#even a shoddy thing done with passion will always be better than an expensive sparkling gem that's performed and immediately forgotten

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aaaauuuuggghhhhh this video (warning: choi san choi sanning) is not only a great (and lethal) choi san sampler but also proves why ateez performances fuck: it's the drama, babey!!! all the stuff they've apparently been criticized for -- the shaking, the weird expressions that border on scary/possessed -- are incredibly captivating and simply fun to watch. it's interesting. i'm not going as far as to say that if you don't look at least a bit freaky then what the fuck are you doing on stage, because there's a plenty of performers that kill their audience with slow, elegant and fully controlled movements. but it's like -- there's coming out on stage to sing and dance, and there's performing a character/a story/an emotional journey. and atz very often (not always) do the latter! when the demon line lads pull those intense faces, roll their eyes, do lightning fast switches between crazy laughter and serial killer face, i can't help but think they're seeing something else besides the stage lights! there's a story, there are events, there's Stuff. it's just like playing a role. i feel i've said it before, possibly even more than once, but having lively, emotionally intense (i'm still not over inception) performances in times when earnestness is ~cringe~ is really cool.

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America’s Most Eligible 2 Diamond Scene: Dream Suite with Mackenzie

You tighten your grip on the key and go in search of Mackenzie. You catch up to her in the kitchen. You: Going my way? Mackenzie: Depends. Where are you going? You: To the Dream Suite. A slow smile spreads across Mackenzie’s face, and her eyes sparkle. Mackenzie: Lead on then. You take her hand in yours, and the two of you sneak off to the Dream Suite.

You lead Mackenzie down the hallway. Turning the key in the correct door, you walk into a luxuriously-appointed suite. You: Wow, Carson spared no expense. Mackenzie: Yeah, I really don’t want to think about Carson right now. Mackenzie shuts the door with a soft click, and in the next moment throws her arms around you and kisses you passionately, and a little breathlessly.

You: Wow, Mackenzie… -You don’t waste much time.

Mackenzie: I’ve wanted to do this all day. You can’t blame me for being a little impatient. You: Impatient? But anticipation’s part of the fun… You take Mackenzie’s hand in yours and press a kiss into her palm, gently nipping the sensitive skin of her wrist. Mackenzie’s breathing quickens.

-That was supposed to be my move.

Mackenzie: Too slow on the draw, Jamie. You: Oh yeah? You push forward until the both of you come up against the door. Pressing her wrists against the wood you return her kiss measure for measure. You can feel her pulse quicken beneath your hands.

Mackenzie: Now that’s more like it. A mischievous smile lights up Mackenzie’s face and as she takes your lower lip between her teeth, a delicious shiver runs down your back. Mackenzie: Feeling a little chilly, are we? You: Well, we did just spend the better part of the day surrounded by glaciers and ice. Mackenzie: I can think of some ways to heat things up. You: So can I.

You: Let’s warm up by… -Taking our clothes off. Mackenzie +2

Mackenzie: And that’s supposed to warm us up? I’m going to need you to demonstrate that science. With a sultry smile, you tease off your clothing with an aching slowness as you sway from side to side. A button here, a zipper there, revealing a bit more skin each time. Mackenzie: Jamie… wow… You: Is it working? Mackenzie: I’m definitely feeling a little hot under the collar. Maybe even too hot. You: You’re still wearing a collar? That’s your first mistake. Laughing, Mackenzie reaches down and sheds her clothes with remarkable speed. Mackenzie: I feel better already. Stripping down is the answer to everything. You: Aren’t I always saying that? You pull her closer until you’re skin to skin.

-Dancing together. Mackenzie +2

Mackenzie: Are you planning to let me lead? You: Have you ever done anything else? Mackenzie pulls you flush against her, her hands roaming down your back as she starts to sway sensuously from side to side. Mackenzie: Good answer. Digging her nails into your back, Mackenzie captures your mouth with hers as you continue to dance to a song only the two of you can hear.

You: Hot enough, Mackenzie? With an avid grin, Mackenzie slips out of your grasp and folds back the covers of the sumptuous four-poster bed. Mackenzie lies back against the cushions and stretches like a cat before crooking her finger at you. Mackenzie +2 Mackenzie: You tell me. You quickly slip under the sheets with her. Mackenzie: Looks like you’ve got me right where you want me.

You: I want to… -Drive you wild!

Mackenzie: I was hoping you’d say that. She moves to sit up, but you capture her mouth in a kiss. You feather more kisses along her jawline and throat as you slowly lower her back down. You: I think I’d like to lead this time. You pin her wrists above her head with one hand. Mackenzie: Mmmmm… You can certainly try. You nip at the tender skin of her shoulder, and Mackenzie shudders, flexing against your grip. Mackenzie: Try harder. You kiss her greedily, dragging your free hand down to where your bodies meet. Mackenzie: Jamie… yes… As your rhythm increases, Mackenzie begins to shake beneath you. Mackenzie: N-no fair… if I can’t touch you too… The moment you release her wrists, she hooks a leg over your hip and flips you over. You: Oh! Mackenzie: You didn’t think I was just going to take it lying down, did you? You: Silly me. Mackenzie kisses you, slowly stroking into your mouth, as she rocks against your hand. You: Mackenzie… Mackenzie: Relax, Jamie. We’re in this together. I’m not leaving you behind. She slowly snakes a hand between the two of you, and it’s your turn to tremble. Mackenzie: That’s it, Jamie… keep up with me… just like that… You strive to match Mackenzie pace for pace, and soon the two of you are quaking as pleasure rises up to overtake you…

-Cozy up with you.

Mackenzie: Sounds good to me. You pull the heavy coverlet up to your necks as Mackenzie sinks into your arms with a sigh. Her lavender-scented perfume tickles your nose. Mackenzie: On days like this, just taking a few minutes to pause and soak in the warmth feels so decadent. You: There’s a reason it’s called the Dream Suite and not the Reality Suite. Mackenzie laughs. You can feel her breaths flutter against your chest. Mackenzie: Honestly, every moment I get to spend alone with you feels like a luxury. Like a treat. You: You mean I’m a ‘snacc’? Mackenzie elbows you good-naturedly. Mackenzie: You know what I mean. Laughing, you pull her closer, and the two of you snuggle together under the warm duvet…

You stir from your doze a few minutes later as Mackenzie cradles her head on your shoulder. You: Thinking about something? Mackenzie: You might think this is a little weird, but I was thinking about partnerships. You: What? You mean, like on the show? Mackenzie nods.

-If Mackenzie is your partner

Mackenzie: Since you used your Audience Vote to bring us together into the dream team, I’ve had some time to think about it.

-If Mackenzie is not your partner

Mackenzie: Since you used your Audience Vote to settle the matter once and for all, I’ve had some time to think about it.

Mackenzie: Partnering people up might have been Carson’s best idea. You: Really? His best? Mackenzie: I’m talking about the idea itself, not Carson’s shoddy execution. Mackenzie: So many reality shows are designed to pit everyone against each other. ‘Trust no one’ is the rule. Mackenzie: But pairing people up, forcing them to get to know each other, rewarding teamwork, that changes the whole dynamic. You: I can see that. At the end of the day, you have to trust your partner, at least to some extent, if you don’t want to be Eliminated. Mackenzie: And I thought that would be the hardest part. But, barring by time with the Snake Who Shall Not Be Named, I worked really well with my partners.

You: That’s because… -You’ve always had confidence in yourself. Mackenzie +2

You: It’s easier to trust other people when you’re able to trust yourself. And you’ve never had a problem with that. Mackenzie: Why would I? I’m awesome. You: I mean it, Mackenzie. You can handle anything. Even being paired with Vi-- Mackenzie: Ah-ah-ah! You: Sorry. I mean, even being paired with the Snake Who Shall Not Be Named.

-You’ve grown since last season. Mackenzie +2

You: Remember the volleyball Challenge? Mackenzie: It still makes me cringe. I thought I could win the whole game by myself, and because of that, we almost lost. You: But you’re not that Mackenzie anymore. The way you worked with Adam and Derek kept everyone on their toes. Mackenzie: Yeah, but they’re not exactly hard to work with. You: Last season’s Mackenzie wouldn’t have admitted that, either.

Mackenzie: I was always worried that being on this show would change me. But I never imagined those changes might be for the better. Mackenzie: Actually, no. AME didn’t change me. You did.

-If you’re not dating Mackenzie

You: So I’ve rubbed off on you after all? Mackenzie: Phrasing. You: Yeesh, I walked right into that one. Eloise: What can I say? You’re a good influence on me. You’re a good person to have in my corner, Jamie.

-If you’re dating Mackenzie

Mackenzie clasps your chin in her fingers and draws you in for a kiss. Mackenzie: You challenge me every day, Jamie. To be stronger. To play smarter. To take risks. Mackenzie: You remind me what it means to be brave, Jamie, what it means to care about something bigger than myself. Mackenzie: I love the woman I am when I’m around you. And… Mackenzie: I love you, Jamie. You: You really like saying that, don’t you? Mackenzie: Shut up, you love it. You: Not as much as I love you. Mackenzie: Excuse you, I’m trying to have a moment here.

You: Come here, you. After a few more minutes of snuggling, you reluctantly sit up. You: I think we better head out in case Carson decides to give up the siege. We can’t exactly set a watch by his moods. Mackenzie: Fair point. The two of you quickly get dressed and leave the Dream Suite behind.