#how dare you change the layout and colours of my house
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spiderskull142 · 11 months ago
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brb gonna maim discord real quick
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cheri-translates · 4 years ago
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Headcanon - his kiss doesn’t count as a dare
This work, 他的偷亲,不算冒险, was originally written by 喵小柒吃很少 on Weibo, and she has given me permission to translate it 🌸
[ GAVIN ]
Eli grins cheekily as he rushes into Gavin’s office, slamming his palm on the desk. “Let’s grab dinner after work. Treat it as a celebratory feast for solving this big case.”
Gavin looks up, glancing at Eli. “...okay.” 
Over the past month, Gavin and Eli had led the team in working tirelessly to resolve a major criminal case. With the mission finally completed, the team is preparing to head out to celebrate over beer.
-
Tipsy from the feast, the young policemen commence a game of ‘Truth or Dare’. Likely attributed to the nature of their work preventing them from relaxing and cracking jokes under normal circumstances, everyone is fully immersed in the game.
Gavin doesn’t seem to be interested in such a meaningless game. He sits at quietly, taking sips of beer while watching as everyone gets engaged in lively discussions involving each others’ gossip.
Male gossip is pretty scary too... Gavin thinks to himself. 
Suddenly, Eli exclaims. “Eh? Gavin hasn’t had his turn, right?!”
In just a moment, everyone’s eyes are focused on Gavin. He sets down the glass in his hand, the alcohol leaving a faint reddish hue on his face.
“Ahem...” Gavin subconsciously rubs his neck. “That’s right...”
“Eh~ It isn’t interesting enough for you, Captain Gavin? Come come come, let’s play!” An officer stands up, stumbling over to Gavin and patting his arm. “Captains have to lead by example, don’t they?”
“...okay.”
“Hey hey! Captain Gavin, pick one - truth or dare?” Eli asks excitedly.
“...dare.” Whatever can be settled using actions don’t require words.
“All right!” Eli becomes even more enthusiastic. “Let me suggest one! You have to promise that you won't refuse!”
“...”
“Kiss Sis-in-law! You have to take action once you reach home. This is an order!” Eli pats Gavin’s shoulder, rocking with laughter. “You can’t refuse! If you’re truly a man, you’ll post it on Moments as proof!”
The faint flush on his cheeks seems to deepen in colour at Eli’s words. Slightly embarrassed, he turns away. “...okay.”
By the time Gavin returns home, the house is very quiet. The tender moonlight seeps through the gaps of the curtain, illuminating the girl who is in a deep slumber.
You’re lying on top of the blankets, hugging the pillow Gavin gave you.
“...why are you asleep this early?” He slurs, worry surfacing on his face. He lifts you up, carefully tucking you underneath the blankets.
“Today... ahem...” Gavin stammers as he looks at your sleeping form. “I...”
After struggling internally for a while, he leans down. When his lips are just about to touch your forehead, he suddenly stops, his face as red as a steamed crab. “Does this... count as taking advantage of someone?”
He thinks for a moment. Finally, he decides to leave a gentle kiss on your forehead anyway. “Goodnight, my girl...”
-
The next day, you see a picture of yourself sleeping (with a horrible posture) on Gavin’s Moments, accompanied with the caption: “My mission has been completed. It doesn’t really count as a dare.”
You: Gavin! What in the world is this???
Gavin: Ahem... n-nothing... [his face turns crimson when he recalls the secret kiss last night]
You: Are you hiding something from me?
Gavin: No... I just... kissed you... that’s all...
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[ KIRO ]
“Cheers~ Everyone has worked hard!” Director Yang shouts. Kiro and the crew members, including Savin, raise their glasses.
Everyone is enjoying themselves to the fullest during this feast dedicated to celebrating the finalised manuscript for the new movie. In the midst of it, Kiro has downed several glasses of beer without realising it. 
Savin attempts to stop him. “Kiro, stop drinking. Your mistress of the house wouldn’t like it.”
“Ahh Savin~ I’m just so happy today (// ▽ //) ~” Kiro sounds upset as he pushes past Savin half-drunkenly, snatching his glass back.
At this point, a voice interrupts Savin’s nagging -- “Hey, we’ve spent such a long time drinking. Why don’t we play some games?”
“Sure! How about ‘Truth or Dare’?”
“All right, stop drinking. Go and join them!” Savin finally seizes an opportunity to grab the glass from Kiro.
“Hm???”
Kiro purses his lips as he gets pushed to the middle of the group unwillingly. 
-
“Truth or dare - Kiro, pick one!”
“...ahh.” Kiro scratches his head. “I pick dare.”
“Okay! I'll give you a task!” Director Yang volunteers. “I heard that Kiro recently announced publicly that he has a girlfriend?”
“Oho~” The surroundings burst into an uproar.
Kiro is stunned for a moment, but returns to his senses soon after. A smile reminiscent of sunlight surfaces on his handsome face.
His voice is tinged with pride. “That’s right~”
“Wow! What a lucky man!” The rustling of voices drift in the air as everyone starts whispering to each other.
“In that case, your dare today is--” Director Yang pauses dramatically. “To go home and kiss your girlfriend. You also have to post a picture on Moments! This way, you can't think of squirming out of it!”
Kiro chuckles. An even more brilliant smile appears on his face, which is currently flushed from alcohol. “No problem~ I promise to complete this task!”
When Kiro returns home, you’re already asleep. He doesn’t turn the lights on. Based on his familiarity with the layout and the numbness of his yet-to-be sober mind, he staggers into the bedroom. 
“Miss Chips~” His voice is very soft and exceptionally gentle. “Are you asleep?”
...
The steady breathing in the air gives him an answer.
“It’s okay even if you’re asleep. Today, I’m incredibly happy~” He leans down slowly, drawing closer to you. “I’ll tell you more in your dream...”
After saying this, he plants a kiss on your lips.
-
The next day, you see a picture of yourself sleeping on Kiro’s Moments. The room is dark, but you can still vaguely make out your profile. The caption reads: “To Superhero Kiro, there’s no such thing as a ‘dare’~”
You: Kiro? Why did you post this???
Kiro: Because I had to complete a task~ Hehe...
You: A task? 
Kiro: Does Miss Chips want to know what it was? I’ll tell you if you give me another kiss~
You: In your dreams! (hold on... why did he say “again”?)
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[ SHAW ]
“Come on bros! Tonight, we aren’t going home till we’re drunk!” The band members are currently gathered around a table in Live House. 
The performance that night was a resounding success. As such, the band members decided to have a small beer gathering to celebrate.
“Eh? What’s wrong with you, Shaw?” You’re drinking so little today - it’s not like you!” A man with purple hair asks, staring incredulously at him.
“What drink? Hurry up and serve dinner already! I’m heading home after that.” Shaw impatiently waves away the beer bottle offered by the band member.
“Oh? You’re going home early? Is it because someone’s waiting for you?” The man teases. The other members start hooting.
“What ‘someone’? You’re thinking too much. I’m just tired, so I want to return home to sleep.” Shaw answers casually, nibbling on the chopsticks.
“You don’t? What about that Sister who watches our performances often?” The purple-haired man pipes up again, clearly unafraid of death.
“Her name’s MC!” Shaw has reached the limits of his patience. “Tch, why do I even need to tell you!”
Everyone at the table starts laughing. 
“Since you’ve already brought her up, I don’t think you’re in the mood for eating. Just go home! We won’t miss you anyway hahaha!” The man says relaxedly.
“You said it yourself. I’m leaving.” Shaw immediately sets down the chopsticks. Grabbing his jacket, he turns towards the door.
Before he can take a step, the purple-haired man continues. “You can leave if you want to, but you’ve got to kiss your girlfriend and post it on Moments! Or else we won’t let you off tomorrow! Got it?”
“Tch...” Shaw scoffs. “It’s just a kiss. What’s so difficult about it?”
“Oho~” The group of people once again start hooting from behind him.
When Shaw reaches home, you’re already off in dream land. He tosses his jacket onto the sofa, then heads into the bedroom. 
The night is incredibly quiet, and the air is filled with the rustling of his clothes as he walks over.
You’re sleeping on your side, your head tilted upwards slightly, revealing your neck. Shaw casually squats down next to the bed, staring at your sleeping face--
“Hey, MC? Are you asleep?” He asks.
...
“Why do you look so terrible when you’re asleep?” He shifts closer, carefully observing you.
“Forget it.” He arches his brows. “Why did I even notice such a dumb and troublesome woman?”
Despite what he says, he leaves a deep kiss on the side of your neck...
-
The next day, you see a picture of yourself sleeping on Shaw’s Moments. The caption reads: “This is called a ‘dare’? How boring...”
You: Shaw? What’s the meaning of this?! Care to give me an explanation?
Shaw: The words are clear enough. You can’t read?
You: I’m asking why you posted a picture of me sleeping?! It’s so ugly! Delete it immediately!
Shaw: Why should I? I don’t want to!
MC: Shaw!
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[ VICTOR ]
At a LFG gathering, several rounds of drinking result in everyone having the Dutch courage to start joking around with CEO Victor...
“CEO, want to play a round of ‘Truth or Dare’ with us?” Goldman is clearly intoxicated, swinging a glass in his hand while posing this question to Victor, who is sitting alone at the corner of a sofa.
Cindy immediately tugs at Goldman’s sleeve, and even shoots him a glare. “Hey, are you out of your mind?!”
In a hazy state, Goldman responds: “Hm? I... No I’m not...”
Before Cindy can celebrate the fact that Victor didn’t get angry, the man himself suddenly stands up and says: “Okay.”
!!!
Everyone, whether they are drunk or sober, are left flabbergasted. Victor actually agreed???
“CEO Victor, you have to promise to do a dare!” In a rare display of boldness, Goldman exclaims, “I want... a raise!”
Victor glances at him. “That’s all?”
“No no no!” Cindy rushes to cover Goldman’s mouth. “Let’s change it to another one!”
“Mm.”
Goldman suddenly has a new idea. “You... have to do it when you get home!”
“...what are you saying?” Victor’s brows furrow slightly.
With a gradually softening voice, Goldman elaborates. “You have to kiss the Lady Boss... and post a picture on Moments as proof...”
Everybody at the scene stops breathing. Time seems to halt as well, and no one dares to say a word.
Victor sighs, setting down the glass in his hand. “I’ll do it.”
By the time Victor returns home, you’re already asleep. He changes into a new set of clothes, treading into the bedroom quietly. The room is pitch black. Borrowing slivers of moonlight, he sits at the side of the bed carefully.
“Dummy, are you asleep?” He asks softly, as though he’s talking to the air.
...
A lack of response is an affirmation that you’ve been asleep since a while ago.
“I’ll do it without your permission this time then.” Victor leans down, planting a kiss on your cheek.
“Goodnight, my dummy.”
-
The next day, you see a picture of your silhouette on Victor’s Moments. The caption reads: “My task is complete. It doesn’t count as a ‘dare’.”
You: What’s the meaning of this? Why did you randomly post a picture of me, and when I was asleep...
Victor: ...no reason. A dummy wouldn't understand.
You: Why are you calling me a dummy again??? You’re the dummy!
Victor’s mind: I am a dummy. Or I wouldn’t have agreed to the game...
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[ LUCIEN ]
The latest experiment conducted by the research centre has succeeded. To celebrate, Lucien and his fellow researchers have gathered for a meal. Of course, he also brought his competent assistant, Ah Ming.
Because this experiment was incredibly difficult, the research centre spent more than a year to obtain success. This propelled everyone to down a few more drinks than they typically would. 
At some point, someone suggests a game of ‘Truth or Dare’--
“Professor Lucien, want to play?” A colleague teases.
“Just forget it. Lucien definitely wouldn’t play these types of games hahaha...” Another colleague at the side chimes in.
“...I can participate.” Lucien looks at the colleague who had invited him to the game, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Ah Ming, who is seated next to Lucien, almost spits out his water. He splutters, turning to Lucien. “Teacher, are you sure you want to play?”
“Mm. Is there a problem?” Lucien tilts his head and smiles.
“No no no!” Ah Ming hurriedly responds.
“I pick dare.”
“Okay! In that case, Ah Ming will think of a dare for his teacher.”
“Huh? Me...?” Ah Ming frantically waves his hand. “It’s better if you do it...”
“It’s all right, just suggest something.” Lucien chuckles. He is as calm as always, though his cheeks are tinted with a faint reddish hue from the alcohol.
“Hmm...” The cogs in Ah Ming’s brain turn as he thinks of something that can make his teacher happy so his thesis doesn’t get scrapped and yet is a satisfactory answer for the others present. “Then... give Teacher’s Wife a kiss when you get home?”
Everyone suddenly grows quiet. In the entire room, only Ah Ming’s gulp can be heard.
Lucien’s smile is even more evident now. His long and slender fingers tap the glass cup before him. “All right, I’ll do that.”
The air remains still, until one of his colleagues breaks the silence. “You’re not allowed to back out! Post it on Moments as proof!”
By the time Lucien returns home, you’re already asleep. But... you’re sleeping at your desk. Probably drained from amending a company proposal, one of your hands rest on the keyboard, while your other arm acts as a makeshift pillow for your head.
Lucien walks over to the desk quietly. When he sees your sleeping face, he releases a gentle laugh. “Silly Girl, you're able to sleep even in such a position...”
He shifts to your side and leans down to your ear. “Are you really asleep?”
...
Silence is his answer.
With a laugh, he tucks some stray hairs behind your ear. “...silence is consent ^_^~”
And he kisses your ear lightly.
-
The next day, you see a picture of yourself draped on the table on Lucien’s Moments. The caption reads: “The difficulty level of this ‘dare’ doesn’t seem challenging enough.”
You: Lucien, why did you post a picture of me sleeping? And sleeping at the desk! It's so ugly! Delete it!
Lucien: It is? I think it’s very nice~
You: Yes yes yes! It looks terrible! But... why would you post such a random thing on Moments?
Lucien: Do you want to know? [laughs] Come closer and I’ll tell you...
-
More translated and original works: here
[ Permission to translate ]
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喵小柒吃很少: Hello~ Firstly, I’m really touched that you like them, I feel very honoured~ You can translate the works! If more people who like MLQC can read them, I’m very happy too 💝 Thank you!
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fletchphoenix · 4 years ago
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Families Are Overrated
Chapter 2 of the Varigo Coffee Shop AU! 
Wow, an update today and yesterday! I’m absolutely loving this story and writing it, so I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do. Unfortunately, I start school soon so the schedule will most likely have to change (as much as I don’t want it to.)
Word Count - 3,705 
TW - Panic Attacks, Strong Language
--------------------------------------
Although it was only Wednesday, Thursday felt as though it was decades away. Up until now, the days had dragged on and on and on. In all honesty, Varian thought the universe itself was extending the length of each day just to taunt him. They all just seemed to merge together no matter what he did to take up his time, it never seemed to speed up. “Why can’t Thursday just hurry up…?” The raven haired boy thought as he picked up his backpack and headed out of the chemistry labs, tucking a strand of hair that had fallen into his face behind his ear and descending the stairs towards the town library.
  Corona was a rather large town, with most streets littered with stores, houses and parks. Oddly, it was almost always unbelievably sunny, the aforementioned rays of the blinding light burning his eyes as he remained on course to the building, causing him to be suddenly very interested in the floor. The town was rather peaceful and beautiful too in terms of crime and layout - though, he did live in the less beautiful, more run-down faction of the city called Old Corona, and ANY town would be better than Old Corona when it comes to crime rates or general beauty. 
  After around 10 minutes of walking, he found himself outside of the doors he knew so well - the doors to the Coronan Library. His mom used to joke, always calling it the “Eternal Library” because of its tremendous size. Before her and his dad split up. He missed her a lot. He let out a sigh at the unwanted memory and stepped forward. Instantly after he’d pushed open the heavy, oak doors, a tiny boy ran and wrapped his arms around his waist with a wide smile on his face. Varian let out a chuckle and leant down to ruffle his hair, prying the younger boy off him and heading to a 3 seating spruce table in the middle of the room. Various books, pens and stationary were littered about the surface with the wood underneath barely even visible at most points. Yong eagerly ran to take his seat, jittering in excitement. He could swear that kid was just a bundle of energy - somehow always able to run around or be doing something. 
  “Took you long enough. I was starting to think you bailed.” A voice rang out as he took his place at the table. He didn’t even have to look at her to know who it was, a distinct hair clip with a star on it made it very clear to him. Nuru looked at him, a smirk on her face and her eyebrow raised with her NASA shirt being covered by a violet bomber jacket. Her jeans were cuffed and little scribbles that were drawn in pen were dotted here and there. Sneakers that were the same colour as her jacket only just fell short of her ankle, black socks with stars peeking out of them only just visible from the top. He dramatically sighed and feigned annoyance, a mock expression of the emotion on his face while he flopped back into his chair.
  “Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry Nuru. I got sidetracked - that’s all. So, how are you today, Yong?” He questioned, finally taking time to look over at the boy sitting beside him. Covering him was a crimson hoodie - judging by the way it dwarfed him in size, it was his older brother’s that was given to him as a hand me down or some sort of gift. It was kind of cute - a ghost of a smile appearing on his face. On his feet were some worn, gold and red converse that were laced ridiculously tight, also a hand-me-down. A childish smile was on his face as he looked up at Varian.
  “I’m fine! We learnt about astronomy today and calculating percentage composition! We got assigned some questions though and I didn’t understand the equation…” He mumbled the last part and leant against the table, before pulling 2 notebooks out of his bag. “Is it okay if you two can help me with my homework though? Just so I can understand it better and stuff. You explain it really well.” 
  “Sure we can, buddy.” Varian replied and shuffled closer to him. “So the equation for percentage mass is the mass of the desired elements divided by the gram formula mass, and then multiply it by 100%, but you know that, right?” He paused, waiting for a nod of confirmation which he promptly got before continuing with his explanation. “So the question is to calculate the percentage composition of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Right? So, the first step is to write out the formula,” he paused once again to allow Yong to follow his instructions, the younger boy giving a thumbs up when he was done. “Great. So then you need to work out the gram formula mass which is…?” 
  Yong stared at the paper quietly, leaning forward and holding his pen before chewing the lid.  “So it’s 14 add 4 add 14 add 48, so that’s gonna be...80?” he questioned, looking over at Varian and his face lighting up when he gave a nod of approval. 
  “So then,” Varian added, “You need to do 14 divided by 2 multiplied by 100 to get the percentage of Nitrogen, then 4 divided by 80 and multiplied by 100 to get the percentage of hydrogen and finally 48 divided by 80 and multiplied by 100 to get the percentage of oxygen!” Varian concluded, smiling as Yong handed over his finished work. The older boy glanced over it, double checking before handing the worksheet back with a satisfied hum. “All correct! Well done, bud.”
  At that news, Yong gave a little cheer, moving over to Nuru and showing off his work, Varian sitting back as he watched the heartwarming scene from afar. He seemed so proud of himself, and he had every right to be. Still, after his little adrenaline rush, Nuru sat him down and listened attentively as Yong talked extensively about his astronomy homework. Satisfied that his job was done, Varian gazed out of the window. Hm. Still abnormally sunny - as per usual.
  A slight breeze made its way through the library as the door creaked open, prompting Varian to divert his attention towards it. He regretted it immediately. Standing in the doorway was none other than Hugo. He was wearing a green hoodie with jeans...god, he looked so good in green. Heat started to build in his face as he moved to look away from the older boy, his hands fidgeting in his lap and the tips of his ears turning red the longer he looked at him. He silently prayed Nuru and Yong hadn’t noticed...but the universe had other plans in its mission to screw him over.
  “Varian, are you okay? Your face is red. Are you too warm? Do you want me to ask the librarian to turn the fan on?” inquired Yong, already standing and beginning to walk away. Varian groaned and sunk back further into his chair, covering his still red face with his hands. Oh my god, why did he have to be here? He grimaced as the sound of Nuru’s laughter gradually got louder. “What.” he questioned, not daring to look up and betray just how flustered he was. This, however, only caused her to laugh even harder. 
    “Nothing! I just can’t believe Varian Ruddiger, my best friend, is simping for Hugo Atkinson aka one of the biggest playboys in human existence! It’s simply unbelievable!” Nuru cackled, Varian swiftly lunging and covering her mouth with his hand. 
  “Shut the fuck up, Nuru! If he even hears you!-” he flushed red as his eyes met Hugo’s from across the room. A smirk tugged at the corners of the blonde’s lips and he shot the younger boy a wink, bursting out into uncontrollable laughter as the other’s face went even redder (as if that was even possible) and he frantically tried to compose himself. Varian hurriedly stood up, shoving books into his bag and pushing the blue streak of hair out of his line of sight.
  “Oh would you look at the time! Eugene will be here to pick me up any minute now!” he declared rather loudly. The librarian looked up from her position behind the counter and shushed him, her eyes rolling as he repeatedly apologised. Cooling air hit his face as he dashed out of the library, passing Hugo at a speed he himself didn’t know he could reach. It was the relief he desperately needed - the flush of his face calming down and slowly retreating. Why was he so awkward? A blaring horn bought him back to reality, courtesy of his unofficial sister’s boyfriend. Involuntarily, he winced and stumbled back, bringing his hands up to cover his ears.
  “Hey Var! C’mon!” Eugene called out, a wide smile on his face as he waved him over. With a groan, Varian headed over and opened the door. He slumped into the passenger’s seat, fingers moving to roll down the window and allow the breeze to hit his face as Eugene drove. Varian silently observed the houses and stores as they sped past, steadily being swapped out with parks and fields leading up to his sister’s house.
  It always went like this ever since his mom left. On Wednesdays, Eugene would pick him up from his tutoring job and he’d go over to the couple’s house for dinner, before Eugene would drive him back home to Old Corona. Routine. A snug routine that no one disagreed with. They sat in a pleasant silence before the brunette decided to speak up.
  “So uh..how was your day, kiddo?” he implored, taking a second to glance over at the smaller boy as he stared out of the car window, charcoal locks blowing wildly in the wind, with the blue streaks still clearly defined. The response was a nod and faint hum as the boy kept his focus on the landscape beside them. The brunette bit his lip and relented on the questions. Clearly he wasn’t fine then.
  The ivory car pulled in outside of the small, ivy-walled cottage, both boys exiting the car after it had been parked. “There we go, Maximus. Good job.” Eugene mumbled under his breath, giving the hood a gentle tap before striding towards the wooden door and opening it. “Blondie! We’re here!” he exclaimed as the blonde-haired woman bounded out into the hallway, sprinting outside to pull the younger boy into a rib-crushing hug as her fiancé watched on in amusement. 
  “Varian! Hey!” she beamed as she took his wrist in a vice-like grip and pulled him along into the cottage. “It’s so good to see you! Cass, Lance and the girls are in the living room if you want to go see them!” Huh. Cass? That was new. Last thing he heard was that she was travelling the world after finishing her course at university. He put on the widest smile he could and slid open the sitting room’s door.
  Cassandra, Lance, Keira and Catalina all looked up from where they were sitting and waved. Varian made his way over to Cass, settling down beside her and allowing her to pull him into a side hug. “Hey co lady-in-waiting.” she chuckled and ruffled his hair. “How are you? How long has it been- what, 4 years?” 
  “Yep. 4 years.” Lance chimed in from his perch on the matching lilac sofa, a wide grin on his face as Cass tossed a pillow at him. Much to her dismay, he caught it and threw it right back at them. It hit Cass square in the face, her letting out a gasp of surprise and falling back against the plush cushions dotted all over the couch. The black haired boy let out a snort of laughter, covering his mouth and trying to suppress the small giggles that kept leaving his mouth. “I’m-oh fuck hold on,” he barely managed to pass the words through his lips, still in a fit of laughter. He took a deep breath. In. Hold. Out. In. Hold. Out. “That’s better. I’m fine. Studying chemistry at Corona University now.” he replied with a grin and leant against her, letting her warmth engulf him once again. 
  “No fuckin’ way. You’re a uni kid now?” she sat bolt upright, turning to look at him with wide eyes before resuming her original position. “Shit..it's been way too long since I’ve been here.” she let out a breathy laugh and looked down.
  “DINNER’S READY!” Rapunzel’s voice cried out from the kitchen, summoning everyone to sit down at the table. The meal of choice was a simple spaghetti, served on a purple porcelain plate. After settling everyone down, Rapunzel distributed the food. It was all going well, in all honesty. Everyone was talking about various topics: Eugene and Lance’s promotions, Kiera and Catalina joining high school soon, where Cass was travelling..that was until that all important question was asked - the one Varian dreaded the most.
  “So Varian,” Catalina asked innocently, looking up at him. “Have you got a girlfriend yet?”
  Varian froze, spoon raised to his mouth before dropping it back onto the plate. “I-I’m sorry, what?” he stuttered out, an awkward, forced smile taking over his face. Oh god, why were they asking this?
  “Yeah V, do you have a girlfriend?” Kiera repeated her sister’s question, her interest seemingly peaked by his response.
  Oh. Oh. Of course this question would come up eventually. Fuck. He’d never had a girlfriend in his life! The only girl who he’d ever had a crush on was Cassandra! What did he even like about girls? He tried to think back on all of his previous crushes..Flynn Rider, Cassandra, Vex (for about 2 minutes), and finally...Hugo.
   His mind drifted to Hugo much to his displeasure. To the wink at the library, the extensive texting sessions, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about something he was passionate about...his sharp and defined features..his lips. He wondered how they’d taste..probably like cherries. Oh, he’d do anything to kiss Hugo-wait what? His face, for the umpteenth time flushed bright red as he narrowed his eyes to stare at the table cloth. “Um-no. No I don’t-” he began to protest before the others interrupted him again.
  “Aw, really? Our lovable Varian Ruddiger hasn’t captured the hearts of all the ladies he’s ever laid eyes on? I don’t believe it!” Cass exclaimed, taking a sip of the lemonade Rapunzel had made earlier. “Beautiful lemonade, by the way Raps. Good stuff.”
  “Yeah, especially when his brother-in-law is the infamous playboy Flynn Rider!” Lance pointed out with a vast smile on his face. “And Cass is right, this lemonade is the best I’ve ever had, Rapunzel.”
  “Look guys, can we just-stop talking about my relationship status?” Varian pleaded, his hands resting on the table and his breathing quickening. Oh god, was the room getting smaller? He felt like it was getting smaller. Tears welled up in his eyes as the others continued their teasing at his expense. 
“Just can’t believe it!-”
“I know a lovely girl! She’s Leona’s daughter!-”
“Varian?”
Too hot. It was too hot. No air. Why couldn’t he breathe? Was he dying? What was going on? Why was he shaking so much? He struggled and his chest heaved as he tried to take in more air. It’s too much. Please stop. 
“What happened to Vex? Don’t you like her anymore?-” 
Please stop.
“Buddy, are you okay?”
Stop.
“Varian?”
“STOP!” he screamed out, standing up fast and knocking his chair to the floor. Wet trails ran down his face as he harshly wiped his eyes and headed to the door. “Thanks for dinner, it was great.” he growled and shoved past the mass of worried people, throwing open the front door and falling to his knees outside. He gasped for breath, the oxygen being his saviour as it finally felt like he was getting enough. He was free. In. Hold. Out. In. Hold. Out. His body jolted as a hand cautiously rested on his shoulder, squeezing it softly before the mystery comforter sat by him.
  “Rapunzel I…”
  “Don’t. I get it. Just get yourself together, okay? In for 7, hold for 7, out for 7. Just like I taught you.” she commented with a reassuring smile, holding out her arms for him to fall into. He closed his eyes in the embrace, his hands holding on tight to the fabric of her dress to ground himself. Her perfume had the scent of lavender, calming his nerves and helping him relax further. It reminded him of the old house before the accident. Before his mom left. The good times.
  “Varian..I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have pushed you so far. It isn’t fair.” she finally admitted as her hand weaved through his hair in a motherly kind of way. “I’m so sorry we didn’t stop sooner. But just know that-well, you can always tell us if you aren’t comfortable. We’ll respect your choices no matter what.” 
  Varian smiled to himself at what his sister said. She always wanted what was best for him - especially after his dad went into a coma. “Thank you so much.” he muttered against her shoulder. “You have..no idea what this means to me.” he sighed, content in the moment before moving back. “I should go home, it’s gonna be really awkward for me to go back.”
  Rapunzel looked as though she’d been slapped in the face. “I-are you sure? I doubt the others mind, and I made cupcakes to celebrate you and Cass coming over.”
  “Thanks Rapunzel but I just want to go home-” he began to say. A silhouette appeared in the doorway, leaning against it on her upper arm. Cass looked down at the scene, a sympathetic smile on her face as the wind blew her hair about and she held out her hand. “Relax Raps. I’ll take him. I was just leaving anyway. The little twerp just needs to let me know the directions. Oh, and he’ll need this.” she remarked, throwing a helmet towards Varian who, with fumbling hands, caught it. But-why would he need a-
  His question was answered as Cass walked away, swinging her leg over the motorbike and sitting down. The bike was..wow. Black was the base coat for the vehicle - red streaks ran across the main body intermingling with blue streaks. He was taken aback, swinging his leg over after placing the helmet on his head. His arms wrapped around Cass’ waist as she started to drive.
  It was exhilarating. Wind whistled past his ears, houses merging together at the speed they were moving and the fields became mere blurs in the background. Eyes widened with wonder as he held on, cheering and filled with adrenaline. Cass’ face lit up at the sound of Varian’s childlike enjoyment and wonder as he marvelled at his surroundings. She brought the bike to a stop, smoothing down her hair and helping Varian off. As he trudged up his driveway, she kept her eyes on him. 
  “Hey V?” she said, him turning around almost immediately to meet her eyes. “Uh..you should come meet my girlfriend sometime. Her name’s Irene. You’d love her.” she commented, pulling her helmet on as Varian frantically nodded. She silently waved and rode off into the night, leaving Varian on the doorstep of his admittedly shabby house.
  Varian stood in silence for a second before a grin split onto his face. A weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Cass..of course. He knew she’d understand. Thank god he wasn’t alone. Cass knew..she knew what he was dealing with. He turned his head to the direction that her bike went. He’d thank her later, somehow. 
  After a few seconds, he strode into the house and made a left to the kitchen, a pearl-white sheet of paper placed onto the counter wedged under the fruit bowl sat in plain sight. Varian read it aloud before throwing it into the trash. “Brilliant. Dad’s working late.” he rolled his eyes, moving towards the cupboard and pouring out some cat food into a bowl. Ruddiger, the fat bastard, came sauntering in, rubbing himself against the boy’s leg before starting to eat. He laughed and started to head upstairs.
  He sat on his bed and gazed at the time on his phone. 7:32pm. Hugo should be online. He couldn’t help the stupid smile that cursed his face at the mere thought of the boy in question, pressing his name under messages.
Varian : Still on for 1 tomorrow?
  He sent the text, still high on the adrenaline rush from the motorbike. Tomorrow was weighing on his mind as he sat up, hurrying to his closet to pick out his clothes for their date. Or at least that’s what Hugo called it and Varian desperately hoped that wasn’t a joke. Extensive searching left him with deciding upon a cyan sweater over a white dress shirt, along with some jeans and his black vans. The infamous chime went off, with Varian essentially jumping over the frame of his bed to read it.
Hugo : Wouldn’t miss it for the world, sweetie pie <3
Hugo : You looked good in the library by the way, short stuff ;)
   Varian rolled his eyes at Hugo’s comment. What else had he expected, honestly. He snuck a glance at his mirror, only to see the same lovestruck grin as every other night before that. God, he loved this boy so much. It wasn’t fair how one person could have this effect on him. How everything felt better when they were talking. Hell, even coffee tasted better when he was drinking it with Hugo. 
Varian : Better than you, beanpole
Hugo : Ouch. Really know how to wound my pride, dontcha?
Hugo: Anyway, I’ve gotta study tonight so I’ll see you tomorrow. Same table.
Varian :  Eye eye, Captain. See you tomorrow.
  Setting his phone aside, Varian watched as Ruddiger crawled to sit on the bed beside him, cuddling under his arm and purring. “Ruddiger, I think i’m in love.” the boy whispered to his companion. 
“I think I’m in love with Hugo Atkinson.”
36 notes · View notes
spine-buster · 5 years ago
Text
Alone, Together | Chapter 35 | Morgan Rielly
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A/N: I just...someone call the Pope.
“First class again?” Bee asked as she looked down at the boarding pass that had just printed out from the kiosk at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.  She readjusted the Louis Vuitton tote bag on her shoulder – the same one that Lucy convinced her to buy all those months ago – and looked up at Morgan quickly.
“Did you expect anything less from me?” Morgan asked, looking down at her.  “I mean…really.”
Bee snorted as she took a closer look at the boarding pass in her hand, wondering if she got a window seat again or if she was in an aisle cubby.  As she looked at her seat number, a peculiar word caught her eye.  “Uh oh.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I think it printed out the wrong boarding pass for us.  We might have to go back up to that lady who took our luggage.”
“What do you mean?” Morgan said, his tone not phased at all by the apparent error.  Morgan flew all the time – this was probably a common error.  Did private team jets still print boarding passes?
“It says the destination is Kelowna instead of Vancouver,” Bee said.  
“That’s because the destination is Kelowna.”
For a moment, Bee couldn’t understand the words coming out of Morgan’s mouth.  She looked at him like he had three heads, trying to decipher the words.  “We…we’re going to Kelowna?” she asked.  He nodded.  “But…I thought we were going to Vancouver?”
“We are, silly.  I’m surprising you with a trip to the Okanagan Valley first, then we’re going to Vancouver,” Morgan was smirking at her.
“The Okanagan Valley?  You mean like B.C. wine country?”
“Precisely,” he leaned down to give her a quick kiss.  “Who would I be if I didn’t surprise you with something.  And don’t Morgan me.”
She sneered at him playfully.  “I wasn’t going to.”
“Sure.”
“But you do…I mean…” she began, wondering if she should even say the words.  “You do know we could be staying in a Motel 6 and I’d be happy.”
“Briony,” he said her name in a half-amused, half-warning tone.  He leaned down to kiss her again before continuing.  “What’d I say about this stuff.”
“I know, but--”
“We are going to have,” kiss, “a very good time,” kiss, “going on winery tours,” kiss, “and watching the sunset,” kiss, “over the Okanagan,” kiss, “and then we’re gonna take a roadtrip,” kiss, “to Vancouver,” kiss, “and watch the sunrise,” kiss, “over the Sunshine Coast,” kiss, “just like last time,” kiss.  
Bee couldn’t help but smile at his words.  She was also very conscious of the fact that he was kissing her multiple times in the middle of a busy airport.  She didn’t used to be that person, but Morgan brought it out of her.  She licked her lips and bit her bottom lip before looking up at him.  “You’re too good to me,” she mumbled.
“You get what you deserve, Bumblebee,” he winked.  “Now let’s go.”
***
When they touched down in Kelowna, they checked in at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort on the waterfront and changed into workout gear.  Morgan wanted to take Bee hiking up the mountain to see the views, and she was more than ready to comply, despite the fact that she knew she was out of shape and would probably have to stop several times along the way up the mountain.  She knew the views would be worth it, and if she was a sucker for anything, it was views from mountaintops.  Considering she had never been to Kelowna, she thought it the perfect introduction.  
They began their hike at the base of Knox Mountain Park, following the trail diligently and making sure to stay on the designated path.  There were a lot of hikers out and about due to the beautiful day outside, so there were many quick greetings and many dog pets as they made their way up.  About half way up the hike, they happened upon a group of middle-aged people – Bee would say they were probably around Rocco and Clarette’s age – with four golden retrievers between them.  Morgan was in absolute heaven.  Everybody stopped so the dogs could be pet, and one of the men eventually recognized Morgan, so everyone posed for a group photo.  Bee was pulled into it for some reason.  The man’s wife was so excited that she pulled Bee in.  It was all very nice, but unnecessary for her to be there.  She could have at least taken the photo.  
When they got to the top of the mountain about twenty minutes later, Bee gasped.  There, before her eyes, was Okanagan Lake and the city of Kelowna spread out across the landscape.  Though she was out of breath, probably red, and definitely sweating, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed at the sight before her.  The vast expanse before her was almost too much to handle; too beautiful to forget.  She focused hard, and long, creating a mental image in her head of the view so that she’d never forget it.  She didn’t want this memory to disappear.
It was only when she felt Morgan’s arm wrap around her waist that her trance sort of ended – even then, she couldn’t look at him, too transfixed on finding every little detail to remember.  The colour of the trees.  The sparkle of the water.  The deep blue of the sky.  “It’s beautiful, eh?” he asked softly.  
“Like…it’s not fair,” she said, causing Morgan to giggle slightly.  “I know I said this on the boat that morning in January but you’re so lucky that you got to grow up here.  Like, incredibly lucky.”
“I know, Bumblebee.  That’s why I want to bring you here all the time,” he admitted.  “I want you to love it as much as I do.”
She couldn’t help but smile as she finally looked up at him.  “I already do.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.  Just by virtue of the fact that you grew up here.  Never mind the views and the scenery and the people – they’re extra.  I love it because you love it.  Because it’s your home.”
Morgan leaned down to kiss her, not caring about how many people were around possibly watching.  Sometimes, Bee had the simplest reasons for things, and for a guy who got stuck in his head too much and came up with overly complicated explanations for things some of the time, it was that simplicity that he needed.  I love it because it’s your home.  It was the simplest sentiment but one that brought out the best in Bee.  She didn’t need anything besides the ground beneath her feet and her favourite people by her side.  Everything else was extra.  “I love you, you know that?” he whispered against her lips.
“You do?”
He pinched her butt playfully.  “Smart ass.”
“Yeah, but you love my ass.”
“You’re lucky I do.”
***
So you’re finally working out.  About fucking time, fat ass.  
Surprised you’re not off fucking Fred or Tyler for your 15 minutes of fame.  But then again, who’d want to fuck someone as desperate as you?
Making Morgan spend money on you again…typical.  Bleeding him dry.  If you were smart you’d be with Auston bc he has way more money.
All the Toronto girls are talking about you behind your back.  I hope you know that.  You’re still the biggest social climber ever.  You think you’re hot shit but you’re not.  And just because your new BFF is Aryne, it doesn’t mean a thing.  Everybody can see right through you.  When Aryne and Morgan dump you, it’s over for you.  You’re already so irrelevant.
Why do u think u can wear tights like that omg u look like a complete whale!
Go drown urself in that lake bitch
“Is everything okay?” Morgan asked as he crawled into bed beside Bee, snuggling up to her automatically as she lay in bed with a lace camisole pyjama set.  Bee had sent Angie a quick text to see how Bruce was doing, and Angie was supposed to have sent a video of Bruce back to them.  She and Mason were cat and house sitting the apartment while they were away.  
“It’s fine,” she sighed.  “Just reading the latest messages from my fan club.”
“Fan club?” Morgan asked.  When she gave him her phone and he saw the familiar layout of Instagram, he knew immediately what she was talking about and furrowed his brows.  
Ur soooooooo desperate for attention
U look like a cheap hooker…like not even an escort.  Ur so trash!!!!!
You should learn a thing or two from Lucy and her yoga business.  AKA stop leeching off your boyfriend!!!!!  You think you’re better than everyone else when you’re not.  SAD!
Morgan is stupid to be with you.  I don’t understand what he sees in trash like you.
“Bumblebee…you don’t…I can’t…” he couldn’t find the right words to say as he shook his head.  “I’ve gotta talk to Steve again…”
“He’s not coming back from Europe for you, Morgan.”
“Briony, you shouldn’t have to be dealing with this,” he said sternly, unable to joke about this like she was.  “I know how much this affects you, baby.  And it’s not fair.  It’s not fair that they can say whatever they want to you and you have to refrain from saying anything back.  That you can’t…that you…” he trailed off.
“That I what?” she asked.  She was practically able to see the gears shifting in his head.  
“You can’t say anything about it…but what if I did?”
“NO,” she half-screamed, grabbing her phone out of his hand quickly before his thoughts got the best of him.  She sat up in the bed and he followed her, sitting up too.  “Morgan Frederick Rielly, NO.  Don’t you dare.  Don’t you – that would make it worse, Morgan.  That’s the stupidest idea you’ve ever come up with.  Could you imagine the media coverage on that?  Kyle would blow a gasket, let alone Steve.  Shanny might have a stroke.”
“But I want to keep you safe, Bumblebee.  I need to keep you safe,” he tried to reason with her.  
“Not at the expense of your good reputation with the team and in Toronto and definitely not at the expense of your career,” she said sternly.  “Morgan Frederick Rielly, don’t you even think about it.”
“But Briony--”
“Don’t.”
“I don’t understand how you can handle all this.  It’s all my fault,” he said.  
“It is most definitely not your fault.”
“I feel guilty every day, every fucking time I have to read one of those fucking messages or see you torn up about it.  Canada Day wrecked me.  To see you like that…Briony, I can’t.  How can you be so…how can you handle it?  How aren’t you scared ab--”
“Shhhhh…” she said quietly, bringing her finger up to his lips to quiet him.  “Because my love for you is greater than my fear of that.”
Morgan took a moment to internalize her words.  His chest was heaving slightly, he was a bit agitated, and his mind was set on doing something about it himself if he had to, but all he had to hear was her voice, her smooth, calming voice, and all those feelings washed away.  “You…”
“My love for you is greater than my fear of that, or them, or anything they say to me,” she repeated, cradling his face in her hands as she kissed him.  “You need to start realizing that.  They can say whatever they want, and sometimes it might hurt me, and I might cry about it a little bit, but I’m stronger than that and I’ve been through way worse.”
Morgan sighed heavily.  “Bumblebee…”
“Shhhhh…” she shushed him again, her finger on his lips being replaced by her own lips.  “They’re all jealous.  That’s all it is.  Jealously.  Jealous that you’re mine and jealous that we’re building a life together.  Jealous that I get this giant hunk of man all to myself,” she whispered, kissing him again.  “Now…if you don’t mind, I’d like to show this giant hunk of man how grateful I am for him and everything he does.”
“B-Bumblebee…” he mumbled out before she kissed him again.
“Quiet, Mr. Rielly.”
Morgan did as he was told.  He began kissing her back, softly at first, then with a fervour he reserved only for her, that only she could bring out of him.  And when she began kissing along his jawline, climbing on top of his body simultaneously and rubbing her core on his thigh, all his thoughts dissipated completely, replaced with a hunger that he felt only for her.  He was insatiable for her.  He could never get enough of her.  He wanted her always, all the time, constantly, incessantly, persistently.  His body ached for hers.  It was crazy, he thought, how well they fit together.  How their bodies responded to one another instinctually.  He wouldn’t be able to find this with anyone else – couldn’t find this with anybody else.
Her took off her lace camisole easily.  With her breasts now exposed he took the opportunity to lean forward and take a nipple in her mouth, sucking and teasing and biting down gently.  She threw her head back, her long hair cascading down her back, and cradled his head in her hands before tugging on the tufts of his hair gently.  She took his shirt off easily.  Over it went, across the room, and she moved down his body to slip his boxers off slowly.
“Briony…” he managed to mumble out as she stayed there, grabbing his already hard cock in her hands.
“Shhhh,” she shushed him for the umpteenth time that night.  She began stroking it and watched as he gulped.  “I got you, baby.”
“I d…I don’t want to cum in your mouth,” he mumbled.  “Don’t – when I say--”
“Mmkay,” she said quickly, licking the tip of his cock.  “Just say the words,” she said in an almost playful tone before dipping down and taking him in her mouth.
He gathered some of her hair in his hand to get it out of her face; he didn’t want his view to be obstructed as she bobbed up and down, his cock disappearing inside her mouth further and further until he felt the head of his cock touch the back of her throat.  He closed his eyes momentarily, relishing in the feeling.  “Fuck, baby,” he sighed out.  
Bee let out a mischievous giggle, her fingernails digging lightly into his thigh.  “You like that, don’t you?” she asked as she scratched down slowly.  Morgan nodded his head desperately.  “You love it when I suck your cock.”
“Y-Yes,” he stuttered out.  “Fuuuck Briony, I love it when my cock is down your throat.”  He felt her dip down again, her tongue swirling around the tip, licking the pre-cum greedily.  “You better start touching yourself,” he told her.  
He watched as she slipped a hand down her body and underneath her shorts, wiggling out of them with ease.  By now, he was rock hard, and when Bee looked up at him with her big green eyes before she took him in her mouth all the way, hitting the back of her throat again, his hips buckled and he let out a loud groan.  She gagged slightly, his movements shoving his cock deeper into her throat, but when he looked at her again, she was already looking at him, a slight smile in her eyes that drove him fucking crazy.  “Briony…p-p-please--”
She ignored him, looking away and focusing on her movements instead, and the feeling of his hand tugging at her hair slightly so he could get a better look at her.  His grunts and movements gave her the confidence to keep going, to take risks and be as daring as she could.  It wasn’t long, though, before Morgan’s breath became heavier, his chest rising and falling with every gasp her took.  “B-Briony…”
She moaned on his cock in response, taking him to the back of her throat one more time before her mouth left his cock with a large pop.  “I want more of your cock, baby.  Just cu--”
“N-No,” he stuttered out.
“Babyyyyy,” she mewled, kissing the tip.
“No.  I want…I…get up here,” he huffed out.  
“Ba--” she tried again, but Morgan wasn’t having any of it.  His hand left her hair as he leaned forward, pulling her up and flipping her onto her back on the bed, his large body immediately over hers as he grabbed at her thighs and wrapped her legs around him.  He didn’t wait – there was no time to wait – and entered her quickly, the feeling of her warm walls around his cock causing him to moan out again.  
“Holy fuck Mo,” she gasped out, her legs wrapped tightly around his torso so he stayed buried deep inside of her, not allowing him to move just yet.  “Fuck baby.”
“Who gets too fill you up, Briony?”
“You, baby.”
“Who?”
“You, Mr. Rielly.  Only you get to fill me up,” she pulled his head down to kiss him passionately, lips and tongues everywhere.  
Morgan bit down on her bottom lip, dragging it away with him as he straightened out his back and unwrapped her legs from his body.  He brought them both together, keeping them over his shoulder as he looked down at her, her body flush with desire.  “You okay?” he asked.  She nodded her head quickly.  “You want my cock buried deep inside of you?”
“Yes Mr. Rielly,” she nodded her head.  
He began moving, slowly at first, her breasts bouncing along every time he thrust into her.  He would watch her breasts bouncing like that all night if he could.  He progressively kept getting rougher and rougher until he was pounding into her, her moans and cries fuel for him to give her more. “You like it when I fuck you like this?”
“Y-Yes,” it was her turn to stutter out.  “You feel so fucking good, baby.”
He could feel the heat inside of him growing.  He grabbed at her legs that were over his shoulder and pushed them forward, into her body, changing the angle so he could go even deeper.  She let out a string of expletives at the new feeling, her cries out music to his ears.  “S’deep babe,” she could barely get the words out.
“You like that?”
“Yes Mr. Rielly.  Yes.  I love it when you fuck my pussy hard like that.”
“Are you gonna make that pretty pussy cum for me, Briony?”
She could only nod her head as he continued to pound into her, fast and rough and wild, until he felt her walls clench around him and heard her scream out his name over and over again.  At the sound of his name escaping her lips so desperately and full of want, he exploded inside of her, leaning further into her so the angle was just right.  Bee huffed, trying to catch her breath.  
“Stay right there,” Morgan mumbled quickly.
“W…What?” she asked not understanding why he’d say such a thing.  Where the fuck was she going to go?
It didn’t take long for her to find out.  Two of his fingers slipped into her pussy quickly, causing her to gasp out, and they began moving quickly in and out of her, not allowing her to catch her breath or settle down from her first orgasm.  “Mo...” she gasped out, but instead of answering her he licked his way down her body.  He was being gentle but rough with his fingers, and she squirmed as she was pinned beneath him.  “Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo…” she kept repeating his name as he finally attached his mouth to her clit, lapping and sucking like he was drinking a thick milkshake.  “Mo, fuck, please.”
“All mine,” he mumbled against her pussy.  “All fucking mine.”
“All yours Mr. Rielly.  All yours,” she breathed out, grabbing hold of his hair.  Her body gyrated at the sensation and it was too much; in no time, she was cumming again, the sound of her wetness and Morgan’s fingers still moving in and out of her just amplifying it all.  He lapped up every last bit before moving back up, squishing her beneath his body as he kissed her.  
“I love you Briony,” he mumbled against her lips.  
She could taste her juices on his lips as she continued to kiss him.  “I love you too baby.  So much.”
***
“Wow, Ms. McTavish, you’re a natural!” Chef Michael smiled as Bee began basting the chicken breast cooking in the pan.  The chef looked over to Morgan, who had given up a long time ago and chose instead to just watch – Bee had no problem cooking his chicken breast too.  “You’re a lucky guy, eh?”
“The luckiest,” Morgan smiled as he watched Bee concentrating on the basting. 
“Does she cook a lot at home?”
Morgan nodded his head.  “My specialty is grilled cheese and breakfast for dinner.  She does everything else.”
Chef Michael focused his attention back to Bee.  “Alright Ms. McTavish, we need to let it simmer now.  Let’s focus on those broccolini sautéing with the garlic.  Think we should add more?”
“You can never have too much garlic.”
Chef Michael looked over at Morgan again.  “My kinda girl!”
“I learned some of my cooking skills from an Italian,” Bee continued, stirring up the broccolini.  “If a recipe called for two garlic cloves he’d put five.”
“Who are your friends?  Your family?  I need to meet these people!” Chef Michael exclaimed, so enthusiastic about everything.  “Let’s mince some more garlic in there.”
When all was said and done, Bee had perfectly prepared two plates of creamy chicken in a white wine sauce, roasted Japanese sweet potatoes, and sautéed garlic broccolini.  It smelled heavenly, and Morgan could tell she was so proud of herself as she fixed her plate with the last of the brocollini, Chef Michael instructing her on how to present everything beautifully.  When she finished, he presented them with a bottle of white wine from the winery to have with their meal, uncorking it and pouring it for them.  
“You two can bring your dinners out onto the patio with you.  Ray will come to clean up the pans and dishes while you eat,” he said.
Morgan nodded but Bee furrowed her brows.  “Oh, there’s no need for someone to clean up.  We can just do that after.”
Chef Michael paused his movements momentarily.  “No no Ms. McTavish, it’s fine.  Ray will be in any second with the busser to take everything away.”
“I insist--”
“No ma’am, it’s fine,” Chef Michael stressed.  “It’s part of the service.  You can just enjoy your meal on the patio.  You worked hard on it.”
“Bumblebee,��� Morgan said gently.  “It’s alright.  We can go.”
She looked between Morgan and Chef Michael hesitantly before giving in.  “Okay.  Um, thank you,” she said, more awkwardly than she would have liked.  “Are you positive?  Because I can just wash everything after dinner.  It’s no big deal.”
Chef Michael let out a laugh.  “Go enjoy your meal Ms. McTavish.  And have a good night.”
Bee followed Morgan out onto the patio with her plate and wine glass, his own already on the table.  She looked back into the room as Morgan closed the sliding door, watching as Chef Michael gathered all the dirty cutlery and utensils and put them all in the sink.  She looked to Morgan, who had pulled out her chair for her.  “Does that usually happen?” she asked.
“Does what usually happen?”
“People cleaning up after you in these fancy shmancy places,” she clarified, setting her plate and wine down on the table.
“If you request for butler service, yes.  But we didn’t get that,” Morgan said, knowing that would be her next question; that she would give him one of her looks if he did.  “I think it’s just a part of the service they offer with the chef.  I think they figure you’d want to eat right after instead of clean up.”
“It’s a bit…I mean, I can clean up after myself.”
“Not everybody is responsible and sensible like you,” he leaned his head down to kiss her quickly.  “Now, let’s eat, shall we?  I want to have a romantic dinner with my girlfriend.”
Romantic it was.  Morgan couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.  The scenery spread out before them was beautiful – just like everything else was in British Columbia – but he could only transfix his eyes on her, watching her as she ate and listening to anything she began talking about – how it was supposed to get cool that night, how Angie had sent her a new video of Bruce with the zoomies, how Mark had texted her that they had made record profits the past month for a particular client of theirs.  If her voice were the only thing he heard for the rest of his life, he’d still die a happy man.  
When they finished their meal, Bee stacked their plates on top of one another.  She brought them into the villa, setting them in the sink before popping her head out the sliding door.  “Is there a way you can call so they can come get these plates and not bother us for the rest of the night?” she asked.  “I don’t want anyone coming back in.  I just want to watch the sunset with you.”
“Yeah, of course,” Morgan nodded his head, getting up from his seat.  “I’ll call.”
“Good.  I’m going to the washroom,” she said, disappearing into the bedroom.  
After some time, Ray was back to collect their plates and ask if they wanted anything else taken care of the night.  Morgan declined, thanking him, and let him go for the night, making sure to lock the door behind him as Ray left.  He found it a bit peculiar that Bee was still in the washroom.  He hoped the food didn’t get to her; there’d be some strongly worded complaints if it did.  
“Bumblebee?  You alright in there?” he called out.  He glanced at the screen door quickly to see the sunset in full bloom.  
“I’m okay,” she said.  “Is Ray gone?”
“Ray’s gone,” Morgan confirmed.  “You feeling okay, Bumblebee?”
“I’m feeling fine,” she responded, but he could tell her voice was a little off.  “Can you…um…can you make sure the door is locked?”
“Already is.”
“Okay.  Can you come into the bedroom?”
Morgan furrowed his brows.  “Of course,” he said.  “Are you sure you’re okay, Bumblebee?”
“I’m fine,” she confirmed, still calling out from the closed washroom.  “Just…you know…get comfy.  Change into your pyjamas.  I’ll be out soon and we’ll go out and watch the sunset.”
Morgan did as she said, stripping himself down and changing into his pyjama bottoms.  He sat in the chair, folding the jeans he had been wearing, before the light in the bedroom mysteriously turned off.  He looked up, only the light from the sunset peeking through the window.  “Bumblebee?” he saw her stand outside the doorway to the washroom.
“Hey.”
“What’re you doing?”
“Good thing you’re already sitting in the chair.  Topless, even,” there was a slight laugh in her voice, not answering his question.  She turned on the lamp, illuminating the room romantically.  He noticed she was wearing a robe.  She never wore a robe at home.  
“What’s this?” he asked, his eyes wide as he noticed it was a silk robe, lace trim dangling from the ends of sleeves.
Bee smiled shyly.  “Just a little something.”
“Just a little something, huh?” Morgan gave her an up-down, throwing his jeans onto the floor beside him.
“Mhm,” she nodded her head, playing with the tassels that tied the robe together.  “You know…I bet all that cooking must have taken a lot out of you,” she winked.
Morgan couldn’t help but giggle slightly.  “Oh, it did.  I am spent.”
“Well then.  Just sit back and let me give you a show,” she smiled devilishly.
“A show?” Morgan asked.  Bee nodded her head slightly.  “You…you planned something?”
“Is that okay?”
Morgan couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.  His body already felt on fire.  She had planned something – with that robe on, and whatever else was underneath it – and was asking if it was okay?  “Of course baby,” he said softly.  “Let me see.  Let me see what you’ve planned.”
Standing far away from him, she bent over and leaned forward, placing a quick kiss on his lips.  “I trust you.”
“And I trust you.  And I love you.”
“Good to know.  Because by the end of this I have every intention of you fucking me like you don’t.”
Morgan’s pupils dilated.  He gulped nervously.  He watched as Bee straightened herself out and took a few steps back, playing again with the tassels on the robe before she started to sway her hips slowly back and forth.  She worked on untying the tassels slowly, achingly so, and Morgan could feel himself getting hard with each passing hip sway.  Eventually, she pulled, untying the bow and letting it fall, the robe becoming looser.  A hint of pink lace peeked its way out of the robe.
“Briony…” Morgan barely made out her name.
“Yeah baby?” she asked in an innocent voice, her fingertips gliding along the edge of the fabric near her chest.
“What…what did you--”
“Shhhh baby,” she cooed, approaching him slowly, seductively.  “What did I tell you?”
“But baby--” he tried reaching out to grab the fabric of the robe.
She smacked his hand away quickly.  He looked at her in the eye, shocked.  “Don’t touch me,” she ordered.  “Don’t touch me unless I tell you.  Just watch.”
She saw his chest rise and fall dramatically.  “Briony--” he tried to grab at her again.  
“Don’t.  Touch.  Me,” she stressed, smacking his hand away once more.  “Unless you want me to stop.  Then you’ll have to take care of that,” she eyed down to the growing bulge in his pants, “all alone.”
There was a fire in her eyes and Morgan knew she meant it.  This was completely new – he was completely blind-sided – but he wasn’t exactly complaining.  He loved seeing this sort of confidence from Bee.  He thought it partly cute, partly evil that she had planned this – masterminded it from the beginning.  He nodded his head, agreeing with her.  He couldn’t formulate a word.  There was no point.
She took a couple of small steps back – far enough so Morgan couldn’t reach out, and far enough so he could get a full body view – and started to pull the robe down her shoulders slowly, letting it fall to the floor dramatically revealing, inch by inch, the blush pink floral lace bralette and garter set, complete with a matching pair of pantyhose.  
“Oh my fucking God,” Morgan mumbled in disbelief.
A smile adorned Bee’s face.  “Do you like, Mr. Rielly?”
Morgan nodded, beginning to feel an uncomfortable strain in his pants.  “Yes,” he nodded his head almost desperately.  “Yes.  Yes.  I love it,” he was a gibbering mess.  
“D’you like the colour?”
“Yes.”
“And the lace?”
“Yes.”
“What about the garter?  And the pantyhose?”
“I love it all,” the desperation was evident in his voice.  “I love it all.  Every fucking piece of it.”
“Good,” she bit her bottom lip, running her fingers along the lace of the thong that hung on her hips.  She took a step towards him.  “So if I came closer…” another step, “and closer,” another step, “and closer,” one final step, “you’d be able to keep your hands to yourself?”
Morgan huffed out a breath.  “I don’t…”
“If I put my hand on your chest…” she moved to do exactly that, walking to his side.  His head followed her as far as it could until she was behind him.  “If my breath grazed the back of your neck…” she moved, again, to do exactly that as she stood behind him, her hand still on his chest as she gave the skin on his neck a quick kiss.  She took a few steps so she was standing in front of him again, turning away so her back was towards him, her ass in full view.  “If I sat in your lap, would you be able to keep your hands to yourself?”
She didn’t give him the chance to answer.  She lowered herself onto his lap, swaying her hips back and forth for good measure.  She heard Morgan grunt as she did so, absolutely fucking loving that she was getting such a reaction out of him.  She felt powerful.  Sexy.  Sensual.  She could feel the erection already in his pants and it made her the most confident she’d ever been.
“Fucking hell, Briony,” Morgan whispered.  Like clockwork, it didn’t take long for her to feel his hand on her ass, even if it was just a quick caress.  
She rose up quickly and slapped his hand away for a third time.  He whined out in protest as she walked away from him, flipping her hair over her shoulder to look at him.  “No.  Touching.”
“But Briony--”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“NO!  No no no,” he shook his head.  “Please God no.”
“No more touching.  Do you understand me?” she said, her voice seductive but stern.  “No.  More.  Touching.”
“I won’t.  I won’t.”
“Promise me,” she demanded.
“I promise.  I promise you,” he was desperate, so desperate.  “I swear to you, I won’t touch you.  Fuck Briony, fuuuuck, I w…I won’t touch you.  Not unless you tell me.  Just get back here.”
“Not until you beg.”
Morgan whined out again.  “Briony.  Briony please.”
“Beg.”
Morgan could swear there were tears forming in his eyes.  “Please Briony, I promise.  I’m begging you.  Come back here so I can look at you.  Please.  Please.”
Briony smiled, biting down on her bottom lip again.  “If you touch me without my permission again it’s over.  Keep your hands to yourself.”
Morgan nodded his head.  “I will.  I’ll keep my hands to myself, I promise.  Now please.  Please come back here.”
Bee sauntered over to him, bending over so her breasts, covered by the delicate lace, were right in his face.  She leaned forward so the material gently grazed against his nose and lips.  “Lace is your favourite, isn’t it?” she asked, already knowing the answer.  Morgan nodded his head.  “You always go crazy for me in lace.”
“You look perfect in it,” his voice was low.  “You make it look perfect.  Every time.”
She straightened out briefly so she could turn around again, her ass facing him as she sat down on his lap.  “You love spanking me too, don’t you.”
She heard his sharp intake of breath.  “Y-Yes,” he stuttered out.
She looked over to see his hands gripping the armrests of the chair, his knuckles almost completely white.  Excellent.  “Especially when I’ve been a good girl?”
“I…y…yes,” he huffed out, stuttering again.  She watched as his hands shook through the grip he had on the armrests.
“Am I being a good girl right now?” she asked, grinding down against him gently.  
“I’d reckon you’re being a bad girl right now.”
Bee let out a giggle, looking at him over her shoulder.  “Is that so?”
“You’re being a very bad girl teasing me like this,” he reasoned.
“Whoops,” she rolled her eyes playfully at his answer.  “Sorry not sorry.”
“Briony, please.”
“Please what?”
“I need to touch you,” he begged.
“I don’t think you’ve earned that yet.”
“Wh – I – please,” he continued to beg.  “You don’t understand, Briony.”
“Not yet,” she shook her head.  She stood up again to face him, placing her hands on his chest.  His eyes were pleading with her, but she didn’t budge.  “What do you think of the garter and pantyhose?” she asked again, just to torture him.
“I love it.  I love it all,” he said.  “It looks so, so sexy.  It’s driving me fucking crazy.”
Her hands made their way down his chest and over his bulge, settling on his knees as she shifted her weight from one leg to another again and again before flipping her hair in front of him dramatically.  She promised him she’d give him a show, so she was going to give him a show.  She incorporated her movements into pulling his pants off of him, revealing how rock hard he was.  After scratching her nails up and down his thighs, she settled them on his knees once more before spreading his legs open dramatically.  Morgan looked at her wide-eyed before she squatted down between his legs, her hips swaying from side to side.
“Jesus fucking Christ Briony,” his voice was frantic as she spun around on her tiptoes, still squatted, before swaying her hips back up into his face.  “Briony.”
“You like that?” she ignored his pleading tone, knowing all he wanted was to touch her.
“Yes.  Please Briony, can I t--”
“What about when I do this,” she said, spinning around to face him before climbing on to his lap.  She flipped her hair in his face again, and began to grind down.  His hands left the armrest dramatically, ready to grab her, but with every ounce of will he had left in – which wasn’t much – he balled his hands into fists and kept them away from her.  She shoved her chest into his face, her hands on his shoulders and nails digging into his skin.
“Briony – you fucking – you don’t – you can’t--” he muttered out.
“You want to fuck me with this on, don’t you?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“You don’t want me to take it off?”
“No.  Keep it on.  Keep it all on.  I’m gonna fuck you so hard you won’t be able to fucking walk tomorrow,” he told her as she grinded down on him again, his cock rubbing up against the fabric of her thong.
She smiled.  “That’s what I like to hear, Mr. Rielly.”
“Can I touch you?  Please?”
“No.”
“Briiiiiiony.”
“Not.  Yet,” she said, arching her back.  “Tell me something Morgan,” she began.  He gave her cut eye.  Her right hand slipped down between their bodies to her hot core.  “Do you like it when I touch myself?”
Morgan huffed.  “I like it when I touch you better.”
“Why?”
“Because I know how to make you feel good,” he said.  “Because I like making you feel good.”
“And when you get to touch me, what are you going to do to me?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
She smiled.  She grabbed his cock without warning and began to stroke it teasingly.  She felt his hips buckle at her touch and knew she had teased and agonized him long enough.  She grinded down on his lap one last time, for good measure, feeling just how hard his cock was.  “Morgan?” she whispered in his ear.
“Yes Briony?”
“Make me be your good girl.  Fuck me so hard I won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”
Morgan was like a man possessed.  In what felt like less than a second he grabbed her, picked her up, and threw her on the bed.  He climbed onto the bed after her and flipped her over so she was flat onto her stomach, her legs spread apart for him but her ass slightly raised.  She arched her neck to look behind her and saw him hovering over her.  “You think you can play games like that with me and get away with it?” he asked her, his voice low and coarse and his hands went to the small of her back, pressing down so she stayed laying flat on the bed.
“You liked it, didn’t you Mr. Rielly?” she asked, her voice playfully innocent in tone.  “You kept telling me how much you liked it.  You begged to keep me close.”
He leaned forward so he could whisper in her ear.  “Now I’m gonna make you beg,” he said, watching as her lips curved into a smile.  
“Like your good girl?”
“Like my good girl,” he nodded his head.  “I want to hear you scream my name.”
“Yes Mr. Rielly.”
“You can’t cum until I say so.  Understood?”
“Yes Mr. Rielly,” she nodded her head, feeling his body loom over hers.  He was still holding her down so she could barely move.  “Mr. Rielly, if I be a good girl will you spank me?”
Morgan laughed mischievously.  “We’ll see about that.  Maybe if you ask nicely,” he said.  
Without warning, he entered her hard and quick, unable to wait any longer.  Bee cried out automatically at the feeling – everything from the speed, to the size of his cock, to his holding her down, to the angle that he entered her, made him go so deep that she swore she could already see stars.  He didn’t start slow either; he was desperate and needy and didn’t have time for any of that, so he rocked into her hard and fast.  She screamed out in pleasure over and over again, savouring the feeling.  He was being a bit rougher with her than normal, but she loved every second of it.  She wanted it.  She had asked for it, and he had complied.  He was doing exactly what she wanted him to do, and they had the trust in each other to do this.
The way he was holding her lower back down, keeping her in place, meant the angle was deep – and with the force he kept pounding into her with, she knew she wouldn’t be able to last long.  But just as he complied – as best he could, he did slip up twice – to her rule of ‘no touching’, she knew she would have to comply to his rules now too.   “Mr. Rielly,” she said between her screams and moans, “Mr. Rielly it’s so deep.”
“You like it when it’s deep like that, huh?” he asked.
“Your cock is so big and it always goes so deep,” she said, knowing it would stroke his ego.  “Can you spank me, please?”
She heard Morgan huff out a laugh, barely missing a beat as he continued to fuck her.  “No.”
“But Mr. Rielly--”
“No.”
“Please Mr. Rielly, I want to be spanked so bad.”
“I don’t think you’ve earned that yet,” he threw her own words back at her.  She almost regretted the decision to use that language when she was teasing him – almost.  But there was no way she could ever regret anything that brought her so much pleasure.  “You have to beg, remember?”
Morgan could hear her whimper.  “Pleeeease Mr. Rielly.  Please spank me.”
She felt one of his hands leave the grip he had on her lower back and she prepared herself.  Instead, she felt him grab her hair and tug her towards him, so her back was flush against his chest momentarily.  His hand snaked around and went to her clit, and he bit down on the skin of her neck before moving up to her ear.  “Beg.”
“Please Mr. Rielly,” she was practically on the verge of tears.  “Please please please, I’m begging you to spank me.”
“If I spank you are you gonna cum?”
“No,” she answered automatically, shaking her head slightly.  “Not until you tell me to.”
He smiled, a throaty laugh escaping him.  “That’s right.  That’s my good girl,” he cooed, pushing her back down so she was flush against the bed again.  With one hand on her lower back holding her down, the other hand spanked her ass.  She let out a cry of pleasure, and with another spank, another cry.
“Harder,” she mewled out
“Harder?”
“Fuck me harder, Mr. Rielly.  Spank me harder.”
Her spanked her again, red marks already appearing on her ass from before.  He rubbed the area gently before spanking it one more time.  “You want to cum, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she said quickly, not bothering to hide how close she was.  “I want to cum so bad.”
“If I spank you again will you cum?” he asked.  Bee nodded her head.  “Then no.”
“No, please,” Bee cried out.  “I can’t – I won’t--”
“Are you going to take more like a good girl?” he practically growled out, holding her down again with both hands now.  
Bee didn’t answer automatically this time.  She was trying to regain composure, trying to regain whatever semblance of sanity she had left in her body.  “Y-Yes…” she whispered, barely audible.
“Are you going to take more like a good girl?” Morgan asked, louder to insinuate how loud he wanted her to be.
“Yes,” she said aloud.
“Like my good girl?”
“Yes!” she screamed out.  “Like your good girl.  Always your good girl, Mr. Rielly.”
Morgan continued pounding into her for a while, even harder than before.  Bee’s cries became louder, as did the sound of cock throbbing in and out of her hot core.  With the prelude leading up to this, the dirty talk, the sound of Bee’s moans and cries, and the fact that he probably could have cum while sitting in that God forsaken chair if Bee had grinded down on him just one more time, he was surprised to have lasted this long anyway.  He could feel his body getting flushed and hot and knew he was close.
“Are you ready for my cum, Briony?” he asked.
“Yes, Mr. Rielly,” her voice was coarse from all the noise she was making.  “I’m always ready for your cum.  Always.”
He spanked her again a few more times for good measure, getting some more desperate cries out of her, before tugging her hair one last time to bring her back against his chest.  “You’ve been such a good girl,” he cooed as he gave her a sloppy kiss.
“I love it when it’s like this,” she managed to get out through hooded eyes and desperate whispers.  “I love it when I’m your good girl.  When you take me from behind.  When you fuck me like I’ve never been fucked before.”
“You like me fucking you hard and fast?”
She nodded her head.  “I love it so much Mr. Rielly.”
He snaked a hand around her body and began rubbing circles on her clit.  “You ready to cum, Briony?”
“Yes.  Fuck, yes.  Please.”
“When I spank you I want you to cum,” he instructed her.  “And I don’t want you to stop.  Understood?”
“Yes.  Yes yes yes yes,” she said in hushed whispers.  
Bee waited a few moments, and when she didn’t feel the hard smack on her ass she whined.  She waited for another few moments – and still nothing.  She was desperate.  She was going to kill him.  She was going to cum any second.  “Mr. Ri--”
Smack!
She cried out, loud, her orgasm pulsating through her like a tidal wave, her entire body shaking and her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.  Morgan continued to pound in and out of her with his throbbing cock, while his hand continued to rub at her clit, giving her orgasm after orgasm, over stimulating her just how she liked it.  After what felt like a million of them – a million different orgasms, a million different cries, a million different moans and desperate shouts of his name – she finally, finally, felt his hot cum pour into her, filling her up as his cock twitched and throbbed inside of her.  She felt his body shake against hers, his own moans and desperate calls out of her name filling the air as they rode out their orgasms together, clinging on to one another.
Bee swore she could still feel an orgasm ride through her entire body as he pulled out, the both of them collapsing on the bed trying to catch their breath.  Her core was still so hot and sensitive as she curled up in Morgan’s arms, both their bodies hot and glistening with sweat.  She was surprised the lingerie made it through – that Morgan didn’t rip it off half way through or take it off with his teeth or something.  She was glad it got this reaction out of him.
“Bumblebee…” she heard Morgan’s voice, barely above a whisper.  “I wouldn’t have done that with anybody else but you.”
She smiled, curling further into his body.  “I wouldn’t have done that with anybody else either,” she responded, reaching down below their bodies to grab hold of his cock.  “Thank you for indulging me.  For giving me exactly what I wanted.”
“I love you so much,” he mumbled, feeling her put his softening cock at her core again, the heat still so comforting.  “I love you.  I love you.  I love you.”
***
Bee was a bit sad to leave Kelowna and the Okanagan area, after having experienced its beauty, great weather, and lovely people, but she had to remember she had Connor, Andy, and Shirley Rielly waiting for her on the other side, eagerly anticipating her presence in Vancouver for the second time that year.  Earlier that morning, she and Morgan had checked out of Hester Creek Winery, where they had been staying for the past three nights, and loaded everything into their rental car for their five hour road trip to Vancouver.  After a last minute stock up of the wine from the winery, and a very last minute stop at Tim Horton’s for some coffee and snacks to sustain themselves (like good Canadians) they were on their way, the GPS system directing them where to go.
“You tell me anytime you want to stop to take pictures,” Morgan said as they took the on-ramp onto the highway.  “It’s going to be a pretty scenic route.  Especially when we drive through the provincial park.”
“I will,” Bee smiled, stuffing a Timbit into her mouth before feeing Morgan one.  “I’ll try not to stop too much.  I don’t want this trip to take eight hours.”
“Nuh uh,” Morgan shook his head.  “You just tell me whenever you want to stop.  We can take ten hours.  It doesn’t matter.”
“Your parents are expecting us for dinner.”
“We’ll call them and tell them there’s traffic,” he said, his mouth still full with the Timbit.  He winked at Bee as she gave him one of her looks.
Morgan reached over the console and grabbed her thigh, exposed thanks to the pretty sundress she was wearing, squeezing it gently as the road opened before them.  It was there for a while, as they continued to drive on the open road, occasionally squeezing and massaging her skin before it crept higher and higher, getting dangerously close to her core.
“Keep your eyes on the road, you perv,” Bee placed her hand above Morgan’s to stop it from going any higher.  If it did, she knew he’d probably swerve off the road.
“I am keeping my eyes on the road,” he reasoned.  “My mind, on the other hand, isn’t on the road.”
Bee snorted, shaking her head playfully.  “You want to fuck me in this rental car, don’t you?”
“Maybe.”
She couldn’t help but snort.  At least he was being honest.  “Why’re you so horny all the time?” she giggled.
“You make me.”
“If you keep it up we’re gonna end up having ten kids.”
There was a silence between the two.  It wasn’t awkward, or charged, or because either was tongue-tied and didn’t know what to say.  It was just…a silence.  A comfortable silence, the road of the car on the road filling the void, until Morgan spoke first.  “We’re not having ten kids.”
Bee couldn’t help but smile.  “No.  Definitely not.  I’m not doing that to my vagina.  We’re not the Duggars.”
“Two or three is good,” he said.
Bee nodded her head in agreement.  “Two or three.  One of each.  Whatever happens first.”
Morgan took his eyes off the road to look at her.  She noticed his smile.  How he was looking at her; like he’d just laid eyes on the image of perfection.  “Yeah.  You…you’ve thought about it, then?”
Bee nodded her head.  If she thought about the wedding, and establishing a life together, there was no way she didn’t think about kids either.  “Of course.  You know I want kids.”
“I know.  But like…”
“I want kids with you, if that was going to be your next question,” she said.  “I mean, there’s no question.  It’s you.  I’m not having anybody else’s kids.  I’m having your kids,” she stressed.  
“Okay,” he said, unable to contain the smile on his face.  “I uh…yeah.  Okay.”
“Tongue tied, are we?”
“No,” he kept trying to contain his smile.  “Not at all.  Just glad you’ve thought about it too.  That’s all.”
“I know…I know you’ve always initiated these conversations in the past,” she said, thinking out loud at this point.  “Whether drunk or tipsy or not.  But I think about this stuff do.  I do love you more than I can describe with words.  I just…I think because of my background, because what I’ve been through, I’m a bit less open about it.  Because my mom never wanted to hear it when I was a young kid, and because I never really loved her later on growing up.  But I do love you.  And like…I want everything with you.  A life.  A house.  Children.  I may not vocalize it, but I do.  And I don’t picture myself having all those things with anybody else.  I only want it with you.”
Morgan flipped his hand so he could hold hers and bring it across to his lips so he could kiss it and hold it across his chest.  “I only want it with you too,” he said, his lips rubbing against her hand.  “I’ve only ever wanted it with you.  And I want to give you all that.”
“I want to give it to you too.  This is a relationship.  A partnership.  We can give each other these things,” Bee clarified.
“Yeah.  You’re right.  That’s what I meant,” he nodded his head again, correcting himself.  “We can give each other these things.  A life.  A house.  Children.  But not for a while – children, anyway.  We…we’re already building a life together.”
“We are.”
“Everything else will come in time,” Morgan said confidently.  “I’m just…I know I’ve told you this before, but I thank my lucky stars every single day that it’s you in this life with me.”
Bee smiled again, unable to keep her eyes off of him.  “And I thank my lucky stars you sent a mojito to my table.”
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sleepyfantasy · 7 years ago
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Miracles in December: Xiumin
AN: Sorry this took me so long!! My dodgy arm is being dodgy making everything 10 times harder and slower. My aim is to get the last one of these done as soon as possible, preferably before the new year. 
Summary: A simple question to a neighbour you’ve never met before leads to trying to help him through a hard time at Christmas. 
Others in series: Lay, Chanyeol, Kai, Sehun
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Looking around your new flat, you realised, not for the first time since you moved in two days previously, how small it was. Obviously it wasn’t actually all that small, but after your old flat where you lived with five other people, the one person flat was miniature by comparison. And, more uncomfortably for you, it was too quiet and empty without your flatmates rushing around or sitting doing work or walking into your room at random moments when they wanted a chat.
You had to do something about this, not being able to concentrate in the silent empty flat. You knew what you should have done: unpacked, but that was boring and you had a much more fun idea.
Instead you pulled out all of the Christmas decorations you got from the old flat. When you all moved out, you shared everything out, including the Christmas decorations, and your share would go a decent way to making your flat more comfortable for the moment and would help to get your Christmas spirit up. The only box other than the Christmas decorations that you even opened was the one with your speakers in so that you could blast Christmas music while you worked.
About an hour later, the only thing you had left to do was put up the fairy lights in your window. The issue was that you were pretty sure they would be bright enough where you wanted to put them that due to the layout of your building, they would be able to be seen through the window of your neighbour across the hall. You thought it only polite to ask permission to put them up therefore.
Grabbing a bunch of the gingerbread men you made when you visited your old flatmate in her new house the previous day, you headed across the hall.
After you knocked, however, you realised that this was quite an odd thing to do. You had never met the man before. You didn’t really need lights in the window. You could live without them.
Before you could turn around and go back to yours, though, the door opened and the beautiful man you had seen entering the flat once was standing in front of you, looking confused.
“Hello?” he said, and looking closer at him, you saw the tears in his eyes.
Deciding not to pry into the life of the man in front of you that you did not know in the slightest, you ignored the glistening eyes and got to the point of your visit instead. “Hey, I’m Y/N. I just moved in across the hall and I thought I’d bring you some gingerbread men and I wanted to ask you something; I wanted to put some Christmas lights up in my window but I think you’ll be able to see them from your bedroom and I wanted to check if it’s alright with you that I put them up. I will turn them off over night, probably about midnight so it shouldn’t disturb you but if you go to bed earlier than that and they’re annoying you, tell me and I’ll turn them off.” Your mouth opened to continue but you realised how badly you were wittering, so you closed it again abruptly and blushed as the man looked at you with what you decided was probably the appropriate level of confusion.
Eventually, after staring at you for a little while, which was uncomfortable but you felt like you definitely deserved it, he answered, “Do what you want…?” trailing off at the end making it pretty clear that he had no idea why you were asking him.
When he stepped back, almost certainly to close the door, but you felt that after bothering him while he was clearly not having the best day, then word vomiting on him, you really owed him the gingerbread men you had brought over. In an interesting decision that you, looking back later, realised was a very odd thing to do, you stepped forward, a little way into his flat, and placed the box of gingerbread men on the table by the door, saying, “I’ll just pop this here.”
“Thanks,” he said, still very clearly confused by your presence.
When you looked up to him, however, you instead focussed behind him on the tree you spotted. Clearly, he was just starting to decorate the tree, with it only having a few ornaments on it, and no tinsel or lights. You loved it though. “These ornaments are beautiful,” you said, distracted from the awkwardness of the conversation.
Not distracted at all, the man watched you, horrified, as you walked straight into his flat and over to the box of ornaments. Picking some out, you marvelled at how cute they were. They all stuck to the colour scheme of red and gold and you could imagine how beautiful the tree would be with them all on when it was finished.
Then you spotted the real feature. The angel for the top of the tree was beautiful, an auburn haired woman wearing a stunning gold patterned dress with a fur trim and gold sparkly wings attached to her back. Letting out an excited gasp, you held it up to look closer at the amazing details in the gown of the angel.
The man rushed over to you at that point, snatching it from your hands but handling it gently as he placed it back into the box you had pulled it out of.
While he adjusted it to make sure it was safe and secure in the box, you turned back to the other decorations, as he seemed to be reasonably okay with you doing that. “I love the colour scheme,” you told him. “My old tree was a mess of different colours because it was a mish mash of all of my flatmates’ decorations, but when I moved, I didn’t get the tree stuff and I haven’t had time to get one, what with moving only a couple of days ago. I think I’ll get matching decorations like this for next year.” You realised you were speaking too much about the matter and turned to his tree instead. “It must take you at least an hour to put all of these ornaments up.”
You didn’t expect him to cringe, muttering under his breath, “It’s taken me five already.”
Not able to stop the shocked expression rushing to your face as you looked at the four ornaments on the tree, clustered together in the middle, you exclaimed, “Five?” Confused as to how such little progress could have taken him anywhere near that long.
He saw your look and sighed before explaining, “I’ve been putting those same four decorations on the tree and taking them back off again for five hours.” Picking up a decoration from the box, he continued, “At one point I almost got to five, but then I threw the fifth against the wall.” Still looking at the ornament in his hand, he inclined his head towards the wall to the side of the Christmas tree, where you then spotted pieces of a smashed red bauble. When you looked back at him, he had dropped the decoration, now holding his head in his hands.
“Are you okay?” you asked, the question you had been wanting to ask since he opened the door and you spotted the tears in his eyes.
“To be honest,” he said, “no.” Motioning to the Christmas tree, he sighed again, continuing, “This was my girlfriend’s thing,” closing his eyes, a tear escaping, he corrected himself, “my ex-girlfriend’s thing.” He picked up the ornament again, turning it over in her hand as he spoke, “She loved this. Decorating the tree together was her favourite thing about Christmas. Now she’s gone and I’m trying to do it, but I just can’t.” Looking completely defeated, he finished, “I wanted a sense of normality, but I can’t even do this.”
You didn’t ask what had happened with his girlfriend. You didn’t dare. Everything about his body language and his tone of voice told you he was not ready to talk about it, especially with a complete stranger. Instead, you leaned around him to reach into the box and pick out a couple of baubles. Placing them on the tree, you said, “Now you’re at six.”
Watching you in disbelief, he said, “What are you…?” trailing off as you placed the next two baubles you had grabbed from the box in front of him on the tree.
“Now you’re at eight.” Grabbing another two from the box, you said, “You just need to keep going, bit by bit, and have a little help.” Placing one of the two you had grabbed in his hand, you concluded, “We’ll have this tree decorated in no time.
You kept doing what you were doing, trying to ignore whether or not he was making progress, but if you were being honest, your mind was on him the whole time. You noticed the moment he stopped just looking down and turned to face the tree, watching you as you continued decorating. And you noticed the second that he slowly moved towards the tree, gripping the decoration tightly in his hand.
Still continuing to decorate the tree, you couldn’t hold in the beaming smile as you saw him place the ornament on the tree, looking at it for a second before returning to the box to grab another. Instead, you pretended to be really very focussed on placing that ornament on the tree. This was the only way you could stop yourself from cheering and hugging the man you had just met.
On that topic, as he was placing the second ornament, right above the first one, he said, “You know, I don’t even know your name.” When he looked at you, seeing your now surprised looking face, smile gone at the realisation that you hadn’t even introduced yourself to the man whose home you walked into and whose Christmas tree you were now decorating, a little smile appeared on his face.
Stepping back from the tree, he held out a hand for you to shake. “Hi, I’m Minseok.”
It took you a second of looking at him, seeing the extreme change in his mood, before you reacted. You reached out for his hand and shook it as you said, “Hi, I’m Y/N.” With him looking at you, smiling, you genuinely had to restrain yourself from pulling him into a hug, so happy that you’d been able to help him more than just putting some ornaments on a tree.
After that, the two of you chatted comfortably as you finished putting the baubles on the tree, telling stupid stories, mostly based around Christmas. You told him about your few years living with your flatmates and he told you of Christmases with his eleven best friends. He didn’t mention his girlfriend, but conversation flowed freely and you giggled together, enjoying yourselves.
Eventually, the only thing left to do was to place the angel on the top of the tree. Having seen how he reacted to you touching it before, you waited for him to get it out, but he just stood there staring at the tree.
To prompt him, trying not to upset him, you just said, “Almost done!”
He nodded and turned around, staring at the box with the angel in it. “That was her favourite bit,” he said, his voice quiet for the first time in half an hour.
Sensing that he wasn’t going to be able to do it on his own, you picked up the angel. This time, he didn’t stop you, just watching carefully as you walked over to the tree. The tree being significantly taller than you, you had to stand on tiptoes to get anywhere near. Still struggling, you lost your balance briefly when he spoke again, still quietly.
“Please don’t. Stop.” He wasn’t looking at you, only looking down at his feet when he said, “I don’t think I want it there.”
You nodded, even though he wasn’t looking, because you didn’t know what to say. Then you placed the angel back in its box as carefully as you had seen him do it before.
When you looked back up at Minseok, he was still staring at the rug. You placed a hand on his shoulder, even then he kept his eyes downcast. “Don’t worry. Look how well you did!” you tried not to sound patronising as you were genuinely proud of his progress. “It took you five hours for four ornaments but we just finished the tree in forty minutes. Talk about improvement!”
Now he looked you straight in the eyes as he said, “Thank you, Y/N, really. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
It was such a meaningful moment to be held between two strangers, but you were pretty sure you and Minseok wouldn’t be strangers for long. It would be nice having a friend living so close.
You cleared your throat slightly, hoping to be able to lighten the mood again. “It’s not quite done yet,” you told him. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He nodded then stood still as he watched you leave, a little worried that you wouldn’t come back. After all, he had just piled a truck load of baggage on you minutes after you met, and you had just come over to ask permission to put Christmas lights up. He would understand if you had actually been looking for a way out this entire time.
When you knocked on his door after only a couple of minutes had passed, a small smile came to his face again, glad that he had not misjudged this quite as badly as he had worried. Opening the door, he saw you standing there holding a huge silver bow.
“I know,” you said when you saw him looking at the bow, wrongly assuming why, “it would be better if it was gold to match the colour scheme of the rest of the decorations, but I’m more into silver myself so this was all I had. I hope it will do.”
He shook his head, taking a minute to appreciate the fact that you were doing this for him, “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
You expected him to take the bow off you and put it on the tree, but when he made no move to do so, you went over to the tree, inviting yourself in for the second time that day already. Up on your tiptoes again, you were still struggling to reach the top of the tree.
A second later, you felt hands on your waist and suddenly you could reach. You placed the bow, straightening it quickly before Minseok put you back down on the floor.
Spinning on the spot, you now faced him, standing right in front of him, the tree preventing you from stepping back. This was the first time he had been focussed on the tree when you weren’t. He was looking at it over your head while you looked at him.
This was the first time since he opened the door the first time that you were really taking him in. He was beautiful and if you hadn’t just spent the end of your afternoon trying to help him get over his ex-girlfriend, you might have said something about that, but you didn’t. Even when his gorgeous eyes were back on you at a proximity too close for comfort, you just said, “So, do you have plans for Christmas?”
He shook his head gently, stepping back from you a little way as he started, “Before…” trailing off in a way that let you know exactly what he meant. “I used to spend Christmas with the guys, all twelve of us, but since everyone moved or got partners, or both, we’re not doing that anymore. So I don’t really have anything planned.”
Thinking as you spoke, you said, “I’m having some of my old flatmates over for the big day. Most of us are international students, away from home for Christmas, so we’re all getting together.” Eventually you got to your point. “You’d be very welcome to join.” When he didn’t reply, you added, “It’ll be a traditional Christmas dinner, in that we’ll be mixing and matching about five different traditions. And then we’re planning to play board games all afternoon.” A second later, when he still hadn’t responded, you blurted out, “And we’re going to have a snowball fight if it snows.” Muttering under your breath, “I really hope it snows.”
Finally, he smiled. Partly, this was because he was really happy to be invited to something on Christmas. He hadn’t been looking forward to Christmas alone in the flat. Another part was due to the fact that now he knew what he was going to do to repay you for what you had done for him today. The final part of his reasoning for the smile was simply down to how cute you were. Somehow you managed to switch between being confident enough to walk without hesitation into the home of a complete stranger and being shy, nervously rambling on for too long.
“I’d love that,” he said. “Thank you.”
 BONUS:
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On Christmas Day, about ten minutes before he had to be at yours, Minseok pulled several layers on, including his thick red jumper and a dark grey bodywarmer with his power symbol on. Then he walked past your door to the stairs, heading outside.
The square you lived on was mostly empty, what with it being Christmas Day, but there were some people around. There was a man in a leather jacket across the square from Minseok, on the steps to the music hall, and a man in a red duffle coat sitting on the bench the side of the fountain closest to Minseok. Neither of them were looking at him, though, the man on the steps clearly watching out for someone approaching from the opposite direction and the man on the bench had a puppy in his lap that he was playing with.  
When he was sure nobody was looking at him, Minseok paused and held his power symbol. It wasn’t entirely necessary, but did make it easier to focus on getting exactly what he wanted.
The fountain slowed to a stop as a chill ran through the air and a second later, snow started to fall.
After standing there for a few minutes, long enough to make sure the snow would lay enough for that snowball fight you wanted, he headed back in, damp from the snow which had landed on him.
He only stopped in his own flat to shed some layers before heading across the hall to yours. He pretended his wet hair was from having come straight from the shower, as he couldn’t think of a reason he could give that he would have been outside already.
He had been planning to let you discover the weather for yourself, but seeing you in front of him, he got too excited.
“Have you looked outside?” he asked you, watching your face light up as you figured out what he must mean. Even without knowing for sure, you were so happy.
You ran across to the window, the one which was now nicely framed by fairy lights, and when you turned back to look at him after confirming the reason for your excitement, the smile on your face made him certain that he wasn’t going to let you be just ‘the neighbour across the hall’ as your predecessor had been. You were going to be much more than that. As far as he was concerned, you had little to no choice in the matter.
Christmas Masterlist
Masterlist
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escapefromarchoncastle · 5 years ago
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Chapter Three - Magic is Hard Work!
After they were done watering the vegetable garden, everyone trudged back to their sleeping quarters for a rest. Terry curled up on top of his burlap blankets and closed his eyes. Muscles he never knew existed ached and throbbed. While all modern devices and gadgets were strictly forbidden in keeping with the historic atmosphere of Archon Castle, surely a garden hose wasn’t that recent an invention. Even better would be a nice, hot bath he could soak in. Baths had been around since Roman times.
“My arms are killing me.” Katya groaned on the bed next to his. She lay on her side facing him, hugging her knees to her chest. She’d arranged all her clothes underneath her body to provide as much cushioning as she could. “And my back. And my feet.”
“Mine too,” he said. She smiled. He did too.
For the next hour everyone lay quietly moaning or snoring. Terry only realised he’d dozed off when he bolted upright to the sound of bells clanging from somewhere outside in the courtyard. Katya propped herself up and rubbed sleep from her eyes. “What are we supposed to do now?”
Before Terry could answer, Ms. Huston appeared at the entrance. “Everyone, follow me!” She turned and disappeared up the corridor. Everyone stumbled after her through the stables and back outside. They headed in a different direction this time, though Terry was too drowsy to take in much of his surroundings. All these courtyards and squares were beginning to look the same. To orient himself, he looked up. They were now on the far side of that same imposing keep. The sky had darkened and clouds were roiling in from the north. It looked as if it was about to rain any minute.
“Look.” Katya elbowed Terry and pointed up at the clouds. “What a waste of effort!”
“I know,” he sighed, wondering if she was going to spend the entire summer pointing out the obvious to him.
Everyone quieted as Martin the Magnificent strode towards them from an elegant limestone building that reminded Terry of the academic halls in Oxford. Or had that been Cambridge? Last summer he’d gone to visit distant relatives all over England and the trip was already a distant memory.
“AS YOU CAN SEE,” Martin the Magnificent said, pointing up to the louring sky, “MAGIC WORKS. WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED THE HERMETIC PRINCIPLE OF ‘AS ABOVE, SO BELOW’.”
From somewhere to his left Terry heard a sound somewhere between a sneeze and a swearword. Martin’s eyes flashed in that direction. “DO YOU DOUBT THE VALUE OF YOUR FIRST LESSON HERE?”
Terry saw the boy with the pudding bowl haircut shaking like a tuning fork that had just been struck. People don’t normally ... vibrate like that. “N-no sir,” the small voice responded.
“GOOD.”
The boy was still again. Terry watched Martin the Magnificent pace in a large circle around the courtyard, his footsteps making the only sound in the place. Terry didn’t even dare breathe.
“And now. Your next lesson involves manipulating the elements of fire and earth.” Martin’s voice was a more normal volume now, with the wind carrying it in such a way that it sounded to Terry as if he were standing right next to him. Terry saw everyone else perk up and he gathered they’d experienced the same thing.
“This way.” Martin the Magnificent led them along another alleyway past one of the larger buildings. Dense wood smoke hung in the air. It was only their first day, Terry kept reminding himself, they’ll be learning actual magic soon enough. Maybe this was another test to sort the weak from the strong, similar to his first impression of the keep being a pile of timbers and rock about to cave in on itself.
They came into a smaller courtyard surrounded by low, rambling buildings made from weathered wood and topped with corrugated metal roofs. In each direction Terry noted the various laneways leading off. He began forming a map of the area in his head. Whenever he went to a new town or shopping center or even a very large house, he tried to visualise as much of the layout as possible so he could know where he was at all times. And get out quickly if he had to. His parents insisted he’d never been in a house fire, mass shooting, or significant earthquake in his life, but his instinct to always know the fastest way out was a strong one.
Once the remaining stragglers had joined them, Martin the Magnificent continued: “Fire and earth are the remaining elements you will learn today, and their interactions with water and air. You will split into four groups—one for combining fire and air, a second for fire and earth, a third for air and water, and the remainder for fire and water. All of you in turn will have a chance with each.”
That sounded more exciting than watering plants. Anything involving fire had to be good. Terry watched four Adepts join Martin’s side. He, Katya and several dozen others were corralled into an alleyway on their right, towards the cavernous entrance of a building next to the keep. A smell similar to freshly paved roads wafted out. If Terry was right, they were now on the far side of the set of low rambling buildings housing the kitchens.
They descended a set of stone stairs and headed down into a long passageway. The floor was dirt, impacted to the hardness of concrete. Arched wooden doors flanked each side. Shafts of light came in from above, illuminating their path in a dull orange glow. Terry looked up and realised they were beneath yet another passageway lit with sconces. Most of their way the ceiling was stone, but every few paces he spotted a square of metal grating similar to the ventilation shafts in city subway systems.
Farther along, a wagon blocked their path. Everyone halted and watched the Adapt fumble with a ring of iron keys. He was an older-looking man, with a mess of greyish white hair poking out from the hood of his red cloak. So far he hadn’t said a word to them. He pushed a heavy wooden door open. He raised his palm up to them, signalling for everyone to back out of the way. He hauled two more wagons out into the corridor and lay a square shovel on top of each.
“Your current lesson,” he said in a voice that slithered into their ears, “involves the separation of fire from earth.”
Terry covered his nose with his sleeve. The asphalt smell was overpowering now.
“Here.” The Adept handed a shovel to Katya, took her arm, and led her through the door he’d just unlocked. Their next task was obvious: they were going to be shovelling coal onto the wagons.
Katya and three other boys dutifully filled the wagons while Terry and the rest dragged them along the stone corridor into a large kitchen. This room was massive, with a dirt floor and cavernous fireplaces along the far wall. Inside of each fireplace were large iron cauldrons, the only witch-like object Terry had seen so far. In front of the fireplaces, he eyed rows of long wooden counters piled with onions, potatoes, fruit, bowls of rising dough and slabs of meat. His stomach rumbled at the sight and smells of all that food. He did his best to tune out Katya’s ramblings about climate change and the environment in order to immerse himself in their surroundings. This was how people had prepared their meals for centuries. He still found it hard to believe he was inside a real, functioning castle, where people seemed to live just as his ancestors had hundreds of years ago.
While dumping his load of coal into a bin by the fires, Terry watched the neophytes at the counters with mild curiosity. This was where they’d be working next, he guessed.
He was right. They hauled coal, fed fires, chopped vegetables, stirred cauldrons, and removed feathers from chicken carcasses. Terry didn’t actually mind the work, even the chickens, though he stayed out of the pranks where some of the kids held them up and moved their limbs around as if the creatures were still alive. Terry laughed while Katya glared stonily in disapproval. She also complained about everything and he found she was beginning to drag him down too. While they shucked corn cobs she said, “What do you bet we don’t even get to taste any of this.”
He shrugged. They were competing to become Initiates. From what he remembered of his dad’s college stories, initiation always involved something extremely unpleasant the first day. “At least they haven’t made us prepare any gruel.” So far, he added to himself.
“They’ll probably serve it cold. Or we’ll have to take turns serving it cold to each other.”
She’d just finished her sentence when a dozen kids around age seven or eight streamed into the kitchen from the various corridors. With long fingers like sharpened sticks, they began herding all the neophytes up a wide staircase. Terry’s heart leapt into his throat when he realised they weren’t kids after all—they had the mature, craggy faces of people who were fully grown! They didn’t quite look like regular people either, besides being so small. Their bodies under their black robes were long-limbed and sinewy, and their skin appeared to have the texture of wood covered in flour. The colour of their flesh changed depending on angle of light; at one moment ghostly white, then a ruddy dark brown that was almost iridescent.
“What are those?” Katya hissed in his ear. They were in earshot of one of those beings, so Terry hushed her, and followed the other blue-robed neophytes up the staircase. The stone steps curved gently around a large pillar and opened out into a great big hall. Now this was more like it!
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karlosharrison-blog · 5 years ago
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Over the past few decades, Poland has risen to take its rightful place as one of the premier tourist and traveler destinations in Europe. This is no mean feat considering how it was left after the Second World War, and now its vibrant cities and stunning countryside are attracting visitors from far and wide.
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Scenic Krakow city.
Poland’s landscape draws many outdoor enthusiasts, while places like Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, and Warsaw are cultural and culinary hubs with a buzzing nightlife scene. The fact that it’s considerably cheaper than its western counterparts only adds to the charm. 
And yet there are so many more destinations to explore here that perhaps don’t get the same attention as those aforementioned cities. One such place is my hometown of Zagan in the southwest of the country – where I was born and raised. It might not be on everyone’s bucket list, but it is most certainly worth a look – not least for its Polish culinary excellence and history, and great Polish Christmas traditions. Read on to discover what you can see, do and – of course –  eat in the region.
Where is Zagan?
My hometown is located in the southwest of Poland on the Bóbr river, some 60 kilometers from the German border and 160 kilometers from Wroclaw. It has a small population of just over 26,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the Zagan administrative district in the historic region of Silesia. Interestingly, it is thought that the name of the town means “place of the burnt forest,” referring to the removal of woodland by the early settlers here.
The town was first mentioned in records dating back to 1202, while the whole Silesia region has seen its fair share of ups and downs through the years, a culturally rich part of the world with corners in the Czech Republic and Germany. With its position on the Bóbr, Zagan was an important trade route, and the area is blessed with many natural resources. But it is perhaps most famous for being the location of Stalag Luft III – the German prisoner of war camp that housed allied airmen during the Second World War.
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Colourful townhouses in Zagan
We shall return to this fascinating story momentarily. 
How to Get to Zagan
The nearest major airport to Zagan is located in Wroclaw, but you might also consider flying into Dresden in Germany – which isn’t that much further away at 169 kilometers. Flights depart regularly from most international airports. At the time of writing, trains from Wroclaw run four times a day and it will take you anywhere between two to three hours to arrive. Check the schedules before departing. Buses are possible but they don’t stop in the town center and can be irregular.
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I and Cez visiting Zagan by car. We went to explore my neighbourhood together.
The best way to get to Zagan is by car, as having your own mode of transport will afford you the ability to explore the surrounding area and visit the sights with ease. Failing that, don’t forget that Poland is a very hitchhiking friendly country and ridesharing is also extremely popular. Points of interest in the region are often a distance apart, so having your own wheels is highly recommended.
Getting Around
Even if you do have your own vehicle, I would most definitely suggest exploring the town by bicycle. Zagan is a very bike-friendly town given its relatively small layout, and you can rent one from the tourist information office right next door to the Ducal Palace. 
What to See in Zagan
While having its own particular charm, the town itself doesn’t have many sights to speak of – certainly not when compared to Wroclaw or Dresden for that matter. But what it lacks in physical attractions, it more than makes up for in history, food and hospitality. That and its number one tourist draw – Stalag Luft III POW camp and museum.
Stalag Luft III Prisoner Camp Museum
The regions undeniable highlight is, quite rightly, extremely popular. So much so that people flock to the town from all corners of the globe just to see the former POW camp, with many visitors being inspired to come because they had family members or friends imprisoned here. It was constructed in March 1942, and it became an infamous detention center for captured airmen. But it was the daring escape attempt by 200 men in 1944 that really captured the world’s attention, and most notably Hollywood’s, when they released the 1963 film The Great Escape.
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Although the Steve McQueen flick is a stone-cold classic, it’s quite different from how events actually unfolded here. The camp today is a faithful reconstruction of what it would have been like for those who were “guests” during the war. 76 airmen managed to break out through the famous “Harry” tunnel – a mock-up of which you can visit. Of those, only three actually made it back behind friendly lines. The rest were either recaptured or executed on Hitler’s orders. The camp is a sombre but fascinating memorial to those brave men and should not be missed during a visit to Zagan.
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When in Zagan, you can’t skip visiting Stalag Luft III Prisoner Camp Museum.
The Ducal Palace and Park
Located in the center of the town is the beautiful baroque Ducal Palace, built on the site of Piast Castle in the 15th Century. The palace has an eclectic history, changing hands several times during its existence and at one time being one of the most famous palaces in Europe being visited by a great number of dignitaries. Designed by Italian architect Vincenzo Boccacci, it has been adapted and improved down the years and has a year-round program of events and exhibitions on site.
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The pride of Zagan – the Ducal Palace and Park.
It’s set close to the leafy, serene and relaxing Prince’s Park – which is where you’ll find many a local hanging out when the weather is good. Tickets for entry to the palace need to be bought in advance at the tourist information office at the entrance.
The Abbey of St Augustine
With roots back in the 13th Century, this monastery complex is an especially sacred site in Poland and is named as an official national historic monument. It has remained almost intact since it was built, making it a very interesting and noteworthy attraction in our little town. It has this really cool feature called the whispered vault, where the acoustics are just so that even if you speak a whisper, someone will still hear you across space.
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When in Zagan, go for a stroll across the city centre. It’s so much to see and do there.
The church itself is very beautiful and the library and museum are well worth a visit. Be advised though – you need to book a sightseeing tour a day in advance if you want to see it, but that means its real advantage is that it’s never overrun with tourists.
11th Armoured Cavalry Division Exhibition
If you haven’t already guessed, Zagan has a long-standing military history, and today it is home to the 11th Armoured Cavalry Division – which traces its roots back to operations in 1945. There is a small museum at the barracks, including a display of tanks and armoured vehicles, uniforms and documents and other interesting exhibits. American tank divisions are also stationed here and are on constant rotation through the town. Located a short drive out of the center, the exhibition is a must for anyone interested in the subject.
What to Eat in Zagan
Ahhhh, now we come to a topic that is very dear to my heart. Polish food! As far and wide as I’ve traveled, I always love to return home for some traditional, hearty and comforting cuisine – usually cooked by my mom! Zagan has some wonderful places to sample Polish delicacies, but we’ll get to that in a moment. First, let’s take a look at just a taste of what you should be ordering here.
Rosół
A delicious yet simple chicken soup that’s famous in these parts, we would usually have it as part of our Sunday dinner. It’s perfect for colder weather or any time you’re not feeling well.
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What’s for Sunday dinner in Zagan? Rosol!
Polish chicken soup is simply the best in the world – but I might be a little bit biased.
Bigos
This is a mouthwatering dish made from shredded sauerkraut and cabbage, mixed with mushrooms and diced sausage. It’s the kind of meal where the only downside is that it will have to end at some point.
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A plate of delicious bigos is waiting for you!
If this is on the menu (and it will be) you need to give it a try – it is our national dish after all.
Pierogi
Perhaps one of Poland’s most famous dishes internationally, pierogi are thick dumplings that come with a variety of fillings.
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A plate of Pierogi (Polish dumplings).
You can take your pick from beef, sauerkraut and mushrooms, cottage cheese and boiled potatoes, or even seasonal fruits, such as strawberries and blueberries. They’re often imitated around the world, but there really is no taste like home.
Łazanki
Another hearty and filling dish (most Polish food is), this is made from homemade pasta, fried cabbage, shredded carrots and onions, and well-done diced pork.
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Yummy lazanki – you must try them in Zagan!
Sour cream is often served as an accompaniment and it’s also a popular dish in Belarus and Lithuania.
Polish Croissant Cookies
For those with a sweet tooth and something for dessert, try these puff-pastry cookies. They’re usually filled with jam and they’re really easy to make. Perfect as an after dinner treat – or a treat anytime!
Where to Eat in Zagan
My hometown is teeming with awesome restaurants for you to try all the culinary delights that this region offers. International cuisine is also available if you would prefer, but you really must try the local dishes to get the full experience here.
Domowe Obiady 
This is a great place for cheap eats as it’s more of a takeaway vendor. Still, the food is delicious and very traditional. All the usual dishes are on offer, and you can even buy produce to cook for yourselves at home. The name of the establishment literally translates as “home cooked lunches”. I want to order myself some pierogi right now!
Kepler
If you’re looking for sit-down eats but still want to sample traditional Polish cuisine, head to Kepler – which is actually the number one rated restaurant in the town. Conveniently located in the heart of Zagan, this place serves a full menu of Polish classics, as well as delicious apple pie and ice cream (jabłecznik z lodami) which – although available the world over – is also a Polish speciality. The waiting staff speak very good English here, too.
Antonio Pizza
If you’re going to eat Italian while you’re here, you might as well head to Antonio’s Pizza.
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Pizza time!
There are a lot of pizzerias in Zagan – Polish people love making and eating the Italian dish just as well, but they can often be hit and miss. This one is probably the best in the town.
Bar U-Waga Smak
Don’t be confused with the exterior of this place – it’s not actually a “bar” as you might know it. U-Waga Smak is one of the famous Polish “milk bars,” where many Poles will go to dine on hearty, traditional food that doesn’t cost the earth. Set in a cafeteria style, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with the locals – which can be an entertainment in itself. A milk bar is a must visit when you’re exploring Poland – it’s an institution.
Take Me Home Country Roads!  
My old stomping ground of Zagan is a very special place for me as it holds a lot of cherished memories. I always love returning to visit after great lengths of time trotting the globe. There is nothing quite like visiting mom for some home cooked Polish treats, and although the town doesn’t have the tourist draw of other cities in the country, it has a certain charm that I would still recommend experiencing. There is, after all, no place like home.
Would you pay Zagan a short or a long visit? And what would be your favorite thing to do there?
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The post Things to do in Zagan, Poland appeared first on Etramping Travel Blog.
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celticrune · 8 years ago
Note
and for u the uneven numbers of the oc questions thing!!
…boiUnder a cut for length
1. Your first OC ever?From the OCs on my ask page, that’d be Morana. I created her for my first DnD campaign, when I needed an npc to beef up the party. She’s grown a lot since then, especially since I started playing her as a PC, but yea she’s fun.
My first OC ever is more difficult. I think the technical first would be a fan oc I made for an rp, Arya. Wait no that’s wrong she’s the second. The forums were taken down so I can’t check, but I’m pretty sure the first rp I joined there was a dinosaur rp, where I played like a velociraptor also called Arya (I was very creative). I might’ve written some stuff before that but I don’t remember, so I’ll count this.
3. Have you ever adopted a character or gotten a character from someone else?nope
5. If you could make only one of your OCs popular/known, who would it be? oh jeez. don’t make me choose between my children
7. Are your OCs part of any story or stories?Well, do DnD campaigns count as stories? I’ve also written oneshots for various characters, and I’ve got a giant college au with @spitaverse-burr and @kima-ladyofvord​ that features all our character which could count as a story.
So yeah basically all of them.
9. Would you ever be willing to give any of your OCs to someone else?why?? that’s the main question I have for adoptable OCs just why. not in a judgey way, i just genuinely do not understand
11. Is there any OC of yours you could describe as a “sunshine”? Tanwen. She’s the only pure character I have, all the rest are assholes. Tanwen is an actual ray of sunshine she’s great
13. Do you have any troublemaker OCs? Keiji, 100%. Whisper as well, if it’s something "cool” or if she was dared to. Though, Whisper is still pretty nervous about actually breaking the law, so it depends a bit on what it is.
Raya is not an active troublemaker so much as she has a casual disregard for these odd rules of civilization. She lives in forests like 99% of the time give her a break.
15. Do you like to talk about your OCs with other people?yes
17. Any OC OTPs? oh boy do i ever. Morana and Lux’ Rorik, Temperance and Lux’ Chal, Val and Tori’s Lytte, Keiji/therapy (maybe also Keiji and Lux’ Wyatt), Raya/trees, Tanwen and Lux’ Ghilli (they’d be so cute..)
19. Introduce an OC that means a lot to you (and explain why)All of them, honestly. They’re all a part of me and they’re all very lovely assholes
21. Your most artistic OCNone of them really have a defined artist thing in their canon, but Keiji likes carving little wood birds to keep his hands busy during long watches and the like. Tanwen loves reading sappy romance novels, and in the college au she’s definitely written some terrible friendfiction (it’s like her one big secret, apart from the sister thing). 
23. Introduce OC that has changed from your first idea concerning what the character would be like?this is difficult damn. I think maybe Keiji? The first concept I had for him was “a monk who’s had to leave their order, and is v bitter and angry about it”. His backstory hasn’t changed, but his way of dealing with it has. I ended up dumping a bunch of my issues on him, and now he’s far more betrayed than angry, and he hides it all behind humour and snark. 
Beside him, Morana has also changed. I introduced her as a quiet, pragmatic npc character. Since I started playing her she’s gotten a lot more emotional and she’s found a temper (and a tragic backstory)
25. The OC that resembles you the most (same hobby, height, shared like/dislike for something etc?)As mentioned above, Keiji has a lot of my issues, mainly the selfdestructive habits and never talking about your feelings or being honest about them ever. 
Raya has my love for nature and natural magics. Morana has my curiousity, the love for knowledge and the need to know (even if it comes at the cost of summoning a devil). Whisper has my protectiveness, and subsequent troubles with communicating it. 
Honestly, they all have parts of me, cause well that’s just what happens when you create characters. and i love them all they’re good
27. Any OCs that were inspired by a certain song? nope
29. Which one of your OCs would go investigate an abandoned house at night without telling anyone they’re going?Keiji. Whisper would only do it on a dare so there’d be other people involved. Morana definitely would, because she’s dumb and reckless and in search of cryptids. 
31. Pick one OC of yours and explain what their tumblr blog would be like (what they reblog, layout, anything really)ohohohoho. I recently found the conversation where Lux, Tori, and I talked about this for the college au.
Morana has a blog devoted to cryptids, but she also reblogs all history posts she can find. (she corrects them and adds sources if necessary). Surina isn’t technically in this au, but I could see her running like a fitness blog. Raya has a gardening blog, with tips and logs about her own plants. Val would have a lot of selfies w Lytte (and more pictures of just her), a lot of backstage pics from theatre, actual journal posts on recommendation of their therapist, and a truly worrying amount of posts about how to hide various weapons on your person.
Tanwen would run one of those cutesy study blogs, with prettily coloured to do lists, pictures of an organised workspace, and lots of self care tips for exam week. Keiji has various sideblogs. He has a fitness blog which is also about his martial arts studies, a shitpost meme blog (his main), an edgy aesthetic blog (bruised knuckles, people smoking on top of buildings, that kinda thing), and probably more.
Whisper would run like a proper blog blog, with logs from her many scouting trips and like mountain climbing adventures. Also a lot of pictures from those. Temperance isn’t really interested in going through the hassle (cause y’know blind), and Mokir is a cat. There is a tumblr and a linked twitter account dedicated to every sighting, and pictures and applause whenever he’s attacked someone.
33. Your shyest OC?Either Tanwen or Whisper probably, though neither of them are that bad. Tanwen can speak up and is stubborn enough to defend her opinion when it counts (which is often), and Whisper overcompensates with bluster and rambling.
35. Any sibling characters? Nope. I mean, some of them have siblings, but i don’t have two characters who are siblings
37. Introduce an OC who is not quite human Morana and Temperance are tiefling. They’re a race which used to be human, until they were corrupted by demons, and now they look various levels of demonic. Surina is a dragonborn, so definitely not human. Val is a half-elf, though they’ve passed as both elven and human. Raya is a woodelf. Mokir is a rakashan, so basically an anthro cat. He’s based off like norwegian forest cats, so he’s an already burly and tall man who’s then like 50% fur it’s hilarious. 
39. Introduce any character you want Well in that case let me introduce the characters from The Roles We Play, since they’re not on my blog. Astra is a highelf wizard and she’s adorable. She’s quite shy, but she loves talking about the stars and magic, and someone else always needs to be on watch with her because she will without fail be distracted by watching the stars.
Nira is a human paladin of the Raven Queen. Her family didn’t quite agree with her choice to go study, but she found a second family with the order. She loves adventure, and she’s always the one most eager to explore ancient ruins and dangerous-looking caves.
Rémi is a half-elf bard. He’s the mom friend of the team, armed with exasperation and fond amusement, always ready to talk his friends out of jail. He also carries at least four instruments on his person at any given time.
Vengeance is a tiefling ranger with an owl companion called Hope. They go by Ven, most of the time, and they tend to be a voice of reason. They favour dry humour and snark, and they often spend long watches carving wooden figurines. 
41. Has anyone drawn fanart of your OCs? If yes, maybe show a picture or two here (remember sources & permissions!)Yes! Lux is a gift to god’s good earth and they have a lot of amazing art here, including some of my characters~
43. Do you have any certain type when you create your OCs? Do you tend to favour some certain traits or looks? It’s time to confessWell, one thing I noticed recently-ish is that almost none of my characters tend to be honest with their feelings. Keiji’s the most obvious, but Tanwen, Morana, Surina,  Whisper, Val, Temperance, they all have an element of acting, of being various levels of two-faced, of pretending you’re fine always. They all do it in different ways, but yeah.
Another thing is that I tend to make low charisma characters? like so many of them have cha as their dump stat. I also find it difficult to play low-int characters, so they all tend to have a higher intelligence.
45. A character you no longer use?Not from the characters on my oc page, but there are a shitton of characters from my rp days who I’ve abandoned.
47. Has anyone ever (friendly) claimed any of your OCs as their child?..probably. Can’t recall any specific examples rn, but I think Val’s been adopted more than once, same with Whisper. Val and Lux’ Chal also have a fun au where Chal adopts Val and runs away with her, and they become a family and travel together and it’s all fun and good until Temperance’s assassins manage to chase them down. 
49. Which one of your OCs would most likely enjoy memes Keiji. 100%
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webart-studio · 6 years ago
Text
Net Design Developments in 2019: What’s Subsequent?
No scores but.
As 2019 is approaching, we’re all stuffed with anticipation in regards to the web site designs we will likely be seeing subsequent yr.
On this article, I’ll discover the artistic developments we have been loving this previous yr. I will even attempt to make predictions about how these developments evolve or change for 2019.
As an example my factors, I will likely be referring to essentially the most fashionable web sites from the AWWWARDS newest assortment. Shout out to this superb useful resource! I imagine that the web sites given beneath have been created to rock the net in 2019!
However earlier than we dive in, let’s speak about three developments that, I feel, will stay unchanged in 2019.
WHAT WILL NOT CHANGE
Cell-first
Load time
Chatbots
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2019
FLAT AND NOT-SO-FLAT
FLOATING ELEMENTS
GEOMETRY
VIDEO BACKGROUNDS
BROKEN GRIDS
EXPRESSIVE TYPES
DAMAGED, LAYERED IMAGES
CHAOTIC INTERACTIVE TEXTURES
DREAMY COLORS
BRUTALISM
HAND-DRAWN ILLUSTRATIONS
INTERACTIVITY
OLDSCHOOL AND GAME-LIKE
3D OBJECTS
1. WHAT WILL NOT CHANGE
1.1 Cell-first
Now it’s official: there are extra folks looking web sites from cell units than desktop computer systems. In 2018, we’ve seen the rise of micro-interactions, roll-out menus, and {custom} icons. This pattern won’t change, however solely acquire momentum. In 2019, you’ll now not want a web site that’s simply responsive; you will want one that’s mobile-first.
1.2 Load time
It is a little bit controversial. In 2018, many consultants believed that clear minimalistic web sites would take over the web due to their quick loading velocity. However that didn’t occur.
As a substitute, we see how new applied sciences are adapting video and picture content material to the wants of the mobile-first period. In 2019, designers and builders will proceed in search of a compromise between artistic Java designs, full-width authentic content material, and decreased load time.
1.three Chatbots
E-commerce web sites will nonetheless must convert in 2019, and chatbots have confirmed to be an efficient solution to do it. In 2019, the net shopping for expertise will proceed striving towards better personalization and extra refined AI applied sciences. So, in 2019, we’ll see smarter and extra interactive chatbots on prime e-commerce web sites.
2. WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2019
Now let’s transfer on to the principle internet design developments we’re anticipating to see in 2019.
2.1 FLAT AND NOT-SO-FLAT
Flat design, as a web site esthetics, has been with us since 2017 and is right here to remain. Net house owners love flat design for higher cell expertise and better web optimization rank. Designers and customers get pleasure from easy layouts, brilliant stunning imagery, and plenty of whitespace.
Flat internet design philosophy postulates {that a} website with fewer photos will be as spectacular as its image-heavy and gradual loading analog from the 2000s.
Wanting on the beneath examples, who wouldn’t agree?
SNOWWHITE.IO
WEBSITE
Right here is an instance of a superbly made flat design web site. There are few illustrations, however all of them are very charming. If you journey via the web site, you see that each new web page encompasses a totally different illustration. Historically for flat design, there’s ample whitespace and straightforward navigation.
DESIGN IN SILICON VALLEY
WEBSITE
This web site demonstrates what flat design can ship for those who add heavy animation and interactivity to it. The pages characteristic a lot of texture and exquisite transitions. Viewers could even get a little bit overwhelmed by what’s occurring on the web site. It appears, nevertheless, that that is precisely what the designers have been after.
The semi-flat strategy permits including depth and movement to your minimalistic designs and having all the advantages of flat with you. In 2019, we’ll see much more variations of this.
LO PESCE
WEBSITE
This design options superior product picture compositions with {custom} illustrations, Parallax, and good interactive parts. I additionally loved the animation that makes the web page really feel heavy and deep below your scroll. Right here we will additionally see how far semi-flat internet design will attain in 2019.
2.2 FLOATING ELEMENTS
In 2019, web site designs will defy gravity. This pattern will not be utterly new: all of us do not forget that chaotic layouts have been already trending in 2018. Subsequent yr, we’ll see many interactive parts popping up right here and there, altering shapes and ready for a cursor to hover over them.
Open compositions will even be the mainstream of internet design in 2019. So, put together to see designers ditching borders and leaving interactive 3D parts to drift on the pages.
GRETA MADLINE
WEBSITE
Right here we see how one interactive 3D object can set the tone for all the web site and add a playful edge to it. If you transfer to different pages of the web site, you will notice many extra artistic design parts. It options cute animation, scroll results, handmade illustrations, and daring shade mixtures.
1948
WEBSITE
This web site invitations you to make use of your keyboard to provide sound results and see the 3D objects dance within the air. The design is each minimalistic and really partaking. It combines various kinds of communication with guests, so that you simply can’t cease till you’ve seen all the things. In 2019, web sites that provide such distinctive experiences will likely be rocking the net.
2.three GEOMETRY
Similar to colours, shapes can be utilized to make accents and talk concepts. Geometry acts as a compromise between harmonious minimalism and damaged uneven expertise. Each will likely be well-liked in 2019.
Shapes can add stability to the craziest internet designs. Geometry is current in numerous parts: buttons, frames or illustrations. Each form brings about particular associations and has its personal which means. When used correctly, shapes can grow to be key parts of a web site design.
Let’s have a look at some superb examples.
TEDxBETHESDA
WEBSITE
Stuffed with texture and shade, these shapes on the middle glue the viewers’ eyes to the web page. Right here geometry is used to make accents and allude to the massive purple cross on the TEDx stage. It’s mixed with uneven grids and good particle backgrounds.
CWORKS
WEBSITE
On this instance, interactive shapes are used to create backgrounds and picture frames. Mixed with brilliant colours and scattered typography, these parts exhibit the important thing developments of 2018-2019. Word how superbly traces are used to spotlight the menu tabs.
SMULTRON
WEBSITE
Right here we see a good looking animated form that responds to the cursor motion. As a key component, this interactive form units the tone for the entire web site. I additionally love the geometry-inspired icons and the crispness of this design.
2.four VIDEO BACKGROUNDS
Video backgrounds are considerably much less well-liked now than they have been in 2016 due to the elevated significance of the load velocity. Nonetheless, in 2019, we will likely be seeing the evolution of video integration in internet design. It is because video backgrounds are confirmed to extend web site conversions. Viewers will stick round to observe the video if it has captured their consideration. You may as well inform a whole model story with one video with out utilizing any phrases in any respect.
Let’s have a look at how these web sites do this.
LIVING MEMORIES
WEBSITE
This web site integrates a video intro, background music, and widescreen pictures. The portraits are breathtaking and high-res. Clickable old-fashioned pictures used as menu tab icons complement the design. With all that stated, it’s the video that brings collectively all of the design parts and tells a novel story.
DESCENTE FUSIONKNIT
WEBSITE
The video on the homepage of this web site units the tone and induces an emotional response from the viewers. You merely can’t cease watching these materials being knitted and items being sewn collectively. That is the way you do visible product storytelling. The web site additionally options irregular grids and complicated layered layouts.
2.5 BROKEN GRIDS
The love for asymmetry has begun in 2018 and can stick with us in 2019. The grids we have been all used to assist add content material to a web site in an aligned and constant means. The layouts made with grids look symmetrical and structured. There’s a means during which such predictability makes it simpler to devour data.
Nonetheless, the brand new pattern of utilizing uneven grids and making a “damaged” expertise for the viewer is at its peak now. Designers layer content material modules, colours, and textures to realize a depth impact. This dynamism helps to have interaction viewers and emphasize essentially the most conversion-oriented sections of the web site.
By the way in which, having a damaged grid will not be equivalent to having no construction in any respect. Sloppy web sites are nonetheless out of pattern.
MATHIEU LEVESQUE
WEBSITE
As you scroll down this web site, you see uneven modules shifting at totally different velocity and captions arising and disappearing from view. When the picture meets the textual content, the kind modifications as if lurking from behind the picture.
These results make the web site look each uneven and harmonious. The viewer will get the impression that the perceived chaos of this format could be very fastidiously thought via.
FEMME AND FIERCE
WEBSITE
This design combines brutalism, asymmetry, and animated scrolling. In consequence, we see a really balanced and minimalistic web site with a youthful edge to it.
The old-school font sorts and pinkish palette stability the design, making it chicer. If you hover on every product picture, you see animation that includes custom-created icons. The web site appears to be like like a basic style journal that has been remade for the younger and fierce viewers.
2.6 EXPRESSIVE TYPES
Daring typefaces have been rocking web site design for fairly some time now. Additionally, we see plenty of ruined, messy, 3D-filled or cropped sorts. Bigger than life textual content and daring fonts set the ambiance of the web site and create accents the place you want them.
Geometric sorts add a cutting-edge really feel to the design. Clear and minimalistic, they’ll offset the complexity of layouts and animation utilized in the identical design.
Handwritten sorts, in flip, add a comfy and charming really feel to the web site. They’re utilized in mixture with sketch parts, cartoon-like illustrations, or on their very own. In 2019, we’ll see them daring, expressive, and uneven.
LA ROULOTTE
WEBSITE
Right here we see an superior mixture of irregular animated layouts, geometric shapes, brutalism, and naturally, assertion sorts. The design creates a formidable damaged expertise. Word how the letters are cropped and scattered throughout the layouts.
The purple shade makes the kind much more expressive. Additionally, discover how superbly the brand combines a geometrical form with cropped letters.
MOUNTAIN MAN BAND
WEBSITE
This homepage options large hand-written letters accomplished in an irregular, sloppy method. If you scroll down, you see animated textual content rendered in geometric sorts and bleached background photos. The colour palette is awesomely muted. The design appears to be like heat and comfy, inviting the customer to remain longer and have a superb time.
2.7 DAMAGED, LAYERED IMAGES
The general pattern of destroying all the things – from backgrounds to typography contains breaking and experimenting with pictures. What would have been unthinkable a couple of years in the past, like a broken character picture on the homepage – will likely be seen on many web sites in 2019.
Not solely do internet designers injury and glitch photos, additionally they write over them and put every kind of parts over pictures so as to add complexity. Overlapping parts, duotones, and messiness will nonetheless be trending in 2019.
KYOTO-OKAZAKI MEIJI SAKABA
WEBSITE
The complicated design of this homepage options asymmetrical photos sharing the purple shade palette and overlain with glitched shapes. The designer makes use of each vibrant purple and muted beige colours and daring plain sorts.
In the event you scroll down, there will likely be extra geometry, glitch, and expressive handwritten fonts. General, the web site is mesmerizing.
ADIDAS WOMEN
WEBSITE
The massive cut up throughout the picture appears to be like like a damaged mirror and makes us see photos in double. The remainder of the design appears to be like very minimalistic – with a lot of whitespace and extra conventional typography. In consequence, all views are glued to the video as if displayed on a damaged monitor.
2.eight CHAOTIC INTERACTIVE TEXTURES
Relating to backgrounds and textures, the identical “brokenness” pattern will little doubt apply. In 2019, we’ll nonetheless see plenty of sepia and micro-damaged or bleached backgrounds.
Designers use each worn-out trying textures and futuristic animated patterns. There are mainly no guidelines. Currently, as the web site interactivity pattern can also be gaining momentum, we see an increasing number of interactive animated textures. We will even see plenty of embedded movies that function textured backgrounds moderately than a conventional storytelling component.
HUMAN ALWAYS
WEBSITE
With a pleasant muted shade palette and micropatterns that appear to be broken texture, this design appears to be like deep and provoking. There may be additionally plenty of geometry within the design: edgy rectangles are mixed with fluid rounded shapes to create complexity.
There’s a minimalistic-looking sidebar menu and a slider down the web page. As a result of this mixture of parts, the web site appears to be like each experimental and rooted in custom.
DRIP POP
WEBSITE
This web site appears to be like tasty and vivid. The designers used chaotic animated patterns as a background texture on the homepage. Earlier than you scroll down the positioning, you pause to see extra of those superior shade drops.
Down the web page, there are animated reasonable pictures. In opposition to the flat-inspired design of the web page, they give the impression of being large and scrumptious. The mixture of fabric design, horizontal sliders, and complicated animation captures consideration and received’t let go.
DISTINCTION AGENCY
WEBSITE
Interactive designs will likely be in every single place in 2019. On this web site, we see a tremendous instance of an animated texture that modifications shade and divulges pictures. Supplemented with impartial typography and a minimalistic menu panel, this scale-like texture appears to be like superb.
If you press on one of many highlighted phrases within the caption, a brand new flat and minimalist format is revealed. Right here we see conventional animated shapes in opposition to a lightweight background.
2.9 DREAMY COLORS
In 2018, we noticed plenty of shade in internet design, and the pattern is right here to remain. Vivid colours are utilized in extra conventional flat designs or deeper semi-flat layouts. Rainbow palettes and deep, muted pastels will likely be equally well-liked.
Subsequent yr, the colour mixtures will resemble rainbows and gradients that have been so well-liked in 2018. Each time they’ll, designers will transfer away from conventional colours to their brighter or deeper equivalents.
On the identical time, we predict the rise of beige palettes utilized in mixture with extra vivid colours and animated parts.
LE PETIT NANTAIS
WEBSITE
An incredible instance of an interactive flat design that mixes most of the developments we will likely be seeing in 2019. The character picture is rendered in brilliant contrasting colours; there are brilliant icons and animated scroll.
If you click on on a menu tab, a colourful and animated transition takes you to a different web page. Slowly floating parts create a deep feeling that balances the flat-looking illustrations.
SLOW BANANA
WEBSITE
Right here we’ve yet one more mixture of vibrant colours and a passionate character picture on the principle web page. Under, there are a number of flat design layouts, every with a mono-color vivid background and daring typography. The simplicity of this web site makes it look much more superior.
2.10 BRUTALISM
In 2019, we will likely be an increasing number of reminded of the daybreak of the web via the brutalism in internet design. Those that have grown uninterested in clear flat layouts will get pleasure from brutal layouts straight from the nineties.
These web sites will characteristic simply too many hover results, animation, micro-interactions, large sorts, huge photos, and internet secure colours. They aren’t meant to be maximally purposeful; they select to overwhelm and impress. All the things will likely be just a bit excessive: colours will conflict, phrases will likely be tough to learn, and content material will likely be organized chaotically. And naturally, there will likely be plenty of black and white.
ERIK BERNACCI
WEBSITE
Are you able to hear the sound of web dial-up? I felt very nostalgic (and previous) whereas taking a look at this web site. The designer combines old-school internet secure colours with naive animation and superior icons.
This design appears brutal and nostalgic on the identical time. Each component has been fastidiously crafted to suit the entire image of an previous web site with an ironic edge to it.
ROMAIN GRANAI
WEBSITE
That is one other variation on brutalism with a particular twist. We see plenty of glitched parts, because it was fashionable all through 2018. They’re backed up with huge typography and moderately vicious scroll results. This design overwhelms and leaves a long-lasting impression. There’s additionally a cell model, ensure you test it out!
2.11 HAND-DRAWN ILLUSTRATIONS
Watercolor illustrations, pastels, and sketches are nothing new in internet design. In 2019, we’ll see much more of them. Distinctive drawings will likely be getting much more complicated, dynamic and interactive. If, in 2017, it was sufficient to create an authentic hand-drawn design to your web site, now the illustrations ought to have interaction viewers and reply to their actions.
The usage of illustrations all through the web site needs to be constant. You can not put a pleasant drawing right here and there and name it a day – all of the typography, micro-animation and backgrounds ought to match into one expertise.
A+SMITH CREATIONS
WEBSITE
This stunning black web site options a chic illustration on the homepage. As you scroll down, one component of it involves the fore and will get surrounded by textual content.
This web site appears to be like each creative and minimalistic. The CTA parts are highlighted with purple and different traces stay mild and refined. The corporate emblem options comparable wavy traces and acts as a pleasant accent on this design.
HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSIC
WEBSITE
Right here’s a wholly totally different web site that makes use of hand-drawn illustrations as each design and storytelling parts. By scrolling down you reveal the timeline of American music rendered in superior interactive illustrations. You may as well launch a jazz playlist proper on the web site to get a complete impression.
2.12 INTERACTIVITY
As you’ve most likely observed from the examples I gave above, internet designs contain creating extra complicated and dynamic experiences for customers. We’ll see plenty of built-in movies, micro-interactions, animated scroll, and so forth. New animation applied sciences like SVG imply that there won’t be any lack of high quality in your animation when seen on a cell display screen.
GARBAGE 31
WEBSITE
This superior web site by a Ukrainian artistic crew brings interactivity to the following degree. You’re immersed within the expertise from the very first seconds. To enter the web site, you should empty a bag of trash with a knife. Then, the web site invitations you to discover a place to recycle various kinds of trash.
The design could be very minimalistic; the principle accent is on the interactive and purposeful half. Nothing distracts your consideration from the principle activity – discovering the proper recycling location.
COCOON
WEBSITE
The expertise on this web site begins with a easy but pretty interplay the place you select the part you need to enter. This design additionally options stunning animated transitions. They differ from web page to web page and make the time you spend on the web site much more partaking.
There are additionally dynamic grids, {custom} icons, and plenty of good picture content material to amplify the impression. The web site appears to be like slick and technological.
2.13 OLDSCHOOL AND GAME-LIKE
The brutalism pattern goes hand in hand with the pattern for making designs that resemble previous video video games. Even non-gamers will really feel sentimental after they see Nintendo-like parts on a web site. This aesthetic spans throughout generations and provides a playful edge to any design.
When animated and interactive, game-like parts immerse viewers right into a Nintendo expertise. In such a means, one can simply enhance the time guests spend on a web site.
ALL
WEBSITE
This web site delivers all the principle developments of 2018-2019 in a single package deal. It encourages the person to work together and construct a artistic problem. Then, the person will get invited to a crisp one-page web site with a brutalist and Nintendo-like really feel to it.
The design options a lot of micro-interactions, daring animated letters, cartoonish icons and pop-ups, and good handwritten typography right here and there. The large emblem on the homepage interacts with you as you hover over it.
PRAZE OR HAZE TRUMP
WEBSITE
Though moderately controversial, this design provides you a chance to play with a personality that resembles a well-known politician. This humorous web site appears to purpose at reducing the ideological and political stress via a online game imitation. However nonetheless, this design could be very a lot in keeping with the developments we’ll see in 2019.
2.14 3D OBJECTS
During the last two years, utilizing 3D parts in internet design has grow to be a standard observe. In 2019, designers will likely be integrating 3D objects into complicated layered layouts and make them interactive.
The road between actual objects and their 3D analogs is extra blurred than ever. Additionally, dynamic 3D parts will likely be shifting an increasing number of naturally to create a easy natural expertise. Pure supplies and spherical shapes will likely be inspiring an increasing number of 3D designers in 2019.
POOR FOLK KABAKOVS
WEBSITE
Right here we’ve a superbly layered homepage design with small 3D objects that act as texture. Underneath the 3D sample, there’s an enormous caption sliding into view and a video background. Such complicated experiences are what we’ll anticipate from a web site in 2019.
The web site has a by some means chaotic really feel to it. There are photos popping up irregularly and textual content overlaying them in some locations, however the general impression is of a contemporary internet design masterpiece.
ESPN NBA’s SIGNATURE MOVES
WEBSITE
On this instance, we see the historical past of basketball instructed utilizing smooth 3D figures of NBA gamers. This design options all of the essential developments of 2019 – vivid colours, massive sorts, interactivity, and video integration.
Nicely, I assume that’s all. I hope you loved this learn and see you in 2019!
Did you want the gathering? Please drop me a remark! Additionally, subscribe to our weblog to see extra like this.
Learn Additionally
15 Wonderful Net Design Developments for 2019
Ecommerce Net Design Developments 2019
What’s Subsequent? Prime Net Design Developments in 2019
7 Net Design Developments To Maintain On To In 2019
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rebeccahpedersen · 6 years ago
Text
Welcome To Your New Toronto Realty Blog!
TorontoRealtyBlog
Well, first thing’s first – how the hell am I going to write my “teaser” in one or two short lines?  Brevity has never been, nor ever will become, an attribute of mine.  That space above the fold was always my opportunity to lead, engage, attract, tease, trick, or regale!
Alas, I’ll just have to make do with a smaller introduction which makes the whole site look a lot cleaner!
And that’s really what the new layout was about; making things look a bit cleaner.
Or should I say, a little more 2018, and a little less 2006.
I’ve never been one to accept change.
Whether it was moving houses when I was 12-years-old (even though I was moving to a house twice as large, in a better area), or switching from a Blackberry to an iPhone (why did I wait so long?), or downloading the MLS app on my phone and scrapping the keychain-authenticator (I was the very last TREB agent to do this), or even switching from a paper/padfolio day-planner to an online calendar…………which I have yet to do…
…I have never been good with change.
My beloved Toronto Realty Blog, which many of you might find zero fault with, has looked old, stale, and outdated for quite some time.
I brought a new layout online in the summer of 2016, but as I was told by many, it was basically just the same red and white version iteration as before, with a few subtle changes, a bit of moving column A to column B, and removing the disastrous colours in the “TRB Channels” I had below the fold.
I suppose I’ve come a long way since 2007.
Here’s my very first masthead:
And then my “updated” second version:
Wow, they’re just, like, so different!
But that is what used to represent change to me.
I started the blog in June of 2007, and within months, I already had major formatting issues.
On Internet Explorer (this was before Google Chrome and Firefox got a bigger market share, not to mention Mac users), which back at the time represented about 60% of my users, the masthead would not display properly, and was actually showing at the bottom of the blog……….for about 12 months.
Yes, 12 months.  Before I finally thought, “I wonder if anybody other than the guy I found on Craigslist, and paid $500 to, could work on my website.”
The masthead and the menu bar running across the top of the home page were both lost below sea.  But it didn’t seem to matter, because my following was somewhat underground back then.  People seemed to like the imperfection of the site, as it almost underscored how rare it was to find a licensed real estate agent opining about shady developers, or misleading sales tactics.
But eventually, as I said, I had to get the site fixed.
And that’s where the beautiful second version of TRB, that you see above, came into play.  Oh, just so different from the first!  But at least everything was in the right place.
And this was well before you’d ever access a website on your phone.  My 2008 Blackberry could barely load the blog.  All the users were on desktops.
But the second version was cleaner overall, and oh – the new logo!  Yes!  I finally decided to scrap the puffy, orange, first-font-I-randomly-chose lettering, and get a logo.
I had this idea that I was “putting my stamp” on the city, and I thought this looked really cool:
Just as my Mom told me I was cool in Grade 9, when I sat home instead of going to parties, I told myself this was cool in 2008-09 when I had some random part-timer in my office draw it, likely in Paint.
It wasn’t until the summer of 2013 that I made another change.
Raise your hand if you’ve been around since this version:
In hindsight, it looks awful, right?
But at the time, it was supposed to be a “window into my mind.”
Coffee, a blackberry, keys on the desk, and old-fashioned paper day-planner, all strewn across a hardwood floor, in a city where everybody seemed to be obsessed with hardwood floors.
The “Top Posts Of The Month” was a leading feature, since I was starting to see 20-30 comments with regularity, and I felt that more people were coming back to read what others were saying.
Eventually I grew tired of this, and wanted something cleaner, which was ironic, given the whole idea behind this layout was to “jazz it up.”
When I launched the new version somewhere around 2014, I was surprised by the response!  Readers were actually telling me they like the old version, which made me realize that I wasn’t the only one averse to change.
The new version was cleaner, and easier to navigate, with way more features, and it had multiple ways to find the same thing, no matter what you were looking for.
But as I would soon learn, and as I fully expect with today’s new launch, readers just don’t like change!
Here’s the 2014 version:
Of course the top wasn’t cut off, but my archives are only so perfect.
So compare this to the wood-flooring-version, and how can somebody say they don’t like it?
Well, like I said, the consensus always seems to be, “What you had before was fine.  Why bother changing?”
Then in 2016, for some odd reason, I decided to launch a “new” layout, that was more of the same:
That’s the site you all knew and (hopefully) loved, until this week.
Boy, it really really was similar to the 2014 version.
In any event, this time around, I really wanted to get with the times.
I wanted something that made me uncomfortable, and I found it during my first meeting with my team – when I said, “Not a chance,” and walked out.
And that’s when I knew it made sense.
I had to change.  I had to get more modern.
And I had to risk being “too salesy,” as a close friend of mine called the mock-up when I showed it to him two months ago.
But you know what?  It’s out of necessity.
Would you believe it if I told you that many people who email me don’t know I’m a real estate agent?
True story.
I get a slew of emails every week, and not just from buyers and sellers who want to be come clients.  I get at least 2-3 people who are looking to get into real estate and want advice, I get 2-3 people who had interesting experiences in real estate and want to share, I get 2-3 people who know I’m a real estate agent, and used another agent for their transaction, but are really hoping I’ll spend some time to consider their situation and give them advice, and then, above all else, I always get at least one email from somebody who needs my help, pleads with me to call or email, and then is surprised to find out I’m a real estate agent.
Just last Friday, I spoke to a woman who was asking for advice on two condos in her target area, and eventually said, “My Realtor thinks the maintenance fees aren’t a problem in either building.”  I told her, “You should have mentioned you’re working with a Realtor, because I don’t want to interfere.”  She said, “Oh, I didn’t know you were a Realtor.”
Yes.  Really.  This does happen.
So because I knew I was going to write this blog when the new site launched this week, I asked her, “What did you think this site was?’
She said, “Well, I was just Googling ‘maintenance fees’ and I found it, so, I dunno, I guess I thought it was like a public support page?”
What the hell is a public support page?  Is that even a thing?
So yes, you could label TRB V6.0 “more salesy,” but not because I am trying to attract more business, but because I think people should know who I am, what I do, what services I provide, etc.  Just like any business, selling any good or service.
But that’s just me being self-conscious.  Overall, I love the new look and feel.  It’s very modern, sleek, dare I speak the over-used buzz-word, “sharp,” and above all – clean.
The blog itself won’t change in format.
New posts will still be published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with Pick5 on Thursday.
The big changes are in the form of additions to the site, specifically new features.
First and foremost, we have a listings portal.  This is, like what you will find online, 100% up-to-date and complete.  And like what you will find online – it doesn’t take 24 hours to populate new listings, like the archaic www.realtor.ca that CREA shoves down our throats.
It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when a wee-blogger like myself has new listings posted before our public MLS, but that’s a topic for another day.
The listings will have sales trends for each neighbourhood and/or building in which that listing resides, as well as amenity information, open house info, etc.
I’ve also scrapped a few features, starting with “ASK TRB,” which was my previous brainchild, thinking that readers would take the opportunity to start their own thread.  But as you saw from last Friday’s blog about “MLS Musings,” when the readers want to start a thread – they just do it in the current blog!
I also scrapped the “Featured Listings,” ie. the Hot House of The Week, Hot Loft of The Week, etc.  I deliberately have not updated this section since January, because I wanted to see how long it would take for a reader to email me, since readers will literally email me when I’ve used a semi-colon incorrectly.  But guess what?  Nobody emailed me!  So it’s like I thought: nobody uses that feature.
Many of the regular readers will be VERY happy to see that I’ve re-ordered the comments section, so that the first comment appears, well, first, and subsequent comments below.  This was a major sticking point back in the summer of 2016 when I first launched, although part of me thinks you’ll all be so used to it, that you’ll complain now that I’ve switched it back.
But the big addition to TRB is something that no other real estate agent in Toronto can offer.
I call it the “Data Hub.”
Let’s say that I wanted to know the average price of a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, semi-detached house that sold specifically in the “Danforth Village” community of TREB District “E03,” between January 1st, 2018, and March 31st, 2018.
Right now, I would go to the back-end of MLS (which of course you guys don’t have), and I would search accordingly.
I would then copy and paste all those sales into Microsoft Excel, clean the data and use the AVERAGE function on the “Sold Price” column.
That’s a lot of work.
And it’s work that you guys can’t do.
But what if you could?
Folks, let me introduce you to the TRB Data Hub.
I will admit that the functionality takes some getting used to (ie. holding CTRL to select multiple sections, using the map versus using the auto-complete for areas, etc), but give it a shot, and play around with it.
Over the next two months, I want you guys to use this feature, and give me your feedback.
As it stands now, we have only “Beds,” “Baths,” and “Parking” for the drop-down options, but as I said – we’re working on it.
We plan to add features as we move along, but wanted to get this launched for you folks to play around with.
As cheezy as this might sounds, I view Toronto Realty Blog as a community that I have built over eleven years, and many of the readers and users have been around for a long, long time.  I value the input of the readers more than you’ll ever understand.  I might write the blogs, but it’s the users that truly make TRB all that it is.
So that’s it, folks.
I welcome your feedback, even if you liked the previous version more, which is what everybody has said after every change.
The post Welcome To Your New Toronto Realty Blog! appeared first on Toronto Realty Blog.
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homeimprovementsonecom · 7 years ago
Text
Interior Designer Vikram Goyal On Transforming Mundane Houses Into Beautiful Homes
Spaces
November 24, 2017
Interior Designer Vikram Goyal On Transforming Mundane Houses Into Beautiful Homes
Text from Sharmi Ghosh Dastidar
“I Need to observe Made in India, especially when tastes such as high-end furniture are so skewed towards that which comes from states such as Italy and Germany”
Vikram Goyal at the Goa house he completed a Couple of months ago
At the conclusion of many a serpentine lane in India that is god-fearing you may observe an entity. Smeared with dabs of vermillion, obeisance that is uninterrupted is got by this rock deity of Hanuman. The respectful salutation is a reflex, at times not needing even a glimpse from the direction of the idol.
A statue of the deity graces the reception of Vikram Goyal’s dwelling also. A wooden framework showcasing the temple art of South India forms a background and decoratively ensconces the monkey god of valour. Trust Goyal as he has been performing to all things to bring a border here quintessentially Indian.
Filials from Viya Home
At the tony Shanti Niketan of New Delhi, the house of Goyal is a address that is talked-about. Clean walls and manicured leaves hide higher layout that lie behind and the splurge of glamour. A labour of love, this attractively designed home is an understanding of how a space that is modern can be adorned by the art of India, making it tasteful and modish whilst maintaining it seeped ever. Goyal’s friends started to take note of his own acumen and the product designer was soon doing his friend’s home in Chennai up. 1 job led to the next and he found himself dressing up a Manhattan penthouse, an assignment that earned him accolades. “Another residence in New York turned out very interesting as well,” says Goyal sitting at his well-furnished study, lambent in a hot yellow haze. The black walls produce a background for the abundance of old antiques and artefacts strewn. “Black is one of my favourite colours. Its daring masculinity highlights everything it frames — paintings, busts, sculptures and accessories.”
Holidays at his maternal grandfather’s abode in Rajasthan familiarised him with all all the appeal of the historic forts, havelis and palaces there, while growing up in the funds. His eye for architecture and design craftsmanship of India, was honed during the formative years. “My grandfather’s house in Jaipur has been a treasure trove of artefacts, sculptures and paintings. I grew up in all of its kinds with a deep grasp of history. I suppose a sense of layout was imbibed from youth,” he reminisces.
Prominence is found by an float
Goyal started off rather unnaturally, studying engineering and graduated in economics from Princeton University, followed by a stint in banking at Morgan Stanley in New York. But even while he studying statistics and was crunching numbers, he to museums in Europe and america, breathing in the rich tapestry of design, art and architecture. “This was a fantastic chapter of my own life. Then one fine day I decided to call it quits and return to get something. I co-founded Kama Ayurveda and then finally Viya Home happened,” he narrates.
Over a decade Viya Home started with designing goods. “My aim was to use skilled metal artisans to deliver our modern Indian designs to life. Nowhere in the world are you going to find such mastery in workmanship in India. The thought was to take something native and reach out to a broader audience. Thus, we delved to branding design and quality control to choose Indian crafts. We wanted to observe Made in India when tastes for furniture and accessories are all so skewed towards that which comes from states like Italy and Germany. We want the world to appreciate what India has to offer.” Points to some malachite table inlayed with brass. Its uniqueness, he says, lies in the combination of brass, a much-favoured metal at Viya Home because of its burnished and elastic personality, along with malachite, a semi-precious rock (in addition they utilize lapiz lazuli, tiger eye and amethyst) like against marble, that is much more commonly used by most Indian merchandise designers. “The substances are Indian but the layouts and implementation have global appeal. For its first few years, our layout forms were interpretations of traditional art and architectural components — the lotus, finials, domes and herringbone designs. As our economies developed globally and grew, we preserved our Indianness regarding material and artisanship as opposed to in designs and forms. We became decidedly India-agnostic and started drawing on inspiration from other references such as art nouveau, art deco, modernism and brutalism. Now, we use more abstract types.”
A dining set up
He points out how bits such as the Stalactite Console (a brass console smashed to seem like stalactite formations) and also even the Persepolis Wall Sconce stand out due to their worldwide appeal. “These are daring bits. A distance is glamorised by them. A home should be well-lived-in. I utilize products which turn it when I design a room. That might indicate pairing a Viya merchandise using a French stool or even a Japanese display…the bits should match each other,” Goyal says.
We consider that the inspirations that activate Goyal’s aesthetic eye. “I’ve always been drawn to Indian art and sculpture — that the diversity and the beauty of colour, craftsmanship and expression — especially to the ancient and also some of the modern. Whenever possible I use them. They add and work with furniture and accessories and a sense of history, individuality and uniqueness. With no spaces danger becoming bland and clones repositories of lighting and furniture. The physical ‘mixing’ or juxtaposition of objects and styles comes quite intuitively to me. I follow no diktat or formula. That’s the reason why I choose my customers carefully. Someone having an art set, an open mind, and a trust in my aesthetics is perfect,” he maintains.
The latest Goa project by Goyal
The brand of Goyal artefacts and spans a spectrum of art. “There are mini (Rajasthan, Mughal and Deccan colleges) along with pichwai paintings (Udaipur), old textiles, sculptures in metal and stone, wooden figures of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Gujarat in addition to Tanjore paintings, to name a few. However, I also see what sort of art the owners have and follow my own layout instincts depending on their preferences,” he states. “While working in the first blueprint, I also assess the source of pure light and the owner’s preferences. Then I pick on whether the space ought to be summery and cheerful or blue and black.”
Known for his talent for symmetry, Goyal love is still designing goods. “I’m excited creating new products. Every design ought to be unique. That is what motivates me. Seeing layouts come to life really is a high. Doing up large spaces is as challenging as dressing a apartment up. The small space also can be a jewel,” elaborates Goyal.
Aside from meeting the aesthetics of customers in the UK, France and the Middle East, ” Viya Home has been retailing from Dedar selling luxury materials. Goyal has worked together with Kelly Hoppen on a resort job in Mauritius and the brand and esteemed names such as Alberto Pinto and Studio Jacques Garcia also have been collaborating. “The Produced in India narrative has worked well worldwide with ‘soft goods’ such as textiles, fashion and rugs and, clearly, jewelry. With ‘tough’ products, for example furniture and decoration accessories the narrative has been somewhat different. The tags are mostly ‘cheap and cheerful’ instead of ‘legacy and elegance’. At Viya, we do our best to change this perception — with interior goods. Innovative design craftsmanship and Superior quality are the mainstay of our brand. Our layouts aren’t overtly Indian; we all utilize Indian substances to make items which are innovative and international.”
The Acropolis console finds place in a area
At a recently completed project in Goa, Goyal has departed from his generally busy look to make a home which brings with earthiness and minimalism. Employing the accessible laterite as the main raw material, the inside was peppered by him with goods created for your home. “We make an effort to not replicate our look. Every space ought to be individualistic. For your Goa job, I wished to work with surfaces and hence kept the ceilings. There’s a long hallway where we put a stunning, 10-foot-long, sculptural console.”
With a planner it is a range of goods in addition to no surprise that he is concurrently currently working on jobs in Goa. But he will opt for a few me-time in Europe. “I am excited about the trip because I will be able to visit museums and monuments. There’s inspiration everywhere…to watch, assimilate and utilize in my work,” he rounds off.
Labels: Featured, Creator of Viya Home, Interior Designer, Spaces, Vikram Goyal, Viya Home
from Home Improvements http://home-improvements-one.com/interior-designer-vikram-goyal-on-transforming-mundane-houses-into-beautiful-homes/
0 notes
homeimprovementsone · 7 years ago
Text
Interior Designer Vikram Goyal On Transforming Mundane Houses Into Beautiful Homes
Spaces
November 24, 2017
Interior Designer Vikram Goyal On Transforming Mundane Houses Into Beautiful Homes
Text from Sharmi Ghosh Dastidar
“I Need to observe Made in India, especially when tastes such as high-end furniture are so skewed towards that which comes from states such as Italy and Germany”
Vikram Goyal at the Goa house he completed a Couple of months ago
At the conclusion of many a serpentine lane in India that is god-fearing you may observe an entity. Smeared with dabs of vermillion, obeisance that is uninterrupted is got by this rock deity of Hanuman. The respectful salutation is a reflex, at times not needing even a glimpse from the direction of the idol.
A statue of the deity graces the reception of Vikram Goyal’s dwelling also. A wooden framework showcasing the temple art of South India forms a background and decoratively ensconces the monkey god of valour. Trust Goyal as he has been performing to all things to bring a border here quintessentially Indian.
Filials from Viya Home
At the tony Shanti Niketan of New Delhi, the house of Goyal is a address that is talked-about. Clean walls and manicured leaves hide higher layout that lie behind and the splurge of glamour. A labour of love, this attractively designed home is an understanding of how a space that is modern can be adorned by the art of India, making it tasteful and modish whilst maintaining it seeped ever. Goyal’s friends started to take note of his own acumen and the product designer was soon doing his friend’s home in Chennai up. 1 job led to the next and he found himself dressing up a Manhattan penthouse, an assignment that earned him accolades. “Another residence in New York turned out very interesting as well,” says Goyal sitting at his well-furnished study, lambent in a hot yellow haze. The black walls produce a background for the abundance of old antiques and artefacts strewn. “Black is one of my favourite colours. Its daring masculinity highlights everything it frames — paintings, busts, sculptures and accessories.”
Holidays at his maternal grandfather’s abode in Rajasthan familiarised him with all all the appeal of the historic forts, havelis and palaces there, while growing up in the funds. His eye for architecture and design craftsmanship of India, was honed during the formative years. “My grandfather’s house in Jaipur has been a treasure trove of artefacts, sculptures and paintings. I grew up in all of its kinds with a deep grasp of history. I suppose a sense of layout was imbibed from youth,” he reminisces.
Prominence is found by an float
Goyal started off rather unnaturally, studying engineering and graduated in economics from Princeton University, followed by a stint in banking at Morgan Stanley in New York. But even while he studying statistics and was crunching numbers, he to museums in Europe and america, breathing in the rich tapestry of design, art and architecture. “This was a fantastic chapter of my own life. Then one fine day I decided to call it quits and return to get something. I co-founded Kama Ayurveda and then finally Viya Home happened,” he narrates.
Over a decade Viya Home started with designing goods. “My aim was to use skilled metal artisans to deliver our modern Indian designs to life. Nowhere in the world are you going to find such mastery in workmanship in India. The thought was to take something native and reach out to a broader audience. Thus, we delved to branding design and quality control to choose Indian crafts. We wanted to observe Made in India when tastes for furniture and accessories are all so skewed towards that which comes from states like Italy and Germany. We want the world to appreciate what India has to offer.” Points to some malachite table inlayed with brass. Its uniqueness, he says, lies in the combination of brass, a much-favoured metal at Viya Home because of its burnished and elastic personality, along with malachite, a semi-precious rock (in addition they utilize lapiz lazuli, tiger eye and amethyst) like against marble, that is much more commonly used by most Indian merchandise designers. “The substances are Indian but the layouts and implementation have global appeal. For its first few years, our layout forms were interpretations of traditional art and architectural components — the lotus, finials, domes and herringbone designs. As our economies developed globally and grew, we preserved our Indianness regarding material and artisanship as opposed to in designs and forms. We became decidedly India-agnostic and started drawing on inspiration from other references such as art nouveau, art deco, modernism and brutalism. Now, we use more abstract types.”
A dining set up
He points out how bits such as the Stalactite Console (a brass console smashed to seem like stalactite formations) and also even the Persepolis Wall Sconce stand out due to their worldwide appeal. “These are daring bits. A distance is glamorised by them. A home should be well-lived-in. I utilize products which turn it when I design a room. That might indicate pairing a Viya merchandise using a French stool or even a Japanese display…the bits should match each other,” Goyal says.
We consider that the inspirations that activate Goyal’s aesthetic eye. “I’ve always been drawn to Indian art and sculpture — that the diversity and the beauty of colour, craftsmanship and expression — especially to the ancient and also some of the modern. Whenever possible I use them. They add and work with furniture and accessories and a sense of history, individuality and uniqueness. With no spaces danger becoming bland and clones repositories of lighting and furniture. The physical ‘mixing’ or juxtaposition of objects and styles comes quite intuitively to me. I follow no diktat or formula. That’s the reason why I choose my customers carefully. Someone having an art set, an open mind, and a trust in my aesthetics is perfect,” he maintains.
The latest Goa project by Goyal
The brand of Goyal artefacts and spans a spectrum of art. “There are mini (Rajasthan, Mughal and Deccan colleges) along with pichwai paintings (Udaipur), old textiles, sculptures in metal and stone, wooden figures of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Gujarat in addition to Tanjore paintings, to name a few. However, I also see what sort of art the owners have and follow my own layout instincts depending on their preferences,” he states. “While working in the first blueprint, I also assess the source of pure light and the owner’s preferences. Then I pick on whether the space ought to be summery and cheerful or blue and black.”
Known for his talent for symmetry, Goyal love is still designing goods. “I’m excited creating new products. Every design ought to be unique. That is what motivates me. Seeing layouts come to life really is a high. Doing up large spaces is as challenging as dressing a apartment up. The small space also can be a jewel,” elaborates Goyal.
Aside from meeting the aesthetics of customers in the UK, France and the Middle East, ” Viya Home has been retailing from Dedar selling luxury materials. Goyal has worked together with Kelly Hoppen on a resort job in Mauritius and the brand and esteemed names such as Alberto Pinto and Studio Jacques Garcia also have been collaborating. “The Produced in India narrative has worked well worldwide with ‘soft goods’ such as textiles, fashion and rugs and, clearly, jewelry. With ‘tough’ products, for example furniture and decoration accessories the narrative has been somewhat different. The tags are mostly ‘cheap and cheerful’ instead of ‘legacy and elegance’. At Viya, we do our best to change this perception — with interior goods. Innovative design craftsmanship and Superior quality are the mainstay of our brand. Our layouts aren’t overtly Indian; we all utilize Indian substances to make items which are innovative and international.”
The Acropolis console finds place in a area
At a recently completed project in Goa, Goyal has departed from his generally busy look to make a home which brings with earthiness and minimalism. Employing the accessible laterite as the main raw material, the inside was peppered by him with goods created for your home. “We make an effort to not replicate our look. Every space ought to be individualistic. For your Goa job, I wished to work with surfaces and hence kept the ceilings. There’s a long hallway where we put a stunning, 10-foot-long, sculptural console.”
With a planner it is a range of goods in addition to no surprise that he is concurrently currently working on jobs in Goa. But he will opt for a few me-time in Europe. “I am excited about the trip because I will be able to visit museums and monuments. There’s inspiration everywhere…to watch, assimilate and utilize in my work,” he rounds off.
Labels: Featured, Creator of Viya Home, Interior Designer, Spaces, Vikram Goyal, Viya Home
from Home Improvements http://home-improvements-one.com/interior-designer-vikram-goyal-on-transforming-mundane-houses-into-beautiful-homes/
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jamiekturner · 7 years ago
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11 Optical Illusions Found in Visual Design
Throughout my years of being a Product Designer, I have come across many surprises when working with visuals that have made me go 😲😕😳😡😱.
I’ve written this article to help you understand the reasons behind why some of these everyday ‘gotchas’ can leave you bewildered. You may not even realise it at first, but a lot of the techniques that you come across when working on an interface, logo or illustration are in fact optical illusions!
So without further ado, here are 11 optical illusions that you may encounter on a regularly basis as a Visual Designer.
1. Triangle-bisection Illusion
Pick a point, any point, I double dare ya.
Aligning the triangle based on the centroid
Icons can be deceiving, especially those with complex geometry and odd proportions. Not all icons within a set are symmetrical, pixel perfect or maintain a consistent aspect ratio. Some icons require direct intervention, most notably, the dreaded play button!
Placing a triangle within a curved or straight container can make the element appear optically out of place. The reason for this is due to an effect known as the triangle-bisection illusion. The triangle’s center of mass is calculated based on its minimum bounding box. So if you were to place a dot exactly half way up the height of an equilateral triangle, it will optically appear far more than halfway up!¹
Which version is mathematically centered?
There are 2 theories to this fascinating illusion:
Inappropriate constancy scaling The illusion contains perspective cues that increase the perceived size of more distant objects e.g. an equilateral triangle might be perceived as the flat picture of a road seen in perspective, with the top apex lying at infinity and the bottom base as the nearest part of the road.²
Centre of gravity/centre of area If an observer was asked to find the halfway point, they will ultimately end up finding the centroid, which has equal areas above and below it. The centroid of an equilateral triangle lies well below its halfway point, and there is evidence that observers make choices that are a compromise between the two.³
To make the triangle within its container appear optically centred, you’ll need to find the centroid of a triangle by calculating the point of intersection of the lines joining each vertex with the midpoint of the opposite side.⁴ Here is a formula that you can use:
Formula to find the centroid of a triangle
I’m just kidding, this isn’t an article about geometry formulas 💥 (but it’s still correct).
The centroid can be located 1/3 of the distance from each side to the opposite vertex. This method can also be applied to many other shapes.
2. Vertical Horizontal Illusion
Is it a rectangle? Is it a plane? No…it’s a square?!
Vertical Horizontal Illusion
Squares are the fundamental building blocks of any design system. They can be seen in Material Design cards, Facebook posts, Pinterest pins and Dribbble shots.
After shift-dragging out a square in Sketch, you may sometimes take a double look to see if each of the sides are of equal proportions. If you look close enough, the vertical sides appear longer than the horizontal sides. It’s as if the square is in fact a rectangle! But actually, it is a perfect 1:1 square. This is known as the vertical-horizontal illusion.
The image in the Facebook post is a 1:1 square
What’s really fascinating is that different cultures as well as genders perceive this illusion differently. People who live in developed urban cities tend to show greater susceptibility than people living in rural areas. This is because those in rural areas tend to be more accustomed to living in round houses.⁵
3. Mach Bands
If a false shadow falls on a surface, did it cast an illusion?
Mach Bands
Placing shades of the same colour adjacent to each other was a common trend during the flat design era. Looking closely, you may have noticed a false shadow appearing between the edges of each contrasting shade. This illusion is known as Mach bands. No shadows have been added to the image, it’s just the way our eyes perceive it!
Shadows appear between the edges of each row
The technical explanation for the occurrence of this effect is due to lateral inhibition, meaning the darker area falsely appear even darker and the lighter area falsely appearing even lighter.
Although this effect is fairly subtle in the world of visual design, to prove its influence Mach bands can be a real hindrance for dental practitioners. X-rays of teeth generate grayscale images used to analyse abnormal variances of intensity. Mach bands can provide a false-positive diagnosis if not identified correctly.⁶
4. Hering Illusion
It’s alive!!!
Hering Illusion
Have you ever came across a logo containing very fine lines or a background image with tiny dots appearing to move or pulsate as you’re scrolling?
What about watching a video consisting of a TV in the background displaying wiggly lines?
If so, this is due to an aliasing effect called the Moiré pattern where two grid patterns are overlaid on each other generating false motion once moved. The two grid patterns in this case are the image and monitor refreshing constantly to create the illusion.
Scroll up and down to see the vibration effect
It’s a pretty cool effect, although Moiré isn’t an optical illusion per se, it is an interference pattern. The Sonos logo example uses a combination of the Moiré pattern, Hering illusion and illusory motion. This sensory technique is rather popular within the Op Art community.
5. Hermann Grid
To appear, or not to appear, that is the question.
Hermann Grid
The Hermann grid illusion is fairly popular and can be seen in layouts which contain a grid of squares placed on a high contrast background. Looking directly at any square produces ghost-like blobs at the intersections of the surrounding squares. But looking directly at an intersection will make the blobs disappear 😱.⁷
Grey dots appear when looking at the intersections
The reason for this effect is due to lateral inhibition. To put it simply, it is the capacity of an excited neuron reducing the neighbouring neurons in the latter direction.⁸
6. Simultaneous Contrast Illusion
Are both detached squares reflecting the same amount of light? Hmm…
Simultaneous Contrast Illusion
Placing two objects of the same colour on different contrasted backgrounds can make both objects appear as if they are in fact different colours. This phenomena is known as the Simultaneous Contrast Illusion. Contrast in kingin the world of visual design and this effect may differ for some people.
The text colour is exactly the same on both sides but doesn’t appear that way
Unfortunately there isn’t a solid theory for why this illusion occurs, but there is plenty of research that speculate why. Lateral Inhibition, which is responsible for the Hermann Grid and Mach Bands is one reason.⁹
7. Munker-White Illusion
Did my eyes just deceive me? 👀
Munker-White Illusion
This illusion is fairly subtle, but nonetheless fascinating! Looking at the GIF above, the blocks of purple on the left appear lighter than the purple blocks on the right. Once revealed, both blocks in fact reflect the same amount of light 😲.
The reason for the Munker-White illusion is due to…you guessed it, lateral inhibition.
8. Water Colour Illusion
Tint-illatingly deceiving!
Water Colour Illusion
There are times when I’ve added a border to an object and then wondered to myself, “When did I also change the background colour?”. If you look closely, you may notice that the pale area takes on a much lighter shade based on the surrounding border colour. You may be surprised to know that the lighter area is actually white!
This visual phenomena, known as the Water colour illusion, is dependant on the combination of luminance and colour contrast of the contour lines in order to have the colour spreading effect occur.
The white area inside the button appears to take on a slight tint based on the colour of the border
I admit this illusion has left me perplexed a few times so much so that I had to pull out the colour picker just to inspect it!
9. Jastrow Illusion
Does size really matter?
Jastrow Illusion
Working on an illustration or a logo whether it is a mark or a type requires slicing and dicing different shapes. This illusion occurs when working with curved objects. The two elements appear different in size but upon closer inspection, they are in fact the exact same size! Crazy huh?
This illusion is seen during the creation process as some identically curved edges can appear smaller than others
How is this possible? Well this is known as the Jastrow illusion and there is no definitive explanation for why we perceive the different sized segments. One explanation is that our brains are confused by the difference in size between the larger and smaller radius. In other words, the short side makes the long side appear longer, and the long side makes the short side appear even shorter.¹⁰
10. Cornsweet Illusion
It’s a slippery slope.
Cornsweet Illusion
In addition to the Simultaneous Contrast and Mach Bands Illusion, the Cornsweet illusion uses a gradient whilst using a central line to create an impression that one side of the image is in fact darker than the other. But in reality, both sections are the same! You can find that both sides are in fact identical when the sections are placed in parallel.
Each diamond has the same gradient but they appear to be getting darker (from top to bottom)
This illusion produces a similar effect to the two aforementioned illusions but in fact differs in two important ways:
In the Mach bands example shown previously, the effect is seen only on areas that are close to the border of each shade. The Cornsweet illusion however affects their perception of the entire area.
With the Cornsweet illusion, the light part of the edge appears lighter and the dark part of the edge appears darker. This is the opposite of the usual contrast effects.¹¹
11. Müller-Lyer Illusion
Typo-loco!
Overshooting for optimal visual perception
Typographers will understand that crafting a font requires you to rely more on your design intuition rather than your logical thinking. Mathematically positioning each character based on its metric height will make the entire word appear disproportionate in terms of visual perception. A common practice in type mechanics involves a process called overshooting. To put it simply, overshooting is a process of resizing individual characters to achieve optical balance.
Without overshooting, the letter ‘e’ in LinkedIn and the letter ‘z’ in Amazon are not optically balanced
Looking at the famous logos above, some characters do not sit flush within the baseline and x-height. Typographers have to manually optically adjust each character pairs for the best result.
But why do we need to overshoot in typography?
The reason why overshooting is required is due to one of the most popular optical illusions in the world, the Müller-Lyer Illusion. This visual phenomena states that placing a chevron on each end of a line segment can cause one segment to appear shorter or longer depending the direction of the chevron. This classic illusion proves the fallibility of human perception.¹² Pretty cool eh?
Have you come across any other optical illusions that have left you bewildered?
If you’re interested in learning more about visual perceptions or improving your skills as a Visual Designer, I’d recommend reading up on Gestalt psychology.
Honourable mentions:
Kanizsa’s Triangle
Ebbinghaus illusion
Ehrenstein illusion
Neon colour spreading
Checker shadow illusion
Illusory Motion 1
Illusory Motion 2
If you’ve noticed any mistakes in this article or feel that improvements can be made, then please do let me know in the comment section, I appreciate it! 👊🏼
Finally if you’ve enjoyed this article and feel that you’ve learnt something of value, then please give it a 👏🏼 so that others can learn from it too. If you would like to connect, you can find me posting my thoughts on Twitter and my work on Dribbble. Thank you for reading!
References
Anstis, S., Gregory, R. and Heard, P. (2009). The Triangle-Bisection Illusion. Perception, 38(3), p.321.
Ibid, p. 330.
Ibid, p. 331.
wikipedia.org. (2017). Centroid. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centroid [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
wikipedia.org. (2017). Vertical–horizontal illusion. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical%E2%80%93horizontal_illusion [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
wikipedia.org. (2017). Mach bands. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mach_bands [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
wikipedia.org. (2017). Grid illusion. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_illusion [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
wikipedia.org. (2017). Lateral inhibition. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_inhibition [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
Ibid.
wikipedia.org. (2017). Jastrow illusion. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jastrow_illusion [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
wikipedia.org. (2017). Cornsweet illusion. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornsweet_illusion [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
gizmodo.com. (2017). The Famous Optical Illusion Hidden in Every Typeface — Including This One. [online] Available at: https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-famous-optical-illusion-hidden-in-every-typeface-in-1714788793 [Accessed 15 Oct. 2017].
The post 11 Optical Illusions Found in Visual Design appeared first on Design your way.
from Web Development & Designing http://www.designyourway.net/blog/design/optical-illusions-visual-design/
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bestnewsmag-blog · 8 years ago
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New Post has been published on Bestnewsmag
New Post has been published on https://bestnewsmag.com/dok-malware-takes-complete-control-of-your-mac/
Dok Malware Takes Complete Control of Your Mac
The times of malware being only a trouble for Home windows users are lengthy long gone, with malicious software program now acting for all predominant running systems. The today’s, and maximum dangerous to hit the Mac but, is known as OSX/Dok. It objectives any and all versions of Mac OS X and will take complete manipulate of your Mac if you allow it.
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Complete Control of Your MacIn accordance to check Point,
Dok is not presently detected on VirusTotal, that means it may not get picked up by using any safety software run to your machine (this will in all likelihood change quickly). Dok also uses a developer certificate this is signed and consequently authenticated with the aid of Apple, which means your Mac will permit it to put in and Gatekeeper is on no assist.
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no longer only do I’ve a yarn stash, however I have stash trash or strash. Undergo with me as I resolve this phenomenon. Strash is my term for Those little bits of yarn that just do not quite make it to the trash. Forever, as I complete a crochet venture, I’ve leftovers. those small, typically acrylic, balls and extraneous tidbits manage to accumulate via no fault of their own.
As they linger in my hand, I debate their fates. I dare no longer throw them away. I reach for a clean-sided, zippered box (formerly the house of recent sheets) wherein to imprison them. Whilst the yarn “prison” receives full, I make a striped hat with complementary colours. Sure, it is probably treacherous yarn that rips up my palms or is not possible to work with. you already know the kind. You go out and buy something you thought seemed lovely most effective to have it switch on you and grow to be your worst nightmare. Frugal person that you are, you can not throw it away. You stick it in a trash bucket and desire that a few day, after you have got forgotten how merciless that yarn As soon as changed into, you will drag it out again and deliver it a 2d risk.
In the intervening time these nugatory prison balls (or yardbirds, in case you select) activate me and imprison me with their opportunities. I launch a number of those rejects from their overcrowded, zipped up prison and from them create hatbands and ornamental vegetation, edgings and pom poms. those colorful lollygagging bits of fluff now tempt me in diverse approaches, that is, as an opportunity to spruce up my hats and other tasks. Now, in place of pooh-poohing small bits of yarn that I see as now not being worthy of my time, I actively are searching for them out Inside the stays and used trash buckets of others. If I do not use them all up, lower back they move internal their clear lockup. Continually on the lookout for new creations and unable to relinquish the riffraff, I struggle to complete off my trash and be freed from its wicked, wicked recidivism.
Copyright 2017 with the aid of Linda Okay Murdock. Linda Murdock blogs approximately Colorado and promotes its cunning humans. She also shows and describes some of her ultra-modern crocheting tasks on her weblog. To find greater serious pointers on craft marketing and promoting, study her other Crafting as a
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rebeccahpedersen · 6 years ago
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Welcome To Your New Toronto Realty Blog!
TorontoRealtyBlog
Well, first thing’s first – how the hell am I going to write my “teaser” in one or two short lines?  Brevity has never been, nor ever will become, an attribute of mine.  That space above the fold was always my opportunity to lead, engage, attract, tease, trick, or regale!
Alas, I’ll just have to make do with a smaller introduction which makes the whole site look a lot cleaner!
And that’s really what the new layout was about; making things look a bit cleaner.
Or should I say, a little more 2018, and a little less 2006.
I’ve never been one to accept change.
Whether it was moving houses when I was 12-years-old (even though I was moving to a house twice as large, in a better area), or switching from a Blackberry to an iPhone (why did I wait so long?), or downloading the MLS app on my phone and scrapping the keychain-authenticator (I was the very last TREB agent to do this), or even switching from a paper/padfolio day-planner to an online calendar…………which I have yet to do…
…I have never been good with change.
My beloved Toronto Realty Blog, which many of you might find zero fault with, has looked old, stale, and outdated for quite some time.
I brought a new layout online in the summer of 2016, but as I was told by many, it was basically just the same red and white version iteration as before, with a few subtle changes, a bit of moving column A to column B, and removing the disastrous colours in the “TRB Channels” I had below the fold.
I suppose I’ve come a long way since 2007.
Here’s my very first masthead:
And then my “updated” second version:
Wow, they’re just, like, so different!
But that is what used to represent change to me.
I started the blog in June of 2007, and within months, I already had major formatting issues.
On Internet Explorer (this was before Google Chrome and Firefox got a bigger market share, not to mention Mac users), which back at the time represented about 60% of my users, the masthead would not display properly, and was actually showing at the bottom of the blog……….for about 12 months.
Yes, 12 months.  Before I finally thought, “I wonder if anybody other than the guy I found on Craigslist, and paid $500 to, could work on my website.”
The masthead and the menu bar running across the top of the home page were both lost below sea.  But it didn’t seem to matter, because my following was somewhat underground back then.  People seemed to like the imperfection of the site, as it almost underscored how rare it was to find a licensed real estate agent opining about shady developers, or misleading sales tactics.
But eventually, as I said, I had to get the site fixed.
And that’s where the beautiful second version of TRB, that you see above, came into play.  Oh, just so different from the first!  But at least everything was in the right place.
And this was well before you’d ever access a website on your phone.  My 2008 Blackberry could barely load the blog.  All the users were on desktops.
But the second version was cleaner overall, and oh – the new logo!  Yes!  I finally decided to scrap the puffy, orange, first-font-I-randomly-chose lettering, and get a logo.
I had this idea that I was “putting my stamp” on the city, and I thought this looked really cool:
Just as my Mom told me I was cool in Grade 9, when I sat home instead of going to parties, I told myself this was cool in 2008-09 when I had some random part-timer in my office draw it, likely in Paint.
It wasn’t until the summer of 2013 that I made another change.
Raise your hand if you’ve been around since this version:
In hindsight, it looks awful, right?
But at the time, it was supposed to be a “window into my mind.”
Coffee, a blackberry, keys on the desk, and old-fashioned paper day-planner, all strewn across a hardwood floor, in a city where everybody seemed to be obsessed with hardwood floors.
The “Top Posts Of The Month” was a leading feature, since I was starting to see 20-30 comments with regularity, and I felt that more people were coming back to read what others were saying.
Eventually I grew tired of this, and wanted something cleaner, which was ironic, given the whole idea behind this layout was to “jazz it up.”
When I launched the new version somewhere around 2014, I was surprised by the response!  Readers were actually telling me they like the old version, which made me realize that I wasn’t the only one averse to change.
The new version was cleaner, and easier to navigate, with way more features, and it had multiple ways to find the same thing, no matter what you were looking for.
But as I would soon learn, and as I fully expect with today’s new launch, readers just don’t like change!
Here’s the 2014 version:
Of course the top wasn’t cut off, but my archives are only so perfect.
So compare this to the wood-flooring-version, and how can somebody say they don’t like it?
Well, like I said, the consensus always seems to be, “What you had before was fine.  Why bother changing?”
Then in 2016, for some odd reason, I decided to launch a “new” layout, that was more of the same:
That’s the site you all knew and (hopefully) loved, until this week.
Boy, it really really was similar to the 2014 version.
In any event, this time around, I really wanted to get with the times.
I wanted something that made me uncomfortable, and I found it during my first meeting with my team – when I said, “Not a chance,” and walked out.
And that’s when I knew it made sense.
I had to change.  I had to get more modern.
And I had to risk being “too salesy,” as a close friend of mine called the mock-up when I showed it to him two months ago.
But you know what?  It’s out of necessity.
Would you believe it if I told you that many people who email me don’t know I’m a real estate agent?
True story.
I get a slew of emails every week, and not just from buyers and sellers who want to be come clients.  I get at least 2-3 people who are looking to get into real estate and want advice, I get 2-3 people who had interesting experiences in real estate and want to share, I get 2-3 people who know I’m a real estate agent, and used another agent for their transaction, but are really hoping I’ll spend some time to consider their situation and give them advice, and then, above all else, I always get at least one email from somebody who needs my help, pleads with me to call or email, and then is surprised to find out I’m a real estate agent.
Just last Friday, I spoke to a woman who was asking for advice on two condos in her target area, and eventually said, “My Realtor thinks the maintenance fees aren’t a problem in either building.”  I told her, “You should have mentioned you’re working with a Realtor, because I don’t want to interfere.”  She said, “Oh, I didn’t know you were a Realtor.”
Yes.  Really.  This does happen.
So because I knew I was going to write this blog when the new site launched this week, I asked her, “What did you think this site was?’
She said, “Well, I was just Googling ‘maintenance fees’ and I found it, so, I dunno, I guess I thought it was like a public support page?”
What the hell is a public support page?  Is that even a thing?
So yes, you could label TRB V6.0 “more salesy,” but not because I am trying to attract more business, but because I think people should know who I am, what I do, what services I provide, etc.  Just like any business, selling any good or service.
But that’s just me being self-conscious.  Overall, I love the new look and feel.  It’s very modern, sleek, dare I speak the over-used buzz-word, “sharp,” and above all – clean.
The blog itself won’t change in format.
New posts will still be published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with Pick5 on Thursday.
The big changes are in the form of additions to the site, specifically new features.
First and foremost, we have a listings portal.  This is, like what you will find online, 100% up-to-date and complete.  And like what you will find online – it doesn’t take 24 hours to populate new listings, like the archaic www.realtor.ca that CREA shoves down our throats.
It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when a wee-blogger like myself has new listings posted before our public MLS, but that’s a topic for another day.
The listings will have sales trends for each neighbourhood and/or building in which that listing resides, as well as amenity information, open house info, etc.
I’ve also scrapped a few features, starting with “ASK TRB,” which was my previous brainchild, thinking that readers would take the opportunity to start their own thread.  But as you saw from last Friday’s blog about “MLS Musings,” when the readers want to start a thread – they just do it in the current blog!
I also scrapped the “Featured Listings,” ie. the Hot House of The Week, Hot Loft of The Week, etc.  I deliberately have not updated this section since January, because I wanted to see how long it would take for a reader to email me, since readers will literally email me when I’ve used a semi-colon incorrectly.  But guess what?  Nobody emailed me!  So it’s like I thought: nobody uses that feature.
Many of the regular readers will be VERY happy to see that I’ve re-ordered the comments section, so that the first comment appears, well, first, and subsequent comments below.  This was a major sticking point back in the summer of 2016 when I first launched, although part of me thinks you’ll all be so used to it, that you’ll complain now that I’ve switched it back.
But the big addition to TRB is something that no other real estate agent in Toronto can offer.
I call it the “Data Hub.”
Let’s say that I wanted to know the average price of a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, semi-detached house that sold specifically in the “Danforth Village” community of TREB District “E03,” between January 1st, 2018, and March 31st, 2018.
Right now, I would go to the back-end of MLS (which of course you guys don’t have), and I would search accordingly.
I would then copy and paste all those sales into Microsoft Excel, clean the data and use the AVERAGE function on the “Sold Price” column.
That’s a lot of work.
And it’s work that you guys can’t do.
But what if you could?
Folks, let me introduce you to the TRB Data Hub.
I will admit that the functionality takes some getting used to (ie. holding CTRL to select multiple sections, using the map versus using the auto-complete for areas, etc), but give it a shot, and play around with it.
Over the next two months, I want you guys to use this feature, and give me your feedback.
As it stands now, we have only “Beds,” “Baths,” and “Parking” for the drop-down options, but as I said – we’re working on it.
We plan to add features as we move along, but wanted to get this launched for you folks to play around with.
As cheezy as this might sounds, I view Toronto Realty Blog as a community that I have built over eleven years, and many of the readers and users have been around for a long, long time.  I value the input of the readers more than you’ll ever understand.  I might write the blogs, but it’s the users that truly make TRB all that it is.
So that’s it, folks.
I welcome your feedback, even if you liked the previous version more, which is what everybody has said after every change.
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