#echo in perth

[agentstarkid]

SAUDADE ✦ DR3

“Saudade” is a Portuguese word that carries a profound and complex meaning, often described as a deep emotional state of longing or nostalgia. It transcends mere language; it's a state of being, an emotion that seeps into the soul and lingers like an echo in the heart. It encompasses a mix of emotions, including melancholy, yearning, and a sense of emptiness, often accompanied by fond memories of past experiences or relationships. In the context of love, "saudade" captures the bittersweet essence of missing someone deeply, even when they are physically present or long after they are gone. It is the ache of the heart that comes from loving and losing, a poignant reminder of the depth of connection and the enduring power of love's impact on our lives.

✦ PAIRING: daniel ricciardo x famous!latina!reader

✦ PIT BOARD: social media au | ✦ FC: becky g

✦ TRACK LIMITS: female!reader, latina!reader, age gap, language, lots of angst, heartbreak, drama, internet meanies, mentions of mental health struggles, assholes.

✦ MAY'S RADIO: uh holi, loves 👀 sorry for the delay, but I hope you guys enjoy this chapter 👀 it's a little short but as present for not posting in March, I present to you: a bonus chapter hehe okay, byeeee *runs away as fast as she can*

< previous chapter | series masterlist | general masterlist | next chapter >

JANUARY 1, 2022

yourinstagram

📍 Latinoamérica

liked by danielricciardo, badbunnypr, rubendias and 2,145,873 others

yourinstagram Starting the New Year on a bright note! ✨ Wearing yellow to channel optimism and positive energy as we dive into this new year. 💛 I'm so so so grateful for all the love and support you've shown me throughout the past year and I'm excited to continue this journey together in 2022. Here's to another year of growth, laughter, and cherished memories! Siempre para adelante, mi gente! 🎉

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danielricciardo Mi reina ❤️‍🔥

user1 I wanted to take this space to thank you for the happiness you have brought me over the years. Your music or your works of art have been a constant company in moments of joy, sadness and everything in between. Your talent is enormous, but so is your ability to connect with your fans in a unique way. Your humility and gratitude show that, despite the success, you are still a close and authentic person. Thanks for all that you do!

camila_cabello Good god woman have mercy

kylieminogue you are sensationally exquisite 💛✨

xtina my angel ❤️

user2 jawline could cut a diamond 🥶

user3 muy buena artista pero sobrevalorada respecto a su belleza, y no digo que no sea guapa sino sobrevalorada

user4 you could wear the rainbow if you wanted and that would still not make you relevant or give you any talent

user5 she always tries too hard

user6 watch out for Regina George in sheep's clothing

anitta Feliz ano novo para você Rainha 😘

diplo 💛

user7 the fact that they spent new year's day apart and on different sides of the world speaks volumes

user what? that they both wanted to see their families? grow up

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yourinstagram has added to their story!

⥂ translation: Everything I do and comes out of me it's because I'm feeling it, it's okay if no one else feels the same way. Two people can never ever feel the same at the same time.

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JANUARY 16, 2022

danielricciardo

📍 Perth, Australia

liked by yourinstagram, heidiberger_, natalie_pinkham and 1,562 others

danielricciardo Back seat baby seat bangers 🎶

tagged: yourinstagram

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yourinstagram this is all anyone needs to have a great day ❤️ please send me his manager's contact, I've been looking for a male backing vocal for my next album and I think he can be the perfect choice 😌

danielricciardo yourinstagram ah, you see, he's a really sought-after artist so he's super busy. But I know his uncle and he's interested on the job, only thing is that he likes to be paid with kisses 💋😏 yourinstagram danielricciardo tell him to contact me, I think we will be able to work out the payment details soon 😌

yourinstagram btw how is it possible that he's that big now if I saw him like yesterday and he was this 🤏🏽 small 🥺❤️

user1 is the copying the hand movements for me 😂❤️

user2 so this is how Y/N's future is gonna look like 👀

userA all that's missing is the ring 👀 userB yeah danielricciardo stop being lazy my friend 👀

user3 you're gonna be a great dad one day ❤️🥺

♥ yourinstagram has liked this comment

user4 siempre dije que no quiero ser mamá, pero después de ver esto... yourinstagram mi reina quién pudiera ser vos 😮‍💨

user5 coisa mais linda! ❤️

user6 Daniel really sang his heart out to that song lmao

user7 you have really shit taste in music mate

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FEBRUARY 4, 2022

yourinstagram

liked by danielricciardo, keleighteller, natalie_pinkham and 1,238,562 others

yourinstagram Te amo con el alma, porque el alma nunca muere ❤️ happy 2 years, mi Danielito 🥰

⥂ translation: I love you with my whole soul, because the soul never dies ❤️

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danielricciardo My forever partner in crime ❤️

user1 cuide a ese hombre yourinstagram, que tu y yo no somos amigas 🫡

user2 oh God I'm so single 😩

mileycyrus so much love and happiness for you both ❤️❤️❤️

user3 THAT LAST PHOTO IT'S GIVING I'D MARRY YOU WITH PAPER RINGS 😭 SO 1 + 1 = THEY ARE GETTING ENGAGED‼️‼️

userA I'm so calling it, it is happening 🤩

user4 LIL BLAKE SIGHTING 😍😍😍

hermusicofficial favs

user5 she was talking seriously when she recorded A mi me gustan mayores 😅

userA será que aplica el "A mí me gustan más grandes. Que no me quepa en la boca..." con él?? 👀👀👀 yourinstagram userA los besos que quiera darme? 👀 sí, aplica 🤭😈 userB OMFG Y/N???!!! LMAOOO iamdannaschwarz yourinstagram that's enough internet for you today 🙅🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

chloestroll did he really cook? 😂

yourinstagram chloestroll he did! and it was really good actually 🥰 I felt ✨spoiled✨

oliviarodrigo mom and dad 💜

user6 the first pic is making me feel something. i don't know how to put that something into words though 🥵 *bi panics*

userA JUST A BIG FUCKING OOF I GUESS 🥵 userB they served cunt as per usual userC I grunted and groaned and moaned 🫠😩

user7 I'm so tired of them omg yeah, you're "in love", we see you, now stop shoving it at our faces every chance you have 🙄

fioamato congrats Sandy and Danny 😜💖

iamdannaschwarz Baby and Danny 😜💖 itsvittoriasousa nah, more like Troy and Gabriella landonorris Belle and the Beast 😜 yourinstagram landonorris aww did littol landow nowis just called me beautiful? 👀😊 landonorris nvm I take it back. Fiona and Shrek* 😌 yourinstagram landonorris well that makes you the donkey 😂

user8 every time I remember that there's a 9 year gap between them I wanna puke 🤮

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danielricciardo

liked by yourinstagram, martingarrix, landonorris and 1,562 others

danielricciardo happy 2 years mi vida ❤️

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user "mi vida" brb gonna go chew on a live wire 😭

yourinstagram let's do this for a lifetime ❤️♾️

danielricciardo you have yourself a deal, Chip ❤️

user2 hey God, it's me again...

martingarrix ❤️❤️❤️

user3 these adorable videos ending with daniel squeezing y/n's butt is so dan-y/n core 🥹😝

marcusstoinis congrats, lovebirds ❤️

user4 did they leave their own love lock on the fence? 🥹😭

userA I don't think we'll ever find it, but I'm sure they did 😭

landonorris congrats on putting up with him this long yourinstagram ❤️

joshallenqb 🍾❤️

user5 somethin something "find a beautiful love, make sure they know they are your morning light" playing while the sunset iluminates her and cutting to "and that you'll never let go till the day that you die" while he has his arms around her 😭😭😭

userA THIS HERE IS LOVE 😭 THIS HERE IS LIFE 😭 userB something something he's got a tattoo of that song's title 😭 userC somebody get me a fucking doctor I feel like my heart is about to burst

scottyjames31 my favorite celebrity couple 😌

caamp we love you guys ❤️

user5 grandpa copping a feel 🤢

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FEBRUARY 10, 2022

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FEBRUARY 22, 2022

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MARCH 8, 2022

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MARCH 9, 2022

danielricciardo

liked by mclaren, georgerussell63, heidi_berger and 584,981 others

danielricciardo Better this week than next… Unfortunate to miss the test, but I’m starting to feel better. I’ll stay isolated and just focus on next weekend. Big thanks to Lando & McLaren for the heavy lifting, I owe you some beers (milk for Lando). Appreciate the well wishes from everyone as well.

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landonorris get well soon mate!

georgerussell63 speedy recovery danny ric 💪🏻

user did you and Y/N broke up??? please tell me it's a lie

user2 Y/N hasn't liked nor comment yet and it's been 2 whole days since he posted this

userA why whould she? they are quarantining together, she doesn't need to comment or liked every single post he makes. They are probably sitting side by side right now userB userA there's actually rumours that she was seen leaving the hotel in a rush yesterday and fans are already speculating if they broke up

user3 I hope you feel better soon Dan! I know we all wish to see you in action next weekend!!

user4 "milk for Lando" lmaooo i love them your honor <3

user5 this is your year mate don't let any setbacks bring you down 💪🏻

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MARCH 18, 2022

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MARCH 25, 2022

f1wags

liked by 3,474 others

f1wags It seems Danny Ricc has moved on quickly 👀 Just after a week since the confirmation of his break up with Y/N, a few fans have reported sightings of the driver with actress Heidi Berger —who has been linked to him a few times these past months— around Monaco.

The blonde is the daughter of former Austrian F1 driver Gerhard Berger and former Portuguese model Ana Corvo.

This love triangle drama just keeps getting juicier and more complicated! 🔥 What are you thoughts, did the Aussie cheated on his ex-girlfriend as some people say? Did he moved on too fast? or did he do the right thing? Let us know in the comments!

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user I actually feel bad for Y/N, not a fan of hers at all but it must be hard to see the man you were talking of marriage with a month ago, move on from your relationship so quickly and easily. if it were me in her shoes, I know it'd really mess my head up 😕

user2 idc if he'd not been with Heidi physically while being with Y/N, it's still treason to be emotionally involved with someone else while you're in a relationship. I believe he already had feelings for Heidi while still being with Y/N because how the fuck can you move on from a whole 2-year relationship in two weeks?? I only hope Y/N is doing okay and that she gets to heal and find someone better for her 😞

user3 you can try to defend him with all the arguments you can think of but at the end of the day, he is still just a rich man. It's funny how you've been all pointing fingers at the innocent while playing lawyer to the guilty.

user4 I'm a Danny Ricc fan but I think this was too fast too soon, at least have some respect for your ex who stood by your side through the highs and lows of the past years, smh so disappointed

user5 Get over it already! He moved on to someone better, as he should. Let the poor man alone! He's been single for weeks! He's allowed to see anyone he wants! Stop whining about it, Y/N just wasn't enough, as simple as that 🤷🏽‍♀️

user6 I'm actually super worried for him, he's not himself lately. Just a few weeks ago he was calling Y/N the love of his life and now this? All jokes aside, I think he's self-sabotaging. He looks like a shell of his old-self, he is not smiling as bright as before, he's super quiet now and if you pay attention to him during interviews, he fidgets a lot and sounds so insecure when asked about his driving. GO TO THERAPY BABE!!!

userA you are reaching, babe! lmaoooo he's fine, he just got tired of that snake 🤪

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APRIL 2, 2022

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APRIL 4, 2022

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APRIL 22, 2022

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MAY 3, 2022

danielricciardo

liked by corey_wilson, michaelitaliano, mclaren and 269,852 others

danielricciardo Miami. We made it.

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user i guess this is the confirmation we've been waiting for

user2 how can you move on from a 2 year relationship so fast??

user3 ugh men are so fucking unbelievable

userA jokes on all those whiny fangirls of his, turns out it wasn't he who deserved better, it was HER.

user4 he is a joke just like his driving lmao

user5 Heidi is so much better than that wannabe singer, she was just a plaything for him 🤣

user6 I'm so glad you opened up your eyes daniel

user7 so all those rumours have been true smh y'all were attacking Y/N nonestop for the smallest interactions with the opposite sex, and none of those rumours proved to be true but I'm not seeing the same energy directed towards him now that the rumours about him were actually true!

user8 I just know that the break up album is gonna be a banger 🔥🤪

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MAY 10, 2022

yourinstagram has added to their story!

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JUNE 19, 2022

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⇥ youtube search: falling (harry & y/n's duet version) - love on tour, london night 1

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JUNE 22, 2022

yourinstagram

liked by markhoppus, phoebebridgers, rubendias and 2,145,873 others

yourinstagram burned other memories just to make room for these ones 🎞️❤️‍🔥

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user HI MOTHER!! WELCOME BACK WE MISSED YOU ❤️❤️❤️

user1 we love to see you living your best life!!! 🥰

user2 Can't wait to listen to the full version of the song she plays on the last slide 🤩

userA Daniel Ricciardo is shaking in his boots right now 🤪

machinegunkelly 🖤🥀🤘🏼

user3 🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍

markhoppus kid what are you holding on your lap and why it isn't on my liquor shelf yet? 🤨

yourintagram sorry dad 😔 it's on its way to your doorstep right now 🤪 skyehoppus yourintagram make sure you are also included on the package arriving at our door, it's been too long honey ❤️ userA “dad”??? she knows mark hoppus?? what did i miss?? 😳 userB userA they have an on-going joke that mark found her wandering around and adopted her as one of the few blink-182's children along alex gaskarth and jack barakat from all time low 😂 she's super close with his family, too! I remember she collab on a song with him, but they didn't released it and then it got leaked, she did play it at a couple of concerts tho userC userB is it 'thank you & goodnight'? 👀 userB userC YES! I miss her pop-punk era 😔 that version she did of 'little lion man' was soooo good!!

user4 Baby Iza is on her way to hit a bitch (Daniel)

alexalbon I like pizza too 👀🍕

lilymhe sorry baby, bad bitches only 💅🏻

user5 OMG OMG WE'VE GOT HARRY, TAYLOR AND Y/N IN ONE POST?! THE HOLY TRINITY RIGHT THERE 😍

harrystyles ❤️

user6 I've got my two mothers in one photo 😭❤️

taylorswift Ms. Falls-a-lot 👻❤️

yourinstagram I swear I'm gonna scare you too next time 🙄😂

lilymhe walking among legends on this post 🙇🏻‍♀️ #blessed 🙏🏻

user6 I'm so happy that she's finally back ❤️ we need to flood her comment section with love 🥰

user7 Drama queen of this generation. Always playing the victim & tricking people into thinking that she's a mental health advocate. You're way too far from that. Cancel her 👍🏻🐍

user8 the caption: ICONIC 🔥

userA the taxi driver is twisting on his grave 😂🤪

user9 the old Y/N can't come to the phone right now, why? Oh 'cause she's DEAD! 😎

user10 most untalented celeb ever

fioamato where was my invitation? 🤨 yourinstagram iamdannaschwarz

iamdannaschwarz you got one, you just decided to ditch us for mr. i-have-an-art-gallery 🤨 yourinstagram iamdannaschwarz yessss expose her, dannita! 🤭 No te hagas de la víctima, mi corazón. We've got the receipts 😎🧾 fioamato I hate you both 🙄

user11 you should be ashamed to post a photo holding a tequila bottle when so many young people follow you. You should be a role model to them, not another alcoholic celebrity 🙄

user12 babygirl I hope you are doing better and feeling great! You deserve so much more ❤️

userA she's as fabulous as ever while he's floping big time, I call that karma 💅 userB not many people know how to truly appreciate the unique sazón and sabor of a Latina 🔥 homeboy couldn't handle the heat 🤭

user13 I know that album is gonna be 🔥🔥🔥

user14 attention seeker no wonder you always get dump for someone better

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JUNE 30, 2022

Video — CLEAN SHEET KINGS | STONES & DIAS

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─── Please don't forget to reblog and/or comment! ♡

[sunsetkerr]

SAY HI! | s.kerr

summary: sam shows off your son to the crowd after her game against TPE.

pairing: mum!sam kerr x fem!reader

notes: something nice and short for my love @iinsertblognamee before I fall sleep, based on this image!

THREE GAMES, FIVE GOALS, one step closer to qualifying. sam has been having the time of her life in perth over this last week and a half. she finally got to come home to her family and friends again, and win three games of football; all whilst having her wife and son right there behind her. 

henry was only little, born just five months ago. he was the best thing to ever happen to you both and sam was absolutely obsessed with him. he had been to his first game at just a few weeks old, he got to watch his mum play in the matilda’s 0-1 victory against france. there was no doubt that henry would grow up to be football obsessed.

the girls finished their last game against chinese taipei, 0-3 with sam putting away a goal. sam tried to hold her patience as she signed everything and anything for fans against the barriers, but she really only wanted to get to the end of this particular section. "hey there little man!" because at the end of this section, was her son.

"did you miss me? did you see mum's goal?" sam reached out to take henry from one of her friend’s jasmine. she had been watching henry for sam all night long, her wife home too sick to leave the house. so, to give her the night off, sam brought henry to the game to sit with jas. 

"you should be asleep right now" sam propped henry up under her arm, bouncing him slightly. henry gave his mum a tired smile, but his eyes were still open wide because of the bright stadium lights. "you're so cheeky" sam rubbed his cheek. 

she noticed as the crowd began to film her interaction between her and her son; and sam loved to show off, especially her son. sam smirked a little before lifting her son up to the crowd, shouting ‘simba’ out to jas who was also filming the pair. as sam brought henry back to her chest, she noticed the studio’s camera just next to her, broading casting her and her son. sam knew you would be watching at home, tucked away in your bed.

"look, wave to the camera" sam reached down and gently grabbed henry’s little hand. "mummy's watching at home" she waved it up and down, smiling at her son. "say hi!" she whispered to henry, who was only fussing in response. sam chuckled as she realised him getting fussy with the situation he was in.

"aw, henry!" sam turned as she heard alanna’s voice. she had a big smile on her face as she came over and grabbed his little hand with hers. "hi baby" she cooed. 

"it's aunty lani!" sam chuckled, but henry wasn’t having it. sam watched as he jutted out his lip and began to cry. 

"awh, buddy" alanna pouted, “i’m sorry” 

"mm, you're so tired" sam brought henry down slowly so he was resting his head on her chest. "come on little mate" sam kissed his head a few times before turning back to the crowd, looking for jas. "i'm gonna take him into the rooms!" sam called out to her.

she was met with a thumbs up from jas before walking back through the tunnel with alanna, tameka following behind.

she cheers from the crowds only echoed through the tunnel. henry continued to fuss, only crying harder. "shh.. i know it's loud isn't it?" sam cooed, holding her hand over henry’s ear. "shh" she shushed him again as he wailed louder, "oh, buddy" sam pouted. sam entered the change rooms and tried her best to bounce henry back into a state of comfort in her arms. "you're so tired, it's too late for you" sam nodded softly, patting his back rhythmically. 

after a while, jas was let into the change rooms and offered to take henry from sam. "do you want to grab a quick shower before you head home?".

“nah,” sam shook her head, not handing over her son. “he’s happy, i think i’ll just shower at home. it’s really late, i don’t wanna keep him out much longer” sam explained, looking down to notice her son drifting to sleep as he listened to his mother’s heartbeat. 

“i’m gonna take my boy home and go see my wife” she smiled, looking down at her little world. 

[bellezaycafe]

Get Your Shit Together - Chapter 5

genre: 2024 Season AU

pairing: Romantic! oc x someone ;) . platonic! oc x literally the whole grid.

warnings: lots swearing, mentions of the accident, stitches, alcohol. mentions of crimes.

context: Dude, if you don't know the context, go read the other parts. Here's the masterlist.

----$----

Five Months Later...

"Are you sure, mate?" Max Fewtrell asked as they stepped into the restaurant.

"Danny said it was the best bet," Lando assured him, shrugging.

"Danny isn't from Melbourne, he's from Perth," Max noted.

"Let's just have dinner, bro. We'll be fine even if we are recognised."

It didn't take long for them to be seated and, as soon as Max realised they weren't going to be waited upon, ordered their meals at the register.

"That's new," Lando commented when they returned to their seats.

"It's a small place," Max replied, observing everyone around them. "The locals seem pretty used to it."

Lando shrugged again and began to talk about upcoming Quadrant content. They had proposed a race with Daniel and Oscar around Melbourne, now that it was the off-season.

"Daniel seemed pretty keen, Oscar -" Lando trailed off.

His mind had gone blank, everything stopped by the memory gripping him.

Her voice.

"Thanks, Damon. Let me know if you need it back," she said to a coworker.

Lando's head snapped up, looking across a staircase to the opposite bar area. There she was, pouring a beer, dark brown hair pulled into a high ponytail and eye crinkled from her smile. She said something to the customer, some old crusty white man and laughed at whatever his response was.

Lando couldn't hear anything Max was saying, couldn't feel him nudge his shoulder.

"It's her," he whispered.

"Love at first sight isn't a thing, Lando," Max joked as he turned around.

"No, dumbass. I- I think it's Sadie." Lando shoved his shoulder.

Max turned back to him, dumbfounded. He had never met Sadie but knew exactly who she was. Throughout his recovery, Lando hadn't shut up about her and what she'd done for him. He'd tried to find her, but two weeks after the accident, she left the UK and no one had been able to find her since.

Lewis had even tried to find her, and was unsuccessful.

"Are you sure, mate? She had a helmet on."

"I just heard her talk. I saw her face at Albert Park. I think- I think it's her."

Her voice echoed in his head; I've got you now.

Keep going, pretty boy.

You're going to be okay.

In the blur of the accident and his trip to hospital, she was what he remembered. Her voice, her reassurance, her warm eyes.

"Mate, you're staring." Max waved a hand in front of Lando's eyes.

"I- Max, I think it's her." Lando repeated.

Their food came, a chicken carbonara from Lando and fish and chips for Max.

"Can I get you anything else?"

Max kicked Lando under the table as he said, "no, thank you," with a smile.

Lando dragged his eyes away from the woman across the room. "Thanks," he muttered.

The older woman smiled, politely said "have a lovely night," and left.

Lando tucked into his food and tried to listen to Max. He couldn't stop glancing, trying to work out if it was Sadie. He needed a closer look at her eyes, her reassuring eyes.

Those deep brown eyes that had said we are okay while she had a piece of his car in her leg.

"Hi there, how's the food?" a server asked. He was tall, and standing between the bar area and their table. His green eyes were watching Lando carefully.

"Great," Max said. "Thank you."

"Actually," Lando said, ignoring another kick from Max. "The barteneder over there, what's her name?"

"Uhh, that is Sadie." The sever said, looking over his shoulder.

Max and Lando shared a look and Lando's hand began to shake. He couldn't place whether it was nerves or anticipation.

"Thank you," Lando murmured, his eyes not leaving Max's face.

The server walked away with a tense smile.

"You sound creepy, you know that right?" Max groaned.

"It's her!" he whisper-yelled.

"You don't know that for sure. Finish your food."

Lando rolled his eyes and stabbed a chip with his fork.

----$----

“Sads.” Damon, tapped her shoulder. “I don’t want to scare you but there’s a guy at a bistro table asking about you. Molly said he’s been looking at you all night.”

Sadie groaned. “Ugh, men. What table?”

“Four.”

She stepped to the side, into and where she could view of table four, and froze.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” She whispered, as if he’d hear her.

Damon pulled her back out of sight. “You know him?”

Shit, she scolded herself. Get yourself out of this one, Sadie.

Sadie hadn’t told anyone from work the real way she had been injured, just that she had been in an accident that weekend.

“Remember how I had to take an extra three weeks off that mid-year annual leave?” she whispered to Damon.

“Yeah, car accident right?”

“Well-“ she drew the word out. “I wasn’t actually in a car. I was hit while trying to get him off the, uh, road.”

Road, not racetrack. Road.

Sadie couldn’t risk Damon figuring out that it had been her in that viral video. The less people that knew, the less people who could tell the media circus where to find her. The less danger she'd be in.

“What?” Damon’s face was scrunched in a frown.

“Ah, it’s hard to explain.” She waved off any further questions. “Can you watch the bar for me? I’m gonna go say hi.”

Damon nodded as Sadie stepped past him, more confidence in her stride than in her heart.

She managed to avoid Lando Norris and his gaze on her way to the kitchen. She thanked Molly, the supervisor, the noticing his behaviour and keeping an eye on him.

That was when she decided to surprise him.

Max Fewtrell, who had sat across from Lando, saw Sadie first.

She shook her head. Let me surprise him, she tried to say.

Max, understanding in his eyes, ignored her.

Lando wore no moonboot or ankle brace. Sadie wondered if the fracture reports were true.

"I see the ankle healed nicely," she quipped. "What about the concussion?"

He spun, almost falling out of his chair, and leapt to his feet. Lando wrapped his arms around Sadie with no hesitation. She was glad the tables nearby were empty.

"Oh shit," he murmured into her ear. "It is you. I was right, it's you."

He'd trapped Sadie's arms by her sides and Max laughed at her awkward attempt to hug Lando back.

He pulled back, but kept his hands on her shoulders, as if she'd vanish if he let go.

Fair enough, she mused silently. I disappeared once, what's to say I won't do it again.

"Mate, what are you doing here?" She asked seriously.

He gestured to the table. "Having dinner, I didn't know you worked here."

"Jesus, of all the coincidences to happen," Sadie muttered under her breath then said a little louder. "I have to get back to work, it was great to see you, mate. I'm glad you've recovered."

"You're tense, why are you tense?" Max observed.

"I want to talk, I want to thank-"

Sadie cut him off. "Not here. My managers don't know exactly how I was injured. No one here does and I'd like to keep it that way."

"No," Lando insisted. "No, you are not disappearing again."

Sadie stopped for a moment, paused to let herself breathe.

"How about this-"

"Last time you said that, we both ended up in hospital," Lando joked with a wide smile.

Sadie returned the humour with a small laugh. She ignored the feeling clutching at her stomach.

"How about this, did you uber or taxi here?

Max nodded as Lando frowned.

"Okay, good. How about I drive you back to where ever it is you're staying and we can talk on the way?"

"And after that?"

Sadie sighed and gave Lando a sad smile. "There can't be an after, mate." She was careful not to use his name, just in case. "It's a long story."

"Will you tell me?" His voice dropped to a volume she didn't know he could use. His head tipped down, eyes boring into hers with too many emotions for Sadie to guess his thoughts.

The sad smile didn't leave her face. "As much as I can, but that isn't a lot. Give me half an hour. It's a quiet night, I'll ask to finish early."

Max reached out and tugged on the back of Lando's shirt.

Let her go, the gesture said. Lando did, releasing her shoulders and shoving his hands into his jeans pockets.

"Okay," he decided, "okay."

Sadie glanced to Max. Thank you, her eyes said.

He smiled gently but Sadie could see the concern in his posture and knew it wasn't concern for her. It was about her.

----$----

Twenty-five minutes later, Sadie grabbed her car keys and pulled her name tag off.

"Thanks again, Katy. I owe you for this."

"No, you don't." the on-duty manager waved a hand. "I was going to let some one go home soon, anyway. Have a good night.

"You too, see you tomorrow!"

Lando, who had struggled to take his eyes off her, noted the conversation and rose.

Max rose with him and put a hand on his shoulder. His back to Sadie, she watched as he whispered something in Lando's ear. Lando nodded with a frown.

"Ready?"

"I'm never ready for anything involving you," Lando quipped.

Sadie couldn't help but snort.

They walked to Sadie's small blue Mitsubishi and she ignored the small glance the boys shared. Damn them and their money.

Lando jumped into the passenger seat before Max could say anything.

"Fuck you, dude," Max joked.

Lando only grinned as he put his seatbelt on.

Sadie didn't smile at their antics. She was too busy considering how to tell them the situation without revealing anything that would put them in danger.

“Here’s the deal.” There was no room for negotiation in her tone. “You can ask questions but I’m only going to tell you want I safely can.”

She glanced at Max in the rear view mirror. He was frowning with suspicion and wariness, which Sadie considered to be a good thing.

“That’s ominous,” Lando noted.

Sadie shrugged and pulled out of the car park. “You’re going to have to navigate as well. The Piastri Family home isn’t public knowledge.”

As Lando pulled out his phone and brought up Google maps, he asked, “why did you stay away?”

“You’re a public figure, so are you, Max. Your lives are full of cameras, videos, articles and media. I can’t be amongst all that.”

"Why not?"

"I'm in a witness protection program."

----$----

hehe, whoops. LORE

Hope you like it!

Taglist (never thought I'd write one of these, I'm very happy to):

@snubug

[callmewrinkles3]

Homemade food.

Summary: As the 2022 season begins to draw to a close, Em spends an afternoon trying to look after Dan.

Warnings: mentions of issues around eating and disordered behaviours.

October 2022

When Em started trying to plan dinner at two that afternoon she wasn’t really thinking. The plan was to keep chopping food until she got her frustration out, staring out at the grey October day. It was another discussion that was an argument by any other name with Michael about Dan’s meal plan and his macros and she just wasn’t in the mood. The last thing she needed was to be told how to look after her husband.

Any other day she would have been exhausted and gone for a nap, but instead she was ignoring the details of the meal plan on the fridge. It said baked chicken, broccoli, peppers, mushrooms and quinoa for Dan’s dinner but she was worried. He’d barely been picking at meals, during the red flag in Japan Seb had asked her if Dan was ok. He needed something he’d actually eat, and she had time to make something in the new kitchen she barely got to cook in yet.

It was a minor miracle she wasn’t out with Dan. It was a day of sim work and media filming with Lando, so usually she drove him out to Woking. But that morning he kissed her goodbye because Blake was heading out with him. She was to stay in and out of the rain, so she hugged him and whispered her love as he left. Blake promised to bring Dan back in one piece, and to call if Dan needed anything. She trusted Blake with the hurting heart that was her Danny. Knowing that it was the two of them out in Woking led to her call with Michael about Dan’s diet and food, Em hanging up frustrated because what was the point in serving Dan the meal if he wasn’t eating any of it?

After she calmed down from the call she got on another one, this time to the one woman she knew would be on her side about everything. The first time she’d met Grace she ended up helping in the kitchen, starting to learn family recipes with Grace’s “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” echoing in her ears. They were all worried about Dan’s appetite and disinterest in food and this could help.

In Dan’s case it was more that the way to his stomach was through his heart. The best he’d eaten since the summer was their quick week in Perth, his mother feeding him. After that he’d usually eat her recipes, but the text from Blake warning her that Dan had barely touched his lunch was what made her act. He’d played with his chia parfait for breakfast that Em had made, she needed to do something. Em was too scared that her usual recipes wouldn’t be enough. So without thinking about timezones and oh so grateful it wasn’t too late in Perth she was ok the phone to Grace for advice.

It was half an hour on the phone and a grocery order on Ocado for next hour delivery but she had the method down and started chopping veggies for one of his favourite meals. Grace sent a voice note a few minutes later reading off her own mother’s recipe, making sure that Em had it as perfect as possible so he couldn’t reject it. Not that he’d deliberately reject anything that Em had made, but this way he really couldn’t say no.

Four hours and a “thank you SO much, Grace” voice note later, the apartment smelled like glory and good enough to eat the second you walked in. Em was never one who would pat herself on the back and say she’d done something really good, but even she had to admit it smelled good. She was more than proud of herself when she lifted the lid of the Dutch oven to see how the tomato sauce was bubbling around the chicken thighs. She grinned again when she took one final look at the way she’d set the table. The little bouquet Dan had bought her the day before, two candles in her favourite holders, a floral tablecloth and one of Dan’s red wines decanted into the stupid shoey decanter he was so proud of and waiting to be poured.

She’d thought about changing her clothes, putting on a cute dress and heels to make herself look good. But Dan didn’t want all the fuss. He loved seeing his girl in his clothes, so the ancient Ric3 tee from their first run and pair of his boxers stayed on. Plus, the outfit showed most of her tattoos which would make him happier. Her phone buzzed and she picked it up to see his text.

On my way back, half an hour?

Don’t stop anywhere just get home. I love you.

He was probably thinking about stopping to pick up dinner for her, considering his meal was in their fridge. Em used it as the moment to start cooking the quinoa, her one concession to the hated meal plan instead of the pasta or roast potatoes Grace usually cooked. Her text worked, because twenty minutes later she could hear his key in the door.

“Baby, I’m home,” Dan called as the front door closed, Em leaving the kitchen to welcome him home. There was her boy, dry and safe without flowers or takeaway. Just like she wanted him. “What’s that smell?”

“Hey Love,” Emmy smiled, hugging her husband’s waist as soon as he kicked his shoes off and hung his jacket up. Then it was a kiss on her lips and a peck to her forehead like every single time he came home. “I called your mama and she gave me another recipe. I need to say it the right way, she got me to repeat it a couple of times. Pollo alla cacciatora a cottura lenta per il mio bel ragazzo.”

She smiled brightly as she looked up at Dan’s surprised face. It wasn’t new for her to make one of Grace’s recipes, she was always in the kitchen with her in Perth. But this was a big deal, it was one Grace was careful who got to learn. It wasn’t a big deal to do - chicken, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes - but the secret was in the seasonings and in the long, slow roasting.

“It smells like my mum’s. And my Nonna’s.”

“Well I hope it does, otherwise I really did something wrong. Your mum says hi and to call her before we go to Austin. It’s never going to taste as good as theirs but I hope you like it.”

“You did all this for me? Why?” She pulled him even tighter into a hug before leading him into the kitchen and getting him to sit down while she served their meals.

“Just because.”

“Just because? Really?”

“Does your wife really need a reason to make you dinner? You deserve something tasty. And it’s miserable outside, I wanted us to have something fun.” She put his plate in front of him, Dan reaching up to kiss her cheek.

“Does your husband need a reason to give you a kiss?”

“Not at all. Enjoy.” She watched Dan pick up his fork and actually start eating, a tiny weight off her shoulders. It was so much better than that morning.

[crinkled-emotions]

Day 28: Daggers in Australia

Back in the groove! I think this fic ended up being somewhere around the 5k mark whilst the others have been mostly 1-2k max. I honestly thought about writing more but rather than making it seem overfull I hit a point and I was like yep, we're done, that's fine there.

-

“Someone hold my hand when we cross the road, I’m not awake enough for this.”

“Payback, hold your wizzo’s hand.”

“Fuck you, Rooster.”

Rooster dodged when Payback went to swat at the back of his head, pulling his suitcase along with him as the pair fucked around. Fanboy groaned, turning to rest his head on Bob’s shoulder.

“You’re gonna keep me safe, right Bob?”

“A little busy right now, Mick.”

Bob, wrestling both his luggage and Phoenix’s while she went to the bathroom, did indeed look busy. Maverick was already on the phone organising pick up from the airport, talking quietly as people rushed around him. Coyote had decided to sit on a bench nearby and was texting his mom, letting her know they’d landed in Perth. Everyone was sluggish, feeling the jetlag from their thirty hours of flying including their layovers in LAX and Sydney. The only one with enough energy to keep them going had to be Hangman, of course, bouncing on his feet in a way that told Coyote he’d maybe had a taste of Aussie coffee on the plane. When his incessant talking made even Coyote doubt his friendship he reached out, grabbing Hangman by the wrist.

“Sit down and shut up a sec, you’re asking Rooster to punch you again.”

“He missed last time,” Hangman rebutted but he did indeed sit down and shut up aside from his foot tapping on the lino floors of the Perth airport’s international arrival terminal.

It was barely 3am and everyone was on their last legs, yawning and using each other to stay up. Even Maverick himself was struggling with the time changes which told everyone to be on their (mostly) best behaviour.

The conference with the Australian Navy was being held on the Perth base for some reason instead of Sydney; apparently it was their turn to host something and no one had really had a problem with it except for the fact that it meant an additional layover and six hours of flying for the Daggers who’d been flown in especially for a panel at the conference. Initially it had only been those who flew the mission who were invited but in the end it had been agreed that Coyote would also be attending to provide additional perspective on the training.

“Mav, I’m starving. Can we get food on the way to the hotel?” Rooster complained. Maverick, still on the phone, held up a finger to tell him to wait.

“No, that’s not what I said... okay, well, that would be- yes sir, that would be great. Thank you very much. I apologise for the early start.”

With his phone call over Maverick turned to the Daggers, including Phoenix who had returned from the bathroom and taken her luggage from Bob.

“Okay, everyone go and see if you can get an uber or a taxi. Your hotel rooms are all under your own names; check in and get a couple hours sleep. We’re going to meet tomorrow morning-“

Maverick paused, checked his watch, and grimaced.

“-later today around 0800 hours, and a representative from the Australian Navy has offered to take us on a tour of Perth. I expect that you’ll all be on time and ready for anything they set up for us on this tour. The conference starts in two days; today and the following day is all about building our relationships with our Australian colleagues so best behaviour, guys.”

“Yes sir,” the team all echoed. They all headed for the exit, immediately grimacing.

“How is it warm at three am?” Phoenix complained, already reaching to take off her jacket.

“Australia is notorious for their hot summers,” Bob supplied, “well; that’s what it said on the brochure in Sydney.”

-

A couple hours later the Daggers gathered out the front of their hotel, all of them battling jetlag like pros. The Navy representative greeted them easily, gesturing to the minibus behind him.

“Good morning everyone! My name is Jim Dempsey, everyone calls me JD and I’m going to be your Navy representative whilst you’re here in Perth. Today we’re going to be visiting some of the more common tourist attractions; I thought you might like to see the beaches, and then we’re going to-“

“-JD, I’m so sorry to ask, would it be possible to have our first stop be a coffee shop?” Rooster asked. JD laughed.

“I think that sounds reasonable. Alright everyone, let’s get a move on!” The Daggers started toward the minibus, climbing in and finding a seat. As Phoenix sat down she nudged Bob, leaning in to whisper to him.

“He’s way too happy for this time of day,” she muttered. Bob snorted.

“It’s the coffee here; apparently it’s supercharged.”

“This is going to end badly,” Phoenix sighed. Bob nudged her side.

“It’ll be so much better when you’ve had caffeine. C’mon, brighten up; when was the last time you went to Australia?”

“Never, actually,” Phoenix confessed, “you?”

“No. Fanboy said he and Payback got sent here a few years ago but it was in a remote location. They had to stand on a hill to get cell reception and Fanboy got heat exhaustion.”

“Sounds rough; explains why he’s clinging to his water.”

Their eyes fell to the large water bottle in a side pocket of Fanboy’s backpack, both wondering if they should have brought their own. They watched when Rooster hit his head on the roof of the minibus and stifled their laughter, instead choosing to take a couple photos of the scrub around the hotel. With everyone buckled in, the minibus started up and JD headed toward what he called bragged was of the best coffee shops around.

-

“Now, prepare yourselves, and go easy on the caffeine; speaking from experience, our coffee is the best in the world but it’s also strong so you will be shitting through the eye of a needle at twenty paces if you’re not careful.”

JD was quick to warn the Daggers as they stepped into the cute coffee shop, pausing to take a look at the menu. They all slowly looked to him in confusion but he waved them off.

“Our coffee is high in caffeine, so it gives you the shits. You’ve been warned.”

“I just want a coffee,” Hangman said after a moment of staring blankly, “damn coffee shops make this so difficult.”

“Try a flat white,” JD suggested. Hangman glanced at him, then shrugged and went up to order. Phoenix mused at the menu for a moment. It was too hot to be drinking hot coffee like Hangman had just ordered... iced latte it was.

Once everyone had placed their orders and paid they stood back to wait, glancing around.

“Where are you from?” Rooster asked JD, who hummed.

“I was born in Queensland, but I’ve been in Perth almost twenty years. It’s a great place to be; no one really thinks to come here so we mostly get our beaches to ourselves.”

“What ones would you recommend- holy shit that’s good.”

Hangman had joined the pair, takeaway coffee cup in hand as he took his first sip. He offered his cup to Rooster who shook his head.

“I’m not getting cooties, mine’s coming.”

“To answer your question, a lot of the guys go surfing at Scarborough but most people flock to Cottesloe on our hot days.”

“Hey, man, while I’ve got you-“

Rooster’s name was called and he split from JD and Hangman to grab his coffee. JD patted Hangman’s shoulder then went to see where they were at in regards to coffee collection. Maverick stood by Hangman, smiling at the way his eyes lit up the more he sipped at his coffee.

“Just remember what JD said; we’re moving around a lot today so don’t do something dumb.”

“Me? Dumb? I’m good, Mav, in fact I’m too good to-“

“-be true,” the rest of the Daggers filled in nearby, earning laughter. A woman approached Hangman suddenly, holding out a piece of paper and a pen.

“I’m so sorry to ask, but are you that guy from that movie?”

“Uh...? No?”

“Oh, damn, that’s... embarrassing. Sorry!”

She disappeared out the door and Hangman frowned as he looked to the others.

“What was she sniffing?”

-

With everyone happily caffeinated, JD loaded them back into the van and they drove through the picturesque scenery of the Perth suburbs sipping on their coffee and taking photos through the windows. For a group of seasoned aviators they were definitely feeling the coffee hit, talking a million miles an hour. JD glanced over at Maverick who cleared his throat.

“They’ll settle; where are we headed?”

“I thought we could do Fremantle Prison first, and then depending on energy levels and the coffee crash we could either relax and see a movie or head to the beach for the arvo.”

“I’m sorry; arvo?”

Fanboy interrupted the conversation, apparently listening to all the conversations in the bus. JD smiled at him in the rearview mirror.

“Afternoon.”

“Gotcha.”

“After the prison we might do smoko-“

“-smoko?”

Rooster, this time. Apparently all the Daggers had become eavesdroppers.

“Take a break; shearers use to have smoke breaks so they’d call it morning and afternoon smoko.”

JD filled in the blanks, already questioning his own lingo.

“I totally forgot to ask this earlier when I heard it in the airport; what the fuck is a gobby-“

“-and look at that, we’re here!”

JD pulled the van into a parking space at the prison, glancing over his shoulder.

“Before we go in, I do just ask that you’re respectful to both the staff and the culture. I can tell you more later but if you’re not sure about something please make sure you ask me.”

“Of course,” Phoenix reassured. A glance to Bob beside her found him dozing, hat over his eyes.

“Hey, Mav, we’ve got a man down.”

“I’ll wake him, you guys go.”

-

The Fremantle Prison had a long (complicated) history in Australian culture, and the Daggers were quiet as they took it in. It originally opened in the 19th century, and when it closed in 1991 it was a welcomed announcement by the general public due to concerns for prisoner welfare and the state of the facilities. At one point Rooster separated from the group to read a plaque about the last execution on site and Maverick appeared by his side, a hand on his shoulder.

“How are you feeling about the panel?” He murmured. Rooster shrugged.

“The more I talk about it the less I feel like I’m gonna hurl.”

“I know. If you need a break just ask, okay?”

“Mav. I’m fine.”

Rooster sent him a reassuring smile, turning back to the information he’d been reading. Phoenix joined him when Maverick left his side, nudging his side.

“Hey.”

“Hi, Tash.”

“This place... wow.”

“Haunting,” Rooster mused. Phoenix glanced around.

“Apparently they do night tours as well; think we can make Bagman scream?”

Rooster raised an eyebrow, then smirked; Phoenix rolled her eyes.

“Ew, Brooster. Ugh, you’re the worst.”

“I really think that one’s on you!” Rooster called as she left him to go and stand with Bob.

“Do you think that’s him?”

Rooster glanced over his shoulder, trying to figure out where the younger female voice came from considering it wasn’t Phoenix and she was the only female in their group. He frowned, then put it down to the eerie nature of the prison. It was probably playing with his head.

-

“How are we feeling? We could have a counter-y or we could head to Cottesloe-“

“-a counter-y...?”

JD winced.

“Sorry. Uh, we could go have a sit down meal at the pub or we could head out to Cottesloe beach.”

Maverick checked his watch, then shrugged.

“Everyone okay if we go have something to eat?”

The group agreed easily, Hangman jogging up to catch up with Bob.

“Hey, did you have the coffee? That was seriously strong, like crack but also a little like maybe I should have slept more, and did you smell the air- and the vegemite toast this morning was disgusting-“

“-what is wrong with you?”

The pub JD picked had a strong scent of stale beer the second you walked in and the TAB room to the left was loud enough that even if there was music playing over the speakers you wouldn’t have been able to hear it. The Daggers and JD found a table toward the back of the dining room, picking up their menus.

“What would you recommend, JD?” Payback asked.

“No more coffee for Jake,” JD deadpanned earning laughter from the others, “but anything here is great. The parmy has just the right amount of ham and sauce to cheese ratio and the fish is always fresh.”

“I’m so lost,” Bob muttered as he stared at the menu. A waitress appeared to get their drinks orders then they poured water to get themselves started, the Daggers taking in the room.

“Is that a pool table?” Phoenix asked. She immediately realised her mistake when Coyote and Hangman stood.

“We’ll be back.”

There were already a couple locals playing, but it appeared the two Daggers were welcomed into the group easily to everyone’s surprise. The waitress came by again to take food orders then while they waited the group fell into easy conversation about the Australian culture and the upcoming panel the Daggers would be attending. It was highly classified so they kept it general, talking around it rather than about it. Maverick leaned back in his chair and he was the first to spot the food coming out, his eyebrows raising.

“That is huge,” he said in regards to the steak placed in front of Bob, then turning to the seafood Rooster had ordered.

“And that- there’s so much.”

“I feel a nap in my near future,” Rooster grinned. Maverick smiled at him, taking a prawn when it was offered.

“Is this where that saying about a shrimp on the barbie comes from?” Payback asked JD, who shook his head.

“Not really, we might do that your last night here. Most Aussies actually prefer yabbies; a type of... I dunno, it’s kinda like a prawn or a lobster but oversized. You find ‘em a lot in freshwater dams on the farms but there’s plenty of yabby farmers around here that keep up the supply.”

“What the fuck is a yabby-“

“-hey, food!”

Coyote and Hangman returned from the pool table when Bob waved them over, eagerly eyeing their meals.

“I feel like this is going to ruin everything I’ve ever worked for,” Hangman said as he reached for his silverware. The others laughed.

“We’re going to swim it off, remember? It’s about half an hour to Cottesloe so you’ll be good to get straight in the water when we get there.”

“That’s alright then.”

-

The Daggers stripped off to their swimwear on the sand, tossing various articles of clothing at Maverick and slathering on sunblock. Right before they took off JD waved to get their attention.

“Swim where everyone else is and keep an eye out for sharks.”

“He’s joking, right?” Coyote whispered to Payback, who snorted.

“Yeah; it’s a public beach, there’s no way sharks would-“

“-unfortunately I’m not joking mate, we get a few shark attacks every summer. We’re in their territory and if they feel threatened they’ll defend.”

The Daggers were suddenly a little slower to head for the water. Maverick laughed, turning to JD.

“That should settle them... oh. You weren’t joking.”

“Nope.”

Out in the water, Phoenix was lying on her back and enjoying the cool water whilst the others horsed around a little further out. She felt something brush her foot and gave it a gentle kick, taking a deep breath to refocus when there was another touch against her ankle. Next thing she knew there was a sharp tug and she screamed, thinking about the seven most deadly animals in Australia and how most of them were in the ocean. When she came up for air Payback and Fanboy were coming up too and laughing, high fiving. Phoenix scowled.

“Sleep with one eye open, assholes,” she warned. The pair exchanged a look then swam off to join where Bob and Coyote were wading and talking. Rooster was talking to a local and Phoenix didn’t have the heart to tell him he resembled a drowned rat with his damp curls rather than his usual attractive (dry) face. When she realised she couldn’t see Hangman she glanced around, finding him on the shore. There was a group of women surrounding him and he was loving it, as per usual, but she could tell he was utterly confused. She decided to join him on the shore (cockblock him within an inch of his life and then a little more for good measure), nudging his side.

“Hey, Bagman, what’s going on?”

“He’s the guy from that movie!” One of the onlookers exclaimed, Phoenix snorting.

“No, he’s US Navy and as much as he’s loving this he’s not who you’re looking for.”

The women all blushed and scattered across the beach back to wherever they were supposed to be, Phoenix wheeling around to face Hangman.

“What the hell was that?”

“I have no idea.”

-

That evening the team had an early dinner and thanked JD for his tour. The team knew they shouldn’t go to bed considering it was only 7pm so they decided to go see a movie nearby. A local cinema was playing a new one so they headed into the city, bought tickets and went into the theatre. They’d picked a movie at random and hadn’t even looked at trailers; the only rule was Rooster was banned from picking movies because he’d chosen Oppenheimer last time and it had sparked a Barbenheimer debate on base. Settling into their seats, Phoenix opened a bag of M&M’s then poured half of it into Rooster’s popcorn, the other half going into the box she and Bob were sharing. They sat through the twenty minutes of previews and when Phoenix glanced over she wasn’t entirely surprised to find most of the Daggers dozing already. It was dark and cool in the room, a nice break from the heat of the Australian summer sun. Even Maverick was struggling to keep her eyes open, something Phoenix wouldn’t have ever predicted. The only other Dagger mostly awake was Bob after his impromptu nap on the way to the prison that morning, sending her a smile when the movie finally started. A young woman ran across a train station, politely apologising to everyone she nearly bumped into on her way to a coffee shop. Bob glanced down at Phoenix when she yawned, offering his shoulder.

“I won’t tell ‘em.”

She accepted the offer, leaning on his shoulder.

“Wake me if something happens.”

“Tash. Phoenix, wake up.”

Phoenix felt like she’d only just closed her eyes when Bob jolted her out of her doze, sitting upright.

“Wha? What’s wrong?”

“Look!”

Phoenix scrubbed at her eyes, glancing up at the screen. Her eyes widened and she reached over to wake Rooster.

“Look,” she hissed, “doesn’t that kind of look like-“

Rooster’s brows furrowed as his brain tried to wake up, probably in his REM stage considering what time it was back at home, then he connected the dots and snorted.

“It kinda looks like Bagman- huh... I wonder if that’s what those women were talking about earlier?”

“At the beach? You saw that?”

“No, at the coffee shop this morning. A woman came outta nowhere, asked Hangman for his autograph.”

The male lead in the movie started yelling and stripping, pulling his shirt off shortly followed by his shorts which were tossed into the trees. Rooster snorted.

“He looks so much like Bagman, I wonder if he has-“

Phoenix and Rooster’s heads tilted to the side, frowning.

“The ass dimple.”

Rooster turned to his other side, frantically shaking Hangman awake.

“Bagman, look! Your ass is in a movie!”

-

“Was that a dream? Did I dream that?”

Standing outside the theatre, waiting for their ubers to take them back to their hotel, the Daggers all turned to Hangman who looked like he was having an existential crisis.

“Nope, sorry man. Wasn’t a dream,” Rooster grinned. Phoenix jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, stifling her own snort. Bob glanced between them.

“How did you two figure it out again? The ass dimple?”

“That’s classified,” Phoenix commented at the same time Rooster said, “it was a long time ago.”

Hangman rolled his eyes, focusing on the parking area.

“Thanks for exposing me.”

“Anytime,” Rooster grinned. The uber drivers began to arrive and the Daggers paired off, splitting into the three cars. Maverick took the front seat of one of the cars, glancing over his shoulder at Rooster and Phoenix.

“Am I missing something?”

“No, Mav,” Rooster said easily, exchanging a look with his best friend who turned toward the window to stifle her giggles.

-

The next morning the Daggers eased into their day plans, having breakfast together in Rooster’s hotel room and then discussing what they wanted to do. JD, who met them a little after they finished eating, suggested a ferry ride out to Rottnest Island.

“Wait- isn’t that where you can see a quokka?” Fanboy asked. JD nodded.

“They roam all over the island out there, it’s almost certain you’ll see at least one.”

“JD I’m guessing you already got tickets?”

Maverick glanced over at JD.

“We should get going though if we’re going to get there in time. The ferry is a decent drive out of the city. Everyone should take plenty of water and sunscreen but there is a general store on the island.”

“That’s great- Hangman, are you alright?”

Hangman glanced up, shaking his head.

“Rough night. I’m good.”

Phoenix and Rooster snickered whilst Payback covered his laugh with a cough. Maverick’s eyes passed over the Daggers then he smiled at JD.

“Let’s go.”

-

The ferry ride was surprisingly smooth on the way over, the water steady enough that Bob took to reading the brochures nearby without motion sickness and Rooster had a short nap on the seat against the window. By the time they got to the island Bob was full of knowledge- mainly about the local wildlife.

“Guys, I wonder how many snakes we’re gonna see? Apparently they release them on to this island all the time.”

Phoenix’s eyes darted to Bob, glaring at him.

“What?”

“Yeah, the Western Australia government relocates snakes out here instead of letting them- y’know.”

“Die?” Payback filled in, but his eyes were firmly on the ground as though he was looking for any signs of said reptilian attacker. Hangman’s lips quirked upwards.

“They’ve never seen a rattlesnake-“

“-did you not see that video they played on the plane ride over? Tiger snakes are aggressive and dangerous,” Phoenix interrupted as she threw her hands in the air. JD laughed at the Daggers.

“Tiger snakes aren’t social creatures; the only reason they’d come into populated locations like this is if their habitat was invaded or there was insufficient food. The conservation teams out here are great with snake monitoring and they’re all qualified to relocate them. It’s not the tiger snakes you need to worry about, though; we have a dugite snake population out here and they’re highly poisonous.”

“A what?” Rooster asked. Bob dug out his phone and after a quick search showed Rooster said snake. The others watched the colour drain from his face.

“That’s terrifying.”

“Stick to the paths, and most importantly if you see one don’t move, just let it go on its way. It’s very rare that a snake comes anywhere near here but we like to be aware of our surroundings.”

JD gestured to the first café he saw.

“C’mon; I believe you guys could use a coffee.”

“Do you guys have a break every ten minutes for coffee? Goddamn,” Rooster muttered. Despite his comment he still jogged to catch up with the others, ready for a caffeine hit.

“Bagman what’s your coffee count at?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

-

“Mickey, you’re walking so close to me I’m getting claustrophobic. What are you doing?”

Reuben glanced over at his wizzo who was indeed standing quite close, frowning at him. Fanboy cleared his throat, scooting over a little.

“Sorry man; the snake talk freaked me out.”

“Me too but I’m not being snake bait so you’re gonna have to walk like a normal person. C’mon Mickey, we literally fly death traps for work!”

“And fun!” Hangman called, a couple metres behind them. Fanboy glanced over his shoulder to glare at the caffeinated aviator, turning back to face toward the rest of the track.

“I fuckin’ hate snakes, I never made peace with ‘em-“

“-make peace?”

Payback burst out laughing, doubling over as he gasped between laughter. Fanboy rolled his eyes.

“What a great partner you are. Thanks for the support.”

“Make peace!”

“What’s got him so wound up?” Coyote asked as he passed the couple on the walking track, Rooster and Phoenix ahead with JD whilst Bob had stayed back with Maverick and they were talking between themselves.

“Mickey has just told me he wants to make peace with a snake,” Payback said, stifling his laughter. Coyote’s eyebrow twitched as he tried not to smile.

“That sounds like something that could get us in trouble with the locals.”

“Fuck you- both of you!”

Coyote and Payback broke into laughter, standing around long enough that Maverick, Bob and Hangman caught up to them. Hangman opened his mouth to start talking but Bob easily slid a palm over it.

“That’s enough from you. What’s so funny?”

“We were thinking of going to the zoo later to see if Fanboy can face his little snake phobia,” Payback said. Bob snorted.

“I’m in.”

“You’re all mean as hell,” Fanboy groaned, “I’m hanging out with Hangman now. C’mon Hangman.”

“No one tells me what to do-“

“-Seresin, get a move on!”

“Coming Mav!”

Maverick had kept going around the teasing; Hangman took off to catch up to Maverick and Bob sent the others a look.

“He’s gonna crash hard any second now. Be prepared.”

“Oh, we’re ready.”

-

The search for a quokka took a little longer than expected; it was only that they stopped the lap around the island for a bathroom break that Phoenix saw one whilst she was waiting for the guys.

“Ohhhhhh holy shit!”

JD, standing on the other side of the track, smiled at her.

“They’re cute aren’t they?”

The closer Phoenix got the more confused she was.

“It looks like a rat!”

“That one’s probably got a bit of somethin’, you know how it is.”

“But- but all the celebrity photos- they’re cute!”

“I appreciate that, Phoenix,” Rooster said when he appeared. Phoenix whipped around, phone in hand.

“Roos! Look, a quokka!”

“What the fuck is that?!”

Rooster backed away from the quokka, an eyebrow raised.

“Why does it look like that?”

“Bradley, respect!” Maverick scolded as he came out, giving Rooster a quick swat up the back of his head. Rooster pointed toward his feet where the quokka had decided to hang out and Maverick grinned.

“Look at that! Hey little guy, what are you doing down there, huh?”

“Mav, I think it’s got mange,” Rooster winced. Then he smirked.

“Wait here, maybe it’ll bite Hangman. Hey, Seresin-“

Phoenix laughed when Rooster went to turn back into the bathrooms, only stopped by Maverick who caught him by the arm.

“Not now, there’s witnesses- hey, JD.”

JD laughed as he watched Rooster and Maverick, Phoenix rolling her eyes as she took a couple photos of the quokka.

“Bloody hell mate, you lot are cooked,” JD laughed. The others emerged from the bathrooms, Payback pausing when he realised Phoenix was taking photos.  

“Hey, Fanboy look, snake!”

A kid in the background, having overheard Payback, screamed for his mother and Hangman burst out laughing.

“Aw, man, Payback, you made a kid cry. No more quokkas for you.”

-

That night, Maverick and JD organised a pit fire at JD’s (despite fire regulations, they were very aware there was some law bending going on there) as well as beer and fire-grilled steak (Hangman’s mouth started watering when JD mentioned it). A couple kilometres out of the city JD’s parents had a small farm and when the Daggers got there they had a fire going in the fire pit, steak almost ready to go on the fire and cold beer in the esky nearby. They all gathered around the fire and Bob reached for a bottle of water.

“Hey, JD, I forgot to ask; are dropbears real?”

JD hummed. Winked at Bob who smirked.

“Mate, we try not to talk about it, but we’ve seen a lot of ‘em around here lately. Just don’t go out the back when it gets darker, I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Coyote leaned back in his chair, beer in hand.

“What the fuck is a dropbear?”

“Wait; you guys don’t know what a dropbear is?” Bob started. Phoenix put down her raspberry Cruiser, something she’d been handed by JD’s girlfriend.

“How do you not know what a dropbear is?”

Rooster scoffed.

“Oh c’mon, everyone knows what a dropbear is-“

“-shhh!”

Phoenix elbowed him in the ribs, putting a finger to her lips to shush him. Hangman was leaning forward, interested.

“Okay, I’ll bite. What’s a dropbear?”

“A killer koala; mate, they have these gnarly teeth, and these claws that can claw through- well, anything!”

Coyote gaped.

“Killer koalas?”

Maverick snorted, watching Phoenix and Bob exchange a look. JD piped up then.

“Mate, dropbears... they’re terrifying. One night, my dad, he went into the bush looking for some firewood when we were camping... came out covered in scratches. The only thing that could do that, well...”

JD took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. Everyone glanced around, eyebrows furrowed.

“He’s not serious... right?”

Hangman was the first to speak up, but he shut his mouth when JD turned to him.

“Deadly serious, mate. You don’t stand under a tree after dark out here.”

“Right,” Hangman scoffed, “y’know we can read. There’s no way dropbears are real.”

Bob raised an eyebrow.

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

-

The beer and steak around the fire was a great idea, and everyone was in high spirits as they got ready to go back to the city. By the time they were climbing into the van they were giggling to themselves about how loud Rooster had yelled when he’d gone to pee behind a tree, heard rustling and thought it was a dropbear coming to eat him alive. The good news was Bob definitely wasn’t going to eat him but he wasn’t going to let him forget it either. The nerves about the panel the following morning had mostly dissipated, Rooster himself even saying he was ready to tell the story to an audience rather than explaining his every move to Cyclone because he had to. Maverick had taken one look at him as he climbed into the van then passed him a huge bottle of water and reminded him that even if he was hungover he still had to show up. Hangman finally had his caffeine crash and was snoring in the back of the van- Phoenix had wanted to draw on him in retaliation for every dumb stunt he’d pulled but Coyote had frantically shaken his head at her; he’d been rooming with Hangman and he was like an energiser bunny on a good day. Payback and Fanboy were quiet as they took their seats, still googling dropbears to see if there was anything to those rumours even though JD swore on his mum’s life that he really was just shit stirring. Bob was still thinking about the huntsman spider he’d seen in a brochure and was reaching to shake out his boots just in case putting them back on earlier hadn’t been enough to kill whatever may have snuck in there.

“Hey, Mav?”

Maverick glanced over his shoulder at Phoenix as they walked into the hotel lobby, ready to sleep for a million years. As much as he’d tired the Daggers out he’d exhausted himself too.

“Yes, Tash?”

“Tonight was a really good idea. Thanks.”

“Thank JD; it was mostly his idea, I just bought the steak.”

“But still. We’ve been so busy ever since the... y’know. We’re here for the conference but this... this feels like a vacation too and I think we needed it.”

Maverick smiled.

“We all need breaks sometimes.”

“Even you?”

“I can’t remember the last time I took a vacation day unless it was forced- wait, yes I can. Bradley decked a kid at school. God, I’ll never forget that phone call. He was 12...”

As they headed into the elevator Maverick began to tell the tale, Phoenix hanging on his every word.

-

“And now we turn to the United States’ top aviators, the Dagger Squad.”

Maverick sat up in his seat, nudging Rooster under the table.

“Shoulders back,” he whispered, but apparently the microphones were sensitive enough to catch it and the group of Australian Navy personnel stared blankly. Maverick cleared his throat.

“We knew what we were facing going in. We had a steep mountain, g’s that tested our skills and the risk of fifth-generation fighters taking us out at any given moment.”

“Sir, who was the enemy?” Someone piped up from the crowd. Maverick cleared his throat.

“That’s classified. Now, in order to start our training, we spent a lot of time running simulations...”

-

[deeploretv]

The Disappearance of Yvonne Kaye Waters & Raelene May Eaton

On an autumn day in 1974, the quiet life of two Perth families changed irrevocably. Yvonne Kaye Waters and Raelene May Eaton, cousins not just by blood but by the deep friendship they shared, set out to enjoy a Sunday together. Little did anyone know, it would be the last day they were seen.

Yvonne, a 17-year-old working at a concrete moulding business, lived with her parents in Maylands. Her cousin Raelene, also 17, was balancing a job at a plumbing business with night school studies in dressmaking and shorthand typing. She lived with her parents in Bayswater. On the 7th of April, their plan was simple and carefree: join a friend at the Oxford Hotel in Leederville to enjoy a live band.

The day began with Raelene’s father driving her to Yvonne’s place. From there, the girls caught a train to Perth and then a bus to Leederville. Their time at the Oxford Hotel was brief; soon, the vibrant energy of another location, the White Sands Tavern in Scarborough, beckoned.

Arriving around 4:30 PM, Yvonne and Raelene found themselves at a table with five men, described as older and scruffier than themselves. As the venue buzzed around them and the band Fatty Lumpkin played, the atmosphere of the tavern was electric. Two men eventually left, leaving the cousins in the company of three.

The evening edged towards its close, and at around 6:45 PM, the tavern emptied. Outside, the cousins were seen chatting amiably with the three men. A witness's last glance captured them outside the tavern—after that, the group vanished into the night.

The immediate aftermath of their disappearance saw little urgency in the search efforts; the initial belief was that Yvonne and Raelene might have simply run off. But days turned into weeks with no word from either girl. Their families began to fear the worst, grappling with the stark, unsettling silence that followed.

Tragedy struck again a week later. A car accident involving Yvonne’s boyfriend and Raelene’s brother added a bitter layer to the unfolding drama—Raelene's brother succumbed to his injuries two weeks later.

Years rolled on with detectives chasing shadows. Leads and theories emerged and faded with the same rapidity, including a mysterious white panel van thought to be linked to their last known location. Yet, every effort to unearth the truth behind Yvonne and Raelene’s disappearance seemed to dissolve into the vast Australian landscape.

Decades have passed, and the mystery of what happened to the "Gone Girls" of Perth persists, etched into the community's memory and the hearts of their families. The pages of newspapers yellowed with age, and online forums speculate endlessly, but the poignant echo of their absence remains. In Perth and beyond, the story of Yvonne and Raelene is recounted with a mixture of sadness and disbelief—a haunting reminder of a joyful Sunday that ended in an enduring mystery.

[trulybetty]

oct' 21 x acorns

Prompt: acorns Pairing: tim rockford x f!reader Word Count: 724 Warnings: T+ mentions of crimes & a touch of spice. Summary: pretty proud of this one and it's use of the prompt 😋 tim knows the way to your heart is discussing the latest research for your podcast.

x. masterlist

“Acorns? You moving into squirrel crimes now sweetheart?”

“Ha ha,” you responded dryly,  “ACORNS, the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network.” He raised an eyebrow in interest, you weren’t sure if this was the result of learning what the acronym was for or if it had something to do with you starting the process of peeling off your t-shirt.

When you looked back at him, once the shirt was up and over your head, he was adjusting himself where he was sitting up against the headboard of the bed, his glasses now folded on top of the book he had been reading when you’d entered the room.

“So,” he began, a soft smile playing at his lips as he crossed his arms at his bare chest, “what’s caught your eye?” he asked.

You smiled back at him, a genuine one - he knew the way to your heart, true crime.

“So,” you started, turning to the dresser as you unhooked your bra, “so they were seeing an increase in reports on ACORNS, right? You've got your standard mix of fraud, identity theft, all the usual cybercrime stuff. Nothing to write home about right?”

“But?” Tim pressed, playing along.

“But what got me curious was a pattern of crimes that looked like random, disconnected incidents targeting average people. We're talking about everything from a cafe owner in Sydney to a retired nurse in Perth. And this has been going on for years.”

"Years?" Tim echoed, intrigued. "And they're just noticing this now?"

“Exactly!” you replied enthusiastically, tossing your bra into the laundry hamper and reaching into the dresser for one of Tim’s oversized shirts, what he wore when he actually had more than five minutes at home between cases. “The reports have only now been made public, and by the looks of it it’s taken them this long to even realize something might be off, and because it’s public knowledge, it’s caught the attention of the armchair detectives who are digging in, but no one can find a connection.”

Tim shifted in his seat again, tapping his fingers against his chest thoughtfully. “Not entirely strange though,” he said. “Cyber crimes are still relatively new. Many countries are sitting on data that they just don’t know what to do with besides selling it. Though, with any crime, patterns usually emerge sooner or later, someone slips up. Have they found anything that could point to a single culprit or group?”

“Nothing. Zilch. That's why it's so bizarre,” you said, shimming out of your jeans and kicking them off before walking over to sit beside him on the bed. “But here's where it gets interesting. When you compare these Australian cases to similar crimes reported in neighbouring countries like New Zealand or Indonesia, little patterns start to stand out.”

Tim raised an eyebrow, his attention fully piqued. “What kind of patterns are we talking about?”

You grinned, thrilled by his obvious interest. “Teeny tiny little anomalies,” you took his glasses and book and placed them on your bedside table, “Specific coding sequences, certain times of the day when the attacks occur, even certain types of targets that are more frequently hit in both regions. Individually, these little things don't really mean much. But when you start looking at them collectively and across borders, it’s like a constellation. You begin to see the outline of something much bigger.”

“Sounds like someone's running a long con,” Tim observed.

He uncrossed his arms as you swung your leg over to straddle his hips, your arms wrapping around his neck to rest on his broad shoulders.

“That's what I'm thinking too,” you said, your voice low as you leaned in to place a kiss on his lips.

Tim's hands slid up your sides, his fingers grazing the bare skin of your back under the t-shirt, “You really shouldn't have bothered.” he said, his voice low and husky.

You leaned in closer, your breath hot against his ear, “Bothered with what?” you whispered feigning cluelessness, trailing kisses down his neck.

“The shirt,” Tim replied, tilting his head back to grant you better access. “You're much better without it.”

You laughed softly, the sound sending shivers down his spine. “I needed something to wear.”

“Who said you needed to wear anything at all?” Tim countered, flipping you both over so he was on top of you.

[scotianostra]

September 28th 1396 saw the "Battle of the Clans" between clans Chattan and Kay on the North Inch, Perth, in front of King Robert III.

Also called the Battle of the North Inch, this is one of my favourite stories, this was more of a "gladiatorial" contest than a battle. They even built some sort of makeshift grandstand for the King to witness it from!

The clans in the highlands of Scotland were an unruly lot. They were constantly feuding with their neighbours and regularly raiding into the low fertile lands of Moray, Perthshire, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Stirlingshire. The king’s laws meant very little to this warlike, tribal society. In 1396, things were so bad between Clan Chattan and Clan Kay, who were forever raiding each other’s lands, stealing livestock, and burning down houses, that King Robert III sent an army north to deal with the problem. The commander of this army knew it was likely that when he marched into the mountains, his forces were in danger of being ambushed by the men of Chattan or Kay – or perhaps both clans would unite. The outcome could be the massacre of the royal army.

So, he came up with a plan and sent messengers to speak to the two warring clans with a proposal. This was a chance to sort out the problem in one day, sparing countless lives. The commander of the king’s army suggested that the two clans each send thirty men to Perth for a fight to the death on the city’s North Inch. The clan chiefs agreed and when the king heard of this plan, he was so delighted, he decided he and his court would come to Perth to watch the spectacle.

A large brightly coloured pavilion was put up for the royal party and benches were laid out for the people of Perth to sit on. The crowd waited expectedly in the warm summer sun as the skirl of the bagpipes drew closer and closer. Then dozens of warriors took up position on the inch in front of the king’s pavilion.

As the two clans lined up, a referee counted the men on both sides, but a problem was found. Although Clan Kay had thirty men, Clan Chattan had only twenty-nine. They must have miscounted before they left or lost a man on the way to Perth. Royal heralds walked amongst the crowd holding up a gold coin for anyone who would take up arms and fight for Clan Chattan. The city population murmured amongst themselves and fidgeted as the king, looking on like a Roman Caesar in the Colosseum, waited patiently. Just as it seemed no one would take up the offer of gold and Clan Chattan would have to forfeit the contest, a voice boomed from the benches: “I Sir Herald will take that coin and fight for Clan Chattan!”

The voice belonged to the city blacksmith, a giant of a man, strong and powerful. His name was Henry, better known as Hal o’ the Wynd. Hal was given a sword and took up his place amongst the Chattan clansmen.

The king gave the signal to start and arrows were fired between the two sides. Then the men, screaming their clan slogans in Gaelic, charged into the affray. The sunlight danced on sword and axe blades as they cut through the air, slicing into flesh and bone. The green grass became crimson red and sticky from the flow of blood as the screams of the wounded echoed around the inch. The referee called a halt to the battle and the two sides parted. Sweating, panting men, soaked in blood, gulped at the water given to them and used it to wash blood from slippery hands. They likely used their few minutes of rest to glance around, looking for friends or kinsmen, counting how many were still alive compared to the enemy. Wounds were quickly patched up with strips of torn cloth before the signal to fight came again.

The Chattan’s and Kay’s got stuck into each other once more. As the two sides slogged it out, it became clear that Clan Chattan were gaining the upper hand and in the end, all but one of Clan Kay perished. The sole surviving Kay jumped into the River Tay and swam to safety. Hal o’ the Wynd was said to have fought bravely. He was permitted to keep the gold coin and earned his place in Scottish history.

Please note some accounts say the Battle of the Clans was fought between Clan Chattan and Clan Cameron, but most say Chattan and Cameron.

[graciedaily]

THE SECRET OF US TOUR MASTERLIST

surprise songs | setlist

05/21/24: UMUSIC acoustic session, Toronto, ON

06/17/24: gracie and audrey's tiny show, the Echo, LA

06/20/24: Jimmy KImmel Live! Mini concert, Los Angeles, CA

07/12/24: an evening with gracie, kingston upon thames, England

07/13/24: an evening with gracie, bristol, england

07/14/24: an evening with gracie, southampton, UK

07/30/24: ACL Live Taping, Austin, TX

09/05/24: portland, OR

09/06/24: seattle, WA

09/08/24: berkeley, CA

09/09/24: los angeles, CA

09/11/24: los angeles, CA

09/12/24: los angeles, CA

09/15/24: denver, CO

09/16/24: denver, CO

09/19/24: irving, TX

09/20/24: houston, TX

09/22/24: austin, TX

09/24/24: kansas city, MO

09/25/24: minneapolis, MN

09/27/24: chicago, IL

09/29/24: nashville, TN

09/30/24: atlanta, GA

10/02/24: washington, D.C.

10/04/24: new york, NY

10/05/24: new york, NY

10/06/24: new york, NY

10/08/24: philadelphia, PA

10/09/24: boston, MA

10/10/24: portland, ME

02/08/25: madrid, Spain

02/09/25: madrid, Spain

02/11/25: lisbon, Portugal

02/15/25: stuttgart, Germany

02/17/25: amsterdam, netherlands

02/19/25: hamburg, germany

02/21/25: dusseldorf, germany

02/22/25: berlin, germany

02/24/25: zurich, switzerland

02/25/25: milan, italy

02/27/25: paris, france

02/28/25: brussels, belgium

03/03/25: nottingham, UK

03/04/25: leeds, UK

03/06/25: london, UK

03/07/25: manchester, UK

03/08/25: cardiff, UK

03/10/25: dublin, Ireland

03/12/25: glasgow, UK

04/29/25: auckland, new zealand

05/02/25: sydney, Australia

05/03/25: sydney, Australia

05/04/25: sydney, Australia

05/06/25: brisbane, australia

05/07/25: brisbane, australia

05/09/25: melbourne, australia

05/10/25: melbourne, australia

05/11/25: melbourne, australia

05/13/25: adelaide, australia

05/16/25: perth, australia

05/17/25: perth, australia

[shallowseeker]

Hey, Cas is semi-canonically partial to Ecclesiastes + more about windmills and futility

(I cannot remember which script but I believe it's something he suggests to Jack in season 13 or 14.)

But anyway, his praises for Ecclesiastes are fascinating and lovely. (You should give it a whirl, even if the Bible is not typically your book of choice.) There are things in Ecclesiastes that are so Cas. (I think of Season 10’s Cas: “Oh, I have seen the glory and reaped vast rewards…”)

Ecclesiastical nihilism is relevant for all of SPN’s soldier-marked characters, but especially season 7 Cas and of course AU Michael. (See also: Dean, Mary, Raphael.)

///

Ecclesiastes begins:

2 “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

///

-OR-

2 “Futility of futilities,” says the Preacher, “Futility of futilities! All is futility.”

…

Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; And hurrying to its place it rises there again. Blowing toward the south, Then turning toward the north, The wind continues swirling along; And on its circular courses the wind returns.

-Ecclesiastes (NASB)

///

(Cas is right, Jack. You should read Ecclesiastes. He’s wry and dare I say acerbic at times? For, you know, an ancient philosopher.)

“…unhappy to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind…”

- Ecclesiastes (NASB)

///

Cas's existential crisis, nihilism, and fear (season 7)

This mindset calls to memory so much of season 7-Cas, but here in particular:

Meg: What dogs? [to Dean]He says he's surrounded by unhappy dogs. Castiel: They're chasing a rabbit around [indistinct]… Meg: Oh. Okay. He's at a dog track in Perth. Castiel: I'm surrounded by large unhappy dogs. Meg: Yeah, they're unhappy 'cause the rabbit's fake. Castiel: [to Meg] You know, those racing dogs were absolutely miserable. They can only think in ovals.

-Reading is Fundamental (SPN, season 7)

///

Cas is beaten down after billions of years of military service. He’s effectively frozen. He laments the repetition of war and procreation and finding no meaning in it.

He tries focusing on smaller perspectives: bees, gardens, flowers. He’s trying to find a plan in it all. A divine plan would give it meaning. More importantly, a “laid-out route of flowers,” would give it a meaning he doesn’t have to discover for himself.

So, he devolves into a kind of self-horror in his own participation in the machine, in the repetitious nihilism. Ecclesiastically, he laments his place in the cosmic hierarchy. With respect to his loved ones on earth, he despairs over the pain of gaining wisdom, the shame of his prideful mistakes, and of the recognition of his own violent nature, that he “will destroy…again.” (No matter what pretty things he stood for, he was angry at Heaven. He did want to punish them.)

"Because in much wisdom there is much grief; and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain." (-Ecclesiastes, again)

The “punishment resurrection” gets more painful each time, as Cas said. Why? Wisdom.

///

How do you make meaning out of senselessness? Do you find it in each other?

Later, if you read too much into 12x19’s “The Future,” (as I do), you’ll note that Thank You (Led Zeppelin) seems like it could unofficially be Dean and Cas’s "song." After all, the scripted, "Cas...thank you," is such a loaded phrase to find in a script, coming on the heels of the Led Zeppelin mixtape. There are things about Thank You that echo Ecclesiastes as well, but with opposite meaning. A hopeful meaning. Not a despairing, “All things are wearisome,” but a thankfulness that you got to be here at all, surviving pain and the crumbling cycles together.

(This is indeed the wisdom Cas tries to give to Jack in Ouroboros as Dean lies dying of a gorgon-induced head injury.)

///

So what of the the Ecclesiastical stirring of wind? What of SPN's windmills?

The characters that struggle with meaning-making amidst the futility of war are often marked by the Ecclesiastical windmill of futility, which is why we see this motif with Cas and Dean so often. We see it particularly when they are marching off to war (like when they meet Raphael in Free to Be You and Me), or when Cas dies in war (ashes near a windmill). It also appears as an industrial building fan when linked to demons. On a related note, in season 10, Cas's grace is hidden inside Don Quixote. (Taking into account Metatron's beef with Heaven and archangels, this may be an Animal-Farmesque hit at Heaven's machinations as much as Cas's chivalry.)

Another related motif is the simple house fan. It’s a kinder symbol. There is almost always a fan on the shelf near the taller lamp on Dean’s “Cas” side of the bedroom.

But, importantly, a fan isn’t a windmill. It’s not a grand motif. Not duty. Not enemy. Not cause. Not mission. It's gentle and small, tucked into the bedroom and thus intimate. It’s not made for grand purpose. A fan is simply there to be, to comfort, to bask in a private breeze.

When we see an outright “industrial windmill,” it marks darker things, and it calls to mind other futility symbols, like the windmill of Animal Farm—that complicated grand purpose of design that runs the efforts of the hopeful, dutiful civilians into the ground with its corrupt machinations (it stands in for: hunting, Heaven, demonic deals, and just…most career and “cause”-coded things in SPN).

There is an entire scene dedicated to (alt) Mary dealing with the after effects of her child soldierhood in The Winchesters, episode 5 "Legend of a Mind," set to a rather haunting Dusty Springfield cover of Noel Harrison’s Windmills of Your Mind.

Its lyrics echo Cas’s existential crisis from season 7, and also that of late-seasons Michael and terminal-seasons Dean. And that is no accident.

A circle in a spiral, a wheel within a wheel Never ending nor beginning on an ever-spinning reel As the images unwind Like the circles that you find In the windmills of your mind

[cinemaupdates]

Heath Ledger: The Legendary Joker and Beyond

Introduction

In the annals of Hollywood history, certain actors shine so brightly that their brilliance continues to illuminate the industry long after they are gone. Heath Ledger, a charismatic and talented Australian actor, was undeniably one of these luminaries. From his early life to his iconic portrayal of the Joker in "The Dark Knight," Ledger left an indelible mark on the film industry and the hearts of countless fans worldwide.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Heath Andrew Ledger was born on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Western Australia. From a young age, Ledger displayed an innate passion for the performing arts. He took his first steps into the world of acting with small roles in local theater productions and television shows.

Breakthrough Role: "10 Things I Hate About You"

It was in 1999 that Ledger secured his breakthrough role as Patrick Verona in the teen romantic comedy "10 Things I Hate About You." His magnetic screen presence and impeccable acting skills garnered critical acclaim and put him on the radar of Hollywood's major players.

Rising Stardom: "A Knight's Tale" and "The Patriot"

With his star on the rise, Ledger delivered captivating performances in the medieval adventure film "A Knight's Tale" (2001) and the historical drama "The Patriot" (2000). Audiences and critics alike took note of his versatility and ability to immerse himself fully in his characters.

The Legendary Joker: "The Dark Knight"

The year 2008 saw Ledger's career reach stratospheric heights with his portrayal of the Joker in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight." Ledger's mesmerizing and chilling interpretation of the iconic Batman villain was nothing short of a revelation. He delved deep into the character's psyche, employing his unique approach to method acting to create an unforgettable, anarchic performance.

Heath Ledger's Method Acting

Heath Ledger was known for his commitment to the craft of acting, often delving deep into the minds of his characters. His preparation for the role of the Joker in "The Dark Knight" was legendary. Ledger isolated himself and maintained a diary filled with the Joker's thoughts and motivations. The result was a hauntingly realistic and unpredictable character portrayal.

Personal Life and Tragic Demise

Despite his professional success, Ledger faced personal challenges and battles with anxiety and insomnia. Tragically, on January 22, 2008, the world was shaken by the news of his untimely passing at the age of 28 due to accidental prescription drug intoxication. Hollywood mourned the loss of an exceptional talent taken too soon.

Legacy and Impact on the Film Industry

Heath Ledger's legacy lives on through his remarkable body of work. He posthumously received critical acclaim for his portrayal of the Joker and earned numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His dedication to his craft and the raw intensity he brought to his roles continue to inspire actors and filmmakers worldwide.

Awards and Recognitions

Heath Ledger's exceptional talent did not go unnoticed during his lifetime or after his passing. In addition to his Academy Award, he received multiple prestigious awards for his roles in "The Dark Knight" and other films. Ledger's name became synonymous with excellence in acting.

Iconic Quotes and Memorable Characters

From the witty lines of Patrick Verona in "10 Things I Hate About You" to the haunting words of the Joker in "The Dark Knight," Ledger's performances gifted the world with unforgettable quotes that continue to echo in the minds of fans.

Heath Ledger's Influence on Future Actors

Heath Ledger's acting prowess and his dedication to his craft have left an enduring impact on aspiring actors. His unique approach to method acting and his fearlessness in exploring complex characters have set a high bar for future generations of performers.

Documentaries and Tributes

Numerous documentaries and tributes have been dedicated to the life and career of Heath Ledger. These projects offer an intimate look into the man behind the roles and celebrate the brilliance he brought to the silver screen.

Conclusion

Heath Ledger was not just an actor; he was an artist who had the power to touch the hearts and souls of those who watched him perform. His contribution to the film industry and the depth of his performances ensure that his memory will live on forever. Although his time in this world was tragically brief, his impact was immense and continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the globe.

FAQs

What is Heath Ledger's most famous role? Heath Ledger's most famous role was undoubtedly his portrayal of the Joker in "The Dark Knight," for which he posthumously won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

How did Heath Ledger prepare for the role of the Joker? To prepare for the role of the Joker, Ledger isolated himself and immersed himself in the character's mindset, maintaining a diary filled with the Joker's thoughts and motivations.

What other awards did Heath Ledger win for his role in "The Dark Knight"? In addition to the Academy Award, Ledger received several other awards, including a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award, for his exceptional portrayal of the Joker.

Did Heath Ledger leave behind any unfinished projects? Yes, at the time of his passing, Ledger was in the middle of filming "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," and his role was completed with the help of other actors as a tribute to him.

What is Heath Ledger's lasting legacy in the film industry? Heath Ledger's lasting legacy is his impact on acting, inspiring future generations of actors to fully commit to their characters and bring depth and authenticity to their performances.

[hoppipolla]

↳ watch & rewatch drama list

Thank you for the tag @jyuubin <3

My answer will be disappointing lol. I've been in a drama slump for a while now so I'm not watching a lot of series/dramas atm :(

Currently watching

Midnight Museum (airing)

I've just watched the first two eps today and I am intrigued!! It's my first time seeing Tor act and omg I'm loving him so far! His micro-expressions are on point and his face is really expressive so I already feel so much for his character :( Also I love how his tone changes whenever he talks to Dome. His voice seems to echo all the emotions Khatha has stifled... I can't wait to know more about him! I had seen Gun act in Theory Of Love but it's nice seeing him again. Dome seems to be such an emphatic character *insert heart-breaking emoji*. He already has my heart :((

Random things I want to say about this series: - I have mixed feelings about the make-up the actors are wearing. I love subtle make-up but Gun's lips look way too glossy at times and it's just weird given the circumstances his character founds himself in. - I can't quite believe Tor and Gun are the same age. Gun looks so small next to him >< Gun is nailing the earnest/innocent vibe for Dome's character.

Our Dating Sim (airing)

It looks pretty good so far so let's this how the plot develops ^^ I don't have much to say about it except that I hope Lee Wan will never feel the need to apologise again after kissing the person he loves.

Rewatching

I never rewatch series/dramas but I'd like to rewatch Beyond Evil at some point because I miss it :(

Looking forward to

I have no idea which series are supposed to air this year ><

25.3 Degrees at the Earth Tilt/23.5

I haven't watched Bad Buddy so it'd be my first time watching MilkLove and since everyone seems to adore them, I also want to see them act ^^ I'm also really happy we'll get to see Gemini and Fourth act again.

Dangerous Romance

To be perfectly honest, I just want to see more of Perth’s acting ^^ However, if the main relationship turns out to be problematic, I'll drop it.

Dr Romantic 3

I can't believe we'll get to see our reset couple again :(( I hope the third season will be as good as the second one! I loved it so much! Every character is so likable, the dialogues are well-written and Kim Sa Bu is such an amazing character... I'm excited!

I'm tagging @markpakin <3 I hope you don't mind me tagging you :(

[noisecontrolsystems]

Noise Control Systems: Enhancing Sound Management in Urban Spaces

In our increasingly bustling world, noise pollution has become a pressing issue affecting various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial environments. From the cacophony of urban life to the disruptive sounds of machinery, managing noise levels is essential for creating comfortable and productive spaces. This is where noise control systems come into play, offering innovative solutions to mitigate unwanted sounds. In this article, we’ll explore the significance of noise control, particularly focusing on Perth acoustic panel solutions, soundproofing options in Perth, and tailored acoustic solutions for pubs.

The Importance of Noise Control

Noise pollution can have profound effects on our health and well-being. Studies have shown that excessive noise exposure can lead to stress, sleep disturbances, and even cardiovascular issues. Additionally, in workplaces, high noise levels can result in decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and lowered employee morale. Thus, implementing effective noise control systems is not just a luxury; it is a necessity.

Noise Control Strategies

To address the challenge of noise pollution, various noise control strategies can be employed:

Absorption: This involves using materials that absorb sound waves, preventing them from bouncing off surfaces. Acoustic panels are a common choice for this purpose, as they can significantly reduce sound reflections in a room.

Blocking: Solid barriers, such as walls and fences, can be constructed to block sound from entering or leaving a space. This is particularly useful in residential areas near busy roads.

Dissipation: This strategy uses a combination of materials to dissipate sound energy. Soft furnishings and carpeting can help achieve this in homes and offices.

Decoupling: In construction, this involves creating spaces between materials to prevent sound vibrations from passing through. This method is often used in soundproofing solutions.

Perth Acoustic Panels Solutions

In Perth, businesses and homeowners have access to specialized acoustic panel solutions tailored to their specific needs. Noise Control Systems, a leading provider in the industry, offers a range of high-quality acoustic panels designed to minimize sound reflections and improve the overall acoustic environment.

Benefits of Acoustic Panels

Improved Sound Quality: Acoustic panels absorb sound waves, reducing echo and improving sound clarity. This is particularly beneficial in environments where clear communication is essential, such as offices and conference rooms.

Aesthetic Appeal: Modern acoustic panels come in various designs and colors, allowing them to blend seamlessly with existing decor. This means you don’t have to sacrifice style for functionality.

Easy Installation: Many acoustic panels are easy to install and can be applied to walls or ceilings with minimal disruption. This is a significant advantage for businesses looking to implement noise control solutions quickly.

Solutions Perth: Comprehensive Soundproofing

For those seeking robust soundproofing options, Solutions Perth provides a wide array of products and services aimed at enhancing sound insulation. Noise Control Systems specializes in comprehensive soundproofing solutions tailored to various environments, ensuring that clients can enjoy peace and quiet, no matter their location.

Types of Soundproofing Solutions

Wall Insulation: Installing specialized soundproofing materials within walls can significantly reduce noise transmission between rooms. This is particularly beneficial in multi-family dwellings and commercial buildings.

Floor Treatment: Soundproofing floors can prevent noise from traveling between levels, making it essential in apartments and multi-story buildings. Solutions like soundproof underlayments can help mitigate this issue.

Window Solutions: Windows are often weak points in soundproofing. Utilizing double-glazed or specially designed acoustic windows can dramatically reduce outside noise.

Doors: Solid core doors or those fitted with acoustic seals can help limit sound transmission in and out of rooms, ensuring a quieter environment.

Acoustic Solutions for Pubs

Pubs and restaurants often face unique challenges regarding noise control. The lively atmosphere that attracts customers can quickly turn into overwhelming noise, detracting from the overall experience. Acoustic solutions for pubs are essential for creating a comfortable environment where patrons can enjoy their meals and conversations without raising their voices.

Tailored Solutions for Hospitality

Acoustic Panels and Baffles: Installing panels and baffles in strategic locations can help absorb noise from conversations, music, and kitchen activities. This can improve the acoustic experience significantly.

Sound Masking: Incorporating sound masking systems can help blend distracting noises, making conversations more private and enjoyable.

Layout Design: The design of the space itself plays a crucial role in noise management. Noise Control Systems can consult with pub owners to optimize layouts for better sound distribution and absorption.

Material Selection: Choosing the right materials for flooring, walls, and furnishings can also enhance acoustic properties. Soft, absorbent materials can help reduce noise levels effectively.

Conclusion

As urban spaces continue to grow and evolve, the need for effective noise control systems becomes increasingly critical. With solutions like Perth acoustic panels, comprehensive soundproofing services in Perth, and specialized acoustic solutions for pubs, businesses and homeowners can take proactive steps to create quieter, more enjoyable environments. Noise Control Systems is committed to providing innovative and effective solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. By investing in proper noise control, we can enhance our quality of life and foster more harmonious living and working spaces. Whether you're in the hospitality industry or simply looking to improve your home’s acoustic environment, embracing noise control solutions is a step towards a more peaceful existence.

[vibelymascara]

Vibely Mascara Reviews in Australia: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

Mascara is a must-have in many makeup bags, and with the growing number of brands available in Australia, it can be hard to know which ones truly deliver. Vibely Mascara has recently gained popularity for its promises of long, voluminous lashes and smudge-proof wear. But what do Australian beauty lovers have to say about it? In this article, we’ll explore reviews from Australia and examine whether Vibely Mascara is worth the investment.

What Is Vibely Mascara?

Vibely Mascara is known for its bold claims: it promises to lengthen, thicken, and curl lashes while being waterproof and smudge-proof. With a unique formula and brush design, it aims to provide a noticeable lash transformation. But how does it perform in real life, especially in Australia's varied climate?

Key Features of Vibely Mascara

Before diving into the reviews, let's take a look at the key features that have made Vibely Mascara a buzzworthy product:

Length and Volume: Vibely Mascara is formulated to give users visibly longer and fuller lashes, even with just one coat.

Smudge-Proof and Waterproof: It promises to resist smudging and flaking, making it ideal for long wear in any weather condition.

Curl and Lift: The formula helps maintain a lash curl throughout the day without the need for multiple reapplications.

Easy Removal: Despite being waterproof, Vibely claims to be easily removed with the right makeup remover, making it a user-friendly choice.

What Are Australians Saying About Vibely Mascara?

To give you a better understanding of how Vibely Mascara performs, we’ve compiled some reviews from Australian users who have put the product to the test.

1. Performance in Australia’s Climate

Australia’s diverse climate can be a challenge for any makeup product. From the humid conditions in Queensland to the dry heat of Western Australia, finding a mascara that stays put can be tricky. Many Australian users were pleasantly surprised by Vibely Mascara’s ability to withstand the country's varied weather conditions.

One user from Sydney said, “I wore Vibely Mascara on a particularly humid day, and it didn’t smudge at all! Most mascaras would have left me with raccoon eyes by lunchtime, but Vibely stayed in place perfectly.”

In Melbourne, where the weather can change dramatically throughout the day, another user mentioned, “I was worried the mascara might not last, but it held up through wind, rain, and a long workday. No flaking, no smudging.”

These reviews suggest that Vibely Mascara lives up to its waterproof and smudge-proof claims, making it a reliable choice for Australian conditions.

2. Length and Volume: Does It Deliver?

Many Australian reviewers praised Vibely Mascara for its ability to add both length and volume to their lashes. Users with shorter or thinner lashes especially appreciated how the product gave their eyes a more defined look.

One Brisbane-based reviewer shared, “I have very short lashes, and this mascara made them look twice as long. I didn’t even need to use a lash curler because the formula added both length and curl in just a few swipes.”

Another user from Perth echoed this sentiment: “The volume was impressive! My lashes looked fuller and more dramatic without clumping. I’ve used other mascaras that claim to give volume, but Vibely is the only one that really delivered for me.”

However, a few users noted that the mascara’s thick formula might not be suitable for those who prefer a more natural look. One reviewer mentioned, “I love the drama it adds to my lashes, but if you like a softer, more subtle finish, this might feel a bit heavy.”

3. Staying Power and Durability

Vibely Mascara’s long-lasting wear is one of its strongest selling points. In Australia, where people are often on the go and exposed to fluctuating weather conditions, a mascara that lasts all day without needing touch-ups is highly desirable.

Australian users were generally impressed with how well Vibely held up throughout the day. One reviewer from Adelaide stated, “I applied Vibely in the morning, went to work, and then out for dinner, and my lashes still looked great by the end of the night. No smudging, no flaking—it lasted perfectly.”

Another user in the Gold Coast noted, “I’ve tried a lot of waterproof mascaras that end up smudging after a few hours, but this one really stayed put, even during a workout session.”

However, a few reviewers mentioned that while Vibely Mascara is highly durable, its waterproof nature can make it slightly harder to remove. “You definitely need a good makeup remover to get it off at the end of the day, but I think it’s worth the extra effort for how well it lasts,” said one Sydney user.

4. Ease of Application and Brush Design

The brush design of Vibely Mascara is one of the product’s standout features. It is designed to separate lashes and coat them evenly, preventing clumping. Many Australian reviewers appreciated how easy it was to apply the mascara and achieve a polished look with minimal effort.

One user from Tasmania shared, “I love the brush! It separates my lashes beautifully and makes them look so much longer without clumping.”

Another Melbourne-based reviewer added, “The brush design really makes a difference. It’s easy to apply, and even after two coats, my lashes didn’t look clumpy at all.”

However, some users with shorter lashes mentioned that the brush size might be a bit large for their preferences. One reviewer said, “I have really short lashes, so the brush felt a bit big for me, but it still applied the product evenly.”

Pros and Cons of Vibely Mascara Based on Australian Reviews

Pros:

Long-lasting wear: Holds up well in Australia’s varied climate, from humidity to dry heat.

Smudge-proof and waterproof: Ideal for long days, workouts, and even unpredictable weather.

Adds length and volume: Provides a dramatic lash transformation for those with shorter or thinner lashes.

Clump-free application: Thanks to the brush design, lashes remain separated and defined.

Durable performance: Stays put all day without requiring touch-ups.

Cons:

Thicker formula: Might feel too heavy for those who prefer a lighter, more natural look.

Harder to remove: Waterproof formula requires a strong makeup remover for easy removal.

Brush size: Some users with shorter lashes found the brush slightly difficult to maneuver.

Is Vibely Mascara Worth It for Australian Users?

Based on the feedback from Australian beauty lovers, Vibely Mascara appears to deliver on most of its promises. Its ability to withstand various weather conditions, add dramatic length and volume, and maintain curl makes it a solid choice for anyone looking for a long-lasting mascara.

The waterproof and smudge-proof properties are particularly appreciated by users in Australia’s humid or unpredictable climates. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the thicker formula may not suit everyone’s preferences, and the waterproof nature means you’ll need a good makeup remover to take it off at the end of the day.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try Vibely Mascara?

Vibely Mascara has garnered positive reviews in Australia, particularly for its staying power, lash-enhancing abilities, and smudge-proof formula. If you’re looking for a mascara that can handle everything from hot summer days to rainy weather, Vibely might be a great addition to your makeup routine.

Have you tried Vibely Mascara? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let us know how it worked for you!

[expo-newz]

Bouncing Back: India vs. Australia Test Series 2024-25 Preview

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed showdown as India and Australia gear up to renew their cricketing rivalry in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25. It’s a historic moment as these cricketing giants face off in a five-match Test series for the first time since 1991–92, promising fans an exhilarating display of talent and determination.

First Stop: Perth Stadium

The excitement kicks off at the Perth Stadium, where the first Test will take place from November 22 to November 26. Known for its bouncy pitches and challenging conditions, Perth promises to set the stage for an intense battle between bat and ball. Will Rohit Sharma and his team conquer the Perth challenge? The anticipation is palpable.

Adelaide Oval: Home to Pink-Ball Drama

Next up, the action moves to the iconic Adelaide Oval for a day-night pink-ball Test in the first week of December. This format has always added an extra layer of excitement, and with India’s previous experience in pink-ball Tests, all eyes will be on them to deliver a stellar performance and redeem themselves from past encounters.

The Gabba, Brisbane, and Melbourne Cricket Ground

The series then travels to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to December 30, 2024. Each venue brings its unique challenges, testing the skills and resilience of both teams to the fullest.

Sydney: The Final Showdown

The climax of this epic series unfolds at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2025, where the fate of the Border Gavaskar Trophy will be decided. Expect fireworks as both teams leave it all on the field in a bid to claim cricketing supremacy.

Beyond the Boundary: Women’s ODI Series

Adding to the excitement, the women’s teams of India and Australia will also clash in a three-match ODI series, adding another layer of excitement to the cricketing extravaganza.

A Celebration of Test Cricket

Speaking on the significance of the series, BCCI secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of preserving the rich heritage of Test cricket, echoing the sentiments shared by Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird. It’s a testament to the enduring legacy of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and the passion it ignites among cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

As the countdown to the Border Gavaskar Trophy begins, cricket fans brace themselves for a spectacle like no other. With a legacy of intense battles and memorable performances, India vs. Australia promises to deliver yet another chapter in cricketing history. So, buckle up and get ready for a thrilling ride!

[holifestival2]

Vibrant Celebrations: Uniting Cultures at Perth's HOLI festival in Docklands

Embracing diversity and fostering unity, the HOLI festival in Docklands in Perth illuminates the city with a kaleidoscope of colors and a symphony of joy. This annual event transcends boundaries, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring.

Celebrating Cultural Harmony:

The Holi Festival in Perth is more than just a festival; it's a testament to the harmonious coexistence of diverse cultures. Amidst the vibrant hues of powdered colors and the rhythmic beats of traditional music, individuals from various backgrounds come together, forming a tapestry of unity and understanding.

Embracing Diversity:

At the heart of the Perth Holi Festival lies a celebration of diversity. It serves as a platform where people of different ethnicities, religions, and beliefs converge, transcending barriers and forging connections through the universal language of joy and camaraderie.

A Feast for the Senses:

Stepping into the festivities of the HOLI festival in Docklands is like entering a realm where every sense is awakened. The air is filled with the aroma of delectable delicacies, while the sounds of laughter and music create an infectious atmosphere of merriment.

Spreading Love and Happiness:

The spirit of the Perth Holi Festival extends far beyond its colorful exterior. It embodies the essence of love, compassion, and togetherness, inspiring participants to spread positivity and kindness during the festival and throughout the year.

Promoting Cultural Exchange:

Beyond its cultural significance, the HOLI festival in Docklands is a cultural exchange and dialogue platform. Through interactive activities, performances, and workshops, attendees can learn about different traditions and customs, fostering mutual respect and appreciation.

Nurturing Community Bonds:

In the bustling city of Perth, the Holi Festival at Docklands becomes a focal point for community engagement and cohesion. It provides a space for neighbors, friends, and strangers to unite, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.

Fostering Creativity and Expression:

The canvas of the Holi Festival in Perth is not limited to colors alone but extends to the realm of creativity and expression. From intricate Rangoli designs to lively dance performances, participants are encouraged to unleash their artistic talents, adding their unique touch to the festivities.

Conclusion:

As the colors settle and the echoes of laughter fade, the spirit of unity and harmony that permeates the HOLI festival in Docklands continues to resonate. It is a celebration of diversity, a testament to cultural exchange, and a reminder of the power of love and happiness to transcend boundaries. To experience the magic of this vibrant festival, visit holifestival.au and join us in celebrating life in all its colorful splendor.