#i feel like people keep forgetting that viktor has the potential to be the most dangerous character in the cast | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

sweetness-and-the-sour · 5 months ago

Note

So, a couple things I wanted to say. 1. Would you like to be friends? Because I loved this reply! I absolutely adore when people go on tangents about things they find interesting, especially if it's a shared topic. I'm gonna try to touch on everything you said but fair warning I have ADHD so this might turn into a novel.

Five's DNA enhancement, one of the most interesting/horrifying parts of the comics. The idea of Five having the DNA of every killer in history (if I remember correctly) embedded into him and having to fight that strong of a bloodlust constantly is wild to me. However, I agree with you about Show!Five killing the board for his family. Mi amiga! My heart! The devotion! Comic!Five eating AJ did slightly scar me though. Glad they didn't keep that. Honestly with how gritty/graphic the comics are, I'm surprised they never approached the topic of Five....ending things on his own terms, if you will.

I give big props to Mr Aiden Gallagher because I honestly forget that this is actually a teenager and not a man almost in his sixties. Especially the scene of him singing during the wedding reception (the effect felt like a mix of Frankie Valli and Sinatra) The exploration of Delores as Five's companion was another wonderful thing in my opinion. (My little cousin found Aiden's nickelodeon show during covid and we watched it together. So being married to a mannequin might not be the weirdest thing the poor boy has ever had to film xD)

Allison....'sigh'. I really want to like her so much sometimes. But the GASLIGHTING. Sister, you've lost two marriages, a child, your throat got cut because of your actions andddd what do you choose to do the minute your "backup plan" shows interest in another girl? Full-on looses it. I can understand wanting to be wary of the Sparrows but she acted like Luthor is a toy that she didn't want until another kid asked to play with it. (I love Emmy, I'm well aware this is the writing. Just wanted to say that real quick) But Luthor deserves his own agency, not to be a contingency plan.

I'm not even gonna get started on everything between her and Vanya/Viktor. It would be too much. I ask to remain with the Salon dance scene and that's that. Comic her was just so angry, all the time. Also scary powerful, if you got to read the spinoff where she made a clone of herself. That was a messed up storyline.

When I mentioned Luthor and Five being Twins, I was going more for the Fraternal angle, so I don't think their appearances would have mattered much but that's just my opinion. I love the brothers being together. The roadtrip, the pub scene, Diego and Five talking about working at the Commission. Fantastic scenes. I have the Pilot script but I've not read it yet. Hopefully do that soon.

JAYME AND ALPHONSO. I loved them so much. Jayme, my Queen. "Are they all perverts?" Perfect, no notes. WHY DID SHE HAVE TO GO?! Alphonso's powers still confuse me but still a funny dude. They gained points by beating up racists at the pizza shop but lost some for the fight with Diego. (He was with Stan! Don't fight with the man's kid around. Basic etiquette people!) And Jayme, darling, yes, Grace is a robot but your brother is a CUBE. Do you really have room to talk?

Mr Pennycrumb....poor puppy. (Having Death from Supernatural play Chet made me so happy though)

I actually have a Hotel Oblivion keycard from the comics. But I did love the design of the hotel in the show. It felt almost like a meetup spot for time travelers if that makes sense. I didn't know they planned to go to Japan but that would have been really interesting. Art deco appeals to me some days, especially 70's style homes with the pit in living rooms. But Modern can be nice as well.

I feel like alot of fans agree that season 3 should have been fleshed out more. It's still a wonderful season! But so much was going on and the potential for storylines just fell sorta flat I suppose. (Also Lila lying about Stan....I really didn't like.) I get that the whole family really has no understanding of non-toxic relationships but I loved Lila before that. Now, Diego has lost someone he was growing to love as his child and I'm scared that Stan will be forgotten in favor of their new baby.

I'm probably forgetting half of what I wanted to say but seriously, thank you for your reply and I would love to talk more about TUA or anything related if you would be down for it. I hope you have a wonderful day! Its August 1st. 7 more days people! Whoo!

Hi! I just wanted to say I really like your blog and the ideas you have for TUA. I have a question if you don't mind? If you've read the comics (I just got to read You Look Like Death and....my head hurt alot after) is there anything you wished they had kept from the comics for the show or vice versa? Personally I wish they had kept Luther and Five being twins in the show. I get why they chose not to do so but come on.

Five doesn't get his dog and then he also doesn't get his biological brother? I love the Pub scene from season 2 and it would have fit really well for them to learn it (just my opinion)

Thank you and I hope you have a lovely day! :)

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy my ideas!! I love asks lmao so no problem at all!

I have read the mainline comics and a few spin offs (the Diego & Vanya band AU one comes to mind??) but I'm a show main sadly. I like the comics as an informant to the show, so generally I prefer how the show depicted things.

I do want to briefly (edit: it was not brief... i am so sorry) talk about the Five DNA thing because that's one of the things I love in the show.

in the comics Five is genetically altered by the commission

this only works in the comics for me because every character is an asshole, Five especially (he literally prefaces this moment by bragging that he's fucked a lot of women). So for Five to have this excuse? to show horror at the very idea? that's a redeeming quality.

but in the show, they make every character likeable to an extent (recall that in the comics Allison rumours Luther into loving her), so this wouldn't have the same impact because it just makes Five less of his own person - removes the agency from his actions.

Five in the show is someone forced into a corner, and his actions in accepting and carrying out his job as an assassin, as well as his willingness to kill innocents and his own brother throughout s1 show how his experiences have made him desperate and ruthless in his pursuit of love and happiness.

it's a psychological exploration/study.

which to me, is infinitely more interesting. Five doesn't kill the board because his DNA dictates he will, he kills them because he chooses to. He is not cruel because his DNA dictates it, he is cruel because his experiences have made him that way.

and I think overall, this approach is adapted very nicely to fit the tone of the show, as all the same beats are hit. Five has been made into the Commission's killing machine against his will, and he is resentful of it,

but that doesn't mean he can undo the damage done, his psyche is forever attuned to this line of thinking no matter how much he hates it he doesn't know how to break the cycle of violence inflicted on him,

but because Five hasn't been genetically altered, he is fully responsible for his actions and he has to live with that.

the DNA altering in the show would feel like a cop out to me. and also the interesting aspect from the DNA altering is that he is essentially made into a psychopath (most famous serial killers are - Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, Jeffery Dahmer, etc.), which means removing his empathy.

because despite his dislike of the non-consenual genetic surgery, comics!five doesn't have empathy.

and show!Five is interesting because he has so much empathy, yet he remains a killer. he is never given the opportunity to use that for good.

without that empathy we wouldn't get scenes like this where he admits guilt,

and in all honesty, isn't it more interesting that the best and most prolific killer in the show possesses a large amount of empathy?

idk sorry I got sidetracked - I've seen a lot of people who say they prefer the DNA plot of the comics and I just feel like it's very contradictory to what a lot of people love about Five.

anyway, the only element of the DNA plotline that i'd want to see adapted further is the non-consenual surgery itself

largely because I love Five!whump and despite comics!Five claiming it was painless it's fairly obvious to see that it wasn't (and I love when this is expanded on in fics so much - no time, no time, dear brother o' mine is an amazing read because it deals with this)

but I also think it would do a good job at reinstating the commission as the villians they are rather than the weird, nebulous thing it currently sits as (Five would never entrust Herb or Dot to the Commission it's so ooc and it's canon??? Dot and Herb were both 100% in support of the commission's ethos, even if Herb was a bit shit at his job. Dot literally was in charge of the apocalypse and saw Five arrive & at no point thought that this was fucked actually).

plus, we already know they waited until Five was hopeless, alcoholic potentially passively suicidal, weak both physically and mentally, desperate. all likely to better control him.

what's to say they didn't also pick up him just in time to prevent his death? 45 years in a polluted wasteland can't be good on the body - and I don't about the general population, but most of the people I know in their 50s aren't fully grey. the stress was probably killing him all on its own.

they could have seen his death and gone back a few years/months/days to recruit him. but then that would mean they still have to fix whatever illness was killing him, and how do you do that? surgery.

perhaps that's how they recuit all of their agents. maybe that's how they get away with it not disturbing the timeline, take someone who was going to die anyway, and then force them into a debt of gratitude for saving their lives. idk.

I also think AJ was criminally underused. He's supposed to be the big bad of the commission, his character was originally adapted into the Handler but then they decided they wanted his design in the show or something.

I think his role in the comics is much more interesting, as a person who selected Five from a line up of assassins already in the commission and gave Five personal training, and assigned him to the JFK case,

I think he could have been adapted a lot better than he was, and like the surgery, he could have steered the commission back towards the villains they were always supposed to be - instead of The Handler (as amazing as Kate Walsh is to watch on screen I love her) we could have had AJ manipulating Five throughout s2.

as for Five & Luther, I don't mind them not being twins, because honestly their genetics are so different (Aidan is 20 something and he's probably going to stay at 5'5" while Tom is like 6'5", plus hair colour, skin tone, bone structure etc.) and we already know that they weren't planning on making them twins from the pilot script (Five is born a singleton to a polish teenager I believe).

I do think it would have been fun to repurpose this plotpoint for another pair. of the Umbrella's I actually think Five and Viktor pair quite well as they both have similar heights, hair colour, they both have that square jaw too. but I also think that this could have been an interesting way to give depth to the sparrows - Jayme and Alphonso could have been the twins.

Pennycrumb was... a let down? I don't think he should have been a big part of Five's character, but I also don't think he should have had 0 affect on it either.

otherwise??? honestly Hotel Oblivion was wayyy more interesting in the comics than in the show. I would have preferred something more in line with the comics but I think they were afraid of the classic horror elements and the classic superhero elements.

like the faceless bus boy guards

the hotel rooms, seemingly ordinary, being prison cells

the prisoners having enough freedom to move around the hotel and have relationships with each other but not enough to feel safe hanging around the hotel

i just.. i wish more of this had been incorporated into the show.

also.. art deco buildings.. my beloveds

this could have been the hotel Oblivion..

like ik they planned to go to japan to film s3 and that got fucked over by covid but like.. art deco is such a good aesthetic for a horror setting compared to the japanese style hotel we got (i've heard it called hotel orientalism as well so, theres that too).

if I had been in charge I would have had s3 focus on the mothers, develop their stories & why the umbrellas were given up for adoption & then linked this all to the 43 being the 16 instead. have the reveal be not that theyre dead but missing, non existant. because the children were taken by hargreeves to power Oblivion. if we somehow keep the kugelblitz then we use that as a distraction as to where and why all the sparrows keep going missing, and eventually the umbrella's numbers start to dwindle. until Oblivion is discovered and we find that every hotel room corresponds to a member of the 43 - maybe even have the brellies/sparrows numbers correspond to their door numbers somehow, or floor level.

idk I'm not a good writer but thats a bit of how i feel about the comics being adapted into the show..

sorry idk if i even answered your question? thank you again for the lovely ask!

#tua #the umbrella academy #ask #Reply #This was so long #I'm sorry

108 notes · View notes

pineapple-lover-boy · 3 years ago

Text

Can- can I just talk about the Victuuri relationship? Pretty please?

I just…. I’ve never seen a healthy relationship that starts from idolization and a need to get out that has ended in a satisfying way.

Let me elaborate:

We all know that Yuri idolized Victor. It’s why he was so nervous in the beginning and why it took time for them to build on their relationship, he saw Victor as a god.

Victor? He was depressed. He loved the ice so much but he longer found excitement in competitions. He didn’t have any worthy opponents that had a chance of beating him (sorry Chris).

I believe Victor “fell in love” at the banquet. He was attracted to Yuri but, even though he lost, he also saw potential in him. That night was probably the most exciting night for him in a long time. I think he felt genuine affection for Yuri but also saw a way to get out of his predicament.

Then, of course, Yuri didn’t show up the following season (a year had passed before the present timeline). He was most likely annoyed that someone who had gave him excitement didn’t show up. Did he think Yuri had a chance of beating him at first? Probably not. Did he see potential or at least someone he could have fun with during the season? Hell yes!

And then when he saw the video of Yuri skating Stay Close To Me, something that awarded him a gold medal. That’s all he needed. He saw how Yuri not only skated it perfectly but I bet he thought Yuri skated it better. Let’s not forget that emotion is a huge part of skating. If you don’t skate with the passion your supposed to hold for whatever theme you have, your performance can almost seem futile. Victor obviously won because he perfected it but if it was based on how he presented it alone, he would’ve lost. He saw someone worthy of skating an gold medal piece while also having the heart to do it. That’s talent.

Anyways, because of this, their relationship doesn’t hold well in the beginning. He’s passive aggressive towards Yuri because he doesn’t see his own talent and Yuri is just going along for the ride because holy shit it’s Victor fucking Nikiforov.

As they get to know each other and Yuri opens up more (plus Victor getting info on Yuri from the others) Victor starts to see Yuri as an actual person and not someone he can use to project himself onto and then later skate against. And Yuri starts to see him as an actual person too.

I saw on another post talking about how we didn’t see them during the summer and how the end credits of every episode suggest they got to know each other better as both in the credits and in the show they (Yuri) are able to touch each other more. I 100% believe this.

I also believe they might’ve had an argument or two on this topic. It’s not easy to switch from inadvertently seeing someone as anything but a person to an actual person with emotions and feelings. I believe Victor would’ve tried to back away from this subject but Yuri wouldn’t let him. It wasn’t big arguments like in episode 7. It was probably little quarrels that annoyed them both but after having a long conversation they finally started to become more comfortable with each other.

Yuri started letting go of the notion that Victor was a god like creature and Victor saw him as something other than a pawn. Yuri stopped getting as embarrassed with Victor touching him and Victor stopped trying to seduce him as much just so he could see the man from the banquet.

This most definitely leads the way towards a healthier relationship but episode 7 was inevitable. Yuri’s anxiety was at an all time high when he comes out on top. The fact that he needs to stay on top and not mess up is getting to him. As a person with anxiety, it’s pure hell. The thoughts of failing won’t get out of his head and even as he turns off all the monitors he can still hear everything.

Victor takes him away from prying eyes and has no idea what to do. Despite an obvious change that would’ve had to include some emotions from both occurring over the summer, he still has no idea how to help someone in distress.

Then he makes his first mistake. Yuri is visibly shaken by someone’s scores (can’t remember who) and Victor, who is at his wits end, yells at him to stop listening and puts his hands over Yuri’s ears. This tells Yuri how nervous Victor is too and despite knowing that Victor wouldn’t leave him now it shows to him that Victor doesn’t have faith in him (even if he does).

Victor tried to shatter Yuri’s heart. He must’ve expected Yuri to maybe sign heavily but tell him that he’ll do everything in his power to win (probably something that’s happened with him and Yakov). Instead he see’s the consequences of his carelessness. Yuri rightfully lashes out at him and even through all that Victor stills says “should I kiss you?”. Idk what Yuri was thinking but if I were him I would be extremely offended that Victor would try and use me like some doll he can play with and can assume that physical affection and love can fix everything, which was probably what Yuri was thinking.

There’s something off about Yuri and Victor when they emerge but Yuri is surprisingly better now. Cathartic crying can do wonders, kids. There’s also my favorite part of the entire show (couldn’t find a gif):

*head jab* “Hey, fuck you.”

*more head jabs* “Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you. I know you don’t like this you unempathetic dicknip.”

*head pat* “You’re forgiven.”

We all know what happens next: Yuri ends his love story with Victor’s signature move and Victor kisses him out of joy and the need to one up him (with love, of course).

I’m gonna get a little sloppy here with the timeline because I have the memory of a female protagonist that needs to go back to work to get something only to accidentally bump into the jerk CEO of which she will develop a toxic relationship for fan service, so forgive me.

Gonna skip ahead to the scene where Yuri tells Victor that he’s leaving skating, and basically Victor too. (At this moment I realized I’ve been spelling Viktor with a c and not a k which is really fucking with my brain but it’s too late to go back). Victor starts crying and realizes just how Yuri felt when he was rejecting him.

I believe Yuri found some light in the situation because of that fact, which Victor was not having. They’ve been closer than ever now. They’ve kissed, they’ve also announced they they’re getting married, so what the hell?!

Yuri, as we know, feels he’s keeping Victor from the ice. Victor, while he misses the ice and wouldn’t mind being competitive again, has found meaning and if he’s going to be Yuri’s coach to stay where he is than so be it.

He wanted to coach Yuri because he wanted a worthy competitor and while he still wants that, what matters most now is his relationship with Yuri. If he stops being Yuri’s coach and Yuri goes off the ice he knows it will be the end. Yuri loves the ice too and I’d bet he’d try to distance himself from Victor as to not feel regret from leaving without actually knowing that he’s doing it.

They’ve grown so much at this point. But that doesn’t mean it’s over. After all they’ve been through Yuri doesn’t realize that consequences of parting from one another. While being too dependent on your spouse isn’t good, it’s what they both need right now. They are what caused the other person to be happy again and while I hate those types of storylines this one executed it perfectly.

I find Victor’s silent plea to Yurio absolutely heartbreaking. He knows it’s bad to put pressure on people but now he’s doing that to a 15 year old boy. He’s putting his relationship and his life into this child’s hands because he knows there’s nothing else he can do.

I do think Yurio had a crush on Yuri but even if he didn’t: Yuri has taught him so much. He, although being an ass most of the time, has really come to love Yuri as family. It’s clear that Yurio was always lonely (Otabek being his first friend and all) but once he came to Japan and lived, truly lived there, he wasn’t lonely anymore.

Yurio wins, Yuri gets silver and all’s well that ends well.

I guess my point of this was to show how well the relationship in YOI was. I could’ve included some more detail on some points but I usually write stuff in one take (it’s very hard to revise without my mind shutting on itself).

I just love how an implicitly toxic relationship can come out so healthy. They don’t do any of that miscommunication bullshit and when they do it’s because the characters don’t know what to do or how to handle something. Like humans do!

They could’ve easily made this the hot famous guy thinks the kawai girl boy is just so adorable and the kawai girl boy is absolutely infatuated with the hot guy. Hijinks ensue which includes the kawai girl boy thinking the hot guy is in love with someone else. She He gets pushed into thinking that she’s he’s more independent in the end and happily ever after for the couple that will divorce in less than five years! Yay!

Seriously, I thought that was what was going to happen but YOI subverted my expectations so much. They are people that grew from their bad mindsets. And you know what? Yuri still has anxiety! Victor is still bad with handling emotions! And that’s ok! We don’t change that quickly. It takes time and hopefully another season.

I’m definitely using this show as a template for healthy relationships. It’s so hard for me to properly write them when I’ve never been in one and I’m not given the chance to see it happen in different environments (when searching it up all I get is “they trust each other. They blame each other. They’re compassionate.” Like ok but can you show me how?)

Yuri!!! On ice…. I love you so much. You have done so much for my mental health and my writing. Thank you.

#yuri on ice #yuri katsuki #katsuki yuri #victor nikiforov #viktor nikirofov #please tell me if you want me to elaborate on some sections #long post #yurio plisetsky #yuri plisetsky #healthy relationships

226 notes · View notes

vivithefolle · 4 years ago

Note

I was always confused by Hermiones behavior towards Ron in OOTP. Was she trying to hide her feelings? because she didn't really gave him any signs. Why she was so nasty at him with the teaspoon thing. Was she trying to make him jealous with the letters? What did or didn't she understand from Ron giving her the perfume. Is all this just JKR being stupid because she don't want them together before the very end. Sry for all these questions but I am rly confused can you plz help Vivi?

Once again, I’ll copy one of my Quora essays!

it’s a stereotype to say that girls resort to underhanded tactics when it comes to dating, or like to “test” their partner’s love… but it’s a stereotype for a reason: there are teenage girls who resort to those tactics.

The archetype of the Tsundere exists as an exaggeration of the traits some teenage girls demonstrate when they find themselves in a position of vulnerability such as “having a crush on someone”.

For someone as prideful as Hermione is, having a crush on someone is extremely threatening.

Hermione prides herself in her logic and intelligence. The validation she receives from getting good grades is something she needs, because she’s very insecure deep down. She thinks all she has to offer is her intelligence, and as she goes from a little girl to a young woman, this causes her grief because she doesn’t want to be just “intelligent”. As her body develops and changes, she finds that being the smartest one in the room isn’t enough anymore - she still loves being the smartest in the room, but she wants more than just that, she wants validation for other things. That’s why she was extremely hurt when Ron tactlessly (and Rowling-ly) remarks “you’re a girl” - she wants to be seen as a girl, as a woman, as more than a walking brain. She wants validation that she is a girl, and beautiful, and sexy, and capable of making heads spin. She needs “sexual” validation, for lack of a better term.

Of course she doesn’t really realize those feelings. All she knows is that it hurts when Ron seems to consider her “one of the guys”, or looks at girls that aren’t her. She likes it when he compliments her, but she’s also angry at him because he only ever seems to compliment her intelligence and damn it, she wants him to compliment something else! She wants him to look at her, REALLY look at her! Look at her like he looks at the pretty girls!

Little does she know that Ron does look at her, but he probably thinks he’s a pervert for doing so. Because - because she’s Hermione! She’s not like other girls, she’s not - she’s not the kind of girl you ogle! She’s the kind of girl you gift flowers to - roses, they’re her favourite - the kind of girl you have long, meaningful talks with - not sure if they’re always meaningful, but they sure talk a lot together! - she’s the kind of girl you… the kind of girl you love, not the kind of girl you just look at…

*wistful sigh* Mutual pining, mutual admiration, slow burn, +100k words…

But truth is, many people go around saying that Hermione treating Ron harshly and treating pretty much every boy (with exceptions like Draco Malfoy) more gently is because she actually doesn’t like Ron, and likes anyone but Ron.

When the truth actually is that… Hermione is awful. No, no, seriously, when Hermione is in love, she’s terrible. She can be a nice friend but when she’s in love with you she’s horrible. Especially since she’s a teenager.

Hermione is a prime example of a Tsundere.

The cute, blushy, giggling Hermione who flirts with [insert character here] and cries delicately when she’s rejected? Pure fanfiction. Canon Hermione keeps her love aggressively hidden behind countless iron walls, only letting it peek through when she’s absolutely sure the person she likes isn’t looking.

“How was practice?” asked Hermione rather coolly half an hour later, as Harry and Ron climbed through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room. “It was -” Harry began. “Completely lousy,” said Ron in a hollow voice, sinking into a chair beside Hermione. She looked up at Ron and her frostiness seemed to melt. - Order of the Phoenix

Rare footage of the Hermione Granger, scientific name Selfinsertus Overratedus, displaying interest in specimen of mighty fine hunk

Hermione isn’t sweet and tender and kind with the one she loves. At least, the teenage Hermione isn’t. She’s harsh, she’s disdainful and only gives out breadcrumbs of affection once in a while as part of the complicated mind game she’s playing.

You see, Hermione is never going to make the first move. You must be the one to ask her out, because she sure as hell ain’t going to do it for you.

This is due, I think, to the events of Goblet of Fire. Viktor Krum asks her out because Rowling absolutely wants Hermione to be the ugly duckling who transforms into the beautiful swan, so she brings in Cardboard Cutout With No Personality Aside From Being Famous to woo her self-insert.

Now Hermione has gotten the experience of being asked out, and being a rather socially awkward person who also hates being vulnerable - more on that later - well, now she just assumes that if someone asked her out once, then anyone who does like her can do the same.

Which is why she doesn’t realize that Ron is actually aware he loves her. There’s a big comedy of assumptions going on in Romione’s love story.

Hermione believes that Ron either 1) likes her but is oblivious to his own feelings and so she thinks she has to “give him hints” to make him realize it. Emphasized best by this exchange:

Hermione laughed. “Harry you’re worse than Ron [at understanding girls]… well, no, you’re not, “ she sighed, as Ron himself came stumping into the Hall splattered with mud and looking grumpy.

“I’ve sent him so many signals and yet he doesn’t notice. Woe is me!”

2) doesn’t actually likes her, but sees her just as a good mate or worse, as another sister.

Hermione keeps flip-flopping between her two assumptions throughout the series, all because of her biggest assumption: she thinks that if Ron was interested in her, he would ask her out. Because Viktor Krum was interested in her, and he asked her out, so why wouldn’t Ron do the same? They’re both boys and she’s a girl, after all. Isn’t that how it works?

This is also why Hermione’s “““invitation”““ to the Slug Club isn’t even an invitation - really, it’s worse than Ron’s invite to the Yule Ball, at least he was actually offering her to come:

“We’re allowed to bring guests,” said Hermione, […], “and I was going to ask you to come, but […] I won’t bother.”

“I was going to ask you to come but I won’t bother.”

This is literally what she says. It’s more of a “look Ron! An invite! If you’re good maybe I’ll think about letting you have it!” than anything else.

It’s because this is Hermione’s last resort. The ultimate humiliation. She has to resort to inviting Ron when in her mind, he’s supposed to be the one asking her out. He’s the boy! He’s supposed to do it! (And this is why I laugh at all the fools who claim that Hermione is the pinnacle of feminism. Seriously, the girl is more of a misogynist than any other character in the series.)

Hermione failed to take into account that Ron’s insecurity cripples him worse than she imagines, and that he copes with it differently than she copes with her own insecurities.

And this is the part where I explain about Hermione’s hatred of being vulnerable.

You see, I can relate quite a lot to Hermione - I see a lot of me in her, and a lot of people who hurt me in the past as well.

Bullied because she was an easy target, being the know-it-all and local teacher’s pet? Yep. Bullied for her appearance (I got braces when I was 8 and have been wearing glasses since I was a toddler, she had her bushy hair and buck teeth)? Can relate. Cried easily? Super check. Rule enforcer when the teachers weren’t around? Mega check.

And naturally, when you’re such a water fountain as I was, there’s nothing more humiliating than ending up crying in front of your bullies. You quickly learn that it will bring you nothing but more bullying. More humiliation. More vulnerability.

Hence why you start despising any form of vulnerability you find in yourself.

Obviously, being in love? That’s one of the most terrible things you can find yourself in when you’re afraid of being vulnerable. Because, oh god, your feelings are completely insane around the person. They make or ruin your day. You keep wanting to show them how cool / great / impressive you are, and you try desperately to mask all your little faults so they will hopefully return your feelings.

Given that Hermione is already not the most socially-aware battering ram in the knife drawer, she acts especially nasty to Ron, because she’s overcompensating for the vulnerability he makes her feel. And she most likely isn’t even aware of it! Forget Fanfic Hermione cringing as she realizes how mean she sounds, welcome Canon Hermione who just doubles down on a pointless argument just to drive home how totally in control she is and how Ron has absolutely zero effect on her, no siree!

In short: Hermione overthinks. She overthinks everything. She’s overthinking every of Ron’s actions, she’s assuming he’s either out to get her because she assumes he’s perfectly aware of her crush on him and he’s just toying with her (this is the very insecure, pessimistic Hermione speaking), she’s assuming he’s completely oblivious to her feelings and so she uses the ages-old technique of the “subtle hints” to make her feelings known to him (and fails miserably because she doesn’t want to put herself out there too much in case he rejects her, which would be the ultimate humiliation and the worst possible thing to happen to her, in her teenage girl mind), and she’s assuming he’ll never like her the way she likes him, all the while being woefully oblivious to the fact that Ron does want to be with her but she keeps sending him signals that she sees him as a troublesome child rather than a potential partner.

All in all, a teenage Hermione in love is utter torture. She’s her own worst enemy, and it’s only when she decides to let go of it all - of the mind games, of the distancing, of the passive-aggressive; of the overthinking - and just takes a chance that her efforts bear fruit.

There was a clatter as the basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione’s arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Ron threw away the fangs and broomstick he was holding and responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off her feet.

(As much as I’m disillusioned with Romione, this kiss is still one of my favourite parts of the series. They mutually sweep each other off their feet for god’s sake, you wish your ship would.)

#vivi answers #ask #romione #hermione granger #ron weasley #ron weasley defense squad #ron weasley defence squad #hp fandom #hp meta #character analysis #hp analysis #romance #teenagers

107 notes · View notes

otverzhennyy · 3 years ago

Text

Viktor on every Harbingers.

As stated before, Viktor’s loyalty tend to be more to the people of Snezhnaya and the Harbingers than the Tsaritsa, who he sees more as a faceless tradition despite, yes, believing in the cryo archon’s mission. However, when it comes to his daily life, it is actually the Harbingers who possess his devotion.

Viktor is implied to have, at the very least, witnessed the harbingers which I imagine are during Fatui events, speeches and such, and is knowledgeable of both their way of work, their abilities, the personality they present, quirks and what the other Fatui think of them in general. This is a post based on the information we got so far in canon, the Commedia dell’arte and of course liberal interpretations to flesh out Viktor’s relation towards the harbingers, it is HEAVILY subject to change.

This list goes from who Viktor would like to work for the LEAST to the MOST. Viktor admires all Harbingers and see how incredible they are to the Fatui cause, but this is purely him speaking selfishly in terms of working under them.

SCARAMOUCHE Scaramouche is implied by Viktor to be pretty much universally disliked by the Fatui, which is supported by his shown temper. Scaramouche is one to belittle and not respect underlings, even potentially harming them physically through electro, and lead them with fear. Scaramouche throws emotional, gratuitous tantrums.

This is something Viktor cannot respect when strictly speaking of ways to run the chain of commands. This is no way to be a leader, not when you do not have reasons to apply this kind of authority. Scaramouche’s devastating power, however, is no joke, and given that the Tsaritsa has had her own reason to choose him, there is no question that Viktor would answer the man’s call and orders, but would he enjoy his daily working life under such a self-centered man with no respect for the lives he is responsible for but his own ? Not really. He’d sooner ask for a transfer... which is, unfortunately, not really possible within the Fatui, as you are to believe that where you are stationed is where you should be.

PIERRO Pierro’s crazed antics constantly have one question his state of mind, and his chaotic mockery and obvious bitterness are made for a sour association, where one can never really rest as the man is too unpredictable. Underlings unable to guess what his plans are, given he never tell anyone anything.

Pierro doesn’t care what happens when his subordinates are sent on assignments, not caring if they are casualties or not. As someone who values his life, even if he is loyal and swore an oath to the chain of command, Viktor much rather stay alive. The man is... devastating.

SANDRONE Sandrone uses underhanded tricks and manipulates people to get what he wants, hiding behind a face of kindness to the people. Although Viktor is one to recognize the grey areas of politics, which is, politics is everywhere in any social interactions, Sandrone stands out because he is not influencing people’s judgements, he is a hypocrite who takes advantage of commoners when they meet their lowest points.

This, alongside his eerie puppets... is absolutely terrifying. Viktor cannot help but, unlike Scaramouche where he sees the immaturity and lack of professionalism of one man, feel genuine fear... and fascination. The things he could learn from this man, he cannot even start to comprehend.

PULCINELLA Pulcinella is the harbinger in charge of the Fatui’s military and, alternatively, its recruits camp. Viktor would be more than happy to give his body for the nation if needed, even if the battlefield is not his ideal position.

Technically, all Fatui receives a form of military training. The difference with Pulcinella is mainly that the Skirmishers are constantly enhanced through the Fatui technology, modified as their body belongs to the nation. Viktor personally has no interest in being cut open and changed, as he spent a significant amount of time perfecting his form and knowing his own body. Not everyone has the mental fortitude to be more than happy to be pumped with drugged and have their brain reconstructed to be a better martial weapon.

PANTALONE As the one gathering all funds related to Snezhnaya and the Fatui, working for Pantalone is about contributing to the wealth of the nation, an absolute vital part which, however, comes with a ruthless environment. Whereas politics and influence are more subjective, wealth is about cold, hard numbers in an unsure, competitive scene.

Although Viktor is the first one to tell that there is no bad way to gather money and actually admire the length the man goes for the nation’s mission, what is more of a desk job with very little flexibility (the way political debates and diplomatic exchanges do) is bound to bore him out, thinking like his wits could be used elsewhere.

TARTAGLIA When there is need for intimidation, Tartaglia Childe is the one sent by her Lady Tsaritsa. When there is need for muscles on the field, Tartaglia Childe is also the one sent. Although Viktor’s hunting background would technically make his skills appropriate for the task, Viktor is still not one who actually enjoys applying, let’s say, physical matters, especially unconventional ones Tartaglia Childe is sent into : it is not a straightforward army VS army combat. It is something which require finesse... a dangerous game which doesn’t necessarily fit Viktor.

As for the young lord himself, although he is one of the most respectable harbinger, Tartaglia’s impulsiveness and free spirit is known to suddenly put operations into chaos, without him going through the proper channels. This, honestly sounds both thrilling, rewarding and amazing... which is not Viktor’s cup of tea. However, Tartaglia has been proven to be the harbinger who respects underlings the most as individuals, despite his casual attitude giving some rookies the false impression that he is a softie... it just makes getting a disciplinary action from him harder.

SIGNORA La Signora is her majesty’s most direct representative in the manners of political and courtly presence. Although working for Signora is a door to open many opportunities to political events for one’s ascension in their career, Signora knows the game... and plays it dirty. Many threats are given under technically diplomatic moves, and as someone who hates losing time on something else than her goals, she has no olive branch to any subordinate, who are pawns for her to be at her service like a mighty mistress... but her ways are always so bloody efficient, the results speak for her manners. Always ahead of the whole court. A queen in any place she walks in.

Technically, Viktor cannot complain about his position, although he is very disgruntled about being that low in the food chain... and extremely neglected. Sigh. Even if he is one to not bother about a pause to his advancements, Viktor cannot get, at least, the satisfaction of doing something for his home... because he’s not doing anything and he’s denying the fact that he’s been forgotten.

DOTTORE Dottore is the most cerebral and knowledgeable of the harbingers, with actual results and hard work to show. As someone in need of mental stimulation, Viktor cannot help but be mesmerized at the constant studying opportunity, under a man who knows exactly what he is doing, what he wants, and makes it clear.

The practical application of skills and sense of professionalism make Dottore both a harbinger Viktor personally admire greatly and would like to work under : with such talent which shouldn’t, for Viktor, be wasted for a single second, he is no scientist, but would gladly do anything to remotely be useful to him. Dottore is actually one of the three harginers where Viktor’s respect, for various reasons, actually cancel part of the fear he would normally get from a man doing such harsh experiments.

CAPITANO The first time Viktor laid his eyes on Capitano, he’d never forget. For whatever reason the man was in his region, probably some undisclosed assignments, he had never seen a man breathing so much charisma by merely existing. Amidst the men who’d try to appear strong and tall, Capitano didn’t have to be the tallest or largest to be absolutely mesmerizing. A man who commanded authority by presence alone.

He needed to be like him. And this is when a young Viktor decided to join the Fatui, not telling a single word that a single man triggered it all. Viktor doesn’t see himself as someone with particular talent, drive or patience to change the world... but if he could be half the man his idol was, that would be enough... but did he want to be the man, or solely be by his side, even if it meant potentially never working under him ? ... both.

As a recruit, Viktor would always run to the pavilion up the Fatui base to see Capitano entering the premises whenever his arrival was announced, watching from afar, get information on what the man had been up to. The stories of the man’s conquests, exploring uncharted territories while keeping such a solemn expression, an inspiring leader who’d run his affairs with the most unforgiving grip, to the perfection, with every bit of professionalism and no break in his composure.

If Viktor was to work under this man, he wouldn’t care a single bit about the treatment on his person. If he can be the slightest bit not indirectly, but directly useful to such a man, he would gladly serve him with every bit of devotion he has. Travelling at his side with the most powerful assets to the Fatui, each challenge only one exciting puzzle after one another.

If Viktor sees the holy Tsaritsa as the Fatui’s queen, Capitano is his King.

#.otverzhennyy ( headcanon )#insert simp jokes here #this took me waaaay too long and it is SO confusing but I needed t oat least have something done for this

16 notes · View notes

alindakb · 5 years ago

Text

Letters to my Parents - Monday 13 March 1995 - by Alinda

Monday 13 March 1995

Dear mom and dad,

Hermione has been having a hard time. People keep teasing her about being the thing that Viktor Krum would miss the most. Ron is being all jealous about it. He keeps giving Viktor dark looks from across the Great Hall during meal times. And it all became worse when the Witch Weekly came that week. There was a large article about the lovers of the champions. A large portion was about how I had seen very upset when my boyfriend was being held captive by the Merpeople. But since everyone already knows that Draco and I are inseparable nobody paid it much attention. No, the worst was how it named Hermione as Viktor’s secret lover. The article was mean, naming Hermione plain and trying to catch a famous wizard for making up for her own faults. Pansy was quoted in the article, saying that Hermione is ugly and that she would have had to use a love potion to get Viktor to fall for her. Hermione is pretending she’s fine, but I know her and she’s struggling with all the negative attention she’s getting.

Draco and I are doing fine by the way. I’ve had some talks with Ms Davis about that day of the second task. She said it was normal to fall back to thoughts like that, that it was fine and that it was a good thing I asked to see her straight away. She also wants to have some sessions with me and Draco together, to talk about our condition (that’s what she calls it, I’m still not sure how to name it). You remember the bond I mentioned between me and Draco in my last letter. Well, it’s called Corpora Anima Una. That is Latin for ‘the bodies of the soul’ and it means that we share a soul that lives in two bodies. Professor Snape tried to explain it all to us, but I still don’t fully understand.

We had to undergo all kind of silly test the weekend after the task. Some people of the Ministry came to oversee them. And Sirius and Draco’s mom were there. I think that was the first time they’ve seen each other in years. They first didn’t know how to interact with each other. Draco’s mom was extremely polite, just like Draco was in the beginning with Sirius. I made Draco laugh. I love it when he laughs. He’s so beautiful, mom. I want to look at him for the rest of my life. And now that we know about our soul bond, I think I will. I know I will never love anyone the way I love him. And yes, I know we’re only fourteen. But there is no denying it anymore, we’re made for each other.

But back to Sirius and Draco’s mom. They talked for hours once the test were all done. When they both witnessed how connected Draco and I are. I heard Draco’s mom say that they should forget the way they’ve hurt each other in the past and make sure that ‘our boys are taken care of’. I think that was enough for Sirius to open up to her.

The tests were horrible, by the way. I don’t want to talk about it too much. First, they did some diagnostics with us just sitting there. But after that, they hurt one of us in a different room to see if we would know. I screamed at them to stop and Draco told he didn’t do much better. Madam Pomfrey gave us loads of chocolate when the tests were done and told us that we’d done well.

Oh, I also need to tell you about something weird. Professor Snape thinks that Draco and I stole the Gillyweed and Boomslang skin from his office. I tried to explain that Dobby stole the Gillyweed, that he gave it to me. But that didn’t convince Professor Snape. He said he would have no other choice but to report us if we would brake into his office again.

We had a Hogsmeade weekend the weekend after that. We first went out with our friends. It was one of the first good days of the year, weather-wise. The sun was out and it was fun. Daphne went on and on about how annoying Pansy is getting. It turns out that Pansy and Nott have started dating and that Pansy won’t shut up about her boyfriend and how great he is. How much better he is than Greg, how much smarter and with more potential for the future. Hermione and Luna helped her to come up with ways to annoy Pansy.

After lunch, Draco and I said goodbye to our friends and made our way to the edge of the village to the foot of the mountain. We found a nice place to sit just outside the village on some boulders. We talked for a long time. About the bond, and what it means. How it explains how Draco had known in second year that something was wrong with me. How I’d felt so alone and broken when we weren’t together and how it made my depression of that year even worse. And the dreams I had, of Draco disappearing. We think it was because of the bond to. That I somehow could sense that my other half was slowly being taken over by Tom Riddle. It also explains why we always needed to touch each other, always linking our hands. And it explains why after we had sex it became less important to touch, but that we can sense each other all the time.

The sex thing seemed to be important. The man from the Ministry said something about sealing the bond. That when we became one in flesh our shared soul was healed, linking us together for the rest of our lives.

We both know we want to spend the rest of our lives together, but it’s still scary.

In the end, we both agreed that it doesn’t matter why we love each other this much, if it because of the shared soul or not. The only thing that matters is that we love each other and want to be together for the rest of our lives.

After our talk, we kissed and ended up making love between the trees. It was intense but perfect. I’m so in love. Dad, did you feel like this about mom? I wish I could ask you how it was for you when you and mom started dating. How did you know that mom was the person you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? Were you as sure about mom as I am about Draco? I’m extremely happy and don’t get me wrong, but times like these I miss you. I know that one day I’m going to marry Draco and the thought that you won’t be there. Well, it hurts.

But now I’ve got Sirius. That makes it all a little better. He’s a good godfather. He always puts me first and looks after me. I can see why he was your best friend, dad. He’s a little mad from time to time, but that’s fine. We had a long talk during the weekend of the tests. He’s scared for me, I know he is. We deliberated about who might have put my name in the Goblet. Bagman was the first we looked at, but we both don’t know that much about him, except that he used to be a beater for the Wimbourne Wasps. Mr Crouch is a possibility. He’s absence all the time and Sirius doesn’t like him. Mr Crouch was the one who sent him to Azkaban without a trial. He was on his way to becoming the next Minister of Magic, but he wasn’t a nice person. He started ordering very harsh measures against Voldemort’s supporters in the war, even going as far as authorising the use of the Unforgivable Curses. And when Voldemort disappeared he would have become Minister of Magic if it hadn’t been for his son, who turned out to be a Death Eater. Crouch sent him straight to Azkaban too. The boy had only been nineteen years old and died about a year later. And not long after that, his wife died too. Sirius thinks Crouch wants to get his old popularity back by catching one more Death Eater. But it doesn’t seem likely that he’d put my name in the Goblet and put me in danger.

Sirius thought of Professor Snape next. Sirius went to school with him (but you already knew this, since you both went to school with the both of them) and said that Professor Snape was always obsessed with the Dark Arts. And he used to be friends with others that were Death Eaters. Sirius listed off some names, but I didn’t care. I told him that Professor Snape was just as upset as him when my name came out of the Goblet and that if it hadn’t been for him I might have killed myself on the day of the second tasks. If Professor Snape wanted me dead, he would have just let me drown myself.

Karkaroff is still a good option, but we both don’t see what he would gain with it. Sirius says he betrayed a lot of Death Eaters in the past and that it’s more likely he’s scared.

I brought up Professor Moody. I still don’t like him, not after how he treated Draco. But Sirius says he’s a good guy, always tried to bring in the Death Eaters alive. He’s not a killer, according to Sirius. So, for now, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt, even though I still think he’s crazy for blaming children for thinks their parents supposedly did. But Sirius trust him and I trust Sirius.

So in the end, we still don’t have a clue about who has put my name in the Goblet. All I know is that in a couple of months I have to take the final task and this will all be over. Until then I plan to just focus on my schoolwork, Draco and our friends. Our little group has grown with one more person. Millicent did already sometimes hang out with Daphne, but ever since she helped with painting my nails she’s been part of our little group. She studies with us now and hangs out with us during the weekends.

And yes, you read it right, I said painting my nails. It was a little after the second tasks that Draco, Greg, Daphne and I were sitting at the same table in the common room. Draco, Greg and I were doing some homework while Daphne was painting her nails. And for some time I wondered what it would look like if I would paint my nails. Not in the bright red’s and purple’s Daphne paints them, but in Slytherin green, or something else dark. So I asked Daphne if she had any dark green nail polish that I could borrow to paint my nails. She didn’t, but she got Millicent involved who did have darker colours of nail polish. That night Daphne and Millicent tried to teach me how to paint my nails, but I’m rubbish at it. That’s when Draco pitched in and let Daphne and Millicent show him how to do it. Ever since that night, he takes care of the paint on my nails as I take care of his hair. So each morning I braid his hair and once a week he fixes my nails. Millicent showed us where we can order the kind of nail polish I want to wear. Some other students think it’s stupid that a guy wears nail polish, but I like it. And Draco says it looks good on me, so I don’t see any reason to stop.

I don’t have that much more to tell you. I’m doing good, even after all the heartache of the second task. I’m happy and school is going good. Having so many friends to study with really helps.

I love both of you.

Your Harry James Potter.

#letters to my parents #drarry #harry in slytherin #soulbond #soulmates #sirius black #goblet of fire #AlindasStories

13 notes · View notes

samesanegirl · 5 years ago

Text

100 Otp Questions - Scorose Edition🌹🦂

the-moon-dust-writings

1. Who loves flower crowns more? - Rose

2. Who is the one who likes to cuddle? Both

3. Who has awful taste in music? Rose likes R&B and Dream Pop while Scorpius likes old and jazz music. You decide!

4. Who is the meme lover? Scorpius

5. How did their second date go? They went to dine at Diagon Alley and had a great time. Rita Skeeter published an article entitled “Potential Death Eater dates Rose Weasley. Is it true love or the effects of Amortentia?” Rose egged her house the day after

6. How many children do they want/have? Rose would want 2-4 kids while Scorpius is comfortable with 2.

7. Who hides the weapons? Rose

8. Who is the better dancer? Scorpius, he probably had ballroom classes when he was younger

9. Do/Did they have a theme wedding? Quidditch themed

10. What do their parents think of them dating? Draco and Astoria love Rose as she helped Scorpius grow (Lucius and Narcissa are not impressed.) Hermione and Ron are happy but he is moody that he is now in-laws with Draco

11. Are they a super sappy couple? They show minimal PDA when they are in public. However, they are kinda sappy when they are alone

12. How did they get together? Scorpius saved Rose in a Quidditch game when she was knocked off her broom. She realised she loved him in that moment and kissed him

13. Who asked the other to get married? Scorpius, although Rose was planning a proposal as well

14. Who stays up too late and makes stupid jokes? Both

15. Who is the nerd? Both

16. Who knows the most obscure facts? Rose. She learned some from Hugo

17. Who makes the other a flower crown? Rose as Lily Luna taught her

18. Who likes to read? Both

19. Who bothers the other person while the other person reads? Scorpius

20. Who tutors the other? Scorpius tutored Rose on astrology and potions. Rose tutored Scorpius on ancient runes and muggle studies

21. Do they have similar taste in movies? Yes. They like psychological thriller, crime-mystery and foreign films

22. How do their personalities compliment each other? When emotional, Rose can be quite impulsive and hot tempered. It takes a lot for Scorpius to punch someone out of anger. So he keeps her in check. Scorpius craves acceptance from the Wizarding World, and Rose offers him that and never questions his morality. Rose needs someone who is open and honest. Someone who loves her instead of her ‘Golden Girl’ image. Scorpius has never seen her through those lenses. They offer comfort, support and acceptance. Their determination and ambition match, so they support each other’s dreams

23. How do they tell everyone that they are going to be having a kid/adopting a child soon? They reveal the news at The Burrow at a birthday/Christmas/New Year’s Eve

24. Who has better fashion sense? Scorpius

25. Who will punch someone out if they are rude to their partner? Rose

26. What songs do they sing together in the vehicle? The Weird Sisters’s biggest hits. They do end up singing Muggle songs once Scorpius learns the lyrics from Google

27. What other couple would your otp get along with? Jim & Pam, Jake & Amy, Aragorn & Arwen, Elio & Oliver and Mr & Mrs Smith

28. Who likes to prank the other? Rose

29. Who is the one who loves to take pictures? Both, but Scorpius takes more than Rose. 30. How would they react if they found out they were soul mates? Scorpius would cry with tears of joy. Rose would shrug and say she knew all along.

31. Where would they live? I never imagined them living in Malfoy Manor, due to their bad memories of their family feuds. They would live around the luscious forests in England where they are surrounded by nature.

32. What type of dragon would they own, if they could have one? They would adopt a Antipodean Opaleye. However, Rose would beg Scorpius to let her adopt an Ukrainian Irobelly and a Swedish Short-Snout

33. If they were both vampires, what type of vampires would they be? Rose would be a dhampir and Scorpius would be a moroi

34. What would they dress up as, for Halloween? Mr & Mrs Smith or James Bond and Vesper Lynd

35. Can they name each other’s favourite food? Yes. Rose loves ratatouille and Scorpius loves risotto

36. Do they have pet names for one another? Rose: Rosie, Rosebud, Weasley, Weasel, Mi Amor & Love. Scorpius: Scorp, Scorpion, Scorpy, Malfoy, Darling, Baby, Idiot & Dickhead. 37. How do they cheer each other up? Scorpius would give massages, bubble baths and would throw Rose on his shoulder until she laughs. Rose would cuddle him and roast any of the people who are responsible for putting him in such mood

38. Do they show a lot of PDA? Scorpius is a reserved guy and Rose respects that. They show minimal PTD such as holding hands, forehead kisses, quick kisses and putting their arm around each other.

39. How old were they when they got together? In their sixth year, Rose was 16 and Scorpius was 17.

40. Who is the one that would bring the puppy home? Rose. She’s a cat person but she knows how much Scorpius wants a dog

41. Can they do yoga couple’s poses? They are badass Quidditch players. I’m sure they can handle any curveball being thrown at them.

42. What is their song? A Song For You - Donny Hathaway (Scorpius’ favourite song)

43. What does their room look like? Rose would decorate their room with fairy lights and meaningful photos. Scorpius would paint their room blue and include arm chairs where they can both relax. Both of them would have bookshelves on their room so they could read.

44. Who would be the one to kill zombies while the other keeps them grounded? Rose kills the zombie while Scorpius keeps her grounded

45. Who makes the other breakfast in bed? Scorpius.

46. Who loves kids more? Rose

47. Do either of them have a crazy ex? Surprisingly, Scorpius’ exes are quite chill, and they leave the relationship on civil terms. Rose’s ex is possessive and jealous.

48. What are their favourite colours? Rose is lavender, while Scorpius is blue

49. Who likes to cook? Scorpius

50. Who is the forgetful one? Scorpius

51. Does either of them know how to fight? Scorpius is better at duels than physical violence. On the other hand, Rose is fierce with hexes and could dropkick the fuck out of you.

52. What do they do for Valentines Day? They would go to a nice Muggle restaurant, not wanting to be bombarded with the Wizarding press

53. Who swears more? Rose

54. Who has the better comebacks? Rose. But Scorpius has sarcastic comebacks up his sleeve too.

55. Who would start a fight with another parent at a bake sale? Rose

56. Who reads buzzfeed? Rose likes the quizzes

57. Who is the hopeless romantic? Scorpius

58. Do either of them know how to do a handstand? Rose

59. Who can rap better? Rose since she listens to it more

60. Do either of them want to go sky diving? Rose because she loves being in the air

61. What do they usually text about? They text about their weird work stories

62. Who is the dramatic one? Most people would say Rose due to her energetic personality but Scorpius has had his share of dramatic moments

63. Is either one confrontational? Rose when she’s had enough of your shit

64. What is their favourite cuddle position? Honeymoon hug and Rose sitting on his lap with their arms around each other

65. Who are their favourite musical artist(s)?” Scorpius - Donny Hathaway, Etta James & Ray Charles. Rose - H.E.R, Clairo, The Weird Sisters and Lana Del Rey

66. What are their parenting styles? Rose would be affectionate but would remain a strict parent. She would be teaching her kids life advise and guide them on a good path while still acting adventurous around them. Scorpius might actually spoil his kids but will be very stern when they are in trouble. He would make sure that they listen to Rose and never disrespect her

67. Who would be the more laid back one? Scorpius is very cool-headed around stressful times, but Rose is more laid-back when she is socialising

68. Who listens to more vulgar music? Rose, probably

69. Do either of them have secrets even the other doesn’t know? That Rose’s first crush was Teddy Lupin when she was a kid and that she dated Viktor Krum’s son for a while. Scorpius would not tell Rose that the Malfoy's were partially responsible for Hermione’s torture

70. Who is their go to couple for a double date? Albus, of course

71. Do they tip the waiter/waitress on their date? No

72. How do they work out a fight? They have different temperaments so nothing can be too intense. They try to be very calm about it and balance their reasons with logic and emotional until they come to an agreement. If its a small fight, they shag afterwards

73. Who brings home an illegal pet? Rose would bring a baby dragon and a Hippogriff on the same day

74. What side of the bed do each of them sleep on? Scorpius left and Rose right

75. What is their favorite photo of them two together? Their first kiss at a Quidditch match. One where Scorpius playfully picks up Rose in The Burrow and several photos of them and Albus when they are travelling Europe

76. Who takes longer in the bathroom? Scorpius

77. Who has more songs on their ipod? Rose

78. What movie did they first see together? Star Wars with the Weasley-Potter clan

79. What do they like to see each other in? Rose likes to see Scorpius either in a tuxedo or topless. Scorpius likes to see Rose in a Montrose Magpies sweater because it annoys her

80. Who makes jokes during inappropriate times? Rose. And Scorpius feels guilty of laughing.

81. At what age do they discuss the possibility of children? After they are at the peak of their careers. Realistically, around 28 years old

82. What do they love about each other the most? Rose loves that Scorpius is kind and very respectful. She loves that he completely understands her and always supports her decisions. Scorpius loves Rose’s warm nature and her willingness to cheer people up when they are down. He also loves her adventurous spirit and never gets bored when he’s with her

83. Who is the one that sees the big picture, while the other focus’s on the small details? Rose sees the big picture while Scorpius focuses on small details

84. What would they write on their partner’s social media’s for their anniversary? Scorpius would post photos of Rose and write a paragraph about how much she changed his life. Rose would post an embarrassing photo of Scorpius (like when his ice cream cone fell on his pants) and says how much she loves him

85. Who is bad at math? Rose

86. Who googles everything? Scorpius

87. Who does stuff on impulse? Rose. Luckily Scorpius is always present

88. How do they comfort each other when they are helpless to do anything about the situation? Rose would just cuddle Scorpius and try to lift his mood by suggesting a playful Quidditch game. Scorpius would listen to her and would offer a massage to relieve stress

89. What is an inside joke they have? Dirty minded jokes

90. Who makes the other smile with almost no effort at all? Rose

91. What is their favourite holiday? Rose loves Christmas and Scorpius loves New Year’s Eve

92. Who is the one that is calm and collected while the other is angry and destructive? Scorpius is the calm one and Rose is the impulsive one

93. What is their favourite board game to play? Wizarding chess and exploding snap (not a board game but still

94. Who accidental sets something on fire? Rose when she loses her temper

95. Who has the car ready while the other is robbing the store? Since Rose has a Muggle license, Scorpius would have to rob the store

96. What artist/group did they go to for their first concert? The Weird Sisters

97. Who sleep talks? Scorpius

98. Who is the more social one? Rose. Scorpius is more quiet and reserved

99. What are their karaoke songs? Any songs from The Weird Sisters

100. Who would get up on stage and make a fool of themselves just to make the other laugh? Both

#scorose writings #scorose is my OTP #scorose #rosius #rose weasley #Rose and Scorpius #Rose Granger Weasley #scorpius malfoy

31 notes · View notes

marble-guts · 6 years ago

Text

(read on ao3)

Yuuri’s favorite color is blue.

It’s not exactly a challenge to figure it out.

It’s the color of his glasses, the case he tucks them into when he steps onto the ice, the color of Yuuri’s poodle phone case. Viktor tries not to smile when he turns it over in his hands, watching Yuuri as he skates around the rink-- once, twice, a slightly faster, more anxious third time. Even the jacket on the chair beside him is blue, and although his warm up jacket looks gray in the lights overhead, Viktor knows its blue.

All of it is blue.

The music Yuuri skates to is blue-- it always has been, and Viktor is sure it always will be.

After Sochi he had taken every free moment of his time to watch Yuuri’s practice videos. He was one of the few skaters who didn’t squander practice tapes and progress under lock and key. Every two weeks or so, another video either practice or tutorial would surface, Yuuri in blue skating to blue music.

Most of them were from Instagram, small snippets of Yuuri at a distance as he threw himself around on the ice, both a marionette and the puppeteer.

The music was always him in a strange way. Soft in a way that ached, dreamlike with a bitter edge, cold like the ice he skated on. When the tone shifted, so did Yuuri, and with each season, Yuuri’s tone became less saturated, less him and more of what others thought he was and expected him to be.

Those were his cracks.

He hated admitting even to himself that he had taken notes on Yuuri’s cracks, on his struggles and fears. It felt predatory, looking at Yuuri like a coach, like a piece of art from afar worthy of his commentary.

Viktor thought back to how Yakov had observed him for a full two years before he decided Viktor was worth his time. He thought about how he had showed off a quad salchow in juniors, perfectly placed in front of Yakov. He thought of how Yakov knew Viktor’s fears before he knew them, how the man would check in on him under the pretense of making sure he was still alive.

Yakov had seen his loneliness, just as Viktor had seen Yuuri’s anxiety.

Yuuri’s cracks were something to be utilized, much like Viktor’s own. He bled from them, the blue he was afraid to release, but released through self-sabotage and deprecation.

It was his passion, oozing onto the ice with every fall, every shy teary-eyed interview, promising to do better next time. Viktor could see the pain in the way Yuuri talked to cameras, the way he looked at the judges without meeting their eyes, how he always seemed to be just in the corner of every video, every photo.

The blue that leaked out of him was deep and rich, it was beauty misplaced, opportunity and potential not yet discovered. Viktor wanted nothing more than to drown in it.

He wants Yuuri to drown the world in it, to coat the world with such beauty and grace, to saturate the world with his talent through the story he tells with every movement, ever performance, program, and season.

Instead, Yuuri covers himself, creating an image of himself so distorted that it’s oppressive. The way Yuuri skates, wants to skate, the way he is, and the way people want him to be is such an astounding clash of electric blue costumes and evening blue smiles that Viktor has to take a deep breath. Yuuri is using the ugliest shade of powder blue paint to cover up what could be a record-breaking view.

Viktor doesn’t have a chance to tell him, or to help him peel it all away like the old wallpaper in Yakov’s dining room. The video the triplets release does that instead and it takes Viktor’s aching with it.

Even without Yuuri’s atrocious costumes, the overwhelming contrast in who Yuuri is on ice, who he is on a pole, and who he is at home is almost enough to send Viktor back to St. Petersburg, Aeroloft delays and all.

But Yuuri’s blue returns to him in pieces, in small ever-evolving glimmers behind a mask of self-hatred and questioning.

It’s almost like when he was thirteen, sitting at the kitchen table with his reading assignment in front of him. The house was always quiet, Lilia and Yakov in separate rooms giving Viktor the time and silence to focus, though not on school work. He would watch the prism Lilia had dangling over the window above the sink, he would watch it soak in the sunlight, spinning and never casting the same colorful shade again.

It’s in the way Yuuri watches him stake in Hasetsu, the way he counts the beats of Stammi Vicino on the side of the boards without realizing it. It’s in Yuuri’s hesitancy, how simply he can skate compulsory figures, the gentle pause in his voice when he thinks over what he’s going to say. It’s a second, sometimes three, where Yuuri places his determination ahead of his fears.

It’s only when Yuuri says that eros makes him think of katsudon that Viktor realizes he isn’t even aware of his own bleeding.

He stays up that night, wondering just how dense Yuuri must be, but then he remembers the banquet. Yuuri had been so blue, reflecting every facet of himself like the prism over Lilia’s kitchen sink.

It’s when he’s incredibly late to Yuuri and Yurio’s practices that he knows he’s going to make Yuuri aware in some way, and at the same time, he’s going to prove to Yurio he, too, has cracks.

He does. Just not as he had planned.

Yurio disintegrates on the ice during Agape. Viktor can see it in the way his back stiffens, how his arms move through the stilted poses of ballet. He’s breaking his own heart, none of his movements are his. Instead, they belong to Yakov, Lilia, and whoever else has helped shape Yuri into the Ice Tiger of Russia.

Yuuri doesn’t even have to take his skate guards off to lose himself.

It’s like watching an avalanche how Yuuri’s fingers twitch at his sides when he watches Yuri. He doesn’t know where to put his arms, if he should have them at his sides or across his chest. Viktor wants to solve it for him by taking his hands and holding them, but instead he watches Yuuri when the anxiety begins to crush him.

Yuuri’s hands are in his hair, pulling at it, he’s looking down and knowing, thinking, feeling that he’s next. His resolve, all of the distance he’s put between himself and Viktor, it’s all still there between them when Viktor moves in front of him, wanting nothing more than to touch him. Viktor wonders if any of it is cracking, if he’s breaking through to Yuuri’s true self when Yuuri looks up at him on the verge of tears.

“Yuuri, it’s your turn.”

Yuuri is still struggling to get out of his own head, to surface out of blue that’s hidden underneath.

Eros Yuuri, another mask he’s decided to hide behind, comes forward. “I’m going to become a super, tasty pork cutlet bowl, so please watch me!”

That fraction, that small minuscule piece, of Yuuri, cutting through the mask, is enough to make Viktor forget to breathe. The distance between them, it all vanishes when Yuuri holds him close, as though Viktor is the one bleeding.

“Promise!” Yuuri begs, although it is in no way a question.

Part of Viktor, the ghost of the competitor, wants to get Yuuri on the ice as soon as possible, he wants to remove the crowd, stand by the gate, and watch as Yuuri Katsuki releases all that he’s held back.

“Of course. I love pork cutlet bowls.”

And somehow, in the music, Viktor finds more blue.

Eros becomes the paleness of Hasetsu’s sky, the way it looks through budding springtime trees. Oddly, it’s homesickness, but not for Russia, it’s for a place Viktor has never been before. Later, he knows that it’s the way Yuuri wakes up the morning, stretching his cold feet against Viktor’s legs before he rolls over and falls back to sleep without setting another alarm. It’s how the trees along the Japanese hillside turn dark when a storm approaches, looking almost blue. It’s how the calm ocean waves turn dark with strength.

Eros is still a mask, but truer to Yuuri’s blue.

In another way, Eros is everything Yuuri is capable of, but doesn’t want to be. It’s the dark blue of Japan’s olympic team jackets, the cold comfort of landing a quad flip with no one to satisfy but himself, the sensual aggression only found in sixteen flutes of champagne and the devastation of coming in sixth at the GPF.

It’s the blue of an ice skating rink, being the only person on the ice in an empty stadium. It’s the feeling of hearing his own skates, feeling the way he can dig into the surface with the toepick of his skate through the beginning of Stammi. It’s the blue that was missing from St. Petersburg, only found at the Hermitage in the softness of a gray night.

He wants to ask Yuuri what Eros really is, what it means, and where he finds it.

The mask comes off when Yuuri performs Yuuri on Ice.

Yuuri wears his blue, the comfort of stars in a winter night sky, the warmth of his smile, his eyes. It doesn’t bleed, it shines, through what he allows them to see.

He lets them see the gentle start of his career-- the bee program he performed when he was eight, the middle school photo that his mother keeps on the counter in the kitchen beside a photo of Yuuri’s college graduation. It’s his evolution, his falls, his dreams, everything that he has always been.

The blue that Yuuri skates is soft, it’s the warmth of his smile when Yuuko teases them over their warm-up music, it’s the small blue flowers at Yuu-topia, the way Yuuri flops back on his bed, his arms spread out, just before someone calls him for something.

Viktor can see Yuuri’s quiet reflections in the way he jumps, as though compulsory figures have brought this out in him.

He’s beautiful, he’s himself, and nothing else, and that, is what’s captivating.

When he skates, Viktor can’t even find himself to care about Yuuri’s fingers, touching the ice, and he knows he should. He knows that Yakov would’ve stopped him, would’ve sent him back to the start of his program.

This is the Yuuri Viktor had fallen so in love with. The pieces, every single one, they all come together, and the program, even the buzz Yuuri feels afterward, it leaves him breathless. With Barcelona, it’s almost like Yuuri has left it behind.

He knows better than to think that. Viktor knows that Yuuri still has his mask, that it surfaces every time his anxiety tries to coat him in bright, fluorescent blues. Viktor takes to scheduling practice whenever Yakov and Yuri aren’t there. He locks the rink, even the observation room.

Being invited to see such vulnerability, to such truth, as a coach and a fiance, it feels like Yuuri has more than just his heart.

Viktor thinks of Worlds, how Yuuri will crush him and Yurio with a smile and a soft laugh.

He kicks up into a flip and follows through with the rest of his choreography-- soft three turn, think of Yuuri when he skates figures. Viktor slips out of his routine with a spin, stealing the essence of Stammi Vicino, only he doesn’t force the turns tighter. He lets himself spin out of it and crouches there, on the ice.

It’s always missing something so integral, so unexplainable and necessary that it leaves Viktor feeling discouraged.

He isn’t even aware of Yuuri’s presence until he sneezes and Viktor finds himself on his feet again, skating around the rink through the soft build of the gentle Russian waltz he has selected. Yuuri usually sits up towards the top of the rink, in the shadow of the observation box.

Viktor tries not to let the aggressive competitor inside of him take over. The feeling that comes with Yuuri and knowing that Yuuri is watching him, is enough for him to ruin the take-off of a quad flip and turn it into a messy ‘floop’.

He lands cleanly, keeps him moving, shaky, almost, and it’s enough to ruin whatever he had been trying to accomplish. He skates out of it, lazily circling around and filling the second half of the music with what Yakov would consider a waste of time and what Viktor thinks of as a time to reflect.

The music shifts to something far more melancholy and heartbreaking, a lone violin calling out to a duet, one that never follows. The orchestra swells beneath, the soft hum of winds. It reminds Viktor of Yuuri when he skates figures, a shade of icy pale blue, bordering into a hazy lilac.

“What were you thinking of?” Yuuri asks, and his voice nearly startles Viktor half to death.

The song ends and Viktor skates to the boards to stop it, but Yuuri is already there, pausing it from playing the Russian waltz again.

“The flip?”

Yuuri shakes his head, he’s smiling in a way that tells Viktor he already knows. “Before that, before you came out of your combo spin.”

“I wasn’t.” Viktor’s answer is honest, because he wasn’t thinking at all, and Yuuri frowns at that, just a little. “I was… I don’t know, feeling?”

“What were you feeling?”

Viktor lets the ice carry him back just a little. “This.” He says simply, and its too much to explain with any of the words he knows in any language. “You.” He says in a small breath of air.

Yuuri is leaning against the boards now, Eros is slipping from him, leaking to the ice and puddling somewhere at his shadow. “Me?”

“No, katsudon.” Viktor answers, and it’s impossible not to smile as he puts more distance between them. He looks at the ice and it’s hard not to think about everything that they’ve gone through, all that they’ve overcome in such a short amount of time.

The Yuuri that’s watching him is so different from the Yuuri that approached him. He’s soft and gentle, but knows when not to be. Yuuri isn’t delicate, not with him, he’s no longer the electric blue costumes and ties he had tried so desperately to hide behind. The mask of Eros Yuuri is even misplaced. The confidence, the Yuuri from Yuuri on ice, with all of his potential and ability, his boldness and charm not entirely feigned... that Yuuri is watching him.

He’s the soft blue of a forest in winter, the soft dying sun against the bright snow and bitter cold. Yuuri is the Neva River reflecting St. Petersburg’s sparkling beauty. He’s sunlight in the long winter days of darkness and darkness in the bright summer nights. He’s home, and somehow, he always has been.

Viktor has just never known to look for him.

He’s not aware that he’s fallen into figures like Yuuri does until the gentle music of his waltz disappears, replaced with Stammi Vicino. Viktor is even less aware of the fact that Yuuri is on the ice with him until he feels Yuuri take his hand and pull him through one of the careful loops he's carved into the ice with his skates.

The smile Yuuri gives him, the peace it fills him with--

all of it is blue.

#yuri on ice #yuri on ice fanfic #yuuri katsuki #victuuri #viktor nikiforov #mine

123 notes · View notes

geldris · 6 years ago

Text

Merry Christmas, @velvetcovered-brick! I hope you had an amazing holiday! I was your @yoisecretsanta18 Santa, and I wrote you this fic (trying to pander to your post-canon, coaching, Viktuuri interests. And maybe a bit of Plinami? Who knows!) I hope you enjoy it!

Fic under the cut or check it out on archive!

With You or Against You

“Wow! Look at you go!” Yuuri genuinely encouraged, cheering on the small skater as he made his way across the ice: wobbly and imperfect, sure, but definitely more progress. The small seven year old beamed at him brightly, chubby cheeked and beaded with sweat. He’d only been practicing for a few months, but Yuuri fondly was reminded of his times as a child skater.

Now, he leaned against the walls of the rink, propping his leg against a colorful advertisement. The student, who he affectionately nicknamed Aki, was his last of the young, amateur students of the day. Yuuri noted his mother smiling affectionately at her son from the entrance of the ring and decided to make his way over.

“Aki, why don’t you get some water. I think we’re finished for the day!” He gave the young boy a gentle push on the lower back.

His student's mother grinned as they both made their way off the ice. “What an honor it is to get my child trained by such a local celebrity,” she gushed; thankfully, she didn’t dare be flirtatious. She only looked as if she wanted to pinch his cheeks and maybe ask for an autograph. Throughout all these years, Yuuri still wasn’t immune to blushing at any sort of compliments from strangers, and did so now, his cheeks melting into a light pink.

“W-well, I wouldn’t say celebrity. Only people who keep up with the Olympics really--”

“Oh shush! We are all so proud to have you here, Yuuri. And coaching of all things… usually those professional skaters live a life in the spotlight after retiring. How nice it is to have you remaining so local!” she continued her tirade, not letting Yuuri get a word in, “And Viktor, too!” she tacked on, a bit more passion in her voice as she released his name into the air. Though Viktor was happily married, women still couldn't help admiring him from afar.

Yuuri couldn't help but admire Viktor from afar either. Until he remembered that he was the one married to him. Even so, it seemed some things never changed.

They said their goodbyes, Yuuri taking a quick drink before he made his way back onto the ice, now alone.

Viktor had taken to coaching as well, but only one student: Yurio. Japan was crowded between the three of them and their personalities (the two Russians, in particular), but they managed to all live in relative peace. Meanwhile, Yuuri spent his time surrounded by child skaters, only taking on one professional, who was now skating very eagerly onto the ice.

“Yuuri~!” he shouted excitedly, making his way across the ice at rapid speeds, waving both hands all-too-eager. Instantly, the young boy began a ramble that turned to buzzing in Yuuri’s ears, though he tried to smile and nod.

Yuuri had taken on Minami as a student due mostly to the latter’s incessant asking. After retiring, he was content to relax in Japan with his now-husband, not travel the world to coach someone else’s grand prix. And yet.. Minami admired him so much. The concept of rejecting him nearly broke both their hearts.

Reflecting further, Yuuri found himself dazing off more and more, Minami needing little more than his eyes on him to vent loudly to himself. It had been a long day; he was, admittedly, a bit tired. The noise began to blur together more, further drooping him into a bit of a daydream.

“Yuuri,” a voice behind him whispered into his ear, “I know you didn’t forget it was Yurio and I who scheduled for the ice at this time, no?”

Yuuri couldn’t help but loudly gasp, falling backwards. He’d have made a fool of himself if he didn’t fall directly into someone’s chest. He turned, adjusting his now lopsided glasses as he faced Viktor, who had one hand propped on his hip in some type of mock shame.

Minami was quick to skate to his side. “Yurio is practicing with us?!” it came out as part shocked gasp, and part squeal.

Yurio snorted as he stretched one leg naturally onto the barricade, not yet entering the ice. “No way. I don’t share the ice.”

“Come on! We can practice together! It’ll be so fun!” Minami persisted.

Yurio’s eyes nearly made Yuuri feel fear with how cold they shone, even though he knew being nervous around Yurio was a bit of a joke at this point. Minami, however, was completely unaffected.

A few more seconds of glaring later and Yurio refocused on his stretching. “No way, kid.”

“I’m older than you!”

“Not in skating years.”

“Skating years?!”

Yuuri managed to zone out again as their bickering increased, refocusing on his husband who was still looking at him with faux-shame. “Minami and I always practice this time on Thursdays.” Yuuri pouted.

Two fingers poked against his forehead teasingly, and lingered there, brushing his bangs aside. “You practice with all types of students every day. But competitions are right around the corner. It’s time to share,” he raised his voice a bit “Or Yurio may not even qualify for the Grand Prix!”

Minami guffawed loudly, both the younger men breaking out of their bickering as Yurio threw the closest nearby skate (easily-dodgable) at Viktor’s head. “I heard that, idiot!”

Viktor merely smirked as he turned back to Yuuri. “I’m sure he’ll qualify just fine,” Yuuri smiled, “he just won’t win.” Both the Russians went wide-eyed at that, but Yuuri only gave them a wink.

“The future champion and I will be practicing. But you’re free to share the ice, Coach Viktor.” And Yuuri gave him the smuggest smirk of his own, gliding away towards his student who was practically rolling on the ice with laughter.

He didn’t have to look behind him to know Viktor watched him with a smile. But he did hear a stream of loud Russian threats from a very offended blonde.

~ - ~ -

The next Thursday, Yuuri finished once again conversing with Aki’s mother, walking her outside the rink to say goodbye and talk about her son’s progress.

“Yuuri!” Minami interrupted, waving as he hopped to the door. “Ready for more practice today?!” The young boy was always full of energy, and though the upbeatness at times exhausted Yuuri, it was nice having a student who had the same endurance and stamina that he had during his competition days.

“Of course, why don’t you start stretching inside and I’ll be there in a minute?”

Minami nodded, giving his coach a salute as he skipped towards the building.

Minutes later, Yuuri walked Aki and his mother to the car, and was surprised to turn around and see Minami waiting for him by the door.

“Why aren’t you stretching?”

“Uh… I figured you’d like to see.”

Yuuri pursed his lips at that, blinking in genuine curiosity. “See…?” he muttered, walking with a quicker pace as Minami trailed behind him.

He pushed open the doors, looking out onto the ice. His senses were suddenly flooded with the loud echoing of piano and skates against the ice.

He blinked, absorbing the scene before him. Viktor stood on the sides of the ice, a finger against his chin as Yurio did a run through of his free skate.

“Viktor? What are you--”

“Yuuri, my love!” he shouted happily, “Good to see you. Yurio and I began, but as you said last week, feel free to share!”

“Or feel free to leave!” Yurio shouted in the middle of his spin.

“Yuuri,” Minami whispered, “I guess we are sharing the ice from now on?”

Yuuri, however, was all eyes on his husband. His Viktor, who had already turned away from him and was correcting Yurio’s technique. He was flooded with the memories of when Viktor was coaching him, the passion in his eyes as he sculpted those who he deemed to have potential into the perfect skater.

Yes, it was that look in his eyes that had made Yuuri want to coach in the first place.

~ - ~ - ~

Viktor and Yuuri both stood outside the ice, eyes on their respective students as they practiced. Neither had exchanged more than a few statements with the other, meters between them. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, just one filled with a serious, busy focus.

Viktor chose to break that quiet first.

“Your student is rather good, Yuuri. He’s improved such a long way from years ago, when you were up against him.”

“Yes, he has,” Yuuri smiled proudly.

He walked over to his husband and laced their fingers together. Their careers aside, they rarely went a long period of time without some physical contact if they were in the same room. Plus, practice was almost over: soon, they’d be returning to their home, and all the domestic normalcy that came with it.

“It’s a shame, really.” Viktor muttered after a minute, his sigh a bit too theatrical.

“What’s that?” Yuuri asked, warning on his lips.

“That he has to lose to Yurio.” Viktor smirked, turning towards him.

Yuuri’s eyes narrowed, but not for long. He quickly put on his most mysterious smile, turning to his husband and putting both arms around his neck. Any suspicion Viktor had evaporated with the contact, as he distracted himself with reaching a hand to Yuuri’s neck, playing with the ends of his hair.

“I love watching you as a coach. It reminds me of when you were my coach. You were the only coach for me, Viktor,” he muttered against his husband’s ear. “Do you want to know my favorite memory?” he asked, innocent.

Viktor merely hummed in acknowledgement, too focused on brushing strands of Yuuri’s growing hair behind his ear.

Yuuri continued nonetheless. “It was when I had defeated your record at the Grand Prix final. The way you looked at me when you said I had made you so proud as a coach, and yet so excited to compete again.”

Viktors fingers stopped their teasing. “Yuuri…?”

“I’m just so excited, Viktor,” Yuuri leaned closer to his husband, meeting his wide eyes as he whispered against his lips “I just can’t wait to defeat you as a coach, too.”

Viktor blinked, cheeks pink and eyes wide, as Yuuri pecked him and skated away.

Yuuri laughed on the ice as Viktor was still at a loss for words, mouth agape.

He loved his husband dearly, as his best friend, his longtime crush, his lifelong hero. Then as a coach, a rinkmate, a lover.

But more than anything, he loved the spark in Viktor’s eyes as he saw him as an equal. A competitor. Someone that could match his genius, reflect it, and keep him going.

“Come on, Coach Viktor,” Yuuri laughed, “Don’t let me defeat you again!”

#yuri on ice #yoi #yoisecretsanta2018 #viktuuri #yoi fanfic #mine

19 notes · View notes

edwardlando · 4 years ago

Text

A definitive guide to a life well-lived

As I sat in a cab on Saturday evening being zoomed through some blurry part of Chelsea in the recklessly competent style of the New York cab driver, my friend texted me and asked how I would define a life well-lived. I assumed correctly that she was drunk.

This question brought back memories of a class I took in my senior year at Penn called “Literature of Success,” a popular one among almost-real people getting angstily ready to begin noble consulting and finance professions — both the culmination and beginning point of their lives so far. The class offered a rich reading syllabus with works from Benjamin Franklin (of course), Viktor Frankl, and others which I presently forget, and the goal was to ingest these people’s stories and eventually come to our own answer and plan to achieving success in the real world. And naturally to be graded on the quality of that plan.

I texted her back with a few spontaneous answers from my left thumb and later realized that it would be nice to expand on this list and keep it somewhere.

Here it is. I know that my answers are very influenced by my present conditions and advantages, and that some of these suggestions are more or less within our control. I’m also sure that this list will deserve to be added to and edited over time as more life is lived and more parchment unfolded.

Have a healthy and happy family.

Work every day with people you love and respect, moving toward fulfilling your potential and mission.

Make sure you live the experience of real romantic love and don’t settle until you feel it.

Make sure that your opinions and choices are really yours.

Work to be in great physical shape.

Expand continually out of your current boundaries of comfort and competence.

Do not leave any rock that you find interesting unturned. Similarly, do not let fear stop you from sampling something that you really want to do.

Pay attention to the elephants in the room. When you feel something is wrong, even if only a little, act on it immediately. You are in a position to course correct.

Be aware of your general slope, your dy/dx, and ensure that it’s sloping up and steepening. Keep accelerating.

Don’t spend much time sulking. There is no nobility in suffering for too long… unless it inspires you to compose a nice song or poem.

Reroute and leverage your anger, insecurities and other negative spirals. Make sure that they are not the only forces motivating you (otherwise you will implode) but use them as explosive fuel to propel you forward. Anger is like an extremely heavy unwieldy sword that can be very useful.

Prioritize aggressive decisiveness — even if sloppy — over over-analysis.

Realize that even though many people are wrong (except for this author), they have simply been shaped by their life so far and do not explicitly intend to be evil. Several truths can exist at once.

Do not pause your learning, even when you’re in the trenches executing on the current plan or project that has taken over your life.

Do not keep neglecting something you know is fundamentally important to you. Those things are not the same for everyone.

When the time comes, drop everything for the more important person or thing.

Ask yourself what the people you are close to are great at and suffer from. Encourage them to express their greatness more and help them navigate away from their bad habits and pain.

If you have the luxury to, make sure you work on ideas that directly improve life for people. Those that viscerally confront the human condition. There is no such thing as a dearth of ideas. As long as there is suffering, there will be great novels and also problems for you to tackle and solve. If you are in a position to try tackling one of them, it is almost your obligation. Great people will also be attracted to join you because doing something meaningful is one of the most powerful magnets that exists.

Practice random acts of kindness. You will feel good and these will compound. There is an ongoing war in the world between cynicism and naive benevolence. You are contributing to tilting the scale because your behavior is the reality of the person you are interacting with.

Do not pretend to be morally superior (unless you are on Twitter). Your human nature makes you inclined to prioritize yourself. It is hypocritical to deny this, and yet this does not stop you from becoming a kindly-motivated person.

Spend more time with people you love and who have a good influence on you and less time with people you don’t love and who don’t make you someone you are happy being. You already know who falls in which bucket.

Often ask yourself what you will regret not having done at the end of your life and the lives of the people you love… and do those things.

Remember that nothing matters. And that everything matters.

There is no right answer. There is a right answer.

Remember that everyone feels the same spotlight effect you feel. They are more distracted being self-conscious of their own appearance and barely notice you. You are wearing an invisible cloak, so have more fun and don’t worry about how you look on the dance floor.

Realize that most of what you want is within your reach, usually only a few good decisions away.

Prioritize the spontaneous plan over the planned plan. Sunk costs are a real thing.

Speaking of… the thing about cognitive biases is that even very savvy people fall for them. Sunk cost, confirmation bias, loss aversion, endowment effect, anchoring, halo effect, mere exposure effect, bandwagon effect… there are more. Learn about psychology and behavioral economics because you will learn about yourself and discover some of the hidden forces that have been barring you from making the progress you want. Being able to name them is already a big win toward neutralizing them.

While we’re on the topic of savvy people, keep in mind that even the most professionally accomplished among us frequently make terrible decisions in other parts of their lives. Don’t think that someone is necessarily correct across the board because they stand out on one dimension. Similarly, don’t think that just because someone has made a lot of money they are by definition unhappy in the other parts of their lives.

You’re at your worst when you focus on the success of other people and wish it were yours. It’s the biggest and most demoralizing distraction to anyone ambitious. Let them live their lives and focus on your own story.

Never delay telling people you love them. You should take the chances you get and you don’t know what a powerful effect you have on them by telling them that.

Remember that you too are maddening to the people you love, so don’t sabotage your closest relationships over stupid things. You do those things too, or have other charmingly infuriating habits.

Change your mind decisively when you have realized that you are wrong. You are a work in progress and only the truth and resolution matter.

Write the list of things you’ve been wanting to do for a long time, and go down the list doing them now.

No one — not even your spouse or best friend — can or will ever quench your every need and desire. Do not expect that of them and you will put less strain on your relationship.

Enjoy the warm, snug feeling of being dependent on someone but make sure you are autonomous enough to thrive independently and venture out into the snowy woods alone should need be.

Rarely is it worth using your energy to retaliate against someone who has wronged you (unless they are actively still doing so). You will create more value by continuing to create and ignoring them.

The most redoubtable people are not those who get into street fights.

Choose partners who do not have a fixed-pie view of the world. That paradigm is very difficult to unlearn and is unfortunately tainting.

Realize that relationships compound dramatically over time. Be loyal to the people around you and continue to write the story together. You can move so much faster when you have deep-rooted trust.

If you’ve observed yourself mentioning or noticing something more than a couple of times, pay real attention to it. It is likely very important and should be addressed now.

Think of yourself as a professional athlete, aiming for daily excellence. Now balance this image with the realization that it is a handful of key decisions and events every year that will shape your life. Create and wait for those.

Travel is wonderful, but do not try to use it to run away from facing the important questions head-on.

People only share 1% of their lives publicly. So don’t let Instagram (and people’s selective sharing) make you sad.

“When the student is ready, the master appears.” You are an agent of your own life, and yet.. some of the things you most desire cannot be brute-forced into reality, often because they are not external. Perhaps you haven’t yet found your life partner because there is still a little tinkering to be done on yourself.

It is possible — and sometimes really worth — fixing broken relationships (of all types). If you feel like something ended for the wrong reasons and you miss it, you should put your ego aside and give it a sincere shot.

Speak well of people behind their back and criticize them (if you have to) to their face.

Deliberately expose yourself to more randomness. Enjoy seeing if you can break something about your model of the world.

Let your heroes teach you about general strategy and incite you to do great things, but do not attempt to replicate their exact execution.

If you know you’ve made a mistake and it’s not too late, you should consider yourself incredibly lucky and go fix things immediately.

Don’t do things that compromise your integrity. It is — per the definition of the word — what makes you whole.

Fun is not only reason enough, but one of the best reasons to do something.

If you often tell people you’re not good at something, decide if you want that to be the case of the rest of your life or if you want to try to become good at it.

You’ll be surprised at how good you can become at most things if you apply yourself to it for a year or two. Try it and tell me.

A few subjects worth taking one class in at some point in your life: dance (especially before wedding season), public speaking and / or stand-up comedy, cooking, wine (so you can at least distinguish between more than just white vs red). Knowing just a little bit more than nothing here will feel great and goes a long way.

Go on more road trips.

Keep note along the way of things that you will want to share with your children (even if you don’t want children).

The world is scary, random and unfair. The world is wonderful and kind and always conspiring in your favor (as Coelho would say).

Never let events or people extinguish your fire and love for living. You are alive when you are burning.

Your intuitive voice is the one that is correct.

#guide #life #well-lived

0 notes

livixbobbiex · 7 years ago

Text

YOI Hogwarts House Sorting (and accidental deep character analysis)

So I’ve yet to see anybody actually disagree with me, but with all the HP buzz at the moment I really want to back myself up. Warning that this is obviously my own opinion, and whilst I think I’m right, it’s alright to have your own headcanon. (Strap yourselves in because this became a deep character study)

Why I see Yuuri Katsuki as a Slytherin

I have, to be fair, seen this around quite a bit. First and foremost, Yuuri Katsuki is a Slytherin because he hates losing. Not just dislikes it on a healthy level, but becomes devastated (even being the sixth best figure skater in the world threw Yuuri into months of depression). Yuuri is ever only truly happy with gold, which is very, very Slytherin.

Secondly his friendships. Yuuri, in general, surrounds himself with a small group. Although often we see Slytherins grouping together (especially in the Harry Potter books) as a means of survival, in general a Slytherin will only have a few close friends. Trust is very important, as a Slytherin wants to remain on top, the less people who know your secrets, the less there are to potentially use them against you. Slytherins very much value the close relationships they do have, and will extend their loyalties far. You can blame this somewhat on anxiety, but we see it takes Yuuri a lot to trust people that do approach him, ultimately allowing him for form pretty deep relationships, in contrast to the many acquaintances a Gryffindor or Hufflepuff tends to make, with those who he does let in.

Let’s not forget that he does show his cunning side too. It’s not the most obvious of all his traits, but we do see it. An example is the way he reacts when Yurio is insulting him in episode two, asking where Viktor is. Yuuri, in that scene, recognises that Yurio is underestimating him, and leads him to Viktor with the full knowledge that he is right and Yurio is wrong. There’s the fact that Yuuri knows he’s never going to win as the playboy, and pretty cunningly changes his tactic in a way that will give him the edge. Not to mention the episode 10 “take me sight seeing” demand, which, especially with the BD added wink, comes off as a tiny bit manipulative to me. And most importantly, the fact that he performs Viktor’s signature move to get his attention. Not to up his score to ensure a win, but literally because he knows it will get a reaction.

And the clincher for me is his ambition. Because seriously, it takes a certain kind of person to watch the best person in the world at something, and not only pursue that career path, but become obsessed with the idea of becoming just as good. This plays into the fact that he hates losing too, but seriously, even for a Slytherin Yuuri gets a bit extreme with this. (And I do think it’s much different from simple inspiration, otherwise Yuuri would never have fought so hard in the first place)

Why I see Viktor Nikiforov as a Ravenclaw

This seems to be incredibly rare. And whilst I do see the arguments for the other houses more than I would with putting Yuuri in another house, I always think Ravenclaw fit him pretty nicely.

So Ravenclaw are often regarded as ‘book-smart’ which is something Viktor kind of isn’t? He’s pretty ditsy and whimsical in his portrayal. However, one thing that people often forget is that genius isn’t always sitting in a classroom. Viktor is easily a creative genius, more so than any of the other skaters. He choreographs himself, chooses music himself, tells a story himself etc. etc. This is what makes him so untouchable, because nobody else can even come close to this level of inventiveness and creativity (also important Ravenclaw traits). Also individuality, which is another part of the Ravenclaw personality, which is pretty obvious with the way Viktor wants to surprise his audience so much every time.

Not that I want to put a downer on Viktor’s obvious intelligence either. As we saw from the BD release, Viktor’s apartment is filled with books. He speaks three languages fluently, and likely at this point speaks a fourth conversationally (considering he lived in Japan for nearly a year). And whilst we all joke about him splurging on Yuuri, he’s obviously pretty good with money to be as comfortably rich as he is (he even says “I wish we could have gone shopping when the Euro was weaker” which signifies that he cares about that kind of thing). His knowing how to work an audience is also pretty Ravenclaw.

He also does display he has the typical quick tongue of a Ravenclaw too within the series. A particular example that comes to mind is his episode ten conversation with Yuri, when he quickly responds to his insults of Yuuri.

Why I see Yuri Plisetsky as a Slytherin

The reasoning here is clear as Yuri is absolute text book. He’s ambitious, pretty cunning (manages to leave Russia without anybody noticing, starts raising his arms in jumps to secure himself more points), resourceful in that whilst he’s not the best skilled skater, he manages to win anyway. Again, like Yuuri, doesn’t have a large group of friends. He’s also always seemed a bit elitist to me in the way that he treats Yuuri, at least at first. First and foremost, being on top is Yuri’s priority, so whilst he does have his loyalties, they don’t come naturally to him (case and point with the whole Agape drama in episode three).

Why I see Otabek Altin as a Gryffindor

Again, this is pretty textbook. He doesn’t have enough screen time and isn’t characterised complexly enough to tell us otherwise. He’s literally called ‘the hero of Kazakhstan’ which practically screams Gryffindor. We see him act chivalrously on multiple occasions, in saving Yuri from the crowd, or in the manga in not wanting him to come clubbing for moral reasons. Even though he doesn’t have the natural talent of the other skaters, he doesn’t give up. It also seems pretty brave to me that he toured the world from a young age in pursuit of training. If anybody has any doubts, just listen to his monologue during his FS in episode 12, it screams Gryffindor.

Why I see Christophe Giacometti as a Ravenclaw

I think this is a little disputable and feel I could put him in any house, again due to a lack of screen time. However, I would mainly default to Ravenclaw. Though he’s not as creative as Viktor is, he knows his own strength and channels it in everything he does. He has an advantage, and intelligently uses it. We also see him saving his performances for a later peak in the final, which is pretty tactical and intelligent.

Not to mention he kind of gives off a pretty sophisticated air that I’d naturally associate with a Ravenclaw.

Note that I do recognise he certainly has the ambition of a Slytherin. However, I don’t think it’s quite enough on its own.

Why I see JJ Leroy as a Gryffindor

JJ, I think, largely is a Gryffindor as he doesn’t fit into anywhere else massively. However, he displays the negative arrogance often associated with the house, and likes being the centre of attention in that kind of way. I also think he was pretty brave to do so when in his FS at the GPF after falling so hard during the SP (during which he didn’t give up), which takes a lot of nerve.

Why I see Phichit Chulanont as a Hufflepuff

Phichit just kind of feels like he’d belong in Hufflepuff to be honest. Although he’s obviously ambitious, the rest of his personality cancels it out. It never really feels like personal success with Phichit, though, always more like he’s doing it for the sake of his country. His huge group of friends and relationships also scream Hufflepuff; he’s friendly and accepting. And regardless of not speaking to Yuuri for months, he keeps that loyalty and talks to him like no time has actually passed.

146 notes · View notes

vivithefolle · 5 years ago

Note

I love your analysis about the Cho/Ron interaction, but I'm just curious as to how Harmionie shipping Quorans would respond to it if you post it there. Knowing them, they'd probably see it as more proof that Harmony works because "Look! Hermione doesn't care when Harry is tactless but she can't stop nagging Ron when he is tactless!" 🤣 Seriously, though. Hermione is WAY nicer to Harry than she is to Ron. Come to think of it, Hermione is nicer to most people than she is to Ron.

Aaaah, well that’s simply because Hermione is… awful.No, no, seriously, when Hermione is in love, she’s terrible. She can be a nice friend but when she’s in love with you she’s horrible. Especially since she’s a teenager.

Hermione is a prime example of a Tsundere.

“How was practice?” asked Hermione rather coolly half an hour later, as Harry and Ron climbed through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room.“It was -” Harry began. “Completely lousy,” said Ron in a hollow voice, sinking into a chair beside Hermione. She looked up at Ron and her frostiness seemed to melt. - Order of the Phoenix

Rare footage of the Hermione Granger, scientific name Selfinsertus Overratedus, displaying interest in specimen of mighty fine hunk

You see, Hermione is never going to make the first move. You must be the one to ask her out, because she sure as hell ain’t going to do it for you.

Which is why she doesn’t realize that Ron is actually aware he loves her. There’s a big comedy of assumptions going on in Romione’s love story.

Hermione believes that Ron either 1) likes her but is oblivious to his own feelings and so she thinks she has to “give him hints” to make him realize it. Emphasized best by this exchange:

Hermione laughed.“Harry you’re worse than Ron… well, no, you’re not, “ she sighed, as Ron himself came stumping into the Hall splattered with mud and looking grumpy. “Look - you upset Cho when you said you were going to meet me, so she tried to make you jealous. It was her way of trying to find out how much you liked her.”“Is that what she was doing?” said Harry, as Ron dropped on to the bench opposite them and pulled every dish within reach towards him. “Well, wouldn’t it have been easier if she’d just asked me whether I liked her better than you?”“Girls don’t often ask questions like that,” said Hermione.

“I’ve sent him so many signals and yet he doesn’t notice. Woe is me!”

2) doesn’t actually likes her, but sees her just as a good mate or worse, as another sister.

“We’re allowed to bring guests,” said Hermione, […], “and I was going to ask you to come, but […] I won’t bother.”

“I was going to ask you to come but I won’t bother.”

This is literally what she said. It’s more of a “look Ron! An invite! If you’re good maybe I’ll think about letting you have it!” than anything else.

It’s because this is Hermione’s last resort. The ultimate humiliation. She has to resort to inviting Ron when in her mind, he’s supposed to be the one asking her out. He’s the boy! He’s supposed to do it!(And this is why I laugh at all the fools who claim that Hermione is the pinnacle of feminism. Seriously, the girl is more of a misogynist than any other character in the series.)

Hermione failed to take into account that Ron’s insecurity cripples him worse than she imagines, and that he copes with it differently than she copes with her own insecurities.

And this is the part where I explain about Hermione’s hatred of being vulnerable.

You see, I can relate quite a lot to Hermione - I see a lot of me in her, and a lot of people who hurt me in the past as well.

Hence why you start despising any form of vulnerability you find in yourself.

(As much as I’m disillusioned with Romione, this kiss is still one of my favourite parts of the series. They mutually sweep each other off their feet for god’s sake, you wish your ship would.)

#ask #vivi answers #hermione granger #ron weasley #analysis #hp analysis #character analysis #harry potter #romione #shipping #hermione granger critical #hermione critical #ron x hermione #ron weasley defense squad #ron weasley defence squad

126 notes · View notes

wemermaid4this · 8 years ago

Note

The yurio with mono was amazing! Would you be willing to do a companion fic to show Otabek with it?

I apologize that I just don’t think I know Otabek well enough to write him with Mono, but here is how Otabek and Yurio got Mono. ;)(I ship them together… but they just aren’t at that stage in my writing yet…maybe one day)

MONO (prequel)He didn’t understand why he was up at this hour. Resting his head on the cold table, he hoped it would help release sometension on his pounding headache.Adjusting himself at the kitchen table so he could take a look at his phone, he squinted his eyes as he stared into the bright light.

[Coffee next week? Yuri-P]

He kept staring at the question on his screen; it was sent to him late last night but he couldn’t make any sense of it then and he couldn’t now.Lifting his head from the counter Otabek scrubbed the fog from his eyes.

[Yes. Saturday after practice? Ota-A]

After the fiasco in Barcelona, Otabek had made an effort to spend more time with Yuri which in time led to an open invitation by Yakov to continue his training at his rink. Making the adjustments from Almaty to St. Petersburg was difficult, but his family found this a “blessing in disguise.”What better way to enhance you training then to work under the scrutiny of Yakov Feltsman?Yakov was a strict man, but he coached Legendary World Champion Viktor, and with Yuri’s Gold at his Senior Debut in the Grand Prix…well, he couldn’t lie that this was the perfect opportunity for him as a figure skater.This however, had more consequences then it did benefits.Yakov found the boy, had a lot of work that needed be done, and if he was going to practice and compete with his Russian Skaters, well he was going to need to work twice as hard.

He blamed the stiff muscles to over exerting himself, but today he felt like the slight movement left aches in his joints. It left a burning sensation through his body, and as a result he could not sleep, so he stayed wide awake waiting for the sun to rise.Practice was terrible, if he thought all this extra training was going to make him better, then he was wrong.Just the thought of coming to the rink each day made him exhausted. His time with Yakov was separate from the rest of the team, the coach had a logical explanation for all this, but Otabek could not remember why. The only thing that kept him moving each day, was the reward of spending some deserved time off with his new Russian friend.Coughing into his hand for the the 5th time that morning, he screwed up his hand placement and as a product he missed his jump…again.“Altin!”Shit… He thought.“Is there a reason why you won’t jump, are you injured, or do you think it’s funny to disobey my orders?”“Just my throat sir.” He rasped.“You have been blatantly ignoring my training regimen for you this week… is, "A Sore Throat, Your final answer?” Trying to swallow the marble stuck in his throat, he nodded.There is a soft sigh before, Yakov shakes his head and mumbles something under his breath.“Get out of here, I don’t want to see you here until, You plan to take this seriously…”“Coach!” He rasped.“Otabek,” he lays his hand on the boys shoulder.“I’m an old man, and I’m not going to get younger. You are in a new place, with new people…I won’t waste my time with someone who doesn’t want to be here.”

It was meant to be wisdom from the wise, but Otabek could taste the disappointment leaking fromHis mouth.“Coach…I want to be here.” He sniffed, he hadn’t felt this defeated since the last time he was in Yakov presence 5 years ago. He knew that Yakov meant well, but he blamed the headache that he had been sporting all week for his emotions being out of control.“Get some rest, decide what you want todo, and I hope to see you again Monday.” As Yakov was leaving, Otabek could feel the adrenaline that kept him moving on ice, seeped out of bones leaving him cold and shaking.Honestly the only thing that kept him from going home and sleeping for a year, was having coffee with Yuri.Coughing most of the way to the coffee shop that Yuri had told him to meet at, he was sure that the marble he tried to swallow earlier was getting bigger.Wincing at the pain, he rubbed at his neck wondering if the swollen bump he could feel on his throats was showing.He intended to check his throats in a restroom at the cafe, but seeing Yuri sitting with a cup already in hand, well it brought a warmth to his face and some relief to see the boy already here waiting.“Otabek!” Yuri called waving his coffee in the air.Following Yuri’s voice like a lost dog he was able to take a seat across the table from the blonde boy.“Yuri. Hi.” Speaking out loud reminded him of his sore throat, so he tried to keep his talking to a minimum.Hi yourself. Did you finish early with Yakov? I didn’t think you would be done yet.“Taking a look at the clock behind Yuri, he realized he was right, they had another 30 minute before they were suppose to meet."He yelled at me, then sent me home early.” He whispered.“Yakov is a jerk, forget him, he is probably still upset that Lilia is living with him right now, so he take it out on us skaters.” Yuri assumes, his Russian Accent thick with his home region.“I’ve never been here.” Otabek says, trying to direct the conversation away from skating.“They have good coffee, when I moved here as a kid, I fell in love with this place because it reminded me of Moscow.” He explains.Otabek just smiles. He’s tired and feeling flushed, but hearing Yuri talk is almost soothing.“Are you gonna get coffee?”Now that he’s here, he not thirsty. Honestly he isn’t even sure he could swallow any liquid not that he thinks about it.“I wouldn’t know what to get…”Yuri pushes his mug in front of Otabek.“Here.”He hesitant to pick it up, but the expression on Yuri’s face is imposing. So he picks it up and takes a sip.It’s alarmingly sweet, but when he thinks about Yuri, he isn’t surprised.“It’s good.” He lies. He can’t pinpoint the exact taste because he’s to busy focusing on the heat that pounding on his forehead, but he trust that the Russian blonde has good taste.“It’s my favorite type of drink, if you want I can order this for you.”Otabek silently declines.He ends up with a glass of water, and though it feels good against throat, it also burns.“Are you okay?” Yurio asked. He’s surprised by the boys silence, they tend to have more to talk about, but Otabek has kept his questions and answers short.“Just tired. A little worried about working with Yakov, but I think I’ll be okay.”Yurio finishes his coffee.“Yakov is just tough cause he sees your potential. If you need to rest, then rest. Even Yakov isn’t that mean.” Taking advise from the coaches favorite, at the moment is more or less useless, but he appreciates the concern, and take it to heart.Otabek rubs at his throat for quick measure.Neither Otabek or Yuri are aware of the road ahead.

#yoi #sickfic #yuri plisetsky #otabek x yurio #Mono #Please leave me feedback #I don't know where my stories are going anymore #lol

13 notes · View notes

alltimebestbooks · 4 years ago

Text

All Time Best Books

1. Attitude Is Everything: Change Your Attitude ... Change Your Life!

Do you dread going to work? Do you feel tired, unhappy, weighed down? Have you given up on your dreams? The road to a happier, more successful life starts with your attitude-and your attitude is within your control. Whether your outlook is negative, positive or somewhere in between, Jeff Keller, motivational speaker and coach, will show you how to take control and unleash your hidden potential through three powerful steps: -THINK! Success begins in the mind. The power of attitude can change your destiny. -SPEAK! Watch your words. How you speak can propel you towards your goals. -ACT! Don't sit back. Take active steps to turn your dreams into reality. Soon, you will be energized and see new possibilities. You will be able to counter adversities and develop talents unique to you. Your relationships will improve, both at work and in your personal life. All you need is this step-by-step programme to change your attitude and your life!

2. Life Is What You Make It

Life Is What You Make It is based on a love story that has been set in India in the 90s. It has been described by the readers as a book portraying how love, hope and determination can together win over even the destiny. It is a gripping tale of few significant years of the protagonist’s life.

The novel revolves around a woman in her 20s, Ankita, who has a past haunting her like a nightmare. As she grows up from adolescence to a woman in her mid-20s, she wades through different situations, engages in affairs with a couple of guys and is set-back by her parents’ refusal to accept her situation. As a result of non-stop upheavals in her life, Ankita develops bipolar disorder at one point in time.

The story revolves around Ankita’s struggles, determination, her decisions and her faith in self. The book beautifully describes how she gets acquainted with her bipolar disorder, how she decides to help her own self and how she battles these situations all by herself. The title of the book in a way describes the central theme of the book but the manner in which Preeti drove home the point through an interesting story, is delightful.

3. Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of Abdul Kalam

The book recollects many anecdotes and stories from childhood, his time at school and college. The time spent at the Langley Research Center, NASA and Wallops Flight Facility gets a lot of attention.

Personal tragedies have not been left out. The time when he lost his father and how he felt when conferred with many awards like the Padma Bhushan have been written in much detail.

The second half of the book deals with Dr Kalam, the scientist who made a significant contribution in developing the countries guided missile program, a pioneering effort for the security of the nation. It's not with reason that he was nicknamed as the 'Missile Man of India'. The book also contains 24 photographs at various stages of his life.

Authored by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Mr. Arun Tiwari, the 180 page book 'The Wings of Fire' was first published in the year 2000. Mr Tiwari is a well-known missile scientist who has worked with Dr. Kalam. Having become a bestseller, the book has even been translated into thirteen languages, which includes Chinese and French.

4. The Girl In Room 105 - Ek Unlove Story

Hi, I’m Keshav, and my life is screwed. I hate my job and my girlfriend left me. Ah, the beautiful Zara. Zara is from Kashmir. She is a Muslim. And did I tell you my family is a bit, well, traditional? Anyway, leave that.

Zara and I broke up four years ago. She moved on in life. I didn’t. I drank every night to forget her. I called, messaged, and stalked her on social media. She just ignored me.

However, that night, on the eve of her birthday, Zara messaged me. She called me over, like old times, to her hostel room 105. I shouldn’t have gone, but I did… and my life changed forever.

This is not a love story. It is an unlove story.

From the author of Five Point Someone and 2 States, comes a fast-paced, funny and unputdownable thriller about obsessive love and finding purpose in life against the backdrop of contemporary India.

5. Rich Dad Poor Dad : What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! Mass Market Paperback –by Robert T. Kiyosaki

It has since become the #1 Personal Finance book of all time... translated into dozens of languages and sold around the world.

Rich Dad Poor Dad is Robert's story of growing up with two dads — his real father and the father of his best friend, his rich dad — and the ways in which both men shaped his thoughts about money and investing. The book explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich and explains the difference between working for money and having your money work for you.

6. Man's Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust by Viktor E Frankl

Man's Search for Meaning was first published in 1946. Victor Frankl was a leading psychologist in Vienna when he was arrested for being a Jew during the Nazi regime. He survived holocaust and used his experiences to write this book. He propounded the theory that it is Man's constant search for meaning that allows him to survive even the most brutal, the most degrading situations in his life.

He said there are only two races in the world, the decent and indecent. They will maintain their innate beliefs, no matter which side they are on. The decent ones will try to help the fellow human beings and the indecent ones will be selfish and serve themselves at the cost to the others.

7. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself

8. Who Will Cry When You Die? by Robin Sharma

Do You Feel that life is slipping by so fast that you might never get the chance to live with the meaning, happiness and joy you know you deserve? If so, then this book will be the guiding light that leads you to a brilliant new way of living.

In this easy-to-read yet wisdom-rich manual, the author offers 101 simple solutions to life’s most complex problems, ranging from a little-known method for beating stress and worry to a powerful way to enjoy the journey while you create a legacy that lasts.

“When You Were Born, You Cried While The World Rejoiced. Live Your Life In Such A Way That When You Die, The World Cries While You Rejoice.” Ancient Sanskrit Saying

9. The Intelligent Investor

It is a widely acclaimed book by Benjamin Graham on value investing. Written by one of the greatest investment advisers of twentieth century, the book aims at preventing potential investors from substantial errors and also teaches them strategies to achieve long-term investment goals.

Over the years, investment market has been following teachings and strategies of Graham for growth and development. In the book, Graham has explained various principles and strategies for investing safely and successfully without taking bigger risks. Modern-day investors still continue to use his proven and well-executed techniques for value investment.

The current edition highlights some of the important concepts that are useful for latest financial orders and plans. Keeping Graham's unique text in original form, the book focuses on major principles that can be applied in day-to-day life. All the concepts and principles are explained with the help of examples for better clarity and understanding of the financial world.

Combination of original plan of Graham and the current financial situations are the reason behind this book’s preference today’s investors. It is a detailed version with several wisdom quotes that are likely to change one’s investing career and lead to the path of financial safety and security.

10. Elon Musk: How the Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla is Shaping our Future

The book captures the life and achievements of South African interpreter and innovator, Elon Musk, the brain behind series of successful enterprises such as PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX and Solarcity. The real-life inspiration of the Iron Man Series, Musk wants to be the saviour of the planet, send people into space and set up a colony on Mars.

Bullied in school and scolded tremendously by his father, Musk was actually a brilliant student and his life story is nothing less than a drama packed film. Ashlee Vance’s brilliant description of Musk's character, simple language and neat choice of words indeed makes this book a great read.

Considered by some as the innovation, entrepreneurial Steve Jobs of the present and future, Elon Musk became a billionaire early in life with his successful online ventures. One of the successful companies that he co-founded was the online payment gateway PayPal that was later acquired by e-Bay in 2002.

Getting sacked as the CEO, Musk did not cease to amaze friend and foes alike with his out of the box ideas, like investing in rockets! Needless to say, this deconstructed obsession with technology had his marital life go haywire.

The book 'Elon Musk: How the Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and TESLA is Shaping Our Future’ is a brilliant and intelligent account of this genius young 'iron man’ told in a gripping manner. Available in paperback from Penguin Random House publication, the book was published in 2015.

11. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do, and How to Change

We can always change. In The Power of Habit, award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg translates cutting-edge behavioural science into practical self-improvement action, distilling advanced neuroscience into fascinating narratives of transformation.

Why can some people and companies change overnight, and some stay stuck in their old ruts? The answer lies deep in the human brain, and The Power of Habits reveals the secret pressure points that can change a life. From Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps to Martin Luther King Jr., from the CEO of Starbucks to the locker rooms of the NFL, Duhigg explores the incredible results of keystone habits, and how they can make all the difference between billions and millions, failure and success – or even life and death.

The Power of Habit makes an exhilarating case: the key to almost any door in life is instilling the right habit. From exercise to weight loss, childrearing to productivity, market disruption to social revolution, and above all success, the right habits can change everything.

Habits aren't destiny. They’re science, one which can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.

12. How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships

Perfect your people skills with his fun, witty and informative guide, containing 92 little tricks to create big success in personal and business relationships. In How to Talk to Anyone, bestselling relationships author and internationally renowned life coach Leil Lowndes reveals the secrets and psychology behind successful communication. These extremely usable and intelligent techniques include how to:

Work a party like a politician works a room

Be an insider in any crowd

Use key words and phrases to guide the conversation

Use body language to connect

This is the key to having successful conversations with anyone, any time.

13. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma

In the book, the reader goes through a spiritual journey and into a very old culture that has gathered much wisdom over the millennia. The book advocates about how to live happily, think deep and rightly, value time and relationships, be more disciplined, follow the heart’s call and live every moment of the life.

Written in simple words, the book has turned out to be a bestseller and is more than just an endearing story. Through storytelling, Robin Sharma showcases the miracles and wonders of living a fulfilling life. In the process, the book introduces readers to enlightening yet simple principles that vouch to make life better, happier and more meaningful.

A bestselling novel, what readers all over the globe appreciate about this book is its deft amalgam of the philosophies from both western and eastern worlds. The book has been followed by important personalities around the world.

14. Becoming: Now a Major Netflix Documentary by Michelle obama

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WATCH THE NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

15. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

“Every so often a book comes along that not only alters the lives of readers but leaves an imprint on the culture itself. The 7 Habits is one of those books.” —Daniel Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When and Drive

One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for 25 years. It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents—in short, millions of people of all ages and occupations across the world. This twenty-fifth anniversary edition of Stephen Covey’s cherished classic commemorates his timeless wisdom, and encourages us to live a life of great and enduring purpose.

16. Warren Buffett: The Life Lessons & Rule For Success

He’s been consistently voted one of the wealthiest people in the world. Time Magazine also voted him as one of the most influential people in the world; widely considered to be the most successful investor of the entire 20th century.

In short, Warren Buffett is a boss.

The man knows a thing or two about success. With a net worth of $77.1 billion, the billionaire investor's fabled business acumen has inspired everything from investment books to college courses. He is known to favor long-term investment strategies, like dollar cost averaging, which encourages the regular purchase of the same investment over time. He also has long-standing holdings in the Coca-Cola Company, Apple, and American Express among others. His now infamous letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders help shed light into how the man they call the “Oracle of Omaha,” reads the tealeaves.

This book takes a look at Buffett’s life. From humble beginnings in Omaha, up to present day where the 86 year old is still going strong. We take a look at his first taste of business at the ripe old age of 6, following on with his major successes and failures along the way. The aim of this book is to be educational and inspirational with actionable principles you can incorporate into your own life straight from the great man himself.

17. The Power of Positive Thinking

An international bestseller with over five million copies in print, The Power of Positive Thinking has helped men and women around the world to achieve fulfillment in their lives through Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s powerful message of faith and inspiration.

In this phenomenal bestseller, “written with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life,” Dr. Peale demonstrates the power of faith in action. With the practical techniques outlined in this book, you can energize your life—and give yourself the initiative needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes

18. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

Stress is a lot like love - hard to define, but you know it when you feel it. In this classic work, 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living', Carnegie offers a set of practical formulas that you can put to work today. It is a book packed with lessons that will last a lifetime and make that lifetime happier! This book will explore the nature of stress and how it infiltrates every level of your life, including the physical, emotional, cognitive, relational and even spiritual. Through techniques that get to the heart of your unique stress response, and an exploration of how stress can affect your relationships, you'll discover how to control stress instead of letting it control you. This book shows you how. Using the power of habit and several techniques for smoothing out the stressful wrinkles in our day-to-day lives, we'll move towards a real-world solution to living with less stress, more confidence and a deep spiritual resilience that will insulate you from the inevitable pressures of life. The target of the book is to help readers understand what suits their respective lives best to help them reframe it in a constructive manner, subtracting worry from it and how they could focus on living each day with joy and contentment. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) was an American writer and lecturer and the developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking and interpersonal skills. He was born in an impoverished family in Maryville, Missouri. Carnegie harboured a strong love and passion for public speaking from a very early age and was very proactive in debate in high school. During the early 1930's, he was renowned and very famous for his books and a radio program. 'When How to Win Friends and Influence People' was published in 1930, it became an instant success and subsequently became one of the biggest bestsellers of all time. Carnegie loved teaching others to climb the pillars of success. His valuable and tested advice was used in many domains and has been the inspiration of many famous people's success. One of the core ideas in his books is that it is possible to change other people's behavior by changing one's reaction to them.

19. The Atomic Habit by James Clear

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving - every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, listeners will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field

20. Sapiens - A Brief History Of Humankind

From a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity's creation and evolution - a number one international best seller - that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be "human".

One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one - Homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?

Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago, with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.

Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because, over the last few decades, humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?

This provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential for aficionados of Jared Diamond, James Gleick, Matt Ridley, Robert Wright, and Sharon Moalem.

#allyimebestbooks #bestbooks

0 notes

foursproutwealth-blog · 7 years ago

Text

The Founders of Celeb-Favorite Shoe Brand Allbirds Explain Why Being Told to Raise Money Was the Worst Advice They Ever Received

New Post has been published on http://foursprout.com/wealth/the-founders-of-celeb-favorite-shoe-brand-allbirds-explain-why-being-told-to-raise-money-was-the-worst-advice-they-ever-received/

The Founders of Celeb-Favorite Shoe Brand Allbirds Explain Why Being Told to Raise Money Was the Worst Advice They Ever Received

April 26, 2018 10 min read

Editor’s Note: Entrepreneur’s “20 Questions” series features both established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs and asks them a number of questions about what makes them tick, their everyday success strategies and advice for aspiring founders.

As the co-founders of two-year-old footwear startup Allbirds, Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger’s biggest goal is to make stylish, comfortable and most importantly, sustainable shoes that ensure your actual footprint doesn’t compromise your environmental one.

Brown hails from New Zealand and comes to the world of entrepreneurship via an unexpected path. Though he always had a passion for design and studied it in school, his first job was as a professional soccer player. Highlights of his athletic career included being the co-captain of New Zealand’s national team during the 2010 World Cup.

Zwillinger, with his background in engineering, had a slightly more traditional launching pad. He has an MBA from Wharton and worked at Goldman Sachs and Deloitte, and held a leadership role at Solazyme, a company that makes products out of algae — which made him familiar with and intrigued by the potential of developing a business around renewable resources.

Today, Brown’s initial idea — that long-lasting shoes could be made with materials like wool, tree fiber, castor bean oil and recycled plastic — has yielded them a raft of A-list fans including Mindy Kaling and Jennifer Garner, two stores in San Francisco and New York, partnerships with big name retailers like Nordstrom and more than $27 million in funding from investors. As of this spring, the company has sold one million pairs of shoes.

We caught up with Brown and Zwillinger to ask them 20 Questions and find out what makes them tick.

Related: Use This Successful Entrepreneur’s Scheduling Secret to Have Your Most Productive Day

1. How do you start your day? Joey Zwillinger: I wake up between 6:00 and 7:00 am, with someone the age of 4 or below yelling at me. I make them breakfast and lunch, and then do 15 other things before I race out the door. I use my car ride to get myself focused to work because my home gives me zero ability to be focused.

2. How do you end your day? Tim Brown: I like to end my day with reading. It’s a helpful way for me to clear my mind and stop it racing before I go to sleep. If I don’t do that, I found myself checking off my to-do list late into the night, which is not always healthy. Reading is my way of was resetting.

3. What’s a book that changed your mind and why? Brown: Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It’s about Abraham Lincoln and the formation of his cabinet. The guy had remarkable persistence. I forget how many times he lost the elections before he won, and how he taught himself to read.

4. What’s a book you always recommend and why? Zwillinger: I always recommend Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankel. It is a story of the Holocaust, but it’s also a story about hope and optimism — knowing that no matter what situation you’re in, you have the ability to make a great life and make something positive happen.

Related: Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran Explains Why You Must Make Time in Your Schedule For Fun

5. What’s a strategy to keep focused? Zwillinger: Find the time to clear my head. That’s not something I can do every day, but I do love to step back and do an activity that is more hobby-oriented. I love doing woodwork. It is very cathartic and enables me to not have any distractions and regain a center. We make all our conference tables here as a team. We all take raw, ethically harvested red wood, sand it down, finish it and put some legs on it.

6. When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? Brown: One was a soccer player, and I was very fortunate enough to make that happen. The second one was to be an architect, and I failed miserably at that. But I did study design and that was something that I fell in love with and is a big part of what we’re doing today.

7. What did you learn from the worst boss you ever had? Zwillinger: This boss had a very firm view that if he says to do X, I’m supposed to do X, and I can absolutely not do Y, even if I think Y would be of benefit to the group or the company. I realized that for me, as a management philosophy and a technique, I love to have people to set stretch objectives. I love the set people free with that creativity.

8. Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work? Tim: My dad, who taught me to never ever give up. I know it’s a cliched thing, but at certain moments certainly through the Allbirds journey, [I remember that advice to] keep on going. Certainly, in my sporting career, there’s something about stepping into the arena and trying to do something that plenty of people would tell you is a bad idea. You got to use that as fuel rather than listening to that.

9. What’s a trip that changed you? Zwillinger: I was 16 years old and staying at a family’s house in a mountain town in Mexico for a month. I fell in love with the Mexican culture and fell in love with the idea of traveling alone. I have since taken many months-long walkabouts throughout the world because of it. I love to see what different cultures have to offer.

Related: Health and Beauty Mogul Bobbi Brown Shares The Biggest Time Sucker — and What You Can Do About It

10. What inspires you? Zwillinger: I’ve been inspired by business leaders who have the courage to stand up and speak out publicly about a set of values they have, even at the risk of ostracizing some of their customers. Having the conviction to be authentic, be who you are and stand up for things that are important — that’s something that has recently been giving me a whole lot of inspiration. Howard Schultz is a good example of someone who I think is doing a phenomenal job.

11. What was your first business idea and what did you do with it? Brown: The first business idea I ever had was that shoes could be made out of wool, and they might be more comfortable. It was a bad idea long before it was even close to being a good one. But it became Allbirds, and it is something I’m glad I stuck with.

12. What was an early job that taught you something important or useful? Zwillinger: I was a lift operator at Northstar in Tahoe, and I learned about the great challenges and opportunities of being in a service business.

13. What’s the best advice you ever took? Brown: One is listening to feedback is really important, but equally ignoring feedback is really important, too. There is the sweet spot where you’re able listen and take things on board, but also filter through your own lens.

14. What’s the worst piece of advice you ever got? Zwillinger: Get as much money as you possibly can raise. Don’t worry about dilution, just raise and get higher and higher valuations and prices. We haven’t done that, and we’re really happy that we have not taken that advice. There are different ways that build businesses; it’s not just one hammer [to use] and one nail to hit.

Brown: I also think there’s the assumption that once you raise the money it is the time to celebrate, and really that’s when the pressure starts. It comes with a new set of expectations and a new set of pressures, and I think being aware of that and staying humble through that process is something pretty important.

Related: This Successful Entrepreneur Explains Why You Don’t Need Billions to Build a Brand That Hits Home

15. What’s a productivity tip you swear by? Brown: It took me a long time to realize that to-do lists didn’t need to be checked off in sequence.

I try to ask myself each morning, what are the three things that I should be doing that will help shift the needle for the business. Sometimes those are immediate, and some are very long term that you would never start if you were focused only on the present.

16. Is there an app or tool you use in a surprising way to get things done or stay on track? Zwillinger: It’s my Traeger grill app. I get to season meat in the morning, throw it in the smoker, and I know exactly the temperature that the meat is at and I can do absolutely anything else I want. And the meal is done it is incredible [to not have to worry about cooking] at the end of the day.

17. What does work-life balance mean to you? Zwillinger: What I think of as the harmony between work and life is to do something that is engaging for the whole family and to be able to integrate my family with my work. Tim and I, our wives are best friends from a long time ago. We get together and have a great time outside of work, but that also gives us an opportunity to connect on business. We try to really create a harmony between it rather than trying to compartmentalize.

18. How do you prevent burnout? Brown: Exercise is super important to me. Whatever you’re worried about, if you run hard enough, you will forgotten it by the time you’re finished. The second thing is, we pride ourselves on not taking yourself too seriously. Make sure you are having fun along the way. I think we’ve done a good job of laughing more than we cried in the process of building Allbirds.

19. When you’re faced with a creativity block, what’s your strategy to get innovating? Brown: Forget about it. When you’re trying too hard, it just does not work. You have to put it down, and do something completely different and come back to it.

20. What are you learning now? Zwillinger: I’m learning the art of patience. It’s important to me, because I constantly feel a sense of urgency and a vision of where we need to go. I need to learn to be way more patient about how we get there and when the correct time is to start doing things as a business.

Brown: It’s a cliche, but the “why” is important. In the early stages, you know before I met a Joey, and we decided to build Allbirds together, there was a period of time when I was fumbling with this business idea by myself, and I hadn’t connected on the why; I hadn’t connected with what the perspective was of what I might tell my grandparents about this journey that we’re on. Once I connected that it with idea of sustainable manufacturing and the problem we’re solving, [it came together]. It’s very important, and I it’s allowed us to give Allbirds the beating heart that it has.

#Wealth

0 notes

beingmad2017-blog · 8 years ago

Text

Greater Accurate Net Information - Human Relationship

New Post has been published on https://beingmad.org/greater-accurate-net-information-human-relationship/

Greater Accurate Net Information - Human Relationship

Looks like we’re dwelling in interesting instances.

The economic markets are in a tizzy, humans are dropping jobs and homes, and there may be a pivotal election arising on top of all that.

Hello, simply the day gone by, even I were given hit by way of more than one nasty surprises, and lord knows I was pretty bummed out for a touch at the same time as.

I also realize that what took place to me was quite small in evaluation to the hardships that some human beings accessible have been experiencing.

A number of you can have misplaced your private home or the entire community to herbal catastrophe. A number of you can have had years of savings (apparently) misplaced in a blink of an eye. A number of you may have misplaced a job while having an own family to help.

If that sounds like you, then examine on. Due to the fact I’ve some encouraging words for you.

Now I am the furthest component from a monetary professional, so I am now not going to provide you any pointers in that arena.

What I will let you know is a way to use your thoughts in a way such which you are happier, healthier and Extra powerful as a human being. Due to the fact it truly is the inspiration from which the whole lot else can paintings.

We are going to start with standards, after which visit practices. Equipped? Move.

First of all, I might like to remind you that, as a person, you’re the most privileged creature on this planet. Why? Due to the fact you’re allowed to assume independently of circumstance.

If men accessible can consider baseball to distract themselves in delicate situations and women can consider Brad Pitt, then that means quite a whole lot everybody has the functionality to redirect their attention regardless of the situation.

The key’s to harness that potential in a productive manner while the mind will become preoccupied with something apparently crucial. monetary troubles hit the survival part of your mind, and so that you begin to take it way severely.

However, this is largely an illusion. maximum people right here in the international’s prosperous countries are not going to have troubles with survival. You may make it, pretty a lot 100% of the time. Maybe no longer as simply as earlier than, however, you may make it.

Some of you could have ‘misplaced’ money inside the markets, or for your 401(ok) accounts. Let me ask you this: wherein changed into that money earlier than the disaster hit?

in the air somewhere. Our on-line world, in case you need to name it that.

wherein is it now? Identical place. Maybe your intellectual photograph of it has faded, but that changed into only a mental picture anyway — an illusion, if You may.

This is what the Buddhists talk approximately while they say the world is an illusion. You realize whilst you wake up from an extremely bright dream, and also you say, “wherein did all of it Go?”

Well, the historic masters said that some day, we can wake up in the Same manner from this lifestyles. And, in a way, this marketplace disaster has been a bit of a. humans now see that so much of what become going on was froth upon the froth. Symbols of symbols of symbols of fact.

Now it really is all Well and Precise, however in case you simply misplaced a massive wad of cash, that might not be what you need to listen. I listen to ya, and I’m in the Identical boat. Payments are pretty rattling actual, and that they need to be paid. And the sensation of risk and loss is real, no matter what the Buddha stated.

And I’m right here to give you actual empowerment. so that you can start to experience Properly. Due to the fact while you sense True, you can do Precise. And do Well. And spread the good feeling to everyone else, so that they also can do Appropriate and do Properly.

Due to the fact, keep in mind: regardless of what is occurring out there, you can sense But you want *interior*. there may be no cable from the outdoor international plugging immediately into the lower back of your head dictating how you are presupposed to experience. Ever.

Dr. Viktor Frankl selected to recognition at the splendor in lifestyles even inside the midst of an attention camp. not only did he live on the enjoy, unlike many of his friends, however, he also emerged triumphant — and lived to be 92, making predominant contributions to psychiatry until his loss of life in 1997.

What will you be doing fifty years from now?

don’t forget this: the matters that absolutely depend on in lifestyles are things that can not be taken away from you. Your information. Your competencies. Your love for buddies and own family. No literal or figurative gust can blow those away. Those are your real treasures, so don’t forget them.

K, sufficient beating that lifeless horse. Permit’s get all the way down to a few practices:

1) Alternate your angle.

It is highly smooth to get stuck in our personal ‘reality tunnels’ as the radical logician Robert Anton Wilson used to call it.

“Oh no — I just had $500,000 worn out from my inventory portfolio!”

Well, Permit’s play a game of ‘Would you as a substitute’, we could?

Would you instead lose money on shares, or have your limbs hacked off with machetes in Darfur?

Could you alternatively have your mortgage foreclosed, or have Russian tanks rolling over your own home in South Ossetia?

Could you rather have the issue paying your kid’s college tuition, or maim him so he’d be higher at begging on the streets of Mumbai?

Due to the fact, there are people in all of those latter conditions — and I am guessing you are no longer certainly one of them.

Would you as an alternative ought to cancel your health insurance, or have terminal malaria without a get right of entry to medicines in Uganda?

Time to rely on your advantages. As bad a form as you watched you will be in, there are thousands and thousands worse off than you.

2) Be the source.

One of the terrific things approximately times like Those is that you’re no longer on my own. hundreds of thousands of humans have been tormented by the Same occasions.

Now a huge proportion of them will permit themselves to be buffeted by activities, blown away too and fro. They’ll take a look at the News obsessively, searching out a glimmer of hope or in addition signs of doom.

however, it truly is now not you. Due to the fact You already know that One of the excellent approaches to cheer yourself up is to move cheer a person else up who wishes it even More than you.

You’ll be that small fraction of those who say, “Recognise, I’m going to be the individual that spreads the wonderful vibes. I’m going to be the best News everybody else is looking for. I’m going to be their replied prayer.”

The reason this works is that it takes you from your head — internal consciousness — and offers you an external recognition. This is exactly what we let you know to do in ‘The Tao of Relationship’ when you need to have aa success date. It simply works better.

In this way, you’ve got manufactured Properly Information and Properly emotions for yourself. And for all of us around you. Neat trick.

You do not have to be a Pollyanna approximately it (= unreasonably optimistic, for our Ecu readers) for it to paintings. just your stable presence, an encouraging word here and there works. “Recognise, whatever occurs, I simply want you to understand that I simply consider on your capabilities.” it really is all it takes.

And yes, I simply do accept as true with on your skills. It, in reality, does paintings.

3) Keep away from the Information.

The sage Nisargadatta pointed out the distinction among ‘honey attention’ and ‘water consciousness’.

It is going something like this: in case you tap a cup of water, the water will shake and emerge as agitated. A cup of honey, however, may not budge. It might take a number of jostling to get the honey to be perturbed at all.

One thing to do to cultivate honey awareness is intentional to Keep away from the jostling. News media is designed to perturb you and make your experience like crap: “If it bleeds, it leads.”

In my seminars, I have an exercising wherein I ask people to call 3 things they heard through the Information that resulted in them taking the real movement. Most of the people cannot come up with one — of their whole lifetime. And but they nevertheless concentrate to and study the News. Hmmm.

So Avoid Tv, newspapers and internet Information totally if you may assist it. The marketplace’s been down earlier than, It is been up earlier than, and it’ll be down and up again. If It’s not Information you could act on, It is simply the nuisance. Toss it out of your lifestyles.

4) Exchange your mind chemistry thru yoga and exercising.

the day prior to this, I was feeling quite bummed about a bunch of factors. I went to yoga elegance, and 90 mins later felt bulletproof. My consciousness felt elevated, my coronary heart became extensive open, my attitude had enlarged, and I simply felt a zillion instances better.

in case you already do yoga, visit magnificence regularly. The Extra vigorous the magnificence, the higher. in case you don’t do yoga, bear in mind taking it up.

if you surely may not take yoga no matter how tons I harp on it, Pass jogging as a substitute. energetic sustained physical activity will simply make you experience better approximately your global.

5) Meditate frequently.

Equanimity is a muscle. You toughen it via working it out, and you figure it out via meditation. I especially just like the loving-kindness meditation. absolutely, certainly effective stuff.

The More you do this, the calmer your thoughts could be, and the More you may practice non-attachment to things, instances, comfort, humans, and all of the other stuff which could get us into trouble.

6) Take the lengthy view.

In ‘The Tao of Courting for Guys,’ I speak approximately training ‘enlightened self-hobby’. It means what is Desirable for you ultimately has a tendency to be the higher route of motion for you and people around you, pretty a great deal always.

In addition, an extended-term attitude on the occasions of the day will keep you in Properly stead. where will you be in 10 years? In 20? Each big wave has little wavelets on it, so consciousness on the massive wave and journey that. You may be simply great in 2018. And 2028. And all of this will seem like a fun little tale. honestly.

7) Anchor yourself inside the now.

Take stock of wherein you’re right now. if you’re analyzing this paragraph, which means that you probably do not have a blocked airway, you’re breathing, and your coronary heart’s beating without any profuse bodily bleeding. the ones are the ABC’s of med college (airway, respiration, circulate), and they represent the most effective actual emergencies.

that means right now, In this immediate of time, this tiny sliver that we name now, you are Ok. There may be no real hassle. right? consider that once more. Verification complete? Outstanding.

Now enlarge that feeling over the years. Are you Okay the subsequent 2nd? pretty lots. And the following? Yup. Let’s string a few seconds together and make minutes out of them. now not so hard. Let’s stick a few minutes together and make hours out of them. Then days, months, years.

There are no troubles in the now. There may be simplest natural being, pure attention — in case you permit it to emerge. Running from there, you may tackle your challenges with electricity, grace, and equanimity. For More on this complete ‘now’ concept, I particularly endorse Eckhart Tolle’s now-conventional ‘The energy of Now.’ Do it, like, now.

8) Be given the awareness of uncertainty.

Has there ever been a time while everything became ideal? Will there ever be? Heck no! Uncertainty is the order of the day. Address it. right here’s what our Correct pal Lao Tzu has to mention approximately all this inside the Tao Te Ching:

“Do you need to enhance the arena?

I don’t suppose it could be executed.

the arena is sacred.

It can’t be improved.

in case you tamper with it, you may ruin it.

in case you treat it like an object, you’ll lose it.

There may be a time for being ahead,

A time for being behind;

A time for being in movement,

A time for being at rest;

A time for being energetic,

A time for being exhausted;

A time for being secure,

A time for being in chance.”

The Master sees things as they’re,

without looking to manipulate them.

She lets them Pass their very own manner,

and is living in the center of the circle.”

My definition of pain is ‘wishing the world to be special than it is.’ Are you causing needless ache on yourself? Nicely, forestall it already, ‘reason It’s making me sad.

By the way, everything I just instructed you approximately is good in your Dating lifestyles, too. Humorous how that works.

So Cross in advance and opt for a run, take a yoga class, meditate, cheer someone up, smile and unfold that smile like It is happy virus. anybody will thank for it.

0 notes