutched around the railing, to the point his knuckles had turned white. There was a tightness in his jaw ceasing as he gazed at the white foam the ship left it in its wake.

"Your secret is safe with me," Isabella said suddenly. The words came tumbling out before she could stop herself.

Lucien’s head jerked in her direction. His expression expectant as his eyes met hers. He wanted her to say it. Isabella chose her next words carefully.

"À propos de votre état," she finished, in French. (About your condition.)

He searched her face intensely, looking for deceit and Isabella held his stare. Only the waves continuing to lap against the ship bore witness to their interaction. Without taking his eyes of off her, he stepped closer to Isabella, just enough for their proximity to be still considered socially proper.

“Merci,”

“De rien,”

Isabella went to speak, but just beyond Lucien’s shoulder she spotted the prying eyes of Virginia Wilson, who appeared to be taking great interest in their conversation.

“I should go,” she said hurriedly, focusing back on him.

“Non,” he protested softly, reaching out to her.

“Mr. Wood is no doubt searching for me,” Isabella guessed, stepping away from him. “C'était un plaisir de vous rencontrer, Lucien,” she added, smiling sweetly at him. (It was nice meeting you, Lucien.)

Isabella didn’t give him a chance to respond, immediately turning around and walking along the side of the rail. The heels of her boots loudly clacking against the wooden deck, the noise reverberating in the still air.

24 year-old Isabella sat silently at one of the small tables in her late father’s study. Murmured conversations between her brothers and other guest happened all around her, but she didn’t dare speak. The death of her father had all but numbed her to human emotion. The executor cleared his throat, silencing the room.

"As you know, you have all been summoned to hear the last will and testament of William Davies,” he began, taking a seat behind the desk.

He took a single sheet of paper out of his leather briefcase. Isabella had no expectations for herself inheriting much if anything. She was his adopted child, not blood. She glanced beside her where Henry, her brother was, a smug expression painted on his face.

“I, William John Davies, being of sound mind, do hereby after mature deliberation, declare the following to be my last Will and Testament with respect to such property as may be left by me at the time of my death.

“To my daughter, Isabella Lucy Davies I leave the remainder of the Davies fortune and the whole of the estate Davies Estate, Kenbrick Manor including everything residing inside it,”

Isabella nearly fell out of her chair.

“This money is to be left in under the control of Wilfred Wood, until such time as Isabella reaches the age of 25 and contents of the inheritance are turned over to her control. This Will and Testament is the only one valid, and revokes all my previous testamentary dispositions, should any such exist after my death,” he finished.

The executor placed the paper back into his briefcase and folded his hands to look over the room.

"This is outrageous!” Henry shouted, seething in anger.

Isabella shifted in her seat uncomfortably, knowing it wasn’t the chair bringing her discomfort, far from it. Rather, it was feeling the brunt of everyone’s stares and what they meant. She was now the heiress to an enormous fortune, every pence her father owned and the family manor.

“Father cut us out the will and is giving everything to her!” Matthew exclaimed in disbelief. “A colored urchin he plucked from the streets,” he sneered.

“How much is the remainder of Father’s fortune?” Henry demanded.

"The remainder is about £300,00,” the executor replied matter of factly.

"Three hundred pounds," Isabella repeated breathlessly, speaking for the first time.

I am feeling rather ill. I think the sea air is getting to me. Please excuse me to my cabin." Ruth looked up from her conversation and nodded.

"Of course, dear. Go."

In a dreamlike trance,

The sight and smell of those about her all merged into one along with the the smell of the fresh paints and the feel of plush new carpets beneath her feet. It was all so beautiful. So brand new.

Rose's body woke her up sharply at five in the morning. Slowly, she propped herself up on her elbow and scanned the room. The first hints of the day were beginning to shed through the curtains.

Olivia woke the next morning to her bedroom curtains being thrown open and bright sunlight pouring into the room.

[hellhathfrozethoverthinking]

fic #2

A/N: >2.5k words of....somethin. not actually sure what to call this..."Visiting Saturn Overtakes Terra With A Terrible Feeling Of Discomfort Brought About By His Own Mistakes And Control Freak Tendencies" doesn't really have a ring to it. more notes after the end :UUU

--

SRN-006's wing of Starship Sol was very minimalist.

The crown moulding and intricately carved patterns in each nook and cranny of SRN-007's broad and colourful corridors stood in stark contrast to these…neatly grid tile walls and artificial marble floors polished to reflection. A monochromatic, mostly black scheme, with splashes of white for accent.

It was one circular, narrow hall surrounding the repair lab in which he worked, with only purely necessary latitude. Just wide enough to accommodate their largest enlistee and no further.

SRN-006's wing of Starship Sol was too minimalist.

The dim pin lights resting parallel on the bottom of the perimeter were bulbless, caged, and cold. Cameras and sensors abounds sat in little pockets mechanically blocked out of the tile, and they too were black, with tiny red ringed eyes staring, unmoved, at whoever passed.

And then that would draw the attention to the preference of verticality in construction, as those burning lens would still be present the further back you tipped your head. In fact, should you regard them, they would return the favour, ensuring you felt small and out of place.

The ceiling stretched temple-high, and if you chose to follow it to its end, nothing special awaited you at the top. It was the same throughout, if not darker for the lack of mounted lighting.

SRN-006's wing of Starship Sol was beyond minimalist.

In every aspect, he'd wasted his opportunity for expression on barren, and featureless design. Nothing existed for comfort. There were no intentional benches, no decoration, nothing to suggest that anyone with a personality occupied the room in between.

How he managed to use so little of the space allotted to him when drafting, and turn what could have been a gravity-controlled exhibition lobby (per his home planet's aesthetics), into claustrophobic lifelessness was…disappointing.

Moreover, it was uncomfortable.

The experience of passing through this glorified pod bus tunnel was among the many things that made Terra's skin crawl.

He would never admit it to anyone, but it struck a particular chord of dread in him whenever the louvred metal doors slid away before him and he was forced to traverse the droning, beeping, clicking, groaning machinery trapped behind the architectural emptiness.

Pluto had once explained to him the concept of a "liminal space" while organising his daily field research.

-

"Liminality is, how do you say, a state commonly observed by man."

His glittering ruby irises flit back and forth across the tops of several holographed tabs.

"It is, so to speak, existing in a state of limbo."

He dismisses each window to the right or left with confident, swift swipes of his fingertips.

"When one is outside of points A and B. When one's regularity is upset and change is coming, but hasn't yet."

In the corner of Terra's visual feed blinks a purple light, alerting him to the three files just received under the subject "inv_rp21".

"A liminal space is similarly transitional. It is being beneath the bridge that connects your docked train to the station. It is being in the foyer of an familiar's unfamiliar home. The point of unease typically achieved by this will vary for the individual, but its basis is the same."

The sway of his tail and a dark chuckle follow him sauntering out of the office.

"Simply a little walk through to the gallows will unsettle these poor, ugly animals, even if they aren't in the noose. The paranoia is quite pathetic, don't you think?"

"…Quite. Thank you, 08."

-

The idea that he should be so human as to feel the effects of a "liminal space"…quite frankly, it irritated him.

What was the point of becoming an android if not to escape the trappings of the illogical?

If he had a choice, he'd simply warp straight to the laboratory and skip the gallows' walk altogether. The atmosphere of the planet Earth, the planet they'd been stuck on for centuries, he had to keep reminding himself it was far too dense to do any such thing and then attempt recompiling his molecular structure. If he were to try, travelling light speeds here would rip him asunder on an atomic level and he'd die a dangerous, obliterating death.

The thought alone was harrowing and persistent enough to keep him on the ground. He wished he'd never gotten a taste of it during the war against Mega Man, because it was tempting. But he couldn't. If he forgot, and did, wouldn't that be horrific? Every one of his men screaming for cover they'd never get, his carelessness costing them their lives, leaving their legacy a crater on a nowhere planet?

…

'Stop it.'

The necks of the cameras craned to fix their gazes on him.

A picture, of 40 different eyes turned to him in unison with his face reflected in each glassy surface, burned into the front of his mind.

And wouldn't leave.

Terra's legs stiffened. He shut his eyes.

Hampered by his body and the Earth's device, he had one defense against the odd, humiliating stress of being scrutinised from all angles: talking. It was a habit he'd developed long before his reconstruction at Albert Wily's hands.

In order to distract himself from the baleful thoughts that would constantly, ceaselessly encroach upon his mind, he would quietly, but vocally, talk to himself. He would talk until either the offending issue was gone, or until he'd calmed his anxiety enough to face it without shutting down, or doing something impulsive.

Instrumental to the success of this repression was that he not stop. That he tune out anything else telling him to divert his attention, do what he set out to do, and not stop.

"…♁, you're already pushing the envelope on time," he scolded, in a sing-song tone.

"If you arrive for your hygiene check late, he's going to complain, and then waste even more of your valuable time arguing why he should be 'cut a break, if you're not going to abide by your own set rules and arrive precisely when you mentioned you would, you neat freak."

The predicted conversation annoyed him perfectly. It drove his low heels clacking across the floor, to confront his slacking, good-for-nothing inferior before he had a chance to say exactly that.

"You can see his face now, right, sad and long like it deserves sympathy, probably because he'd been 'waiting oh so patiently, your highness'__I'll bet you feel your temper flare when he says that,"

which it did, taking his annoyance to anger and hurrying him into a power-stride, past a door with a slate sign labelled "MAINTENANCE".

"And of course, opportunist he is, he'd probably have thought he could take a quick nap-- actually, scratch that, there is no such thing as a 'quick nap' for him, once he's down, he's out, and he knows that, yet he never considered that when filing for employ in this embassy, he's got no professional pride, one of these days, he's going to get you all killed."

"Your invisible friend does a terrible job of backbiting, you know."

Terra's greenest shoots curled very suddenly, tightening his posture and releasing a gas into the hall that was the closest thing to a scent he'd detected since departing the byway.

He swivelled on his heel and stomped once to steady his posture, something he'd had to make a habit of doing since losing his hind legs, and usual gait. His company shook a finger at him.

"I do wish he'd be a little quieter."

Saturn was behind him by at least three metres.

Behind him by…what?

Behind him?

Sun strike him dead, the door was enormous. He was right there. How couldn't he have heard it shifting, at least? Was he really so caught up in distracting himself that he'd prioritised his pacing over the destination? Who knows how many times he might have gone in circles around it in that case?

Worse yet, why did that smug, sleepy face have to be the foremost indicator of his mistake? Taunting him with the notion of having seen all that faffing about?

Terra inhaled, and closed the distance between them, to two metres minimum. He even checked his feet to ensure that was correct.

"Move."

The seemingly indestructible smile on Saturn's mannequin-esque visage only grew with the demand.

"Now Terra," he started, pulling his ring off his shoulder. "There's an etiquette to asking things of people. A magic word: you may have heard of it?"

Electrostatic discharged between Terra's roots as he clenched the fist of his left hand, building up energy for the Spark Chaser. He didn't have to turn around to understand the hall cameras had settled on him, in sync with Saturn's hollow, impossibly red optic display.

"Move."

Motionlessly, Saturn's line of sight trailed from his hand to his eyes. Locked on to them. In mustering up the courage to hold him there, and not back down, Terra was able to look through him to the…limitless nothing. Into the abyssal, and unfeeling vacuum behind that warmly coloured shell.

…For just a few seconds, before the marionette made a show of throwing up his hands in mock defeat.

Terra questioned whether or not someone's photoreceptors counted as a "liminal space". His, at least. Certainly, they teetered on the cusp of real and unreal. It didn't help that his every action was such a practised, methodical thing.

It made nothing but sense that he'd devise sanitised, utilitarian floor plans like these, when he thought about it critically.

Saturn spun his ring out of the doorway, toeing it two metres until he could stop behind it and bow, gesturing his hand to the open lab. Always overdoing it with the inane, performative gestures, he should deck him just for that.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realise you were in that kind of mood!" The plastic grin did not waver. "Go on in! Gosh, what a throwback! I remember when you dropped in just like this, oh, couldn't have been any less than two Earth days ago! Time flies, hm?"

Terra shot him a look as he stepped over the threshold into the very white, and somehow even more ascetic rotunda. Then shot him another to make sure he wouldn't shove him on while his back was turned.

"You certainly are a diligent one, inspector," Saturn continued, unprompted. "I hope this visit yields tangible results. Aethers forbid you find nothing, driving you madder when the data doesn't reflect the nonsense you're convinced of in your own head! …Oh, wait."

Hilarious.

A wry laugh escaped the other as he considered stitching his inferior's mouth closed and beating him into submission.

But, not really. Although, somewhat.

He missed the years where he didn't have the wherewithal to emulate this biting sarcasm he seemed so reliant on to mask his social ineptitude nowadays.

It'd grown tiresome.

On his tiptoes now, Terra was careful not to trip any wires hooked up to heavy duty equipment or touch any of the hand tools littered on the floor with his feet. He avoided crushing a single mircochip, or shattering any stray sheet glass. He squinted at the fluorescent white fixture in the dome ceiling and swore something fell into his eyes. Let alone his grasses.

Sun above, for how tidy and untouched it appeared, it was filthy in here. How could it have gotten this bad in two days time?

"Terra? What's wrong?"

Saturn's voice came in far too loudly behind him. He rushed to occupy himself with plucking and pulling on two gloves from the dispenser near a chemical wash sink.

"Yellow patches notwithstanding," he jested, jested, absorbing every Sun-forsaken microbe from the doorframe as he reclined against it like it was a seat, it wasn't, why did he insist. "You look exhausted! This neverending cycle of fretting and compulsive cleaning to look busy and responsible must be wearing on you!"

A disingenuous look of pity crossed his expression. "Is there anything I can do for you, Your Highness?"

His composure nearly dissolved, right there on the spot. Terra grit his teeth and angled his head just enough to keep Saturn in his peripheral vision.

"You can disappear, how about that? You'd like to help me? Get out."

And, not giving him room to refute, "I'll signal you once I'm done in here, if you haven't managed to trip, get comfortable, and fall asleep on your way to the common room."

"Actually, I never said I was-" "Get out, 06! OUT!"

The 6th planet's greatest shame pretended to flinch, and hit a red button fixed into the doorframe, backing steadily out of his base of operations. "Well, all right! No need to shout, you'll wear your poor old voice hoarse!" The door slowly, very slowly, began to close, and would lock once it did. Terra crossed his fingers it wouldn't give him trouble when it came time to leave for the deep-wash chambers.

Grabbing a clump of steel wool and a bottle of bleach from an open storage closet, he glared at Saturn's waning form through the shuttering egress.

So many installations, so little time…he decided he'd start scrubbing at the surgical table, which by no means should ever see so much residue and metal shavings, but how much could he really expect out of such a lazy slob? This wasn't even his job, but he'd forced his hand into doing it anyway.

He flipped back the belt restraints, out of his way.

If he could hack the idiot open and reprogram him with a sense of accountability, he would, without hesitation.

"And while you're out there," he snidely commented, unable to hold back. "Try rethinking your interior design aesthetics."

From out in the corridor came a satisfyingly vexed huff.

"When we begin reconstructing the Sol, I don't want to see any lobbies plotted by an AI whose net is three cheap home renovation magazines max, 06."

"MINIMALIST! IT'S MINIMALIST, TERRA!" Despite his best efforts to remain in earshot, his voice faded behind the nearly-closed door. "I've seen the future, and it's LESS-IS-MORE, alright?! I'm a futurist! I'm ahead of the curve! I promise you, in another 20 years you'll be…"

Click. Hiss.

The commander's eyes drifted to the console at which Saturn monitored all his various security feeds, and watched him move between them. He watched him haul himself all the way to the lift, feeling much less tense behind the spotlight than under it.

"Slovenly bastard."

He was probably tracking untold amounts of grime and dust behind him. That this blind tryhard had the audacity to call himself "ahead of the curve"…

Terra sighed hard as he scrubbed, in repetitious circles, trying to decompress, and found he couldn't. Just talking to Saturn had sucked all the will to live from his body, like matter through a black hole.

The truth was clear. At some point, he'd have to go browsing the market for a new engineer.

If things continued like this, he was seriously going to hurt him.

More than he already had.

...But, not actually. Not really, he hadn't.

At the end of the day, he was a void imitating life, feigning innocence and pain, priding the future while clinging to the past. He couldn't be asked to take the blame of despair for someone opting to live a lie.

…

The steel wool broke the glove on his right hand. Hastily, he tossed it and the other in a mesh wastebasket, washed his hands, and popped on a replacement pair.

--END

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

didnt have a name for this goin in or anything i just sat down yesterday and typed up some crap cus Terra. idk i'm Interested in him theres so many different interpretations of him you can go with and Im leaning heavy on "a well intentioned but morally questionable Bitch". with OCD. his OCD isn't part and parcel of his Bitchness but it does contribute to a lot of his thought patterns, decision-making, and fixation on germ avoidance.

and then, arbitrarily, things can be too clean and clinical and then we arrive at an uncanny valley stage, which is his mood in this fic.

i wanna believe he an Saturn are like. at odds. working together yea but still at odds bc Long Arduous History. theyre barely tolerating each other and it Will come to a head at some pt. should write abt that too someday.

u h here i guess. //dumps this out in your hand and runs away

[thehues-home]

Creating a Cozy Atmosphere with Custom Insulated Curtains: Ideas for Winter Warmth

As winter approaches, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home becomes essential. Custom insulated curtains are a practical and stylish solution for enhancing warmth and comfort during the colder months. This article explores how custom insulated curtains can transform your space and offers ideas for making your home cozier this winter.

1. The Benefits of Custom Insulated Curtains

Custom insulated curtains provide several key advantages that contribute to a cozy winter environment:

Enhanced Insulation: These curtains are designed with multiple layers, including a thermal lining, to block drafts and retain heat. This helps to maintain a consistent indoor temperature and reduce energy costs.

Increased Privacy: Insulated curtains also offer increased privacy by blocking the view from outside, which is particularly valuable during the winter months when days are shorter and nights are longer.

Noise Reduction: The additional layers in insulated curtains can help to dampen outside noise, creating a quieter and more serene indoor environment.

2. Choosing the Right Fabric and Design

Selecting the right fabric and design for your custom insulated curtains is crucial for achieving the desired cozy effect:

Fabric Choices: Opt for heavy-weight fabrics like velvet, thermal polyester, or flannel. These materials provide superior insulation and contribute to a warm, luxurious look.

Color and Patterns: Choose colors and patterns that complement your winter décor. Warm tones like deep reds, rich browns, or forest greens create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Patterns such as plaids or damasks can add a touch of elegance.

3. Layering for Extra Warmth

Layering different types of window treatments can enhance both warmth and style:

Sheer Curtains and Insulated Drapes: Combine custom sheer curtains with insulated drapes for a versatile solution. The sheers allow natural light to filter through while the insulated drapes provide additional warmth and privacy.

Blinds and Shades: Pair insulated curtains with blinds or shades for added insulation and light control. This combination offers flexibility in managing both heat retention and natural light.

4. Complementing Your Winter Décor

Incorporate custom insulated curtains into your winter décor to create a cohesive and cozy look:

Textiles and Accessories: Match your curtains with other winter textiles, such as plush throw blankets, decorative pillows, and cozy rugs. These accessories enhance the overall warmth and comfort of your space.

Window Treatments: Use curtain tiebacks or valances in complementary fabrics to add a decorative touch and complete the look.

5. Installation Tips for Maximum Effectiveness

Proper installation is key to maximizing the benefits of custom insulated curtains:

Cover the Entire Window Area: Ensure that the curtains are wide enough to cover the entire window area and extend beyond the edges to prevent drafts. This provides a complete seal and improves insulation.

Mounting Height: Install curtain rods or tracks at a height that allows the curtains to hang close to the floor. This prevents cold air from seeping in from the bottom and enhances insulation.

6. Maintenance and Care

Maintaining the appearance and functionality of your custom insulated curtains is essential:

Cleaning: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. Many insulated curtains are machine washable, but some may require professional cleaning or spot treatment.

Storage: When not in use, store curtains in a cool, dry place to prevent damage. Use protective covers to keep them clean and free from dust.

7. Conclusion

Custom insulated curtains are a valuable addition to your winter décor, offering enhanced warmth, privacy, and noise reduction. By selecting the right fabric, layering treatments, and complementing your décor, you can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your home throughout the colder months.

[sunalimerchant]

Learn to Bake Bread: Essential Tips and Tricks for Beginners

Baking bread at home is a rewarding and satisfying experience that allows you to create delicious, fresh loaves tailored to your tastes. However, for beginners, the process can seem daunting. Understanding the essential tips and tricks can make your journey into bread baking much smoother and more enjoyable. This article provides you with valuable insights to help you learn to bake bread successfully.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into the tips and tricks, it’s important to understand the basic ingredients and their roles in bread making. The four essential ingredients are flour, water, yeast, and salt. Flour provides the structure, water hydrates the flour to form gluten, yeast acts as the leavening agent, and salt enhances flavor while controlling yeast activity.

Tip 1: Choose the Right Flour

The type of flour you use significantly affects the texture and taste of your bread. For beginners, bread flour is an excellent choice due to its high protein content, which helps create a strong gluten network. All-purpose flour can also be used, but it may result in a slightly different texture.

Tip 2: Measure Ingredients Accurately

Accurate measurements are crucial in bread baking. Use a kitchen scale to weigh your ingredients, as this ensures consistency and accuracy. Even slight variations in ingredient quantities can impact the dough’s consistency and the final loaf’s quality.

Tip 3: Understand the Importance of Hydration

Hydration, or the ratio of water to flour, plays a critical role in bread baking. Higher hydration levels produce a more open crumb structure, while lower hydration results in a denser loaf. As a beginner, start with recipes that have a hydration level of around 60-65%, which is easier to handle.

Tip 4: Knead the Dough Properly

Kneading develops the gluten network, which gives bread its structure. For beginners, hand-kneading is a great way to learn how dough should feel. A well-kneaded dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. If you’re using a stand mixer, avoid over-kneading, as it can damage the gluten structure.

Tip 5: Master the Art of Proofing

Proofing, or allowing the dough to rise, is essential for developing flavor and texture. Ensure your dough rises in a warm, draft-free environment. The dough is ready when it has doubled in size and retains an indentation when gently pressed with a finger. Patience is key – rushing the proofing process can result in dense, flavorless bread.

Tip 6: Shaping the Dough

Shaping the dough correctly helps create a uniform crumb structure and a beautiful crust. Practice simple shaping techniques like rounding and loafing. For round loaves, gently stretch the dough’s surface and tuck it underneath to form a tight, smooth ball. For loaf shapes, flatten the dough into a rectangle, then roll it up tightly.

Tip 7: Score Your Bread

Scoring, or making cuts on the surface of the dough, allows gases to escape during baking and helps control the loaf’s expansion. Use a sharp knife or a bread lame to make quick, decisive cuts. Experiment with different patterns to add a decorative touch to your loaves.

Tip 8: Use Steam for a Crispy Crust

Creating steam in the oven during the initial baking stage helps achieve a crispy crust. Place a pan of water in the bottom of the oven or mist the dough with water before baking. This prevents the crust from hardening too quickly, allowing for better oven spring and a beautiful, glossy finish.

Tip 9: Monitor Baking Time and Temperature

Baking times and temperatures can vary depending on your oven and the bread type. Preheat your oven thoroughly to ensure even baking. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the bread’s internal temperature – it should reach around 200°F (93°C) for most breads.

Tip 10: Let Your Bread Cool Properly

After baking, allow your bread to cool on a wire rack. Cutting into hot bread can result in a gummy texture. Cooling helps set the crumb structure and enhances flavor. Patience at this stage is just as important as during proofing.

Conclusion

Learning to bake bread is a journey that involves practice, patience, and a willingness to experiment. By understanding the basics and following these essential tips and tricks, you can confidently embark on your bread baking adventure. Each loaf you create will bring you one step closer to mastering the art of bread making, allowing you to enjoy the delicious rewards of your efforts. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and learn to bake bread that will impress your family and friends.

[onlineplantsnz1]

Unveiling the Charm of the Pink Bubbles Plant: A Delightful Addition to Your Indoor Garden

In the world of indoor gardening, there's a captivating plant that's been stealing hearts with its unique appearance and cheerful demeanor—the Pink Bubbles Plant. With its whimsical pink-hued foliage and compact, bushy growth habit, this charming plant adds a touch of magic to any living space. Join us as we embark on a journey to explore the enchanting world of the Pink Bubbles Plant, uncovering its secrets and discovering why it's becoming a favorite among plant enthusiasts.

Meet the Pink Bubbles Plant: A Delight for the Senses

The Pink Bubbles Plant, scientifically known as Peperomia argyreia, is a member of the Piperaceae family and is native to South America. What sets this plant apart are its eye-catching leaves, which feature a striking pattern of silvery stripes and a blush of pink that resembles delicate bubbles dancing across its surface. The rounded leaves, reminiscent of small watermelon slices, create a captivating visual display that's sure to spark joy in any room.

Beyond its visual appeal, the Pink Bubbles Plant also delights the senses with its low-maintenance nature and compact growth habit. This plant is perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners, as it requires minimal care and thrives in indoor environments with bright, indirect light. With its petite size and bushy growth, the Pink Bubbles Plant is ideal for adorning shelves, desks, or any cozy corner in need of a pop of color.

Caring for Your Pink Bubbles Plant: Tips for Success

While the Pink Bubbles Plant is relatively easy to care for, providing the right growing conditions will ensure its health and vitality. Here are some tips to help your Pink Bubbles Plant thrive:

Light: Place your Pink Bubbles Plant in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the delicate foliage.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, then water thoroughly until the excess moisture drains from the bottom of the pot. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's essential to strike the right balance.

Humidity: Pink Bubbles Plants appreciate moderate to high humidity levels. You can increase humidity by placing a humidifier nearby or placing the plant on a pebble tray filled with water.

Temperature: Maintain temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C) for optimal growth. Avoid exposing the plant to cold drafts or sudden temperature fluctuations.

Fertilizing: Feed your Pink Bubbles Plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).

By following these care tips and providing a little love and attention, your Pink Bubbles Plant will reward you with its charming presence and vibrant foliage, brightening up your indoor garden and bringing joy to your home.

Conclusion: Embrace the Magic of the Pink Bubbles Plant

In conclusion, the Pink Bubbles Plant is more than just a houseplant—it's a delightful companion that brings a touch of whimsy and charm to any indoor space. With its captivating pink-hued foliage and easy-care nature, this plant is a must-have for plant enthusiasts looking to add a pop of color to their home decor.

[fashionthroughtimewithlucy]

Mixed Matched design Draft 4

For my next mix and match design, I began combining elements of two designs I wasn’t, 1. 100% pleased with and 2. wanting to elaborate further with. I wanted to create something where both features were visible and so remained with the tight figure hugging silhouette, I wanted to pair this with something that was more of a statement as I have come to the conclusion that this design is basic and restricted of it’s full potential. Therefore, from the design on the right I have incorporated the balloon like puff detail to add a variety of shapes, moreover, the zig zag patterns has made an appearance as a piece of decoration, which I envision to be gold, would add further value and class to this garment. The contrast between the shapes on the top half and bottom half works really well together to experience the best of both worlds.

[whennnow]

A Straw Regency Bonnet

July 15, 2021

[Image ID: a straw bonnet with a blue ribbon and white feather displayed in profile on a foam mannequin head.]

Back in May or so, Nehelenia Patterns had a pre-order for an 1800-1830s straw bonnet. I've been wanting a straw bonnet for my Regency wardrobe for a while so I jumped on it (and regretted it a bit when I saw the cost for international shipping, but oh well).

It arrived at the very beginning of July and I was eager to decorate it! I had already bought ribbon to use on it and used that ribbon to make ribbon bodices inspired by a fashion plate I had seen.

Before I decorated it, though, I went searching for period inspiration. I found a small sampling of bonnets that may or may not be straw from 1798-1806, which lines up nicely with my existing Regency wardrobe!

Lining

First things first, though. Hair and straw hats don't get along well, so I'm putting a lining on the inside of the crown. Historically, this problem might have been solved by wearing a cap underneath the bonnet, but a) I can't see any evidence of caps in the fashion plates I'm looking at and b) I don't have a cap.

I'm using scrap pieces of unbleached muslin for my lining, but I would have liked to use linen or a nicer white cotton. I'm also considering coming back in the future to add a ruffle of fine white cotton around the edge of the crown to give the illusion of a cap. But that's not on today's agenda.

To draft the lining, I simply cut out a circle slightly wider than the very top of the crown and a rectangle tall enough to reach from the top to the bottom of the crown and long enough to go all the way around.

First, I seamed up the short edges of the rectangle. One side of the resulting cylinder was then roughly gathered down to be seamed to the circle. (The brim edge of the crown was wider than the top edge of the crown, hence the gathering.) The raw edges of the fabric will be hidden between the lining and the straw, so I didn't worry about finishing them.

With the lining constructed, I carefully fit it into the bonnet and folded in the un-seamed edge. Then I used a curved millinery needle to carefully attach the lining to the bonnet. My goal was to slide the needle between pieces of straw (not go through to the outside of the bonnet) but found it easier in most places to stick the needle right through pieces of straw. I did break a few pieces of straw, unfortunately, but nothing catastrophic.

Decorating

Then it was on to decorating! I was originally intending to make two ribbon decorations that would be easily interchangeable, but I wasn't sure how I was going to do that. Then, as I was compiling the gallery above (Note for tumblr: I'm not putting 11 fashion plates in here, but I will link to them at the end of the post), I noticed that 8 of the 11 fashion plates showed the (presumably) straw bonnet decorated with blue ribbon! It just so happened that blue was one of the colors I had intended to use, so I decided to just do a blue decoration.

After looking at the fashion plates some more and pinning the ribbon on my bonnet to see how it looked, I opted for a simple design. One piece of ribbon forms a band around the crown of the bonnet and two pieces of ribbon descend from the ends of the brim to tie the bonnet in place. It would have been perfectly historically accurate to have them tie under the chin, but I decided to make the ribbons slightly uneven to tie at the side, closer to the bonnet. This is also historically accurate, as can be seen in some of the above fashion plates and other plates of non-straw bonnets.

I pinned the ribbon band in place on the bonnet and chose a few select places to tack the ribbon to the bonnet, starting with the center front, and two places more to the side. I took a quick moment to attach the ribbon ties to the band when I reached that point, then tacked both sides of the ties to the bonnet. I then overlapped the ends of the ribbon band near the center back, hid the raw edges, and used my tinniest whip stitches to connect the ends.

As a finishing touch, I stuck a feather (which I'd borrowed from my other bonnet), into the ribbon near one tie and clipped the ends of the ties to have the classic 'swallow-tail' shape.

Final Thoughts

Just like that, my bonnet was done! The whole process was a morning's work - maybe three or four hours. Certainly less time than making a bonnet from scratch, and no less rewarding. I really love how it turned out! The blue ribbon compliments the yellow tones of the straw stunningly, and I think the feather really pulls the whole thing together.

Stay warm. Stay safe. Stay dry.

Bonnet illustration links, as promised: November 1804, 1799-1800, September 1800, May 1801, 1803, July 1801, July 1801, April 1804, August 1798, June 1806, July 1808.

[snailss-u2]

INITIAL DESIGNS

First of my designs, I wasn't too sure where I wanted to take things- I primarily focused on upcycling. I wanted to mix a bit of patchwork, some funky shapes and bring in use of my wrap dress for a little flare at the bottom. My idea was a spine scaling the leg at the side seam, with interfaced bulked details coming off perhaps through appliqued layers, though i knew i definitely wanted a few cutouts to bring in a skull-like aspect through sockets and a nasal hole- maybe even teeth.

Again i continued with the upcycling idea, the possibility of suspenders out of waistbands and a collage of pockets and applique skulls. I could use mismatching layers for one leg with fraying much akin to recent popular trends with jeans, and have the other a mix-matched patchwork with appliqued skulls over the top. I wasn't enjoying these admittedly, it feels too lazy if I'm not completely deconstruction garments and creating something new.

This is where I tried branching out! I wanted to try more with large bell sleeves, I'm heavily biased in this extent- i love them. I wanted a cropped underbust shirt with a front zip and princess style line to separate and save fabrics allowing room to mix up denims with different colours, frayed edges at the sleeves with a more messy patchwork. I didn't quite know where to bring in the wrap dress, so I added strip panels to the sleeves that could have bone print spanning it in the additional material.

This one wasn't my best, it feels a bit too much like swimwear. I wanted to use pant lets directly as sleeves with the more prominent seam running down the front, and décor it with a randomised printed pattern of skeletal hands. I wanted to try use a corseted top with a zip up front, skeletal ribcage top on the upper bust with a full lace up back.

More bell sleeves, more princess lines and more cropped stuff! Running pattern? Streetwear is far from my style but it has been quite fun to experiment with. I want to crop a lot of these to save on fabric, but with this it was quick to become a favourite. Patchwork bell sleeves, Appliqued ribs and spine on the front with a large skull print on the back. Peter pan collar (as stand collars suck to sew, I'm biased sue me) and frayed edges. It's a zip up front, and was my choice for which to create for my garment. I want to utilise what I've learnt and put it all into practice which is why most will have collars, zips, etc.

Another rough draft, this one I wasn't too sure on. It's a cropped shirt with a skull shaped cut out in the centre, ruffles to mimic spines going up the princess line seams at the front with rib-like cutouts at the lower sides. It has patchwork sleeves that are fitted with ruffled cuffs, and a ribcage that emerges and hangs down from the shirt.

By this stage i was trying to burn out enough designs to hit the limit and continue, Male designs and fashion is not my specialty. I wanted to continue with ruffles representing spines, doing multiple spanning a patchwork tunic with mimicked ribs between connecting them like an eldritch horror of a skeleton. One of my worst designs, but i've never been one for out-of-the-box, over-the-top designs.

An altered version of my earlier design, i hoped to shorten it to stop it from feeling like a swimsuit and more as a shirt, though it doesn't feel too different. Shortening it was a poor choice, but still an experiment to try.

Another Male design, using messy patchwork on the bodice and Jean waistbands wrapping around the midsection, a stand collar and zip up back. I has a flare to the bottom to break it up from just being a shirt, and rib-like cutouts in the sleeves

Final of my designs! It's an altered version of the ribcage top with the skull cut out- this time it's a sternum that runs from collar to navel, ruffles lining it and decorating the style lines with puff skull sleeves.

[waterlilyillustrations]

Catwalk Looks

My final illustration pieces were to illustrate a catwalk look from the Spring Summer 2023 collections from each fashion Capital; London, Paris, Milan and New York. The illustration style was two different illustrator's styles merged together.

This catwalk look was from the Carolina Herrera collection in New York. The two illustration styles were from Marina Sidneva and a style from The Styleaholic. I decided to do the face and the bottom half (towards the bottom) as The Styleaholic's style, and the rest as Marina Sidneva's style, as these parts highlight the style best. Watercolour was used for the whole illustration which was applied in patchy layers to represent the pattern on the garment. The watercolour was faded towards the bottom as it mimics The Styleaholic's illustration style. Fine-liner was added afterwards for the outline and details. The figure was first drawn out with pencil using the grid method and doubled up measurements.

After the illustration, I began the layout of the page, starting with the placement of the images and illustration. The titles were then drafted out, and watercolour was applied before the fine-liner. My illustration was placed the same side as the Designer's name and an image of the original garment. The theme for the presentation was yellow and blue which was to compliment and highlight the illustration's colour. I added little strips of yellow and blue card for decoration and secured everything in place with glue.

Something I wish I'd done differently would be making the size of the illustration bigger, but I am pleased with the outcome of the illustration itself. I think this illustration has shown my best abilities in using watercolour and I will continue to use watercolour for further illustrations.

[noomnin]

THE ONE WITH THE JAR OF PICKLES

# ft. tsukishima kei x gn! reader

cw: swearing

㋡ : i saw this lil thing lying in my drafts and wondered why i never completed it :,)) i hope u enjoyed pouty angry tsukishima getting betrayed by a good old jar of pickles 🐎if u're reading this, i appreciate u ily_03242022

giving the silent treatment to someone was hard; especially if the space is small, even more if the space is shared.

you were working on a university assignment on the couch when kei walked by you on the way to the kitchen. not a greeting nor a word was exchanged. silently trying to one-up the other by pretending that neither give a shit — that both were very much fine doing their own things, and that the presence of the other is as important as the dust under the couch. kei was mumbling things as he opened cupboards in search for something. at that point, you weren't even mad anymore: you actually found this pettiness of his rather comedic. but even more so when kei accidentally dropped the jar of pickles he held in his hand.

the loud crash of broken glass echoed throughout the small unit, and you can't help but stare at him, seeing what he'll do next.

but he doesn't do anything. at least not immediately.

he just stands there (🧍‍♂️), looking down, rather forlornly, at the icky liquid and shards that now decorate the clean polished floor. it took all of you to not burst into laughter. "... i just cleaned that earlier—" you heard kei whine to himself, shaking his head as he carefully navigates his way through the shards to get the broom, dustpan, and a cloth to wipe it with.

"that's what you get, bitch," you finally cave, stifling a grin behind the mug you were sipping tea from.

"shut the fuck up," kei retorts, avoiding your gaze though he is well aware that he just quite literally put himself up for mocking. all because of some stupid fucking pickles in a stupid fucking glass jar.

"need some help over there~?" you press, making his eye twitch.

kei replies with a flat "no".

"okie!" you begin typing obnoxiously on your laptop to prove to him that you're very much working and you're far too busy right now to give a shit about him. the expletives spilling out of his mouth in murmurs don't stop, only climaxing in one big "AH FUCK" when he nearly slips on the pickle juice.

"ughhhhhhhhhhh," you made sure you groaned loud and clear enough for him to hear (not that there was much distance between the two of you anyway) before closing your laptop lid, and padding over to where he was.

kei could only stare open-mouthed as you snatched the broom set from him saying in a sing-song voice, "let me show you how it's done...watch and learn, my child!!"

"i am perfectly capab—,"he lunges after the dustpan but you swerve just in time for him to nearly slip on the pickle juice again. it was then that he realizes that he isn't going to win this one, but despite this, he refuses to back down. "fine," he spits out, walking towards the sink where a rag awaits to be rinsed and used. his slippers squelched as he walked.

"oh, kei..."

"what is it now—"

he made more of a mess, is what it is. he is a tall dumbass, is what he is. a trail of dirty and damp patterns of the bottom of his slippers leading from the spilt pickle juice to the kitchen sink where he stands dumbfounded, is what it is.

more cleaning to do, is what it is.

[ words by aero. 2022. please do not repost and plagiarize or else i'm coming for your kneecaps ]

[armthearmour]

This ornate backgammon board consists of two sides, each 56 centimeters square, made of delicately carved woods of disparate types expertly fitted together. The two sides are connected by bronze hinges. The Kunsthistorisches Museum lists the wood types used in the construction of this piece as oak, nut wood, rosewood, palisander, and mahogany.

While oak is native to Europe, and the listed nut wood may be from any number of nut bearing trees, the remaining three wood types all represent the substantial cost that went into the production of this board. Most rosewoods grow natively in India and Southeast Asia, palisander is also known as “Brazilian” or “Bolivian Rosewood” and only grows naturally in the Americas, as does mahogany. The expense involved in shipping these woods across the world in the year 1537, a date of production inscribed onto the board, would have been immense, and speaks to the tremendous wealth and power of whoever commissioned the crafting of this board.

The names of three craftsmen are associated with this piece. The design and concept were drawn up by Georg Hörmann, and a draft done by Jörg Breu, a craftsman active in Augsburg, however the final product is signed by Hans Kelz of Kaufbeuren. It is possible that Breu had intended to complete the entire work himself, however he died in 1537, the year the piece was produced, so Kelz may have been given the commission after Breu’s passing.

The decoration on the board is ornate. Each of the triangular sections on the interior is inlaid with a different colored wood carved in a floral shape. The interior borders are covered in elegant scenes depicting exotic animals of all sorts, from peacocks and partridges to lions, boars, and stags. At each corner, and at the half-way point of each side, a small circle contains a delicately carved scene from classical mythology.

The exterior is equally remarkable. On each side four cameos surround a central armored figure mounted on a horse. On one side the central mounted figure is Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, the ruling emperor when this board was created. Surrounding him are four of his predecessors, all ruling men of house Hapsburg. In the upper left is the armored figure of Albert II. In the upper right is Emperor Fredrick III, cousin/successor to Albert II and predecessor/father to Maximilian I. Frederick II was also Charles V’s great grandfather. Charles’s grandfather and predecessor, Emperor Maximilian I, occupies the bottom left, and Charles’s father King Philip I of Castile sits in the bottom right. 

Both Maximilian and Philip are depicted wearing collars of the Order of the Golden Fleece, a prestigious knightly order founded by Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy, predecessor to Charles the Bold. The same collar encircles Charles V’s cameo. Flanking Charles are the twin pillars which support the arms of Spain, beneath them the Latin motto of the Spanish crown “Plus Ultra.” The Imperial eagle bearing the arms of the Holy Roman Emperor crowns the image.

Nestled amongst the fruits and leaves of the floral pattern on the outer edge, six coats of arms decorate each edge. These arms represent the royal claims of the Habsburg line. At each corner sits another small cameo of a classical figure; in the top left, Julius Caesar; in the top right, Augustus; in the bottom left Trajan; and in the bottom right, the Emperor Constantine.

The reverse side is decorated in much the same way. The central figure is identified as Ferdinand I, Charles V’s younger brother, who was elected King of the Romans in 1531. Surrounding him (in the same order as the previous side) are King Ferdinand V of Castille and Leon, Philip’s predecessor; the famous Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy and great grandfather to both Charles V and Ferdinand I; King Vladisvlav II of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia; and finally Vladislav’s son and successor, Louis II who Ferdinand I succeeded as King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia in 1526.

Charles the Bold is also shown wearing the collar of the golden fleece, and once again the collar encircles Ferdinand I, who is crowned by the Imperial eagle. Rather than being flanked by the Spanish pillars however, Ferdinand is flanked by an FA monogram, Ferdinandus Anna, representing Ferdinand and his wife Anne. Also like the previous side, the outer border of this side is decorated with flowing floral motifs set with the arms of the Habsburg dynasty as well as four cameos of classical figures. These figures are Ninus, the mythical King of Assyria; Cyrus the Great of Persia; Alexander the Great of Macedon; and Romulus, mythical founder of Rome. Each of the surviving game pieces portrays a different scene from classical mythology.

This entire piece speaks to power, not only the presence of it, but also an almost desperate attempt to legitimize it. The message is clear; the two brothers, rulers of the Holy Roman Empire sit as the centerpieces, surrounded by famous predecessors, bearers of the titles they now hold. They are wreathed in the collar of a prestigious knightly order, one that had existed for over 100 years when this board was created. The arms of their lands surround them, and the kings and emperors of old watch over them, drawing a direct line between the Roman Empire Charles ruled and the Roman Empire Julius Caesar founded. The presence of expensive woods imported from opposite ends of the world speaks to the global nature of Habsburg power. This backgammon board serves as a reminder of the immense power held by the Habsburg monarchs, the legitimacy of that power, and of how they acquired it.

One thing that cannot be said for certain about this board is who it was made for. Though the expensive woods used in its productions speak to a great degree of wealth, and the motifs suggest some connection to the court of the Holy Roman Empire, no records have yet been uncovered which can answer this question for certain. Based on the decorations which cover the exterior of the board however, I would suggest that it was made either for Ferdinand I or the Emperor himself, Charles V.

[ratsoh-writes]

What do their bedrooms/living areas look like? I'm going to use all 3 of my asks to request this for all of the boys if that's ok! ❤

Man, I’ve had this one in my secret notes for a good while now!

Undertale:

Both the tale brothers live in a nice little gated community. Their house is one of the smaller ones and has the same layout as the one in Snowdin. The house is pretty basic with some cozy throws and wall tapestries to spruce it up

Sans: his room actually has a proper bed and frame this time. The sheets and blankets are still bundled up in a pile on the floor though. Sans also has his homemade trashnado in the corner. There’s a desk on the wall adjacent to the door which has his laptop. And several folders stacked next to it. Other than a dresser, there’s literally nothing else in there. Sans doesn’t care much about stuff

Papyrus: his room has bright orange walls. He left the race car bed behind underground but has a race car blanket to make up for it. His walls are covered in superhero and comic posters. He also has a display case for some old figurines and his comic collection. Papyrus’ desk is one of those nice fancy drafting ones where he can adjust it to tilt upwards. He has a ship wheel attached to his door for some reason.

Underswap

The swap bros home is only a few blocks from the classic brothers neighborhood. The only thing basic about it is the cream walls. All the furniture and decorations are bright colors. The kitchen especially is real nice. The oven and stove are top notch, and the counters are filled with mason jars full of goodies.

Star: his room can blind a lesser man when you walk in. The walls are bright yellow, the bed (which is a bunk bed by the way) is neon orange. Galaxy posters decorate the wall. Besides the clashing colors, the furniture is pretty basic. Only the top bunk actually has a mattress. The bottom bunk is used as a storage shelf. He also has a shoe rack by his door

Honey: you can practically feel the nerdy aura as you enter his room. The first thing you see is a display case housing some neat figurines of characters from his favorite shows. He’s also got a pretty nice bookshelf on the opposite wall that’s nearly full. Honeys bed has a curtain around it for extra privacy with a nice little wall lamp above the pillows

Underfell

They have a home a little closer to the city center but still far enough to be considered suburbs. It’s a very sleek and modern house with white walls, tile floors and sleek black and metal furniture. The only thing that doesn’t fit the rest of the theme is this nasty old patched up sofa in the living room. The thing is absolutely hideous but is sooo comfy.

Red: his room has soft grey walls and smells like miter oil. Makes sense since one wall is just a long basic table covered in machine parts that red tinkers with in his down time. He actually doesn’t have a bed. Instead he sleeps on this giant leather bean bag. He likes it that way. There’s a few car posters decorating the walls

Edge: he obviously put a lot of thought into his rooms decorations. Everything is pretty black marble or a sleek white wood. His bed covers are blood red with a nice geometric designs on top in silver. He has a beautiful black desk with some pretty jars filled to the brim with nothing but novelty pens. If you looked in his desk drawers you would find notebooks and even more pens

Swapfell

They don’t own a house and instead live in a two bedroom one bath apartment on the third floor of one of lords complexes. The furniture is pretty minimalistic but very nice quality. Most decorations are metal

Mal: the first thing you’ll see in his room is a large wooden drawing desk where pencils and watercolors are neatly arranged on the side. There’s also a vanity with a light up mirror and a nice collection of makeup. Also a huge slanted hunters knife. He uses it to make sure his eyeliner is extra sharp.

Cash: his bedroom is the perfect definition of organized chaos. It looks messy but for cash, he knows exactly where every thing is. There’s a small tv in there with some old game consoles hooked up to it. The bed is never made.

Horrortale

Their home rests in a neighborhood bordering the forest of ebott. The houses there all have a lot more yard space than most houses in the city. The horrortale home is super cozy with lots of knit throws and pillows scattered around. The back patio has a little dog door and there’s a 50% chance of seeing a chicken walk through lol

Oak: his room is also pretty basic. The bed however has so many blankets. Like way more than any person should need. Oak is a blanket hoarder. There’s a lot of notebooks stacked on his wooden desk along with a file of patterned paper for scrapbooking.

Willow: his room has a raised bed with a cute little ladder on the side so that his dog can jump up. You can tell a lot of the furniture has been homemade or refurbished. The room is larger and in the middle is a circular stone table that’s stained with paint. It’s usually housing his latest craft

Underlust

They used to live in the same neighborhood as the classic brothers but have recently moved closer to the inner city because of work. Their home is still in the process of being unpacked mostly, but their rooms are done! The house is actually pretty conservative looking with grey walls, white wooden furniture and soft pastel decor. They do have a stripper pole in the living room though lol

Charm: his room looks exactly how you expect from him. Dark walls with lots of bright rave type decorations. On his dresser is a large pretty cake display that stands out from the rest of the rooms theme lol. His room is always on a state of organized chaos with his desk and bed covered in nick knacks but the floors staying oddly clean

Sugar: his room has light lavender walls and black furniture. It’s a big difference from the soft feminine style people expect from him. Instead sugar has a more sleek modern style to his room. He also has a standard mannequin in the middle that always has a new dresses pinned to it.

Fellswap (red)

They own a pretty two story house only a block away from the two apartment complexes that lord owns. The front lawn/garden is in top shape with lots of those metal flower decorations stuck in the ground along the dirt outline. Inside the house is most worn but comfy looking furniture. Nothing special

Lord: his room is pretty basic with mostly brown and grey accents. He does have a large mostly filled bookcase. There’s also two white bean bags and a deep red rug that covers nearly the whole floor of the room.

Mutt: he actually has two rooms. The first is pretty simple with just his bed, a writing desk and a rack for some shoes. Also his bird cage for KFC (pet pigeon). The second room has a sink, and several cages and boxes for the injured animals that he rehabilitates. The second room is slightly larger than his actual room.

Fellswap gold

They actually live in a studio apartment above wines antique shop. The apartment used to be an unused storage static until wine bought the building and repurposed it. The living space itself is a little small, but they also have access to the roof which the gold bros use as a potted garden and dining area.

Wine: his room is very classy with silk curtains on the window and a silky cream canopy above his head. All the furniture is a dark grey wood with pretty carvings and designs. The walls are decorated with beautiful floral paintings from his brother. It’s a pretty well planned out room. Very cosy and luxurious

Coffee: he has two rooms as well. The smaller of the two is just his bed, dresser, closet and a tv with some consoles hooked up to it. The second room has shelves lining nearly every wall except for one which is just a big collab mural. On the shelves is various art supplies and projects. There’s one large sketch desk on one wall. And finally in the middle of the room is a tarp attached to the floor housing whatever piece of furniture coffee is restoring at the moment .

Dancetale

They also own an apartment, one of the flats in lords buildings on the ground floor. It’s the other building from the swapfell brothers. The walls are painted a cheery yellow and the house is mostly decorated with spring colors. There’s always a huge bowl of fresh fruit in the kitchen.

Pop: his room is mix and match of completely different furniture and gadgets. Pop isn’t someone who cares about themes so he will keep whatever catches his fancy. Instead of a bed, he has a hammock attacked to the ceiling with a pillow and some throw blankets casually tossed on top lol.

Rhythm: his room is pretty sparse with just his bed, a shoe rack, and a dresser. On the dresser are pictures of each of his face classes right before they graduate. Rhythm doesn’t really care all that much about decor so the walls are pretty bare too

Outertale

They live in the same gated community as the classic brothers! The outertale home has high ceilings and lots of windows. The living room is the real centerpiece of the home. It has several large antique bookcases and display cases. Inside the displays are various rocks and crystals and the occasional fossil. It’s really neat.

Pluto: his room is comprised of mostly blues grays and greens. He has a small bookcase on the side of his bed where he keeps the things he’s currently reading. There’s also a large fish-tank with an assortment of saltwater fish inside. Pluto’s room also has a large circular fluffy rug in the middle of the floor. The floor itself is hardwood

Jupiter: his room has a similar color scheme except instead of greens, Jupiter has gold instead. He has some exercise equipment stacked nicely on the side of his bed including weights. There’s a wall tapestry with a printed picture of the asteroid belt the outertale monsters used to live in.

Gastertale

The gaster brothers also live in the same neighborhood as the classic and outertale bros. They’re at the very end in the little cul-de-sac. The interior of the house is almost all white with cream carpet, metro grey walls, and white furniture. A few of the small decorations add a bit of color. There’s a lot of potted succulents.

G: his room is probably the only dark room of the house. His walls are a charcoal grey and the furniture is mostly jet black with a few mustard colored decorations. There’s a metal wire bookcase hanging on the wall. G also has a plastic anatomy dummy that he dresses up in his motorcycle gear when he’s not using it. G thinks he’s funny

Green: like the rest of the home, his room is also mostly white. He has a pretty pale green rack for all of his glasses on his dresser. Green also has his several degrees framed in silver on the walls. his room is always spotless

Farmtale:

The farm bros have an old Victorian home that they fixed up themselves. They’re home borders the acres of farmland they own and is about a 45 minute drive from ebott city. The inside is decorated with mostly wooden furniture. There’s like four rocking chairs on the porch lol

Peaches: his room fits the theme of the house with mostly wooden furniture and a lot of quilts and rugs to add color and soften it up. Peaches always has a vase of fresh wildflowers on his dresser. The walls have photographs of plants and animals taped to them that peaches took himself.

Rancher: this mad lad has a large moose skull hanging above his four poster log cabin bed. He also hangs his favorite hunting rifles just below the moose lol. His bedroom is mostly wooden of course but is also decorated with lots of red and orange plaids.

Horrorfell

They live in the same neighborhood as the horrortale and horrorswap brothers. Their home is literally right in between the two. Inside it’s decorated in a mix between sleek modern metals and frumpy cozy style. Somehow the horrorfell bros still have their original sofa from the underground. There’s a lot of little homemade staircases for their cat doomfanger who’s too old to claim on top of things herself now

Rust: his walls are painted a soft heather grey and have some basic wooden decorations that noir painted for fun. The furniture is pretty normal with the exception of a large treasure style chest next to his bed. Open it up and you’ll find a collection of drawings and gifts from the kids he’s watched over the years. Rust didn’t have the heart to throw them away.

Noir: unsurprisingly, his room is littered in canvases and paintings on the walls. It’s divided into two sides: the messy paint side and his nice neat living side. He even has a line of tape going down the middle to complete the divide. On his living side is his bed, closet, and a low bookcase that he uses as a second dresser. The actual bookcase is in the living room

Horrorswap

As y’all all know, their house is right next to the horrorfells and one house away from the horrortales. They like bright colors and have a sort of summery themed house. The best part is the back garden which is filled with garden boxes of veggies, fruit bushes, and fruit trees.

Lilac: his rooms main color is a pretty powder blue along with canary yellow and some bright green. He has a yoga mat on the floor in place of a rug. The walls have some neat sunrise posters

Basil: his room is pretty cosy with lots of knit blankets and fluffy pillows. He has a massive poster of Pixar’s ratatouille that rust got him as a joke. Basil has like five coconut planters, each housing a different herb plant making his room smell like an Italian restaurant

The Mafias (tale, fell, swap)

The mafia brothers live in an apartment complex masquerading as a warehouse. The ground and top two floors are working area while there were three secret basement levels. The mafia bros home consists of the whole bottom level with all their rooms connected to a hallway. At the end of the hallway is a living space and the kitchen.

Snipe: his room is the one closest to the living area. Inside is sage walls with a few house plants that can survive in low light. His bed is almost never made lol. If one was to tear the room apart, they would find at least six different guns stashed in hidden compartments

Bruiser: his room is the closest to the staircase. Inside the room somehow looks super messy but is actually spotless. Bruiser decorates the walls with all kinds of gifts people randomly give him during his vigilante escapes. Stuff from pocket mirrors, to foreign currency to even a small collection of sea shells. He drilled holes into them and hung them up on strings. Other than his walls, the furniture is pretty plain

Butch: his room is a mix of greys, blacks an silvers with the basics of furniture and a small black leather sofa. On the walls are some pretty hand melded metal decorations that butch made himself. He smokes in his room so it reeks of cigars

Boss: his room fits him perfectly with clean white plaster walls, sleek metal furniture and black and gold marble decor. Everything in that room has a specific place. If anyone moved his stuff, he’d know. It’s the only mafia bro room that doesn’t caught smell like smoke somehow. There’s a male model mannequin that he uses to practice designing clothes on

Ace: the most eye catching part of his room is a large vanity with several lamps attached and a very extensive makeup kit. I’m talking professional grade. Ace isn’t the spy for nothing. He also has an open closet so all his clothing is out on display. The main color of his room is mauve funny enough

Slim: his room is a drab grey and has a large desk taking up a whole wall. It’s filled with screens and monitors. He also has a few tv screens hooked up to the wall. It almost looks like a security room. On the other side is his bed with a canopy curtain for privacy. There’s a few anime posters on the wall as well

[supersizemeplz]

Spend the Night

Erik Stevens x Black PlusSized Reader

Another #supersizedfic short. Ok, so right off the back I wanna say that towards the end it gets explicit. Since I started writing a lot of fluff, I feel so vulgar when I actually write something steamy. I was contemplating on whether or not to post it here but I thought why not. When I say this has been sitting in my drafts forever, I am not exaggerating. I didn’t know exactly what to do with it so I’m just putting it out to be seen. So I hope you enjoy!

The chattering of characters played on the television screen, once amusing to the couple that rested on the earth toned sofa but now was nothing more than background noise as they conversed. It's sound was low in an attempt to not overwhelm them both, becoming aided with the captions on the screen if they happened to want to know what was going on in the movie. Its light spread out to at least a few feet behind the couch where the light over the recently cleaned kitchen island picked up its slack.

This wasn't your first time over his place but you never paid attention to the details. The house was honestly one of the best decorated homes you'd seen other than those from HGTV. You made sure not add those exact words to the compliment to hide your small addiction to the channel. Especially when you could name the patterns of the tile and back splash of his kitchen, then he'd definitely know that you were a homebody. After a half an hour phone call with Erik hours before on your lunch break, he'd persuaded you to spend the night at his place. Easily done since you were already planning to stop by after a few quick errands. He'd promised you to a homemade dinner, Netflix movies, your favorite wine, and a foot rub.

"Shutupp. I do not.." You chuckled at the joke Erik made, reaching forward to smack his arm as best as you could. Being sure not to waste any of the wine that you still had left in your glass. He smirked as he focused back on massaging your left foot, making sure to massage deep to relieve the tension. You relaxed back against the sofa after taking a sip of your wine with a happy sigh. "You cook like a master chef and have the hands of a God. I might have to keep you around Stevens."

He laughed at that, stopping his foot massage for a moment to cover his mouth as to soften his boom of laughter.  You stifled a chuckle as he pretended to look hurt. "You might? I see how you really feel." Taking your foot gently, he moved it off of him to the floor. You sat your glass on the table beside you and leaned forward to catch his face, laughing as you seen him trying to stay serious.

"Awww, you know I'm just playing." You cooed as you pressed kisses to his cheek. "..my sensitive baby." He allowed the kisses, giving away his small smile from his dimples deepening. Turning his head to catch your lips in a few kisses, he ended the string of kisses with a deeper one. You hummed in the kiss as he placed a hand on your backside. Gripping the soft cushion just enough to get you stimulated before it was over. You sat there for a moment before opening your eyes and watching him get up from the couch.

"You done with this glass, babe?" He asked, grabbing his own glass before looking to you. You nodded, mumbling a soft 'yeah, I am'. He took the glasses and half empty bottle to the kitchen as he continued his conversation with you. You looked to him, admiring the way his shirt allowed you the sight of his back with small movements and the peek of skin once he reached up to place the glasses in the cabinet.

Standing from the softness of the couch, you adjusted your shirt and followed his faintly scented trail into the kitchen. He always smelled amazing. You hummed your acknowledgement as he spoke on some random topic, still in a bit of a daze from the kiss moments ago. Your arms slid around his body as he chuckled. "And you say I be all up under you." You grinned at his response, shrugging.

"And? You know you love me hugging on you, Stevens. Don't think those dimples of yours don't give away your little smiles." Releasing your grip, you headed off to the bedroom. Sending him a teasing look over your shoulder before you disappeared into the hallway. "Don't keep me waiting.."

Once you made it into the bedroom, you made your way to the bathroom to freshen up. Moments passed before Erik was doing the same, meeting you at the double sink to brush his teeth as well. Now shirtless with his sweats hanging just enough to catch the waistband of his briefs. His chuckling caught your attention and broke your admiration of him in the reflection of the mirror. Finishing up with brushing your teeth and washing your hands, you playfully rolled your eyes and left him to finish his nightly routine.

It felt like he was taking forever to come to bed. Doing that lengthy ass routine he'd done numerous times over the many times you both would facetime as you got ready for bed. You had slipped from the shirt and short set that had only been worn for a few hours, still catching the scent of perfume you dashed on to work like a pheromone. The soft fabrics hit the floor and you adjusted the lace, skin toned underwear that was left. Smoothing your hair down, you looked to the bathroom door as he switched off the light.

Silence. It filled the bedroom and swarmed around the both of you as you stood in front of the bed. The lamp that sat in the corner of the room illuminated your silhouette just enough for him to see the look you gave him. He grinned at your surprise, catching the slight nervousness in your body as he stepped closer. A hum of appreciation left him as he took his time to make it to you. Why in the hell did this man have you feeling like this was your first time? Maybe because it was with him.

Weeks of being wined and dined, fun little outings, nights on the phone, and building sexual tension came to this moment. He'd been a gentleman the whole time. Never pushing the matter on you and waiting for you to tell him what you wanted. And oh how you've wanted him. The thoughts had crossed your mind as well as a few wet dreams that you wouldn't dare let him find out about. Tonight, you decided you were tired of waiting and enduring the sweet torture of his charisma.

He sent a chill over you as he spoke suddenly. "You don't understand what you do to me, do you?" His fingers held your chin, thumb gently massaging the soft skin. "So pretty and delicate.." The darkness of lust clouded his eyes as he gave a slow once over of you. Your eyes admired the soft curve of his full lips instead. He smiled at the fact, chuckling when he seen you take a deep breath.

"Hey.." He caught your attention, speaking softly. "Eyes up here." You finally caught his gaze and he hummed when you did so. Taking a small step closer, he smiled as he leaned to your lips. "I need those eyes to stay on me. You got me?" His lips ghosted yours and you relaxed under his touch.

You gave a small nod as you looked up to meet his eyes. The touch of his fingertips felt like small sparks as they moved across your skin. Hooking beneath your bra strap and easing the band down your shoulder. "I want to hear that sweet voice of yours, baby.." You felt as he trailed them around you to unclasp the hooks at the back with ease. The fabric fell to the floor without a sound and he gave another satisfied hum. "Are you gonna be a good girl and keep those eyes on me?"

"Yes, baby.." You replied, allowing him to admire your lips this time. He gave a small smirk as he mumbled 'That's more like it, baby'. Your nipples were erect from both sexual and actual atmosphere. His thumb brushed over the sensitive bud and you bit your lip to suppress a moan, opting for a slow exhale. He looked to you and you seen a dimple to let you know he was toying with you. Seeing how long you could last with his slow burn.

You caught his lips suddenly, surprising him for only a second. He flowed with your slow kisses, smiling at the hunger in them. A moan slipped past your lips against his this time, fingers dancing at the waistband of his sweats. He chuckles at your lengthy nails attempting to work with the fabric. Taking over when you couldn't focus enough to get it.

"So eager.. Take it slow and tell me what you want me to do." He began to lower the sweats with ease before he slipped the soft cotton fabric from his legs. ".. that sexy ass voice you got and you really think you're not going to use it." A playful scoff followed the sentence before he licked his lips.

You looked to the bulge of his briefs before meeting his eyes again. "I want a taste.." The confession kind of surprised him though his face hadn't shown it. He watched you as you caught his gaze again, groaning when you gently palmed him. "May I?" You teased, using the moment to toy with him in return.

He didn't lose eye contact as you lowered before him. "I'm all yours.." The consent left his lips immediately. You hummed, pressing your lips against the fabric before massaging it. He exhaled as you did so. Your fingers finally caught at the waistband of his boxers to ease them down, and his length eagerly greeted you. That pulled a soft laugh from you.

"It's so pretty.." You mumbled the compliment, not focused on if he'd heard it or not. He groaned as you took your first taste of him. The warmth of your mouth made him pull his bottom lip between his teeth. His eyes focused on your slow moments with fascination.

You closed your eyes, taking your time to work him up. He filled your mouth as much as he could before you eased him from your lips, hugging his tip. "Unh uh. What I say?" His hips pushed into your lips gently, enjoying the softness they provided. Opening your eyes, you look up to him as he wanted. He groaned softly as a smirk caught the corner of his lips. "There you go. Keep those eyes on me."

Your right hand left his thigh, lifting up to stroke him. "I'm sorry, baby. Forgive me?" You taunted, freeing your mouth for the moment. His lips parted once your tongue circled his fattened head, going back to work while slurping loudly for his enjoyment. The mumbles he spoke were barely audible over your pleasuring, but you made out some of the words and moan in agreement.

Releasing your lips from him with a pop, you look to his glistening dick. He hums as you stroke him again, trying his hardest not to move his hips in rhythm with you. "You're so fucking pretty.." The repeated confession gains your eye contact with him once again. And he reacts with another mumble of praise. He curses as you stare up at him with a smile. Your full lips all shiny and wet from saliva, matching the coat that covered him.

"Tell me again.." You tease with a sultry voice, seeing him chuckle at your cockiness. He tucks his bottom lip between teeth as amusement taints his features. And he repeats it a little louder. "Good boy." Rubbing him against your lips, you laugh as he weakens and leans forward slightly. The small words of praise caught him off guard, but he couldn't help his body reacting. He was losing dominance and didn't mind it.

"C'mere.." He stops you from your fun, gently standing you up. You squeal as he picks you up with ease. Resting you right above his hardened excitement. He grins as you hold onto his arms for support. "I want my pleasure to come from pleasing you.." Your body falls to the bed with a soft bounce. He rids himself of his underwear fully before he puts his attention on yours.

The light of the dim lamp catches his chain, glinting against his chest and bringing attention to his body. Reaching a hand out towards him, you ran your fingertips along his smooth, yet textured skin. Taking in the scars that he'd told you were a reminder of how far he'd came from unlearning his old ways. You moan as he bends down to press kisses to your tummy, showing it the love it deserved. The kisses becoming sloppier as they continued their way lower.

He hummed as he lifted your thighs, opening them enough to kiss their inner parts. His soft lips left tingles that felt they were going straight to your love button. "She's ready for me, huh?" The light stroke of his finger made you shift your hips closer, resulting in his chuckle. Both of your thighs were placed onto his shoulders and he began his delicate foreplay. Pulling a moan from before your hands found his dreads.

He licked his lips as he admired your body. "Let's see if I can get you to spend the night more often."

__________________

Taglist

@sisterwifeudaku @kumkaniudaku @wawakanda-btch @theunsweetenedtruth @chaneajoyyy @wakanda-inspired @princesskillmonger @liviy00 @xsweetdellzx @muse-of-mbaku @killmongerdispussy @thehomierobbstark @princessstevens @killmongerthiskoochie @cecereads209 @beautifullmelodyxx @soufcakmistress @melodyofmbaku @awerkofart