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Sometimes I feel bad asking my colleagues to name the best new beauty products. Choosing one can often feel like picking a favorite child: impossible and largely unfair, but I like to think of it as a worthwhile exercise.With 2025 on the horizon, we’re reflecting on the beauty products that got us through the the year so far. From nostalgic makeup products that blew up on TikTok and sustainable skin-care innovations that reshaped our routines to buzzy launches, 2024 so far has been a playground for our beauty editors to rediscover old formulas—and fall in love with new ones.Vogue’s Favorite Beauty Products of 2024For starters, beauty editor at large Arden Fanning Andrews can’t get enough of Louis Vuitton’s LV Lovers. A fragrance whose woody and ginger appeal was so strong, it made her completely ignore the fact that it was created as a men’s cologne. Even Jess Diner, Global Beauty & Wellness Director, is a fan. Senior beauty and wellness editor Lauren Murdoch-Smith, on the other hand, has fallen in love with Hailey Bieber’s Rhode blushes—blending shades Toasted Teddy and Freckle for a sun-kissed glow that looks like she’s always “just back” from vacation. And if its body glow you’re after, I couldn’t leave the house this summer without applying Kopari’s shimmering sunscreen oil that delivered serious UV protection with a head-turning, non-greasy glisten during a New York City heatwave.Below, all these and more beauty finds (both new or old!) that have been truly game-changing for our Vogue beauty editors here in New York and in London. From high-tech gadgets to newfound signatures, read on to discover our picks.Rhode Fall Lip CaseMy beauty launch of the year is not technically a beauty product but it does house a beauty product, so that still counts, right? It’s the rhode Lip Case. The phone cover of a million mirror selfies that is a marketer’s dream and just so brilliantly disruptive in how simple of a premise it was. As a genuine fan of the brand’s Peptide Lip Tint already, it was just a genius concept to me that I could leave the house essentially just with my phone and keys and have all my needs covered (if you include the fact that I have my credit cards in my Apple Wallet) and it consistently remains a talking point wherever I go. The seasonal shade updates have meant that I can update my case colors as I would a key coat or bag for the turn of a new season, and as something that could be considered a fad of 2024, I have no plans of giving mine up and plan to keep using it well into 2025. —Jessica Diner, European beauty and wellness directorU Beauty The Return Eye ConcentrateThe Return Eye ConcentrateA Japanese facialist told me I have dryness around my orbital bone and I have been on the hunt for a hydrating eye cream every since. U Beauty to the rescue! The formula whips hyaluronic acid, beta glucan, peptides, and marine plankton extract together into a silky rich cream that not only moisturizes but addresses fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness with consistent use. My skin loves this stuff! —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerWestman Atelier Face Trace Contour StickMy biggest makeup pet peeve is extra warm contour sticks that might as well be bronzers. The solution has been Westman Atelier’s contour stick in biscuit because of its ashy base, which mimics natural face contour. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writerBraun i·expert Smart IPL Laser Hair Removal DeviceBrauni·expert Smart IPL Laser Hair Removal DeviceLike it or not, I’ve started to think about summer body prep and, in particular, trying at-home hair removal. Braun’s latest technology links the high-tech laser to an app and tracks and guides your at-home treatment—like you would if you were visiting a clinic. It also adapts its intensity according to your skin tone, so it’s a pretty smart machine. —Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editorGlossier Shadow StickI’m actually using Glossier's new Shadow Stick in Amp to do my eyeliner lately and it’s looking good in photos! The right amount goes on with each swipe where you can slowly build up a look without having to fix your mistakes. —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeLoop Experience 2 EarplugsI found an unlikely wellness essential this year in Loop’s earplugs. Their Experience 2 buds have been a godsend for filtering out intense sound, from the screech of the subway on my daily commute to noisy distractions in the office–and especially during the concerts and festivals I spent most of the summer at. They work by reducing the amount of damaging sound that reaches your eardrums while not deafening you completely, so you can still experience the world around you. I’ve felt so much calmer since adding them to my arsenal. That they sit like stylish jewelry in the ears is only a plus–the rose gold pair has been my favorite find of the year and looks incredibly chic. Whether you find yourself feeling overstimulated by loud sounds or simply want to protect your hearing at the next gig you head to, I can’t recommend them enough. —Tracy Achonwa, commerce beauty and wellness writer*Jo Malone London Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne IntenseJo Malone LondonHinoki & Cedarwood Cologne IntenseThough Blush Peony & Suede is one of my most-complimented perfumes ever, my true obsession is Jo Malone London's Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense. The latest from the storied British fragrance house, this is a a warm, spicy, and comforting scent that comes to life via an aromatic clean accord, cedarwood, and hinoki sourced from Japan—inspired by the mind-body benefits of forest bathing. It's the ultimate unisex scent for that person in search of a wintertime cologne to cozy up to. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerElysium Basis NAD+ Supplement for Cellular AgingElysiumBasis NAD+ Supplement for Cellular AgingI’m very into the possibilities for NAD+ supplements (even as the studies are still rolling in!) and just started taking Elysium. I’ll report back with how hot I feel throughout 2025! —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeLa Bronne Bosse N.03 The Essential Soft Hair BrushLa Bonne BrosseN.03 The Essential Soft Hair BrushI was agnostic about hair brushes until I tried this one. The combination bristles feel amazing on my scalp (like the best head scratch ever) while also smoothing my incredibly frizzy hair. Plus, the design is so pretty—I’m now becoming a 100-stroke-a-day girl. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editorChanel Joues Contraste Powder BlushChanelJoues Contraste Powder BlushChanel Joues Contraste made me fall in love with powder blush again. It achieves a soft-focus, natural (never splotchy) burst of color to the skin with a single swipe. Keep in mind though: it’s more pigmented than you might expect. Dust a bit onto your brush, tap off any excess powder, then glide along your cheek for the most seamless (and buildable) application. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerEx Nihilo Blue Talisman Eau de ParfumEx NihiloBlue Talisman Eau de ParfumThis is my “people stop me on the street” scent. Ginger, musk, and amber make this a big, powerful scent—but the notes of orange blossom and pear make it juicy and fun. Everybody goes in for a second hug when I’m wearing it. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editorVictoria Beckham Beauty EyewearA go-to of mine for any quick eye look has been Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Eyewear. Available in 10 matte and shimmer shades (Pecan, a matte brown, is the ultimate all-over lid shade; whereas, Caramel is a delightful bronzed shimmer), these eyeshadow sticks blend like a dream. I like to color the lids with a few swipes of pigment, then blend with a brush. They’re buildable and crease-proof, too, meaning one can customize the look to their desire. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerTopicals Like Butter MoisturizerAt the risk of sounding terribly juvenile, I find moisturizing my entire body to be so boring and time consuming. Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t do it—I moisturize after showers regularly. Topicals is a brand that I love with my whole heart, and consistently enjoy their launches. The Like Butter mist is one of my favorite products in existence because not only is it a fabulous moisturizer, it’s so quick to apply. If you want someone to touch your arm and exclaim that your skin is so soft—purchase this. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writerCult Gaia Mast Eau de ParfumIf you didn’t know, 2024 was the year that Cult Gaia brought its design savoir faire into the fine fragrance realm. With its frosted glass, marbled sphere caps and gold hardware accents, the bottles are veritable objets that sit like ornaments atop your vanity. The scents themselves are just as artfully done, and Mast is my personal favorite. It’s got an addictive–and slightly unusual–blend of bergamot, coconut, and vetiver that really uplifts the senses. I’ll be keeping mine as decor long after the last drop–it’s got serious shelf appeal. —Tracy Achonwa, commerce beauty and wellness writerBeauty of Joseon Glow SerumBeauty of JoseonGlow Serum: Propolis + NiacinamideI do not know what I did before testing Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Serum. Finally, I have an elixir that keeps my acne at bay without removing my natural oils via a blend of 60% propolis extract, 2% niacinamide, and 0.5% BHA. These are whipped into a viscous, hydrating serum that my skin drinks up in seconds. I like to layer this K-beauty formula with a milky toner to lock in the moisture day or night. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerDolce & Gabbana Mint Lip Oil PlumperI love lip oils; I can never seem to have enough of them. My insatiable need to purchase every lip oil led me to D&G’s lip oil plumper, and I especially enjoy the minty, fresh feeling. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writerD.S. & Durga Debaser Buffing BarOur fashion king Mark Holgate has influenced the entire Vogue office with his beauty routine and now we’re all talking about bar soaps—one of his rules is that you always lather in your hands, nowhere else! If you have sensitive skin, the logic is perfect for this Debaser Buffing Bar that D.S. & Durga created with Soft Services. I even used it to get self tanner out of my whites and it left the nicest scent—figgy! Fresh! —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeAugustinus Bader The Rich CreamEasily one of the most lauded face moisturizers on the market, Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream is worth every penny. As someone with oily skin, I kept a bottle of its The Cream in my bathroom but as the temperatures continue to drop, my skin is getting drier by the day. To suit, I swapped the lightweight version for this rich formula that does an excellent job delivering deep hydration via its TFC8 complex, evening primrose oil, squalane, and vitamin E. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerRhode Pocket BlushersVogue beauty and wellness editor Hannah Coates trying the Rhode Pocket Blush.Video: Courtesy of Joris HendrikI imagine Rhode’s Pocket Blushers will be on every Vogue editor’s best product list this year. As a department of blusher obsessives and the brand’s Peptide Lip Tint fans, we had high expectations but they didn’t disappoint. The creamy formula blends seamlessly, is buildable and the packaging is, well, cute. I love that I can wear all shades but I have a soft spot for Freckle and Toasted Teddy blended together. —Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editorDanessa Myricks Yummy Skin Lift & Flex ConcealerDanessa MyricksYummy Skin Lift & Flex ConcealerI’ve always been a fan of Danessa Myricks (the makeup artist and the brand), but I became something of a devotee watching fellow makeup artist Sir John work with her line backstage at Sergio Hudson’s FW24 show. Seeing the way he beautifully painted models’ faces with an assortment of pigments into a dreamy, skin-like finish inspired me to test every single piece from Myricks’ collection. The latest launch, however, has my heart captured at the moment. Depending on the day, I toy between hydrating and blurring concealers, but Yummy Skin Lift & Flex pairs the best of both. When blended out with a brush, sponge, or fingers, this lightweight concealer offers medium-to-full coverage—applying weightlessly for a natural, skin-like finish. Meanwhile, the featured caffeine, centella asatica, and plant extracts improves skin's moisture levels and alleviates puffiness for a better-looking complexion over time. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerDermalogica Pro-Collagen Banking SerumDermalogicaPro Collagen Banking SerumI have been seriously impressed with the cumulative results of this serum. Having seen the results of the clinical trials at the launch (collagen preservation, firmer cheeks and jawline, a more hydrated, plumper-looking complexion), I committed to using this morning and night to see if it would work for me and, one month later, I would say I concur with all the aforementioned. If you’re looking for a new serum to switch up your spring skin care routine, you’re looking at it. —Jessica Diner, European beauty and wellness directorL’Ange Le Duo Standard 360° Airflow StylerLe Duo Standard 360° Airflow StylerI recently chopped my waist-length Cher hair to a short French bob, which led me to realize you need specific hair tools for short hair. Who knew? L’ange’s Le Duo Standard 360 Airflow Styler helps me fake a bouncy blowout because the barrel is small enough to capture even my shortest pieces of hair. Plus, because it also doubles as a straightener; and because it has tiny air vents to cool down curls, I’m not at risk of constantly burning myself. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writerMerit Signature LipI’ll admit that, when I first heard of Merit’s new lipstick, I was not immediately intrigued. I am a gloss girl through and through, so why should I be interested in a matte lip? But, when I saw makeup artist Yumi Lee paint model’s pouts backstage at Diotima’s latest show, I was impressed with how comfortable it looked. Not dry, patchy, or stiff like the matte lips I’d become accustomed too. Armed with samples of each shade, I took it for a go. I am shocked at how weightless this feels on, how modern the shades look, and how nourished my lips remain even after all-night wear. Merit, you’ve converted me! —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerLouis Vuitton LV LoversLouis Vuitton is my family’s heritage brand, so attending this year’s Fragrance Foundation Awards (go Margaux!) with them to celebrate their perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud’s Lifetime Achievement Award was such a blast and introduced me to the house’s new scent with Pharrell, Lovers. The goal was to bottle sunlight with a men’s perfume (won’t stop me!) and it’s kind of woody and gingery with this note of galbanum that I had to look up: an earthy, aromatic plant gum sometimes called “Mother resin.” —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeClarins Lip Comfort OilIn my mind, the perfect lip product must be three things: hydrating, fun to apply, and lightly pigmented. Clarins’ lip oils tick every box and I can’t leave the house without throwing one into my handbag. Packed with plant oils including organic sweetbriar and jojoba, it can even be used as a nourishing lip mask. —Ranyechi Udemezue, associate beauty & wellness writerGlow Recipe Watermelon Glow Facial SprayGlow RecipeWatermelon Glow Facial Spray + Hydrating MistI seem to have a different face mist for every occasion these days and for a fun pick-me-up I’ve been reaching for this Glow Recipe spray. What I love most about it is its sweet watermelon scent, though its generous, fine mist is a close second. The formula itself includes hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and rice germ oil but also hibiscus which delivers naturally-occurring AHAs to improve skin texture and tone. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerSarah Chapman Clinic Range Vitamin C Power 1Sarah ChapmanC1 Vitamin C Power 1 SerumI can’t get enough of vitamin C—I need all the brightness I can get, trust me, so when powerhouse facialist Sarah Chapman launched a trilogy of “in-clinic” inspired skincare, I took note. The vitamin C serum has two forms–oil and water soluble vitamin C to utilise absorption in both lipid and water phases of your skin. Chapman has also added niacinamide and tranexamic acid to the formula to further help the brightening process. Also note that despite the slender tube, the original testing pump I received is still delivering daily doses three months in. —Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editorPrada Beauty Reveal Skin-Optimizing Refillable Soft Matte FoundationPrada BeautyReveal Skin-Optimizing Refillable Soft Matte FoundationI didn’t think the world needed another foundation—even if it was in glamorous metallic packaging—but Prada’s high-performing formula had me make room in my makeup bag. It’s one of the lightest formulas I’ve ever used, which makes the coverage payoff (somewhere between light and medium) so incredibly impressive. And the stay-all-day effect, which controls my shiny forehead but always looks skin-like, means I look good from morning meeting to evening face wash. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editorPat McGrath Labs Dramatique Mega Lip PencilPat McGrath LabsDramatique Mega Lip PencilAt Vogue World Paris, the looks backstage, the vision of make-up marvel, Pat McGrath, were serving major drama, but it was this lip pencil—shade matched for me by McGrath herself—that left a lasting impression (quite literally). Mauvemoiselle, the perfect shade of mauve that works really well to enhance the natural purple tones within the lips, the pigment did not budge the entire day—even in the sweltering Paris heat. It’s a keeper. —Jessica Diner, European beauty and wellness directorSaie Glowy Super GelEverything about the Glowy Super Gels appeals to me. The lightweight texture, subtle, non-shimmery glow plus its ability to perform various tasks make it a must-have in my make-up bag. I am still a fan of the original Starglow shade but this season I’ve switched to Sunglow. I wear it as a base primer for my foundation and it gives me natural, healthy bronzed skin. —Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editorFara Homidi Smudge & Contour Lip PencilFara HomidiSmudge & Contour Lip PencilFara Homidi’s line is unquestionably my most asked-about products of the year–the packaging is so beautiful it’s always the first thing our art team asks to try when it comes to the offices. Her Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil includes my favorite item: her powder blue pencil sharpener! I use it for everything, not just her liners, it cheers me every time I see it. —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeLisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing TintVogue beauty and wellness editor Hannah Coates trying the Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint.Video: Courtesy of Joris HendrikLisa Eldridge BeautySeamless Skin Enhancing TintI can’t get enough of this lightweight, beautifully dewy skin tint. Delivering next-level luminosity via the perfect balance of coverage and translucence, skin looks natural and healthy, rather than done. Obsessed doesn’t cut it. —Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editorChanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail ColorChanelLe Vernis longwear nail colorI am by no means a pro nail artist, but Chanel's polish is the only one that seriously never chips for me. Perhaps its the sturdy brush that allows me to paint my beds with streak-free precision, or its the composition enriched with camellia eco-ceramides that helps avoid chipping. Either way, it’s become my go-to for my biweekly pedicure (when I’m not using gel polish). What’s more, Chanel comes out with new shades each season so there’s always a fresh, fun color to choose. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerCeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing GelCeraVeOil Control Moisturising GelThis is one for my oily-skinned girlies. As a CeraVe devotee, this new gel-cream is super affordable and contains oil-absorbing technology to prevent the kind of shine you have to touch up throughout the day. It’s comfortable on the skin and sits well under make-up too–you can’t go wrong. —Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editorOribe Desertland Revitalizing Hand WashOribeDesertland Revitalizing Hand WashI haven’t be particularly fussy about my hand soap, but after trying Oribe's Revitalizing formula, I’m afraid I’ll never be able to go back. You can feel how nourishing this is with just one pump of product—I’d go as far as saying it feels as lush as my favorite moisturizer. Once it touches water, it works into a rich lather than cleanses without stripping. And in expected Oribe fashion, leaves a delightful scent long after the suds have been washed away. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerMorphe Huephoric Rush 3-in-1 Silk BlushMorpheHuephoric Rush 3-in-1 Silk BlushOne of the most underrated blush drops of the year was this primer-blush hybrid from Morphe. It delivers a gorgeous, glassy dumpling cheek that I can’t get enough of and is pigmented while being packed with skin-care ingredients that condition the skin. What’s most impressive is how well it performs compared to its pricier counterparts–bounce it on with a Beautyblender, and you get a radiant skin finish that stays all day without fading. A hidden gem. —Tracy Achonwa, commerce beauty and wellness writerGuerlain Meteorites Setting & Finishing Pearls of PowderGuerlainMeteorites Setting & Finishing Pearls of PowderI pack so, so, so light—I’m at the DNC right now and flew from NYC to Chicago with only my Vogue tote. Still, I’ve been making room all summer for two shades of Guerlain’s new Meteorites in their bulky-yet-beautiful reusable tins. The lightest is a soft-focus finishing powder, the darkest a believable bronzer that doesn’t look dirty—people keep thinking I’m not wearing makeup. Recommend! —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeCurlsmith Defrizzion Travel DryerThis hair dryer epitomizes the term small but mighty with its foldable, space-saving design. It’s incredibly light in hand, with comb pick and diffuser attachments that curly-haired girls will appreciate. Every time I’ve used it I’ve been impressed by how well it blow dries coils for a smooth finish that I can run my fingers through. —Tracy Achonwa, commerce beauty and wellness writerLa Prairie Skin Caviar The MistVogue commerce editor Joy Montgomery trying the La Prairie Skin Caviar The Mist.Video: Courtesy of Joris HendrikDo not sleep on the benefits of face mists—especially when they come as potent as La Prairie’s. Housed in a vanity-worth cobalt blue bottle is a treasured elixir meant to energize and smooth skin instantly. Powered by the brand’s Caviar Hydroessence and Micro-Nutrients, this comes out as a super fine mist that spritzes evenly onto the skin—leaving skin feeling hydrated and balanced. The best part? Skin is not left overly dewy, rather refreshed, radiant, and glowing without excess shine. I like to use it at all steps of my routine—before bed, as a toner pre-serums and moisturizers, or for a pick-me-up throughout the day. At 1.7 oz, it fits seamlessly in my carry-on. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerEscentric Molecules Escentric 02 Eau de ToiletteEscentric MoleculesEscentric 02 Eau de ToiletteLove at first spritz, this fragrance is everything I love about layered fresh scents in just one bottle. Infused with jasmine bud, mandarin and bergamot, it’s delightfully crisp, and comes in a super sleek bottle, too–wonderful for when you’re on the go. —Ranyechi Udemezue, associate beauty & wellness writerByredo Kajal PencilFor anybody who is into tightliner, these Byredo pencils are key. Gorgeously pigmented and smooth, I have the entire collection—because while a classic black is fun, the colors like navy or silver are oh-so-cool. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editorAdwoa Beauty Melonberry Spray Leave In ConditionerAdwoa BeautyMelonberry Hair Milk Leave-In ConditionerUnder my extensions, I’m all about protecting the length and strength of my natural coils. Adwoa Beauty’s milky spray is like an essence for scalp and strands, silky, nourishing, and easily spritzed on cornrows between wefts. What’s more, its blend of berry seed oils smells leaves your hair smelling incredible, and when you take down your braids, you’ll find super soft and detangled tresses. —Tracy Achonwa, commerce beauty and wellness writerL’Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama MascaraVoluminous Panorama MascaraL’Oreal’s latest mascara launch has one of those brushes that delivers well-defined eyelashes but allows you to load up on the formula, if you prefer your mascara on the chunkier front—like me! —Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editorKopari Sun Shield Body GlowKopari Sun Shield Body Glow - SPF 50I was once walking down the street in Fort Greene when someone asked the secret to getting my skin so glowing. Glancing down at my gleaming décolletage, I recalled massaging on a few drops of Kopari’s Sun Shield in lieu of a body sunscreen cream. While the SPF 50 does an excellent job at shielding against UVA and UVB rays, I gravitate towards it because it feels lightweight and non-greasy on the skin, and leaves an eye-catching glisten. I’ve been using the gold shade but think I’ll try the amber hue next. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerRefy Lip SculptConsider me the princess of polarizing beauty opinions because I gravitate towards any products that evoke a strong reaction in the court of social media opinion. For starters, there is no lip liner I love more than Refy’s Lip Sculpt—I've worn it through some of the longest work days, the messiest pastas, and many glasses of water. Rather than altogether wearing off, it gently fades (and that’s after a lot of stress testing). —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty commerce writerHair by Sam McKnight Love Me Do Nourishing Shine OilHair By Sam McKnightLove Me Do Nourishing OilA featherlight dry hair oil, this new formula from hairstylist Sam McKnight ticks all my boxes. It’s not just the happy-making packaging I love, it’s also brilliant at taming flyaways, reducing frizz, and lending a subtle healthy shine on mid-lengths and ends. With argan, sunflower, and camellia seed oil, it also smells delicious. —Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editorIlia Perfecting Buff BrushThere’s not much to say about this Ilia makeup brush except that it truly is perfect (excellent naming on Ilia’s part!). The Perfecting Buff Brush is a compact tool featuring soft densely packed packed bristles just fluffy enough to blend creams and liquids expertly into the skin. It’s my go-to for bronzer and blush. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerLoewe Marihuana Body LotionHaving just renovated my bathroom, there was one product I wanted in situ as I took pictures to share with family and friends… Loewe’s Marihuana Body Lotion. Aside from the soothing aroma, I’m also incredibly into the packaging and the fact it makes moisturizing your body a real treat. —Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editorHaus Labs PhD Hybrid Lip GlazeIf at least 10 people give you a compliment on the product, I feel like it belongs on this list. That’s what happened to me the day I wore this lip gloss-oil hybrid in Macaron—it’s just good and I like it. Clearly, other people did too. Nothing else to say. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editorMaybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Glitter MascaraMaybellineLash Sensational Sky High Glitter MascaraMaybelline’s Sky High mascara was already one of my favorites for a lengthened, fluttery lash, but this new launch has knocked it out the park. Speckled with pearlescent particles, it gives you a sparkling finish that looks insanely good in low light and has comes right on time for the festive party season. —Tracy Achonwa, commerce beauty and wellness writerDior Baby Bonne Étoile Scented WaterDiorBaby Bonne Étoile Scented WaterNot that I’m one to deprive my children, but, when it comes to Dior beauty, I’ll make an exception. With perfumer and Dior perfume creative director Francis Kurkdjian behind the Baby Dior’s scent, I’ve made sure I’ve kept hold of the scented water for myself. A gentle, soft smell that reminds me of newborn skin. —Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editorBondi Boost HG Dry ShampooI’m picky about dry shampoo formulas—this one smells more fresh than sweet (in a good way) and doesn’t turn my hair into a powdered wig. —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeSummer Fridays Lip Butter in Birthday CakeSummer FridaysLip Butter Balm in Birthday CakeI’m a huge fan of Summer Fridays’s Lip Butters and their latest shade, Birthday Cake, is a celebration of the brand turning six. It’s the same hydrating, non-sticky formula in a very subtle, sugar icing pink tint. A new obsession. —Lauren Murdoch-Smith, senior beauty and wellness editorSusanne Kaufmann Hayflower Bath OilIs there anything better than a bath at the end of the day? Personally, I don’t think so, and I’m currently obsessed with this essential-oil-infused bath oil by the Queen of them, Susanne Kaufmann. A blend of Alpine hayflower and natural antioxidant astaxanthin, it’s a quick ticket to calm—I finish by wrapping myself in one of Baina’s checkerboard robes. Peace personified. —Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editorLove Wellness Bye Bye Bloat Lymphatic Massage RollerLove WellnessBye Bye Bloat Lymphatic Massage RollerI've been dry brushing for a decade, so I'm always looking to branch out and try something new to get my body moving. This handheld device has cool (like, cold, but also cool-looking) cryo-balls on it that revolve as you roll it across your skin. You can really feel it stimulating your system, and it's a nice treat for your skin too—I actually like to do it once I have body oil on to help it absorb. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editorKylie Cosmetics Transformative Lip TintIf you’ve never tried a Kylie Cosmetics lip oil, make this one your first. The plush, wide wand effortlessly covers your pout, while squalane and shea butter in the formula leave dry lips feeling thoroughly cared for. Black Cherry has been making waves because it morphs on contact to become a plum shade that perfectly matches your lips, but I’ve been loving the entire range for a glossy finish this winter. —Tracy Achonwa, commerce beauty and wellness writerKiss imPRESS Falsies Press-on False Lash KitKissimPRESS Falsies Press-on False Lash KitPressed for time but still want to look put together? Kiss’s imPress under-lashes are an absolute godsend. Because the clusters are self-adhesive, there is zero faffing or fiddling with tweezers and glue, and the natural set has become my go-to for a lifted feline eye. I’ve taken a tray with me on my travels throughout fashion month and the results have won me endless compliments everywhere I’ve been. Imperciptible and ultra comfortable, trust me when I say you won’t need to waste time with mascara ever again. —Tracy Achonwa, commerce beauty and wellness writerBareMinerals Illuminating Mineral VeilIlluminating Mineral VeilBelieve me when I say this is the best soft-focus filter in my bag, I carry it everywhere, and it’s with me at Paris Fashion Week as we speak. —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeNars Afterglow Liquid BlushMy blusher obsession knows no bounds, and this is my current favorite. A sheer, ever-so-slightly shimmery peach liquid in texture, it can be built up for the intensity of blush required, but it’s also the large doe-foot applicator that makes it a dream to apply. Consider this your spring flush in a tube. —Jessica Diner, European beauty and wellness directorEpi.logic Master Plan Collagen Renew Growth Factor SerumEpi.LogicMaster Plan Collagen Renew Growth Factor SerumSomeone somewhere is tired of hearing me wax on about Epi.logic’s Master Plan serum. Over the last year or so, it’s become a skin care staple of mine for its refreshingly hydrating texture and skin barrier-boosting composition. The brand’s signature Cell Service complex of growth factors and peptides essentially boosts skin’s collagen and elastin production, while promoting firmer, bouncier skin. It’s also incredibly gentle (thanks, in part, to hyaluronic acid, sea kelp bio ferment, and snow mushroom); so much so, I relied on it to heal my skin following my last MOXI treatment. —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writerDior Addict Lip GlowI wrote in our March issue “Quick Change” story about how this product is one of my favorite of all time—I wore it to my wedding, I wear it all over my face! At their FW24 show, models wore the clear version on their lips and now I want that too, though… —Arden Fanning Andrews, beauty editor at largeI Don’t Know What DS & Durga Set

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scarletwinterxx · 4 years ago

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End to Start pt. 4 - Jaehyun AU

For my other works you can check them out here, and for my other story series’ you can check them out here.

taglist: @the-universe-in-you-jjh @undevotedfangirl @dumplingley @halbae @johnjaespeach @notsooperfect

All works are copyrighted ©scarletwinterxx 2020 . Do not repost, re-write without the permission of author.

PREV || NEXT

“I never pegged you for a liar”

“You might be a foot taller than me but I won’t hesitate to deck you if you don’t shut up”

“You said you didn’t know him!”

“I never said such thing” you argued back, it was the typical morning for you. And by typical you mean Jungwoo bothering you as you work around the shop. Everyday he makes you wonder why you hired him in the first place.

“Your ex is Jung Jaehyun, the CEO of Jung Publishing. Their company is like established world wide, his sisters work abroad and his youngest brother works here. The world really is small after all”

“You sound like a fan”

“I can’t believe I tease Sungchan like that when his family can buy the whole block”

“Better start saying your apologies then” you mumbled

The bell ringed just then, making the two of you look up. “Speaking of, Sungchan, Jungwoo has something to say to you” You said as the younger boy walk towards the front counter

“Did I do something wrong again? I swear I didn’t mix up the salt and sugar this time”

“This time?” you asked

“No no no, you didn’t do anything wrong” you and Jungwoo spoke at the same time, the taller boy looking between the two of you like a little kid worried he might get scolded over something

“It was one time, and in my defense it was partly Jungwoo hyung’s fault. He put the two side by side”

“I kinda don’t want to know”

“You have something to say to me?” Sungchan asked Jungwoo, you just chuckled at the latter “You know, you’re a liar too”

“Too? What did I lie about exactly?”

“You’re a Jung!”

“He literally said that the day he applied here, technically he didn’t lie about anything. I was just dumb enough not to put two and two together” you answered for the younger boy. The three of you proceeded to work, the two boys in the kitchen area getting some pastries ready for display, you can hear them bickering from back there.

“Uhm noona, can I ask you something?” you were surprised by the sudden voice breaking the silence in your office, there Sungchan stood by the door peaking in

“Sure, come in. What is it?”

“Am I fired?”

“Why? Did you switch the sugar with salt again?” you chuckled, trying to make him feel less nervous

“Uhm I kinda heard what happened yesterday at home. I swear I wasn’t eavesdropping but you know, you guys weren’t exactly quiet”

You just smiled at the boy, he was so much like his siblings yet so different. He definitely got the good looking genes, much like his older brother he also has a weird sense of humor. But one thing that sets them apart is how shy and nervous Sungchan seems to be, like a little puppy being introduced to the world.

“Of course you’re not fired. Whatever happened between me and your brother has got nothing to do with you, I kinda didn’t even know you were siblings up until yesterday”

“I didn’t know you were his ex too” you chuckled at his answer, of course he didn’t. You never met the young boy when you and Jaehyun dated, you’ve met his sisters and his mom but you never got the chance to meet his father and his youngest sibling.

“That was a long time ago, you were probably still in middle school when we dated”

“He moved out of our house during his third year in college, I never expected he will cause mom wanted him to stay home. But one day he kinda just packed his things then he was out the door. Mom was so mad at him”

The two of you broke up the summer before third year of college, you left for Paris a few weeks before school started. You asked the university to let you go and transfer, which they thankfully approved.

Then you were on the next flight out. Not a single goodbye said.

You never heard from Jaehyun after that, you couldn’t bring yourself to ask about him. You had no right to, after what happened. So the story Sungchan told you was new news to you.

“He really liked the cake by the way, when he came to pick me up yesterday he asked if I could buy him another one”

“It is his favorite flavor” you smiled at the memory.

Jaehyun may or may not be the inspiration behind the uniquely flavored cake, when you were making the menu for your cafe you couldn’t help but add that selection. Given that not many people will like it but still you wanted to make it,

“So I’m not fired right?”

“No, I might have to ask Jungwoo about the salt incident though”

“No matter what he say, he was partly at fault”

This was honestly the last place you thought you’ll be at. You must look so silly right now, standing in the lobby of a corporate building in your sundress holding cake boxes while the receptionist stares you down.

“I’m sorry miss but I can’t just let you go up without an appointment”

“Okay uhm can I talk to someone that I give this to and take it upstairs?” you asked, gesturing at the boxes you brought

“Sorry we don’t allow solicitations” she smiled at you, but you know she was pretty annoyed at you.

You were just about to give up when you hear someone call your name,

“Y/N? Is that you?”

“Hi, Jess” you smiled back at her, “You brought a gift?” she asked, nodding at the box

“Yea, one of them is for you actually. It’s kind of late for your birthday but I thought you might like it”

Jessica smiled at you before taking the box and linking one arm around yours, the receptionist long forgotten.

“Let’s go upstairs, come on” then she whisked you away. When you got the elevator, the two of you made small chats. She was talking about how the designers loved the photos you took during the shoot,

“You should do it again sometime”

“It’s just a hobby now, really” you smiled at her suggestion, you did major in photography for the first two years in college but after moving schools, you decided to change majors too. Culinary was still hard to do, but you enjoyed every second if it. It was also a good thing that you were just as good with a camera as you are with a whisk.

“And let me guess, that one is for Jae” Jessica nodded at the box you were holding

You were about to say no but you both know that wasn’t the truth so you just laughed, “You know after you he never really dated anyone seriously. Chunga is a great girl and yet they never worked out. It’s like he already knew it wasn’t going to, no one was like you so why try”

“I don’t think he actually thinks that” you mumbled, “Just accept it, my brother is still very much smitten with you. He’s just trying to act all tough because he doesn’t want to get hurt again” she shot you a smile.

The two of you stepped out the elevator, you just followed Jessica since you’re not really sure where she was going

“I’m sorry” you know saying those words will never suffice but you still say it anyways.

“Don’t say sorry to me, you didn’t do anything wrong to me. And to Jaehyun too, just be gentle with him” she shot you that sisterly smile

“I don’t think he wants to talk to me, can you give this to him though?”

“Why don’t you give it to him yourself?”

“That’s not really a good idea, I don’t want to ruin his day”

“Believe me, you’ll be the best part of his day” she said as she open the door to her office you assume. She gestured for you to come in first, so you did.

When you turned around you almost lost your grip on the box you were holding,

“Okay, can’t say I walked right into that one” you mumbled, hearing a chuckle from Jessica who was standing behind you

“Enjoy” Jessica says from behind you before closing the door.

Jaehyun almost didn’t go to work today. Yesterdays revelations were too much to take in, of course it didn’t go down without an argument between him and his mother. Plus you were there and you looked like you just wanted to get away from him again, but you stayed rooted at your spot.

The two of you didn’t exchange any words besides an apology you muttered on your way out the door. He really thought that was the last of you he’ll see.

And now you’re here. In his office. He almost pinched himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming right now because if he’s being honest it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve appeared in his dreams.

“What brings you here?”

“Uh, I’m not sure?”

“You’re not sure?”

“I didn’t think this far ahead”

He can’t help but chuckled at your expression. You were still standing awkwardly by the door, looking around his office.

“You know you can come closer, I don’t bite. Unless-”

“Okay don’t continue that sentence” you said as you walk towards his desk, putting the cake carefully on his table

“What’s this?”

“An apology gift”

“So you’re bribing me now” okay ouch.

He must have noticed the change in your expression because he quickly added, “I didn’t mean it like that”

“No no, it’s fine”

Then it was silent, not the awkward type of silence. You weren’t sure where to look so you just looked down at your feet, you hear a chuckle from Jaehyun

“What?”

“Just yesterday you were close to tears and now you’re here bringing me cake”

You smiled gently at his words, taking a deep breath before speaking again

“It was like a weight lifted off of my shoulder, at least now I don’t have anything to hide from you. There’s no monsters hiding in my closet or something like that. I don’t expect you to forgive me and forget about it. But I do want to fix this, the least I could do is make up for the wrongs that I did”

“Was it wrong?”

“I took your mom’s money, the money that she gave me to break up with you. She pretty much paid me”

“You said it yourself you never touched a cent”

“I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. It wasn’t worth it”

“Wasn’t worth what?” Jaehyun asked, he wasn’t why he did or what answer he wanted to hear from you but he asked anyway

“It wasn’t worth totally losing you. I knew if I used it then that meant I agreed with your mom. I only did what I did not because of the money but because I wanted you to be free from the burden you were feeling. She was never going to let us be if we continued dating, so I just took the money and disappeared”

He didn’t expect you to be this truthful and open about it, but then again you never really lied to him. He knew you like the back of his hand, even after all these years. There was no use to lying if it’s with him, he'll just see right through you.

“You could’ve said goodbye”

“You would’ve known then, you would’ve stopped me from going then we both wouldn’t be where we are now” You answered, this time there were no screams, no anger no sadness.

“Are you happy?” he asked

“Yes, it wasn’t always like this. There were a lot of hard days, now I’m just glad I got through all of that” you answered with a smile, you look over at him to find him already staring at you. “Are you happy, Jaehyun?” you asked him

“I can be”

As he said those words he also held your gaze, looking like he was staring right through you. This wasn’t the Jaehyun you’ve talked to previously, the one that was always angry and throwing words at you. This was just Jaehyun, the Jaehyun you used to know.

But then again he isn’t. He has changed so much in the past five years, as you have. Maybe you two were tossed together by fate at the wrong time, and it ended badly. But here you are now.

You’re not expecting a second shot at love with him, it wasn’t your time then so who call tell it is now? you were willing to gamble again but this time you both were too scared to lose. To hurt to ever risk falling again. Happiness is pretty much what all you want for him.

He deserves to be happy, even if it meant you had to end what you had in order for him to start again.

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gulmoregirls · 3 years ago

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literati endgame

My obvious bias aside, I really feel like literati endgame could be in the cards as long as big follow-up themes for a second season go. And here I'll tell you why!

1. The parallels

The show is not about the mother-daughter duo sharing the same name and story, we all know that. However, it's impossible not to parallel their relationships, specially when after the revival, the cycle seems to be opened again. So, Logan is Rory's Chris. Rich, pretty and bad at really being there enough. I feel like it's almost a concensus on the fandom that Logan is the biological father, and the fact Rory consults her own dad about how he felt about Lorelai raising her alone confirms this parallel. She has no intention to break his engagement to Odette, intending to raise her kid by herself just like her mother did. Jess would be Luke, for obvious reasons. Not only do they share blood, but they are also a constant support system for the Gilmore Girls. Altough Jess is kind of ausent, he offered Rory finantial help just like Luke used to do, and helped Rory find herself multiple times: going back to Yale, making peace with her mother, writing a book...

2. The fanservice

After divided opinions from the audience on the revival, I feel like the writers would've learned a lesson or two for a second season. Jess if by far the fan favorite, proof being the result of the pools recently shared on the official twitter and instagram profiles. It would certainly be giving the people what they want. Jess stans would have their fav back, and Logan stans would have, as the consolation prize, him as the father. Dean stans are not being taken into consideration because honestly who cares about them? Dean is happily married and doesn't deserve to be ruined again.

3. Milo. Ventimiglia

I feel like I don't even have to ellaborate on this one. But I will, because I love to talk about it. The Palladinos are really close to Milo. They wrote the Jess part specially for him and were responsible for his big break. They attented Milo's ceremony after recieving his star on the hall of fame, and, after the end of This is Us, included him on the cast for the fourth season of their famous show Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. And Milo obviously likes the role of Jess, as he always speaks fondly of the character whenever asked.

4. The original storyline ??

To be honest, the OG show went really downhill when the Palladinos left after S6. I feel like they had some clear goals and preferences. For instance, they never really took Jess out of the picture. We can never really forget him, because there he is suddently back at Stars Hollow for his mother's wedding, or throwing pebbles at Rory's window, or publishing a book. They liked the character enough to give him an entire spin off that was only cancelled because of the costs of production of shooting in California. However, at the end of S6 Logan was sent to London. This was easily solved by the next season's new writers, but I always wondered about what were the Palladinos plans for Logan's and Rory's relationship. Maybe the long distance wouldn't have worked and maybe Jess could be in the picture again.

5. The cliffhanger

Not the cliffhanger, AKA the famous last four words, but MY cliffhanger, AKA the long stare Jess gave Rory on their final scene. He just said he was long over, but I can't really buy it when a minute later he procedes to give her heart eyes on what was a very unnecessarily intense scene.

6. Everybody moved on, I stayed there

This lyric might apply to me and the fact I'm still obsessed about gilmore girls, but the Palladinos made an effort to really make it apply to Jess as well. Everybody moved on: Paris has her kids, Dean is married and with kids, Logan is engaged. But when it comes to Jess, we know so little about him that he could be the president. Successful writer? Likely, but the only canon info we’ve got is that the press tour is going well. Dating? Probably not, as the only information we get is his vague response when he and Rory first meet on the Revival. It's really unfair, because Jess is a very complex character that had a major evolution throughout the series, even if his glow up happened off-screen. He deserves to be happy, not pining over his ex from 17 years ago. If the Palladinos didn't consider pairing him with Rory, I feel like their care for the character would be enough to at least make him have settled down and move on.

7. They're still in contact... right?

Right??? I don't know if I've read and written too many headcanons at this point, but as he was the one to pitch the idea to her, I really feel like Jess is the editor of Rory's novel. At the very least, someone with experience in the field who can help her through the writing/publishing process. It only makes sense that they stay in touch, right???

#literati #gilmore girls #jess mariano #jess x rory #rory x jess #rory gilmore

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tthe-last-timee · 3 years ago

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My current perfume collection! 💗

From left to right:

YSL Mon Paris - MY. HOLY. GRAIL. I always come back to this scent! I might as well mention now that I have an affinity for travel sized perfumes — I only use them when I go out which is very rarely, so the size is perfect for me! I'm also not a fan of sprays since I feel like I can't control how much perfume I apply as opposed to rollerballs.

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb - found this as a recommendation from YouTuber Jess Conte a few years back. I use it from time to time, but when I went to Texas a few months ago I found myself using it during my entire trip even when I brought other options. As you can see, or can't, there's very little left of it hehe.

Miss Dior - first perfume IN YEARS that I bought that isn't travel size, the reason being there wasn't any available for this lol. Purchased this impulsively since I found out the first Miss Dior perfume I bought was actually eau de toilette. I still love it, though.

Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet - I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE SCENT OF THIS!!! It doesn't stay long since it's an eau de toilette, but I still find myself using it from time to time when I have to do errands. I used to use handkerchiefs a lot in high school, and when I smelled this + found out it was eau de toilette, I immediately thought it would be good to put on handkerchiefs since the scent is just right.

JOY by Dior - my recent purchase. Recommended to me by someone who worked at Sephora. I love the smell! I initially bought the "intense" version of this and had to exchange since it was too strong for me.

All perfumes mentioned are eau de parfum except the Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet.

Side note: I had two Gucci eau de toilette perfumes I ended up giving one to my sister and one to my cousin since I barely use them. The one I gave to my sister was Flora by Gucci (green) – no travel size, so I bought the smallest spray they had. This was when I wanted to try new perfumes. Even though this was eau de toilette, the scent is strong and stays on longer. I gave my cousin my travel size Flora by Gucci - Gorgeous Gardenia (pink). I actually love the scent of this perfume, but I barely used it so I decided to give it to her before it expires. To be honest, what caught my attention to these Gucci perfumes were their cute packaging lol.

#perfumes #perfume

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sepublic · 4 years ago

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King’s Progress

In all honesty, I feel like King is amongst Luz and Amity as having the most clear-cut, sense of progression and development amongst the cast in Season 1?

Thinking back on Really Small Problems, I really love its portrayal of King here… And, well, ALL of the episodes centering on King, really! Some might say that it’s repetitive to keep having episodes where he makes a mistake and apologizes, and while I can see that… Personally, I’m not too bothered because said episodes are always entertaining, I always love King content, but also…

There’s a very clear sense of progression amongst King’s mistakes, as the season goes along? If RSP were Episode 11, King would’ve likely chosen to spray Willow and Gus with ‘Obivioso’s potion and then reaped what he sowed afterwards. But he doesn’t, and King genuinely surprised me with how mature he was in that episode… He was still immature ultimately, but you could tell he was still approaching things in a much more mature fashion than in prior episodes. King actively chooses not to make Willow and Gus disappear, but he DOES still hold onto the potion… And while it was an accident for them to ‘disappear’, King nevertheless takes advantage of the situation now that it’s happened. It’s not entirely his fault, but he still could’ve made amends any time and fixed what happened- Again, even if it wasn’t totally his fault here.

I guess you could say it’s a lesson on how even if one doesn’t necessarily cause an unfortunate situation… It’s still one’s responsibility to help someone out of it, and/or fix that situation- Even if you benefit from it! Because again, even if you weren’t exactly responsible for what happened, it’s still a little unethical to choose to keep benefitting from that incident. I suppose it hearkens back to that ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ quote from Spiderman… How in some versions of the story, Peter chose to look the other way because the robber offered him something for his silence. Peter wasn’t the one who robbed anyone, he’s just a bystander- But he still chooses to passively benefit from the incident instead of doing the right thing, and calling the cops. And as we infamously know, Peter suffers the consequences when the problem directly affects him, too, and kills Uncle Ben.

King’s dilemma in Really Small Problems is a similar situation. He didn’t make the potion, he didn’t take it from Obvioso, and he didn’t willingly use it- But there was still something he could’ve easily done about the situation, but he chose not to because he benefitted otherwise. And as a result, King still shoulders blame and accountability… Which again, ties back into how circumstances may encourage people to do bad decisions (like Obivioso handing over the potion), but it’s still up to an individual to act on those choices in the end… And King acknowledges this, in another surprising act of genuine maturity!

And, I like that- As I said, it’s a sense of progression. A few episodes earlier, and King would’ve willingly caused the mess, instead of just knowingly benefitting from it, when otherwise he could end the whole thing right then and there (or at least THOUGHT he could). This gets me onto Sense and Insensitivity, and it’s an interesting parallel to The Intruder… Both are King-centric episodes, that focus and expand upon the seemingly inconsequential B-plot of the previous episode! In Episode 3, King competes with Eda on who’s the better teacher… And then in the next episode, we see that he’s actually serious about wanting to mentor Luz, or at least feel listened by someone! His motives are given more depth!

Similarly, Escape of the Palisman has King take advantage of Eda’s mental state for his own gain, only to get her into trouble… Then we have Sense and Insensitivity, which focuses on a similar mistake. However, it’s different… Because in the previous episode, King still put Eda into physical danger by taking her outside. Whereas in SaI… Again, what King does IS cold and harsh towards Luz. But in the end, it’s only emotional damage- He’s not jeopardizing Luz herself by getting her into potential trouble with the authorities or anything. I mean, Luz DOES end up getting kidnapped by Piniet and thrown into his Writer’s Block, but that was never part of the agreement King made with Piniet… At least not knowingly. The possibility for this could’ve been in fine print, but in this scenario I feel it’s less the result of King apathetically disregarding others, and more him just being a general dum-dum, so I’m willing to overlook it.

What’s interesting is that King is upfront about how he hurt Luz, to her face. In the previous episode, he took advantage of Eda’s physical prowess. Here, he takes advantage of Luz’s creative prowess… In the previous episode, King learns not to make others do things for him, nor violate their personal autonomy. In SaI, King then builds upon this lesson, by recognizing that even if he isn’t going to make Luz write for him or anything… He’s still being cold and insensitive and hurting her emotionally. Each time King makes a mistake, it’s still a new lesson in its own way, built upon past lessons… Each mistake of his is less and less egregious, and more understandable and mature. He’s a repeatedly-flawed character and certainly not perfect… But what’s interesting about seeing him continue to make mistakes, is that you can still clearly see how King is at least managing to do better than last time! His mistakes become more and more understandable, with each one he makes.

Progress isn’t always smooth. It can be messy, and fraught with constant mistakes. But it’s worth noting that while King doesn’t retain the ENTIRE lesson with each mistake… He still clearly learns something in the end, and applies it. King doesn’t perfectly apply what he’s learned and not to its fullest extent, but you get the sense that he’s trying, and that each lesson teaches him that while he technically didn’t make the same mistake as LAST time, King himself is still liable to certain other mistakes. He’s learning, more and more, how to be more responsible and less selfish. Going from outright using someone physically, to using their ideas… To not knowingly causing a mess, but still choosing to benefit from it when King thinks he has the power to end it otherwise.

Like Lilith, King isn’t perfect. He tries to learn the lesson in a way that’s most convenient to him- Like that time he took advantage of Eda’s cursed state, and when Eda asks him what happened, King denies his guilt! Like Lilith he definitely learned his lesson somewhat and won’t make the same mistake, but he’s going to otherwise pretend he’s innocent to others. King willingly ignores that it’s not just enough that he learned not to cause a mess, but that he needs to also actively improve upon things when he has the power to do so- Ironic, given King’s frustrations with a lack of agency! He tries to retain the lesson in a way where he minimizes the amount of mistakes he made… But even so, King still manages to learn something. He still recognizes that he had to have made a mistake, and so there had to have been something that was learned… And while King can make it easier for himself by trying to minimize the extent of his lesson (and thus the realization of how far his mistakes went), it still says a lot that he keeps on trying and improving, each time.

Speaking of which, I have to wonder if part of the reason why people don’t really notice King’s development is… Well, aside from OTHER things distracting from his progress (like Eda and Lilith’s relationship or the entirety of Understanding Willow, understandably), in hilariously meta sense? King is lowkey dismissed in real life as just being the fluffy, animal sidekick trope… A lot of people don’t stop to consider that hey, he does have legitimate flaws that he does work upon, that King has a clear sense of progression throughout the season, and in many ways he parallels Lilith, of all people! It’s just like how in-universe, King is overlooked and dismissed as JUST a cute and fluffy pet… In real life, a lot of people do the same and don’t bother considering his potential depth!

It’s kind of the reverse of Infinity Train’s Book 2… How a lot of people noted at the beginning that Lake was clearly a narrative reflection of Jesse. But then near the end, one of our main antagonists ends up acknowledging this fact, in-universe, in the worst way possible- By noting how the Infinity Train possibly set Lake up to function as a ‘reflection’ of Jesse in the metaphorical sense, there by transplanting what was acknowledged in real life, and bringing it up in-universe! In this scenario, King brings up how he’s often overlooked and dismissed as just the fluffy, cute sidekick… And lo in behold in real life, a lot of people overlook King and see him as JUST that trope, instead of at least that trope and more!

(Not to cast stones at anyone or imply that someone is less of a fan, or meaner, for not considering King’s potential depth as a character. There’s a LOT this show has to offer, so it’s understandable that some things are missed out upon, because one’s mind can only take in and process so much. I just think it’s an amusing coincidence is all, and I don’t think anyone is actively to blame, or at least not malicious nor terrible for it!)

#the owl house #owl house #the owl house king #the owl house luz #luz noceda #the owl house eda #edalyn clawthorne #the owl house lilith #lilith clawthorne #character analysis #meta

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fisheoctrashdump · 3 years ago

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"I'm listening to it right now, stupid."

"But are you really listening? With his voice and-"

"Dude, I can't listen with you talking in my ear." Arianna blew a puff of air into the phone's speaker for emphasis, which caused Blez to laugh.

"I'll hang up now but you have to promise me!"

"I promise I'll listen to your wonderful shitty song."

Blezbian gasped in exaggeration. "Fine, alright, I'll drop it." She paused. "I love you."

Arianna dropped the fake agitation in her tone and smiled, feeling the warmth from Blez's words. "I love you, too."

She ended the call and immediately turned the volume up on her speaker. With a heavy sigh, Arianna threw herself backwards on her bed and placed a hand on top of her head. She was feeling pretty decent, considering all that had been happening recently. She wasn't super sure why, but it was a good change.

She turned her gaze to the floor of her room. At least, what she could see of the floor. Hope mom doesn't see this, she thought.

The music got a bit louder, and she glanced back at the speaker. If she was honest, she wasn't a fan of the song at all. Blez seemed really insistent, but it kinda sucked.

Arianna was pulled from her thoughts when she heard a knock on her bedroom door. Arianna immediately rolled herself out of bed and navigated the piles of clothes and trash on her floor. She opened the door just enough to see who was on the other side, and felt her expression fall upon recognition.

"Go away." She started to close the door, but Kaya stuck her hand out to keep it open.

"Wait! I need to talk to you."

"Yeah? Well, I don't want to talk to you."

"Ari, please."

"Fuck off."

Arianna pushed harder against the door, but Kaya refused to move. She growled in frustration and glared icily at Kaya.

"Did you come to apologize, then?" Arianna snapped.

Kaya paused, looking a bit upset. "I… no, I didn't. But-"

"Then go away!" Arianna raised her voice above a volume she rarely reached. It made her realize the others in the house were probably now aware of what was happening between her and Kaya.

"I'm over you, and I have nothing left to say to someone who wants to act like- gah, you're such an entitled bitch!"

"Kaya? Arianna? Is everything okay?"

The younger two briefly turned their attention behind them to meet with Jess. She looked stern, but also very concerned. It was a look she wore often.

"Tell her to stay out of my room!" Arianna demanded immediately.

"No, mom, please, I only want to talk to her."

Without warning, Arianna changed the force she was applying to the door and instead pulled it completely open, causing Kaya to stumble a moment. She grabbed her hat and her skateboard, and began to push past Kaya forcefully. She slipped past Jess a lot more carefully as she made her way to the door.

"Where are you going?" Jess asked. She reached out to Arianna, but thought better of it before they made contact.

"Anywhere away from here. Probably will go hang out with Elena or something." Arianna was sliding her shoes on as she spoke.

"Maybe you should stay and talk to me-"

Arianna felt mildly bad cutting Jess off. "I just need some space. Away from her." She gave Kaya one last venomous look before she opened the front door and walked out, the door slamming behind her.

She felt her face burn with anger as she cut across the yard to the sidewalk. Arianna hadn't realized how late it was getting until now. She had no doubts that her parents would be blowing up her phone very soon, so Arianna sent a quick message to Elena about meeting at the skate park before she turned her phone off. It was definitely for the best, right?

Arianna readjusted her hat a bit as she walked. She regretted not wearing something a bit warmer than her button up overshirt, but she wouldn't be going back for a while. Might as well get used to that now.

Her mind began to wander back to the last time she had left the house that dramatically. She was much younger then. It was the first time she felt a real connection to Sacra.

Oh, but hopefully he doesn't come after me this time, she thought. It then occurred to her that Blee would probably be home soon, and Arianna finally lifted her gaze from the sidewalk. She hurried away from the sidewalk to cut across a neighbor's yard instead. It would take her to the next road over, one that made it less likely for her to see her mom. The trip to the skate park would be a bit longer, but she didn't care much about that.

As she reached the next street, Arianna stopped to fix the back of her shoe. She ended up losing balance and fell to her knees on the sidewalk. It didn't hurt that much. She was more annoyed than anything. Arianna began to push herself off the ground and reached to collect her skateboard.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Arianna jumped, startled by the voice of the person behind her. She twisted around to look at him, feeling a bit stunned. People didn't usually talk to her out of the blue like this, but she guessed he was just being polite after seeing her fall. Arianna felt a bit of embarrassment paint her cheeks pink.

"What? Um, yeah." Arianna brushed her jeans off. "I'm good. Thanks."

Arianna stuffed her skateboard under her arm and started to walk away.

"You're Arianna, right?"

She froze. How did he know her name?

"My name is Jordan. I'm Casey's boyfriend."

Arianna didn't trust this one bit, but she couldn't help but return her attention to the man - Jordan - when he mentioned her brother's name. Arianna turned back around, but didn't come any closer.

"Yeah…? He's never mentioned you before. Casey's only boyfriend is named Ezra."

"He hasn't talked about me?" Jordan looked a bit disappointed, but quickly replaced it with a smile. "That makes sense. We only started dating a few days ago."

"Right, sure."

"Actually, I'm here because Casey asked me to pick you up. He wants you to come spend the night with him, but he's working over tonight." Jordan chuckled to himself. "I told him it would be a bit weird, but you could call him, if you'd like?"

Arianna exhaled a nervous laugh, looking at Jordan with disbelief. He couldn't be serious.

"No, thanks," Arianna said, with a step backwards. "I'm not that stupid."

Jordan took a step forward to match. "We can even ask your parents, if you'd like. I know your house is nearby."

Arianna felt her body freeze at Jordan's words. She looked up at him, watching as he took careful steps towards her. Her mind was screaming at her to run, but she couldn't move. All she could bring herself to do was open her mouth and release a scream.

This signalled Jordan to lunge forward. He grabbed Arianna by the arm at first and yanked her closer. His free hand was placed around her mouth to muffle her scream, while his other released her arm and instead grabbed her around the waist.

Jordan lifted Arianna off the ground effortlessly, but Arianna wasn't going to let it be that easy. She twisted her body, and kicked, and grabbed his arms, but nothing seemed to be working. She was carried away from the sidewalk, leaving behind her skateboard and her hat, which had fallen off during the commotion.

"You're a screamer just like Casey was," Jordan whispered playfully.

Arianna began to fight harder. What happened to Casey? Where was he?

She was released only when Jordan threw her body down into the trunk of his car. She had no time to process an escape before the trunk closed, leaving Arianna in darkness.

"Let me out of here!"

Arianna twisted her body around to start kicking the trunk, screaming loudly as she did. It wasn't long before she heard the car start up, and they began moving.

"Someone help me!"

Arianna took shallow gasping breaths as she began to feel around the small area for anything useful. It wasn't long before she felt a sob rattle her entire body. Arianna knew screaming wouldn't help her, so she instead collapsed face first into the carpet of the trunk. The tears leaving her eyes slid down her nose and onto the floor.

"Why?" she whimpered. "Why is this happening?"

Arianna put her hands over her head and closed her eyes. The space itself wasn't all that uncomfortable. It actually reminded her of when she hid under her bed as a kid. She sniffled and tried to think of some way out of there.

It didn't take long before her mind brought her back to what Jordan had said about Casey. Did he hurt him?

Arianna rolled over on her back and began to feel in her pockets. It seemed her phone was gone as well. Either it had fallen with her other items, or Jordan took it from her without her realizing. It seemed like a pretty hopeless situation. She didn't know what was going to happen, but it couldn't be good.

As her eyes started to adjust to the darkness, Arianna began to notice something glowing faintly. Her eyes widened as recognition dawned on her. Arianna sat up a little too quickly and hit her head against the top of the trunk. She went down immediately and held her forehead with one hand, while reaching out to the handle with the other. This was probably the safety release handle, right?

She readied herself to pull it, but realized there was no way to escape with the car still moving. Or maybe she could? She'd jumped off her skateboard before and survived.

No, that's way different, she thought. Arianna sighed. She would probably have to wait until the car was stopped. She kept her hand ready to grab the handle when that moment came.

The minutes dragged on, and she couldn't feel the car stop at all. The idea of being on the interstate entered her mind, and she felt her chest tighten. She didn't want to be so far away from her family. How would she get back?

In a panic, Arianna pulled the handle and heard the pop of the trunk sound. She peered out the back, watching the road through the small opening she gave herself. Come on, just jump, she thought.

She couldn't move, though. She felt the car take a turn, and saw the paved road change to a gravel one.

Her thoughts were swirling with the possible actions she could take, but none of them seemed like the right one. There were too many things that could go wrong. Do something, she pleaded with herself.

The sudden stop of the car still wasn't enough for her to take action. She felt her heart beating heavy in her chest. The sound of a car door slamming triggered her muscles into working. She opened the trunk completely and began to climb out, but she felt the back of her shirt grabbed as her feet hit the ground.

"You can't leave yet, Arianna. Your brother hasn't even arrived yet."

"Let me go! Leave us alone-"

She felt Jordan's hand grab her arm and he pulled her backwards until their bodies were touching. His hand was over her throat, and his lips were uncomfortably close to her ear.

"I have something very special planned for both of you. Casey may have lived last time, but he won't this time. I'll make sure of that."

"Please…" Arianna whimpered.

"You'll get to see it happen, too. Both of you will experience unimaginable pain."

The pleasantness of his tone made Arianna shiver, a sob escaping her. Jordan grabbed her around the waist once again and removed his hand from her throat to reach into his pocket.

"For now, I need you quiet and out of the way."

He forced her mouth open and forced something into it, quickly putting his hand over her mouth. Arianna began to struggle, not wanting to swallow whatever he had just given her. She dug her nails into Jordan's hand as she tried to pry his hand away, but he wouldn't be moved.

"Shh, it's okay."

In her desperation, Arianna kicked her foot backwards until it made a forceful impact with Jordan's leg. It gave her the chance to wiggle free from his grip. Arianna immediately spit the bitter saliva and remainder of the pill onto the ground. She gasped and cried, but she knew she couldn't let herself collapse just yet.

With a cry of anger, Arianna stood straight up and jumped on Jordan, knocking him to the ground. She swung her fists against his face, fueled completely by her adrenaline. The world around her faded as she moved her arms. She lost count of how many times her fists collided with his face, but the blood leaving his nose and mouth felt satisfying enough to allow her to stand.

As she stood over Jordan, she felt another burst of anger and swung her foot against Jordan's crotch as hard as she could. The cry of pain Jordan made as a result pulled Arianna back to the reality of the situation. He wasn't important anymore. She needed to get home, and as far away from him as possible.

Arianna gasped for air as if she hadn't breathed at all during that, and felt the sobs send tremors through her body. She stumbled toward the car and looked through the windows. She spotted her cellphone, hat, and skateboard all in the backseat. After a quick glance at Jordan, Arianna opened the door and gathered up her things quickly. She replaced her hat on top of her head and stuck her skateboard under her arm.

Once she exited the car, Arianna unlocked her phone to call for help, but she noticed Jordan moving. He was standing up, very slowly.

"Fuck," she breathed. Arianna took off down the gravel path as fast as she could and pressed the phone to her ear. She didn't want to stick around to see what Jordan would try next.

---

After all the questions, and the comforting words from her family members, Arianna felt completely drained. She sat on the edge of her bed with Ira next to her, feeling his hand in hers. She was glad to sit in silence, but it was giving her too much time to think. It was taking an eternity for Casey to get there. What if something had happened to him, too?

As if he'd been summoned by her thoughts, a soft knock sounded against her bedroom door before it opened slowly and her brother peered around the door.

She jolted, despite the carefulness of Casey's approach, and the two of them stared at each other in silence as he entered the room. Shelby followed close behind and jumped on the bed to stick his face between Ira and Arianna's arms before awkwardly resting his head in Arianna's lap.

"Hey…" Casey said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Arianna stood from her bed, leaving Ira and Shelby behind to throw herself forward into Casey's arms. She trembled as her tears returned. Casey was stunned, and slowly put his arms around Arianna as he looked down at his sister.

"You're okay…" Arianna whimpered. "I'm so happy you're okay."

"I… yeah, I'm…" Casey exhaled as he hugged Arianna a bit tighter. "I'm glad you're okay…"

Behind Arianna, Shelby whined softly at her. Ira began petting him in response to this, seeming a bit tense.

Arianna finally let go of Casey and looked up at him with tears still streaking her face. She took a few breaths to calm herself enough to speak.

"Casey, who… who is Jordan?"

Casey visibly tensed at the question, now looking just as uncomfortable as Ira did. He avoided Arianna's gaze.

"He said he was your boyfriend, at first," Arianna continued quietly. "And then he said horrible things, like…" She felt a quiet sob escape her throat. "He said I screamed like you… a-and that you wouldn't live this time. What's… why did he…?"

Ira stood from Arianna's bed. "I'll go get you some hot chocolate, Ari."

Arianna nodded without looking back. "Thanks…"

He left the room rather quickly with Shelby following him. As the door closed, Arianna and Casey were left in silence.

"Did he hurt you?" Casey asked, his voice weak.

"Not really… He tried to give me some kind of drug, and then I broke free and, um…"

Arianna held out her hands in front of her. They were trembling, but Casey could see her knuckles were red and cut in a few places. A mixture of emotions swirled inside him at the sight. She hurt him?

"Are you gonna tell me who he is…?"

Casey swallowed dryly, attempting to hold the tears back that threatened to fill his eyes. He felt the strength leave his legs very suddenly as the memories of Jordan flashed in his mind. He wobbled over to Arianna's desk chair and held his hands together in his lap, playing with the rubber band around his wrist.

"I didn't… I didn't wanna have to talk about him to you. He's…" Casey bit his bottom lip, watching Arianna sit on her bed once more from the corner of his eye.

"He was my boyfriend. For a long time, actually… I was dating him when… when I was kicked out of the house…"

Casey pulled the rubber band harder. "Our relationship…" He released the rubber band to let it snap against his wrist. "I-It really sucked."

Arianna watched Casey silently for several moments, waiting for him to continue. Instead, Casey bit his lip and grabbed the rubber band once more.

"Like how?" she asked.

Casey closed his eyes and snapped the rubber band several more times. The words wouldn't leave his mouth, no matter how hard he tried. All he could feel was the cold metal digging into his wrists, the blood dripping from his chest, the hand around his throat-

"Casey?"

The sound of worry in Arianna's voice brought him back to the moment. He opened his eyes, feeling the tears finally leaving his eyes. Casey opened his mouth, but still, nothing would come out except for a breathy sob that sent his body into violent tremors.

"What did he do to you? Please, I want to… help…"

"Hurt me… everyday…" Casey choked. "For years, and he made me… I almost died, I-" Casey began to cough as he put his hand over his throat.

He slumped his shoulders and hung his head as he continued to sob. Arianna began to cry as well, watching how upset her brother was. It must have been really horrible. She didn't want to push him anymore than she already had.

Casey finally lifted his head weakly, and removed his glasses to place them in his lap. He wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands. "He went after you… b-because of me. I-I'm so sorry, I wanted to protect you…"

She had left her bed to hold Casey before her mind had actually caught up to what her body was doing. She didn't want to see Casey hurt anymore. She wanted to take away all of his pain. Arianna kept her arms wrapped tightly around Casey as he buried his face in her shoulder. He felt wrong receiving comfort from Arianna after what she went through that day, but he never wanted her to let go. The cold achy feeling that had begun to take over him was replaced by the warmth of her embrace.

"It's not your fault," Arianna told him, her voice barely above a whisper. "He seems really bad, and… and I'm glad he didn't take you instead."

"I wanted to keep you safe…"

"I am. I'm here, and I'm okay. It… it was scary, but I came back home." Arianna let go of Casey and looked down at him. "We can keep each other safe from Jordan, then? Like when we were kids… we can look out for each other."

He nodded slowly as he wiped his eyes once again.

Arianna turned her head towards the door when she heard Shelby whining. She crossed the room and opened it, letting him jump up on her as she scratched behind his ears.

"Hey, Ira?" Arianna called from the open door. She moved backwards and Shelby's front feet fell back to the floor. He licked the side of her pants instead, and she put a hand on top of his head.

It didn't take long before Ira peered around the door, observing the two in the room.

"You can come in now, if you wanna."

He gave Arianna a comforting smile and carefully pushed the door open a little wider. Sure enough, he was carrying her favorite mug, painted with red balloons, filled with hot chocolate. She eagerly reached out for it and felt the small wave of comfort as she held the warm mug in her hands.

"Did you want anything, Casey?" Ira asked after a moment.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you."

Casey wiped his eyes again, even though they were dry now. A habit of not wanting to leave evidence of him crying, though it was probably obvious from how red his face was. Casey carefully replaced his glasses on his face, and grabbed the rubber band on his wrist once more as his hands fell in his lap.

"Hey," Arianna started, "do you think maybe… you two could stay the night with me tonight?"

Ira and Casey slowly shifted their attention from Arianna to each other. Neither of them really knew much about the other, and every encounter they'd had before now had just felt a bit awkward.

"If it's okay. I would feel safer if you did, but I could always get dad instead."

"I can stay," Ira said, his gaze turning back to Arianna. "I don't mind."

Casey nodded slowly. "I can stay, too."

Arianna smiled and sat the cup down on her desk. She immediately reached for Ira, feeling a bit better as soon as his arms were around her. Ira's hugs always felt safe for her.

"I guess it's a sleepover, then."

#i love that everytime i include ira in a story it's about arianna #they belong together 🥺❤️#jess #hnmp #arianna #kaya #casey #todd's ocs #uh #blezbian #?#jordan #hnmp gen2 #nano short stories

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dhufflebee · 4 years ago

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damned thoughts, damning decisions (a Glee fanfiction)

One-shot Fandom: Glee Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Jesse St. James; Rachel Berry Additional Tags: Missing Scene; Confrontations; trying to make sense of Jesse's face-heel turn in "Funk"; Slight blackmail; Shelby is terrible (sorry)

Also read on: AO3 | ff.net Summary: Jesse is summoned by Shelby and given an ultimatum. A change (a betrayal?) of that kind needs some sort of reason, though, even for a mess of a teenager like he is.

I know it’s been years, but I’m still pissed at the bad writing re: Jesse at the end of season 1. He did have his dickish moments throughout the episodes, sure, but such an abrupt change in behavior makes no sense – there was no context or explanation at all, and we deserved more, as did the characters. I don’t think the events in Funk were part of the plan from the start (because nothing that happens or is said beforehand supports it), and I’m convinced that it was a later development, and an unwelcome one at that.

Hence, this bridge-the-gap scene that’s been on my mind since the first time I watched the show. I’ve read some great fics about this plot point over the years; I guess it was time to write mine. it’s not elaborate nor particularly insightful – mostly Jesse being a conflicted teenager under pressure and (sadly) an all-around mess. I just wish they’d put something in the show so the whole situation would feel less out of the blue.

Lastly, sorry to Shelby fans, but I kind of hate her. Also, peer pressure is a bitch (and I’m sure it played a huge part in the whole debacle, even if I just hint at it in this fic).

“So, what happened to ‘I regret never getting to hold her’ and all that?” Jesse asked with a hard voice, and dropped his school bag unceremoniously on the ground. He was tired after the drive from Lima to Akron on a school-day afternoon, and annoyed about being rudely summoned like some sort of minion. (He guessed he was a bit angry at himself as well, because it was not like he’d protested all that much.) Mostly, though, he was pissed at Shelby for the way she’d treated Rachel, his anger fueled by the fresh memory of his girlfriend tearfully recounting how she’d been rejected by her mother. Again.

“I beg your pardon?” Shelby retorted, arching an eyebrow, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

“That whole convoluted plan just so you could finally meet Rachel, and then that’s how you treat her?” Jesse tried to keep his voice steady, but the situation and Shelby’s blasé attitude were making his blood boil.

“Who do you think you are, our family counselor?” Shelby sneered, and Jesse barely suppressed the urge to up and leave right then and there. “What I decide to do with my life is none of your business.”

“It kinda is, though,” Jesse spat, bitterly. “Since, you know, Rachel is my girlfriend, and you are the one who forced me to take part in this charade!”

Shelby stared at him for a moment, then chuckled. “I seem to recall you being ok with it, mister ‘it’s going to be a good acting exercise’.”

“Well, I recall telling you I wasn’t all that comfortable with it anymore, and you ignoring me and even doubling down on it.”

“You seemed awfully comfortable with your spot amongst New Directions, though. And yet, you still went on spring break with Vocal Adrenaline,” Shelby mused, smirking unkindly.

Jesse inhaled sharply, clenched his fists and looked at his feet, the shame that had been in the back of his mind for the past months flaring up. “That’s not fair,” he whispered. “It was just Andy and a couple of others—they’re my friends…”

“Anyway,” Shelby interjected, matter-of-factly. “I don’t care about your holidays, and I don’t have any more time to waste. I told you to come here to say this—you’re coming back to Carmel by the end of the week.”

Jesse’s head shot up, and he stared at Shelby in utter bewilderment. “What? No!”

“Oh, I’m sorry—was there anything in our arrangement that made you believe I’d let you spend the rest of the year in that mediocre school?” she asked, sarcasm dripping from very word.

“But I thought—” Jesse frowned, and shook his head; he didn’t know how to finish the sentence (really, what had he been thinking?).

“You clearly didn’t,” Shelby said, raising her eyebrows. “I want you back in this auditorium by Friday. And I won’t be accepting excuses.”

“But I can’t!” Jesse pleaded. “What about Rachel?”

“Oh, Rachel understands that I’m not in the right headspace to be her mom at the moment,” Shelby answered, waiving her hand nonchalantly. “She was very sympathetic.”

Jesse’s anger came back in full force, burning at the pit of his stomach. “It was all a front, just so you know. She didn’t want you to feel like she was a burden, but honest to God, in hindsight she should have raged at you for being a —”

“Don’t you dare,” Shelby hissed, shutting him up. “You have no say in the matter.”

“I do, too! I’m owed the right to speak my mind,” Jesse exclaimed. “And whatever the circumstances, Rachel is still my girlfriend.”

“Yeah well, that has to end.”

Jesse deflated. “What?”

“I’m sure you realize that, if you come back to Vocal Adrenaline, you can’t keep dating the lead of New Directions,” Shelby said, with the tone one would reserve for an eight-year-old.

“But I don’t want to,” Jesse answered, his voice no more than a whisper.

“What was that?”

“I said, I don’t want to,” he repeated, standing a bit straighter.

“It was not a suggestion, Jesse.”

“I already told you, though! I like Rachel, for real. I know this all started as a ruse, but now I think I might even be—” Jesse couldn’t bring himself to finish his own thought. He was scared as hell to admit it to himself, let alone to Shelby.

“Well, it doesn’t seem like it’s ever stopped you before,” Shelby shrugged. “I gather your reputation as a callous, careless heartbreaker has to come from somewhere.”

Jesse didn’t know how to answer, because it was all true. And it stung like a bitch, especially because with Rachel everything had been different, was different, and he didn’t want to be that person anymore. He was starting to be ashamed of his old self—it was a weird sensation, but one he didn’t want to forego, and surely not in the way Shelby was ordering him to.

“Listen, I really don’t care about your imminent break-up with Rachel,” Shelby stated. “Just do it. And then come back here, ready to work.”

“And what if I don’t?”

“Then I’ll have to call the UCLA Admissions Office and have them revoke your scholarship,” she answered pointedly. “You know I have pull. Good luck asking your father for the money.”

Jesse was dumbfounded. No way in hell his father was going to give him a penny, let alone pay for his entire tuition. He wanted to say something, but the anger and dread he was feeling seemed to be an insurmountable obstacle for his voice.

This is practically blackmail, Jesse thought, annoyed. However, a part of his brain was more worried about disappointing yet another important adult in his life than about anything else. He hated Shelby for manipulating him and Rachel and the whole situation, but he was determined to not be looked at as ‘a failed project’ by anyone else. His family was already enough.

Lost in his thoughts, Jesse was beginning to hate himself as well, because he was actually considering going along with Shelby’s request. He couldn’t ask his family for money, and he couldn’t imagine not going to UCLA after boasting so much about it. In all honesty, he also couldn’t bear the thought of not winning his last national title as a senior; and God knows New Directions were not even close to being victory material, even with him as a member. Besides, no one liked him there or ever listened to him, even though they could really use his advice.

The thought of helming a great number and raising another national trophy was more and more appealing with every passing minute—and with that the certainty of actually being worth all the fuss, regardless of what his father always told him, and the confirmation his self-confidence (arrogance?) was not misplaced. The voice in his head (a voice that sounded painfully like Rachel’s) kept telling him he was reverting to his old dickish ways, but… well, he’d been suppressing that particular thought for a very long time.

After a while, Jesse lifted his head, his eyes meeting Shelby’s. He clenched his jaw, then nodded stiffly.

Shelby relaxed, and started gathering her things. “Good boy. Now, I want this break up with Rachel and with New Directions to be grand—there has to be no doubt that you have closed that door. Squash their morale, too, for good measure.” She shouldered her bag and started walking towards the exit. Then she turned around and added, almost as an afterthought: “I put Giselle in charge of the whole thing, by the way. Apparently, she already has some brilliant ideas or whatever. I don’t care what you do, just do it well. See you on Friday,” she said, before disappearing out the door.

Jesse sighed, and picked up his bag from the floor. Anger was still simmering somewhere in his guts, but it was being silenced by a wave of uneasiness and by a dull and persistent heartache. He grabbed his phone to check his notifications, and saw that Giselle had already written him a string of messages. He read them, purposefully ignoring the texts he’d received from Rachel in the meantime.

Jesse St. James, as I live and breathe. Ms Corcoran told me you’re coming back and let me tell you, fi.na.lly.

Anyway, I’ve already started planning a couple of fun things to remind those losers who the superior show choir is

Tomorrow be here sharp and ready cause we start rehearsing

Also there’s gonna be something special just for your girlfriend – we’re not comfortable with you simply breaking up with her. It has to be hard and memorable,, you’ve already played mole before and we’re not willing to risk it

Stay tuned for that (and remember it’s a deal breaker if you want us to back you up as lead ever again)

Jesse groaned, already dreading whatever the hell was coming. He tried to suppress the shame he felt by imagining himself holding a fourth national trophy (which was easy) and trying not to think about Rachel (which was very, very hard).

He spent the drive home furiously wiping the tears off his cheeks.

#glee #glee fanfiction #jesse st james #shelby corcoran #fanfiction #i've had this stored in my brain for close to a year and finally it has seen the light of day #glee (tv)#my fics

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thehereticaldeserthermit · 4 years ago

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𝕆𝕦𝕥 𝕆𝕗 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣 ℚ𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤

ROLE PLAYER GET TO KNOW YOU PROMPT

Alright TDC Community It’s time for a task,

and this time we’re all going to get to know each other a little better.

Under the cut, you’ll find forty out of character questions split into two parts: OOC about your muses, and OOC about yourself! Answer what you’d like, add more if you’d like.

When you’re done TAG some of your writing partners and keep FUN going.

-there is no pressure to participate

-IF You Are Reading This And You’d Like To Participate Consider Yourself Tagged My Friend!

Much Love,

TheJesseWhoLurks

I tag @lyr-taxidermist @theghostofharar @hurdygurdyskeksis @urskekyagvi @skekmal-the-hunter @skekso-the-emperor @gourdplayer @hedonistschambers @ulvanmaudra @littlebluezoologist @the-wandering-urru @queenofthetides @juliejewel24 @thecastleurru

OOC About Your Character(s)

1. What do you want to get out of playing this character(s)?

The reason I wanted to write for Gra was to meet fellow fans that loved the world of TDC as much as I do, I wanted to find fellow writers. I wanted to steep myself in the fandom. You can easily consider me skeKSis obsessed but I am growing a fondness for their counterparts -slowly ❤

2. Describe your character(s) with three words.

Passionate | Erratic | Trustworthy

3. What made you decide to write this muse?

Originally I was going to pick up The Ritual Master, he’d been my OG fav from the movie BUT Gra kept ... poking me with his scepter? Like; I live in the desert, you live in the desert, Ima recluse, you’re a recluse =we are simpatico. I think The Heretic picked me because he simply would not leave my mind when I considered him as a possibility.

4. If you could change one event in your muse’s life (in their main or canon verse), what would you change?

Canon. I mean they left us kinda hanging there. We really do not know what happened do we? They are simply, just not there anymore. I do not want them to perish, I want them to make it to the finish line and become urSkek. It breaks my heart to think they did not make it.

5. If you could tell your muse one thing, what would you tell them?

I would not say anything, just hug him REALLY tightly and probably not let go until he gives me a chitter-laugh.

6. If you could give your muse one gift, what would you give them?

I would like to give them...ME.

7. If you had to take one positive thing away from your muse, what would you take away?

I do not want to take a positive thing from the fibers that make up Gra. I feel they are very interwoven in his tale. Removing one would make another untether. If I could take away or diminish a bad trait Id have him not be so stubborn and or impatient but then again he would not be Gra now would he?

8. If you could “borrow” one aspect of your muse and apply it to yourself or your own life, what would you borrow?

His determination, passion. Damn son. You get things done.

9. Do you genuinely want your muse to be happy? What do you think would make them most happy in life?

Yes. He’s gotten his ass handed to him, I think he might be owed a slice of peace and happiness. What makes him most happy? He’s already showed me; his relationships whether its friendship, extended family or a lover those are treasures he holds near and dear to his heart.

10. Do you enjoy putting your muse through angst? What do you think would break their heart the most?

Usually I prefer to plot out angst rather then let it completely run a-muck because you never know what your partner is comfortable with, what might trigger them in a detrimental way and simply set fire to a plot unintentionally.

I already know; it literally is ... break his heart.

11. What do you love about your muse?

His dynamic energy, the wild fire, the mystical chaos, the creativity is off the charts. His sharp distinguished features, the way he looks shamanistically feral as compared to his brethren and their Garthic garb. His use of the color red. His scratchy rasp of a voice. His laugh.

12. What do you hate about your muse?

He is a high maintenance muse, he is demanding and screeches loudly for what he wants.

13. What about your muse amuses you?

The fact that he is a skeKSis. This brings a whole slew of challenges to the table for a writer. Case in point, I was writing a reply one day and I went to put something in along the lines of ‘he arched his brow and blah blah’ THEN he hit me! He has no eyebrows to arch, ahhh! I have to stop and think about how to write out expressive traits or reactions that are not of the usual human reaction tone.

14. What about your muse makes you sad?

How fragile his heart really is after all the shit he’s endeared.

15. How would you describe your muse to someone about to meet them, in person, for the first time?

Get Ready For A Wild SURPRISE!

16. Would you like your muse as a person if you met them in real life?

Yes, I like creative souls. I cherish them.

17. In what ways are you better than your muse? In what ways are they better than you?

I do not think I am or he is better than the other.

But I will say he is a handsome devil, for a skeKSis.

18. Why do you think you connect to your muse?

Creative. Outcast.

19. What aspect of your muse’s personality is most important to you? What aspect of your muse’s personality do you think is most important to them? Is it the same? Why or why not?

His passion and drive. I’d say its the same answer for us both. All of the accomplishments he tackled probably had their stacks of obstacles with each to-do. You’d have to have an unending supply of passion and drive to keep going, to complete all. He really is a work-a-holic and a busy body skek.

20. Has your character(s) changed over the time that you have been playing them? How have they changed?

Not yet but I am sure he will, creative liberties will be taken since I only have a a episode or two to work with -am I right?

About You!

1. What is your name?

Jesse.

2. What is your profession?

secret shit.

3. What do you do to relax?

I write. Play video games. Naps are divine. Hot coffee and watch YT videos. DOodle. Desert combing walks. Long hot baths. Organize things xD

4. What is your favorite treat (desert)?

All kinds, I’m not picky. I love me some chocolate lately.

5. Favorite movie

Too many to list. Its October right now. All I want is Hocus Pocus, some Harry Potter and Practical Magick at the moment. Tis the season.

6. Favorite book

I do not think I have a favorite. BUT I will admit that I have a copy of The Dark Crystal that I STOLE FROM A LIBRARY YEARS AGO! I have kept it all this time, its falling apart and its aged with beauty and I adore it ❤ I also have a Jim Henson book about puppetry and his works, there is a page from TDC and if my memory serves me right it has the concept art of skekGra in it sooo sooo I was looking at skekGra YEARS AGO AND HAD NO CLUE the conjunction that would line up in the future! I really neeed to go find this book but its in a storage shed that will be a fresh hell to get to =[ *

7. Favorite vacation spot

Anywhere where its either very green and or by some body of water. Ocean, river, lake. Yes, good. -not very many humans around save for present company reading thiiiis.

8. Favorite Disney movie

Are you kidding me? Too many to list, although I will say The Sword In The Stone did play a part in Gra’s Crystal Skimmer named Archimedes after the grouchy old owl.

9. How did you first get into role playing?

Years ago. I started writing on face book. I wrote for a pirate believe it or not, he was my first muse and he holds special place in my black heart and probably always will. But I am disinclined to acquiesce the gift of further details about this scurvy cursed muse, Ha!

10. What was your first platform? If it was something other than Tumblr, what made you get into Tumblr?

It was face book, before they got all crazy about accounts and security. I moved over to tumblr because writers were incredibly rude and rapid fire RP-ers. One liner sentences and I’m like NOPE I need a novel length.

11. What’s a grammar rule you find yourself breaking or ignoring a lot?

Sometimes I have a touch of dyslexia, sometimes I typo, sometimes I am too tired to proof read, sometimes I make blunders. But I tend to focus on my mistakes rather then other peoples. I just go with the flow, I just write no matter what their level of ‘proper grammar’ IS because I’d like to think that maybe they are just starting out, maybe they will fall in love with writing and maybe they will be the next author who creates a world we all fall in love with and want to immerse ourselves in.

12. Are there any languages besides English in which you think you could comfortably roleplay?

I do not RP in other languages. However I did have a muse at one time who was French, I would throw in little phrases but it was never entirely done in French and I do have a British muse at the moment, so again I will use slang and little sayings to make them well rounded as best as I can. Those are just little details I like to include that many others might skip on but I thrive for deets.

I do however have role play writing partners that are from ALL over the world which is amazing to me.

13. Do you listen to music while your write?

ALOT. I have tracks specifically for skekGra, that take me to his frame of mind. Even TDC soundtrack at times, the puppet show song and the blue flame part 2 are on replay a lot.

14. Are you a morning, day, evening, or night writer?

I am all over the place. My life is very hectic. I’d like to say its usually in the afternoon of evening for me, the house is settled down and things are silent but thats not always how it works out. Oftentimes I will sit down and write a reply or two, then dip to do mundane human things that adults do, then return back for a few more replies.

15. How does tiredness affect your writing?

Kills it. The weekends I work long hours therefor my brain is like WHAAAT.

16. What is your biggest obstacle to writing every day, if time doesn’t count?

It is always TIME. Sometimes stress levels can be an obstacle too, no lie. If something major is going on, I just throw my hands up like ‘I got nothin’’ and thats that.

17. How many drafts is a paralyzing amount?

Oh damn. Been there done that. I am much more picky about it nowadays. I try to limit skekGra to a certain number of replies because he also has to allow room for other muses.

Currently: Gra has ten replies on tumblr -no actually 11 &&& 4 on discord. I am two shakes away from cutting HIM OFF! lol.

18. Is there anything character-wise or writing style-wise that you can’t stand?

I’m open to different characters, I have written with a lot. I love a writer who has style, I appreciate the effort.

Etiquette, manners and consideration are oftentimes LACKING as of late.

19. What kind of anonymous questions are your favorite?

ANYTHING as long as it is not anon HATE.

20. What is your weakest point in writing? Angst, fluff, dialogue, etc.?

T I M E not having enough time to write the angst fluff and dialogue, smut too lets be real. It really is a bummer to me when I do not have the time, I work, I have a a lotta responsibilities, my life is like a hurricane a lot of the time so TIME is my weakness, oftentimes I am super J E L L O of people who are online all day, every day, always there I’m envious and I get writers FOMO which makes me laugh but its so damn true I could ugly laugh cry about it.

#OOC: Post Is Out Of Character #||| Just a lil get to know me thingy |||#the dark crystal #tdc age of resistance #skeksis #skekgra #skekgra the conqueror #skekgra the heretic

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jessethorn · 5 years ago

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Some Los Angeles Tips

People are always asking me what they should do when they visit LA. I am by no means the greatest LA expert on earth, but I’ve lived here more than a decade now, and I have some ideas for you. Note that I live in the far Northeast corner of LA, and really rarely travel to the western half of town. So if you are looking for advice on Beverly Hills stuff or Malibu stuff or whatever, I am not that helpful. Also this is very subjective and really non-comprehensive in general. Just some stuff I like!

In General

Rent a car if you drive, but don't be afraid to take the bus or subway. There are some very long distances to traverse, and not everything is convenient to transit, but the transit is reasonably comfortable and efficient for a lot of purposes (going downtown, for example), particularly when combined with some judicious ride-sharing. There's plenty of parking everywhere, despite what Angelenos would have you think. Don't try to do too many things in one day, or cross town on the 10, 101 or 405 at anything even resembling rush hour (ie between like seven and ten thirty or three and seven on weekdays). Stick to one area for the day, maybe two.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology This is the best thing in Los Angeles and one of the best things in the world. It is part museum, part art project. To explain it much further might ruin the experience of visiting it, but please take my word that it is one of the most amazing places in the world.

The Watts Towers As the name suggests, they're in Watts, a bit out of the way for some trips, but absolutely without a doubt worth the travel. They're an incredible artwork/building built in a backyard out of rebar, concrete, glass and tile by an illiterate Italian immigrant in the mid-20th century. Worth signing up for a tour, they are cheap (it's a city park) and not all that long. There's also a little gallery on the site. One of the great works of American outsider art and a deeply beloved city treasure.

Other, More Regular Museums LACMA is a world-class art museum. The collection is a bit scattered (and as of this writing a wing is closed for renovation and replacement), but it's really good. It's in Mid-City on the Miracle Mile, and surrounded by other museums. The Petersen Automotive Museum is pretty cool if you're into cars. La Brea Tar Pits are more park than museum, but the museum is fun in a kitschy way, if you're into prehistoric creatures. It's also a nice place to eat lunch. In Exposition Park are a few major museums - the Natural History Museum is pretty good, though not better than others in other major cities (the Field Museum or whatever). The science museum is OK but significantly outclassed by the competition (it's no Exploratorium), though it does have a real space shuttle, which is pretty sweet. The Annenberg Space for Photography does what it says on the label. A good mid-size museum of photographs, check what show is up. The Broad is a nice contemporary art museum in a beautiful building that's right near Walt Disney Concert Hall, also an incredible building. They have a second campus in Little Tokyo that's very nice but smaller.

Architectural Stuff The LA Conservancy runs affordable walking tours that take you into some of the most fascinating built environments in LA. The subject matter ranges from Art Deco in downtown to the modern skyscrapers of the 50s through 90s. They're mostly Saturdays, but a few also run on weekdays. Can't recommend them enough if you're up for a couple hours of walking. You can go inside the Bradbury Building and up into the upper floors! It's cool. (The Conservancy also runs screenings in the big movie palaces downtown, which are mostly otherwise closed to the public. Definitely recommend those.) A couple of other architectural highlights: the Hollyhock House is in Barnsdall Park in Los Feliz. It's a restored Frank Lloyd Wright estate willed to the city many years ago that as of relatively recently runs regular tours. Also in the park is the city art museum of LA, which sometimes has some cool shows. Cal Poly Pomona students run tours on Saturdays of the Neutra VDL studio and residences in Silver Lake, which can be combined with a nice walk around the lake and some middle-aged-hipster watching. The Gamble House in Pasadena is an absolutely breathtaking craftsman mansion with a lot of

Griffith Park Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It has all kinds of stuff within it - the LA Zoo, the Griffith Observatory, some great hiking. It's a great place to spend some time. If you have little kids, they will love Travel Town, a train graveyard/museum that's inside the park (and free!). The zoo is good if you like zoos, though not incredibly great or anything. The Autry Museum of the American West is worth a visit if you're into that kind of thing.

The Grove I know that we talk about The Grove a lot on Jordan, Jesse, Go. Please do not waste your vacation time at the Grove. It's a mall. It's fine. This also applies to the Americana at Brand, which we sometimes talk about because we have talked about the Grove too much. Also a mall. A little nicer than some? I went there when I needed a new power cable for my Surface.

Dodger Stadium Look, I am a Giants fan and hate the Dodgers, but if you are a baseball fan, Dodger Stadium is a great place to watch a baseball game. Even I can admit that. Angel Stadium is about as generic as it gets, but if you go on a weekday you can take a train from Union Station in LA.

The Getty Center The Getty Center is a beautiful building on a breathtaking piece of real estate. It's pretty cool to visit, but be aware that most of the art is pretty early, so if you don't like busts or paintings of feasts and stuff from the bible, then it might not be your jam art-wise. And getting up there is a whole thing. That said: it really is a beautiful building and an incredible view, so you probably won't feel like it's a waste. And if you like busts, then get your ass over there.

Downtown Stuff I will again recommend the LA Conservancy's walking tours to get a flavor of downtown LA, which is very walkable and full of incredible stuff. The main library is a beautiful edifice, the history of which is detailed in Susan Orlean's The Library Book. Worth wandering around in. Grand Central Market is a great place to get a bite, though pretty bougie at this point. Right next to Grand Central Market is Angel's Flight, a block-long funicular that is a lot of fun and costs next to nothing. Besides this, there are still functional specialized commercial districts in downtown LA. The flower district is particularly fun - the big flower market opens early for wholesale sales but is open to the public and there are tons of stores selling silk and artificial flowers which are very fun to wander through. There are also areas with stores specializing in selling imported toys, store fixtures (a favorite of mine), jewelry and fabric. Most of the fabric is kinda garbage honestly but there is a good tailor supply store called B. Black and Sons and a great hat making store (worth visiting even if you don't make hats) called California Millinery Supply. FIDM also has a thrift store with cheap fabric leftover from LA-based factories.

Movies The Arclight is a fancy movie chain, and the Hollywood location (near Amoeba Records) is also the home of the Cinerama Dome, which is pretty fun. The Vista is a great single-screen theater on the east side. There are some great rep houses on the west side - check your local listings.

Comedy Stuff The UCB has a few great shows every night at both locations. It's hard to go wrong, though you should be aware you will be seeing things that are a little rougher than whatever makes it to your town as a road show. The signature improv show is Asssscat, which is absolutely as good as it gets. Dynasty Typewriter (right by our office) has a lot of great shows these days. A great standup show is Hot Tub at the Virgil. The big comedy clubs have pretty comedy-club-y comedy in them, not necessarily what I'd recommend, though you will certainly see a lot of relatively big names doing sets. The Improv Lab sometimes has MaxFun-adjacent headliners who've put together their own lineups, as does Flappers in Burbank. Largo has bigger-name shows of this variety as well, and if you go see a show there headlined by a Sarah Silverman or Patton Oswalt, the lineup will likely be packed with their pals, even if they aren't advertised.

Some Places To Eat This is NOT a comprehensive list. First: Jonathan Gold died a few years ago, but he is still the king of LA food. Anything he recommended in the Weekly or Times is still the gold standard (no pun intended). He was also a wonderful writer and a champion of foodways that are unfamiliar to many in LA, much less outside LA. If you are a food nerd, KCRW's Good Food is a superb local food show (and podcast) produced by Nick Liao, who used to work at MaxFun.

Philipe's The French Dip A restaurant that's been around for literally a century, with sawdust on the floor, big jars of pickled eggs, ladies in hairnets and really tasty French Dips. They have competing claims to having invented them but the other competitor turned into one of those goofy sleeve-garter-barman subway tile exposed lightbulb places about ten years ago. Philipe's is totally for real and great.

Pie N Burger This is just a burger place in Pasadena that sells classic SoCal-style burgers and is really great. Cash only, though.

Langer's The only one of the Jewish delis in LA that's really worth a special trip. The #19 (pastrami, cole slaw and swiss on rye) is truly one of the world's greatest foods. Pastrami here is better than anywhere else I've ever eaten, including those famous delis in New York.

Park's BBQ

One of many great Korean BBQ restaurants in LA, but the only one recommended to me personally by Jonathan Gold. (I also like Soot Bull Jeep, which barbeques over charcoal and will leave you smelling like smoke, and Hae Jang Chong for all-you-can-eat.) (There are LOTS of different kinds of Korean food, but I am not an expert on the soups and blood sausages and bibimbaps and etc., but if you're adventurous, you could eat a different Korean food at a different spot every month in LA and make out well.)

Guelagetza Oaxacan food is one of the best kinds of food in the world, and Guelagetza is an LA institution that serves good-quality Oaxacan food. Moles, tlayudas, queso fundido. If you've never eaten any of this stuff, a couple of chicken moles are a great place to start (as is Guelagetza).

Dim Sum You can drive all the way to the San Gabriel Valley and eat at one of the many wonderful dim sum places there. That's where the best stuff is. If it's not worth a special trip to you, I like a place called Lunasia in Pasadena, and they also serve dim sum for dinner. Not a HUGE menu but good food.

Mozza This pizzeria, now a sort of group of restaurants, is an unimpeachably excellent Fancy Meal in LA. So (per my producer Kevin) are the other restaurants run by the same chef, Nancy Silverton.

The Dal Rae This is an old-timey fancy restaurant in Pico Rivera, a semi-industrial part of LA. It's just a great place to wear a suit to and eat Clams Casino. Famous for their table-made Caesar salad (legit great) and pepper steak (too peppery for me). Generally the food is excellent in a 1955 sort of way.

Bludsoe's Best Texas-style barbeque I've had outside of Texas. Used to be a window down by the airport, now a fancier place on La Brea, but I'm told the food is just as good at the fancy place.

Pupusas I love to eat pupusas. Maybe my favorite food. I really like to eat pupusas at Los Molcajetes on Hoover in Westlake (near Koreatown). Note they are weirdly big here (a regional variation of some kind) and they only take cash. (Note also this is one of 10,000 restaurants in LA named Los Molcajetes.) I also sometimes eat at a nice sit-down Salvadoran place called Las Cazuelas on Figueroa in Highland Park.

In N Out In N Out is good! It will not change your life! But it is very tasty, especially for a $4 food! Some people complain about the fries, which are fresh-cut and fried only once and thus are less crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside than some others! I think they are fine! Try In N Out, why not! But maybe don't make a whole special trip to do so!

Tacos and Other SoCal Mexican Food Stuff Everyone has their own favorite taco places, and none of my favorites are so special they should be destinations. They are mostly my favorites because they are close to my home and work. But I can tell you that I like to get sit-down Mexican-American food at La Abeja on Figueroa in LA, where I eat a lot of carne adovada and enchiladas and sometimes albondigas or breakfast. I also really like to eat carne en su jugo at Carnes Asadas Pancho Lopez on Pasadena in Lincoln Heights. I eat tacos from Tacos La Estrella on York in Highland Park or the truck (with no name) across from the Mexican consulate on Park View at sixth in Westlake. At night I sometimes get cheap tacos (I like buche) from the place that opens up on Pasadena at Avenue 37. I like the shrimp and fish tacos at Via-Mar on Figueroa. I like Huaraches from Huaraches Azteca on York. The burritos at Yuca’s in Los Feliz (or Pasadena) are great, though they are totally different from the SF-style burritos that I grew up eating. I sometimes get nachos at Carnitas Michoacan on Broadway in Lincoln Heights, which feature meat and cheese sauce and are gross but also really, really good. I have also eaten at the very fancy Mexican restaurant Border Grill and to be honest it is really good even though the interior feels a little like a cross between a fancy restaurant in 1989 and a Chili's.

El Coyote This is a famous Mexican-American restaurant from the early part of the 20th century, but you shouldn't go there because the food sucks.

Stores I Like This is going to be REAL subjective, but a few stores I like which sell the kinda stuff you'd expect me to want. &etc - A great (small) antique store at 1913 Fremont in Pasadena. The Last Bookstore - A downtown bookstore that is the closest thing to a "destination" book store in LA. Good selection and reasonable prices on used books, and a nice art book room. (Records as well, but they're not very good.) Gimme Gimme Records - I like this record store in Highland Park. You'll pay retail here, but reasonable retail, and the selection (while not immense) is really excellent. Good stuff in all genres.

Secret Headquarters - One time at this small comics store in Silver Lake the lady at the counter asked if I was Jesse from Jordan Jesse Go and they won my business forever in that moment. Don Ville - My friend Raul makes and sells shoes (and repairs them!) in the northern part of Koreatown. If you have the dough, get him to make you some shoes! The Bloke - A really great little menswear store in Pasadena. Sells cool (expensive) trad-ish brands like Drake's and Hilditch & Key and Alden. The Good Liver - A beautiful shop in Little Tokyo specializing in perfect home goods. The perfect scissors, the perfect dish towel and so forth. Some things are expensive, some aren't. H Lorenzo Archive - The "outlet" shop of a designer clothing store on the west side. Discounts aren't huge, but the selection is really interesting, and they have a good collection of one of my favorite brands, Kapital. Sid Mashburn - Excellent classic clothing shop on the west side. Suit Supply & Uniqlo - if you haven't got these where you live, they're the places I usually send people for reasonably-priced tailored clothes (Suit Supply) and cheap basics (Uniqlo). Olvera Street - This is an old-timey tourist attraction, a street of folks selling Mexican handcrafts (and their Chinese-made analogs). Right near Union Station and Philipe's, and a great place to buy factory-made huaraches (the shoes, not the food). They even have sizes big enough for me, which is pretty much impossible to find in Mexico or most Mexican-American shoe stores. Thrift Stores - I go to a lot of thrift stores but if I told you which ones you might buy something I would have bought so I'm not going to tell you which thrift stores.

Flea Markets You may know I am at the flea market every weekend. The good fleas are on Sundays, and there's one every week. First Sunday of the month is Pasadena City College, a big (and free) market with pretty reasonable pricing. PCC has a pretty big record section in addition to the regular flea market stuff. Second weekend is the famous Rose Bowl flea, which is HUGE and has a big new goods section (blech) and vintage clothing area (good!). Third weekend is Long Beach Airport, which is a great overall show. Fourth is Santa Monica airport, which is smaller and a little fancier but very nice. The Valley flea is also fourth Sundays, at Pierce College, and that's not huge but sometimes surprises me. With all of these, the earlier you can arrive, the better you'll do (not least for weather reasons). I usually try to get there around 7:30 or 8:00. The Rose Bowl in particularl is a 4-6 hour operation if you do most of it. There are also a lot of swap meets - I don't know enought to recommend any in particular, but these are much more about tube socks and batteries and bootleg movies than antiques and collectibles. Still can be fun, though, and are certainly a proud SoCal tradition. (The Silverlake Flea and the Melrose Trading Post are garbage, don't go there.)

Going to the Beach I'm not a huge beach goer, but by all means go to the beach if that's your thing. The Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica is a great place to base your operation, though you have to arrive in the morning on busy days to get a parking spot.

Kid Stuff I mentioned Travel Town, that's pretty great. Kidspace in Pasadena is a very good children's museum. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a great place to see a marionette show straight out of 1966. There's a good aquarium in Long Beach though it's a bit nutty there on weekends, and the zoo in Griffith Park is a good zoo. I really like Descanso Gardens, a big botanical garden northeast of LA. Huntington Gardens is also very nice, though it's much more expensive and hotter.

Geography Los Angeles is BIG. I'd say try to spend each of your days within about a sixth of it, geographically. It's entirely possible to do west side and east side stuff on the same trip, but don't try to do them on the same day. Look at a map and look at driving times when you're planning. Neighborhoods in LA are BIG, geographically speaking, don't assume two things in the same neighborhood are an easy walk. There aren't a ton of urban neighborhoods suitable for wandering in the way there are in some places. A few manageable general areas for stuff you might like: Silverlake/Los Feliz/Echo Park, Koreatown, Highland Park, downtown, Little Tokyo and the Arts District. (I live in the northeast part of town, and don't spend much time on the west side, which is one reason why this list focuses more on east side stuff. Some folks like West Hollywood and Venice on the west side. Long Beach and Pasadena are both neat towns with their own thing going on that might be worth a visit, too.)

Books & Media The Great Los Angeles Book is probably City of Quartz, a socialist-leaning history of LA. I really loved Susan Orlean's The Library Book, which is about the library as an institution, but also specifically the LA central library and the mysterious fire that nearly destroyed it. And a wild guy named Charles Lummis who was one of the founding fathers of LA culture and was really something else. (You can visit his house - it's right off the 110 near Highland Park.) An LA movie I love is The Long Goodbye, which is sort of a predecessor/inspiration for The Big Lebowski. A shaggy mystery directed by Altman where Elliott Gould just sort of wanders around LA. Another really cool one is Los Angeles Plays Itself, a long (long!) film essay about the ways the real Los Angeles has been used to create fictional worlds in film over the decades.

TV Tapings I'm not an expert in TV tapings. I can say that I've been to a few Conan tapings, and while it takes a LOOOOONG time to get in there, the show is fun to watch live. This is generally true of talk shows and most game shows, which tape more or less as-live. Sitcoms take WAY longer than you were expecting them to. Make sure to try to book tickets early if you have something you want to see. No matter what it's a most-of-the-day thing.

Nightlife Is a word that describes evening activities - especially dance clubs. I am old and don't know about these things.

The Magic Castle I can't get you in, please don't ask me to. I went a couple times. It's fine. If you're not into magic you're not missing too much. If you are, then obviously, it's a priority.

The Walk of Fame and Hollywood Not recommended, not worth it, don't bother.

Disneyland Why would you want my opinion about Disneyland? It's Disneyland. You're in or you're out.

San Diego If you happen to plan a side trip to San Diego, you can take the Amtrak there, and it is a breathtakingly beautiful and exceedingly pleasant trip. I have no San Diego expertise to impart beyond that, however.

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