#down with millennial gray

[witch-cottage]

This week end I have been quite busy! The front entrance was bugging me. There used to be many screws and nails embedded in the wood behind the paint, no to mention a set of hinges that have been there and unused for only the gods know how long. And believe me they where stuck like a rodent to a glue trap.

After removing the offending nails, screws, and hinges, I filled all the holes in with wood putty. When I woke up this morning, I anded everything and painted with the left over exterior paint the previous owner left me.

Taking these (see above) off and stripping them down was a challenge. I don’t think my paint remover was suted to the task. But oce stripped of the offensive excess paint, I decided they should match my front door.

I’m very pleased with how they are turning out so far.

I also made my own sourdough bread, and have started making my own ginger beer. It’s exciting to ferment my own things to eat and drink.

My peonies are also blooming beautifully! I never knew there where a variant of yellow peonies! They smell so wonderful!

[buckets-and-trees]

Chosen, Part 7: Offering

Characters/Pairings: James Buchanan Barnes/Bucky x curvy Millennial Female!Reader Word Count: 3.2k Summary: You have arrived at the altar, it is time for the offering, and you finally come face to face with James Buchanan Barnes.

SERIES Content Warnings: SOFT!DARK STORY, cult themes, explicit smut, dubious consent and enthusiastic consent, veiled truths, gaslighting, sleeping drugs

CHAPTER Content Warnings: cult elements - human offering for a ritual; light smut: intimate touching, teasing, breastplay, cum swapping/tasting, consent is mildly dubious; public nudity/on display for others; exhibitionism; herbal enhancement/explanation of herbal enhancement in the system

Notes: You might get some answers to some questions in this part... but I make no promises!

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In your final approach to the altar, you notice someone standing behind it, shrouded in shadows.

As you reach the dais, he steps forward into the moonlight. Your breath catches in your throat as you take him in.

Standing tall and commanding attention, his powerful build is cloaked in flowing black robes that only enhance the sense of strength emanating from him. He’s the only one in black. His longer, dark hair frames a face that can only be described as painfully handsome, with chiseled cheekbones and a strong jawline, covered with rugged stubble. But it's his eyes that truly captivate you. Piercing blue orbs locked onto yours, sending an electric current through your body. With his intense gaze, he seems to see right through you, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable in his presence.

This is James Buchanan Barnes, the enigmatic founder you've heard so many whispers of and have so many questions about.

James' eyes never leave yours, but as you draw closer, you notice something glinting behind him in the moonlight. Just over his left shoulder, there’s a gleam of blue-ish black that pulls your focus for a brief instant, eyes departing from his, before going right back. He tilts his chin slightly, and you sense he’s interpreting your momentary distraction.

The stone altar, though simple, is intimidating by virtue of its purpose. It sits on a raised dais, bathed in moonlight. You start to see that the dais and altar are both adorned with intricate carvings and inlaid with what looks like moonstone. Candles flicker around its base, casting dancing light and shadows that intermingle with the glowing orbs Steve and others have brought with them.

Steve and Natasha guide you to stand at the foot of the dais before the altar, facing James. The circle of masked figures presses closer behind you, their soft humming growing in intensity, the air thick with anticipation.

James raises his hands, and silence falls over the gathering.

“Welcome,” he announces simply. His voice is deep and resonant, carrying easily through the clearing as he commands the attention of everyone assembled. His eyes sweep meaningfully over everyone, before they lock back on you, and the energy in your body surges again. You wonder if everyone else is so affected by his stare.

He’s nothing short of captivating.

"Step forward," he commands softly, eyes fixed only on you.

Steve and Natasha gently direct you to stand before the altar. Your legs feel timid as you ascend the few steps to the dais. As you draw closer, so does he, his robes trailing behind him. He looks down at you, his intense gaze never waver, and you can see his eyes more clearly - a swirling mix of blue and gray that seems to shift in the moonlight.

"Do you understand why you are here?"

You give a single, slow nod, not ready to test your voice in this moment.

"You have been brought here by my envoys to participate in an ancient ritual," he continues.

“Envoys,” he says, briefly looking past you to Steve and Natasha, “you may present this human oblation.”

Natasha and Steve swiftly ascend the steps behind you, coming to stand on either side of you once more.

“We bring this soul as an offering for the ritual,” Steve says, loud enough for everyone in the clearing to hear, “an offering to celebrate your power and glory, an offering to further your noble pursuit to reclaim your destiny.”

The two then move with practiced grace, their hands reaching for the ties of your cloak, and together they loosen it.

“She has been chosen and prepared with diligent care,” Natasha speaks, “and we, the appointed envoys among your devotees, present her not only as an offering for the traditional ritual of this full moon, but believe her a worthy oblation for the rites of elim, at your discretion.”

As they speak, a knot forms in your stomach, tightening with each word, your trepidation flaring back up.

In a swift motion, they pull the cloak away from your shoulders, leaving you exposed and vulnerable.

But now in only the delicate chemise, it’s not the rest of the crowd assembled that you worry about seeing you like this, only him.

Your heart pounds in your chest as his eyes roam over you, especially knowing there's nothing underneath the midnight blue silk and lace, and the slits feel dangerously higher than they did before. His gaze lingers over the curves of your body, and you swear a small smile plays at the corner of his lips.

“What say those assembled? Could she be elim?”

That word again - elim.

Behind you there are murmurs of assent.

“Then place your oblation on the altar,” he says.

Your envoys step closer. Natasha leans in close and lightly touches your elbow. “Step out of your sandals,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Steve extends his hand to help you onto the immaculate surface of the table. The surface is smooth and cool to the touch. It’s a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with intricate designs of gold and moonstone adorning its surface. It gleams in the bright light of the full moon, and you feel a sense of awe wash over you as you climb up onto its surface. Instinctively, you sense that should kneel and sit back on your heels. You fold your hands softly in your lap, then lift your gaze once again to the founder.

“Are there eleven among you who will seal their witness on her behalf?”

Your pulse races.

What does that mean?

Why eleven?

And what does it entail?

But grace and confidence, Natasha steps forward and says, “I present this offering and seal my witness for her ascent to elim.” Tenderly, she places a finger below your chin and gently turns your head towards hers. Her warm lips press against your right cheek in a soft, lingering kiss. The moment feels sacred and powerful, as if the entire world has stopped to bear witness to this act. You can feel the weight of her act, solidifying your journey down this unknown path.

Steve moves to your other side as Natasha steps back. Steve takes a deep breath and says, “I, too, present this offering and seal my witness for her ascent to elim,” before turning your head and leaning in to press a his kiss to your left cheek. His lips feel slightly chapped against your skin, and you can smell the mint of his breath as he pulls away.

Then others step forward, one by one, alternating between the right or left cheek - right for the women, left for the men, but their words are slightly different, each of them saying, “I affirm the offering and seal my witness for her ascent to elim.”

Yelena, Thor, Sam, Bruce, Wanda, Scott… These are all people you met at some point through this process.

Their witnessing vows happen steadily, without pause, but you can’t stave off the next worry that enters your mind…

What if eleven people don’t seal their witness?

As the witnessing continues, you find yourself overwhelmed by the sensations and emotions coursing through you. Each kiss, though chaste, feels intensely intimate in this charged atmosphere. The warmth of their lips against your skin, the softness of some and the roughness of others, touches on your arm or shoulder or back as they seal their witness, the subtle scents of each person as they lean in close - it all blends together in a heady mix that leaves you dizzy.

The one thing you grasp onto is counting the witnesses, and after the eleventh, you hold your breath, and look back to James.

During the witnessing, you realize, Steve and Natasha have taken up positions at James' sides. Steve stands to his right, his posture straight and proud, while Natasha flanks his left, her stance graceful yet alert. They form a striking trio, their energy palpable even from where you kneel on the altar. The moonlight and the orbs cast an ethereal glow around the trio, making them appear almost otherworldly.

The clearing has fallen into an expectant hush, the only sounds the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze.

James steps forward, his eyes never leaving yours. The intensity of his gaze is relentless, and you feel heat rise up your neck. He reaches out, his hand hovering just above your cheek where the last witness sealed their kiss. You can feel the warmth radiating from his palm.

"The witnesses have spoken," he speaks, his voice low and resonant. "You have been deemed worthy of the rites of elim."

Your breath catches in your throat as his hand finally makes contact with your skin. His touch is electric, sending sparks coursing through your body. You lean into it instinctively, craving more of that intoxicating connection.

"Do you accept this honor?" he asks, his thumb tracing your cheekbone.

You swallow hard, your voice barely above a whisper as you reply, "Yes."

A small smile plays at the corners of his lips. "Then let us truly begin."

He draws away from you and begins to circle the altar, and begins to speak, louder for everyone assembled to hear every word. “You kneel on this alter, chosen and prepared, deemed worthy by eleven witnesses of my devotees.”

His voice is rich and warm and alluring. There are echoes of thoughts you think you should be having, wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into, whether or not you’ll be safe - or alive - come sunrise, what the ritual will entail - but they’re all so muted and fleeting, unable to compete with his oratory prowess.

“But now it is now mine to determine whether you are to be elim or only an offering. Regardless of my judgement, the ritual demands your body as a willing sacrifice to me in the light of the full moon. As an offering I will consume energy from your pleasure and then send you away with no memory of this night; but if I deem you to be worthy to the elevation of elim, you will be bound to me for eternity.”

He’s circled you twice while he spoke, and stands in front of you now.

“Are you ready?”

He’s larger than most men, his stature tall, shoulders broad, chest colossal, and arms and what you can see of his legs thick with corded muscle. He would be dangerous given his mere physical presence, but coupled with his enigmatic charisma, and the power radiating off him? Impossible, unthinkable to resist.

And a growing part of you does not want to.

You nod.

He leans forward, placing his palms on the altar, coming closer to you. “Spread your legs for me,” he commands.

You bite your lip, but slowly, you obey.

As you part your knees, the chemise slides up your thighs, revealing more of your soft skin to James' intense gaze. His eyes flicker down, taking in the sight of you, before locking back onto your face. A small, pleased smile plays at his lips.

"Good," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that shoots heat through your veins.

Without breaking eye contact, James reaches out and trails his fingers along the inside of your thigh. His touch is feather-light, barely there, but it leaves a trail of fire in its wake. You can't help the small gasp that escapes your lips.

"Sensitive," he observes, his smile widening slightly. "That's very good."

His hand continues its journey upward, pushing the chemise higher as he goes. When he reaches the apex of your thighs, he pauses, his fingers caressing the crease at the juncture of your hip, but not going to the spot where you’re aching to be touched, and you whimper.

He chuckles. “Not yet.”

James' fingers continue to tease along your inner thighs, never reaching where you desperately want him to. The anticipation builds with each caress, and your body starts to tremble. You struggle to keep still, your breath coming in short gasps.

"Patience," he murmurs, his voice low and hypnotic. "We have a little time yet before the full moon reaches its apex."

He leans in closer, his lips barely brushing your ear as he speaks, and these words are only for you. "Tell me, do you want this? Do you want me?"

The heat of his breath against your skin makes you weak. You can only manage a breathy "Yes" in response.

James pulls back slightly, his piercing gaze locking with yours once more. There's a hunger in his eyes that makes your heart race. Slowly, deliberately, he brings his hand up to cup your face, his thumb tracing your bottom lip.

“Put your hand between your legs and show us all what’s there. I can smell it,” he assures you, “but I want everyone to see how ripe you are with desire - especially you.”

Your pulse quickens at his instruction. Though part of you feels exposed and vulnerable, another part thrills at the idea of obeying him, of showing him just how affected you are. With trembling fingers, you reach down between your legs.

The moment your fingers make contact with your slick folds, a soft moan escapes your lips. You're wetter than you realized, your arousal coating your fingers as you part your labia. The cool night air hits your exposed flesh, making you shiver.

James' eyes darken as he watches you, his gaze intense and hungry. "That's it," he murmurs approvingly. "Show me how ready you are."

With trembling fingers, you raise your hand, presenting it to him. The assembled crowd murmurs in appreciation, but you barely notice them. Your focus is entirely on James, on the way his eyes devour you. He catches your wrist gently but firmly, bringing your fingers to his lips. His tongue darts out, tasting your essence, and a jolt of electricity courses through you.

"Exquisite," he murmurs, releasing your wrist. “Now taste yourself.”

Your heart races as you bring your fingers to your lips, hesitating for just a moment before parting them. The scent of your own arousal fills your nostrils, musky and sweet. Slowly, you extend your tongue, tasting yourself. The flavor blooms across your taste buds - tangy, slightly salty, with an underlying sweetness that surprises you. You close your eyes, savoring the sensation as you suck your fingers clean.

“Have you tasted yourself before?” he asks, and you give a small nod. “But tonight your nectar tastes different, doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” you whisper.

“Your system has taken well to the essence of the Luna’s Tears,” he explains, tracing one of the blooms in your flower crown. “It was in your water at lunch, in your tea, in the oils of your bath.”

Your jaw drops slightly, a rush of thoughts barraging your mind at this revelation.

“It soothes and primes those offered up for the ritual. But your body has become attuned to it in a potency we’ve never seen before. I’ve smelled it in the pheromones of others, but never in the slick dripping from a cunt.”

James's eyes burn with intensity as he continues, his voice low and husky. "Your body craves it now. Craves me. The Luna's Tears have awakened something primal within you."

You feel a rush of heat course through your body at his words. Part of you wants to deny it, to resist this pull, but you can't. Your body is humming with need, every nerve ending alive and tingling.

"Now, let's see just how responsive you've become," he says, his voice low and commanding.

James' hand descends to your chest. His touch is feather-light at first, tracing the delicate curve of your collarbone. Then, with agonizing slowness, he trails his fingers down to the swell of your breasts. The thin silk of your chemise does little to dull the sensation of his calloused fingertips against your soft skin.

James' hand cups the gentle curve of your breast, his thumb brushing over your nipple through the thin fabric. The sensation sends a jolt of pleasure through you, and you can't help but arch into his touch, seeking more.

"So responsive," he murmurs approvingly. "Let's see how you react to this."

With a swift motion, he pulls down the top of your chemise, exposing your breasts to the cool night air. Your nipples harden instantly, and you shiver, from the chill, from knowing you’re exposed for many in the clearing to see, but most of all from the intensity of James' gaze.

He leans in, his breath hot against your skin, and takes one nipple into his mouth. The warmth of his tongue contrasts sharply with the cool air, and you gasp at the sensation. His teeth graze lightly over the sensitive bud, sending sparks of pleasure coursing through your body.

Suddenly James retreats, and you can't help but feel a mix of relief and disappointment. He steps back, his eyes still locked on yours, and begins to slowly undo the fastenings of his robe. Your breath catches as more of his sculpted chest is revealed with each movement.

“True and noble followers,” he says, tone loud and resonant, “my judgement aligns with those who bore witness, and she will be elevated to elim.”

The few dozen around you begin to hum and murmur again, the words of a song in an ancient tongue.

You bite your lip, and he inclines his head, scrutinizing you.

“A question burns in your mind,” he assesses. “Ask it.”

You wonder if he can he read your mind by some supernatural power, or if has he learned to read you already. You put all your effort into keeping your voice even as the the words, “What is elim?” fall from your mouth.

"Oh, sweet girl," James says, his voice a low, rich timbre that sends a shiver down your spine. "Elim is a sacred bond, an eternal connection between myself and a chosen few. It's a destiny reserved for those who prove themselves worthy, those whose essence resonates with mine in a way that transcends the physical realm."

As he speaks, the others continue their song, and he continues to disrobe, revealing more of his chiseled physique. Your eyes are drawn to the play of muscles under his skin, the way the moonlight casts shadows across his broad chest and defined abdomen.

"Through this ritual, you will become more than just an offering," he continues. "You will be transformed, elevated to a higher state of being. Your body, your mind, your very soul will be attuned to me in ways you cannot yet comprehend."

The robe falls away completely now, pooling at his feet. He stands for another moment, the song of his followers crescendoing, and when they reach the climax of the refrain, he claps his hands together, there’s a streak of lightning across the sky, and the blue light of the orbs extinguishes completely. A hush falls over the clearing, now bathed only in the bright moonlight and the scattered groups of candles around the dais.

“It is time,” he proclaims, extending his arms wide, and your heart truly stops as he finally reveals himself.

NEXT PART: BINDING

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I mean... oh, sorry to leave you hanging there!

Thoughts? Threats? Theories?

SEE YOU THURSDAY! go to the chapter

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[forthegothicheroine]

Do you have any gothic novels that you can recommend off the top of your head? Especially to people who want to try their hand at the genre? I've hit a wall in my project and I need to get some fresh inspiration, but I don't know where to start and the book side of tumblr failed me the last time I tried asking them for recs

Hell yeah! I made some old posts for this a while back, but it's good to look at it again with my more recent taste! Let's see...

Classic Gothics

Dracula: The one, the only. Often imitated, never equalled.

Frankenstein: Short, sad and world changing! Can get a little slow at parts, but definitely worth it. (True story, my parents read this to me as a fetus to calm my kicking, so it's part of my personal mythology!)

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward: The most gothic of Lovecraft's work, and possibly my favorite. Novella length, usually found in collections.

The Picture of Dorian Gray: Sinister, sexy, philosophical, with a main character I want to punch in the face!

Carmilla: Another novella, about as lush and swooning as vampire stories get.

The Hound of the Baskervilles: A very readable gothic mystery.

Confessions of a Justified Sinner: This one isn't as action packed, but if you have big religious issues like me, it's incredibly haunting.

The Monk: Like the above, but sleazier and crazier!

Northanger Abbey: A gentle parody of early gothics, starring an adorable proto-goth girl.

The Italian: I'll be honest, I find Anne Radcliffe kind of a slog, but if you liked Northanger Abbey and want to read what Catherine Morland reads, this is probably the most accessible.

A Long Fatal Love Chase: This starts as campy and then takes a plunge into gut-wrenchingly intense. The book Jo March was always trying to write!

The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Another novella, and Stevenson is one of the best writers out there for excitement!

The Werewolf of Paris: Gothic monster as serial killer, still scary today.

Rebecca: The foundation of all gothic romance to come afterwards. A ghost story without a ghost, with an ending that's still debated as happy or sad!

Jane Eyre: The other foundation of all gothic romance to come afterwards. I bounced off the child abuse-heavy beginning a few times, but I'm very glad I finally read to the good stuff!

The Castle of Otranto: Considered the first gothic novel, a goofy b-movie in written form.

Modern-ish Gothics (post-1950 or so)

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein: Fuck the haters, I love this book.

Mexican Gothic: Genuinely scary, genuinely romantic, genuinely creative. A favorite.

Blackwater: A southern gothic saga of a family in a flooded town, whose scion marries a woman who isn't quite human. A whirlwind ride!

A Bloodsmoor Romance: Another family saga, this one northern gothic, with sisters whose lives all go off the rails in different supernatural ways. Give this a try before writing Joyce Carol Oates off entirely!

The Silver Devil: A nasty, problematic bodice ripper where you'll cheer for the heroine to bring the hero down low!

Interview with the Vampire: To be honest again, I'm not super into Anne Rice, but this is a page-turner, and every vampire book that has come after it has had to respond to it in one way or another. Read the next two Vampire Chronicles books if you like it!

A Taste of Blood Wine: My own preferred sexy vampire romance!

The Bloody Chamber: The ultimate dark sexy fairy tale work, accept no substitutes.

Haunted Castles: Contains the brilliant novella Sardonicus, as well as some other campy gothic stories!

A Great and Terrible Beauty: Many millennials were introduced to the gothic genre via this, Fear Street Sagas, or A Series of Unfortunate Events. This is my favorite of the three, though the sequels are a bit of a letdown.

Gormenghast: This series is a throwback to the pseudo-medieval, Otranto-style gothic, but much better. Don't read Titus Alone.

[mariacallous]

Random thought, but the loudest media voices, the Pod boys, Vox people, Nate Sliver etc and to an extent even some of the Congress turn counts (Seth Moulton is what clarified what I'm about to say) are GenX and elder Millennials and like I was around (as a younger millennial with older siblings so I saw the pop culture through them) in the 1990s and early 2000s and there was just a huge fixation of youth which there *always* is I know, but it was aggressive in a way I don't know that it always is you know? and I wonder how much of their total melt down freak out about Biden being in public as a very normal older man is them facing down the barrel of their own aging and mortality? they're in their 40s and now 50s the gray hair, failing hair lines and joint pains are in full effect and this unhinged agism isn't just a weird kind of self loathing

also I think it can't be overstated how much the pop culture of say the 1990s through to like 2010 was about being transgressive and offensive and the cultural moment we when through in the late Obama and Trump years of being very sensitive (sometimes too much) and resentment 47 year old white men have that its no longer "funny" to make a joke about a black lesbian or whatever is effecting the current political moment (past just Biden Drop out fever)

[dinosaurcharcuterie]

It still kind of blows my mind that it's 29 years ago since my grandfather, two aunts, my mom, my uncle, the pharmacist and her treating doctor had to harass state health insurance to testify that my great-aunt would benefit from an at-home blood sugar meter, even if she didn't have type 1, as opposed to going to the doctor 3-5 times a day to have it measured. The thing was the size and weight of a brick, took several drops of blood to read, and the test strips were the size of my grade schooler pinky. It was accurate...ish. Text was gray on Nintendo screen green, and about the size of Arial 10. Three people were schooled on how to use it, in case it was necessary while she was unconscious. She had to pay for it herself as a pensioner who had never worked, and the entire family chipped in to make it happen, before they got on more of a first name basis with the ambulance drivers than they already were, what with there being just-in-case pastries in the house daily to "make sure those boys ate lunch".

Today I have my own blood sugar meter that I bought for less than 10 bucks "just in case". I've lost test strips down the back of the sofs and never had to be horrified about how much money I'd just wasted. My doctor just read out my hb1c value from a pinprick of blood in less than 2 minutes. The second I need constant monitoring, I'll get CGM sensors that work with my phone, paid out by insurance.

Most millennials are older than the concept of all kinds of diabetes being able to be monitored reliably, easily and affordably at home. It feels kinda unreal.

[iceclew]

(sorry for horrible grammar - it's 2 am, and I don't know why I am even adding this lol)

"...So the greatest vampire of the millennial is granting us a visit... quite the honor I say...?"

The grim look on his face was replaced with a fake mocking smile - very intentionally showing of the gleaming pair of fangs.

"Get out of my way, Hoshina. You know I am not dealing with second-hand scum like your kind. I have matters to settle with your master. So stay down on your rug and don't waste my time.."

Hoshina giggled, as his guest took a few steps forward, eyes locked on the gateway behind him. The candles in the floor shimmered lightly, shifting their colours to a cold blue for a blink of an eye, unnaturally bright for their size.

Narumi Gen was a more than capable vampire. An exceptional talent in his ranks. Many praising him to be the best of his kind. To his suprise even he hadn't been able to recognize the other presence around.

Only when the "rug" started moving ever so slightly, slowly revealing more and more teeth on a light gray skull, his attention was drawn back again.

"Impressive, right?" Hoshina emptied the rest of his glass and kept his eyes locked on their intruder while a beast of remarkable size seemed to unfold behind him.

"...debatable. But...interesting, I'll admit..." Narumi frowned. "Well at least that explains the rumors about most your... recent "activities" in the regions villages.....former villages that is... Apparently your pet cannot only be discreet but also... very effective.."

Meanwhile two bright blue eyes glared at the intruder, fixing his every move, seemingly ready to strike on command.

Hoshina let out a light-hearted little laugh. "Nah come on, that's unfair Narumi." He gently scratched the skull of the monsterous creature next to him, as if to emphasize the comment about his pet. "Actually he's a very gentle soul, you know?"

Blue eyes still glaring.

"U-huh...friendly like a puppy... One might as well adopt him..." Narumi deadpanned.

"Of course he's friendly, silly!" Another giggle. "I'll take good care of him, there's no need for your concern."

Hoshina's way of sweet chattering was regularly getting on his nerves. Just as always Narumi began to lose his patience. "A pity." Narumi groaned as he stroke back his bangs to reveal his as well, brightly glowing pair of eyes now piercing back at them. "I was hoping we could get to know each other properly, you know?"

With noticable echo over the halls the gate behind them opened.

"I suggest we postpone that offer of yours for now. It is not our intention to disturb your appointment."

With the empty wine glass Hoshina made a last inviting gesture.

"After you, Narumi."

-----------

Halloween is one our toes, guys!! 👻💀

*running after my dogs with white sheets* Let's play ghost dogs, guys! Let the trend never die!!!

Time to revive the Vamp AU! <3

No text version, description + "warm candle-light" version below

I came up with several outline ideas.. and while I was drawing I was very eager to record all my work with the timelaps feature in CSP.. except for when I didn't anymore...... I am very shhhmmmart!!! (థ౪థ)... so now sorry no WIP timelaps...

<- it was basically just a lightning/shading try-out...and then I ended up keeping it, cause *mad scientist laughing* THAT IS WHAT I DO, I DO MADNESS HERE!!! ( ◣∀◢)ψ But I am sucha simp for magenta/blue colour palettes... and it was more comfortable to look at. But the warmer look has its own appeal to it aswell..... I can't decide...

[mjrtaurus]

What I imagine the Monkey D Family would dress up as for Halloween!

Kuzan: Standard old man sleepwear fit! Complete with nightgown, cap, fake candlestick and a pillowcase to carry his sweets! He got booed by Dadan, she said it was just an excuse for him to wear pyjamas outside. He agreed, smugly saying that’s exactly why he chose it! He could go from trick or treating to napping in a snap with this outfit! He ends up with most candy by the end of the night.

Dadan: She goes for a classic: Little Red Riding Hood! She’s got a crimson cape, basket for her future haul and also a metal pipe that given to her by Urpi. It was gifted with clear instructions to only be used against creeps and weirdos. Bullies and other assorted candy thieves were a fists issue. Kuzan told her how she nailed the costume and she was practically floating on air before he continued how her trying to be cute was certainly the scariest thing he’d see tonight. She almost brought out the pipe but restrained and began to chase her little brother around instead.

Dragon: Little man spent atleast half of October debating his costume before ultimately decided to be a literal Dragon! He designed his costume himself and eager for every costume fitting. He didnt get booed by his siblings. They wanted to but he looked so happy with his outfit they couldn’t. He does however get called Dragon the Dragon all throughout the night and next morning.

Garp: As the escort for the night, Garp decided to go big! And by big, he means his full military uniform that he almost never wears! The hat, all his medals polished and shining on his chest, the whole shebang. He was expecting some grumbles but being hit with a trio of boos was a new one. They complained (rightfully) that he’s not even wearing a costume and how he’s besmirching the good name of Hallow's eve! Nothing a little playful roughhousing couldn’t fix though.

Urpi: She won the very unofficial Monkey D costume contest when she waltz though the doorway in full piratical gear. Knee high boots, sash around the waist and a tricorn fit for a captain! The kids loved it and Garp was a mixture of mortified and flustered. She knelt down to eye level and reminded her kids of that no candy was to be eaten before she got a chance to check it over. They pinky swore it and she sent them off with a kiss into the night.

Oho… Garpi as the ever so forbidden Marine and pirate duo… I can hear Gol D Roger’s jealousy from here.

Kuzan was sound asleep about halfway through the trick-or-treating rounds yet still got so much more candy than his siblings. Madness. It was the sleepy little face and the adorable little yawns and eye rubs that did it. It was too cute. He was weaponizing it.

Dadan was an adorable little sight in her little dress and red cloak. Garp said it needed on final touch. A wolf pelt. A literal actual wolf pelt from one of their hunting trips to the mountains. Garp said it was to tell all the other Big Bad Wolves not to mess with her. She loved it.

And Dragon, sweet, adorable, precious Dragon. He didn’t just dress up as just any old dragon, he dressed up as a millennial dragon. Now the only rules of that were that he could only use his own feathers if they were already shed. He followed along behind Dadan looking more like a ball of teal and gray fluff than the actual beast itself, but it was adorable. Absolutely adorable.

There are snail photos hanging on the walls.

[isbahstudio]

🌸 Building Your Ideal Wardrobe

🌸 Dressing well is not just about fashion or looks. Dressing well helps us define our identity. It is a way to control the narrative of perception. Dressing well is an energy.

However, many struggle to dress well.

🌸 This is because of a few reasons:

- They struggle to buy coordinating pieces.

- They buy into microtrends.

- They don't have enough elevated basics.

- Or they have too many basics and not enough statement pieces.

- Or they have way too many clothes.

🌸 Here's how you can revamp your wardrobe!

🌸 1) Start off by defining your style. Narrow down your style into a few adjectives.

look on Pinterest, social media, and other online sources for inspiration.

Save outfit photos that inspire you and are practical for your everyday wear.

Pinpoint all the similarities in the photos.

Are there alot of neutrals?

Are most of the outfits built on a certain style of jeans?

Do most of the outfits have some statement piece?

🌸 2) Go shopping. You don't have to break the bank if you start accumulating your new wardrobe slowly and strategically. Look into thrift shops, online sales, clearances in physical stores, etc.

Buy quality clothes!

It is better to have good quality fabrics than have tons of clothes made of cheap fabrics.

At the very least look for cotton blends.

Ditch the polyester blends! They overheat the body and do not give off a refined finish.

Collect pieces you see most commonly repeated in your inspo photos.

Ex: a specific style of jeans, cardigans, specific style of tops, etc.

🌸 3) Choose a color palette & versatile pieces!

You do not have to opt for the dull millennial grays or the subdued beiges that are trending.

Keep your basics neutral and buy statement pieces or layering pieces in your favorite colors!

For ex: a white frilly top can be paired with a pink cardigan or a sage green vest. You can use blue denim jeans for the pink outfit and black jeans for the green outfit.

You have two completely different outfits rotating the same top!

Be creative and resourceful!

🌸 4) Get rid of the clutter! Donate or sell the clothes you don't find yourself reaching for.

This will give your closet a breather and give you space to add in new pieces.

🌸 5) Buy clothes that feel comfortable!

You may think a top or dress is cute even if it is a bit uncomfy. You'll convince yourself that you'll wear it anyway.

Truth is you won't. You naturally will not reach for it on a day to day basis.

Find out what cuts and fabrics work for you and stick to them!

🌸 6) Keep your wardrobe interesting by investing in unique accessories. Scarves, belts, purses, and jewlery, can totally alter an outfit.

🌸 7) Incorporate your own touch!

You can draw inspiration from many sources. But do not become a carbon copy of what you see online. Add your own touch. Add your own details.

Allow your personality to stand out!

[mxltifxnd0m]

I'M LATE BUT I WANTED TO DO THE CHARACTER ASK GAME WITH YOUUUU !!

i'm gonna ask a shit ton sorry not too sorry because i just love when you talk about things and i'm selfish and in love with you!!!!

5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, and 21 with sammy ???

bonus answer any of those questions you want about isaac !! (idk if i ever said this but i had a huge crush on him as a kid when my sister was obsessed with teen world would explain the whole entire plot of it in detail to me every night before bed LMAO)

character ask game !: [send something in my inbox and ill answer honestly]

ARGHH I LOVE YOU MARI SO MUCH (be as selfish as you want hehe) <33

(im going to answer for both of them bc i love both so much and OMG??? you're so real for crushing on isaac bc SAME i love stiles as well but isaac 😩😩 why are we literally the same/made for each other??)

5. What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

sammy: ooh summer child by conan gray or a little death by the neighborhood isaac: daddy issues by the neighborhood or j's lullaby (darlin' i'd wait for you) by delaney bailey

6. What's something you have in common with this character?

sammy: errr i would say my passion to learn about obscure topics or the amount of sass we have isaac: the way we both care a lot of about our friends/ our loyalty to the people who we love

9. Could you be roommates with this character?

sammy: ooh i think to a certain extent i could but sam feels like the type to leave dishes in the sink and id probably get irritated at him for it LOL isaac: i feel like he'd be a good roommate but would have a habit of not taking his shoes off in the apartment

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

sammy: i have plenty in my head but i have one where he actually had a birthmark at the base of his spine that foreshadowed his first death at the end of season 2 but disappeared after he was brought back :) isaac: that he still kept in contact with the pack after he left to france at the end of season 3B 🙃 (i have so many thoughts and feelings about isaac not coming back for the rest of the show because we were ROBBED)

13. What's an emoji, an emoticon and/or any symbol that reminds you of this character or you think the character would use a lot?

sammy: ooh the emojis that remind me of him is probably these ones: 🧩🩸🍁☕️🎻 also i don't think sam would use emojis while texting he might just use emoticons or if hes gonna use emojis, he uses them like a millennial 💀 (i feel like we forget that sam is in fact a millennial LOL) isaac: the emojis that remind me of isaac: 🐺🐚💐🌕🌀 but i don't think isaac would use emojis either but if he had to it would be this specific combo 😐😑😐 (idk why it feels like isaac to me lmaoo)

14. Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character.

sammy: if we're talking like a modern stanford era sam, then like downtown boy or dark academia for mr. law boy loll isaac: ooh isaac was hard to pin down but i have to say like downtown boy or maybe even soft boy (im thinking grandpa sweaters)

21. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

sammy: mmm my fav thing to do when im writing for sam is probably writing his mannerisms that i've noticed when watching the show or describing how absolutely gorgeous he is @_@ then my least favorite thing as of late is writing dialogue for him like idk why but he's been sounding ooc to me when i write him T_T isaac: my fav thing to do when writing for isaac is exploring his personality more in depth, i haven't written a lot for him just yet but i still want to explore his character (because the writers didn't) so idc if he seems ooc in the potential fics i write LOL i don't really anything that isn't my least favorite thing to write since i haven't written for him that much, but that'll change soon! (i just have to get out of my sammy brain rot just the tiniest bit)

ARGHH THANKS FOR SENDING THIS IN MARI I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT AND FOR LETTING ME YAP ABOUT MY LOVES (other than you ofc <33)

[belit0]

Grandpa on the run

Indra refuses to believe his age disables him from fulfilling his only goal in life. I've been thinking about this for a long time and I just find lovely the fact Indra's blindness makes him work with Ashura, accidentally.

“I must kill Ashura.... Ashura, Ashura! Where is Ashura!”

Indra Otsutsuki grumbles to the air as the millennial anger against his brother continues to boil inside him.

“Ashura? Oh! I’ve heard that name somewhere... I know the guy! Come on, I’ll help you find him!”

A cheerful voice shouts next to his ear, as a hand unsuspectingly grips his elbow and starts guiding him who-knows-where.

“What’s your name, kind gentleman?”

This voice asks chattily.

“Are you ignorant of me, you foolish piece of trash? I am Indra, fearsome tyrant, straight out of hell for-“

“Who are we looking for?”

Legit is the question, that much is certain, for the doubt in whoever’s tone of voice guiding him is real.

“Ashura. Ashura Otsutsuki.”

“Oh! I know that guy! I think I’ve heard this name somewhere... come on, I’ll help you find him!”

And the direction they walk in changes drastically, turning 180 degrees and retracing those steps they just took.

Indra’s groans and slurred words left by all the way are countless, while his guide sings a friendly song about the moon.

A song his own grandmother used to sing to him as a child.

“Who are you?”

The voice asks for the tenth time and the Otsutsuki’s patience becomes thin.

“Indra! Greatest villain of all time! Best-“

“And what are we doing?”

“Looking for my brother!”

“Who is your brother?”

“Ashura Otsutsuki!”

“Oh! I know that guy! He’s got gray hair and uses a cane, right? “

“I don’t know, you idiot!”

“I used to have a brother! He hated me!”

“I hate you too!”

“That’s okay!"

Indra deduces they somehow made it to a house by how the wood sounds under the soles of their sandals.

“There! There! It’s him! Ashura Ashura Ashura! We found him!”

“What are you waiting for? Kill him for me! In the name of Indra! Strongest one-“

The clatter of shattering glass sounds throughout the room as a mirror collapses in front of them both.

Two pairs of footsteps run down the hallway to meet the Otsutsuki brothers, who are standing in front of a broken mirror.

Izuna speaks first, trying to catch his breath after rushing at top speed behind his escaping grandfather.

“Fucking Tobirama! Take better care of your bag of bones! He might hurt my gramps!”

The Senju looks at him in disbelief, while breathing with the same difficulty as his rival.

"Just because your relative is blind doesn’t justify his idiocy, you fool! My grandfather suffers from memory loss and so you know it! Keep your piece of history away from mine!”

Both young men hold their respective elders by the shoulders, pushing them away from each other.

“Get your hands off me, you cursed child!” Indra shouts angrily towards the nearest wall, figuring that’s where Izuna is.

Life has been an agonizing ordeal since he lost his eyes, and at 80 years old, he’s a pain in the ass for the entire family.

“What a cute kid! I like your white hair! Do I know you?”

Ashura asks happily and innocently as his youngest grandson guides him, his cane holding him.

“Yes, grandfather. You know me. I think so. “

[genavere]

Former Arrangements - Chapter 16

“Gray,” they both glared at the enemy, “I need you to follow my attack up if it’s still standing after. Lucy needs to get to Wendy.”

“You got it.” Gray took a step back, ready to attack if needed. He trusted that the flame brain would do his best, but they both knew never to underestimate an enemy. Their cocky days of the past had been slowly beaten out of them a time or more.

Flames gathered around Natsu’s fists, his eyes hard on the mountain before them. Muscles flexed and tensed. Taking in a breath, he charged forward over the wet ground, the stolen boots giving enough grip to gain speed. Flames built up around him, eyes alight from them. The ground buckled inward as he dug his foot down hard and leapt into the air.

High above the rock creature, he pulled back his fist, ready to strike with all the strength he had. “Purgatory Slashing Dragon Fire!”

This chapter...Let me tell you!

I had a certain event that I wanted to happen. Unfortunately, that did not occur, BUT! It will be front and center in the next chapter and it will be AMAZING!

I am actually really excited how this came out and I hope all of you enjoy it, too!

Comments are always treasured. They help me know that what I am hoping to convey actually is.

@millennial-star-gazer - This was the chapter I was working on that I mentioned. And I did change the event that was supposed to happen!

As always here are the links! AO3 | FF.net

[josiebelladonna]

i'm not on anyone's side—except for maybe the side of the people, the israeli, palestinian, jewish, and muslim people, all of whom didn't ask for this—but that's about it, though. (to assume that i'm taking sides is sick, tbh).

the problem is that, like the conservative nutjobs who are quick to slam palestine and kiss netanyahu's ass, those who are like “israel deserved it” are quite literally just as bad because those 600 people were civilians—and like i said, most of them weren't israeli, either. it's like when someone who claims to be pro life feminist tries to tell me that they're feminist because they think abortion “hurts women” (when we all fucking know it doesn't): it only makes you tone deaf because you failed to realize the real enemy here more than likely because of your own ego.

now, i had to read up (a bunch of times, no less) on the whole israeli-palestine conflict mainly because no one will give me a straight answer but also because i was born in the 90s, almost half a century after those two countries were started; of course i'm going to want to know some things, and i'm guessing most of you (that is, any gentile person under the age of 27) who are on the side of palestine here don't know about hamas—or you do, but you don't realize the threat they present to the world. they are extremely racist and anti-semitic (they deny the holocaust ever happened for god's sake). they committed this act. they killed those innocent people. the ones on the side of palestine who do know about them know exactly what i'm talking about: they are legitimate terrorists. the problem is that the media likes to conflate and distort the truth.

and herein lies the flaw with the newer generation in learning about these things. i actually have to go out of my way to read, but how many of you have? how many of you who are posting “i stand with palestine” know why you're posting it (aside from being against the ethnic cleansing that happens there)? how many of you who are griping about palestine being labelled as terrorists realize why they're being labelled that and that it's actually not them but hamas because this was the work of hamas?

listen, gen z. listen to the millennials, we're your older siblings. listen to gen x and the boomers (yes; even with our beef with the latter, listen to them for once), they're your parents and grandparents. they're the ones who saw this from the very beginning. we live in an era of extreme misinformation, and not reading up on these things, only taking them at face value and failing to realize that life isn't clear cut, only contributes to that.

you guys are supposed to be like magellan, making new “discoveries” and giving us new info and enlightening us, but really, i just see a bunch of 20-somethings who prove to me, time and time again, that you guys actually don't know shit and it really just looks like you're doing it to seem important. i'm aware i sound like an old lady complaining about the kids down the street, but these kids are careless—and at this point, i don't think it'll help to say “you'll learn” because knowing your egos and your level of resentment, you won't.

and saying israel deserved it, all because they're aggressors and their government is genuinely oppressive, saying those 600 people had to die, is genuinely despicable; when i really think about it, i honestly don't give a fuck how much you support palestine. you are quite literally as bad as the conservatives rallying around israel, the "maga" crowd who are treating this as if it's a game of risk (i dare you to look that up, too); if not, i'd say you're way worse because you don't see the violent antisemitism at work here (and i'm not jewish, either, so that's saying something). or you do, but you need someone like me to point it out to you because you can't read and think for yourself, that takes too many brain cells. i mean, holy shit, you guys are supposed to be the generation that told us sexuality can be gray and fluid for some people: you know that can be applied to life as a whole, right? you know nothing in existence is black and white... right?

ignorance comes with a price, and i know this because you preached it to me... and you guys are going to pay, if not now, then eventually.

[batsaboutbats]

Gen Z, with a gun in my face: Put the Gray down.

Me, a Millennial with crippling depression: No :c

I can't take a bunch of loud colors in my living space, gray is calming, gray is cool, gray is my aura. Ya'll didn't grow up in a dookie brown house plastered in babyshit green wallpaper and only the Roseanne couch to rest your tushy on and it shows. :\

[wooshofficial]

hi woosh. hope i'm getting this right, here, new to tumblr. askgame: can you tell me about clayton legume new new york millennials. i like this guy, i have many a thought, but i want to see what your many a thought are too

HI KITE!!! You’re doing this right!!! And oooooo Clayton Legume Okok

23 and a blend of a bajillion different European ethnicities, but mainly Irish and Dutch

he/him but in a very Not Cis way. The only cis person on the mills is Jana and she gets away with it by being both the mean bisexual and the even meaner lesbian at the same time, Clayton is trans. He’s very casual about it.

Grew up on the Upper West Side, around 70th-95th street, where the money is aplenty and everyone sucks! This includes his parents, who saw the Shelled One as a beneficiary and a supporter of those of Higher Class, and thought the mills were a threat to their financial standing.

His parents are cult founders, basically, but because this sentiment was shared among other collateral across the immaterial plane, there’s multiple branches of this cult that have varying reasons for forming. This includes the LAi branch, who thinks that Peenit was meant to put LA back together. This branch is headed by Clayton’s aunt, who’s daughter is Piper Legume, but we’ll get to that later.

Anyways Clayton despises his fucking family. He hates how his family makes everything about money and looks down on the people just trying to survive and the kids who are learning about and rising against the hardships in the world (which he slowly becomes as he 1. figures out he’s trans 2. realizes he’s not going to be accepted by the world and 3. gets really upset about it). The minute he can he bolts outta there and doesn’t look back.

He goes to FIT on a partial scholarship and partly on money he yanked from his fund that his parents set up for him. He loves design and fashion and especially drag. He visits Lucky Changs frequently and meets people who push him towards the Villages, specifically the West Village (where there are a metric ton of gay bars) and keeps walking east from there because he can feel something pulling at his curiosity coming that from direction. He wants to explore what he was so sheltered from growing up so he follows what almost sounds like a voice

Fucking surprise it’s Loner Shelley. She’s been in the static and between universes for decades now and she wants out so badly because she refuses to let Blaseball take her life away from her, but doesn’t mind the fact that it gave her some weird connection to the different factions of the immaterial plane. So like she’s watching people fall and is getting frustrated and then suddenly she’s in proximity enough to someone who absolutely reeks of Peanut and Rebellion. And she sets a plan into motion.

Back to Clayton. He’s on a bit of a walk on the east side near Stuy Town when he comes across this apartment building. It’s a quaint little thing with ivy crawling up the worn down brick and warm light coming from a couple of the windows. Most of all it exudes this feeling of belonging and love that nothing else has given him before.

Surprise it’s the fucking Apartment. But actually it’s Loner Shelley working in tandem with the Apartment who is in on the plan because WHY NOT

Anyways Clayton is drawn to the place but is like “is this breaking and entering” when the door fucking swings open. The lobby is empty but still feels lived in and appreciated so he goes up the single elevator at the end of it

All the while he’s like “is this weird Blaseball shit. Is this the Shelled One finally coming to kill me for betraying my family what the fuck what the fuck”

So the elevator leads to another warm and lived in hallway with gray doors lining the walls, except for the door three spots down, which is painted a vibrant baby blue

By now Clayton has basically accepted whatever fate that awaits him because he’s too far in now. Doesn’t mean he’s not freaked out. In fact he was gonna see one of his friends perform at a club later that night and now he’s worried that this will stop him from seeing it. Yes his priorities are with his friends. He’s a sap have I mentioned he’s a sap and that the Apartment went along with the plan because he exuded such familial longing that it decided to adopt him on the spot

So he walks towards the door, hears some chattering from behind it, says “what the hell” and opens it.

Four things happen at once:

He walks in on a massive argument between Jana, Benny, Jon, Stan and Duffy over what happens now that they don’t have enough players on the roster to count as a full team

Asuka Guacamole crawls out of the living room TV for the first time

A cat with a piece of paper stuck to its face jumps through the window that was closed several seconds ago

Loner Shelley uses all her power and some from the Apartment to jump into Clayton’s body, promptly making him pass out

It doesn’t entirely work. Clayton still has 90% control of his body, Shelley only has the other 10%, and can only fully gain control of it if he allows her to. Clayton is currently thoroughly freaked out and sort of pissed about the universal plan that only happened because he can’t be rid of his family so he vetos that idea and now she’s just kinda living in his head

Clayton plural momence

Benny realizes, as the guy who keeps up with the team admin shit the most, that Clayton, Asuka, Malin (who showed up earlier) and Alejandro (the cat) are now part of the mills roster, to which all four go im sorry???

But dems da rules man and Benny shows them to the four rooms that the Apartment just made. Play begins a couple weeks later, so Clayton has time to get to know people and also the perpetually tired reporter living in his head and making him lethargic.

The thing about Clayton and Shelley’s like. Situation is that their personalities end up sort of merging and reflecting off each other. Shelley’s monotone speaking and general apathy towards everything morphs into Clayton’s body developing narcolepsy. But on the other hand, Clayton’s passion and drive mixed with Shelley’s athleticism makes him a pretty decent Blaseball player. They balance each other out and end up kinda getting along. They’re not the best of friends but they stopped arguing every 20 minutes!

So that’s how things are until word reaches LAi about a player on the mills with the last name Legume, but that’s going in a reblog because this is long enough already

[invisiblefoxfire]

we aren’t actually allowed to belong to the places we live.

Fuck, this is so true. I've been feeling it hard lately. We moved around quite a bit when I was a kid and no one place ever really felt like "home" - and trauma destroyed any sense of connection I might have had to the places I lived longest as a kid.

The place I lived in longest as an adult was a tiny apartment in my current city in Europe. 20 square meters (about 215 sq ft). It was furnished when I moved in with hideous old communist furniture that I wasn't allowed to get rid of. The carpet was a thin layer of industrial-grade gray. The walls were plain white. I wasn't allowed to paint them.

When I moved to my current apartment a little over a year ago, it was unfurnished. I was excited to finally make a place feel like home.

I bought some new furniture from IKEA. Black or dark brown, since white depresses me. There's nothing colorful. I tried filling the Kallax shelves with bright, interesting stuff, but somehow it still feels cold and miserable in here.

The floors. They're crumbling. The landlord has never done any maintenance on this place. The linoleum in the kitchen is full of holes I had to tape over. The presumably once-lovely wood parquet floor in the living/bedroom is covered in scratches and scuff marks, with gaps between the wooden slats. It's not even properly lacquered and any liquid spilled on the floor is immediately soaked up. The landlord won't fix the floors, and I can't afford to.

The sliding glass door in my stand-up shower doesn't fit the base. There's always a gap. Water is constantly leaking out. I'm constantly trying to keep the floors dry. Mold keeps growing in the corners. The tiles are chipped. The grout is stained. The doors don't close properly. Everything is slapped together, the wrong size, the wrong shape, nothing matches. I can't afford to renovate the place, and the landlord refuses.

And the walls. When I moved in I was excited to paint the walls a bright color. But I don't plan to live here any longer than I have to (it's cold, dark, and loud here, and I want to move somewhere I can grow plants) and it's in my lease that when I move out, I have to pay to repaint the walls white. And that'll be more expensive if they're a darker color that has to be removed first.

I'm an elder millennial. I'll never own property. I'll never own a house, probably not even an apartment. And what I'm allowed to do to my living space will always depend on what the landlord puts in the lease.

There is nowhere in the world that feels like "home" to me. Nowhere I belong to. Just a few fragments of memories of a tree I liked to climb when I was little which has probably been cut down by now, and the vague reassurance that I can lock the front door to my cold rented cell.

Color has been disappearing from the world.

A new research group used machine learning to track color changes in common materials and items, below is their findings for all color changes over time, they used 7000+ items from the 1800s to now to determine color changes in the most common items.

Below are the colors of cars by year, notice how the majority of cars are grey, white, or black compared to twenty years ago.

These aren't data points, but they are comparisons between the 'modern' homes of the 70s and 80s compared to the modern homes of today.

Carpets have equally had the same treatment of grey added to them! The most common color of carpet is now grey or beige.

Even locations that used to scream with color for decades have now modernized to becoming boring minimalist (and I love minimalism) personality-less locations.

The world is becoming colorless, why?

source paper

[worldofasaya]

Exploring Tranexamic Acid for Skin Benefits: 10 Things You Should Know

Imagine a skincare ingredient that not only brightens your complexion but also fights stubborn dark spots—meet tranexamic acid! This powerful compound has been gaining traction in the beauty world, particularly among millennials eager to achieve a radiant, even skin tone. Understanding the benefits of tranexamic acid can lead to informed skincare choices that enhance self-confidence and promote a healthier appearance.

The Science Behind Tranexamic Acid

So, what exactly is tranexamic acid? Originally used in medicine to reduce excessive bleeding, this ingredient has made its way into skincare for its remarkable ability to inhibit melanin production. For those struggling with dark spots, tranexamic acid offers hope by promoting a more even skin tone. 

Say Goodbye to Dark Spots

Dark spots can be a source of frustration and can significantly impact self-esteem. Many users have shared their journeys of using tranexamic acid and witnessing significant improvements in their skin. For instance, one user noted, "I felt so self-conscious about my dark spots, but after incorporating tranexamic acid into my routine, I finally feel confident going makeup-free!" To seamlessly add tranexamic acid to your skincare routine, look for serums or creams that contain this powerhouse ingredient.

Melasma: A Common Concern

Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by brown or gray-brown patches, often triggered by hormonal changes and sun exposure. It's a concern for many millennials. Fortunately, evidence supports tranexamic acid's effectiveness in treating melasma. One millennial shared their success story, stating, "I struggled with melasma for years, but after trying tranexamic acid, my skin has never looked better!"

Calming Inflammation for Clearer Skin

Tranexamic acid doesn't just tackle pigmentation; it also helps soothe inflammation and redness. This makes it an excellent option for those with acne-prone skin. A millennial blogger shared, "After using tranexamic acid, my breakouts have calmed down, and my skin feels more balanced." If you have sensitive skin, look for products specifically formulated with tranexamic acid.

Radiate Confidence with Brighter Skin

Not only does tranexamic acid help with pigmentation, but it also promotes overall skin brightness. Many users have reported transformative experiences, noting newfound confidence in their appearance. One user said, "After a month of using tranexamic acid, my skin looks brighter, and I feel more confident in my skin!" For an extra glow boost, consider combining tranexamic acid with other brightening agents like vitamin C.

Evidence-Based Confidence

Many clinical studies support the use of tranexamic acid for skin benefits, particularly for hyperpigmentation. Choosing evidence-based skincare products is crucial for achieving desired results. To stay updated on the latest research and trends, follow reputable skincare blogs and influencers.

Budget-Friendly Beauty

Compared to other treatments like lasers, tranexamic acid products are often more affordable and accessible. You can find them in drugstores and online, making it easier to incorporate this ingredient into your routine without breaking the bank. Look for budget-friendly recommendations from real users to get started.

In conclusion, tranexamic acid offers transformative benefits for millennials seeking a brighter, healthier complexion. As you explore this ingredient, consider sharing your experiences and favorite tranexamic acid products in the comments below. Together, let's embrace authentic self-expression and holistic wellness on our journey to vibrant skin!

To Know More   https://worldofasaya.com/blogs/skincare-ingredientinfo/exploring-tranexamic-acid-for-skin-benefits-10-things-you-should-know