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turntabless · 11 months ago

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🔮 la folie - the stranglers 🔮

welcome back to turntable takes, folks!!! hope everyone’s doing wonderfully <3 this week (said so very loosely. i underestimated how hard it would be to do them every week but that’s on ME!) we have a gem <3 i know 2 songs off of it and they constantly occupy my mind! so! if you’re checking this out, thank you!! and hope you enjoy <3 once again i am very musically illiterate and don’t know theory!! this is me going AWOOGA!!!

also i’m not including the bonus tracks off the reissue because i’m TIRED. SLEEPY EVEN. but they’re also really good!

genres: new wave, punk rock, baroque pop

non stop

okay immediately loving the lil tippy tappy drums with a little echo that fade in! cute lil organ lick that is so fun!! i’m also a big fan of talk-singing when done in a sexy way and this is that! GUITAR crunchy echoing bass coming in. OH those drums fuck. this is just so fun!!! very sarcastic singing its scratching my brain!! and the guitars are so cheeky. layered vocals crescendo in volume cute like harmonies??? ooooo stripping it back then speeding up going louder again is such a choice i love it here. CHANGING TEMPO let’s go!!!

everybody loves you when you’re dead

ohhhhhh god i love the keys intro here. bass is sexy and so clear and i’m in love. the odd pitches with the guitar is so nice ! yummy drums!!! synthy business! punky talk vocals with layering going on is so good and these lyrics kinda make me feel insane. god that keyboard part and odd wavering synth in the background is so nice. harsh cymbal type sounds YUM! PICK IT UP LETS GOOOO cute lil tempo change and then right back to it!! ohhhhh slow little breakdown descending in pitch

tramp

OHHHH. flat guitar really interesting here. WITH BUZZING KEYBOARD AND BASS ????? drums are really!!! OOOOOH an instrumental soundscape baby!!! i love these vocals he’s got a great voice very punky and when he pitches up it’s really pretty??? also love the return to the darker sounds during the chorus? BASSSSSSS AH GOD !!!!! love the speed and the experimental nature of the chorus !!! 80s video game synth yummy. there’s something so dancy about this and god the vibrato and INSANELY nice drums????

let me introduce you to the family

OH FAST DRUMS LETS GO!!! ooooo this bass? is it bass? descending thing is so intriguing! faaaast guitar playing a really fun ear catching riff that’s like. this really is so experimental here. okay there’s some freddie m rasp at some parts which are really interesting and then the harmonies and layering of the vocals in the chorus are crazy! that bass is so consistent and so clear and great!!! ohhhh switch up that RIFF babes!!! it’s all very like buzzy fuzzy yum! ohhh TURN up the volume on the vocals add another lil keyboard thing this is sooooooo intricate!! ECHO on the voice for the fade-out ending with a drum beat to end everything!

ain’t nothin’ to it

ohhhhh that guitar is yummy. drums go hard in this beginning. BASS I HEAR YOU BABY YOU SHINE!! these vocals are so fun and sassy!! oh that odd lil dissonance in parts of this song is so cool??? and the lil changes in riffs and pitches sound really cool <3 ohhhhh BREAKDOWN lets gooooooo!!!! fuck it up instrumental section!!! BASS AND DRUMS ONLY OH LETS GO!!! this is really cool i’m obsessed. ohhhhh????? ohhhhhhhhhhhhh guitar little staccato notes??? this repeating instrumental part is so intriguing colour feel taste wise??? it’s so dark and a little unsettling with the occasional flatness but it’s nice????

the man they love to hate

BUZZY KEYS LETS GO !!! god. goddddd. that bass goes so hard. ohhhh crunchy soar on that guitar is so nice. drums going HARD. echoing lil keys are fun!! talk vocals as always are so fun !!! PITCH UP LETS GO !!! uplift meeee !!! back to the really punchy instrumentals on top of those buzzy keys that add such an interesting texture!! some little sweeping synthy kind of cymbal effect? ohhhhh. this is so fun !!! also the little whispered backing vox are fuuuuucking scrumptious! oh jesus it’s getting darker babes…… in tone in lyrics and then right back to light???? what in the world how is this this way. GUITAR FUCK IT UP cute lil solo! ohhhhh PLAYING WITH SHADE AGAIN THIS IS SO…… those lowest instrumental notes are so deep and fat and intriguing.

pin up

fucking insane drums i love you. ohhh??? xylophone-esque twinkly keys? GUITAR THERE YOU ARE BABY! sounds crunchy and thin but in such an atmospheric way! the “oooohhh”s are really nice with the bit of reverb on it??? this is such a fun little song? those twinkly xylophone sounds are back i love!!! the instruments are so so good at melding together so that those lil keys are picked out of the fold so well???

it only takes two to tango

ohhhhhhhh this is such a fun little intro… i don’t know what the name of this stylistic choice is but it’s like someone swinging you around with the drums bass guitar and then you get layered talk vocals with a BEAUTIFUL ascending like… quartet harmony going on. this is so fun!!! warbling keys again they’re so good at atmospheric sounds here. also sorry those harmonies are needed inside my bloodstream stat! OH KEY CHANGE! uh ohhhhh bestie the dissonance is back in the vocals but not in the instrumental i kinda love the effect??? faaaaaaat guitar just swingin around <3 OH the warbling is so interesting looking slightly more haunting as it progresses! LITTLE DRUMMER BOY GOING OFF WITH A FUN LIL HIGHER PLUCKED GUITAR RIFF? this is so….

golden brown

THIS IS MY BABY ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS !!!!!! HARPSICHORD WHAT THE FUCK!!!! also with a bassy keyboard behind it! god his vocals in this are so buttery so yummy with just a hint of nasality? also god this fuckin time signature is all fucked the harpsichord is playing in a completely different time. bass and drums come into the fold so carefully subtly it’s beautiful. everything is just a little heavier but it’s still so light and mysterious and plain cool??? guitarrrrrrrrrrrr oh the reverby echo???? this solo always gets me !!!! ohhhhhh vocalisation that’s so echoey and sooooooo otherworldly is insane. the deepness and the layering of it is Fucked. this is truly such a soundscape AGAIN! chu bee fair idk how they’re so in sync when the times are so different.

how to find love and happiness in the present day

ohhhhhh this is different. screechy little synthy things going on to more spoken vocals with an insane lil bass trying going on? so sectioned with the vocals and instruments it’s really cool!!! the layering of the guitar pitches are so nice. AH TWANGY GUITAR mixed with some bongo vibes!!!! nah this is so fun!!! ohhhh these lil drum things sound like trickling raindrops. not sure what exactly they are but it adds such a cool effect. god that high frequency synth solo what the fuck !!!!! so insane so sick!!! ohhhh it fluctuates so nicely and smoothly between notes. descending vocal line with fuzz and partially covered by the instrumentals TO A FADEOUT

la folie

Oh This Is Grand. this intro is so beautiful???? what sounds like strings (made with keyboard) with a high smooth guitar part with echoey reverb and bass. OH ITS A SPOKEN PART IN FRENCH. beautiful. these words are so lonely and beautiful too and that’s conveyed so well with the effects placed on the voice itself? drums………. god this is so twin peaks right now !!!! DEEP SUNG VOCALS WHISPERING. back to spoken word with the bass getting a deeper sweeping moment??? oh beautiful deep staccato notes. there’s such a cool effect put on his voice this is….. really cool. the stringy synths really paint the background of this with colour. OHHHH high synthy parts joining the mix in a fun little flourish!!!! that bass…….. is so genuinely yummy holy goooood. spoken word so cinematic and lovely. the “la folie” being sung so deeply and whispery is so nice and comforting….. i love this. beauty guitar part at the end so soft so nice so echoey. drums holding down the fort so well UGH.

thoughts: okay. okay. i was genuinely surprised at how varied and genuinely INTERESTING this album was? like the tempo variations the key changes the instruments used the shifting parts the vocals and the USE of all of it to set tone? the tone itself was also so insane and has to be mentioned because there was so much interplay with shadow and light in each song?????????? incredible. i know talk-singing isn’t for everyone but i think it’s cinematic and cheeky and fun so i loved it. l o v e d. genuinely surprised at this guys!!!

#la folie #the stranglers #spotify #album recs #album review #turntable takes <3

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hyog-blog · 23 days ago

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The light, the colours, the aesthetics. Wen Xiao is always wearing light clothes being a symbol of love, hope, gentleness, and literally a Goddess. Our demon boys now mostly wear dark robes, belonging to the darker forces of the world (or as a symbol of their psychological state). Their color palettes varied in the past, but now Li Lun is explicitly dark/black/goth as well as Zhu Yan. But Zhao Yuanzhou is still wearing some patterns and other darker colours (and fur, yum) as far as I remember, he's not devoured by blackness the same way Li Lun feels totally alone, hurt, and lost.

But the color theory will need a re-watch XD I love how gorgeous everything is, though.

I just hope you don't forget how humans treat us. FANGS OF FORTUNE 大梦归离 — 2024, dir. Edward Guo, Luo Luo, Wei Nan

#fangs of fortune #aesthetics is bonkers in this show #light and dark and colors and patterns #the costume department needs a serious raise #as well as all those hair designers #this is ART #fof #zhao yuanzhou #zhu yan #li lun #wen xiao #hou minghao #neo hou #yan an

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worstloki · 5 years ago

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loki is wearing bright pink short shorts that say MBLEUGH on the back in every movie

#its canonly correct #can you prove me wrong? no? then be quiet #depending on the day/mood/phase of the moon they switch between different things such as YUM and NOPE but the colour stays the same #the amount of canon information that disproves this theory is honestly minimal if any #marvel #loki #prove me wrong I dare you

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shadowfae · 4 years ago

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That poke sapien info really intrigues me. Could you tell us more about it? Ive always wondered how most humans would tend to steer clear from pokemon as a source of food, are there any other major differences between poke sapiens and homo sapiens?

I’ve written about it a bit before, but I’ve gained probably thirty followers this week and last, and my tags about my own experiences are... disorganized at best. ^^; So I have no issues talking about it again!

Now, I do want to say that I am not and never have been a geneticist. My theories here are based upon the perspective of an Absol who worked with Rangers in Almia and Explorers in the parts of Almia that humans couldn’t access. (I had a Shadows of Almia / Mystery Dungeon crossover canon.) So this is in hindsight, putting things together and guessing my best. All of the memories and noemata I’m working off of are field knowledge, not through textbooks, so.

Humans in the Pokemon world were, as one would expect, a form of Pokemon themselves. Actual canon supports this, and notes that humans can and will just marry Pokemon sometimes. It’s kind of taboo for everyone involved, but an Alakazam is just a weird evolving person as far as humans go, so you can see the mentality here.

The first reason I know that humans there aren’t like humans here is because their faces are different. Their faces are... more like ball-jointed doll faces? Bigger eyes, smaller noses, teeth are more herbivorous. If you saw one wandering around in our world, you would know for a damn fact at first sight that such a person is not human. It would probably set off uncanny valley like nothing else.

The second is that hair colours were very varied, I mean, /gestures at canon/. If a Pokemon could have it for a fur and marking combo, so could a human. Add hair gel, which they really liked for some reason, and boom you have canon. Human fashion was just weird but I suppose when you’ve got a socialist utopia, funny hair is something you end up with.

The third would be that time I saw a Ranger gored almost to death, so I got a pretty good look of their innards. Being an Absol, and thus largely a carnivore (I could and did eat fruit sometimes, but largely I hunted smaller Pokemon), I was reasonably well-acquainted with what the innards of a Pokemon are supposed to look like. Well, that poor Ranger had two stomachs, a very extensive gut, and blood vaguely maroon coloured. Lots of blood. They lived, if you’re wondering, and I pulled off a Dark Pulse that I didn’t expect I had the energy for, and things turned out all right.

As far as I know - I got a good look, not a great look - my best guess is that they lost a bit of lung capacity to make room. While humans did have body diversity, it wasn’t as extreme as we do. They looked a lot more similar to each other than humans here have the capability for. Best guess, they’re not very good at being isolated, so completely different grab-bags of traits didn’t really evolve all that much.

They had magic abilities like Pokemon did, they just sucked ass at using them. Again best guess, probably because they didn’t want to admit they were Pokemon. The humans I met who were, for lack of a better term, therianthropes, also tended to be very in tune with their magic. I would say Normal / Psychic typing? Considering Normal-type basically means no type, it wouldn’t surprise me. Their psychic abilities were okay when trained, but they were still shitty at it. It’s a pity, they would’ve died less if they could actually pull off a damn Psychic every now and again.

I never met any child of a human/Pokemon relationship, but I have heard of them happening. Just really, really rare, and typically frowned upon so it didn’t happen anywhere near me to the best of my knowledge.

But, in the context of the fictionkin community, it means that overall a human from my canon would have a wildly different understanding of what ‘human’ means. I know they weren’t homo-sapiens-human because I saw one gutted and looked back and went “hey wait that’s not the species I currently am”. But a human from my world? Well, unless they went into medical science, they might not be aware that Poke-sapiens-human isn’t homo-sapiens-human. They absolutely would not be able to breed between the two I don’t think, absolutely not, but would they know they were fundamentally different down to their DNA?

See, the Pokemon ‘kin community is small and bad and I know like, three other people in it who aren’t wishkin; and that’s a Lucario, a Mewtwo, and an Espeon. I briefly knew an Umbreon who was uncomfortably similar to my partner from my canon (they left social media and said they’d be back if they were still ‘kin after all, I wish them well), I knew a Furret for quite a few years (we parted on horrible terms, I’m upset about it but wish them well, too), and I may or may not know a Mightyena, still questioning on his end.

So it’s not like I can ask anyone! Because nobody I know from the Pokemon community was human there either! But if any humans from there are following me, hey! Tell me about your experiences! Do you know if you were homo sapiens or Poke sapiens! If you were Poke sapiens what’s that feel like!! Tell me!! I wanna know!!

Either way, I liked big macs then significantly more than I do now. Yum.

#asks #anonymous #absol tag #on experiences #Anonymous

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stardomyx · 5 years ago

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DISCLAIMER: Before I begin I would like to establish that NOBODY has to agree with or even like my Lore, especially since this particular post is on a Canon Character. These are purely my headcanons and my thoughts on this character, I am not about to force these ideas/headcanons onto anyone.

After re-reading Spaghetti’s backstory and thinking over the little system I have in place for Food Soul ranks, I realised that Spaghetti would be a pretty interesting subject for this theory. So lets talk about him.

First of all, I have to say that the way Spaghetti’s backstory is written is a little strange, as it seems to imply that he both was and wasn’t with his Master Attendant while he was still living in poverty. However it’s also stated in his story that his MA’s true family took him in because of his potential as an Attendant, a potential that no one else in the family had, therefore giving him the ability to summon a high ranking Food Soul in the first place. So with that being said I think it’s safe to assume that the first part of the story can be believed, and Spaghetti was summoned directly into the estate belonging to his MA’s family.

Which starts us off on the topic of this post:

I’ve stated a few times that most UR Food Souls are of such a rank because they’re one of a kind, whether it’s due to them having abnormally high power levels or some other reason. One of these reasons is that they were customised for whichever Attendant summons them, these Attendants will most commonly be those of the upper class like those in government, and of course, royal families. Da bourgeoise basically. You guys will have to forgive me for not knowing exactly how this customisation process works yet, but I do definitely think that the custom Food Soul would end up as a physical manifestation of everything their Attendant wants in a companion. To give an example; a Guild official would like a professional and hardworking Food Soul who would also be a good ambassador to the Guild, so that’s what they would get. The process is by no means cheap, and the resulting Soul is often a bit of an anomaly, regardless of what line they come from, thus creating a completely one of a kind UR.

So; Spaghetti’s Attendant, what do we have? We have a young boy who started off very roughly in life, living in poverty, who has recently been sought out and adopted into this very high class family. No doubt his mindset is a little bit scrambled, he’s got one foot on the gravy train and the other is no doubt still firmly set in the place where he had lived previously as he tries to adjust. So as a result of these mashed up mindsets we get canon Spaghetti; a Soul who - considering the dish itself - probably wouldn’t be considered by a lot of upper class humans, but because of the influence of the family and his Master’s background, canon Spaghetti turned out very differently to how the rest of his line would typically be. I would imagine that the rest of the Spaghetti line are mostly M and R ranks because of the dish itself being a staple food. It’s a very well known and common dish, so you typically wouldn’t find a Spaghetti soul above a R rank because they’re common, like a Tom Yum or an Orange Juice. But, because canon Spaghetti was summoned into an upper class family by an Attendant who had roots in a far more humble background, that all mashed together to form him, a custom made Spaghetti.

An UR rank Spaghetti. At least at first.

My theory is that canon Spaghetti started out as an UR ranking Soul for a couple of reasons, one of the biggest reasons is actually highlighted in the post’s header, (the art is by the always talented @gearfilledgoggles so please go and commission them if you have the funds.) The reason being that he has violently purple eyes, and with the exception of just two other SR Food Souls, Spaghetti is the only non UR to have purple eyes, which incidentally is what lead me to think about this theory in the first place.

The two other SR Souls I mentioned both could’ve been UR’s themselves, playing into this theory of purple eyes = UR. But I’ll get onto that later. But they both strengthen this theory.

The second reason is because of the environment he was summoned into. His MA got a protector and a father figure in a Food Soul, I have no doubt that Spaghetti was tailored to what his Attendant had been lacking in his early life, therefore he was customised, making him one of a kind within his own line and therefore a UR.

The third reason is actually something I have to provide some quotes for. If you guys remember the Castle Mystery event, we’re introduced to the Fallen Angel Bone Knight, a pretty fearsome Fallen who’s on the same level as Tsuchigumo and the Enhanced Uke Mochi as we see in the future team ups. This would add absolutely nothing to this theory if Spaghetti just happened across Bone Knight and chose to use its power for his own gain, but that isn’t the case at all. If we look at some of the dialogue from the Castle Mystery event, we see quite a lot of evidence that points towards Bone Knight being a product of Spaghetti’s corrupted Soul Power, here we go:

"Oyster pushed the door open to find Spaghetti sitting on the throne in the main hall. In his hands, he was holding a pale blue stone. Behind him was the Fallen Angel that had ambushed them.” - Castle Mystery Main Story Chapter 8.

“Let me introduce you. This Fallen Angel here took me a lot of effort to create-- Actually, it seems that you've already met Bone Knight." He couldn't tell for sure, but it seemed to Pretzel that Spaghetti's voice was more downcast than usual, and it seemed to have a self-deprecating tone. - Castle Mystery Main Story Chapter 8.

And finally 3)

"A Fallen Angel made from human ill will concentrated in Bluestones." - Bone Knight’s wiki page.

Blue stones, huh? Like the one we see Spaghetti looking for in B-52′s backstory? Curious. I’ve seen theories floating around that these stones are essentially for purification, they’re vessels for holding impurity until they can be cleansed - kinda like how humans use crystals and other such things IRL. My theory? This Fallen Angel was born out of the corruption of Spaghetti’s Soul Power, and because of the - well - power contained within that Soul Power, Bone Knight ends up being what we see in the event, huge, terrifying and destructive. Personally, I think it’s a bit odd that Spaghetti - a Food Soul who in game isn’t that great of a unit - was able to create something like this, unless he wasn’t always a SR unit, and the power he is able to use has been stunted somehow.

And the reason behind his power being stunted is.. Pretty much why he needs to siphon off that corruption using blue stones in the first place. It’s because of his contract with his Master Attendant being severed in such a cruel way. That severance didn’t just leave him with scars, it left him vulnerable to corruption, it left him vulnerable to the possibility of Falling. Spaghetti has taken part in a lot of unscrupulous activities - including murder - so it’s no surprise to me that he’s picked up enough corruption to Fall. Not only has it left him open and exposed to the possibility of Falling, but because of how traumatic that severance was, it’s also dulled down his Soul Power. Essentially the family who took in his Attendant played themselves by killing him, they had a UR ranking Strength unit, but because of their selfishness they ended up with a far less powerful Soul than they started with. A less powerful Soul who’s also capable of producing a destructive monstrosity like Bone Knight out of the corruption he takes on.

And lastly, as for the two SR Souls I mentioned above who also have purple eyes, I’m of course referring to Marshmallow and Fried Chicken, both of whom I think could’ve been UR’s too because of these reasons: In Marshmallow’s case, she’s deathly afraid of fire, which implies that she may have been in a traumatic event to form this fear. Key word here being trauma, something that I believe can cut down Soul Power and leave the Food Soul at a lower rank than they started with. And as for Fried Chicken, we don’t know exactly how he ended up as a SR unit, but we do have this in his bio on the wiki page: “He's searching everywhere for ways to become stronger, so he can keep up with his attendant.” He’s trying to become stronger, huh? This need to become stronger and burn brighter is highlighted very strongly in his voice lines, which gives me the inkling that he’s trying to regain some power of some kind. If he was previously a UR unit and suffered some trauma to bring him down to SR, of course he would be fascinated with gaining more power and possibly climbing back up to his original UR rank. It may seem far fetched, but I think there’s some substance to it, all things considered.

Tl;dr: Spaghetti strikes me as a far, far more powerful Soul than canon portrays him to be. Because of his ability to form Bone Knight, because of the circumstances under which he was summoned and because of his eye colour. Lets just take a quick peek at what the colour purple can represent: royalty, nobility, luxury, ambition and power.

#Food Fantasy #FF Spaghetti #FF Fried Chicken #FF Marshmallow #Food Fantasy Lore #i love this bastard so much

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poppykru · 5 years ago

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50 questions you’ve never been asked

Tagged by @captaindaddykru @marauders-groupie @burninghoneyatdusk

What is the color of your hairbrush? Black.

Name a food you never eat? Peanut butter. Just the smell makes me nauseous.

Are you typically too warm or too cold? Cold. Except during Summers in Bulgaria - they're waaaay too hot for me to feel cold.

What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Going through all the games I've been tagged in. 😁

What is your favorite candy bar? I don't really eat a lot of those but if I had to choose KitKat.

Have you ever been to a professional sports event? I don’t think so?

What is the last thing you said out loud? "I don't wanna discuss this." when my friend asked about my exes 😬

What is your favorite ice cream? Right now I keep eating oreo ice-cream. But if I go to a gelateria - pistachio, ferroro roscher, cheesecake.

What was the last thing you had to drink? Water.

Do you like your wallet? I only have a cardholder because I don't carry cash anymore. 😁 But yeah, I like it.

What was the last thing you ate? Spaghetti bolognese. Yum!

Did you buy any new clothes last weekend? Nope.

The last sporting event you watched? Uhhh no idea. I'm not big of sports. 😂

What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Caramel. Love 'em!

Who is the last person you sent a text message to? My sister.

Ever go camping? No, but I want to. I was planning to this summer but yk 😁

Do you take vitamins? No, but I should.

Do you go to church every Sunday? No. (I agree with LANA, I don't think the church promoted Christian values).

Do you have a tan? Hah no. I don't tan. I burn. Spectacularly. Like Mr crabs colour burn.

Do you prefer Chinese food or pizza? Both? I have pizza so often now that I've grown tired of it. I love Chinese but it can be so heavy and greasy sooo I don't know. 😅 Sushi is the best. 😂

Do you drink your soda with a straw? I don't drink soda at all.

What color socks do you usually wear? Black, pink with polka dots. My mom bought them for me 😁

Do you ever drive above the speed limit? 😬 Yes. 😬 But its not often and it's usually on the highway so.

What terrifies you? So much. But mainly snakes.

Look to your left, what do you see? Laptop, my bookcase, moon lamp.

What chore do you hate? Dishes.

What do you think of when you hear an Australian accent? Bob and Eliza.

What’s your favorite soda? I don't like soda.

Do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive-thrus? Never gone through a drive-thru so fast food place.

Who’s the last person you talked to? My flatmate. She just showed me a video of a fluffy fat hamster being hyperactive and said, "look its you!". Thanks, friend 😂

Favorite cut of beef? I don't really know much about cuts of beef/steak but I recently ate a sirloin steak that was pretty good.

Last song you listened to? Welcome to my life by Simple Plan 😂😂😂 I was annoying my flatmate with it.

Last book you read? I'm reading so many books at once 😂 the most recent one is On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuogn - a-ma-zing!

Favorite day of the week? It's all blended together now 😩

Can you say the alphabet backwards? No.

How do you like your coffee? One spoon sugar, lots of milk. Like as much milk as coffee 😁😁. I love a macchiato from Starbucks too.

Favorite pair of shoes? My chunky white trainers. So comfy, so cool.

The time you normally go to sleep? The past month its been 2am, but usually around 11pm-12am.

The time you normally get up? 8am-9am. It depends on the season though. Winters in Scotland are very depressing because mornings are super dark. So if I don't have anything to do, I sleep in. Spring or summer though, I like to wake up early and have coffee on the balcony, read or sketch.

What do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets? Sunrise.

How many blankets on your bed? One +comforter but only in winter.

Describe your kitchen plates: Plain white. I like simplicity.

Do you have a favorite alcoholic beverage? Gin and tonic, elderflower or lychee cider. When home, rakia. 😁

Do you play cards? Cards against humanity, yeah. 😁

What color is your car? I don't have a car but I drive my parents'. Its metallic grey/silver (?).

Can you change a tire? In theory. I never had to do it though.

Your favorite province? Does Halkidiki count as a province?? 😁 Any place in Greece really. I love that country so much. Its always like coming home. (which it kinda is)

Favorite job you’ve ever had? I used to be an interpreter when I was 18 at a summer project. It was essentially summer camp. I had so much fun.

How did you get your biggest scar? Probably on my nose. I broke my nose when I was 6 and I was pretending to be a ballerina. Had to get stitches. The scar has faded now, but it's still the biggest I've got.

What did you do today that made someone else happy? I call my sister and told her I'm coming home soon, told my flatmate lots of shitty jokes (I also sang her true friend by Hannah Montana 😂), and I made her coffee.

Phew, this was long, but so fun!

Tagging: @natassakar @kizo2703 @igotbellarkeforthat @sometimesrosy and anyone who wants to do it! 💙💙

#tag game

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merryfortune · 6 years ago

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Betrothal in a Nutshell

Hello @justanotherotakuandartist here is a tumblr upload of your gift fic <3

Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V

Ship: Serena/Yuri

Word Count: 5.5k

Synopsis: Prince Yuri is certain that the girl whom he is betrothed to is an imposter so his mother, Queen Yoko, devises a plan to prove Princess Serena's identity.

“Mother!” Prince Yuri exclaimed, as his hands flapped about in utter disbelief over what had unravelled just mere moments ago. “I refuse to believe that thing of a girl is a princess!”

“Yuri!” gasped Queen Yoko. “That is no way to talk of your betrothed.”

“I refuse.” Yuri said, lifting his chin and brow indignantly and stamping his foot. “You cannot make me marry that heathen woman.”

His mother glowered. She was uncertain of where she had gone wrong, either in raising her darling Prince Yuri or in introducing him to his fiancé. It couldn’t be the former, surely, not when he was – usually – such a gentleman and his elder brothers had no such personality problems.

Really, the origin of this problem could be traced back to the fact of the notion was it was the spoilt and entitled fourth princeling of a royal family turn to be married off. Due to his nature, something a touch twisted and very finicky, he had high expectations of the woman whom he would be married to and thus far, had been unable to find such a woman. Each woman he was presented with, he wrote off as too fat or too thin, too tall or too short and so on and so forth.

Thus, he told his exasperated parents that he would only marry if they could find someone with skin of luminous moonlight, eyes which were as green as farmland in spring, and hair as soft as the petals of the beloved flowers that he tended to in his private and most royal greenhouse. He desired a woman as firm as oak and as graceful as elm. And so, his parents endeavoured to find such a fanciful woman of good background and, thus, Queen Yoko and King Yusho were quite certain that they found a girl in the young Princess Serena from the faraway kingdom of En Moonlight.

She who was exactly as their fourth child described. She had hair the colour of violets, just like the pedigree of plants whom Prince Yuri adored. She had eyes of verdant green, like a jungle and a pale complexion befitting of that of the moon’s surface, but far smoother. She was deft and swift, and they were confident their son would become enamoured with her upon meeting.

That was not what had happened. Not even in the slightest.

Mere moments of ago was when such a meeting was supposed to have occurred. And when such a meeting did occur, it was not a meeting of smouldering facial expressions and polite laughter. They had met, instead of with an explosive flirting, but with an explosive rivalry. Their personalities immediately grated and grinded against one another; locking each other in argumentative verbal spars which even escalated into physical ones too. Princess Serena, who despite her elegant garb, was quick to prove herself as firm as oak and graceful as elm when she was able to take Prince Yuri’s arm and all but break it in a matter of seconds.

It was only when the Prince’s consorts stepped in, did Princess Serena release her betrothed from such a grip. And from there, the jester Dennis was able to diffuse the situation by distracting Princess Serena with jokes and the bodyguard Sora was able to remove Prince Yuri from the situation, bringing him to a powder room where he could reconvene with his mother.

“I refuse to marry that hellion girl. She is a spawn of the underworld.” Prince Yuri snarled.

“As your mother and as the Queen, you will do such a thing.” Queen Yoko stared down her son. “I am certain that such a girl is perfect for you. I consulted the finest soothsayers in the world, and we are all certain that girl is the best fit based on that which you asked for, my darling boy.”

“Your soothsayers must be wrong then. I could never be compatible with such a scoundrel of a woman.” Prince Yuri said.

“I disagree and you will be married to this woman or so help me, Yuri, darling.” Queen Yoko growled.

Outside the powder room, Sora grew uncomfortable, but he couldn’t help but pipe up. So, he swung in and took the chewed candy from his mouth. He sighed.

“What if we something has gone wrong… regarding Princess Serena, your highnesses…” he drawled, uncomfortable.

Both Prince Yuri and Queen Yoko glared at him and he took another breath.

“I don’t doubt the soothsayers; that stuff’s above my head and I don’t know much about love or princesses, but, like I do know security detail and let me just say, those girls – the ones who came with Princess Serena, uh, Gloria, Grace – they don’t exactly scream “bodyguard” to me.” rambled Sora.

“Get to the thick of it, Sora.” Prince Yuri spat.

“So, not to posit something’s gone wrong but it is possible we have the wrong girl and the real Princess Serena has somehow been intercepted and we have a fake in our midst.” Sora said.

Prince Yuri’s eyes widened whilst his mother’s narrowed.

“That is exactly what must have happened!” Prince Yuri exclaimed, vibrating with excitement. “We clearly have a fake in our midst. Somewhere, somehow, the real Princess Serena is waiting for me and that rapscallion in our drawing room is a fake! It’s all so clear to me now.”

“Sora.” Queen Yoko said, her voice as sharp as the edge of a blade. “That is the real Princess Serena. This is all poppycock.”

“No, no its not.” Prince Yuri argued.

“Then let’s test this ridiculous theory of yours, then. I believe you will find that is, beyond doubt, the real Princess Serena.” Queen Yoko said.

“But, um, how do you think we should do such a thing, your majesty?” Sora asked.

Queen Yoko’s brow drew in, knitted together and she then glanced at her son. An idea struck her. She smiled cattishly.

“I have an idea, one which will very much satisfy you, my dear son.” Queen Yoko drawled.

“Elucidate me, mother.” Prince Yuri hissed.

“All we require is a peanut shell and with that, we can deduce if Princess Serena is indeed of noble blood or not.” Queen Yoko said.

“A peanut shell?” Prince Yuri echoed, incredulous.

“Surely you keep peanuts in that little greenhouse of yours, Yuri.” Queen Yoko said.

“I mean, I do. And I wouldn’t call it “little”, Mother. My greenhouse is quite expansive, you would find if you paid attention to me just as much as you paid attention to your golden boy, my elder brother Yuya.” Yuri sniped.

“Oh hush, I love all my boys equally.” Queen Yoko insisted.

“Some more equally than others.” mumbled Prince Yuri under his breath.

Queen Yoko, unimpressed, clasped her hands together and frowned. “Back to the matter at hand, my darling and handsome son. I still require that peanut shell, my dear.”

“Very well then. I will go to the greenhouse and acquire one.” Prince Yuri sighed.

“After that, you will hide the peanut shell in Princess Serena’s sleeping quarters. we will put Princess Serena to the test. If she can feel the peanut shell in her bed, beneath her mattress, then that will prove her noble worth. After all, even the most hardened, warrior princess will be susceptible to this trick.” Queen Yoko said.

“I see.” Prince Yuri’s eyes shone cattishly. “And, if she is not of noble blood, then she will not feel such an inconsequential thing. Very well then, consider it done Mother. Thank you for your insight.”

“Your welcome.” Queen Yoko replied.

With that, Prince Yuri was dismissed. He grabbed Sora and then made a beeline for his greenhouse. As he had mentioned before, his greenhouse truly was quite expansive. The glass panes it was composed of were able to contain what was, essentially, a foreign jungle. Prince Yuri had an affinity for the foreign and poisonous so, entering was something for the brave of heart. Even his dear companion Sora trod uncertainly within the greenhouse which was set up like a maze and yet, Prince Yuri kept his shoulders back and had an air of confidence as he navigated his greenhouse.

It seemed strange to Sora that Prince Yuri would even have peanuts in his greenhouse. After all, they just passed by all manner of the strange and grotesque. Something like a peanut bush seemed far too mundane for Prince Yuri’s interests. Though, peanuts were a common allergy and one which could lead to fatalities in the worst-case scenario so Sora supposed he could understand why Prince Yuri would have such a plant.

Though, his peanut bush truly was quite neglected. It was small and uncared for. Cared enough for it to survive, but Prince Yuri held it in disdain as he plucked a single peanut from its entanglements. He inspected it then passed it to Sora who sighed and cracked it open for him.

“Want the nuts?” Sora asked.

“No, you have them, thank you.” Prince Yuri replied.

“Yum, thanks.” Sora said as he popped the two nuts in his mouth.

He handed back the shell to Prince Yuri who was, once more, in a hurry to get where he was going. He was beginning to formulate a plan to ensure that he would not have to be married to that brute of a woman. He would simply have to interfere with his mother’s inane plan to prove the worth of the girl to him and it ought to be easy enough. After all, she was their guest and therefore deserved nothing but their utmost luxury.

Soon, Prince Yuri and Sora returned to the drawing room of the castle. He smiled, ominously, in the hallway with Sora standing guard. Dennis, inside, breathed a sigh of relief and ceased his juggling.

“Thank goodness, you’re back. I am completely out of ideas for entertaining your betrothed, Prince Yuri.” he sighed.

Prince Yuri pulled Dennis aside, rather than continue the conversation. Sora replaced Prince Yuri’s stance in the hallway.

“I need you and Sora to do a little favour for me.” Prince Yuri said.

“Oh, uh, sure.” Dennis said. “What is it?”

“I need you to hide this peanut shell in Princess Serena’s bed. And, speaking of her bed, I need you both to put as many mattresses and linen and sheets and pillows on it as physically possible. After all, our guest deserves to be comfortable.” Prince Yuri said.

“On it, boss.” Sora said.

“Wh-Wh-What?” stammered Dennis.

“It’s a long story.” Sora sighed.

“Now run along you two. I will… keep Princess Serena distracted in the meanwhile.” Prince Yuri said.

“Very well then.” Dennis said with a curling curtsey.

With that, Sora and Dennis were dismissed. They scurried off quickly and Prince Yuri waltzed into the drawing room. He had his shoulders back, chin up, and not even the slightest inkling of a plan in mind. Well, he knew the outcome of what he wanted. He didn’t want a broken arm and he didn’t want Princess Serena to catch onto the subterfuge that was going on in her private quarters.

The moment that Prince Yuri entered the room, officially, Prince Serena’s ears pricked up. She crossed her arms, the bodice of her dress shimmered as she moved petulantly, and she frowned. Prince Yuri immediately went onto his hackles. Though she was dressed finely, he knew better than underestimating her. Underestimating her previously had caused her to lock onto his physical weakness and crown herself as dominant between them. Prince Yuri most certainly did not want a repeat of that.

“Back for round two? Or perhaps mummy’s told you to play nice with me or else your royal behind will get quite the spanking.” Princess Serena taunted.

“No, no, it’s nothing like that.” Prince Yuri replied.

Princess Serena pouted. Tutted. She absolutely did not believe Prince Yuri and that left a sour taste in his mind. But her demeanour softened. She huffed and let her arms fall back to her side.

“So, like, what are you here for?” Princess Serena asked. “You sent your jester away and now I’m bored. And you’re no fun. I have no idea how we’re going to make this relationship work.”

Prince Yuri was genuinely reviled by such a statement. What an impudent girl, he found himself thinking in the utmost disdain. All whilst becoming more and more certain she was some imposter fiendishly after his life or his wealth. His brows knitted together as he locked his heart – and slightly more importantly, his mouth – up tight.

Princess Serena huffed and sighed, even kicked her foot, her dress rippling. “The silent treatment, huh?”

Prince Yuri’s ears pricked at that. That wasn’t his intention but letting her project whatever she wished onto his completely and totally guarded self. Actually, keeping his mouth shut for as long as possible to sate Princess Serena’s social needs seemed like a good plan. But, having no plan, all plans seemed like good plans at this point. Still, he would keep his options open based on whatever she said.

“Like, I get it.” she said, voice heavy like a stone. “I was… rude.”

“Rude?!” Prince Yuri scoffed, unable to help himself. “You very much endangered me with your inexcusable, ruffian behaviour!”

“Yeah, and I’m sorry about that. I’m not… I’m not good with people.” she confessed.

Princess Serena kicked her foot again. Her brows knitted together, and her gaze began to drill into the stone underfoot. She pouted. And, Prince Yuri may not want to admit this, but she actually looked quite adorable in her petulance. It was strange, but it seemed like it was coming from a place of awkward sincerity.

Not that Prince Yuri would believe such a thing when he was still of the utmost certainty that the woman before him was some sort of ill-intentioned fiend.

“I wasn’t really… brought up to behave, I guess, you would say… Like, I’m very…” She made an odd hand gesture which seemed borne of frustration. “I’m very socially stunted. Awkward? Yeah. Something like that. I know it’s rude and I shouldn’t have done it, but I was kind of scared. Like, you’re some strange man and now we’re supposed to get shacked up together or something. I was worried if I didn’t, like, prove myself as dominate or something, you would take that as your invitation to walk all over me in this marriage and there is no way in Hell, I’m going to let that happen. I’m the strongest swordswoman you’ll find anywhere, I swear.”

There were two parts of her rambling that Prince Yuri found fascinating. The first was her making reference to being socially stunted. He didn’t want, to but he could emphasise with that. He had grown up quite lonely; feeling lesser than his elder brothers and always trying to find some way out of their shadow but mostly failing to. As such, he had always felt starving for praise and validation, but he never got to eat his fill of such things unlike his gluttonous brothers. Not to mention, his keen intellect had often made peers feel lesser to him and that indignation at being obviously inferior had made Prince Yuri more enemies than friends. So, against his will, Prince Yuri could, perhaps, understand Princess Serena in this element despite his suspicions of her.

The other thing which piqued his interest was Princess Serena having made mention of her being a swordswoman. That very much intrigued Prince Yuri as fencing was one of his hobbies. He would call himself the fiercest and well-versed in the sport amongst his brothers. He was easily the most blood-thirsty of them and Princess Serena had already severely proven such a streak in herself, so he was intrigued. He quirked a brow at her mention of it.

“Very well then,” Prince Yuri began diplomatically, assuring himself this was okay because it was to be done in the guise of good will and not good will itself, “then let’s put this evening’s past encounter behind us. So, en Garde.”

“En Garde?” echoed Princess Serena, confused.

“Yes. I desire to duel you. I believe that will be the easiest way for us to, er, get to know one another. After all, since you’ve voiced your true intentions, you must be interested in making this arranged marriage work.” Prince Yuri said, his voice laced with dulcet, poisonous lies as he had already made his plans to sabotage this ill-fated union.

Princess Serena smiled. “Very well then, princey-pooh, let’s do this.” she said with her hands on her hips.

With that, Prince Yuri made the decision to lead Princess Serena away from the drawing room – and her private quarters which were still, hopefully, under reconstruction – and towards somewhere she may be permitted to be rowdy. Princess Serena, not realising this invitation was duplicitous, took it in heart and decided to latch onto Prince Yuri as he led her through the halls. It was strange, but her touch made Prince Yuri feel prickly and warm. He told himself that this was his intuition affirming that her presence was supposed to be a negative thing in his life, even if this feeling made his heart feel light and fluttery. All whilst Gloria and Grace Tyler, the body guards, watched on from a reasonable but protective distance.

Whilst Prince Yuri took Princess Serena in one direction, his own consorts were far further along in a completely opposite direction. Their endeavour to fulfil Prince Yuri’s request had them dashing and darting from the guest rooms to the linen closets and back again. In the time that they had, which they feared were much, they were more than able to transform the royal guest quarters from ample to beyond luxury and straight into the territory of the gauche and absurd.

The guest quarters, and there were quite some prepared rooms given that this was a castle, had been luxuriantly decorated for the leisure of their guests. Though, admittedly, guests were few and far between and the young Princess Serena had been their first in some time. And her bedroom which had been prepared had been spruced up to make a good impression upon her as she had come with the intent of becoming a bride, after all. A good impression was necessary, but she hadn’t been shown her room and now that Sora and Dennis were through with all but thrashing it, they had no idea what her impression of it would be.

Especially now that they had stringently obeyed their instructions. The already opulent room had been plied higher still with mattresses and pillows and silks of every kind. Before, it had been handsome and now it was something else entirely.

But in Sora and Dennis’ endeavour, they had roused the attentions and suspicions of the other princes; Prince Yuri’s elder brothers. They curious as to what was going on, especially since Sora and Dennis had taken to guarding the entrance to Princess Serena’s guest bedroom, but they were assured that nothing of ill-intent was happening. Though, the three young gentleman all sincerely and severely doubted that but, Dennis and Sora were tough on them. Immoveable, really so Princes Yuya, Yuto, and Yugo were given no choice but to move on when they were unable to get Prince Yuri’s consorts to budge in their duties. They were, however, told that all would be revealed come morning and that was not exactly promising but they had little choice in the matter.

Meanwhile, on all but arrival, Prince Yuri and Princess Serena locked themselves into games of friendly sparring. Though, friendly might be the wrong word as both heirs were very vicious in their attack upon the other – all supposedly in good nature. Still, it was strangely encouraging to both of them in the progression of their relationship to see how they looked, glistening with sweat, cunning in their eyes, and a rapier in their hands.

Princess Serena found the matches thrilling. Prince Yuri kept her on her toes and posed a challenge the likes of which she had never encountered before. He was sly and unafraid of playing dirty; something she didn’t want to encourage but it was completely different from the masterful and respectful duels of those in her court. Those who could not risk sullying the match due to their station. Here, in a foreign chamber to duel, Princess Serena was not deprived of such mars. It was exhilarating.

As for Prince Yuri, he would would deny all such allegations that he was enjoying the matches with Princess Serena and therefore bonding with her which was positive. Despite his more underhanded tactics. Prince Yuri would prefer to believe that he was studying the minx before him for her weaknesses in her swordplay as he was still deludedly convinced that she was some imposter.

For the most part, Prince Yuri and Princess Serena were evenly matched in talent and in strength. Such realisation was peculiar within the context of their back-and-forth exchanges given that Prince Yuri did not duel honourably, unlike Princess Serena. Still, it stoked a personal fascination between them which soon culminated in a heated moment underpinned by Princess Serena’s sharp actions.

It was she who prevailed. Prince Yuri would call it luck, but Princess Serena would call it skill. But, somehow, Princess Serena was able to top Prince Yuri and his dirty deeds. It was she who had him at the end of her rapier; not the other way around. And so, Prince Yuri looked up at the girl, a playful snarl on his lips. He was intrigued as he riffled through the memories so quick and formless that it was difficult to discern why he was on his ass at all and why it was she who had the tip of her weapon beneath his chin. So close and so tactful.

“One point.” she said.

Her eyes, as they looked down on him, sizing him up, were a sharp and verdant green. They were alluring in their smugness. But Prince Yuri could only click his tongue. His demeanour impressed, but ultimately petulant.

“Very well,” he huffed with half a shrug, “you have me trounced, for today anyway, darling.”

“You wag your tongue too much.” Princess Serena replied.

“Now, would you do me the honour of allowing me to get to my feet?” Prince Yuri asked.

“Of course.”

Princess Serena sheathed her rapier and extended her hand. Prince Yuri hesitated but he figured it would be gauche, and therefore detrimental to his ulterior motives, if he slapped her hand away like he so very much desired to. So, his hand slotted into hers and he was surprised by how soft her palms were and how delicate her fingers were. However, any illusions of glamourous, princess-like qualities that Prince Yuri may or may not have suddenly acquired in that moment were ruthlessly dashed. Princess Serena uncouthly yanked Prince Yuri to his feet and sent him stumbling.

He huffed as he tugged on his jacket, adjusting himself and swatting at dust. He looked over his shoulder and pouted.

“I think we ought to retire for the night.” he said. He hoped that Dennis and Sora had had sufficient time to improve Princess Serena’s private quarters for the sake of his mother’s inane game.

“We?” Prince Serena echoed, incredulous as a playfully scandalised look crossed her face. “As in you and me? Together? In one bed?”

“Wh-What? No. That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Cease putting words in my mouth.” Prince Yuri stammered, completely thrown off-kilter by Princess Serena’s flirtations.

“I know, Yuri, I’m just teasing. Very well, have me shown to my room.” Princess Serena said.

Prince Yuri scowled and glowered at her familiarity of him but obliged reluctantly. So, he returned her to the west wing of the castle which was designated for living spaces. And as they walked together, Princess Serena had her consorts, Gloria and Grace, fetch her things from the drawing room so she may change into her pyjamas, as well as use her own pillow which was far more appealing to her than using some strange and foreign pillow.

Of course, once Princess Serena got to her room, she realised that having to deal with a pillow which simply just ‘wasn’t right’ was going to be the least of her problems. Really, she should have known something was amiss because Dennis and Sora – her betrothed’s consorts – had practically jumped out of their skins upon seeing her and Prince Yuri.

“We hope the accommodations are too your liking, our lady.” Dennis said with a sweeping hand gesture as he permitted entrance into the room.

“Is everything good?” whispered Prince Yuri to Sora whilst Princess Serena mystifiedly stumbled into her private quarters.

“Everything.” Sora snickered.

“What on the Gods’ green Earth is going on here?” Princess Serena exclaimed.

She was awed in how baffled she was. Her eyes were wide open as she was forced to confront the very bizarre sleeping conditions expected of her. Never in her life had seen so many mattresses and pillows piled high on a bed. It looked as though they all went up unto the ceiling and as though there was barely any room for her to sleep at all.

“How am I meant to sleep here?” she asked, hostile.

“This is a very old custom in my lineage. Every princess must spend one night in the most sublime luxury we can present, or it would bring disgrace to our House. So, please, just for one night, my dear Princess Serena, please put up with it for if you reject it, you reject my hand in marriage. I refuse to court a woman who would not respect such a long-held tradition.” Prince Yuri lied.

Princess Serena erred and she glanced at the consorts. Sora had his hand clamped over his mouth in restrained glee. The other looked as innocent as the day he was born, flashing her encouraging smiles to validate the truth of the matter. Princess Serena then conferred with her own consorts. Trusting their judgement. Gloria made a cut-throat gesture whereas Grace looked positively over the moon with how novel it was.

“Very well then, I shall honour this custom. I am many things, including rude but if you so wish then I shall… I shall sleep here.” Princess Serena conceded.

In smarmy bluster, Prince Yuri rushed her and grabbed her hands. Once again, noting of their softness as he smiled with duplicitous intent. Yet, it was a pretty look on his cattish face regardless.

“Thank you so very much, my love, now please, sweet dreams. I hope you want for nothing during the night. Enjoy your stay here. I shall see you in the morning, my dear.” Yuri said and in his, mouth as he spoke what were intentioned as lies, he couldn’t help but feel a sweet and fizzy feeling. It was giddy. He almost liked it.

Princess Serena swallowed. “Very well then, Yuri, I shall see you in the morning. Sweet dreams.”

Then, to seal the faux sincerity, Prince Yuri pressed a kiss onto Princess Serena’s cheek. Her heart fluttered and his lips tingled. He smiled and then pardoned himself and his own consorts, leaving Princess Serena in the dark with Gloria and Grace.

Gloria and Grace aided in helping Serena to the mount of her bed. It was a struggle and a half, but Princess Serena was able to get to the final layer and she snuggled in tight. Gloria and Grace bade her good night and Princess Serena was alone. She took a breath and closed her eyes and as she tried to lull herself to sleep, she was racked with the sensation that something was very wrong.

Meanwhile, Prince Yuri entered his own bedroom and he felt grand. And he felt that way all throughout the night. A beautiful and wondrous slumber because he was utterly certain that come morning, he would be able to oust Princess Serena as some sort of con-artist and he would never have to marry her.

Though, his sleep was tinged with haunted memories of her sharp eyes and her sharp rapier. He would miss having someone to spar with who was prepared for underhanded tactics and had rather soft hands and a kinship with him regarding lonely childhoods. But, overall, Prince Yuri slept fabulously even if there was a bittersweet element to what he believed was his impending victory.

Princess Serena was sleeping similarly in her meticulously and heavily laden bed. By all accounts, this was the truest height of luxury as it felt as though her bed consisted of several stories and each layer was soft and fluffy and yet… something was intrinsically wrong. It was uncomfortable. There was something, somewhere, which was causing her inordinate contrary.

And it wasn’t just the sugar and ice personality of her betrothed. One moment he was being awful to her and the next, it felt like they were making genuine strides in their potential relationship. Princess Serena could hardly believe that she had found herself enamoured with such a peculiar young man. But alas, she had though she may not want to admit it forthright.

Still, the hours bore on and soon, in came the morning sun and Prince Yuri could not have been more thrilled. He had not felt so refreshed. He couldn’t wait to have this fraudulent princess exiled from his kingdom, and more importantly, from his heart which was beginning to waver from its initial ambitions. The morning sun was sweet but the thought of victory sweeter. Even when tinged with the bitter of not having the chance to continue duelling with her or continue admiring her more splendid qualities.

With a mixed expression, Prince Yuri drew close to Princess Serena’s chambers and he was not the only one. His consorts, her consorts, his brothers, and his mother had all drawn in close. They all wanted the culmination of all the strange on-goings and schemes which unfolded.

Thus, Princess Serena was permitted to descend from her bed. Something that Prince Yuri’s elder brothers were shocked to learn the decadent existence of. Their mother, Queen Yoko, looked confidently pleased with herself. She should have known her cunning fourth son would put in place a countermeasure, but she knew the match to be true tinder, so she allowed it.

And it was her voice which crooned through Princess Serena’s private quarters: “Good morning, my soon to be daughter-in-law, how slept you?”

Princess Serena’s hair was a shock of indigo and her eyes had lost their verdant, green gloss. She was pale with purple bags under her eyes. She looked more haggard than redolent. She sighed.

“I slept awful…” she admitted.

Prince Yuri stiffened. “Awful? You say?” He was nervous. Fidgety.

“Yes. Awful. Horrid. Terrible. All through the night… It felt like something was digging into my bloody back.” Princess Serena said.

“Oh Serena,” chided Gloria, “no need for such language.”

“Oh yes there is Gloria!” Princess Serena argued. “I have never heard of such an insane custom and I slept awful! It – It was like something was underneath all those mattresses and it tortured me through the night.”

“And what sort of something might that be?” Queen Yoko asked as she glanced between Dennis and Sora.

Princess Serena scowled. “I dunno… a pea?” she murmured.

“Close. A pea-nut.” Prince Yuri corrected her.

“A peanut?” Princess Serena echoed.

Prince Yuri huffed and he stepped forward. For the third time, he clasped the girl’s soft hands. He looked stridently into her eyes. He took a breath.

“I must confess,” he began, “I lied. There is no such custom.”

“I knew it!” Princess Serena exclaimed.

“But I was convinced by my conniving mother to give you a try. I was concerned you were not ladylike enough for my heart, but I realise now that there are for more interesting things about you than your manners. Such as your swordsmanship and your abrasion. I was… unwilling at first, but truly, you may have my heart, dear and sweet Serena.”

Princess Serena’s heart pounded. She blinked; eyelashes, and her heart, were sent a-fluttering. She smiled.

“Thank you, Yuri.” Princess Serena said and for the first time, Prince Yuri let his heart sing with girlish praise over her lack of manners and her overt familiarity.

“I would be honoured if I could take you as my bride as I see you are not a fraudulent princess or some hellion girl. Well, I mean you are, but I’ve decided I would prefer a shrew to some perfect doll. I would prefer you a thousand times over any other woman that the soothsayer might be able to match me.” Prince Yuri continued.

“Hey, calling me a shrew was uncalled for, but very well. I accept. And I would be honoured if I could take you as my groom.” Princess Serena replied.

“Aw! I love a happy ending.” Grace cooed, only to have her sister elbow her.

But she wasn’t the only one. The rest of the court were similarly pleased by the fact that Prince Yuri and Princess Serena could begin a union which would signify a happily ever after for them both.

#YGOShipfestSVE #justanotherotakuartist #yugioh arc v #predatorshipping #yugioh #arc v #serena (arc v)#yuri (arc v)#celina (arc v)

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suckitsurveys · 5 years ago

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Do you know anybody who is ambidextrous? My dad is. He writes with his left hand but does everything else right handed. Have you ever been 4-wheeling? Nope. What’s the weather been like today? It’s cloudy and in the mid 70s. What was the last exam you sat for? Uh. Will you be attending any weddings in the near future? Nope I’m not cool enough for people to invite to weddings apparently.

Do you currently have any unread text messages, and who from? My cousin sent me like 802043920803309021 messages yesterday, all paragraphs, all gibberish. I haven’t read them yet because I’m not mentally prepared to try to decipher what the fuck she’s talking about. She’d notorious for sending texts like that. Speaking of text messages, what colour is your cell phone? A metallic lavender color. Do you live anywhere near the woods? There are some forest preserves nearby. Would you ever consider a career in the tourism industry? Sure why not. Do you have any important anniversaries you celebrate? Yes. Me and Mark��s. We like to celebrate how many years we’ve been together total instead of how many years we’ve been married. We got married the same date (6 years later) that we started dating to keep that our anniversary. When was the last time you used q-tips? A couple weeks ago. How does your hair react to humid weather or rain? Ya know, I’ve never really noticed. What’s your favourite flavour of iced tea? I love jade citrus mint green tea from Starbucks. Do you understand music theory? Ugh. How many hours of sleep did you get last night? Not enough. Are you expected to act professionally at your job? Of course? Infomercials: entertaining or stupid? I haven’t watched one in foreverrrrr. What’s your favourite brand of energy drink? I don’t like energy drinks. Do you have (or have you ever had) acne? Ugh my skin is AWFUL. When was the last time you got pins-and-needles? My leg fell asleep the other day. Why did you click to take this survey? I felt like it. If you have glasses, have you ever smashed them? Not my prescription ones. Sunglasses, yes. How do you get new music? Buy or download or what? I just use Spotify. Have you ever sent someone an abusive text message? I hope any messages I’ve sent haven’t come off that way. Do you require a lot of time to do things or are you quick? Depends on what I’m doing? What will be the next concert you attend? Maybe Lizzo? If not, then Vampire Weekend IN SALT LAKE CITY hi Ellen. Turn the nearest television on, what’s on? There are no TVs here. How often do you “wake up on the wrong side of the bed”? Eh. Can you rap? Lol. What do you usually order when you’re at McDonald’s? Depends. McDonald’s is the only fast food place I like the burgers from, but in general I prefer chicken. So sometimes I get a Big Mac, sometimes a chicken sandwich, and sometimes a filet o fish. But fries. Always fries. Are there any textbooks near where you are right now? If you count instruction manuals and owners guides haha. There’s a bunch of those on my coworker’s shelves. What’s the time? 10 am. Do you know how to use a DSLR camera? Sure. How’s your body temperature right now? 98.6 or whatever it’s supposed to be, hopefully? Do you use Celsius or Fahrenheit? Fahrenheit. What was the last thing you got a really good deal on? I got two rainbow tye dye shirts for my niece’s rainbow themed bday party for my sister and I that were marked down from $25 to $9 each because they were “pride” shirts. Have you ever studied any ancient societies? Yeah. Do you like to wear long, dangling earrings? Yes, sometimes. What was the last reason you took medicine? I had a fucking terrible migraine. Do you exercise regularly? I need to start up again really bad. What is your coffee of choice? (flat white, cappuccino, etc.) Lattes. Do you pay any attention to your country’s politics? Yes and no. I know enough about it but sometimes I just can’t handle it because America is so fucking fucked up right now. Are you feeling worried about anything right now? Yeah. Are you a gossipy type of person? I’ll admit I like to gossip every once in a while. When will your next meal be, and do you know what it will consist of? I’m gunna munch on this pineapple I brought in a minute. And then for lunch I have a chicken caeser salad. Tell me about the sickest you’ve ever felt. I’m not sure. Thankfully, at least every time I remember, I’ve never gotten insanely sick. What’s your opinion on your in-laws, if you have any? I like them. Do you make excuses often, or do you just get things done? Both. Have you seen your best friend today? One of them I see every day because we live together. What can you smell right now? Myself. Any important birthdays coming up? My niece’s 6th and my 30th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fireworks: yay or nay? I love fireworks. Do you have any plans for the rest of the day? Work. Then going to the city clerk to pick up some parking passes for my tattoo artist so he can park on our permitted street (his shop is right around the corner from where my dad lives). Then dropping them off and going to the gym for a bit, or maybe swimming. Then dinner with Mark. How about tomorrow? Any plans? Work. Then a quick dinner with Mark. Then going to see Wet Hot American Summer with my sister. They are showing it at a theater and they made a drinking game out of it. Should be pretty freaking awesome. Do you know how to do your own laundry or does someone else do it? I do my own. If you could eat or drink anything right now, what would it be? That pineapple I mentioned. Brb. Okay got it. Yum. What colour are your headphones? Mint green. Think of the last long car trip you had, where did you go? Fuck. Did I explain this? Long story short, my friend lead us on a wild goose chase because she doesn’t know Chicago and their beaches and we went to like 5 different beaches before we finally settled on one. We were in the car for 3 hours and we didn’t even leave the city it was a fucking nightmare. Do you have a Twitter account that you use regularly? Yep. Have you ever seen a horseshoe crab? They’re scary, right?! No, I haven’t. What was the last movie you saw at the theatres? Detective Pikachu. Are there any new movies that you’d really like to see? I still need to go see Toy Story 4 and The Lion King. If you could play one instrument flawlessly, what would it be? Guitar. Do you overthink a lot of things? Sure. Is there anybody you miss but can’t see again? My mother. When was the last time you had a hangover? Recently.

#surveys

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smollandtoll · 6 years ago

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HC: Science TA Geno History Student Sid

The second these photos came out we were like IT’S TIME. So HERE. WE. GO:

Imagine a universe in which Sid and Geno are separated by a few more years but not enough for it to be weird and Sid is a history major/gym addict (we just can’t picture him without the lower body) who has put off his science requirements for his degree until the very last possible time to do them. So there he is, 21/22 with a bunch of 18y/o freshmen in first year chem, looking mildly confused three times a week in lecture with his biceps threatening to burst through his intramural hockey tees, carefully seated 2/3 of the way up the lecture hall for maximum anonymity.

Sid does not like science very much. At least, not advanced science; he has no need for it beyond understanding the theory and the basics. He has no burning need to know the world’s innermost workings, and he thinks stoichiometry should go die in a fire.

But he’s also not going to let his GPA suffer because of this stupid class. He has a hard time focusing because he has so many other MORE IMPORTANT things he could be doing with his time so he gets lost easily and feels like he’s floundering and it’s ridiculous and embarrassing.

So, like a good and diligent student he goes to the TA office hours with his last quiz, bracing himself for an hour with some bored grad-school chem major to try and get a handle on the last module before it’s too far into the semester to catch up, and immediately has to squint at the name Evgeni Malkin on the door. He’s not even sure how to pronounce that. Eff-Jenny? Eve Genie? Veg-inni? He knows enough to parse out that it’s Russian and he immediately flashes to a nerdy Russian stereotype playing chess in his office behind thick glasses and a really tragic knit sweater. Sid is prepared to have the WORST time with a hardcore nerd who probably thinks a BA jock like Sid shouldn’t even be in his class - LET ALONE the fact Sid doesn’t want to be there and doesn’t get it and really doesn’t care.

Geno doesn’t make much better of a first impression. BUT to be fair:

The smell in his shared office is vinegary from the eco-friendly cleaning solution that he used to clean up an unfortunate sour cream incident in his small ancient TA office microwave. And it’s also a little like BO because...well because he smells like BO because he hasn’t been home for more than 20 minutes in weeks working on a breakthrough in his thesis. And let’s be fair, all the tiny shitty basements TAs get shoved into smell a little funky. He can’t be blamed!

Re: the point of hasn’t been home in weeks, his clothes are thoroughly dirty, we’re talking food stains, ink stains, lab stains of who knows what that soaked through his labcoat and smeared on his shirt cuffs. Also the clothes he’s wearing are his warmest and most comfortable. Oversized university sweatshirt (he’s so cold always), beanie (covering up greasy hair), his glasses because he hasn’t had time to order new contacts, extra cardigan over the back of his chair for when it gets particularly drafty after dark.

There are a LOT of mugs, and cups, and takeout containers where there aren’t stacks of papers upon papers upon textbooks. Listen, office hours are boring and any time he can get for his thesis is welcome. Cleaning isn’t high on his list of things to do currently.

So anyway, imagine Geno highly sleep deprived (who needs sleep when you have CHEMISTRY), and probably lacking a nutritionally balanced meal and hopped up on caffeine looking up at the knock to his door and seeing the most beautiful man possibly EVER standing in the doorway. He looks wary and faintly disgusted, but he also looks like he smells good, and his hair is a little damp, like he’d just come from the gym or something.

Geno legitimately thinks he's starting to hallucinate beautiful men. But then Sid opens his mouth and Geno recoils because no cute angels actually sound like that, so he must be a student.

And then Sid's asking about his quiz and he's so DETERMINED AND BRIGHT but clearly hating chem and just trying to like STRONG-ARM IT INTO OBEYING HIM. And you know what, this Geno legitimately loves chemistry; the way it underpins all of nature and all of biology, the way you can add one thing to another and get something totally surprising seemingly out of nowhere, the way equations balance out so beautifully when you get them right - the way it’s a whole language that makes perfect and total sense, unlike the confusing jumble of English he’s been putting up with since he moved here for school. He DOES want to help students learn to understand it - to love it like he does, ideally.

Geno probably pulls the test closer for a look and faintly remembers Sid seeing him up close. In class he’d never looked like much, usually wearing a ball cap that kept his beautiful face in shadow and from 40ft away in an auditorium he looked like every other university freshman, not this stacked slice of yum (on second thought, judging by the quality of his internal monologue, Geno is starting to think maybe he really does need to get some sleep).

Looking at the quiz is a little painful in some places though. Geno points out that Sid’s not dumb, but he’s careless with his work.

"This inattentiveness kill you in lab."

"I don't like science, I don't particularly want to be here, but I need this requirement and I'm not going to fly by with a C and let it tank my GPA. SO. we're going over every single one of these quiz questions."

"...You got most right though."

"Still, I could hear a repeat of the concepts, cramming doesn’t help anyone.”

So Sid sits gingerly in the moth-eaten chair in the cramped office while Geno (greasy, owlish with lack of sleep, a little too enthusiastic) tries to impress upon him the BEAUTY of Chemistry and Sid tries to dedicate himself to remembering anything at all while his brain keeps reflexively blanking out every time Geno mentions equilibriums. He’s doing better one on one, but he knew that, he always did better with a focused point for his attention.

Anyway so Sid walks out thinking the TA is like kind of a Russian Science Gremlin Nerd who chats on forums and has never eaten anything other than cheetos (judging by the contents of the wastebasket by the door). And Geno watches the door close probably thinking someone who wears as much athleisure wear and is as jacked as Sid, not to mention was only 70% successful in hiding his general disdain for THE GLORY OF STOICH, is kind of a meathead.

But Sid learned some things and Geno’s a patient if slightly judgy teacher, and Geno knows not everyone can truly understand his love of chem, so they both come out with not...100% accurate impressions of each other, but with a kind of alliance? An understanding? The usual academic relationship you might have with a TA. They're both students, the difference being one gives a shit about the topic and grades the other one’s work. Sid checks in a couple more times with questions and Geno clears up some desk space to help out if he can.

SO THEN. The semester ends, Sid passes chem, Geno gives him a high five when he hands back his final exam, which has a sticker of a cat with pom-poms saying PURR-FECT on it. Geno loves weird animal stickers (Geno is the weirdest person Sid has ever met maybe).

The next time Geno sees Sid is in the library of all places. Geno would have never thought Sid would be caught dead in a uni library. Like that doesn’t actually make sense the more he thinks about it, but it’s true, he thought maybe Sid’s intensity about his GPA was sport-team related. But here he is stationed at a carrel that is just covered in organized stacks of books, meticulous notes, colour coded even! Sid is hyper-focused on what he’s doing, flipping through a book with one hand and jotting down notes with the other.

Geno: Oh shit I'm getting a competence boner, SID IS REALLY SMART OH NO, HE’S SO ORGANIZED AND DEDICATED. LOOK AT ALL THE TABS IN THAT TEXTBOOK.

He’s beautiful and brilliant RIP G. So then Geno kind of low-key follows Sid's academic career - sees/stalks/stares in the library if he has occasion to be there (SID IS THERE SO OFTEN OH NO), immediately ducking between a couple of shelves whenever Sid looks up or stretches. He finds too many reasons to hang out in the Russian history section, probably bothering Ovi who is actually taking history courses and has a reason to be there and actually knows Sid, much to his disgust with Zhenya when he finds out what’s happening (why not a good Russian history undergrad Zhenya??). Geno has studying to do too! The library is an ideal place to study! What’s that you say, the whole catalogue is even easier to navigate digitally? Shush, you.

The next time Sid sees Geno after the semester ends is in the biggest campus gym. One time he was running on the track for a cool-down and saw Geno swimming in the lane pool below through the windows.

Initially Sid was like "good for him, he doesn't go outside enough, lil russian potted plant/cheeto gremlin."

And then Geno grabs hold of the side of the pool and lifts himself out and Sid almost runs off the track, stumbling hard. Geno doesn't have the soft and furry pale body that Sid was expecting - he's all clean angles with an even tan and the shoulder-to-waist ratio OF A DORITO. He looks insanely long and lean, just legs for days. Sid tries to recollect if he’d ever seen Geno standing before and honestly can’t remember. But watching him wiping the water out of his eyes and walk over to joke and laugh with the lifeguard on her stand, he has to be over six feet, EASILY. He just looked so small hunched in his little office in his sweaters! His face is so angular without the glasses!

So then Sid kind of gets just as creepy as G is in the library and figures out when Geno frequents the gym and starts attending at the same time to creep. The track is raised! It overlooks the pool and he’s a frequent runner! It goes on like that for some time, some mutual creeping in the way you do when you’re on a campus with 20,000 (or w/e) people and you see a familiar face but it would be weird to say hi and so you just keep going about your day/occasionally creeping as one does.

It all comes to a head fortunately one Friday night in late January. Sid gets knocked on his ass yet again at the campus pub one night when he finds out that G doesn't always dress like a soviet grandpa or a mostly-nude glistening adonis. He’s all legs a mile long in jeans laughing with his Russian TA bros, gold chains and a bright graphic tee. He looks so at ease in his clothing the way that Sid never does, because Sid is so sold, blocky, muscular - he always looks like he's 5 seconds from hulking out in his clothing or like he's swimming in his dad's suit, there's no medium. The best he can usually manage is looking like he works in a sporting goods store with an unflattering polo shirt and some track pants. And here’s Geno all handsome and tall and easy confidence with his friends, and Sid KNOWS he’s brilliant too, like this is a disaster.

Meanwhile Geno is IN LOVE with how Sid always looks like he’s going to bust out of whatever he’s wearing but this is just because Sid is still young and hasn't grown into his face/lost some childhood fat and like learned how sleek he can look in well-tailored clothing.

(Brief moment of silent thanks for his current tailor)

G probably sees Sid at the bar as well, looking flushed pink from his drink and giggling atrociously/attractively with his friends. His lips are bright pink and the flush looks so good on those cheekbones and someone’s obviously convinced him to ditch the athleisure and dress like a normal guy for the night. And if Sid is old enough to get into the bar that's not creepy right? They're no longer teacher/student and Sid looks so so so pretty. Geno might be a little drunk and narrating all of this to a very unimpressed Gonch.

(Gonch is a PHD student who is like taking 800 years to do his work because like he's also working a day job because he has a wife and kids)

There are some glances back and forth for a bit, and eventually they can both tell the other is looking looking. Geno is just tipsy enough he plucks up the courage to go over to Sid. And Sid, seeing him approaching, catching his eye, distances himself from his history nerd friends (WE’RE LOOKING AT YOU JACK JOHNSON).

So they meet up in a little nook along the bar, and exchange smiles/greetings (Sid looking up, up, up at him and feeling his flush getting DEEPER). And then the awkwardness sets in HARD. The problem being it's kind of loud in the bar, because they always are, and Sid has trouble with accents most of the time and so does Geno, plus they've both had a few beers.

They end up 100% not understanding anything the other is saying and doing that weird smile-and-nod but not-knowing-what-to-say thing that keeps your convos stilted and awkward with a few “SORRY?”s thrown in for good measure.

They’re still both a little blushy and a little mortified about not understanding. Geno feels like he understood more the first day he came to America he's like "How have I regressed to literally zero English. I don’t remember ANY ENGLISH WORDS."

Meanwhile Sid has realized they can’t really understand each other and the beer has loosened his lips enough that he’s taking advantage of the situation and blurting a lot of awkward stuff he’s way too embarrassed to actually say.

Unfortunately there’s one of those LULLS in the bar where everyone stops talking and the music is between songs and Sid just yells "I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU WERE HOT AT FIRST."

Cue an few cackles from the wings and Sid’s instant mortification. Geno’s face is doing something between fighting a smirk of amusement and being confused/concerned.

Mostly Geno realizes that this is going to spiral out of control very quickly and tugs Sid’s elbow until they’re stepping outside together in the freezing night where their shouts will actually reach each other’s ears.

Basically they end up in a Denny’s at 2 am blushing at each other. Geno getting his flirt on, because once he feels like Sid’s into him he is all confident body language and jokes, getting into Sid’s personal space with his impossibly long limbs. Sid relaxes into being kinda snarky and snide, but so quick-witted and kind, the side of him that Geno had only briefly glimpsed during their office hour conversations. And that’s all it really takes, because they both are the type to go for what they want, and the interest is clearly mutual, and it turns out they already know a bit too much about each other’s schedules and they just make it work in the best ways.

They quickly turn into THAT COUPLE that makes all their friends roll their eyes, and Geno never stops chirping Sid for “I didn’t think you were hot at first.” both in front of other people and while Sid is trying desperately to wrestle G’s jeans off (“oh, I’m hot enough now, Sid?” “shut UP Geno and lift up your hips!!”).

Of course being the academic doorknobs they are, neither of them realize that this is an everlasting permanent kind of love, a LEGIT COLLEGE SWEETHEART KIND OF LOVE until like Sid meal preps Geno's entire week without asking whenever he knows that there's a big assignment coming up and he's never gonna get out of the lab, so he like keeps eating vegetables and not just cheetos and potato-based dishes.

Geno adopts all Sid's weird little rituals in his spaces because he respects that Sid has a system and is serious about his studies and has witnessed the meltdowns that can occur when too big a wrench gets thrown into Sid’s day. He never bothers Sid while he’s studying, but working out a system to ask unobtrusively if he wants a snack.

Geno willingly gets pranked by Flower because there’s HAZING when it comes to roommate’s significant others showering in their bathroom.

Sid has an intimidating family dinner with the Gonchars he was in no way prepared for, but gamely shows up with a bottle of wine and a button down shirt that is still creased from the packaging.

By the time Geno is cheering in the crowd at Sid’s graduation they’re maybe getting an inkling what their future looks like, full of too many bookshelves, messy stacks of papers and notebooks, missed anniversaries for papers and research but made up with good sex and take out, lumpy knit sweaters over the backs of chairs and ugly but charming antique furniture. Full of each other.

#sid/geno #sidgeno #hockey RPF #headcanons from the icy void #disclaimer: smollandtoll are unaware of the status of geno's relationship to cheetos

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lansdellicious · 3 years ago

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Burger Battle 2022 Quick Hits - Sinaing

I am nowhere near as familiar with Filipino food as I want to be. I have in the past raved about RJ Pinoy Yum (good grief how was that three years ago), and we have been back a few times since that review was written. Sinaing is in a similar vein but it appears to have more of a commitment to traditional ingredients, where RJ tried to Westernise the dishes somewhat. Still, we were there for burgers so we shall investigate that theory another time. The burger promises a panoply of unorthodox flavours:

Beef-pork patty, sliced humba (braised pork belly), pickled papaya, crispy onion, garlic mayo, tomato and lettuce.

We already know how I feel about pork belly on burgers (it's amazing), and the possibility of some unique Filipino flavours was a definite temptation. Plus, pickled papaya? Colour me intrigued.

It looks a little minimal, but that's not a disqualifying factor on its own. It needs to deliver on taste...and boy did it ever. Char, smokiness, sweetness, acid...this burger has it all. The pork belly delivers on the unique flavours promised by the origin of the dish, and they worked beautifully together. Humba is salty and a touch sweet at the same time, with a healthy salty umami base. The pickled papaya was sweet with a slight acidic note, and the patty was spiced to tie the two together. Everything on this just worked.

The garlic mayo was lightly flavoured enough that it added more creaminess than taste. It's also not clear if this burger is on their regular menu, which does bring an entry down in my mind. I don't know that there is much else that could have improved this burger. Maybe some shredded jicama and/or carrot, in small amounts? Or a jicama slaw? Maybe I just like typing the word jicama?

Do yourselves a favour and order this now. It's amazing, and is the current leader.

#dtburgerbattle2022 #yyteats #lansdelliciouseats #eatlocal

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kachuwritings · 7 years ago

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🌸Get to know me tag thingy🌸

I was tagged by ma gurl @kpopbread go check her out she's amazayn (yep I pulled an old 1D insider)

1. Relationship Status: I never thought I'd say that but I'm actually in a relationship - weird shit, weird shit

2. Chapstick or Lipstick: Chapstick 'cause all my lipsticks smudge and it's not cool fam. And I have cute Korean bunny Chapsticks and yeah - they're really cute.🐰

3. Favourite Colour: I know it's a shade but black and maybe pastel pink&purple, baby blue and mint^-^

4. Last song I listened to: I first thought Anpanman by BTS but I listened to Without You (Chinese Version) - NCT after🎶 this song makes me emo still ;-;

5. Last movie I watched: uuuh tbh at the moment I'm too busy for watching movies cries in Swiss German but I think it was 'kimi no na wa' which I watched together with my boyfriend :3

6. Top 3 TV shows: I tell ya I never watch tv but uuuh it used to be The Big Bang Theory (I was head over heels for Leonard- he's the actual CUTEST), How I Met Your Mother and The Walking Dead (yum yum zombies that eat yo brains)

7. Top 3 Artists: NCT, SVT and BTS🌸

8. Books I’m currently reading: u g h;;;;;; I have to read so many books for finals 😫 I'm currently reading;

Emma - Jane Austen (English) (my mom adores jane austen, so our wlan is named after her)

Obsidian - Jennifer L. Armentrout (English)

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green (English)

Pygmalion - Bernard Shaw (English)

Die Räuber - Friedrich Schiller (German)

Die Leiden des jungen Werther - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German)

Die neuen Leiden des jungen W. - Ulrich Plenzdorf (German)

Wir schlafen nicht - Kathrin Röggla (German)

Ein sterbender Mann - Martin Walser (German)

Le garçon savoyard - Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz (French)

La Confession d'un enfant du siècle - Alfred de Musset (French)

Yeah. A shit ton of books. 🙃🙃🙃 wish me luck fam

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

I'm tagging @princeshushu @taetaejagiyaaa95 and @rosecheol if you wanna do this^-^

#tag #me #personal #get to know me #get to know the blogger #get to know the author

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mathematicianadda · 5 years ago

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IWD 2020: Books about Maths by Women

For International Women’s Day, mathematician Lucy Rycroft-Smith has read a selection of maths books by women authors, and recommended some favourites.

There’s a strange irony about being a woman in mathematics. You spend a huge amount of time and energy answering questions about being a woman in mathematics instead of, you know, using that time and energy to do or write about actual maths. We women are somehow both the problem and the solution.

But behold: 2020 is here, and better and braver women than I have solved this conundrum. Here are a whole host of excellent books about maths by women that you should definitely read, collected for you by another woman in maths.

What can we do about supporting women in STEM? Well, here’s something concrete, right here and now. You can buy these books, read these books, give these books as presents, review these books and talk about these books on social media. You can even (and please do) print this article off and laminate it and present it with a flourish to anyone who tells you they’d love to read more women on mathematics but sadly there JUST AREN’T ANY.

1. For the graphic novel lover

The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage by Sydney Padua (Penguin, 2016)

The sheer energy that Padua has crammed into this book is astonishing. It’s the Stephen Fry of comic books: witty, smart and so damn full of knowledge you sense yourself in the presence of real greatness. I feel like if I saw someone reading this book I would know instantly that we’d get on. The fictional, ideal Ada Lovelace presented here is a true hero, the kind I’d want over for dinner. She eye rolls and quips her way through 315 pages, wearing outfits worthy of Anne Lister and smoking a pipe with rich aplomb. (I’m a little bit in love with her).

Bonus: the footnotes are some of the best I’ve ever seen: copious, meticulous, and hilarious.

2. For the artist

Beautiful Symmetry: A Coloring Book About Math by Alex Berke (MIT Press, 2020)

The Aperiodical says: We’ll be posting a full review of this book shortly!

‘But argh!’ I hear you say. ‘The title manages to incorporate both of my top two most hated Americanisms!’ I see you. But I promise you, this book is worth it. It’s beautiful. It’s gorgeous. Open it up and you’ll see not just pages of roomy geometric designs waiting for your rainbow fineliners, but teeny tiny, super-detailed explanations of how the designs are constructed too. It’s actually a colouring (steady) book that will teach you maths. If I was only allowed one book on a desert island – with the proviso that I get to take the fineliners along as well – it would be this one. And I would cry wasteful salty tears when the pens ran out, too. (And I’d wipe my butt on prickly leaves before using it).

Bonus: there’s actual mathematical theory in the back, clearly explained – just enough to whet your appetite. It’s a palette cleanser. A zesty sorbet of maths explanation after the glorious repast of colouring. Yum.

3. For the parent

A Compendium of Mathematical Methods by Jo Morgan (John Catt, 2019)

Starting with the very basics (addition and subtraction), Morgan presents a pic ‘n’ mix of different methods of working out and writing down sums. If you’ve ever looked at your child’s homework and wondered what the Napier’s Bones is going on with the way they’ve been taught to do multiplication, this is the perfect companion for you to do some collaborative kitchen table maths. It’s really clear, simple, and well explained, and some of the methods go all the way from primary school to A Level.

Bonus: some lovely little historical quirks and perks, like the useful knowledge that ‘factor’ comes from the same etymological root as ‘factory’ – both make products.

4. For the rebel

Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics, by Dr Talithia Williams (Quarto, 2018)

This book is the fulsome, thrilling answer to the question ‘what have women ever done for maths?’ and so much more. It’s a joy to read from start to finish, or dip in and out of at leisure; full of pictures and photographs, little bis and pieces of maths and historical colour that really bring these stories to life. Even in 2013, only around 6% – yes, that’s right, 6% – of mathematics professors in the UK were female. By my estimation, that’s about the same percentage as the academic staff at the Faculty of Mathematics at my university who are called John or Jack, for reference. That fact alone makes me want to press this excellent book into the hands of every little girl who has dreamed of being a mathematician – still, it seems an act of ‘rebellion’ in today’s world. Because often, what the women who appear in this book did to ‘rebel’ was to simply exist. To be female and a mathematician simultaneously is, it seems, that radical.

Bonus: So many Easter eggs here, but including a Hasse diagram from Dr Pamela Harris’ PhD thesis showing the zero weight Weyl alternation of the exceptional Lie algebra Gz is my favourite.

5. For the student who loves to ask ‘why?’

100% Proof! The Why of Maths by Jane Hope (Percival Press, 2016)

This book makes nonsense out of the old adage that every equation printed will cut readership by 10% (or a quarter, or even a half, depending on where you hear it). Combining clear, large-print algebraic proofs with colour diagrams, graphs and grids, Hope offers her namesake abstract noun to all those who may have struggled to understand mathematical argument in the past. It is simple and direct, with sparing but useful text and even the odd cartoon here and there. Mathematical proof plus humour? I’m in.

Bonus: the unexpected x= eggs pun on page 27 was un oeuf to really tickle me. (Bad yolk. Sorry).

6. For the gambler

Fat Chance: Probability from 0 to 1 by Dr Emily Riehl, Benedict Gross and Joe Harris (CUP, 2019)

This book sits somewhere between a popular science book and a textbook, and manages to be accessible and fun without dumbing down the content. ‘Why study probability?’ ask the authors of this book, before giving several reasons ending in the most compelling for them: ‘it’s just plain fascinating.’ I’m not a poker player, but I reckon reading this book would be a pretty good inoculation against the usual noobery for those who want to take up the hobby, but also want to skip the beginning part where they lose a ton of money before they really understand what they’re doing.

Bonus: you can learn about conditional probability through the zombie apocalypse. Dead good.

7. For the wannabe fly on the wall

Closing The Gap: The Quest To Understand Prime Numbers by Dr Vicky Neale (Oxford University Press, 2017)

When I took part in the Big Internet Math Off last year, the one competitor that had me quaking in my boots was Oxbridge mathematician Dr Vicky Neale. She is not only fearsomely intelligent, but crucially in possession of that rare skill: the ability to simplify her subject to suit her audience. (To illustrate this, take a look at these teeny hedgehogs and scarves she made to make a point about prime numbers). If you have ever wondered what it feels like to be a real mathematician, this book is a superb window into the life of one without having to know too much background already; it’s a very manageable size, and for me feels something like the Heat magazine of mathematicians in that it is full of juicy gossip and celeb stories (without, I must add, either the trashy flavour nor the accusatory tone).

Bonus: a thought-provoking exploration of whether large-scale collaborative projects might be replacing the stereotypical lone mathematical genius as the way to make progress in the field of mathematics. As a mediocre mathematician at best, I’m quite invested in that one.

8. For the true crime enthusiast

Math on Trial: How numbers get used and abused in the courtroom, by Leila Schneps and Coralie Colmez (Basic Books, 2013)

I’ve just finished The Secret Barrister and, while I enjoyed it, it has nothing on this book for leaving you open-mouthed at the horrific potential for justice to fail. Courtrooms are so often the sticky end of mathematics – where experts are asked to put their money (or indeed, other people’s freedom) where their mouths are, and move from mathematical theory into actual real-life decisions, some of them involving locking people away for the rest of their days. I found this as much a page-turner as any Lee Child novel, and much more elegantly written. Which is not really much of a compliment, is it?

Bonus: this is a mother and daughter combo writing team, which is my absolute dream.

9. For the polymath

Big data: does size matter? By Timandra Harkness (Bloomsbury, 2017)

If you like Malcolm Gladwell books, I reckon you’ll really enjoy this one. Harkness is a stand-up comedian, erudite speaker, and TV and radio presenter, and the writing in this is superb, flitting between subjects like politics, economics, geography, literature and history with ease. She is particularly good at explaining how stuff works – stuff that you feel like you should already know, but were afraid to ask.

Bonus: a well-argued take-down of the ‘quantifying self’ approach to measuring, nudging and improving our lives that appears to be taking over the world one app at a time.

10. For the baker

Cakes, Custard and Category Theory by Dr Eugenia Cheng (Profile Book, 2015)

Cheng is the absolute queen of the metaphor and this book is salt-and-peppered with food references as a way of clarifying all kinds of mathematical concepts. Don’t be put off by her impressive pedigree; despite being a renowned pure mathematician, she is deeply committed to ‘ridding the world of maths phobia’ and her gentleness and enthusiasm bounces off the page.

Bonus: actual recipes at the beginning of every chapter.

11. For the mathematical physicist

Storm in a Teacup: The Physics of Everyday Life by Dr Helen Czerski (Transworld/Penguin, 2016)

Despite working in the field, I still have no real idea how to conceptualise the relationship between maths and physics except by saying that they are..um.. close. Maybe not siblings, but the kind of cousin that was your favourite hanging-out partner at family gatherings and grew into your teenage crush. Who knows. This is a real belter, traversing the landscape of all three sciences as well as dipping in and out of mathematics, in what for me is the perfect popular science book. It also feels very mathematical because Czerski uses the connecting theme of pattern to weave her stories about the simple everyday into something magical and elevated.

Bonus: some wonderful ‘try this at home’ suggestions.

12. For the academic

Inventing the Mathematician: Gender, Race, and Our Cultural Understanding of Mathematics by Dr Sara Hottinger (State University of New York Press, 2016)

I’ve been thinking about this book pretty much non-stop since I read it last year. If you’ve ever thought that maths is black and white, right and wrong, pure and neutral, this book does an excellent job at examining this ‘absolutist’ view – and boy does it fall apart under scrutiny. Perhaps not for just any lay reader, but anyone with a background in research of some kind or a real interest in what mathematics is will find something to poke at here.

Bonus: Hottinger’s examination of the way women are portrayed in mathematical textbooks is forensic and damning.

13. For the coffee table

Mathematics + Art: A Cultural History by Dr Lynn Gamwell (Princeton University Press, 2015)

I got to interview Gamwell about this book last year and she was utterly extraordinary. This is an enormous and gorgeously illustrated tome of the kind that sends interior designer’s hearts all a flutter – it’s less a book and more a piece of actual furniture. You can get lost in it like the Labyrinth and you don’t care because it’s as sexy as David Bowie. As a fine artist and a mathematician, this hits all my sweet spots and then some. I’m giddy just thinking about it.

Bonus: a really lovely foreword by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

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melodramastud-e · 7 years ago

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questions tag

thank you so much for tagging me @lattes-at-midnight!!! i love you LAST: 1. drink: water, but before that 2 cups of black tea lol 2. phone call: my dad! he didn’t answer tho woof 3.text message: my boyfriend 4. song you listened to: liability by lorde (im in love with this album you guys!! help!) 5. time you cried: hmm, actually not in a while which is actually a huge shocker HAVE YOU: 6. dated someone twice: nah 7. kissed someone & regretted it: OOO BOY YEs (yikes!) 8. been cheated on: nope 9. lost someone special: yep 10: been depressed: no 11. gotten drunk & thrown up: nah LIST 3 FAVOURITE COLOURS 12. maroon 13. medium spring green 14. amethyst IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU: 15. made new friends: yeah!! 16. fallen out of love: yes 17. laughed until you cried: yeah 18. found out someone was talking about you: always 19. met someone who changed you: yes!! 20. found out who your friends are: still figuring it out slowly 21. kissed someone on your facebook list: yup GENERAL: 22. how many of your facebook friends do you know in real life: all of them im pretty sure 23. do you have any pets: a kitty and a pupper 24. do you want to change your name: yeah, sometimes i highkey disassociate but it’s gotten better 25. what did you do for your last birthday: took a nap and went to color guard practice oops 26. what time did you wake up: 8?? something 27. what were you doing a midnight last night: sleeeping yum 28. name something you can’t wait for: my birthday ! 29. when was the last time you saw your mom: oh woof, my birthmom? maybe 2 years ago? my guardian mom, this morning 30. what is one thing you wish you could change in your life: my lack of motivation 31. what are you listening to right now: lorde!!!!! also chance the rapper 32. have you have talked to a person named tom: at some point i must have 33. something that is getting on your nerves: so many bitter people around me that won’t just be honest! im tired of it! either talk about it or stop bothering me!! 34. most visited websites: tumblr & my school website LOST QUESTIONS. I JUST PUT IN RANDOM INFO ABOUT ME: 35. mole(s): i have one below where my jaw meets near my ear but i always called it a beauty mark 36. mark(s): i have a bunch of little like freckles? but like not really, i probably have like 7 and i have a couple scars because im pretty accident prone 37. childhood dream: TO FLY but not actually, just really really huge jumps 38. hair colour: reddish brown? 39. long or short hair: short, slightly out grown pixie cut 40. do you have a crush on someone: my boyfriend if that counts haha 41. what do you like about yourself: my spiritualness, my independence, my singing voice 42. piercings: i have a nose stud (i want to change it to a ring but im afraid it’ll rip out at guard) my ears are pierced but i rarely wear earrings because they irritate my ears 43. blood type: honestly, i have no clue, i should figure that out 44. nickname: rissa? only get called that on few occasions 45. relationship status: taken! 46. zodiac: sun libra, moon taurus 47. pronouns: she/her 48. favourite tv show: jane the virgin or himym 49. tattoos: not yet but i want so many! 50. right or left handed: right 51. surgery: lazy eye surgery when i was lots younger 52. hair dyed different colour: yes! i’ve dyed mine 5 times, right now it’s just a shade lighter than my natural with red tones 53. sport: color guard 54. no question? 55. vacation: im going to spain in the summer! 56. pair of trainers: converse !!! MORE GENERAL: 57. eating: granola bar 58. drinking: waterrrr 59. i’m about to: do my ap music theory homework yikes 60. waiting for: my boyfriend to get home 61. want: to be left out of the drama 62. get married: not before im 24 hopefully 63. career: I THINK I WANT TO BE A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER ! i couldn’t figure out what i wanted to do forever and now i know and im so excited 64. hugs or kisses: kisses? hugs? BOTH 66. shorter or taller: i prefer taller 67. older or younger: older 68. nice arms or nice stomach: prefer nice stomach 69. sensitive or loud: im both, i like both 70. hook up or relationship: relationship for sure 71. troublemaker or hesitant: mostly hesitant, wish i was a little bit more of a troublemaker HAVE YOU EVER: 72. kissed a stranger: no 73. drank hard liquor: no 74. lost glasses/contact lenses: nah 75. turned someone down: yupppp 76. sex on first date: no 77. broken someone’s heart: no 78. had your heart broken: yep 79. been arrested: haha no but i was in the back of a police car 80. cried when someone died: yeah for sure 81. fallen for a friend: you bet DO YOU BELIEVE IN: 82. yourself: most of the time 83. miracles: yeah 84. love at first sight: no 85. santa claus: no 86. kiss on first date: sure go for it OTHER: 87. current best friend name: Grace! Mallori! Leah! love them all 88. eye colour: grayish blue 89. favourite movie: at the moment: i barely watch movies, 10 Things I Hate About You i’m tagging @effxvescience @scriville @sianthesiansian do it if you want! also anyone i didn’t tag and wants to do it you are officially tagged by me

#ask me questions #question #tag #studyblr #I love you #melodramastud-e #get to know me

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leighnetwork · 6 years ago

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Newcastle Patient Information Day for Mitochondrial Disease

My Mum and I were invited to the Newcastle Patient Information Day. The Newcastle Mitochondrial Highly Specialised NHS team and Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research held it in collaboration with the Muscular Dystrophy UK and The Lily Foundation at the Crowne Plaza, Newcastle on Saturday the 6th of April.

Attendees were invited to go to one of four focus groups. I, not shockingly to those who know me, chose the art one, which was about using art to interpret how your condition makes you feel, both emotionally and physically. We used materials such as coloured tissue paper, bright acrylic paint, and chalk in the first half of the workshop.

To encourage those creative juices to flow, we wrote down words associated with mitochondrial disease and our feelings towards it. After these were swapped around, we could then get ‘arty’!

As I have no photographs, I shall try to describe my pieces from memory. The first one had a flutter of violet and small, shredded tissue paper that I tore up to represent the tears that fall with Mito - from grief as we lose those we love and as our own bodies fail and our abilities deteriorate. I then added violent red slashes to show the anger and frustration at our situation, and two yellow-orange lightning bolts either side of the violet tears to express how mitochondrial disease never fails to shock. The green border dotted the edges to express how isolating mitochondrial disease can feel.

Piece two was a simple, charcoal face of a flower. It was the shape of a flower, with swooping petals, stained and smudged. In a way, I think of the brain as a flower, with an eye in the rain as the centre. That’s how I tried to depict it, anyway. Although a fairly simplistic way of looking at the brain, my mum- who is not at all biased, I’m sure- said it was my best work yet...

For piece three, we used clay and reimagined our 2D artworks as 3D clay pieces. I found this a little too challenging though, so I can’t say with any certainty that it looked more than a lump of clay by the end. But it was great to express my feelings about mito through art!

An interesting observation I made was that all of the participants in the art workshop were, to varying degrees, visually impaired...

After art fun, it was time to get serious with science. Our much-loved Sir Professor Doug Turnbull (who is pictured with me) opened the afternoon of talks with a big announcement: he is stepping back from clinical work to focus more on research.

Dr Andrew Schaefer then spoke about how mitochondria are the powerhouses of the body, and how when they don't function correctly, it can cause a host of problems. He also stressed the importance of having a connection with local services such as GPs, OTs, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. Dr Schaefer highlighted the fact that mitochondrial disease patients are not immune from other health complaints and illnesses, before moving onto share the latest developments in mitochondrial donation IVF techniques which Doug and his colleagues at Newcastle University developed to prevent maternally inherited mitochondrial disease from being passed on to the next generation. It will help those who may have lost children already to mitochondrial disease and those who may genetically be at risk of having a baby with this condition.

After frequent snack breaks (yum!), Dr Rhys Thomas shared his views on cannabis and his apprehensive feelings towards prescribing it. He said the anxiety comes from the lack of research into it, e.g. if a mitochondrial disease patient has cannabis oil- for, say, epilepsy- what will the affects be later in life? For example, will it impact the memory so much that it could cause dementia after long term use? Does it contribute to damage of other parts of a cell? How much THC (the hallucinogenic part of cannabis) is in the oil prescribed?

It was interesting to hear a medical opinion. My own viewpoint is: if you’ve tried all the usual medications and still get no relief, but a drop of cannabis helps, then I personally think it is the patient’s choice, as long as they are informed of potential side effects.

Jane Newman then gave a talk on the advantages of exercise and how doing little and often - even a little extra stretch in the morning can really boost mitochondria production and improve mood. She emphasised though, not to overdo it.

Alison, from Newcastle’s SALT team, shared a video of two different types of swallow and discussed the positives of alternative, non-oral methods of eating and of getting nutrition, such as peg and nasal feeds. You can read some of our inspiring Leigh Network families’ stories, for whom a peg has transformed their lives, by visiting https://www.facebook.com/Leigh-Network-203975279619098/

Nurse Consultant Catherine Feeney discussed her favourite topic: the bowels (those of you who know her will recognise the enthusiasm Sister Catherine has for the bowels). But first, before getting to that particular function, she discussed the bladder, including recent research where mito patients who have urinary incontinence issues (as is common with mito due to the pelvic muscles weakening) took part. After discussing that watery subject, she then moved to bowel movements. Many of those with mitochondrial disease suffer from constipation due to poor muscle strength and lack of physical activity. Most unusually, she did not advise a fibrous diet, due to fibre-rich foods being difficult to digest.Catherine instead recommended laxatives and stool softeners for healthy daily bowel emptying.

Research news and insights were presented throughout the afternoon, like little teasers tickling our mito taste-buds. Eventually, it was time to hear the latest in trial news from The new head of clinical service Professor Bobby McFarland.

There is literally so much going on for epilepsy, it’s amazing! The other major research development was for rrm2b, involving a nucleoside trial. Participants of this one need to have a variety of tests, including a skin biopsy and MRI, which aren’t all suitable for all patients, unfortunately, though the trial sounds quite promising.

The fantastic Rosemary spoke about fighting for your rights, including PIP, carers allowance and respite, before Lyndsey from The Lily Foundation closed the sessions.

We then got to meet and chat to the researchers. I always enjoy this part...

I chatted to Gareth and Shane, who are both working together to find a viable treatment for mitochondrial disease. They were so passionate about their work- it was lovely to hear them talking about it. They had some great banter between them and a healthy competition to get there first - one method involves attempting to replace, or rebuild the faulty mitochondria with robust, healthy ones, while the other involves extracting the faulty part of the cell to allow the healthier areas to flourish and grow, overriding the damaged parts...

Whilst both of these may sound simple in theory, the reality of enacting the theories into practice is very difficult. The mitochondrial research team has expanded over the years and the researchers spend day and night working - literally, it is that intense a level of dedication in the lab. Their passion was awe inspiring.

I, on behalf of our Leigh network families, would like to say an enormous ‘thank you’ to everyone who spoke on the day, and especially to the Newcastle mitochondrial team - the specialists, researchers and all those involved in searching for symptom treatments and, one day, that magic wand that we hope will wave a cure to mitochondrial disease.

#mitochondrial disease #mito #newcastleuni #leighnetwork #findacure

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