#fun fact: on the third loop this syncs up!

[too-many-rooks]

Alex Rider; S3 E4

soggy boy

[blackroseraven]

Fully completed Doom Eternal’s first DLC, the Ancient Gods I.

I mostly enjoyed it. MOSTLY has a GIANT ASTERISK.

Slayer Gate 2 was miserable and unfair, BUT I’m not going to concentrate on that much because it is a challenge gate and I didn’t HAVE to complete it to progress, I just really wanted to. And eventually I did it! I didn’t even use up all my Extra Lives.

The only thing I’m going to say is that they need to check their geometry and fix a few glitches, because I constantly got stuck on walls and in one case I actually got punched INTO a wall and stuck until I was murdered.

And yes, parkour. Because jumping puzzles. Why so much jumping.

The two boss fights were such absolute garbage, though. And for both of them I ended up needing Sentinel Armor for the final phase. Not because I don’t think I could have done it, but because I was getting so mad at the game and I didn’t want to completely spoil it for myself.

Like, I get it. Precision testing. And I have my auto-lock turned off because it feels like cheating to me, but that obviously would have made it easier - so don’t give me ‘git gud’ when you assholes aren’t doing full manual aiming - but doubling the charging demons at the last round of the fight just makes it tedious. And does it have to again be on a platform above a giant abyss?

And the eye attacks slow you. Why is this a thing they felt was necessary? I get it. The enemies “work together” to kill you - eyes slow you, fast demons catch up - but it makes it feel unbalanced by the third round of the fight because you get tapped, and you literally can’t escape. It would be one thing if the eyes stayed in sync with each other, but they don’t.

Getting rid of a single eye, getting rid of the slow effect, not doubling the demons, hell, even just putting a small delay on their respawning, that would make it all far less tedious. My complaint isn’t even the difficulty, really, it’s just that it kills the pacing of the game: I spend more time trying to run away than I do shooting at anything.

Spirits are FRUSTRATING, but I’m not going to say they’re entirely unfair or even an unwelcome addition. Same goes for the Blood Makyrs. I think the deficit with both of them is that they suddenly decided they wanted these new enemies EVERYWHERE, so encounters end up unbalanced and lopsided because ‘hey what if we threw them in here too?’

Which brings us to the final boss.

Because of COURSE they had to find a way to work in the brand new enemies.

Like, here’s a thing about boss phasing. Checkpoints between phases? Excellent! 

Making it so that in an autosave game you can whoopsie-doodle and end up saving at a checkpoint with only a few hitpoints? Not so great.

And four phases? Like. Phase I, fine, introduces the boss. Phase II, something different .Phase III, frustrating, but still relatively fair. Phase IV? Extremely frustrating when you combine everything into a messy potpourri with two of the most-loathed enemies in the game, further buffed by Spirits you have to kill.

And that’s not even counting the annoying intermission phase where he just runs away and sends Cacodemons after you which... feels. Really out of place.

Why and how is he summoning demons, anyway? He’s not a demon himself.

I know, it’s DooM, don’t try and think about “sense” or “story” elements.

Which I’m not going to comment on because, again, I’m not playing the game for lore or story and I don’t want to try and defend why I enjoy it, as dissecting the storyline will make it sound like I really hate it.

I think the thing that really throws me off is that this whole game is about the “combat loop,” and these new enemies and the boss fights are designed around interrupting your loop as much as possible. And people have defended this by saying “well the game can’t just do the same thing over and over again” but like. Why not? 

I’m not playing a strategy game. I’m playing a game specifically catering to my desire to RIP and TEAR. I want to shoot demons. That is literally what I’m playing the game for, and the enjoyment of slaughtering my enemy in a variety of different ways. 

Again, it’s not the difficulty I’m criticizing, at least not entirely. I got really frustrated with the Slayer Gate but it was always with the glitchiness. If I can overcome a Spirit-enhanced Marauder at the end of three cruelly-designed waves I can goddamn well say I am decent at the game and I don’t mind a challenge.

It’s the fact that this design works against the tenets the game has established and, in a DLC - not the game proper, on top of everything else - it wants you to do what you haven’t done for the entire game. And don’t tell me “Well the Icon of Sin” or something like that because that final battle was based around surviving the chaos of the mobs of demons rushing you and the Icon itself is largely an afterthought that you pump some rounds into now and then.

I enjoy the game. I enjoy the challenge. And I think they had a lot of good ideas. But there’s a fundamental difference in what makes some of these ideas good that leads to these unbalanced challenges and problems with pacing, where you’re being asked to try and handle too much at once and it makes things tedious rather than enjoyable.

It was mostly fun, though, and in spite of how mad it made me at times I never felt like just giving up or stopping entirely. But I absolutely did just run out patience with those fights in particular, and I think some encounters might need some reworking.

[absentlyabbie]

summer fling anon here (no points to me for reading comprehension, it seems!). as for ship, dealer's choice (but always love flommy, if the muse takes you there!)

lol but you get points for getting back to me so it evens out

–

it happens the summer before felicity graduates from college.

she’s offered an internship over the summer from queen consolidated, a move that tells her they’re likely to offer her a job once she completes her dual degrees. there have been other companies, other offers, but queen consolidated is the only internship that pays. scholarships and her loan cover school, but off terms mean going home to vegas–to her mom–because a three month apartment lease in boston is more expensive than a part time job waiting tables would ever cover.

so she accepts the job, the company-provided studio apartment, and the plane ticket, and makes her excuses to donna that the internship is crucial to her job placement opportunities.

(it’s not. she’s going to have her pick of companies after graduation, and she knows it. but the idea of returning to the sweltering, glitzed up city of her birth, to whatever tiny little apartment donna’s in now with an a/c that probably only sometimes works, cramped together with her mom and her mom’s bad dates and long hours and brittle-bright questions and suggestions for how felicity should dress and do her make up and who she should flirt with… it’s enough that she’d probably have chosen one of the unpaid internships elsewhere and just taken on an afterhours job, if qc hadn’t offered so plumb an out.)

so to starling city she flees, ready to explore and be someone else for three months, to try on an idea of the future, of where she might work and live and who she might become.

the work is fun, if not as challenging as she might like. the internship was for their it and cyber security division, and it could be steady work, and if she chooses qc, she could probably play her cards right to secure a transition to the research and development department, where all the cool new toys and programs get made on the cutting edge of tech and science.

the downside is that her fellow interns all seem to click–but not with her. it’s a familiar problem, and felicity can’t pretend she’s surprised even if she is disappointed. she’s used to not fitting in, to not quite knowing how to connect, to making awkward or downright bad first impressions as her nerves and her mouth run away from her. now as in college, even among nerds she struggles to feel she belongs. it doesn’t help she’s younger by all of them by about two years, and only just legal to drink.

so after hours she finds herself with too much free time and no one to spend it with. she’s explored all the coffee shops and bookstores nearby, checked out the cute deli bistros and found where to get the best matzo ball soup. all alone.

she’s had about enough of it almost three weeks in, and now the work week is over and the other interns are planning an evening out clubbing and they may be talking near her but they’re not talking to her. it takes summoning all her courage to blurt out, butt in: “i love to dance. can i come?”

she of course breaks in when it’s most awkward to do so, and the conversation is stiff and uncomfortable all around–but they invite her along. it’s enough. of course it is. by the end of the night, she promises herself, they’ll all be friends.

only they’re not. she feels like a tag-along from bar to club to second club, and she knows her hair and makeup are right and her heels are high and her dress is hot–she’s not donna smoak’s daughter for nothing–but looking the part still doesn’t make her fit. she talks and no one listens, she volunteers information about herself and someone changes the subject, she asks questions, but someone else is louder.

it’s not malicious. it’s just not… right.

and then they leave without her.

she doesn’t think they did it on purpose. there’s only five of them altogether, and two were already drunk by the second club and a third was on the way. maybe they all left as a group, maybe they all went their own ways. the result is that almost an hour into the third location she’s fended off drinks from strangers and made two circuits of the dance floor and she hasn’t seen any of the other interns in at least twenty minutes.

she’s alone, she realizes. chooses to accept. goes back to the dance floor and throws herself into the music, works up a sweat. when she has to shimmy away from a second pair of aggressive hands and hips, she retires to the bar for hydration.

the guy on the stool next to the one she chooses seems to notice her when she arrives but, blessedly, doesn’t try to engage with her. the bartender serves up her water, and she finds herself in companionable silence–or the variety of that with thumping bass and periodic drunken shrieking–with the guy in the crisp blue button up that matches his eyes.

she doesn’t remember, later, how they start talking, or who said something first. it might have been her being startled by the bartender’s flirting as he pushes at her a complimentary basket of fries, or it might be him having a brief, falsely cheerful conversation on his cell phone and scowling after hanging up.

he ends up sharing her fries as she tells him about the not-friends who left her, and he tells her about the actual friends who left him to go make out somewhere else. they complain back and forth for a while and–there it is. the surprising connection, the feeling of familiarity, like he’s someone she didn’t know she knew.

it helps that he’s a little awkward, like her, cracking some jokes so bad they loop back to being funny, even sticking his foot in his mouth. (it’s charming the way his ears turn red when he blushes.)

it also helps that he is, in fact, really, really hot.

“tommy,” he tells her, offering his hand.

grinning, she takes it. “felicity.”

he doesn’t shake her hand, instead using it to pull her to her feet with him. “let’s dance.”

and they do. and he’s good at it. so is she–of course she is, she spent too much of her childhood with showgirls and casino dancers to not get some good guidance on how to move well. but his feet don’t trip or step on hers and his hips move in sync and his hands are always just the right touch, the right pressure, never roaming too much or clinging or grasping.

it’s good. it’s fun. they dance and laugh, and then they just dance. it’s strange, both unexpected and yet inevitable when the charge goes from sheer fun to sparking.

their bodies get closer, and the way they sync begins to feel like a promise of other rhythms, other friction. the heat simmers, touch lingers. the first kiss feels less like the first than one that had somehow already begun, just one of many. when it intensifies to the point they’re no longer dancing, they stop, pull back–

and she suggests calling a cab. he asks, “your place? or mine?” on the sidewalk outside the club, as the cool night’s breeze does nothing to chill their fire.

she chooses her little rented room, and they barely make it through the door before they’re pulling at clothes, tasting the salt on each other’s skin.

they set quick boundaries, laughingly ask the right questions, and tumble into bed. it’s good. better than good. 

after, they end up talking. they keep it light. she doesn’t talk about home. he doesn’t talk about that sad flash in his eyes when he mentioned his friends who left him at the club for each other. they talk about the things they like, the dumb things that annoy them, their favorite movies and tv shows and books and music.

“this was perfect,” she says quietly, in a brief lull. “i needed this.”

her embarrassment is quick. “not in a weird way! it’s just been lonely being here, not knowing anybody, and you’ve been, i mean, just really fun, and that was perfect.”

he laughs. “i know. i know what you mean. i needed this, too.” and then he pins her to the mattress again, grinning. “but this was pretty perfect too, by the way.”

a little later, in the quiet, they agree that they’d like to do this again. that this was what they needed in all the right ways. fun. light. a good connection and a good time. they exchange phone numbers but not last names, and make plans to meet up again.

over the next several weeks, felicity sees tommy many more times. she doesn’t tell him where she’s interning, or what school she’s going to, only that it’s back east. he doesn’t tell her about his family, or his friends, or what he does for work or school. they explore restaurants and take in shows, go dancing and drinking and watch movies at her little one room apartment. she likes that they keep what’s between them there, because it’s a temporary place that doesn’t say too much about her, and going to his place would say too much about him.

it’s so easy. she doesn’t know if they’re friends or just lovers, but it feels like both. a summer fling. it’s not a Thing with a capital T. they both know she’ll be leaving, and that this will end when she does. they’ve agreed to delete each other’s numbers when the time comes.

and mostly it’s just that simple. fun and connection and funny stories and good food and really great sex. every now and then, she has to stop herself from spilling something too real, too personal, too vulnerable, the warmth of his skin against hers and the beat of his heart under her cheek, the night dark and gone soft with quiet, it’s almost too tempting to whisper more, to share more and ask for more.

sometimes, the brush of his fingers down her arm before he takes her hand on the street, the fond sparkle of his eyes over a candlelit restaurant table, it makes her pulse race in a way that’s not wholly about the physical attraction. sometimes, when he looks at her and it lingers, and the smile on his lips has gone small or just gone, she thinks maybe he’s doing it too, holding back secrets behind his teeth that want out, holding back feelings that want to take root and weave the connection into deeper, more sustaining ground.

but it’s just fun.

it’s just a fling.

they manage to keep hold of the lines they drew at the start all the way to the end, no matter the close calls. it ends fondly, but it’s still an end, so there’s always a sting.

tommy walks away with his phone to his ear and the name “oliver” teasing and light and secretly weighted on his lips.

felicity gets on the plane to boston and deletes his number but not the photos they took. over the next year, through the fall and into winter and out through spring, sometimes when she gets lost in the flow and switch of the code, she finds herself with the hum of that song he liked to sing in the shower on her lips.

after she accepts the leather-bound diploma and returns the cap and gown, she opens her email to see the offer from queen consolidated. it’s still IT. the dollar figure isn’t quite as high as a couple of other offers. but, she tells herself, she still liked their research and development department better than the others. she still thinks she could make her way in IT, earn a transfer to real challenges, real excitement.

and she already knows so much about the city.

so she writes her acceptance response, opens an apartment finder website, and looks forward to the arrival of summer.

[beanzybrandon]

ABSOLUTE CHAOS WITH PRETTYMUCH (Walmart Ver.)

• the boys are wild enough as is so things are bound to get worse when it's obscenely late at night and their minds and bodies aren't quite synced • like, the day has been long and they know that they should sleep but their minds are racing and it's prettymuch (hehe) straight adrenaline coursing through their veins • when they're by themselves it really isn't that much of an issue and it probably makes them more productive than usual, but when you throw them all in the same room, one of three things happen • ‎they're either collectively more productive and churn out a surprising amount of work, they're as cracked out as they come and prettymuch (sksks) destroy the house, or some combination of the two • ‎tonight its the second option • ‎you showed up around eight for a movie marathon, and as the night progressed things got more and more chaotic • ‎obscene amounts of caffeine and sugar had been consumed, and by the time you got around to the third movie in your list, it had been noted that you guys had run out of snacks • ‎and what kind of movie marathon doesn't have quality snacks? • ‎an absolute trash marathon, that's what kind • ‎you had offered to run to the store on your own to buy some more, but the boys were quick to interject, stating that you wouldn't be able to get everything that everyone wanted • ‎before you had the opportunity to point out that you cOULD if you made a list, everyone was getting up and growing on their jackets and shoes, filing out to the car • ‎let's just say that the drive to the store was not an easy one. how do out get six people from point a to point b in a vehicle that can really only comfortably fit four or five people? magic, that's how • ‎given the tight fit, you figured it would be best to stop at the nearest store • ‎which just so happened to be walmart • ‎things were fine enough at first. everyone had taken off in separate directions so that they could find their favorite snacks, and it truly seemed as if you'd be able to get in and out without issue • ‎it wasn't long before this notion fell flat on its face, though • ‎you were in the chip aisle, silently mulling over what you wanted when something rather large and oddly shaped moved in your peripheral • ‎you turned to see what it was but saw nothing. when you turned back to the array of chips that lay before you, you saw that same strange object passed once more • ‎when you turned this time, you kept tour gaze forces on the end of the aisle, determined to see whatever it was that passing by • ‎ sure enough, the strange object passed by again mere moments later you were surprised to see that it wasn't, in fact, some strange machine or some sort of monster, but a shopping cart filled with humans • ‎and by humans, I mean zion and edwin • ‎you know that vine where that dude is pushing his friends around in the shopping cart?? the one where they're mimicking the infamous titanic pose while "my heart will go on" plays in the background? • ‎yeah, that's exactly what's going on here.  Austin is pushing them around and singing very loudly and very off key • the real kicker?‎ • zion was rose in this situation • ‎you chased after them, frantically whisper yelling for them to get out of the cart. cameras were everywhere and getting thrown out of walmart at 2:30 wasn't on your list of things to do • ‎it went without saying that they weren't exactly complying with your wishes • ‎in fact, they ran from you. • ‎zion and edwin sat, shifting about so both of their bodies kind of fit in the basket. austin was nearly sprinting at this point, laughing through labored breaths • ‎it wasn't until they went to turn the corner at the end of the aisle that they stopped • ‎and even then it wasn't by choice • ‎when they moved to go down the next aisle, austin clipped a small piece of metal that protruded from one of the shelves. it was an easily correctable mistake, but the combined weight of zion and edwin had shifted to the left and forced the handle of the cart out of austin's grasp. • ‎it hit the ground with a thud so loud that you were sure everyone within a twenty aisle radius had heard it. • ‎the boys didn't stick around for long, scrambling off the minute they gained their footing to avoid your wrath. • ‎you stopped near the frozen foods, doubling over as you tried to catch your breath. a familiar voice caught your attention, and before you knew it you were off again, trying to find one of your - hopefully behaving - friends • ‎your hopes were dashed rather quickly • ‎you had come to conclude that the voice you heard belonged to brandon, but it began to fade rather quickly • ‎hoping to talk to him, you followed the sound, eventually finding yourself in the clothing section • he went quiet, and you were afraid that you had lost him until you heard some suspicious rustling and the slap of clothing hitting the floor • ‎you silently inched closer, peaking between racks to see what was going on • ‎it was brandon, sure enough • ‎what was he doing, you ask? • ‎redressing some of the mannequins • ‎let's just say it's a good thing he decided to do music and not fashion. • he had just stripped one the mannequins and was now beginning to redress it, pulling different items from nearby sections. • he attempted to had slipped a pair of shorts that were easily four sizes too small up its legs. they didn't even come close to fitting. • brandon had also tried throwing a flannel on the oversized doll that stood before him, but something had gone seriously wrong, and the arms of the mannequin slipped out of place and down the sleeves, making them look horrendously long • a nightmare on wheels, man. • or heels, rather. he must have stopped in the shoe section before making his way over here because the mannequin was sporting some neck-breaking heels. well...one heel the other was a flat •  the heel was strappy and blue, by all means, a very cute shoe the other shoes, a flat, was far too large and looked like something his grandmother would wear • it was so large, in fact, that the only thing keeping it in place was the fact that the mannequins foot was slightly curved at the toe. • to complete the look, he had opened a wig (from where he had got it, you would never know) and had placed it on the mannequins head, a large cowboy hat resting on top of the matty red locks. • brandon stood back, hands on his hips as he admired his work •  "beautiful." • "absolutely stunning," you snickered • he whirled to face you, eyes blowing wide. a slightly embarrassed flush dusted itself across his cheeks. • "how long have you been here?" • "long enough." • wanting to avoid any more awkwardness, he slowly backed away. when there was a sufficient amount of distance between the two of you, he turned and booked it. • at this point, you could only imagine where nick was and what he was doing • honestly, you didn't even want to question it • you shook your head, making your way back toward the front of the store so that you could pay for the snacks you had managed to grab and go wait in the car • you had almost made it to the registers when the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps reached your ears • before you could do so much as turn and see who was coming up behind you, you were being picked up and thrown over someones' shoulder, snacks hitting the floor • you went to scream, but nick's voice rang out before you could, setting you somewhat at ease. • "come on, we need your help with something." • "with what?" • "something." • that alone was enough to have your anxiety kicking into overdrive again • he carried you to the front of the store and, given that you were so close to the doors, you assumed he was going to carry you back out to the door • it became apparent very quickly that this was nOT the case. • he stopped just short of the doors, depositing you in the basket of the electric carts housed near them. • you immediately went to climb out, but one of your belt loops had snagged on something and had rendered you immobile • nick made himself comfortable on the seat, pretending to rev the cart up. • he was zooming off in no time, weaving through foot traffic as he made his way toward the camping section • the rest of the boys had already collected there, two more carts resting nearby. they were chatting amongst themselves as they looked through the fishing gear • after a bit of deliberation, several rods were picked out. given that you were still unable to get out of the cart, nick had to pick one out for you. • after handing it over, he returned to his seat • the others partnered up, brandon and edwin climbing in their respective cart baskets while zion and austin sat down and got to driving. • you, of course, still had no idea what the heck was going on but saw no reason to complain • this wasn't the weirdest thing that had happened tonight, after all • the six of you drove up and down nearby isles, getting a feel for everything that was there • when it felt as if you had a pretty good idea of what was there and where it was, the real fun began • the boys began to "fish" for things, judging one another on who managed to bring in the best haul (or knock over the most stuff because there weren't real hooks on the end of the lines and it was surprisingly difficult to grab anything with the plastic ones that they had found) • figuring this was the least chaotic thing that had happened thus far (and you had done a lot more observing than participating) you figured you might as well join in • the six of you continued on like this for nearly fifteen minutes, screaming as you tried to haul things over the shelves and into the car. • by the time security got over to you guys, the aisles were littered with various boxes and odd items (clothing, accessories, decorations, stuffed animals...you name it, it was on the floor) • seeing the officer coming down the aisle, you all scrambled • you were still stuck though...so zion practically had to yank you out of the cart and then sprint out of the store with you balanced precariously in his arms • you all piled breathlessly back into the car, silence falling over the six of you • after a few moments, you all burst out laughing, the intensity of it making your stomach hurt and your eyes begin to water • the trek back home was shirt yet fun, full of jokes and you poking fun at one another • when you finally got back to the house, you all trekked back inside and collapsed onto the couches, feeling significantly less energized than you had at the store • you grabbed the television remote, ready to pick up where you had left off in your marathon • then it hit you • "did anyone manage to grab some snacks?" • "no..." came austin's timid response • "should we go back?" brandon chimed • "do you think they'd ever let any of us step foot in there again?" edwin snorted • "....no...." • "we'll just postmates something," zion said simply, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "what do y'all want?' • when you finally agreed on what to buy and the food and been delivered, you fell back into your movie, relishing in one another's company as you half-watched what was playing

[nighttimepixels]

Heyhey Night! I have a buncha questions after seeing all your animations and they're just so cool so! I hope this is ok!! Can u animate normally too, or only pixel? Not that that's bad, just wondering! What's ur preferred kinda animation? Do u prefer lipflaps or lipsyncs? What's the hardest part of the animation process?? What's ur favorite?? Any part u don't like? What's a thing people don't see that u put a lotta time into? Do u have a fave animation u've done? Thank u btw for all ur art!!

Oh stars, okay, yeah- I’m happy to answer all these!! I’ll break them up so it’s easier to read X) And awww geez thank you so much for your support, sweet anon! It really makes my day when people say they like anything I’ve made, and stars knows it’s all the more true with the sweet sweet time sink that is animation   (´•̥̥̥\\ヮ\\•̥̥̥` )

I’ll also put this under a cut since it gets a bit long :)

Can u animate normally too, or only pixel?

This one cracks me up a little, don’t worry about it XD I totally can! In fact I enjoy it a lot - and... gods, animation software is a nightmare and a half, to be honest. That’s the biggest hurdle.

I do just straight up love pixel art and the aesthetic I can achieve with it, but I do at times miss ‘normal’ (non pixel?) animation, heh. Especially sound-syncing! I do all my pixel art in Asesprite which imo is the best pixel art program, not to mention made by an actual pixel artist - buuuut it doesn’t have a sound file option. Which makes sense! Er, frankly, most pixel artists wouldn’t... use it to animate like I do? More for games, or for looping gifs? So I can’t complain much, it makes a lot of sense that it’s a low dev priority.

Now, when it comes to other animation programs... I’ve tried a lot. Unfortunately, the ones that are preferable for the feel I like are either way out of budget (stares at TVPaint in the distance) or... well, have too high a learning curve for my single-person workflow, really. (OpenToonz, sigh...) And a lot of the free programs are good for getting a start in animation, but once you get to a certain point you really feel the limitations (whether it’s workflow, sound import, exports, trying to make something more finished than a rough...).

Then... there’s animation programs I just don’t like, and a lot of those are angled towards bone-style animations (nothing wrong with those, they just don’t fit my style? and are too much time investment for a single artist to output more quickly...), or are, well, freakin’ Adobe Animate.

I... gods, I do not like Animate (formerly Flash). And I made a whole 2 minute+ animation in it a couple years ago! (It’s very rough and bad and doesn’t make sense, pfff, not gonna link it XD) It’s... clunky, and vector oriented, and freaking lines don’t go where I want them too, and it tries to predict too much?? It’s hard to put to words, gah. For me, my animation style would be much more... raster oriented. Flow, hand drawn inbetweens, yaddayadda. Animate’s great for... plenty of things, but not for that kind of animation. There are far better animators than I who make it work with freakin’ aplomb though! So really, it’s just my taste, haha.

.... Er, that got long! I’ll cut off more rambling about animation software and tl;dr boil it down to “I love animating period, but turnaround is something I have to keep in mind as a freelancer, as well as budget, and my current focus is pixel animations for a number of reasons.” X)

What's ur preferred kinda animation?

I’m not exactly sure what this one means! Between pixel and non-pixel? Er, they both have their pros and cons, so I couldn’t say! But if I have to break down my current animations into categories, I’d say I have cutscenes, loop environments, and the broad game-like animations...

The first would be something like this animation feat. teasing Edge, the second would be something like this one with skesgo’s Starlan and Cinnamon, and the third is... everything else! From headsprite loops to ‘small’ characters running and so on.

Honestly, they’re all a lot of fun for different reasons! Cutscenes are generally the most challenging, but they give me the chance to push my limits and try and pull off something cool, whether I’m having to conserve frames (to keep the cost of a commission down) or whether I’m going more all out (which is a pricey commission, or a fun personal project, lol).

Loop environments are their own challenge - it may not look like it, but I put a lot of thought into how to make them look as natural as possible! From timing of talking characters, to where to place a blink, to exactly how many frames it’ll take to ‘soften’ a motion (so people aren’t just snapping between major poses) and so on - it takes... a lot of time to animate even simple scenes well, so I do a lot of mental math on how I can keep things affordable when someone approaches me for a commission. And frankly, I totally undercharge;; but I do my best!

Game-like animations are just fun. They range, they’re silly, to intense (I’ve animated fight animations before for game concepts), to indulgent, and beyond! Headsprites are always a delight, especially if I get to push the expression X) and I love tiny things (I mean... I am a pixel artist...) so getting to make lil tiny babs even just walking can be fun - and also, a lot more time consuming than you might thing, esp if you wanna make it smooth, like this lil Frisk I did last month or so:

Do u prefer lipflaps or lipsyncs?

oTL

B... both??

Okay, lipsyncing basically is very time consuming. AND, I freakin’ love it. I love puzzles, and when it boils down to it, that’s what super fun & expressive lip syncing is (some Ghibli animations are the heckin’ best for this)...

and, I’m a pixel artist, without sound-syncing capabilities in her main art program oTL Yeah, I can export frames and line them up and check but... gods, it’s so time consuming. I’ve tried it out of desperation - but for even five seconds of sound (sayyyyy a lil Vine...) that’s hours upon hours of transferring back and forth just to check.

So even though I love lipsyncs, they’re too time-consuming (and ergo, if I’m being commissioned, often too expensive) to do often! Someday I’d like to get back to doing them more often, but for now, practically I stick to/’prefer’, in the loosest terms, to do lipflaps. For the layman, this is that ‘two frame’ (maybe three) open-closed style of animating mouths- however, I’m working on ways to keep that style, but make it more expressive! It depends on the project - and in commissions, I’ll pretty much always prioritize giving the client a little more body animation than mouth animation, unless it’d really fit what they’ve requested.

What's the hardest part of the animation process??

.... damn, this is a tough one! Sometimes I’d say it’s the initial concept work - but it depends on what I have to work with. Sometimes that parts a breeze - and honestly freeing, bc I can take the time to try and push what I’ll do with it!

Roughing is one of my favorite parts, tbh. It can be tricky, sure, but getting to go from keyframes to in-betweens & smears to adding the flairs of secondary motion (think hair swishing, or coats flaring, etc) is so exciting and satisfying.

From there it’s all refining, and tweaking...

Hm. Honestly, the hardest is probably the initial cleanup and lining. It’s cool to see it come together, but it feels so much slower, and it can drag - and then you find bits that actually don’t translate well from the rough stage, so you have to go back and rework, and oof it can just drag in this phase, heh. Plus, I’m always tempted to add more frames, but it’s not always realistic - I’m a perfectionist, to say the least, so I’m constantly having to leash myself back so I don’t turn a project into a half-a-year undertaking, pff.

What's ur favorite??

Probably gave myself away talking about the roughing stage X) It’s just loose and fun and free! But seeing it all come together is also damn satisfying too, so that’s not to say I don’t like the refining portions either...

Outside of that, I also really like the beginning of the color stage! .... Before having to translate shadows/highlights to each and every frame *shudders*. That gets tedious, but it’s so critical! Anyways, though, I heckin’ love colors. I always have a rough palette in mind at the start of the process, but I go ham and play with it as a little break and a true test when I get to actual slap together a full frame with full color, highlights/shadows included! It’s exciting, like a preview of the finished product, basically :D

Any part u don't like?

Heh, by the time I get to shadows/highlights, I tend to be getting impatient, I suppose. It’s not that I don’t like it - I definitely highly value it, and if it was the only thing I was working on in an animation that’d be different, but as a one-woman team I’m just raring to be done at that point; it’s very nearly the last thing I do, after all, so it’s a struggle to focus. X)

I suppose one that always gets me is more complicated backgrounds. It’s a work in progress, as I’m getting better and finding the fun in them for sure! But I’m still not where I want to be in translating ‘background concept’ to ‘finished background’ - it feels more stiff than my animations, I guess. So it’s a frustrating part... but hey, it’s part of it! And learning to embrace the challenge is a big help.

... I just always have to make sure I have a big cup of coffee and a good jam playlist going when I sit down to do ‘em, in the meantime.(=▿= ||||)

What's a thing people don't see that u put a lotta time into?

Definitely the coloring. This goes for both backgrounds and the animated characters themselves. It’s... never as simple as it looks? It’s time consuming, and while some parts of frames can be copy-pasted, I also put subtle work into the animations that mean that some pixels are off so it ends up being marginally faster to just recolor, but then there’s shadows, and working in pixels means that if I miss one then there’s a flickering pixel mid-animation, and sometimes there’s an unconnected line and then you bucket fill the whole damn thing, and gods know I’ve got colored lines so I have to be exacting with keeping the same ratios highlighted vs darker in shifting frames...

*deep breath*

... Yeah, basically the coloring is super time consuming. And balancing bg coloring with animated elements in the image itself is a whole extra challenge on top of that. For 99% of my animations, I can damn near guarantee I’ve spent at least twice as much time coloring it as I have animating it.

Do u have a fave animation u've done?

*looks at my goblin hoard of animations in horror like I’ve been asked to choose a favorite child*

... Stars above, I can’t choose! I love them all, and at this point a good portion of them are commissions- it wouldn’t feel right to choose!

*...carefully covers the hoard’s metaphorical ears*

... also, that said, I can admit a soft spot for any of them that involve humor. I tend to get to do extremely expressive faces and action there, even if I have to ration the frames, so it turns out really fun X)

And though rough and I’ve definitely done stuff I’m more proud of, I still crack up at this one I did a while back of the nonsense ‘ass’ joke between Red & Stretch... their faces were too much fun XD I’ve gotten waybetter since then though, Big Oof, I see so many things I can fix; might go back and redo it someday.

Honestly, though, I just freakin’ love animating! They all have their ups and downs andI always put a lot of love into them and find a way to have fun with it and try to push any emotion/theme (when applicable). I like to think it shows, but idk, that’s something I have to leave up to you guys X)

[iggys-sous-chef]

Happy Birthday

to my lovely friend @amakai I hope you have a wonderful day, my dear!

I wrote this for her as a gift, but I hope anyone else who reads this finds it enjoyable as well. [If you like King Noct and the idea of him stripping then you just might]

Noctis x fem!reader Word count: 3869

The blindfold over her eyes stripped her of her sense of sight, but she could still hear, and the sound of her two friends laughing and whispering was quite unsettling. They had taken her to her favorite place for lunch, and then to the movies, all at their expense of course. The birthday girl couldn't very well be shelling out credits for her own special day.

She thought that would be the end of it, but then they'd produced a few gifts that had been stashed in the trunk of the car - the final one being the blindfold. She heard the doors close and the engine come to life, and another whispered comment that she couldn't make out.  Pursing her lips, she crossed her arms over her chest, sulking. “I hate you both.”

“But we love you.” One of them retorted.

“Trust me, you're going to love this,” the other chimed in.

“Do I really need the blindfold? I don't like it,” she murmured as she reached for it.

“Yes!” they both exclaimed and then laughed. “You won't have to wear it for long.”

“I promise,” the other sweetly added in a way that made her skeptical.

Some music came on then, an upbeat rock song that had them all singing along, but she still couldn't help but feel a bit nervous - not being able to see where they were or know where they were going.  A short while later the car slowed and came to a stop. The doors opened and closed and then the backseat door was opened and a hand took her outstretched one.

She let her friend help her from the car, and then her other arm was hugged and a stern “No peeking" was issued her way.

She grumbled, but allowed them to lead her along. “Okay, we've got some steps going up.”

She sighed then, feeling a bit anxious. “This better be worth it,” she muttered only to be met with laughter and reassurance that it would, in fact, be worth it.

Their footsteps echoed as they entered a building, both of her friends humming some song as if they were speaking their own language. She felt totally out of the loop and was ready to just tear the blindfold off when she was told they were about to enter an elevator, that they were almost there. So she endured a bit longer, clutching onto one of her friend's arms as the elevator lurched into its stop a few moments later.

She was led from the elevator and down another corridor. There was a clicking sound and she was taken further into a room. She heard the door close behind them and then she was taken around and pushed down to sit in a chair. With a huff she gripped the edge of the chair. “What's going on? Where are we?”

A voice not belonging to either of her friends, but familiar all the same, echoed clear as a bell in the chamber. “Right on time, ladies, thank you.”

“You're welcome, Your Majesty,” one of the girls replied with an obvious smile in her voice. Her other friend patted her shoulder and whispered, “Have fun,” before they turned and walked out.

The door closed heavily behind them, the sound echoing as much of a warning as a promise. She smiled a little. “Noctis… can I take this damned thing off now?” she asked as she lifted her hands.

“No,” he commanded, his voice resounding like the crack of a whip and she froze. “Not yet at least…” he amended, voice quieter now that he had stopped her in time.

Her hands fell into her lap and she squirmed in the chair a bit. “Okay…” she whispered. She could feel his gaze upon her, wondered how intense his eyes must look for his stare to burn her skin in this way.

She heard him approach, the steady thud of each step as he came closer, circled around her. She could smell him, his cologne - earthy like parched land after a thunderstorm, and crisp. His hands, warm and strong, settled on her shoulders.

His beard lightly scratched her neck as his mouth lingered near her ear.  “I've been thinking about what to get for you for your birthday. But I knew that no matter the gift you would've insisted I didn't have to get it for you.”

Being blindfolded somehow made his voice seem sexier, huskier against the shell of her ear. The breath caught in her throat and she felt the beginning of a shiver drop down her spine. “Well,  it's true. You do know me…”

“Which is why I've chosen this gift instead. I'll give you a guess as to what it is first,” he teased. “You get three yes or no questions, and then a guess.”

She went with the obvious question first. “Is it something you bought?”

His head leaned in to the other side of her face, breath hot against her ear as he replied softly, “No.”

There was that damned shiver again, goosebumps breaking out down her arms. “Did you… make it?”

Back to the other side, he hummed, his lips sweeping gently along the shell of her ear. “If you’re expecting a macaroni picture you'll be sorely disappointed.”

“That wasn't a yes or no,” she pouted, fighting the smile that was threatening to take over.

“Well, I suppose the answer to that would be… yes.”

Pondering the answers so far, she weighed her third question. “Is it something I can touch?”

She could practically hear the smile in his voice as his hands smoothed up both sides of her neck, cupping her face under her jaw, his index fingers tilting her head back. “Technically… yes, but not at first.” His lips kissed the outer edges of hers. “Care to guess?”

How was she supposed to have any idea with those cryptic answers.  He kinda maybe made it? You could touch it, but you couldn't? What the hell? She shrugged, feeling at a total loss. “I got nothing.”

He chuckled as he removed his hands from her face, letting the drag of his fingers over her cheeks linger. “I could give you 50 questions and you'd never guess it.”

“One more question then,” she countered.

Noctis hummed in exaggeration and then sighed.“It is your birthday, so… go ahead.”

“Is it something I can take with me?”

He pondered it for a moment before deciding. “Yes… the memory of it at least.”

Ugh that confused her even more. “Dammit Noct!” she playfully growled at him.

He chuckled, the sound oh so pleasing and filling her with warmth. “Do you give up?”

She pouted but conceded with a nod, and then she could hear him walk away. His steps swiftly returned a few moments later and then he said, “When the music starts, you can take off the blindfold.”

Confusion at his words swept over her in the few quiet moments that followed. Just what exactly was he up to? Her heart beat in nervous anticipation and then a bass line dropped, seemingly mimicking the thud in her chest, and she eagerly tore the blindfold from her face.

There before her, in his kingly raiment and gaze lowered, stood Noctis. His piercing blue eyes shot up and held hers as his shoulders rolled, starting a full body undulation to the beat of the song.

She couldn’t help her reaction, her eyes widening in sheer shock, mouth dropping open. Who was this man and what had he done with the King? Never ever in all her years would she have ever imagined he would be here in front of her, giving her that shy little smirk as he stepped forward, hips - that she knew could work such magic - rocking provocatively.

He leaned down toward her, body still moving. “You always talk about how much you love me in my uniform, but not as much as-"

“-As you out of it,” she mumbled, completing the tease she loved to recite whenever she saw him in it.

“How’s this for getting out of it?” he quipped before circling his hips, turning on his heel, facing his back to her.

There was obvious movement of his hips and slowly, his cape was drawn up and he popped his ass out, rocking as he lowered himself into a squat before looking over his shoulder at her. His hands worked the chain clasp undone and he stood, whirling around, the material flourishing out with his movement. He wrapped it over her shoulders, smirking at her.

The faint blush dusting his cheeks betrayed the confident swing of his hips. He curled his hands over her shoulders, pressing his chest in towards her, and then rolling back; the tight black tee he wore clung to his body like a second skin, showing off the definition of his muscles underneath. He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip as he stepped back, ensuring she could see all of him, and then continued to dance.

Her eyes were glued to the flex and roll of his body, the dangerous sway of his hips. He moved in perfect sync to the music, to the rising tempo of her heart beat. Noctis’ hips snapped to the heavy thump of the bass, his hands running down the planes of his chest. His touch slipped lower,  over his crotch and down his inner thigh. A flash of skin pulled her attention back up - just as he let his shirt fall back into place. As he rolled into the next beat, his fingers teased another peek of skin, just enough to catch a glimpse of the smooth cut of his Adonis belt.

He crooked his finger as he reached for her hand, guiding it to the waist of his pants before pushing her hand over the bulge growing in the front, rocking his pelvis into her palm.

‘Enough, just a tease for now.’ Noctis led her hand up under his shirt instead. She moaned softly as her touch met his skin. He felt so hot beneath her hands like a fire to warm her. Her attention was focused on the muscled expanse before her eyes, the enticing clench as he undulated to the music, when it suddenly cut out.

She looked up to him, thinking maybe it was already - unfortunately - over when his fingers tugged the top of his shirt out and curled into it. The fabric stretched before ripping apart, splitting down the center. The music came back on and her mouth dropped as Noctis stepped out, spreading his legs and rolled, letting his hands slip down his abdomen to tease the band of his pants.

He stepped a little closer, hips swaying with the music, circling them back as he reached forward and curled his fingers into the cloak he had draped over her shoulders. He thrust forward and jerked her towards him at the same time. She gasped, bringing her hands up to keep her face from smashing into his stomach, taking hold of his hips.

Noctis’ stomach brushed against her chin as he rolled toward her, his eyes falling to watch her expression as he pulled her closer. She subconsciously licked her lips, the heat radiating from his body hit her in waves. Being this close to him was intoxicating and she drank in every movement greedily, even kissing his stomach as he slowly gyrated.

His hands suddenly pushed her back into her chair, his eyes faintly shining, the softest hint of purple bleeding into his irises as he held her gaze. His touch drifted down the front of her shirt, unabashedly falling over the curve of her breasts, and down her stomach. She could feel the ghostly tingle of his touch linger over her body, and she understood why in the next moment as the fine hairs of her neck stood on end and a shiver passed through her, a gentle crackle filling the air.

Noctis began to lower himself, his hands pressed more firmly against her thighs as they slid down with him. Electricity discharged from his fingertips as he shoved her knees apart, slipping between them. His chest and shoulders continued to sway and bob, roll with the music as he pressed his face in close to the zipper of her pants, moaning in exaggeration as he mouthed at her center.

She bit on her lower lip, fingers sinking into his dark locks. “Noct…”

He stood, hands gripping the back of her chair as he pushed up against her, turning and then walking behind her chair. He lifted her hands straight up and then trailed his touch down her arms, across her breasts, and then back up, coaxing her hands to his shoulders and down over his pecs before he let go of her.

Showing off some of his strength and acrobatic talent, Noctis gripped the back of her chair and held himself up, balancing impeccably as he lifted his legs and lowered his face to hers, brushing their lips together. With a twist of his body he swung around and landed in her lap, straddling her. He ground against her, letting her feel how evident his arousal was. He stood as he took her hand and pushed it down his torso, stopping before her hand fell too far.

His back to her again, Noctis dropped to his knees. Her gaze softened as she took in sight of his scar, but the moment was short lived as he leaned forward onto his hands and crawled away from her before his hips dropped. His body rolled and gods she had never wanted to be in place of a floor before, but if the heat thrumming in her veins and pooling between her legs was any indication, she yearned to be underneath him, to feel him move above her with the same teasing precision.

Noctis lifted himself back upright onto his knees and she watched as he lowered and lifted himself again with a gentle roll of his body, unable to see his hands busy working his pants undone. He slowly inched back and then worked up onto his hands. She moaned, watching his muscles flex and constrict as he hauled himself up, standing on his hands, giving her the perfect view of his torso and his unbuttoned pants. Astrals above, she loved it when he displayed how strong he was, and watching those ripples of muscle only fanned the flames burning her inside.

With another twist of his body, Noctis landed on his feet and spun to face her with a grin. He pounced on her lap, tilting the chair back. She squeaked as she felt herself fall backwards, but Noct controlled the fall, holding his weight on his feet and gripping the back of the chair to ease her down. He smiled as he eased himself onto his knees over her, as she peeled her hands away from her eyes.

She was left staring directly up at his stomach,  following the movement as he rocked and swayed, hips snapping powerfully as if he were fucking her as he slowly crawled over her. She squealed out his name as his crotch grazed her chin and then passed over her face. All this teasing was downright criminal.  

And then his hand pressed to her sternum and smoothed straight down her torso. His fingers curled around the waist of her pants and then tugged her straight back, away from the toppled over chair. She gasped, her eyes widening even as they darkened over with desire.

She was left dazed, chest heaving with every lust-filled breath, watching as he stood over her, feet on either side of her body as he walked the length of her, teasing the waist of his pants down. He stepped between her legs and then slowly pushed his pants down, bending at the waist, giving her a perfect view of his toned ass hugged in Lucian black. He quickly worked his feet out of his shoes and pant legs, tossing them aside. He turned around then, leant down and grabbed her hands, pulling her up onto her feet. He took her hands up, tightly joining them together in one of his, leveling her with a luminous violet stare. She knew without a doubt to remain still for him.

His lips pressed to hers, a barely there caress as his hands skimmed down her arms, her sides, and then his fingers curled into the hem of her shirt. He tugged it off over her head in a fluid movement, tossing the garment aside, before the ghost of his lips pressed down her chest. His hands groped at her rear, squeezing her down to her thighs before picking her up, urging her legs around him as the song faded out.

In the fading evening light, with his eyes glowing violet, Noctis looked ethereal. She held his gaze, feeling his chest expand against hers with every quick breath. A smile slowly worked its way across her lips and he mirrored it with a dazzling one of his own. “Happy birthday,” he breathed before pulling her face in close for a kiss.

She hummed against his lips, feeling them fully against hers - finally. She sank her fingers into his hair, holding him close as he coaxed her lips to part. She was vaguely aware of movement, but she was more focused on the slide of his tongue against hers, feeling how warm he was as he indulged her senses.

A moan broke the kiss as her back hit the nearest wall, and Noctis took the opportunity to hungrily attack her throat. The wet plush of his lips dragged down her skin, nipping and suckling until he met the sensitive tendon above the juncture of her shoulder. He lightly growled against her as he opened his mouth and then closed his lips over her flesh, sucking her hard enough to leave a quickly darkening mark.

His hand fit between their bodies, her legs, and began to tease over her clothed center. She groaned as she leant back against the wall, pressing her pelvis more firmly to his teasing hand. His tongue licked up her expanse of her throat; he was so incredibly turned on, the energy between them so intense it was nearly tangible. He moved away from the wall and lowered them to the floor,  his hands eagerly working her pants undone.

She lifted her hips to aid him in removing them; there were no demands made, no commands, no more teasing games. They were both worked up after his performance, and the pure need pulsing through them was the only thing communicating between moving limbs - pushing and pulling, asking and answering without words.

His fingers reached for her, pressed to the center of her panties, found them hot and damp. “Astrals, you're so wet,” he rasped. Knowing that she was already this turned on heightened his own arousal. He took great pride and pleasure in how responsive her body was to him, knowing that she wanted him as badly as he craved her.

He dropped kisses along her inner thigh, her musk flooded his nose, filled his lungs as he breathed her scent in deep. He loved the smell of her, but not as much as the taste. He yanked her panties down in his desperation to have her.

She sighed as his breath fanned over her, her heart fluttering, all too aware of what was coming. Then she gasped as his tongue touched to her - a long languid drag along her lips and up to her clit. The tip of his tongue circled her, teasing around the sensitive pearl but not touching it. He tilted his head, lowering his tongue, and she grunted in frustration.

Noctis grinned to himself, enjoying each languorous stroke of his tongue and savoring every bit of her. He pressed his tongue between her folds, spreading them apart as he licked upward, his tongue curling before finally flattening over her clit.  She stuttered his name, her hips tilting as he kissed her there. His hands massaged her thighs as he continued to suckle and kiss her clit with a slow passion, his beard lightly scratching her skin.

She whined and moaned, it felt like too much already, but nowhere near enough. She pressed her palms into the floor beneath her, undulating her hips up toward his mouth. His thumbs swept up and down her labia before parting them and holding them open. “N-Noct… yes… yes-!” she encouraged him with soft, breathless, praise.

Her eyes clenched shut as his tongue delved inside her. She could feel his slick muscle work in and out of her, sliding against her walls and curling upward with every sensual stroke.

Noctis twisted his tongue inside her, wiggled it as he stuffed his face as close as possible. He couldn’t get enough of her and he swallowed every trace of her nectar. He withdrew his tongue, trailing it back up to where he knew she wanted it the most. His tongue twirled and tapped against the little bundle of nerves before sucking it into his mouth. Suctioned between his lips, captive to his every whim, Noctis rolled his tongue over it like a wave crashing ashore. He paused to swallow, to kiss her again, before unleashing the strength of his tongue on her once more. Her breathy moans and cries spurred him on.

Her heart was hammering with her increased breath, her legs quivering beside his head, and she couldn't stop herself from asking for more. The plush of his lips slipped over her clit as he released her and he lowered back down to her opening. Noctis groaned as his tongue slid inside her, her flavor an aphrodisiac in itself. His nose buried against her clit as he feasted on her, his hands sliding under her rear, encouraging the gyration of her hips, humming and moaning as he aided in lifting her to his face.

His mouth felt glorious, warm, and oh so generous as he took her higher and higher. “Noctis! R-right there!” Her hips rolled up in quicker, shorter circles as she curled her fingers into his thick locks. Her thighs quivered as she surfed the orgasmic high that crashed over her out of nowhere, Noctis’ name leaving her in a stuttered cry.

His mouth slowed as he felt her body go taut before shivering around him. His lips and tongue worked her through the orgasm, swallowing every trace of her essence down. He placed another trail of kisses along her nether lips, her body twitching as he kissed her clit before pulling back.  His lips were dark, swollen from the attention he paid her, and they curled into a smile. “Happy Birthday, my queen.”

Her teeth sank into her bottom lip as she smiled back. “Thank you, my king.”

He moaned softly. “How about I take you to bed and let you unwrap your next gift?” He sat upright then and looked down.

She followed his gaze and realized then that the front of his briefs had a bow on them, and she covered her mouth to muffle the laugh. She nodded. “I'd like that very much.”

[atoddswithmorning]

He’s Back

When David Botana left, there was a giant hole left in the show. None of his characters were ever the “standard” versions.  You could never be bored when watching him in any role, because sometimes you never knew quite what he was going to do next. He was so in sync with the music. But the fact that he actually uses the music as cues/motivation, not just the obvious giant musical moments, but the smaller moments too, not just for his dancing, because that’s obvious, but for his acting, always is fun to spot out.

I am so glad that he is back, and I am so grateful that I happened to be there with friends from out of town to catch him in his first show.

Whenever we take the stair entry I usually wander through Duncan’s room to see who maybe on in there, but for some reason I just went straight to the ballroom.  I had plans for the evening, (HAHA-whenever I have plans, they always go awry) and I just went to sit on one of the pillars. As the party came into full swing, and I took stock of who was on, when all of a sudden I was completely shocked to see that David Botana was Banquo. Of all of the characters for him to walk in as, it was Banquo, which happens to be my favorite.  The air changed in the room, as I jumped up to go to my favorite spot to watch Banquo from, just to the side of the stage.  I’ve only ever triple looped twice before, one of those times happened to be his last show, and I knew this was going to be the third time. 

—That cocky grin as he jumped on the table and tilted his head at sexy witch.

-We approached the stairs leading to the ballroom, and he crossed himself. Unlike a lot of Banquos, he descended the stairs not in a drugged stupor. The anguish, and torment from the solo came from the frustration of his inability to do anything, and it was one of the most expressive solos that I have seen in a while.

-Third loop, his discovery of Duncan’s body was far more tragic than the previous loops before hand. He screamed for Malcolm, and then added “SOMEBODY HELP ME!” Making both my friend, and I jump, and it set my heart racing at the unexpected emotion. 

-He is probably one of the only Banquos I’ve seen play with change of breath as he emerged as a ghost, and walked through the speakeasy. His breath was intentionally audible, and labored. He nearly collapsed on the pool table, as he grabbed his jacket, and notices the bloody.  When he reached the end of high street panic fully set in, while he tried to process what had happened to him.  Fear, and confusion shone on his face, and it was one of the most expressive, and sad moments.

- I think one of my ultimate criteria of a fantastic performer is if they continue the loop in the stairwell in some capacity.  Catching small moments often make a loop for me.  His ghostly walk continued as he made his way to the banquet, and he would dance through the turns in the stairwell.

It seemed as if David had barely spent a day away from Lost Luggage, because he twirled, and stretched through them with ease. I was surprised when he launched himself off of them, and ran down to the ballroom, making it in time for the bells ringing, and he took his time to wander lost through the trees, changing his way with each clang of the bell. 

The Crypt dance is my favorite part of Banquo’s loop. I was really excited to get to see it again without the choreography that has been added over the years. He was partnered with Molly’s Bald Witch, and the two of them were stunning to watch. 

I think I had such an amazing show, partly because of the ultimate shock of seeing David back in the show, but also because I was able to share the loops with a friend, as we both marveled in the talent that is David Botana. I can’t wait to watch him in all of his roles.

I never posted my thoughts when he left the show so here’s to all of the moments that I remember, and that I hope to see again:

Boy Witch: 

--The first time that I saw Will Seefried as Porter, David was BW, and I was the only person in the lobby. I was trying to watch both of them at once, and at the end of the phone booth dance, David’s BW tossed Porter to the floor stared at me, and gave me a “take him” gesture, suggesting that he was giving Porter to me, and that I should stay.

--His pool table solo is almost incomparable.  The isolation in his arms and legs as they would slam down individually as if being pulled down by some unknown force.  The way he would throw/catapult himself off the table, was amazing to watch.

--Post shower scene, he would take someone with him to the stairwell, and then he would run down the stairs to the banquet, making you dash after him. He would stop at various landings, and looking at you, and then run away again, as if you were the something that was chasing/tormenting him. 

--I don’t remember if he did this anywhere else during the show, but during reset in the pool of light after moving the trees, he would make shadow figures of the statues in Walled Garden.

—His very last show, he was BW, and the curtain rod broke during the second telephone booth dance. Even the set didn’t want him to leave.

—my favorite moment of his BW loop is after lost luggage, he would pick someone, and lead them in front of the mirror, and dance with them. As you stepped together, he would turn your head to gaze in the mirror to see Porter staring at you in the background.

Macduff:

—Macduff was the last role that David learned, so it was so exciting getting to see him do something new, and I think it’s the role I saw him do the most before he left the show.

—David’s timing is absolutely my favorite thing about him as a performer, every sound cue was perfectly used as an inspiration for action. My favorite moment is when his Macduff would wander through Hecate’s lair, when the drone noise surged, his body would twist, and arch back, nearly collapsing to the floor as if he was affected by the mystical presence found in the rep bar. At least his Macduff was a little bit aware/affected by the energy that was in the room.

—The rest of my Macduff memories are better off being told in person, so come ask me about them, if you ever see me!

Speakeasy: .

One show, he was watching banquo walk down high street in his ghostly way, and he was sneaking along the hallway behind him, watching, as if he would follow him the full way, when the lighting struck and that was reminded him that he was called to Hecate.

—I remember watching him hop up onto the bar, unbuttoning his shirt, settling in, and getting ready for sexy witch to come to him, and thinking about how ridiculously flirty that was, and how amusing it was to watch.

Taxi

—i think the best part of watching his Taxi was never knowing what would happen next. The best moment was when he discovered that one of the glass drawers squeaked so he kept opening and closing it just to make it squeak.

[queercapwriting]

Alex/Lucy Hurt/Comfort

Prompt: “A tense and fearful moment alone before a potentially fatal mission turns intimate.” Director Danvers (Alex/Lucy)

I wrote this for @thisissueeverybodydies​ through the @supersantafemslash​ Secret Santa fic exchange! It was a great prompt, and a lot of fun to write! I hope you enjoy, my dear!! <3

Normally, Alex would be in the front of the van.

Normally, so would Lucy.

But tonight, their faces need to be hidden.

Tonight, the mission depends on secreting into Cadmus headquarters without being detected.

The biodampeners that Winn and Alex whipped up and implanted into their forearms will help shield them from any sensors Cadmus might loop over their van.

It’ll be up to their undercover squad, driving, to get them in.

And, luckily, Alex has complete faith in the team she’s trained since their first day with the DEO.

And Lucy has complete faith in Alex.

What they both lack faith in, however, is what happens next.

Because Cadmus is the organization that took Alex’s father from her, that’s probably been torturing him for the last decade. 

Cadmus is the organization that drove the final wedge between Lucy and her father, a xenophobic, genocidal group that he cares for more than he does his youngest child.

“You okay?” Lucy is the first to ask, watching Alex load and reload first one gun, then another, then a third, then the one in her thigh holster.

Alex grunts without taking her eyes off her weaponry, and Lucy sighs. 

She’d always thought she was a tough nut to crack.

Then she met Alex Danvers.

“I’m sorry,” Lucy says, for about the thousandth time since she and Kara rescued Alex, since Alex came back.

Since Myriad, since her kryptonite suit, since Astra, since... everything.

Everything that Lucy has somehow managed to blame herself for. 

Because if she hadn’t arrested Alex, hadn’t let them arrest J’onn, then they wouldn’t have been fugitives. And if they hadn’t been fugitives for all that time, maybe everything with Myriad would have happened differently. 

Maybe Kara wouldn’t have been forced to save James and Winn, but be unable to save Kelly.

Maybe Alex wouldn’t have been mind controlled to try to kill her sister.

Maybe Astra would still be alive, and both the Danvers sisters’ eyes would be a little less dead.

Her fault, her fault, her fault.

So she apologizes. Again.

“You rescued us, Lucy,” Alex reminds her automatically, still without looking at her, again, again, again.

“Alex, I can’t go in there not knowing if your head’s in the game.”

Alex’s eyes snap up to meet Lucy’s, at that. “My head is in the game, Lane. I’m reviewing my weaponry and making sure everything’s in working order, not... trying to gossip.”

“Agent Danvers, I -- “

“You’re not director anymore, Lucy. Hank... J’onn’s back. You can’t pull rank on me.”

“Alex, then -- “

“Make up your mind.”

“Dammit, Danvers.”

Their eyes lock and Lucy wonders what kind of ice pick it will take to break through into Alex’s facade the way Kara does, the way she saw, briefly, when Alex hugged J’onn, when Alex hugged Kara.

Her family.

Lucy wonders vaguely if she even has a family, anymore.

But before she can speak again, it’s Alex whose lips are parting, and Alex who’s apologizing.

“I’m sorry,” she locks her last gun back into her thigh holster, resting her elbows on her knees with a sigh and leaning forward, into Lucy’s space. “I’m sorry, Luce, I’m not... They have my father.”

She says it without tears in her eyes and she says it without emotion in her voice. She says it like she’s a soldier, and she’s stating a soldier fact.

It’s a tone Lucy knows well. A tone she’s learned to use often.

And a tone she’s learned to hear well beyond.

She reaches out a tentative hand, encouraged by Alex’s use of her nickname. Her fingers hover over Alex’s, their eyes still locked into each other’s. Alex nods almost imperceptibly, and Lucy lets their fingers touch.

Alex turns her palm upwards so their fingers can intertwine immediately.

“I know,” Lucy whispers, about her father. About her father and her nightmares and her guilt, her guilt, her guilt.

She knows because she has them all, too.

“We’re gonna get him out, Alex. We’re on our way to it right now. And he’ll be proud of the woman you’ve become.”

Alex scoffs. 

“I should have known. I should have felt it. I should have found him sooner, I -- “

“Alex,” Lucy shakes her head, keeping their fingers intertwined but using her hand to tuck stray strands of hair behind Alex’s ear. Alex gulps at the intimacy, and Lucy thinks for a moment that she’s overstepped. But Alex leans forward even more, and the corners of Lucy’s lips turn upward. “My father works with these bastards. If anyone should have known about the extend of Cadmus and put a stop to them, rescued your dad, it was me. I’m sorry I didn’t, I’m sorry I -- “

“Would you stop saying that?” Alex interrupts, and her words are harsh, but her eyes are gentle, and so is the way she’s shifting to kneel in front of Lucy, her hand on Lucy’s cheek with a softness that would never suggest that she was so efficiently handling lethal weapons mere moments before.

“The only reason we have the intel to take this place right now is you. We couldn’t be doing any of this without you, Luce, alright?”

“We only have guesses for what kind of defenses this place is going to have, Alex. If you get hurt, I swear I -- “

“What?” Alex asks, a slow smile forming on her face now. “You’ll what? You’ll blow this place to hell? Please do that anyway. It’d be useful, not to mention sexy.”

Lucy blushes slightly as she scoffs, a particular fluttering awakening in her stomach that she hasn’t felt since James.

“Danvers, I -- “

“Weren’t you the one encouraging me to talk about my feelings a minute ago?”

“I suppose,” Lucy lets her eyes flutter closed as Alex leans up to press their foreheads together, their breaths syncing up as the currents of everything lost and everything risked flow between them.

“We’re both going to make it out of this, you hear me? You’ve trained a damn good team, Danvers. Everyone’s gonna get out of this alright. Your father too. Okay?”

“Is that a promise, Major Lane?”

Lucy pauses and thinks about promises.

About promises her father’s made her, that the military made her.

That she’s made herself.

Her eyes flutter open to find Alex’s gazing softly at her lips, and she thinks about the kinds of promises that matter most.

“Can I kiss you?” she asks, because she’d pegged Alex as a lesbian from moment one, but hey, maybe she’s wrong and hey, maybe she is but she’s also just being supportive, just being a good friend, but oh god, her lips are soft and she kisses exactly like she commands: firm and insistent and unwavering, but now, with just an undercurrent of nerves, just an undercurrent of that gorgeous vulnerability, that sweet bravery of the heart, that she doesn’t let just anyone see.

“Damn, Danvers,” Lucy whispers when they part for breath, and Alex’s blush and smile is something Lucy promises herself she will see more of.

“Ma’ams,” a voice from the front of the van calls. “We’re in.”

And Alex’s blush becomes a flash of fervor, of determination; of cool confidence infused with the promise of affection to quell her fears.

“We got this,” they murmur at the same time, and as they break through Cadmus’s defenses, side by side, they know that they really, really do.

[rottenwoodandwiltedsunflowers]

Thoughts from a Waffle (9-12)

So I find it hard these days to type out a long play by play type of recap of my shows like I used to. We have a baby (well, I guess a toddler) and if any of you have kids or know people with kids, you know they tend to ruin your life. They are the best and the worst at the same time. So needless to say I love my child more than anything (except my cat...sorry baby cat was here first and he is WAY less of a jerk on a daily basis) but you can’t have anything nice with a baby including hobbies or trips to NYC for Manderley time or blogs that get updated with any sense of regularity. The only reason I am able to type this right now is that I am sitting in an Air B&B in Dumbo while my baby is enjoying a few days with the grandparents. So as much as I love looking back at my old recaps and remembering past shows, I just don’t have the time to write them anymore. Life evolves and so must my recaps. I have however been missing documenting my check-ins for my own memory so I am going to TRY to do these more abbreviated thoughts on my shows type posts. We will see!

EDIT: For your news feed’s sanity, I am going to insert a break here because I am apparently incapable of writing a short bulleted recap but there are not 1:1 spoilers, as per usual, in my recaps.

Last night Kae and I wrapped up show 2 of 3 for this trip. I am just going to talk about what I saw that I liked or that struck me from the shows starting with Tuesday 9-12. 

I am fairly sure I deserve a cookie or something of that nature for correctly identifying cast members the last 2 nights. HOLY CRAP THERE ARE SO MANY NEW CAST MEMBERS! We have only been a handful of times this year so I feel like I am still trying to get a grip on the new-as-of-last-cyle cast. To be fair, I spent a lot of time creepily but respectfully studying faces in the cast gallery last week.

Tuesday night the entrance to the show was a bit late but apparently, the show was also running a bit late because we ran down and the witches were just hugging pre-ballroom. I saw Ryan VanCompernolle’s sexy witch and all thoughts of new faces went flying out the window.

Ryan is infectiously fun to watch. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Her dancing is beautiful and her characters are distinct and interesting. She makes great choices. On the technical side of things, I think she is one of the most impressive women in the McKittrick. She has been with the show longer than we have been going and it shows. She is one of the most versatile swings so it is always fun to see where she lands on the cast. She knows plays every role except Lady Macbeth and Hecate but unlike some cast members who retire their characters and move on to new roles, she plays them all occasionally. I don’t know how she remembers so much show content and manages to perform it so well.

I will almost always choose a loop with Ryan because we just have so much damn fun together. Aside from her beautiful dancing, she keeps me on my toes. I knew that it would be a great way to kick off a 3 show run and I wasn’t disappointed. I found myself smiling under my mask at so many moments.

There was a moment at the end of the sexy witch 1:1 where we were standing in the dark and she leaned in and whispered in my ear “Welcome back.” It was a moment that really pulled at my heart. It was a gentle reminder of what this building means to me (and so many other fans) who frequent it during times in their life of celebration or heartache. It was a reminder that there are breathtaking stories and art inside the McKittrick but also a sense of community.

I have to go on a little rant about just how good the witch trio was on Tuesday night. Ryan, Daniel, and Krista were perfect. The chemistry was off the charts. I have said before that other witch trios were great but to get to the level that they were on with Daniel in a relatively new role and Krista being a new cast member was astonishing. I think I said this recently about the Steph C, Emily, and Tyler trio but Tuesday's trio was better. I watched the rave 2x and it was scandalizing. I have seen this show 70+ times. I was scandalized. 

Daniel is a great boy witch. To be fair, he hasn’t been on my radar much in the past but I never really follow Banquo or Macbeth so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. He rocks the boy witch guyliner and embodies the spirit of boy witch. His audience interactions were great. Bravo! 

Krista is a great bald witch. Kae followed her more than I did but if you are a bald witch lover, you are in for a treat this cycle. I saw both Krista and Molly the past 2 nights and hold onto your horses because bald witch is stronger than ever. Nothing to be disappointed or worried about this cast change over. Also, just in case you keep score- there are 3 bald bald witches in rotation so hallelujah!

These witches were driving the McKittrick sex appeal through the roof in their portrayals! Whether it was bald and boy messing around or bald and sexy’s long embrace in the ballroom pre-reset, it was all fun and sexy.

At the end of Ryan’s sexy witch bar top solo, she dropped to the floor and reached up for my hand. Standard interaction- sexy witch grabs your hand looking crushed as Hecate rips her away, tells her to buck up, and sends her on her way. Ryan grabs my hand and forcibly yanks me into THE MIDDLE OF THE SCENE. Needless to say, I felt immediately panicked inside standing next to her, next to the bar, in front of all of the other white masks, feeling like I definitely did something I shouldn’t have. That mask was useless because I felt totally exposed and like a kid with their hand in the cookie jar. Did I mention Ryan likes to keep me on my toes? Mission accomplished. 

Tori’s Hecate forcibly removed out hands and stared me down. There aren’t many things that scare me in the show these days but I am more than willing to admit that Tori’s Hecate does. She continued to stare me down as she fixed sexy witches dress and ended the scene. Needless to say, I bolted out of there.

I did inevitably loop back around to Tori’s Hecate later in that show. I walked into the rep bar as she was finishing a reset of her table. I was about 2 steps inside and no one else was in sight. She was by the bar in front of the blue light and I saw her turn around and very quickly make a beeline toward me. She grabbed my hand, dragged me into the hall, and very forcefully tossed/pinned me against the wall. Once again, I am not easily shaken inside the hotel but Tori makes me real nervous. She told me a terrifying story about witches and the perils of sailing. 

It is always a bit vulnerable when a performer removes your mask but it is downright terrifying when it is literally aggressively snatched off of your face by Hecate. 

Brace yourselves for the shocker I’m about to lay out...I visited the Matron’s hut. I love a Matron who engages in storytelling using their eyes and Chelsey is great. Very inviting and warm but it is her eyes that make her 1:1 great. There is a very precise moment in the story where her eyes shift from hope to despair and the shift is stark and amazing.

Tori’s lip sync. I don’t really need to say more.

The last thing about my first show that really stuck out as fantastic was Molly Griffin. I love me a good nurse character and I am really liking Molly’s vibe on the character. 

I watched her fold some laundry and lay it out in the room with the beds. This is one of the standard nurse activities that can be very boring to watch for long periods of time and can get repetitive. I watched Molly lay out pajamas on 3 different beds and she laid them out all very differently. You could see her nurse carefully thinking through each one like it was of the utmost importance. The first one she laid out so it was laying down, one leg slightly bent, with their arms up next to their head. The next one, she turned down the bed laying the shirt out before pulling the sheet back up to give the illusion the person was tucked in. She then took the pants, folding them with great precision, and made them into a small rectangle. The nurse then tucked the rectangle into the top of the shirt to make a head for this imaginary patient. It was VERY clever! The third person she laid out straight with their arms crossed at the wrists at their waist. 

She went into the operating theater and ran her hand around the walls until she reached the upper back corner of the room. She faced the corner with her back to the audience and basically had a breakdown in the corner before quickly composing herself and rushing off as though she had suddenly remembered somewhere she had to be. I am very interested to see how her nurse character develops!

At the end of the show, I went back to find sexy witch. Sometimes when I full loop a character for the first loop (ballroom to ballroom) I find it fitting and cathartic to end the show with that character. It is a nice cycle to my show. Also, I adore Ryan! At the end of the finale, Ryan spotted me and we went running back to the Manderley all smiles! 

[jinnieboo-blog1]

VIXX Ken: Better With You

5 out of 6! Whooo! This is based on @i-would-rather-be-queen ‘s The Five Senses of VIXX post! :) I hope Ken’s one is good!

NOTE: Please take note that before I even wrote this, I asked for her consent. I messaged her to ask if it was alright to write something based off of her work, so please keep in mind that I asked permission before doing anything! She did give me consent, so yeah :) ^_^

N’s Version Here!

Hyuk’s Version Here!

Leo’s Version Here!

Ravi’s Version Here!

---------------------------------------------------------

See the little comics of you together he draws when bored

You and Ken were seated on the couch, doing your own thing. You were studying for your upcoming finals, while Ken was busy doodling something on one of your spare notebooks. Even so, you enjoyed the company since Ken would randomly tell a joke from time to time, causing you to burst out laughing. It somehow made studying less…dreadful. Ken always made everything feel better, after all.

After reading at least 20 pages of your biology book, you set it down and leaned against Ken’s shoulder. Smiling, he asked, “Done?”

You shrugged, “I’ve read at least 20 pages. I’ll continue later…or tomorrow.”

Ken chuckled. “What do you think?” he grinned as he showed you what he’d been doing.

You looked over to the notebook he was doodling on. There was a comic strip of a familiar event: Your birthday.

In the first panel, you were greeted by Ravi, Hongbin and Leo. You giggled at the expression Ken drew for you. In the second panel, N had arrived with a birthday cake, ready to celebrate with you. In the third panel, Hyuk came into the scene while pushing a gigantic yellow box wrapped with a blue ribbon. In the next panel, you opened the box, only to be surprised by Ken jumping out of it. In the final panel, the two of you shared a sweet birthday kiss. It was really touching and made you feel fluffy inside, but then as you looked closely at the last panel’s scene, you could see that the other members had their phones whipped out. You burst out laughing again. “Ok, that’s really sweet, Ken, but I don’t remember the other members taking pictures of us. I remember clearly that they were already eating the cake.”

Ken grinned and laughed with you. “Now, where’s the fun in that? I thought it was funnier if they were like paparazzi.”

Hear one of the dozens of nicknames he’s made for you

Ken continued to show you more of the comics he’s made, and every single one was such a heart-warming creation. Minutes later, he put the notebook down and looked directly at your eyes. “I’m hungry.”

You chuckled and stretched, body stiff from sitting for long hours, “Me too. Let’s get something to eat.”

“But,” Ken pouted, “your home-cooked meals are the best, Munchkin.”

You cringed but laughed at the same time upon hearing his nickname for you. In fact, he had a lot of rather random nicknames for you. He’d use a different one depending on his mood or the situation. “Well, I’m not really in the mood to cook, you know? I’m kinda lazy.” you sheepishly laughed.

Ken smiled softly, “It’s ok, Marshmallow. Anything you want is fine.”

Marshmallow. There’s another one. He usually uses that nickname when he wants a hug. Smiling, you snuggled against your boyfriend, and he hugged you tightly. “If you don’t feel like cooking, let’s go out and try something from the street market.”

You looked at him, “You mean the one with fried snacks and all?”

Ken nodded, “Bingo!”

“Yeah, let’s try that.” you declared.

You and Ken stood up and after getting ready, you two headed out.

Smell the street food as you walk around late at night hand in hand

Walking hand-in-hand, you took in the sight of so many stalls, each busy with numerous customers wanting to buy food. Ken was looking around with a big grin before turning to you. “Tell me if you see anything you want, ok?”

You nodded, “Alright.”

As you both wandered around, you could pick up the different scents and smells of the various food. You could smell meat being roasted or friend, and you could also smell something much sweeter. Whatever it was, it made your mouth water. “Ken, I think I found what I want.”

Ken said, “Lead the way!”

You led Ken to a nearby stall that sold dakkochi and odeng. “Good choice.” Ken joked around.

“I know. I make good choices.” you said, subtly looking into his eyes.

You thought Ken knew what you meant because his cheeks turned pink as he grinned widely. Shortly after, you and Ken were sitting on a nearby bench, enjoying the street food you had in hand. “This is so good!” you chuckled.

“True.” Ken said before taking a bite of the dakkochi. He continued after swallowing it, “But honestly, your cooking is still the best.”

“Flatterer.” you smirked and playfully hit his arm.

He let out a laugh in return.

Taste a kiss more serious than his words could ever be

After you two had finished your food, you both leaned back and started watching the people walking by. “That hit the spot.” Ken laughed.

You chuckled, “I agree. I don’t think I can eat anymore.”

“Well…I think I still can. Maybe later.” Ken winked, causing you to giggle.

“Eat as much as you want, Ken.” you looked at him and smiled.

Ken turned to face you as well. As soon as you both met each other’s gaze, you didn’t shy away; you kept your gazes locked onto each other. Ken spoke up, “You know, everything’s better with you, y/n. Something so simple as eating street food and laughing is the best because I’m with you.”

“So cheesy. Bean would cringe.” you joked.

But Ken didn’t burst out laughing. Instead, he flashed a gentle smile and brought one hand to the back of your neck. “Ken?” you blushed.

Before any of you could say anything else, Ken pressed his lips on yours. Without a second thought, you scooted closer to him and kissed back. Your lips moved tenderly in sync- a kiss so serious, you didn’t want to pull away.

But you had to eventually. When you both did, Ken’s playful, aegyo-self came back. “Better with you.” he repeated.

“Way better.” you replied.

You both started people-watching again, then Ken said, “Hey, there are other stalls here besides food vendors.” He looked at a stall that sold small toys and keychains.

You looked around and nodded, “There’s one with jewelries and accessories, too.”

“Let’s continue exploring!” he suggested, and you agreed, hopping to your feet.

Feel the tickle of the paintbrush as he uses your body as a canvas

Once again, you and Ken walked around the busy street peppered with all kinds of street vendors. Besides food stalls, there were stalls selling clothes, jewels, toys and even stalls that had activities like mini-carnival games and face-painting. It was like a carnival, actually. There was no denying it- you and Ken loved it. You both had wide grins as you roamed around. “Hey Ken.” you smiled, “wanna try the face-painting stall? I wanna paint something on your face.”

“Oh? Sure. Seems fun!” he laughed.

You two arrived at one stall and told the vendor that you’d like a face-paint. It was rather cool that there was an option wherein you could be the one who painted instead of the vendor. The lady vendor took our payment and handed you the brushes and paint. Ken sat down on a stool and smiled like an innocent child, “Make it cute,y/n~”

“I will.” you chuckled.

You started to paint on his right cheek, then proceeded to his left. Afterwards, you eyed your masterpiece and declared, “Perfect.”

The lady handed Ken a mirror. On his right cheek, there was a pastel-colored flower, and on the left, there was a cute puppy. He playfully gasped, “I am so adorable!”

“You bet you are.” you grinned.

Ken cutely puffed his cheeks and did his best aegyo, causing you to laugh even more. “My turn.” he smirked.

So, you sat on the stool and patiently waited for what Ken was going to do. He started to paint on your cheek as well. You weren’t worried, since Ken was actually good at drawing. However, Ken’s concentrated expression turned into a mischievous one. Seconds later, he stopped painting on your cheek, and you felt the paintbrush on the side of your neck. The combination of the fluffy brush and cold, wet paint surprised you. “Ah!” you squealed, “Ken!”

“No one said we were limited to the cheek~” he stuck his tongue out. “Don’t worry. It won’t be ugly.”

He stopped painting at that area, but then moved on to the area around your collarbone. Suddenly, you regretted wearing an off-shoulder blouse. You tried to contain your laughter as the paintbrush was tickling your skin. Ken used gentle and soft strokes, and somehow, it tickled more that way. He finally finished and proudly looked at his work of art. “I’d like to think that I did a very good job.” he laughed.

You looked at it using the mirror. On your cheek was a simple heart. On your neck was an elegant, red rose, and on your collarbone was a message: MINE.

“Ken,” you laughed, “how cheesy can you get?”

“Way cheesier.” he winked.

The two of you thanked the lady vendor and started to walk again. Ken looped an arm around your waist and pulled you closer. “You are mine, though, y/n.” he said as he looked at the painted message he made.

“I know. You’re mine as well, Ken.” you smiled.

Ken grinned before placing a kiss on the top of your head. You both continued to enjoy the night, wandering and roaming around the night market. Everything was better with him.

[tripstations]

Getting There’s Half the FUN!

Apple Watch evaluate: Design

For a barely extra opinionated model of the video evaluate above, right here’s the male half of the Macworld crew arguing (after 4 months with this machine) about whether or not the Apple Watch is a superb or a horrible product:

The Apple Watch is superbly designed and engineered, with an amazing feel and appear. It’s chunky, rounded physique is faintly harking back to the unique iPhone, but concurrently modern-looking and really satisfying to carry. The Apple Watch can also be pleasingly comfy on the wrist.

We’ve seen a lot of health trackers over time, and so they’ve sometimes struck us as fairly formulaic: plasticky wristbands with little style attraction. One exercise tracker model tried to persuade us that their exercise tracker was designed to attraction to a fashion-conscious girl; they even thought that girls would put on it round their neck like a necklace. However on the finish of the day, it wasn’t jewelry. Not one of the health trackers in the marketplace are.

It’s an analogous story with smartwatches. Positive, over the previous 12 months they’ve develop into increasingly more standard with guys in search of the newest tech gadget, however they don’t attraction to everybody. One main situation is that almost all smartwatches are designed for males. They wouldn’t sit comfortably on a smaller wrist.

Apple Watch evaluate: Dimensions

There are two sizes of watch: the 38mm mannequin (which truly measures 38.6 by 33.three mm) and the 42mm mannequin (which measures 42 by 35.9 mm). Each have a thickness of 10.5mm.

38mm mannequin: 38.6 x 33.three x 10.5mm42mm mannequin: 42.zero x 35.9 x 10.5mm

Right here’s how a 38mm Apple Watch appears on Karen’s wrist:

Apple Watch evaluate: Construct high quality

Talking of the supplies the watch is constructed from, there are three choices: aluminium for the Watch Sport, stainless-steel for the Watch, and 18-carat gold for the Watch Version. The Watch and Watch Version include sapphire screens, the Sport model with ion-x glass.

We love the appear and feel of the Apple Watch. As we talked about above, it appears a bit like a shrunk-down model of the unique iPhone, and it’s reassuringly strong – after nearly a 12 months with the Watch, there no scratches on the physique or display, though the brighter of our two Sport Band straps is beginning to look a bit grubby.

Apple doesn’t suggest dunking your Apple Watch first-gen in water. Whereas the watch is rated as water resistant to the IPX7 normal, which ought to imply it would survive in water as much as a depth of 1 metre for as much as 30 minutes, Apple describes it as “splash- and water resistant however not waterproof”. So it’s okay to make use of it within the bathe – as Apple’s CEO Tim Cook dinner apparently does – however it’s to not be taken swimming.

Having stated that, loads of reckless reviewers have finished precisely that, and we’ve but to listen to anybody complain that their watch was broken by the expertise. We don’t suggest taking the danger, and also you clearly received’t have a leg to face on with Apple if one thing does go flawed since they’ve been cautious to solely declare it’s water resistant. However it seems that sure, the Apple Watch is waterproof.

Apple Watch evaluate: Straps

Whereas we’re with regards to straps, which one must you decide to go together with your stunning Apple Watch?

There are a large assortment of straps to select from, together with: Hyperlink Bracelet, Sport Band, Leather-based Loop, Traditional Buckle, Fashionable Buckle, Milanese Loop and extra lately, Nylon band and Hermes straps.

The Leather-based Loop, Traditional Buckle, Leather-based Loop, Fashionable Buckle

The Leather-based Loop, Traditional Buckle, Leather-based Loop, Fashionable Buckle, Woven Nylon and Sport Band choices are provided in a number of color decisions whereas the Milanese Loop and Hyperlink Bracelet are solely out there in two colors. The Sport Band is available in 22 completely different colors together with black, white, pink, yellow, blue, gray, lime inexperienced, lavender, vintage white, stone and midnight blue, for instance.

Apple Watch evaluate: Display screen

Whereas doing our greatest to increase the watch’s battery life, we needed to force-quit some apps and located the tactic of doing so deeply counterintuitive.

Returning to the display, the decision will depend on the watch you select. The decision of the display on the 38mm Apple Watch (which measures 1.32 inches diagonally) is 272×340 whereas the 42mm mannequin affords 312×390 on a display that measures 1.5 inches. Each fashions, due to this fact, supply a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch, or ppi.

In each instances, the Apple Watch display is formally rated (or maybe we must always say branded) as Retina-quality, and our subjective expertise with it has been nice. It’s sharp and vividly vibrant and we’ve but to note any pixellation.

The touchscreen elements work terrifically too: it’s extremely responsive, and we discovered we are likely to fall again on outdated habits, swiping via screens each time potential through the use of the touchscreen even when a scrolling possibility is accessible through the Digital Crown. It should be as straightforward to stop apps and glances as it’s on the iPhone – however it isn’t. To stop an app it’s a must to press and maintain the facet button, after which do the identical once more. No person goes to hit upon that accidentally.

Apple Watch evaluate: Consumer interface

Apple’s design experience is just a small a part of what makes the Apple Watch stand out. One other think about its favour is the consumer interface. The issue many present smartwatches have is that the UI is packed onto a tiny show and that you must manipulate these tiny visible parts utilizing your fingers, that are inevitably larger than the weather you’re attempting to the touch.

Beneath we study Apple’s methodology for controlling the consumer interface, and the software program you’ll be able to count on to see on the Apple Watch.

Apple Watch evaluate: Utilizing the Apple Watch display

A technique to make use of the Watch is through the display. You’ll be able to scroll across the display, faucet on objects to pick them or press more durable to get extra choices – akin to utilizing proper click on on a mouse. Varied gestures deliver up different parts of the working system. For instance, Glances are accessed by swiping up on the watch face.

There’s additionally Apple’s Drive Contact expertise that determines how onerous you might be urgent the Watch and can act accordingly. There’s a distinction between a tough press and a easy faucet. (We talk about Drive Contact in additional element under.)

Apple Watch evaluate: Velocity/efficiency

One potential weak point of the Apple Watch – relying on how demanding your requirements are in relation to wearable tech – may very well be its all-around velocity. Quite a few reviewers have discovered the interface sluggish in use and seen a delay earlier than sure actions.

Replace Eight September 2016: It ought to be famous that the under part relies on the unique watch and never the Sequence 1 or 2 which function a 50 % sooner processor.

As with many elements of this product, experiences have various among the many crew, and it’s seemingly that day-to-day efficiency is influenced by components corresponding to apps and Glances at the moment operating. It’s uncommon to search out an app that’s near-instantaneous to reply, as they’ll open shortly however will typically dangle, leaving us observing a black loading display; and syncing processes with the iPhone, over a Bluetooth connection, will be sluggish.

We’ve additionally discovered, as have many customers, that third-party apps can generally be sluggish to start out up. watchOS 2 regarded to hurry up third-party apps by permitting them to run natively on the Apple watch, however as we point out in our watchOS 2 part of the evaluate under, we nonetheless discover apps fairly sluggish and we regularly surrender and find yourself utilizing our iPhone apps as an alternative.

Apple Watch evaluate: Utilizing the Digital Crown

Apple’s answer to the navigation downside is to make use of one thing that has at all times been a function of watches in a brand new approach.

The dial on the facet of the watch – its correct title is the crown – has been introduced into the 21st century and became what Apple calls the Digital Crown. This Digital Crown solves the issue of swiping via icons on a minuscule show.

Beneath the Digital Crown is one other button. This button takes you to the house display and to the Associates app, from which you’ll contact your pals (extra on that under). This button can also be used if you’re paying for issues utilizing Apple Pay (extra on that under, additionally).

Apple Watch evaluate: Battery life

Apple claims that on a typical day, with typical utilization, it is best to get 18 hours of battery life from the Apple Watch. In different phrases, you ought to have the ability to get via an entire day, however that might be about it: count on to cost it each evening. (Which, by the way, guidelines out having the ability to sleep with the watch on – which is prone to be a disappointment to builders of sleep-related apps.)

In actual fact, your use could fluctuate. Apple’s ‘typical day’ included a half-hour exercise, however should you train greater than that you could be dissipate the battery faster – in Apple’s exams, the battery lasted 6.5 hours throughout a exercise (so it is best to no less than have the ability to run that marathon with out operating out of battery). If you happen to use the Apple Watch to play music additionally, you will discover that to be a little bit of a battery hog. Apple received 6.5 hours of audio playback out of the take a look at machine earlier than it ran out of energy.

Apple Watch evaluate: Apple Watch UK value

Pricing varies relying on the watch and strap you select. For extra details about Watch costs, learn our Apple Watch shopping for recommendation.

The Apple Watch value begins at £259 within the UK; that’s for the 38mm Apple Watch Sport with a plastic band, and £299 for the 42mm model. The stainless-steel Apple Watch begins at £479 and the newer Apple Watch Hermes begins at £1000, whereas the 18-carat gold Apple Watch Version begins at an eye-watering £8,000.

OUR VERDICT

The Apple Watch isn’t the primary ever smartwatch, and it doesn’t actually do something rival merchandise don’t do. However what it does do, it does in addition to any smartwatch on the market, because of Apple’s consumer interface experience. It’s a slick machine to make use of, though try to be warned that it isn’t fully intuitive, notably at first. With use it would develop into extra acquainted and user-friendly.

The post Getting There’s Half the FUN! appeared first on Tripstations.

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[thesinglesjukebox]

JENNIFER LOPEZ FT. DJ KHALED & CARDI B - DINERO

[5.67]

The Year of Cardi continues...

Leonel Manzanares de la Rosa: J. Lo is trying her hand at trap with the ultimate boss move -- recruiting fellow Bronx success story Cardi B for a trans-generational crossover; getting the DJ Khaled ad-libs because of course that's what you do when your song is about money; actually naming the song "Dinero," a three-syllable word that is perfect for the now-customary triplet flow. And yet, the main attraction is the song's beat. The way the plena/cuatro hybrid rhythm melds with the 808 is just astonishing. There's more Latin music in these three-and-a-half minutes than in most of the "Latin trap" scene. [7]

Juan F. Carruyo: J. Lo again gets caught between paying homage to her roots and whichever demographic she's trying to conquer now. The theme is suitably superficial, and the addition of Cardi B brightens up the track considerably, with enough swagger to cover up for the fact that DJ Khaled is forever and ever a dead weight no matter how many likes he can rack up in a hour. The constant shift between merengue and trap makes this distinctive enough for me to call it a sleeper track. [6]

Alfred Soto: If Cardi makes a habit of dropping disgraceful verses into third-rate tracks like "Dinero," we'll burn out faster on her than we thought. The only thing that jingles is the treated crowd noise that acts as a hook. [3]

Ryo Miyauchi: The brazen attitude from the main star and the malevolent brass beat exudes more feeling of excess than hunger for money, which qualifies a shallow hook like "yo quiero dinero" out of J. Lo somewhat. But her bilingual rebuttals are too lousy, and it's a disappointment from her, especially, with her use of Spanish propping the language as more aesthetic than character. Next to Cardi B, who has been running with this kind of money talk for a while, it pales in comparison. [5]

Rachel Bowles: Jennifer Lopez is really killing it lately with her catchy Spanish-language pop posturing. In these hellish times of Trump, Dreamers, and Justin Bieber cashing in on Latin markets just to sing about tacos, Latinx trap "Dinero" is a gift. Enter Cardi-- if we need Nicki, hell knows necesitamos Cardi tambien, another fearless Latinx woman, another female POC insisting on being her own American Dream. "Two bad bitches that came from the Bronx" stack it up. DJ Khaled punctuates this greatness with mediocrity, simply present to introduce and occasionally shout "money!" [8]

Maxwell Cavaseno: I don't think there's a greater misreading of the present-day music world as thinking it's a good idea to get DJ Khaled as a feature as opposed to being the feature. "Dinero" is maybe a decent enough attempt at J. Lo trying to go for the current Latin trap audience that presumably she could sneak her way into, but she sounds like an ugly parody of the scene via SNL. Cardi sounds perfectly suitable, even if I'm not sure why her vocals are mixed like that. [2]

Ian Mathers: Cardi and J. Lo are perfect together, in sync in a couple of different ways, and the production from Khaled et al. is solid verging on great -- it sounds pushed into the red in almost a bass-boosted meme sense, but in a great way, and the loop is well-chosen. But everything he does in front of the boards sticks out like a particularly sore thumb. His asides (which I sometimes like!) just feel completely pointless, although if that was the cost of the production I guess it was worth it. The less said about the dumb "De Niro!" joke in the video, the better. [7]

Ramzi Awn: Jennifer Lopez's latest attempt at marrying "Candyman"-era Christina with mid-career Ciara is at once horrifying and cute. Too cute. File under "I Luh Ya Papi" cast-offs. [4]

Katherine St Asaph: A livelier and far more straightforward track than "Accelerate," but with the same sense that its star is exhausted. It doesn't help that Cardi, a supernova of energy if not quite chops, is also on here for contrast; thank goodness that Xtina track didn't have a feature by, I don't know, Charli XCX. [5]

Stephen Eisermann: Both J. Lo and Cardi are immensely talented, have bucketloads of natural swagger, and operate in similar spaces musically. Here, J. Lo begins with her best Beyoncé imitation before finding her own voice in the second verse. It's interesting to hear her so convincingly deliver rap-singing considering her recent output, but it really shouldn't be that surprising considering her versatility. Then Cardi comes in and delivers a playful verse full of well-earned arrogance. These ladies are running, or have run, the music scene and now are winking at each other in song, and I'm here for it. [8]

Will Adams: The optics of "Dinero" -- a song in which a Latin sample is flipped into an aggressive trap beat and also Cardi B is involved -- being released not long after "I Like It" aren't great, nor is DJ Khaled's unnecessary addition. But J. Lo is having fun, Cardi's verse is one of her stronger features of late, and merengue-trap fusion is a sound I'm happy to be a US radio trend for the summer months. [7]

Julian Axelrod: J. Lo and Cardi are a no-brainer pairing, and their willingness to fully commit to this frothy frivolity elevates the material. But that makes DJ Khaled feel even more superfluous than usual. Like a creepy dude trying to get women to make out at a club, he ends up ruining everyone's good time. [6]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

[emmyewesseyesee]

a big live 2017

ok, so i’m currently in the process of making final tweaks to my 17′s for ‘17, but in the meantime, i thought i’d share a playlist of artists of the gigs i’ve seen live across this rather busy year.

newly empowered by the fabulous, fee-free dice.fm, this tap-and-go approach has meant i’ve had the privilege of seeing some wonderfully talented and eclectic artists in 2017, and totted up just over 40 gigs across the year. (thanks also to songkick for helping to keep tabs on such a busy schedule!)

people will undoubtedly ask my gig of the year, but in all honesty, they’ve all been great, and it’s always a pleasure to see such talent on its travels around the globe. from the youthful precociousness of billie eilish to the mesmeric panache of sevdaliza, from the birthday night-terrors of pharmakon to the endearing generosity of elvis depressedly, from the slinky invitation of kali ùchis to the punchy provocation of sheer mag, from the wide-eyed exuberance of litany to the assured and epic immersion of sigur rós, and plenty more besides.

while it hasn’t perhaps been as strong a year for live drummers as previously, to get to see the power-packed trio of victoria smith, blake davies and igor cavalera backing the mighty soulwax was an astonishing and memorable experience. plus the kick-off to the year opportunity to witness the up-close technique of the stunningly talented fay milton separated by the merest of gauze curtains as she insistently hammered away to martin dubka’s pulsating moog and ayşe hassan’s pneumatic bass as part of moog sound lab uk in conjunction with the lsff was a very special and humbling honour indeed – so perhaps it’s not been that bad a drum-year after all.

in fact seeing such close-up talent and technique is always hugely energising, whether it’s susanne sundfør or felicita caressing the piano or margaret chardiet screaming in your mate’s face, and there is similar fascination in electronic intricacy too, from marie davidson’s deft syncing and looping to noga erez’s clipped vocoder styles, and the footwork of hassan, ema, torres and kwong should be applauded no less, while the vocal harmonies of ider, girlpool, lowly and grizzly bear have been equally divine.

crowd-wise (and we all know how aloof london crowds can sometimes be) superorganism's was the most eagerly anticipatory, eilish and ùchis’s the most fanatically amped, boy harsher and (sandy) alex g’s the sweatiest, litany and ema’s the most supportive, and torres’s arguably the most discerning.

venue-wise special mentions should go to the dome, the courtyard theatre, electrowerkz and oslo for keeping it real, scala continues to delight, while the arrival of the aesthetically theatrical omeara has made for some beautiful and intimate gig experiences, and k á r y y n’s choice of the thoroughly impressive, grade ii listed grand entrance hall to isambard kingdom brunel’s 1843 thames tunnel was simply sublime – which reminds me, lucinda chua was perhaps the most enchanting support act i’ve seen this year.

to close, i just wanted to thank all the artists for their ongoing commitment to creating their music, picking up their instruments, jumping aboard aeroplanes and ramshackle vans, and traveling to faraway places to play for us all and share their craft. life is all about broadening horizons not closing down borders, and you can read how ema’s work has inspired me to consider the wider, more important role of these extraordinary musical ambassadors in fostering better social cohesion and understanding here.

you can also read about the two most moving songs i think i witnessed live this year courtesy of girlpool and chastity belt (albeit torres’s intense face-to-face performance of “concrete ganesha” came a pretty close third) here.

as a final treat, you can listen to both the above the rest of the artists i’ve seen this year courtesy of the chronological spotify playlist: emm-yew-ess-eye-see's 2017 live. you’ll hopefully find it vibrant and uplifting, because i guess i’ve enjoyed elements of classical, pop, electro, jazz, rock, punk, hip-hop, r’n’b, industrial, noise and folk along the way. so stick with it and maybe you’ll find something inspiring and new for you to go and see in 2018. have fun out there, people, and be nice to one another yeah?