#emi and binnie

[aymmgreen]

Bonnie and Emi for Balenciaga

[happyhuffles]

Cherry Red - 06

Spring Fae Kingdom.

3.5k

Content warning: illusions of abuse.

Masterlist

_____

Early in the morning before I left, both Binnie and Emi snuck into my room. When I woke knowing it was time to go, with them sitting on the floor beside my bed holding each other, my resolve broke. 

I cried hard. The sobs came before I could stop them, tearing through my chest like a storm breaking free. The quiet hours of the morning swallowed the sound, but it didn’t matter—neither of them stirred.

Both of them had stayed asleep and it looked as if they had been sitting on my floor for hours. Emi's arm was resting on the bed extended so she could hold my hand in hers. Changbin's larger hand rested over the both of ours, his free arm wrapped tightly around our friend. 

It was a sight so tender, so achingly human, something that I knew I would miss dearly.

I smiled through my tears at my sleeping friends. At least they would always have each other. JYP wouldn't risk sending all of us away at once, right?

Carefully, I untangled my hand from theirs, doing my best not to wake them. Emi shifted slightly, her brows furrowing as if sensing the loss even in sleep. I brushed a strand of hair out of her face, a silent reassurance she wouldn’t hear.

Changbin’s grip slackened as I pulled my hand away, and I hesitated for a moment, staring at him. He looked so different like this, all his sharp edges softened. Vulnerable, in a way he’d never let anyone see while awake.

I wanted to stay. To hold onto this moment for just a little longer. But the mission loomed, heavy and unrelenting, pulling me forward.

“Take care of each other,” I whispered, my voice breaking on the words. They wouldn’t hear it, but I needed to say it anyway. 

I grabbed my backpack that was packed with only a few essentials and left the room. With each step I took away from them I distanced myself my emotions. I didn't even try too. My brain did it for me. It was a subconscious coping mechanism that my body had perfected for me over the years. 

I smiled as my feelings slowly washed away, though it didn't reach my eyes. My emotional numbness was just detachment it was armor. It meant I was ready for the job. It was like an old friend, familiar and reliable, carrying me through the moments I didn’t think I could face.

By the time I reached the building’s exit, the weight in my chest had lifted, leaving me cold but steady. I adjusted the strap of my backpack and stepped outside, the brisk morning air biting at my skin.

"Suki." 

I looked up at the sound of my name and found JYP waiting by the van that would take me to the spring fae kingdom. It was rare to get a send off like this. 

"Sir," I said respectfully and bowed deeply. 

JYP nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes scanning me with the same sharp, calculating intensity I’d come to expect. His posture was relaxed, hands clasped behind his back, but there was something about the way he stood—solid, unyielding—that reminded me he wasn’t just here to say goodbye.

“Straighten up,” he said curtly, and I obeyed, standing at attention.

He approached me, his gaze lingering on my face as if searching for cracks in the mask I’d carefully reconstructed. “This mission is not one you can afford to fail, Suki. You understand that, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.” He stepped aside, motioning to the van. “Your cover is solid, and everything has been arranged. You’ll be expected by noon. Do not arrive late, and do not deviate from the plan.”

“I won’t.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw something flicker there—concern, maybe, or suspicion. But it was gone before I could be sure.

“Your loyalty has never been questioned before, Suki,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. “You may hear lies, others will try to decieve you. Remember what we stand for, remember these are the people who killed your old friend." 

If I hadn't been so dissociated I would have faltered at his words. But he was right. The summer fae king killed Red and his friends in spring were a twisted part of the organization that had enslaved us. 

"Good luck Suki, do not make me question your loyalty."

The words hung heavy in the air, and I wondered if they were meant to motivate me or threaten me. I guessed the later but either way, I nodded.

I swallowed hard but didn’t falter. “I won’t, sir.”

JYP opened the van door and stepped aside, waiting for me to climb in. I did without hesitation. The door closed with a soft click, sealing me inside. JYP didn’t offer a final word or a farewell. He simply turned and walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts as the driver started the engine.

I glanced out the window, watching as JYP disappeared from view, his figure swallowed by the shadows of the early morning. His words echoed in my mind, the weight of them settling in my chest.

"Do not make me question your loyalty."

I would never be solely loyal to him, JYP's version of loyalty didn’t leave room for the things I held close. For the people who still mattered to me, like Chris, Emi, and Changbin. JYP might think he could manipulate my grief into unwavering obedience, but he didn’t understand that my loyalty didn’t belong to him. It belonged to the people I love.

The van pulled onto the main road, the cityscape stretching out before me. The driver said nothing, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, his expression blank. It was a reminder of what I had to be now—silent, invisible, a cog in the machine. 

As we sped on, the city faded into the distance as we entered the open countryside. The trees blurred past, their bare branches clawing at the sky like ghosts of the past.

I didn’t know what awaited me at the end of this road, but I knew one thing for certain.

I wouldn't fail. 

_____

"When we get out of here one day we should get matching tattooes," Red said as he laid beside me in the dead of night. 

I let out a soft laugh, the sound muffled against the quiet, oppressive air of the room. "Where is this coming from, Jisung?" I asked, turning to face him. The darkness swallowed his features, but I could just make out the faint glint of his eyes reflecting what little light filtered in through the cracks in the walls.

He shrugged, the motion barely perceptible in the gloom. "I dunno," he said, his voice quieter now, almost wistful. "It just feels like something people do, you know? To mark something important. Something that matters."

"Matching tattoos?" I teased, my smile faint but genuine. "What are we, best friends forever?"

"Maybe we are." His tone was light, but there was an edge to it, a fragility that made my chest ache. "I mean, if we survive this place, Cherry, don’t you think it deserves... I dunno, a scar we choose for once?"

The words hung between us, heavy with the weight of our shared reality. Scars were something we already had in abundance—etched into our bodies, our minds, and our souls. But this? This was different.

I reached out, my fingers brushing against his arm. "If we get out of here," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, "what would we get?"

He shuffled beside me for a quiet moment deep in thought. 

"I don't know, maybe something on our back since that were the scarring is the worst."

I nod in agreement, subconsciously moving to touch my back. The skin there is raised and discolored from all of the brutal scarring.

"We should get something delicate, a contrast to the 'artistry' thats already imbedded into our skin." I say thoughtfully. 

"Delicate?" Red echoed, his tone playful despite the weight of the conversation. "What are you thinking? Butterflies? Tiny hearts?"

I rolled my eyes, even though I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. "No, not hearts, idiot. I was thinking... flowers. Like a vine or something."

"A floral spine tattoo?" His voice lit up, excitement coloring his words, "that sounds so cute!" 

A let out a snort at his words. He was always giving me the best ammunition to tease him with. 

"Careful Jisungie, your inner twink is showing," I laugh out. 

His jaw dropped in mock offense, and before I could dodge, he smacked the back of my head—not hard, but just enough to make me yelp.

"Twink?!" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of indignation and amusement. "I’ll have you know, I’m a manly man."

"Yes you are. I know you are. You just have a little... twinkiness to go with all of your manliness," I reply, fighting to keep my giggles at bay. 

He lets out a defeated huff I can practically hear his eyes rolling back into his head. Despite his grumbling, I could see the corners of his mouth twitching, threatening to give away his smile. Moments like these reminded me of why I held onto him so tightly. Even in the darkest places, he had a way of making everything feel a little lighter.

"I hate you Cherry."

"I love you too, Red."

_____

I tap on my shoulder rips me away from my happy memories.

I'm holding a knife to the driver's neck before I am fully awake. I don't even know how the blade got into my hand, but somehow it was always there to defend me.

Thankfully it doesn't deter the man. He must be used to this by now if his job is to drive around contractors. 

I glance out the window, and sure enough, the landscape outside has shifted. The pristine, meticulously tended gardens of the Spring Fae Kingdom stretch out before me, a sharp contrast to the barren memories I’d just been reliving.

I place the blade into my backpack before I step out of the vehicle, not bothering to say a word to the driver. The cold air bites at my skin in an unwelcome fashion, my senses still sharp from the adrenaline. 

The castle is in view, probably a couple miles walk. That's enough time to regain my composure. I adjust the strap and start walking toward the direction of the castle, my eyes scanning the path ahead.

The Spring Fae Kingdom sprawls around me, its beauty both mesmerizing and suffocating. It’s a kingdom that prides itself on pristine perfection, everything curated with painstaking care. The gardens are a patchwork of vibrant colors, meticulously organized, as if each bloom is carefully placed by a delicate hand. The contrast between the gardens and the turmoil in my chest is jarring. I feel like an intruder here, like I don't belong in this world of beauty and serenity.

Despite the chilly weather, the streets of the Spring Fae villages are alive with activity. Vendors line the cobblestone paths, their colorful stalls brimming with fresh produce, vibrant fabrics, and intricate trinkets that glitter in the weak sunlight. The air is filled with the hum of chatter, laughter, and the occasional sharp call of a merchant advertising their wares.

As I shiver, I realize that these people are fae. Not humans like me. The fae around me pay no mind to the cold, their delicate features unbothered by the chill in the air. Their rosy cheeks and easy movements only emphasize the contrast between us. I pull my coat tighter around me, a small shield against the biting wind that seems intent on reminding me of my humanity—my perceived vulnerability.

A child darts past me, laughing as they chase after a rolling hoop, their small boots kicking up dust from the cobblestones. I pause for half a beat, watching them weave through the crowd. The sight stirs something deep and aching within me, but I shove it down before it can rise too far.

When I make it to the castle gates their are numerous guards standing watch. My appearance however, doesn't startle them. 

I expect suspicion, maybe even a challenge, but instead, one of the guards steps forward. His movements are deliberate, yet unhurried, as if he has already been briefed on my arrival.

"You’re expected,” he says, his voice low but clear. He gestures toward the towering gates, which creak open with a groan that echoes through the chilled air.

I nod, saying nothing, and step past him. The cold stone path beneath my boots leads to the castle’s grand entrance, its intricately carved doors looming before me. Each step feels easier than the last knowing I've finally made it. 

Inside, the opulence of the Spring Fae Kingdom becomes even more overwhelming. The halls are lined with vibrant tapestries, the air perfumed with the faint scent of blooming flowers that shouldn’t exist in this weather. The faint hum of music drifts through the space, almost too soft to hear, as though the castle itself is alive with a quiet, restrained energy.

A worker appears from a room in the hall in front of me. Its a woman and even though the distance I can tell right away she is human. 

When she sees me standing in the middle of the hallway looking like a lost puppy a large smile erupts across her face. The woman makes her way towards me and I take in her features which slowly become clearer.

She looks to be around my age, though probably a few years older. Her hair is almost the same shade of blonde is mine, but from the large bun that rests at the top of her neck I can tell its much longer. 

When she’s close enough, her smile grows even wider, crinkling the corners of her bright brown eyes. “You must be the new hire in section one,” she says, her voice lilting with genuine warmth. She holds out her hand, and I hesitate for only a moment before taking it. Her grip is firm but not overbearing, a surprising steadiness for someone who looks so delicate at first glance.

I laugh internally at my own assumptions. I should no better than anyone else what its like to be a underestimated human.

“I’m Rose, its nice to meet you Suki,” she continues, releasing my hand and gesturing for me to follow her. “Welcome to the Spring Fae Kingdom."

I smile at her and bow politely, refraining from showing my surprise at her knowledge of my name. She must had looked over my information before I arrived. 

"Thank you," I murmur, making my voice a meek whisper. 

Rose smiles comfortingly in response as if sensing unease in my voice. 

"This job may sound intense, but I assure you the prince is very kind," I act as though her words offer relief yet really they do the opposite.

Kind? That word feels absurd. If she truly believed that, then either she was delusional, or she knew far less about him than I did. The thought sends a pang of disdain through me.

"Are there many humans that work in the castle?" I question changing the topic from the fae. 

Rose beams instantly at my inquiry. Her round face lighting up at the very mention of our inferior kind. 

"Yes! Mostly humans actually," she says enthusically, "The only fae staff are the guards surprisingly."

I want to scoff at her words. Surprisingly. Though it shouldn't be a surprise. Of course the royal family trusted humans with their most intimate services, we were weak beings that they could easily control. 

"That's interesting," I reply, letting my voice drop into an almost wistful tone. "I wouldn't have expected that."

Rose misinterprets my response as genuine amazement, her enthusiasm only growing. "I know, right? But it's not so bad. Honestly, I think the fae like having us around more than they’d ever admit."

A light giggle escapes her triggering my curiosity. What was that supposed to mean?

I continue to trail behind her for a few long minutes remaining silent while she describes every detail on each wall we pass by. She has so much energy, and her whole being seems to radiate happiness. I wish it wasn't so off putting to me.

It’s not her fault, of course. Her joy isn’t something I should resent. But as I watch her point out the intricate carvings on a nearby pillar, her voice lilting with admiration, I feel the familiar pang of detachment settling over me.

People like her don’t exist in my world—not really. The people I’ve been close to, the ones I’ve let myself care for, have all lived with shadows hanging over them, weighed down by burdens they never asked for. Happiness wasn't something people I knew often basked in, yet it seemed to be Rose's entire being. 

Rose glances back at me, her smile as bright as ever. "You’re quiet," she says, her tone teasing but not unkind. "Are you taking it all in, or are you just overwhelmed?"

I force a faint smile. "A little of both," I admit, keeping my voice soft and measured.

Her laugh is light and musical, and I can tell she doesn’t take my answer as anything but genuine. "Don’t worry," she says reassuringly. "It’ll all feel normal soon enough. The castle can be a bit much at first, but once you settle in, you’ll see—it’s not so bad."

"Not so bad." 

Rose must be a very unintelligent human.

As we round one last corner, I watch as she withdraws a small key from the back pocket of her slacks. The motion is fluid, practiced, as though she’s done this a hundred times before. She presses the key into a door but removes her hand before unlocking it.

"This is your room," she says gesturing to the door in the wall, "I'll let you get settled and be back later to retrieve you for a briefing this evening before dinner."

I nod, murmuring a quiet, “Thank you,” before stepping past her and pushing the door open.

The room inside is huge. I wasn't expecting anything nearly as nice as this. With a neatly made queen-sized bed tucked into one corner and a window overlooking the bustling gardens below. Everything is clean, orderly, and strangely inviting. A faint scent of lavender lingers in the air, and a folded set of fresh clothes rests at the foot of the bed, as if to say, Welcome to your new life.

I glance over my shoulder, expecting Rose to linger, but she’s already halfway down the hall, her footsteps light and quick. She hums softly to herself as she disappears around the corner, leaving me alone with the silence of the room.

I close the door behind me and lock it, letting my guard drop slightly at the sound of the lock clicking into place. A deep breath I had been holding escapes me. I made it. 

Glancing at the fancy clock on the wall, I take a moment to read the time. When I finally make out the time I realize that its almost one. 

I should have some time to lay down after I unpack my half-empty bag. 

My backpack is quickly emptied and everything is in its new home in less than five minutes. I didn't exactly bring a lot. 

The bag, a complete change of clothes, my knife, and a faux book storage box that contained the file were all that I had. I never needed much and had gotten by with less in worse conditions than this. 

I sit on the edge of my new bed for a moment, running my fingers over the soft cotton material. 

The bed is a far cry from the cold, unforgiving floors I’ve known most of my life. Or the office's painfully old and hardened twin sized beds. Still, the softness doesn’t soothe me the way it should.

I move to the carpeted floor and lay there. It was much more comfortable and if I closed my eyes I could imagine I was somewhere else. Anywhere else. 

I didn't mean to, but I fall asleep lying on the carpet at the foot of the bed. My body, starved for rest, finally succumbs to the exhaustion I had been pushing aside. The stress I had been holding onto from my arrival had finally won. 

I dream in fragments—flashes of memories from a life long gone. I see Red's smile, the warmth of his presence before everything fell apart. Before he died. I hear the soft rustling of leaves, the faint sound of distant laughter. 

But these dreams are fleeting, like shadows that slip away the moment I try to grasp them. And thats all they will ever be. Dreams. 

[dealskoz]

Big sale  and coupons

Flipkart is back with 'Big Shopping Days' sale, here are the best deals

Flipkart has partnered with HDFC Bank to offer 10% instant discount on using bank's debit and credit cards

nanza sale: Poco F1 for Rs 18,999 & other deals on phones

Flipkart mobile bonanza sale: Check out The best deals, offers on smartphones

Flipkart mobile bonanza sle: Deals on Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Asus & more

Binny Bansal holds enough ownership threshold to retain Flipkart board seat

Walmart rushes teams to Bengaluru, help Flipkart after Binny Bansal's exit

 India's largest e-commerce firm Flipkart is back with its 'Big Shopping Days' sale. The five-day mega-sale from 15 to 19 May has brought a number of offers and discounts from various brands on appliances, smartphones, television, laptops, speakers, headphones and other products.

 The Walmart-owned online marketplace offered early access to Flipkart Plus members at 8 pm on Tuesday and for others, the sale went live at midnight.

 Flipkart has mentioned several deals and offers with price cuts and buying benefits on its official website. The e-commerce firm has partnered with HDFC Bank to offer 10 per cent instant discount on using the bank's debit and credit card and EMI transactions. The company is offering Xiaomi’s Mi TV at a discounted price alongside Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2, Nokia 6.1 Plus, iPhone XR, and more.

 Here are some of the best deals on the first day of the sale:

 Smartphones

 Under the 'Mobiles' category, Flipkart has top offers on various smartphones with attractive deals and mobile protection.

  Samsung Galaxy J6 (4GB|64GB) has got a massive price cut and will be sold at Rs 9,490. Redmi Note 7 (4GB|64GB) at Rs 11,999 and Oppo K1 (in-display Fingerprint Sensor) at Rs 14,490. Among smartphones under the ‘best price ever’ category are Nokia 6.1 Plus (16MP Selfie) at Rs 12,999 and Infinix Note 5 at Rs 8,999.

 ALSO READ: Flipkart pitches its manufacturing prowess to major electronic brands

 Asus Zenfone Lite L1, which is at Rs 6,999 will be available at a discounted price of Rs 4,999 during the sale. The Lenovo A5 will be priced at Rs 5,499, down from Rs 6,999. The ZenFone Max Pro M2 will be sold at Rs 9,999 than previous of Rs 15,999. Honor 8X will be available at Rs 14,999 as compared to its original Rs 19,999.

 Realme's recently launched budget-range smartphone, the Realme C2, will go on Flipkart website at 12 pm on Wednesday (May 15). The Realme C2 price has been set at Rs 5,999 for the 2GB RAM + 16GB storage variant, while its 3GB RAM + 32GB storage model is priced at Rs 7,999. Both options come in Diamond Blue and Diamond Black colours.

 Fashion

'Ace with the best', says Flipkart's teaser page on 'Fashion' segment which promises to offer 50-80 per cent off on over a million styles and 1,000 brands. Flipkart has set up categories Flat 80% off, Flat 70% off , Flat 60% off , and Flat 50% off to make it easy for customers to navigate through the offers. It also offers minimum 50 per cent off on women’s tops, dresses, jeans from brands such Vero Moda, Only, AND, etc. There’s also up to 70 per cent off on flats, heels and more under brands like Allen Solly, Sketchers, Sparx, among others.

 ALSO READ: Flipkart completes a year with Walmart, launches 'Supermart' in Mumbai

 Electronics

 Customers can avail a minimum 60 per cent off on speakers and headphones from Sony and JBL among other brands. Prices of Apple, Lenovo's smart wearables will start from Rs 699. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras will be sold at prices under Rs 20,000. Sale of Core i5, thin and light laptops to start from Rs 29,990.

 Flipakrt's teaser page for 'Big shopping days' shows that Mi Smart LED TV is avaliable (32-inch) at Rs 12,999 and 43-inch at Rs 21,999 with 13 and 15 per cent discount respectively.

[whentherewerebicycles]

For the -------- Workshop, I want to begin designing a unit on AIDS literature and film, which I will teach as part of a new course in LGBTQ life writing. This course introduces students to strategies that queer artists have used to connect personal experiences to communal histories, as they link autobiographical reflection to political projects of protest, coalition-building, and public mourning. Though I am still in the early stages of designing the syllabus, some prospective texts for the course include Audre Lorde’s Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, Gloria Anzaldúa’s “La Prieta,” Maggie Nelson’s The Argonauts, and Paul Monette’s Borrowed Time: An AIDS Memoir. Prospective films include Marlon Riggs’s Tongues Untied, Richard Fung’s In My Mother’s Place, and Cheryl Dunye’s The Watermelon Woman. This cross-listed English/WGS course will be taught in Fall 2018 as part of UT’s E314 suite. E314 courses are small, themed seminars of no more than 20 students, which are designed to introduce prospective students to the major or to fulfill a general education requirement for non-majors.

I have already begun incorporating inclusive pedagogical practices into the six courses I have taught in women’s, LGBTQ, and African American literature at UT, especially in the realm of assignment design. In my Fall 2016 women’s lit course, for example, students created a portfolio of five “Interpretive Mode” assignments in lieu of writing traditional literary analysis papers. One of these assignments was to create a class zine inspired by Imogen Binnie’s Nevada—a novel whose trans lesbian protagionst, Maria, uses zines to explore her identity and her place within a larger queer community. In creating their zine pages, students drew on passages from the novel as well as secondary sources like Emi Koyama’s “The Transfeminist Manifesto,” the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-V, and Twitter debates between transfeminists and trans-exclusionary radical feminists. This assignment helped students develop a richer vocabulary for discussing trans identities and a more nuanced understanding of the contemporary landscape of trans politics. They also practiced modes of collaborative creation developed within feminist zine communities, developing a project that emerged out of—and was thus responsive to—the values of the cultures they were studying.

For the Mellon workshop, I want to design an assignment that will help students engage with primary source materials in a more immersive, interactive way. When I first taught 1980s-90s AIDS lit and film in my Rhetoric of LGBTQ Politics course, I required students to write an essay analyzing a cultural artifact from this period. This assignment produced somewhat flat readings of the period, as the detached form of the analytical essay did not encourage students to delve deeper into the creative, resourceful ways in which queer activists responded to the crisis. Furthermore, while I showed them material from the rich archives of this period in class, such as the ACT-UP Oral History Project and the Visual AIDS Project, I did not integrate those resources into the assignment itself as effectively as I could have. In designing this new unit, I want to think about how I can get students to explore for themselves new forms of grassroots protest, activist art, and queer kinship that emerged during this period.

I have discovered that most of my students—even those who identify as LGBTQ—have little understanding of the devastation AIDS wrought within queer communities in the 1980s-90s, or of the fact that the disease continues to disproportionately affect communities of color in the United States today. This problem is not limited to the history of AIDS, either. Queer cultures are rarely taught as part of a standard high school curriculum, which means that there are few institutional mechanisms for transmitting knowledge about earlier LGBTQ cultures to a younger generation. I am eager for the opportunity to connect with teachers of minority literatures who are grappling with similar challenges, and to explore how the principles of inclusive pedagogy can help me design assignments that will help students forge meaningful connections between queer histories and their lived experiences.