#elle men fresh

[userminghao]

[230511] 徐明浩_The8 Weibo Update:

一次多彩的拍摄🎨

trans: a colorful shoot🎨

[formosusiniquis]

any cosmo girl would have known

“Oh she did it for sure.”

“Steve!”

“Ten bucks, Bobert, don't give me that look last time we agreed double or nothing.”

“No,” Nancy insists. “This isn't Murder, She Wrote or Scooby-Doo or Columbo-”

“You saw who did it in Columbo at the beginning,” Eddie reminds.

“I know it's an awful show.”

Robin and Steve remain in sync enough to each get a hand on his shoulder to keep him from getting on the coffee table to defend the only good cop show in existence.

“I'm only pointing out,” she rewinds the VHS taking it back the two or three minutes they'd talked over before stopping it completely, “that this is a movie, not a drama with a repeated format that Steve can pattern recognition into predicting.”

“You haven't seen it already, right?” Robin asks. “The one rule of Monthly Middle-Aged Movie Night is you have to pick a movie none of us have seen.”

“No, I haven't seen it already. If you'll all remember when I asked you each to go see it with me I got,” he points to each of them in turn. “‘Wouldn't you rather see Tomb Raider?’ from double VHS, prestige cinephile and ‘That's too much pink for me, baby, you know I have that intolerance, maybe Rob or Nance will go?’ from my emo-isn’t-a-phase husband. And ‘I'm a little busy with this new story, Steve,’ from Nancy, the only one of you with a real excuse.”

“Some feminist you are, Birdie.”

“I don't want to hear it from you. I watched two of the blandest men alive pursue Renee Zellweger while the screen writers tried to convince us she was homely because you ‘forgot’ you had band practice.”

“You said you liked it!”

“It grew on me, but sometimes you just want to see a woman in a tank top. And I won't be shamed by the same man who cried during Beauty and the Beast.”

“I went with my sweet baby Lucy Joan, you miserable hag,” Eddie says, “and they turned that hot werewolf into a boring looking man.”

“You weren't into that? Look at who-”

“Why am I getting made fun of? Can we finish the movie?”

“No, I'm not going to let this be another Sixth Sense situation,” Nancy says, holding the remote hostage, she knows no one will try to take it from her.

“Ugh don't even bring that up,” Eddie groans, “Dustin still mentions it in at least one letter a year.”

Nancy nods, prim and proper, “Exactly, so tell us right now why you think she did it, then we'll play it again.”

“Chutney, the daughter,” Steve corrects, “have you even been paying attention? Her hair's permed.”

“And press play,” Eddie shouts.

“No,” Robin smacks his hands as he makes his ballsy play to reach around her for the remote. “Show your work, Dingus, even I didn't follow that one.”

“I don't always like the movies everyone else picks but I at least watch them. Her hair is permed, she said she was in the shower. She would have had to have been washing her hair if she didn't hear the gunshot and she has a perm.”

“You can wash your hair with a perm,” Nancy points out.

“You would know.” Eddie snarks, fingering the ends of his own hair.

“You can't wash a fresh perm, you'll fuck up the ammonium thioglycolate. Then you're out forty bucks and you've got limp hair. She killed her dad and lied about being in the shower.”

“Press play,” Eddie decrees again, leaning in close to Steve's side to purr, “it's pretty sexy when you go all hair care detective.”

His hand starts to slip below the blanket. “This is how we ended up with Lucy in the first place,” Steve reminds him, just under the sounds of the courtroom drama picking back up. It doesn’t stop Eddie’s hand from wandering until the movie’s climax starts getting closer, and Eddie’s attention is captured just like Robin’s and Nancy’s.

“Unbelievable,” Robin says, when Elle cites the perm salt.

“Never again,” Nancy swears, when Chutney screams her confession.

“Lucy’s been asking for a brother or sister,” Eddie flirts, as Elle reveals that any good Cosmo girl could have solved it.

No more movies with mysteries or twist endings for a while, they all agree, Robin can’t afford to keep betting against Steve.

[drearymondays-05]

Love is in the Hair

Jily Week August Day 1

@kay-elle-cee and @sunshinemarauder , Thanks for the opportunity.

Lily entered the wedding venue fairly early in the morning. There was a lot to be done if they wanted to follow the schedule. She took in the view and all the ongoing preparations and sucked in a nervous breath. This was it. One of the most important moments in her life to date. Her wedding. She repeated the word in her mouth. She had been so swept in with all the needed preparations, Order work and excitement that she had no moment to feel this anxiety. Her past with James flashed in her mind. Their first date, first kiss, first time together, moving in and now this.

The flashback however did not ease her worries down. If anything, it just reminded her that they were awfully young and the circumstances the wizarding world was currently in. They were, after all, just nineteen. Nineteen and fighting a war that did not look like it would end anytime soon. Was that the reason they were getting married so soon? Because they wanted to hold on to that fleeting chance of happiness in this drowning world of desperation. Would they have gotten married if they were a normal couple and not shackled by the restraints of this life? Only because of love and not a ticking time bomb threatening their very existence.

Were these pre-wedding jitters or was she genuinely rethinking her decision now just before the wedding? Just as she as she was lost in her thoughts, she saw two men enter from the other side. Up close she saw James explaining something to Sirius with exaggerated hand gestures and Sirius shaking his head in amusement. In both of them, she saw something she had not seen in months. Genuine joy without a smidge of worry, carefree laughter and a relaxed stance. She knew how rare and precious they were especially now. Somehow James turned exactly at that moment and looked right into Lily’s eyes. Pools of hazel on liquid green. James smiled at her and ran his fingers through his unruly hair distractedly. It was exactly this simple yet familiar action that managed to calm her down. It reminded her of all those times he fiddled with his hair strands. It was just so like her James.

She knew it then and there that she would marry this man despite and whatever situation, world or age they were in. There wasn’t a single thing that could keep her away from him. She had fallen for the boy he was at sixteen and was going to get married to the man she adored and loved at nineteen. And she would not change it for anything. Love filled all the emptied pores in her body as she smiled and rushed towards him.

James was feeling giddy from the moment he woke up. He was never known to have less energy but today he was more lively than usual. He wanted to meet his fifteen-year-old self today and reassure him that he was indeed going to marry the witch of her dreams. From the moment he fantasized about his wedding, he saw Lily Evans as his bride in those daydreams. Love for James was always a sacred concept. As he grew up under its warm shelter, he saw sheer power and impact love could have on people’s lives. Now though for James, the word love was synonymous to Lily. His Lily.

He entered the venue joking around with Sirius as he saw Lily looking at him. Even in the most mundane clothes, she looked like an angel glowing just for him. As she jumped into his arms, he caught her and twirled her around. Happiness was flowing unbridled in both their faces as they kissed each other. They felt their world click into place as their bodies fit against each other. Later in their honeymoon suite, after the wedding and fresh from their lovemaking, Lily would recall her nervousness about the wedding. She would surmise that it was his running his fingers through his hair that broke her anxious spell. The very one habit she had once claimed to hate, then loved secretly and fantasized about doing it herself and then ran her fingers through his hair whenever she could. James would just do that for her again for the sake of it and they would break into delightful laughter and somehow that would lead them back to each other again.

[zaephix]

*ೃ༄ genshin impact masterlist

𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐈 —

XOXO, kiss me, don't say no! / / genshin and hsr men . . . (fluff. suggestive)

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐃𝐓 —

make my heart melt away / / diluc . . . (fluff. angst. coming soon.) crystalflies in your stomach / / kaeya . . . (fluff. coming soon.)

𝐋𝐈𝐘𝐔𝐄 —

nothing yet . . .

𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐙𝐔𝐌𝐀 —

nothing yet . . .

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐔 —

fresh like rain, salty like tears / / alhaitham & kaveh . . . (fluff. angst. coming soon.)

𝐅𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄

l'avoir elle, c'est avoir les étoiles / / wriothesley . . . (fluff.)

𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

nothing yet . . .

[barananduen-blog]

~ Li Dai Kun for Elle Men Fresh ~

Spring 2021. Screencaps from the making-of video.

That 1st one only shows up for a fraction of a second but it's one of my fave frames. Pity they didn't make a photo from it. I've never seen anyone capture/post it, so, sharing mine.

[kakashiislut]

Criminal Minds

Inspired by Heartbeat By childish Gambino cause that song makes me dance wildly like no one is watching. ❤️

“So what you’re saying…The Unsub is attracted to women like…Y/N.” Hotch Puckered his lips a bit, everyone’s eyes where suddenly on you. “M-Me?!” You raised your eyebrows. “I mean, look at them. They have the exact same qualities as you do” JJ shifted her focus to the 4 victims stuck on the dry erase Board. You grew quiet for a second, it’s true, all the women have the same features as you do. The hair, the eyes, the lips, the personality and face shape too. “And with this note…” Spence cleared his throat, “seems like he’ll be at XXX club, wearing a red tie…looking for fresh victims…”

“He’s playing games with us. He’s growing angry, wants us to know what he’s doing…he wants to spite us for ignoring him in the media” Morgan lifted himself up and off the table and played with the pen between his fingers. “He wants a victim, give him Y/N then.” Woah woah. WOAH. “Woahhhhh, who said I would do that?!” Gideon shook his head slowly, “I have a plan already” His eyes seemed to bore into something nonexistent and you cleared your throat hesitantly. “Ok.”

-

“Ugh, This Dress won’t zip- JJ!” Sticking your back out from the dressing room door, JJ came rushing over to help zip up your dress. “Okay…let’s see!!!” She seemed so giddy for something so dangerous. As she backed up to stand with everyone, you fixed your hair, before walking out of the room. There was a silence, before Morgan whistled loudly. You giggled softly and everyone bursted into chatter about how you looked. “Spencer keep staring or take a picture” Elle laughed gently, causing the boy to turn red and look away.

“Okay, let’s go over the plan again. Y/N, we will filter in the club and go separately in different ways. Hotch will take the upper decks, Reid and Morgan will stay in the back, JJ will nurse the bar and Elle will wait by the women’s bathrooms. You, My dear, will make a scene on the dance floor and wait for our unsub to approach you. REMEMBER! He has to notice you, not anyone else, once he has you, Lead him away and we got him.” Gideon gave you a soft smile “we’ll be close, don’t worry. Lemme have your gun”

Groaning, you handed him your holster and gun, mumbling something about how dangerous this could be. At least the police are hiding around the clubs entrance.

-

When you arrived, the loud sound of music and cheering distracted you for a moment, before you existed the car and made your way inside the club. You tried to find some sort of song that could get you going, but nothing seemed to work. “You okay?” Hotch’s voice filtered into your ear “fine..gonna talk to the DJ real quick.”

Making your way to the DJ, you leaned in and suggested a song, to which he nodded his head and in second’s the music switched up. The crowed cheered, so you made your way into the middle and started moving your body to the beat. The words “make a scene” kept bothering you, so you did. A big scene. You danced wildly to the music, hips swaying, arms in the air, you listened to the way the crowd cheered for you, making space. In the moment you felt silly, but…it’s not so bad. You added a bit of sultry dance moves, giving the crowd “fuck me eyes” as you tried to pinpoint any men wearing red ties.

Running your hands up and down your body, you swished your hair around and…bingo. A tall, scary looking, but handsome man was making his way to you. He watched you like he was trying to profile you. Ironic. Once the song ended, you breathed harshly, making your way to the bar, you sat a couple seats away from JJ and simply…waited.

“Hey…I seen you dancing up there and wow…you where amazing…and beautiful” fluttering your eyelashes up, there he was. Your possible unsub. You gave him a pretty smile and offered him a seat. In an instance, the man was touching up on you, breathing in your scent and flirting. “Pull him in more.” Hotch whispered in your ear and you turned to the man, holding his tie “wanna go somewhere private?” You teased.

-

“Fuck, stay still pretty girl” he groaned into your neck. You where currently pressed up aganist his black SUV, the windows tinted, he was laying harsh, gross and sloppy kisses and bites to your neck. Come on…just need some DNA.

Your eyes fluttered up and…Reid. You locked eyes with reid, he gave you a sad look, face a bit red, before Gideon came up behind him. “FBI! Get off the girl!”

-

“Holy shit!! I can’t believe we caught him!!!” Morgan laughed loudly on the plane ride home, “it was just Chance…the DNA on Y/Ns necked matched the DNA left on the women.” You sighed, covering your eyes a bit, before the sudden sound of the song filled your ears. “What?” Lifting your head up, Hotch had everyone around him staring at his phone. Getting up, you walked right over and your heart dropped. “HOTCH!” You screamed, the video was of you dancing wildly to the music.

“What kind of dance moves even are these?!” Elle laughed, holding her tummy. “THEYRE GOTHIC, ITS ALL I COULD COME UP WITH! PLUS! I was a goth/punk kid in highschool OMGG” You covered your face in embarrassment “I-I think it’s cute! I mean like, the gothic style match’s Y/N so well! Ya know, it was a pretty common dance style in the 1850s and the 80s-90s! It’s just amazing she knows these!” Spencer tried to protect you from the teams teasing and you smiled a bit at him “thank you” leaning in, you pressed a sweet kiss to his temple. “NOW DELETE IT! BEFORE I BECOME THE UNSUB!”

“Technically, since we know who you are, you wouldn’t- OWW OWW OKAY ILL DELETE IT-“

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 1/5

Book Blurb:

A BEST SUMMER READ: The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Time, Vulture, Esquire, Boston Globe, Elle, Town & Country, Seattle Times, New York Post, Lit Hub, Cosmopolitan, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Paste, BiblioLifestyle, E! Online, AARP, BookBub, BookRiot “For anyone who’s ever craved a seat at the Round Table. Utterly enchanting.” —Rebecca Yarros, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fourth Wing and Iron Flame “If you love King Arthur as much as I do, you’ll love Lev Grossman’s The Bright Sword, a fresh and engrossing take on the Matter of Britain featuring a colorful cast of Round Table knights who don’t often get as much story time as they deserve. The creator of The Magicians has woven another spell.” —George R. R. Martin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Game of Thrones The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Magicians trilogy returns with a triumphant reimagining of the King Arthur legend for the new millennium

A gifted young knight named Collum arrives at Camelot to compete for a spot on the Round Table, only to find that he’s too late. The king died two weeks ago at the Battle of Camlann, leaving no heir, and only a handful of the knights of the Round Table survive.

They aren’t the heroes of legend, like Lancelot or Gawain. They’re the oddballs of the Round Table, from the edges of the stories, like Sir Palomides, the Saracen Knight, and Sir Dagonet, Arthur’s fool, who was knighted as a joke. They’re joined by Nimue, who was Merlin’s apprentice until she turned on him and buried him under a hill. Together this ragtag fellowship will set out to rebuild Camelot in a world that has lost its balance.

But Arthur’s death has revealed Britain’s fault lines. God has abandoned it, and the fairies and monsters and old gods are returning, led by Arthur’s half-sister Morgan le Fay. Kingdoms are turning on each other, warlords lay siege to Camelot and rival factions are forming around the disgraced Lancelot and the fallen Queen Guinevere. It is up to Collum and his companions to reclaim Excalibur, solve the mysteries of this ruined world and make it whole again. But before they can restore Camelot they’ll have to learn the truth of why the lonely, brilliant King Arthur fell, and lay to rest the ghosts of his troubled family and of Britain’s dark past.

The first major Arthurian epic of the new millennium, The Bright Sword is steeped in tradition, full of duels and quests, battles and tournaments, magic swords and Fisher Kings. It also sheds a fresh light on Arthur’s Britain, a diverse, complex nation struggling to come to terms with its bloody history. The Bright Sword is a story about imperfect men and women, full of strength and pain, who are looking for a way to reforge a broken land in spite of being broken themselves.

Review:

A new take on the Arthurian round table but with a bunch of misfits and underdogs. King Arthur has died and now the round table is in shambles. A young knight named Collum is desperate to get a seat at the round table... and he's lied and killed his way into Camelot... but what is he to do now that Arthur is gone. With only the oddballs of the Round table left such as Sir Palomides, the Saracen Knight, and Sir Dagonet, Arthur’s fool, who was knighted as a joke and Nimue, Merlin's apprentice who turned on him..... things are about to get a little hectic. Collum and his companions are determined to reclaim Excalibur and solve the mysteries while also facing off against all the faeries, monsters, and old gods returning with Morgan le Fay as their leader. This is the start in a new series and a new take on the Arthurian story. This new take on the classic story is definitely an interesting one but I just don't think it was for me. I was really hoping I would like it more but I just found it kind of boring overall and just a slog to get through. I would however recommend it for fans of Arthurian stories just to read it and see if they do like it. I love Arthurian stories but this particular one was a bit of a miss for me.

Release Date: July 16,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking | Viking for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[nicsnort]

Gravita Anima (part 38)

Nightcrawler/Fem!OC/Quicksilver Long-form romance and drama fic. All chapters have been posted on Ao3.

Intro (with link to Ao3 story) First Previous

Elle did not sleep well. Upon waking she had wished that Lucy would have come by to take the nightmares from her. But Elle knew that her friend would only blame herself for the vivid haunting of her sleeping hours. Elle had dreamt of the Sentinels that Lucy had mentioned. Visions of Terminator-like robots chasing her, endlessly chasing her, were her companions for the evening. 

Before she had fallen asleep Elle had thought herself into a deep circle of terror and depression. Was all her activism for naught? Was the Brotherhood actually correct? Should she keep her promise to Lucy? What would Kurt think if he found out she had not told them about this? What if keeping silent killed someone?

Those thoughts still haunted her as Elle made her coffee in the morning and arrived for her first tour. Yesterday, she had been able to push past the terror because it was too fresh. But this time she knew it, and her tiredness affected her tours. Oh, the tourists still enjoyed themselves thanks to her powers but she took the tips she received and immediately gave them to some of the street performers. Elle had not earned this money one bit.

At noon Elle was relieved that her shift was over. She made her way home to change and get ready for her training. Elle really, really hoped that Professor X would not pry into her mind because she did not have the mental energy to hide the information on the Sentinels away. According to Kurt the Professor would be able to train with her for a bit but Cyclops said he wanted to “see what she could do” and wanted to watch her physical abilities as well. Though Elle was in good shape she was slightly worried about that part as well.

The succulent in the window Elle did not have to wait long for Kurt to appear inside her apartment. “Kurt,” she greeted with a friendly smile. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

~~~~~~

It didn’t take much for Kurt to persuade the Professor to allow Elle to train with him and the X-men. It took a bit more to convince Scott though. It wasn’t the greatest hidden fact that Scott disagreed with Elle and Lucy being involved with the Brotherhood like this, but Kurt took the line of thinking from Kitty this time: ‘get over it’. Of course, Kitty had a hand and hair flip with that line, both of which Kurt did not feel appropriate attempting, but the sentiment was still there. 

When he spotted the plant at the window, as he had been lurking near his own for the past hour, he teleported immediately. He returned her smile as soon as he saw Elle. Though he was still stinging from the mess of rose petals he had found, he decided it was a sign and a reminder that they were friends and that he was tasked with keeping her safe. Wasn’t that what Scott had said during her first visit to the mansion, to keep her safe? He was a guardian, a gargoyle even, and he was determined to help and shield her. 

Nothing. More.

Still, seeing her smile brought joy to him and it reminded him of that ache all the more. “Afternoon, fraulein. Not at all -- I was…” waiting and watching, “...cleaning.” He felt his face warm ever so slightly at the lie. “How are you?” He paused, studying her. He noticed that she had a hint of a shadow under her eyes. “Are you feeling well? I thought we would teleport just outside of the city and take the jet to the mansion.” If it went without saying, she felt like she could handle it still.

Elle noticed how Kurt did not greet her as usual. His smile was there but small, his voice was not as excited. Her mind flickered back to Lucy’s words yesterday and her own response. She had hurt him. Her relationship with Pietro hurt him.

Pushing the emotions aside she let a bit of tiredness creep into her smile. “I am alright, just didn’t sleep well last night. But I am excited for today!”

The blue man thought that he might understand what kept her up so late. “Ah, yes, the excitement and nervousness can keep anyone up. It kept me up the night before my first time in the Danger Room -- er, don’t fret, fraulein, that is just what it is called, but it isn’t actually dangerous. You’ll be okay.” It was as much assurance for her as it was for him. But it was true, the training with the Professor wouldn’t be anything hazardous. The training with Scott...well, he would ensure Scott wouldn’t behave rashly. 

Refreshing her smile Elle grabbed Kurt’s hand. “Let’s go! I’ve been looking forward to this all week!”

His smile bloomed as she took his hand. Just a friend, just a friend, he chanted, although it did little to stop the flutter of his heart. “Hold on tight.” And with that, he teleported.

Bamf!

They were just a mile or so outside of the city, just far enough to have the X-jet land and wait without suspicion. It helped to have the cloaking device too, he supposed. Kurt nodded to the waiting aircraft before teleporting them inside it. He looked up at the front and nodded. “Scott! Good morning. We’re ready.”

The man at the pilot seat barely turned his head towards the sound of Kurt appearing. “Morning Ms. Hughes. Morning Kurt. Buckle up.” It was hard to tell if Ice Man’s greeting would have been less frosty. Kurt took a seat and buckled in, nodding to the seat next to him for Elle.

“Don’t mind him...he probably hasn’t had his coffee yet.” He tried to joke.

Despite Cyclops' cold greeting, Elle gave him a warm one of her own. It wouldn't do to have him disliking her because she was rude. The flight was content with her and Kurt only making a bit of small talk about the neighborhood and if Kurt had chosen a spot to tour with her from the papers she gave him. But on the whole, Elle just enjoyed Kurt's presence, his honest and true emotions were the refresher she needed after the past 24 hours.

Landing in the hanger Scott stood from the pilot's seat and stared right at Elle. "You'll be training with me first. If you survive then you can train with the professor."

A broad smile crossed Elle's face. "Alright...but you know you don't have to act so gruffly. As much as I can tell you are annoyed with this, you are also concerned."

"I am concerned about you endangering my team with your reckless behavior," Scott growled before brushing past her.

"He's worried for me," Elle mouthed to Kurt.

"Nightcrawler," Scott barked from the gangway. "Bring her to the changing rooms and get her a student uniform to train in."

Kurt felt his tail flicker with something close to annoyance at Scott’s behavior. He was glad to see that Elle was returning his words with warmth and sincerity -- turn the other cheek. And at the silent mouthing, he smiled. He felt back to his usual self -- which, to say, was happy edged with concern for her safety. Scott wasn’t the only one worried, regardless of what he admitted.

“Got it, boss.” He said with a jest. He unbuckled his seat and stood, offering his hand to her. When she took it, they teleported to what looked like a locker room. He gave a shy sort of smile. “This is where the uniforms are. Behind that door,” he nodded towards the door behind her, “is where you can change privately. Let’s see…” he turned and opened a large wardrobe of sorts made of metal, “hm...I think this will fit you. I mean, I think this is the size you’ve used in the past here.” He referenced the first time when she had come with her fallen friend -- she’s your responsibility to keep safe. Kurt took a deep breath, hoping that would chase away the concern at the reminder. He turned and offered her a uniform.

The uniform was black and lined with silver, something subtle, and tight-fitting. It wouldn’t do to have someone snag on a rock or the like. It was a one-piece. “Oh, and your shoes!” His tail moved to the stock and picked up what he hoped would be the right size of no-slip shoes, holding them up for her to take. 

"Oh, it looks so cool!" Elle grabbed the uniform and held it up to her. Then she took the boots and did a little dance. "I can't wait! I'm gonna change so get out...unless you wanna watch."

Elle winked at Kurt. She knew he would leave but she still gave him the option. Besides, it was amusing to watch his face turn purple.

Once he was gone Elle changed quickly. The uniform was snug against her skin but not uncomfortably so. She did a few stretches and felt no restriction on her movement. Putting in the boots she exited the locker room. Kurt was outside talking with Kitty.

Kurt tried to focus on other things, like what Kitty was saying once he had left the locker room for Elle to change. He tried his best not to let his mind linger on what she had said, on the idea of watching her change. No, that wasn’t polite, gentlemanly, or right. It certainly wasn’t something a friend would do...though given the chance...no. He fought with himself, then became further upset with himself since he wasn’t hearing a word Kitty was saying. He nodded and hoped that was enough to satisfy.

Before long, Kitty waved behind him. He turned to see Elle walking over, his eyes widening. He felt that familiar warmth creep up his neck and cheeks again. The uniforms were fitted with a technology Hank managed to locate because they would provide safety and flexibility. But...for the first time, Kurt became acutely aware of just how...snug they were. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat, forcing a cracked laugh to leave him just to fill the silence. 

Elle took a moment to look Kurt over. His tail swaying back and forth enchanted her as always. Her memory drifted to how it felt wrapped around her arm and waist. "Alright, how do I look? One of the team?" While the questions were general her eyes were on Kurt.

“Ja, ja, that...you look just like one of us.” He scratched the back of his head, unaware of Kitty’s piercing, knowing gaze.

Kitty certainly didn’t let up on what she was seeing though judging by the brightness and casualness of her tone. “You look great! Does it fit well? I can’t wait to see what you can do. Don’t worry, we won’t be watching in the obvious...I mean, you know, it’ll just be me and Kurt and the Professor, so no pressure. Scott can be a jerk sometimes, but he doesn’t give more than what people can handle, ya know?”

"That's great to hear," Elle told her with relief. "I’m not much of a fighter. I’d rather just stay out of it or make sure I can’t be seen.”

As they made their way into the “danger room” there was a bit of small talk about the weather with Kitty inviting her to the pool some time. But then she was in the center of an empty metal room and Kurt bamfed up with Kitty to the observation room. Looking up she saw them beyond the glass and gave a big wave. “Ready when you are!”

Over the speakers, she heard Scott’s voice. “We will test your reflexes first.”

Elle heard the slide of metal and saw a series of guns appear pointed towards the center. Her eyes widened just a bit as she heard them shoot something. Paint splattered at her feet as Elle stepped back quickly. More shots from behind but she wasn’t quick enough and a paintball hit her square on the back.

“And you’re dead,” Scott said over the speakers. “Bullets are going to hurt a lot more.”

“I can’t dodge bullets anyways,” she called back. “What, do you just want to see me dance?”

More paintballs came out of the guns and Elle did as best she could to avoid them all. It was mostly running around to keep her position from being tracked but she still got hit in the calf and shoulder. “You’re doing better, adding in obstacles then.”

The floor and walls shifted again and from nowhere a series of boxes and walls appeared...and more guns. Elle yelped just a bit as she dived behind a wall to avoid the paintballs. The playfulness from her movements that she had maintained in the first round quickly disappeared as she weaved between and behind the obstacles. After a minute the floor moved again the levels of the terrain changed this time.

During that round, she got nailed three more times with the paintballs. She was really starting to feel it now. Pain radiating across her body, the tiredness she felt finally catching up with her. Elle was on top of a block when she heard the gun nearest her go off. She was too slow to react and the paintball nailed her right in the face. The force knocked her backward and she toppled off the block with a small scream.

_______

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[serenasoutherlyns]

from the dark with you above me chapter 8

“I’ll stop,” Serena warned, whispering next to her ear. Abbie shivered. “Do you want me to stop?”

ao3

“What’s their deal?” Tracey asked her when Alex and Olivia passed them, walking incredibly closely, on the steps of the courthouse. The air nipped at Serena’s cheeks and nose. A gust of wind infiltrated her too-thin-for-the-weather coat. She took a sip of her hot coffee.

“Exactly what it looks like,” said Serena. She didn’t bother hiding anything from Tracey, ever. It was not worth it, because Tracey would figure out anyway and then be far too triumphant in her victory.

“Interesting,” said Tracey, delighting in gossip. “That’s nice for them.”

“Alex is really happy,” said Serena.

“And you?” asked Tracey. “How are you doing?” Serena sighed.

“I’m okay,” she said.

“Mm-hm,” said Tracey skeptically.

“I’m dealing,” she clarified.

“You know what you should do?” Tracey began one of her sage pieces of advice.

“What,” said Serena hesitantly.

“You should go on a real date. I know someone. She’s your age, single, and not a lawyer.”

That was exciting and nerve-racking. She was getting over Abbie, or telling herself she was anyway. The further away from her she got, the more Serena realized how much affection had built up for the woman, and she started to worry for her. With some distance, the night Abbie had panicked began to make her concerned rather than angry. She wasn’t sure she wanted to get herself into that, after all. Some distraction, some reminder of what else was out there could be really good.

“You’re sure she’s real?” said Serena.

“Positive. She’s general manager at a bar in Chelsea.”

“How did you meet her? Serena said with amused confusion. They were so busy, she hardly imagined Tracey had much time to get to know many people outside of the profession.

“She’s a friend’s niece,” said Tracey.

“And she’s my age?”

“Maybe a little younger, I’m not sure. But I’m older than you think of me, Serena.”

“I guess you have a young soul,” Serena replied. Tracey smiled at her, flattered.

“So what do you say?” Tracey asked.

“I’ll do it,” said Serena. She may as well. Tracey gave her an approving look.

“A Cabot and a detective,” Tracey went back, “how fascinating.”

---

“I have a date tonight,” Serena announced. Alex emerged from her bedroom half-dressed.

“A date?” She said, “with who? Since when?”

“Tracey set me up with her friend’s niece. Get this, she’s not a lawyer.”

“A miracle,” said Alex, pulling on her sweatpants.

“I know. I’m meeting her at this cocktail bar. Seems kind of hipster.” Serena leant against the wall.

“That should be nice,” said Alex. Serena went into her bedroom and Alex followed She sat on the edge of the bed.

“This dress or this one,” she said, holding them up. One was short, black and satin, form fitting with a subtle ruffled hem. The other was longer, A-line, red.

Alex considered them both. “The black if you’re going to wear silver, the red if you’re going to wear gold.”

“Good point,” said Serena, looking at her jewelry. She tried on the black and looked in the mirror.

“This one,” she said. “I’m a little nervous.”

“Aw,” said Alex. “There’s no need. I’m sure you’ll dazzle her.

“That’s not why.”

“Oh,” said Alex knowingly. “You’ll forget all about that.”

“I hope so,” Serena said, fidgeting with the dress.

---

Her date was not her age, as Tracey had thought, but 23, fresh out of college. Serena kept her mind open-- men did it all the time-- and she was attractive, tall and redheaded, slight and bubbly. Serena was enjoying herself, and not thinking about Abbie at all.

Until she walked into the bar, trailed by Elle then Lisa. She could not believe her luck. When they made eye contact, Serena coughed on a sip of her (overpriced, botanical) cocktail. Abbie elbowed Lisa in the ribs.

“Are you okay?” said her date.

“Yes, yeah I’m fine, excuse me,” Serena said. “You were saying something about Cornell?”

“Yeah, I went to their hotel school,” she said.

“So you want to work in hospitality forever?” Serena asked, preoccupied. She looked over the other woman’s head. Abbie was staring. Elle was patting her shoulder.

“I want to open my own hotel,” her date said. Serena tried to shake off Abbie’s presence and mostly succeeded.

“That’s cool,” said Serena.

“I believe in the power of service, you know? I like making people happy and stuff.”

“I could use some of that,” said Serena wearily.

“Not a lot of joy in the law?” asked her date. She placed her hand on the table invitingly. Serena took it. It was soft. It was appealingly simple.

“No,” said Serena. “A lot of my job is making people miserable. People who deserve it, mind you, but it doesn’t feel good. And when I’m not doing that, I’m disappointing people who don’t deserve it.” That may have been too much honesty, Serena realized when her date’s face fell. The downside of non-lawyers is they had no capacity to understand what she did for a living.

“That’s too bad,” said her date.

“Yeah,” said Serena. An awkward silence fell over them. “What do you like to do for fun?” she asked.

“I watercolor paint,” the other woman said, clearly still bummed out. “What about you?”

“That’s nice,” said Serena. It was, in fact, bland. “I don’t have much time for hobbies. I read.” she finished her drink. Her date followed suit.

“Shall we?” her date said, gesturing to their empty drinks and the door.

“Sure,” said Serena. As they walked out, Serena caught Abbie watching them the whole way. Could she really be jealous?

“Can I kiss you?” the redhead asked, out of obligation, on the sidewalk.

“Yeah,” said Serena, doing her best impression of enthusiasm. The kiss was fine, pleasant even. But there was no passion, nothing like Abbie. Shit, Serena thought.

“It was nice to meet you, Serena,” said her date, flagging down a cab. She didn’t give her her number.

---

“What did you think of Kristina?” Tracey asked her over lunch.

“She was nice,” said Serena.

Tracey snorted. “That’s a ringing endorsement.”

“She’s 23, Tracey,” she said.

“Who cares,” was her reply.

“I guess,” Serena said, and took a spoonful of soup. “She was fine.” Serena took a second to decide whether or not to mention Abbie’s appearance. “Abbie showed up at the bar.”

“Oof,” Tracey said.

“It didn’t help things.”

“What did she do?”

“Just stared at me until her friends made her stop,” Serena said.

“I see,” said Tracey knowingly. “She’s still into you.”

“I don’t think so, Tracey,” Serena said. “She was pretty clear.”

Tracey furrowed her brow. “Maybe she just got spooked.”

“Maybe,” Serena said. She felt a little glimmer of hope in her chest.

---

“Hello, Serena,” said Jack to her after a mandatory all-office meeting. It was early in the morning, before anything started happening at the courthouse. Everyone walked sluggishly and yawned. At least there was free coffee and bagels. Jack held a blueberry one. “How are things?”

“Things are fine, thanks,” Serena said cautiously. She had no idea how much he knew, if anything. “Our caseload’s a little heavy, but when isn’t it?”

“True,” said Jack. “Anything going on otherwise?” Abbie must’ve told him a lot. How interesting, she thought, that Abbie would come out to Jack.

“Not really,” Serena said. She didn’t need Jack to know how she was doing. Was he collecting reconnaissance for Abbie?

“Well that can always change,” Jack said, and took a bite of his bagel.

“Guess so,” said Serena. What a strange man.

---

Serena heard laughter coming from inside her apartment, two distinct voices. She jingled her keys loudly before opening the door, but still walked in to find Olivia over Alex on the couch, the two of them nauseatingly happy, kissing. Serena tried her best to feel nothing but good for them but she couldn’t help some jealous sadness.

“Hi guys,” said Serena.

“Hi,” said Olivia, only turning towards Serena for a second.

“Hey, Ser,” said Alex.

“Hello?” Serena questioned. “Get a room?”

“Oh, right,” said Olivia, shaking her head out of its entrancement. She hopped off Alex’s lap and took her hand, pulling her off the couch. Serena shook her head. She took off her coat and shoes, changed into comfy clothes, and poured herself a glass of wine. She heated up some frozen dumplings and settled in with her book.

---

They’d been stealing glances at each other all night.

Serena was determined not to stay away from Penelope’s despite the risks. It was her place, and she wasn’t giving that up. The problem was, neither was Abbie.

Alex was out with Olivia. There was no sign of Elle or Lisa. Serena was socializing with some women she knew from various places, loose acquaintances of hers who had no stake in her love life.

Serena ordered another drink. She was feeling it, not too much, but enough to have her seriously thinking about doing something entirely unadvisable.

“Vodka soda,” the bartender said, handing it to her. Serena pulled out her card. “She says it’s on her.” She pointed to Abbie, standing at the other end of the bar. She looked good. She wore a tight v-neck long sleeve and a pair of jeans that exposed the skin at her hips. She waved.

Serena walked over to her. “Rather bold, don’t you think?” she said.

“What can I say?” Abbie said, surprisingly confidently.

“Absolutely nothing,” Serena demanded. She took Abbie’s drink out of her hand and kissed her, hard.

---

“Serena,” Abbie said, pulling away from a kiss.

“Nuh-uh,” Serena said. “No talking.” She backed her up until her knees hit the bed. Serena took her hands and slid them back, making Abbie’s back hit the covers. She crawled over her. She drew out, with pride, a hiss and a moan from her lips when she bit the soft skin of her neck.

“Look, I’m-- fuck--” Abbie said as Serena slipped her thigh between her legs.

“Did you hear me?” Said Serena impatiently.

“Yes, but I wanted to--”

“I’ll stop,” Serena warned, whispering next to her ear. Abbie shivered. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No, I-- fuck, please don’t,” Abbie said as Serena’s hand met her breast over her shirt.

“Then shut up,” Serena said. Abbie nodded obediently. “Good,” Serena said.

[nyavren]

Bright Little Scholar

NYASSHA ELLE VREN

Breaking the fast, the light dawns nigh The children sing greetings, the sun shines high It seems like a rose, this day that has come And know that it withers like one when it's done.

New day, new start Fresh eyes, young heart The youngest of those to take to the field Are the bravest of those to take up a shield.

Fight the fight, wrong or right In the end, dark is the night It seems like a tree, this night that has come Tall and imposing, scary to some.

But even trees have branches that can be bent Bent to be broken, bent to be spent Take heart and take flight, children of all No matter your height, the tall and the small.

For this fight that we fight is far more for you Than for the old men who've seen the world new This world belongs to the hearts of the young This world belongs to the songs that you've sung.

~ Excerpt from "To the Children of Eorzea" by Aeron Fang

[userminghao]

[230515] 徐明浩_The8 Weibo Update

[fashionbooksmilano]

Helmut Newton Pages from the Glossies

Facsimiles 1956-1998

Taschen, Koln 2015, 524 pages, English, French, German, 29,5 x 22,5 cm,   ISBN  9783836524490

euro 35,00

email if you want to buy booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

Helmut Newton, master of late 20th-century fashion photography, always considered the printed page the most important factor to his work. It was, he explained, in the framework of an editorial or advertising commission, that he found his inspiration, and produced his best shots. Joining the prestigious roster of Taschen’s Helmut Newton titles, including Sex & Landscapes, World without Men, and the much coveted Helmut Newton SUMO, this fresh edition of Pages from the Glossies gathers the most eminent and interesting examples of Helmut Newton’s work for magazines across Europe and the United States. Facsimiles of more than 500 original spreads from the likes of Elle, Amica, and above all, Vogue follow Newton’s ongoing ability to break the boundaries of his genre and the interaction of his unique, daring, pictures with typography and layout. In lively personal anecdotes alongside the spreads, Newton talks through the inspirations and informal moments behind some of his most memorable images. We follow him scouting models, setting up a shot with the captain of a nuclear submarine, collaborating with Anna Wintour, and negotiating between different cultural attitudes towards the nude.

orders to:     booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

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07/02/23

[gabriella-nastasja]

Clueless and Legally Blonde Redefined Bimbo-Core

by Gabriélla Siebritz 

Two movies that are now considered cult classics have redefined and reshaped society’s view on femininity (more specifically hyper-femininity), through the lens of two bubbly blondes who love pink. 

These two films put its female leads at the forefront of showcasing how women embracing femininity doesn’t make them any less valuable or less smart than the other less “blonde” women featured in each of their respective stories. 

Throughout both movies, the leads (Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, played by Reese Witherspoon, and Cher Horowitz in Clueless, played by Alicia Silverstone), are consistently doubted because of their shared blonde heads of hair and love for traditional femininity that they outwardly express. 

These two films address the stereotype of “dumb blondes”, and the presumption that women who are overtly feminine must be simplistic bimbos. Cher Horowitz and Elle Woods are two characters who proved that yes, the patriarchy was wrong: you can be both beautiful AND smart at the same time.

Ultra-feminine women depicted in the media are often depicted in a negative way; either they’re a gorgeous demon bombshell using their beauty to commit horrors unto unsuspecting men (think Jennifer’s Body), the mean girl (think Regina George from Mean Girls), the airhead (think of Marilyn Monroe’s characters) or, the opposite to the less-feminine and “more relatable” main character (think Brooke Davis versus Peyton Sawyer from One Tree Hill or Jessica Stanley versus Bella Swan from the Twilight movies). 

In short, femininity = negativity. They’re boy-obsessed, mean and “catty”, fashion forward and makeup dependent, and sometimes they’re even murderers. 

During the storyline of Legally Blonde, Elle is made the butt of many “dumb blonde” jokes because most assume, upon looking at her, that she is not serious enough about anything other than herself. 

From the jump, Elle has been underestimated, most notably by her boyfriend and parents who are meant to love and support her, thinking/assuming that she’s not cut out for law school, which is Elle’s goal throughout the film.

Elle is not dumb (she got into Harvard after all), but others rarely see past her “blonde hair and big boobs”, assuming that because she enjoys shopping and has a fresh manicure, she must be shallow and dim-witted. 

At first, Elle’s motives for taking the LSAT’s and getting into Harvard Law are mainly to win back her ex-boyfriend, Warner, played by Matthew Davis. He (fake) sympathetically breaks up with her one night, because according to him, he needs “a Jackie not a Marilyn”, for the future of his career. 

After being dumped by Warner for not being “serious” enough (she says, “So you’re breaking up with me because I’m too...blonde???”), the peppy sorority blonde follows him to Harvard Law School - where we get the iconic phrase: “What, like it’s hard?”- to win him back at first, but later it’s to prove him (and others) wrong.

Legally Blonde sources its comedy from juxtaposing Elle’s bright-pink bubbly attitude and wardrobe against the prestigious and intellectual atmosphere of Harvard Law School.

Elle ultimately proves her doubters wrong, not by conforming to their expectations, but by demonstrating her worth while remaining true to herself. She’s shown to be ambitious, driven and dedicated to her studies, all while maintaining the same beauty routines she’s always had. 

Aside from Elle, everyone is dressed in muted or neutral colours. For example, Elle’s “rival” at the school, Vivian Kingston, is seen wearing predominately blues, browns and blacks in her clothing while Elle always has a touch of pink and obvious “girly-ness” present in her clothing, whether that’s through the hot pink pleather jacket and skirt she has on upon arriving at Harvard, or simple butterfly clips that keep that her bouncy blonde curls in place. 

Elle’s appearance is central to her character because it’s what people use to pass judgement and make assumptions about her. The entire film’s premise is that yes, Elle is a proud blonde, but she’s not a dumb blonde. 

And the same thing can be said about Cher Horowitz, the main character from Clueless, another and similar coming-of-age comedy about a self-empowered blonde girl. 

Cher also initially seems like a vapid valley-girl, others often seeing her as some “ditz with a credit card” (it’s assumed by other characters that Cher is nothing but an airhead, i.e that she’s “clueless” about life and only cares about herself), but the film shows there is nothing wrong with what Cher likes.

Although Cher’s story is more subtle and complex than Legally Blonde, as Cher does have some flaws, and the film is not built around proving others wrong, the premise is the same as Elle’s story.

While Cher may not be tackling law cases, she (just like Elle) is continuously trying to better herself as a person and do good for others without giving up her personality and the things she enjoys. 

Cher has a subtle intelligence of being aware of how the world works without sacrificing her personality. As a rich and privileged white girl, Cher actively steps out of her bubble and works on herself but doesn’t change herself to achieve that.

Like Elle Woods, Cher has a detailed knowledge of fashion, unabashedly enjoys makeovers, and carries a pen with a poofy-pink end, even helping her father with his upcoming trial-casework. 

While Legally Blonde and Clueless successfully advocated for the stereotypical blonde girl, other movies not-so-subtly demonize hyper-femininity. Such examples are the High School Musical trilogy and Mean Girls.

Mean Girls’ main character, Cady Herron, is the embodiment of the “not-like-other-girls” trope; she’s not fashion forward like the “Plastics” of the film (the popular, hyper-feminine group of girls), she’s not concerned with her appearance in the way that they are and she simply “doesn’t get it”.

Throughout the duration of Mean Girls, Cady pretends to be one of the Plastics at first to help her friend Janice Ian enact her revenge upon them for bullying her in previous years, but as time goes on and Cady spends more time in the company of Regina George (again, another blonde) and her squad, she becomes just like them. 

She becomes obsessed with a boy, obsessed with her appearance, unconcerned about her academics, and becomes a horrible friend to Janice and Damian. 

It isn’t until she denounces the world of hyper-femininity and reverts back to who she previously was, that she is viewed as a good person. 

Regina George (the supposed villain of Mean Girls) and Sharpay Evans, the antagonist of the High School Musical movies are both young, blonde girls who have a bright wardrobe and outwardly show an interest in hair and makeup; both of these characters are shown as “evil”.

Sure, they haven’t been the nicest people but Sharpay is clearly ambitious and driven towards her dreams and goals of being on Broadway, and Regina (although scheming and malicious at times) was quite a smart person - in my opinion - in how she manipulated others. Let’s also not forget that Regina isn’t the only villain; Janice and Cady were just as bad. 

The abovementioned female characters throughout this essay all proudly showcase their girly-ness as not something to overcome, but rather something that can be embraced. Another great example is the Barbie Dolls franchise; Barbie has over 200 careers, all while maintaining her signature pink colour palette.

There is no need to demonize femininity in the media. Shockingly, women can be many things at once. 

[illumwriting]

Negotiations

yogtober day 4. Science. Ridgedog, Lalna, Nanosounds. NanoCoffee/Lividsounds and LividDog/Ridgecoffee SFW. 4,092 words.

Nano arranges a meeting between her past mentor, Ridgedog, and her current one, Lalna. To smooth their pasts over and come to an agreement. Canon divergent, relies on general fandom headcanons about Lalna/Yoglabs/Ridge and Lalna attempting to literally dissect the demigod. On A03. Co-written with an anonymous friend. Preview:

Ridge swallows heavily and digs the nails of one hand into his palm, leaving crescent-marks welling with gold just underneath the surface, but not having actually broken the skin. He's very clearly thinking hard about this. About what he's willing to let go of for the sake of making peace with Lalna. What control of himself he's willing to lose.

"No… no tissue samples." Is what he finally gets out, followed by, "But yeah if, if you keep them out, and agree to let me destroy what you took, I'll allow you to take samples of some things."

Lalna doesn't speak for a moment. Sits in actual stunned silence, drowns it by grabbing his coffee and draining his cup. His eyes finally stop being fixed on somewhere past Ridge, and -really- actually look at and over him curiously and optimistically. A combination of feelings Ridge has perhaps only felt come from Lalna at the same time a very, very small handful of moments.

It wasn't hard to get Ridge to come to their base. Nano has simply pinged the admin, told him that she needed a favor, greeted him outside the building, and guided him in. Making sure to avoid walking past Lalna's lab.

And it was easy enough to get Lalna in the breakroom, tempting him with a fresh pack of Jaffa Cakes if he met her there. She'd made sure she had the keys to the one door in and out.

"Nano, what the 'ell!"

That would be Lalna.

"…I did /not/ agree to this, Miss Nanosounds."

That would be Ridgedog.

Nano points vehemently to the three chairs at the break table, and hands Lalna his promised sweets.

"Sit, both of you."

Ridge looks at Nano, looks at the chair with mild disinterest, looks back to her. He had already started to rise up slightly off the ground when he’d seen Lalna. "Can I just? Sit in the a-"

"Boots on the ground. You know the rules, Ridgedog." Nano has yet to stop pointing.

He groans and taps back down, but still doesn't take the chair.

"I'm not doing it." Lalna grouses, mouth half full, cup of coffee in hand. "You've been trying to get us to apologize for years, and I'm saying no."

"For once, I agree with him." Ridgedog is casting looks at the door, and finally he sighs. "But you've locked us in here, haven’t you."

"Yup!" Nano pulls out a notebook and pen, "You two can make good in whatever words you want, but I'm tired of the bullshit back and forth while you all but ask each other to touch again. You're going to set boundaries. Here. Now. So //sit//."

Sheepishly, and with a second, heavier sigh from Ridge, the two men noisily drag the chairs out and dump themselves into them. Coffee cup and pot are placed on the table, along with the snacks. Lalna slouches down in his chair, legs splayed out in front of him; while Ridge sits neatly with his hands clasped between his knees, leaning forward.

They stare at each other in cold silence, Ridgedog stony-faced and Lalna looking more and more uncomfortable, until Nano is done settling into her chair, a mediator between them, ready to take notes. "This is going to be an exchange. Ridge, you give a boundary, then Lalna gives one. If one of you runs out before the other, then so be it. Just keep going."

"Why-" Lalna's verging on sounding like a child, "Does HE get to go first?"

"Because you're going to whine that you can't think of anything, and he's gonna say that you're the one who kidnapped and dissected him first."

Ridge huffs out a laugh through his nose and yanks his leg back to avoid a kick from Lalna. Alright, that’s as good a cue to start as any. "You… know my basic boundary already,” He says, “No samples. Ever."

And Lalna is already scowling. He crosses his arms in front of him and a snap of tense laughter rolls from him. "You're in the laboratory of a scientist, saying he can go fuck himself with his entire hobby and profession, while being a demigod who can shift at will and can play at being whatever he wants."

His tone is sharp because he really does not know how else to talk.

"I want samples. I'm willing to meet halfway somewhere. No ichor, no organs, no whatever the fuck. Only taken willingly, since I have to say it. Skin, hair, other fluids, I'd like."

Ridgedog flinches. The reminder of what he is, of where he is. That he’d been tricked to be here. In the lab. He turns his head away, tucking his chin into the collar of his coat, sitting up slightly.

"I never said that." Ridge mumbles, directly referring to Lalna saying 'You said I can go fuck myself.'

"Doctor Lalna, I don't want you to examine me in the lens of your profession. I want you to examine me for /fun./"

His eyebrows knit together in worry, that these negotiations would stop before they start.

"I have two absolute boundaries. And 'No samples' is one of them. I cannot compromise on this, I'm sorry."

Lalna seems to flare in place, keeping his arms held tightly against him, an on-and-off sneer flitting into place for moments of cruel thoughts and sliding away as Lalna struggles to remain civil and open.

"You're still asking for the process of examining to be left incomplete and unfinished because of your deep paranoia about myself being able to draw logical conclusions about you in any manner in which you do not perfectly control me! Examining leads to questions, questions need research, and samples allow me to do so humanely and efficiently."

Lalna makes a slightly strangled sound, and that scowl etches deep into his face and eyes as he -bites- his own tongue literally and figuratively, forces his phrasing to be less combative.

"What… What if I can take samples of allowed things. While you are present. They stay in sight. You can destroy them yourself at the end of each… session."

Ridge swallows heavily and digs the nails of one hand into his palm, leaving crescent-marks welling with gold just underneath the surface, but not having actually broken the skin. He's very clearly thinking hard about this. About what he's willing to let go of for the sake of making peace with Lalna. What control of himself he's willing to lose.

"No… no tissue samples." Is what he finally gets out, followed by, "But yeah if, if you keep them out, and agree to let me destroy what you took, I'll allow you to take samples of some things."

Lalna doesn't speak for a moment. Sits in actual stunned silence, drowns it by grabbing his coffee and draining his cup. His eyes finally stop being fixed on somewhere past Ridge, and -really- actually look at and over him curiously and optimistically. A combination of feelings Ridge has perhaps only felt come from Lalna at the same time a very, very small handful of moments.

"Do clarify what your non-scientific brain classifies as tissue? I already am very aware of your regenerative capabilities, and am going to assume briefly, to speed this discussion up, that you are worried what I might do if I figure that out. It's the key to killing /a god/, to speak plainly. "

Lalna is -not- being malicious. it is the -softest- irritated tone. it is -informative- and -inquiring-.

"If I killed you, Ridgedog, what would I have left to pursue and study? If I put your skin and muscle and organ tissue under a microscope any more than I already have, what do you have to fear if you believe us mortals cannot comprehend the thing that gives you that spark of divinity?"

He’s getting… some sort of strange, affectionate passion in his words. It's certainly still a man who wants to rip Ridgedog apart in a cruel manner for the thrill of it but- These words almost sound… /Reverent./ Lalna has sat up, leaned forward; but the chair under him creaks and he seems to startle out of it.

"…Sorry. Carried away. Ahem. Definition of tissue, please?"

That was… certainly interesting to hear. Ridge isn't sure how to feel about how Lalna just acted. He's, frankly, ignoring all that stuff about 'your tissue samples contain the key to killing you, right?'- instead focusing on what was said after the words 'what would I have left-'

And thoughts are echoing in his mind, of other humans who have expressed obsession with him.

Parvis.

And Ridgedog is really, really damn close to just losing himself in his own thinking again. Lalna leans forward, the chair creaks. Ridge comes back to reality.

He realizes he started staring at some point during Lalna's speech, and averts his gaze again. The fabric weave on the shoulder of his coat is so much more soothing.

"Uh, my… my definition of tissue is one that excludes hair and nails, basically. I will also allow you to take samples of the outer layers of my skin. Full list of things you're allowed is- skin, hair, nails."

"That's agreeable to me." Lalna is back to being awkward, almost defensive as he realizes the ball is in his court, as he realizes it is his turn to set one of these boundaries.

"I have to say something now, huh…"

It -really- shouldn't take him this long to think of something, right? But any action he can think of that he does not want has stemmed directly from something he has done to Ridge first- anything that he might ask for, something that he does not deserve- His expression has shifted, pained and hurt and lost and so uncertain.

He realizes too late that he’s putting all those emotions out there for Ridge to see. Slams back down the shutter to them, tries to collect his scattered thoughts and put something out there that doesn't sound utterly /pathetic/.

"My life. I want this to stay out of my personal life. Nano, Ryth, Xephos- all my relationships. This… whatever we're negotiating here, has to stay in the sterile space of my lab or… //your// homeworld. No one else involved unless we both agree to it. No mention of it outside of this group that is here, present in the building, now."

Oh good! That's a quick, complete answer for Ridge to give.

"I promise. We involve nothing and no-one except for your lab or my world. And if we want someone else besides Nanosounds to have knowledge of this, we have to discuss it. And we both have to agree."

He looks a little more at ease now, slouching forward, back to his previous position. Hands clasped between his knees. His turn.

"I'm sure you can imagine me placing down this line as well, but you will not touch my heart. At any point."

Lalna's not sure why he feels such a wave of relief when Ridge agrees. Maybe it was his brain, instinctively thinking about how Ridge had brought up Lalna's research papers in the past and fearing that Ridge still wanted revenge for those-

Revenge. He should say something about that. In a minute.

"Yeah, no- don't worry. What exactly does that mean for you, so I don't have to suffer through giving another asinine apology after a vicious beating?"

There's a small laugh from Ridge. Not mocking anyone either. Just, laughing at how poorly-planned this whole thing was, how quickly Lalna admits that their past was rife with bullshit.

"Let's see, okay. If you have my chest cavity open and you brush against it with your hand or a tool or something? That's fine! It happens. However, if a hand or tool /rests/ there, for any length of time longer than, let's say, two seconds? /That/ is not allowed. Is that agreeable to you? If I think you touched my heart with actual /intent/, I will react. And this will partially be an instinctual reaction, and for that I apologize."

"Oh, I can work with that." Lalna sounds delighted, being given such wiggle room around something off-limits that he was sure to -brush- the edges of. Ridge's heart was always like that for him, a temptation that sits there and leads him astray down the path away from factual and perhaps actually useful science, into bizarre desire and immorality. Into Mad Science.

It was one of his favorite things about Ridgedog.

"Hopefully keeping our mood light-” He’s settling, actually settling now into how he can be when he's chilled out. "My second boundary is this- No provoking of me like… back then, and certainly -no- things like that. Ever. Mostly for Nano's sake, more than my own."

He's tiptoeing around the words of harsh violence and quite frankly vile details of their actions against each other for the sake of Nano, but Ridge would know -exactly- the lines they had both crossed. Even though they might have previously agreed to, or silently just stopped, or even like just now, are working to deal with it- It worries Lalna enough that he needs this in writing.

A nod from Ridge. Small, short. But an agreement.

"What I do on absolute instinct aside, I will not ever try to… harken back to things like /that./ Neither of us are like that anymore."

He huffs, thinking his words through, "Reacting because you put your hand on my heart for too long is okay; either of us doing /those/ things again, is not."

"But yes, I agree. I will not feed into that part of us. To the best of my ability. Is that agreeable to you?"

This was an important one for both of them, Ridge could tell; and he wanted to give Lalna a chance to refute or amend his statement.

Lalna considers this for a moment, chewing on the inside of his cheek and lips quirking in the way of ‘I thought of something snarky’. He takes a moment to adjust it-

"Seems we can both only guarantee to /try/. Which is fine, yes. My introspections indicate that if… this particular rule is broken, any resulting consequences would be better handled and doled out by Nano." He looks at her, and she gives them both an even look and a nod.

"You both almost done?" She chirps, taking that moment to roll her wrist and check on them both. They'd been talking for some time now, and Lalna's coffee pot was nearing empty.

"Almost, I have several more actually." Ridge says, unclasping his hands for a moment to adjust his cravat, "But they're things I'm much more open to negotiating. Not hard boundaries like those other two."

"I'd need you to ask me every time you want to do these, Doctor, and not try to spring it on me. And I'd need to give my explicit permission before you continue. Don't cut me open, or attempt to view my insides in general, without getting the OK from me."

His hands are back where they were, and he's looking at Lalna's forehead, as opposed to trying to make eye contact. He's feeling more confident, but it seemed to make Lalna uncomfortable last time he tried looking the other man in the eyes. So he doesn't.

Lalna rolls his eyes, and this time the snark slips. "Ugh, really? Do you not know by now I want to cut you open every time you set foot in this building?"

He winces after it comes out- slouches down even further in his chair.

"I mean. Yeah. Sure. I'll ask. You need to ask then too, if you feel like stomping all over me to get your emotions out or doing some awful thing back to mimic what I've done to you. You always go overboard on it."

Well, Ridgedog is no longer looking at Lalna. Time to look at the floor again! A small start passes through his body when he hears Lalna's admission. He may have been aware of the scientist's pervasive desire to cut him open, but it was another thing for Ridge to hear it directly from the man himself. He swallows heavily before speaking.

"Th- Thanks. And yeah, I'll absolutely ask if I'm thinking about doing that. Uh, sorry for 'going overboard' in the past. I know my… reactions can sometimes be disproportionate to the offense."

"And I'm certainly not without blame for getting carried away and forgetting to view you with some semblance of… humanity. On my end."

Lalna taps his foot, a sign he'd like to perhaps not dwell on it.

"Well, that was technically one of mine piggy-backing off yours. Go again."

Ridge looks relieved, finally hearing Lalna apologize for something. It had been irking him, how he’d come in here and been forced to compromise- to find halfway ground for something that Lalna had started, all because of his former apprentices' insistence that they work it out. "The next thing is kinda related to the last one? It's just that, if you write anything down, I want to know that you're doing so."

"Ridge." Oh. Wonderful. Lalna sounds so -whiny-. And he’s absolutely doing it on purpose- using it to cover up the fact that he's saying antagonizing things and making himself seem like a victim here. Never can let Ridge have a moment of peace. "Do you want me to tell you when I piss? What is this?" Lalna waves his hand around the room as if to indicate the thought of his lab littered with notebooks on tables, lined with shelves that house notebooks, waves at the book that Nano is holding- "Here's what I don't write down: the things that don't mean shit to me. If you care that badly, be my guest and read my notes after, but no destroying. You've already made sure that my good name in science is ruined; I haven't been able to publish anything since then."

Ridge’s head tilts slightly at the way Lalna says his name.

"And this is /my/ body we're talking about, Doctor. I will leave your notes intact, but I want to know what you're writing about me."

He leans back a little bit, his arms moving to cross over his chest, and he raises an eyebrow. There is no smile on his face. "Have you considered writing about something that /isn't/ me, actually?"

Nano can't help but -snrk- at that, as Lalna goes back to looking at anywhere but Ridgedog, and a flush works its way across his complexion.

"…No-maybe-no." He whines, "You're my star subject! Everything else is dull, uninspired! There’s a thousand and one things in this universe, and somehow they all can be connected to you-"

"You're doing it again, Lal." Nano taps him lightly on the leg with her pen.

"-A-h--." Lalna hides his face with one hand. "Forget I said anything. You can read my notes, yeah. Go again so I can think of less stupid things to say."

The characteristic eyebrow is raised further, and an amused smile appears on Ridge's face. A noise, probably a laugh of some kind, almost escapes his mouth at the scientist's apparent embarrassment, but he holds it back. His face falls back into something more neutral, and he crosses one leg over the other. "Got it, moving on! Now, these next things aren't so much /boundaries;/ as they are me stating what you are /allowed/ to do. If I am in the lab room, for a session, you are absolutely allowed to study and touch the outside of my body."

"Oh?" Lalna perks up eagerly. Unslouches, just a touch, moves his hand back down to rest on his thigh where Nano had tapped him. "What do you mean, a session? That sounds like the same bullshit as not taking notes. If you're in my lab, you're in my lab."

“You're the one who used the word Session first, Doctor." Ridge takes a breath, a moment to recall Lalna's exact words from earlier. "'-They stay in sight. You can destroy them yourself at the end of each… session.-' That's what I mean. Like, don't bring out the magnifying glass while I'm having a snack in your break room, y’know?" He tries not to think too hard about the way Lalna phrased his last sentence.

"Oh. Right. Lab Session is what I was saying there - if I were cutting you open." Lalna laughs slightly at what sounds like Ridgedog making a joke and talks with his right hand, motioning. "Here, let me make it clear. This building is the base. It's mine and Nano's. Down the hall-" a point to his left. "Are the labs. Mine is labeled, and has several rooms. I can promise your safety outside of there unless you give me the go ahead."

Ridge follows his gestures, nodding faintly. It still makes him wildly uneasy, to know what Lalna does and does not count as his Lab. And that Lalna is using the phrase 'his safety' to refer to not being allowed to touch him. "And I'm drawing a difference between me just existing in your lab, and me agreeing to a session or examination. You may always observe me, though."

"Observations and existing, like now. Exams and sessions like you've seen-" Lalna nods to Nano- "-her do. I can agree to that. I may never go to your world, but similar immunity would be preferred then." He looks into the bottom of an empty cup and at an empty pot and lets out a little sigh. "Personally, I don't have any further limitations that I wish to propose… Easier to work around whatever the test subject wants and play off of that."

"Immunity will be granted. And actually, I just thought of one more thing I'd /really/ prefer if you did." See, Ridge had grimaced slightly at some of Lalna's wording just then. Frankly, a lot of wording he'd been letting slip had made him uncomfortable. But he was willing to ignore them!

Not that one.

"Can you at least not /verbally/ refer to me as 'Test Subject'? That's just rude."

Lalna blinks, has to think for a minute back on his own sentence. "Huh. Sorry. Slipped out, didn't mean it in a derogatory sense just then, so don't get pissed at me. I'll keep that to sessions too." He's starting to get antsy. "Anything else? I really, really need to start a pot of friggin' coffee again. Soon."

"Thanks Lal-/na/." he sighs back, his body language relaxing again. But not too much, as he hopes Lalna doesn't notice how stilted the second syllable of his name had been just then. How almost tacked-on it seemed. How Ridge had almost just called him 'Lal'. Like he would have done before. When they were friends. "And no, that's it really. I can't think of anything else off the top of my head."

Lalna does notice. Softens. Blames the massive amount of talking they've been doing for his next words. "Lal is fine. I was just angry at you still when I told you that couldn't call me that." A long pause. "Sorry, Ridge. Thanks for giving me another shot."

A soft, genuine smile is on Ridge's face now. It's something Lalna has seen a few times before, but not often. "Thanks Lal, for giving me one too."

Lalna lets the niceness sit between the both of them. Tries to meet Ridge's eyes and realizes that the -pleasant- feeling that attempts to wash over him is something he's not quite ready for yet. Stands abruptly, grabs the pot, and beelines to his coffee maker.

"Ok, that's enough sappy bullshit. Ridge, fuck you and your stupid sense of goodwill. Nano, fuck you for bullying me into this. Open the damn door and get out." He's not really that angry, but he needs to let the vitriol out with his back turned as he dumps an excessive amount of grounds into a filter.

Ridge is about to retort, but Nano snaps her notebook shut. "Alright, you heard him. Out you go." The keys jingle as she rises and unlocks the break room door, holding it open it for Ridge and then following him out.

As she escorts him back to the entrance, Ridge is complaining. "That was so stressful, and I /still/ had to fucking compromise on my two biggest, simplest boundaries and-"

Nano puts both hands on her old mentor's back, shoves him lightly over the threshold of the base. "Yeah, but Lalna's happy, and you know he'll stick by his words. Maybe next time you stop by, you two can even manage to hold hands!"

He pulls an unhappy, but friendly face at her, sticks his tongue out. "Sorry, he's your romantic problem now. Just don't -ever- trick me like that again, ok?"

"Never promising! Go home, you big, stupid goofball. Think about all the progress we've made today." They pause, and both look at each for a long moment, a small, silent sadness hanging in the air.

"I'll get him back." Nano breaks it fiercely. "Lal's still in there. Your friend. Don't forget that."

"I don't ever." Ridge gives her a smile, one weighed down with all the things he'd been through, and a small, two-finger salute. "Good day, Miss Nanosounds. Take care." (Of Lal, he doesn't say.)

"Take care." (Of yourself, she doesn't say.)

And then he's gone, and Nano is locking the doors.

[watchit-kal]

Neon Demon-

So, I was actually torn on writing a review for neon demon. Before I hop into anything too serious, I would like to take time to appreciate seeing my girl Johanna Mason. (I do not care she has a real name she will always be Johanna axe throwing Mason). From the foreshadowing in the opening scene I was hooked. We open to a doe eyed, supple, and pristine Elle Fanning dripping in what you could believe to be blood. She is trying her luck on a path a lot of young people know all too well. We later find out she is an underaged orphan living alone in a cheap LA motel. The perfect victim. Her only crime having access to everything they all wanted. She is young, beautiful, tall, innocent and searching for a place to belong. All things Hollywood feeds on. I also liked how they explored how men treat other men who treat women with respect. Also, the way in which they discuss women as objects and commodities. Oh, trigger warning there is a bit of sexual misconduct involved. I did enjoy the way they filmed this project, making it feel very cold, corporate and callous. Almost as if everyone involved had just gotten a fresh lobotomy. Every choice felt very succinct. Despite all of this though, they still fell flat in the ending. About halfway through you see they had this great concept they had no idea how to execute. You know something sinister is going to o take place, but even once they follow through on that plot line you are left thinking, “is that all?” So overall I am giving them a 7/10 mostly because I did like the idea and I m a Fanning Fanatic.

[critical-quoter]

June Books

It's a birthday month! I plan on sneaking more book purchases into the house because I'm apparently on a "book-buying ban." But I also don't listen to men, so I will not abide by my husband's "decrees." My reading also slowed down significantly; I'm blaming the new job and having to pay attention while I train.

Wicked Heir - Mila Kane ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Savage Throne - Mila Kane ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fragile Sanctuary - Catherine Cowles ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stolen Touches - Neva Altaj ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cruel King - Rina Kent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Suffer in Silence - Kelsey Clayton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Screams in Symphony - Kelsey Clayton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Deal - Elle Kennedy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bass and Trouble - Cathleen Cole Frank Jensen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fallen Jester - Devney Perry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Never Marry Your Brother's Best Friend - Lauren Landish ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Maneater - Emily Antoinette ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dirty Score - Skye Jordan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Peaches and Honey - R. Raeta ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pits and Poison - R. Raeta ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My Brutal Alpha - Jupiter Belle ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Owe Me One - Kay Cove ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Feverburn - Maggie Maren ⭐️ The Puck Drop - Jaqueline Snow ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mother Faker - Brittanee Nicole ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Twisted Lies - Ana Huang ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Consequence - L. Knight ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Love, Theoretically - Ali Hazelwood ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Little Twist - Tia Louise ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Talk Dirty, Cowboy - Elle Thorpe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Filthy Heir - Drew Jordan ⭐️ Fifty Shades Darker - E. L. James ⭐️⭐️⭐️ No Simple Lie - Samantha Christy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ These Two Wrongs - J. Wolf ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Darker - E. L. James ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Shadows of You - Catherine Cowles ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Purity - Skyler Mason ⭐️ Reclaiming What's Mine - Elizabella Baker ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ruckus - L. J. Shen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Start a War - Elle Thorpe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Collision - Kristen Granata ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Always Her Love - Melissa Foster ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wheeler - Samantha Whiskey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Weak Side - S. J. Sylvis ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Campus Player - Jennifer Sucevic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Fangirl and the Grump - Piper James ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Half the Battle - Elle Thorpe ⭐️⭐️ Leather & Lark - Brynne Weaver ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ No One Has to Know - Carin Hart ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Borderlands Princess - Ophelia Wells Langley ⭐️ Rewriting the Stars - Claire Kingsley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fifty Shades Freed - E. L. James ⭐️⭐️ Ice Bet - S. J. Sylvis ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Too Much - I. A. Dice ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fresh Meet - Jasmin Miller ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hush - Cathleen Cole & Frank Jensen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Belladonna - Adalyn Grace ⭐️ Rescuing Harmony Ranch - Jennie Marts ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Recessive Dilemma - R. J. Stevens ⭐️ King of Pride - Ana Huang ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Luciano - Eva Winters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Russian Roulette - Heather Carmel ⭐️⭐️

57 total books read for June 2024